12PM ET 03/13/2026 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update – 12PM ET, March 13, 2026

Episode Overview:
This Fox News Hourly Update covers breaking national and international news at midday, focusing on a fatal military plane crash in Iraq, ongoing geopolitical tensions with Iran, investigations into two violent domestic incidents, updates on the Charlie Kirk assassination case, and economic news impacting American farmers and the broader U.S. economy.

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Key News Stories and Insights

1. U.S. Military Plane Crash in Iraq

• Details:

  • A U.S. refueling plane crashed in western Iraq, resulting in the deaths of all six crew members.
  • The crash is confirmed by Central Command to have occurred over friendly territory, not due to hostile or friendly fire.
  • The crew was on a combat mission.
  • Identities of those killed are being withheld until next of kin are notified ([00:02]–[00:27]).
  • President Trump vows, “Iran will be hit very hard over the next week,” amid ongoing tensions ([00:32]).

• Notable Quotes:

  • "All six crew members were killed when a refueling plane crashed in Iraq." – Alisa Brady [00:02]
  • “The plane was lost over friendly airspace and not the result of hostile fire or friendly fire.” – Ainsley Earhart [00:12]

• Current Toll:

  • 13 U.S. service members have died since the start of Operation Epic Fury, seven in combat ([00:32]).

2. Middle East Tensions and U.S. Policy

• Context:

  • President Trump does not rule out escorting ships through the Strait of Hormuz as Iran continues missile and drone strikes on Gulf neighbors.
  • The U.S. is considering further responses ([00:32]).

• Notable Quote:

  • “President Trump says Iran will be hit very hard over the next week. Also still not ruling out escorting ships through the Strait of Hormuz.” – Alisa Brady [00:32]

3. Michigan Synagogue Attack

• Incident Overview:

  • DOJ, FBI, and ATF are investigating an attack by a 41-year-old Lebanese national, Mohammed Ghazali, at Temple Israel.
  • Ghazali was shot by security after the attack ([00:57]).
  • Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer urges for calmer rhetoric, referencing increased antisemitism ([01:15]).
  • Ghazali’s relatives were recently killed in an Israeli airstrike, potentially serving as motive ([01:35]).
  • Ghazali entered the U.S. in 2011 and became a citizen in 2016; authorities are still probing whether he acted alone ([01:23]).

• Notable Quotes:

  • "We must lower the rhetoric, especially at this moment where we have seen such a rise in antisemitism and more attacks on the Jewish community." – Ainsley Earhart quoting Gov. Whitmer [01:15]

4. Deadly Attack at Old Dominion University, Virginia

• Details:

  • A naturalized citizen from Sierra Leone, previously convicted in an ISIS-related case, killed an ROTC instructor and wounded two others before being subdued and dying ([01:35]).

• Notable Quote:

  • "A naturalized citizen from Sierra Leone who went to prison in an ISIS related case killed an ROTC instructor, wounding two others before students subdued him and he died." – Alisa Brady [01:35]

5. Charlie Kirk Assassination Case Progress

• Legal Proceedings:

  • In Utah, pretrial hearings are underway for Tyler Robinson, accused in the assassination of Charlie Kirk.
  • Media access remains contentious; Robinson’s defense team has filed several sealed motions.
  • Upcoming hearing (April 17) will address whether cameras are permitted in the courtroom. Defense wants portions private due to claims of prejudicial coverage, while media argue for public access ([02:37]–[03:25]).

• Notable Quotes:

  • "Turning the public and the media away at the courthouse door breeds suspicion and distrust." – Media attorney, paraphrased by Matt Finn [03:07]

6. Economic Impact from International Conflict

• American Farmers:

  • Rising oil prices and disrupted fertilizer shipments—linked to the Iran conflict—are driving up corn, wheat, and soybean prices.
  • Farmers are selling off harvested crops and securing new contracts. The U.S. Agriculture Department has begun $12 billion in farmer aid distribution ([03:37]).

• Notable Quotes:

  • "Farmers who held onto corn and soybean harvests due to lower prices last year are selling them off now and signing more contracts to pre-sell crops they plan to grow this year." – Chris Foster [03:37]

7. U.S. Economic Update

• Macroeconomic Data:
  • U.S. GDP growth slowed sharply in Q4 to less than 1%.
  • Inflation slightly higher in January at 2.8% year-over-year, but in line with expectations.
  • Stock market mixed; the Dow only up 2 points after an early rally ([04:11]).

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "All six crew members were killed..." – Alisa Brady [00:02]
• “The plane was lost...not the result of hostile fire...” – Ainsley Earhart [00:12]
• “Iran will be hit very hard over the next week.” – Alisa Brady citing President Trump [00:32]
• “We must lower the rhetoric, especially at this moment where we have seen such a rise in antisemitism...” – Ainsley Earhart quoting Gov. Whitmer [01:15]
• "Turning the public and the media away at the courthouse door breeds suspicion and distrust." – Matt Finn paraphrasing a media attorney [03:07]
• “Farmers who held onto corn and soybean harvests...are selling them off now...” – Chris Foster [03:37]

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Important Timestamps

• [00:02] – Fatal U.S. military plane crash in Iraq reported
• [00:32] – U.S. military death toll in Operation Epic Fury; Trump’s remarks on Iran
• [00:57] – Michigan synagogue attack details and ongoing probe
• [01:35] – Old Dominion University attack incident
• [02:37] – Update on Charlie Kirk assassination case, court access debate
• [03:37] – Farmer economic impact and aid
• [04:11] – Macroeconomic/stock market update

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Summary:
This Fox News midday update delivers impactful breaking news across military, security, legal, and economic fronts, with a focus on the repercussions of international conflicts both abroad and domestically, as well as legal transparency and America’s economic resilience amid uncertainty.

Transcript

[Alisa Brady]

Two more US Casualties Alisa Brady, FOX News Central Command confirming that all six crew members were killed when a refueling plane crashed in Iraq.

[Ainsley Earhart]

An investigation into the incident is ongoing and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Kane says the plane was lost over friendly airspace and not the result of hostile fire or friendly fire.

[Tanya J. Powers]

The incident occurred over friendly territory in western Iraq while the crew was on a combat mission.

[Ainsley Earhart]

The identities of the service members are being withheld until 24 hours after next of have been notified.

[Alisa Brady]

Fox's Tanya J. Powers. At least 13 U.S. service members have died now since Operation Epic Fury began, including seven in combat. President Trump says Iran will be hit very hard over the next week. Also still not ruling out escorting ships through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran still launching retaliatory missile and drone strikes on Gulf neighbors. The motive remains under investigation after the attack on a Michigan synagogue.

[Tanya J. Powers]

The Department of Justice, The FBI and ATF investigating what inspired a 41 year old Lebanese national. I'm in. Mohammed Ghazali to attack Temple Israel Thursday before he was immediately shot and killed by security, as Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer calls it. As she sees it.

[Ainsley Earhart]

We must lower the rhetoric, especially at this moment where we have seen such a rise in anti Semitism and more attacks on the Jewish community.

[Tanya J. Powers]

A search warrant was served at the suspect's home in Dearborn Heights. We're told he entered the US in 2011 and was granted citizenship in 2016. Investigators are also trying to determine whether or not the suspect acted alone.

[Alisa Brady]

Fox's Jeff Manasso officials say some of his relatives in Lebanon were killed recently in an Israeli airstrike, a deadly attack also still under investigation. In Virginia at Old Dominion University where a naturalized citizen from Sierra Leone who went to prison in an ISIS related case killed an ROTC instructor, wounding two others before students subdued him and he died. America is listening to Fox News.

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[Alisa Brady]

FOX the accused Charlie Kirk assassin due back in court in Utah as pretrial arguments continue, including over media access an

[Matt Finn]

attorney on behalf of the media estimates Tyler Robinson's defense team has filed at least half a dozen motions so far that have been sealed from the public. And there's an important hearing scheduled for April 17 about whether cameras will be allowed inside court going forward. And Robinson's defense wants portions of that hearing to be private as well. Robinson's attorneys argue that the April hearing about cameras in court should be closed door because of, quote, unfairly prejudicial and misleading media coverage and privacy violations. However, an attorney representing the media argues the opposite, telling Fox News turning the public and the media away at the courthouse door breeds suspicion and distrust.

[Alisa Brady]

Fox's Matt Finn the courthouse in Provo. So far, the judge has allowed cameras, but only from certain angles. Conflict in IR may have a silver lining for American farmers, with some getting higher prices for crops.

[Chris Foster]

Farmers who held onto corn and soybean harvests due to lower prices last year are selling them off now and signing more contracts to pre sell crops they plan to grow this year. Customers include ethanol producers and big food ingredient buyers. A spike in oil prices is helping to drive prices up for crops used to make biofuels. Corn prices are also going up due to a disruption in fertilizer shipments. Corn, wheat and soybean prices have all been up since the conflict with Iran started. They were down last year due to high supply and a drop in soy exports due to a tariff war with China. The Agriculture department started distributing $12 billion in aid to those farmers. Chris Foster, FOX news.

[Alisa Brady]

The overall US economy sluggish in the fourth quarter, growing at less than 1%, 7, 10 of a point after the initial GDP estimate was cut in half. Another snapshot shows inflation higher in January, but mostly in line with expectations at 2.8% compared to a year ago in a gauge closely watched by the Fed. Right now, stocks turning mixed. The Dow is just two points after a morning rally. I'm Lisa Brady, FOX news.

[Ainsley Earhart]

This is Ainsley Earhart. Thank you for joining me for the 52 episode podcast series the Life of

[Tanya J. Powers]

Jesus, a listening experience that will provide hope, comfort and understanding of the greatest story ever told. Listen and follow [e-mail] or wherever you listen to podcasts.