Fox News Hourly Update: 11PM ET Newscast, February 5, 2026

Overview

This episode of the Fox News Hourly Update delivers concise, fast-moving coverage of major national news stories as of late February 4, 2026. The coverage focuses on the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie and the law enforcement investigation, a significant Supreme Court action on California redistricting, an update on a high-profile shooting case, new scientific findings linking wildfire smoke to mortality, and the latest job market data amid a government shutdown.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Disappearance of Nancy Guthrie

[00:03] – [01:25]

• Fox News details the ongoing search for Nancy Guthrie, 84, who has been reported missing.
• Family Plea: Her children, including Savannah Guthrie (noted journalist), issued an emotional appeal via social media, emphasizing her fragile health and calling for communication:
  • Memorable Quote (Ainsley Earhart, 00:07):
    “Our mom is our heart and our home. She's 84 years old. Her health, her heart is fragile.”
  • Family Request (Savannah Guthrie, 00:17):
    "...we want to hear from you and we are ready to listen. Please reach out to us."
• The family wants “definitive proof” Nancy Guthrie is alive before acting on ransom reports.
• Law enforcement has reversed an earlier decision to return the Guthrie home to the family.
  • A substantial law enforcement presence (local deputies, Border Patrol, FBI) returned for renewed searches.
    • Notable Quote (Jonathan Hunt, 00:46):
      “Well, within 24 hours that obviously all went into reverse and we saw all of these law enforcement agents descend on the home, tape it off once again and conduct searches...”
• Officials now believe Nancy Guthrie was “forcibly taken” Saturday night.

2. Supreme Court & California Redistricting

[01:25] – [01:49]

• The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal regarding California's new congressional maps.
• The maps are expected to benefit Democrats in upcoming midterms:
  • Summary Quote (Jared Halpern, 01:34):
    “The new map is likely to favor Democrats in the upcoming midterm elections.”
• The redistricting was a response to Texas' earlier efforts believed to aid Republicans.
• California voters opted for a referendum to replace the independent redistricting commission.
  • Summary (Savannah Guthrie, 01:49):
    “California voters approved ballot referendum replacing an independent redistricting commission.”

3. National Guard Shooting Suspect in Court

[02:30] – [03:14]

• Brock Manola Lockenwall pleads not guilty to the fatal shooting of two West Virginia National Guard soldiers in Washington, DC, the day before Thanksgiving.
  • Incident Details (Ryan Schmelz, 02:35):
    • 20-year-old Sarah Beckstrom was killed; Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolf survived, is recovering, and has expressed gratitude for support.
    • Lockenwall faces nine charges, including first-degree murder.
    • Quote (Ryan Schmelz, 02:35):
      “He’s accused of shooting two West Virginia National Guard soldiers in the nation's capital the day before Thanksgiving.... Wolf recently posted on social media. He's grateful to be alive.”

4. Wildfire Smoke and Premature Deaths

[03:14] – [03:45]

• A new study in Science Advances finds prolonged exposure to wildfire smoke causes tens of thousands of deaths annually in the lower 48 states.
  • Findings (Savannah Guthrie, 03:19):
    “From 2006 to 2020, long term exposure to tiny particulates from wildfire smoke contributed to an average of more than 24,000 deaths a year in the lower 48 states.”
• Wildfire smoke is now recognized as a growing threat to public health.

5. January Jobs Report & Government Shutdown

[03:45] – [04:20]

• The ADP payroll report shows private job growth lagged in January, adding only 22,000 jobs, lower than the 48,000 economists expected.
• Gains seen mainly in education and healthcare; manufacturing and business services saw declines.
• The official government jobs report is delayed due to a partial government shutdown, making ADP’s figures more significant.
  • Summary (ADP Rep, 03:45):
    “Job growth cooled in January.... The ADP report has returned to being more important than usual because the January employment report... has been postponed because of the partial government shutdown.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Ainsley Earhart, 00:07:
  “Our mom is our heart and our home. She's 84 years old. Her health, her heart is fragile.”

• Savannah Guthrie, 00:26:
  “We want to hear from you and we are ready to listen. Please reach out to us.”

• Jonathan Hunt, 00:46:
  "We saw all of these law enforcement agents descend on the home, tape it off once again and conduct searches both inside and outside."

• Ryan Schmelz, 02:39:
  "Wolf recently posted on social media. He's grateful to be alive. And while the recovery has been challenging, he says he's thankful for the prayers and support."

• Savannah Guthrie, 03:19:
  "...wildfire smoke contributed to an average of more than 24,000 deaths a year in the lower 48 states."

Important Timestamps

• 00:03 – 01:25: Coverage of Nancy Guthrie's disappearance, law enforcement response, family’s plea.
• 01:25 – 01:49: Supreme Court and California redistricting decision.
• 02:30 – 03:14: Update on the National Guard shooting court appearance.
• 03:14 – 03:45: Wildfire smoke study and public health risks.
• 03:45 – 04:20: January ADP jobs report and the impact of the government shutdown.

Tone and Style

• Urgent, compassionate, factual, and concise: The hosts and correspondents maintain a respectful tone, especially on sensitive stories, and move briskly across major national topics.
• Direct quotations from family members and authorities underscore the seriousness and emotional weight of the top story.

This episode serves as a fast-paced, comprehensive update on significant national events, marked by compassionate reporting on a high-profile missing-person case, crucial legal developments, and key data affecting American lives.