Ghislaine Maxwell refuses to answer questions during a virtual appearance before the House Oversight Committee.

Summary

Fox News Hourly Update – Episode Summary

Episode: Ghislaine Maxwell refuses to answer questions during a virtual appearance before the House Oversight Committee.
Date: February 9, 2026
Host: FOX News Podcasts
Theme: This episode centers on Ghislaine Maxwell invoking the Fifth Amendment in a virtual congressional hearing regarding the ongoing Jeffrey Epstein investigation, along with updates on related investigations, federal workers’ rights, labor strikes, a recent mass shooting, major lawsuits in the tech sector, and significant business leadership news.

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Main Segment: Ghislaine Maxwell Refuses to Testify

[00:03 – 00:21]

• Key Discussion Points:

  • Ghislaine Maxwell, convicted for sex trafficking, appeared virtually before the House Oversight Committee’s Epstein investigation from prison in Texas.
  • She declined to answer questions, invoking her right against self-incrimination.
  • Committee Chair James Comer emphasized the committee’s commitment to uncovering the truth and securing justice for survivors.

• Notable Quotes:

  • Lisa Brady ([00:03]):
    “She’s not talking. Convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell appearing virtually from federal prison in Texas before a House panel’s Jeffrey Epstein investigation and taking the Fifth, not answering questions.”
  • James Comer, House Oversight Committee Chair ([00:16]):
    “We sincerely want to get to the truth, the American people and justice for the survivors. That's what this investigation is about.”

• Additional Context:

  • Hopes were high that Maxwell’s testimony could reveal critical new information.
  • Upcoming depositions are scheduled for former President Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton in Britain later in the month.
  • New lines of inquiry include allegations that Prince Andrew sent confidential reports to Epstein and remained in contact after Epstein’s 2008 conviction. Police are currently investigating these claims.

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Ongoing Investigations and Related News

[00:21 – 01:10]

• Key Discussion Points:
  • Parallel to the Epstein inquiry, other news includes the ongoing search for Nancy Guthrie, missing for 69 days, with her family recently receiving a message and reports of a $6 million ransom.
  • Efforts continue, but there have been no confirmed signs of life.

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Federal Workers & Merit Systems Protection Changes

[01:10 – 01:41]

• Key Discussion Points:

  • The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) proposed a rule making it harder for fired federal workers to get reinstated.
    • Workers would lose the right to appeal to the independent Merit Systems Protection Board, having to appeal directly to OPM—an agency that answers to the president.
    • Recent OPM reclassification also shifted thousands of federal workers to “at-will” status, limiting their workplace protections further.

• Notable Quotes:

  • Unattributed reporter ([01:10]):
    “Since President Trump took office, cases have surged 266%. But under a plan from the administration, fired workers would instead appeal to the opm, the administration's HR office that reports to the president.”

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Labor News: New York City Nurses Strike

[01:41 – 02:04]

• Key Discussion Points:
  • A month-long nurses strike at two major New York City hospital systems is ending after a tentative agreement covering about 75% of striking nurses.
  • Staffing, workplace safety, and other issues were central to the dispute.
  • The strike continues at a third hospital.

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Mass Shooting at Brown University, Providence

[02:15 – 02:57]

• Key Discussion Points:

  • Rhode Island police released body cam footage from the December mass shooting at Brown University.
  • The video depicted a chaotic but determined police response.
  • Two victims were killed, nine injured; the perpetrator was found dead days later of a self-inflicted gunshot.
  • Questions remain about the motive.

• Notable Quotes:

  • Providence Mayor Brett Smiley ([02:46]):
    “If there's one big outstanding question, it's why did these poor kids get targeted by someone? None of the camera footage will answer that question. And in fact, those questions may never be answered.”

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Landmark Lawsuits Against Tech Giants

[02:59 – 03:21]

• Key Discussion Points:
  • Opening statements began in pivotal cases alleging that Meta’s Instagram and Google’s YouTube intentionally addict and harm children.
  • These cases signal potential regulatory and legal challenges ahead for social media titans.

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Business News: Kroger Appoints New CEO

[03:21 – 03:53]

• Key Discussion Points:

  • Greg Foran, former CEO of Air New Zealand and ex-head of Walmart US operations, named new CEO of Kroger.
  • Foran has a track record of modernizing digital and online ordering systems.
  • Kroger, which owns supermarket chains such as Ralph’s and Fred Meyer, had been searching for over a year for a replacement leader.

• Notable Quotes:

  • Reporter ([03:21]):
    “At Walmart, he's credited with stepping up digital ordering and introducing online ordering and pickup.”
  • Reporter ([03:21]):
    “Foran was born in New Zealand, where he started his career as a shelf stacker at Woolworths at age 17.”

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Financial Markets Update

[03:53 – end]

• Key Discussion Points:
  • Overview of current stock market performance: Dow slightly down, S&P in the green, Nasdaq up.

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Memorable Moments

• The sharp focus on transparency and accountability in the high-profile Maxwell and Epstein investigation.
• Providence Mayor’s somber reflection on the limitations of police footage to provide answers for senseless acts of violence.

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Episode Takeaways

• Ghislaine Maxwell’s refusal to testify adds further frustration to hopes for answers in the Epstein case.
• Federal policy changes could severely restrict job protections for government employees.
• Landmark lawsuits challenge the practices of social media giants, signaling growing scrutiny of tech’s impact on youth.
• Large labor actions and significant corporate leadership changes are reshaping the healthcare and retail sectors.
• The tragic Brown University shooting and its unresolved questions linger over Providence.

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For listeners seeking an efficient round-up of major national news, this episode delivered rapid updates and commentary on today’s headline stories, maintaining a brisk, matter-of-fact tone throughout.

Transcript

[A]

She's not talking. Lisa Brady, FOX News. Convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell appearing virtually from federal prison in Texas before a House panels Jeffrey Epstein investigation and taking the Fifth not answering questions.

[B]

We sincerely want to get to the truth, the American people and justice for the survivors. That's what this investigation is about.

[A]

House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer had hoped Maxwell's testimony could provide key information. Former President Clinton and Hillary Clinton are scheduled for a deposition later this month in Britain. Police are now looking into claims that the former Prince Andrew sent confidential reports to Epstein, maintaining contact with the financier after Epstein became a convicted sex offender in 2008. There's been no word of any proof of life in the search for Nancy Guthrie. After another video from daughter Savannah and her siblings saying they'd received a message and were willing to pay. There have been reports of a $6 million ransom demand. It's day six nine of the search. It made it harder for fired federal workers to be reinstated under a proposal from the Office of Personnel Management that would end appealing to an independent agency.

[C]

The Merit Systems Protection Board acts as a mediator in disputes between federal employees and the agencies they work for. And since President Trump took office, cases have surged 266%. But under a plan from the administration, fired workers would instead appeal to the opm, the administration's HR office that reports to the president. The proposed comes days after the OPM announced a new rule last week reclassifying thousands of federal workers to at will and limiting protections from dismissal or other penalties.

[A]

Fox's Jared Halpern at the White House. A nearly month long nurses strike is ending at two major hospital systems in New York City with a tentative agreement announced today for about three quarters of the nurses who hit the picket lines over staffing, workplace safety and other issues. The walkout continues for now, though, at a third hospital. America's listening to FOX News. This is Ainsley Earhart. Thank you for joining me for the 52 episode podcast series the Life of.

[C]

Jesus, a listening experience that will provide hope, comfort and understanding of the greatest story ever told. Listen and follow [e-mail] or wherever you listen to podcasts.

[A]

Police in Rhode island released recordings made during the response to a deadly mass shooting in December.

[D]

Police body cam video shows a frenetic but dutiful response by officers searching for victims and a gunman inside a building at Brown University in Providence this past December.

[A]

Get every match you have.

[D]

We have multiple victims. Two people were killed and another nine injured. The gunman would be located days later dead of a self inflicted gunshot. Providence Mayor Brett Smiley says the dramatic footage won't likely impress many.

[B]

If there's one big outstanding question, it's why did these poor kids get targeted by someone? None of the camera footage will answer that question. And in fact, those questions may never be answered.

[D]

Eben Brown, FOX News.

[A]

The Brown shooter also killed an MIT professor in his Massachusetts. Opening statements begin in the first of several landmark cases against the world's biggest social media companies. In California, Instagram, parent meta and Google's YouTube face claims their platforms deliberately addict and harm children. A grocery giant gets a new leader.

[B]

Kroger has a new CEO, Greg Foran, who ran Walmart's US operations from 2014-19. He then was CEO of Air New Zealand. At Walmart, he's credited with stepping up digital ordering and introducing online ordering and pickup. Kroger is parent company of many supermarket chains, including Ralph's, Fred Meyer, Dillon's, Metro Market, Food 4 Less and others. Foran was born in New Zealand, where he started his career as a shelf stacker at Woolworths at age 17.

[A]

Fox's Jenny Cosola. Kroger's been searching for more than a year since the previous CEO stepped down. Stocks turning mixed. Right now, the Dow's down 3.32points but still over 50k. The S& P in the green. The Nasdaq is up to 35. And Lisa Brady, this is FOX NEWS.