Fox News Hourly Update – 2PM ET, October 16, 2025

Host: Lisa Brady
Date: October 16, 2025
Main Theme:
A brisk rundown of the latest political, economic, and national news headlines, focusing on international diplomacy, the ongoing U.S. government shutdown, its political ramifications, and headline crime and business developments.

Episode Overview

This episode delivers rapid-fire updates on key national and international stories. The focal points are President Trump’s diplomatic efforts with Russia and Ukraine, the continuing U.S. government shutdown standoff, its spillover into the New Jersey governor's race, and spot coverage of a dramatic airline incident and local Texas events. The episode closes with a Wall Street market update.

Key Segments and Discussion Points

1. U.S.-Russia-Ukraine Diplomacy

[00:02 – 01:09]

• Productive Diplomatic Moves:
  President Trump describes a call with Russian President Putin as "productive" ahead of an imminent White House meeting with Ukraine’s leader.

  • "He believes great progress was made ahead of a meeting tomorrow at the White House with Ukraine's leader." (Lisa Brady, 00:06)

• Planned Follow-Ups:
  White House spokeswoman Caroline Levitt announces:

  • High-level staff meetings are scheduled for next week to continue discussions.
  • Possible future Trump-Putin summit.
  • "They have agreed to convene a meeting of their high level staff next week... which may be followed by yet another meeting between President Trump and President Putin." (Caroline Levitt, 00:18)

• Middle East Ties & Trade Talks:
  Trump notes success in the Middle East could benefit peace with Russia/Ukraine and references post-war trade prospects.

• Tough Messages to Allies & Hamas:
  Trump expresses disappointment with Putin, urges ending Russian oil purchases, and issues a warning to Hamas regarding ongoing violence.

  • "President Trump also just issuing a warning to Hamas to stop killing people in Gaza, posting that wasn’t part of a ceasefire deal." (Lisa Brady, 00:44)

2. Government Shutdown Showdown

[01:09 – 01:46]

• Failing to Reach Agreement:
  The Senate once again fails to garner 60 votes for a temporary spending bill, prolonging the government shutdown.

• White House Position:
  Spokeswoman Caroline Levitt criticizes Democrats for political gamesmanship:

  • "The President is bending over backwards to do what’s right by the American people. And the Democrats are continuing to play partisan politics.” (Caroline Levitt, 01:16)

• Concerns About Program Funding:
  Levitt notes temporary measures to ensure certain programs, like military pay, are covered.

• Healthcare as Flashpoint:
  House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries warns of looming increases in health care premiums without extension of Obamacare tax credits:

  • "Health care premiums are about to skyrocket for millions of Americans unless Obamacare tax credits are extended.” (Lisa Brady recounting Jeffries, 01:22)

• Commitments to Negotiation:
  Jeffries emphasizes Democratic willingness to negotiate:

  • "We will sit down anytime, any place, with anyone to find a bipartisan path forward." (Hakeem Jeffries, 01:39)

• Senate Republican Response:
  Senate Majority Leader John Thune offers a path: vote on subsidies only "after the government reopens."

3. Shutdown’s Political Impact: New Jersey Governor’s Race

[02:15 – 03:01]

• Federal Project Funding Pulled:
  President Trump cancels federal funding for a critical New Jersey transit tunnel, aligning with his pledge against "Democrat-led projects."

• Candidate Confrontation:

  • Mikey Sherrill (D): Criticizes her opponent, Jack Ciattarelli, as a Trump apologist.
    • "So the choice is clear. I'm fighting for the people of New Jersey. He's fighting to excuse Trump. It’s unacceptable." (Caroline Levitt quoting Sherrill, 02:33)
  • Jack Ciattarelli (R): Vows to advocate for the tunnel and New Jersey’s fair share.
    • "New Jersey needs a governor who has the standing to work with and when necessary, disagree with the president. Advocate for New Jersey's fair share of federal tax dollars..." (Jack Ciattarelli, 02:41)

4. Noteworthy Crime & Local News

[03:01 – 03:47]

• Alaska Airlines Emergency Landing:
  Traci Barkheimer, a former Navy captain, arrested on charges of battery after forcing a flight to make an emergency landing. Details:

  • Allegedly hit crew members amid erratic behavior.
  • "Barkheimer was acting erratically and hit two crew members trying to calm her down." (Traci Barkheimer, 03:08)

• Texas Flood Aftermath:
  Houston honors firefighters for their extensive rescue work post-July flooding.
  Mayor John Whitmire addresses families who lost loved ones:

  • "I stand ready and the city stands ready to do anything we can to assist your families going forward. And it starts today by recognizing your heroes.” (John Whitmire, via Hakeem Jeffries, 03:47)

5. Market Update

[04:01]

• Wall Street Trends:
  Continued stock market sell-off as the Dow drops 263 points, NASDAQ falls over 100 points.
  • "There’s a deepening sell off right now. The Dow down 263 points. The NASDAQ’s now down more than 100.” (Lisa Brady, 04:01)

Notable Quotes

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |-----------|----------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:18 | Caroline Levitt| "They have agreed to convene a meeting of their high level staff next week to continue these very important discussions, which may be followed by yet another meeting between President Trump and President Putin." | | 00:44 | Lisa Brady | "President Trump also just issuing a warning to Hamas to stop killing people in Gaza, posting that wasn’t part of a ceasefire deal." | | 01:16 | Caroline Levitt| "The President is bending over backwards to do what’s right by the American people. And the Democrats are continuing to play partisan politics." | | 01:39 | Hakeem Jeffries| "We will sit down anytime, any place, with anyone to find a bipartisan path forward." | | 02:33 | Caroline Levitt (for Sherrill)| "So the choice is clear. I’m fighting for the people of New Jersey. He’s fighting to excuse Trump. It’s unacceptable." | | 02:41 | Jack Ciattarelli| "New Jersey needs a governor who has the standing to work with and when necessary, disagree with the president. Advocate for New Jersey’s fair share of federal tax dollars..." | | 03:47 | John Whitmire (via Jeffries)| "I stand ready and the city stands ready to do anything we can to assist your families going forward. And it starts today by recognizing your heroes." | | 04:01 | Lisa Brady | "There’s a deepening sell off right now. The Dow down 263 points. The NASDAQ’s now down more than 100." |

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:02 – Russia/Ukraine diplomatic updates
• 01:09 – Government shutdown coverage
• 02:15 – New Jersey governor’s race/federal funding
• 03:01 – Alaska Airlines emergency landing
• 03:34 – Texas honors firefighters post-flood
• 04:01 – Wall Street market update

This tightly packed update reflects the fast-paced style and direct language of FOX News’s daily coverage, giving listeners the essential information across politics, public safety, and finance.