3AM ET 12/31/2025 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update – 3AM ET, December 31, 2025

Host: Sue Guzman
Podcast: Fox News Hourly Update
Date: December 31, 2025

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Episode Overview

This Fox News hourly update covers major national news stories, including the Trump administration’s freeze on child care funding to Minnesota amid fraud allegations, the ongoing investigation into a missing Texas teenager, an Iowa state Senate special election, extreme winter weather sweeping the Northeast, terrorism charges in Texas, a fatal train crash in Peru, enhanced New Year’s Eve security, and the passing of former U.S. Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell. The episode delivers concise news highlights, with on-the-ground reporting and quotes from officials.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Federal Freeze of Child Care Funding to Minnesota

[00:03–00:48]

• The Trump administration announced a temporary halt to the annual $185 million in federal child care funding to Minnesota due to persistent allegations of fraud in the state's child care system.
• Details:
  • Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary stated payments are paused while investigations continue.
  • HHS claims the Minnesota Child Care Services office director couldn’t confirm if the fraud is localized or statewide.
  • Critics argue the pause is overbroad and harms children dependent on these funds.
  • Minnesota’s Department of Children and Youth denies widespread fraud.
  • Assistant U.S. Attorney Map Finn estimates “more than $9 billion could have been stolen,” but Governor Tim Walz denies the fraud is that extensive.
• Notable Quote:
  “The director of the Minnesota Child Care Services office could not say with confidence whether the allegations of fraud are isolated or statewide.” — Fox News Reporter [00:17]

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2. Missing Person Investigation in Texas

[00:48–01:20]

• FBI and sheriff’s deputies found a body during the search for 19-year-old Camilla Olmos, missing since Christmas Eve.
• Details:
  • The body remains unidentified, and authorities do not suspect foul play at this time.
  • A firearm was found near the body, and the clothes match Camilla’s last known outfit.
• Notable Quote:
  “It’s too early to tell if the body that we found is that of Camila, but at this point we don’t suspect foul play.” — Sheriff Javier Salazar [01:13]

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3. Iowa State Senate Special Election

[01:20–01:36]

• Democrat Renee Hardmit was elected to the Iowa State Senate during a special holiday week election, reportedly blocking a Republican bid for two-thirds control of the chamber.
• Represents Des Moines suburbs.
• Defeated Republican Lucas Lofton.

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4. Severe Winter Weather Hits Northeast

[01:36–01:59]

• Arctic air, high winds, and heavy snow are sweeping the Great Lakes and Northeast, following a bomb cyclone.
• New Year’s Eve celebrations in major cities like New York and Boston may see light snow.

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5. Terrorism-Related Arrest in Texas

[02:58–03:42]

• A judge ordered John Michael Garza Jr., 21, be held without bail pending trial on international terrorism charges.
• Details:
  • Garza, a self-identified ISIS supporter, allegedly tried to fundraise and provide bomb materials to an undercover agent he thought was an ISIS operative.
  • The plot was exposed last week; Garza gave assembly instructions to make a bomb more lethal.
  • Faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
• Notable Quote:
  “He allegedly provided bomb making material to an undercover agent he believed was an ISIS brother. During that meeting, he also gave instructions on how to assemble the bomb in a way to make it more lethal.” — Anita Vogel [03:25]

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6. Machu Picchu Train Crash

[03:42–04:05]

• Two tourist trains collided en route to Machu Picchu, resulting in at least one death (a railroad worker) and about 30 injuries.

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7. Heightened New Year’s Eve Security Nationwide

[04:05–04:40]

• Law enforcement in U.S. cities are increasing security for New Year’s Eve.
• Manhattan officials held a public safety news conference.
• FBI, Secret Service, and police nationwide are on high alert due to a recently foiled bomb plot in Southern California.
• The four California suspects are described as members of a far-left anti-government group.
• Notable Quote:
  “Officials from Boston to New York to San Francisco and also cities large and small across the country [are] paying close attention … particularly after the FBI announced a foiled plot in California.” — Fox News Reporter David Spunt [04:05]

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8. Obituary – Ben Nighthorse Campbell

[04:40–05:03]

• Former senator and representative from Colorado, Ben Nighthorse Campbell, has died at 92.
• Remembered for his advocacy for Native American issues, defense of children’s rights, and support for organized labor.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “The director of the Minnesota Child Care Services office could not say with confidence whether the allegations of fraud are isolated or statewide.” — Fox News Reporter [00:17]
• “It’s too early to tell if the body that we found is that of Camila, but at this point we don’t suspect foul play.” — Sheriff Javier Salazar [01:13]
• “He allegedly provided bomb making material to an undercover agent he believed was an ISIS brother. During that meeting, he also gave instructions on how to assemble the bomb in a way to make it more lethal.” — Anita Vogel [03:25]
• “Officials from Boston to New York to San Francisco and also cities large and small across the country [are] paying close attention … particularly after the FBI announced a foiled plot in California.” — Fox News Reporter David Spunt [04:05]

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Timeline of Major Segments

• [00:03] – Federal freeze on Minnesota child care funding
• [00:48] – Missing person investigation in Texas
• [01:20] – Iowa state Senate special election results
• [01:36] – Winter weather forecast for Northeast/Great Lakes
• [02:58] – Terrorism-related arrest in Texas (John Michael Garza Jr.)
• [03:42] – Machu Picchu train crash details
• [04:05] – Nationwide New Year’s Eve security
• [04:40] – Death of Ben Nighthorse Campbell

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This concise, news-driven episode delivers fast updates on federal actions, public safety concerns, political developments, severe weather, and national security in advance of New Year’s Eve.

Transcript

[Sue Guzman]

Funding put on hold. I'm Sue Guzman, Fox News. The Trump administration announcing on Tuesday it is cutting child care funding to Minnesota as allegations of fraud persist.

[Fox News Reporter]

The Health and Human Services secretary announced HHS is temporarily freezing all child care payments to Minnesota. HHS adds that the director of the Minnesota Child Care Services office could not say with confidence whether the allegations of fraud are isolated or statewide. The the federal government says it's pausing its yearly $185 million to the state of Minnesota, benefiting thousands of children. Now critics say the pause is too far reaching and will hurt children who generally need those funds. Minnesota's Department of Children and Youth is shooting down the claims of fraud.

[Sue Guzman]

Ox's map Finn, an assistant U.S. attorney suggesting more than $9 billion could have been stolen. Minnesota Governor Tim Walsh denied the fraud has reached that level. FBI agents and sheriff's deputies finding a body Tuesday afternoon say search for 19 year old Camilla Olmos, who went missing from her Texas home Christmas Eve. Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar telling reporters they have not yet identified the remains.

[Fox News Reporter]

It's too early to tell if the body that we found is that of Camila, but at this point we don't suspect foul play.

[Sue Guzman]

Authorities haven't determined the cause of death. They did say a firearm was found near the body and and the clothing match what Camilla was last seen wearing. Democrat Renee Hardmit, elected to the Iowa state Senate Tuesday in a holiday week special election, the victory apparently denying Republicans bid to reclaim two thirds control of the chamber. She beat Republican Lucas Lofton to win the seat representing part of Des Moines suburbs. And a surge of arctic air bringing strong winds, heavy snow and frigid temps to the Great Lakes and Northeast. A day after a bomb cyclone hit. Fox Weather says light snow's even possible in New York City and Boston for tonight's New Year's Eve celebrations, America's listening to Fox News.

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[Sue Guzman]

SimpliSafe. A judge on Tuesday ordering a Texas man accused of trying to help ISIS be held in jail pending trial. Details from Fox's Anita.

[Anita Vogel]

Vogel. Officials are charging 21 year old John Michael Garza Jr. Of Texas with an international terrorism offense. Officials say the self identified ISIS supporter worked to raise funds and build explosive components for an ISIS operative he believed was here inside the United States. The plot unraveled last Monday when Garza allegedly provided bomb making material to an undercover agent he believed was an ISIS brother. During that meeting, he also gave instructions on how to assemble the bomb in a way to make it more.

[Sue Guzman]

Lethal. He could face 20 years in prison if found guilty. Two trains taking tourists to Peru's famed Machu Picchu crashed Tuesday, killing at least a person and injuring about 30 passengers. Local police department confirms that the person killed Washington was a railroad worker. Counting down to 2026 as several cities are ramping up security ahead of New Year's Eve celebrations. Here's fox's David.

[Fox News Reporter]

Spont. Officials from Boston to New York to San Francisco and also cities large and small across the country paying close attention always, but even more during big events like this week's New Year celebrations. Officials in Manhattan held a news conference to brief the public on public safety. And now the FBI, Secret Service, police and sheriff's departments across the country are paying close attention to the next few days. In particular, just this month, a couple of weeks ago, the FBI announced a foiled plot in California where suspects allegedly planned to plant bombs to go off on New Year's Eve at several communities in Southern.

[Sue Guzman]

California. General officials say the four suspects part of a far left anti government group. A former U.S. senator and U.S. representative, Colorado Ben Nighthorse Campbell, has died. Campbell, known for his advocacy of Native American issues, his bolo ties and defense of children's rights and organized labor, is 92. I'm Sue Besman. This this is Ainsley Earhart. Thank you for joining me for the 52 episode podcast series the Life.

[Fox News Reporter]

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