12AM ET 07/29/2026 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update – 12AM ET, July 29, 2026

Episode Overview

This late-night Fox News Hourly Update delivers fast-paced coverage of breaking domestic and international headlines. On July 29, 2026, anchor Sue Guzman, correspondents, and special reports cover escalating Mideast tensions, Senator Lindsey Graham's funeral, key developments in U.S. defense and intelligence, a deadly health outbreak, extreme weather in Wisconsin, and a controversial leak involving former President Joe Biden. The episode weaves together live quotes, on-the-ground updates, and expert commentary with a serious, urgent tone.

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Key Stories and Insights

1. Escalation in the Middle East

[00:02 – 00:38]

• Main Issue:
  Iran launched surprise attacks on U.S. forces in the Middle East. U.S. and Saudi Arabian forces responded with precision strikes targeting Iran-backed groups believed to have attacked U.S. troops and Saudi energy sites.
• Backdrop:
  These attacks occurred just hours after President Trump met with the leaders of Ukraine and Israel at the White House, breaking a brief pause in the fighting and complicating mediation efforts.
• Notable Quotes:
  • "Officials say several ballistic missiles were intercepted. U.S. and Saudi Arabian forces responding with precision strikes on Iran backed groups in Iraq accused of targeting US Troops in Saudi energy sites." – Kevin Cork ([00:13])
  • "The attacks shattering a brief pause in the fighting as mediators try to get both sides back to the negotiation table after weeks of escalation." – Kevin Cork ([00:32])

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2. Senator Lindsey Graham Honored at Funeral

[00:38 – 01:21]

• Event:
  President Trump led the tributes to the late Senator Lindsey Graham at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., joined by world dignitaries.
• Tributes:
  • Trump emphasized Graham's influence and legacy, noting how nothing of significance happened in Washington without his input.
• Notable Quotes:
  • "He was a force of nature and I will miss him greatly." – President Trump ([00:49])
  • "For 30 years, nothing of significance happened in the Capitol or even the world without Graham knowing about it, nor a piece of legislation passing without Graham having a say in it." – Jessica Rosenthal ([00:53])
  • "It's a testament to his towering impact that among those mourning him here today are leaders, presidents, prime ministers from all over the globe." – President Trump, as paraphrased by Jessica Rosenthal ([01:01])
  • "The president said while Graham's life was cut short, he lived it to the fullest and died doing the work he was born to do, going out at the top of his game." – Jessica Rosenthal ([01:11])

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3. Senate Advances Major Russia Sanctions Bill

[01:21 – 01:53]

• Legislation:
  The Senate moved forward on a sanctions bill against Russia—a key initiative of the late Senator Graham.
• Ukrainian Diplomacy:
  Bipartisan leaders met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky after Graham’s funeral. Zelensky sought U.S. approval for exporting modern Patriot defense systems, highlighting the technological gap in Ukraine’s war against Russia.
• Notable Quotes:
  • "We have to be quicker than Putin because Putin has more people than we and we have to save our people and use more technologies than people." – President Zelensky ([01:44])

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4. Jay Clayton Confirmed as Director of National Intelligence

[02:32 – 03:20]

• Political Development:
  The Senate, along partisan lines, confirmed Jay Clayton as the new Director of National Intelligence with a 51-vote majority.
• Background:
  Clayton replaces Tulsi Gabbard, who left to care for her ailing husband.
• Implications:
  No notable quotes, but the segment underscores continued partisan divides and rapid turnover in key national security roles.

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5. Legionnaires' Disease Outbreak in New York

[02:32 – 03:20]

• Public Health:
  The sixth death was confirmed in connection to the Legionnaires' disease outbreak on Manhattan’s Upper East Side.
• Outlook:
  No new cases have been reported since July 17, suggesting the crisis is abating.
• Response:
  City Council Speaker Julie Menon issued an update via X (formerly Twitter).

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6. Wisconsin Tornado Disaster Response

[03:20 – 03:44]

• Major Storm:
  Menasha, Wisconsin suffered a powerful tornado with peak winds of 140 mph, causing widespread destruction but miraculously no fatalities.
• Community Message:
  Local leaders urged unity and patience as the recovery began.
• Notable Quotes:
  • "This is going to be a long challenge for the community. Ask everybody to stick together and that includes being patient with each other. That includes helping each other." – Winnebago County Exec Gordon Hintz ([03:36])

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7. Biden Leaked Audio Records Released

[04:01 – 04:28]

• Controversy:
  Audio tapes, released by the Heritage Foundation's Oversight Project after a legal battle, reportedly show former President Joe Biden sharing classified information with a biographer prior to his 2020 election.
• Details:
  The release includes about three hours of audio and 117 pages of transcripts, many heavily redacted.

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Memorable Moments & Quotes

• On Graham’s legacy:
  "For 30 years, nothing of significance happened in the Capitol or even the world without Graham knowing about it ..." – Jessica Rosenthal ([00:53])
• Zelensky’s urgency:
  "We have to be quicker than Putin because Putin has more people than we..." – President Zelensky ([01:44])
• Wisconsin leadership plea:
  "Ask everybody to stick together ... helping each other." – Gordon Hintz ([03:36])

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Timestamps for Major Segments

• Mideast Tensions & Iran Attacks: 00:02 – 00:38
• Sen. Graham’s Funeral & Tributes: 00:38 – 01:21
• Russia Sanctions Bill / Zelensky Visit: 01:21 – 01:53
• Jay Clayton Confirmed as DNI: 02:32 – 03:20
• NY Legionnaires’ Outbreak: 02:32 – 03:20
• Wisconsin Tornado Recovery: 03:20 – 03:44
• Biden Leaked Audio Fallout: 04:01 – 04:28

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Summary

This Fox News hourly roundup covered escalating U.S.-Iran tensions, the influential legacy of Senator Lindsey Graham, new sanctions against Russia, fresh intelligence appointments, ongoing domestic crises from disease to disaster, and a newly fueled debate over national security and classified material. The newscast balanced somber tributes with urgent geopolitical updates, emphasizing America’s role at home and abroad as it navigates a tense summer of pivotal change.

Transcript

[A]

Mideast tensions on the rise. I'm Sue Guzman, Fox News. New reports of Iran launching surprise attacks on U.S. forces in the Middle East. The latest from Fox's Kevin Cork.

[B]

Officials say several ballistic missiles were intercepted. U.S. and Saudi Arabian forces responding with precision strikes on Iran backed groups in Iraq accused of targeting US Troops in Saudi energy sites. Now this all comes just hours after the president met with the leaders of Ukraine and Israel at the White House. The the attacks shattering a brief pause in the fighting as mediators try to get both sides back to the negotiation table after weeks of escalation.

[A]

President Trump has honored Senator Lindsey Graham at his funeral service in Washington, D.C.

[C]

president Trump delivered a tribute to Senator Lindsey Graham at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. he was a force of

[D]

nature and I will miss him greatly, he said.

[C]

For 30 years, nothing of significance happened in the Capitol or even the world without Graham knowing about it, nor a piece of legislation passing without Graham having a say in it.

[D]

It's a testament to his towering impact that among those mourning him here today are leaders, presidents, prime ministers from all over the globe.

[C]

The president said while Graham's life was cut short, he lived it to the fullest and died doing the work he was born to do, going out at the top of his game. Jessica Rosenthal, FOX News.

[A]

The Senate has advanced major sanctions legislation against Russia, a bill that was spearheaded by Lindsey Graham. The official vote expected this week. Bipartisan leaders met with Ukrainian President Vladimir today on Capitol Hill after Graham's funeral Service. Zelensky needed U.S. approval for licenses on Patriot defense systems. He says keeping ahead with the newest technology is vital in its war against Russia.

[D]

We have to be quicker than Putin because Putin has more people than we and we have to save our people and use more technologies than people.

[A]

Zelensky speaking to fox's Sean Hannity. America's listening to FOX News.

[E]

Who helps America go farther, fly higher, dream even bigger? People. 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 [e-mail] USA250

[A]

the Senate has confirmed Jay Clayton to lead the nation's intelligence agencies. The vote was a long party lines with Republicans eking out a win with 51 votes. President Trump has picked Clayton to head the office of the director of national Intelligence after Tulsi Gabbard left her role as DNI to care for her husband, who has cancer. Sixth person has died from the Legionnaires disease cluster that rattled New York City's Upper east side. City Council Speaker Julie Menon confirming the news in a statement on X. Although health officials say no new cases of the bacterial illness have been reported in nearly two weeks, no new cases of the pneumonia like illness reported since July 17, and the latest data suggests the outbreak has significantly slowed. Crews in Wisconsin continuing to clear debris, restoring power after a powerful tornado struck on Monday.

[F]

First responders in Menasha, Wisconsin, calling it one of the most difficult times in the city's history, but a miracle that no one died in the widespread damage from peak winds of up to 140mph that tore through numerous homes and businesses Monday.

[G]

This is going to be a long challenge for the community. Ask everybody to stick together and that includes being patient with each other. That includes helping each other.

[F]

Winnebago county exec Gordon hints a city curfew is now in place in Menasha, where roads are blocked with massive amounts of debris, the power still out, with area shelters opening for people who no longer have a place to call home. Jeff Manasso, FOX News Newly released audio

[A]

tapes disclosed by a conservative activist group appear to show former President Joe Biden sharing classified information with a biographer. This happened during interviews that occurred before his election to the presidency in 2020. About three hours of audio and 117 pages of transcripts with many redactions were released by the Oversight Project, an arm of the Heritage foundation, after the former president lost a legal battle to keep those conversations private. I'm Sue Guzman. This is FOX News.

[G]

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