Summary4 min read

Fox News Hourly Update – 9PM ET 12/31/2025 Newscast

Host: Tom Graham, FOX News Podcasts
Date: January 1, 2026

Overview

This episode delivers a succinct but comprehensive update on key events as the United States rings in the New Year. Major stories include Times Square’s unique 2026 celebration, a tragic update in a Texas missing persons case, President Trump’s latest National Guard decision, U.S. military action against narco-trafficking, new sanctions on Venezuela, a widening daycare fraud scandal in Minnesota, and a summary of the day’s stock market losses.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. New Year's Eve in Times Square

[00:02–01:02]

Atmosphere: As 2026 begins globally, all eyes turn to New York’s iconic Times Square, where a million revelers brave sub-freezing 29-degree temperatures.
The Main Event: For the first time, the newly designed “constellation ball” will both descend and ascend during the festivities.
Unique 2026 Features:
- The ball: 5,280 crystals, 12.5 feet wide, weighing 12,000 pounds.
- Drops at 11:59 PM per tradition.
- At 12:04 AM, the ball will rise again.
- 2,000 pounds of red, white, and blue confetti will celebrate America’s upcoming 250th birthday.
- Announcement: The ball will drop again on July 4th, 2026.

Notable Quote:
Nate F., Times Square Correspondent:

“But there’s something different this year. At 12:04, it will go back up. £2,000 of red, white and blue confetti will descend on all of us here in Times Square to celebrate America’s 250th birthday. Then coming up on July 4th, the ball will drop again.” [00:30]

2. Texas Missing Persons Case Update

[01:02–01:47]

Details: The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office confirms the body found is 19-year-old Camila Olmos.
Findings:
- Confirmed by the medical examiner.
- Cause of death: Self-inflicted gunshot wound.
- The gun belonged to a relative.
- Ongoing investigation into the circumstances, with mention of depression and “suicidal ideations.”

Notable Quote:
Grinal Scott, FOX News Reporter:

“The brief statement also said Olmos died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head... the investigation is continuing.” [01:24]

3. National Guard Deployment Update

[01:47–02:01]

Policy Change: President Trump announces he is dropping efforts to deploy National Guard troops in Chicago, Louisiana, and Portland, Oregon.
Announcement Platform: Truth Social.

4. U.S. Military Strikes on Narco-Trafficking

[02:02–02:54]

Operations: U.S. Department of War reports three airstrikes on narco-trafficking boats out of Venezuela.
Casualties:
- 3 killed on the first boat.
- Survivors from the remaining two vessels were rescued after jumping overboard.
- U.S. Southcom notified the Coast Guard for search and rescue.
Context: 33 strikes since September 2nd, with a reported 109 deaths.

Notable Quote:
Jessica Rosenthal, FOX News Reporter:

“With three separate strikes conducted Tuesday, this means there have been a total of 33 since September 2nd with 109 people killed.” [02:46]

5. U.S. Imposes New Sanctions on Venezuelan Oil Sector

[02:54–03:13]

Sanctions: Targeting four companies and associated oil tankers operating in Venezuela’s oil sector.
Purpose: To increase economic pressure on Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.
Broader Context: Comes amid heightened U.S.-Venezuela tensions under President Trump.

6. Minnesota Daycare Fraud Scandal Expands

[03:13–03:41]

Federal Action: New freezes on $185 million in state childcare funds and a suspension of $5.5 million in grants over alleged fraud.
Scale: Department of Justice has already charged 98 individuals, with more arrests expected.
Political Dynamics: Governor Tim Walz (D-MN) to testify before oversight hearings, previously criticizing them as “circus hearings.”

Notable Quote:
Garrett Tenney, FOX News Reporter:

“The Justice Department says it already charged 98 people involved in this massive fraud scheme. And federal officials say a whole lot more arrests are coming.” [03:32]

7. Stock Market Results

[03:41–End]

Market Recap:
- Dow Jones: –304 points
- Nasdaq: –177
- S&P 500: –51
Summary: Wall Street finished the year on a down note.

Memorable Moments & Quotes

On Times Square Birthday Celebration:
“...£2,000 of red, white and blue confetti will descend on all of us here in Times Square to celebrate America’s 250th birthday.” – Nate F., [00:34]
On the Texas Tragedy:
“Olmos died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound... her family’s gun,” – Grinal Scott, [01:24]
On Daycare Fraud:
“The Justice Department says it already charged 98 people... a whole lot more arrests are coming.” – Garrett Tenney, [03:32]

Timestamps for Important Segments

[00:02] – Times Square 2026 New Year’s preparation and features
[01:09] – Texas missing persons case update
[01:47] – National Guard deployment decision
[02:21] – U.S. military strikes Venezuelan drug boats
[02:54] – U.S. sanctions on Venezuelan oil companies
[03:13] – Minnesota daycare fraud scandal details
[03:41] – Governor Walz's response and scheduled hearings
[03:41] – Market closing numbers

This episode succinctly captures an eventful night as America ushers in 2026, blending celebratory spirit with sobering news and significant political and economic developments.

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Transcript11 lines

[00:03]
Tom Graham
The final countdown. I'm tom graham, fox news. It is 2026 around much of the globe. Well, in New York's fame, Times Square. The countdown is underway as revelers deal with below freezing temperatures.
[00:19]
Nate F.
Happy New Year. 29 degrees here in New York City. But the million people here in Times Square don't care. The party has started. The biggest Times Square ball ever. It's the constellation ball atop One Times Square. You can see it illuminate 5280 crystals and LED light pucks. The thing is 12 and a half feet wide. 12,000 pounds. And it's gonna drop tonight, of course, at 11:59. We all know about that. That's the big moment here in Times Square. But there's something different this year. At 12:04, it will go back up. £2,000 of red, white and blue confetti will descend on all of us here in Times Square to celebrate America's 250th birthday. Then coming up on July 4th, the ball will drop again.
[01:03]
Tom Graham
Fox's Nate F. Times Square, Texas law enforcement now says body found of a missing 19 year old.
[01:09]
Grinal Scott
The Bear County Sheriff's Office said the body found Tuesday in the search for a missing girl is that of 19 year old Camila Olmos. The identity was confirmed by the medical examiner. The brief statement also said almost died of a self inflicted gunshot wound to the head. In comments Tuesday, Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar said a gun they were looking for was also found near the body and that the teenager had, in his words, suicidal ideations and depression. He said the gun belonged to one of the girl's relatives. The investigation is continuing. Grinal scott, FOX News.
[01:48]
Tom Graham
President Trump announced he's dropping efforts to deploy National Guard troops in Chicago, Louisiana and Portland, Oregon. Making the announcement on truth Social America is listening to Fox News. This is Ainsley Earhart.
[02:01]
Jessica Rosenthal
Thank you for joining me for the.
[02:02]
Tom Graham
52 episode podcast series the Life of Jesus. A listening experience that will provide hope, comfort and understanding of the greatest story ever told. Listen and follow now@foxnewspodcasts.com or wherever you listen to podcasts. The Department of War says they conducted airstrikes on three more drug boats out of Venezuela.
[02:22]
Jessica Rosenthal
The Department of War says they conducted strikes on three narco trafficking vessels traveling as a convoy along known drug trafficking routes in international waters. In the first boat, three people were killed. The individuals on board the other two vessels jumped overboard and according to US Southcom, they distanced themselves from their boats before those two vessels were struck. Southcom then notified the Coast Guard to activate a search and rescue mission. With three separate strikes conducted Tuesday, this means there have been a total of 33 since September 2nd with 109 people killed. Jessica Rosenthal, Fox News, the US today.
[02:54]
Tom Graham
Announcing imposing sanctions on four companies it says are operating in Venezuela's oil sector as well as associated oil tankers. This comes as President Trump's administration increases pressure on Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro. Both Congress and federal investigators now looking into allegations of fraudulent daycare centers in Minnesota. Fox's Garrett Tenney.
[03:14]
Garrett Tenney
With this scandal seemingly growing by the day, the Trump administration is taking action to cut off the spigot of this fraud. The Department of Health and Human Services has now frozen $185 million in funding for Minnesota's child care programs, while the Small Business Administration has paused five and a half million dollars in grants for the state. The Justice Department says it already charged 98 people involved in this massive fraud scheme. And federal officials say a whole lot more arrests are coming.
[03:42]
Tom Graham
Mel's oversight committee has scheduled two hearings, calling on Democratic Minnesota Governor Tim Walz to testify. Walz has agreed to work with them, and he's also accused the committee in the past of previously holding what he calls circus hearings. On Wall street on a sour note, the dow giving up 304 points. The Nasdaq was off 177, while the S&P 500 closed down nearly 51 points on the day. I'm Tom Graham and this is FOX News.