3PM ET 12/24/2025 Newscast

Summary

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Episode Overview

Podcast: Fox News Hourly Update
Episode: 3PM ET 12/24/2025 Newscast
Host: Tom Graham (with reporting by Max Gordon, Ainsley Earhart, Roger Stern)
Date: December 24, 2025

This episode of the Fox News Hourly Update delivers concise coverage of major global and national events on December 24, 2025. Key topics include fresh tensions in Gaza and implications for peace, record-setting holiday travel complicated by weather, a foiled bomb plot in California, the aftermath of a deadly explosion in Pennsylvania, a significant parental rights court ruling in California, and a quick update on strong Wall Street performance.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Gaza Ceasefire at Risk & Resettlement Controversy

• Incident: An explosive device in Gaza injures an Israeli soldier, threatening a US-backed ceasefire.

• Commentary: Officials accuse Hamas of violating the peace deal; rising concerns about renewed conflict.

• Resettlement Plan: Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz signals intentions to resettle northern Gaza, which may jeopardize the Trump administration's peace plan.

  • Quote [00:31 - 00:45]:

    "We are in deep Gaza and we will never leave Gaza. We are there to defend, to prevent what happened. We are standing as we said, we trust the rock of Israel and the IDF in defending Israel in a fierce battle between jihadist enemies of this kind and Israeli."
    — Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz

• US Response: The White House reaffirms commitment to the peace plan.

  • Quote [00:45 - 00:58]:

    "The United States remains fully committed to President Trump's 20 point peace plan which was agreed to by all parties and endorsed by the international community."
    — Unnamed White House official, via Fox News

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2. Holiday Celebrations & Record Travel Disrupted by Weather

• Bethlehem’s Christmas Eve: Thousands gather at Manger Square for the first Christmas Eve celebration since suspensions due to conflict.
• US Holiday Travel:

  • Airports: Packed terminals, particularly at LAX (Los Angeles International Airport).

  • Weather Disruption: Major storms cause delays and cancellations, especially on the West and East Coasts.

    • Quote [01:17 - 01:35]:

      "LAX is bustling as folks head off to their holiday destinations but the weather is tangling up plans as a massive winter storm wallops the West Coast."
      — Max Gordon

  • Travel Stats: AAA expects 122.4 million Americans to travel at least 50 miles from home between December 20 and January 1, 2026, setting new records.

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3. Heightened Security & Foiled Bomb Plot in Los Angeles

• Context: Security increased in US cities ahead of New Year’s Eve.
• Bomb Plot:
  • Arrests: Four members of an anti-capitalist, anti-American group ("Turtle Island Liberation Front") charged with terror-related offenses after attempting to construct bombs.
  • Indictments: Audrey Carroll (30), Zachary Page (32), Dante Gaffield (24), Tina Lai (41).
    • Charges: Material support to terrorists, possession of unregistered firearms, and conspiracy to use weapons of mass destruction (for Carroll and Page).
    • Plot Details: Plan targeted tech and logistics companies across Southern California.
    • Quote [02:24 - 02:54]:

      "First Assistant US Attorney Bill Asale said the group had a handwritten plot that was designed to pulverize targets, which included technology and logistics companies across Southern California."
      — Ainsley Earhart

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4. Pennsylvania Tragedy: Nursing Home Explosion

• Incident: Suspected gas leak causes explosion at a Pennsylvania nursing home.
  • Casualties: 2 killed; 20 injured (19 still hospitalized, 1 in critical condition as of the report).
  • Source [03:04]: Report includes a brief statement from Bristol Township Police Chief C.J. Winick.

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5. Parental Rights in Schools: California Court Ruling

• Issue: Can California teachers conceal students’ changes in gender identity from parents?
• Court Ruling: Federal judge sides with parents, ruling schools cannot block teachers from sharing students' gender identification changes.
  • Rationale: Judge Benitez notes state policymakers “apparently do not trust parents to do the right thing for their child.”
  • State Argument: California claims secrecy protects students from discrimination/abuse, but this was not accepted by the court.
    • Quote [03:28 - 03:55]:

      "When it comes to students change in gender identity, California state policymakers apparently do not trust parents to do the right thing for their child."
      — Judge Roger Benitez, read by Roger Stern

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6. Brief Financial Markets Update

• Summary: Shortened trading day; stock indices reach record highs.
  • Dow up by 289 points
  • NASDAQ up by 51 points
  • S&P 500 up by 22 points

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Israel Katz [00:31]: “We are in deep Gaza and we will never leave Gaza. We are there to defend, to prevent what happened.”
• US Official [00:45]: “The United States remains fully committed to President Trump’s 20 point peace plan...”
• Max Gordon at LAX [01:17]: “LAX is bustling as folks head off to their holiday destinations but the weather is tangling up plans as a massive winter storm wallops the West Coast.”
• Ainsley Earhart [02:24]: “The four members of an anti capitalist, anti American group called the Turtle Island Liberation Front were arrested...”
• Judge Benitez (via Roger Stern) [03:28]: “California state policymakers apparently do not trust parents to do the right thing for their child.”

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Timeline of Key Segments

• 00:02–00:58: Gaza ceasefire and resettlement controversy; US and Israeli statements
• 00:58–01:56: Holiday celebrations and travel conditions; Bethlehem and airport updates
• 02:00–02:54: Security measures, Los Angeles bomb plot foiled, indictments
• 03:04: Pennsylvania nursing home explosion; police update
• 03:28 – 04:00: California court ruling on student gender identity and parental rights
• 04:00 – End: Stock market update

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Tone and Takeaways

The episode maintains Fox News’s signature concise, direct, and urgent reporting style. Major global issues are tied to US policy, while domestic stories focus on travel, public safety, parental rights, and economic news—each reported with a mix of gravity, statistical detail, and immediacy.

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Transcript

[Tom Graham]

Concerns over a shaky ceasefire. I'm Tom Graham, Fox News. An explosive device detonating in Gaza today injuring an Israeli soldier. Officials are accusing Hamas of violating a U S backed peace deal in the region. An Israeli resettlement plan also raising worries about a return to fighting.

[Fox News Reporter]

This week Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz indicated his country plans to resettle northern Gaza, something that could hurt the Trump administration's peace plan. Here's what that top Israeli official had to say in in a statement this week.

[Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz]

We are in deep Gaza and we will never leave Gaza. We are there to defend, to prevent what happened. We are standing as we said, we trust the rock of Israel and the IDF in defending Israel in a fierce battle between jihadist enemies of this kind and Israeli.

[Fox News Reporter]

The comments quickly drew a response from the United States with a White House official telling Fox News, quote, the United States remains fully committed to President Trump's 20 point peace plan which was agreed to by all parties and endorsed by the international community.

[Tom Graham]

Boxes trade Yanks in Tel Aviv. Thousands of people flocking to Bethlehem's Manger Square to celebrate Christmas Eve. Previous gatherings had been canceled the past two years due to the Israeli Hamas war. Millions of Americans are packing airports and a last minute dash to be home for Christmas. Fox's Max Gordon is at LAX in Southern California.

[Max Gordon]

LAX is bustling as folks head off to their holiday destinations but the weather is tangling up plans as a massive winter storm wallops the West Coast. Flight aware's misery map. More than 100 delays here at LAX and weather on the east coast also causing delays in cancellations to stack up especially in New York and Boston. Drivers in Southern California being urged to rethink their Christmas travel plans with heavy rain expected through the holiday. Meanwhile, Triple a is anticipating 2025's year end travel to set records. Triple A projects 122.4 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home over the 13 day period from December 20th to January 1st.

[Tom Graham]

America's listening to Fox News.

[Ainsley Earhart]

This is Ainsley Earhart. Thank you for joining me for the.

[Tom Graham]

52 episode podcast series the Life of Jesus. A listening experience that will provide hope, comfort and understanding of the greatest story ever told. Listen and follow [e-mail] or wherever you listen to podcasts. Security tightening in several cities ahead of New Year's Eve celebrations. In Los Angeles, four people have indicted following an alleged bomb plot.

[Ainsley Earhart]

The four members of an anti capitalist, anti American group called the Turtle Island Liberation Front were arrested earlier this month while trying to manufacture manufacture bombs in the Mojave Desert. This week, a federal grand jury in Los Angeles indicted 30 year old Audrey Carroll, 32 year old Zachary Page, 24 year old Dante Gaffield and 41 year old Tina Lai. They're each charged with one count of providing material support to terrorists and possession of unregistered firearms. Carolyn Page are also accused of conspiracy to use a weapon of mass destruction. First Assistant US Attorney Bill Asale said the group had a handwritten plot that was designed to pulverize targets, which included technology and logistics companies across Southern California. Jessica Rosenthal, Fox News crews clearing away.

[Tom Graham]

Rubble from a Pennsylvania nursing home after a suspected gas leak explosion. Two people killed, several others injured. We are going to confirm that There was originally 20 injured. We have 19 still hospitalized, one in critical condition. Bristol Township Police Chief C.J. winick. Should California educators be able to keep it a secret if a student changes their gender identity at school? Or do parents have a right to know? The court has decided with parental rights.

[Roger Stern]

A federal judge in San Diego ruled that that schools cannot block teachers from discussing the gender identities of their pupils with parents. Judge Roger Benitez wrote that when it comes to students change in gender identity, California state policymakers apparently do not trust parents to do the right thing for their child. State attorneys in California argued unsuccessfully that keeping gender identities confidential protects students from potential discrimination, abuse and harassment. Roger Stern, FOX News.

[Tom Graham]

A shortened trading day on Wall street. Lindell climbing 289 points. The NASDAQ adding 51. The S&P 500 up 22. Further to record territory. I'm Tom Graham and this is FOX News.