9PM ET 02/23/2026 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update – 9PM ET 02/23/2026 Newscast

Broadcast Date: February 24, 2026
Host: Tom Graham (FOX News)
Correspondents: Brandi Campbell, David Spunt, Chad Pergrim, Ainsley Earhart

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Episode Overview

This FOX News Hourly Update delivers a concise, fact-packed rundown of major news stories from across the United States and internationally. The broadcast covers the aftermath of a devastating winter blizzard in the Northeast USA, a major security breach at Mar-a-Lago, turmoil on Wall Street, political scandal in Congress, international cartel violence, and the resignation of a CBS News contributor amid Jeffrey Epstein-related controversy.

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Key News Highlights & Insights

1. Historic Northeast Blizzard and Its Aftermath

[00:02–00:56]

• Overview: A monster winter storm buries cities from Baltimore to Boston, setting snowfall records and causing widespread power outages and hazardous conditions.
• Details:
  • New York City’s Central Park received 19.7 inches of snow—the most powerful winter storm in the city’s history.
  • Providence, RI set a new record with over 32 inches of snow by 1pm, surpassing the previous 28.6-inch record.
  • Over half a million people remain without power as crews race to restore service.
  • Massachusetts Governor urges residents to stay off the roads; travel remains dangerous.
• Notable Quote:

  “Over in Providence, Rhode Island, by 1pm they had over 32 inches of snow, breaking their longest standing record...the strong wind and heavy wet snow led to power outages going into tonight. Over half a million Americans are going to be without power.”
  — Brandi Campbell, FOX Weather [00:18]

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2. Mar-a-Lago Security Breach: FBI Investigation

[00:56–01:38]

• Incident: An armed man, 21-year-old Austin Tucker Martin, was shot and killed after breaching security at President Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home.
  • President Trump was not present at the residence during the event.
  • The suspect arrived around 1:30am, wielding a shotgun and gas canister.
  • Secret Service fatally shot Martin after he raised his shotgun despite being ordered to surrender.
• Investigation: FBI examining the suspect’s social media, phone, and personal connections.
• Discussion: Raises critical questions about the security perimeter at Trump’s residence.
• Notable Quote:

  “Even though the president was not at Mar a Lago… it still calls into question the perimeter itself and what needs to be done to make sure this does not happen again.”
  — David Spunt, FOX News [01:04]

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3. Tumultuous Day on Wall Street

[01:38–02:02]

• Market Downturn:
  • Dow fell by 822 points.
  • Nasdaq and S&P 500 also saw significant drops.
• Implication: Confirms market volatility likely driven by current national and international unrest.

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4. Scandal and Calls to Resign: Rep. Tony Gonzalez

[02:32–03:22]

• Allegations: Leaked explicit texts allegedly between Republican Congressman Tony Gonzalez and an aide surface.
  • At least four House Republicans call for Gonzalez to step down.
  • The late aide, Regina Santos Avila, reportedly had an affair with Gonzalez and died by self-immolation last year.
  • Political ramifications: GOP House majority would shrink if Gonzalez resigns.
  • House Speaker Mike Johnson urges Gonzalez to address the matter; Gonzalez denies wrongdoing.
• Notable Quote:

  “Congress needs zero tolerance for those who hold power, even if it costs the GOP its narrow majority in the House.”
  — Nancy Mace, South Carolina Republican (reported by Chad Pergrim) [03:10]

• Gonzalez’s Defense:

  “While in Congress, not a single complaint has been levied against my office.”
  — Tony Gonzalez (statement reported, [03:18])

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5. Violence in Mexico After Cartel Leader’s Death

[03:22–03:55]

• Event: El Mencho, leader of a major Mexican drug cartel, killed by the military.
  • Retaliation by cartel leads to violence and chaos; 73 people killed, including 25 National Guard members.
  • American citizens near the border ordered to shelter-in-place, must sign waivers to leave.
  • Nearest airport is closed.
• Notable Quote:

  “Anything you do beyond that point is on you, basically.”
  — American citizen discussing waiver requirements (reported by David Spunt) [03:43]
  “So that’s unnerving. But you also feel like they’re looking out for interest. Yeah.”
  — American citizen [03:50]

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6. CBS News Contributor Resigns Over Epstein Ties

[03:55–04:28]

• Scandal: Dr. Peter Attia steps down from CBS News after emails reveal a friendship and frequent correspondence with Jeffrey Epstein, including an inappropriate joke.
  • Attia had been brought onto CBS News by Barry Weiss.
• Notable Detail: Indicates ongoing fallout from Epstein’s network and associations.

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Timestamps for Major Segments

• Northeast Blizzard Coverage: [00:02–00:56]
• Mar-a-Lago Security Breach & Investigation: [00:56–01:38]
• Wall Street Plunge: [01:38–02:02]
• Rep. Tony Gonzalez Scandal: [02:32–03:22]
• Cartel Violence and American Citizens in Mexico: [03:22–03:55]
• Epstein File Fallout – CBS News Resignation: [03:55–04:28]

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Memorable Moments & Tone

• The report maintains an urgent and authoritative tone, delivering developing events with crisp journalistic clarity.
• Firsthand weather updates and in-the-field reporting provide a ground-level view of natural disaster impacts.
• Human impact is highlighted with personal perspectives from those affected by the blizzard and cartel violence.

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For listeners who missed the broadcast:
This episode offers a rapid, comprehensive update on major national and international news, with a strong focus on crisis events, government accountability, and ongoing investigations, underpinned by clear, direct reporting and notable sound bites from all sectors of public life.

Transcript

[Tom Graham]

Buried by a blizzard. I'm Tom Graham, FOX News. From Baltimore to Boston, several major cities are digging out and recovering after a monster winter storm walloped the Northeast.

[Brandi Campbell]

We've had several records across the Northeast, one being with Central park. They had 19.7 inches of snow, establishing this blizzard as one of the most powerful winter storms in the city's history. Over In Providence, Rhode island, by 1pm they had over 32 inches of snow, breaking their longest standing record of 28.6 inches of snow. Meanwhile, the strong wind and heavy wet snow led to power outages going into tonight. Over half a million Americans are going to be without power as crews work to restore it. Meanwhile, the storm is still impacting travel for drivers in Massachusetts. The governor is still advising people to stay off of the roads for now. In Boston, I am Brandi Campbell for Fox Weather.

[Tom Graham]

The FBI investigating after an armed man who was shot and killed yester as he tried to enter President Trump's Mar A Lago home. Fox's David Spunt.

[David Spunt]

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, N.C. authorities say once the 21 year old breached the perimeter, Secret Service ordered him to drop both the shotgun and gas can. He put down the gas can but raised the shotgun to a shooting position. He was killed instantly by Secret Service.

[Tom Graham]

The FBI is looking at the suspect's social media profile, cell phone messages and they're talking to his friends and family. Stocks taking a nosedive today on Wall Street. The dow giving up 822 points. The Nasdaq fell to 59 while the S&P 500 sank 5072 points. America is listening to FOX News.

[Ainsley Earhart]

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[Tom Graham]

Calls are growing for Texas Republican Congressman Tony Gonzalez to resign. This follows newly released sexually explicit text messages allegedly between him and an aide. Fox's Chad Pergrim is on Capitol Hill.

[Chad Pergrim]

Fox has obtained texts that the attorney for aide Regina Santos Avila says are authentic. At least four Republicans demand that Gonzalez step down. The late aide set herself on fire last year after allegedly having an affair with her boss. South Carolina Republican Nancy Mace says Congress needs zero tolerance for those who hold power, even if it costs the GOP its narrow majority in the House. If Gonzalez were to quit, the House GOP margin shrinks to 217 to 214. Gonzalez says while in Congress, quote, not a single complaint has been levied against my office.

[Tom Graham]

House Speaker Mike Johnson says he told Gonzalez to address the issue. The congressman denies the allegation. American citizens ordered to shelter in place following violence south of the border of the Mexican military killing El Mencho, the leader of a notorious drug cartel. Gang members retaliated after his death. This American says if he wants to leave, he'll have to sign a waiver.

[David Spunt]

Anything you do beyond that point is on you, basically. So.

[Tom Graham]

But when you're here, someone could come in.

[David Spunt]

So that's unnerving. But you also feel like they're looking out for interest. Yeah.

[Tom Graham]

The nearest airport is closed. Mexican authorities say 73 people died in the Sunday morning operation. That includes 25 Mexican National Guard Guard members. The Epstein files strike again. Dr. Peter Attia is stepping down from CBS News just weeks after being named as a contributor under boss Barry Weiss. Several emails show the anti aging researcher and Jeffrey Epstein had an ongoing friendship. The doctor traded hundreds of emails with a convicted sex offender, including a joke that female genitals count as low carb. I'm Tom Graham and this is FOX News.

[Ainsley Earhart]

This is Ainsley Earhart. Thank you for joining me for the 52 episode podcast series the Life of

[David Spunt]

Jesus, A listening experience that will provide

[Tom Graham]

hope, comfort and understanding of the greatest story ever told. Listen and follow [e-mail] or wherever you listen to podcasts.