8AM ET 08/03/2026 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update — 8AM ET Newscast (08/03/2026)

Episode Overview

This hourly update, hosted by Dave Anthony, delivers breaking national and international news headlines. The focus is on escalating U.S.-Iran tensions and President Trump’s recent decision to halt military action, significant domestic crime and political happenings, a breakout movie release, ongoing debates around public monuments and the Smithsonian, and reactions to transgender inclusion in women’s sports.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. U.S.-Iran Tensions: Diplomacy Over Military Action

• President Trump Cancels Airstrike: President Trump, speaking from Air Force One, called off a planned bombing of Iran after receiving requests from Gulf allies, suggesting diplomatic progress.
  • “There are talks instead of attacks.” – Dave Anthony [00:03]
• Possible Deal Emerging: A Fox News correspondent noted that discussions may involve agreements on both free passage through the Strait of Hormuz and broader nuclear issues.
  • “I think there's a deal. There's a deal on Hormuz and then there will be a deal on ... the denuclearization of Iran.” – Fox News Correspondent [00:15]
• Iran Responds: Alexandria Hoff reported that Iran denies direct talks with the U.S., instead talking with Oman while demanding U.S. adherence to previous pacts.
  • “Iran’s president stating that the U.S. must be compelled to honor the memorandum of understanding that was signed.” – Alexandria Hoff [00:29]
• Oil Prices React: Oil prices dropped more than 6% in response to the pause in military action.

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2. Twin Falls In N Out Shooting: Heroic Actions Amid Tragedy

• Incident Overview: A gunman opened fire at an In N Out Burger in Twin Falls, Idaho, killing two and injuring seven. Two remain in critical condition.
• Intervention Prevents More Deaths: Twin Falls Police Chief Matthew Hicks attributed the limited death toll to quick actions from an off-duty officer and an armed bystander who engaged the shooter.
  • “We believe their actions help drive the suspect away from the scene, preventing further casualties.” – Chief Matthew Hicks (quoted by Dave Anthony) [00:43]
• Aftermath: The shooter died by suicide; motives remain unknown.

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3. Attorney General Nomination Politics

• Todd Blanch Nomination: Acting AG Todd Blanch may face smoother Senate confirmation after retracting a contentious $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund connected to the Trump IRS tax settlement.
• Senate Resistance: Some GOP Senators (John Cornyn, TX; Thom Tillis, NC) opposed aspects of the fund, especially possible payouts to January 6th rioters.
  • “... intense backlash from lawmakers including key Senate Republicans.” – Political Analyst [01:23]

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4. Box Office Update: Spider-Man’s Big Debut

• Spider-Man: A Brand New Day opened to $355 million — one of the highest debuts ever, second only to “Avengers: Endgame.”
  • “One of the biggest opening weekends ever... just behind Endgame.” – Lily and Woo [01:46]

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5. Washington D.C. Reflecting Pool Vandalism Debate

• Dropped Charges Spark Controversy: President Trump criticized federal prosecutor Jeanine Pirro for dropping charges against a vandal who damaged the DC reflecting pool, which Trump had previously refurbished.
• Political Messaging or Genuine Belief?: Louisiana Senator John Kennedy questioned Trump’s narrative, suggesting it may be strategic messaging.
  • “I don't know whether he really believes that, or it's part of his political messaging, or he's just thinking out loud.” – Sen. John Kennedy [02:58]
• Legal Principles Upheld: Kennedy defended Pirro, noting, “You can't lie to a federal judge. If she can't prove her case, she was right to pull back.” [03:12]
• Contractor Fault Admitted: Trump did acknowledge some issues were possibly due to “contractor difficulty.”

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6. Smithsonian Budget and ‘Woke Ideology’ Critique

• Presidential Criticism: Trump accused the Smithsonian Institution of promoting “woke ideology” and is pushing Congress to reduce its budget and change certain exhibits.
  • “The president remains very critical of the Smithsonian Institution, claiming its museums are full of woke ideology.” – Dave Anthony [03:25]

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7. WNBA and Transgender Athlete Debate Continues

• Public Support at Games: Demonstrations at the Minnesota Lynx vs Indiana Fever WNBA game highlighted ongoing debates about transgender inclusion in women’s sports after player Sophie Cunningham took a public stance against it.
  • “Fans attending Sunday’s game wore shirts that said Trans kids belong in sports... Coach Cheryl Reeve wore a shirt under her jacket that said simply trans kids belong.” – Tony Genu, Aldo [03:44]

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8. Market Brief: Strong Start Forecasted

• Stocks Surge: Markets set for strong opening; Dow futures up 500 points. [04:18]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “There are talks instead of attacks.” – Dave Anthony [00:03]
• “There's a deal on Hormuz and then there will be a deal on the nuclear, or you might call it the denuclearization of Iran.” – Fox News Correspondent [00:15]
• “We believe their actions help drive the suspect away from the scene, preventing further casualties.” – Chief Matthew Hicks (via Dave Anthony) [00:43]
• “You can't lie to a federal judge. If she can't prove her case, she was right to pull back.” – Sen. John Kennedy [03:12]
• “Fans attending Sunday’s game wore shirts that said Trans kids belong in sports.” – Tony Genu, Aldo [03:44]

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Important Timestamps

• 00:03 – U.S.-Iran tensions & president’s comment
• 00:29 – Iran’s official response
• 00:43 – Twin Falls shooting details and heroism
• 01:23 – Attorney General Todd Blanch’s Senate path
• 01:46 – Spider-Man’s box office report
• 02:46 – D.C. vandalism charge dropped and controversy
• 03:25 – Smithsonian “woke ideology” dispute
• 03:44 – WNBA, transgender athletics debate
• 04:18 – Stock market opening forecast

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Tone & Language

The episode maintains FOX News’ characteristic brisk, information-forward style—focusing on major news events with sober analysis, brief commentary, and clear attributions. The tone is urgent and concise, reflecting the newscast’s rapid-fire, top-of-the-hour format.

Transcript

[Dave Anthony]

There are talks instead of attacks. I'm Dave Anthony. FOX News President Trump tells reporters on Air Force One he called off a massive bombing of Iran over the weekend after Gulf allies called him asking for a pause.

[Fox News Correspondent]

And the reason they asked is I think there's a deal. There's a deal on Hormuz and then there will be a deal on the nuclear, or you might call it the denuclearization of Iran.

[Dave Anthony]

The president insists shipping flow freely in the Strait of Hormuz where Iran's been attacking ships.

[Alexandria Hoff]

So Iran's foreign ministry this morning said, saying that the country is not currently holding talks with the US but is in discussions with Oman over the strait. Iran's president stating that the US Must be compelled to honor the memorandum of understanding that was signed.

[Dave Anthony]

That's fox's Alexandria Hoff at the White House. Oil prices are falling this morning down more than 6%. Two people remain in critical condition in Idaho. They were among the seven injured when a gunman opened fire at an In N Out burger in Twin Falls Saturday. Two others were shot dead. It could have been worse. Twin Falls police Chief Matthew Hicks praises an off duty officer and an armed bystander shooting at the gunman. We believe their actions help drive the suspect away from the scene, preventing further casualties. The shooter's also dead. He turned the gun on himself. His motive for the attacks not known. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanch may have an easier path in the Senate ahead of a committee vote tomorrow on his nomination. Last night Blanch formally rescinded a fund that was part of the Trump IRS tax settlement.

[Political Analyst]

The 1.8 billion dollar anti weaponization fund for people who claimed they were victims of political prosecutions faced intense backlash from lawmakers including key Senate Republicans. Among the holdouts, John Cor of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina who'd refused to vote for Blanche as the full time attorney general over aspects of the fund like potential payouts to January 6th rioters.

[Dave Anthony]

Fox's Lily and Woo at the movies. One of the biggest opening weekends ever. What is happening to me? Did you miss me, Spidey? Spider Man. A Brand New Day, $355 million debut just behind Endgame in 2019. America's listening to Fox News.

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[Dave Anthony]

The president is not happy with the federal prosecutor he put in place in Washington, D.C. at Trichine, Pirro dropped the charges against a man accused of vandalizing the DC Reflecting pool that the president had fixed with a new lining painted on the bottom. But some of that lining had peeled off as the pool turned green with algae.

[President Trump / Commentator]

President Trump on Truth Social maintained vandals caused issues with the Lincoln memorial reflecting pool. Louisiana GOP Senator John Kennedy, on NBC's Meet the Press said of the president's

[Senator John Kennedy]

claim, I don't know whether he really believes that or it's part of his political messaging or he's just thinking out loud.

[President Trump / Commentator]

But Kennedy said U.S. attorney Jeanine Pirro could not move forward if the facts aren't there.

[Senator John Kennedy]

You can't lie to a federal judge if she can't prove her case, she was right to pull back.

[President Trump / Commentator]

The president did acknowledge in his post that some pool damage may have come from, in his words, contractor difficulty.

[Dave Anthony]

Grinnell Scott, Fox News the president remains very critical of the Smithsonian Institution, claiming its museums are full of woke ideology. The Trump administration is proposing to Congress a reduced Smithsonian budget and demanding changes in some exhibits. The president may also be following this drama in the wnba At Sunday's game

[Tony Genu, Aldo]

between the Minnesota Lynx and Indiana Fever, fans showed their support for transgender athletes after Fever star Sophie Cunningham spoke out against transgender women playing in women's sports. Cunningham's comments were made in an ESPN article published last week and have drawn both support and backlash. Fans attending Sunday's game wore shirts that said Trans kids belong in sports, while Links head coach Cheryl Reeve wore a shirt under her jacket that said simply trans kids belong. It was the third straight Fever game that has drawn demonstrators from both sides. Tony Genu, Aldo FOX News On Wall

[Dave Anthony]

street, stocks may surge to start a new month. Dow futures are up over 500 points. I'm Dave Anthony and this is Fox News.

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