Fox News Hourly Update: July 31, 2025 - Detailed Summary

Released: July 31, 2025

The latest edition of the Fox News Hourly Update, hosted by the FOX News Podcasts team, delivered a comprehensive overview of significant national and international events. This summary encapsulates the key discussions, insights, and conclusions drawn during the episode, enriched with notable quotes and detailed attributions.

1. Arrest in Arkansas Double Murder Case

The newscast opened with breaking news from Arkansas, where authorities successfully apprehended a suspect in a high-profile double homicide.

• Carmen Roberts (00:02): Introduced the case, stating, "Arkansas police catch a suspected killer. I'm Carmen Roberts, Fox News. State police arrested a man for the killings of a married couple at Devil's Den State park over the weekend."

• Todd Pyro (00:12): Provided specific details about the arrest: "Arkansas State Police special agents have arrested James Andrew McGann, 28, of Springdale. He's been charged with two counts of capital murder and the deaths of Clinton David Brink and Kristen Amanda Brink."

• Carmen Roberts (00:25): Highlighted the lack of a revealed motive: "State Police Col. Mike Hagar and police did not reveal a motive for this attack."

• Todd Pyro (00:30): Emphasized the safety of the victims' children: "Thankfully, the victim's daughters, just 7 and 9 years old, were not harmed in the attack."

Further coverage included the community’s reaction and background information on the suspect, who had recently relocated to the area and was employed at a school in Nebraska. Additionally, the segment touched upon another tragic event where two girls and an adult were confirmed dead following a massive explosion at a biofuels plant.

2. President Trump's Trade Policies and Tariffs

A significant portion of the update focused on President Trump's recent trade decisions and their economic implications.

• Carmen Roberts (00:37): Reported on the president's tariff impositions: "President Trump imposes a 25% tariff rate on India, plus additional penalties for buying Russian. He also announced a 15% tariff deal with South Korea."

• Todd Pyro (01:13): Included insights from U.S. Trade Representative Jamison Greer: "The Koreans are going to essentially provide the president and the US government with the ability to invest."

• Carmen Roberts (01:17): Detailed the financial aspects of the deal: "$350 billion in important industries. The deal also calls for South Korea to purchase $100 billion of U.S. energy products."

President Trump's actions are aimed at strengthening U.S. industries and ensuring favorable trade balances. The tariffs are part of a broader strategy to address and rectify trade imbalances with key international partners.

3. Federal Reserve’s Interest Rate Decision

The Federal Reserve's recent decision regarding interest rates was another pivotal topic covered in the episode.

• Carmen Roberts (01:17): Introduced the Fed's stance: "The Federal Reserve leaves its key interest rate unchanged as it waits to see what impact tariffs will have on interest rates. President Trump has been pressuring the Fed."

• Todd Pyro (01:35): Elaborated on internal disagreements: "To slash rates, though that decision was not unanimous."

The Federal Reserve opted to maintain the current interest rates, choosing to monitor the effects of the newly imposed tariffs before making further adjustments. This decision underscores a cautious approach in monetary policy amidst evolving trade dynamics.

4. U.S. Economic Growth and President Trump’s Response

Highlighting economic performance, the update covered recent GDP figures and the administration's reaction.

• Carmen Roberts (01:35): Shared economic data: "The Commerce Department announced the U.S. economy grew at a better than expected rate of 3% from April to June."

• Todd Pyro (01:35): Conveyed President Trump's reaction: "Second quarter GDP just out 3%. Way better than expected. Too late. Must now lower the rate. No inflation. Let people buy and refinance their homes."

The administration touted the stronger-than-anticipated GDP growth as a sign of economic resilience, advocating for reduced interest rates to further stimulate consumer activities such as home purchases and refinancing.

5. New York City Mayoral Candidate Ziran Mamdani on Police Defunding

The episode shifted focus to New York City politics, particularly addressing controversies surrounding a mayoral candidate's stance on policing.

• Carmen Roberts (03:07): Introduced the issue: "New York City mayoral candidate Ziran Mamdani says his campaign is not about defending police. He addressed the issue after a gunman shot and killed four people in Manhattan this week."

• Ziran Mamdani (03:47): Responded to accusations: "I am not defunding the police. I am not running to defund the police."

Despite these clarifications, skepticism remained:

• Ashley Strohmeier (03:51): Reported skepticism from the victim’s family: "A mother of a slain NYPD officer says she is not buying Mamdani's show of support."

The segment highlighted the tension between Mamdani’s stated positions and his previous rhetoric, reflecting the broader national debate on police funding and reform.

6. Former Vice President Kamala Harris Steps Back from Political Candidacy

In a surprising development, former Vice President Kamala Harris announced her decision to refrain from pursuing elected office in the near future.

• Carmen Roberts (03:57): Transitioned to the political announcement: "Former Vice President Kamala Harris makes a major announcement."

• Kamala Harris (04:10): Made her statement: "For months, Kamala Harris appeared to be the leading contender to succeed term-limited Democrat Governor Gavin Newsom. But she posted on social media that she had reflected deeply and decided not to seek elected office for now. The former presidential hopeful wrote that she'll be helping elect Democrats across the country and sharing more details in the months ahead about her plans."

In response, the Republican Governors Association criticized the decision:

• Carmen Roberts (04:10): "The Republican Governors Association released a statement in response saying Kamala Harris's political career is over thanks to President Trump."

Harris's decision marks a significant shift in the Democratic political landscape, potentially impacting future electoral strategies and leadership dynamics.

7. Canada to Recognize a Palestinian State

On the international front, the update covered Canada’s forthcoming recognition of a Palestinian state, aligning with other Western leaders.

• Carmen Roberts (04:43): Reported the announcement: "Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada will recognize a Palestinian state in September. He joins British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron in making the decision to push Israel to end the humanitarian crisis in Gaza."

This move signifies a unified stance among major Western nations aiming to address the ongoing humanitarian issues in Gaza and promote peace in the region.

Additional Highlights

• NYPD Reporting on the Murder Weapon: The New York Police Department informed Fox News that the gun used in the recent Manhattan shooting was purchased from the perpetrator's work supervisor at the Horseshoe Casino in Las Vegas, adding complexity to the investigation.

Conclusion

The July 31, 2025 episode of the Fox News Hourly Update provided listeners with a thorough examination of critical events ranging from local crime and economic policies to significant political shifts and international relations. By delivering timely information and incorporating firsthand quotes with precise timestamps, the episode ensured that audiences remained well-informed on the issues shaping the current socio-political landscape.

For those interested in deeper political analysis and discussions with notable guests, the episode concluded with a promotion for Jason Chaffetz's "Jason in the House" podcast.