12AM ET 09/21/2025 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update – 12AM ET 09/21/2025

Host: Debra Valentine
Airs: September 21, 2025
Podcast: Fox News Hourly Update

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Episode Overview

This episode delivers succinct updates on several major national and international stories: preparations for the public memorial of Charlie Kirk in Arizona, heightened security concerns and protest warnings, a shooting at a New Hampshire country club, renewed Russian missile attacks on Ukraine, and security ramp-ups around New York for the United Nations General Assembly and Jewish High Holidays. The episode also briefly touches on U.S.-China tech negotiations regarding TikTok and future addresses from world leaders.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Final Preparations for Charlie Kirk’s Memorial

[00:02 – 01:45]

• Event Details:
  Preparations are underway for a large public memorial tomorrow at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona for the late Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point.

• Crowd Expectations:
  Anticipation of major crowds, both local and from across the country—even internationally.

• Dignitaries Speaking:
  Both former President Trump and Vice President Vance plan to speak at the event.

• Security Concerns:
  Authorities are preparing for protests and possible disruptions.

• Guest Quote:

  “A lot of the folks we’ve talked to are locals... But there's still a big portion of folks who are coming in from all over the country, from coast to coast and in some cases around the world... they feel that it's a fitting honor that both President Trump and Vice President Vance will be speaking."
  — Jeff Paul [00:15]

• Arrest Before Memorial:

  • Incident: Joshua Runkles was arrested at the venue, allegedly impersonating law enforcement and carrying weapons.
  • Explanation: Turning Point USA describes Runkles as part of an advance security detail for a guest, but admits protocol wasn’t followed.
  • Organizer Stance:

    “They don't believe Runkles was trying to do anything nefarious.”
    — Unnamed Reporter [01:02]

  • Security Scale: Up to 100,000 attendees expected, with very high security protocols.

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2. Shooting in Nashua, New Hampshire

[01:45 – 01:59]

• A shooting at a country club resulted in one fatality and multiple injuries.
• Police report the suspect is in custody.
• Brief update; no further detail provided.

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3. Ukraine Defends Against Russian Missiles and Drones

[03:10 – 03:46]

• Scale of Attack:
  Ukraine defended against a combined offensive of 40 missiles and 580 drones. Most were intercepted.
• Impact:
  Several high-rise buildings in Dnipro damaged.
• Notable Quote:

  “Every strike is not a military necessity, but deliberate strategy. Russia to terrorize civilians and destroy our infrastructure.”
  — President Zelensky, quoted by Stephanie Bennett [03:32]

• Russian Claims:
  Russia asserts it captured two new villages; counteroffensive activity continues near two eastern cities.
• Additional Tensions:
  Russian jets were intercepted after entering Estonian airspace, though Russia denies incursion.

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4. Heightened Security in New York for the UN General Assembly

[03:46 – 04:47]

• Security Posture:
  No credible threats, but vigilance heightened due to international tensions.
• Operational Details:
  • Heavily armed police teams, drones, helicopters, and harbor units in place.
  • Armored vehicles on standby to escort world leaders.
  • Enhanced police presence at synagogues due to the upcoming Jewish New Year (Rosh Hashanah) and the escalating situation in Gaza.
• Notable Quote:

  “Heavily armored teams patrolling the streets, drones and helicopters in the sky, harbor units on the water and armored vehicles that will be used to move world leaders around the city.”
  — CB Cotton [04:04]

• Schedule:
  President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu will address the General Assembly.

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5. U.S.–China Negotiations Over TikTok

[04:47 – 05:06]

• White House Statement:
  Press Secretary Caroline Levitt says a new deal under discussion will ensure U.S. companies get control over the video feed algorithm.
• Implication:
  This could address longstanding national security and data privacy concerns around TikTok.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Kirk’s Memorial:

  “They feel that it's a fitting honor that both President Trump and Vice President Vance will be speaking.”
  — Jeff Paul [00:27]

• On Advance Security Incident:

  “They don’t believe Runkles was trying to do anything nefarious.”
  — Unnamed Reporter [01:20]

• On Ukraine Air Defenses:

  “Every strike is not a military necessity, but deliberate strategy. Russia to terrorize civilians and destroy our infrastructure.”
  — President Zelensky, via Stephanie Bennett [03:32]

• On NY Security Operations:

  “Heavily armored teams patrolling the streets, drones and helicopters in the sky... armored vehicles that will be used to move world leaders...”
  — CB Cotton [04:16]

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Key Timestamps

• 00:02 – Coverage begins on Charlie Kirk memorial preparations
• 00:15 – Crowd build-up, dignitaries and expected disruptions at the memorial (Jeff Paul)
• 01:02 – Security incident and arrest at State Farm Stadium (Unnamed Reporter)
• 01:45 – Breaking: Shooting in Nashua, NH (Debra Valentine)
• 03:10 – Ukrainian defense against Russian attack (Stephanie Bennett)
• 03:46 – Security preparations in New York for UNGA and Jewish holidays (CB Cotton)
• 04:47 – U.S. and China TikTok negotiations (Debra Valentine)
• 05:06 – End of content, transition to podcast promotion

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Tone & Language

• The reporting is concise, direct, and fact-focused, consistent with the FAST-PACED news update format.
• Quotes from correspondents, officials, and sources are delivered objectively, with an emphasis on clarity and brevity.

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Transcript

[Debra Valentine]

Kirk's memorial. I'm Debra Valentine. FOX News. Final preparations are underway at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, ahead of tomorrow's huge memorial for the late Turning Point founder Charlie Kirk.

[Jeff Paul]

Crowds are really starting to show up here and we expect it to only get busier as we get closer and closer to that planned public memorial at nearby State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Now, a lot of the folks we've talked to are locals. They're from Arizona. But there's still a big portion of folks who are coming in from all over the country, from coast to coast and in some cases around the world. They tell us that if they can't get in tomorrow, they're going to just watch the stream. And they feel that it's a fitting honor that both President Trump and Vice President Vance will be speaking. However, we do know that authorities are preparing for some protests and possible disruptions.

[Debra Valentine]

Fox's Jeff Paul reporting from Turning Point headquarters in Phoenix. Meanwhile, the man arrested ahead of Charlie Kirk's memorial service was carrying guns and knives, but Kirk's organization says he's not a threat.

[Unnamed Reporter]

Joshua Runkles was arrested after entering the State Farm Stadium in Arizona, charged with impersonating a law enforcement officer and carrying a weapon in a prohibited place. But Turning Point USA says Runkles was doing advanced security for a known guest planning to attend Charlie Kirk's memorial service. They said the advance was not done in proper coordination with their security team, but they don't believe Runkles was trying to do anything nefarious. A federal source said Runkles was a former law enforcement member from another state. Security is tight at the stadium as organizers say they're expecting as many as 100,000 people, including President Trump tell NATO.

[Debra Valentine]

Fox News a shooting at a Nashua, New Hampshire, country club has left one person dead and several others hurt. Nashua police say a suspect's in custody. America's listening to FOX News.

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[Debra Valentine]

Ukraine fended off a Russian missile and drone attack.

[Stephanie Bennett / Janice Dean]

Fox's Stephanie Bennett reports 40 missiles and 580 drones were launched across Ukraine. Their military managed to shoot down and neutralize most of them. Several high rise buildings were damaged in Dnipro on ex. Zelensky said, quote, every strike is not a military necessity, but deliberate strategy. Russia to terrorize civilians and destroy our infrastructure. Russia also claimed its forces captured two new villages. But Ukrainian troops press on with a frontline counteroffensive around two cities to the east.

[Debra Valentine]

The attack after Russian jets were intercepted in Estonian airspace. Russia claimed those jets were flying over international waters. Security operations underway for the upcoming United Nations General assembly and Jewish high holidays. Fox's CB Cotton reports from UN Headquarters in New York City.

[CB Cotton]

NYP leaders have emphasized there are no specific or credible threats, but they still have to be on high alert because of the climate here and also abroad. So here's what we can expect to see during one of the most complex security operations of the entire year. Heavily armored teams patrolling the streets, drones and helicopters in the sky harbor units on the water and armored vehicles that will be used to move world leaders around the city. Drones will also be in the sky for surveillance. We also mentioned the synagogues. Well, they're part of the security plan, too. With the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, starting on Monday at sundown, and with the war in Gaza escalating, houses of worship will have a heightened police presence.

[Debra Valentine]

President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu are expected to address the General Assembly. White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt told Fox Saturday an emerging TikTok deal with China will ensure U.S. companies control the algorithm that powers the app's video feed. I'm Debra Valentine.

[Stephanie Bennett / Janice Dean]

This I'm Janice Dean. Join me every Sunday as I focus on stories of hope and people who are truly rays of sunshine in their community and across the world.

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