Treasury Secretary Scott Besson predicts U.S. gas prices could drop to $3 a gallon by September 2026, contingent on reopening the Strait of Hormuz and securing oil production increases from Middle Eastern ministers. The episode also highlights Principal Kirk Moore's heroic intervention against shooter Victor Lee Hawkins at Paul's Valley High School, preventing a mass tragedy before Hawkins faced multiple charges. Finally, President Trump and the Department of Interior plan to unveil a 250-foot neoclassical arch on the National Mall for America's 250th anniversary, featuring "One Nation Under God" inscriptions and golden eagles, a project sparking both praise and backlash regarding its symbolism. [Automatically generated summary]
It's Thursday, April 16th, 2026, and this is first look.
We've got a strong lineup for you this morning.
Here's what we're tracking gas prices could drop back to $3 a gallon, but the timeline depends heavily on Iran and the Strait of Hormuz.
A heroic Oklahoma principal takes down a would be school shooter after being shot himself.
And later, President Trump unveils a massive 250 foot Triumphal arch for America's 250th anniversary, sparking praise and backlash.
Let's get into it.
We start with gas prices and a prediction from Treasury Secretary Scott Besson that's getting a lot of attention.
Besson said Wednesday that Americans could see gas prices drop back to $3 a gallon, but the timeline is broader than originally expected.
He laid it out clearly sometime between June 20th and September 20th.
Now that's a shift from earlier optimism that we might see $3 gas by the start of summer.
Even Energy Secretary Chris Wright has recently said that timeline is aggressive.
During a White House briefing, Fox News' Peter Ducey pressed Besant directly, asking when Americans will really see relief.
Besant didn't dodge it.
He tied the entire timeline to one thing Iran and ongoing negotiations.
He said the U.S. has upheld its side of a ceasefire.
We've stopped firing, as he put it, but the Strait of Hormuz has not fully reopened, and that's the key bottleneck.
And this is where it gets important.
Besson said he's been meeting this week with Middle Eastern finance ministers during what he called Bank Week in D.C., and they've told him that once the Strait is fully open, they can ramp up oil production and shipping within one week.
That would dramatically increase supply and push prices down.
So, in his words, he's optimistic that we'll see gas with a Three in front of it sooner rather than later.
But he also acknowledged the reality not by Memorial Day, more likely by late summer, potentially even closer to Labor Day.
He also added something else worth noting the administration plans to keep a close eye on gas stations, pointing out that prices tend to spike quickly when crude oil rises, but don't always come down as fast.
So, bottom line $3 gas is possible, but it's not just about domestic policy.
It's tied directly to global energy flows, negotiations with Iran, and whether one of the most important shipping lanes in the world gets fully reopened.
Now, to an incredible and frankly heroic story out of Oklahoma.
New surveillance video shows the moment a high school principal took down an armed gunman after already being shot and very likely prevented a mass shooting.
Kirk Moore, a 60 year old principal with more than 35 years in education, Confronted 20 year old Victor Lee Hawkins inside Paul's Valley High School.
Hawkins was armed with two loaded semi automatic pistols, and according to investigators, he had a clear plan.
He told authorities he didn't like Principal Moore and went to the school to kill him.
He also admitted he wanted to carry out his own version of the Columbine shooting.
Inside the school lobby, Hawkins ordered people to the ground and attempted to fire at a student, but his weapon malfunctioned.
He then pointed the gun at another student who begged him not to shoot.
That's when Moore stepped in.
The footage shows Hawkins aiming directly at Moore's head and firing, hitting him in the right leg.
And despite that, Moore didn't hesitate.
He charged the shooter, tackled him, shoved him toward a bench, and pinned down his arm, preventing him from firing again.
At one point, the weapon falls to the floor.
Another staff member runs in, kicks the gun away, and helps restrain Hawkins.
Authorities say those actions saved lives.
The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation praised Moore and staff for their quick response, saying it prevented a much larger tragedy.
Local officials are calling him a hero.
The superintendent said Moore has been a mentor for years.
And based on what we're seeing, that label fits.
Hawkins now faces multiple charges, including shooting with intent to kill, and will appear in court on May 8th.
As for Moore, he's recovering and said to be in stable condition.