Fox News Hourly Update: 4PM ET 08/19/2025 Newscast
Podcast: Fox News Hourly Update
Host: Lisa Brady (FOX News Podcasts)
Air Date: August 19, 2025
Episode Overview
This newscast covers significant political and legal developments across the United States and internationally. Major topics include legal battles over congressional redistricting in California, concerns about the accuracy of D.C. crime statistics, a federal ruling on New Mexico’s gun law, ongoing Russia-Ukraine peace efforts involving former President Trump, and Oklahoma’s new teacher certification exam targeting out-of-state educators. The episode also offers concise financial market updates.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. California Redistricting Lawsuit
- Subject: California Republicans challenge the governor’s new congressional map.
- Detail:
- GOP lawmakers have petitioned the California Supreme Court to delay a legislative vote on putting newly-proposed congressional district maps on the special election ballot (Nov. 4).
- The central claim is that the proposal violated California’s constitutional requirement for a 30-day public review period.
- The urgency and timing of the legislative vote are characterized as a “flagrant violation” of public rights.
- Notable Quotes:
- "[The legislation] was published for the first time yesterday morning. And yet the same day the legislature acted upon that legislation and pushed it to committees. This is a flagrant violation of the people's rights under the Constitution of California."
— Unknown Legal Expert, (00:22) - "GOP state lawmakers asking California's Supreme Court to delay the legislature's vote to place new proposed congressional district maps on the ballot for a Nov. 4 special election."
— Mike Colombo, (00:12)
- "[The legislation] was published for the first time yesterday morning. And yet the same day the legislature acted upon that legislation and pushed it to committees. This is a flagrant violation of the people's rights under the Constitution of California."
2. D.C. Crime Data Investigation
- Subject: DOJ investigates manipulation of crime stats in Washington, D.C.
- Detail:
- Reports emerge that D.C. police leadership has encouraged officers to report violent crimes as less serious offenses.
- Example provided: Serious assaults classified as "injured person to the hospital" when victims don’t cooperate.
- Union leadership questions the accuracy of reported declines in violent crime, a statistic cited by city leaders to challenge the necessity of federal intervention.
- Notable Quotes:
- "They respond to the scenes of these violent crimes and inevitably you'll have a captain or a commander or sometimes a lieutenant show up on the scene and advise them to take a report for a lesser offense."
— Greg Pemberton, D.C. police detective and union leader, (01:11) - "Pemberton says he's highly skeptical of crime stat accuracy in D.C. where city leaders have pointed to recent declines in violent crime to argue that President Trump's federal crackdown on crime is not needed."
— Lisa Brady, (01:22)
- "They respond to the scenes of these violent crimes and inevitably you'll have a captain or a commander or sometimes a lieutenant show up on the scene and advise them to take a report for a lesser offense."
3. New Mexico Gun Law Halted
- Subject: Federal court blocks seven-day waiting period for gun purchases.
- Detail:
- Appeals court finds the law likely violates Second Amendment rights, sending the case back to a lower court.
- Summary:
- The waiting period will not be enforced pending further judicial review.
4. Market Update
- Dow: Ends up 10 points after an unsettled session.
- S&P: Down 37 points.
- NASDAQ: Down 314 points.
5. Russia-Ukraine Peace Prospects & Trump's Role
- Subject: Former President Trump expresses optimism after talks with global leaders.
- Detail:
- After meetings with Ukrainian President Zelensky, several European leaders, and a call with Russian President Putin, Trump says a breakthrough is possible within weeks.
- Trump includes himself in negotiations, emphasizing need for flexibility and European security guarantees for Ukraine, “but there will need to be territory swapped.”
- Notable Quotes:
- "I hope President Putin is going to be good and if he's not, it's going to be a rough situation and I hope that Zelensky, President Zelensky, will do what he has to do. He has to show some flexibility."
— Donald Trump, (02:32) - "President Trump says we could know in a few weeks if peace is possible between Russia and Ukraine following meetings..."
— Lisa Brady, (02:15)
- "I hope President Putin is going to be good and if he's not, it's going to be a rough situation and I hope that Zelensky, President Zelensky, will do what he has to do. He has to show some flexibility."
- US Policy Clarified:
- White House rules out US “boots on the ground” in Ukraine, but specifies “air related support is a possibility.”
— Lisa Brady, (03:02)
- White House rules out US “boots on the ground” in Ukraine, but specifies “air related support is a possibility.”
6. Oklahoma Teacher Certification Controversy
- Subject: New exam for teachers moving from California and New York sparks debate.
- Detail:
- Prospective teachers must pass a 50-question test, administered by PragerU, as a condition for certification.
- Questions focus on American constitutional basics and patriotism, raising concerns about ideological litmus testing.
- Notable Quotes:
- "It's not unusual for there to be required exams for professionals who are moving to another state. But what's sweeping down the plain in the Sooner state has some crying foul describing it as a mega loyalty test."
— Ryan Walters, Oklahoma Public School Superintendent, (03:14) - "Some of the 50 questions on the test include what are the first three words of the US Constitution? And why freedom of religion is important to America's identity."
— CJ Papa, (03:14)
- "It's not unusual for there to be required exams for professionals who are moving to another state. But what's sweeping down the plain in the Sooner state has some crying foul describing it as a mega loyalty test."
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- California Lawsuit & Rights:
- "This is a flagrant violation of the people's rights under the Constitution of California."
— Unknown Legal Expert, (00:22)
- "This is a flagrant violation of the people's rights under the Constitution of California."
- DC Police on Crime Reporting Pressure:
- "Inevitably you'll have a captain or a commander or sometimes a lieutenant show up on the scene and advise them to take a report for a lesser offense."
— Greg Pemberton, (01:11)
- "Inevitably you'll have a captain or a commander or sometimes a lieutenant show up on the scene and advise them to take a report for a lesser offense."
- Trump on Peace Talks:
- "I hope President Putin is going to be good and if he's not, it's going to be a rough situation and I hope that Zelensky...will do what he has to do."
— Donald Trump, (02:32)
- "I hope President Putin is going to be good and if he's not, it's going to be a rough situation and I hope that Zelensky...will do what he has to do."
- Oklahoma Exam Criticism:
- "...some crying foul describing it as a mega loyalty test."
— Ryan Walters, (03:14)
- "...some crying foul describing it as a mega loyalty test."
Timestamps for Key Segments
- California Redistricting Lawsuit: 00:02–00:42
- D.C. Crime Data Probe: 00:42–01:22
- New Mexico Gun Law Ruling: 01:22–01:35
- Market Update: 01:35–01:59, 03:59–04:14
- Russia-Ukraine Peace Developments (Trump): 02:15–03:02
- Oklahoma Teacher Certification Test: 03:14–03:59
Summary
This episode covers legal disputes over redistricting in California, growing skepticism over D.C.'s crime statistics, federal courts curbing New Mexico's gun law, the US and international efforts for peace in Ukraine (featuring active involvement by former President Trump), and a controversial new teacher certification exam in Oklahoma. Each topic is presented with insights and commentary from key figures, providing listeners a snapshot of the day's major news developments with direct quotes and clear context.