4PM ET 03/11/2026 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update

Episode: 4PM ET 03/11/2026 Newscast
Date: March 11, 2026
Host: Lisa Brady (FOX News Podcasts)

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Episode Overview

This edition of the Fox News Hourly Update delivers a concise roundup of major stories from the afternoon of March 11, 2026. Key topics include President Trump’s comments on military action against Iran, new economic and military developments in the ongoing conflict, U.S. government responses to rising oil prices, and significant domestic political news about education policy. The episode also features business and retail updates, including Target’s latest pricing strategy, and concludes with stock market highlights.

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Major News & Key Insights

1. President Trump on Operation Epic Fury and Iran Conflict

• Operation Epic Fury: Now in Day 12, the joint U.S. and Israeli military campaign against Iran is, according to President Trump, progressing rapidly.

• Trump’s Claim: U.S. forces have delivered major blows to Iran’s military and leadership.

  • Quote:

  “Incredible. Our military is unbelievable. The job they're doing, I would say, to put it mildly, way ahead of schedule.”
  — President Donald Trump (00:06)

  • Details:

  “We've knocked out their navy, their military in all forms. We've knocked out just about everything there is, including their leadership. Twice we knocked out twice their leadership…”
  — President Donald Trump (00:19)

Oil Prices & Retaliatory Strikes

• Brief spike in oil and gas prices, described by Trump as “temporary”.
• Iran’s retaliatory actions include strikes on commercial ships, oil tanks in Oman, Dubai’s international airport, and threats to financial institutions.

2. International Response to Oil Crisis

• IEA Action:

  • To stabilize global oil prices, the International Energy Agency (IEA) will release 400 million barrels from emergency reserves—the largest such release in IEA history.
  • Quote:

  “It's the largest ever release of its kind, more than double the number released in 2022 when Russia launched its full scale invasion of Ukraine.”
  — Jonathan Savage (01:08)

• Safety Warnings:

  • U.S. Central Command urges civilians, especially in port facilities, to avoid Iranian-controlled areas and naval vessels.

3. Economic & Stock Market Update

• Stocks:
  • The Dow Jones drops 289 points, S&P down 5 points, while NASDAQ ends higher (up 19 points).
  • Noted cause: Rising oil prices, but “avoided another large spike.”

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4. Domestic Political Developments

Investigation into Department of Education Changes

• GAO Probe:
  • The Government Accountability Office is reviewing the Trump administration’s transfer of education grant programs to the Department of Labor, following concerns raised by Senator Elizabeth Warren, Senator Bernie Sanders, and others.
  • Purpose: To review the impact on over 12 million career, technical, and adult education students.
  • Quote:

  “The GAO is a non partisan congressional watchdog and was asked last month by Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren to investigate moves by the Trump administration that put the day to day management of education grant programs under the Labor Department…”
  — Tanya J. Powers (02:36)

States Sue Over Data Collection Requirements

• Lawsuit:
  • 16 states, led by New York, are suing the Trump administration over new federal data requirements for colleges and universities. Allegation: The mandates are an attempt to target diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.

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5. Business & Retail Update

Target's Price Reductions

• Retail giant Target announces price cuts on over 3,000 products—ranging from apparel to household essentials—in an effort to boost demand amid strong competition.

  • Quote:

  “Target will be lowering prices on over 3,000 products across categories, including apparel and household essentials, along with a batch of other items...”
  — Hillary Barski (03:36)

• Context: These moves mirror recent price cuts at Walmart and Kroger, aimed at appealing to cost-conscious consumers while Target strives to recover from recent sales slumps.

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• “We've knocked out their navy, their military in all forms. We've knocked out just about everything there is, including their leadership. Twice we knocked out twice their leadership. And now they have a new group coming up. Let's see what happens to them.”
  — President Donald Trump (00:19)
• “The International Energy Agency says it will make 400 million barrels of oil available from its emergency reserves. It's the largest ever release of its kind…”
  — Jonathan Savage (01:08)
• “The Government Accountability Office is looking into the Department of Education's transfer of grant programs to the Department of Labor…”
  — Tanya J. Powers (02:36)
• “Target will be lowering prices on over 3,000 products across categories…”
  — Hillary Barski (03:36)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:06: President Trump on military advances in Iran
• 00:35: Trump discusses oil prices; Iran's retaliatory strikes
• 01:08: Jonathan Savage on IEA’s oil reserve release
• 01:24: Safety warnings for civilians in the Persian Gulf
• 02:31: GAO investigation into education grant changes (Tanya J. Powers)
• 03:15: States sue over college data collection requirements
• 03:36: Target announces price reductions (Hillary Barski)
• 04:09: Stock market close summary

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Tone & Style

• The reporting is fast-paced, fact-driven, and maintains FOX News’ signature direct approach.
• President Trump’s comments are emphatic and confident, echoing a tone of military and economic reassurance.
• Business coverage is concise, focusing on actionable updates for consumers and investors.

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This summary condenses the major news, political, and business developments highlighted in the March 11, 2026, 4PM ET Fox News Hourly Update, preserving speaker tone and key quotes for a clear sense of the episode’s urgency and scope.

Transcript

[Lisa Brady]

Encouraging words from the president. Lisa Brady, FOX News.

[President Donald Trump]

Incredible. Our military is unbelievable. The job they're doing, I would say, to put it mildly, way ahead of schedule.

[Lisa Brady]

President Trump's assessment of Operation Epic Fury Day 12 of US and Israeli strikes on Iran.

[President Donald Trump]

We've knocked out their navy, their military in all forms. We've knocked out just about everything there is, including their leadership. Twice we knocked out twice their leadership. And now they have a new group coming up. Let's see what happens to them.

[Lisa Brady]

He's also insisting that spikes in oil and gas prices are temporary, speaking at a biotech firm in Ohio and also heading to Kentucky, the latest trip focusing on the president's domestic agenda to counter Democrat criticism that he's hurting the US Economy. Iran's retaliatory strikes hitting commercial ships in the Persian Gulf, oil storage tanks in Oman and the international airport in Dubai with Iran's joint military command also announcing the banks and financial institutions will be targets. There's a multination effort to help bring down oil prices.

[Jonathan Savage]

The International Energy Agency says it will make 400 million barrels of oil available from its emergency reserves. It's the largest ever release of its kind, more than double the number released in 2022 when Russia launched its full scale invasion of Ukraine.

[Lisa Brady]

Fox's Jonathan Savage the Paris based IEA has 32 member countries, their reserves established in 1974 after the Arab oil embargo. US Central Command warning civilians to leave port facilities where Iranian forces are operating, telling dock workers, commercial vessel crews and others to avoid Iranian naval vessels and military equipment. Stocks finish mixed again. The Dow down 289 points at the bell but the NASDAQ ending higher as oil prices rise. But avoid another large spike. America's listening to FOX News.

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[Lisa Brady]

A government watchdog is investigating the Trump administration efforts to dismantle the Department of Education.

[Tanya J. Powers]

The Government Accountability Office is looking into the Department of Education's transfer of grant programs to the Department of Labor. The GAO is a non partisan congressional watchdog and was asked last month by Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren to investigate moves by the Trump administration that put the day to day management of education grant programs under the Labor Department. She was joined by independent Sen. Bernie Sanders and Democratic Senators Patty Murray and Tammy Baldwin. The grant serve more than 12 million career, technical and adult education students. Education Secretary Linda McMahon has previously defended the action, saying education and workforce programs needed to be streamlined to best serve students. Tanya J.

[Lisa Brady]

Powers, Fox News, New York and 16 other states are suing the Trump administration over new data collection requirements for colleges and universities, asking a court to block the federal government from forcing institutions to submit the data, which the states argue is another attempt to target diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. BOX Retailer plans to slash prices for

[Hillary Barski]

spring Target will be lowering prices on over 3,000 products across categories, including apparel and household essentials, along with a batch of other items. The latest cuts are aimed at boosting demand amid stiff competition from other retailers heading into the spring season. The big box retailer is undergoing a turnaround under new CEO Michael Fidelke, who was trying to navigate ongoing economic uncertainty. Target in particular has lagged behind other retailers, including Walmart. Both Walmart and grocer Kroger have cut prices prices on essentials, including groceries, to attract value conscious shoppers.

[Lisa Brady]

Fox's Hillary Barski Target lowered prices on thousands of items last year ahead of the holiday shopping season. Recapping stocks, The Dow drops to 89. That's off session lows. The S&P slips five points, but the Nasdaq finishes higher up 19 and Lisa Brady. This is Fox News.

[Tanya J. Powers]

This is Ainsley Earhart. Thank you for joining me for the 52 episode podcast series the Life of

[Ainsley Earhart]

Jesus, a listening experience that will provide hope, comfort and understanding of the greatest story ever told. Listen and follow [e-mail] or wherever you listen to podcasts.