9PM ET 02/01/2026 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update – 9PM ET, 02/01/2026

Main Theme:
This episode provides a rapid overview of the day's top stories, with major headlines ranging from presidential announcements and historic weather events to international tensions and cultural news.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Kennedy Center Closure and Renovation

Timestamp: 00:03

• Carmen Roberts reports President Trump is closing the Donald J. Trump and John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts (formerly the Kennedy Center) for major renovations.
  • The closure is scheduled for July 4th, 2026, to align with America's 250th anniversary.
  • Trump’s post on Truth Social mentions plans for a “new spectacular entertainment complex,” with renovations estimated to last about two years.

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2. Historic North Carolina Snowstorm

Timestamps: 00:36 – 01:02

• Haley Meyer (Fox Weather): Describes the intense nor’easter and its widespread impact in North Carolina.
  • Fourth snowiest in state history, heaviest since 2004.
  • Outer Banks, especially Buxton, saw severe damage—one home collapsed from “intense nor'easter winds and the waves that were crashing on [it], coupled with astronomical high tide with a full moon.”
  • Greenville saw 8–15 inches of snow, setting a record “going all the way back to 1896.”
• Carmen Roberts: Notes Faust, a mountain town, received 22.5 inches—the highest single report.
  • Governor Josh Stein confirms “at least two people died in the storm amid 1,000 traffic accidents.”

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3. Political Unrest and New Federal Response

Timestamps: 01:02 – 01:47

• Despite the brutal cold, anti-ICE protests persist in Minneapolis.
• Brooke Taylor (Fox):
  • President Trump issues a new policy, as posted on Truth Social:
    • “I've instructed Secretary of Homeland Kristi Noem that under no circumstances are we going to participate in various poorly run Democrat cities with regard to their protests and or riots unless and until they ask us for help.” (01:35)
  • This signals a shift: The federal government will not intervene in city protests/riots unless formally requested—a notable policy change during the ongoing unrest.

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4. Congressional Delays Due to Weather

Timestamp: 01:47

• Snowstorm impacts could delay Congress members returning to D.C. to vote on spending plans aimed at ending the partial government shutdown.

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5. Rising Tensions with Iran

Timestamps: 02:32 – 03:22

• Carmen Roberts: President Trump “not ruling out military strikes on Iran” amid a crackdown on anti-government protests.
• Dana Marie McNichol (Fox):
  • Trump open to negotiations: “You could make a negotiated deal that would be satisfactory with no nuclear weapons... But they are talking to us.” (02:43)
• Matt Whitaker: Discusses U.S. military activity:
  • “Trump has made it clear that military planning is happening, confirming that the ships are heading in that direction.” (02:52)
  • “The Iranians could de-escalate very easily and simply and we'll see—the ball’s in their court. But you know President Trump is not going to be forever patient on this.” (03:04)
  • Military details are undisclosed and, per Trump, “the United States will not share military plans with Gulf allies”. (03:14)

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6. Lindsey Vonn's Olympic Comeback

Timestamps: 03:22 – 04:09

• Christina Coleman (Fox):
  • Lindsey Vonn suffered a left knee injury during a World Cup ski event, just one week before the Winter Olympics.
  • Vonn remains determined:
    • Released a statement:
      • “This is a very difficult outcome one week before the Olympics. But if there’s one thing I know how to do, it’s a comeback. My Olympic dream is not over. Thank you for all of the love and support.” (03:47)
    • Her coach confirms she is still preparing for the Games.
  • Vonn's legacy highlighted: “The 41-year-old Minnesota-born star has won every title over her career which spans almost two decades.”

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7. 68th Annual Grammy Awards

Timestamps: 04:09 – 04:28

• Carmen Roberts:
  • The Grammy Awards start in LA amid several “back to back history making moments.”
  • Notable highlight: The Dalai Lama wins his first Grammy for best audiobook narration and storytelling.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "I've instructed Secretary of Homeland Kristi Noem that under no circumstances are we going to participate in various poorly run Democrat cities with regard to their protests and or riots unless and until they ask us for help.”
  — President Trump via Truth Social (read by Brooke Taylor), 01:35

• “If there’s one thing I know how to do, it’s a comeback. My Olympic dream is not over.”
  — Lindsey Vonn in statement, 03:47

• “The Iranians could de-escalate very easily and simply and we'll see—the ball’s in their court. But you know President Trump is not going to be forever patient on this.”
  — Matt Whitaker, 03:04

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Important Timestamps

• 00:03: Kennedy Center closure / announcement
• 00:36: North Carolina snowstorm details
• 01:35: Trump’s policy on federal response to protests
• 02:32: Trump’s stance on Iran & possible military strikes
• 03:47: Lindsey Vonn’s comeback message
• 04:09: Grammy Awards & Dalai Lama’s win

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Tone & Style:
The episode maintains Fox News’s brisk, urgent style, from breaking political stories to cultural highlights, blending hard news with uplifting sports and entertainment coverage.

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This summary provides a clear, engaging overview of the evening’s newscast, highlighting all significant events and quotes for listeners who missed the original broadcast.

Transcript

[Carmen Roberts]

Closing the Kennedy Center. I'm Carmen Roberts, Fox News President Trump says he is closing the center now known as the Donald J. Trump and John F. Kennedy Memorial center for the Performing Arts, but only for renovations. He posted on Truth Social that the center will close on July 4th in honor of America's 250th anniversary and that construction will begin on a new spectacular entertainment complex. He estimates that will take about two years. North Carolina is digging out after yesterday's historic storm. Fox Weather's Haley Meyer has details from the east coast town of Greenville.

[Haley Meyer]

It was the fourth snowiest North Carolina has ever been in the state's history, the snowiest since 2004. Outer Banks took it hard. One home officially collapsing over in Buxton due to the intense nor' easter winds and the waves that were crashing on coupled with astronomical high tide with a full moon. But here in Greenville, we had snowfall reports anywhere from 8 inches to upwards of 15 inches. That would be the snowiest day they've had on record going all the way back to 1896.

[Carmen Roberts]

The most snow, 22 and a half inches fell on the mountain town of Faust. And Governor Josh Stein says at least two people died in the storm amid 1,000 traffic accidents. Despite the bitter cold, anti ICE protesters continued to make their voices heard in Minneapolis. Fox's Brooke Taylor says overall it was a quieter day and that President Trump announced he's changing how the federal government will respond to unrest in some cities.

[Brooke Taylor]

He wrote this on Truth Social I've instructed Secretary of Homeland Kristi Noem that under no circumstances are we going to participate in various poorly run Democrat cities with regard to their protests and or riots unless and until they ask us for help.

[Carmen Roberts]

And the snowstorm may delay some members of Congress getting back to D.C. to vote on spending plans to end the partial government shutdown. America's listening to FOX News.

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[Carmen Roberts]

President Trump's not ruling out military strikes on Iran amid a heavy crackdown on anti government protesters there, but Fox says Dana Marie McNichol reports the president says he is still open to a deal.

[Dana Marie McNichol]

You could make a negotiated deal that would be satisfactory with no nuclear weapons. That said, they should do that, but I don't know that they will. But they are talking to us.

[Matt Whitaker / Ainsley Earhart]

Trump has made it clear that military planning is happening, confirming that the ships are heading in that direction. The U.S. ambassador to NATO, Matt Whitaker spoke on military presence in the Middle East.

[Matt Whitaker / Podcast Narrator]

The Iranians could de escalate very easily and simply and we'll see the balls in their court. But you know President Trump is not going to be forever patient on this.

[Matt Whitaker / Ainsley Earhart]

Details about military action are being closely guarded. President Trump says the United States will not share military plans with Gulf allies.

[Carmen Roberts]

Downhill skier Lindsey Vonn will compete in the Winter Olympics despite her ski crash in Switzerland. Fox's Christina Coleman reports.

[Christina Coleman]

Legendary ski champion Lindsey Vonn sat out of a World cup event after injuring her left knee in a crash during a race on Friday, just a week out from the Winter Olympics. But here's some good news for Von fans. Her coach told the Associated Press that she is preparing for the Olympics as usual. Also, Von released a statement after her injury saying in part quote, this is a very difficult outcome one week before the Olympics. But if there's one thing I know how to do, it's a comeback. My Olympic dream is not over. Thank you for all of the love and support. The 41 year old Minnesota born star has won every title over her career which spans almost two decades.

[Carmen Roberts]

And the 68th annual Grammy Awards are underway in LA and spirits were high from the jump after a few back to back history making moments including the Dalai Lama winning his first Grammy. He got that. For the audiobook, narration and storytelling recording, I'm Carmen Roberts. This is Fox News.

[Matt Whitaker / Ainsley Earhart]

This is Ainsley Earhart. Thank you for joining me for the 52 episode podcast series the Life of.

[Matt Whitaker / Podcast Narrator]

Jesus, A listening experience that will provide hope, comfort and understanding of the greatest story ever told. Listen and follow now at Fox News, foxnewspodcasts.com or wherever you listen to podcasts.