Morning Wire: Hockey Shooting Latest & ‘Restore Britain’ Goes Viral | February 17, 2026

Hosts: John Bickley & Georgia Howe
Podcast: Morning Wire (Evening Wire edition)
Date: February 17, 2026

Episode Overview

This Evening Wire episode offers an incisive roundup of the day’s most newsworthy events, spanning a tragic family shooting at a Rhode Island hockey rink, global and national political developments, culture, and sports. The hosts explore the viral impact of Britain’s new "Restore Britain" political party, U.S. and European concerns over infant formula, government shakeups, and tributes to recently departed public figures.

Main Stories & Key Insights

1. Rhode Island Hockey Rink Shooting

[00:19–01:37]

• Details: A targeted shooting left two dead and three injured in a Rhode Island rink, identified as a family dispute.

  • Shooter: Robert Dorgan (who identified as Roberta Esposito), died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after being subdued by bystanders.
  • Victims: Ex-wife Rhonda Dorgan (died at scene), adult son Aiden Dorgan (died at hospital), Linda and Gerald Dorgan (Rhonda’s parents, hospitalized), Thomas Jerusso (family friend, critical).
  • Weapons & Licensing: Shooter had two firearms, with a Florida license to carry; authorities are checking for other state permits.

• Notable quote:
  Georgia Howe [00:26]: “The shooting appeared to be a targeted family dispute.”

2. Marco Rubio’s Warning to Visa Seekers

[01:37–02:24]

• Context: U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking in Hungary, reemphasizes that U.S. visas are privileges, not rights.

  • Warns foreign nationals: engaging in “activities against the national interest” can result in visa revocation.
  • Growing scrutiny of foreign nationals’ activism and media engagement within the U.S.

• Notable quote:
  Marco Rubio [via clip, paraphrased by Bickley, 01:55]:
  “No one’s entitled to a visa. If you undertake activities against the national interest... we will take away your visa.”

3. AOC Stumbles at Munich Security Conference

[02:24–03:51]

• Synopsis: Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez struggled to answer questions about U.S. foreign policy (e.g., defending Taiwan against China).

  • She ultimately stated the U.S. should “avoid any such confrontation.”
  • Denied 2028 presidential ambitions were linked to her appearance.
  • Criticized the conference’s importance in gauging presidential prospects and emphasized her attendance was to warn about “right-wing populist movements.”
  • Trump reaction: Called the moment “not a good look for the United States.”

• Notable exchange:

  • AOC [03:04]: “You know, I think that this is such a, you know, I think that... This is of course a very long standing policy of the United States.”
  • Trump [as paraphrased by Bickley, 03:49]: “This was not a good look for the United States.”

4. Operation Stork Speed: Infant Formula Scrutiny

[03:51–04:43]

• Details:
  • U.S. HHS launching a broad review into baby formula: focus on seed oils, heavy metals, and arsenic.
  • Many “mom-ha” advocacy groups want seed oils removed, yet experts say it’s currently impossible to achieve required nutrients without them.
  • Stricter efforts underway to weed out “forever chemicals” and contaminants.
• Insight: Aligning U.S. standards with Europe’s is complex, given both regions rely on certain vegetable oils to mimic breastmilk nutrition.

5. ICE’s New Nashville Offices & Local Backlash

[04:43–05:35]

• Summary: ICE’s expansion into Tennessee sparks controversy.
  • Landlord Freeman Webb claims ignorance about ICE’s tenancy; legal options are being pursued.
  • Democratic Rep. Bob Freeman distances himself from leasing to ICE:
    “We would never knowingly lease our space to ICE.”
  • ICE also places a facility for detainees 30 minutes outside Nashville.

6. Homeland Security Spokeswoman Trisha McLaughlin Resigns

[05:35–05:57]

• Key Point: McLaughlin, a high-profile defender of administration policy, quietly steps down amid ICE controversies. No public statement yet.

7. First Air Transport of a Nuclear Microreactor

[05:57–06:54]

• Event: U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright participates in first airlift of a microreactor (no nuclear fuel) from California to Utah.
  • Seen as a milestone for military and remote energy security.
  • Microreactor: size of a minivan, powers 5,000 homes, three promised by July 4.
• Notable quote:
  John Bickley [06:38]: “This represents the first time a nuclear microreactor has been successfully transported by plane... for military as well as civilian use.”

8. Tom Pritzker Steps Down Amid Epstein Ties

[08:18–08:46]

• Background:
  • Tom Pritzker, cousin to Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, leaves his Hyatt corporate post after links emerge to Jeffrey Epstein, including helping find employment for “the girl from Romania.”
  • Admits “terrible judgment,” offers public apology.

9. Restore Britain Party Goes Viral

[08:46–10:11]

• Synopsis:
  • Rupert Lowe launches “Restore Britain,” a new nationalist/conservative party, splitting from Reform Party.
  • Gains 10% vote share after a single viral farm ad (over 50,000 members in days).
  • Ad calls to “celebrate Christian heritage,” ban the burqa, outlaw Sharia law, and restrict cousin marriages.
  • Ad is championed globally by right-wing figures, including a repost by Elon Musk.
• Memorable quotes from the ad:
  • [09:16] “Britain is not just an economy. Britain is not just an idea. Britain is not just a passport. Britain is a nation. Britain is a people, our people, and Restore Britain will never allow that to be erased.”
  • [09:40] “That will mean defending our culture. That will mean resisting the relentless creep of radical Islam. That will mean banning the burqa, outlawing Sharia law, blocking cousin marriages and reimposing our Christian-based rule of law.”

10. Sports Update: Curling Controversy and More

[10:11–11:47]

• Canadian curler Mark Kennedy accused of “double touching” (illegal move). Kennedy denies it; swears at officials (“You can f off.”), then apologizes.
  • World Curling to heighten oversight.
  • Switzerland beats Canada 9-5.
• Aussie political activist Drew Pavlov claims he was deported from the U.S. after joking online about Billie Eilish’s home; speculation singer’s legal team intervened.

11. In Memoriam: Jesse Jackson & Robert Duvall

[11:47–13:15]

• Jesse Jackson: Civil rights leader and former presidential candidate, dies at 84. Noteworthy for his role beside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Survived by his wife and six children.
• Robert Duvall: Famed actor dies at 95. Starred in “To Kill a Mockingbird,” “The Godfather,” “Apocalypse Now,” “Tender Mercies,” and “Secondhand Lions.”
  • Notable Duvall monologue [12:39]:
    • “I fought in two world wars and countless smaller ones on three continents. I led thousands of men into battle with everything from horses and swords to artillery and tanks... I’ve won and lost a dozen fortunes, killed many men and loved only one woman with a passion a flea like you could never begin to understand. That’s who I am.”

Other Notable Quotes & Moments

• Marco Rubio [01:55]:
  “A visa. No one’s entitled to a visa.”
• John Bickley [06:38]:
  “The Trump administration has seized on the concept of utilizing microreactors as a more consistent and reliable energy source in war zones or remote operations.”

Segment Timestamps

• 00:19 – Rhode Island hockey rink shooting
• 01:37 – Rubio’s immigration policy statement
• 02:24 – AOC at Munich Security Conference
• 03:51 – U.S. baby formula regulation update
• 04:43 – ICE expansion and Nashville landlord backlash
• 05:35 – DHS spokeswoman McLaughlin resigns
• 05:57 – Air transport of nuclear microreactor
• 08:18 – Tom Pritzker resigns over Epstein ties
• 08:46 – Restore Britain party viral rise
• 10:11 – Sports roundup (curling, Eilish/Pavlov)
• 11:47 – Jesse Jackson obituary
• 12:16 – Robert Duvall obituary and monologue

Tone & Style

The show balances brisk news delivery with a blend of direct reporting, play-by-play recaps, and candid quotes from the major players, remaining factual with a subtle undercurrent of skepticism toward mainstream narratives, in line with the podcast’s ethos.

Summary

This Evening Wire episode stands out for its timely, fact-driven summaries of national and international developments, from a tragic family shooting at a hockey rink to the viral ascent of Britain’s new nationalist party, “Restore Britain.” Other topics include immigration and energy policy, public figure resignations amid scandal, sports controversies, and the passings of Jesse Jackson and Robert Duvall. The hosts’ clear structure, use of direct quotes, and focus on actionable news make the episode a concise, thoughtful update for a broad audience.