5AM ET 01/07/2026 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update — 5AM ET 01/07/2026 Newscast

Host: Ted Lindner
Date: January 7, 2026
Podcast: Fox News Hourly Update

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Overview

This episode delivers concise updates on key global and national stories, including major international security developments, US political decisions, notable deaths, natural disasters, and public health concerns. The report maintains a fast-paced and factual tone, suitable for quick yet informative news consumption.

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Key Stories and Highlights

1. New Security Commitment to Ukraine

(00:03 - 00:46)

• Main Update:
  The U.S. and European allies are finalizing a new security framework for Ukraine in ongoing Paris peace talks.
• Details:
  • US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff reveals protocols for possible British and French troops in Ukraine.
  • The U.S. may lead monitoring and verification for any ceasefire.
  • Negotiations are advancing on a “prosperity agreement” intended to jumpstart Ukraine's postwar economy.
• Notable Quote:
  • Kevin Cork: “Important so that the people of Ukraine know that when this ends, it ends forever.” (00:23)

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2. U.S. Actions in Venezuela: Oil and Political Control

(00:46 - 01:34)

• Main Update:
  President Trump announces, via Truth Social, that the U.S. will receive 30 to 50 million barrels of oil after detaining Venezuela’s leader Nicolas Maduro.
• Details:
  • The administration aims to keep Venezuela’s resources under U.S. control.
  • The U.S. will not permit elections in Venezuela “anytime soon” to ensure stability.
  • There is critique from Congressional Democrats about being excluded from developing U.S. plans for Venezuela.
• Notable Quotes:
  • Kevin Cork: “The president continued his push to ensure that that country's resources remain firmly in US Hands...” (00:57)
  • “There’ll be no election anytime soon. That is, of course, until the US can stabilize things on the ground.” (01:12)

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3. Renewed Talk of Acquiring Greenland

(01:34 - 02:01)

• Main Update:
  President Trump presses forward on U.S. interest in acquiring Greenland, despite opposition from Denmark.
• Details:
  • Denmark, which owns Greenland as a semi-autonomous territory, opposes any U.S. acquisition.
  • White House spokeswoman Caroline Levitt reaffirms that Greenland remains a “national security priority.”
• Notable Statement:
  • “President Trump's made it well known but acquiring Greenland is a national security priority.” (01:54, attributed to Caroline Levitt)

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4. Minnesota Governor Opts Out of Third Term

(02:32 - 03:12)

• Main Update:
  Minnesota Governor Tim Walz will not seek reelection, amid criticism for mishandling fraud.
• Details:
  • Governor Walz says he’ll take responsibility for state fraud but refuses to resign.
  • Over 90 have been charged with fraud involving public funds for social services.
• Notable Quotes:
  • Tim Walz: “Over my dead body will that happen. I will fight this thing till the very end to make this state better.” (02:52)
  • “Anytime I get drug into being next to Donald Trump, God help me, I don't want to be judged against that guy.” (03:02)

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5. Passing of Michael Reagan

(03:12 - 03:24)

• Main Update:
  Michael Reagan, eldest son of former President Ronald Reagan, dies at 80.
• Details:
  • Remembered as a syndicated talk show host, writer, and advocate championing his father’s ideals.
  • Statement: “Michael lived a life shaped by conviction, purpose and an abiding devotion to President Reagan's ideals...”

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6. Magnitude 6.7 Earthquake Strikes the Philippines

(03:24 - 03:32)

• Main Update:
  A strong earthquake (6.7 magnitude) occurs near Baculin, Philippines.
• Details:
  • Struck at a depth of 10 km, 68 km from Baculin.
  • No casualties reported at the time of broadcast.

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7. Measles Outbreak in South Carolina

(03:32 - 04:30)

• Main Update:
  Over 200 measles cases reported, primarily impacting elementary schools and churches.
• Details:
  • Multiple hospitalizations, 140+ in quarantine, and at least seven in isolation.
  • Efforts to contain the outbreak are ongoing.

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Notable Quotes

• Kevin Cork on Ukraine Security Agreement:
  “Important so that the people of Ukraine know that when this ends, it ends forever.” (00:23)
• President Trump via Kevin Cork on Venezuela Elections:
  “There'll be no election anytime soon. That is, of course, until the US can stabilize things on the ground.” (01:12)
• Tim Walz on Calls to Resign:
  “Over my dead body will that happen. I will fight this thing till the very end to make this state better.” (02:52)
• Tim Walz on Trump Comparison:
  “Anytime I get drug into being next to Donald Trump, God help me, I don't want to be judged against that guy.” (03:02)

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Timestamps for Major Segments

• Ukraine Security Update: 00:03 – 00:46
• Venezuela/U.S. Oil & Elections: 00:46 – 01:34
• Greenland Acquisition Talk: 01:34 – 02:01
• Governor Walz — Reelection Decision & Fraud: 02:32 – 03:12
• Michael Reagan Obituary: 03:12 – 03:24
• Philippines Earthquake: 03:24 – 03:32
• South Carolina Measles Outbreak: 03:32 – 04:30

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Overall Tone & Takeaway

The episode maintains an urgent, direct, and factual broadcast news style, prioritizing significant political and world events. For listeners who missed the episode, the update provides a succinct yet comprehensive briefing on the stories shaping national and international headlines as of January 7, 2026.

Transcript

[Ted Lindner]

A new security commitment. I'm Ted Lindner, fox News. The U.S. and European allies making that new security commitment to Ukraine as part of peace talks. Fox's Jared Halpern with more.

[Steve Witkoff]

Following the latest round of talks in Paris, US Special envoy Steve Witkoff says partners are largely finished on an agreement for security protocols for Ukraine, which are.

[Kevin Cork]

Important so that the people of Ukraine know that when this ends, it ends forever.

[Steve Witkoff]

Under the framework, British and French troops could operate in Ukraine with the US Leading a monitoring and verification of any ceasefire. Witkoff says negotiators are also closing in on a prosperity agreement to restart Ukraine's post war economy. At the White House, Jared Halpern, Fox.

[Ted Lindner]

News President Trump posting on truth social the US going to receive 30 to 50 million barrels of oil after his administration captured the country's leader Nicolas Maduro last weekend. Fox's Kevin Cork with more.

[Kevin Cork]

The president continued his push to ensure that that country's resources remain firmly in US Hands while also girding for renewed push for more energy from adversaries like China, Russia, Iran and Cuba. Meantime, the president also continued his tough talk on how things will play out in the country in the weeks ahead, noting that, no, there'll be no election anytime soon. That is, of course, until the US can stabilize things on the ground. This as Democratic lawmakers over on Capitol Hill continue to criticize the White House for not involving them in the plan of action in Venezuela.

[Ted Lindner]

And President Trump continues to talk plans to acquire Greenland, including the potential use of the US Military. The talk continues even with vocal opposition from Denmark, which owns the semi autonomous territory and says it does not want to become part of the United States. White House spokeswoman Caroline Levitt releasing a statement Tuesday saying President Trump's made it well known but acquiring Greenland is a national security priority. America's listening to FOX News.

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[Ted Lindner]

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz announcing Monday he will not be seeking reelection for a third term as governor in 2026. The decision coming as he faced growing criticism for his handling of fraud in the state. The governor answering questions about his decision on Tuesday for the first time saying he accepts responsibility for any fraud that happens in the state. But when asked if he'd resign or.

[Tim Walz]

Not, I'm not going anywhere and you can make all your requests for me to resign, over my dead body will that happen. I will fight this thing till the very end to make this state better. And the question that I think they need to decide is, is when did the guy in the White House resign? Anytime I get drug into being next to Donald Trump, God help me, I don't want to be judged against that guy.

[Ted Lindner]

More than 90 people have been charged so far for their role in multiple fraud schemes that involve the misuse of public fund intended for social services and other government programs. Michael Reagan, the eldest son of former President Ronald Reagan, has died. A statement from the Ronald Reagan Presidential foundation saying Michael lived a life shaped by conviction, purpose and an abiding devotion to President Reagan's ideals. A successful author, nationally syndicated radio talk show host and sought after public speaker, Michael used his voice to champion freedom, personal responsibility and the principles that defined his father's presidency. Michael Reagan was 80 years old. A magnitude 6.7 earthquake has struck the Philippines near Baculin. It's According to the U.S. geological survey. The quake struck 68 kilometers from the city at a depth of 10 kilometers. Authorities still assessing any damage, but so far there was no word of any casualties this morning. And a measles outbreak in South Carolina. Multiple people have been hospitalized. More than 200 cases have been reported, spreading mainly through elementary schools and churches. So far, at least 140 people are in quarantine and at least seven more are in isolation as the folks in South Carolina struggle to contain the outbreak. I'm Ted Lindner, this is Ainslie Earhart.

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[Ted Lindner]

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