1AM ET 12/31/2025 Newscast

Summary

Fox News Hourly Update – 1AM ET 12/31/2025 Newscast

Host: Sue Guzman, FOX News Podcasts
Date: December 31, 2025

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Episode Overview

This episode provides a concise roundup of late-breaking national and international news stories, focused on government action against fraud, a critical missing persons case, a significant state senate election result, developments in a deportation case attracting attention to Trump administration policy, a tragic train crash in Peru, and heightened security measures for New Year’s Eve celebrations in the US.

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Key News Highlights and Discussion Points

1. Minnesota Daycare Fraud Crackdown

• (00:04–00:57)
  • The Trump administration, responding to mounting allegations, initiates a crackdown on suspected daycare fraud in Minnesota.
  • Actions Taken:
    • Payment freeze: The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) suspends all child care payments to Minnesota.
    • "Defend the Spend" protocol: States requesting child care funds must now provide extensive justification—receipts or photo evidence before payments are made.
      • Matt Finn: “Care funds, we require a justification, receipt…” (00:35)
      • David Spunt: “…or photo evidence before we make a payment.” (00:38)
    • Minnesota’s governor, Tim Walz, is required to audit all daycare centers and report on inspections, attendance, and licensing.
    • Governor Walz defends his response, saying an audit due next month will yield more clarity.
  • Quote:
    “HHS is also demanding Minnesota Governor Tim Walz audit daycare centers for data, including inspections, attendance and licensing.” – Grinal Scott (00:40)

2. Discovery in Texas Missing Teen Case

• (00:57–01:35)
  • The search for Camilla Mendoza Olmos, a 19-year-old from San Antonio, ends with the discovery of a body believed to be hers.
  • Key Details:
    • Body found near Olmos’ home, alongside a missing firearm.
    • Initial findings suggest suicide, but the Medical Examiner will confirm.
  • Quotes:
    • Matt Finn: “This was a frantic search and now the Bexar county sheriff says investigators found a body while searching for missing 19 year old Camilla.” (01:06)
    • “Almost vanished after going on a walk around her neighborhood back on December 24th.” – Sue Guzman (01:35)

3. Iowa State Senate Special Election

• (01:35–01:58)
  • Democrat Renee Hartman wins a special election, keeping the Iowa Senate seat left vacant by the late Senator Claire Selsey in Democratic hands.
  • Significance: Prevents Republicans from reclaiming a two-thirds supermajority in the chamber.
  • Quote:
    “She beat Republican Lucas Lofton to win the seat representing parts of Des Moines suburbs…” – Sue Guzman (01:50)

4. Developments in High-Profile Deportation Case

• (02:58–03:53)
  • Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran man erroneously deported and now charged with human smuggling, is set to remain free pending legal proceedings, as per a new government court filing.
  • Developments:
    • Justice Department upgraded the priority of his case only after his mistaken deportation.
    • Abrego Garcia and his lawyers deny allegations of gang membership and plead not guilty.
  • Highlights:
    • “A government court filing Tuesday claims that Kilmar Abrego Garcia will not be taken into custody again…” (03:12)
    • “He also denies the Trump administration claim that he's a member of the MS-13 gang.” – Kevin Yuretsky (03:53)

5. Peru Machu Picchu Train Crash

• (03:53–04:15)
  • Two tourist trains collide en route to Machu Picchu, resulting in one death (a railroad worker) and about 30 injuries.
  • Quote:
    “Local police department confirming that the person killed was a railroad worker.” – Sue Guzman (03:58)

6. New Year’s Eve Security Measures Nationwide

• (04:15–04:51)
  • US cities, especially New York, Boston, and San Francisco, ramp up security for upcoming New Year’s Eve events.
  • Collaboration across FBI, Secret Service, police, and sheriff’s departments in light of a recently foiled bombing plot in California.
  • Context:
    Four suspects belonged to a far-left antigovernment group, allegedly planning New Year's Eve bomb attacks.
  • Quote:
    “Officials in Manhattan held a news conference to brief the public on public safety. Now the FBI, Secret Service, police and sheriff's departments across the country are paying close attention to the next few days.” – David Spunt (04:23)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• HHS Protocol:
  “Care funds, we require a justification, receipt…” – Matt Finn (00:35)
  “…or photo evidence before we make a payment.” – David Spunt (00:38)

• Public Safety for NYE:
  “Officials in Manhattan held a news conference to brief the public on public safety. Now the FBI, Secret Service, police and sheriff's departments across the country are paying close attention to the next few days.” – David Spunt (04:23)

• On Daycare Fraud:
  “HHS is also demanding Minnesota Governor Tim Walz audit daycare centers for data, including inspections, attendance and licensing.” – Grinal Scott (00:40)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• Minnesota daycare fraud crackdown: 00:04–00:57
• Discovery in Texas missing teen case: 00:57–01:35
• Iowa State Senate election result: 01:35–01:58
• Kilmar Abrego Garcia deportation case: 02:58–03:53
• Peru train crash near Machu Picchu: 03:53–04:15
• US NYE security preparations: 04:15–04:51

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Tone:
The reporting maintains FOX News' brisk, matter-of-fact news delivery style, focusing on essential details, official statements, and implications—ideal for listeners seeking a rapid, authoritative news summary.

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Summary prepared for listeners seeking a comprehensive, accessible update on the December 31st, 2025, 1AM ET FOX News Hourly Update.

Transcript

[Narrator]

Foreign.

[Sue Guzman]

I'm Sue Guzman, Fox News. The Trump administration is taking steps aimed at cracking down on fraud in Minnesota as allegations continue to pile up.

[Grinal Scott]

Allegations of daycare fraud in Minnesota has led to increased national scrutiny of how federal dollars are spent. In a video posted to social media, HHS Deputy Secretary Jim o' Neill announced the freeze of all child care payments to Minnesota. The HHS defend the spend protocol has also been activated. That means when any state requests child.

[Matt Finn]

Care funds, we require a justification, receipt.

[David Spunt]

Or photo evidence before we make a payment.

[Grinal Scott]

HHS is also demanding Minnesota Governor Tim Walz audit daycare centers for data, including inspections, attendance and licensing. Governor Walz has defended his response to fraud allegations and says an audit due next month will give a better picture of what's transpired. Grinal Scott, Fox News.

[Sue Guzman]

Texas police have discovered a body as part of its search for missing teenager Camilla Mendoza Olmos. Fox's Matt Finn with the latest on the investigation.

[Matt Finn]

This was a frantic search and now the Bexar county sheriff says investigators found a body while searching for missing 19 year old Camilla. The body was found in a tall grass area just a few hundred yards from Camilla's San Antonio home and family members. Missing gun was found nearby. The sheriff told a reporter appears to be the body of Camill, who allegedly had suicidal thoughts. But the sheriff says the medical examiner's office will confirm the identity of the body and manner of death.

[Sue Guzman]

Almost vanished after going on a walk around her neighborhood back on December 24th. And Democrat Renee Hartman was elected to the Iowa State Senate Tuesday in a holiday week special election, denying Republicans bid to reclaim two thirds control of the chamber. She beat Republican Lucas Lofton to win the seat representing parts of Des Moines suburbs that open up with the passing of Democrat state Senator Claire Selsey.

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[Sue Guzman]

SimpliSafe. It is a case that has prompted discussion about the Trump administration's deportation policies. And it now appears that Kilmar Abrego Garcia will likely remain free for.

[Narrator]

Now. A government court filing Tuesday claims that Kilmar Abrego Garcia will not be taken into custody again while this case plays out as long as a judge's order preventing that remains in place. This was the second major development in the case of the Salvadoran Tuesday. Earlier in the day, an unsealed order showed that the Justice Department considered Abrego Garcia's indictment a top priority, but only after he was mistakenly deported and then returned to the US Abrego Garcia has pleaded not guilty to federal human smuggling charges in Tennessee. He also denies the Trump administration claim that he's a member of of the MS.13 gang. Kevin Yuretsky, Fox.

[Sue Guzman]

News. Two trains taking tourists to Peru's famed Machu Picchu crash today, killing at least one person and injuring approximately 30 passengers. Local police department confirming that the person killed was a railroad worker. Counting down to 2026. And several cities are ramping up security ahead of New Year's Eve celebrations. Here's fox's David.

[David Spunt]

Spunt. Officials from Boston to New York to San Francisco and also cities large and across the country paying close attention always. But even more during big events like this week's New Year celebrations. Officials in Manhattan held a news conference to brief the public on public safety. Now the FBI, Secret Service, police and sheriff's departments across the country are paying close attention to the next few days. In particular, just this month, a couple of weeks ago, the FBI announced a foiled plot in California where suspects allegedly planned to plant bombs to go off on New Year's Eve at several communities in Southern.

[Sue Guzman]

California. Federal officials say the four suspects part of a far left antigovernment group. I'm Sue Guzman. This is FOX News. This is Ainsley Earhart. Thank you for joining me for the 52 episode podcast series the Life.

[David Spunt]

Of 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.