5PM ET 12/18/2025 Newscast

Summary

Fox News Hourly Update

Episode: 5PM ET 12/18/2025 Newscast
Host: Ainsley Earhart (FOX News Podcasts)
Date: December 18, 2025

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Overview

This Fox News Hourly Update covers several major national news stories, with a focus on breaking news, significant political developments, ongoing legal cases, high-profile tragedies, and market updates. The episode is a rapid-fire newscast, weaving together seamless transitions between high-stakes national stories, exclusive statements, and fast-moving developments.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Brown University Shooting Investigation

[00:03-01:10]

• Sixth day of the manhunt: The search continues for the gunman responsible for killing two students and injuring nine at Brown University.

• Possible link to MIT shooting: Authorities are investigating connections between this shooting and the killing of an MIT professor at his home three days later.

• Person of interest identified: According to Associated Press sources, a person of interest has been found.

• Police briefing scheduled: Details are expected to emerge soon.

  Quote:
  “Investigators are reportedly probing a possible connection to the Monday shooting that killed an MIT professor in his home.”
  — Ainsley Earhart [00:17]

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2. Greg Biffle Plane Crash Tragedy

[00:30-01:10]

• Crash details: Seven fatalities reported in the fiery crash of a business jet belonging to former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle in North Carolina.

• Victims: Congressman Richard Hudson noted Biffle, his wife, and two children were on board.

• Legacy: NASCAR and the racing community mourn Biffle, described as both a champion and a person of service.

  Quote:
  “Greg was a NASCAR champion who thrilled millions of fans, but he was extraordinary person as well. He will be remembered for his service to others as much as his fearlessness on the track.”
  — Congressman Richard Hudson (statement, read by Ainsley Earhart) [00:38]

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3. Marijuana Reclassification Executive Order

[01:10-01:35]

• Trump’s move: President Trump issues an executive order to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug, potentially opening doors for medical research.

• Limitations: The order does not federally legalize recreational use but could impact regulation and taxation.

• HHS response: The US Health Secretary criticizes the move harshly.

  Quote:
  “The facts compel the federal government to recognize that marijuana can be legitimate in terms of medical applications when carefully administered.”
  — President Donald Trump [01:10]

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4. Restrictions on Transgender Care for Minors

[01:35-01:54]

• New federal steps: The administration announces a prohibition on hospitals performing “sex rejecting procedures” for minors.

• Financial implications: No taxpayer funds will go to gender-affirming care for minors; gender dysphoria excluded from disability protections.

• Debate: The move is labeled as harmful by LGBTQ advocates; the Health Secretary calls it "malpractice, not medicine".

  Quote:
  "Among the steps announced today, prohibiting hospitals from performing, quote, sex rejecting procedures... barring gender dysphoria from being protected under disability law."
  — Fox News Correspondent [01:36]

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5. Legal Update: Judge Hanna Dugan Trial

[02:15-02:58]

• Judicial indictment: Judge Dugan stands accused of obstructing ICE agents by guiding an illegal immigrant out a back door, away from arrest.

• Arguments: The defense insists she followed court policy, while the prosecution alleges federal law was broken.

• Potential sentence: Up to six years in prison and a $350,000 fine if convicted.

  Quote:
  “The judge broke federal immigration law, steering the Mexican national in court on battery charges at a private exit and away from ICE agents...”
  — Fox News Correspondent [02:36]

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6. Chicago Train Attack & Arson Charges

[02:58-03:12]

• Escalated case: A man accused of setting a woman on fire on a Chicago train now faces additional federal terrorism and arson charges.
• Allegations: Attempted arson of City Hall just days prior.
• Court date: Lawrence Reed is due back in court tomorrow.

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7. Military Bonus Checks Funding

[03:12-03:20]

• Funding controversy: Contrary to initial reports, bonus checks for military members (announced by President Trump) will be funded from military housing budgets, not from tariff revenues.

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8. Kennedy Center Renamed

[03:20-03:59]

• Board vote: The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts is renamed "The Trump Kennedy Center" by a board appointed by President Trump.

• Presidential comment: President Trump expresses pride, saying he “saved the building.”

• Involvement: Trump has shown interest, attending performances and emceeing events.

  Quote:
  “We're saving the building. We saved the building. The building was in such bad shape, both physically, financially and every other way. And now it's very solid, very strong.”
  — President Donald Trump [03:38]

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9. Stock Market Update

[03:59-end]

• Closing numbers: Dow up 65 points, S&P up 53, Nasdaq soars by 313.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Investigators are reportedly probing a possible connection to the Monday shooting that killed an MIT professor in his home.”
  — Ainsley Earhart [00:17]

• “Greg was a NASCAR champion... He will be remembered for his service to others as much as his fearlessness on the track.”
  — Congressman Richard Hudson (statement, read by Ainsley Earhart) [00:38]

• “The facts compel the federal government to recognize that marijuana can be legitimate in terms of medical applications when carefully administered.”
  — President Donald Trump [01:10]

• “We're saving the building. We saved the building. The building was in such bad shape... And now it's very solid, very strong.”
  — President Donald Trump [03:38]

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Brown University & MIT Shooting Updates: [00:03–01:10]
• Greg Biffle Plane Crash: [00:30–01:10]
• Trump on Marijuana Reclassification: [01:10–01:20]
• Transgender Care Restrictions: [01:35–01:54]
• Judge Hanna Dugan ICE Incident: [02:15–02:58]
• Chicago Train Attack: [02:58–03:12]
• Military Bonus Funding: [03:12–03:20]
• Kennedy Center Renaming: [03:20–03:59]
• Stock Market Wrap: [03:59–end]

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This concise, energetic episode is emblematic of Fox News' approach: a fast-paced delivery of significant news for listeners seeking quick, comprehensive updates without commentary or fluff.

Transcript

[Ainsley Earhart]

A new twist in a mass shooting. Lisa Brady, FOX News, on day six of the manhunt for the gunman who killed two students, injuring nine at Brown University on Saturday. Investigators are reportedly probing a possible connection to the Monday shooting that killed an MIT professor in his home. Sources also telling the Associated Press a person of interest has now been identified. Police are scheduled to hold a briefing. Police in North Carolina now reporting seven deaths in the fiery crash of a business jet belonging to former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle. North Carolina Congressman Richard Hudson posting earlier that Biffle, his wife and two children were on the plane. He shared that quote, greg was a NASCAR champion who thrilled millions of fans, but he was extraordinary person as well. He will be remembered for his service to others as much as his fearlessness on the track. Fox's Dana Marie McNicoll. The plane was trying to land at a regional airport north of Charlotte when it crashed. A statement just released says NASCAR in is devastated by the tragic loss. President Trump moving to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug, which could ease restrictions on medical research.

[President Donald Trump]

The facts compel the federal government to recognize that marijuana can be legitimate in terms of medical applications when carefully administered.

[Ainsley Earhart]

His executive order does not legalize recreational marijuana at the federal level, but it could also change regulation and taxation. The US Health secretary calls it malpractice, not medicine. Rolling out new restrictions on transgender treatments for minors.

[Fox News Correspondent]

Among the steps announced today, prohibiting hospitals from performing, quote, sex rejecting procedures, stopping taxpayer dollars from being used on gender affirming care and barring gender dysphoria from being protected under disability law. On the other side, LGBTQ advocates are calling the proposals harmful.

[Ainsley Earhart]

Fox's Mike Emanuel, America is listening to FOX News. This is Ainsley Earhart. Thank you for joining me for the 52 episode podcast series the Life of.

[Fox News Correspondent]

Jes 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.

[Ainsley Earhart]

The jury in Wisconsin now has the case against a judge accused of obstructing ICE agents.

[Fox News Correspondent]

After four days of evidence and testimony, the defense and closing arguments says Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan did her job in April, that she complied with a draft policy and sent an illegal immigrant out of her courtroom. Prosecutors telling jurors the judge broke federal immigration law, steering the Mexican national in court on battery charges at a private exit and away from ICE agents looking to arrest and deport him. A federal grand jury later indicted Dugan on obstruction. She did not testify and faces up to six years in prison and a $350,000 fine if convicted. Jeff Manasso, FOX News.

[Ainsley Earhart]

A man accused of setting a woman on fire on a Chicago train and facing federal terrorism charges is now indicted on multiple counts, including trying to burn down City hall three days before the TR train attack. Lawrence Reed, due back in court tomorrow. The White House now says bonus checks for military members announced by President Trump last night will be covered by military housing funds, not from tariff revenue. The Kennedy center is being renamed to recognize the president.

[Jared Halpern]

Members of the board of trustees for the Kennedy center, all installed by President Trump earlier this year, unanimously voted to rename the renowned performing arts center the Trump Kennedy Center. President Trump says he is honored.

[President Donald Trump]

We're saving the building. We saved the building. The building was in such bad shape, both physically, financially and every other way. And now it's very solid, very strong.

[Jared Halpern]

The president has taken a strong interest in the center, attending a performance of Les Mis earlier this year and last week serving as emcee for the annual Kennedy center honors at the White House. Jared Halpern, FOX News.

[Ainsley Earhart]

Stocks finish higher, but an early rally cooled for The Dow, up 65 points in the end. The S&P up 53. The Nasdaq, though, up 313 points. Alisa Brady, FOX News.