5AM ET 01/03/2026 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update – 5AM ET 01/03/2026 Newscast

Host: Fox News Podcasts
Date: January 3, 2026

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Episode Overview

This Fox News Hourly Update delivers breaking developments on major international and domestic events. The newscast covers significant US military action in Venezuela, reaction across Latin America, a notable arrest of a former MLB player, federal investigation into widespread pandemic loan fraud, political controversy in New York City, and a federal court ruling on gun rights.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. US Military Strikes in Venezuela

[00:03–02:00]

• Breaking News: The US, under the Trump administration, confirms large-scale strikes against Venezuela, marking a stunning escalation in long-standing tensions.
• Details of the Strike:
  • As many as seven explosions reported in Venezuela’s capital, Caracas, around 2am local time, mainly near military installations in the city’s eastern sector.
  • The operation is in line with months of US pressure on President Nicolás Maduro, whom US officials label as the head of a “narco terrorist state.”
• Regional Reactions:
  • Colombia's President Gustavo Petro issues a forceful denunciation:
    • “The U.S. is bombing Caracas. They’re attacking Venezuela.” (Gustavo Petro, paraphrased by correspondent, [00:36])
  • Venezuelan officials assert that both civilian and military sites were targeted and urge citizens to take to the streets to protest what they call an "imperialist attack."
• Immediate Aftermath:
  • President Maduro declares a state of external disturbance.
  • The U.S. FAA bans US commercial flights over Venezuelan airspace.
  • Colombia calls for an urgent United Nations meeting.
• Presidential Statement:
  • Former President Donald Trump, via Truth Social:
    • “The United States of America has successfully carried out a large scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro, who has been along with his wife, captured and flown out of the country. This operation was done in conjunction with U.S. law enforcement; details to follow. There will be a news conference later on today at 11am at Mar a Lago. Thank you for your attention to this matter.” (Donald Trump, [01:28])
• Quote from Fox Reporter:
  • “Venezuela's government called on its citizens to take to the streets and repudiate this imperialist attack.” (Steve Harrigan, [00:58])

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2. High-Profile Arrest: Lenny Dykstra

[02:40–03:13]

• Former baseball star Lenny Dykstra arrested for alleged drug possession during a state police traffic stop near Scranton, Pennsylvania, on New Year's Day.
• Police discovered narcotics and related paraphernalia.
• Dykstra is known for his MLB career, including a World Series win with the Mets in 1986, and past convictions for bankruptcy fraud. (Reported by Jay Berman)

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3. Pandemic Era Small Business Loan Fraud in Minnesota

[03:13–04:01]

• The Small Business Administration suspends thousands of borrowers in Minnesota following a surge in fraud investigations.
• 8,000 potentially fraudulent loans identified, worth about $400 million; affected borrowers barred from all SBA programs.
• Broader fraud schemes involving food, childcare, and health care programs could add up to $9 billion in tax dollar losses, according to the US Attorney's Office. (Reported by Jeff Manasso)

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4. Political and Legal Controversies in New York & California

[04:01–04:36]

• NYC’s New Mayor Stirs Debate:
  • Zran Mamdani, New York City’s new, Muslim mayor, accused by the National Jewish Advocacy Center of deleting anti-antisemitism posts from former Mayor Eric Adams.
  • Mamdani's office asserts the posts are being archived and expresses commitment to fighting antisemitism.
  • Mayor also vows to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for alleged war crimes if he visits New York City.
• Second Amendment Ruling:
  • A federal court rules California’s ban on openly carrying guns in most parts of the state as unconstitutional. (Summary by Chris De Bello)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “The U.S. is bombing Caracas. They're attacking Venezuela.”
  — President Gustavo Petro of Colombia, reported by correspondent ([00:36])
• “Venezuela's government called on its citizens to take to the streets and repudiate this imperialist attack.”
  — Steve Harrigan, Fox News ([00:58])
• “The United States of America has successfully carried out a large scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro … captured and flown out of the country.”
  — Former President Donald Trump, excerpt from Truth Social ([01:28])

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Timestamps for Major Segments

• 00:03–02:00 – US Strike on Venezuela: details, reactions, Trump statement.
• 02:40–03:13 – Lenny Dykstra arrested for drug possession.
• 03:13–04:01 – SBA suspends borrowers amid pandemic loan fraud in Minnesota.
• 04:01–04:36 – Controversies concerning NYC mayor, antisemitism, and open carry law in California.

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Overall Tone

The episode delivers urgent, matter-of-fact coverage of breaking news, with a focus on clear reporting, multiple perspectives, and rapid-fire headlines. Notable for dramatic geopolitical events and the swift reporting of developing stories, particularly surrounding the Venezuela strike and fallout.

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Transcript

[A]

This is a FOX news alert. The U.S. strikes Venezuela. I'm Chris DiMaio, Fox News. The Trump administration has confirmed to Fox that it's carried out strikes against Venezuela early this morning.

[B]

As many as seven explosions happening in the capital of Caracas, Venezuela about 2am local time. And this follows certainly months of pressure by the US On Venezuela and the leader of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro. The 63 year old the US officials say is the head of a narco terrorist state. So what we're hearing is eyewitness accounts of explosions. They're being said to have happened around military installations near Caracas on the eastern part of the city. The president of neighboring Colombia is not holding back. Gustavo Petro is saying the U.S. is bombing Caracas. They're attacking Venezuela.

[A]

That's Fox's Steve Harrigan reporting. A Venezuela's government accusing the U.S. of attacking civilian and military installations in multiple states. Venezuela's government called on its citizens to take to the streets and repudiate this imperialist attack. As President Nicolas Maduro declares a state of external disturbance. The FAA has banned US Commercial flights from flying over Venezuelan airspace. Colombia is calling for an immediate meeting of the UN Meantime, President Trump issuing a statement on truth Social just minutes ago. The United States of America has successfully carried out a large scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro, who has been along with his wife, captured and flown out of the country. This operation was done in conjunction with U.S. law enforcement details to follow. The president also says that there'll be a news conference later on today at 11am at Mar a Lago. Thank you for your attention to this matter. President Donald J. Trump, America's listening to Fox News.

[C]

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[A]

A former major league baseball star is in trouble with the law.

[D]

Lenny Dykstra has been arrested for drug possession during a state police traffic stop on New Year's Day near Scranton, Pennsylvania. During the investigation, police found Dykstra in possession of narcotics and narcotic related equipment and paraphernalia. The former center fielder for the Phillies in the 90s served time in California for a bankruptcy fraud. He did win a World Series championship with the Mets all the way back in 1986. His charges are pending. Jay Berman, FOX News.

[A]

The Small Business association is suspending thousands of borrowers in Minnesota in the wake of an explosion of fraud investigations.

[E]

The Small Business Administration says it spent the last week reviewing thousands of potentially fraudulent loans from pandemic era paycheck protection programs and economic injury disaster loans, saying about 8,000 loans were approved worth about $400 million. That now thousands of those borrowers are suspended from all SB loan programs due to suspected fraud and that cases will be referred to law enforcement for prosecution and repayment. That on top of the fraud in Minnesota for food, child health care and other programs that the U.S. attorney's office says could top 9 billion in stolen tax dollars. Jeff Manasso, Fox News.

[A]

New York City's new mayor already stirring up controversy. The National Jewish Advocacy center is accusing Zran Mamdani of removing two posts from outgoing Mayor Eric Adams that focused on fight anti Semitism. Mamdani's office claims that the deleted posts are in the process of being archived and that he remains committed to getting rid of anti Semitism. The Muslim mayor has also vowed to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a war criminal if he travels to New York City. And a federal court has ruled California's ban on openly carrying guns in most parts of the state is unconstitutional. I'm Chris De Bello.

[F]

This is Ainsley Earhart. Thank you for joining me for the 52 episode podcast series the Life of.

[G]

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