Fox News Hourly Update

Episode: 6AM ET 09/20/2025 Newscast
Host: Debra Valentine, FOX News Team
Date: September 20, 2025

Overview

This episode covers major national headlines: the looming government shutdown due to congressional budget disputes, breaking news on an anti-drug trafficking military strike ordered by President Trump, the aftermath of the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, new CDC guidance on COVID-19 vaccinations, and a federal court decision dismissing Trump’s $15 billion defamation suit against the New York Times.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Government Shutdown Showdown

[00:02 - 00:49]

• Status: No current budget deal; Congress has left Washington without an agreement with the shutdown deadline looming (September 30).
• Senate Actions: Senate Majority Leader John Thune commits to a funding extension vote when lawmakers return on September 29:

  "Senators left Washington without an agreement to fund the government..."
  — Ryan Schmelz [00:11]

• Divisive Issues:
  • Democrats seek more health care provisions.
  • Republicans want these issues debated separately and are pushing to include millions for security for Trump-era officials and Capitol Hill judges.
• Political Dynamics:

  "All it takes is a handful of Democrats to join the Republicans in keeping the government open and funded."
  — Mike Emanuel [00:26]

2. President Trump Orders Lethal Strike on Narco Vessel

[00:49 - 01:18]

• Breaking Action: President Trump announces (via Truth Social) a lethal strike against a vessel trafficking drugs in international waters:

  "...ordered the Secretary of War to strike in international waters. The strike killed three people with Trump issuing a warning to future narco terrorists."
  — Debra Valentine [00:49]

• Message: This strike is framed as a warning to "future narco terrorists."

3. Community Response to Charlie Kirk’s Assassination

[01:18 - 01:56]

• Utah Vigil: Thousands mourn at Utah Valley University after Kirk’s assassination; the campus community seeks healing and unity.
• Upcoming Memorial: Kirk’s funeral will take place at State Farm Stadium in Arizona; tens of thousands are expected to attend.

  "...this vigil for unity was a chance for students, staff and members of the community to heal and, as one speaker put it so eloquently, find a way to see the light despite all the darkness."
  — Claudia Cowan [01:18]

• Potential Honors: Utah lawmakers consider a permanent memorial.

4. House Debate Over Charlie Kirk Memorial Measure

[02:31 - 03:15]

• House Resolution:
  • Passes the House with bipartisan support (310 in favor).
  • Sharp partisan split: 55% of House Democrats did not support (58 "no," 38 "present," 22 not voting).
• Democratic Opposition:
  • Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC):

    "...called Kirk's rhetoric, quote, ignorant and uneducated."
    — Christina Coleman [02:39]

  • Democrats object to being compelled to endorse Kirk’s views.
• Message of Resolution: Strong condemnation of Kirk’s assassination and all political violence; call for peaceful political debate.

5. CDC Updates COVID-19 Vaccine Guidance

[03:15 - 04:08]

• Policy Change: No more universal recommendation for COVID-19 vaccination; now based on individual decision-making.
• Expert Views:
  • Dr. Cody Meisner (Pro-choice):

    "If a person wants it for himself, herself, her children, they should be able to get it without a prescription."
    — Mike Emanuel quoting Meisner [03:36]

  • Dr. Retsef Levy (Caution):

    "The prescription of these interventions requires some nuanced assessment."
    — Ryan Schmelz quoting Levy [04:04]

• Hepatitis B Vaccines: Panel puts off decision on recommendations for newborns.

6. Trump’s Defamation Suit Dismissed

[04:20 - 04:28]

• Summary:
  • Florida federal judge throws out President Trump's $15 billion lawsuit against the New York Times.
  • Mentioned briefly without further detail.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the urgency of the shutdown:

  "Senators left Washington without an agreement to fund the government..."
  — Ryan Schmelz [00:11]

• On the House division over Kirk resolution:

  "AOC...called Kirk's rhetoric, quote, ignorant and uneducated."
  — Christina Coleman [02:39]

• On CDC's new approach:

  "If a person wants it for himself, herself, her children, they should be able to get it without a prescription."
  — Dr. Cody Meisner via Mike Emanuel [03:36] "The prescription of these interventions requires some nuanced assessment."
  — Dr. Retsef Levy via Ryan Schmelz [04:04]

• On community healing:

  "...find a way to see the light despite all the darkness."
  — Claudia Cowan quoting a vigil speaker [01:18]

Important Timestamps

• [00:02] – Budget showdown coverage begins
• [00:49] – Trump’s anti-narco vessel strike
• [01:18] – Utah vigil for Charlie Kirk
• [02:31] – House debate on Kirk measure
• [03:15] – CDC changes COVID-19 vaccine guidance
• [04:20] – Trump’s lawsuit against NYT dismissed

Tone and Language

The report is urgent, factual, and emotionally aware, especially in segments covering political division and national tragedies. The language remains neutral in news reporting style, with direct quotes expressing stronger individual viewpoints.