3AM ET 01/30/2026 Newscast - Fox News Hourly Update

Summary4 min read

Fox News Hourly Update – 3AM ET 01/30/2026 Newscast

Date: January 30, 2026
Host: Chris DiMeo
Main Theme:
A concise rundown of significant national news including government funding, immigration policy changes, weather alerts, international relations, and cultural highlights.

1. Deal to Avert Government Shutdown

[00:03] Chris DiMeo opens with a major update: a government shutdown appears to have been averted, with most federal operations expecting to remain funded and open.
[00:16] Jill Naito reports President Trump and Senate Democrats have reached a deal extending funding for most government departments through September. Notably:
- Five outstanding funding bills received Senate approval.
- The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will operate under a temporary two-week stopgap bill, reflecting ongoing scrutiny.
Reason for DHS Scrutiny:
- Recent shooting of Virginia nurse and anti-ICE activist Alex Preddy intensified debate.
- Several lawmakers express opposition to funding DHS and ICE over accusations of "heavy-handed illegal tactics" against migrants.
Notable Quote:
- Jill Naito [00:40]: “Several lawmakers on both sides of the aisle had said they could no longer support funding for DHS and ICE as long as ICE continues to use what some are calling heavy handed illegal tactics against migrants.”

2. Shift in Immigration Policy in Minnesota

[00:59] Chris DiMeo introduces Matt Finn’s report on border policies.
[01:06] Matt Finn details a policy change:
- Minnesota’s Attorney General Keith Ellison informs the Trump administration that state jails will now notify ICE prior to releasing wanted criminal illegal aliens.
- This is a notable concession from a sanctuary jurisdiction.
Notable Quote:
- Matt Finn [01:12]: “This is a pretty big shift because the Trump administration has been asking sanctuary jurisdictions like Minnesota to at least notify them when they are going to release wanted criminal illegal aliens. Now the state of Minnesota says it will notify them.”

3. Federal Reserve Leadership Change

[01:29] Chris DiMeo reports President Trump will nominate Kevin Warsh as the new Federal Reserve Chair, replacing Jerome Powell in May.
- Warsh is a former Fed governor and Stanford professor.

4. Security Incident: FBI Impersonation

[01:40] Short report: Authorities have charged a man for impersonating an FBI agent at a federal jail in NYC, where he allegedly presented a fake court order to release a prisoner.

5. Weather Alert: Nor’easter Approaching

[02:32] Chris DiMeo warns of an incoming nor’easter expected to blanket the East Coast shortly after a previous winter storm.
[02:39] Ainsley Earhart provides specifics:
- “Looks like it’s going to be snow, not ice this time. That’s a good thing, but it’s still going to have real impacts on our lives.”

6. US-Venezuela Relations: Flights to Resume

[02:48] Chris DiMeo notes President Trump’s announcement of resumed commercial flights between the US and Venezuela.
[02:56] Jarrett Halpern outlines developments:
- President Trump, after discussions with interim Venezuelan President Delsey Rodriguez, promises American travelers will again be able to visit the country.
- Airspace to reopen imminently, as per the president’s instruction to Secretary of Transportation and military officials.
Notable Quotes:
- President Trump [03:06]: “Venezuela and they’ll be safe there and be safe. It’s under very strong control and the people of formerly of Venezuela, some want to go back and some want to go back to visit and they’re going to be able to do that.”
[03:21] Jarrett Halpern notes the State Department continues to designate Venezuela as a high-risk country, cautioning against travel.

7. Cultural Highlight: Melania Trump Documentary

[03:38] Chris DiMeo highlights the upcoming release of "Melania," an autobiographical film featuring First Lady Melania Trump.
[03:45] Alexandria Hoff describes the film:
- Follows Mrs. Trump in the 20 days leading to President Trump’s second inauguration.
- Intends to reveal a “rare personal glimpse” into a key political and personal period.
Notable Quotes:
- Melania Trump [03:57]: “I’m very private and selective person. I want to show people my 20 days in my life, all the planning for inauguration, my business, my family, my philanthropy.”
[04:14] Alexandria Hoff adds that Melania also served as co-producer for the 104-minute documentary.

8. Brief Program Promo

[04:28] Melania Trump and Ainsley Earhart mention a new podcast series, “The Life of Jesus,” inviting listeners to tune in for comfort and inspiration.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

Jill Naito [00:40]: “Several lawmakers on both sides of the aisle had said they could no longer support funding for DHS and ICE as long as ICE continues to use what some are calling heavy handed illegal tactics against migrants.”
Matt Finn [01:12]: “This is a pretty big shift… Now the state of Minnesota says it will notify them.”
Ainsley Earhart [02:39]: “It looks like it’s going to be snow, not ice this time. That’s a good thing, but it’s still going to have real impacts on our lives.”
President Trump [03:06]: "Venezuela and they’ll be safe there... some want to go back and some want to go back to visit and they’re going to be able to do that."
Melania Trump [03:57]: “I’m very private and selective person. I want to show people my 20 days in my life…”

Timestamps for Key Segments

Government funding deal: 00:03–00:59
Immigration policy shift in Minnesota: 01:06–01:29
Federal Reserve chair nomination: 01:29–01:40
FBI impersonator incident: 01:40–02:03
Nor’easter alert: 02:32–02:48
US-Venezuela relations: 02:48–03:38
Melania Trump documentary: 03:38–04:24
Podcast promo: 04:28–end

This episode delivers succinct updates on pressing national issues, government decisions, and cultural events relevant to a broad American audience, maintaining the trademark Fox News pacing and tone.

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Transcript19 lines

[00:03]
Chris DiMeo
A deal to avoid a government shutdown, but will it take effect in time? I'm Chris DiMeo, Fox News. The word from the White House, most of the government is expected to be funded and open after the threat of another shutdown has apparently been averted. More from fox's Jill Naito.
[00:17]
Jill Naito
President Trump said the White House and Senate Democrats have agreed to a deal to keep most of the government open through September. Five remaining funding bills have gotten the okay from senators, plus a two week stopgap funding bill for the controversial Department of Homeland Security. DHS and its full funding have been under scrutiny since the shooting of VA nurse and anti ICE activist Alex Preddy. This past weekend. Several lawmakers on both sides of the aisle had said they could no longer support funding for DHS and ICE as long as ICE continues to use what some are calling heavy handed illegal tactics against migrants. In Washington, Jill Nado, Fox News.
[01:00]
Chris DiMeo
Meantime, border czar Tom Homan says he's making progress in Minnesota and announced a change in immigration policy.
[01:06]
Matt Finn
Homan says the state attorney general, Keith Ellison tells the Trump administration that jails can start notifying ICE when they are going to release a wanted criminal illegal alien. This is a pretty big shift because the Trump administration has been asking sanctuary jurisdictions like Minnesota to at least notify them when they are going to release wanted criminal illegal aliens. Now the state of Minnesota says it will notify them.
[01:30]
Chris DiMeo
That's fox's Matt Finn. President Trump will reportedly name Kevin Warsh as the new chair of the Federal Reserve. Warsh is a former governor of the Reserve and a Stanford University professor. He replaces Jerome Powell, whose term is up. In May. Authorities say a man claiming to be an FBI agent showed up at a federal jail in New York City and told officers he had a court order to release Luigi Mangione. Authorities have charged him with impersonating an FBI agent. America is listening to FOX News.
[02:03]
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[02:32]
Chris DiMeo
A nor' easter is expected to blanket much of the east coast this weekend, just days after a massive winter storm dumped ICE and snow on the region.
[02:40]
Ainsley Earhart
It looks like it's going to be snow, not ice this time. That's a good thing, but it's still going to have real impacts on our lives.
[02:48]
Chris DiMeo
North Carolina Governor Josh Stein, President Trump announcing that commercial flights will resume between the US And Venezuela.
[02:56]
Jarrett Halpern
During a phone call with interim Venezuelan President Delsey Rodriguez, President Trump announced airspace in the country will be opened as soon as today, allowing Americans to visit.
[03:06]
President Trump
Venezuela and they'll be safe there and be safe. It's under very strong control and the people of formerly of Venezuela, some want to go back and some want to go back to visit and they're going to be able to do that.
[03:22]
Jarrett Halpern
During a Cabinet meeting, the president instructed Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and military leaders to open up airspace by the end of the day. The the State Department has listed Venezuela as a high risk country to visit, warning Americans not to travel there. At the White House, Jarrett Halpern, FOX.
[03:39]
Chris DiMeo
News the first lady's autobiographical film Melania debuting in theaters on Friday.
[03:45]
Alexandria Hoff
Melania follows the first lady for the 20 days leading up to President Trump's second inauguration. Mrs. Trump telling Fox the intention is to give the public a rare personal glimpse inside a pivotal political moment.
[03:57]
Melania Trump
I'm very private and selective person. I want to show people my 20 days in my life, all the planning for inauguration, my business, my family, my philanthropy.
[04:14]
Alexandria Hoff
The 104 minute documentary takes viewers from New York to Palm beach and back to the White House. Melania is not just the subject, but the first lady also served as co producer.
[04:24]
Chris DiMeo
That's Fox's Alexandria Hoff. I'm Chris DiMeo.
[04:29]
Melania Trump
This is Ainsley Earhart. Thank you for joining me for the 52 episode podcast series the Life of.
[04:33]
Ainsley Earhart
Jesus, A listening experience that will provide hope, comfort and understanding of the greatest story ever told. Listen and follow now@foxnewspodcasts.com or wherever you listen to podcasts.