Fox News Hourly Update – 11AM ET, December 22, 2025

Host: Dave Anthony
Reporters/Contributors: Jared Halpern, Ryan Schmelz, Greg Palkot, William LaJeunesse, Ainsley Earhart, Tonya J. Powers

Overview

This episode delivers a rapid-fire roundup of top global and national news stories, focusing on escalating U.S.–Venezuela tensions over sanctioned oil tankers, sweeping Trump administration actions on offshore wind projects and immigration, bipartisan pressure on the DOJ over the Epstein investigation, developments in Russia-Ukraine peace talks, a high-profile murder case in Los Angeles, and a deadly truck crash involving an undocumented immigrant driver.

Key Stories & Insights

1. U.S. Pursues Iran-Linked Oil Tanker Off Venezuela

• [00:02 – 00:32]
  • The U.S. is tracking an oil tanker linked to Iran off Venezuela’s coast. The vessel, which is under U.S. sanctions, is reportedly using a false flag to evade seizure.
  • Jared Halpern: “The tanker is reported to be under sanctions from the US and officials say the ship is flying a false flag to evade a judicial seizure order.”
  • President Trump announced a total blockade of oil tankers in and out of Venezuela the previous week. Multiple tankers operating on the black market have already been seized.
  • Theme: The administration continues its hardline stance on Iran and Venezuela, focusing on oil trade blocking.

2. Offshore Wind Project Leases Suspended

• [00:32 – 01:07]
  • The Trump administration abruptly suspends all large-scale offshore wind energy leases, citing national security.
  • Interior Secretary Doug Burgum: The primary concern is radar interference near populous East Coast areas.
  • Ongoing administration pattern of prioritizing national security risks in energy infrastructure decisions.

3. Congressional Frustration with DOJ Over Epstein Documents

• [01:07 – 01:30]
  • Lawmakers (Republican Thomas Massie, Democrat Ro Khanna) are drafting legislation to hold Attorney General Bondi in contempt for withholding key files in the Jeffrey Epstein case.
  • The DOJ has released 100,000+ heavily redacted pages, citing privacy of victims and ongoing investigations.
  • Quote: “DOJ officials argue the redactions are needed to protect victims’ information and the investigations.” (01:22)

4. Moscow Bombing Kills Russian General; Peace Talks Continue

• [01:30 – 01:55]
  • A Russian general is killed in a bombing in Moscow. Authorities investigate possible Ukrainian involvement.
  • Over the weekend, peace negotiations in Miami were described as “productive” by special envoy Steve Witkoff after meetings with envoys from Russia, Ukraine, and Europe.
  • No direct Ukraine-Russia talks held.
  • Quote: “Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner met Sunday with officials from Ukraine and Europe. No face to face talks between the two sides were conducted.” (01:49)

5. U.S. Offers Cash Bonuses for Voluntary Self-Deportation

• [02:04 – 02:40]
  • Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced a holiday triple bonus: $3,000 and a paid plane ticket for undocumented immigrants who self-deport.
  • Ainsley Earhart: “You might get the chance to come back to this country the right way someday. If you wait until we interdict you and detain you and arrest you and have to deport you ourselves, you’ll never [have] the chance to come back.” (02:30)
  • Reflects ongoing policy of deterrence and incentivized voluntary removal.

6. Deadly Crash by Released Undocumented Trucker Sparks Outrage

• [02:40 – 03:24]
  • Controversy in Seattle after King County released Kamalpreet Singh, an Indian national and undocumented immigrant, ignoring an ICE detainer.
  • Singh, who received a commercial driver's license despite his status, allegedly falsified logs and failed to attempt breaking before a deadly crash.
  • “His sister says the system failed Pearson, his wife and children.” (03:18)

7. Community Gathers After Rob Reiner Murder; Son Remains Jailed

• [03:24 – 04:05]
  • Friends and family mourn famed director Rob Reiner and wife Michelle, killed in their LA home. Their son Nick, aged 32, is charged with double murder and remains on suicide watch.
  • Tonya J. Powers: “Robin [and] Michelle Reiner’s bodies were found inside their home on December 14th. They’d been stabbed to death. Their son Nick is charged with two counts of first degree murder.” (03:43)
  • Nick Reiner’s next court date is January 7.

8. Financial Update

• [04:05 – End]
  • Positive market news: The Dow is up 205 points, NASDAQ up 107 points.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Jared Halpern [00:11]: “The tanker is reported to be under sanctions from the US and officials say the ship is flying a false flag to evade a judicial seizure order.”
• Ainsley Earhart [02:30]: “You might get the chance to come back to this country the right way someday. If you wait until we interdict you and detain you and arrest you and have to deport you ourselves, you’ll never the chance to come back.”
• Reporter [03:18]: “His sister says the system failed Pearson, his wife and children.”

Timestamps & Segment Guide

• 00:02 – U.S. pursuit of Iranian oil tanker off Venezuela
• 00:32 – Offshore wind project lease suspensions
• 01:07 – Congressional action on Epstein files
• 01:30 – Russian general killed, peace talks update
• 02:04 – U.S. self-deportation incentives for undocumented immigrants
• 02:40 – Outcry over truck crash involving undocumented immigrant
• 03:24 – LA mourns Rob Reiner, murder charges for son
• 04:05 – Financial markets update

Summary

This FOX News hourly update provides a brisk, information-dense recap of main headlines: American enforcement on oil sanctions, energy security policy shifts, bipartisan legislative action over transparency, continued volatility in Russian–Ukrainian relations, immigration policy maneuvers, local crime fallout, and Wall Street’s status. The tone is direct and urgent, echoing the breaking-news style, with quick transitions and an emphasis on policy, security, and public safety.