Summary5 min read

Fox News Hourly Update – 4PM ET, July 12, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode of Fox News Hourly Update, hosted by Roger Stern, delivers breaking news and key developments as of July 12, 2026, 4PM ET. The primary focus is on the sudden passing of Senator Lindsey Graham, with insight on the political ramifications and tributes from leaders. Other topics include escalating tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, a significant heat advisory in Florida as Saharan dust moves through, and the record-setting sale of the Seattle Seahawks.

Main Theme

The passing of Senator Lindsey Graham and its national and political impact, followed by major international, weather, and sports updates.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Death of Senator Lindsey Graham (00:03–01:47)

Announcement & Immediate Reactions
- Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina died overnight due to a brief and sudden illness. (00:03)
- President Trump mourned the loss, lauding Graham as "a true American patriot" and recalling their recent conversation. (00:19)
  
  “He was always working and was a true American patriot. Lindsey will be greatly missed.”
  — President Trump, as quoted by Alex Hogan (00:20)
- Flags at the White House were lowered to half-staff as a mark of respect. (00:19)
- Graham had recently been working on a package of new Russian sanctions. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky referred to Graham as "a true defender of freedom." (00:45)
Circumstances & Political Legacy
- Emergency responders received a call about cardiac arrest. Colleagues from South Carolina and the Senate expressed condolences. (00:56)
- Graham, while recently aligned closely with President Trump, was known for bipartisan work, notably on immigration and judiciary issues. (01:08)
  
  “He knew the DREAM Act was my most important bill. He was the only Republican who would co-sponsor it for years. I will never forget it.”
  — Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (01:19)
- Senator Mike Lee noted the gravity of Graham’s death and alluded to succession plans.
  
  “There are plans of succession in place, of course, and I'm sure those will unfold in the coming days and weeks. Nonetheless, the impact of this can't be overstated.”
  — Senator Mike Lee (01:32)
Immediate Political Consequences
- Graham’s absence affects key votes, notably for advancing nominations (like Blanche to the Judiciary Committee) and the Save America Act through the budget reconciliation process. (01:41–01:47)

2. Tensions in the Strait of Hormuz (02:17–03:10)

Developments
- Despite claims by Iran's Revolutionary Guard, the U.S. military maintains the Strait of Hormuz is open after Iran fired on a Cyprus-flagged container ship, causing fire and causing a crew member to go missing. (02:17–02:29)
- Senator Jim Himes (R-IN), on the Armed Services Committee, emphasized the U.S. commitment:
  
  “We will use the military to do whatever necessary to allow the straits to to be clear. Iran cannot toll the straits. They cannot control the straits. They cannot block the strait.”
  — Senator Jim Himes (02:52)
- Iran warned it will continue targeting ships until calm is restored in the region. (03:01)

3. Saharan Dust and Heat Advisory in Florida (03:10–03:54)

Weather Update
- Much of Florida, especially the south, is under a heat advisory due to a Saharan dust plume. (03:10)
- Fox Weather’s Brandy Campbell highlighted health concerns, air quality impacts, and storm suppression. Temperatures could feel as high as 108°F in southeast Florida. (03:18)
  
  "Much of it is actually over south Florida, but as we get into this next week, it's going to continue creeping north... it can impact air quality, causing some health issues for some... the feels like temperature could reach up to 108 degrees."
  — Brandy Campbell (03:18)

4. Sports: Seattle Seahawks Sold (03:54–04:00)

Business News
- The Seattle Seahawks have been sold to the Kosloff family for a record $9.6 billion, pending approval from the NFL. (03:54)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

President Trump (as quoted by Alex Hogan):
“He was always working and was a true American patriot. Lindsey will be greatly missed.” (00:20)
Sen. Dick Durbin on bipartisan immigration progress:
“He was the only Republican who would co-sponsor it [DREAM Act] for years. I will never forget it.” (01:19)
Sen. Mike Lee on the moment’s gravity:
“Nonetheless, the impact of this can't be overstated.” (01:32)
Sen. Jim Himes on the Strait of Hormuz:
“Iran cannot toll the straits. They cannot control the straits. They cannot block the strait.” (02:52)
Brandy Campbell on Saharan dust heat effects:
“The feels like temperature could reach up to 108 degrees.” (03:18)

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Timestamp | Topic | |-----------|------------------------------------------------------| | 00:03 | Breaking: Lindsey Graham’s passing | | 00:19 | President Trump’s tribute | | 00:56 | Initial details of Graham’s death; Senate reaction | | 01:19 | Sen. Durbin on Graham’s bipartisan work | | 01:32 | Sen. Mike Lee on succession plans | | 01:41 | Legislative implications of Graham’s death | | 02:17 | Strait of Hormuz: Iran attacks ship, U.S. response | | 02:52 | Sen. Himes on military posture in Hormuz | | 03:10 | Florida Saharan dust heat advisory | | 03:18 | Brandy Campbell: dust/heat impacts | | 03:54 | Seattle Seahawks sale news |

Summary

This newscast broke the story of Senator Lindsey Graham’s sudden passing, with extensive reaction from the White House, international leaders, and both Republican and Democratic colleagues. The episode then shifted to critical world news, reporting increased U.S.–Iran tensions after an attack in the Strait of Hormuz, and covered regional weather challenges as much of Florida copes with extreme heat and Saharan dust. Finally, it touched on major sports business news with the high-profile sale of the Seattle Seahawks.

Fox News Hourly Update approached these events with a brisk, fact-driven tone and direct quotes from central players, offering listeners succinct, authoritative coverage of the day’s major stories.

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Transcript15 lines

[00:03]
A
The passing of Lindsey Graham. I'm Roger Stern, Fox News. President Trump mourning the death of South Carolina Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who passed overnight from what his office says was a brief and sudden illness. Here's Fox's Alex Hogan the White House.
[00:19]
B
Flags here the White House North Lawn have been lowered to half staff following the death of Senator Lindsey Graham. President Trump reacted to the news early this morning, writing in part that he was always working and was a true American patri patriot. Lindsey will be greatly missed, the president says the two also spoke just last night. The Republican traveled the world advocating for a more aggressive US Foreign policy and advised the president on matters like Iran and Russia. The 71 year old had just announced plans to move forward on a package of Russian sanctions. And Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called the senator a true defender of freedom.
[00:56]
A
As to Graham's death, emergency responders reportedly received a call about a cardiac arrest. Colleagues of the Senate from South Carolina offering condolences, here's fox's Madeleine Rivera.
[01:09]
C
Graham had aligned with President Trump more closely in recent years, but he was also known for working with Democrats on certain issues like immigration and the judiciary. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin saying he knew the DREAM act was my most important bill. He was the only Republican who would co sponsor it for years. I will never forget it. GOP Senator Mike Lee talked about the challenges ahead on Sunday MORNING Futures.
[01:32]
D
There are plans of succession in place, of course, and I'm sure those will unfold in the coming days and weeks. Nonetheless, the impact of this can't be overstated.
[01:41]
C
Republicans had been counting on Graham's vote to help clear Blanche's nomination out of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
[01:48]
A
The senator's death could make it more difficult for Republicans to advance the Save America act, the budget reconciliation progress. America is listening to FOX News.
[02:00]
D
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. Order to order. Please drink responsibly.
[02:17]
A
The U.S. military insists the Strait of Hormuz remains open to shipping despite the Iranian Revolutionary Guard declaring it closed. This after Iran fired on a container ship in the waterway yesterday.
[02:30]
E
The US Assault on Iran escalated again after word came of the Iranian attack. The ship was a vessel from Cyprus. With the attack leaving the ship on fire and with a crew member missing, Republican Senator Jim Himes of Indiana sits on the Armed Services Committee. He said on Fox News Sunday, the US Central Command assured the Strait of Hormuz is passable and we will use
[02:53]
F
the military to do whatever necessary to allow the straits to to be clear. Iran cannot toll the straits. They cannot control the straits. They cannot block the strait.
[03:01]
E
The military's assessment came as Iran promised to target additional ships until calm in the region is restored. Grinhal Scott, Fox News.
[03:11]
A
Much of Florida under a heat advisory as dust from the Sahara Desert blankets parts of the south. Fox Weather's Brandy Campbell in Miami.
[03:19]
G
Much of it is actually over south Florida, but as we get into this next week, it's going to continue creeping north. Some states like TE maybe Louisiana, may start to see some of it impact their coastline as well. It can impact air quality, causing some health issues for some. And it can also limit storm development, leading to less afternoon showers. But in general, the dust could cause it to feel even hotter. We are expecting temperatures to reach the mid-90s across South Florida, more specifically southeast Florida, but the feels like temperature could reach up to 108 degrees.
[03:55]
A
The Sahara dust expected to stick around through most of the week. Seattle Seahawks have been sold to the Kosloff family for a reported $9.6 billion. That still requires approval from the NFL. I'm Roger Stern and this is Fox News.