1PM ET 01/01/2026 Newscast

Summary

---

Fox News Hourly Update — 1PM ET 01/01/2026

Host: Paul Stevens (with Ainsley Earhart, Garrett Tenney, Rebecca Cast)
Date: January 1, 2026

---

Episode Overview

This newscast provides a concise update on breaking international and national stories as 2026 begins. The episode covers a devastating explosion in Switzerland, an alleged robbery with connections to federal funding scrutiny at a Minnesota daycare, reported violence in Russian-occupied Ukraine, America's dual New Year and semiquincentennial celebrations, and intensifying political pressures over the expiration of Affordable Care Act subsidies.

---

Key Discussion Points & In-Depth Coverage

1. Tragedy in the Swiss Alps — Bar Explosion

[00:02–00:51]

• Incident Details:
  • An explosion at Le Consolation Bar in Kronsmont, Switzerland, during a New Year’s celebration left dozens dead and over 100 injured.
  • Location: Heart of the Swiss Alps, 25 miles north of the Matterhorn.
  • Quick response: Ten helicopters and 40 ambulances dispatched.
• Investigation Status:
  • Officials caution it’s too early to determine the cause.
  • Attack ruled out: "Authorities ruled out an attack that happened around 1:30am local time." (Ainsley Earhart, 00:23)
  • Victims include many international visitors. Identities pending due to ongoing efforts to notify families.
• Community Impact:
  • The region is in shock, with emergency services fully mobilized.

2. Minnesota Daycare Robbery Amid Controversy

[00:51–01:33]

• Background:
  • A daycare center in Minnesota, previously flagged for potential misuse of over $1 million in federal funding, reports a break-in.
  • Surveillance footage reported: "owners...say surveillance cameras captured two men breaking into their business..." (Garrett Tenney, 01:05)
• Robbery Details:
  • Intruders allegedly cut through exterior and interior walls, accessed an office, and stole business records with personal data.
• Fraud Link Speculation:
  • Some suggest the incident might be a cover-up for previously alleged wrongdoing, as funding had already been frozen over fraud allegations.
  • "Some are suggesting it could be a cover up of wrongdoing." (Paul Stevens, 01:33)

3. Ukraine-Russia War: New Year Tragedy

[01:33–01:56]

• Claims:
  • Russian officials allege a Ukrainian drone strike killed at least 24 people in a Russian-occupied southern Ukrainian village during New Year’s festivities.
    • "Russian officials say Ukrainian drone strike killed at least 24..." (Paul Stevens, 01:34)
  • Ukrainian authorities have not commented; claims remain unverified.

4. U.S. New Year’s & America 250 Celebrations

[02:13–03:18]

• Times Square & D.C. Festivities:
  • Large crowds at Times Square witnessed the traditional ball drop, followed by a second drop a few minutes later to kick off America 250.
  • Celebrations included the projection of a birthday candle on the Washington Monument and fireworks.
    • "The ball that drops every new year in Times Square is going to drop for a second time on the 3rd of July..." (Paul Stevens, 03:09)
• Significance:
  • The dual celebrations are part of a months-long lead-up to the nation’s 250th birthday on July 4, 2026.

5. Healthcare Subsidies Expire — Political Fallout

[03:18–04:01]

• Affordable Care Act Subsidies:
  • Subsidies expired at the New Year after a political impasse.
  • "Subsidies are the reason Democrats shut down the government in October, but lawmakers still couldn't reach a deal before this new year's deadline." (Rebecca Cast, 03:23)
• Political Pressure:
  • Republicans face mounting pressure to address healthcare before the midterms.
  • Democrats aim to extend Obamacare subsidies; Republicans claim the system is rife with fraud and demand reforms.
  • President’s stance: Direct aid to patients, not insurance companies.
    • Quote: "No more money to fat cat insurance companies. The money must go directly to the people to buy their own health care." (Rebecca Cast, paraphrasing president, 03:49)
• Next Steps:
  • Another Congressional vote is expected later in January.

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Swiss Explosion:
  • "Authorities ruled out an attack that happened around 1:30am local time."
    — Ainsley Earhart, [00:23]
• On the Daycare Break-In:
  • "Owners of Nokomis daycare say surveillance cameras captured two men breaking into their business, claiming they cut through an outside cinder block wall, crawled through an interior wall..."
    — Garrett Tenney, [01:05]
• On Healthcare Subsidies Debate:
  • "No more money to fat cat insurance companies. The money must go directly to the people to buy their own health care."
    — President (via Rebecca Cast), [03:49]
• On America 250:
  • "The ball that drops every new year in Times Square is going to drop for a second time on the 3rd of July..."
    — Paul Stevens, [03:09]

---

Important Segment Timestamps

• Swiss Bar Explosion: [00:02–00:51]
• Minnesota Daycare Robbery: [00:51–01:33]
• Ukraine Drone Strike Claims: [01:33–01:56]
• America 250 & NYE Celebrations: [02:13–03:18]
• Healthcare Subsidies Debate: [03:18–04:01]

---

Tone & Style

The episode maintains a straightforward, brisk delivery, characteristic of Fox News hourly updates—prioritizing clarity, urgency, and factual reporting on evolving stories.

---

Transcript

[Paul Stevens]

A tragedy in Switzerland. I'm Paul Stevens, FOX News. An explosion in a Swiss bar leaves dozens dead, over 100 others injured. This at a New Year's party.

[Ainsley Earhart]

Officials say it's still too early to determine the cause of this fire and the blast. The community, of course, is in the heart of the Swiss Alps, just 25 miles north of the Matterhorn. Ten helicopters and 40ambulances rushed to the scene after police say a blast, then fire broke out at Le Consolation Bar in Kronsmont. Authorities ruled out an attack that happened around 1:30am local time. Swiss authorities haven't released an exact number yet, but say several dozen are feared dead and around 100 more injured, many of which were visiting from other countries. Work is now underway to identify the victims and inform their families, which police say will take some time.

[Paul Stevens]

Fox's Stephanie Ben @ a daycare in Minnesota says it was robbed recently. Fox's Garrett Tenney in Chicago this.

[Garrett Tenney]

Particular daycare center was not featured in Nick Shirley's viral video, but it is one of the dozens flagged to state investigators earlier this year for receiving more than a million dollars in federal funding. Despite having multiple and repeated violations on record. The owners of Nokomis daycare say surveillance cameras captured two men breaking into their business, claiming they cut through an outside cinder block wall, crawled through an interior wall and busted their way in before getting into an office and stealing business records, including personal information of who attends the daycare. While the Minneapolis police are investigating this reported break in, some are suggesting it could be a cover up of.

[Paul Stevens]

Wrongdoing. This coming just a the federal government froze some funding intended for various programs in Minnesota due to allegations of fraud. Russian officials say Ukrainian drone strike killed at least 24 people celebrating the new year in a Russian occupied village in southern Ukraine. Ukrainian officials have not commented. The claims could not be independently verified. America is listening to FOX.

[Ainsley Earhart]

News. This is Ainsley.

[Rebecca Cast]

Earhart. Thank you for joining me for the 52 episode podcast series the Life.

[Garrett Tenney]

Of Jesus, a listening experience that will provide hope comfor understanding of the greatest story ever told. Listen and follow [e-mail] or wherever.

[Paul Stevens]

You listen to podcasts ushering in 2020 6000s gathering in New York City's Times Square for the annual ball drop to ring in 2026 to the strains of Frank Sinatra's New York, New York, New York, New and the ball dropping again a few minutes later to celebrate America's 250th birthday celebration said to continue over the next few months leading up to the Fourth of July, thousands also gathering in D.C. around the Washington Monument, not just to ring in 2026, but to also kick off the beginning of America 250. A birthday candle was projected onto the Washington Monument along with fireworks. And by the way, in New York City, the ball that drops every new year in Times Square is going to drop for a second time on the 3rd of July, once again to celebrate America's 250th birthday. Republicans facing pressure to address health care as subsidies from the Affordable Care.

[Rebecca Cast]

Act have now expired is now expired. Subsidies are the reason Democrats shut down the government in October, but lawmakers still couldn't reach a deal before this new year's deadline. And now the pressure is on for Republicans to do something on health care this year, especially before the midterms. It's what lawmakers were working on before the holiday recess. Democrats wanted to extend the Obamacare subsidies to keep health care costs down. But most Republicans believe Obamacare is filled with fraud and want changes. Although negotiations on new proposals stalled before Christmas, the president wants federal aid to go directly to patients. Writing on Truth Social no more money to fat cat insurance companies. The money must go directly to the people to buy their own health.

[Paul Stevens]

Care. Fox's Rebecca cast her another vote on whether or not to expend those Obamacare subsidies is expected to take place sometime later on this month. My boss, Stevens. This is.