Fox News Hourly Update — 9AM ET, December 31, 2025

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This episode delivers a concise roundup of major national and international stories as 2025 ends and the world prepares for 2026. The report centers on global New Year’s celebrations, a freeze in Minnesota's childcare funding amid fraud allegations, immigration case developments, updates on missing persons, notable deaths, and a Wall Street preview.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Global New Year's Celebrations and Security Preparations

• Sydney, Australia:
  • The new year has already begun, with lively celebrations as 2026 arrives. (00:03)
  • “They're partying it up down under. ... In Sydney, Australia, when the clock struck midnight an hour ago, it just turned 2026.” — Dave Anthony (00:03)
• New York City Preparations:
  • Extensive security measures are in place for the iconic Times Square celebration.
  • “Assets that you will see and others you will not see.” — NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch (00:28)
  • New post-midnight tradition: the ball will rise and drop a second time in red, white, and blue to start America’s 250th birthday celebration.
  • “We see it ... turns into red, white and blue. And then we drop it again. To kick off the 250th birthday of the United States of America.” — Adam Klotz (00:37)

2. Minnesota Childcare Funding Freeze & Political Fallout

• The Trump administration has frozen all childcare payments to Minnesota amid accusations of multi-billion dollar fraud.
• White House Response:
  • “People will be in handcuffs as a result of the fraud that Governor Walz has allowed to occur for many, many years.” — Caroline Levitt, White House Press Secretary (00:59)
• Governor Response:
  • Governor Tim Walz claims the move is politicized and asserts his administration has been combating fraud.
• Walz is referenced as Kamala Harris’s VP running mate in the 2024 election.

3. Illegal Immigration & Notorious Human Trafficking Case Update

• Kilmar Abrego Garcia Case:
  • A major development in the case of a Salvadoran illegal immigrant, deported, returned, and accused of human trafficking.
  • ICE will not detain Abrego Garcia as long as a judge’s order blocks it.
  • Earlier, the DOJ classified his indictment as a priority, but this escalated only after a mistaken deportation.
  • “The government says ICE does not plan to take him back into custody as long as a judge's order preventing that remains in place.” — Reporter (01:34)

4. National and Economic Updates

• Drop in first-time jobless claims reported. (01:52)
• Brief mention of rising Wall Street futures ahead of the last trading day of 2025 — “Ahead of the last trading day of the year, stock futures are now rising slightly.” — Dave Anthony (04:18)

5. Missing Persons Investigation in Texas

• A body believed to be that of missing 19-year-old Camila Mendoza was found; apparent suicide suspected.
• “A body was found with the clothes she was last seen in Christmas Eve suicide is suspected. A gun found next to the body.” — Dave Anthony (02:30)
• Sheriff noted the search included a missing firearm.
  • “We were actually looking for a firearm as well that had come up missing.” — Sheriff Javier Salazar (02:43)

6. Remembering Prominent Figures

• Tatiana Schlossberg (Kennedy family):
  • Daughter of Caroline Kennedy, granddaughter of JFK, dies at 35 after a rare leukemia battle.
  • Became an environmental journalist and authored a New Yorker essay about her terminal diagnosis following the birth of her son.
  • “Her first thought was that her two kids wouldn't remember her, so she reminded them frequently about her love for the planet.” — Therese Crowley (02:51)
  • Her sister and brother (who’s running for a House seat) survive her.
• Former Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell: Dies at 92. Noted for switching parties from Democratic to Republican.
• Former Senator Jon Kyl:
  • Announces dementia diagnosis, will step back from public life.
  • “Despite this diagnosis, I remain a very fortunate man.” — Jon Kyl (03:43, via statement read)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “They're partying it up down under. ... In Sydney, Australia, when the clock struck midnight ... it just turned 2026.” — Dave Anthony (00:03)
• “Assets that you will see and others you will not see.” — NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch (00:28)
• “We see it ... turns into red, white and blue. And then we drop it again. To kick off the 250th birthday of the United States of America.” — Adam Klotz (00:37)
• “People will be in handcuffs as a result of the fraud that Governor Walz has allowed to occur for many, many years.” — Caroline Levitt (00:59)
• “Her first thought was that her two kids wouldn't remember her, so she reminded them frequently about her love for the planet.” — Therese Crowley (02:51)
• “Despite this diagnosis, I remain a very fortunate man.” — Jon Kyl (statement read by Ryan Schmells) (03:43)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:03: Sydney, Australia celebrates New Year’s; Times Square NYE preview
• 00:28: Statement from NYPD Commissioner on Times Square security
• 00:37: Details on the double ball drop and 250th USA anniversary
• 00:49: Minnesota childcare funding freeze, fraud investigation
• 00:59: White House press secretary on investigation
• 01:13: Democratic Governor Tim Walz’s response
• 01:34: Kilmar Abrego Garcia immigration/human trafficking case update
• 02:30: Texas missing person case, suspected suicide
• 02:43: Sheriff Salazar on missing firearm
• 02:51: Death of Tatiana Schlossberg, JFK’s granddaughter
• 03:36: Death of former Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell
• 03:43: Jon Kyl announces dementia diagnosis
• 04:18: Wall Street year-end outlook

This update provides an efficient yet substantive recap of breaking news and major developments, reflecting the brisk and direct reporting style characteristic of Fox News Radio.