2PM ET 07/24/2026 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update: 2PM ET Newscast Summary

Date: July 24, 2026
Host: Aleesa Brady
Podcast: FOX News Hourly Update

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Overview

This episode provides a fast-paced rundown of the latest breaking national and international news stories, emphasizing escalating conflict in the Middle East, shifting political landscapes in the United States, developments in tech regulation and global trade, immigration enforcement, and updates on the health of key political figures. The tone is urgent and straightforward, focusing on fact delivery with occasional direct quotes from public officials.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Escalating Conflict in the Middle East

• Uncertainty Over U.S. Action Against Iran
  • President Trump's next move on Iran remains unclear but is framed as potentially a "massive attack" and a "major escalation."
  • Aleesa Brady, 00:03
• Rising Threat Levels in Israel
  • Bomb shelters open across Israeli cities as threat levels increase.
  • Steve Harrigan reports from Tel Aviv, 00:12:

    “The number of mayors of Israeli cities have opened up bomb shelters across the country. They usually do that when the threat level has been raised. It is raised now.”

• U.S. Military Movements in the Region
  • Surge in U.S. assets, including material and medical personnel, is noted.
  • Steve Harrigan, 00:30:

    “Surge not only in material but also things like medics... With 50,000 forces in the region, Iran keeps attacking U.S. gulf allies despite nearly two weeks of U.S. strikes.”

• Upcoming Diplomatic Meetings
  • Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to meet with President Trump at the White House on Tuesday, also attending a memorial for the late Senator Lindsey Graham.
  • Aleesa Brady, 00:40

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2. U.S. and International Politics

• Presidential Primary Calendar Changes
  • The Democratic Party wants to keep South Carolina as the first primary for the 2028 election, a change started in 2024; decision awaits full DNC approval.
  • The Republican calendar keeps Iowa and New Hampshire in lead-off positions.
  • Aleesa Brady, 00:40
• South Carolina Senate Race Developments
  • Congressman Russell Frye officially joins the race to fill the late Senator Lindsey Graham’s seat, noting Graham’s legacy.
  • Congressman Russell Frye, 02:47:

    “Last week, South Carolina lost a legendary leader. I lost a good friend. We all lost a good friend. Senator Lindsey Graham dedicated his life to serving the people of this state.”

  • The primary is set for August 11th, and other candidates include Darlene Graham (the late senator's sister and current appointee), Congressman Ralph Norman, former Governor Mark Sanford, and businessman Mark Lynch.
  • Political Correspondent, 02:57

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3. U.S.–EU Trade Tensions & Tech Regulation

• EU Fines Google; Trump Threatens Tariffs
  • The EU fines Google under the Digital Markets Act, accusing it of favoring its own services over competitors.
  • Trump's response via social media:
    Jared Halpern, 01:23:

    “President Trump is warning the EU will pay a very big price for illegal and unethical writing on social media. A substantial tariff will be placed on them at the earliest possible moment.”

  • Google claims the fine will force it to remove popular features in Europe, such as instant hotel and restaurant information.
  • Jared Halpern, 01:55

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4. Immigration Enforcement

• Indictments in Migrant Deaths Case
  • 11 people indicted over the deaths of 7 migrants (including a 14-year-old) found in a “hot rail cargo container” in Texas.
  • Aleesa Brady, 02:15

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5. Lawmakers’ Health and Accountability

• Senator Mitch McConnell’s Condition Questioned
  • Senator McConnell hospitalized since June 14, following a fall and pneumonia diagnosis.
  • Calls for more transparency from Democrats, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez:
    • Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, 03:39:

      “I think that at a certain point we have to be asking where he is.”

    • Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, 03:49:

      “We do not have the right to disappear from our jobs without explanation.”

  • McConnell’s office reiterates its previous statement, with no substantial update in the last 12 days.
  • Jessica Rosenthal, 03:53

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6. Economic Update

• Stock Market Movements
  • Market remains mixed; Dow rises 256 points, NASDAQ in the red, despite a fall in US oil prices.
  • Aleesa Brady, 04:01

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Steve Harrigan, 00:12:

  “The number of mayors of Israeli cities have opened up bomb shelters across the country. They usually do that when the threat level has been raised. It is raised now.”

• Congressman Russell Frye, 02:47:

  “Last week, South Carolina lost a legendary leader. I lost a good friend.”

• Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, 03:49:

  “We do not have the right to disappear from our jobs without explanation.”

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Important Segments & Timestamps

• 00:03 – Situation in Iran and Israel; heightened security
• 00:30 – U.S. military activity
• 00:40 – Netanyahu-White House meeting; primary schedule updates
• 01:23 – EU fines Google, Trump threatens tariffs
• 02:15 – Migrant deaths indictments in Texas
• 02:35 – South Carolina Senate race candidates and tributes
• 03:21 – Mitch McConnell’s health/job absence, Ocasio-Cortez’s comments
• 04:01 – Market closing stats

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This episode presents a rapid-fire review of top headlines with a focus on clarity, urgency, and direct statements from officials and correspondents. Listeners get a compact yet comprehensive update on geopolitical, political, legal, and economic events shaping the news cycle.

Transcript

[Aleesa Brady]

His next move on Iran is not yet known. Only so Brady, Fox News. But President Trump has said he's considering a massive attack, a major escalation, one

[Steve Harrigan]

sign perhaps of a bigger battle ahead on the horizon. The number of mayors of Israeli cities have opened up bomb shelters across the country. They usually do that when the threat level has been raised. It is raised now.

[Aleesa Brady]

Fox's Steve Harrigan in Tel Aviv. There's also been a reported surge in U.S. assets to the region, a surge

[Steve Harrigan]

not only in material but also things like medics to Germany that there is a range of options for the president. With 50,000 forces in the region, Iran

[Aleesa Brady]

keeps attacking U.S. gulf allies despite nearly two weeks of U.S. strikes. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu now scheduled to meet with the president at the White House Tuesday, when he also plans to attend a memorial for Senator Lindsey Graham. Just getting word the Democratic Party wants to keep South Carolina as the leadoff primary for the 2028 president presidential race, a change first made during President Biden's reelection bid in 2024. The decision by a DNC rules committee still needs approval from the full organization. The Republican calendar has so far kept the traditional lineup led by Iowa and New Hampshire. President Trump now warning of new tariffs on the EU in response to fines on US Tech companies responding to a

[Jared Halpern]

billion dollar fine the European Union is charging Google. President Trump is warning the EU will pay a very big price for illegal and unethical writing on social media. A substantial tariff will be placed on them at the earliest possible moment. The EU fined Google for violating its Digital Markets act, accusing the company of giving preferential treatment through its own services over those of third parties. Google warns the fine will force the search engine to strip away features Europeans love like instant pricing and hotel flight and restaurant information.

[Aleesa Brady]

Fox's Jared Halpern America is listening to Fox News.

[Fox News Announcer]

Cheers to America's 250th birthday. Get 20% off your first purchase at foxnewswineshop.com with code FNRADIO20. 20% discount excludes wine club offers and cannot be combined with any other promotion. Expires July 31, 2026. Must be 21. Order to order. Please drink responsibly.

[Aleesa Brady]

Federal prosecutors in Texas announcing 11 people are indicted over the smuggling deaths of migrants in a hot rail cargo container. A 14 year old boy, one of seven who died. Another candidate makes it official in South Carolina filing to run for a that will choose a new GOP nominee for U.S. senate.

[Political Correspondent]

Republicans in South Carolina looking to run for the US Senate seat held by the late Senator Lindsey Graham. Need to file paperwork by next Tuesday. Congressman Russell Frye is starting up his campaign.

[Congressman Russell Frye]

Look, last week, South Carolina lost a legendary leader. I lost a good friend. We all lost a good friend. Senator Lindsey Graham dedicated his life to serving the people of this state.

[Political Correspondent]

Fry joins a field with newly appointed Senator Darlene Graham, the late senator's sister, who is already serving rest of his term, along with Congressman Ralph Norman, former Congressman and Governor Mark Sanford, and businessman Mark Lynch. Primary day is August 11th.

[Aleesa Brady]

Fox's Evan Brown. Some lawmakers say it's time for more information from a longtime senator who's been out of D.C. with health issues for more than a month.

[Jessica Rosenthal]

Kentucky Republican Senator Mitch McConnell was hospitalized June 14, and only after Senator Lindsey Graham passed. Did we get any update with a statement from McConnell saying he'd fallen and developed a mild case of pneumonia, but that he'd since been moved from the hospital to a rehab. Democrats have been calling for him to give additional updates.

[Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez]

I think that at a certain point we have to be asking where he is.

[Jessica Rosenthal]

Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio Cortez says she understands medical privacy.

[Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez]

We do not have the right to disappear from our jobs without explanation.

[Jessica Rosenthal]

McConnell's office said they will keep the public updated, but for now referred to the statement that they issued 12 days ago. Jessica Rosenthal, FOX News.

[Aleesa Brady]

Stocks turning mixed even as US oil prices fall. Right now the Dow is up 256 points, but the NASDAQ's in the red. Aleesa Brady, FOX NEWS.