3AM ET 01/28/2026 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update — 3AM ET, January 28, 2026

Main Theme/Purpose

This episode delivers Fox News Radio’s rapid-fire overnight briefing on leading political, domestic, and economic stories. Key foci include President Trump’s midterm campaign trail, a tense episode involving Rep. Ilhan Omar, a border-related shooting, midair safety revelations from the NTSB, forthcoming Federal Reserve action, and a somber Challenger anniversary.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

President Trump Campaigns for Republicans Ahead of Midterms

[00:02–00:43]

• President Trump’s Activities: Fox’s Jared Halpern reports on President Trump greeting supporters near Des Moines, shaking hands, and rallying for Republican retention of Congress.
• Focus on Economy & National Reputation:
  • Trump lauds economic performance:

    “But we have great unemployment numbers. Yeah, I think they're great. Is there one number that's bad? … There's not one.” — President Trump [00:20]

  • Claims U.S. “respected,” touts economic boom, rising incomes, surging investment, and the defeat of inflation:

    “Our economy is booming. Incomes are rising. Investment is soaring. Inflation has been defeated. Our border is closed, totally closed.” — President Trump [00:34]

• Midterm Challenges Acknowledged: Trump concedes historical hurdles for the incumbent party in midterm elections (notably, the tendency for the party of the sitting president to lose seats).

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Town Hall Incident: Congresswoman Ilhan Omar Attacked

[00:53–01:15]

• Event: Minnesota Democrat Rep. Ilhan Omar advocates abolishing ICE and accountability for DHS at a town hall.
• Disruption: Omar is sprayed with a foul-smelling unknown substance by a man at the podium. Security handles the situation; Omar continues her speech.

  • “A man approaching her at the podium, Omar apparently sprayed with an unknown substance that had a disturbing smell. She was okay. The man taken into custody and Omar continued her speech.” — Ted Lindtner [01:15]

• Political Fallout:
  • Call for Resignation: Hilary Barski relays:

    “DHS Secretary Kristi Noem must resign or face impeachment.” — Hilary Barski [01:04]

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Border Shootout: Smuggling Suspect Wounded

[01:15–02:00]

• Incident Overview: Authorities report that suspect Patrick Gary Schlegel fired at a federal helicopter as agents tried to apprehend him near the U.S.–Mexico border.
• Outcome: Agents returned fire, wounding Schlegel, who is hospitalized. He was wanted on an escape warrant for a prior smuggling conviction.
• Notable Details: The shootout underscores ongoing border security tensions and the risks faced by law enforcement.

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NTSB Report: Deadly Plane-Helicopter Collision

[02:39–03:36]

• Topic: A hearing marks the one-year anniversary of the collision at Reagan National Airport, which killed 67—prompting critical scrutiny.
• Key Findings:
  • Overcrowded airspace and overworked controllers had pleaded for help before the crash, their warnings ignored.
  • NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy voices frustration:

    “Help, we need help. Apparently falling on deaf ears.” — Jennifer Homendy [03:08]

  • Ongoing fears linger, with Homendy quoting airlines’ concerns:

    “Commercial airlines have called me to say the next midair is going to be at Burbank and nobody at FAA is paying attention to us.” — Jennifer Homendy [03:19]

• FAA Response: Hourly plane arrivals at Reagan have since been cut and more controllers hired.

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Federal Reserve Interest Rate Decision

[03:36–04:15]

• Anticipation: The Fed is expected to keep the benchmark rate steady after three cuts; focus shifts to Chair Jerome Powell’s first comments since DOJ announced an investigation into him.
• Major Questions: Markets wonder when rates will fall again, with job market weakness or easing inflation seen as key triggers.

  • “The big question is when will the Fed start lowering rates again, which could depend on a faltering job market or inflation that resumes falling towards the Fed's 2% goal.” — Hilary Barski [03:41]

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Challenger Shuttle Disaster — 40th Anniversary

[04:15–04:36]

• Remembrance: The episode closes by marking 40 years since the Challenger shuttle explosion killed seven astronauts due to a failed O-ring in freezing weather.

  • “Disintegration of the vehicle began after an O ring seal in its right solid rocket booster failed at liftoff because of the cold weather.” — Ted Lindtner [04:15]

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• Economic optimism and border control—President Trump:

  “Our economy is booming. Incomes are rising. Investment is soaring. Inflation has been defeated. Our border is closed, totally closed.” [00:34]

• NTSB frustration over safety warnings:

  “Help, we need help. Apparently falling on deaf ears.” — Jennifer Homendy [03:08]
  “Commercial airlines have called me to say the next midair is going to be at Burbank and nobody at FAA is paying attention to us.” — Jennifer Homendy [03:19]

• Immediate resilience—Rep. Omar continuing to speak after being attacked:

  “Omar continued her speech.” [01:15]

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Timeline of Key Segments

| Timestamp | Segment Description | |-----------|--------------------------------------------------------| | 00:02 | Trump campaigns in Iowa, Fox coverage begins | | 00:34 | Trump touts economy and border control | | 00:53 | Rep. Ilhan Omar attacked at town hall | | 01:15 | Border shootout: suspect wounded | | 02:39 | NTSB recounts deadly Reagan airport midair collision | | 03:36 | Federal Reserve’s anticipated interest rate signal | | 04:15 | Tribute: 40th anniversary of the Challenger disaster |

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Tone and Style

The update is brisk, direct, focused on headline news with a balance of reporting quotes, expert commentary, and factual recaps. The podcast maintains the matter-of-fact, urgent delivery listeners expect from radio news, blending live quotes with anchoring voice-over summaries.

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Transcript

[Ted Lindtner]

Campaigning for the midterms, I'm Ted Lindtner. Fox News. President Trump hitting the campaign trail as Republicans try to hold control of Congress in the midterm elections coming up in November. Fox's Jared Halpern has more from the White House.

[Jared Halpern]

It was a familiar scene for President Trump shaking hands and greeting voters at a restaurant outside Des Moines.

[President Trump]

But we have great unemployment numbers. Yeah, I think they're great. Is there one number that's bad? Can you tell? Is there one number that's bad? There's not one.

[Jared Halpern]

At a rally in Clive, Iowa, the president says after a year in office, the country is respected.

[President Trump]

Our economy is booming. Incomes are rising. Investment is soaring. Inflation has been defeated. Our border is closed, totally closed.

[Jared Halpern]

Still, President Trump concedes the challenges for Republicans this year with midterms often voting out the party of the sitting president. At the White House, Jared Halpern, Fox News.

[Ted Lindtner]

Tuesday night at a town hall, Minnesota Democrat Congressman Elon Omar was speaking to the crowd about her belief that ICE should be abolished. Should the Department of Homeland Security be held accountable when this happened?

[Hilary Barski]

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem must resign or face impeachment.

[Ted Lindtner]

A man approaching her at the podium, Omar apparently sprayed with an unknown substance that had a disturbing smell. She was okay. The man taken into custody and Omar continued her speech. A man who authorities say was involved in a smuggling operation was shot during an exchange of gunfire with the US Bolt patrol. Authorities say the suspect, Patrick Gary Schlegel fired at a federal helicopter near the U. S. Mexico border. Federal agents were attempting to apprehend the 34 year old Arizona man when he shot at a border patrol helicopter and at agents. Agents returned fire, striking the man and wounding him. According to the FBI. The man taken to the hospital. Schlegel reportedly has a criminal history that includes a December warrant for escape stemming from a smuggling conviction. America's listening to Fox News.

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[Ted Lindtner]

Nearly a year, a year to the day of the crash, the NTSB held a hearing examining the cause and recommendations for the FAA after the collision between an army helicopter and a passenger jet that killed 67 people. Fox's Jessica Rosenthal has more.

[Ainsley Earhart]

After hearing from NTSB investigators, the NTSB board chair, Jennifer Homendy was visibly frustrated. The findings revealed Reagan National Airport and its airspace had been too crowded and controllers were overwhelmed. They had even submitted reports before the crash saying we need help, we need.

[Jennifer Homendy]

Help, we need help. Apparently falling on deaf ears.

[Ainsley Earhart]

Homeity said even though she has higher hopes for the current FAA and transportation secretary compared to the Biden administration, concerns remain.

[Jennifer Homendy]

Commercial airlines have called me to say the next midair is going to be at Burbank and nobody at FAA is paying attention to us.

[Ainsley Earhart]

The FAA says they've since reduced hourly plane arrivals at Reagan and have increased air control staff. Jessica Rosenthal, FOX News.

[Ted Lindtner]

The Federal Reserve will be announcing its decision on interest rates today. Fox's Hilary Barski.

[Hilary Barski]

After three consecutive cuts, central bankers are widely expected to leave the benchmark lending rate unchanged at 3 and a half to 3 and 3 quarters percent. However, the focus will be on the Fed's policy statement and Chair Jerome Powell's post meeting press conference for on the Path Ahead. It will be Powell's first commentary since he revealed that the Justice Department is investigating him. The big question is when will the Fed start lowering rates again, which could depend on a faltering job market or inflation that resumes falling towards the Fed's 2% goal. Hilary Bars, ski, Fox News and today.

[Ted Lindtner]

Marks the 40th anniversary of the space shuttle Challenger disaster when the shuttle's seven astronauts were killed by an explosion shortly after launching on a cold Florida morning from Cape Canaveral. Disintegration of the vehicle began after an O ring seal in its right solid rocket booster failed at liftoff because of the cold weather. I'm Ted Lindtner. This is FOX News.

[Ainsley Earhart]

This is Ainsley Earhart. Thank you for joining me for the.

[Hilary Barski]

52 episode podcast series the Life of.

[Ted Lindtner]

Jesus, A listening experience that will provide hope, comfort and understanding of the greatest story ever told. Listen and follow [e-mail] or wherever you listen to podcasts.