Fox News Hourly Update: 7AM ET 12/23/2025

Host: Dave Anthony (FOX News Podcasts)
Date: December 23, 2025
Episode Theme:
A fast-paced roundup of major U.S. and international news headlines, focusing on military actions in Venezuela, Russia-Ukraine tensions, developments in the Jeffrey Epstein investigation, a massive Powerball jackpot, campus safety probes, a high-profile prison escape, and sports updates.

1. U.S. Crackdown on Venezuelan Narco-Trafficking

Timestamps: 00:03–00:43

• Military Operations:

  • Another U.S. military strike targeted illegal drug trafficking boats off Venezuela.
  • President Trump labeled the mission as commanding "the biggest armada we've ever had." (Dave Anthony, 00:12)
  • The current strike marks the 29th of its kind, with U.S. Southern Command reporting 100+ deaths tied to Operation Southern Spear. (Reporter, 00:21)
    • Quote: "This is now the 29th strike against an alleged drug boat. U.S. Southern Command says one man was killed, the death toll now topping 100 as the administration doubles on Operation Southern Spear." (Reporter, 00:21)

• Diplomatic Tensions:

  • Russia pledged support for Maduro’s government, while China condemned U.S. seizures of two Venezuelan oil tankers.
    • Quote: "Russia is pledging full support for Maduro's government as China condemns the United States seizures of two oil tankers off the coast of Venezuela." (Reporter, 00:35)
  • The U.S. is pursuing a third tanker suspected of smuggling sanctioned oil.

2. Russia-Ukraine War: Renewed Attacks

Timestamps: 00:43–01:11

• Missile & Drone Assault:
  • Ukraine experienced a large-scale overnight attack with dozens of missiles and 600+ drones.
  • Major power outages reported, especially in Odessa.
  • President Zelensky accused Russia of trying to destroy maritime infrastructure.
    • Quote: "Ukraine says it was attacked overnight with dozens of missiles and more than 600 drones. There have been widespread power cuts as a result, particularly in the southern Odessa region. President Volodymyr Zelensky said the Russian attacks were an attempt to damage Ukraine's maritime infrastructure." (Fox's Jonathan Savage, 00:54)
• Casualties: At least three civilians confirmed dead.

3. Jeffrey Epstein Files Investigation

Timestamps: 01:11–01:48

• Justice Department Releases Files:
  • Thousands more files from the Epstein investigation were released, but congressional dissatisfaction persists.
  • Reps. Thomas Massie (R) and Ro Khanna (D) threatened to hold AG Pam Bondi in contempt or seek impeachment for alleged noncompliance.
    • Quote: "Threatening to hold Attorney General Pam Bondi in contempt of Congress or even impeach her." (Chad Pergam, 01:22)
  • DOJ claims it is complying with legal requirements.
  • Some GOP voices warn the White House is "playing with fire" due to the files’ political significance.
    • Quote: "But even some GOP members say the White House is playing with fire, especially since the files are so important to the Trump coalition." (Chad Pergam, 01:48)

4. U.S. Powerball Jackpot Grows

Timestamps: 01:48–01:59

• No winner in last night’s drawing; the jackpot rises to $1.7 billion—America’s fourth-largest ever.
  • Quote: "You didn't hit the Powerball jackpot last night. Neither did I. Nobody won it. So the fortune's even bigger tomorrow night, $1.7 billion, the fourth largest lottery prize ever." (Dave Anthony, 01:48)

5. Brown University Campus Shooting Aftermath

Timestamps: 02:04–03:09

• Federal Probe:
  • Following a shooting that killed two students and saw the gunman kill an MIT professor and himself, the Dept. of Education announced a Clery Act investigation into Brown University’s campus safety compliance.
    • Quote: "The Department of Education says it will examine whether Brown University violated the Clery act, which requires universities that receive federal financial aid to maintain certain campus safety standards." (Tanya J. Powers, 02:27)
• Administrative Changes:
  • Brown President Christina Paxson placed VP of Public Safety Rodney Chapman on leave, appointing retired Colonel Hugh Clements Jr. as interim.
  • Chapman criticized for security lapses post-shooting.
    • Quote: "Chapman has been criticized for Brown's lack security in the days since the Dec. 13 shooting, which left two students dead and several others injured." (Tanya J. Powers, 02:27)

6. Georgia Prison Escape Recaptured

Timestamps: 03:09–03:25

• Three prisoners who escaped from Decatur, Georgia’s jail were recaptured less than a day later.

7. Monday Night Football & NFL Playoff Picture

Timestamps: 03:25–03:58

• Colts' Defeat:
  • Philip Rivers’ fourth-quarter interception ended the Colts' comeback hopes—team suffers fifth straight loss.
    • Audio: "Quick throw picked off the other way, Dee Winters, and he is go. This is a pick six." (ESPN via Joe Morgan, 03:36)
  • San Francisco 49ers beat the Colts 48-27.
  • Brock Purdy threw five touchdown passes—a personal best.
• Playoff Clinches: Jaguars, Chargers, and Bills secure playoff spots.

8. Kansas City Chiefs Stadium News

Timestamps: 03:58–End

• The Chiefs—despite recent Super Bowl wins—are out of playoff contention and will move from Missouri to Kansas, constructing a new domed stadium for the 2031 season.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• President Trump on Venezuela:
  • "We have a massive armada formed, the biggest we've ever had." (Dave Anthony quoting President Trump, 00:12)
• Capitol Tension Over Epstein Files:
  • "The DOJ is still withholding Epstein files. DOJ contends it's complying with the law..." (Chad Pergam, 01:22)
• Zelensky’s Reaction to Blackouts:
  • "Russian attacks were an attempt to damage Ukraine's maritime infrastructure." (Jonathan Savage, 00:54)

Key Timestamps

• 00:03 – U.S. strikes drug boats in Venezuela
• 00:54 – Ukraine missile/drone attack aftermath
• 01:22 – Congressional anger over Epstein files
• 01:48 – Powerball lottery grows
• 02:27 – Brown University faces federal probe
• 03:25 – NFL Monday Night Football update
• 03:58 – Chiefs announce stadium move

The summary reflects the news-heavy, brisk tone characteristic of Fox News radio updates, focusing on critical information and direct report quotes to capture the urgency and clarity of the original broadcast.