Fox News Hourly Update – 6PM ET 10/02/2025 Newscast

Date: October 2, 2025
Host: Lisa Licera (FOX News Podcasts)

Episode Overview

This episode offers a fast-paced rundown of top news stories as of 6PM ET on October 2nd, 2025. The main focus is the ongoing U.S. government shutdown, with both Democratic and Republican leaders offering their perspectives. Additional coverage spans a terror attack in the UK, developments in U.S. policy on international crime, record highs in the stock market, a school board deception scandal, and OpenAI's financial milestone.

Key Discussion Points & News Highlights

1. Government Shutdown: Day Two

• Stalemate Continues: Both parties blame each other for the impasse.
• Speaker Mike Johnson's Perspective (00:12)
  • Johnson criticizes Senate Democrats, claiming hardship for ordinary Americans due to political posturing.
    • Quote: “It is a dark day in America because real Americans are suffering because of the political antics and shenanigans of Chuck Schumer and 43 of his Democrat colleagues in the Senate.” — Speaker Mike Johnson [00:12]
• Democrats' Response (00:22)
  • House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries states Democrats remain present and ready to negotiate.
    • Quote: “House Democrats continue to be here on duty. House Republicans are on vacation. We are ready. We are willing. We are able to sit down with anyone, anytime, any place, including the president and the vice president.” — Hakeem Jeffries [00:26]
• Key Point: Democrats demand an extension of Affordable Care Act subsidies, set to expire at year-end.

2. President Trump on Shutdown and National Security

• Trump warns of federal layoffs and program cuts, following up via Truth Social with news of a meeting with Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vogt about spending cuts.
• Issues memo designating drug cartels as "unlawful combatants" and characterizes the U.S. as engaged in a “non-international armed conflict” following recent strikes in the Caribbean. [01:25]

3. UK Synagogue Stabbing Labeled Terror Attack (00:39)

• Incident Details:
  • Attack outside a Manchester synagogue results in four injured; police shoot suspect dead.
  • Suspect: British citizen of Syrian descent; the attack occurred on Yom Kippur.
• Official Statement:
  • Quote: “UK policing is mobilizing and it's mobilizing fast. Police forces are stepping up patrols across the country at synagogues, Jewish sites.” — Asst. Commissioner Lawrence Taylor [01:05]

4. Stock Market Update (01:49)

• All three major indexes reach record highs. The NASDAQ is up 88 points.

5. School District Leadership Scandal in Iowa (02:31)

• Des Moines school board says it was deceived by former superintendent Ian Roberts, who was detained for being in the U.S. illegally and falsely claimed a doctoral degree. Board accepts his resignation and vows improved vetting processes.
  • Quote: “The Des Moines school board is also a victim of deception by Dr. Roberts, one on a growing list that includes our students and teachers, our parents and community, our elected officials and Iowa’s Board of Educational Examiners and others.” — Des Moines School Board Statement [02:46]

6. OpenAI: World’s Largest Startup (03:12)

• OpenAI (creator of ChatGPT) now valued at $500 billion after $6.6 billion in employee stock sales.
• Surpasses SpaceX in valuation.
• Revenue in the first half of the year hits $4.3 billion; signs major chip supply deals with Samsung and SK Hynix.

7. World Cup Visa Surge Preparation (03:55)

• U.S. State Department to send hundreds of additional staff to embassies/consulates ahead of the 2026 World Cup to handle visa demands from fans.
• Countries and staffing numbers TBD; travelers from visa waiver countries unaffected.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Speaker Mike Johnson [00:12]:
  • “It is a dark day in America because real Americans are suffering because of the political antics and shenanigans of Chuck Schumer and 43 of his Democrat colleagues in the Senate.”
• Hakeem Jeffries [00:26]:
  • “We are ready. We are willing. We are able to sit down with anyone, anytime, any place, including the president and the vice president.”
• Asst. Commissioner Lawrence Taylor [01:05]:
  • “UK policing is mobilizing and it's mobilizing fast. Police forces are stepping up patrols across the country at synagogues, Jewish sites.”
• Des Moines School Board Statement [02:46]:
  • “The Des Moines school board is also a victim of deception by Dr. Roberts, one on a growing list that includes our students and teachers, our parents and community, our elected officials and Iowa’s Board of Educational Examiners and others.”

Important Timestamps

• Government Shutdown Discussion: 00:02–00:39
• UK Synagogue Attack: 01:05–01:25
• Stock Market Update: 01:49–02:02
• Des Moines School Board Scandal: 02:31–03:12
• OpenAI Valuation News: 03:12–03:55
• World Cup Visa Preparation: 03:55–04:28

Tone & Style

The episode adopts a brisk, headline-driven tone, directly relaying comments from political figures and officials. The language is urgent and emphasizes accountability, with speakers firmly expressing their positions and concerns.

This summary captures the central news narratives and key moments from this FOX News Radio hourly update, allowing listeners to quickly grasp the top stories as they unfolded on October 2, 2025, at 6PM ET.