Fox News Hourly Update – 3AM ET, January 13, 2026

Host: Ted Lindner
Date: January 13, 2026

Episode Overview

This newscast delivers rapid updates on high-profile national and international events. The January 13 edition centers on escalating tensions with Iran, a federal investigation and controversy in Minnesota involving childcare fraud and immigration enforcement, scrutiny of Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, and a dispute impacting military benefits. The episode maintains a direct and urgent tone, consistent with breaking news reporting.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Heightened U.S.–Iran Tensions

• Economic Pressure from the U.S.

  • President Trump announces a 25% tariff on all goods imported to the U.S. from Iran’s trading partners as a means to pressure the Iranian regime amid a crackdown on anti-government protests.
  • Simultaneously, military strikes are being threatened if Iran escalates responses to protesters.

• Diplomatic Efforts Behind Closed Doors

  • Despite harsh public rhetoric, Press Secretary Caroline Levitt confirms that Iranian officials are privately seeking to set up talks with the U.S. ([00:18]).
  • Iranian officials, however, warn that U.S. military bases will become "legitimate targets" if the U.S. intervenes.
  • Notable Quote:
    "Iranian leaders have warned US Intervention would make US Military bases legitimate targets."
    — Jared Halperin, [00:38]

• Iran’s Internet Crackdown

  • Iran is reportedly tracking Starlink users to block protest footage from spreading ([00:44]), and while the national internet is restricted, some mobile phones can now make international calls.

2. Federal Action and Controversies in Minnesota

• ICE and DHS Deployment

  • The Department of Homeland Security sends additional agents to Minneapolis after viral claims of widespread state welfare fraud ([00:56]).

• State Pushback

  • Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison sues DHS, seeking to protect the state from what he describes as unlawful and intimidating ICE tactics.
  • Notable Quote:
    "We asked the courts to end the DHS unlawful behavior in our state, the intimidation, the threats, the violence."
    — Keith Ellison, [01:11]

• ICE Responds

  • Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons counters allegations of racially biased arrests.
  • Notable Quote:
    "When ICE officers and ICE special agents are out there in the field, we conduct targeted enforcement so we know exactly who we're going after. So that's completely false and baseless."
    — Todd Lyons, [01:27]

• Federal Funding Suspended

  • In response to the investigation, USDA funding to Minnesota childcare programs is suspended ([03:03]).
  • The controversy stems from a YouTube exposé by conservative influencer Nick Shirley on daycare fraud.

3. Political Reactions and Accusations

• Local & National Leaders Weigh In

  • Congressman Ilhan Omar criticizes the federal probe, claiming it causes "confusion and chaos."
  • Representative Wesley Hunt accuses Omar of not serving America’s interests ([02:31]).
  • Allegations arise about the net worth of Omar and potential investigations into state leadership.

• Notable Quote:
  "The idea that we are discovering fraud at the federal level, the fact that Tim Walz is going to resign and not seek re election, the fact that Ilhan OMAR makes about $174,000 a year, but somehow, miraculously, she is worth 30 million doll allegedly, which should be investigated, is a problem."
  — Keith Ellison (as reported), [02:46]

4. Scrutiny on Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell

• Criminal Investigation

  • President Trump claims ignorance of an investigation into Jerome Powell ([03:03]).
  • Powell confirms he received subpoenas relating to his testimony defending Fed building renovation costs.

• Powell’s Defense

  • Powell defends the Federal Reserve’s independence and decisions regarding interest rates.
  • Notable Quote:
    "I have carried out my duties without political fear or favor."
    — Jerome Powell, [03:18]
  • Notable Quote:
    "The threat of criminal charges is a consequence of the Federal Reserve setting interest rates based on our best assessment of what will serve the public rather than following the preferences of the president."
    — Jerome Powell, [03:41]

5. Military Policy Dispute

• Arizona Senator vs. War Secretary
  • Arizona Democrat Senator Mark Kelly files suit against War Secretary Pete Hegseth over plans to dock his retirement pay and reduce his rank due to remarks about rejecting unlawful orders ([04:04]).
  • The dispute followed a formal letter of censure from Hegseth.

Memorable Moments & Quotes with Timestamps

• “President Trump applying economic pressure on Iran as the regime cracks down on anti government protests.”
  — Ted Lindner, [00:04]
• “Iranian leaders have warned US Intervention would make US Military bases legitimate targets.”
  — Jared Halperin, [00:38]
• “We asked the courts to end the DHS unlawful behavior in our state, the intimidation, the threats, the violence.”
  — Keith Ellison, [01:11]
• "When ICE officers and ICE special agents are out there in the field, we conduct targeted enforcement... that's completely false and baseless."
  — Todd Lyons, [01:27]
• “I have carried out my duties without political fear or favor.”
  — Jerome Powell, [03:18]
• “The threat of criminal charges is a consequence of the Federal Reserve setting interest rates... rather than following the preferences of the president.”
  — Jerome Powell, [03:41]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Iran Crisis/International Tensions: [00:03]–[00:44]
• Minnesota Welfare Fraud and Immigration Enforcement: [00:44]–[02:31]
• Federal Reserve Scrutiny: [03:03]–[03:54]
• Military Policy Dispute: [04:04]–[04:28]

This episode delivers fast-paced, headline-driven coverage of breaking U.S. and global news, providing direct insight from government figures and reporters on high-stakes developments.