3PM ET 11/18/2025 Newscast

Summary

---

Fox News Hourly Update – 3PM ET, November 18, 2025

Episode Purpose:
This episode delivers a brisk overview of the day’s most pressing political news and notable events, focusing largely on congressional transparency efforts, Texas redistricting, U.S.-Saudi relations, a contentious self-defense case in Oklahoma, and upcoming Senate testimony regarding aviation worker pay during government shutdowns.

---

Main Segments

House Passes Epstein Files Transparency Bill

(00:03–01:10)

• Key Facts:

  • The House passed a bill (427 yeas, 1 nay) mandating the release of files related to the late Jeffrey Epstein.
  • The bill seeks greater transparency beyond existing Justice Department disclosures.
  • Speaker Mike Johnson and Rep. Jamie Raskin voice strong support but differ on further modification and timing.

• Notable Discussion Points:

  • Speaker Mike Johnson: Emphasizes Republican pursuit of total openness, especially concerning individuals associated with Epstein.
  • Rep. Jamie Raskin: Pushes for immediate action, insisting "there's no need for further delay."
  • The need to balance transparency with protecting victim/whistleblower privacy and not compromising national security is debated.

• Memorable Quotes:

  • "The yeas are 427. The nays are one."
    — Stephanie Dillard (00:07)
  • "Disclosing the names of anybody who had anything to do with these evils... They must be brought to justice."
    — Jamie Raskin (00:26)
  • "The cat is out of the bag and we know what's been going on for decades. It’s been a double standard. Justice."
    — Mike Johnson (00:49)

• Political Context:

  • Both parties accuse each other of politicizing the issue.

---

Texas Congressional Map Blocked as Racial Gerrymander

(01:10–01:33)

• Key Facts:

  • Federal court blocks use of the new Texas congressional map, citing evidence of racial gerrymandering.
  • Five seats were redrawn to favor Republicans; Voting Rights Act prohibits racial gerrymandering.
  • Texas seeks a Supreme Court stay; ripple effects visible in other states, including a new round of redistricting in California.

• Reporting:

  • Jessica Rosenthal highlights the difference between political and racial gerrymandering, noting, “The courts have generally upheld ideologically drawn lines.” (01:27)

---

U.S.-Saudi Relations Intensify

(02:16–03:04)

• Key Facts:

  • Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received high honors from President Trump, including a military flyover.
  • The visit spotlights significant defense and economic agreements. Saudi Arabia commits nearly $1 trillion in U.S. investments, and the U.S. agrees to F-35 fighter jet sales to the kingdom.

• Memorable Moments:

  • President Trump strongly supports the Crown Prince, stating, "What he's done is incredible in terms of human rights and everything else." (02:27)
  • Bristles at questions about the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, asserting, "We've improved our system... it's painful and it's a huge mistake and we are doing our best that this doesn't happen again." (02:44)

• Further Details:

  • The leaders are scheduled for a black-tie dinner at the White House that evening.

---

Oklahoma Self-Defense Controversy

(03:15–03:46)

• Key Facts:

  • A former 7-Eleven clerk in Oklahoma City shot and wounded an attacker after being assaulted during her shift. Police say she acted within state self-defense laws.
  • The clerk was fired for violating company policy on self-defense.
  • 7-Eleven remains silent on the firing; the attacker faces multiple felony charges.

• Memorable Quote:

  • The clerk says, "I felt like I was put in a corner and I’m always going to choose my life because there's people that depend on me."
    — Stephanie Dillard (03:39)

• Narrative Tension:

  • The divide between employee self-defense rights and corporate policy is underscored.

---

Aviation Industry vs. Government Shutdown Disruptions

(03:52–04:13)

• Key Facts:
  • The head of the trade group representing major U.S. airlines is set to urge the Senate to ensure air traffic controllers and essential workers are paid during government shutdowns, aiming to end recurring aviation disruptions.

---

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• "Disclosing the names of anybody who had anything to do with these evils, anybody who conspired with or aided in any way... They must be brought to justice."
  — Jamie Raskin (00:26)

• "The cat is out of the bag and we know what's been going on for decades. It's been a double standard. Justice."
  — Mike Johnson (00:49)

• "The courts have generally upheld ideologically drawn lines."
  — Jessica Rosenthal (01:27)

• "What he's done is incredible in terms of human rights and everything else."
  — President Trump (02:27)

• "It's painful and it's a huge mistake and we are doing our best that this doesn't happen again."
  — President Trump (02:44)

• "This was a situation where I felt like I was put in a corner and I’m always going to choose my life because there's people that depend on me."
  — Stephanie Dillard (03:39)

---

Summary Flow & Utility

This episode provides a concise yet vivid account of major national stories. Listeners are brought up to date on:

• Congressional pushes for transparency in high-profile criminal cases,
• The fraught legal battles over gerrymandering in Texas,
• The evolving diplomatic and defense bonds between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia,
• The real-life consequences of self-defense policy in the workplace,
• And efforts to protect air travel from government shutdowns.

Each segment offers direct quotations, clear context, and highlights the ongoing political and social tensions underpinning the day's news.

Transcript

[Elisa Brady]

A vote for transparency. Elisa Brady, FOX News on this vote.

[Mike Johnson]

The yeas are 427.

[Stephanie Dillard]

The nays are one.

[Elisa Brady]

The house just passing a bill to force the release of files related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Beyond what the Justice Department has already released. House Speaker Mike Johnson says Republicans want maximum transparency, especially when it comes to.

[Jamie Raskin]

Disclosing the names of anybody who had anything to do with the these evils, anybody who conspired with or aided in any way. JEFFREY epstein. They must be brought to justice.

[Elisa Brady]

But he's hoping the Senate amends the bill so that it doesn't violate victim or whistleblower privacy, release sexual abuse material or undermine national security. But Maryland Democratic Congressman Jamie Raskin says there's no need for further delay.

[Mike Johnson]

The cat is out of the bag and we know what's been going on for decades. It's been a double standard. Justice.

[Elisa Brady]

Raskin also says he's glad President Trump changed his mind, urging Republicans to support the bill. Republicans and Democrats accusing each other of using the issue as a distraction. New congressional lines in Texas are blocked in federal court.

[Jessica Rosenthal]

A three judge panel in El Paso says the state cannot use the new congressional map redrawn by Republican state lawmakers this year, making five seats more favorable to the gop. While Republicans insisted the new map was driven by politics, the ruling states there's evidence the redraw engaged in in racial gerrymandering. The Voting Rights act does not allow for racial gerrymandering, but the courts have generally upheld ideologically drawn lines.

[Elisa Brady]

Fox's Jessica Rosenthal. The Texas redraw prompted an early redistricting effort in other states, including California, where voters approved it this month, though the Trump administration is suing over that. Texas is appealing today's ruling, seeking a stay from the Supreme Court. The state attorney general insisting the Texas map is a sell off continues on Wall street an hour to the close. The Dow down 229. America is listening to FOX News.

[Firestone Commercial Announcer]

It's time to save the Firestone. Black Friday and Cyber Monday sale is on. Get 15% off all tires and $40 off a lifetime wheel alignment when you buy two or more eligible tires. Visit firestonecompleteautocare.com for details and more deals.

[Elisa Brady]

Saudi Arabia's crown prince gets the red carpet treatment from President Trump.

[Jared Halpern]

A flyby from US Fighter jets in a military procession greeted Saudi Arabia's crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman.

[Mike Johnson]

I'm very proud of the job he's done. What he's done is incredible in terms of human rights and everything else, but.

[Jared Halpern]

President Trump bristled at a reporter's question about the 2018 killing of a Saudi American journalist. U.S. intelligence has assessed it was ordered by the crown prince, an allegation denied by the Saudi government.

[Mike Johnson]

We've improved our system to be sure that nothing happened like that and it's painful and it's a huge mistake and we are doing our best that this doesn't happen again.

[Jared Halpern]

The two leaders are announcing expanded defense and economic ties between the US And Saudi Arabia ahead of a black tie dinner tonight at the White House. Jared Halpern, Fox News.

[Elisa Brady]

The Saudis committing nearly a trillion dollars in US investments while President Trump allows a sale of F35 fighter jets to the kingdom. Self defense leads to a firing in Oklahoma.

[Stephanie Dillard]

Stephanie dillard, a former 711 clerk in Oklahoma City, faced terror last week. A man tried to strangle her after she refused to accept a f. That's.

[Stephanie Dillard (continued)]

When I pulled out my gun and I shot him.

[Stephanie Dillard]

Police say the clerk is protected under Oklahoma's self defense law, though 711 fired.

[Stephanie Dillard (continued)]

Her because of violation policy.

[Stephanie Dillard]

Dillard saying she was supposed to use store items to defend herself.

[Stephanie Dillard (continued)]

This was a situation where I felt like I was put in a corner and I'm always going to choose my life because there's people that depend on me.

[Stephanie Dillard]

7:11 not commenting. The suspect hospitalized and outcharged with multiple felonies.

[Elisa Brady]

Fox's Jeff Manasso, the head of a trade group representing major US Airlines, is due before a Senate panel tomorrow. And his written testimony suggests he'll call for permanently ending aviation disruptions during government shutdowns by ensuring air traffic controllers and other key workers are paid. And Lisa Brady, this is FOX News.

[Will Kane]

It's Will Kane. Country Watch it live at noon Eastern Monday through [e-mail] or on the Fox News YouTube channel. And don't miss the show. Listen and follow the podcast five days a week at foxnewspodcasts.com or wherever you download your favorite podcasts.