3AM ET 02/01/2026 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update – 3AM ET 02/01/2026 Newscast

Host: Chris DiMeo (Fox News Podcasts)
Date: February 1, 2026

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Overview

This episode covers major overnight developments in the U.S. and globally, including a rare and powerful winter storm slamming the Southeast, a shooting at a Louisiana Mardi Gras parade, FBI investigations into protest funding, rising tensions with Iran, Ukraine peace talks, the ongoing government shutdown, and Texas congressional election results.

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Key Topics & Discussion Points

1. Historic Winter Storm Hits the Southeast

[00:02 – 00:55]

• The Carolinas and Virginia are facing a severe nor’easter, with the heaviest snow in North Carolina in over 20 years.
• Meteorological impact:
  • Heavy snow, hurricane-force winds, and freezing temperatures.
  • Officials warn this storm will intensify into a "bomb cyclone."
  • Over a foot of snow reported in some North Carolina locations.
  • Widespread impact: Georgia, Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky, and West Virginia are all blanketed in snow.
• Consequences:
  • Flight disruptions: More than 6,000 flights delayed or canceled.
  • Power outages: Around 190,000 people, mainly in the Southeast, without power.
  • The storm is expected to track up the East Coast, potentially impacting Cape Cod.
  • More arctic air is expected to follow.

Notable Quote:

"North Carolina is seeing its biggest snow in more than 20 years. More than a foot has fallen in some places."
– Anita Vogel [00:20]

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2. Louisiana Mardi Gras Parade Shooting

[00:55 – 01:13]

• Five people, including a six-year-old boy, were shot at a Mardi Gras parade in Clinton, Louisiana.
• The parade was immediately shut down after the shooting.
• Police have taken three suspects into custody.

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3. FBI Investigating Paid Protesters

[01:13 – 01:52]

• The FBI is examining potential paid protest campaigns, looking into organizers and funders behind anti-ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) demonstrations.
• Groups under scrutiny include labor unions, Black Lives Matter, socialist, and communist groups.
• The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), a free speech advocacy group, comments on legal boundaries:

Notable Quote:

"Only in narrow circumstances can the government punish funders — like when they intentionally direct money to specific illegal acts. But broad investigations into support for political advocacy set a dangerous precedent that threatens organizations across the political spectrum."
– FIRE Representative [01:35]

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4. U.S. – Iran Tensions (Potential Military Action)

[02:31 – 03:08]

• President Trump is considering military options against Iran.
• The USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group is stationed in the Arabian Sea, within attack range of Iran.
  • Carrier assets include F/A-18 Super Hornets, F-35 "Charlie" stealth fighters, and Growler electronic warfare jets.
• In an interview, Trump responds about negotiations with Iran:

Notable Quote:

"They are negotiating so we'll see what happens. You know, the last time they negotiated, we had to take out their nuclear — didn't work."
– President Trump (via Lucas Tomlinson) [02:55]

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5. Ukraine Peace Talks Progress

[03:08 – 03:52]

• Talks in the UAE included Russia, Ukraine, and U.S. officials for the first time since the war began in 2022.
• The main barrier to peace: disputed territory. Russia demands more land, Ukraine refuses to cede it.
• Both sides remain inflexible, seeing no willingness to compromise.
• U.S. envoys at last week’s talks, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, will not represent the U.S. in current negotiations.

Notable Quote:

"The main issue standing between war and peace is territory. Russia wants more of it. Ukraine won't give up land its soldiers shed blood to defend."
– Jonathan Savage [03:25]

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6. U.S. Government Shutdown Over Immigration

[03:52 – 04:10]

• The government remains shut down due to unresolved disputes between Democrats and Republicans over immigration enforcement policy.
• Congressman Buddy Carter harshly criticizes Democrats for allegedly blocking ICE removals of violent criminals.

Notable Quote:

"The rapists, the murderers, the pedophiles, we need to get them out of this country. And that's what ICE is trying to do. Yet the Democrats are stopping them from doing it by trying to block ICE."
– Rep. Buddy Carter [03:58]

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7. Texas 18th District Special Election

[04:10 – 04:28]

• Democrat Christian Menefee wins the special election to replace the late Rep. Sylvester Turner, defeating Amanda Edwards and will serve out the remainder of Turner’s term.

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Memorable Moments & Quotes

• Historic Weather Report:
  "North Carolina is seeing its biggest snow in more than 20 years." – Anita Vogel [00:20]
• On Protester Investigations:
  "Broad investigations into support for political advocacy set a dangerous precedent that threatens organizations across the political spectrum." – FIRE Representative [01:40]
• Presidential Commentary on Iran:
  "They are negotiating so we'll see what happens..." – President Trump (via Lucas Tomlinson) [02:55]
• On Sticking Points in Ukraine Talks:
  "Russia wants more of it. Ukraine won't give up land its soldiers shed blood to defend." – Jonathan Savage [03:25]
• Immigration Enforcement Standoff:
  "We need to get them out of this country ... Yet the Democrats are stopping them from doing it..." – Rep. Buddy Carter [03:58]

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:02 – Storm coverage begins (Anita Vogel)
• 00:55 – Shooting at Mardi Gras parade in Louisiana
• 01:13 – FBI probe into paid protest campaigns
• 02:31 – U.S.-Iran military developments (Lucas Tomlinson)
• 03:08 – Ukraine peace talks update (Jonathan Savage)
• 03:52 – Government shutdown and immigration debate (Rep. Buddy Carter)
• 04:10 – Texas 18th Congressional District special election

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Tone & Style

The tone is urgent and factual, reflecting the news-centric nature of the broadcast. The reporting is fast-paced, with soundbites and statements from national correspondents, officials, and advocates.

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Transcript

[Chris DiMeo]

The south getting slammed with a massive storm. I'm Chris DiMeo, Fox News. People in the Carolinas and Virginia are bundling up and hunkering down as a nor' Easter slams that region.

[Anita Vogel]

A powerful and rare winter storm is slamming the Southeast with heavy snow, hurricane force winds and brutal cold. It will eventually strengthen into what's known as a bomb cyclone. North Carolina is seeing its biggest snow in more than 20 years. More than a foot has fallen in some places. Georgia, Virginia, Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky and West Virginia are also now blanketed in snow. So far, more than 6,000 flights across the country have been delayed or cancelled. About 190,000 people, mostly in the Southeast, are still without power. The system will move up the east coast and could bring several inches of snow to Cape Cod. More Arctic Air will move in behind the system.

[Chris DiMeo]

That's fox's Anita Vogel. Five people are shot, including a six year old boy at a Mardi Gras parade in Clinton, Louisiana, Saturday. Police say the parade was immediately shut down. Three suspects have been taken into custody. The FBI is trying to determine whether some anti ice protesters were actually paid to start these demonstrations.

[Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression Representative]

Now, quote, the FBI is investigating paid protest campaigns throughout the country, including organizers, protesters and funding sources that drive illicit activities. There are news reports of labor unions, Black Lives Matter, socialist and communist groups, among others, organizing or encouraging anti ice protests. The foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, a free speech advocacy organization, says only in narrow circumstances can the government punish funders like when they intentionally direct money to specific illegal acts. But broad investigations into support for political advocacy set a dangerous precedent that threatens organizations across the political spectrum.

[Chris DiMeo]

Fox's Rich Edson in Washington. America's listening to FOX News.

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[Chris DiMeo]

President Trump's considering taking military action against Iran.

[Lucas Tomlinson]

The Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group is on stationed in the Arabian Sea and within striking distance of Iran. In addition to her squadrons of F18 Super Horns, the carrier also has F35 stealth fighter jets. That's the Charlie version that the Navy flies. There are also electronic warfare jets. The Growlers that can jam and destroy Iranian radar and surface to air missile sites. President Trump speaking with our own Jackie Heinrich about Iran saying, quote, they are negotiating so we'll see what happens. You know, the last time they negotiated, we had to take out their nuclear didn't work.

[Chris DiMeo]

That's fox's Lucas Tomlinson. More talks aimed at ending the war in Ukraine took place can take place today.

[Jonathan Savage]

Last week's meeting in the United Arab Emirates was described as productive. It was the first time there had been negotiations involving Russia, Ukraine and the United States since the war in Ukraine began in 2022. The main issue standing between war and peace is territory. Russia wants more of it. Ukraine won't give up land its soldiers shed blood to defend. Both sides say the other appears in no mood to compromise. President Trump's top envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were at last week's talks. But according to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, neither will represent the US Today. Jonathan Savage, FOX News.

[Chris DiMeo]

The government remains shut down. Democrats and Republicans still need to work out differences over immigration enforcement.

[Lucas Tomlinson]

The rapists, the murderers, the pedophiles, we need to get them out of this country. And that's what ICE is trying to do. Yet the Democrats are stopping them from doing it by trying to block ice.

[Chris DiMeo]

That's Congressman Buddy Carter. Democrat Christian Menefee beat Amanda Edwards in a special election for Texas 18th congressional district. He'll serve out late Congressman Sylvester Turner's term. I'm Chris DiMeo. This is Fox News.

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