Fox News Hourly Update – 9AM ET 02/01/2026 Newscast

Episode Overview

This episode delivers breaking national stories, with a focus on severe winter weather in the Carolinas, ongoing immigration policy controversies, a special House election in Texas, and new developments in New York’s cooperation with ICE. The tone is urgent and news-driven, covering the top stories Americans need to know.

Major Headlines & Key Segments

1. Severe Blizzard Hits the Carolinas and Virginia

[00:02 – 00:47]

• Host Paul Stevens opens:
  “A rough few days. Our Easter slamming the Carolinas, Virginia and other areas with snow as blizzard conditions. Vicious winds loom as that storm intensifies.”

• Fox Meteorologist Adam Klotz gives details:

  • North Carolina experiences the worst snowfall:
    “You heard that high of 17 inches but widespread. A whole lot of places saw over a foot of snow down across the Tar Heel State.” (00:15)
  • Winds reach dangerous speeds:
    “High winds out there, 50, 60, in some cases pushing 70 miles an hour as this system is very powerful, deep pressure creating a whole lot of winds out there.” (00:29)
  • Current storm status:
    “Still snow, but it's extreme, extreme eastern North Carolina at this point. And the system is going to be moving offshore and then up the coast.” (00:40)

• Memorable Moment:

  • “Millions of Americans facing harsh winds, record breaking snow, extreme cold temperatures and rising power outages.” (Paul Stevens, 00:47)

2. FBI Investigates Anti-ICE Protests Funding

[00:47 – 01:37]

• Host: “The FBI says it's investigating the origin of potentially funded anti ICE protests.”
• Rich Edson reports:
  • FBI probes paid protest campaigns, citing concerns over organizers and funding sources.
  • Noted involvement by “labor unions, Black Lives Matter, socialist and communist groups, among others, organizing or encouraging anti ICE protests.”
  • Free speech organization comments:
    “Only in narrow circumstances can the government punish funders like when they intentionally direct money to specific illegal acts. But, quote, broad investigations into support for political advocacy set a dangerous precedent that threatens organizations across the political spectrum.” (Rich Edson, 01:22)

3. Special Election Narrowing GOP Majority

[01:37 – 01:45]

• Host:
  • “Democrat Christian Menefee winning a special election for U.S. house seat in Texas, narrowing the GOP's slim majority.”
  • Menefee defeated Amanda Edwards in a runoff to fill the seat of the late Rep. Sylvester Turner.

4. Federal Judge Orders Release of Detained Child and Father

[02:32 – 03:17]

• Host:

  • “A federal judge orders ICE to release a five year old Ecuadorian boy and his father from a detention center in Texas.”

• Carmen Roberts reports:

  • Judge Fred Berry’s sharp criticism of the Trump administration:
    • “It appears to be driven by daily quotas, even at the cost of traumatizing children.” (02:43)
  • Ordered the release of Liam Conjeo Ramos and his father by Tuesday.
  • Public outcry intensified after images showed “Liam with a bunny hat and a Spiderman backpack being surrounded by ICE agents in Minneapolis.”
  • Protesters at Dilley, Texas detention center prompted police to use tear gas.

• Memorable Quote:

  • “Images of Liam with a bunny hat and a Spiderman backpack... sparked even more outcry about the immigration crackdown.” (Carmen Roberts, 02:54)

5. Ongoing Anti-ICE Protests & New York’s Legislation

[03:17 – 04:17]

• Host:
  • “Anti ICE protests continue across the US including in New [York] where Governor Kathy Hochul moves to end any local cooperation with ICE with a new proposal.”
• CB Cotton explains Hochul’s proposal:
  • The “Local Cops, Local Crimes Act” would nullify ICE cooperation agreements in several NY counties, essentially limiting local police’s ability to aid ICE except in criminal investigations.
  • Department of Homeland Security warns:
    “When politicians bar local law enforcement from working with dhs, our law enforcement officers have to have a more visible presence so that we can find and apprehend the criminals let out of jails and back into communities.” (CB Cotton, quoting DHS, 04:10)

6. Law Enforcement ICE Cooperation in New York

[04:17 – 04:28]

• Host:
  “14 law enforcement agencies across New York counties currently have agreements in place they say to cooperate with ICE.”

Notable Quotes

• Adam Klotz (Meteorologist):
  “High winds out there, 50, 60, in some cases pushing 70 miles an hour.” (00:29)

• Rich Edson (Reporter):
  “Broad investigations into support for political advocacy set a dangerous precedent that threatens organizations across the political spectrum.” (01:29)

• Judge Fred Berry (via Carmen Roberts):
  “It appears to be driven by daily quotas, even at the cost of traumatizing children.” (02:43)

• DHS Statement via CB Cotton:
  “Our law enforcement officers have to have a more visible presence so that we can find and apprehend the criminals let out of jails and back into communities.” (04:10)

Summary Table of Key Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | Key Details | |-----------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:02 | Blizzard Slams Carolinas & Virginia | Severe snow, record power outages, 17+ inches snow, 70mph winds | | 00:47 | FBI Anti-ICE Protest Funding Probe | FBI investigates protests, free speech concerns | | 01:37 | Texas Special House Election | Democrat Christian Menefee wins, narrows GOP's majority | | 02:32 | Judge Orders Release of Ecuadorian Child & Father | Harsh critique of ICE, viral imagery, protests turn tense | | 03:17 | Ongoing Anti-ICE Protests & Governor Hochul Proposal in NY | Proposal to end local cooperation with ICE, DHS responds | | 04:17 | Law Enforcement ICE Cooperation in New York Counties | 14 agencies currently have ICE agreements |

Episode Tone & Takeaway

The episode delivers concise, high-impact updates in an urgent and informative tone, focusing on extreme weather’s immediate threats and ongoing national debates surrounding border enforcement and protests. Listeners get a rapid overview of major overnight headlines and evolving controversies.