12PM ET 10/24/2025 Newscast

Summary

---

Fox News Hourly Update (12PM ET 10/24/2025 Newscast)

Date: October 24, 2025
Host: FOX News Podcasts

---

Episode Overview

This episode delivers an update on major national and international news, including a high-profile court case involving New York's Attorney General, inflation and Social Security adjustments, diplomatic efforts surrounding Ukraine, a high-profile arson case in London, and significant layoffs at Target. The tone is fast-paced and informative, typical of headline-driven news bulletins.

---

Key Discussion Points & Timed Breakdown

1. Letitia James Charged in Federal Fraud Case

[00:01–00:42]

• Supporters rallied for New York Attorney General Letitia James at the federal courthouse in Norfolk, Virginia, as she faced federal fraud charges.
• Letitia James pleaded not guilty, framing the charges against her as “political revenge” for her previous civil fraud case win against the president and his business in New York.
  • Notable Quote (Letitia James, 00:16):
    "But this is not about me. This is about all of us and about a justice system which has been weaponized."
  • Notable Quote (Letitia James, 00:34):
    "So there's no fear today. No fear. No fear. No fear."
• James is accused of making false statements and bank fraud related to a Virginia home purchase.
• The president claims James is part of a “weaponized system” acting against him.

---

2. Social Security Payments & US Inflation Update

[00:42–01:40]

• Social Security recipients' monthly payments will increase by an average of $56 starting next cycle—a 2.8% increase compared to 2.5% the previous year, which was the lowest in four years.
  • The cost-of-living adjustment is based on the Labor Department’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) from July to September.
• Economist Nancy Lazar (Piper Sandler) commented on the temporary effects of tariffs and expected improvement in inflation next year.
  • Notable Quote (Nancy Lazar, 01:19): "This is a temporary phenomenon. I think the markets are figuring it out and next year we should have a much tamer inflationary backdrop."
• The September CPI report recorded annual inflation at 3% despite the government shutdown.
• Cooler-than-expected inflation buoyed stock markets, with the Dow up 562 points, surpassing 47,200—a record.
  • Fox’s Jenny Cosola (01:40): "That inflation report coming in a bit cooler than expected and that has rallied stocks. Right now the Dow is up 562 points in record territory, topping 47,200."

---

3. Ukraine’s Plea for Long-Range Weapons & European Security

[02:14–03:04]

• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and other European leaders in London, seeking more military aid, especially long-range weaponry.
  • Notable Quote (Zelensky, 02:30): "Very thankful to you that we are not alone in this situation. From the very beginning of war, Zelensky."
• European allies promise more military help, emphasizing solidarity against Russian aggression.
• The UK Prime Minister highlighted the need for unified action, including the use of frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine.
  • Notable Quote (UK Official, 02:55): "What we see from Putin is an absolute unwillingness to engage, in fact the opposite, which is the continued attacks increasingly on civilians."
• Zelensky did not secure U.S. approval for Tomahawk missile purchases during a recent White House meeting but continues to push for long-range capabilities to pressure Russia.

---

4. London Arson Attack Sentencings Linked to Russian Intelligence

[03:04–03:36]

• Five men were sentenced to 7 to 17 years in prison for an arson attack on an East London warehouse in 2024.
• Investigations allege Russian intelligence orchestrated the attack as part of a broader sabotage campaign.

---

5. Target Corporate Layoffs

[03:36–04:06]

• Target will cut about 2,000 corporate jobs (8% of its workforce), with 1,000 layoffs expected next week and 800 vacant positions eliminated.
• The majority of cuts will affect Minneapolis headquarters.
• Michael Fiddleke, newly-appointed CEO, cited bureaucracy and “complexity” as hindering efficiency.
  • Notable Quote (Fiddleke, 03:36): "The complexity we’ve created over time has been holding us back. Too many layers and overlapping work have slowed decisions, making it harder to bring ideas to life."
• More details to be announced Tuesday; Minneapolis staff instructed to work from home next week.

---

Notable Quotes

• Letitia James (00:16):
  "But this is not about me. This is about all of us and about a justice system which has been weaponized."
• Letitia James (00:34):
  "So there's no fear today. No fear. No fear. No fear."
• Nancy Lazar, Economist (01:19):
  "This is a temporary phenomenon. I think the markets are figuring it out and next year we should have a much tamer inflationary backdrop."
• Volodymyr Zelensky (02:30):
  "Very thankful to you that we are not alone in this situation. From the very beginning of war, Zelensky."
• UK Official (02:55):
  "What we see from Putin is an absolute unwillingness to engage, in fact the opposite, which is the continued attacks increasingly on civilians."
• Michael Fiddleke, Target CEO (03:36):
  "The complexity we’ve created over time has been holding us back. Too many layers and overlapping work have slowed decisions, making it harder to bring ideas to life."

---

Additional Highlights

• Stock markets are buoyed by positive inflation news.
• Heightened focus on Russian aggression and sabotage across Europe.
• Corporate America is tightening operations amid economic uncertainty.

---

This episode offered concise updates on developing stories, sticking to a neutral, reportorial tone while spotlighting major national and international trends.

Transcript

[A]

A rally outside of federal courthouse in Virginia. Elisa Brady, FOX News supporters chanting we stand with you after New York Attorney General Letitia James pleaded not guilty in Norfolk in a federal fraud case.

[B]

But this is not about me. This is about all of us and about a justice system which has been weaponized.

[A]

James says the bank fraud case against her is political revenge after the civil fraud case she won against the president and his business in New York.

[B]

So there's no fear today. No fear. No fear. No fear.

[A]

James is accused of making false statements and bank fraud related to a home purchase in Virginia. The president has accused her of being part of a weaponized system against him. Social Security recipients now know how much more they'll be getting.

[C]

The monthly payment for Social Security recipients will go up an average of $56 starting in. Benefits are rising 2.8% more than the 2.5% in 2025, which was the smallest increase in four years. Nancy Lazar, chief global economist at Piper Sandler, believes the impact of tariffs will not be sticky.

[D]

This is a temporary phenomenon. I think the markets are figuring it out and next year we should have a much tamer inflationary backdrop.

[C]

The cost of living increase is figured using the Labor Department's consumer price index from July to September20. The September CPI report was released despite the government shutdown. It measured inflation on an annual basis at 3%.

[A]

Fox's Jenny Cosola that inflation report coming in a bit cooler than expected and that has rallied stocks. Right now the dow is up 562 points in record territory, topping 47,200.

[E]

America is listening to FOX News.

[F]

It's Will Kane country. Watch it live at noon Eastern Monday through [e-mail] or on the Fox News YouTube channel. And don't miss the show. Listen and follow the podcast five days a week at foxnewspodcasts.com or wherever you download your favorite podcasts.

[A]

Ukraine's president makes another in person push for long range weapons, this time in London meeting with allies in the coalition of the willing.

[G]

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer greeted Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelensky with a hug on the doorstep of 10 Downing street where Zelensky showed his gratitude.

[H]

Very thankful to you that we are not alone in this situation. From the very beginning of war, Zelensky.

[G]

Met with two dozen European leaders who have promised military help to protect his country from future Russian aggression.

[I]

What we see from Putin is an absolute unwillingness to engage in fact the opposite, which is the continued attacks increasingly on civilians.

[G]

UK prime minister hosted the coalition, saying we needed to agree to finish the job. On using frozen Russian assets to bolster Ukraine's defenses.

[A]

Fox's CJ Papa Zelensky came away from a recent White House meeting without a green light to buy Tomahawk missiles. He says long range capability will put more pressure on Russia's president to end the war. Also in London, a British judge sentencing five men for their roles in an arson attack investigators say was masterminded by Russian intelligence as part of a wider campaign of sabotage and disruption. The sentence is ranging from 7 to 17 years in prison for an attack on on an East London warehouse last year. Target plans to eliminate nearly 2,000 corporate jobs.

[J]

A Target spokesperson says about 1,000 employees are expected to get layoff notices next week and 800 vacant jobs are going away. The cuts represent 8% of the company's corporate workforce worldwide. Most of the layoffs are at headquarters in Minneapolis. Chief operating officer Michael Fiddleke, who become Target's new CEO in February, writes to staff, the complexity we've created over time has been holding us back. Too many layers and overlapping work have slowed decisions, making it harder to bring ideas to life, he says More details will come Tuesday, and people at the Minneapolis offices should work from home next week.

[E]

Fox's Chris Foster. I'm Lisa Brady. This is FOX News.