Fox News Hourly Update

Episode: A Blizzard Paralyzing Much of the Northeast
Date: February 23, 2026
Host: FOX News Podcasts

Episode Overview

This episode of the Fox News Hourly Update focuses primarily on a massive blizzard sweeping across the Northeastern United States, resulting in widespread shutdowns, power outages, and travel disruptions. In addition to critical weather updates, the episode covers implications for air travel, a major international sporting victory, political reactions to recent tariff changes, security concerns in Mexico, and ongoing search efforts for a missing person. The tone throughout is urgent, factual, and regionally focused, with multiple on-the-ground reports.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Blizzard’s Impact on the Northeast

• Widespread Disruption: Cities across the Northeast are immobilized due to snowfall and powerful winds.
  • "A lot of the Northeast is shut down by a blizzard." — Dave Anthony, [00:02]
• Snow Accumulation:
  • Some areas had significant snow just weeks ago; the additional accumulation is causing logistical issues.
  • "We got about 16 inches of snow about three and a half weeks ago. Some of that melted, but a lot of it was just piled up. So we're going to be out of places to put snow with this storm." — Frank Picozzi, Mayor of Warwick, RI, [00:25]
  • Measurement details from Long Island (Montauk: up to 18 inches, Islip: just under 2 feet), and NYC’s Central Park (15"+ — most since 2017, and still accumulating). — Mike Sedell, Fox Weather [00:39]
• Wind & Power Outages:
  • Near-hurricane-force wind gusts reported (up to 60 mph).
  • "All that heavy snow and strong wind knocking out power across the Northeast. More than a half million power outages. The most are in Massachusetts and New Jersey." — Dave Anthony, [01:05]
• Travel Impact:
  • Over 5,000 flight cancellations, with more than 1,300 already grounded at the time of reporting.
  • Mail and package deliveries significantly slowed.
  • "Let's not even talk about the airline delays and cancellations." — Daria Albinger, [03:14]

2. School & Work Closures

• School closures from Philadelphia to Boston; rare snow day in New York City.
  • "Many kids from Philadelphia to Boston will stay home from school today. Even in New York City, where they haven't had a snow day in years..." — Daria Albinger, [03:08]
• Remote work encouraged in most metropolitan areas.
• Financial markets remain open, though volume may be lighter:
  • "Old man Winter, that can't stop Wall Street. The financial markets will be up and running on Monday despite earlier reports that they might be closed due to the weather." — Daria Albinger, [03:27]

3. International & Sports Headlines

• Team USA Men's Hockey Detour:
  • Storm diverts the gold medal-winning team’s return from the Winter Olympics; they reroute through Miami after their victory over Canada.
  • "The storm forced the Team USA men's hockey team to divert their return from the Winter Olympics in Italy, rerouting them through Miami after they won gold, beating Canada 2-1 in overtime." — Dave Anthony, [01:31]
  • Jack Hughes scored game winner:
    • "Anything can happen. I mean, they have very skilled players. We have very skilled players. It's just up and down the rink." — Jack Hughes, [01:52]
• Presidential Invitation:
  • President Trump called the team post-win, inviting them to the State of the Union Address, though attendance is uncertain due to NHL season resumption.

4. Politics: Tariffs & Legal Dispute

• Tariffs Update:
  • President Trump reacts to the Supreme Court's decision to strike down most of his tariffs by imposing a new 15% global tariff.
    • "He has since imposed a 15 global tariff on imports and wrote in the Post they accidentally gave him far more power and strength than he had prior to do terrible things to foreign countries who are ripping us off." — Dave Anthony paraphrasing Pres. Trump on Truth Social, [02:12]
  • Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro criticizes the move, referencing past legal disputes.
    • "The president was acting outside his legal authority, by the way, not a new thing for him as someone who's had to take him to court 19 times as governor." — Josh Shapiro, [02:41]

5. Security Update: Mexico Travel

• Airlines are suspending flights to Puerto Vallarta after the killing of a notorious drug lord (El Mencho) provokes cartel unrest:
  • "Tourists in the seaside city of Puerto Vallarta were told not to leave their resort ... the US State Department issued a travel advisory for several Mexican states telling Americans to seek shelter and minimize unnecessary movements. Avoid crowds and be aware of your surroundings." — Chill NATO, [04:07]

6. Ongoing Search for Missing Elderly Woman

• Civilian volunteers join search for Nancy Guthrie (missing, age 84).
  • "Now some people are taking it up into their own hands to look for the missing 84 year old ... they did find a backpack, it was determined by law enforcement to be unrelated to Nancy Guthrie's disappearance." — Max Gordon, [05:07]

Notable Quotes

• Frank Picozzi, Mayor of Warwick, RI:

  • "We're going to be out of places to put snow with this storm." ([00:25])

• Mike Sedell, Fox Weather:

  • "Our winds were gusting up to 60 miles an hour. I've measured about 18 inches of snow. Nearby Islip has had just under 2ft officially..." ([00:39])

• Jack Hughes, Team USA Hockey:

  • "Anything can happen. I mean, they have very skilled players. We have very skilled players. It's just up and down the rink." ([01:52])

• President Trump (via Truth Social, paraphrased):

  • "[The Supreme Court] accidentally gave him far more power and strength than he had prior to do terrible things to foreign countries who are ripping us off." ([02:12])

• Governor Josh Shapiro:

  • "...not a new thing for him as someone who's had to take him to court 19 times as governor." ([02:41])

Important Segment Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment | Contributors | |-----------|------------------------------------------|-------------------------| | 00:02 | Blizzard hits Northeast; shutdowns | Dave Anthony, Frank Picozzi | | 00:39 | Snow/wind conditions on Long Island | Mike Sedell | | 01:05 | Power outages, travel disruptions | Dave Anthony | | 01:31 | Team USA Hockey travel diversion & win | Dave Anthony, Jack Hughes | | 02:12 | Trump responds to Supreme Court’s tariff decision | Dave Anthony, Trump | | 02:41 | Gov. Shapiro criticizes Trump tariffs | Josh Shapiro | | 03:08 | School and work closures, Wall Street | Daria Albinger | | 04:07 | Violence in Puerto Vallarta, US travel advice | Chill NATO | | 05:07 | Search for Nancy Guthrie continues | Max Gordon |

Memorable Moments

• The rare snow day in NYC, marking the biggest snowfall since 2017
• Team USA men’s hockey gold medal detour and Jack Hughes’ overtime game-winner
• President Trump's fast-moving response to the Supreme Court, with dramatic new tariffs
• Coverage of how civil society steps up in missing persons cases

Summary

This brisk, information-packed Fox News Hourly Update captures the dramatic real-time effects of a historic blizzard across the Northeast, interweaves major political and international developments, and closes with the diligent, ongoing search for a missing elderly woman. The tone is urgent but level-headed, reflecting both the challenges and resilience of communities affected by severe weather — and connects the local, national, and global headlines shaping the day.