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

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.

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]

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.

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.

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.

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]

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.

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)

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

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.