2AM ET 10/17/2025 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update – 2AM ET 10/17/2025 Newscast

Date: October 17, 2025
Host: Sue Guzman, Fox News Podcasts
Episode Theme:
This newscast delivers breaking national and international headlines, focusing on an indictment of ex-NSA John Bolton, ongoing US-Ukraine-Russia diplomatic developments, a persistent US government shutdown, an immigration controversy in law enforcement, and the passing of a rock legend.

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Main Stories & Key Discussion Points

1. John Bolton Indicted for Classified Documents (00:02–00:38)

• Summary:
  Former National Security Adviser John Bolton, well-known for his critical views of former President Trump, has been indicted for allegedly storing classified documents in his home.
• Details:
  • Bolton's lawyer, Abby Lowell (famously represented Hunter Biden, Bill Clinton, Jared Kushner), previously acknowledged Bolton had classified documents but stated these were cleared for publication in Bolton's book.
  • Key Quote:
    “Admitting that Bolton did have classified documents in his possession but said that those were pre cleared for the publication of his book.”
    — David Spunt (00:18)
  • Seized documents reportedly relate to weapons of mass destruction and strategic communications.

2. US Efforts in Russia-Ukraine Peace Talks (00:38–01:27)

• Summary:
  President Trump hosts Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, with hopes to mediate between Russia and Ukraine similarly to earlier international efforts.
• Details:
  • Zelenskyy expresses skepticism toward Russia's willingness for peace, stating that real readiness lies in action, not just words.
  • The White House is considering options, from peace negotiations to supplying Ukraine with US-made Tomahawk missiles.
  • Key Quote:
    “Russia’s true readiness for peace lies not in words. Putin's never been short of those. But in actually ceasing the strikes and killings.”
    — Kevin Cork (00:53)
• Upcoming Diplomatic Meeting:
  • Trump announces plans to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Hungary in two weeks, following a recent phone call where Putin warned that US-Russia relations could worsen if the US supplies long-range weapons to Ukraine.

3. California Congressional Race (01:27–01:59)

• Summary:
  California State Senator Scott Weiner is expected to announce his candidacy for the congressional seat currently held by Nancy Pelosi.
  • This is notable for San Francisco and national Democratic politics.
  • Information sourced from the San Francisco Standard.

4. Government Shutdown Persists (03:12–03:48)

• Summary:
  The federal government remains shut down, with the Senate gridlocked mainly over a disagreement on Obamacare tax credits.
• Details:
  • A Republican stopgap measure to reopen the government failed for the tenth time as Democrats hold out for inclusion of Affordable Care Act subsidies.
  • Senate Majority Leader John Thune offers a vote on extending the tax credits; it remains uncertain if that's enough to break the filibuster.
  • Key Quote:
    “It's a question of whether or not they're willing to take yes for an answer. I mean, that's … I don't know what more we can offer them.”
    — John Thune (played by David Spunt) (03:36)
  • Tax credits are set to expire at year’s end.
  • Next Senate vote expected Monday.

5. Chicago Police Officer Immigration Controversy (03:48–04:39)

• Summary:
  ICE has arrested Radul Bojavec, a Hanover Park, IL police officer, on allegations of being an undocumented immigrant from Montenegro.
• Details:
  • Bojavec had overstayed a tourist visa by 10 years, was earning a police pension, and had presented a valid work authorization to the police department.
  • The police and DOJ confirmed his legality to carry a firearm on duty per a DOJ ATF memo from January 5, 2024.
  • Key Quote:
    “The department issuing a statement saying they… were presented with a valid work authorization card and that they… also confirmed, based on a memorandum issued by the Department of Justice ATF… that his immigration status allows him to carry a firearm while on duty.”
    — Chanley Painter (04:02)
  • If allowed to remain, Bojavec will return to full duty.

6. Passing of Ace Frehley, KISS Guitarist (04:39–05:10)

• Summary:
  Ace Frehley, original lead guitarist for KISS, has died at age 74 due to injuries from a recent fall.
• Band Statement:
  • Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley honor Frehley as "an essential and irreplaceable rock soldier" in KISS’s foundational era.
  • Key Quote:
    “He was an essential and irreplaceable rock soldier during the most formative, foundational chapter of the band and its history.”

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Notable Quotes

• David Spunt (00:18):
  “Admitting that Bolton did have classified documents in his possession but said that those were pre cleared for the publication of his book.”

• Kevin Cork (00:53):
  “Russia’s true readiness for peace lies not in words. Putin's never been short of those. But in actually ceasing the strikes and killings.”

• Sen. John Thune (paraphrased by David Spunt) (03:36):
  “It's a question of whether or not they're willing to take yes for an answer. I mean, that's … I don't know what more we can offer them.”

• Chanley Painter (04:02):
  “The department issuing a statement saying they… were presented with a valid work authorization card and that they… also confirmed, based on a memorandum issued by the Department of Justice ATF… that his immigration status allows him to carry a firearm while on duty.”

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:02 – Breaking news on John Bolton indictment
• 00:38 – Weapons documents cited; Trump meets Zelenskyy; Ukraine-Russia diplomacy
• 01:27 – Trump plans summit with Putin; new California congressional contender
• 03:16 – Government shutdown update and Senate negotiations
• 03:48 – Arrest of Chicago police officer for immigration violations
• 04:39 – Death of Ace Frehley, KISS lead guitarist

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This concise newscast delivers key updates on national security, geopolitics, ongoing government and legal battles, immigration in law enforcement, and a tribute to a music icon—offering clear headlines, context, and quotes for listeners seeking the latest developments overnight.

Transcript

[A]

Accused of sharing classified information. I'm Sue Guzman, Fox News. John Bolton, the national security adviser from President Trump's first term turned Trump critic, has been indicted for allegedly storing classified documents at his home. Fox's David Spunt has more.

[B]

His own attorney, Abby Lowell, who famously represented Hunter Biden, Bill Clinton, Jared Kushner in the past put out a statement a couple of weeks ago when news was swirling that this may be happening, admitting that Bolton did have classified documents in his possession but said that those were pre cleared for the publication of his book.

[A]

Now some of the documents that were seized appear to have involved weapons of mass destruction and national strategic communication. A President Trump meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House again today. Fox's Kevin Cork reports from Washington.

[C]

The hope, of course, is that the president will do for Russia and Ukraine what he did for Israel and Gaza and seven other global conflicts. Seven Stop the killing. Zelensky, however, remains skeptical of Russia's interest in possible peace talks. Quoting now Russia's true readiness for peace lies not in words. Putin's never been short of those. But in actually ceasing the strikes and killings. The White House is said to be considering all possibilities moving forward ranging from peace negotiations to selling NATO U. S made Tomahawk missiles for Ukraine.

[A]

President Trump also announcing he plans to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Hungary in about two weeks. The two spoke by phone on Thursday. During that discussion, Putin reportedly warned the president that U S Russia relations would be damaged if the US Gives long range weapons to Ukraine. California state senator reportedly planning to toss his hat into the ring for the congressional seat currently held by Nancy Pelosi. San Francisco standards says Democrat Scott Weiner will announce his congressional run next week. America is listening to Fox News.

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[A]

The government shutdown continues. Fox's Ryan Schmelz has details.

[F]

A Republican stopgap measure to reopen the government falls short for a 10th time as Democrats continue insisting on including Affordable Care act subsidies. Senate Majority Leader John Thune revealing he's guaranteed Senate Democrats a vote on extending the Obamacare tax credits. But it's unclear if that will be enough to get enough Democrats on board to break the Senate filibuster.

[B]

It's a question of whether or not they're they're willing to take yes for an answer. I mean, that's I don't know what more we can offer them.

[F]

The tax credits are set to expire at the end of the year. On Capitol Hill, Ryan Schmell's Fox News.

[A]

The Senate not expected to vote again till Monday. The Department of Homeland Security announcing Thursday that ICE agents arrested a suburban Chicago police officer who they say was an illegal immigrant from Montenegro. Fox's Chanley Painter has more.

[G]

DHS saying the officer had been here illegally for 10 years after overstaying a tourist visa and was even approved for a police pension in January. His name is Radul Bojavec. Police say they found him working as a sworn police officer with the Hanover Park Police Department since January. The department issuing a statement saying they, quote, were presented with a valid work authorization card and that they, quote, also confirmed, based on a memorandum issued by the Department of Justice ATF on January 5, 2024, that his immigration status allows him to carry a firearm while on duty.

[A]

The police department says if the officer is allowed to stay in the US he will return a full duty. Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley have now released a statement following the death of Kiss original lead guitarist Ace Frehley writing, he was an essential and irreplaceable rock soldier during the most formative, foundational chapter of the band and its history. Ace Frehley dying injuries that he suffered at a fall in his studio last month. He was 74. I'm Sue Guzman. This is Fox News.

[B]

You know the words dominating today's headlines.

[A]

Private equity, generative capital gains on Fed rate cuts.

[B]

But do you understand how they impact your world and your wallet in a world that skims the what, understand the why, because context changes everything. Subscribe at bloomberg. Com.