Summary4 min read

Fox News Hourly Update: 12AM ET – July 7, 2026

Overview

This FOX News Hourly Update provides a concise yet impactful rundown of the top national and international headlines as of midnight on July 7, 2026. The episode covers rising geopolitical tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, political turmoil in the Maine Senate race, Team USA's World Cup exit, developments in a high-profile murder trial, and significant changes in Obamacare enrollment following the end of federal premium tax credits.

Key Discussion Points

1. Tensions in the Strait of Hormuz (00:02)

British military reports a tanker struck by a projectile, igniting a fire in the key shipping route near Oman.
Described as the largest attack on a vessel moving through the Persian Gulf’s narrow mouth, which handles roughly one-fifth of global oil and natural gas transit.
Talks between the US and Iran are paused until after the burial of Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, killed at the onset of the conflict.
- Burial services scheduled in Guam on Tuesday.

2. Political Scandal in Maine Senate Race (00:47)

Graham Platner, Democratic Senate nominee in Maine, faces mounting calls to withdraw following new sexual assault allegations dating back to 2021 from an ex-girlfriend.
Platner categorically denies the allegations and is reportedly assessing his next steps.
- Quote (Graham Platner, 01:05):
  “Regardless of the inaccuracy of the reporting but mindful the political reality it will inflict, we are taking the time to reflect on the best path forward.”
Prominent Democrats, including Rep. Ro Khanna of California, withdraw support and urge Platner to step aside:
- Quote (Ro Khanna, via post, 01:13):
  “I’ve been very clear that sexual assault or violence against women is a red line. These allegations are very serious. Incredible. Graham Platner should drop out from the race. I’m withdrawing the my endorsement.”
Republican Senator Susan Collins describes the allegations as "deeply troubling and appalling".

3. Team USA Eliminated from World Cup (01:30)

Team USA loses to Belgium 4-1 in a round of 16 match hosted in Seattle, witnessed by a heavily pro-US crowd.
Belgium scores first; the US briefly equalizes, but Belgium quickly pulls ahead to secure the win. Belgium will face Spain in the quarterfinals.

4. Preliminary Hearing in the Murder of Charlie Kirk (02:32)

Pre-trial hearings begin for Tyler Robinson, accused in the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Court proceedings included graphic video evidence of the incident, restricted to the judge and attorneys.
Testimony highlights:
- Officer Chris Bagley described witnessing Kirk being shot, followed by chaos in the crowd.
  - Quote (Paraphrased, Claudia Cowan via Officer Bagley, 02:48):
    "He described hearing the gunshot, seeing Kirk fall and the screams from the crowd that prompted some in the courtroom to start crying and members of Kirk’s family to walk out."
- Investigator David Hall identifies Robinson as present in surveillance footage before, during, and after the shooting.
- Charlie Kirk’s wife, Erica, faces the accused in court, maintaining composure alongside Kirk's mother.

5. Drop in Obamacare Enrollment (03:32)

Notable decline in Affordable Care Act (ACA) coverage across 49 states after expiration of federal premium tax credits on January 1.
Ohio and Oklahoma each saw a one-third decline in enrollees; only New Mexico experienced growth, up 14% after using state funds to replace lost subsidies.
Premium increases led many to forgo or lose coverage, reigniting congressional debate over health care funding.
- Quote (Deborah Valentine, 03:38):
  “Premium tax credits, the subject of a bitter fight in Congress last fall, expired on January 1. The expiration caused health insurance premiums to double or triple, forcing some policyholders to forego coverage.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Graham Platner, on allegations and political fallout (01:05): “Regardless of the inaccuracy of the reporting but mindful the political reality it will inflict, we are taking the time to reflect on the best path forward.”
Rep. Ro Khanna, withdrawal of endorsement (01:13): “I’ve been very clear that sexual assault or violence against women is a red line. These allegations are very serious. Incredible. Graham Platner should drop out from the race. I’m withdrawing the my endorsement.”
Courtroom reaction in Charlie Kirk’s murder trial (02:48): “He described hearing the gunshot, seeing Kirk fall and the screams from the crowd that prompted some in the courtroom to start crying and members of Kirk’s family to walk out.”
Deborah Valentine, on ACA premium spike (03:38): “The expiration caused health insurance premiums to double or triple, forcing some policyholders to forego coverage.”

Timestamps for Important Segments

British Tanker Attack & Strait of Hormuz Crisis: 00:02–00:47
Maine Senate Race Scandal: 00:47–01:30
Team USA’s World Cup Loss: 01:30–02:00
Charlie Kirk Murder Trial Preliminaries: 02:32–03:32
Obamacare Enrollment Declines: 03:32–04:25

Conclusion

This FOX News update provides a brisk yet detailed overview of critical developments both at home and abroad, capturing the shifting tides in global security, US electoral politics, sports, the justice system, and national health care policy.

Loading summary

Transcript12 lines

[00:03]
A
More tensions in the Strait of Hormuz. I'm Sue Guzman, FOX News. And the British military says its tanker was set ablaze after being struck by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Oman. Largest attack targeting a vessel moving through the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf, through which a fifth of all oil and natural gas travels. Typically, talks between US And Iran are on hold now until after the burial of Iran's late supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed at the beginning of the conflict. Services for the ayatollah will be held in Guam on Tuesday. Pressure is mounting for Maine Democratic Senate nominee Graham Platner to exit the race following new sexual assault allegations. Here's Fox's Alexis McAdams.
[00:47]
B
The Maine Democratic Party is urging Graham Plattner to drop out of the main Senate race. This after an ex girlfriend says back in 2021 he showed out of her house very drunk and forced himself on her even though she says she she repeatedly told him to stop. Platner denies the allegation and says he is weighing his options.
[01:05]
C
Regardless of the inaccuracy of the reporting but mindful the political reality it will inflict, we are taking the time to reflect on the best path forward.
[01:13]
B
California Congressman Ro Khanna, who campaigned with Platner for a while, among those telling him to drop out. He posted this I've been very clear that sexual assault or violence against women is a red line. These allegations are very serious. Incredible. Graham Platner should drop out from the race. I'm withdrawing the my endorsement.
[01:31]
A
Maine incumbent Senator Susan Collins out with a statement calling the new allegations deeply troubling and appalling. And Team USA's World cup ends as Belgium wins the round of 16 matchup to advance. The US losing to Belgium 4 to 1 in a sold out US dominated crowd in Seattle. Belgium striking first in the game. Mark Tillman for the second straight game scoring on a free kick as the US Tied things up. And then they just extended it from there. Belgium takes on Spain in the quarterfinals. America is listening to FOX News.
[02:00]
C
Who helps America go farther, fly higher, dream even bigger? People do. Since 1879, our people have been more than a source of energy. They've been a source of progress. Today that same progress is helping deliver record US Energy production, fueling the workers, the makers, the boundary pushers and risk takers who spark the breakthroughs that move America forward. Learn more about what our people do at chevron.com USA250
[02:32]
A
pre trial hearings Monday for the accused killer of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, Tyler Robinson, with reports saying that video footage shown was so graphic that only the judge and lawyers were allowed to watch it. Fox's Claudia Cowan is in Provo, Utah, with the details.
[02:48]
D
Two law enforcement officers provided key details about the investigation. Chris Bagley was on duty at Utah Valley University the day Charlie Kirk was killed. He described hearing the gunshot seen seeing Kirk fall and the screams from the crowd that prompted some in the courtroom to start crying and members of Kirk's family to walk out. Then lead investigator David hall identified Robinson as the man seen in a number of surveillance videos in the area before, during and after the shooting. Facing her husband's accused killer for the first time, Erica Kirk remained stoic. She sat next to Charlie's mother, Catherine. This preliminary hearing is expected to last all week. In Provo, Utah, Claudia cowan, FOX NEWS
[03:32]
A
Enrollment in Obamacare is down across all but one state following the expiration of premium tax credits.
[03:39]
E
Fox's Deborah Valentine reports 49 states have experienced steep drops in the number of people covered by the Affordable Care act from February of last year to the same time this year. That's according to the Trump administration. Ohio and Oklahoma each lost one third of their enrollees. Only one state, New Mexico, saw a 14% increase in enrollees in the government health insurance program year over year. New Mexico was the only state that fully replaced the lost federal subsidies using its own funds. Premium tax credits, the subject of a bitter fight in Congress last fall, expired on January 1. The expiration caused health insurance premiums to double or triple, forcing some policyholders to forego coverage. DEBRA valentine, FOX NEWS That's a look at what's happening.
[04:26]
A
I'm Sue Guzman. This is FOX news.
[04:29]
F
The most memorable gifts aren't found, they're made. Zazzle is a custom marketplace where you pick any product, a mug, a card, a tote, a phone case, and make it personal. A photo, a name, an inside joke, the kind of gift that actually fits the person. That's what 30 million customers have been coming back to Zazzle for over 20 years to find. Right now, save 25% on your first order@zazzle.com that's zazzle.com make it zamazing.