Fox News Hourly Update | 5PM ET 12/24/2025 Newscast
Main Theme:
A succinct roundup of key U.S. and international news stories on Christmas Eve 2025, including severe weather in California, updates on Israel-Gaza tensions, developments in the Jeffrey Epstein files, a DC shooting case, a Pennsylvania explosion, and holiday celebrations in Bethlehem.
Major Headlines & Key Insights
1. Catastrophic Holiday Weather in Southern California
- State of Emergency: Severe storms bring historic rainfall, flooding, and mudslides to Southern California, prompting a state of emergency across six counties.
- Tom Graham: “The nightmare before Christmas for millions in Southern California. Relentless rains leading to flooding, mudslides, road closures.” [00:03]
- On-the-Ground Situation: The risks are escalated in areas recently burned by wildfires, where debris flows are a particular concern.
- Brandy Campbell (Fox Weather): “This could become the rainiest Christmas on record here in LA...we are under a level three out of four risk for flash flooding...there is a road closure here due to the potential for debris flows.” [00:15]
- Location Highlight: PCH in Malibu, Topanga Canyon Boulevard, particularly affected by closures.
2. Israel-Gaza Ceasefire & Resettlement Controversy
- Ceasefire Holds Amid Incident: An explosive device in Gaza injures an Israeli soldier, but the shaky ceasefire persists. [00:45]
- Resettlement Tensions: Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz signals intentions to resettle northern Gaza, raising fears of renewed conflict and complications for U.S.-backed peace plans.
- Israel Katz: “We are in deep Gaza and we will never leave Gaza. We are there to defend...We trust the rock of Israel and the IDF in defending Israel...” [01:13]
- U.S. Response: The White House reiterates its commitment to President Trump's 20-point peace plan, urging all parties to stay the course.
- Ainsley Earhart: “The United States remains fully committed to President Trump's 20 point peace plan which was agreed to by all parties and endorsed by the international community.” [01:27]
3. Bethlehem Christmas Eve Celebrations
- Return of Crowds: Thousands gather in Manger Square, Bethlehem, for Christmas Eve after two years under the shadow of the Israeli-Hamas war.
- Tom Graham: “Thousands of people flocking to Bethlehem's Manger Square to celebrate Christmas Eve. Previous gatherings had been canceled...due to that Israeli Hamas war.” [01:40]
4. New Jeffrey Epstein Case Documents
- Major Discovery: Over one million documents, potentially linked to the Jeffrey Epstein case, revealed by the U.S. Attorney in New York.
- Podcast Narrator: “The newly found information has been forwarded to the Department of Justice, which will assess them for release in line with the Epstein files transparency.” [02:38]
- Calls for Accountability: Bipartisan calls from Congress, including Senator Lisa Murkowski, for a full and transparent audit on the Epstein file releases.
- Narrator: “Several Democratic U.S. senators, along with Alaska Republican Lisa Murkowski, call for an audit...which they say has not been full and transparent as Congress is required.” [02:56]
5. DC National Guard Shooting Case Updates
- Suspect Faces More Charges: Afghan national Ramanula Lockenwall, accused in the fatal shooting of a West Virginia National Guard soldier, faces new federal charges related to firearm transportation.
- Jared Halpern: “Lockenwall is now facing additional charges of transporting a firearm with the intent to commit a crime and transporting a stolen firearm between states...added to a first degree murder charge.” [03:22]
- Victims Identified: Specialist Sarah Beckstrom was killed; Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe was critically injured.
6. Pennsylvania Nursing Home Explosion
- Fatal Incident: Explosion, likely from a gas leak, devastates a nursing home in Bristol Township, Pennsylvania: 2 dead, 19 hospitalized, including one in critical condition.
- Tom Graham: “Crews are clearing away the rubble...after a suspected gas leak explosion. Two people killed, several others injured.” [03:57]
7. Financial Markets
- Stock Market Update: Despite the heavy news, markets close on a positive note.
- Tom Graham: “Short and trading day, the stocks finishing in the green, the Dow climbing 289 points. The Nasdaq adding 51s and P up 22, further pushing into record territory.” [04:06]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On Weather:
“Nightmare before Christmas for millions in Southern California.” — Tom Graham [00:03] - On Israeli Policy:
“We are in deep Gaza and we will never leave Gaza.” — Israel Katz [01:13] - On Epstein File Transparency:
“Officials warn the sheer volume of what has been discovered may take a few more weeks to review and release.” — Podcast Narrator [02:54]
Timestamps for Key Segments
- [00:03] Southern California storms and state of emergency
- [00:45] Israel-Gaza ceasefire and resettlement controversy
- [01:40] Christmas Eve in Bethlehem
- [02:38] New revelations in the Epstein case
- [03:22] DC National Guard shooting—more charges
- [03:57] Pennsylvania nursing home explosion
- [04:06] Stock market wrap-up
Language and Tone
Brisk, urgent news delivery with brief context and quotes from official sources, reflecting FOX News’ emphasis on timely, breaking news updates.
This expertly condensed episode summary gives listeners everything they need to stay informed on December 24, 2025’s top stories, well-organized for quick catch-up or deeper review.