12PM ET 07/07/2025 Newscast

Summary

Fox News Hourly Update: July 7, 2025 – Detailed Summary

On July 7, 2025, the Fox News Hourly Update delivered comprehensive coverage of pressing national and international issues. The episode, hosted by Lisa Brady, encompassed critical updates on natural disasters, trade negotiations, security incidents, Middle Eastern conflicts, legal battles surrounding free speech, and the financial markets. Below is a detailed summary of the key topics discussed, enriched with notable quotes and timestamps for reference.

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1. Texas Flood Devastation and Rescue Efforts

The broadcast began with an urgent update on the ongoing flood crisis in Texas, particularly along the Guadalupe River. Mayor Joe Herring Jr. of Kerrville provided a heartfelt plea to the community amidst the dire circumstances.

Key Points:

• Search and Rescue: Efforts are intensifying to locate the missing individuals, including 10 children and a counselor from Camp Mystic.
• Casualties: As of the update, 75 bodies have been recovered in Kerr County alone, with the total death toll reaching at least 89.
• Resilience and Hope: Mayor Herring emphasized the community's unwavering hope despite the challenges ahead.

Notable Quotes:

• Joe Herring Jr. [00:06]: "We need your prayers. We need your prayers."
• Joe Herring Jr. [00:21]: "I need to tell my community and those families who are waiting, this will be a rough week. Primary search continues and we remain hopeful. Every foot, every mile, every bend of the river."

Support Initiatives: Fox Corporation has contributed to the relief efforts by donating to the Texas Hill Country's Kerr County Flood Relief Fund. Listeners are encouraged to support through Go FOX TX.

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2. Impact of Staffing Cuts on Flood Warnings

Senator Ted Cruz addressed controversies regarding whether staffing reductions at the National Weather Service affected the timeliness of flood warnings.

Key Points:

• Staffing Cuts Debate: There have been suggestions that budget cuts impaired the Weather Service's warning capabilities.
• Senator Cruz’s Stance: Cruz refuted these claims, citing the National Weather Service union's position that staffing reductions did not impact their warning systems.
• Support for Review: Despite defending the Weather Service, Cruz expressed his support for conducting a review of the situation.

Notable Quotes:

• Ted Cruz [00:51]: "The National Weather Service union, which has been very critical of the Doge cuts, has publicly said that they don't believe that the reduction in staffing had any impact whatsoever on their ability to warn of this event."

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3. U.S. Trade Negotiations and Upcoming Tariff Changes

Treasury Secretary Scott Besant provided insights into the United States' ongoing trade negotiations and the impending changes to tariff rates.

Key Points:

• Upcoming Tariffs: Letters outlining new tariff rates are being dispatched to multiple trading partners, set to take effect on August 1st.
• Negotiation Leverage: Besant asserted that the U.S. maintains a strong position in these negotiations, threatening significant tariff increases if agreements are not reached.
• Reciprocal Tariffs: These new tariffs come alongside the expiration of reciprocal tariffs announced in April, set to end on the upcoming Wednesday.

Notable Quotes:

• Scott Besant [01:14]: "What these letters will do is tell countries that have yet to make a deal with the United States that unless they make one, tariff rates will way up in some cases to their original Liberation Day levels."

• Financial Impact: This announcement coincided with a sell-off on Wall Street, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average declining by 322 points amid tariff uncertainty.

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4. Security Incident in McAllen, Texas

A security breach occurred at a Border Patrol facility in McAllen, Texas, raising concerns over border security.

Key Points:

• The Incident: A 27-year-old gunman opened fire at the facility.
• Response: Federal agents engaged and neutralized the shooter, resulting in his death. One officer sustained injuries during the exchange.
• Ongoing Investigation: Authorities are conducting a thorough investigation to ascertain motives and prevent future incidents.

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5. Middle East Developments: Gaza and Yemen

The episode covered significant updates from the Middle East, focusing on efforts to achieve peace in Gaza and escalating tensions in Yemen.

Gaza Ceasefire and Hostage Release:

• Diplomatic Efforts: Israel's Prime Minister was scheduled to visit the White House to advocate for a new ceasefire and the release of hostages in Gaza.
• President Trump's Involvement: President Trump expressed optimism about ending the conflict in Gaza and pursuing a lasting agreement with Iran, alleged to be the primary sponsor of Hamas for decades.

Notable Quotes:

• Peter Doocy [02:24]: "President Trump is going for a twofer today. He believes he can end the war in Gaza and strike a permanent deal with the state that has been sponsoring Hamas in Gaza for decades. Iran."

Yemen Conflict:

• Houthi Rebels' Actions: The Houthi group in Yemen announced the sinking of a cargo ship they attacked in the Red Sea, though the crew was rescued by a merchant vessel.
• Israeli Military Response: In retaliation, the Israeli military increased airstrikes on ports controlled by the Houthis in Yemen, escalating the regional conflict.

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6. Legal Challenges: Free Speech and Anti-Semitism Claims

A significant legal battle is unfolding in Boston, where pro-Palestinian academics are challenging actions taken by the Trump administration.

Key Points:

• Lawsuit Details: The Knight Institute filed a lawsuit representing the American Association of University Professors, alleging that the administration's arrests and visa cancellations target individuals based on their political speech, violating First Amendment rights.
• Court Proceedings: Judge William Young has ordered a non-jury trial, criticizing the administration's policies as intimidation tactics against political speech.
• Government Response: A Homeland Security spokesperson condemned attempts to use the First Amendment to promote anti-American and anti-Semitic violence and terrorism.

Notable Quotes:

• Jessica Rosenthal [03:00]: "Judge William Young ordered a non jury trial, saying it's hard to imagine a policy more focused on intimidating its targets and from practicing protected political speech."

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7. Financial Markets Update

The episode concluded with a brief overview of the current state of the financial markets.

Key Points:

• Market Performance: The Dow Jones Industrial Average experienced a significant decline, dropping by 322 points amid uncertainties surrounding upcoming tariff implementations.
• Investor Sentiment: The uncertainty in trade negotiations continues to influence market stability and investor confidence.

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Conclusion

The Fox News Hourly Update on July 7, 2025, provided listeners with a thorough overview of critical events impacting Texas, national trade policies, security concerns, international conflicts, legal disputes over free speech, and financial market fluctuations. Through in-depth reporting and direct quotes from key figures, the broadcast offered a comprehensive snapshot of the day's most pressing issues.

Transcript

[Lisa Brady]

They're not giving up hope. In Texas, Hamisa Brady, FOX News.

[Joe Herring Jr.]

We need your prayers. We need your prayers.

[Lisa Brady]

Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring Jr. At a briefing just held as the search continues for the missing, including 10 children and a counselor from Camp mystic in the path of flood devastation along the Guadalupe River.

[Joe Herring Jr.]

I need to tell my community and those families who are waiting, this will be a rough week. Primary search continues and we remain hopeful. Every foot, every mile, every bend of the river.

[Lisa Brady]

In Kerr county alone, 75 bodies recovered so far, at least 89 known dead in all. Also at that briefing, Texas Republican Senator Ted Cruz on suggestions that staffing cuts may have impacted the timing of flood warnings.

[Ted Cruz]

The National Weather Service union, which has been very critical of the Doge cuts, has publicly said that they don't believe that the reduction in staffing had any impact whatsoever on their ability to warn of this event.

[Lisa Brady]

Cruz also says he supports a review. The White House plans a briefing an hour from now as letters go out to multiple trading partners about new tariff rates to kick in August 1st.

[Scott Bessen]

And Treasury Secretary Scott Besant says even more letters could go out in the coming days. What these letters will do is tell countries that have yet to make a deal with the United States that unless they make one, tariff rates will go way up in some cases to their original Liberation Day levels. Bessen argues the US still has the upper hand in tariff negotiations.

[Lisa Brady]

FOX BUSINESSES GRADY trimble. The letters come as a pause and the reciprocal tariffs announced in April ends this Wednesday. Police describing an ambush in McAllen, Texas, where a man opened fire at a Border Patrol facility. Federal agents returning fire, killing the 27 year old gunman. One officer was injured. America is listening to FOX News.

[Will Cain]

It's the the Will Cain Show. Watch it live at noon Eastern Monday through Thursday on foxnews.com or on the Fox News YouTube channel. And don't miss a show. Get the podcast five days a week at foxnewspodcasts.com or wherever you download your favorite podcasts.

[Lisa Brady]

Israel's prime minister is due at the White House later today as the push continues for a new ceasefire and hostage release in Gaza. Fox's Peter Doocy at the White House.

[Peter Doocy]

President Trump is going for a twofer today. He believes he can end the war in Gaza and strike a permanent deal with the state that has been sponsoring Hamas in Gaza for decades. Iran.

[Lisa Brady]

Meantime, the Houthi rebels in Yemen just announcing a cargo ship they attacked yesterday in the Red Sea has sunk. The crew had been rescued by a passing merchant ship. The Israeli military launching more airstrikes on Houthi held ports in Yemen. A trial gets underway in Boston over a Trump administration crackdown that's being challenged as violating the free speech rights of pro Palestinian professors and students.

[Jessica Rosenthal]

The Knight Institute filed a lawsuit on behalf of the American association of University Professors. They alleged the Trump administration's arrest of people like Mahmoud Khalil and Ramesa Ozturk, along with the cancellation of other student visas over anti Israel protests, is a violation of their free speech rights. While individual rulings have resulted in the release of Khalil and Osterk, Judge William Young ordered a non jury trial, saying it's hard to imagine a policy more focused on intimidating its targets and from practicing protected political speech. A Homeland Security spokeswoman said the secretary made it clear anyone who thinks they can hide behind the First Amendment to advocate anti American and anti Semitic violence and terrorism should think again. Jessica Rosenthal, FOX NEWS as search and.

[Lisa Brady]

Rescue efforts continue in Texas, Fox Corporation has made a donation to the community foundation of the Texas Hill Country's Kerr County Flood Relief Fund. If you'd like to join Fox's supportive recovery efforts, you can visit Go FOX TX. Flood relief a sell off on Wall street as some tariff uncertainty returns. Right now, the dow is down 322 points and Lisa Brady, Fox News.

[Trey Gowdy]

Hey.

[Ted Cruz]

I'm Trey Gowdy, host of the Trey Gowdy Podcast. I hope you will join me every Tuesday and Thursday as we navigate life together and hopefully find ourselves a little bit better on the other side.

[Will Cain]

Listen and follow [e-mail].