Fox News Hourly Update – 7AM ET 02/04/2026

Episode Overview

The February 4, 2026, 7AM ET newscast delivers breaking headlines on the kidnapping of Savannah Guthrie’s mother, sentencing for a would-be Trump assassin, developments in US-Iran and US-Colombia relations, legislative standoffs on immigration, Trump’s continued 2020 election fraud claims, financial market movement, and major NBA trades. Anchored by Dave Anthony and Fox News correspondents, this episode covers both domestic and international news with concise, impactful reporting.

Key News Segments & Insights

1. Kidnapping of Nancy Guthrie (Savannah Guthrie’s Mother)

• [00:03] The investigation has shifted to a ransom scenario after the mother of Today show host Savannah Guthrie, Nancy Guthrie, went missing Saturday night.
• Evidence & Authority Statements:
  • "We do believe that Nancy was taken from her home against her will. And that's where we're at." — Pima County, Arizona Sheriff Chris Nano
  • Signs indicate the 84-year-old may have come to harm.
• Ransom Demand Details:
  • "TMZ and a handful of local news stations say that they have received what they are calling ransom notes and they received those via email."
  • The notes demand millions in cryptocurrency for her safe return and reference information not publicly known.
  • The situation is ongoing outside the family home in Tucson.

2. Sentencing for Trump Assassination Attempt Convict

• [00:54] Ryan Ruth is to be sentenced after plan to assassinate Donald Trump at his West Palm Beach golf club in September 2024.
• Dramatic Courtroom Developments:
  • "He represented himself at trial and tried to stab himself in the neck with a pen."
  • Ruth spent weeks planning but was intercepted when a Secret Service agent spotted him.
• Legal Consequences:
  • Ruth faces a possible life sentence.

3. US-Iran Relations: Nuclear Negotiations Amid Rising Tensions

• [01:15] President Trump confirms ongoing negotiations with Iran, despite a recent US shooting down of an Iranian drone:
  • "They are negotiating. They'd like to do something and we'll see if something is going to be."
• Contextual Background:
  • Reference to last year’s joint US-Israeli attack on Iranian nuclear facilities.

4. Government Funding & Immigration Reform Standoff

• [01:32] A partial US government shutdown is temporarily over; funding for Homeland Security is extended for two weeks.
• Democratic Response:
  • Chuck Schumer: "We expect to present to the Republicans a very serious, detailed proposal very shortly."
  • The standoff is fueled by Democratic demands for immigration enforcement reform amid protests following fatal ICE-involved shootings in Minneapolis.

5. 2020 Election Fraud Claims

• [02:04] President Trump reasserts his claim to have won the 2020 election:
  • "The federal government should get involved. These are agents of the federal government to count the votes."
• Democratic Counterpoint:
  • Democrats warn this threatens democracy and future elections.

6. US-Colombia Relations and Venezuela Update

• [02:31] Follow-up talks after the US raid that captured Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro. President Trump remarks on talks with Colombian President Gustavo Petro:
  • "He and I weren’t exactly the best of friends, but I wasn’t insulted because I never met him. I didn’t know him at all."
  • US and Colombia working on joint counter-narcotics initiative; Trump previously sanctioned Petro's family, accusing them of drug trafficking.
  • Light moment: Petro adds an "S" to a gifted MAGA cap to read “Make the Americas Great Again.”

7. Financial Markets & Major Sports Headlines

• [03:18] Stock futures are rising after an earlier market drop.
• Winter Olympics:
  • The games open in Italy with curling matches starting first.
• NBA Trades and Results:
  • [03:35] "The James Harden era in Los Angeles has come to a close." — Joe Morgan, reporting on Harden’s trade from the Clippers to the Cavaliers for Darius Garland.
  • Harden's career context: now on his 6th NBA team, averaging 25.4 points per game, his highest in six years.
  • [04:07] The New York Knicks notch their 7th consecutive win with a blowout vs. Washington, 132–101.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Guthrie Kidnapping:

  • "We do believe that Nancy was taken from her home against her will."
    — Sheriff Chris Nano, [00:14]
  • "The note... demanded millions in cryptocurrency for the safe return of Nancy Guthrie by a stated deadline."
    — Fox News Correspondent, [00:34]

• On the Trump Assassination Attempt:

  • "He represented himself at trial and tried to stab himself in the neck with a pen."
    — Dave Anthony, [00:58]

• On Iran Nuclear Talks:

  • "They are negotiating. They'd like to do something and we'll see if something is going to be."
    — Political Analyst, [01:29]

• On 2020 Election Claims:

  • "The federal government should get involved. These are agents of the federal government to count the votes."
    — Political Analyst, [02:25]
  • "Democrats warn that's a threat to democracy and future elections."
    — Fox News Anchor, [02:31]

• On US-Colombia Relations:

  • "He and I weren't exactly the best of friends, but I wasn't insulted because I never met him. I didn't know him at all."
    — President Trump, [02:45]

• On the James Harden Trade:

  • "Harden is in the middle of a very solid season scoring 25.4 points per game, which would be his highest average in six years. But he continues to not stay in one place for too long."
    — Joe Morgan, [03:45]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Guthrie Kidnapping Investigation – [00:03] to [00:47]
• Trump Assassination Attempt Sentencing – [00:54] to [01:15]
• US-Iran Negotiations & Tensions – [01:15] to [01:32]
• Government Shutdown & Immigration – [01:32] to [02:00]
• 2020 Election Claims & Democracy Warnings – [02:04] to [02:31]
• US-Colombia Relations & Venezuela Update – [02:31] to [03:18]
• Markets, Olympics, NBA Trades – [03:18] to [04:07]

Summary

This FOX News update covers a tense national mood, ranging from ongoing criminal investigations to global diplomatic maneuvers, domestic partisanship, and lively sports trades. Listeners are brought up to speed on developing stories and the key angles shaping current affairs, all in the network’s concise and direct style.