12AM ET 05/09/2026 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update – 12AM ET, May 9, 2026

Episode Overview

This newscast provides listeners with fast-breaking international and national headlines as of midnight on May 9, 2026. Major topics include escalating US-Iran tensions in the Persian Gulf, new diplomatic moves in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, rulings in the high-profile Charlie Kirk murder trial, a crackdown on child pornography involving cruise line staff, and the Pentagon’s new transparency on UFO files.

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Key Highlights & Timeline

Escalation in the Persian Gulf: US-Iran Tensions

[00:03–00:55]

• Host Debra Valentine opens the episode announcing that American forces engaged in self-defense strikes on Iranian oil tankers after what the US described as “unprovoked attacks” on its warships.
• Jennifer Griffin (Washington correspondent) reports:
  • On Thursday, three US Navy destroyers faced “nonstop incoming fire from Iranian drones and missiles” while navigating the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz (00:16).
  • The US military retaliated, targeting key Iranian sites:
    • A port on Iran’s Kesham island
    • Military targets in Bandar Abbas (important to Iran’s oil exports)
    • Bandar Khargan naval checkpoint in Manab
  • Earlier in the week, President Trump suspended "Project Freedom" (the US military’s effort to keep the strait open) after Gulf allies criticized Pentagon downplaying Iranian strikes on the UAE’s Fujairah port.
  • Notable quote:
    “On Thursday, three U.S. navy destroyers faced nonstop incoming fire from Iranian drones and missiles as they sailed 500 miles through the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.” – Jennifer Griffin [00:16]

Russia-Ukraine Three-Day Ceasefire

[00:55–01:45]

• Debra Valentine transitions: Despite the Iran-related conflict, “President Trump says the ceasefire is still in effect.”
• Aisha Hasni (White House correspondent):
  • Surprised by the three-day Russia-Ukraine ceasefire (May 9–11), expecting Iran negotiations news instead.
  • The timing aligns with Victory Day in Russia—suggesting the ceasefire was diplomatically driven for symbolic/military parade reasons.
  • Notable quote:
    “...That's interesting because that is around victory day for Russia. Of course, Vladimir Putin is going to want to have a big military parade. So it sounds like that’s something that he was very interested in, securing a cease fire during that time.” – Aisha Hasni [01:24]
• President Trump's Statement: In a Truth Social post, Trump declares the ceasefire suspends “all kinetic activity between the two countries.”

Charlie Kirk Murder Trial: Camera Access Ruling

[02:32–03:23]

• Debra Valentine: Judge rules on whether cameras will be allowed at the trial of Charlie Kirk's alleged killer, Tyler Robinson.
• Christina Coleman (reporting):
  • Defense requested a delay to review extensive evidence; the judge granted it, calling the request “not unexpected or unreasonable.” The preliminary hearing is postponed.
  • The defense tried (unsuccessfully) to ban courtroom cameras, arguing it would protect the defendant’s due process and ensure an impartial jury.
  • Kirk’s widow, Erica: Advocates for cameras in the courtroom, stating, “if there were cameras on her husband when he died, then cameras should be allowed in the courtroom.” [03:23]

Cruise Ship Child Pornography Crackdown

[03:23–04:14]

• Debra Valentine introduces news of a law enforcement operation arresting cruise ship staff.
• Kristin Goodwin (reporting):
  • US Customs and Border Protection canceled visas for 27 crew members across eight ships for involvement in child sexual abuse images.
  • Most individuals are from the Philippines; some worked on Disney Cruise Line.
  • Disney Cruise Line states it has a “zero tolerance policy” and those involved are no longer with the company.
  • Notable quote:
    “...Disney Cruise Line says the company has a zero tolerance policy for this type of behavior and fully cooperated with law enforcement, adding, while the majority of these individuals were not from our cruise line, those who were are no longer with the company.” – Kristin Goodwin [04:02]

Pentagon Releases Declassified UFO Files

[04:14–04:32]

• Pentagon has started sharing declassified data on “unidentified aerial phenomena.”
• President Trump: Release will let “people decide for themselves what is going on.”
• Debra Valentine closes: “This is Fox News.”

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Memorable Quotes

• Jennifer Griffin [00:16]:

  "On Thursday, three U.S. navy destroyers faced nonstop incoming fire from Iranian drones and missiles as they sailed 500 miles through the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz."

• Aisha Hasni [01:24]:

  "...That’s interesting because that is around victory day for Russia...Putin is going to want to have a big military parade. So it sounds like that’s something that he was very interested in, securing a cease fire during that time.”

• Erica Kirk (paraphrased by Debra Valentine) [03:23]:

  "If there were cameras on her husband when he died, then cameras should be allowed in the courtroom."

• Kristin Goodwin [04:02]:

  "...Disney Cruise Line says the company has a zero tolerance policy for this type of behavior and fully cooperated with law enforcement, adding, while the majority of these individuals were not from our cruise line, those who were are no longer with the company."

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:03: US-Iran Naval Clash and Retaliatory Strikes
• 00:55: Russia–Ukraine Three-Day Ceasefire Announced
• 02:32: Charlie Kirk Trial – Camera Access Ruling
• 03:23: Cruise Ship Crew Arrested in Child Porn Crackdown
• 04:14: Pentagon Declassifies UFO Files

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This summary covers the essential news, central figures, and pointed commentary, providing listeners and readers with a concise yet comprehensive capture of the May 9, 2026 Fox News Hourly Update.

Transcript

[Debra Valentine]

In self defense. I'm Debra Valentine, Fox News. American forces reportedly fired self defense strikes on Iranian oil tankers after alleged unprovoked attacks on U.S. warships. Fox's Jennifer Griffin reports from Washington.

[Jennifer Griffin]

On Thursday, three U.S. navy destroyers faced nonstop incoming fire from Iranian drones and missiles as they sailed 500 miles through the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz. In response, the US Military struck a port on Iran's Kesham island and military targets in Bandar Abbas, crucial to Iran's oil export economy and Iran's Bandar Khargan naval checkpoint in Manab. Earlier this week, President Trump abruptly reversed course and suspended Project Freedom, the US Military effort to open the Strait of Hormuz after Gulf allies were angry that the Pentagon downplayed the strikes on UAE's Fujairah port.

[Debra Valentine]

President Trump says the cease fire is still in effect despite the attack on the US A three day cease fire is announced between Russia and Ukraine. Fox's Aisha Hasni has details from the White House.

[Aisha Hasni]

It was quite a shock to us here at the White House because we were actually waiting for a development on the Iran deal, the Iran negotiations, because Secretary of State Marco Rubio had said that the administration expected a response from Iran today. Instead, we have now gotten this from Russia and Ukraine, a three day ceasefire, May 9, May 10 and May 11. And that's interesting because that is around victory day for Russia. Of course, Vladimir Putin is going to want to have a big military parade. So it sounds like that's something that he was very interested in, securing a cease fire during that time.

[Debra Valentine]

President Trump in a truth social post said the cease fire suspends all kinetic activity between the two countries of Russia and Ukraine. America's listening to Fox News

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[Debra Valentine]

A judge issues a ruling on allowing cameras in the courtroom for the trial of the alleged killer of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk. Here is Fox's Christina Coleman.

[Christina Coleman]

Two big rulings came out of this hearing regarding the motions filed by lawyers representing Charlie Kirk's accused killer, Tyler Robinson. Up first was their request to delay his May 18 preliminary hearing. The prosecution argued that a delay was not necessary, but Robinson's lawyer said they needed more time to review the large amount of evidence, evidence which includes a bullet analysis. The judge ultimately sided with the defense, saying given the volume of the discovery, their request isn't unexpected or unreasonable. The defense was granted one motion but not the other, which was a request to keep cameras out of the courtroom. Robinson's lawyer said it would ensure his right to due process and an impartial jury.

[Debra Valentine]

Kirk's widow, Erica, says if there were cameras on her husband when he died, then cameras should be allowed in the courtroom. The St. Cruise Lines speaks out after some of its staffers were among dozens arrested as part of a child pornography enforcement operation. Fox's Kristin Goodwin has more U.S. customs

[Kristin Goodwin]

and Border Protection revealing it canceled the visas of 27 crew members on eight cruise ships, finding they were involved in the receipt, possession, transportation, distribution or viewing of child sexual abuse images. The agency says most of the individuals are from the Philippines, noting some worked on a Disney Cruise Line ship. In a statement, Disney Cruise Line says the company has a zero tolerance policy for this type of behavior and fully cooperated with law enforcement, adding, while the majority of these individuals were not from our cruise line, those who were are no longer with the company. Kristin Goodwin, Fox News the Pentagon has

[Debra Valentine]

begun releasing declassified files on unidentified aerial phenomena. President Trump says release will allow people to decide for themselves what is going on. I'm Debra Valentine. This is Fox News.

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