2PM ET 07/28/2026 Newscast

Summary

---

Fox News Hourly Update: 2PM ET 07/28/2026 Newscast

Date: July 28, 2026
Host: Lisa Brady, FOX News Podcasts

---

Episode Overview

This newscast delivers a comprehensive roundup of current news stories, including coverage of Senator Lindsey Graham’s memorial service, recent developments in US-Iran relations, notable legal events, disaster recovery updates, and the influence of online gambling in the midterm elections. Business and markets updates conclude the episode.

---

Main Stories and Key Discussion Points

1. Lindsey Graham Memorial at Washington’s National Cathedral

• Ceremony Details: Memorial service begins at the National Cathedral for the late Senator Lindsey Graham. President Trump, along with global and national leaders, is attending.
• Tributes Highlight Civil Discourse:
  • Former Senator and current Vice President J.D. Vance reflects on Graham’s unique ability to respectfully disagree (00:21):

    “I choose to remember Lindsey Graham as a person who could fight with you on one issue, but fight for you on another issue.” – J.D. Vance (00:21)

  • Emphasis on Graham’s personable nature and willingness to engage thoughtfully (00:28):

    “Because Graham loved people, he was willing to read, reason with them and respect them.” – Lisa Brady paraphrasing Vance (00:28)

  • NATO Secretary General acknowledges Graham’s global leadership (00:36):

    “He was tough, but he was also extremely kind, a real human being... a force for good on the world stage.” – NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg (00:36)

• International Attendance: Ukrainian President and Israeli Prime Minister both present, each meeting with President Trump prior to the service (00:46).
• White House Reaction: Both diplomatic meetings are described as “positive and productive” with ongoing pauses in US strikes on Iran (00:46).

2. US-Iran Relations and Strait of Hormuz Negotiations

• US Blockade Dynamics: President Trump discusses recent blocking of Iranian ports due to violations of international agreements:

  “We opened the blockade because we had the confines of a deal. So we did it and then we put it back because they broke the deal. They break the deal. We cannot have them break deals anymore.” – President Donald Trump (01:06)

• Diplomatic Efforts: Oman has presented Iran with a proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz following new diplomatic overtures (01:19).
  • Shipping Data: 29 vessels have transited the Strait from July 24-26, highlighting ongoing international economic stakes (01:19–01:35).

3. Florida Double Execution

• Details: James Duckett, an ex-cop, executed for the 1987 rape and murder of an 11-year-old girl—the first of two executions scheduled for the day (01:35).
• Legal Context: The US Supreme Court declined to delay either execution (01:35).
• Impact: Notable as a rare occurrence of double executions in Florida (01:35–01:59).

4. Texas Capital Murder: Child Death in Hot Car

• Incident Outline: Lorenzo Rodriguez is charged after allegedly locking his two-year-old daughter in a car, leading to her death from heat exposure (02:16).
  • Circumstances: Incident occurred after Rodriguez returned home intoxicated and fell asleep (02:22).
  • Temperature Extremes: External temperatures hit 99°F (37°C), internal temperatures estimated to exceed 130°F (54°C) (02:22).
  • Legal Framework: Capital murder charges apply in Texas due to the child’s age (02:22–03:02).

5. EF3 Tornado Recovery in Menasha, Wisconsin

• Current Status: Ongoing curfew and hazardous conditions due to damage (03:02).
  • Law Enforcement Input:

    “There’s so many low hanging wires and low hanging branches, it’s just not safe to send vehicles down those roads yet.” – Menasha Police Chief Matthew Albrecht (03:07)

  • Recovery: Cleanup and power restoration are priorities; no casualties reported as of broadcast (03:14).

6. Online Gambling Industry and US Midterm Elections

• Campaign Financing: Online sports betting companies have contributed at least $72 million to midterm candidates (03:31).
  • PAC Formation: Major sportsbooks launched the Win for America super PAC to support both Democrats and Republicans (03:31).
  • Funding Channels: Money routed through Democratic and Republican-associated PACs to maximize legislative influence (03:31).
  • Context: Gambling is the largest industry donor behind only cryptocurrency and technology sectors in this cycle (03:31–04:04).
  • Insightful Quote:

    “Sports betting companies have spent at least $72 million so far... supporting midterm candidates Democrats and Republicans hoping to influence state legislation.” – J.D. Vance (03:31)

7. Business News: Stock Market Rally

• Market Update: Dow Jones sees a 588-point increase attributed to strong corporate earnings (04:04).
• Economic Context: Marks optimism in current US financial markets amid ongoing news developments (04:04).

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Lindsey Graham’s Legacy:
  • “I choose to remember Lindsey Graham as a person who could fight with you on one issue, but fight for you on another issue.” — J.D. Vance (00:21)
  • “He was tough, but he was also extremely kind, a real human being... a force for good on the world stage.” — NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg (00:36)
• On the Strait of Hormuz and US-Iran Tensions:
  • “We opened the blockade because we had the confines of a deal... We cannot have them break deals anymore.” — President Donald Trump (01:06)
• On Tornado Aftermath:
  • “There’s so many low hanging wires and low hanging branches, it’s just not safe to send vehicles down those roads yet.” — Police Chief Matthew Albrecht (03:07)
• On Political Financing:
  • “Sports betting companies have spent at least $72 million so far... hoping to influence state legislation.” — J.D. Vance (03:31)

---

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Lindsey Graham Memorial & Reflections: 00:03 – 00:46
• US-Iran Relations & Strait of Hormuz: 00:46 – 01:35
• Florida Double Execution: 01:35 – 01:59
• Texas Child Death/Capital Murder Case: 02:16 – 03:02
• Wisconsin Tornado Recovery: 03:02 – 03:14
• Online Gambling Industry in Elections: 03:31 – 04:04
• Dow Jones Market Update: 04:04 – End

---

This newscast provides concise yet insightful coverage of impactful political, legal, international, and economic developments, highlighted by firsthand quotes from leaders and reporters on the scene.

Transcript

[Lisa Brady]

A celebration of life on Lisa Brady, Fox News just beginning at Washington's National Cathedral for Lindsey Graham. President Trump will be among those paying tribute to the late senator after an earlier ceremony in the Capitol rotunda where Vice President and former Senator J.D. vance said Graham could disagree without being disagreeable.

[J.D. Vance]

I choose to remember Lindsey Graham as a person who could fight with you on one issue, but fight for you

[Lisa Brady]

on another issue, adding that because Graham loved people, he was willing to read, reason with them and respect them. NATO Secretary General Mark Ruta telling Fox

[NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg]

he was tough, but he was also extremely kind, a real human being. So yes, he will be missed. He was an important person, a force for good on the world stage.

[Lisa Brady]

Ukraine's president and Israel's prime minister traveled to Washington for today's funeral and they each met with President Trump earlier today. The White House calling both meetings positive and productive as a pause in US Strikes on Iran continues. President Trump still insisting the US Controls the Strait of Hormuz, telling Fox and friends a blockade of Iranian ports is powerful.

[President Donald Trump]

We opened the blockade because we had the confines of a deal. So we did it and then we put it back because they broke the deal. They break the deal. We cannot have them break deals anymore.

[Lisa Brady]

Iran remains publicly defiant.

[Reporter]

Yesterday, the president appeared optimistic about the possibility of a deal as reports indicate Oman presented a proposal to Iran that would open the Strait of Hormuz. We do know from July 24th to the 26th, 29 vessels passed through this critical waterway, according to international shipping data.

[Lisa Brady]

Foxes Trey yanked in Tel Aviv. A convicted killer just put to death in Florida for the rape and murder of an 11 year old girl. James Duckett was an ex cop who denied committing the on duty crime in 1987. His death the first of a rare double execution scheduled in Florida today. The U.S. supreme Court denying separate requests to stop either one. America is listening to FOX News.

[Commercial 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. Responsibly.

[Lisa Brady]

A 25 year old Texas man accused of leaving his young daughter in a car on purpose is charged with capital murder.

[Gerdaul Scott]

Lorenzo Rodriguez is accused of keeping his two year old daughter inside a locked car while he slept in his home after a night of drinking. Police suspect the child died from being in a hot car. Given the temperature that day in Midland, Texas, was around 99 degrees, according to the weather service, it's believed the temperature in that car may have risen to more than 130 degrees. In Texas, capital murder can be charged for a limited number of offenses, including if someone's actions result in the death of a child under 15 years of age. Police are continuing to investigate the case. Gerdaul Scott, Fox News A curfew remains

[Lisa Brady]

in place in Menasha, Wisconsin, one of the areas hit by an EF3 tornado yesterday.

[Commercial Announcer]

There's so many low hanging wires and low hanging branches, it's just not safe to send vehicles down those roads yet.

[Lisa Brady]

Menasha Police Chief Matthew Albrecht says cleanup is needed before traffic can resume and may take days to fully restore power as well. For now, damage assessments continue and a search for possible victims, but so far no casualties reported. The online gambling industry is pouring money into the midterm elections.

[J.D. Vance]

Sports betting companies have spent at least $72 million so far, according to a Reuters news agency report, supporting midterm candidates Democrats and Republicans hoping to influence state legislation. Online sportsbook's DraftKings, FanDuel Fanatics and Bet365 launched the win for America super PAC together last November. It funnels money to Democrats through the American Future political Action Committee and Republicans through the New American Conservative Fund. The industry is the largest donor in the midterms so far, behind cryptocurrency and technology, according to the corporate watchdog Public Citizen. Chris Foster, Fox News.

[Lisa Brady]

Right now, the dow is up 588 points, a rally fueled by strong earnings reports. And Lisa Brady, Fox News.