Fox News Hourly Update – 12PM ET – October 31, 2025
Overview
This episode delivers brisk updates on key national issues, including the ongoing government shutdown’s impact on SNAP benefits, a thwarted Halloween terror attack in Michigan, the final weekend of New York City’s mayoral race, updates on congressional redistricting, a response to moon landing conspiracy theories, and a brief stock market report.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. SNAP Benefits and Government Shutdown (00:02 – 01:17)
- Major Concern: Millions of Americans are facing the loss of food assistance due to expired SNAP benefits as government funding stalls.
- One in eight Americans relies on SNAP to put food on the table.
- Political Stalemate:
- Republicans and Democrats trade blame for failure to pass a stopgap bill to reopen the government, which requires 60 Senate votes.
- President Trump urges GOP to discard the filibuster, but Speaker Mike Johnson warns of setting a precedent for future Democratic majorities.
- Legal Constraints:
- Democrats criticize the Trump administration for not continuing food stamp assistance during the shutdown, a service provided during previous shutdowns.
- Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins clarifies that the contingency fund cannot be accessed legally and “would only cover about half of November’s SNAP benefits.”
- Ongoing Litigation: Awaiting a judge's ruling in a multi-state lawsuit over SNAP benefits.
Notable Quotes
- “SNAP benefits for millions of American families are drying up. It's about one in eight people in this country who rely upon this to literally put food on their table. And the blame for this lies 100% with the senators sitting over there. On the Democrat Party.”
— Speaker Mike Johnson [00:09] - “Two Republicans hold press conferences every day. And you know what they do? ... They lie to the American people.”
— House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries [00:52] - “Legally the contingency fund can't be tapped right now and that even if it could, it would only cover about half of November's SNAP benefits.”
— Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins [00:56]
2. FBI Foils Halloween Terror Plot in Michigan (01:17 – 01:53)
- Incident: FBI announces the arrest of multiple suspects in Michigan, accused of plotting a violent Halloween terror attack.
- Operations unfolded in Dearborn; FBI Director Cash Patel promises more information.
- Dearborn police confirm awareness, assure the public there’s no ongoing threat.
- Related Arrest: Recap of a prior arrest in May—19-year-old Amar Said accused of plotting an attack on a Detroit-area Army site for ISIS.
Memorable Moment
- “Multiple people in Michigan arrested are now in federal custody accused of plotting a violent terror attack over Halloween weekend.”
— Jeff Manasso [01:17]
3. 2025 New York City Mayoral Election Update (02:15 – 02:59)
- Polling Update: Democratic candidate Zoran Mandani holds a double-digit lead (47%) over independent Andrew Cuomo (31%); Curtis Sliwa (Republican) trails.
- Cuomo’s Perspective: Former NY Governor Andrew Cuomo remains confident:
- “You know, I am tested and I ... am proven and I represent all New Yorkers.”
— Andrew Cuomo [02:34]
- “You know, I am tested and I ... am proven and I represent all New Yorkers.”
- Voter Sentiment: Cuomo’s supporters are more certain of their choice, but Mandani’s are more enthusiastic.
- Election Watch: Final campaign weekend; Tuesday is Election Day in NY, with elections also in NJ and VA.
4. Ohio: New Congressional Map (02:59 – 03:23)
- Redistricting: Ohio’s GOP-led Redistricting Commission adopts a new congressional map.
- Expected to boost Republican chances in 2026 midterms.
- Part of a broader national trend with multiple states redrawing maps ahead of next year’s elections.
5. NASA Rebuts Moon Landing Conspiracy (03:23 – 04:08)
- Pop Culture Moment: Reality TV star Kim Kardashian echoes conspiracy theories about the 1969 Apollo moon landing during her show, citing remarks by astronaut Buzz Aldrin.
- NASA Response:
- NASA Administrator Sean Duffy counters directly: “Yes, Kim, we've been to the moon six times and NASA Artemis is going back.”
- The Institute of Physics reiterates that all arguments claiming NASA faked the moon landings have been debunked.
- Personal Note: Buzz Aldrin (95) is grieving the loss of his wife Anko this week.
Notable Moment
- “Yes, Kim, we've been to the moon six times and NASA Artemis is going back.”
— NASA Administrator Sean Duffy [03:32]
6. Market Snapshot (04:08)
- Current Status: Dow is down 15 points.
- Brief update delivered by anchor Lisa Brady.
Timestamps for Important Segments
- SNAP Benefits & Shutdown: 00:02 – 01:17
- Michigan Terror Plot: 01:17 – 01:53
- NYC Mayoral Race: 02:15 – 02:59
- Ohio Redistricting: 02:59 – 03:23
- NASA vs. Conspiracy: 03:23 – 04:08
- Stock Market: 04:08
Summary Takeaways
This brisk bulletin-style newscast spotlights immediate challenges facing millions of Americans amid the government shutdown, a heightened sense of security after a foiled terror plot, pivotal moments in local and national politics, and public rebuke of moon-landing hoaxes. Engaged listeners are left with a snapshot of today’s headlines and the perspectives of current political and scientific leaders.
