Fox News Hourly Update
Episode: A Surge in Hiring
Date: November 20, 2025
Host: Dave Anthony, with reports from Kristen Goodwin, Jonathan Savage, Colonel Scott, Jessica Rosenthal, and Gary Baumgarten
Theme: Breaking news across politics, the economy, and current events, with a focus on the jobs market, congressional investigations, and notable national news.
Main Theme & Purpose
This episode provides listeners with the latest headlines on politics, the job market, ongoing congressional investigations, flare-ups in global conflict, and notable national events. The focus centers on a surge in hiring reported in the latest jobs update, alongside updates on the Epstein files, congressional scandals, and memorial events.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Epstein Files to be Released by DOJ
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[00:03] Dave Anthony: Announces President Trump's final approval of a congressional resolution for the Justice Department to release files from the Epstein underage sex trafficking investigation.
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[00:19] Kristen Goodwin: Details that the law allows for the redaction of victims’ identities and information related to ongoing investigations. Quotes Trump’s statement on Truth Social, positioning the Epstein issue as a distraction orchestrated by Democrats.
Notable Quote:
"Democrats have used the Epstein issue, which affects them far more than the Republican Party, in order to try and distract from our amazing victories."
— President Trump (Paraphrased by Kristen Goodwin, 00:19)
2. Congressional Scandal: COVID Funds Fraud Case
- [00:38] Dave Anthony: Reports on the indictment of Democrat Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick for allegedly stealing $5 million in FEMA funds and diverting some for her 2021 Florida campaign.
- McCormick maintains her innocence, speaking to CBS and calling the indictment "a sham".
3. Renewed Fighting in Gaza
- [01:01] Jonathan Savage: Covers a 12-hour spike in Israeli military attacks after troops were fired upon in Khan Younis, in Southern Gaza.
- [01:17] Dave Anthony: Notes 33 Palestinians were killed; Hamas condemns the operation as a “shocking massacre.”
4. Politics and the Economy: Polls & Jobs Report
A. Government Shutdown Fallout
- [01:17] Dave Anthony: Cites a FOX News poll critical of both Republicans and Democrats surrounding the government shutdown, highlighting a five-point drop in President Trump’s approval rating to 41%.
- [01:31] Colonel Scott: Notes that 52% of voters feel inflation is not under control, listing groceries, health care, utilities, housing, and gas as increasingly expensive.
B. Surge in U.S. Hiring
- [01:41] Dave Anthony: The September jobs update, delayed by the shutdown, is expected to show increased hiring from August. The unemployment rate is projected to remain at 4.3%. No separate report for October; those numbers will roll into November’s update.
5. National Memorial: Funeral for Dick Cheney
- [02:16] Dave Anthony: Reports on the high-profile funeral for former Vice President Dick Cheney at the Washington National Cathedral.
- [02:30] Jessica Rosenthal: Details on Cheney's career, attendees (including Presidents and Vice Presidents, with notable absence of President Trump), and cause of death (complications from pneumonia, cardiac and vascular disease).
6. Upcoming High-Stakes Meeting: Trump & NYC Mayor-Elect Zoran Mamdani
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[03:08] Dave Anthony: Announces a scheduled meeting between President Trump and NYC’s newly elected mayor after a tense campaign marked by clashes.
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[03:16] Gary Baumgarten: Mamdani wants to discuss public safety and economic policies. Trump claims the Democrat socialist is a “communist” and previously threatened him with deportation. Meeting is at Mamdani’s request.
Notable Quote:
"Mamdani vowing to Trump proof the city Trump labeling the Democratic socialist a communist and threatening to deport him."
— Gary Baumgarten (03:16)
7. Wall Street & Cultural Updates
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[03:35] Dave Anthony: Stock futures are rising ahead of the jobs report.
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CMA Awards roundup: Lainey Wilson is Entertainer of the Year, Album, and Female Vocalist winner. Cody Johnson is Male Vocalist of the Year. The Red Clay Strays win Vocal Group.
Notable Moment:
"When I was a little kid, I taped a little microphone on the side of my bunk bed and I would sing everything from Boys to Men to Merle Haggard. And I tried to imitate everybody in between Brooks and Dunn."
— Colonel Scott, sharing Cody Johnson’s acceptance remarks (03:56)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- President Trump via Truth Social (paraphrased by Kristen Goodwin, 00:19):
"Democrats have used the Epstein issue, which affects them far more than the Republican Party, in order to try and distract from our amazing victories." - Colonel Scott quoting Cody Johnson (03:56):
Childhood inspiration from a variety of artists, showing the range of country music influences.
Important Segment Timestamps
- Epstein files law and Trump’s comment: 00:03–00:38
- Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick indictment: 00:38–01:01
- Gaza fighting update: 01:01–01:17
- Polls and economic update: 01:17–01:41
- September jobs report preview: 01:41–01:59
- Dick Cheney funeral proceedings: 02:16–03:08
- Trump & Mamdani meeting announcement: 03:08–03:35
- CMA Awards highlights: 03:35–04:07
Summary
This Fox News Hourly Update covers high-impact national news: President Trump compels release of Epstein files with victim protections; a Democrat congresswoman faces fraud charges; violence escalates anew in Gaza; new polls reflect economic dissatisfaction and lower presidential approval; the jobs report signals a hiring surge after interruption by a government shutdown; the nation prepares to honor former VP Dick Cheney; and political tensions in New York City bring Trump and mayor-elect Zoran Mamdani face-to-face. The episode closes with cultural highlights from the CMA Awards and upbeat economic signals from Wall Street.
