4AM ET 10/03/2025 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update

Episode: 4AM ET 10/03/2025 Newscast
Date: October 3, 2025
Host: FOX News Podcasts

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Overview

This episode provides a rapid-fire update of major national and international news stories as of early October 3, 2025. The main themes include the ongoing U.S. government shutdown, recent military actions against drug cartels, U.S.–Russia tensions over Ukraine, a protest in Los Angeles, a large refinery fire, and developments in abortion medication approvals.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. U.S. Government Shutdown Enters Day Three

[00:03–01:13]

• Congress remains at an impasse over a spending bill, with the government shutdown stretching into its third day.
• Democrats insist on a significant increase in healthcare funding, particularly related to the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
• Republicans push for a "clean resolution" and accuse Democrats of misplaced priorities.

Quote (Sen. Josh Hawley):
"They would rather deny health care to our veterans than deny health care to illegals. They want to give money to illegals so bad they will shut down the entire government to do it."
(00:26, via Fox's Hannity)

• The Senate plans another vote on a Republican-backed stopgap measure to keep the government funded until November 21st.
• White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt warns of imminent federal workforce layoffs if the shutdown persists.

Quote (Caroline Levitt):
"These meetings would not be happening if the Democrats had voted to keep the government open."
(00:53)

• A filibuster remains in place with a few Democrats needed to reach 60 votes in the Senate; Democratic holdouts demand more ACA tax subsidy extensions.

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2. U.S. Military Action Against Drug Cartels

[01:13–01:44]

• President Trump confirms the U.S. is in an "armed conflict" with drug cartels after attacks on four boats considered "narco terrorists."
• Sen. Eric Schmidt (R-MO) voices strong support for the action.

Quote (Sen. Eric Schmidt):
"These narco terrorist organizations have declared war on America. The drugs that they send here kill over 100,000 Americans every year."
(01:26, via Fox's The Ingraham Angle)

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3. International Relations: U.S., Russia, and Ukraine

[01:44–01:59]

• Russian President Vladimir Putin warns the U.S. against supplying long-range missiles to Ukraine.
• Putin asserts that, while it may worsen Moscow–Washington relations, it won’t change the battlefield dynamic.

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4. Pro-Palestinian Protest in Los Angeles

[02:31–03:11]

• Pro-Palestinian demonstrators occupy Wilshire Boulevard outside the Israeli consulate (closed for Yom Kippur).
• Many protesters condemn Israel’s ongoing military operations in Gaza and U.S. involvement.
• The event coincides with Jewish prayer services for Yom Kippur.

Quote (Ed Lasko, Fox 11 Los Angeles):
"All with their signs, all condemning Israel and the US... on this night, it's a crowd of hundreds instead."
(02:40)

• As the demonstration continues, Israel prevents an aid flotilla from reaching Gaza. Meanwhile, Hamas weighs a peace proposal from the U.S. and Israel.

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5. Chevron Refinery Fire in Los Angeles County

[03:11–04:04]

• A major fire erupts at Chevron's El Segundo refinery; flames and smoke visible for miles.
• No deaths or injuries reported, but locals advised to stay indoors; traffic diverted.
• The refinery is a crucial fuel supplier in Southern California.

Quote (Fox's Chanley Painter):
"People living in the area are urged to stay home and traffic has been diverted away from the scene... so far there are no reports of deaths or injuries."
(03:25)

• City officials confirm no direct threat to the general public.

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6. FDA Approves Generic Mifepristone

[04:04–04:18]

• The FDA gives clearance for a generic form of mifepristone, a drug central to most U.S. abortions.
• Generic manufacturer Evita Solutions announces the availability of the cost-effective pill.

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7. Financial Markets Update

[04:18–04:28]

• Stock market closes higher: Dow Jones up by 78 points on Thursday.

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Memorable Quotes

• Sen. Josh Hawley:
  "They would rather deny health care to our veterans than deny health care to illegals."
  (00:26)
• Sen. Eric Schmidt:
  "Drugs that they send here kill over 100,000 Americans every year."
  (01:26)
• Ed Lasko:
  "On this night, it's a crowd of hundreds instead, all with their signs, all condemning Israel and the US."
  (02:40)
• Chanley Painter:
  "Flames from the Chevron refinery in El Segundo can be seen for miles."
  (03:25)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• Government Shutdown Updates: 00:03–01:13
• U.S. vs. Drug Cartels: 01:13–01:44
• Russia–U.S.–Ukraine Developments: 01:44–01:59
• L.A. Pro-Palestinian Protest: 02:31–03:11
• Chevron Refinery Fire: 03:11–04:04
• FDA Approves Generic Abortion Pill: 04:04–04:18
• Stock Market Wrap-up: 04:18–04:28

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Summary Conclusion

This news briefing delivers concise but impactful updates on pressing U.S. political battles, international developments, public protests, emergency events, and regulatory news, all framed with the high-stakes tone typical of Fox News radio. For listeners needing an early-morning briefing, the episode synthesizes several complex issues into a series of urgent soundbites and field reports, with ample attention to political rhetoric and dramatic developments.

Transcript

[A]

Silence. In D.C. i'm Chris DiMaio, Fox News. The government shutdown into day three after Congress failed to pass a spending bill. As Democrats stand by their trillion dollar health care funding increase, Republicans are urging them to cross the aisle to vote for their clean resolution. Republican Missouri Senator Josh Hawley telling fox's Hannity Democrats are betraying the American people and those who sacrificed for their country.

[B]

They would rather deny health care to our veterans than deny health care to illegals. They want to give money to illegals so bad they will shut down the entire government to do it.

[A]

Fox's Ryan Schmell says more from Capitol.

[C]

Hill, the Senate will once again vote on a Republican push stopgap measure to keep the government open until November 21st. This is white House press secretary Caroline Levitt warns of thousands of layoffs for the federal workforce if the shutdown continues.

[D]

These meetings would not be happening if the Democrats had voted to keep the government open.

[C]

A handful of Democrats will be needed to reach 60 votes and break the Sen Filibuster, but so far many are demanding Republicans negotiate an extension of Affordable Care act tax subsidies in order to get their votes. On Capitol Hill, Ryan Schmelz, FOX News.

[A]

President Trump says the US Is in an armed conflict with drug cartels following strikes on four boats in Caribbean waters against what the Trump administration designated as narco terrorists. Missouri Republican Senator Eric Schmidt says he agrees with the move. These narco terrorist organizations have declared war on America. The drugs that they send here kill over 100,000Americans every year. Schmidt on Fox's the Ingram Engel. Russian President Vladimir Putin warning the U.S. against supplying long range missiles to Ukraine, claiming the move will seriously damage relations between Moscow and Washington while also assuring that it will not change the dynamic on the battlefield. America is listening to FOX News.

[E]

Recently we asked some people about sharing their New York Times accounts.

[F]

My name is Dana. I am a subscriber to the New York Times, but my husband isn't and it would be really nice to be able to share a recipe or an article or compete with him in wordle or connections.

[E]

Thank you, Dana. We heard you introducing the New York Times Family subscription. One subscription up to four separate logins for anyone in your life. Find out [e-mail] family.

[A]

Pro Palestinian protesters held a demonstration in front of the Israeli consulate in Los Angeles on Thursday night. Fox 11 Los Angeles Ed Lasko reports.

[G]

The motions take over Wilshire Boulevard, usually jammed with the evening commute. But on this night it's a crowd of hundreds instead, all with their sides, all condemning Israel and the US all this with LAPD watching from high above right in front of the Israeli consulate. Closed for Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the year in the Jewish community. Most attending services in synagogues, fasting, praying for an end to the anti Jewish backlash. But as Israel continues its military operation in Gaza, the demonstrators vow to continue their operation here.

[A]

Out on the streets, Israel has stopped the flotilla from bringing aid to Gaza as Hamas considers a peace proposal from the US And Israel. A massive fire erupting at a Chevron refinery in Los Angeles County Thursday night.

[D]

Flames from the Chevron refinery in El Segundo can be seen for miles. People living in the area are urged to stay home and traffic has been diverted away from the scene. Eyewitnesses say there was a large blast and heavy smoke. It's unclear what caused the fire, but so far there are no reports of deaths or injuries. The chevron refinery spans 2 square miles and supplies more than 40% of jet fuel and more than 20% of motor vehicle fuel across all of Southern California. There are more than 1,000 Chevron employees and another thousand contractors working at that site daily.

[A]

Fox's Chanley Painter City officials say there was no threat to the public. The FDA approving a generic form of mifepristone, one of two medications used in most US Abortions. Pharmaceutical manufacturer Evita Solutions made the announcement about the low cost pill on their site. Stocks finishing higher on Thursday, the dow ending up 78 points. I'm Chris DiMeo. This is Fox News.

[B]

It's Will Kane. Country Watch it live at noon Eastern Monday through Thursday@fox news.com 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.