9PM ET 11/27/2025 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update – 9PM ET 11/27/2025 Newscast

Host: John Saucier (FOX News Podcasts)
Date: November 28, 2025

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Episode Overview

This newscast provides a concise update on major headlines from Thanksgiving Day, 2025. The central theme focuses on national tragedy, military events, weather updates, travel challenges, and Thanksgiving celebrations across the United States.

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Key Discussion Points & Notable Moments

1. Tragic Attack on National Guard Members in D.C.

• [00:02] John Saucier reports the lead story: an Afghan national allegedly shot two National Guard members in Washington, D.C. on Thanksgiving Eve. One member has since died.
• [00:15] Carmen Roberts identifies the deceased as Specialist Sarah Beckstrom (age 20) from Summersville, West Virginia.
  • “Specialist Sarah Beckstrom of Summersville, West Virginia, one of the two National Guard members savagely attacked in Washington, D.C., died on Thanksgiving Day.” (Carmen Roberts, 00:15)
• [00:27] President Trump offers condolences:
  • “One of the guardsmen that we're talking about, highly respected, young, magnificent person, started service in June of 2023. Outstanding in every way. She's just passed away.” (President Trump, 00:27)
• [00:41] President Trump learned of her death before addressing the military at Mar-a-Lago; the second wounded guard, Andrew Wolf (24), remains in critical condition.

Additional Details:

• [00:58] The suspect, a 29-year-old male whom President Trump referred to as “a monster,” is in critical condition.
• [00:58] Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, spending Thanksgiving in the Caribbean with U.S. troops, issues a statement via social media:
  • “Yeah, we're prayerful, but we're also increasing our resolve just like they are, that we will keep the Capitol safe and secure the American people.” (Pete Hegseth, 01:17)

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2. U.S. Military Expansion in the Caribbean

• [01:25] The United States has increased military operations in the Caribbean to combat drug trafficking, especially amid tensions with Venezuela.
  • 21 strikes on “alleged drug boats,” resulting in at least 83 deaths.
  • Actions condemned by the U.N. and internationally as potential violations of international law.

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3. Severe Thanksgiving Weather in the Midwest

• [01:46] Major snowstorm blankets the Great Lakes region, with:
  • Up to 33 inches of snow reported in a Wisconsin location.
  • Most accumulations in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

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4. 99th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

• [03:02] John Saucier describes “beautiful, blue skies” in New York City as millions gather for the parade.
• [03:19] Stephanie Bertini details the spectacle:
  • 34 balloons, 28 floats, 11 marching bands, and Santa Claus’ customary finish.
  • Introduction of new character balloons: Buzz Lightyear, Pac-Man, Super Mario.
  • Captures attendee sentiment:
    • “It’s my first time at the parade, actually. Never been so having a wonderful time.” (Caroline Elliott, parade attendee, 03:46)
  • “The parade marches through the heart of Manhattan, bringing so much happiness.” (Stephanie Bertini, 03:53)

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5. Record Thanksgiving Travel & Air Traffic Controller Shortage

• [04:00] Americans travel in record numbers despite ongoing air traffic controller shortages.
• [04:14] Caroline Elliott reports from Atlanta:
  • Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy blames a retirement spike during the recent government shutdown.
  • FAA typically loses 4 controllers daily, but retirements spiked (15–20/day) during the shutdown.
• [04:33] Pete Hegseth voices resolve:
  • “We’re about 2,000 controllers short trying to make up that difference. We’re going to do it. We’re going to work on it.” (Pete Hegseth, 04:33)
• [04:39] Elliott notes subsequent improvement: retirements have slowed; fewer absences post-shutdown.

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Notable Quotes & Attributions

• President Trump on Specialist Sarah Beckstrom:
  “One of the guardsmen that we're talking about… She's just passed away.” (00:27)

• Secretary Pete Hegseth:
  “We’re prayerful, but we’re also increasing our resolve… to keep the Capitol safe and secure the American people.” (01:17)
  “We’re about 2,000 controllers short trying to make up that difference.” (04:33)

• Stephanie Bertini, on the Parade:
  “Millions of eyes on the lineup… an event that surely leaves its mark.” (03:19)
  “The parade marches through the heart of Manhattan, bringing so much happiness.” (03:53)

• Parade Attendee, Caroline Elliott:
  “It’s my first time at the parade, actually. Never been so having a wonderful time.” (03:46)

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Important Timestamps

• [00:02] — Breaking: National Guard attack in D.C.; Specialist Beckstrom’s death
• [00:27] — President Trump statement on fallen soldier
• [01:17] — Secretary Hegseth’s comments on safety and resolve
• [01:25] — U.S. military expansion in Caribbean and international reactions
• [01:46] — Extreme snowstorms in the Great Lakes/Midwest
• [03:02] — Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade festivities
• [04:00] — Thanksgiving travel and air traffic controller shortages

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Summary

This newscast delivers a somber reflection on a tragic attack against service members on Thanksgiving and tracks the U.S. military’s growing overseas operations and their geopolitical repercussions. It balances these heavy themes with coverage of American traditions—most notably the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and seasonal weather events. The episode concludes by highlighting logistical pressures on national travel infrastructure and the determination of officials to resolve ongoing problems. Throughout, voices range from official statements by national leaders to jubilant expressions from everyday Americans, capturing a snapshot of national grief, perseverance, and celebration.

Transcript

[John Saucier]

Tragedy on Thanksgiving. I'm John Saucier and this is a FOX News alert. One of the two National Guard members allegedly shot by an afghan national in D.C. yesterday has now died. Fox's Carmen Roberts with more U.S. army.

[Carmen Roberts]

Specialist Sarah Beckstrom of Summersville, West Virginia. One of the two National Guard members savagely attacked in Washington, D.C. died on Thanksgiving Day. President Trump confirmed the news.

[President Trump]

One of the guardsmen that we're talking about, highly respected, young, magnificent person, started service in June of 2023. Outstanding in every way. She's just passed away.

[Carmen Roberts]

The president says he Learned of the 20 year old's death just before he was to speak to members of the military at Mar a Lago. He added the second service member wounded in the attack, 24 year old Andrew Wolf, is still fighting for his life. Carmen Roberts, Fox News President Trump says.

[John Saucier]

The 29 year old male suspect who he called a monster is also in serious condition. The Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth spending Thanksgiving in the Caribbean with American troops. In a video posted on X, Secretary Hegseth also acknowledging the two National Guard officers who were shot in Washington, D.C. yesterday, says he's praying for them.

[Pete Hegseth]

Yeah, we're prayerful, but we're also increasing our resolve just like they are, that we will keep the Capitol safe and secure the American people.

[John Saucier]

The United States has expanded its military presence in the Caribbean to try and curb drug trafficking amid growing tensions with Venezuela. The military has carried out 21 known strikes against alleged drug boats, killing at least 83 people. Those strikes have been condemned by the UN and officials from multiple other countries have called them a violation of international law. And a pretty cold Thanksgiving in the Great Lakes region. Lake effect snow ban dumping several inches of snow, most of the accumulations in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. One location in Wisconsin reporting 33 inches of snow. America is listening to FOX News.

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[John Saucier]

What a beautiful day in New York City for a parade. And not just any parade. The 99th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. 34 balloons, 28 floats, 11 marching bands. But this event is also all about the people. Fox 5 New York Stephanie Bertini was along the parade route in Manhattan with.

[Stephanie Bertini]

Millions of eyes on the lineup. The annual parade, it is an event that surely leaves its mark. This year there were 28 floats and there were 34 balloons in the sky. And of course, yes, Santa Claus, he ends it all every year now while along the parade route we spotted some new character balloons and that includes Buzz Lightyear, Pac man and Super Mario. And then in the crowd, we witness so much joy.

[Caroline Elliott]

It's my first time at the parade, actually. Never been so having a wonderful time.

[Stephanie Bertini]

Every year, the parade marches through the heart of Manhattan, bringing so much happiness.

[John Saucier]

The way the weather did hold up nothing but blue skies over the Big Apple earlier today. Americans on the move this Thanksgiving in record numbers, the nation's air travel still facing a shortage of air traffic controllers. Fox's Caroline Elliott is in Atlanta with more details.

[Caroline Elliott]

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said, we saw a spike in retirements during the government shutdown. But now he says typically the FAA sees about four air traffic controllers retired daily. But of course, during the shutdown, anywhere from 15 to 20 air traffic control retired every day.

[Pete Hegseth]

We're about 2,000 controllers short trying to make up that difference. We're going to do it. We're going to work on it.

[Caroline Elliott]

During the shutdown, the FAA forced airlines to cancel flights because the shortage got so bad. Since then, Duffy says, we've seen some progress. Retirements have slowed down and fewer ATC workers are calling in sick.

[John Saucier]

I'm John Saucier, and this is FOX News.

[Will Kane]

It's Will Kane, COUNTRY Watch it live at noon Eastern Monday through [e-mail] or on Fox News YouTube channel. And don't miss the show. Listen and follow the podcast five days a week at Fox newspodcasts.com or wherever you download your favorite podcasts.