Fox News Hourly Update: 1PM ET 11/19/2025 Newscast

Overview of the Episode

This episode delivers concise coverage of major domestic and international news stories. Central topics include U.S.-Saudi relations and defense agreements, political debate over AI regulation, updates on the Jeffrey Epstein documents, new indictments in high-profile cases, and a child predator sting operation involving public employees. The program features direct quotes from leaders and officials, providing both factual summaries and the voices of those in the news.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. U.S.-Saudi Strategic Partnership and Defense Deal

[00:03–00:53]

• President Trump announced Saudi Arabia's new status as a major non-NATO ally, highlighting it as a "sign of trust."
• Details of a defense agreement include new arms sales such as tanks and F-35 fighter jets.
• President Trump praised the partnership:

  "That's something that is likewise very rare and it's very honored company that you're in. And we're going to be selling Saudi Arabia some of the greatest military equipment." (President Donald Trump, 00:14)

• A nearly $1 trillion Saudi investment pledge in the U.S. was cited, with $270 billion in business agreements signed just that day.
• Technological investment is a focus, particularly A.I.

2. Federal vs. State Regulation of Artificial Intelligence

[00:53–01:33]

• President Trump called for a federal standard for AI, criticizing the emerging "patchwork of state regulations."
• He warned state-level overregulation could "undermine AI growth" and accused some states of embedding "DEI ideology" in AI models.
• Florida Governor Ron DeSantis responded, rejecting a federal override:

  "A federal override of state authority [is] a subsidy for big tech that prevents states from protecting against online censorship and predatory applications that target children." (Ron DeSantis, 01:08)

3. Legal Developments: Former FBI Director James Comey Indictment

[01:33–01:59]

• Fox's Jared Halpern reports on legal challenges to the case against former FBI Director James Comey.
• Though a full grand jury did not receive the final indictment, the Justice Department rejects claims of vindictive prosecution.
• Comey faces charges of making false statements and obstructing Congress but denies wrongdoing.
• No ruling has been made as of broadcast time.

4. Release of Jeffrey Epstein Files & Ongoing Investigations

[02:15–02:51]

• Congress voted to force the release of files relating to Jeffrey Epstein.
• Attorney General Pam Bondi indicated thousands of documents have already been released, promising continued transparency:

  "We will continue to provide maximum transparency under the law." (Pam Bondi, as reported by Jessica Rosenthal, 02:51)

• Bondi addressed concerns that ongoing investigations into Epstein's associates may delay or limit the release of documentation.
• The newly passed "Epstein law" mandates the Department of Justice to make all related documents searchable and downloadable within 30 days.

5. Indictment of Canadian Olympian & International Drug Case

[03:06–03:27]

• A new indictment against Canadian snowboarder and former Olympian Ryan Wedding includes murder charges.
• Wedding, previously accused of running a cocaine trafficking ring, is now alleged to have ordered the killing of a witness in Colombia.

6. Minnesota Child Predator Sting Involving Public Employees

[03:27–04:03]

• Bloomington Police Chief Booker Hodges announced the arrest of 16 men, including public employees, in a child sex sting ("Operation Creep").
• Undercover officers, working with state and local agencies, targeted individuals attempting to purchase sex from a 17-year-old girl.
• Those arrested include a Department of Homeland Security auditor, a Metro Transit bus driver, and a Minnesota Pollution Control Agency employee.

  "The accused include an auditor with the Department of Homeland Security, a Metro Transit bus driver and an employee with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. Charges are pending." (Chief Booker Hodges, 03:38)

• The operation follows a similar sting earlier in the year involving a state lawmaker.

7. Brief Business Update

[04:03–04:12]

• Mixed activity on Wall Street, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average up 19 points and remaining above 46,000.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• President Donald Trump on Saudi alliance:

  "That's something that is likewise very rare and it's very honored company that you're in." (00:14)

• President Trump on Saudi investment:

  "We're told that $270 billion in agreements and sales are being signed between dozens of companies and that's just happening today. $270 billion. That's big stuff." (00:36)

• Governor DeSantis on AI regulation:

  "A federal override of state authority [is] a subsidy for big tech that prevents states from protecting against online censorship and predatory applications that target children." (01:08)

• Attorney General Pam Bondi on Epstein investigations:

  "We will continue to provide maximum transparency under the law." (02:51)

• Chief Booker Hodges on Operation Creep:

  "The accused include an auditor with the Department of Homeland Security, a Metro Transit bus driver and an employee with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency." (03:38)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:03 – U.S.-Saudi defense deal and investments
• 00:53 – Federal AI regulation debate and DeSantis response
• 01:33 – Comey indictment update
• 02:15 – Congressional release of Epstein files; AG Bondi statements
• 03:06 – Canadian Olympian Ryan Wedding indicted for murder
• 03:27 – Minnesota child predator sting; public employees arrested
• 04:03 – Wall Street update

This episode provides concise and factual reporting, elevating key voices and ongoing developments in national security, legal proceedings, and public safety, while maintaining the urgent tone characteristic of Fox News hourly newscasts.