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.