4AM ET 05/18/2026 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update – 4AM ET 05/18/2026 Newscast

Host: Deborah Valentine
Date: May 18, 2026

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Episode Overview

This episode delivers an early morning round-up of key global and domestic news stories, focusing on the fragile US-Iran ceasefire and its potential collapse, the economic fallout from Middle East tensions, a spree of violent shootings in Austin, Texas, and updates on ongoing congressional investigations related to the Jeffrey Epstein case. The newscast also briefly covers a Navy jet collision at an Idaho air show.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. US-Iran Ceasefire in Jeopardy

• [00:03-00:48]
• The recent US-Iran ceasefire is "shaky" and may break down soon.
• President Trump issued a warning to Iran via Truth Social:
  Quote: "the clock is ticking and that they better act fast." (at 00:13, paraphrased by Alex Hogan)
• Questions remain about Iran's goals in negotiations.
• President Trump plans a Situation Room meeting with top national security officials on Tuesday.
• After a high-stakes visit to China, the White House announced boards of trade and investment for direct economic channels between the US and China.
• Tensions escalated with a drone attack on the UAE's only nuclear power plant; no group has claimed responsibility, and no major damage was reported.
• The US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz remains in effect.

2. Domestic Economic Impact and Political Response

• [00:48-01:55]
• President Trump spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on maintaining the ceasefire.
• Speaker of the House Mike Johnson highlights US gas prices and inflation as a direct result of the Strait of Hormuz blockade:
  Mike Johnson [01:32]:
  "Gas prices are too high because of that and then that has an effect on goods are transported to the grocery store and all the rest. So as soon as we get that straightened out, we will get back to the kitchen. Table issues."
• Johnson believes resolution in the Middle East will ease economic pressure at home.
• President Trump is considering suspending the federal gasoline tax—a move Republicans largely support while most Democrats oppose.

3. Austin, Texas Shooting Spree

• [03:07-03:46]
• Three teenagers are in custody after a string of at least 12 random shootings over the weekend, injuring four people (one critically).
• Two of the suspects are minors (ages 15 and 17).
• The suspects allegedly stole guns from a store and stole more than four cars during the crime spree, possibly switching cars to evade law enforcement.
• Shootings targeted apartment complexes, homes, pedestrians, and two fire stations.
• Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis [03:39]:
  "I don't know what motive would drive anybody to come and drive around senselessly in the city and multiple parts of the city shooting."

4. Congressional Epstein Investigation Interviews

• [03:46-04:42]
• Beginning today, a House committee will interview Tova Noel, a former prison guard on duty when Jeffrey Epstein died in custody in 2019.
• Noel was indicted (along with a colleague) for falsifying records but did not serve jail time.
• House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer seeks details on suspicious cash deposits made by Noel (including a $5,000 deposit ten days before Epstein’s death).
• Future witnesses include Bill Gates and former Attorney General Pam Bondi.
• Jessica Rosenthal [04:06]:
  "Among those sitting for upcoming interviews are Bill Gates and former Attorney General Pam Bondi."

5. Navy Jet Collision at Idaho Air Show

• [04:42-05:06]
• Two Navy jets collided during an air show at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho.
• All four crew members ejected and are in stable condition; no ground injuries reported.
• Remainder of the air show was canceled.

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Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• Alex Hogan [00:13]:
  "President Trump posting on Truth Social a warning to Iran saying the clock is ticking and that they better act fast."

• Mike Johnson [01:32]:
  "Gas prices are too high because of that and then that has an effect on goods are transported to the grocery store and all the rest. So as soon as we get that straightened out, we will get back to the kitchen. Table issues."

• Lisa Davis via Marianne Rapperty [03:39]:
  "I don't know what motive would drive anybody to come and drive around senselessly in the city and multiple parts of the city shooting."

• Jessica Rosenthal [04:06]:
  "Among those sitting for upcoming interviews are Bill Gates and former Attorney General Pam Bondi."

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:03 – US-Iran Ceasefire and Trump Warning
• 00:48 – White House, Middle East Tensions, Netanyahu Call
• 01:18 – Speaker Mike Johnson on Gas Prices
• 01:42 – Proposal to Suspend Federal Gasoline Tax
• 03:07 – Austin, Texas Shooting Spree
• 03:46 – Epstein Surveillance Investigation & Congressional Hearings
• 04:42 – Idaho Navy Jet Collision

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Tone and Language

• The tone is urgent and succinct, emphasizing the fragility of global situations and their direct impact on American daily life.
• Reporting maintains a sense of seriousness with factual delivery and occasional direct quotes for emphasis.

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This summary captures the essence and main content areas of the FOX News 4AM ET 05/18/2026 Hourly Update, equipping readers with an understanding of the episode’s major stories, key moments, and relevant speaker comments.

Transcript

[Deborah Valentine]

Strikes may resume. I'm Deborah Valentine, FOX News. The shaky cease fire between the US And Iran could be in danger yet again. Fox's Alex Hogan has more from Washington.

[Alex Hogan]

President Trump posting on Truth Social a warning to Iran saying the clock is ticking and that they better act fast. It comes amid this delicate cease fire between Washington and Tehran. And some analysts argue that there's questions and concerns over what Iran would want out of a deal. Axios today reporting that the president is expected to hold a Situation Room meeting with top national security team members on Tuesday. And following his high stakes visit to China this past week, the White House today announcing the creation of a board of trade and a board of investment to allow government to government channels between the world's two largest economies.

[Deborah Valentine]

President Trump spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by phone on Sunday regarding the fragile cease fire with Iran. The US Blockade on the Strait of Hormuz remains a drone struck a United Arab Emirates lone nuclear power plant Sunday as tensions increased in the Middle East. No group has claimed responsibility for the strike. No major damage was reported. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson says high costs here at home will be addressed once an important global issue is resolved. Here is fox's Gurnell Scott.

[Gurnell Scott]

Speaker Johnson said on Fox News Sunday he gets that Americans are worried about high prices and even the threat it could be on the Republican House majority. But he believes costs will drop when the Strait of Hormuz is again reopened.

[Mike Johnson]

Gas prices are too high because of that and then that has an effect on goods are transported to the grocery store and all the rest. So as soon as we get that straightened out, we will get back to the kitchen. Table issues.

[Gurnell Scott]

Another method President Trump has proposed is suspending the federal gasoline tax, which some Republicans support but most Democrats have opposed. Gramal Scott, FOX News.

[Deborah Valentine]

America's listening to FOX News.

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[Deborah Valentine]

A third suspect is in custody in Austin, Texas, after a dozen random shootings injured four people, one critically. Fox's Marianne Rapperty has more.

[Marianne Rapperty]

Three teen suspects are in custody after at least 12 random weekend shootings in Austin, Texas, two of them happening at fire stations. At least four people were hurt. Police say two of the teens stole guns from the same store. Investigators believe the teens also stole more than four cars during the spree and may have switched cars multiple times.

[Deborah Valentine]

Austin police chief is Lisa Davis. She says a motive is under investigation.

[Marianne Rapperty]

I don't know what motive would drive anybody to come and drive around senselessly

[Bloomberg Announcer]

in the city and multiple parts of the city shooting.

[Deborah Valentine]

Two of the suspects are 15 and 17 years old. Shots were fired at apartment complexes, homes, pedestrians and two fire stations overnight Saturday into Sunday, a flurry of Epstein related interviews is about to begin. Beginning today, one House committee will talk to one of the prison guards who oversaw Jeffrey Epstein while he was in custody up until his death.

[Jessica Rosenthal]

The House Oversight Committee expects to speak with Tova Knoll today. She was one of the Metropolitan Correctional center prison guards on duty when Jeffrey Epstein died in 2019. She was indicted at that time along with a colleague for falsifying records, accused of saying they had checked on Epstein the night he died when they had not, they pled out and did not serve any jail time. Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer has also said he wants information about cash deposits Noel made into her account, including one for $5,000 ten days before Epstein died. Among those sitting for upcoming interviews are Bill Gates and former Attorney General Pam Bondi. Jessica rosenthal, FOX NEWS Two Navy jets

[Deborah Valentine]

collided during an air show at a military base in Idaho. All four crew members ejected safely and are reported in stable condition. No one on the ground was injured. The incident occurred at the Mountain Home Air Force Base in western Idaho Sunday. The remainder of the show was canceled. The base 50 miles south of Boise. I'm Debra Valentine. This is FOX news.

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