3PM ET 02/03/2026 Newscast

Summary

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

Host: Elisa Brady | Date: February 3, 2026

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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.

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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)

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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.

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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)

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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)

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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.

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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

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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)

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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

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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.

Transcript

[Elisa Brady]

This is a FOX News alert. A vote to end the government shutdown. Elisa Brady, The House just passing the deal made in the Senate to fund most of the government through September, but Homeland security only until February 13, allowing time for talks as Democrats demand changes in immigration enforcement policies.

[California Congressman Ted Lieu]

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.

[Elisa Brady]

California Congressman Ted Lieu also accusing federal agents of abuse of force after two protesters were killed during confrontations in Minneapolis. House Speaker Mike Johnson says some of what Democrats want is already happening, including body cameras for agents. But he says funding for ICE is already front loaded for several years, warning Democrats against blocking DHS funding once time runs out on the stopgap bill.

[House Speaker Mike Johnson]

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.

[Elisa Brady]

For now, the bill ending the current partial shutdown is heading to the president's desk. Iranian news agencies are claiming a drone completed a surveillance mission in international waters after the US Military said an Iranian drone was aggressively approaching a US Aircraft carrier in the Arabian Sea and was shot down. CENTCOM also reporting US Military intervention after two Iranian gunboats threatened to seize a U. S. Flagged oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz. So far, direct talks between the US And Iran are still scheduled for Friday. Investigators in Arizona say the search for Nancy Guthrie continues. The mother of Today show host Savannah Guthrie, believed to have been taken from her home.

[Pima County Sheriff]

Every lead and tip is important. We are aggressively pursuing and looking into every single one.

[Elisa Brady]

FBI Special Agent in Charge John Edwards, the Pima county sheriff says so far no evidence points to a suspect. America is listening to FOX News.

[Ainsley Earhart]

This is Ainsley Earhart. Thank you for joining me for the 52 episode podcast series the Life of Jesus.

[Podcast Narrator]

A listening experience that will provide hope, comfort and understanding of the greatest story ever told. Listen and follow [e-mail] or wherever you listen to podcasts.

[Elisa Brady]

The Clintons agree to testify before Congress about Jeffrey Epstein.

[Ryan Schmelz]

House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer says former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have agreed to two hearing dates at the end of the month. Comer, though, says a vote to hold the Clintons in contempt of Congress will move forward if they miss these depositions.

[Pima County Sheriff]

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.

[Ryan Schmelz]

The deposition is part of an ongoing investigation into the late convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. On Capitol Hill, Ryan Schmelz, FOX News.

[Elisa Brady]

The man accused of killing Charlie Kirk is due back in court at this hour for more pretrial arguments on the defense. Push to disqualify the prosecution team because one prosecutor's adult daughter attended the university event in Utah where Kirk was shot. A detention hearing for the man accused of spraying a Minnesota congresswoman with vinegar during an event in Minneapolis.

[Court Reporter]

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 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 Kazmarch 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. Kacmerchek was wearing a yellow jumpsuit during the hearing, which signifies that he's being held in solitary confinement.

[Elisa Brady]

Fox's Jeff Manasso, an hour to the close on Wall Street, a tech led selloff continues. The Dow falling back under 49k right now. Back above it though, but it's down 368 point points. The S&P dropping 90 points. The NASDAQ is down 497. Elisa Brady, Fox NEWS.