Fox News Hourly Update: 5AM ET 02/04/2026 Newscast - Episode Summary

Episode Theme:
A fast-paced recap of breaking news stories, covering national events, politics, crime, international sports, and Congressional developments.

1. Ongoing Search for Savannah Guthrie’s Mother

Segment begins: [00:03]

• Overview:
  Arizona authorities continue searching for Nancy Guthrie, mother of "Today" show host Savannah Guthrie, who has been missing from her Pima County home since Saturday.
• Key Details:
  • Media outlets, including TMZ, report receiving ransom notes purporting to relate to the case.
  • The notes reference details not made public by officials, such as what Nancy Guthrie was wearing when she disappeared.
  • Authorities, including FBI Director Kash Patel and the Pima County Sheriff, confirm awareness of the alleged notes and ongoing pursuit of all leads.
• Notable Quotes:
  • "TMZ and a couple of other media outlets reporting tonight that they received ransom notes, ransom notes that in the words of TMZ included details not made public by the sheriff's office." — Jonathan Hunt [00:19]
  • "All that officials will confirm right now... is that they are aware of these purported ransom notes... they are continuing to follow every tip and every lead." — Jonathan Hunt [00:43]
• Law Enforcement Position:
  Authorities believe Nancy Guthrie was taken against her will.

2. Government Shutdown Averted—But More Looms

Segment begins: [00:59]

• Overview:
  Following the partial government shutdown, lawmakers face a new deadline to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) before Valentine’s Day.
• Key Discussion Points:
  • A temporary funding patch for DHS gives Congress a brief window to negotiate reforms regarding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
  • Democrats are pushing for restrictions: "no masks and no roving patrols," threatening to block further funding for DHS otherwise.
  • Republicans suspect Democrats aim to leverage funding to "undercut" DHS, expressing skepticism over proposed warrant requirements.
• Notable Quotes:
  • "There is now a race to fully fund DHS before Valentine's Day. The bill includes a temporary patch... However, the timeframe is tough. Otherwise, DHS lacks money again." — Chad Pergrim [01:10]
  • "Democrats insist on no masks and no roving patrols. Otherwise, they will block funding for DHS... Republicans believe that Democrats want to withhold money in order to undercut DHS." — Chad Pergrim [01:27]
• Context:
  The debate intensifies after the fatal shooting of Alex Preddy by federal agents in Minneapolis, which sparked national outrage soon after another high-profile shooting.

3. 2026 Winter Olympics Kick Off

Segment begins: [02:32]

• Overview:
  The Milan Cortina Winter Olympic Games begin, with mixed doubles curling marking the first event.
• Key Points:
  • The games run through February 22, with the opening ceremonies scheduled for Friday.
  • U.S. athletes Aaron Jackson (speed skater) and Frank Del Duca (bobsledder) are chosen as flag bearers.
  • This is the most geographically spread out Winter Games in history, with two hub cities and events in four clusters.
• Notable Quotes:
  • "Let the games begin." — Joe Morgan [02:32]
  • "The 2026 Winter Games is the first with two hub cities with events clustered in four areas, making it the most spread out Winter Olympics in history." — Joe Morgan [02:57]

4. Assault on Rep. Ilhan Omar: Legal Proceedings

Segment begins: [03:14]

• Overview:
  Anthony James Kaspercheck attends a detention hearing after allegedly assaulting Minnesota Congresswoman Ilhan Omar during a town hall meeting.
• Key Details:
  • Kaspercheck reportedly made a salute gesture, appeared unsteady, and waived his right to a preliminary hearing.
  • Judge orders Kaspercheck to remain in custody, citing potential danger to the community.
  • He is accused of spraying apple cider vinegar on Rep. Omar during the town hall before being subdued by security.
  • Kaspercheck is held in solitary confinement, signified by his yellow jumpsuit.
• Notable Quotes:
  • "Federal prosecutors say Kacperchek sprayed apple cider vinegar on Rep Ilhan Omar as she spoke during a town hall event last week before he was tackled by security." — Jeff Manasso [03:46]

5. Clintons to Testify in Congressional Epstein Probe

Segment begins: [04:03]

• Overview:
  Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have finalized an agreement to testify before House Republicans in the investigation into Jeffrey Epstein.
• Key Points:
  • Hillary Clinton will appear before the House Oversight Committee on February 26.
  • Bill Clinton will testify on February 27, making history as the first time a former president is compelled to testify before Congress.
• Notable Quotes:
  • "It'll mark the first time that lawmakers have compelled a former president to testify." — Ted Lindner [04:18]

Memorable Moments Recap

• The gravity and urgency in the reporting on Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance, heightened by the existence of ransom notes ([00:19]).
• The tension on Capitol Hill about DHS funding, echoing broader disagreements about border policy ([01:10–01:45]).
• Announcement of an Olympic milestone—first time two host cities and four event clusters ([02:57]).
• The courtroom details and bizarre nature of the assault on a sitting member of Congress ([03:46]).
• Bill and Hillary Clinton’s upcoming, unprecedented congressional testimony ([04:18]).

For listeners who missed the episode:
This update covered major national concerns—from a high-profile missing persons case and Capitol Hill budget fights, to the launch of the Winter Olympics and a shocking assault on a member of Congress. It closed with news about the Clintons’ upcoming testimony, marking a historic moment in congressional oversight.