8AM ET 07/12/2025 Newscast

Summary

Fox News Hourly Update – 8AM ET, July 12, 2025

The latest episode of the Fox News Hourly Update, hosted by Paul Stevens, delivered comprehensive coverage of pressing national issues, including the devastating Texas floods, immigration enforcement developments in California and Florida, political rallying among conservatives, legal proceedings related to the September 11th attacks, and U.S. sanctions against Cuban officials. Below is a detailed summary of the key segments discussed during the newscast.

---

1. Devastating Floods Ravage Texas

Overview: Paul Stevens opened the broadcast addressing the severe flooding situation in Texas, emphasizing the growing concerns that intensified rainfall may hinder ongoing search and rescue operations. The episode highlighted President Donald Trump's recent visit to the disaster-stricken area alongside First Lady Melania Trump and Texas Governor Greg Abbott.

Key Points:

• Disaster Tour: President Trump described the floods as unprecedented, stating, “I've never seen anything like it” (00:14).
• Support for Affected Families: Melania Trump expressed solidarity with affected families, saying, “We pray with them. We hug, we hold hands. They share the stories” (00:35).
• Rescue Efforts: Trump noted, “Search and recovery teams from across the country are continuing to dig through debris” (00:41).

Statistics:

• Confirmed deaths: At least 129
• Missing individuals: Over 170

Reporter: Chanley Painter reported on the ongoing efforts and the grim statistics surrounding the disaster (00:46).

---

2. Immigration Enforcement Changes in California

Overview: The newscast covered significant developments in immigration enforcement within Southern California. A federal judge, appointed by President Biden, issued an order affecting ICE raids, prompting both support and opposition from various political factions.

Key Points:

• Federal Ruling: Judge ordered the Department of Homeland Security to cease immigration arrests in Los Angeles without probable cause, specifically prohibiting detentions based on race, language, or occupation (01:01).
• Government Stance: Homeland Security officials refuted claims that ICE targets individuals based on skin color.

Reactions:

• Support from California Officials: Governor Gavin Newsom hailed the decision, stating, “Justice prevailed” (01:23).
• Conservative Response: At Turning Point USA's Student Action Summit in Tampa, conservatives like Michael Watley, Republican National Committee chair, emphasized their commitment to future elections, with Melania Trump remarking on strategic planning for the 2026 elections (01:36).

---

3. Legal Proceedings Involving Khalid Sheikh Mohammed

Overview: A significant legal development unfolded concerning Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the alleged mastermind behind the September 11th attacks. The appeals court’s decision to void a plea deal has reignited discussions surrounding his potential sentencing.

Key Points:

• Plea Deal Rejected: The appeals court overturned the agreement that would have spared Mohammed from execution in exchange for a life sentence, revisiting the decades-long legal saga (02:28).
• Court’s Rationale: The court ruled by a two-to-one vote that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin acted within his authority when he canceled the plea deal in 2024. Additionally, the court criticized the military judge for reinstating the agreement (02:35).

Reporter: Lillian Wu provided detailed coverage of the courtroom proceedings and their implications (02:35).

---

4. Immigration Detention Center in Florida Under Scrutiny

Overview: Florida's increased immigration enforcement efforts were spotlighted, focusing on a new detention center in the Everglades, colloquially named "Alligator Alcatraz." Democratic lawmakers faced challenges in accessing the facility.

Key Points:

• Exclusive Tours Denied: State officials offered tours to Democratic lawmakers, which were turned down when attempts were made to visit unannounced (03:19).
• Demand for Transparency: Democratic Mayor Daniela Levine Cava criticized the state’s approach, saying, “A single tour isn't good enough” (03:26).
• Call for Oversight: Lawmaker Lillian Wu advocated for continuous monitoring, stating, “I have asked for ongoing monitoring, not just one time” (03:45).
• Law Enforcement Expansion: Melania Trump announced that state police in Florida have been certified to enforce immigration laws under a new agreement with DHS, empowering them to detain, arrest, and interrogate individuals (03:49).

Reporter: Eben Brown provided on-the-ground insights from Miami regarding the new enforcement measures (03:49).

---

5. U.S. Sanctions Against Cuban Officials

Overview: The United States announced sanctions targeting Cuba’s president and other officials in response to human rights violations connected to recent protests on the island.

Key Points:

• Sanctions Details: Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced via X (formerly Twitter) that the State Department would impose visa restrictions on the targeted Cuban leaders (04:07).
• Human Rights Concerns: The sanctions are a direct response to the suppression of protests and violations of human rights in Cuba.

Conclusion: Paul Stevens concluded this segment by reiterating the significance of the U.S. stance on international human rights issues (04:07).

---

6. Additional Segments and Promotions

Insurance Advertisement: A brief advertisement segment promoted Progressive Insurance’s “Name Your Price” tool, highlighting options to fit budgets and potentially lower bills (02:00).

Upcoming Program: The newscast ended with a promotion for Dana Perino’s segment, featuring an interview with Selena Zito, a national reporter and columnist for the Washington Examiner (04:25).

---

Speaker Attribution:

• Paul Stevens: Host and primary reporter throughout the broadcast.
• Donald Trump: Speaker discussing the Texas floods.
• Melania Trump: Provided statements on support for Texas victims and immigration enforcement.
• Greg Abbott: Texas Governor, mentioned in context with the flood response.
• Christine Devine: Reporter from Fox 11 covering ICE raids.
• Lillian Wu: Reporter covering legal proceedings related to Khalid Sheikh Mohammed.
• Daniela Levine Cava: Democratic Mayor commenting on Florida’s immigration detention center.
• Marco Rubio: U.S. Secretary of State announcing sanctions on Cuban officials.
• Eben Brown: FOX News reporter in Miami covering Florida’s enforcement measures.
• Michael Watley: Republican National Committee chair speaking at the conservative summit.

Notable Quotes:

• Donald Trump: “I’ve never seen anything like it” (00:14)
• Melania Trump: “We pray with them. We hug, we hold hands. They share the stories” (00:35)
• Melania Trump on Elections: “When we think about how we're going to win in 2026... we're going to have great candidates who run great campaigns...” (01:36)
• Daniela Levine Cava: “A single tour isn't good enough” (03:26)
• Lillian Wu: “I have asked for ongoing monitoring, not just one time” (03:45)
• Marco Rubio: Announcement about sanctions on Cuban officials (04:07)

---

Conclusion: The Fox News Hourly Update delivered a robust examination of critical national events, blending official statements, on-the-ground reporting, and political commentary to inform listeners of the latest developments. From natural disasters and immigration policy shifts to high-profile legal cases and international relations, the newscast provided a comprehensive overview tailored to keep the audience informed and engaged.

Transcript

[Paul Stevens]

There's more concern. I'm Paul Stevens, FOX News. Concerns in flood ravaged Texas that rain could severely impede search and rescue operations. President Trump and the first lady touring that disaster area yesterday.

[Donald Trump]

President Trump says he's never seen anything like it. After touring Kerr County, Texas, ground zero for the catastrophic floods that happened a week ago. The president, first lady and Texas Governor Greg Abbott met with first responders and families who have lost loved ones. The message from first LA Melania Trump. The nation grieves with you.

[Melania Trump]

We pray with them. We hug, we hold hands. They share the stories.

[Donald Trump]

Search and recovery teams from across the country are continuing to dig through debris.

[Paul Stevens]

Fox's Chanley Painter. At least 129 people are confirmed killed, more than 170 still missing. The number of ICE immigration raids sweeping through Southern California could start to drop. Christine Devine with Fox 11 explaining why.

[Greg Abbott]

A federal judge appointed by President Biden orders the Department of Homeland Security to stop making arrests in Los Angeles immigration raids without probable cause. The order says ICE cannot detain individuals based solely on race, spoken language or occupation. Homeland Security officials say claims that people targeted because of their skin color are false.

[Paul Stevens]

Meantime, California officials praising the ruling with Governor Gavin Newsom saying that, quote, justice prevailed. Conservatives rallying At Turning Point USA's Student Action Summit in Tampa, Florida.

[Melania Trump]

When we think about how we're going to win in 2026, it's the same conversation we had in 2024. We're going to have great candidates who run great campaigns. We're going to get out the vote and we're going to protect the ballot.

[Paul Stevens]

Among those on hand speaking at the event, Michael Watley, Republican National Committee chair, America is listening to FOX news.

[Progressive Insurance]

This episode is brought to you by Progressive Insurance. Do you ever find yourself playing the budgeting game? Well, with the name your price tool from Progressive, you can find options that fit your budget and potentially lower your bills. Try [e-mail] Progressive Casualty Insurance Company and affiliates Price and coverage match limited by state law. Not available in all states.

[Paul Stevens]

There's been a new development in the legal fight over the man who was said to be behind the September 11th attacks.

[Lillian Wu]

An appeals court throwing out a plea deal for Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and two co defendants which would have allowed the accused 911 mastermind to be spared the risk of execution in exchange for a life sentence. It's the latest twist in the decades long saga involving the man charged with planning one of the deadliest attacks ever on the United States. He was captured in in 2003 and moved to the military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The court by a two to one vote finding then Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was acting within his authority in 2024 when he canceled the plea agreement. The court also faulting the military judge who reinstated the agreement. Lillian Wu, FOX News Officials in Florida.

[Paul Stevens]

Giving lawmakers a tour of a new immigration detention center in the Everglades as the state steps up its enforcement.

[Melania Trump]

Florida emergency management officials are offering to give Democratic state lawmakers a tour of the migrant detention camp called Alligator Alcatraz. Today. Those lawmakers were turned away when showing up unannounced. Miami Dade County's Democratic mayor Daniela Levine Cava says a single tour isn't good enough.

[Lillian Wu]

I have asked for ongoing monitoring, not just one time.

[Melania Trump]

And I want to have weekly reports. And now state police with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement have received certification to enforce immigration law under an agreement with DHS allowing them to not just detain or arrest, but interrogate. In Miami, Eben Brown, FOX News.

[Paul Stevens]

The US Sanctioning Cuba's president and other officials for human rights violations stemming from protests on the island. Secretary of State Marco Rubio saying on X the State Department would also impose visa restrictions. I'm Paul Stevens.

[Melania Trump]

I'm Dana Perino. This week on Perino on Politics, I am joined by national reporter and columnist for the Washington Examiner, Selena Zito. Listen and follow [e-mail] or wherever you get your favorite podcasts.