3AM ET 01/03/2026 Newscast

Summary

---

Fox News Hourly Update, 3AM ET 01/03/2026 – Episode Summary

Podcast: Fox News Hourly Update
Date: January 3, 2026
Host: Chris DiMaio
Length: ~5 minutes (ads excluded)

---

Episode Overview

This episode delivers concise updates on major global and national news. Coverage includes President Trump’s warning to Iran amid protests, a foiled potential terror attack in North Carolina, explosions in Venezuela, fraud crackdowns in Minnesota, the latest controversy in New York City politics, and the arrest of former baseball star Lenny Dykstra. The episode covers serious governmental warnings, law enforcement actions, and political tensions both at home and abroad.

---

Key News Segments & Insights

1. President Trump Warns Iran Over Protest Crackdowns

Timestamps: 00:03–00:44

• Summary: President Trump issues a stern warning to Iran, threatening U.S. intervention if peaceful protesters are killed during ongoing demonstrations.
• Details:
  • Trump says the U.S. is “locked and loaded” and promises rescue to Iranian protesters if the regime acts violently.
  • Iranian officials call this a provocation, asserting any U.S. action makes American forces "legitimate targets" and highlights Iranian unity in resisting aggression.
  • Background: The protests erupted in response to economic issues and inflation, with reports of several protesters killed.
• Memorable Quote:
  • “President Trump says the US is locked and loaded, and will come to the rescue of peaceful protesters in Iran if the regime shoots and kills them...” – Jared Halpern (00:09)
  • “That threat makes American forces across the region legitimate targets in response to any adventurism.” – Senior Iranian official, via Jared Halpern (00:19)

---

2. North Carolina Terror Plot Foiled

Timestamps: 00:44–01:32

• Summary: Authorities arrest an 18-year-old, Christian Sturtevant, for plotting a terror attack on New Year's Eve at a grocery store.
• Details:
  • Sturtevant allegedly pledged allegiance to ISIS online, communicating with undercover law enforcement officers posing as ISIS members.
  • He had been on authorities’ radar since 2022 for online connections to ISIS; previously no charges were filed, but he did receive court-ordered psychological care.
  • Now charged with attempting to provide material support to a terrorist organization.
• Memorable Quote:
  • “He received psychological care ordered by a state judge in North Carolina. Four years later though, he's charged with attempting to provide materials to a foreign terrorist organization.” – Reporter (01:19)

---

3. Unexplained Explosions in Caracas, Venezuela

Timestamps: 01:32–02:00

• Summary: Multiple explosions and low-flying aircraft are reported in Venezuela’s capital amidst rising tension over alleged drug trafficking.
• Details:
  • The Venezuelan government did not respond to requests for comment.
  • This comes as the U.S. military targets suspected drug-smuggling vessels.
  • Venezuela signals willingness to negotiate with the U.S. on drug trafficking.
• Memorable Quote:
  • “At least seven explosions and low flying aircraft were heard Saturday in Venezuela's capital of Caracas.” – David Spunt (01:32)

---

4. Lenny Dykstra Arrested on Drug Charges

Timestamps: 02:39–03:14

• Summary: Former MLB star Lenny Dykstra arrested for possession of narcotics and related paraphernalia.
• Details:
  • Dykstra was stopped by police near Scranton, PA, on January 1.
  • He has a prior conviction for bankruptcy fraud, but is still remembered as a World Series champ with the Mets.
  • Charges are pending.
• Notable Quote:
  • “The former center fielder for the Phillies in the 90s served time in California for a bankruptcy fraud. He did win a World Series championship with the Mets all the way back in 1986.” – Jay Berman (02:53)

---

5. Pandemic Loan Fraud Crackdown in Minnesota

Timestamps: 03:14–04:02

• Summary: The Small Business Administration suspends thousands of borrowers over suspected COVID relief fraud.
• Details:
  • SBA reviewed thousands of pandemic-era loans, finding about 8,000 loans worth $400 million likely fraudulent.
  • Borrowers are suspended from further SBA programs; cases referred to law enforcement.
  • Adds to a rising tide of fraud involving other programs, possibly totaling $9 billion stolen.
• Memorable Quote:
  • “About 8,000 loans were approved worth about $400 million. That now thousands of those borrowers are suspended from all SBA loan programs due to suspected fraud and that cases will be referred to law enforcement...” – Jeff Manasso (03:31)

---

6. New York City’s New Mayor and Controversy on Anti-Semitism

Timestamps: 04:02–04:36

• Summary: NYC's Mayor Ziran Mamdani faces criticism for removing anti-Semitism-related posts; controversy grows over his stance toward Israel.
• Details:
  • National Jewish Advocacy criticizes deletion of outgoing mayor’s anti-Semitism posts.
  • Mamdani’s office said posts are being archived; he remains committed to combating anti-Semitism.
  • Mamdani, NYC’s first Muslim mayor, has vowed to arrest Israeli PM Netanyahu as a war criminal if he visits New York.
• Memorable Quote:
  • “The Muslim mayor has also vowed to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a war criminal if he travels to New York City.” – Chris DiMaio (04:26)

---

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “The US is locked and loaded, President Trump says, and will come to the rescue of peaceful protesters in Iran if the regime shoots and kills them during demonstrations.” — Jared Halpern (00:09)
• “According to the FBI, Sturtevant pledged his support to ISIS online with someone who he thought was an ISIS member... Authorities had him on the radar since January 2022.” — Reporter (00:53)
• “Venezuela said it was open to negotiating with the United States to fight drug trafficking.” — David Spunt (01:53)
• “Lenny Dykstra has been arrested for drug possession during a state police traffic stop on New Year's Day near Scranton, Pennsylvania.” — Jay Berman (02:43)
• “About 8,000 loans were approved worth about $400 million. That now thousands of those borrowers are suspended...cases will be referred to law enforcement for prosecution and repayment.” — Jeff Manasso (03:31)
• “The Muslim mayor has also vowed to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a war criminal if he travels to New York City.” — Chris DiMaio (04:26)

---

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Iran Protests & Trump Warning: 00:03–00:44
• North Carolina ISIS Plot: 00:44–01:32
• Venezuela Explosions: 01:32–02:00
• Lenny Dykstra Arrest: 02:39–03:14
• Minnesota SBA Fraud: 03:14–04:02
• NYC Mayor Controversy: 04:02–04:36

---

Tone:
Direct, urgent, and focused on hard newsworthy developments with the signature Fox News delivery.

---

Transcript

[Chris DiMaio]

Don't do it. I'm Chris DiMaio, Fox News. President Trump is warning Iran not to kill peaceful protesters.

[Jared Halpern]

The US Is locked and loaded, President Trump says, and will come to the rescue of peaceful protesters in Iran if the regime shoots and kills them during demonstrations. A senior Iranian official says that threat makes American forces across the region legitimate targets in response to any adventurism, adding Iranians have been united and determined to act in the face of an aggressor. There are reports of several protesters being killed in Iran after demonstrations began late last month over economic frustrations and surging inflation. In Washington, Jared Halpern, FOX News.

[Chris DiMaio]

Federal authorities arresting 18 year old Christian Sturtevant, a US citizen in connection to what would have been a potential New Year's Eve attack at a North Carolina grocery store.

[FBI/NYPD Official or Reporter]

According to the FBI, Sturtevant pledged his support to ISIS online with someone who he thought was an ISIS member to turns out that was an undercover officer working with the New York Police Department. He then talked with another person online who he thought was an ISIS member, but in fact it was an undercover FBI agent. Authorities had him on the radar since January 2022, four years ago when he was on social media with an unidentified ISIS member overseas. But at that time no charges were filed. He received psychological care ordered by a state judge in North Carolina. Four years later, though, he's charged with attempting to provide materials to a foreign terrorist organization.

[Chris DiMaio]

Fox's David Spunt at least seven explosions and low flying aircraft were heard Saturday in Venezuela's capital of Caracas. Venezuela's government not responding to a request for comment. This comes as the US Military has been targeting in recent days alleged drug smuggling boats. On Friday, Venezuela said it was open to negotiating with the United States to fight drug trafficking. America's listening to Fox News.

[NetSuite by Oracle Advertiser]

Every business is asking the same question, how do we make AI work for us? No more waiting with NetSuite by Oracle. You can put AI to work today. NetSuite is the 1 AI Cloud ERP trusted by over 43,000 businesses. It's the unified suite that brings your financials, inventory, commerce, HR and CRM into a single source of truth. That connected data is what makes your AI smarter and helping you make fast decisions right now. Get the business guide demystifying AI [e-mail] Fox.

[Chris DiMaio]

A former major League baseball star is in trouble with the law.

[Jay Berman]

Lenny Dykstra has been arrested for drug possession during a state police traffic stop on New Year's Day near Scranton, Pennsylvania. During the investigation, police found Dykstra in possession of narcotics and narcotic related equipment and paraphernalia. The former center fielder for the Phillies in the 90s served time in California for a bankruptcy fraud. He did win a World Series championship with the Mets all the way back in 1986. His charges are pending. Jay Berman, FOX News.

[Chris DiMaio]

The Small Business association is suspending thousands of borrowers in Minnesota in the wake of an explosion of fraud investigations. Here's fox's Jeff Manasso.

[Jeff Manasso]

The Small Business Administration says it spent the last week reviewing thousands of potentially fraudulent loans from pandemic era paycheck protection programs and economic injury disaster loans, saying about 8,000 loans were approved worth about $400 million. That now thousands of those borrowers are suspended from all SBA loan programs due to suspected fraud and that cases will be referred to law enforcement for prosecution and repayment. That on top of the fraud in Minnesota for food, child health care and other programs that the U.S. attorney's office says could top 9 billion in stolen tax dollars.

[Chris DiMaio]

New York City's new mayor already stirring up controversy. The National Jewish Advocacy center is accusing Ziran Mamdani of removing two posts from outgoing Mayor Eric Adams that focused on fighting anti Semitism. Mamdani's office claims that the deleted posts are in the process of being archived and that he remains committed to getting rid of anti Semitism. The Muslim mayor has also vowed to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a war criminal if he travels to New York city. I'm Chris DiMaio. This is Fox News.

[Mint Mobile Advertiser]

Well, the holidays have come and gone once again. But if you've forgotten to get that special someone in your life a gift, well, Mint Mobile is extending their holiday offer of half off unlimited wireless.

[Jay Berman]

So.

[Mint Mobile Advertiser]

So here's the idea. You get it now, you call it an early present for next year.

[NetSuite by Oracle Advertiser]

What do you have to lose?

[Mint Mobile Advertiser]

Give it a [e-mail] Switch limited time.

50% off regular price for new customers. Upfront payment required, $45 for three months, $90 for six month or $180 for 12 month plan taxes and fees. Extra speeds may slow after 50 gigabytes per month when network is busy. See terms.