2PM ET 05/17/2026 Newscast

Summary

Fox News Hourly Update – 2PM ET 05/17/2026
Episode Summary

Overview
This episode of the Fox News Hourly Update delivers the latest breaking news across politics, international affairs, health emergencies, labor disputes, and culture, focusing on a major shakeup in the Louisiana Senate race, escalating tensions with Iran, the international Ebola outbreak, a disruptive New York commuter strike, and Tom Brady’s commencement address at Georgetown University.

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Louisiana Senate Primary Upset

• Incumbent Ousted:

  • Republican Senator and notable Trump critic Bill Cassidy is defeated in Louisiana's Senate primary.
  • Trump-backed Congresswoman Julia Letlow and State Treasurer John Fleming advance to a runoff set for June.
    • [00:02] Ann Carrick: “Republican senator and vocal Trump critic Bill Cassidy defeated in Louisiana’s Senate primary… Julia Letlow and John Fleming advancing to a runoff in June.”
  • Cassidy's defeat is largely attributed to his break with Trump over the second impeachment trial and other key issues.
    • [00:18] Chanley Painter: “Cassidy... faced backlash from many Republicans after voting to convict President Trump in his second impeachment trial... The president calling Cassidy a, quote, disloyal disaster.”
  • Louisiana’s election rules require a runoff between the top two candidates if no one exceeds 50% of the vote.

• Democratic Race:

  • Jamie Davis advances, but the runner-up slot is still too close to call.
  • Contenders are Nicholas Alvarez and Gary Crockett. [00:51]

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Tensions Between US and Iran

• Renewed Military Threats:

  • Potential for US military action against Iran as diplomatic efforts have stalled.
    • [01:05] Trey Yinx: “The Iranians believe they can drag out this current stalemate for at least two weeks. But... President Trump may resort to military action.”
  • Iran seen as stalling and using upcoming events ("the World Cup and America's 250th anniversary") as leverage to avoid escalation.
  • Diplomatic solutions have failed due to Iran’s refusal to make concessions.
    • [01:27] Trey Yinx: “Tension remains high... the region waits to see if the war will resume in the days ahead. So far, efforts toward a diplomatic solution have failed, with Iran unwilling to make the necessary concessions.”

• Presidential Diplomacy:

  • President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu coordinate after a return trip from China.
  • Trump expresses dissatisfaction with Iran's response to US peace proposals.
    • [01:44] Ann Carrick: “President Trump saying he was unhappy with the opening response from Iran to the US Peace proposal.”

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Health Emergency: Ebola Outbreak

• WHO Declares Emergency:
  • Ebola outbreaks in Congo and Uganda prompt a "public health emergency of international concern" by WHO.
  • Over 300 suspected cases and 88 deaths; containment challenged by conflict and migration.
    • [02:32] Ann Carrick: “More than 300 suspected cases and 88 deaths have been reported. The virus has no approved treatments or vaccines. WHO's emergency declaration aims to prompt international action.”
  • Outbreak started in April, but slow detection delayed the response.

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New York Long Island Railroad Strike

• Commuter Crisis:
  • Strike strands nearly 300,000 commuters; Governor Kathy Hochul pushes for a quick resolution.
    • [02:32] Ann Carrick: “Nearly 300,000 commuters are left stranded in New York after thousands of Long island railroad workers walked off the job Saturday.”
    • [03:12] Gov. Hochul: “I know a deal can be reached to end this strike and end it soon. But... the MTA needs a partner... I urge both sides to come together as soon as possible and resolve this.”
• Political Response:
  • Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman calls to suspend New York City’s congestion pricing toll during the strike. The fee stands at $9 (daytime) for cars entering downtown. [03:32]

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Tom Brady’s Commencement Address

• Georgetown Graduation:
  • Legendary quarterback and Fox Sports analyst Tom Brady delivers the commencement at Georgetown University.
  • Shared lessons on persistence and overcoming adversity, drawing analogies to his NFL career.
    • [04:02] Tom Brady: “In life and work, you guys are going to get knocked down a lot. How are you going to navigate those moments? Are you going to push through the self doubt... you do it the same way you overcome a 25 point deficit, one decision at a time, one play at a time.”
  • Delivers a light-hearted joke about former coach Bill Belichick.
• Notable Quote:
  • [04:02] Tom Brady: “You do it the same way you overcome a 25 point deficit, one decision at a time, one play at a time.”

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Memorable Moments & Key Quotes

• “The president calling Cassidy a, quote, disloyal disaster.” — Chanley Painter [00:44]
• “Tension remains high across the Middle East as the region waits to see if the war will resume in the days ahead.” — Trey Yinx [01:27]
• “I urge both sides to come together as soon as possible and resolve this.” — Gov. Kathy Hochul [03:22]
• “In life and work, you guys are going to get knocked down a lot. How are you going to navigate those moments?” — Tom Brady [04:02]

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Louisiana Senate race shakeup: 00:02 – 01:05
• Iran tensions & military action: 01:05 – 01:44
• WHO Ebola emergency: 02:32 – 03:12
• Long Island Railroad strike: 02:32 – 03:32
• Tom Brady commencement address: 04:02 – 04:18

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This newscast delivers rapid updates on pressing national and global issues, blending political suspense, international threats, public health concerns, regional transit crises, and an uplifting closing message on perseverance and resilience.

Transcript

[A]

Republican senator and vocal Trump critic Bill Cassidy defeated in Louisiana's Senate primary. I'm Ann Carrick, FOX News. A major shakeup in the US Senate race overnight. Trump backed Congresswoman Julia Letlow and State Treasurer John Fleming advancing to a runoff in June. Fox's Chanley Painter.

[B]

Incumbent Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy finished third in the Republican primary, ending his bid for re election. And while let low finished first by nearly 20 points. Louisiana election rules call for a runoff between the between the top two candidates if no candidate wins a majority of the vote. Cassidy, who faced backlash from many Republicans after voting to convict President Trump in his second impeachment trial following the January 6 riot at the US Capitol. He also broke with President Trump on key issues. The president calling Cassidy a, quote, disloyal disaster.

[A]

Democrat Jamie Davis advanced to a runoff with the second spot too close to call between Nicholas Alvarez and Gary Crockett. Military action against the Iranian regime could be restarting. Fox's Trey Yinx reports from Tel Aviv.

[C]

The Iranians believe they can drag out this current stalemate for at least two weeks. But the prevailing assessment inside of Iran is that President Trump may resort to military action. And Tehran is now deliberately pursuing a strategy of deception and delay with the hopes that buying time will complicate any potential return to war. These sources say Iranian officials are looking at the World cup and America's 250th anniversary as a backstop that could work in their favor. Tension remains high across the Middle east as the region waits to see if the war will resume in the days ahead. So far, efforts toward a diplomatic solution have failed, with Iran unwilling to make the necessary concessions to reach a deal.

[A]

President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaking today on his return trip from China. President Trump saying he was unhappy with the opening response from Iran to the US Peace proposal. America's listening to FOX News.

[D]

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[A]

The World Health Organization declared an Ebola outbreak in Congo and Uganda a public health emergency of international concern. More than 300 suspected cases and 88 deaths have been reported. The virus has no approved treatments or vaccines. WHO's emergency declaration aims to prompt international action, although the response to past declarations has been mixed conflict and migration in the region, complicating containment efforts. The outbreak started in April. Slow detection, delaying response nearly 300,000 commuters are left stranded in New York after thousands of Long island railroad workers walked off the job Saturday. New York Governor Kathy Hochul is urging a deal to be made at today's press conference.

[E]

I know a deal can be reached to end this strike and end it soon. But to reach the deal, as I've said before, the MTA needs a partner. The MTA has made multiple generous officers with real wage increases. I urge both sides to come together as soon as possible and resolve this.

[A]

Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman is calling on Governor Hochul to suspend the congestion pricing toll in New York City during the LIRR strike. The toll charges most passenger vehicles a nine dollar daytime toll to enter New York City's central business district. Legendary NFL quarterback and Fox Sports analyst Tom Brady delivered the commencement address Saturday at Georgetown University school graduation. He reflected on life after college, comparing it to the challenges and accomplishments of his NFL career.

[F]

In life and work, you guys are going to get knocked down a lot. How are you going to navigate those moments? Are you going to push through the self doubt and you do it the same way you overcome a 25 point deficit, one decision at a time, one play at a time.

[A]

Brady also joked about former coach Bill Belichick, with whom he won six Super Bowls during their run with the New England Patriots. I'm Ann Carrick and this is Fox News.