2AM ET 09/29/2025 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update – 2AM ET 09/29/2025 Newscast

Date: September 29, 2025
Host: Angelo Bavaro (FOX News)
Duration: Approximately 5 minutes

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Episode Overview

This fast-paced episode delivers breaking national and international news highlights, focusing on multiple deadly shootings in the U.S., ongoing developments in U.S. and global politics, and rising tensions in the Russia-Ukraine conflict threatening NATO borders. The episode features on-the-ground reporting, expert commentary, and direct quotes from law enforcement and officials.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Tragic Shooting at Michigan Mormon Church

[00:03–01:02]

• Incident Details: At least five people died—including the suspected gunman—after a violent attack at a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Michigan. The suspect, identified as Thomas Sanford (age 40), drove his truck into the church, opened fire, and set the building ablaze.
• Law Enforcement Statement:
  • “There were some suspected explosive devices that were located, but as far as using them to initiate the blaze, I can't say that.” – James Deer, ATF Detroit Special Agent [00:23]
• Eyewitness Account:
  • A church member described the chaos after a “crash and a boom from the wall right behind the pulpit,” with bricks buckling inward and some congregants thinking it was a bomb, prompting them to flee.
    • “It was so loud that some of the members of the congregation thought a bomb had gone. They started to run out the back doors.” – Eyewitness interview with Garrett Tenney [00:35–01:02]

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2. Deadly Shooting at North Carolina Waterfront Bar

[01:02–01:41]

• Incident Details: A gunman, Nigel Edge (age 40), allegedly began shooting from a boat into a crowd at the American Fish Company restaurant, leaving three dead and five injured.
• Aftermath:
  • Edge was arrested soon after the attack, is held without bond, and faces first-degree murder charges with more pending.
• Atmosphere Recounted by Reporter:
  • “People were just out enjoying their Saturday night...” – Madison Scarpino summarizes the shock and sudden violence. [01:07]

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3. Political Update: Trump Pursuing Gaza Peace Plan

[01:41–01:59]

• Key Point: President Trump remains optimistic about a possible Gaza peace plan and is scheduled to meet Israeli Prime Minister at the White House the following Monday.

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4. High-Profile Assassination Case: Tyler Robinson

[03:19–04:05]

• Case Details: Tyler Robinson, accused of murdering conservative activist Charlie Kirk, has secured legal counsel after a two-week search for a qualified defense attorney.
• Legal Overview:
  • “Utah county commissioners have tapped Katherine Nestor, a seasoned trial attorney and a former federal public defender. She'll be going up against chief prosecutor Chad Grunander tomorrow.” – Fox’s Claudia Cohen [03:26]
  • Utah taxpayers expected to bear the cost, possibly exceeding $1 million, due to Robinson’s inability to afford his own defense.

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5. Growing Tensions: Russia, Ukraine, and NATO Airspace

[04:05–05:00]

• Incident Sequence:
  • Russian drones and fighter jets have repeatedly violated NATO airspace (notably Poland, Romania, Estonia, and near Alaska).
• Escalation Risks:
  • When asked if NATO should shoot down Russian aircraft in their airspace, President Trump answered,
    • “Yes, I do.” [04:30]
  • Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned aggression would be met with a "decisive response."
• Defense Response:
  • NATO has scrambled jets to intercept Russian incursions.
  • European defense ministers are planning a “drone wall” along western borders with Russia.
• Expert Analysis:
  • “The spark could happen for Russian military jet to shot down over NATO territory. President Trump warned it was possible.” – Steve Harrigan (Fox News, Moscow) [04:17]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• ATF Detroit Special Agent James Deer:
  “There were some suspected explosive devices that were located, but as far as using them to initiate the blaze, I can't say that.” [00:23]

• Eyewitness at Michigan Church:
  “It was so loud that some of the members of the congregation thought a bomb had gone. They started to run out the back doors.” [00:57]

• President Trump on NATO’s Response:
  “Yes, I do.” [04:30]
  (On whether NATO should shoot down Russian aircraft violating airspace)

• Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov’s Warning:
  “Aggression against Russia will be met by a, quote, decisive response.” [04:31]

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Important Timestamps

• 00:03: Michigan church shooting – incident overview
• 00:23: ATF Agent comments on explosives
• 00:35: Witness account from inside the church
• 01:02: North Carolina bar shooting begins
• 01:41: Update on President Trump’s peace plan with Israel
• 03:19: Charlie Kirk murder case and court proceedings
• 04:05–05:00: Russian incursions, NATO response, rising international tensions

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Tone and Language

The episode maintains a concise, factual, and urgent tone, characteristic of breaking news bulletins. Quotes from law enforcement and political figures are direct, with little editorializing, ensuring the delivery remains news-focused and impartial.

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Conclusion

This newscast stands out for its rapid coverage of critical, unfolding stories—from domestic violence to escalating international conflict and high-profile legal drama. Listeners receive succinct updates with firsthand insights and authoritative statements, keeping them informed of the most important stories of the hour.

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Transcript

[A]

Morning in Michigan. I'm Angelo Bavara, Fox News. At least five people are dead, including the suspected gunman after a shooting at a Mormon church Sunday. Police say that suspect, 40 year old Thomas Sanford drove his truck into that building, opened fire and then set that building on fire. ATF Detroit Special Agent James Deer.

[B]

I will confirm that there were some suspected explosive devices that were located, but as far as using them to initiate the blaze, I can't say that.

[A]

Fox's Garrett Tenney spoke with a witness.

[C]

A man who says he is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints tells me the congregation had just finished taking the sacrament when there was an enormous crash and a boom from the wall right behind the pulpit. He said the crash was so powerful that you could see the wall that is made of bricks on the outside buckling inwards. And it was so loud that some of the members of the congregation thought a bomb had gone. They started to run out the back doors.

[A]

Another deadly shooting investigation at a waterfront bar in North Carolina this weekend.

[D]

People were just out enjoying their Saturday night. They were eating, drinking, listening to live music when all of the sudden a man in a boat allegedly starts shooting into the crowd. Three people are now dead, five are injured and officials confirm that the suspect is 40 year old Nigel Edge. He was arrested not long after the shooting. He's currently in jail without bond and he's now fac several charges including first degree murder. And the local district attorney says more charges could be coming. Police say this all happened at the.

[A]

American Fish Company restaurant, Fox's Madison Scarpino. There, President Trump is hopeful a peace plan for Gaza is in the final stages. He and Israel's prime minister are set to meet at the White House on Monday. America is listening to Fox News.

[E]

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[A]

The man charged with murdering conservative activist and Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk will be in court again this week.

[F]

It took two weeks to find someone qualified to represent Tyler Robinson, but now the accused assassin finally has a defense lawyer whose main job will be to to try to save his life. Utah county commissioners have tapped Katherine Nestor, a seasoned trial attorney and a former federal public defender. She'll be going up against chief prosecutor Chad Grunander tomorrow. The judge is expected to schedule future court dates and possibly a preliminary hearing. Because Robinson says he can't afford his own lawyer. Utah taxpayers will foot the bill for both of these legal teams, which in a case like this could run well over $1 million.

[A]

That is Fox's Claudia Cohen. New concerns the Russia, Ukraine war could spread to more nations as a number of Russian drones and fighter jets violate airspace above NATO countries.

[G]

The spark could happen for Russian military jet to shot down over NATO territory. President Trump warned it was possible.

[D]

Mr. President, do you think that NATO.

[F]

Countries should shoot down Russian aircraft if they enter their airspace?

[B]

Yes, I do.

[G]

Now the Russians have responded. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said aggression against Russia will be met by a, quote, decisive response. The tension follows a series of violations. NATO scrambled fighter jets to shoot down Russian drones over Poland September 10th. Three days later, Russian drones entered Romanian territory. Russian fighter jets then entered Estonian airspace. And finally, US F16s were sent to identify and intercept four Russian military jets near the coast of Alaska.

[A]

That is fox's Steve Harrigan reporting in Moscow. European defense ministers have agreed to develop a drone wall along their borders with Russia. I'm Angelo Bavaro and this is FOX News.

[H]

Hey, I'm Trey Gowdy, host of the Trey Gaddy Podcast. I hope you will join me every Tuesday and Thursday as we navigate life together and hopefully find ourselves a little bit better on the other side. Listen and follow [e-mail].