Fox News Hourly Update – 4AM ET 10/31/2025 Newscast

Host: FOX News Podcasts
Date: October 31, 2025

Episode Overview

This newscast delivers a rapid-fire recap of top national news and political developments from the previous evening, with special attention to the ongoing government shutdown, aviation safety concerns, scrutiny of Black Lives Matter finances, nuclear policy shifts, major media contract disputes, and new U.S. refugee restrictions.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Government Shutdown Escalates & “Nuclear Option” Call

President Trump pushes Senate Republicans for drastic action as the shutdown grinds on.

• President Trump’s Demand: On Truth Social, President Trump called for Republican senators to scrap the Senate filibuster—the so-called “nuclear option”—to bypass Democrats and reopen the federal government.
  • Quote: “President Trump taking to Truth Social...calling on Republican senators to scrap the filibuster...so the Republican majority can bypass Democrats and reopen the federal government.” (A, 00:02)
• Shutdown Impact: The air traffic controller shortage worsens as the shutdown enters its 31st day.
• Flight Delays:
  • Department of Transportation statistics show:
    • Average of 5% of flight delays due to staffing, but spiked to 44% this past Sunday.
    • FAA logged 264 staffing problem reports since the shutdown started—4x last year’s number.
    • Quote: “Staffing issues have been responsible for 5% of flight delays. But just this past Sunday, that number skyrocketed to 44%.” (B, 00:33)
• SNAP Benefits Expiring: 42 million Americans may lose nutrition assistance this weekend.
• Political Blame Game:
  • NY Rep. Claudia Tenney blames Democrats:
    • Quote: “They have traded true leadership for appeasement... Responsibility for disorder and principle for political survival. This shutdown is their choice.” (B, 01:11)
  • Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) defends Democrats’ push to extend Obamacare subsidies:
    • Quote: “Fighting for the health care of everyday Americans...is not a partisan issue. It’s a moral issue.” (C, 01:23)

2. Aviation Emergency: JetBlue Incident

Sudden altitude drop prompts emergency landing and investigation.

• Event: JetBlue flight from Cancun to Newark makes emergency landing in Florida after an abrupt loss of altitude.
• Aftermath: Passengers hospitalized, FAA investigating.
• Quote: “JetBlue passengers taken to the hospital after a sudden altitude drop...The FAA issuing a statement saying it’s investigating the incident.” (A, 01:40)

3. Justice Department Investigates Black Lives Matter

Federal inquiry into alleged donor fraud following the 2020 protests.

• Scope: DOJ looks at whether BLM leaders defrauded millions in donations received in 2020.
• Details:
  • At least one subpoena and a search warrant have been issued.
  • Probe started during the Biden administration.
  • BLM Global Network Foundation says it has not been named as a target and took in $90 million post-George Floyd.
• Quote: “The Justice Department is investigating whether leaders in the Black Lives Matter movement defrauded donors who contributed tens of millions...The foundation said it took in over $90 million in donations following the murder of George Floyd in 2020.” (E, 02:18)

4. U.S. Poised to Resume Nuclear Weapons Testing

Historic policy reversal amid global tensions.

• Announcement: Just before meeting Chinese President Xi, President Trump directs the Pentagon to resume nuclear weapons testing—the first U.S. tests in 30 years.
• Context:
  • U.S. has not detonated a nuclear weapon since 1992 due to a global test ban.
  • Last nuclear weapons test worldwide: North Korea, 2017.
• Quote: “President Trump announced that he instructed the Pentagon to resume testing nuclear weapons for the first time in three decades, a process that he says will begin immediately.” (F, 03:04)

5. Major TV Blackout: Disney vs. YouTube TV

Contract dispute leaves millions without major networks.

• Developments:
  • Disney-owned channels, including ESPN and ABC, go dark on YouTube TV after failed negotiations.
  • Disagreement centers on rate hikes.
• Quote: “Disney’s networks went dark on Google’s pay TV platform YouTube TV after contract negotiations reportedly failed.” (A, 03:36)

6. Sharp Cut in U.S. Refugee Admissions

Radical new policy favors white South African refugees.

• Change: Trump administration limits total annual refugee admissions to 7,500 (down from hundreds of thousands).
• Demographics: Admissions to be “mostly white South Africans.”
• Quote: “The Trump administration restricting the number of refugees admitted annually to the US to 7,500, says they’ll be mostly white South Africans. It’s a dramatic drop after the US previously allowed in hundreds of thousands a year.” (A, 03:36)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• President Trump on the filibuster: “Calling on Republican senators to scrap the filibuster so the Republican majority can bypass Democrats and reopen the federal government.” (A, 00:02)
• Rep. Claudia Tenney blames Democrats: “This shutdown is their choice.” (B, 01:11)
• Rep. Hakeem Jeffries on healthcare: “Fighting for the health care of everyday Americans...is not a partisan issue. It’s a moral issue.” (C, 01:23)
• Pentagon nuclear announcement: “Instructed the Pentagon to resume testing nuclear weapons for the first time in three decades.” (F, 03:04)

Important Segments & Timestamps

• [00:02] – Government shutdown escalation; Trump’s “nuclear option” call
• [00:33] – Air traffic controller shortages and flight delays
• [00:56] – SNAP benefits to expire; political blame
• [01:23] – Democrats’ stance on healthcare, Jeffries’ remarks
• [01:40] – JetBlue flight emergency
• [02:16] – DOJ Black Lives Matter inquiry
• [03:00] – U.S. resumes nuclear weapons testing
• [03:36] – Disney/YouTube TV blackout and refugee cap news

Tone & Delivery

This episode maintained a straightforward, urgent newscast style, balancing rapid updates with direct political quotes and clear attribution, in keeping with FOX News’ broadcast journalism approach.