9PM ET 02/19/2026 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update

Episode: 9PM ET 02/19/2026 Newscast
Date: February 20, 2026
Host: FOX News Podcasts (Lisa Licera et al.)

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Episode Overview

This edition of the Fox News Hourly Update delivers a rapid coverage of national news headlines including developments on government disclosures about extraterrestrial life, economic updates from President Trump, updates on the ongoing investigation into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, judicial actions regarding refugee protections in Minnesota, a Treasury Department push against financial fraud, and an FCC probe into possible equal-time violations in political broadcasting.

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Key Discussion Points

1. U.S. Government Files on Extraterrestrial Life

[00:03 - 00:29]

• President Trump announced plans to instruct the Secretary of War and other agencies to release files related to alien and extraterrestrial life, referencing recent comments by former President Obama.
• Trump criticized Obama for allegedly sharing classified information:

  "Well, I don't know if they're real or not. I can tell you he gave classified information. He's not supposed to be doing that." — President Trump [00:24]

• Trump stated he has no personal opinion but noted the public's interest in the topic.

2. Economic Updates from President Trump

[00:29 - 01:04]

• During a visit to Rome, Georgia, President Trump highlighted a decrease in prices (airfares, hotels, car payments, rent, sports events, groceries) and promoted his tariff plan.
• The Supreme Court is considering the legality of Trump’s use of emergency powers to impose global tariffs, underlining its impact on American manufacturing.

3. Ongoing Investigation: Disappearance of Nancy Guthrie

[01:04 - 01:35]

• The FBI continues searching for Nancy Guthrie (84, mother of Today show anchor Savannah Guthrie), missing since January 31st.
• Investigators probe gun stores after inquiries and photo sharing have yielded no breakthroughs:

  "The gun store inquiries, like so much else in this investigation, have so far come up empty. Despite the FBI showing some gun store owners almost a dozen pictures of potential buyers." — Jonathan Hunt, FOX News [01:04]

• Doorbell camera footage and a possible unusual holster remain inconclusive.
• Guthrie was last seen when a family member dropped her home; she was reported missing after not attending church with friends.

4. Skiing Avalanche Fatalities

[01:35 - 02:00]

• Relatives confirmed that six women killed in a California avalanche were experienced skiers and close friends.

5. Legal Debate Over Refugee Protections in Minnesota

[02:40 - 03:22]

• A federal judge in Minneapolis is reviewing whether to extend temporary protections against the arrest and deportation of refugees who are lawfully present in the U.S. but lack permanent resident status.
• U.S. District Judge John Tunheim previously blocked government actions seen as unlawful detentions:

  "The plaintiffs in the case were likely to prevail on their claims that their arrests and detention were unlawful..." — Jeff Manasso, FOX News [02:48]

• The government cited fraud in Minnesota’s public programs as justification for increased enforcement.

6. Treasury Department’s New Fraud Whistleblower Initiative

[03:22 - 04:07]

• The Treasury Department launched a new webpage for whistleblowers to report financial fraud.
• Secretary Scott Bessant proclaimed:

  "Treasury follows the money... we did it with the mafia, we've done it with the cartels, and we're doing it with the Somali fraudsters." — Secretary Scott Bessant [03:26]

• The initiative offers potential rewards for tips leading to significant penalties and requires identifying information for submission.

7. FCC Investigation Into "The View" and Equal-Time Rule

[04:07 - 04:37]

• FCC Chair Brendan Carr confirmed an investigation into ABC's "The View" over possible violations of “equal time” regulations for political candidates.
• Both James Talarico and Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett, Texas Senate Democratic primary candidates, were recent guests; the FCC issued new guidance in January.

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Notable Quotes & Highlights

• On Alien File Disclosures:
  "I don't know if they're real or not..." — President Trump [00:24]
• On Financial Fraud:
  "Treasury follows the money... we've done it with the cartels, and we're doing it with the Somali fraudsters." — Secretary Scott Bessant [03:26]
• On Refugee Protections:
  “The plaintiffs in the case were likely to prevail on their claims that their arrests and detention were unlawful...” — Jeff Manasso [02:48]
• On Missing Person Search:
  "The gun store inquiries, like so much else in this investigation, have so far come up empty." — Jonathan Hunt [01:04]

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Timestamps of Important Segments

• [00:03] — President Trump promises to release all government files on aliens
• [00:24] — Trump criticizes Obama on disclosure
• [00:29] — Economic updates & tariffs in Rome, Georgia
• [01:04] — Nancy Guthrie investigation status update
• [01:35] — Details on California avalanche fatalities
• [02:40] — Judge considers extension of refugee protections in Minnesota
• [03:22] — Treasury launches whistleblower fraud reporting webpage
• [04:07] — FCC investigates ABC's "The View" on equal time for political candidates

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This summary captures all significant news items and key quotes, equipping listeners and non-listeners alike with a comprehensive snapshot of the hour's top stories and themes.

Transcript

[A]

Is there life in outer space? I'm Lisa Licera of FOX News. President Trump says he will direct the secretary of war and other relevant departments and agencies to release any and all files related to alien and extraterrestrial life. This coming after former President Obama said there are on a podcast the president said Obama should not have talked about it.

[B]

Well, I don't know if they're real or not. I can tell you he gave classified information. He's not supposed to be doing that.

[A]

The president said he doesn't have an opinion on it, but said a lot of people believe it. And the president was in Rome, Georgia this afternoon talking the economy and prices, airfares, hotels, car payments, rent, sports events, groceries. Everything's down. Everything's down. And the president talked about his tariff plan, saying it's saving American manufacturing as the Supreme Court considers the legality of his use of emergency powers to impose worldwide tariffs. The search continues for Nancy Guthrie in its third week. And investigators continue to sift through evidence in including going to local gun stores.

[C]

The gun store inquiries, like so much else in this investigation, have so far come up empty. Despite the FBI showing some gun store owners almost a dozen pictures of potential buyers. They would like information on the type of gun being carried by the person seen on the doorbell camera. Video at Nancy Guthrie's home has also not been identified publicly and it's not clear whether investigators have been able to pinpoint the Macan model given the quality of the images. The same goes for the unusual holster

[A]

Fox's Jonathan Hunt in two saw. The 84 year old mother of Today show anchor Savannah Guthrie was last seen January 31st when a family member dropped her off at her home. She was reported missing the next day when she didn't show up at a friend's house to watch church services. Relatives say the six women killed in California Avalanche were among eight close friends and experienced skiers. America's listening to FOX News.

[D]

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 1 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 a federal judge

[A]

in Minneapolis hears more arguments on whether to extend protections to refugees who are lawfully in the US from being arrested and deported.

[E]

US District Judge John Tunheim, a Clinton appointee, previously blocked the government from targeting refugees in Minnesota last month, saying the plaintiffs in the case were likely to prevail on their claims at their arrests and detention were unlawful, an order that expires next week. Refugees Rights Group sued the federal government for targeting thousands of Minnesota refugees who had not been granted permanent resident status or green cards, the government citing fraud in public programs in Minnesota as justification. Jeff Manasso, Fox News the Treasury Department

[A]

launches a webpage for tipsters to blow the whistle on financial fraud.

[B]

Treasury follows the money is Secretary Scott Bessant's slogan, saying, we did it with the mafia, we've done it with the cartels, and we're doing it with the Somali fraudsters. A special treasury webpage now has a button with a link to submit a tip on federal funds fraud, quote, for anyone who wants to tell us the who, what, when, where and how this fraud and money laundering has occurred. Tips should include those details, how you got wind of the fraud, any evidence you know of or have, and how much money is at play. You have to give your name and contact, but you could be up for a reward if the enforcement brings in a million dollars in penalties. The link [e-mail] whistleblower Therese Crowley, Fox

[A]

News FCC Chair Brendan Carr says the commission is investigating ABC's view over possible violations to the requirement that broadcast stations give equal time to political candidates when they appear on air. James Talarico and Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett were vying for the Democratic nomination for Senate in Texas, have both appeared on the show. The FCC issued new guidance in January. I'm Lisa Licera. This is FOX News.

[D]

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.