Summary4 min read

Fox News Hourly Update – 8AM ET 09/09/2025 Newscast

Episode Overview
This morning’s Fox News hourly update covers major developments in US immigration enforcement, the wars in Gaza and Ukraine, the latest on the Jeffrey Epstein investigation, a consequential special election in Virginia, financial market updates, and Monday Night Football highlights.

Key News Segments and Discussion Points

1. Operation Midway Blitz: Illinois Immigration Crackdown

(00:02–00:33)

Announcement: New DHS operation in Illinois, "Operation Midway Blitz," aims to target “criminal aliens” in honor of Katie Abraham, a victim of a drunk driving crash involving an undocumented immigrant.
- Dave Anthony: "A new illegal immigration crackdown launched in Illinois...in honor of Katie Abraham, who was killed in January in a drunk driving crash blamed on a driver here in the US illegally."
Victim’s Family Reaction:
- Joe Abraham (Father): “Terms I keep hearing. Families are separated, children are being taken or parents are being taken. My daughter was taken. We are separated. I will never see her again.” (00:23)
Political Pushback:
- Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson criticizes potential “militarized immigration enforcement without due process,” and accuses ICE of “violating detainees’ human rights.”
- Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass deems a new Supreme Court ruling “dangerous” for allowing Trump-era immigration raids to resume in Southern California, after a judge had previously blocked them over constitutional and racial targeting concerns.
Federal Response:
- US Attorney Bill Asale: “They use what's called reasonable suspicion… It includes all kinds of factors.” (00:59)

2. International News: Gaza and Ukraine

(01:11–01:47)

Gaza Escalation:
- Israel orders the evacuation of Gaza City (~1 million residents) as it steps up operations against Hamas, destroying high-rise buildings allegedly used for Hamas operations.
- Reported Casualties: “At least 21 people are dead.”
Ukraine Conflict:
- Chris Foster (FOX) provides an update: Russian airstrike kills civilians in Donetsk region; “[The] bomb hit older civilians waiting to collect pension payments… where Ukraine says Russia has 100,000 troops ready for a new offensive.”
- President Zelenskyy (via Chris Foster): Footage shown of the aftermath; highlights humanitarian toll.

3. Legal Update: Trump Assassination Attempt Trial

(01:47–02:00)

Ryan Ruth, accused in the second Trump assassination attempt from last year, returns to federal court in Florida. Notable that Ruth is acting as his own lawyer as jury selection continues.

[Advertisement and Non-Content Section Skipped] (02:00–02:31)

4. Jeffrey Epstein Investigation: Files Released

(02:31–03:11)

House Oversight Committee receives new files from Epstein’s family, including:
- “Birthday book” compiled by Ghislaine Maxwell for Epstein’s 50th birthday.
- 2007 non-prosecution agreement with federal prosecutors.
- Alleged letter from President Trump mentioning “a wonderful secret” between him and Epstein.
  - White House claims Trump “did not draw the picture nor sign it.”
- Chad Pergram (FOX) reporting from the Capitol.

5. Virginia Special Election

(03:11–03:56)

Election to Fill Congressional Vacancy:
- Democrat James Walkinshaw (former chief of staff for deceased Rep. Gerry Connolly) is favored against Republican Stewart Whitson.
- Stakes: GOP majority could shrink to only two if Democrats win, affecting legislative dynamics.
- Ryan Schmelz (FOX): “Republicans currently have a 219 to 212 seat majority.”

6. Financial Markets and Sports

(03:56–04:28)

Stock Markets:
- Futures rising for Dow and Nasdaq, which closed at record highs the previous day.
Monday Night Football:
- Game Highlight: Minnesota Vikings’ comeback win over the Chicago Bears, 27-24, with JJ McCarthy starring (“threw two touchdown passes and ran for another score”).
- Play-by-Play (Aaron Jones’ catch):
  - “Caught, spinning grab by Aaron Jones and somehow some way, the Minnesota Vikings are on top...” (04:06)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Joe Abraham (on family separation after his daughter's death):

“My daughter was taken. We are separated. I will never see her again.” (00:23)
US Attorney Bill Asale (on ICE enforcement criteria):

“They use what's called reasonable suspicion and that includes work sites. It includes…other types of activities…all kinds of factors.” (00:59)
Ryan Schmelz (on congressional balance):

“If he wins, Republicans will only be able to lose two members on any vote along party lines as opposed to three.” (03:43)

Timestamps for Reference

00:02 – Operation Midway Blitz introduction; victim’s family reaction
00:33 – Mayors Johnson and Bass object to increased raids; attorney response
01:11 – Gaza evacuation and Israeli offensive
01:29 – Update on Russia’s attack in Ukraine (Chris Foster)
01:47 – Trump assassination attempt trial update
02:31 – Unveiling of Epstein files to House Oversight Committee
03:11 – Virginia congressional special election preview
03:56 – Market updates and Monday Night Football highlight

Summary

This fast-paced FOX News update dives straight into developments touching on US immigration enforcement and its political reverberations—and personal tragedies. Internationally, both Gaza and Ukraine see intensified violence and humanitarian crises. New files in the Epstein investigation hint at further political intrigue, while a closely watched special election in Virginia could tip the balance in Congress. The episode rounds off with Wall Street highs and an NFL opening-week thriller.

For listeners seeking the latest and most urgent headlines, this episode delivers a swift yet comprehensive briefing, tightly packed with consequential updates and direct news reporting.

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Transcript17 lines

[00:02]
A
It's called Operation Midway Blitz. I'm Dave Anthony. FOX News. A new illegal immigration crackdown launched in Illinois that the Department of Homeland Security says is in honor of Katie Abraham, who was killed in January in a drunk driving crash blamed on a driver here in the US Illegally. Her father, Joe, supports the operation targeting criminal aliens, telling FOX I love the.
[00:23]
B
Terms I keep hearing. Families are separated, children are being taken or parents are being taken. My daughter was taken. We are separated. I will never see her again.
[00:33]
A
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, a Democrat, says he's concerned about potential militarized immigration enforcement without due process, accusing ICE of violating detainees human rights. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is calling dangerous a Supreme Court ruling that allows the Trump administration to resume illegal immigration raids in Southern California, lifting a block by a judge who'd call the raids unconstitutional, targeting people in part based on race. U.S. attorney Bill Asale tells Fox that's not true.
[00:59]
C
They use what's called reasonable suspicion and that includes work sites. It includes other types of activities that they see, like if people are fleeing when they see an ICE agent or they see a border patrol agent. It includes all kinds of factors.
[01:12]
A
Israel has ordered an evacuation for all of Gaza's city where about a million Palestinians live, as it escalates the war against Hamas, taking out high rise buildings that Israel says are housing Hamas infrastructure and surveillance. At least 21 people are dead. And another Russian attack in the Ukraine war, 21 others injured.
[01:29]
D
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the strike, showing video of bodies scann scattered on the ground, killed by a glide bomb fitted with pop out wings and satellite navigation. He says the bomb hit older civilians waiting to collect pension payments in the village of Yorova in eastern Ukraine, the Donetsk region where Ukraine says Russia has 100,000 troops ready for a new offensive.
[01:47]
A
That's Fox's Chris Foster. Ryan Ruth will soon return to a federal court in Florida, acting as his own lawyer as jury selection resumes to put Ruth on trial charged in the second Trump assassination attempt last year. America's listening to FOX News.
[02:01]
E
I'm Ashley Graham and as a parent, I know the back to school transition can be a lot when it comes to wellness. Ollie supports me and my family through it all. Kids multi is big in my house. It supports their immune system and they love to take it. A win win for everyone. Shop these products@ollie.com or retailers nationwide. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
[02:32]
F
The.
[02:32]
A
House Oversight Committee has the first batch of files it subpoenaed from Jeffrey Epstein's family in the investigation into his sex trafficking operation involving underage girls and if he had high profile, well known clients.
[02:45]
G
It includes a birthday book that Ghislaine Maxwell assembled for Epstein's 50th birthday. Also in the documents, a 2007 non prosecution agreement between the feds and Epstein. Now the birthday book purports to include a letter from President Trump Committee Democrats say that President Trump writes about, quote, a wonderful secret between he and Epstein. The White House says the president did not draw the picture nor sign it.
[03:12]
A
Fox's Chad Pergrim at the Capitol Democrats may get one more seat in the House as voters in Virginia go to the polls this morning to fill one of the four vacancies in Congress.
[03:23]
H
Democrat and Fairfax County Supervisor James Walkinshaw is is the heavy favor to win Tuesday's special election in Virginia to replace Congressman Gerry Connolly who passed away earlier this year to cancer. Republican Stewart Whitson is trying to pull off the upset and flip the blue seat. Republicans currently have a 219 to 212 seat majority. Walkinshaw was Connally's chief of staff for 11 years. If he wins, Republicans will only be able to lose two members on any vote along party lines as opposed to three on Capitol Hill. Ryan Schmelz, FOX News On Wall street.
[03:57]
A
Stock futures been rising for the Dow and the Nasdaq which closed at a record high yesterday. On Monday Night Football, a comeback passes.
[04:06]
I
Caught spinning grab by Aaron Jones and somehow some way, the Minnesota Vikings are.
[04:15]
A
On top down 17 to 6 going into the final quarter in Chicago. JJ McCarthy threw two touchdown passes and ran for another score leading the vikings to a 2724 win on ESPN over the BE and the first week of the NFL season. I'm Dave Anthony. This is FOX News.
[04:29]
J
Listen to the all new Bret Baer podcast featuring common ground in depth talks with lawmakers from opposite sides of the aisle along with all your Brett Baer favorites like his all star panel and much more Available now at foxnewspodcasts. Com or wherever you get your podcasts.