Fox News Hourly Update: 8PM ET 09/15/2025 Newscast

Podcast: Fox News Hourly Update
Host: Lisa Lacera, with contributions from FOX News reporters and featured speakers
Date: September 16, 2025
Episode Theme: A concise roundup of key national news developments, including a remembrance of slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk, updates on major political and legal stories, and significant business and policy moves.

Episode Overview

This newscast centers on the aftermath of the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, major criminal and legal cases, shifting U.S. policy responses at home and abroad, and notable business headlines. The tone remains focused and factual, with the intent of quickly briefing listeners on significant events shaping the nation and the world.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Capitol Hill Vigil for Charlie Kirk

[00:02–00:52]

• Remembrance Event:
  A vigil held in the U.S. Capitol’s Statuary Hall honored the life and impact of conservative activist Charlie Kirk after his assassination on Wednesday.
• Speaker Commentary:
  • House Speaker Mike Johnson led the vigil, recognizing Kirk’s activism and the sense of loss his death brought to conservatives.
  • Trey Gowdy summarized Speaker Johnson’s message:

    "Us to be overcome by despair. It would want us to carry the message forward." (00:23)

  • House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (IN) addressed the tragedy’s political nature:

    "There is no place in our country for politically motivated violence. None." (00:37)

  • Some House Democrats attended but did not speak at the event.
• Memorial Plans:
  • Kirk’s official memorial will be held Sunday at State Farm Stadium, Glendale, Arizona.

2. Legal Developments in Kirk Assassination

[00:52–01:06]

• The suspect, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, is scheduled to appear in court in Utah the following day.

3. Federal Task Force to Memphis to Combat Crime

[01:06–01:13]

• President Trump signed a memorandum deploying a multi-agency federal task force (FBI, DEA, ICE, U.S. Marshals) to Memphis.
• Tennessee Governor Bill Lee expressed optimism:

  "We are very hopeful and excited about the prospect of moving that city forward." (01:06)

4. Questions Over U.S. Military Strike Legality

[01:13–01:41]

• Senator Roger Wicker called for clarity on the legality of a U.S. military strike against a suspected Venezuelan drug cartel boat.
• Secretary of State Marco Rubio heads to Qatar after meetings with Israeli PM Netanyahu, following Israeli strikes on Hamas leaders in Qatar.
• Statement attributed to a “New York Times Subscriber/Advertisement Voice”:

  "Hamas needs to cease to exist as an armed element that can threaten the peace and security of the region. And the people of Gaza deserve a better future. But that better future cannot begin until Hamas is eliminated." (01:41)

• Rubio called for Hamas to release Israeli hostages.

5. Supreme Court Appeal in Eitan Patz Murder Case

[02:30–03:03]

• NYC prosecutors seek Supreme Court reinstatement of Pedro Hernandez’s overturned murder conviction in the 1979 disappearance of 6-year-old Etan Patz—one of America’s landmark missing child cases.

6. EdTech Company Chegg Settles FTC Claim

[03:03–03:46]

• Chegg will pay $7.5 million for making subscription cancellations overly burdensome.
• Cited a CEO email noting, “there should be some pain involved in cancellation.” (03:18)
• The FTC’s “Click to Cancel” rule—meant to make cancellations as easy as sign-ups—is currently blocked by a federal appeals court, citing insufficient preliminary analysis for its economic impact.

7. Major Auto Industry Headquarters Moves

[03:46–04:16]

• Ford Motor Company is relocating its world headquarters for the first time in 70 years, moving three miles from Dearborn to a new 2.1 million sq. ft. building set to open in November.
• General Motors is also moving from its historic Detroit riverfront offices to a new downtown location.

8. Market Update

[04:16–04:28]

• Wall Street Recap:
  • Dow up by 49 points
  • NASDAQ up 207 points
  • S&P gained 30 points

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Trey Gowdy quoting Speaker Johnson on facing loss:

  "Us to be overcome by despair. It would want us to carry the message forward." (00:23)

• Trey Gowdy, on violence in politics:

  "There is no place in our country for politically motivated violence. None." (00:37)

• Governor Bill Lee on Memphis support:

  "We are very hopeful and excited about the prospect of moving that city forward." (01:06)

• Unattributed voice on the Gaza crisis:

  "Hamas needs to cease to exist as an armed element that can threaten the peace and security of the region. And the people of Gaza deserve a better future. But that better future cannot begin until Hamas is eliminated." (01:41)

• FTC-Chegg investigation, email from Chegg CEO:

  "There should be some pain involved in cancellation." (03:18, paraphrased by FTC)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Charlie Kirk Vigil & Assassination: 00:02–00:52
• Memphis Crime Task Force: 01:06–01:13
• US Military, Qatar, and Israel-Gaza Situation: 01:13–01:52
• Supreme Court Eitan Patz Case: 02:30–03:03
• Chegg FTC Settlement: 03:03–03:46
• Ford HQ Move & GM Update: 03:46–04:16
• Market Numbers: 04:16–04:28

Overall Tone and Language

The episode is brisk, direct, and reporter-driven, with occasional emotional resonance in quotes about political violence and the loss of Charlie Kirk. Language is formal and news-oriented, with limited editorializing, matching the Fox News radio format.

This summary captures the full scope and main takeaways from the 8PM ET newscast, giving non-listeners a clear sense of the stories and perspectives that dominated this hour in national news.