4PM ET 09/16/2025 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update

Date: September 16, 2025
Time: 4PM ET
Host: Lisa Brady (with reports from Ryan Schmelz and quotes from guests)
Duration: ~4 minutes (00:02-04:13)

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Episode Overview

This newscast delivers concise, up-to-the-minute reports on major national and international headlines. This episode centers on the latest developments in a high-profile Utah murder case, political turmoil surrounding FBI leadership and government funding negotiations, significant legal decisions in New York, breaking economic news, a TikTok ban deadline update, and highlights from the world of sports.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Utah Murder Charges Against Tyler Robinson

[00:02–00:57]

• Announcement of Charges:

  • Tyler Robinson is charged with the murder of Charlie Kirk.
  • Evidence includes a note, text messages, and DNA.

• Details of the Case:

  • Ryan Schmelz details the prosecution’s case:
    • Robinson allegedly messaged his lover and roommate about possibly getting away with the crime, but failed to retrieve the rifle ditched near the scene.
    • Police found DNA on the trigger of the recovered rifle.
    • Surveillance video places Robinson at the scene, limping in a manner consistent with carrying a rifle concealed in his pants.
    • Seven charges in total, including aggravated murder and felony discharge of a firearm.

• Aggravating Factors:

  • Prosecutors allege political motivation and note the crime was committed in front of children.

• Death Penalty Pursued:

  • Lisa Brady adds that prosecutors will seek the death penalty if Robinson is convicted ([00:57]).

Notable Quote:

• Ryan Schmelz ([00:33]):

  “Prosecutors say the charges are aggravated because they believe the shooter killed Kirk for political reasons and also because the killer knew if he shot and killed Charlie Kirk that it would happen in front of children.”

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2. Senate Oversight – FBI Director Cash Pat Patel Under Fire

[00:57–01:26]

• Senate Hearing:

  • FBI Director Cash Pat Patel defends his record amid accusations from Democrats, including Senator Adam Schiff, of politically motivated firings.

• Patel’s Defense:

  • Cash Pat Patel ([01:14]):

    “What I am doing is protecting this country, providing historic reform.”

• Presidential Support:

  • President Trump praises Patel’s performance.
  • Patel ([01:23]):

    “I have confidence in everybody in the administration.”

• Global Affairs:

  • President Trump is en route to the UK for a historic second state visit.

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3. Legal Update in New York Murder Case

[01:26–01:59]

• State Terrorism Charges Dropped:
  • Luigi Mangione, accused of killing United Healthcare executive Brian Thompson, has state terrorism charges against him dropped, though he still faces murder and additional federal charges.

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4. Economic News – Markets Slip Ahead of Fed Decision

[01:59–02:01]

• Market Recap:
  • The Dow Jones comes down 125 points as investors await a Federal Reserve decision on interest rates.

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5. Continuing Resolution to Avoid Government Shutdown

[02:15–02:57]

• Republican Plan:

  • House Republicans introduce a continuing resolution (CR) to maintain government funding until November 21.
  • Bill includes:
    • $30 million for lawmaker security
    • $30 million for protecting former Trump administration officials
    • $28 million for Supreme Court justice security (amid increased threats of political violence).

• Democratic Response:

  • Unclear if Democrats will support the plan, as they want extensions on Affordable Care Act tax credits.
  • Speaker Johnson insists ACA is a “December policy issue, not a September funding issue.”

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6. TikTok Deadline Extended Amid US-China Talks

[02:57–03:21]

• Update on Ban:
  • President Trump extends the deadline for TikTok to divest from its Chinese parent; new deadline is December 16.
  • A framework deal with China is pending, with a phone call scheduled between Presidents Trump and Xi.

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7. Sports Highlight – Paige Beckers Named WNBA Rookie of the Year

[03:21–04:00]

• Beckers' Exceptional Performance:
  • Paige Beckers, #1 draft pick from UConn, wins WNBA Rookie of the Year.
  • Stats:
    • 19.2 points, 5.4 assists, 3.9 rebounds per game over 36 games.
    • Third-highest rookie point total and assists.
    • Scored a rookie record 44 points in a game against the LA Sparks.
  • Beckers received 70 of 72 votes.

Notable Quote:

• Paige Beckers ([03:21]):

  “Drafted by the Dallas Wings, Beckers averaged 19.2 points per game in her first professional season... She received 70 of 72 votes to win Rookie of the Year.”

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8. Market Wrap-up

[04:00–04:13]

• Lisa Brady recaps:
  • The Dow slips 125 points; S&P and Nasdaq also slightly lower, retreating from record highs.

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Memorable Moments & Notable Quotes

• Ryan Schmelz ([00:33]):

  “Prosecutors say the charges are aggravated because they believe the shooter killed Kirk for political reasons and also because the killer knew if he shot and killed Charlie Kirk that it would happen in front of children.”

• Cash Pat Patel ([01:14]):

  “What I am doing is protecting this country, providing historic reform.”

• Paige Beckers ([03:21]):

  “Drafted by the Dallas Wings, Beckers averaged 19.2 points per game in her first professional season... She received 70 of 72 votes to win Rookie of the Year.”

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Utah Murder Case Charges – [00:02–00:57]
• FBI Senate Hearing & President Trump Praise – [00:57–01:26]
• NY Murder Case Charges Dropped – [01:26–01:59]
• Economic Update – [01:59–02:01]
• Government Funding Negotiations – [02:15–02:57]
• TikTok Extension – [02:57–03:21]
• WNBA Rookie of the Year Award – [03:21–04:00]
• Market Recap – [04:00–04:13]

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Tone & Language

• The newscast is brisk, fact-focused, and delivers news with a sense of urgency.
• Speakers are direct and concise; political and legal controversies are reported with minimal editorializing.
• Notable moments provide insight into the emphatic language of contributors and newsmakers (e.g., “providing historic reform,” “killed for political reasons”).

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Transcript

[Lisa Brady]

The evidence and the charges on Lisa Brady, FOX News. A Utah prosecutor announcing multiple charges against Charlie Kirk's accused killer, Tyler Robinson, and evidence that includes a note, text messages and DNA after the alleged murder.

[Ryan Schmelz]

Prosecutors say the alleged shooter messaged with his lover, a roommate, saying that he thought he'd get away with the crime, except he could not get back to the rifle that he ditched near the crime scene, which ultimately police recovered. They announced today they found DNA on the trigger. The county attorney here says video places the alleged killer at the scene. The suspect is seen on video walking to the campus with a limp consistent with a rifle in his pants. And there were seven charges announced today. Two of them are aggravated murder and felony discharge of a firearm. Prosecutors say the charges are aggravated because they believe the shooter killed Kirk for political reasons and also because the killer knew if he shot and killed Charlie Kirk that it would happen in front of children.

[Lisa Brady]

Fox's Matt Finn prosecutors plan to seek the death penalty if Robinson is convicted. FBI Director Cash Pat Patel defending his record on many issues at a Senate hearing, including recent firings as Democrats, including Senator Adam Schiff, accuse him of politically driven decisions for the president.

[Cash Pat Patel]

What I am doing is protecting this country, providing historic reform.

[Lisa Brady]

President Trump earlier praising Patel and telling.

[Cash Pat Patel]

Reporters, I have confidence in everybody in the administration.

[Lisa Brady]

This as he was heading to the UK For a historic second state visit. In New York City, the man accused of killing United Healthcare executive Brian Thompson no longer faces state terrorism charges. A judge tossing out those counts against Luigi Mangione, who is still facing other state and federal charges, including murder. Stocks finish lower. The Dow down 125 at the bell ahead of a Fed decision on interest rates. Tomorrow, America is listening to FOX news.

[Guy Benson]

I'm Guy Benson in for Dana Perino.

[Ryan Schmelz]

This week on Perino on Politics, I'm.

[Guy Benson]

Joined by FOX News contributor outkick columnist and host of the Getting Hammered podcast, Mary Katherine Ham. My dear friend, listen and follow now@fox newspodcast.com.

[Lisa Brady]

House Republicans unveil a plan to keep the government open.

[Cash Pat Patel]

The continuing resolution, or CR, would extend current government funding until November 21. While considered to be a clean extension, it would provide $30 million in security for lawmakers, another 30 million for protecting Trump administration members and 28 million for protecting Supreme Court justices who've seen an increased threat in political viol violence. It's unclear if Democrats will support the bill as many have been pushing for an extension of Affordable Care act tax credit provisions. Speaker Johnson says that's a December policy issue, not a September funding issue. On Capitol Hill. Ryan Schmelz, Fox News TikTok wins another.

[Lisa Brady]

Reprieve from President Trump, extending the deadline again for the social media platform to avoid a U.S. ban by divesting from its Chinese parent company. The U.S. treasury Secretary announcing a framework deal with China this week pending a phone call set for Friday between Presidents Trump and Xi. An executive order signed today extends the deadline to December 16th. A former college basketball star now shining.

[Paige Beckers]

In the pros, the number one overall pick in this year's draft, Paige Beckers from the University of Connecticut won the WNBA Rookie of the Year award Tuesday. Drafted by the Dallas wings, Beckers averaged 19.2 points per game in her first professional season. She dished out 5.4 assists and 3.9 rebounds per game. Her totals among 36 games saw her register the third highest point total and third most assists by a WNBA rookie. She received 70 of 72 votes to win Rookie of the Year. 23 years old from Edina, Minnesota, Paige Beckers broke the WNBA single game rookie scoring record in late August when she put up 44 points in a game against the Los Angeles Sparks.

[Lisa Brady]

Jared Max, Fox News Recapping stocks, The Dow drops 125 points, the S and P and the Nasdaq slightly lower, slipping from their latest records. And Lisa Brady, FOX News.

[Guy Benson]

Listen to the all new Bret Baer podcast featuring common ground in depth, talks with lawmakers from opposite sides of the aisle, along with all your Brett Baer favorites like his All Star panel and much more. Available [e-mail] or wherever you get your podcasts.