4AM ET 08/29/2025 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update – 4AM ET 08/29/2025 Newscast

Host: Carmen Roberts, FOX News Podcasts
Air Date: August 29, 2025

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Main Theme / Episode Overview

This episode delivers a concise rundown of key U.S. news developments, focusing on the aftermath of a mass shooting in Minneapolis, new crime-fighting initiatives in California, significant White House and CDC personnel changes, evolving tariffs and regulations, a potential new EV tax in Oregon, and a major FDA recall. It is a fact-driven news bulletin aiming to keep listeners swiftly informed on pressing national matters.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Aftermath of the Minneapolis Church Shooting

• Victim Impact Statements (00:06-00:30)

  • Jesse Merkel, father of 8-year-old victim Fletcher, voices family grief and urges community compassion.

  • Merkel reflects on the irrevocable loss, notes another child killed (Harper Moisky, 10), and hopes for shared healing.

    “We will never be allowed to hold him, talk to him, play with him.”
    — Jesse Merkel (00:06)

    “While the hole in our hearts and lives will never be filled, I hope that in time our family can find healing. I pray that the other victim's family can find some semblance of the same.”
    — Jesse Merkel (00:17)

• Shooter's Background (00:30)

  • The shooter admired mass killers and “hated just about everyone.”
  • The shooter's mother, Mary Grace Westman, hires a criminal defense attorney.

2. Crime-Fighting Initiatives in California

• Governor Gavin Newsom’s Strategy (00:57-01:18)

  • Announces expansion of state-wide crime suppression teams.

  • Deployments will be “targeted,” “data-driven,” and “unannounced.”

  • Teams to consist of at least 15 officers, including K9 units, lieutenants, and sergeants.

    “Going to be expanding this operation.”
    — Gov. Gavin Newsom (00:57)

    “These operations will be targeted, they'll be... data-driven.”
    — Gov. Gavin Newsom / Reporter Kristin Goodwin (01:05)

    “These will be unannounced efforts. Teams, minimum teams of 15. They'll include K9 teams. They'll include lieutenant sergeants and 10 plus officers.”
    — Gov. Gavin Newsom (01:08)

• Early Results & Impact (01:18-01:32)

  • Previous deployments led to over 9,000 arrests, nearly 6,000 stolen vehicles recovered, and 400+ firearms seized in Bakersfield, San Bernardino, and Oakland.
  • Kristin Goodwin summarizes: “...over 9,000 arrests, recovery of nearly 6,000 stolen vehicles and the seizure of more than 400 firearms.” (01:18)

3. Trade: End of De Minimis Tariff Exemption (01:32-01:59)

• Policy Change
  • President Trump ends the tariff exemption for international packages under $800, extending tariffs to all U.S. trading partners (previously only China and Hong Kong since May).
  • Impacts a broad range of U.S. businesses by raising import costs.

4. CDC Leadership Shake-Up (02:30-03:08)

• Appointment Announcement

  • Jim O’Neill nominated as acting CDC director, replacing Susan Menarez, who was forced out after a dispute over vaccine policy (02:35-02:49).

  • White House Stance:

    “This woman has never received a vote in her life. And the president has the authority to fire those who are not aligned with his mission.”
    — Kristin Goodwin quoting White House press secretary Caroline Levitz (02:49)

    "Her attorneys say she refused to rubber stamp unscientific and reckless directives."
    — Jared Halpern (02:55)

5. Federal Reserve Lawsuit (03:08-03:34)

• Fed Governor Lisa Cook vs. Trump Administration
  • Lisa Cook files suit to block her dismissal, alleging lack of valid reason.
  • Trump cites mortgage fraud allegations, which Cook contends are fabricated.

6. State Transportation Funding and EV Taxes (03:34-04:03)

• Oregon Considers Per-Mile Tax for EVs
  • Proposal modeled after Hawaii; seeks to address a $300 million shortfall in the state’s transportation budget.
  • Critics argue the fee would discourage EV adoption, undermining emissions reduction goals.
  • Gary Baumgarten provides context and implications.

7. FDA Egg Recall (04:03-04:28)

• National Food Safety Update
  • Recall of certain eggs after a salmonella outbreak sickens 92 people.
  • Affected brands: Nagatoshi Produce, Mizuho, Niji YA Markets in 12 California counties.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “We will never be allowed to hold him, talk to him, play with him.”
  — Jesse Merkel, victim’s father (00:06)

• “I hope that in time our family can find healing. I pray that the other victim's family can find some semblance of the same.”
  — Jesse Merkel (00:17)

• “Going to be expanding this operation.”
  — Gov. Gavin Newsom (00:57)

• “Her attorneys say she refused to rubber stamp unscientific and reckless directives.”
  — Jared Halpern (02:55)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:06] – Minneapolis shooting victim's family statements
• [00:30] – Details on shooter and investigation
• [00:57] – Newsom’s crime suppression initiative
• [01:32] – U.S. ends de minimis tariff exemption
• [02:35] – CDC director replacement and controversy
• [03:08] – Fed Governor Lisa Cook sues Trump administration
• [03:34] – Oregon considers per-mile EV fee
• [04:03] – FDA egg recall announcement

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This summary reflects a tightly-packed news update with focus on significant national stories, quick expert and government voices, and public policy changes set in an urgent and matter-of-fact style, typical of hourly news radio.

Transcript

[Carmen Roberts]

Talking about the loss. I'm Carmen Roberts, Fox News.

[Jesse Merkel]

We will never be allowed to hold him, talk to him, play with him.

[Carmen Roberts]

Jesse Merkel, the father of eight year old Fletcher, killed in the church shooting in Minneapolis.

[Jesse Merkel]

While the hole in our hearts and lives will never be filled, I hope that in time our family can find healing. I pray that the other victim's family can find some semblance of the same.

[Carmen Roberts]

Speaking to reporters, Merkel urged all parents to give their children a hug. The shooter also killed 10 year old Harper Moisky and injured 18 others, 15 of them children. Investigators say the shooter admired mass killers and hated just about everyone. His mother, Mary Grace Westman, has hired a criminal defense attorney. As President Trump cracks down on crime in D.C. california Governor Gavin Newsom ramps up a crime fighting team in his state.

[California Governor Gavin Newsom]

Going to be expanding this operation.

[Carmen Roberts]

The governor is deploying crime suppression teams throughout the state.

[California Governor Gavin Newsom]

These operations will be targeted, they'll be.

[Kristin Goodwin]

Data driven, adding they'll be focused on the basis of intelligence gathering.

[California Governor Gavin Newsom]

And these will be unannounced efforts. Teams, minimum teams of 15. They'll include K9 teams. They'll include lieutenant sergeants and 10 plus officers.

[Kristin Goodwin]

Explaining this is after positive results in Bakersfield, San Bernardino and Oakland which has led to over 9,000 arrests, recovery of nearly 6,000 stolen vehicles and the seizure of more than 400 firearms. Kristin Goodwin, Fox News.

[Carmen Roberts]

President Trump ended a tariff exemption at midnight this morning for global package shipments valued at less than $800. The loss of the so called de minimis exemption will raise cost for a range of businesses. The tariffs now apply to all US Trading partners, extending them from China and Hong Kong where they have been in effect since May. America's listening to Fox News.

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[Carmen Roberts]

The White House names a replacement for the just fire director of the cdc.

[Jared Halpern]

Deputy Health and Human Services Secretary Jim o' Neill will serve as acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. O' Neill replaces Susan Menarez who was forced out this week amid a clash over vaccine policy.

[Kristin Goodwin]

This woman has never received a vote in her life. And the president has the authority to fire those who are not aligned with his mission.

[Jared Halpern]

White House press secretary Caroline Levitz's Menares was asked to resign and when she didn't, was fired. Her attorneys say she refused to rubber stamp unscientific and reckless directives. At the White House, Jared Halpern, FOX News.

[Carmen Roberts]

This is a high stakes court battle gets underway between Fed Governor Lisa Cook and the Trump administration. She filed a suit yesterday to stop President Trump from firing her, alleging he violated the law by attempting to oust her without a valid reason. The president points to allegations of mortgage fraud, but Cook claims he concocted a reason to fire her. Oregon may become the second state to mandate pay per mile fees for EVs.

[Gary Baumgarten]

Hawaii already has such a tax on electric vehicles. It's being considered in Oregon because gas tax projections have fallen in the state, creating a $300 million transportation budget deficit threatening snow plowing and road repairs. Opponents say imposing such a fee will discourage people from buying EVs, something environmentalists encourage as a way to reduce highway emissions. Gary Baumgarten, FOX News.

[Carmen Roberts]

The FDA announces the recall of eggs connected to a salmonella outbreak that sickened at least 92 people. Country eggs of Lucerne Valley, California, is recalling its large, brown cage free sunshine yolks that were sold in 12 counties under the brand names Nagatoshi Produce, Mizuho and Niji YA Markets. I'm Carmen Roberts. This is FO News.

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