Fox News Hourly Update – 8PM ET 09/02/2025 Newscast

Air Date: September 3, 2025
Host: Lisa Licera, FOX News Podcasts

Episode Overview

This episode delivers a concise roundup of the day’s biggest national and international headlines, focusing on recent U.S. military action against a Venezuelan gang, developments in the Jeffrey Epstein investigation, domestic crime initiatives, political news, a high-profile celebrity verdict, and McDonald's pricing adjustments. The tone is urgent and matter-of-fact, with direct quotes from leading politicians and newsmakers.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. U.S. Strike on Venezuelan Gang Targets

• [00:01] Lisa Licera reports that U.S. Forces conducted a successful military strike against the Trenda Aragua gang in international waters near Venezuela, resulting in the deaths of 11 gang members.
• [00:22] Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasizes a hardline stance against drug cartels operating in regions impacting the U.S.
  • Quote: “As long as those vessels are in the region and as long as the president is in the White House, he's made very clear he's not going to allow the United States to continue to be flooded with cocaine and fentanyl and other drugs coming from different places. This one from Venezuela.” (Marco Rubio, 00:22)
• President Trump confirms on Truth Social that no U.S. casualties occurred and frames the strike as a deterrent for drug traffickers.

2. Jeffrey Epstein Case Files Released

• [00:33] Over 33,000 pages of documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein case were made public by the House Oversight Committee.
• [00:50] Committee Chair James Comer claims this is “the most thorough investigation into Epstein and Maxwell to date and we are getting results.” (James Comer, 00:50)
• Files include audio from an Epstein employee discussing young girls frequently visiting Epstein's home, though the witness couldn’t confirm if they were minors.
• Bipartisan efforts in Congress seek to require the Justice Department to release all case information, with privacy provisions for victims.

3. National Guard Deployment to Chicago and Baltimore

• [01:26] Trump administration plans to send the National Guard to Chicago and Baltimore to fight crime, following a federal judge's earlier ruling against such deployments in Los Angeles.
  • Quote: “Well, we're going in. I didn't say when we're going in. When you lose. Look, I have an obligation. This isn't a political thing.” (James Comer, 01:26)
• The deployment comes under legal and political scrutiny due to the recent court ruling.

4. Cardi B Cleared in Civil Lawsuit

• [01:32] Rapper Cardi B was found not liable by a California jury in a $24 million civil suit brought by a security guard over an incident in 2018.

5. Potomac Plane Crash Debris Investigation

• [02:29] Police in Alexandria, Virginia, investigate whether new debris found along the Potomac River is from the deadly January plane crash involving an American Airlines jet and a Blackhawk helicopter.
  • Quote: “To be like a lever that would it look like for the tray table like you would see on a plane. And there had to be to be like a leather pouch at the bottom and just the curvature of the top of it. It very much looked like an airplane seat.” (Andrew Guevara, 02:49)

6. Congressional Campaign News in Pennsylvania

• [03:15] Democratic Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti launches a bid for Pennsylvania’s 8th congressional district, targeting incumbent Republican Rob Bresnahan for alleged stock-trading conflicts.
  • Quote: “I say day trading away. The public trust is not who we are. So yeah, I'm running for Congress because people here deserve a lot better than a rich kid disrespecting our hard work and proud legacy.” (Paige Cognetti, 03:37)
• The GOP’s National Republican Congressional Committee issues a statement framing Cognetti as “extreme” and “weak on border and health care issues.”

7. McDonald's Announces Price Cuts on Extra Value Meals

• [03:58] McDonald's plans to reduce prices by 15% on select combo meals starting September 8, a move following a 40% price increase across menu items from 2019 to 2024.
• Price reductions cover bundled meals, with costs varying by location.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Marco Rubio ([00:22]): “...he's made very clear he's not going to allow the United States to continue to be flooded with cocaine and fentanyl...”
• James Comer ([00:50]): “This is the most thorough investigation into Epstein and Maxwell to date and we are getting results.”
• Paige Cognetti ([03:37]): “Day trading away the public trust is not who we are...”

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:01: U.S. Military strike against Venezuelan gang
• 00:33: Jeffrey Epstein case files released, key details
• 01:26: National Guard deployment to Chicago and Baltimore
• 01:32: Cardi B cleared in civil lawsuit
• 02:29: Police investigate Potomac plane crash debris
• 03:15: Scranton mayor launches congressional bid
• 03:58: McDonald's extra value meal price cuts

Closing Notes

This broadcast highlights Fox News Radio’s rapid-fire approach to breaking news, emphasizing developments in international security, criminal justice, politics, and consumer economics with select direct quotes from top government officials and newsmakers. It delivers essential facts for listeners seeking to keep up with headline stories and political discourse in real time.