Fox News Hourly Update

Episode: 5AM ET 11/26/2025 Newscast
Host: Ted Lindner (A), FOX News Podcasts
Date: November 26, 2025

Episode Overview

This early morning edition brings updates on the busy Thanksgiving travel season, U.S. efforts towards peace in Ukraine, congressional scrutiny over alleged funds misused in Minnesota, and new policies at national parks. It captures the most pressing headlines as Americans prepare for the holiday, with key political, international, and public policy developments.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Thanksgiving Travel Surge

• Record Numbers Traveling:
  • Over 81 million people are expected to travel during Thanksgiving week, including air, road, and rail travelers.
• Air Travel Highlights:
  • [00:13] Matt Finn (B): “The Trump administration says a record high 31 million people will travel through the air this entire week. And the FAA says today will be the busiest day of the week with an estimated 52,000 flights.”
• Transportation System Stress:
  • Transportation Secretary Duffy reassures that “there is solid staffing at air traffic control towers, an improvement from when the government reduced flights and staffing during the 43 day shutdown.”
  • Duffy urges Congress for $20 billion to upgrade the “outdated” air traffic control technology and warns of possible weather disruptions, especially in Seattle and the Midwest.
• National Gas Prices and Road Travel:
  • The national average gas price is “a little over 3 dollars a gallon.”
  • [00:58] “73 million drivers expected to be on the road this week, 1.2 million passengers taking trains.”

2. Ukraine War – Ongoing Peace Efforts

• Diplomatic Progress:
  • Progress is reported towards a potential deal to end the Russia-Ukraine war after talks in Geneva.
  • [01:11] (C): “We’ve seen the European allies also very engaged on these peace talks. But there are still questions about what a deal is eventually going to look like.”
• Leadership Meetings On Hold:
  • President Trump will not meet with President Zelensky “this holiday weekend,” though such a meeting had been rumored. Instead, the Army Secretary will handle Ukraine relations for now.
  • [01:25] “Ukraine’s leader had wanted to sit down with the president as soon as possible, including over the holiday. But as Trump says, he’s going to have his army secretary handle Ukraine for the moment.”
• On-the-Ground Impact:
  • Russian airstrikes continue, with “the latest death count at seven people so far.”

3. Papal Visit

• Pope Leo the 14th’s First Foreign Trip:
  • [01:47] “Pope Leo the 14th headed to Turkey and Lebanon this week for his first official foreign trip as pontiff. He heads to Turkey for the first leg of the trip on Thursday.”

4. Minnesota Funding Controversy

• Taxpayer Funds Allegedly Diverted to Terror Group:
  • Minnesota Republicans demand answers after reports that “taxpayer dollars were ending up in the hands of Somali terror group Al Shabaab.”
  • [02:40] Jeff Paul (E): “They’re calling for an investigation. Four Minnesota Congress members addressing the state’s U.S. attorney demanding answers after a report claimed taxpayer dollars were ending up in the hands of Somali terror group Al Shabaab.”
  • House Majority Whip Tom Emmer commented:
    • [02:53] “If you’re paying taxes for services you expect and things you expect your state government to provide, those taxes should not be going to a terrorist group in a foreign country.”
• Citation and Allegations:
  • The report, published by City Journal (affiliated with the Manhattan Institute), alleges that funds for state social programs might have been diverted and sent abroad to Al Shabaab.
  • [03:04] “The report alleges funding that was supposed to go to state programs... was being stolen.”

5. Legal and Political Headlines

• FBI & DOJ Developments:
  • President Trump denies planning to replace FBI Director Kash Patel, stating Patel “is doing a good job.”
  • A federal judge dismissed criminal cases against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Tish James, both Trump critics.
  • The DOJ plans to appeal these rulings, “which found prosecutor Lindsey Halligan was improperly appointed and may even try to refile the cases.”

6. National Park Service Fee Changes

• New Fee for International Visitors:
  • [03:22] “Foreign visitors to US national parks will have to fork over a bit of cash to enjoy the great outdoors. The National Park Service announcing it’s going to start charging international tourists an extra $100.”
  • The move responds to “severe budget cuts and staff reductions” and takes effect January 1, 2026, impacting 11 national parks.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Matt Finn on Record Air Travel
  • [00:13] “The FAA says today will be the busiest day of the week with an estimated 52,000 flights.”
• Transportation Secretary Duffy on System Issues
  • [00:26] “There are still system wide problems with the country's current air traffic control system. ... Urging Congress to fund another $20 billion to replace the outdated technology.”
• House Majority Whip Tom Emmer on Funding Allegations
  • [02:53] “Those taxes should not be going to a terrorist group in a foreign country.”
• On National Parks Fee Increase
  • [03:22] “Foreign visitors to US national parks will have to fork over a bit of cash to enjoy the great outdoors. ... going to start charging international tourists an extra $100.”

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Thanksgiving Travel Update – 00:02 to 00:58
• Ukraine Peace Talks & Russian Strikes – 00:58 to 01:47
• Papal Visit News – 01:47 to 02:00
• Minnesota Funding Report Controversy – 02:25 to 03:22
• FBI & DOJ Updates – 03:22 to 03:46
• National Park Service Fee Announcement – 03:46 to 04:28

This summary provides a comprehensive snapshot of the news, preserving the urgency and tone of the original broadcast, with direct attributions and exact quotes for clarity and context.