Fox News Hourly Update – 8AM ET | July 16, 2025
Hosted by Fox News Radio
1. Senate Advances Rescissions Package
Overview: The Senate is progressing a controversial rescissions package aimed at reclaiming over $9 billion in previously approved funding. The proposed cuts largely target foreign aid, along with allocations for PBS and NPR.
Key Points:
- Majority Leader John Thune highlighted the initiative: "Targets some of the egregious misuses of taxpayer dollars" (00:11).
- The package intends to retract funds deemed unnecessary, signaling a significant shift in federal budgeting priorities.
- Republicans argue that "silencing public broadcasting is long overdue" (00:24), reflecting a broader agenda to reduce government expenditure on non-military programs.
Challenges:
- The Senate version includes changes that may complicate the bill's passage.
- A notable amendment removed $400 million in cuts, preserving funds for the Global AIDS program known as PEPFAR.
- Vice President Vance played a pivotal role by casting a tie-breaking vote to advance the bill, indicating internal divisions within the Republican ranks.
2. House to Vote on Cryptocurrency Legislation
Overview: The House is set to deliberate on new cryptocurrency regulations, focusing particularly on stablecoins—cryptocurrencies pegged to the US Dollar.
Key Points:
- The legislation aims to provide a regulatory framework for stablecoins, addressing concerns related to financial stability and consumer protection.
- This move comes amidst the rapidly evolving landscape of digital currencies, seeking to balance innovation with oversight.
3. Immigration Trends and Challenges
Overview: Recent data shows a significant decline in illegal border crossings, reaching an all-time low with just over 8,000 detentions last month. However, law enforcement officials face increasing assaults.
Key Points:
- Dave Anthony reported the decrease in illegal entries, highlighting effective border control measures.
- Trisha McLaughlin, DHS Assistant Secretary, revealed that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials have experienced an 830% increase in assaults from January 21 to July 14 compared to the previous year (01:14).
- The surge in attacks includes instances of ICE officers being doxxed and threatened by local Antifa-affiliated groups, underscoring heightened tensions surrounding immigration enforcement.
Incident Highlight:
- In Texas, the FBI apprehended a suspect accused of attempted murder during an ambush on agents at an immigration detention center.
4. Florida’s Death Row Update
Overview: Florida reached a grim milestone with the 26th execution of the year, surpassing last year's total. The latest execution involved Michael Bell, a convicted double murderer.
Key Points:
- Bell’s final words were poignant: "Thank you for not letting me spend the rest of my life in prison" (01:35).
- The increase in executions reflects Florida's strict stance on capital punishment, continuing a trend of high-profile cases.
5. Political Spotlight: Zoran Mamdani and AOC
Overview: Zoran Mamdani, a high-profile Democrat and recent winner of the New York City mayoral primary, is gaining national attention with support from Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC).
Key Points:
- Mamdani plans to have breakfast in Washington with AOC, aiming to bolster his campaign with additional support (02:31).
- In contrast, President Donald Trump has criticized Mamdani, labeling him a "communist" and suggesting the mayoral race is still undecided (02:48).
- Trump's comments come ahead of his trip to Pennsylvania, where he emphasizes energy dominance as a cornerstone for advancing artificial intelligence technology.
Quotes:
- Donald Trump: "I don't think our country is ready for a communist, but we're gonna see. And I don't think that race is over yet either. You do have a couple of people running." (02:48)
- Donald Trump at the Energy and Innovation Summit: "And on day one, I ended the green new scam. I also ended Joe Biden's war on clean, beautiful Pennsylvania coal." (03:12)
6. President Trump’s Visit to Pittsburgh
Overview: President Trump attended an energy and innovation summit in Pittsburgh, focusing on the intersection of artificial intelligence and energy policy.
Key Points:
- Emphasis on achieving energy dominance to support new AI technologies.
- Trump touted his administration’s efforts to promote coal energy, criticizing previous policies: "I ended the green new scam. I also ended Joe Biden's war on clean, beautiful Pennsylvania coal." (03:12).
- He drew parallels with China’s energy strategies: "China is opening new coal-fired plants and the US can, too." (03:20).
7. Wall Street Highlights
Overview: Stock futures displayed mixed reactions following significant movements in major indices.
Key Points:
- The Nasdaq reached a record high, signaling strength in the technology sector.
- Conversely, the Dow Jones Industrial Average plunged by more than 400 points, reflecting volatility and investor uncertainty (03:27).
8. High-Profile Murder Case in California
Overview: A tragic double homicide in Los Angeles has captured public attention, involving a long-time music supervisor from American Idol and her husband.
Key Points:
- Lillian Wu reported that Robin Kay and Thomas DeLuca, both 70, were found dead from multiple gunshots during a possible burglary on July 10 (03:37).
- A 22-year-old suspect, Raymond Budarian, has been arrested in connection with the murders.
- The incident underscores ongoing concerns about safety and crime in residential areas.
9. Baseball’s All-Star Game Makes History
Overview: The All-Star Game in Atlanta concluded with a historic twist, utilizing a home run derby to determine the winner after the game ended in a tie.
Key Points:
- Both the National League (NL) and American League (AL) were tied at 6-6 after nine innings.
- For the first time, a home run derby was used to decide the victor.
- Kyle Schwaber emerged as the standout performer, hitting three home runs to secure the NL’s triumph (04:07).
10. Upcoming Shows and Promotions
- Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez promotes the upcoming live show: "Watch it live at noon Eastern Monday through Thursday at foxnews.com or on the Fox News YouTube channel. And don't miss the show." (04:30).
- Listeners are encouraged to follow the podcast: "Listen and follow the podcast five days a week at foxnewspodcasts.com or wherever you download your favorite podcasts." (04:30).
Conclusion: The July 16, 2025, edition of the Fox News Hourly Update covered a spectrum of pressing issues, from fiscal policy shifts and immigration challenges to high-profile political races and historic sports events. With insightful commentary and up-to-the-minute reporting, Fox News continues to provide its audience with comprehensive news coverage.