Fox News Hourly Update — 5AM ET 02/01/2026 Newscast
Date: February 1, 2026
Host: Chris DiMaio (FOX News)
Main Theme: This newscast covers the latest national and international news headlines, focusing on a massive winter storm in the Southeast, high-profile crime and protests, escalating US-Iran tensions, Ukraine peace negotiations, and the ongoing federal government shutdown.
Major Winter Storm Hits the Southeast
Timestamps: 00:03 – 00:55
- Chris DiMaio opens by reporting a massive nor’easter impacting the Carolinas and Virginia, causing residents to prepare for severe winter weather.
- Unnamed Fox News Reporter elaborates:
- A "rare winter storm" is striking the Southeast with:
- Heavy snow
- Hurricane-force winds
- Brutal cold (00:12)
- The storm is expected to intensify into a "bomb cyclone."
- Notable local impacts:
- North Carolina is experiencing its biggest snowfall in over 20 years—over a foot in some areas.
- Georgia, Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky, and West Virginia also blanketed in snow.
- Nationwide impact:
- Over 6,000 flights delayed or canceled.
- Approximately 190,000 people—mostly in the Southeast—without power.
- The system is moving up the East Coast, potentially bringing inches of snow to Cape Cod.
- More arctic air will follow the storm.
- A "rare winter storm" is striking the Southeast with:
- Memorable Quote:
“A powerful and rare winter storm is slamming the Southeast with heavy snow, hurricane force winds and brutal cold.”
— Unnamed Fox News Reporter (00:12)
Shooting at Mardi Gras Parade in Louisiana
Timestamps: 00:55 – 01:13
- Chris DiMaio shares breaking news:
- Five people shot, including a six-year-old boy, at a Mardi Gras parade in Clinton, Louisiana.
- The parade was immediately shut down.
- Police have arrested three suspects.
FBI Investigates Paid Protesters at Anti-ICE Demonstrations
Timestamps: 01:13 – 01:52
- Rich Edson reports on FBI inquiries:
- The FBI is investigating "paid protest campaigns" nationwide, especially those tied to anti-ICE demonstrations.
- Investigations include organizers, protesters, and potential funding sources—labor unions, Black Lives Matter, socialist and communist groups cited.
- The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression warns that:
- Government punishment of funders is only permissible in narrow cases—such as if funders intentionally direct money for illegal acts.
- Broad investigations risk setting "a dangerous precedent that threatens organizations across the political spectrum."
- Notable Quote:
“Broad investigations into support for political advocacy set a dangerous precedent that threatens organizations across the political spectrum.”
— Rich Edson, quoting the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (01:44)
US-Iran Tensions Escalate; Military Action Considered
Timestamps: 02:32 – 03:08
- Chris DiMaio: President Trump reportedly considering military action against Iran.
- Lucas Tomlinson details US military posturing:
- The USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group is positioned in the Arabian Sea, within range of Iran.
- Involves:
- F-18 Super Hornets
- F-35 stealth fighters (Navy’s Charlie variant)
- Electronic warfare jets (Growlers), capable of jamming and attacking Iranian radar/missile sites.
- President Trump:
“They are negotiating, so we'll see what happens. You know, the last time they negotiated, we had to take out their nuclear—didn't work.”
— President Trump (via Lucas Tomlinson, 02:53)
Ukraine Peace Talks: Progress and Stalemates
Timestamps: 03:08 – 03:55
- Chris DiMaio: More talks aimed at ending the Ukraine war expected.
- Jonathan Savage summarizes:
- Recent UAE summit was "productive"—marked first multilateral talks (Russia, Ukraine, US) since the war began in 2022.
- Main sticking point: territory.
- Russia demands more territory.
- Ukraine refuses to cede land its soldiers have defended.
- Both sides unwilling to compromise.
- President Trump’s envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner attended last week's talks but won't represent the US today.
- Notable Quote:
“The main issue standing between war and peace is territory. Russia wants more of it. Ukraine won’t give up land its soldiers shed blood to defend.”
— Jonathan Savage (03:26)
Federal Government Shutdown Continues
Timestamps: 03:55 – 04:13
- Chris DiMaio reports no resolution to the government shutdown.
- Main point of contention remains immigration enforcement policies.
- Lucas Tomlinson summarizes the Republican position:
- Focus on removing “rapists, murderers, [and] pedophiles” from the US.
- Accuses Democrats of “blocking ICE” from enforcement.
- Notable Quote:
“The rapists, the murderers, the pedophiles, we need to get them out of this country. And that's what ICE is trying to do. Yet the Democrats are stopping them...”
— Lucas Tomlinson (04:01)
Texas 18th Congressional District Special Election
Timestamps: 04:13 – 04:29
- Chris DiMaio:
- Democrat Christian Menefee wins special election for Texas’s 18th congressional district.
- He will serve out the remainder of late Congressman Sylvester Turner’s term.
Summary Table of Key Segments
| Segment | Start Time | Speaker(s) | |---------------------------------------------|------------|-----------------------| | Southeast Devastated by Rare Winter Storm | 00:03 | Chris DiMaio, Reporter| | Mardi Gras Parade Shooting | 00:55 | Chris DiMaio | | FBI Anti-ICE Protester Investigation | 01:13 | Rich Edson | | US-Iran Tensions Rise | 02:32 | Lucas Tomlinson | | Ukraine Peace Negotiations | 03:08 | Jonathan Savage | | Federal Government Shutdown | 03:55 | Chris DiMaio, Tomlinson| | Texas Special Congressional Election | 04:13 | Chris DiMaio |
Notable Quotes
- “A powerful and rare winter storm is slamming the Southeast with heavy snow, hurricane force winds and brutal cold.” — Reporter (00:12)
- “Broad investigations into support for political advocacy set a dangerous precedent that threatens organizations across the political spectrum.” — Rich Edson (01:44)
- "They are negotiating, so we'll see what happens. You know, the last time they negotiated, we had to take out their nuclear—didn't work." — President Trump (via Tomlinson, 02:53)
- “The main issue standing between war and peace is territory. Russia wants more of it. Ukraine won’t give up land its soldiers shed blood to defend.” — Jonathan Savage (03:26)
- "The rapists, the murderers, the pedophiles, we need to get them out of this country. And that's what ICE is trying to do. Yet the Democrats are stopping them..." — Lucas Tomlinson (04:01)
Tone & Style
The reporting is concise, urgent, and direct, with a clear focus on critical and breaking news. The newscast uses plain language and direct quotes to convey the gravity of weather events, social unrest, international conflict, and domestic political crises.
End of summary.