4AM ET 04/13/2026 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update: 4AM ET 04/13/2026 Newscast

Host: FOX News Podcasts
Date: April 13, 2026
Summary Prepared by: Podcast Summarizer

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Overview

This episode delivers an early-morning rundown of the latest major national and international stories. The core focus is the immediate escalation in US-Iranian tensions, specifically the imminent US naval blockade of Iran. Other important segments include the fallout from California’s gubernatorial race amid scandal, sweeping local food initiatives in New York City, political struggles over redistricting in Virginia, and a triumphant NASA Artemis 2 crew return after a moon mission.

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Major Discussion Points & Insights

1. Looming US Naval Blockade of Iran

• Tensions escalate as a US blockade of ships at Iranian ports is set to begin at 10:00am Eastern.
• Both US and Iranian delegates left peace talks in Pakistan without an agreement.
• The US aims to push economic pressure by cutting off Iran’s oil revenue.
• Demining efforts in the Strait of Hormuz have started to facilitate safe commercial passage.
• Iran’s Revolutionary Guard claims control of the strait, threatening strong retaliation if US or allied warships approach.

Notable Quotes:

• [00:21] “The blockade will involve stopping any ships that come out of Iranian ports or Iranian coastal areas… US Ships will not be stopping vessels traveling from non Iranian ports. The early stages of demining the strait has begun and information about a safe path through the strait will be communicated to commercial mariners now.”
• [00:53] President Trump: “We’re not going to let Iran make money on selling oil to people that they like and not people that they don’t like or whatever it is. It’s going to be all or none.”

2. Tensions Within the International Alliance

• President Trump criticizes NATO for not supporting the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

Notable Quotes:

• [01:06] “President Trump stepping off Air Force One in Maryland Sunday also expressing disapproval of NATO for what he says has been a lack of support to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.”

3. Major Shakeup in California’s Gubernatorial Race

• Democratic Congressman Eric Swalwell suspends his gubernatorial campaign due to sexual assault allegations, which he fervently denies.
• Congressional Democrats are calling for Swalwell’s resignation or possible expulsion from the House if he refuses to step down.

Notable Quotes:

• [01:21] “Democratic Congressman Eric Swalwell says he will suspend his campaign for governor of California. This comes after allegations surface that Swalwell sexually assaulted a former staffer. He has denied the allegations, calling them absolutely false.”
• [01:44] “In a post on X, Swalwell said he’s deeply sorry for mistakes and judgment he has made in the past, while denying those allegations…”

4. NYC Launches City-Run Grocery Store Initiative

• Mayor Zoran Mamdani marks his first 100 days by promising city-run grocery stores in every borough, starting with East Harlem.
• The initiative aims to lower prices of essentials like eggs and bread, and make food shopping “no longer an unsolvable equation”.
• The first store is projected to cost $30 million.

Notable Quotes:

• [02:40] “Eggs will be cheaper. Bread will be cheaper. Grocery shopping will no longer be an unsolvable equation.”

5. Virginia’s Redistricting Battle

• Virginia Democrats propose a temporary handover of redistricting powers to the legislature.
• Republicans warn this would silence over 2.1 million rural voters.

Notable Quotes:

• [03:20] Rep. Rob Whitman: “It is a complete, complete silencing of the voices of over 2.1 million voters across the Commonwealth of Virginia—disenfranchises them.”

6. Artemis 2 Astronauts Return—A Record Lunar Mission

• Artemis 2 crew returns after a 10-day trip around the moon, breaking records for distance into space.
• Crew receives a hero’s welcome at Johnson Space Center.
• Commander Reed Wiseman reflects on the emotional toll and gratitude to families.

Notable Quotes:

• [04:02] Commander Reed Wiseman: “This was not easy. Being 200,000 plus miles away from home, like before you launch, it feels like it’s the greatest dream on Earth. And when you’re out there, you just want to get back to your families and your friends. It’s a special thing to be a human and it’s a special thing to be on planet Earth.”

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Timeline of Key Segments

• 00:02 – 01:06: US-Iran blockade and diplomatic fallout
• 01:21 – 01:44: California gubernatorial shakeup (Swalwell scandal)
• 02:40 – 03:20: NYC grocery initiative & Virginia redistricting fight
• 03:45 – 04:24: Artemis 2 mission recap and astronaut reflections

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Memorable Moments

• The direct, uncompromising language from President Trump regarding Iran and the oil blockade.
• Emotional statements from NASA’s Reed Wiseman, sharing the dual wonder and challenge of deep space exploration.
• The gravity and political rapidity of the scandal and calls for expulsion against Eric Swalwell.

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Tone & Language

• The tone is urgent and direct, consistent with Fox News’ hard news style—emphasizing action, consequences, and quotable leadership voices.
• Real-time reporting and succinct phrasing underscore the weight and immediacy of the stories.

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This summary provides a thorough walk-through of the episode’s content for those who haven’t listened to the newscast, highlighting each major story with relevant context, quotes, and time references.

Transcript

[A]

On notice. I'm Angelo Bavaro, Fox News. We are just hours away from a planned US Blockade of ships entering or exiting Iranian ports. President Trump says that will begin at 10:00am Eastern this after American and Iranian delegates left Pakistan without an agreement to end the conflict in the Middle East.

[B]

The blockade will involve stopping any ships that come out of Iranian ports or Iranian coastal areas. US Ships will not be stopping vessels traveling from non Iranian ports. The early stages of demining the strait has begun and information about a safe path through the strait will be communicated to commercial mariners now. Iran's Revolutionary Guard put out a defiant statement that the Strait of Hormuz is now under their control and any warship approaching the strait will be seen as a breach of the ceasefire and will be dealt with strongly. President Trump told Maria Bartiromo details of the naval blockade. We're putting on a complete blockade.

[C]

We're not going to let Iran make money on selling oil to people that

[B]

they like and not people that they

[C]

don't like or whatever it is.

[B]

It's going to be all or none. The announcement of the blockade came after talks in Pakistan failed to produce an agreement.

[A]

Fox's Mike Tobin President Trump stepping off Air Force One in Maryland Sunday also expressing disapproval of Naito for what he says has been a lack of support to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a major shakeup in the race for governor in California.

[D]

Democratic Congressman Eric Swalwell says he will suspend his campaign for governor of California. This comes after allegations surface that Swalwell sexually assaulted a former staffer. He has denied the allegations, calling them absolutely false. Democrats in Congress are calling for him to resign his current seat in the House, with some even saying they will support the rare step of expulsion if he refuses to leave.

[A]

Fox's Ashley Stromire in a post on X, Wallwell said he's deeply sorry for mistakes and judgment he has made in the past, while denying those allegations that have been made against him. America is listening to Fox News.

[E]

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[A]

New York City Mayor Zoran Mamdani marking his first 100 days in office with a rally promising to start rolling out plans for those city run grocery stores in every borough starting with East Harlem in Manhattan. Eggs will be cheaper. Bread will be cheaper. Grocery shopping will no longer be an unsolvable equation. The city expects the first store will cost about $30 million to open. Virginia voters will decide on an amendment to temporarily hand over redistricting power back to the state legislature, currently run by Democrats. On the FOX Report, Virginia Republican Congressman Rob Whitman says people in rural areas will be isolated.

[B]

It is a complete, complete silencing of the voices of over 2.1 million voters across the Commonwealth of Virginia disenfranchises them.

[A]

Democrats say effort is only in response to GOP led states redrawing their congressional maps. The Artemis 2 astronauts are speaking about their 10 day trip around the moon, which ended Friday. Fox's Madison Scarpino with more.

[D]

The world got to witness a historic mission and the crew got a hero's welcome at Johnson Space center yesterday. Commander Reed Wiseman says he and pilot Victor Glover, Mission Specialist Christina Cook and Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen are now bonded forever. And he gave a lot of thanks to his family.

[C]

This was not easy. Being 200,000 plus miles away from home like before you launch, it feels like it's the greatest dream on Earth. And when you're out there, you just want to get back to your families and your friends. It's a special thing to be a human and it's a special thing to be on planet Earth.

[D]

The crew traveling deeper into space than any other humans before. It was a record breaking trip around

[A]

the moon and it was a flawless splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. That crew made up of three US Astronauts and a Canadian. I'm Angelo Bavaro and this is FOX News.