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.

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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) |

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.