Fox News Hourly Update

Episode: 3AM ET 01/29/2026 Newscast

Host: Ted Lindner
Date: January 29, 2026

Overview

This episode provides a concise roundup of major overnight news, focusing on the intensifying stand-off over President Trump’s immigration policies and the looming threat of a government shutdown, an alarming casualty report from the Ukraine war, remembrances of a deadly plane crash, severe winter storm impacts on Washington, D.C. schools, updates in a controversial law enforcement shooting, and the year’s first execution in the United States.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Looming Government Shutdown over Immigration Funding

[00:03–00:51]

• The U.S. faces another potential government shutdown this weekend due to disagreements over border security funding.
• Democrats are refusing to pass the spending bill because it allocates money to Homeland Security and ICE, in direct conflict with President Trump’s crackdown on immigration.
• Senate Democrats’ Demands:
  • End roving ICE patrols.
  • Standardize agent conduct in line with local/state laws.
  • Independent investigation into policy violations.
  • Prohibit federal agents from wearing masks and require body cameras.
• President Trump criticized Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey for rejecting an offer to reduce federal policing if the city cooperated with federal demands on “criminal illegal aliens.”
  • Notable quote:
    "Frey is playing with fire." — Attributed to President Trump’s social media post ([00:51])

2. Ukraine War Casualties Nearing 2 Million

[00:51–01:39]

• The Center for Strategic and International Studies warns that as Russia’s invasion nears its fourth anniversary, military casualties (killed, injured, missing) may reach 2 million by spring 2026.
• Casualty Breakdown:
  • Russia: 1.2 million casualties, including 325,000 troop deaths.
  • Ukraine: About half as many overall casualties, with 140,000 deaths.
• Moscow is “paying an extraordinary price for minimal gains,” according to the report.
• Notable quote:
  "Moscow is described as paying an extraordinary price for minimal gains." — Jonathan Savage ([01:21])

3. Commemoration for Victims of Reagan National Crash

[01:39–02:00]

• Families gathered to commemorate the anniversary of the January 29, 2025, crash where an American Airlines plane collided with an Army Black Hawk helicopter at Reagan National Airport.
• The NTSB blamed “systemic failures at the FAA” for the disaster.

4. D.C. Schools Recover from Winter Storm

[02:40–03:28]

• After a severe winter storm, D.C. schools will reopen Thursday with a two-hour delay.
• Mayor Muriel Bowser acknowledged ongoing challenges with snow removal from roads and sidewalks.
• Crews used specialized heavy equipment to address unusually tough snow conditions, nicknamed “snow crete,” which is being hauled to RFK Stadium.
• Notable quote:
  “We will be able to open school tomorrow.” — Mayor Muriel Bowser ([02:57])

5. Suspension of Sidewalk Snow Fines

[03:28–03:42]

• Enforcement of fines for unshoveled sidewalks is temporarily suspended, recognizing the community’s challenges during the extreme weather.

6. Administrative Leave for DHS Agents in Deadly Shooting

[03:42–04:11]

• Homeland Security placed two Border Patrol agents on administrative leave following the fatal shooting of Alex Preddy.
• Authorities stress this is standard procedure and “should not be viewed as any suspicion of wrongdoing.”
• Preddy had a prior incident, suffering a broken rib during an altercation with ICE agents a week earlier.
• Notable quote:
  “It should not be viewed as any suspicion of wrongdoing.” — Jeff Manasso, summarizing DHS position ([03:48])

7. 2026’s First Prisoner Execution in Texas

[04:11–04:36]

• Charles Victor Thompson, 55, was executed by lethal injection after being convicted of killing his ex-girlfriend and her new boyfriend.
• Notably, Thompson had previously escaped custody and was recaptured after three days on the run.
• He is the first person executed in the United States in 2026.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• "Frey is playing with fire." — President Trump via social media, on Minneapolis Mayor’s refusal ([00:51])
• "Moscow is described as paying an extraordinary price for minimal gains." — Jonathan Savage, on Russia’s war casualties ([01:21])
• "We will be able to open school tomorrow." — Mayor Muriel Bowser, about D.C. school reopening ([02:57])
• "It should not be viewed as any suspicion of wrongdoing." — Jeff Manasso, referring to DHS process ([03:48])

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Timestamp | Segment/Topic | |-------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:03 | Government shutdown threat and immigration funding standoff | | 00:25 | Senate Democrat policy demands | | 00:51 | Ukraine war casualty report | | 01:39 | Reagan National Airport crash remembrance | | 02:40 | D.C. schools storm recovery and reopening | | 03:28 | Suspension of snow-related fines | | 03:42 | DHS agents placed on leave following shooting | | 04:11 | Texas executes Charles Victor Thompson |

Tone and Language

The broadcast is direct and urgent, mirroring the traditional style of Fox News hourly newscasts. Correspondents deliver facts succinctly, with occasional pointed commentary from political figures and officials. The coverage is rapid-fire, moving swiftly from one breaking topic to another while striving to maintain neutrality and clarity.

This summary provides a comprehensive yet easily navigable guide to all the major stories covered in the early morning Fox News update on January 29, 2026.