5AM ET 12/14/2025 Newscast

Summary

---

Fox News Hourly Update — 5AM ET, December 14, 2025

Host: Chris DiMaio
Episode Theme:
A concise early-morning update covering major overnight news stories, from a Brown University campus shooting and international developments, to sports and weather emergencies.

---

1. Brown University Shooting (00:03–00:57)

Key Points:

• Shooting occurred last night at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island.
• Casualties: 2 people dead, 9 injured.
• Immediate Communication:
  — Student: “We texted me and my friend's group chat and then we were sent an email and a text by the school, the university itself. And we also heard just police sirens.” (A, 00:03)
  — “All around, but I didn't hear any gunshots.” (B, 00:22)
• Suspect & Investigation:
  — Police are searching for the suspect, described as dressed entirely in black, last seen leaving through campus and nearby streets.
  — “Manhunt continues… authorities are pointing to video of this individual clad entirely in black… leaving the building shortly after the shooting, walking down Hope and Waterman streets… on a busy afternoon in Providence.” (C, 00:26)
• Law Enforcement Response:
  — “Hundreds of officers are scouring the campus and nearby neighborhoods in the search for the suspect.” (A, 00:57)

Notable Quote:

• “Manhunt continues… authorities are pointing to video of this individual clad entirely in black.” – Molly Line (C, 00:26)

---

2. U.S. Retaliation Threat Following Attack in Syria (00:57–01:45)

Key Points:

• President Trump plans response after three Americans, including two service members, were killed in Syria.
• Attack Details:
  — Initial suspicions pointed to Syrian government connection; later, attacker identified as affiliated with ISIS.
  — The shooter was a low-level member of Syrian forces, fired on Iowa National Guard soldiers during joint meeting perimeter duty.
• Syrian Political Context:
  — Reference to regime change: Bashar al Assad fled to Moscow; new President al-Shara previously had a $10M Al Qaeda-related bounty.
  — “But he is somebody that President Trump wants to work with.” (D, 01:45)

Notable Quote:

• “At some point it became known that he was affiliated with ISIS… The American soldiers that were killed and injured were from the Iowa National Guard.” – Fox’s Lucas Donaldson (D, 01:09)

---

3. Israeli Operation in Gaza (01:45–02:02)

Key Points:

• Israel: Announced they have killed a senior Hamas commander, described as a "key architect" of the October 7, 2023, attack that triggered the current war.

Memorable Moment:

• Quick, grave update with regional and global implications.

---

4. 2025 Heisman Trophy Winner (02:32–03:19)

Key Points:

• Winner: Fernando Mendoza (Indiana), first Hoosier to win the Heisman Trophy.
• Background:
  — Mendoza transferred from Cal to Indiana, led nation with a program record 33 touchdown passes. — Led the Hoosiers to the top seed in college football playoffs.
• Voting:
  — Mendoza received 643 first place votes; Vanderbilt’s Diego Pavia finished second with 189. — Mendoza will next try to win Indiana’s first national title; possible number one NFL draft pick.
• “Now he's Indiana's first Heisman winner ever, getting 643 first place votes, while Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia, who finished second, got 189.” (B, 02:34)

Notable Quote:

• “Now he's Indiana's first Heisman winner ever, getting 643 first place votes.” – Greg Thompson (B, 02:34)

---

5. Washington State Flooding Emergency (03:19–04:08)

Key Points:

• Current Situation:
  — Flood waters are starting to recede, but damage is extensive. — “I was in this exact same spot yesterday and the water would have been over my head.”
• Impact:
  — Residents return to assess damage, clear out debris. — An “atmospheric river” dumped up to a foot or more of rain, swelling rivers and forcing thousands to evacuate. — Major risk of mudslides remains, with ten rivers at major flood stage.
• “A powerful atmospheric river dumped at least a foot or more of rain in this area… prompted multiple swift water rescues and forced thousands to evacuate.” (F, 03:22)

Notable Quote:

• “I was in this exact same spot yesterday and the water would have been over my head. It was higher than me.” – Christina Coleman (F, 03:22)

---

6. Other Headlines (04:08–04:28)

Key Points:

• Australia Beach Shooting:
  — Mass shooting reported at an Australian beach, several shot, 2 suspects in custody.
• Powerball Update:
  — No winner in massive $1 billion Powerball jackpot, next drawing will be $1.1 billion.

---

Notable Quotes

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |-----------|--------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:03 | Brown U. Student | “We texted me and my friend's group chat and then we were sent an email…” | | 00:26 | Molly Line (Fox) | "Manhunt continues… authorities are pointing to video of this individual clad entirely in black...” | | 01:09 | Lucas Donaldson (Fox) | “At some point it became known he was affiliated with ISIS…” | | 02:34 | Greg Thompson (Fox) | “Now he's Indiana's first Heisman winner ever, getting 643 first place votes…” | | 03:22 | Christina Coleman (Fox) | “I was in this exact same spot yesterday and the water would have been over my head.” |

---

Timeline / Timestamps

• 00:03: Brown Univ. shooting report and reactions
• 00:26: Manhunt and campus lockdown details
• 00:57: U.S. soldiers killed in Syria, Trump promises retaliation
• 01:45: Israeli strike on Hamas commander in Gaza
• 02:32: Heisman Trophy winner announced (Fernando Mendoza, Indiana)
• 03:19: Washington state flooding emergency coverage
• 04:08: Australia beach shooting, Powerball jackpot update

---

Tone and Language

The episode maintains a brisk, factual news tone—swiftly moving through major events with short, direct commentary, characteristic of overnight newscasts. Speaker language is clear, urgent where appropriate (e.g., crisis reports), with direct quotations from reporters and affected individuals providing immediacy and authenticity.

---

This summary provides a clear, topic-by-topic guide to the major stories presented in the 5AM Fox News update, capturing both content and the concise, urgent style of the newscast.

Transcript

[A]

Gunfire at Brown. I'm Chris DiMaio, Fox News. Two people are dead and nine others injured after a shooting last night on the campus of Brown University in Rhode Island. We texted me and my friend's group chat and then we were sent an email and a text by the school, the university itself. And we also heard just police sirens.

[B]

All around, but I didn't hear any gunshots.

[A]

More from fox's Molly line.

[C]

Most importantly, this manhunt continues. We don't have a lot more information about where this suspect went, but authorities are pointing to video of this individual clad entirely in black. They believe this is the suspect, the person of interest, leaving the building shortly after the shooting, walking down Hope and Waterman streets, which are flanking the building, flanking the campus, through the campus. On a busy afternoon in the city of Providence where people are still at the malls, out shopping, out at restaurants.

[A]

Hundreds of officers are scouring the campus in nearby neighborhoods in the search for the suspect. President Trump says he's planning on retaliating after three Americans, including two service members, were killed in an attack in Syria.

[D]

Investigations suggest the attacker was affiliated with the Syrian government forces. But at some point it became known that he was affiliated with isis. He was not part of the official delegation that was escorting US And Syrian troops. He had been a low level member of the Syrian forces. He shot at the American soldiers who were guarding the perimeter of the meeting. The American soldiers that were killed and injured were from the Iowa National Guard. Just a year ago, the Syrian president was Bashar al Assad. He fled the country, went to Moscow. The new Syrian president, al shara, he had one point, had a $10 million bounty on his head because of ties to Al Qaeda. But he is somebody that President Trump wants to work with.

[A]

Fox's Lucas Donaldson Israel said it killed a senior Hamas commander in Gaza whom it describes as a key architect of the October 7, 2023 attack that triggered the war. America's listening to FOX News.

[E]

Life is more legal than you think. And LegalZoom is here to help. From setting up a will to secure your family's future to taking the next step with your business and registering as an LLC or sorting the permits to legally run it from home. Or maybe not. When you need a legal hand, turn to LegalZoom. Visit legalzoom.com LegalZoom provides access to independent attorneys and self service tools. LegalZoom is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Visit legalzoom.com.

[A]

The Heisman Trophy was awarded last night.

[B]

The preseason Heisman watch lists were filled with big name quarterback after big name quarterback as most faded. Indiana's Fernando Mendoza exploded, going from someone who was expected to be pretty good to pretty much the consensus. After spending the last two seasons at Cal, Mendoza transferred to Indiana this year, leading the nation with A program record 33 touchdown passes while also leading the Hoosiers to the top seed in the college football playoffs. Now he's Indiana's first Heisman winner ever, getting 643 first place votes, while Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia, who finished second, got 189. Mendoza will next try to lead the Hoosiers to their first national title ever. And then it's the NFL draft where he could become the second Hoosier ever to go first overall. Greg Thompson, FOX News.

[A]

Washington state remains under a state of emergency from historic flooding.

[F]

The water has started to recede. I was in this exact same spot yesterday and the water would have been over my head. It was higher than me. But residents, they're returning to their homes, some of them, and clearing out the mess, trying to see what has been damaged or destroyed. They have a lot to go through. A powerful atmospheric river dumped at least a foot or more of rain in this area over the week, which swelled rivers, flooded neighborhoods, prompted multiple swift water rescues and forced thousands to evacuate. There's also the potential for mudslides. That risk remains a concern. Ten rivers were seen at major floods stage this week. The unpredictable and dangerous situation forced many families to quickly leave their homes at night. In the city of Burlington on Thursday, fox's Christina Coleman.

[A]

There's a reported mass shooting at a beach in Australia. Several people were shot. Sky News Australia reports two people were taken into custody. No winners in last night's staggering $1 billion Powerball jackpot. That means Monday's drawing for the jackpot is $1.1 billion. I'm Chris DiMeo.

[G]

This hey, Ryan Reynolds here for Mint Mo. You know, one of the perks about having four kids that you know about is actually getting a direct line to the big man up north. And this year he wants you to know the best gift that you can give someone is the gift of Mint Mobile's unlimited wireless for $15 a month. Now you don't even need to wrap it. Give it a [e-mail] switch.

[E]

Upfront payment of $45 for three month plan equivalent to $15 per month required new customer offer for first three months only. Speed slow after 35 gigabytes if network's busy, taxes and fees extra. See mintmobile.com.