Fox News Hourly Update Summary

Episode: 1AM ET 11/17/2025 Newscast
Host: Ted Lindner (FOX News Podcasts)
Date: November 17, 2025

Overview

The November 17th, 2025, 1AM ET newscast delivers fast-paced highlights of national and international news stories just before the busy Thanksgiving travel period. Key segments include updates on the lifting of FAA flight restrictions after a government shutdown, U.S. military actions targeting narco-terrorism, renewed Christmas celebrations in Bethlehem, the potential release of the Epstein files, and new ICE operations in North Carolina.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. FAA Lifts Flight Restrictions Pre-Thanksgiving

Timestamps: 00:03–00:55

• The Federal Aviation Administration is ending flight restrictions set during the recent government shutdown, just ahead of one of the year's busiest travel periods.
• (Devin Truby, KTVU Fox 2 San Francisco) reports air travel is “trying to get back to normal” after weeks of disruptions across 40 major airports.
• Airlines like American and Delta are publicly asserting normalcy is returning. However, industry experts worry about a staffing shortage, especially among air traffic controllers, a problem exacerbated by retirements during the shutdown.
  • Notable Statistic: Even before the shutdown, 91% of FAA facilities were understaffed.
  • Delay/cancellation numbers have dropped from the hundreds to the tens at San Francisco International Airport (SFO).
• Thanksgiving Peak Travel: Forecast coming Monday; busiest days are expected to be Tuesday and Wednesday prior, and the following Sunday.
• (Ted Lindner) shares AAA data: over 20,000 flights delayed, around 600 canceled on Sunday. Full schedules resume Monday at 6:00am ET.

Notable Quote:

“It depends on air traffic controllers returning to work. The number that may have retired is still unknown.”
— Devin Truby (00:29)

2. U.S. Military Actions in the Caribbean and Pacific

Timestamps: 00:55–01:34

• The U.S. military conducted another strike in the eastern Pacific targeting a boat alleged to be operated by narco-terrorists, killing three.
• The USS Gerald Ford, the world’s largest aircraft carrier, now joins a U.S. military buildup in the Caribbean.
  • The operation, now named “Southern Spear”, seeks to target narco-terrorists in the region.
  • There is bipartisan concern about the legality of strikes against suspected drug boats outside of declared conflict zones.

Notable Insight (Roger Stern):

“The administration says the US Operation formerly named Southern Spear aims to remove narco terrorists. But there has been bipartisan concern regarding the legality of the strike against these alleged drug boats.” (01:13)

3. U.S. Pressure on Venezuela

Timestamps: 01:34–01:55

• The military buildup near Venezuela is reportedly designed to put pressure on President Maduro.
• (Bethlehem Mayor) quoting President Trump, hints at possible talks with Maduro:

  “We may be having some discussions with Maduro and we'll see how that turns out. They would like... they would like to talk.” (01:47)

4. Christmas Celebrations Return to Bethlehem

Timestamps: 02:32–03:07

• Bethlehem, the biblical town of Christ’s birth, will host public Christmas celebrations for the first time in two years.
  • The past two years of events were canceled due to the Hamas-Israeli war.
  • The mayor of Bethlehem announced the return of festivities via Instagram as a ceasefire holds.
  • Celebrations kick off December 6th with the tree lighting in Manger Square.

Notable Quotes:

“We invite you to come and visit Bethlehem, the cradle of Christianity and the capital of the Christian world.”
— Bethlehem Mayor (02:57–03:07)

5. Epstein Files Set for Potential Release

Timestamps: 03:14–03:39

• Over 100 Republican House members may join Democrats this week in voting to release the Epstein files.
• (Sen. Chris Murphy, D-CT, on ABC’s This Week) suggests President Trump is personally implicated and working to block the files’ release:

  “Donald Trump is trying to cover up for, I think a host of really powerful and rich people, but he's frankly not that selfless... if he wasn't seriously implicated in those files.” (03:22)

• President Trump counters, accusing Democrats of using Epstein as a distraction from GOP successes.

6. ICE Arrests & Immigration Enforcement — Operation “Charlotte’s Web”

Timestamps: 03:39–04:20

• ICE arrested more than 80 people in Charlotte, NC, during a new operation called “Charlotte’s Web”.
  • Local leaders encourage protests and for residents to record agents’ actions.
  • DHS argues the operation aims to remove threats to public safety and blames city policies for hindering immigration enforcement (mentioning 1,400 detainers not honored).
  • They claim dangerous criminals are returned to the streets due to local sanctuary policies.
• (Governor Josh Stein, D-NC): Calls for ICE to focus only on “drug traffickers and violent criminals.”

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• On Air Traffic Control Staffing:

  “Even before the shutdown, 91% of facilities didn't have the staff they needed.”
  — Devin Truby (00:34)

• On the return of Christmas festivities in Bethlehem:

  “Once again, Christmas will sound more like this along the West Bank. In Bethlehem, the street celebrations were canceled for two years because of the Hamas Israeli war. But now that there's a ceasefire, Bethlehem's mayor took to Instagram to announce that festivities are returning this Christmas season.”
  — Roger Stern (02:38)

• On potential U.S.–Venezuela Dialogues:

  “We may be having some discussions with Maduro and we'll see how that turns out. They would like... they would like to talk.”
  — President Trump, quoted by Bethlehem Mayor (01:47)

• On President Trump & Epstein Files:

  “He wouldn't be going through all of this effort to try to stop the release of these files if he wasn't seriously implicated in those files.”
  — Sen. Chris Murphy (03:29)

Key Segment Timestamps

• FAA lifts flight restrictions, travel outlook, air traffic controller concerns: 00:03–00:55
• US military strikes narco boat, operation Southern Spear, Venezuela pressure: 00:55–01:55
• Bethlehem’s Christmas celebration returns: 02:32–03:07
• Epstein files, Congress and Trump reactions: 03:14–03:39
• ICE’s Operation Charlotte’s Web, local and state leader responses: 03:39–04:20

Summary compiled for listeners who want the core updates, context, and memorable lines—all in the direct spirit of the newscast.