11PM ET 02/03/2026 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update

Episode: 11PM ET 02/03/2026 Newscast
Date: February 4, 2026
Host: Lisa Licera, with reporting from Jonathan Hunt and Tanya J. Powers

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Overview

This episode covers the latest national and international headlines, flagging major developments in high-profile news stories. Top items include the ongoing investigation into the abduction of Nancy Guthrie, legislative action ending the partial government shutdown, new moves by President Trump against Harvard, and Team USA’s flag bearers for the upcoming Winter Olympics.

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Key Segments and Insights

1. Nancy Guthrie Abduction in Arizona

• [00:03–00:40]
  • DNA Found & Search Intensifies: DNA samples have been collected at the scene as the Pima County Sheriff's Office continues investigating the apparent abduction of Nancy Guthrie, 84, mother of "Today" show anchor Savannah Guthrie.
  • Circumstances: Helicopters are searching the area; Nancy was last seen Saturday night and reported missing Sunday morning after missing church.
  • Health & Safety: Authorities confirm Nancy has physical ailments but no cognitive issues—suggesting she likely didn’t wander off on her own.
  • Targeted Abduction Suspected:

    "His answer... clearly implying no, there is no further threat which would further imply that this was a targeted abduction." — Jonathan Hunt [00:21]

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2. End of Partial Government Shutdown

• [00:40–01:10]
  • Trump Signs Off: President Trump has signed a measure to end the partial government shutdown.
  • Fiscal Responsibility:

    "We've succeeded in passing a fiscally responsible package that actually cuts wasteful federal spending." — Jonathan Hunt quoting official statements [00:57]

  • Short Term Solution: The funding extension is only for two weeks to buy time for a longer-term deal and further negotiations, especially over the Department of Homeland Security.
  • ICE Reform Pressure: Democrats and some Republicans seek reforms to ICE, including banning face coverings for agents.

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3. Clintons to Testify about Epstein Ties

• [01:10–01:43]
  • Congressional Hearing: Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary Hillary Clinton have agreed to testify about their ties to Jeffrey Epstein.
  • First Time:

    "Unlike President Trump, the Clinton, neither Clinton has ever answered any questions about Epstein. They've never done a sit down interview. They've never talked about it." — Jonathan Hunt [01:36]

  • Committee Offers Two Dates: Hearings are set for the end of the month.

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4. President Trump vs. Harvard University

• [02:31–03:12]
  • Escalation: President Trump is demanding a $1 billion settlement from Harvard to restore federal funding, upgrading previous demands for $200 million.
  • Criminal Proceedings Urged: Trump now calls for criminal, not civil, investigations.
  • Wider Push Against Higher Ed: Universities like Columbia, Brown, and Cornell have signed deals with the administration; Harvard continues to fight in court.

  • "President Trump wants Harvard to pay a billion dollar settlement to restore federal funding." — Tanya J. Powers [02:35]

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5. International News: Libya

• [03:12–03:30]
  • Saif al-Islam Gaddafi Shooting: Reports emerge that Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, son of late Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi, was shot by gunmen at his home in Zintan, southwest of Tripoli.

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6. Winter Olympics Updates

• USA Flag Bearers Announced
  [03:30–04:11]
  • Flag Bearers:
    • Erin Jackson: Speed skater, first black woman to win an individual gold at the Winter Olympics (2022, 500m).
    • Frank Del Duca: Bobsledder from Maine, making his second Olympics appearance for Team USA.

  • "Team USA announced... its contingency of 232 athletes... will be led... by flag bearers, speed skater Erin Jackson and bobsledder Frank Del Duca." — Jonathan Hunt [03:30]

• Lindsey Vonn’s Injury
  [04:11–04:28]
  • Comeback Hope: Despite a ruptured ACL only four days ago, legendary skier Lindsey Vonn says she’s confident she can compete in Milan/Cortina.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Jonathan Hunt on abduction threat:

  "No, there is no further threat which would further imply that this was a targeted abduction." [00:21]

• Fiscal Responsibility Statement:

  "We've succeeded in passing a fiscally responsible package that actually cuts wasteful federal spending." — [00:57]

• Comer on Clintons’ testimony:

  "Unlike President Trump, the Clinton, neither Clinton has ever answered any questions about Epstein. They've never done a sit down interview. They've never talked about it." — [01:36]

• Trump’s Harvard ultimatum:

  "Investigations of Harvard should now be criminal, not civil." — Tanya J. Powers reporting [02:35]

• Olympics Announcement:

  "Erin Jackson... became the first black American just to medal in speed skating." — Jonathan Hunt [03:30]

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Timestamps of Key Segments

| Time | Segment | |-----------|-------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:03 | Nancy Guthrie abduction investigation (Lisa Licera, Hunt) | | 00:40 | Partial government shutdown ends (Licera, Hunt) | | 01:10 | ICE reform discussion & Clinton/Epstein hearing (Comer) | | 02:31 | Trump escalates action against Harvard (Tanya J. Powers) | | 03:12 | Saif al-Islam Gaddafi shooting in Libya (Licera) | | 03:30 | Olympic flag bearers for Team USA announced (Hunt) | | 04:11 | Lindsey Vonn hopeful to return after injury (Licera) |

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Tone and Style

The reporting maintains a brisk, urgent, and objective newscast style, delivering facts directly with concise expert commentary. Notable breaking stories are given color through direct speaker attributions and brief analyses.

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This summary provides a comprehensive guide to the episode’s key topics, ensuring listeners stay informed on the latest political, legal, and world news, as well as a glimpse at the upcoming Winter Olympics.

Transcript

[Lisa Licera]

DNA samples found at the scene. I'm Lisa Licera. FOX News. The Pima County, Arizona Sheriff's Office continues the investigation into the apparent abduction of Nancy Guthrie, the 84 year old mother of today's show anchor Savannah Guthrie. As helicopters were again seen circling the area near Guthrie's home, he was talking.

[Jonathan Hunt]

About it being job number one. Going back to the beginning here, searching for Nancy Guthrie, following every lead they can. His answer, as you could tell, clearly implying no, there is no further threat which would further imply that this was a targeted abduction.

[Lisa Licera]

Fox's Jonathan Hunt. Nancy Guthrie was last seen Saturday night and was reported missing Sunday morning when she didn't show up for church. The sheriff's office says she has physical ailments but no cognitive issues and would not just wander off. President Trump has signed off on the measure ending the partial government shutdown.

[Jonathan Hunt]

We've succeeded in passing a fiscally responsible package that actually cuts wasteful federal spending.

[Lisa Licera]

While supporting critical programs for the safety.

[Jonathan Hunt]

Security and prosperity of the American people.

[Lisa Licera]

But the battle over funding for the Department of Homeland Security is just beginning. The bill just passed only covers funding for two weeks so lawmakers can work on a long term plan. Democrats and some Republicans are calling for reforms to ICE and including no longer allowing agents to wear face coverings. House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer reacting after former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have agreed to testify about their ties to Jeffrey Epstein.

[Jonathan Hunt]

Unlike President Trump, the Clinton, neither Clinton has ever answered any questions about Epstein. They've never done a sit down interview. They've never talked about it.

[Lisa Licera]

On fox's the Ingraham Angle, Comer says the Clintons have been offered two hearing dates. And at the end of this month, America is listening to FOX News.

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[Lisa Licera]

President Trump is doubling down with new threats against Harvard University.

[Tanya J. Powers]

President Trump wants Harvard to pay a billion dollar settlement to restore federal funding. It came just hours after the New York Times reported that he had dropped his administration's demand for a $200 million payment to the US government in a social media post. Trump said investigations of Harvard should now be criminal, not civil. Harvard University has been a target of President Trump's push to exert more control over higher education. In September, a federal judge restored more than $2 billion in federal research funding to Harvard, which the government is appealing. Other universities like Columbia, Brown and Cornell have signed deals with the Trump administration. In New York, Tanya J. Powers, Fox News.

[Lisa Licera]

Saif Al Islam Gaddafi, the son and one time heir apparent of Libya's late dictator Muammar Gaddafi, has been in the town of Zintan, 85 miles southwest of the capital Tripoli. There are reports he was shot by gunmen in his home. The US has announced the flag bearers for the Olympics opening ceremony three days.

[Jonathan Hunt]

Ahead of the opening ceremony for the 25th Winter Olympics. Team USA announced Tuesday that its contingency of 232 athletes who will compete in the Winter Games of Milan and Cortina, Italy, will be led into the stadium Friday in the Parade of Nations by flag bearers, speed skater Erin Jackson and bobsledder Frank Del Duca. Jackson, the first black woman who won a Winter Olympics gold medal in an individual sport, took home gold in the 500 meters at the 2022 Games in Beijing and became the first black American just to meddle in speed skating. Dal Duca, 34 years old from Maine, is competing in his second Winter Olympics for Team usa. Dalduca made his debut in Beijing four years ago. Jared Max, Fox News this is Skier.

[Lisa Licera]

Lindsey Vaughn says she's confident she can compete in the Milan Tortina Olympics despite inches injuring her left knee in a crash. Four days ago she posted on social media that she completely ruptured her acl. I'm Lisa Licera. This is Fox News.

[Tanya J. Powers]

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

[Jonathan Hunt]

Jesus, a listening experience that will provide hope, comfort and understanding of the greatest story ever told. Listen and follow [e-mail] or wherever you listen to podcasts.