12PM ET 08/03/2025 Newscast

Summary

Fox News Hourly Update Episode: 12PM ET 08/03/2025 Newscast Release Date: August 3, 2025

---

Presidential Nominees and Senate Deadlock

In the early segment of the broadcast, Jack Callahan (00:02) reports on the ongoing political impasse surrounding President Trump's nominee confirmations. Following a rare weekend session, the Senate struggled to advance several of the president's nominees due to disagreements between Senate Democrats and Republicans.

Madeline Rivera (00:17) elaborates on the situation, stating that Senate Democrats sought the White House's assistance in unfreezing federal funding to facilitate the passage of President Trump's non-controversial nominees. However, President Trump dismissed Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s (from what seems to be the Democrats' side) proposal as "political extortion" (00:17), urging Republicans to reject the offer. Rivera reports that Senate Majority Leader John Thune (00:17) indicated that despite numerous offers between him and Schumer, the Democrats remained "too dug in." Consequently, the Senate managed to conduct rapid-fire votes on seven nominees before entering an August recess, postponing further negotiations until September.

Special Counsel Investigation into Jack Smith

Jack Callahan (01:00) transitions to legal matters, highlighting statements from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who accused President Trump of abandoning negotiations rather than seeking a compromise. The discussion shifts to former special counsel Jack Smith, known for his attempt to prosecute then-candidate Donald Trump. Senate Minority Leader Schumer (01:00) criticizes the president's approach, claiming that "the president threw in the towel instead of making a deal."

Further expanding on the legal turmoil, Tom Cotton (01:13) reports that Arkansas Senator Cotton has requested the appointment of a Special Counsel to investigate whether Jack Smith, acting under Attorney General Merrick Garland, engaged in "unlawful political actions" aimed at influencing the 2020 election against Donald Trump. Although the specific scope of this investigation remains unclear, it is anticipated that the probe will examine potential violations of the Hatch Act by Smith during his investigation into Trump's handling of classified documents and alleged attempts to subvert the 2020 election. It's noteworthy that Trump has pleaded not guilty in both cases, which were ultimately dismissed following the 2024 election.

Earthquake in New York and New Jersey

Jack Callahan (02:32) shifts focus to a natural event affecting the Northeast. Deborah Valentine reports on a seismic activity where the U.S. Geological Survey confirmed a 3.0 magnitude earthquake near Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey, at 10:18 PM Eastern Time (02:37). Although the borough is approximately 13 miles west of Midtown Manhattan, residents across parts of upper Manhattan, the Bronx, and Staten Island experienced tremors lasting about 10 seconds. Valentine notes that while the 2025 quake caused no reported injuries or damage, a similar event occurred last April with a rare 4.8 magnitude earthquake near Lebanon, New Jersey.

Midwest Wildfires and Air Quality Warnings

Returning to broader national concerns, Jack Callahan (03:15) addresses the ongoing wildfire situation in the Midwest. Several states, including Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, eastern Nebraska, and parts of Indiana and Illinois, are grappling with smoke-induced air quality issues for the third consecutive day. The unhealthy air warnings have now extended to most of New York State and several New England states, highlighting the extensive reach and severity of the wildfires' impact on public health and daily life.

Tennessee Bomb Threats and Arrest

In a significant law enforcement update, Jack Callahan (03:40) reports on a disturbing incident in Tennessee where police discovered 14 improvised explosive devices during a search warrant execution at a 54-year-old man's residence in Old Fort. The suspect, who had previously threatened to kill public officials, attempted to detonate the explosives. As officers apprehended him, they identified a smoldering device in his bedroom, prompting an immediate evacuation of the home. Bomb squad units and agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were dispatched to the scene. The suspect now faces 11 counts of attempted first-degree murder along with numerous other charges, underscoring the ongoing threats to public safety and the government's commitment to addressing domestic terrorism.

Fuel Shortages in Gaza Affecting Hospitals

Concluding the news round-up, Jack Callahan (04:09) highlights international concerns in Gaza. According to Egypt's state-affiliated television, two fuel trucks carrying 107 tons of diesel fuel have entered Gaza. However, Gaza's health ministry, which is under Hamas control, reports that fuel shortages are severely impeding the operation of hospitals. The lack of adequate fuel supply threatens critical healthcare services in the region, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis amid ongoing conflicts.

---

This comprehensive update encapsulates the key political struggles in the U.S. Senate, legal battles involving high-profile figures, natural disasters impacting major metropolitan areas, significant law enforcement actions against domestic threats, and international humanitarian issues affecting Gaza's healthcare system. For those seeking detailed insights into these pressing matters, the Fox News Hourly Update provides timely and relevant information.

Transcript

[Jack Callahan]

The president suggests a recess itinerary for the Senate's minority leader on Jack Callahan, Fox News. Senators have hit the road for their August recess after failing to make a deal to advance dozens of the president's nominees. Fox's Madeline Rivera reports from the White House.

[Madeline Rivera]

The Senate held a rare weekend session Saturday, hoping they can come up with a deal to advance some of President Trump's nominees. Senate Democrats wanted the White House to unfreeze federal funding to pass a small batch of of the president's non controversial nominees. But the president thought Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer was going too far. He told Republicans not to accept the offer, saying it is political extortion by any other name. Tell Schumer, who is under tremendous political pressure from within his own party, the radical left lunatics to go to hell. Senate Majority Leader John Thune says while there were many offers made between him and Schumer, Democrats, we're too dug in. The Senate ended up holding rapid fire votes on seven nominees before leaving Washington until September.

[Jack Callahan]

Senate Minority Leader Schumer said the president threw in the towel instead of making a deal. Former special counsel Jack Smith, who tried to prosecute then candidate Donald Trump, now finds himself the object of a special counsel investigation.

[Tom Cotton]

This after Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton saying, quote, I write requesting the office of Special Counsel to investigate whether Jack Smith, special counsel for Attorney General Merrick Garland, unlawfully took political actions to influence the 2020 election to harm then candidate President Donald Trump. So while the specific scope of this investigation is not clear, it is expected the probe will look into whether Smith violated the Hatch act during his criminal investigation into President Trump's handling of classified documents and alleged efforts to subvert the 2020 election. Trump pleaded not guilty in both of those cases that were ultimately dismissed following the 2024 election.

[Jack Callahan]

Fox's Chandler painter America is listening to Fox News.

[Deborah Valentine]

This episode is brought to you by Lifelock. When you visit the doctor, you probably hand over your insurance, your ID and contact details. It's just one of the many places that has your personal info and if any of them accidentally expose it, you could be at risk for identity theft. Lifelock monitors millions of data points a second. If you become a victim, they'll fix it, guaranteed or your money back. Save up to 40% your first year. @lifelock.com podcast terms apply.

[Jack Callahan]

A shake up Saturday night in parts of New York and New Jersey. As Fox's Deborah Valentine reports.

[Chris DeMaio]

The U.S. geological Survey reports a quake measuring 3.0 on the Richter scale struck near Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey at 10:18pm Eastern Time. The borough is about 13 miles west of Midtown Manhattan, where tremors were also felt. New Jersey residents reported feeling tremors for about 10 seconds. Residents in parts of upper Manhattan, the Bronx and Staten island reported hearing a loud boom followed by tremors that lasted a few seconds. Last April, New Yorkers felt a rare 4.8 earthquake, which struck near Lebanon, New Jersey. Deborah Valentine, Fox News no injuries, no damage reported.

[Jack Callahan]

Several states in the Midwest are dealing with smoke from the Canadian wildfires, bringing warnings of unhealthy air for a third day in Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan, as well as eastern Nebraska and parts of Indiana and Illinois. Those warnings now extending to most of New York State and several of the New England states. Police in Tennessee say they found 14 improvised explosives, executing a search warrant for a man who they say threatened to kill public officials.

[Jack Callaghan]

The 54 year old was taken into custody at his home in Old Fort. Police say he tried to detonate the explosives. As he was being arrested, officers noticed something was smoldering in the bedroom where he was found. Once they discovered the explosive device, the home was evacuated. Bomb squad officers and agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were called in. The suspect faces 11 counts of attempted first degree murder and numerous other charges. Chris DeMaio, Fox News Entering Gaza today.

[Jack Callahan]

Two fuel trucks carrying 107 tons of diesel fuel. This according to Egypt's state affiliated tv. Gaza's health ministry, which is controlled by Hamas, says fuel shortages are hindering the operation of hospitals in Gaza. I'm Jack Callaghan and this is FOX News.

[Will Kane]

It's Will Kane. Country Watch it live at noon Eastern Monday through Thursday@fox news.com or on the Fox News YouTube channel. And don't miss the show. Listen and follow the podcast Fox News five days a week at foxnewspodcasts.com or wherever you download your favorite podcasts.