Fox News Hourly Update – April 3, 2026
Episode: The Latest Big Jobs Numbers Are In
Host: Chris Foster (FOX News Podcasts)
Theme: A rapid-fire update covering the March jobs report, US foreign policy developments, government budget priorities, immigration news, and a high-profile legal case in entertainment.
Main Theme & Purpose
This episode centers on the unexpectedly positive March jobs report from the Labor Department, while also updating listeners on escalating US-Iran tensions, President Trump’s sweeping defense budget request, controversial ICE operations and lawsuits, and a significant update in the Blake Lively vs. Justin Baldoni lawsuit. The tone is fast-paced, fact-driven, and covers both domestic and international headlines.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. March Jobs Report: Surprising Strength
- Report Announcement
- 178,000 jobs were created in March, “triple the number expected.”
- The unemployment rate fell to 4.3%.
- Key sectors with job gains: health care, construction, transportation, and warehousing.
- Federal government jobs decreased.
- February’s weak report was blamed on “healthcare strikes in California and Hawaii” and “repeated winter storms.”
“Hiring's up. ... The March jobs report is released by the Labor Department and it's stronger than most economists expected after a big drop the month before.”
— Chris Foster [00:03] - Workforce Participation Concerns
- Workforce participation rate slipped to 61.9%, lowest in 4.5 years.
“People not working or looking for work are not figured into the unemployment rate.”
— Chris Foster [00:37]
2. US-Iran Tensions and Military Spending
- Strait of Hormuz & Military Escalation
- President Trump on Truth Social: Suggests reopening the Strait of Hormuz and “taking the oil.”
- US airstrikes destroyed a bridge in Iran — “the first time” US forces have targeted civilian infrastructure; justified as a supply route.
“All parties appear to be on a path towards escalation rather than negotiation.”
— Jonathan Hunt [00:55] - Defense Budget Request
- $1.5 trillion defense budget request—44% increase, both for wartime needs and “presidential fund” projects.
“Trump administration is asking Congress to approve a one and a half trillion dollar defense budget, a 44% annual increase.”
— Chris Foster [01:21]- Non-defense programs: Proposed $73 billion (10%) cut, targeting what the administration calls “woke weaponized and wasteful programs.”
- Additional spending: $4B for air traffic control, $10B for construction/beautification in D.C.
“A president's annual budget is not law and largely serves as a priority list as Congress begins the process of drafting and passing spending bills.”
— Jared Halpern [01:28]
3. Immigration Enforcement and Legal Actions
- Salah Sarsour Detention
- Muslim leader in Michigan, Salah Sarsour, in ICE custody.
- Convicted of violent acts against Israeli forces; allegedly lied on his green card application.
- Supporters claim targeting is due to his activism.
“A crowd rallied in support of Sarsour, claiming that he was targeted for speaking out against Israel and that he's been a lawful permanent resident in the U.S. for over 32 years.”
— Brooke Taylor [02:34] - Minneapolis ICE Operations Lawsuits
- ACLU and others allege ICE violated Fourth Amendment rights by entering homes with administrative rather than judicial warrants.
- DHS responds, affirming “full due process” for those served.
“It just seems unthinkable that the government would try and have this kind of power grab.”
— Jenny Cassol [03:24]
“The lawsuit also accuses DHS of deliberately hiding the policy.”
— Terry Nelson [03:30]
4. High-Profile Legal Update: Blake Lively v. Justin Baldoni
- Case Narrowed Before Trial
- Judge dismissed 10 of 13 claims, including sexual harassment, defamation, and conspiracy.
- Remaining claims: breach of contract, retaliation, and aiding/abetting retaliation.
- Reasons: Court found Lively was an independent contractor, not an employee, affecting harassment claims.
“The sexual harassment allegations were dismissed because the court determined Lively was an independent contractor, not an employee.”
— Chanley Painter [03:55]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On Jobs Numbers:
“There were 178,000 new jobs created in March, triple the number expected. And the unemployment rate declined to 4.3% in March.”
— Jenny Cassol [00:11] -
On Military Escalation:
“The destruction of that bridge in Iran by US Forces is the first time that we are aware of that the US has targeted civilian infrastructure, albeit US Officials saying it would have been used as a military supply route.”
— Jonathan Hunt [00:55] -
On Congressional Budget Dynamics:
“A president's annual budget is not law and largely serves as a priority list as Congress begins the process of drafting and passing spending bills.”
— Jared Halpern [01:28] -
On ICE Lawsuits:
“It just seems unthinkable that the government would try and have this kind of power grab.”
— Jenny Cassol [03:24]
Timestamps for Important Segments
- Jobs Report & Economic Commentary: 00:03 – 00:37
- US-Iran Escalation & Defense Budget: 00:37 – 01:49
- Proposed Domestic Spending Cuts/Projects: 01:49 – 01:58
- Salah Sarsour ICE Detention: 02:31 – 03:01
- Minneapolis ICE Lawsuits: 03:01 – 03:48
- Blake Lively v. Justin Baldoni Case Update: 03:48 – 04:25
Brief Takeaway
This news update podcast delivers a brisk, headline-driven overview of unexpected economic vigor, an intensifying US-Iran conflict, substantial proposed shifts in federal spending, controversial immigration enforcement actions, and a narrowing celebrity lawsuit, providing listeners with key facts, quotes, and context for major national news stories as of April 3, 2026.