Fox News Hourly Update: 12PM ET 08/20/2025

Host: Lisa Brady, FOX News Podcasts
Published: August 20, 2025
Episode Overview:
This episode delivers a rapid-fire roundup of key political, weather, and economic news, touching on Texas’ redistricting drama, urgent hurricane preparations in North Carolina, renewed Fed board controversy with President Trump, Bernie Sanders’ surprising support for a government tech stake, and a manhunt following a park ranger attack in Colorado.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. Texas Redistricting Standoff & Legal Maneuvers

• Delayed Vote on Congressional Maps:
  • Texas state House is set to vote on new congressional maps. Previous delays were caused by Democratic lawmakers leaving the state in protest. ([00:02])
• Democrats’ New Strategy:
  • After weeks of stalling, Democrats now want the bill to pass quickly so they can challenge it in court under the Voting Rights Act.
  • Quote, Garrett Tenney:
    “Democrats say it is now in their best interest strategically for it to become law as quickly as possible so that they can then challenge it in court, arguing that the map violates the Voting Rights Act.” ([00:10])
• Urgency and Election Timelines:
  • Time pressures due to impending midterm filing deadlines in early December could determine whether courts intervene before the election.
  • Quote, Garrett Tenney:
    "If these legal challenges drag on too much past then it will become increasingly less likely that the courts would throw out the maps before the election." ([00:30])

2. Redistricting Lawsuits in California

• Republicans Sue Over Governor’s Map Plan:
  • In California, Republicans are taking legal action against the governor's redistricting process, claiming it skipped a mandatory 30-day review. ([00:46])

3. Hurricane Erin Threatens North Carolina Coast

• Storm Track & Risks:
  • Hurricane Erin is not expected to make landfall but will cause significant impacts on North Carolina’s Outer Banks.
• Governor’s Warning:
  • Governor Josh Stein urges coastal residents, especially in evacuation zones like Dare County, to prepare for flooding, strong winds, and storm surges.
  • Quote, Gov. Josh Stein (via Eben Brown):
    "We are anticipating coastal flooding from massive waves, tropical storm force winds and tidal and storm surge for much of the state." ([01:05])
  • Emergency services, including swift water rescue and food supply helicopters, are mobilizing. ([01:05])
• Beach Closings:
  • Extended from Florida to New England due to dangerous rip currents. ([01:43])

4. International Update: NATO & Ukraine

• NATO Video Conference:
  • Military leaders continue discussions on ending the war in Ukraine. ([01:43])

5. President Trump’s Clash With Federal Reserve

• Call for Fed Board Member’s Resignation:
  • Trump demands the resignation of Lisa Cook, citing allegations of mortgage fraud (allegedly claiming two properties as primary residences).
  • Quote, Jared Halpern:
    "President Trump says Federal Reserve board member Lisa Cook must resign now, linking that post to a news report about mortgage fraud allegations.” ([02:21])
• Broader Criticism & Board Vacancies:
  • Criticism extends to Fed Chair Jerome Powell for not lowering interest rates.
  • Trump recently moved to fill another Fed board vacancy. ([02:21])

6. Intel: Government Taking a Stake?

• Bipartisan Support for Tech Investment:
  • President Trump’s proposal to convert US grant funding for Intel into a government stake gets support from Senator Bernie Sanders.
  • Quote, Sanders (per Reuters via host):
    "If microchip companies make a profit from generous federal grants, American taxpayers have a right to a reasonable return on that investment." ([03:00])
• Policy Under Discussion:
  • The US Commerce Secretary is working out details. ([03:00])

7. Colorado Manhunt: Park Ranger Attack

• Incident Details:
  • Park ranger stabbed on a hiking trail in Staunton State Park; incident led to evacuation and a major search.
• Suspect Description:
  • White male, 30s, considered armed and dangerous.
• Authorities’ Response:
  • Multi-agency effort including SWAT teams and aerial searches.
  • Quote, Jackie Kelly (Jefferson County Sheriff):
    “Calling it a targeted attack of a park ranger who called for help Tuesday morning.” ([03:35])

8. Markets Brief

• Stock Update:
  • Dow is down 67 points, the NASDAQ is also lower. ([04:03])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Strategy & Speed – Garrett Tenney on Texas:
  “After weeks of delaying the inevitable passage of this bill, Democrats say it is now in their best interest strategically for it to become law as quickly as possible so that they can then challenge it in court, arguing that the map violates the Voting Rights Act.” ([00:10])

• Urgency Highlighted – Garrett Tenney:
  “Time is of the essence here because the filing deadlines for next year’s midterms are just a few months away in early December.” ([00:30])

• Hurricane Readiness – Gov. Josh Stein:
  “We are anticipating coastal flooding from massive waves, tropical storm force winds, and tidal and storm surge for much of the state.” ([01:05])

• Trump Targets Fed – Jared Halpern:
  “President Trump says Federal Reserve board member Lisa Cook must resign now, linking that post to a news report about mortgage fraud allegations.” ([02:21])

• Sanders Supports Government Stake – host quoting Sanders:
  “If microchip companies make a profit from generous federal grants, American taxpayers have a right to a reasonable return on that investment.” ([03:00])

• Colorado Attack Described – Jackie Kelly:
  “Calling it a targeted attack of a park ranger who called for help Tuesday morning.” ([03:35])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:02] — Texas redistricting and Democratic strategy
• [00:46] — Redistricting lawsuit in California
• [01:05] — Hurricane Erin warnings and preparedness
• [01:43] — NATO updates, Ukraine
• [02:21] — Trump calls for Fed board resignation
• [03:00] — Intel government stake, Sanders support
• [03:35] — Colorado park ranger attack and manhunt
• [04:03] — Markets update

Summary:
This episode offers concise updates on major national and international issues, emphasizing political maneuvering over redistricting in Texas and California, urgent hurricane preparedness, Trump’s intensifying conflict with the Fed, rare bipartisan economic proposals, and public safety concerns after a violent park attack. Each segment is packed with direct insights and key quotes reflecting the day’s fast-evolving headlines.