Fox News Hourly Update – 2AM ET, October 31, 2025

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode delivers the latest breaking headlines from the United States and around the world, with a particular focus on the cascading impacts of the prolonged government shutdown, airline travel disruptions, looming food aid suspension, political clashes, ongoing investigations, and notable national events.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Government Shutdown’s Impact on Air Travel

• Air Traffic Controller Shortage Worsening:
  • The government shutdown has entered its 31st day, severely impacting air travel.
  • [00:15] Jeff Paul: Reports staffing issues have jumped dramatically, causing 5% of delays on average this year, but spiking to 44% just this past Sunday.
    • “The FAA has reportedly dealt with 264 instances of staffing problem since the shutdown started, more than four times of what it was last year.”
• Political Response:
  • [00:33] President Trump urges Republicans (via social media) to eliminate the Senate filibuster:
    • “It is now the time for Republicans to play their trump card and go for what is called the nuclear option. Get rid of the filibuster and get rid of it now.”

2. SNAP Benefits in Jeopardy

• Food Aid Suspension Imminent:
  • [00:49] Sue Guzman: SNAP benefits for 42 million Americans may be suspended in November; federal judge may require emergency funding to continue aid.
  • “Pressure is mounting as SNAP food benefits for 42 million Americans are set to expire this weekend.”
• Partisan Friction:
  • [00:57] Congresswoman Claudia Tenney blames Democratic leadership:
    • “They have traded true leadership for appeasement, responsibility for disorder and principle for political survival. This shutdown is their choice.”
  • [01:27] Hakeem Jeffries, defending Democrats’ stance:
    • “Fighting for the health care of everyday Americans for the poor, the sick and the afflicted for the least, the lost and the left behind is not a partisan issue. It's a moral issue…”

3. JetBlue Emergency Landing

• Passenger Safety Incident:
  • [01:44] Sue Guzman: Reports on JetBlue flight from Cancun to Newark forced into an emergency landing in Florida after a sudden altitude drop.
  • “JetBlue passengers taken to the hospital after a sudden altitude drop…”

4. Allegations Against Black Lives Matter

• Federal Investigation:
  • [03:12] Sue Guzman & [03:16] Lisa Licera: The DOJ is investigating whether leaders of the Black Lives Matter movement defrauded donors out of tens of millions collected during 2020 protests.
    • Investigation began during the Biden administration and includes subpoenas and at least one search warrant.
    • The Black Lives Matter Global Network denies being the target of any criminal investigation.

5. US Nuclear Testing

• Policy Shift:
  • [03:57] Sue Guzman: Suggests the US may resume nuclear weapons testing.
  • [04:01] Unnamed Political Commentator: Notes Trump’s intention to resume nuclear testing immediately to keep pace with other countries:
    • “Just before meeting President Xi, President Trump announced that he instruct to resume testing nuclear weapons for the first time in three decades…”
  • [04:14] Contextualizes that the US has not carried out nuclear tests since 1992, with North Korea being the last state globally to do so in 2017.

6. Disney Networks Pulled from YouTube TV

• Streaming Dispute:
  • [04:34] Sue Guzman: Disney networks (including ESPN & ABC) have gone dark on Google’s YouTube TV due to stalled contract talks amid pricing disputes.

7. Refugee Policy Change

• Restriction Announced:
  • [04:57] Sue Guzman: Trump administration restricts US refugee admissions to 7,500, with a new focus on white South Africans—a sharp reduction from previous policy.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Jeff Paul on Air Traffic Delay:
  • [00:15] “On average, the Department of Transportation says staffing issues have been responsible for 5% of flight delays. But just this past Sunday, that number skyrocketed to 44%.”
• President Trump’s Call for Action:
  • [00:33] “It is now the time for Republicans to play their trump card and go for what is called the nuclear option. Get rid of the filibuster and get rid of it now.”
• Claudia Tenney Criticizing Democratic Leaders:
  • [00:57] “They have traded true leadership for appeasement, responsibility for disorder and principle for political survival. This shutdown is their choice.”
• Hakeem Jeffries on Health Care:
  • [01:27] “Fighting for the health care of everyday Americans…is not a partisan issue. It's a moral issue. And standing on the side of the health care of everyday Americans is the right place to be.”
• Lisa Licera on BLM Investigation:
  • [03:16] “The Justice Department is investigating whether leaders in the Black Lives Matter movement defrauded donors who contributed tens of millions of dollars during racial justice protests in 2020.”

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Airline Travel & Government Shutdown: 00:02 – 00:49
• SNAP Benefits/Political Reactions: 00:49 – 01:44
• JetBlue Emergency Landing: 01:44 – 01:59
• BLM Federal Investigation: 03:12 – 03:57
• US Nuclear Testing Discussion: 03:57 – 04:34
• Disney Networks/YouTube TV Dispute: 04:34 – 04:57
• US Refugee Policy Change: 04:57 – 05:09

Tone & Style

Direct, urgent, and matter-of-fact, reflecting the rapid-fire, headline-driven style of Fox News Radio’s hourly updates.