9PM ET 01/02/2026 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update – 9PM ET 01/02/2026 – Episode Summary

Main Theme:
This newscast covers the latest breaking stories from around the globe and across the U.S., with a focus on escalating tensions in Iran, domestic terror arrests, childcare funding investigations, an abortion-related homicide in Kentucky, a building collapse in Nairobi, U.S. minimum wage hikes, and a shakeup in the electric vehicle market.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. US-Iran Tensions Escalate

• Presidential Warning: President Trump issues a public warning to Iran, promising U.S. intervention if peaceful protesters are harmed by the Iranian government.
  • Lisa Lacera (00:02): “…President Trump saying if the Iranian government kills peaceful protesters, the U.S. will come to their rescue.”
• Background: Weeks of protests in Iran over a deteriorating economy have led to at least seven deaths.
• Iran’s Response: Stiff pushback from Iran’s leadership, warning the U.S. against interference.
  • Lucas Tomlinson (00:21): “Trump should know that American interference in this internal issue is equivalent to chaos across the entire region and the destruction of American interests.”
• Domestic Criticism: Some Democrats urge President Trump not to inflame the situation further.

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2. Foiled Terror Plot in North Carolina

• Suspect Arrested: The FBI arrests 18-year-old Christian Sturtevant of Mint Hill, North Carolina, for plotting attacks on a grocery store and fast food restaurant.
  • Reporter (00:48): “The plot was in the works for about a year and it involved innocent people with hammers and knives being attacked.”
• Investigation Details: Authorities seized hammers and two butcher knives under the suspect’s bed; specific targets were not disclosed.
• Legal Proceedings: Sturtevant is charged with attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization.
  • Lisa Lacera (01:16): “His next court appearance is next week.”

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3. Minnesota Childcare Fraud Investigation

• Federal Pressure: The Trump administration demands Minnesota turn over details about childcare fund recipients, alleging fraud or face federal funding cuts.
  • Lisa Lacera (01:16): “…Minnesota officials have until next week to hand over information... or risk losing federal funding…”
• State Response: Inspections reveal the centers accused of fraud were mostly operating as expected, despite claims from a conservative influencer.

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4. Kentucky Fetal Homicide Case

• Legal Charges: Melinda Spencer, 35, of Camden is charged with first-degree fetal homicide, abuse of a corpse, and tampering with evidence after allegedly self-inducing an abortion and burying the fetus.
  • Lisa Lacera (02:39): “Charged with fetal homicide after a baby is found buried in a backyard.”
  • Jeff Manasso (02:44): “…Spencer of Camden allegedly ordered medication online to carry out an abortion before burying a dead infant in a shallow grave on her property.”
• Legal Context: Kentucky has a near-total ban on abortion, with exceptions only to save the life of the mother.

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5. Building Collapse in Nairobi

• Accident Overview: A multi-story building under construction collapses in Nairobi, Kenya’s capital, trapping at least four people.
  • Lisa Lacera (03:18): “A multi story building under construction in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi has collapsed, leaving at least four people trapped.”

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6. U.S. Minimum Wage Increases

• Wage Boost: 19 states and 47 localities increase minimum wages as of January 1, impacting over 8 million workers and adding $5 billion in earnings.
  • Max Gordon (03:29): “Washington state now has the highest state minimum wage in the country at $17.13 an hour.”
• Reasons for Changes:
  • Some triggers include inflation adjustments, legislation, and ballot measures
  • Additional states like Alaska, Florida, and Oregon will implement increases later in the year.

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7. Tesla Loses EV Market Crown to BYD

• Market Shift: Tesla’s annual deliveries drop 9% to over 1.6 million vehicles, causing it to lose the title of the world’s largest electric vehicle maker.
  • Lisa Lacera (04:12): “Tesla has lost its title as the world’s biggest electric vehicle maker as its sales fall for the second year in a row.”
• New Leader: Chinese automaker BYD surpasses Tesla with over 418,000 vehicles sold in the fourth quarter of 2025.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Lisa Lacera (00:02): “President Trump saying if the Iranian government kills peaceful protesters, the US Will come to their rescue.”
• Lucas Tomlinson (00:21): “Trump should know that American interference in this internal issue is equivalent to chaos across the entire region and the destruction of American interests.”
• Reporter (00:48): “The plot was in the works for about a year and it involved innocent people with hammers and knives being attacked.”
• Max Gordon (03:29): “Nineteen states and 47 cities and counties raised their minimum wages starting January 1, according to the Economic Policy Institute… Washington state now has the highest state minimum wage in the country at $17.13 an hour.”

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:02 – US issues warning to Iran; context of Iranian protests
• 00:21 – Iran’s official response
• 00:34 – Domestic political reaction in the US
• 00:48 – FBI arrest in North Carolina terror plot
• 01:16 – Charges against suspect; details on Minnesota childcare fraud probe
• 02:39 – Kentucky fetal homicide charges
• 03:18 – Nairobi building collapse
• 03:29 – Minimum wage increases across US states
• 04:12 – Tesla loses top EV spot to BYD

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Conclusion

This episode of the Fox News Hourly Update spotlights a mix of international tensions, security threats, social policy debates, and major economic developments, all covered in a brisk, information-driven style suited to a fast-paced radio newscast. The episode’s tone is direct, fact-focused, and timely, offering listeners a concise snapshot of the day’s most pressing stories.

Transcript

[Lisa Lacera]

A warning to Iran. I'm Lisa Lacera, FOX News. President Trump saying if the Iranian government kills peaceful protesters, the US Will come to their rescue. This coming after weeks of demonstrations in Iran over its faltering economy. At least seven people have been killed so far in violence surrounding the demonstrations.

[Lucas Tomlinson]

Iran's secretary of national security responding to Trump saying, quote, trump should know that American interference in this internal issue is equivalent to chaos across the entire region and the destruction of American interests.

[Lisa Lacera]

Fox's Lucas Tomlinson. Meanwhile, some Democrats have called on the president to not inflame tensions with Iran. An arrest in North Carolina as the FBI says a man was plotting to attack a grocery store and fast food restaurant near Charlotte on New Year's Eve.

[Reporter/Investigator]

According to investigators, the plot was in the works for about a year and it involved innocent people with with hammers and knives being attacked. Now, Christian Sturtevant is a U.S. citizen. He just turned 18 a few weeks ago. He's from Mint Hill, North Carolina. That's a suburb of Charlotte. In addition to hammers, authorities also seized two butcher knives under his bed. Officials did not give a name of a specific grocery store or fast food restaurant that may have been the targets here.

[Lisa Lacera]

Fox's David Sponge Sturdevant is charged with attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization. His next court appearance is next week. Minnesota officials have until next week to hand over information on providers and parents who receive federal childcare funds that the Trump administration claims have been used fraudulently or risk losing federal funding as according to the Associated Press, which says the state Department of Children, Youth and Families says it has until January 9th to provide the information. State officials told the AP recent inspections showed several childcare centers accused of fraud by a conservative influencer were operating as expected. America's listening to FOX news.

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[Lisa Lacera]

Charged with fetal homicide after a baby is found buried in a backyard.

[Jeff Manasso]

Kentucky State Police say 35 year old Melinda Spencer of Camden allegedly ordered medication online to carry out an abortion before burying a dead infant in a shallow grave on her property. Police said they were in initially contacted by a local clinic alleging that Spencer said she'd aborted her pregnancy at home. She's charged with first degree fetal homicide, abuse of a corpse and tampering with physical evidence. Kentucky has a near total ban on abortion where doctors can only perform the procedure to prevent injury and to save the life of a mother. Jeff Manasso, Fox News.

[Lisa Lacera]

A multi story building under construction in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi has collapsed, leaving at least four people trapped in. Some workers are starting out the new year with a raise.

[Max Gordon]

Nineteen states and 47 cities and counties raised their minimum wages starting January 1, according to the Economic Policy Institute. This impacts 8.3 million workers, adding a total of $5 billion in earnings. Washington state now has the highest state minimum wage in the country at $17.13 an hour. The states raising their minimum wages are a mix of Democratic and Republican led. The reasons for the minimum wage increases are also mixed. Some minimum wages are automatically going up to account for inflation. Other states are raising their minimum wage because of legislation and then others are doing it because of ballot measures. Alaska, Florida and Oregon will also be raising their minimum wages later on in the year. Max Gordon, FOX BUSINESS Tesla has lost.

[Lisa Lacera]

Its title as the world's biggest electric vehicle maker as its sales fall for the second year in a row. Tesla says it delivered over 1.6 million vehicles last year, down 9% from a year ago. Chinese company BYD is now the biggest EV maker with sales totaling over $418,000 in the fourth quarter of last year. I'm Lisa Lacera. This is FOX News.

[Lucas Tomlinson]

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

[Jeff Manasso]

Jesus, 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.