12PM ET 07/13/2026 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update – 12PM ET 07/13/2026

Host: Lisa Brady, FOX News Podcasts
Date: July 13, 2026
Episode Theme:
A breaking newscast with major political updates, international tension in the Strait of Hormuz, major legal revival in Tylenol lawsuits, healthcare fraud findings, and a developing incident in Maine.

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Key Stories and Discussion Points

1. Senator Lindsey Graham’s Passing and Senate Succession

• [00:03] News Breaks: Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina has died suddenly. President Trump suggests Graham’s sister, Arlene Graham Nordone, for appointment to complete his term.
  • Arlene Graham Nordone's Background: Raised by Lindsey Graham after their parents’ early deaths; she’s been a visible presence during Graham’s career.
• [00:18] A special election is set for next month. Governor Henry McMaster is expected to appoint a “caretaker” rather than someone running in November.
• [00:43] President Trump pays tribute, calling Graham “a great, kind and smart person.” Senate reactions underscore Graham’s impact.
• Memorable Quote:
  • Senate Majority Leader John Thune [00:53]:

    "I can't imagine this place without Lindsey. I can't imagine the world writ large without Lindsey for the incredible impact that he had on so many levels."

• [01:02] Bipartisan Praise: Sen. Richard Blumenthal lauds Graham for championing the Russia sanctions bill and asserts continued U.S. support for Ukraine.

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2. International Tensions: U.S. and Iran in the Strait of Hormuz

• [01:16] The U.S. and Iran accuse each other of ceasefire violations after renewed strikes linked to attacks on commercial ships.
• President Trump [00:36]:*

  “We're going to keep the Strait and we'll probably run it. We'll become the guardian of the strait. Maybe we'll call it the Guardian angel of the Strait.”

• [01:43] Trump insists Iran won’t be allowed to charge tolls for passage, and the U.S. is reinstalling a naval blockade.
• Key Points:
  • The U.S. wants “reimbursement” for securing the Strait.
  • Assertive language about American control and protection of key shipping lanes.

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3. Tylenol Lawsuits Reinstated

• [02:16] Legal Update: A federal appeals court revives more than 500 lawsuits against Tylenol-maker Kenview regarding possible links between prenatal Tylenol use and autism/ADHD.
• [02:20] Background:
  • March 2024: Lawsuits dismissed; judge excluded expert testimony.
  • Appellate court now says testimony should not have been excluded.
  • Doctors still consider acetaminophen (Tylenol) safe for pregnancy; Kenview maintains lack of scientific evidence for the claimed link.

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4. Healthcare Fraud: GAO Recommendations

• [03:03] As federal healthcare fraud crackdowns continue, new GAO recommendations are released on ACA (Obamacare) plan security.
• [03:12] Key Findings:
  • 160,000 unauthorized plan changes found last year.
  • Agents and brokers (who are paid commissions) can abuse consumer information—sometimes forging consent or sharing credentials.
• Proposed Solution:
  • Agencies should require one-time passcodes from consumers before making changes to plans.

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5. Developing Story: Shooting in Maine

• [03:52] Breaking: Reports of a deadly shooting in Maine. State House Speaker claims ICE involvement, but confirmation is pending. Investigation ongoing.

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Notable Quotes

• Senate Majority Leader John Thune [00:53]:

  "I can't imagine this place without Lindsey. I can't imagine the world writ large without Lindsey for the incredible impact that he had on so many levels."

• President Donald Trump [01:36]:

  "We're going to keep the Strait and we'll probably run it. We'll become the guardian of the strait. Maybe we'll call it the Guardian angel of the Strait."

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Important Segment Timestamps

• 00:03 – Lindsey Graham’s passing and Trump’s recommendation for Senate successor
• 00:53 – Senate tributes to Lindsey Graham
• 01:16 – Updates on U.S.–Iran ceasefire violations and Trump’s remarks on Strait of Hormuz
• 01:43 – U.S. response to Strait of Hormuz security
• 02:16 – Tylenol lawsuits reinstated; court ruling explained
• 03:03 – Federal recommendations to stop Obamacare fraud
• 03:52 – Breaking news: Shooting reported in Maine

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This newscast was concise, varied, and focused on rapidly unfolding stories central to U.S. politics, legal developments, international affairs, and national security.

Transcript

[Lisa Brady]

Senate succession. Lisa Brady, Fox News. After the sudden passing of longtime South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham, President Trump is recommending Graham's sister be appointed to finish his term, which ends in January. South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster will announce his choice later today.

[Arlene Graham Nordone]

Arlene Graham Nordone was largely raised by her brother after their parents died while both children were young, and she remained a constant presence in his life, often appearing at campaign events. A special election is set for next month. A new Republican nominee, Graham was running for re election. The governor has indicated he'll fill the vacancy with a caretaker and not someone seeking the full term in November's midterm elections.

[Lisa Brady]

Fox's Jared Halpern at the White House. President Trump among many paying tribute to Graham, who died over the weekend, calling him a great, kind and smart person. Senate Majority Leader John Thune telling Fox,

[Jessica Rosenthal]

I can't imagine this place without Lindsey. I can't imagine the world writ large without Lindsey for the incredible impact that he had on so many levels.

[Lisa Brady]

Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal says the Senate should pass a Russia sanctions bill spearheaded by Senator Graham because he was an unswerving, relentless, tireless advocate for Ukraine's freedom. He saw that America's national security interest was at stake. Blumenthal also offering reassurance to the Ukrainian American community that support for Ukraine will not fade away. The US And Iran accusing each other of ceasefire violations after trading more strikes over attacks on commercial ships. President Trump tells telling Fox, we're going

[Fox News Announcer]

to keep the Strait and we'll probably run it. We'll become the guardian of the strait. Maybe we'll call it the Guardian angel of the Strait.

[Lisa Brady]

Also saying the US should be reimbursed for security efforts in the Strait of Hormuz after insisting Iran will not be allowed to charge tolls for passage. The president also says the US Is reinstating a naval blockade of Iranian shipping in the Strait. America is listening to Fox News string

[Fox News Announcer]

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[Lisa Brady]

Hundreds of lawsuits against Tylenol suddenly have a green light to keep going.

[Jenny Kosola]

A federal appeals court in Manhattan has revived more than 500 private lawsuits against Tylenol maker Kenview. Parents and guardians sued claiming Tylenol use in pregnancy could cause autism and attention hyperactivity disorder in children. The appeals judge says a district judge improperly excluded testimony from expert witnesses. The lawsuits were dismissed in December of 2024. Doctors and medical societies consider acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol, the preferred treatment for pain and fever during pregnancy. Kenview has long maintained that Tylenol is safe and says there is no firm scientific evidence of such a link.

[Lisa Brady]

Fox's Jenny Kosola as a federal crackdown on healthcare fraud continues, new recommend on how to stop fraud in Obamacare Last

[Jessica Rosenthal]

year, the Government accountability office, or GAO, found at least 160,000 unauthorized changes had been made to ACA health plans in the federal marketplace. In this GAO report, they focused on the agents and brokers who sign people up for health care plans, finding that while the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services ensures agents and brokers are licensed, this doesn't stop bad actors from abusing the system as they're the ones making commissions. The GAO found consent documentation from consumers can easily be forged and that agents and brokers are still sharing their credentials. One recommendation is that agents be required to send someone a one time passcode before making any changes to their health plans. Jessica Rosenthal, FOX News.

[Lisa Brady]

Just getting reports of a deadly shooting earlier today in Maine where the state House speaker is claiming that Immigration and Customs Enforcement was involved. There's been no confirmation of that. An investigation is underway on Wall Street. Stocks are lower, the Dow down 1:38 an Lisa Brady, this is FOX News.