2AM ET 08/02/2026 Newscast

Summary

---

Fox News Hourly Update – 2AM ET 08/02/2026

Host: Debra Valentine, FOX News Podcasts
Date: August 2, 2026
Theme: The latest developments on U.S. foreign policy, domestic crises, crime, cyberattacks, and notable news updates across the country.

---

Episode Overview

This FOX News hourly update delivers rapid coverage on President Trump’s decision to pause strikes on Iran amid an emerging Mideast peace framework; heartbreaking news of a deadly shooting in Idaho; the escalating wildfire emergency in Washington and Oregon; continued controversy over immigration enforcement; and a major cyberattack on U.S. water infrastructure. The program weaves together breaking developments, official statements, and on-the-ground reporting to provide listeners with concise yet comprehensive national and international news.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. U.S.-Iran Tensions: Strikes Paused Amid Emerging Peace Deal

• President Trump’s Announcement
  • In a statement posted on Truth Social, President Trump reveals he’s holding off on planned military strikes against Iran due to a tentative framework for a Mideast peace deal.
  • “President Trump says he will hold off on ordering new strikes on Iran.” — Debra Valentine [00:03]
  • Fox’s Chanley Painter elaborates: Allies have agreed to open the Strait of Hormuz and halt Iran’s nuclear threat. Israel supports the pause, contingent on rapid deal-making.
  • “Trump added the emerging deal would include the immediate, complete and total opening of the Strait of Hormuz and an end to Iran's nuclear threat.” — Chanley Painter [00:19]
  • Strikes would be reconsidered if negotiations falter.
• Context
  • Plans for U.S. attacks were “reportedly” imminent, but the pause signals optimism about ending the war with Iran.

2. Domestic Crisis: Idaho Shooting

• Investigation Underway After Deadly Incident
  • A fatal shooting occurred at an In-N-Out Burger in Twin Falls, Idaho.
  • Local law enforcement mobilized extensively.
  • “We have literally hundreds of people... in the area of this restaurant at the time that are being interviewed right now.” — Police Chief Matthew Hicks [01:10]
  • The shooter is confirmed deceased.
• Law Enforcement Response
  • All available agency resources are dedicated to interviewing witnesses.

3. Wildfire Emergency in the Pacific Northwest

• Widespread Evacuations and Statewide Emergency
  • Mass evacuations are ordered in Spokane, Washington, as wildfires rage.
  • Governor Bob Ferguson declares a statewide emergency and burn ban.
  • “I've declared a statewide emergency and a statewide burn ban because... we expect it to be especially challenging this weekend with extremely high winds.” — Gov. Bob Ferguson [01:34]
  • Over one million acres destroyed in Washington and Oregon this summer, illustrating the scale of the disaster.

4. Immigration and Public Safety: The Case of Lance Corporal Walden

• Third Deportation for Convicted Hit-and-Run Driver
  • A migrant, in the U.S. illegally, is set for his third deportation after the 2017 hit-and-run death of Marine Lance Corporal James Walden III.
  • Personal account from Walden’s father emphasizes the impact and perceived failure of immigration enforcement:
    • “Now finding out the illegal immigrant who was convicted of the hit and run is set to be deported a third time when he should never have been in the country at all.” — Father of James Walden III [02:40]

5. Cybersecurity Threat: Attacks on U.S. Water Systems

• Major Breach in Seven States
  • At least seven states’ water systems targeted by cyberattacks.
  • The FBI reports hackers changed passwords and IP addresses, leading to loss of water pressure and risk of groundwater contamination.
  • “The FBI says these malicious cyberhackers were able to change the passwords and IP addresses... reports of loss of pressure and flooding which can allow untreated groundwater to seep into the pipes.” — Madeleine Novera [03:29]
  • Localized incident in Minnesota: 30 communities affected; water safety not impacted, but systems demonstrated critical infrastructure vulnerabilities.
• Attribution and Response
  • Early reports suggest Iranian involvement, but the FBI withholds official attribution.
  • President Trump publicly blames Minnesota officials, while Minnesota’s Governor Tim Walz accuses the President of possessing information on the real perpetrators.
  • “President Trump blamed Minnesota officials for the cyber attacks. Minnesota's Governor Tim Walsh says the president knows who's responsible and that the attacks show the reality of modern warfare.” — Debra Valentine [04:11]

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [00:19] “Trump added the emerging deal would include the immediate, complete and total opening of the Strait of Hormuz and an end to Iran's nuclear threat.” — Chanley Painter
• [01:10] “We have literally hundreds of people that were in some way, shape or form in the area of this restaurant at the time that are being interviewed right now.” — Twin Falls Police Chief Matthew Hicks
• [01:34] “I've declared a statewide emergency and a statewide burn ban because ... [of] how challenging the situation is and how challenging we expect it to be, especially this weekend with extremely high winds.” — Gov. Bob Ferguson
• [02:40] “Now finding out the illegal immigrant who was convicted of the hit and run is set to be deported a third time when he should never have been in the country at all.” — Father of Lance Corporal James Walden III
• [03:29] “The FBI says these malicious cyberhackers were able to change the passwords and IP addresses of the systems that operate and monitor these water facilities.” — Madeleine Novera
• [04:11] “President Trump blamed Minnesota officials for the cyber attacks. Minnesota's Governor Tim Walsh says the president knows who's responsible and that the attacks show the reality of modern warfare.” — Debra Valentine

---

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:03 – Trump pauses Iran strikes (Debra Valentine/Chanley Painter)
• 01:10 – Idaho In-N-Out Burger shooting update (Chief Matthew Hicks)
• 01:34 – Wildfire emergency and evacuations in Washington (Gov. Ferguson)
• 02:40 – Third deportation in hit-and-run killing of Marine (Father of James Walden III)
• 03:29 – Cyberattacks on water facilities, possible Iran link (Madeleine Novera)
• 04:11 – Political fallout from cyberattack, state and federal blame (Debra Valentine)

---

Summary Flow

The episode compresses key national security, public safety, and policy issues into a fast-paced newscast. Anchored by breaking news, official statements, and field reports, listeners are quickly brought up to speed on escalating global tensions, violent domestic incidents, looming natural disasters, and the ongoing debate over immigration and infrastructure security. The tone remains urgent, straightforward, and focused on fact-driven updates, capturing both the gravity and the dynamics of unfolding events.

---

Transcript

[Debra Valentine]

No news strikes. I'm Debra Valentine, Fox News. In a post on Truth Social Saturday evening, President Trump says he will hold off on ordering new strikes on Iran.

[Chanley Painter]

Fox's Chanley Painter posted on social media claiming Mideast allies reached a rough framework for a peace deal and because of that, the US Will hold off on ordering new strikes. Trump added the emerging deal would include the immediate, complete and total opening of the Strait of Hormuz and an end to Iran's nuclear threat. He goes on to say Israel joins him in the pause and strikes, which remains contingent on being able to rapidly make a deal. President Trump had reportedly been planning new attacks on Iran that could have taken place as soon as this weekend. But again, those plans are now apparently canceled after Middle east allies reached the outlines of a deal to end the war with Iran.

[Debra Valentine]

The president's statement said Middle east allies have reached the parameters of a deal to end the Iran conflict. A deadly shooting at a fast food restaurant, the In N Out Burger, located in Twin Falls, Idaho. Police Chief Matthew Hicks speaking to reporters during a press conference.

[Matthew Hicks]

We have literally hundreds of people that were in some way, shape or form in the area of this restaurant at the time that are being interviewed right now. The resources for all of our agencies are completely on board. We are interviewing as many people as we can.

[Debra Valentine]

Hicks says the shooter is deceased. Mass evacuation orders for Spokane, Washington, due to massive wildfires. Governor BOB ferguson, I declared a statewide emergency and a statewide burn ban because we've heard how challenging the situation is and how challenging we expect it to be, especially this weekend with extremely high winds. Officials have issued the statewide burn ban in an effort to reduce the risk of additional fires being started. Wildfires destroying more than a million acres in Washington and Oregon this summer. Americans listening to FOX News.

[Ryan Reynolds]

Hey, it's Ryan Reynolds here for Mint Mobile. Now I was looking for fun ways to tell you that Mint's offer of unlimited Premium Wireless for 50 doll dollars a month is back. So I thought it would be fun if we made $15 bills but it turns out that's very illegal. So there goes my big idea for the commercial. Give it a [e-mail] switch upfront payment

[Goldbelly Advertiser]

$45 for three months, $90 for six months or $180 for 12 month plan required $15 per month equivalent taxes and fees. Extra initial plan term only greater than 50 gigabytes. Me slow when network is busy. See terms.

[Debra Valentine]

A migrant in the US Illegally is being deported for the third time after causing a hit and run crash. That kill in 2017.

[Father of Lance Corporal James Walden III]

The father of Lance Corporal James Walden III is reliving the pain of his son's senseless death from nearly a decade ago. Now finding out the illegal immigrant who was convicted of the hit and run is set to be deported a third time when he should never have been in the country at all. Even before he killed his son. Walden's son, 21 year old Marine James Walden II, had been stationed at Fort Meade and was considered a heroic soldier prepared to sacrifice for his country. But his young life was cut short in 2017, killed on a winding road while riding his motorcycle by the reckless driving of Martin Martinez balinas, who's now 38 years old and in ICE custody.

[Debra Valentine]

Fox's Loren Greene reporting. A major cyberattack targeting water systems in at least seven states. U.S. officials believe Iran is the likely culprit. Fox's Madeleine Novera reports.

[Madeleine Novera]

The FBI says these malicious cyberhackers were able to change the passwords and IP addresses of the systems that operate and monitor these water facilities. The agency says they've received reports of loss of pressure and flooding which can allow untreated groundwater to seep into the pipes. The FBI did not mention which seven states were affected. It comes though on the same week that Minnesota officials warned of a coordinated cyberattack on the water systems of 30 Minnesota communities. Water safety was not impacted, but the incident does highlight the vulnerabilities of critical infrastructure. The reports, including from the New York Times, that per U.S. and state officials, this may have been the work of Iran. The FBI is dismissing that for now, telling Fox they're not currently blaming or Iran as they work to identify a culprit.

[Debra Valentine]

30 water facilities in Minnesota breach. President Trump blamed Minnesota officials were the cyber attacks. Minnesota's Governor Tim Walsh says the president knows who's responsible and that the attacks show the reality of modern warfare. I'm Debra Valentine. This is FOX News.

[Goldbelly Advertiser]

Hey guys, have you heard of Gold Belly? It's this amazing site where they ship the most iconic famous foods from restaurants across the country anywhere nationwide. I've never found a more perfect gift than food. Gold Belly ship Chicago deep dish pizza, New York bagels, Maine lobster rolls and even Ina Garten's famous cakes. So if you're looking for a gift for the food lover in your life, head to goldbelly.com and get 20% off your first order with promo code GIFT. That's goldbelly.com promo code GIFT.