2PM ET 06/26/2026 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update: 2PM ET 06/26/2026 – Newscast Summary

Episode Overview

This episode delivers a succinct round-up of major national and international news stories as of 2PM ET on June 26, 2026. Topics range from legal proceedings in a high-profile arson case, the aftermath of deadly earthquakes, developments in a high-stakes kidnapping, shifting Middle East diplomacy, updates on a White House security plot, financial news, and a quirky but unsettling wildlife health concern.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Federal Arson Trial Ends in Mistrial

• [00:02-00:36]
  • Judge in Los Angeles declares a mistrial in the arson case against Jonathan Rinderkonnecht, accused of starting a New Year's Eve fire that later became the Palisades wildfire.
    • Juror's perspective:
      • Some of the prosecution’s evidence, specifically surveillance camera footage, was considered misleading due to its format (still shots, not video).
      • Quote: "I didn't realize that that camera was like still shots. I thought it was a video. So that really like changed my decision because how can you, when you have g of time, know what happened in between that time is impossible." – Juror [00:23]
    • Jury split: 10 for acquittal, 2 for guilty.
    • Defense cited lack of physical evidence, blamed fireworks; prosecution highlighted the digital footprint with fire-related searches.
    • Outcome: Prosecutors plan to retry Rinderkonnecht.

2. Venezuela Earthquake Catastrophe

• [00:36-01:11]
  • Double earthquakes in Venezuela now confirmed to have killed over 900 people, with 3,000+ injured.
  • Situation remains dire as search and rescue operations continue.

3. Nancy Guthrie Kidnapping: New Developments

• [01:11-01:41]
  • A fresh ransom note emerges, allegedly offering video of Nancy Guthrie's last day and kidnappers’ details in exchange for bitcoin.
    • Quote: "He also says that he has names, addresses, phone numbers of the kidnappers. He says that if he gets a bitcoin, he will deliver, as he puts it, on a silver platter." – Harvey Levin, TMZ [01:11]
    • The email matches a bitcoin address from previous, unreported communications.
    • Email forwarded to the FBI; investigation ongoing.

4. Middle East Diplomacy: Israel-Lebanon Framework Deal

• [01:41-02:01]
  • Secretary of State Marco Rubio announces a framework agreement between Israel and Lebanon amid ongoing conflict with Iran-backed Hezbollah.
    • Iran insists on a complete Israeli withdrawal.
    • Negotiations and tensions persist.

5. Faith and Freedom Coalition: President Trump Speaks

• [02:16-02:28]
  • President Trump addresses a Faith and Freedom Coalition event in Washington D.C.
    • Notable Statement: "With the help of many people in this room. 18 months ago, we won the most consequential election victory in American history." – President Trump [02:20]
  • Earlier, he accused Iran of violating a ceasefire (Strait of Hormuz drone attack).
  • Discussion of ongoing peace talks.

6. White House Event Attack Plot: Eighth Suspect Arrested

• [02:28-03:22]
  • Details:
    • Alexander Iniguez Mercado, 20, arrested for plotting to attack a UFC fight on the White House lawn (June 14).
    • Mercado was an admin of a Signal chat discussing explosives, drones, and shooting at crowds.
    • After FBI contact, he deleted the app—now facing obstruction charges.
    • Over 20 individuals identified as involved.
    • Quote: "The indictment says the FBI contacted Mercado the day before the fight and he denied his involvement." – Jessica Rosenthal [02:43]

7. Stock Market Brief

• [03:22-03:31]
  • Dow fluctuates: initially fell, then rebounded up 20 points.

8. Health Alert: "Zombie Squirrels"

• [03:31-04:07]
  • Reports from several states (FL, NC, MI) of gray squirrels with alarming skin growths.
    • Expert diagnosis: Squirrel fibromatosis, a viral skin disease.
    • Cause: Direct contact with lesions or saliva, similar to herpes in humans.
    • Symptoms: Raised, hairless, oozing warts—can be fatal for squirrels in severe cases; not transmittable to humans, pets, or birds.
    • Quote: "...the infected gray squirrels have been spotted this summer... wildlife experts say the so-called zombie squirrels are actually likely suffering from squirrel fibromatosis." – Gianna Jalouse [03:31]

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Memorable Quotes & Moments

• Juror on misleading evidence:
  "I thought it was a video. So that really like changed my decision because how can you... know what happened in between that time is impossible." [00:23]
• TMZ's Harvey Levin on ransom note:
  "...if he gets a bitcoin, he will deliver, as he puts it, on a silver platter." [01:11]
• President Trump on election victory:
  "18 months ago, we won the most consequential election victory in American history." [02:20]
• Jessica Rosenthal on White House attack plot:
  "The indictment says the FBI contacted Mercado the day before the fight and he denied his involvement." [02:43]
• Gianna Jalouse on squirrel outbreak:
  "...wildlife experts say the so-called zombie squirrels are actually likely suffering from squirrel fibromatosis." [03:31]

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Notable Timestamps

• 00:02-00:36 — LA arson trial mistrial and juror statement
• 00:36-01:11 — Venezuela earthquake updates
• 01:11-01:41 — Nancy Guthrie kidnapping ransom note (Harvey Levin, Natalie Chug)
• 01:41-02:01 — Israel-Lebanon framework agreement
• 02:16-02:28 — President Trump Faith and Freedom Coalition address
• 02:28-03:22 — White House event attack plot and Mercado’s arrest (Jessica Rosenthal)
• 03:22-03:31 — Dow Jones market update
• 03:31-04:07 — "Zombie squirrels" outbreak details (Gianna Jalouse)

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This Fox News Hourly Update succinctly communicates critical stories and breaking developments, blending hard news with lighter human-interest segments, in a direct, concise broadcast style.

Transcript

[Lisa Brady]

The jury is deadlocked. I'm Lisa Brady, FOX News. So a judge in LA declares a mistrial in the federal arson case against Jonathan Rinderkonnecht, the man accused of starting a New Year's Eve fire. The days later grew into the devastating Palisades wildfire. This juror just telling reporters the way some evidence was presented was misleading, including surveillance camera footage.

[Juror]

I didn't realize that that camera was like still shots. I thought it was a video. So that really like changed my decision because how can you, when you have g of time, know what happened in between that time is impossible.

[Lisa Brady]

Ten jurors wanted to acquit, two said guilty. The defense blamed fireworks and pointed to a lack of physical evidence. Prosecutors argued the suspect's digital footprint, including fire related searches, were enough for a conviction. They plan to retry him. Just getting word that Wednesday's double earthquakes in Venezuela are now blamed for more than 900 deaths with more than 3,000 injured confirmed by the National Assembly. President Trump as search and rescue efforts continue. Also just getting reports of a new ransom note in the search for Nancy Guthrie, claiming to have video from possibly the last day of her life with the main kidnapper.

[Harvey Levin]

He also says that he has names, addresses, phone numbers of the kidnappers. He says that if he gets a bitcoin, he will deliver, as he puts it, on a silver platter.

[Lisa Brady]

That's TMZ's Harvey Levin in a video TMZ posted after receiving the note in an email.

[Natalie Chug]

TMZ believes they have gotten emails from this person before citing a bitcoin address matching a previous email which has not been reported publicly.

[Lisa Brady]

Fox's Natalie Chug. TMZ says the new email has been turned over to the FBI Secretary of State Marco Rubio just announcing a framework agreement between Israel and Lebanon where Israel keeps fighting Iran backed Hezbollah. Iran wants a full Israeli withdrawal. America is listening to FOX News warranty

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[Harvey Levin]

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[Lisa Brady]

President Trump just taking the stage at a Faith and Freedom Coalition event in

[President Trump]

Washington with the help of many people in this room. 18 months ago, we won the most consequential election victory in American history.

[Lisa Brady]

Earlier accusing Iran of violating a ceasefire agreement with a drone attack yesterday that hit a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz. As talks on a peace deal continue, there's an eighth suspect in custody in connection with a plot to attack a White House event earlier this month.

[Jessica Rosenthal]

Federal prosecutors in Illinois say 20 year old Alexander Iniguez Mercado has been arrested for his role in the plot to attack the UFC fight on the White House lawn June 14. The indictment says the FBI contacted Mercado the day before the fight and he denied his involvement. Mercado's accused of being an administrator on the Signal app chat in which participants talked about using explosives, drones and then shooting at the crowd as people fled. The FBI says after an agent spoke with Mercado, he deleted his Signal app and has now been charged with obstruction. Authorities have identified more than 20 people they believe to be connected with this plot. Jessica Rosenthal, FOX News stocks are fluctuating.

[Lisa Brady]

The Dow was dipping into the red, but now it's back up 20 points. Squirrels with some unsightly issues are creeping people out in backyards across the U.S.

[Gianna Jalouse]

the infected gray squirrels have been spotted this summer in states like Florida, North Carolina and Michigan, with weirded out residents reporting sightings on social media. Wildlife experts say the so called zombie squirrels are actually likely suffering from squirrel fibromatosis. It's a viral skin disease that spreads through direct contact between healthy squirrels and the lesions or saliva of infected squirrels, mimicking herpes transmission in humans. It causes raised hairless and often oozing warts. Experts say the skin condition often clears up on its own, but in severe cases, the growths can affect internal organs and lead to death, but pose no threat to humans, pets or birds.

[Lisa Brady]

Fox's Gianna Jalouse and Lisa Brady, this is Fox News.

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