Fox News Hourly Update – 2AM ET 04/13/2026 Newscast

Podcast: Fox News Hourly Update
Host: FOX News Podcasts (Angelo Bavaro, Ashley Strohmeier, Mike Tobin)
Air Date: April 13, 2026
Episode Overview:
This episode delivers a fast-paced run-through of the hour's biggest stories, including political shakeups in California, escalations in US-Iran relations, a policy announcement from New York City’s Mayor, a key amendment vote in Virginia, and a celebratory look back at the Artemis 2 moon mission.

Major Shakeup in California Gubernatorial Race

Key Segment: [00:02]–[00:32]

• Eric Swalwell Suspends Campaign:

  • Democratic Congressman Eric Swalwell suspends his campaign for California governor following allegations of sexual assault by a former staffer.
  • He asserts his innocence, stating the accusations are "absolutely false."
  • House Democrats are now urging Swalwell to resign his seat, some even pushing for expulsion if he refuses.

• Notable Quote:

  • Ashley Strohmeier: “Democrats in Congress are calling for him to resign his current seat in the House, with some even saying they will support the rare step of expulsion if he refuses to leave.” [00:21]

• Public Statement by Swalwell:

  • In a social media post, Swalwell apologized for "mistakes and judgment" while denying the allegations.

U.S. to Blockade Strait of Hormuz

Key Segment: [00:32]–[01:41]

• President Trump’s Announcement:

  • The U.S. will initiate a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, starting at 10am ET, in response to failed American-Iranian peace talks in Pakistan.
  • The blockade’s purpose is to cut off Iranian oil exports.

• Blockade Details:

  • Only ships departing Iranian ports will be stopped.
  • U.S. Navy begins de-mining operations and plans to announce a safe pathway for neutral commercial shipping.

• Iran’s Response:

  • Iran's Revolutionary Guard declares full control of the strait, threatening force against any warships entering.

• Notable Quotes:

  • President Trump: “We're putting on a complete blockade. We're not going to let Iran make money on selling oil to people that they like and not people that they don't like or whatever it is. It's going to be all or none.” [01:27]
  • Mike Tobin: “The blockade will involve stopping any ships that come out of Iranian ports or Iranian coastal areas. US Ships will not be stopping vessels traveling from non Iranian ports.” [00:57]

• Additional Insight:

  • President Trump claims U.S. forces destroyed Iranian naval assets and criticizes NATO’s lack of involvement in reopening the strait.

NYC Mayor Zoran Mamdani’s City-Run Grocery Store Initiative

Key Segment: [02:40]–[03:20]

• Policy Announcement:

  • New York City Mayor Zoran Mamdani celebrates his first 100 days with a rally and the rollout plan for city-operated grocery stores in every borough.
  • First location to launch in East Harlem. Estimated opening cost: $30 million.

• Goals:

  • Mamdani vows to make basic groceries—like eggs and bread—affordable for all NYC residents.

• Quote:

  • Angelo Bavaro: “Eggs will be cheaper. Bread will be cheaper. Grocery shopping will no longer be an unsolvable equation.” [02:47]

Virginia Redistricting Amendment Debate

Key Segment: [03:20]–[03:44]

• Voters Face Big Decision:

  • Virginia voters will vote on temporarily returning redistricting control to the state legislature (currently Democratic-led).
  • Republican Congressman Rob Whitman warns this could disenfranchise rural voters.

• Notable Quote:

  • Rob Whitman (via Mike Tobin): “It is a complete, complete silencing of the voices of over 2.1 million voters across the Commonwealth of Virginia disenfranchises them.” [03:20]

• Democratic Response:

  • Democrats claim the move responds to GOP-led states redrawing their own congressional maps.

Artemis 2 Astronauts’ Historic Lunar Mission

Key Segment: [03:44]–[04:23]

• Crew’s Return and Reflections:

  • Artemis 2 crew—Commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, mission specialists Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen—receive a hero's welcome after their record-breaking ten-day lunar flyby.

• Astronaut's Reflections:

  • Wiseman expresses gratitude to families and reflects on the emotional challenges of traveling deep into space.

• Notable Quotes:

  • Reid Wiseman: “This was not easy. Being 200,000 plus miles away from home like before you launch, it feels like it's the greatest dream on Earth. And when you're out there, you just want to get back to your families and your friends. It's a special thing to be a human and it's a special thing to be on planet Earth.” [04:02]

• Mission Milestones:

  • Astronauts traveled farther from Earth than any humans before; flawless splashdown in the Pacific Ocean.
  • Crew included three Americans and one Canadian.

Memorable Moments & Tone

• The episode is concise, urgent, and packed with breaking developments and high-stakes international diplomacy.
• Quotes from politicians and astronauts add immediacy and emotional gravity.
• The program maintains FOX’s direct, news-focused style, with frequent attributions and sharp, succinct updates.