Fox News Hourly Update – 9AM ET, January 2, 2026

Host: Dave Anthony, FOX News Podcasts
Date: January 2, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode delivers a concise roundup of top national and international news stories, covering escalating tensions in Iran in response to President Trump’s social posts, scrutiny over fraud in Minnesota, a deadly nightclub fire in Switzerland, sweeping policy changes in New York City’s new mayoral era, and the rollout of new minimum wage and domestic violence laws in the U.S. Also included: a look at promising trends on Wall Street as the year begins.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. U.S.–Iran Tensions Escalate After Presidential Statement

• President Trump’s Social Media Warning

  • Early morning: President Trump posts on Truth Social, warning Iran against violently targeting protesters (“we're locked and loaded and ready to go”) ([00:03]).
  • Iranian officials threaten that U.S. intervention will “cause chaos and destroy US Interests.”
  • Context: The protests in Iran are now in their sixth day.

• On-the-Ground in Iran

  • Jessica Rosenthal: Social media is filled with protest videos, now focused not only on economic grievances but challenging the regime’s legitimacy and demanding a return of the shah ([00:25]).
  • U.S.-based human rights groups report at least seven protester deaths.

• Notable Quote:

  “If Iran violently kills peaceful protesters, the US Will come to their rescue, adding we're locked and loaded and ready to go.”
  — Dave Anthony quoting President Trump ([00:06])

2. President Trump’s Health and WSJ Report

• Trump’s Response to Age Concerns
  • President posts that he is in “perfect health” and aced his cognitive exam after a Wall Street Journal article raises questions about his age and possible lapses at public events ([00:43]).
  • Dismisses incidents as being “caught napping” as photos of him blinking.

3. Minnesota Faces Growing Fraud Crisis

• COVID-Era Loan Fraud

  • Chainley Painted: SBA blocks thousands of potentially fraudulent PPP and EIDL loans totaling about $400 million ([01:10]).
  • Governor Tim Walz under scrutiny for accepting $10,000 from donors linked to daycare centers implicated in social services fraud.

• Quote:

  “Walls has def collected all blame but a new report claims the governor received $10,000 from donors tied to Somali run daycare centers.”
  — Chainley Painted ([01:21])

4. Switzerland Bar Fire Tragedy

• Incident Overview
  • 40 people killed, 115 injured after a fire erupts in a nightclub in Switzerland an hour into the new year ([01:36]).
  • Cause not officially known, but eyewitnesses report firework candles inside a champagne bottle led to an explosion.

5. New York City’s Socialist Era Begins

• Mayor Zoran Mamdani Inauguration

  • Second day for NYC’s first openly socialist mayor ([02:32]).
  • Mayor Mamdani: Commits “never will we be accused of lacking the courage to try,” pledges not to compromise principles.

• Early Executive Action

  • Gernall Scott: Mamdani focuses on promises to renters, signs an executive order reviving an office to protect tenants ([02:48]).
  • Additional orders aim to accelerate housing development.
  • City pledges to fight price gouging and unsafe conditions ([03:09]).

• Quotes:

  “We may not always succeed, but never will we be accused of lacking the courage to try.”
  — Mayor Zoran Mamdani ([02:36])
  “If your landlord does not responsibly steward your home, city government will step in.”
  — City Housing Office, read by HGTV Host ([03:04])

6. Nationwide Legal Reforms in the New Year

• Minimum Wage Increases

  • 19 states raise minimum wage; Washington state leads at $17.13/hr ([03:27]).

• Tennessee Launches Domestic Violence Registry

  • Registry named after Savannah Puckett, murdered by her ex-boyfriend—aims to increase transparency and prevent repeat offenses ([03:42]).

• Quote:

  “The registry will include the offender's name, photograph, date of birth and date and county of convictions. Offenders could remain on the registry anywhere from two to 20 years, depending on how many times they've been convicted of domestic violence.”
  — Jack Callahan ([03:54])

7. Wall Street Outlook

• New Year Stock Market Trends
  • Positive forecast: Dow futures up 100+ points, S&P and Nasdaq had strong performances in 2025 ([04:19]).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “If Iran violently kills peaceful protesters, the US Will come to their rescue… we're locked and loaded and ready to go.”
  — President Trump, via Dave Anthony ([00:06])

• “We may not always succeed, but never will we be accused of lacking the courage to try.”
  — Mayor Zoran Mamdani ([02:36])

• “If your landlord does not responsibly steward your home, city government will step in.”
  — City Housing Office, read by HGTV Host ([03:04])

• “The registry will include the offender's name, photograph, date of birth and date and county of convictions...”
  — Jack Callahan ([03:54])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:03 – U.S. warning to Iran over protests; Trump Truth Social post
• 00:25 – On-the-ground protest coverage in Iran
• 00:43 – Trump addresses health rumors after WSJ report
• 01:10 – SBA blocks $400M in fraudulent loans in Minnesota; political fallout
• 01:36 – 40 killed in Switzerland bar fire
• 02:32 – NYC Mayor Mamdani’s inauguration; new socialist agenda
• 03:27 – National minimum wage increases, Tennessee’s new domestic violence offender registry
• 04:19 – Wall Street kicks off 2026 with positive momentum

This summary provides a comprehensive account of the 9AM ET Fox News Hourly Update for January 2, 2026, highlighting the episode’s main news topics, key details, and quoted moments for listeners seeking a fast yet thorough overview.