Fox News Hourly Update – 3AM ET 12/16/2025

Podcast: Fox News Hourly Update
Host: Ted Lindner, FOX News Podcasts
Date: December 16, 2025
Episode Theme:
A fast-paced briefing on breaking news across the US and internationally, covering a range of major headlines including a foiled terror plot, an ongoing manhunt for a university shooter, a presidential assassination attempt sentencing update, a high-profile stabbing case, Australian gun law reform, narco trafficking strikes at sea, and pending Capitol Hill testimony involving the Clintons and Jeffery Epstein.

Key News Headlines & In-Depth Discussion

1. FBI Foils California New Year's Bombing Plot (00:03–01:01)

• Overview:
  The FBI announced the prevention of a credible terrorist attack planned by the "Turtle Island Liberation Front" in Southern California for New Year's Eve.
• Details:
  • Four people arrested: Audrey Carroll, Zachary Aaron Page, Dante Gaffield, and Tina Lai.
  • Plot involved bombings at five locations across Los Angeles, coordinated and supplied with potassium nitrate, PVC pipes and other materials for explosives.
  • The suspects were apprehended while testing devices at a Mojave Desert campsite.
• Notable Quote:

  "A quote, credible terrorist threat in California over the weekend. The agency says four alleged members of a radical extremist group were actually planning New Year's Eve bombings in Los Angeles." – Kevin Cork (00:15)

• Additional Info:
  • Group also plotted attacks targeting ICE agents.
  • All suspects charged with conspiracy and possession of a destructive device.

2. Brown University Shooter Manhunt Intensifies (01:01–01:49)

• Overview:
  Authorities are searching for the suspect in a deadly campus shooting at Brown University, Rhode Island.
• Details:
  • FBI offers $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.
  • Incident resulted in 2 deaths, 9 injuries; suspect is armed and dangerous.
  • Providence Police have released surveillance videos and images of the masked suspect.
  • Weapon used: 9mm firearm.
  • Law enforcement maintains a visible presence for community reassurance.
• Notable Quotes:

  "We are tracking down leads, canvassing neighborhoods and developing intelligence." – FBI (01:14)
  "The way in which we are trying to reassure our residents is through a noted visible police presence throughout the community." – Providence Mayor Brett Smiley (01:42)

3. Attempted Assassination of President Trump: Sentencing Update (02:58–03:47)

• Overview:
  The man convicted of attempting to assassinate Donald Trump at his Florida golf course now seeks sentencing with new legal representation.
• Details:
  • Ryan Ruth, who previously acted as his own defense, will now have an attorney.
  • Sentencing postponed to early February.
  • Ruth was convicted for attempted assassination and weapons charges.
  • During his motion, Ruth made unusual offers: trading his freedom for prisoners abroad and letting Trump “take out frustrations” on him—dismissed by Judge Eileen Cannon.
• Notable Quotes:

  "As part of his motion for representation, Ruth offered a swap his freedom for prisoners held in other countries, as well as allowing President Trump to take out frustrations on him. Federal Judge Eileen Cannon called that request disrespectful to the court." – Grinal Scott (03:08)

4. High Profile Stabbings in Los Angeles (03:47)

• Overview:
  Nick Reiner, younger son of Rob Reiner, was arrested and is being held without bail after the fatal stabbing of his parents in their LA home.

5. Australian Prime Minister Vows Gun Law Crackdown (03:47–04:44)

• Overview:
  In the wake of a mass shooting during a Hanukkah celebration at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, Australia signals sweeping gun reform.
• Details:
  • After 15 deaths and 40 injuries, reforms may include: limiting gun ownership, defining legal firearms, requiring citizenship, and updating the national firearms register.
  • Gun rights advocates argue more armed citizens could have stopped the attack sooner.
• Notable Moment:
  Policy shifts being considered in response to one of the country's deadliest attacks in recent memory.

6. U.S. Hits Narco-Trafficking Vessels in Pacific (04:44–04:55)

• Overview:
  U.S. Southern Command reports “kinetic strikes” on three vessels in international waters, killing eight suspected narco-traffickers.
• Details:
  • Action took place after intelligence confirmed the targets traveled known drug routes in the eastern Pacific.

7. Clintons’ Epstein Testimony Delayed (04:55)

• Overview:
  Bill and Hillary Clinton’s scheduled Capitol Hill depositions regarding connections to Jeffrey Epstein are rescheduled for next month.
• Additional Note:
  DOJ to release more Epstein-related documents by Friday.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Terror Plot:
  “A quote, credible terrorist threat in California over the weekend... planning New Year's Eve bombings in Los Angeles.”
  – Kevin Cork (00:15)

• University Shooting:
  “We are tracking down leads, canvassing neighborhoods and developing intelligence.”
  – FBI Official (01:14)

  “The way in which we are trying to reassure our residents is through a noted visible police presence throughout the community.”
  – Providence Mayor Brett Smiley (01:42)

• Trump Assassination Attempt:
  “As part of his motion for representation, Ruth offered... allowing President Trump to take out frustrations on him. Federal Judge Eileen Cannon called that request disrespectful to the court.”
  – Grinal Scott (03:08)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Foiled California Bomb Plot: 00:03 – 01:01
• Brown University Shooter Manhunt: 01:01 – 01:49
• Trump Assassination Attempt Sentencing Update: 02:58 – 03:47
• Stabbings in LA (Reiner Case): 03:47
• Australian Gun Law Reform: 03:47 – 04:44
• Narco-Trafficking Vessels Struck: 04:44 – 04:55
• Clinton/Epstein Capitol Hill Testimony Delay: 04:55

Overall Tone:
Direct, urgent, and concise news reporting, with brief in-field analysis and emphasis on law enforcement efforts and government response. The tone is serious throughout, matching the gravity of the day’s top stories.