8AM ET 07/18/2026 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update – 8AM ET 07/18/2026 Newscast

Host: Debra Valentine, FOX News Podcasts
Date: July 18, 2026

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Main Theme

This episode provides concise updates on pressing international and domestic news stories, including ongoing U.S. military actions in Iran, election security initiatives, U.S.-Canada tensions over wildfire smoke, major flooding in Texas, and a deadly landslide in China.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Ongoing U.S. Military Strikes on Iran

• U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirms continued military actions against Iran for the seventh day.
• Denial of Civilian Targeting: The Trump administration insists only military infrastructure is being targeted.
• Notable Target: An observation tower in the port of Shabahar, reportedly used by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard for coordinating assaults on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
• Regional Fallout:
  • Iran reportedly orders Houthi militants in Yemen to close the Bab Al Mandab Strait (a vital oil shipping route) if attacks target Iranian power infrastructure.
  • Kuwait intercepts Iranian missiles/drones; water desalination plant struck.
  • Iraq claims to have shot down drones over Erbil.

“The United States military has carried out strikes exclusively on military targets, including military logistics infrastructure.”
— White House Spokesperson via Chanley Painter (00:20)

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2. U.S. Election Security Measures

• Announcement by DHS: Secretary Mark Wayne Mullen outlines "enhancements" for voting machines nationwide to secure upcoming elections.
• Enforcement Warning: Tough penalties for illegal voting (up to 5 years prison, $250,000 fine).
• Political Context: Follows President Trump’s primetime address demanding stricter voting laws—a move criticized by Democrats and voting rights groups as eroding trust in elections.

“Illegal voter registration and illegal voting both carry penalties up to five years in prison and up to $250,000 in fines. We will pursue maximum pressure on this.”
— Mark Wayne Mullen (01:25)

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3. U.S.-Canada Tensions over Wildfire Smoke

• Air Quality Crisis: Thick smoke from Canadian wildfires blankets much of the U.S., including Washington, D.C.
• President Trump’s Response: Publicly blames Canada for "willful negligence" in forest management; threatens billions more in tariffs unless Canada takes action.

“The U.S. is being invaded by filthy, polluted, and unhealthy air.”
— President Trump via Jared Halpern (02:41)

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4. Historic Flooding in Texas

• Disaster Details: Texas Hill Country suffers devastating floods; Kerrville among worst hit.
• Human Toll: 2 confirmed deaths, hundreds rescued.
• State Response: Major disaster declaration by Governor Abbott; massive resource deployment (personnel, vehicles, boats, aircraft).
• Ongoing Risks: Rivers like the Nueces forecasted to reach major flood stages next week.

“Altogether, the state has already provided more than 2,700 personnel, more than 1,500 vehicles, more than 90 boats, more than 20 aircraft, as well as many other assets and resources.”
— Governor Greg Abbott via Mark Wayne Mullen (03:27)

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5. Deadly Landslide in China

• Incident: Landslide in Chongqing buries at least eight buildings.
• Casualties: At least 8 dead, 34 missing as rescue efforts continue.
• Global Weather Context: Emphasizes ongoing extreme weather and natural disasters worldwide.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Military Strikes Justification:
  “The United States military has carried out strikes exclusively on military targets, including military logistics infrastructure.”
  — White House Spokesperson (via Chanley Painter, 00:20)

• Election Security Commitment:
  “Illegal voter registration and illegal voting both carry penalties up to five years in prison and up to $250,000 in fines. We will pursue maximum pressure on this.”
  — Mark Wayne Mullen (01:25)

• Trump on Wildfire Smoke:
  “The U.S. is being invaded by filthy, polluted, and unhealthy air.”
  — President Trump (via Jared Halpern, 02:41)

• Texas Flood Relief Scale:
  “Altogether, the state has already provided more than 2,700 personnel, more than 1,500 vehicles, more than 90 boats, more than 20 aircraft, as well as many other assets and resources.”
  — Governor Greg Abbott (via Mark Wayne Mullen, 03:27)

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Timestamps for Major Segments

• U.S. Strikes on Iran & Regional Response: 00:02 – 00:54
• U.S. Voting Machine Enhancements & Enforcement: 00:54 – 01:40
• Analysis of Election Law Debate: 01:40 – 01:59
• Wildfire Smoke & U.S.-Canada Relations: 02:16 – 02:57
• Texas Flooding Disaster & Response: 02:57 – 03:41
• Chinese Landslide Update: 03:53 – 04:13

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Conclusion

This Fox News Update covers critical developments in international security (Iran), U.S. domestic policy (election security), cross-border environmental crises (wildfire smoke and tariffs), climate disasters (Texas flooding), and global weather emergencies (China landslide), reflecting the urgent pace and broad scope of today’s headlines.

Transcript

[Debra Valentine]

Striking key targets. I'm Debra Valentine. Fox News Centcom announcing the U.S. military has carried out attacks on Iran for the seventh straight day. Fox's Chanley Painter reports the Trump administration

[Chanley Painter]

denying Iran's claims that the US Is striking civilian infrastructure inside Iran. A White House spokesperson telling Fox that, quote, the United States military has carried out strikes exclusively on military targets, including military logistics infrastructure. One of the US Targets, an observation tower in the port of Shabahar that Sitcom says was being used by the Revolutionary Guard to coordinate attacks on commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Meantime, Reuters reports that Iran has ordered the Houthis in Yemen to close the Bab Al Mandab Strait, another critical oil route if the US Hits Iran's power infrastructure.

[Debra Valentine]

Kuwait said today it intercepted Iranian missiles and drones and that a water desalination plant was struck. Iraq said it shot down attack drones over the city of Erbil. DHS Secretary Mark Wayne Mullen announcing the Trump administration will be issuing so called enhancements for voting machines in all states. It's part of their effort to help keep American elections secure. He tells reporters this is a vital issue for President Trump and vows DHS will go after anyone trying to cast ballots illegally in US Elections.

[Mark Wayne Mullen]

Illegal voter registration and illegal voting both carry penalties up to five years in prison and up to $250,000 in fines. We will pursue maximum pressure on this.

[Debra Valentine]

It comes after President Trump gave a primetime address Thursday in which he called for Congress to pass more restrictive voting laws. Democrats and voting rights groups have argued the president's comments are undermining Americans faith in elections. America's listening to Fox News.

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[Debra Valentine]

President Trump is threatening Canada with new tariffs because of thick smoke from wildfires blanketing much of the US Fox's Jared Halpern has more from the White House.

[Jared Halpern]

Hazy skies and the smell of smoke lingered all day Friday in D.C. and President Trump says he's hold responsible for not properly maintaining their forest. Smoke from Canadian wildfires has put millions of Americans in poor air quality warnings. In a social media post, the president says the US Is being invaded by filthy, polluted and unhealthy air. President Trump says its willful negligence on the part of Canada, threatening billions of dollars will be added to tariffs Canada is currently paying. At the White House, Jared Halpern, FOX

[Debra Valentine]

NEWS Flood relief efforts are underway in Texas as its Hill country experienced historic flooding this week. Fox's Brandy Campbell is in Kerrville, a highly impacted town.

[Brandy Campbell]

Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced two lives were lost and hundreds were rescued as everything unfolded now that storms have exited the area. Those that were impacted began cleaning up. On Friday, Abbott signed a major disaster declaration requesting federal help with response and recovery efforts. Sharing this update.

[Mark Wayne Mullen]

Altogether, the state has already Provided More than 2,700 personnel, more than 1500 vehicles, more than 90 boats, more than 20 aircraft, as well as many other assets and resources.

[Brandy Campbell]

There are rivers like the Nueces river, which is over two hours south of US that's forecasted to hit major flood stage going into next week. For now, in Kerrville, Texas, I'm Brandi Campbell.

[Debra Valentine]

FOX Weather A deadly landslide in China's city of Chongqing. At least eight people are dead and 34 others are. Rescue efforts continue after massive amounts of rocks and soil wash down a slope bearing at least eight residential buildings. I'm Debra Valentine. This is FOX News.

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