Fox News Hourly Update – 3PM ET 02/03/2026 Newscast

Host: Elisa Brady | Date: February 3, 2026

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode delivers the latest updates on significant political, security, and legal stories unfolding in the US and globally. Key focuses include breaking political developments around the government shutdown, heightened tensions between the US and Iran, high-profile congressional investigations, and headline-grabbing criminal cases.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Government Shutdown – Stopgap Funding Bill Passes the House

• [00:02] The House has just passed a Senate-brokered deal to end the partial government shutdown.
  • The bill funds most government agencies through September.
  • Funding for Homeland Security is only extended until February 13 to allow further negotiations.
• Immigration Policy Standoff:
  • Democrats seek changes in immigration enforcement policy as a condition for further agreement.

Notable Quotes:

• Ted Lieu (D-CA) on ICE Enforcement:

  “Some of the folks that ICE is taking came in here legally through legal processes last year. And if the Trump administration doesn't like that, they've got to change the law.” (00:19)

  • Also accuses federal agents of "abuse of force" after two protesters were killed in Minneapolis.

• House Speaker Mike Johnson’s Response:

  “So what they will be tying up if the Democrats choose to close the government is these very essential services for everything else, FEMA, Coast Guard, TSA and other aspects of national security. So it's a very dangerous game that they're playing.” (00:53)

• Current Status:

  • The funding bill is headed to the president for signature. (01:06)

2. Middle East: US-Iran Tensions Escalate

• [01:06] Iranian state media claim an Iranian drone completed a surveillance mission in international waters.
  • Contradicts the US military’s account: a drone was “aggressively approaching” a US aircraft carrier in the Arabian Sea and was subsequently shot down.
• Centcom Reports:
  • US forces intervened after two Iranian gunboats threatened to seize a US-flagged oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz.
  • Scheduled direct talks between the US and Iran remain set for Friday.

3. Arizona Abduction Investigation

• [01:43] Ongoing search for Nancy Guthrie, the mother of NBC’s Savannah Guthrie, who is believed to have been taken from her home.

  “Every lead and tip is important. We are aggressively pursuing and looking into every single one.” — Pima County Sheriff (01:43)

  • No suspect has been identified yet, according to the FBI. (01:49)

4. Clintons Agree to Testify Before Congress on Epstein

• [02:16] Bill and Hillary Clinton have agreed to testify before Congress regarding Jeffrey Epstein.

• [02:20] House Oversight Chairman James Comer warns that a contempt vote will proceed if either Clinton misses their deposition date.

• [02:35] The upcoming deposition marks their third scheduled attempt; bipartisan support exists for contempt if they fail to attend.

  “This will be their third date that we've given the Clintons and three strikes and you're out. The votes are there for contempt. I think… there are Democrats that will vote to hold him in contempt.” — Pima County Sheriff (context: committee statements) (02:35)

5. Legal Update: High-Profile Criminal Cases

a. Charlie Kirk Case ([02:56])

• The man accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk appears in court for pretrial arguments.
• Defense seeks to disqualify the prosecution because one prosecutor’s adult daughter attended the Utah event where Kirk was shot.

b. Assault on Rep. Ilhan Omar ([03:16])

• Anthony James Kazmarchek accused of assaulting Rep. Ilhan Omar with apple cider vinegar at a Minneapolis town hall.

• In court, waived right to a preliminary hearing; remains in custody, considered a threat to the community.

  “Anthony James Kazmer, check in federal court in Minneapolis, making a salute gesture to people, his feet shaky as he waved his right to a preliminary hearing…” — Court Reporter (03:16)

  • Prosecutors: Kazmarchek faces both federal and state assault charges, held in solitary confinement.

6. Market Update

• [03:54] Wall Street is experiencing a tech-led selloff:
  • Dow Jones: briefly dips under 49,000, now down 368 points
  • S&P 500: down 90 points
  • NASDAQ: down 497 points

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• Ted Lieu on Immigration Enforcement: "Some of the folks that ICE is taking came in here legally through legal processes last year. And if the Trump administration doesn't like that, they've got to change the law." (00:19)
• Speaker Mike Johnson Warns Democrats: "So what they will be tying up if the Democrats choose to close the government is these very essential services for everything else, fema, Coast Guard, TSA and other aspects of national security. So it's a very dangerous game that they're playing." (00:53)
• Pima County Sheriff on Guthrie Case: "Every lead and tip is important. We are aggressively pursuing and looking into every single one." (01:43)
• Congressional Threat Over Clintons' Testimony: "This will be their third date that we've given the Clintons and three strikes and you're out. The votes are there for contempt. I think the Democrats I think there are Democrats that will vote to hold him in contempt." (02:35)
• Courtroom Moment (Kazmarchek): "Anthony James Kasmer, check in federal court in Minneapolis, making a salute gesture to people, his feet shaky as he waved his right to a preliminary hearing..." (03:16)

Important Segment Timestamps

• Government Shutdown Update: 00:02–01:06
• US-Iranian Tensions: 01:06–01:43
• Nancy Guthrie Abduction: 01:43–01:49
• Clintons Epstein Testimony: 02:16–02:47
• Charlie Kirk Case & Ilhan Omar Assault: 02:56–03:54
• Market (Wall Street) Update: 03:54–end

Summary

In this fast-paced news bulletin, FOX News covers:

• Resolution of the partial government shutdown and the ongoing fight over immigration enforcement
• Heightened military tensions between the US and Iran in the Gulf
• The mystery surrounding the abduction of Nancy Guthrie in Arizona
• The Clintons’ upcoming Congressional testimony on Jeffrey Epstein and possible contempt proceedings
• High-profile legal cases against Charlie Kirk’s accused killer and Rep. Ilhan Omar’s alleged assailant
• Significant losses across US stock markets

Direct quotes from officials and lawmakers underscore political tensions and the seriousness of current investigations, while brief but vivid courtroom reporting captures the gravity of unfolding legal dramas. The update concludes with a look at market volatility, rounding out an episode packed with high-impact stories.