Fox News Hourly Update – 2AM ET, August 20, 2025

Host: FOX News Podcasts (Carmen Roberts, various correspondents)
Episode Theme:
A concise roundup of major national news, including weather emergencies, political investigations, border updates, business moves, and significant sports news.

Key News and Discussion Points

1. Hurricane Aaron Approaches the US East Coast

• Summary: Hurricane Aaron is intensifying as it moves past the Bahamas towards the US East Coast. It is not projected to make landfall, but will bring hazardous beach conditions.
• Details:
  • Dangerous waves and rip currents are expected on the East Coast through Thursday.
  • Outer Banks in North Carolina are seeing 12-foot waves, with evacuations underway.
• Notable Quote:
  • Mike Seidel (FOX Meteorologist, North Carolina):

    “We're forecasting wave heights here in the surf zone, 15 to 20ft. Because of that, that mandatory evacuation kicked in for residents. Cars and vans and trucks evacuating, all the traffic heading north out of these towns like Rodanthe and Buxton and areas like Frisco.” [00:27]

• Timestamps:
  • Hurricane Aaron update: [00:02]–[00:42]

2. DOJ Investigates D.C. Crime Statistic Manipulation

• Summary: The Justice Department is investigating whether D.C. officials distorted crime statistics, reporting a 26% drop from the previous year.
• Details:
  • Allegations arise that the numbers were manipulated to create a “false illusion of safety.”
  • A police commander was placed on leave amid the investigation.
• Notable Quote:
  • FOX News (on Trump’s statement):

    “President Trump posted about the allegations of number tampering on Monday, writing it was done, quote, to create a false illusion of safety.” [00:57]

• Timestamps:
  • DOJ investigation coverage: [00:42]–[01:16]

3. US-Ukraine Security Guarantee Talks

• Summary: The White House is coordinating security guarantees for Ukraine to facilitate peace talks with Russia. President Trump asserts these will not include US troops, though European countries may consider deployment.
• Details:
  • The plan is seen as a prelude to renewed negotiations with Russia.
  • The “package” is designed as support that stops short of direct US military involvement.
• Notable Quote:
  • White House official (on European involvement):

    “When it comes to security, they're willing to put people on the ground. We're willing to help them with things, especially probably if you talk about Bayer because there's nobody has the kind of stuff we have.” [01:36]

• Timestamps:
  • Ukraine security package: [01:16]–[01:46]

4. Southern Border Wall: New Look and Apprehension Stats

• Summary: Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announces a new initiative to paint the southern border wall black to deter climbers.
• Details:
  • The black paint absorbs more heat, making the wall harder to climb during high temperatures.
  • Border Patrol reports a drastic reduction in daily apprehensions compared to 2023.
• Notable Quotes:
  • Kristi Noem:

    “We have the most secure US border that we've ever had in the history of this nation.” [03:24] “President specifically recognized that black gets hotter in this weather and in this heat and in the sun and that when you touch something that's hot during these kinds of temperatures, it's very difficult to climb it.” [03:32]

  • El Paso Sector Chief:

    “Our seven day apprehension average is now 41 people a day and he compared that to 2023 when he said they’d apprehended 2,300 people in one day.” [03:45]

• Timestamps:
  • Border wall updates: [03:09]–[03:59]

5. Elon Musk Pauses Political Party Launch

• Summary: The Wall Street Journal reports Elon Musk is holding off on launching a new political party over concerns about alienating powerful Republicans.
• Details:
  • No direct quotes; story is characterized as a strategic reconsideration by Musk.
• Timestamps:
  • Musk/party update: [03:59]–[04:11]

6. Boston Celtics Sold for Record-Breaking $6.1 Billion

• Summary: The NBA’s Boston Celtics are sold to a group led by Bill Chisholm, marking the highest price ever for a North American sports franchise.
• Details:
  • The sale grants 51% ownership now; the remainder in 2028.
  • The franchise’s value has increased over 1,600% since 2002.
• Notable Quote:
  • Jared Max (FOX News):

    “The valuation of this sale was $6.1 billion, an increase of nearly 1,600%, the most ever paid for a North American pro sports franchise. The sale gives Bill Chisholm’s group 51% ownership in the Celtics in 2028. They'll get the whole team in 23 years.” [04:11]

• Timestamps:
  • Celtics sale segment: [04:11]–[04:56]

7. Market Update

• Summary: Tech stocks fall sharply, while the Dow rises slightly.
• Details:
  • Dow: +10 points; NASDAQ: –315 points.
• Timestamps:
  • Market report: [04:56]

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• Hurricane Aaron evacuation:
  “Cars and vans and trucks evacuating, all the traffic heading north out of these towns like Rodanthe and Buxton and areas like Frisco.” — Mike Seidel [00:27]

• On D.C. crime stats:
  “It was done, quote, to create a false illusion of safety.” — Read from Trump’s statement [00:57]

• On border wall paint:
  “President specifically recognized that black gets hotter... when you touch something that's hot... it's very difficult to climb it.” — Kristi Noem [03:32]

• Celtics sale:
  “The valuation of this sale was $6.1 billion, an increase of nearly 1,600%, the most ever paid...” — Jared Max [04:11]

Episode Flow (with Key Timestamps)

• [00:02] Hurricane Aaron update and emergency measures
• [00:42] DOJ investigates D.C. crime stats manipulation
• [01:16] U.S. security guarantees for Ukraine
• [03:09] Southern border wall new initiative and apprehension stats
• [03:59] Elon Musk suspends new political party plans
• [04:11] Boston Celtics sold for $6.1 billion
• [04:56] Market update

This episode delivers brisk, news-driven coverage, with direct quotes from officials and correspondents, offering listeners both facts and context for each headline.