4AM ET 07/09/2026 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update: 4AM ET 07/09/2026 Newscast

Host: Sue Guzman
Date: July 9, 2026
Main Theme: A roundup of major overnight news stories including a dramatic shakeup in the Maine Senate race, escalating U.S.-Iran tensions, a high-profile court video in the Charlie Kirk case, federal charges against the Southern Poverty Law Center, and legal updates involving President Trump.

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1. Graham Platner Withdraws from Maine Senate Race

[00:03–00:56]

Key Points:

• Democratic candidate Graham Platner exits the race for Maine Senate after a rape allegation surfaces from a former girlfriend.
• Platner, an oyster farmer and Marine veteran, was positioned to challenge incumbent GOP Senator Susan Collins.
• Platner denies the accusations and emphasizes his withdrawal is not an admission of guilt.
• The Democratic party is now under pressure to swiftly select a new nominee, with a July 27th deadline for a replacement.

Notable Quotes:

• “We are suspending campaign operations.” – Graham Platner, [00:16]
• “The things that have been claimed did not happen.” – Graham Platner, [00:35]
• “It needs to be driven not from backrooms, but by the will of the people.” – Graham Platner, discussing the selection of a new nominee, [00:44]

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2. U.S. Military Airstrikes in Iran Escalate Tensions

[00:56–01:33]

Key Points:

• U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirms another round of airstrikes targeting some 90 sites in Iran.
• The U.S. aims to reduce Iran’s capability to disrupt shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
• President Donald Trump voices strong criticism of Iranian leadership, signaling a major escalation.
• Significant military buildup: 20 U.S. warships and two carrier strike groups are now in the region.
• The operation leads to a noticeable increase in oil prices.

Notable Quotes:

• “To further degrade Iran's ability to interfere with the freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.” – Mike Tobin quoting CENTCOM, [01:05]
• “They're cuckoo. There's something wrong with these people. And for 47 years they've been the bully of the Middle East and they're not the bully anymore.” – Donald J. Trump, [01:19]
• “CENTCOM says the strikes are now complete.” – Sue Guzman, [01:33]

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3. Palm Beach Airport Renamed for President Trump

[01:33–01:40]

Key Points:

• Palm Beach International Airport is now officially Donald J. Trump International Airport.
• A new navy blue sign commemorating the name has been unveiled.
• In Tennessee, a bridge on Interstate 40 will also be named after Trump.

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4. Legal Update: Video Testimony in Charlie Kirk Case

[02:32–03:17]

Key Points:

• The court is set to review video testimony from Lance Twiggs, a former lover of Tyler Robinson, who stands accused of assassinating Charlie Kirk.
• Portions of Twiggs’ video that could be interpreted as confessions by Robinson have been edited out at the defense's request.
• Video of Robinson surrendering to police is presented in court. Both Robinson’s parents and Kirk’s widow are present daily.

Notable Moments:

• “The defense successfully fought to get some parts of this video edited out before it is played, specifically where Twigs relays Robinson's words that could be taken as confessions.” – Claudia Cowell, [02:43]
• “The full video expected to show Twigs discussing text check logs.” – Sue Guzman, [03:17]

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5. Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) Faces Federal Fraud Charges

[03:17–04:10]

Key Points:

• New indictment alleges the SPLC defrauded donors, failing to disclose that donated funds were used to pay informants in extremist organizations.
• Over $4 million of donations went toward infiltrating groups like the Ku Klux Klan; money reportedly used for recruiting and purchasing robes/materials for cross-burnings.
• SPLC denies any wrongdoing, claiming critical intelligence was provided to law enforcement, and asserts political targeting by the Trump administration.
• The trial is scheduled for October.

Notable Quotes:

• “Prosecutors say some of the money was used for recruiting new members and for buying new Ku Klux Klan robes and materials for cross burning ceremonies.” – Chris Foster, [03:37]
• “[The SPLC] says it's being targeted as a perceived political enemy of President Trump.” – Chris Foster, [03:54]

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6. Trump Requests Supreme Court Rehear Case on Birthright Citizenship

[04:10–04:28]

Key Points:

• President Trump announces on Truth Social his intention to petition the Supreme Court to rehear the case concerning his executive order to end birthright citizenship.
• The Supreme Court had previously rejected his attempt; such a rehearing is historically rare (last occurred in 1965).

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7. Other Noteworthy Updates

• An additional brief covers Charlie Kirk’s widow’s courtroom presence and ongoing media interest in the assassination case.
• The newscast highlights America’s listening to Fox News, signaling the segment's close on main reporting before ads.

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Memorable Moments & Quotes (with Timestamps)

• Platner’s withdrawal after rape allegation:
  “We are suspending campaign operations.” – Graham Platner, [00:16]
• President Trump’s blunt assessment of Iran:
  “They're cuckoo. There's something wrong with these people…they're not the bully anymore.” – Donald J. Trump, [01:19]
• SPLC defends its actions:
  “[The SPLC] says it's being targeted as a perceived political enemy…” – Chris Foster, [03:54]
• Supreme Court rehearing rarity:
  “Also, last time the court agreed to rehear a case was 1965.” – Sue Guzman, [04:24]

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Timeline of Key Segments

• 00:03-00:56: Maine Senate race shakeup & Platner’s statement
• 00:56-01:33: U.S.-Iran military escalation & Trump soundbite
• 01:33-01:40: Trump commemorations: airport & bridge
• 02:32-03:17: Charlie Kirk assassination case courtroom updates
• 03:17-04:10: SPLC fraud charges explained
• 04:10-04:28: Trump petitions Supreme Court on birthright citizenship

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This newscast provided a rapid overview of breaking political, military, and legal stories, with FOX’s trademark direct and to-the-point reporting style that emphasizes both hard facts and pointed soundbites. Perfect for listeners seeking a fast, comprehensive morning news update.

Transcript

[Sue Guzman]

Platner drops out. I'm Sue Guzman. FOX News Democrat Graham Platner withdrawing from a crucial Maine Senate race after a rape allegation. Story from fox's Kristin Goodwin.

[Kristin Goodwin]

Graham Platner revealing in a video on

[Graham Platner]

X Wednesday we are suspending campaign operations.

[Kristin Goodwin]

The 41 year old oyster farmer and Marine veteran locked in the Democratic nomination to go up against incumbent GOP Senator Susan Collins in November. But he's faced a slew of controversies, including an accusation from a former former girlfriend that he sexually assaulted her, which he denies.

[Graham Platner]

The things that have been claimed did not happen.

[Kristin Goodwin]

Platner says the decision to withdraw from the race is not an admission of guilt and addressed the Democratic scramble to replace him.

[Graham Platner]

It needs to be driven not from backrooms, but by the will of the people.

[Kristin Goodwin]

Maine's Democratic Party announced it will hold a convention to select a new candidate. Kristen Goodwin, Fox News party must choose

[Sue Guzman]

a new nominee by July 27th. You U.S. forces striking some 90 targets in Iran during the latest military operation. Fox's Mike Tobin.

[Mike Tobin]

Central Command confirms that another round of airstrikes is underway in Iran, quote, to further degrade Iran's ability to interfere with the freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. The president indicated that he had just lost his patience with his Iranian counterparts.

[Donald J. Trump]

They're cuckoo. There's something wrong with these people. And for 47 years they've been the bully of the Middle east and they're not the bully anymore.

[Mike Tobin]

CENTCOM says the US now has 20 wars warships in the region, two carrier strike groups.

[Sue Guzman]

CENTCOM says the strikes are now complete. Oil prices climbed Thursday after the U.S. s latest round of strikes. And Palm Beach International Airport's getting a new name. The president, Donald J. Trump International Airport includes a new navy blue sign with white lettering proclaiming the change. And also this week, a bridge along Interstate 40 through East Tennessee and the town of Dandridge will bear the president's name. America is listening to FOX news.

[Chevron Narrator]

Who helps America go farther, fly higher, dream even bigger?

[Graham Platner]

People do.

[Chevron Narrator]

Since 1879, our people have been more than a source of energy. They've been a source of progress. Today, that same progress is helping deliver record US Energy production, fueling the workers, the makers, the boundary pushers and risk takers who spark the breakthroughs that move America forward. Learn more about what our people [e-mail] USA250

[Sue Guzman]

a video testimony from Lance Twiggs, a former lover of suspected Charlie Kirk assassin Tyler Robinson, is going to be played in court today as a week long hearing nears its end. It Tales from fox's Claudia Cowell.

[Claudia Cowell]

Twiggs sat down with investigators and prosecutors on April 20 and has been keeping a low profile. Now, the defense successfully fought to get some parts of this video edited out before it is played, specifically where Twigs relays Robinson's words that could be taken as confessions. The court also saw video of Robinson at the Washington County Sheriff's Department in the early morning hours of September 12th. That is where he surrendered with the help of his parents two days after Charlie Kirk was killed. Robinson's parents have been in the courtroom every day this week, as has Charlie Kirk's widow.

[Sue Guzman]

The full video expected to show Twigs discussing text check logs. Also, a note that the defense said prosecutors and the public would consider a confession from Robinson. Southern Poverty Law center pleading not guilty to federal charges that it defrauded donors and not disclosing that some of the money was being used to pay informants in extremist organizations.

[Chris Foster]

It's a new indictment adding details to charges first announced in April. The Justice Department accuses the Southern Poverty Law center of using more than $4 million in donations to fund through informants extremist groups it claims to be fighting a cause the donors thought they were supporting. Prosecutors say some of the money was used for recruiting new members and for buying new Ku Klux Klan robes and materials for cross burning ceremonies. The SPLC denies wrongdoing and and says the informant program provided critical intelligence regularly shared with law enforcement. It says it's being targeted is a perceived political enemy of President Trump. The case is scheduled to go to trial in October. Chris Foster, FOX News President Trump posted

[Sue Guzman]

on Truth Social that he plans to ask the Supreme Court to rehear the case challenging his executive order ending birthright citizenship. Last month the court rejected his attempt to restrict it. Also, last time the court agreed to rehear a case was 1965. I'm Sue Guzman. This is FOX News.

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