Fox News Hourly Update – 5PM ET 02/24/2026 Newscast

Date: February 24, 2026
Host: Shell Palino (with segments by Ainsley Earhart, Steve Harrigan, Isaac Hayes III)
Main Theme: Rapid-fire summary of major political, domestic, and international news events shaping the U.S. and global landscape on February 24, 2026, with a focus on the State of the Union preparations, partisan divides, ongoing national security and crime stories, as well as noteworthy legal settlements.

State of the Union Address and Political Responses

Key Talking Points:

• Speaker Mike Johnson's Message to President Biden:

  • Encouraged the President to "go big" and highlight Republican achievements in the State of the Union address.
  • Quote, Mike Johnson (00:13):

    "When we are sitting in a country right now where inflation and gas prices and crime are going down and paychecks and tax refunds are going up, you have a secure border again. You have a restoration of peace through strength. We're respected around the world again, solving wars along the way."

• Democratic Pushback:

  • Dems assert the opposite trends: rising costs and lower job creation, with criticism of ICE.
  • Quote, Steve Harrigan relaying Democratic perspective (00:32):

    "Costs have gone up, job creation has gone down and ICE is totally out of control."

• Boycott and Protest Plans:

  • 70 House Democrats plan to boycott Biden’s speech; others will attend alternative protest events.
  • House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries encourages silent defiance for those who attend.
  • New Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger tapped for the formal Democratic response.

• Coverage Reminder:

  • Live State of the Union coverage begins at 8 PM ET on Fox News Radio (00:54).

Major National Stories

Ongoing Search for Nancy Guthrie

• Day 24 – New Reward Announced (01:12):
  • Savannah Guthrie, daughter and Today Show co-host, offers a $1 million reward for information.
  • Family maintains hope for a "miracle," but also acknowledges uncertainty about her return.
  • Quote, Savannah Guthrie (01:14):

    "We are offering a family reward of up to $1 million for any information that leads us to her recovery."

Mass Stabbing in Washington State

• Incident Details (01:24):
  • Five dead, including the suspect, after a stabbing in Pierce County, WA.
  • Deputies initially responded due to a no-contact order that hadn’t yet been served.

International: Mexico Violence and US Tourist Safety

• Update After Cartel Clashes (02:16):
  • Shelter-in-place order for US tourists lifted following drug cartel violence in Mexico.
  • Mexican army’s attempt to detain a cartel leader led to gunfights, fires, and chaos.
  • Quote, unnamed US tourist—Narrator (02:36):

    "Smoke all around us. All the cars were going on fire. Then we had the explosions. They had machine guns going off all around us."

  • Elderly tourists stranded when hotel transport vans seized and set on fire; many depended on police escorts to return to safety.
  • Fox’s Steve Harrigan reporting from Puerto Vallarta (03:05).

Legislation and Policy

Aircraft Safety Bill Fails in House

• Locator System Mandate Blocked (03:05):
  • Proposal for required midair collision avoidance tech (in response to a fatal crash) fails in the US House.
  • Competing, more comprehensive version had previously passed the Senate.

Legal and Cultural News

Trump Campaign Lawsuit Settlement

• Copyright Dispute Resolved (03:32):
  • President Trump and the estate of Isaac Hayes reach an undisclosed settlement over unauthorized use of "Hold On, I'm Coming" in campaign efforts.
  • Quote, Isaac Hayes III (03:40):

    "The lawsuit has been mutually resolved and we are satisfied with the outcome."

  • Note: Sam Moore, surviving member of Sam and Dave, had opposed the lawsuit.

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• Mike Johnson emphasizing Republican successes:

  "…inflation and gas prices and crime are going down…" (00:13)

• Savannah Guthrie, heartfelt appeal:

  "…we are offering a family reward of up to $1 million…" (01:14)

• Terrifying tourist eyewitness in Mexico:

  "Smoke all around us. All the cars were going on fire. Then we had the explosions. They had machine guns going off all around us." (02:36)

• Isaac Hayes III on lawsuit resolution:

  "…the lawsuit has been mutually resolved and we are satisfied with the outcome." (03:40)

Topline Summary of Segments (with Timestamps)

• [00:03] – State of the Union preview; partisan perspectives on economic and security progress
• [01:12] – New appeal and reward in Nancy Guthrie missing person case
• [01:24] – Fatal mass stabbing update in Washington state
• [02:16] – U.S. tourists caught in Mexican cartel violence; first-hand account, situation resolution
• [03:05] – House failure to pass aircraft safety locator bill
• [03:32] – Trump campaign settles Isaac Hayes estate lawsuit
• [04:05] – Closing market rally update

This newscast delivers succinct, on-the-ground snapshots of major stories, echoing a brisk, direct Fox News tone—emphasizing political conflict, public safety, legal developments, and direct quotations from sources and newsmakers.