3PM ET 12/30/2025 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update – 3PM ET Newscast (December 30, 2025)

Episode Overview

This hourly news segment, anchored by Kevin Uretzky, covers key stories including rising US-Venezuela tensions, a terrorism arrest in Texas, a hazardous train derailment in Kentucky, Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene's criticism of Donald Trump, New York City’s New Year’s Eve safety plans, and a notable Kennedy Center concert cancellation. The episode provides fast-paced, headline-driven reporting with updates from multiple correspondents.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

Rising Tensions Between US and Venezuela

• Escalation in Military Actions:

  • The US Southern Command has intensified strikes on alleged drug boats in the eastern Pacific, with at least 30 strikes since early September (00:13).
  • The US recently conducted its first known land strike inside Venezuela at a facility “where ships come from.” The president, while confirming the action, did not specify whether it was military or CIA-led (00:13–00:49).
  • Over 100 reported deaths since the start of these operations (00:49).

  Notable Quote:

  • “[The President] did not say whether the strike was conducted by the military or the CIA.” – Madeleine Rivera (00:45)

Texas Man Arrested for Terrorism Support

• Details of Arrest:

  • Federal authorities arrested John Michael Garza Jr., accused of providing money and bomb parts to undercover agents posing as ISIS operatives (01:05).
  • Garza, 21, began communication with an undercover NYPD officer in October after being flagged for ISIS engagement on social media (01:05–01:39).
  • He sent ISIS propaganda and bomb-making instructions during a two-month sting.
  • Garza now faces international terrorism charges.

  Notable Quote:

  • “Garza sent ISIS media releases to the undercover agent including videos of suicide bombings and instructional bomb making videos.” – Brooke Taylor (01:24)

Kentucky Train Derailment and Chemical Leak

• Incident Summary:
  • A CSX train carrying flammable chemicals derailed and caught fire in southern Kentucky (01:39).
  • Authorities issued, then lifted, a shelter-in-place order. No injuries reported.

Marjorie Taylor Greene’s Criticism of Trump

• Break from Former Ally:

  • Outgoing Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene accused Donald Trump of disloyalty and “sexualization of women in the MAGA movement,” in a New York Times interview (02:16-03:04).
  • The White House responded, criticizing Greene for “quitting on her constituents.”

  Notable Quotes:

  • “Loyalty to President Trump is a one way street and it ends like that whenever it suits him.” – Marjorie Taylor Greene (02:23)
  • “We don't have time for petty bitterness.” – White House statement via Ryan Schmelz (02:46)

New Year’s Eve Safety in New York City

• Preparations and Security:

  • Mayor Eric Adams, from Times Square, reassured the public about robust police presence and safety measures for New Year’s Eve celebrations (03:13–03:25).
  • NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch confirmed no credible threats, emphasizing readiness of intelligence units (03:25–03:37).
  • Mayor Adams mused about celebrating with “a single malt Scotch and a cigar” as his term ends (03:41–03:49).

  Notable Moment:

  • “It is our job to make sure they’re able to do that. And—and a level of safety that...” – Mayor Eric Adams (03:19)
  • “I’m looking forward to a single malt Scotch and a cigar in New York City.” – Mayor Eric Adams (03:47)

Kennedy Center’s New Year’s Eve Concert Canceled

• Event Cancellation:
  • The Cooker's Jazz Band New Year’s Eve concert at the Kennedy Center has been canceled without explanation (03:55).
  • Some band members confirmed the cancellation was final.
  • The Kennedy Center is reportedly being rebranded to include President Trump’s name.

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Important Timestamps

• 00:13 – Madeleine Rivera reports on US-Venezuela operations
• 01:05 – Brooke Taylor covers Texas ISIS support arrest
• 01:39 – Kentucky train derailment update
• 02:23 – Ryan Schmelz details Marjorie Taylor Greene’s Trump criticism
• 03:13 – Times Square security preparations (Gernall Scott)
• 03:47 – Mayor Adams on his personal New Year plans
• 03:55 – Kennedy Center New Year’s Eve concert cancellation

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Memorable Quotes

• On US Strike in Venezuela:
  “The president did not say whether the strike was conducted by the military or the CIA.” – Madeleine Rivera (00:45)
• On ISIS Sting Operation:
  “Garza sent ISIS media releases to the undercover agent including videos of suicide bombings and instructional bomb making videos.” – Brooke Taylor (01:24)
• On Trump Loyalty:
  “Loyalty to President Trump is a one way street and it ends like that whenever it suits him.” – Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (02:23)
• On New Year’s Eve Safety:
  “It is our job to make sure they’re able to do that. And—and a level of safety that...” – Mayor Eric Adams (03:19) “I’m looking forward to a single malt Scotch and a cigar in New York City.” – Mayor Eric Adams (03:47)
• On Kennedy Center:
  “The center’s rebranding to include President Trump’s name on the center.” – Anchor Kevin Uretzky (03:57)

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Tone and Style

The segment maintains FOX News’ brisk, matter-of-fact delivery, focusing on developments with concise updates from correspondents, punctuated by pointed remarks and direct quotes from prominent figures. Reporting is urgent and direct, featuring clear attributions and on-the-ground details.

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Transcript

[A]

Venezuela is nervous. I'm Kevin Uretzky, FOX News. Tensions between the US And Venezuela are ramping up even further. Fox's Madeleine Rivera in Washington with the latest.

[B]

US Southern Command struck another alleged drug boat in the eastern Pacific yesterday, marking at least the 30th strike since September 2nd. U.S. officials say two men were killed. The U.S. has conducted most of its operation in international waters, from targeting boats that they say are carrying drugs to seizing oil tankers. But it appears the US has conducted the first known land strike in Venezuela. The president giving more details about something he first mentioned last week in a radio interview, saying they hit a facility where ships come from. The president did not say whether the strike was conducted by the military or the CIA.

[A]

More than 100 people have reportedly been killed since those strikes on the boats began in September. Federal authorities have arrested a Texas man who investigators say gave money and bomb components to undercover agents thinking he was supporting isis. Fox's Brooke Taylor has more.

[C]

This investigation started back in October when an undercover NYPD officer flagged a social media account belonging to John Michael Garza Jr. The account followed several pro ISIS pages and commented on ISIS posts. The undercover officer started talking with Garza who described himself as a 21 year old Mexican American living in Texas. Over the course of two months, Garza sent ISIS media releases to the undercover agent including videos of suicide bombings and instructional bomb making videos.

[A]

He's now charged with an international terrorism offense. And a derailed CSX train leaked a flammable chemical and sparked a fire in Southern Kentucky this morning, prompting authorities to issue a shelter and place order that was later lifted. No injuries were reported. America is listening to FOX News.

[D]

Hello, I'm Ainsley Earhart. Thank you for joining me for the 52 episode podcast series the Life of.

[E]

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.

[A]

A former close ally of President Trump has some scathing criticism of him now. Fox's Ryan Schmelz with the details.

[F]

Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene says loyalty to President Trump is a one way street and it ends like that whenever it suits him. The Georgia Republican who's retiring in January in an interview with the New York Times criticizing the commander in chief, claiming he does not have any faith in alleging there's a Mar a lago sexualization of women in the MAGA movement. The White House firing back, saying the once loyal congresswoman is, quote, quitting on her constituents in the middle of her term and abandoning the consequential fight we're in. We don't have time for petty bitterness. In Washington, Ryan Schmells, FOX NEWS we're.

[A]

Now just hours away from the start of 2026, and New York City leaders are promising the usual celebrations and safety for those who participate. Here's fox's girl.

[G]

SCOTT New York City Mayor Eric Adams said standing in Times Square that while people file in to ring in the.

[H]

New year, it is our job to make sure they're able to do that. And and a level of safety that.

[G]

Of course, means police assets visible and not among the revelers. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said there are no known threats to Times Square right now. Should that change, intelligence units will be.

[C]

Ready to investigate any reports in real time.

[G]

Also, Mayor Adams term will end as the year does, and he said he plans to celebrate in his own way.

[H]

I'm looking forward to a single malt.

[G]

Scotch and a cigar in New York City. Gernall Scott, from FOX News, an annual.

[A]

Kennedy Center New Year's Eve concert is canceled. The Cooker's Jazz Band didn't give a reason, but some band members confirm it's over. The center's rebranding to include President Trump's name on the center. I'm Kevin Uretsky and this is FOX News.