Fox News Hourly Update – December 19, 2025

Overview

This episode delivers a rapid-fire summary of major national and international news stories, focusing on high profile violence at Brown University and MIT, developments in the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, domestic political controversy following the 2024 election, financial news, and notable pop culture business moves. The tone is urgent, informative, and concise, consistent with Fox News Radio’s headline-driven format.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Police Investigation in Brown University & MIT Shootings

• Suspect Identified & Located

  • The suspect in last weekend’s deadly shootings at Brown University (and MIT, per the episode title) was identified as Claudio Neves Valente.
  • The case was cracked thanks to a tip from a homeless man known as “John,” himself a former Brown student.

• Details of the Critical Tip

  • John grew suspicious after making direct eye contact with Valente in a campus bathroom two hours before the shooting.
  • After police released images of the suspect post-shooting, John anonymously posted on Reddit detailing how he saw Valente access a parked gray Nissan sedan, leading investigators straight to the suspect.

  Brian Yanes (00:11):
  "The investigators say that this case was broken wide open by a homeless man who goes by John...John wrote an anonymous Reddit post describing seeing the gunman unlock a parked gray Nissan sedan."

• Status of the Suspect

  • The suspect, Claudio Neves Valente, was later found dead. The police are still searching for a motive.

2. U.S. Diplomacy in the Russia-Ukraine War

• Secretary of State Marco Rubio's Remarks

  • Emphasized the unique role of the United States as the only international entity capable of negotiating with both parties for peace.
  • Highlighted President Trump’s active engagement with foreign leaders regarding the war.

  Marco Rubio (01:01):
  "There's only one nation on earth, there's only one entity on earth that can actually talk to both sides and figure out whether there's a way to end this war peacefully. And that's the United States."

• Current Developments

  • The Ukraine war is approaching the four-year mark.
  • Russia and Ukraine are considering a new Trump White House peace proposal.

3. Food Crisis in Gaza

• Famine Temporarily Averted
  • World’s leading authority on food crises reports famine has, for now, been averted in the Gaza Strip.
  • The situation remains “critical,” with the population still at risk for starvation.

4. Powerball Jackpot News

• Lottery Fever Continues
  • The Powerball jackpot is now up to $1.5 billion after no winner on Wednesday, the latest in over a dozen $1B+ jackpots since 2016.
  • Brief note of interest for listeners but not discussed at length.

5. Democratic National Committee (DNC) Withholds 2024 Election Report

• Controversy Over Transparency

  • DNC refuses to release its detailed report on what went wrong in the 2024 presidential election.
  • Chairman Ken Martin cited distraction ahead of the midterms as the reason for non-release, breaking previous promises of transparency.

• Democratic Party Dissent

  • Prominent Democrats from the Obama era disagree with this decision, demanding answers.
  • Dan Pfeiffer publicly criticizes the DNC’s approach.

  Dan Pfeiffer, as referenced by Jenny Coselda (02:41):
  "'This is a very bad decision that reeks of the caution and complacency that brought us to this moment.'"

6. European Union Approves Massive Aid to Ukraine

• Interest-Free Loan Agreement
  • EU leaders to raise $106 billion via capital markets for Ukraine’s military through an interest-free loan lasting two years.

7. Entertainment & Business: Sony Buys Majority of Peanuts Franchise

• Sony Now Majority Owner of Peanuts

  • Sony purchased an additional stake in Peanuts Holdings for $450 million, now owning 80%.
  • The Schultz family retains 20%, with the sale valuing the franchise at over $1 billion.

  Ainsley Earhart (03:21):
  "Snoopy and the Peanuts gang will be mostly owned by Sony, which purchased an additional stake in peanuts holdings for $450 million."

8. Harvard Funding & Anti-Semitism Controversy

• Trump Administration Appeals Judge’s Ruling
  • The Trump White House is appealing a federal decision that reversed funding cuts to Harvard University over alleged slow response to anti-Jewish bias.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Brian Yanes (00:11-00:51): On the critical eyewitness tip that cracked the Brown University shooting case.
• Marco Rubio (01:01-01:21): "Only one nation on earth...can actually talk to both sides [in Ukraine] and figure out whether there's a way to end this war peacefully."
• Dan Pfeiffer (02:41): "This is a very bad decision that reeks of the caution and complacency that brought us to this moment."
• Ainsley Earhart (03:21): On Sony’s landmark Peanuts acquisition.

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:03: Update on Brown University shooting investigation
• 00:11: Eyewitness account and breakthrough tip from "John"
• 01:01: Marco Rubio's remarks on U.S. diplomatic efforts in Ukraine
• 01:35: Update on Gaza food crisis status
• 01:44: Powerball jackpot news
• 02:15: DNC controversy over the 2024 election report
• 02:58: EU’s financial package for Ukraine
• 03:21: Sony acquires majority stake in the Peanuts franchise
• 03:58: Trump administration's appeal over Harvard funding decision

Conclusion

This Fox News Hourly Update covers a breadth of pressing news, from a solved campus shooting to international diplomatic efforts, domestic political disputes, and major business developments. Throughout, the network underscores investigative diligence, American foreign policy influence, party division, and the ever-shifting sands of media and entertainment ownership.

For comprehensive news in under five minutes—this episode delivers.