2PM ET 07/29/2026 Newscast

Summary

Fox News Hourly Update — 2PM ET Newscast, July 29, 2026

Main Theme

This episode delivers a fast-paced summary of current national and international events, focusing on escalating U.S.-Iran tensions, political developments in the U.S. Senate, proposals for electoral reform in Ohio, concerns over energy usage by large power consumers, and economic updates from the Federal Reserve.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. U.S.-Iran Tensions & Regional Security (00:02–00:30)

• Attempted Attack on U.S. Forces:
  President Trump condemned a failed Iranian ballistic missile attack on U.S. forces in Jordan, promising a "strong response."
  • Quote:
    "Using a string of expletives, President Trump says Iran will get a beating a day after US Forces intercepted a ballistic missile attack in Jordan."
    — Trey Yingst [00:10]
• U.S. & Saudi Retaliatory Strikes:
  In response, the U.S. and Saudi Arabia targeted Iran-backed militias in Iraq accused of drone attacks on oil facilities. At least 20 militia fighters and 6 Iranian advisors killed (per AP).

2. Lindsey Graham’s Legacy & Senate Developments (00:30–01:13)

• Senator Lindsey Graham’s Second Funeral:
  Held in South Carolina, followed by a private burial.
  • Memorable Quote:
    “Lindsey embodied the spirit of [Proverbs 31:8] and he did it every single day.” — Funeral Speaker [00:59]
• Senator Tim Scott’s Comment:
  Graham's sister, Darlene, is serving out his term and running in the special election to choose a new GOP nominee for November.

3. Dr. Fauci Senate Hearing & Contempt Threat (01:13–01:49)

• Senate Hearing:
  Dr. Anthony Fauci invoked his right to remain silent during a hearing, led by Senator Rand Paul, about COVID-19 advisement and possible contempt.
  • Quote:
    "Now the full Sen must vote on contempt, but it takes 60 years to clear a filibuster. That’s followed by a second vote to refer Fauci to the DOJ for prosecution. The Senate has not held anyone in contempt of Congress since 1971."
    — Rand Paul [01:34]

4. Federal Reserve Keeps Interest Rates Steady (01:49–02:00, 04:02–04:31)

• Fifth Consecutive Pause on Interest Rates:
  The Fed leaves benchmark rates unchanged, balancing inflation concerns and ongoing geopolitical uncertainty.
  • Economic Outlook:
    "The Fed saying economic activity is expanding at a solid pace despite elevated uncertainty." — Lisa Brady [04:02]
• Stock Market Reaction:
  The Dow is down 656 points, recovering from an earlier 900-point drop.

5. Proposal to Lower Ohio’s Voting Age (02:35–02:59)

• State Legislation:
  Ohio Democrats propose lowering the voting age to 16 for state elections, aiming for “more civic engagement.”
  • Quote:
    “I know a lot of people can have a knee jerk reaction to this when they think, you know, young people voting, that’s a dumb idea. So have an open mind about it.”
    — Rep. Sean Brennan [02:51]
• Constitutional Challenge:
  The state constitution sets the minimum voting age at 18; change would require a constitutional amendment, considered unlikely in a Republican-controlled legislature.

6. Monitoring Power Usage by Data Centers (03:09–04:02)

• Proposal from PJM Company:
  To register entities that consume large amounts of electricity, such as AI data centers, amid nationwide concerns over their environmental impact.
  • Quote:
    “PJM’s plan...would call for heavy power users to report where their centers are, how much power they need and if they can supplement the area’s current grid.”
    — Gernall Scott [03:20]
• Federal Review Needed:
  The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission must approve the proposal.

---

Notable Quotes & Moments

• President Trump on Iran:
  “Iran will get a beating...” — reported by Trey Yingst [00:10]
• Funeral Speaker on Lindsey Graham:
  "Lindsey embodied the spirit of that verse and he did it every single day." [00:59]
• Rand Paul on Fauci Contempt Proceedings:
  "The Senate has not held anyone in contempt of Congress since 1971." [01:34]
• Rep. Sean Brennan on Lowering Voting Age:
  "Have an open mind about it." [02:51]
• Gernall Scott on Data Centers:
  “Data centers used by artificial intelligence companies. ...heavy power users to report where their centers are.” [03:20]

---

Timestamps for Important Segments

• U.S.–Iran missile incident: 00:02–00:30
• Lindsey Graham’s funeral and legacy: 00:53–01:13
• Senate hearing on Dr. Fauci: 01:13–01:49
• Federal Reserve rate decision: 01:49–02:00 & 04:02–04:31
• Ohio voting age proposal: 02:35–02:59
• Power use registry proposal: 03:09–04:02

---

This concise but comprehensive update covers the primary national security, political, economic, and civic issues of July 29, 2026, from a Fox News perspective, capturing both the factual developments and the underlying tones and reactions from major figures.

Transcript

[Lisa Brady]

The president's promising a strong response on Lisa Brady, Fox News after an attempted attack by Iran on US Forces in the region.

[Trey Yingst]

Using a string of expletives, President Trump says Iran will get a beating a day after US Forces intercepted a ballistic missile attack in Jordan. In a phone interview with Fox's Trey Yings, the president said American troops had only minutes to respond to the surprise attack overnight and successfully shot down incoming missiles before they reached their target.

[Lisa Brady]

Fox's Jared Halpern at the White House this as the US And Saudi Arabia launched strikes on Iran backed militias in Iraq accused of firing drones at oil facilities for several days. Two Iraqi militia officials telling the Associated press at least 20 fighters and six Iranian advisers were killed in those strikes. The final journey for Lindsey Graham,

[Commercial Announcer]

the

[Lisa Brady]

late senator's second funeral held in his home state, South Carolina. Before a private burial.

[Commercial Announcer]

Lindsey Graham always, According to Proverbs 31:8, Stand up, up for those who can't stand for themselves. Lindsay embodied the spirit of that verse and he did it every single day.

[Lisa Brady]

Senator Tim Scott also commending Graham's sister Darlene for serving out his term. She's now one of nine Republicans on the ballot for a special election next month to choose a new GOP nominee for November. Former presidential Covid adviser Dr. Anthony Fauci invoking his right to remain silent during a Senate hearing led by Kentucky Republican Rand Paul, who wants to hold him in contempt.

[Rand Paul]

Now the full Sen Must vote on contempt, but it takes 60 years to clear a filibuster. That's followed by a second vote to refer Fauci to the DOJ for prosecution. The Senate has not held anyone in contempt of Congress since 1971.

[Lisa Brady]

Fox's Chad Pergram on the Hill A Fox News alert from the Fed just leaving interest rates alone again, the fifth pause in a row. America is listening to Fox News.

[UnitedHealth Group Representative]

Across the country, UnitedHealth Group is working with local partners to build healthier communities every day. That includes helping helping partners like the good acre provide 45,000 meals and lower A1C in the twin Cities and helping hello Family doulas deliver 44% fewer underweight births in Spartanburg. Because building healthier communities starts by giving people access to the care and services they need to live healthier lives. Learn [e-mail] commitment there's a proposal to

[Lisa Brady]

lower the voting age in Ohio to 16.

[Sean Brennan]

Two Democrat state reps in Ohio introducing a resolution that would change the minimum age to vote in state elections from 18 to 16. One of the bill's authors Rep. Sean Brennan saying the measure is about more civic engagement.

[Rand Paul]

I know a lot of people can have a knee jerk reaction to this when they think, you know, young people voting, that's a dumb idea. So have an open mind about it.

[Sean Brennan]

Ohio's minimum voting age of 18 was written into the state's constitution. Changing that would require constitutional amendment, not likely under Ohio's Republican controlled legislature.

[Lisa Brady]

Fox's Jeff Benasso, a company that watches how power is used regionally, is proposing to track entities that use high levels of power in communities.

[Gernall Scott]

PJM is a company that its website says coordinates the movement of wholesale electricity across 11 states in the District of Columbia. It's proposing a registry for large load energy users. One example, data centers used by artificial intelligence companies. PJM's plan released this week would call for heavy power users to report where their centers are, how much power they need and if they can supplement the area's current grid. Communities nationwide have expressed concerns over AI data centers and their potential to drain power and affect the environment. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission would have to approve the proposal. Gernall Scott, FOX NEWS.

[Lisa Brady]

So recapping the Fed's decision on interest rates, they are leaving their benchmark rate unchanged. It's the fib pause in a row despite inflation concerns as the central bank weighs uncertainty over Iran today. The Fed saying economic activity is expanding at a solid pace despite elevated uncertainty. And stocks are paring some heavier losses. Right now, the dow is down 656 points. It has been down more than 900 today. I'm Lisa Brady, Fox News.

[Commercial Announcer]

Cheers to America's 250th birthday. Get 20% off your first purchase at Fox newswineshop.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 or older to order. Please drink responsibly.