3AM ET 01/07/2026 Newscast

Summary

Fox News Hourly Update: 3AM ET 01/07/2026 Newscast

Host: Ted Lindner (FOX News Podcasts)
Date: January 7, 2026
Episode Theme: Coverage of overnight global and national news, focusing on U.S. foreign policy developments, critical political decisions, natural disasters, notable figures' obituaries, and a health update.

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Episode Overview

This newscast covers ongoing U.S. foreign policy actions in Venezuela and Ukraine, shifting energy concerns, the U.S. administration’s controversial plans for Greenland, a major gubernatorial announcement from Minnesota, an earthquake in the Philippines, the death of Michael Reagan, and a measles outbreak in South Carolina.

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Key Segments & Discussion Points

1. U.S. Actions in Venezuela & Energy Policy

[00:03 - 00:53]

• President Trump's Update on Venezuela:

  • President Trump announced via Truth Social that the U.S. will gain 30 to 50 million barrels of Venezuelan oil after the U.S. capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.
  • The President is pushing for U.S. control of Venezuelan resources to counter growing energy needs and pressure from adversaries like China, Russia, Iran, and Cuba.

• Impact and Political Response:

  • Trump's administration is holding off on elections in Venezuela until “the U.S. can stabilize things on the ground.”
  • Criticism from Democrats: Lawmakers on Capitol Hill are upset over not being included in the Venezuela strategy planning.

  Memorable Quote:

  "The president also confronted his tough talk on how things will play out in the country in the weeks ahead, noting that no, there'll be no election anytime soon. That is, of course, until the US can stabilize things on the ground."
  — Kevin Cork [00:31]

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2. Greenland Acquisition Talks

[00:53 - 01:22]

• Ongoing Push to Acquire Greenland:

  • President Trump is continuing to discuss acquiring Greenland—including possible U.S. military involvement—despite Denmark's strong opposition.
  • White House spokeswoman Caroline Levitt reaffirmed that acquiring Greenland is a ’national security priority.’

  Quote:

  "The president's made it well known acquiring Greenland's a national security priority."
  — Caroline Levitt (via statement) [01:09]

• Wider Security Context: The discussions also link to NATO and U.S./European alliances, notably a new security commitment to Ukraine as part of ongoing peace talks.

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3. Security & Economic Agreements on Ukraine

[01:22 - 01:55]

• Latest Peace Talks in Paris:

  • U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and international partners are finalizing a security protocol for Ukraine.

  • The arrangement could see British and French troops operating in Ukraine, with the U.S. leading ceasefire monitoring.

  • Negotiators are also close to a prosperity agreement to rebuild Ukraine’s economy post-war.

  Memorable Exchange:

  “So that the people of Ukraine know…”
  — Tim Waltz [01:32]
  "That when this ends, it ends forever."
  — Kevin Cork [01:35]

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4. Minnesota Gubernatorial Announcement

[02:32 - 03:12]

• Gov. Tim Waltz Not Seeking Reelection (2026):

  • Waltz cites mounting criticism over management of fraud scandals involving state funds.
  • He publicly accepts responsibility for fraud in Minnesota but adamantly refuses to resign.

  Notable Quote:

  "Over my dead body will that happen. I will fight this thing till the very end to make this state better. And the question that I think they need to decide is when did the guy in the White House resign? Anytime I get drug into being next to Donald Trump, God help me, I don't want to be judged against that guy."
  — Tim Waltz [02:52]

• State Fraud Cases: Over 90 individuals charged in connection with misuse of public funds intended for social services and state programs.

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5. Major World & National News Briefs

[03:12 - 04:28]

• Philippines Earthquake:

  • Magnitude 6.7 earthquake; 68 km from city of Baculim, 10 km deep.
  • No casualties reported yet as assessment continues.

• Passing of Michael Reagan:

  • Son of President Ronald Reagan, Michael Reagan, dies at 80.
  • Remembered as an author, talk show host, and advocate for his father’s principles.

• South Carolina Measles Outbreak:

  • Over 200 cases, primarily in schools and churches.
  • 140+ people quarantined, 7+ in isolation, multiple hospitalizations.

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• On U.S. Policy in Venezuela:
  "[President Trump] continued his push to ensure that that country's resources remain firmly in US Hands..."
  — Kevin Cork [00:18]

• On the Future of Elections in Venezuela:
  "No, there'll be no election anytime soon. That is, of course, until the US can stabilize things on the ground."
  — Kevin Cork [00:31]

• On Not Resigning as Minnesota Governor:
  "Over my dead body will that happen. I will fight this thing till the very end to make this state better."
  — Tim Waltz [02:52]

• On the U.S. approach to Ukraine peace and security:
  "Under the framework, British and French troops could operate in Ukraine with the US Leading a monitoring and verification of any ceasefire."
  — Jared Halpern [01:37]

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Timestamps for Major Segments

• Venezuela & Oil Promise: [00:03 – 00:53]
• Greenland Acquisition & Security: [00:53 – 01:22]
• Ukraine Security Agreement: [01:22 – 01:55]
• Minnesota Governor Announcement: [02:32 – 03:12]
• Philippines Earthquake: [03:12 – 03:28]
• Michael Reagan Obituary: [03:28 – 03:55]
• Measles Outbreak, South Carolina: [03:55 – 04:28]

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Closing

The episode concisely covers breaking developments in U.S. foreign policy, state politics, global events, and urgent public health news with a mix of direct White House commentary, political reaction, and field reporting, using the brisk and direct style characteristic of Fox News radio updates.

Transcript

[Ted Lindner]

More reaction to Venezuela and a promise for oil. I'm Ted Lindner. Fox News President Trump posting on truth Social the US will receive 30 to 50 million barrels of oil after his administration captured the country's leader Nicolas Maduro last weekend. Fox's Kevin Cork with more the president.

[Kevin Cork]

Continued his push to ensure that that country's resources remain firmly in US Hands while also girding for renewed push for more energy from adversaries like China, Russia, Iran and Cuba. Meantime, the president also confronted his tough talk on how things will play out in the country in the weeks ahead, noting that no, there'll be no election anytime soon. That is, of course, until the US can stabilize things on the ground. This as Democratic lawmakers over on Capitol Hill continue to criticize the White House for not involving them in the plan of action in Venezuela.

[Ted Lindner]

Meantime, President Trump continues to talk plans to acquire Greenland, including the potential use of the US Military. The talk continues even with vocal opposition from Denmark, which owns the semi autonomous territory and says it does not want to become part of the U.S. white House spokesman Caroline Levitt releasing a statement Tuesday saying the president's made it well known acquiring Greenland's a national security priority. Levitt added that a range of options are being discussed, including utilizing the US Military and the US And European allies making a new security commitment to Ukraine as part of peace talks.

[Jared Halpern]

Following the latest round of talks in Paris, US Special envoy Steve Witkoff's partners are largely finished on an agreement for security protocols for Ukraine, which are important.

[Tim Waltz]

So that the people of Ukraine know.

[Kevin Cork]

That when this ends, it ends forever.

[Jared Halpern]

Under the framework, British and French troops could operate in Ukraine with the US Leading a monitoring and verification of any ceasefire. Witkoff says negotiators are also closing in on a prosperity agreement to restart Ukraine's post war economy. At the White House, Jared Halpern, Fox News.

[Ted Lindner]

America's listening to FOX News.

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[Ted Lindner]

Minnesota Governor Tim Waltz announced Monday he will not be seeking reelection for a third term as governor in 2026. The decision coming as he faces growing criticism for his handling of fraud in the state. The governor answering questions about his decision for the first time Tuesday, saying that he accepts responsibility for any fraud that happens in his state. But when asked if he'd resign, he.

[Tim Waltz]

Said, I'm not going anywhere and you can make all your requests for me to resign. Over my dead body will that happen. I will fight this thing till the very end to make this state better. And the question that I think they need to decide is when did the guy in the White House resign? Anytime I get drug into being next to Donald Trump, God help me, I don't want to be judged against that guy.

[Ted Lindner]

More than 90 people have been charged so far for their role in multiple fraud schemes that involve the misuse of public funds intended for social services and other government programs. A magnitude 6.7 earthquake has struck the Philippines. That's according to the U.S. geological Survey. The quake struck 68 kilometers from the city at a depth of 10 kilometers. The city of Baculim. Authorities are still assessing any damage, but so far no word on any casualties. Michael Reagan, the eldest son of former President Ronald Reagan, has died. A statement from the Ronald Reagan Presidential foundation saying Michael lived a life shaped by conviction, purpose and an abiding devotion to President Reagan's ideals. A successful author, national and syndicated radio talk show host and sought after public speaker, Michael Reagan used his voice to champion freedom, personal responsibility and the principles that define his father's presidency. Michael Reagan is dead at the age of 80. And a measles outbreak in South Carolina, multiple people hospitalized. More than 200 cases have been reported, reportedly spreading mainly through elementary schools as well as churches. More than 140 people so far are in quarantine and at least seven so far are in isolation. I'm Ted Lindner. This is FOX News.

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