12AM ET 07/19/2025 Newscast

Summary

Fox News Hourly Update

Episode: 12AM ET 07/19/2025 Newscast
Release Date: July 19, 2025
Host: Deborah Valentine
Source: FOX News Podcasts

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1. Tragic Accident Claims Lives of Three Sheriff's Deputies

Timestamp: [00:02]

The episode opens with Deborah Valentine reporting a heartbreaking incident where three Louisiana County Sheriff's deputies lost their lives in an accidental explosion at an LA Sheriff's Department training site earlier today. Sheriff Robert Luna expressed deep sorrow over the loss, stating:

"Between all three sworn members, they had served our community proudly for 74 years. And that's amongst all three of them, collectively, 19 years, 22 years and 33 years."
— Robert Luna [00:16]

The FBI has since arrived at the scene to investigate the circumstances surrounding the explosion, which reportedly occurred while deputies were transporting explosives to the training facility.

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2. President Trump Signs Cryptocurrency Legislation Amidst Controversial Funding Cuts

Timestamp: [00:31]

Deborah Valentine transitions to political news, highlighting President Trump's recent legislative actions. The President signed a bipartisan bill known as the Genius Act, which regulates a specific type of cryptocurrency called stablecoins. Fox's Rich Edson provides additional context from the White House:

"President Trump referencing a congressional Republican investigation while signing a bipartisan bill."
— Rich Edson [00:50]

In a simultaneous move, the House passed a bill to rescind $9 billion in federal funding designated for public media and foreign aid. President Trump commented on the funding cuts, emphasizing his administration's stance against what he described as wasteful spending:

"House approves $9 billion cuts package including atrocious NPR and public broadcasting where billions of dollars a year were wasted. Republicans have tried doing this for 40 years and failed. But no more. This is big."
— President Trump [00:56]

Deborah Valentine notes that Democrats are vehemently opposed to these funding reductions, arguing that they will adversely affect institutions like PBS, NPR, and various international aid programs.

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3. Justice Department Seeks to Unseal Epstein Case Transcripts Amid Controversy

Timestamp: [01:30]

The Justice Department is actively pursuing a federal court order to unseal grand jury transcripts related to the Jeffrey Epstein case. This move has ignited a firestorm of debate concerning the Trump administration's handling of the situation. Deborah Valentine points out the ongoing controversy, referencing Attorney General Pambandi's recent declaration that a "client list" purportedly does not exist. This claim has been met with skepticism and scrutiny from various quarters, intensifying the public's interest in the proceedings.

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4. Education Department Allocates Over $6 Billion in Grants for After-School and Summer Programs

Timestamp: [03:08]

Deborah Valentine reports on significant developments within the Education Department. The Trump administration is releasing more than $6 billion in federal grants aimed at supporting after-school and summer programs, particularly in English language instruction. According to Jared Halpern of FOX News:

"The Trump administration is releasing more than $6 billion in federal grants for after school and summer programs in English language instruction."
— Jared Halpern [03:14]

Ten Republican senators have endorsed a letter to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), urging the Education Department to channel these funds directly to the states. The legislators emphasized the critical role these programs play in local communities while assuring that the funds would not support "radical left wing programs." Additionally, a recent Supreme Court ruling has permitted the administration to proceed with laying off hundreds of Education Department employees as part of a broader strategy to eliminate the cabinet-level agency.

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5. Investigation into Former President Joe Biden's Cognitive Decline Intensifies

Timestamp: [03:51]

Deborah Valentine shifts focus to the ongoing investigation surrounding former President Joe Biden and allegations of a cover-up regarding his cognitive decline. Ryan Schmelz of FOX News elaborates on the situation:

"House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer says Annie Tomasini, the former deputy chief of staff to President Biden, invoked the Fifth Amendment during her deposition before the committee."
— Ryan Schmelz [04:00]

This marks the third witness to invoke the Fifth Amendment, leading Comer to assert:

"There is now a pattern of key Biden confidants seeking to shield themselves from criminal liability in this potential conspiracy."
— James Comer [04:00]

Republicans are delving into allegations that suggest efforts to obscure Biden's mental acuity and his use of devices like the auto pen. President Biden has countered these investigations by asserting his active role in making final decisions during his presidency.

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6. Israel and Syria Reach Ceasefire Amid Humanitarian Crisis

Timestamp: [04:39]

In international news, Deborah Valentine reports that Israel and Syria have agreed to a ceasefire following Israel's recent military intervention. The intervention aimed to quell fighting between Syrian government forces and the minority Druze community. The conflict has resulted in tens of thousands of displaced individuals, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian situation. Government forces were compelled to withdraw after Israel conducted numerous airstrikes targeting convoys of government fighters, ultimately leading to the cessation of hostilities.

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Closing Remarks: This episode of the Fox News Hourly Update covered a range of critical topics, from local tragedies and significant legislative actions to high-profile political investigations and international conflicts. Each segment provided in-depth insights and direct quotes from key figures, offering listeners a comprehensive overview of the day's most pressing news.

Transcript

[Deborah Valentine]

Three deputies killed. I'm Deborah Valentine, FOX News. Three sheriff's deputies are dead after an accidental explosion at an LA Sheriff's Department training site earlier today. Louisiana County Sheriff Robert Luna says tragedy has stricken his department.

[Robert Luna]

Between all three sworn members, they had served our community proudly for 74 years. And that's amongst all three of them, collectively, 19 years, 22 years and 33 years.

[Deborah Valentine]

FBI agents went to the scene of the explosion. The explosion apparently happened as sheriff's deputies were moving explosives to the training site. President Trump today signing recently approved legislation supporting a type of bitcoin. Fox's Rich Edson reports from the White House on that. And another bill recently passed by the House.

[Rich Edson]

This is not an auto pen, by the way, which is a big scandal.

[President Trump]

President Trump referencing a congressional Republican investigation while signing a bipartisan bill. The Genius act passed the House in the early hours. It regulates a type of cryptocurrency called stablecoins. The House also passed a bill rescinding $9 billion in federal funding to public media and foreign aid. After the House vote, the president wrote, quote, House approves $9 billion cuts package including atrocious NPR and public broadcasting where billions of dollars a year were wasted. Republicans have tried doing this for 40 years and failed. But no more. This is big.

[Deborah Valentine]

Democrats are fuming over this funding clawback affecting pbs, NPR and foreign aid. The Justice Department is asking a federal court to unseal grand jury transcripts in Jeffrey Epstein's case amid a firestorm over the Trump administration handling of it. The White House has been embroiled in a controversy since AG Pambandi last week announced a so called client list did not exist. America's listening to Fox News.

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[Deborah Valentine]

The Education Department is unfreezing some federal funding for public school programs.

[Jared Halpern]

The Trump administration is releasing more than $6 billion in federal grants for after school and summer programs in English language instruction. Ten Republican senators signed on to a letter to the Office of Management and Budget imploring the Education Department to send that funding to states. In the letter, the lawmakers warned the programs are critical to local communities and the funds are not going to radical left wing programs. A Supreme Court ruling this week gave the go ahead for the administration to continue laying off hundreds of Education Department employees as part of a broader plan to eliminate the cabinet level agency. At the White House, Jared Halpern, FOX News.

[Deborah Valentine]

Top aide to former President Joe Biden sits for a deposition as part of an investigation into the alleged cover up over the former president's cognitive decline.

[Ryan Schmelz]

House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer says Annie Tomasini, the former deputy chief of staff to President Biden, invoked the Fifth Amendment during her deposition before the committee. Comer points out she's now the third witness to plead the Fifth, saying, quote, there is now a pattern of key Biden confidants seeking to shield themselves from criminal liability in this potential conspiracy. Republicans are investigating allegations of a cover up involving the decline in the former president's mental acuity and his use of the auto pen. President Biden has pushed back on the investigation, saying he was the one who made final decisions during his time in office. On Capitol Hill, Ryan Schmelz, FOX News.

[Deborah Valentine]

Israel and Syria have agreed to a ceasefire following Israel's intervention this week in fighting between Syrian government forces and the minority Druze. The fighting has left tens of thousands of people displaced in a worsening humanitarian crisis. Government forces had withdrawn after Israel launched dozens of airstrikes on convoys of government fighters. I'm Debra Valentine. This is FOX News.

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