4AM ET 07/16/2025 Newscast

Summary

Fox News Hourly Update - 4AM ET | July 16, 2025

Hosted by Fox News Radio, this edition of the Fox News Hourly Update covers major developments in technology, national security, economic indicators, legal decisions, and automotive safety.

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1. America's Ambitious Push in Artificial Intelligence

Carmen Roberts opens the newscast with a focus on President Donald Trump's aggressive strategy to establish U.S. dominance in the artificial intelligence (AI) sector.

• Donald Trump emphasizes the national goal, stating, “We believe that America's destiny is to dominate every industry and be the first in every technology. And that includes being the world's number one superpower in artificial intelligence” [00:06].

• Investment Plans: President Trump announces over $90 billion earmarked for building massive AI data centers with the intent to outpace China in AI advancements [00:17].

• Corporate Involvement: Noteworthy investments include Google and Blackstone, each committing $25 billion towards AI initiatives [00:40].

Trump further reinforces the scale of these investments, proclaiming, “We're back in Pittsburgh to announce the largest package of investments in the history of Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. And it's not even close. I don't imagine it's too close. I don't think second is. I don't think second is too close” [00:26].

2. Violence and Security Concerns Dominate Headlines

The update transitions to alarming incidents affecting both international and domestic security.

• Gaza Incident: A tragic event in Gaza's Khan Yunis resulted in the deaths of at least 20 individuals. The U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation reports that "19 were trampled and one stabbed during what it described as a chaotic surge driven by agitators in the crowd" [00:40].

• FBI Arrest in Texas:

  • Nancy Larson, Acting U.S. Attorney, provides details on the arrest of Benjamin Song, a former Marine Corps reservist accused of an attack on ICE officers at the Prairieland Detention Center in Alvarado, Texas [01:09].
  • Charges: Song faces multiple charges, including the attempted murder of federal officers for allegedly firing two AR-15 style rifles at correctional and police officers [01:09].
  • Larson asserts, “The 14 individuals who planned and participated in these heinous acts will be prosecuted and we expect justice will be swift” [01:09].

3. Market Movements and Economic Indicators

Kristin Goodwin reports on the fluctuating stock markets influenced by recent economic data.

• Dell Futures: Fell by 66 points, reflecting investor concerns.

• Nasdaq Performance: Despite mixed stock performances, the Nasdaq achieved a record high, supported significantly by Nvidia’s robust performance, which is anticipated to receive Trump administration approval for trading with China [01:41].

• Inflation Data: A report indicating an increase in consumer inflation last month influenced the mixed closure of stock markets, highlighting ongoing economic challenges [01:41].

4. National Security Investigation at University of Michigan

A significant development in academic security as the Trump administration's Education Department initiates an investigation into foreign funding at the University of Michigan (UM).

• Charges Against Scientists: Two Chinese scientists affiliated with UM were charged with smuggling biological material into the United States [03:07].

• Details from Lisa Licera: The accused, a Chinese scientist and his girlfriend employed in a UM laboratory, allegedly attempted to introduce a toxic fungus into the country, raising severe national security alarms [03:21].

• Official Statement: Officials express deep concerns about UM's susceptibility to espionage and potential sabotage orchestrated by foreign entities, particularly China [03:21].

5. Local Crime: Tragic Double Homicide in Los Angeles

Carmen Roberts reports on the heartbreaking discovery of Robin Kay, a music supervisor for American Idol, and her husband, Thomas DeLuca, both found shot to death in their Los Angeles residence.

• Circumstances: Authorities were conducting a welfare check when they discovered the couple's bodies [03:37].

• Investigation Status: A suspect identified as a possible burglary perpetrator has been apprehended, suggesting a potential motive behind the murders [03:37].

6. Judicial Reversal of Biden-Era Medical Debt Policy

A pivotal legal decision affecting millions of Americans struggling with medical expenses.

• Court Ruling: District Judge Shawn Jordan of the Eastern District of Texas overturns a Biden administration rule that sought to remove medical debt from credit reports [04:05].

• Implications: The reversal prevents the anticipated increase in credit scores for millions by an average of 20 points, maintaining the status quo where medical debts can negatively impact financial standing [04:05].

• Court’s Reasoning: Judge Jordan asserts that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) overstepped its authority under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, which safeguards information collected by consumer reporting agencies [04:05].

• CFPB’s Stance: The bureau argued that outstanding healthcare claims are poor indicators of loan repayment ability and are often used to deny mortgage applications [04:05].

7. Automotive Safety Recall by Ford

A significant recall announcement affecting a substantial number of vehicles.

• Recall Details: Ford is recalling approximately 700,000 vehicles in the United States due to a fuel leak issue that poses an increased risk of fire [04:47].

• Affected Models: The recall encompasses specific models of the Bronco Sport (2020-2024) and the Escape (2020-2022) [04:47].

• Regulatory Statement: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) underscores the severity of the issue, emphasizing the potential danger to vehicle owners [04:47].

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This comprehensive update encapsulates the critical events and developments shaping the national and international landscape as of July 16, 2025. For continuous coverage, stay tuned to Fox News Radio.

Transcript

[Carmen Roberts]

A major AI push. I'm Carmen Roberts, Fox News.

[Donald Trump]

We believe that America's destiny is to dominate every industry and be the first in every technology. And that includes being the world's number one superpower in artificial intelligence.

[Carmen Roberts]

President Trump touts more than $90 billion in investments to build massive AI data centers and projects to power them to overTake China in AI.

[Donald Trump]

We're back in Pittsburgh to announce the largest package of investments in the history of Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. And it's not even close. I don't imagine it's too close. I don't think second is. I don't think second is too close.

[Carmen Roberts]

Among the companies involved in the AI initiative, Google and Blackstone each making $25 billion investments. At least 20 people were killed in an incident in Gaza's Khan Yunis today. The U. S backed Gaza Humanitarian foundation says 19 were trampled and one stabbed during what it described as a chaotic surge driven by agitators in the crowd. The FBI captures a former Marine Corps reservist accused of shooting at ICE officers at a Texas detention center.

[Nancy Larson]

The FBI says Benjamin Song was arrested in Dallas. The 32 year old wanted for his alleged role in a July 4th attack on the Prairieland Detention center in Alvarado, Texas. He faces charges including attempted murder of a federal officer accused of firing two AR15 style rifles at two correctional officers and one Alvarado police officer. And Acting U.S. attorney Nancy Larson explaining in a statement Song's co conspirators were arrested at the scene adding the 14 individuals who planned and participated in these heinous acts will be prosecuted and we expect justice will be swift.

[Carmen Roberts]

Fox's Kristin Goodwin Dell futures down 66 points after stocks ended mixed yesterday after a report showed consumer inflation increased last month. But the Nasdaq ended a record with the help of Nvidia which is poised to get the Trump green light to trade with China. America's listening to Fox News.

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[Carmen Roberts]

The Trump education Department opens an investigation into the University of Michigan foreign funding after two Chinese scientists linked to the school were charged with smuggling biological material into the U.S. a Chinese scientist.

[Lisa Licera]

And his girlfriend who worked in a U of M lab were charged after the FBI said the pair attempted to bring a toxic fungus into the U.S. department officials say the highly disturbing criminal charges raise concerns about UM's vulnerability to national security threats and potential sabotage from China.

[Carmen Roberts]

Tom Ragati, Fox News American Idol music supervisor Robin Kay and her husband, Thomas DeLuca, were found shot to death in their Los Angeles home Monday. Police officers conducting a welfare check discover their bodies and have arrested a man that they referred to as a possible burglary suspect. Another setback for people struggling with medical expenses. A federal judge reversed a Biden era rule that would have removed medical debt from credit reports.

[Shawn Jordan]

District Judge Shawn Jordan of Texas Eastern District has found the rule exceeded the authority of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The removal of medical debt from credit reports was expected to increase the credit scores of millions of families by an average of 20 points. The CFPB says its research has shown outstanding health care claims to be a poor predictor of a person's ability to repay a loan. But it says they are often used to deny mortgage applications. But Judge Jordan said the CFPB is not permitted to remove medical debt from credit reports, according to the Fair Credit Reporting act, which protects information collected by consumer reporting agencies. Lisa licera, Fox News Ford's recalling nearly.

[Carmen Roberts]

700,000 vehicles in the US over a fuel leak issue that could increase the risk of a fire. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that the Recall affects certain 20 to 2020, 21 to 24 Bronco Sports and 2020 to 22 Escape vehicles. This is FOX News.

[Lisa Licera]

Listen to the all new Bret Bear 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.