Fox News Hourly Update: 1PM ET 12/28/2025 Newscast

Host: Paul Stevens
Date: December 28, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode delivers an incisive snapshot of headline events from around the world and across the US. Coverage centers on US-Ukraine-Russia peace talks, severe winter weather in the Midwest, a mass shooting in Chicago, public safety concerns in California, the evolving role of faith in American life, and the death of French film legend Brigitte Bardot. The tone is brisk and direct, matching the urgency and diversity of the news items.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. US-Ukraine Peace Negotiations with Russia

• [00:02–00:55]
  • Paul Stevens opens with news of a high-stakes meeting at Mar-a-Lago between President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
  • Key context: Ongoing peace negotiations to halt the Russia-Ukraine war.
  • Madeleine Rivera adds background:
    • Zelensky is pushing to finalize a peace plan.
    • Major obstacles:
      • Disputed territorial control.
      • Security guarantees.
      • The future of a Russian-occupied power plant.
    • Zelensky reportedly open to a mutual troop pullback and creating a demilitarized buffer in the Donbass region, contingent on reciprocal Russian withdrawal.
  • Quote (Zelensky): “He’s willing to do whatever it takes to end the war...including reportedly potentially pulling back troops in parts of the Donbass region Ukraine still controls.” (Madeleine Rivera, 00:36)

2. Continuing Russian Attacks on Ukraine

• [00:55–01:20]
  • Russia remains entrenched, asserting intent to keep occupied territories.
  • Overnight attack on Kyiv with drones and missiles:
    • At least one dead.
    • Nearly 30 injured.
  • The humanitarian and strategic stakes remain high.

3. Midwest Winter Storm Threat

• [01:20–01:53]
  • Adam Klotz reports on a major winter storm:
    • Blizzard warnings for Minnesota, Iowa, the Dakotas, and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
    • Potential for up to a foot of snow.
    • High winds causing blizzard conditions and visibility issues.
    • Expected impacts: travel disruptions and flight delays.
  • Quote: “Maybe as much as a foot of snow with a whole lot of wind...that is when you start to see blizzard conditions because the visibility drops pretty drastically.” (Adam Klotz, 01:45)

4. Chicago Mass Shooting

• [02:31–03:00]
  • Four men shot (one killed, three critically injured) during an early morning incident in downtown Chicago.
  • Attackers fled in a vehicle; no arrests at time of report.
  • Ongoing investigation.

5. California Gas Leak and Public Safety

• [02:31–03:00]
  • Shelter-in-place lifted following a major natural gas line rupture north of Los Angeles, potentially due to a mudslide.
  • No injuries reported; major freeway reopened.
  • Investigation ongoing; main gas line remains shut off.

6. The Role of Faith in Contemporary America

• [03:00–04:01]
  • Lucas Tomlinson explores faith’s evolving place in American society, especially during the holidays.
  • Story highlights include:
    • President Trump’s brush with death—“My life was saved for a reason. I was saved by God to make America great again.” (Religious Speaker, 03:22)
    • Administration's focus on faith:
      • Creation of a White House faith office.
      • Elevation of religious advisors.
      • Executive order against “anti-Christian bias.”
  • National Prayer Breakfast as a platform for presidential emphasis on faith.

7. Brigitte Bardot Passes Away

• [04:01–04:28]
  • Announcement of death of French film icon and animal rights activist Brigitte Bardot at age 91.
  • Recalled as a transformative star (“And God Created Woman”) and advocate.
  • Quote: “Brigitte Bardot, the French film icon who redefined 1960s glamour...has died at 91.” (Paul Stevens, 04:02)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the stakes of the Ukraine war:
  “Zelensky says he’s willing to do whatever it takes to end the war, and that includes reportedly potentially pulling back troops...”
  (Madeleine Rivera, 00:36)

• Human toll of warfare:
  “An attack...overnight killed at least one person, injured nearly 30 others in the Ukrainian capital.”
  (Paul Stevens, 00:55)

• On blizzard warnings:
  “Maybe as much as a foot of snow with a whole lot of wind...blizzard conditions because the visibility drops pretty drastically.”
  (Adam Klotz, 01:45)

• On faith and second chances:
  “My life was saved for a reason. I was saved by God to make America great again.”
  (Religious Speaker, 03:22)

• Remembering a legend:
  “Brigitte Bardot, the French film icon who redefined 1960s glamour before reinventing herself as a fierce animal rights activist, has died at 91.”
  (Paul Stevens, 04:02)

Key Timestamps

• 00:02 — Show opens with Ukraine peace meeting news.
• 00:24 — Madeleine Rivera details meeting priorities and sticking points.
• 00:55 — Russian attacks on Kyiv; humanitarian impact.
• 01:20 — Adam Klotz details Midwest blizzard conditions.
• 02:31 — Chicago mass shooting; LA gas line rupture updates.
• 03:22 — Lucas Tomlinson on faith; Trump’s recovery and faith focus.
• 04:01 — Brigitte Bardot obituary.

Summary

This tightly edited FOX News update covers a broad swath of breaking stories: high-level Ukraine peace talks, continued conflict on the ground, extreme Midwest weather, urgent public safety updates from California and Chicago, an exploration of the nation's spiritual pulse during the holidays, and the passing of a legendary film icon. The reporting is urgent yet grounded, balancing hard news with humanity and context.