2PM ET 05/14/2026 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update: 2PM ET, May 14, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode delivers a brisk roundup of key national and international news developments. Top stories include tensions with Iran, updates on U.S. politics and lawmakers, rising threats in Africa from ISIS and cartels, and economic headlines. The broadcast features testimony from military and law enforcement officials, remarks from President Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance, and live reports on Senate actions affecting government shutdown pay.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Iran’s Missile Capabilities and Strait of Hormuz Tensions

• CENTCOM Controversy:
  After open source reports that Iran retains most of its missiles and launchers, CENTCOM commander Admiral Brad Cooper tells lawmakers that such reports are "inaccurate" and miss the larger point about Iran's weakened command structure.

  • Notable Quote:

    "It's more than just the numbers. It's the command and control that's been shattered."
    – Admiral Brad Cooper, Senate Hearing [00:15]

• U.S.–China Diplomacy:
  President Trump, in Beijing, recounts a conversation with China’s president, who offered to mediate Iran tensions. Trump frames China’s interest in the region as economic:

  • Notable Quote:

    "He said if I can be of any help at all, I would like to be of help. Because he did say that. Yeah, he did say that. And look, anybody that buys that much oil has obviously got some kind of a relationship with him."
    – President Trump [00:32]

• Other Topics in Beijing:
  The president’s meetings also cover Taiwan and U.S.–China trade, with major U.S. business leaders present at a state banquet.

2. Virginia Stabbing Case and Immigration Policy Debate

• Mother’s Appeal to Congress:
  The mother of Stephanie Minter, a Virginia woman killed at a bus stop, calls on lawmakers to enact reforms and not to "let her story be ignored." She stresses the need for responsibility and community protection.

  • Notable Quote:

    "Do not let another family stand where I am standing. Make changes, take responsibility, protect your community."
    – Stephanie Minter’s Mother [01:06]

• Immigration Enforcement Scrutiny:
  Fairfax County Commonwealth Attorney Steve Descano faces criticism in a House Judiciary hearing over changes to his office’s website that concern immigration consequences in prosecutions.

  • Exchange Highlights:

    "My policies do not say that. We do not prosecute."
    – Steve Descano [01:32]
    "If you're proud of your policies, why did you change your website?... It had been up for six years. A week after we send you a letter... you change it."
    – Rep. Jim Jordan [01:34, 01:43]

• The Justice Department is now investigating Descano's office.

3. Federal Fraud Crackdown and Political Campaigning

• Vice President J.D. Vance in Maine:
  V.P. Vance leads a Medicaid fraud crackdown campaign, pledging stronger enforcement.

  • Notable Quote:

    "You have been fleeced by your own government for far too long and we are stopping it every single day."
    – Vice President J.D. Vance [02:42]

• Also campaigning alongside former Governor Paul LePage ahead of Maine’s June primary.

4. Terror and Cartel Threats in Africa

• Growing Danger:
  General Dagvan Anderson (US AFRICOM) testifies in the Senate about an expanding ISIS presence and Mexican drug cartels infiltrating Africa.

  • Drug Labs Disrupted:

    "Tipped off several countries to various drug labs... include the largest drug lab that had ever been disrupted in South Africa that there were Sinaloa cartel members on site."
    – General Anderson [03:08–03:17]

• US Engagement:
  The U.S. assists Somalia and Nigeria in targeting threats and seeks to rebuild relationships in the Sahel, where an American hostage is held.

  • Quote:

    "We would like to re establish some pragmatic relationships in the Sahel, where ISIS also has a stronghold where they are currently holding an American hostage."
    – General Anderson [03:32]

5. Senate Takes Stand on Shutdown Pay

• New Senate Resolution:
  Senators unanimously pass a rule to withhold their salaries during government shutdowns; pay resumes once agencies are reopened.

  • Notable Context:

    “Too long shutdowns in less than a year put financial strain on those federal employees working without pay. Like those employees, senators would get back pay when the shutdown's over and the checks restart.”
    – FOX News Report [03:53]

• Similar measures have been introduced in the House.

6. Market Rally

• Wall Street Update:
  The Dow is up 317 points; S&P and Nasdaq hit record highs. [04:13]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Admiral Brad Cooper:

  "It's more than just the numbers. It's the command and control that's been shattered." [00:15]

• President Trump:

  "Anybody that buys that much oil has obviously got some kind of a relationship with him." [00:32]

• Mother of Stephanie Minter:

  "Please do not let her story be ignored. Do not let another family stand where I am standing." [01:06]

• Rep. Jim Jordan to Steve Descano:

  "If you're proud of your policies, why did you change your website?" [01:34]

• Vice President J.D. Vance:

  "You have been fleeced by your own government for far too long and we are stopping it every single day." [02:42]

• General Anderson:

  "Include the largest drug lab that had ever been disrupted in South Africa that there were Sinaloa cartel members on site." [03:17] "We would like to re establish some pragmatic relationships in the Sahel..." [03:32]

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Iran Missile Reports & CENTCOM (00:03–00:23)
• President Trump and China on Iran (00:23–00:43)
• Virginia Stabbing Victim Appeals to Congress (01:06–01:17)
• Immigration Policy Controversy in Fairfax County (01:17–01:51)
• Vice President Vance Medicaid Fraud Crackdown (02:29–02:52)
• ISIS, Cartels, and Africa Threats (03:08–03:40)
• Senate Shutdown Salary Rule (03:50–04:13)
• Wall Street Rally Update (04:13)

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This Fox News Hourly Update delivers concise developments on global security, U.S. legislative moves, ongoing justice investigations, efforts to combat fraud, and both terrorism and economic news, capturing the urgent and straightforward tone typical of FOX News reporting.

Transcript

[A]

The status of Iran. Lisa Brady, FOX News. After reports the regime still has most of its missiles and launchers available for use. The CENTCOM commander tells lawmakers there are inaccurate open source numbers.

[B]

I think what also is not taken into consideration, it's more than just the numbers. It's the command and control that's been shattered.

[A]

Admiral Brad Cooper at a Senate hearing as a tug of war continues over the Strait of Hormuz. President Trump telling fox's Sean Hannity, China's president offered to, he did offer.

[C]

He said if I can be of any help at all, I would like to be of help. Because he did say that. Yeah, he did say that. And look, anybody that buys that much oil has obviously got some kind of a relationship with him.

[A]

That interview airs 9 Eastern tonight as the president prepares to wrap up his meetings in Beijing, where Taiwan and trade have also come up. Key US Business leaders are also there attending the state banquet earlier today. US Time an appeal to Congress from the mother of Stephanie Minter, the Virginia woman stabbed to death at a bus stop in February. The suspect is in the US and had multiple prior arrests.

[D]

Please do not let her story be ignored. Do not let another family stand where I am standing. Make changes, take responsibility, protect your community.

[A]

The Fairfax County Commonwealth Attorney Steve Descano offering condolences to her during the House hearing but pushing back when Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan pointed out his website pledge to consider immigration consequences in criminal cases was recently changed.

[D]

My policies do not say that. We do not prosecute.

[E]

Well, if you're proud of your policies, why did you change your website?

[D]

Because that's not my policy. As I told you, sir, that is a campaign statement that I made before I was common.

[E]

It had been up for six years. A week after we send you a letter saying we want you to come testify, shazam, you change it.

[A]

The Justice Department is investigating Toscano's office. America is listening to FOX News.

[F]

Close your eyes. Visualize your appliances and home systems. Protected, covered, repairs and replacements taken care of. Washers, dryers, AC units. Now say it with me. American Home Shield warranty. American Home shield.

[B]

Don't worry, be warranty for 20% off our plans. Visit ahs.com listen see ahs.com contracts for coverage details including limit amounts, fees, limitations

[A]

and exclusions while the president's in China. Vice President J.D. vance on the road for a second day in the US Focusing on a federal fraud crackdown, especially in Medicaid services, this time in Maine.

[G]

My friends, this has gone on for far too long. You have been fleeced by your own government for far too long and we are stopping it every single day.

[A]

He is also aiming to boost the congressional campaign of former Governor Paul LePage ahead of a June primary with early voting already underway. A warning to lawmakers from a top military official that ISIS is trying to grow in Africa and so are Mexican drug cartels.

[H]

US Africa Command General Dagvan Anderson told the Senate Armed Services Committee they have tipped off several countries to various drug labs over the last several months to

[I]

include the largest drug lab that had ever been disrupted in South Africa that there were Sinaloa cartel members on site.

[H]

Anderson said ISIS is trying to grow in Africa. The US Is using resources to help forces in Somalia and Nigeria detect and target threats.

[I]

We would like to re establish some pragmatic relationships in the Sahel, where ISIS also has a stronghold where they are currently holding an American hostage.

[H]

He's referring to American missionary and pilot Kevin Rideout, Anderson said they have the minimum needed resources and require more. Jessica Rosenthal, Fox News U.S. senators agree

[A]

not to get paid during future government

[G]

shutdowns Senators unanimously pass a resolution to have their salaries withheld during shutdowns. It directs the secretary of the Senate to withhold pay whenever a government shutdown affects one or more federal agencies. Too long shutdowns in less than a year put financial strain on those federal employees working without pay. Like those employees, senators would get back pay when the shutdown's over and the checks restart.

[A]

Fox's Chris Foster. Similar bills have been proposed in the U.S. house. A rally continues on Wall Street. The dow is up 317 points. The S and P and the Nasdaq in record territory. Elisa Brady, this is FOX News.