1AM ET 12/29/2025 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update: 1AM ET 12/29/2025

Host: Debra Valentine
Date: December 29, 2025

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Episode Overview

This broadcast provides concise updates on the top breaking news stories overnight. The main themes span international diplomacy — focusing on progress toward peace in Ukraine and developments in the Middle East — plus domestic incidents, a high-profile fraud investigation in Minnesota, severe winter weather, and the passing of a French film icon.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Russia-Ukraine Peace Negotiations (00:03–00:38)

• President Donald Trump hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky: The two leaders met at Mar-a-Lago with optimism towards a ceasefire and a formal peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine.
• Zelensky's Emphasis on Mutual Desire for Peace:
  • "We have two willing parties. We have two willing countries. They want to see it end. Look, the people of Ukraine want it to end and the people of Russia want it to end. And the two leaders want to end." — President Volodymyr Zelensky (00:16)
• Key Stumbling Block: Security guarantees are cited as a major issue yet to be resolved.
  • "That security guarantees is a key milestone." — President Zelensky (00:28)
• Next Steps: More talks with European leaders are planned, even as Russian airstrikes continue.

Notable Quote

• President Zelensky: "We have two willing parties...the people of Ukraine want it to end and the people of Russia want it to end." (00:16)

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2. Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Tensions and Internal Israeli Security (00:38–01:30)

• Upcoming Meeting: President Trump to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Mar-a-Lago.
• Stalled Gaza Ceasefire: The next phase of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire/hostage plan remains uncertain, with disagreements over:
  • The nature of any international stability force in Gaza.
  • Expansion of West Bank settlements.
• Israel's Shift Towards Defense Self-Sufficiency: Netanyahu announced plans for a domestic weapons industry to reduce reliance "on all players, including friends."
• Context: This announcement follows increased international criticism of Israel's handling of the Gaza war.

Notable Quote

• Jared Halpern: “[Netanyahu] has also announced plans for Israel to develop a domestic weapons manufacturing industry, he says to reduce dependence on all players, including friends.” (01:12)

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3. Deadly Helicopter Collision in New Jersey (01:30–01:50)

• Incident: Two helicopters flying closely together collided near Hamilton, New Jersey (35 miles outside Philadelphia).
• Casualties: One pilot killed, the other critically injured. FAA and NTSB are investigating.

Notable Quote

• Mike Emanuel: “The choppers were reportedly flying closely together. Only the pilots were aboard. The FAA and NTSB are investigating.” (01:36)

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4. Minnesota Childcare Fraud Investigation (02:58–03:42)

• Allegations: Widespread fraud in daycare centers falsely claiming millions in taxpayer support.
• Viral Video Evidence: Independent journalist Nick Shirley uncovered facilities without visible children, some with misspelled signs (“Leering center”).
• Federal Action: The Small Business Administration has frozen over $5 million in annual support to implicated centers.

Notable Quote

• Connor Hanson: “A new video that's gone viral...visiting daycare centers in the state that are receiving millions apparently in tax dollars. With no signs of children there.” (03:08)

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5. Winter Weather Disruptions Across the Midwest and Northeast (04:02–04:37)

• Meteorological Update: Another snowstorm is moving across the Midwest, prompting blizzard warnings in Minnesota and Wisconsin.
• Expected Impacts: Heavy snow, strong winds, low visibility, blizzard conditions, significant travel delays both by road and air.

Notable Quote

• Adam Klotz: “Blizzard warnings, heavy snow, strong winds. That’s going to lower visibility, make driving really tough, going to slow down plane travel as well...” (04:02)

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6. Death of Brigitte Bardot (04:37–04:57)

• Obituary: Famed French actress Brigitte Bardot, iconic for “And God Created Woman,” has died at 91.

Notable Quote

• Brigitte Bardot (archival): “I have to live as if every day were my last one. Something powerful in me that makes me behave foolishly.” (04:52)

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Notable Quotes

• President Zelensky (on peace deal):
  "We have two willing parties. We have two willing countries. They want to see it end. Look, the people of Ukraine want it to end and the people of Russia want it to end. And the two leaders want to end." (00:16)

• Jared Halpern (on Israel's new defense measures):
  “[Netanyahu] has also announced plans for Israel to develop a domestic weapons manufacturing industry, he says to reduce dependence on all players, including friends.” (01:12)

• Adam Klotz (on weather):
  “Blizzard warnings, heavy snow, strong winds. That’s going to lower visibility, make driving really tough, going to slow down plane travel as well...” (04:02)

• Brigitte Bardot (archival audio):
  “I have to live as if every day were my last one. Something powerful in me that makes me behave foolishly.” (04:52)

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Timestamps for Major Segments

• 00:03 — Ukraine-Russia Peace Negotiations: Trump, Zelensky meeting
• 00:38 — Israel-Hamas Ceasefire, Netanyahu's Defense Policy
• 01:30 — Mid-air Helicopter Collision in New Jersey
• 02:58 — Minnesota Daycare Fraud Scandal
• 04:02 — Midwest/Northeast Blizzard Weather Update
• 04:37 — Brigitte Bardot Obituary

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The episode provided urgent updates, expert analysis, and voices of key players on global and national news, maintaining the crisp, informative style typical of FOX News Radio newscasts.

Transcript

[Debra Valentine]

Progress on peace. I'm Debra Valentine, Fox News. President Trump welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to Mar A Lago Sunday afternoon. President Trump says a peace deal is close between Russia and Ukraine.

[President Volodymyr Zelensky]

We have two willing parties. We have two willing countries. They want to see it end. Look, the people of Ukraine want it to end and the people of Russia want it to end. And the two leaders want to end.

[Debra Valentine]

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and we agree.

[President Volodymyr Zelensky]

That security guarantees is a key milestone.

[Debra Valentine]

In achieving lasting peace.

[Connor Hanson]

And our teams will continue working on all aspects.

[Debra Valentine]

Security guarantees and territorial issues remain. A meeting with European leaders is planned. The meeting a day after Russia launched airstrikes on Ukraine's capital, killing at least one person. President Trump and Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu meet on Monday at Mar A Lago.

[Jared Halpern]

Months after a ceasefire and hostage release took hold between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, the second phase of that plan remains in doubt. President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have struck differing positions over the makeup of an international stability force in Gaza and expansion of west bank settlements. Netanyahu has also announced plans for Israel to develop a domestic weapons manufacturing industry, he says to reduce dependence on all players, including friends. A warning that comes as Israel is facing increased criticism for its handling of the war in Gaza. In Washington, Jared Halpern, FOX News.

[Debra Valentine]

A deadly mid air helicopter collision in Hamilton, New Jersey. One pilot's dead, the other in critical condition.

[Mike Emanuel]

It happened in Hamilton, New Jersey, about 35 miles outside of Philadelphia. The choppers were reportedly flying closely together. Only the pilots were aboard. The FAA and NTSB are investigating.

[Debra Valentine]

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[Debra Valentine]

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[Connor Hanson]

Stolen. Fox's Connor Hanson for years now there have been allegations of widespread fraud and investigations in Minnesota. But now there's even more scrutiny following a new video that's gone viral coming from an independent journalist visiting daycare centers in the state that are receiving millions apparently in tax dollars. With no signs of children there, 23 year old journalist Nick Shirley visited one business that couldn't even spell its name correctly with a sign saying Leering center. Instead of learning some had blacked out windows and most had no signs of children.

[Debra Valentine]

There. On a weekday, the Small Business Administration sent a letter to Minnesota Democratic Governor Tim Waltz indicating over $5 million in federal annual support is being frozen. Travel in between the Christmas and New Year's holidays is being snarled by more wintry weather. FOX meteorologist Adam.

[Adam Klotz]

Klotz. We have another round of winter weather. So we saw the one that passed through across the Northeast, another one developing across portions of the upper Midwest. Blizzard warnings, heavy snow, strong winds. That's going to lower visibility, make driving really tough, going to slow down plane travel as well, particularly across that region. As you're looking at least some delays across all of the upper Midwest as we watch this system march from the Northern Plains ultimately running up to the Northeast. The leading edge of this being all rain, it's the backside that is snow you're talking about. Maybe a foot of snow falling that's going to cause that blizzard. With all the wind drifting could be a real issue. Now as you watch this system continue to progress off towards the east, that leading edge is going to be mostly.

[Debra Valentine]

Rain. Blizzard warnings for Minnesota and Wisconsin. French film star Brigitte Bardot has died at the age of 91 as she rose to fame in the 1956 movie and God Created Woman. I have to live as if every day were my last one. Something powerful in me that makes me behave foolishly. I'm Deborah.

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[Debra Valentine]

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