4PM ET 06/26/2026 Newscast

Summary

Fox News Hourly Update – 4PM ET 06/26/2026 – Episode Summary

Main Theme:
This episode delivers key national and international news updates, including the high-profile LA wildfire arson mistrial, a devastating earthquake in Venezuela, new developments in Middle East diplomacy, U.S. domestic politics on religious and educational issues, stock market movements, and President Trump’s latest statements on Iran and Democratic socialists.

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1. LA Wildfire Arson Mistrial

• Mistrial Announcement
  • [00:02] Lisa Brady reports a mistrial in the federal arson case against Jonathan Rinderknesht, accused of causing one of LA’s most destructive wildfires.
• Jury Deadlock
  • [00:13] Jonathan Rinderkinest shares that 10 of 12 jurors voted to acquit him on all arson-related charges.
  • Notable Quote [00:20]:
    • Juror: “I mean, without the proof and all the doubts, I can't say for sure like he's guilty.”
• Details of the Case
  • [00:24] Rinderknesht was accused of starting the deadly Palisades fire, which reignited after initially being extinguished.
  • He pleaded not guilty, said he called 911, and maintained he was made a scapegoat for an incomplete fire department response.
• Juror Critique of Fire Response
  • Notable Quote [00:46]:
    • Juror: “There were so many, so many people up there that said they did see smoldering. So why wasn't it taken care of?”
• Next Steps
  • [00:52] Prosecutors plan to retry the case.
  • [00:54] Lisa Brady recaps the fire’s devastation: thousands of homes destroyed, 12 killed.

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2. Venezuela Earthquakes Catastrophe

• Ongoing Search and Impact
  • [00:54] Lisa Brady reports on day three of search efforts after two earthquakes, with over 900 deaths and 3,000+ injured.

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3. U.S. Religious Freedom and Education Updates

• Presidential Remarks on Religious Liberty
  • [01:14] President Trump receives an advisory commission report on religious liberty.
  • Notable Quote [01:14]:
    • President Trump: “We must also remain one nation under God. We will never let that phrase be stolen from us.”
  • The report recommends allowing more religious expression and removing bans on political activity for tax-exempt religious groups.
• Bible Passages in Texas Schools
  • [01:20] Texas Board of Education approves a required reading list that includes Bible passages—deviating from past teacher autonomy.
  • Critics argue this could blur lines between church and state.

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4. Stock Market Update

• [01:30, 04:17] Lisa Brady – The Dow Jones closes down 55 points (and 44 points in final recap), with losses for the S&P and Nasdaq after early gains.

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5. U.S.–Israel–Lebanon Trilateral Agreement

• Diplomatic Breakthrough
  • [02:31] Lisa Brady covers a new trilateral agreement between the U.S., Israel, and Lebanon regarding Hezbollah conflict.
• Official Statement
  • Notable Quote [02:43]:
    • Secretary of State Marco Rubio: “Hopefully we'll have many more of these conversations and make real and tangible progress so that the people, both of these countries can be hopeful about their future. A future of peace, a future of prosperity, a future of mutual coexistence in a way that's beneficial.”
• Deal Details and Next Steps
  • Israel’s PM states the agreement enables Lebanese forces to assume control from Israeli troops.
  • Secretary Rubio emphasizes restoring Lebanon’s sovereignty, disarming Hezbollah, and dismantling its infrastructure.
  • A senior Hezbollah member warns the agreement may trigger civil war if enforced.
• Tensions with Iran
  • President Trump, asked about U.S. response to Iran over a drone attack in the Strait of Hormuz, responds:
    • Notable Quote [03:25]:
      • President Trump: “You'll find out.”
    • He claims Iran violated a ceasefire by damaging a cargo ship with a drone.

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6. U.S. Politics: Rise of Democratic Socialists

• Trump Addresses Socialism
  • [03:39] Jared Halpern recaps President Trump’s strong warnings at the Faith and Freedom Coalition.
  • Notable Quote [03:47]:
    • President Trump: “This is the most serious threat to our country since its existence, in my opinion, 250 years ago. This is a major threat to our country.”
• Critique of Democratic Leadership
  • [04:00] Trump alleges Democratic leaders don’t confront socialists with enough resolve.
    • Notable Quote:
      • President Trump: “If they fought them the way they fight Republicans or the way they fight me, they'd be victorious.”
• NYC Election Results
  • [04:06] Three Democratic socialist candidates, backed by Mayor Zoran Mamdani, win NYC Democratic congressional primaries.

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7. Closing Stock Market Recap

• [04:17] Lisa Brady reiterates the Dow’s slip, followed by S&P and Nasdaq losses.

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Notable Quotes

• Juror: “I mean, without the proof and all the doubts, I can't say for sure like he's guilty.” [00:20]
• Juror: “There were so many, so many people up there that said they did see smoldering. So why wasn't it taken care of?” [00:46]
• President Trump: “We must also remain one nation under God. We will never let that phrase be stolen from us.” [01:14]
• Secretary of State Marco Rubio: “Hopefully we'll have many more of these conversations and make real and tangible progress so that the people, both of these countries can be hopeful about their future. A future of peace, a future of prosperity, a future of mutual coexistence in a way that's beneficial.” [02:43]
• President Trump: “You'll find out.” [03:25]
• President Trump: “This is the most serious threat to our country since its existence, in my opinion, 250 years ago. This is a major threat to our country.” [03:47]
• President Trump: “If they fought them the way they fight Republicans or the way they fight me, they'd be victorious.” [04:00]

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Episode Flow (with Timestamps)

• 00:02 – LA wildfire arson mistrial coverage and aftermath
• 00:54 – Venezuela earthquake updates
• 01:14 – Religious liberty report and Texas Board of Education news
• 01:30, 04:17 – Stock market recaps
• 02:31 – US-Israel-Lebanon agreement and ongoing Iran tensions
• 03:39 – President Trump addresses threat of Democratic socialism and NYC election outcomes

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This episode offers a whirlwind of breaking national and global events, high-stakes legal and policy developments, and sharp political commentary—delivering a snapshot of the day’s biggest headlines through the voices of Fox News correspondents and prominent political figures.

Transcript

[Lisa Brady]

Prosecutors aren't finished yet On Lisa Brady, Fox News as a mistrial is declared in the federal arson case against a man accused of starting one of LA's most destructive wildfires.

[Jonathan Rinderkinest]

10 of 12 jurors in LA voting to acquit Jonathan Rinderkinest on all three arson related charges after being deadlocked.

[Juror]

I mean, without the proof and all the doubts, I can't say for sure like he's guilty.

[Jonathan Rinderkinest]

A juror reacting after a federal judge declared a mistrial. Prosecutors alleged Rinderknesht started a fire on New Year's Day last year that was put out but reignited days later to become the deadly Palisades fire. The 29 year old pleaded not guilty. His lawyers argued he called 911 when he saw the fire break out and alleged he was a scapegoat for the LA Fire Department's failure to fully extinguish the initial inferno.

[Juror]

There were so many, so many people up there that said they did see smoldering. So why wasn't it taken care of?

[Jonathan Rinderkinest]

Prosecutors say they will retry him.

[Lisa Brady]

Fox's Christian Goodwin. The Palisades fire destroyed thousands of homes, killing 12 people. From bad to worse in Venezuela, where it's day three of searching for survivors after double earthquakes now blamed for more than 900 deaths and more than 3,000 injuries. President Trump just receiving a report from his advisory commission on religious liberty.

[President Trump]

We must also remain one nation under God. We will never let that phrase be stolen from us.

[Lisa Brady]

The report makes many recommendations, including ways to allow more religious expression and to eliminate a ban on political activity by religious groups with tax exemptions. Meantime, the Texas Board of Education just approving a required reading list for public school students that includes Bible passages. It's a departure from letting teachers decide what students read and critics argue will blur the separation of church and state. Stocks finish lower after early gains. The Dow down 55 points at the bell. America is listening to Fox News.

[Juror]

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[Lisa Brady]

The US And Israel have a new trilateral agreement with Lebanon, where Israel has been fighting Iran backed Hezbollah. Secretary of State Marco Rubio calling the framework a first step toward peace after talks in Washington.

[Secretary of State Marco Rubio]

Hopefully we'll have many more of these conversations and make real and tangible progress so that the people, both of these countries can be hopeful about their future. A future of peace, a future of prosperity, a future of mutual coexistence in a way that's beneficial.

[Lisa Brady]

Israel's prime minister says the deal will allow Lebanese forces to eventually take control control of territory from Israeli forces. Rubio says it establishes a clear process to restore Lebanon's sovereignty, disarm Hezbollah and dismantle the group's infrastructure. But a senior member of Hezbollah says Lebanese authorities will not be able to enforce that agreement without going to civil war. Meantime, President Trump just telling reporters you'll find out when asked about a possible response to Iran's actions in the Strait of Hormuz. After posting earlier today that Iran violated a ceasefire with a drone attack that damaged a cargo ship. The president also sounding the alarm today about the rise of Democratic socialists scoring election wins.

[Jared Halpern]

Speaking to the Faith and Freedom Coalition, President Trump drew little contrast between progressive Democratic socialists and communism.

[President Trump]

This is the most serious threat to our country since its existence, in my opinion, 250 years ago. This is a major threat to our country.

[Jared Halpern]

The president says Democratic leaders won't fight for their party.

[President Trump]

If they fought them the way they fight Republicans or the way they fight me, they'd be victorious.

[Jared Halpern]

Three Democratic socialist candidates backed by Mayor Zoran Mamdani, swept Democratic congressional primaries in New York City this week at the White House. Jared Halpern, FOX NEWS Recapping stocks, the

[Lisa Brady]

Dow dropping 44 points and another loss for the S and P and the Nasdaq, all three erasing early gains. And Lisa Brady, FOX NEWS

[Jared Halpern]

cheers to America's 250th birthday. Get 20% off your first purchase at foxnewswineshop.com with code FNRADIO 2020 discount excludes wine club offers and cannot be combined with any other promotion. Expires July 31, 2026. Must be 21 or older to order. Please drink responsibly.