Fox News Hourly Update: 7AM ET 02/19/2026 — Episode Summary
Overview
This episode delivers a rapid-fire rundown of key news stories from around the globe, emphasizing breaking events in Britain, South Korea, the U.S.-Mexico border, and sporting updates from the Winter Olympics. The main theme revolves around notable legal and criminal cases, geopolitical developments, and headline sports achievements.
Major News Highlights
1. British Royal Arrest in Epstein Probe
- Subject: Former Prince Andrew (Andrew Mountbatten Windsor), implicated in Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes, arrested.
- Details:
- Stripped of title and detained on his 66th birthday.
- Accused of misconduct in public office; allegedly passed documents to Epstein as a UK Trade envoy (00:14).
- Police conducting searches at Sandringham estate; Andrew denies any wrongdoing.
- Notable Quote:
“A former prince stripped of his title after being implicated in Jeffrey Epstein's sex trafficking… is now in police custody on his 66th birthday.”
— Dave Anthony (00:03)
2. Former South Korean President Sentenced
- Subject: Yoon Suk Yeol, ousted President of South Korea.
- Details:
- Impeached following his declaration of martial law in 2024 to suppress opposition.
- Sentenced to life in prison (00:39).
3. Ongoing Abduction Investigation — Tucson, Arizona
- Subject: Nancy Guthrie abduction case.
- Details:
- Day 19 since Guthrie was taken from her home; location: 60 miles from U.S.-Mexico border.
- FBI collaborating with Mexican authorities to widen the search.
- Reward for information increased to $200,000 (01:15).
- Notable Quote:
“FBI investigators have been in contact with Mexican authorities… speaks to the wide net cast in this investigation.”
— Fox’s Brian Yen (00:53)
4. Deadly Avalanche in California
- Event: Deadliest U.S. avalanche in 45 years.
- Details:
- Location: Near Castle Peak, outside Truckee, Lake Tahoe.
- One missing, presumed dead; eight killed, six rescued.
- Avalanche struck as a group of guides and skiers were concluding a 3-day expedition; avalanche warning was in effect (01:29-01:48).
- Notable Quote:
“As the group was leaving, police say one of the skiers yelled avalanche and it all came tumbling down.”
— Fox’s Claudia Cowan (01:48)
5. Global Politics: Gaza Rebuilding Focus
- Event: President Trump leads Board of Peace meeting on Gaza.
- Details:
- Focus on reconstruction efforts following ceasefire ending Israel-Hamas war (01:48-02:00).
6. House Oversight Epstein Probe Developments
- Subject: House Oversight Committee questions billionaire Les Wexner.
- Details:
- Wexner, former L Brands CEO, deposed in Ohio about Epstein/Maxwell connections.
- Wexner denies participation in crimes, claims to have been conned by Epstein (02:31).
- Notable Quote:
“We want to talk to anyone that has information about Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell's crime, abuse and trafficking of women and girls.”
— Rep. Robert Garcia (02:31)
7. Major Obamacare Fraud in Florida
- Subjects: Corey Lloyd and Steven Strong.
- Details:
- Sentenced to 20 years for leading scheme that fraudulently enrolled 35,000 into ACA, defrauding $233 million.
- Proceeds used for luxury purchases, including a yacht and Florida Keys residence (03:18).
- Notable Quote:
“The Justice Department says the pair led a scheme that preyed on Florida's homeless and jobless…”
— Tom Graham (03:18)
8. Financial and Olympic Sports Update
- Markets: Nasdaq futures down after recent gains (03:49).
- Winter Olympics:
- No medals that morning due to weather delays.
- U.S. Women’s Hockey to play Canada for gold.
- U.S. Men’s Hockey beat Sweden in overtime, advance to face Slovakia.
- The U.S. holds third in medal count with 24 medals; Norway leads (04:04-04:21).
- Notable Quote:
“The U.S. men's Olympic Hockey team won its first elimination game Wednesday, needed overtime to get past Sweden 2 to 1…”
— Jared Max (04:04)
Memorable Moments & Quotes
-
On British Royal Investigations:
“Emails suggest the king's brother may have passed the convicted sex offender documents while working as a UK Trade envoy.”
— Jonathan Savage (00:14) -
On Wexner and Epstein:
“He's been named more than a thousand times in the Epstein files that have been made public. And Wexner claims that he was conned by Epstein, had money stolen…”
— Dave Anthony (02:31) -
On Fraud Exploitation:
“Lloyd and Strong profited for years off the fraud. Buy luxury cars, an 80 foot yacht and a home in the Florida Keys.”
— Tom Graham (03:18)
Key Timestamps for Important Segments
- 00:03 — Royal arrest headline and Epstein connection
- 00:39 — South Korea former president sentenced
- 00:53 — Nancy Guthrie disappearance update
- 01:29 — California avalanche latest
- 01:48 — U.S. and Board of Peace meeting on Gaza
- 02:31 — House hearings in Epstein case; Les Wexner deposed
- 03:18 — Obamacare fraud sentencing in Florida
- 03:49 — Market updates and Olympic events
- 04:04 — U.S. men's and women's hockey at Winter Olympics
This episode encapsulates the urgency and drama of unfolding global and national stories, combining hard news, crime, politics, and cultural moments in the brisk, information-packed Fox News style.