Summary4 min read

Fox News Hourly Update – 4AM ET 09/28/2025 Newscast

Host: Debra Valentine (FOX News Podcasts)
Date: September 28, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode delivers a rapid, comprehensive roundup of major breaking news across the US, centering on a deadly shooting in North Carolina, fatal flash floods in Arizona, federal government shutdown concerns, new troop deployments by President Trump, and an impending tropical storm threatening Florida’s coast. The episode blends first-hand witness accounts, official statements, and field reporting to keep listeners updated on fast-evolving stories.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Southport, North Carolina Shooting

[00:02–00:53]

Incident Summary: At least three people died and six were injured after a gunman opened fire at a dockside restaurant—the American Fish Company at Southport Yacht Basin (near the SC border).
- Key Details: The suspect approached by boat, fired multiple shots, and fled.
- Investigation: A person of interest is being questioned; police believe there is "no additional threat" to the community.
Insights:
- The rapid response and assurance by local police suggest control over the immediate situation but leave many questions on motive and victim conditions.
- Memorable Quote:
  - “I'm comfortable to say that...we don't feel like there's any additional threats to the community.”
    —Southport Police Chief Todd Coring [00:44]

2. Arizona Flash Floods

[00:53–01:59]

Incident Summary: At least four dead in Gila County, Arizona, after heavy rainfall triggered flash flooding.
- State Response: Governor Katie Hobbs declared a state of emergency, mobilizing resources for search, rescue, cleanup, and recovery.
- Federal Response: Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem notified Arizona that FEMA is ready to help; several people are still unaccounted for.
- Notable Moment: The swift, coordinated federal and state response underscores the severity and unpredictability of weather disasters.

3. Federal Government Shutdown Looms

[03:18–04:04]

Context: Congress faces a deadline to fund the government by October 1st; a shutdown appears imminent.
Capitol Hill Effects: During shutdowns, lawmakers keep getting paid due to the 27th Amendment, while:
- Congressional staff are selectively deemed ‘essential’
- Public access (tours, restaurants, barbershops) is suspended, and trash accumulates in the building
- Historical context provided: Previous shutdowns ended due to either severe workforce walkouts or security incidents.
- Memorable Quote:
  - “Congress meets and lawmakers never miss a paycheck. That's because the Constitution's 27th Amendment prohibits an immediate 'varying in compensation' for members.”
    —Chad Pergram [03:25]

4. President Trump Deploys National Guard

[01:59–03:18]

Deployment Summary: President Trump announced National Guard deployment to Portland, Oregon, to address crime and illegal migration.
- State vs. Federal: Oregon Governor Tina Kotek stated:
  - “I have been abundantly clear with them that Portland and the state of Oregon believe in the rule of law and we can manage our own local public safety needs.” [02:25]
- Trump also signs order to send military officials to Memphis.
- Notable Insight: Showcases ongoing tensions over federal intervention in state governance.

5. Tropical Storm Imelda Brewing Off Florida Coast

[04:04–05:04]

Weather Update: A cluster of thunderstorms between Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Bahamas developed into Tropical Depression #9, likely to soon become Tropical Storm Imelda.
- Impacts: Tropical storm watches along the Florida coast (Palm Beach up through Daytona Beach).
- Expected Conditions:
  - Winds: 39 mph+ (gusts up to 60–70 mph possible)
  - Path: Not expected to make landfall soon, but stalling could bring prolonged impacts.
- Memorable Quote:
  - “The trend…has been that it's going to not make landfall, which is a good thing at this point.”
    —Mike Sidel [04:52]

6. Federal Leadership Update

[04:04]

White House Summit: President Trump and congressional leaders to meet to try to avert shutdown before the October 1 deadline.

Notable Quotes and Speaker Attribution

On NC Shooting:
- “I'm comfortable to say that...we don't feel like there's any additional threats to the community.”
  —Southport Police Chief Todd Coring [00:44]
On Arizona Floods:
- “My state of emergency declaration directs critical state resources to support ongoing search and rescue operations as well as cleanup and recovery.”
  —Governor Katie Hobbs, as reported [01:05]
On Shutdown Procedures:
- “Congress meets and lawmakers never miss a paycheck. That's because the Constitution's 27th Amendment prohibits an immediate 'varying in compensation' for members.”
  —Chad Pergram [03:25]
On Federal-State Tensions:
- “I have been abundantly clear with them that Portland and the state of Oregon believe in the rule of law and we can manage our own local public safety needs.”
  —Governor Tina Kotek [02:25]
On Storm Track:
- “The trend…has been that it's going to not make landfall, which is a good thing at this point.”
  —Mike Sidel [04:52]

Segment Timeline

[00:02] Southport, NC shooting update
[00:53] Gila County, AZ flash floods
[01:59] President Trump orders National Guard to Portland/Memphis
[03:18] Looming government shutdown analysis
[04:04] White House meeting scheduled to avert shutdown
[04:23] Tropical Storm Imelda threatens Florida

Overall Tone and Style

The episode maintains an urgent yet composed tone, emphasizing factual reporting and updates from both on-the-ground sources and official statements. The hosts and reporters speak authoritatively, prioritizing swift, clear information for a broad national audience.

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Transcript11 lines

[00:03]
Debra Valentine
This is a FOX News alert. I'm Debra Valentine. At least three people are dead and six others hurt following a shooting at the Southport Yacht basin after a boater opened fire on the club. Here's fox's Marianne Rafferty. The manhunt is currently underway after a gunman opened fire on a dockside restaurant in Southport, North Carolina. At least three people were killed. This happened around 9:30 at the American Fish Company. That's about 40 miles of the South Carolina border. Police say a boat pulled up to the restaurant, fired multiple shots and took off. A person of interest is being questioned. Southport, North Carolina Police Chief Todd Coring says the person of interest may be the shooter.
[00:45]
Mike Sidel
I'm comfortable to say that there is no we don't feel like there's any additional threats to the community. Right now we're working with neighbor in Oak island with a possible suspect, a.
[00:54]
Debra Valentine
Motive and the condition of the injured is unknown. At least four people are dead in Arizona's Gila county after heavy rainfall caused flash flooding. Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs My state of emergency declaration directs critical state resources to support ongoing search and rescue operations as well as cleanup and recovery. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has told Arizona that FEMA is prepared to assist the state. Several others are unaccounted for. President Trump announced Saturday he will deploy National Guard troops to Portland, Oregon to combat crime and illegal migration. Democratic Oregon Governor Tina Kotak details conversations she shared with the president and Homeland Security Secretary Noemi I have been abundantly clear with them that Portland and the state of Oregon believe in the rule of law and we can manage our own local public safety needs. The president also signed an order sending military officials to Memphis. America's listening to FOX News.
[01:59]
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[03:19]
Debra Valentine
A federal government shutdown is looming. Fox's Chad Pergram reports from Capitol Hill on the potential impacts.
[03:26]
Chad Pergram
Congress meets and lawmakers never miss a paycheck. That's because the Constitution's 27th Amendment prohibits an immediate quote varying in compensation for members. At the Capitol, each lawmaker decides who on their staff is essential. Capitol tours are suspended, congressional restaurants and barbershops shutter and the trash often stacks up. That's because there's no garbage collection. A walkout by some air traffic controllers at LaGuardia Airport in New York ended the record 35 day government shutdown in 2018. 2019 and a violent high speed chase and shooting involving the Capitol Police sobered up the sides to end a 16 day shutdown in 2013.
[04:04]
Debra Valentine
President Donald Trump and the four congressional leaders will meet on Monday at the White House to discuss a potential agreement to fund the government by October 1st. The southeastern US is bracing for a tropical storm that's brewing off the coast. Fox Weather's Mike Sidel has details from Folly Beach, South Carolina.
[04:24]
Mike Sidel
Between Cuba, Puerto Rico and the Bahamas, a big cluster of thunderstorms has flared up. It is now officially Tropical Depression number nine and will likely be Tropical Storm Imelda is going to be moving very slowly paralleling the Florida coast. There are now tropical storm watches up for parts of the Florida coast, from north of Palm beach up through the Space coast and Daytona Beach. That's because they could have impacts tropical storm force winds of 39 miles an hour or higher. But in the long term, the question is how long does it stall out and when does it make its turn? The trend over the past couple of days has been that it's going to not make landfall, which is a good thing at this point. We're expecting wind gusts probably 60 to 70 miles an hour, but it's all depending on what happens in the next several days.
[05:04]
Debra Valentine
The National Hurricane center expects that the tropical storm will develop by this morning, impacting Florida's coastline and islands beginning Monday. I'm Debra Valentine this is FOX News. Hey, I'm Trey Gowdy, host of the Trey Gowdy Podcast. I hope you will join me every Tuesday and Thursday as we navigate life together and hopefully find ourselves a little.
[05:25]
Mike Sidel
Bit better on the other side.
[05:27]
Debra Valentine
Listen and follow now@foxnewspodcast.com.