Fox News Hourly Update - July 3, 2025 | 12AM ET Newscast
Hosted by Fox News Radio, this episode delivers the latest updates on politics, legal matters, accidents, weather, and financial markets.
1. Congressional Developments: House Advances Tax and Spending Bill
Carmen Roberts opens the newscast discussing the ongoing drama in the House of Representatives as lawmakers push to initiate debate on the Senate's revised version of the President's expansive tax and spending bill.
Speaker Mike Johnson commented on the situation at [00:17]:
"We liked the House version better as no surprise about that. And we had reached a very delicate balance on it. So it's taken a little while to go through the changes to have everybody fully process that and figure out what that means for them and their districts. And that's part of the process."
The bill faces internal pressure as fiscal hawks advocate for significant spending cuts, while moderates express concerns over reductions to Medicaid and other social safety nets. Democrats remain firmly opposed to the legislation. Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez delivered a strong rebuttal on the House floor at [00:45]:
"Losing all your health care, not able to feed your babies, not being able to put a diaper on their bottom, in exchange for what? This bill is a deal with the devil."
Currently, the bill requires only three Republican defections to begin debate and ultimately pass. However, there are five GOP holdouts, complicating the path forward.
2. Legal News: Sean "Diddy" Combs Acquitted on Serious Charges
In a significant legal development, Sean "Diddy" Combs faces up to 20 years in prison but secures a crucial victory. An unnamed legal analyst remarked at [01:13]:
"It's a great victory for Sean Combs. It's a great victory for the jury system."
Despite being convicted by eight men and four women on charges of transportation to engage in prostitution, the jury delivered a not guilty verdict on more severe charges of sex trafficking and racketeering. An unnamed court reporter detailed the outcome at [01:18], noting:
"When the not guilty verdicts were read, Diddy was seen inside falling to his knees in prayer."
3. Sports Legal Controversy: Buffalo Bills' Maxwell Hairston Accused of Sexual Assault
Fox Weather reports concerning allegations involving a Buffalo Bills player. Jared Max provides details at [03:58]:
"Maxwell Hairston, a first-round draft pick by the Buffalo Bills this spring, had a suit filed against him Tuesday for alleged sexual assault by Rebecca Hendricks, who claims that while they were in college at the University of Kentucky in early 2021, living in the same dorm that Hairston forced his way into her room and sexually assaulted her."
Hendricks asserts she reported the incident to law enforcement promptly. However, police in Lexington have no records of such a report. The Bills' general manager, Brandon Bean, defended Hairston, describing him as an "impeccable kid" who even volunteered for a polygraph test, indicating "zero information" supporting the accusations.
4. Aviation Accident: Skydiving Plane Crashes Near Southern New Jersey
A tragic incident occurred as a Cessna 208B skydiving plane crashed near the Cross Keys Airport in southern New Jersey at [01:36]. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reports that fifteen individuals were hospitalized following the crash, which happened in the rough woods near the airport. Investigations are ongoing, with no immediate cause identified.
5. Maritime Tragedy: Ferry Sinks Near Bali
In international news, a ferry sank on Wednesday night in rough seas near Bali, Indonesia, resulting in 38 people missing. Rescue crews have recovered four bodies and successfully saved 23 individuals. Efforts continue as authorities work to locate all missing persons and assess the situation.
6. Weather Advisory: Tropical System Threatens Fourth of July Celebrations
Meteorologist Mike Seidel briefs listeners on a potential tropical system near Florida's coast at [03:15]:
"The National Hurricane Center is monitoring an area just off the southeast coast of the US Southwest into the northeastern Gulf. A front is moving offshore. It's going to stall out. And this time of the year, that could mean low pressure may develop along that front and become tropical in nature. The odds the next couple of days are zero, but the seven-day forecast, the odds of development are 40% in the short term."
Seidel warns of locally heavy rains around the Tampa Bay area in the next few days, with increasing chances of rainfall extending to the beaches of the Carolinas and Georgia from Sunday into the following week, including Clearwater Beach, Florida.
7. Financial Markets: S&P 500 and Nasdaq Hit Record Highs Post Trade Deal
The financial markets saw significant gains as both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq closed at record highs, marking their third consecutive record-setting session. This surge follows the Trump administration's announcement of a new trade deal with Vietnam, which has positively impacted investor confidence and market performance.
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