Fox News Hourly Update – 5AM ET 12/24/2025 Newscast

Date: December 24, 2025
Host: Ted Lindner, FOX News Podcasts

Overview

This Fox News newscast covers pressing events and updates for December 24, 2025, including major weather concerns in Southern California, a devastating explosion at a Pennsylvania nursing home, the tragic shooting of a Delaware state trooper, the NORAD Santa Tracker’s 70th year, the huge Powerball jackpot, and controversy over a purported Epstein letter. The tone is urgent and informative, focusing on both national and local developments relevant to the holiday season.

Key News Segments & Insights

1. Severe Weather Threat for Southern California

• Host Ted Lindner reports potential major flooding for Los Angeles and surrounding areas due to a winter storm.
• Rainfall is expected to peak early Wednesday morning.
• Officials (including the LA Mayor, LA Sheriff Deputies, and CA Governor Newsom) are urging caution, warning of travel dangers and announcing preemptive evacuations.
• Memorable Quote & Safety Advice:
  • Karen Bass, Mayor of Los Angeles (00:20):
    "My message to Angelenos as we go into the Christmas holiday is to stay safe, be prepared and stay informed. We encourage you, if you can, to stay off the roads, especially tonight and through the afternoon of Christmas Eve."

2. Explosion at Pennsylvania Nursing Home

• A “catastrophic” explosion, likely due to a gas leak, occurred at a Bucks County facility.
• Pennsylvania Governor (unnamed in transcript) confirmed:
  • At least two fatalities.
  • An undetermined number of missing individuals.
• Governor’s Statement (00:49):
  "We believe preliminarily that it was a gas leak that led to that. The explosion was really quite catastrophic. We know that at this time there are at least two fatalities. We know that there are some number of individuals still missing."

3. Delaware State Trooper Shooting

• Fox's Kevin Uretsky & Delaware State Police Spokesman Corp. Rashaun Rich describe the fatal shooting of a state trooper at a Wilmington DMV office.
• The trooper, while on overtime duty, was approached and shot by a suspect.
• Despite being shot, the trooper managed to push a DMV employee to safety but was shot again and killed; the suspect was also killed.
• Authorities called the trooper “a hero who saved lives... while sacrificing his own.”
• Motive for the attack remains undetermined.
• Heroic Act Detailed (01:34) Corp. Rich:
  "After being shot, the trooper pushed a DMV employee out of harm's way and the suspect shot the trooper again."
• Superintendent William Crotty Tribute (01:45):
  "The fallen trooper [was] a hero who saved lives today while sacrificing his own."

4. NORAD's 70th Annual Santa Tracker

• Fox's Tonya J. Powers shares the quirky, uplifting tradition of NORAD tracking Santa’s Christmas Eve journey for its 70th year.
• Over 1,000 volunteers respond to children’s questions about Santa’s location.
• Organization history: Began in 1955, following a misdialed call from a child.
• Tracking available at noradsanta.org or 1-877-Hi-NORAD from 4am to midnight Mountain Time.
• Powers on the Tradition (03:09):
  "The tradition of tracking Santa started in 1955 when a young child accidentally called the unlisted phone number of the Continental Air Defense Command Operations Center."

5. Powerball Jackpot Swells

• Fox's Granal Scott updates on the Powerball lottery jackpot, now at $1.7 billion—the largest since September 6, 2025.
• No winner since two tickets split a $1.78 billion jackpot in September.
• Tonight’s winner could take a lump-sum of over $781 million.
• If unclaimed, the jackpot could approach the all-time record of over $2 billion.
• Scott's Playful Hope (03:56):
  "It's Christmas Eve and that Powerball ticket in your stocking may be worth at least $1.7 billion."

6. FBI Declares Epstein Letter a Fake

• DOJ states a controversial letter, allegedly from Jeffrey Epstein to Larry Nassar and referencing President Trump, is a forgery.
• The letter had surfaced among other released files related to Epstein’s case.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Mayor Karen Bass (00:20):
  "Stay safe, be prepared and stay informed. We encourage you... to stay off the roads, especially tonight and through the afternoon of Christmas Eve."
• PA Governor (00:49):
  "The explosion was really quite catastrophic… at least two fatalities."
• Corpor. Rashaun Rich (01:34):
  "After being shot, the trooper pushed a DMV employee out of harm's way and the suspect shot the trooper again."
• Tonya J. Powers on Santa Tracker (03:09):
  "More than 1,000 volunteers will answer questions about Santa's location."
• Granal Scott on Powerball (03:56):
  "If your Christmas miracle happens tonight, you could take home a lump sum payment slightly more than $781 million."

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Time | Segment | |-----------|----------------------------------------------| | 00:03 | Southern California storm/flooding | | 00:20 | Mayor Karen Bass safety message | | 00:36 | Sheriff/Governor on state flood response | | 00:49 | PA nursing home explosion | | 01:09 | Delaware state trooper shooting | | 03:09 | NORAD Santa Tracker 70th anniversary | | 03:50 | Powerball Jackpot update | | 04:41 | DOJ - Epstein letter declared fake |

Conclusion

This concise but comprehensive 5AM Fox News Update focuses on major weather warnings for Southern California, breaking developments in Pennsylvania and Delaware, festive tradition coverage, and national pop culture stories. The tone remains factual and urgent, with a mix of serious reporting and light-hearted holiday notes.