5PM ET 03/16/2026 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update: 5PM ET 03/16/2026 Newscast

Date: March 16, 2026
Host: Lisa Brady, FOX News Podcasts

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Episode Overview

This hourly update delivers a fast-paced roundup of the day’s top national and international news stories, with a focus on ongoing U.S.–Iran conflict, domestic political disputes in Washington, severe weather alerts, allegations against DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, and a preservation struggle over a historic New York City site. Balanced quotes from principal public figures and key factual updates keep the listener quickly informed on urgent headlines.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Ongoing U.S.–Iran Conflict

• President Trump's Latest Statement

  • President Trump is repeatedly asked about the timeline for the current fighting with Iran.
  • He maintains optimism for a quick resolution, assuring the public of a safer world post-conflict.
  • Trump insists military action was an obligation, not a personal choice.
  • He reiterates expectations that oil prices will fall once the fighting ceases.

  [00:11] President Trump: "Be long and we're going to have a much safer world when it's wrapped up. It'll be wrapped up soon. We're going to have a much safer world. I had an obligation to do this. I didn't want to. I go to an excursion. I don't want to make this journey."

• Domestic and International Responses

  • House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries criticizes Republican policy, calling the Iran action a “reckless war of choice” (00:35).
  • The escalating Middle East violence includes Israeli operations targeting Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.
  • UK, France, Germany, and Italy issue a “grave concern” joint statement, urging for a dialogue toward sustainable political solutions between Israel and Lebanon.

  [00:35] Hakeem Jeffries: "They've now gotten us into a reckless war of choice against Iran."

Memorable Quote

[00:26] Lisa Brady: "Also saying again, oil prices will go back down when the fighting ends..."

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2. Severe Weather Threats

• East Coast at Risk

  • Stretching from the Carolinas to Pennsylvania, severe weather—including possible tornadoes—leads to early school closures, especially in Washington, D.C.
  • Clint Osborne, Director of DC Homeland Security and Emergency Management, compares risk levels to traditional “tornado alley” states and refers back to the destructive 2012 derecho event.

  [01:15] Clint Osborne: "Our current risk level is similar to that of traditional tornado alley states like Oklahoma, Arkansas and Tennessee... the last time we had these conditions was the 2012 derecho that caused significant damage to the District."

  • Public urged to take warnings seriously due to significant risks.

• Midwest Winter Weather

  • Ongoing “blister desert conditions” are noted, but several feet of snow are possible by tomorrow.
  • Result: Over 12,000 flight delays or cancellations.

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3. Partial Government Shutdown Impacts

• Airport Disruptions

  • TSA agents and other Homeland Security employees are unfunded due to a partial government shutdown, affecting operations at airports.
  • Blame is traded between Republicans and Democrats over ICE funding.

  [01:28] Lisa Brady: "...a partial government shutdown also impacting airports with TSA agents among the Homeland Security operations not getting funded."

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4. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem Under Scrutiny

• Allegations of Perjury

  • Democrats urge a federal investigation of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem for allegedly lying under oath.
  • Focus on her statements about a $220 million ad campaign and compliance with judicial orders.
  • DOJ calls the investigation request a “political stunt,” while DHS denies all allegations outright.
  • President Trump has nominated Sen. Markwayne Mullin to replace Noem.

  [02:37] Kristen Goodwin: "...accuse Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem of lying under oath when appearing before lawmakers earlier this month..."

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5. Vaccine Recommendation Changes on Hold

• Federal Health Policy
  • A federal judge temporarily blocks the reduction in recommended childhood vaccines pending further legal debate.

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6. Preservation Battle in New York City

• The Merchant House Museum Controversy

  • Focus on the 1832 Merchant House Museum—potentially linked to the Underground Railroad—where new research points to a secret passageway for escaped slaves.
  • City Councilmember Chris Marte calls for the Landmarks Preservation Commission to stop development next door, fearing destruction of vital history.

  [04:05] Chris Marte: "Now we're asking the Landmarks Preservation Commission just have an inch of that courage to say no to a developer that would ruin not just this building, but our history, our shared history as Americans."

• Upcoming Hearing

  • A commission hearing will decide the fate of the new construction project.

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7. Business Update

• Financial Markets
  • The Dow Jones is up 387 points, coinciding with falling oil prices as the Middle East situation evolves.

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• U.S.–Iran Update & Trump Statement: 00:03–00:26
• Domestic and International Political Reactions: 00:35–00:42
• Severe Weather in Eastern U.S.: 01:15–01:28
• Partial Government Shutdown & Airport Impacts: 01:28–02:00
• Allegations Against Secretary Noem: 02:31–03:20
• Vaccine Recommendations Legal Update: 03:20–03:33
• NYC Heritage Preservation Battle: 03:39–04:18
• Business Update: 04:21–04:28

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• President Trump on Iran Conflict

  "I had an obligation to do this. I didn't want to. I go to an excursion. I don't want to make this journey." — President Trump [00:11]

• Hakeem Jeffries on U.S. Policy

  "They've now gotten us into a reckless war of choice against Iran." — Hakeem Jeffries [00:35]

• Clint Osborne on Severe Weather Risk

  "Our current risk level is similar to that of traditional tornado alley states... the last time we had these conditions was the 2012 derecho." — Clint Osborne [01:15]

• Chris Marte on Historic Preservation

  "...just have an inch of that courage to say no to a developer that would ruin not just this building, but our history, our shared history as Americans." — Chris Marte [04:05]

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Tone and Language

This newscast is concise, serious, and urgent, focused on brief factual updates, sharp commentary from major political figures, and direct warnings to the public. The tone remains factual and news-driven, matching the Fox News on-air cadence.

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Transcript

[Lisa Brady]

It's a question President Trump keeps getting. Lisa Brady, FOX News. When will the fighting with Iran be over? The president just telling reporters it won't

[President Trump]

be long and we're going to have a much safer world when it's wrapped up. It'll be wrapped up soon. We're going to have a much safer world. I had an obligation to do this. I didn't want to. I go to an excursion. I don't want to make this journey.

[Lisa Brady]

Also saying again, oil prices will go back down when the fighting ends. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries says Republican policies are damaging the American quality of life.

[Hakeem Jeffries]

They've now gotten us into a reckless war of choice against Iran.

[Lisa Brady]

He says dropping bombs is costing billions. President Trump says Iran can't be allowed to have a nuclear weapon. Israel launching what it calls a limited ground operation in southern Lebanon overnight, targeting Iran proxy Hezbollah. The UK France, Germany and Italy just out with a joint statement of grave concern about escalating violence in Lebanon, calling for Israeli and Lebanese talk on a sustainable political solution. A risk of severe weather, including possible tornadoes stretching from the Carolinas to Pennsylvania with some schools closing early, including in the nation's capital.

[Clint Osborne]

Our current risk level is similar to that of traditional tornado alley states like Oklahoma, Arkansas and Tennessee. And the last time we had these conditions was the 2012 derecho that caused significant damage to the District.

[Lisa Brady]

Clint osborne, director of DC's Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency, urging people to take this storm seriously. This has blister desert conditions continue in parts of the Midwest. Several feet of snow possible by tomorrow. Delaying or canceling more than 12,000 flights. Today, a partial government shutdown also impacting airports with TSA agents among the homeland Security operations not getting funded. Republicans blame the Democrat push for ice reforms. Democrats say the GOP should agree to separate ice from the rest of DHS funds. America's listening to Fox News.

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[Lisa Brady]

Democrats in Congress want a federal probe of soon to be former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem.

[Kristen Goodwin]

Top Democrats on the Senate and House Judicial Judiciary committees accuse Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem of lying under oath when appearing before lawmakers earlier this month in a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi. Senator Dick Durbin and Congressman Jamie Raskin call on the Justice Department to investigate, alleging a number of Noem statements appear to violate criminal statutes prohibiting perjury and knowingly making false statements to Congress. Their focus includes Noem's comments about a $220 million ad campaign she's featured in and her remarks about whether DHS had complied with judicial orders. The DOJ calling the letter a political stunt. DHS says any claim that Secretary Noem committed perjury is categorically false. Kristen Goodwin, FOX News.

[Lisa Brady]

The president recently nominating Oklahoma Senator Mark Wayne Mullen to replace Noem. A move by federal health officials to cut the number of vaccines recommended for every child is temporarily blocked by a federal judge as that legal fight continues. There's a hearing in New York City tomorrow about construction next to a historic site recently linked to the underground railroad.

[Chris Marte]

The 1832 Merchant House Museum in Manhattan is open to the public to see what life was like for a wealthy merchant family and four Irish servants in the mid 19th century. There's been a fight since 2012 against city approved construction of a much taller commercial building next door over concern that the house would be altered, damaged or collapsed. A new wrinkle is researched, finding that a mysterious narrow passageway underneath the dresser was used to provide a safe house and quick escape for people who'd fled slavery in the South. City Councilmember Chris Marte.

Now we're asking the Landmarks Preservation Commission just have an inch of that courage to say no to a developer that would ruin not just this building, but our history, our shared history as Americans.

A commission hearing will determine whether construction can proceed.

[Lisa Brady]

Fox's Chris Foster, the Dow up 387 as oil prices fall and Lisa Brady, FOX News.

[Ainsley Earhart]

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

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