2PM ET 07/26/2026 Newscast

Summary

Fox News Hourly Update: 2PM ET – July 26, 2026

Episode Overview

This newscast delivered a quick-paced roundup of major national and international events. Key topics included U.S.-Iran diplomatic tensions, updates on the Berlin Pride attack, uncontrollable European wildfires, a shakeup in Maine’s Senate race, dangerous weather conditions in the U.S., and the latest hurricane developments in the Pacific.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. U.S. Diplomacy & Iran Tensions

Timestamps: 00:02–00:39

• U.N. Ambassador Mike Waltz addressed prospects for peace with Iran, emphasizing that “there is still a chance to negotiate peace,” but also set a stern tone regarding possible military actions.
• Waltz highlighted preparedness for additional strikes, attributing U.S. military readiness to investments made by President Trump.
• He acknowledged Democratic criticism of escalating conflict, framing it as a “war of choice,” a major point ahead of the midterms.

Notable Quotes:

• “There is still a chance to negotiate peace with Iran, but if they choose not to come to the table, more strikes will come, whether that is infrastructure, power that is powering the IRGC and their war economy.” — Mike Waltz (00:11–00:21)
• “Have everything we need to conduct this campaign. And this is because of the investments President Trump made right out the gate in our military.” — Mike Waltz (00:32–00:39)

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2. Berlin Pride Attack Investigation

Timestamps: 00:52–01:31

• Federal investigators in Germany are now leading the probe into a deadly attack at Berlin’s Pride event.
• Police neutralized the main suspect, reportedly shot and killed during a police operation near Berlin, after a rampage that left one dead and at least sixteen injured, with reports of machete attacks.
• Authorities advised the public to avoid the suspect before he was located, emphasizing the threat to public safety.

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3. Europe’s Wildfire Crisis

Timestamps: 01:31–01:53

• Massive wildfires continue to threaten large parts of Europe.
• Over 250,000 people displaced; major concerns about merging blazes due to harsh conditions (wind, heat, dryness).
• Fires noted in Italy, the United Kingdom, and across the continent.

Memorable Moment:

• “Crews are racing to stop major blazes from merging as dangerous conditions threaten to fuel even more fire growth. Officials warn the coming hours could be critical...” — Fox News Reporter (01:31)

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4. Maine Senate Race Shake-up

Timestamps: 02:16–02:52

• Maine Democrats have replaced their U.S. Senate nominee. Former State Senate President Troy Jackson will replace Graham Platner, who withdrew after winning the primary.
• The nomination was made by party delegates, recalling the 2024 Democratic switch from Biden to Harris.
• Incumbent Republican Susan Collins labeled Jackson “too radical,” while Jackson targeted Collins on tax and health care policies.
• This Senate race is highlighted as pivotal for future Senate control.

Notable Quotes:

• “Picking a new one time state Senate president Troy Jackson will challenge longtime incumbent Republican Senator Susan Collins... Some Mainers tell us the process reminds them of the Democrats 2024 switch from President Biden to Kamala Harris.” — Alexis McAdams (02:22–02:52)

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5. U.S. Heat Dome & Weather Extremes

Timestamps: 02:52–03:47

• Over 85 million in the Central U.S. affected by a dangerous heat dome; up to 150 million Americans will see 90°F or higher in the coming week.
• Some Midwest and Southwest cities expected to set new heat records (e.g. Kansas City, Denver, Dallas).
• The heat wave is expected to shift westward soon.

Notable Quotes:

• “Nearly 150 million Americans will be seeing temperatures of 90 degrees or higher. Basically that lingers through the week, getting down to 110 million.” — Adam Klotz (03:14)

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6. Hurricane Genevieve Update

Timestamps: 03:47–end

• Tropical Storm Genevieve has become a hurricane off the Mexican Pacific coast.
• Storm poses no direct land threat, but hazardous surf and rip currents expected along parts of the Mexican southwest and Baja California peninsula.

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Memorable Moments & Quotes

• “There is still a chance to negotiate peace with Iran, but if they choose not to come to the table, more strikes will come...” — Mike Waltz (00:11)
• “This after Graham Platner went from Democratic rising star to out of the race. Platner had already won the Democratic primary. Now his replacement picked by party delegates, not voters.” — Alexis McAdams (02:22)
• “100 degrees in Kansas City, 101 degrees in Denver, 102 there in Dallas. Some of these will be record breakers...” — Adam Klotz (03:14)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• U.S.-Iran Tensions: 00:02–00:39
• Berlin Pride Attack: 00:52–01:31
• European Wildfires: 01:31–01:53
• Maine Senate Race: 02:16–02:52
• U.S. Heat Dome: 02:52–03:47
• Hurricane Genevieve: 03:47–end

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This Fox News update delivered urgent international developments, severe weather updates, and impactful political news—all framed in the direct, energetic style characteristic of the network’s hourly report.

Transcript

[Jack Callaghan]

Giving peace talks a chance. I'm Jack Callaghan, Fox News. America's U.N. ambassador says there is room for conversation as Fox's Girl Scott reports.

[Mike Waltz]

U.N. ambassador Mike Waltz said on FOX News Sunday there is still a chance to negotiate peace with Iran, but if they choose not to come to the table, more strikes will come, whether that

is infrastructure, power that is powering the IRGC and their and their war economy.

Waltz added that should more strikes be required?

Have everything we need to conduct this campaign. And this is because of the investments President Trump made right out the gate in our military.

Democrats concerns on what many of them call a war of choice are a major part of their message as we go into the last 100 days before the midterms. Gernall Scott, FOX News.

[Jack Callaghan]

Federal authorities in Germany have taken over the investigation of the attack yesterday on a Pride event in Berlin. They'd been searching for a fugitive suspect from the deadly attack on a crowd near Berlin's Pride festival left one person dead and at least 16 others injured. But at least two German media outlets are now reporting the suspect has been shot and killed in a police operation near Berlin. Several people were also reportedly stabbed in the initial attack, perhaps with a machete. Police had warned the public to avoid direct contact with the suspect, whom they say was likely armed and dangerous. But again, he now has reportedly been killed in a police action. Massive wildfires continue to ravage parts of Europe.

[Fox News Reporter (possibly Girl Scott)]

Crews are racing to stop major blazes from merging as dangerous conditions threaten to fuel even more fire growth. Officials warn the coming hours could be critical as strong winds, extreme heat and dry conditions continue to hamper containment efforts. More than 250,000 people have been forced from their homes. Fires are also burning in Italy, the UK and other parts of Europe.

[Jack Callaghan]

Fox's Chanley Painter America is listening, listening to FOX News

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[Jack Callaghan]

Democrats in Maine have a new nominee for the US Senate race as Fox's Alexis McAdams reports from Bangor.

[Alexis McAdams]

100 days until the midterm election and Maine's Democratic Party leadership. Picking a new one time state Senate president Troy Jackson will challenge longtime incumbent Republican Senator Susan Collins. This after Graham Platner went from Democratic rising star to out of the race. Platner had already won the Democratic primary. Now his replacement picked by party delegates, not voters. Some Mainers tell us the process reminds them of the Democrats 2024 switch from President Biden to Kamala Harris.

[Jack Callaghan]

Delegates were selected in county meetings last weekend. Senator Collins called Jackson too radical for Maine, while Jackson criticized Collins for giving tax cuts to the rich and not protecting health care. The main Senate race could determine which party controls the Senate next term. More than 85 million residents in the central United States are sweating under a heat dome this week as FOX Weather's Adam Klotz tells us going into the

[Adam Klotz]

final week of July. And we're going to be talking about heat in a big way across the country Beginning Monday, nearly 150 million Americans will be seeing temperatures of 90 degrees or higher. Basically that lingers through the week, getting down to 110 million. But it is going to be a hot week across the country. A lot of folks are going to notice it here on this Sunday. 100 degrees in Kansas City, 101 degrees in Denver, 102 there in Dallas. Some of these will be record breakers as you're really stretching across the heartland there from Texas, Colorado into wyoming, anywhere from 100 to 106, 107 degrees. Expect some records to fall with all of this heat the next couple of days.

[Jack Callaghan]

The heat dome is expected to shift westward in the days ahead. Tropical Storm Genevieve has strengthened into a hurricane in the Pacific Ocean southwest of Mexico, but that storm is expected to remain at sea with no direct threat to land. However, the hurricane center says swells from the storm are likely to cause life threatening surf and rip. Current conditions affecting parts of Mexico's southwest and parts of the Baja California peninsula. I'm Jack Callahan. This is FOX News.