12PM ET 07/16/2026 Newscast

Summary

Fox News Hourly Update – 12PM ET 07/16/2026 Newscast

Host: Lisa Brady, FOX News Podcasts
Date: July 16, 2026

---

Episode Overview

This midday newscast covers the escalating military standoff between the US and Iran, high-stakes confirmation hearings on Capitol Hill, severe flooding in Texas, revelations of domestic political violence, worsening air quality from Canadian wildfires, controversy in the MMA world, and a stock market update. The episode delivers rapid-fire reporting with on-the-ground dispatches and quotes from officials, encapsulating major breaking news items of the day.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. US-Iran Military Tensions

• Strait of Hormuz Standoff:

  • Iran declares the US blockade a “red line,” vowing to resist any interference.
  • Ongoing fighting following Iran’s attacks on commercial vessels.
    [00:03] Lisa Brady: “Iran calls it a red line… An Iranian military spokesman vowing again not to allow US Interference in the Strait of Hormuz, where a US Blockade is in effect against Iranian shipping.”

• Escalation and Airstrikes:

  • The US expands its air campaign, striking up to 100 miles outside Tehran.
  • Iranian air defenses were triggered near Tehran, with an army barrack hit southeast of the city.
  • Despite strikes, most US attacks remain coastal, aiming to cut Iran’s naval capabilities.
  • Iranian public statements remain defiant. [00:18] Mike Tobin: "The US has fired deeper into Iran than it has in this round of fighting... Most of the strikes still concentrate on the coast to degrade Iran's ability to threaten shipping. All the public statements from Iran are defiant."

• Political Response:

  • President Trump keeps pressure on Iran to make a deal.
  • White House to hold a briefing and a primetime presidential address focusing on Iran and election integrity. [00:39] Lisa Brady: “President Trump keeping up the pressure for Iran to make a deal as Iran continues retaliatory strikes on US Gulf allies. A White House briefing scheduled this afternoon ahead of President Trump's address to the nation tonight...”

---

2. Capitol Hill: Labor Secretary Confirmation

• Keith Sonderling’s Hearing:

  • Acting Labor Secretary faces tough Senate questioning, especially from Democrats disagreeing with Trump Administration policies.
    [01:08] Tonya J. Powers: “Keith Sonderling has been the acting secretary for months now… already taking tough questions from Democrats...”

• Labor and AI Concerns:

  • Worker protections and national competitiveness with AI are major issues.
  • Government collaboration with the National Science Foundation and Department of Education to develop AI curriculum. [01:28] Connor Hanson: “We’re working very closely with the National Science foundation and the Department of Education to develop that AI curriculum.”

• Context:

  • Sonderling was appointed after former Secretary Lori Chavez Darimer resigned amid an inspector general probe into her spending, which Democrats continue to scrutinize.

---

3. Flood Emergency in Texas

• Situation Update:
  • Continued heavy rain causes rivers to rise, prompting rescues as the region recovers from last summer’s deadly floods.
    [01:37] Lisa Brady: “River still rising in Texas as a flood emergency continues after more heavy rain. Dozens rescued.”

---

4. Domestic Political Violence

• State Department Event on Left-Wing Terrorism:

  • Treasury Secretary Scott Besant shares personal details of an attempt on his life, occurring just hours after his swearing-in.
    [02:23] Scott Besant: “...about an attempt on his life that happened just two hours after being sworn into his position.”

• Prosecution:

  • 24-year-old Ryan English pleaded guilty to charges involving an assassination attempt with Molotov cocktails; sentencing is set for August 14.
    [02:41] Scott Besant: “The Justice Department says 24 year old Ryan English of Massachusetts pleaded guilty in March... His sentencing is set for August 14th.”

• Challenge to Disbelievers:
  [02:32] Tonya J. Powers: “So any of you who want to report that this is a fiction and does not exist. Be there for the sentencing this August.”

---

5. Air Quality Alert from Canadian Wildfires

• Worsening Conditions:
  • Smoke from wildfires in Canada blankets parts of the Midwest and Northeast US, with the worst air quality in years for cities like Cleveland.
  • Health officials recommend that vulnerable populations limit time outdoors, with alerts across a dozen states. [03:06] Katie Byrne: “...this is some of the worst air quality in years for parts of the Midwest, Midwest and Northeast. Here in Cleveland, there's a smell of burning wood in the air.”

---

6. Sports: UFC Controversy

• Conor McGregor’s Disputed Loss:
  • McGregor’s return to the UFC ends with a knee injury less than two minutes in, resulting in a TKO for Max Holloway.
  • McGregor claims the loss should be ruled a “no contest” due to injury.
    [03:32] Frank Lanza: “Conor McGregor doesn't think his loss to Max Holloway in UFC 329 should count... Holloway was awarded a victory by technical knockout.”

---

7. Wall Street Snapshot

• Market Movement:
  • Mixed numbers: Dow up 69 points, S&P lower, NASDAQ down over 200.
    [04:03] Lisa Brady: “The Dow is up 69 points, but the S and P is in the red and the NASDAQ's down more than 200.”

---

Memorable Quotes

• On US-Iran Tensions:
  “Iran calls it a red line… An Iranian military spokesman vowing again not to allow US interference...” – Lisa Brady [00:03]

• On Political Violence:
  “So any of you who want to report that this is a fiction and does not exist. Be there for the sentencing this August.” – Tonya J. Powers [02:32]

• On Wildfire Smoke:
  “Here in Cleveland, there's a smell of burning wood in the air. Health officials are urging people to limit their time outside, especially kids, older adults and anyone with breathing problems.” – Katie Byrne [03:06]

• On UFC Controversy:
  “Conor McGregor doesn't think his loss to Max Holloway in UFC 329 should count.” – Frank Lanza [03:32]

---

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |-------------------------------------------------------|-----------| | US-Iran conflict update | 00:03 | | Airstrikes near and outside Tehran | 00:18 | | President Trump’s response and address preview | 00:39 | | Labor Secretary confirmation hearing, AI curriculum | 01:08 | | Texas flood emergency | 01:37 | | Political violence: assassination attempt | 02:15 | | Wildfire smoke and public health warnings | 03:00 | | UFC drama: McGregor vs Holloway | 03:25 | | Stock market update | 04:03 |

---

Tone & Style

The reporting is crisp, direct, and focused on urgent, hard news, with correspondents providing succinct on-the-ground updates and official statements. The FOX News tone is evident in the coverage’s prioritization of US military stances, government hearings, public safety, and high-profile newsmakers, maintaining a factual—sometimes dramatic—delivery.

Transcript

[Lisa Brady]

Iran calls it a red line. Lisa Brady, FOX News. An Iranian military spokesman vowing again not to allow US Interference in the Strait of Hormuz, where a US Blockade is in effect against Iranian shipping. As fighting continues over Iran's attacks on commercial vessels.

[Mike Tobin]

The US has fired deeper into Iran than it has in this round of fighting. Iran State media says air defenses near Tehran triggered yesterday. The US says the strikes reach 100 miles outside of Tehran. An army barrack was hit to the southeast of Iran. Iran. Most of the strikes still concentrate on the coast to degrade Iran's ability to threaten shipping. All the public statements from Iran are defiant.

[Lisa Brady]

Fox is Mike Tobin in Tel Aviv. President Trump keeping up the pressure for Iran to make a deal as Iran continues retaliatory strikes on US Gulf allies. A White House briefing scheduled this afternoon ahead of President Trump's address to the nation tonight, expected to focus on multiple topics, including Iran and election integrity. You can hear special coverage beginning at 9 Eastern tonight on FoxNewsRadio.com on Capitol Hill, another round of confirmation hearings with the acting labor secretary facing a Senate panel.

[Tonya J. Powers]

Keith Sunderling has been the acting secretary for months now and has broad support from Republicans, but he's already taking tough questions from Democrats who made it clear they don't agree with the Trump administration's policies.

[Lisa Brady]

Fox Business Connor Hanson on the Hill, worker protections and AI related concerns among the issues raised, both from a national

[Connor Hanson]

competitive perspective, but also from a workforce development side. You know, we're working very closely with the National Science foundation and the Department of Education to develop that AI curriculum.

[Lisa Brady]

Sonderlin was appointed acting commissioner after former Secretary Lori Chavez Darimer resigned during an inspector general probe. Democrats also pressing for more information on her spending. River still rising in Texas as a flood emergency continues after more heavy rain. Dozens rescued. This region still recovering from deadly flooding last summer. America is listening to FOX News.

[Fox News Announcer]

Cheers to America's 250th birthday. Get 20% off your first purchase at foxnewswineshop.com with code FNRADIO20. 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.

[Lisa Brady]

A Trump cabinet member gets personal about threats against his life during a State Department event on left wing political terrorism.

[Scott Besant]

Treasury Secretary Scott Besant told officials from dozens of countries at the event about an attempt on his life that happened just two hours after being sworn into his position.

[Tonya J. Powers]

So any of you who want to report that this is a fiction and does not exist. Be there for the sentencing this August.

[Scott Besant]

The Justice Department says 24 year old Ryan English of Massachusetts pleaded guilty in March to charges related to the attempted assassination of Besant. Police say English admitted to having Molotov cocktails and traveling to Washington, D.C. with the intention of killing a government official. His sentencing is set for August 14th. Tonya J.

[Lisa Brady]

Powers, FOX News Smoke from wildfires in Canada still blanketing parts of the US

[Katie Byrne]

this is some of the worst air quality in years for parts of the Midwest, Midwest and Northeast. Here in Cleveland, there's a smell of burning wood in the air. Health officials are urging people to limit their time outside, especially kids, older adults and anyone with breathing problems. With air quality alerts stretching across a dozen states from Minnesota to New England,

[Lisa Brady]

Fox Weather's Katie Byrne, an MMA legend, is calling for his latest loss to be wiped from the official record.

[Frank Lanza]

Conor McGregor doesn't think his loss to Max Holloway in UFC 329 should count. McGregor's long awaited return to the Octagon ended in disaster, with McGregor suffering a serious knee injury which prevented him from continuing after just over a minute of action. As a result, Holloway was awarded a victory by technical knockout. McGregor posting on social media that his medical test results should be back soon, while also calling for the loss to be rendered a no contest. Frank Lanza, Fox News A mixed day

[Lisa Brady]

on Wall street right now. The Dow is up 69 points, but the S and P is in the red and the NASDAQ's down more than 200. Alisa Brady, Fox News.