12PM ET 08/01/2026 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update – 12PM ET 08/01/2026 Newscast

Host: FOX News Podcasts
Aired: August 1, 2026

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Episode Overview

This midday update delivers concise coverage of escalating military tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, a Justice Department turnaround in a high-profile case, a pressing public health outbreak, a dramatic manhunt in Florida, the health challenges of a beloved singer-songwriter, and a major lawsuit involving teen suicides and social media platforms. Direct quotes from reporters and key figures punctuate this fast-paced rundown of the hour’s top stories.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Escalating Tensions in the Strait of Hormuz

• Incident Report:

  • Two fresh attacks on commercial shipping have occurred—one tanker reportedly hit and another projectile narrowly missing a second vessel.
  • Several tankers responded by turning around for safety ([00:02–00:16]).

• Attribution & Reactions:

  • Iranian state TV claims responsibility for the tanker attacks, while British maritime experts second the assessment ([00:16]).
  • Ongoing attacks represent a worsening threat to international shipping lanes—an urgent concern for the U.S. ([00:16–00:24]).

• U.S. Response & Presidential Statement:

  • President Trump is actively considering large-scale strikes against Iran, which could start as soon as the weekend, due to mounting frustration over failed diplomatic attempts ([00:24–00:54]).

“At some point they’re going to say we just can’t take it anymore.”
—President Trump (quoted by Gary Baumgarten), [00:49–00:54]

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2. DOJ Drops Charges Against Former Olympian

• Case Developments:

  • The Justice Department drops criminal charges against former Olympian David Hearn, originally accused of damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool ([00:59]).

• Reason for Dismissal:

  • New evidence shows the pool damage resulted from a flawed installation rather than any actions by Hearn ([00:59–01:06]).

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3. Michigan Parasite Outbreak Update

• Epidemic Status:

  • Over 10,000 cases of an “explosive diarrhea parasite” are now reported—Michigan being the most significantly impacted state ([01:25]).
  • Nearly 200 hospitalizations have occurred ([01:25–01:36]).

• Outlook:

  • Officials indicate a possible peaking of the outbreak with declining hospital visits ([01:36–01:50]).

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4. Florida Manhunt: Murder Suspect Disguised

• Suspect Information:

  • Ongoing manhunt for Isabel Johnson, labeled a “master of disguise.” Law enforcement releases additional photos, specifically highlighting a distinctive flower tattoo on her left hand, to aid in her capture ([02:02–02:14]).

• Case Timeline:

  • Johnson, 38, is suspected in the murder of Jason Coulthard. Coulthard was last seen May 24th; his remains found June 25th ([02:14–02:36]).
  • Johnson last seen at a tattoo shop in Destin; five arrests made so far in relation to the case ([02:36–02:56]).

“Investigators have previously released several photos showing Johnson’s tattoos that could help members of the public recognize her despite any attempts she may make to disguise herself while on the run.”
—Chanley Painter, [02:14–02:32]

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5. Carly Simon Reveals Parkinson's Diagnosis

• Personal Health Update:

  • Iconic singer-songwriter Carly Simon discloses she is living with Parkinson’s disease, in addition to prior struggles with arthritis and multiple joint replacements ([03:06]).

• Resilience & Legacy:

  • Despite health setbacks and treatments for skin cancer, Simon remains active in music creation.
  • Career highlights include her Oscar-winning song “Let the River Run” and authorship of several children’s books and memoirs ([03:06–03:40]).

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6. Social Media Lawsuits After Teen Suicides

• Lawsuit Details:

  • Families of four teenagers who died by suicide are suing Meta, TikTok, Snapchat, and YouTube, citing these companies’ alleged roles in the tragedies ([03:40]).

• Corporate Response:

  • Google (YouTube’s parent company) issues a statement of condolences and says it is reviewing the lawsuit ([03:40–03:50]).

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• President Trump’s Warning:

  “We’ll be hitting them very hard. At some point they’re going to say we just can’t take it anymore.”
  —President Trump (quoted by Gary Baumgarten), [00:49–00:54]

• Investigator’s Appeal:

  “Investigators have previously released several photos showing Johnson’s tattoos that could help members of the public recognize her despite any attempts she may make to disguise herself while on the run.”
  —Chanley Painter, [02:14–02:32]

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Important Segment Timestamps

• Strait of Hormuz attacks and U.S. response – [00:02–00:54]
• DOJ drops charges against David Hearn – [00:59–01:06]
• Michigan parasite outbreak – [01:25–01:50]
• Florida manhunt for Isabel Johnson – [02:02–02:56]
• Carly Simon’s Parkinson’s announcement – [03:06–03:40]
• Social media platforms sued over teen suicides – [03:40–03:50]

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This episode offered fast-paced updates on international conflict, legal reversals, public health, crime, human interest, and tech responsibility—delivered in the direct and matter-of-fact tone characteristic of the Fox News Hourly Update.

Transcript

[Angelo Bavaro]

New escalations. I'm Angelo Bavaro, FOX News. Two new attacks have been reported on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. One tanker was apparently hit while another projectile exploded in the water near a second vessel.

[Steve Harrigan]

Initially, it was Iran. State television claiming that they attacked two oil tankers yesterday in the Strait of Hormuz. Now British maritime experts are confirming that two tankers were attacked. At least one was hit and four of them turned around. So this is a sign of continuing attacks against commercial shipping in the straits, something the U.S. of course, wants to stop. And it's something President Trump has cited in his decision that he's considering about perhaps launching major strikes against Iran once again. Those strikes could begin as early as this weekend. They could last several days. Here's President Trump.

[Chanley Painter]

We'll be hitting them.

[Gary Baumgarten]

We'll be hitting them very hard. At some point they're going to say we just can't take it anymore.

[Steve Harrigan]

That decision comes after a great deal of frustration with time given for diplomacy.

[Angelo Bavaro]

FOX is Steve Harrigan. The Justice Department is dropping criminal charges against former Olympian David Hearn. He was accused of deliberately damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting pool, while government lawyers say new evidence shows damage to that reflecting pool was caused by a flawed installation, not by Hearn. Cases of that explosive diarrhea parasite are Soaring in Michigan. Fox's Gary Baumgarten.

[Gary Baumgarten]

More than 10,000 cases now in the Great Lakes state, making it the hardest hit in the United States. But there is some good as public health officials say that the outbreak seems to be slowing down. The state health department says nearly 200 of the patients required hospitalization. That being said, the number of people going to hospitals to complain of diarrhea is declining, leading to hope that the outbreak has peaked. Gary Baumgarten, FOX NEWS America's listening to Fox.

[Angelo Bavaro]

A Florida sheriff's office is ramping up its manhunt for a murder suspect they're calling a master of disguise and releasing even more pictures including one of her hand tattoo in hopes that somebody will turn her in.

[Chanley Painter]

It's been more than a month since Isabel Johnson vanished and now investigators are releasing new photos in hopes of tracking down the 38 year old murder suspect. One photo shows a distinctive flower tattoo on Johnson's left hand. Investigators have previously released several photos showing Johnson's tattoos that could help members of the public recognize her despite any attempts she may make to disguise herself while on the run. Johnson is wanted in connection with the death of 43 year old Jason Coulthard who was reported missing May 24th and whose remains were found in a shallow grave at a Free Point, Florida home on June 25. Now, since then, Johnson has not been located. They say she was last seen at a destined tattoo shop.

[Angelo Bavaro]

Fox's Chanley painter. Five people have been arrested in connection with that case. Singer songwriter Carly Simon is opening up about her Parkinson's diagnosis.

[Lisa Brady]

Grammy Award winning singer songwriter Carly Simon has Parkinson's disease. The you're so vain singer revealing a variety of health issues in a statement about the diagnosis, sharing that she's been living with arthritis and had joint replacement surgeries, but her mobility was still on the decline. She's also received treatment for basal cell carcinoma on her face. But through these challenges, Simon is still making music. Simon rose to fame in the 70s, received an Oscar for her song let the River Run from the movie Working Girl. She's also written five children's books and two memoirs. LISA brady, FOX NEWS Several social media

[Angelo Bavaro]

companies, including Meta, TikTok, Snapchat and YouTube are being sued by the families of four teenagers who died by suicide. Google, which owns YouTube, says it's reviewing that lawsuit and extends its sympathies to the families. I'm Angelo Bavaro and this is FOX NEWS.