Summary4 min read

Fox News Hourly Update – 5PM ET, February 21, 2026

Host: Carmen Roberts, FOX News Podcasts
Date: February 21, 2026
Duration: ~4 minutes

Episode Overview

This newscast delivers a rapid roundup of major developing stories: a blizzard warning targeting the Northeast, escalating US-Iran tensions, President Trump’s tariff response after a Supreme Court ruling, a tragic avalanche in California, calls for greater Western support for Ukraine on the war anniversary, and updates on the US government shutdown tied to immigration policy debates. Key voices include reporters, officials, and politicians, with breaking news and expert commentary in the network’s characteristically brisk, urgent style.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Historic Blizzard Expected for Northeast

[00:02–00:37]

Main Points:
- A nor’easter is set to impact New England and the Northeast, with all major I-95 corridor cities in the storm’s path.
- New York Mayor Zoran Mamdani issues a citywide warning in anticipation of the season’s second snowstorm and the first blizzard since 2016.
- Timeline: Light snow starts 6 am Sunday; intensifies after 6 pm.
- Projected snowfall: NYC 12–18", Boston, Jersey Shore, Long Island up to 2 ft, Philadelphia at least 1 ft.
Notable Quote:
- Mayor Zoran Mamdani:
  
  "Our city will face its second snowstorm in less than a month and our first blizzard since 2016. Right now, forecasts predict light snow will begin to fall tomorrow morning at 6am. Over the course of the day, it will grow heavier with intense snowfall beginning at 6pm."
  (00:20–00:37)

2. US-Iran Tensions & Military Presence

[00:37–01:11]

Main Points:
- President Trump issues a direct warning to Iran, linking threats to ongoing nuclear deal negotiations.
- US military boosts air power in the Middle East—triple the level seen in the previous “Operation Midnight Hammer.”
- Potential for rapid military escalation if no agreement is reached.
Notable Quotes:
- President Trump:
  
  "They better negotiate a fair deal."
  (00:54–00:57)
- FOX News Defense Reporter:
  
  "There's about three times the amount of air power assembled in the Middle East or heading there compared to Operation Midnight Hammer over the summer. And President Trump is considering unleashing it on Iran unless that country comes to an agreement with the United States."
  (00:57–01:11)

3. Tariffs, Supreme Court Ruling, and Presidential Response

[01:11–01:54]

Main Points:
- The Supreme Court has ruled President Trump cannot invoke an emergency powers act for tariffs.
- President Trump pivots, utilizing a different law to reimpose temporary global tariffs, raising rates to 15%.
- $175 billion in tariff revenue is now entangled in legal review, with potential for complicated and lengthy refund claims.
Notable Quotes:
- FOX News Trade Reporter:
  
  "President Trump has been able to quickly find a workaround for the tariffs. What's less unclear is the status of the roughly $175 billion in tariff revenue that are now subject to potential refunds. The court sent the issue back to the lower courts. With the refunds running through trade courts and the customs claims process, it could be very messy and take a long time to do."
  (01:32–01:54)

4. California Avalanche Tragedy & Recovery Efforts

[02:16–02:34]

Main Points:
- Recovery teams locate remains of nine backcountry skiers killed in a Lake Tahoe avalanche, ending the search paused by dangerous weather.
- The missing skier has been confirmed dead.

5. Ukraine War Four-Year Anniversary & Western Response

[02:34–03:33]

Main Points:
- Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson urges the West to send non-combat troops to Ukraine as a show of resolve against Russia.
- The Ukrainian Embassy in the US organizes a DC rally to mark four years since Russia’s full-scale invasion (Feb 24, 2022).
- The war’s toll may exceed one million casualties, with Russia still occupying “significant” Ukrainian territory.
Notable Quotes:
- FOX News Reporter Eben Brown:
  
  "On that date in 2022, Russia's ground forces, which had assembled on their side of the border, began their ground offensives targeting Kyiv, Kharkiv and Kherson. The war continues with Russia now occupying significant Ukrainian territory. While tallies of deaths are not conclusive, some analysts think the number of soldiers and civilians killed between both sides could be more than a million."
  (02:56–03:33)

6. US Government Shutdown & ICE Reform Debate

[03:33–04:01]

Main Points:
- The partial government shutdown remains unresolved as Senate Democrats push for reforms to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
- Senator John Fetterman voices frustration over lack of ICE reform in the current negotiations.
- FOX News poll: 59% of Americans view ICE tactics as “too aggressive,” up from last summer.
Notable Quotes:
- Senator John Fetterman:
  
  "All the Democrats, we agree that we want to have some reforms on ICE, but this would have none of that involved in it. This shutdown is nothing more than people that are afraid of the base to just explain to them that shutting down the entire DHS will have no impact or make those kinds of reforms for ICE."
  (03:42–04:01)

Memorable Moments by Timestamp

[00:20] – Mayor Mamdani’s sober warning about the incoming blizzard.
[00:54] – President Trump’s terse warning to Iran: “They better negotiate a fair deal.”
[01:32] – Legal and financial tangle in the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s tariff ruling.
[02:34] – Call by Boris Johnson for Western troop deployment in Ukraine.
[02:56] – Eben Brown’s somber summation of Ukraine’s losses.
[03:42] – Senator Fetterman’s direct critique of shutdown politics and the lack of ICE reform.

Closing Note

With urgent weather alerts, fast-moving geopolitical flashpoints, and the domestic policy gridlock, this FOX News update packs concise, high-impact headlines and on-the-ground context for a fast-paced news day.

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Transcript15 lines

[00:03]
A
A historic blizzard targets the Northeast. I'm Carmen Roberts, Fox News. A powerful nor' easter is expected to slam into parts of the Northeast and New England tomorrow and Monday, hitting every major city along the i95 corridor, including new York. Mayor Zoran Mamdani is warning residents to get ready tomorrow.
[00:21]
B
Our city will face its second snowstorm in less than a month and our first blizzard since 2016. Right now, forecasts predict light snow will begin to fall Tomorrow morning at 6am over the course of the day, it will grow heavier with intense Snowfall Beginning
[00:37]
A
at 6pm New York City is likely to get 12 to 18 inches of snow. Boston, the Jersey Shore and parts of Long island up to 2ft. Philadelphia, at least a foot. President Trump's warning Iran bad things will happen if it fails to make a good nuclear deal. As the US Military increases its presence
[00:55]
C
in the region, they better negotiate a fair deal.
[00:57]
D
Right now, there's about three times the amount of air power assembled in the Middle east are heading there compared to Operation Midnight Hammer over the summer. And President Trump is considering unleashing it on Iran unless that country comes to an agreement with the United States.
[01:11]
A
Fox's Lucas Tomlinson. Meantime, President Trump's not backing down on tariffs after a stunning Supreme Court defeat in which the court ruled an emergency power act does not authorize him to impose tariffs. He's using a different law and imposing temporary ones. This morning, he announced the new global tariffs will be 15% rather than the 10% he laid out yesterday.
[01:32]
E
President Trump has been able to quickly find a workaround for the tariffs. What's less unclear is the status of the roughly $175 billion in tariff revenue that are now subject to potential refunds. The court sent the issue back to the lower courts. With the refunds running through trade courts and the customs claims process, it could be very messy and and take a long time to do.
[01:55]
A
Fox's Madeline Rivera, America's listening to FOX News.
[02:00]
F
This is Ainsley Earhart. Thank you for joining me for the 52 episode podcast series the Life of
[02:05]
G
Jesus, a listening experience that will provide hope, comfort and understanding of the greatest story ever told. Listen and follow now@foxnewspodcasts.com or wherever you listen to podcasts.
[02:17]
A
Crews have recovered the bodies of nine backcountry skiers who were killed in California avalanche four days ago. Authorities say a search team reached the bodies of the eight victims and found the other one who had been missing, presumed dead since Tuesday's avalanche near Lake Tahoe. Those recovery efforts had been put on hold because of heavy snow and the threat of more avalanches. Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson says the UK And European allies should immediately deploy non combat troops to Ukraine to show Russia and President Putin that Western nations are committed to the nation's freedom. Meantime, Ukraine's embassy in the US Is holding a rally in DC Today to mark four years since Russia's invasion.
[02:57]
H
Ukraine's embassy in the US Is asking supporters to gather today for a rally at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington to mark four years since Russia's invasion started. The actual anniversary is February 24th. On that date in 2022, Russia's ground forces, which had assembled on their side of the border, began their ground offensives targeting Kyiv, Kharkiv and Kherson. The war continues with Russia now occupying significant Ukrainian territory. With while tallies of deaths are not conclusive, some analysts think the number of soldiers and civilians killed between both sides could be more than a million. Eben Brown, FOX News.
[03:34]
A
The latest partial government shutdown continues as Senate Democrats demand reforms to ice. Democratic Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania tells
[03:42]
I
FOX News all the Democrats, we agree that we want to have some reforms on ice, but this would have none of that involved in it. This shutdown is nothing more than people that are afraid of the base to just explain to them that shutting down the entire DHS will have no impact or make those kinds of reforms for ice.
[04:02]
A
And a recent Fox poll found 59% of respondents said ice tactics are too aggressive. That's up 10% since last summer. I'm Carmen Roberts. This is FOX News.