Fox News Hourly Update: "A Drop in Unemployment"

Date: January 9, 2026
Host: Dave Anthony (FOX News Podcasts)
Episode Theme:
A concise roundup of major national news stories with a focus on the latest drop in unemployment, political developments involving Venezuela, controversy over transgender sports in Nevada, a high-profile murder case in New York, and college football playoff dramatics.

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode centers on the latest economic indicators—most notably a significant drop in the U.S. unemployment rate—alongside breaking news from politics, law enforcement, social policy, and sports. The host and correspondents provide quick, punchy updates typical of a radio news cycle, targeting listeners seeking an efficient but informative overview of the day's most significant events.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. U.S. Economic Update: Drop in Unemployment

• Report Details:

  • The unemployment rate fell to 4.4% (a 0.21% drop), marking an improvement from November’s four-year high.
  • New jobs created: 50,000 (Economists had predicted 60,000).
  • Noted as potentially impactful for Wall Street, with Dow futures rising on the news.

• Host Commentary:

  • Dave Anthony contextualizes the jobs numbers and unemployment drop.

    "We just got that update to the economy, though there was a little less hiring last month. There were 50,000 new jobs created last month. Economists were predicting 60,000. The unemployment rate improved, declining to 4.4%."
    — Dave Anthony [00:02]

  • Jimmy Casolo adds:

    "That's a 210 decline from November's rate, which was a four year high."
    — Jimmy Casolo [00:13]

2. U.S.–Venezuela Relations: Oil Industry & Political Prisoners

• Presidential Engagements:

  • President Trump is set to meet with oil executives for an investment push in Venezuela.
  • U.S. oil companies to invest "at least $100 billion" to rebuild Venezuela’s oil infrastructure.
  • President Trump cites positive moves by Venezuela regarding political prisoners.

• Memorable Exchange:

  • When asked by Sean Hannity if he would accept a Nobel Prize from Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Carina Machado:

    "Well, I understand she's coming in next week sometime and I look forward to saying hello to her. And I've heard that she wants to do that, that to be a great honor."
    — (Paraphrased by Jimmy Casolo from Trump’s interview) [01:00]

3. Police-Involved Shooting in Portland, Oregon

• Incident Recap:

  • Two people hospitalized after a shooting at a Border Patrol stop.
  • The suspects, allegedly linked to the gang Tren Aragua, attempted to run over CPB agents, prompting a defensive shot.

• Reporter Details:

  "Ties apparently affiliated with Trend Aragua. The statement added the wounded suspects were in a car and when CPB agents identified themselves, the driver attempted to run the agents over. That was when one of the agents fired a defensive shot at the car."
  — Granal Scott [01:25]

  • Comparison drawn to a similar shooting in Minneapolis, noting growing controversy over immigration enforcement actions.

4. Legal Battle in New York City: United Healthcare Murder Case

• Key Points:

  • Luigi Mangione returns to court in a high-profile federal death penalty case.
  • His defense attorneys argue a conflict of interest with Attorney General Pam Bondi due to her previous ties to a lobbying firm representing United Health Group.

• Courtroom Update:

  "Mangione's defense attorneys argue that Attorney General Pam Bondi should be disqualified from deciding to pursue this death penalty case because she used to be a partner at the lobbying firm Ballard Partners, which represents United Healthcare's parent company, United Health Group."
  — Brian Yenis [03:07]

5. Transgender Athlete Policy Debate in Nevada

• Political Development:

  • Governor Joe Lombardo leads a petition to amend Nevada’s constitution, aiming to bar transgender athletes from girls’ and women’s sports at publicly funded institutions.
  • The move is labeled by supporters as ensuring fairness and safety, and by opponents as "hateful" and a voter turnout tactic.

• Quotable Reactions:

  "The governor, who is up for reelection, says we're taking thoughtful steps to ensure girls sports are fair and athletes are safe. His potential Democrat opponent, Alexis Hill calls the petition hateful and an effort to drive Republican turnout."
  — FOX News Reporter [03:35]

6. College Football Playoff Thrills

• Game Highlight:
  • Miami hurricanes pull off dramatic victory against Mississippi, advancing to national championship.

    "Patterson back with his legs puts Miami on top. He scored that touchdown with 18 seconds to go in there. Hurricanes held on beating Mississippi 3,000, 127 on ESPN. Miami will play either Oregon or Indiana in the national championship game."
    — Dave Anthony [04:21]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Venezuela investment:

  "They're going to go in, they're going to rebuild the whole oil infrastructure. They're going to spend at least $100 billion."
  — Jimmy Casolo, relaying Trump's statement [01:00]

• On potential Nobel Prize:

  "Well, I understand she's coming in next week sometime and I look forward to saying hello to her. And I've heard that she wants to do that, that to be a great honor."
  — President Trump, as summarized by Jimmy Casolo [01:00]

• On fairness in sports:

  "...we're taking thoughtful steps to ensure girls sports are fair and athletes are safe."
  — Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo, via FOX News Reporter [03:35]

Timestamps for Major Segments

• [00:02] — Unemployment drop headline and market reaction
• [00:30] — U.S.–Venezuela oil investment and political prisoner releases
• [01:19] — Portland police shooting of alleged gang suspects
• [01:43] — Reference to similar Minneapolis incident
• [02:39] — Recap and Wall Street impact; Mangione trial update
• [03:29] — Nevada transgender sports ballot initiative
• [04:14] — College football playoff drama

Summary Assessment

This fast-paced update covered a drop in U.S. unemployment, geopolitical maneuvering in Venezuela, border enforcement incidents with contentious outcomes, a sensitive legal case involving conflicts of interest, a state-level policy fight on trans athlete participation, and exhilarating college football action. The reporting balances hard facts with pointed political commentary, while the pace and tone reflect FOX News’ urgency and punchiness.