4AM ET 07/21/2026 Newscast

Summary

---

Fox News Hourly Update – 4AM ET, 07/21/2026

Host: Sue Guzman, FOX News Podcasts
Date: July 21, 2026
Episode Theme:
The episode delivers early-morning national and international news updates, with a focus on U.S.-Iran tensions, ongoing military activities, developing weather events, U.S. political updates, and key economic concerns such as tariffs and student loans.

---

1. U.S.-Iran Tensions and Middle East Conflict

• [00:02] Ongoing Airstrikes:
  • The Pentagon has launched strikes against Iran for the 10th consecutive night.
  • President Trump is considering a larger military campaign to pressure Iran.
  • Quote, Sue Guzman: "The Pentagon launching strikes against Iran for the 10th night in a row as President Trump is reportedly considering mounting a massive military campaign to force Tehran to back down." (00:04)
• [00:16] Iranian Ballistic Missile Attack:
  • Iran launched a ballistic missile attack on Friday.
  • Quote, President Trump: "We feel very badly, but you know those great people, those great patriots were out there fighting that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon." (00:21)
• [00:29] Regional Escalations:
  • Iran continues targeting U.S. partners, with attacks reported on Kuwait and Bahrain.
  • Iranian officials remain "defiant."
  • British reports: Two ships struck by projectiles in the Strait of Hormuz; only five ships have managed passage.
• [00:52] More Attacks:
  • Another tanker in the Strait of Hormuz was attacked, forcing the crew to abandon ship.

Memorable Moment:

• The concerning trend of nightly U.S. strikes and Iran’s persistent regional aggression set a tense, urgent tone.

---

2. Weather Updates: Tropical Threats

• [01:04] Tropical Storm Bertha:
  • Formed off the Florida Gulf Coast; not expected to strengthen significantly but could cause heavy rain and localized flash flooding.
  • Quote, Haley Meyer: "A deep plume of tropical moisture spreading across parts of the Southeast, bringing periods of torrential downpours that could lead to localized flash flooding, especially in urban areas..." (01:05)
  • Risks: gusty winds, rough surf, rip currents, and possible water spouts.
  • Potential rain impact for Texas and Florida’s west coast; main question is interaction with land.
• [01:47] Hurricane Fausto:
  • Formed by Mexico’s Baja Peninsula in the Eastern Pacific; expected to strengthen with winds up to 110 mph by Wednesday.

---

3. U.S. Politics: Arizona Primaries

• [02:23] Arizona Voters Head to the Polls:
  • Arizona holds its midterm primaries today.
  • Governor Katie Hobbs (Democrat) is seeking re-election; Republicans see opportunity for a pickup.
  • Notable Republican contenders: Congressman Andy Biggs (Trump-endorsed, also supported by Turning Point Action), Congressman David Schweikart, and two businessmen.
  • Schweikart’s run for governor opens up the first district to several Republican candidates, including former NFL kicker Jay Feeley (Trump-backed).
  • In the fourth district, incumbent Democrat Greg Stanton faces a challenge from a Democratic socialist critical of Stanton’s support for Israel.
• [03:06] Quote, Tanya J. Powers:
  • “Biggs has been endorsed by President Trump, as well as Turning Point action. Since Schweikart is running in the gubernatorial primary, several Republicans are running to replace him... including Trump backed former NFL kicker Jay Feeley." (02:44)

---

4. Economic & Diplomatic Updates

• [03:06] U.S. Tariffs on Canadian Goods:
  • President Trump imposes 50% tariffs on most Canadian goods, citing unfair treatment of U.S. autos, alcohol, and dairy products.
  • Affected goods: wine, plywood, furniture.
• [03:14] U.S.-Lebanon-Israel Peace Negotiations:
  • Trump scheduled to meet Lebanese President Joseph Aoun amid a tentative peace settlement with Israel.
  • Lebanon’s military to take over security in certain southern villages to prevent Hezbollah’s presence, as part of Israeli withdrawal.
  • Quote, Jared Halpern: "Under the agreement, Lebanon’s military will assume control of security in some villages, ensuring Hezbollah does not have a presence. As part of a broader Israeli withdrawal, President Trump has put pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to wind down strikes inside Lebanon." (03:28)
  • President Aoun is the first Lebanese head of state to visit D.C. since 2009.

---

5. Economic Hardship: Student Loan Defaults

• [04:03] Surging Student Loan Defaults:
  • U.S. student loan defaults have hit record levels following the end of pandemic relief measures.
  • 9.5 million Americans are >9 months behind on payments.
  • Quote, Sue Guzman: "Defaults on student loans have surged across the United States, reaching record levels. A struggle to keep up with payments; officials say roughly nine and a half million people are in default." (04:04)

---

Notable Quotes & Moments

• "The Pentagon launching strikes against Iran for the 10th night in a row as President Trump is reportedly considering mounting a massive military campaign to force Tehran to back down." – Sue Guzman (00:04)
• "We feel very badly, but you know those great people, those great patriots were out there fighting that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon." – President Trump (00:21)
• "A deep plume of tropical moisture spreading across parts of the Southeast, bringing periods of torrential downpours that could lead to localized flash flooding, especially in urban areas..." – Haley Meyer (01:05)
• "Under the agreement, Lebanon’s military will assume control of security in some villages, ensuring Hezbollah does not have a presence." – Jared Halpern (03:28)
• "Officials say roughly nine and a half million people are in default..." – Sue Guzman (04:04)

---

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:02–00:52: U.S.-Iran Strikes & Middle East Escalation
• 01:04–01:47: Weather: Storm Bertha & Hurricane Fausto
• 02:23–03:06: Arizona Primary Elections
• 03:06–03:26: U.S. Tariffs on Canada
• 03:26–04:03: U.S.-Lebanon-Israel Diplomatic Update
• 04:03–04:20: Student Loan Defaults

---

Summary Tone:
The episode maintains FOX News' trademark direct, fast-paced, and urgent delivery, combining brief but substantive coverage of military and diplomatic crises, swiftly changing weather conditions, upcoming election intrigue, and economic stress points vital for early morning listeners.

Transcript

[Sue Guzman]

Another night of strikes. I'm Sue Guzman, Fox News, The Pentagon launching strikes against Iran for the 10th night in a row as President Trump is reportedly considering mounting a massive military campaign to force Tehran to back down.

[Fox News Correspondent]

It was one ballistic missile attack from Iran on Friday. Here's what President Trump had to say.

[President Trump]

We feel very badly, but you know those great people, those great patriots were out there fighting that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon.

[Fox News Correspondent]

Iran, in the meantime, continues to lash out at US Partners in the region, launching attacks against both Kuwait and Bahrain. This as public figures in Iran, including the foreign minister, remain defiant. British military officials, meantime, say that at least two ships in the Strait of Hormuz have been hit by projectiles and that as few as five ships managed to pass through that critical strait.

[Sue Guzman]

That is fox's Steve Harrigan comes as Iran attacked another tanker in the Strait of Hormuz early Tuesday with forcing its crew to abandon ship. Tropical Storm Bertha has formed off the Florida Gulf Coast.

[Haley Meyer]

While at this point it's not expected to become a strong storm, the biggest concern is going to be for heavy rain. A deep plume of tropical moisture spreading across parts of the Southeast, bringing periods of torrential downpours that could lead to localized flash flooding, especially in urban areas and places that see repetitive rounds of rain with some of the outer rain bands. Gusty winds will also increase along the Gulf coast and especially across parts of the west coast of Florida with some rough surf and a heightened risk of dangerous rip currents at area beaches through about midweek. We do have a chance for some water spouts that are possible mainly in the outer rain bands as this system continues to pull towards the north and northwest. The big question, though, is how much interaction will it have with land. If it can stay in the warmer waters, it could continue to move west and bring rain to the east coast of Texas. And Hurricane Tampa, Florida.

[Sue Guzman]

HALEY meyer, FOX WEATHER Hurricane Fausto is formed in the eastern Pacific by Mexico's Baja Peninsula. It's expected to strengthen Wednesday with sustained winds of 110 miles an hour. America is listening to FOX News.

[NetSuite Advertiser]

They say that every day your business is late to AI, you fall two days behind NetSuite. Next is where your business meets AI because AI is built into everything you do. If your revenues are at least in the seven figures. Try NetSuite next for free. Go to NetSuite AI/Fox News.

[Sue Guzman]

Arizona voters are casting their ballots today in the state's midterm primaries. Details from fox's Tanya J.

[Ryan Reynolds]

Powers.

[Tanya J. Powers]

Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs, a Democrat, is running for reelection and Republicans are hoping to pick up the seat. Republican Congressman Andy Biggs, Congressman David Schweikart and two businessmen are vying for the chance to challenge Hobbs. Biggs has been endorsed by President Trump as well as Turning Point action. Since Schweikart is running in the gubernatorial primary, several Republicans are running to replace him in the first district, including Trump backed former NFL kicker Jay Feeley. And in the state's fourth District four term incumbent Democratic Congressman Greg Stanton faces a far left challenge from a self described Democratic socialist who has criticized Stanton for for supporting Israel. Tonya J.

[Sue Guzman]

Powers, FOX News President Trump imposing 50% tariffs on most Canadian goods, saying the country unfairly discriminated against American autos, alcohol and dairy products. The new 50% import taxes include wine, plywood and furniture. President Trump meets with Lebanon's president today amid a tenuous peace settlement with Israel.

[Jared Halpern]

Lebanon's military is moving into what is called pilot zones in the country's south as part of a deal negotiated with the Trump administration and Israel. Under the agreement, Lebanon's military will assume control of security in some villages, ensuring Hezbollah does not have a presence. As part of a broader Israeli withdrawal, President Trump has put pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to wind down strikes inside Lebanon. Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun meets with President Trump today. He arrived in D.C. over the weekend, becoming the first Lebanese head of state to Visit Washington since 2009. At the White House, Jared Halpern, FOX News.

[Sue Guzman]

Defaults on student loans have surged across the United States, reaching record levels. A struggle to keep up with payments. Officials say roughly nine and a half million people are in default. That's more than nine months behind after pandemic relief payments ended. I'm Sue Guzman. This is FOX News.

[Ryan Reynolds]

Hi, Ryan Reynolds here for Mint Mobile. Are you looking for a beach read this summer? May I suggest your big wireless bill? It's got suspense, mystery, a slightly flat emotional arc and a shocking twist where you realize you've been overpaying the entire time. Fortunately, though, Mint's story is better. Every plan, $15 a month, even unlimited. That's it. Happy ending, zero tears. Give it a try at mintmobile. Com.

[Mint Mobile Advertiser]

Switch upfront payment of $45 for three months, $90 for six months or $180 for 12 month plan required, $15 per month equivalent taxes and fees. Extra initial plan term only greater than 50 gigabytes may slow when network is busy.