9PM ET 01/12/2026 Newscast

Summary

---

Fox News Hourly Update – 9PM ET 01/12/2026 Newscast

Date: January 13, 2026
Host: Lisa Lacera (Fox News Podcasts)

Episode Overview

This Fox News Hourly Update delivers an overview of the most pressing national and international headlines of January 12, 2026. Major topics include a lawsuit over federal immigration enforcement in Minnesota, escalating US-Iran tensions amid protests, a legal battle over transgender athletes in women’s sports, a major nurse strike in New York City, and the high-profile return of a pro golfer to the PGA. The episode features a blend of reporting, official statements, and reactions from those directly involved.

---

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Minnesota vs. Federal Government over Immigration Enforcement

[00:02 - 00:26]

• Minnesota and the Twin Cities (Minneapolis & St. Paul) have filed a lawsuit against the federal government.
• The lawsuit challenges the ongoing federal immigration crackdown, which local officials assert unfairly targets Minnesota for its “diversity, democracy, and differences of opinion” with federal practices.
• Attorney General Keith Ellison calls this "a violation of the Constitution and of federal law."
• Recent ICE operations have resulted in the death of a woman in Minneapolis, prompting protests locally and nationwide.
• The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) counters that their actions are legal, noting a surge of 2,000 agents leading to 2,000+ arrests.

Notable quote (Keith Ellison):

"Obvious targeting of Minnesota for our diversity, for our democracy and our differences of opinion with the federal government is a violation of the Constitution and of federal law." (00:13)

---

2. Iran Protests and U.S. Response

[00:26 - 01:47]

• Activist sources in Iran estimate at least 646 deaths in nationwide anti-government protests, though communications blackouts prevent independent verification.
• The US-based Human Rights Activist News Agency is cited for its credible protest coverage.
• President Trump has intensified economic pressure on Iran, announcing a new 25% tariff on all countries doing business with Iran, taking effect immediately.
• Trump warns Tehran of possible U.S. military strikes should deadly force escalate against demonstrators, drawing a "red line."
• Heavy sanctions already exist, but key Iranian trading partners—including China, Brazil, Russia, and Turkey—are implicated by the new tariffs.

Notable quote (President Trump, via Truth Social):

"Any country doing business with Iran will face a 25% tariff on goods imported to the U.S.... A red line, the president says, that is starting to be crossed." (01:12)

---

3. Federal Reserve Chair Powell and House Subpoenas

[01:47 - 01:58]

• Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell reports that the central bank has received subpoenas regarding his testimony on renovations to the Fed's headquarters.

---

4. Transgender Athlete Ban in Women’s Sports Heads to Supreme Court

[02:34 - 03:31]

• The Supreme Court will consider two cases involving transgender students challenging GOP-backed laws in Idaho and West Virginia, which bar transgender women from competing in girls' and women’s sports.
• West Virginia Attorney General J.B. McCuskey defends the laws as necessary to protect female athletes.
• Lower courts previously blocked these laws, finding they violate Title IX and are discriminatory.
• Former collegiate swimmer Riley Gaines expresses concerns over fairness in competition.

Notable quotes:

• J.B. McCuskey: "These laws make sense. They protect our women and girls. And we are all very proud to stand here to defend this very, very important issue." (02:59)
• Riley Gaines: "We are fighting for the bare minimum here. The bare minimum. Can we, as women, call ourselves champions?" (03:19)

---

5. New York City Nurse Strike

[03:31 - 04:14]

• Nearly 15,000 nurses across three hospital systems strike in New York City, pressing for increased pay, better staffing, and comprehensive health benefits.
• The city’s new mayor, Zoran Mamdani, joins the picket line, advocating for good-faith negotiations.
• One hospital spokesperson characterizes the nurses' demands as “extreme,” while Mayor Mamdani highlights the need to protect both patient and nurse rights.

Notable quote (Mayor Zoran Mamdani):

"New Yorkers have a right to quality health care, as do the nurses who provide that care. My job as mayor is to protect both of those rights." (03:51-04:03)

---

6. Brooks Koepka Returns to PGA

[04:14 - 04:32]

• Brooks Koepka is rejoining the PGA Tour just five weeks after leaving for LIV Golf. He agrees to:
  • Pay a financial penalty,
  • Forego equity or FedEx Cup bonus money for the year,
  • Donate $5 million to charity.

---

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• Keith Ellison (Minnesota AG): "Obvious targeting of Minnesota for our diversity, for our democracy and our differences of opinion with the federal government is a violation of the Constitution and of federal law." (00:13)
• President Trump (on Iran): "Any country doing business with Iran will face a 25% tariff on goods imported to the U.S.... A red line, the president says, that is starting to be crossed." (01:12)
• J.B. McCuskey (West Virginia AG): "These laws make sense. They protect our women and girls. And we are all very proud to stand here to defend this very, very important issue." (02:59)
• Riley Gaines (former swimmer): "The bare minimum. Can we, as women, call ourselves champions?" (03:19)
• NYC Mayor Zoran Mamdani: "New Yorkers have a right to quality health care, as do the nurses who provide that care. My job as mayor is to protect both of those rights." (03:51-04:03)

---

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Minnesota/Federal Immigration Crackdown: 00:02 – 00:26
• Iran Protests & US Sanctions: 00:26 – 01:47
• Federal Reserve Chair Powell Subpoenas: 01:47 – 01:58
• Transgender Athlete Ban Supreme Court Cases: 02:34 – 03:31
• NYC Nurse Strike: 03:31 – 04:14
• Brooks Koepka Returns to PGA: 04:14 – 04:32

---

This episode provides a fast-paced update on significant legal, social, and geopolitical issues, with an emphasis on official statements and legislative actions, maintaining Fox News' direct and current-affairs focused tone.

Transcript

[A]

They wanted to end. I'm Lisa Lacera, Fox News Minnesota and the Twin cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul filed a lawsuit against the federal government over its immigration crackdown.

[B]

Obvious targeting of Minnesota for our diversity, for our democracy and our differences of opinion with the federal government is a violation of the Constitution and of federal law.

[A]

Attorney General Keith Ellison. The surge in ICE agents led to the killing of a woman in Minneapolis last week, which in turn has led to days of protests in that city and all over the country. DHS says it's operating within the law and is surging 2,000 agents into the area and has made more than 2,000 arrests. Activists in Iran say the number of dead from nationwide protests has reached at least 646 people and that number is expected to rise. The U S based Human Rights Activist news agency reporting the number. It has been accurate throughout multiple years of demonstrations. Communications are blocked in Iran, so news agencies have not been able to independently confirm the numbers. President Trump, meanwhile, is ratcheting up economic pressure on Iran as protests across the country intensify.

[B]

Any country doing business with Iran will face a 25% tariff on goods imported to the U.S. president Trump says, posting on Truth Social. The president says the tariff on Iran's trading partners is effective immediately. President Trump has warned Tehran of US Military strikes if the regime uses deadly force against anti government protests spreading across the country. A red line, the president says, that is starting to be crossed. Heavy sanctions are already imposed on Iran, closing off the country to the US Economy. But trading partners include China, Brazil, Russia and Turkey.

[A]

Fox's Jared Halpern @ the White House, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell says the central bank has been served with subpoenas over his testimony this summer about the Fed building renovations. America's listening to Fox.

[C]

News. Every business is asking the same question. How do we make AI work for us? No more waiting with NetSuite by Oracle. You can put AI to work today, NetSuite is the number one AI Cloud ERP trusted by over 43,000 businesses. It's the unified suite that brings your financials, inventory, commerce, HR and CRM into a single source of truth. That connected data is what makes your AI smarter, helping you make fast decisions right now. Get the business guide demystifying AI.

[A]

[e-mail] Fox athletes and GOP attorneys general make arguments ahead of the Supreme Court considering a case over whether transgender athletes should be allowed to participate in girls and women's.

[D]

Sports. The Supreme Court will hear arguments this week in two cases brought by transgender students who challenged GOP backed laws in Idaho and West Virginia prohibiting them from participating in girls athletic.

[B]

Programs. These laws make sense. They protect our women and girls. And we are all very proud to stand here to defend this very, very important.

[D]

Issue. And West Virginia Attorney General J.B. mcCuskey. Lower courts blocked the laws finding they violate Title 9, discriminating on the basis of sex. The state's appealing, arguing that sex and gender identity are not the.

[E]

Same. We are fighting for the bare minimum here. The bare minimum. Can we, as women, call ourselves.

[D]

Champions? Former collegiate swimmer Riley Gaines. Kristin Goodwin, FOX.

[A]

News. Thousands of striking New York City nurses were joined on the picket line by the city's new mayor as nearly.

[E]

15,000 nurses across three hospital systems strike. New York City Mayor Zoran Mamdani is urging both sides to come back to the negotiating table and bargain in good faith. Wearing a red scarf in solidarity with the health care workers, Mamdani called the nurses demands.

[B]

Reasonable. New Yorkers have a right to quality health care, as do the nurses who provide that care. My job as mayor is to protect both of those.

[E]

Rights. Nurses are asking for better pay and staffing levels, as well as full health care benefits, among other things. A spokesperson for one of the hospitals called the demands extreme. In New York City, Tonya J. Powers, FOX.

[A]

NEWS. Well, for Brooks Koepka is returning to the PGA Tour just five weeks after leaving LIV Golf. He's agreed to a financial penalty, including no access to equity or FedEx cup bonus money this year, and has agreed to make a $5 million charity donation. I'm Lisa Licera. This is FOX.

[E]

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

[B]

Of 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.