Fox News Hourly Update – 6PM ET 04/03/2026

Host: FOX News Podcasts
Date: April 3, 2026
Main Theme:
A fast-paced roundup of key national and international headlines covering the ongoing US-Iran conflict, domestic US policy, economic moves, public health alerts, and notable sports highlights.

Episode Overview

The 6PM ET Fox News Hourly Update for April 3, 2026, delivers the latest on US military developments in Iran, President Trump’s proposed budget, major pharmaceutical tariffs, a significant food recall, unresolved election security in Georgia, and a headline-grabbing college basketball achievement.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. US Military Developments in Iran

[00:02–00:57]

• An F-15E fighter jet has been shot down in a remote area of southwest Iran—the first such aircraft loss in the five-week-old conflict.
  • “A search for missing pilots. After an F15E fighter jet went down in a remote area of southwest Iran, one crew member has been rescued.” (Lisa Lacera, 00:02)
• The rescue operation was dangerous; it is reported that rescue helicopters may have been hit by enemy fire.
  • “The rescue aircraft that came … there was enemy fire and … it is possible that those rescue helicopters were hit in the process.” (Jennifer Griffin, 00:42)
• Iran has put out and since doubled a reward for the capture of the remaining pilot.
  • “The Iranians have put out a reward for the captured pilot if the pilot could be captured and had doubled that reward since we first started reporting on this earlier this morning.” (Jennifer Griffin, 00:27)
• Additionally, a US A-10 ‘Warthog’ has been hit by Iranian air defenses; the details of this incident remain unclear.

2. President Trump’s Budget Proposal

[01:00–01:52]

• The White House has proposed a record $1.5 trillion budget for the Pentagon—a 44% year-over-year increase.
  • “The annual budget request … calls for $1.5 trillion for the Pentagon, the largest top line defense spending number ever and a 44% increase from last year’s defense budget.” (Jared Halpern, 01:22)
• The budget includes pay raises for troops, increased munitions stockpiles, and investment in a “golden dome” missile defense shield.
• Non-defense spending would be reduced by $73 billion, with the administration aiming to eliminate what it calls “woke, weaponized, and wasteful” programs.
  • “Non defense spending would drop by $73 billion, a 10% cut by eliminating what the administration calls woke weaponized and wasteful programs.” (Jared Halpern, 01:39)

3. Tariffs on Pharmaceuticals

[02:16–02:57]

• President Trump is implementing new tariffs on a broad array of drugs after recent Supreme Court decisions invalidated older measures.
  • “President Trump is imposing higher tariffs on a wide range of drugs after they were struck down by the Supreme Court.” (Lisa Lacera, 02:16)
• Pharma companies must lower prices and move production to the US to avoid a 100% tariff.
  • “Pharma companies must work with the US Government to cut drug prices and must commit to move production to the US to completely avoid tariffs. If they do neither, they’ll face the 100% tariff.” (Ginny Costella, 02:22)
• Tariff relief applies only to countries with US trade agreements (capped at 15%).
• US-UK deal: British-made pharmaceuticals will face zero tariffs for at least three years.
• Large pharma companies have 120 days; small ones have 180 days to comply.

4. E. Coli Outbreak and Food Recall

[02:57–03:24]

• Raw Farm, a California producer, is recalling several cheddar cheese products due to an ongoing FDA investigation into an E. coli outbreak.
  • “A California producer of raw milk and cheese products is recalling some of the products as the FDA continues to investigate an outbreak of E. Coli. Raw Farm says it’s voluntarily recalling more than a half dozen varieties of its Cheddar cheese made from raw milk.” (Lisa Lacera, 02:57)
• The company had previously refused FDA requests for a recall.

5. Georgia Election Security Impasse

[03:24–03:54]

• The Georgia Legislature adjourned without agreeing on a replacement for Dominion Voting Machines, facing a July deadline.
  • “Members from both sides of the aisle are now calling for a special legislative session as failure to come up with a plan could result in using hand marked and hand counted paper ballots in November.” (Laura Cantor, 03:24)
• If no plan is reached, November's elections could revert to paper ballots or even be decided in court.
  • “There is even the possibility that the Peach State’s future elections … could be decided by the courts.” (Laura Cantor, 03:34)
• Ongoing scrutiny of Dominion Voting Machines since the 2020 election continues to fuel the controversy.

6. Sports Highlight: Cameron Boozer’s Triumph

[03:54–04:03]

• Duke freshman forward Cameron Boozer named AP Men's National Player of the Year after leading the Blue Devils to 35 wins and a #1 ranking.
  • “Cameron Boozer has been named the Associated Press Men's National Player of the Year after he helped the Blue Devils win 35 games, all reaching number one in the AP Top 25 poll. He's the fifth freshman to win the honor.” (Lisa Lacera, 03:54)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “The Iranians have put out a reward for the captured pilot … and had doubled that reward since we first started reporting on this earlier this morning.” —Jennifer Griffin, 00:27
• “The annual budget request calls for $1.5 trillion for the Pentagon … a 44% increase from last year's defense budget.” —Jared Halpern, 01:22
• “Pharma companies must work with the US Government to cut drug prices and must commit to move production to the US to completely avoid tariffs. … Large pharma companies have 120 days to comply. Smaller producers have 180 days.” —Ginny Costella, 02:22
• “Members from both sides of the aisle are now calling for a special legislative session as failure to come up with a plan could result in using hand marked and hand counted paper ballots in November.” —Laura Cantor, 03:24

Timestamps to Key Segments

• 00:02 — F-15E jet downed in Iran; search and rescue efforts
• 00:27 — Iranian reward for US pilot capture
• 00:57 — A-10 Warthog hit by air defenses
• 01:22 — President Trump’s budget proposal details
• 01:52 — End of initial news block
• 02:16 — New tariffs on pharmaceuticals
• 02:57 — Raw Farm food recall and E. coli outbreak
• 03:24 — Georgia election machine controversy
• 03:54 — Cameron Boozer wins AP Men's National Player of the Year

Episode Tone & Style

The episode maintains Fox News’ concise and direct reporting style, focusing on urgent national security developments, high-impact political moves, and public interest stories with clear attributions and an authoritative voice.