8PM ET 07/09/2025 Newscast

Summary

Fox News Hourly Update – 8PM ET, July 9, 2025 | Summary

The 8PM ET episode of Fox News Hourly Update delivered a comprehensive roundup of national and international news, highlighting critical developments in trade policies, political investigations, natural disasters, education, sports, criminal justice, and labor relations. Below is a detailed overview of the key topics discussed, enriched with notable quotes and timestamps for reference.

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1. President Trump Imposes New Tariffs on Brazil and Other Nations

Lisa Licera opened the newscast by reporting significant developments in U.S. trade policies. President Trump announced a series of new import taxes targeting Brazil, citing disputes over former President Bolsonaro's treatment.

Edward Lawrence, reporting from the White House at [00:16], detailed the specifics of these tariffs:

"These letters are very similar to the letters that went around the first time around. In this batch, though, you talk about Libya, you talk about Iraq, Sri Lanka as well as Algeria, a 30% reciprocal tariff on August 1, Moldova and Brunei seeing a 25% tariff and the Philippines at 20% tariff."

Further, Lawrence added that President Trump emphasized these measures as strategic trade deals, despite their unilateral nature:

"Now President Trump making the point that to him these letters are trade deals."

In response, Brazil's President Lula stated that his nation would adopt reciprocal actions following Trump's announcement.

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2. GOP Investigates President Biden's Fitness for Office

The newscast shifted focus to the political arena, where the House Oversight Committee, led by James Comer, intensified its scrutiny of President Biden's health and decision-making capacity.

At [01:04], Comer revealed that:

"Dr. Kevin O' Connor pleaded the fifth on just about every question asked by the committee."

An unidentified commentator added:

"This is unprecedented and I think that."

Lisa Licera connected these developments to ongoing allegations of a cover-up:

"This adds more fuel to the fire that there was a cover up."

Comer elaborated on the gravity of the situation:

"Comer issued a subpoena for President Biden's former physician as part of the GOP investigation into an alleged cover up of President Biden's declining mental acuity and the use of the auto pen during his time in office."

President Biden has vehemently denied these claims, asserting his sole authority in decision-making as Commander in Chief.

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3. Devastating Floods Ravage Texas Hill Country

In a heartbreaking report, Ryan Schmelz detailed the catastrophic floods affecting Texas hill country over the weekend. At [01:35], Licera reported:

"The search for victims continues in Texas hill country after devastating flooding over the weekend. At least 119 are confirmed dead and more than 160 remain missing. The floods are now the deadliest inland flooding in the US since 1976."

Additionally, flooding claims extended to New Mexico, where at least three individuals lost their lives in the mountain town of Ruidoso.

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4. Homeland Security Targets Harvard University Over Foreign Student Records

Lisa Licera reported significant actions taken by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) against Harvard University at [02:30]. Kristi Noem, Homeland Security Secretary, provided further insights:

"Trump administration wants information related to any foreign students criminality or misconduct."

Due to Harvard's refusal to comply with DHS's initial records requests, the department has escalated measures by issuing subpoenas. Earlier efforts resulted in an incomplete response, prompting Noem to enforce an effective ban on foreign students at Harvard. However, Harvard successfully sued, obtaining a temporary restraining order that permits the university to continue enrolling students through the federal Student and Exchange Visitor Program.

Chris Foster from Fox News 3 High School added context to the legal battle, emphasizing the ongoing tension between the administration and the educational institution.

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5. Oregon Track Athletes Sue State Over Gender Identity Policies

The episode highlighted a significant legal battle in Oregon, where track athletes have filed a lawsuit against the state. At [03:08], Licera reported:

"Track athletes have sued the state of Oregon over the state's policy that prohibits schools from excluding student athletes from events that align with their gender identity, violates Title IX and has harmed them through loss of competition, placements and opportunities to advance to higher level events."

In response, the U.S. Department of Education initiated investigations into the Portland Public Schools and the Oregon Schools Activities Association to examine potential violations of Title IX.

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6. Recapture of New Orleans Jailbreak Inmate Antwon Mazzi

Lillian Wu provided an update on a high-profile criminal case at [03:36]. Licera reported:

"Antwon Mazzi, who spent six weeks on the run after a mass escape from a New Orleans jail, appearing in court via ZOOM from the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola to plead not guilty to domestic abuse battery involving strangulation and theft of a motor vehicle."

Mazzi, who previously escaped custody in 2007, has been ordered to remain jailed without bond. Among the ten escapees from the Orleans Justice Center in May, only one remains at large. Wu added:

"Four time convicted killer Derrick Groves. There's a $50,000 reward for tips leading to his recapture."

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7. Philadelphia Union and City Workers End Garbage Pickup Strike

Concluding the major news segments, Lisa Licera reported on a significant labor agreement:

"A union representing thousands of city workers in Philadelphia and the city have reached a deal to end a strike that halted garbage pickup."

This resolution marks the end of disruptions in the city’s waste management services, restoring normalcy for Philadelphia residents.

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Conclusion

The Fox News Hourly Update episode on July 9, 2025, provided an in-depth look at pivotal events shaping the current socio-political and economic landscape. From stringent trade policies and political investigations to natural disasters and legal battles over education and sports, the newscast ensured that listeners were well-informed on matters of national importance.

Transcript

[Lisa Licera]

A new round of tariffs. I'm Lisa Licera, Fox News. President Trump slapping Brazil with an Import tax of 50% over its treatment of former President Bolsonaro earlier announced tariffs on several other trading partners.

[Edward Lawrence]

These letters are very similar to the letters that went around the first time around. In this batch, though, you talk about Libya, you talk about Iraq, Sri Lanka as well as Algeria, a 30% reciprocal tariff on August 1, Moldova and Brunei seeing a 25% tariff and the Philippines at 20% tariff. Now on top of this is the 14 letters the President posted earlier on Truth Social. In those he announced countries like Japan and South Korea will see an additional 25% tariff on August 1st. Now President Trump making the point that to him these letters are trade deals.

[Lisa Licera]

Fox Business is Edward Lawrence at the White House. Brazil's current president Lula says his nation will act with reciprocity after the announcement from President Trump. Former President Biden's White House doctor appeared before a House panel as part of a Republican investigation into Biden's fitness for long.

[James Comer]

House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer says Dr. Kevin O' Connor pleaded the fifth on just about every question asked by the committee.

[Unknown]

This is unprecedented and I think that.

[Lisa Licera]

This adds more fuel to the fire that there was a cover up.

[James Comer]

Comer issued a subpoena for President Biden's former physician as part of the GOP investigation into an alleged cover up of President Biden's declining mental acuity and the use of the auto pen during his time in office. President Biden has aggressively denied anyone else making decisions while he was commander in chief.

[Lisa Licera]

As Ryan Schmelz on Capitol Hill, the search for victims continues in Texas hill country after devastating flooding over the weekend. At least 119are confirmed dead and more than 160 remain missing. The floods are now the deadliest inland flooding in the US since 1976. At least three have died from flooding in the New Mexico mountain town of Ruidoso. America's listening for FOX News.

[Unknown]

Creating your own business is everything. Getting it registered and compliant, not so much. LegalZoom has everything you need to launch, run and protect your business all in one place. LegalZoom has already helped launch, run and protect millions of businesses. LegalZoom. Now you're in business. Get everything you need from setup to [e-mail] LegalZoom provides access to independent attorneys and self service tools. LegalZoom is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice except for authorized through its subsidiary law firm LZ Legal Services llc.

[Lisa Licera]

The Department of Homeland Security has sent subpoenas to Harvard University.

[Kristi Noem]

Trump administration wants information related to any foreign students criminality or misconduct. Sources at DHS tell Fox subpoenas are the only options left with Harvard refusing requests for records. What was turned over after a request in April was deemed an insufficient, incomplete and unacceptable response by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, which led to an effective ban on foreign students at Harvard. The school sued and a federal judge granted an ongoing temporary restraining order that allows Harvard to continue issuing visa documents and enrolling students through the federal Student and Exchange Visitor Program. Chris Foster, Fox News 3 high school.

[Lisa Licera]

Track athletes have sued the state of Oregon over the state's policy that prohibits schools from excluding student athletes from events that align with their gender identity, violates Title IX and has harmed them through loss of competition, placements and opportunities to advance to higher level events. The West Department of Education has already opened investigations into Portland Public Schools and the Oregon Schools Activities Association. A day in court for one of the last New Orleans jailbreak inmates to be recaptured.

[Lillian Wu]

Antwon Mazzi, who spent six weeks on the run after a mass escape from a New Orleans jail, appearing in court via ZOOM from the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola to plead not guilty to domestic abuse battery involving strangulation and theft of a motor vehicle. Mazzi, who a local report says also escape a jail back in 2007, has been ordered to remain jailed without bond. Only one of the 10 men who escaped along with him from the Orleans justice center back in May remains at large. Four time convicted killer Derrick Groves. There's a $50,000 reward for tips leading to his recapture.

[Lisa Licera]

Lillian Wu, Fox News A union representing thousands of city workers in Philadelphia and the city have reached a deal to end a strike that halted garbage pickup. I'm Lisa Licera. This is Fox.

[Unknown]

Creating your own business is everything. Getting it registered in compliance, not so much. LegalZoom has everything you need to launch, run and protect your business all in one place. LegalZoom has already helped launch, run and protect millions of businesses. LegalZoom now you're in business. Get everything you need from setup to [e-mail] LegalZoom provides access to independent attorneys and self service tools. LegalZoom is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice except for authorized through its subsidiary law firm LZ Legal Services llc.