5AM ET 12/18/2025 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update — 5AM ET, December 18, 2025

Host: Ted Lindner
Podcast: Fox News Hourly Update
Date: December 18, 2025

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Episode Overview

This episode delivers a concise roundup of major national news, politics, crime, entertainment, and sports for the morning of December 18, 2025. Highlights include President Trump’s address on the economy, a high-profile murder case in Los Angeles, the status of the Powerball lottery, NFL week 16 kickoff, preparations for New Year’s Eve in Times Square, and a leadership change at the FBI.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. President Trump’s National Address and Economic Update (00:02–00:40)

• Context: President Trump delivered a televised address almost a year into his second term, focusing on economic recovery and pocketbook issues.
• Main Points:
  • Asserted progress in lowering the cost of groceries and goods.
  • Emphasized efforts to increase Americans' take-home pay.
  • Attributed previous financial difficulties to the Biden administration.
  • Fox News polling revealed only 28% rate the current economy as "excellent" or "good," indicating public skepticism.
• Quotes:
  • “[High prices are] coming down and through his efforts, families will have more money to spend.” (Grinnell Scott, 00:20)
  • "You will see in your wallets and bank accounts in the new year." (Ted Lindner, paraphrasing Trump, 00:29)
  • "Our policies are boosting take home pay at a historic pace." (President Trump, via clip, 00:36–00:38)

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2. Los Angeles Murder Case: Nick Reiner Arraignment (00:57–01:39)

• Context: Updates on Nick Reiner, accused of killing his parents in Brentwood, Los Angeles.
• Details:
  • Victims: Rob and Michelle Reiner, found fatally stabbed.
  • Suspect: Nick Reiner, appeared briefly in court; arraignment postponed to January 7.
  • Held without bail, charged with two counts of murder (special circumstance allegations).
  • Medical examiner determined deaths as caused by “multiple sharp force injuries.”
• Quotes:
  • “Officials say the couple were found fatally stabbed in their Brentwood home over the weekend.” (Kristin Goodwin, 01:13)
  • “…charged with two counts of murder with special circumstance, allegations of multiple murders and using a deadly weapon.” (Kristin Goodwin, 01:30)

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3. Powerball Jackpot Update (01:39–02:00)

• No winner for the $1.25 billion jackpot; numbers drawn were 25, 33, 53, 62, 66 with Powerball 17.
• Next jackpot rises to $1.5 billion for Saturday’s draw.

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4. NFL Week 16 Kickoff: Rams vs. Seahawks (03:09–03:48)

• Context: Preview of Thursday Night Football game, key for NFC seedings.
• Details:
  • Los Angeles Rams vs. Seattle Seahawks in Seattle (both teams at 11-3).
  • Winner poised for top NFC playoff seed with three weeks left in the regular season.
• Memorable Moment:
  • “The two teams met for the first time in November with the Rams eking out a 21-19 victory in Los Angeles thanks to four interceptions by Seattle quarterback Sam Darnold.” (Joe Morgan, 03:34)

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5. Times Square New Year’s Eve Preparations (03:48–04:34)

• Context: Installing the “2026” numerals in Times Square in preparation for New Year’s celebrations.
• Historical tidbits:
  • Exhibit of upcoming year’s numbers for public viewing.
  • Current Times Square ball: over 12,000 pounds, LED-lit, 12.5 feet diameter.
  • The first ball in 1907: 700 pounds, 125-watt bulbs.
• Quotes:
  • “The numbers that will make 2026 official will be on display in Times Square through Monday on the ground where people can get an up close look at them.” (Tonya J. Powers, 03:56)

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6. FBI Leadership Change (04:34–04:57)

• Context: Deputy Director Dan Bongino resigning as FBI’s number two.
• Details:
  • Tenure marked by clashes over Justice Department handling of Jeffrey Epstein files.
  • This role traditionally oversees daily bureau operations.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• President Trump, on the economic outlook:
  “You will see in your wallets and bank accounts in the new year.” (00:29)

• Grinnell Scott, on falling incomes:
  “After years of record setting falling incomes ... our policies are boosting take home pay at a historic pace.” (00:33–00:38)

• Kristin Goodwin, on LA murder case:
  “The couple’s son Nick, their accused killer, the 32 year old briefly appearing in court Wednesday morning as his lawyer Alan Jackson was granted a postponement of his arraignment which is set for January 7th.” (01:20)

• Joe Morgan, on NFL stakes:
  “With just three weeks remaining in the regular season, the winner of tonight’s contest will be in the driver’s seat for the number one seed in the NFC playoffs.” (03:25)

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Timestamps for Major Segments

• President Trump’s Address & Economy: 00:02–00:40
• Nick Reiner LA Murder Case Update: 00:57–01:39
• Powerball Jackpot Report: 01:39–02:00
• NFL Preview – Rams v. Seahawks: 03:09–03:48
• New Year’s Preparations in NYC: 03:48–04:34
• FBI Deputy Director Bongino Resigns: 04:34–04:57

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Summary

The December 18, 2025 morning newscast centers on President Trump’s efforts to revitalize the economy, ongoing concerns about public and voter economic confidence, a tragic and high-profile crime story in LA, record lottery jackpots, the pivotal NFL matchup for playoff positioning, New Year’s Eve traditions in New York, and changes at the top of the FBI.

The update delivers succinct, fact-focused reporting, punctuated with brief but impactful direct quotes, and sets the tone for the day’s national news conversation.

Transcript

[A]

Almost a year into his second term. The president talks to the nation. I'm Ted Lindner. Fox News. President Trump in his address to the nation Wednesday night saying he's rebuilding the economy and helping Americans keep more money in their pockets. This weekend will mark 11 months officially that he's been back in the White House. Fox's Grinnell's Scott with more.

[B]

The president said the high prices Americans have been seeing with groceries and other goods are coming down and through his efforts, families will have more money to spend.

[A]

You will see in your wallets and bank accounts in the new year.

[C]

After years of record setting falling incomes.

[A]

Our policies are boosting take home pay.

[C]

At a historic pace.

[B]

The president blamed many of the country's financial woes on the Biden administration. But a FOX News poll out this week shows voter confidence in the economy slipping with only 28% of respondents rating the current economy as excellent or good.

[A]

FOX News Nick Reiner briefly appeared in a Los Angeles court on charges of murdering his parents on Wednesday. Fox's Kristin Goodwin is there in LA with more.

[D]

The Los Angeles county medical examiner finding Rob and Michelle Reiner died of multiple sharp force injuries in their residence. Officials say the couple were found fatally stabbed in their Brentwood home over the weekend. The couple's son Nick, their accused killer, the 32 year old briefly appearing in court Wednesday morning as his lawyer Alan Jackson was granted a postponement of his arraignment which is set for January 7th. He's being held without bail charged with two counts of murder with special circumstance, allegations of multiple murders and using a deadly weapon.

[A]

Kristen Goodwin, FOX News Reiner's appearance pushed back earlier this week because he was not medically cleared for the hearing. And no big winner in the Wednesday night powerball jackpot worth $1.25 billion. The numbers, 25, 33, 53, 62, 66, a powerball of 17. The jackpot now 1.5 billion for Saturday night. America's listening to Fox.

[E]

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[A]

Safe. Well, it's Thursday. That means tonight kicks off Week 16 of the NFL season and it starts with a beauty. Fox's Joe Morgan with the.

[C]

Details. The NFC west in the top seed in the conference are on the line tonight in Seattle. The 113 Rams make a trip to the Pacific Northwest to take on the 113 Seahawks on Thursday Night Football with kickoff scheduled for 8:15 Eastern. With just three weeks remaining in the regular season, the winner of tonight's contest will be in the driver's seat for the number one seed in the NFC playoffs. The two teams met for the first time in November with the Rams eking out a 2119 victory in Los Angeles thanks to four interceptions by Seattle quarterback Sam Darnold. Joe Morgan, Fox News the iconic.

[A]

New Year's Eve numbers for 2026 coming to Times Square today. Fox's Tonya.

[F]

J. Powers with the 2026 isn't here just yet, but New York City is getting ready for New Year's Eve and the annual ball drop. The numbers that will make 2026 official will be on display in Times Square through Monday on the ground where people can get an up close look at them. The 2025 numerals currently sitting atop Times Square are 7ft tall. New Year's Eve celebrations in Times Square date back to 1904, but the first ball made its debut in 1907. Complete with 125 watt light bulbs, it weighed 700 pounds. For contrast, the current ball has more than crystals and led lights, measures 12 and a half feet in diameter and weighs more than £12,000. In New York City, Tanya.

[A]

J. Powers, FOX News and the number two man at the FBI, Deputy Director Dan Bongino, announcing that he'll be leaving the bureau next month. This ends a brief tenure in which he clashed with the Justice Department over the handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files, the number two job at the FBI, a position that historically has entailed oversight of the bureau's day to day operations and typically has been held by a career agent. I'm Ted Lindner and this is FOX.

[G]

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[D]

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[C]

Only.

[D]

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[A]

Mintmobile.