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.