8AM ET 07/29/2026 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update — 8AM ET 07/29/2026

Main Theme:
This edition delivers a rapid-fire update on major national and international headlines, including Capitol Hill controversy over Dr. Fauci's diaries, escalating U.S.–Iran tensions, significant legal rulings, and recent executions in Florida.

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1. Capitol Covid Controversy & Dr. Fauci Senate Hearing

• Topic Introduction (00:03–00:12)
  Host Dave Anthony opens with, “Covid controversy at the Capitol… Dr. Anthony Fauci will be at a Senate hearing this hour.”
• Senate Questions Around Fauci’s Diaries (00:12–00:31)
  Chad Pergram: Fauci is expected to address questions about his diaries, specifically about the origins of the pandemic (“Did it come from the lab? Did it come from a bat?”), and whether his focus was on public health or personal notoriety.
• Release and Controversy of Fauci’s Diaries (00:31–00:36)
  Fauci’s private diary was made public by a Republican senator who has previously sparred with him.
• Senator Rand Paul’s Perspective (00:36–00:51)
  Chad Pergram quotes Senator Rand Paul:
  • “He just wants the truth. He said so long as [Fauci] says what's the truth, that's fine. But… if he doesn’t tell the truth, keep in mind that that is not handled by that pardon extended by former President Biden.”
• Key Moment:
  The segment sets up a confrontational and politically charged hearing, previewing difficult questions for Fauci and the political stakes.

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2. Senate Actions: Roy Russia and Iran Sanctions Bill & Memorials

• Sanctions Bill Passage (00:51–01:19)
  The Senate gives initial approval to the “Roy Russia and Iran sanctions bill,” named in honor of late Senator Lindsey Graham.
• International Presence and Funeral Coverage
  • Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu were present for the vote and Graham’s funeral at Washington’s National Cathedral.
  • Both leaders also met with President Trump and Netanyahu described the talks as “a great discussion.”
• Quote — Netanyahu on Iran Threat (01:19–01:32)
  Benjamin Netanyahu:

  “We don't want to see this fanatic regime in Tehran have nuclear weapons to threaten every American and to threaten the peace of the world and to threaten the existence of Israel. So we have a common goal.” (01:19)

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3. U.S.–Iran Tensions Escalate

• Recent Military Engagements (01:32–01:52)
  • Jonathan Savage details that Iran launched ballistic missiles at American forces—“all were intercepted.”
  • Iranians confirm attacks on a U.S. base in Jordan, while U.S. forces, with Saudi Arabia, targeted sites in Iraq used by Iranian-backed militias.
• Market Impact
  • Oil prices are “surging back up more than 4%.” (01:52)

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4. Georgia School Shooter Sentenced

• Life Sentence for School Shooting (02:23–02:34)
  • Judge Nicholas Prim sentences Colt Gray to life without parole for killing two students and two teachers at Appalachia High School in 2024.
  • Quote from Netanyahu is used for emphasis:

    “The slain will not return to life, the injured will not forget their wounds and a 16 year old boy will live and die in prison.” (02:27)

  • Colt’s father, Colin, will be sentenced tomorrow for providing the weapon.

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5. Charlie Kirk Murder Case — Pre-Trial Updates

• Legal Motion in Utah (02:55–03:30)
  • Lillian Wu reports that prosecutors urge a trial date for Tyler Robinson, accused of assassinating conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
  • “The evidence connecting the Utah man to the assassination of Charlie Kirk overwhelmingly establishes probable cause on every charge and that the conservative activist was attacked for his political views, citing his opposition to gay marriage and transgender rights.” (Lillian Wu, 03:07)
  • Defense and prosecution filings are expected, with oral arguments starting Sept. 1.

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6. Florida Executes Two Prisoners

• Execution Details (03:30–04:12)
  • Florida becomes the first state in 9 years to execute two inmates on the same day.
  • Dominic Ochacone, 80, was the second-oldest man executed in U.S. history.
  • James Duckett, an ex-cop, executed for a 1987 child murder.
  • Grinol Scott provides timing and historical context.

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7. Markets Update

• Wall Street Snapshot (04:12–04:20)
  • “Stock futures are mixed—up for the Dow, down from almost 200 points. Up for the NASD deck, down almost 200 points for the Dow.” (Note: Terse update, unclear direction due to apparent transcript error.)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Rand Paul on Dr. Fauci:

  “He just wants the truth… if he says something new here and something that is contradictory or he doesn’t tell the truth, keep in mind that that is not handled by that pardon extended by former President Biden.” (Chad Pergram relaying, 00:36–00:51)

• Benjamin Netanyahu on Iran:

  “We don't want to see this fanatic regime in Tehran have nuclear weapons to threaten every American and to threaten the peace of the world and to threaten the existence of Israel. So we have a common goal.” (01:19–01:32)

• Judge’s Sentencing in School Shooting:

  “A 16 year old boy will live and die in prison.” (02:27)

• Lillian Wu on Charlie Kirk case:

  “The evidence connecting the Utah man to the assassination of Charlie Kirk overwhelmingly establishes probable cause on every charge and that the conservative activist was attacked for his political views…” (03:07)

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Timestamps – Key Segments

• 00:03 — Newscast begins: Fauci Senate hearing preview
• 00:12–00:51 — Chad Pergram: Fauci’s diaries, Rand Paul’s comments
• 00:51–01:19 — Senate sanctions bill, funeral coverage, Zelensky & Netanyahu
• 01:19–01:32 — Netanyahu on Iran
• 01:32–01:52 — Jonathan Savage: U.S.–Iran military tensions
• 01:52+ — Oil market update
• 02:23–02:34 — Georgia school shooting sentencing
• 02:55–03:30 — Charlie Kirk murder case
• 03:30–04:12 — Florida executions
• 04:12–04:20 — Wall Street market report

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Tone:
Fast, direct, and focused on hard news with succinct updates, in the traditional Fox News radio style.

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This summary delivers a full, clear rundown for listeners seeking the key facts, major developments, and resonant moments of the Fox News Hourly Update from July 29, 2026, at 8AM ET.

Transcript

[Dave Anthony]

Covid controversy at the Capitol, I'm Dave Anthony. Fox News Dr. Anthony Fauci will be at a Senate hearing this hour. Fox's Chad Pergram is there.

[Chad Pergram]

He's going to be asked questions about his diaries. The start of the pandemic, what started it? Did it come from the lab? Did it come from a bat? Questions about the pandemic and also if you look at some of these diary entries, whether or not he was more focused on, on trying to get attention for himself compared to trying to address the pandemic.

[Dave Anthony]

Fauci's private diary has been made public ahead of the hearing by the Republican senator who has sparred with the doctorate hearings in the past.

[Chad Pergram]

Rand Paul said that he just wants the truth. He said so long as he says what's the truth, that's fine. But he says if he says something new here and something that is contradictory or he doesn't tell the truth, keep in mind that that is not handled by that pardon extended by former President Biden.

[Dave Anthony]

Last night the Senate gave initial approval to Roy. Russia and Iran's sanctions bill named for late Senator Lindsey Graham, who'd been pushing President Volodymyr Zelensky was at the Senate for that vote and tells fox's Hannity we want to stop this war. Zelensky and Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also attended Graham's funeral at Washington's National Cathedral. The late senator will be laid to rest today after another funeral in South Carolina. And Zelensky and Netanyahu also met with President Trump. And the Israeli leader also tells fox's Hannity it was a great discussion.

[Benjamin Netanyahu]

We don't want to see this fanatic regime in Tehran have nuclear weapons to threaten every American and to threaten the peace of the world and to threaten the existence of Israel. So we have a common goal.

[Dave Anthony]

This as fighting flares back up.

[Jonathan Savage]

U.S. central Command says Iran launched ballistic missiles in an attack on American forces but all were intercepted. The Iranians confirm attacking a US Military base in Jordan. American forces have also worked with Saudi Arabia to strike sites in Iraq used by Iran backed militias.

[Dave Anthony]

That's Fox's Jonathan Savage. Oil prices surging back up more than 4%. America's listening to FOX News.

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[Dave Anthony]

a school shooter in Georgia locked up for good.

[Benjamin Netanyahu]

The slain will not return to life, the injured will not forget their wounds and a 16 year old boy will live and die in prison.

[Dave Anthony]

Judge Nicholas Prim sentencing Colt Gray to life without parole for murdering two students and two teachers at Appalachia High School in 2024. Colt's father, Colin, will be sentenced tomorrow, convicted of murder and manslaughter for providing his son the gun used in the shooting. Now an update on the Charlie Kirk murder case. Prosecutors are urging the jud and Utah to set a trial date for Tyler

[Lillian Wu]

Robinson as the court nears a decision on whether it'll officially proceed. In their comprehensive state memorandum arguing the evidence connecting the Utah man to the assassination of Charlie Kirk overwhelmingly establishes probable cause on every charge and that the conservative activist was attacked for his political views, citing his opposition to gay marriage and transgender rights. The defense is expected to file its written opposition in the coming weeks, followed by a final response from prosecutors before oral arguments are scheduled for September 1st. Lillian Wu, Fox News.

[Dave Anthony]

In Florida, there are two empty cells on death row, the first state in nine years to execute two prisoners.

[Grinol Scott]

The same day Dominic Ochacone was executed by lethal injection, according to the state of Florida at 6:13pm Eastern Time, the 80 year old was the second oldest man to be put to death in this manner in US History. Four decades after his conviction for killing his ex girlfriend's parents earlier in the afternoon, James Duckett died using the same drug injections in the same death chamber. Duckett, an ex cop, had been on death row since he was found guilty of drowning an 11 year old girl in 1987. Grinol Scott, Fox NEWS On Wall street,

[Dave Anthony]

stock futures are mixed up for the Dow, down from almost 200 points. Up for the NASD deck, down almost 200 points for the Dow. I'm Dave Anthony. This is Fox.

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