12PM ET 07/18/2026 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update – 12PM ET, July 18, 2026

Host: Debra Valentine
Date: July 18, 2026

Overview

This midday newscast covers the latest global and domestic headlines with a focus on continuing U.S.–Iran military tensions in the Middle East, recovery efforts after catastrophic flooding in Texas, updates on persistent Canadian wildfire smoke affecting the U.S. East Coast, and a preview of the upcoming World Cup third-place and final matches.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. U.S.–Iran Military Escalation

[00:02–00:52]

• Current Strikes: The U.S. carried out a seventh round of military strikes in Iran in retaliation for ongoing hostilities.

• American Casualties: 13 U.S. troops (10 soldiers, 3 sailors) were wounded this week amid attacks believed to originate from Iran, impacting U.S. bases in Bahrain, Kuwait, and especially Jordan.

  • Notable Detail: A significant attack hit a base in Jordan housing hundreds of U.S. troops and fighter jets.

• Shipping Threats: Escalated insecurity in the Strait of Hormuz has brought shipping traffic to a near standstill. U.S. warships have avoided transiting the strait for over two months due to increased danger.

• Quote:

  • “Shipping traffic has slowed to a trickle in the strait in recent days to highlight how dangerous it is right now to sell through there.” – Lucas Tomlinson, [00:37]

• Iran’s Retaliation: Iran fired back by striking U.S. bases and targeting civilian infrastructure (power and water) in Jordan and Kuwait, leaving around 10,000 people without water service.

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2. Texas Flash Flood Recovery

[01:14–01:48]

• Record Flooding: Central and southern Texas experienced catastrophic flooding, with Uvalde receiving over two feet of rain in just days.
• Emergency Response:
  • Governor Greg Abbott confirmed over 270 rescues by state officials; local responders saved even more.
  • Texas Game Wardens notably conducted helicopter rescues.
• Fatalities: Two people were confirmed dead after being swept away by floodwaters.
• Community Readiness: Local leaders credit early warnings for saving potentially numerous lives.
• Quote:
  • “Local leaders have expressed they were grateful for early warnings, saying those saved lives.” – Brandi Campbell, [01:29]

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3. Canadian Wildfire Smoke Impact

[02:26–03:19]

• Smoke Movement: Earlier in the week, dense smoke was concentrated over Chicago, Detroit, and Milwaukee, before shifting to Pennsylvania and West Virginia.
• Current Air Quality: Pollution levels are said to be significantly lower in the Midwest but remain high further east. New England is expected to experience worsening conditions until rainfall clears the air.
• Weather Outlook: Imminent showers and a cold front are forecasted to improve air quality, but there is a slight, isolated risk of tornadoes in the wake of the front.
• Potential Recurrence: The National Weather Service warns the smoke may return unless Canadian wildfires are brought under better control.
• Quote:
  • “That smoke is going to continue to move into New England. So if you're in front of this rain, expect the smoke to get worse through the day until the rain ultimately does clear it up.” – Adam Klope, [02:57]

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4. World Cup Bronze Match & Final Preview

[03:19–04:25]

• Bronze Match: France faces England after semi-final defeats—France to Spain, England to Argentina. The bronze match tradition dates to 1934.
  • Prize Money: Third place receives $2 million more than fourth.
• World Cup Final: Argentina will defend their title against Spain in what promises to be the world’s most-watched sporting event, with viewership expected to top a billion.
  • Dignitary Attendance: President Trump and Spain’s royal family are confirmed to attend the final in East Rutherford, NJ.
• Quote:
  • “Even though there's no trophy to lift for third place, the winning team takes home $2 million more in prize money compared to the fourth place team.” – Caroline Elliott, [03:55]

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• Shipping Threat in Strait of Hormuz:

  • “US Warships have not attempted to transit the Strait of Hormuz in more than two months.” – Lucas Tomlinson, [00:47]

• Flood Response:

  • “Texas Governor Greg Abbott says the state rescued more than 270 people, but hundreds more were saved by local first responders.” – Brandi Campbell, [01:39]

• Smoke Forecast:

  • “Those were the highest numbers on the board. Those are significantly lower than they were a couple of days ago back across Wisconsin, back across Minnesota.” – Adam Klope, [02:47]
  • “That could bring some severe weather, but it's going to bring some heavy rain and that will finally knock some of this smoke out of the air.” – Adam Klope, [03:10]

• World Cup Final:

  • “Over a billion viewers will be glued to the screen as Argentina defends their title against powerhouse Team Spain.” – Caroline Elliott, [04:14]

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Important Timestamps

• U.S.–Iran Situation & Shipping Impact: [00:02–00:52]
• Texas Flash Flooding & Response: [01:14–01:48]
• Wildfire Smoke & Weather Update: [02:26–03:19]
• World Cup Updates: [03:19–04:25]

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For comprehensive, rapid-fire coverage of global headlines, this Fox News Hourly Update keeps listeners up to date on the most important events of July 18, 2026.

Transcript

[Debra Valentine]

More strikes. I'm Debra Valentine, Fox News. The US Carrying out a seventh round of strikes in Iran Friday night. Fox's Lucas Tomlinson reports from Tel Aviv, Israel.

[Lucas Tomlinson]

The Pentagon says 13 U.S. troops, 10 soldiers and three sailors have been wounded in action this week at various bases in the Middle east, likely from Iran's continued attacks in Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan, and particularly a large attack on that base in Jordan housing hundreds of US Troops and fighter jets. Now, the US Military has been fighting hard the last few nights, including a number of strikes around the Strait of Hormuz trying to get more shipping through that critic on the street of Hormuz. Now, shipping traffic has slowed to a trickle in the strait in recent days to highlight how dangerous it is right now to sell through there. US Warships have not attempted to transit the Strait of Hormuz in more than two months.

[Debra Valentine]

Iran retaliated with strikes on US Military bases and civilian power and water facilities in Jordan and Kuwait, leaving about 10,000 people without running water. Texas is beginning the long road to recovery after deadly flash flooding tore through the central and southern parts of the state. Fox Weather's Brandi Campbell is in San Antonio, Texas with the latest.

[Brandi Campbell]

Several cities, including Uvalde, Texas, received over 2ft of rain in just a few days. Catastrophic flooding began as rivers, creeks and streams began rising, flooding roads, sending water into homes and businesses. Local leaders have expressed they were grateful for early warnings, saying those saved lives. In Uvalde, the Texas game wardens rescuing a flood victim by helicopter. Texas Governor Greg Abbott says the state rescued more than 270 people, but hundreds more were saved by local first responders.

[Debra Valentine]

Two people were killed after being swept away by floodwaters. This week, America's listening to FOX News. Introducing Meta glasses.

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[Debra Valentine]

Meta glasses available in more than 20 styles. Showers are expected to clear up lingering Canadian wildfire smoke in the mid Atlantic region this weekend. FOX Weather's Adam Klope.

[Adam Klope]

Earlier in the week, we saw most of the really heavy smoke around Chicago, Detroit, up into Milwaukee as of this morning that has pushed to the east Pittsburgh, an area where you're seeing really intense smoke and actually most of that smoke now in Pennsylvania, West Virginia. Those were the highest numbers on the board. Those are significantly lower than they were a couple of days ago back across Wisconsin, back across Minnesota. But that smoke is going to continue to move into New England. So if you're in front of this rain, expect the smoke to get worse through the day until the rain ultimately does clear it up. Then a true cold front back behind that. So more in the evening hours. That could bring some severe weather, but it's going to bring some heavy rain and that will finally knock some of this smoke out of the air. That could be severe isolated risk of tornadoes.

[Debra Valentine]

The National Weather Service says the smoke could return unless the wildfires in Canada are brought under control. France and England enter the World cup bronze match after losing in their respective semifinals with prize money and the Golden Boot race at Seoul.

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[Caroline Elliott]

France and England are set to face off in the World cup bronze match after two tough semi final losses. France lost to Spain, while England lost to Argentina earlier this week. The third place match has been a fixture in the World cup since 1934. Even though there's no trophy to lift for third place, the winning team takes home $2 million more in prize money compared to the fourth place team. Meantime, the FIFA World cup final is the most watched sporting event in the world. Over a billion viewers will be glued to the screen as Argentina defends their title against powerhouse Team Spain. And the White House confirmed President Trump will be attending the championship game as well as Spain's royal family. In East Rutherford, New Jersey, Caroline Elliott, FOX News.

[Debra Valentine]

I'm Debra Valentine. This is FOX News.

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