8AM ET 08/12/2026 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update – 8AM ET 08/12/2026 Newscast

Host: Dave Anthony, FOX News Podcasts
Date: August 12, 2026

Episode Overview

This segment of the Fox News Hourly Update delivers the latest headlines from politics, international affairs, and legal controversies, with a special focus on electoral surprises in Wisconsin, developments in the Middle East, and a curious case involving the Washington, D.C. reflecting pool. The episode provides concise reporting and analysis, peppered with direct quotes and updates from key figures and correspondents.

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Key Discussion Points

1. Wisconsin Gubernatorial Upset

Timeframe: 00:03–00:48

• David Crowley's Comeback Victory:
  • After dropping out and then re-entering the race, David Crowley defeated Democratic Socialist Francesca Hong for governor, despite being a double-digit underdog in the polls.
  • Quote:
    • Dave Anthony (00:04): "He dropped out of the race last month, then came back in it to win it."
• Democratic Party Reaction:
  • Many establishment Democrats are relieved but surprised by the narrow margin.
  • Hong’s lack of key progressive endorsements (from Sen. Bernie Sanders and AOC) and controversial social media history were liabilities.
  • Crowley’s campaign has released a statement pledging to "build a broad coalition."
  • Quote:
    • Madeline Rivera (00:20): "This was the outcome they had hoped for, but perhaps not what many of them had expected."
    • Madeline Rivera (00:44): "Crowley's campaign is now out with a new statement this morning saying his next goal is to try and build a broad coalition."
• Crowley will face Republican Tom Tiffany in the November election.

2. Election Results in Other States

Timeframe: 00:48–01:13

• Minnesota Senate Race:
  • Democrats select progressive Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan over Angie Craig by 20 points.
  • Flanagan will face Republican Michelle Tafoya.
• South Carolina Senate Runoff:
  • GOP Sen. Darlene Graham, appointed after her late brother Lindsey’s death, advances to a runoff against Rep. Ralph Norman.
  • Notable Moment:
    • Graham at rally (01:13): "I want to thank President Trump, his steadfast support and his complete and total endorsement."
• Connecticut:
  • Rep. John Larson Carson becomes 10th House incumbent to lose a primary, defeated by Luke Bronin.

3. President Trump’s NATO Summit Exit & Strait of Hormuz Tensions

Timeframe: 01:22–02:00 & 02:32–02:49

• Secret Departure from NATO Summit:
  • Trump secretly switched planes to dodge an Iranian missile threat as revealed by Israeli intelligence.
  • Quote:
    • President Trump (01:43): "Well, it’s only up to Secret Service. I just follow what they’d like to do."
• Strait of Hormuz Update:
  • Trump insists the U.S. controls critical shipping lanes, dismissing Iranian dominance.
  • Quote:
    • President Trump (02:40): "We have a country that has been the bully of the Middle East for 50 years and they’re no longer the bully of the Middle East."
• Rising trouble from Iran-backed rebels in other waterways highlighted.

4. Middle East Escalation: Houthi Attacks and Gulf of Oman Incident

Timeframe: 02:49–03:30

• Yemen and the Bab El Mandeb Strait:
  • Houthis escalate attacks, targeting ships and Saudi oil facilities; fatal incident reported with at least 6 dead.
• Gulf of Oman Confrontation:
  • U.S. military helicopter fired upon a Panama-flagged ship evading sanctions.
  • Report:
    • Jonathan Savage (02:54): "Yemen’s coast guard says the dead included four crew members and two members of government allied forces."

5. Washington, D.C. Reflecting Pool Controversy

Timeframe: 03:30–04:20

• Damaged Renovation and the Legal Fallout:
  • President Trump’s upgrade to the pool failed rapidly; investigation pointed to contractor rush rather than vandalism.
  • Former Olympian David Hearn, initially charged with a felony, may now face a lesser misdemeanor.
  • Prosecutor Jeanine Pirro dropped the earlier felony case citing insufficient evidence of wrongdoing.
  • Memorable Quote:
    • Dave Anthony (03:30): "Now to controversy over a much smaller body of water, the Washington, D.C. reflecting pool."
    • Jared Halpern (03:40): "President Trump has fumed over Pirro’s decision, saying the prosecutor is wrong and folded like an umbrella."
• No final decision yet on possible new charges.

6. Economic Update Preview

Timeframe: 04:20–04:28

• Anticipation of July’s inflation numbers. Stock futures are up ahead of the report.
  • Quote:
    • Dave Anthony (04:20): "We’ll get an inflation update later this hour on consumer prices for July. Stock futures are rising before the report."

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Crowley's Surprise Win:
  • Madeline Rivera (00:20): "Establishment Democrats are likely breathing a sigh of relief this morning."
• On Progressive Divide in the Democratic Party:
  • Madeline Rivera (00:44): "Hong had baggage from previous social media posts and lacked the endorsements of prominent progressives like Senator Bernie Sanders and AOC."
• President Trump on Security Decisions:
  • (01:43): "Well, it’s only up to Secret Service. I just follow what they’d like to do."
• Reflecting Pool Prosecutor Criticism:
  • Jared Halpern (03:47): "President Trump has fumed over Pirro’s decision, saying the prosecutor is wrong and folded like an umbrella."

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• Wisconsin Gubernatorial Upset: 00:03–00:48
• Other State Election Results: 00:48–01:13
• Trump’s NATO Exit / Iranian Threat: 01:22–02:00
• Strait of Hormuz / Iran Tensions: 02:32–02:49
• Middle East Escalation: 02:49–03:30
• Reflecting Pool Legal Fallout: 03:30–04:20
• Inflation Report Preview: 04:20–04:28

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Tone & Style

The reporting is brisk, matter-of-fact, and focused on facts with brief analytical insights and direct quotes from major newsmakers, typical of FOX News radio updates.

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This summary provides a comprehensive roundup of the episode’s content—ideal for those needing the essential news without tuning in live.

Transcript

[Dave Anthony]

He dropped out of the race last month, then came back in it to win it. I'm Dave Anthony. FOX News. David Crowley pulls off the upset in Wisconsin despite trailing in the polls by double digits after getting back in the race for governor, he defeated Democratic Socialist Francesca Hong.

[Madeline Rivera]

Establishment Democrats are likely breathing a sigh of relief this morning. This was the outcome they had hoped for, but perhaps not what many of them had expected. David Crowley beat Francesca Hong by less than a percentage point, not the margin that polls had indicated. But Hong had baggage from previous social media posts and lacked the endorsements of prominent progressives like Senator Bernie Sanders and aoc. Crowley's campaign is now out with a new statement this morning saying his next goal is to try and build a broad coalition.

[Dave Anthony]

Fox's Madeline Rivera Crowley faces Republican Tom Tiffany in November. Democrats in Minnesota went progressive, picking Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan as their nominee for Senate, defeating Congresswoman ANGIE Craig by 20 points, Flanagan's Republican challenger. And that Senate race, former TV sportscaster Michelle Tafoya. In South Carolina, Republican Senator Darlene Graham, appointed to replace her late brother Lindsey, advance to a runoff as she runs to stay in the Senate.

[Fox News Announcer]

I want to thank President Trump, his steadfast support and his complete and total endorsement.

[Dave Anthony]

Graham will face Congressman Ralph Norman in the runoff in two weeks. The winner replaces late Senator Lindsey Graham as the GOP nominee, taking on Democrat Annie Andrews in November. In Connecticut, Democratic Congressman John Larson Carson became the 10th House lawmaker to lose a primary this year, beaten by Luke Bronin. We're learning more about President Trump's stealthy exit from the NATO summit last month, secretly switching planes because of an Iranian threat. He told reporters last night.

[President Trump]

Well, it's only up to Secret Service. I just follow what they'd like to do.

[Dave Anthony]

And according to various reports overnight, the threat to Air Force One was from a shoulder fire missile that he found out about from Israel. Fox's Peter Ducey at the White House. America's listening to FOX News.

[Fox News Announcer]

Did you know Fox News has a wine shop? Did you also know you can get a head start on your Christmas shopping? That's right. Check one more gift off your list with the FOX News Wine Shop Advent calendar featuring 12 festive wines inspired by the holiday magic of Fox Square. You can reserve yours for just a $19.99 deposit. We'll deliver it free right to your doorstep in time for the holiday season. Quantities are limited, so visit foxnewswineshop.com today.

[Dave Anthony]

Well, back to President Trump. He also keeps insisting that the US Controls Strait of Hormuz shipping not Iran. As talks remain at a standstill, we

[President Trump]

right now we're in a very good position. We have a country that has been the bully of the Middle east for 50 years and they're no longer the bully of the Middle East.

[Dave Anthony]

But Iran backed rebels keep causing trouble in a nearby waterway also key for shipping.

[Jonathan Savage]

Houthi forces based in Yemen fired missiles at a vessel in the Bab El Mandeb Strait. That's the narrow opening between Afro Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Yemen's coast guard says the dead included four crew members and two members of government allied forces. Houthis have recently escalated attacks on Yemeni government forces and Saudi oil facilities. Meanwhile, the US Says a military helicopter fired on a ship in the Gulf of Oman that tried to evade the blockade on Iranian ports. Central Command reports the Panama flagged vessel ignored warnings to stop. Jonathan Savage, FOX News.

[Dave Anthony]

Now to controversy over a much smaller body of water, the Washington, D.C. reflecting pool, which President Trump had upgraded with a new blue sealant that didn't last very long.

[Jared Halpern]

White House officials have reached out to the Justice Department asking about a misdemeanor charge for David Hearn. Hearn, a former Olympic canoe racer, was previously charged with a felony, accused of ripping the sealant of the newly renovated reflecting pool. But U.S. attorney for D.C. jeanine Pirro dropped the case, writing in a court filing evidence suggests the damage was done by a rushed job by contractors and not vandals. President Trump has fumed over Pirro's decision, saying the prosecutor is wrong and folded like an umbrella. The Wall Street Journal first reported the consideration of a misdemeanor charge. An official tells Fox no decision has been made. At the White House, JARED halpern, FOX

[Dave Anthony]

NEWS we'll get an inflation update later this hour on consumer prices for July stock futures are rising. Before the report. I'm Dave Anthony and this is FOX News.

[Fox News Announcer]

Did you know FOX News has a wine shop? Did you also know you can get start on your Christmas shopping? That's right. Check one more gift off your list with the FOX NEWS Wine Shop Advent calendar featuring 12 festive wines inspired by the holiday magic of Fox Square. You can reserve yours for just a $19.99 deposit. We'll deliver it free right to your doorstep in time for the holiday season. Quantities are limited, so visit foxnewswineshop.com today.