7AM ET 01/31/2026 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update: 7AM ET 01/31/2026

Host: Paul Stevens
Reporters: Christina Coleman, Chad (Capitol Hill Correspondent), Ryan Schmell, Joel Nadeau
Date: January 31, 2026

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Episode Overview

This episode delivers a concise, fact-driven roundup of the key national news stories as of 7AM ET, January 31, 2026. Coverage centers on a major winter storm impacting the Southeast, a partial government shutdown, escalating protests surrounding immigration enforcement, a Republican-led election security bill, and the high cost of ongoing military deployments in U.S. cities.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Major Winter Storm Threatens Southeast and Northeast

• Storm Details & Impact:

  • A nor'easter intensifying into a potential bomb cyclone is set to bring heavy snow and strong winds to Virginia, the Carolinas, and northern Georgia, primarily affecting the region on Saturday.
  • Potential for widespread flight cancellations, travel disruptions, and risks of coastal flooding during high tide on Sunday.
  • The storm follows closely after a previous winter system recently affected the same regions.

• Memorable Quote:

  • “As the storm strengthens, it will likely become a bomb cyclone. Snow is expected to rapidly expand across the higher terrain of Virginia, the Carolinas and into northern Georgia.”
    — Christina Coleman (00:11)

2. Partial Government Shutdown Linked to DHS Funding

• Shutdown Explained:

  • The Senate passed five spending bills but separated out the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) bill amid Democratic demands for changes to immigrant enforcement (ICE).
  • Only partial government funding is in place, with a shutdown until at least Monday night.
  • Speaker Mike Johnson urges Republicans to pass the new package to end the shutdown, but DHS funding would only extend for two weeks.

• Insightful Quote:

  • “The Senate approved five spending bills, but Democrats insisted on holding up the DHS bill. They wanted changes at ICE… That triggers a shutdown until at least Monday night.”
    — Chad (00:54)

• Timeline Highlight:

  • Shutdown could last “70 hours,” with uncertainty around House backing for the revised bill.

3. Protests and Unrest in Los Angeles over ICE

• Events Summary:

  • Violent protests outside the federal detention center in Los Angeles during nation-wide “ICE out everywhere” rallies.
  • Protesters clashed with authorities, moving large dumpsters and blocking building access.

• Telling Description:

  • “A mob swarmed the area pushing a large construction dumpster and blocking the entrance to the building's loading dock.”
    — Paul Stevens (01:28)

4. House Republicans Unveil Election Security Legislation

• Bill Provisions:

  • “Make Elections Great Again Act” requires:
    • Photo ID to vote
    • Citizenship verification to register
    • All mail-in ballots received by poll closing time on Election Day (removing post-Election Day acceptance)
  • Bill faces opposition, described as a form of voter suppression by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
  • Uncertain path forward for the bill in the House.

• Notable Quotes:

  • “Dubbed the Make Elections Great Again act, the GOP led bill would require photo ID when casting a ballot and verification of citizenship when registering to vote.”
    — Ryan Schmell (02:36)
  • “Voter suppression is part of the Republican plan to try desperately to hold on to power.”
    — Attributed to Hakeem Jeffries via Ryan Schmell (03:02)

5. Report: High Cost of Troop Deployments to Cities

• CBO Findings:

  • The Congressional Budget Office reports it cost nearly $500 million to deploy National Guard and active-duty troops in several major cities in 2025.
  • Deployments ordered to address urban crime in L.A., Washington, Chicago, Portland, Memphis, and New Orleans.
  • The report, commissioned by Democratic Senator Jeff Merkley, highlights significant taxpayer expense for such missions.

• Key Quote:

  • “The Congressional Budget Office says the price tag to put troops in several American cities in 2025 is about $496 million.”
    — Joel Nadeau (03:20)

6. Clash Over ICE Enforcement in Seattle

• City-Police Union Dispute:
  • Seattle’s mayor introduced new restrictions on federal immigration enforcement, including prohibiting federal agents from using city property.
  • The Seattle Police Officers Guild opposes efforts to involve local officers in verifying ICE operations.

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Notable Quotes & Moments with Timestamps

• Bomb Cyclone Threat:

  • “As the storm strengthens, it will likely become a bomb cyclone.”
    — Christina Coleman (00:11)

• Funding Showdown:

  • “Democrats insisted on holding up the DHS bill. They wanted changes at ICE.”
    — Chad (00:54)

• Election Security Debate:

  • “Dubbed the Make Elections Great Again act, the GOP led bill would require photo ID when casting a ballot...”
    — Ryan Schmell (02:36)
  • “Voter suppression is part of the Republican plan...”
    — Attributed to Hakeem Jeffries via Ryan Schmell (03:02)

• Military Deployment Cost:

  • “The Congressional Budget Office says the price tag to put troops in several American cities in 2025 is about $496 million.”
    — Joel Nadeau (03:20)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

| Time | Segment Topic | |-------|---------------------------------------------------| | 00:03 | Nor’easter weather update - Christina Coleman | | 00:40 | Shutdown status and DHS funding - Chad | | 01:28 | Los Angeles protest unrest - Paul Stevens | | 02:32 | Election security bill announced - Ryan Schmell | | 03:15 | Cost of troop deployments report - Joel Nadeau | | 04:02 | Seattle’s ICE enforcement controversy - Paul Stevens & Joel Nadeau |

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Summary

This FOX News hourly update efficiently covers pressing national stories: a rapidly intensifying winter storm threatening to disrupt much of the Southeast and Northeast, ongoing political deadlock resulting in a partial government shutdown due to immigration policy disputes, large-scale anti-ICE protests turning violent in Los Angeles, a new House Republican bill to tighten election security, scrutiny of the expensive military response to rising urban crime, and local resistance to federal immigration enforcement in Seattle. The fast-paced reporting, direct expert quotes, and clear segment structure paint a comprehensive picture of the news landscape as of January 31, 2026.

Transcript

[Paul Stevens]

Another weekend storm. I'm Paul Stevens, FOX News. A nor' easter sweeping across parts of the Southeast this weekend. Fox's Christina Coleman.

[Christina Coleman]

As the storm strengthens, it will likely become a bomb cyclone. Snow is expected to rapidly expand across the higher terrain of Virginia, the Carolinas and into northern Georgia. Saturday appears to be the day when the bulk of the snowfall occurs in this region. Some travelers are already bracing for flight cancellations and delays due to the storm. There's also some concern over powerful winds during high tide Sunday morning that could increase the risk for coastal flooding in some locations.

[Paul Stevens]

And the storm could also bring snow and heavy winds to parts of the Northeast. The nor' easter coming just days after a massive winter storm dumped ice and snow on the same region, a partial government shutdown is underway. Our CHAD program on Capitol Hill.

[Chad (Fox News Correspondent)]

That's because the Senate changed what the House passed last week. The Senate approved five spending bills, but Democrats insisted on holding up the DHS bill. They wanted changes at ice. The Senate broke off the DHS bill and sent the rest of the package back to the House. That triggers a shutdown until at least Monday night. Now, House Speaker Mike Johnson implored Republicans to vote yes on Monday. That would end the shutdown after 70 hours. But DHS is only funded for two.

[Paul Stevens]

Weeks and it's unclear how many House members will support a revised package. Violent agitators arrested outside federal detention center in Los Angeles. Thousands of protesters meeting in front of City hall before many march to the federal Detention center where a mob swarmed the area pushing a large construction dumpster and blocking the entrance to the building's loading dock. This happened last night. The unrest coming as cities across the country taking part in ice out everywhere protests. America is listening to FOX News.

[Ainsley Earhart]

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[Paul Stevens]

House Republicans releasing a plan they say that will secure U.S. elections.

[Ryan Schmell]

Dubbed the Make Elections Great Again act, the GOP led bill would require photo ID when casting a ballot and verification of citizenship when registering to vote. The mega act would also require mail in ballots be received by the time polls close on Election Day. While some states allow mail in ballots be received after Election Day, it's part of Republicans push to secure U.S. elections. But House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries calls it dead on arrival.

[Paul Stevens]

Voter suppression is part of the Republican.

[Ryan Schmell]

Plan to try desperately to hold on to power. It's unclear how soon the bill could get a vote in the House. On Capitol Hill, Ryan Schmell's Fox News.

[Paul Stevens]

New report out there says President Trump's troop deployment to several big cities has not been cheap.

[Joel Nadeau]

The Congressional Budget Office says the price tag to put troops in several American cities in 20 is about $496 million. The CBO looked at things like the cost to activate, deploy and compensate National Guard personnel, as well as the logistical costs of maintaining those deployments. The president has sent National Guard or active duty Marine Corps troops to la, Washington, Chicago, Portland, Oregon, Memphis and New Orleans, all as a way to fight crime. The CBO report was done at the request of Democratic Senator Jeff Merkley of Oregon, the ranking member on the Senate Budget Committee in Washington, Joel Nadeau, Fox.

[Paul Stevens]

News and the president of the Seattle Police Officers Guild, the union representing rank and file officers is shooting down the idea of having his officers investigate, verify and document reports of ICE enforcement activities. All this coming after Seattle's progressive mayor Katie Wilson announced a series of moves this past Thursday to do just that, as well as banning federal agents from using city property conduct immigration enforcement operations.

[Joel Nadeau]

I'm Paul Stevens.

[Ainsley Earhart]

This is Ainsley Earhart. Thank you for joining me for the.

[Christina Coleman]

52 episode podcast series the Life of.

[Ryan Schmell]

Jesus, a listening experience that will provide hope, comfort and understanding of the greatest story ever told. Listen and follow [e-mail] or wherever you listen to podcasts.