Fox News Hourly Update – 6AM ET 04/04/2026 Newscast

Host: Debra Valentine (FOX News Podcasts)
Date: April 4, 2026
Episode Theme:
A fast-paced roundup of major national and international headlines, including military developments in Iran, U.S. defense spending, job growth, election law controversy, and a live update from NASA’s Artemis 2 mission.

Major Headlines and Discussion Points

1. Search and Rescue in Iran ([00:03]–[00:55])

• Ongoing Operation:
  The episode opens with urgent developments in Iran, where U.S. search and rescue teams are looking for a missing U.S. airman whose plane was shot down during operations over Iran.

  • Status Update:
    • Mike Tobin reporting from Tel Aviv: The F15E pilot has been rescued, but the weapons systems officer remains missing.
    • Both U.S. and Iranian forces are independently searching for the missing crew member.
    • When U.S. teams entered Iranian territory to extract the downed pilot, they faced enemy fire. Two helicopters were hit and crew members injured, but both aircraft managed emergency landings.
    • In a related incident, an A-10 Warthog was downed by enemy fire near the Strait of Hormuz. The sole pilot on that mission was successfully recovered.
  • Israel’s Response:
    • Israel has paused military operations in the area to allow search efforts to proceed safely.
  • Iran Domestic Developments:
    • Reuters is cited: Iran executed two men linked to an opposition group, convicted of attacks on the regime.

  Notable Quote:

  “As US Forces are searching for that weapon systems officer, the Iranians say they are searching for him as well.”
  — Mike Tobin ([00:26])

2. U.S. Defense Spending and Domestic Budget Cuts ([00:55]–[01:53])

• Presidential Budget Proposal:

  • President Trump proposes a record $1.5 trillion defense budget, accompanied by deep cuts to domestic spending, including health, housing, and education.
  • Fox’s Jared Halpern emphasizes that the administration justifies these cuts by claiming they eliminate “woke, wasteful, and weaponized programs.”
  • Budget Impact:
    • The White House projects higher revenue but the proposal is largely symbolic—ultimately, Congress decides the actual budget.

  Notable Quote:

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

3. U.S. Job Growth and Economy ([02:41]–[03:05])

• Strong Labor Market:

  • March brought an unexpected gain of 178,000 jobs.
  • Kevin Hassett (National Economic Council Director):
    • Attributes growth to new tax incentives on tips, overtime, and Social Security.
    • Notes many retirees are returning to the workforce due to these financial incentives.
  • Unemployment falls to 4.3% (down 0.1 percentage points).

  Notable Quote:

  “There are a lot of people who retired but want to get back into this booming labor force and they have a much higher tax reward for doing it.”
  — Kevin Hassett ([02:57])

4. Legal and Political Battle Over Mail-In Voting ([03:05]–[03:58])

• Oregon Lawsuit Against Executive Order:

  • President Trump issued an executive order to create a national voter list and restricted USPS from carrying ballots from states not submitting such lists.
  • Oregon, 21 other states, D.C., and Pennsylvania sued, calling the move unconstitutional and a violation of the separation of powers.
  • The lawsuit, filed in Massachusetts, seeks to block federal action enforcing the order.

  Notable Quote:

  “The nearly 50 page lawsuit cites the Constitution’s separation of powers, saying only Congress can direct states on how they can operate local and federal elections.”
  — Spencer Schott ([03:32])

  • Context:
    • President Trump has accused Democratic states of enabling non-citizen voting, though actual cases of voter fraud are rarely documented.

5. Artemis 2 Lunar Mission – Live Check-In ([03:58]–[04:27])

• Historic Space Flight:

  • On day four of its journey, Artemis 2 continues its lunar orbit mission.
  • Commander Reid Wiseman describes crew camaraderie and high spirits before their upcoming historic lunar flyby.

  Notable Quote:

  “We all agree we would wake up slow and get into the day easy and quiet. And this morning we all got up cheering and rocking and getting everything ready to go. It was the perfect way to start our day.”
  — Reid Wiseman ([04:18])

  • Next Milestone:
    • On Monday, Artemis 2 will pass just 4,000 miles from the moon’s far side.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• Military Search and Rescue:
  “As US Forces are searching for that weapon systems officer, the Iranians say they are searching for him as well.” — Mike Tobin ([00:26])
• Budget Priorities:
  “The administration says those [cuts] can [be made] by eliminating woke, wasteful and weaponized programs.” — Jared Halpern ([01:28])
• Economy and the Workforce:
  “There are a lot of people who retired but want to get back into this booming labor force and they have a much higher tax reward for doing it.” — Kevin Hassett ([02:57])
• Election Law Lawsuit:
  “The nearly 50 page lawsuit cites the Constitution’s separation of powers, saying only Congress can direct states on how they can operate local and federal elections.” — Spencer Schott ([03:32])
• Artemis 2 in Space:
  “This morning we all got up cheering and rocking and getting everything ready to go.” — Reid Wiseman ([04:18])

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Start | Speaker(s) | |-------------------------------------------|----------|------------------------| | Search & rescue in Iran | 00:03 | Debra Valentine, Mike Tobin | | Iran executions, U.S./Israel response | 00:55 | Debra Valentine | | U.S. Military Budget Proposal | 01:19 | Jared Halpern | | National jobs report, unemployment | 02:41 | Debra Valentine, Kevin Hassett | | Election executive order lawsuit | 03:18 | Spencer Schott | | Artemis 2 moon mission update | 03:58 | Debra Valentine, Reid Wiseman |

Overall Tone and Takeaways

The episode delivers a brisk, news-driven roundup, alternating between gravely serious reporting on international conflict, political clashes at home, and moments of optimism from NASA’s Artemis 2 crew. The tone remains direct, informative, and aligned with Fox News’ characteristic style, bringing listeners a blend of breaking news, analysis, and brief expert commentary.