12PM ET 10/08/2025 Newscast

Summary

Fox News Hourly Update – 12PM ET 10/08/2025 Newscast

Host: Alisa Brady, with reports from Jared Halpern, Steve Harrigan, and others
Date: October 8, 2025
Theme: Key national and international news updates, legal developments, geopolitical negotiations, and notable passings

---

Main Theme / Purpose

This episode delivers fast-paced updates on major breaking news across the U.S. and internationally. Coverage focuses on new criminal charges related to a deadly wildfire, high-profile legal proceedings, a terror attack in the UK, Gaza ceasefire developments, ongoing political confrontations around immigration enforcement, a protracted government shutdown, and the death of Joan Kennedy.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Arrest in the Palisades Wildfire Case

[00:02]

• A man is set to face federal charges for allegedly starting the catastrophic Palisades fire in California.
  • Impacts: 12 fatalities, massive property destruction in Pacific Palisades and Malibu.
  • The fire initially broke out just after midnight on New Year’s Eve, was briefly controlled, then reignited due to high winds.

"Federal prosecutors in California set to announce criminal charges against a man accused of starting the Palisades fire that killed 12 people and did historic damage…"
— Alisa Brady [00:02]

---

2. James Comey Arraignment

[00:32]

• Former FBI Director James Comey appeared in court, pleading not guilty to:
  • Two counts: making a false statement to Congress and obstructing a congressional proceeding.
  • Both charges tied to a 2020 Senate hearing about media leaks.
• Legal process:
  • Trial set for January 5th.
  • Defense plans to challenge the prosecution as "vindictive" and question the appointment of Acting U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan.

"...Comey pleaded not guilty to two counts making a false statement to Congress, an obstruction of a congressional proceeding…"
— Jared Halpern [00:32]

"Defense attorneys say they will file motions alleging a vindictive prosecution…"
— Jared Halpern [00:51]

---

3. Manchester Synagogue Attack Linked to ISIS

[01:09]

• British police confirmed the synagogue attacker in Manchester pledged allegiance to ISIS during the act.
  • Incident involved vehicle ramming and stabbings; two killed on Yom Kippur.
  • The attacker was killed by police.

---

4. Gaza Ceasefire Negotiations

[01:32]

• High-profile U.S. and Middle Eastern figures joined ongoing ceasefire talks in Egypt:
  • U.S. Special Envoy Steve Wick, presidential advisor Jared Kushner, and the Qatari Prime Minister.
  • Focus: 20-point ceasefire plan by President Trump, prioritizing hostage release.

"Some heavy hitters joining the talks on day three..."
— Steve Harrigan [01:32]

"...focusing first on releasing hostages."
— Alisa Brady [01:45]

---

5. U.S. Domestic Politics: Immigration Enforcement Standoff

[02:15]

• President Trump criticized Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson amid violent attacks on federal immigration agents.
  • Trump called for both officials to be jailed.
  • Pritzker: "I'm not backing down."
  • Johnson: "I'm not going anywhere... the fact that he has declared war on the city of Chicago is disconcerting to say the least."
• Ongoing legal battles over Texas and Illinois National Guard deployments as the president moves to federalize Illinois troops.

"President Trump on Truth Social calling for Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker to be jailed..."
— Will Kane [02:21]

"...he has declared war on the city of Chicago is disconcerting to say the least."
— Mayor Johnson, quoted by Will Kane [02:37]

---

6. Government Shutdown: Day Eight

[03:00]

• Senate remains deadlocked on funding measures; repeated failures for short-term solutions.
  • Democrats urge inclusion of healthcare funding in negotiations.
  • Republicans want to postpone health spending talks until after government reopens.

---

7. Death of Joan Kennedy

[03:20]

• Joan Kennedy, ex-wife of Ted Kennedy, passed away at 89.
  • Former model and pianist, mother of Ted Jr., Patrick, and Kara Kennedy.
  • Endured family tragedy (Kennedy assassinations, Chappaquiddick) and personal struggles (alcoholism, depression).
  • Became a prominent advocate for mental health and recovery.

"She became a vocal advocate for mental health and addiction recovery. Her son...called her a quiet pioneer whose courage broke stigma..."
— Matt Murphy, Fox News [03:43]

---

8. Market Update

[04:00]

• Stocks trending higher:
  • Dow: +180 points
  • Nasdaq: +190 points

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Federal prosecutors in California set to announce criminal charges against a man accused of starting the Palisades fire that killed 12 people…"
  — Alisa Brady [00:02]

• "Comey pleaded not guilty to two counts making a false statement to Congress, an obstruction of a congressional proceeding…"
  — Jared Halpern [00:32]

• "President Trump on Truth Social calling for Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Governor J.B. pritzker to be jailed..."
  — Will Kane [02:21]

• "The fact that he has declared war on the city of Chicago is disconcerting to say the least."
  — Mayor Johnson (via Will Kane) [02:37]

• "She became a vocal advocate for mental health and addiction recovery… her courage broke stigma, inspired others to seek healing and left a lasting legacy in Boston and beyond."
  — Matt Murphy [03:43]

---

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Palisades Fire Arrest: [00:02]
• James Comey Arraignment: [00:32]
• Manchester Synagogue Attack: [01:09]
• Gaza Ceasefire Talks: [01:32]
• Immigration Enforcement Clash: [02:15]
• Government Shutdown Update: [03:00]
• Joan Kennedy’s Passing: [03:20]
• Market Update: [04:00]

---

This episode packed urgent headlines with crisp, direct reporting, focusing on political, legal, and humanitarian stories shaping the day.

Transcript

[Alisa Brady]

An arrest in a devastating wildfire. Alisa Brady, FOX News. Federal prosecutors in California set to announce criminal charges against a man accused of starting the Palisades fire that killed 12 people and did historic damage to Pacific Palisades and parts of Malibu, destroying thousands of homes. Investigators believe that fire was set just after midnight New Year's Eve and was quickly suppressed by firefighters but was rekindled by strong winds days later. Arraignment day for the former FBI director and longtime political foe of president President.

[Jared Halpern]

Trump during a brief arraignment at the federal courthouse in Alexandria, Virginia, former FBI Director James Comey pleaded not guilty to two counts making a false statement to Congress, an obstruction of a congressional proceeding. Both charges are tied to a 2020 Senate hearing where prosecutors say Comey lied about leaks to the news media. The judge set a trial date for January 5th. Defense attorneys say they will file motions alleging a vindictive prosecution in the unlawful appointment of Acting U.S. attorney Lindsey Halligan. Halligan was appoint following the resignation of the former U.S. attorney who had not secured an indictment of Comey.

[Alisa Brady]

Fox's Jared Halpern at the White House. British police just confirming the man who attacked a synagogue in Manchester had pledged allegiance to ISIS in a phone call to emergency dispatchers during the attack. The 35 year old was killed by police after ramming a car into pedestrians and stabbing people, killing two on Yom Kippur. Signs of progress at Gaza ceasefire talks in Egypt.

[Steve Harrigan]

Some heavy hitters joining the talks on day three, Steve Wick cough the special envoy for the president as well as the president's son in law, Jared Kushner, as well as the prime minister of Qatar. So really some more Senior figures negotiating.

[Alisa Brady]

Fox's Steve Harrigan in Tel Aviv. They're negotiating on a 20 point plan proposed by President Trump, but focusing first on releasing hostages. America's listening to 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 five days a week at Fox newspodcasts.com or wherever you download your favorite podcasts.

[Alisa Brady]

The president, the Illinois governor and Chicago mayor still in a public feud over expanded immigration enforcement.

[Will Kane]

President Trump on Truth Social calling for Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Governor J.B. pritzker to be jailed, accusing the two Democrats of failing to protect federal immigration officers amid recent violent attacks on agents on X. Pritzker saying in part, I'm not backing down, Johnson. I'm not going anywhere also telling us Tuesday the fact that he has declared war on the city of Chicago is disconcerting to say the least. That as legal action plays out over the deployment in suburban Chicago of a Texas National Guard and soon to be deployed Illinois Guard troops that the president has federalized in Chicago, Jeff Manasso, FOX News.

[Alisa Brady]

It's day eight of a government shutdown. The Senate planning more votes on two short term spending proposals that have failed several times already. This has Democrats push for negotiations on health care funding while Republicans say that should wait until after the government reopens. Joan Kennedy has died, the ex wife of late US Senator Ted Kennedy.

[Steve Harrigan]

The former model and classically trained pianist married into the Kennedy dynasty in 1958. Joan and Ted Kennedy had three children, Ted Jr. Patrick and Kara. She witnessed the assassinations of brothers in law John and Robert Kennedy and endured Ted Kennedy's Chappaquiddick scandal, battling alcoholism and depression. She eventually separated and divorced Ted after years of turmoil. Later, she became a vocal advocate for mental health and addiction recovery. Her son, Patrick Kennedy called her a quiet pioneer whose courage broke stigma, inspired others to seek healing and left a lasting legacy in Boston and beyond. Matt Murphy, FOX News.

[Alisa Brady]

Joan Kennedy was 89. Stocks are higher right now. The Dow is up 180 points. The Nasdaq's up 190. Lisa Brady, this is FOX.