2PM ET 07/12/2026 Newscast

Summary

Fox News Hourly Update: 2PM ET 07/12/2026 Newscast

Host: Roger Stern (FOX News Podcasts)
Date: July 12, 2026

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Episode Overview

This episode delivers a concise roundup of major national and international news stories as of July 12, 2026. The segment focuses on the sudden passing of Senator Lindsey Graham, tributes from political leaders, ongoing recovery from significant Missouri floods, hazardous Sahara dust in Florida, and a headline sports development.

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1. Remembering Senator Lindsey Graham

[00:02–01:40]

Main Theme:
The sudden death of South Carolina Republican Senator Lindsey Graham at 71 shocks Washington and prompts tributes from U.S. and international leaders.

Key Discussion Points

• Announcement of Graham’s Death:

  • Roger Stern delivers the breaking news, stating Graham died after returning from a diplomatic trip to Ukraine ([00:02]).
  • Chad Pergram explains Graham suffered “a brief strike, sudden illness,” and was actively working to help broker a deal to end the Ukraine war ([00:16]).

• International Efforts and Optimism:

  • Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reflects on Graham’s role and his own outlook:

    “I’ve never been more optimistic than I am today that we have the formula to end this war, help Ukraine be more lethal. Let those supporting Russia to know it’s going to be a price to be paid if you keep doing it now.”
    —Volodymyr Zelensky ([00:35])

• Graham’s Political Legacy:

  • Entered Congress in 1995 GOP wave.
  • Served as a House prosecutor during President Clinton’s impeachment ([00:50]).

• National and Global Tributes:

  • Former President Trump on Truth Social calls him:

    “One of the greatest people and senators I have ever known and a true American patriot.”
    —Roger Stern paraphrasing Trump ([01:01])

  • Trump orders flags at half-mast nationwide.

  • Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remarks:

    “He was a wonderful, wonderful friend, a great American patriot and a great champion of the Israel American Alliance. And I’ll miss him personally a lot. A lot. I really, really thought the world of him.”
    —Benjamin Netanyahu ([01:24])

• Impact and Next Steps:

  • Graham known for advocacy for Israel and Ukraine; worked to curb Iran’s nuclear program.
  • South Carolina’s governor will appoint a temporary replacement.

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2. Missouri Flood Recovery

[02:17–03:10]

Main Theme:
Post-flood recovery continues in southeastern Missouri, where record rainfall caused deaths, evacuations, and significant infrastructure damage.

Key Discussion Points

• Flood Developments:

  • Jane Menar reports the “floodwaters have receded” after 6 inches of rain caused flash flooding ([02:28]).
  • More than 40 agencies, several Missouri Task Forces, and the National Guard are coordinating rescue and recovery.
  • The Missouri Department of Transportation is inspecting and repairing affected roads.

• Community Status:

  • As of Saturday evening, “no additional deaths, injuries, or missing persons were reported.”
  • Recovery and rebuilding efforts underway in southeastern Missouri.

• Memorable Quote:

  “Recovery is expected to take time as communities begin rebuilding in southeastern Missouri.”
  —Jane Menar ([02:56])

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3. Sahara Dust and Heat in Florida

[03:10–03:56]

Main Theme:
A thick layer of Sahara dust blankets parts of the Southern U.S., intensifying heat and impacting air quality.

Key Discussion Points

• Current Situation:

  • Florida under a heat advisory, with Saharan dust influencing weather patterns ([03:10]).

• Geographic Spread:

  • Brandi Campbell in Miami notes:

    “Much of it is actually over south Florida, but as we get into this next week, it’s going to continue creeping north. Some states, like Texas, maybe Louisiana, may start to see some of it impact their coastline as well.”
    —Brandi Campbell ([03:20])

• Health and Weather Impacts:

  • Dust may worsen air quality and health concerns.
  • Limits storm formation but enhances heat:

    “We are expecting temperatures to reach the mid-90s… the feels like temperature could reach up to 108 degrees.”
    —Brandi Campbell ([03:39])

• Outlook:

  • The Saharan dust expected to linger for most of the week.

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4. Seattle Seahawks Sold

[03:56–04:14]

Main Theme:
NFL franchise Seattle Seahawks are sold to the Kozlov family for a reported $9.6 billion, pending league approval.

Key Discussion Point

• Short announcement from Roger Stern, with no further elaboration.

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Notable Quotes

• Volodymyr Zelensky, on diplomatic efforts:

  “I’ve never been more optimistic than I am today that we have the formula to end this war, help Ukraine be more lethal…” ([00:35])

• President Trump’s tribute:

  “[Graham was] one of the greatest people and senators I have ever known and a true American patriot.” ([01:01])

• Benjamin Netanyahu, on Graham:

  “He was a wonderful, wonderful friend, a great American patriot and a great champion of the Israel American Alliance. And I’ll miss him personally a lot. A lot. I really, really thought the world of him.” ([01:24])

• Brandi Campbell, on Sahara dust:

  “But in general, the dust could cause it to feel even hotter… the feels like temperature could reach up to 108 degrees.” ([03:39])

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5. Segment Timestamps Summary

• Lindsey Graham coverage: [00:02–01:40]
• Missouri flood recovery: [02:17–03:10]
• Sahara dust/Florida heat: [03:10–03:56]
• Seahawks sale: [03:56–04:14]

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Overall Tone:
Urgent, factual, and reflective—balancing breaking news with tribute, public safety updates, and major sports headlines for a broad national audience.

Transcript

[Roger Stern]

Remembering Lindsey Graham. I'm Roger Stern. FOX News Congressional leaders mourning the loss of South Carolina Republican Senator Lindsey Graham. He passed away last evening at the age of 71. Here's Fox's Chad Pergram.

[Chad Pergram]

This news just absolutely shocked Washington. Graham had just been overseas meeting with Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky. He came back to Washington and died last night after suffering from what his office called quote, a brief strike, sudden illness. Graham was trying to broker a deal to end the war in Ukraine.

[Volodymyr Zelensky]

I've never been more optimistic than I am today that we have the formula to end this war, help Ukraine be more lethal. Let those supporting Russia to know it's going to be a price to be paid if you keep doing it Now.

[Chad Pergram]

Graham came to the house in the GOP wave of 1995. He later served as one of the House prosecutors in the impeachment trial of former President Clinton.

[Roger Stern]

President Trump paid tribute on Truth Social calling Graham one of the greatest people and senators I have ever known and a true American patriot. He's ordered flags to fly at half staff of the White House and government buildings nationwide in honor of the senator. And tributes to him are pouring in from around the world as well. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Fox and Friends weekend.

[Benjamin Netanyahu]

He was a wonderful, wonderful friend, a great American patriot and a great champion of the Israel American Alliance. And I'll miss him personally a lot. A lot. I really, really thought the world of him.

[Roger Stern]

Graham's support for Israel and Ukraine was robust and he pushed hard to curb Iran's nuclear and missile programs. South Carolina's governor will appoint a temporary senator to fill the seat. America is listening to Fox.

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[Roger Stern]

Recovery efforts continue in Missouri after massive flooding killed at least one person and forced hundreds of emergency rescues and evacuations. Here's FOX Weather's Jane Menar.

[Jane Menar]

Floodwaters have receded in southeastern Missouri after six to inches of rain prompted a flash flood emergency early Friday morning. Recovery crews are assessing damage and clearing debris using specialized equipment. Missouri Task Forces 1, 3 and 5 joined more than 40 agencies across the state and the National Guard in those rescue and recovery efforts. The Missouri DOT inspecting and repairing flood damaged roads. As of Saturday evening, no additional deaths, injuries or missing persons were reported. And recovery is expected to take time as communities begin rebuilding in southeastern Missouri. I'm meteorologist Jane Menar.

[Roger Stern]

Fox Weather Much of Florida is under heat advisory as dust from the Sahara desert blankets parts of the south. Fox Weather's Brandi Campbell in Miami.

[Brandi Campbell]

Much of it is actually over south Florida, but as we get into this next week, it's going to continue creeping north. Some states, like Texas, maybe Louisiana, may start to see some of it impact their coastline as well. Can impact air quality, causing some health issues for some. And it can also limit storm development, leading to less afternoon showers. But in general, the dust could cause it to feel even hotter. We are expecting temperatures to reach the mid-90s across South Florida, more specifically southeast Florida, but the feels like temperature could reach up to 108 degrees.

[Roger Stern]

The Sahara dust is expected to stick around through most of the week. The Seattle Seahawks have been sold to the Kozlov family for a reported $9.6 billion. That's pending NFL approval. I'm Roger Stern and this is FOX News.

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