Fox News Hourly Update: 9AM ET Newscast – November 3, 2025

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode delivers an up-to-the-minute briefing on key national stories as the U.S. approaches pivotal local elections, ongoing government shutdown drama, controversial Trump administration policies, and the ripple effects on daily American life.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. National Spotlight on Local Elections

[00:02]

• Democrats Mobilize: Three local elections (New Jersey, Virginia, NYC mayoral race) capture national interest. Democrats aim to make them a "referendum on Donald Trump."
• Obama Rallies Support:
  • Former President Barack Obama campaigns in New Jersey and Virginia, painting the current national mood as troubled.
  • Quote (Therese Crowley): "Former President Obama on the campaign trail in New Jersey and Virginia, claiming the country is in a pretty dark place right now."
• Trump’s Endorsement Nuance:
  • President Trump, on CBS's 60 Minutes, clarifies his voting priorities:
  • Quote (Trump via Crowley): "If it's a choice between a bad Democrat and a communist, I'm going to pick the bad Democrat all the time."

2. Focus on Gubernatorial & Mayoral Races

[00:33]

• New Jersey & Virginia:
  • Voters select new governors. National party figures campaign heavily.
  • Fox poll: Democrats lead Republican challengers.
  • Top Issues: Economy, immigration, energy costs, healthcare.
• New York City Election:
  • Progressive surge: Democratic Socialist Zoran Mamdani leads with double digits against former Governor Andrew Cuomo (who didn’t win the Democratic primary).
  • Quote (Jared Halpern): "34 year old Democratic Socialist Zoran Mamdani holds a commanding double digit lead in polling against former Governor Andrew Cuomo…"

3. Trump Administration Action & Legal Scrutiny

[01:10], [01:43]

• US Military Strike on Narco-Terrorists:
  • New action against drug boats—three ‘narco-terrorists’ killed.
  • Trump administration stance: Cartel strikes aren’t covered by the War Powers Resolution, since no troops are sent into “hostilities,” a legally vague term.
  • Quote (Alexandria Haas paraphrasing Sec. Haig): "We will continue to track them, map them, hunt them and kill them."
• Trump Policy Hits Supreme Court:
  • SCOTUS set to hear arguments on Trump’s authority to impose global tariffs, described by him as a national security measure.

4. Government Shutdown: Stalemate Deepens

[02:16], [02:38], [02:49], [03:12]

• Shutdown Duration:
  • Day 34, matching the all-time record (35 days).
  • Senate returns after a three-day weekend; negotiations remain stagnant.
  • Ongoing impact: Airport delays, food stamp delays, drying up of federal aid, rising healthcare premiums.
• Political Standoff:
  • Republican View (Rep. Jody Arrington):
    • Blames Democrats for repeated votes against funding:
      • Quote (Jody Arrington): "They are on the wrong side of these 80/20 issues down the line, from the border chaos to crime to boys competing with girls. And now this." [02:38]
    • Democrats have “voted 14 times not to fund the government.”
  • Issue at Hand:
    • Obamacare subsidies set to expire.
    • GOP wants to reopen government then negotiate; Democrats insist on subsidies first.

5. Effects of the Shutdown on Air Travel

[03:12], [03:26]

• Severe Delays:
  • Half of US major airport towers short-staffed.
  • Newark: Average flight delay 2+ hours, some 3+ hours.
  • JFK & Austin: Similar issues.
  • Cause: Surge in unpaid, financially stressed air-traffic controllers calling off work.
  • Quote (Christina Coleman): "Nearly 13,000 air traffic controllers have worked for weeks now without pay due to the government shutdown."
• Holiday Concerns:
  • With Thanksgiving approaching, implications for travel are dire.

6. Political Calculations

[03:52]

• Republican Strategy:
  • Some GOP members believe Democrats may abandon their position once the elections pass, as mounting chaos could give the GOP leverage.
  • Sign-off (Therese Crowley):
    • Wraps the episode, reiterating the high stakes and ongoing uncertainty.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Obama (via Crowley, 00:02): "The country is in a pretty dark place right now."
• Trump (via Crowley, 00:02): "If it's a choice between a bad Democrat and a communist, I'm going to pick the bad Democrat all the time."
• Secretary Haig (via Alexandria Haas, 01:13): "We will continue to track them, map them, hunt them and kill them."
• Jody Arrington (02:38): "They are on the wrong side of these 80, 20 issues down the line..."
• Christina Coleman (03:26): "Nearly 13,000 air traffic controllers have worked for weeks now without pay due to the government shutdown."

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:02 – National stakes in local elections; Obama & Trump comments
• 00:33 – Gubernatorial and NYC mayoral races; progressives gain momentum
• 01:10 – US military strike on cartel drug boat
• 01:43 – Trump’s tariff powers face Supreme Court scrutiny
• 02:16-03:12 – Shutdown impact: political blame game and social strain
• 03:12-03:52 – Air travel delays and controller walkouts amid government shutdown

Overall Tone & Style

The coverage is brisk, headline-driven, and focused on providing timely, high-stakes updates. The tone is urgent, with sharp attributions and partisan soundbites capturing the current political friction.