Fox News Hourly Update: 5AM ET 02/23/2026 Newscast

Episode Overview
This concise newscast delivers rapid-fire updates on major events impacting the U.S. and the world. Key themes include a crippling winter storm in the Northeast, a deadly security breach at Mar-a-Lago, significant news from Mexico's cartel wars, international diplomatic developments, economic highlights, and recent seismic and political events.

Major Winter Storm Slams Northeast (00:02–01:04)

• Storm Details

  • The northeast and mid-Atlantic are being pummeled by a powerful nor’easter.
  • Katie Byrne reports from New Jersey:
    • “Snow is still coming down at a fast clip. We've got it coming down at a sideways slant most of the time and it's been this way for hours.” (00:14)
    • Shoreline totals: ~6 to 7 inches; possibly higher inland.
    • Widespread wind-driven outages: “Now we're at 80,000 customers across New Jersey without power…impacting people along the coast.” (00:14)
  • Brandi Campbell in Boston outlines the relentless winter:
    • “Over 40 inches so far and a possible two additional feet of snow.” (00:56)

• Emergency Conditions

  • New York City: Non-essential travel is banned due to severe weather. (01:04)

Security Incident at Mar-a-Lago (01:04–01:56)

• Deadly Breach
  • Secret Service shot and killed 21-year-old Austin Tucker Martin of North Carolina after breaching President Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate. (01:04)
• White House Response
  • Press Secretary Caroline Levitt on X (formerly Twitter):
    • “In the middle of the night while most Americans were asleep, the United States Secret Service acted quickly and decisively to neutralize a crazy person armed with a gun and a gas canister who intruded President Trump's home. Federal law enforcement are working 24, 7 to keep our country safe and protect all Americans. It's shameful and reckless that Democrats have chosen to shut down their department.” (01:19)

Netflix's Economic Impact (02:00–02:31)

• Company Contributions
  • Over the past decade, Netflix contributed $225 billion to the U.S. economy.
  • 150,000+ jobs created across all 50 states, including cast/crew, carpenters, electricians, and small businesses.
• Memorable Line
  • “Netflix investing in America.” – Marianne Rafferty (02:00)

Major Cartel Leader Killed in Mexico (02:31–03:02)

• “El Mincho” Raid
  • The head of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel killed by Mexican military in western Mexico.
  • Violent cartel reprisals followed, including arson attacks and airport closures (e.g., Puerto Vallarta).
    • “Cartel members set fire to vehicles and buildings while trying to stop the operation.” – Brandi Campbell (02:39)
  • U.S. Embassy advises Americans in affected areas to shelter in place.
• U.S. Involvement
  • White House confirms U.S. government provided intelligence support. (03:02)

Iran Nuclear Talks and U.S. Political Response (03:02–03:42)

• Upcoming Talks
  • Next round set for Thursday in Geneva. The Trump administration is pressuring Iran for a deal.
• Democratic Criticism
  • Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro demands clarity on military plans:
    • “You will find no sympathy from me when it comes to the Iranians. But… what I want to see from our commander in chief is clear purpose, clear intentions, clear directives, and I think he owes the American people that answer before engaging in military action.” (03:27)

Political Updates (03:42–04:00)

• State of the Union
  • President Trump to address the nation on Tuesday 9pm ET. Topics: border policy, economic growth, new tariffs.
  • Democratic response by Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger.

Other Noteworthy Events (04:00–04:28)

• Alaska Earthquake:
  • Magnitude 6.3 quake in the Aleutian Islands; no tsunami or serious damage.
• North Korea:
  • Kim Jong Un reelected to head the ruling Workers Party.

Notable Quotes

• “Snow is still coming down at a fast clip... we've got it coming down at a sideways slant.”
  – Katie Byrne (00:14)

• “It's just a relentless winter here in Boston with over 40 inches so far and a possible two additional feet of snow.”
  – Brandi Campbell (00:56)

• “In the middle of the night while most Americans were asleep, the United States Secret Service acted quickly and decisively to neutralize a crazy person armed with a gun and a gas canister who intruded President Trump's home.”
  – Caroline Levitt, via X (01:19)

• “Netflix investing in America.”
  – Marianne Rafferty (02:00)

• “You will find no sympathy from me when it comes to the Iranians. But… what I want to see from our commander in chief is clear purpose, clear intentions, clear directives…”
  – Josh Shapiro (03:27)

Key Timestamps

• 00:02 – Winter storm coverage begins
• 01:04 – Mar-a-Lago breach and Secret Service response
• 02:00 – Netflix’s economic impact segment
• 02:31 – Cartel leader “El Mincho” killed in Mexico; U.S. Embassy warning
• 03:02 – U.S.-Iran nuclear talks preview; Governor Shapiro's remarks
• 03:42 – State of the Union preview
• 04:00 – Alaska earthquake and North Korea’s leadership update

This Fox News Hourly Update condenses urgent national and global developments with crisp field reporting and pointed political commentary, reflecting the dynamic, direct tone characteristic of Fox’s newscasts.