Authorities in North Carolina say they foiled a planned attack outside Charlotte on New Year's Eve.

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update – January 2, 2026

Episode Overview:
This episode delivers a rapid-fire update on several breaking news stories, ranging from a foiled terror attack in North Carolina to an investigation into a deadly fire in the Swiss Alps, significant political changes in Ukraine, the enactment of animal cruelty legislation in Florida, and a sweeping university reform in Greece. Each segment features direct reports from FOX News correspondents and local officials.

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1. Foiled Terror Attack in North Carolina

00:02 – 00:51

• Main Story:
  Authorities in North Carolina, working with the FBI, stopped a planned attack targeting a grocery store and a fast food restaurant outside Charlotte on New Year’s Eve.

• Key Details:

  • 18-year-old Christian Sturtevant was arrested after planning the attack for about a year.
  • He engaged with undercover agents online, believing they were affiliated with ISIS.
  • Investigators found hammers, knives, and a detailed attack plan at Sturtevant’s home.
  • Sturtevant has been charged with attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization.

• Notable Quotes:

  • Russ Ferguson (U.S. Attorney):

    “He'd spent a lot of time online and on TikTok and ended up reaching out to someone he thought was with the Islamic State.” (00:17)

  • Chris Foster (FOX):

    “He pledged his allegiance to ISIS with that undercover agent and he disclosed his plans to, quote, ‘do jihad soon.’” (00:27)

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2. Deadly Fire at Swiss Alps Bar

00:51 – 01:29

• Incident Summary:
  Investigators in Switzerland believe sparklers placed atop champagne bottles ignited a blaze in a bar at an Alpine ski resort, resulting in at least 40 deaths and 119 injuries.

• Ongoing Investigation:

  • Victims include nationals from Switzerland, France, Italy, Serbia, Bosnia, Poland, Belgium, and Portugal.
  • Unclear if Americans were involved; identification is complicated due to severe burns.
  • Specialized teams are using DNA, dental records, and clothing for identification.

• Additional Concerns:
  The investigation will review whether ceiling materials for sound dampening were compliant with safety regulations.

• Notable Quotes:

  • Stephanie Bennett (FOX):

    “A flower memorial is growing to honor the victims... due to the severity of the burns, it will take time to identify them.” (01:05)

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3. Seattle’s New Mayor Sworn In

01:29 – 01:35

• Quick Update:
  Katie Wilson, identifying as a socialist, takes office as Seattle’s new mayor. In her inaugural address, Wilson pledges to push both the city and society forward.

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4. Ukrainian Leadership Shake-Up

03:02 – 03:35

• Big Changes:
  Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky replaces his chief of staff with General Kyrylo Budanov, head of military intelligence and a potential future presidential candidate.

• Key Points:

  • Dismissal of former chief of staff Andrei Yermak follows anti-corruption investigations.
  • The current defense minister is set to be replaced by Deputy PM Mykhailo Fedorlov.
  • The head of foreign intelligence will take over Budanov’s post in the military.

• Notable Quotes:

  • Chris Foster (FOX):

    “Zelensky announcing the appointments as Ukraine needs greater focus on security issues. Budanov is considered a potential future presidential candidate as the US and Russia call for new elections in Ukraine.” (03:09)

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5. Florida Enacts “Dexter’s Law”

03:35 – 04:32

• Legislation Summary:
  A new law creates a public, searchable database of individuals charged with animal cruelty, aiming to prevent offenders from adopting pets.

• Background:
  Inspired by Dexter, a dog adopted and killed days later; Governor Ron DeSantis signed the bill.

• Impact:
  The database updates daily and enables shelters and the public to check for offenders.

• Notable Quotes:

  • Debbie Durino (Animal Advocate):

    “Anybody charged with animal cruelty in the State of Florida, every day electronically it updates and your name will go in there.” (04:15) “The database is searchable so anyone can find out who’s been charged in the past.” (04:20)

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6. Greek University Student Roll Purge

04:32 – 04:58

• Reform Summary:
  Greek authorities removed over 300,000 inactive student records, ending a policy that permitted indefinite enrollment.
• Purpose & Criticism:
  • Officials say this will improve academic planning and university rankings.
  • Critics argue that the reform disregards disruptions caused by financial crises.

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Notable Quotes

• “He pledged his allegiance to ISIS with that undercover agent and he disclosed his plans to, quote, ‘do jihad soon.’”
  — Chris Foster (00:27)
• “A flower memorial is growing to honor the victims... due to the severity of the burns, it will take time to identify them.”
  — Stephanie Bennett (01:05)
• “The database is searchable so anyone can find out who’s been charged in the past.”
  — Debbie Durino (04:20)

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Key Timestamps

• 00:02 – North Carolina terror plot foiled
• 00:51 – Swiss Alps bar fire details
• 01:29 – Seattle mayor sworn in
• 03:02 – Ukrainian government shakeup
• 03:52 – Florida’s Dexter’s Law explained
• 04:32 – Greek university student roll reform

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This recap covers all major news discussed, preserving the brevity and urgency of the FOX News update.

Transcript

[Lisa Lacera]

A terror attack stopped. I'm Lisa Lacera of FOX News. The FBI and police in North Carolina say they foiled a planned attack at a grocery store and a fast food restaurant outside Charlotte, New Year's Eve.

[Russ Ferguson]

North Carolina. U.S. attorney Russ Ferguson says 18 year old Christian Sturtevant was planning an attack for about a year. He'd spent a lot of time online and on TikTok and ended up reaching out to someone he thought thought was with the Islamic State.

[Chris Foster]

He pledged his allegiance to ISIS with that undercover agent and he disclosed his plans to, quote, do jihad soon.

[Russ Ferguson]

The FBI says he then told a second agent about his plan to attack a grocery store on New Year's Eve in Mint Hill, North Carolina. When agents searched his home and phone, they found hammers and knives as well as a typed out attack plan. He was arrested New Year's Eve and has been charged with attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization.

[Lisa Lacera]

Fox's Jessica Rosenthal. Investigators in Switzerland say they believe sparklers on top of champagne bott ignited the fire at a bar at a ski resort in the Alps that killed at least 40 people and injured 119.

[Stephanie Bennett]

A flower memorial is growing to honor the victims. Among the dead and injured are Swiss, French, Italian, Serbian, Bosnian, Polish, Belgian and Portuguese. No word yet on Americans. The nationalities though of 14 others are unclear and due to the severity of the burns, it will take time to identify them. Officials say they have a specialized team who will use DNA, dental records and clothing.

[Lisa Lacera]

Fox's Stephanie Bennett Investigators say they will also look into whether the material on the ceiling used to dampen sound conformed with regulations. Seattle has a new mayor as self described socialist Katie Wilson is sworn in during her inaugural address. She told the crowd she intends to govern in a way that will push the city and society forward to the highest expectations. America is listening to FOX News. Nearly home.

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[Lisa Lacera]

Announces leadership changes President Zelensky appointed as.

[Chris Foster]

His new chief of staff the head of Ukraine's military intelligence, General Kirillo Budanov, one of the country's highest profile generals. Zelensky announcing the appointments as Ukraine needs greater focus on security issues. Budinov is considered a potential future presidential candidate as the US And Russia call for new elections in Ukraine. Zelensky had dismissed his previous chief of staff, Andrei Yermak after anti corruption officials started investigating alleged graft in the energy sector. The head of Ukraine's foreign intelligence takes over Budinov's position in the military. Chris Foster, Fox News.

[Lisa Lacera]

Zelenskyy has also proposed appointing first Deputy Prime Minister Mykhailo Fedorlov as the country's new defense minister, replacing the current defense minister who was offered a new government post. A new law now in effect in Florida will make it easier to keep pets out of the hands of people with an animal cruelty history.

[Debbie Durino]

It's called Dexter's Law, named for a dog that was adopted in Pinel only to be killed days later. The law creates a database that lists people charged with crimes against animals. Debbie Durino is an animal advocate who fought to get the law passed. She said it makes it easier to keep animals away from those who won't care for them. Anybody charged with animal cruelty in the.

[Lisa Lacera]

State of Florida, every day electronically it.

[Russ Ferguson]

Updates and your name will go in there.

[Debbie Durino]

The database is searchable so anyone can find out who's been charged in the past. Governor Ron DeSantis signed the bill into law. Back in Scott, Fox News.

[Lisa Lacera]

Authorities in Greece have removed more than 300,000 inactive university students from public records, ending a decades old policy that allowed extended enrollment and long study breaks. Officials have said the reform improves planning, academic quality and international rankings. But critics say it fails to account for disruptions caused by the country's financial crisis. I'm Lisa Licera. This is Fox News.

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