12PM ET 07/09/2025 Newscast

Summary

Fox News Hourly Update – 12PM ET Newscast Summary (July 9, 2025)

The latest edition of the Fox News Hourly Update, hosted by Fox News Radio, provided comprehensive coverage of significant national and international events. This summary encapsulates the key discussions, insights, and conclusions drawn during the broadcast.

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Tragic Flash Flooding in Texas

The newscast opened with a heartbreaking report on devastating flash floods in Texas, resulting in 119 deaths and leaving over 170 individuals missing.

Lisa Brady reported at [00:02], "Flash flooding now blamed for 119 deaths with more than 170 people missing." Highlighting both the tragedy and the heroic efforts, Joe Herring Jr., Kerrville Mayor, stated at [00:12], "This is a story of tragedy, but it's also a story of heroes."

During a briefing, Sheriff Larry Letha addressed concerns regarding the local response to flood warnings. At [00:26], he emphasized, "The Hill country is not a one size fit all place," explaining the varied approaches necessary for effective emergency responses. He assured that emergency crews acted promptly, adding at [00:36], "As with other significant events that are emergencies services encounter, this incident will be reviewed. You have my word."

Christina Coleman detailed the ongoing search efforts at [00:45], describing the resources deployed: "crews on horseback, K9 units, helicopters and swift water boats." She underscored the severity of the flood, labeling it "one of the deadliest in U.S. history."

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Trump Administration Sues California Over Transgender Athletes Policy

A significant legal battle was highlighted as the Trump administration launched a lawsuit against California concerning the participation of transgender athletes in female sports categories.

Linda McMahon, speaking at [01:09], explained the Justice Department's stance: "California is violating federal Title 9 requirements and eviscerating equal athletic opportunities for girls and requiring girls to share intimate spaces like locker rooms with boys."

Echoing the administration's commitment, Joe Herring Jr. remarked at [01:22], "Women fought hard for these rights and it is the law and the president means business with it."

Responding to the lawsuit, California officials maintained their position. At [01:28], McMahon underscored the administration's directive for California to repeal its policy, while California counterparts expressed strong disagreement with the findings, asserting that the state is not in violation of Title 9.

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Immigration Case Resolved Through Congressional Intervention

A notable humanitarian case was covered involving Donna Kashanian, who was released by immigration officials after intervention by the House Majority Leader.

Jessica Rosenthal narrated at [02:21], detailing Donna's long-standing residency in the U.S. for 47 years and her contributions to the community. Despite her family's citizenship and her voluntary work, Donna faced deportation due to previous visa complications and an unsuccessful asylum application based on her father's political affiliations.

Following widespread support and advocacy efforts, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise intervened, leading to her release. However, Homeland Security remained firm, stating at [02:21], "nothing about this case has changed, that she's here illegally and has exhausted all of her options."

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Houthi Rebels Attack Cargo Ships in the Red Sea

International tensions were evident as European rescuers reported attacks on cargo ships by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea. The second attack targeted a Liberian-flagged vessel since Sunday, resulting in at least three fatalities.

At [03:03], Lisa Brady informed listeners of the ongoing maritime threats: "European rescuers say just six crew members are found so far from a cargo ship attacked by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea, the second Liberian flagged ship sunk by the Houthis since Sunday, killing at least three in the second attack."

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Trump Administration Revises Mortgage Qualification Criteria

In an effort to aid prospective homeowners, the Trump administration announced a change allowing rent payments to be considered in mortgage qualifications.

Lauren Simonetti reported at [03:23]: "FICO scores are used in mortgage underwriting traditionally, but now the Federal Housing Finance Agency says Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac can also use what's called a Vantage score that incorporates a borrower's rent payment history to determine if they qualify for a mortgage." She highlighted the potential impact, noting that historically, about 2 million people annually purchase their first home, a number that had declined to 1.1 million last year.

Echoing the economic implications, Lisa Brady added at [03:54], "Fox Business Lauren Simonetti, a partial rebound on Wall street even as the president announces more tariff letters to trading partners as efforts continue to make." She provided an update on the stock market's performance, mentioning, "Right now, the Dow is up about 90 points. The S and P and the Nasdaq also in the green."

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Additional Segments

While the newscast primarily focused on the aforementioned topics, brief segments included local stories and promotions for other Fox News programs. Janice Dean introduced her Sunday segment on inspirational stories at [04:09], and Larry Letha concluded with a prompt to follow Fox News Podcast at [04:22].

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This comprehensive update from Fox News Hourly underscores the network's commitment to delivering timely and detailed reporting on critical issues affecting communities both domestically and internationally.

Transcript

[Lisa Brady]

More heartbreak in Texas. Lisa Brady, FOX News. Flash flooding now blamed for 119 deaths with more than 170 people missing.

[Joe Herring Jr.]

This is a story of tragedy, but it's also a story of heroes.

[Lisa Brady]

Kerrville mayor Joe Herring Jr. Just thanking first responders at a briefing where the Kerr County Sheriff Larry Letha denied trying to deflect questions about the local response to flood warnings.

[Larry Letha]

The Hill country is not a one size fit all place, he says.

[Lisa Brady]

For instance, sometimes it's safer to shelter, evacuate. But he says emergency crews responded promptly to Friday's flooding.

[Larry Letha]

As with other significant events that are emergencies services encounter, this incident will be reviewed. You have my word.

[Lisa Brady]

For now, the search continues.

[Christina Coleman]

There's crews on horseback, K9 units, helicopters and swift water boats. These crews are among the hundreds of rescuers searching for survivors as this community processes the devastating aftermath of this powerful flood, one of the deadliest in U.S. history.

[Lisa Brady]

Fox's Christina Coleman in Kerrville. The Trump admin is suing California over trans athletes in female sports. Fox's Jared Halpern at the White House.

[Linda McMahon]

The Justice Department argues California is violating federal Title 9 requirements and eviscerating equal athletic opportunities for girls and requiring girls to share intimate spaces like locker rooms with boys.

[Joe Herring Jr.]

Women fought hard for these rights and it is the law and the president means business with it.

[Linda McMahon]

Education secretary Linda McMahon says California was given intel this week to reverse its policy. California officials respond they disagree disagree with findings the state is in violation of Title 9.

[Lisa Brady]

California has a state law allowing trans athletes to compete based on gender identity. The former White House doctor takes the fifth, refusing to answer questions for a House committee on President Biden's health in office, his attorneys citing a pending Justice Department probe. America is listening to FOX News.

[Jimmy Phela]

This is Jimmy Phela inviting you to join me for FOX Across America where we'll discuss every single one of the Democrats. Dumb ideas. Just kidding. It's only a three. Listen live at noon Eastern or get the [e-mail] a 64 year old Iranian.

[Lisa Brady]

Woman is released by immigration officials in the US after the House majority leader intervened.

[Jessica Rosenthal]

Donna Kashanian had been living in the US for 47 years. Her husband's a citizen, so are her daughters. But she overseed a visa here in 1978, applied for asylum based on her father's support of the Shah of Iran, but did not get it. Then in 1992, she was ordered deported, but she did not leave. Last month, ICE arrested her outside of her home in New Orleans. Now dozens of people have written letters to the president, to ice, to Congress, telling them how much she volunteers and donates, how much work she does for their community. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise asked ICE to give her a fair shake, and after that, she was released. But Homeland Security says nothing about this case has changed, that she's here illegally and has exhausted all of her options. Jessica Rosenthal, FOX News.

[Lisa Brady]

European rescuers say just six crew members are found so far from a cargo ship attacked by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea, the second Liberian flagged ship sunk by the Houthis since Sunday, killing at least three in the second attack. Rent payments can now be used to help qualify for a mortgage in the US A change just announced by the Trump administration.

[Lauren Simonetti]

FICO scores are used in mortgage underwriting traditionally, but now the Federal Housing Finance Agency says Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac can also use what's called a Vantage score that incorporates a borrower's rent payment history to determine if they qualify for a mortgage. Well, needed relief for millions of Americans struggling to buy a home, often for the first time. Historically, about 2 million people each year get the keys to their very first home. You know, you remember that day you got your keys. But last year that number sunk to an all time low, 1.1 million.

[Lisa Brady]

Fox Business Lauren Simonetti, a partial rebound on Wall street even as the president announces more tariff letters to trading partners as efforts continue to make. Right now, the Dow is up about 90 points. The S and P and the Nasdaq also in the green and Lisa Brady.

[Janice Dean]

FOX NEWS I'm Janice Dean. Join me every Sunday as I focus on stories of hope and people who are truly rays of sunshine in their community and across the world.

[Larry Letha]

Listen and follow now@fox newspodcast.com.