5AM ET 11/17/2025 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update – 5AM ET, 11/17/2025

Episode Overview

This episode, anchored by Ted Lindner, delivers a rapid update on key national and international events as of November 17th, 2025. Coverage focuses on the lifting of FAA flight restrictions prior to Thanksgiving, recent US military actions, the hospitalization of Jesse Jackson, a fatal mining disaster in Congo, the return of Congress post-shutdown, and former President Trump’s stance on the Jeffrey Epstein file release. The newscast is concise, fact-driven, and maintains FOX News’s crisp, informative tone.

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Key Discussion Points

1. FAA Lifting Flight Restrictions Before Thanksgiving

• Host: Ted Lindner refers to the FAA’s announcement of lifted restrictions and hands off to reporter Devin Truby for details.

• Airport Impact & Concerns:

  • After reductions and delays caused by the government shutdown, air travel is “trying to get back to normal.”
  • Airlines such as American and Delta confirm improvements via social media.
  • Ongoing Uncertainty: Staffing issues for air traffic control may jeopardize a swift return to normal; 91% of facilities were understaffed pre-shutdown.
  • Travel Forecast:
    • Delays and cancellations have dropped dramatically at SFO—from hundreds last week to tens this weekend.
    • The official travel forecast is due Monday; peak days are expected to be the Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving and Sunday after.
      — [00:02–00:54]

• Quote:

  “But some experts are not sure the system can recover so quickly. It depends on air traffic controllers returning to work. The number that may have retired is still unknown.”
  — Devin Truby, [00:28]

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2. US Military Strikes and Political Reactions

• Context: US military conducted another strike against an “alleged drug boat” in the eastern Pacific, resulting in three deaths.

• Criticism: Both Democrats and Republicans call the strikes extrajudicial killings.

• Defensive Stance:

  • Rep. Rick Crawford (R-AR): Defends the legality, citing the president’s designation of trafficking organizations as terrorist groups.
  • Escalation Stats: At least 83 deaths across 21 strikes; increased US Navy presence in the Caribbean.
    — [00:54–01:29]

• Quote:

  “The president has designated these trafficking organizations as terrorist organizations. And so the operations that are taking place against those targets... are very similar to the kind of counterterrorist operations that we have seen.”
  — Rep. Rick Crawford, [01:15]

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3. Jesse Jackson Hospitalized

• Situation: The prominent civil rights leader is stable after being placed on life support following a dramatic drop in blood pressure tied to a progressive degenerative brain disorder.

• Current Status: He’s now breathing unaided.
  — [01:29–01:59]

• Quote:

  “Jackson suffered a drop in blood pressure Saturday night and was placed on a formal life support to stabilize him... family says he's now breathing without the assistance of machines.”
  — Ted Lindner, [01:43]

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4. Congo Mining Disaster

• Reporter: Jonathan Savage details the deadly incident at a copper and cobalt mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

• Incident: Bridge collapse—triggered by panic from gunfire and rains—leading to at least 32 deaths.

• Contributing Issues:

  • Overcrowding due to illegal miners.
  • DRC is “the world’s largest producer of cobalt,” critical for electric car batteries.
  • Ongoing challenges with illegal mining and armed military presence.
    — [03:38–04:18]

• Quote:

  “Illegal diggers had forced their way into the quarry. A government agency reports gunfire from soldiers sparked panic, the miners rushing onto the bridge at once.”
  — Jonathan Savage, [03:59]

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5. Congress Reconvenes After Shutdown

• Context: Both chambers in session together for the first time since the October shutdown.

• Debate Among Democrats: Some criticize Senate leadership for voting to reopen government without extending Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits.

• Urgency: Tax credits expire end of year; negotiations ongoing to strike a deal.
  — [04:18–04:58]

• Quote:

  “An agreement that can pass both chambers will have to be made before the end of the year when the tax credits expire.”
  — Ryan Schmelz, [04:46]

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6. Release of Jeffrey Epstein Files

• Latest Development: President Trump urges House Republicans to release files on Jeffrey Epstein, reversing his previous position.

• Political Maneuvering:

  • Trump states he has “nothing to hide.”
  • Democrats and some Republicans have been lobbying for the vote; could happen this week.
  • If it passes, the measure proceeds to the Senate—timing uncertain.
    — [04:58–05:26]

• Quote:

  “President Trump making a stark reversal. He's now urging House Republicans to approve the release of files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, the president saying he has nothing to hide.”
  — Marion Rafferty, [05:02]

  “The controversy was a, quote, Democrat hoax perpetrated by radical left lunatics.”
  — Ted Lindner, quoting Trump’s Truth Social post [05:26]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On FAA/Thanksgiving Travel:

  “But some experts are not sure the system can recover so quickly… 91% of facilities didn't have the staff they needed.”
  – Devin Truby, [00:28]

• On Military Strikes:

  “The operations that are taking place against those targets… very similar to the kind of counterterrorist operations that we have seen.”
  – Rep. Rick Crawford, [01:15]

• On Congo Mine Disaster:

  “Illegal diggers had forced their way into the quarry. A government agency reports gunfire from soldiers sparked panic.”
  – Jonathan Savage, [03:59]

• On Congressional Urgency:

  “An agreement that can pass both chambers will have to be made before the end of the year when the tax credits expire.”
  – Ryan Schmelz, [04:46]

• On Epstein Files Release:

  “President Trump making a stark reversal. He's now urging House Republicans to approve the release of files…”
  – Marion Rafferty, [05:02]

  “The controversy was a, quote, Democrat hoax perpetrated by radical left lunatics.”
  – Ted Lindner, quoting Trump, [05:26]

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Timeline of Major Segments

| Time | Segment | |-----------|-----------------------------------------------| | 00:02 | FAA lifts shutdown restrictions; Thanksgiving travel updates (Devin Truby) | | 00:54 | US military strike, political reactions (Rep. Rick Crawford) | | 01:29 | Jesse Jackson health update | | 03:38 | Congo mine disaster explained (Jonathan Savage) | | 04:18 | Congress reconvenes, ACA tax credits debate (Ryan Schmelz) | | 04:58 | Trump, Epstein files, House vote (Marion Rafferty) |

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Summary Takeaways

This tight newscast spotlights national recovery in air travel, controversial US military actions, congressional wrangling post-shutdown, a tragedy in central Africa, and evolving political stakes surrounding the Epstein investigation. Speaker tone is urgent and matter-of-fact, with periodic direct quotes giving a glimpse of the key players' mindsets. The news move briskly, focusing on facts and primary viewpoints without editorializing.

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Transcript

[Ted Lindner]

Lifting the restrictions. I'm Ted Lindner, FOX News. The FAA announcing Sunday they're lifting the shutdown flight restrictions ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday. More on this from Fox 2. San Francisco's Devin Truby who was at the San Francisco International Airport.

[Devin Truby]

Air travel is trying to get back to normal after the government shutdown caused flight reductions at 40 major airports. Airlines like American and Delta posting on social media that things are returning to normal. But but some experts are not sure the system can recover so quickly. It depends on air traffic controllers returning to work. The number that may have retired is still unknown. And even before the shutdown, 91% of facilities didn't have the staff they needed. At SFO, the number of delays and cancellations going from the hundreds last week to the tens this weekend. The official travel forecast for Thanksgiving comes out Monday. Peak travel days are expected to be Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving and the Sunday after the holiday.

[Ted Lindner]

According to AAA, over 20,000 flights were delayed Sunday around 600 Canc. The US military striking down another alleged drug vote in the eastern Pacific this weekend, killing three people. Democrats and Republicans have criticized the strikes as being extrajudicial killings. Arkansas Republican Congressman Rick Crawford on FOX says President Trump's working within the law.

[Rick Crawford]

The president has designated these trafficking organizations as terrorist organizations. And so the operations that are taking place against those targets, these operations are very similar to the kind of counterterrorist operations that we have seen.

[Ted Lindner]

At least 83 people have died across 21 strikes. The Navy continues building up its presence in the Caribbean. And Jesse Jackson reportedly in stable condition. He was admitted to a Chicago hospital last week. The 84 year old founder of the Rainbow Push Coalition under observation for progressive degenerative brain disorder. A family source saying this weekend. Jackson suffered a drop in blood pressure Saturday night and was placed on a formal life support to stabilize him following that report, though his family says he's now breathing without the assistance of machines. America's listening to FOX News.

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[Ted Lindner]

At least 32 people are dead in a disaster in an African mine. Fox's Jonathan Savage has more.

[Jonathan Savage]

The tragedy happened when a bridge collapsed at a copper and cobalt mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo known as the drc. Officials say the bridge was overcrowded and with a landslide risk brought on by heavy rain. Illegal diggers had forced their way into the quarry. A government agency reports gunfire from soldiers sparked panic, the miners rushing onto the bridge at once. The DRC is the world's largest producer of cobalt, which is used to make batteries for products like electric cars. Illegal mining is a problem there and the presence of armed soldiers controversial.

[Ted Lindner]

Jonathan Savage, Fox News Congress is back in session. Fox's Ryan Schmelz with a preview.

[Ryan Schmelz]

This will be the first week both chambers of Congress will be in session at the same time since the government shutdown began in October. Democrats are still dealing with the fallout of the shutdown showdown as a handful of House Democrats have criticized party leadership in the Senate after several senators who caucused with Democrats voted to reopen the government without a deal to extend the Affordable Care act tax credits. Some conversations are underway on striking a deal on health care. And an agreement that can pass both chambers will have to be made before the end of the year when the tax credits expire. In Washington, Ryan Schmell's Fox News President.

[Ted Lindner]

Trump weighing in on an upcoming House vote regarding files related to Jeffrey Epstein.

[Marion Rafferty]

Fox's Marion Rafferty President Trump making a stark reversal. He's now urging House Republicans to approve the release of files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, the president saying he has nothing to hide. Democrats and some Republicans have been pushing for a House vote to release more files that could happen as soon as this week. If pass, the measure will head to the Senate. It's not clear if a vote would be held in that chamber.

[Ted Lindner]

President Trump making a post to Truth Social stating the controversy was a, quote, Democrat hoax perpetrated by radical left lunatics. I'm Ted Lindner. This is FOX News.

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