12AM ET 07/13/2026 Newscast

Summary

---

Fox News Hourly Update – 12AM ET 07/13/2026: Summary

Episode Overview

This episode delivers the top stories from across the U.S. and globally, focusing on the sudden death of Senator Lindsey Graham, political ramifications in South Carolina, updates on Senator Mitch McConnell’s health, the latest U.S.–Iran military escalation, severe flooding in Missouri, and storm destruction in Philadelphia. Anchored by Sue Guzman, the newscast features live reports and expert insight.

---

Key Discussion Points & Segment Highlights

1. Senator Lindsey Graham’s Sudden Death

[00:02 – 01:05]

• The D.C. Medical Examiner’s office released preliminary findings about Senator Graham’s unexpected passing.
• Cause of Death: A ruptured aorta stemming from arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).
• EMS audio from Broadcastify.com captured first responders' efforts at Graham’s D.C. residence.
• Context: Graham had just returned from Ukraine, “He was tired, he said. I’m tired because it’s a long trip,” President Trump relayed to CNN’s State of the Union.
• Family history: Graham’s father also died young of a heart attack (age 69).

“Graham was 71, not necessarily old by today’s standards.”
– Roger Stern [00:16]

---

2. Political Fallout and Replacement Process in South Carolina

[01:05 – 01:40]

• Appointment: Gov. Henry McMaster must swiftly appoint an interim senator.
• Uncertainty: It’s unclear if McMaster will select a mere caretaker or a figure who could run in the next full term.
• Elections: Graham had just won the GOP primary for his fifth term; now, a new primary is required in 4–5 weeks. The November winner will serve a six-year term starting in January.
• Committee Leadership: Questions arise about Graham's successor as Senate Budget Committee Chair and the implications for ongoing budget reconciliation efforts.

“Now it’s unclear if McMaster could tap a caretaker senator... They also have to figure out who would succeed him as chair of the Budget Committee…”
– Chad Pergrim [01:07]

---

3. Senator Mitch McConnell Hospitalized

[01:40 – 02:00]

• Condition Update: McConnell revealed he fell, was briefly unconscious, then developed and recovered from mild pneumonia; remains hospitalized nearly a month.

---

4. US-Iran Tensions & Strikes

[02:53 – 03:34]

• Military Strikes: The U.S. ended a wave of strikes on Iranian targets—including air defense systems, radars, missile/drone equipment, and small boats.
• Diplomatic Stalemate: Tehran refuses negotiations while U.S. maintains current positions.
  • Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) named as the main obstacle.
• Audio from Big Weekend Show:
  • Pat Fallon (R-TX): “There are people... in Tehran that want to make a deal and want to move forward with a non nuclear Iran. Problem is the IRGC... are the most militant, they have the most guns and they're the most willing to use them.” [03:19]

---

5. Missouri Flooding Emergencies

[03:34 – 04:29]

• Flooding: Severe floods affected several counties; major rescue operation described.
• Response: Over 40 agencies, including Missouri Task Force teams, engaged in swift-water rescues.
• Statistics:
  • 350+ rescues on Friday alone, including 202 from Camp Tomsock evacuated via Black Hawk helicopters.
  • One fatality: 23-year-old woman swept away in Crawford County.

“Since Friday we’ve seen just an incredible all hands on deck effort… 350+ rescues, 202 of those campers and staff…”
– Jayminar, Fox Weather [03:48]

---

6. Philadelphia Storm Damage

[04:29 – 04:49]

• Incident: Powerful microbursts struck the area with winds up to 70 mph; intense damage to trees, lines, buildings.
• Clarification: Officials confirm the event involved straight-line winds, not a tornado.

---

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Roger Stern (on Graham’s death):
  “Graham was 71, not necessarily old by today’s standards.” [00:16]

• President Trump (via Roger Stern):
  “He was tired, he said. I’m tired because it’s a long trip.” [00:16]

• Chad Pergrim (on replacement uncertainty):
  “Now it’s unclear if McMaster could tap a caretaker senator...” [01:07]

• Pat Fallon (on Iran’s IRGC):
  “Problem is the IRGC... they have the most guns and they're the most willing to use them.” [03:19]

• Jayminar (on Missouri flooding):
  “Since Friday we’ve seen just an incredible all hands on deck effort.” [03:48]

---

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Lindsey Graham’s death & EMS recap: [00:02 – 01:05]
• Political implications & replacement details: [01:05 – 01:40]
• Mitch McConnell health update: [01:40 – 02:00]
• US-Iran military/diplomatic situation: [02:53 – 03:34]
• Missouri flood rescue operations: [03:34 – 04:29]
• Philadelphia storm aftermath: [04:29 – 04:49]

---

Conclusion

This Fox News Hourly Update provides a rapid, comprehensive look at pivotal American political developments, grave weather emergencies, and evolving foreign relations, punctuated by expert analysis and on-the-ground details. The episode maintains a straightforward and urgent tone, characteristic of breaking news reporting.

Transcript

[Sue Guzman]

New details from the medical examiner. I'm Sue Guzman. Fox News A D.C. medical Examiner's Office releasing preliminary findings into the sudden death of South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham. We have details from Fox's Roger Stern.

[Roger Stern]

Graham was 71, not necessarily old by today's standards. And EMS audio captures a crew responding to a cardiac arrest at Graham's Washington home. EMS 6 is one age of seven with cardiac arrest. That audio from Broadcastify.com the D.C. medical examiner says preliminary results point to a ruptured aorta brought on by hardening of the arteries. Graham had just returned from Ukraine and spoke by phone with President Trump, who described the call to CNN's State of the Union. He was tired, he said. I'm tired because it's a long trip. Cardiac problems run in Graham's family. A heart attack killed his father at the age of 69 grand two years younger than Graham was when he died. Roger Stern, Fox News talks are focusing

[Sue Guzman]

on a replacement for the longtime senator.

[Chad Pergrim]

It's up to South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster to appoint an immediate successor. Now it's unclear if McMaster could tap a caretaker senator, somebody who just serves until the end of the term, which would be January of next year. Graham had just won the GOP primary for a fifth term starting in January and the party must hold a new primary now sometime in the next four to five weeks. And the winner then in November would serve the full Senate six year term starting in January. They also have to figure out who would succeed him as the chairman of the Budget Committee and what that means for maybe trying to do budget reconciliation 3.0.

[Sue Guzman]

Fox's Chad Pergrim. We're now hearing from Kentucky. U.S. senator Mitch McConnell has been hospitalized for nearly a month. McConnell announcing Sunday he was hospitalized after suffering a fall and says he was briefly unconscious. He also says he developed a case of mild pneumonia which has been successfully treated. America's listening to FOX News.

[Tunnel to Towers Foundation Announcer]

For over two decades, the Tunnel to Towers foundation has been there for our fallen and catastrophically injured first responders, military and Gold Star families born from the tragedy of 9 11. Tunnel to towers provides mortgage free homes to Gold Star and fallen first responder families with young children and build specifically adapted smart homes for catastrophically injured veterans and first responders. The foundation also offers scholarships for college and trade school programs for for the children of Gold Star families, fallen first responders and catastrophically injured veterans. And Tunnels to Tower is committed to eradicating veteran homelessness and helping America Never forget September 11th. To learn more about the foundation's mission impact and how you can support our Nation's heroes. Visit t2t.org

[Sue Guzman]

the US has ended its latest wave of military strikes targeting at Iran, insisting Tehran does not control the Strait of Hormuz. Military Cent Central Command says it hit air defense systems, radar sites and missile and drone equipment as well as small boats in these latest attacks. This follows an Iranian media report that Tehran will not enter negotiations until the US Backs off its current positions. Republican Texas Congressman Pat Fallon says it's the IRGC that's getting in the way of those talks.

[Pat Fallon]

I think there are people that, you know, we've seen over the last several months in Tehran that want to make a deal and want to move forward with a non nuclear Iran. Problem is the IRGC are the ones that that are the most militant, they have the most guns and they're the most willing to use them.

[Sue Guzman]

Audio courtesy of Fox Is the big weekend show. The US Says Australia for mooses open but Iran claims the opposite. Emergency teams in Missouri rushing into action after devastating flooding swept through several counties last week. Here's Fox Weather's Jayminar.

[Jayminar]

We've had Missouri Task Force 1, 3 and 5 along with 40 plus other agencies across the state, many of which coming out of St. Louis to come and help with those Swiftwater rescues. Since Friday we've seen just an incredible all hands on deck effort. On Friday alone, 350 plus rescues, 202 of those campers and staff out of Camp Tomsock that had to be evacuated from using Black Hawk helicopters to the command post by Friday night. Sadly, one person has died because of these floodings, a 23 year old woman out of Crawford county swept away by the floodwaters early Friday morning.

[Sue Guzman]

Cleanup is underway in Philadelphia after powerful microbursts ripped through the region Saturdays. The storms brought winds of up to 70 miles an hour, knocking down trees, power lines and damaging buildings. Officials say it was straight line winds, not a tornado that caused all the destruction. I'm Sue Guzman. This is FOX News.

[Ryan Reynolds]

Hi, Ryan Reynolds here for Mint Mobile. Are you looking for a beach read this summer? May I suggest your big wireless bill? It's got suspense, mystery, a slightly flat emotional arc and a shocking twist where you realize you've been overpaying the entire time. Fortunately though, Mint Story is better. Every plan $15 a month, even unlimited. That's it. Happy ending, zero tears. Give it a try at mintmobile. Com.

[Mint Mobile Advertiser]

Switch upfront payment of $45 for three months, $90 for six months or $180 for 12 month plan required $15 per month equivalent taxes and fees. Extra initial plan term only greater than 50 gigabytes. Me slow when network is busy. See terms.