6AM ET 07/19/2025 Newscast

Summary

Fox News Hourly Update – 6AM ET | July 19, 2025

The July 19, 2025, episode of the "Fox News Hourly Update" provides a comprehensive overview of several pressing national and international issues. Hosted by Debra Valentine, the newscast delves into the potential unsealing of the Jeffrey Epstein files, a tragic explosion within the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, declassified documents concerning Russia's impact on the 2016 U.S. election, new federal regulations on cryptocurrency, and a significant ceasefire agreement between Israel and Syria. The following sections offer a detailed summary of each topic, including notable quotes and attributions with corresponding timestamps.

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1. Unsealing of Jeffrey Epstein Files

Introduction to the Topic At the outset [00:02], Debra Valentine announces the ongoing efforts to unseal documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, highlighting the bipartisan demand for transparency.

Congressional Efforts and Legislative Challenges Ryan Schmelz reports [00:13] on the House Democrats' attempt to attach legislation mandating the release of Epstein-related information to various GOP-backed bills. Despite robust efforts, the initiative falls short. The push for more information transcends party lines, with both Republicans and Democrats advocating for greater transparency.

Notable Quote Republican Congressman Tim Burchett emphasizes the frustration with the lack of action over the years, stating at [00:33]:

"This country is sick of child molesters and they're sick of pandering. And look, the Democrats had this thing for four years under Biden and they didn't do anything."

Presidential Involvement Schmelz further details [00:42] that President Trump has directed the Department of Justice to release grand jury testimony concerning Epstein, indicating high-level engagement in the matter.

Justice Department's Action Debra Valentine elaborates [00:51] that the Justice Department has formally requested a federal court to unseal documents tied to Epstein's grand jury records, signaling a significant step toward transparency.

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2. Explosion at Los Angeles County Sheriff's Training Facility

Incident Overview Transitioning to local news, Debra Valentine reports [00:51] on a tragic explosion at a Los Angeles training facility that resulted in the deaths of three sheriff's deputies.

Detailed Reporting Jonathan Hunt provides an in-depth account [01:11], explaining that the explosion occurred while deputies were handling explosives transferred from another LA County agency. Initial reports indicated that the explosives were believed to be inert; however, it became apparent that at least one explosive device was active, leading to the devastating outcome.

Identified Victims At [01:49], Valentine identifies the fallen officers:

• Detective Joshua Kelly Eklund
• Detective Victor Leamas
• Detective Osborne

The community mourns their loss as investigations continue to determine the precise cause of the explosion.

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3. Declassified Documents on Russia's Alleged Election Interference

Introduction to the Topic Debra Valentine shifts focus to national security [03:08], reporting that Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has declassified documents concerning investigations during the Obama administration into Russia's alleged influence on the 2016 U.S. election.

Details of the Report Kevin Cork explains [03:23] that Gabbard's report alleges suppression and manipulation of intelligence findings. According to Gabbard, the intelligence community assessed that Russia did not play a significant role in influencing the election. However, these conclusions were reportedly suppressed after FBI Director James Comey indicated potential dissent from the draft findings, prompting high-level officials—including CIA Director John Brennan and Secretary of State John Kerry—to convene at the White House to scrutinize claims of Russian election meddling.

Call for Investigation Gabbard is advocating for the Justice Department to probe the declassified documents further, seeking clarity and accountability regarding the handling of intelligence related to election interference. Russia continues to deny any involvement in the 2016 election interference.

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4. New Federal Regulations on Cryptocurrency: The GENIUS Act

Legislation Overview Debra Valentine introduces [04:00] the passage of the GENIUS Act, a landmark piece of legislation directed at establishing federal regulations for cryptocurrencies.

Detailed Explanation Chanley Painter breaks down [04:13] the implications of the GENIUS Act (Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for US Stakeholders). The Act specifically addresses stablecoins, a type of cryptocurrency considered relatively safe due to their value being backed by assets like the U.S. Dollar or commodities such as gold.

Bipartisan Support and Controversies Valentine notes [04:37] that the bill garnered strong bipartisan support in Congress. However, the law includes provisions that prohibit members of Congress from profiting from stablecoins, a stipulation that has faced criticism from Democrats who point out that the presidency remains unaffected by this restriction. Additionally, two other cryptocurrency-related bills have already passed the House and are awaiting consideration in the Senate, though they encounter opposition.

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5. Ceasefire Agreement Between Israel and Syria

International Development In a brief but significant report, Debra Valentine announces [04:37] that U.S. Envoy to Russia Tom Barrack has confirmed a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Syria. This development marks a crucial step towards peace and stability in the volatile Middle Eastern region.

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Conclusion The July 19, 2025, episode of the "Fox News Hourly Update" provides listeners with a thorough examination of critical issues ranging from national security and legislative actions to tragic local incidents and international diplomacy. By highlighting key quotes and detailed reporting, the newscast ensures that its audience remains well-informed on the latest developments shaping the socio-political landscape.

Transcript

[Debra Valentine]

The Epstein files may be unsealed. I'm Debra Valentine, Fox News. Congress continues pushing for the release of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein. Fox's Ryan Schmelz has a recap from Washington.

[Ryan Schmelz]

House Democrats tried attaching legislation forcing the release of information related to Jeffrey Epstein to a number of GOP backed bills, but the effort came up short. The demand for more information has been pushed by both sides. Republican Congressman Tim Burchett is still standing by President Trump, but Donald Trump does want more information made public.

[Tim Burchett]

This country is sick of child molesters and they're sick of pandering. And look, the Democrats had this thing for four years under Biden and they didn't do anything.

[Ryan Schmelz]

President Trump has ordered the Department of Justice to release grand jury testimony related to the convicted child sex offender. In Washington, Ryan Schmelz, FOX News.

[Debra Valentine]

On Friday, the Justice Department asked a federal court to unseal documents related to Epstein's grand jury records. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and federal officials are investigating an explosion that killed three deputies at a Los Angeles training facility on Friday. Fox's Jonathan Hunt reports.

[Jonathan Hunt]

We learned pretty quickly that three sheriff's deputies were tragically killed as they were handling some explosives. The sheriff was not able to give us a lot of detail as to exactly how, how this happened. What we are told from our sources is that the LA Sheriff's Department had taken these explosives from another agency within LA county and it was during the movement of those that something exploded. It was believed that those explosives were inert. Clearly, at least one explosive within them was not.

[Debra Valentine]

The officers identified as Detectives Joshua Kelly Eklund, Detective Victor Leamas and Detective Osborne. America's listening to Fox News.

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[Debra Valentine]

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard Friday declassified documents related to investigations during the Obama administration into Russia's alleged impact on the 2016 election. Fox's Kevin Cork reports from Washington.

[Kevin Cork]

In that report, Gabbard alleges that officials manipulated and withheld key intelligence from the public. The intel community had assessed that Russia played no significant role in influencing our election. Those findings, according to Director Gabbard, were suppressed after FBI, led by Director James Comey said the bureau was going to dissent from the draft conclusions based on some new guidance. Then CIA Director John Brennan, Secretary of State John Kerry and a host of high level Obama administration officials met at the White House to look into so called Russian election meddling.

[Debra Valentine]

Gabbard says she's asking the Justice Department to investigate the documents. Russia has repeatedly denied election interference. There are now new federal rules for a type of cryptocurrency, Fox's Chanley Painter.

[Chanley Painter]

Explains President Trump signs a new law governing digital currency known as the Genius Act. It's a landmark piece of legislation that establishes federal regulations for cryptocurrency. GENIUS stands for guiding and establishing national innovation for US Stakeholders. Stablecoins Stablecoins are considered a fairly safe type of cryptocurrency since their value is backed by other assets like the US Dollar or a commodity such as gold.

[Debra Valentine]

The bill passed Congress with strong bipartisan support. The law bans members of Congress from profiting off of stablecoins but doesn't stop the president from doing so, which Democrats have criticized. Two other crypto bills have already passed the House and are being considered in the Senate, though they are facing pushback. US Envoy to Russia Tom Barrack says that Israel and Syria have agreed to a ceasefire. I'm Debra Valentine. This is Fox News.

[Bret Baier]

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