4AM ET 06/29/2026 Newscast

Summary

FOX News Hourly Update — 4AM ET Newscast (June 29, 2026)
Host: FOX News Podcasts, Featuring Sue Guzman, Alex Hogan, Jared Halpern, Ashley Strohmeier, and Chanley Painter

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Episode Overview

This episode delivers fast-breaking updates on major international conflicts, US domestic politics, Supreme Court proceedings, and mounting natural disasters. Key stories include tension and renewed ceasefires in the Middle East, controversy surrounding the America250 celebration, crucial upcoming Supreme Court rulings, and fatal flooding in Kentucky, along with notable political developments from Louisiana.

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Key Discussion Points

1. Renewed Ceasefire & Tensions: US-Iran and Strait of Hormuz

[00:02–00:50]

• The US and Iran have regained a halt in hostilities at the Strait of Hormuz, agreeing to resume diplomatic talks just weeks after signing a memorandum of understanding.
• However, attacks have persisted:
  • Iran struck a commercial vessel in the crucial shipping lane.
  • The US retaliated with strikes in Iran—the first since the agreement.
  • Iran responded with drone and missile assaults on Bahrain and Kuwait.
• President Trump issued a pointed warning:

  "There may come a point when we are no longer able to be reasonable and will be forced to militarily complete the job that we have successfully started. If that happens, the Islamic Republic of Iran will no longer exist."
  — President Trump (Truth Social statement, quoted by Alex Hogan, [00:20])

2. Israel-Hezbollah Escalation Despite Ceasefire

[00:50–01:22]

• Israel's military (IDF) intensified actions against Hezbollah, particularly by destroying an underground tunnel and arms storage center.
  • The US was briefed ahead of the operation.
  • This comes soon after a US-brokered deal intended to pause border fighting between Lebanon and Israel.
• Hezbollah condemned Israel’s actions as “a flagrant violation of the ceasefire” and vowed continued armed resistance.
• Key quote:

  "The IDF says it targeted a 650 tunnel in a village where guns were stored... Hezbollah says Israel's attacks are a flagrant violation of the ceasefire."
  — Alex Hogan, [01:01]

3. America250 Celebration Controversy

[01:22–01:48]

• Arizona Senator Mark Kelly criticized the America250 National Mall event as being overly political rather than a genuine commemoration of US history:

  "This is really an opportunity to think about like the history of our country and all the great things we've done, all the innovation. But what's going to happen on July 4th? Yeah, we're going to have a rally."
  — Jared Halpern (paraphrasing Senator Kelly, [01:36])

• President Trump opened the event with a speech and is scheduled to speak again on July 4th.

4. Supreme Court’s Final Session: Major Rulings Looming

[02:32–03:12]

• The US Supreme Court is entering its final week, with major decisions pending:
  • President Trump's executive order on birthright citizenship.
  • Cases from Idaho and West Virginia about transgender participation in female athletics.
  • Campaign finance regulations as midterms approach.
  • Ballot counting standards for late-arriving mail-in votes in Mississippi.
• Key quote:

  "Justices have at least two more days remaining in the term as they finalize eight cases still outstanding. Among the high profile opinions, a ruling on President Trump's executive order to eliminate birthright citizenship."
  — Jared Halpern, [02:39]

5. Deadly Kentucky Flooding

[03:12–03:35]

• Catastrophic flash flooding has led to states of emergency across Kentucky, with at least four fatalities reported and numerous water rescues.
  • Up to 8 inches of rain fell in some areas.
  • Governor Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency in multiple counties.
• Key quote:

  "Crews have their hands full rescuing people trapped in cars and homes. The flooding is blamed for at least four deaths. More rain is expected throughout the night."
  — Alex Hogan, [03:22]

6. Louisiana Senate Primary: Julia Etlow Advances

[03:35–04:10]

• Trump-backed Republican Julia Etlow won the GOP primary runoff over John Fleming.
  • She cited her commitment to “put America first and never turn her back on Louisiana voters.”
• Etlow will face Democrat Jamie Davis in November, aiming to fill the seat of outgoing Senator Bill Cassidy.
  • Cassidy had previously voted to remove Trump from office and lost his primary in May.
• Key quote:

  "White Louisiana sent a clear message that they want a candidate to represent them in the Senate who will always put America first and never turn her back on Louisiana voters."
  — Alex Hogan, [03:56]

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• President Trump on Iran:
  "There may come a point when we are no longer able to be reasonable and will be forced to militarily complete the job that we have successfully started. If that happens, the Islamic Republic of Iran will no longer exist."
  — Quoted by Alex Hogan, [00:20]

• Jared Halpern on America250 event:
  "This is really an opportunity to think about like the history of our country and all the great things we've done, all the innovation. But what's going to happen on July 4th? Yeah, we're going to have a rally."
  — [01:36]

• On Kentucky flooding response:
  "Crews have their hands full rescuing people trapped in cars and homes. The flooding is blamed for at least four deaths."
  — Alex Hogan, [03:22]

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Important Timestamps

• 00:02 — Opening: US-Iran halt in fighting and resumed talks
• 00:17 — President Trump’s stark warning to Iran
• 00:50 — Israel-Hezbollah strikes; US involvement
• 01:22 — Senator Kelly criticizes America250 event
• 02:32 — Supreme Court nears final session, major decisions pending
• 03:12 — Deadly flooding and state of emergency in Kentucky
• 03:56 — Julia Etlow’s Louisiana Senate primary victory

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Episode Tone & Takeaways

The episode maintains FOX News’ brisk, serious tone, emphasizing high-stakes international flashpoints, urgent domestic developments, and the impact of leadership decisions at the highest levels. Coverage blends tight news summaries with direct reporting, providing listeners a comprehensive snapshot of the nation and world’s most urgent headlines as of June 29, 2026.

Transcript

[Sue Guzman]

A halt in the fighting. I'm Sue Guzman, Fox News. Two weeks after the signing of a memorandum of understanding to end hostilities, the US And Iran have reportedly agreed once again to halt attacks in the Strait of Hormuz and renew talks.

[Alex Hogan]

This week, President Trump taking it one step further. Following these renewed attacks, he took to truth social writing in part quote, there may come a point when we are no longer able to be reasonable and will be forced to militarily complete the job that we have successfully started. If that happens, the Islamic Republic of Iran will no longer exist. This week, Iran struck a commercial vessel in the Strait of Hormuz. The US Then carried out strikes in Iran. On Friday, the first since the signing of the memorandum of understanding, Tehran launched a drone and missile attack targeting Bahrain and Kuwait.

[Sue Guzman]

Fox's Alex Hogan. Meanwhile, Israel's military is ramping up strikes against Iran backed Hezbollah, this time by destroying an underground terrorist center. Here's Fox's Ashley Strohmeier.

[Alex Hogan]

The IDF says it targeted a 650 tunnel in a village where guns were stored. The US was told about the attack before it happened. The strike comes just two days after Lebanon and Israel agreed to a U S brokered deal to stop fighting along the border. Hezbollah says Israel's attacks are a flagrant violation of the ceasefire, adding it will continue its armed resistance.

[Sue Guzman]

Arizona Democratic Senator Mark kelly criticizing the America250 event at the National Mall in Washington. The senator telling ABC this week that America 250 is more of a political event earlier rather than a celebration of America's history.

[Jared Halpern]

This is really an opportunity to think about like the history of our country and all the great things we've done, all the innovation. But what's going to happen on July 4th? Yeah, we're going to have a rally.

[Sue Guzman]

And the America 250 celebration kicked off with President Trump opening it at the speech in the National Mall Wednesday. And the president will speak at America250 again July 4th. America is listening to FOX News.

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[Sue Guzman]

the nation's highest court with a big week ahead as it wraps up its final session with a key issue being expected to be decided.

[Jared Halpern]

Justices have at least two more days remaining in the term as they finalize eight cases still outstanding. Among the high profile opinions, a ruling on President Trump's executive order to eliminate birthright citizenship. The high court is also still considering a pair of cases from Idaho and West Virginia over transgender students participating in female athletics. And ahead of the midterm elections, a case over campaign finance is unresolved, as well as a Mississippi case about counting late arriving mail in ballots. In Washington, Jared Halpern, FOX News Massive

[Sue Guzman]

flooding in Kentucky turning deadly. The heavy rains and flash flooding prompting water rescues, evacuations and emergency declarations. As we hear from Fox's Chanley Painter,

[Alex Hogan]

Kentucky is declaring a state of emergency as heavy rain floods the state. Crews have their hands full rescuing people trapped in cars and homes. The flooding is blamed for at least four deaths. More rain is expected throughout the night

[Sue Guzman]

and some victims of the severe flooding were swept away in their cars because of the sudden flash flooding. Governor Andy Beshear Declari State of emergency for several counties. Upwards of 8 inches of rain fell in Madison and Jackson counties that were hardest hit. Trump backed Louisiana Republican Congressman Julia Etlow, defeating state Treasurer John Fleming in Saturday's primary runoff.

[Alex Hogan]

White Louisiana sent a clear message that they want a candidate to represent them in the Senate who will always put America first and never turn her back on Louisiana voters

[Sue Guzman]

is vying for the seat now held by incumbent Senator Bill Cassidy. Cassidy voted to remove President Trump from office after the January 6 riot lost his primary in May. The congresswoman will be facing Democrat Jamie Davis in the November general election. I'm Sue Guzman. This is FOX News.

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