8AM ET 05/26/2026 Newscast

Summary

Fox News Hourly Update — 8AM ET 05/26/2026 Newscast

Host: Dave Anthony, FOX News Podcasts
Date: May 26, 2026

---

Episode Overview

This concise newscast delivers the latest national and international headlines, focusing on political developments in Texas, U.S. military strikes in Iran, a major chemical emergency in California, President Trump's upcoming medical exam, White House security, and significant sports updates.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Texas Senate GOP Runoff Election (00:03–00:48)

• Incumbent Senator John Cornyn is facing a significant challenge in the Republican runoff from Trump-endorsed Ken Paxton, the current Texas Attorney General.
• Ken Paxton Critiques Cornyn:
  "What has John accomplished that's good for the state of Texas or the country? And you know what? No one's ever had an answer." (Interviewer or Reporter, 00:17)
• Electability Concerns Raised by Cornyn:
  "Were he to be the nominee and be exposed to general election voters, especially independents, I think it's going to be a very rocky time." (Cornyn, 00:26)
• Implications:
  The winner will face Democrat James Talarico in the general election. Despite Democrats not winning statewide in Texas since 1994, this race is flagged as potentially critical for Republican control.

---

2. U.S. Military Strikes in Iran (00:48–01:29)

• Recent Self-defense Airstrikes:
  U.S. Central Command confirms strikes on missile sites and boats placing mines in southern Iran, resulting in four deaths. (Military Correspondent, 00:52)
• Current Status:
  Despite strikes, a declared ceasefire is still in effect.
• Diplomatic Efforts:
  Talks are ongoing in Qatar between Iran and U.S. representatives, but Iranian officials note the discussions are proving difficult. (Middle East Correspondent, 01:14)
• Escalation Warning:
  Iran’s Supreme Leader warns U.S. bases in the region “are no longer safe.” (Dave Anthony, 01:29)

---

3. Garden Grove, CA — Chemical Disaster Threat (01:29–01:49)

• Evacuation Update:
  Thousands have returned home, but many remain evacuated due to ongoing risk from an overheated chemical storage tank.
• Current Status:
  "We still do have some additional threats, an explosion, a leak, but we're actively working on those." (TJ McGovern, Acting/Interim Orange County Fire Chief, 01:49)

---

4. President Trump’s Medical Exam (02:17–02:55)

• Upcoming Checkup:
  President Trump, who turns 80 next month, is scheduled for his fourth medical and dental checkup of his current term. (White House Correspondent Jared Halpern, 02:23)
• Health Overview:
  His doctor reports “excellent health,” with minor leg swelling (“chronic venous insufficiency”), cholesterol medication, and aspirin as routine care.

---

5. White House Security & Ballroom Project (02:55–03:23)

• Incident:
  A shooting near a White House checkpoint ended with the attacker killed by Secret Service agents.
• Aftermath & Policy Push:
  The Trump administration cites the event as urgent justification for advancing stalled White House ballroom construction, despite legal challenges. (Legal Correspondent, 03:03)
• Context:
  A court order blocking above-ground work is on appeal and has been stayed, allowing some construction to continue. (Alexandria Hoff, 03:23)

---

6. Wall Street Update & Sports Highlights (03:23–04:06)

• Market News:
  Dow futures are up nearly 300 points after a record Friday closing. (Dave Anthony, 03:23)
• NBA Finals:
  The New York Knicks reach the NBA Finals for the first time in 27 years after sweeping the Cavaliers:
  "11 consecutive victories, back-to-back sweeps, one of the most remarkable runs in NBA playoff history." (Dave Anthony, 03:23)
• NHL Eastern Conference Finals:
  The Carolina Hurricanes lead series 2–1 after an overtime win:
  "Andrei Svetchnikov won it for Carolina." (Sports Commentator, 03:58)

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "What has John accomplished that's good for the state of Texas or the country? And you know what? No one's ever had an answer." – GOP Runoff Segment (Interviewer or Reporter, 00:17)
• "Were he to be the nominee and be exposed to general election voters, especially independents, I think it's going to be a very rocky time." – Senator Cornyn's Caution (Cornyn, 00:26)
• "U.S. central Command says these were self defense strikes in southern Iran targeting missile launch sites and boats..." – On Iran Strikes (Military Correspondent, 00:52)
• "We still do have some additional threats, an explosion, a leak, but we're actively working on those." – On Garden Grove tank threat (TJ McGovern, 01:49)
• "President Trump is in excellent health...but noted swelling in the president's legs as a result of chronic venous insufficiency..." (White House Correspondent Jared Halpern, 02:23)
• "11 consecutive victories, back-to-back sweeps, one of the most remarkable runs in NBA playoff history." — Knicks NBA Finals Run (Dave Anthony, 03:23)
• "Andrei Svetchnikov won it for Carolina." — NHL Playoffs Highlight (Sports Commentator, 03:58)

---

Important Timestamps

• 00:03 – GOP runoff begins in Texas; Cornyn vs. Paxton; potential Democratic upset
• 00:48 – U.S. military strikes in Iran; diplomatic updates
• 01:29 – California chemical emergency update
• 02:17 – President Trump’s health checkup preview
• 02:55 – White House checkpoint shooting; ballroom construction push
• 03:23 – Wall Street rally; Knicks make NBA Finals
• 03:58 – Hurricanes win in NHL Eastern Conference Finals

---

This FOX News hourly update delivers a fast-moving snapshot of breaking stories with a brisk style, catering to listeners seeking concise coverage of major issues of the day.

Transcript

[Dave Anthony]

The polls are just opening now in most of Texas. I'm Dave Anthony. FOX News where Republican Senator John Cornyn's job is on the line in a runoff against Trump backed GOP challenger Ken Paxton. Texas attorney general who tells FOX what

[Interviewer or Reporter]

has John accomplished that's good for the state of Texas or the country? And you know what? No one's ever had an answer.

[Dave Anthony]

The president endorsed Paxton last week, but Cornyn tells Fox Digital were he to

[Sports Commentator]

be the nominee and be exposed to general election voters, especially independ, I think it's going to be a very rocky time.

[Political Analyst]

The winner will face Democratic state Rep. James Talarico in the general election. Democrats have not won a statewide race in Texas since 1994, although this race is among the handful that could determine if Republicans are able to hold on to their majority.

[Dave Anthony]

That's fox's Alex Hogan. The American military's gone on the attack again in Iran.

[Military Correspondent]

U.S. central Command says these were self defense strikes in southern Iran targeting missile launch sites and boats placing mines in the Strait of Hormuz. Four people are reported killed on the boats. A senior US Official tells FOX the strikes are over for now and the declared cease fire with Iran is still in effect.

[Dave Anthony]

That's Fox's Chris Foster. The talks continue trying to work out an end to the conflict and get shipping moving again through the state of Hormuz. Fox's Jeff Paul reports from Dubai.

[Middle East Correspondent]

Gulf Arab states remain hopeful that a deal can get done. We know that a delegation from Iran has recently traveled to Qatar to continue on with those diplomatic relations. But within Iran itself, officials there say that these talks with the US Are proving a little difficult.

[Dave Anthony]

And Iran's supreme leader warned today that US Military bases in the region are no longer safe. Thousands of people are back home in Garden Grove, California, south of LA with the threat of a massive toxic chemical disaster ruled out. But thousands more still evacuated because an overheated storage tank in question remains a concern. Acting Orange county and interim Orange County Fire Chief TJ McGovern says we still

[Middle East Correspondent]

do have some additional threats, an explosion, a leak, but we're actively working on those.

[Dave Anthony]

America's listening to FOX News, who says

[Commercial or Advertisement Voice]

renting can't feel like home. Make your rental feel like yours. It all starts with one scroll. Download TikTok to discover easy home decor ideas.

[Dave Anthony]

For the fourth time in his second term in the White House, President Trump will go to the doctor today for a medical exam.

[White House Correspondent Jared Halpern]

Less than a month before his 80th birthday, President Trump will get a medical and dental checkup today following a physical last year. The president's doctor, Sean Barber Barela, said President Trump is in excellent health, exhibiting robust cardiac, pulmonary, neurological and general physical function, but noted swelling in the president's legs as a result of chronic venous insufficiency, described as a benign and common condition in older patients. President Trump does take aspirin and medication for cholesterol. At the White House, Jared Halpern, Fox News.

[Dave Anthony]

The shooting near a White House checkpoint Saturday that left the attacker dead, killed by Secret Service, has the Trump administration pushing harder for that White House ballroom.

[Legal Correspondent or Justice Department Reporter]

The Justice Department returned to a federal judge over the weekend, saying that Saturday's incident proves the urgent need for construction to continue on a White House ballroom without legal hurdles that are currently in its way. While an April ruling intended to halt above ground construction in the White House ballroom, work has continued due to an order that was put on hold from an appeals court.

[Dave Anthony]

That's Fox's Alexandria Hoff. On Wall street, some big gains are in store. Futures for the Dow are rising nearly 300 points after the Dow closed at a record high on Friday. They're celebrating in New York. The Knicks are in the NBA Finals for the first time in 27 years. 11 consecutive victories back to back sweeps, one of the most remarkable runs in NBA playoff history continues the call on ESPN after the Knicks blew out the Cavaliers by 37 points in Cleveland to advance to the NBA Finals, they face either San Antonio or Oklahoma City. That series is tied in game fives tonight, there was overtime drama on ice.

[Sports Commentator]

Szestnikov cross eyes. Jarvis back out. Shot by Svetnikov. Score. Andrei Svetchnikov won it for Carolina.

[Dave Anthony]

In Montreal, the Hurricanes beat Canadians 3 to 2 on TNT to go up two games to one on the Eastern Conference final. I'm Dave Anthony Fox.