7PM ET 02/04/2026 Newscast

Summary

---

Fox News Hourly Update – 7PM ET, February 4, 2026

Main Theme:
This episode provides a rapid-fire summary of breaking national and international news. The top stories include updates on the Nancy Guthrie disappearance, political confrontation over Homeland Security funding, a major scandal in British politics linked to Jeffrey Epstein, high-profile crime reports, and congressional pressure on social media companies’ liability protections.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. FBI Expands Probe into Nancy Guthrie Disappearance

• [00:02-00:32] Lisa Licera (Host), Jonathan Hunt (Reporter)

  • Federal agents expanded their search at the home of Annie Guthrie, daughter of missing Nancy Guthrie.
  • Family members who last saw Nancy on Saturday night are under new scrutiny.
  • Unconfirmed ransom notes have been reported by TMZ and other local media, but police have not released details.
  • President Trump personally called Savannah Guthrie with condolences and offered assistance.

  Notable Quote:

  • "The FBI has arrived at the home of Annie Guthrie... as they widen their investigation into Nancy Guthrie's disappearance." – Lisa Licera [00:02]

---

2. Homeland Security Funding Standoff

• [00:32-01:36] Lisa Licera, Sen. John Thune (R), Sen. Chuck Schumer (D)

  • President Trump signed a short-term package with two weeks of funding for the Department of Homeland Security.

  • Senate Majority Leader John Thune urged Democrats to negotiate, emphasizing the bill supports TSA, FEMA, the Coast Guard, and other vital agencies.

    Notable Quote:

    • "If they actually do want to fund the government... they need to sit down with the White House and figure out what it is they actually want." – Sen. John Thune [01:03]

  • Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer declared Democrats’ willingness to negotiate but argued any deal must be “strong, tough, and rein in ICE in very serious ways.”

    Notable Quote:

    • "It's gotta be strong, it's gotta be tough. It's gotta rein in ICE in very serious ways and end the violence." – Sen. Chuck Schumer [01:22]

---

3. Border Security Administrative Shifts

• [01:36] Lisa Licera
  • Border Czar Tom Homan announced a reduction in border agents in Minneapolis due to increased local cooperation.
  • Supreme Court declined to hear California Republicans’ appeal over the state’s redistricting plan.

---

4. British Political Scandal: The Epstein Files

• [02:30-03:12] Lisa Licera, Jonathan Savage (Reporter), Parliamentary Leaders

  • Scandal surrounds Lord Peter Mandelson, the UK’s appointee as US Ambassador and former confidant of Jeffrey Epstein.

  • Leaked files suggest Mandelson shared sensitive financial data with Epstein during the 2008 crisis.

  • Parliamentary outrage erupted, with accusations of betrayal and repeated lying about the nature of the relationship.

    Notable Quote:

    • "Mandelson betrayed our country, our parliament and... my party, Mr. Speaker. He lied repeatedly to my team." – Parliamentary Leaders [02:51–03:05]

  • Prime Minister Keir Starmer admitted knowing Mandelson and Epstein were close when making the appointment.

    • "Prime Minister Starmer, under pressure, admits he knew the men had been close when he sent Lord Mandelson to Washington." – Jonathan Savage [03:05]

  • Related: Former Prince Andrew was relocated due to his own Epstein ties.

---

5. Crime Updates: William Stevenson Charged

• [03:12-03:20] Lisa Licera
  • William Stevenson, Jill Biden’s ex-husband, is held without bail on charges of murdering his current wife, Linda Stevenson, found deceased in Wilmington, Delaware.

---

6. Social Media Liability: The Push to End Section 230

• [03:20-04:20] Jessica Rosenthal (Reporter), Sen. Dick Durbin, Sen. Lindsey Graham, Bridget Noring (Parent Advocate), Actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt

  • Bipartisan move in Senate (Durbin and Graham) to sunset Section 230, stripping social media companies of legal immunity for third-party content.

  • Bridget Noring, mother of a child victim to fentanyl purchased via social media, shared emotional testimony.

    Notable Quote:

    • "How does big tech respond to our efforts? It opens the lobbying war chest to make sure the bills never become law." – Senate testimony [03:54]
    • "Innovation should not excuse harm, and children's lives should never be the cost of doing business." – Bridget Noring [04:07]

  • Actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt spoke as a parent and called for unanimous Senate support to end Section 230.

---

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• "The FBI has arrived at the home of Annie Guthrie... as they widen their investigation into Nancy Guthrie's disappearance." – Lisa Licera [00:02]
• "If they actually do want to fund the government... they need to sit down with the White House and figure out what it is they actually want." – Sen. John Thune [01:03]
• "It's gotta be strong, it's gotta be tough. It's gotta rein in ICE in very serious ways and end the violence." – Sen. Chuck Schumer [01:22]
• "Mandelson betrayed our country, our parliament and... my party, Mr. Speaker. He lied repeatedly to my team." – UK parliamentary leaders [02:51–03:05]
• "Innovation should not excuse harm, and children's lives should never be the cost of doing business." – Bridget Noring [04:07]

---

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Segment | Timestamps | |-------------------------------------------|--------------| | Nancy Guthrie disappearance | 00:02-00:32 | | Homeland Security funding dispute | 00:32-01:36 | | Border/security Supreme Court news | 01:36 | | UK Epstein/Mandelson scandal | 02:30-03:12 | | Stevenson crime story | 03:12-03:20 | | Section 230 social media debate | 03:20-04:20 |

---

Tone & Summary Usefulness

This summary captures the urgent and brisk tone of a rapid news radio update, emphasizing the major political, legal, and international stories of the day. It provides a comprehensive yet succinct guide for listeners who missed the broadcast and need both the headlines and key context.

Transcript

[A]

Federal agents on the scene. I'm Lisa Licera. FOX News. The FBI has arrived at the home of Annie Guthrie, the other daughter of Nancy Guthrie, as they widen their investigation into Nancy Guthrie's disappearance.

[B]

They are believed to be the family members who told investigators they dropped Nancy Guthrie off at her home on Saturday night. We have no indication at this point point whether they are there to simply update family members on the search or for some other reason.

[A]

Fox's Jonathan Hunt in Tucson. Nancy Guthrie was reported missing Sunday when she didn't show up for church. TMZ and other local media have reported they have received ransom notes, but the Pima County Sheriff's Office has not divulged what was in the notes. The White House said earlier today that President Trump spoke by phone to Savannah Guthrie to express his concern and offer assistance. Now the President Trump has signed off on a package of bills that includes two weeks of funding for the Department of Homeland Security. Senate Majority Leader John Thune is calling on Democrats to come to the table.

[C]

If they actually do want to fund the government Department of Homeland Security and we need to and also, by the way, that bill includes tsa, it includes fema, it includes the Coast Guard, a number of agencies that are really important to our government, then they need to sit down with the White House and figure out what it is they actually want.

[A]

Democratic leader Chuck Schumer.

[D]

We're ready to sit down and negotiate a very but it's gotta be strong, it's gotta be tough. It's gotta rein in ice in very serious ways and end the violence. And we hope our Republican colleagues will meet us on that.

[A]

Earlier today, border czar Tom Homan announced a reduction in border agents in Minneapolis because of what he called increased cooperation between his department and city and state officials. The Supreme Court's turned away an appeal from California Republicans of the state's redistricting plan. America is listening to FOX News.

[E]

You're building a life, running a business and raising a family. Keep it protected with LegalZoom. LegalZoom has helped over 6 million people start businesses, stay compliant and secure wills or trusts with our step by step tools and attorney guidance. We're the number one choice for online legal services when you need a legal hand trust. LegalZoom. Get started at legalzoom.com LegalZoom provides access to independent attorneys and self service tools. LegalZoom is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice.

[A]

The Epstein files are causing a scandal in the British government.

[F]

The controversy surrounds the man Prime Minister Keir Starmer appointed as his US Ambassador, Lord Peter Mandelson. Not only was Lord Mandelson a friend of Jeffrey Epstein, but documents suggest he leaked sensitive information to the convicted pedophile during the global financial crisis of 2008.

[D]

Mandelson betrayed our country, our parliament and.

[C]

My party, Mr. Speaker.

[D]

He lied repeatedly to my team. When asked about his relationship with Epstein.

[F]

Prime Minister Starmer, under pressure, admits he knew the men had been close when he sent Lord Mandelson to Washington. Jonathan Savage, Fox News.

[A]

This as the former Prince Andrew was moved out of his home and onto King Charles private estate over his apparent ties to Epstein. William Stevenson, the first husband of former first lady Jill Biden, is being held without bail after being charged in his current wife's killing. Linda Stevenson was found unresponsive at their home in Wilmington, Delaware, December 28. Parents advocates an actor and lawmakers urging Congress to pass a law that'll end social media companies liability protections.

[G]

Senators Dick Durbin and Lindsey Graham are pushing for a law that Sunset Section 230, which has given social media companies liability protections from third party content. Durbin said their efforts to rein in social media companies so far through federal legislation have failed.

[B]

How does big tech respond to our efforts? It opens the lobbying war chest to make sure the bills never become law.

[G]

Bridget Noring lost her son Devin to a fentanyl overdose after he purchased a pill through a social media account.

[H]

Innovation should not excuse harm, and children's lives should never be the cost of doing business.

[G]

Actor Joseph Gordon Levitt, now a father of three, said he expects 100% support from the Senate to end Section 230.

[A]

Fox is Jessica Rosenthal. I'm Lisa Lacera. This is FOX News.

[I]

Every business is asking the same question. How do we make AI work for us? No more waiting with NetSuite by Oracle, you can put AI to work. Today, NetSuite is the number one AI Cloud ERP trusted by over 43,000 businesses. It's the unified suite that brings your finances, inventory, commerce, HR and CRM into a single source of truth. The connected data is what makes your AI smarter, helping you make fast decisions. If your revenues are at least in the seven figures, get our free business guide demystifying [e-mail] fox.