12AM ET 07/18/2026 Newscast - Fox News Hourly Update

Summary4 min read

Fox News Hourly Update — 12AM ET 07/18/2026

Podcast: Fox News Hourly Update
Host: Debra Valentine (FOX News Podcasts)
Air Date: July 18, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode delivers a concise roundup of global and domestic breaking news, with updates on escalating U.S.-Iran tensions, key judicial developments related to the Benghazi attack, political fallout from Canadian wildfires, domestic crime and protest news, and the ongoing Ebola outbreak in Congo.

Major News Segments & Key Insights

1. U.S. Strikes and Blockade Against Iran

[00:03 – 00:52]

U.S. Military Escalation:
The U.S. has intensified strikes against Iran, demolishing an observation tower at the port of Chabahar used by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard to monitor maritime vessels and coordinate attacks.
Naval Blockade:
The U.S. established a naval blockade, allowing commercial ships free passage through the Strait of Hormuz unless the vessels are heading to or from Iranian ports.
Economic Impact:
Enforcing the blockade is costing Iran an estimated $130 million per day, as crude oil exports are severely restricted.
Quote:

"With the blockade in effect, the U.S. says commercial shipping is free to transit the strait except for any ships that stopped at or are destined for an Iranian port."
— Mike Tobin ([00:32])

2. Iran's Retaliation

[00:52 – 01:06]

Regional Attacks:
Iran responded by launching strikes against U.S. allies, specifically Kuwait and Jordan, escalating regional tensions in the Middle East.

3. Benghazi Attack Leader's Sentence Vacated

[01:06 – 01:47]

Judicial Reversal:
Ahmed Abu Khatala’s 28-year prison sentence for involvement in the 2012 Benghazi attacks was deemed too lenient by the U.S. Court of Appeals and sent back for resentencing.
Context:
Khatala, convicted on terrorism-related charges but acquitted of murder, was criticized for a lack of remorse.
Quote:

"The appeals court calls the attack premeditated, adding Khatala's only stated regret was that the terrorists did not kill every American at the mission."
— Kristen Goodwin ([01:38])

4. Paul Pelosi Charged in Hit-and-Run

[01:47 – 02:00]

Domestic Crime News:
Paul Pelosi, husband of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, faces misdemeanor hit-and-run charges after a July 4th weekend crash.

5. Politicized Response to Canadian Wildfires

[02:32 – 02:58]

Republican Critique:
Some Republicans blame Canadian leadership for avoidable wildfire damage and seek economic retaliation such as sanctions, asset freezes, and tariffs, echoing proposals by former President Trump.
Quote:

"We're going to put sanctions on them. That means holding their assets, making certain that they don't have visas. We're going to put tariffs, as President Trump talked about..."
— Senator Bernie Marino ([02:47])
Canadian Government Response:
Officials frame the wildfires as a climate change issue, urging the U.S. to assist rather than criticize.

6. Shooting Outside Colorado ICE Detention Center

[03:16 – 03:54]

Incident Report:
A contracted employee (Brandon Booth) at a Colorado ICE detention facility was arrested after shooting a protester during a confrontation.
Details:
- The protest escalated when two women argued with employees and took photos.
- Booth allegedly fired his personal sidearm, striking one woman in the lower body (non-life-threatening injuries).
- He faces charges including attempted second-degree murder and first-degree assault.
Quote:

"Brandon Booth is accused of using his personal pistol and firing a shot in the direction of the women, hitting one of them in the lower body."
— Lisa LaCera ([03:29])
Employer Statement:
GEO Group (private prison operator) has put Booth on unpaid leave and is cooperating with authorities.

7. FBI Captures Rhode Island Fugitive

[03:54 – 04:09]

Fugitive Apprehended:
Ronald L. Fisher, a fugitive since fleeing a 2005 sexual assault trial, was arrested by the FBI on a sailboat off New Jersey after a tip.

8. Ebola Crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo

[04:09 – 04:29]

Outbreak Update:
Ebola cases have reached nearly 2,200 confirmed, with 864 deaths reported.

Notable Quotes & Moments

On U.S.-Iran Economic Pressure:

"Enforcing the blockade again means Iran loses almost $130 million per day."
— Mike Tobin ([00:46])
On Benghazi Sentencing:

"The appeals court calls the attack premeditated, adding Khatala's only stated regret was that the terrorists did not kill every American at the mission."
— Kristen Goodwin ([01:38])
On Political Fallout from Wildfires:

"We're going to put sanctions on them... because we have to make certain that the people who are suffering get compensated."
— Senator Bernie Marino ([02:47])
On GEO Group Employee Shooting:

"Booth works for the private prison operator Geo Group, which is contracted by ICE to run the detention center."
— Lisa LaCera ([03:47])

Segment Timestamps

U.S. Strikes Iran, Blockade Details: 00:03 – 00:52
Iran Retaliation in Kuwait/Jordan: 00:52 – 01:06
Benghazi Leader Sentencing Overturned: 01:06 – 01:47
Paul Pelosi Hit-and-Run: 01:47 – 02:00
Canadian Wildfire Political Fallout: 02:32 – 02:58
Colorado Detention Center Shooting: 03:16 – 03:54
Rhode Island Fugitive Arrested: 03:54 – 04:09
Congo Ebola Outbreak Update: 04:09 – 04:29

Summary

This Fox News Hourly Update covers critical overnight developments on U.S.-Iran hostilities, new actions on the Benghazi attack case, evolving political disputes over Canadian wildfires, criminal proceedings involving high-profile individuals, protest-related violence at a federal facility, fugitive capture, and global health emergencies. The episode delivers hard news with concise, impactful reporting and draws clear lines between international events and their domestic repercussions.

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Transcript16 lines

[00:03]
Debra Valentine
Pounding Iran. I'm Debra Valentine, Fox News. The US Continues strikes against Iran as a naval blockade against the country takes effect. Fox's Mike Tobin has the latest from Tel Aviv.
[00:14]
Mike Tobin
In a plume of smoke and fire, the observation tower at the port of Kabahar was taken down by US Strikes. Central Command says the tower was used by the Revolutionary Guard to track vessels on the Gulf of Oman and coordinate attacks on commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. With the blockade in effect, the US Says commercial shipping is free to transit the strait except for any ships that stopped at or are destined for an Iranian port. When the blockade was lifted, traffic was not at full capacity. Still, roughly 1.5 million barrels of Iranian crude cross the strait each day. Enforcing the blockade again means Iran loses almost $130 million per day.
[00:53]
Debra Valentine
Iran responded to the American attacks by striking U.S. allies in the region, including Kuwait and Jordan. An appeals court vacates a Benghazi attack leader's decades long prison sent saying it's too lenient. Fox's Kristen Goodwin has more.
[01:07]
Kristen Goodwin
The U.S. court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit throwing out Ahmed Abu Khatala's 28 year prison sentence, finding it to be too light of a punishment given his crimes, transferring the case back to the district court in D.C. for resentencing. Katala is a Libyan militant convicted of terrorism related charges in the 2012 attacks on US compounds in Benghazi, Libya that killed Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans. Katala was acquitted of murder during his 2017 trial. In a statement, the appeals court calls the attack premeditated, adding Kotala's only stated regret was that the terrorists did not kill every American at the mission. Kristin Goodwin, Fox News Prosecutors in California
[01:47]
Debra Valentine
have charged Paul Pelosi, the husband of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, with misdemeanor hit and run after a crash over the July 4th weekend. America's listening to Fox News
[02:00]
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[02:33]
Debra Valentine
the Canada wildfire is sparking controversy amongst the Republican Party, with many saying this was avoidable, resulting from bad leadership. Senator Bernie Marino of Ohio on fox's Ingram Engle explains what some Republicans plan on doing to recover what's been lost from the fires.
[02:48]
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We're going to put sanctions on them. That means holding their assets, making certain that they don't have visas. We're going to put tariffs as President Trump talked about it, because we have to make certain that the people who are suffering get compensated.
[02:59]
Debra Valentine
The Canadian government saying this is a climate change issue, suggests suggesting the US should be doing more to help rather than criticizing their efforts. A contract employee at a Nice detention center in Colorado is under arrest after he fired a gun during a confrontation with protesters outside the building. Fox's Lisa LaCera has details.
[03:17]
Lisa LaCera
Aurora police say the shooting happened Thursday night as employees were waiting in their vehicles for the protests to clear so they could start their shifts. They say two women started a verbal confrontation with employees, taking pictures of their vehicles before walking away. The man, identified as 42 year old Brandon Booth, is accused of using his personal personal pistol and firing a shot in the direction of the women, hitting one of them in the lower body. He faces numerous charges including attempted second degree murder and first degree assault. Police say the woman has non life threatening injuries. Booth works for the private prison operator Geo Group, which is contracted by ICE to run the detention center. Lisa Lacera, FOX News Geo Group says
[03:54]
Debra Valentine
he's been placed on unpaid leave and that they will cooperate with law enforcement. The FBI says one of Rhode Island's most wanted fugitives has been captured. Ronald L. Fisher was taken into custody aboard a sailboat off the coast of New Jersey following a tip. The former anesthesiologist has been on the run since fleeing a 2005 sexual assault trial. The Democratic Republic of Congo says the number of confirmed Ebola cases now stands at nearly 2,200, including 864 deaths. I'm Debra Valentine. This is FOX News.
[04:29]
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