11PM ET 01/12/2026 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update — 11PM ET, January 12, 2026

Main Theme:
This episode delivers concise, up-to-date coverage on major international and national news stories, focusing on ongoing political unrest in Iran, US domestic legal controversies, a major civil lawsuit concerning immigration enforcement, public safety crises, tech regulation abroad, and AI-related crackdowns.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Iranian Protests and International Response

• Escalating Unrest and Casualties:

  • Lisa Licera reports that the death toll during weeks of anti-regime protests in Iran is nearing 650.
    • “Hundreds of demonstrators dead in Iran. The number of dead nearing 650 during the weeks of protests as the country's exiled crown prince predicts the regime is about to fall.” (00:03)

• Exiled Royalty Predicts Regime's Downfall:

  • Sean Hannity recaps his interview with Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, who believes the Iranian regime’s days are numbered.
    • “Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi told fox's Sean Hannity Monday he believes the time left for the fundamentalist Islamic regime there is now limited.” (00:16)
  • Reza Pahlavi asserts:
    • “This is the beginning of the end of the regime that is hoping to buy some time. They know they're on their way down.” (00:26)

• US Response—No Military Action Needed:

  • Sean Hannity notes President Trump’s threats of US military action if crackdown continues.
  • Reza Pahlavi responds that US boots on the ground are not needed:
    • “I think this is where the people on the streets are saying, look, we are the boots on the ground. We don't need any American boots on the ground.” (00:44)
  • Hannity provides historical context about the fall of the Shah in 1979. (00:51)

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2. US-Based Incident Linked to Iran Protests

• Lisa Licera and Kevin Yaretsky report on a man (Kalore Madanisht) who allegedly drove a U-Haul into a pro-regime-change protest and was subsequently released:

  • “Police arrested 48 year old Kalore Madanisht for reckless driving. Once stopped, they had to protect him from the crowd now on the side of his truck. He had posted messages opposing the current Iranian regime. But he also opposed a return to the days of the shah and that angered some of the crowd who carried pictures of the shah.” (01:03)

• The driver has not yet been officially charged. (01:24)

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3. Domestic Legal & Political News

• Immigration Enforcement Lawsuits:
  • "The state of Minnesota and the Twin Cities have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration over the surge of ICE agents in the state. Illinois has filed a similar lawsuit." (01:24)
  • Acting ICE Director Todd Lyon insists ICE is acting within the law.
• Upcoming Congressional Testimony:
  • Former Special Counsel Jack Smith, who brought two now-dropped criminal cases against Donald Trump, is scheduled to testify publicly before the House Judiciary Committee on January 22. (01:24)

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4. Crime & Legal Proceedings

• Double Murder Extradition:
  • Lisa Licera and Michael McKee (reporter) give updates on Michael McKee, who is being extradited to Ohio to face charges for the fatal shooting of his ex-wife and her new husband:
    • “Michael McKee was arrested in Illinois over the weekend for the shooting deaths last month of 39 year old Monique Tepe, McKee's ex wife, and her new husband, 37 year old Spencer Tepe, inside the couple's home in Columbus, their two young children not injured...” (02:36)
  • McKee waived his right to an extradition hearing and is expected to plead not guilty. (02:36)

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5. Regional Public Safety

• El Paso Water Crisis:
  • More than 100,000 people in El Paso, Texas are experiencing little or no water after a major main break. Boil water notices and water distribution sites are being set up as repairs may take days. (03:14)

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6. Tech & Regulation

• Meta’s Response to Australia’s Child Social Media Ban:

  • Lisa Licera and Jonathan Savage report Meta has blocked over half a million accounts after Australia banned social media for anyone under 16.
    • “Meta reports, shutting down 330,000 Australian Instagram accounts, plus 173,000 on Facebook and almost 40,000 on Threads. Last month, Australia banned social media for anyone under the age of 16 in order to protect children from harmful content and algorithms.” (03:35)
  • Meta opposes the ban, urging government collaboration and advocating for parental choice. (03:35)

• Grok AI Banned in Southeast Asia:

  • Malaysia and Indonesia have become the first countries to block Elon Musk’s Grok AI chatbot, citing concerns over AI-generated sexual images of children and demanding stronger safeguards. (04:10)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Reza Pahlavi on Iranian Protests (00:26):
  • “This is the beginning of the end of the regime that is hoping to buy some time. They know they're on their way down.”
• Reza Pahlavi on Non-Intervention (00:44):
  • “We are the boots on the ground. We don't need any American boots on the ground.”
• Meta on Social Media Bans (03:35):
  • “Meta opposes the ban. It's calling for the Australian government to work with the industry to make online spaces safer, and it wants parents to have the final say...”

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Iran Protest Death Toll Update & Crown Prince Interview: 00:03 – 00:51
• U-Haul Incident at Iranian Protest in US: 01:03 – 01:24
• Minnesota/Illinois Lawsuits Against ICE Surge: 01:24
• Jack Smith Set to Testify Before Congress: 01:24
• Ohio Double Murder Extradition: 02:31 – 03:14
• El Paso Water Emergency: 03:14 – 03:35
• Meta Blocks Over 500k Accounts Following Australia Ban: 03:35 – 04:10
• Malaysia & Indonesia Block Grok AI Amid Abuse Concerns: 04:10 – 04:29

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Overall Tone:
Direct and factual reporting with brief expert and eyewitness commentary, focused on breaking developments and the implications for US audiences. The episode is urgent and global in its outlook, with a particular focus on public safety, democratic reform, legal processes, and technological responsibility.

Transcript

[Lisa Licera]

Hundreds of demonstrators dead in Iran. I'm Lisa Licera, FOX News. The number of dead nearing 650 during the weeks of protests as the country's exiled crown prince predicts the regime is about to fall.

[Sean Hannity]

As protests continue in Iran, Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi told fox's Sean Hannity Monday he believes the time left for the fundamentalist Islamic regime there is is now limited.

[Reza Pahlavi]

This is the beginning of the end of the regime that is hoping to buy some time. They know they're on their way down.

[Sean Hannity]

President Trump has threatened the Iranian government with US Military action if the reported killing of protesters continues. However, the crown prince says that's not necessary.

[Reza Pahlavi]

I think this is where the people on the streets are saying, look, we are the boots on the ground. We don't need any American boots on the ground.

[Sean Hannity]

The prince's father was the final shah of Iran who fled the country in January of 1979.

[Lisa Licera]

Foxes Kevin Yaretsky, a man accused of driving a U Haul into a protest in support of regime change in Iran has been released.

[Kevin Yaretsky]

Police arrested 48 year old Kalore Madanisht for reckless driving. Once stopped, they had to protect him from the crowd now on the side of his truck. He had posted messages opposing the current Iranian regime. But he also opposed a return to the days of the shah and that angered some of the crowd who carried pictures of the shah.

[Lisa Licera]

Fox's William Lajeunesse, the driver of the truck, has not yet been officially charged. The state of Minnesota and the Twin Cities have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration over the surge of ICE agents in the state. Illinois has filed a similar lawsuit. Acting ICE director Todd Lyon says ICE is acting within the law. The House Judiciary Committee says former special counsel Jack Smith, who brought two now dropped criminal cases against President Trump, would give public testimony before the committee January 22nd. America is listening to Fox News.

[LegalZoom Announcer]

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[Lisa Licera]

A man accused in the double murder of his ex wife and her husband is being extradited to Ohio.

[Michael McKee Reporter]

Michael McKee was arrested in Illinois over the weekend for the shooting deaths Last month of 39 year old Monique Tepe, McKee's ex wife, and her new husband, 37 year old Spencer Tepe, inside the couple's home In Columbus, their two young children not injured in court in Winnebago County, Illinois, McKee waving his right to an extradition hearing. His attorney also requested a speedy return to Ohio to plead not guilty in the case for which McKee's charged with two counts of murder. Court records show McKee and Monique Tepe divorced in 2017. Jeff Manasso, Fox News More than 100,000.

[Lisa Licera]

People in El Paso, Texas have little or no water after a main break over the weekend, and officials say it could take days for operations to return to normal. A boil water notice has been in place for those who still have water, and water distribution centers have been set up for those who need it. Meta says it has blocked half a million accounts since Australia banned social media for kids.

[Jonathan Savage]

Meta reports, shutting down 330,000 Australian Instagram accounts, plus 173,000 on Facebook and almost 40,000 on Threads. Last month, Australia banned social media for anyone under the age of 16 in order to protect children from harmful content and algorithms. Meta opposes the band. It's calling for the Australian government to work with the industry to make online spaces safer, and it wants parents to have the final say on whether kids should be able to access Internet platforms. Jonathan Savage, Fox News Malaysia and Indonesia.

[Lisa Licera]

Have become the first countries to block Elon Musk's Grok AI chatbot as concerns grow over its AI generated sexual images of children. Both countries are demanding stronger safeguards to prevent abuse. I'm Lisa Licera. This is Fox News.

[LegalZoom Announcer]

This is Ainsley Earhart. Thank you for joining me for the 52 episode podcast series the Life of.

[Michael McKee Reporter]

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.