2PM ET 07/08/2025 Newscast

Summary

Fox News Hourly Update – Detailed Summary Episode: 2 PM ET, July 8, 2025
Host/Author: Fox News Radio
Release Date: July 8, 2025

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1. Devastating Floods in Central Texas

Lisa Brady opens the newscast with a somber update on the ongoing flood crisis in Central Texas:

• Death Toll: At least 109 confirmed fatalities, with 87 in the severely affected Kerr County alone, including 30 children ([00:02]).
• Rescue Efforts: Thousands of emergency crews and volunteers from across the nation are tirelessly searching along the Guadalupe River.
  • Ben Baker, Texas Game Warden, describes the operation as "extremely treacherous, time-consuming" ([00:20]).
  • The recovery process involves peeling layers to locate victims, highlighting the arduous nature of the efforts ([00:22]).
  • Current Search Status: 26 river miles have been searched, resulting in 444 rescues at Camp Mystic. However, five children and one camp counselor remain missing ([00:27]).
  • Outlook: Forecasters anticipate a break in the rain, which is crucial for advancing the massive emergency operations in the flood-ravaged Texas Hill Country ([00:27]).

2. Political Developments and International Relations

a. Presidential Updates and Middle East Diplomacy

• President Donald Trump commends federal support for Texas-led operations during a Cabinet meeting ([00:51]).
• Upcoming Meeting: Trump confirms he will meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later the same day ([00:51]).
  • Recent engagements include Netanyahu holding meetings on Capitol Hill following a White House dinner focused on a Gaza ceasefire deal ([00:51]).
  • Netanyahu emphasizes progress, stating, "We're working on it," and asserts the administration's commitment: "We have a goal. We intend to achieve that goal" ([01:12]).

b. Condolences and Ongoing Conflicts

• The Prime Minister of Israel extends condolences to the grieving families in Texas affected by the floods ([01:21]).
• Ukraine Conflict:
  • President Volodymyr Zelensky announces an expansion of military supply contacts with the U.S. to ensure critical deliveries, following President Trump's commitment to send more weapons to Ukraine ([01:21]).
  • President Trump condemns Russian President Vladimir Putin, declaring, "Putin is killing a lot of people," specifically referring to his soldiers and their actions ([01:42]).
  • Putin's Response: Putin acknowledges considering additional sanctions on Russia, a move watched closely by American officials ([01:50]).

3. Domestic Policy Initiatives

a. Gig Workers Legislation

• Bill Cassidy, Senate HELP Committee Chair, discusses new bipartisan legislation aimed at improving conditions for gig workers without reclassifying them as employees ([02:24]).
  • Proposed Benefits: Gig workers at companies like DoorDash, Uber, and Lyft would gain access to sick leave, health insurance, and retirement plans while maintaining their status as independent contractors ([02:24]).
  • Current Scenario: Approximately 27 million Americans work as independent contractors, governed by outdated century-old laws ([02:24]).
  • Cassidy's Statement: "The US needs new laws for the new economy," emphasizing the necessity to adapt legal frameworks to modern work environments ([02:24]).

b. State Department's AI Impersonation Warning

• The State Department alerts diplomats about attempts to impersonate officials using artificial intelligence ([03:05]).
  • Incident Details: A fake Secretary of State Marco Rubio attempted to contact several foreign ministers, a U.S. Senator, and a governor, as detailed in a cable to consulates ([03:05]).
  • Implications: Such impersonations pose significant security risks and underscore the evolving challenges in diplomatic communications ([03:05]).

4. Consumer Safety Alert

Ritz Cracker Recall Due to Mislabeling

• Jenny Cosola reports on a voluntary recall of certain Ritz cracker sandwiches due to mislabeling concerns ([03:25]).
  • Issue: Peanut butter sandwiches were potentially mislabeled as cheese, despite the outer packaging indicating the presence of peanuts ([03:25]).
  • Manufacturer: Mondelez, the parent company, states that only specific filled crackers manufactured in the U.S. for national distribution are affected ([03:25]).
  • Health Risk: Mislabeling could lead to life-threatening allergic reactions for individuals with severe peanut allergies ([03:25]).
  • Recall Scope: Involves various package sizes; no other Ritz products are included in the recall ([03:25]).
  • Consumer Guidance: Mondelez advises customers with concerns to contact the company for more information ([03:25]).

5. Financial Markets Update

• Jenny Cosola highlights a mixed performance in the stock market, noting that the Dow Jones Industrial Average is down by 129 points ([04:06]).

6. Promotional Segment

• Ben Baker briefly promotes the new Bret Baier podcast, emphasizing its focus on finding common ground and in-depth talks with bipartisan lawmakers. The podcast is available on foxnews.com/podcasts or various podcast platforms ([04:14]).

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This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the Fox News Hourly Update broadcast on July 8, 2025. From the tragic floods in Texas and significant political maneuvers on the international stage to domestic policy changes affecting gig workers and consumer safety alerts, the episode covers a wide array of pressing topics. Notable quotes and precise timestamps provide clarity and depth, ensuring that listeners gain a thorough understanding of the day's most critical news events.

Transcript

[Lisa Brady]

A fifth day of searching. Lisa Brady, FOX News After Friday's flash floods in Central Texas, at least 109.

[Ben Baker]

Confirmed dead in hard hit Kerr County. Thousands of emergency crews and volunteers from across the nation continue looking for a miracle along the Guadalupe River.

[Bill Cassidy]

It's extremely treacherous, time consuming.

[Ben Baker]

It's dirty work having to go layer.

[Bill Cassidy]

By layer peeling these off to make those recoveries.

[Ben Baker]

Texas Game Warden Lt. Col. Ben Baker, 87 confirmed deaths in Kerr county alone, including at least 30 children. We're told 26 river miles have been searched with 444 rescues at Camp Mystic. Five children and one camp counselor are still missing as forecasters expect a break in rain to assist the massive emergency operation in flood ravaged Texas Hill country.

[Lisa Brady]

Fox's Jeff Manasso, President Trump commending federal efforts to support the Texas led operations during a cab meeting where he also just confirmed he'll meet again today with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who's been holding meetings on Capitol Hill after a White House dinner last night as work continues on a Gaza ceasefire deal. Netanyahu telling reporters we're working on it.

[Ben Baker]

Diligently as we speak. In fact, on the way over here and on the way from here, we're not going to let up. We have a goal. We intend to achieve that goal.

[Lisa Brady]

The prime minister also offering Israel's condolences to the families grieving in Texas. Ukraine's President Zelensky just announcing he's ordered expansion, extended contacts with the US to ensure critical deliveries of military supplies. A day after President Trump said the US Would send more weapons to Ukraine. The president telling reporters today Russia's President Putin is killing a lot of people.

[Ben Baker]

A lot of them are his soldiers, his soldiers and their soldiers mostly. And it's now up to 7,000 a week. And I'm not happy.

[Lisa Brady]

With Putin also confirming he is considering more sanctions on Russia. America is listening to FOX News.

[Ben Baker]

Your burger is served. And this is our finest Pepsi Zero Sugar. Its sweet profile perfectly balances the savory notes of your burger.

[Lisa Brady]

That is one perfect combination. Burgers deserve Pepsi. Three Republican senators are proposing a big change for so called gig workers, giving independent contractors access to employee benefits.

[Bill Cassidy]

This set of bills would allow companies that rely on gig workers like DoorDash, Uber and Lyft to offer those workers benefits, benefits without reclassifying them as employees. Right now There are around 27 million Americans who work as independent contractors. So under this legislation, Uber drivers, for example, would be eligible for sick leave, health insurance and retirement plans, but they would still be considered independent contractors. Even while receiving these benefits. Senate help Committee chair Bill Cassidy says right now, gig workers and companies are governed by century old laws. He argues the US Needs new laws for for the new economy.

[Lisa Brady]

Fox businesses great tremble on Capitol Hill, the State Department is warning diplomats of attempts to impersonate officials using artificial intelligence. A cable to consulates reportedly detailing how a Secretary of State Marco Rubio impostor tried to reach out to several foreign ministers, a US Senator and a governor. There's a Ritz cracker recall over possible.

[Jenny Cosola]

Mislabeling Multi pack carton sizes of Ritz cracker sandwiches are part of a voluntary recall because peanut butter sandwiches might have been mislabeled as cheese, though the outer packaging carton correctly says contains peanuts. Parent company Mondelez says the filled crackers were manufactured in the US for national distribution. The recall involves a variety of package sizes. The mislabeling could result in a life threatening allergic reaction to people who are allergic or have severe sensitivity to peanuts. Mondelez says no other Ritz or other products are included in the recall and anyone with questions can contact the company.

[Lisa Brady]

Fox's Jenny Cosola stocks remain mixed. The Dow is down 129. Elisa Brady, Fox News Listen to the.

[Ben Baker]

All new Brett Baier podcast featuring common ground in depth talks with lawmakers from opposite sides of the aisle along with all your Brett Bear favorites like his All Star panel and much more. Available [e-mail] or wherever you get your podcasts.