8PM ET 07/08/2025 Newscast

Summary

Fox News Hourly Update – 8PM ET July 8, 2025

Release Date: July 9, 2025
Host: Lisa Licera
Source: Fox News Radio

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Texas Flash Flooding and Federal Response

Timestamp [00:02]
Lisa Licera opens the newscast with a heartbreaking update on the severe flash flooding in Texas, reporting that Governor Greg Abbott confirmed over 160 people are still unaccounted for following the deadly weekend storm that claimed at least 109 lives.

Timestamp [00:17]
Governor Greg Abbott emphasized the swift federal response, stating, “It immediately opened not only access to more funding but also access to more resources to be able to more quickly, more effectively respond to this storm.” This federal disaster declaration is expected to expedite aid and recovery efforts in the hardest-hit regions.

Timestamp [00:26]
The increase in missing persons follows authorities establishing a hotline for families seeking information. Most recovered victims are from Kerr County, where the majority of fatalities occurred.

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TSA Security Policy Changes

Lisa Licera also reported a significant update from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA):

• The TSA will no longer require most passengers to remove their shoes during airport security screenings, a policy change likely aimed at increasing efficiency and passenger convenience.

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U.S. Tariffs and Trade Policies

Timestamp [00:48]
President Donald Trump announced that new tariffs on imports from numerous U.S. trading partners will take effect next month.

Timestamp [00:59]
Governor Greg Abbott responded to the tariff news, assuring that the administration is mindful of economic impacts: “We're picking a number that's low. We don't want to hurt and fair. We're picking a number that's lower than in most cases, lower than what they charged us.”

Timestamp [01:11]
President Trump elaborated on the tariffs, stating, “Those new tariffs will be collected starting August 1st.” He revealed that more than a dozen countries will face tariffs ranging from 25% to 40%, reversing his earlier decision to hold these rates until July 9th.

Timestamp [01:27]
Lisa Licera added that Jared Halpern from the White House indicated the administration plans to announce trade-related measures with at least seven countries the following morning, with additional countries to be named later in the day.

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FBI Investigation into Former Officials

In a surprising development, Fox News has learned that the FBI has initiated a criminal investigation into former CIA Director John Brennan and former FBI Director James Comey. The investigation centers on potential wrongdoing related to the Trump-Russia investigation, including allegations of making false statements to Congress.

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Arrest of Impersonator in Mexico

Timestamp [03:04]
Lisa Licera reported a startling incident involving an American man arrested in Mexico for impersonating a U.S. intelligence official while being armed.

Timestamp [03:14]
Jessica Rosenthal provided further details, stating that Mexico’s security secretary confirmed authorities received a tip about an armed individual on an apartment balcony approximately 80 miles northwest of Mexico City. Upon arrival, officials discovered the man was equipped with a helmet, tactical vest, rifle, ammunition, and CIA identification. Verification with the U.S. Embassy revealed the ID was fake, and the man had no ties to American intelligence or the U.S. government. Given that gun possession is largely illegal in Mexico, the man is now under investigation for both weapons possession and potential associations with cartels.

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Sean "Diddy" Combs’ Federal Case

Timestamp [03:45]
Lisa Licera reported that a New York judge has set a sentencing date of October 3rd for Sean "Diddy" Combs concerning his federal criminal case. Combs faces up to 10 years in prison for two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution charges.

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Amazon Prime Day Sales Predictions

Timestamp [04:00]
Lauren Simonetti shared optimistic forecasts for the upcoming Amazon Prime Day, noting it as the longest sale ever, now extending over four days. According to Adobe Analytics, Prime Day is projected to generate approximately $23.8 billion in sales across various retailers, potentially equating to the revenue of two Black Fridays.

Simonetti highlighted that the sales surge isn't limited to Amazon alone:

• Walmart is launching its own sales event, offering discounts both online and in-store for the first time.
• Target and Best Buy have already initiated their respective sales events.

However, the success remains contingent on consumer interest, especially in light of a recent 5-point decline in consumer confidence reported last month.

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PETA Sues American Kennel Club

Timestamp [04:31]
Lisa Licera reported on the latest legal battle between PETA and the American Kennel Club (AKC). PETA has filed a lawsuit aiming to compel the AKC to abandon its breeding standards for French Bulldogs and other breeds. PETA alleges that the AKC is promoting unhealthy physical traits and facilitating the breeding of deformed, unhealthy dogs.

In response, the AKC vehemently denies these allegations, issuing a statement affirming its commitment to protecting the health, heritage, and well-being of purebred dogs. This lawsuit marks a continuation of the longstanding conflict between PETA and the AKC over dog breeding practices.

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Conclusion

The 8PM ET Fox News Hourly Update delivered a comprehensive roundup of critical events, from the devastating flash floods in Texas and significant shifts in U.S. trade policies to high-profile legal cases and consumer trends. The broadcast also touched on international incidents and ongoing legal disputes, providing listeners with a broad spectrum of timely news insights.

Transcript

[Lisa Licera]

The number of missing rises. I'm Lisa Licera, Fox News. Texas Governor Greg Abbott says more than 160 people are unaccounted for after flash flooding over the weekend killed at least 109 people. Abbott says he's gotten a federal disaster declaration.

[Greg Abbott]

It immediately opened not only access to more funding but also access to more resources to be able to more quickly, more effectively respond to this storm.

[Lisa Licera]

The jump in the number of missing coming after authorities set up a hotline for families to call. Those reported are in Kerr county, where most of the victims have been recovered. The TSA says it will no longer require most people to remove their shoes when going through security at airports. President Trump says tariffs on dozens of U.S. trading partners will kick in next month.

[Donald Trump]

The presidents and prime ministers of US Trading partners are getting letters this week detailing new tariff rates on imports to the U.S. president Trump says those letters amount to trade deals.

[Greg Abbott]

We're picking a number that's low. We don't want to hurt and fair. We're picking a number that's lower than in most cases, lower than what they charged us.

[Donald Trump]

Those new tariffs will be collected starting August 1st. President Trump announced reciprocal tariff rates in April, initially putting them on hold until July 9th. More than a dozen countries are now facing tariff rates of between 25 and 40%.

[Lisa Licera]

Fox says Jared Halpern of the White House a short time ago, the president posting on Truth Social that he will announce something trade related with at least seven countries tomorrow morning with additional countries named in the afternoon. Fox News has learned that the FBI has launched a criminal investigation into former CIA Director John Brennan and former FBI Director James Comey for potential wrongdoing related to the Trump Russia investigation, including an allegation of making false statements to Congress. America's listening to Fox News.

[NetSuite Representative]

It's an interesting time for business. Tariff and trade policies are dynamic, supply chains are squeezed and cash flow tighter than ever. If your business can't adapt in real time, you're in a world of hurt. You need total visibility from global shipments to tariff impacts to real time cash flow. That's NetSuite by Oracle, your AI powered business management suite trusted by over 42,000 businesses. NetSuite is the number one cloud ERP for many reasons. It brings accounting, financial management, inventory, HR into one suite. You have one source of truth giving you the visibility and control you need to make quick decisions. With real time forecasting, you're peering into the future with actionable data. And with AI embedded throughout, you can automate a lot of those everyday tasks, letting your team stay strategic. Netsuite helps you know what's stuck, what it's costing you and how to pivot fast. If your revenues are at least in the seven figures, download the free ebook Navigating Global Trade. Free insights for [e-mail] fox that's netsuite.com.

[Lisa Licera]

Fox Mexican officials say an American man impersonating a U.S. intelligence official has been arrested while armed in Mexico.

[Jessica Rosenthal]

Mexico's security secretary says authorities got a tip about an armed man on an apartment balcony in a City about 80 miles northwest of Mexico City. When they arrived, they said he had a helmet, tactical vest, a rifle, ammunition and CIA identification. They called the US Embassy and found out the ID was fake. The man was not American intelligence nor any US Government official for that matter. Guns are largely illegal in Mexico. Mexican officials are now investigating him for weapons possession and also whether he may have been associated with a cartel. Jessica Rosenthal, FOX News.

[Lisa Licera]

A New York judge has set a sentencing date of October 3rd for Sean Diddy Combs in his federal criminal case. Combs faces up to 10 years in prison for each of the two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution charges. A prediction of big sales for Amazon Prime Day.

[Lauren Simonetti]

Millions of deals now stretched over four days, its longest sale ever. Adobe analytics forecasting that Prime Day will ring up $23.8 billion in sales across retailers or the equivalent of two Black Fridays. The deals aren't only at Amazon. Walmart is also kicking off its own sales event today. It's making discounts available online and in store for the first time. Target sales are already underway and so are those at Best Buy. What remains to be seen if shoppers have the interest consumer confidence down 5 points last month.

[Lisa Licera]

FOX BUSINESS is Lauren Simonetti. PETA has sued the American Kennel Club to try to force it to abandon the standards it set back for French bulldogs and some other dog breeds, claiming the AKC is promoting unhealthy physical features and providing blueprints for the breeding of deformed, unhealthy dogs. The AKC rejects the allegations and said in a statement it's committed to protecting the health, heritage and well being of purebred dogs. PETA is opposed to dog dog breeding and has clashed with the American Kennel Club for years. I'm Lisa Licera. This is FOX News.

[NetSuite Representative]

It's an interesting time for business. Tariff and trade policies are dynamic, supply chains are squeezed and cash flow tighter than ever. If your business can't adapt in real time, you're in a world of hurt. You need total visibility from global shipments to tariff impacts to real time cash flow. That's NetSuite by Oracle, your AI powered business management suite. Trusted by over 42,000 businesses, NetSuite is the number one Cloud ERP for many reasons. It brings accounting, financial management, inventory, HR into one suite. You have one source of truth, giving you the visibility and control you need to make quick decisions. With real time forecasting, you're peering into the future with actionable data. And with AI embedded throughout, you can automate a lot of those everyday tasks, letting your team stay strategic. Netsuite helps you know what's stuck, what it's costing you, and how to pivot fast. If your revenues are at least in the seven figures, download the free ebook Navigating Global Trade 3 Insights for Leaders at netsuite.com fox. That's netsuite. Com fox.