Fox News Hourly Update – 8PM ET Newscast (October 31, 2025)

Episode Overview

This newscast offers a concise but comprehensive overview of major national and international news stories as of October 31, 2025. Topics include judicial interventions in federal food assistance during the government shutdown, the political deadlock in Congress, a major pharmaceutical drug recall, a thwarted terrorist plot in Michigan, controversy over U.S. military actions against alleged narco-traffickers, and lawsuits concerning conditions at an immigration facility in Illinois.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Federal Judges Order Food Stamp Aid During Government Shutdown

• [00:02] Main Story: Two federal judges simultaneously ordered the Trump administration to deploy contingency funds to keep SNAP (food stamp) benefits running during the ongoing government shutdown.
  • Carmen Roberts (host): "Two federal judges issue rulings nearly simultaneously ordering the Trump administration to use contingency funds to keep food stamp assistance running during the government shutdown."
• [00:22] Contingency Funds Limitations: Agriculture Secretary Brook Wallins detailed the constraints of using such funds.
  • Brook Wallins (Agriculture Secretary): “Fund that can only flow if the underlying appropriation is approved. And listen, even if it could flow, it doesn't even cover half of the month of November. So here we are again in two weeks having the exact same conversation.” [00:22]
• [00:36] Ongoing Crisis: SNAP benefits are at risk of stopping imminently, with the court ordering partial funding and a progress update.
• Political Stalemate: Democrats press for Obamacare subsidy extensions as part of negotiations, while President Trump insists on ending the shutdown first.

2. Congressional Standoff and Filibuster Debate

• [00:57] President Trump’s Stance: He blames Democrats for the failure to resolve the stalemate.
  • President Trump: “It's their fault. Everything is their fault. It's so easily solved. You know, we have a number of Democrats that have already voted for this.” [00:57]
• [01:06] Senate Deadlock: The lack of enough votes to overcome a Senate filibuster prevents the passing of a stopgap spending bill. Trump suggests scrapping the filibuster (“go nuclear”).

3. Major Drug Recall by FDA

• [01:26] Public Health Alert: The FDA reports a recall of more than 500,000 bottles of prazosin hydrochloride (blood pressure medication) due to contamination with cancer-causing chemicals.
  • Carmen Roberts: “The FDA says drug makers have recalled more than half a million bottles of blood pressure medication prazosin hydrochloride over concerns it may include cancer causing chemicals.” [01:26]
• Companies Involved: Teva Pharmaceuticals and a drug distributor voluntarily begin a nationwide recall.

4. Terror Attack Thwarted in Michigan

• [02:16] FBI Arrests: The FBI announces the arrest of several suspects in Michigan, disrupting a planned terror attack allegedly tied to ISIS over Halloween weekend.
  • David Spunt (FOX, Washington): "Several suspects are in custody right now in Michigan, though we don't have a final number. We're told that when the facts come out, we will hear the word isis." [02:21]
  • David Spunt: “The FBI made arrests in both Dearborn and Inkster, Michigan, related to this potential terrorist attack with international ties.” [02:41]
• No Ongoing Threat: The FBI assures the public there is no imminent threat.

5. Illinois Immigration Facility Lawsuit

• [02:58] ACLU and MacArthur Justice Center Lawsuit: Allegations are made against a Chicago-area federal immigration facility for inhumane conditions, including denying detainees private calls with attorneys and restricting access to lawmakers and journalists.
• Accountability Sought: Lawsuit names ICE agents as defendants and raises concerns over congressional and media access.

6. UN Condemnation of US Military Strikes

• [03:29] International Law Concerns: The UN's human rights chief criticizes U.S. strikes on alleged drug smuggling boats for violations of international law.
  • Raveena Samdansi (UN Human Rights Spokeswoman): “These attacks and their mounting human cost are unacceptable.” [03:43]
• [03:47] Military Action & Aftermath: Under President Trump's orders, the military targeted 14 boats, resulting in 60 deaths.
• [03:56] Senator John Kennedy: Emphasizes the ongoing threat posed by narco-terrorists in the Western Hemisphere.
  • Senator John Kennedy: “In fact, the narco terrorists in ... our hemisphere are really even more dangerous in the sense that they're killing more Americans.” [03:59]
• [04:04] No Venezuela Strikes: President Trump explicitly states he is not considering military action inside Venezuela.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• Brook Wallins (Agriculture Secretary):
  “Even if it could flow, it doesn't even cover half of the month of November. So here we are again in two weeks having the exact same conversation.” [00:27]
• President Trump:
  “It's their fault. Everything is their fault. It's so easily solved. You know, we have a number of Democrats that have already voted for this.” [00:57]
• David Spunt (FOX):
  "We're told that when the facts come out, we will hear the word isis." [02:21]
• Raveena Samdansi (UN):
  “These attacks and their mounting human cost are unacceptable.” [03:43]
• Senator John Kennedy:
  “The narco terrorists in our hemisphere are really even more dangerous in the sense that they're killing more Americans.” [03:59]

Timeline of Major Segments

• [00:02–01:25]: Food stamps & shutdown; Congressional standoff; Drug recall
• [02:16–02:57]: FBI stops terrorism plot in Michigan
• [02:58–03:28]: Illinois immigration facility lawsuit
• [03:29–04:13]: UN condemnation of U.S. drug war strikes; Senator Kennedy & President Trump’s remarks

Conclusion

This tightly packed newscast delivers urgent updates on the pressing political, social, and international issues facing the United States at the close of October 2025, highlighting ongoing challenges in government funding, homeland security, public health, civil rights, and international relations. The reporting maintains FOX News’ signature brisk, direct tone, punctuated by political soundbites and concise factual summaries.