Fox News Hourly Update

Episode: 3PM ET 02/04/2026 Newscast
Date: February 4, 2026
Host: Fox News Podcasts

Overview

This brief, information-dense newscast delivers the latest headlines on Supreme Court action over California redistricting, the sentencing in the Trump golf course assassination attempt, developments on immigration and social media legislation in Congress, the search for Savannah Guthrie’s missing mother, and controversy over the LA 2028 Olympics leadership. Additional updates cover stock market movement.

Key Topics & Discussion Points

1. Supreme Court Denies California Redistricting Appeal

[00:03]

• Alisa Brady: The Supreme Court has declined to hear an emergency appeal from California Republicans regarding the state’s new congressional map.

• Jared Halpern: Emphasizes that justices turned down the Republican challenge “without any noted dissents”, and the map is expected to benefit Democrats in the midterms. He adds California’s redistricting was set off by Texas’s own mid-decade redistricting, aimed at adding Republican seats.

  “State leaders started the redistricting process in response to mid decade redistricting by Texas lawmakers intended to add seats favored by Republicans.”
  — Jared Halpern [00:22]

• Voters in California previously replaced an independent redistricting commission via referendum.

• Several other states are reconsidering or redrawing district maps.

2. Sentencing in Trump Assassination Attempt

[00:33]

• Alisa Brady introduces Dana Marie McNichol with coverage from Fort Pierce, Florida.

• Dana Marie McNichol: Reports Ryan Ruth, convicted of attempting to kill then-candidate Trump, was sentenced to life in federal prison.

  • There was no mention of mental health treatment at sentencing—something the defense wanted.
  • Details dramatic courtroom behavior: after his guilty verdict, Ruth tried to stab himself; today, he was under heavy security.
  • Ruth’s children were not present; he “blew a kiss and winked” as he exited.

  “The last time we saw Ruth in the courtroom was for the verdict. Moments after he was found guilty, he tried to stab himself in the neck with a pen.”
  — Dana Marie McNichol [00:54]

• Ruth had represented himself during the trial but had an attorney for sentencing. The defense attorney is planning an appeal.

3. Immigration and ICE Reform Debate

[01:18]

• Alisa Brady: Congressional Democrats are preparing changes to ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement).

• Hakeem Jeffries (Minority Leader):

  “ICE is completely and totally out of control.”
  — Hakeem Jeffries [01:33]

  He argues for “fair and humane” immigration enforcement.

• Nine days remain for temporary Homeland Security funding.

• Jessica Rosenthal: Notes the funding bill covers TSA, FEMA, Coast Guard, and more agencies.

  “That bill includes TSA, it includes FEMA, it includes the Coast Guard, a number of agencies that are really important to our government.”
  — Jessica Rosenthal [01:43]

• Senate Majority Leader John Thune states that Democrats must negotiate with the White House.

4. Congressional Push to Reform Social Media Liability

[02:15]

• Jessica Rosenthal: Bipartisan group, including Senators Dick Durbin and Lindsey Graham, are advancing legislation to sunset Section 230, which shields social media from liability for third-party content.

• Durbin argues that past legislative efforts failed due to Big Tech lobbying.

  “How does Big Tech respond to our efforts? It opens the lobbying war chest to make sure the bills never become law.”
  — Hakeem Jeffries (as quoted by Rosenthal) [02:36]

• Bridget Noring, who lost her son to fentanyl after he bought pills via social media, speaks in favor of reform.

• Alisa Brady (on behalf of advocates):

  “Innovation should not excuse harm, and children's life should never be the cost of doing business.”
  — Alisa Brady [02:48]

• Jessica Rosenthal: Reports actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt, now a father of three, expects full Senate support to end Section 230.

5. Savannah Guthrie’s Missing Mother

[03:01]

• Alisa Brady: President Trump appears on the Today Show discussing the search for Savannah Guthrie’s missing 84-year-old mother, missing from her Arizona home since Sunday.
• Pima County Sheriff denies rumors of a “person of interest.”

6. Controversy Over LA 2028 Olympic Committee Chair

[03:21]

• Dana Marie McNichol: LA County Supervisor Janice Hahn and three LA City Council members are urging Casey Wasserman to resign as LA 2028 Olympics committee chair.
  • Reason: Emails surfaced showing racy exchanges with convicted sex offender Ghislaine Maxwell.
  • Wasserman has acknowledged traveling on Jeffrey Epstein’s plane in 2002 as part of a Clinton Foundation delegation, but denies a personal connection to Epstein.
  • Wasserman says,

    “I deeply regret my correspondence with Ghislaine Maxwell, which took place over two decades ago, long before her horrific crimes came to light.”
    — Casey Wasserman (via McNichol) [03:52]

7. Market Update

[04:00]

• Alisa Brady: The Dow is up 338 points; NASDAQ is down nearly 300 points with about an hour before market close.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On redistricting:
  “Without any noted dissents, justices denied an emergency appeal from California Republicans challenging the state's redrawn congressional map.” — Jared Halpern [00:12]

• In courtroom drama:
  “He tried to stab himself in the neck with a pen.” — Dana Marie McNichol [00:54]
  “Ruth blew a kiss and winked as he walked out of the courtroom.” — Dana Marie McNichol [01:10]

• On tech liability reform:
  “Innovation should not excuse harm, and children's life should never be the cost of doing business.” — Alisa Brady [02:48]

• On ICE:
  “ICE is completely and totally out of control.” — Hakeem Jeffries [01:33]

• On LA 2028 Olympics chair controversy:
  “I deeply regret my correspondence with Ghislaine Maxwell, which took place over two decades ago, long before her horrific crimes came to light.” — Casey Wasserman (quoted by Dana Marie McNichol) [03:52]

Important Timestamps

• 00:03: Supreme Court denies CA redistricting appeal
• 00:33: Sentencing for Trump golf course attacker
• 01:18: ICE reform debate and government funding deadline
• 02:15: Push to revoke Section 230 for social media
• 03:01: Search for Savannah Guthrie’s mother
• 03:21: Call for LA 2028 Olympic Committee chair resignation
• 04:00: Closing market update

This episode offered rapid-fire national news, key political developments, notable court moments, and ongoing debates in Congress—delivered in Fox News’ signature fast-paced, no-nonsense style.