8AM ET 06/09/2026 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update: 8AM ET 06/09/2026 – Episode Summary

Main Theme:
This episode delivers a concentrated roundup of major political primaries, significant global and domestic incidents, and top headlines of the day, maintaining Fox News' brisk style and focus on breaking developments. Four states hold pivotal election contests, and the news cycle is punctuated by international conflict and a series of notable crimes and incidents.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Primary Elections Across Four States

• Maine Democratic Senate Primary

  • Graham Platner, an oyster farmer and army combat veteran, is at the center of controversy.
  • Platner’s former political director, Genevieve McDonald, publicly denounced him, alleging “a pattern of dishonest behavior that is impossible to ignore.” Platner attributes the attacks to political motivations, but enjoys backing from progressives.
  • Other candidates include David Costello and Governor Janet Mills, with Platner polling far ahead ([00:03]–[00:45], Chris Foster & unnamed correspondent).
  • The primary winner faces Republican veteran Senator Susan Collins in November.

• North Dakota GOP House Primary

  • Trump-endorsed Julie Fedorchek is challenged by Alex Balage, the state party’s pick ([00:45]–[00:55]).

• South Carolina GOP Senate Primary

  • Incumbent Lindsey Graham faces anti-establishment Republican challengers.
  • President Trump also supports Lt. Gov. Pamela Ivette in a primary ([00:55]–[01:18], Jeff Manaso).

• Nevada Gubernatorial Primary

  • Republican Governor Joe Lombardo is expected to fend off primary challenges.
  • Democrats are also choosing between several hopefuls.

2. Los Angeles & California State Races

• LA Mayor’s Race

  • Incumbent Karen Bass will face progressive city council member Nithya Raman.
  • Former reality TV star Spencer Pratt is eliminated ([01:18]–[01:23], Alex Hogan).

• California Governor’s Race

  • Former Attorney General Xavier Becerra leads.
  • Steve Hilton (R) and Tom Steyer (D) are still contending ([01:23]–[01:42]).

3. International Developments

• U.S. Army Helicopter Crash Near Oman

  • Two crew members rescued; crash under investigation.
  • President Trump assures the public the crew is “fine,” with a report to follow ([01:42]–[02:00]).

• Middle East: Israel-Hezbollah Tensions

  • Israeli military orders evacuation in Tyre, Lebanon, accusing Hezbollah of ceasefire violations.
  • The evacuation area includes areas previously excluded, as Israel alleges Hezbollah is now operating from the Christian quarter.
  • Iran threatens retaliation against Israel if it moves against Hezbollah, but President Trump expresses optimism about a peace deal with Iran ([02:37]–[03:19], Jonathan Savage).

4. Crime & Human Interest Stories

• Northern Ireland Knife Attack

  • Somalian man arrested after a graphic attack leaves one victim with serious injuries.
  • UK PM Keir Starmer calls the attack video “sickening” and urges public not to share it online ([03:19]).

• Philadelphia Student Murder

  • Surveillance footage shows Penn State senior Billy Schmidt being robbed and shot.
  • Schmidt’s family and Penn State mourn the loss, calling attention to senseless violence ([03:38]–[04:12], Todd Pyro).

5. President Trump in Sports & Pop Culture

• President Trump was notably booed during the national anthem at Game 3 of the NBA Finals in New York, but shrugged it off, telling reporters:

  “It was certainly amazing. It was, it was, I think mostly cheers. It was, it was loud and it was very enthusia.”
  — President Trump ([04:19], direct quote)

• NBA result: The San Antonio Spurs defeat the New York Knicks, 115-111 ([04:29]–[04:38]).

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Graham Platner:

  “Graham Platner is not someone who would be good for Maine or for the country. He exhibits a pattern of dishonest behavior that is impossible to ignore.”
  — Genevieve McDonald, former Platner political director ([00:16])

• Platner Response:

  “Platner has said the claims are politically motivated.”
  — News summary ([00:20])

• On Trump’s NBA Finals Appearance:

  “It was certainly amazing. It was, it was, I think mostly cheers. It was, it was loud and it was very enthusia.”
  — President Trump, in response to being booed ([04:19])

• Victim’s Sister on Philadelphia Shooting:

  “I just miss him so much. I don’t understand how someone could do this to me and my family.”
  — Billy Schmidt’s sister ([04:00])

• Penn State Statement:

  “We share our deepest condolences with his family and friends.”
  — Penn State University ([04:06])

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Important Segment Timestamps

• Maine Democratic Senate Primary coverage: [00:03]–[00:45]
• State primaries (ND, SC, NV): [00:45]–[01:18]
• California/Los Angeles Races: [01:18]–[01:42]
• Helicopter Crash/U.S. Military update: [01:42]–[02:00]
• Israel-Hezbollah/Iran Tensions: [02:37]–[03:19]
• Northern Ireland Knife Attack: [03:19]–[03:38]
• Philadelphia Student Murder: [03:38]–[04:12]
• Trump at NBA Finals, Spurs win: [04:12]–[04:38]

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Tone & Style Notes

The update maintains Fox News’s crisp, urgent, no-nonsense delivery, focusing on concise yet vivid reporting. Political analysis is reserved; emphasis is on delivering facts and candidate standings. International news receives a sober, matter-of-fact treatment. Human interest and crime stories are handled empathetically.

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Transcript

[A]

The main event. I'm Chris Foster of FOX News. Today's Senate primary in Maine is the most closely watched nationally of the races in four states. Democrats there deciding how much they care about controversies attached to oyster farmer and army combat veteran Graham Platner.

[B]

The latest rough headline comes via Platner's former political director Genevieve McDonald writes, Graham Platner is not someone who would be good for Maine or for the country. He exhibits a pattern of dishonest behavior that is impossible to ignore. Platner has said the claims are politically motivated. As fellow progressives back his run, the winning Democrat will face longtime Republican Senator Susan Collins. Lesser known candidate David Costello and the state's governor Janet Mills are also on the ballot. Platner has pulled far ahead, but the voters decide today.

[A]

Fox's Molly Line in Portland, Maine. Trump endorsed North Dakota House Republican Julie Fedorchek faces a primary challenge from state party endorsed Alex Balage.

[C]

Anti establishment Republicans also challenging Lindsey Graham in the US Senate in South Carolina, where President Trump has also backed current Lt. Gov. Pamela Ivette. In Nevada, polling shows Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo expected to ward off primary challengers as Democrats also choose between several candidates to score the party's nomination. Jeff Manasso, FOX News the Los Angeles

[A]

mayor's race is said it'll be incumbent Karen Bass against another Democrat.

[D]

Progressive City Council member Nithya Raman will advance and that means that former reality TV star Spencer Pratt is out. Voters are also waiting on the result of the Golden State's governor's race. Former state Attorney General Xavier Becerra is in the lead. Two candidates will emerge in the race, Republican Steve Hilton and Democrat Tom Steyer still in the running.

[A]

Fox's Alex Hogan. Two crew members are rescued after an army helicopter crash near the coast of Oman. U.S. central Command says the cause of the crash is under investigation. President Trump tells reporters the crew members are fine and and a report on the crash will be issued today. America's listening to FOX News.

[E]

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[A]

Fox Israel prepares to defy Iran and strike Hezbollah once again.

[F]

The Israeli military has ordered people in the southern Lebanese city Tyre to evacuate. It's accusing Hezbollah of breaching the ceasefire. A spokesman saying Israel is preparing to act forcefully. Iran and Israel paused a new round of attacks on each other y but the Iranians threatened to strike again if Israel went after Hezbollah. The tire evacuation zone includes the city's Christian quarter, which had been excluded from previous strikes. Israel now accusing Hezbollah of operating there. President Trump's again said he's optimistic about signing a peace deal with Iran in the coming days. Jonathan Savage, Fox News.

[A]

Police in Northern Ireland arrest a man believed to be from Somalia after a knife attack last night. The victim has serious face, neck and back wounds. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer calls video of the attack sickening. Police are asking people to stop sharing it on social media. Philadelphia police are looking for two suspects in the fatal robbery of a Penn State University student.

[G]

Surveillance footage capturing 22 year old Billy Schmidt's final moments as he tries to get his phone back from two thieves. Schmidt was set to enter his senior year at Penn State this fall. He was reportedly walking home from a bar after watching the NBA Finals when he was shot not even a block from his father's home in South Philadelphia. In his sister speaking out about this senseless tragedy.

[H]

I just miss him so much. I don't understand how someone could do this to me and my family.

[G]

Penn State issuing a statement that reads in part quote, we share our deepest condolences with his family and friends.

[A]

Fox is Todd Pyro. President Trump at Game 3 of the NBA Finals in New York was loudly booed during the singing of the national anthem. He seemed to smirk at it and

[I]

tells reporters it was certainly amazing. It was, it was, I think mostly cheers. It was, it was loud and it was very enthusia.

[A]

The San Antonio spurs beat the Knicks 115 to 111. I'm Chris Foster. This is FOX News.

[J]

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