7AM ET 12/28/2025 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update — 7AM ET, December 28, 2025

Main Theme:
A concise round-up of national and international headlines, ranging from high-stakes peace talks and major winter weather to U.S. political maneuvering, the housing market crisis, and international legal action.

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Key Storylines

Ukraine–Russia Peace Efforts

• Zelenskyy Meets Trump for Peace Talks

  • President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is meeting with President Trump at Mar-a-Lago as part of ongoing U.S.-backed efforts to broker a ceasefire in Ukraine’s war with Russia.
  • Trump is pushing a 20-point peace plan; Zelenskyy states “about 90% of that proposal is ready.”
  • Ongoing issues: Russia demands Ukraine cede the Donbas region.
  • Proposed compromise: Both Ukraine and Russia withdraw troops to create a demilitarized economic zone in Donbas.

  “President Trump is pushing a 20 point peace plan. The Ukrainian leader says about 90% of that proposal is ready.”
  — Jared Halpern (00:18)

  “Zelensky has agreed to withdraw troops from that region if Russia does the same to create a demilitarized economic zone.”
  — Jared Halpern (00:37)

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Major Winter Storm Hits Northeast

• Storm Fallout and Travel Woes

  • The Northeast is recovering after a major storm dumped up to 13 inches of snow in parts of upstate New York (some areas received 13 inches).
  • Over 9,000 flight delays and more than 1,500 flight cancellations reported on Saturday; roads especially hazardous.
  • Another significant storm is developing, expected to bring more blizzard conditions from the Rockies through the Northeast.

  “More than 9000 flights were delayed Saturday and over 1500 were canceled.”
  — Marianne Rafferty (01:03)

  “The next major storm is already forming... threatening heavy snow and ice, blizzard conditions, damaging winds and thunderstorms today from the Rockies to the Northeast.”
  — Marianne Rafferty (01:19)

• Midwest Braces for Further Snow

  • Midwest could see 5–8 inches of snow, with lake effect totals possibly reaching 18 inches near the Great Lakes.
    — Paul Stevens (01:25)

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International Headlines

• Syria: Deadly Mosque Bombing in Homs
  • Bombing in a majority-minority neighborhood mosque kills 8, injures at least 18.
  • Explosives were planted inside the building; no official suspect named.

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U.S. Politics: Midterm Maneuverings and Budget Deadlines

• Key Senate Battles in 2026 Midterms

  • Both parties gearing up for swing state contests.
  • Michigan and Minnesota Senate retirements could open opportunities for the GOP.
  • Republicans confident in challenging seats in Minnesota (“Gopher State”) and Maine (highlighting the controversial Democratic populist Graham Plantner).
  • Georgia’s Jon Ossoff is labeled “perhaps the most vulnerable Democrat,” with GOP planning to target his voting record.
  • Democrats see chances to flip GOP-held seats.

  “Republicans bullish on maintaining Senate control. Retirements by Democratic senators in Michigan and Minnesota could create challenges... Republicans are optimistic that Democrats will nominate controversial candidates.”
  — Chad Pergrim (02:41)

  “Georgia's Jon Ossoff is perhaps the most vulnerable Democrat.”
  — Chad Pergrim (03:00)

• Possible Government Shutdown Looms

  • Congress faces an urgent deadline to pass a budget deal or risk another government shutdown next month.

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Housing Market Policy Debates

• White House Considers Home Affordability Solutions

  • High mortgage rates remain a challenge.
  • Chief economist teases upcoming policy proposals:
    • 50-year mortgage option: would lower payments but extend debt and increase total interest.
    • Mortgage portability: allows homeowners to carry their low-rate mortgage to a new home if moving.

  “Definitely we have a big list of housing ideas that have been vetted very carefully by the cabinet secretaries to present to the president in a week or two and we'll see which ones he picks.”
  — Unnamed Administration Official (03:43)

  “A 50 year mortgage... could also effectively lead to a lifetime of mortgage debt with massive interest costs.”
  — Doug Lou Zator (03:52)

  • Experts caution that easier mortgages or portability could inflate housing demand and drive prices higher.

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World Politics

• Brazil: Bolsonaro Plotters Placed Under House Arrest
  • Judge orders house arrest for 10 convicted in a plot to keep former president Jair Bolsonaro in office following 2022 election.

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Notable Moments & Quotes

• “America's listening to FOX news.”
  — Paul Stevens (01:54), classic sign-off signaling major content shift.

• “Some ideas already floated include a 50-year mortgage that would reduce monthly payments, but it could also effectively lead to a lifetime of mortgage debt with massive interest costs.”
  — Doug Lou Zator (03:50)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Ukraine Peace Talks: 00:03–00:48
• Northeast Winter Storm: 00:48–01:25
• Syria Bombing: 01:25–01:54
• US Senate/Midterm Politics: 02:31–03:18
• Budget & Housing Policies: 03:18–04:10
• Brazil Election Plot Arrests: 04:10–04:28

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Tone & Style

The update is brisk, fact-driven, and uses matter-of-fact newscaster urgency — “America's listening to FOX news” — with frequent cross-talk between reporters. No editorializing; reports succinctly outline the stakes of each story.

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Summary prepared for: listeners or readers seeking a clear, comprehensive rundown of headlines from Fox News’s 7AM ET newscast, December 28, 2025.

Transcript

[Paul Stevens]

Another big sit down. I'm Paul Stevens, Fox News. Ukraine's president meets with President Trump today trying to close out a ceasefire deal in its war with Russia.

[Jared Halpern]

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's trip to Mar A Lago follows weeks of U. S Backed talks with Ukrainian and Russian negotiators. President Trump is pushing a 20 point peace plan. The Ukrainian leader says about 90% of that proposal is ready. And he and President Trump will discuss security guarantees and territorial so far, Russia has not agreed to the framework, insisting Ukraine cede the Donbas region in the eastern part of the country. Zelensky has agreed to withdraw troops from that region if Russia does the same to create a demilitarized economic zone. In Washington, Jared Halpern, FOX News.

[Paul Stevens]

The Northeast hit by a big winter storm late Friday into Saturday that brought heavy snow, strong winds and yes, some widespread travel headaches.

[Marianne Rafferty]

The Northeast is digging out after a winter storm dumped inches of snow, snarling holiday travel. More than 9000 flights were delayed, delayed Saturday and over 1500 were canceled. Snow and ice also causing widespread issues for drivers. The heaviest snow fell in upstate New York where some parts saw 13 inches. The next major storm is already forming. It's threatening heavy snow and ice blizzard conditions, damaging winds and thunderstorms today from the Rockies to the Northeast.

[Paul Stevens]

And that's fox's Marianne Rafferty. Much of the Midwest from that new storm could see 5 to 8 inches of snow with lake effect totals near the Great Lakes reaching up to 18 inches in spots. Hundreds of mourners gathering in rain and coal for funerals in the Syrian city of Homs after a bombing killed eight people. The attack hitting a mosque in a neighborhood largely home to a religious minority, also wounding at least 18 others. Explosives planted inside the building. No suspect, though has been officially named. America's listening to FOX news.

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[Paul Stevens]

Both major parties in D.C. lining up for key swing state battles. With the midterms coming up.

[Chad Pergrim]

Republicans bullish on maintaining Senate control. Retirements by Democratic senators in Michigan and Minnesota could create challenges for Democrats Republicans hopeful about winning the Gopher State Republicans are optimistic that Democrats will nominate controversial candidates. Democratic populist Graham Plantner in Maine wants to face Republican Susan Collins, but Plantner has a history of inflammatory posts online. Georgia's Jon Ossoff is perhaps the most vulnerable Democrat he won a runoff as president. Trump challenged the 2020 Georgia election results. Republicans intend to target Ossoff, highlighting his votes against opening the government. But Democrats think they could swipe some seats from the gop, and that's Fox's Chad Pergrim.

[Paul Stevens]

All this coming as the government also has to reach another budget deal or face, yes, the possibility of another government shutdown next month. The Trump White House debating how to address home affordability as mortgage rates remain high in Washington. Fox's Doug Lou Zator, president's chief economist.

[Doug Lou Zator]

Teasing what he says will happen in coming days as the administration mulls over what to do about home affordability.

[Unnamed Administration Official]

Definitely we have a big list of housing ideas that have been vetted very carefully by the cabinet secretaries to present to the president in a week or two and we'll see which ones he picks.

[Doug Lou Zator]

Some ideas already floated include a 50 year mortgage that would reduce monthly payments, but it could also effectively lead to a lifetime of mortgage debt with massive interest costs. Another idea, if you already own a home and don't want to move because you locked into a super low rate, portability could allow you to carry that existing loan to a new house.

[Paul Stevens]

However, some policies experts say could lead to a demand spike and increase home price. As a judge in Brazil ordering house arrest for 10 people convicted in a plot to keep former President Jair Bolsonaro in power after his 2022 election loss. I'm Paul Stevens.

[Ainsley Earhart]

This this is Ainsley Earhart. Thank you for joining me for the 52 episode podcast series the Life of.

[Podcast Narrator]

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