Fox News Hourly Update – 7AM ET, December 25, 2025

Host: Paul Stevens
Date: December 25, 2025
Network: FOX News Radio

Episode Overview

This hourly newscast from FOX News covers major global and national headlines relevant to the early hours of December 25th, 2025. Key topics include Christmas remarks from Pope Leo XIV, updates on the release of Jeffrey Epstein files, a record Powerball jackpot win, extreme West Coast weather conditions, a violent ICE confrontation in Maryland, and a fatal helicopter crash in Tanzania.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Christmas Celebrations and Pope’s Message

• [00:02]
  • Pope Leo XIV celebrates the first Christmas Day Mass since 1994 from St. Peter’s Basilica.
  • During his sermon, he addresses the difficult living conditions of Palestinians in Gaza.
  • He calls on Christians to extend help to the poor and strangers during the Christmas season.
  • Notable Quote:
    "He called for Christians to help the poor and strangers during his Christmas Eve service." — Paul Stevens [00:14]

2. Justice Department & Epstein Files Controversy

• [00:25–01:23]
  • The Department of Justice works "around the clock" to review and redact over 1 million documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, after missing a congressionally-mandated disclosure deadline.
  • Senator Chuck Schumer voices frustration on X, accusing Trump of a cover-up and criticizing the timing of document releases:
    “A Christmas Eve news dump of a million more files only proves what we already [know:] Trump is engaged in a massive cover up.” — Reported by Alexandria Hoff [00:53]
  • Bipartisan senators demand a neutral assessment of DOJ compliance.
  • Nearly 40,000 documents released since December 19th; only Ghislaine Maxwell has been convicted among Epstein’s associates.
  • Congressman Thomas Massie (R-TN) alleges the DOJ broke the law by missing the release deadline.
  • Notable Quote:
    "No Epstein associate besides Ghislaine Maxwell has been convicted of any wrongdoing. Nearly 40,000 documents have been released since December 19th." — Paul Stevens [01:23]

3. Powerball Jackpot Win

• [01:36]
  • A winning ticket in Arkansas hits the $1.8 billion Powerball jackpot on Christmas Eve.
  • Odds of winning are 1 in 292 million; the jackpot resets for Saturday.
  • Notable Moment:
    "A ticket in Arkansas matching all the winning numbers drawn on Christmas Eve for that big $1.8 billion Powerball jackpot." — Paul Stevens [01:36]

4. West Coast Floods and Weather Emergency

• [02:32–02:58]
  • Over 40 million people are under flood alerts, mostly in California, southern Nevada, and western Arizona.
  • Torrential rain, flooding, mudslides, strong winds, and feet of mountain snow are reported, with some areas seeing 4–8 inches of rain.
  • California’s governor declares a state of emergency.
  • Flood alerts remain through Friday; Sierra snow levels expected to drop to 5,000ft.
  • Notable Quote:
    "More than 40 million people are under flood alerts, including most of California, southern Nevada and western Arizona." — Chanley Painter [02:35]

5. Violent ICE Confrontation in Maryland

• [02:58–03:58]
  • ICE agents identify and attempt to detain two illegal immigrants, resulting in a vehicular assault and gunfire.
  • Individuals Involved:
    • Driver: Tiego Alexandre Sousa Martins (from Portugal, 17 years illegal US resident)
    • Passenger: Solomon Antonio Soriano Esquivel (from El Salvador)
  • The van’s driver allegedly tried to run over agents and crashed into ICE vehicles, prompting an agent to fire.
  • Both suspects hospitalized; the passenger wounded but not by gunfire.
  • Notable Quote:
    "Investigators say an ICE agent had fired at the driver of this van after the driver had attempted to run him over." — Jeff Abel [03:18]

6. Fatal Helicopter Crash on Mount Kilimanjaro

• [03:58]
  • At least five people die in a helicopter crash on Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania.
  • Victims include two foreigners (picked up for medical evacuation), a local doctor, tour guide, and pilot.
  • Crash site was between Barafu Camp and Kibo Summit, altitude over 13,000ft.
  • Notable Moment:
    "A local doctor, a tour guide and a pilot also killed in that crash taking place between the mountain’s Barafu camp and the Kibo summit." — Paul Stevens [03:58]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Paul Stevens [00:14]:
  “He called for Christians to help the poor and strangers during his Christmas Eve service.”
• Alexandria Hoff [00:53]:
  “A Christmas Eve news dump of a million more files only proves what we already [know:] Trump is engaged in a massive cover up.”
• Chanley Painter [02:35]: “More than 40 million people are under flood alerts, including most of California, southern Nevada and western Arizona.”
• Jeff Abel [03:18]: “Investigators say an ICE agent had fired at the driver of this van after the driver had attempted to run him over.”

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:02 – Opening; Pope Leo XIV’s Christmas message and humanitarian appeal
• 00:25–01:23 – DOJ’s ongoing Epstein file review; Congressional and Senatorial reactions
• 01:36 – Historic $1.8 billion Powerball jackpot won in Arkansas
• 02:32–02:58 – Flood crisis and state of emergency on the US West Coast
• 02:58–03:58 – ICE confrontation and shooting in Maryland involving illegal immigrants
• 03:58 – Fatal helicopter crash on Mount Kilimanjaro

Summary

This episode presents a fast-paced rundown of significant Christmas Day headlines, balancing major global events, legal-political controversies, severe weather incidents, and breaking news of both national and international consequence.