12PM ET 07/02/2026 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update – 12PM ET 07/02/2026

Host: Fox News Podcasts
Date: July 2, 2026
Episode Purpose:
Provide a concise, top-of-the-hour overview of national and international news, focusing on the latest jobs report, U.S.-Iran tensions, significant rescues, political endorsements, and Fourth of July festivities.

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Main Theme

The episode covers significant breaking news on jobs, international diplomacy, safety and rescue stories, political developments, and festive rankings for Independence Day.

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Detailed Breakdown

1. U.S. Jobs Report and Economic Outlook

Time: 00:03–00:30

• Jobs Report Headline:

  • Only 57,000 new jobs created in June, about half of what economists anticipated.
    • Quote (Lisa Brady, 00:03): “Less hiring than expected…57,000 created in June, about half what economists expected.”
  • Growth seen in professional/business services, social assistance, health care; declines in leisure and hospitality.

• Unemployment Rate:

  • Slight improvement: dropped from expected 4.3% to 4.2%.
  • Federal Reserve’s perspective: these numbers will influence interest rate decisions at the meeting scheduled for July 28–29.

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2. U.S. Navy Incident in the Arabian Sea

Time: 00:30–01:00

• Rescue and Search:

  • After a Navy helicopter emergency landing in the Arabian Sea, one sailor is still missing, while three crew have been recovered safely.
  • No evidence emergency was due to hostile action.
    • Quote (U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, summarized by Trey Yingst, 00:47): “There is no indication the emergency was caused by hostile action.”

• Status:

  • The incident remains under investigation.
  • Updates from Tel Aviv and the USS George H.W. Bush.

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3. U.S.–Iran Tensions Amid High-Profile Funeral

Time: 00:59–01:44

• Diplomatic Progress (Qatar):

  • Indirect talks between the U.S. and Iran are paused for the funeral of Iran’s former Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, killed in the February 28th airstrikes.
  • Quote (Trey Yingst, 00:59): “Progress reported in Qatar after indirect talks between US and Iranian officials…as Iran warns the US and Israel against any attacks during a days long funeral.”

• Security Measures:

  • Iranian leadership warns against attacks.
  • Airspace restricted, security tight as the funeral is set for July 4–9.
    • Quote (Jared Halpern, 01:16): “The country is tightening security measures for the funeral period, restricting airspace over several cities.”

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4. Dramatic Earthquake Rescue in Venezuela

Time: 01:44–01:59

• Rescue Update:
  • Man pulled alive from collapsed basement more than a week after double earthquakes.
  • Earthquakes have resulted in more than 2,200 deaths.
  • Quote (Lisa Brady, 01:44): “A dramatic rescue in Venezuela, where a man has been pulled alive…more than a week after the double earthquakes now blamed for more than 2200 deaths.”

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5. 2026 Election Politics: Michigan Senate Race

Time: 02:16–02:57

• AOC Endorsement:
  • Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez endorses Abdul El-Sayed for Michigan Senate via a social media post, citing his appeal to working people.
  • Other Democratic contenders: Rep. Haley Stevens, State Senator Mallory McMorrow.
  • El-Sayed associated with controversial podcast alliances.
  • Quote (Jessica Rosenthal, 02:23): “They are proud to endorse Abdul El Sayed…he’s building a winning coalition by putting forward an agenda that speaks directly to working people.”
  • Whoever wins will face GOP Rep. Mike Rogers.

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6. Philadelphia’s Role in America’s 250th Birthday

Time: 02:57–03:20

• March of Mayors:
  • Bipartisan mayors mark the 250th anniversary of the Continental Congress’s vote for independence.
  • “We the People” symposium in Philadelphia, underscoring the role of cities in democracy.
  • Quote: “Today’s events are to reaffirm the enduring role of cities in American democracy.”

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7. Best U.S. Cities for Fourth of July Festivities

Time: 03:20–04:01

• WalletHub Survey Results:
  • Top factors: fireworks, entertainment, affordability, safety, accessibility, weather.
  • Vegas tops the list for entertainment and safety; New York City 2nd (most celebrations); followed by Orlando, Los Angeles, Minneapolis.
  • Lowest ranked: Garland, TX; Laredo, TX; Newark, NJ.
    • Quote (WalletHub summary, 03:20): “Las Vegas claimed the top spot thanks to its abundance of entertainment and recreation, affordable, highly rated restaurants and one of the nation’s lowest rates of fatal drunk driving crashes.”

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8. Stock Market Update

Time: 04:01–end

• Overview:
  • Dow up by 381 points, but a mixed day with Nasdaq slightly down.
    • Quote (Matt Murphy, 04:01): “New highs on Wall Street…the Dow’s up 381 points, but a mixed day overall so far.”

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Notable Quotes

• “Less hiring than expected…57,000 created in June, about half what economists expected.” (Lisa Brady, 00:03)
• “There is no indication the emergency was caused by hostile action.” (U.S. Naval Forces Central Command via Trey Yingst, 00:47)
• “Progress reported in Qatar after indirect talks between US and Iranian officials…as Iran warns the US and Israel against any attacks during a days long funeral.” (Trey Yingst, 00:59)
• “The country is tightening security measures for the funeral period, restricting airspace over several cities.” (Jared Halpern, 01:16)
• “A dramatic rescue in Venezuela, where a man has been pulled alive…more than a week after the double earthquakes now blamed for more than 2200 deaths.” (Lisa Brady, 01:44)
• “They are proud to endorse Abdul El Sayed…he’s building a winning coalition by putting forward an agenda that speaks directly to working people.” (Jessica Rosenthal, 02:23)
• “Las Vegas claimed the top spot thanks to its abundance of entertainment and recreation…one of the nation’s lowest rates of fatal drunk driving crashes.” (WalletHub summary, 03:20)
• “New highs on Wall Street…the Dow’s up 381 points, but a mixed day overall so far.” (Matt Murphy, 04:01)

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Episode Flow & Tone

Succinct, factual, and urgent, the episode mirrors the style of a traditional radio newscast: quick transitions, authoritative reporting, and a focus on national and international headlines with direct quotes and clear attributions.

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For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

This update delivers high-level insight into key current events—from economic signals, geopolitical tensions, rescue stories, political maneuvers, civic celebrations, to practical tips for Independence Day fun—ideal for anyone needing a reliable, top-of-the-hour news digest.

Transcript

[A]

Less hiring than expected on Lisa Brady, Fox News. In the new jobs report, 57,000 created in June, about half what economists expected.

[B]

Labor Department says employment continued to trend up in professional and business services, social assistance and health care. However, employment declined in leisure and hospitality. The Federal Reserve considers the employment situation when it decides what to do about interest rates. The Fed meets again July 28 and 29.

[A]

Fox is Jenny Cosoa Economists also expected the unemployment rate to hold at 4.3%. Instead, it dipped to 4.2%. A search continues in the Arabian Sea for a US Navy sailor missing since yesterday after a Navy helicopter made an emergency landing on the water.

[C]

U.S. naval Forces Central Command posted to X saying there is no indication the emergency was caused by hostile action. Three of the helicopter's four crew members have been recovered and are in stable condition. Aboard George H.W.

[A]

bush, Fox is Trey Yingston, Tel Aviv that incident remains under investigation. Progress reported in Qatar after indirect talks between US And Iranian officials. This as Iran warns the US And Israel against any attacks during a days long funeral for the country's slain supreme leader.

[D]

Talks between the US And Iran are paused for the funeral of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The former supreme leader was killed in US And Israeli airstrikes on the opening day of the war on February 28th. His funeral is set for July 4th through the 9th. Iranian military and political leaders are warning the US and Israel against any attacks as it prepares for the state funeral. The country is tightening security measures for the funeral period, restricting airspace over several cities.

[A]

Fox's Jared Halpern at the White House A dramatic rescue in Venezuela, where a man has been pulled alive from a collapsed basement more than a week after the double earthquakes now blamed for more than 2200 deaths. America is listening to Fox News.

[E]

Cheers to America's 250th birthday. Get 20% off your first purchase at Fox News WineShop.com with code FN Radio 2020% discount excludes wine club offers and cannot be combined with any other promotion. Expires July 31, 2026. Must be 21. Order to order. Please Drink responsibly. Drink responsibly.

[A]

Nearly a month before primary day, a New York member of Congress is weighing in on the race for an open Senate seat in Michigan.

[F]

Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio Cortez's team wrote on X that they are proud to endorse Abdul El Sayed to be Michigan's next senator, adding that he's building a winning coalition by putting forward an agenda that speaks directly to working people. He faces Democratic challengers Congresswoman Haley Stevens and State Senator Mallory McMorrow. El Sayed, Detroit's former health director, has campaigned with a podcaster who said the US deserved 911 and that he would side with Hamas every day over Israel. Whoever wins the primary faces Republican Congressman Mike Rogers. Jessica Rosenthal, Fox News In Philadelphia, a

[A]

bipartisan march of mayors from communities across the country marking the 250th anniversary of the Continental Congress vote for independence. The city is also holding a We the People symposium after organizers saying today's events are to reaffirm the enduring role of cities in American democracy. But what about the best cities for Fourth of July festivities?

[G]

WalletHub compared the nation's 100 largest cities, scoring them on 18 factors including fireworks, entertainment, affordability, safety, accessibility and even the holiday weather forecast. Las Vegas claimed the top spot thanks to its abundance of entertainment and recreation, affordable, highly rated restaurants and one of the nation's largest lowest rates of fatal drunk driving crashes. New York City finished second but ranked first for the number of 4th of July celebrations and festivities, followed by Orlando, Los Angeles and Minneapolis. At the other end of the rankings, Garland, Texas landed last with Laredo, Texas and Newark, New Jersey. Also finishing near the bottom.

[A]

Fox's Matt Murphy New highs on Wall street the Dow's up 381 points, but a mixed day overall so far. The Nasdaq is down to 15 and Lisa Brady F.