Fox News Hourly Update: 3AM ET 01/31/2026 Newscast

Date: January 31, 2026
Host: Chris DiMaio (FOX News)
Reporters: Chad Pergram, Christina Coleman, Nate Foy, David Spunt
Episode Purpose:
Provide a concise, up-to-the-minute rundown of national and international breaking news, current affairs, and hot topics impacting Americans right now.

Main Theme

This episode centers around the partial U.S. government shutdown, urgent federal budget debates, severe winter weather in the Southeast, major developments in high-profile criminal cases, and a significant Department of Justice document release related to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. U.S. Partial Government Shutdown

[00:03 – 00:54]

• The Senate passed a spending bill but only provided two weeks of funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), resulting in a partial government shutdown.

• Reporter Chad Pergram explains that about 78% of the federal government is currently unfunded, including critical departments such as the Pentagon, Housing and Urban Development, and Transportation.

• The House had previously passed a full spending bill, but disagreements between House and Senate, particularly over DHS and ICE funding, have caused a legislative deadlock.

• Senate Democrats pushed to defund or restrict ICE, resulting in the separation of DHS’s funding from the rest.

• The House will likely vote Monday on the Senate package, but passage is uncertain.

• President Trump reportedly agreed to the compromise earlier in the week.

  "About 78% of the federal government is unfunded right now... So they have to pass in the House of Representatives what the Senate did. Otherwise the government shutdown continues."
  — Chad Pergram [00:17]

2. Major Winter Storm Approaching Southeast

[01:08 – 01:37]

• Meteorologist Christina Coleman reports on a strengthening nor'easter threatening the Southeast.

• The storm is forecast to become a "bomb cyclone," bringing heavy snow to high elevations in Virginia, the Carolinas, and northern Georgia, particularly on Saturday.

• Early travel disruptions are expected, with concerns about high winds and possible coastal flooding during Sunday morning’s high tide.

  "As the storm strengthens, it will likely become a bomb cyclone. Snow is expected to rapidly expand across the higher terrain of Virginia, the Carolinas, and into northern Georgia."
  — Christina Coleman [01:08]

3. New York Policy: Local Police and ICE

[01:37 – 02:00]

• New York Governor Kathy Hochul moves to halt cooperation between state police departments and ICE, labeling ICE a "rogue federal agency."

• She asserts that the state's collaboration with ICE has "gotten out of control" and emphasizes the immediate end to this coordination.

  "ICE has gotten out of control... this stops for now..."
  — Chris DiMaio reporting on Gov. Kathy Hochul’s statement [01:37]

4. Abraham Accords Anniversary

[02:00 – 02:16]

• Brief mention that five years have passed since the historic Abraham Accords brought together Israel, Morocco, the UAE, and Bahrain for normalized relations.
• Megan Alexander introduces a segment on the Middle East, emphasizing ongoing partnerships.

5. Luigi Mangione Case: Death Penalty Off the Table

[02:16 – 02:54]

• Update on Luigi Mangione, accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.

• Judge dismisses the most severe federal charge (murder with a firearm), removing the death penalty as an option.

• State charges for stalking remain, which could result in life imprisonment; Mangione maintains his not guilty plea.

• Judge denies defense motion to suppress evidence.

  "The judge has agreed with Mangione's defense team to throw out the most serious charge against him... This means that the death penalty is now off the table in this federal case..."
  — Nate Foy [02:26]

6. DOJ Publishes Jeffrey Epstein Investigation Files

[02:54 – 03:54]

• Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche announces the release of over 3 million pages, including 2,000 videos and 180,000 images, from the federal Epstein investigation.

• Sensitive or explicit content, especially child harm or abuse, was withheld.

• High-profile names listed in file indices include Bill Gates, Elon Musk, and Steve Bannon, but "no evidence that anything was criminal" regarding these individuals.

• Reporter David Spunt clarifies most videos involve "commercial pornography" and warns not to draw conclusions based on mere name appearances.

  "It's important to point that out. And we've not seen evidence that anything was criminal between those men."
  — David Spunt [03:54]

7. Steve Tisch Responds to Epstein File Mention

[03:54 – 04:13]

• New York Giants co-owner Steve Tisch issues a statement expressing "deep regret" for his association with Epstein, categorically denying he ever visited Epstein’s infamous island.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Chad Pergram on shutdown deadlock:

  "So they have to pass in the House of Representatives what the Senate did. Otherwise the government shutdown continues." [00:50]

• Christina Coleman on the approaching bomb cyclone:

  "Travelers are already bracing for flight cancellations and delays due to the storm." [01:20]

• David Spunt clarifies risk of misinformation in Epstein document dump:

  "Not much context when names are released. Important to point that out." [03:50]

Timeline of Important Segments

• [00:03] – Government shutdown update: funding and legislative tensions
• [00:54] – Upcoming House vote and President Trump’s involvement
• [01:08] – Nor'easter / bomb cyclone weather warnings
• [01:37] – NY Governor bans police-ICE cooperation
• [02:00] – Abraham Accords anniversary mention
• [02:16] – Mangione murder trial, death penalty decision
• [02:54] – DOJ releases Epstein investigation files
• [03:54] – Steve Tisch public statement on Epstein connection

This episode captures breaking stories across government, law, weather, and public interest, embodying the brisk, information-first tone of Fox News radio.