9PM ET 01/16/2026 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update – 9PM ET 01/16/2026 Newscast

Date: January 17, 2026
Host: Lisa Licera, with reports from Bill Melusion, Jared Halpern, Jonathan Savage, and Granal Scott
Source: Fox News Radio

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Episode Overview

This timely newscast covers major national and international headlines, with a focus on political controversy surrounding federal investigations in Minnesota, developments in U.S. and Iranian relations, Ukraine’s energy crisis, rare weather in Florida, and significant new research on childhood food allergies. The tone is urgent and informative, aiming to keep listeners up to date on the top news stories of the evening.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Federal Investigation in Minnesota

[00:03] — [00:44]

• Justice Department Launches Probe:

  • Lisa Licera opens by reporting that Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Fry are under investigation for allegedly impeding law enforcement following the deployment of ICE agents to Minnesota.

• Law Enforcement and Political Reactions:

  • Bill Melusion details the federal government’s crackdown, highlighting the charging of Raul Gutierrez, allegedly a Latin Kings gang member, for firearm-related crimes. The context is growing tension from progressives wanting to “defund ICE.”
  • Congressional Democrats held a field hearing in St. Paul, blaming the Trump administration for recent violence, particularly after an ICE agent shot and killed Renee Good in what DHS called self-defense.

• Notable Quotes:

  • Governor Tim Walz (via post on X, as read by Lisa Licera):

    “Weaponizing the justice system against your opponents is an authoritarian tactic.”
    [00:44]

  • Mayor Jacob Fry (via statement, as read by Lisa Licera):

    “America depends on leaders that use integrity and the rule of law as the guidepost for governance. … Neither our city nor our country will succumb to this fear. We stand rock solid.”
    [00:44]

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2. Iran Protests and U.S. Response

[00:44] — [01:48]

• Escalating Crisis in Iran:

  • Lisa Licera notes that the death toll from Iran’s crackdown on protests has reached nearly 3,100.
  • President Trump is reported to be easing back on military threats after Iran canceled mass executions.

• Diplomatic Developments:

  • Jared Halpern reports that Trump wasn’t convinced by Israel or Arab states but by Tehran’s commitments.
  • Bill Melusion quotes Trump’s public recognition of Iran’s decision to cancel executions:

    “Cancel the hanging of over 800 people. They were going to hang over 800 people yesterday and I greatly respect the fact that they cancelled it.”
    [01:26]

• Ongoing Support for Protesters:

  • Jared Halpern adds that President Trump has encouraged Iranian protesters, claiming that violence is stopping.

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3. Ukraine’s Energy Emergency

[02:31] — [03:05]

• Critical Infrastructure Attacked:
  • Jonathan Savage reports Ukraine is facing an “energy emergency”; fuel supplies are low and every power plant has been targeted by Russia according to government officials.
  • President Zelenskyy declared the emergency after severe winter conditions left thousands without electricity and heat, especially in conflict zones.

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4. Cold Weather Strikes Florida

[03:05]

• Record-Breaking Temperatures:
  • Lisa Licera and Fox Weather’s Brandy Campbell discuss the rare potential for snowfall in parts of Florida, particularly the Panhandle and i95 corridor—possibly the coldest in three years.

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5. New Study on Peanut Allergy Prevention

[03:35] — [04:17]

• Major Medical Breakthrough:

  • Granal Scott reports on a study by Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia: introducing peanuts early to infants can reduce peanut allergies by 27%, and lowers overall food allergies and cases of eczema.
  • The findings validate past studies advising early introduction for prevention, though some parents remain hesitant.

• Notable Quote:

  • Granal Scott:

    “The research shows introducing peanuts to infants resulted in a 27% decrease in peanut allergies as well as an overall food allergy reduction of 38%. … Exposing kids under a year old to peanuts could even dramatically reduce allergies to eggs and even cases of eczema.”
    [03:35]

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6. Tech Partnerships

[04:17]

• Lisa Licera briefly mentions new partnerships where Meta and Microsoft will pay for AI access to content, signaling continuing change in the digital news landscape.

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• Governor Walz on Federal Probe:

  “Weaponizing the justice system against your opponents is an authoritarian tactic.”
  (00:44)

• Trump on Iran Executions:

  “Cancel the hanging of over 800 people. They were going to hang over 800 people yesterday and I greatly respect the fact that they cancelled it.”
  (01:26)

• Children’s Peanut Allergy Study:

  “The research shows introducing peanuts to infants resulted in a 27% decrease in peanut allergies as well as an overall food allergy reduction of 38%.”
  (03:35)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• Minnesota Federal Probe: 00:03–00:44
• Iran Protest Crackdown: 00:44–01:48
• Ukraine Energy Crisis: 02:31–03:05
• Florida Cold Weather: 03:05
• Peanut Allergy Study: 03:35–04:17
• Meta/Microsoft AI Partnerships: 04:17

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Summary Takeaway

This episode delivers a rapid-fire rundown of pressing national and global events, with political, humanitarian, and scientific updates. The most dramatic developments include federal probes into Minnesota officials, a potential humanitarian turning point in Iran, and a hopeful new direction in fighting childhood food allergies.

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Transcript

[Lisa Licera]

Under federal investigation. I'm Lisa Licera of Fox News. The Justice Department has launched a probe into Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Fry, accusing them of impeding law enforcement through public statements they have made following the surge of ICE agents to the state.

[Bill Melusion]

The feds are cracking down on the lawlessness Homeland Security charging Raul Gutierrez, who they say is a Latin King's gang member, with stealing a rifle and body armor as some progressives call to defund ICE. Congressional Democrats held a field hearing in nearby St. Paul. They point the finger at the Trump administration for the ongoing violence that intensified after an ICE agent shot and killed Renee Good in what DHS calls self defense.

[Lisa Licera]

Fox's Bill Melusion in Minneapolis Walls posted on X Weaponizing the justice system against your opponents is an authoritarian tactic. Mayor Fry in a statement set in part A America depends on leaders that use integrity and the rule of law as the guidepost for governance. And he wrote, neither our city nor our country will succumb to this fear. We stand rock solid. The number of dead from the crackdown on Iran protests has grown to nearly 3,100, according to Human rights activists. This as President Trump is appearing to back off threats of military action in Iran.

[Jared Halpern]

Israel and Arab states did not persuade President Trump against military strikes in Iran, he says, but rather commitments made by the regime in Tehran.

[Bill Melusion]

Cancel the hanging of over 800 people. They were going to hang over 800 people yesterday and I greatly respect the fact that they cancelled it.

[Jared Halpern]

The president has encouraged anti government protesters in Iran to keep it up, saying earlier this week help is on its way. Since then, President Trump has been told on good authority. He says the killing of protesters is stopping and executions are not planned.

[Lisa Licera]

Fox's Jared Halpern the White House. America is listening to Fox News.

[Ainsley Earhart]

Building a business is hard, but protecting it doesn't have to be with LegalZoom for more than 20 years, LegalZoom's online tools and network of attorneys have helped over 4 million businesses start strong and stay compliant. Rest easy knowing your business formation is done right from day one with LegalZoom. When you need a legal hand, trust LegalZoom. Get started at legalzoom.com LegalZoom provides access to access to independent attorneys and self service tools. LegalZoom is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice.

[Lisa Licera]

Ukraine is dealing with an energy emergency.

[Jonathan Savage]

Ukraine's newly appointed energy minister says they have fuel supplies for more than 20 days, but the situation is difficult. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy declared an energy emergency earlier this week, Energy Minister Denis Shmyhal says there's not a single power plant in the country that Russia has not attacked. And in some cities and regions, winter preparations have failed. Near the frontline of the war in freezing temperatures, thousands of homes have been without electricity and heating for days. Jonathan Savage, Fox News.

[Lisa Licera]

Florida, seeing some of its coldest weather this winter in some parts of the state, could even get snow. There is a potential for parts of Florida spanning from the Panhandle going up into the i95 corridor to see snow this Sunday. As of now, less than an inch is expected across the board. Fox Weather's Brandy Campbell in Cape Coral. Some parts of the state seeing the coldest temperatures they've seen in three years. New research shows peanut allergies in children can possibly be avoided by introducing infants to a particular food.

[Granal Scott]

A study led by the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia reveals the food that can stave off peanut allergies is peanuts. The research shows introducing peanuts to infants resulted in a 27% decrease in peanut allergies as well as an overall food allergy reduction of 38%. The findings came out of a two year study that built on data from 2015 that said exposing kids under a year old to peanuts could even dramatically reduce allergies to eggs and even cases of eczema. Experts do acknowledge some parents may not be comfortable with early exposure to peanuts, but researchers stand by their findings. Granal Scott, FOX News, Wikipedia signed new.

[Lisa Licera]

AI partnerships with Meta and Microsoft. They will pay to access its content. I'm Lisa Licera. This is Fox.

[Ainsley Earhart]

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

[Bill Melusion]

Jesus, a listening experience that will provide hope, comfort and understanding of the greatest story ever told.

[Granal Scott]

Listen and follow [e-mail] or wherever you listen to podcasts.