10PM ET 07/31/2026 Newscast

Summary

---

Fox News Hourly Update – 10PM ET 07/31/2026 Newscast

Host: Lisa Lacera, FOX News Podcasts
Date: August 1, 2026
Theme: Fast-paced rundown of major national news headlines, legal stories, major lawsuits, consumer recalls, and global education updates.

---

Overview

This episode focuses on a diverse range of developing news stories: the latest in a high-profile kidnapping case in Arizona, a Justice Department decision on a vandalism allegation, political tension around a major IRS settlement, a significant lawsuit targeting social media giants, a sweeping vehicle recall, and news on Oprah Winfrey’s South African school. The newscast is direct, urgent, and concise, covering impactful stories with national resonance.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Arizona Kidnapping & Ransom Notes (00:03 – 00:48)

• Disappearance of Nancy Guthrie:
  Authorities in Arizona are seeking new leads in the case of Nancy Guthrie's disappearance.
• Ransom Details:
  • Two ransom notes sent to a TV station; first note (Feb 2nd) demanded $4 million in Bitcoin, threatening Guthrie’s life within seven days.
  • The second note, sent four days later, expressed remorse:
    Quote: "We did not grasp the seriousness of Nancy's physical condition. We did not intend to hurt her. She is buried in nature now. It ends by saying, 'we are truly sorry.'" (Pima County Sheriff's Office Reporter, 00:23)
• Investigation Status:
  Authorities believe someone may recognize the letters' authorship and seek public help identifying a man seen on camera at Guthrie's home.

---

2. Justice Department Drops Case Against Olympian (00:48 – 01:14)

• David Hearn Case Dismissed:
  The Justice Department has decided to drop its case against former Olympian David Hearn after new evidence refuted previous allegations that he vandalized the reflecting pool near the Lincoln Memorial.
• Defense Reaction:
  Hearn’s lawyer asserts:
  Quote: "The case against him should never have been brought." (Hearn's lawyer, 00:57)

---

3. IRS Settlement Stalls Attorney General Confirmation (01:14 – 01:42)

• Presidential Remarks:
  President Trump comments on the $1.8 billion IRS/DOJ anti-weaponization fund being scrapped as part of a settlement:
  Quote: "But you know, I wish it weren’t. To be honest with you. I think people were horribly treated, horribly abused." (President Trump, 01:24)
• Political Tension:
  The settlement has delayed the confirmation vote for acting Attorney General Todd Blanche.
• Senate Dynamics:
  Republican Senators John Cornyn (recently lost his primary) and Thom Tillis (not seeking reelection) are demanding additional assurances from DOJ officials.

---

4. Teen Suicide Lawsuit Targets Social Media Giants (03:01 – 03:52)

• Major Lawsuit:
  • Four families sue Meta, TikTok, Snapchat, and YouTube over the deaths of their teenage children, alleging the platforms were addictive and unsafe.
  • The lawsuit claims years of use led to “addiction, severe sleep deprivation, depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts.”
• Corporate Response:
  • Google, owner of YouTube, responded:
    Quote: "Creating a safer experience for young people remains a top priority and offered its sympathies to the families as it reviews the lawsuit." (Google statement, 03:33)
  • Other companies have not immediately responded.
• Wider Context:
  All four social platforms are facing numerous state and federal lawsuits alleging harm to minors.

---

5. Recall of 1.5 Million Ram Pickup Trucks (04:05 – 04:38)

• Recall Details:
  • Stellantis recalls 1.5 million Ram 1500 pickups (2019–2026 models) due to seatbelt buckle anchor issues affecting second-row and center belts.
• Safety Concerns:
  Seatbelt performance may be compromised in crashes. So far, one related injury reported, no deaths.
• Remedy:
  The repair will be performed free of charge.

---

6. Oprah’s South African School Transition (04:38 – 04:54)

• School Handover:
  Oprah Winfrey is transitioning her South African girls’ school, established and funded since 2007, to provincial government control as originally planned.

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “We did not grasp the seriousness of Nancy's physical condition. We did not intend to hurt her. She is buried in nature now. It ends by saying we are truly sorry.”
  – Pima County Sheriff's Office Reporter, 00:23

• “The case against him should never have been brought.”
  – Hearn’s attorney, 00:57

• “But you know, I wish it weren’t. To be honest with you. I think people were horribly treated, horribly abused.”
  – President Trump, 01:24

• “Creating a safer experience for young people remains a top priority and offered its sympathies to the families as it reviews the lawsuit.”
  – Google spokesperson, 03:33

---

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Nancy Guthrie kidnapping & ransom notes: 00:03 – 00:48
• Justice Dept. drops David Hearn vandalism case: 00:48 – 01:14
• President Trump & IRS settlement/DOJ confirmation: 01:14 – 01:42
• Senate/GOP primary updates: 01:42 – 02:00
• Teen suicide lawsuit vs. social media companies: 03:01 – 03:52
• Ram 1500 pickup seatbelt recall: 04:05 – 04:38
• Oprah’s South African school handover: 04:38 – 04:54

---

Conclusion

This newscast delivers a swift but thorough overview of significant legal, political, public safety, and corporate accountability headlines. It maintains a sober, fact-driven tone, delivering impactful quotes and providing context for each development.

---

Transcript

[Lisa Lacera]

Asking for help. I'm Lisa Lacera. Fox News Authorities in Arizona hoping for new leads in the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie.

[Pima County Sheriff's Office Reporter]

The Pima County Sheriff's Office has released copy of two ransom notes sent to a TV station. One February 2nd formally demanded $4 million in Bitcoin and is addressed to daughter Savannah. It said Nancy would be killed if payment was not received within seven days. Four days later, a note sent to the same TV station said in part, we did not grasp the seriousness of Nancy's physical condition. We did not intend to hurt her. She is buried in nature now. It ends by saying we are truly sorry. The sheriff's department says they believe someone knows who wrote these letters based on the way they're written. They also say they still need public help identifying the man captured on video at Guthrie's home before she was taken.

[Lisa Lacera]

Fox's Jessica Rosenthal the Justice Department has moved to dismiss a criminal case against former Olympian David Hearn for damaging the reflecting pool near the Lincoln Memorial, saying evidence prosecutors recently received refuted the idea that the lining in the pool was vandalized. In a statement, Hearn's lawyer said the case against him should never have been brought. President Trump of defending a settlement deal with the IRS that has delayed a vote on his attorney general nominee.

[President Trump]

President Trump says the Justice Department is correct that a 1.8 billion dollar anti weaponization fund created as part of a settlement with the IRS and Justice Department is dead.

But you know, I wish it weren't. To be honest with you. I think people were horribly treated, horribly abused.

That settlement agreement stalling a confirmation vote for acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. A pair of Republicans, John Cornyn and Thom Tillis, are demanding written assurances from DOJ officials about the deal.

[Lisa Lacera]

Fox's Jared Halpern the White House, Cornyn lost his Senate primary to a Trump backed challenger. While Tillis is not running for reelection, America is listening to Fox.

[FDA Disclaimer Voice]

The following statements have not been evaluated by the fda. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

[Prevagen Advertiser]

The human brain is truly incredible. It has 100 billion neurons, surpassing even the most powerful supercomputers. And it controls our thoughts, our emotions and everything we do. And Prevegen is designed to help keep it amazing. Prevegen also believes that good daily habits are a powerful part of any routine. Exercising regularly, eating well, getting good quality sleep, staying mentally active and staying connected with friends and family are all great for your brain. And that's why so many people choose Prevagen because it can help supplement those good habits. Working alongside your daily routine to give your brain the care it deserves. Prevagen is powered by Apoacquorin, originally discovered in Jellyfish and designed specifically for your brain. Because when your brain is at its best, you can continue doing what you love with confidence. Try Prevagen for your brain. Today,

[Lisa Lacera]

the families of four teenagers who died by suicide are suing four social media companies they blame for causing harm that led to their deaths.

[Social Media Victims Law Center Reporter]

The Social Media Victims Law center filed the suit on behalf of four families against Meta, TikTok, Snapchat and YouTube, alleging the platforms are addictive and unsafe for children. The families of the teens ages 13 to 18 from Texas, North Carolina, Minnesota and Tennessee say years of social media use contributed to addiction, severe sleep deprivation, depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts before their deaths. Google, which owns YouTube, says creating a safer experience for young people remains a top priority and offered its sympathies to the families as it reviews the lawsuit. Carmen Roberts, Fox News Meta, TikTok and

[Lisa Lacera]

Snap did not immediately respond to the Associated Press request for comment. All four social media companies face numerous state and federal lawsuits over alleged harm to minors. Over a million RAM pickup trucks recalled

[Jeff Manasso]

over a seatbelt issue Stellantis is recalling 1.5 million Ram 1500 pickup trucks worldwide from the 2019-2026 model years that may have been built with seat belt buckle anchors not anchored to second row, driver's side or center row seat belts, which could seriously impact seat belt performance at a crash. Stellantis saying it's aware of one potentially related injury tied to the recall. No fatalities. The defective seatbelts will be fixed for free. Jeff Manasso, FOX News Oprah says she'll

[Lisa Lacera]

close her school for girls she set up in South Africa two decades ago. Winfrey's charitable foundation ran and funded the school since 2007, but it was always part of the agreement that the school near Johannesburg be ultimately hand over to the provincial education department. I'm Lisa Licera.

[Fox News Announcer]

This is FOX News.

[Fox News Wine Shop Advertiser]

Cheers to America's 250th birthday. Get 20% off your first purchase at foxnewswineshop.com with code FNRADIO20 20% discount excludes wine club offers and cannot be combined with any other promotion. Expires July 31, 2026. Must be 21 or older to order. Please drink responsibly.