Fox News Hourly Update

Episode: DOJ Releases More Epstein Files

Date: December 19, 2025
Host: FOX News Podcasts (Lisa Licera and FOX News reporters)

Overview

This episode delivers a roundup of breaking news stories, leading with the Department of Justice's massive document release related to Jeffrey Epstein’s sex trafficking investigation. It also touches on developments in a high-profile murder-suicide case, U.S. military action in Syria, Congressional health care debates, a major media business deal, and U.S. housing market news.

1. DOJ Releases Epstein Files

[00:02 – 00:41]

• DOJ Document Release:
  • Lisa Licera reports the start of the DOJ’s release of hundreds of thousands of documents connected to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation. Notably, the files include images featuring Epstein with high-profile individuals such as former President Bill Clinton and Mick Jagger, along with his associate Ghislaine Maxwell.
  • Redactions Expected: Information that may identify or endanger victims will likely be redacted.
  • Some material might overlap with prior releases, raising questions on the organization and novelty of these disclosures.
• Legislative Mandate:
  • Fox’s Davis Pond notes that a bill signed by President Trump on November 19 requires the DOJ to publish most Epstein files—including those relating to his death—within 30 days.

Notable Quotes:

• “The Department of Justice has begun the process of releasing hundreds of thousands of documents tied to the Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking investigation.”
  — Lisa Licera [00:02]

• “But we're told to expect redactions, as the DOJ has the right to redact information that may compromise victim information.”
  — Fox News Reporter [00:23]

• “President Trump signed a bill Nov. 19 giving the Justice Department 30 days to release most of the files and communications related to Epstein, including information related to his death in a federal jail in New York.”
  — Davis Pond [00:41]

2. Brown University and MIT Murder-Suicide Case

[01:08 – 01:29]

• Update on the Suspect:
  • The New Hampshire medical examiner indicates Claudio Neves Valente, suspected in the mass shooting at Brown University and killing of an MIT professor, had been dead for two days before discovery.
  • Police utilized car rental records to identify and connect him to the crimes.
• Victim/Suspect Relationship:
  • Neves Valente and Professor Nuno Loero (victim) both attended the same school in Portugal in the 1990s. Authorities have not specified a motive.

Notable Quotes:

• “As leads came in, they were able to confirm his identity and trace it back to car rental records in Massachusetts that showed the suspect rented a Nissan sedan with Florida plates that was spotted at the scene of the Brown shooting and at the murder of MIT Professor Nuno Loero.”
  — Reporter [01:08]

• “Neves, Valente and Luaro had attended the same school in Portugal in the 1990s, though authorities haven't said why they think that he killed the professor.”
  — Lisa Licera [01:29]

3. Operation Hawkeye Strike in Syria

[01:29 – 01:59]

• Military Response:
  • Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announces Operation Hawkeye Strike, targeting ISIS in Syria.
  • The operation responds directly to a deadly attack on U.S. troops, with objectives to eliminate fighters, infrastructure, and weapons.

Notable Quote:

• “Operation Hawkeye Strike in Syria to eliminate ISIS fighters, infrastructure and weapons sites in direct response…to the attack on U.S. forces last Saturday, which killed three Americans.”
  — Lisa Licera paraphrasing Secretary Pete Hegseth [01:29]

4. Congressional Health Care Debate

[02:59 – 03:48]

• ACA Subsidies in Jeopardy:
  • Congress has begun a holiday recess without extending Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies, threatening coverage for over 20 million Americans.
  • House Republicans passed a health care bill aimed at lowering costs but did not address ACA subsidy extensions.
  • Some GOP members joined Democrats to push a discharge petition for subsidy extension, though Speaker Johnson withheld it from the floor.
  • Senate Majority Leader John Thune is open to an extension if paired with significant health reforms.

Notable Quotes:

• “If the subsidies aren't extended, millions of Americans will see a rise in health insurance premiums next year.”
  — Lisa Licera [03:48]

• “Senate Majority Leader John Thune said he could see a path forward on subsidy extensions that a majority of senators could get behind if Democrats accept some major health care reforms.”
  — Jessica Rosenthal [03:39]

5. Sony Acquires Majority of Peanuts

[03:58 – 04:36]

• Media Business News:
  • Sony now owns 80% of Peanuts Holdings after a $450 million stake purchase.
  • The family of Peanuts creator Charles M. Schultz retains 20%.
  • The transaction values the Peanuts brand at over $1 billion.
  • Sony’s acquisition was from WildBrain, which also owns Teletubbies and Strawberry Shortcake.

Notable Quote:

• “Sony is buying the stake from Canadian entertainment company WildBrain, which also owns the Teletubbies and Strawberry Shortcake brands…the sale values the Peanuts business at more than $1 billion.”
  — Jenny Coselda [03:58]

6. U.S. Housing Market Update

[04:36 – 04:55]

• Latest Trends:
  • Existing home sales rose 0.5% in November (seasonally adjusted), though sales are down 1% compared to a year ago.

Notable Quote:

• “Existing home sales rose a half percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.13 million units. Sales fell 1% compared with November of last year.”
  — Lisa Licera [04:36]

Timestamps to Key Segments

• DOJ Epstein Files Release: 00:02 – 00:41
• Brown/MIT Murder-Suicide Update: 01:08 – 01:29
• Operation Hawkeye Strike: 01:29 – 01:59
• ACA Subsidies/Health Care Debate: 02:59 – 03:48
• Sony Buys Peanuts Stake: 03:58 – 04:36
• U.S. Existing Home Sales: 04:36 – 04:55

This concise, fast-paced episode provides listeners with critical news on notable federal investigations, national security, health care legislation, media industry movements, and the real estate market, exemplifying Fox News' signature news roundup style.