Fox News Hourly Update — 3AM ET 12/04/2025 Newscast

Host: Ted Lindner, FOX News Podcasts
Air Date: December 4, 2025

Episode Overview

This early morning newscast provides a fast-paced roundup of top national and international news stories, with a focus on major political developments, global affairs, significant societal updates, and cultural moments. The tone remains brisk and objective, aiming to inform listeners with verified details and direct quotes from key figures.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Fallout from "Signal Gate" Pentagon Investigation

[00:03–00:49]

• Topic: Release of the Pentagon Inspector General (IG) report into the leaked Signal chat involving White House officials and military operations.
• Details:
  • Pentagon’s acting IG concludes Secretary Pete Hegseth "created risk to operational security" by sharing operational details via the Signal app before a military strike was completed.
  • Report warns this could have "resulted in failed US Mission objectives and potential harm to US Pilots."
  • The IG report is now with the Senate Armed Services Committee; a redacted version is expected to be publicly released Thursday.
• Notable Quote:
  • Jennifer Griffin: "According to well placed sources familiar with the inspector general report on Signal Gate. The Pentagon acting inspector general after a months long investigation concluded Secretary Pete Hegseth quote, created risk to operational security and his actions sharing operational details before the strike was complete on the commercially available app Signal, quote, could have resulted in failed US Mission objectives and potential harm to US Pilots." (00:16–00:49)

2. Presidential Pardon for Congressman Henry Cuellar

[00:49–01:22]

• Topic: President Trump issues a full and unconditional pardon for Texas Democratic Congressman Henry Cuellar and his wife.
• Context:
  • Cuellar was indicted in May 2024 under the previous administration for money laundering conspiracy and accepting $600,000 in bribes.
  • Following the pardon, Cuellar expresses gratitude and announces plans to seek re-election.
• Notable Quotes:
  • Ted Lindner: "President Trump announcing a full and unconditional pardon for Texas Democrat Congressman Henry Cuellar and his w. ... Congressman Cuellar is speaking with reporters on Capitol Hill expressing gratitude and maintaining he did nothing wrong. Now we can get back to work." (00:49–01:20)
  • Henry Cuellar: "Nothing has changed." (01:20–01:22)

3. Widespread Power Blackout in Cuba

[01:22–01:59]

• Topic: Major power outage affecting Havana and western Cuba.
• Details:
  • The blackout follows chronic outages tied to an aging grid and fuel shortages.
  • Ministry of Energy and Mines attributes this outage to a failure in a transmission line connecting two major plants.
  • Restoration efforts underway, with historical context referencing a similar total blackout in September.
• Memorable Moment:
  • Lindner provides background on the chronic infrastructure struggles in Cuba and emphasizes the scale of the current outage.

4. Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting

[03:02–03:23]

• Topic: Annual tree lighting ceremony brings crowds to NYC.
• Human Interest Segment:
  • Richard Jacovas talks to a visiting couple from Austin, Texas, who attended the lighting as part of a birthday celebration.
• Notable Quote:
  • Male attendee: "First of all, it's my wife's birthday, so we came up here for about eight days to celebrate her birthday. And this was just another coincidence of cool things to do in New York." (03:12–03:23)

5. Russia–Ukraine Peace Talks Update

[03:34–04:10]

• Topic: US diplomatic engagement following Moscow talks; focus shifts to peace in Ukraine.
• Details:
  • US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner meet with Vladimir Putin; report Putin expresses interest in ending the war.
  • Ukrainian and American officials to meet in Miami for further peace talks.
• Notable Quote:
  • Russian official (translated/summarized): "I think I'd like to get back to dealing a more normal life. I think I'd like to be trading with the United States of America, frankly, instead of losing thousands of soldiers a week." (03:45–03:56)

6. Passing of Guitarist Steve Cropper

[04:10–04:16]

• Details:
  • Steve Cropper, renowned guitarist of Booker T. & the MG's, and co-writer of classics like "Sitting on the Dock of the Bay," dies at 84.
  • Tribute includes mention of his influence and iconic tracks.
• Memorable Moment:
  • The host briefly honors Cropper’s legacy and impact on American music.

7. Flu Season Update from CDC

[04:16–04:57]

• Topic: Rise in flu cases across the US.
• Details:
  • CDC reports a 5% week-over-week increase in positive flu tests.
  • Colorado and Louisiana now classified as “high” activity states as flu season intensifies ahead of winter.

Memorable Quotes by Segment

• Jennifer Griffin on Signal Gate:

  "The Pentagon acting inspector general after a months long investigation concluded Secretary Pete Hegseth quote, created risk to operational security and his actions sharing operational details before the strike was complete on the commercially available app Signal, quote, could have resulted in failed US Mission objectives and potential harm to US Pilots." (00:16–00:49)

• Ted Lindner on Cuellar's Pardon:

  "President Trump announcing a full and unconditional pardon for Texas Democrat Congressman Henry Cuellar..." (00:49–01:20)

• Congressman Cuellar:

  "Nothing has changed." (01:20–01:22)

• Attendee at Rockefeller tree lighting:

  "First of all, it's my wife's birthday, so we came up here for about eight days to celebrate her birthday. And this was just another coincidence of cool things to do in New York." (03:12–03:23)

• Russian official, on peace talks:

  "I think I'd like to get back to dealing a more normal life. I think I'd like to be trading with the United States of America, frankly, instead of losing thousands of soldiers a week." (03:45–03:56)

Notable Timings

• Signal Gate Pentagon report: 00:03–00:49
• Cuellar pardon: 00:49–01:22
• Cuba blackout: 01:22–01:59
• Rockefeller Christmas Tree: 03:02–03:23
• Ukraine peace talks: 03:34–04:10
• Steve Cropper tribute: 04:10–04:16
• Flu season update: 04:16–04:57

Summary

This Fox News hourly update (3AM ET, Dec. 4, 2025) covers breaking political news, significant global events, cultural highlights, and public health trends in a quick, informative format. Listeners are brought up to speed on the Pentagon’s signal chat leak investigation, surprising developments in political pardons, ongoing infrastructural crises in Cuba, festive moments in New York, diplomatic movement in the Russia–Ukraine conflict, as well as the passing of a music legend and national health alerts. The episode retains a factual, newsroom-driven tone with moments of color contributed by direct quotes from newsmakers and citizens.