Fox News Hourly Update — 4PM ET 09/17/2025 Newscast

Host: Melissa Brady (FOX News Podcasts)
Date: September 17, 2025

Overview

This episode delivers a fast-paced roundup of major headline news, highlighting President Trump’s state visit to the UK, Vice President J.D. Vance’s remarks on political violence, the Federal Reserve’s interest rate cut, a contentious Senate hearing with the former CDC director, a missing persons story in Colorado, and the day’s financial markets summary. It spotlights U.S.-UK relations, political tensions in the American health sector, and developing stories in both domestic and world news.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. President Trump’s State Visit to the UK

• President Trump and the First Lady attended a state dinner at Windsor Castle, hosted by King Charles (00:02).
  • Memorable quote:
    • King Charles: “Our people have fought and died together for the values we hold dear. We have innovated, traded and created together.” (00:11)
• Day included traditional pageantry, with King Charles and Queen Camilla; the U.S. President rode in a horse-drawn carriage, replacing his usual armored limo, “the Beast” (00:26).
• Warm interactions noted with Prince and Princess of Wales, William and Kate.
• Upcoming: President Trump scheduled to meet British Prime Minister Keir Starmer for political talks, shifting from ceremony to substantive discussion (00:45).
• President Trump is the first U.S. president to have a second state visit to Britain (00:48).

2. Vice President J.D. Vance Rebukes Political Violence

• Reporting from Michigan, Vance addressed last week’s assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk:
  • Reiterated a call to reject political violence and condemned “crazy left wing radicals” (01:02).
  • Notable quote:
    • J.D. Vance: “We reject political violence and we reject the crazy left wing radicals that gunned down our friend Charlie Kirk. Let’s talk to one another and not try to shoot each other down for disagreeing.” (01:02)
• Vance pledged to defend free speech rights (01:14).

3. First Federal Reserve Rate Cut of the Year

• The Federal Reserve lowered the benchmark interest rate by a quarter point, responding to a softer labor market and persistent but elevated inflation (01:14).
• Fed Chair Jerome Powell emphasized inflation expectations:
  • Key quote:
    • Jerome Powell: "Near term measures of inflation expectations have moved up on balance over the course of this year on news about tariffs... Beyond the next year or so, however, most measures of longer term expectations remain consistent with our 2% inflation goal.” (01:29)

4. Financial Markets Update

• Dow Jones closed up 260 points, pushing back over 46,000, though not a record (01:48; 04:12).
• S&P slipped six points, while the Nasdaq dropped by 72 points (04:12).

5. Fired CDC Director Defends Herself in Senate Hearing

• Former CDC Director Susan Menar publicly disputed Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s account of her removal, claiming she was pressured to hand-pick vaccine advisory panelists and fire career scientists (02:37).
• Highlights:
  • Susan Menar: “I was told I still had my job. But the secretary’s expectations remained approval of ACIP recommendations and dismissal of career scientists. I would not commit to that and I believe it is the true reason I was fired.” (02:59)
• Senator Rand Paul accused Menar of refusing to fire scientists advocating COVID shots for infants, which she denied (03:12).
• HHS spokesperson responded, accusing Menar of acting maliciously and refusing to support the president’s agenda (03:19).

6. Search for Missing Hunters in Colorado

• Authorities in southern Colorado’s Kanas County, near the New Mexico border, are searching for two missing hunters, Andrew Porter and Ian Stasko (03:39).
• Hunters were last seen elk hunting; their vehicle and gear were found, prompting a large-scale, multi-agency rescue operation (03:39).
• Fears of adverse weather affecting the outcome (03:39–04:12).

Notable Quotes & Moments

• King Charles: “Our people have fought and died together for the values we hold dear. We have innovated, traded and created together.” (00:11)
• J.D. Vance: “We reject political violence and we reject the crazy left wing radicals that gunned down our friend Charlie Kirk. Let’s talk to one another and not try to shoot each other down for disagreeing.” (01:02)
• Jerome Powell: “…beyond the next year or so, however, most measures of longer term expectations remain consistent with our 2% inflation goal.” (01:29)
• Susan Menar: “I would not commit to that and I believe it is the true reason I was fired.” (02:59)

Timeline of Important Segments

• 00:02 — President Trump’s state dinner at Windsor Castle; King Charles’ remarks
• 00:26 — Details of the day’s royal pageantry in Windsor; friendly greeting from William and Kate
• 00:45 — Announcement of Trump’s upcoming political meeting with Prime Minister Keir Starmer
• 01:02 — J.D. Vance denounces political violence (notable quote)
• 01:14 — Federal Reserve’s first rate cut of the year
• 01:29 — Jerome Powell explains the Fed’s inflation outlook (notable quote)
• 01:48/04:12 — Stock market wrap: Dow up, S&P and Nasdaq down
• 02:37 — Fired CDC director’s testimony; her rebuttal and Senate critic’s argument (notable quotes)
• 03:39 — Search intensifies for missing hunters in southern Colorado

This tightly structured FOX News report efficiently covers the day’s major international, domestic, and political stories, backed by decisive soundbites and a focus on journalistic clarity.