Fox News Hourly Update – 2PM ET March 13, 2026 Newscast

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This episode delivers swift, high-impact coverage of major global and domestic news stories, including US-Iran conflict updates, legal proceedings involving social media giants, criminal trials with political implications, international relations with Cuba, a fugitive ex-Green Beret, World Sleep Day health advice, and a brief stock market update.

1. US-Iran Conflict Escalates

Timestamps: [00:03] – [00:34]

• President Trump states: The US is “hitting [Iran] harder than anybody’s been hit since World War II.” (Elisa Brady quoting Trump, [00:06])
• Summary of US Response: According to Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Iran’s missile launches are down 90%, drone attacks down 95%. Key Iranian leadership has been targeted:
  • Supreme Leader killed day one
  • Successor (his son, Mojtaba Khamenei) not seen since
• US Offers Reward:
  • Up to $10 million for information on Revolutionary Guard leaders, including Mojtaba Khamenei
  • Reported by Steve Harrigan near Armenia’s border with Iran ([00:34])

“We’re hitting them harder than anybody’s been hit since World War II.”
— President Trump (quoted by Elisa Brady, [00:06])

2. Social Media Addiction Lawsuit

Timestamps: [00:34] – [01:22]

• Landmark Jury Deliberation in Los Angeles:
  • Meta (Instagram) and Google (YouTube) accused of designing addictive platforms harming children’s mental health
  • Companies deny claims, arguing that the plaintiff was not actually addicted
  • TikTok and Snap settled before trial ([00:40])

3. Pretrial Hearing: Alleged Assassin of Charlie Kirk

Timestamps: [00:41] – [01:32]

• New Development:
  • President Trump’s comments and statements from Kirk’s widow, Erica, are cited by the defense as prejudicial
  • Prosecution and Utah county attorney argue this is an attempt to delay proceedings
  • Cameras in court allowed with restrictions ([01:32])
  • Defense calls alleged confessions “presidential”

“The defense is trying to drag things out here...the prosecution argued against the idea that the coverage will negatively affect Robinson.”
— Steve Harrigan ([01:22])

4. Conviction of Former New York State Trooper

Timestamp: [01:32] – [02:00]

• Conviction Details:
  • Trooper found guilty of manslaughter in the high-speed chase resulting in the death of an 11-year-old girl
  • Prosecution: Trooper rammed SUV
  • Defense: SUV cut him off as he pulled alongside ([01:32])

5. Ex-Green Beret Fugitivity in Venezuela Coup Case

Timestamps: [02:15] – [03:00]

• Update on Jordan Gaudreau:
  • Former Green Beret and security contractor is missing, now a fugitive
  • Facing US charges for sending weapons for a failed coup in Venezuela in 2020 (Operation Gideon)
  • Arrested after prisoner swap in 2023; partner sentenced to 21 years
  • President Maduro was captured by US military two months ago, facing US drug charges
  • Fox’s Chris Foster reports ([02:22])

“Attorney says Jordan Gaudreau is missing and federal prosecutors want his $2 million bail forfeited.”
— Steve Harrigan ([02:22])

6. Cuba-US Dialogue and Prisoner Release

Timestamp: [03:00] – [03:21]

• Diplomatic Update:
  • Cuba’s president confirms new talks with US
  • Cuba pledges release of 51 political prisoners as goodwill gesture

7. World Sleep Day Health Tips

Timestamps: [03:21] – [03:53]

• Expert Guidance:
  • Dr. A.J. Schwichtenberg (Purdue University) emphasizes the day’s importance for health awareness
  • Tips for Better Sleep:
    • Morning light exposure
    • Daytime activity
    • Reduce caffeine in afternoon
    • Avoid long naps
  • Quote:

    “A good night’s sleep starts when you wake up in the morning. You want to expose yourself to natural light during the day, if at all possible. You want to be active. And as afternoon rolls in, you want to start to reduce your caffeine intake. And you want to avoid extended naps.”
    — Dr. A.J. Schwichtenberg (quoted by Ainsley Earhart, [03:37])

8. Market Update

Timestamp: [04:04]

• Financial Snapshot:
  • Dow down 47 points
  • Oil over $98 a barrel

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• “We’re hitting them harder than anybody’s been hit since World War II.”
  — President Trump (quoted, [00:06])
• “A good night’s sleep starts when you wake up in the morning...”
  — Dr. A.J. Schwichtenberg (quoted by Ainsley Earhart, [03:37])

Episode Flow & Tone

• The episode delivers compact, urgent headlines with a brisk and authoritative tone, representative of Fox News’s standard delivery.
• Content is succinct, fact-based, and emphasizes both national security and public health news.

For Listeners

If you missed this episode, you’re now up to speed on the biggest stories of the hour—from US military escalation and landmark tech trials to international diplomatic moves and tips for your health tonight.