Fox News Hourly Update – 6AM ET 10/17/2025

Host: Dave Anthony, FOX News Podcasts
Date: October 17, 2025
Episode Purpose:
This episode delivers a rapid-fire update of major news developments in politics, world affairs, national security, business, and sports as of October 17, 2025.

Main Stories and Discussions

1. John Bolton Indictment and Presidential Reaction

Timestamps: 00:02 – 00:52

• Former Trump advisor turned critic, John Bolton, indicted for allegedly sharing over 1,000 pages of classified materials with unauthorized individuals.
• President Trump, addressing the press, called Bolton “a bad person. I think he's a bad guy.”
  – Donald Trump (00:10)
• Bolton, via statement, labels the case “a Trump attempt to intimidate an [opponent]” and asserts his intent to “defend his lawful conduct.”
• Prosecutors specify the charges: eight counts of transmission and ten counts of retention of national defense information, covering topics such as future attacks, foreign missile launches, and human intel sources.
• Legal Analyst: "Including classified documents regarding intel on future attacks, foreign missile launches, and human intel sources." (00:24)

2. Ukraine-Russia War Diplomacy

Timestamps: 00:52 – 01:36

• New Biden-Putin phone call reported after the Alaska summit did not yield ceasefire progress.
• Planned Trump-Putin summit in Budapest, Hungary, is anticipated within two weeks to resume peace talks.
• President Trump on war toll: "Last week, over 7,000 people were killed. That's ridiculous." (01:18)
• Ukrainian President Zelensky is scheduled to meet Trump, requesting long-range Tomahawk missiles.
• Trump highlights the need for caution: "They're very accurate. They're very good, but we need them, too." (01:33)

3. Government Shutdown

Timestamps: 01:36 – 01:42

• Day 17 of the U.S. government shutdown, with the latest Senate vote failing to break the Republican-Democrat standoff over government funding.

4. Tribute: Death of Kiss Guitarist Ace Frehley

Timestamps: 01:42 – 01:54

• Legendary Kiss guitarist Ace Frehley has died at 74 due to a brain hemorrhage—complication from a fall at his studio last month.

5. U.S. Military Leadership Change – Operation off Venezuela

Timestamps: 02:15 – 03:10

• Admiral overseeing U.S. anti-drug operations off Venezuela retiring at year’s end, months after his appointment.
• U.S. military has destroyed five drug trafficking boats; suspected narco terrorists killed.
• SOUTHCOM’s dual threats:
  • "The first, China is our pacing threat and continues its methodical encouragement into our shared neighborhood." – Admiral Halsey (02:45)
  • "The second threat, Russia and its support of...regimes like Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela." – Admiral Halsey (02:56)
• Secretary of War Pete Hegseth: Praised Admiral Halsey’s “unwavering commitment to mission, people and nation.”

6. Spirit Airlines Turbulence

Timestamps: 03:10 – 03:31

• Spirit Airlines plans furloughs of up to 365 pilots and downgrade 170 more in Q1 2026 as it works through bankruptcy (filed for the second time in August).

7. Financial Markets

Timestamps: 03:31 – 03:34

• Stock futures are sharply down after The Dow dropped 301 points yesterday.

8. Sports Highlights

Timestamps: 03:34 – 04:10

• MLB Playoffs:
  • Toronto Blue Jays beat Seattle Mariners 8-2 to tie the ALCS, prompting a decisive Game 5.
    • “Guerrero drives the ball the other way. Canzone's going back. He's at the wall. It's gone.” – Sports Commentator (03:42)
  • LA Dodgers defeat Milwaukee Brewers 3-1, take 3-0 lead in their NL series.
• NFL:
  • Cincinnati Bengals break 4-game losing streak, beating Pittsburgh Steelers 33-31 with a last-second field goal.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "I think he's a bad guy."
  — Donald Trump on John Bolton (00:10)
• "Last week, over 7,000 people were killed. That's ridiculous."
  — Donald Trump referencing Ukraine casualty figures (01:18)
• "The first, China is our pacing threat and continues its methodical encouragement into our shared neighborhood."
  — Admiral Halsey on security threats (02:45)

Segment Timestamps

• 00:02 – Bolton indictment and Trump's reaction
• 00:52 – Ukraine-Russia war update; summits and military aid
• 01:36 – Government shutdown day 17
• 01:42 – Death of Ace Frehley, Kiss guitarist
• 02:15 – U.S. Admiral retiring; drug war in Caribbean
• 03:10 – Spirit Airlines job cuts
• 03:31 – Economy and markets: stocks plunge
• 03:34 – MLB/NFL Playoff results

Tone and Style

The episode maintains FOX News' rapid, urgent delivery of events, with a focus on national defense, politics, and concise sporting updates. Commentary is direct, at times blunt, reflecting direct speech and soundbites from major figures.

For listeners who missed the episode:
This newscast offers a snapshot of major domestic and international events, including political and legal drama, ongoing international conflict negotiations, a somber loss in rock music, key military leadership changes, economic turbulence, and headline-grabbing sports results—all delivered with the signature brisk and pointed style of FOX News Radio.