Fox News Hourly Update – 3PM ET 02/08/2026 Newscast

Host: FOX News Podcasts
Date: February 8, 2026

Episode Overview

This brisk news update covers several of the day’s top national and international stories, including the Nancy Guthrie kidnapping ransom saga, a brutal winter cold snap across the Northeast, high-stakes negotiations over Homeland Security funding in Congress, a dramatic turn at the Winter Olympics involving skier Lindsey Vonn, and a landmark election in Japan.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Nancy Guthrie Kidnapping and Ransom Deadline (00:02 – 00:47)

• Situation: The family of Nancy Guthrie faces a rapidly approaching Monday deadline following a ransom demand issued via two notes, with the latest communicated by email to a Tucson TV station.
• Savannah Guthrie’s Plea: NBC host Savannah Guthrie, Nancy’s daughter, issued a new video plea for her mother’s release.
  • Quote: “We received your message.” – Savannah Guthrie (referenced by reporter) [00:23]
  • The family has repeatedly asked for proof of life, which has not been provided.
• Ransom Amount: Initial demand reported as $6 million in Bitcoin.
• Investigation: The FBI is involved in negotiations and assessments.

2. Extreme Cold Weather in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic (00:47 – 01:38)

• Weather Conditions: Life-threatening wind chills from 10 to 30 below zero spanning the Northeast and mid-Atlantic.
• Weather Analysis:
  • Quote: “The coldest air across the country continues to be the Northeast…feels like temperature is driven by wind. Minus 12 in New York City, minus 16 up in Boston.” – Adam Klotz, FOX meteorologist [01:20]
  • Gusty winds (30 to 40 mph) exacerbate the chill, especially along the I-95 corridor.
• Impact on Pop Culture: Despite the cold, football fans remain undeterred ahead of the big New England Patriots vs. Seattle Seahawks game and a “controversial halftime show with Bad Bunny.” [01:38]

3. Congressional Standoff Over Homeland Security Funding (02:40 – 03:33)

• Crisis Deadline: Congress must pass a new spending bill for Homeland Security by Friday or risk a partial government shutdown.
  • Quote: “We need to get this done and get this done immediately. The deadline is February 13th.” – Unnamed lawmaker [02:57]
• Major Disagreement: Democrats oppose increased ICE measures (no more masks for ICE, no roving patrols) while Republicans push back; the calendar threatens negotiations (“the calendar is the biggest enemy”).
• Consequences if Bill Not Passed:
  • ICE remains funded, but TSA, FEMA recovery, and Coast Guard operations risk interruption.
  • Government shutdown could begin just after midnight on Valentine’s Day.

4. Winter Olympics: Lindsey Vonn’s Tragic Crash, Breezy Johnson Claims Gold (03:33 – 04:14)

• Incident:
  • Lindsey Vonn, in her attempted Olympic comeback, crashes only seconds into her downhill run at Cortina, Italy, after striking a gate.
  • Airlifted from the course following a “gut wrenching fall.”
  • Details: “Vaughn clipped the fourth gate with her right arm, knocking her off balance…crashed into the snow.” – Channel Painter, FOX reporter [03:42]
  • Vonn was racing despite recently rupturing her ACL.
• Victory for Team USA:
  • Breezy Johnson wins the gold – first for the US in the 2026 Games.

5. Japan’s Historic Election (04:14 – 04:37)

• Major Results:
  • Prime Minister Sanae Takaya Nachi, Japan’s first female prime minister, leads her coalition to a landslide victory in a snap election.
  • Context: She called the election to secure a public mandate.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “We received your message.” – Recounted from Savannah Guthrie’s video to the kidnappers [00:23]
• “The coldest air across the country continues to be the Northeast…minus 12 in New York City, minus 16 up in Boston.” – Adam Klotz, FOX meteorologist [01:20]
• “We need to get this done and get this done immediately. The deadline is February 13th.” – Congressional lawmaker [02:57]
• Lindsey Vonn “was airlifted off the course in Italy…a tragic and gut wrenching fall…Von was determined to race in her fifth and final Olympics.” – Channel Painter [03:39–04:14]
• Japan’s PM achieves a “landslide victory” and is the “country’s first female prime minister.” [04:23]

Timestamps of Important Segments

• 00:02: Nancy Guthrie ransom deadline and Savannah Guthrie's plea
• 00:47: Northeast and mid-Atlantic winter storm update
• 01:38: Football game preview and pop culture tie-in
• 02:40: Homeland Security spending bill standoff in Congress
• 03:33: Lindsey Vonn’s Olympic crash and Breezy Johnson’s gold
• 04:14: Japan elects its first female prime minister

This Fox News Hourly Update delivers fast-moving coverage of high-stakes events unfolding in politics, weather, international affairs, and sports, balancing urgent reporting with pithy, memorable commentary from correspondents and officials.