Fox News Hourly Update – 11AM ET 12/17/2025 Newscast

Podcast: Fox News Hourly Update
Host: Dave Anthony
Date: December 17, 2025
Length: ~4 minutes

Episode Overview

This news update delivers the latest political developments, criminal investigations, and national stories. Highlights include former special counsel Jack Smith’s closed-door hearing on Trump indictments, new tension over Obamacare tax credits, a high-profile double murder case, fallout from a campus shooting, President Trump’s looming national address, a dignified transfer for fallen soldiers, and Maryland’s legislative action on reparations.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Jack Smith Faces House Judiciary Inquiry

[00:03-00:50]

• Main Point: Jack Smith, the former special counsel who indicted President Trump on two counts, is being questioned by the House Judiciary Committee in a closed session.
• Context: The indictments were dropped after Trump’s re-election.
• Investigative Focus: Allegations that the Biden DOJ weaponized prosecutions for political ends.
• Personal Stakes: Subpoenaing of Republicans’ phone records by the DOJ has made the issue personal for some lawmakers.

Notable Quote:

"Regrets about the way your prosecutions of the president were handled?"
— Bill Malusian [00:14]
(Jack Smith did not respond to questions from the press.)

2. House Healthcare Showdown Over Obamacare Tax Credits

[00:50-01:19]

• Legislative Dynamics: Four GOP lawmakers cross party lines, joining Democrats in forcing a vote on extending Obamacare tax credits set to expire this year.
• Outcome: The vote to extend tax credits was blocked.
• Controversy: Debate centers on whether the COVID-era tax subsidies increased costs.

Notable Quote:

"Covid era tax subsidies that have done nothing but increase costs not only to the American people but to the health care program that has been failed since they passed it."
— Rep. Lance Gooden [01:10]

3. High-Profile Double Homicide: Nick Reiner’s Arraignment

[01:19-01:38]

• Crime Story: Nick Reiner faces arraignment for the murders of his parents, Rob and Michelle Reiner, in Los Angeles.
• Prosecution Angle: LA County DA signals the case may qualify for the death penalty.
• Update: The parents were found stabbed in their home.

4. Brown University Shooting Manhunt

[01:38-02:00]

• Incident: Authorities continue searching for a masked gunman who killed two students and wounded nine at Brown University.
• Investigation: Police hope new surveillance videos will lead to his identification.

5. President Trump Prepares Primetime Address

[02:16-02:45]

• Upcoming Event: President Trump will address the nation at 9:00 pm ET.
• Speech Preview:
  • Touting achievements: secure border, reduced inflation, lower gas prices.
  • May hint at new policy directions for the coming year.
• Backdrop: Polls reflect high public disapproval on the economy, inflation, and trade.

Notable Quote:

"The president will highlight his accomplishments over the past year, a secure border, lower inflation than its peak under the Biden administration and reduced gas prices."
— Rich Edson [02:24]

6. Dignified Transfer at Dover Following Deadly Attack in Syria

[02:45-03:23]

• Details: President Trump will attend the dignified transfer of two Iowa National Guard soldiers killed in a terrorist attack in Syria.
• Broader Policy: Syria added to a travel ban list soon after the attack.
• Human Cost: An American interpreter was also killed.
• Ceremony: Honor guards will carry flag-draped transfer cases as the president pays respects.

7. Maryland Lawmakers Override Governor on Reparations Commission

[03:23-04:06]

• Legislative Action: Maryland’s Democratic-controlled legislature overrides Governor Wes Moore’s veto to create a reparations commission.
• Significance: Moore, Maryland's first Black governor, found the timing unsuitable for another study, but lawmakers insisted it was a priority.
• Additional Vetoes Overridden: Bills to study data center impacts and fund climate change research.

8. Market Update

[04:06-04:13]

• Snapshot:
  • Dow: Down 90 points
  • Nasdaq: Falls 234 points

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Jack Smith is on a hot seat in the House."
  — Dave Anthony [00:03]

• "Covid era tax subsidies that have done nothing but increase costs..."
  — Rep. Lance Gooden [01:10]

• "The president may also tease some policies coming in the new year."
  — Rich Edson [02:24]

• "[The reparations commission] was a priority for the Legislative Black Caucus and was vetoed by Moore, the state's first black governor, in May. At the time, Moore explained that the decision was difficult for him, but that now is not the time for another study."
  — Tanya J. Powers [03:31]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Jack Smith House Judiciary Hearing: [00:03–00:50]
• Obamacare Tax Credit Debate: [00:50–01:19]
• Nick Reiner Double Murder Arraignment: [01:19–01:38]
• Brown University Shooting Manhunt: [01:38–02:00]
• President Trump's Primetime Address Preview: [02:16–02:45]
• Dover Dignified Transfer for Fallen Soldiers: [02:45–03:23]
• Maryland Reparations Commission Vote: [03:23–04:06]
• Stock Market Update: [04:06–04:13]

This summary provides an at-a-glance update on the day’s top news and political controversies in the familiar, rapid-fire Fox News style.