Fox News Hourly Update – 12PM ET 09/30/2025 Newscast

Host: Lisa Brady (FOX News Podcasts)
Date: September 30, 2025

Overview

This brisk midday newscast covers evolving national defense policy from the White House, a looming government shutdown, a military base lockdown, questions about no-fly lists during the Biden era, the latest on hurricane threats, and the state of the U.S. jobs market and financial indices.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Pentagon Policy Shift and Military Leadership

• Presidential Address to Military Leaders
  • President Trump addressed America's highest-ranking officers, emphasizing a pivot from "political correctness" to merit-based military policy.
  • Trump announced the military’s core function is to defend the nation, not protect feelings.
• Combating Domestic Unrest
  • The president discussed deploying National Guard troops to address crime and violence in U.S. cities.
  • He framed domestic threats as an "enemy from within."

Notable Quotes:

• President Trump (00:21):
  “It's because the purposes of American military is not to protect anyone's feelings. It's to protect our republic.”

• President Trump (00:34):
  “It's the enemy from within and we have to handle it before it gets out of control. It won't get out of control.”

• Military Culture and Standards

  • War Secretary Pete Hegseth critiqued “woke culture” in the armed forces.
  • Announced:
    • New gender-neutral physical fitness standards.
    • Military leaders opposed to these policies are urged to resign.

2. Healthcare Pricing and Government Shutdown Tensions

• Drug Price Reductions

  • President Trump announced a deal with Pfizer, aiming to cut costs for several medications and hinting toward broader drug price reductions.

• Congressional Clashes

  • Democrats push to reverse certain healthcare cuts in Trump’s “big beautiful bill.”
  • Urgency as a government shutdown deadline looms at midnight.

• Federal Workforce Concerns

  • Democrats fear a shutdown could result in mass firings.
  • Some note the administration has already downsized the federal workforce.

Notable Quotes:

• Jared Halpern (01:17):
  “Democrats are concerned that a shutdown could trigger mass firings of federal workers. Some Democrats say it doesn't matter if the government closes. That's because the administration already eliminated portions of the federal workforce.”

3. Military Base Lockdown Scare

• Incident at Joint Base Maguire Dix Lakehurst (NJ)
  • Reports of an active shooter led to a lockdown.
  • Shortly after, an official “all clear” was issued; no threat remained.
  • Noted as one of the country’s largest military bases.

4. No-Fly List Controversy

• Fox News Digital Investigation
  • Documents from the Biden era show critics of COVID policies, including public opponents of mask mandates, were placed on TSA watchlists and in some cases on the no-fly list.
  • 280 individuals involved in the January 6th riot were also listed, as well as people falsely connected through bad intelligence, including a National Guardsman.
  • Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem accuses the Biden TSA of overreaching and punishing free expression; refers case to Justice Department and Congress.

Notable Quotes:

• Kristi Noem (02:39):
  “The Transportation Security Administration put 19 people on various watch lists including some on the no fly list who had resisted mask mandates publicly. 280 people involved in the January 6 riot were placed on lists, including five who were not allowed to fly at all.”

5. Weather Updates

• Hurricane Activity
  • Hurricane Umberto delivers dangerous weather to Bermuda and generates swells along the East Coast, Bahamas, and Bermuda.
  • Newly-formed Hurricane Imelda is impacting North Carolina with rain capable of causing flash flooding.

6. Economic Snapshot

• Labor Market Report
  • Job creation exceeded expectations in August, with 7.2 million openings (per JOLTS survey).
  • Sectors like construction and federal government saw fewer openings; public arts and hospitality sectors saw decreased separations.
• Stock Market Update
  • Stocks are down; the Dow Jones drops 114 points at midday, with S&P and Nasdaq also in negative territory.

Notable Quotes:

• Jenny Cosella (03:45):
  “Job creation was stronger than expected on the last business day of August. The Job Openings and Labor Turnover survey found 7.2 million openings.”

Memorable Moments & Notable Quotes (with Timestamps)

• President Trump on the Military’s Mission — (00:21)
  “It's because the purposes of American military is not to protect anyone's feelings. It's to protect our republic.”
• President Trump on Domestic Threats — (00:34)
  “It's the enemy from within and we have to handle it before it gets out of control. It won't get out of control.”
• Jared Halpern on Shutdown Concerns — (01:17)
  “Democrats are concerned that a shutdown could trigger mass firings of federal workers. Some Democrats say it doesn't matter if the government closes. That's because the administration already eliminated portions of the federal workforce.”
• Kristi Noem on No-Fly List Abuse — (02:39)
  “The Transportation Security Administration put 19 people on various watch lists...including some on the no fly list who had resisted mask mandates publicly.”

Timeline of Key Segments

• 00:02–00:46 — Pentagon defense policy, President Trump’s address, and military leadership changes
• 00:46–01:30 — Healthcare policy, government shutdown risk, Capitol Hill updates
• 01:30–01:45 — Military base lockdown in New Jersey
• 02:30–03:21 — Scrutiny over no-fly lists and Biden TSA policies
• 03:21–03:45 — Weather updates (Hurricanes)
• 03:45–04:18 — Labor market and stock market updates

Summary

This Fox News newscast captures major developments on national defense, policy disputes over healthcare and budgets, emergent crises, and economic indicators, blending hard-hitting political rhetoric with updates on weather and business. President Trump’s renewed focus on military “merit” and de-emphasizing “political correctness” sets the tone for the newscast’s coverage of evolving governmental priorities, contentious congressional negotiations, and scrutiny of administrative overreach in the previous administration.