Fox News Hourly Update — 4AM ET, April 4, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode delivers rapid-fire national and international news coverage, focusing on developments in Iran after a U.S. airman was shot down, updates on the U.S. economic outlook, President Trump’s proposed federal budget, major wildfires in California, and progress from the Artemis 2 lunar mission. The tone is urgent and fact-driven, with direct quotes from correspondents and officials.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. U.S. Airman Missing in Iran & Search and Rescue Efforts

[00:03 - 01:10]

• The episode opens with breaking news: U.S. search and rescue teams are searching for a missing airman over Iran following the shootdown of an F-15E Strike Eagle.
• Mike Tobin from Tel Aviv reports:
  • The pilot has been recovered, but the weapons systems officer remains missing.
  • Both U.S. and Iranian forces are searching for the missing officer, highlighting the high-stakes situation.
  • During the mission to recover the pilot, two U.S. helicopters were hit by enemy fire; there were injuries, but both helicopters landed safely.
  • Separately, a U.S. A-10 Warthog crashed near the Strait of Hormuz after enemy fire; the pilot of the A-10 has been rescued.
• Israel has paused fighting in the area where the F-15E went down to support search efforts.

Notable Quote:

“The other was a weapons systems officer. That is the individual they are looking for. And as US Forces are searching for that weapons systems officer, the Iranians say they are searching for him as well.”
— Mike Tobin ([00:15])

2. Political Tensions in Iran

[00:55 - 01:10]

• Reuters reports Iran executed two men linked to an opposition group, accused of attacks against the regime.

3. Trump Administration Budget Proposal

[01:10 - 01:53]

• Jared Halpern from the White House:
  • President Trump is requesting a record $1.5 trillion in defense spending, the largest ever.
  • To pay for the increase, cuts to health, housing, and education are proposed by reducing what the administration labels “woke, wasteful, and weaponized” programs.
  • The budget would raise government revenue but is described as “more symbolic than anything else,” functioning as a wish list for lawmakers.

Notable Quote:

“The administration says those can [be] done by eliminating woke wasteful and weaponized programs.”
— Jared Halpern ([01:28])

4. U.S. Economy Update

[02:40 - 03:07]

• 178,000 jobs were added in March; unemployment dropped to 4.3%.
• Kevin Hassett, National Economic Council Director (on Fox’s ‘America’s Newsroom’):
  • Returns of retirees and sidelined workers attributed to favorable tax policy: “no tax on tips, no tax on overtime, and especially the no tax on Social Security.”
  • Economic optimism tied to incentives for workforce re-entry.

Notable Quote:

“There are a lot of people who've been sitting on the sidelines who are coming back to work because they get a no tax on tips, no tax on overtime, and especially the no tax on Social Security.”
— Kevin Hassett ([02:53])

• The Federal Reserve warns that inflation could rise due to increased oil prices from conflict in Iran.

5. Wildfires in Southern California

[03:07 - 03:53]

• Two major wildfires (“Springs” and “Crown”) have burned over 3,000 acres; evacuations in Moreno Valley and Acton.
• Firefighters face gusty Santa Ana winds; the causes are under investigation.
• Reflects on the deadly fires of January 2025, which killed 30+ people and destroyed over 18,000 homes.

Notable Quote:

“Thousands of residents living in Moreno Valley and Acton receiving evacuation orders...Officials say the cause of both fires is under investigation.”
— Laura Cantor ([03:19])

6. Artemis 2: Mission Around the Moon

[03:53 - 04:26]

• Artemis 2 is on its fourth day, with four astronauts headed for a lunar flyby — a significant milestone for NASA.
• Reid Wiseman, commander of Artemis 2: Crew feeling positive, described as “the most skilled astronauts we have,” with one member, Jeremy, performing well on his first day in orbit.
• Upcoming milestone: Monday's flyby, 4,000 miles from the moon's far side.

Notable Quote:

“At night, I'm flying in space with two of the most skilled astronauts that we have, most accomplished astronauts...my job here is pretty easy. Definitely sometimes you get a little bit nervous...but it's going great.”
— Reid Wiseman ([04:10])

Memorable Moments & Timeline

| Timestamp | Segment | Notable Speaker | |-----------|------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------| | 00:03 | Breaking: U.S. airman missing after shootdown over Iran | Debra Valentine, Mike Tobin | | 01:10 | Trump proposes historic defense budget | Jared Halpern | | 02:40 | Jobs report & economic trends | Kevin Hassett | | 03:07 | California wildfires & evacuations | Laura Cantor | | 03:53 | Artemis 2 lunar mission update | Reid Wiseman |

Conclusion

This quick-fire newscast delivers concise but impactful updates on high-stakes military, economic, and scientific developments, notable for the ongoing Iran crisis, Trump’s record-breaking defense budget proposal, positive labor market data, and a triumphant Artemis 2 mission update. Quotes from reporters and officials emphasize the immediacy and seriousness of these stories, embodying the urgent and direct tone characteristic of the Fox News Hourly Update.