Fox News Hourly Update — 9PM ET 02/02/2026 Newscast

Host: Lisa Licera, FOX News Podcasts
Date: February 3, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode delivers a concise roundup of major national and international news stories, focusing on developments in U.S. government funding negotiations, advancements in DHS accountability practices, progress in the high-profile Epstein investigation, a tragic fraternity event in Arizona, international reactions to a Grammy win by the Dalai Lama, and a minor earthquake in California.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Government Shutdown: House to Vote on Funding Plans

[00:02]

• The House of Representatives is set to vote on a funding plan to end the government shutdown, following Senate passage last week. The plan would:
  • Fund the government through September.
  • Provide short-term funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for two additional weeks.
• House Democrats express discontent with the Senate compromise.
• The swearing-in of Texas Democrat Christian Menefee narrows the Republicans’ margin, allowing them to lose only one vote for passage.

Notable Points:

• House Democrats expect Republicans to carry the procedural vote burden due to their majority.
• Rep. Jeffries notes that some Democrats might support the bill if it helps projects important to their districts.
  • “House Democrats are not aligned with what Senate Democrats agreed to on Friday. And some Democrats will not vote yes until they see changes. Numbers matter.” — House Democrat Spokesperson [00:16]

2. DHS Body Camera Expansion

[00:49]

• Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announces all immigration agents in Minnesota will now wear body cameras.
• There’s an intention to expand the program as additional funding permits.

3. Epstein Investigation: Testimonies and Redacted Files

[00:49–01:46]

• Former President Bill Clinton and ex-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have agreed in principle to testify in the House’s Epstein investigation. An official agreement is pending.
• The House Oversight Committee, led by James Comer, is driving the inquiry.
• The Justice Department removed thousands of videos and images from its website, prompted by concerns over materials that could identify victims.
  • “Officials worked all hours through the weekend...to take down documents and media that may have inadvertently included victim identifying information.” — DOJ Representative [01:19]
• New York Times reports that dozens of nude images were published in error.
• Federal law mandates the Epstein files' release, but requires that sexually explicit content and details that could reveal victims’ identities are redacted.

4. Tragic Fraternity Death in Arizona

[02:44]

• At a Delta Tau Delta rush event at Northern Arizona University, an 18-year-old student was found dead at an off-campus house.
• Cause under investigation; police and medical examiner looking into possible alcohol and hazing involvement.
• Neighbors and hosts call the incident preventable.
• Three fraternity leaders are charged with hazing; the fraternity is on interim suspension from the university.
  • “That’s a trauma that all of those kids that were in that house that night are now going to have to deal with for the rest of their lives.” — Lisa Licera/Jeff Manaso [03:04–03:11]

5. North Sea Manslaughter Verdict

[03:26]

• Russian captain Vladimir Mochin found guilty of gross negligence manslaughter in relation to a fatal US oil tanker collision in the North Sea.
• Sentencing scheduled for later in the week.

6. China Criticizes Dalai Lama’s Grammy Win

[03:41]

• The Dalai Lama wins a Grammy for his audiobook, "Reflections of His Holiness, the Dalai Lama."
  • “He receives this recognition with gratitude and humility.” — Dalai Lama (via C.J. Papa) [03:41]
• China denounces the award, alleging it serves as anti-China political manipulation.
• The episode recaps the Dalai Lama’s ongoing exile in India and Beijing’s stance on his activism.
  • “China’s foreign ministry accused him of using religion to spread anti-China separatist activities.” — C.J. Papa [03:41]

7. Earthquake Rattles San Francisco Bay Area

[04:21]

• Several minor earthquakes shook the Bay Area; no immediate reports of damage.
• The episode notes heightened seismic activity in the region in recent months.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “House Democrats are not aligned with what Senate Democrats agreed to on Friday. And some Democrats will not vote yes until they see changes. Numbers matter.”
  — House Democrat Spokesperson [00:16]

• “That’s a trauma that all of those kids that were in that house that night are now going to have to deal with for the rest of their lives.”
  — Lisa Licera/Jeff Manaso, on the Flagstaff fraternity death [03:04–03:11]

• “He receives this recognition with gratitude and humility.”
  — Dalai Lama (quoted by C.J. Papa) on Grammy win [03:41]

• “Officials worked all hours through the weekend...to take down documents and media that may have inadvertently included victim identifying information.”
  — DOJ Representative on Epstein file removals [01:19]

Useful Timestamps

• [00:02] — Shutdown plan and House vote preview
• [00:16] — House Democrat concerns and Texas swearing-in
• [00:49] — DHS body camera announcement
• [00:49–01:46] — Epstein investigation updates and DOJ actions
• [02:44] — Fraternity death in Arizona
• [03:26] — North Sea manslaughter verdict
• [03:41] — China’s criticism of Dalai Lama’s Grammy
• [04:21] — Bay Area earthquake report

This newscast delivers rapid, punchy coverage of headline news with a focus on government proceedings, law enforcement transparency, justice, and international relations. The tone is direct and informative, maintaining urgency appropriate for fast-breaking stories.