7PM ET 02/23/2026 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update – 7PM ET 02/23/2026

Host: John Saucier, FOX News Radio
Date: February 23, 2026

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Episode Overview

This episode delivers breaking national and international news as the 2026 Blizzard batters the Northeast, breaking longstanding snow records. Additional coverage includes a security incident at former President Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence, escalating U.S.-Iran tensions, the death of a Mexican cartel leader and subsequent unrest, and a nationwide blackout in the Dominican Republic. The tone is urgent, factual, and direct, in keeping with FOX News’ news bulletin style.

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Major News Highlights

Historic Blizzard of 2026 Slams the Northeast

• Rhode Island: The TF Green International Airport recorded 32.8 inches of snow, breaking the record previously set during the Blizzard of 1978.
  • Quote (John Saucier, 00:05): “This Blizzard of 2026 officially rewriting the history books for Rhode Island.”
• New York City: As of 1:30pm, Central Park reported 19.7 inches of snow.
• Widespread Disruption: Thousands without power, major travel shutdowns, and at least one city mayor discouraging travel.
  • Quote (Mayor Cherelle Parker of Philadelphia, 00:43): “Travel is very difficult and in some areas it is nearly impossible this afternoon. So again, for those who do not have to travel and drive, we encourage you to stay inside.”
• New York City Schools: Despite the historic snow, schools set to reopen the next day, prompting a lighthearted remark from Mayor Zoran Mamdani.
  • Quote (Mayor Zoran Mamdani, 01:02): “I hope our students enjoy their snow day today and stay warm and safe throughout. But I do have some tough news to share. School will be in person tomorrow. You can still pelt me with snowballs when you see me.”

Mar-a-Lago Security Breach and FBI Investigation

• Incident Details: An armed man, Austin Tucker Martin, age 21, was shot and killed after breaching Mar-a-Lago security early Sunday.
  • President Trump was not present at the time—he was in Washington, D.C.
  • FBI investigating the suspect’s digital footprint and interviewing associates.
  • Quote (David Spunt, 01:25): “It still calls into question the perimeter itself and what needs to be done to make sure this does not happen again.”

U.S.–Iran Tensions over Nuclear Deal

• President Trump Warns of ‘Very Bad Day’ for Iran: The President disputes media reports about the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs' stance, insists military victory would be swift if war erupted, but reiterates preference for peace and a diplomatic solution.
  • Quote (Jared Halpern, 02:38): “President Trump says his top military officer has said a war with Iran would be easily won… adding Kaine, like all of us, would like not to see war.”
  • Diplomatic talks expected to continue; U.S. envoys to meet with Iranian counterparts later in the week.

Mexican Drug Cartel Leader Killed, Retaliation and U.S. Citizens on Alert

• El Mencho Killed: Following the Mexican military’s killing of El Mencho (leader, Jalisco New Generation cartel), American citizens in affected areas were ordered to shelter in place.
• Retaliation: Gang violence and unrest ensued. Airports closed, several Mexican states canceled school, and U.S. government provided intelligence support.
  • Quote (Bo Yachty, American actor in Mexico, 03:36): “Anything you do beyond that point is on you, basically… but you also feel like they’re looking out for interest, he added.”
  • 73 people reported dead in the violence, including 25 members of the Mexican National Guard.

Dominican Republic Blackout

• Power Grid Instability: Second countrywide blackout in three months prompts concern, affecting transport and businesses nationwide.
  • Power outage began just before noon, leading to cascading failure at other power plants.

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Notable Quotes & Segments

• [00:05] John Saucier: “This Blizzard of 2026 officially rewriting the history books for Rhode Island.”
• [00:43] Mayor Cherelle Parker: “Travel is very difficult and in some areas it is nearly impossible this afternoon.”
• [01:02] Mayor Zoran Mamdani: “…School will be in person tomorrow. You can still pelt me with snowballs when you see me.”
• [01:25] David Spunt (on Mar-a-Lago breach): “It still calls into question the perimeter itself and what needs to be done to make sure this does not happen again.”
• [02:38] Jared Halpern: “President Trump says his top military officer has said a war with Iran would be easily won.”
• [03:36] Bo Yachty (reporting from Mexico): “Anything you do beyond that point is on you, basically… but you also feel like they’re looking out for interest, he added.”

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Timeline of Key Segments

| Timestamp | Content Brief | |-----------|-----------------------------------------------------------| | 00:02 | Historic blizzard in Rhode Island, snow records broken | | 00:34 | Impact in Northeast: outages, travel shutdowns | | 00:43 | Philadelphia mayor’s warning | | 00:57 | NYC mayor announces school reopening, snow day | | 01:17 | Mar-a-Lago armed breach, FBI investigation | | 02:32 | President Trump on Iran nuclear deal, diplomatic tensions | | 03:18 | Killing of cartel leader, US citizens shelter in Mexico | | 03:49 | Dominican Republic blackout |

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Tone and Language

• Concise, urgent, and information-rich news delivery
• Occasional local color and humor (e.g., NYC Mayor’s snowball joke)
• Tone remains factual, at times somber—especially regarding violence and crisis events

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Summary

This Fox News Hourly Update provided a fast-paced, comprehensive round-up of major national and international developments: from a record-breaking blizzard disrupting the Northeast, to security concerns at Mar-a-Lago, high-stakes diplomacy over Iran, deadly cartel violence in Mexico, and ongoing instability in the Dominican Republic’s power grid. The episode features direct quotes from political and civic leaders, giving listeners timely insight into ongoing crises.

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Transcript

[A]

Rhode island gets rocked. I'm John Saucier, FOX News. This Blizzard of 2026 officially rewriting the history books for Rhode Island. At 1pm today, the National Weather Service confirmed the snow at Rhode Island's TF Green International Airport reached a staggering 32.8 inches. This total officially breaks a long standing record for the greatest single Snowstorm in Providence, Rhode island history, surpassing the legendary Blizzard of 78 in Central Park. In New York City, snow totals as of 1:30pm was 19.7 inches. Fox's Tanya J. Powers is in New York with more.

[B]

Thousands in the Northeast are dealing with power outages and travel shutdowns due to the nor'. Easter. Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker says her city has more than a foot of snow.

[C]

Travel is very difficult and in some areas it is nearly impossible this afternoon. So again, for those who do not have to travel and drive, we encourage you to stay inside New York City.

[B]

Mayor Zoran Mamdani echoed that call while delivering unwelcome news to students.

[D]

I hope our students enjoy their snow day today and stay warm and safe throughout. But I do have some tough news to share. School will be in person tomorrow. You can still pelt me with snowballs when you see me.

[B]

Snow totals in Central park have passed 19 inches in New York City. Tanya J. Powers, FOX News.

[A]

The FBI investigating after an armed man was shot and killed yesterday trying to enter President Trump's Mar A Lago home. Here's Fox's David Spunt with more.

[D]

Even though the president was not at Mar A Lago, he was in Washington when this gunman breached the security barrier. It still calls into question the perimeter itself and what needs to be done to make sure this does not happen again. Now the suspect, 21 year old Austin Tucker Martin, he breached the scene around 1:30am on Sunday holding a shotgun and gas canister. He was reported missing by family in Moore County, North Carolina.

[A]

The FBI is looking at the suspect, social media profiles, cell phone messages and talking to family and friends to try and figure out more information. America's listening to FOX News.

[E]

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[A]

President Trump is again warning of a potential war with Iran if a nuclear deal is not made. Fox's Jared Halpern, reporting for the White

[F]

House, pushing back on reports that the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Kaine, is warning of risk. President Trump says his top military officer has said a war with Iran would be easily won. Writing on Truth Social, the president says stories about Kaine and a potential war with Iran are all incorrect, adding Kaine, like all of us, would like not to see war. Still, President Trump says if we don't make a deal, it would be a very bad day for Iran and, sadly, its people. The president is considering a range of military options even as diplomatic talks remain. Top US Envoys are expected to meet with Iranian counterparts later this week at the White House. Jared Halpern, Fox News American citizens been

[A]

ordered to shelter in place after the Mexican military killed El Mencho, leader of the Jalisco New Generation cartel. Gang members retaliating after his death. Actor and writer Bo Yachty was attending a wedding in Mexico when the order came down. He was on Fox and the Wilcaine show says he'll have to sign a waiver if he wants to leave, but he feels officials do have safety in mind.

[G]

Anything you do beyond that point is on you, basically. So but when you're here, someone could come in, so that's unnerving. But you also feel like they're looking out for interest, he added.

[A]

The nearest airport is closed. Mexican authorities say 73 people died in the Sunday morning operation that includes 25 Mexican National Guard members. Several Mexican states canceled school Monday. The U.S. government shared intelligence with the Mexican military and the Dominican Republic in the dark after it was briefly hit by a countrywide blackout today in the second such outage in the past three months. This sparked concerns about the stability of their power grid. Monday's blackout snarling traffic, disrupting public transportation, forcing some businesses to close as crews scrambled to restore the power. The country's main power plants abruptly stop supplying energy before noon. That caused other power plants to shut down. I'm John Saucier and this is Fox News.

[H]

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