Fox News Hourly Update — December 18, 2025

Host: FOX News Podcasts
Episode Focus: Connection Between Brown University Shooting and MIT Shooting?

Episode Overview

This episode covers breaking news regarding a potential link between two recent shootings at major New England universities—MIT and Brown University. The broadcast also reports on a fatal plane crash involving NASCAR star Greg Biffle, developments in a notable New York murder case, changes in federal marijuana policy, the appointment of a new archbishop of New York, and the latest CPI inflation numbers.

Key Stories & Insights

1. Potential Connection Between Brown University and MIT Shootings

• [00:02] Lisa LaSera: Reports investigators are examining a possible link between two high-profile shootings:

  • Monday’s fatal shooting of an MIT professor at his home in Brookline, Massachusetts.
  • Last Saturday’s mass shooting at Brown University’s engineering building in Providence, Rhode Island, which left two students dead and nine injured.

• Notable Quote:

  "Investigators reportedly looking into a link between Monday's shooting death of an MIT professor at his home... and the mass shooting last Saturday at the engineering building at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, that killed two students and injured nine."
  — Lisa LaSera, [00:02]

• [00:23] Kristin Goodwin: Updates on police efforts to identify suspects:

  • Providence police are seeking public assistance to identify a second person captured on surveillance video, nearly passing the main person of interest on the sidewalk.
  • The police believe public tips could provide a needed breakthrough in the case.

• Notable Quote:

  "If people would come forward and help identify the two people, they'd get the break they needed."
  — Kristin Goodwin, [00:23]

2. NASCAR Star Greg Biffle Fatal Plane Crash

• [00:42] Lisa LaSera / CB Cotton: Reports the death of retired NASCAR star Greg Biffle and his family in a plane crash in Statesville, North Carolina.

  • The Cessna C550 crashed while landing, erupting in flames.
  • Greg Biffle’s notable career achievements: 1998 Rookie of the Year, 2000 and 2002 championships across major NASCAR series, 19 Cup Series victories, and over 500 race starts.

• Notable Quote:

  "He was a beloved member of the NASCAR community."
  — NASCAR statement, relayed by Lisa LaSera, [01:29]

3. Federal Marijuana Policy Change

• [01:29] Lisa LaSera: Mentions an executive order by President Trump, potentially reclassifying marijuana as a less dangerous drug due to medical applications.

• Notable Quote:

  "The facts compel the federal government to recognize that marijuana can be legitimate in terms of medical applications."
  — Lisa LaSera, [01:36]

4. Murder Case Linked to Gilgo Beach

• [02:30] Lisa LaSera/Kristin Goodwin: Updates on Andrew Dykes, a 66-year-old retired army veteran, pleading not guilty to the 1997 murder of Tanya Denise Jackson.

  • Jackson’s remains were found in 1997; her daughter’s remains were discovered at Gilgo Beach in 2011, but both were only identified via DNA this year.
  • Prosecutors allege a relationship between Dykes and Jackson during military service.
  • Dykes has not been charged in the child’s death. The defense plans to challenge DNA evidence.

• Notable Quote:

  "The retired army veteran will remain in custody until he returns to court in January. The defense noting they'll likely challenge DNA evidence allegedly linking him to the case."
  — Kristin Goodwin, [02:36]

5. Religious News: New Archbishop of New York

• [03:18] Lisa LaSera: Pope Leo has named Bishop Ronald Hicks (from Joliet, Illinois) the next Archbishop of New York, replacing Cardinal Timothy Dolan, who reached the mandatory retirement age of 75.

6. Economic Update: Inflation Slows

• [03:38] Jenny Casola: November CPI shows 2.7% annualized inflation, with core inflation at 2.6%.

  • Both numbers under 3% and lower than economists feared; inflation has cooled significantly from the June 2022 peak of 9.1%.

• Notable Quote:

  "Core CPI, excluding food and energy, rose 2.6%. Economists were predicting both numbers would top 3%."
  — Jenny Casola, [03:38]

7. Market Response

• [04:14] Lisa LaSera: Stock indices rose in response to the positive inflation data.
  • Dow +65, NASDAQ +313, S&P +53.

Notable Quotes

• “Investigators reportedly looking into a link between Monday's shooting death of an MIT professor ... and the mass shooting ... at Brown University ... that killed two students and injured nine.”
  — Lisa LaSera, [00:02]

• “If people would come forward and help identify the two people, they'd get the break they needed.”
  — Kristin Goodwin, [00:23]

• “Greg was more than a champion driver. He was a beloved member of the NASCAR community.”
  — NASCAR (via Lisa LaSera), [01:29]

• “The facts compel the federal government to recognize that marijuana can be legitimate in terms of medical applications.”
  — Lisa LaSera, [01:36]

• "Core CPI, excluding food and energy, rose 2.6%. Economists were predicting both numbers would top 3%."
  — Jenny Casola, [03:38]

Timeline of Key Segments

• 00:02 — Brown University & MIT shootings connection update
• 00:23 — Police seek public help to identify persons of interest
• 00:42 — Greg Biffle plane crash and NASCAR community reaction
• 01:29 — NASCAR statement; Trump’s marijuana executive order
• 02:30 — Andrew Dykes Gilgo Beach-linked murder case update
• 03:18 — New Archbishop of New York announced
• 03:38 — November inflation data and analyst reaction
• 04:14 — Stock market response

Summary

This Fox News Hourly Update delivers concise, up-to-the-minute coverage of major breaking news stories, with a primary focus on law enforcement’s investigation into possible ties between the shootings at Brown University and MIT. The episode blends crime updates with a tragic loss in the sports world, significant policy news, and a snapshot of the latest economic indicators—all succinctly presented in the network’s fast-paced style.