5AM ET 01/02/2026 Newscast

Summary

Fox News Hourly Update – 5AM ET 01/02/2026 Newscast

Host: Ted Lindner | Date: January 2, 2026

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Overview

This episode covers a range of major news stories for the start of 2026, spotlighting the historic swearing-in of New York City's new mayor, a deadly nightclub fire in Switzerland, a notable NHL Winter Classic game in Florida, a controversial daycare robbery tied to a federal investigation in Minnesota, and updates on international crises in Afghanistan and Taiwan.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

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1. New York City’s First Democratic Socialist Mayor

• Swearing-In of Mayor Zorramdani
  • Zorramdani, the city’s first self-declared democratic socialist mayor, was sworn in on New Year’s Day.
  • Immediately after the public inauguration, Zorramdani held a press conference to announce new executive orders focusing on tenant protections and increased housing development.
    • Quote: “He’s going to transform City hall with a new way of doing things that he won’t back down from.” – CB Cotton [00:27]
  • Notably, he was sworn in by his political hero, Senator Bernie Sanders.
    • Quote: “I was elected as a democratic socialist and I will govern as a democratic socialist.” – Mayor Zorramdani [00:37]
• Tensions with the White House
  • During the campaign, President Trump labeled Zorramdani a communist and threatened federal funding cuts.
  • Zorramdani met with Trump at the White House in November, following his election win.

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2. Swiss Nightclub Fire: Tragic New Year’s Disaster

• Incident Overview:
  • A fire broke out at Le Consolation Bar in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, shortly after 1:30 am during a New Year’s celebration.
  • Reports indicate 13 helicopters and 42 ambulances responded within minutes.
    • Quote: “First responders were on scene two minutes after the first call.” – Stephanie Bennett [01:11]
• Potential Causes:
  • Theories include a firecracker or champagne bottles with sparklers igniting the ceiling.
  • Witnesses described panic as partygoers attempted to escape up narrow stairs and through windows.
• Casualties:
  • At least 40 people killed, over 115 injured.
    • Quote: “Officials say the fire likely triggered the release of combustible gases, causing a flashover or a backdraft, basically an explosion.” – Stephanie Bennett [01:35]

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3. NHL Winter Classic Comes to Florida

• Historic Outdoor Game:
  • The Florida Panthers will host the New York Rangers at Lone Depot Park in Miami, marking one of two outdoor NHL games in the state this season.
  • A second game will feature the Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Boston Bruins on February 1 at Raymond James Stadium.
  • Quote: “With the experience we’ve had with our ice making crews, what hockey operations does, we think we can do this and make it a huge success.” – NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman [03:14]
• Atmosphere:
  • The Miami game is expected to be a sellout, underscoring growing excitement for hockey in non-traditional markets.

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4. Minnesota Daycare Robbery Amid Federal Fraud Probe

• Incident Details:
  • Nokomis Daycare in Minnesota reported a break-in, with surveillance indicating the suspects entered through a cinder block wall and stole records containing personal information.
    • Quote: “They cut through an outside cinder block wall, crawled through an interior wall and busted their way in before getting into an office and stealing business records…” – Garrett Tenney [03:36]
• Controversy:
  • The daycare is among dozens flagged for receiving over a million dollars in federal funds despite repeated violations; it was not featured in a viral video but has been under state scrutiny.
  • Some suggest the break-in could be a cover-up.
• Consequences:
  • Federal funding for various Minnesota child care programs has been halted as an investigation continues.

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5. International Updates

• Afghanistan Flooding:
  • At least 17 deaths and 11 injuries after heavy rain and snow caused flooding in multiple districts since Monday.
• US-China-Taiwan Tension:
  • The US State Department urges China to end military drills near Taiwan, noting that China’s rhetoric and maneuvers are raising regional tensions.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I was elected as a democratic socialist and I will govern as a democratic socialist.”
  – Mayor Zorramdani [00:37]

• “First responders were on scene two minutes after the first call.”
  – Stephanie Bennett [01:11]

• "With the experience we've had with our ice making crews, what hockey operations does, we think we can do this and make it a huge success."
  – NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman [03:14]

• “Some are suggesting it could be a cover up of wrongdoing.”
  – Garrett Tenney on the Minnesota daycare robbery [04:04]

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:03 – 00:49: New York City’s new mayor, swearing-in, and political context
• 01:09 – 01:49: Swiss nightclub fire details and aftermath
• 02:40 – 03:22: Preview of the NHL Winter Classic in Florida
• 03:25 – 04:07: Minnesota daycare robbery and fraud investigation
• 04:07 – 04:28: Afghanistan flood casualties and US statement on China-Taiwan tensions

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This episode delivers a brisk update on breaking news across politics, international affairs, sports, and ongoing investigations, capturing the morning’s biggest headlines in a concise format.

Transcript

[Ted Lindner]

A new year and a new mayor for New York City. I'm Ted Lindner, Fox News. New York City's first self proclaimed democrat socialist mayor sworn in on New Year's Day. Fox's CB Cotton with more.

[CB Cotton]

Mayor Zorramdani left the public inauguration and immediately got to work holding a news conference about a handful of executive orders, including ones meant to protect tenants and increase housing development. This after his first major speech as the leader of the Big Apple, where he said he's going to transform City hall with a new way of doing things that he won't back down from.

[Unnamed Reporter/Interviewee]

I was elected as a democratic socialist and I will govern as a democratic socialist.

[CB Cotton]

The 34 year old was publicly sworn in by his political hero and fellow progressive Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders.

[Ted Lindner]

During Mamdani's campaign, President Trump called him a communist and threatened to pull funding from New York City if he got in. The two met at the White House in November, a few weeks after Mamdani won the election. And a fire in a Swiss bar leaves dozens presumed dead and more than 100 others injured at a New Year's party. Fox's Stephanie Bennett with more 13 helicopters.

[Stephanie Bennett / Ainslie Earhart]

And 42ambulances rushed to the scene. In fact, first responders were on scene two minutes after the first call. Police say a fire broke out at Le Consolation Bar in Crohn's, Montana. It happened just after 1:30am the cause of the fire is not officially known, but two theories have emerged. Some say it was a firecracker, while two witnesses claim champagne bottles with sparklers caught the ceiling on fire. Panicked partygoers ran for out of the basement, up the narrow stairs and out the door, while others broke windows just to try to escape. Officials say the fire likely triggered the release of combustible gases, causing a flashover or a backdraft, basically an explosion.

[Ted Lindner]

At least 40 people were killed and over 115 others were injured. America's listening to FOX News.

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[Ted Lindner]

Well, it's time again for the National Hockey League to take its act outside. Fox's Paul Stevens with more it's round.

[Paul Stevens]

One of a double dip for outdoor hockey Florida style today when the defending Stanley cup champion Florida Panthers host the New York Rangers at Lone Depot park, home of baseball's Miami Marlins, in the NHL's annual Winter Classic in front of an expected sellout crowd. That game the first of two outdoor games in Florida this season. The Tampa Bay Lightning get their home game on February 1st against the Boston Bruins at Raymond James Stadium. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman on making outdoor ice in Florida with the experience we've.

[Unnamed Reporter/Interviewee]

Had with our ice making crews, what hockey operations does, we think we can do this and make it a huge success.

[Paul Stevens]

That from the NHL Network, Paul Stevens.

[Ted Lindner]

Fox News A daycare in Minnesota claiming to have been robbed recently. Fox's Garrett Tenney with more this particular.

[Unnamed Reporter/Interviewee]

Daycare center was not featured in Nick Shirley's viral video, but it is one of the dozens flagged to state investigators earlier this year for receiving more than a million dollars in federal fund despite having multiple and repeated violations on record. The owners of Nokomis Daycare say surveillance cameras captured two men breaking into their business, claiming they cut through an outside cinder block wall, crawled through an interior wall and busted their way in before getting into an office and stealing business records, including personal information of who attends the daycare. While the Minneapolis police are investigating this reported break in, some are suggesting it could be a cover up of wrongdoing.

[Ted Lindner]

The Department of Health and Human Services has frozen funding for various programs in Minnesota due to the ongoing fraud probe. At least 17 people killed and 11 others injured following heavy rain and snow across Afghanistan. Spokesman for Afghanistan's National Disaster Management Authority says most of the casualties have occurred since Monday in districts hit by flooding and the State Department calling on China to end military drills near Taiwan. A department spokesman saying China's military activities and rhetoric towards Taiwan increasing tensions. I'm Ted Lindner. This is Fox News.

[Stephanie Bennett / Ainslie Earhart]

This is Ainslie Earhart. Thank you for joining us. Joining me for the 52 episode podcast series the Life of Jesus, a listening.

[Ted Lindner]

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.