6AM ET 07/07/2026 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update — 6AM ET 07/07/2026

Host: Chris Foster, with reports from Debra Valentine, Gary Baumgarten, and others
Date: July 7, 2026

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Episode Overview

This edition of the Fox News Hourly Update delivers the latest headlines on politics, world affairs, sports, health policy, and more. Major stories include breaking allegations against a Maine Senate candidate, an update on Team USA's World Cup exit, a dramatic courtroom moment in Utah, global security concerns, new data on Obamacare enrollment drops, and a spike in shark attacks.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Maine Senate Candidate Graham Platner Faces Rape Allegation

• Summary: After previous controversies, Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner is accused of rape; the party seeks his removal from the ballot and Platner has suspended his campaign.
• Details:
  • The allegation was made by an ex-girlfriend about a 2021 incident (00:17).
  • Platner responded in a video, calling the charge "serious and false" and said he's considering "the best path forward" (00:27).
  • The withdrawal deadline is next Monday; campaign events have been cancelled.
• Notable Quote:
  • Platner (via social media, paraphrased): “My goal remains defeating longtime GOP Senator Susan Collins in November, but we are taking the time to reflect on the best path forward for the state that I love, the people that I love.” (00:23)

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2. Team USA Knocked Out of World Cup by Belgium

• Summary: Belgium defeats Team USA 4-1, ending U.S. hopes in the soccer tournament.
• Details:
  • Romelu Lukaku scored the definitive fourth goal, described as the "exclamation point" (00:59).
• Notable Moments:
  • On-air reaction:
    • Chris Foster: "Lukaku, the exclamation point for Belgium, made it 4-1, the final score in the match on FOX in Seattle." (01:03)

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3. Utah Courtroom Drama in Charlie Kirk Shooting Case

• Summary: The family of Charlie Kirk leaves the court as a graphic video of his murder is played during the preliminary hearing of accused Tyler Robinson.
• Details:
  • Despite defense objections, Judge Tony Graff allowed video evidence (01:18).
  • The event under scrutiny occurred at Utah Valley University (01:33).
• Notable Explanation:
  • Gary Baumgarten clarifies: “This may be played in the courtroom but not be captured on video…” (01:27)

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4. International Affairs: Trump, NATO, Iran Strikes, and Macron in Syria

• Key Points:
  • President Trump en route to a NATO summit in Turkey (01:37).
  • Iran accused of attacking two commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz—no casualties (01:39).
  • Two explosions in Damascus injure at least 18; French President Macron, visiting Syria, is reported safe (01:46).

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5. China Long-Range Missile Test Draws U.S. and Pacific Allies’ Condemnation

• Summary: The State Department condemn’s China’s nuclear-capable missile test, calling it a threat to regional and global security.
• Details:
  • China asserts the test was legal and not aimed at any state (02:35).

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6. Obamacare Enrollments Fall Sharply; Only New Mexico Sees Increase

• Summary: After federal premium tax credits expired, 49 states saw steep drops in Affordable Care Act coverage, with only New Mexico bucking the trend.
• Details:
  • Ohio and Oklahoma lost one third of enrollees; New Mexico saw a 14% increase by replacing federal subsidies itself (03:00).
  • Premiums doubled or tripled post-January 1, forcing many to drop coverage.
• Notable Quote:
  • Debra Valentine: “Premium tax credits, the subject of a bitter fight in Congress last fall, expired on January 1. The expiration caused health insurance premiums to double or triple, forcing some policyholders to forego coverage.” (03:21)

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7. Record Shark Attacks Continue in U.S. Waters

• Summary: Seven shark attacks reported in the U.S. this year, on pace to match last year’s record.
• Details:
  • Lifeguards on both coasts actively pulling swimmers due to sightings (03:48).
  • Largest number of attacks (25) occurred in U.S. waters last year.
• Memorable Segment:
  • Gary Baumgarten: “We’re on trend this year to meet last year’s record setting 65 shark attacks worldwide.” (03:55)
  • Fatal January incident reported in the U.S. Virgin Islands (04:13).

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8. Market Update

• Summary:
  • Oil prices rise following Iran’s attacks.
  • Stock futures mixed; technology stocks predicted to fall as markets open. (04:18)

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Memorable Quotes & Moments

• Chris Foster (about Graham Platner, 00:03): “The last straw. After months of controversy about a tattoo, old social media posts and allegations about disturbing behavior with women, Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner is accused of rape and the state Democratic Party wants him off the ballot.”
• Debra Valentine (on Obamacare premiums, 03:21): “The expiration caused health insurance premiums to double or triple, forcing some policyholders to forego coverage.”
• Gary Baumgarten (on shark attacks, 03:48): “It’s a problem on both coasts with lifeguards ordering folks out of the waters of the Atlantic and the Pacific when they spot sharks near the shore.”

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Graham Platner Allegations & Fallout – 00:03-00:49
• Soccer: USA vs. Belgium – 00:49-01:03
• Utah Courtroom/Kirk Shooting Hearing – 01:03-01:37
• NATO, Iran Attacks, Macron in Syria – 01:37-02:00
• China Missile Test – 02:31-02:53
• Obamacare Drop-offs – 02:53-03:44
• Record Shark Attacks – 03:44-04:13
• Market Update – 04:13-04:28

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Summary prepared for listeners seeking a concise yet thorough briefing on the morning’s most important news from FOX News Hourly Update – 6AM ET, July 7, 2026.

Transcript

[Chris Foster]

The last straw. I'm Chris Foster, FOX News. After months of controversy about a tattoo, old social media posts and allegations about disturbing behavior with women, Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner is accused of rape and the state Democratic Party wants him off the ballot. He suspended his campaign for now.

[Unidentified FOX News Reporter]

The claim was made by a woman who said she once dated Platner. She alleged he was drunk in 2021 when he forced her to have sex and ignored her telling him to stop. Platner, in a social media video, called out the accusation as trou, serious and false. While Platner said his goal remains defeating longtime GOP Senator Susan Collins in November, we are taking the time to reflect on the best path forward for the state that I love, the people that I love. Several planned town halls featuring Platner have been canceled.

[Chris Foster]

Fox is going to Scott. The deadline for Platner to withdraw and be replaced on the ballot is next Monday. Belgium knocks Team USA out of the World cup soccer tournament. Lukaku on the loose ball scores Romelu.

[Debra Valentine]

Lukaku,

[Chris Foster]

the exclamation point for Belgium, made it 4 1, the final score in the match on FOX in Seattle. Charlie Kirk's family left a courtroom in Utah before video of his shooting was played in court at a hearing to determine whether there's enough evidence to try Tyler Robinson for murder.

[Debra Valentine]

Despite arguments from Tyler Robinson's attorney, Judge Tony Graff allowed videos to be presented at Robinson's preliminary hearing while a State Bureau of Investigations agent was on the stand testifying.

[Gary Baumgarten]

This may be played in the courtroom but not be captured on video, including

[Debra Valentine]

videos of the event at Utah Valley University at which Charlie Kirk was killed.

[Chris Foster]

Fox's Jessica Rosenthal President Trump lands in Turkey soon for a summit of NATO nation leaders. Iran's military is accused of hitting two commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz with missiles with no casualties reported. At least 18 people are reported wounded in two explosions in Damascus, Syria. French President Emmanuel Macron is there. His office says he's safe. And the visit continues. America's listening to FOX news.

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[Chris Foster]

the Trump administration condemns a China long range missile test.

[Unidentified State Department Correspondent]

The State Department says the weapon was nuclear capable but unarmed, adding that China's nuclear weapons buildup is of great concern to the region and the world. Australia, Japan and New Zealand have also criticized the test. China says the launch complied with international law and was not directed against any country or target.

[Chris Foster]

Fox's Jonathan Savage Enrollment in Obamacare is down in every state but one. After the expiration of tax credits, 49

[Debra Valentine]

states have experienced steep drops in the number of people covered by the Affordable Care act from February of last year to the same time this year. That's according to the Trump administration. Ohio and and Oklahoma each lost one third of their enrollees. Only one state, New Mexico, saw a 14% increase in enrollees in the government health insurance program year over year. New Mexico was the only state that fully replaced the lost federal subsidies using its own funds. Premium tax credits, the subject of a bitter fight in Congress last fall, expired on January 1. The expiration caused health insurance premiums to double or triple, forcing some policyholders to forego coverage. DEBRA Valentine, FOX NEWS Last year was

[Chris Foster]

record breaking for shark attacks worldwide and that trend continues.

[Gary Baumgarten]

Seven shark attacks in U.S. waters this year. It's a problem on both coasts with lifeguards ordering folks out of the waters of the Atlantic and the Pacific when they spot sharks near the shore. One of the main reasons we're told, shark populations are on the rise. We're on trend this year to meet last year's record setting 65 shark attacks worldwide. Largest number was in US waters 25.

[Chris Foster]

Fox's Gary Baumgarten woman died in January after losing her arm to a shark in the US Virgin Islands. Oil prices are up after Iran attacked ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Stock futures are mixed with tech stocks on track for a fall and the markets open this morning. I'm Chris Foster. This is FOX News.

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