10AM ET 08/21/2025 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update — 10AM ET 08/21/2025 Newscast

Host: Dave Anthony
Date: August 21, 2025
Episode: 10AM ET Newscast

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Overview

This episode offers a concise roundup of major U.S. political developments, economic updates, and global news. Key stories include ongoing congressional investigations into former President Biden’s mental fitness, partisan redistricting maneuvers in California and Texas, updates on the war in Ukraine, U.S. economic data, and federal workforce cutbacks.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Congressional Probe: Biden’s Mental Fitness Cover-Up Allegations

• House Committee Investigation:
  • A Republican-led House committee continues investigations into former President Biden’s mental decline and whether former advisors participated in a cover-up.
  • Quote:
    • “Did he help a cover up to mislead us?” — Dave Anthony [00:03]
• Oversight Committee Chair James Comer References Special Counsel Report:
  • Comer highlights Robert Hur’s findings, describing Biden as “an elderly man with a poor memory.” [00:16–00:28]
  • Quote:
    • “Ian Sams was the one that came out and you know, was the first to attack the Hur report... when her stated the obvious that the president was in a deep decline.” — James Comer [00:16]

2. Federal Funding Cutoffs Over State Transgender Policies

• Trump Administration’s Policy:
  • President Trump announced federal funding will be withheld from California school districts not following federal transgender policies.
  • Assistant HHS Secretary Responds:
    • Andrew Gradison explains the cut to California’s sex ed funding.
    • Quote:
      • “If you continue to push radical ideology on our children, we will not pay for it anymore.” — Andrew Gradison [00:57]

3. Redistricting Showdown: California vs. Texas

• California’s Response to Texas Redistricting:
  • Lawmakers consider new congressional maps for a November vote, potentially giving Democrats five more House seats for 2026.
• Texas State Senate Moves:
  • The Republican Senate pushes maps projected to add five GOP House seats.
• Partisan Framing:
  • Quote:
    • “This is about the Democratic Party now punching back forcefully and very intentionally.” — James Comer [01:11–01:18]

4. Ukraine: Intensified Russian Attacks

• Large-Scale Russian Strikes:
  • Russia launches 574 drones and 40 missiles — one of the largest attacks of the year, targeting Western Ukraine, where Western military aid is stored.
  • Correspondent Report:
    • “It was one of the heaviest attacks of the year as Russia launched 574 drones and 40 missiles across Ukraine.” — Stephanie Bennett [01:40]

5. U.S. Economic Updates

Stock Market Movement

• The Dow drops 147 points, Nasdaq falls 57, and S&P 500 is down 14 points.
• Walmart stock slips 4–5% due to higher import costs tied to tariffs.
• Walmart’s Q2 profits slightly missed expectations, but stronger sales forecast for the future.
  • [02:16–02:41]

Labor Market

• Unemployment Claims:
  • “New claims for unemployment benefits rose by 11,000...a sign layoffs rose slightly, though still under the recent peak.”
    — Jenny Coselda [02:41]
  • Continuing claims at 1.97 million, near a 4-year high, indicating a tougher job market.
  • Federal Reserve Focus:
    • Jerome Powell to speak at the Jackson Hole Summit.
    • Interest rate changes hinge on job market and inflation data.

Federal Workforce Reductions

• Director of National Intelligence (Tulsi Gabbard):
  • Plans to reduce staff by 40%.
• CDC Layoffs:
  • At least 600 employees terminated, including workers in violence prevention and financial resources.
  • Cuts align with Trump administration's federal downsizing.
    • Quote:
      • “A union that represents CDC employees says at least 600 of them have been fired.” — Jill Nado [03:31]

Housing Market and Energy

• Home Sales:
  • Previously owned home sales up 2% in July versus June, higher than the prior year.
• Oil and Gas Prices:
  • Oil at ~$62/barrel; average gas at $3.13/gallon.
    [03:49–04:13]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Did he help a cover up to mislead us?” — Dave Anthony [00:03]
• “Ian Sams was the one that came out and...was the first to attack the Hur report...when her stated...the president was in a deep decline.” — James Comer [00:16]
• “If you continue to push radical ideology on our children, we will not pay for it anymore.” — Andrew Gradison [00:57]
• “This is about the Democratic Party now punching back forcefully and very intentionally.” — James Comer [01:11]
• “It was one of the heaviest attacks of the year as Russia launched 574 drones and 40 missiles across Ukraine.” — Stephanie Bennett [01:40]
• “A union that represents CDC employees says at least 600 of them have been fired.” — Jill Nado [03:31]

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:03: House committee investigates Biden advisor over mental decline cover-up
• 00:16: Special counsel Hur’s report, pushback from Ian Sams and Oversight Chair Comer
• 00:28: Federal funding threats to California schools over transgender policy
• 01:11: California and Texas redistricting battle
• 01:40: Russian mass drone and missile attack on Ukraine
• 02:16: Stock market and Walmart’s financial performance
• 02:41: Rising unemployment claims, job market trends
• 03:22: Federal workforce layoffs, CDC employee cuts
• 03:49: Home sales, oil and gasoline updates

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Conclusion

This packed newscast delivers a rapid-fire overview of high-stakes political conflicts in D.C. and between states, shifting economic trends, and impactful global events. Congressional probes, federal funding fights, economic data, and the evolving war in Ukraine all take the spotlight, providing listeners with critical developments from across the country and around the world.

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Transcript

[Dave Anthony]

Did he help a cover up to mislead us? I'm Dave Anthony, FOX News. A Republican led House committee is about to question yet another ex Biden advisor in a probe into the former president's mental fitness. And if a decline was covered up.

[Ian Sams]

Ian Sams was the one that came out and you know, was the first to attack the Hur report when it came out when her stated the obvious that the president was in a deep decline.

[Dave Anthony]

Oversight Committee Chair James Comer referencing special counsel Robert Herr who led a Biden classified documents investigation and concluded the then president was an elderly man with a poor memory. Hours after President Trump posted on Truth Social Any California school district that does not adhere to our transgender policies will not be funded. The Department of Health and Human Services has cut off funding to the state's sex education program. Assistant HHS Secretary Andrew Gradison just told fox California refused to make changes fa.

[Andrew Gradison]

FA UFO under the Trump administration. If you continue to push radical ideology on our children, we will not pay for it anymore.

[Dave Anthony]

And California state lawmakers may approve today congressional redistricting to counter what Texas is doing.

[James Comer]

This is about the Democratic Party now punching back forcefully and very intentionally.

[Dave Anthony]

Governor Gavin Newsom's plan would set up a special November election to let voters approve new maps that could give Democrats five more House seats in the 2026 elections. In California, the GOP led Texas state Senate could join the today approving their new district that could give Republicans five more seats. There's no sign of progress stopping Russia's war in Ukraine despite President Trump's recent meetings with the leaders of both countries pushing for peace.

[Stephanie Bennett]

It was one of the heaviest attacks of the year as Russia launched 574 drones and 40 missiles across Ukraine. The Ukrainian Air Force says the attacks mostly targeted Western regions of the country where much of the military aid provided by Western allies is believed to be delivered and stored.

[Dave Anthony]

That's fox's Stephanie Bennett. America's listening to FOX NEWS from the.

[Will Kane]

FOX News Podcasts Network.

[Kennedy]

Hey there, it's me, Kennedy. Make sure to check out my podcast, kennedy Saves the world. It is five days a week, every week. Download and listen at foxnewspodcast.com or wherever you listen to your favorite podcast.

[Dave Anthony]

There is selling. On Wall street this morning, the Dow down 147 points. The Nasdaq is dropping 57. The the S&P 500 losing 14 points. Walmart stock has been down between 4 and 5% after the retailer acknowledged paying more for imported goods because of U.S. tariffs. Walmart's second quarter profit was a little less than expected, though the company did tell investors future sales may be higher than earlier guidance. There's news on the economy.

[Jenny Coselda]

New claims for unemployment Benefits rose by 11,000 in the week ending August 16th to 235,000. It's a sign layoffs rose slightly, though still under the recent peak. More people are staying on unemployment, a sign it's harder to find a new job. Continuing claims rose to 1.97 million in the week ending August 9th, in the range of a four year high reached in late July. The Federal Reserve will look at the job market and inflation as it considers whether to lower interest rates at its next meeting in September. Fed Chair Jerome Powell speaks on the economy at the Fed's Jackson Hole Summit on Friday. Jenny Coselda, FOX News More federal workers.

[Dave Anthony]

Are apparently out of the job or soon will be. The director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, says she plans a 40% reduction in her office. The Centers for Disease Control also scaling back.

[Jill Nado]

A union that represents CDC employees says at least 600 of them have been fired. That includes personnel who worked on violence prevention, the Office of Financial Resources and more. The cuts are part of the Trump administration's effort to shrink the federal workforce.

[Dave Anthony]

That's fox's Jill Nado. Another economic report we just got moments ago. Sales of previously home previously owned U.S. homes up 2% in July from June and slightly higher also from a year ago. The price of oil down slightly, still around 62 bucks a barrel. Gas still around 313 a gallon. AAA's national average for regular. I'm Dave Anthony, FOX News.

[Will Kane]

It's Will Kane Country Watch it live at noon Eastern Monday through [e-mail] or on the Fox News YouTube channel. And don't miss the show. Listen and follow the podcast five days a week at foxnewspodcasts.com or wherever you download your favorite podcasts.