12AM ET 07/09/2026 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update — 12AM ET 07/09/2026

Host: Sue Guzman (FOX News Podcasts)
Date: July 9, 2026

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Episode Overview

This Fox News Hourly Update delivers a swift yet comprehensive roundup of major national and international news stories as of midnight, July 9, 2026. Covered topics include the dramatic withdrawal of Maine’s Democratic Senate candidate following new allegations, continued U.S. military action against Iran, outcomes of the latest NATO summit, legal consequences for a Wisconsin judge aiding a migrant, and the humanitarian crisis in earthquake-stricken Venezuela.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Maine Senate Candidate Graham Platner Withdraws Over Allegations

• [00:02–00:57]
  • Story: Graham Platner, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate from Maine, has suspended his campaign following a recent sexual assault allegation.
  • Details:
    • Platner, a Marine veteran and oyster farmer, won the Democratic nomination to challenge GOP Senator Susan Collins.
    • He posted a video on X (formerly Twitter) announcing his withdrawal.
    • Platner stressed the negative impact of the allegation on his movement and reaffirmed his denial of the accusation.
    • The Maine Democratic Party will convene to select a replacement candidate.
  • Notable Quotes:
    • “We believe that for the movement to continue, it can't be made.”
      — Graham Platner [00:19]
    • “I have faced some very serious allegations and I just want to make it clear this is all false.”
      — Graham Platner [00:42]
    • “The decision to leave the race is not an admission of guilt.”
      — Kristen Goodwin [00:48]

2. Reactions to Platner's Withdrawal

• [00:57–01:14]
  • Segment: Jesse Water shares a strongly worded reaction with Senator John Fetterman on his primetime show.
  • Notable Quote:
    • “Why did you go in this dirt bag? ...this is your legacy P hustle and now adios trash bag.”
      — Jesse Water [01:02]

3. U.S. Military Strikes Continue Against Iran

• [01:14–01:48]
  • Story: The U.S. has launched another series of airstrikes in Iran, aiming to curb Iran’s ability to disrupt navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
  • Details:
    • President Trump has publicly warned Iran for the second day in a row.
    • U.S. Central Command confirms hitting 90 targets and increasing naval presence to 20 warships, including two carrier strike groups.
    • U.S. officials state this is meant to end Iran’s long-standing bullying in the Middle East.
  • Notable Quotes:
    • “Another round of airstrikes is underway in Iran, quote, to further degrade Iran's ability to interfere with the freedom of navigation…”
      — Jesse Water [01:19]
    • “There's something wrong with these people and for 47 years they've been the bully of the Middle East and they're not the bully anymore.”
      — Garrett Taney [01:36]

4. NATO Summit & Alliance Future

• [02:23–03:11]
  • Story: President Trump and NATO’s Secretary General describe the leaders’ summit in Turkey as a success, though pressure mounts for European allies to contribute more to shared defense.
  • Details:
    • The summit’s focus was adapting to a scenario where the U.S. reduces its defensive role in Europe.
    • President Trump openly criticized some allies, but Secretary General Mark Rutter downplayed disagreements, stressing the importance of open dialogue.
    • Both leaders reinforced calls for European nations to fulfill their financial and military commitments.
  • Notable Quotes:
    • “I truly believe in families which are able to deal with disagreements and do not try to put them under the carpet because, you know, one day it will burst out and then it's too late.”
      — Secretary General Mark Rutter [02:47]

5. Former Wisconsin Judge Sentenced for Helping Migrant Evade ICE

• [03:11–03:49]
  • Story: Hannah Dugan, a former Milwaukee judge, was spared prison but fined $5,000 for aiding a migrant in avoiding ICE officers.
  • Details:
    • The sentence was significantly more lenient than the possible five-year prison term.
    • The presiding judge cited Dugan’s record of public service and lack of personal gain in the offense.
  • Notable Quotes:
    • “There is no indication the defendant acted for personal or private gain. This isn't like public corruption. This is a situation where an otherwise good person, upset by immigration enforcement in this country, a sentiment widely shared, made a bad decision in the moment.”
      — U.S. District Judge Lynn Adelman (via Garrett Taney) [03:33]

6. Venezuela Earthquake Humanitarian Crisis

• [03:49–04:20]
  • Story: The death toll from a pair of powerful earthquakes in Venezuela has climbed above 3,800, with nearly 17,000 injured and tens of thousands missing or displaced.
  • Details:
    • Major shortages of clean water, sanitation, and hygiene services reported; health officials battling respiratory infections and dengue.
    • Many survivors sheltering in temporary accommodations.

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Memorable Moments & Quotes

• Graham Platner's Statement on Suspension:
  “We believe that for the movement to continue, it can't be made.” [00:19]
• Direct Denial:
  “I have faced some very serious allegations and I just want to make it clear this is all false.” — Graham Platner [00:42]
• Jesse Water’s Blunt Rejoinder:
  “…adios trash bag.” [01:02]
• Garrett Taney on Iran:
  “They're not the bully anymore.” [01:36]
• Secretary General Mark Rutter on Unity:
  “Families which are able to deal with disagreements and do not try to put them under the carpet…” [02:47]

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Platner Withdraws from Senate Race: 00:02–00:57
• Fetterman & Jesse Water React: 00:57–01:14
• U.S. Strikes on Iran: 01:14–01:48
• NATO Summit Outcomes: 02:23–03:11
• Wisconsin Judge Sentencing: 03:11–03:49
• Venezuela Earthquake Crisis: 03:49–04:20

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Note: Advertisement content, sponsor messages, and non-news content were omitted from this summary. The summary maintains the directness and brisk tone of the original broadcast for accuracy and authenticity.

Transcript

[Sue Guzman]

He's out. I'm Sue Guzman. Fox News and battle Democratic Maine U.S. senate candidate Graham Platner exits the race following a new sexual assault allegation. Details from fox's Kristen Goodwin.

[Kristen Goodwin]

Graham Platner revealing in a video on X he's suspending his Maine Senate bid.

[Graham Platner]

We believe that for the movement to continue, It can't be made.

[Kristen Goodwin]

The 41 year old oyster farmer and Marine veteran secured the Democratic nomination to take on incumbent GOP Senator Susan Collins. But he's faced a string of controversies, including an accusation from a former girlfriend that he sexually assaulted her, which he denies.

[Graham Platner]

I have faced some very serious allegations and I just want to make it clear this is all false.

[Kristen Goodwin]

Stressing the decision to leave the race is not an admission of guilt. The Maine Democratic Party revealing it will hold a convention to replace him. Kristen Goodwin, Fox News.

[Sue Guzman]

Pennsylvania Democrat Senator John Fetterman with reaction on Foska's Jesse Water primetime.

[Jesse Water]

Why did you go in this dirt bag? But yeah, it's like this is your legacy P hustle and now adios trash bag.

[Sue Guzman]

President Trump putting Iran on notice for a second day in a row. Fox's Mike Tobin is more From Tel

[Jesse Water]

Aviv Central Command confirms that another round of airstrikes is underway in Iran, quote, to further degrade Iran's ability to interfere with the freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. President indicated that he had just lost his patience with his Iranian counterparts.

[Sue Guzman]

The cuckoo.

[Garrett Taney]

There's something wrong with these people and for 47 years they've been the bully of the Middle east and they're not the bully anymore.

[Jesse Water]

CENTCOM says the US now has 20 warships in the region, two carrier strike groups.

[Sue Guzman]

And the United States now says it has ended the latest round of airstrikes after hitting some 90 targets. America is listening to Fox News.

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[Sue Guzman]

President Trump and NATO secretary general say this week's leaders summit in Turkey was a big success. But how is the alliance set for the future? Fox's Jonathan Savage takes a closer look.

[Jonathan Savage]

This summit was meant to show NATO's preparing for a new reality where the US takes less of a role defending Europe. But it began with President Trump criticizing some allies. Not a problem, said Secretary General Mark Rutter.

[Graham Platner]

I truly believe in families which are able to deal with disagreements and do not try to put them under the carpet because, you know, one day it will burst out and then it's too late.

[Jonathan Savage]

President Trump and Secretary General Rutte both talked about unity as the summit ended, but they emphasized that unity depends on European leaders keeping their promise to shoulder more of the burden. In Ankara, Turkey, Jonathan Savage, FOX News.

[Sue Guzman]

A former Wisconsin judge will not serve jail time for helping a migrant evade ICE officers. Fox's Garrett Taney reports.

[Garrett Taney]

No prison time and just a $5,000 fine for former Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan, which is far less than the five years behind bars that she was looking at. U.S. district Judge Lynn Adelman explained that prison time was not necessary given Dugan's decades of public service, saying there is no indication the defendant acted for personal or private gain. This isn't like public corruption. This is a situation where an otherwise good person upset by immigration enforcement in this country, a sentiment widely shared, made a bad decision in the moment.

[Sue Guzman]

Critics say it's not up to judges like Dugan to take the law into their own hands. Number of people confirmed dead in Venezuela's massive twin earthquakes now topping 3,800. Nearly 17,000 injured and tens of thousands are unaccounted for. Thousands facing challenges including things like accessing clean water as well as sanitation and hygiene services. Many are living in temporary shelters, while health officials are dealing with a number of issues including respiratory infections and dengue. I'm Sue Guzman. This is FOX news.

[Graham Platner]

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[Kristen Goodwin]

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