Fox News Hourly Update – 2PM ET 11/01/2025 Newscast

Host: Paul Stevens

Date: November 1, 2025

Overview

This episode provides a brisk yet thorough update on key national and international news stories as of 2 PM ET. Topics include funding for SNAP benefits after legal challenges, a foiled terrorism plot in Michigan, high-profile political campaigns ahead of gubernatorial races, U.S.-China tensions in the Asia-Pacific, and a correction regarding remains repatriated from Gaza. Paul Stevens and Fox News correspondents offer concise reporting, direct quotes from officials, and timely analysis.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. SNAP Funding Crisis and White House Response

[00:02–00:56]

• Federal courts mandate the U.S. government to fund SNAP after its expiration, impacting 42 million food-insecure Americans.

• President Trump seeks legal avenues to continue funding and pledges support if given the "proper legal direction."

• Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett blames Democrats for delay and warns of the risks of tapping emergency reserves.

  Notable Quotes:

  • Paul Stevens:
    "President Trump calling for a way to legally fund SNAP as the courts rule it must be funded after it expired yesterday as 42 million Americans wonder whether they'll have enough money to buy food." [00:02]
  • Alexandria Hoff:
    "People will not be seeing those [SNAP benefits] hit their accounts today, maybe even a week from now... Once all of this is resolved or if they can tap into these USDA funds, the SNAP emergency reserve, that at that point it's then going to have to go to the states to disperse those funds." [00:38]
  • President Trump (via Truth Social, paraphrased by reporter):
    "...it would be his, quote, honor to provide the funding, unquote, if given the proper legal direction." [00:56]
  • Kevin Hassett:
    "The idea that they're going to take our rainy day fund and spend it like what happens at three weeks." [00:33]

2. FBI Foils Michigan Halloween Terror Plot

[00:56–01:52]

• The FBI disrupts a plot in Michigan, believed to have ties to international terrorism.

• At least five suspects arrested, one as young as 16.

• The plan was allegedly referred to as the "pumpkin day assault," but plotters hesitated to follow through on Halloween.

• The suspects described as "homegrown radicals."

  Notable Quotes:

  • Jonathan Cerri:
    "A top federal law enforcement source tells Fox News that the people involved with this alleged plan to conduct a Halloween attack have possible ties to international terrorism." [01:12] "Sources described the people arrested as homegrown radicals, one of them as young as 16." [01:52]

3. 2025 Gubernatorial Campaigns: Obama Stumps, Tight Races

[02:16–03:08]

• Former President Obama campaigns for Mikey Sherrill (New Jersey) and Abigail Spanberger (Virginia).

• In Virginia, Spanberger asserts her moderate credentials and leads GOP challenger Winston Earl Sears in the polls.

• Sears criticizes Spanberger’s position on gender-related school policies.

• Tight contest in New Jersey between Republican Jack Cittarelli and Democrat Mikey Sherrill.

  Notable Quotes:

  • Correspondent (on Spanberger):
    "Her closing argument, she's a moderate who works with Republicans while criticizing them on the cost of living and doge cuts in a state where there are more than 300,000 federal workers." [02:24]
  • Correspondent (on Sears):
    "Spanberger's Republican challenger, Lieutenant Governor Winston Earl Sears, points out that Spanberger refuses to support banning biological boys from girls locker rooms." [02:36]

4. US-China Tensions in the South China Sea

[03:08–03:36]

• Secretary of War Pete Hegseth meets ASEAN leaders at APEC summit, accuses China of aggressive maritime behavior.

• Incidents cited include ramming and water-cannoning of ships.

• China claims trespassing; Philippines and ASEAN denounce these actions. The situation remains volatile.

  Notable Quotes:

  • Secretary Hegseth (via correspondents):
    "Blasting water cannons at ships... Baselessly claim that there's trespassing going on... Unlawfully claiming jurisdiction over waters that are not theirs to claim." [03:25–03:36]

5. Correction on Repatriated Remains from Gaza

[03:36–03:55]

• Hamas hands over three sets of remains to the Red Cross in Gaza.

• Israeli officials clarify the remains are not those of hostages from the October 7, 2023, attack.

• Military intelligence had warned about a possible mismatch prior to the return.

  Notable Quotes:

  • Paul Stevens:
    "The remains of three people handed over by Hamas to Red Cross officials this week do not belong to any Israeli hostages..." [03:36]

Notable, Memorable Quotes

• President Trump (paraphrased):
  "...his, quote, honor to provide the funding, unquote, if given the proper legal direction." [00:56]
• Jonathan Cerri:
  "Sources described the people arrested as homegrown radicals, one of them as young as 16." [01:52]
• Secretary Pete Hegseth (via correspondents):
  "Blasting water cannons at ships... Baselessly claim that there's trespassing going on... Unlawfully claiming jurisdiction over waters that are not theirs to claim." [03:25–03:36]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:02] SNAP Funding Crisis Update
• [00:56] FBI Foils Halloween Terror Plot in Michigan
• [02:16] Obama Campaigns in Gubernatorial Races
• [03:08] US-China Tensions at APEC Summit
• [03:36] Gaza Remains Mistaken Identity Announcement

Tone and Style

The episode maintains Fox’s signature urgent, matter-of-fact tone. The language is concise, news-driven, and features recurring attributions to officials and direct quotes. Updates are presented rapidly, reflecting the format’s “breaking news” and “hourly update” approach, giving listeners essential information without excess commentary or analysis.

Listen to get the full details and evolving coverage, but this summary covers the hour’s critical stories and perspectives.