Fox News Hourly Update — 7AM ET, February 23, 2026
Host: Dave Anthony, FOX News Podcasts
Theme: A fast-paced news roundup highlighting the blizzard crippling the Northeast, disruption from cartel violence in Mexico, a security incident at Mar-a-Lago, Congressional delays over DHS funding, President Trump's tariff hike, and the conclusion of the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Major Blizzard Paralyzes the Northeast
[00:03 – 00:38]
- Dave Anthony opens with news of a severe blizzard impacting the Northeast, causing widespread travel disruptions and school closures from Delaware to Maine.
- Alexis McAdams reports live from Central Park, New York City:
"They were still cleaning up from a snowstorm weeks ago. We're now dealing with blizzard like conditions. This is a bomb cyclone." (00:14)
- Nearly 10 inches of snow already, with wind gusts at 50–60 mph.
- Visibility is dangerously low, prompting a travel ban and severely restricting road use.
- Airports across the region are essentially shut down.
- 20,000+ flights disrupted nationwide, per FOX Business Network’s Connor Hansen at Washington Reagan Airport.
- Over 400,000 power outages reported — New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Delaware are hardest hit.
Mexico: Cartel Violence Prompts Travel Warning
[01:08 – 01:28]
- Americans advised not to travel to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico; those already there told to shelter in place.
- Madeline Rivera details cartel violence following the killing of a major drug lord:
"The Mexican army says it conducted operations in Tapalpa, Jalisco, targeting Nemesio Ruben Osgara Cervantes, also known as El Mencho, the head of the Jalisco New Generation cartel. They say Oscara Cervantes died while on an airlift to Mexico City. The State Department once had a $50 million reward for his arrest." (01:08)
Security Incident at Mar-a-Lago
[01:28 – 02:00]
- Dave Anthony reports on a security scare at President Trump’s Florida resort.
- North Carolina man, Austin Martin, arrived with a shotgun and fuel can.
- Palm Beach County Sheriff Rick Bradshaw explains the confrontation:
"When confronted, he put down the gas can, raised the shotgun to a shooting position. At that point in time, the deputy and the two Secret Service agents fired their weapons. Martin was shot dead." (01:49)
- President Trump was not present during the incident.
Congressional Delays Amid Budget Stalemate
[02:32 – 03:17]
- Severe weather delays Congress’s return from recess, thwarting efforts to resolve stalled Homeland Security funding.
- Dave Anthony: Essential DHS workers may miss paychecks due to the stalemate.
- Ainsley Earhardt provides additional detail:
"The Senate was scheduled to do a roll call vote on the funding for the Department of Homeland Security...but Senate GOP leadership postponed the vote until Tuesday evening...Democrats are refusing to support funding for DHS unless reforms are made to federal immigration enforcement agencies like ICE and CBP." (02:45)
President Trump Raises Tariffs Following Supreme Court Ruling
[03:17 – 03:54]
- Dave Anthony reports:
- President Trump has increased global tariffs to 15%, up from the 10% announced on Friday.
- Move follows a Supreme Court ruling against him, limiting prior tariffs and stating he exceeded his authority.
- Immediate market response: Dow and Nasdaq futures fall over 100 points each, after major gains post-ruling.
Team USA Wins Hockey Gold as Winter Olympics End
[03:54 – 04:25]
- Jared Ma recaps a historic close to the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy:
"The United States men's hockey team won its first gold medal since the Miracle on Ice team of 1980 in Lake Placid, New York. The Americans beat Canada 2 to 1 in overtime on a goal by Jack Hughes, who earlier had teeth knocked out by a high stick and is now famously photographed as a gold medal winner with a bloody mouth and smile from ear to ear..." (03:54)
- Jack Hughes scores the overtime winner despite injury; his brother Quinn Hughes was also a key player, scoring the winning goal in the quarterfinal against Sweden.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- Alexis McAdams on blizzard severity (00:14):
"We're now dealing with blizzard like conditions. This is a bomb cyclone."
- Connor Hansen on travel impact (~00:38):
"Nearly 20,000 flights have been disrupted across the country..."
- Madeline Rivera on cartel leader's death (01:08):
"The State Department once had a $50 million reward for his arrest."
- Sheriff Bradshaw on Mar-a-Lago incident (01:49):
"When confronted, he put down the gas can, raised the shotgun to a shooting position..."
- Ainsley Earhardt on the Senate postponement (02:45):
"Democrats are refusing to support funding for DHS unless reforms are made to federal immigration enforcement agencies like ICE and CBP."
- Jared Ma on Olympic gold (03:54):
"Jack Hughes, who earlier had teeth knocked out by a high stick and is now famously photographed as a gold medal winner with a bloody mouth and smile from ear to ear..."
Key Timestamps
- 00:03 — Northeast blizzard update; travel shutdowns begin
- 00:14 — Live report from Central Park
- 00:38 — Flight & power disruptions update
- 01:08 — Mexico travel warning & cartel leader killed
- 01:28 — Mar-a-Lago security incident
- 02:32 — Congressional delays over DHS funding
- 03:17 — Trump increases tariffs after Supreme Court ruling
- 03:54 — USA men’s hockey wins Olympic gold
- 04:25 — End of the main newscast
This episode delivers a rapid but comprehensive survey of breaking national and international stories—anchored by on-the-ground reporting and punctuated by strong, immediately relevant quotes. For listeners, it’s a snapshot of the day’s big headlines with a sharp, news-driven tone.