9PM ET 12/17/2025 Newscast - Fox News Hourly Update

Summary5 min read

FOX News Hourly Update – 9PM ET, December 17, 2025

Episode Overview:
This episode focuses on the latest breaking political and national news, highlighting President Trump’s year-end White House address, Congressional action on health care, significant updates in law enforcement and national security, as well as ongoing investigations and international incidents. Key topics include economic concerns, healthcare reform, high-level law enforcement departures, ongoing criminal cases, and noteworthy global events.

Main Segments & Key Points

President Trump’s Year-End Address

[00:02–00:37]
- President Trump prepares to deliver his annual year-end address live from the White House.
- Economic Concerns:
  - New Fox News poll: 61% of voters disapprove of Trump's handling of the economy.
  - The speech is expected to focus on affordability for Americans, with the administration emphasizing tax cuts as a solution.
  - Quote:
    - “The administration telling Americans they'll be able to afford more once they have more money in their pocketbooks in the new year thanks to Trump's signature tax cuts like no taxes on tips and overtime.” ([00:23], B)
  - Potential mention of US-brokered peace deals as further achievements.

Healthcare Reform & Congressional Action

[00:37–01:28]
- Republican-Backed Bill:
  - House passes the "Lower Premiums for All Americans Act."
  - House Speaker MIKE:
    - “We passed a big and important health care bill that will bring down the cost of health care. The Lower Premiums for All Americans act does exactly what the title suggests. It will reduce premiums for all Americans by on average at least 11% overall. And that's just the beginning.” ([00:43], C)
  - However, the bill does not extend Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium subsidies.
- Bipartisan Initiatives:
  - A Democrat-sponsored discharge petition to extend the ACA premium subsidies garners support from four Republicans, including Rep. Mike Lawler.
  - Quote:
    - “Clearly there's an issue with affordability across the entirety of the system. But in the short term, we have to have a solution for those that rely on this enhanced premium tax credit so they don't get hurt while we address the larger issue.” ([01:13], D)

Law Enforcement & National Security Developments

[01:28–01:45]
- Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino confirms resignation amidst tension over the Jeffrey Epstein files.
- President Trump offers public support for Bongino.
  - Quote:
    - “Dan did a great job.” ([01:42], E)
- Bongino is set to leave next month.

Notable Criminal Cases

[01:45–01:59]
- Nick Reiner appears in L.A. County Court over the alleged murder of his parents; no plea entered.

Latest Breaking News

[03:01–03:16]
- U.S. Military strikes a suspected drug smuggling boat in the Caribbean. Four suspected narco-terrorists killed.

Ongoing Investigations

[03:16–03:48]
- Brown University Shooting:
  - Manhunt continues for the shooter responsible for killing two and wounding nine.
  - Investigators request public assistance identifying an individual of interest seen in video footage before the incident.
  - Quote:
    - “Investigators are now asking for the public's help to identify a second person seen in a dark navy jacket, green hood and dark pants.” ([03:21], G)
- Surveillance video shows this person casing the neighborhood hours before the shooting.

International & Military Affairs

[03:48–04:30]
- Dignified Transfer at Dover AFB:
  - Remains of three Americans killed in a terrorist ambush in Syria returned to the U.S.
  - President Trump attends the ceremony, his first during his second term.
  - Quote:
    - “President Trump stood at attention saluting as each flag draped case was marched by in a silent, solemn event.” ([04:09], H)

International Crime Updates

[04:30–04:50]
- Australia Hanukkah Shooting:
  - Surviving suspect awakens from coma, scheduled for first court appearance.
  - First funeral for the 15 victims held today.
  - Quote:
    - “He is right now in the hospital. He's under heavy security. He's going to make his first court appearance on Monday… The father, of course, was killed by police during that attack.” ([04:35], I)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Economic Concerns:
- “61% of voters disapprove of Trump’s performance on the economy.” ([00:13], B)
Healthcare Reform:
- “Lower Premiums for All Americans act does exactly what the title suggests. It will reduce premiums for all Americans by on average at least 11% overall.” ([00:45], C)
- “We have to have a solution for those that rely on this enhanced premium tax credit so they don't get hurt while we address the larger issue.” ([01:21], D)
Law Enforcement Transition:
- “Dan did a great job.” ([01:42], E)
Brown University Shooting Investigation:
- “Investigators are now asking for the public’s help to identify a second person seen in a dark navy jacket, green hood and dark pants.” ([03:21], G)
Military Homecoming:
- “President Trump stood at attention saluting as each flag draped case was marched by in a silent, solemn event.” ([04:09], H)

Key Timed Segments

| Timestamp | Topic / Speaker | Summary | |-----------|---------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------| | 00:02 | Jack Callaghan (A) | President to deliver year-end address | | 00:10 | Reporter (B) | Economic poll, affordability, tax cuts | | 00:37 | Aisha Hosny / Speaker MIKE| House passes health care bill | | 01:13 | Rep. Mike Lawler (D) | Need for short-term premium tax credit solutions | | 01:28 | Jack Callaghan (A) | Bongino resigns as Deputy FBI Director | | 01:42 | President Trump (E) | Praises Bongino’s service | | 03:01 | Jack Callaghan (A) | US military action in Caribbean, Brown Univ. update | | 03:16 | CB Cotton (G) | Brown University shooting investigation | | 03:48 | Jared Halpern (H) | Dignified transfer for fallen in Syria; Trump attends | | 04:30 | Steve Harrigan (I) | Hanukkah shooting suspect, first funeral in Australia |

Tone:
Direct, urgent, and factual – typical of fast-paced news updates, with moments of solemnity during tributes to fallen Americans and gravity during major crime updates.

For Listeners:
This episode is packed with major headlines and evolving stories—delivering a concise yet thorough round-up of the day’s biggest events in U.S. politics, national security, and world affairs. The reporting moves briskly, emphasizing actionable updates and direct quotes from key figures.

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Transcript18 lines

[00:02]
A
This is a FOX News alert. The president about to speak. I'm Jack Callaghan, FOX News. His year end address from the White House.
[00:10]
B
The speech comes at a time when affordability is on the minds of everyday Americans. A new FOX News poll reveals 61% of voters disapprove of Trump's performance on the economy. The administration telling Americans they'll be able to afford more once they have more money in their pocketbooks in the new year thanks to Trump's signature tax cuts like no taxes on tips and overtime. The president may also tonight tout all the US Brokered peace deals this year.
[00:37]
A
Fox's Aisha Hosny at the White House. A Republican backed health care bill has been approved by the House.
[00:43]
C
We passed a big and important health care bill that will bring down the cost of health care. The Lower Premiums for All Americans act does exactly what the title suggests. It will reduce premiums for all Americans by on average at least 11% overall. And that's just the beginning.
[00:59]
A
House Speaker MIKE but the bill does not extend Affordable Care act premium subsidies. But that issue will come to the House floor by way of a Democrat sponsored discharge petition which four Republicans have signed on to, including New York Congressman Mike Lawler.
[01:13]
D
Clearly there's an issue with affordability across the entirety of the system. But in the short term, we have to have a solution for those that rely on this enhanced premium tax credit so they don't get hurt while we address the larger issue.
[01:29]
A
As expected, Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino confirms he will step down. There'd been friction between he and the attorney general over the Jeffrey Epstein files, but President Trump told reporters outside the White House today, Dan did a great job.
[01:43]
E
I think he wants to go back to his show.
[01:45]
A
Bongino will leave the bureau next month shackled and wearing a suicide prevention vest. Nick Reiner appeared in L A County Court today. He did not have to enter a plea to charges he'd murdered his parents. America is listening to FOX News.
[02:00]
F
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[03:02]
A
We are just getting word there has been another strike by the US Military on a suspected drug smuggling boat in the Caribbean. Four suspected narco terrorists killed. Still no sign of the gunman who killed two people and wounded nine Saturday at Brown University.
[03:16]
G
As the manhunt for the Brown University campus shooter continues, investigators are searching for more evidence in the immediate area where the gunfire erupted. Investigators are now asking for the public's help to identify a second person seen in a dark navy jacket, green hood and dark pants. Providence police say this person was caught on surveillance nearly passing the person of interest who turns around and runs away. But other video shows him casually casing the neighborhood hours before the shooting.
[03:48]
A
Foxes CB Cotton in Providence. The bodies of three Americans killed in a terrorist ambush in Syria are back.
[03:54]
H
In the US with military precision, the transfer cases of three Americans. Americans, two National Guard soldiers and a civilian translator were carried off a C17 aircraft and marched into a nearby van. President Trump stood at attention saluting as each flag draped case was marched by in a silent, solemn event. The three were killed in an ambush attributed to ISIS last week during a leader engagement with local partners in Syria. The dignified transfer at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware was the first attended by President Trump in during his second term at the White House. Jared Halpern, FOX News.
[04:31]
A
The surviving suspect from Australia's Hanukkah shooting has awoken from a coma.
[04:36]
I
He is right now in the hospital. He's under heavy security. He's going to make his first court appearance on Monday. That's likely to be by a video link, but we could get our first look at the son of the two shooters. The father, of course, was killed by police during that attack.
[04:50]
A
FOX and Steve Harrigan in Sydney. The first of the Funerals for the 15 victims was held today. I'm Jack Callahan. This is Fox.
[05:01]
J
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