12AM ET 04/03/2026 Newscast

Summary

Fox News Hourly Update – 12AM ET 04/03/2026 Newscast

Host: Sue Guzman, FOX News Podcasts
Date: April 3, 2026

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Episode Overview

This newscast delivers rapid updates on key political, international, and human interest stories. Major stories include the continued shakeup in President Trump’s cabinet, latest developments from NASA’s Artemis 2 moon mission, escalating tensions in the Middle East, domestic policy moves, and a reported prisoner release in Cuba.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Cabinet Shakeup: Attorney General Fired

• [00:03 – 00:54]
  • President Trump has fired Attorney General Pam Bondi after 14 months of service—a move signifying ongoing cabinet turbulence during his second term.
  • Criticism of Bondi came from both political parties, especially over the Justice Department’s handling of Jeffrey Epstein files and investigations involving perceived political opponents.
  • Trump praised Bondi as “a great American patriot,” crediting her tenure with a nationwide drop in crime and murder rates.
  • Bondi called the role “the honor of a lifetime” and announced she would move to the private sector.
  • Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche will serve as Acting Attorney General until a new nominee is confirmed.

Notable Quote:

“Pam Bondi faced criticism from both parties over the Justice Department's release of Jeffrey Epstein related files and investigations of perceived political enemies of President Trump.”
— Jarrett Halperin [00:15]

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2. Past & Present Cabinet Changes

• [00:54 – 01:18]
  • Bondi’s departure follows the recent ouster of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
  • Acting AG Todd Blanche shared a message of vigilance and hard work:
    • Blanche emphasized the importance of learning from the past and safeguarding the Justice Department’s integrity.

Notable Quote:

“Have to make sure that what happened for four years never happens again. And we don't talk about investigations, but I can tell you that the Department of Justice is working hard every day.”
— Todd Blanche [01:02]

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3. Artemis 2 Crew Launch & Space Toilet Troubles

• [01:18 – 01:54]
  • Artemis 2, the mission aiming to return Americans to the moon, successfully launched after addressing a technical hitch with the onboard space toilet ("universal Waste Management System").
  • The malfunction involved the Orion capsule’s hygiene bay, which is necessary for crew comfort on long flights.
  • NASA astronaut Christina Koch was guided through troubleshooting steps by Mission Control; backup options, including plastic bags, are in place.

Notable Quote:

“Even in space, you gotta go.”
— Reporter on Artemis 2 [01:24]

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4. Trump’s White House Ballroom & Federal Oversight

• [03:08 – 03:39]
  • Trump's plan to expand the White House ballroom has been greenlit by the National Capital Planning Commission—despite a federal judge’s order requiring Congressional approval for such major structural changes.

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5. U.S.–Iran–Israel Escalation

• [03:39 – 04:16]
  • President Trump touted a military strike on Iranian infrastructure, sharing video of a bridge collapse with the message that Iran should “make a deal before it is too late.”
  • Iran dismissed U.S. and Israeli claims of damaging its war machine and warned that multiple regional bridges are now targeted in retaliation.
  • The attack reportedly killed 8 and wounded 95, per Iranian state media.
  • Israeli Defense Minister issued stern threats to Hezbollah’s new secretary general.

Notable Quotes:

“You will be deep at the bottom of hell. Together with Nasrallah, Khamenei, Sinwar and all the eliminated members of the axis of evil.”
— Jarrett Halperin, attributing Israeli Defense Minister’s remarks [03:50]

“President Trump posted a video he says shows the biggest bridge in Iran tumbling down with a message it is time for Iran to make a deal before it is too late.”
— Mike Tobin [03:57]

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6. Cuba’s “Humanitarian” Prisoner Release

• [04:16 – 04:37]
  • The Cuban government announced the pardon of over 2,000 prisoners, coinciding with Holy Week and amid intensified U.S. oil blockades.
  • The administration described the move as a humanitarian gesture but avoided commenting on U.S. pressure or providing names and conditions of those released.

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7. Governor Kay Ivey’s Health Update

• [04:37 – 05:04]
  • Alabama Governor Kay Ivey was released from hospital after a procedure to remove fluid that was causing her pain.
  • The 81-year-old plans to continue working and looks forward to returning to the state capitol next week.

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Memorable Quotes & Moments

• “Pam Bondi faced criticism from both parties over the Justice Department's release of Jeffrey Epstein related files and investigations of perceived political enemies of President Trump.”
  — Jarrett Halperin [00:15]

• “Even in space, you gotta go.”
  — Artemis 2 segment reporter [01:24]

• "Have to make sure that what happened for four years never happens again... the Department of Justice is working hard every day."
  — Todd Blanche [01:02]

• "You will be deep at the bottom of hell. Together with Nasrallah, Khamenei, Sinwar and all the eliminated members of the axis of evil."
  — Israeli Defense Minister statement via Jarrett Halperin [03:50]

• “President Trump posted a video he says shows the biggest bridge in Iran tumbling down with a message it is time for Iran to make a deal before it is too late.”
  — Mike Tobin [03:57]

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Timestamps for Noteworthy Segments

• 00:03 – 00:54: AG Pam Bondi fired, cabinet shakeup details
• 01:02 – 01:18: Acting AG Todd Blanche addresses DOJ integrity
• 01:18 – 01:54: Artemis 2 moon mission and space toilet issues
• 03:08 – 03:39: White House ballroom expansion approval
• 03:39 – 04:16: U.S. strikes Iran; Israel-Hezbollah escalation; Iran’s response
• 04:16 – 04:37: Cuban government pardons prisoners amid U.S. pressure
• 04:37 – 05:04: Governor Kay Ivey's health update

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Summary

This Fox News radio newscast captures a moment of political upheaval in D.C., technological ambition in space, and mounting tension in the Middle East, while also highlighting humanitarian moves and personal updates from key figures. The tone is urgent, straightforward, and at times sensational—allowing listeners to quickly absorb headline-grabbing developments across the globe.

Transcript

[Sue Guzman]

A second cabinet member is out. I'm Sue Guzman. FOX News. President Trump firing his attorney general Thursday in the latest shakeup of his second term. Fox's Jarrett Halperin has the story.

[Jarrett Halperin]

During her 14 months as attorney general, Pam Bondi faced criticism from both parties over the Justice Department's release of Jeffrey Epstein related files and investigations of perceived political enemies of President Trump. The president says Bondi is a great American patriot and loyal friend, crediting her with a drop in crime and murder rates across the country. Pondi joined President Trump earlier this week to hear arguments at the Supreme Court and call serving as AG the honor of a lifetime. She says she will transition to the private sector. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche will serve as acting AG until a new nominee is confirmed. At the White House, Jared Halpern, FOX News.

[Sue Guzman]

This follows the ouster of former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem last month. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche telling fox's

[Todd Blanche]

Jesse Waters primetime have to make sure that what happened for four years never happens again. And we don't talk about investigations, but I can tell you that the Department of Justice is working hard every day. It was working hard yesterday and we're going to keep on working hard tomorrow.

[Sue Guzman]

The Artemis 2 crew is finally on its way to the moon after flushing out an earlier issue.

[Narrator/Reporter on Artemis 2]

Even in space, you gotta go. And the Orion capsule has a space toilet or hygiene bay smaller than what's on the International Space Station. NASA calls it the universal Waste management System. It's mounted in the floor with a door and curtain for privacy and uses air suction instead of water and gravity. But after Orion reached Earth's orbit Wednesday night, the lunar loo wasn't fully functioning. Mission Control guiding astronaut Christina Koch through some troubleshooting and a fix. They do have backup plans, including the

[Sue Guzman]

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[Sue Guzman]

President Trump's White House ballroom has won final approval from a key agency. The National Capital Planning Commission. The agency tasked now with approving construction on federal property in the D.C. region went ahead with the vote despite a federal judge recently ordering a halt to construction unless Congress approves what could be the biggest structural change to the American landmark in more than 70 years. President Trump is boasting about a military strike on Iran's infrastructure. Fox's Mike Tobin in Tel Aviv, Israel has the latest.

[Mike Tobin]

With troops already in southern Lebanon, Israel's defense minister is warning Hezbollah's new secretary general Naim Qassam that he will pay a heavy price for firing rockets into Israel during the Holy Days.

[Jarrett Halperin]

You will be deep at the bottom of hell. Together with Nasrallah, Khamenei, Sinwar and all the eliminated members of the axis of

[Mike Tobin]

evil, President Trump posted a video he says shows the biggest bridge in Iran tumbling down with a message it is time for Iran to make a deal before it is too late. Iran responded by posting a list of bridges from Jordan to Abu Dhabi that are now potential targets and insists Israel and the US have not damaged the regime's war machine.

[Sue Guzman]

The attack killed eight people and wounded 95, according to an Iranian state run news agency. Cuban government saying Thursday it pardoned more than 2,000 people. This as the Trump administration placed extreme pressure on the government and suffocated the island with an oil blockade. Cuba's government said the pardons were a humanitarian gesture in connection with Holy Week, but did not mention the mounting pressures with the U.S. cuban authorities didn't name who was released or under what conditions. Alabama Governor Kay Ivey is out after a two day stay at the hospital. Al.com says she underwent a successful procedure to remove fluid that was causing her pain and short. The 81 year old governor plans to work through the weekend. Her office says she's looking forward to being back at the Capitol next week. I'm Sue Gosman.

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