8AM ET 07/04/2025 Newscast

Summary

Fox News Hourly Update Episode: 8AM ET, July 4, 2025 Host: Fox News Radio Release Date: July 4, 2025

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1. House Republicans Celebrate Landmark Legislation

The episode opens with C.J. Papa reporting on a significant achievement by House Republicans. House Speaker Mike Johnson successfully guided a crucial bill through the lower chamber for the second time, surpassing former President Trump's stipulated deadline.

Rebecca Castor highlights the ambitious timeline set by Speaker Johnson, stating, “And you put this audacious timeline... we beat Memorial Day by four days and we got this one done a day early” [00:15]. This swift passage is being lauded by Republicans as a testament to their efficiency and commitment.

Jared Halpern adds context by describing the intense negotiations required to secure enough votes for the bill's passage. He notes that Speaker Johnson faced challenges from within his party, with some Republicans concerned about potential cuts to Medicaid and SNAP programs, while others felt the bill did not go far enough in reducing spending. Ultimately, the bill passed with only two dissenting Republican votes. However, Democrats remain critical, with Former President Biden labeling the bill as “cruel” and Vice President Kamala Harris warning that it “will devastate millions of people across the nation” [00:32].

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2. President Trump's Diplomatic Engagements with Russia

Transitioning to international affairs, C.J. Papa reports on a pivotal moment involving Former President Trump. According to Jared Halpern, Trump held a lengthy conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, focusing on issues related to Iran and the ongoing war in Ukraine. Trump stated, “Had a lengthy call with Russian President Vladimir Putin about Iran and ending the war in Ukraine” [01:23], but quickly added, “No, I didn't make any progress with them today at all” [01:29], expressing dissatisfaction with the lack of tangible outcomes.

The episode further discusses the recent escalation in tensions as Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky described the night as “a harsh, sleepless night” following Russia's largest missile and drone attack on Kyiv since the war began. Additionally, the Kremlin has remained steadfast in its position, with a Kremlin official asserting that Russia is “not stepping back from its goals in Ukraine” and that any peace talks must involve “Moscow and Kiev” [01:32].

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3. Supreme Court Ruling on Immigration Deportations

C.J. Papa shifts focus to domestic policy, highlighting a significant Supreme Court decision that paves the way for the deportation of several immigrants. The court's conservative majority ruled that immigration officials are empowered to swiftly deport individuals to third countries, even if those individuals were initially placed on a flight to South Sudan—a country where they have no established ties [03:08]. This ruling has sparked debate about the implications for immigration policy and human rights.

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4. Severe Storms Devastate New Jersey

Natural disasters also take center stage as Sue Guzman reports on the severe thunderstorms that struck parts of New Jersey late Thursday night. The storms resulted in multiple fatalities and extensive damage, particularly in Plainfield. Mayor Adrian Mapp declared a state of emergency due to the widespread destruction, including downed trees, poles, and power lines that left thousands without electricity. Governor Phil Murphy confirmed the fatalities on social media but withheld further details [03:30]. Emergency services are actively responding to the aftermath, and efforts are underway to restore power and aid affected communities.

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5. Fourth of July Travel Surge Anticipated

With the Fourth of July holiday coinciding with a Friday for the first time in over a decade, Marie McNichol provides an overview of the expected travel surge. This year, approximately 72 million people are projected to be on the move, marking a record-breaking uptick in travel activity. Axes Diaz, a spokesperson for Triple A, emphasizes that gas prices are currently at their lowest since 2021, priced at an average of $3.15 per gallon—36 cents less than the previous year [04:08].

Jared Halpern adds that last year's holiday saw nearly 700,000 emergency roadside assistance calls from Triple A members, addressing issues ranging from dead batteries and flat tires to locked-out cars and empty gas tanks [04:32]. Travelers are advised to prepare for long trips, with a reminder to exercise patience despite the lower gas prices and more favorable travel conditions [04:44]. Marie McNichol concludes by urging listeners to stay informed and safe as they navigate the busy holiday travel period [04:51].

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6. Interactive Listener Quiz

In an engaging segment, C.J. Papa introduces an interactive quiz designed to test listeners' knowledge. Conducted on the streets of New York City, passersby were invited to answer five questions in under five minutes. Jared Halpern encourages listeners to participate daily by visiting thequiz.Fox and checking their results in subsequent broadcasts [05:05]. This segment aims to foster listener engagement and provide a fun break from the day’s heavy news.

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Conclusion

The July 4, 2025, episode of the Fox News Hourly Update delivers a comprehensive overview of pressing national and international issues, from legislative achievements and diplomatic engagements to severe weather impacts and holiday travel advisories. With detailed reporting and direct quotes from key figures, the episode ensures that listeners are well-informed about the current events shaping the nation and the world.

Transcript

[C.J. Papa]

Beating the deadline. C.J. pompa, Fox News. Republicans in the House celebrating the work of House Speaker Mike Johnson, who guided the bill through the lower chamber for a second time, beating President Trump's deadline.

[Rebecca Castor]

And you put this audacious timeline. You said you were going to pass it out of the House by Memorial Day. I mean, some of you openly laughed at me when I said that back in early February. And then we said we would get it done by July 4th. We beat Memorial Day by four days and we got this one done a day early. I just want to point out.

[C.J. Papa]

Okay. Fox's Rebecca Castor from Washington this morning.

[Jared Halpern]

Trump kicked off his victory lap last night at a rally in Iowa just hours after House Republicans finally passed the big beautiful bill. House Speaker Mike Johnson is being declared a miracle worker after wrangling enough votes to get this done. It took days of arm twisting with some Republicans concerned over cuts to Medicaid and SNAP programs, while others still think the bill didn't cut enough spending. In the end, Republicans only lost two votes. Democrats, of course, feel differently. Former President Biden called the bill cruel. And Kamala Harris says it will devastate millions of people across the nation.

[C.J. Papa]

The bill signing 5pm Eastern at the White House. Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky described it a harsh, sleepless night. Russia delivered its largest missile and drone barrage into Kyiv since the war began. This after President Trump spoke with a Russian president. FOX Jared Halpern, President Trump says he.

[Jared Halpern]

Had a lengthy call with Russian President Vladimir Putin about Iran and ending the war in Ukraine.

[C.J. Papa]

No, I didn't make any progress with.

[Rebecca Castor]

Them today at all.

[Jared Halpern]

The president says he's not happy with the situation and pushed back on criticism. Some shipments of weapons to Ukraine are being paused. A Kremlin official says Putin told President Trump Russia is not stepping back from its goals in Ukraine and peace talks must be between Moscow and Kiev. At the White House, Jared Halpern, FOX News.

[C.J. Papa]

The Nathan's hot dog eating Contest on this 4th of July at Coney Island, Joey Chestnut looks to reclaim his title. America's listening to FOX News.

[Marie McNichol]

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[C.J. Papa]

The US Supreme Court clearing the way for deportations of several immigrants who were put on a flight in May bound for South Sudan, where they have no ties. The decision comes after the court's conservative majority found that immigration officials can quickly deport people to third countries. Fatalities reported a severe storm slam parts of New Jersey. More from fox's Sue Guzman.

[Sue Guzman]

Several people are reported dead and the mayor of one hard hit town is declared a state of emergency following severe thunderstorms late Thursday night in New Jersey. The storms targeting the central section of the state Plainfield, New Jersey, Mayor Adrian Mapp declaring a state of emergency because of the damage. Police in neighboring South Plainfield say the north side of town was extensively damaged, with trees, poles and wires down across roadways, yards and homes, and thousands of customers left without power. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy saying on X there were fatalities but did not go into detail. Sue Guzman, FOX News if you're on.

[C.J. Papa]

The road today, you will not be alone.

[Marie McNichol]

For the first time in over a decade, the Fourth of July lands on a Friday. This year, about a million more travelers are heading out the door, breaking records. Over 72 million people will be hitting the roads and skies. Gas prices are the lowest they've been since 2021, according to the travel company who is reminding people to be prepared for those long road trips, says Axes Diaz, spokesperson for Triple A.

[Jared Halpern]

Last July 4th, Triple A responded to nearly 700,000 emergency roadside assistance calls. So and that's everything from dead batteries to flat tires to people locking themselves out of the car and running out of gas.

[Marie McNichol]

No matter the mode of transportation, travel experts are telling people, pack your patience. In Miami Data, Marie McNichol, Fox News.

[C.J. Papa]

And if you're going to the pumps this morning, Triple A says the national average for a gallon of gas, 3:15, that's 36 cents less than a year ago. I'm CJ Papa and this is FOX News.

[Jared Halpern]

It is time to take the quiz.

[C.J. Papa]

It's five questions in less than five minutes. We asked people on the streets of New York City to play along.

[Marie McNichol]

Let's see how you do.

[Jared Halpern]

Take the quiz every day at thequiz Fox. Then come back here to see how you did.

[C.J. Papa]

Thank you for taking the quiz.