Fox News Hourly Update – July 3, 2025, 12PM ET Newscast Summary

Released on July 3, 2025, hosted by Fox News Radio, the "Fox News Hourly Update" provides listeners with the latest developments across legislative, economic, market, and criminal news.

Legislative Update: House to Vote on President Trump's Bill

Melissa Brady opens the segment with a significant development on Capitol Hill: the House of Representatives is poised to vote on the final passage of President Donald Trump's highly-anticipated bill. This legislation, described by supporters as "big" and "beautiful," includes provisions that have sparked considerable debate, particularly concerning funding for Planned Parenthood.

Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries delivered a passionate opposition to the bill. At 00:19, Jeffries stated:

"What we're seeing right now in the House of Representatives, Mr. Speaker, Republicans unleashing a march toward a nationwide abortion ban. That's what's going on right now."

His remarks were met with a standing ovation from Democrats shortly after (00:31). Jeffries emphasized the Democratic stance on reproductive rights, asserting:

"House Democrats believe in a woman's freedom to make her own reproductive health care decisions." (00:34)

Additionally, Jeffries incorporated letters from constituents worried about the potential loss of healthcare programs, highlighting the personal impact of the proposed legislation.

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise defended the bill, highlighting its economic benefits. At 00:50, Scalise remarked:

"Donald Trump wants to empower families in America. He wants to get a new renaissance with literally a golden age of America again. And it's going to happen. And the Democrats don't want to be a part of it."

The bill's key features include tax breaks on tips and overtime and the permanence of the 2017 tax cuts. Despite initial concerns from some Republicans regarding Medicaid changes and national debt levels, the bill is now anticipated to secure sufficient support for passage.

Economic Update: Strong Job Growth and Low Unemployment

Continuing on economic matters, Steve Scalise provided optimistic data regarding job growth and unemployment rates. At 01:17, he shared:

"Job growth remained strong last month and the unemployment rate declined, even though the month had a backdrop of uncertainty over trade. There were 147,000 new jobs created. Economists estimated only 110,000."

He further noted the improvement in the unemployment rate:

"June's unemployment rate improved to 4.1%." (01:34)

Scalise highlighted that the bill’s tax provisions are contributing to this positive economic trend, with June witnessing higher-than-expected hiring rates.

Market and International Relations: Wall Street Rally and U.S.-Russia Communications

Fox's Jeni Kosola reported on the robust performance of Wall Street, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq reaching new all-time highs. This market optimism is juxtaposed with ongoing international diplomatic efforts.

President Trump has been actively engaging with Russian President Vladimir Putin, marking at least their sixth conversation this year in pursuit of ending the war in Ukraine. This diplomatic push aligns with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's recent statements, where he expressed hope for continued dialogue:

"He's also hoping for another Trump call soon and that he's ready for a leaders meeting to end the war." (01:34)

These interactions indicate a sustained American commitment to resolving the conflict in Ukraine through high-level communications.

Criminal News: Court Proceedings and Capitol Hill Shooting

Melissa Brady transitions to a grave criminal update involving a high-profile court case in Minnesota. Lisa Brady reports that Vance Belter is due back in federal court for two hearings: a detention hearing and a preliminary examination. Belter faces severe charges, including the murder of Minnesota House Speaker Emeritus Melissa Hortman and her husband, and the attempted murder of lawmaker John Hoffman and his wife. His actions were part of a broader, targeted attack on multiple lawmakers, although some were unharmed due to their absence.

Notably, at his last court appearance, Belter wore a padded green suicide prevention suit. When questioned, he denied suicidal intentions, attributing his sleeplessness to the conditions at the Sherburne County Jail (02:21).

In a related incident, Melissa Brady reports on a tragic event at the nation’s Capitol where a shooting resulted in the death of a Capitol Hill intern, Eric Tarpinian Yakim. Therese Crowley provides details:

"He wanted to make positive change and that's why he went to intern on Capitol Hill. That's what a friend says of University of Massachusetts Amherst senior Eric Tarpinian Yakim killed in a triple shooting in northwest D.C." (02:58)

Police indicate that Yakim, a 21-year-old congressional intern for Kansas Congressman Ron Estes, was not the shooter’s intended target. He had only begun his internship in June, studying finance and political science at UMass. Congressman Estes honored Yakim’s memory, stating:

"I'll remember his kind heart and how he greeted anyone in our office with a cheerful smile." (03:03)

The shooter’s vehicle has been recovered, but details about the motive remain unclear.

International Incident: Stabbing Attack in Finland

Melissa Brady also reports on an emerging crisis in Tampere, Finland. A stabbing attack near a shopping center has resulted in at least one person in custody, though the number of injured remains undetermined. Therese Crowley states:

"The attack happened near a shopping center in the southern city of Tampere. No details yet on how it started. Police say there's no longer any threat to the public." (03:43)

Authorities are actively investigating the incident, with preliminary reports indicating the immediate threat has been neutralized.

Market Performance: Continued Wall Street Strength

Wrapping up the news segment, Melissa Brady notes the ongoing strength of the stock market:

"Again, a rally on Wall Street. Right now, the Dow is up 333 points." (03:43)

This upward trend reflects investor confidence amidst the current economic indicators and market conditions.

This summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the July 3, 2025, edition of the "Fox News Hourly Update." For more detailed coverage, listeners are encouraged to tune into the full broadcast.