3AM ET 01/06/2026 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update – 3AM ET 01/06/2026 Newscast

Podcast: Fox News Hourly Update
Host: Ted Lindner (FOX News Podcasts)
Date: January 6, 2026
Duration: ~5 minutes

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Episode Overview

This episode of the Fox News Hourly Update focused on several major breaking news items: the arrest and federal indictment of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, fraud fallout in Minnesota forcing Governor Tim Walz to abandon his reelection bid, the opening of the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, and the Trump administration’s decision to cut off over $10 billion in social services and childcare funding to several Democrat-led states over alleged fraud. The episode features rapid analysis, direct quotes from lawmakers and officials, and on-the-ground reporting.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro

[00:03–02:00]

• US Military arrested Nicolas Maduro over the weekend. Maduro pleaded not guilty to federal charges in New York on Monday.
• Capitol Briefing: Top lawmakers briefed Monday night regarding US military actions and future engagement with Venezuela:
  • House Speaker Mike Johnson:

    “We are not at war. We do not have US Armed forces in Venezuela and we are not occupying that country.” ([00:25])

  • Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer:

    “Their plan for the US running Venezuela is vague, based on wishful thinking and unsatisfying.” ([00:36])

• Oil Industry Involvement: Representatives from Chevron, ConocoPhillips, and ExxonMobil scheduled to meet with the Trump administration regarding Venezuela later in the week.
• Legal Charges Against Maduro:
  • Attorney General Pam Bondi (on Fox’s Hannity):

    “Maduro is charged with over hundreds and hundreds of tons of cocaine flowing into our country and he’s charged with working with not only TDA but also Sinaloa.” ([01:10])

    • She accuses Maduro of sanctioning killings and imprisonments related to alleged drug trafficking.
• Regional Implications: President Trump warns Cuba, Mexico, and Colombia that similar action could be taken if circumstances require.
• Venezuelan Succession: Venezuela’s Vice President Nicolas Maduro sworn in as interim president (note: potential transcription confusion; likely refers to a different individual named or acting as Vice President).
• Diplomatic Signals:
  • Preliminary plans to reopen the US Embassy in Caracas mentioned by a State Department official, conditional on President Trump’s decision.

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2. Minnesota Fraud Scandal & Governor Tim Walz’s Exit

[02:39–03:29]

• Major Fraud Fallout: Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, once a Democratic vice presidential nominee and two-term governor, steps aside after being implicated in a far-reaching fraud scandal.
• Whistleblower Allegations: The Wallz administration allegedly knew for years of billions in stolen dollars connected to the Minnesota Somali fraud scandal.
• Governor Tim Walz:

  “So I’ve decided to step out of this race and I’ll let others worry about the election while I focus on the work that’s in front of me for the next year.” ([03:05])

• Republican Response:
  • Minnesota Republican Rep. Tom Emmer:

    “Good riddance.” ([03:17])

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3. Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2026 Kickoff

[03:29–04:15]

• Tech Industry’s Major Gathering: CES opens in Las Vegas, organized by the Consumer Technology Association.
• Scope of the Show:
  • Showcases "everything from TVs to smartphones and all sorts of futuristic stuff that isn't so futuristic anymore, such as home robots and virtual reality systems."
  • Emphasis on artificial intelligence trends and presentations.
  • Reporter Eben Brown:

    “This year’s event concludes Friday.” ([04:07])

• CES Fact: First began in 1967.

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4. Trump Administration Cuts Funds Over Immigration-Related Fraud

[04:15–04:40]

• Over $10 Billion Cut: Social services and child care funding halted for five Democrat-led (blue) states: Minnesota, California, Colorado, Illinois, and New York.
• Reason for Cut:
  • “Over concerns and reports that benefits were fraudulently funneled to illegal immigrants.”
• Host Ted Lindner summarizes: Reports suggest significant tension between federal and state governments.

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Memorable Quotes & Speaker Attribution

• Mike Johnson [00:25]:
  “We are not at war. We do not have US Armed forces in Venezuela and we are not occupying that country.”
• Chuck Schumer [00:36]:
  “Their plan for the US running Venezuela is vague, based on wishful thinking and unsatisfying.”
• Pam Bondi [01:10]:
  “Maduro is charged with over hundreds and hundreds of tons of cocaine flowing into our country and he’s charged with working with not only TDA but also Sinaloa.”
• Tim Walz [03:05]:
  “So I’ve decided to step out of this race and I’ll let others worry about the election while I focus on the work that’s in front of me for the next year.”
• Tom Emmer [03:17]:
  “Good riddance.”

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Important Timestamps

• 00:03 — Venezuela update: US military action, Maduro’s arrest and briefing on Capitol Hill
• 00:25 — House Speaker Mike Johnson’s clarification on military involvement
• 00:36 — Senator Schumer on administration’s vague planning
• 01:10 — Bondi on drug charges against Maduro
• 02:39 — Minnesota fraud fallout begins
• 03:05 — Governor Tim Walz drops reelection bid
• 03:17 — Rep. Tom Emmer’s response
• 03:29 — CES tech event coverage
• 04:15 — Trump administration announces federal funding cuts

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Conclusion

This news-packed edition delivered breaking updates on high-stakes US foreign intervention, state-level political scandal, the vibrant pulse of the tech industry, and sharp federal-state conflict over benefit fraud. The tone is brisk, direct, and focused on fast delivery of major news with authoritative speaker input.

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Transcript

[A]

Getting some answers on Venezuela. I'm Ted Lindner. FOX News. Top lawmakers briefed on Capitol Hill Monday night following the US Military arrest of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro. Following the briefing, House Speaker Mike Johnson clarified whether American troops were still in Venezuela with regard to the war powers and the compliance with federal law. We are not at war. We do not have US Armed forces in Venezuela and we are not occupying that country. Senate Democrat leader Chuck Schumer says he left the meeting with more questions, though, than answers. Their plan for the US Running Venezuela is vague, based on wishful thinking and unsatisfying. Representatives from petroleum giants Chevron, ConocoPhillips and ExxonMobil expected to meet with the Trump administration later this week to discuss Venezuela. Now. The Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was in New York pleading not guilty to charges in a federal court Monday and is after he was captured by the US Military over the weekend. On Saturday, Attorney General Pam Bondi was on Fox's Hannity Monday night accusing the leader of killing and jailing those who interfere with alleged drug trafficking operations. Maduro is charged with over hundreds and hundreds of tons of cocaine flowing into our country and he's charged with working with not only TDA but also Sinaloa. President Trump warned leaders of Cuba, Mexico and Colombia that the same could happen to them. Venezuela's Vice President Nicolas Maduro was sworn in as interim president. The Trump administration's making preliminary plans to reopen the US Embassy in Venezuela following Maduro's ouster, a State Department official saying. The official says that early preparations to allow for a reopening of the embassy in Caracas had begun in the event President Trump decides to to return American diplomats to the country. America's listening to Fox News.

[B]

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[A]

A fraud fallout in Minnesota forces Governor Tim Walz to abandon his reelection bid. Fox's Jeff Manasso with more on this.

[C]

A fall from grace for the once Democratic vice presidential nominee and two term governor plagued by Minnesota's Somali fraud scandal and billions of stolen dollars. Governor Tim Walls bowing out of his re election bid, pointing to what he calls political gamesmanship from Republicans that would make it harder to win.

[A]

So I've decided to step out of this race and I'll let others worry about the election while I focus on the work that's in front of me for the next year.

[C]

That in a massive fraud scandal that whistleblowers have alleged the Walls administration knew was happening for years, yet did very Minnesota Republican Rep. And House Majority Whip Tom Emmer saying of the governor, good riddance. Jeff Manasso, FOX News it's time again.

[A]

For the biggest tech event of the year. Fox's Eben Brown reports on this.

[D]

This year's Consumer Electronics show gets underway today in Las Vegas. Ces, as it's known, organized by the Consumer Technology association, it allows tech manufacturers to debut and showcase their new products for people to buy, including everything from TVs to smartphones and all sorts of futuristic stuff that isn't so futuristic anymore, such as home robots and virtual reality systems, all while holding presentations and sessions on tech trends and innovations such as artificial intelligence. CES first began in 1967 and this year's event concludes Friday. Evan Brown, Fox News and the Trump.

[A]

Administration'S cutting off more than $10 billion in social services and childcare funding for five Blue or Democrat led states. This over concerns and reports that benefits were fraudulently funneled to illegal immigrants. The states seeing funding cuts include Minnesota, California, Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota and New York. I'm Ted Lindner. This is Ainsley Earhart. Thank you for joining me for the 52 episode podcast series the Life of.

[C]

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