5AM ET 01/17/2026 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update: 5AM ET 01/17/2026 – Episode Summary

Overview

This episode provides a concise roundup of major overnight news stories from the U.S. and abroad, focusing on ongoing protests in Minneapolis, a high-profile legal conflict in Utah, escalating unrest in Iran, and new U.S. tariffs on countries partnering with Iran. The broadcast delivers rapid, on-the-ground reporting with eyewitness accounts and official responses.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Protests Against ICE in Minneapolis

• Arrests & Federal Response

  • At least two protesters were arrested outside the Minneapolis federal building Friday night during ongoing demonstrations against ICE.
  • Federal agents, described as forming a skirmish line, forcefully detained protesters believed to be on federal property.
  • “They just bull rushed two of those protesters... We saw one person get maced in the face over in the snow.”
    — Bill Melusion (00:16)
  • Despite single-digit temperatures and continuous snowfall, protest activity persists.

• Legal and Administrative Developments

  • The Justice Department is investigating Minnesota Governor Tim Walsh, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, and other officials concerning the federal response to protests.
  • A federal judge ruled that federal officers cannot detain or use tear gas on peaceful protesters not interfering with authorities during “Operation Metro Surge.”
  • “The ruling prohibits officers from retaliating against anyone peacefully protesting or observing their actions…”
    — Gary Baumgarten (01:12)
  • DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin defended agents’ actions, citing protection against “dangerous rioters.”

2. National Guard Deployment in Washington, D.C.

• The National Guard will remain deployed in Washington, D.C. through year’s end due to unspecified ongoing security concerns.
  • “The memo, signed by Army Secretary Dan Driscoll... said the conditions warranted the extension.” — Chris DiMaio (01:41)

3. Utah Legal Conflict – Tyler Robinson Case

• Conflict of Interest Claim

  • Defense attorneys for Tyler Robinson, accused of killing Charlie Kirk, are attempting to disqualify prosecutors, alleging a conflict because an attorney’s child was near the scene of the shooting.
  • “Tyler Robinson’s lawyers say... Prosecutor A was 85ft away from Charlie Kirk when he was fatally shot in September, arguing this is a conflict of interest.” — Kristin Goodwin (02:41)
  • Judge Tony Graf denied the motion to disqualify but ordered an evidentiary hearing.

• Testimonies & Tactics

  • Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray testified about his awareness and actions regarding the alleged conflict.
  • Prosecutors characterized the defense’s efforts as a “stall tactic.”
  • An evidentiary hearing is scheduled for February 3rd.

4. Protests and Crackdown in Iran

• Escalating Repression

  • Iranian officials, including a Supreme Leader appointee, called for the death of “armed hypocrites”—a reference to protesters—and described demonstrators as “Trump’s soldiers.”
  • “The death toll from the regime's brutal response nearing 2,800, according to a U.S.-based human rights group.”
    — Greg Palkot (03:36)
  • Eyewitnesses report government forces using live gunfire; over 3,000 arrested.

• International Response

  • President Trump is monitoring the situation, emphasizing a “serious crackdown” if the Iranian regime escalates further.
  • The Iranian government maintains an internet blackout, with diaspora support encouraging protesters online.

5. US Imposes New Tariffs Related to Iran

• The President announced new tariffs: “Any country that has been working with Iran will be getting an extra 25% tariff. Those countries include China, Russia and Brazil.”
  — Chris DiMaio (04:19)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “The cold weather is not stopping them.”
  — Bill Melusion on Minneapolis protesters (00:44)

• “The ruling prohibits officers from retaliating against anyone peacefully protesting or observing their actions…”
  — Gary Baumgarten (01:12)

• “Tyler Robinson’s lawyers say... Prosecutor A was 85ft away from Charlie Kirk when he was fatally shot in September, arguing this is a conflict of interest.”
  — Kristin Goodwin (02:41)

• “The death toll from the regime's brutal response nearing 2,800, according to a U.S.-based human rights group.”
  — Greg Palkot (03:36)

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Episode Timeline & Timestamps

• [00:02] – [00:48]: Minneapolis anti-ICE protest details, arrests, and weather conditions; first-hand account from Bill Melusion.
• [00:48] – [01:11]: DOJ investigation into Minnesota officials and judge’s ruling on protest policing.
• [01:11] – [01:41]: Legal interpretations of protest policing; DHS perspective from Gary Baumgarten.
• [01:41] – [02:00]: National Guard deployment extended in Washington, D.C.
• [02:32] – [03:26]: Tyler Robinson case legal motions and testimonies; update on upcoming court date.
• [03:26] – [04:11]: President Trump’s response to Iran protests; regime crackdown, protester casualties, and mounting international pressure.
• [04:11] – [04:28]: U.S. tariffs targeted at countries cooperating with Iran.

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Conclusion

This Fox News Hourly Update delivers a tightly packed overview of pressing national and international events, ranging from civil unrest in Minneapolis and Iran to high-profile legal battles and foreign policy shifts. Listeners are provided with immediate facts, multiple perspectives, and actionable updates all in under five minutes.

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Transcript

[Chris DiMaio]

The heat continues on ice. I'm Chris DiMaio, Fox News. At least two arrests on Friday night outside the federal building in Minneapolis as protests continue against ice.

[Bill Melusion]

There were a couple of protesters standing in front of the main gate to this federal property. And then there was a skirmish line of federal agents that started walking slowly and then kind of at the snap of their fingers, they just bull rushed two of those protesters who the feds will say were on federal property. They tried getting away. They took two of them down to the ground. We saw one person get maced in the face over in the snow. Not sure exactly what led up to that interaction other than that it hasn't been as active as it was. We haven't seen any tear gas. It has been snowing all day. The temperatures have dropped in a single digit. Still, you got folks out here protesting. The cold weather is not stopping them.

[Chris DiMaio]

That's fox's Bill Melusion in Minneapolis. The Justice Department is reportedly investigating Minnesota Governor Tim Walsh, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Fry and other officials. A federal judge bars federal officers from detaining or deploying tear gas against peaceful protesters who are not obstructing authorities while participating in Operation Metro Surge in Minneapolis.

[Gary Baumgarten]

The ruling prohibits officers from retaliating against anyone peacefully protesting or observing their actions, adding the agents must show probable cause or reasonable suspicion that someone has committed a crime or is interfering with law enforcement before taking action. DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin says the agents are protecting themselves and the public from dangerous rioters. Gary Baumgarten, FOX News National Guard troops.

[Chris DiMaio]

Will be on the Streets of Washington, D.C. until the end of the year. That's according to a memo reviewed by the Associated Press. The memo, signed by Army Secretary Dan Driscoll and dated Wednesday, said the conditions warranted the extension. America's listening to fox.

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[Chris DiMaio]

Attorneys for Charlie Kirk's accused killer, Tyler Robinson are trying to remove prosecutors from the case. Fox's Kristin Goodwin has more.

[Kristin Goodwin]

Tyler Robinson's lawyers say a briefing revealed the child of an attorney in the Utah county attorney's office dubbed Prosecutor A was 85ft away from Charlie Kirk when he was fatally shot in September, arguing this is a conflict of interest. Judge Tony Graf not granting the defense's motion to disqualify prosecutors based on the briefing. But he did grant an evidentiary hearing on the motion. The defense grilling Utah county attorney Jeff.

[Gary Baumgarten]

Gray and at some point I was told that prosecutor A's child left her back, left the back there.

[Kristin Goodwin]

Gray explaining he didn't talk to anyone other than his team about what he heard from his colleague. Prosecutors calling the defense's motion a stall tactic. The hearing will continue on February 3rd. Kristin Goodwin, Fox News.

[Chris DiMaio]

President Trump is continuing to monitor the protests in Iran, explaining that he's serious about a crackdown if the regime gets worse.

[Greg Palkot]

An appointee of the supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei at Friday prayers in Tehran declaring armed hypocrites should be put to death. Also branding the protesters Trump's soldiers. The death toll from the regime's brutal response nearing 2800, according to a U. S. Based human rights group. Eyewitnesses from Iran say the security forces gunfire was strong along with those killed, many more injured and according to the government, 3,000 arrested. While only scattered protests reported, the regime's Internet blackout inside the country remains in place, causing others outside to root them on, including the son of the late deposed Shah of Iran.

[Chris DiMaio]

That's Fox's Greg Palkot reporting in London. The president has also confirmed that any country that has been working with Iran will be getting an extra 25% tariff. Those countries include China, Russia and Brazil. I'm Chris dimaio. This is Fox News.

[Kristin Goodwin]

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

[Chris DiMaio]

A listening 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.