4AM ET 10/23/2025 Newscast

Summary

---

Fox News Hourly Update – 4AM ET 10/23/2025

Host: Sue Guzman, FOX News Podcasts
Date: October 23, 2025

---

Episode Overview

This episode delivers a tightly-packed roundup of major overnight and breaking news, focusing on international sanctions, ongoing government shutdown developments, violent crime updates, military actions, the New York City mayoral debate, and severe weather warnings in the Caribbean.

---

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. International Sanctions Targeting Russia

[00:02–01:03]

• Sanctions Announced:
  The European Union (EU) has approved its 19th package of sanctions against Russia, this time focusing on Russia’s "shadow fleet" of oil tankers and banning liquefied natural gas imports.
• US Coordination:
  The U.S. Treasury Department simultaneously imposed new sanctions, targeting Russia’s two largest oil companies. The strategy is to pressure President Vladimir Putin towards negotiations and ending the war in Ukraine.
• Political Commentary:
  President Trump recently described a planned meeting with Putin in Hungary as “a waste of time” and cancelled it.
• Treasury Stance:
  “This will be one of the largest sanctions that we have done against the Russian Federation.”
  — Treasury Secretary Scott Bessen, [00:49] Bessen signals readiness for more aggressive actions if necessary.

---

2. Ongoing Government Shutdown

[01:03–01:39]

• Congress Stalemate:
  Day 23 of the federal shutdown. The Senate failed for the 12th time to pass a reopening measure.
• House Standstill:
  "House Speaker Mike Johnson has elected to keep the House out of session during the shutdown and says he'll bring lawmakers back when Democrats reopen the government."
  — Ryan Schmelz, [01:03]
• Frustration Among Lawmakers:
  “It is frustrating for those of us who do have introduced bills that want them to be passed and want them to move forward. And I think good, I think the speaker absolutely understands that.”
  — Rep. Beth Van Dyne (R-TX), [01:20]
• Democratic Position:
  Democrats are demanding negotiations on health care provisions as a condition to end the shutdown.

---

3. Fatal Stabbing in Charlotte, NC

[01:39–01:59]

• Crime Update:
  Carlos Brown Jr. has been federally indicted for the fatal stabbing of Ukrainian refugee Norinya Syritska on a light rail train in Charlotte.
• Death Penalty Eligibility:
  New federal charges could make Brown eligible for the death penalty.

---

4. US Military Strikes on Suspected Drug Boats

[03:12–03:54]

• Military Action:
  Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced the ninth U.S. strike against vessels in the eastern Pacific believed to be carrying narcotics from South America.
• Casualties and Justification:
  37 people reported killed across the operations.
• Presidential Justification:
  "We know the people coming in. We know the boats. We know everything else. We're allowed to do it. It's in international waters. If we don't do it, we're going to lose hundreds of thousands of people."
  — President Donald Trump, [03:38]
• Legal/International Response:
  Some claim the strikes violate international law; details on targets and evidence remain limited.

---

5. New York City Mayoral Debate

[04:04–04:49]

• Crime and Policing Proposals:
  • Andrew Cuomo (Independent; former NY Governor): “Hire 5,000 more cops. Because they’re all quitting because they’re getting worked too hard.” [04:09]
  • Curtis Sliwa (GOP): “We need to start charging juveniles who commit violent crime in criminal court.” [04:20]
  • Zoran Mandani (Democrat): Proposes a new Department of Community Safety focusing on mental health and homelessness, freeing police to prioritize serious crimes. [04:28]
• Mayoral Endorsements:
  • Mandani: “No” to Mayor Adams’ endorsement. [04:41]
  • Cuomo: “Yes, I would.”
  • Sliwa: “Absolutely not. Put that crook in jail where he belongs.”
• Voting Note:
  Early voting is set to begin Saturday.

---

6. Weather Update: Tropical Storm Melissa

[04:50–05:09]

• Storm Impact:
  Tropical Storm Melissa brings heavy rain and a “significant flood risk” to Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
• Official Warning:
  Residents in flood-prone areas are urged to seek higher ground and take precautions.

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Scott Bessen (Treasury Secretary):
  “This will be one of the largest sanctions that we have done against the Russian Federation.” [00:49]

• Rep. Beth Van Dyne (R-TX):
  “It is frustrating for those of us who do have introduced bills that want them to be passed...” [01:20]

• President Donald Trump:
  “If we don't do it, we're going to lose hundreds of thousands of people.” [03:38]

• Curtis Sliwa (GOP mayoral candidate):
  “Absolutely not. Put that crook in jail where he belongs.” [04:43]

---

Timestamps of Important Segments

• [00:02–01:03] — US/EU sanctions on Russia
• [01:03–01:39] — Government shutdown update
• [01:39–01:59] — Charlotte, NC fatal stabbing case
• [03:12–03:54] — US strikes on suspected drug boats
• [04:04–04:49] — NYC Mayoral debate highlights
• [04:50–05:09] — Caribbean tropical storm and flood warnings

---

This episode was a rapid-fire update, providing clear and concise coverage of the top national and international stories, political maneuvering in Congress, city-level election drama, and ongoing public safety challenges across the US and abroad.

Transcript

[Sue Guzman]

The EU And US Imposing new sanctions on Russia. I'm Sue Guzman, Fox News. The European Union approving its 19th package of sanctions against Russia early Thursday morning, targeting its shadow fleet of oil tankers and banning imports of liquefied natural gas comes a day after the Treasury Department slapped fresh sanctions on Russia and its two biggest oil companies in the hopes of forcing Russian President Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table and ending Moscow's war in Ukraine. Earlier this week, President Trump said the proposed meeting between him and Russian leader Putin in Hungary had been put on hold, calling it a waste of time. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessen telling Fox Business this will be one of the largest sanctions that we have done against the Russian Federation. Besant adding that the Treasury Department is prepared to take further action if necessary. It's day number 23 of the government shutdown. The Senate vote to reopen it failed Wednesday for the 12th time as we hear from Fox's Ryan Schmelz.

[Ryan Schmelz]

House Speaker Mike Johnson has elected to keep the House out of session during the shutdown and says he'll bring lawmakers back when Democrats reopen the government. Congresswoman Beth Van Dyne tells Fox News it's up to the speaker on bringing the House back, but the Texas Republican is concerned the messaging might get old.

[Kristin Goodwin]

It is frustrating for those of us who do have introduced bills that want them to be passed and want them to move forward. And I think good, I think the speaker absolutely understands that.

[Ryan Schmelz]

Democrats say they want Republicans to negotiate health care provisions before they agree to supporting a measure to end the shutdown. On Capitol Hill, Ryan Schmell's FOX News.

[Sue Guzman]

The man accused of the fatal stabbing of a Ukrainian refugee on a light rail train in Charlotte, North Carolina, may face a death penalty. To Carlos Brown Jr. Indicted by a federal grand jury Wednesday in the horrific attack. Norinya Syritska, 8.22.19 New charges make him eligible for the death penalty. America's listening to FOX News.

[SimpliSafe Announcer]

Simplisafe is real security that stops crime before it starts. Traditional security systems only react and take action once someone has already broken in. Simplisafe stops crime before it even starts by confronting potential threats the moment they appear. Simplisafe is different with AI powered cameras that detect threats while they're still outside your home and alert real security agents. There are no long term contracts or hidden fees and you can cancel anytime. Name best home security systems by U.S. news and World Report for five years running. Right now, listeners can save 50% off on a SimpliSafe home security system. @simplisafe.com FNC that's simplisafe.com FNC I love.

[SimpliSafe Customer]

My new security system. SimpliSafe is peel and stick easy. I set it up myself in minutes. I love I can customize it by adding new sensors whenever I want. It's not as hard as I thought it would be. The app is simple, the hardware is solid and the professional monitoring gives me peace of mind. It just works.

[SimpliSafe Announcer]

That's SimpliSafe.com FNC.

[Sue Guzman]

The Department of War strikes again. Secretary Pete Hegseth announcing a ninth lethal kinetic strike against a vessel in the eastern Pacific Ocean.

[Unnamed Reporter]

So far, it's been reported 37 people have been killed in the series of US military strikes against boats believed to be carrying drugs from South America to the US President Trump says the vessels are a national security threat and that gives him the legal right to attack.

[President Donald Trump]

We know the people coming in. We know the boats. We know everything else. We're allowed to do it. It's in international waters. If we don't do it, we're going to lose hundreds of thousands of people.

[Unnamed Reporter]

The Trump administration's provided few details about the series of strikes.

[Sue Guzman]

Fox says. Joel NATO opponents say the strikes violate international law. New York City's mayoral candidates returning to their stage in the final general election debate last night.

[Kristin Goodwin]

Fox's Kristin Goodwin with more addressing how they tackle crime. Independent candidate and former New York Governor.

[Sue Guzman]

Andrew Cuomo hire the 5,000 more cops.

[Mayoral Candidate]

Because they're all quitting because they're getting worked too hard.

[Kristin Goodwin]

Sound courtesy of Spectrum News GOP mayoral nominee Curtis Sliwa.

[Mayoral Candidate]

We need to start charging juveniles who commit violent crime in criminal court.

[Kristin Goodwin]

Democratic nominee Zoran Mandani creating a Department.

[Mayoral Candidate]

Of Community Safety that will be focused on the mental health crisis, focused on homelessness and will ensure that police officers can focus on serious crimes.

[Kristin Goodwin]

All three also revealing if they'd accept current New York City Mayor Eric Adams endorsement.

[Mayoral Candidate]

Mr. Mandani?

[SimpliSafe Announcer]

No.

[Mayoral Candidate]

Mr. Cuomo Yes, I would. Mr. Sliwa. Absolutely not. Put that crook in jail where he belongs.

[Kristin Goodwin]

Kristin Goodwin, FOX News.

[Sue Guzman]

Early voting starts Saturday and tropical Storm Melissa has dumped heavy rain on parts of Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Forecasters warning of a significant flood risk. In the northern Caribbean. Officials are warning people in flood prone areas to seek higher ground safety. I'm Sue Guzman. This is FOX News.

[Ryan Reynolds]

Hey, Ryan Reynolds here from Mint Mobile. Now I don't know if you've heard, but Mint's Premium Wireless is $15 a month. But I'd like to offer one other perk. We have no stores that means no small talk. Crazy weather we're having.

[Sue Guzman]

No, it's not.

[Ryan Reynolds]

It's just weather. It is an introvert's DRE. Give it a [e-mail] Switch upfront.

[Kristin Goodwin]

Came in a 45 for 3 month plan, $15 per month equivalent required. New customer offer first 3 months only, then full price plan options available, taxes and fees extra. See mintmobile.com.