8AM ET 09/21/2025 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update — 8AM ET 09/21/2025 Newscast

Date: September 21, 2025
Host: Jack Callahan, FOX News
Episode Theme:
A roundup of the morning’s top U.S. news stories, including coverage of the massive Charlie Kirk memorial service, a related security incident, breaking news from New Hampshire, heightened security for the UN General Assembly, and other national headlines.

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Main Stories and Key Discussion Points

1. Charlie Kirk Memorial Service Draws Global Crowd

[00:02–00:51]

• Overview:
  Tens of thousands are expected to attend Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk’s memorial service at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. The event gathers a global crowd, including high-profile political figures.
• Public Reaction:
  • Jeff Manaso reports that over 100,000 people are anticipated, with many expressing that Kirk’s “message of faith is now stronger than ever before.”
  • One attendee remarks emotionally:
    • “It’s something else.” (Unknown Audience Member, 00:22)
• Turning Point USA Statement:
  • A spokesperson says, “Millions and millions of Charlie Kirk are rising in this moment. This is the turning point.” (Unknown Speaker, 00:26)
  • The organization emphasizes the global impact of the event, stating, “People across the world will hear the gospel of Jesus today.” (Jeff Manaso, 00:31)
• Security Concerns:
  • The Department of Homeland Security is tracking “several threats of unknown credibility” against guests, including President Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance, and Kirk’s family.

2. Security Incident at Memorial Service

[00:51–01:41]

• Arrest Details:
  • Joshua Runkles was detained outside State Farm Stadium for impersonating a law enforcement officer and weapon possession.
• Turning Point USA’s Response:
  • The group clarifies Runkles was part of ‘advanced security’ for a guest but failed to coordinate properly with their main security team.
    • “They don’t believe Runkles was trying to do anything nefarious.” (Joel Naito, 01:09)
• Law Enforcement Background:
  • A federal source describes Runkles as a former officer from another state.
• Security Tightened:
  • Security remains high, with reports reiterating the attendance of President Trump and up to 100,000 attendees.

3. White House Teases Upcoming Announcement on Autism

[01:41–01:59]

• Announcement Preview:
  • President Trump’s administration is set to make a “major announcement about autism” on Monday.
• Wall Street Journal Report:
  • HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. may connect Tylenol use during pregnancy to autism, despite current medical guidelines deeming it safe.

4. Wedding Shooting in Nashua, New Hampshire

[03:19–03:52]

• Incident Overview:
  • Multiple people were shot, leaving at least one man dead, at a wedding at Sky Meadow Country Club.
• Investigation Update:
  • Initially believed to involve two suspects, police now confirm only one shooter, who is in custody.
  • Officials state there is no further danger to the public.

5. UN General Assembly and Jewish High Holiday Security

[03:52–04:44]

• Security Brief:
  • Despite “no specific or credible threats,” NYPD and federal agencies are enacting the year’s most robust security measures.
• Measures Detailed:
  • Increased policing of synagogues for Rosh Hashanah, drone and helicopter surveillance, harbor patrols, and armored vehicles for dignitaries.
  • Quote:
    • “Heavily armored teams patrolling the streets, drones and helicopters in the sky, harbor units on the water… synagogues… will have a heightened police presence.” (CB Cotton, 04:04)
• Attention to Gaza War:
  • Additional security cited in connection with escalating violence abroad.

6. Other Noteworthy Headlines

[04:44–05:16]

• UN General Assembly Speeches:
  • Both President Trump and Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu to address the assembly.
• Secret Service Advisory:
  • Urges public vigilance for suspicious activity.
• Entertainment News:
  • Comedian Steve Martin cancels Virginia shows with Martin Short after contracting COVID-19; posts online that he can’t “do the shows his fans deserve.”

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Memorable Quotes & Timestamps

• “Millions and millions of Charlie Kirk are rising in this moment. This is the turning point.”
  — Unknown Speaker, [00:26]
• “People across the world will hear the gospel of Jesus today.”
  — Jeff Manaso reporting, [00:31]
• “They don’t believe Runkles was trying to do anything nefarious.”
  — Joel Naito, [01:09]
• “Heavily armored teams patrolling the streets, drones and helicopters in the sky, harbor units on the water… synagogues will have a heightened police presence.”
  — CB Cotton, [04:04]

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Key Segments & Timestamps

• Charlie Kirk Memorial Service Coverage: [00:02–01:41]
• White House Autism Announcement Preview: [01:41–01:59]
• Nashua, NH Wedding Shooting: [03:19–03:52]
• UN & High Holiday Security Brief: [03:52–04:44]
• Headlines (UN, Secret Service, & Steve Martin): [04:44–05:16]

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Tone and Style Notes

The reporting is concise, urgent, and factual, with correspondents offering first-person and ground-level updates. Quotes from participants and officials convey both the gravity and emotion of major events. The language remains clear, neutral, and journalistic.

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This summary offers an up-to-date briefing on significant national stories covered on the Fox News 8AM ET hourly update, with direct quotes and timestamps for listeners who missed the episode.

Transcript

[Jack Callahan]

Preparing to say goodbye. I'm Jack Callahan, FOX News. Tens of thousands of people expected to attend Charlie Kirk's memorial service today.

[Jeff Manasso]

We're told 100,000 people plus will be here, many from around the world, both inside and around State Farm Stadium. Some who tell us that Charlie Kirk's message of faith is now stronger than ever before.

[Unknown Audience Member]

It's something else.

[Unknown Speaker]

And millions and millions of Charlie Kirk are rising in this moment. This is the turning point.

[Jeff Manasso]

Turning Point Point USA saying people across the world will hear the gospel of Jesus today. And amid heavy security as DHS is tracking several threats of unknown credibility against people expected to be here, including President Trump, Vice President J.D. vance and members of the Kirk family in Glendale, Arizona. Jeff Manasso, FOX News.

[Jack Callahan]

A man was arrested ahead of the memorial service carrying guns and knives, but Kirk's organization says he is not a threat.

[Joel Naito]

Joshua Runkles was arrested after entering the State Farm Stadium in Arizona, charged with impersonating a law enforcement officer and carrying a weapon in a prohibited place. But Turning Point USA says Runkles was doing advanced security for a known guest planning to attend Charlie Kirk's memorial service. They said the advance was not done in proper coordination with their security team, but they don't believe Runkles was trying to do anything nefarious. A federal source said Runkles was a former law enforcement member from an another state. Security is tight at the stadium as organizers say they're expecting as many as 100,000 people, including President Trump. Joel Naito, FOX News.

[Jack Callahan]

The president announced his administration will make an important announcement about autism on Monday, the Wall street journal reported HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. May link Tylenol use during pregnancy to autism, though medical guidelines still consider it safe. America's Listening to FOX News.

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[Jack Callahan]

Shots rang out at a wedding reception at a Nashua, New Hampshire country club last night. As Fox's Gentleey Painter reports, a suspect.

[Gentleey Painter]

Is in police custody after multiple people were shot in Nashua, New Hampshire. This happened Saturday night at the Sky Meadow Country Club, which serves as both a golf course and a venue that hosts events like weddings. Right now we know at least one man is dead. It's still unclear how many are hurt. Police initially thought there were two suspects, but now say surveillance video confirms there is only one. Officials say the public is no longer in danger.

[Jack Callahan]

Search for the motive continues for that shooting. Security operations are underway for the upcoming UN General assembly and Jewish High holidays. Box of CB Cotton has more from the UN In New York City, NYPD.

[CB Cotton]

Leaders have emphasized there are no specific or credible threats, but they still have to be on high alert because of the climate here and also abroad. So here's what we can expect to see during one of the most complex security operations of the entire year. Heavily armored teams patrolling the streets, drones and helicopters in the sky, harbor units on the water and armored vehicles that will be used to move world leaders around the city. Drones will also be in the sky for surveillance. We also mentioned synagogues. Well, they're part of the security plan, too, with the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah starting on Monday at sundown, and with the war in Gaza escalating, houses of worship will have a heightened police presence.

[Jack Callahan]

President Trump and Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are expected to address the General Assembly. Secret Service encourages people to report anything they see that might be suspicious. Comedian Steve Martin has called off two comedy shows this weekend after the actor tested positive for COVID 19, as he tours with friend and fellow comedian Martin Short. The two were supposed to perform in Virginia beach and Richmond, Virginia this weekend, but Martin posted online he can't possibly do the shows his fans deserve. I'm Jack Callahan. This is Fox News.

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