7PM ET 02/19/2026 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update – 7PM ET 02/19/2026 Newscast

Main Theme:
This episode delivers concise, top-level updates on national and international news, focusing on President Trump’s tariff policies, U.S.-Iran tensions and peace initiatives, tributes to civil rights leader Jesse Jackson, developments in the criminal justice system, NASA’s Artemis mission, and a snapshot of financial and housing markets.

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Key News Segments and Insights

1. President Trump’s Tariff Policy and Upcoming State of the Union

• Location & Context: Reporting from a steel plant in Rome, Georgia, President Trump promotes his aggressive tariff plan ahead of next week’s State of the Union address ([00:10]).
• Key Points:
  • Trump claims emergency tariffs have revived U.S. manufacturing, resulting in a seven-month production backlog ([00:18]).
  • His tariff powers are under legal scrutiny—currently facing a Supreme Court challenge, with the justices yet to rule ([00:24]).
  • White House official insists on presidential rights:

    “The language, language is clear that I have the right to do it as president. I have the right to put tariffs on for national security purposes.”
    — Unnamed White House Official ([00:31])

• Political Climate: Rome prepares for a special election to replace former Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, an erstwhile Trump ally and now critic ([00:40]).

2. U.S. Military Movements and Diplomatic Push with Iran

• Developments:
  • Additional U.S. military assets are moving closer to the Middle East, as negotiations pressure Iran to end its nuclear program ([00:49]).
  • State Department spokesman Tommy Piggott characterizes Trump as a “deal- and peacemaker,” referencing forceful action if diplomacy fails:

    “Operation Midnight Hammer proved that.”
    — Tommy Piggott ([01:04])

  • Trump expects Tehran to reach an agreement within 10–15 days ([01:16]).
• Broader Context: Iran conducts joint military drills with Russia ([01:16]).

3. Launch of Board of Peace and Middle East Stabilization

• Peace Diplomacy:
  • President Trump chairs the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace, emphasizing practical commitments over mere discussion ([01:28]).

    “The Board of Peace is proving that it does not just convene countries, it devises and implements. And real solutions happen.”
    — Unnamed White House Official ([01:28])

  • U.S. pledges $10 billion; nine other countries collectively offer $7 billion in aid for Gaza ([01:39]).
  • Multiple nations, including the U.S., are sending troops to Gaza as part of an international stabilization effort ([01:39]).

4. Honoring the Late Reverend Jesse Jackson

• Coverage:
  • Public memorial events in Chicago announced for civil rights leader Jesse Jackson ([02:37]).
  • President Trump paid tribute during a Black History Month event at the White House ([02:43]).

    “He was gregarious and someone who truly loved people and a force of nature. He was somebody that we’re going to greatly miss.”
    — Unnamed White House Official ([02:52])

  • Schedule:
    • Public viewing next Wednesday and Thursday, Rainbow Push Coalition HQ.
    • People’s Celebration at House of Hope (Friday).
    • Funeral at Rainbow Push (Saturday, Jackson age 84) ([03:00]).

5. Justice System: Exoneration in Austin Yogurt Shop Case

• Update:
  • A Texas judge exonerates four men previously accused in the notorious 1991 Austin yogurt shop murders; four teens had been killed, two were employees ([03:21]).

6. NASA Artemis 2 Mission: Progress and Timeline

• News:
  • NASA completes a crucial Artemis 2 rocket test after previous delays due to hydrogen leaks ([03:36]).
  • The test involved 700,000 gallons of fuel, and if successful, the first crewed lunar mission in 50+ years could launch as early as March 6. Artemis 2 will not land on the moon, but Artemis 3 will ([03:36]).

    "Artemis II, with three Americans and a Canadian on board, will not land on the moon's surface. That won't happen for a few years..."
    — Grinal Scott ([03:36])

7. Economic Snapshot: Mortgage Rates

• Fact:
  • The average 30-year U.S. mortgage rate fell to 6.01% (lowest since Sept 2022), continuing a modest downward trend ([04:17]).

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “That’s seven months long. What a difference.”
  — Unnamed White House Official on U.S. manufacturing backlog ([00:18])
• “He wants to see a deal. He’s a peacemaker. He’s a dealmaker.”
  — Tommy Piggott on President Trump and Iran ([01:04])
• “The Board of Peace is proving that it does not just convene countries, it devises and implements. And real solutions happen.”
  — Unnamed White House Official ([01:28])
• “He was gregarious and someone who truly loved people and a force of nature.”
  — Unnamed White House Official on Jesse Jackson ([02:52])

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Tariff policy and Rome, GA: 00:10–00:31
• Iran negotiations & U.S. military moves: 00:49–01:16
• Board of Peace & Gaza stabilization: 01:28–01:39
• Jesse Jackson memorial news: 02:37–03:00
• Austin yogurt shop exoneration: 03:21
• NASA Artemis 2 test: 03:36
• Mortgage rates update: 04:17

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This Fox News Hourly Update provides a rapid yet informative scan of major developments, maintaining a brisk, news-focused tone. The episode interweaves political, diplomatic, and cultural news with clarity and official attribution, ideal for listeners seeking a quick catch-up on the day’s leading stories.

Transcript

[Lisa Licera]

Stay on message. I'm Lisa Licera, Fox News. President Trump is selling his tariff plan ahead of next week's State of the

[Jared Halpern]

Union address at a steel plant in Rome, Georgia. President Trump says his aggressive use of tariffs is keeping manufacturing alive in the

[Unnamed White House Official]

U.S. we've got a backlog now. That's seven months long. What a difference.

[Jared Halpern]

The president's use of emergency tariffs is facing a Supreme Court challenge. Justices have yet to rule on the case.

[Unnamed White House Official]

And the language, language is clear that I have the right to do it as president. I have the right to put tariffs on for national security purposes.

[Jared Halpern]

Voters in Rome head to the polls next month in a special election to replace former Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, an ally turned critic of President Trump.

[Lisa Licera]

Fox's Jared Halpern of the White House. The US Moving additional military assets close to the Middle east even as negotiations continue for Iran to end its nuclear program. State Department spokesman Tommy Piggott says President Trump wants Iran to come to the table.

[Tommy Piggott]

He wants to see a deal. He's a peacemaker. He's a dealmaker. That's what he wants to see. But no one can doubt, based off the last time that the Iranian regime refused a deal, that the president means what he says. Operation Midnight Hammer proved that.

[Lisa Licera]

The president said he believes 10 to 15 days is enough time for Tehran to reach an agreement. Meanwhile, Iran held annual military drills with Russia today. This morning, the president held his first meeting of the Board of Peace with

[Unnamed White House Official]

the commitments announced today. The Board of Peace is proving that it does not just convene countries, it devises and implements. And real solutions happen.

[Lisa Licera]

The U.S. will pledge $10 billion to the board. And nine other countries are committing 7 billion in aid to Gaza. The president says several countries are sending troops to Gaza as part of an international stabilization force. America is listening to Fox.

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[Lisa Licera]

Fox Memorial services for the late Reverend Jesse Jackson have been announced.

[CJ Papa]

Multiple events in Chicago to celebrate the life and legacy of the late Reverend Jesse Jackson, honored by President Trump during a Black History Month event at the White House.

[Unnamed White House Official]

He was gregarious and someone who truly loved people and a force of nature. He was somebody that we're going to greatly miss.

[CJ Papa]

The public can pay their respects next Wednesday and Thursday at the headquarters of Rainbow Push Coalition, where Jackson will lie in repose. A public memorial dubbed the People's Celebration is planned for next Friday at the House of Hope. A funeral service for the 84 year old champion of civil rights is set for next Saturday at Rainbow Push, according to the organization. CJ Papa, Fox News A Texas judge

[Lisa Licera]

has declared four men who were wrongfully accused of the 1991 Austin yogurt shop murders innocent. Four teenagers were murdered in the shop where two of them worked. After an earlier delay, NASA conducted a critical test for its planned Artemis 2 mission to the moon.

[Grinal Scott]

The practice run to prepare the rocket for launch is the second attempt after hydrogen fuel leaks postponed it earlier this month. It takes 700,000 gallons of fuel to get the rocket into space. If NASA finds the leakage issues have been fixed, it will confirm a date to launch the 10 day trip to the moon and back. Right now, the earliest that could happen is March 6th. Artemis II, with three Americans and a Canadian on board, will not land on the moon's surface. That won't happen for a few years when astronauts on Artemis 3 take those steps for the first time in more than five decades. Grinal Scott, Fox News the average 30

[Lisa Licera]

year US mortgage rate slipped this week to 6.01% from 6.09 last week, according to mortgage buyer Freddie Mac. The the modest pullback brings the average rate to its lowest level since September 8, 2022. I'm Lisa Licera. This is Fox News.

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