7PM ET 02/15/2026 Newscast

Summary

Fox News Hourly Update – 7PM ET 02/15/2026

Host: Carmen Roberts (with reports from Max Gordon and Trey Yingst)
Date: February 15, 2026

---

Overview

This episode provides a roundup of headline national and international news, including a break in a missing persons case, updates on US-Iran nuclear negotiations, the aftermath of the Daytona 500, Pentagon auditing struggles, military deployment costs, and the latest on the American government shutdown. The coverage features on-the-ground reporting, expert perspectives from lawmakers, and memorable live moments from national sports.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Breakthrough in Nancy Guthrie Disappearance Case

[00:03 – 00:58]

• Host: Carmen Roberts

  • Reports a "possible break" in the Nancy Guthrie case after two weeks of search efforts.
  • A glove found near Guthrie’s home had DNA matching that seen in surveillance video.

• Reporter: Max Gordon (from Tucson)

  • Details: Glove located about two miles from Guthrie’s home, closely resembles those worn by the suspect caught on doorbell footage.
  • FBI is awaiting final confirmation before entering the unknown male profile into the CODIS DNA database, a process expected to take 24 hours.
  • Investigators discovered and collected 16 gloves in the area, most traced back to searchers rather than the suspect.

  Quote: “This glove was found about 2 miles away in a field...and they say that it looks similar to the gloves that were worn by the suspect when he was caught on camera on that doorbell footage.” — Max Gordon [00:21]

---

2. US-Iran Nuclear Negotiations Resume

[00:58 – 01:32]

• Host: Carmen Roberts introduces the topic.

• Reporter: Trey Yingst (from Tel Aviv) delivers details on upcoming US-Iran talks in Switzerland.

  • Main Focus: Iran’s nuclear program, uranium enrichment, ballistic missile program, and its support of regional proxies.
  • Oman’s diplomatic role: Leading the talks, according to Swiss Foreign Ministry.
  • Iranian Deputy FM signals willingness to compromise on nuclear issues in exchange for sanctions relief.

  Quote: “These conversations are expected to focus mainly on Iran's nuclear program and uranium enrichment, but will also cover Iran's ballistic missile program and support of regional proxies.” — Trey Yingst [01:09]

• Additional Note: President Trump previously voiced support for regime change in Iran due to violent crackdowns on protesters.

---

3. Daytona 500 Dramatic Finish

[01:32 – 01:53, 05:07]

• Host: Carmen Roberts remarks on Tyler Reddick’s win of the Daytona 500, racing in a car owned by Michael Jordan.

• The race included a major crash at lap 124, and a brief live call highlights the chaos:

  Memorable Call: “Oh, trouble around goes Briscoe, Zillich, Ty.” — Max Gordon [01:49]

---

4. Pentagon Fails Eighth Audit

[03:24 – 04:14]

• Host: Carmen Roberts outlines the Pentagon’s ongoing audit issues.

• Likely defense budget for 2027 could reach $1.5 trillion.

• Only the Marine Corps has passed the audit for a third consecutive year.

• Senator Joni Ernst proposes her Receipts Act:

  • Would require the Pentagon to use AI for auditing, form an audit committee, and strengthen financial credential requirements for top officials.
  • Notes the unpredictability of military spending due to shifting global security issues.

  Quote: “For the eighth time in as many years, the Pentagon has failed to pass an audit. The Marines are the only service to pass an audit for the third year in a row.” — Sen. Joni Ernst [03:37]

  “It's also impossible for the Pentagon to project exactly how much it will spend with the constantly changing security environment.” — Sen. Joni Ernst [04:06]

• Daily deployment cost for the USS Gerald R. Ford, headed to the Middle East: $10 million.

---

5. US Government Shutdown & Homeland Security Funding

[04:14 – 05:01]

• Homeland Security is still unfunded and likely to remain so for at least another week.

• Senator Katie Britt: Criticizes Democrats for focusing on policy changes rather than the wider impact of unfunded agencies.

  Quote: “They know that ICE and CBP will ... continue to be funded throughout this, but ... the other things that keep Americans safe will not.” — Sen. Katie Britt & Chip Gaines [04:35 – 04:40]

• Unfunded agencies include FEMA, Coast Guard, and TSA.

• Senator Chris Coons (Delaware, Democrat): Suggests compromise via body cams and unmasking federal officers.

• Both senators appeared on Fox News Sunday, but there’s no deal expected this week as Congress is in recess.

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On evidence in missing persons case:

  “The preliminary results are now in and they're waiting on official confirmation before putting the unknown male profile into the FBI's DNA database called CODIS.” — Max Gordon [00:21]

• On Pentagon’s audit failure:

  “Taxpayers need to know that those dollars are being used appropriately.” — Carmen Roberts [04:02]

• On governmental funding obstacles:

  “No deal is likely this week with the House and Senate in recess.” — Carmen Roberts [05:01]

• On the Daytona 500 crash:

  “Oh, trouble around goes Briscoe, Zillich, Ty.” — Max Gordon [01:49]

---

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:03] – Nancy Guthrie case breakthrough report
• [00:58] – US-Iran nuclear deal negotiations coverage
• [01:32] & [05:07] – Daytona 500 results and live action
• [03:24] – Pentagon audit and military budgeting news
• [04:14] – Homeland Security, government shutdown debate

---

Summary Flow

This episode encapsulates urgent crime developments, high-stakes international diplomacy, sports drama, and ongoing government accountability challenges. The reporting is brisk, precise, and focuses on delivering critical facts, direct quotes, and expert testimony to inform listeners without delay or distraction.

Transcript

[Carmen Roberts]

A possible break in the case. I'm Carmen Roberts, FOX News. After searching for Nancy Guthrie for two weeks, investigators may have a break. The FBI says DNA from a glove found near her home appears to match a glove worn by the man seen in the video at her front door.

[Max Gordon]

This glove was found about 2 miles away in a field. That's according to investigators. And they say that it looks similar to the gloves that were worn by the suspect when he was caught on camera on that doorbell footage. Now, according to the FBI, the preliminary results are now in and they're waiting on official confirmation before putting the unknown male profile into the FBI's DNA database called CODIS. This process typically takes 24 hours from when the FBI receives DNA. Investigators collected about 16 gloves in various areas near the house. Most of them belonged to searchers and had been discarded while looking for Nancy Guthrie.

[Carmen Roberts]

Fox's Max Gordon reporting from Tucson. U.S. and Iranian negotiators will meet in Switzerland this week to continue talks on a new nuclear deal. Fox's Trey Yingst has more from Tel Aviv.

[Trey Yingst]

These conversations are expected to focus mainly on Iran's nuclear program and uranium enrichment, but will also cover Iran's ballistic missile program and support of regional proxies. The Swiss foreign Ministry says Oman will lead the conversations. In an interview over the weekend, Iran's deputy foreign minister said his country is ready to compromise on nuclear issues in exchange for sanctions relief.

[Carmen Roberts]

And President Trump told reporters last week he supports regime change, citing all the violence against protesters. And Tyler Reddick WINS the Daytona 500 in a car owned by Michael Jordan. It was a race marred by a huge crash in lap 124. This call on Fox.

[Max Gordon]

Oh, trouble around goes Briscoe, Zillich, Ty.

[Carmen Roberts]

Gibbs, America's listening to Fox News.

[Chip Gaines]

Some days it feels like there is no pause feedings, diaper changes and late night wakeups. And somehow you're still trying to steal a few minutes to yourself. I've really come to appreciate how much having a calm, comfortable home can change how you feel at the end of the day. That's why I have been loving cozy earth. Go to cozyearth.com and use my code Gaines G A I N E S for up to 20% off. They're bedding, loungewear, pajamas. They're not just soft, they're the little oasis you cling to when the day has been nonstop. After the baby finally drifts off or nap time actually happens. Slipping into their sheets or pulling on their pajamas feels like a hug you didn't know you needed even five minutes wrapped in their classic cuddle blanket is enough to feel like you've caught your breath. Sleep has become this precious, almost magical thing in our house. Cozy Earth makes those stolen moments of rest feel real calm, cozy and a little indulgent without ever feeling high maintenance. And the best part? You can try it risk free with their 100 night sleep trial so you can see the difference for yourself before fully committing. If you are ready to take the little comfort, win seriously and make home the place you recharge, go to cozyearth.com and use my code Gaines G A I N E S for up to 20% off. Once you try it, you will see why so many people make Cozy Earth part of creating a home that feels calm and comfortable and truly lived in, even when life is messy, loud and full of newborn nights.

[Carmen Roberts]

US Government will audit the Pentagon again this year, which it has failed to pass for nearly a decade. It's expected that the national defense budget could be as high as one and a half trillion dollars.

[Senator Joni Ernst]

The Pentagon is set to release its 2027 budget next month, and yet, for the eighth time in as many years, the Pentagon has failed to pass an audit. The Marines are the only service to pass an audit for the third year in a row. Senator Joni Ernst's Receipts act would require the department to use AI in auditing its expenditures, establish an audit committee and mandate stronger financial credentials for senior Pentagon officials.

[Carmen Roberts]

Taxpayers need to know that those dollars are being used appropriately.

[Senator Joni Ernst]

It's also impossible for the Pentagon to project exactly how much it will spend with the constantly changing security environment.

[Carmen Roberts]

And it costs the US military $10 million a day to deploy the USS Gerald R. Ford, which is on its way to the Middle east to join the Abraham Lincoln strike group. Homeland Security is still unfunded and will likely remain that way at least for the next week.

[Senator Katie Britt]

Alabama GOP Senator Katie Britt said while Democrats seek changes in ICE enforcement, they've missed the big picture.

[Chip Gaines]

They know that ICE and CBP will.

[Carmen Roberts]

Continue to be funded throughout this, but.

[Senator Joni Ernst]

They know that the other things that.

[Chip Gaines]

Keep Americans safe will not.

[Senator Katie Britt]

She refers to agencies such as fema, the Coast Guard and tsa. Delaware Democratic Senator Chris Coons said a deal for federal agents to use body cams and remove masks can make this.

[Oracle NetSuite Representative]

A hopefully temporary disagreement agreement over the.

[Senator Joni Ernst]

Standards of conduct of the officers who operate under the Department of Homeland Security.

[Senator Katie Britt]

Both senators were on Fox News Sunday. No deal is likely this week with the House and Senate in recess.

[Carmen Roberts]

Granal Scott, Fox News Again, the winner of the Daytona 500 Tyler Reddick in a car owned by Michael Jordan. I'm Carmen Roberts, and this is FOX News.

[Oracle NetSuite Representative]

Every business is asking the same question. How do we make AI work for us? No more waiting. With NetSuite by Oracle, you can put AI to work. Today, NetSuite is the number one AI Cloud ERP trusted by over 43,000 businesses. It's the unified suite that brings your finances, inventory, commerce, HR and CRM into a single source of truth. The connected data is what makes your AI smarter, helping you make fast decisions. If your revenues are at least in the seven figures, get our free business guide, demystifying [e-mail]. fox.