5AM ET 12/28/2025 Newscast

Summary

Fox News Hourly Update

Episode: 5AM ET 12/28/2025 Newscast

Date: December 28, 2025

Host: Debra Valentine (FOX News Podcasts)
Duration: ~4.5 minutes (News content only)

---

Episode Overview

This brisk, early-morning newscast covers the latest on global diplomatic efforts in Ukraine and the Middle East, breaking US news, and winter travel chaos. The episode delivers succinct updates, focusing on serious international negotiations involving President Trump, continued violence in Ukraine, local US crime reports, ongoing holiday travel disruptions, and a historic waterfront fire in Maine.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Ukraine–Russia Ceasefire Talks at Mar-a-Lago

• Meeting Between Presidents (00:03–00:44):

  • Ukrainian President Zelensky meets President Trump at Mar-a-Lago, with the goal of sealing a ceasefire agreement in the Russia–Ukraine war.
  • President Trump is advocating a "20-point peace plan."
    • Zelensky: “About 90% of that proposal is ready” — open issues concern security guarantees and territorial disputes.
    • Russia’s stance: Demands Ukraine cede the Donbas. Zelensky is willing to pull Ukrainian forces from Donbas if Russia does too, creating a "demilitarized economic zone.”
  • Quote:
    • “President Trump is pushing a 20 point peace plan. The Ukrainian leader says about 90% of that proposal is ready and he and President Trump will discuss security guarantees and territorial issues.” – Jared Halpern (00:19)
    • “Russia has not agreed to the framework, insisting Ukraine cede the Donbas region in the eastern part of the country.” – Jared Halpern (00:29)

• Continued Russian Strikes (00:50–01:11):

  • Russia continues missile and drone strikes; a fresh attack in Kyiv kills at least one.
  • Zelensky comments: the attacks show Russia’s president “doesn’t want peace.”

---

2. Israel–Hamas Ceasefire & Diplomacy

• Upcoming Trump-Netanyahu Meeting (01:11–01:44):

  • Israeli PM Netanyahu to meet Trump in Florida, a crucial juncture for the ongoing Israel–Hamas truce.
  • The proposed phase two:
    • Israel to withdraw from Gaza.
    • Hamas is to disarm.
    • An interim authority, not Hamas, would govern Gaza.
  • Civil unrest: Hungreds rally in Israel, demanding hostage bodies' return as a precondition for ceasefire progress.
  • Quote:
    • “Foreign policy experts say his visit is crucial for the future of the cease fire deal between Israel and Hamas.” – Marion Rafferty (01:14)
    • “The ceasefire can only move forward after the body of the last hostage in Gaza is recovered and returned.” – Marion Rafferty (01:39)

• Mutual Accusations of Ceasefire Breach (01:44–02:00):

  • Israel alleges recent explosive device in Gaza injured a soldier; both sides claim violations.

---

3. US Local News: Missouri Indoor Sports Facility Shooting

• Incident at TM Fieldhouse, Lee’s Summit, MO (02:31–03:25):
  • Shooting following an argument between two men during what might have been a teenager's birthday party.
  • One man hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.
  • No active shooter situation; police searching for one suspect.
  • ~100 people were inside the facility at the time.
  • Quote:
    • “We only know one individual who was shot. They've been shot multiple times, they're at an area hospital with non life threatening injuries…There is no current danger to the public.” – Jacob Sloan (02:45, 03:16)

---

4. US Travel and Weather: Holiday Disruptions

• Winter Storm Fallout (03:25–04:02):
  • Major Northeast snowstorm: >11 inches in parts of NY. Airlines struggling to recover from the aftermath.
  • Reports of 9700+ delays and 1500+ cancellations nationwide.
  • Quote:
    • “Most of those issues are coming out of the Northeast after a snowstorm dumped more than 11 inches in parts of New York…It is going to take airlines some time to recover.” – Caroline Elliott (03:48)
    • “There were 9700 delays into or out of US airports and over 1500 total cancellations.” – Debra Valentine (04:02)

---

5. US Local News: Portland, Maine Historic Wharf Fire

• Fire at Custom House Wharf (04:02–04:27):
  • Fire engulfs historic waterfront buildings Friday night. One building destroyed. Area is crucial for Maine’s fishing industry.
  • Cause under investigation.

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Peace in Ukraine:
  “Ukraine's president meets with President Trump today trying to close a ceasefire deal in the war with Russia.” – Debra Valentine (00:03)

• On the Middle East Ceasefire:
  “Mediators hope to move into the second phase of October's agreement. It calls for Israel to withdraw from Gaza and Hamas to lay down its weapons.” – Marion Rafferty (01:21)

• On Travel Troubles:
  “The snow is pretty much over for now at least, but it is going to take airlines some time to recover.” – Caroline Elliott (03:53)

• On Local Safety After Shooting:
  “Police are still looking for one of the shooters involved.” – Jacob Sloan (03:22)

---

Summary Timeline

| Segment | Speaker | Timestamp | |---------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------|---------------| | Ukraine peace talks at Mar-a-Lago | Debra Valentine | 00:03 | | Detailed Ukraine negotiation updates | Jared Halpern | 00:13 – 00:44 | | Russian airstrikes in Kyiv; Zelensky’s statement | Debra Valentine | 00:50 | | Israel–Hamas: Diplomacy, phase two of ceasefire | Marion Rafferty | 01:11 | | Israeli domestic unrest | Marion Rafferty | 01:39 | | Mutual ceasefire breach accusations | Debra Valentine | 01:44 | | Local news: Lee’s Summit shooting | Jacob Sloan | 02:44 | | Holiday travel delays/cancellations, winter storm impact | Caroline Elliott | 03:47 | | Historic wharf fire in Maine | Debra Valentine | 04:02 |

---

Tone & Language

• The newscast is concise, serious, and fact-driven.
• The tone remains even, formal, and urgent when covering breaking or sensitive issues; emotive only as relayed by the speakers or quoted officials.
• The episode avoids dramatization, delivering updates with clarity and impartiality, in classic radio news fashion.

---

This summary provides a complete, timestamped breakdown of Fox News’ top headlines and developments for December 28, 2025, giving listeners everything they need to know without missing any of the main stories or voices.

Transcript

[Debra Valentine]

Meetings at Mar a Lago. I'm Debra Valentine, Fox News. Ukraine's president meets with President Trump today trying to close a ceasefire deal in the war with Russia.

[Jared Halpern]

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's trip to Mar a Lago follows weeks of US Backed talks with Ukrainian and Russian negotiators. President Trump is pushing a 20 point peace plan. The Ukrainian leader says about 90% of that proposal is ready and he and President Trump will discuss security guarantees and territor issues. So far, Russia has not agreed to the framework, insisting Ukraine cede the Donbas region in the eastern part of the country. Zelensky has agreed to withdraw troops from that region if Russia does the same to create a demilitarized economic zone. In Washington, Jared Halpern, Fox News.

[Debra Valentine]

Russia continues to strike Ukraine with missiles and drones. An attack in Kyiv left at least one dead. Ukraine's president said the attack really shows that Russia's president doesn't want peace. The next phase of the ceasefire between Israel and mosque could depend on an upcoming meeting between President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Fox's Marion Rafferty reports.

[Marion Rafferty]

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to meet President Trump in Florida on Monday. Foreign policy experts say his visit is crucial for the future of the cease fire deal between Israel and Hamas. Mediators hope to move into the second phase of October's agreement. It calls for Israel to withdraw from Gaza and Hamas to lay down its weapons. An interim authority would then govern the Palestinian territory instead of Hamas. Meantime, hundreds have been rallying in Israel arguing the ceasefire can only move forward after the body of the last hostage in Gaza is recovered and returned.

[Debra Valentine]

Both sides have accused the other of violating the ceasefire agreement. Israel claims an explosive device detonated in Gaza last week injuring an Israeli soldier. America's listening to FOX News.

[Stitch Fix Advertiser]

Shopping is hard, right? But I found a better way. Stitch Fix online Personal styling makes it easy. I just give my stylist my size, style and budget preferences. I order boxes when I want and how I want. No subscription required. And he sends just for me pieces plus outfit recommendations and styling tips. I keep what works and send back the rest. It's so easy. Make style easy. Get started today@stitch fix.com Spotify that's stitchfix.com Spotify.

[Debra Valentine]

Shots rang out outside of a multi sport indoor facility in Lee's Summit, Missouri, Saturday evening, 24 miles southeast of Kansas City. FOX 4 Kansas City's Jacob Sloan is there with the latest.

[Jacob Sloan]

We only know one individual who was shot. They've been shot multiple times they're at an area hospital with non life threatening injuries. The first call for service here at TM Fieldhouse came around 6:15 officers were quick to determine that there was not an active shooter here at TM Fieldhouse, but rather an isolated incident, two adult men who were arguing with each other. Those arguments escalated into gunshots while inside the gymnasium here. It was an event, maybe a teenager's birthday party that was going on. We understand that there is no current danger to the public. While police are still looking for one of the shooters involved.

[Debra Valentine]

Police estimate around 100 people were inside that facility at the time of the shooting. Today marks one of the busiest travel days of the holiday season as many people return home from Christmas. Flight delays and cancellations continue in the Northeast following a major winter storm. Fox's Caroline Elliott reports from Hartsfield Jackson Airport in Atlanta.

[Caroline Elliott]

Most of those issues are coming out of the Northeast after a snowstorm dumped more than 11 inches in parts of New York. The good news is the snow is pretty much over for now at least, but it is going to take airlines some time to recover.

[Debra Valentine]

Lightaware says on Saturday, there were 9700 delays into or out of US airports and over 1500 total cancellations. A massive fire Friday night engulfed the Custom House wharf in Portland, Maine. One building was destroyed, others damaged. The historic port, dating back to the 19th and early 20th centuries, is a major hub for the commercial fishing industry. The cause of the fire is under investigation. I'm Debra Valentine.

[Ainsley Earhart]

This is this, this is Ainsley Earhart. Thank you for joining me for the 52 episode podcast series the Life of.

[Podcast Narrator]

Jesus, A listening experience that will provide hope, comfort and understanding of the greatest story ever told. Listen and follow [e-mail] or wherever you listen to podcasts.