Fox News Hourly Update – 12AM ET, August 16, 2025

Main Theme / Purpose

This episode delivers a rapid roundup of major U.S. and international news stories at the top of the hour. Key updates include the Trump-Putin summit in Alaska, political developments in Texas and New Orleans, a hurricane update, market news, and a rare wildlife sighting in Wisconsin.

Major News Highlights

1. Trump-Putin Summit on Ukraine [00:03–00:54]

• President Trump and Russian President Putin concluded a "historic summit" in Alaska focused on the war in Ukraine, but released scant details on outcomes.
  • Carmen Roberts summarizes: “President Trump and Russian President Putin wrapped up their historic summit in Alaska over trying to end the war in Ukraine, but provided very few details about what they accomplished.” [00:03]
• Trump characterized the meeting as highly successful—"rated the meeting as a 10"—with only "a very few" unresolved issues. He signaled openness to a second summit, possibly with Ukraine's President Zelensky.
  • Trump (clip): "We had an extremely productive meeting and many points were agreed to. There are just a very few that are left." [00:16]
  • Jackie Heinrich: “He also suggested that a second meeting, one that includes Ukrainian President Zelensky, may be in the works.” [00:32]
• Ukraine, however, insists on a ceasefire as a precondition for any further negotiations, and it's unclear if Putin agreed.
• Putin proposed, "a second meeting next time in Moscow." [00:51]
• Next steps: Trump plans to call Zelensky.

Notable Quote

• Trump: "We had an extremely productive meeting and many points were agreed to. There are just a very few that are left." [00:16]

2. Flores Settlement Ruling & Federal Case in New Orleans [00:54–01:27]

• A federal judge in Los Angeles denied the Trump administration's request to end the Flores settlement, a longstanding court order protecting immigrant children in custody.
• In New Orleans, Mayor Latoya Cantrell and ex-bodyguard/ former NOPD officer Jeffrey Vappe have been federally indicted in a multi-year fraud scheme.
  • Charges: conspiracy, wire fraud, perjury, and more—18 counts total.
  • Prosecutor Michael Simpson: "Both Vappi and Cantrell were aware that their conduct broke laws." [01:21]

Notable Quote

• Michael Simpson (acting U.S. attorney): "Both Vappi and Cantrell were aware that their conduct broke laws." [01:21]

3. Hurricane Erin Update [01:27–02:00]

• Hurricane Erin now a Category 2 storm (100 mph winds), located about 250 miles ENE of Anguilla.
• Expected to “rapidly intensify into a major hurricane this weekend.”

4. Texas Special Session on Redistricting [02:31–03:22]

• Governor Greg Abbott called another special legislative session aiming to redraw congressional maps and secure five more GOP seats in the U.S. House.
• Previous session collapsed as Democrats left the state to block a quorum; most remain absent, though some signal a return.
  • Greg Abbott (via an official): "We hold a lot more bullets in our belt that we will be ready to use if we need to." [03:02]
  • Absent lawmakers remain out of reach of civil warrants.
  • Jeff Manasso reports for FOX News.

Notable Quote

• Unnamed Republican: "We hold a lot more bullets in our belt that we will be ready to use if we need to." [03:02]

5. D.C. Police Chief Leadership Update [03:22–03:34]

• The Trump administration agreed after a lawsuit to let D.C. Police Chief Pamela Smith retain control of the department.

6. Rare Wildlife Sighting in Wisconsin [03:34–04:08]

• A subtropical wood stork, usually seen in Gulf Coast/Central and South America, was spotted near Madison, WI.
• Identified and confirmed as threatened species by the state DNR.
  • Tom Rigotti, FOX: “A very rare and apparently very confused subtropical wood stork somehow found its way to the northern reaches of the US...” [03:34]

7. Wall Street Market Update [04:08–04:28]

• Stocks pulled back from record highs amid dimmed Fed rate cut expectations:
  • S&P 500: -19 points
  • Dow: +35 points (just shy of a record)
  • NASDAQ: -88 points

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• President Trump on the summit:
  “We had an extremely productive meeting and many points were agreed to. There are just a very few that are left.” [00:16]
• Trump’s self-assessment:
  “The president rated the meeting as a 10.” [00:32]
• Putin’s proposal:
  “A second meeting next time in Moscow.” [00:51]
• Prosecutor on New Orleans indictment:
  “Both Vappi and Cantrell were aware that their conduct broke laws.” [01:21]
• Texas Republican on strategy:
  “We hold a lot more bullets in our belt that we will be ready to use if we need to.” [03:02]
• Wildlife Correspondent Tom Rigotti:
  “A very rare and apparently very confused subtropical wood stork somehow found its way to the northern reaches of the US...” [03:34]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Trump-Putin Summit: 00:03–00:54
• Flores Settlement & NOLA Fraud Indictment: 00:54–01:27
• Hurricane Erin Update: 01:27–02:00
• Texas Redistricting Fight: 02:31–03:22
• D.C. Police Chief News: 03:22–03:34
• Wood Stork Sighting: 03:34–04:08
• Market Recap: 04:08–04:28

This summary delivers a concise yet thorough recounting of the hour's top news stories, preserving the direct tone and urgency of the Fox News Newscast.