Summary4 min read

Fox News Hourly Update: 2AM ET – 07/18/2026

Episode Overview

This episode delivers a concise roundup of significant overnight U.S. and world news, focusing on ongoing U.S. military operations against Iran, legal developments in the Benghazi case, updates on the Maine Senate race, a protest shooting in Colorado, and the arrest of a Rhode Island fugitive.

1. U.S. Military Strikes in Iran: Seventh Consecutive Day

Centcom Update
[00:02] Debra Valentine opens the newscast announcing continued U.S. military action against Iran:

"Centcom has announced that the US has carried out attacks on Iran for the seventh straight day." — Debra Valentine ([00:02])
Clarification on U.S. Military Targets
[00:13] Fox’s Chanley Painter details denials from the Trump administration regarding Iranian claims:
- The U.S. insists strikes are exclusively on military targets, refuting allegations of targeting civilian infrastructure.
- Quoting a White House spokesperson:
  
  "The United States military has carried out strikes exclusively on military targets and including military logistics infrastructure."
- Highlight: One key target was an observation tower in Shabahar, reportedly used by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard to coordinate attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
- Reuters reported Iran instructed Yemen's Houthis to potentially close the Bab al-Mandab Strait, another vital oil shipping route, if U.S. strikes move to Iran’s power infrastructure.
U.S. Military Presence
[00:53] Over 50,000 U.S. service members remain deployed across the Middle East.

2. Break in Benghazi Case: Sentence Vacated

[01:08] Kristen Goodwin reports the U.S. Court of Appeals in D.C. has vacated the 28-year sentence of Ahmed Abu Khatala, leader involved in the 2012 Benghazi attack:
- The court deemed the sentence "too light of a punishment," ordering resentencing.
- Background: Khatala was convicted in 2017 on terrorism-related charges (but acquitted of murder) for the assault that killed Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans.
- Notable Court Statement:
  
  "The attack [was] premeditated...Khatala’s only stated regret was that the terrorists did not kill every American at the mission." — Appeals court statement ([01:40])

3. Paul Pelosi Charged in Hit and Run

[01:47] News snippet: Paul Pelosi, husband of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, has been charged with misdemeanor hit-and-run after a crash during the July 4th weekend.

4. Maine Senate Race Turmoil: Search for Democratic Nominee

[02:16] As Maine’s Democratic convention nears, the race to replace controversial candidate Graham Platner gains urgency:
- [02:27] Brian Yanes describes the “prec start” to the contest among 12 potential replacements; 8 participated in a debate, with primary winners featured first.
- The New York Times noted a lack of depth and polish among the field, stating:
  
  "Maine Democrats don't exactly have a deep bench," and referenced “halting answers, convoluted responses and stilted deliveries.”
- Context: Platner, who won the primary in a landslide, withdrew after being accused of rape (which he denies).
- Deadline: Maine has until July 27 to put forward a new nominee.

5. Colorado Detention Center Protest Shooting

[03:05] Lisa LaCera reports on a contract employee’s arrest after firing a weapon during a protest outside the Knights detention center in Aurora, Colorado:
- [03:22] The employee, Brandon Booth, 42, fired his personal pistol following a confrontation with protesters, injuring one woman (non-life-threatening wound).
- Charges include attempted second-degree murder and first-degree assault.
- Booth works for private prison operator Geo Group, contracted by ICE.

6. Major Fugitive Arrested

[03:58] Debra Valentine:
- The FBI confirms the arrest of Ronald L. Fisher, one of Rhode Island's most wanted fugitives, located on a sailboat off the coast of New Jersey after a tip.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

On U.S. Strike Targets ([00:13])

"The United States military has carried out strikes exclusively on military targets and including military logistics infrastructure." — White House spokesperson via Chanley Painter
On Benghazi Resentencing ([01:40])

"The attack [was] premeditated...Khatala’s only stated regret was that the terrorists did not kill every American at the mission.” — Appeals court statement via Kristen Goodwin
On Maine Senate Race ([02:49])

"Maine Democrats don’t exactly have a deep bench," noting "halting answers, convoluted responses and stilted deliveries." — The New York Times via Brian Yanes

Timestamps for Key Segments

00:02 – Ongoing U.S. attacks on Iran announced
00:13 – U.S. denies targeting civilian sites; background on military action and regional implications
00:53 – Update on U.S. military presence in the Middle East
01:08 – Benghazi attack leader’s sentence vacated
01:47 – Paul Pelosi charged with hit and run
02:16 – Maine’s Senate nominating convention and candidate debate
03:05 – Colorado detention center employee shoots protester
03:58 – Rhode Island fugitive captured

Summary Tone The episode maintains a brisk, factual, news bulletin style, prioritizing the most current and impactful developments across national security, legal affairs, and political contests.

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Transcript13 lines

[00:03]
A
Target Iran. I'm Debra Valentine, Fox News. Centcom has announced that the US has carried out attacks on Iran for the seventh straight day. Fox's Chanley Painter has the latest.
[00:14]
B
The Trump administration denying Iran's claims that the US Is striking civilian infrastructure inside Iran. A White House spokesperson telling Fox that, quote, the United States military has carried out strikes exclusively on military targets and including military logistics infrastructure. One of the US Targets, an observation tower in the port of Shabahar that Sitcom says was being used by the Revolutionary Guard to coordinate attacks on commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Meantime, Reuters reports that Iran has ordered the Houthis in Yemen to close the Bab Al Mandab Strait, another critical oil route if the US Hits Iran's power infrastructure.
[00:53]
A
Centcom has also added that more than 50,000 U.S. service members continue to operate across the Middle East. An appeals court vacates a Benghazi attack leader's decades long prison sentence, saying it's too lenient. Fox's Kristin Goodwin has details.
[01:09]
C
The U.S. court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit throwing out Ahmed Abu Khatala's 28 year prison sentence, finding it to be too light of a punishment given his crimes, transferring the case back to the district court in D.C. for resentencing. Katala is a Libyan militant convicted of terrorism related charges in the 2012 attacks on US compounds in Benghazi, Libya, the that killed Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans. Katala was acquitted of murder during his 2017 trial. In a statement, the appeals court calls the attack premeditated, adding Kotala's only stated regret was that the terrorists did not kill every American at the mission. Kristen Goodwin, Fox News.
[01:48]
A
Paul Pelosi, the husband of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, is charged with a misdemeanor hit and run after a July 4th weekend crash. America's listening to Fox News
[02:00]
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[02:17]
A
Maine's nominating convention is almost a week away as Democrats are still looking for their nominee to the Senate after controversial candidate Graham Platner withdrew from the race. Fox's Brian Yanes has the latest.
[02:28]
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The race to replace Graham Platner as Maine's Democratic Senate nominee is off to a prec start. Eight of the 12 candidates vying to replace Platner debated for the first time Thursday night. Four Democrats who won at least 20% of the vote in June's primary debated first, followed by four longer shot candidates after the New York Times declared, quote, maine Democrats don't exactly have a deep bench, noting halting answers, convoluted responses and stilted deliveries. Platner's popularity looms large over the race. He won the June Democratic primary in a landslide but was forced to quit after being accused of rape, which he denies.
[03:06]
A
Maine has until Monday, July 27, to file a new candidate to fill Platner's spot. A contract employee at a Knights detention center in Colorado is under arrest after he fired a gun during a confrontation with protesters outside the building. Fox's Lisa LaCera has the details.
[03:22]
F
Aurora police say the shooting happened Thursday night as employees were waiting in their vehicles for the protests to clear so they could start their shifts. They say two women started a verbal confrontation with employees, taking pictures of their vehicles before walking away. The man, identified as 4222 year old Brandon Booth, is accused of using his personal pistol and firing a shot in the direction of the women, hitting one of them in the lower body. He faces numerous charges including attempted second degree murder and first degree assault. Police say the woman has non life threatening injuries. Booth works for the private prison operator Geo Group, which is contracted by ICE to run the detention center. Lisa Lacera, FOX News.
[03:59]
A
The FBI says one of Rhode Island's most wanted fugitives has been captured. Ronald L. Fisher was taken into custody aboard a sailboat off the coast of New Jersey following a tip. Debra Valentine, this is FOX news.
[04:13]
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