Summary4 min read

Fox News Hourly Update – 2PM ET 03/01/2026 Newscast

Host: Ann Kerik, FOX News Podcasts
Date: March 1, 2026

Episode Overview

This newscast delivers the latest breaking developments on the escalating conflict between the US/Israel and Iran, the political fallout in Washington, global travel disruption, a major shooting incident in Austin, Texas, and international responses to the Middle East crisis. The reporting is fast-paced, detailed, and underscores both the human cost of the unfolding war and the profound global ramifications.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Middle East Conflict: U.S. and Israeli Casualties

U.S. Service Members Killed:
- Three US service members killed, five seriously wounded in a missile strike (00:14).
- Additional Americans suffered from shrapnel injuries and concussions.
- These are the first American casualties in the newly declared US and Israeli war against Iran.
Retaliatory Strikes:
- CENTCOM did not reveal which US base was targeted.
- Four B2 bombers flew a round trip from Whiteman Air Force Base to Iran, dropping dozens of 2,000-pound penetrator bombs on underground Iranian ballistic missile sites. (00:34)
- Bombers returned safely; targeting aimed at crippling Iran’s underground missile infrastructure.
Israeli Toll:
- At least nine confirmed Israeli deaths from Iranian retaliation. (00:55)

2. U.S. Politics: War Authority Debate

Congress Divided Over Presidential War Powers:
- Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA):
  - Criticizes President Trump for launching a war without Congressional knowledge or approval. (01:05)
  - Quote [01:14]:
    
    "The president not only did not come to Congress to seek a debate or vote, he acted without even notification to the vast majority of us."
- Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC):
  - Defends President Trump’s authority to order military action without Congressional approval. (01:28)
  - Quote [01:28]:
    
    "No, he has the legal authority to do it and these operations will continue until the threat is no longer there."
- Sen. Kaine is introducing a war powers resolution aiming to reaffirm Congress’ authority to declare war, with a vote scheduled this week. (01:35)

3. Potential for Diplomacy: Iranian Leadership

White House Hints at Diplomatic Openings:
- Senior official reports new potential Iranian leadership may be open to talks with the US. (01:45)

4. Safety and Impact: For Americans Abroad & Travelers

State Department Response:
- Advising US citizens in Israel to shelter in place due to ongoing strikes. (02:16)
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio establishes a federal task force to assist up to 300,000 Americans estimated to be in the region. This is designated a "top tier priority." (02:27)
  - Quote [02:27]:
    
    "It is made up of top officials from across the Trump administration's federal government to oversee efforts to try and help as many Americans as possible who are now stranded in the Mideast as this war has broken out."
Travel Chaos:
- Level 4 travel advisory issued for the region.
- Middle East airspace closures: Israel, Qatar, Syria, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain.
- More than 1,800 flights canceled, hundreds of thousands of travelers stranded or diverted.
- Emirates suspends Dubai flights. (02:55)

5. International Reactions

Pope Leo on X (formerly Twitter):
- Expresses concern over the crisis, calls for dialogue:
  - Quote [02:55]:
    
    "Stability and peace are achieved only through reasonable, sincere and responsible dialogue. The use of weapons sows destruction, suffering and death."

6. Domestic News: Austin Bar Shooting

Incident Details:
- Shooting at an Austin bar leaves 3 dead, 14 injured; 3 in critical condition. (03:46)
- Police swiftly responded and killed the male shooter; the FBI is investigating as a possible act of terrorism.
- Austin Mayor Kirk Watson:
  - Praises rapid police response.
  - Quote [03:46]:
    
    "I am very thankful for the speed with which our public safety officials responded to this. I don't think there's any question that it saved lives."

Notable Quotes

Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA), on President Trump’s military action [01:14]:

"The president not only did not come to Congress to seek a debate or vote, he acted without even notification to the vast majority of us."
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), supporting presidential authority [01:28]:

"No, he has the legal authority to do it and these operations will continue until the threat is no longer there."
Pope Leo, on pursuit of peace [02:55]:

"Stability and peace are achieved only through reasonable, sincere and responsible dialogue. The use of weapons sows destruction, suffering and death."
Austin Mayor Kirk Watson, on police heroism [03:46]:

"I am very thankful for the speed with which our public safety officials responded to this. I don't think there's any question that it saved lives."

Important Timestamps

00:14 — US military casualties in Iran strike detailed
00:55 — Israeli deaths confirmed
01:05-01:35 — Congressional debate on war powers: Kaine vs. Graham
01:45 — White House official on possible diplomacy with Iran
02:16-02:55 — State Department crisis response; travel chaos
02:55 — Pope Leo calls for peace
03:46 — Austin mass shooting coverage

Tone and Style

The episode keeps a measured, urgent tone, primarily factual, occasionally punctuated with sharp political criticism, appeals for calm, and calls for peace. Governments and institutions (US, Iran, Israel, Vatican, Austin PD) are foregrounded as key actors. Domestic and international consequences are woven together, underlining both the gravity and complexity of the developing crises.

In summary, this hourly update provides a concise yet comprehensive briefing on a rapidly evolving military conflict, its political repercussions, impact on American citizens, and poignant calls for restraint—interspersed with breaking domestic news. It is essential listening for anyone tracking world affairs as they unfold.

Loading summary

Transcript16 lines

[00:03]
A
Casualties in the Middle east include US Service members. I'm Ann Kerik, Fox News. Iranian state media says a strike on a school there has killed 165. Fox's Jennifer Griffin has more on US casualties.
[00:14]
B
Centcom has confirmed that three American service members were killed and five were seriously wounded in a missile strike. We're told other Americans sustained shrapnel injuries and suffered concussions. These are the first casualties of the war the US And Israel have launched against Iran. CENTCOM would not say war which US Base the missile strike targeted. While family notifications continue, we also can now report that four B2 bombers flew from their home base of Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri on a round trip to Iran and are now safely home. A senior U.S. defense official told me they dropped dozens of 2,000-pound penetrator bombs on Iranian ballistic missile sites that are hidden underground.
[00:56]
A
Israel confirms at least nine deaths from Iranian retaliation. Members of Congress are at odds on whether President Trump had the strike Iran without notifying the House and Senate.
[01:06]
C
Virginia Democratic Senator Tim Kaine said on Fox News Sunday. What the president began early Saturday was an illegal war, ignoring constitutionally required notice.
[01:15]
D
The president not only did not come to Congress to seek a debate or vote, he acted without even notification to the vast majority of us.
[01:22]
C
But South Carolina GOP Senator Lindsey Graham, when asked on NBC's Meet the Press if the president needed Congress blessing, he
[01:29]
D
said, no, he has the legal authority to do it and these operations will continue until the threat is no longer there.
[01:35]
C
Senator Kaine says he has a war powers resolution to reassert Congress power to wage war set up for a vote this week. Gurnall Scott, FOX News A senior White
[01:46]
A
House official, speaking on condition of anonymity, says new potential leadership in Iran has suggested they are open for talks with the United States. America is listening to Fox News.
[02:00]
E
Keep up to date with the very latest in Iran. Follow and listen to the Fox News hourly Update podcast and dive deep with the FOX News Rundown podcast. Get them now@fox newspodcast.com or wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.
[02:17]
A
The State Department is cautioning US Citizens in Israel to shelter in place as Iran continues to retaliate against U.S. and Israeli strikes on the country. Fox's Gillian Turner reports from the State Department.
[02:27]
F
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has directed his team here at the State Department to stand up a task force. It is made up of top officials from across the Trump administration's federal government to oversee efforts to try and help as many Americans as possible who are now stranded in the Mideast as this war has broken out. There's about, give or take, 300,000American civilians spread across the region on any given day. So this is, we are told, a top tier priority for the secretary.
[02:56]
A
The State Department also issued a Level 4 travel advisory for the region. Flights in the Middle east and beyond experiencing disruption as countries in the region close their airspace. More than 1800 flights canceled by major Middle Eastern airlines. Hundreds of thousands of travelers stranded or diverted. Israel, Qatar, Syria, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait and Bahrain airspaces all closed. Emirates Airlines suspended flights to and from Dubai. Pope Leo says he's deeply concerned during this tumultuous time, commenting on X about events related to Iran, adding stability and peace are achieved only through reasonable, sincere and responsible dialogue. He also said use of weapons sows destruction, suffering and death. Authorities in Austin report at least three people killed and 14 others injured after a shooting at a bar earlier today. Austin Mayor Kirk Watson praising police for their swift response.
[03:46]
G
I am very thankful for the speed with which our public safety officials responded to this. I don't think there's any question that it saved lives.
[03:59]
A
Three of those hospitalized are in critical condition. Police say the male shooter was shot and killed by officers. The FBI is investigating it as a possible act of terrorism. I'm Ann Carrick and this is FOX News.
[04:14]
E
Complete coverage of the latest in Iran continues on FOX News Radio. And listen to Brian Kilmeade, FOX Across America with Jimmy Fala, Will Cain and Guy Benson. Download the FOX News app and click Listen.