8AM ET 07/05/2025 Newscast

Summary

Texas Flooding: Dozens Dead as Search Efforts Intensify

Tragedy struck Texas as catastrophic flooding along the Guadalupe River claimed at least 24 lives, with additional individuals, including children, reported missing. The community reels from the devastating impact of the floods, prompting relentless search and rescue operations.

Governor Greg Abbott emphasized the ongoing commitment to finding all victims:

"They will continue in the darkness of night. They will be taking place when the sun rises in the morning. They will be nonstop seeking to find everybody who is unaccounted for." [00:19]

In response to the disaster, Governor Abbott has officially declared a state of emergency across several counties in the Hill Country, facilitating the mobilization of resources and aid to the affected areas.

Tropical Storm Chantelle Set to Make Landfall

As Texas copes with unprecedented flooding, attention shifts to the imminent threat posed by Tropical Storm Chantelle. Originating as a tropical depression off the Southeast coast, Chantelle is anticipated to strengthen before making landfall tomorrow morning, marking the third named storm of the season.

Adam McWilliams of Fox Carolina provided insights into the storm's trajectory:

"As the system does make landfall, we'll break up rapidly. But the majority of that bad weather is going to be well to the north of the center, affecting parts of North Carolina and areas near Florence." [00:47]

Officials are monitoring Chantelle closely, preparing for potential disruptions while aiming to mitigate the storm's impact on vulnerable regions.

President Trump Signs 'Big Beautiful Bill' into Law

In a significant legislative move, President Donald Trump signed the highly touted Republican tax and spending cuts package, dubbed the "big beautiful bill," into law on July 4th. The ceremony was marked by a display of military might, with B2 bombers and F22/F35 jets flying over the White House in celebration.

President Trump lauded the bill's popularity and impact:

"It's the most popular bill ever signed in the history of our country. Whether you're military or anybody else, this is the most single most popular bill ever signed." [01:20]

Jared Halpern detailed the bill's provisions:

"The bill extends and expands tax cuts approved during his first term and provides a substantial funding boost to border and immigration enforcement. It also includes an overhaul of Medicaid and food stamps." [01:32]

However, the legislation has faced criticism from Democrats, who argue that the cuts will result in millions losing essential health and nutrition benefits.

Protests Erupt Over Florida's 'Alligator Alcatraz' Detention Center

Amidst national debates on immigration enforcement, protests continue against the newly established detention center in Florida, colloquially known as "Alligator Alcatraz." The facility, located at an airstrip traditionally used for military training with thousands of flights, has become a focal point for environmental and humanitarian activists.

Samantha Sosa of Fox affiliate WSVN 7 in Miami reported:

"On the Fourth of July, a day that for many symbolizes freedom, a group of protesters gathered in front of the so-called Alligator Alcatraz detention center. Despite the state's assertion that the airstrip is an active training site, protesters raised significant environmental and humanitarian concerns." [03:18]

Simultaneously, similar demonstrations unfolded in downtown Miami. In response to the growing unrest, approximately 200 U.S. Marines from the Core Air Station in North Carolina have been deployed to Florida to support ICE's immigration enforcement efforts, primarily in a logistical capacity.

Hunter Biden Allegedly Sought DNC Assistance for Legal Fees

Controversy surrounds Hunter Biden following revelations from a new tell-all book titled "2004: How Trump Retook the White House and the Democrats Lost America." The book alleges that Hunter Biden approached the Democratic National Committee (DNC) for financial support to cover his legal expenses related to tax and gun cases.

Gary Baumgarten of Fox News reported:

"According to the book, the DNC was already covering legal fees for President Biden over a separate federal probe into documents taken home when he left office as vice president. Hunter's friend, Kevin Morris, had contributed over $2 million to bail him out for unpaid taxes but refused to extend that support to additional legal fees." [04:03]

These claims have fueled ongoing political debates, with implications for both the Biden family and the Democratic Party.

French Air Traffic Controllers' Strike Causes Major Flight Disruptions

Air travel in France has been significantly impacted by a strike from air traffic controllers, leading to widespread flight cancellations and delays. Reports indicate that 40% of flights to and from Paris were canceled yesterday, causing inconvenience for travelers across the country.

The air traffic controllers' union articulated their demands:

"We are seeking better working conditions and increased staffing to manage the surge in air travel during the summer season." [04:37]

However, the France Transport Minister has dismissed the union's demands and criticized the timing of the strike as unacceptable, highlighting the tensions between workers and government officials amid high travel volumes.

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This comprehensive update encapsulates the pressing issues discussed in the Fox News Hourly Update broadcast on July 5, 2025, providing listeners with a detailed overview of significant national and international events.

Transcript

[Jack Callahan]

Dozens are dead in Texas flooding. I'm Jack Callahan, Fox News. At least 24 people confirmed dead, others including children missing in the catastrophic flooding along the Guadalupe River. In Texas, Governor Greg Abbott says the search will continue until all of the victims have been found.

[Greg Abbott]

They will continue in the darkness of night. They will be taking place when the sun rises in the morning. They will be non stop seeking to find everybody who is unaccounted for.

[Jack Callahan]

Governor Abbott declaring a disaster in several counties in the Hill Country. A tropical depression off the coast of the Southeast expected to become Tropical Storm Chantelle likely later today, making landfall tomorrow morning. Adam McWilliams of Fox Carolina has details.

[Adam McWilliams]

As the system does make landfall, we'll break up rapidly. But the majority of that bad weather is going to be well to the north of the center quick parts of North Carolina and into parts of the Pedy near the Florence area. And it could encroach a little bit.

[Jack Callahan]

Chantel will be the third named storm already this season. President Trump has signed his one big beautiful bill into law.

[Jared Halpern]

Minutes after B2 bombers and F22 and F35 jets flew over the White House as part of a July 4th celebration, President Trump signed the Republican tax and spending cuts package.

[Donald Trump]

It's the most popular bill ever signed in the history of our country. Whether you're military or anybody else, this is the most single most popular bill ever signed.

[Jared Halpern]

The big beautiful bill, as the president dubbed it, extends and expands tax cuts approved during his first term and gives a massive funding boost to border and immigration enforcement. It also includes an overhaul of Medicaid and food stamps. Democrats say those cuts will mean millions lose health and nutrition benefits. At the White House, Jared Halpern, FOX.

[Jack Callahan]

News America is listening to FOX News.

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[Jack Callahan]

Protests continue against the new detention center in Florida nicknamed Alligator Alcatraz. Samantha Sosa Fox affiliate WSVN 7 in Miami reports.

[Samantha Sosa]

On the Fourth of July, a day that for many symbolizes freedom, a group of protesters gathering in front of the so called Alligator Alcatraz detention center. The state argues the airstrip where the facility is located has long been an active training site with thousands of flights. Still, protesters have both environmental and humanitarian concerns. Meanwhile, over in Miami, similar protests downtown. This also comes as approximately 200 U.S. marines from the Core Air Station in North Carolina are being deployed to Florida to augment ICE's immigration enforcement, though it will most be logistical help.

[Jack Callahan]

Hunter Biden reportedly begged the Democratic National Committee to pay the legal fees for his tax and gun cases. Fox's Gary Baumgarten reports that claim in.

[Gary Baumgarten]

A new tell all book titled 2004 How Trump Retook the White House and the Democrats Lost America. The DNC was already paying his father, President Biden, for his legal fees over a separate federal probe into documents he took home when he left office as vice president. According to the book, Hunter Biden's friend Kevin Morris had already forked over more than $2 million to bail him out for unpaid taxes, but drew the line at paying for the additional legal fees. Gary Baumgarten, FOX News Air travel troubles.

[Jack Callahan]

At airports in France as air traffic controllers are on strike, there were disruptions to flights all across France. 40% of yesterday's flights to and from Paris canceled. Spokesperson for the air traffic controllers union says the workers are seeking better working conditions and more staffing to handle the surge in air travel during the summer season. France transport minister called the union's demands and the timing of their strike unacceptable. I'm Jack Callahan and this is Fox News.

[Will Kane]

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