Fox News Hourly Update – 11PM ET 12/31/2025: New Year’s Eve, Major News, and National Updates

Main Theme and Purpose

This special New Year’s Eve broadcast covers live celebrations from Times Square in New York City, breaking national news, updates on political actions, crime developments, and major international affairs as listeners ring in 2026. The episode maintains a brisk, informative pace, delivering headline stories and on-the-ground reporting with Fox News’ characteristic tone of urgency and clarity.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Live New Year’s Eve Coverage from Times Square

• Reporter: Nate Foy

• Location: Times Square, New York City

  • Celebration Mood: Despite frigid, below-freezing conditions, over a million people gathered in Times Square for the New Year’s countdown.
  • Constellation Ball: This year features the "biggest Times Square ball ever" with 5280 crystals, 12.5 feet wide, weighing 12,000 pounds, and illuminated with advanced LED technology.
  • Unique Traditions in 2026: After the midnight drop, the ball uniquely rises again at 12:04 AM, showering 2,000 pounds of red, white, and blue confetti to mark America’s upcoming 250th birthday (July 4, 2026), when it will drop a second time that year.

  Notable Quote:

  • “The million people here in Times Square don’t care. The party has started. The biggest Times Square ball ever...it’s going to drop tonight, of course, at 11:59. But there’s something different this year. At 12:04, it will go back up.” — Nate Foy [00:18]

2. Updates on Crime and Tragedy

A. Texas Missing Person Case

• Story: Body found in Bexar County, Texas.

  • Victim: 19-year-old Camila Olmos; cause of death confirmed as a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
  • Law Enforcement Comments: Sheriff Javier Salazar noted discovery of a relative’s gun and mentioned the victim’s history of depression and suicidal ideations.
  • Case Status: Investigation ongoing.

  Notable Quote:

  • “The teenager had, in his words, suicidal ideations and depression...the gun belonged to one of the girl’s relatives.” — Grinnell Scott [01:09]

B. National Guard Deployment Dropped

• Announcement: President Trump states he is ceasing efforts to deploy National Guard troops to Chicago, Louisiana, and Portland, Oregon.

  • Platform: Announcement made via Truth Social.

  Notable Quote:

  • “President Trump announced he’s dropping efforts to deploy National Guard troops in Chicago, Louisiana and Portland, Oregon.” — Tom Graham [01:48]

3. International and National Security News

A. US Military Action at Sea

• Event: US Department of War reports airstrikes on three narco-trafficking vessels from Venezuela.

  • Casualties: Three killed on the first vessel; others abandoned ships before strikes on the second and third.
  • Ongoing Operations: 33 vessel strikes since September 2, with a total reported death toll of 109.
  • Follow-Up: US Southcom coordinated with Coast Guard for search and rescue post-operation.

  Notable Quote:

  • “In the first boat, three people were killed. The individuals on board the other two vessels jumped overboard...Southcom then notified the Coast Guard…” — Jessica Rosenthal [03:06]

B. Sanctions on Venezuelan Oil Companies

• US Action: New sanctions announced targeting four companies operating in Venezuela’s oil sector and related tankers.
• Political Context: Increased pressure from President Trump’s administration on Nicolás Maduro’s regime.

4. Domestic Policy and Scandal

Minnesota Child Care Fraud Scandal

• Development: Federal and Department of Health and Human Services freeze $185 million in funding and pause $5.5 million in SBA grants over widespread daycare fraud.

• Enforcement: 98 individuals charged; further arrests expected.

• Congressional Oversight: Oversight committee summons Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (D) for hearings. Walz agrees to cooperate but criticizes “circus hearings.”

  Notable Quote:

  • “The Department of Health and Human Services has now frozen $185 million in funding for Minnesota’s child care programs…A whole lot more arrests are coming.” — Garrett Tenney [03:59]

5. Market Recap

• Dow Jones: Down 304 points

• Nasdaq: Down 177 points

• S&P 500: Down nearly 51 points

  Summary Quote:

  • “The dow giving up 304 points. The Nasdaq was off 177, while the S&P 500 closed down nearly 51 points on the day.” — Tom Graham [04:26]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Happy New Year. 29 degrees here in New York City. But the million people here in Times Square don’t care. The party has started.” — Nate Foy [00:18]
• “The investigation is continuing.” — Grinnell Scott [01:09]
• “He’s dropping efforts to deploy National Guard troops in Chicago, Louisiana and Portland, Oregon.” — Tom Graham [01:48]
• “With three separate strikes conducted Tuesday, this means there have been a total of 33 since September 2nd, with 109 people killed.” — Jessica Rosenthal [03:06]
• “A whole lot more arrests are coming.” — Garrett Tenney [03:59]
• “The dow giving up 304 points.” — Tom Graham [04:26]

Important Segment Timestamps

• New Year’s Eve Times Square Coverage: [00:02]–[01:02]
• Missing Person Case in Texas: [01:02]–[01:48]
• National Guard Deployment Update: [01:48]–[02:00]
• US Military Strikes on Drug Boats: [02:58]–[03:39]
• US Sanctions on Venezuelan Oil: [03:39]–[03:59]
• Minnesota Child Care Fraud: [03:59]–[04:26]
• Wall Street Market Close: [04:26]–[04:56]

Tone and Style

This episode delivers rapid-fire news updates with Fox News' characteristic directness—serious for tragedy and scandal segments, celebratory and vivid for the Times Square coverage. It balances concise fact delivery (often using direct statements from officials) with on-the-ground color and patriotic notes, especially pertinent on New Year’s Eve heading into America’s 250th anniversary year.

For listeners who missed it:
This newscast provided an energetic, news-packed close to 2025, capturing everything from New Year’s revelry and American traditions to grave developments in law enforcement, international sanctions, fraud investigations, and market woes, all in under five minutes.