1AM ET 11/20/2025 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update — 1AM ET 11/20/2025

Host: Ted Lindner
Date: November 20, 2025
Episode Focus: Late-night update on significant national news including legislation on government transparency, political developments, investigations, public health recalls, entertainment highlights, and polling data.

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Main Theme

This Fox News Hourly Update centers on breaking news from Washington, high-profile investigations, public safety concerns, and major developments in entertainment and polling—delivering listeners a concise rundown of pivotal headlines.

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1. President Trump Signs Jeffrey Epstein Files Transparency Bill

[00:03–00:51]

• President Trump has signed a bill requiring the release of all federal files related to Jeffrey Epstein.
• Key Details:
  • The bill, called the Epstein Files Transparency Act, instructs Attorney General Pam Bondi to make all unclassified Epstein-related records public within 30 days.
  • The files are to be provided in a "searchable and downloadable format."
  • A new DOJ investigation, ordered by Bondi at President Trump’s request, is focused on “Democratic ties with the disgraced pedophile.”
  • The active investigation may temporarily delay public release of some information.
• Quote:

  "The Epstein Files Transparency act calls on Attorney General Pam Bondi and her team within 30 days to make publicly available ... all unclassified records, documents, communications and investigative materials in the possession of the Department of Justice."
  — David Spunt, [00:14]

• Memorable Moment:
  • This sweeping transparency measure could have a substantial impact on public perception and political discourse.

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2. President Trump to Meet NYC Mayor-Elect Zorra Mamdani

[00:51–01:19]

• Announcement: President Trump is scheduled to meet with New York City Mayor-elect Zorra Mamdani at the White House on Friday.
• Trump characterized Mamdani—who takes office January 1, 2026—as a “communist.”
• Quote:

  "Communist mayor of New York City Zorra Mamdani has asked for a meeting. And we have agreed that this meeting will take place at the Oval Office on Friday, November 21."
  — Quoted from President Trump’s Truth Social post, [01:00]

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3. Air Traffic Control Modernization Amid Staffing Crisis

[01:19–01:55]

• The Trump administration is prioritizing a modernization of the national air traffic control system.
  • A response to staff shortages and mass retirements, exacerbated by the recent government shutdown.
• Details:
  • Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy defended the FAA's $22 billion budget request.
  • Over $12 billion is specifically allocated to modernizing air traffic control.
• Quote:

  "That's the hardware of, of, of of radios and voice switches and radar. And we're going to rebuild the whole telecom system, build a whole new software system to control the airspace."
  — Sean Duffy, [01:37]

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4. Update: Cruise Ship Death Investigation

[03:37–04:09]

• The stepbrother of Anna Kepner, a teenage girl found dead on the Carnival Horizon cruise ship, may soon become the prime suspect.
• Legal Update:
  • In court filings, Anna Kepner’s stepmother signaled her testimony may incriminate herself or another minor.
  • The FBI continues its investigation; cause of death unresolved.
• Quote:

  "She acknowledges the FBI, which is investigating, could be filing charges against a stepbrother to the victim who is 16 years old."
  — Eben Brown, [03:48]

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5. Baby Formula Recall & Health Alert

[04:09–04:49]

• Scope: Bihart baby formula remains on sale in some states despite a nationwide recall due to botulism cases.
• Impact:
  • At least 31 babies in 15 states have been hospitalized since August.
  • Retailers such as Target and Walmart, and online vendors, implicated in ongoing sales.
  • No fatalities reported, but warnings remain urgent.
• Quote:

  "Officials in at least three states, Minnesota, Oregon and Arizona, say they found Bihart baby formula for sale one week after the New York-based company recalled all products nationwide."
  — Tom Rigotti, [04:15]

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6. 59th Annual CMA Awards Results

[04:49–05:17]

• Hosted solo by Lainey Wilson (last year’s co-host with Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning).
• Major winners:
  • Lainey Wilson, Ella Langley, and Riley Greene — each won three awards.
  • Lainey Wilson named Entertainer of the Year.
  • Brooks & Dunn won their 16th Vocal Duo of the Year.
• Notable Moment:
  • Lainey Wilson emerges as the evening’s top honoree.

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7. Fox Poll: Public Discontent with White House and Congress

[05:17–05:31]

• Findings:
  • Majority of voters see the White House as doing "more harm than good" on the economy.
  • Congressional approval, especially Chuck Schumer’s, dropped sharply during the government shutdown.
• Quote:

  "Views of members of Congress eroded during the government shutdown. Most affected by this downturn in approval: Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer."
  — Fox News Anchor, [05:23–05:31]

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Memorable Quotes

• David Spunt [00:14]: "Bondi recently ordered a new Epstein investigation into Democratic ties with the disgraced pedophile late last week at President Trump's urging."
• Sean Duffy [01:37]: "We're going to rebuild the whole telecom system, build a whole new software system to control the airspace."
• Fox News Anchor [04:15]: "At least 31 babies in 15 states who drank Bihart formula have been hospitalized and treated for infantile botulism since August. Health officials are warning no affected product should be sold or consumed."

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Key Timestamps for Reference

• Epstein Files Bill Signed: [00:03–00:51]
• Trump–Mamdani White House Meeting: [00:51–01:19]
• Air Traffic Control Modernization: [01:19–01:55]
• Cruise Ship Death Update: [03:37–04:09]
• Baby Formula Recall: [04:09–04:49]
• CMA Awards Recap: [04:49–05:17]
• Fox Poll Results: [05:17–05:31]

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This concise but detailed newscast offers pivotal updates on government action, investigations, and public safety, all within a fast-paced five-minute period, embodying Fox News’ promise of up-to-the-minute coverage for listeners.

Transcript

[Ted Lindner]

The president signs the bill. I'm Ted Lindner.

[Fox News Anchor]

Fox News.

[Ted Lindner]

President Trump on Wednesday night signing a new bill ordering the release of all.

[Fox News Anchor]

Federal files related to Jeffrey Epstein. Fox's David Spunt with the details.

[David Spunt]

The Epstein Files Transparency act calls on Attorney General Pam Bondi and her team within 30 days to make publicly available in a searchable and downloadable format all unclassified records, documents, communications and investigative materials in the possession of the Department of Justice. Bondi recently ordered a new Epstein investigation into Democratic ties with the disgraced pedophile late last week at President Trump's urging. Bondi wouldn't say what kind of new information, but the new investigation could delay some of the release given it's an active probe.

[Fox News Anchor]

Meantime, President Trump saying that he will meet with New York City Mayor elect Zorram Dani at the White House this coming Friday.

[Ted Lindner]

The president writing on Truth Social Wednesday.

[Fox News Anchor]

Night, quote, communist mayor of New York City Zorra Mamdani has asked for a meeting. And we have agreed that this meeting will take place at the Oval Office on Friday, November 21. Mamdani, of course, is set to take office on New Year's Day, January 21, I should say January 1, 2026.

[Ted Lindner]

And the Trump administration is looking to.

[Fox News Anchor]

Modernize air traffic control amid staff shortages and thousands of retirements in the aftermath of a government shutdown. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy telling FOX BUSINESS in depth the flight path forward. The FAA's requested $22 billion budget is justified due to those modernization efforts.

[Sean Duffy]

That's the hardware of, of, of of radios and voice switches and radar. And we're going to rebuild the whole telecom system, build a whole new software system to control the airspace.

[Fox News Anchor]

The one big beautiful bill provides over $12 billion towards modernizing air traffic control.

[Ted Lindner]

America's listen.

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[Ted Lindner]

A stepbrother of a teenage girl found dead on the Carnival Horizon cruise ship.

[Fox News Anchor]

May become the prime suspect. This is the stepmother of Anna Kepner has filed an emergency court motion in her divorce proceedings.

[Eben Brown]

In the filing, Chantel Kepner says her testimony could incriminate herself or one of the minor children. She acknowledges the FBI, which is investigating the 18 year old girl's death, could be filing charges against a stepbrother to the victim who is 16 years old. A cause of Anna Kepner's death has yet to be determined. Eben Brown, FOX News and there's a.

[Fox News Anchor]

Problem with the recall of baby formula linked to cases of botulism, Fox's Tom Rigotti explains.

[Tom Rigotti]

Officials in at least three states, Minnesota, Oregon and Arizona say they found Bihar baby formula for sale one week after the New York based company recalled all products nationwide. It was sold at Target and Walmart or Online. At least 31 babies in 15 states who drank Bihart formula have been hospitalized and treated for infantile botulism since August. Health officials are warning no affected product should be sold or consumed. Infant botulism can cause paralysis and death. No fatalities have been reported. Tamer Gotti, Fox News In Nashville on.

[Ted Lindner]

Wednesday night, the 59th Annual CMA Awards.

[Fox News Anchor]

Were held hosted by nine time CMA Award winner Lainey Wilson. Wilson hosted the ceremony last year as well with Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning. This year though, she emceed the show solo. And Wilson, Ella Langley and Riley Greene each scoring three honors at Wednesday night's show. Wilson taking away the most coveted prize, entertainer of the year and longtime country vets Brooks and Dunn winning vocal duo of the year for a 16th time.

[Ted Lindner]

And a new Fox poll finds that.

[Fox News Anchor]

Voters believe the White House is doing more harm than good on the economy.

[Ted Lindner]

But the poll also finds that voter.

[Fox News Anchor]

Views of members of Congress eroded during the government shutdown. Most affected by this downturn in approval Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.

[Ted Lindner]

I'm Ted Lindner. This is FOX news.

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