The Supreme Court hears arguments over two state bans on transgender athletes in women's sports.

Summary

Fox News Hourly Update – January 13, 2026

Supreme Court Hears Arguments Over State Bans on Transgender Athletes in Women's Sports

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Overview

This episode focuses primarily on the US Supreme Court’s hearing of arguments related to state-level bans on transgender athletes participating in women's sports. The discussion explores legal, biological, and societal implications of these laws, featuring commentary from FOX News correspondents and notable legal voices. The episode also offers quick updates on major international, political, and economic news, including escalating protests in Iran, US congressional actions, immigration debates in Minnesota, and the passing of "Dilbert" creator Scott Adams.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Supreme Court and Transgender Athletes in Women's Sports

• Main Cases:
  • Two cases argued back-to-back—one from Idaho, one from West Virginia (00:14).
  • Central legal question: How does gender identity fit, if at all, into federal sex-based protections? (00:19)
    • “This umbrella question has emerged. It's really how does gender identity fit if at all, into federal sex based predictions [protections]?” – Alexandria Hoff, 00:19
• Arguments Presented:
  • For Transgender Inclusion:
    • A biological male athlete’s attorney argues that suppressing testosterone nullifies any sex-based athletic advantage (00:29).
    • Quote:
      “Her client suppressed testosterone, mitigating any sex based advantage against athletes born female.” – Elisa Brady, 00:29
  • State's Position (Idaho):
    • Idaho Solicitor General Alan Hurst rejects making exceptions, suggesting such arguments could be misused by non-transgender males.
    • Quote:
      “Those arguments don't limit themselves to people who identify as transgender. Many males could say I can't really compete with the women's basketball team and therefore I should be able to try out.” – Alan Hurst, 00:48
• Judicial Context: Lower courts struck down both states’ bans before reaching the Supreme Court (00:58).

2. Global and National News Updates

a. Protests and Crackdown in Iran

• Over 3,000 protesters reportedly killed amid ongoing anti-government protests (01:07).
• Government's harsh response described, including use of live ammunition and “weapons of war” (01:30).
  • Quote:
    “He described battles between protesters and security forces who are using live ammunition. ...the government has really repressed them, using weapons of war against the demonstrators.” – Trey Yingst, 01:30
• President Trump criticized the Iranian regime, calling the killings “senseless” and promising unspecified help (01:40).

b. Republican Congressional Strategy

• House GOP proposes framework to pass President Trump’s agenda by year’s end (02:31).
• Key Focus: Use of reconciliation for budget and policy passage, targeting health care, housing affordability, and $1.6 trillion in spending cuts (02:36–02:57).
  • Quote:
    “It would be political malpractice if we did not pursue a path of reconciliation.” – August Pfluger, 02:51
• Potential roadblocks: slim GOP majority, contentious budget issues (03:16).

c. Immigration Enforcement & Minnesota Protests

• Federal vs. State clash as Minnesota resists surge of federal agents after a high-profile police shooting and ICE enforcement actions (03:43).
• Tom Homan (Former ICE Director):
  • Argues that lack of cooperation from state jails necessitates more aggressive ICE action.
    • Quote:
      “Stop forcing us into the community. This can be done a lot safer.” – Tom Homan, 03:43
  • DHS publishes list of targeted criminal illegal aliens: child sex offenders, murderers, drug dealers (03:58).
• State Attorney General accuses Homeland Security of "terrorizing people" (04:06).

d. Other Headlines

• Creator of "Dilbert" comic strip, Scott Adams, dies at 68 after prostate cancer battle (04:06).
• Stock market sees sell-off; Dow down 371 points, S&P and Nasdaq also declining (04:27).

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Alexandria Hoff, on the scope of the court cases:
  “How does gender identity fit if at all, into federal sex based protections?” (00:19)
• Alan Hurst, on exceptions to bans:
  “Many males could say I can't really compete with the women's basketball team and therefore I should be able to try out.” (00:48)
• Trey Yingst, on Iran crackdown:
  “The government has really repressed them, using weapons of war against the demonstrators.” (01:30)
• August Pfluger, on GOP strategy:
  “It would be political malpractice if we did not pursue a path of reconciliation.” (02:51)
• Tom Homan, on ICE controversy in Minnesota:
  “Stop forcing us into the community. This can be done a lot safer.” (03:43)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:03–00:58 – Supreme Court debates state transgender athlete bans
• 01:07–01:40 – Iran protest crackdown update
• 02:31–03:16 – GOP legislative efforts & reconciliation strategy
• 03:43–04:06 – Immigration enforcement in Minnesota & related protests
• 04:06–04:27 – Obituary: Scott Adams, Market update

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Tone & Style

The episode keeps a concise, serious, and news-driven tone, interspersed with pointed quotes from officials and correspondents. The format is fast-paced, typical of FOX News' hourly update, offering clear attributions and keeping listeners focused on major developments.

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Transcript

[Elisa Brady]

A transgender debate at the US Supreme Court. Elisa Brady, FOX News. As the justices heard the fight over two state bans on transgender athletes playing in women's sports, there are two cases.

[Alexandria Hoff]

Being argued today back to back, one out of Idaho, one out of West Virginia. And athletics is really the center of this. But this umbrella question has emerged. It's really how does gender identity fit if at all, into federal sex based predictions protections?

[Elisa Brady]

Fox's Alexandria Hoff. In the Idaho case, an attorney for a biological male athlete argues the ban should not apply because her client suppressed testosterone, mitigating any sex based advantage against athletes born female. But Idaho Solicitor General Alan Hurst takes issue with arguments about needing to make exceptions.

[Alan Hurst]

Those arguments don't limit themselves to people who identify as transgender. Many males could say I can't really compete with the women's basketball team and therefore I should be able to try out.

[Elisa Brady]

Lower courts struck down both states bans. More protesters are dying in Iran and a government crackdown on mass demonstrations against the regime.

[Trey Yingst]

These new reports indicate more than 3,000 people have been killed since these anti government demonstrations began in Iran. And the true number, according to the sources that we've talked to, is expected to be much higher. Overnight, thousands of people gathered once again in the streets of major cities, including the capital of Tehran. Further south in the city of Isfahan, Fox News was able to make contact with a man who is using starlink. He described battles between protesters and security forces who are using live ammunition. On the call, he said the government has really repressed them, using weapons of war against the demonstrators.

[Elisa Brady]

Fox's Trey yanked President Trump earlier, calling the killing of protesters senseless. Also, posting help is on its way without indicating what kind of help. Iranian officials have warned against US Intervention. The president's visiting Detroit, set to make a speech on the economy. America is listening to Fox News.

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[Elisa Brady]

Republicans in Congress roll out a framework for passing President Trump's agenda before the end of the year.

[August Pfluger]

The Republican Study Committee, the largest House GOP caucus on Capitol Hill, wants to utilize reconciliation for a second time this Congress. It's the process used to pass the one big beautiful bill act with a simple majority in both chambers.

[Alan Hurst]

It would be political malpractice if we did not pursue a path of reconciliation.

[August Pfluger]

Chairman August fluker says. The RSC's framework and includes legislation focused on health care and housing affordability with the goal of cutting spending by $1.6 trillion. But getting a bill across the finish line will be a challenge with a slim GOP majority. Losing just a few votes could sink any bill.

[Elisa Brady]

Fox's Ryan Schmell's on the Hill hot button issues could also scuttle budget bills, including the ongoing debate over now expired Obamacare subsidies and immigration enforcement. Some Democrats hoping to block ICE funding even at the risk of another government shutdown. Current government runs out at the end of this month as protests intensify in Minnesota after a deadly shooting last week in Minneapolis. The state is suing to stop a surge of federal agents, calling it an invasion.

[Tom Homan]

Border czar Tom Homan says ICE action wouldn't be needed if Minnesota granted ICE access to over 1300 in jails targeted for deportation on top of the hundreds more the state has set free. Stop forcing us into the community.

[Elisa Brady]

This can be done a lot safer.

[Tom Homan]

DHS releasing a list of some of the criminal illegals targeted by ice, including child sex offenders, murderers and drug dealers.

[Elisa Brady]

Fox's Jeff Manasso, Minnesota's attorney general, accuses Homeland Security of terrorizing people. The creator of the Dilbert comic strip has died. Scott Adams was 68 and had battled prostate cancer that spread to his bones. A sell off for the Dow right now down 371points. The S and P and the Nasdaq also in the red and Lisa Brady.

[Alexandria Hoff]

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

[Tom Homan]

Jesus, a listening experience that will provide hope, hope, comfort and understanding of the greatest story ever told. Listen and follow [e-mail] or wherever you listen to podcasts.