Fox News Hourly Update – 12PM ET | July 30, 2025

On the July 30, 2025, episode of the Fox News Hourly Update, FOX News Podcasts delivered comprehensive coverage of the day’s most pressing issues, ranging from economic indicators and federal policies to significant global events and legal developments. Below is a detailed summary capturing the key discussions, insights, and conclusions from the broadcast.

Economic Growth and Federal Reserve Pressures

President Trump's Appeal for Interest Rate Cuts

The update opened with economic news, highlighting President Donald Trump's renewed public appeal for the Federal Reserve to consider cutting interest rates. Alisa Brady reported, “President Trump is making another public appeal for an interest rate cut after the latest reading on economic growth, up 3% in the second quarter” (00:02). This call for lower rates follows a stronger-than-expected economic rebound in Q2, marking a 3% growth compared to a contraction in the first quarter. The rebound is attributed to companies increasing their imports in anticipation of expected tariffs.

Fed’s Response and Economic Indicators

Ginny Kosola provided additional context, stating, “Delays in higher tariffs helped ease concerns of consumers and investors” (00:21). She explained that consumer spending saw an uptick, although business spending remained comparatively weaker. The discussion emphasized that GDP, which measures the value of all goods and services produced, is a critical indicator of economic health. Alisa Brady further noted that the Federal Reserve has adopted a “wait and see approach to tariffs and the potential impact on inflation,” anticipating an update from the central bank within the next two hours (00:34).

Aviation Incidents and Safety Hearings

Technical Issues Disrupt Flights in Britain

The segment shifted to aviation news, reporting significant disruptions in British airspace due to a technical issue at an air traffic control center near London. Alisa Brady conveyed that engineers are actively working to “restore normal operations” while limiting aircraft movement in the affected area (00:34).

NTSB Hearing on January Midair Collision

A critical update was provided on the ongoing investigation into the January midair collision between a passenger jet and an army helicopter over Washington, D.C., which resulted in 67 fatalities. NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy expressed condolences and reiterated the board’s commitment to uncovering the incident’s causes:

“Please know that we are working diligently to make sure we know what occurred, how it occurred and to prevent it from ever happening again” (01:17).

Brady reported that the NTSB plans to release findings and safety recommendations, noting immediate changes to certain flight protocols around Reagan National Airport to enhance safety measures (01:28).

Natural Disasters and Geological Events

Tsunami Waves After Major Earthquake

The broadcast covered a significant natural disaster, announcing that no major damage has been reported following tsunami waves triggered by an unprecedented magnitude 8.8 earthquake off Russia’s Far East. Alisa Brady highlighted the international impact, extending the tsunami’s reach to the US West Coast, Hawaii, and Japan, while emphasizing the robust listening capabilities of the American public through Fox News (01:28).

Local News: Nebraska Plant Explosion

Tragic Explosion at Horizon Biofuels Plant

Local news reported a devastating explosion at the Horizon Biofuels plant in Fremont, Nebraska, resulting in the deaths of three individuals, including two children, as confirmed by Mayor Tanya J. Powers (02:31). The blast, which severely damaged the plant’s infrastructure, hampered rescue efforts and left several individuals unaccounted for. Neighbors described the explosion’s impact on nearby homes, while firefighters continued battling the persistent smoke and flames. Horizon Biofuels, known for producing animal bedding and wood pellets, is located approximately 40 miles northwest of Omaha.

“Two children and one adult died in Tuesday's explosion at the Horizon Biofuels plant in Fremont, Nebraska, according to the city's mayor who says a recovery effort is underway” (02:36).

Legal Developments: Emissions Cheating Case

Dutch Court Rules on Diesel Emissions Software

A noteworthy legal update involves a class action lawsuit concerning emissions cheating in diesel vehicles sold in the Netherlands since 2009 by Brands, now under Stellantis. Alisa Brady reported that a Dutch court has issued an intermediary ruling confirming that the vehicles were equipped with software specifically designed to deceive emissions tests (03:13). While the court has yet to decide on compensation for affected consumers, this ruling marks a significant step toward accountability and regulatory enforcement in the automotive industry.

Regulatory Changes: Australia’s Social Media Ban for Children

New Legislation to Protect Children’s Mental Health

Australia's Parliament has passed groundbreaking legislation banning social media platforms for children under 16, aiming to safeguard their mental health and well-being. Alisa Brady detailed the measures, noting that platforms like TikTok, X, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and YouTube will face age restrictions starting December 10th. Therese Crowley elaborated on the challenges these platforms face in implementing effective age-checking technologies:

“Digital media platforms have too big a rush to manage the ban, but they have a year to work it out before penalties kick in” (03:45).

Failure to comply could result in fines up to $50 million. However, certain services, including YouTube for Kids and Google Classroom, are exempted, as the government assesses video games to present fewer social media-related harms compared to traditional platforms. This legislation represents a proactive approach by the Australian government to mitigate the adverse effects of social media on younger demographics.

Market Update: Stock Performance

Mixed Performance in the Stock Markets

The financial segment concluded with a brief overview of the stock market's performance. Alisa Brady reported a slight downturn:

“The Dow is down nine points, the S and P and the Nasdaq in” (04:20).

While specific details on the S&P and Nasdaq were not fully disclosed within the transcript, the mixed performance indicates a period of volatility and investor caution, likely influenced by the ongoing economic discussions and external global events covered earlier in the update.

Closing Remarks

The episode wrapped up with a promotional segment for The Will Cain Show, encouraging listeners to engage with the content through live broadcasts and digital platforms. Additionally, listeners were reminded to subscribe to Fox News Podcasts for continuous updates and in-depth analyses on current events.

Key Takeaways:

• Economic Growth: The U.S. economy showed a 3% growth in Q2, prompting President Trump to advocate for lower interest rates amidst a rebound following Q1 contractions.

• Federal Reserve: Anticipation builds around the Fed’s forthcoming economic stance, with a focus on tariffs' impact on inflation.

• Aviation Safety: Ongoing investigations into a fatal midair collision underscore the commitment to preventing future incidents.

• Natural Disasters: A massive earthquake off Russia’s coast triggered tsunami waves, with no major damage reported yet.

• Local Tragedy: The Horizon Biofuels plant explosion in Nebraska resulted in three fatalities and hampered rescue efforts.

• Legal Accountability: A Dutch court has acknowledged emissions cheating in diesel cars, paving the way for potential compensation and industry reforms.

• Protecting Youth: Australia enacts strict regulations limiting children's access to social media to enhance mental health protection.

• Stock Market Volatility: The stock markets exhibit mixed results, reflecting broader economic uncertainties.

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the diverse range of topics covered in the Fox News Hourly Update, providing listeners and non-listeners alike with a clear and detailed overview of the day's significant events and discussions.

Timestamps Reference:

• 00:02 – President Trump's appeal
• 00:21 – Economic indicators and tariffs
• 00:34 – Fed's approach and aviation issues
• 01:17 – NTSB hearing remarks
• 01:28 – Safety recommendations and tsunami news
• 01:59 – Mint Mobile advertisement
• 02:31 – Nebraska plant explosion
• 03:13 – Emissions lawsuit ruling
• 03:45 – Australia’s social media ban
• 04:20 – Stock market update