12PM ET 08/02/2026 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update — 12PM ET, August 2, 2026

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This episode delivers a concise roundup of major domestic and international news stories. Coverage centers on the recent decision to halt planned U.S. strikes on Iran amid talks for a peace deal, wildfires across the Pacific Northwest, a deadly bombing in Moscow, the Spanish border crisis with Morocco, extreme heat in Arizona, and a notable lottery ticket theft case in Florida.

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Key Stories & Discussion Points

1. U.S.-Iran Tensions: Strikes Halted, Peace Deal Discussed

Timestamps: [00:02] – [00:51]

• President Trump announced a pause on massive planned strikes against Iran, citing steps toward a peace deal.
• The prospective agreement reportedly includes the “immediate and total opening of the Strait of Hormuz.”
• Saudi Arabia played a key role in requesting the halt, expressing concerns Iran could retaliate against its energy infrastructure.
• Qatari mediators engaged in talks with U.S., Iranian, and Omani officials to facilitate negotiations.
• The region remains tense; Iran emphasized vigilance: "It was neither surprise nor passive and it remains alert."

Notable Quotes:

• “President Trump says the perimeters of a deal have been reached with Iran that include the immediate and total opening of the Strait of Hormuz.” — Rebecca Kasser [00:13]
• “Saudi Arabia reportedly is concerned its energy infrastructure could be targeted by Iran if the US followed through with the strikes.” — Ann Kerik [00:51]

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2. Pacific Northwest Wildfires and Heatwaves

Timestamps: [01:08] – [01:43]

• Large wildfires in the Spokane, Washington area have burned over 3,000 acres; hot, dry, windy conditions are exacerbating the situation.
• Smoke is spreading widely, reaching as far south as Texas.
• Montana, Colorado, Wyoming, and the desert Southwest are also experiencing record-breaking temperatures, with Phoenix near 115°F.
• Washington state has declared a state of emergency and imposed a burn ban; nearly 2 million acres have burned in the region this season.

Notable Quotes:

• “There’s a number of them across the western United States, a whole lot actually across the Pacific Northwest. And smoke’s funneling out into the country… Still a risk for some wildfires today across portions of Montana as the weather’s dry.” — Adam Klotz [01:08]
• “Washington state governor Bob Ferguson declared a state of emergency. Almost 2 million acres across the Pacific Northwest have been burned by wildfires this season.” — Ann Kerik [01:43]

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3. Moscow Restaurant Bombing

Timestamps: [01:43] – [02:15]

• A bombing in central Moscow killed at least three people, including the suspected female bomber; 20+ others were injured.
• Moscow’s mayor called it a “brutal terrorist attack.”
• No group has claimed responsibility yet. Authorities are investigating.

Notable Quotes:

• “A bombing at a restaurant in central Moscow leaves at least three people dead, including the suspected female bomber. More than 20 others are injured. Moscow's mayor calling it a brutal terrorist attack.” — Ann Kerik [01:43]

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4. Spanish-Moroccan Migrant Crisis

Timestamps: [02:15] – [02:52]

• Spain is erecting a 1,600-foot sea barrier after tens of thousands of migrants breached the Morocco border in a week.
• 67 migrants have died during the crisis; over 48,000 repatriated to Morocco by Spanish authorities.
• Extreme heat in the region is worsening the humanitarian situation.

Notable Quotes:

• “Spain is installing a 1600-foot sea barrier along its border with Morocco after tens of thousands of migrants breached the frontier over the past week. The Spanish government says at least 67 migrants died during the crisis.” — Ann Kerik [02:15]

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5. Arizona Heat Emergency and Deaths

Timestamps: [02:52] – [03:25]

• Maricopa County, AZ, has opened hundreds of heat relief centers to respond to a spike in heat-related deaths.
• 40 heat deaths confirmed so far in 2026—more than double the previous year, with many more under investigation.
• 1/3 of deaths involve people experiencing homelessness, but a majority of cases involve housed individuals.
• Older adults (60+) face the greatest risks.

Notable Quotes:

• “Triple digit heat in Arizona may feel routine, but taking it lightly can be deadly. Maricopa county health officials say at least 40 people have died from the heat so far this year, with hundreds of more cases under investigation.” — Megan Specter [02:52]
• “County health officials say older adults face the greatest risk, adding most heat-related deaths involve people age 60 and older.” — Ann Kerik [03:25]

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6. Florida Postal Theft: Stolen Winning Lottery Ticket

Timestamps: [03:25] – [03:41]

• A Florida postal worker has been arrested for allegedly stealing a $2,600 winning lottery ticket from the mail and trying to cash it herself.
• The ticket, a “pick four” entry, was mailed to a family member by the actual winner but never arrived.
• The suspect faces charges including grand theft, filing a false claim, and mail theft.

Notable Quotes:

• “The U.S. postal Service worker arrested in Florida for allegedly stealing a winning lottery ticket and trying to cash it herself. Well, the pick four ticket worth $2,600 was mailed by the winner to a family member and later was reported missing after it never ARR.” — Ann Kerik [03:25]

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Memorable Moments

• The announcement that talks have “made progress” on reopening the Strait of Hormuz ([00:13]–[00:51]) marks a potential de-escalation in a volatile region.
• Alarming statistics from Arizona underscore how extreme heat is impacting both the sheltered and unsheltered populations: “About one third of those deaths were people experiencing homelessness… that means 50% of people who die from the heat will have had a roof over their heads.” — Megan Specter [02:52]

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Listen for These Key Segments

• [00:02] – U.S.-Iran deal progress; decision to halt airstrikes
• [01:08] – Spokane wildfire update and Western U.S. heatwave
• [01:43] – Terrorist bombing in Moscow
• [02:15] – Spanish-Moroccan border crisis and migrant deaths
• [02:52] – Deadly heat in Arizona and efforts to prevent deaths
• [03:25] – Florida postal theft: winning lottery ticket case

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Transcript

[A]

A massive wave of strikes on Iran halted for now. I'm Ann Kerik, FOX News. President Trump claims the U.S. and Iran are closer to a peace deal. Fox's Rebecca Kasser has the details from Washington.

[B]

President Trump says the perimeters of a deal have been reached with Iran that include the immediate and total opening of the Strait of Hormuz. And that is why Iran and other Middle Eastern countries have asked him to hold off on this attack. According to Axios, that decision came after the Saudi crown prince spoke with President Trump yesterday and expressed concerns over his plans for massive new strikes against Iran. It was said to be one of the largest bombing campaigns on Iran to date and likely would have targeted energy infrastructure. Qatari mediators held separate talks with US Iranian and Omani officials yesterday on reopening the Strait. Axios reports those talks made progress.

[A]

So Saudi Arabia reportedly is concerned its energy infrastructure could be targeted by Iran if the US Followed through with the strikes. Iran responding. It was neither surprise nor passive and it remains alert. A wildfire in Spokane, Washington has burned more than 3,000 acres. Fox Weather's Adam Klotz has the latest

[C]

Winds, dry conditions, hot conditions, all spurring on these fires. There's a number of them across the western United States, a whole lot actually across the Pacific Northwest. And smoke's funneling out into the country. Some of the thickest smoke cross portions of the Intermountain west getting down into Texas. The upper level winds really driving that. Still a risk for some wildfires today across portions of Montana as the weather's dry. And yes, it's still hot. Heat alerts across the west, including Montana, but stretching down into the desert Southwest, we are going to see some records fall today. Colorado to wyoming all over 100 degrees. Phoenix, closer to 115 degrees.

[A]

Washington state governor Bob Ferguson declared a state of emergency. Almost 2 million acres across the Pacific Northwest have been burned by wildfires this season. A burn ban also is in effect to prevent new fires. America is listening to FOX News. A bombing at a restaurant in central Moscow leaves at least three people dead, including the suspected female bomber. More than 20 others are injured. Moscow's mayor calling it a brutal terrorist attack. The explosion happening Saturday evening in the Russian capital. Authorities have launched an investigation, but so far no group has claimed responsibility for the attack. Spain is installing a 1600 foot sea barrier along its border with Morocco after tens of thousands of migrants breached the frontier over the past week. The Spanish government says at least 67 migrants died during the crisis. Spain's interior minister says more than 48,000 migrants already have been returned to Morocco. With dangerous heat gripping the region, Maricopa County, Arizona opens hundreds of heat relief centers as officials try to curb a growing number of heat related deaths. Fox 10's Megan Specter with details.

[D]

Triple digit heat in Arizona may feel routine, but taking it lightly can be deadly. Maricopa county health officials say at least 40 people have died from the heat so far this year, with hundreds of more cases under investigation. That's more than double the number of heat deaths confirmed at this time last year. Data shows that about one third of those deaths were people experiencing homelessness. That number expected to increase, but that means 50% of people who die from the heat will have had a roof over their heads. That's why the county has more than 250 heat relief sites across the valley for anyone in need.

[A]

County health officials say older adults face the greatest risk, adding most heat related deaths involve people age 60 and older. The U.S. postal Service worker arrested in Florida for allegedly stealing a winning lottery ticket and trying to cash it herself. Well, the pick four ticket worth $2,600 was mailed by the winner to a family member and later was reported missing after it never ARR. The suspect now is facing multiple felony charges, including grand theft, filing a false claim for payment and mail theft. I'm Ann Carrick and this is FOX News.