Summary5 min read

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.

Loading summary

Transcript20 lines

[00:03]
Alisa Brady
A midterm roadblock at the U.S. supreme Court. Alisa Brady, FOX News. An appeal has just been turned away by the high court in a fight over California redistricting.
[00:12]
Jared Halpern
Without any noted dissents, justices denied an emergency appeal from California Republicans challenging the state's redrawn congressional map. The new map is likely to favor Democrats in the upcoming midterm elections. State leaders started the redistricting process in response to mid decade redistricting by Texas lawmakers intended to add seats favored by Republicans.
[00:33]
Alisa Brady
Fox's Jared Halpern the White House. California has sent the issue to voters who approved a ballot referendum replacing an independent redistricting commission. Several other states are also redrawing maps or considering it. The man convicted of trying to kill then candidate Trump on a Trump golf course in Florida. Ryan Ruth is sentenced to life in federal prison.
[00:52]
Dana Marie McNichol
Now, there was no mention of mental health treatments while in jail, something the defense did push for. 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. Today, security was tight. He was surrounded by four federal marshals with his wrists shackled at the waist. Notably, his kids were absent from the sentencing. And Ruth blew a kiss and winked as he walked out of the courtroom.
[01:19]
Alisa Brady
Fox's Dana Marie McNichol at the courthouse in Fort Pierce. Ruth has three adult children. He had represented himself at trial, but for the sentencing phase used a defense attorney who plans to appeal. Top Democrats in Congress say proposed ICE changes are coming soon.
[01:33]
Hakeem Jeffries
ICE is completely and totally out of control.
[01:36]
Alisa Brady
Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries says immigration enforcement should be fair and humane. There are nine days left before short term funding for homeland security runs out.
[01:44]
Jessica Rosenthal
And also, by the way, that bill includes tsa, it includes fema, it includes the Coast Guard, a number of agencies that are really important to our government.
[01:52]
Alisa Brady
Senate Majority Leader John Thune says Democrats need to negotiate with the White House. America is listening to FOX News.
[02:00]
Dana Marie McNichol
This is Ainslie Earhart. Thank you for joining me for the 52 episode podcast series the Life of.
[02:05]
Jared Halpern
Jesus, a listening experience that will provide hope, comfort, understanding of the greatest story ever told. Listen and follow now@foxnewspodcasts.com or wherever you listen to podcasts.
[02:16]
Alisa Brady
A bipartisan push in Congress to end liability protections for social media companies.
[02:21]
Jessica Rosenthal
Senators Dick Durbin and Lindsey Graham are pushing for a law that Sunset Section 230, which has given social media companies liability protections from third party content. Durbin said their efforts to rein in social media companies so far so through federal legislation have failed.
[02:36]
Hakeem Jeffries
How does Big Tech respond to our efforts? It opens the lobbying war chest to make sure the bills never become law.
[02:43]
Jessica Rosenthal
Bridget Noring lost her son Devin to a fentanyl overdose after he purchased a pill through a social media account.
[02:48]
Alisa Brady
Innovation should not excuse harm, and children's life should never be the cost of doing business.
[02:54]
Jessica Rosenthal
Actor Joseph Gordon Levitt, now a father of three, said he expects 100% support from the Senate to end Section 230.
[03:02]
Alisa Brady
Fox's Jessica Rosenthal President Trump speaking today with Today show host Savannah Guthrie on day four of the search for Guthrie's 84 year old mother Nancy, reported missing from her Arizona home Sunday. The Pima county sheriff denying reports of a person of interest. The chair of LA 28 facing calls to resign from the US Olympic Committee.
[03:22]
Dana Marie McNichol
Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn says having Casey Wasserman represent LA distracts from the athletes and the enormous efforts needed to prepare for 2028. She and three LA City Council members are calling for him to resign as 2028 Olympics committee chair after emails surfaced showing past racy exchanges with convicted sex offender Ghislaine Maxwell. Wasserman has confirmed he traveled on Jeffrey Epstein's private plane in 2002 as part of a Clinton foundation humanitarian delegation, but denied any personal relationship with Epstein, saying, I deeply regret my correspondence with Ghislaine Maxwell, which took place over two decades ago, long before her horrific crimes came to light.
[04:00]
Alisa Brady
Fox's Kristin Goodwin an hour to the close on Wal street, stocks are mixed. The Dow's up 338, but the NASDAQ is down nearly 300 points. Elisa Brady, this is Fox News.