Fox News Hourly Update – 10PM ET 08/24/2025

Date: August 25, 2025
Host: Jane Fergus, FOX News Podcasts

Episode Overview

This episode delivers a concise roundup of major national and international stories from August 24th and 25th, 2025. Key themes include campus safety concerns after a false active shooter alarm, regional security challenges tied to nuclear threats and war developments, and ongoing debates over National Guard deployments in U.S. cities. The episode also touches on humanitarian crises abroad and recent developments in space exploration.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. False Active Shooter Alert at University of South Carolina

• Incident details:
  Police responded Sunday to reports of an active shooter at the University of South Carolina. After a brief lockdown, an "all clear" was given. No shooter or credible threat was found ([00:02]).
• Student experience during the lockdown:
  Students sheltered in place, with one group barricading a door with a fridge.

  "We're all just crouching in the kitchen and for like maybe like five minutes someone barricaded one of the doors with a huge fridge. And then all of a sudden people just start pushing us out and we run and we go to women's squad. We're all in there. There's police in there. People are injured." — Student Witness [00:22]

  • Some students were mildly injured while fleeing.
• Call for better prevention:
  Another student urged for action and policy changes to prevent similar incidents.

  "We need to find a solution to this, whether it be like restricting certain people from being able to acquire firearms or more campus security. But I feel like there is a way, but we just haven't found." — Student Advocate [00:44]

2. Wave of Swatting Incidents in Pennsylvania

• Fakes threats at Villanova:
  Villanova, PA experienced two fake active shooter reports within four days, leading to evacuations of residence halls ([00:57]).

3. Russia-Ukraine Conflict: Nuclear Power Plant Attack

• Russian accusations & international monitoring:
  Russia accused Ukraine of targeting energy infrastructure with drones, causing a fire at a nuclear power plant in the Kursk region.

  "Russian officials posting on social media the fire was extinguished quickly and nobody was hurt." — Jack Callahan [01:18]

• Safety assessment:
  The IAEA confirmed radiation levels remained normal but reiterated the need for constant protection of nuclear sites.
• Context:
  Incident coincided with Ukraine’s Independence Day ([01:18]).

4. National Guard Deployment Controversy

• Governor Wes Moore’s stance:
  Maryland's governor refused to allow the state's National Guard to patrol Washington, D.C., arguing it violates the Constitution and misuses the Guard ([02:26]).

  "I will not authorize the Maryland National Guard to be utilized for this." — Governor Wes Moore [02:42] "That is not this." — Governor Wes Moore, discussing the difference between disaster response and policing roles [02:55]

• Federal direction vs. local need:
  Despite Moore’s rebuff, Defense Secretary Pete Hexseth approved arming the Guard in D.C., which local leaders contest is unnecessary ([03:04]).

5. Middle East: Gaza War Escalation and Famine

• Israeli military movements:
  Israel is ramping up troop and tank presence around Gaza City in preparation for potential expanded operations, despite ceasefire proposals from Hamas ([03:16]).

  "The Israeli forces there continue to build up on the perimeter of Gaza City with both tanks and soldiers preparing for an eventual and gradual operational takeover that could reach the city center." — Jeff Paul [03:26]

• Humanitarian crisis:
  The region’s main food authority declared a famine in Gaza City, highlighting dire scarcity of aid and rising civilian toll.
• Protests:
  Delays in government response to ceasefire proposals are igniting domestic protests in Israel.
• Casualties:
  Al Jazeera reports 51 civilian deaths in a recent strike ([04:00]).

6. Space News: SpaceX Postpones Starship Launch

• Launch delay:
  SpaceX postponed its anticipated 10th Starship launch from Starbase, Texas, which had been planned for that evening ([04:00]).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Student witness describes panic during USC incident:

  "We're all just crouching in the kitchen ... someone barricaded one of the doors with a huge fridge ... people are injured." [00:22]

• Call for action on gun violence:

  "We need to find a solution to this ... more campus security ... we just haven't found." — Student Advocate [00:44]

• Gov. Wes Moore rejects National Guard deployment:

  "I will not authorize the Maryland National Guard to be utilized for this." [02:42]

• IAEA on nuclear safety:

  "Every nuclear facility must be protected at all times." — Jack Callahan quoting IAEA [01:18]

• Reporting on humanitarian disaster in Gaza:

  "The leading authority of food security declares a famine for Gaza City ... humanitarian aid coming into the territory remains very scarce." — Jeff Paul [03:26]

Important Segment Timestamps

• USC Active Shooter Report & Student Reactions: 00:02 – 00:57
• Villanova False Shooter Reports: 00:57 – 01:18
• Kursk Nuclear Power Plant Fire/Drone Attack: 01:18 – 01:54
• Governor Moore/National Guard Debate: 02:26 – 03:16
• Gaza Conflict & Famine: 03:16 – 04:00
• SpaceX Starship Launch Delay: 04:00 – 04:24

Summary Tone:
Urgent, fact-driven, and balanced to mirror the FOX News reporting style.
For Listeners:
This episode is a rapid-fire briefing on critical security, political, and humanitarian developments in the US and globally, ending with a nod to evolving science and space milestones. Ads and promotional material omitted as per request.