6PM ET 08/04/2026 Newscast

Summary

Fox News Hourly Update – 6PM ET, August 4, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode delivers a succinct yet news-packed round-up of major national and international stories. Headlines include a high-profile suspected arsonist's court appearance in Spokane, wildfire causes in California, ongoing tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, surging Wall Street markets, ethics investigations in Congress, a widening DOJ Medicaid fraud crackdown, and a major environmental pledge from Leonardo DiCaprio and Jeff Bezos foundations.

---

Major Stories & Key Points

Suspected Arsonist in Spokane Wildfire Court (00:02)

• Aaron Farinacci faces a $1 million bail, charged with starting Spokane’s largest wildfire (Old Trails fire).

  • Background: Fire destroyed over 700 buildings, displaced tens of thousands last year.
  • Farinacci questioned about two other area fires and previously served a decade in prison for killing his father in Arizona (2010).

  "It is the state's position that given the nature of the charges, given the nature of this offense, that the defendant poses a danger to the community."
  —Col can County Prosecutor Preston McCollum [00:19]

L.A. Wildfire Cause Identified (00:48)

• Eaton Fire in Los Angeles (Jan 2025):

  • Sparked by arcing from a Southern California Edison transmission tower.
  • Confirmed after 18 months of investigation.
  • Fire covered 22 square miles, destroyed thousands of structures, left 19 dead.
  • Utility claims the cause is “probably correct,” blaming inadequate water supply for firefighting.

  “It was arcing from a transmission tower owned by Southern California Edison that sparked the deadly Eaton fire in January of last year.”
  —(Unnamed reporter) [00:48]

Strait of Hormuz: Shipping Targeted Amid Iranian Blockade (01:20)

• UK officials: Cargo ship struck by an "unknown projectile."

• Iran maintains blockade, increasing tension for vital waterway.

• U.S. administration officials remain optimistic about an imminent deal for free passage.

  "Administration officials continue to be confident that a deal for free passage of all commercial shipping through that strait is really on the horizon."
  —Fox's Steve Harrigan [01:46]

Wall Street Soars to Record Highs (01:46)

• All 3 major stock indexes hit record peaks.
  • Dow jumps 907 points.
  • NASDAQ up 671.

Congressional Ethics Investigation: Rep. Max Miller (02:06)

• Rep. Max Miller (OH) under House Ethics Committee investigation for alleged domestic violence and abuse.

  • Miller’s ex-wife (Emily Moreno) accuses him amid custody battle.
  • Emily is the daughter of Republican Sen. Bernie Moreno; Senator calls Miller “unfit for office.”
  • Miller denies allegations; ethics probe is not itself an indication of guilt.

  “The Ethics Committee…noting that the fact that it’s investigating the allegations doesn’t indicate that any violation has occurred.”
  —Jeff Manasseo [02:43]

DOJ Expands Medicaid Fraud Strike Force (02:43)

• Justice Department, with federal and state agencies, targets rising Medicaid home health care fraud.

  • Expenditure in Pennsylvania soared from $120M (2018) to $8B (2025).
  • 19 individuals charged: Allegedly billed Medicaid while on vacation.

  “This is not the reflection of supply and demand. It is a reflection of the systematic exploitation of a vulnerable program by fraudsters.”
  —U.S. Attorney David Metcalfe [03:12]

  • Dr. Mehmet Oz (CMS Administrator): Pandemic-era fraud “ballooned”; pledges crackdown.

DiCaprio, Bezos Pledge $200M for Endangered Species (03:54)

• Foundations funded/co-founded by Leonardo DiCaprio and Jeff Bezos launch initiative.
  • $200M committed to revive 100 of Earth’s most threatened species.

---

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Prosecutor McCollum on arson suspect: “The defendant poses a danger to the community.” [00:19]
• SCE Transmission Tower cause: “It was arcing from a transmission tower owned by Southern California Edison…” [00:48]
• On Hormuz passage optimism: “…administration officials continue to be confident that a deal…is really on the horizon.” [01:46]
• Ethics probe context: “The fact that it’s investigating the allegations doesn’t indicate that any violation has occurred.” [02:43]
• On Medicaid fraud: “A reflection of the systematic exploitation of a vulnerable program by fraudsters.” [03:12]

---

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Suspected arsonist court appearance: 00:02 – 00:48
• L.A. wildfires (Eaton Fire cause): 00:48 – 01:20
• Strait of Hormuz attack: 01:20 – 01:46
• Wall Street record highs: 01:46 – 02:06
• Rep. Max Miller ethics probe: 02:06 – 02:43
• DOJ Medicaid fraud crackdown: 02:43 – 03:29
• DiCaprio/Bezos endangered species initiative: 03:54 – end

---

Summary

This Fox News Hourly Update succinctly covers breaking domestic fire investigations, global shipping security, financial market surges, congressional controversy, federal anti-fraud action, and major environmental philanthropy. The tone mixes urgent news delivery with statements from law enforcement and government officials, providing both factual updates and quotes capturing the developments’ gravity.

Transcript

[A]

A suspected arsonist in court. I'm Lisa Licera, Fox News. Aaron Farinacci being held on a million dollars bail after he was charged with setting Spokane's largest wildfire. Farinacci was arrested yesterday and booked on suspicion of first degree arson in connection with the Old Trails fire.

[B]

It is the state's position that given the nature of the charges, given the nature of this offense, that the defendant poses a danger to the community.

[A]

Col can County Prosecutor Preston McCollum. The fire destroyed at least 700 buildings and forced tens of thousand thousands from their homes last year. Authorities questioned him in connection with two other fires in Spokane and he served about a decade in prison in Arizona after he was convicted of killing his father in 2010. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Fire Department has determined the cause of one of last year's deadly wildfires.

[C]

It was arcing from a transmission tower owned by Southern California Edison that sparked the deadly Eaton fire in January of last year. The Los Angeles Fire Department says it reached that conclusion after 18 months of investigation that included electrical and metal metallurgical experts. Whipped by Santa Ana winds, The fire scorched 22 square miles, destroying thousands of structures and leaving 19 people dead. Southern California Edison says the finding is probably correct, but adds water agencies did not provide enough water to fight the fire.

[A]

Fox's Jack Callahan, UK Officials say a cargo ship passing through the state of Hormuz was hit by what they're calling an unknown projectile as Iran keeps up its blockade on the vital waterway.

[D]

Despite this continued violence and continued reports of attacks against commercial commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, administration officials continue to be confident that a deal for free passage of all commercial shipping through that strait is really on the horizon.

[A]

Fox's Steve Harrigan and Tel Aviv Wall street all three major indexes hit new high. The Dow shot up 907 points. The NASDAQ plus 671America is listening to FOX News. Ohio Congressman Max Miller has asked the House Ethics Committee to investigate abuse allegations

[E]

against Republican Max Miller, posting on X that he's filed paperwork for the House Ethics Committee to formally investigate him amid calls for Miller, who's up for reelection, to step down over domestic violence and abuse allegations by his ex wife, Emily Moreno, the daughter of Ohio Republican Senator Bernie Moreno, who on Monday called Miller unfit for office. The allegations in a bitter divorce and child custody battle that Miller's denied. The ethics committee also noting that the fact that it's investigating the allegations doesn't indicate that that any violation has occurred. Jeff Manasseo, fox news.

[A]

The DOJ's fraud division targeting the misuse of Medicaid funds in the home health care sector.

[F]

Today, the Justice Department, together with federal health officials and state law enforcement, they unveiled the expansion of the Northeast Health Care Fraud Strike Force. This is targeting the explosion of home health care services being paid for by taxpayers. In Pennsylvania, billing for home health care shot up from 120 million in 2018 to 2 billion in 2020. Now five years later, it's at 8 billion a year. Here's U.S. attorney David Metcalfe.

[B]

This is not the reflection of supply and demand. It is a reflection of the systematic exploitation of a vulnerable program by fraudsters.

[F]

Included today, Medicaid fraud charges against 19 people who the DOJ says would bill as if they were providing care while they were on vacation.

[A]

Fox's Alexandria HA Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz claimed fraud in health care sector ballooned during the pandemic and vowed to continue rooting out bad actors exploiting Medicaid. Foundations funded and co founded by Leonardo DiCaprio and Jeff Bezos have launched a project that will commit $200 million to revive 100 of Earth's most threatened species. I'm Lisa Licera.

[G]

This is FOX News.