6PM ET 09/19/2025 Newscast

Summary

Fox News Hourly Update – 6PM ET 09/19/2025 Newscast

Host: Lisa Licera
Date: September 19, 2025
Duration: ~5 minutes (ad segments excluded)

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Episode Overview

This Fox News hourly newscast delivers a concise roundup of major national news stories, touching on looming political gridlock over government funding, updates on the TikTok-China deal, a congressional resolution against political violence, strong performance in stock markets, a tragic theme park incident in Orlando, developments in Amtrak operations, a rift within New York state Democrats over a mayoral candidate, and a landmark international ocean treaty.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Potential Government Shutdown and Congressional Deadlock

[00:02–00:52]

• Government funding standoff:
  President Trump warns of a potential government shutdown after the Senate fails to pass any short-term spending bill that would keep federal operations running through the end of September.

• Democratic and Republican legislative packages stall:

  • Republican proposal: Sought a "clean extension" until November 21.
  • Democratic proposal: Included additional healthcare provisions, which Republicans argue should be dealt with separately.
  • Result: Both packages fail to pass, necessitating bipartisan action due to the 60-vote threshold.

• Key voices:

  • Trey Gowdy: "We need 60 votes. That means we need Democrat votes. I want to thank Senator John Fetterman. He wants to keep the country open." (00:14)
  • Chuck Schumer: "Republicans think those provisions should be addressed separately." (00:40)
  • Jay Jacobs: "Why not do it now?" (00:38)

• Next steps:

  • Another vote expected the week of September 29, right before the September 30 funding deadline.

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2. US-China Deal on TikTok

[00:52–01:09]

• Progress on TikTok’s fate:
  President Trump says a deal allowing TikTok to continue operating in the US is "well on its way" after discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

• Impact:
  The app faced a potential US ban unless divested from its Chinese parent, but an agreement now appears to be imminent, with just formalities remaining.

• Notable quote:

  • Trey Gowdy: "I think China wanted to see it stay open, too. They wanted to see it. And I can tell you the young people in our country wanted to see it stay open very badly..." (01:01)

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3. House Resolution Honoring Charlie Kirk

[01:09–01:32]

• Bipartisan call against political violence:
  The House passed a resolution honoring Charlie Kirk, stressing the need for Americans to reject political violence, recommit to respectful debate, and uphold national values.

• Key statement:

  • Jay Jacobs: "The House of Representatives calls upon all Americans to reject political violence, recommit to respectful debate, uphold American values and respect one another as fellow Americans." (01:21)

• Follow-up:

  • A vigil is being held in Utah; a memorial service scheduled in Arizona for Kirk.

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4. Stock Market Rally

[01:32–02:00]

• Record-breaking gains:

  • Dow Jones: +172 points
  • Nasdaq: +160 points
  • S&P: +32 points

• Reason for optimism:
  Markets anticipated further interest rate cuts from the Federal Reserve to stimulate the economy.

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5. Theme Park Tragedy in Orlando

[02:56–03:37]

• Incident:
  Kevin Rodriguez Zavala, 32, dies after a roller coaster ride at Universal Orlando's Epic Universe (Stardust Racers).

• Details:
  Cause of death: multiple blunt impact injuries.

• Eyewitness account:

  • Trey Gowdy (quoting): "The attendant just starts screaming on the top of his lungs, everyone get out. Get off of the coaster." (03:24)

• Aftermath:
  The ride is closed indefinitely pending investigation.

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6. Restoration of Federal Control at Union Station

[03:37–04:00]

• Federal Railroad Administration regains authority:
  The Trump administration reaches agreement to reclaim oversight of Washington’s Union Station, aiming to enable Amtrak to focus on rail service.

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7. NY State Democratic Party Division

[04:00–04:32]

• Jay Jacobs, party leader, withholds endorsement:

  • Refuses to back Democratic NYC mayoral candidate Zoran Mamdani over disagreements on Israel and DSA platform, but respects Governor Kathy Hochul’s endorsement of Mamdani.
  • Will not endorse any other candidate.

• Reaction:

  • Andrew Cuomo (former governor, running as independent): Calls Jacobs’ decision "without precedent."
  • Jay Jacobs: "He says he disagrees with his views on Israel, rejects the platform of the Democratic Socialists of America..." (04:00)

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8. High Seas Treaty Coming Into Force

[04:32–04:55]

• First global treaty to protect sea life in international waters:
  Ratified by Morocco (60th nation), the "High Seas Treaty" includes legal safeguards for marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction. Effective early next year.

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Notable Quotes

• Trey Gowdy [00:14]:
  "We need 60 votes. That means we need Democrat votes. I want to thank Senator John Fetterman. He wants to keep the country open."

• Chuck Schumer [00:40]:
  "Republicans think those provisions should be addressed separately."

• Trey Gowdy [01:01]:
  "I think China wanted to see it stay open, too. They wanted to see it. And I can tell you the young people in our country wanted to see it stay open very badly..."

• Jay Jacobs [01:21]:
  "The House of Representatives calls upon all Americans to reject political violence, recommit to respectful debate, uphold American values and respect one another as fellow Americans."

• Eyewitness account [03:24]:
  "The attendant just starts screaming on the top of his lungs, everyone get out. Get off of the coaster."

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• Government shutdown risk & Senate deadlock: 00:02–00:52
• TikTok-China agreement progress: 00:52–01:09
• House honors Charlie Kirk/resolution against violence: 01:09–01:32
• Stock market update: 01:32–02:00
• Orlando theme park death (Stardust Racers): 02:56–03:37
• Union Station federal control restoration: 03:37–04:00
• NY Dem Party splits over mayoral candidate: 04:00–04:32
• First international ocean biodiversity treaty: 04:32–04:55

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Memorable Moments

• The rare open split within the NY State Democratic Party over their own mayoral candidate, described by Andrew Cuomo as "without precedent."
• Real-time account of chaos at Universal Orlando, highlighting the suddenness and severity of theme park incidents.

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This summary encapsulates the major stories and political dynamics shaping headlines as of September 19, 2025, providing a clear snapshot for listeners and readers alike.

Transcript

[Lisa Licera]

There could be a government shutdown. I'm Lisa Licera of FOX News. President Trump with that prediction a short time ago after the Senate failed to pass a short term spending bill that will keep things open through the end of the month.

[Trey Gowdy]

We need 60 votes. That means we need Democrat votes. I want to thank Senator John Fetterman. He wants to keep the country open.

[Lisa Licera]

Two packages, one proposed by Republicans, the other by Democrats, both fail.

[Chuck Schumer]

Republicans were proposing a clean extension of government funding until November 21, while Democrats, Democrats included a number of health care provisions Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer says needs to be addressed now.

[Jay Jacobs]

Why not do it now?

[Trey Gowdy]

People are hurting.

[Chuck Schumer]

Republicans think those provisions should be addressed separately. And Majority Leader John Thune says another vote will take place when senators return the week of September 29th. The funding deadline is September 30th.

[Lisa Licera]

Fox's Ryan Schmelz on Capitol Hill and the president said a deal with China on TikTok is well on its way. He says he spoke with China's President Xi Jinping this morning and he approved it.

[Trey Gowdy]

I think China wanted to see it stay open, too. They wanted to see it. And I can tell you the young people in our country wanted to see it stay open very badly, adding it.

[Lisa Licera]

Could be a formality in getting an agreement signed later. The app had been facing a ban in the US Unless it divested from its Chinese parent company. The House passing a resolution honoring Charlie Kirk.

[Jay Jacobs]

The House of Representatives calls upon all Americans to reject political violence, recommit to respectful debate, uphold American values and respect one another as fellow Americans.

[Lisa Licera]

Speaker Mike Johnson, a vigil being held tonight in Utah for Kirk. His memorial service is set for Sunday afternoon. In Arizona, another record setting week for stocks. The Dow added 172. The Nasdaq gained 160. The S&P plus 32 stocks have been rallying on expectations that the Federal Reserve will continue to cut interest rates in order to give the economy a boost. America is listening to FOX News.

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[Lisa Licera]

NEWS an investigation continues in Orlando, where a theme park visitor died after riding a roller coaster.

[Eben Brown]

The man who died after being found unresponsive following a ride on the Stardust Racers roller coaster at Universal Orlando's Epic Universe, is now identified as 32 year old Kevin Rodriguez Zavala and his cause of death is listed as multiple blunt impact injuries. Tommy Italiano was at the ride when Zavala was found out of nowhere.

[Trey Gowdy]

The attendant just starts screaming on the top of his lungs, everyone get out. Get off of the coaster.

[Eben Brown]

The Stardust Racers roller coaster remains closed indefinitely. In Miami, Eben Brown, Fox News.

[Lisa Licera]

The Trump administration says it struck a deal to restore federal control of Washington's Union Station, the Federal Railroad Administration saying the move will free up Amtrak to focus on its core mission of providing rail transportation. The DOT had announced plans to take control of the station last month. The leader of the New York State Democratic Party says he will not be backing Democratic New York City mayoral candidate Zoran Mamdani.

[Jay Jacobs]

Jay Jacobs says he will not back Mamdani. He says he disagrees with his views on Israel, rejects the platform of the Democratic Socialists of America. Still, Jacobs says he respects Governor Kathy Hochul's decision to go on and endorse Mandani. Jacobs will not back any other mayoral candidate. It is a notable development to be sure. Look, the leader of the state Democratic Party not endorsing the Democratic nominee, former Governor Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat running as an independent, says that in his mind, Jacobs decision is without precedent.

[Lisa Licera]

Fox 5 New York's Robert Moses the first treaty to protect sea life in international waters will be in effect starting early next year as Morocco became the 60th nation to ratify the agreement. The High Seas Treaty is the first legal framework aimed at protecting marine biodiversity in international waters. I'm Lisa Lucera. This is Fox News.

[Trey Gowdy]

Hey, I'm Trey Gowdy, host of the Trey Gowdy Podcast. I hope you will join me every Tuesday and Thursday as we navigate life together and hopefully find ourselves a little bit better on the other side. Listen and follow now at foxnewspodcast.

[Jay Jacobs]

Com.