9PM ET 12/21/2025 Newscast

Summary

Fox News Hourly Update: 9PM ET 12/21/2025 — Summary

Overview

This episode, hosted by Debra Valentine, delivers a rapid, informative recap of major global and national stories as of December 21, 2025. Key reports include breaking news on an airport shooting in Atlanta, U.S. military actions involving Venezuelan oil tankers, Vice President J.D. Vance speaking at America Fest, a deadly mass shooting in South Africa, widespread power outages in San Francisco, falling gas prices, and the celebration of the winter solstice at Stonehenge.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

Atlanta Airport Shooting

• Incident Report ([00:02])
  • Shots fired at Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport at 3:30 PM.
  • One man suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound in the South Terminal.
  • He was alert and conscious when taken to the hospital.
  • No major interruption to airport operations.
  • The motive and current condition of the shooter remain unclear.

U.S. Seizure of Venezuelan Oil Tankers

• Ongoing Military Operations ([00:40])
  • U.S. Coast Guard and Navy teams boarded and seized a Panamanian-flagged, Chinese-owned oil tanker — the second such seizure in December.
  • The commandeered supertanker was carrying 1.8 million barrels of Venezuelan crude destined for China.
  • The U.S. Navy continues “show of force” flights near Venezuela, with aircraft launched from the USS Gerald R. Ford.
  • U.S. military now pursuing a third oil tanker.

America Fest & Honoring Charlie Kirk

• Event Coverage & Remarks ([01:24]–[01:47])
  • Vice President J.D. Vance spoke at Turning Point USA’s America Fest in Phoenix, the first annual meeting since the assassination of founder Charlie Kirk.
  • Vance emphasized preserving Kirk's legacy through actions Kirk himself endorsed:
    • Quote: “The best way to honor Charlie is that none of us here should be doing something after Charlie’s death that he himself refused to do in life.” — J.D. Vance ([01:37])

Mass Shooting in South Africa

• International Crime Update ([02:32])
  • Police in South Africa are searching for suspects responsible for killing at least nine people and injuring at least ten more during a shooting at a pub outside Johannesburg.
  • The attack occurred just before 1 AM; this is the country’s second mass shooting in three weeks.

San Francisco Power Outages

• Local Utilities & Public Impact ([02:55])
  • A fire at a PG&E substation caused extensive power outages.
  • Over 21,000 customers affected as of the afternoon.
  • Impactful due to heavy pre-holiday shopping traffic; neighborhoods like Presidio, Sunset, Richmond District, and areas near Golden Gate Park were especially hit.
  • No further outages expected.

Gasoline Price Decline

• Economic Report ([03:25])
  • National average for regular gasoline has fallen to $2.99 per gallon, down 9 cents in two weeks and 17 cents over the last month.
  • Expert Analysis: Oversupply and weak demand are main factors.
    • Quote: “We’ve had more than enough gasoline and now the supply of actual gasoline has grown while our demand is still shrinking. Maybe this big price cut will stop the shrinking of demand, but that can’t be known.” — Trilby Lundberg ([03:41])
  • The current price is 13 cents lower than a year ago.

Winter Solstice Celebrations at Stonehenge

• Cultural Highlight ([04:00])
  • Thousands gathered at Stonehenge for the winter solstice.
  • Celebrants, many in costume, sang, drummed, and reflected among the ancient stones during the pre-dawn darkness.

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Notable Quotes

• J.D. Vance on Honoring Charlie Kirk:
  “The best way to honor Charlie is that none of us here should be doing something after Charlie’s death that he himself refused to do in life.” ([01:37])

• Trilby Lundberg on Gas Prices:
  “We’ve had more than enough gasoline and now the supply of actual gasoline has grown while our demand is still shrinking. Maybe this big price cut will stop the shrinking of demand, but that can’t be known.” ([03:41])

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:02] — Airport shooting at Atlanta International Airport
• [00:40] — U.S. seizes second Venezuelan oil tanker; military posture off Venezuela
• [01:24] — America Fest and tribute to Charlie Kirk
• [01:37] — J.D. Vance’s Charlie Kirk tribute quote
• [02:32] — Mass shooting in South Africa
• [02:55] — San Francisco power outage updates
• [03:25] — National gasoline price drop and analysis
• [04:00] — Stonehenge winter solstice festivities

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Tone & Style

The update is brisk and tightly focused, shifting quickly from domestic breaking news to international incidents, economic updates, and human interest stories, all with the signature clarity and urgency of a Fox News broadcast.

Transcript

[Debra Valentine]

An airport shooting. I'm Debra Valentine, FOX News. Shots fired at one of America's busiest airports. It happened Sunday afternoon around 3:30 at Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Police confirm one person was injured after suffering a self inflicted gunshot wound in the south terminal. Police quickly responded and secured the scene. The man was rushed to an area hospital. He was alert, conscious and breathing at the time. Officials stress there is no major impact on airport operations. Authorities don't know what what led to the shooting or the shooter's condition. The U.S. military captured a second Venezuelan oil tanker. Fox's Lucas Tomlinson reports.

[Lucas Tomlinson]

A Coast Guard maritime special reaction team fast roped aboard a Panamanian flagged Chinese owned tanker from a US Navy helicopter is the second tanker to be seized this month. She is not on the sanction list. The tanker seized back on December 10th, that was the first one, is now at anchor outside Galveston, Texas. The supertanker commandeered was loaded with 1.8 million barrels of Venezuelan crude bound for China where 80% of Venezuelan oil is shipped to the American assault force. Launched from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, her F18 Super Hornets, E2 Hawkeyes and electronic warfare jets, the Growlers have been flying daily show of force missions off the coast of Venezuela just outside its territorial airspace.

[Debra Valentine]

The military is now in pursuit of a third tanker. Vice President J.D. vance, this afternoon's guest speaker at the Turning Point USA event America Fest in Phoenix, Arizona. He talked about honoring the late Charlie Kirk.

[J.D. Vance]

The best way to honor Charlie is that none of us here should be doing something after Charlie's death that he himself refused to do in life.

[Debra Valentine]

The four day event is the first annual meeting since September's assassination of the Turning Point USA founder Charlie Charlie Kirk. America's listening to FOX News.

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[Debra Valentine]

A manhunt continues for gunmen responsible for killing at least nine people and wounding at least 10 others early today at a pub in South Africa. Police say the shooting happened just before 1am in the town west of Johannesburg. The attack marks South Africa's second mass shooting in three weeks as gun violence continues to plague the country. Power outages remain for PE&G customers in the San Francisco area.

[Unidentified News Reporter]

Officials say part of the outage was caused by a substation fire at the electrical company pgne. They released a statement calling the damage extensive. This was one of the busiest days for shopping. Roads were in a gridlock and stores were dark. Parts of Presidio, Sunset, Richmond District and areas surrounding the Golden Gate park were all affected. As of this afternoon, PGE reported more than 21,000 customers are still without power. No further outages are expected.

[Debra Valentine]

Fox's Dana Marie McNicoll reporting. Gasoline prices fell 9 cents over the last two weeks to a new national average of $2.99 per gallon for regular, according to Trilby Lundberg of the Lundberg Survey. She says the price decrease is due to weak demand.

[Trilby Lundberg]

We've had more than enough gasoline and now the supply of actual gasoline has grown while our demand is still shrinking. Maybe this big price cut will stop the shrinking of demand, but that can't be known. It may be that the cost of other goods and services have not dropp.

[Debra Valentine]

Lundberg says gasoline prices have dropped 17 cents over the last month. The current price is 13 cents lower than one year ago. Thousands of people cheered and danced around Stonehenge as the winter solstice took place. The crowds, many in costume, gathered before dawn, waiting patiently in the dark and cold field in southwest England. Some sang and beat drums while others took time to reflect among the huge stone pillars. I'm Debra Valentine. This is FOX News.

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