Fox News Hourly Update – 11PM ET 01/02/2026 Newscast

Host: Lisa Lacera (Fox News Podcasts)
Date: January 3, 2026
Episode Overview:
This episode delivers a fast-paced summary of top global and national news events, including a foiled terror plot in North Carolina, escalating protests in Iran, a deadly New Year’s Eve fire in Switzerland, significant leadership changes in Ukraine, new animal welfare legislation in Florida, and academic reforms in Greece.

Key News Segments & Discussion Points

1. Foiled Terror Plot in North Carolina

[00:02–00:50]

• Incident Details:

  • An 18-year-old North Carolina man, Christian Sturtevant, was arrested for plotting a New Year’s Eve attack on a supermarket and fast food restaurant in Mint Hill, Charlotte’s suburbs.
  • Police seized two butcher knives hidden under his bed and revealed he planned to use hammers in the attack.

• Plot Unraveled by Undercover Officers:

  • Sturtevant pledged support to ISIS in online communications, unaware he was corresponding with undercover law enforcement (NYPD and FBI).

• Criminal Charges:

  • Sturtevant charged with attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization.
  • He is due back in court the following week.

• Notable Quotes:

  • "According to federal investigators, Sturtevant pledged his support to ISIS online with someone who he thought was a member of ISIS, but it turns out that person was an undercover officer working with the NYPD in New York." – Christian Sturtevant segment [00:30]

2. Protests and Tensions Rising in Iran

[00:50–01:27]

• Background on Protests:

  • Protests, originating over Iran’s faltering economy, escalate; initially led by shopkeepers and merchants at Tehran’s Grand Bazaar, now including students, truckers, and bus drivers.

• Economic Crisis:

  • The Iranian currency has plummeted 40% since Israel’s 12-day war against Iran, supported by American military assets.

• International Response:

  • President Trump warns the Iranian regime on Truth Social, signaling that US forces are “locked and loaded and ready, ready to go.”
  • Iranian officials respond with threats against any foreign intervention.

• Notable Quotes:

  • "President Trump warning Iranian officials writing on Truth Social that if the regime kills protesters, the US Is locked and loaded and ready, ready to go." – Lisa Lacera [01:27]
  • "Any interventionist hand that gets too close to the security of Iran will be cut." – Advisor to Iran's Supreme Leader, summarized by Lisa Lacera [01:38]

3. Tragic New Year’s Eve Fire in Switzerland

[01:27–02:00]

• Incident Summary:
  • At least 40 people died, 119 injured in a fire at an Alpine bar during New Year’s Eve celebrations.
  • Swiss investigators believe sparklers on champagne bottles caused the blaze.

4. Ukraine Leadership Shakeup

[02:36–03:12]

• Key Changes:

  • President Zelenskyy replaces the chief of staff with General Kyrilo Budanov, a widely known military intelligence official.
  • Part of Zelenskyy’s broader focus on security issues amidst ongoing war and US-Russian calls for renewed Ukrainian elections.

• Context:

  • Previous chief of staff dismissed amid corruption investigations in the energy sector.
  • The new defense minister could be Mykhailo Fedorov, pending government approval.

• Notable Quotes:

  • "Budanov is considered a potential future presidential candidate as the US And Russia call for new elections in Ukraine." – Chris Foster [02:54]

5. Florida's New Animal Cruelty Law

[03:12–03:57]

• Dexter’s Law:

  • Establishes a searchable electronic database listing people charged with animal cruelty crimes in Florida, updating daily.
  • Intended to prevent individuals with a history of abuse from adopting pets.

• Origin and Purpose:

  • Named after a dog, Dexter, who was killed soon after adoption by an abuser.
  • Governor Ron DeSantis signed it into law in May 2025.

• Notable Quotes:

  • "Anybody charged with animal cruelty in the state of Florida, every day electronically, it updates and your name will go in there." – Lisa Lacera [03:50]
  • "The database is searchable so anyone can find out who’s been charged in the past." – Debbie Durino, animal advocate [03:57]

6. Academic Reform in Greece

[04:09–04:41]

• Major Overhaul:

  • Over 300,000 inactive students have been removed from university records, ending decades of flexible enrollment.

• Purpose and Response:

  • Officials claim it will improve educational planning and global rankings.
  • Critics argue it ignores disruptions from Greece’s financial crisis and punishes nontraditional students.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Undercover Policing in Terror Plots:
  “According to federal investigators, Sturtevant pledged his support to ISIS online with someone who he thought was a member of ISIS, but it turns out that person was an undercover officer..." – [00:30]

• On US Warning to Iran:
  “If the regime kills protesters, the US is locked and loaded and ready, ready to go.” – President Trump via Lisa Lacera [01:27]

• On Dexter’s Law in Florida:
  “Anybody charged with animal cruelty in the state of Florida, every day electronically, it updates and your name will go in there.” – Lisa Lacera [03:50]

Important Timestamps

• Terror plot in North Carolina: [00:02–00:50]
• Protests and war crisis in Iran: [00:50–01:38]
• Alpine bar fire in Switzerland: [01:27–02:00]
• Ukraine leadership changes: [02:36–03:12]
• Florida’s animal cruelty law: [03:12–03:57]
• Greek higher education reform: [04:09–04:41]

Episode Tone and Style

The delivery is brisk, factual, and direct, prioritizing rapid news updates with concise analysis and clear summarization of global and national developments. The use of direct quotes and distinct voices highlights the urgency and gravity of the stories, reflecting Fox News Radio’s signature style.