1AM ET 02/04/2026 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update — 1AM ET 02/04/2026

Overview

This episode of the Fox News Hourly Update delivers a concise roundup of major breaking news stories from the U.S. and world affairs as of early February 4, 2026. The main segments include the resolution of a partial government shutdown, developments in the disappearance of Savannah Guthrie’s mother, an escalating standoff between the U.S. and Iran, legal proceedings related to an assault on Rep. Ilhan Omar, and news on Bill and Hillary Clinton agreeing to House testimony regarding Jeffrey Epstein.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. End of the Partial Government Shutdown

• Host (Ted Lindner) reports: President Trump signed a $1.2 trillion spending bill to end the partial government shutdown, funding most of the government through September.

  • Quote: "President Trump signing a $1.2 trillion spending bill that ends that shutdown. Most of the government will be funded through September." (A, [00:03])

• Chad Pergrim (FOX News) elaborates:

  • All but the Department of Homeland Security are now funded.
  • The spending bill passed narrowly in the House (217-214), with a notable bipartisan shift: “21 Republicans voted no, but 21 Democrats voted yes.”
  • The fight over Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reforms is ongoing, with a risk of another shutdown by Friday the 13th if an agreement isn’t reached.
  • Possible upcoming legislative initiatives: Ending sanctuary cities and the potential attachment of the “SAVE Act” (which mandates proof of citizenship) to the next spending round.
  • Quote: "Lawmakers will scramble to fix ICE now. The GOP may try to end sanctuary cities in the next funding round." (B, [00:15])

• Host adds:

  • Democrats’ priorities include requiring ICE agents to wear body cameras and remove face masks.
  • Quote: "Democrats want ICE agents to wear body cameras and take off face masks." (A, [00:56])

2. Disappearance of Savannah Guthrie’s Mother

• Ted Lindner reports: Arizona authorities are investigating a potential ransom note in the disappearance of Savannah Guthrie’s 84-year-old mother.

  • Quote: "Arizona authorities say they're aware of a potential ransom note following the disappearance of today's show host Savannah Guthrie's mother." (A, [00:56])

• Jonathan Hunt (FOX News):

  • Media outlets received purported ransom notes containing details not released by the sheriff’s office.
  • Example detail: Description of what Nancy Guthrie was allegedly wearing.
  • FBI Director Kash Patel and Pima County officials confirm awareness of the notes and reiterate, “they are continuing to follow every tip and every lead.”
  • Quote: "TMZ and a couple of other media outlets reporting tonight that they received ransom notes, ransom notes that in the words of TMZ, included details not made public..." (C, [01:14])

• Host follows up: Authorities suspect abduction.

  • Quote: "Authorities believe she was taken against her will." (A, [01:52])

3. U.S.-Iran Tensions in the Arabian Sea

• Jared Halpern (FOX News):
  • U.S. fighter jet shot down an Iranian drone that approached the USS Abraham Lincoln about 500 miles from Iran’s coast.
  • Hours later, Iranian forces harassed a U.S.-flagged merchant vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, prompting a Navy destroyer (with Air Force support) to defend the ship.
  • Despite these events, nuclear talks between the U.S. and Iran are still scheduled for later in the week.
  • Quote: "An Iranian drone aggressively approaching the USS Abraham Lincoln in the Arabian Sea was shot down by a Navy jet." (E, [02:48])

4. Assault Case Involving Rep. Ilhan Omar

• Joe Anthony and Jeff Manasso (FOX News):
  • James Kacpercheck appeared in federal court (in Minneapolis) after allegedly assaulting Rep. Ilhan Omar during a town hall by spraying her with apple cider vinegar.
  • He was held in solitary confinement, wore a yellow jumpsuit, and was ordered to remain in custody due to being considered a “danger to the community.”
  • Kacpercheck faces both federal and state assault charges.
  • Quote: "Federal prosecutors say Kacpercheck sprayed apple cider vinegar on Rep. Ilhan Omar as she spoke during a town hall event last week before he was tackled by security." (F, [03:34])

5. Bill & Hillary Clinton Agree to Testify on Epstein

• Ted Lindner provides details:
  • Both Bill and Hillary Clinton have finalized agreements to testify before House committees regarding Jeffrey Epstein.
  • Notably, this will be the first instance of a former president being compelled to testify before lawmakers.
  • Hillary Clinton’s testimony is scheduled for February 26th; Bill Clinton’s for February 27th.
  • Quote: "It'll mark the first time that lawmakers have compelled a former president to testify." (A, [04:16])

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Lawmakers will scramble to fix ICE now."
  — Chad Pergrim ([00:15])

• "TMZ and a couple of other media outlets reporting tonight that they received ransom notes, ransom notes that in the words of TMZ, included details not made public by the sheriff's office."
  — Jonathan Hunt ([01:14])

• "An Iranian drone aggressively approaching the USS Abraham Lincoln in the Arabian Sea was shot down by a Navy jet."
  — Jared Halpern ([02:48])

• "Federal prosecutors say Kacpercheck sprayed apple cider vinegar on Rep. Ilhan Omar as she spoke during a town hall event last week before he was tackled by security."
  — Jeff Manaso ([03:34])

• "It'll mark the first time that lawmakers have compelled a former president to testify."
  — Ted Lindner ([04:16])

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Important Segment Timestamps

• [00:03] — End of Partial Government Shutdown Coverage
• [00:56] — Savannah Guthrie’s Mother Ransom Investigation
• [02:40] — U.S. Navy Shoots Down Iranian Drone, Strait of Hormuz Incident
• [03:27] — Court Appearance: Assault on Rep. Ilhan Omar
• [04:16] — Bill & Hillary Clinton to Testify Before Congress on Epstein Probe

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This summary covers all critical news segments and notable details from the FOX News Hourly Update, providing a clear and engaging overview for listeners who missed the broadcast.

Transcript

[A]

The end of the partial government shutdown. I'm Ted Lindner. Fox News. President Trump signing a $1.2 trillion spending bill that ends that shutdown. Most of the government will be funded through September. Fox's Chad Pergrim with more for us tonight.

[B]

The partial shutdown is over. All but one department is now funded until fall. That's dhs. Democrats insist on reforms to ice. Lawmakers must forge an agreement on that by Friday the 13th or there's another partial shutdown. The House synced up with the Senate 217 to 214. 21 Republicans voted no, but 21 Democrats voted yes. Lawmakers will scramble to fix ICE now. The GOP may try to end sanctuary cities in the next funding round. Some Republicans want to attach the SAVE act to the next spending bill that mandates proof that you're a citizen before.

[A]

Democrats want ICE agents to wear body cameras and take off face masks. And Arizona authorities say they're aware of a potential ransom note following the disappearance of today's show host Savannah Guthrie's mother. The 84 year old has been missing from her Pima county home since Saturday. Fox's Jonathan Hunt with more.

[C]

TMZ and a couple of other media outlets reporting tonight that they received ransom notes, ransom notes that in the words of TMZ, included details not made public by the sheriff's office, Details, for instance, about what Nancy Guthrie, at least according to the writer, the ransom note was wearing the night she was taken. Now, all that officials will confirm right now, including FBI Director Kash Patel, is that they are aware of these purported ransom notes. And in the words of the Pima county sheriffs, they are continuing to follow every tip and every lead.

[A]

Authorities believe she was taken against her will. America's listening to FOX News.

[D]

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[A]

A US fighter jet shooting down an Iranian drone days ahead of planned talks between the two countries. Fox's Jared Halpern with more.

[E]

An Iranian drone aggressively approaching the USS Abraham Lincoln in the Arabian Sea was shot down by a Navy jet. U.S. central Command says the Lincoln was sailing about 500 miles from Iran's coast when the drone was shot down hours later. Iranian Iranian forces harassed a US Flagged merchant vessel, the Pentagon says, as it sailed in the Strait of Hormuz. A nearby Navy destroyer responded and escorted the vessel with defensive support from the US Air Force. Despite escalating tensions, the White House's talks between the US And Iran intended to broker a nuclear agreement are still on for later this week at the White House. Jared Halpern, FOX News.

[A]

A detention hearing for the man accused of assaulting Minnesota Congresswoman Elon Omar during a town hall in Minneapolis last week.

[F]

Fox's Joe Anthony James Kaspercheck in federal court in Minneapolis making a salute gesture to people, his feet shaky as he waved his right to a preliminary hearing to establish probable cause. A judge also ordering Kazmarchek to remain in custody on assault charges, saying that he could be a danger to the community. Federal prosecutors say Kacper check sprayed apple cider vinegar on Rep. Ilhan Omar as she spoke during a town hall event last week before he was tackled by security. He faces federal and state assault charges. Kacpercheck was wearing a yellow jumpsuit during the hearing, which signifies that he's being held in solitary confinement. Jeff Manasso, FOX News and former President.

[A]

Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton finalizing an agreement with House Republicans to testify in a House investigation into Jeffrey Epstein. Hillary Clinton will testify before the House oversight committee on February 26th. Bill Clinton will appear on February 27th. It'll mark the first time that lawmakers have compelled a former president to testify. I'm Ted Lindner and this is FOX news.

[G]

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