Fox News Hourly Update – 12AM ET, April 13, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode delivers a brisk rundown of key political, international, and local news headlines. Major topics include the exit of Congressman Eric Swalwell from the California gubernatorial race amid scandal, escalating US-Iran tensions over the Strait of Hormuz, New York City's plan for city-run grocery stores, a Virginia redistricting controversy, and the triumphant return of the Artemis 2 lunar crew.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Eric Swalwell Withdraws from California Governor’s Race

• News Summary:
  • Congressman Eric Swalwell suspends his gubernatorial campaign following allegations of sexual misconduct.
  • In a post on X, Swalwell apologizes to supporters and pledges to fight the allegations independently.
• Loss of Support:
  • Staffers in both his congressional and gubernatorial offices side with the accuser.
  • Notable Democrats (Senator Adam Schiff, former Speaker Nancy Pelosi) withdraw their endorsements.
• Memorable Quote:
  • Jill Nado reads Swalwell's statement:

    “To my family, staff, friends and supporters, I am deeply sorry for mistakes and judgment I've made in my past. I will fight the serious false allegations that have been made, but that's my fight, not a campaign's.” (00:15 – 00:39)

• Reporter: Jill Nado

2. US-Iran Tensions at the Strait of Hormuz

• Breaking News:
  • President Trump announces a US naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz amid Iranian restrictions.
• Details of the Blockade:
  • Only vessels from Iranian ports to be stopped; non-Iranian traffic unaffected.
  • US Navy begins de-mining; will provide commercial mariners with safe transit routes.
  • Iranian Revolutionary Guard claims control over the strait, threatens strong action against warships.
• Notable Quotes:
  • President Trump:

    “We're putting on a complete blockade. We're not going to let Iran make money on selling oil to people that they like and not people that they don't like or whatever it is. It's going to be all or none.” (01:37 – 01:48)

• Reporter: Mike Tobin (reporting from Tel Aviv)

3. New York City’s City-Run Grocery Stores Initiative

• Policy Announcement:
  • Mayor Zoran Mamdani marks his first 100 days in office, unveils plan for city-run grocery stores, with the first in East Harlem.
• Goals:
  • Lower prices for essentials (“Eggs will be cheaper. Bread will be cheaper. Grocery shopping will no longer be an unsolvable equation.”)
  • Initial projected cost: $30 million.
• Quote:
  • Mayor Zoran Mamdani explaining benefits:

    “Eggs will be cheaper. Bread will be cheaper. Grocery shopping will no longer be an unsolvable equation.” (03:13 – 03:20)

• Context:
  • Aimed at tackling food affordability and insecurity in NYC.

4. Virginia Redistricting Battle

• Upcoming Ballot Amendment:
  • Virginia voters to decide whether to hand redistricting power temporarily back to the state legislature, which is controlled by Democrats.
• Arguments:
  • GOP: Claims move will disenfranchise rural voters.
• Notable Quotes:
  • Congressman Rob Wittman (R, VA):

    “It is a complete, complete silencing of the voices of over 2.1 million voters across the Commonwealth of Virginia disenfranchises them.” (03:46 – 03:56)

• Democratic Response:
  • Measure presented as a reaction to prior Republican-led gerrymandering in other states.

5. Artemis 2 Astronauts Return from Historic Lunar Mission

• Mission Details:
  • Crew spent 10 days orbiting the Moon; returned safely.
  • Crew: Commander Reed Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, Mission Specialists Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen.
  • The deepest space flight by humans to date.
• Memorable Quotes:
  • Commander Reed Wiseman:

    “This was not easy being 200,000 plus miles away from home. Like before you launch, it feels like it's the greatest dream on Earth. And when you're out there, you just want to get back to your families and your friends. It's a special thing to be a human and it's a special thing to be on planet Earth.” (04:27 – 04:43)

• Reporter: Madison Scarpino
• Welcome:
  • Crew received a hero’s welcome at Johnson Space Center.

Notable Quotes and Timestamps

• Eric Swalwell’s campaign suspension:

  “To my family, staff, friends and supporters, I am deeply sorry for mistakes and judgment I've made in my past. I will fight the serious false allegations...”
  — Eric Swalwell statement, read by Jill Nado (00:20 – 00:39)

• President Trump on Iranian blockade:

  “We're putting on a complete blockade. We're not going to let Iran make money on selling oil to people that they like and not people that they don't like...”
  — President Trump (01:37 – 01:48)

• Mayor Mamdani on NYC groceries:

  “Eggs will be cheaper. Bread will be cheaper. Grocery shopping will no longer be an unsolvable equation.”
  — Mayor Zoran Mamdani (03:13 – 03:20)

• Rep. Rob Wittman on redistricting amendment:

  “It is a complete, complete silencing of the voices of over 2.1 million voters across the Commonwealth of Virginia disenfranchises them.”
  — Rob Wittman (03:46 – 03:56)

• Reed Wiseman on lunar mission:

  “...before you launch, it feels like it's the greatest dream on Earth. And when you're out there, you just want to get back to your families and your friends. It's a special thing to be a human and it's a special thing to be on planet Earth.” — Cmdr. Reed Wiseman (04:27 – 04:43)

Segment Timestamps

• Swalwell exits governor’s race – 00:02–00:57
• US-Iran Strait of Hormuz blockade – 00:57–01:52
• New York City grocery stores plan – 03:07–03:33
• Virginia redistricting controversy – 03:33–04:10
• Artemis 2 mission wrap-up & crew return – 04:10–04:49

Tone & Style

The episode maintains a fast-paced, urgent news tone with straightforward, factual reporting and concise, direct quotes from primary sources. The coverage is focused on political, international, urban policy, and scientific achievement topics, reflecting the breadth of Fox News hourly updates.