Morning Wire Podcast Summary
Episode: Mass Shooting Shakes Canada & SpaceX Preps For Launch
Date: February 11, 2026
Hosts: John Bickley & Georgia Howe (The Daily Wire)
Overview
This episode delivers a fast-paced roundup of major news stories including a deadly school shooting in Canada, developing ransom notes in the Nancy Guthrie case, the latest on SpaceX’s launch, breaking economic and political updates, and notable admissions from The New York Times regarding marijuana legalization. The tone is factual, urgent, and at times, pointed in its analysis.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Mass Shooting in Canada
[00:49–01:44]
- Incident: Nine people killed and 25 injured in a mass shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, British Columbia – the third deadliest school shooting in Canadian history.
- Response: Authorities responded within two minutes; shooter included among the six found dead at the scene. Two others were found dead in a nearby home.
- Shooter’s Identity: Police used the gender-neutral term “gun person” instead of “gunman/gunwoman,” prompting speculation online about the shooter’s gender identity.
- Government Response: Prime Minister Mark Carney suspended his travels to address the tragedy.
Quote:
“Speculation about the gender identity of the shooter is mounting online.”
– Georgia Howe [01:17]
2. Nancy Guthrie Kidnapping Case Developments
[01:44–02:43]
- Detainment: A delivery driver, Carlos, was questioned after a tip linked him (via eye color) to the masked intruder in the Guthrie case video. He was released after questioning.
- Ransom Note: A third note, sent to TMZ, claimed knowledge of the kidnapper’s location, asked for one bitcoin, but appears not to be from the perpetrator. Authorities have not verified its legitimacy.
Quote:
“Authorities told him they thought his eyes matched the masked armed intruder from the video from Nancy’s doorbell camera.”
– Lyndon Blake [02:20]
3. El Paso Airport Closure Confusion
[03:13–03:49]
- Closure: FAA closed El Paso airport unexpectedly, citing at first cartel drone activity, then revised to anti-drone tech tests.
- Duration: Orders groundings for 10 days but reopens after just 7 hours.
- Response: Local officials, including the mayor, seek federal clarification.
Quote:
“…it was lifted far ahead of schedule this morning. Just seven hours later, the El Paso mayor stated in a press conference that he’s still looking for answers from the feds.”
– Georgia Howe [03:44]
4. U.S. Economic Update
[03:49–04:18]
- Job Growth: 130,000 new jobs added in January, strongest performance in a year.
- Sector Breakdown: Health care, social assistance, and construction showed gains; white-collar jobs declined.
- Unemployment: Dropped to 4.3%.
5. Congressional Setback for Trump’s Tariffs
[04:18–04:44]
- Event: House Speaker Mike Johnson tried to block a vote on measures disapproving Trump’s tariffs; failed as three Republicans sided with Democrats.
- Defectors: Thomas Massie (KY), Kevin Kiley (CA), Don Bacon (NE).
- Outcome: Opens the door for congressional challenges to Trump’s trade policies.
6. Grand Jury Declines to Indict Democratic Lawmakers
[04:44–05:26]
- Background: Senators and Representatives (all veterans) made a video titled “Don’t Give Up the Ship,” urging service members to disobey "illegal orders" related to domestic deployments and military actions under President Trump.
- Result: Grand jury declined to indict; Trump called their remarks “seditious.” Federal prosecutor Jeanine Pirro pursued the case.
Quote:
“You must refuse illegal orders.”
– Georgia Howe [05:26]
7. Minnesota Medicaid Fraud “Tourism” Case
[05:26–06:20]
- Guilty Pleas: Two men from Philadelphia confessed to $3.5M in Medicaid fraud, exploiting Minnesota’s Housing Stabilization Program.
- Term: The practice is being dubbed “fraud tourism,” due to perceived lax oversight.
8. Iran’s Crackdown on Protesters Intensifies
[07:18–08:01]
- Human Rights Abuse: Reports of regime executions of wounded protesters in hospitals; over 200 executed in two weeks.
- Sexual Violence: Advocacy groups document widespread abuse and hundreds at risk of “imminent death.”
- Target: Suppressing dissent against Supreme Leader Ayatollah Al Khomeini.
9. The New York Times’ Admission on Marijuana Legalization
[08:01–09:03]
- Admission: NYT editorial board admits prior advocacy underestimated marijuana addiction and adverse effects post-legalization.
- Stats: About 18 million Americans reportedly use marijuana almost daily; 30% of users meet “addiction” criteria.
Quote:
“It is now clear that many of these predictions were wrong. Legalization has led to much more use.”
– Zach Jewell [08:44]
10. Warner Bros. – Netflix Deal Pushback
[09:03–09:11]
- Investor Opposition: Ancora Holdings, a Warner Bros Discovery investor, opposes $72B Netflix deal to buy WB and HBO Max, citing risk and regulatory hurdles.
- Action: Threatens a proxy fight, favors higher rival all-cash bid from Paramount/Skydance.
11. Passing of James Van Der Beek
[09:11–10:13]
- Obituary: “Dawson’s Creek” star dies at 48 after publicly battling colorectal cancer.
12. SpaceX Cleared for Next Manned Launch
[10:13–10:52]
- Go for Launch: FAA clears Falcon 9 for liftoff to the ISS on February 13th.
- Crew: 2 Americans, 1 Russian, 1 French astronaut; restores full ISS crew.
- Timing: Launch scheduled for 5:15 AM, Friday, Cape Canaveral.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
“Speculation about the gender identity of the shooter is mounting online.”
– Georgia Howe [01:17] -
“Authorities told him they thought his eyes matched the masked armed intruder…”
– Lyndon Blake [02:20] -
“You must refuse illegal orders.”
– Georgia Howe [05:26] -
“It is now clear that many of these predictions were wrong.”
– Zach Jewell [08:44]
Important Timestamps
- Canada school shooting: [00:49–01:44]
- Nancy Guthrie kidnapping update: [01:44–02:43]
- El Paso airport closure: [03:13–03:49]
- U.S. jobs report: [03:49–04:18]
- Trump tariffs in Congress: [04:18–04:44]
- Grand jury declines to indict lawmakers: [04:44–05:26]
- Minnesota Medicaid fraud: [05:26–06:20]
- Iranian regime executions: [07:18–08:01]
- NYT & marijuana legalization: [08:01–09:03]
- Warner Bros.–Netflix deal criticism: [09:03–09:11]
- James Van Der Beek obituary: [09:11–10:13]
- SpaceX launch cleared: [10:13–10:52]
Conclusion
The episode underscores critical developments in North America and globally, balancing factual news with pointed commentary. It offers listeners compact, multi-topic news insight with clarity and urgency characteristic of Morning Wire’s style.
