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Fox News Hourly Update: 1AM ET 01/01/2026 Newscast

Podcast: Fox News Hourly Update
Date: January 1, 2026
Host: Sue Guzman
Duration: ~4:45 minutes of news content

Overview

This hourly newscast delivers fast-paced updates on major headlines from the early hours of January 1, 2026. The episode covers heightened New Year’s Eve security in New York City, a congressional probe into an alleged $1 billion fraud in Minnesota, President Trump’s policy shift on National Guard deployments, new U.S. sanctions against Venezuelan oil firms, a massive German bank heist, and diplomatic tensions leading to travel bans on Americans in West Africa.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. New Year’s Eve Security in Times Square (00:03–00:46)

Main Points:
- NYPD employs tight security, including federal partners, drones, bomb squads, K9 units, and beefed-up subway patrols.
- Measures are precautionary; there is no specific threat.
- Expectation of large crowds from across the globe, despite cold temperatures.
Notable Quote:
- “NYPD says there are no credible threats, but they are prepared for everything. People have to be ready to stand outside for hours.” — Alexis McAdams reporting (00:38)

2. Congressional Hearing on Minnesota Fraud Case (00:46–01:40)

Main Points:
- The House Oversight Committee will hold hearings on an alleged massive social services fraud in Minnesota.
- Potentially over $1 billion stolen; Governor Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison under scrutiny.
- Congressman Tom Emmer calls for denaturalization and deportation of convicted Somali fraudsters.
- Gov. Walz denies wrongdoing, asserting active efforts to combat fraud.
Notable Quote:
- “Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison have either been asleep at the wheel or complicit in a massive fraud involving taxpayer dollars…” — Chairman James Comer (01:10)
- “American taxpayers demand and deserve accountability for the theft of their hard-earned money.” — Chairman James Comer (01:20)

3. President Trump Withdraws National Guard from Major Cities (01:40–02:00)

Main Points:
- Trump ends efforts to keep National Guard in Chicago, Los Angeles, and Portland after legal setbacks.
- Indicates troops may return if crime rates rise.
Notable Quote:
- “He says troops will return though, if crime begins to soar in those areas again.” — Sue Guzman (01:57)

4. U.S. Sanctions against Venezuelan Oil Companies & Anti-Narcotics Strikes (02:40–03:28)

Main Points:
- US Treasury announces sanctions on four Venezuelan oil firms, citing alleged drug trafficking links.
- U.S. Southern Command reports three strikes on “narco trafficking” boats; three suspected traffickers killed.
Notable Quote:
- “They acted as a convoy transferring narcotics between the vessels prior to the strikes… three narco terrorists aboard the first vessel were killed.” (03:18)

5. Massive Bank Heist in Germany (03:28–04:10)

Report by: Stephanie Bennett
Main Points:
- Over 2,700 customers impacted; more than 3,000 safety deposit boxes compromised.
- Stolen valuables estimated between $11–$105 million.
- Thieves drilled a hole in the bank wall; fire alarm initially alerted authorities.
- Most deposit boxes insured for only ~$12,000; customers encouraged to have sought extra private insurance.
Notable Quote:
- “They didn’t find a fire, but a massive hole in the wall and the vault was ransacked.” — Stephanie Bennett (03:50)

6. West African Nations Ban US Citizens Following US Travel Restrictions (04:10–04:36)

Main Points:
- Mali and Burkina Faso prohibit entry of American citizens in response to expanded US travel bans.
- Move is described as a diplomatic tit-for-tat during rising US–West Africa tensions.
Notable Quote:
- “Mali and Burkina Faso making the move in response to the Trump administration’s recent expansion of travel restrictions…” — Sue Guzman (04:28)

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

“NYPD says there are no credible threats, but they are prepared for everything.” — Alexis McAdams (00:38)
“Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison have either been asleep at the wheel or complicit…” — Chairman James Comer (01:10)
“He says troops will return though, if crime begins to soar in those areas again.” — Sue Guzman (01:57)
“...the vault was ransacked.” — Stephanie Bennett (03:50)
“Mali and Burkina Faso making the move in response to the Trump administration’s recent expansion of travel restrictions…” — Sue Guzman (04:28)

Detailed Timestamps for Major Segments

00:03 — Times Square security updates for New Year’s Eve
00:46 — Minnesota $1B fraud investigation and Oversight Committee hearings
01:40 — Trump withdraws National Guard troops from select U.S. cities
02:40 — U.S. sanctions on Venezuelan oil companies; anti-smuggling operations
03:28 — German bank heist impacts thousands of customers
04:10 — African nations ban Americans in response to U.S. policies

Tone and Style

The episode maintains FOX News’ signature brisk, authoritative delivery, balancing urgent national security updates with crisp international headlines and pointed political coverage.

For more details, listen to the full FOX News Hourly Update for January 1, 2026.

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Transcript10 lines

[00:03]
A
WELCOMING In 2026, I'm Sue Guzman. FOX News and cold temps, tight security along with a massive crowd. All in the mix to ring in the new year. In New York City's Times Square, NYPD.
[00:15]
B
Is working to enhance safety and security measures. They're also bringing in federal partners as well. Not because of a specific threat that's important to point out, but because of the massive crowd size. You just can't get around it. A lot of people coming from all over the country and all around the world. Drones are going to be in the sky to keep an eye from AB. We have bomb squads on the ground, the K9 units we saw walk by and the security in the underground subway systems, which is always top of mind at this point. NYPD says there are no credible threats, but they are prepared for everything. People have to be ready to stand outside for hours.
[00:47]
A
Fox's Alexis McAdams reporting. Congress investigating reports of a continuing massive fraud scheme in Minnesota, responsible, some say for the theft of more than a billion dollars in money allocated for social services. The latest from fox's Rich ads.
[01:01]
C
The House Oversight Committee has just announced it's holding hearings on the Minnesota fraud cases beginning next week. Chairman James Comer said in a statement that, quote, minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison have either been asleep at the wheel or complicit in a massive fraud involving taxpayer dollars in Minnesota social services programs. American taxpayers demand and deserve accountability for the theft of their hard earned money. The committee says it has invited Governor Waltz and Attorney General Ellison to testify at a hearing next month. Walsh has said his administration has investigated fraud for years. Minnesota Republican Congressman Tom Emmer is also calling to denaturalize and deport any Somalis convicted of fraud.
[01:41]
A
Governor Walz has denied any wrongdoing. And President Trump is dropping his efforts to keep National Guard troops in Chicago, Los Angeles and Portland, Oregon. This fall was several legal challenges to his effort. He says troops will return though, if crime begins to soar in those areas again. America is listening to FOX News.
[02:00]
D
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[02:40]
A
The US has issued fresh sanctions targeting four companies operating in Venezuela's oil sector. That's according to the treasury website. The Trump administration has ramped up pressure on the South American nation, accusing it of profiting from drug trafficking. And there have been, according to U.S. southern Command, three more strikes on alleged drug smuggling boats. He issued a statement saying the vessels were transiting along known narco trafficking routes and acted as a convoy transferring narcotics between the vessels prior to the strikes. It goes on to say three narco terrorists aboard the first vessel were killed. Customers at a German bank continue to voice their outrage after a massive bank heist in which millions of dollars in valuables were taken from safety deposit boxes. Thieves drilling a hole to get in. As we hear from Fox's Stephanie Bennett.
[03:28]
E
Police and bank officials say at least 2700 customers were impacted by this well, 200 angry customers gathered outside of the bank to demand answers from officials after more than 3,000 safety deposit boxes were broken into, making up more than 95% of the bank's inventory. Police say it's worth between 11 to 105 million dollars. German police say a fire alarm first alerted them to the bank shortly before 4am Monday. They didn't find a fire, but a massive hole in the wall and the vault was ransacked. Bank officials say each of those boxes is insured for only around $12,000. They say customers could have gotten extra insurance privately themselves.
[04:11]
A
No arrests have been made. Two West African nations now issuing simultaneous bans on American citizens. It's a diplomatic tit for tat move following heightened tensions with both the US And Europe. Molly and Burkina Faso making the move in response to the Trump administration's recent expansion of travel restrictions to more than 20 countries, including Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger. I'm Sue Cosmon. This is FOX News.
[04:37]
D
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