12PM ET 07/03/2026 Newscast

Summary

Fox News Hourly Update – 12PM ET, July 3, 2026

Podcast: Fox News Hourly Update
Host: FOX News Podcasts
Date: July 3, 2026

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Episode Overview

This midday Fox News newscast covers a range of national and international headlines, focusing on America's 250th birthday celebrations, dangerous heat in the eastern U.S., political commentary associated with the anniversary, ongoing international crises, a high-profile crime in Monaco, disaster in Venezuela, and news in the world of entertainment and philanthropy. The tone remains brisk, informative, and neutral, encapsulating key events and notable voices of the day.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. America’s 250th Birthday Celebrations

• Cross-Country Run Relay: Volunteers participate in a 3,000-mile flag relay to Washington, D.C., honoring veterans and promoting unity.
• Local Voices: Elias from South Dakota expresses pride in representing his state and country.
• Parades & Events: Adjustments made due to weather, including parade cancellations.

Notable Quotes:

• "[It's] great to come from, you know, one of the lesser states, but be able to represent something like our country on such a big stage." – Elias, flag bearer (00:32)

Key Segment Timestamps:

• Flag Relay Feature: 00:04 – 00:43
• Unity and Veterans: 00:43 – 00:47

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2. Extreme Weather Impacts

• Heat Advisories: Dangerous heat grips the eastern U.S., with Philadelphia parade canceled (feels-like temp >110°F).
• Public Safety Focus: Ongoing coverage and warnings about conditions.

Key Segment Timestamps:

• Heat Coverage: 00:49 – 01:07

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3. Political Commentary: America at 250

• NYC Mayor Zoran Mamdani's Speech: Highlights themes of American inclusivity, critiques elitism and division, flanked by newly naturalized citizens.
• National Rhetoric: President Trump counters rising profile of democratic socialists, labeling them "communists" amidst primary wins.

Notable Quotes:

• "America, in their view is an arena of supremacy where only a select few are allowed freedom, where not all are created equal. America, if you ask them, becomes less the more people it welcomes." – Field reporter summarizing Mamdani (01:07)
• "[Division is] the oldest and cheapest trick in politics." – Reporter summarizing Mamdani (01:19)

Key Segment Timestamps:

• Mamdani’s Remarks: 01:07 – 01:19
• Trump's Response in Political Context: 01:19 – 01:32

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4. International Affairs

• Iran-U.S. Tensions: U.S.–Iran peace talks stall amid high-level funerals; Iran refuses U.S. offer to unfreeze assets in exchange for maritime concessions.
  • "[The Iranians] have now rejected a trade where the U.S. would unfreeze billions... if the Iranians just stop threatening to charge tolls in the Strait of Hormuz and stop claiming they own the Strait of Hormuz." – Political analyst (01:42)

Key Segment Timestamps:

• Iran Segment: 01:32 – 01:56

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5. Crime in Monaco

• Interpol Investigation: Identification of Anastasia Baranzovska, a Ukrainian-born suspect, in a bombing that stunned Monaco. The attack targeted an ex-Ukrainian tycoon sanctioned for Russian ties.
• Evidence Details: Footage of suspect with electronic device; bomb detonated remotely.

Key Segment Timestamps:

• Suspect Named, Attack Details: 02:16 – 03:03

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6. Disaster in Venezuela

• Devastation Update: Twin earthquakes now blamed for over 2,500 deaths; thousands more injured or missing; hospitals overwhelmed.
• International Relief Efforts: Ongoing assistance and public appeals.

Key Segment Timestamps:

• Venezuela Earthquake Aftermath: 03:03 – 03:20

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7. Entertainment & Philanthropy

• Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library: Receives $2M donation from Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce amid their wedding festivities.
  • "Taylor and Travis, it's Dolly... I was just told that you two are making a donation of $2 million to my imagination Library. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I'm blown away and overjoyed with that gratitude." – Dolly Parton (03:33)
• Wedding Speculation: Reports of a secret wedding and celebrations planned at Madison Square Garden.

Key Segment Timestamps:

• Dolly Parton Thanks Swift & Kelce: 03:20 – 03:47
• Wedding Plans and Rumors: 03:47 – 04:09

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Pride in Representation:
  "It just means a lot to be able to come from, you know, one of the lesser states, but be able to represent something like our country on such a big stage."
  — Elias, flag bearer (00:32)

• Defining America at 250:
  "America, in their view is an arena of supremacy where only a select few are allowed freedom, where not all are created equal. America, if you ask them, becomes less the more people it welcomes."
  — Field reporter on Mamdani’s speech (01:07)

• International Tension Summed Up:
  "The Iranians have now rejected a trade where the U.S. would unfreeze billions... if the Iranians just stop threatening to charge tolls in the Strait of Hormuz and stop claiming they own the Strait of Hormuz."
  — Political analyst (01:42)

• Celebrity Philanthropy:
  "Taylor and Travis, it's Dolly. And I was just told that you two are making a donation of $2 million to my imagination Library. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I'm blown away and overjoyed with that gratitude."
  — Dolly Parton (03:33)

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Timestamps for Major Segments

| Segment | Timestamps | |----------------------------|-----------------| | Flag Relay & Local Voices | 00:04 – 00:43 | | Unity & Veterans | 00:43 – 00:47 | | Extreme Heat Coverage | 00:49 – 01:07 | | Political Commentary | 01:07 – 01:32 | | Iran-U.S. Tensions | 01:32 – 01:56 | | Monaco Bombing Update | 02:16 – 03:03 | | Venezuela Earthquake | 03:03 – 03:20 | | Dolly Parton/Swift/Kelce | 03:33 – 03:47 | | Wedding Reports | 03:47 – 04:09 |

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Fox News Hourly Update delivers a succinct yet comprehensive look at the day's major stories, balancing national pride, political discourse, breaking international developments, and lighthearted celebrity philanthropy, all while foregrounding voices from the field and summarizing ongoing crises.

Transcript

[Anchor]

The many ways to celebrate.

[Alisa Brady]

Alisa Brady, FOX News. A wide variety of events happening to

[Reporter]

mark the nation's 250th birthday, including a cross country run relay for America. More than 5,000 volunteers carrying an American flag to the nation's capital.

[Field Reporter]

This flag almost 3,000 miles from the Pacific Ocean.

[Alisa Brady]

Fox's Rich Edson running with them a short time ago in Leesburg, Virginia.

[Field Reporter]

The flag bearer right now is Elias from South Dakota. What's this mean to you?

[Elias (Flag Bearer)]

You know, it just means a lot to be able to come from, you know, one of the lesser states, but be able to represent something like our country on such a big stage.

[Alisa Brady]

Each mile of the relay dedicated to a veteran with a message of unity

[Reporter]

in what's right with America.

[Alisa Brady]

It's another day of dangerous heat in

[Reporter]

many areas, though advisories and warnings across the eastern half of the country. Today's parade cancelled in Philadelphia where it'll feel like over 110 degrees. New York City Mayor Zoran Mamdani with a different kind of message for America. 250 criticizing the powerful.

[Field Reporter]

America, in their view is an arena of supremacy where only a select few are allowed freedom, where not all are created equal. America, if you ask them, becomes less the more people it welcomes.

[Reporter]

In a speech flanked by newly naturalized US Citizens also calling division the oldest and cheapest trick in politics. President Trump has called democratic socialists like Mamdani communists as a growing number have won primaries ahead of the midterms.

[Alisa Brady]

Tonight, the president leads a celebration at

[Reporter]

Mount Rushmore and will while the US Celebrates, Iran is in mourning with a days long funeral for the slain former supreme leader. Talks on a peace deal pause.

[Political Analyst]

The Iranians have now rejected a trade where the US Would unfreeze billions of dollars of frozen Iranian money if the Iranians just stop threatening to charge tolls in the Strait of Hormuz and stop claiming they own the Strait of Hormuz.

[Reporter]

Peter Doocy at the White House.

[Anchor]

America is listening to FOX News.

[Commercial Announcer]

Cheers to America's 250th birthday. Get 20% off your first purchase at foxnewswineshop.com with code FNRAD. 20% 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.

[Alisa Brady]

The world's largest international police organization headquartered

[Reporter]

in France, names a suspect in this week's bombing in neighboring Monaco.

[Crime Reporter]

The 39 year old was born in Ukraine, speaks German, has dark hair with tattoo on her right arm, possibly of a snake that from Interpol. The agency identifies Anastasia and Baranzovska as the bomber who stunned the principality on the French Riviera. Officials in Monaco say the bomb at an apartment building was detonated using a remote control. They showed the woman holding what appears to be some sort of electronic device trailing a cable in her left hand. The blast Monday reportedly injured a Ukrainian construction tycoon who has said he gave up his Ukrainian citizenship. He has been targeted by Ukrainian sanctions in 2023 for ties to Russia.

[Field Reporter]

C.J.

[Crime Reporter]

papa, Fox News.

[Reporter]

Thousands remain missing in Venezuela, where last week's twin earthquakes are now blamed for more than 2500 deaths. Damaged hospitals overwhelmed with thousands also injured as international relief efforts continue. A public thank you posted from Dolly Parton to Taylor Swift and fiance Travis Kelce after the Country Legends Library program was one of the charities benefiting from from a $26 million donation.

[Dolly Parton]

Taylor and Travis, it's Dolly. And I was just told that you two are making a donation of $2 million to my imagination Library. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I'm blown away and overjoyed with that gratitude.

[Reporter]

That Dolly Parton program, founded more than 30 years ago, gifts books to children under age 5. Swift and Kelsey donating to multiple organizations ahead of a star studded wedding celebration expected to happen later today at Madison Square Gard. The couple not confirming any plans or

[Alisa Brady]

a Page Six report that they already

[Reporter]

had a private ceremony to legally wed.

[Anchor]

And Lisa Brady, FOX News.