Fox News Hourly Update — 11AM ET 01/02/2026
Date: January 2, 2026
Host: FOX News Podcasts
Theme: The latest headlines from around the world, with a focus on international crises, U.S. politics, healthcare changes, and sports highlights.
Main Stories & Key Insights
1. Swiss Alps Bar Fire Tragedy
Timestamps: 00:02–00:50
- Incident: A devastating fire erupted at a bar in the Swiss Alps shortly after New Year’s celebrations began.
- Cause: Officials believe the blaze started from champagne bottles with sparklers igniting the ceiling, which then set off gas explosions.
- Quote: “Fire started from champagne bottles with sparklers which caught the ceiling on fire, then triggered gas explosions.”
— FOX Reporter (00:14)
- Casualties: At least 40 people are confirmed dead amid the frantic attempt to flee.
- Victims’ Nationalities: The deceased and injured include Swiss, French, Italian, Serbian, Bosnian, Polish, Belgian, and Portuguese citizens. No word yet on Americans affected.
- Identification Efforts: Severe burns are hampering identification, with authorities using DNA and dental records.
- Community Response: The local town mourned with flowers and candles. The injured count has climbed to 119.
- Quote: “Due to the severity of the burns, it will take time to identify them. They are using DNA and dental records.”
— FOX Correspondent Stephanie Bennett (00:26)
- Quote: “Due to the severity of the burns, it will take time to identify them. They are using DNA and dental records.”
2. Earthquake in Mexico
Timestamps: 00:50–01:05
- Event: A 6.5 magnitude earthquake hit near Acapulco, rattling residents as far away as Mexico City.
- Immediate Impact: Panic-led evacuations but, as of report time, no major damages.
- Quote: “Some fled buildings in fear from Acapulco, near where the 6.5 magnitude quake was centered, to Mexico City.”
— Host Dave Anthony (00:50)
3. U.S.–Iran Tensions and President Trump’s Public Statements
Timestamps: 01:05–01:40
- Trump’s Warning to Iran: In response to Iranian crackdowns on protesters, former President Trump posted on Truth Social:
- Quote: “If Iran shoots and violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue. We are locked and loaded and ready to go.”
— Read by Lucas Tomlinson (01:05)
- Quote: “If Iran shoots and violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue. We are locked and loaded and ready to go.”
- Iranian Protests: Sixth day of protests in Iran, fueled by economic discontent; at least 7 reported dead.
- Iranian officials warn that U.S. interference would bring “chaos and destruction of American interests in the region.”
- On Trump’s Health: Trump asserts he’s in “perfect health” per White House doctors, despite media questioning.
- Quote: “President Trump says he sometimes just closes his eyes to relax and pictures catch him blinking.”
— Jared Halpert (01:56)
- Quote: “President Trump says he sometimes just closes his eyes to relax and pictures catch him blinking.”
4. Changes to U.S. Healthcare Costs
Timestamps: 02:16–03:10
- Obamacare Subsidies: Certain tax subsidies created during the pandemic have expired as of the new year, likely raising costs for millions.
- Medicare Savings: Some Medicare Part D enrollees will pay less for 10 chronic condition drugs due to the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act.
- Affected Medications: Includes Eliquis and Stelara, benefiting about 9 million Americans.
- Quote: “Medicare Part D enrollees will be paying less for 10 medications…The drugs are used by almost 9 million Americans.”
— Ryan Schmelz (02:32)
- Quote: “Medicare Part D enrollees will be paying less for 10 medications…The drugs are used by almost 9 million Americans.”
- Projected Savings: $1.5 billion annually overall, with seniors’ cost share expected to drop by about 50%.
- Affected Medications: Includes Eliquis and Stelara, benefiting about 9 million Americans.
5. Sports Update: College Football and NHL Winter Classic
Timestamps: 03:10–03:57
- College Football: Four additional bowl games scheduled today.
- NHL Winter Classic:
- Tonight, the Florida Panthers host the New York Rangers outdoors at Miami’s Lone Depot Park in warm weather (60s°F).
- This is the first of two outdoor NHL games in Florida this season.
- NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman (on logistics):
Quote: “With the experience we’ve had with our ice making crews, what hockey operations does, we think we can do this and make it a huge success.”
(03:47) - Second outdoor game: Tampa Bay Lightning vs Boston Bruins on Feb 1 at Raymond James Stadium.
6. Market Recap
Timestamps: 04:00–end
- Stock Market Start to 2026:
- Dow Jones: Up 56 points after a strong 2025 (+13%)
- NASDAQ: Down 61, after a 20% rise last year
Memorable Quotes & Moments
- Stephanie Bennett (Swiss fire, 00:26): “Due to the severity of the burns, it will take time to identify them. They are using DNA and dental records.”
- Former President Trump (01:05, via Lucas Tomlinson): “We are locked and loaded and ready to go.”
- Jared Halpert (on Trump’s health, 01:56): “President Trump says he sometimes just closes his eyes to relax and pictures catch him blinking.”
- Ryan Schmelz (Medicare savings, 02:32): “Medicare Part D enrollees will be paying less for 10 medications...used by almost 9 million Americans.”
- Gary Bettman (NHL, 03:47): “We think we can do this and make it a huge success.”
Additional Notes
- The newscast maintained a factual, urgent tone characteristic of rapid radio updates, focusing on clarity and succinctness.
- Advertisements and podcast promos (02:00–02:16) were omitted as per instructions.
Summary prepared for listeners seeking a comprehensive overview of this Fox News Hourly Update, January 2, 2026, 11AM ET.