9PM ET 01/30/2026 Newscast

Summary

Fox News Hourly Update – 9PM ET 01/30/2026

Host: Lisa Lucera (FOX News)
Air Date: January 31, 2026

---

Episode Overview

This episode offers a fast-paced rundown of major U.S. and international news headlines, with reporting on the government funding crisis, new developments in the Jeffrey Epstein federal investigation, significant policy moves in Venezuela, updates on a Texas voting rights case, and a unique IndyCar event planned for the 250th anniversary of the U.S.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. U.S. Government Shutdown Looms

• Summary: The Senate passed a bill funding the government through September, plus a short-term DHS measure. The House, however, is not in session until after the deadline, resulting in an unavoidable partial government shutdown at midnight.
• Notable Quotes:
  • Lisa Lucera (00:02): “The Senate has passed a package of bills that will fund the government through the end of September, plus a separate measure that will fund the Department of Homeland Security for two weeks as Democrats push for change to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.”
  • Lisa Lucera (00:24): “There will still be a limited government shutdown at midnight because this package of bills needs to be voted on in the House. House, which is not in session until Monday.”

2. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Controversy

• Summary: Calls for reform within ICE, including condemnation of alleged misconduct, are part of the Senate debate on homeland security funding.
• Notable Quotes:
  • Reporter quoting a Senate Democrat (00:21): “ICE’s thuggery must end.”
  • Context: Driven by Democratic leaders’ efforts to change policies at ICE.

3. Federal Civil Rights Investigation: Death of Alex Preddy

• Summary: The DOJ opens an investigation into the shooting of Alex Preddy by immigration officials in Minneapolis. The FBI will lead the probe.
• Notable Quotes:
  • Lisa Lucera (00:24): “The Justice Department has opened a federal civil rights investigation into the death of Alex Preddy, who was shot by immigration officials in Minneapolis last weekend.”

4. New Jeffrey Epstein File Release

• Summary: The DOJ releases another trove of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, featuring thousands of videos and images. Many documents are heavily redacted, with unproven allegations involving several high-profile figures.
• Notable Quotes:
  • Fox Reporter (00:52): “New drop includes more than 2,000 videos, 180,000 images. Many of the pages are completely redacted.”
  • “Other pages include famous names like Bill Gates, Elon Musk, Steve Bannon… we've not seen any evidence that any of them did anything criminal, but there’s not a lot of context, unfortunately, in the document release.”
  • “Today's release includes numerous mentions of the name Donald Trump… several uncorroborated tips with allegations he was involved in sexual acts involving minors. Many of these cases are secondhand allegations that the FBI was never able to completely investigate because those making the allegations… didn’t follow through with investigators.” (01:18)

5. Allegations of Document Redaction by President Trump’s Former Attorney

• Summary: Critics allege that Blanche, Trump’s former attorney, redacted Epstein documents to protect Trump; Blanche denies the accusation.
• Notable Quotes:
  • Lisa Lucera (01:33): “Critics say that Blanche, a former personal attorney for President Trump, redacted documents to protect the president, which he denies.”

6. Venezuelan Policy Shifts and U.S. Sanctions Eased

• Summary: Venezuela’s acting president signs two key laws: one granting amnesty for political prisoners, and another opening Venezuela’s oil sector to privatization. The U.S. Treasury responds by easing oil sanctions.
• Notable Quotes:
  • Lisa Lucera (01:33): “Venezuela's acting president, Delsey Rodriguez has announced an amnesty bill that could lead to the release of hundreds of prisoners…”
  • Chris Foster (02:43): “It allows private companies to control the production and sale of oil, ending a state owned oil and gas company monopoly.”
  • “President Hugo Chavez tore up contracts and nationalized the industry after taking office in 1999… his successor, Nicolas Maduro, was taken into U.S. custody Jan. 3 to face drug trafficking charges.”
  • “The new law also allows for disputes to be heard in independent arbitration, not by courts controlled by Venezuela's ruling party.” (03:02)

7. Texas Attorney General and Latino Voting Group JOLT

• Summary: A federal judge blocks the Texas AG from shutting down Latino voter group JOLT, viewing the effort as potential harassment.
• Notable Quotes:
  • Lisa Lucera (03:23): “A federal judge has ruled Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton cannot shut down the Latino voting group JOLT initiative… indicating Paxton may be harassing JOLT and fishing for reasons to investigate it.”

8. IndyCar Grand Prix on the National Mall for America's 250th Anniversary

• Summary: The first-ever Grand Prix around D.C.’s National Mall is announced for August, part of the America 250 celebrations. President Trump signs an executive order to coordinate logistics.
• Notable Quotes:
  • IndyCar Official (03:47): “IndyCar will put on a first of its kind Grand Prix around the National Mall in August as part of the 250th anniversary celebrations in D.C.”
  • “If we’re going to do it, we want to do it right. So this is going to be something in terms of the road width, the crowds and everything else… one of the best sites I’ve ever seen, actually, and it'll be beautiful.” (03:57)
  • Lisa Lucera (04:21): “President Trump signed an executive order directing federal officials to coordinate with city and IndyCar officials on a route design and other details. The America 250 Grand Prix is scheduled for August 21st through the 23rd.”

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “ICE’s thuggery must end.” – Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, quoted at 00:21
• “New drop includes more than 2,000 videos, 180,000 images.” – Fox News Reporter, 00:52
• “We've not seen any evidence that any of them did anything criminal, but there’s not a lot of context, unfortunately, in the document release.” – Fox News Reporter, 01:05
• “President Hugo Chavez tore up contracts and nationalized the industry after taking office in 1999… his successor, Nicolas Maduro, was taken into U.S. custody Jan. 3 to face drug trafficking charges.” – Chris Foster, 02:43

---

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:02-00:24: Government funding crisis, ICE controversy, Schumer quote
• 00:24-00:52: DOJ, FBI investigation into Alex Preddy's death
• 00:52-01:33: DOJ releases Epstein documents; allegations, context, criticism of redactions
• 01:33-02:00: Venezuela amnesty bill; U.S. listens
• 02:31-03:23: Venezuelan oil privatization, U.S. eases sanctions, Chris Foster report
• 03:23-03:47: Federal judge's decision protects JOLT; Texas AG pushback
• 03:47-04:21: IndyCar D.C. Grand Prix announcement, President Trump involvement

---

Style & Tone

The episode maintains FOX News’s brisk, factual, and slightly dramatic tone, weaving direct quotes from officials and correspondents with straightforward reporting. The focus is on breaking political news, government power plays, and significant shifts in international affairs, interspersed with high-interest events like the upcoming D.C. IndyCar race.

---

For listeners who missed the broadcast, this summary delivers a clear, chronological sense of the evening’s major news developments and the urgent, occasionally contentious climate in both domestic and global headlines.

Transcript

[Lisa Lucera]

One hurdle cleared, but there will still be a shutdown. I'm Lisa Lucera, FOX News. The Senate has passed a package of bills that will fund the government through the end of September, plus a separate measure that will fund the Department of Homeland Security for two weeks as Democrats push for change to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

[Fox News Reporter]

ICE's thuggery must end.

[Lisa Lucera]

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer. There will still be a limited government shutdown at midnight because this package of bills needs to be voted on in the House. House, which is not in session until Monday. The Justice Department has opened a federal civil rights investigation into the death of Alex Preddy, who was shot by immigration officials in Minneapolis last weekend. The Department of Homeland Security says the FBI will lead the investigation. The Justice Department also releasing a new round of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein.

[Fox News Reporter]

New drop includes more than 2,000 videos, 180,000 images. Many of the pages are completely redacted. The majority of the videos contained commercial pornography. Other pages include famous names like Bill Gates, Elon Musk, Steve Bannon. We've not seen any evidence that any of them did anything criminal, but there's not a lot of context, unfortunately, in the document release. Today's release includes numerous mentions of the name Donald Trump, the president he's mentioned in several uncorroborated tips with allegations he was involved in sexual acts involving minors. Many of these cases are secondhand allegations that the FBI was never able to completely investigate because those making the allegations that didn't follow through with investigators.

[Lisa Lucera]

Fox's David Spunt. Critics say that Blanche, a former personal attorney for President Trump, redacted documents to protect the president, which he denies. Venezuela's acting president, Delsey Rodriguez has announced an amnesty bill that could lead to the release of hundreds of prisoners, including opposition leaders, journalists and human rights activists. America is listening to FOX News.

[Ainsley Earhart]

You're building a life, running a business and raising a family. Keep it protected with LegalZoom. LegalZoom has helped over 6 million people start businesses, stay compliant and secure wills or trusts. With our step by step tools and attorney guidance. We're the number one choice for online legal services when you need a legal hand trust LegalZoom. Get started at legalzoom.com LegalZoom provides access to independent attorneys and self service tools. LegalZoom is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice.

[Lisa Lucera]

Venezuela's acting president approves a law opening the nation's oil sector to privatization. And the U.S. treasury Department easing sanctions on Venezuelan oil, expanding the ability of American companies to operate there.

[Chris Foster]

Venezuela's national assembly approved the bill signed by Acting President Delsey Rodriguez. It allows private companies to control the production and sale of oil, ending a state owned oil and gas company monopoly. President Hugo Chavez tore up contracts and nationalized the industry after taking office in 1999. He died in 2013, and his successor, Nicolas Maduro, was taken into U.S. custody Jan. 3 to face drug trafficking charges. The new law also allows for disputes to be heard in independent arbitration, not by courts controlled by Venezuela's ruling party. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told senators Wednesday the administration has set up a short term mechanism to help fund Venezuelan government services funded by the sale of sanctioned Venezuelan oil. Chris Foster, Fox News A federal judge.

[Lisa Lucera]

Has ruled Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton cannot shut down the Latino voting group JOLT initiative. Paxton had filed a long accusing the group of submitting unlawful voter registration applications. The judge indicating Paxton may be harassing JOLT and fishing for reasons to investigate it. IndyCar is coming to a city known for its gridlock to help celebrate the country's 250th anniversary.

[IndyCar Official]

IndyCar will put on a first of its kind Grand Prix around the National Mall in August as part of the 250th anniversary celebrations in D.C. if we're.

Going to do it, we want to do it right. So this is going to be something in terms of the road width, the crowds and everything else that we can all the best site, one of the best sites I've ever seen, actually, and it'll be beautiful.

President Trump signed an executive order directing federal officials to coordinate with city and IndyCar officials on a route design and other details. The America 250 Grand Prix is scheduled for August 21st through the 23rd.

[Lisa Lucera]

Fox's Jared Halpern at the White House. I'm Lisa Licera. This is Fox News.

[Ainsley Earhart]

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

[Fox News Reporter]

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.