2AM ET 06/21/2026 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update – 2AM ET 06/21/2026 Newscast

Date: June 21, 2026
Host: Debra Valentine (FOX News Podcasts)
Episode Overview:
This 2AM update delivers breaking developments on U.S.-Iran peace talks, a multi-state shooting spree investigation, new issues with the iconic National Mall Reflecting Pool, a push for Congressional regulation of college sports, and the expected resignation of Britain’s Prime Minister.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. U.S.–Iran Peace Talks Amid Hormuz Tensions

Timestamps: 00:02 – 00:57

• J.D. Vance (FOX News Vice President) has arrived in Switzerland to continue diplomatic dialogue with Iran, tied to a fresh 60-day memorandum.
• Meetings occur as the U.S. denies Iran’s claim to have “closed the Strait of Hormuz,” blaming regional violence for confusion.
  • Alex Hogan details the context:
    • Iran alleges closure is due to “recent violence between the IDF and Hezbollah in Lebanon.”
    • IRGC claims ships should avoid the waterway; the U.S. counters that the waterway remains under U.S. control, and traffic is normal.
    • “A US Defense official tells Fox that the IRGC cannot close the waterway since they don't control it. The U.S. controls it.” (Alex Hogan, 00:45)
    • In the past day, 55 merchant ships moved through, carrying 17 million barrels of oil.
• Mediation: Pakistan and Qatar are mediators.

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2. Manhunt for Missouri Shooting Suspect

Timestamps: 00:57 – 01:50

• Intense search for Oscar Sanchez Munoz (22), suspected in a shooting spree across Missouri and Kansas:
  • One fatality, one seriously injured, multiple others wounded.
  • FBI links Munoz to a June 11th car shooting in Kansas and five more on Tuesday near Arrowhead Stadium during World Cup matches.
• Madison Scarpino reports on the shootings' proximity to World Cup venues and public anxiety.
• Memorable moment: Victim account
  • Ryan Reynolds (noted as a witness, not the actor):
    • "A car passes by super fast and we hear these two boom boom noises." (Ryan Reynolds, 01:39)
    • He called 911 and improvised first aid: “…used baby wipes to hold on the driver's gunshot wounds.” (Madison Scarpino, 01:45)
• Public warned: “Sanchez Munoz is considered armed and dangerous.” (Debra Valentine, 01:50)

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3. Reflecting Pool Renovation Issues

Timestamps: 02:53 – 03:30

• The newly renovated Reflecting Pool on the National Mall faces recurring algae and sealant chipping.
  • Jared Halpern from the White House:
    • “National Park Service workers were [using] hydrogen peroxide and nano bubble technology to remove algae…” (Jared Halpern, 02:59)
    • Prominent blue sealant peeling; 14 million dollars spent on upgrades.
    • President Trump has made frequent site visits, taking credit for the project.
  • At least 10 arrests for vandalism at the pool.

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4. Congressional Push to Regulate College Sports

Timestamps: 03:30 – 04:18

• Bipartisan Senators draft a bill setting a national standard for NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) money, aiming to restore order among roster transfers and protect athletes.
  • Chad Pergrim:
    • “Bipartisan lawmakers believe college sports are spiraling out of control, so lawmakers are intervening.” (Chad Pergrim, 03:40)
    • Bill aims to protect students but faces skepticism about Congressional vs. NCAA solutions.
    • Concerns about impact on broadcast revenue and fan access to college games.
    • Prior efforts to pass similar legislation have failed in the House.
  • Opposition: Reported from the Big Ten and SEC conferences.

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5. Anticipated Resignation of British PM Keir Starmer

Timestamps: 04:18 – 04:49

• British PM Keir Starmer expected to announce resignation following the Peter Mandelson scandal, Labour party losses, and Andy Burnham’s recent political victory.
  • Pressure culminates as he prepares a timetable for departure.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Alex Hogan, on Strait of Hormuz dispute (00:45):
  “A US Defense official tells Fox that the IRGC cannot close the waterway since they don't control it. The U.S. controls it.”
• Ryan Reynolds (witness/victim), on shooting spree (01:39):
  “A car passes by super fast and we hear these two boom boom noises.”
• Chad Pergrim, on Congress and college sports (03:40):
  “Bipartisan lawmakers believe college sports are spiraling out of control, so lawmakers are intervening.”
• Jared Halpern, on the Reflecting Pool repair (02:59):
  “National Park Service workers were hydrogen peroxide and nano bubble technology to remove algae…”

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Segment Timestamps Guide

• U.S.–Iran Talks: 00:02 – 00:57
• Shooting Spree/Missouri Manhunt: 00:57 – 01:50
• Reflecting Pool Repairs: 02:53 – 03:30
• Congress & College Sports: 03:30 – 04:18
• UK Prime Minister Resignation: 04:18 – 04:49

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For listeners: This episode covers urgent international diplomacy, key domestic criminal investigations, infrastructure challenges, complex college sports politics, and a major change in UK leadership—all succinctly recapped for your early morning brief.

Transcript

[Debra Valentine]

Peace talks. I'm Debra Valentine. Fox News Vice President J.D. vance has arrived in Switzerland for continuing talks with Iran as their 60 day memorandum of agreement signed last week is in effect. Fox's Alex Hogan reports. The meetings come as the US Insists Iran's claim that it closed the Strait of Hormuz is false due to fighting in southern Lebanon.

[Alex Hogan]

Iran says it did so because of the recent violence between the IDF and Hezbollah in Lebanon. The Israeli military claims that Hezbollah fired more than 50 projectiles at Israeli in southern Lebanon. And Lebanon claims that these strikes have now killed as many as 20 people there. As a result, the IRGC says ships should not approach the waterway. However, a US Defense official tells Fox that the IRGC cannot close the waterway since they don't control it. The U.S. controls it. And U.S. central Command says that ships are moving in the strait. As many as 55 merchant ships transited moving 17 million barrels of oil.

[Debra Valentine]

Officials from Pakistan and Qatar will mediate the talks. A manhunt is ongoing for 22 year old Oscar Sanchez Munoz, a suspect in a Missouri shooting spree that left one person dead. Fox's Madison Scarpino.

[Madison Scarpino]

The FBI says he's wanted for shooting at a car on June 11th in Kansas. They say he may be the one responsible for five more shootings on Tuesday, all just miles from Arrowhead Stadium in the Show Me State where there are several World cup matches. One person died in these shootings. One has serious injuries. All others are expected to be fine, including an Uber driver who was shot while taking fans to the World cup match between Argentina and Algeria. Here's one of those fans who was inside of the car.

[Ryan Reynolds]

A car passes by super fast and we hear these two boom boom noises.

[Madison Scarpino]

He says he called 911 and used baby wipes to hold on the driver's gunshot wounds.

[Debra Valentine]

Sanchez Munoz is considered armed and dangerous. America's listening to FOX News.

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[Debra Valentine]

new repairs for the newly renovated reflecting pool on the National Mall. Fox's Jared Halpern has more from the White House.

[Jared Halpern]

National Park Service workers were hydrogen peroxide and nano bubble technology to remove algae from the reflecting pool near the Lincoln Memorial last week. Algae left a green haze atop the water and video shows the American flag blue colored sealant used on the bottom of the pool, chipping away in some areas. President Trump has taken a direct role in the revamp, visiting the work site and speaking often of the upgrades totaling about $14 million at the White House. Jared Halpern, Fox News US Park Police

[Debra Valentine]

say there have been at least 10 arrests for Vand at the reflecting pool. The Senate is stepping in to regulate college sports. Fox's Chad Pergrim has more from Capitol Hill.

[Chad Pergrim]

Bipartisan Lawmakers believe college sports are spiraling out of control, so lawmakers are intervening. Senators teed up a bipartisan bill to create a national standard for nil money and a plan to curb roster chaos through transfers. The bill's authors say the legislation protects student athletes, but there's skepticism about Congress stepping in for the ncaa. However, even some opponents of the legislation aren't convince. Hence, the NCAA can fix things either. There's fear that changes could scramble revenue streams for college sports broadcasters. That might mean that fans struggle to view their teams. Two previous efforts to regulate college sports faltered in the House.

[Debra Valentine]

There's opposition to the bill from the Big Ten and the sec, according to Britain's observer newspaper. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to announce his resignation on Monday. Starmer is also expected to set a timetable for this departure. He's been under pressure to resign over the Peter Mandelson SC scandal, Labor Party election losses and leadership challenges. Starmer's decision comes after his political rival, Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, won a parliamentary seat. I'm Debra Valentine. This is Fox News.

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