Fox News Hourly Update – 5AM ET 12/16/2025 Newscast
Date: December 16, 2025
Host: Ted Lindner (FOX News Podcasts)
Main Theme & Purpose
This episode delivers the latest national and international breaking news, focusing on major recent incidents in the U.S. and abroad, ongoing criminal investigations, terrorism threats, economic updates, developments in global security, and legislative responses to violence. The tone is urgent and direct, aligning with up-to-the-minute newscasting.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Brown University Mass Shooting & Manhunt
[00:02–00:51]
- Incident Recap: The suspect from the mass shooting at Brown University is still at large.
- Campus Response: All remaining classes and exams are canceled. Students can leave campus, but those choosing to stay are urged to “stay vigilant.”
- Manhunt Details:
- Over 48 hours have passed since the shooting; the search intensifies.
- Investigators have released additional images.
- Suspect described as a 58-year-old man with a stocky build, masked, considered "armed and dangerous."
- FBI offers a $50,000 reward for information.
- Impact: The attack resulted in 2 deaths and 9 injuries—all victims were students.
Notable Quote:
- CB Cotton: “Investigators releasing new images… described as a man about 5’8, with a stocky build… the FBI has put up a $50,000 reward hoping someone will recognize him.” [00:33]
2. Terror Plot Foiled in California
[00:51–01:46]
- Context: FBI foiled a "credible terrorist threat" by the Turtle Island Liberation Front, aiming for New Year's Eve bombings across Los Angeles.
- Arrests & Evidence:
- Four suspects arrested; three were caught testing bomb materials in the Mojave Desert.
- Materials included potassium nitrate and PVC pipes.
- Planned Attacks:
- Plot involved bombing five locations in Southern California.
- The arrested: Audrey Carroll, Zachary Aaron Page, Dante Gaffield, and Tina Lai (charged with conspiracy and possession of a destructive device).
- First court appearance scheduled for today.
Notable Quote:
- Kevin Corr: "Three of the four arrested in California brought potassium nitrate, PVC pipes and other bomb making materials to the campsite in the Mojave Desert for testing." [01:14]
3. Reiner Family Tragedy – Notable Arrest
[01:46–01:59]
- Incident: 32-year-old Nick Reiner, son of Rob Reiner, arrested for the fatal stabbings of his parents in Los Angeles.
- Next Steps: Court appearance set for today.
4. U.S. Labor Department Jobs Report Preview
[02:58–03:48]
- Background: Labor Department to release delayed November jobs report after a government shutdown pause.
- Expectations:
- The report will include unemployment data for November and some October hiring data (October’s jobless rate omitted).
- Predicted aftermath: 40,000 jobs added in November vs. a surprising 119,000 in September.
- Unemployment rate expected to remain at 4.4% (highest since Oct 2021).
Notable Quote:
- Hillary Barski: “Economists are expecting that 40,000 jobs were added last month… and the unemployment rate is anticipated to hold steady at 4.4%, the highest level since October of 2021.” [03:36]
5. Australia Gun Law Reform After Massacre
[03:48–04:14]
- Aftermath of Sydney Tragedy:
- Bondi Beach Hanukkah attack: 15 killed, 40 wounded.
- Australian Prime Minister proposes stricter gun laws—including limiting number/types of firearms, possible citizenship requirements for ownership, and work on a national firearms register.
- Debate: Gun rights advocates claim more armed citizens could have stopped the attacker sooner.
Notable Quote:
- Australian PM (via reporter): “The consideration… includes limiting the number of guns an individual can own, the type of guns that are legal, whether gun ownership should require Australian citizenship…” [03:59]
6. U.S. Military Strikes on Narco Vessels
[04:14–04:38]
- U.S. Southern Command:
- Conducted kinetic strikes on three suspected drug-trafficking vessels in the eastern Pacific.
- Eight suspected traffickers killed, intelligence confirmed their activities along known routes.
7. Clinton-Epstein Investigation Update
[04:38–04:57]
- Capitol Hill:
- Bill and Hillary Clinton’s scheduled depositions about Jeffrey Epstein have been moved to next month.
- DOJ to release more Epstein documents by Friday.
Detailed Timestamps for Key Segments
| Segment | Timestamps | |------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------| | Brown University mass shooting update & FBI manhunt details | 00:02–00:51 | | FBI foils California bomb plot, arrests, and DOJ actions | 00:51–01:46 | | Nick Reiner’s arrest for fatal stabbings | 01:46–01:59 | | November jobs report preview and economic commentary | 02:58–03:48 | | Australian gun law reforms after Bondi Beach tragedy | 03:48–04:14 | | U.S. military strikes on drug traffickers | 04:14–04:38 | | Clinton-Epstein depositions postponed, DOJ document release update | 04:38–04:57 |
Memorable Moments & Quotes
-
CB Cotton (on FXI manhunt):
“Since the shooting, all remaining classes and exams have been canceled and students are free to leave. But the ones that have remained, well, they're being asked to stay vigilant.” [00:18] -
Kevin Corr (on California bomb plot):
“The planned attacks were intended to to be coordinated over five separate locations throughout the Southland.” [01:23] -
Hillary Barski (on jobs report):
“After taking a pause for weeks during the government shutdown, the Labor Department will publish November's jobs report…” [03:09] -
Australian PM, via reporter (on gun reform):
"The consideration that will take place includes limiting the number of guns an individual can own, the type of guns that are legal, whether gun ownership should require Australian citizenship and accelerating work on the national firearms register." [03:59]
Overall Tone and Style
The episode maintains a brisk, factual delivery, focusing on urgent developments and authoritative updates. Quotes provide a sense of immediacy, and the content covers both U.S. and international concerns within a concise timeframe.
End of Summary