4AM ET 07/18/2026 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update — 4AM ET Newscast (July 18, 2026)

Overview

The July 18, 2026, 4AM ET update delivers a packed segment of breaking national and international news. Major themes include continued US military action in Iran, President Trump's tough rhetoric on Canadian wildfires, natural disaster responses in Texas and China, and political shake-ups in the Maine Senate race. The tone throughout is urgent, direct, and focused on key facts and official statements.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Continuing US Military Strikes on Iran

• [00:03–00:50]
  • The US has now completed its seventh consecutive night of airstrikes on Iran, focusing on severing Tehran’s logistical control over the Strait of Hormuz.
  • Kevin Cork: “U.S. forces are pounding the Iranians, cutting off the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas, in the process striking road and rail bridges also.”
  • A significant target included the toppling of a large maritime surveillance tower in Chabahar, a hub vital for Afghanistan’s trade.
    • Kevin Cork: “CENTCOM says that structure was part of the IRGC’s Maritime Surveillance Network used to track and target commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz.”
  • The US has now destroyed six Iranian bridges. Local media reports at least half a dozen casualties.
  • The IRGC threatened reprisal against countries aiding the US military presence.
    • Debra Valentine: “Iran’s IRGC says countries hosting US Forces should expect corresponding responses if their territory is used for attacks on Iran.”

2. President Trump's Threat of Tariffs over Canadian Wildfires

• [01:15–01:47]
  • Wildfire smoke from Canada continues to cause air quality warnings across the northeastern US, including Washington, D.C.
  • Jared Halpern: “President Trump says he's holding Canada responsible for not properly maintaining their forest.”
  • The President, on social media, characterized the event as an “invasion by filthy, polluted, and unhealthy air,” and blamed Canadian negligence.
  • Trump is demanding corrective action, threatening billions in additional tariffs on Canada.
    • Jared Halpern: “He says it's willful negligence on the part of Canada, threatening billions of dollars will be added to tariffs Canada is currently paying.”

3. Natural Disasters and Emergency Response

Landslide in China

• [01:47–02:00]
  • A landslide in China’s southwest has killed at least eight, with at least 34 people missing.

Deadly Storms and Flooding in Texas

• [02:32–03:19]
  • Governor Greg Abbott announces a major disaster declaration unlocking federal aid for flood-stricken counties in Texas.
  • Kristin Goodwin: “A major disaster declaration declared for counties impacted by floods will allow for federal relief to assist in rebuilding.”
  • Nearly 3,000 personnel deployed; over 270 rescues made so far; rivers remain a danger.
  • Local and state officials are prioritizing immediate debris removal and volunteer coordination.
    • Jared Halpern: “The volunteers that are coming in to clean and help are going to be a huge impact to get us … down the road.”

4. Political Turmoil: Maine’s Senate Race

• [03:19–04:11]
  • Maine Democrats scramble to replace Graham Platner after his withdrawal due to rape accusations (which he denies).
  • Eight candidates debated Thursday night, but the party faces criticism for lacking strong contenders.
    • Brian Yanes (quoting NYT): “Maine Democrats don’t exactly have a deep bench, noting halting answers, convoluted responses and stilted deliveries.”
  • The party’s deadline to submit a new nominee is July 27.

5. Fugitive Apprehended in Rhode Island

• [04:11–04:28]
  • The FBI has captured Ronald L. Fisher, one of Rhode Island’s most wanted fugitives, after receiving a tip.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Kevin Cork [00:14]: “U.S. forces are pounding the Iranians, cutting off the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas… in an effort to foil Tehran's loose and weakening grip on the Strait of Hormuz.”
• Debra Valentine [00:50]: "Iran’s IRGC says countries hosting US Forces should expect corresponding responses if their territory is used for attacks on Iran."
• Jared Halpern [01:19]: “President Trump says he's holding Canada responsible for not properly maintaining their forest.”
• Jared Halpern [01:33]: "The president says the US Is being invaded by filthy, polluted, and unhealthy air."
• Kristin Goodwin [02:38]: "Texas Governor Greg Abbott says a major disaster declaration declared for counties impacted by floods will allow for federal relief to assist in rebuilding..."
• Brian Yanes [03:32]: “The race to replace Graham Platner as Maine's Democratic Senate nominee is off to a precarious start…”
• Brian Yanes (quoting NYT) [03:50]: "Maine Democrats don’t exactly have a deep bench, noting halting answers, convoluted responses and stilted deliveries."

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Timestamps for Important Segments

| Segment | Timestamps | |-----------------------------------------|--------------| | US Strikes on Iran | 00:03–00:50 | | Iranian IRGC Response & Casualties | 00:50–01:15 | | Trump vs. Canada on Wildfire Smoke | 01:15–01:47 | | China Landslide | 01:47–02:00 | | Texas Flood Emergency | 02:32–03:19 | | Maine Senate Democratic Nominee Crisis | 03:19–04:11 | | Rhode Island Fugitives Summary | 04:11–04:28 |

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Summary

This Fox News Hourly Update captures a tense international climate, with sustained US military action against Iran, escalating trade threats with Canada over environmental issues, and active disaster recovery efforts in Texas and China. On the domestic political front, Maine faces uncertainty after its leading Democratic Senate candidate withdraws amid scandal. The concise and factual tone of FOX News anchors provides listeners with clear updates on these rapidly evolving stories.

Transcript

[Debra Valentine]

Attacking Iran. I'm Debra Valentine, Fox News. The US Conducting another successful night of strikes on Iran now the seventh night in a row. Fox's Kevin Cork has the latest.

[Kevin Cork]

U.S. forces are pounding the Iranians, cutting off the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas, in the process striking road and rail bridges also. And this is all in an effort to foil Tehran's loose and weakening grip on the Strait of Hormuz. The airstrikes also toppling a large white surveillance tower in Iran's southernmost city of Chabahar. It's on a key trade route for landlocked neighboring Afghanistan. Now CENTCOM says that structure was part of the IRGC's Maritime Surveillance Network used to track and target commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

[Debra Valentine]

The US has taken out six bridges. And Iranian media reporting over a half dozen casualties. Iran's IRGC says countries hosting US Forces should expect corresponding responses if their territory is used for attacks on Iran. According to Tehran's Tasnim News Agency. President Trump is threatening Canada with new tariffs because of thick smoke from wildfires blanketing several US States.

[Jared Halpern]

Hazy skies and the smell of smoke lingered all day Friday in D.C. and President Trump says he's holding Canada responsible for not properly maintaining their forest. Smoke from Canadian wildfires has put millions of Americans in poor air quality warnings. In a social media post, the president says the US Is being invaded by filthy, polluted and unhealthy air. President Trump says it's willful negligence on the part of Canada, threatening billions of dollars will be added to tariffs Canada is currently paying at the White House. Jared Halpern, FOX News.

[Debra Valentine]

A landslide in China has claimed at least eight lives. State broadcaster CCTV says at least 34 missing America's listening to FOX News.

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[Brian Yanes]

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[Debra Valentine]

The governor of Texas is shedding light on the road to recovery after the latest string of deadly storms.

[Kristin Goodwin]

Texas Governor Greg Abbott says a major disaster declaration declared for counties impacted by floods will allow for federal relief to assist in rebuilding, adding state and local officials will be involved in debris removal.

[Ryan Reynolds]

Bottom line, you will see a lot

[Kevin Cork]

of organizations coming in ready to immediately

[Ryan Reynolds]

begin that milk out process.

[Kristin Goodwin]

Chief of the Texas Division of Emergency Management, NIM kidding.

[Jared Halpern]

The volunteers that are coming in to clean and help are going to be a huge impact to get us through

[Kristin Goodwin]

the road, down the road, the governor Saying Friday nearly 3,000 personnel had been deployed and state officials had rescued more than 270 people, stressing rising rivers still pose life threatening danger. Kristin Goodwin, FOX News.

[Debra Valentine]

Maine's nominating convention is almost a week away and Democrats are still looking for their nominee to the Senate after controversial candidate Graham Platner withdrew from the race. Fox's Brian Yanes has the latest.

[Brian Yanes]

The race to replace Graham Platner as Maine's Democratic Senate nominee is off to a precarious start. Eight of the 12 candidates vying to replace Platner debated for the first time Thursday night. Four Democrats who won at least 20% of the vote in June's primary debated first, followed by four longer shot candidates after the New York Times declared, quote, maine Democrats don't exactly have a deep bench, noting halting answers, convoluted responses and stilted deliveries. Platner's popularity looms large over the race. He won the June Democratic primary in a landslide but was forced to quit after being accused of rape, which he denies.

[Debra Valentine]

Maine has until Monday, July 27 to file a new candidate to fill Platner's spot. The FBI says Ronald L. Fisher, one of Rhode Island's most wanted fugitives, has been captured following a tip. I'm Debra Valentine. This is FOX News.

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