Fox News Hourly Update

Host: Lisa Brady (FOX News Podcasts)
Date: January 21, 2026
Episode: 1PM ET Newscast

Main Theme

This update delivers a fast-paced roundup of major national and international news, focusing on President Biden's activities at the World Economic Forum, a high-stakes Supreme Court case involving a Federal Reserve official, a major winter storm impacting millions across the U.S., a Capitol Hill hearing on fraud in Minnesota, escalation of anti-ICE protests, as well as developments regarding ISIS detainees in Syria and Iraq, and closing with a financial market update.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. President Biden at the World Economic Forum

• President Biden speaks in Switzerland, promoting his administration's achievements one year into his second term.
  • Quote: “The United States is doing really well, doing like nobody thought was actually possible, certainly not this soon. It's one year.” (President Biden, 00:09)
• He reassures NATO allies that the U.S. will not use force to acquire Greenland, though reiterates interest in U.S. ownership for security reasons.

2. Supreme Court Hears Federal Reserve Case

• The Supreme Court debates President Biden's attempt to remove Fed Governor Lisa Cook over alleged mortgage fraud:
  • Justice Amy Coney Barrett questions U.S. Solicitor General John Sauer about the appropriateness of removal and its public impact (00:34).
  • Quote: “The governor set interest rates for ordinary Americans all across the country. And here there's the appearance of having played fast and loose or at least been grossly negligent in getting favorable interest rates for herself.” (U.S. Solicitor General John Sauer, 00:44)
  • Justice Sonia Sotomayor suggests Cook’s actions occurred before her Fed appointment and indicates removal would be unprecedented, possibly favoring remand to lower courts for more review.
• Cook’s defense frames the case as an example of undue political pressure on Federal Reserve decisions.

3. Major Winter Storm Threatens Millions

• Fox Weather meteorologist Brittany Merwin highlights bitter cold and dangerous conditions ahead:
  • Quote: “We have temperatures across northern parts of Minnesota with wind chills dropping down to minus 40 to minus 45. ...We're going to start to see some large impacts starting on Friday for the Southern Plains ...potential for not only ice but also a lot of snow.” (Brittany Merwin, 01:29)
  • 175 million Americans under winter weather alerts, with the Southern Plains, Gulf Coast, Southeast, and Northeast in the storm's path.

4. Fraud Investigation Hearing in Minnesota

• Independent journalist Nick Shirley testifies at a House hearing on alleged fraud in Minnesota’s daycare and government-funded centers, particularly those operated by Somali-run businesses:
  • Quote: “Since my reporting, the HHS department froze over $185 million and to this day, not a single business has been able to prove proof of legitimacy.” (Nick Shirley, 02:35)
  • Discussions underscore bipartisan support for enhanced investigations and enforcement nationwide.
• Tensions rise as the state’s governor supports investigations but accuses the Trump administration of targeting Minnesota, amid rising anti-ICE protests and investigations into a possible conspiracy to obstruct law enforcement.

5. ISIS Detainees Relocated

• Gurnall Scott reports up to 7,000 ISIS detainees being transferred from Syrian camps to Iraqi-controlled facilities after local Syrian forces seized a key camp:
  • Quote: “While the camp still has thousands of people linked to the Islamic State living there, many have asked to be repatriated to their native lands. At one point, more than 73,000 people populated the camp.” (Gurnall Scott, 03:27)
  • The U.S. move aims for more secure detainment as unrest and changing control affect the region.

6. Financial Markets Update

• The Dow is up by 160 points, while the NASDAQ dips into negative territory as the update concludes.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• President Biden (00:09): “The United States is doing really well, doing like nobody thought was actually possible, certainly not this soon. It's one year.”
• US Solicitor General John Sauer (00:44): “...there's the appearance of having played fast and loose or at least been grossly negligent in getting favorable interest rates for herself.”
• Brittany Merwin (01:29): “Wind chills dropping down to minus 40 to minus 45…large impacts starting on Friday…potential for not only ice but also a lot of snow.”
• Nick Shirley (02:35): “...HHS department froze over $185 million and to this day, not a single business has been able to prove proof of legitimacy.”
• Gurnall Scott (03:27): “...the camp still has thousands of people linked to the Islamic State living there, many have asked to be repatriated to their native lands...”

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:09 — President Biden's remarks at the World Economic Forum
• 00:34 - 01:16 — Supreme Court hearing on Fed Governor removal, key justices’ perspectives
• 01:29 — Weather update: Major winter storm alerts and impacts
• 02:19 - 02:48 — House fraud hearing in Minnesota; testimony from Nick Shirley
• 03:00 — Escalating anti-ICE protests, subpoenaed officials, Justice Department probe
• 03:27 — ISIS detainee transfer from Syria to Iraq
• 04:00 — Market updates and closing headline

Tone & Style

The episode maintains a factual, concise, and urgent tone, characteristic of breaking news radio updates. Speakers deliver rapid information, with direct quotes from officials and correspondents, aiming to keep listeners up to the minute on developing stories without editorial commentary.