4AM ET 05/12/2026 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update

Episode: 4AM ET Newscast – May 12, 2026
Host: Debra Valentine (FOX News Podcasts)

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Episode Overview

This 4AM newscast brings listeners up-to-speed on major international and domestic events including the threatened US-Iran ceasefire, the aftermath of the hantavirus cruise ship incident, President Trump’s proposals to lower gas prices amidst the Iran war, legal actions against a Southern California mayor for acting as a Chinese agent, and Israeli legislative response to the Gaza war. The tone is urgent and direct, reflecting high-stakes global developments with significant implications for US security and policy.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Threatened Ceasefire Between US & Iran

Timestamps: 00:02–00:57

• Ceasefire Status:
  • Debra Valentine opens with news that the US-Iran ceasefire is “jeopardized,” noting President Trump’s disappointment in Tehran’s proposal, specifically their refusal to limit nuclear capabilities.
  • “The ceasefire between the US and Iran is threatened. President Trump says the latest proposal from Tehran does not include limiting Iran’s nuclear capabilities.” — Debra Valentine (00:02)
• US Position:
  • Lucas Tomlinson relays Trump’s stance: “Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon and they won't have a nuclear weapon.” (00:16)
• Details from the Region:
  • Jonathan Sari, reporting from Dubai, underscores increased tensions following attacks on US warships and highlights key terms Iran demanded:
    • US payment for war damages,
    • Recognition of Iranian sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz,
    • End to US sanctions,
    • Release of Iran’s blocked assets.
  • Nearly 1,500 ships remain stranded in the Persian Gulf—a human and economic crisis.
  • “For over two months now, more than 1,500 ships have been stranded in the Persian Gulf with more than 20,000 aboard.” — Jonathan Sari (00:23)
• US Demands:
  • Nuclear program limitations and enriched uranium removal remain Trump’s prerequisites.

2. Hantavirus Cruise Ship Update

Timestamps: 00:57–01:55

• Return of Americans:
  • 18 Americans from the afflicted cruise ship are back in the US under close health monitoring.
• Health Response:
  • Jonathan Sari details the medical protocols:
    • One passenger at Nebraska’s biocontainment unit (tested positive then negative),
    • Another symptomatic person transferred to Emory (tested negative),
    • Close contacts under observation at Emory,
    • 15 lower-risk individuals in quarantine at Nebraska Medical Center.
    • Maryland authorities monitoring two residents potentially exposed indirectly.
  • “Health authorities in Maryland announced that they're monitoring two residents who were not on the cruise ship but may have had exposure to one of the cruise ship passengers.” — Jonathan Sari (01:44)

3. President Trump Proposes Gas Tax Suspension

Timestamps: 02:39–03:16

• Policy Proposal:
  • To lower rising gas prices inflated by the Iran conflict, Trump seeks a suspension of the federal gas tax (currently 18 cents/gallon).
  • “You know it’s a small percentage, but it’s, you know, it’s still money.” — Lucas Tomlinson (02:52)
• Legislative Outlook:
  • Jared Halpern notes bipartisan legislative efforts are underway, but action from Congress is needed.
  • Trump predicts prices will decrease rapidly once the war ends and the Strait of Hormuz reopens.
  • “Gas prices drop quickly once the war is over and the vital Strait of Hormuz reopened.” — Jared Halpern (03:09)

4. Arcadia, CA Mayor Pleads Guilty as Agent of China

Timestamps: 03:16–04:04

• Criminal Plea:
  • Kristin Goodwin reports that Eileen Wang, mayor of Arcadia (Los Angeles County), agreed to plead guilty to acting as an “illegal agent of a foreign government.”
  • Wang collaborated with an accomplice (Mike Son) to spread PRC propaganda via the “US News Center” website.
• Justice Department Statement:
  • “This plea agreement is the latest success in our determination to defend the homeland against China’s efforts to corrupt our institutions.” — First Assistant US Attorney Bill Asale (03:51, paraphrased by Goodwin)
• Sentencing Details:
  • Wang faces up to 10 years in prison; Mike Son is serving 4 years.

5. Israeli Lawmakers Approve Tribunal on Gaza Attack

Timestamps: 04:04–04:37

• Legislative Response:
  • Israel’s parliament has set up a special tribunal with the authority to sentence to death Palestinians found guilty of taking part in the 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel, which ignited the ongoing Gaza war.

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Notable Quotes

• “Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon and they won't have a nuclear weapon.”
  — Lucas Tomlinson (00:16)

• “For over two months now, more than 1,500 ships have been stranded in the Persian Gulf with more than 20,000 aboard.”
  — Jonathan Sari (00:23)

• “This plea agreement is the latest success in our determination to defend the homeland against China’s efforts to corrupt our institutions.”
  — First Assistant US Attorney Bill Asale (Statement quoted by Kristin Goodwin, 03:51)

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Memorable Moments & Turning Points

• Stark warning about the ongoing risk of war with Iran and its global economic impacts.
• Strong presidential language rejecting Iranian terms and reiterating nuclear red lines.
• Immediate, visible effects of international conflict: supply chain disruptions (stranded ships) and economic ripple (gas prices).
• Federal prosecution of a US mayor for foreign influence—rare, high-profile case signaling increased vigilance.

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• US–Iran Ceasefire & Nuclear Standoff: 00:02–00:57
• Hantavirus Cruise Ship Developments: 00:57–01:55
• President Trump’s Gas Tax Proposal: 02:39–03:16
• Arcadia Mayor/China Influence Case: 03:16–04:04
• Israel’s Tribunal on Gaza Attack: 04:04–04:37

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Summary by: Fox News Podcasts
Reporter Attributions: Debra Valentine, Lucas Tomlinson, Jonathan Sari, Jared Halpern, Kristin Goodwin

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Transcript

[Debra Valentine]

The ceasefire is jeopardized. I'm Debra Valentine, Fox News. The ceasefire between the US And Iran is threatened. President Trump says the latest proposal from Tehran does not include limiting Iran's nuclear capabilities.

[Lucas Tomlinson]

It's a very simple plan. Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon and they won't have a nuclear weapon.

[Debra Valentine]

Fox's Lucas Tomlinson has more from Dubai

[Jonathan Sari]

after recent attacks on US Warships. And here on the UAE in the past week, you can understand why President Trump says the ceasefire is on lockdown. Now here are the terms that were a non starter for the president. As reported by Iranian state media, the US Was supposed to pay for Iranian war damage. Reparations, if you will, recognition of Iranian sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz, end of US Sanctions and the release of Iran's blocked assets. Now for over two months now, more than 1,500 ships have been stranded in the Persian Gulf with more than 20,000 aboard.

[Debra Valentine]

The President wants Tehran's nuclear program limited and their enriched uranium removed. Eighteen Americans on the hantavirus cruise ship are now back in the United States. Fox's Jonathan Sari has more.

[Jonathan Sari]

One passenger who tested positive and later negative for hantavirus before returning to the US Was placed in the Nebraska biocontainment unit as a precaution. Another individual experiencing symptoms despite testing negative was transferred to a biocontainment facility at Emory University in Atlanta. A close travel companion with no symptoms also went to Emory for monitoring. While 15 lower risk passengers quarantine at Nebraska Medical center in more hotel like accommodations separate from the biocontainment unit. And today, health authorities in Maryland announced that they're monitoring two residents who were not on the cruise ship but may have had exposure to one of the cruise ship passengers.

[Debra Valentine]

America's listening to Fox News.

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[Debra Valentine]

President Trump wants to suspend the federal gas tax temporarily to bring down soaring

[Jared Halpern]

prices, at least while the war with Iran continues to rattle the oil market. President Trump says he wants a suspension of the federal gas tax.

[Lucas Tomlinson]

You know it's a small percentage, but it's, you know, it's still money.

[Jared Halpern]

The federal tax on gasoline is just over 18 cents per gallon and would require action from Congress to suspend it. But there has been legislation introduced by both Republicans and Democrats to do just that. Still, President Trump says gas prices drop quickly once the war is over and the vital Strait of Hormuz reopened. At the White House, Jared Halpern, FOX News.

[Debra Valentine]

A Southern California mayor agrees to a plea deal accused of acting as an illegal agent for the People's Republic of China.

[Kristin Goodwin]

The Department of Justice revealing Eileen Wang has agreed to plead guilty to one felony count of acting as an illegal agent of a foreign government. The 58 year old was elected mayor of Arcadia, a city in Los Angeles county, in 2022. Federal officials say from 2020 to 2022, she and an accom worked at the direction and control of the People's Republic of China to promote PRC propaganda in the US including by operating a website dubbed the US News Center. First Assistant US Attorney Bill Asale saying in a statement, this plea agreement is the latest success in our determination to defend the homeland against China's efforts to corrupt our institutions. Kristin Goodwin, Fox News.

[Debra Valentine]

The former mayor faces up to 10 years in federal prison for the charge. Her accomplice, 65 year old Mike Son of Chino Hills, is serving a four year sentence after pleading guilty to the same charge. Israeli lawmakers approved a bill on Monday setting up a special tribunal that would try and have the authority to sentence to death Palestinians convicted of taking part in the 2023 Hamas led attack that triggered the war in Gaza. I'm Debra Valentine. This is Fox News.

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