5AM ET 01/12/2026 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update: 5AM ET, January 12, 2026

Host: Ted Lindner (FOX News)
Date: January 12, 2026
Episode Theme:
A rapid-fire roundup of top headlines, breaking news, and major cultural updates, including major investigations in Washington, escalating US-Iran tensions, Golden Globes highlights, and thrilling NFL playoff action.

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1. Criminal Investigation into Fed Chair Jerome Powell

[00:03] – [00:47]

• The U.S. Attorney’s Office in D.C. has launched a criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell—specifically, his management of the Fed’s HQ renovation and truthfulness during Congressional testimony.

• Powell released a video on Sunday, asserting the investigation is political retaliation for his refusal to cut interest rates at President Trump’s request.

• He emphasized his nonpartisanship:

  • Quote:
    “I have served at the Federal Reserve under four administrations, Republicans and Democrats alike. In every case, I have carried out my duties without political fear or favor, focused solely on our mandate of price stability and maximum employment.”
    — Jerome Powell [00:32]

• Backdrop:

  • President Trump wanted lower rates to accelerate the economy; the Fed held back to avoid inflation.

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2. U.S.-Iran Tensions Escalate Amid Brutal Crackdown

[00:47] – [01:46]

• President Trump is evaluating responses to Iran’s crackdown on widespread anti-regime protests.

  • Options range from cyberattacks to direct U.S. or Israeli military action.

• Humanitarian Concerns:

  • Human rights groups report:
    • Over 500 protesters killed in 15 days.
    • Nearly 11,000 arrested.
    • Near-total communications blackout imposed by Iranian authorities.

• Protests triggered by economic hardship, corruption, and calls for regime change.

• Iran accuses protesters of seeking to “please President Trump.”

• Iranian Warning:

  • Iran threatens that U.S. and Israeli forces could become “legitimate targets” if the U.S. acts militarily.

• Quote:
  “President Trump is weighing a series of potential options against Iran. This amid the country’s brutal crackdown on protesters...”
  — Ashley Strohmeier (FOX) [01:04]

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3. 83rd Annual Golden Globes Highlights

[02:32] – [03:12]

• Best Picture, Musical or Comedy:
  • One Battle after Another (Paul Thomas Anderson) – won four awards; focuses on deep political divisions in America.
• Best Picture, Drama:
  • Hamnet – won two Globes.
• Best Actor:
  • Timothée Chalamet for “Marty Supreme.”
  • Quote:
    “I’d be lying if I didn’t say those moments didn’t make this moment that much sweeter. For my parents, for my partner, I love you. Thank you so much.”
    — Timothée Chalamet [03:05]
• TV:
  • “Adolescents” won four Globes for limited series “The Pit” and “The Studio 2.”

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4. NFL Wildcard Weekend Thrillers

[03:28] – [04:14]

• New Super Bowl Champion Assured:
  • 49ers: Brock Purdy hits Christian McCaffrey for a late TD, defeating defending champs Eagles (23-19).
  • Note: George Kittle (49ers) suffered a torn Achilles.
• AFC Showdown:
  • Bills (Josh Allen) ran in a go-ahead score with just over a minute to play, defeating Jaguars (27-24).
  • Quote:
    “The wherewithal to again not blink. And I think that’s just the mantra that we have adopted this year—if we’ve got time left and we got the ball, we got a shot.”
    — Josh Allen [04:01]
• Patriots: First playoff game since 2021; beat the Chargers (16-3).
• Quote:
  “There will be a new super bowl champion this year.”
  — Tim McMaster (FOX) [03:33]

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5. Protests in Los Angeles in Support of Iran Demonstrators

[04:14] – [04:28]

• Incident: At least two people injured in L.A. during protests supporting anti-regime demonstrators in Iran.
• Location: Westwood, LA.
• Perpetrator: Male driver taken into custody; name not released.

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Memorable Moments & Notable Quotes

• Jerome Powell’s Defiant Statement:
  “I have served at the Federal Reserve under four administrations ... carried out my duties without political fear or favor.” [00:32]
• Ashley Strohmeier’s Iran Update:
  “Responses reportedly include both military and non-military action.” [01:04]
• Timothée Chalamet’s Emotional Acceptance:
  “Those moments didn’t make this moment that much sweeter.” [03:05]
• Josh Allen’s Playoff Mantra:
  “If we’ve got time left and we got the ball, we got a shot.” [04:01]
• NFL Shift:
  “There will be a new super bowl champion this year.” [03:33]

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:03] Federal Reserve Powell Investigation
• [00:47] US-Iran Tensions & Crackdown
• [02:32] Golden Globes Award Recap
• [03:28] NFL Wildcard Highlights
• [04:14] LA Protests for Iran

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This episode packs essential national news—all in under five minutes—offering listeners a concise but thorough update on top stories in politics, world affairs, entertainment, and sports.

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Transcript

[A]

An investigation underway. I'm Ted Lindner, fox news. The U.S. attorney's office for D.C. opening up a criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, focusing on the renovation of the central bank's Washington headquarters and whether he was truthful in his congressional testimony about the project. Powell put out a video late Sunday saying the investigation's being done because Powell angered President Trump by not lowering interest rates when the president said to. He also says he served administrations on both sides of the aisle without political bodies.

[B]

I have served at the Federal Reserve under four administrations, Republicans and Democrats alike. In every case, I have carried out my duties without political fear or favor, focused solely on our mandate of price stability and maximum employment.

[A]

President Trump had hoped to jumpstart the US Economy quickly by getting the Fed to lower interest rates, but the Fed held back because of concerns that a lower rate could spur inflation. The US could soon act against Iran over hundreds of deaths and ongoing anti Iranian regime protests. Fox's Ashley Strohmeier has more details.

[C]

President Trump is weighing a series of potential options against Iran. This amid the country's brutal crackdown on protesters. Responses reportedly include both military and non military action ranging from cyber attacks to direct strikes by either the U.S. or Israel. And human rights groups say at least 500 people have been killed over the past 15 days. Nearly 11,000 others have been arrested and authorities are using a near total communications blackout to try and suppress information. The protests began last month over Iran's crippling economic conditions, corruption and then calls for regime change. Iran's supreme leader accuses protesters of trying to please President Trump.

[A]

Iran warns that the US Military and Israel could become legitimate targets if the US Strikes Iran. America's listening to FOX News.

[D]

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[A]

The 83rd annual Golden Globes awards ceremony celebrating achievements within film and tv. Sunday night Fox's Michelle Paulino with the awards recap.

[C]

And the winner is One Battle after Another.

[E]

Paul Thomas Anderson's One Battle after Another about the deep political battles in America took home four awards including best picture, musical or comedy. Hamnet won two, including best picture drama at the 83rd annual Golden Globes, while Timothee Chalamet grabbed the best Actor trophy for Marty supreme, acknowledging his previous losses.

[F]

I'd be lying if I didn't say those moments didn't make this moment that much sweeter. For my parents, for my partner, I love you. Thank you so much.

[E]

Golden Globes Clips provided by Golden Globes LLC and Dick Clark Productions, LLC on the TV side, adolescents took home four globes for limited series the Pit and the Studio 2. Michelle Paulino, Fox News the NFL's wildcard.

[A]

Weekend packed with last minute comebacks. Fox's Tim McMaster recapping Sunday's triple header.

[G]

There will be a new super bowl champion this year.

[A]

Purdy Pressure steps up hard Touchdown San.

[G]

Francisco Courtesy Fox Brock purdy hit Christian McCaffrey on a late touchdown pass to knock out the defending champion Eagles 23 19. San Francisco did lose star tight end George Kittle to a torn Achilles in the afc. Josh Allen ran in the go ahead score with just over a minute to play to beat beat the Jaguars 2724 and talked about it afterwards to have.

[F]

The wherewithal to again not blink. And I think that's just the mantra that we have adopted this year of if we've got time left and we got the ball, we got a shot.

[G]

And finally, in their first playoff game since 2021, the Patriots beat the Chargers.

[A]

163 and at least two people injured Sunday in LA during a protest in support of anti regime demonstrations in Iran. Hundreds have been marching in support in Westwood for the Iranian protesters. The male driver taken into custody has not been identified. I'm Ted Lindner, this is Fox.

[C]

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

[G]

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