Fox News Hourly Update: 5AM ET 01/23/2026 Newscast

Host: Ted Lindner (Fox News Podcasts)
Air Date: January 23, 2026

Overview

This early-morning newscast delivers concise, fast-moving coverage of the nation’s top stories, with a focus on the approaching winter storm, impending government shutdown, Vice President J.D. Vance’s trip to Minnesota, a high-profile courtroom case, developments in Gaza and Iran, and major layoffs at Meta. Most coverage is straightforward, sticking to Fox News’ classic urgent, no-frills style, featuring direct commentary from political figures and updates on global crises.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Nationwide Winter Storm Warning

• Major Storm to Begin Friday Night:
  • [00:03] Ted Lindner sets the tone: “Winter storm will spread snow, ice and cold temperatures across the country set to begin Friday night.”
  • [00:14] Louisiana State Climatologist Jay Grimes warns of a “triple whammy”:
    • “Ice for the northern parishes followed by snow, followed by that bitter cold arctic air.” (Jay Grimes, 00:14)
• Scope and Impact:
  • [00:25] More than 200 million Americans across two dozen states are projected to be affected, with heavy snow, sleet, and dangerous ice.
• Airline Disruptions:
  • [00:35] Major airlines (Delta, American, United, Southwest, JetBlue) are already cancelling flights or waiving change fees in anticipation.
  • [00:40] “Storm could trigger thousands of cancellations through Monday. Travelers being urged to monitor flights closely as disruptions ripple nationwide.” (Ted Lindner, 00:40)

2. Government Shutdown Threat and House Spending Bills

• [00:47] Congress races to avoid a government shutdown by the end of January.
• [01:01] House Speaker Mike Johnson:
  • "The House has now passed all 12 appropriations bills and the Senate will soon do the same and the president is going to sign them into law. What a concept, gentlemen.” (Mike Johnson, 00:52)
• The Senate is expected to review the bills ahead of the January 30 deadline.

3. VP J.D. Vance in Minnesota: ICE Operations and Local Law Enforcement

• [01:09] Vice President Vance visits Minneapolis, urges local cooperation with ICE to address violence and unrest.
• [01:15] Paraphrased remarks:
  • “The chaos would go way down in the Twin Cities, that we're not seeing the level of violence over ICE action in other states like we're seeing in Minnesota.” (Reporter, 01:15)
  • “Maybe the problem is unique to Minneapolis and we believe that it is. And it's a lack of cooperation between state and local law enforcement and federal law enforcement.” (Local official, 01:29)
• [01:38] Vice President Vance says the Insurrection Act is not needed yet, but warns this could change if the situation escalates.
• [01:43] Minnesota Governor Tim Walz criticizes ICE:
  • “Its campaign of retribution has got to stop.” (Gov. Walz, 01:53, via reporter Jeff Manasso)

4. High-Profile Court Case: UnitedHealthcare CEO’s Death

• [02:32] Luigi Mangione, accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, appears in a New York courtroom.
• [02:41] Legal wrangling continues over what evidence can be used, with a focus on his arrest and police procedures in Pennsylvania.
• [03:10] Defense seeks to exclude certain charges from the federal death penalty prosecution.
• [03:13] “Mangione has pleaded not guilty to all counts.” (Grinnell Scott, 03:13)

5. Middle East: Gaza Crisis and Iranian Crackdown

• [03:20] Desperate conditions in Gaza:
  • “Some desperate Palestinians reportedly resorting to burning plastic in order to make fires to stay warm.” (Ted Lindner, 03:20)
• [03:26] Verification of these reports is still pending.
• [03:31] At Davos, President Trump claims: “Record levels of humanitarian aid has entered Gaza since October, the start of the US brokered ceasefire deal.” (Paraphrased, 03:32)
• [03:38] Iran:
  • Death toll from government crackdown on protests reaches at least 5,002 (per U.S.-based activist groups).
  • Ongoing internet blackout entering its second week.

6. Tech Industry: Meta Layoffs

• [04:00] Meta (Facebook’s parent company) to lay off hundreds at its Reality Labs division, with reductions possibly reaching 1,500 (about 10% of division staff), per New York Times.
• [04:25] Layoffs anticipated in California and Washington state as Meta shifts focus toward artificial intelligence.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Jay Grimes on Louisiana Storm Outlook:

  • “So it’s a triple whammy. Ice for the northern parishes followed by snow, followed by that bitter cold arctic air.” (00:14)

• Speaker Mike Johnson on Appropriations:

  • “What a concept, gentlemen.” (00:52)

• Reporter quoting Vice President J.D. Vance:

  • “The chaos would go way down in the Twin Cities, ... we're not seeing the level of violence over ICE action in other states like we're seeing in Minnesota.” (01:15)

• Governor Tim Walz (via Jeff Manaso):

  • “Its campaign of retribution has got to stop.” (01:53)

• On Gaza’s Severe Hardship:

  • “Some desperate Palestinians reportedly resorting to burning plastic in order to make fires to stay warm.” (03:20)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Winter Storm Alert: 00:03 – 00:40
• Government Funding/Shut Down: 00:47 – 01:09
• VP Vance ICE Visit: 01:09 – 01:55
• UnitedHealthcare CEO Case: 02:32 – 03:13
• Gaza & Iran Updates: 03:20 – 04:00
• Meta Layoffs: 04:00 – 04:25

This summary captures the essential news items and direct quotes from the Fox News Hourly Update, providing a fast-paced window into U.S. and global headline events for January 23, 2026.