Fox News Hourly Update – 9PM ET 01/31/2026 Newscast

Date: February 1, 2026
Host: Angelo Bavaro, FOX News Podcasts

Episode Overview

This episode provides a brisk, information-rich roundup of the day's major news stories, focusing on a severe nor’easter affecting the southeastern United States, rising military tensions between the US and Iran, ongoing immigration and ICE-related protests, and developments in immigration policy at both the federal and state level.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Severe Winter Storm in the Southeast

Segments: [00:02]–[00:57]

• Nor’easter Impact

  • A major snowstorm is hitting the Carolinas and surrounding areas, with Myrtle Beach, South Carolina expecting five to eight inches of snow—vastly above the town’s usual yearly average of half an inch.
  • Tennessee and North Carolina have already received up to 10 inches of snow.
  • South Carolina’s Department of Transportation confirms deteriorating road conditions, particularly in the west.

• Community Response

  • Myrtle Beach Mayor Mark Krua notes that locals typically prepare well for these rare events and generally view snow as a manageable emergency compared to hurricanes.
  • Quote ([00:47], Mayor Krua): “People look forward to the snow. It’s a fun sort of weather emergency compared to the hurricanes that we normally deal with.”

• Travel Disruptions

  • According to FlightAware, more than 12,000 total flight disruptions are expected through Monday.

2. US-Iran Tensions: Military Movements and Political Statements

Segments: [00:57]–[01:49]

• US Military Posturing

  • The Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group is now in the Arabian Sea, within striking distance of Iran. It has advanced F18 Super Hornets, F35 stealth fighter jets, and Growler jets for electronic warfare.

• White House Stance

  • President Trump is warning Iran about military action if nuclear ambitions persist. He acknowledges ongoing negotiations but remains skeptical.
  • Quote ([01:31], President Trump, via Jackie Heinrich): “They are negotiating so we’ll see what happens. You know, the last time they negotiated, we had to take out their nuclear. Didn’t work.”

• Regional Diplomatic Context

  • Saudi Arabia and UAE have both expressed they will not participate in military action against Iran.

3. Immigration Policy and ICE Protests

Segments: [02:00]–[03:38]

• Anti-ICE Protests

  • Demonstrations continue in Minneapolis despite below-freezing temperatures. Protestors chant against ICE operations as a federal judge denies efforts by local officials to halt ICE immigration enforcement.
  • [02:22–02:34]: Sounds and chants from the protestors are included, capturing the raw environment of the demonstration.

• Federal and State Policy Moves

  • The Department of Justice has initiated a civil rights probe following a deadly ICE-related shooting in Minneapolis.

  • Parallel anti-ICE protests are taking place in New York, as Governor Kathy Hochul proposes the “Local Cops, Local Crimes” act. This would cease existing agreements with ICE, limiting local police’s involvement in federal immigration enforcement to criminal investigations only.

    • Notable quote ([03:00], Fox’s He Be Cotton): “Hochul’s proposal is called Local Cops, Local Crimes act and it would nix deals that several New York counties currently have with ICE.”

  • Department of Homeland Security (DHS) argues that such restrictions make their mission more difficult and necessitate a “more visible presence” in communities.

• Scope of Local Cooperation with ICE

  • Currently, 14 agencies in nine New York counties have ICE-cooperation agreements.

4. Human Interest: ICE Detention and Release

Segments: [03:38]–[04:13]

• Family Detainment Case
  • A judge has ordered the release of a five-year-old boy, Liam Canejo Ramos, and his father from a Texas detention center. Their arrest in a Minneapolis suburb—and the viral image of Liam wearing a bunny hat and Spider-Man backpack surrounded by ICE officers—has intensified public debate around President Trump’s immigration policies.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Community Attitude Towards Snow (Mayor Krua, [00:47])
  “People look forward to the snow. It’s a fun sort of weather emergency compared to the hurricanes that we normally deal with.”

• On US-Iran Negotiations (President Trump, via Jackie Heinrich, [01:31])
  “They are negotiating so we’ll see what happens. You know, the last time they negotiated, we had to take out their nuclear. Didn’t work.”

• On New York’s ICE Proposal (He Be Cotton, [03:00])
  “Hochul’s proposal is called Local Cops, Local Crimes act and it would nix deals that several New York counties currently have with ICE.”

• On DHS Challenges (DHS Official, [03:29])
  “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.”

Important Segments by Timestamp

• Snowstorm Coverage: [00:02]–[00:57]
• US-Iran Military/Political Update: [00:57]–[01:49]
• ICE Protests & Policy in Minneapolis/New York: [02:22]–[03:38]
• Family Detainment and Immigration Debate: [03:38]–[04:13]

Episode Tone & Style

The episode maintains FOX’s signature brisk, urgent delivery, balancing rapid-fire fact delivery with direct quotes from officials, on-scene reporters, and protestors. Moments from the field (e.g., protest chants) and high-level political discussions provide both immediacy and depth to the national issues at play.