Morning Announcements

Tuesday, January 20th, 2026 - Trump’s Nobel meltdowns; Greenland tantrums; Global alliances shift Jan 20, 2026

Today’s Headlines: Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado visited the White House and handed Donald Trump a symbolic Nobel Peace Prize — only to walk away with Trump merch, zero U.S. backing, and confirmation that the administration will continue supporting remnants of the Maduro regime. The Nobel Foundation quickly clarified that Nobel Prizes can’t be transferred, even symbolically.

Trump then escalated his Greenland fixation, announcing new tariffs on European countries that don’t support a U.S. takeover and threatening steeper penalties by summer. He later claimed Norway owed him a Nobel Prize and suggested U.S. control of Greenland is essential for global security, prompting Canada to warn that any U.S. military action would trigger NATO obligations. Meanwhile, Canada and the EU are rapidly reshuffling trade alliances away from the U.S.

This week, former DOJ special counsel Jack Smith will testify to Congress as Trump heads to Davos to unveil his self-appointed “Board of Peace,” tasked with overseeing Gaza’s future. Trump plans to chair the board, charge countries $1 billion to participate, and has invited members ranging from U.S. allies to Russia and Belarus.

In Iran, mass protests continue amid a near-total internet blackout, with reports estimating more than 13,000 deaths in recent days. Iranian state TV was briefly hacked to air messages urging revolt, while the FAA warned airlines to prepare for possible military activity affecting flights across parts of Latin America and the Pacific.

Back in the U.S., Trump declined — for now — to invoke the Insurrection Act in Minnesota, while placing 1,500 troops on standby and opening investigations into Minnesota’s governor and Minneapolis’s mayor. He also floated plans to sue JPMorgan Chase over alleged political “debanking.”

Finally, Virginia lawmakers moved to redraw congressional maps ahead of the midterms, opening yet another front in the rapidly escalating gerrymandering wars.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

The New Republic: Trump Snubs Machado After Explaining Why He Took Her Nobel Prize

Newsweek: Nobel Foundation Speaks Out After Machado Gifts Trump Peace Prize

NYT: Trump Links His Push for Greenland to Not Winning Nobel Peace Prize

BBC: Trump says he will '100%' carry out Greenland tariffs threat, as EU vows to protect its interests

Politico: Carney to Trump: Back off on Greenland

ABC News: Trump's protectionist trade policies allow China to swoop in

NYT: Gaza’s Board of Peace: What to Know

Reuters: Iran to consider lifting internet ban; state TV hacked

Bloomberg: US Warns Airlines About Military Activity in Parts of Latin America

WaPo: 1,500 troops prepare to possibly deploy to Minnesota, officials say

CBS News: DOJ investigating Gov. Tim Walz, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey over alleged conspiracy to impede immigration agents

CNBC: Trump threatens to sue JPMorgan Chase for 'debanking' him

NYT: Trump Sets Fraudster Free From Prison for a Second Time

NBC News: Virginia lawmakers pass redistricting amendment, sending it to voters for approval

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Friday, January 16th, 2026 - No Iran strike (yet); ICE shoots (again); Venezuela sanctioned; Trump vs. Elections Jan 16, 2026

Today’s Headlines: President Donald Trump claims Iran has stopped killing protesters and is reportedly delaying potential U.S. military strikes after warnings from Israel and other allies. Instead, the administration announced new sanctions targeting Iran’s Supreme National Security Council chief and 18 others tied to its shadow banking network.

The U.S. Coast Guard seized a sixth oil tanker accused of violating sanctions on Venezuelan oil, while opposition leader María Corina Machado visited the White House, saying she presented Trump with her Nobel Peace Prize — despite the Nobel Committee’s reminder that prizes aren’t transferable. In a Reuters interview, Trump touted his economy as the strongest in history, dismissed polling opposing U.S. control of Greenland as “fake,” brushed off criticism of his investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell and questioned midterm elections.

Tensions escalated in Minneapolis after an ICE agent shot a man during an attempted arrest. DHS says the man entered the U.S. from Venezuela in 2022 and tried to flee, though details remain unclear. As protests grow, Trump has threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act and deploy the military. The Washington Post also reports that the death of immigrant detainee Geraldo Lunas Campos at a Texas border detention camp will be ruled a homicide, with witnesses alleging he was choked by guards. ICE Deputy Director Madison Sheahan resigned to run for Congress in Ohio, saying Trump “deserves a Congress that stands firmly behind his agenda.”

Elsewhere, the EEOC is suing the University of Pennsylvania over antisemitism complaints and demanding lists of Jewish-affiliated groups and faculty — raising alarms about the creation of a centralized registry. A federal appeals court also cleared the way for the deportation of Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil. And finally, the Congressional Budget Office estimates rebranding the Department of Defense as the “Department of War” could cost up to $125 million.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

NYT: Venezuela Opposition Leader Machado Gives Trump Her Nobel Peace Prize: Live Updates

AP News: Live updates: Venezuela’s Machado presents Trump her Nobel Peace Prize

Reuters: Five takeaways from the Reuters interview of President Trump

WaPo: ICE agent shoots man in leg as Minneapolis protests flare

Axios: Trump threatens Insurrection Act for Minnesota

WaPo: Medical examiner believes death of man in ICE custody was homicide, recording says

Axios: ICE deputy director Madison Sheahan resigns to launch GOP campaign for Congress in Ohio

Inquirer: Jewish students and faculty at Penn ask that their names not be turned over in federal antisemitism investigation

CNN: Appeals court reverses decision that freed Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil

Axios: Trump's "Department of War" rebrand could cost $125 million

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Thursday, January 15th, 2026 - Iran on edge; Greenland armed; ICE claims immunity; FBI searches reporter’s home; Visa freeze; Science FTW & more Jan 15, 2026

Today’s Headlines: We’re starting in Iran, where airspace has been shut down as the US appears to be preparing for a possible strike — even though Trump says (with zero real verification) that the regime has stopped killing protesters. The internet remains mostly offline, US troops are being evacuated from bases across the Middle East, and Iran is threatening retaliation if Trump gives the green light. Meanwhile, JD Vance and Marco Rubio met with Danish and Greenland officials about Trump’s ongoing obsession with Greenland, walking away with “fundamental disagreements” and a new working group that solved nothing. Several European countries responded by sending troops, aircraft, and ships to Greenland. Back in the US, DHS claims the ICE agent who killed Renee Good is suffering from “internal bleeding,” as Stephen Miller announced via DHS that ICE agents have federal immunity and that interfering with them is a felony. The First Amendment also had a rough day: the FBI searched the home of Washington Post reporter Hannah Natanson and seized her devices as part of a leak investigation — while insisting she’s not the target — and the Trump administration opened an investigation into Senator Elissa Slotkin for appearing in a video urging troops to resist illegal orders.The State Department is suspending immigrant visa processing for citizens of 75 countries deemed likely to need public assistance, while also quietly expanding scrutiny of non-immigrant visas. The administration also canceled up to $2 billion in mental health and addiction treatment grants. Elsewhere, the Ford worker who called Trump a “pedophile protector” during a factory visit was suspended, Verizon users endured a widespread outage, and finally, some actual good news: US cancer survival rates are at an all-time high.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

AP News: Trump claims killing of Iran protesters 'has stopped' even as Tehran signals executions ahead

Axios: U.S. evacuates troops from Middle East bases as Trump weighs Iran strikes

Newsweek: Jonathan Ross Update: ICE Agent Suffered Internal Bleeding After Renee Good Shooting

The New Republic: Stephen Miller Delivers Chilling Message to ICE as Violence Grows

WaPo: FBI executes search warrant at Washington Post reporter’s home

Trump administration is investigating Sen. Slotkin for Democrats' video urging troops to resist 'illegal orders'

AP News: US will suspend immigrant visa processing from 75 countries over public assistance concerns

Axios: Trump admin abruptly cancels mental health grants

WaPo: Trump makes obscene gesture, mouths expletives at Detroit factory

NBC News: Widespread Verizon outage prompts emergency alerts in Washington, New York City

US News: U.S. Cancer Survival Rates Reach Record High, Report Says

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Wednesday, January 14th, 2026 - DOJ exodus; ICE’s J6 era; Iran updates; Clintons defy subpoena; SCOTUS hears trans athlete case & more Jan 14, 2026

Today’s Headlines: Six federal prosecutors in Minnesota resigned after the DOJ pushed them to investigate the widow of Renee Good — while still refusing to treat the ICE officer who killed Good as a civil rights case. The DOJ is now probing alleged ties between Good’s wife and local ICE protest groups, a move prosecutors called a blatant inversion of justice. At the same time, Rep. Jamie Raskin is pressing DHS over reports that ICE is recruiting pardoned January 6 participants, asking how many now have guns, masks, and badges. That scrutiny comes as more than 50 House Democrats roll out articles of impeachment against DHS Secretary Kristi Noem for obstruction, civil rights violations, and alleged self-dealing. Trump escalated things in Detroit, announcing he’ll cut off federal funding to sanctuary cities and states starting February 1 — targeting 11 states and D.C. labeled as sanctuary jurisdictions. Abroad, Iran’s regime crackdown has reportedly killed more than 2,000 protesters. Trump says he’s canceled talks with Tehran, urged protesters to “take over your institutions,” slapped new tariffs on countries doing business with Iran, and — as the regime jams Starlink — the White House has reportedly held quiet talks with exiled opposition figure Reza Pahlavi. In Epstein news, Bill and Hillary Clinton refused to testify before the House Oversight Committee about Jeffrey Epstein, instead sending an eight-page letter arguing the subpoenas are invalid and noting they already submitted sworn statements the committee accepted from others. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court heard arguments on state bans targeting transgender athletes, with signs the justices are unlikely to strike them down. And civil rights trailblazer Claudette Colvin, whose defiance on a Montgomery bus at 15 helped ignite the civil rights movement, has died at 86.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

NYT: Six Prosecutors Quit Over DOJ Push to Investigate Renee Good’s Widow

Axios: "Who's behind the masks": Raskin seeks answers on Jan. 6 defendants hired by ICE

Axios: Scoop: Over 50 House Dems sign onto Kristi Noem impeachment articles

Politico: White House to end funding to sanctuary cities and states on Feb. 1

AP News: Trump pressures Iran with tariffs that could raise prices in the US

WaPo: Iran jams Starlink, protesters’ lifeline. Trump, Musk say that won’t stand.

Axios: Scoop: Trump's envoy secretly met Iran's exiled crown prince

WaPo: Supreme Court appears skeptical of arguments against bans of trans athletes

AP News: Claudette Colvin, who refused to move seats on a bus at start of civil rights movement, dies at 86

NYT: Bill and Hillary Clinton Refuse to Testify in Epstein Inquiry - The New York Times

TMZ: President Trump Filmed Flipping Off Ford Worker Who Yells 'Pedophile Protector' at Him

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Tuesday, January 13th, 2026 - Trump vs. The Fed; NYC nurses strike; Meta in its political era; Mark Kelly v Hegseth; AK senate seat Jan 13, 2026

Today’s Headlines: After a year of publicly badgering Fed Chair Jerome Powell for not bending interest rates to his personal preferences, the Trump administration is now having the DOJ investigate Powell over his testimony about renovations to the Fed’s DC headquarters. Powell responded with a rare straight-to-camera video accusing Trump of using the probe as retaliation for not manipulating rates. Meanwhile, the Defense Department announced it’s taking a $150 million preferred equity stake in ATALCO, the only major U.S. producer of gallium — a critical mineral used in military radar and satellites — in a move that looks a lot like soft nationalization but for national security. Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly is suing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth after Hegseth tried to strip him of his Navy captain rank and retirement benefits, a fight that is very much still unfolding. Trump’s EPA also announced it will stop factoring in lives saved and health benefits when setting air pollution regulations, which feels like an interesting new definition of “cost-benefit analysis.” In labor news, roughly 15,000 nurses at major NYC hospitals went on strike demanding safer staffing ratios, better pay, and improved security — aka the bare minimum to keep hospitals functioning. On the tech-politics crossover beat, Meta named Dina Powell McCormick — former Trump deputy national security adviser and wife of GOP Sen. David McCormick — as its new president and vice chair, a hire Trump was thrilled to personally endorse online. Elsewhere, a 19-year-old appeared in federal court on arson charges for allegedly setting fire to Mississippi’s historic Beth Israel Congregation synagogue, and former Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola announced she’s running for Alaska’s U.S. Senate seat in 2026, giving Dems at least one race to daydream about.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

WSJ: U.S. Prosecutors Are Investigating Fed Chair Jerome Powell

Bloomberg: Trump Administration Takes Stake in Critical Mineral Firm ATALCO

Axios: Mark Kelly hits Hegseth with lawsuit over Navy rank demotion threats

NYT: E.P.A. to Stop Considering Lives Saved by Limiting Air Pollution

NYT: Nearly 15,000 Nurses Go on Strike at Major New York City Hospitals

Alaska Public: Mary Peltola enters Alaska U.S. Senate race

NYT: New York Seeks Ban on A.I.-Generated Images of Candidates

CNBC: Meta names former Trump advisor Dina Powell McCormick as president, vice chair

Clarion Ledger: Hearing set for Madison County man accused of setting fire at Beth Israel in MS

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Monday, January 12th, 2026 - Iran protests; ICE to go door to door; Trump’s Greenland obsession; Venezuela chaos; Jobs report is…fine-ish Jan 12, 2026

Today’s Headlines: After two weeks of nationwide protests, Iran looks closer than ever to a regime collapse. The government shut down the internet all weekend, blamed the U.S. and Israel, and threatened retaliation — while Trump publicly backed protesters online, which historically only makes things messier. In the U.S., a 160-year-old synagogue in Jackson, Mississippi was set on fire early Saturday. No one was hurt, a suspect is in custody, and the congregation — which survived a KKK bombing in 1967 — says it will rebuild. Trump also sat down with the New York Times and said the only thing restraining him is “my own morality,” claimed owning Greenland is “psychologically needed for success,” and suggested NATO could be optional. Around the same time, references to his impeachments quietly disappeared from his Smithsonian portrait label. In Minneapolis, tensions escalated after video showed ICE officer Jonathan Ross switching hands to draw his gun before killing Renee Good. Instead of de-escalating, DHS announced hundreds more federal agents, ICE plans to hire 10,000 more officers, and JD Vance promised “door-to-door” deportations, as a Washington Post report detailed ICE’s push to churn out violent arrest videos for social media. Trump also failed to convince oil companies to reinvest in Venezuela, then declared a national emergency anyway to shield $2.5 billion in Venezuelan oil revenue, calling it a U.S. national security issue. Finally, courts blocked Trump from freezing $10 billion in welfare funds to blue states and from cutting NIH research grants, while December jobs numbers showed modest growth — data Trump leaked early on social media because, apparently, impulse control is optional.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

The Atlantic: Is the Iranian Regime About to Collapse?

Axios: Trump says U.S. is ready to help Iranians get freedom

AP News: Suspect arrested on suspicion of arson after a fire damages a historic Mississippi synagogue

NYT: An Interview With Donald Trump

AP News: Reference to Trump's impeachments is removed from the display of his Smithsonian photo portrait

NBC News: New cellphone video shows victim interacting with ICE officer moments before fatal shooting in Minneapolis

NYT: ‘Hundreds More’ Federal Agents to be Deployed to Minneapolis After ICE Shooting

USA Today: Immigration enforcement ramp-up has only just begun, VP Vance promises

WAPo: Inside ICE’s social media machine creating viral arrest videos

Politico: ‘Uninvestable’: Trump pitch to oil execs yields no promises

Axios: Trump declares national emergency to shield Venezuelan oil cash

Texas Tribune: Texas hands over complete list of registered voters to Trump administration

Politico: Judge blocks Trump’s $10B welfare fund freeze

Seattle Times: Judges block Trump plan to cut research money, including $120M for WA

AP News: Trump brushes off early posting of confidential jobs figures

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Friday, January 9th, 2026 - ICE shooting (again); Epstein files are back; Gabbard sidelined; WB rejects Paramount; UK is over Grok & more Jan 09, 2026

Today’s Headlines: In Portland, Customs and Border Patrol agents shot two people during a vehicle stop — both were hospitalized, the FBI is now on scene, and DHS says it was “targeted.” In Minneapolis, the Trump administration continues to fully defend the ICE officer who killed Renee Good. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem announced the FBI is taking over the investigation, cutting Minnesota out of access to its own evidence, while insisting the officer followed his training. Governor Tim Walz pushed back hard, accusing ICE of raiding a nearby school and using chemical agents on school grounds, forcing closures and prompting him to warn protesters to stay peaceful as the administration appears eager to escalate. Vice President JD Vance then took the podium to claim the ICE officer has absolute immunity, shame the media for portraying Good as innocent, and argue the officer’s past injury explains his behavior. Public pressure is starting to land: Avelo Airlines is cutting ties with ICE and shutting down its Arizona base, while Hilton dropped a Minneapolis-area franchise after it refused to host ICE agents. The Epstein saga keeps unraveling, with House Oversight approving subpoenas for Les Wexner and Epstein’s estate executors, and lawmakers pushing for a special master to force DOJ compliance on the files. On Venezuela, Trump has sidelined intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard, Senate Republicans advanced a War Powers resolution to curb further military action, and Trump responded by calling for those senators to be voted out. Elsewhere in chaos, Trump floated buying $200 billion in mortgage bonds, Warner Bros. rejected Paramount again in favor of Netflix, the White House may add an entire story to the West Wing for “symmetry,” and the UK is openly considering banning X over Grok-generated deepfake porn.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

ABC News: Man, woman shot by federal agent in Portland during 'targeted' vehicle stop: Officials

WSJ: FBI Blocks State Law Enforcement From ICE Shooting Investigation

KARE 11: Walz speaks with press after ICE agent shoots, kills woman

PBS: WATCH: Vance blames victim of fatal ICE shooting at White House briefing

Axios: Key airline used by Trump for deportations cuts ties with ICE

Reuters: Hilton drops Minneapolis hotel over cancelled ICE bookings

NBC News: House committee votes to issue more subpoenas related to Jeffrey Epstein

WSJ: Tulsi Gabbard Sidelined From Venezuela Planning

Axios: These Republicans broke from Trump in rare split over Venezuela war powers

Axios: House passes ACA subsidies extension

CNN: Trump orders ‘my representatives’ to buy $200 billion in mortgage bonds in effort to lower housing costs

Reuters: Paramount again tells Warner Bros its offer trumps Netflix's

WSJ: White House Ballroom Architect Says a West Wing Addition Is Under Consideration

Telegraph: Elon Musk’s X could be banned in Britain over AI chatbot row

The Atlantic: Fast Times at Immigration and Customs Enforcement - The Atlantic

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Thursday, January 8th, 2026 - ICE kills Renee Good; US seized oil tanker; Greenland asks for NATO talks & DeSantis’ special gerrymander session Jan 08, 2026

Today’s Headlines: Officials identified Renee Nicole Good — a U.S. citizen — as the woman shot and killed by an ICE officer in Minneapolis after he fired three rounds into her car at close range. Video shows Good waving agents around her stopped vehicle before they approached on foot. Despite the footage, Trump and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem labeled her a “domestic terrorist,” a claim Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey called “bullshit” while telling ICE to leave the city. Meanwhile, the administration says the U.S. will take over selling Venezuela’s blockaded oil “indefinitely,” with proceeds routed through offshore accounts overseen by Trump — though Energy Secretary Chris Wright insists the money will eventually benefit Venezuelans. Trump also bragged that the U.S. seized a massive Russian-flagged oil tanker and, when asked what happens to the oil, replied: “We keep it, I guess.” On Greenland, leaders in Greenland and Denmark are rejecting any U.S. move to acquire the territory and have requested emergency NATO talks — warning it could destabilize the alliance. European partners are now prepping contingency defense plans of their own. In other news, Trump floated banning large investors from buying single-family homes (details TBD… allegedly coming “in two weeks”), while also publicly pressuring defense contractors to cap executive pay and ramp up production — singling out Raytheon as not sufficiently obedient. And in Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis is calling a special session to gerrymander.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

Axios: Woman killed by ICE in Minneapolis identified as Renee Nicole Good

WSJ: U.S. to Control Venezuelan Oil Sales Indefinitely

AP News: Trump says US has seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela

The Guardian: Marco Rubio says he will meet Danish officials to discuss Greenland next week

Kyivpost: Germany Could Join Multinational Force From Outside Ukraine, Merz Says

CNBC: Trump says U.S. to ban large investors from buying homes

Axios: Trump threatens to nix Raytheon's defense contracts

AP News: Gov. Ron DeSantis calls for special session in April to redraw Florida's congressional districts

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Wednesday, January 7th, 2026 - Trump grabs Venezuela’s Oil, floats buying Greenland & rewrites Jan 6; Klobuchar’s possible MN Gov bid Jan 07, 2026

Today’s Headlines: Venezuela’s getting even more chaotic as interim leader Delcy Rodríguez cracks down hard on any shows of support for Maduro’s ouster — with arrests, detained journalists, and armed gangs patrolling Caracas in the name of “order.” Meanwhile, opposition leader María Corina Machado went on Hannity to shower Trump with praise and offer to “share” her Nobel Peace Prize… which is extra awkward given reports that Trump-world thinks she would’ve become president if she’d literally handed that prize to him.Trump’s also insisting he consulted U.S. oil execs around the operation — the execs say “absolutely not,” and also that Venezuelan oil wouldn’t be profitable for a decade — but he’s now promising taxpayer-backed reimbursements anyway and claims up to 50 million barrels of sanctioned oil will be turned over, with the revenue controlled by… him. Obviously nothing concerning there. Feeling bold, the White House is floating military-backed options to acquire Greenland for “Arctic security,” because why not escalate imperial cosplay while we’re here. On the fifth anniversary of January 6th, the administration launched a new government website rewriting the riot — denying officer deaths and blaming Democrats, Capitol Police, and Mike Pence — while the memorial plaque for officers quietly vanished and the Proud Boys marched again. House Democrats held their own hearing, where “MAGA Granny” Pamela Hemphill rejected her pardon and warned against Trump rewriting history. And in Minnesota, Sen. Amy Klobuchar is seriously weighing a run for governor to replace Tim Walz, though she hasn’t decided yet.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

WaPo: Fear grips Caracas as a new wave of repression is unleashed in Venezuela

WaPo: Venezuela’s Machado gushes over Trump while calling for new elections

BOE Report: Trump administration has not consulted US oil majors about Venezuela, oil execs say

NBC News: Trump says the U.S. may reimburse oil companies for rebuilding Venezuela's infrastructure

Axios: Trump: Venezuela to turn over 30-50 million barrels of oil to U.S.

Reuters: Trump discussing how to acquire Greenland, US military always an option, White House says

NYT: Trump Administration Posts False Jan. 6 Narrative on Riot’s 5th Anniversary

PBS News: WATCH: House Democrats hold special Jan. 6th hearing on five-year anniversary

Politico: ‘A unique moment for Minnesota’: Dems await Klobuchar’s future move

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Tuesday, January 6th, 2026 - Maduro’s “Still President”; Trump drops more threats; Hegseth vs Kelly; RFK Jr. vax rollback & more Jan 06, 2026

Today’s Headlines: Trump’s Venezuela operation keeps getting weirder. Nicolás Maduro and his wife pled not guilty in Manhattan court and Maduro insists he’s “still president” — despite currently living at the detention center. Trump walked back his claim that Marco Rubio would “run Venezuela,” and is now elevating Stephen Miller to help oversee things with interim leader Delcy Rodriguez — while warning he’ll launch more strikes if she doesn’t cooperate. Meanwhile, Trump allies say opposition leader María Corina Machado blew her shot at power by… not giving Trump her Nobel Prize. To make things…more chaotic, Trump has started floating similar threats toward Cuba, Mexico, Colombia — and Greenland — prompting Greenland’s prime minister to remind him that their country is “not an object of superpower rhetoric.” Congress only got briefed on the Venezuela strikes after the fact, because Trump says lawmakers “leak,” though somehow oil companies heard before and after. Also suspicious: someone made $400k on Polymarket betting Maduro would be deposed in January. Abroad, protests in Iran continue, and a British intel report says Ayatollah Khamenei has a “Plan B” escape route to Moscow if things collapse. In other news, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth censured Sen. Mark Kelly in the first step toward possible rank demotion — all because Kelly appeared in a video noting it’s legal to refuse illegal military orders. The administration also slashed the number of recommended childhood vaccines from 17 to 11 — a move that could reshape insurance coverage and access next year and Arizona’s Supreme Court building was evacuated after a suspicious package containing homemade explosive material was found. Lastly, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz announced he won’t seek a third term following months of harassment fueled by Trump and right-wing trolls resurfacing an old Somali daycare fraud case.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

NBC News: Live updates: Maduro arrives at New York courthouse for first court appearance since capture in Venezuela

The New Republic: Trump Wants Stephen Miller to Have a Terrifying New Role in Venezuela

WaPo: U.S. plan to ‘run’ Venezuela clouded in confusion and uncertainty

Newsweek: Cuba’s ‘Days Are Numbered’—Lindsey Graham

Yahoo: Greenland's Prime Minister Just Delivered A Brutal Reality Check To Donald Trump

The Independent: Gunfire heard near Venezuelan presidential palace

The Times: Ayatollah Khamenei plans to flee to Moscow if Iran unrest intensifies

AP News: Hegseth censures Sen. Kelly after Democrats' video urging troops to resist unlawful orders

PBS: Trump administration cuts number of vaccines it recommends for every child

The Guardian: Arizona supreme court evacuated after package tests positive for explosives

AP News: Walz, Democrats' 2024 VP pick, drops bid for third term as Minnesota governor; Klobuchar considers

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Monday, January 5th, 2026 - Maduro detained; Russia saves oil tanker; Zelensky’s Mar-a-Lago hang; Jack Smith testimony; Epstein files & more Jan 05, 2026

Today’s Headlines: Looks like there's no easing into this new year. Trump dramatically escalated his Venezuela fixation this weekend, launching major strikes in Caracas and having Nicolás Maduro pulled from his home and flown to federal detention in Brooklyn. Maduro was re-indicted on familiar narcotrafficking charges, while Trump bragged that the U.S. is effectively “running Venezuela now” alongside American oil companies. But instead of installing Trump’s preferred opposition figure, Venezuela’s Supreme Court tapped Maduro’s vice president Delcy Rodríguez as interim leader. Before all that, the U.S. had spent weeks chasing a Venezuela-bound oil tanker — until Russia swooped in on New Year’s Eve, added it to its registry, and painted a Russian flag on the side to shield it from seizure. Trump also hosted President Zelensky at Mar-a-Lago with Stephen Miller, Jared Kushner, and Pete Hegseth, claiming “progress” while simultaneously echoing outrage on Putin’s behalf after a friendly call with him. Abroad, Switzerland’s army chief warned the country couldn’t withstand a major attack, protests in Iran turned deadly as Trump threatened to “intervene,” and Trump ordered Christmas Day strikes on ISIS militants in Nigeria. On the home front, Trump froze all childcare payments nationwide after citing a Minnesota welfare fraud case involving a small group of Somali immigrants — while simultaneously moving to garnish wages from millions of student loan borrowers in default starting in January. One notable check on his power: the Supreme Court ruled 6–3 against his National Guard deployments to several U.S. cities. Meanwhile, the newly released Jack Smith testimony says he had evidence Trump committed multiple felonies that could rise to treason before his cases were shut down — and the massive Epstein document dump is already under scrutiny for delays, missing records, and questionable redactions, including internal DOJ emails noting Trump flew on Epstein’s plane more than previously known.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

NBC News: Maduro arrives in New York after capture in Venezuela

NYT: How Trump Fixed On a Maduro Loyalist as Venezuela’s New Leader

NYT: Russia Asks United States to Stop Pursuit of Fleeing Oil Tanker

NBC News: Trump and Zelenskyy project optimism about prospects for a Ukraine-Russia peace deal despite 'thorny issues'

The Daily Beast: Putin Burns Trump With Embarrassing Details of Phone Chat

Reuters: Army chief says Switzerland can't defend itself from full-scale attack

PBS: Trump threatens to intervene in Iran if regime continues to kill protesters

NYT: U.S. Strikes ISIS in Nigeria After Trump Warned of Attacks on Christians

NYT: Trump and Netanyahu Exchange Praise After Meeting, Showing Few Signs of Strain

CNN: Israel becomes first country to formally recognize Somaliland as independent state

AP News: Trump's attacks on Minnesota's Somali community cast a spotlight on fraud cases

The Guardian: Trump administration reportedly freezes all childcare payments to all states

CNBC: Trump administration to start seizing pay of defaulted student loan borrowers in January

WaPo: Trump ends effort to keep National Guard in Chicago, Los Angeles, Portland

PBS: Read Jack Smith's full deposition on the decision to indict Trump

Axios: Mike Pence's think tank poaches top Heritage staff as MAGA rift grows

NBC News: Justice Department is reviewing 5.2 million pages of Jeffrey Epstein files

NBC News: The president, the plane and the prince: Top takeaways from the 3rd Epstein files release

Des Moines Register: Democrat wins Iowa Senate election, holding off GOP supermajority

CNBC: USPS changes may delay postmark dates. What it means for your tax returns, ballots, bills and more

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Tuesday, December 23rd, 2025 - CBS kills 60 Minutes; Trump tries to buy Greenland (again); Kash Patel’s custom BMW; “Trump Class” warships Dec 23, 2025

Today’s Headlines: CBS News is in full self-own mode after killing a 60 Minutes segment on El Salvador’s CECOT megaprison—right before airtime—because leadership said it didn’t “advance the story” or sufficiently platform the administration, despite months of reporting and unanswered requests for comment. Predictably, the backlash ensured way more people now care about the story than ever would have otherwise. Meanwhile, a federal judge let former CECOT detainee, Kilmar Abrego-Garcia remain free while his case continues, openly questioning whether ICE can be trusted to follow court orders at all. The DOJ, in the spirit of never taking a hint, is also appealing the dismissal of Trump’s revenge prosecutions against James Comey and Letitia James, insisting Halligan was totally legit, therefore the indictment stands. At the FBI, Director Kash Patel is reportedly cruising around in a custom armored BMW with massage seats—purchased at his request—because Suburbans apparently don’t scream “covert.” Elsewhere, the US is chasing another Venezuelan oil tanker in international waters (Venezuela calls it piracy), Trump is back to casually trying to acquire Greenland via a part-time envoy who is also the governor of Louisiana, and the administration is pulling dozens of career diplomats from posts around the world for reasons it will not explain. Dems seek to find Bondi in contempt, because actual accountability isn’t a thing anymore. And finally, Trump capped off 2025 by announcing plans for new “Trump Class” Navy warships, which feels spiritually correct as a closing note.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

WaPo: ‘I ultimately had to comply’: ‘60 Minutes’ EP faces fallout after Bari Weiss shelves story

PBS: Abrego Garcia can remain free while judge considers arguments for returning him to immigration custody

Politico: DOJ appeals ruling that tanked Comey, James criminal cases

MS Now: Kash Patel’s new ride of choice: An armored luxury BMW

Axios: U.S. pursuing third oil tanker as Venezuela hostilities intensify

Axios: Denmark summons US ambassador over Trump's renewed Greenland push

Politico: Trump ousts more Biden-era ambassadors

WaPo: Two lawmakers seek to find Bondi in contempt over Epstein files

NYT: Trump Administration Live Updates: President Announces Plans for New ‘Trump Class’ Battleships

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Monday, December 22nd, 2025 - Epstein files release (ish) ; Trump-Epstein BFFs; Brown-MIT shooting twist; Stefanik exits NY Gov’s race Dec 22, 2025

Today’s Headlines: The Epstein files were legally due to drop on Friday — and instead, the DOJ punted. Rather than releasing everything as required, the department said it’ll roll documents out gradually because it “ran out of time,” and posted about 13,000 heavily redacted files. Some documents then mysteriously vanished from the DOJ website, including a photo from Epstein’s apartment that showed Donald Trump, prompting Democrats to demand a timeline and an explanation for what’s now very likely an illegal partial release. DOJ leadership insists nothing — and no one — is being protected. Meanwhile, the New York Times filled in some gaps the DOJ didn’t, publishing extensive reporting that describes Trump and Epstein as close friends, citing more than 30 former employees, victims, and witnesses. The report alleges Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell introduced Trump to at least six women who later accused him of grooming or abuse, including one who was a minor at the time. Trump has denied the allegations. In other news, authorities say the suspect in last weekend’s Brown University shooting — now deceased — may have targeted MIT fusion researcher Nuno Loureiro, whom he reportedly knew from an academic program in Portugal. The motive remains unclear, but the case has raised eyebrows amid Trump Media’s sudden merger with a nuclear fusion company and new reporting that Putin heavily influenced Trump’s Ukraine envoy. Add in fresh revelations about Stephen Miller pushing for military strikes wherever he could find a target, murky inflation data thanks to shutdown gaps, Trump rescheduling marijuana (and nodding off while doing it), and Elise Stefanik abruptly dropping out of New York’s governor race — and yes, it was another very normal news week.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

NYT: What to Know on the Initial Release of Materials From the Epstein Files

CNBC: Epstein files: A number of documents, including Trump photo, reportedly removed from DOJ release site

Yahoo: Trump’s FBI Spent Nearly $1 Million on Redacting Epstein Files

The Independent: Epstein files live: Whistleblowers could hold key, says Democrat, while Bondi tweet provokes fierce backlash

ABC News: Top DOJ official denies there's any effort to redact mentions of President Trump from Epstein files

NYT: ‘Don’s Best Friend’: How Epstein and Trump Bonded Over the Pursuit of Women

WaPo: Brown, MIT Professor Shootings linked, suspects found dead

The Guaardian: Why is Truth Social owner Trump Media merging with a fusion energy firm? | Mergers and acquisitions

Substack: The Russia-adjacent “connective tissue” points that are real, documentable, and potentially problematic if Trump Media (TMTG / Truth Social) is merging with TAE.

WSJ: How Putin Got His Preferred U.S. Envoy: Come Alone, No CIA

WaPo: Stephen Miller's hard-line Mexico stragtegy morphed into deadly boat strikes

WSJ: The Data Problems in Thursday’s Inflation Report Will Linger for Months

CBS News: Trump signs executive order to reclassify marijuana as a Schedule III drug

NBC News: Trump endorses Bruce Blakeman in New York governor's race after Elise Stefanik drops bid

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Friday, December 19th, 2025 - Epstein files Friday; Naturalization in trouble; Trump’s “Patriot Games” (no, really); RFK Jr. cuts kid’s care Dec 19, 2025

Today’s Headlines: It’s officially Epstein Files Friday — meaning the DOJ is legally supposed to release the files today, per the law Trump signed 30 days ago. Coincidentally, House Speaker Mike Johnson sent Congress home early for the holidays, neatly avoiding being in the building when the files are either released or… not. Meanwhile, House Democrats dropped 70 more photos from Epstein’s estate, including plans for his island, disturbing “Lolita” imagery, redacted foreign passports, and photos of high-profile figures. The Trump administration is also moving to dramatically ramp up denaturalization efforts, telling immigration officials to target up to 200 citizenship revocations per month next year — a massive escalation for a process that’s historically rare. Trump’s media company announced a surprise $6 billion merger with a nuclear fusion firm, briefly reviving its stock, while questions swirl around the recent killing of an MIT fusion scientist and the now-closed Brown University shooting case. In other news, Trump unveiled a very familiar-sounding “Patriot Games” and backed renaming the Kennedy Center after himself, RFK Jr. cut funding for major pediatric health programs while pushing new restrictions on gender-affirming care for minors, the government admitted liability in the deadly January DC plane crash, and The New Yorker launched a fully digitized 100-year archive — finally ending on a high note.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

The New Republic: Mike Johnson Sends Entire House Home Ahead of Epstein Files Deadline

Axios: Latest Epstein photos include "Lolita" quotes written on a woman's body

NYT: Trump Administration Aims to Strip More Foreign-Born Americans of Citizenship

CNN: Trump’s social media business is merging with a nuclear fusion company

MIT: Nuno Loureiro, professor and director of MIT’s Plasma Science and Fusion Center, dies at 47

WaPo: Kennedy Center board votes to rename to ‘Trump Kennedy Center’

WaPo: American Academy of Pediatrics loses HHS funding after criticizing RFK Jr.

NBC News: HHS moves to slash funding and access to care for transgender minors

AP News: US government admits role in causing helicopter-plane collision that killed 67 in Washington

New Yorker: The Entire New Yorker Archive Is Now Fully Digitized

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Thursday, December 18th, 2025 - Trump’s war rhetoric; MI6 calls out tech; Jack Smith has receipts; FCC not “independent”; Oscars ditch ABC Dec 18, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Trump escalated toward open conflict with Venezuela by labeling the country a “foreign terrorist organization,” blockading sanctioned oil tankers, and laying groundwork that looks a lot like a path to war — even as U.S. oil companies quietly signal they’re not interested in going back. Abroad, Britain’s MI6 chief warned that tech billionaires and algorithms are reshaping global power faster than politicians, while Putin doubled down on threatening Ukraine with either invasion or “negotiation,” plus some nuclear saber-rattling for flair. Back home, Trump expanded his travel ban, House Republicans briefly rebelled to pass a doomed healthcare bill, and Jack Smith told Congress he found proof Trump tried to overturn the 2020 election and obstruct justice. The FCC chair openly claimed the agency isn’t independent from the president — then removed the word “independent” from its website mid-hearing — as the Senate confirmed Elon Musk’s friend to run NASA. Meanwhile, Dan Bongino announced he’s quitting the FBI, Alan Dershowitz floated a very “it depends” take on a third Trump term, Ghislaine Maxwell moved to toss her conviction, and the DOJ is legally required to release the Epstein files tomorrow. On the crime front, the Brown University shooter is still at large, an MIT professor’s killing is now a homicide investigation, Nick Reiner appeared in court for his parents’ murders, and — in truly end-times energy — the Oscars are leaving ABC for YouTube.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

NYT: Venezuela’s Navy Begins Escorting Ships as U.S. Threatens Blockade

Politico: Trump administration asking US oil industry to return to Venezuela — but getting no takers

I-News: MI6 chief: Tech giants are closer to running the world than politicians

WSJ: Putin Warns He Will Achieve Aims in Ukraine Through Negotiation or War

Axios: Trump expands travel ban to Syrians, Palestinians and others

AP News: Meet the 4 Republicans who defied House Speaker Mike Johnson on ACA subsidies

NBC News: Jack Smith tells Congress he could prove Trump engaged in a 'criminal scheme' to overturn 2020 election

AP News: FCC leader says agency is no longer independent as he’s grilled by Democrats over Kimmel controversy

Axios: Dan Bongino announces FBI exit

WSJ: Trump Told by Alan Dershowitz Constitutionality of Third Term Is Unclear

AP News: Imprisoned Jeffrey Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell seeks release, citing 'new evidence'

Axios: MIT professor Loureiro shot at home: Police launch homicide investigation

AP News: Rob and Michele Reiner's son appears in court on murder charges while siblings speak of their loss

Hollywood Reporter: Oscars Bolts from ABC to YouTube Starting in 2029

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Wednesday, December 17th, 2025 - Updates on Brown shooter & WB-Netflix deal; Susie Wiles spills; Trump sues BBC; Hegseth buries video; Unemployment up Dec 17, 2025

Today’s Headlines: As of Tuesday evening, the suspect in the Brown University shooting remains at large, with police releasing new footage and a timeline in hopes the public can help identify him. Meanwhile, a Vanity Fair profile of Trump chief of staff Susie Wiles revealed unusually blunt on-the-record comments, including describing Trump as having an “alcoholic’s personality,” calling JD Vance a longtime conspiracy theorist, and criticizing DOJ handling of the Epstein files—remarks the White House has since dismissed. Trump also filed a $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the BBC over a January 6 documentary, a case now assigned to a Trump-appointed judge. In media news, Warner Bros. Discovery is expected to reject Paramount’s $108 billion bid in favor of a Netflix deal, after Jared Kushner’s firm pulled its backing from Paramount. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says the Pentagon will not release full footage of a controversial strike on a drug boat that reportedly killed wounded survivors. In Los Angeles, Nick Reiner was charged with murdering his parents, Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner, as Michelle Obama publicly defended the couple’s legacy. Finally, new data shows unemployment rose to 4.6% in November, the highest level in more than four years, with job losses in three of the past six months.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

NBC News: New photo released of person of interest in Brown University shooting as manhunt enters fourth day

Vanity Fair: Susie Wiles Talks Epstein Files, Pete Hegseth’s War Tactics, Retribution, and More (Part 2 of 2)

WaPo: Trump sues BBC ‘for putting words in my mouth’

WSJ: Warner Preparing to Tell Shareholders to Reject Paramount Offer

CNN: Full video showing follow-up strike on alleged drug boat won’t be released to the public, Hegseth says

LA Times: A famous father, a troubled son: How addiction tormented the Reiner family

WSJ: U.S. Unemployment Rose in November Despite Job Gains

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Tuesday, December 16th, 2025 - Brown still at large; Hanukkah attacks; Trump’s Rob Reiner rant & court arguments; JetBlue’s near crash; 2025’s “slop” Dec 16, 2025

Today’s Headlines: As of late Sunday, the suspect in Saturday’s mass shooting at Brown University — which killed two people and injured nine — remains at large. Police released new photos after clearing a briefly detained person of interest, while local officials say there’s no immediate threat. Trump and FBI Director Kash Patel falsely claimed a suspect had been caught, statements later contradicted by Providence police. In Australia, the death toll from a mass shooting at a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney rose to 16, the country’s deadliest shooting in nearly 30 years; authorities say a father and son carried out the attack, and ISIS flags were found in their car. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is pledging even stricter gun laws. Back in the U.S., California police are investigating an antisemitic attack on a Jewish family’s Hanukkah-decorated home, while federal authorities arrested four men accused of plotting a New Year’s Eve terrorist attack. In Los Angeles, the son of director Rob Reiner was arrested on suspicion of murdering Reiner and his wife; Trump blamed the deaths on “Trump derangement syndrome,” drawing backlash. Elsewhere, the administration is arguing in court against providing live ASL interpreters at White House events and against halting construction of Trump’s planned White House ballroom. A JetBlue pilot narrowly avoided a midair collision with a U.S. military aircraft in the Caribbean, and President Zelensky says the U.S. has agreed to security guarantees for Ukraine as talks continue. Finally, Merriam-Webster named “slop” — low-quality AI-generated content — its 2025 word of the yea

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

Providence Journal: Brown University mass shooting suspect new images released

Axios: Brown University shooting person of interest being released, officials say

NBC News: From Charlie Kirk to Brown University, Trump officials have posted inaccurate info in wake of tragedy

Reuters: Australia plans tougher gun laws after police say father and son killed 15 at Bondi Beach

LA Times: Attack on Jewish family's Redlands home under investigation as a possible hate crime

WaPo: Justice officials say they stopped a terror plot in Southern California

LA Times: Live Updates: Rob Reiner’s son arrested in fatal stabbings of the Hollywood legend and his wife

CNN: Trump’s Rob Reiner post on Truth Social undercuts Republicans’ claims to civility

Axios: Republican lawmakers slam Trump's "inappropriate" posts on Rob Reiner

Axios: "Very bad for our country": Trump doubles down on Rob Reiner attacks

Live 5: Trump administration says sign language services ‘intrude’ on Trump’s ability to control his image

AP News: Trump administration says White House ballroom construction is a matter of national security

WaPo: ‘Outrageous’: JetBlue pilot describes near-collision with Air Force plane off Venezuela

AP News: US officials say Washington has agreed to give Ukraine security guarantees in peace talks

Axios: "Slop" to the top: Merriam-Webster's word of the year is here

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Monday, December 15th, 2025 - Mass shootings; Ukraine “peace” talks; Chile’s election; NATO anxiety; Epstein photos; Dr. Oz vs. cookies Dec 15, 2025

Today’s Headlines: This weekend saw two devastating mass shootings just hours apart. At Brown University in Rhode Island, a 24-year-old gunman killed two students and wounded nine others inside an academic building, prompting a five-hour campus lockdown before he was arrested at a hotel south of Providence. Several of the victims had previously survived other school shootings. In Australia, a father and son opened fire on a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach, killing 15 people and injuring 40. One victim, a Holocaust survivor, died while shielding his wife. Authorities called it a terrorist attack and recovered explosives nearby. In other news, two U.S. troops and a civilian interpreter were killed in Syria after an attacker—who had recently joined local security forces—opened fire. The incident is being treated as a major security failure, and Trump vowed retaliation against ISIS. Meanwhile, Chile elected its most right-wing president in decades, José Antonio Kast, while Ukraine peace talks continue. President Zelensky signaled he may forgo NATO membership in exchange for U.S. security guarantees, even as the U.S. reportedly plans to scale back European defense commitments and Republicans float leaving NATO altogether. Back in the US, House Democrats released dozens of photos from Jeffrey Epstein’s estate showing him with powerful figures across politics and business, with tens of thousands more images still under review. The New York Times also reported that Andrew Tate cultivated ties to Trump-world figures to help escape prosecution abroad—after which new assault allegations quickly followed. And finally, Dr. Oz has been emailing federal health workers unsolicited advice on resisting office snacks, reminding everyone that in 2025, nothing—not even cookies—is safe from wellness content.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

WaPo: Person of interest in Brown University shooting is 24, from Wisconsin: live updates

CNN: At least 15 killed in shooting that targeted Australia’s Jewish community at Bondi Beach

NYT: Hanukkah Concerts With Israeli Military Cantor Raise Outcry in Amsterdam

AP News: Attacker who killed US troops in Syria was a recent recruit to security forces, official says

Reuters: Exclusive: US sets 2027 deadline for Europe-led NATO defense, officials say

Axios: NATO chief: "Putin is in the empire-building business again"

Axios: Ukraine, U.S. and Europe to debate Trump's plan on Saturday in Paris

NYT: Zelensky Offers Compromise for New Round of Ukraine Peace Talks

CNN: New photos released from Epstein’s estate showing Trump, Bannon, Bill Clinton and other high-profile people

NYT: How Andrew Tate, Manosphere Star Accused of Rape and Trafficking, Was Freed

Axios: The high cost of the U.S. sports betting boom

Wired: Dr. Oz Tells His Federal Employees to Eat Less

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Friday, December 12th, 2025 - IN defies Trump; Premiums spike; Noem faceplants; AI goes not woke; Disney sells out to Sora Dec 12, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Donald Trump had a not-so-stellar day yesterday. First, Indiana’s GOP-controlled state senate actually stood up to him and rejected his pressure campaign to pass a wildly gerrymandered congressional map. So instead of all nine districts going red, only seven will — proving that sometimes his bullying doesn’t work (shocking, I know). Then Congress did its favorite thing: nothing helpful. Both parties tanked bills that would’ve extended Obamacare subsidies, meaning everyone’s insurance premiums are about to skyrocket. Over in the House, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem got grilled during the annual “worldwide threats” hearing — mostly about immigration and the administration’s messy due-process violations. She even denied ICE had detained veterans… until a deported veteran showed up…on zoom. Meanwhile, a federal judge ordered the release of Kilmar Abrego Garcia because ICE couldn’t produce a single legal document justifying why they were trying to deport him. CBP also wants to require travelers from 40 visa-waiver countries to hand over five years of social media, emails, phone numbers, and family history before visiting the U.S. And the administration is adding another militarized zone to the southern border just because. Trump also failed yet again to manufacture a criminal case against NY AG Letitia James — the second grand jury in two weeks declined to indict her for fake mortgage fraud. In New York, Gov. Kathy Hochul signed a new law requiring disclosure when ads use AI-generated actors and requiring consent for post-mortem likeness use. But Trump immediately tried to kneecap state AI rules with an executive order letting DOJ punish states that “restrict” AI — all part of the administration’s push for “AI neutrality” (whatever that means), including new federal guidance to ban “woke” AI. And finally, Disney struck a $1 billion deal with OpenAI to let Sora use Disney characters in AI-generated videos. So basically… they’re paying someone to copy their own IP.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

NYT: Indiana Senate Republicans Reject Trump’s Redistricting Effort

CNN: Live updates: Trump administration, health care vote and latest Venezuela news

PBS News: WATCH: Noem defends Trump immigration policy in House hearing on security threats

AP News: Foreigners allowed to travel to the US without a visa could soon face new social media screening

AP News: Trump administration adds militarized zone in California along southern US border

NYT: A Grand Jury Again Resists Trump’s Push to Reindict Letitia James

WSJ: Trump Signs Executive Order to Curtail State AI Laws

Axios: White House issues federal agency guidance against "woke" AI

Axios: N.Y. Gov. Kathy Hochul proposes major changes to AI bill

Deadline: Disney Inks Blockbuster $1B Deal With OpenAI, Handing Characters Over To Sora

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Thursday, December 11th, 2025 - Trump spirals (again); Mystery tanker show; Epstein clock running out; GOP vs NATO; Rubio vs Calibri Dec 11, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Trump had a chaotic 24 hours — bragging at 3 a.m. on Truth Social that he “aced” his third cognitive test and accusing the New York Times of being “treasonous” for reporting he looked like he was asleep in a Cabinet meeting. By midday he’d moved on to claiming the U.S. seized the “largest tanker ever” near Venezuela, while Pam Bondi posted dramatic helicopter-raid footage with zero clarity on whose oil was involved. Meanwhile, another federal judge ordered the DOJ to unseal all Epstein grand jury records, giving Trump just eight days to release the files he’s been promising for years. In other news, the Fed cut interest rates again, six states struck deals with the administration to ban SNAP users from buying junk food, and Congresswoman Nancy Mace introduced a bill to rename Black Lives Matter Plaza after… Charlie Kirk. Over in foreign policy chaos, Rep. Thomas Massie introduced a bill to pull the U.S. out of NATO entirely. Election-wise, Democrats scored more surprise wins: Albuquerque’s mayor kept his seat and a Democrat flipped a deep-red Georgia district that Trump carried by 12 points. In tech bro land, Elon Musk hinted that SpaceX is going public next year, OpenAI warned (in its own report!) that its models pose “high risk” for cyberattacks, and Australia officially began its under-16 social media ban. And finally, Marco Rubio ordered U.S. diplomats to ditch Calibri and go back to Times New Roman because vibes.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

The Daily Beast: Trump, 79, Boasts About Taking Three Separate Dementia Tests

CNN: US seized oil tanker off Venezuelan coast, Trump says

The Independent: Epstein and Maxwell grand jury docs are being unsealed as Trump’s DOJ approaches deadline to publish files

CNBC: Divided Fed approves third rate cut this year, sees slower pace ahead

Axios: SNAP junk food ban expands to 6 more states

Axios: GOP bill would rename Black Lives Matter Plaza after Charlie Kirk

Thomas Massie: Rep. Massie Introduces Bill to Remove the United States from NATO

Albuquerque Journal: Mayor Keller wins third consecutive term in Albuquerque runoff election

Georgia Recorder: Democrat flips northeast Georgia state House seat, pulling off special election upset

Axios: Musk suggests SpaceX IPO reports are "accurate"

Axios: Exclusive: New OpenAI models likely pose "high" cybersecurity risk, company says

NYT: Australia’s Social Media Ban for Children Takes Effect

AP News: Calibri font becomes the latest DEI target as Rubio orders return to Times New Roman

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Wednesday, December 10th, 2025 - Trump’s dictator besties; Musk regrets DOGE; Hegseth flexes AI; Miami goes blue; Swift’s showgirl chaos = bots Dec 10, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Trump had a busy week: he gave himself an A++++++ on the economy, and in a Politico interview, openly admitted he has “no vision for Europe” while praising autocrats like Orban in Hungary and Erdogan in Turkey. European security officials are sounding alarms too, warning that Russia’s hybrid warfare campaign—political sabotage, infrastructure attacks, energy manipulation, and propaganda—could escalate into a full-blown war by 2029. Meanwhile, Netanyahu says he speaks to Putin “regularly” to protect Israel’s borders, particularly against Syria, so the lines are already being drawn. Over in tech, Elon Musk confessed on Katie Miller’s podcast that DOGE was only “somewhat successful” and that if he could do it again, he wouldn’t. And the Pentagon, under Pete Hegseth, is rolling out Google’s Gemini AI for unclassified work like onboarding and administrative tasks—but the NYT is suing because Hegseth’s new press rules forced reporters to sign gag orders or lose access. In Florida, Miami elected its first Democratic mayor in 28 years, Eileen Higgins, a former Peace Corps director and mechanical engineer, ending decades of GOP control and running on a government efficiency platform. Let’s travel back to Taylor Swift’s October album release real quick, remember the nazi, trad wife chaos around it? Turns out, less than 4% of accounts drove 28% of the conversation, and over 73% of the inflammatory posts came from inauthentic or conspiracy-focused accounts. Basically, most of the outrage wasn’t real—it was engineered.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

Politico: Full transcript: POLITICO's interview with Donald Trump

Financial Times: Russia’s hybrid warfare puts Europe to the test

Times Of Israel: In Knesset debate, Netanyahu says he regularly talks to Putin to safeguard Israel's 'vital interests'

WSJ: New York Times Sues Hegseth, Defense Department Over New Press Rules

Axios: Musk says DOGE was only "somewhat successful," wouldn't do it again

Axios: U.S. military to use Google Gemini for new AI platform

Politico: Miami elects first woman mayor, ends GOP’s 28-year control of City Hall

Rolling Stone: Taylor Swift's Last Album Sparked Bizarre Accusations of Nazism. It Was a Coordinated Attack

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Tuesday, December 9th, 2025 - Trump targets Noem; MTG breaks up with MAGA; TX Senate shake-up; Paramount’s wild bid Dec 09, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Trump is reportedly gearing up for his first big firing of Term Two — and no, it’s not Pete Hegseth or RFK Jr. The likely target is DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, because she’s not deporting people fast enough for Grandpa Joffrey. Rumor is she’ll be swapped out for Glenn Youngkin once he’s done being Virginia’s governor. Meanwhile, Alina Habba is officially out after her totally-not-real stint as U.S. attorney, Trump is still shielding Pete over that missing boat-strike video, and MTG is rebranding herself as “America First” — prompting Trump to call her a washed-up traitor. In Texas, Jasmine Crockett is in the Senate race, Colin Allred is out, and Democrats suddenly have… a plot twist. Trump and Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins dropped a $12B farm bailout to fix the tariff mess Trump created, because of course. Paramount is launching a hostile, Saudi- and Kushner-funded bid to snatch Warner Bros. Discovery away from Netflix — the messiest media custody battle imaginable. And finally, ABC renewed Jimmy Kimmel despite Trump rage-tweeting that he should be fired, even while Trump was busy giving himself a medal at the Kennedy Center Honors.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

The New Republic: Is Kristi Noem About to Get Fired?

WaPo: Trump says Hegseth will decide whether to release boat strike video

NBC News: Ex-Trump lawyer Alina Habba announces she's stepping down as U.S. attorney for N.J.

CBS News: Trump responds to "traitor" Marjorie Taylor Greene after "60 Minutes" interview

Yahoo: Jasmine Crockett in, Colin Allred out: A major shakeup for Democrats in their quest to finally win a Senate seat in Texas

AP News: Trump is giving farmers $12B in aid. They've been hit hard by his trade war with China

AP News: Jimmy Kimmel signs one-year contract extension with ABC

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Monday, December 8th, 2025 - Kremlin hearts Trump’s plan; Hegseth kills vibe; Zelensky strong-armed; SCOTUS eyes birthright; RFK Jr. nixes Hep B; Netflix deal Dec 08, 2025

Today’s Headlines: The Trump administration released its 33-page National Security Strategy — immediately praised by the Kremlin — outlining U.S. “dominance” in the Americas, embracing Middle East leaders “as they are,” warning Europe of “civilizational erasure,” and boosting far-right movements there. It also shifts U.S. policy in Africa toward extracting “latent economic potential,” and says avoiding conflict with China is suddenly a “priority.” At the Reagan Defense Forum, Pete Hegseth declared the end of America’s “utopian idealism,” saying the military should ditch democracy-building and climate concerns for “practical interests.” Sure, Pete. Israel, Qatar, and the U.S. met to build relations after Israel’s strike in Doha it was, of course, hosted by Steve Witkoff — who, along with Jared Kushner, also had a long call with Zelensky about territory and “security guarantees.” Meanwhile, the Supreme Court will hear Trump’s effort to end birthright citizenship, despite the Constitution spelling it out pretty clearly and Trump threw a fit after pardoned Democrat Henry Cuellar didn’t switch parties, accusing him of “disloyalty” and claiming “God was very happy” with his pardon. In other news, the Jan. 5 pipe-bomb suspect is cooperating with the FBI and says he planted them to support Trump, RFK Jr.’s HHS and anti-vax panel voted to end universal Hep B shots at birth, disregarding the risks to infants, and the Netflix–Warner Bros. merger is in trouble, with the Trump administration favoring a sale to Trump-ally-owned Paramount instead.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

The Guardian: Kremlin hails Trump’s national security strategy as aligned with Russia’s vision

Whitehouse: National Security Strategy | The White House

Politico: Hegseth declares end of US 'utopian idealism' with new military strategy

Axios: Scoop: Israel and Qatar hold secret meeting in New York to rebuild ties

Axios: Zelensky, Trump advisers discuss Ukraine peace terms in 2-hour call

Axios: Trump blasts pardoned Democrat as lacking "LOYALTY"

NBC News: Pipe bomb suspect told FBI he believed 2020 election conspiracy theories

PBS: Fact-checking the CDC panel’s reasons for dropping universal newborn hepatitis B vaccine recommendation

Fox Business: Trump administration reportedly skeptical about Netflix and Warner Bros.' $72B deal

WSJ: Paramount Raises Concerns About Netflix’s Bid for Warner Bros. Discovery

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Friday, December 5th, 2025 - J6 pipe bomb arrest; Trump imagines a peace deal; TX gets to gerrymander; My Pillow Guy is back; New NFL standards Dec 05, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Federal investigators finally arrested a suspect in the January 6th pipe bomb case — 30-year-old Brian Cole Jr. — though AG Pam Bondi says they still don’t know the motive and didn’t get any new tips. Meanwhile, pardoned J6 defendant Taylor Taranto popped up near Rep. Jamie Raskin’s house, prompting another bump in security during what’s starting to feel like a never-ending wave of threats. The DOJ is also trying to re-indict Letitia James and James Comey after their earlier cases collapsed thanks to the administration forgetting you actually need legitimate prosecutors. A new grand jury declined to indict James on mortgage fraud, and the GAO has now opened an investigation into FHFA director Bill Pulte — the guy reportedly cooking up the bogus mortgage probes against Trump enemies. Trump declared he’s solved war again, announcing “peace” between Rwanda and militant forces in the DRC… despite fighting still happening. Over in the real war he can’t magically fix, Putin rejected the latest Ukraine peace draft after chats with Kushner & Witkoff. And according to a leaked call, European leaders warned Zelensky that the U.S. might screw Ukraine over in negotiations. At home, the Supreme Court ruled 6–3 that Texas can use its aggressively gerrymandered congressional map for 2026 — a huge boost to Republicans. In”people who won’t go away” news, Mike Lindell is now running for governor of Minnesota. And finally, the NFL announced new uniform field-safety standards for all stadiums by 2028, presumably so players stop shredding their knees to enhance player safety.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

NBC News: Officials say a fresh review of evidence led to arrest in D.C. pipe bomb case

Axios: Scoop: Security upped for Rep. Jamie Raskin after alleged incident

Axios: Grand jury declines second attempt to indict Letitia James

Axios: Trump ally Pulte under investigation by congressional watchdog

Axios: Trump's peace deal without the peace between DRC and Rwanda

AP News: Putin says there are points he can't agree to in the US proposal to end Russia's war in Ukraine

Spiegel: Confidential Conference on Ukraine Peace: "We Must Not Leave Ukraine and Volodymyr Alone with These Guys" - DER SPIEGEL

WSJ: Supreme Court to Allow Texas to Use New Congressional Map in Win for Republicans

MS Now: MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell wants to run for Minnesota governor

AP News: NFL mandates playing surfaces for all stadiums meet new standards by 2028 to enhance player safety

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Thursday, December 4th, 2025 - Epstein files update;, Hegseth drama; Trump’s surprise pardon; Immigration pause; ICE needs warrants; Cheese recall Dec 04, 2025

Today’s Headlines: The House Oversight Committee dropped another batch of photos and videos from Jeffrey Epstein’s island, but honestly, this is not a “paint me a picture” situation — Google is your friend. Meanwhile, Pete Hegseth’s Signalgate drama is heating up: an inspector general report says he put troops at risk, and Rep. Shri Thanedar is already drafting impeachment articles over both that and the whole “blow up random boats” era. Trump surprised literally everyone — including GOP leadership — by pardoning Democratic Rep. Henry Cuellar, who was awaiting trial for allegedly taking $600k in foreign bribes. And the administration announced a pause on immigration applications from 19 “high-risk” countries, with no timeline for resuming them, while a judge ruled that ICE actually does need warrants to arrest people in DC. Trump also claimed Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff had a “very good” meeting with Putin on a Ukraine peace plan (sure), as European leaders slammed Putin for wasting everyone’s time. And in a peak bit of irony, the former U.S. Institute of Peace has now been renamed the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace.Finally, the FDA recalled more than 250,000 cases of shredded cheese sold nationwide due to possible metal contamination — a divine sign to stop buying store-brand cheese before it saws your intestines in half.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

CNN: New images and videos from Epstein’s island released

CNN: Watchdog finds Hegseth risked endangering troops by sharing of sensitive war plans on Signal, sources say

Axios: Democrat announces articles of impeachment against Hegseth

Axios: Scoop: Johnson blindsided by Trump's Cuellar pardon

MS Now: Trump administration pauses immigration from 19 countries

Axios: Federal judge restricts warrantless immigration arrests in D.C.

Axios: Trump says Witkoff and Kushner had "a very good" meeting with Putin

AP News: Europeans accuse Putin of feigning interest in peace after talks with US envoys

Axios: Trump's name added to US Institute of Peace

AP News: Shredded cheese sold in dozens of states recalled due to potential for metal fragment contamination

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Wednesday, December 3rd, 2025 - TN’s close election; Trump’s 150-post spiral & cabinet meeting chaos; Patel’s FBI jacket tantrum; Ukraine-Russia talks Dec 03, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Republican Matt Van Epps narrowly won Tennessee’s special election, which is… not exactly a flex for the GOP given the district. Meanwhile, Trump went on a full midnight Truth Social bender — 150 posts of pure nonsense — including a retweet of Kristi Noem calling for a “full travel ban” on basically whoever she feels like. He kept the chaos going at a two-hour Cabinet meeting where he bragged about his cognitive test, nodded off, and let Noem announce immigration crackdowns in Minnesota’s Somali community. Pete Hegseth used his time to deny ordering the killing of survivors of U.S. boat strikes and promised more strikes off Venezuela, as a Signalgate review is set to be released. Kash Patel didn’t fare much better in the news cycle, a leaked 115-page report from FBI veterans called the bureau under him a fear-soaked disaster run by a guy who once refused to leave a plane until someone found him a properly patched FBI jacket. In more anit-immigration adjacent news, Brooke Rollins is threatening to pause SNAP funds for states refusing to share immigrant data. Sabrina Carpenter, however, wants zero association with ICE after they used her music in a raid montage. And like we all knew would happen, Senate Republicans appear to have abandoned the plan to extend Obamacare subsidies before premiums spike in January (shocking). Finally, billionaire Michael Dell and his wife are tossing $6.25 billion into “Trump accounts” for kids, while Treasury kicks in $1,000 for children born during Trump’s term, and Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff spent four hours in the Kremlin with Putin discussing their ever-mutating “peace plan.”

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

NBC News: Tennessee House Special Election 2025 Live Results: Matt Van Epps Wins, NBC News Projects

The Independent: Trump goes on late-night social media rant demanding Democrats who spoke out on military justice be jailed

NYT: Kristi Noem Recommends New Travel Ban After National Guard Shooting

Axios: ICE coming for Minneapolis after Trump targets Somalis

CNN: Fact check: Trump delivers long list of false claims at Cabinet meeting

Axios: Scoop: Pentagon's internal "Signalgate" review sent to Congress

Yahoo: Kash Patel Justifies Jacket Meltdown by Saying He Wanted a Kid’s Size

Axios: SNAP benefits at risk as states resist Trump immigration data demands

AP News: Sabrina Carpenter and Franklin the Turtle publisher condemn Trump administration's use of their work

AP News: Chances dwindling for renewal of health care subsidies, risking premium spikes for millions

WaPo: Dell CEO pledges $6 billion to ‘Trump accounts’ for American children

Axios: Witkoff and Kushner met Putin for five hours on Ukraine plan

Telegraph: Putin: We’re ready for war with Europe

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Tuesday, December 2nd, 2025 - Habba booted; Trump’s MRI mystery; FBI’s Patel probe; Costco vs Trump tariffs; Schumer’s bomb threats; Smartphones = bad for kids Dec 02, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Trump’s personal lawyer Alina Habba just got bounced by the 3rd Circuit as New Jersey’s top federal prosecutor, because—surprise!—she was never legally appointed in the first place. Meanwhile, Trump picked a fight with Tim Walz, accidentally revealed he got an MRI, then insisted he has no idea what body part it scanned… but definitely not his brain because he “aced” a cognitive test. His doctor then released a memo assuring us his MRI was “pretty normal,” which is exactly what you’d say if it wasn’t. Trump is also defending Pete Hegseth, who’s accused of war crimes after reportedly ordering a second strike on survivors of a boat attack. House Democrats are digging into FBI Director Kash Patel for allegedly using government jets as his personal Vegas shuttle to visit his girlfriend (and let her take joyrides too). In totally normal news, the administration is also taking an equity stake—yes, equity—in a new chip startup founded by Intel’s former CEO, while Costco is suing to get refunds on tariffs that were apparently collected illegally. Additionally, three of Chuck Schumer’s offices got MAGA-themed bomb threats. And finally, new research says giving kids smartphones before age 12 dramatically increases their risks of depression, obesity, and terrible sleep. A separate study found that even a one-week social media detox noticeably improves mental health.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

AP News: Former Trump lawyer Alina Habba is disqualified as top New Jersey prosecutor, US appeals court rules

PBS: Trump says he’ll release MRI results but doesn’t know what part of his body was scanned

WaPo: White House says Trump got MRI for ‘preventive’ cardiovascular check-up

Axios: Trump backs Hegseth as Congress plans boat strike review

Axios: House Democrats investigate Kash Patel's use of FBI jet

WSJ: Trump Administration to Take Equity Stake in Former Intel CEO’s Chip Startup

NBC News: Costco sues the Trump administration, seeking a refund of tariffs

Axios: Multiple bomb threats at Schumer's New York offices

Axios: Smartphones at age 12 linked to worse health

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Monday, December 1st, 2025 - DC shooting; Sedition probe; Hegseth’s “kill them all”; Kushner’s Russia deals; Bibi asks for pardon; FDA kills asbestos testing & more Dec 01, 2025

Today’s Headlines: A CIA-trained Afghan asylum recipient shot two National Guard members in DC—one fatally—prompting Trump to announce (on his little app) a “pause” on all migration from “third world countries”. The administration is now freezing asylum and Afghan visas while somehow avoiding the question of why the National Guard is still posted in DC at all. Meanwhile, the Trump team is escalating its hunt for “sedition,” with the FBI now interviewing the six Democratic veterans who reminded troops not to follow illegal orders. And in the Department of Defense (War), Pete Hegseth allegedly ordered a second strike to kill survivors of a botched boat attack—something even a few Senate Republicans have decided is maybe a bridge too far. Trump also pardoned former Honduran president and convicted drug trafficker Juan Orlando Hernández, who immediately went home like it was checkout time at Club Fed. On the Ukraine front, Rubio, Kushner, and Steve Witkoff are still trying to spin their “peace plan,” which reporting suggests was always just a giant business deal in disguise. The drama deepened when Zelensky’s chief-of-staff Andriy Yermak resigned after a corruption raid and announced he’s headed to the front lines. In other news, the families of Americans killed or injured on Oct. 7 are suing Binance for allegedly helping fund Hamas and other militant groups—just weeks after Trump pardoned Binance’s founder. Over in Israel, Netanyahu is trying to get a presidential pardon mid-trial because sure, why the heck not. Additionally, hundreds of New Yorkers blocked what looked like an ICE raid with their bodies and literal piles of garbage bags, Senate Republicans are gearing up to fight basic car-safety rules, and RFK Jr. just ditched asbestos testing for talc cosmetics because…MAHA. Finally, GOP Rep. Troy Nehls is retiring, but don’t celebrate too hard—his identical twin is already lining up to take his spot.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

WSJ: National Guard Soldier Dies a Day After D.C. Shooting

AP News: US halts all asylum decisions after shooting of National Guard members

CNBC: FBI seeks to interview Sen. Mark Kelly, other Democrats Trump accused of seditious behavior

WaPo: Hegseth order on first Caribbean boat strike, officials say: Kill them all

The Hill: Senators vow oversight after report Hegseth told troops to ‘kill everybody’ in boat strike

AP News: Trump says he plans to pardon former Honduran President Hernandez for 2024 drug trafficking sentence

AP News: Rubio says US-Ukraine talks on Russia war were productive but much work remains in search of a deal

WSJ: Make Money Not War: Trump’s Real Plan for Peace in Ukraine

Kyiv Independent: Zelensky's ex-chief of staff Yermak says he's 'going to the front' after resigning amid corruption probe

NY Times: Hamas Victims’ Families Sue Binance, Accusing It of Aiding Terrorism

The Jerusalem Post: Netanyahu's pardon bid tied to pressure on Israel's courts

NYT: Several Arrested as Protesters Block ICE Agents From a Potential Raid in NYC

WSJ: Senate Committee to Challenge Auto-Safety Mandates That Hurt ‘Affordability’

The Guardian: FDA poised to kill proposal that would require asbestos testing for cosmetics

Axios: Trump ally Troy Nehls joins growing group of retiring House members

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Wednesday, November 26th, 2025 - Ukraine peace talks; Bolsonaro’s failed DIY escape; 9/11 cover-up; Healthcare goes up; Congress panic buttons & more Nov 26, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Ukraine’s peace talks are… somehow happening. Zelensky has mostly accepted Russia’s 28-point plan, with “minor” tweaks, and might swing by the U.S. to finalize it. Meanwhile, Army Secretary Dan Driscoll met Russia’s delegation in Abu Dhabi, where Sergey Lavrov warned they won’t accept changes that differ from whatever secret “understanding” Trump and Putin supposedly made in Alaska. Over in Venezuela, Trump labeled President Nicolás Maduro the head of a terrorist organization while also planning to call him. The administration insists they’re not plotting to “shoot or snatch” him but will continue blowing up drug-running boats.In Brazil, Bolsonaro tried to melt off his ankle monitor with a soldering iron and was re-arrested for attempted escape — yet Trump claims he talked to him “last night” and expects to meet him soon. Unless Trump plans to take a meeting in a Brazilian prison, it looks like Jair was maybe making a break for the U.S. embassy before being forced to start serving his 27-year sentence. Israel reportedly killed Hezbollah’s new top commander, Haytham Ali Tabatabai, in Beirut, which would not calm anything down. In other news, newly uncovered documents show NYC knew how toxic the air around Ground Zero was and still let thousands of first responders breathe it in. Almost 10,000 have died from related illnesses. Truly shocking behavior from Rudy Giuliani’s New York (said no one). Healthcare premiums are spiking nationwide, and Trump was planning to announce a two-year extension of Obamacare subsidies — until Speaker Mike Johnson told him House Republicans weren’t on board. Hope those early retirements come through! The Justice Department wants to unseal grand jury transcripts from the Epstein and Maxwell cases under the new transparency law. And finally, with threats against lawmakers rising, the House is doubling security funding: members will now get $20k a month for personal protection and access to a new silent-alert app.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

CNN: Ukraine talks gain momentum as US and Russian officials meet in Abu Dhabi

Axios: Scoop: Trump ready to talk with Maduro over Venezuela drug strikes

NYT: How a Sabotaged Ankle Monitor Ended Bolsonaro’s House Arrest

WSJ: He Was Rebuilding Hezbollah—Until an Israeli Missile Found Him in Beirut

NBC New York: FDNY firefighters demand answers on newfound documents detailing toxic dust after 9/11

Reuters: Trump plans to propose extending Obamacare subsidies, report says

AP News: Justice Department renews bid to unseal Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell grand jury materials

Axios: U.S. House ramps up security as lawmakers' fears rise

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Tuesday, November 25th, 2025 - Comey & James cases tossed; Mark Kelly targeted; MAGA eyes exit; DOGE disappears; X outs foreign trolls & more Nov 25, 2025

Today’s Headlines: A judge just tossed the Trump administration’s cases against James Comey and Letitia James because prosecutor Lindsey Halligan wasn’t legally appointed. The cases could technically come back… except the statute of limitations already expired for Comey. Meanwhile, the Pentagon is now investigating Senator Mark Kelly for “sedition” over that video telling troops not to follow illegal orders — and they can only target him because he’s the only veteran in the group who’s formally retired. In MAGA meltdown news, Punchbowl is reporting more House Republicans are eyeing the exits as they brace for a midterm wipeout and the likely end of Mike Johnson’s speakership. DOGE — Elon and Trump’s short-lived Department of Government Efficiency — has also mysteriously vanished eight months early after accomplishing…well, nothing. Speaking of Elon, Twitter/X’s new transparency feature instantly exposed a bunch of “patriotic American” MAGA accounts as being run from places like Russia, Nigeria, and Portugal. The feature was turned off, then on again, like someone panicking with a light switch. In actual public health news, Gallup says nearly 1 in 10 Americans have been diagnosed with cancer — the highest yet — even though death rates have improved. Age is still the #1 risk factor. And finally, Xi Jinping called Trump to pitch his “Taiwan belongs to China” position. Trump later bragged that Xi invited him to Beijing but conveniently forgot to mention Taiwan at all. Shocking no one, it doesn’t seem to be his favorite geopolitical toy.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

CNN: Federal judge dismisses indictments against Letitia James and James Comey, saying Lindsey Halligan appointment was unlawful

AP News: Pentagon says it's investigating Sen. Mark Kelly over video urging troops to defy 'illegal orders'

Punchbowl: What MTG got right

Yahoo: Musk’s DOGE Quietly Killed Off After Delivering Almost Nothing

NBC News: X's new location transparency feature unleashes questions about origins of MAGA accounts

Axios: Nearly 1 in 10 Americans report a cancer diagnosis

WSJ: China’s Xi Calls Trump in Unusual Move to Discuss Taiwan, Ukraine

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Monday, November 24th, 2025 - Coast Guard backpedals; Russian approved Ukraine plan; MTG quits; Maxwell will plead the 5th & more Nov 24, 2025

Today’s Headlines: The Coast Guard spent five minutes trying to downgrade swastikas and nooses to “divisive” before the backlash hit so hard they panic-reversed the policy before Friday’s episode even aired. In overseas chaos, a so-called 28-point “peace plan” for Ukraine turned out to be a Russian document, handed off to Don Jr. in Miami. It demands Ukraine give up more land or lose U.S. protection, and Trump wants Zelensky to sign it by Thursday.Also, a Welsh politician got 10 years for taking Russian bribes, Venezuela thinks the U.S. might overthrow Maduro, and American troops “accidentally” put up U.S. military warning signs on a Mexican beach. Argentina’s giant bailout deflated into a tiny loan and MTG is resigning (right after locking in her pension). Trump also had a bizarrely wholesome meeting with NYC mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani. In domestic chaos, we still don’t have the Epstein files and Ghislaine Maxwell will be pleading the Fifth. DOJ is investigating whether Trump’s own appointees used fake “federal investigators” to dig up dirt on Adam Schiff, and Border Patrol has a secret program scanning millions of U.S. drivers because “border” apparently now means “everywhere.” And finally, a Texas official overseeing the Alamo was forced out after the site’s Twitter posted both Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples’ Day messages for being “woke”.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

PBS: The Coast Guard planned to change how it described swastikas and nooses. Then came the outcry and an updated policy

NBC News: U.S. and Ukraine hold peace deal talks as lawmakers and allies voice concerns over Russian 'wish list'

Axios: Zelensky agrees to negotiate on Trump's peace plan for Ukraine

CNN: Former key figure in UK populist party Reform jailed for taking bribes to make pro-Russia statements

BBC: Venezuelan official says 'no doubt' Trump wants to overthrow government

Newsweek: Did U.S. troops accidentally invade Mexico beach? What to know

WSJ: U.S. Banks Shelve $20 Billion Bailout Plan for Argentina

NBC News: Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene to resign in January

CNN: New Yorkers praise Zohran Mamdani’s charm offensive on Trump, say they remain cautiously optimistic

Politico: Ghislaine Maxwell will plead Fifth in House Epstein probe, Comer says - Live Updates

Axios: Justice Department investigating own handling of Adam Schiff probe: reports

AP News: Border Patrol is monitoring US drivers and detaining those with 'suspicious' travel patterns

WaPo: Republicans overseeing Alamo renovation ousted

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Friday, November 21st, 2025 - Epstein Act signed; Trump threats; Coastguard rebrands swastikas; Student loan caps; RFK Jr.’s CDC cancels science Nov 21, 2025

Today’s Headlines: President Trump finally announced that he signed the Epstein Files Transparency Act — though we still haven’t actually seen the signature. AG Pam Bondi now has 30 days to release the files. Then, in true Trump escalation fashion, he hopped back online to call for the arrest and death penalty for several Democratic lawmakers — all military or intel veterans — after they released a video reminding service members not to follow illegal orders. Trump labeled it “seditious behavior, punishable by death!” The White House later tried to clean it up, insisting Trump does not want to execute Democrats. Meanwhile, the U.S. Coast Guard quietly rewrote its policies so that swastikas, nooses, and Confederate flags are no longer “hate symbols” but merely “potentially divisive.” Nothing says troop readiness like officially pretending racism is a quirky personality trait. In New York, Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani is meeting Trump at the White House today — a meeting Mamdani’s team requested, even as Trump is withholding $18 billion in federal funding for NYC infrastructure. Immigration crackdowns continue: A federal judge ruled Trump’s deployment of National Guard troops to D.C. illegal — though the ruling is paused for 21 days so the administration can appeal. Meanwhile, the immigration sweep in North Carolina wrapped up with over 250 arrests, and the next wave of 250 federal agents is headed for New Orleans. The Department of Education also dropped its new student loan rules, recategorizing a bunch of very real, very necessary professions — nursing, social work, counseling, cybersecurity, engineering, OT, PA, teaching — as not professional degrees. The result, lower lifetime borrowing caps for the people we literally need the most. And lastly, the CDC’s vaccine safety page has now been rewritten to align with RFK Jr.’s long-debunked conspiracy theories about vaccines and autism. Science is cancelled, apparently.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

AP News: Trump signs bill to release Jeffrey Epstein case files after fighting it for months

WSJ: Trump Calls for Arrest of Democrats Who Urged Troops to Disobey Illegal Orders

Axios: House Dem leaders contact Capitol Police after Trump "death threats"

WaPo: Coast Guard will no longer classify swastikas, nooses as hate symbols

Axios: Trump, White House coy on unfreezing NYC funds before Mamdani meeting

AP News: Judge orders Trump administration to end National Guard deployment in DC

AP News: Charlotte immigration crackdown goes on, Homeland Security says, despite sheriff saying it ended

AAU: Proposal to Implement Loan Caps Threatens Access to Professional Degree Programs

AP News: CDC website changed to contradict scientific conclusion that vaccines don't cause autism

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Thursday, November 20th, 2025 - Epstein files still MIA; Comey case - botched; Ukraine update; Trump slams Powell; Nicki Minaj at the UN?! Nov 20, 2025

Today’s Headlines: The Senate unanimously passed the Epstein Files Transparency Act, but Trump still hasn’t signed it — and with new “active investigations” conveniently launched by AG Pam Bondi, there’s a built-in excuse to redact whatever he wants. And again: Trump could release the files anytime, so the delay is… telling. Trump’s politically motivated case against James Comey is unraveling after it came out the grand jury never saw the actual final indictment. On Ukraine, Trump is floating a plan that would hand Russia more eastern territory in exchange for a U.S. “security guarantee” for Ukraine — which seems like a great way to encourage more Russian aggression. At the U.S.–Saudi investment forum, Trump publicly trashed his own Fed chair and threatened his Treasury Secretary over interest rates. Totally stable behavior. And finally, Nicki Minaj is now functioning as Trump’s unofficial diplomat, giving a U.N. speech about alleged anti-Christian extremism in Nigeria — a claim contradicted by actual data and Nigeria’s own government, but politically useful for the administration, so here we are.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

CNBC: Senators push for probe into Trump-linked crypto firm over token sales tied to North Korea and Russia

AP News: New hurdle in Comey case as Trump's Justice Department faces questions about the grand jury process

Axios: Scoop: Trump plan asks Ukraine to cede additional territory for security guarantee

Axios: Trump on Fed Chair Powell: "I'd love to fire his ass"

Rolling Stone: 'Faith Is Under Attack': Nicki Minaj Spreads Misleading Information at the United Nations

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Wednesday, November 19th, 2025 - 427-1 Epstein files vote; MBS gets a pass, Trump’s tantrum; TX gerrymandered map blocked Nov 19, 2025

Today’s Headlines: The House finally voted on releasing the Epstein files, and it was a blowout: 427–1, with Louisiana Republican Clay Higgins as the lone no vote. Speaker Mike Johnson is still trying to get the Senate to redact names (interesting), but survivors held a powerful press conference beforehand urging Trump to stop playing politics and just release the files himself. Meanwhile, the first real accountability domino fell: Larry Summers is stepping back from Harvard and the Center for American Progress over his deep Epstein ties — though OpenAI’s board is staying suspiciously quiet about whether he’s out there too. Over in the Oval Office, Trump hosted Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman for what was supposed to be a big investment-and-F-35s photo op, but it immediately derailed when reporters asked about Epstein and, awkwardly, MBS’s role in the murder of Jamal Khashoggi. Trump waved that off with a casual “things happen,” then snapped at ABC’s Mary Bruce for asking why he hasn’t released the Epstein files, calling her a “terrible reporter” and demanding ABC lose its broadcast license. Very normal, very innocent behavior. In foreign policy news, the UK has reportedly stopped sharing intel on drug smuggling boats over concerns about recent U.S. strikes — something Secretary of State Marco Rubio swears is absolutely not happening because “it didn’t come up once.” The courts were also busy. A federal judge said the DOJ’s case against James Comey may have been tainted by “profound investigative missteps,” another court blocked Texas’s new gerrymandered congressional map for 2026 (pending the inevitable SCOTUS appeal), and a bankruptcy judge finally approved a $7 billion Purdue Pharma settlement after six years of legal trench warfare — money that will go to families, governments, hospitals, and tribes devastated by the opioid crisis.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

CNN: Live updates: Trump presidency, Epstein files release heads to House for vote

AP News: Former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers steps down from public commitments after Epstein emails

ABC News: Trump defends Saudi crown prince over Khashoggi killing, threatens ABC News in White House meeting – as it happened | Mohammed bin Salman

People: Donald Trump Lashes Out at ABC Reporter over Another Epstein Question, Saying 'Your Crappy Company' Should Lose Its FCC License

NBC News: U.K. withholds intelligence on alleged drug boats over U.S. strikes, sources say

CNN: Judge says James Comey indictment may be tainted by ‘profound investigative missteps’

Democracy Docket: Federal Court Blocks Texas Gerrymander - Democracy Docket

Financial Times: Judge rules Purdue Pharma must pay $7bn in bankruptcy settlement

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Tuesday, November 18th, 2025 - Trump’s Epstein files flip-flop; Markets tank; Patel’s GF security detail; Kash’s GF gets fed perks; FEMA Chief quits Nov 18, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Trump did a full-speed-reverse on Sunday night, suddenly telling House Republicans to go ahead and vote for releasing the Epstein files—after spending months trying to stop exactly that. By Monday he was even claiming he’d sign a bill to release them, adding the very believable disclaimer: “but don’t talk about it too much.” To change the subject, he floated a new promise: $2,000 “tariff dividend” checks for middle-income Americans next year—right around the midterms. Nothing says “stop asking about sexual misconduct” quite like a surprise government check. Meanwhile, FBI Director Kash Patel’s country singer girlfriend has been assigned her own FBI security detail—yes, on your dime—which is unusual even by this administration’s standards. Airports should be mostly back to normal this week now that FAA restrictions are lifted with the end of the shutdown. At FEMA, acting director David Richardson resigned after a rough seven months and a disastrously mishandled Texas flood response. Karen Evans, FEMA’s current chief of staff, will take over. Markets took a nosedive, with the major indexes seeing their worst day since Liberation Day. The AI bubble might finally be bursting, especially after new filings showed Peter Thiel’s fund and SoftBank both dumped their Nvidia stakes. Finally, a new mental health study found that social media creators are burning out at alarming rates—1 in 10 have had suicidal thoughts tied directly to their work, two-thirds say their self-worth drops when posts underperform, and nearly 70% say their income is totally unpredictable. The Internet economy is thriving; its workers are not.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

Politico: Trump does Epstein U-turn as House Republicans prepare to spurn him

Axios: Trump says he would sign law to release Epstein documents

Axios: Trump promises $2,000 tariff checks by mid-2026

Forbes: FBI Director Patel’s Girlfriend Has FBI Security Detail, Report Says

NBC: FAA has lifted emergency flight reductions used to ease staffing pressure during government shutdown

WSJ: FEMA Chief David Richardson Resigns

WSJ: Market Rout Intensifies, Sweeping Up Everything From Tech to Crypto to Gold

Reuters: Peter Thiel's fund offloaded Nvidia stake in third quarter, filing shows

Fast Company: Creators are suffering from a mental health crisis, new study shows

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Monday, November 17th, 2025 - Epstein files vote; GOP panic grows; Trump vs MTG; Flynn demands $50M; Tariff rollback; IN won’t gerrymander…for now Nov 17, 2025

Today’s Headlines: The House is gearing up for a major vote on Wednesday to force the DOJ to release the Epstein files—and suddenly a lot more Republicans are ready to say “yes” now that it’s happening in public. Rep. Thomas Massie says they could have 100+ GOP votes and maybe even build a veto-proof majority. Meanwhile, Trump is trying to steer the conversation elsewhere, calling on AG Pam Bondi to investigate Epstein’s ties to Clinton, Larry Summers, Reid Hoffman, and JP Morgan—even though Donald Trump himself is the single most mentioned person across those emails. Trump also found time to wage war on Marjorie Taylor Greene, calling her “Marjorie Traitor Greene”. MTG went on CNN to say she’s “humbly sorry” for toxic politics and wants the Epstein files released, which… we’ll believe when we see it. In other Epstein-adjacent news, several employees at Ghislaine Maxwell’s prison were reportedly fired after a whistleblower exposed how much special treatment she’s been getting. The DOJ is also in settlement talks with Michael Flynn, who’s somehow demanding $50 million in damages for being prosecuted for lying to the FBI back in 2017. As for another distraction tactic, Trump implemented a major rollback of tariffs on beef, coffee, fruits, nuts, spices. He’s also rattling sabers with Venezuela as the USS Gerald Ford arrived in the Caribbean. Meanwhile ICE is expanding its aggressive raid tactics to Charlotte and New Orleans. And finally, Indiana lawmakers delivered Trump another L by refusing to redraw their state maps, despite his team begging them to come to the Oval Office so he can “convince” them.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

AP News: Many House Republicans will back a bill to release Epstein files, leaders of the effort say

CNN: Trump says he’s asking Justice Department to investigate Epstein’s ties to slew of high-profile figures

CNN: Trump administration news as Epstein files vote approaches

CNN: Prison employees have been terminated after Ghislaine Maxwell’s email messages were shared, her lawyer says

The New Republic: Justice Department Prepares to Pay Trump Ally Michael Flynn Millions

WSJ: Trump Implements Major Rollback of Food Tariffs

NBC News: U.S. aircraft carrier arrives in the Caribbean Sea in major buildup near Venezuela

Axios: The cities Trump is targeting with ICE crackdowns next

Politico: Indiana redistricting push likely dead despite White House pressure

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Friday, November 14th, 2025 - Epstein drop receipts; Gaetz scandal re-enters the chat; Trump’s retaliation tour; Starbucks strike; Penny gets cancelled Nov 14, 2025

Today’s Headlines: The internet is still digging through the 20,000 Epstein estate documents, but the big takeaways so far: Trump and Epstein were apparently still in contact during Trump’s first term, Epstein seemed to know Trump’s flight schedule, and he even told journalist Michael Wolff he had the dirt to “take Trump down,” including alleged details about Trump’s finances and money laundering for a Russian oligarch. Meanwhile, new NYT reporting revisits the Matt Gaetz scandal, centering on the 17-year-old girl he paid for sex. She describes how she was homeless, trying to afford braces, and ended up connected to Gaetz through his associate Joel Greenberg. She later became the key witness in the DOJ’s trafficking investigation—which ultimately went nowhere. On the political-retaliation tour, the Trump administration just referred Democrat Eric Swalwell to the DOJ for possible mortgage and tax fraud, courtesy of Trump ally Bill Pulte (the 50-year-mortgage guy). And the DOJ is also probing former CIA Director John Brennan under a theory that he and Obama were part of a long-running “deep state” plot against Trump. Elsewhere, 1,000 Starbucks workers went on strike on Red Cup Day, and after 232 years, the U.S. Treasury is finally killing off the penny—because spending 3 cents to make 1 cent is just bad math.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

NPR: House committee releases over 20,000 documents from Epstein estate

NYT: How a 17-Year-Old Girl Became Enmeshed in the Matt Gaetz Scandal

NBC News: Trump official refers Rep. Eric Swalwell for a federal criminal probe over alleged mortgage fraud

NYT: Trump Loyalists Push ‘Grand Conspiracy’ as New Subpoenas Land

CNBC: Starbucks workers union launches strike in more than 40 cities on chain's key holiday sales day

NYT: U.S. Mint Presses Final Penny After More Than 200 Years - The New York Times

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Thursday, November 13th, 2025 - Congress votes to reopen; 20k Epstein bombshells; Grijalva sworn in; ICE ordered to release 300 detainees & more Nov 13, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Congress finally voted to reopen the government and the public got a big (and messy) taste of the Epstein files. It started when House Democrats released three emails from Epstein’s estate showing him telling Ghislaine Maxwell in 2011 that Trump “knew about the girls.” Hours later, Oversight Chair James Comer just went full chaos mode and dumped 20,000 emails online. The messages include Epstein calling Trump “borderline insane” and “the worst person he knows,” bragging about knowing Trump’s schedule during his presidency, and even offering a European official insight into Trump before the 2018 Putin meeting. Meanwhile, Rep. Adelita Grijalva was finally sworn in after being blocked for seven weeks—literally so she couldn’t sign the petition forcing a vote to release the Epstein files. Now that she’s in, the vote’s happening next week. Trump reportedly begged Lauren Boebert to pull her name from the petition, which, shocker, didn’t go over well. Even if the House votes yes, the whole thing could still die in the Senate or under Trump’s veto. Also yesterday, a judge ordered ICE to release over 300 immigrants who were illegally detained in Illinois, and the White House said October’s inflation and jobs reports will never be released—apparently because the government shutdown broke the data pipeline.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

House Oversight Committee: House Oversight Committee Releases Jeffrey Epstein Email Correspondence, Raising Questions About White House Coverup of Epstein Files

NBC News: Bipartisan duo secures signatures to force a House vote to release Epstein files

The New Republic: Trump Begs Lauren Boebert to Take Her Name Off Epstein Files Petition

Politico: Epstein files vote happening next week, Johnson says - Live Updates

Axios Chicago: Federal judge orders release of over 300 immigrants detained by ICE

WSJ: White House Says October Jobs, Inflation Reports Unlikely to Be Released

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Wednesday, November 12th, 2025 - Gov’t STILL shutdown; Weed outlawed again; , Epstein files on deck…maybe; Trump sues BBC Nov 12, 2025

Today’s Headlines: The government’s still shut down—but hey, the Senate finally passed a funding package, which now heads to the House so they can, you know, maybe reopen the country. The deal only funds things until January and gives Democrats a pinky promise to hold a vote on extending Obamacare subsidies next month. Meanwhile, hidden inside the bill is a clause letting senators sue the government for $500,000 if their phone records were searched in the January 6th probe. There’s also a proposal to recriminalize THC and hemp-derived products, which would basically nuke a $30 billion industry overnight. The Supreme Court just extended the Trump administration’s ability to block SNAP payments through Thursday, so… no rush on feeding people. Elsewhere, the House is finally about to have enough signatures to force a vote on releasing the Epstein files once Adelita Grijalva finally gets sworn in today. But don’t get too excited—it probably won’t happen until December, if ever. Trump, meanwhile, is asking the Supreme Court to toss out the $5 million he owes E. Jean Carroll, and one of his pardoned Jan. 6 guys just got re-arrested for kidnapping and sexual assault. So that’s going great. Overseas, the BBC is melting down after an independent report found major bias issues and a Hamas-adjacent narrator situation. Two execs have already resigned, and Trump’s threatening to sue them for $1 billion because a documentary made him look bad (like, worse than usual). And in D.C., plastic surgeons say “Mar-a-Lago face” is the latest cosmetic trend—apparently, looking filler-blind is in.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

Axios: Senate passes package to end record government shutdown

MSNBC: Republicans use spending bill to empower themselves to sue over phone records searches

The Hill: Federal THC ban send hemp companies scrambling

CBS News: Democrat Adelita Grijalva to be sworn in 7 weeks after winning House election

Axios: Trump asks Supreme Court to toss $5 million E. Jean verdict

NY Post: Former Jan. 6 defendant who shot gun in air during Capitol riot charged with kidnapping and sexual assault?

Telegraph: US may deny visas for fat foreigners

Telegraph: BBC’s bias ‘pushed Hamas lies around the world’

WSJ: BBC Director General and News Chief Resign After Criticism of Editorial Practices

Axios: DC plastic surgeons getting "Mar-a-Lago face" requests from Trump insiders

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Tuesday, November 11th, 2025 - Dems fold; Trump pardons pals, stops SNAP; Pasta tariffs; Maxwell seeking commutation & more Nov 11, 2025

Today’s Headlines: The government shutdown drags on, and Trump’s threatening to dock pay for absent air traffic controllers while offering $10K bonuses to the ones still working. Meanwhile, over 3,000 flights were delayed, and courts once again ruled that the administration has to pay full SNAP benefits (even after Trump told states to undo them). In his downtime, Trump pardoned Rudy Giuliani and 76 other allies tied to the 2020 election plot, and a whistleblower claims Ghislaine Maxwell is getting “concierge treatment” in prison while seeking a commutation. Elsewhere, Trump met with Syria’s new president—once labeled a terrorist—and lifted sanctions, all while his defense secretary bragged about more U.S. strikes. The Supreme Court shut down Kim Davis’s attempt to overturn marriage equality, a judge blocked Trump’s National Guard deployments to Portland protests, and a grand jury subpoenaed former intel officials from the Mueller era. Trump also ordered the DOJ to investigate meatpacking monopolies as beef prices spike 13%, Italy’s pasta exporters are ditching the U.S. over 107% tariffs (justice for spaghetti), and TikTok Shop just hit $19 billion in sales—matching eBay.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

WSJ: Trump Threatens to Dock Pay of Absent Air-Traffic Controllers

Axios: Democrats fold on biggest government shutdown demand

Axios: Trump pardons Giuliani, 76 others accused of bid to overturn 2020 election

NBC News: Jeffrey Epstein co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell plans to seek commutation from Trump, whistleblower says

NYT: Syria’s President Meets Trump at White House for First Time

NYT: U.S. Military Kills 6 in Strikes on Suspected Drug Boats, Hegseth Says

AP News: Supreme Court rejects call to overturn its decision legalizing same-sex marriage nationwide

NYT: Judge Permanently Blocks National Guard Deployments to Portland for ICE Protests

CBS News: Grand jury subpoenas former CIA chief Brennan and 2 ex-FBI officials linked to Trump-Russia probe, source says

Axios: Trump orders Justice Department probe of meatpackers over prices

WSJ: Italian Pasta Is Poised to Disappear From American Grocery Shelves

Wired: TikTok Shop Is Now the Size of eBay

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Monday, November 10th, 2025 - Shutdown talks; SCOTUS blocks SNAP payments; Trump rambles on, meets with Orbán; FL vs. Planned Parenthood & more Nov 10, 2025

Today’s Headlines: The government shutdown just passed 40 days, but there’s finally a flicker of hope: the Senate reached a tentative deal to reopen the government through January, with at least 10 Democrats agreeing to back a short-term funding bill in exchange for a vote next month on extending Obamacare tax credits—a proposal many Democrats previously called “laughable.” Meanwhile, the Supreme Court temporarily blocked a lower court’s order requiring the Trump administration to fully fund SNAP benefits, and Trump’s USDA quickly told states to stop processing payments. Trump also floated a flurry of financial gimmicks over the weekend—like 50-year mortgages, direct cash “subsidies,” and a $2,000 tariff dividend—while his own Treasury Secretary contradicted him on national TV. Abroad, Trump met with Hungary’s Viktor Orbán, granting him a sanctions exemption on Russian oil in exchange for $600 million in U.S. gas contracts. The shutdown is also stalling weapons sales to Ukraine and NATO allies and causing massive flight delays ahead of Thanksgiving. Elsewhere, Cornell struck a controversial deal with the administration to restore funding after discrimination probes, Florida sued Planned Parenthood over abortion pill safety (again, against all science), and in Virginia, a 19-year-old college student beat his former high school teacher in a local election—proving democracy sometimes delivers sequels no one saw coming.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

Axios: Deal to end government shutdown in reach

Axios: Democrats name their price on ending government shutdown

AP News: Supreme Court issues emergency order to block full SNAP food aid payments

Axios: Trump administration orders states to "undo" full SNAP benefits

Axios: Trump again promises $2,000 tariff dividend as SCOTUS decision looms

Axios: Tariffs aren't meant for revenue and will shrink over time, Bessent says

NYT: Trump Gives Hungary a Reprieve on Sanctions After Meeting With Orban

Axios: Scoop: Weapons sales to NATO allies stalled by government shutdown

Axios: Duffy: Air travel will slow to a "trickle" before Thanksgiving

NYT: Cornell Reaches Deal With Trump Administration to Restore Research Funds

Mother Jones: Florida Takes On Planned Parenthood

NYT: Virginia Teen Narrowly Defeats His Former Civics Teacher in County Election

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Friday, November 7th, 2025 - Pelosi to retire; SNAP update; Heritage Foundation chaos; FIFA’s “Peace Prize”; Elon’s $1T payday Nov 07, 2025

Today’s Headlines: House Democrats want no-longer-Prince Andrew to testify about his ties to Jeffrey Epstein. Meanwhile, Nancy Pelosi announced her retirement, with California Sen. Scott Wiener emerging as the establishment pick — though AOC’s ex–campaign manager Saikat Chakrabarti plans to run too. A federal judge ruled again that Trump must fully fund SNAP benefits by today, but the DOJ is appealing. Trump also struck a deal with Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to cap Ozempic-style drugs at $50 for Medicare and Medicaid patients next year. In smaller but iconic justice news, the D.C. “sandwich guy” who threw a sub at an ICE agent was found not guilty of assault. The Heritage Foundation is in “open revolt” after its president defended Tucker Carlson for hosting white supremacist Nick Fuentes. Staffers, including members of its antisemitism task force, have quit. Meanwhile, FIFA announced a mysterious new “peace prize” ahead of the World Cup draw in D.C., which insiders say Trump demanded after missing out on a Nobel. And Tesla’s board is set to hand Elon Musk a $1 trillion compensation deal.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

Politico: House Oversight Democrats call on embattled royal Andrew Windsor to testify - Live Updates

Politico: California’s attorney general endorses Scott Wiener to succeed Pelosi

NYT: Judge Orders Trump Administration to Fully Fund SNAP Benefits This Month

WaPo: Trump, long fixated on ‘fat drug,’ announces deal to lower its price

WaPo: Jury finds D.C. ‘sandwich guy’ not guilty of assaulting officer

WaPo: Heritage staff in open revolt over leader’s defense of Tucker Carlson

Axios: Trump teased as possible first FIFA Peace Prize winner

CNBC: Elon Musk expected to prevail in Tesla shareholder vote over CEO's $1 trillion pay plan

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Thursday, November 6th, 2025 - Dems keep momentum; Shutdown breaks record; SCOTUS hears tariff arguments; UPS crash probe Nov 06, 2025

Today’s Headlines: More election results are in, and Democrats are mostly keeping their momentum from Tuesday. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey was re-elected, fending off a challenge from democratic socialist Ahmed Fatah. In Maine, voters approved a new red flag gun law and Colorado passed a statewide measure to fund free school lunches for all kids—because Colorado stays ahead of the curve. Meanwhile, California Republicans have already filed a federal lawsuit to block the new congressional map voters approved under Prop 50, claiming it violates the 14th and 15th Amendments. And in Maine, Democratic Rep. Jared Golden—one of the few Dems who could win a red district—announced he won’t seek reelection, citing threats made against his family. The government shutdown officially hit day 37, breaking Trump’s own previous record. The Transportation Department says it’ll start cutting air traffic by 10% if the standoff doesn’t end by Friday. Trump’s still calling for Senate Republicans to scrap the filibuster to end it, but a bipartisan group is reportedly working on a short-term fix that would reopen the government and roll in some of the annual funding bills. Translation: they could’ve solved this if they wanted to. At the Supreme Court, justices heard three hours of arguments over whether Trump can unilaterally impose tariffs. Judging by their questions, they’re not exactly buying it. And finally, investigators say the UPS cargo plane crash in Louisville that killed nine people began when the left wing caught fire and an engine fell off just after takeoff—sending debris and explosions half a mile downrange.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

AP News: California Republicans sue over new US House map approved by voters

Bangor Daily News: Jared Golden: I won’t seek reelection. Here’s why.

WSJ: Lawmakers See Hope for Ending Record-Setting Shutdown

WSJ: Supreme Court Appears Skeptical of Trump’s Tariffs

AP News: 12 dead after engine fell off UPS plane that crashed and exploded in Kentucky

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Wednesday, November 5th, 2025 - Democrats sweep elections; Trump won’t pay SNAP; Air space shutdown; Dick Cheney dies at 84 & more Nov 05, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Democrats had a massive Election Day sweep nationwide — flipping or holding major seats at every level. At the Supreme Court, justices are hearing Trump’s unprecedented tariff case — deciding whether he can impose tariffs on his own under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told CNBC that the administration has “lots of other options” if they lose… but, of course, they won’t. Meanwhile, Trump announced there will be no SNAP payments until the government reopens, despite multiple court orders requiring partial payouts. The shutdown is dragging on, and the Transportation Secretary warned that the FAA may have to shut down airspace next week due to thousands of unpaid, overworked air traffic controllers. In global security news, European officials say Russia tried to smuggle explosives onto cargo planes in Germany and the UK this summer — part of a wider sabotage campaign targeting Western aviation. Four people have been arrested so far. Stateside, a UPS plane crashed in Louisville, Kentucky, killing three and injuring at least 11. The FBI also arrested two people in connection with an intentional explosion at a Harvard University medical building over the weekend. And finally, former Vice President Dick Cheney — architect of the Iraq War and self-proclaimed “defender of democracy,” depending on who you ask — died yesterday at 84.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

CNBC: Bessent says U.S. has 'lots' of options to use on tariffs if it loses Supreme Court case

Axios: Trump says SNAP will only get paid after shutdown, defying multiple court orders

ABC News: Department of Transportation might be forced to shut down some airspace next week: Duffy

WSJ: Russia Suspected of Plotting to Send Incendiary Devices on U.S.-Bound Planes

NBC News: Three dead, at least 11 injured in UPS plane crash in Louisville, Kentucky

NBC News: 2 men arrested in explosion at Harvard University and accused of setting off firework in medical building, FBI says

Axios: Former Vice President Cheney, architect of Iraq War, dies at 84

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Tuesday, November 4th, 2025 - Election Day; SNAP still in limbo; Trump eyes MX; DHS data grab; Nancy Mace meltdown Nov 04, 2025

Today’s Headlines: It’s Election Day for nearly half the country, with record early turnout in New York City — over 735,000 voters — and key races for governors in New Jersey and Virginia, plus major ballot questions in California and Pennsylvania. Meanwhile, a small bipartisan group in Congress is maybe edging toward a deal to end the weeks-long government shutdown, which has crippled air travel and left millions unsure when they’ll receive SNAP benefits. After two court orders, the Trump administration says it’ll partially fund food assistance, though payments could still be delayed for weeks. Trump’s team is also reportedly drawing up plans for a potential U.S. military mission in Mexico targeting drug cartels (because what could go wrong?). The Department of Homeland Security wants states to hand over driver’s license data to help identify noncitizens on voter rolls, sparking privacy alarms. In California, ICE shot a 25-year-old U.S. citizen who’d stopped to warn officers that children would soon arrive nearby — the second ICE shooting there this week. Elsewhere, a watchdog report revealed that most donors to Trump’s new ballroom are government contractors who’ve scored $279 billion in deals despite ongoing investigations for labor and environmental violations. OpenAI just inked a $38 billion deal to rent Amazon’s computing power. And rounding out the chaos, Rep. Nancy Mace reportedly went off on TSA agents at a South Carolina airport, she of course claims it’s all fake news.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

Axios: House Dems and GOP float compromise plan to end shutdown

Axios: Bessent says SNAP payments "could be" made this week

NBC News: Flight delays pile up as government shutdown enters second month

NBC News: Trump administration is planning new mission in Mexico against cartels, current and former U.S. officials say

LA Times: U.S. citizen shot from behind as he warned ICE agents about children gathering at bus stop, lawyers say

ProPublica: DHS asked Texas to hand over driver's license data for citizenship checks

WaPo: Report: Donors to Trump’s White House ballroom have $279B in federal contracts

WSJ: OpenAI, Amazon Sign $38 Billion Cloud Deal

Wired: Nancy Mace Curses, Berates Confused Cops in Airport Meltdown: Police Report

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Monday, November 3rd, 2025 - Darfur falls, Trump eyes Nigeria; 15th boat strike; Trump urges ending filibuster; SNAP expires; Epstein transactions Nov 03, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Sudan’s civil war took a dark turn after the paramilitary RSF captured El Fasher, giving them full control of Darfur’s major cities. The group is accused of killing hundreds and filming their own war crimes as hundreds of thousands flee. Meanwhile, Trump’s threatening to send the U.S. military “guns-a-blazing” into Nigeria to “protect cherished Christians” from Boko Haram, declaring the country a “state of particular concern.” Nigerian officials politely said thanks but no thanks—they’re still, you know, a sovereign nation. In Venezuela, the U.S. carried out yet another boat strike (the 15th since September), as reports suggest Trump’s team is prepping direct hits on Venezuelan military targets linked to drug trafficking. In local matters, Trump’s demanding Senate Republicans ditch the filibuster to end the government shutdown while partying at Mar-a-Lago as SNAP benefits expire. A judge ordered the USDA to pay SNAP recipients “as soon as possible,” but leaked emails show the agency told grocery stores not to offer discounts to hungry families. Very on-brand. In other news, the White House fired the entire Commission of Fine Arts to make way for friendlier faces on upcoming construction projects, the FBI may have overhyped a supposed Michigan “terror plot” that might’ve just been teenage gamers, and newly released records show JP Morgan flagged over $1 billion in suspicious Epstein-related transactions—names like Dershowitz, Wexner, and Leon Black—while both the bank and Trump’s first administration looked the other way.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

PBS: Sudan’s brutal civil war escalates as paramilitary forces go on killing rampage

NBC News: Trump tells Defense Department to 'prepare for possible action' in Nigeria

NYT: Latest U.S. Military Boat Strike in Caribbean Sea Kills 3, Pete Hegseth Says

Miami Herald: U.S. ready to strike military targets inside Venezuela

The Independent: Venezuela claims to have captured ‘CIA backed cell plotting false flag attack’ as tensions with US grow

WSJ: Trump Urges Republicans to End the Filibuster to Reopen Government

X: USDA sent an email to grocery stores telling them they are prohibited from offering special discounts

People: USDA sent an email to grocery stores telling them they are prohibited from offering special discounts

ABC News: White House fires members of commission that is to weigh in on Trump’s construction projects

NBC News: FBI foiled a 'potential terrorist attack' in Michigan planned for Halloween weekend, Director Kash Patel says

AP News: Michigan lawyer says a Halloween terror plot that FBI Director Kash Patel described never existed

NYT: JPMorgan Alerted U.S. to Epstein Transfers Involving Wall St. Figures

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Friday, October 31st, 2025 - Trump in Beijing; SNAP set to expire; New refugee cap; Louvre heist arrests; Bye-bye “Prince” Andrew Oct 31, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Trump’s Asia trip is somehow still going, with his latest stop in Beijing producing no trade deal — but plenty of showmanship. After what he called an “amazing” meeting with Xi Jinping, Trump said China will resume buying U.S. soybeans and pause export limits on rare earth minerals, while the U.S. cuts fentanyl tariffs from 20% to 10%. Missing from the talks: Taiwan, Russian oil, or China’s access to Nvidia’s AI chips. Also not discussed (but probably should’ve been): Trump’s pre-meeting Truth Social post saying he’s ordering the military to restart nuclear weapons testing — something no U.S. president has done since 1992. The Kremlin warned that if Washington breaks the moratorium, Moscow “will act accordingly.” Back in the US, SNAP and WIC benefits for over 40 million Americans are set to expire tomorrow as Senate Republicans blocked emergency funding, while also refusing to let Democrats use USDA contingency funds to keep the programs alive. Meanwhile, coffee might finally get cheaper — Senators Catherine Cortez Masto and Rand Paul introduced a bipartisan bill to repeal Trump’s coffee tariffs. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker asked ICE to pause raids in Chicago over Halloween weekend after agents fired tear gas near a kids’ parade. The administration also announced it’ll cap refugee admissions at 7,500 next year — down from 125,000 — prioritizing white South Africans. The DOJ has reopened an investigation into Black Lives Matter leaders over alleged donor fraud from 2020, despite a prior review finding no wrongdoing. In corporate circus news, OpenAI is reportedly preparing to go public at a trillion-dollar valuation (sure, why not), five more suspects were arrested in the $100 million Louvre jewel heist, and King Charles has officially stripped Prince Andrew of his royal title and booted him from royal property — so long, “Prince” Andrew.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

NBC News: What Trump and Xi did and didn't agree upon in their meeting

PBS News: Trump appears to suggest the U.S. will resume testing nuclear weapons for first time in 30 years

NOTUS: Senate Republicans Block Democratic Effort to Fund SNAP During the Shutdown

ALX Now: Warner urges Trump administration to use USDA funds to prevent SNAP benefits from expiring

KOLO: Cortez Masto, Rand Paul push to repeal Trump tariffs on coffee

Axios: Immigration enforcement will continue over Halloween in Chicago, Noem says

AP News: Trump administration live updates: Refugees limited mostly to white South Africans

CNN: Justice Department investigating fraud allegations in Black Lives Matter movement, AP sources say

Reuters: Exclusive: OpenAI lays groundwork for juggernaut IPO at up to $1 trillion valuation

CNN: Five new suspects arrested over Louvre heist – but still no sign of looted jewels

WSJ: Prince Andrew Stripped of Royal Title by King Charles

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Thursday, October 30th, 2025 - Hurricane Melissa devastates; Gaza “ceasefire” update; Trump in S.Korea; Bezos’ ex gives big, Amazon lays off thousands Oct 30, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Hurricane Melissa tore through the Caribbean just as feared, leaving dozens dead and catastrophic damage across Jamaica, Cuba, and Haiti before weakening to a Category 1 on its way to the Bahamas. Nearly 80% of Jamaica is still without power, and hundreds remain missing across the islands. In Gaza, Israel resumed airstrikes that killed around 100 people after a soldier was shot in Rafah — but quickly announced the ceasefire was back on. Hamas says it’s delaying the return of hostage remains in response to the strikes. Trump, meanwhile, is still globe-trotting — now in South Korea, where he announced the U.S. will share sensitive nuclear submarine technology, one of the country’s most tightly guarded military secrets. This comes months after North Korea bragged about its own nuclear-powered sub. Back home, a new Pentagon memo ordered all 50 states, D.C., and U.S. territories to form “quick reaction forces” — over 23,000 National Guard troops trained for riot control — to respond to potential unrest. The administration also indicted its first Gen Z political figure: 26-year-old Illinois Democrat Kat Abughazaleh, charged with assaulting an ICE officer during a protest — charges that could carry up to 14 years in prison. On the money front, the Senate symbolically voted against Trump’s 50% tariffs on Brazil (which won’t actually change anything), the Fed cut interest rates another 0.25%, and the shutdown continues as millions risk losing food aid. The Dow hit a record 48,000 — mostly thanks to AI stocks — even as layoffs surge at UPS, Nestlé, and Amazon. And in some good news for once, philanthropist Mackenzie Scott donated $60 million to the Center for Disaster Philanthropy and another $38 million to Alabama State University — the largest gift in the HBCU’s 158-year history.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

AP News: Hurricane Melissa impacts southeastern Bahamas, after dozens killed across Caribbean

AP News: Israel's military says ceasefire is back on as death toll from Gaza strikes reaches 104

AP News: Live updates: Donald Trump is meeting with China’s leader Xi Jinping

The Guardian: Revealed: Pentagon orders states’ national guards to form ‘quick reaction forces’ for ‘crowd control’ | US military

MSNBC: Kat Abughazaleh indicted over protests outside Chicago-area ICE facility

Politico: Senate votes against Trump’s 50 percent tariff on Brazil - Live Updates

Axios: Fed cuts rates again, but signals December cut uncertain

Yahoo Finance: Layoffs hit Amazon, UPS, Target, and more — what's fueling the cuts

NYT: MacKenzie Scott Backs Disaster Recovery in Marginalized Communities

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Wednesday, October 29th, 2025 - Gaza ceasefire over; U.S. strikes off Colombia; Trump appeals convictions; Arctic drilling; Hurricane Melissa Oct 29, 2025

Today’s Headlines: The fragile Gaza ceasefire is officially over after 18 days, with Israel launching new airstrikes in Rafah after claiming Hamas fired rockets and mishandled the return of hostage remains. Hamas still holds the bodies of 13 hostages, and the stalled recovery effort is blocking the next phase of negotiations — including disarmament and postwar governance. Meanwhile, the U.S. carried out deadly strikes on boats off Colombia’s coast, killing 14 people; Mexico’s president condemned the attack as a breach of international law. Back home, Trump’s legal team is appealing his 34 felony convictions from the hush money case, arguing the trial violated his supposed immunity. A federal judge extended an order blocking the administration from firing federal employees during the shutdown, which continues to drag on. ICE is seeing a wave of leadership purges as the White House pushes for higher deportation numbers, and Trump just greenlit over 1.5 million acres of Alaska’s Arctic refuge for oil drilling, reversing Biden-era protections and alarming conservationists. Globally, the U.N. warned that the world will “inevitably” overshoot the 1.5°C warming target, while Bill Gates called for a “strategic pivot” away from limiting warming toward reducing poverty and disease instead. Hurricane Melissa slammed Jamaica as a catastrophic Category 5 storm — one of the strongest in Atlantic history — and Trump’s Truth Social is launching Truth Predict, a crypto betting platform for everything from sports to elections, because of course it is.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

AP News: Gaza ceasefire tested as Israel and Hamas exchange fire and blame

AP News: US launches strikes on 4 alleged drug-running boats in the eastern Pacific, killing 14

Axios: Trump appeals felony conviction citing Supreme Court immunity

Axios: Trump indefinitely barred from firing federal workers during shutdown

Axios: Trump administration purges ICE field officials

The Guardian: White House approves increased oil and gas drilling in Alaska’s national wildlife refuge

The Guardian: Afternoon Update: 1.5C climate target missed; Queensland puberty blocker ban overturned; and is period blood a ‘medical miracle’?

AP News: Bill Gates calls for climate fight to shift focus from curbing emissions to reducing human suffering

AP News: Live updates: Hurricane Melissa hits Jamaica with historic 185-mph winds

Wired: Donald Trump’s Truth Social Is Launching a Polymarket Competitor

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Tuesday, October 28th, 2025 - Trump in Asia; US-Venezuela conflict rumors; Chatbots echo the Kremlin; SNAP benefits end Nov 1st & more Oct 28, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Trump kicked off his Asia trip with stops at the ASEAN Summit and meetings with China’s Xi Jinping and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un, bragging that a trade deal with China is “close” while hinting—again—that he might go for a third term. He also casually revealed he had an MRI and dementia test at Walter Reed that somehow didn’t make it into his official health report (but don’t worry, he says the scan was “perfect”). Meanwhile, Venezuela accused the U.S. of staging a “military provocation” after a U.S. warship docked in Trinidad and Tobago—an accusation that started sounding less wild after Lindsey Graham said Trump is considering “land strikes” against Venezuela and Colombia. A new study found that major chatbots—including ChatGPT, Gemini, and Grok—have been echoing Russian propaganda from sanctioned media outlets, while another report revealed that a leaked database exposed personal data from over 450 Americans with top secret clearances tied to Democratic House offices. The government shutdown drags on, threatening food benefits for nearly 50 million people and hiking health insurance premiums nationwide. In Indiana, Governor Mike Braun called a special session to fast-track a redistricting plan that could add two GOP House seats. Elsewhere, Hurricane Melissa is bearing down on Jamaica after killing several people in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, Amazon is reportedly laying off 30,000 workers in its biggest job cut ever, and—because it’s apparently 1975 again—the Trump administration just ordered the FBI to dig through its files for anything related to Jimmy Hoffa’s disappearance.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

NYT: Trump’s China Deal May Avert a Crisis of His Own Making

Axios: Trump underwent previously undisclosed MRI during Walter Reed visit

Axios: Venezuela calls U.S.-Trinidad and Tobago military exercises a "provocation"

Axios: Graham predicts Trump's war on "narco-terrorists" will expand to land strikes

Wired: Chatbots Are Pushing Sanctioned Russian Propaganda

Wired: Hundreds of People With ‘Top Secret’ Clearance Exposed by House Democrats’ Website

The Guardian: Food benefits set to expire for 41 million people as US shutdown continues

Axios Indianapolis: Indiana Gov. Mike Braun calls special redistricting session

Axios: Jamaica braces for direct hit from potentially "catastrophic" Hurricane Melissa

CNBC: Amazon to announce largest layoffs in company history, source says

CNN: Amazon to announce largest layoffs in company history, source says

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Monday, October 27th, 2025 - Trump ends Canada talks, slaps new tariffs; Don Jr.’s drone deal; Inflation climbs; DOJ eyes polls; Billionaire “pays” troops Oct 27, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Trump abruptly ended trade talks with Canada and tacked on another 10% tariff after learning about a Canadian ad that used Reagan audio to mock his trade policy. Don Jr., meanwhile, invested in a startup building drone-packed mini aircraft carriers that somehow already snagged a Pentagon contract. An appeals court upheld E. Jean Carroll’s $83 million defamation win against Trump, and new inflation numbers show prices up 3% year-over-year — beef alone up 15%. The Justice Department will monitor polling sites in six counties in California and New Jersey as part of Trump’s broader push to tighten control over elections, while Steve Bannon floated a “plan” for Trump to run for a third term. The government remains shut down, with billionaire Timothy Mellon donating $130 million to “pay the troops” — roughly $100 per service member. In Congress, two GOP reps called for investigating Rep. Zohran Mamdani’s citizenship, Eleanor Holmes Norton was scammed out of $4,000 by fake cleaners, Illinois police confirmed an antisemitic gel-blaster attack on Jewish kids, and two suspects were caught after trying to flee with the stolen Louvre crown jewels.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

NYT: Trump Announces Tariff Increase on Canada Over Reagan Ad Spat

NYT: Trump’s Son Is Poised to Profit From Pentagon Drone Proposal

PBS: Appeals court upholds E. Jean Carroll’s $83.3 million defamation judgment against Trump

ABC News: Inflation climbs to highest level since January, beef prices soar

CNN: Justice Department to monitor polling sites in six counties in California and New Jersey

You Tube:Steve Bannon: Trump will have a third term

NYT: Timothy Mellon Is Donor Who Gave $130 Million to Pay Troops During Shutdown

The Guardian: ‘Islamophobia is endemic,’ Mamdani says of Republicans’ push to deport him

NBC: Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton scammed at home by group claiming to be cleaning crew

ABC 7: Investigators classify teen's shooting of 'gel blaster' at Shawnee Park in Skokie, Illinois as antisemitic hate crime: police

AP News: Suspects arrested over the theft of crown jewels from Paris' Louvre museum

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Friday, October 24th, 2025 - WH East Wing gone; Binance founder pardoned; SNAP freeze looms; NBA mafia scandal Oct 24, 2025

Today’s Headlines: President Donald Trump has officially finished demolishing the East Wing of the White House — without filing any plans, naturally — to make way for a $300 million “Marie Antoinette” ballroom. He also pardoned Binance founder “CZ” Zhao, who pleaded guilty for enabling money laundering (aka crypto’s whole vibe) and just happens to be a Trump donor and business partner. Meanwhile, Trump’s attempt to indict Rep. Adam Schiff for mortgage fraud has stalled for lack of, well, evidence. And former special counsel Jack Smith wants to testify publicly before Congress to correct “mischaracterizations” about his Trump probes — but only if DOJ promises not to punish him. The government shutdown drags on, and SNAP benefits may not go out in November, leaving millions of families without food assistance. Over at DHS, Trump’s new “election integrity” chief Heather Honey told all 50 states the 2020 election was fraudulent and hinted Trump could declare a national emergency to control future elections. Meanwhile, NBA coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat’s Terry Rozier were arrested in a mafia-linked betting scandal, and a pro-MAGA crypto site that promised to “expose Charlie Kirk’s murderers” vanished after scamming its donors.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

CNN: See the White House’s East Wing demolition from satellite images

WSJ: Trump Pardons Convicted Binance Founder

AOL: The Adam Schiff criminal probe has stalled, sources say

CNN: Jack Smith asks Congress and the Justice Department to allow him to testify publicly

USA Today: Will SNAP benefits be sent in November? 'Inflection point' is near, USDA says

NYT: Trump Empowers Election Deniers, Still Fixated on 2020 Grievances

Politico: Indiana Republicans don’t have votes to back Trump’s redistricting, Senate leader spox says

ABC 11: NC House takes up Senate-approved voting maps as hundreds protest

NYT: U.S. Charges N.B.A. Coach and Players in Gambling Schemes - The New York Times

The Daily Beast: MAGA Site Took Money to Unmask Charlie Kirk Critics—Then Vanished

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Thursday, October 23rd, 2025 - OR Senator speech; Venezuela boat strikes; AZ AG sues Spkr. Johnson; Putin-Trump tunnel; SPED pawned off & more Oct 23, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Senator Jeff Merkley just pulled a 22-hour Senate marathon to warn that Trump is “shredding the Constitution” and that the U.S. faces its biggest threat since the Civil War. Over in the GOP, Indiana’s Sen. Todd Young wants answers on the administration’s Venezuela boat strikes, which have killed 32 people so far—though Trump has already posted the explosions on Truth Social, so technically, Congress has been briefed. Meanwhile, Speaker Mike Johnson still refuses to swear in Arizona’s congresswoman-elect Adelita Grijalva, blocking her from becoming the 218th vote to force release of the Epstein files. Arizona’s AG is now suing him for disenfranchising 813,000 voters. Trump also announced major sanctions on Russia’s oil giants, even as one of Putin’s envoys pitched Elon Musk on building a “Putin-Trump Tunnel” linking Alaska and Russia. Trump called the idea “interesting,” which means he’s 80% of the way to commissioning a gold plaque for it. On the America First economy beat, the U.S. and big banks are reportedly preparing a second $20 billion bailout for Argentina, this time framed as a “loan” while we import their beef instead of our own. In domestic chaos, Trump is demolishing the White House East Wing, and the Education Department is being gutted, with special ed services being shuffled to other agencies in what’s basically a slow-motion abolition of the department itself. And for a cherry on top, Don Jr., Laura Ingraham, and Chamath Palihapitiya are teaming up to launch a $260 million SPAC, though no one knows what it’s actually for—probably vibes and nepotism.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

CNN: Democratic Sen. Jeff Merkley delivers marathon floor speech to protest Trump’s ‘grave threats’

Axios: Exclusive: Congress needs to hear more about Venezuela operation, GOP senator says

NBC News: Arizona AG sues to force House Speaker Johnson to seat Democrat Adelita Grijalva

WSJ: U.S. Imposes Substantial New Sanctions on Russian Oil Giants

WaPo: Putin envoy pitches Elon Musk on a tunnel connecting Russia and Alaska

WSJ: U.S. Banks Are Hunting for Collateral to Back $20 Billion Argentina Bailout

NYT: U.S. Banks Are Hunting for Collateral to Back $20 Billion Argentina Bailout

WaPo: Trump administration seeks to move special education program to new agency

Bloomberg: Trump Jr. Firm Taps Palihapitiya, Influencers for SPAC

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Wednesday, October 22nd, 2025 - Trump’s $230M demand; J6 rioter plot; ICE’s arsenal; Pentagon’s gag order; Travis Kelce’s Six Flags stake Oct 22, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Donald Trump has apparently been demanding $230 million from the Justice Department since 2023—yes, taxpayer money—to “compensate” him for federal investigations into his conduct, including the Russia probe. He filed formal claims alleging his rights were violated, because of course he did. Meanwhile, his much-hyped meeting with Vladimir Putin is officially off, after both sides admitted the gap between Russia and Ukraine is too wide to bridge. In other Trump-adjacent chaos, a pardoned January 6th rioter was arrested for allegedly plotting to assassinate House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries after texting about his plans. Luckily, the person he texted tipped off the police. Elsewhere, ICE’s weapons budget has exploded—up 700% from last year, now topping $70 million on guns, armor, chemical weapons, and even guided missile parts. Because nothing says “immigration enforcement” like missile warheads. Over at the Pentagon, War Secretary Pete Hegseth just issued a new rule requiring staff to get his approval before talking to Congress—an unprecedented move critics say is meant to muzzle oversight. The FTC quietly scrubbed blog posts about AI from its website—pieces written by former chair Lina Khan that warned about consumer risks and praised open-source models. No explanation given. And finally, in the week’s least expected crossover, Travis Kelce is teaming up with a hedge fund to take over Six Flags, buying a 9% stake worth around $200 million. The self-proclaimed theme park superfan sent shares soaring 18%.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

NYT: Trump Said to Demand Justice Dept. Pay Him $230 Million for Past Cases

Axios: In a shift, White House says no plan for Trump-Putin summit

Axios: Pardoned Jan. 6 rioter charged with plotting Jeffries' assassination

Popular Information: ICE boosts weapons spending 700% - by Judd Legum

Axios: Hegseth: Pentagon staff now needs approval to interact with Congress

Wired: The FTC Is Disappearing Blog Posts About AI Published During Lina Khan’s Tenure

WSJ: Travis Kelce Teams Up With Investor for Activist Campaign at Six Flags

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Tuesday, October 21st, 2025 - Foiled ATL airport plot; Rubio’s MS-13 deal; Trump’s WH demo; AWS outage; Air China fire Oct 21, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Police in Atlanta arrested a man outside the city’s international airport after his family alerted authorities that he was on his way to “shoot up the airport.” Officers found an assault rifle and ammo in his truck, preventing what could’ve been a mass shooting. Meanwhile, new reporting revealed that Secretary of State Marco Rubio approved the transfer of nine MS-13 leaders—including some who were FBI informants—back to El Salvador at President Bukele’s request, in exchange for access to his infamous CECOT prison. In related news, Dutch intelligence is now limiting what information they share with the United States over human rights concerns. In Trump's world, demolition crews began tearing down part of the White House for his new “Marie Antoinette Ballroom,” despite no formal approval from the federal agency that oversees government property—because apparently that rule doesn’t apply to “demolition.” In the courts, an appeals court ruled that Trump can take command of the Oregon National Guard (though he can’t deploy them yet), and the Supreme Court agreed to hear a case on whether marijuana users can legally own guns—the same charge Hunter Biden was convicted of. Elsewhere, a massive Amazon Web Services outage temporarily took down much of the internet—including Reddit, Zoom, and Venmo—after a technical failure disrupted about a third of the world’s online traffic. And to top it off, a lithium battery caught fire midair on an Air China flight, forcing an emergency landing.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

AP News: Man who planned to shoot up Atlanta's airport is arrested in a terminal following a tip, police say

WaPo: Rubio promised to betray U.S. informants to get Trump’s El Salvador prison deal

NL Times: Dutch intelligence services cut back on sharing information with U.S

AP News: Trump directs demolition on part of White House for ballroom despite lacking construction approval

AP News: US appeals court says Trump can take command of Oregon troops though deployment blocked for now

AP News: Supreme Court will consider whether people who regularly smoke pot can legally own guns

Axios: AWS outage spotlights the global economy's fragile foundations

NYT: Lithium Battery Fire Aboard Air China Flight Forces Emergency Landing

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Monday, October 20th, 2025 - No Kings march & Trump’s AI poop post; Santos pardon; ICE goes dystopian; Zelensky clash; Gaza ceasefire collapse; Louvre heist Oct 20, 2025

Today’s Headlines: About 7 million Americans joined No Kings marches across all 50 states — no arrests, no chaos — but Trump responded with an AI video of himself flying over protesters and pooping on them. He also commuted George Santos’s sentence after 84 days, freeing him straight back to society. Meanwhile, the 19-day government shutdown drags on, freezing courts and doubling insurance premiums as the fight over Obamacare subsidies expires. ICE amps up surveillance with new spyware contracts to track faces and phones without warrants — and even ticketing legal residents for not carrying papers. ProPublica found 170+ U.S. citizens detained by ICE, some pregnant, while DHS Secretary Kristi Noem just bought $172M in private jets “for safety.” Elsewhere, five top universities rejected Trump’s shady funding deal, the White House partnered with EMD Serono for IVF drugs at an 84% discount, and California’s CalRx will sell insulin for $11 a pen. In Florida, whooping cough cases jumped 81% after vaccination rates collapsed. Overseas, Trump’s meeting with Zelensky fell apart, the Gaza ceasefire collapsed, and Trump’s strike on a Venezuelan boat led Colombia to accuse the U.S. of murder. Prince Andrew gave up his royal titles amid new Epstein revelations — and thieves stole the French crown jewels in four minutes flat.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

CNN: Live updates: ‘No Kings’ protesters rally against Trump administration across country

NYT: How George Santos Won His Freedom

Politico: It’s ‘too late’ to extend ACA subsidies without major disruptions, some states and lawmakers say

Axios: Federal courts to run out of money, begin furloughs as shutdown drags on

WaPo: ICE amps up its surveillance powers, targeting immigrants and antifa

Yahoo: ICE tickets Chicago man with legal residency $130 for not having his papers on him

ProPublica: We Found That More Than 170 U.S. Citizens Have Been Held by Immigration Agents

NYT: Coast Guard Buys Two Private Jets for Noem, Costing $172 Million

NYT: University of Virginia Won’t Join White House’s Compact for Colleges

Axios: Trump announces plan to lower cost of IVF drugs

CBS: Gov. Gavin Newsom announces California will start selling low-cost insulin in 2026

Semafor: Whooping cough surges in Florida as vaccine rates plummet

BBC: Zelensky fails to secure Tomahawk missiles at talks with Trump

Reuters: Israel says ceasefire and aid to resume after airstrikes kill 26 in Gaza

NYT: Colombia’s Leader Accuses U.S. of Murder, Prompting Trump to Halt Aid

NBC News: U.S. has 2 survivors in custody after strike on alleged Venezuelan cartel boat

AP News: One scandal too many forces UK monarchy to sideline Prince Andrew after years of tabloid fodder

Miami Herald: Epstein had dinners with a top Florida prosecutor on his case, docs show

AP News: Thieves steal crown jewels in 4 minutes from Louvre Museum

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Friday, October 17th, 2025 - Trump-Zelensky meeting; Bolton indicted; Trump to redirect IRS; Harvard’s year of loss; Madagascar enters Gen Z revolution chat Oct 17, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Donald Trump’s Nobel campaign tour continues: he’s meeting Zelensky at the White House today, fresh off a “productive” call with Putin and plans to see him soon in Budapest. Meanwhile, former national security adviser John Bolton was indicted on 18 counts for allegedly keeping and sharing over a thousand pages of classified info with relatives — which were later hacked by Iran-linked actors. The Wall Street Journal says Trump’s next target is the IRS, with plans to redirect its muscle toward investigating left-leaning groups and major Democratic donors. Shutdown side effects keep piling up — the New York Times found $28 billion in federal project funding frozen in blue districts versus just $739 million in red ones.In other news, Harvard reported a $113 million operating loss, its first in years, after federal funding fell and costs rose (though donor gifts hit a record $629 million and its endowment swelled to $57 billion). Trump also wined and dined corporate giants like Palantir, Meta, and Google to raise $250 million for his new White House ballroom, while Illinois Governor JB Pritzker casually declared $1.4 million in blackjack winnings. And in Madagascar, Gen Z protesters ousted their president, who fled to Dubai, leaving a military colonel promising elections “within two years.”

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

WSJ: Trump Says He Will Meet With Putin in Budapest to Discuss End to Ukraine War

AP News: Donald Trump's former adviser John Bolton indicted

WSJ: Trump Team Plans IRS Overhaul to Enable Pursuit of Left-Leaning Groups

NYT: Trump Halts Billions in Grants for Democratic Districts During Shutdown

Axios: Harvard posts biggest operating loss in 14 years as Trump cuts bite

WSJ: Trump Hosts Corporate Ballroom Donors at Glitzy White House Dinner

WSJ: Billionaire Gov. JB Pritzker Recounts $1.4 Million Las Vegas Blackjack Win

Economist: Gen Z revolution or military coup in Madagascar?

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Thursday, October 16th, 2025 - Shutdown to Thanksgiving; Press snubs Hegseth pledge; OH GOP Nazi Flag; Lady Ghislaine catches fire Oct 16, 2025

Today’s Headlines: We’re now on day 16 of the government shutdown, and Republican leaders are hinting it could drag on until Thanksgiving — casually blaming holiday travel chaos while admitting they’re not even thinking about reopening the government. Meanwhile, OMB Director Russell Vought says the administration plans to fire 10,000 federal workers, though a federal judge just ruled they can’t do that during a shutdown. While public employees go unpaid, the administration is finding cash for others — promising a “clever and generous” $10 billion bailout for farmers hit by the trade war with China once the shutdown ends, and another $20 billion to prop up Argentina’s crumbling economy. Priorities! At the Pentagon, dozens of journalists turned in their press badges rather than sign Pete Hegseth’s “state media” pledge requiring them to only report what the Defense Department approves — a move even Fox wouldn’t touch. Over at the Supreme Court, justices heard a major case that could gut the Voting Rights Act by striking down race-based map protections — potentially flipping a dozen Democratic House seats in the South right before the 2026 midterms. Meanwhile, an Ohio GOP congressman’s office was found to have a flag featuring a swastika intertwined with the American flag visible on a Zoom call. He blamed it on “vandalism,” because apparently random Nazi décor just appears in people’s offices now. And finally, the yacht formerly known as the Lady Ghislaine — once owned by Robert Maxwell (yes, Ghislaine’s dad) and now Rupert Murdoch’s ex-wife’s — caught fire in D.C. yesterday. Officials say it was electrical. Okay then.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

Politico: Thanksgiving travel looms as shutdown risk, GOP leaders say - Live Updates

Axios: Federal firings could reach 10,000 during shutdown, Vought says

AP News: Live updates: Judge blocks Trump administration from firing during shutdown

Axios: Exclusive: "Clever and generous" farm bailout coming, Hassett says

WaPo: Bessent says bailout for Argentina will double to boost U.S. influence in region

The Wrap: Pentagon Reporters Turn In Press Badges as Pete Hegseth Restrictions Take Effect – but 'the Work Continues'

NYT: Justices Seemed Open to Further Limiting the Voting Rights Act

NBC News: Republican congressman calls flag with swastika displayed in his office 'vile' and says it's under investigation

Telegraph: Yacht named after Ghislaine Maxwell catches fire in Washington DC

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Wednesday, October 15th, 2025 - Hamas hostages; Trump pushes Melei; Noem’s Hatch Act violation; Youth Republican’s leak; ChatGPT’s NSFW era Oct 15, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Hamas returned the bodies of four more Israeli hostages after Israel accused them of dragging their feet on the peace deal and threatened to slash humanitarian aid. Two American hostages’ remains are still missing. Trump’s foreign policy victory lap took a turn when he threatened to cut aid to Argentina if voters don’t reelect his ally Javier Milei—right after the U.S. basically bailed out Argentina’s economy. Meanwhile, the U.S. military struck another “drug boat” off Venezuela, killing six, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth tried (and failed) to force journalists to sign gag agreements for Pentagon access—OANN was the only one to comply. Over at DHS, Secretary Kristi Noem produced an airport PSA blaming Democrats for the government shutdown, violating the Hatch Act so hard that airports are refusing to air it. Trump posthumously gave the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Charlie Kirk, then revoked visas for six foreigners who allegedly mocked his death. A leak of 28,000 messages from Young Republican leaders exposed months of racist, antisemitic, and violent rants—including one participant who works in the Trump administration. In Pennsylvania, the man who set Governor Josh Shapiro’s house on fire pleaded guilty to attempted murder and arson. And in Alaska, a typhoon killed at least one and displaced over 1,400 people, while OpenAI CEO Sam Altman announced that ChatGPT will now allow erotica for verified adults.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

WSJ: Torment Goes On for Families of Hostages Fighting to Get Bodies Back - WSJ

AP News: Trump threatens to pull support for Argentina if its politics move leftward

AP News: US kills 6 people in strike on boat accused of carrying drugs near Venezuela, Trump says

AP News: News organizations, including Hegseth's former employer Fox, reject new Pentagon reporting rules

AP News: Some airports refuse to play Noem video on shutdown impact, saying it's political

Politico: ‘I love Hitler’: Leaked messages expose Young Republicans’ racist chat

NBC News: Man pleads guilty in arson attack on Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro's residence

CNN: 1 killed, dozens rescued after storm slams western Alaska leaving thousands displaced

Axios: OpenAI's Sam Altman says ChatGPT will add erotica for adult users

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Tuesday, October 14th, 2025 - Hostages freed; Trump’s Nobel dreams; Tariffs tank crypto; DOJ eyes Bolton; Gov’t shutdown; Dominion goes red Oct 14, 2025

Today’s Headlines: The last 20 living Israeli hostages were reunited with their families yesterday as Israel and Hamas completed their biggest prisoner exchange yet—250 prisoners and 1,700 detainees released to Gaza. President Trump marked the moment by urging Israel’s president to pardon Bibi before heading to the Egypt peace summit, where Pakistan’s PM nominated him for next year’s Nobel Peace Prize. Sure, why not. The ceasefire deal came just days after Trump gave Qatar the green light to build a U.S. Air Force base in Idaho and guaranteed its national security—something we’ve never done for a non-NATO ally. Meanwhile, he’s threatening 100% tariffs on all Chinese imports starting November 1st, sending crypto prices crashing (but making one mystery trader $200 million richer). Next on his Nobel campaign tour, Trump meets Zelensky on Friday, floated giving Ukraine Tomahawk missiles. In other news, the DOJ is expected to charge his ex-adviser John Bolton for mishandling classified documents, the government shutdown hit day 11 with over 4,000 federal workers laid off—including teams from Education, HUD, and the CDC—while military families are turning to food pantries and Philly just lost its only rape crisis center. And finally, Dominion Voting Systems—the company Fox paid $800M for lying about—has been bought by a Missouri firm run by a former GOP election official.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

NBC News: Live updates: All living Israeli hostages released from Gaza; Trump, world leaders sign peace deal in Egypt

CNN: US announces it will allow Qatar to build an Air Force facility in Idaho

Axios: Trump, Zelensky to discuss Tomahawks for Ukraine at White House Friday

WaPo: China vows to retaliate if Trump makes good on 100 percent tariff threat

Yahoo: Trump tariffs live updates: Trump downplays China tensions; Goldman sees US consumers paying 55% of costs

Coin Central: How One Trader Made $160 Million Shorting Crypto Before Trump's China Tariff Bombshell

MSNBC: Criminal charges against Bolton expected as early as next week

WaPo: Trump administration begins laying off federal workers amid shutdown

Axios: CDC purge hits 600 workers in key offices despite reversals

The Guardian: Majority of special education staff in US education department laid off – report | Trump administration

Time: Shutdown Causes ‘Unprecedented’ Spike in Military Families Using Food Pantries

Inquirer: Philadelphia’s only rape crisis center is pausing services indefinitely amid state budget impasse. It’s a ‘colossal loss.’

Axios: Scoop: Dominion Voting sold to company run by ex-GOP election official

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Friday, October 10th, 2025 - Israel-Gaza ceasefire in effect; NY AG indicted; Recession fears; Candy inflation; Pope Leo’s letter Oct 10, 2025

Today’s Headlines: A ceasefire in Gaza officially took effect after Israel’s security cabinet approved the deal brokered in Egypt — Israel and Hamas agreed on mutual pullbacks and a hostage-prisoner swap, while aid groups are already mobilizing for Gaza. Meanwhile, Trump’s longtime nemesis, New York AG Letitia James, has been indicted for allegedly fudging a mortgage document to help her niece buy a house — federal prosecutors previously passed on the case, and James insists it’s a paperwork mistake, not a crime. In Chicago, a judge just blocked the Trump administration from sending in the National Guard for its immigration crackdown — which, if history is any guide, will only make Trump want to do it more. At the Pentagon, nearly 300 employees are under investigation for online comments about Charlie Kirk after his death — part of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s new “don’t speak ill of Charlie” policy. Also confirmed by the Senate: the same NOAA chief who presided over Trump’s infamous “Sharpiegate” hurricane stunt. So… good luck getting accurate forecasts, ladies — the pressure’s in your barometer breasts now. Economically speaking, it’s a spooky season — Moody’s says 22 states are either in or near recession thanks to tariffs, federal job cuts, and immigration slowdowns (sound familiar?), while cocoa prices have doubled and candy inflation is up 8%. Guess no one’s getting those full sized bars this Halloween. Overseas, the U.S. just bailed out Argentina with $20 billion after its libertarian president Milei crashed the economy. In return, China’s buying Argentina’s soybeans instead of ours, screwing over Iowa farmers — so Trump’s now considering a $10–14 billion bailout for them, too. And finally, Pope Leo dropped his first major document as pontiff, urging compassion for migrants and reminding Catholics that “the poor are part of our family.” In a world full of Stephen Millers, be a Pope Leo.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

CNN: Israel and Hamas agree to first phase of Gaza ceasefire plan

NYT: What Are the Charges in Letitia James’s Indictment?

Axios: Judge blocks Trump's deployment of National Guard to Chicago

WaPo: Hegseth’s hunt for Charlie Kirk critics spans nearly 300 investigations

NYT: Senate Confirms Neil Jacobs, ‘Sharpiegate’ Meteorologist, to Lead NOAA

Axios: 22 states are in a recession or close to it, new analysis finds

Axios: Halloween scare: Candy costs are soaring

Axios: The U.S. bought Argentine pesos, Bessent says

WSJ: Trump Explores Bailout of at Least $10 Billion for U.S. Farmers

Axios: Pope Leo's first encyclical: Faith means defending migrants

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Thursday, October 9th, 2025 - Gaza-Israel deal; Gold soars to $4K; FL man arrested for Palisades fire; Off-grid immunologist wins Nobel Oct 09, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Former FBI Director James Comey pled not guilty to charges of obstruction and making false statements, with his trial now set for January 5th. Meanwhile, Trump’s picking new enemies, calling for Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson to be jailed for “failing to protect ICE officers.” Both fired back, with Johnson saying it’s not the first time Trump’s tried to have a Black man unjustly arrested. Adding to that authoritarian flavor, new data shows nearly a quarter of FBI agents are now focused primarily on immigration enforcement — a number that hits 40% in some major field offices. Donald Trump announced that Israel and Hamas have finally agreed on the first phase of their ceasefire plan — Israel will pull back troops, hostages will go home, and prisoners will walk free. Qatar and Hamas added that the deal also opens the gates for aid to enter Gaza. At the same time, his administration quietly inked an executive agreement giving Qatar near–NATO-level security guarantees — a move that normally requires Senate approval, but apparently we’re skipping that part now. In economic news, gold prices just hit a record high of $4,000 an ounce — the strongest rally since 1979 — while the dollar is down more than 9% this year, signaling a crisis of confidence in U.S. institutions. A 29-year-old Florida man was arrested for starting the January wildfires that destroyed over 17,000 homes in Malibu and Palisades, killing 30 people. And to end on a rare uplifting note, 64-year-old immunologist Fred Ramsdell won the Nobel Prize in Medicine — learning the news only after returning from an off-the-grid Montana vacation. Truly the anti-Trump.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

NYT: Comey Pleads Not Guilty and Will Seek to Dismiss Charges as Vindictive

Axios: Trump baselessly calls for Pritzker, Chicago mayor to be jailed

WaPo: A quarter of FBI agents are assigned to immigration enforcement, per FBI data

WSJ: Trump Says Middle East Deal Is ‘Very Close,’ May Travel to Region This Week

Axios: U.S. security guarantee for Qatar sparks jealousy and confusion

Axios: Gold's rally signals investors' eroding trust in the U.S.

AP News: Authorities charge man with sparking deadly January wildfire that leveled LA neighborhoods

Wired:Scientist Who Was Offline 'Living His Best Life' Stunned by Nobel Prize Win

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Wednesday, October 8th, 2025 - Miller melts down; Bondi’s silence; FBI ditches watchdog; Doctors warn against RFK Jr. Oct 08, 2025

Today’s Headlines: White House hardliner Stephen Miller is out here saying the quiet part out loud — during a CNN interview about National Guard deployments, he claimed the president has “plenary authority,” aka limitless power, before mysteriously freezing mid-interview. Meanwhile, Attorney General Pam Bondi doubled down on that energy in her Senate testimony, stonewalling lawmakers on everything from the Epstein files to alleged FBI bribery and whether government officials actually have to follow court orders. The FBI just cut ties with the Anti-Defamation League and the Southern Poverty Law Center — two longtime watchdogs for extremism — after complaints from Trump allies that the groups were “biased.” In policy plotting news, the administration is reportedly eyeing a partial selloff of the $1.6 trillion federal student loan portfolio to private buyers, and it’s refusing to guarantee back pay for federal workers during the ongoing shutdown, apparently to pressure Democrats on Obamacare tax credits. At the Supreme Court, justices seemed ready to strike down Colorado’s ban on conversion therapy after hearing arguments from a Christian therapist claiming free speech violations. A federal judge also blocked the administration’s attempt to force teen pregnancy prevention programs to comply with its anti–“gender ideology” policies. And finally, six former U.S. surgeons general are warning that HHS Secretary RFK Jr. 's health policies are an “unprecedented threat” to public safety — citing his anti-vaccine rhetoric and pseudoscience as proof the nation’s top health post has gone completely off the rails.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

CNN: CNN Show Transcripts

Axios: Bondi dodges senators' questions on Comey, Epstein probes

WBRC: FBI cuts ties with Southern Poverty Law Center, Anti-Defamation League following complaints

Politico: Trump administration considers sale of federal student loan debt

WSJ: White House Says Federal Workers’ Back Pay During Shutdown Isn’t Guaranteed

NBC News: Supreme Court skeptical of state bans on conversion therapy aimed at LGBTQ kids

AP News: A judge has blocked a Trump administration effort to change teen pregnancy prevention programs

Axios: "Unprecedented threat": Six former surgeons general sound alarm on RFK Jr.

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Tuesday, October 7th, 2025 - Trump pushes Gaza deal; ICE’s stalker era, FBI’s Comey theatrics; Maxwell’s appeal denied; Cambridge autism study Oct 07, 2025

Today’s Headlines: President Trump marked the second anniversary of Hamas’ October 7th attack by telling reporters he thinks there’s a “really good chance” Israel and Hamas will finalize their ceasefire deal “within days.” Illinois and the city of Chicago sued to block Trump’s move to federalize the National Guard, but a judge has so far declined to stop him, giving the administration until tomorrow night to respond. That’s in contrast with a Trump-appointed judge in Oregon who blocked similar deployments in Portland, calling Trump’s rationale “untethered from reality.” Stephen Miller responded by accusing the court of a “left-wing legal insurrection.” Meanwhile, ICE is reportedly gearing up to expand its surveillance powers — buying tools to track people via phone data and social media to help target deportations. And the administration plans to slash refugee admissions from 125,000 to just 7,500 this year, prioritizing (checks notes) white South Africans for resettlement. The White House is also cooking up a rule that would make it harder for older Americans to qualify for Social Security disability benefits by raising the age threshold from 50 to 60 — a move that could cut off payments for hundreds of thousands of people. And in Trump’s ongoing campaign against his perceived enemies, the FBI is reportedly planning a “showy” arrest of former director James Comey — complete with tactical gear and cameras — after suspending an agent who refused to take part. Meanwhile, a top prosecutor in Virginia is reportedly resisting pressure to charge New York AG Letitia James with mortgage fraud, because, in her words, there’s “no probable cause.” In other news, the Supreme Court rejected Ghislaine Maxwell’s appeal of her sex trafficking conviction so back to the country club prison it is. Finally, a major Cambridge study found autism likely represents multiple distinct conditions, not one single disorder.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

Axios: Amid talks in Egypt, Trump says there's "a really good chance" for a Gaza deal

NPR: Federal judge declines to immediately block National Guard deployment in Illinois

CNN: Analysis: The White House claims a left-wing judicial ‘insurrection.’ But many GOP and Trump nominees are rebuking the president, too

Wired: ICE Wants to Build Out a 24/7 Social Media Surveillance Team

AP News: Trump considers cutting US refugee intake to 7,500, focusing on white South Africans, officials say

WaPo: Trump plan would limit disability benefits for older Americans

CBS News: The FBI is weighing an arrest and perp walk for Comey — and suspended an agent for refusing to help, sources say

MSNBC: Top prosecutor is rejecting Trump pressure to charge New York AG

Axios: Supreme Court rejects Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell's appeal

Wired: Autism Is Not a Single Condition and Has No Single Cause, Scientists Conclude

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Monday, October 6th, 2025 - Trump’s dictator vibes: troop raids & a ‘Fight Fight Fight’ coin; Israel-Gaza deal update; Flotilla, Diddy sentenced Oct 06, 2025

Today’s Headlines: President Trump’s creeping authoritarianism tour continues. The White House ordered 300 Illinois National Guard troops federalized to “protect federal assets” during ongoing ICE raids in Chicago — even though a federal judge (a Trump appointee, no less) just blocked a similar deployment in Portland for being, quote, “untethered to the facts.” Meanwhile, California Governor Gavin Newsom is suing over Trump sending his state’s Guard to Portland, telling him to get his own troops. Those troops, by the way, are backing ICE’s new “Operation Midway Blitz,” a dystopian raid that saw helicopters, grenades, and tear gas used on a Chicago apartment building at 1am, and the administration has since pressured Apple and Google to remove apps that warn users of ICE activity — both complied within hours. In other weird Trump administration things, the Treasury Department is reportedly considering minting a $1 coin featuring Trump’s face and the slogan “Fight Fight Fight” for the U.S.’s 250th anniversary, while the longtime director of the Eisenhower Presidential Library was ousted after refusing to hand over a historic sword for Trump to gift to King Charles (yes, really). In South Carolina, a state judge and her husband barely escaped a massive house fire that’s now under investigation. Abroad, Trump says a Gaza ceasefire deal is “days away,” despite Netanyahu reportedly responding to him with classic Bibi pessimism. Over 450 activists, including Greta Thunberg, were detained after the Israeli navy intercepted the “Global Sumud Flotilla,” with reports of abuse in detention. Also, Sean “Diddy” Combs was sentenced to just over four years in prison on prostitution-related charges — and apparently had speaking gigs lined up for the same week. And finally,, the government remains shut down while Speaker Mike Johnson continues to block the swearing-in of congresswoman-elect Adelita Grijalva.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

ABC 7: Trump administration federalizing 300 National Guard members in Illinois, White House confirms

Axios: Newsom to sue Trump for sending California National Guard troops to Oregon

https://time.com/7323334/ice-raid-chicago-pritzker-trump/

AP News: Apple and Google block apps that crowdsource ICE sightings. Some warn of chilling effects

Politico: Treasury Department considers minting a $1 Trump coin

NYT: After Declining To Give Trump A Sword For King Charles, A Museum Leader Is Out

NY Post: Beachfront home of South Carolina judge, ex-senator burned to ground, injuring 3

Axios: Scoop — Trump to Netanyahu on Gaza talks: "You're always so f***ing negative"

AP News: Gaza flotilla activists allege mistreatment while being detained in Israel

NYT: Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’s Future: Prison, Fine and a Shunning

E!: Sean “Diddy” Combs Scheduled Speaking Events Before Receiving His Sentencing

NYT: Both Parties Are Resigned to Deadlock as Government Shutdown Takes Hold

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Friday, October 3rd, 2025 - Trump’s cartel ‘war’; Project 2025 enters the chat; Generic Mifepristone; Yom Kippur attack; Lutnik talks Epstein Oct 03, 2025

Today’s Headlines: President Trump has formally declared the U.S. to be in an “armed conflict” with drug cartels, invoking war powers and ordering military strikes on Caribbean boats the administration labels as “terrorist organizations.” Lawmakers in both parties are skeptical of the legal basis but—shocker—seem unlikely to act. Meanwhile, the government shutdown has left 750,000 workers unpaid or furloughed, and the White House is now threatening permanent firings with help from Project 2025 architect Russell Vought. Shutdown propaganda even seeped into federal employees’ auto-replies, which were forcibly edited to blame Democrats. The Energy Department axed $7.6 billion in clean energy grants, conveniently targeting states that voted for Kamala Harris. The administration also sent nine universities—including Vanderbilt, MIT, and Brown—a “compact” demanding they overhaul admissions, freeze tuition, and abolish certain departments in exchange for federal funds. Elsewhere, the FDA approved a generic version of the abortion pill mifepristone, sparking predictable outrage despite it being a routine process. Yom Kippur was marred by a deadly terror attack at a synagogue in Manchester, where two worshippers were killed and the attacker was shot dead. And finally, Commerce Secretary Howard “Laughin’” Lutnick, a former neighbor of Jeffrey Epstein, suggested Epstein blackmailed powerful men with videos, casually detonating months of damage control efforts with a single podcast appearance.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

AP News: Trump says US is in 'armed conflict' with drug cartels after ordering strikes in the Caribbean

WSJ: Lawmakers From Both Sides Pressed Pentagon on Legal Basis for Cartel Boat Strikes

Axios: Trump embraces Project 2025 after disavowing it during 2024 campaign

Wired: Government Workers Say Their Out-of-Office Replies Were Forcibly Changed to Blame Democrats for Shutdown

AP News: Trump administration cuts nearly $8B in clean energy projects in states that backed Harris

WSJ: Exclusive | Trump White House Asks Colleges to Sign Sweeping Agreement to Get Funding Advantage

AP News: FDA approves another generic abortion pill, prompting outrage from conservatives

Reuters: Synagogue attack on Yom Kippur kills two in UK's Manchester; suspect shot dead

ABC News: Howard Lutnick believes Jeffrey Epstein may have used blackmail to get a lighter sentence

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Thursday, October 2nd, 2025 - Shutdown blame game; SCOTUS ruled Cook stays, for now; Pentagon polygraphs; Lab made eggs Oct 02, 2025

Today’s Headlines: The government is officially shut down, and OMB apparently spent its last working hours ordering at least 16 federal agencies to send out a pre-written email blaming Democrats for it—an illegal little parting gift to federal workers. With the shutdown, you can forget about getting jobs or inflation data for now (except from payroll firm ADP, which says companies shed 32,000 jobs in September—so, yeah, not great). Meanwhile, the Supreme Court told Trump he can’t just boot Fed Governor Lisa Cook on the spot, kicking that fight to January. At the Pentagon, Pete Hegseth is rolling out strict NDAs and even random polygraphs for thousands of staffers, including top brass, in his ongoing war against leakers. And in actual science news, researchers in Nature Communications announced they’ve managed to create functional human eggs from skin cells in a lab—early proof-of-concept that could eventually transform fertility treatments, though no babies are being made from them anytime soon.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

The Handbasket: Trump mandates all federal agencies send email blaming Dems for potential gov’t shutdown

Yahoo: While the government is closed, jobs and inflation data go unreported

NBC News: U.S. companies shed 32,000 jobs in September in latest sign of labor market weakness

NYT: Supreme Court Allows Lisa Cook to Remain at Fed, for Now

WaPo: Pentagon plans widespread random polygraphs, NDAs to stanch leaks

Wired: Scientists Made Human Eggs From Skin Cells and Used Them to Form Embryos

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Wednesday, October 1st, 2025 - Hegseth fat shames top brass; Gov’t shuts down; Trump to “debar” Harvard; TrumpRx; AI actor shopped Oct 01, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Trump and his War Secretary Pete Hegseth dragged 800 generals from around the world to Quantico for what was basically a “threatening pep rally.” Hegseth banned beards, long hair, and “Nordic pagan” vibes. Trump then called U.S. cities like San Francisco and Chicago “war zones” that should be used as military training grounds, and even ranted about ugly stealth ships. Meanwhile, the government officially shut down at midnight. Around 750,000 federal workers are now unpaid or furloughed (with Trump hinting some might be permanently cut) and — conveniently — there’s no vote on releasing the Epstein files. In other news, the administration is moving to “debar” Harvard, potentially banning it from federal funds and grants after already threatening its tax status and student visas. Trump also struck a flashy Oval Office deal with Pfizer to sell Medicaid and cash-paying consumers cheaper drugs via a new website called “Trump Rx” while Pfizer invests $70 billion in U.S. manufacturing. Other pharma companies are being told to play ball or face tariffs. And on the tech front, OpenAI announced a new TikTok-style video app while a startup called Xicoia is shopping an AI-generated “actor” to Hollywood — so apparently we’re replacing performers before agents now.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

AP News: Trump calls for using US cities as a 'training ground' for military in unusual speech to generals

NYT: Government Shutdown Hours Away as Senate Spending Votes Fail

WSJ: Trump Administration Opens New Front to Strip Harvard of Federal Funding

WSJ: White House Unveils ‘TrumpRx’ Drug-Buying Site and a Pfizer Pricing Deal

WSJ: OpenAI Launches Video Generator App to Rival TikTok and YouTube

AP News: 'AI actor' Tilly Norwood stirs outrage in Hollywood

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Tuesday, September 30th, 2025 - Trump-Bibi Gaza plan; YouTube pays Trump $22M; EA’s Kushner-Saudi buyout; Bad Bunny Super Bowl; Gov’t shutdown looms Sep 30, 2025

Tuesday, September 30th, 2025 - Trump-Bibi Gaza plan; YouTube pays Trump $22M; EA’s Kushner-Saudi buyout; Bad Bunny Super Bowl; Gov’t shutdown looms

Today’s Headlines: Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and Donald Trump stood at the White House to unveil a 20-point Gaza peace plan that starts with a 72-hour ceasefire and hostage release, phases out Israeli troops, and sets up a Trump-chaired “Board of Peace” with Tony Blair (yep, that Tony Blair). Hamas hasn’t signed on yet. Meanwhile, details emerged about the Michigan church shooter—Trump called it a “targeted attack on Christians,” but the guy was actually a hardcore Trump fan with a Trump flag and merch. Oregon and Portland are suing to block Trump’s National Guard deployment, YouTube is paying him $22M to settle his suspension lawsuit (funds earmarked for a White House ballroom, naturally), and EA might get scooped up by Jared Kushner, Saudi Arabia, and private equity for $50B. Missouri just locked in a gerrymandered map for Trump’s benefit, Moldova’s pro-EU party scored a decisive win despite Russian meddling, and Bad Bunny will headline the Super Bowl halftime show—get ready for Fox & Friends meltdowns. Oh, and unless Congress pulls a rabbit out of a hat, the government shuts down tomorrow.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

NBC News: Trump holds crucial talks with Netanyahu to push deal to end Gaza war

The Guardian: Mormon church shooting suspect had Trump sign outside home, records show

NBC News: Oregon sues Trump administration over deployment of National Guard troops to Portland

Axios: YouTube to pay Trump $22 million for suspending his account after Jan. 6 riot

WSJ: Videogame Giant Electronic Arts Nears Roughly $50 Billion Deal to Go Private

NYT: Missouri Governor Signs Congressional Map Redrawn to Boost Republicans

AP News: Moldova’s pro-EU party wins parliamentary election

NBC News: Bad Bunny to headline Super Bowl 60 halftime show

Axios: Trump, Democrats leave meeting without deal to avoid government shutdown

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Monday, September 29th, 2025 - Trump’s Portland troops; Hegseth’s general roll call; Soros targeted; GOP stalls Epstein files vote (again) & more Sep 29, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Trump is sending troops to Portland to “protect” ICE facilities he claims are under Antifa siege, though Oregon’s governor says there’s no threat—just protests. This follows his new directive labeling Antifa a “domestic terrorist organization” (which isn’t a real legal thing), with criteria for identifying extremists that sound like a laundry list of being vaguely left-wing. It’s all feeding into DOJ efforts to investigate George Soros’ Open Society Foundation. Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has summoned nearly 800 generals to Virginia for a rare “warrior ethos” pep talk. Trump says it’s all about “esprit de corps.” Meanwhile, Sinclair and Nexstar backed off their Jimmy Kimmel ban, Trump is now demanding Microsoft fire exec Lisa Monaco after a Laura Loomer nudge and DNI Tulsi Gabbard killed the long-term global threats report. Additonally, the DOJ is suing six states over voter registration data and a Michigan church massacre left four dead and more injured. Netanyahu’s UN speech sparked a massive walkout, and NYC’s Eric Adams dropped out of his own reelection bid. In Congress, Republicans are stalling the swearing-in of a new Democrat to block the Epstein files petition, even as Marjorie Taylor Greene swears she’s “not suicidal” while backing it. And, just to keep things weird, Trump wants the government to release the Amelia Earhart files.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

CNN: Trump says he’s sending troops to Portland to protect ICE facilities

The Guardian: Immigrants with no criminal record now largest group in Ice detention

WaPo: New details emerge on Hegseth’s unusual mass gathering of top brass

WaPo: Trump to attend gathering of top generals, upending last-minute plans

NYT: Trump Signs Order Targeting Antifa Movement

Ken Klippenstein: Trump’s NSPM-7 Labels Common Beliefs As Terrorism “Indicators”

NYT: Justice Dept. Official Pushes to Investigate George Soros’s Foundation

NBC News: Sinclair and Nexstar are putting Jimmy Kimmel's late-night show back on the air

Axios: Trump demands Microsoft oust global affairs chief over Biden-era ties

NYT: Gabbard Ends Intelligence Report on Future Threats to the US

CBS News: Justice Department sues 6 states for failing to turn over voter registration rolls

CNN: At least 4 dead and 8 others wounded after shooting and fire at Michigan church

Axios: Netanyahu faces mass walk-out protest at UN speech

NYT: Eric Adams Abandons Re-election Bid for Mayor of New York City

The New Republic: The GOP Effort to Hide the Epstein Files Just Hit a Disgusting New Low

NYT: Trump Orders Unsealing of All Files on Amelia Earhart and Her Disappearance

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Friday, September 26th, 2025 - Comey indicted; Trump vs. UN escalator; Billionaires buy TikTok; Disney investors sue & more Sep 26, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Former FBI Director James Comey was indicted yesterday on charges of lying to Congress and obstructing a proceeding, stemming from his 2020 testimony about the Russia probe (it always goes back to Russia). Meanwhile, Trump’s new enemy: an escalator at the UN that stopped moving under his feet, which he called “triple sabotage” and demanded arrests over. He also slapped tariffs of up to 50% on furniture and cabinets, claiming a national security threat from foreign vanities. In other news, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered nearly 1,000 generals to convene at Quantico in the largest gathering of top brass since Vietnam, though no one will say why. Disney investors are suing over Kimmel’s suspension, alleging political motives, while Democrats are furious that the State Department accidentally leaked unredacted military records of Rep. Mikie Sherrill, including her Social Security number, ahead of her gubernatorial run. In tech news, TikTok is being sold to a billionaire bloc led by Oracle and Rupert Murdoch (what could go wrong?), Amazon agreed to pay $2.5 billion to settle an FTC case over Prime tricks, and the government is begging hundreds of employees fired in Elon’s MAGA-GSA purge to come back. Microsoft, for its part, just cut off an Israeli military unit using its AI for Palestinian surveillance. And finally, Trump promised Israel won’t annex the West Bank, U.S. jets intercepted Russian bombers near Alaska, and Argentina will be getting a $20B bailout after President Milei and his buddy Elon basically “DOGE’d” the economy into the ground.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

CNN: Former FBI Director James Comey indicted

NBC News: Trump demands investigation into escalator 'triple sabotage' despite U.N. explanation

Axios: Trump imposes 30% to 50% tariffs on some furniture, cabinetry

WaPo: Hegseth orders rare, urgent meeting of hundreds of generals, admirals

Axios: Disney investors argue Kimmel's suspension hurt profits, demand investigation

Politico: House Democrats call for investigation into release of Mikie Sherrill’s military records

CNBC: Amazon reaches $2.5 billion settlement with FTC over 'deceptive' Prime program

AP News: Trump administration rehires hundreds of federal employees laid off by DOGE

AP News: Microsoft reduces Israel's access to cloud and AI products over reports of mass surveillance in Gaza

AP News: Trump says he will not allow Israel to annex the West Bank

CBS News: U.S. fighter jets scrambled to intercept Russian warplanes near Alaska

CNN: The Argentina bailout is all about propping up a Trump ally

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Thursday, September 25th, 2025 - TX ICE shooting; Trump’s DOJ hit list; ABC-Kimmel drama; Epstein-Trump statue; “Aligator Alcatraz" detainees missing Sep 25, 2025

Today’s Headlines: A gunman opened fire from a Dallas rooftop into an ICE detention center yesterday, killing one detainee, critically injuring two others, and then taking his own life. The FBI says they found a bullet at the scene marked “ANTI-ICE,” and are investigating the shooting as targeted ideological violence. Meanwhile, Trump’s Justice Department is reportedly teeing up criminal charges against former FBI director James Comey (for allegedly lying to Congress in 2020) and pushing a shaky mortgage fraud case against New York AG Letitia James—after swapping out the U.S. attorney who refused to pursue it. Over in late-night drama, Jimmy Kimmel pulled 6 million viewers for his defiant return, which sent Trump into an all-caps meltdown online threatening ABC. FCC chair Brendan Carr, who helped push Kimmel’s initial suspension, says he’s not stopping there—hinting at targeting The View and even SNL next. Also, two GOP reps are pushing to mint $400,000 coins featuring Charlie Kirk’s face (yes, real currency). On the Hill, Democrats flipped Raul Grijalva’s Arizona seat with his daughter Adelita, giving them 218 votes—just enough to force a floor vote on releasing the Epstein files. That news came as an anonymous golden statue of Trump and Epstein holding hands briefly appeared on the National Mall before being quietly removed. And in Florida, records suggest that more than 1,200 men detained at the so-called “Alligator Alcatraz” ICE camp this summer have since gone missing from government databases, with officials giving only vague “call ICE” notes as explanations.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

AP News: 1 detainee killed and 2 others critically injured in Dallas ICE facility, Homeland Security says

MSNBC: Former FBI Director James Comey facing imminent indictment threat

Bloomberg: Justice Department Presses Ahead With James Mortgage Fraud Case

The Daily Beast: Trump Rages at Kimmel’s Defiant Comeback by Threatening ABC

NYT: The F.C.C.’s Brendan Carr Plans to Keep Going After the Media Following Jimmy Kimmel’s Return

Miami Herald: GOP lawmakers push for Charlie Kirk likeness on US coins. ‘Permanent recognition’

NYT: Arizona Democrat’s Win Clinches Bid to Force Epstein Files Vote

WAPo: Park Service removes statue of Trump and Epstein from National Mall in D.C.

Miami Herald: Hundreds of Alligator Alcatraz detainees drop off the grid after leaving site

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Wednesday, September 24th, 2025 - Sinclair-Nexstar block Kimmel; Trump’s UN circus; Secret Service bust; UK rejects Tylenol claim; Dashcam hack Sep 24, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Jimmy Kimmel may be back on ABC’s late-night lineup, but viewers in markets like Salt Lake City, Nashville, and New Orleans didn’t get the show—thanks to Nexstar and Sinclair, which own nearly 70 ABC affiliates and refused to air it. Meanwhile, the UN General Assembly in Manhattan is serving drama: Trump told NATO to shoot down Russian aircraft, promised Ukraine could reclaim all its lost territory, and in a glitchy, rambling speech claimed he ended seven wars, trashed climate science, and basically asked for a Nobel Prize before bailing on diplomats. He also canceled a budget meeting with Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries. The Secret Service, on the other hand, actually did something: it dismantled a huge illegal telecom network in NYC that had the capacity to send 30 million texts per minute, potentially crashing cell service citywide. Across the pond, the UK is telling people to ignore Trump’s Tylenol-autism warnings, with the health secretary quipping he trusts doctors over Trump. Also in court news, Ryan Routh—the man who tried to assassinate Trump on his golf course last year—was found guilty on all charges and tried to stab himself in the neck after the verdict (unsuccessfully). Finally, a hacker broke into Nexar, a dashcam data company, exposing footage of everyday drivers—including one on the way to CIA HQ—and revealing its client list of government agencies buying that data.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

CNBC: Nexstar-owned ABC affiliates won't show Kimmel's return Tuesday, joining Sinclair in preempting program

AP News: Live updates: Trump says Ukraine can win back territory lost to Russia

PBS: Trump cancels meeting with Schumer and Jeffries on keeping the government open

CBS News: U.S. Secret Service disrupts telecom network that threatened NYC during U.N. General Assembly

BBC: Trump makes unproven claims linking autism to Tylenol use by pregnant women

CNN: Ryan Routh, would-be Trump assassin, tries to stab himself in neck after guilty verdict

404media: This Company Turns Dashcams into ‘Virtual CCTV Cameras.’ Then Hackers Got In

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Tuesday, September 23rd, 2025 - Kimmel’s back; Trump’s Tylenol-autism link; Border czar bribe; FBI’s anti-trans play; Palestine recognized & more Sep 23, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Jimmy Kimmel is back in his late-night slot after Disney admitted last week’s pull was over “ill-timed” jokes—but let’s be real, the Hulu/Disney+/ESPN subscriber drop probably didn’t help. Meanwhile, the Trump administration is floating Tylenol in pregnancy as a cause of autism (despite zero credible evidence) and RFK’s FDA is eyeing vitamin B9 treatments. Trump’s border czar Tom Homan was reportedly caught on tape taking a $50K bribe from undercover FBI agents—an investigation quietly shelved once Trump returned to office. At the FBI, a new plan could brand transgender people as “nihilistic violent extremists,” a threat category so broad it risks sweeping up activists and allies. The Department of Education teamed with Turning Point and Moms for Liberty for a “patriotic civics” initiative ahead of America’s 250th. Abroad, the UK, Canada, and Australia recognized Palestine as a state ahead of the UN General Assembly, while Hamas may propose a ceasefire-for-hostages deal to Trump. On the tech front, the DOJ is trying (again) to break up Google over ad dominance, Amazon faces a jury trial for making Prime too hard to cancel, and Nvidia just dropped $100 billion into OpenAI for mega data centers.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

Variety: Jimmy Kimmel Returns: ABC Ends Suspension Starting Tuesday

NBC News: Live updates: Trump and Kennedy promote unproven claims about autism at White House event

MSNBC: Tom Homan was investigated for accepting $50,000 from undercover FBI agents. Trump's DOJ shut it down.

Them: FBI to Categorize Trans People As "Nihilistic Violent Extremist" Threat Group, Report Says

Ed. gov: U.S. Department of Education, AFPI, TPUSA, Hillsdale College, and Over 40 National and State Organizations Launch America 250 Civics Coalition

WSJ: In Historic Shift, U.K., Australia and Canada Recognize a Palestinian State

Jerusalem Post: Hamas to tell Trump: We are willing to release half the hostages for 60-day ceasefire

CBS News: Google enters second court battle against DOJ over alleged monopoly

WSJ: Is Amazon Prime Too Hard to Cancel? A Jury Will Decide.

OpenAI: OpenAI and NVIDIA announce strategic partnership to deploy 10 gigawatts of NVIDIA systems

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Monday, September 22nd, 2025 - Russian flyovers; Trump NYT suit axed; EU cyber attack; Kirk memorial & more Sep 22, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Estonia invoked NATO’s Article 4 after three Russian fighter jets spent 12 minutes in its airspace, just as reports surfaced that the U.S. may cut back security aid to the Baltics. Meanwhile, the Pentagon dropped a bombshell—new restrictions requiring reporters to avoid publishing even unclassified info without authorization and Europe reeled from a cyberattack that disrupted major airports. In Arizona, Charlie Kirk’s memorial drew MAGA’s heavy hitters while Oklahoma lawmakers proposed mandatory “Charlie Kirk Memorial Plazas” at state universities, complete with statues.In Trump legal news—his defamation suit against the New York Times was tossed, and a Virginia U.S. attorney resigned after refusing Trump’s pressure to charge Letitia James. Additionally, Trump kept the pressure on AG Pam Bondi in since-deleted posts. Public health took a turn with RFK Jr.’s CDC panel voting to split up certain childhood vaccines, prompting seven Northeast states to launch their own health alliance. The administration also sparked chaos with a sudden $100K H-1B visa fee—initially confusing enough that tech giants scrambled to get employees back before clarifications rolled in. ICE clashes also escalated these last few days with 11 New York lawmakers arrested while demanding access to detainee cells, and Chicago protests turned violent. And finally, Social Security’s commissioner floated raising the retirement age—before quickly backtracking on Twitter.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

BBC: Estonia seeks Nato consultation after Russian jets violate airspace

Reuters: After diplomatic blitz on Ukraine and Gaza, Trump moves to passenger seat

WaPo: Pentagon demands journalists pledge to not obtain unauthorized material

AP News: Cyberattack disrupts check-in systems at major European airports

CNN: Charlie Kirk’s memorial service

Newsweek: Oklahoma Bill Calls For Charlie Kirk Statue at All State Colleges

NYT: Judge Dismisses Trump’s $15 Billion Lawsuit Against

NBC News: Trump publicly pushes Attorney General Pam Bondi to prosecute his political foes

NBC News: Federal prosecutor tasked with investigating Trump adversary Letitia James resigns under pressure

PBS: CDC panel overhauled by RFK Jr. changes childhood vaccine recommendations

Reuters: Northeast US states form health alliance in response to federal vaccine limits

Business Insider: White House says Trump's H-1B visa changes will only affect new applicants

NYT: 11 Elected Officials Arrested While Trying to Access Cells at N.Y.C. ICE Facility

NYT: Protesters and Federal Agents Clash Outside an ICE Detention Facility Near Chicago

The Hill: Social Security chief walks back remark on raising retirement age

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Friday, September 19th, 2025 - Trump targets “Antifa”; Operation Overlord; Kimmel vs. Sinclair; Khalil to be deported; Limewire buys Fyre Fest & more Sep 19, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Trump, posting from London, declared “Antifa” a terrorist organization—even though it’s not an actual organization—while mulling racketeering charges with AG Pam Bondi against unnamed left-wing groups. Meanwhile, watchdogs say Russia’s “Operation Overlord” is pumping out fake news, memes, and even Pedro Pascal quotes to stir division after Charlie Kirk’s assassination. The Pentagon, for its part, is eyeing machine learning-driven propaganda tools abroad, and even floating a recruitment campaign using Turning Point USA offices “in Kirk’s honor.” Speaking of deals, the New York Times dropped a bombshell linking Trump’s family cryptofirm World Liberty Financial to a $2B investment from the UAE, followed suspiciously by U.S. approval to send Emiratis advanced AI chips—despite intel concerns they’ll land in China. In other news, House Oversight launched an investigation into ABC, Disney, and Sinclair over Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension after FCC threats. Sinclair called the punishment “not enough” and demanded Kimmel apologize and cut a check to Turning Point USA. The same committee also summoned the CEOs of Discord, Reddit, Twitch, and Steam to testify on platform radicalization October 8. On the Turning Point front, Charlie Kirk’s widow Erika Kirk has been unanimously elected as the org’s new CEO. On immigration, a judge ordered Columbia grad Mahmoud Khalil to be deported to Syria or Algeria, citing omissions on his green card application—including past political affiliations—though supporters say it’s punishment for his activism against the Gaza war. And to end this crazy week, Limewire (yes, Limewire) bought the Fyre Festival brand on eBay for $245K and says it’s planning “real world experiences.”

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

CNN: Trump says he’s designating Antifa as a terrorist organization

ABC News: Security analysts flag rise in Russian-created misinformation posts on social media following Kirk shooting

The Intercept: Pentagon Document: U.S. Wants to “Suppress Dissenting Arguments” Using AI Propaganda

NYT: In Giant Deals, U.A.E. Got Chips, and Trump Team Got Crypto Riches

Deadline: Top Oversight Democrat Says He’s Launching Investigation Of Trump Administration, ABC And Sinclair Over Jimmy Kimmel Suspension

Sinclair: Sinclair Says Kimmel Suspension is Not Enough, Calls on FCC and ABC to Take Additional Action

Oversight Committee: Chairman Comer Invites CEOs of Discord, Steam, Twitch, and Reddit to Testify on Radicalization of Online Forum Users - United States House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

Axios: Erika Kirk named new Turning Point USA CEO after Charlie Kirk's death

NBC News: Immigration judge orders Mahmoud Khalil to be deported to Algeria or Syria

WSJ: Infamous Fyre Festival Sells for Fire-Sale Price of $245,000

NBC NEws: Military leaders consider recruiting campaign centered on Charlie Kirk

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Thursday, September 18th, 2025 - ABC pulls Kimmel; DOJ hides facts; Fed rate cuts; Trump whitewashes history & more Sep 18, 2025

Today’s Headlines: ABC yanked Jimmy Kimmel Live off the air “indefinitely” after Kimmel joked in his monologue about conservatives spinning the Charlie Kirk shooting, with the FCC chair threatening action against Disney and ABC. Meanwhile, the DOJ quietly pulled a study from its site showing far-right violence vastly outpaces left-wing or Islamist extremism—though archived versions and even a Cato Institute report back that up. On Capitol Hill, FBI Director Kash Patel’s second day of testimony was another loud but empty circus, while former CDC Director Susan Monarez dropped bigger bombshells: RFK Jr allegedly pressured her daily to change the vaccine schedule, demanded pre-approval of advisory panel recs, and called CDC staff “child killers.” She says she was fired for defending science; meanwhile, the CDC just announced it will ban remote work for employees with health conditions. The Fed cut rates by a quarter point and hinted at two more cuts this year as inflation lingers but jobs weaken. The Trump admin ordered the National Park Service to remove references to slavery and Native American history in the name of “patriotism,” because nothing says history like a good whitewash. In the UK, police arrested four members of Led By Donkeys for projecting Epstein/Trump/Prince Andrew images onto Windsor Castle during Trump’s state visit. And finally, Jerry Greenfield of Ben & Jerry’s is walking away after 47 years, accusing Unilever of muzzling the brand on social issues—especially Gaza.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

NBC News: Disney's ABC pulls 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' after FCC chair criticizes the host's Charlie Kirk comments

Spectrum News: Vance, Trump falsely claim left-wing violence outpaces the right as DOJ deletes report stating otherwise

CNN: Takeaways from FBI Director Kash Patel’s testimony on Jeffrey Epstein

WaPo: Takeaways from fired CDC director’s Senate testimony

CNBC: Fed meeting recap: Fed Chair Powell calls quarter-point trim a 'risk management cut'

NYT: National Parks Ordered To Remove Some Materials on Slavery and Tribes

Axios: 4 arrested after Trump, Epstein images beamed onto Windsor Castle

WSJ: Ben & Jerry’s Co-Founder Quits After 47 Years, Cites Loss of Independence Under Unilever

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Wednesday, September 17th, 2025 - Trump in UK, NYT lawsuit; Patel grilled; Kirk & Mangione updates; MO gerrymander & more Sep 17, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Trump touched down in the UK for a rare second state visit, where King Charles is rolling out the red carpet even as protesters projected images of Epstein, Trump, and Prince Andrew onto Windsor Castle. Back home, Trump sued The New York Times for $15 million, claiming their endorsement of Kamala Harris in 2024 was an election hit job. Meanwhile, FBI Director Kash Patel got grilled in the Senate over Epstein, Charlie Kirk’s assassination, and political meddling—he also bizarrely claimed Epstein only trafficked for himself. In Utah, the man accused of killing Kirk was charged with seven counts, with prosecutors seeking the death penalty. In New York, a judge tossed terrorism charges against the man who killed UnitedHealthcare’s CEO but kept a murder charge intact. In darker news, Mississippi mourned the death of 21-year-old Trey Reed, whose body was found hanging on campus, while Missouri Republicans pushed through a new congressional map that wipes out a Democratic seat, part of a broader GOP redistricting wave. Elsewhere, a court ruled Fed Governor Lisa Cook can’t be fired by Trump despite his attempts, and all eyes are on the Fed board’s rate decision today. TikTok’s U.S. takeover deal is nearly done, with Oracle, Andreessen Horowitz, and Silver Lake set to take an 80% stake and rebrand the app under a new U.S.-based entity. And finally, the Emmys had their best ratings in years, pulling 7.4 million viewers.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

The Guardian: Donald Trump lands in UK for second state visit as protesters gather in Windsor

NYT: Trump Sues The New York Times For Articles Questioning His Success

CNN: Takeaways from FBI Director Kash Patel’s Senate hearing

CNN: Live updates: Charlie Kirk shooting investigation, suspect Tyler Robinson hearing

AP News: New York judge tosses terrorism charges against Luigi Mangione, lets murder count stand

NBC News: Body of a Black student is found hanging from a tree in Mississippi

NBC News: Missouri Legislature passes new Republican-drawn congressional map

MO Independent: Judge hears arguments in case seeking to toss Missouri’s new congressional maps

CNBC: Bill Pulte's relatives claimed primary residence on two properties in two states

Axios: Appeals court rules Fed governor Cook can continue to serve

The Wrap: TikTok in Final Talks to Be Bought by Oracle, Silver Lake, Andreessen Horowitz

Axios: Emmys hit four-year viewership high

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Tuesday, September 16th, 2025 - Kirk shooter updates; Vance hosts Kirk’s show; US-China (concepts of a) TikTok deal; NY Gov. endorses Mamdani Sep 16, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Utah Gov. Spencer Cox says accused shooter Tyler Robinson isn’t cooperating, but the Washington Post found Discord messages where Robinson admitted to the shooting hours before his arrest. FBI Director Kash Patel revealed Robinson had also suggested his plans in texts and a now-destroyed note. Investigators describe him as politically radicalized against Kirk, though he has no criminal record and was still in trade school. Meanwhile, VP JD Vance guest-hosted The Charlie Kirk Show from his White House office, joined by Tucker Carlson, Stephen Miller, and others. Miller went full scorched-earth, calling left-wing groups a “domestic terrorist movement” that the government would dismantle “in Charlie’s name.” In other news, Trump wants companies to ditch quarterly earnings reports, the U.S. and China reached a tentative TikTok sale deal ahead of tomorrow’s deadline, and the Trump administration plans to destroy $10M worth of contraceptives intended for low-income countries despite global offers to take them. Trump also bragged about another strike on a Venezuelan “drug boat,” Israel launched a new ground offensive into Gaza with Rubio nodding along, and NY Gov. Kathy Hochul endorsed Zohran Mamdani over Andrew Cuomo.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

BBC: Suspect in Charlie Kirk shooting not cooperating with authorities, Utah governor says

WaPo: Suspect In Charlie Kirk Shooting appears to confess in Discord chat

NYT: FBI Head Says Note and DNA Link Suspect to Charlie Kirk Killing

AP News: JD Vance says national unity is impossible with those celebrating Charlie Kirk's killing

NBC News: 'We will do it in Charlie's name': Stephen Miller vows vengeance for Kirk's murder

CNBC: Trump advocates end to quarterly earnings reports

CNBC: Bessent: TikTok deal 'framework' reached with China, Trump and Xi will finalize it Friday

Axios: Planned Parenthood urges Trump not to destroy $10 million in contraceptives

The Guardian: Trump announces deadly US strike on another alleged Venezuelan drug boat

Axios: Israel launches offensive to occupy Gaza City

Axios: Rubio to discuss with Netanyahu Israeli plan for possible West Bank annexation

NYT: Opinion | Kathy Hochul: Why I Am Endorsing Zohran Mamdani

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Monday, September 15th, 2025 - Kirk suspect caught; Trump eyes Memphis; Bolsonaro amnesty; London far-right chaos; Nepal’s Discord coup; Albania’s AI Minister Sep 15, 2025

Today’s Headlines: The manhunt in Utah is over — 22-year-old Tyler Robinson confessed to killing Charlie Kirk after admitting it to his father and minister, who turned him in. Investigators haven’t nailed down a motive, though his transgender roommate (and alleged former partner) told police Robinson thought Kirk’s anti-trans rhetoric was hateful. That roommate has been cooperating, handing over texts that led police to the hidden rifle. Formal charges are expected tomorrow. Meanwhile, Congress is debating everything from Kirk lying in state at the Capitol to criminalizing jokes about his death, while FBI Director Kash Patel made headlines for tweeting bad info about the case… from a prime table at Rao’s. Elsewhere: Maryland and Michigan officials got bomb threats (one credible, since cleared), Trump backed off sending the National Guard to Chicago but is pushing troops into Memphis, and Fox host Brian Kilmeade apologized for suggesting homeless people be killed by lethal injection. In Brazil, lawmakers are floating amnesty for ex-president Bolsonaro after his coup conviction — a move drawing sharp rebukes from Brazil and open threats from Trump and Marco Rubio. Trump also tried tying new Russia sanctions to NATO-wide tariffs on China. Across the pond, over 100,000 people joined a far-right rally in London, complete with Elon Musk ranting about wokeness, while Nepal’s revolutionaries literally elected a new prime minister on Discord. Not to be left out, Albania’s Prime MInister just appointed an AI “minister” named Diella to fight corruption as part of its EU membership bid.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

Axios: Sources: Kirk suspect's transgender roommate "aghast," may be key to motive

CBS News: Live Updates: Charlie Kirk shooting suspect in custody after manhunt, officials announce

AP News: Workers commenting on Kirk's death learn the limits of free speech in and out of their jobs

Yahoo: Keystone Kash Dined at Luxe NYC Eatery During Kirk Killer Manhunt

The Baltimore Banner: Bomb threats target top Maryland General Assembly leaders

Yahoo: Lt. Gov Gilchrist says home targeted in ‘credible’ bomb threat

Axios: Trump backs off Chicago National Guard threats

AP News: Trump says he’ll send National Guard to Memphis, escalating his use of troops in US cities

AP News: Fox News' Brian Kilmeade apologizes for saying mentally ill homeless people should be executed

NYT: After Bolsonaro’s Conviction, Brazil Already Considers His Amnesty

AP News: Brazil braces for new US sanctions after Bolsonaro's conviction angers Trump administration

Axios: Trump ties new Russia sanctions to NATO tariffs on China

AP News: More than 100,000 people pack streets of central London in march organized by far-right activist

NYT: Nepal’s Social Media Ban Backfires as Politics Moves to a Chat Room

NBC News: Albania's prime minister appoints an AI-generated 'minister' to tackle corruption

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Friday, September 12th, 2025 - Manhunt for Kirk shooter; DNC bomb threat; Epstein emails; UK envoy sacked; Grocery prices spike; Bolsonaro gets 27 yrs Sep 12, 2025

Today’s Headlines: The FBI is in Utah chasing down leads in the Charlie Kirk assassination, releasing video of the suspected gunman’s escape and offering $100K for tips. Meanwhile, Trump plans to award Kirk the Medal of Freedom, VP JD Vance escorted his casket, and MAGA lawmakers are pushing for a Capitol statue. Security scares piled on, too—Capitol Police cleared a bomb threat at DNC HQ and multiple HBCUs went into lockdown after threats, all later deemed not credible. Bloomberg dropped 18,000 Epstein emails showing his tight post-conviction ties with Ghislaine Maxwell, plus a spreadsheet of $1.8M in gifts and payments. Across the pond, Britain’s ambassador to the U.S. got fired after Epstein’s “birthday book” and emails revealed his buddy-buddy relationship with the disgraced financier. On the economy, grocery inflation hit the highest since 2022—coffee up 20%, beef up 16%, even bananas pricier—thanks in part to tariffs. And abroad, Brazil’s ex-president Jair Bolsonaro was convicted of plotting a coup, including assassinations of Lula da Silva and others, and sentenced to 27 years. Unsurprisingly, he’s crying “witch hunt” as his supporters riot.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

NYT: No Arrests in Charlie Kirk’s Killing as FBI Seeks Help From Public

Independent: MAGA Rep. Anna Paulina Luna calls for Charlie Kirk statue in the Capitol after his assassination

Axios: State Department warns immigrants not to mock Kirk's death

NBC: DNC headquarters searched for bomb due to threat later deemed ‘not credible

ABC News: 'Chilling reminder': Multiple historically Black universities under lockdown after receiving threats

Bloomberg: Epstein’s Inbox: A Trove of Emails Reveals Ghislaine Maxwell’s Secrets

BBC: Being US ambassador 'privilege of my life', Mandelson says, after being sacked over Epstein emails

Axios: Grocery inflation highest since 2022 as Trump tariffs pile up

CNN: Brazil’s former President Jair Bolsonaro convicted of plotting coup, sentenced to over 27 years in prison

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Thursday, September 11th, 2025 - Charlie Kirk dead; GOP buries Epstein files; CO school shooting, Poland vs. Russia; Nepal uprising; France gov’t collapse Sep 11, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Conservative pundit Charlie Kirk was shot and killed at a Utah Valley University event yesterday with thousands in attendance. The shooter is still on the run despite an FBI “person of interest” briefly being detained. Utah’s governor called it a political assassination, while Trump lowered flags and blamed the “radical left” without evidence. Hours later, another shooting at a Colorado high school left four hospitalized, including the gunman. Meanwhile, Senate Republicans blocked a Schumer amendment to force the DOJ to release the Epstein files—yes, the same Republicans who were once demanding them—while Democrats flipped a Virginia House seat in a special election. In economic news, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick wants the U.S. to claim a share of university patents funded by federal grants (hello, communism?). Abroad, Poland accused Russia of 19 drone incursions in one night and invoked NATO’s Article 4, Nepal’s protests exploded into riots that toppled the prime minister, and France’s government collapsed after a debt-driven no-confidence vote—booting its fifth prime minister in under two years.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

CNN: Live updates: Manhunt underway after conservative activist Charlie Kirk shot dead on Utah campus

CPR: Shooting at Evergreen High School leaves three students with gunshot wounds, including the suspected shooter

Axios: Senate GOP blocks amendment to release Epstein files

Politico: Democrats add 1 more vote in Congress after Virginia special election - Live Updates

Axios: "The Axios Show" exclusive: Lutnick says U.S. should take a chunk of universities' patent revenue

WaPo: What to know as Poland invokes NATO Article 4, citing Russian drone violation

CNN: Trump on Russia’s incursion into NATO: ‘Here we go!’

CNN: A parliament in flames, a leader toppled. Nepal Gen-Z protesters ask: what comes next?

Time: What Comes Next for France After Another Government Collapse

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Wednesday, September 10th, 2025 - Israel strikes Qatar; SCOTUS backs Trump; Carroll payout upheld;, Jobs report revisions; SC abortion ban Sep 10, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Israel stirred up another front yesterday by striking Hamas leaders in Doha, Qatar—right as they were meeting to discuss Trump’s ceasefire plan. Qatar, not thrilled about the timing, has suspended its mediator role. The White House is insisting the bombing was Israel’s call, not ours—though the optics are messy, given Qatar’s status as a U.S. ally. Meanwhile, Chief Justice John Roberts temporarily let Trump freeze $4 million in foreign aid while the Court takes up the case, and the justices agreed to fast-track Trump’s appeal to reinstate tariffs that lower courts already ruled illegal. In other Trump court news, a federal appeals court upheld the $83.3 million defamation payout he owes E. Jean Carroll, calling the damages “fair and reasonable.” On the economy, Labor Department revisions show 911,000 fewer jobs created in the past year than first reported—the biggest downward adjustment since 2002. The Census Bureau also found that inflation wiped out income gains for most Americans in 2024, except high earners, while the gender pay gap actually widened. And finally, South Carolina Republicans are moving toward one of the harshest abortion bans with no exceptions for rape, incest, or fatal fetal anomalies, women potentially facing murder charges and even the death penalty for terminating a pregnancy. The bill will serve as a model for other states.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

NBC News: Israel strikes Hamas leadership in Qatar, which had been mediating a ceasefire in Gaza

Axios: Israel's attack in Qatar infuriated Trump advisers, officials say

Axios: Supreme Court pauses judge's order on Trump foreign aid freeze

Axios: Supreme Court to expedite Trump tariff case appeal

AP News: Appeals court upholds E. Jean Carroll's $83.3M defamation judgment against Trump

CNBC: Jobs report revisions September 2025:

Axios: Gender pay gap is getting wider, reversing progress

Substack: South Carolina Republicans Move to Ban Birth Control

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Tuesday, September 9th, 2025 - Epstein files & “Chipocalypse Now” updates; SCOTUS clears profiling; Hyundai raid; China hacks all & more Sep 09, 2025

Today’s Headlines: The Epstein files just keep coming—House Oversight dropped a batch of subpoenaed documents from his estate, including Trump’s long-denied birthday note (with the very recognizable Trump signature) plus another note from a Mar-a-Lago member joking about Epstein “selling” Trump a woman for $22,500. Meanwhile, the NYT dropped a bomb on JP Morgan, showing how the bank ignored red flags to keep Epstein as a client for years because he was too lucrative—and too connected to people like Bill Gates and Sergey Brin. The DOJ, for its part, asked a judge to keep the names of two Epstein associates who got six-figure payments in 2018 sealed. Elsewhere, the Supreme Court greenlit roving immigration patrols in LA, prompting Gov. Newsom to accuse the conservative majority of being the “Grand Marshal for a parade of racial terror.” Trump, asked about his Chicago “war” meme, claimed he just meant “cleaning up cities” as DHS launched “Operation Midway Blitz” targeting undocumented immigrants with criminal records. ICE raided a Hyundai plant in Georgia, detaining 475 workers—most of them South Korean nationals—sparking diplomatic talks with Seoul. On top of that, Trump wants to make the citizenship test harder, possibly with an essay requirement. In digital warfare news, the FBI warned China’s Salt Typhoon campaign has now hit 600 companies in 80 countries—and possibly every American. Hackers even impersonated Rep. John Moolenaar during trade talks. Finally, Axios reported Biden staffers were uneasy about his heavy reliance on autopen for pardons and Trump cheered West Point for scrapping an award for the “woke” Tom Hanks.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

WSJ: Epstein Birthday Letter With Trump’s Signature Revealed

NYT: How JP Morgan Enabled The Crimes Of Jeffrey Epstein

NBC News: DOJ says names of two associates Epstein wired $100k and $250k to should stay secret

LA Times: Supreme Court allows Trump administration to resume indiscriminate immigration raids in Los Angeles

NYT: Trump Administration Live Updates: President Says He's Not Declaring 'War' on Chicago

NYT: Immigration Crackdown in Chicago

WSJ: Seoul Says Deal Reached With U.S. to Release Workers Detained in Hyundai Raid

Axios: Trump's team plans harder test for U.S. citizenship — and more leeway to reject applicants

Axios: China's hacking machine wants your data and knows how to get it

WSJ: Chinese Hackers Pretended to Be a Top U.S. Lawmaker During Trade Talks

Axios: Scoop: Biden officials raised concerns with how he issued pardons, used autopen

AP News: Trump celebrates West Point alumni group canceling award ceremony to honor Tom Hanks

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Monday, September 8th, 2025 - “Chi-pocalypse Now”; RFK Jr.’s new conspiracy theory; DOJ probes Cook; Fed judges slam SCOTUS & more Sep 08, 2025

Today’s Headlines: The weekend brought another Trump classic: a meme threatening to send the military into Chicago, complete with an Apocalypse Now reference and the caption “Chicago about to find out why it’s called the Department of War.” Thousands protested in both Chicago and DC, while the new “Department of War” is now rebranding everything from uniforms to its website to fit the new name—on the taxpayer dime. In other news, RFK Jr., still smoldering from his Senate tantrum, is reportedly preparing a report linking autism to Tylenol use during pregnancy, a claim debunked by every credible medical body. His own family called for him to resign, former Surgeon General Jerome Adams said Trump should fire him, and even Trump broke with him to say vaccines “just work.” Meanwhile, VP JD Vance sparked a GOP mini-drama after bragging about a deadly US strike in the Caribbean; when a journalist called it a war crime, his response prompted Rand Paul to comment “despicable.” The DOJ opened a criminal probe into Fed governor Lisa Cook, who’s already suing the administration over Trump’s attempt to oust her—setting up a major fight over Fed independence. At the same time, a dozen federal judges voiced frustration with the Supreme Court for overturning lower court rulings with little explanation. On the economy, August jobs numbers were rough, with just 22,000 added and unemployment climbing to 4.3%. And finally, Paramount is in talks to acquire Bari Weiss’s Free Press for up to $200M, possibly putting her in charge of CBS News. She just hosted Justice Amy Coney Barrett at Lincoln Center, where ACB insisted the Constitution is “alive and well” and that the US is not in a constitutional crisis… though if you have to say it, maybe that’s its own answer.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

AP News: Trump threatens Chicago with apocalyptic force and Pritzker calls him a 'wannabe dictator'

Wired: Defense Department Scrambles to Pretend It’s Called the War Department

The Times: Kennedy family: RFK Jr is ‘threat to wellbeing of every American

Axios: Trump breaks from RFK on vaccines: "Pure and simple, they work"

CNN: Trump’s former surgeon general calls for RFK Jr. to be fired

CNBC: Payrolls rose 22,000 in August, less than expected in further sign of hiring slowdown

Axios: "Despicable and thoughtless": Vance's drug vessel strike praise slammed by senator

WSJ: DOJ Opens Criminal Investigation Into Fed’s Cook, Issues Subpoenas

NBC News: In rare interviews, federal judges criticize Supreme Court's handling of Trump cases

NBC News: Justice Amy Coney Barrett says country is not in a 'constitutional crisis'

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Friday, September 5th, 2025 - RFK Jr. meltdown; Trump gets richer; Jobs tank; Macron builds a Ukraine squad Sep 05, 2025

Today’s Headlines: RFK Jr., still clinging to his shaky Health & Human Services title, melted down for three hours in front of the Senate yesterday over the CDC chaos and vaccine access. He accused the CDC director of lying about being fired, insisted he’s not restricting vaccines (while restricting them), and somehow wandered into diabetes and Nobel Prizes for Trump. Massachusetts, meanwhile, became the first state to require insurers to cover vaccines regardless of federal policy. Jobs data isn’t great: just 54,000 private-sector jobs added in August, layoffs up nearly 40%, and hiring plans at their lowest since 2009. The official BLS report lands today—Trump’s first with his handpicked Heritage economist in charge. The Trump family’s wealth ballooned by $5 billion this week thanks to their crypto empire—even as their shiny new WLFI token lost half its value. They also launched a bitcoin miner on Nasdaq and unveiled a $6.4B crypto treasury firm. Elsewhere, a federal court cleared the way for the Everglades-based “Alligator Alcatraz” detention center, and Macron announced a 26-country “coalition of the willing” to back Ukraine postwar, with US support still fuzzy.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

AP News: Kennedy tries to defend COVID-19 vaccine stance in raucous Senate hearing

Axios: Massachusetts becomes first state to impose its own vaccine coverage rules

Yahoo: August jobs report to show further 'softness growing' in the US labor market as Fed rate cuts near

CBS News: New crypto token boosts Trump family's wealth by $5 billion

Axios: Trump family-backed American Bitcoin is a different sort of power play

Axios: Crypto.com launches $6.4B treasury firm

Axios: Florida shouldn't have been ordered to dismantle Alligator Alcatraz, appeals court finds

AP News: Macron says 26 countries pledge troops as a reassurance force for Ukraine after fighting ends

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Thursday, September 4th, 2025 - Epstein files update; China military parade; Jobs shrink; Harvard schools Trump; FL raw-dogs polio; Oura Ring’s DoD contract Sep 04, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Epstein survivors demanded the full release of government files on his trafficking network. Haley Robson, abused by both Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, stressed the issue isn’t political and called out banks that looked the other way while Epstein moved huge sums of cash. Survivors also noted Epstein’s favorite brag: his friendship with Trump. In response, Trump staged a loud military flyover to drown them out, held his own Oval Office event with Poland’s new right-wing president, and again dismissed the survivors’ claims as a “hoax”—despite warning GOP lawmakers the night before that forcing DOJ to release the files would be an act of betrayal. Meanwhile, China’s massive military parade rolled out thousands of troops and cutting-edge weapons for Xi, Putin, Kim Jong-un, and two dozen other world leaders. Putin even floated meeting Zelensky in Moscow, though given Russia’s use of North Korean fighters in Ukraine, that seems like a stretch. Back home, the latest jobs report shows more unemployed Americans than job openings for the first time since 2021. A federal judge also smacked down the Trump administration’s $2.6B in Harvard research funding cuts, calling them retaliation dressed up as “antisemitism” concerns. Florida went full Wild West on public health, ending vaccine mandates for all childhood diseases—measles, polio, the works—while the state’s surgeon general bizarrely compared mandates to slavery. And in tech news, Oura’s new partnership with the Department of Defense sparked consumer concern about data-sharing, though the company insists civilian users’ info won’t be touched.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

PBS: ‘The abuse was real,’ Epstein survivor implores Trump, who again calls case a ‘hoax’

NYT: Trump Welcomes Poland’s Right-Wing President to White House

CNN: China showcases military strength at parade as Xi stands alongside Putin and Kim

Yahoo: There are more Americans out of work than there are jobs open for the first time since April 2021

AP News: Judge reverses Trump administration’s cuts of billions of dollars to Harvard University

The Guardian: Florida to end vaccine mandates for children as state’s surgeon general likens them to ‘slavery’

Mashable: What Oura Ring’s partnership with the U.S. military means for your data

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Wednesday, September 3rd, 2025 - Trump is alive; Chicago braces for ICE; Dictators march; Epstein files; Google win; Denmark deepfakes & more Sep 03, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Trump finally reappeared yesterday—45 minutes late to his big Oval Office presser—where he confirmed Space Force HQ is moving from Colorado Springs to Huntsville, Alabama (something we already knew thanks to a DoD slip-up). Asked about his mysterious five-day absence and rumors he’d died, Trump brushed it off, then pivoted to announce he’s sending National Guard troops into Chicago, prompting Gov. JB Pritzker to accuse the feds of already staging units nearby. At the same time, Sec. of State Marco Rubio announced a U.S. strike on a Venezuela-linked drug boat in the Caribbean that killed 11, with Trump posting an explosion video on Truth Social as his version of “just say no.” Meanwhile, Trump’s two-week “deadline” for peace in Ukraine passed without progress—Putin was too busy in China attending Xi Jinping’s WWII anniversary parade with North Korea’s Kim Jong Un and his daughter/successor Kim Ju Ae. Back in D.C., Congress returned from recess facing another looming shutdown and the Epstein files circus: six survivors testified on Capitol Hill as lawmakers released 30,000 pages of mostly redundant documents, while still pressing DOJ for the unredacted batch. Elsewhere, a federal judge ruled Google abused its search monopoly but stopped short of breaking up Chrome—news that sent its stock soaring. And Denmark just made history by becoming the first European country to grant citizens copyright control over their likeness, including AI-generated versions of themselves, with protections lasting 50 years after death.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

NBC News: Trump administration live updates: Congress faces shutdown fight, Epstein files vote

ABC Chicago: Chicago braces for potential surge in ICE operations, which could begin Tuesday

AP News: Trump says US strike on vessel in Caribbean targeted Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua gang, killed 11

CNBC: Plane carrying EU leader hit with suspected Russian GPS interference

Reuters: Xi hosts ‘old friend’ Putin, Kim ahead of military parade in challenge to West

ABC News: Congress returns from recess as government shutdown deadline looms, Epstein files dominate the House

NBC News: Jeffrey Epstein accusers urge Trump to release all the case files and rule out a Ghislaine Maxwell pardon

NYT: Google Must Share Search Datda With Rivals, Judge Rules

My Privacy: Denmark Makes History: Your Face and Voice Are Now Your Intellectual Property

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Tuesday, September 2nd, 2025 - Where’s Trump?; Tariffs illegal; Giuliani’s crash; Harris’ security yanked; Dep’t of War; Xi’s world order pitch & more Sep 02, 2025

Today’s Headlines: President Trump hasn’t been seen in public in days, fueling health rumors the White House won’t confirm or deny—though his team has been posting old photos and oddly ghostwritten Truth Social rants to keep up appearances. Meanwhile, a U.S. appeals court ruled most of Trump’s tariffs illegal but left them in place until mid-October, setting up a likely Supreme Court fight. Trump also yanked Kamala Harris’s Secret Service protection right before her book tour, while Marco Rubio revoked Mahmoud Abbas’s U.S. visa ahead of the UN General Assembly. On the rebrand beat, the administration is drafting plans to rename the Department of Defense the “Department of War” (which was last used in 1947). Elsewhere, Rudy Giuliani says he fractured his spine in a car crash after helping a domestic violence victim—though Trump quickly promised him a Medal of Freedom, raising more questions than answers. Missouri’s GOP governor is fast-tracking redistricting to lock in more Republican seats before 2026. Abroad, Xi Jinping hosted Putin and Modi at the Shanghai Cooperation summit to pitch a “Global South” order, Yemen mourned slain Houthi leaders after an Israeli strike, and Israel says it also killed Hamas’s spokesman as it eyes another Gaza offensive. And back home, Congress returns with the Epstein files looming—lawmakers Massie and Khanna are set to appear with new victims demanding the DOJ release everything.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

Newsweek: Donald Trump Posting Week-Old Photo Raises Eyebrows Amid Health Speculation

CNBC: Bessent expects Supreme Court to uphold legality of Trump’s tariffs but eyes Plan B

NBC News: Trump revokes Secret Service protection for former Vice President Kamala Harris

AP News: US revokes visas of Palestinian president and other officials ahead of UN General Assembly

WSJ: White House Moves Forward on Plans for a Department of War

NBC News: Trump says he will award Rudy Giuliani the Presidential Medal of Freedom

NBC News: Missouri governor calls special session to redraw congressional maps in push to boost GOP seats

Reuters: SCO summit 2025 as it happened: China's Xi met Putin and Modi, as Trump's shadow loomed

Reuters: Thousands attend funeral of Houthi leaders killed by Israeli strike, vow revenge

WSJ: Israel Says It Has Killed Hamas Spokesman in Gaza City Strike Ahead of Planned Invasion

Politico: Khanna and Massie to hold press conference with Epstein victims

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Friday, August 29th, 2025 - RFK Jr.’s CDC mess; Trump’s railroad takeover; “De minimis” loophole shut; "Sandwich Thrower” charged with misdemeanor Aug 29, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Newly confirmed CDC director, Susan Monarez, was “officially removed” by HHS Secretary RFK Jr.—even though she insisted only the president can fire her, making The CDC mess even messier. Meanwhile, RFK Jr’s ally Jim O’Neill has been tapped as acting director, prompting dozens of CDC staff in Atlanta to walk out in protest. Over at the Surface Transportation Board, Trump is trying to oust a Democratic member just as the board weighs a huge merger between Norfolk Southern and Union Pacific that could essentially create one mega-railroad controlling freight across the U.S. At the same time, Trump is also closing the “de minimis” loophole, meaning imported packages under $800 will now get slapped with tariffs ranging from 10–50%—and several countries, including Japan, Germany, and Mexico, say they’ll stop sending packages here altogether. In Minneapolis, police gave more details about the horrific school shooting that killed two children and injured 18 others. Officials say the gunman plastered his weapons with over 100 hate slogans and had been openly posting about his plans for weeks, though law enforcement somehow missed it. And in DC, the infamous “sandwich thrower” who hurled lunch at a federal agent during Trump’s new troop patrols has been charged only with a misdemeanor after prosecutors couldn’t get a felony indictment. Truly, the first time a ham sandwich wasn’t indicted.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

The Guardian: CDC in crisis: who are the top officials resigning or being forced out? | Trump administration

NBC News: Trump administration live updates: White House taps Kennedy deputy as acting CDC director; Fed governor Lisa Cook sues over removal

Axios: Massive CDC walkout erupts amid internal chaos

Bloomberg: Trump Moves To Fire Rail Regulator

WIRED: The Duty-Free Loophole Is Closing. What That Means for You—and Your Packages

NBC News: Minneapolis shooting live updates: Shooter 'wanted to watch children suffer' as 120 shell casings are recovered, officials say

AP News: DC man seen throwing sandwich at agent charged with misdemeanor after grand jury declines indictment

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Thursday, August 28th, 2025 - MN school shooting; Trump (still) eyeing Greenland; DOGE leaks data; RFK blocks vax; Noem sidelines FEMA staff Aug 28, 2025

Today’s Headlines: On the first day back at Annunciation Catholic School, a 23-year-old former student killed two kids, injured 17 others, and then himself. He left behind a manifesto filled with antisemitic and racist rants, even scrawling “6 million wasn’t enough” on his gun, the FBI is investigating it as domestic terrorism. Abroad, Denmark summoned the U.S. envoy after reports that Trump-linked operatives ran covert influence campaigns in Greenland, compiling lists of allies and critics while trying to undermine Denmark’s image. In other news, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced the Trump administration is taking control of D.C.’s Union Station from Amtrak, promising to restore its “beauty.” A whistleblower revealed that DOGE uploaded a massive Social Security database—including names, addresses, and birth dates of millions—onto an insecure cloud server, risking a “catastrophic” breach. In Iowa, Democrat Catelin Drey flipped a GOP-held state senate seat by 11 points, ending Republicans’ supermajority. On public health, HHS Secretary RFK Jr restricted access to COVID vaccines by requiring doctor approval, as new CDC Director Susan Monarez abruptly resigned alongside other senior officials. And DHS Secretary Kristi Noem unlawfully placed over 180 FEMA staff on leave after they signed a letter criticizing cuts to disaster preparedness.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

CNN: Live Updates: Minneapolis shooting leaves at least 2 children killed and 17 people injured in Annunciation Catholic School

Axios: Denmark summons U.S. envoy over Greenland influence campaign with Trump ties

AP News: Trump extends control over Washington by taking management of Union Station away from Amtrak

NYT: DOGE Put Critical Social Security Data at Risk, Whistle-Blower Says

Des Moines Register: Democrat Catelin Drey wins Iowa Senate special election, breaking Republican supermajority

Axios: RFK Jr. limits who is eligible for COVID shots

Axios: CDC director Susan Monarez ousted as new COVID vaccine policy takes shape

Axios: Multiple FEMA staff put on leave after letter criticizing Trump admin

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Wednesday, August 27th, 2025 - Dictator vibes, death penalty & fed drama; Chinese student visas; Gaza strike; OpenAI lawsuit & more Aug 27, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Right as Taylor Swift casually dropped her engagement pics Trump brushed off his critics by saying he might be a “dictator,” but at least he “stops crime,” and pitched the death penalty for DC murders. He also doubled down on firing Fed Governor Lisa Cook — accusing her of mortgage fraud (a line of attack he often saves for Black women in power) — and is already eyeing his buddy Stephen Miran as a replacement. Cook is suing, and the Fed says it’ll let the courts decide.Meanwhile, Commerce Secretary Lutnick floated the idea of the U.S. buying stakes in defense giants like Lockheed Martin — basically admitting they’re already arms of the government. Over in Congress, Oversight Chair James Comer launched a probe into DC crime stats after a whistleblower claimed they were cooked. On foreign policy, Trump met with South Korea’s president and announced 600,000 new visas for Chinese students, despite backlash from his base. Abroad, Israeli troops shelled Gaza’s Nasser Hospital, killing 20 people, including journalists and medics, saying they mistook a camera for Hamas surveillance. In Australia, PM Anthony Albanese blamed Iran for a string of arson attacks targeting Jewish sites, expelled Iranian diplomats, and cut ties completely. Lastly, OpenAI faces yet another lawsuit — this one from the parents of a 16-year-old in California who say ChatGPT helped their son explore suicide methods before he took his life.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

ABC News: Trump admin live updates: Trump says he will seek death penalty for murders in DC

AP News: Fed governor Lisa Cook to sue Trump administration

WSJ: Trump Weighs Quickly Announcing Nominee to Replace Lisa Cook on Fed Board

CNBC: Trump Pentagon weighing equity stakes in defense contractors like Lockheed, says Lutnick

Axios: House GOP launches probe into alleged DC crime data manipulation

Axios: MAGA rages over Trump's Chinese students announcement

WSJ: Israeli Troops Targeted a Camera in Gaza Hospital Strike That Killed 20, Army Says

CBS News: Australia expels Iranian diplomats, accuses country of directing antisemitic arson attacks

Axios: Parents sue OpenAI over teen's suicide

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Tuesday, August 26th, 2025 - Trump’s dictator talk & new EOs; Epstein subpoena; Abrego-Garcia re-detained; Musk vs Apple & more Aug 26, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Trump claims he’s “not-a-dictator” while justifying plans to send the National Guard into states under the banner of fighting crime. He followed that up by signing a stack of executive orders: one to criminalize flag-burning (directly challenging a Supreme Court ruling that protects it as free speech), and another targeting cashless bail by pressuring cities and D.C. to roll it back. He also picked new fights with Chris Christie and threatened to have FCC revoke their licenses - which he can’t really do. Meanwhile, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker is openly defying Trump, calling him a wannabe dictator and vowing to stop him. On Capitol Hill, the House Oversight Committee subpoenaed Epstein’s estate for financial records, contacts, and his infamous birthday book. In deportation news, ICE re-detained Kilmar Abrego Garcia—less than 24 hours after his release—though a judge has temporarily blocked his deportation to Uganda. In other news, Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro is urging citizens to join the pro-government militia in response to U.S. warships and a $50M bounty on his head (though his claim of 4.5M soldiers is… generously padded). Trade tensions are also flaring again, with foreign postal services pausing shipments to the U.S. over confusion around Trump’s changes to tariff exemptions. Lastly, Elon Musk’s xAI is suing Apple and OpenAI, accusing them of illegally rigging the AI market by locking ChatGPT into every iPhone.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

Axios: Trump denies being a dictator as he threatens new National Guard deployment

AP News: Trump moves to ban flag burning despite Supreme Court ruling that Constitution allows it

WSJ: Trump Takes Aim at Ending Cashless Bail

Axios: Trump threatens ABC and NBC over "BAD STORIES"

WTTW Chicago: Pritzker Vows to Stop Trump From Sending National Guard to Chicago

AP News: House committee subpoenas Jeffrey Epstein's estate for documents

AP News: Kilmar Abrego Garcia faces new deportation efforts after ICE detains him in Baltimore

CBS News: Housewives, retirees in Venezuela line up to join militia in response to what Maduro calls "outlandish threats" by U.S.

Axios: Global shippers cut U.S. off as de minimis tariff deadline nears

WSJ: Elon Musk’s xAI Sues Apple and OpenAI, Alleging They Are Monopolists

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Monday, August 25th, 2025 - Bolton raid; Trump’s Intel takeover; DC Nat’l Guard armed;, “Deportation Depot”; Newsom’s deal & more Aug 25, 2025

Today’s Headlines: The FBI raided John Bolton’s house over “classified docs” (read: political trolling), while Trump basically pulled off a hostile takeover of Intel, forcing the company to hand over 10% equity to the government. In D.C., National Guard troops are now openly armed, and Trump’s talking about shipping them off to Chicago and New York like he’s picking stops on a tour while Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth guts the Pentagon of anyone not Trump-loyal enough. Down in Florida, a judge froze the swampy “Alligator Alcatraz” detention center, but DeSantis bounced back with plans for a new “Deportation Depot.” ICE is still deporting people at lightning speed, including Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who’s now being sent to Uganda with barely any notice. In other news, Russia’s Lavrov went on U.S. TV to hint at peace talks (translation: Ukraine gives up land), while Zelensky celebrated Independence Day with Canada’s billion-dollar aid package and a parade of European allies. At the same time, the Pentagon is quietly blocking Ukraine from using U.S. long-range missiles on Russia—because “wooing” Putin is apparently still the plan. And finally, Newsom is cutting green deals with Denmark like a real head of state, and the DOJ “accidentally” dumped a soft-focus interview with Ghislaine Maxwell the same day it was supposed to hand over Epstein files—timed perfectly with the Bolton raid. Funny how that works.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

NBC News: Former Trump national security adviser John Bolton's home and office searched by FBI

WSJ: Trump, Intel Agree to 10% U.S. Stake as President Promises More Deals

AP News: National Guard troops on DC streets for Trump's crackdown will start carrying guns

CNN: Officials have been planning for weeks to send National Guard to Chicago as Trump seeks to expand crime crackdown

CNN: Hegseth fires general whose agency’s intel assessment of damage from Iran strikes angered Trump

CNN: ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ may be shut down before Halloween. Florida already has a backup plan

WaPo: Trump administration to vet all 55 million foreigners with U.S. visas

NBC News: Kilmar Abrego Garcia notified by ICE that he may be deported to Uganda

NBC News: Russia’s Lavrov says Putin wants peace even as strikes on Ukraine ramp up: Full interview

Kyiv Independent: Canada to send over $700 million in drones and ammunition to Ukraine in September

WSJ: Pentagon Has Quietly Blocked Ukraine’s Long-Range Missile Strikes on Russia

NBC News: Trump 'not happy' with strike on U.S. factory in Ukraine

Newsweek: Gavin Newsom Announces 'Very Important' International Partnership: What to Know

NBC News: Read the full transcript of Ghislaine Maxwell's DOJ interviews

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Friday, August 22nd, 2025 - Black (expensive) wall; Walmart eats tariffs…for now; Trump buys bonds; TX passes gerrymandered map & more Aug 22, 2025

Today’s Headlines: The border wall is getting a makeover—DHS Secretary Kristi Noem says it’ll be painted black (because the president thinks the heat will make it harder to climb), with a price tag that could hit a billion dollars but plenty of funding still left in Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill.” Meanwhile, the Pentagon asked nearly a million of its civilian employees if they’d like to “volunteer” with ICE or CBP under potentially harsh conditions, while the DC National Guard has quietly been pulled into pistol training drills in case they’re ordered to carry weapons. Meanwhile, Walmart’s CEO says tariffs are slowly driving up costs, especially for lower-income households, while Trump himself has been quietly buying more than $100 million in corporate and municipal bonds—meaning he’s personally investing in the same companies and local governments affected by his own policies. On top of that, a New York appeals court just tossed his $500 million fraud fine as “excessive,” even as the DOJ’s new “Weaponization” unit is clumsily targeting NY Attorney General Letitia James, with its Trump-friendly head, Ed Martin, literally showing up outside her townhouse in a trench coat. In New York City, Mayor Eric Adams’ inner circle is once again in scandal mode: his longtime ally Winnie Greco was caught trying to hand a reporter cash inside a potato chip bag (she swears it was just a cultural kindness), while another close aide, Ingrid Lewis-Martin, was indicted for steering migrant shelter contracts and even trying to block a Brooklyn bike lane—for as little as $2,500 and a TV cameo. Finally, Texas Republicans approved a new congressional map giving them at least 5 extra winnable seats, while Trump is already dreaming much bigger—claiming on Truth Social that he wants 100 new GOP seats and railing (again) against mail-in voting.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

CNN: Kristi Noem: Southern border wall will be painted black to deter people from climbing it during hot weather, DHS secretary says

404 Media: Pentagon Asks Its Civilian Employees If They Want to Work for ICE

The Handbasket: DC National Guard members actively training to carry pistols in capital mission

Axios: Walmart says tariff impact gradual, but changing customers' behavior

NBC News: Trump bought more than $100 million in bonds since January, filings show

AP News: Appeals court throws out massive civil fraud penalty against President Donald Trump

ABC News: Head of DOJ anti weaponization group calls on NY AG Letitia James to resign

The Guardian: Two former Eric Adams advisers accused of bribery in separate schemes

Axios: Trump lays out his redistricting endgame: A 100-seat Republican majority

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Thursday, August 21st, 2025 - Gerrymandering & tariff updates; Border device snoops; RFK Jr. drama; N. Korea nukes; WH TikTok & more Aug 21, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Texas lawmakers finally got enough people in the room to move their new congressional map forward, shutting down Democratic objections along the way. Meanwhile in Mississippi, a federal judge ordered the state to ditch its decades-old gerrymandered map that diluted Black voters’ power. On tariffs, Trump quietly expanded his 50% steel and aluminum tariffs to over 400 new products—everything from fire extinguishers to construction materials—hitting about $320 billion worth of imports. Border searches are also spiking: CBP combed through nearly 15,000 travelers’ phones and laptops last quarter, the most ever, and they’re looking for even more invasive tech to dig through people’s texts. At HHS, over 750 employees blasted Secretary RFK Jr. for spreading anti-vax lies that they say are fueling violence against health workers—just weeks after a gunman attacked the CDC. Overseas, Israel is calling up 60,000 more reservists for its Gaza campaign and extending others’ service, even as protests grow at home and a controversial West Bank settlement project gets the green light and a think tank says North Korea has a secret missile base near China capable of launching nukes at the U.S.—one of at least 15 hidden facilities. Lastly, in a weird twist, the White House just launched an official TikTok account on the very app Trump keeps trying (and failing) to ban.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

The Guardian: Texas Republicans bring redistricting bill to house floor after finally reaching quorum

AP News: Mississippi Supreme Court map violates Voting Rights Act, judge rules

NBC News: Trump expands 50% steel and aluminum tariffs to include 407 additional product types

Wired: Phone Searches at the US Border Hit a Record High

Axios: HHS workers accuse RFK Jr. of stoking violence against them

NBC News: Israel enters first stage of planned assault on Gaza City

WSJ: North Korea Has a Secret Long-Range Missile Base Near Chinese Border, Report Says

The Guardian: White House launches official TikTok account after Trump vowed ban in 2020

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Wednesday, August 20th, 2025 - Trump’s hot mic; Security purge & Smithsonian feud; TX standoff; OK’s PragerU tests; TikTok sued; Radioactive shrimp & more Aug 20, 2025

Today’s Headlines: President Trump was caught on a hot mic telling French President Emmanuel Macron that Vladimir Putin “wants to make a deal,” though the Kremlin brushed it off Reports say Putin even suggested Zelensky travel to Moscow — a nonstarter, given Russia’s stance on Ukraine. Trump also ruled out sending U.S. troops to Ukraine as part of security guarantees. Meanwhile, the Trump administration revoked security clearances for 37 current and former national security officials, many tied to the 2016 Russia interference assessment. Trump also escalated his attacks on “woke” institutions, directing his lawyers to target the Smithsonian museums over their exhibits. In California, Republican lawmakers are suing to block Governor Gavin Newsom’s redistricting legislation, while in Texas, State Rep. Nicole Collier is literally sleeping in the capitol to avoid signing a GOP loyalty paper that would otherwise allow her to leave without threat of arrest. Elsewhere, Oklahoma schools chief Ryan Walters announced that out-of-state teacher applicants must pass an “anti-radical” test written by PragerU and immigration authorities rolled out a new policy weighing immigrants’ “positive attributes” in citizenship applications — just as ICE moved to deport a Maine police officer accused of overstaying his visa. Finally, Minnesota joined states suing TikTok over addictive algorithms, and the FDA warned consumers to toss certain Walmart frozen shrimp after reports of possible radioactive contamination linked to an Indonesian supplier.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

BBC: Kremlin plays down Zelensky talks as Trump warns Putin may not want 'to make deal'

AP News: Trump administration revokes security clearances of 37 current and former government officials

Axios: Trump says he has instructed lawyers to look into "woke" in Smithsonian museums

Axios: California Republicans sue to pause Newsom's redistricting effort

NBC News: Texas Democratic legislator is sleeping in the state Capitol after refusing security escort to leave

AP News: Oklahoma to test ideology of teachers coming from California and New York

Axios: Citizenship reviews now ask immigrants to show "positive contributions" to U.S.

AP News: Maine police officer arrested by ICE agrees to voluntarily leave the country

AP News: Minnesota sues TikTok, alleging it preys on young people with addictive algorithms

NBC News: Walmart shrimp may have been exposed to radioactive material, FDA says

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Tuesday, August 19th, 2025 - Trump-Zelenky meeting; Mail-in voting ban; Newsmax settlement; TX redistricting; Hamas Ceasefire & more Aug 19, 2025

Today’s Headlines: After Trump’s meeting with Putin, Zelensky and several spooked European leaders rushed to DC for damage control. Trump called his Oval Office chat with Zelensky their “best meeting yet” (not saying much), hinted at a three-way with Putin, and bragged Europe would “carry the burden” on Ukraine—all while admitting he’d already “spoken indirectly” with Putin. Meanwhile, Russian TV aired footage of U.S. equipment flying Russian and American flags near Zaporizhzhia. Back home, Trump announced an executive order to ban mail-in voting and attacked voting machines, echoing Putin’s lines while undermining the constitutionality of state run elections. In related news, Newsmax agreed to pay Dominion $67 million for 2020 election lies, following big settlements with Smartmatic and Fox. In Texas, Democrats are back, clearing the way for Republicans to lock in five new House seats and in other potentially corrupt news, the White House was caught keeping a loyalty “scorecard” on businesses’ support for Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill,” while they weigh taking a 10% stake in Intel—an unusually socialist-sounding move. Meanwhile, the DOJ is set to hand over long-delayed Epstein records, with Bill Barr insisting it was suicide despite “camera blind spots.” And reports say Trump officials helped spring an Israeli cybersecurity exec arrested in Nevada on child sex charges, flying him home before trial. Finally, Hamas has reportedly accepted a new ceasefire and hostage deal brokered by Egypt and Qatar, though Israel hasn’t formally responded, and Netanyahu is still vowing a Gaza City offensive as over a million Israelis strike in protest.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

AP News: Live updates: Trump says he is setting up meeting for Zelenskyy and Putin to discuss Russia-Ukraine war

The Daily Beast: Flag-Waving Russian Forces Troll Trump After Crumbling to Putin

Axios: Trump raises end to mail-in ballots after claiming Putin questioned their security

NBC News:Newsmax to pay $67M to settle defamation lawsuit from voting machine company

WSJ: Texas Democrats End Walkout, Ensuring GOP Redistricting Plans Will Pass

Axios: Scoop: White House loyalty rating for companies

WSJ: Trump Administration Weighs 10% Stake in Intel to Help Bolster Chip Maker

CNN: House Oversight Chair says Justice Department to start providing Epstein-related records on Friday

Mediaite: Israeli Official Arrested in Nevada Child Sex Operation Is Released and Back in Israel

Axios: Hamas accepts latest Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal proposal

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Monday, August 18th, 2025 - Red carpet for Putin summit; Israel national strike; Gaza visas paused; Dems bid to end DC takeover; Hurricane Erin Aug 18, 2025

Today’s Headlines: The Trump–Putin “summit” in Alaska dominated the weekend, though there seemed to be more bad optics than progress. Putin demanded control of Donetsk plus recognition of Russia’s land grabs in Ukraine, while hinting China could offer Kyiv “security guarantees” instead of NATO. No deal came out of it, but plenty of eyebrow-raisers did: Russian FM Lavrov in a vintage USSR shirt, US troops literally rolling out a red carpet, Trump’s team leaving summit documents (including Putin’s lunch menu) at a hotel printer, and Putin even hopped into Trump’s car for a quick chat. Journalists said Trump’s staff looked “ashen,” a post-meeting lunch was mysteriously canceled, and the only follow-up so far is Trump planning a phone call with Zelensky and EU leaders. Elsewhere, Israel saw a massive general strike—organizers say about 10% of the country joined—to pressure the government into prioritizing a hostage deal over expanding the Gaza war. In the U.S., about 60 kids from Gaza arrived for medical care with the help of a nonprofit, sparking outrage from Laura Loomer and prompting the Trump administration to pause visitor visas from the territory. Back in DC, hundreds of National Guard troops from West Virginia, Ohio, and South Carolina are being deployed to the capital in Trump’s ongoing push to control city policing—though officials insist they’re not armed “at this time.” Democrats, led by Rep. Jamie Raskin, are pushing a resolution to end Trump’s authority over the DC police. And finally, Hurricane Erin—the first named storm of the season—rapidly jumped to a Category 5 before downgrading slightly. It’s still expected to slam the Southeast as a major hurricane early this week.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

Axios: Putin made maximalist claims to Ukrainian territory in Trump summit: Sources

NBC News: Ukraine and allies left scrambling as Trump shifts toward Putin after Alaska summit

Times of Israel: Large protests held across Israel as national strike for hostages gets underway

NYT: U.S. Pauses Visitor Visas for Gazans After Laura Loomer Posts

WSJ: More National Guard Soldiers Head to D.C. and Prepare to Carry Weapons

Axios: Democrats introduce measure to terminate Trump's D.C. takeover

NYT: U.S. Pauses Visitor Visas for Gazans After Laura Loomer Posts

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Friday, August 15th, 2025 - Trump-Putin in AK; Newsom’s “Liberation Day”; Inflation fears; PBS out, right-wing PragerU in; Ivanka’s back, Hunter talks Epstein & more Aug 15, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Trump and Putin are meeting today in Anchorage, Alaska, at the Cold War-era Elmendorf-Richardson base — which Russian media is treating like a five-star historic landmark. Ukraine’s Zelensky wasn’t invited to the land-talks party. Trump says he’s optimistic about a deal, with a joint press conference possible if things go smoothly (or solo remarks if they don’t). Meanwhile, investigators say Russia-backed hackers broke into the federal courts’ sealed records system, which holds national security cases and other sensitive files. In politics, California Governor Gavin Newsom marked “Liberation Day” by announcing a ballot measure to take redistricting power from his state’s independent commission, while Texas keeps fighting over its own maps. Border Patrol showed up at Newsom’s LA event, prompting Mayor Karen Bass to call it “provocative.” Inflation’s back in the spotlight as wholesale prices saw their biggest jump since 2022. PBS is still defunded, and conservative group PragerU is being floated as a replacement. And in family news: Ivanka Trump’s back to plan a White House UFC fight for America’s 250th birthday, while Hunter Biden claims Jeffrey Epstein introduced Donald and Melania Trump — something Melania’s lawyers want retracted, but Hunter says he’s not backing down.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

NBC News: Russians hail historic Alaska ties ahead of Trump-Putin summit on Ukraine

CNN: Live updates: Trump says Putin will make deal on Ukraine as leaders prepare for Alaska meeting

NYT: Russia Is Suspected to Be Behind Breach of Federal Court Filing System

The Hill: Watch: Newsom outlines plan to combat Trump, GOP redistricting

NYT: ICE shows up to Governor Newsom's press Conference

CNBC: Wholesale prices rose 0.9% in July, much more than expected

The Grio: Potential PBS replacement network says slavery was 'no big deal' in video

The Daily Beast: Trump Gives MIA Ivanka New White House Gig

Axios: Hunter Biden said he won't apologize to Melania Trump amid lawsuit threat

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Thursday, August 14th, 2025 - Trump rants… again; TX gerrymandered map; Norway blames Russia; Mexico extradites 26 cartel bosses & more Aug 14, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Trump turned what should’ve been a straightforward Kennedy Center honoree reveal — shoutout to Sylvester Stallone, Gloria Gaynor, KISS, and Michael Crawford — into another marathon rant. He floated extending National Guard deployments in DC, promised to clear homeless encampments without saying where people will go, and unveiled a pricey 600-troop “Domestic Civil Disturbance Quick Reaction Force” for nationwide protest crackdowns. Down in Texas, Republicans rammed through a gerrymandered congressional map after Trump demanded a special session, while Democrats are still hiding out of state. On the foreign front, Trump is gearing up for his Putin meet-and-greet at an Anchorage military base, warning of “severe consequences” if there’s no Ukraine ceasefire. Norway is blaming Russian hackers for sabotaging a dam in April. Trump also nominated former Fox News face Tammy Bruce as deputy ambassador to the UN — even though both the deputy and main gig are currently empty. Oh, and Mexico just extradited 26 alleged cartel bosses after Trump’s tariff threats, with the DOJ promising no death penalties.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

AP News: Trump names Stallone and Kiss for Kennedy Center Honors and says he'll host the awards show

NBC News: Trump says he will seek 'long-term extension' of Washington police takeover

Axios: "Unheard of and ominous": Trump's D.C. homelessness crackdown perplexes advocates

WaPo: Pentagon plan would create National Guard ‘reaction force’ for civil unrest

Texas Tribune: Texas Senate approves new congressional lines as House Democrats remain out of state

WSJ: Trump Agrees on Ukraine Red Lines With Europe Before Putin Summit

AP News: Norwegian police say pro-Russian hackers were likely behind suspected sabotage at a dam

CBS News: Trump nominates Tammy Bruce as deputy representative to the U.N.

Axios: Mexico extradites 26 suspected top cartel leaders to U.S.

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Wednesday, August 13th, 2025 - SC asked to overturn same-sex marriage; Trump’s history makeover; Harvard’s $500M deal; Israel strikes press & more Aug 13, 2025

Today’s Headlines: The Supreme Court is taking up a case that could overturn its 2015 Obergefell decision legalizing same-sex marriage — courtesy of Kim Davis, the Kentucky clerk jailed for refusing gay marriage licenses. She’s appealing a $360K judgment, claiming First Amendment protection and arguing marriage equality was wrongly decided. Meanwhile, the White House plans to audit the Smithsonian to make sure exhibits fit Trump’s “unifying” version of American history — which critics say means erasing inconvenient facts. Harvard is reportedly near a $500M settlement with the Trump administration to end multiple investigations, restore research funding, and avoid federal oversight — while maintaining its admissions independence. Trump mocked Goldman Sachs’ chief economist after tariff warnings, telling the CEO (a hobbyist DJ) to “focus on being a DJ.” He also nominated Heritage Foundation economist EJ Antoni to lead the Bureau of Labor Statistics after firing the last commissioner over jobs numbers. An Israeli strike killed Al Jazeera correspondent Anas al-Sharif, four colleagues, and two others; Israel claims he was a Hamas operative. And convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell has been moved to a cushier prison with possible work release.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

ABC News: Supreme Court formally asked to overturn landmark same-sex marriage ruling

WSJ: White House to Vet Smithsonian Museums to Fit Trump’s Historical Vision

NYT: Harvard Nears a Deal With the Trump Administration to Restore Funding

CNBC: Trump tells Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon to replace bank's economist over tariff predictions

NYT: Trump Names EJ Antoni New BLS Commissioner

AP News: Israel targets and kills Al Jazeera correspondent Anas al-Sharif in Gaza as journalist toll grows

Yahoo: Trump’s Child Sex Trafficker Friend Ghislaine Maxwell May Be Eligible For Work Release

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Tuesday, August 12th, 2025 - DC National Guard; US-China tariff truce; Aussies back Palestine; TX Target shooting; Scary weather report & more Aug 12, 2025

Today’s Headlines: In maybe another Epstein distraction tactic, Trump held a fiery presser to announce he’s taking control of DC’s police and sending 800 National Guard troops for 30 days — despite crime being at a 30-year low. DC Mayor Muriel Bowser called it “unlawful” and noted Congress could’ve given her Guard control years ago. Trump also hyped his upcoming Alaska meeting with Putin to discuss “land swaps” for ending the Ukraine war. Zelensky isn’t invited, but Trump hinted at a follow-up meeting, while European leaders scramble to meet him first. A judge blocked the DOJ’s push to unseal Ghislaine Maxwell grand jury records, calling it a distraction. The US and China extended their tariff truce for 90 days, and the US will now take 15% of Nvidia and AMD’s China AI chip sales for export licenses. Australia will recognize a Palestinian state at the UN in September, joining Canada and France. At home, a gunman killed 3 people outside an Austin Target, and explosions at a US Steel plant near Pittsburgh killed 1 and left another missing. Severe storms in the Midwest caused deadly flooding in Milwaukee, shut down the Wisconsin State Fair, and left 14 million people under flood alerts. Forecasters are also tracking tropical storm Erin in the Atlantic and Hurricane Henriette in the Pacific.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

NYT: Live Updates: Trump Orders National Guard to Washington and Takeover of Capital’s Police

NBC News: Ahead of Putin sitdown, Trump says he hopes to get 'prime territory' back for Ukraine

WSJ: European Leaders Plan to Meet Trump Before Putin Talks

NBC News: Judge denies DOJ bid to unseal Ghislaine Maxwell grand jury records

Axios: US, China extend tariff pause another 90 days

WSJ: Nvidia, AMD to Give U.S. 15% Cut on AI Chip Sales to China

Axios: Australia will recognize a Palestinian state, PM Albanese says

AP News: Shooter kills 3 in a Target parking lot in Austin, Texas, before being captured, police say

AP News: Explosion at US Steel plant in Pennsylvania leaves 1 dead, 1 missing, 10 injured

NBC News: Severe storms knock out power and close roads in Midwest as flooding cancels last day of Wisconsin State Fair

AP News: Forecasters say Tropical Storm Erin could become 1st Atlantic hurricane of the 2025 season

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Monday, August 11th, 2025 - Trump-Putin summit in AK; Nuke reactor race; CDC shooting; FBI purge, IRS commissioner axed; Vegas slump & more Aug 11, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Trump’s rolling out the red carpet for Putin on Friday — the first U.S. invite outside the UN since 2007 — with no Ukraine concessions, just Putin demanding eastern Ukraine in exchange for “ending” the war (and no guarantee he wouldn’t restart it). Zelensky responded by saying that would be against Ukraine’s constitution. Meanwhile, NASA’s in a tight race with China and Russia to land a nuclear reactor on the Moon’s resource-rich South Pole by 2030. In Atlanta, a gunman killed a police officer near the CDC before dying in a CVS shootout; authorities suspect COVID vaccine conspiracy motives. The FBI fired at least three senior officials tied to Jan. 6 and Trump ally cases, while Trump axed the IRS commissioner and sent him to Iceland. Trump also hid Obama’s and both Bushes’ portraits in a stairwell, wants to merge Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac under ticker “MAGA,” and is eyeing billions from a gov stake sale. Vegas visitor numbers are down 11% this year, with international tourism spending in the U.S. projected to drop $12.5 billion.

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Friday, August 7th, 2025 - TX gerrymander update; OH river raised for VP; 401Ks go crypto; Eli Lilly’s new weight loss pill & more Aug 08, 2025

Today’s Headlines: We’re ending the week on a truly chaotic note. Texas Senator John Cornyn got the FBI involved to help track down state Democrats who fled to avoid a rushed redistricting vote—one that would give Republicans five extra seats, just because Trump said they should have them. Trump’s also pushing for early redistricting in other red states and floated a new census that would exclude undocumented immigrants—never mind what the Constitution says. In other news, he signed an order demanding colleges hand over race-based admissions data, and the Air Force is cutting off early retirement benefits for transgender service members. Additionally, Trump now wants your 401(k) to dabble in crypto and real estate, and he’s nominating an aide to the Fed who’s big on lowering interest rates. Finally, Apple CEO Tim Cook gave Trump a weird gold iPhone trophy, VP JD Vance’s river was allegedly raised for his birthday kayak trip, Israel confirmed it plans to take full control of Gaza, and Eli Lilly released promising results from a study of its new weight loss pill.

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Thursday, August 7th, 2025 - Putin’s peace pitch; Trump’s tariff tantrums; RFK Jr.’s war on mRNA; Library of Congress “coding error” & more Aug 07, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Putin wants to meet with Trump next week to talk about ending the war in Ukraine, and Trump says he’s hoping to follow that up with a three-way summit with Zelensky. While that’s brewing, Trump’s playing tariff hardball—he just doubled tariffs on Indian goods to 50% to punish them for buying Russian oil (which… they already said they were going to keep doing). He also announced 100% tariffs on imported semiconductor chips unless companies build in the US, but Apple’s apparently promised $100B in US investments, so they’re cool. In Georgia, a 28-year-old Army sergeant shot five fellow soldiers at Fort Stewart before being tackled by other troops. Everyone’s expected to recover, and the Army’s investigating. The Library of Congress had to admit that major sections of the Constitution—like habeas corpus and the emoluments clause—were missing from their site due to a “coding error.” Sure. RFK Jr., now head of Health & Human Services, just canceled $500B in contracts for mRNA vaccine development because he doesn’t trust the science. Meanwhile, OpenAI inked a $1 deal to give the federal government access to its AI tools next year. And for some good news: crime in the U.S. hit a 20-year low in 2024, and early 2025 data says it’s still going down.

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Wednesday, August 5th, 2025 - Epstein subpoenas; 2016 “Russia Hoax” probe; Record hate crimes; Tech bros defense deals & more Aug 06, 2025

Today’s Headlines: House Republicans are flipping the Epstein story, subpoenaing the Clintons, former AGs, and ex-FBI chiefs — but skipping the guy who gave Epstein his sweetheart plea deal, Alex Acosta. A NYT look inside Epstein’s NYC mansion turned up creepy art, hidden cameras, and celeb pics with everyone from Bill Gates to Donald and Melania. The Trump team’s also dusting off the “Russia hoax” playbook, launching a grand jury probe into Obama’s handling of the 2016 election interference investigation. In other Epstein distraction news, Trump popped up on the White House roof and joked about nukes. He also made himself head of the 2028 LA Olympics task force (with a side of anti-trans comments). The State Department floated visa bonds up to $15K while the FBI says 2024 had the second-highest hate crime numbers ever. Lastly, Palantir got a $10B Army contract and Elon Musk’s xAI scored $200M from the Pentagon.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Tuesday, August 5th, 2025 - Netanyahu’s Gaza takeover push; TX gerrymander standoff; Grocery prices stress; Elon’s $23B ego boost & more Aug 05, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Netanyahu is pushing his cabinet to green-light a full takeover of Gaza, though the Israeli military says it could put hostages in danger. His cabinet also tried to fire the attorney general prosecuting him for corruption, but the Supreme Court shut that down almost instantly. Over in the U.S., the Trump administration briefly floated the idea of cutting disaster aid to places that boycott Israeli companies, then quickly backpedaled. India dismissed Trump’s threats of even bigger tariffs for buying and reselling Russian oil. In Texas, Republicans called a special session to ram through a new, super gerrymandered map, but Democrats literally left the state to stop it. GOP leaders are fining them and issuing civil warrants, while Democratic governors in Illinois, New York, and California are now talking about redrawing their own maps. The DOJ’s also been quietly asking at least 15 states for voter data. Bloomberg says the FBI blacked out Trump’s name in Epstein files before deciding not to release them, while two Epstein victims told a court they still want the docs public, even if it’s ugly. Meanwhile, a new poll says 86% of Americans are stressed about grocery prices, and 14% are using buy-now-pay-later just to eat. Finally, Tesla’s board just handed Elon Musk a $23 billion “interim” stock award—because apparently $50 billion getting tossed by a court last year wasn’t enough.

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Monday, August 4th, 2025 - Trump fires stats head; Maxwell in “Club Fed”; Smithsonian restores facts; Bukele’s power grab & more Aug 04, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Trump fired the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics after a bad jobs report, called the numbers “ridiculous,” and now wants to install friendlier faces. The Smithsonian got caught removing his impeachments from a museum exhibit but is now walking that back. Meanwhile, his allies got the feds to investigate special counsel Jack Smith for possibly being too political, he also announced a $200 million plan to build a Mar-a-Lago-style ballroom at the White House and decided to bring back the Presidential Fitness Test. Ghislaine Maxwell got upgraded to the cushy prison commonly known as “Club Fed” with Elizabeth Holmes & Jenn Shah while NPR and PBS basically get defunded out of existence after Congress slashed funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Sixteen states are also suing Trump’s admin for allegedly threatening doctors who provide gender-affirming care. In Gaza, Hamas released a disturbing hostage video, while Trump’s team now wants one big deal to end the war. Finally, in El Salvador, Trump’s buddy Bukele just scrapped term limits so he can stay in charge indefinitely.

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Friday, August 1st, 2025 - TX gerrymanders; Trump’s crypto push; Brown drops DEI; Gaza tensions update; Mexico tariff delay; Measles surge Aug 01, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Republican lawmakers in Texas released a redistricting plan that would add five GOP-leaning congressional seats by slicing up Democratic cities—like moving part of Austin into a district with oil-rich Odessa—just ahead of a special legislative session called by Governor Abbott. Meanwhile, the Trump administration launched a new health data-sharing program with over 60 tech firms, and separately proposed major crypto reforms, urging Congress to treat digital assets like securities while pushing for IRS and regulatory rollbacks. Brown University agreed to dismantle its DEI programs in a $50 million deal to unfreeze federal funds, while Germany, Sweden, and the Netherlands ramped up pressure on Israel over Gaza, warning of consequences if annexation continues. Trump is expected to greenlight a new Gaza aid distribution plan after today’s regional visits by U.S. envoys. He also extended Mexico tariff talks by 90 days, delaying steep levies on cars, metals, and fentanyl-linked goods. Lastly, the CDC reported a rise in kindergarten vaccine exemptions and the highest number of measles cases in over three decades.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Thursday, July 31st, 2025 - GDP report; Powell pressured; New tariffs; DOJ drops Fat Burger suit; Russia earthquake; High Noon Boozy mix up & more Jul 31, 2025

Today’s Headlines: U.S. GDP grew 3% in Q2, beating forecasts and prompting Trump to once again pressure Fed Chair Jerome Powell to cut rates—though the Fed held steady, with only Trump’s appointees voting to lower them. Trump also slapped new tariffs on Brazil and India, making everyday imports like coffee and beef 90% pricier. Meanwhile, on the Epstein beat: a source says the prison footage from the night of his death isn’t actually missing, and Senator Chuck Schumer invoked the obscure “Rule of Five” to demand DOJ documents—threatening court action if they’re not handed over. Elsewhere in Trump-world, his former defense attorney Emil Bove was confirmed to a lifetime federal judgeship despite whistleblower claims of ethics violations and loyalty purges. The DOJ also dropped a major fraud case against Fatburger’s parent company after firing the lead prosecutor, raising eyebrows given the chairman’s GOP donations. In other headlines: a historic 8.8 earthquake near Russia triggered tsunami warnings across the Pacific; the FDA issued a recall after High Noon hard seltzers were mislabeled as Celsius energy drinks; and Kamala Harris announced she’s not running for California governor in 2026, though she hinted at future plans.

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Wednesday, July 30th, 2025 - NYC shooting update; Maxwell’s demands; Starmer’s Palestine ultimatum Jul 30, 2025

Today’s Headlines: A gunman identified as 27-year-old Shane Devon Tamura drove from Las Vegas to Manhattan and opened fire inside an office building at Park Avenue and 52nd Street, killing five people. Among the victims were Blackstone employee Wesley LePatner and NYPD officer Didarul Islam, both survived by their young families. Tamura, who left behind a letter referencing mental health struggles and possible CTE, also seriously injured an NFL employee before killing himself. Meanwhile, Ghislaine Maxwell’s lawyer told Congress she’ll plead the Fifth unless she gets immunity, advance questions, a courtroom win, and a temporary prison release to testify. The Oversight Committee said absolutely not. Separately, Trump tried to explain why he distanced himself from Epstein, claiming Epstein “stole” spa workers from Mar-a-Lago—possibly even Virginia Giuffre. And across the Atlantic, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer warned that Britain will recognize a Palestinian state at the UN this fall unless Israel agrees to a long-term ceasefire, addresses the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and revives two-state talks.

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Tuesday, July 29th, 2025 - NYC shooting; Maxwell’s appeal; Gaza genocide claims; RFK Jr’s to end vax liability; Tesla’s $16B Samsung deal Jul 29, 2025

Today’s Headlines: A gunman opened fire from the 32nd floor of a Midtown Manhattan building last night, killing two people before turning the assault rifle on himself. Meanwhile, Ghislaine Maxwell’s lawyers are asking the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn her sex trafficking conviction, citing a 2007 non-prosecution deal meant to protect Epstein and his co-conspirators. On his Scotland trip, Donald Trump repeated that he can pardon Maxwell, denied visiting Epstein’s island, and faced large protests. He also shortened his Ukraine ceasefire deadline for Putin to “10 to 12 days” and criticized Israel’s role in Gaza’s humanitarian crisis, promising more U.S. and EU aid. This came as two Israeli human rights groups accused their own government of committing genocide, citing deliberate starvation and destruction in Gaza—claims Israel called “obscene.” Elsewhere, HHS Secretary RFK Jr. announced a push to end vaccine maker liability protections—despite past promises not to discourage vaccination. And Elon Musk said Tesla has inked a $16.5 billion semiconductor chip deal with Samsung.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Monday, July 28th, 2025 - Maxwell’s limited immunity; EU trade deal & China extension; Gaza is starving; Trump vs NYC & more Jul 28, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Ghislaine Maxwell was granted limited immunity by the DOJ during two days of questioning with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche—who’s also Trump’s personal lawyer. Maxwell reportedly answered questions about 100 people. Meanwhile, Trump continues to try to change the subject by calling for the prosecution of Kamala Harris, Beyoncé, and Oprah. While golfing in Scotland, Trump announced a new EU trade deal: a 15% tariff on imports, $750B in energy purchases, and $600B in investments. Despite declaring no more delays, the U.S. granted China another 90-day tariff extension. Israel paused military action in Gaza to allow aid as international concern over starvation grew. Jordan and the UAE began air-dropping supplies. Cambodia and Thailand agreed to peace talks after a deadly border clash. The DHS revealed Chinese hackers infiltrated a U.S. National Guard network for over a year, possibly accessing sensitive data, and spied on telecoms and 2024 campaigns. A new study also found the CrowdStrike crash disrupted 750 hospitals, directly impacting care at over 200. Trump signed an executive order pushing more forced hospitalizations of unhoused people with mental illness and sued NYC, claiming its sanctuary policies obstruct immigration enforcement.

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Friday, July 25th, 2025 - DOJ meets with Ghislaine Maxwell; New WSJ Epstein report; Macron’s vs Owens; Burn, Baby, Burn (Birth control edition) Jul 25, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche met privately with Ghislaine Maxwell in Tallahassee, reportedly spending the entire day discussing undisclosed matters, with another meeting planned. Meanwhile, a House subcommittee voted to subpoena the DOJ for Jeffrey Epstein’s files, despite House Speaker Mike Johnson’s attempt to block a vote. A new Wall Street Journal report revealed the contents of Epstein’s professionally bound 50th birthday album, which included notes from Donald Trump, Bill Clinton, Vera Wang, and others. President Trump visited the Federal Reserve with Chair Jerome Powell, criticizing him over renovation costs as part of his broader effort to justify firing Powell. The FCC approved Skydance’s $8B merger with Paramount, and the company will pay Trump $20M in licensing fees. Columbia University also struck a $221M settlement with the Trump administration over antisemitism allegations, regaining access to previously frozen federal funds while agreeing to monitored policy changes. In France, President Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron filed a defamation suit against Candace Owens for her repeated claim that Brigitte is transgender; Owens responded by saying she welcomes the fight. Macron also announced that France will formally recognize Palestine as a state at the UN General Assembly in September. Finally, the State Department plans to burn nearly $10M worth of unused contraceptives intended for developing nations—just months after it destroyed 500 tons of emergency food—despite offers from humanitarian groups to redistribute the supplies.

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Thursday, July 24th, 2025 - Trump named in Epstein files; ICE scrutinized;, AI burn through cash; “Corn Sweat”; US quits UNESCO (Again) Jul 24, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Attorney General Pam Bondi reportedly told President Trump that his name appeared multiple times in a “truckload of documents” related to Jeffrey Epstein, according to the Wall Street Journal. The news broke just after a Florida judge denied the DOJ’s request to unseal Epstein’s 2005 grand jury transcripts, citing legal limitations. Meanwhile, Roy Black—the attorney behind Epstein’s infamous 2007 plea deal—has died, likely taking key secrets with him. ICE is under scrutiny for detaining Zia, a former Afghan interpreter who legally moved to the U.S. after working with American forces. He was seized during a green card appointment despite being approved for protection. In AI news, OpenAI is seeking $40 billion in funding, Anthropic is eyeing controversial Gulf investments, and Elon Musk’s xAI wants $12 billion more for data centers—raising questions about the costs of AI ambition. A brutal heat wave in the Midwest is being made worse by “corn sweat,” the seasonal humidity spike during corn pollination. And lastly, the U.S. has pulled out of UNESCO again, citing anti-Israel bias from Gulf state members.

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Wednesday, July 23rd, 2025 - Epstein files vote blocked; Trump’s latest oval rant; China hacks SharePoint; 28 countries condemn Israel & more Jul 23, 2025

Today’s Headlines: House Speaker Mike Johnson ended the congressional session early to block a vote on releasing Jeffrey Epstein case files, just as the House Oversight Committee moved to subpoena Ghislaine Maxwell. Trump’s deputy AG (and personal lawyer) is set to visit Maxwell in prison, while Trump dismissed it all as a “witch hunt.” During an Oval Office sit-in with Philippine President Marcos Jr., Trump called for Barack Obama to be charged with treason over the Russia investigation—prompting a rare rebuke from Obama’s office. Trump also claimed he’ll receive $20 million in ad commitments from Skydance Media—soon to merge with Paramount—on top of a recent $16 million settlement, prompting Senator Warren to consider an investigation. Meanwhile, Microsoft warned of a major China-linked cyberattack on SharePoint, impacting nearly 100 institutions. Abroad, 28 countries condemned Israel’s aid blockade in Gaza after 80 Palestinians were killed near an aid drop, and U.S.-Israel-Syria talks are expected amid Israeli strikes on Damascus. Trump also announced a new trade deal with Japan involving “reciprocal tariffs” and a vague $550 billion investment. Finally, the U.S. Olympic Committee banned trans women from competing in women’s sports, following a Trump executive order.

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Tuesday, July 22nd, 2025 - Trump’s Epstein distractions; Walmart, Amazon price hike; Guantanamo expansion; EPA cuts; Breonna Taylor case update Jul 22, 2025

Today’s Headlines: President Trump is throwing distractions at the Epstein scandal, including threatening the Washington Commanders' stadium plans unless they revert to the "Redskins," and releasing 240,000 sealed FBI files on MLK Jr.’s assassination—despite opposition from King’s family. Meanwhile, Speaker Mike Johnson has delayed a vote on releasing Epstein-related DOJ files until after summer recess. Trump also banned Wall Street Journal reporters from his Scotland trip, revived “Russiagate” claims with help from DNI Tulsi Gabbard, and posted AI memes of Obama being arrested—all while still being a convicted felon. On the economy, new tariffs are pushing up Walmart prices on essentials like coffee and kitchenware, while Amazon is hiking prices on hundreds of goods even after promising not to. DHS is expanding immigrant detention to military bases in New Jersey, Indiana, and even doubling capacity at Guantanamo. The EPA is slashing jobs at its science research office to save $750 million. Former officer Brett Hankison was sentenced to nearly 3 years in prison for excessive force in the Breonna Taylor raid—despite DOJ recommending no jail time. Lastly, the Pentagon is pulling all 700 Marines from Los Angeles after Trump’s militarized response fizzled out.

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Monday, July 21st, 2025 - Trump–Epstein fallout; Colbert canceled; Deportation disasters; Israel strike hits church; GENIUS Act Jul 21, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Fallout from a Wall Street Journal report revealing a bizarre birthday note allegedly from Donald Trump to Jeffrey Epstein continues, with Trump denying authorship and suing the WSJ, Rupert Murdoch, and others for $10 billion in a defamation suit filed in Judge Aileen Cannon’s district. Meanwhile, VP JD Vance quietly visited Murdoch just before the story broke, and the DOJ moved to unseal grand jury records on Epstein as reports suggest Trump’s name triggered special review protocols within the FBI. Over in entertainment, CBS abruptly canceled The Late Show with Stephen Colbert shortly after Colbert slammed parent company Paramount for a Trump-linked $16M “settlement”—timed suspiciously with FCC approval requests for the Paramount–Skydance merger. Congress also voted to slash $1.1 billion in public broadcasting funds, disproportionately affecting rural NPR stations. On immigration, new reporting exposed unacknowledged passengers on deportation flights and the botched deportation of an elderly asylum recipient, now hospitalized in Guatemala after vanishing from ICE custody. Internationally, an Israeli airstrike on a Gaza church killed civilians and earned Netanyahu an apology call to the Pope, frustrating the Trump White House amid fragile ceasefire talks in Syria. And in financial news, the so-called GENIUS Act passed, boosting crypto markets by letting banks treat stablecoins as assets, not liabilities—just in time for “crypto week” on the Hill.

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Friday, July 18th, 2025 - Trump’s diagnosis; ICE digs into Medicaid; Trump targets voters; Iran’s nuke site damage & more Jul 18, 2025

Today’s Headlines: President Trump has been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency, a vein condition that can cause leg swelling and serious complications—though his doctor insists he’s in “excellent” health. Meanwhile, Senate Democrat Ron Wyden revealed that the Trump DOJ has suppressed evidence of over $1.5 billion in Jeffrey Epstein-linked transactions flagged by major banks, some involving Russian accounts and high-profile payments, yet Trump refuses to appoint a special counsel or release more documents. While the Senate GOP blocks further Epstein disclosures, ICE will now access sensitive data from 79 million Medicaid enrollees—despite many immigrants being ineligible for the program—to track down undocumented residents. At the same time, the Trump administration is collecting voter rolls and suing counties for access to personal information in a sweeping push ahead of the 2026 midterms. Internationally, a U.S. military assessment found that recent strikes only severely damaged one of Iran’s three nuclear enrichment sites, and U.S. cybersecurity officials report a sharp uptick in Chinese government-backed cyberattacks on American infrastructure and institutions.

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Thursday, July 17th, 2025 - Israel strikes Syria; Bahrain PM’s $17B investment; Trump forgets he picked Powell, sells memecoins, fires a Comey & more Jul 17, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Israel launched missile strikes on Syria’s military HQ in Damascus, potentially destabilizing the new Syrian government amid talks to normalize relations. Despite the Trump administration’s request to hold back, Israel is sending more troops to the border, citing threats to the Druze community. Meanwhile, Trump hosted Bahrain’s crown prince, who pledged $17 billion in U.S. investments—though details were vague, aside from a symbolic model airplane. Trump also denied plans to fire Fed Chair Jerome Powell, despite telling Republicans otherwise, and floated the Fed’s over-budget HQ renovations as a possible excuse. Separately, the administration fired federal prosecutor Maurene Comey—daughter of James Comey—who had handled the Epstein, Maxwell, and Diddy cases, offering no clear reason. Trump mocked his own supporters who believe Epstein conspiracy theories, calling them “weaklings,” while still refusing to release promised files. And in two more Trump-world twists: DHS deported five migrants to Eswatini, an African country none of them were from, and federal agents arrested nine anti-ICE protesters in Spokane. Lastly, $100 million worth of Trump memecoins are unlocking today, padding the president’s net worth.

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Wednesday, July 16th, 2025 - Inflation up; Epstein files update; ICE Ends Bond Hearings, GOP state AG vs AI chatbots; Northeast floods Jul 16, 2025

Today’s Headlines: June’s inflation rose by 0.3%, putting the annual rate at 2.7%—slightly up, but still within forecasts. Meanwhile, House Republicans voted down Democratic efforts to release Epstein case documents, despite GOP leaders publicly claiming to support transparency. Trump praised AG Pam Bondi’s handling of the Epstein files while denying any link to the case, but new metadata shows nearly 3 minutes are missing from recently released prison footage. A lawyer for Epstein’s victims claimed there’s far more unreleased evidence, including thousands of hours of video. ICE has issued a new memo eliminating bond hearings for undocumented immigrants already living in the U.S., affecting millions. A federal grand jury indicted Vance Boelter for the politically motivated killing of former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman. Two people died after record-setting flash floods hit NYC and New Jersey, where over two inches of rain fell in one hour. The DOJ appealed a ruling halting race-based immigration arrests in California, and Missouri’s Republican AG is threatening OpenAI, Google, Meta, and Microsoft with legal action after a blog claimed an AI ranked Trump worst on antisemitism—despite Microsoft’s bot refusing to rank the presidents at all.

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Tuesday, July 15th, 2025 - Tariffs for Russia; xAI payday; ICE morale dip; SCOTUS pauses ED layoffs; Cuomo can’t take a hint & more Jul 15, 2025

Today’s Headlines: President Trump announced a plan to send weapons to Ukraine via NATO and threatened 100% tariffs on Russia—or “secondary tariffs” on countries buying Russian oil—if a ceasefire isn't reached in 50 days. Meanwhile, Elon Musk’s xAI secured a $200M Defense Department contract days after Grok declared itself “MechaHitler” and spewed antisemitic content. The Supreme Court paused an order blocking 1,400 layoffs at the Education Department, just as 24 states and D.C. sued the Trump administration over $7B in frozen education funds. The administration is also appealing a court order banning immigration arrests without probable cause, even as ICE agents express deep dissatisfaction with the politically driven deportation focus. In Congress, Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez proposed giving the ethics office power to review lawmakers’ cognitive fitness. And in New York, Andrew Cuomo—undeterred by his primary loss—launched an independent bid for mayor, joining a crowded field for November’s ballot.

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Monday, July 14th, 2025 - Trump’s FIFA posse, rants & tariff tantrums; DOJ drama; KY shooting; Grand Canyon burns; TX floods (again) & more Jul 14, 2025

Today’s Headlines: President Trump spent the weekend firing off social media rants, watching FIFA with a celebrity entourage (including Melania and Pam Bondi), and threatening Rosie O'Donnell’s citizenship. Behind the scenes, tensions rose within the DOJ as FBI deputy Dan Bongino considered resigning over internal clashes about the Epstein investigation, and new reports revealed Kash Patel’s FBI is forcing agents to take polygraphs over disloyalty suspicions. Elsewhere, a deadly shooting in Kentucky left four dead, and two major wildfires destroyed historic structures at the Grand Canyon’s North Rim. More flash flood warnings hit already-devastated parts of Texas, where FEMA is under fire for letting a flood-prone summer camp avoid safety requirements. Globally, a Palestinian-American was killed by Israeli settlers, as Israel-Hamas talks remain stalled and airstrikes intensify. Trump threatened more tariffs—including 200% on pharmaceuticals—while hinting at a major Russia-related announcement today. NATO’s new chief will visit DC this week, just as the State Department undergoes 15% staff cuts. Meanwhile, House Republicans kick off “Crypto Week” ahead of a key vote on the GENIUS Act.

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Friday, July 11th, 2025 - NC floods; Birthright challenge blocked, Secret Service suspension; Click-to-Cancel blocked & more Jul 11, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Flash floods hit Durham, North Carolina for the third time this week, killing six people after the Eno River surged to 26 feet; residents say they received no emergency alerts, and many lack flood insurance. A federal judge temporarily blocked Trump’s birthright citizenship order, applying a narrow loophole allowed by the Supreme Court to protect children affected while legal challenges proceed. Columbia University student Mahmoud Khalil is suing the Trump administration for $20 million, alleging false imprisonment during recent protests. The Catholic bishop of San Bernardino has suspended the obligation to attend Mass amid fear of immigration raids on church property. Meanwhile, six Secret Service agents were suspended after last year’s Trump rally shooting due to security failures, including unmonitored rooftops and poor communication with local police. A federal court has blocked the FTC’s “click-to-cancel” rule—meant to simplify subscription cancellations—over a procedural misstep, even though the FTC claims the rule wouldn’t have had a major economic impact. In Denmark, lawmakers are advancing groundbreaking legislation to give people legal ownership over their face, voice, and body, allowing them to demand removal of unauthorized AI-generated content and penalize noncompliant tech platforms.

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Thursday, July 10th, 2025 - NM floods; New Trump tariffs; Ukraine aid paused; SCOTUS blocks FL law; Trump vs Harvard update; Measles surge & more Jul 10, 2025

Today’s Headlines: At least three people were killed in New Mexico after monsoon rains triggered flash floods in areas already vulnerable from past wildfires. President Trump’s self-imposed deadline for 90 trade deals came and went with no new agreements, but eight more countries — including Brazil, which faces a 50% tariff — received tariff letters. Trump’s Pentagon paused aid to Ukraine without informing the White House, a move orchestrated by top defense officials citing supposed weapons shortages. The Supreme Court blocked a harsh Florida immigration law for now, reaffirming that federal law takes precedence. The Trump administration escalated its campaign against Harvard, issuing a subpoena for immigration-related records and challenging its accreditation over alleged civil rights violations. Meanwhile, the DOJ has launched criminal investigations into former FBI Director James Comey and CIA Director John Brennan, both previously fired by Trump. Dr. Kevin O’Connor, Biden’s former White House physician, was subpoenaed and refused to say if he had misrepresented Biden’s health while in office. Measles cases in the U.S. have surged to a 33-year high, largely due to declining vaccination rates. And finally, Twitter CEO Linda Yaccarino resigned — notably following a string of disturbing antisemitic and sexually inappropriate outputs from the platform’s AI assistant Grok, which recently began referring to itself as “MechaHitler.”

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Wednesday, July 9th, 2025 - Netanyahu in the WH; Trump vs BRICS; Rubio deepfake; TX disaster update; Grok retrained; TSA rule change & more Jul 09, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Israeli PM Netanyahu visited Trump at the White House, praised their Iran offensive, and said he’ll nominate Trump for a Nobel Peace Prize, while Trump threatened 10% tariffs on any country aligning with BRICS and promised to resume U.S. weapons shipments to Ukraine. Secretary of State Marco Rubio was impersonated by an AI deepfake in messages sent to officials, prompting national security concerns. In Texas, officials now report at least 110 dead and 160 missing after catastrophic flooding, as criticism mounts over lawmakers blocking emergency warning upgrades. The Supreme Court cleared the way for mass federal layoffs by backing Trump’s executive order, while the IRS ruled churches can now endorse political candidates without losing tax-exempt status. Meanwhile, Elon Musk’s AI chatbot Grok began posting antisemitic content after a “retraining,” TSA scrapped the shoe removal rule at airports, and investors bought up 27% of all U.S. homes sold in Q1, sidelining everyday buyers.

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Tuesday, July 8th, 2025 - Trump’s tariff letters; LA MacArthur Park stunt; TikTok revamp; Epstein memo; RFK Jr Lawsuit & more Jul 08, 2025

President Trump publicly released tariff letters to around a dozen countries—including Japan, South Korea, Thailand, and Indonesia—warning they’ll face import taxes of at least 25% starting August 1 unless they finalize new trade deals. Meanwhile, a California National Guard deployment to an empty park in LA drew backlash as a political stunt, while Customs and Border Protection issued a call for advanced surveillance tech to analyze seized digital devices. Cybersecurity experts raised alarms over Scattered Spider, a hacker group targeting U.S. infrastructure using phishing and impersonation tactics. The DOJ and FBI released a memo denying any Epstein “client list” or foul play in his prison death—despite past contradictions—including new (but suspect) footage. Physician groups are suing HHS Secretary RFK Jr. over new federal COVID vaccine recommendations, and the Trump administration says a U.S.-friendly version of TikTok is on track to launch September 5 as part of a deal to avoid a full ban.

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Monday, July 7th, 2025 - Trump signs budget bill; ICE gets billions; Musk’s new party;, TX floods kill 79; FEMA pulls grants; Noem’s dark money; Bibi heads to WH Jul 07, 2025

Today’s Headlines: President Trump signed his sweeping budget bill into law. The law eliminates taxes on silencers and some firearms, adds new taxes on remittances, and includes bizarre provisions like $40 million for a MAGA statue garden and Trump-branded savings accounts for babies. It extends Trump’s 2017 tax cuts, slashes Medicaid (projected to leave 12 million uninsured), defunds Planned Parenthood reimbursements, and guts food assistance while ballooning ICE’s budget to over $100 billion. Elon Musk, furious over the bill’s impact on his business, announced a vague new “America Party” as his teen protégé “Big Balls” was hired by the Social Security Administration. Meanwhile, 79 people died in sudden Texas floods, FEMA grant programs are quietly being withdrawn, and Kristi Noem is under scrutiny for accepting undisclosed payments from a nonprofit promoting her political ambitions. On the global stage, Trump’s trade war deadline looms with only 3 of 90 deals finalized, and up to 70% tariffs threatened for non-compliant countries. Proximity talks between Israel and Hamas resume this week in Qatar, as Netanyahu visits the White House following Israel’s rejection of Hamas’s latest ceasefire demands.

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Thursday, July 3rd, 2025 - Trump bill stalls; Jobs loss shock; WI abortion win; Diddy guilty; Iran hacks loom Jul 03, 2025

Today’s Headlines: As of Monday night, Trump’s budget bill was stalled in the House as GOP leaders scrambled for votes, holding the floor open and calling members back to D.C. The June jobs report showed a surprise loss of 33,000 private sector jobs—far below expectations—fueling concerns about a slowing economy. In Wisconsin, the state Supreme Court struck down its 1849 abortion ban in a 4–3 ruling, preserving abortion access up to 20 weeks and highlighting the impact of recent judicial elections. Paramount Global will pay Trump $16 million to settle a lawsuit over a 60 Minutes interview, just as it seeks regulatory approval for a $2B merger. At the DOJ, a pardoned Jan. 6 rioter is now working in a Trump-aligned political retaliation unit, while Stephen Miller’s legal group is suing the LA Dodgers for alleged anti-ICE bias. U.S. officials also warned of escalated cyber threats from Iran and its proxy hackers, who claim to have stolen 100GB of Trump-aligned emails. And finally, Sean “Diddy” Combs was found guilty on two federal prostitution charges and now faces up to 20 years in prison.

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Wednesday, July 2nd, 2025 - Vance breaks tie; ICE’s Mobile Fortify; Penn’s trans athlete ban; Gaza ceasefire; DOJ eyes denaturalization; Diddy verdict stalled Jul 02, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Vice President JD Vance cast the tie-breaking vote to advance Trump’s budget bill in the Senate, though it now heads back to the House due to major revisions. Elon Musk—still unhappy about the bill’s impact on his businesses—threatened to fund primary challengers, prompting Trump to joke about deporting him and downplaying his success. Meanwhile, Trump toured Florida’s new “Alligator Alcatraz” detention center, touting its reptilian security. The DOJ is expanding efforts to denaturalize U.S. citizens under Trump’s deportation agenda, while Trump floated a new “temporary pass” system for immigrant laborers—essentially a work visa. ICE is also using a newly revealed app called Mobile Fortify, enabling agents to identify individuals with facial recognition via smartphone. Trump claimed Israel has agreed to a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza, though Hamas hasn’t confirmed. This follows his threat to cut Israel’s military aid unless Netanyahu’s corruption charges were dropped. At the University of Pennsylvania, a federal deal has banned transgender athletes from competing in sports and revoked swimmer Lia Thomas’s titles, aligning with Trump’s reinterpretation of Title IX. And finally, the jury in Diddy’s sex trafficking trial reached verdicts on 4 of 5 charges, but deliberations continue on the most serious racketeering count after jurors said they were deadlocked.

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Tuesday, July 1st, 2025 - Budget bill stalls; Canada caves on tax; Iran strikes impact; Trump vs LA; AI goes rogue & more Jul 01, 2025

Today’s Headlines: As of Monday evening, Trump’s controversial budget bill hadn’t passed the Senate, held up by two GOP holdouts. The bill would cut healthcare for 17 million people, slash clean energy incentives while giving tax breaks to coal, ban AI regulation for 10 years, and fund a $50M MAGA statue garden. Elon Musk, critical of the bill, called it a “PORKY PIG PARTY.” Meanwhile, Canada walked back its digital services tax to reenter trade talks, and the S&P 500 hit a new high as markets calmed. Intercepted Iranian communications revealed U.S. strikes on their nuclear sites were less damaging than expected. Trump also sued Los Angeles over sanctuary city policies, claiming they enable lawlessness. In a massive DOJ bust, 324 people were charged in a $14.6B Medicare/Medicaid fraud scheme, involving international networks and stolen identities from over a million Americans. Authorities in Idaho confirmed a sniper ambush that killed two firefighters was planned using a brush fire as bait; the suspect was found dead. Finally, an alarming Anthropic report showed that several AI models simulated deception, blackmail, and even hypothetical lethal behavior when faced with shutdown scenarios.

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Monday, June 30th, 2025 - Budget bill, ICE updates; SCOTUS decisions; Iran Fatwa; Canada-US trade clash; Idaho shooting & more Jun 30, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Trump’s budget bill advanced in the Senate with a narrow 51-49 vote, cutting $1 trillion from Medicaid and handing massive tax breaks to the wealthy while adding $3 trillion to the national debt. Two Republicans voted no, and the final vote was delayed as Democrats forced a reading of the 940-page bill. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court ruled that parents can pull kids from public school over LGBTQ content and narrowed lower courts’ power to block Trump’s executive orders. A Honduran mother is suing ICE after she and her two kids—one of whom has leukemia—were detained during an asylum court date. DHS also announced the end of Temporary Protected Status for over 300,000 Haitians, forcing them to leave by September. Iran’s top cleric issued a fatwa calling for the deaths of Trump and Netanyahu. At a Senate hearing, the U.S. military admitted it never used bunker-busting bombs in Iran strikes, contradicting Trump’s “total obliteration” claims. Trump abruptly ended trade talks with Canada over its digital services tax, prompting Canadian retaliation. Consumer spending and income both dropped in May, sparking recession concerns. Miami postponed its November election by a year, extending current officials’ terms—likely illegally. The University of Virginia’s president resigned under Trump administration pressure over DEI efforts. And in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, an active shooter killed two firefighters in an ambush; the story is still developing.

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Friday, June 27th, 2025 - Trump-Bibi Gaza plan; Khamenei on US strikes; ICE death; DOJ vs MD judges; GOP budget blow & more Jun 27, 2025

Today’s Headlines: President Trump is pressuring Israeli PM Netanyahu to end the Gaza war in exchange for a sweeping regional deal: hostages released, Hamas exiled, Gaza jointly governed by Arab states, and a conditional Israeli endorsement of Palestinian statehood—with Saudi Arabia and Syria joining the Abraham Accords. But the plan faces major hurdles: Hamas resists exile, Arab nations want Palestinian Authority involvement (which Netanyahu opposes), and Trump’s meddling may be tied to helping Netanyahu dodge corruption charges. Meanwhile, Iran’s Supreme Leader Khamenei dismissed U.S. strikes as ineffective, contradicting Trump’s claims of “obliteration,” while intel reports show only a few months' setback to Iran’s nuclear program. Elsewhere, a Canadian man died in ICE custody, and GOP Rep. Andy Ogles called for NYC mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani to be investigated and deported over old rap lyrics referencing a terror case. In another first, the Trump DOJ is suing all 15 federal judges in Maryland for slowing down deportations. The Senate parliamentarian struck down major Republican budget cuts—like SNAP reductions and student loan crackdowns—as non-compliant with congressional rules, complicating Trump’s push to pass the bill by July 4.SCOTUS ruled states can block Planned Parenthood from Medicaid funding—even for non-abortion care—while Trump considers firing Fed Chair Jerome Powell early for not slashing rates fast enough. Finally, 280+ U.S. cities broke heat records this week as a “heat dome” scorched the Midwest and East Coast, affecting nearly 130 million Americans.

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Thursday, June 26th, 2025 - Trump’s NATO highlights; GOP budget bill pressure; Mamdani wins NYC primary; New US visa rules; RFK Jr. eyes vax cuts Jun 26, 2025

Today’s Headlines: At the NATO Summit, President Trump doubled down on claims that U.S. strikes “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear sites, despite his own intel saying otherwise. In response to internal leaks, the administration is limiting intelligence access for congressional Democrats. Trump also celebrated NATO’s new pledge to raise military spending to 5% of GDP by 2035—except for Spain’s carveout—and falsely claimed the NATO chief called him “Daddy Trump.” Back home, Trump is pressuring Senate Republicans to pass his unpopular budget bill, especially amid backlash over Medicaid cuts. Protesters in wheelchairs were zip-tied and arrested at the Capitol. In NYC, 33-year-old democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani won the Democratic mayoral primary, defeating a field including Andrew Cuomo and Anthony Weiner, both of whom lost big. Meanwhile, all U.S. visa applicants must now disclose and make public their social media handles from the past five years. This comes after a Norwegian tourist was denied entry and allegedly harassed by ICE agents over a JD Vance meme on his phone. And finally, RFK Jr.’s vaccine advisory board may recommend changes to federal childhood vaccine schedules—potentially affecting insurance coverage and pediatric guidance.

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Wednesday, June 25th, 2025 - Ceasefire chaos; “Alligator Alcatraz”; Toy prices spike; Student loan collections; Ghost tweets endorsement Jun 25, 2025

Today’s Headlines: President Trump called for a ceasefire between Iran and Israel Monday night—then accused both sides of not knowing “what the fuck they’re doing” after the ceasefire didn’t immediately happen. By Tuesday, a fragile truce emerged, though both sides warned they’d resume attacks if provoked. Trump also abruptly tweeted that China could keep buying Iranian oil—despite his prior threats—after they helped keep the Strait of Hormuz open. Meanwhile, a leaked classified report revealed that U.S. airstrikes only set back Iran’s nuclear program by a few months, not the “total obliteration” Trump implied. The White House dismissed the report as inaccurate and “demeaning.” In Florida, construction has started on a bizarre new 1,000-bed immigration detention center—dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz”—deep in the Everglades, where escapees would allegedly face only pythons and gators. Toy prices are spiking due to tariffs on Chinese goods, rising faster than inflation. At the same time, nearly 2 million student loan borrowers may soon see wage garnishment as Trump-era loan collections ramp back up. House Democrats elected Rep. Robert Garcia as their new ranking member on the Oversight Committee, while the late Rep. Gerry Connolly’s official account mysteriously posted an endorsement from beyond the grave.

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Tuesday, June 24th, 2025 - Iran retaliates, Trump declares ceasefire; SCOTUS greenlights deportations; FICO targets BNPL; Heat Dome scorches the US Jun 24, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Iran officially retaliated for the U.S. bombing of its nuclear sites by launching missiles at a U.S. base in Qatar—none hit, thanks to Qatari defenses. President Trump thanked Iran for the “early notice” and mocked the attack as “very weak,” while urging oil producers to keep prices down and demanding the Energy Department “DRILL BABY DRILL.” Trump later declared a 12-hour ceasefire between Israel and Iran, claiming the war is over. Reporting revealed he was warned by Iran of potential sleeper cell attacks in the U.S. and used vague public statements to mask his true plans. His decision to strike was reportedly influenced by Fox News coverage and online sentiment, leading one military official to call him the “biggest threat to operational security.” Globally, Iran’s foreign minister met with Putin, who condemned the strikes but didn’t pledge support. Meanwhile, Russia, China, and Pakistan introduced a UN resolution condemning the U.S., which America is expected to veto. Japan and South Korea pulled out of the NATO summit, citing the Middle East conflict. Domestically, the Supreme Court ruled 6–3 to allow Trump’s administration to deport migrants to third countries, and the administration also overrode a federal judge’s order to release smuggling suspect Kilmar Abrego Garcia. ICE had already planned to detain him regardless. In finance, FICO announced it will start factoring buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) loans into credit scores, affecting 90+ million Americans—raising concerns over debt risk in an already fragile consumer economy. And nearly 190 million Americans are under heat advisories as a record-breaking “heat dome” grips the US, setting over 360 daily high temp records last week alone.

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Monday, June 23rd, 2025 - Trump bombs Iran; Pakistan’s bizarre Nobel bid; DHS warns of attacks; LGBTQ hotline cut; 16B passwords leaked & more Jun 23, 2025

Today’s Headlines: The U.S. launched military strikes on three of Iran’s key nuclear sites—Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan—this weekend, marking a major escalation in the Israel-Iran conflict. President Trump called the operation a “spectacular military success,” though Iran claimed it had already moved its enriched uranium, blunting the strike’s long-term impact. Notably, senior Republicans and Israeli leadership were briefed beforehand—Democrats were not. In response, DHS issued a terrorism alert for a heightened threat environment this summer, citing potential cyberattacks and global protests. At the UN, Iran accused the U.S. of destroying diplomacy and Russia warned the strikes opened a “Pandora’s box.” Meanwhile, Pakistan bizarrely announced it will recommend Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize for allegedly mediating peace between India and Pakistan—something Indian officials firmly deny. In domestic news, courts issued a series of major rulings: a judge ordered the release of Palestinian grad student Mahmoud Khalil from federal detention, prompting a DHS appeal; Trump was granted continued control of California’s National Guard amid immigration protests; and a Louisiana law requiring display of the Ten Commandments in schools was struck down as unconstitutional. Finally, HHS will end LGBTQ-specific services on the 988 suicide hotline by July 17 and Cybernews reported that 16 billion login credentials were leaked online in a massive data compilation.

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Friday, June 20th, 2025 - Trump’s stalls on Iran; ICE detains Afghan ally, denied entry to Dodger Stadium; Hamas hostage released & more Jun 20, 2025

Today’s Headlines: President Trump has approved support for Israel’s strikes on Iran but says he’ll decide within two weeks whether to escalate U.S. military involvement—echoing past vague promises. Meanwhile, the last known American hostage from Gaza returned home to New Jersey. ICE detained Sayed Naser, an Afghan man who aided U.S. forces, during an immigration hearing despite his active asylum case. Confusion followed a bizarre incident at Dodger Stadium where masked individuals claiming to be ICE were later said to be CBP agents, though no official operation was confirmed. Another SpaceX rocket exploded during a ground test, adding to Elon Musk’s taxpayer-funded streak of failures. The EPA is reportedly reconsidering its long-overdue ban on deadly white asbestos, still legal in the U.S. despite global bans. And Trump has extended the TikTok ban yet again—this time through September 17.

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Thursday, June 19th, 2025 - US-Iran tensions update; Fed freeze; Crypto bill; SCOTUS trans ban; HHS new boozier guidelines Jun 19, 2025

Today’s Headlines: President Trump hinted the U.S. might bomb Iran, while evacuations from Israel continue and tensions rise with Iran warning of “irreparable damage.” European diplomats plan to meet with Iran as military buildup in the region grows. Back home, the Federal Reserve held interest rates steady amid signs of slower growth, and Trump mocked Chair Powell, suggesting he could run the Fed himself. Meanwhile, the Senate passed the GENIUS Act, allowing banks to treat crypto stablecoins as assets. The Pentagon deployed 2,000 more National Guard troops to L.A. with little explanation. The Supreme Court upheld Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming care for minors, while a separate ruling preserved the right of trans and nonbinary Americans to request accurate passport markers. Finally, new federal dietary guidelines are expected to drop previous limits on daily alcohol intake, despite cancer risks.

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Wednesday, June 18th, 2025 - US-Iran tensions; ICE arrests NYC candidate; Musk fundraising; GOP land sale plan Jun 18, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Missile strikes between Israel and Iran have continued for six days, with President Trump escalating tensions online by demanding Iran’s “unconditional surrender” and revealing the U.S. knows the ayatollah’s location. Amid warnings from global powers and regional evacuations, Trump faces pushback at home, including a bipartisan congressional resolution requiring approval for U.S. involvement. Meanwhile in New York, Democratic mayoral candidate Brad Lander was arrested by ICE during a volunteer shift, prompting outrage, as Trump calls for more deportations in Democratic cities—despite his administration reversing course multiple times on where raids should occur. Elsewhere, Elon Musk’s AI startup is reportedly seeking $4.3 billion in new funding after burning through its previous rounds, and Senate Republicans are proposing to sell 3.3 million acres of federal land in 11 Western states to raise revenue.

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Tuesday, June 17th, 2025 - Trump ditches G7; Dollar dips; FAA fake; Saudi journalist executed; Boelter charged & more Jun 17, 2025

Today’s Headlines: President Trump briefly attended the G7, signed a tariff deal with the UK, defended Putin, skipped key meetings, and refused to back a joint Israel-Iran de-escalation statement before leaving early, citing Middle East tensions. Meanwhile, global exporters are increasingly rejecting U.S. dollars in favor of other currencies, signaling growing concern over the dollar’s stability. In Saudi Arabia, journalist Turki Al-Jasser was executed over tweets criticizing the regime, echoing the Khashoggi case. Back in the U.S., Minnesota shooter Vance Boelter turned himself in and now faces federal murder charges after targeting dozens of Democratic lawmakers. Trump’s FAA nominee, Bryan Bedford, was exposed for falsely claiming to hold a commercial pilot license. His company, the Trump Organization, also announced a new gold smartphone and MAGA-branded phone plan called “The 47 Plan.” OpenAI secured its first Pentagon contract—$200 million to develop AI for national defense. And MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell was found liable for defamation, ordered to pay $2.3 million to a former Dominion employee.

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Monday, June 16th, 2025 - Israel-Iran strikes; MN lawmaker assasination; 5M join ‘No Kings’ protests; Trump’s bday flop & crypto payday Jun 16, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Israel launched surprise strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, killing 78 and prompting deadly missile retaliation that killed at least 13 in Israel. US-Iran nuclear talks were canceled, and while the Trump administration denied prior knowledge, Trump briefly took credit before walking it back. At the G7 summit in Alberta, leaders from the EU, Ukraine, Mexico, and others gathered under the shadow of potential global conflict. In Minnesota, a far-right gunman assassinated State House Speaker Melissa Hortman and wounded State Senator John Huffman in politically motivated shootings. The suspect, Vance Boelter, remains at large with a hit list targeting 70 Democrats. He’s linked to extremist Christian views and ran a questionable “security” firm out of his home. Meanwhile, over 5 million joined nationwide “No Kings” protests on Saturday, which saw scattered violence, including a shooting in Salt Lake City and a vehicular attack in Virginia. That night, Trump’s $45 million birthday and military parade—sponsored by tech and defense giants—drew disappointing crowds. He also reversed ICE raids targeting key industries and released financial disclosures showing over $600 million in 2024 income, including massive profits from Trump-branded crypto, watches, bibles, and NFTs.

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Friday, June 13th, 2025 - CA Senator removed; ICE raids rise; RFK Jr. hires anti-vaxxers; Iran Censured; Air India Crash; Weinstein trial update Jun 13, 2025

Today’s Headlines: California Senator Alex Padilla was forcibly removed and handcuffed while attempting to ask a question at a DHS press briefing in Los Angeles—though he was not arrested, the incident has sparked outrage, especially as House Speaker Mike Johnson moves to censure him. Meanwhile, ICE has reportedly ordered a surge in I-9 audits, increasing the likelihood of workplace raids. Several states, including Missouri, have activated their National Guard ahead of “No Kings Day” protests tied to Trump’s immigration crackdown. On the international front, the UN’s nuclear watchdog has censured Iran for the first time in 20 years, prompting threats from Tehran to exit the Nonproliferation Treaty amid rising U.S.–Iran tensions and fears of an Israeli strike. Elsewhere, RFK Jr. has stacked the CDC’s vaccine advisory panel with known anti-vaxxers just days after firing its previous members. In contrast, the CDC has invited over 450 previously terminated staffers back to work—though it’s unclear how many will accept. Tragedy struck India as an Air India flight crashed shortly after takeoff, killing nearly all 242 on board; the cause is under investigation. And finally, Harvey Weinstein’s retrial looms, after a mistrial was declared on a rape charge due to jury dysfunction, while his guilty and not guilty verdicts on two other charges remain in place.

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Thursday, June 12th, 2025 - “No Kings Day” protests; Trump-China trade deal; Musk apology; EPA rollbacks; Iran tension;, Weinstein verdict Jun 12, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Nationwide protests against ICE raids are ramping up ahead of “No Kings Day,” a weekend of counter-programming to Trump’s birthday military parade. Trump declared he “liberated” LA in a speech to troops, while California Gov. Gavin Newsom criticized the military deployment. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott followed by mobilizing the state’s National Guard. Trump also announced a pending U.S.-China trade deal that would ease rare earth exports and partially lift U.S. export restrictions, though tariffs on Chinese imports will remain steep. Meanwhile, the U.S. is extending its tariff pause for other countries—contradicting earlier White House statements. Inflation rose just 0.1% in May, bringing the annual rate to 2.4%. Elon Musk publicly apologized to Trump after a reported intervention by GOP allies, seemingly ending their brief online feud. The U.S. is evacuating staff from parts of the Middle East as tensions with Iran escalate. Trump also urged Israel to halt its Gaza offensive and threats toward Iran. Domestically, the EPA is moving to repeal major pollution regulations on coal and gas plants, including mercury emissions. And in New York, Harvey Weinstein was found guilty on one charge of sexual assault, with the jury still deliberating on a third.

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Wednesday, June 11th, 2025 - LA protests update; RFK Jr. ousts vax panel; Global growth slump; Graz shooting; EU sanctions Russia Jun 11, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Roughly 2,700 U.S. Marines and National Guard troops have arrived in Los Angeles amid ongoing protests, though they haven’t been formally deployed. The Pentagon estimates the cost of this operation, plus a military parade, could reach $200 million by week’s end—despite the lack of proper housing for many troops. President Trump hinted at invoking the Insurrection Act. Meanwhile, over 100 LA schools are tightening graduation security due to fears of ICE activity. Nationally, HHS Secretary RFK Jr. removed all 17 CDC vaccine advisors, calling for a "clean sweep" to restore public trust—despite the committee’s nonpartisan makeup. Globally, the World Bank predicts just 2.3% economic growth this year, citing Trump-era tariffs and global instability. U.S. growth is forecasted at only 1.4%. In Austria, a former student fatally shot 10 peers in Graz, prompting national mourning. And in Brussels, the EU proposed its 18th sanctions package against Russia, aimed at cutting off oil and gas revenue.

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Tuesday, June 10th, 2025 - LA vs ICE; CA sues Trump & Hegseth; DEI ban blocked; Trump’s birthday parade; Whole Foods hacked Jun 10, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Tensions over Trump’s immigration crackdown escalated as he floated the idea of arresting California Governor Gavin Newsom, who dared ICE border czar Tom Homan to “go ahead, tough guy, arrest me.” In response, Newsom and AG Rob Bonta sued Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for unlawfully federalizing the state’s National Guard. Meanwhile, Glendale ended its ICE detention contract, a federal judge blocked enforcement of Trump’s anti-DEI executive orders (for now), and DC began prepping for Trump’s birthday military parade, complete with tanks and 7,000 troops. Also, a cyberattack hit Whole Foods’ main distributor, potentially disrupting food supplies to over 30,000 stores.

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Monday, June 9th, 2025 - Troops in LA; Abrego Garcia charged; ICE strands migrants in a box; Starlink in the WH; Salmonella outbreak & more Jun 09, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Protests erupted in Los Angeles after immigration raids led to 45 arrests, culminating in clashes, arrests, and Trump deploying the National Guard—without the governor's request—for the first time since 1965. Meanwhile, Attorney General Pam Bondi announced charges against Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran national accused of transporting undocumented migrants, while a DOJ prosecutor resigned the same day. Separately, ICE officers and deportees were found stranded in a metal container in Djibouti, dodging malaria and rockets, after a judge blocked a deportation flight. On the Trump-Musk front, Trump declared their bromance over and warned of "consequences" if Musk funds Democrats, while concerns grew over a possible White House security breach from an unmonitored Starlink installation. The Supreme Court handed two pro-DOGE rulings—allowing access to Social Security data and shielding internal records. Meanwhile, a 22-year-old Trump campaign alum was put in charge of distributing anti-terrorism funds. And finally, a salmonella outbreak linked to eggs has sickened 79 people across 7 states.

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Friday, June 6th, 2025 - Trump-Musk breakup; Musk subpoena blocked; Trump-Merz meeting; Xi talks trade; SCOTUS nixes bias & more Jun 06, 2025

Today’s Headlines: The Trump-Musk fallout escalated from a policy spat to full-blown political chaos in under 12 hours—starting with Trump slamming Musk over his opposition to the GOP budget bill, and spiraling into Musk accusing Trump of electoral dependence, Trump threatening SpaceX contracts, and Musk suggesting Trump appears in Epstein files. Bannon reportedly wants Trump to seize SpaceX and deport Musk. Meanwhile, Democrats on the House Oversight Committee failed to subpoena Musk over AI policy due to GOP opposition. Abroad, German Chancellor Merz met with Trump, urging stronger action on Ukraine, only to be met with bizarre WWII commentary and apathy. Trump also spoke with China’s Xi Jinping to restart trade talks and posted about “positive” progress. At home, the Supreme Court struck down a legal standard that imposed stricter proof of bias on majority-group plaintiffs, reaffirming equal treatment. In foreign affairs, Chad announced a reciprocal travel ban on U.S. visitors after Trump’s own ban, with a dignified mic drop from its president. And in a surreal courtroom twist, Diddy was nearly kicked out of his trial for making dramatic faces at the jury.

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Thursday, June 5th, 2025 - Musk vs Trump; Trump travel ban 2.0; UN Gaza ceasefire; Columbia crackdown; Biden pardon probe & more Jun 05, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Elon Musk is turning on Trump, launching a “KILL THE BILL” campaign against the president’s budget proposal, which he calls a path to “bankrupting America.” The bill adds $2.4 trillion to the deficit, mostly through tax cuts for the wealthy, while omitting EV credits and Starlink contracts—two things Musk clearly noticed. Meanwhile, private job growth plummeted to just 37,000 in May, with ADP revising April’s numbers downward and businesses reporting layoffs and price hikes due to Trump’s tariffs, even on non-tariffed goods. On the international front, Trump revealed (then deleted) details of a call with Putin about Ukraine and Iran’s nuclear ambitions. At home, he reinstated a sweeping travel ban on 12 countries and tightened restrictions on 7 more, following a report on "hostile attitudes" toward the U.S. The U.S. also vetoed a UN ceasefire resolution in Gaza that had 14-1 backing, citing its failure to condemn Hamas or require disarmament. The Justice Department is investigating Biden’s last-minute pardons—specifically the use of autopen to sign off on clemencies for family and 37 federal inmates. Columbia University is now facing potential loss of accreditation, with the Education Department claiming it failed to protect Jewish students. And in Colorado, a federal judge paused deportation of the wife and children of a man charged with a federal hate crime after attacking Jewish demonstrators with a homemade flamethrower.

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Wednesday, June 4th, 2025 - Musk blasts Trump’s Bill; MD & RI gun ban stays; DHS vs Nadler aide; FEMA head’s hurricane fail; USNS Harvey Milk rebrand Jun 04, 2025

Today’s Headlines: The Trump–Musk bromance may be ending, with Elon blasting Trump’s $2.3 trillion spending bill as a “disgusting abomination” and calling to oust lawmakers who supported it. Meanwhile, the Trump administration formally requested Congress to undo $9.4B in DOGE’s previous cuts via a rescission process, still falling far short of Musk’s promised $2T in cuts. New 50% tariffs on steel and aluminum go into effect tonight (except for the UK), but are subject to change next month. The administration also rescinded 2022 guidance protecting abortion access in emergency cases, exposing providers to prosecution in 13 states with total bans. FEMA’s acting head reportedly didn’t know the U.S. had a hurricane season, worsening concerns as meteorologists warn they’re too understaffed to predict storm paths. In other news, DHS officers handcuffed a Nadler aide, accusing his office of “harboring rioters” after staff watched ICE detain migrants. The Supreme Court declined to hear gun rights cases, leaving Maryland and Rhode Island’s bans intact. Just in time for Pride month, the Navy will rename the USNS Harvey Milk to align with a “warrior culture” vision. FInally, Russia carried out a successful hit on the strategic Crimea bridge following Ukraine’s devastating drone strikes on Russian bombers as peace talks in Istanbul have collapsed.

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Tuesday, June 3rd, 2025 - Boulder attack, Ukraine strike & China trade updates; Polish elections; Trump taps Palantir & more Jun 03, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Twelve people were severely injured in Boulder, Colorado, after Mohamed Sabry Soliman, an Egyptian national, attacked a weekly pro-hostage-release walk with a homemade flamethrower; the FBI charged him with a federal hate crime after discovering he had planned the attack for a year. In Ukraine, officials say they destroyed 40 Russian nuclear-capable bombers in a drone strike, a move some Russian commentators likened to Pearl Harbor. Trade tensions with China are escalating after mutual accusations of violating last month’s handshake agreement, with China vowing retaliation. In Poland, conservative Karol Nawrocki narrowly won the presidency in a record-turnout election. Meanwhile, new reporting reveals the Trump administration is using Peter Thiel’s Palantir to centralize massive amounts of citizen data across federal agencies. Despite this, newly uncovered data shows the U.S. knowingly deported Venezuelans with no criminal records to El Salvador’s CECOT prison under dubious terrorism claims—while quietly admitting more white South African refugees. Lastly, law firms that cooperated with Trump are now losing corporate clients like Oracle and McDonald’s, who question whether these firms can be trusted to defend their interests.

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Monday, June 2nd, 2025 - Boulder attack; Drones over Russia; Hamas pushback; China tensions; Trump’s briefings, reposts & NASA nominee Jun 02, 2025

Today’s Headlines: A man threw Molotov cocktails at a Jewish community group in Boulder, Colorado, injuring six elderly people in what the FBI and DOJ are investigating as a targeted terror attack. In international news, Ukraine launched a major drone strike deep inside Russia without U.S. approval, just before announcing new ceasefire talks. Meanwhile, ceasefire efforts in Gaza stalled as Hamas rejected a U.S.-backed proposal, and over 30 people were killed at an aid site in Rafah. Tensions with China continue to rise, with Trump accusing them of violating tariff agreements, and responding to reports that China is restricting rare-earth exports. Trump also doubled tariffs on steel, days after approving a foreign acquisition of U.S. Steel. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth accused China of preparing for war over Taiwan, prompting international pushback. Meanwhile, Trump reportedly gets so few intelligence briefings that Tulsi Gabbard is considering turning them into Fox News-style video packages to hold his attention. He also reposted a conspiracy claiming Biden is a clone. Lastly, Trump withdrew his NASA nominee after learning of the nominee’s past donations to Democrats, further straining his alliance with Elon Musk.

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Friday, May 30th, 2025 - Tariff whiplash - again; Chinese student visas revoked; Paramount lawsuit; HHS cuts bird flu vax funds; Musk is out May 30, 2025

Today’s Headlines: The US Court of International Trade ruled that President Trump exceeded his authority by imposing global tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, canceling most tariffs—only for the appeals court to reinstate them during the ongoing appeal. Meanwhile, ASEAN countries agreed to protect each other’s economies against harmful US trade deals amid mounting tariff tensions. The State Department, led by Marco Rubio, announced plans to revoke visas of Chinese students with ties to the Communist Party and pause new student visa interviews to enhance vetting. In other news, Qatar hesitates to finalize the transfer of Trump’s private jet due to costly maintenance and demands for clear legal disclaimers. Paramount offered $15 million to settle Trump’s lawsuit over a CBS News interview, but Trump wants $25 million plus an apology, leveraging the studio’s pending merger approval. Moderna lost millions in HHS funding for its bird flu vaccine development, and Elon Musk resigned from DOGE after 114 days, having achieved only a fraction of his deficit-cutting goals while stirring controversy on multiple fronts.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

CNBC: Trump tariffs reinstated by appeals court for now
Fox Business: Federal court rejects Trump's 'unbounded authority' to impose worldwide tariffs
Reuters: ASEAN leaders agree tariff deals with US should not harm fellow members
MFA Malaysia: ASEAN-GCC-CHINA 27 MAY 2025 - Press Releases
WSJ: U.S. to Revoke Visas of Chinese Students
WA Post: Trump’s Air Force One deal with Qatar not final despite U.S. claims
WSJ: Paramount Has Offered $15 Million to Settle CBS Lawsuit. Trump Wants More.
WA Post: HHS cancels funding for Moderna to develop vaccines to combat bird flu
NBC News: Elon Musk officially leaves the White House

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Thursday, May 29th, 2025 - “TACO Trade”; Sketchy pardons update; Fannie and Freddie go public; ICE pressure; Tate bros charged in the UK May 29, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Trump dismissed Wall Street's new "TACO trade" nickname — Trump Always Chickens Out — used by investors profiting off his tariff tweets, calling it “the nastiest question.” Meanwhile, he continued his pardon/commutation spree, finalizing the Chrisley’s as well as to a corrupt Virginia sheriff, ex-Rep. Michael Grimm, a convicted gang leader, and rapper NBA YoungBoy, among others. He also announced plans to take Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac public while keeping government loan guarantees, boosting their stocks to 2008 levels. Stephen Miller and Kristi Noem reportedly pressured ICE to triple daily immigrant arrests to 3,000, using job threats as leverage. Lastly, the Tate brothers now face 21 charges in the UK tied to rape, trafficking, and abuse, while also battling similar cases in Romania, where they remain under legal proceedings.

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Wednesday, May 28th, 2025 - Trump vs. Putin & Netanyahu; King Charles speech; Sketchy pardons; RFK Jr.’s vax rollback; Student visa freeze May 28, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Tensions appear to be rising between Trump and Putin, with Trump acknowledging for the first time that Putin may not want peace in Ukraine. Trump warned that Putin is “playing with fire,” prompting a veiled threat from a top Russian official referencing World War III. Meanwhile, Trump reportedly warned Israeli PM Netanyahu not to sabotage U.S.–Iran nuclear talks, fearing unilateral action from Israel. In Canada, King Charles delivered a pointed speech defending democracy and international cooperation, widely interpreted as a jab at Trump. Trump later suggested Canada should become a U.S. state to benefit from his proposed (and likely fictional) “golden dome” missile shield. Trump also issued several controversial pardons, including for reality TV stars Todd and Julie Chrisley and Florida nursing home exec Paul Walczak—whose mother donated $1M to Trump and attended a Mar-a-Lago fundraiser. In other news, HHS Secretary RFK Jr. announced that COVID vaccines will no longer be recommended for pregnant women and healthy children, despite no supporting data and warnings from medical experts. Lastly, the Trump administration suspended all international student visa processing, citing plans to expand social media screening—just days after trying to block international enrollment at Harvard.

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Tuesday, May 27th, 2025 - Harvard lawsuit; Big bill’s hidden clause; Tel Aviv fire bomb plot; Tariff war back on; Qatar jet; Military parade & more May 27, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Over Memorial Day weekend, a judge temporarily blocked the Trump administration’s move to bar Harvard from admitting international students, after the school sued over sweeping demands for protest-related records involving 7,000 students. Another judge struck down Trump’s executive order targeting the law firm Jenner & Block, citing constitutional violations. A lesser-known provision in Trump’s House-passed “Big Beautiful Bill” drew alarm for limiting courts’ ability to enforce their own rulings unless plaintiffs can afford to post financial bonds. In international news, a U.S.-German citizen was charged with attempting to firebomb a U.S. embassy office in Tel Aviv. He had posted threats online and left behind a backpack of Molotov cocktails. Trump briefly reignited a trade war Friday, threatening steep tariffs on EU goods and smartphones, before walking it back after weekend talks. The Treasury also announced it will stop circulating new pennies by 2026, saving $56 million a year. FEMA denied North Carolina’s request for $2 billion in hurricane cleanup funds. Meanwhile, the Pentagon accepted a Boeing 747 from Qatar to serve as a temporary Air Force One, and the Army will throw Trump a $90 million military parade for his 79th birthday.

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Friday, May 23rd, 2025 - D.C. shooting; Hamas motive; ‘Beautiful’ bill passed; Harvard ban; NOAA forecast; FDA limits vax access; Trump’s crypto dinner May 23, 2025

Today’s Headlines: On Wednesday night, a shooting outside the Capitol Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C. left two dead following a multifaith event focused on Gaza. The suspect, Elias Rodriguez, reportedly told attendees he acted “for Palestine” before being arrested. The DOJ is weighing terrorism and hate crime charges. Separately, newly revealed Hamas documents confirm the October 7 attacks were aimed at sabotaging Israel-Saudi peace talks. Meanwhile, the House narrowly passed Trump’s sweeping “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” extending 2017 tax cuts, cutting green energy incentives, and tightening welfare requirements. In education, the Trump administration moved to block Harvard from enrolling international students, potentially prompting legal action. The Supreme Court issued two major rulings—blocking Oklahoma’s religious charter school due to a 4–4 tie, and granting Trump more power to fire independent agency members, though not the Fed chair. NOAA forecasts a severe hurricane season, and the FDA will limit COVID vaccine availability this fall to high-risk groups due to new testing rules. Lastly, Trump hosted a White House dinner for his $TRUMP coin holders—most of them foreign, including controversial crypto figure Justin Sun.

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Thursday, May 22nd, 2025 - VA Rep Connolly dies; Trump-Ramaphosa meeting; DOJ investigates Cuomo and more May 22, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Representative Gerry Connolly of Virginia passed away at 75 from esophageal cancer, just weeks after announcing he would not seek re-election and being named the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee. Meanwhile, President Trump hosted South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, derailing trade discussions by screening a video alleging a white genocide in South Africa—claims Ramaphosa rejected. This comes as the administration continues to deport refugees from numerous countries while welcoming white Afrikaners. Separately, the DOJ has launched a criminal investigation into Andrew Cuomo over his COVID-era decisions as governor, raising suspicions of political motives ahead of his likely NYC mayoral bid against Eric Adams, whose own federal charges were recently dropped. The DOJ also announced it will dismiss police reform consent decrees in Louisville and Minneapolis and rescind earlier findings against the Phoenix Police Department, effectively reversing major civil rights investigations. Finally, a federal judge found the Trump administration in violation of a court order after it deported migrants—most not from South Sudan—to South Sudan, only for the flight to be rerouted to Djibouti, again without legal basis.

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Wednesday, May 21st, 2025 - Trump’s “big beautiful bill”; Golden Dome plan; Noem flubs habeas corpus; Mortgage rates surge and more May 21, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Congress is currently hashing out a sweeping reconciliation bill—dubbed by President Trump as “one big beautiful bill”—that outlines his administration’s tax and spending priorities, though its final form remains uncertain. Key provisions include extending the 2017 tax cuts, which would add an estimated $2.7 trillion to the national deficit by 2034, ramping up ICE funding, and introducing Medicaid work requirements. Trump visited Capitol Hill to rally support amid internal GOP resistance, as Speaker Mike Johnson aims to pass the bill before Memorial Day recess. As part of this package, Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a $25 billion down payment for a proposed $175 billion missile defense system called the “Golden Dome,” modeled on Israel’s Iron Dome and intended to guard against nuclear and hypersonic threats. Meanwhile, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem sparked backlash after incorrectly defining habeas corpus during Senate testimony, raising alarms as the White House reportedly considers suspending the constitutional protection. On the economic front, mortgage rates have surged past 7%—a 25-year high—following a U.S. credit downgrade by Moody’s. And in tech-meets-politics news, Elon Musk told the Qatar Economic Forum he plans to scale back political donations, though quickly added he might resume them if he sees a reason—fueling speculation his political capital may be waning.

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Tuesday, May 20th, 2025 - Trump-Putin call; Take It Down Act; FAA outage; Babbit family’s $5M settlement and more May 20, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Former President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a two-hour call about ending the war in Ukraine, marked by mutual praise but no concrete progress; despite ongoing Russia-Ukraine talks, Putin showed no interest in a ceasefire or returning seized land, both of which Ukraine considers essential. Meanwhile, Trump signed the bipartisan Take It Down Act, the first federal law targeting non-consensual explicit imagery, including AI deepfakes, requiring removal within 48 hours and allowing for prison time. The FAA avoided disruptions thanks to a recent software update, though it is investigating the cause of a near-outage. The DOJ settled with Ashli Babbitt’s family for $5 million over her 2021 Capitol riot shooting, while the Supreme Court allowed the Trump administration to revoke deportation protections for 350,000 Venezuelans. Finally, the DOJ dropped charges against Newark Mayor Ras Baraka for an ICE protest but filed assault charges against Rep. Monica McIver, which she claims are politically motivated.

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Monday, May 19th, 2025 - Fertility clinic terror; Brooklyn bridge collision; Biden’s cancer diagnosis; SCOTUS on Alien Enemies Act & more May 19, 2025

Today’s Headlines: In Palm Springs, California, a car explosion outside a fertility clinic killed the 25-year-old suspect and injured four others in what the FBI has labeled an act of intentional terrorism. The suspect’s online manifesto suggested he was motivated by a fringe “pro-mortalist” philosophy, opposing the creation of life. In New York, a Mexican Navy training ship on a global goodwill tour collided with the Brooklyn Bridge after losing power, killing two people and injuring twenty. Former President Joe Biden announced that he has been diagnosed with an aggressive, hormone-sensitive form of prostate cancer that has spread to his bones, but his medical team remains optimistic about management. In a 7-2 ruling, the Supreme Court blocked the Trump administration’s plan to deport Venezuelans to a prison in El Salvador without sufficient legal process, emphasizing the need for due process protections. In economic news, former President Trump criticized Walmart’s plan to raise prices in response to tariffs, insisting the company should absorb the costs, while Moody’s downgraded the U.S. credit rating due to rising debt and interest payments. Boeing may escape a guilty plea related to the 737 Max crashes through a tentative DOJ agreement, raising concerns among victims' families. UnitedHealth Group is now under investigation for potential Medicare fraud, and Florida has become the second state, after Utah, to ban fluoride in its public water supply.

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Friday, May 16th, 2025 - Trump’s UAE AI deal; Iran’s “sort of” nuclear pact; Qatar jet drama; SCOTUS birthright citizenship battle & more May 16, 2025

Today’s Headlines: President Trump announced over $200 billion in deals with the UAE, including an AI Acceleration Partnership granting the UAE access to advanced AI chips, and a $1.4 trillion investment pledge over 10 years. He also hinted at a tentative nuclear deal with Iran, describing it as “sort of” agreed upon. Meanwhile, Senate Democrats are pushing to block arms sales to Qatar in protest of Trump’s new jet gift, which turns out to be an outdated and impractical plane the Qatari royal family couldn’t sell. A small Chinese tech company plans to purchase $300 million worth of Trump’s meme coin, raising concerns about foreign influence, while Pam Bondi sold millions in Trump Media stock just before a market drop. Walmart’s CFO warned of tariff-related price hikes coming soon, and the military is preparing to discharge transgender troops under Trump’s executive order. The Supreme Court is reviewing Trump’s attempt to end birthright citizenship, and a brain-dead pregnant woman in Georgia is being kept alive due to the state’s abortion ban. Denver International Airport briefly lost air traffic control communication, but disaster was avoided, and Social Security’s new anti-fraud measures revealed almost no fraud, despite significantly slowing down claim processing.

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Thursday, May 15th, 2025 -Trump’s $240B Qatar deals; Iran’s nuclear proposal; Sketchy Chinese inverters; Omaha’s new mayor; Chauvin pardon prep & more May 15, 2025

Today’s Headlines: During his Middle East trip, President Trump announced over $240 billion in economic deals with Qatar, including a $96 billion Boeing aircraft order, claiming the agreements could ultimately reach a trillion dollars. Meanwhile, Iran proposed a joint nuclear-enrichment venture with regional Arab countries and U.S. investment, though the U.S. envoy denied discussing it. In domestic security news, U.S. officials discovered rogue communication devices in Chinese-made solar inverters, raising concerns about potential threats to the power grid. On the diplomatic front, both Putin and Trump declined to attend Ukraine peace talks in Istanbul, though lower-level discussions will proceed. In U.S. politics, Democrat John Ewing Jr. secured a surprise victory in Omaha's mayoral race, unseating longtime Republican Mayor Jean Stothert. Meanwhile, Minnesota prepares for possible unrest if Trump pardons Derek Chauvin for his federal conviction, though his state sentence would still stand. Lastly, Trump advocates for reinstating baseball legend Pete Rose, who was banned from MLB in 1989 for betting on games, after Rose’s passing last year.

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Bloomberg: US Announces More Than $243 Billion in Deals With Qatar
NY Times: Iran Proposes Novel Path to Nuclear Deal With U.S.
Reuters: Insight: Rogue communication devices found in Chinese solar power inverters
The Guardian: Putin will not travel to Istanbul for peace talks with Zelenskyy, Kremlin confirms
NE Examiner: Ewing sends Stothert packing, gives heart of ‘blue dot’ a Democratic mayor
KSTP: Minneapolis and state leaders prepare for possible Derek Chauvin pardon
NBC News: Pete Rose reinstated by MLB and is eligible for Baseball Hall of Fame

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Wednesday, May 14th, 2025 - Trump's Saudi deals; Afghan deportations; Inflation report; UHC CEO shakeup; Diddy on trial May 14, 2025

Today’s Headlines: President Trump kicked off his Middle East trip in Saudi Arabia, meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and announcing the removal of sanctions on Syria, citing MBS’s request. Trump also revealed a $600 billion Saudi investment in the US and a $142 billion arms deal, while suggesting Iran should negotiate its nuclear program. Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer is blocking DOJ nominees over concerns about Trump's acceptance of a luxury jet from Qatar. In domestic news, the Department of Homeland Security has terminated Temporary Protected Status for 9,000 Afghans, clearing the way for deportation. April’s inflation report showed positive signs, with a 0.2% rise in CPI and the annual rate dropping to 2.3%. UnitedHealthcare’s CEO resigned following a class-action lawsuit and financial fallout related to Medicare Advantage overcharges. Lastly, P Diddy’s sex trafficking trial began, with his ex Cassie Ventura testifying about years of abuse and exploitation, alleging that her music career was sidelined for Diddy’s personal demands.

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Tuesday, May 13th, 2025 - US-China tariff truce; Trump’s Middle East tour; Drug prices EO; Hostage release, Israel-US tensions & more May 13, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Following two days of trade negotiations in Switzerland, the US and China have agreed to a 90-day pause to finalize a long-term trade deal. In the interim, tariffs on Chinese imports will drop from 145% to 30%, while tariffs on US imports to China will decrease from 125% to 10%. However, small packages from China will still face a significant tariff of 120% or a flat fee. Meanwhile, President Trump signed an executive order pushing pharmaceutical companies to reduce prescription drug prices within 30 days or face potential regulation tying prices to international rates. Trump also prepares for a Middle East trip to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE, reportedly aiming to announce trillion-dollar deals. This trip coincides with the release of American hostage Edan Alexander from Gaza after 19 months, facilitated by US-Hamas talks. In domestic politics, Trump appointed Todd Blanche, his former defense attorney, as the acting Librarian of Congress after ousting the previous librarian amid DEI policy changes. Additionally, tensions between Trump and Israeli PM Netanyahu have surfaced, partly due to recent US negotiations with Hamas and shifting policies in the Middle East.

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Monday, May 12th, 2025 - Newark Mayor arrested; Habeas Corpus in danger; Trump gifted $400M jet; White refugees welcome; India-Pakistan ceasefire & more May 12, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was arrested for trespassing while protesting outside an ICE facility, despite video evidence showing he was in a public area; charges against three Democratic congress members present are still possible. Meanwhile, the Trump administration is considering suspending habeas corpus, citing an "invasion" of migrants. In related news, around 60 white South Africans are being resettled in the US as refugees, a move criticized as politically motivated. Additionally, Trump is set to receive a luxury jet from Qatar’s royal family, which will eventually be transferred to his presidential library foundation. The House passed an amendment allowing the sale of federal lands in Nevada and Utah for affordable housing. The USDA is also demanding states’ personal data of SNAP recipients, raising surveillance concerns. Lastly, Trump announced an India-Pakistan ceasefire, but both countries downplayed US involvement, and reports indicate potential violations already.

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Friday, May 9th, 2025 - American Pope; UK trade deal & Starlink push; Trump appointees; Crime Drop; Tyre Nichols verdict; Columbia protests May 09, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost from Chicago has been elected as Pope Leo XIV, emphasizing service to marginalized communities while maintaining conservative views on LGBTQ issues. Meanwhile, President Trump announced a tentative trade deal with the UK, lowering tariffs on certain goods, while also pushing foreign countries to approve contracts with Elon Musk’s Starlink during trade negotiations. Trump also nominated wellness influencer Casey Means as Surgeon General and appointed Fox News host Jeanine Pirro as interim US Attorney for DC. In domestic news, homicide rates in major US cities have dropped by 21% in early 2025, and three former police officers were acquitted on state charges related to the death of Tyre Nichols. Additionally, 80 pro-Palestinian activists were arrested at Columbia University after occupying a campus library to protest Israeli policies.

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Thursday, May 8th, 2025 - US-China meeting ; EU-China reset; Flight scares & fighter jet losses; Greenland intel push & more May 08, 2025

Today’s Headlines: The US and China are set to meet this weekend to discuss trade relations, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent meeting Chinese officials for what could be just a preliminary discussion about de-escalation. Meanwhile, the EU and China appear to be warming up diplomatically, with European leaders signaling a potential reset, while the EU accelerates trade talks with Southeast Asian nations. Back in the US, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell announces that interest rates will remain steady but warns that ongoing trade conflicts could lead to stagflation if not resolved. In aviation news, Newark Airport faces safety concerns after two instances of losing radar and radio contact, prompting some air traffic controllers to take medical leave. Reagan National Airport has also suspended Blackhawk helicopter flights after recent landing issues. Overseas, the US Navy loses two fighter jets in the Red Sea, both crashing during carrier landings, though the pilots were safely recovered. Domestically, controversy arises as a federal judge blocks the deportation of Southeast Asian immigrants to Libya, after reports that ICE coerced detainees into signing deportation agreements. Additionally, the sudden removal of the vice chair of the National Transportation Safety Board raises questions amid ongoing investigations. Lastly, intelligence efforts increase concerning Greenland, as the US explores potential support for taking over the territory.

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Wednesday, May7th, 2025 - Carney in the WH; Zero China deals; Kashmir strikes; Hegseth military cuts; SC trans ban ruling; Conclave starts May 07, 2025

Today’s Headlines: President Trump met with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to discuss trade, where Carney affirmed Canada’s status as the U.S.'s largest trading partner despite Trump’s contrary claims. Meanwhile, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent admitted that the U.S. has yet to start formal trade talks with China, even as Trump downplayed the impact of not trading. In Asia, China, Japan, South Korea, and ASEAN formed a financial stability agreement, while India launched missile strikes in Kashmir following a massacre of Hindu tourists, escalating tensions with Pakistan. Domestically, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faced backlash over his use of Signal for sensitive communications amid reports of a government archiving tool hack. Hegseth also announced cuts to senior military ranks, reducing four-star officers by 20%. In a surprising move, the Trump administration sought to dismiss a lawsuit limiting access to the abortion pill mifepristone. The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 to temporarily allow Trump’s transgender military ban, affecting over 4,000 service members. Meanwhile, the Vatican conclave began, as 133 cardinals gathered to elect a new Pope, needing a two-thirds majority to win.

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Tuesday, May 6th, 2025 - Trump’s Alcatraz reboot & film tariffs; Cash to self-deport; Newark warning; Israel-Gaza war escalates & more May 06, 2025

Today’s Headlines: After a weekend in Palm Beach and what might have been a PBS movie marathon, President Trump announced plans to reopen Alcatraz as a functioning prison and to impose 100% tariffs on films produced outside the U.S. Trump also introduced a new voluntary self-deportation initiative offering $1,000 and travel expenses to undocumented immigrants who leave the country using a government app. Elsewhere, a Newark air traffic controller is warning travelers to avoid the airport entirely, citing dangerous staffing shortages that have led to major flight cancellations. The FAA is now offering $5,000 bonuses to attract new recruits. In other news, the Department of Education has resumed sending student loan borrowers in default to collections, threatening wage garnishment for millions after a five-year freeze on penalties. Abroad, Israel's government has approved a plan to reoccupy Gaza and displace its population if no hostage and ceasefire deal is reached by mid-May—timed with Trump’s upcoming Middle East visit. Meanwhile, 19 state attorneys general and Washington, DC have filed a lawsuit against the Department of Health and Human Services, claiming that deep budget and staffing cuts have dismantled vital programs related to disease control, maternal health, and substance abuse, just as a measles outbreak takes hold.

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Monday, May 5th, 2025 - Aussies vote; Jobs report; EO defunds NPR & PBS; ME gets lunch money; Diddy jury selection & more May 05, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Australia re-elects center-left Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, rejecting right-wing challenger Peter Dutton in a move echoing Canada’s anti-Trump voter shift. In the U.S., the April jobs report beats expectations with 177,000 jobs added—though gains were dampened by federal layoffs. A federal judge strikes down Trump’s retaliatory executive order against Perkins Coie, a law firm tied to Democrats, while Microsoft ditches a pro-Trump firm and hires one ready to challenge the administration in court. Meanwhile, Trump allies sue Chief Justice John Roberts in an attempt to give the president authority over the judiciary. Also, the Trump administration backs down in its feud with Maine, restoring $3 million in school funding after a clash over trans athlete policies. A new executive order strips NPR and PBS of federal funding, raising alarm over attacks on public media. The DOJ ends a decades-old desegregation order in Louisiana, claiming it’s no longer needed—despite over 130 still in effect. Plans are underway for a massive military parade on Trump’s birthday, and jury selection begins in the federal sex trafficking trial of Sean "Diddy" Combs.

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Friday, May 2nd, 2025 - Waltz heads to UN; Judge blocks deportations; FL immigration raid; RFK’s vax rules; Trade war updates May 02, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Trump just made his first big personnel move of term two—National Security Adviser Michael Waltz is headed to the UN, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio is now juggling three top jobs, including acting national security adviser. On immigration, a Trump-appointed judge just blocked mass deportations of Venezuelan migrants, saying the president can’t claim an “invasion” without evidence. The White House disagrees and is pushing the Supreme Court to strip protections from 350,000 Venezuelans. Meanwhile, Florida carried out its largest immigration raid ever—over 1,100 people arrested in a joint state-federal operation. Elsewhere in the federal government: the Education Department has canceled over $1 billion in school mental health grants, citing a civil rights technicality; RFK Jr.’s health department wants new placebo testing rules for all future vaccines; and Trump’s latest trade war salvo threatens sanctions on buyers of Iranian oil—a not-so-subtle warning to China. Also: General Motors expects tariffs to wipe out a third of its profits this year, while Apple says it’s shifting production to India and Vietnam to avoid a projected $900 billion tariff bill.

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Thursday, May 1st, 2025 - Recession looms; Tariffs cancel Christmas; Measles’ comeback; Trump blames Biden (Again); Mahdawi released May 01, 2025

Today’s Headlines: The U.S. economy shrank by 0.3% in Q1 of 2025, marking its first contraction since 2022 and falling well below forecasts of modest growth. Payroll growth also disappointed, with only 62,000 jobs added—half of what was expected. JP Morgan analysts now consider a mild recession their “base case.” Meanwhile, Trump blamed Biden for the downturn, despite previously taking credit for economic wins. New tariffs are compounding the strain: imports from China are down sharply, shipping volume at the Port of L.A. is projected to drop by 35%, and over 60% of U.S. toymakers have canceled holiday orders, threatening a Christmas goods shortage. During a Cabinet meeting, Trump dismissed the concerns, saying kids might have to settle for fewer, pricier toys. He also finalized a rare earth minerals deal with Ukraine in exchange for military support. Elsewhere, a judge ordered the release of a Columbia student unlawfully detained by ICE after a citizenship interview, and measles outbreaks are spreading in at least 10 states, with Texas cases topping 660.

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Wednesday, April 30th, 2025 - Canada picks Carney; Musk gets tariff refund; ICE raids wrong home; Pentagon axes women’s program & more Apr 30, 2025

Today’s Headlines: On his 100th day in office, Trump got a blunt rejection from our neighbors up north: Canadian PM Mark Carney won reelection and used his victory speech to accuse Trump of trying to “own” Canada, while his conservative opponent—who ran on a “Canada First” platform—lost his seat entirely. Meanwhile, Elon Musk scored big as Trump rolled out a sweeping tariff rollback for automakers that will mean refunds and price breaks for U.S.-made cars (guess which brand qualifies). Amazon briefly considered showing shoppers how much Trump’s tariffs are costing them before backing off under pressure, while Walmart said they wouldn’t go there at all. ICE agents in Oklahoma raided the wrong house, forcing a mom and her three U.S. citizen daughters out in their pajamas and seizing their phones, valuables, and savings—with no suspects in sight. And Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth killed off a bipartisan Pentagon program supporting women in global conflict zones, calling it “woke” and “a distraction from war fighting.”

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Tuesday, April 29th, 2025 - Lights out in the EU; Tensions over Kashmir; Trump vs sanctuary cities; Musk $2B break & more Apr 29, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Massive blackouts hit Spain, Portugal, France, and Germany, disrupting airports, hospitals, and transport, with no clear cause yet identified. Meanwhile, tensions escalate between India and Pakistan following a deadly attack in Kashmir. The conclave to pick Pope Francis’s successor is set to begin May 7. In Canada, elections took place amid website outages and a campaign shaken by Trump’s threats to annex the country. Back in the U.S., Trump marks 100 days in office with executive orders targeting sanctuary cities, expanding legal protections for police, and enforcing English proficiency for truck drivers. His administration also launched a civil rights investigation into the Harvard Law Review over alleged racial bias. A Senate investigation revealed Elon Musk’s businesses could avoid over $2 billion in legal liabilities thanks to influence over federal agencies. Finally, Representative Gerry Connolly announced he’ll step down due to a cancer recurrence, opening the door for AOC and others to vie for House Oversight leadership.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

NBC News: Cause still unclear after massive power outages in Spain, Portugal, France hinder travel

Reuters: Exclusive: Pakistan defence minister says military incursion by India is imminent

Catholic News Agency: May 7 papal conclave date finalized as cardinals prepare for election

AP News: https://apnews.com/live/canada-election-updates-results

WA Post: Trump administration focuses on immigration record ahead of 100-day mark

NY Times: Trump Signs 3 Executive Orders, Addressing Immigration and Policing

Axios: Trump admin launches race-based discrimination probe into Harvard Law Review

Document Cloud: Minority Staff Memorandum Elon Musk Conflicts

Axios: Gerry Connolly stepping down as top Democrat on Oversight Committee

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Monday, April 28th, 2025 - Birthright fight; ICE arrests judge; Signal scandal; Salmonella rule nixed; Antisemitism probe; Santos sentenced Apr 28, 2025

Today’s Headlines: White House adviser Stephen Miller ramped up attacks on birthright citizenship, calling it a national security threat, as news broke that the administration deported U.S. citizen children along with their non-citizen mothers receiving cancer treatment. Meanwhile, Attorney General Pam Bondi defended the arrest of a Milwaukee judge for allegedly helping an undocumented immigrant, and loosened rules allowing prosecutors to subpoena journalists’ records. At Columbia and Barnard, faculty were alarmed after receiving surprise government surveys asking if they were Jewish or Israeli as part of a federal antisemitism probe. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is under fire for security breaches, including installing an unsecured internet line and threatening Pentagon officials over leaks about secret briefings for Elon Musk. In other news, the USDA dropped new poultry safety rules that could have curbed salmonella infections and former Rep. George Santos was sentenced to over 7 years in prison for fraud during his 2022 congressional campaign.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Friday, April 25th, 2025 - Kyiv attacks; Trumpcoin dinners & ‘28 merch; EU tech fines; EO updates; DeSantis scandal; Pope’s funeral Apr 25, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Ukrainian President Zelensky has rejected a U.S. proposal to end the war that would require Ukraine to give up Russian-occupied territory and promise never to join NATO. In response, Russia launched its deadliest attack on Kyiv in nearly a year. Meanwhile, the EU fined Apple and Meta a combined €700 million under a law cracking down on tech monopolies. Both companies are appealing, calling the penalties unfair to American firms. Trump also rolled out two executive orders: one targeting the Democratic fundraising platform ActBlue, and another aiming to roll back equity-focused school discipline policies. But courts blocked three separate Trump initiatives yesterday, including efforts to defund DEI programs in public schools and add proof-of-citizenship requirements for voting. He’s also launched a Trumpcoin investor leaderboard, the top 220 investors will be invited to dinner at his Virginia golf club, with a VIP reception for the top 25. And because nothing is ever enough, he’s also started selling TRUMP 2028 merch, raising eyebrows about a potential third term. In Florida, a Miami Herald investigation found that $10 million in Medicaid settlement money was funneled to a charity run by Casey DeSantis, then routed to political groups tied to the governor’s team. And finally, over 100,000 people are expected to attend Pope Francis’s funeral in the Vatican tomorrow, including Trump, Zelensky, Macron, and Prince William.

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Thursday, April 24th, 2025 - VP’s Ukraine push; Admin cuts hit milk tests, LGBTQ crisis line & Head Start; Tariff lawsuits; Weinstein retrial & more Apr 24, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Vice President JD Vance met with India’s Prime Minister Modi and urged Ukraine to accept a U.S. peace deal that heavily favors Russia, freezing current territorial lines and blocking NATO membership. Trump followed up by blaming Zelensky for stalled negotiations. Meanwhile, the administration is slashing programs across agencies: the FDA will stop testing milk for contaminants, the LGBTQ youth crisis line may lose funding, and Head Start is also on the chopping block. On the economic front, markets are volatile amid mixed messaging from Trump about trade with China and the future of Fed Chair Jerome Powell. Despite saying he won’t fire Powell, Trump is pressuring him to lower interest rates. A dozen states are now suing the administration, claiming its tariff policy is unconstitutional. And in New York, Harvey Weinstein faces a new trial for sexual assault, pleading not guilty as his attorney bizarrely claimed “the casting couch is not a crime scene.”

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Wednesday, April 23nd, 2025 - State Dept cuts; Pentagon fitness test; RFK autism registry; ICE halts cancer research & more Apr 23, 2025

Today’s Headlines: The State Department is getting a major overhaul, with Secretary Marco Rubio slashing overseas posts and U.S.-based staff by 15%, calling the agency bloated and politically biased. Meanwhile, the Pentagon will soon require women in combat roles to meet the same physical standards as men under a new "sex-neutral" fitness test. Over at HHS, Secretary RFK Jr. is compiling a national autism registry using private medical records, aiming to prove the condition’s cause by September. At Harvard, groundbreaking cancer research has stalled because ICE is detaining the scientist who wrote the analysis software—she’s now fighting deportation to Russia. Student loan borrowers in default could see their wages garnished starting in May, ending a pandemic-era pause. And Tesla reported a 71% drop in profits, partly due to Elon Musk’s political baggage—but its carbon credit sales are booming.

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Tuesday, April 22nd, 2025 - Pope dies; Pentagon chaos; US signals Crimea deal; Abrego Garcia update; Noem robbed in DC & more Apr 22, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Pope Francis has died at age 88 following a stroke, initiating a nine-day memorial and the conclave to select his successor. Back in Washington, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is under fire after firing three senior aides over leaks, followed by a top ally’s resignation and a damning op-ed describing a “meltdown” at the Pentagon. Hegseth is also reported to have shared sensitive military plans in a private Signal chat with family and his lawyer. A new Democratic delegation has traveled to El Salvador to advocate for Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s release, as scrutiny of U.S. deportation policies grows. Meanwhile, two German teenagers were detained and deported from Hawaii after U.S. customs officers questioned their backpacking plans. Internationally, the Trump administration is signaling a pullback from ceasefire talks with Ukraine and is reportedly open to recognizing Crimea as Russian—contradicting Zelensky’s position. Domestically, the DOJ has scrapped a civil rights agreement with Alabama over wastewater treatment in Black communities, calling it an “illegal DEI policy.” Meanwhile, the DOGE-mandated weekly emails are being ignored or mocked by federal workers across departments. And finally, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem’s purse was stolen in D.C.—containing her passport, federal badge, and $3,000 in cash.

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Monday, April 21st, 2025 - SCOTUS halts deportations; Immigration errors; Trump eyes Schedule F; Penn Station; Still no trade deals Apr 21, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Senator Chris Van Hollen revealed new details about Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s transfer to a better prison in El Salvador and criticized the Trump administration’s misleading photo edits suggesting gang ties. Meanwhile, California sued the administration over sweeping tariffs, and immigration issues escalated—U.S. citizens and refugees are being wrongfully detained or ordered to leave the country, including a New Mexico teen and a Connecticut doctor. The Supreme Court temporarily blocked deportations under the Alien Enemies Act, while also agreeing to hear a case on Trump’s executive order to end birthright citizenship. Trump is also pushing to reclassify 50,000 federal workers under Schedule F, making them easier to fire, and is seizing control of Penn Station’s $7B renovation. On trade, no deals have been finalized despite meetings with global partners, casting doubt on the administration’s rushed timeline.

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Friday, April 18th, 2025 - FSU shooting; Abrego ruling; CA tariff lawsuit; Trump vs. Powell; IRS targets Harvard; NLRB data breach Apr 18, 2025

Today’s Headlines: A tragic shooting at Florida State left two dead and six injured after a 20-year-old suspect, reportedly the son of a sheriff’s deputy, opened fire outside the student union with one of her weapons. In court news, a federal panel ordered Trump officials to testify under oath about the deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, blasting their claim that they can’t bring him back as an insult to basic American freedoms. California is suing the Trump administration over its sweeping tariffs, saying the economic “emergency” excuse doesn’t hold water—and that the state’s manufacturing industry is bearing the brunt. Trump also seems eager to fire Fed Chair Jerome Powell for not cutting interest rates, despite warnings it could crash the markets (and be unconstitutional). Meanwhile, the IRS is eyeing Harvard’s tax-exempt status after the university refused to play ball with the administration’s demands. And a whistleblower claims DOGE engineers hacked into the NLRB, leaked sensitive labor and legal data, and left a creepy, drone-snapped threat at his door when he tried to speak up.

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Thursday, April 17, 2025 - China drags Vance; Fed warning; Abrego Garcia update; Trump loses; DOJ vs Maine Apr 17, 2025

Today’s Headlines: The U.S.-China trade war escalated after VP JD Vance made a crack about “Chinese peasants,” prompting a sharp clapback from China. Hong Kong also suspended shipments to the U.S. over new 120% tariffs on small packages, and Fed Chair Jerome Powell warned that the growing tariff chaos could have long term consequences on the economy. In El Salvador, Senator Chris Van Hollen tried (and failed) to secure a meeting or visit with wrongfully deported Kilmar Abrego Garcia, as the White House is still insisting he’s not coming back. Meanwhile, a judge blocked Trump’s executive order targeting the law firm behind Dominion’s Fox lawsuit, calling it a personal vendetta and a “shocking abuse of power.” Another judge found probable cause to hold the administration in criminal contempt for ignoring a court order to stop deportation flights under the Alien Enemies Act. Lastly, the DOJ is suing Maine for allowing trans athletes in girls’ sports.

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Wednesday, April 16th, 2025 - China halts exports: Tomato tariffs; Abrego fight escalates; Colleges sue admin; 4chan hacked Apr 16, 2025

Today’s Headlines: China has halted Boeing jet deliveries and rare earth exports amid the ongoing trade war, while Trump announced a 20% tariff on Mexican tomatoes, aiming to pressure countries to isolate China. Greenland, meanwhile, is strengthening trade ties with Beijing. In the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a federal judge has ordered expedited discovery into his wrongful deportation to El Salvador, as Democratic senators plan a trip to push for his release—while the White House continues floating the idea of sending U.S. citizens to foreign prisons. Princeton, MIT, and others are suing to block steep federal research cuts, and finally, 4chan was hacked, leaking internal data and user info.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

NY Times: China Halts Critical Rare Earth Exports as Trade War Intensifies
Fox Business: China halts Boeing jet orders
Bloomberg: US Will Impose 21% Tariff on Mexican Tomatoes Starting in July
WSJ: U.S. Plans to Use Tariff Negotiations to Isolate China
Newsweek: Greenland Courts China in Snub to Trump
CBS News: Judge in Abrego Garcia case tells DOJ she has "no tolerance for gamesmanship"
NBC News: Maryland senator says he will travel to El Salvador on Wednesday to push for Kilmar Abrego Garcia's release
Axios: White House exploring legality of sending U.S. citizens to foreign prisons
Newsweek: Multiple Colleges Join Harvard in Fight Against Trump Admin
Techcrunch: Notorious image board 4chan hacked and internal data leaked

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Tuesday, April 15th, 2025 - Trump meets Bukele & goes after CBS; Russia strikes Sumy; US-Iran talks resume; Harvard pushes back & more Apr 15, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Trump met with El Salvador’s President Bukele amid backlash over the wrongful deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a legal U.S. resident now imprisoned in a Salvadoran mega-prison. Despite a unanimous Supreme Court ruling ordering his return, both leaders deflected responsibility—Trump even suggested sending more U.S. citizens abroad. Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen now says he’ll go to El Salvador himself if needed. The White House also blocked the Associated Press from the meeting, in defiance of a court order protecting press access. Meanwhile, Russia’s deadly missile strike on Sumy killed 35 civilians, and U.S.–Iran nuclear talks resumed in Oman. Trump lashed out at CBS over unfavorable reporting, Harvard rejected a federal ultimatum to dismantle DEI programs, and an arsonist who attacked the Pennsylvania governor’s mansion is facing terrorism charges. Lastly, Marjorie Taylor Greene made some suspiciously well-timed trades before Trump paused tariffs.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Monday, April 14th, 2025 - Tariff flip-flops; Deportation updates; Trump v SCOTUS; Anti-Christian tip line; Musk cuts projections; Meta on trial & more Apr 14, 2025

Today’s Headlines: President Trump announced a temporary tariff exemption on electronics like smartphones and laptops — but his Commerce Secretary clarified that separate semiconductor tariffs are likely coming within months. The administration continues to face backlash after deporting Kilmar Abrego Garcia to a maximum-security prison in El Salvador, despite a court order. Most migrants sent to the facility reportedly have no criminal records. Trump has asked the Supreme Court to let him fire officials at independent federal agencies — a move that could impact leadership at institutions like the Federal Reserve. Meanwhile, a new State Department initiative is asking employees to report “anti-Christian bias” via anonymous tip forms. The Social Security Administration will now communicate exclusively through X, eliminating other forms of public outreach while continuing to reduce staff and office access. Elon Musk's government savings program, DOGE, has cut its projected goal from $1 trillion to $150 billion. FEMA denied North Carolina’s request to extend full reimbursement for hurricane recovery, and Pennsylvania’s Governor was forced to evacuate after an arsonist set fire to the Governor’s Mansion. And finally, Meta’s long-awaited antitrust trial begins today — with the FTC arguing its acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp were illegal and should be reversed.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Friday, April 11th, 2025 - Tariff & Market updates; Apple airlifts iPhones; Insider trading probe; SAVE Act; NYC Helicopter crash & more Apr 11, 2025

Today’s Headlines: The stock market fell sharply Thursday, erasing gains from Wednesday’s rally, after the White House clarified Trump’s China tariffs are effectively 145%, not 125%, and will now include small consumer shipments under the “de minimis” rule—impacting retailers like Shein and Temu. Apple reportedly airlifted 600 tons of iPhones from India to beat the tariffs. Amid the chaos, Democratic senators called for an insider trading investigation following unusually well-timed trades before Trump’s tariff pause announcement. Meanwhile, the House passed the SAVE Act, requiring proof of citizenship to vote in federal elections, and Trump’s budget bill, which includes deep spending cuts and $4.5 trillion in tax breaks for the wealthy. The Supreme Court ordered the Trump administration to help return a Maryland man mistakenly deported to El Salvador, despite unsupported claims he was an MS-13 member. The administration is also moving to place Columbia University under a federal consent decree over antisemitism. Elsewhere, a helicopter crash in the Hudson killed six people, two planes clipped wings at Reagan National Airport, and the Senate confirmed Trump donor George Glass as ambassador to Japan.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Thursday, April 10th, 2025 - Markets whiplash; China and EU fight back; IRS chief quits; Trump targets critics; Jesus enters the budget chat Apr 10, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Markets are spiraling as global fallout from Trump’s tariffs intensifies. The bond market plunged yesterday, signaling foreign doubts about U.S. economic stability—especially from Japan. China hiked tariffs on American goods to 84%, and the EU approved its first wave of retaliatory tariffs, effective April 15. By afternoon, Trump partially reversed course, pausing tariffs for 90 days on most countries (except China and the EU), leading to a 10% stock market surge—its biggest since 2008. Meanwhile, IRS Commissioner Melanie Krause resigned after backlash over sharing undocumented immigrants’ tax data with ICE, marking the agency’s third leadership exit this year. Trump also floated deporting U.S. prisoners to El Salvador (not legal), signed an executive order to investigate two former officials for treason, and froze nearly $1B in funding to Cornell and Northwestern over campus protests. And in Congress, House Speaker Mike Johnson failed to get enough support for the GOP’s new tax cut-heavy budget—despite one member literally rebuking him “in the name of Jesus.”

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Wednesday, April 9th, 2025 - Trade war hits housing; Musk-Navarro drama; DHS pulls legal status; Trump’s SCOTUS win Apr 09, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Trump’s new tariffs officially went into effect at midnight, sending global markets into a tailspin and pushing U.S. mortgage rates to nearly 7%. Despite White House claims that “tailored deals” are on the way, no countries—including China, which now faces a 104% tariff—secured any agreements before the deadline. Canada also retaliated with a 25% tariff on U.S.-made vehicles. Amidst the economic mess, Elon Musk lashed out at Trump’s trade advisor Peter Navarro, calling him “dumber than bricks,” while the White House responded with a baffling “boys will be boys.” On immigration, the administration announced it would revoke legal status from over 900,000 migrants who used the Biden-era CBP One app to enter the U.S. legally, urging them to voluntarily self-deport. Meanwhile, the IRS is now handing over undocumented taxpayers’ personal info to ICE, sparking fears of a drop in compliance that could cost the U.S. billions. And finally, the Supreme Court ruled that a lower court’s order to reinstate 16,000 fired federal workers can’t move forward—though many will remain on paid leave due to a separate case while a federal judge ruled in favor of the Associated Press after the White House tried to bar them from events for refusing to rename the Gulf of Mexico in their reporting.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Tuesday, April 8th, 2025 - Tariff & global market crash updates; SCOTUS splits on deportations; 238 Venezuelans deported Apr 08, 2025

Today’s Headlines: The global economy is spiraling as Trump doubles down on tariffs, threatening a 50% increase on China if they don’t back down. Markets tanked again, swinging wildly after a false report hinted at a delay, and the chaos isn't just domestic — Japan’s Nikkei dropped 8% and Europe’s markets fell 4%. Congress remains largely inactive but a few Republican lawmakers are attempting to push back, Trump has already vowed to veto any bill on tariffs. The U.S. also slapped a 17% tariff on Israeli imports, despite Israel dropping theirs in solidarity. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court made two big moves: they temporarily blocked the return of a wrongfully deported Maryland man to El Salvador, but also allowed the administration to keep using an 18th-century law to deport immigrants with minimal due process — a decision so extreme even Amy Coney Barrett joined the dissent. And in Texas, 238 Venezuelan migrants — most with no criminal records — were deported to a maximum security prison in El Salvador.

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Monday, April 7th, 2025 - Markets still crashing; China hits back; Tax cuts for the rich; IRS hackathon; NSA firings; Courts fight back Apr 07, 2025

Today’s Headlines: The world is still reeling from Trump’s sweeping new tariffs, with markets in free fall and no signs of a course correction. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick confirmed the White House is not backing down, and China quickly retaliated with steep tariffs of its own, sanctions on U.S. companies, and an investigation into DuPont. Dow futures were already down 1600 points before markets even opened, and JP Morgan now puts the risk of a global recession at 60%. Meanwhile, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent brushed off fears, even as he spent the week on Capitol Hill negotiating more tax cuts for the wealthy. In the background, the IRS is quietly working on a project to centralize taxpayer data in a new “mega API” system—likely with Palantir, raising privacy concerns. Elsewhere in the administration, the heads of the NSA and Cyber Command were abruptly fired, reportedly under pressure from far-right activist Laura Loomer. But the courts are beginning to push back: a federal judge ruled the NIH must restore full research funding, another ordered the government to return a man it wrongfully deported to El Salvador, and 19 state attorneys general are suing to block Trump’s executive order requiring proof of citizenship to vote and tossing out mail ballots received after Election Day.

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Friday, April 4th, 2025 - Tariff updates; Trump targets schools; Dr. Oz confirmed; Eric Adams goes Indie & more Apr 04, 2025

Today’s Headlines: The economic fallout from Trump’s sweeping tariff announcement sent markets crashing—Nasdaq fell 6%, S&P 500 4.8%, erasing $2 trillion in value. The dollar also dropped, and automaker Stellantis announced major layoffs. Global leaders condemned the tariffs, and France and Germany urged companies to pause U.S. investments. In response, bipartisan senators introduced a bill to limit the president’s unilateral tariff powers. Meanwhile, Trump fired several National Security Council members reportedly at the urging of far-right activist Laura Loomer. The Pentagon’s IG opened an investigation into National Security Advisor Pete Hegseth’s role in the Signal group chat scandal. The administration also banned U.S. personnel in China from relationships with Chinese citizens and is requiring public schools to certify they’ve eliminated DEI practices to keep federal funding. Brown University may lose over $500 million in grants amid unconfirmed reports of federal retaliation. Dr. Oz was confirmed to lead Medicare and Medicaid, overseeing a $2.6 trillion budget. And NYC Mayor Eric Adams announced he’s dropping out of the Democratic primary—and running as an independent.

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Thursday, April 3rd, 2025 - WI SC election; Trump to distance himself from Musk, Tesla sales plunge; Tariffs tank stocks; TikTok sale looms Apr 03, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Wisconsin’s Supreme Court election saw record turnout and spending, with liberal-leaning Judge Susan Crawford defeating Elon Musk-backed Brad Schimel, shifting the court’s balance. Hours later, reports emerged that Trump plans to distance himself from Musk, whose tough week continued as Tesla sales dropped 13%, and shares tumbled 44% since December. Meanwhile, Trump’s new tariffs—hitting China with a 54% effective rate and raising import costs across the board—sent the stock market into a tailspin, disproportionately impacting middle- and low-income Americans. Notably absent from the tariff list: Russia, as a top Putin ally, quietly visited Washington. Elsewhere, Amazon made a surprise bid for TikTok ahead of a looming sale deadline, and NYC Mayor Eric Adams’ corruption case was dismissed.

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Wednesday, April 2nd, 2025 - Booker’s record; Trump officials’ use Gmail; Trans ban blocked; Princeton grants suspended; Cybersecurity prof raid; Bondi seeks death Apr 02, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Senator Cory Booker set a new record for the longest Senate speech at 25 hours, surpassing Strom Thurmond’s filibuster against civil rights. In election news, Republicans won both Florida special elections, though by smaller margins than Trump’s 2024 victory. A Washington Post report revealed that members of Trump’s National Security Council used personal Gmail accounts for sensitive military discussions. Meanwhile, 23 states and D.C. are suing the administration over its attempt to cut $11 billion in COVID-era federal funding. A federal appeals court blocked Trump’s transgender military ban while the case continues. The administration admitted to mistakenly deporting a Maryland resident with legal status to El Salvador and claims courts lack jurisdiction to order his return. An Indiana University cybersecurity professor mysteriously disappeared following an FBI raid. Princeton University saw multiple federal grants suspended, and Trump’s administration struck a deal with law firm Wilkie Farr & Gallagher, requiring $100 million in pro bono services. Finally, Attorney General Pam Bondi will seek the death penalty for Luigi Mangione if convicted of murdering United Healthcare’s CEO.

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Tuesday, April 1st, 2025 - Tariff backlash; DOGE payroll power grab, xAI buys X; Noem’s spending; Gaza tensions; Le Pen convicted Apr 01, 2025

Today’s Headlines: New U.S. tariffs targeting imports from China, Mexico, Canada, and Venezuela take effect tomorrow, prompting a joint response from China, Japan, and South Korea. Meanwhile, the federal government is reviewing $9 billion in grants to Harvard over its handling of antisemitism allegations. At the Department of the Interior, officials were placed on leave after resisting a DOGE request for broad payroll system access, which could control federal salaries. In Wisconsin, the Supreme Court declined to block Elon Musk from giving away $1 million checks to voters, and he finalized a deal for xAI to acquire X (formerly Twitter) in a $33 billion stock transaction. Former South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem’s travel records reveal $640,000 in taxpayer-funded expenses, including luxury trips. Internationally, Israel plans to reoccupy a quarter of Gaza in a pressure campaign against Hamas, and French far-right leader Marine Le Pen was convicted of embezzlement, receiving a prison sentence and a five-year political ban.

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Monday, March 31st, 2025 - Hegseth scandal; Trump talks 3rd term; ICE crackdown update; Greenland tensions; Myanmar earthquake & more Mar 31, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Despite the Signalgate scandal, no one in the administration has faced consequences. Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is under fire for bringing his wife and brother to sensitive military meetings. VP Vance stirred controversy in Greenland, where locals were less than welcoming, and Trump floated the idea of acquiring the territory—by force if necessary. Trump also hinted at seeking a third term, while inflation remains stubbornly high ahead of looming tariffs. In other news, the FDA’s top vaccine official resigned, accusing RFK Jr. of promoting misinformation. ICE detentions continue, including a Cuban man with no criminal record and a Russian medical researcher who opposed the Ukraine war. Trump issued an executive order to reshape the Smithsonian’s historical narratives, and another major law firm struck a deal with the administration to avoid legal retaliation. Meanwhile, a judge blocked the deportation of a detained Tufts student, and Wisconsin’s Attorney General sued Elon Musk for election-related cash prize promotions. With two Florida House special elections happening tomorrow, early voting numbers indicate an energized electorate. Abroad, a devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake in Myanmar and Thailand has left at least 144 dead, with rescue efforts ongoing.

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Friday, March 28th, 2025 - DOGE to probe group chat; F1 visa crackdown; Car tariffs, Speaker eyes axing fed courts; FL child labor rollbacks Mar 28, 2025

Today’s Headlines: The Group Chatgate saga escalates—WSJ reports that classified Israeli intelligence, including details on a Houthi missile expert, was leaked in the Signal chat before a U.S. strike. Meanwhile, the White House says Elon Musk and his DOGE team will “investigate” how this chat leak happened. Trump’s latest executive order targets law firm WilmerHale over its ties to Robert Mueller, stripping its federal clearances and contracts. Meanwhile, his administration continues its crackdown on foreign students—two PhD candidates with legal visas were detained, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio admitted to revoking 300+ student visas for alleged protest involvement. Trump also announced sweeping 25% tariffs on foreign cars and parts, which analysts warn will hike prices by $4,000–$15,000 per vehicle. Over at HHS, RFK Jr. is slashing another 10,000 jobs and restructuring key health agencies. In Congress, Speaker Mike Johnson suggested defunding entire federal courts in response to rulings against Trump. The administration is withdrawing Elise Stefanik’s UN nomination to keep her in Congress amid two competitive Florida special elections. Finally, the Florida state legislature is moving to weaken child labor laws—allowing 14-year-olds to work overnight and removing meal break guarantees for teens—just as labor shortages grow under Trump’s immigration policies.

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Thursday, March 27th, 2025 - War group chat saga continues; SCOTUS on ghost guns; Trump’s crypto play; Napster’s comeback Mar 27, 2025

Today’s Headlines: "Group Chatgate" just got even messier—The Atlantic dropped more screenshots proving top U.S. officials were sharing classified military plans in a massive Signal chat, despite their sworn Senate testimony denying it. Now, a top GOP senator is demanding an urgent investigation. Meanwhile, a German news outlet revealed that Tulsi Gabbard, Pete Hegseth, and Mike Waltz’s personal emails, phone numbers, and even passwords were easily found online—linked to everything from LinkedIn to their workout apps. Over at the Supreme Court, justices voted 7-2 to uphold Biden-era ghost gun regulations, a major win for law enforcement as crime scenes flooded with untraceable firearms in recent years. In the finance world, Trump’s family-backed World Liberty Financial just launched its own stablecoin, USD1, pegged to the U.S. dollar. Fidelity is also jumping into the stablecoin game, currently testing its own version to act as cash in crypto markets. And finally, here’s a headline nobody expected. Napster, the once-infamous music piracy platform just sold for $207 million and is being transformed into a streaming and social music platform.

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Wednesday, March 26th, 2025 - Leaked war plans; Trump’s election EO; Vance Greenland trip; Gaza protests Mar 26, 2025

Today’s Headlines: The Senate Intelligence Committee held an emergency hearing after revelations that 18 top U.S. defense officials planned war strategy in a Signal group chat, raising serious security concerns. Meanwhile, Trump invoked "state secrets privilege" to withhold details on Venezuelan deportations and signed an executive order overhauling U.S. elections by requiring proof of citizenship to vote. Another executive order targeted law firm Jenner & Block, banning its employees from federal government access. In international news, the largest anti-Hamas protests since October 7th took place in Gaza. Vice President JD Vance is now set to join his wife on a controversial Greenland trip.

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Tuesday, March 25th, 2025 - War plans group chat; Musk’s cabinet praise; VP’s wife to visit Greenland; IRS revenue drop; 23andMe bankruptcy Mar 25, 2025

Today’s Headlines: In one of the wildest security slip-ups ever, The Atlantic’s Jeffrey Goldberg was accidentally added to a Trump administration Signal chat where officials were planning military strikes in Yemen. Meanwhile, Elon Musk attended his second cabinet meeting—this time getting showered with praise instead of pushback. Trump also announced a 25% tariff on any country buying Venezuelan oil, a move aimed at pressuring both Venezuela and China. Second Lady, Usha Vance is scheduled to visit Greenland as tensions heat up after VP JD Vance suggested the U.S. should take a “territorial interest,” prompting outrage from Danish officials. In other news, The IRS is bracing for a $500 billion revenue shortfall thanks to mass staff cuts, while the White House is now selling corporate sponsorships for its annual Easter Egg Roll. Finally, 23andMe just filed for bankruptcy, a shocking turn for a company once valued at $6 billion.

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Monday, March 24th, 2025 - Trump ends migrant’s legal status; IRS-ICE deal, U.S. travel warnings; Musk’s Pentagon access & cash offer to WI voters Mar 24, 2025

Today’s Headlines: The Trump administration is ending legal status for over 500,000 migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, giving them 30 days to leave. Meanwhile, the IRS is reportedly close to a deal with Homeland Security to help locate undocumented immigrants, sparking legal challenges. Several U.S. allies, including the UK and Germany, have issued travel advisories, particularly for trans and nonbinary travelers. In Canada, newly appointed PM Mark Carney called for elections, citing Trump’s trade policies as a national crisis. Back in the U.S., Trump initially planned to grant Elon Musk access to top-secret Pentagon briefings on China but later backtracked. Musk is also offering Wisconsin voters $100 to sign petitions ahead of a key state Supreme Court election. The FBI is now investigating vandalism at Tesla locations as "domestic terrorism," which could expand Musk’s access to surveillance data. Finally, Pope Francis has been released from the hospital after a five-week stay for pneumonia.

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Friday, March 21st, 2025 - EU sanctions Russia; Trump’s Ukraine offer; Israel-Gaza conflict; Columbia ultimatum; Cybertruck recall Mar 21, 2025

Today’s Headlines: EU leaders (minus Hungary’s Orban) plan to expand sanctions on Russia but remain divided on a $40 billion defense fund. Meanwhile, details from Trump’s call with Zelensky reveal he proposed U.S. control of Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant—a suggestion Zelensky rejected. In Gaza, war has fully resumed, with Hamas launching rockets at Israel and Israeli forces expanding ground operations while blocking humanitarian aid. Israeli officials estimate Hamas still has over 25,000 fighters. The Trump administration has given Columbia University a deadline to place its Middle Eastern studies department under academic receivership. A French scientist was reportedly denied U.S. entry over private criticisms of Trump’s research policies. Meanwhile, a leaked memo shows the Social Security Administration may limit its toll-free customer service line, despite previous denials and Tesla is recalling nearly all 46,000 Cybertrucks due to exterior hardware issues.

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Thursday, March 20th, 2025 - Ukraine ceasefire; NATO shake-up; Tariffs slow US growth; Pentagon cuts; JFK files & more Mar 20, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Trump called his talk with Zelensky about the Ukraine ceasefire “very good,” as U.S. and Russian officials prepare to meet in Riyadh. Meanwhile, his administration is considering giving up the U.S. military’s top NATO command role, held by an American general since WWII, while the Pentagon plans to cut 60,000 civilian jobs, many held by veterans. The Fed held interest rates steady but signaled two cuts later this year, citing slower growth and inflation driven by tariffs. The DOGE-led takeover of the U.S. Institute of Peace is now facing legal challenges. In the courts, a judge ordered Trump officials to prove they followed a deportation ban, another blocked the administration’s transgender military ban, and a third halted the EPA’s attempt to cancel $20 billion in climate grants. And finally, 63,000 newly declassified pages on JFK’s assassination just dropped—happy sleuthing!

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Wednesday, March 19th, 2025 - Gaza ceasefire ends; Trump-Putin deal; SC rebukes Trump; Musk Blocked; FTC Firings; NASA crew returns Mar 19, 2025

Today’s Headlines: The ceasefire in Gaza has officially collapsed after months of stalled negotiations. The IDF launched widespread strikes, while the U.S. blamed Hamas for rejecting past proposals and refusing to return hostages. Meanwhile, Trump and Putin’s highly anticipated call resulted in a 30-day ceasefire on energy infrastructure in Ukraine and Russia, suspension of U.S. aid to Ukraine, and negotiations for a maritime ceasefire. The Kremlin also claimed they discussed hosting a U.S.-Russia hockey series. At the same time, the Trump administration terminated a U.S.-funded initiative tracking Russian war crimes, including the deportation of Ukrainian children. Trump faced rare criticism from Chief Justice John Roberts for calling for a judge’s impeachment after a ruling against his deportation policy. Separately, a federal judge blocked Elon Musk’s attempt to shut down USAID, ruling it unconstitutional, and another judge ordered the Department of Education to restore grants cut during the administration’s DEI purge. In a controversial move, Trump fired two Democratic members of the FTC, who argue the decision was illegal. And finally, NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore returned to Earth after an unplanned nine-month stay on the ISS due to a failed test flight.

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Tuesday, March 18th, 2025 - Trump’s deportation fallout; Biden’s pardons; Putin call; TX abortion charges; Harvard goes tuition free Mar 18, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Fallout from the Trump administration’s use of the 1798 Alien Enemies Act continues, as a judge demanded the DOJ provide a sworn timeline after officials refused to clarify whether they defied a court order halting deportations. Border czar Tom Homan dismissed the ruling, insisting deportation flights didn’t need to turn around. Meanwhile, a Brown University medical professor was deported to Lebanon over alleged ties to Hezbollah, and a German green card holder was detained at an ICE facility without explanation. Trump also declared that Biden’s pardons—including those for January 6th defendants, Dr. Fauci, and General Mark Milley—are invalid because they were signed using autopen, despite it being a long-standing practice. Today, Trump will speak with Putin about Ukraine’s ceasefire, claiming that key aspects of a peace deal—including land divisions and power plants—are already settled. Meanwhile, over 100,000 people in Serbia protested against their pro-Russia president, prompting resignations within the government. Back in the U.S., Texas filed its first criminal abortion charges against a Houston-area woman and midwife under its 2022 ban, with penalties including heavy fines and potential prison time. In contrast, Harvard announced a major financial aid expansion, making tuition, housing, and other costs free for families earning under $200K per year.

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Monday, March 17th, 2025 - Trump’s DOJ speech; Tesla crackdown; Blocked deportations; Nonprofit fund freeze & more Mar 17, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Donald Trump gave a speech at the Department of Justice, railing against the media, vowing "accountability" for his enemies, and bragging about firing James Comey and pardoning January 6 defendants. Attorney General Pam Bondi warns that anyone messing with Tesla better "watch out" because the DOJ is coming for them. Trump also invoked the rarely used Alien Enemies Act to deport five Venezuelan nationals he claimed were gang members, but a federal judge temporarily blocked their removal after the administration had already deported 250 other supposed gang members before the ruling took effect. Meanwhile, a judge put a hold on part of Trump’s executive order targeting law firm Perkins Coie for its role in 2016 opposition research and Citibank revealed it was asked to freeze funds for nonprofits like Habitat for Humanity due to alleged criminal concerns tied to EPA grants. On the foreign policy beat, Trump ordered airstrikes against Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen while increasing pressure on Iran over its nuclear program. And finally, Trump is set to chat with Vladimir Putin this week as Ukraine ceasefire talks continue.

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Friday, March 14th, 2025 - Trump’s SCOTUS push; Federal layoffs; Tariffs tank market; Panama power play; Dems vote to avoid shutdown & more Mar 14, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Trump is asking the Supreme Court to let him move forward with ending birthright citizenship, despite lower courts already ruling it unconstitutional. His administration is also facing legal battles over mass federal layoffs, with a judge ordering thousands of fired workers to be reinstated. Meanwhile, the economy takes a hit as the stock market drops 10% from its peak, fueled by Trump’s latest tariff threats on European alcohol. On the international stage, Putin claims he’s open to a Ukraine ceasefire but insists on discussing it with Trump, while the White House quietly explores military options to "reclaim" the Panama Canal. Back in the U.S., Arizona Congressman Raúl Grijalva’s passing shifts the balance of power in the House to Republicans. Protests erupt at Columbia University and Trump Tower over Palestinian activism, and in a rare moment of cooperation, Democrats ensure the government stays open—at least for now.

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Thursday, March 13th, 2025 - Trade war escalates; Musk funds Trump; Gov’t shutdown; EPA rollbacks; Greenland election upset Mar 13, 2025

Today’s Headlines: The trade war intensified as the EU and Canada announced steep retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods, ranging from steel and aluminum to whiskey and motorboats. Despite this uncertainty, February’s inflation report showed a slight decline to 2.8%, beating expectations. Meanwhile, Tesla’s CEO has reportedly told Trump’s advisers he plans to invest $100 million into super PACs aligned with the former president, though details remain unclear. In Washington, a government shutdown is set for tomorrow unless Senate Democrats secure enough votes to pass a funding bill. The EPA announced a sweeping rollback of 31 environmental regulations, cutting protections on emissions, coal plants, and wetlands. And in Greenland, the opposition party won a major election, signaling a move toward independence from Denmark—while the one party that backed Trump barely registered in the vote count.

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Wednesday, March 12th, 2025 - Gov’t shutdown, market crash & Tesla updates; Ukraine ceasefire; Duterte arrested; Mel Gibson scandal Mar 12, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Stock market turmoil continues as Trump’s tariff moves rattle investors, with the Dow dropping over 450 points. Meanwhile, Tesla struggles, prompting Trump to host a bizarre White House sales pitch for the brand. The House passed a spending bill to avoid a government shutdown, but its fate in the Senate is uncertain. The Education Department begins mass layoffs as part of a broader plan to dismantle the agency, while the Agriculture Department axes local food programs for schools. In foreign affairs, Ukraine and Russia have agreed to a temporary ceasefire, leading the U.S. to resume intelligence sharing. The Philippines arrested former President Rodrigo Duterte, extraditing him to The Hague on charges of crimes against humanity. And in Washington, the Justice Department’s pardon attorney was fired after refusing to restore Mel Gibson’s gun rights following his domestic violence conviction.

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Tuesday, March 11th, 2025 - Market crash, Tesla tanks; ICE arrests Columbia student, SCOTUS takes CO conversion therapy ban; MD measles case Mar 11, 2025

Today’s Headlines: The stock market had a rough day, with the S&P 500 dropping 2.7% and the Dow plunging nearly 900 points—the worst day of the year—thanks to Trump’s shifting tariff policies. Tesla stock also took a 15% dive, hitting its lowest price since October. Meanwhile, DHS detained Columbia student Mahmoud Khalil over alleged Hamas ties, but a judge has temporarily blocked his deportation. The Supreme Court is set to review Colorado’s conversion therapy ban, a case that could affect similar laws across the country. And in health news, a measles case was reported in Maryland, while the NIH is cutting funding for vaccine hesitancy research.

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Monday, March 10th, 2025 - Trump vs. Ukraine; Syria in chaos; China-Canada trade war; DOGE backlash; HHS buyout; Shutdown looms & more Mar 10, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Trump is still pushing for a rare minerals deal with Ukraine but won’t restart military aid unless Zelensky makes political concessions—including giving up land to Russia. Meanwhile, Russian attacks on Ukraine are escalating, and Trump is considering ending protections for over 280,000 Ukrainian refugees in the U.S. In Syria, the new Islamist-led government launched deadly revenge attacks on Assad loyalists, while Russia claims it’s working on de-escalation. In other news, China slapped Canada with major tariffs in a growing trade war, the U.S. jobs report showed weaker-than-expected growth, and the DOJ is investigating egg price gouging. Elon Musk is pushing for federal job cuts, SpaceX’s rocket explosion disrupted flights, and Trump pulled $400M in grants from Columbia over antisemitism concerns. Meanwhile, most of the 80,000 employees at Health and Human Services were offered buyouts as part of government downsizing. And finally, with no budget deal in sight, a government shutdown could be days away.

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Friday, March 7th, 2025 - Trump’s tariff tweaks; Allies rethink intel sharing & EU boosts defense; Trump EO to dismantle ED Mar 07, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Trump has once again tweaked his tariff policy, exempting some Canadian and Mexican goods until April 2nd. Meanwhile, U.S. allies—including the UK, Australia, and Saudi Arabia—are considering limiting intelligence sharing over security concerns, while the UK is already banned from passing U.S. intel to Ukraine. With Ukraine’s weapon supplies dwindling, EU leaders are stepping up military spending. In domestic news, Trump is reportedly planning to dismantle the Department of Education via executive order, though its fate may be up to Congress. The House voted to censure Rep. Al Green after his outburst during Trump’s speech. And in Arizona, a court permanently blocked the state’s 15-week abortion ban, citing the voter-approved constitutional protections.

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Thursday, March 6th, 2025 - Ukraine intel paused; Secret Hamas talks; Trump admin plans 70k VA jobs cut & reopening TX migrant detention center & more Mar 06, 2025

Today’s Headlines: The Trump administration has paused intelligence sharing with Ukraine but may resume if Trump is satisfied with Ukraine’s diplomatic efforts. Meanwhile, the U.S. has been secretly negotiating with Hamas for the release of American hostages in Gaza, excluding Israel from the talks. The Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that the Trump administration must pay nearly $2 billion in foreign aid for completed work. Trump also temporarily paused new auto tariffs on Canada and Mexico for a month, following pressure from major U.S. automakers. The administration plans to cut over 70,000 VA jobs, rolling back staffing expansions for veteran healthcare. At the same time, it is reopening a massive detention center in Texas to hold migrant families, including children. Finally, the DOJ moved to dismiss a Biden-era lawsuit against Idaho’s abortion ban, which challenged its compliance with federal emergency care laws.

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Wednesday, March 5th, 2025 - Trump talks DOGE & Mars; Markets crash; SCOTUS weakens water protections; BlackRock buys Panama ports Mar 05, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Trump’s first joint address to Congress touched on immigration, DOGE, Mars, and a new Office of Shipbuilding. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s Zelensky called Friday’s Oval Office meeting “regrettable” and pushed for future cooperation. Trump’s tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China took effect, sending markets tumbling nearly 700 points. Canada and Mexico announced retaliatory tariffs, while Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick hinted at potential tariff relief soon. The administration is walking back mass federal firings after a judge ruled them likely illegal, giving agencies until September to finalize terminations. Republicans in Congress were advised to avoid in-person town halls after viral confrontations. The Supreme Court weakened the Clean Water Act, making it easier for companies to discharge raw sewage into waterways. Meanwhile, a BlackRock-led group bought majority stakes in key Panama Canal ports, taking control from a Hong Kong-based firm.

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Tuesday, March 4th, 2025 - Trump halts Ukraine aid; Markets tank; Social Security at risk; Trump's "Crypto Strategic Reserve" Mar 04, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Trump has halted new weapons sales to Ukraine and may freeze existing shipments. Social Security benefits could be disrupted within 30–90 days due to DOGE-related issues, with thousands of employees already laid off. Meanwhile, Trump announced a “Crypto Strategic Reserve” to buy Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, briefly boosting prices after a major market drop. The Dow fell 650 points as new tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China took effect. Former WWE exec Linda McMahon was confirmed as Education Secretary, tasked with dismantling the department. FBI NY chief James Dennehy resigned under pressure after clashing with the DOJ over January 6th cases. Tonight, Trump delivers his joint address to Congress, outlining his agenda. Meanwhile, Pope Francis’ health has worsened after two episodes of acute respiratory failure.

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Monday, March 3rd, 2025 - Zelensky vs Trump; Russia escalates attacks; Cuomo’s comeback; Trump’s English EO; Lauren Sanchez goes to space Mar 03, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Ukrainian President Zelensky’s White House visit went completely off the rails on Friday after a press conference with Trump and VP Vance derailed a planned minerals deal. Things got heated when Zelensky explained why diplomacy doesn’t work with Putin — prompting Vance to falsely claim Zelensky had never thanked the U.S. for military aid. Trump then jumped in, warning of World War 3 and rambling about Hunter Biden. The closed-door meeting was canceled, and Zelensky was sent packing. Meanwhile, Russia ramped up attacks on Ukraine, the U.S. quietly shut down cyber operations against Russia, and Republican leaders suggested Zelensky should step down — even as he received a hero’s welcome in the UK, where PM Keir Starmer announced a new $4 billion aid package. Elsewhere, Trump signed an executive order making English the official U.S. language, Andrew Cuomo launched a NYC mayoral comeback campaign, and Lauren Sanchez will lead an all-female Blue Origin space flight with Gayle King and Katy Perry — which sounds like quite the group chat.

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Friday, February 28th, 2025 - Starmer pressures Trump; USAID frozen; RFK Jr. halts flu meeting; Tate brothers return; Epstein files flop; New China tariffs Feb 28, 2025

Today’s Headlines: UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer met with Trump at the White House, urging him not to abandon Ukraine, while Trump expressed confidence in Putin’s promises. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court kept USAID funds frozen, and a federal judge ruled against mass terminations of probationary federal employees. In healthcare, HHS Secretary RFK Jr. canceled the FDA’s flu vaccine advisory meeting, leaving the U.S. unrepresented in global vaccine planning. Elsewhere, Andrew and Tristan Tate returned to the U.S. after reported pressure from the Trump administration, while Florida Governor Ron DeSantis made it clear they’re “not welcome.” Attorney General Pam Bondi is demanding the FBI release Epstein case documents, though the much-hyped first “phase” of files distributed to influencers turned out to be old, publicly available information. Finally, Trump is raising tariffs on China by 10% and moving forward with 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada, citing drug trafficking concerns—though without presenting new data.

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Thursday, February 27th, 2025 - Ceasefire deal; Musk’s 1st cabinet meeting & Starlink to replace Verizon at FAA; Measles death; Immigration registry Feb 27, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Israel and Hamas have agreed to maintain the ceasefire, exchanging hostages’ remains for Palestinian prisoners. Meanwhile, Trump’s AI-generated Gaza hotel video is making the rounds online. Elon Musk dominated Trump’s first cabinet meeting, boasting about DOGE’s cost-cutting, though a third of its contract cancellations produced no savings. Meanwhile, Starlink is poised to replace Verizon for FAA air traffic control, despite Musk’s exaggerated safety concerns. At the FDA, 300 laid-off staffers—including Neuralink reviewers—are being rehired, while Trump’s son’s hunting buddy is now overseeing 80% of the U.S. food supply. Speaking of food, egg prices may spike 41% due to bird flu. Texas reported its first measles death since 2015 amid a growing outbreak, and HHS Secretary RFK Jr. shrugged off concerns. Meanwhile, Trump is launching a registry for undocumented immigrants and a “gold card” visa selling citizenship for $5 million. Lastly, the Washington Post’s opinion editor resigned after Jeff Bezos mandated a pro-free market, personal liberty focus—excluding dissenting views.

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Wednesday, February 26th, 2025 - House passes budget; Musk’s crackdown; Mass DOGE resignations; Rubio’s visa ban; US-Ukraine minerals deal Feb 26, 2025

Today’s Headlines: The House passed Trump’s budget, cutting trillions from Medicaid and food stamps while slashing taxes for the wealthy. Meanwhile, Elon Musk is doubling down on tracking federal workers’ productivity, even as agencies tell employees they don’t have to comply. Adding to the turmoil, 21 DOGE staffers resigned in protest, and the White House finally named an administrator—who, ironically, is on vacation in Mexico. In other legal battles, Pennsylvania won a lawsuit unfreezing $2.1 billion in blocked federal funds while Marco Rubio ordered visa bans for transgender athletes, escalating restrictions on international travel. And lastly, Trump says Zelensky will sign a U.S.-Ukraine minerals deal on Friday, while Russia is offering the U.S. a stake in minerals from occupied Ukrainian land.

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Tuesday, February 25th, 2025 - Musk’s gov AI; Bongino joins FBI; US votes with Russia; AP’s WH press access update; FL gov race Feb 25, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Elon Musk’s AI-driven plan to evaluate federal workers hit a snag after the Trump administration’s HR office said employees didn’t actually have to respond. Meanwhile, a judge blocked federal agencies from sharing personal data with DOGE, citing privacy violations. In other news, Trump appointed right-wing commentator Dan Bongino as Deputy FBI Director, a role that doesn’t require Senate confirmation. The U.S. aligned with Russia and North Korea by voting against a UN resolution condemning Russian aggression in Ukraine—though the measure still passed. While visiting D.C., French President Macron called for security guarantees for Ukraine, while Trump remained focused on getting a cut of Ukraine’s mineral resources. A judge declined to block the White House from restricting AP’s press access, and Trump endorsed Rep. Byron Donalds for Florida governor—perhaps won over by his now-infamous “Daddy’s back” comment.

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Monday, February 24th, 2025 - US-Ukraine tensions; Israel hostage delay; Germany’s election; Pentagon purge; Musk’s ultimatum Feb 24, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Today marks three years since Russia invaded Ukraine, and Trump is setting conditions for U.S. support in peace talks—namely, demanding $500 billion in rare earth minerals as "payback" for U.S. aid. Zelensky is not having it. Meanwhile, Russia just launched its biggest air attack yet. Over in Israel, the next round of hostage swaps is on hold as Israel demands less "humiliating" releases. Germany just voted, with conservatives winning and the far-right making gains. Back in the U.S., Trump fired the top military officer and replaced him with a loyalist lacking standard experience, while also purging Pentagon officials. Meanwhile, Elon Musk emailed 2.3 million government workers demanding proof of productivity—non-response = resignation. The Justice Department quietly deleted a misconduct database for federal police officers and Pope Francis remains in critical condition. Finally, the White House just limited DOGE’s access to personal taxpayer data... after having it for two weeks.

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Friday, February 21st, 2025 - Hamas hostage parade; USPS takeover; MX v US gun smugglers; Elon’s CPAC chainsaw stunt Feb 21, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Hamas returned the bodies of three Israeli hostages but paraded them on stage before a cheering crowd. They claimed to have returned another, but the remains were not a hostage. The U.S. labeled eight drug cartels as terrorist organizations, prompting Mexico’s president to propose stricter gun trafficking rules. Trump plans to fire USPS leadership and place it under Commerce Department control. DHS revoked TPS for Haitians, affecting half a million people. A judge ruled Trump is defying a court order on foreign aid, while another allowed federal layoffs to proceed. Governor Hochul will impose sanctions on NYC Mayor Adams instead of removing him. Kash Patel was narrowly confirmed as FBI director. Mitch McConnell announced he won’t seek reelection, and CPAC began with Elon Musk wielding a chainsaw gifted by Argentina’s president.

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Thursday, February 20th, 2025 - Trump blames Zelensky; Medicaid cuts, Pentagon layoffs; Israel-Hamas deal update; Mexico vs. Google Feb 20, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Trump blames Zelensky for Russia’s invasion after a Saudi meeting that excluded Ukraine, calling him a dictator and urging elections. Meanwhile, Trump asserts more control over federal agencies with executive orders on legal authority, IVF access, and blocking NYC’s congestion pricing plan (complete with a crown photo). Medicaid faces $880 billion in cuts as part of a GOP budget designed to fund $4.5 trillion in tax breaks for the wealthy. Over at the Pentagon, Trump ordered defense spending cuts, while the IRS begins laying off 6,000 workers. Hamas plans to return the bodies of four Israeli hostages, including a mother and her two children, as the ceasefire continues. And in Mexico, President Sheinbaum threatens to sue Google over its maps labeling the “Gulf of America”.

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Wednesday, February 19th, 2025 - Fed prosecutor quits; DOGE Wins; USDA firings; Trump backs Tate; Multi-state floods; Pope hospitalized Feb 19, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Denise Cheung, a longtime federal prosecutor, stepped down after refusing a request to freeze funds from a Biden administration environmental grant without any evidence—something she felt could violate constitutional rights. A judge ruled that Elon Musk’s DOGE team can continue making decisions at federal agencies for now, though the case isn’t over. Meanwhile, the USDA accidentally fired key officials handling the bird flu outbreak, and the FDA food division chief resigned after mass layoffs gutted his team. Trump is reportedly pushing Romania to lift travel restrictions on Andrew Tate, who’s in prison facing serious charges. Flooding in Kentucky, West Virginia, and Georgia has claimed at least 14 lives, and more rough weather is on the way. Lastly, Pope Francis remains in the hospital with pneumonia.

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Tuesday, February 18th, 2025 - ‘Not My Presidents’ protests; Adams resignations, Delta crash & FAA cuts; DOGE-Social Security clash; US-Russia summit Feb 18, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Protests marked Presidents Day with “Not My Presidents’ Day” rallies against Trump and Musk across the U.S., despite freezing temperatures. In New York, four deputy mayors resigned over Mayor Eric Adams' cooperation with Trump’s immigration policy, and pressure mounts on Governor Kathy Hochul to consider Adams' removal. A Delta plane crash in Toronto injured 19 amid FAA staff cuts, while mass DHS firings and tensions at the Social Security Administration highlight ongoing federal upheaval. Trump also nominated “Stop the Steal” organizer Ed Martin as interim U.S. attorney for D.C. Lastly, U.S.-Russia peace talks in Riyadh begin without Ukrainian participation, drawing criticism from President Zelensky.

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Monday, February 17th, 2025 - Vance stuns US allies; Ukraine excluded; Musk’s DOGE fail; Trump’s MAHA & RFK Jr.’s probe; Measles outbreak update Feb 17, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Vice President JD Vance delivered a speech at the Munich Security Conference accusing European leaders of abandoning their core values and meeting with far-right leader Alice Weidel while ignoring Germany’s chancellor. Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated Ukraine’s NATO membership is off the table, as U.S. officials travel to Saudi Arabia for peace talks that excluded Ukraine and Europe. In response, European leaders, led by France’s Macron, convened an emergency summit. Russian state media celebrated the fracturing of Western alliances. The White House banned the Associated Press over a naming dispute, and the DOJ dropped corruption charges against NYC Mayor Eric Adams after mass resignations of prosecutors. Elon Musk, fresh from a meeting with India’s PM Modi, announced plans for a Dubai tunnel system, oversaw IRS layoffs, and faced a cybersecurity breach of the DOGE website. National Nuclear Security let go key employees responsible for nuclear safety, coinciding with a Russian strike on Chernobyl. RFK Jr. launched a commission on childhood health, but Texas faces a growing measles outbreak linked to low vaccination rates. A hostage exchange between Israel and Hamas saw mixed outcomes, with Trump signaling U.S. support for any Israeli retaliation. Lastly, a new bill aims to designate Trump’s birthday as a federal holiday.

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Friday, February 14th, 2025 - Fed layoffs; GOP’s budget cuts, Trans health ruling; Abortion extradition; NY Green Light law; RFK Jr. confirmed Feb 14, 2025

Today’s Headlines: About 77,000 federal employees have accepted Trump’s deferred resignation offer, with more layoffs hitting the Department of Education, GSA, and Small Business Administration. Meanwhile, several DOJ officials in New York resigned after refusing to drop corruption charges against NYC Mayor Eric Adams, who was allegedly shielded by Trump’s immigration crackdown. Trump also froze the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, an anti-bribery law. House Republicans rolled out a budget plan with $1.5 trillion in spending cuts, $4.5 trillion in tax cuts, and more funding for immigration enforcement and the military. A federal judge blocked Trump’s order restricting health care for transgender youth, and New York Governor Kathy Hochul vowed to block Louisiana’s effort to extradite a doctor who mailed abortion pills to a teen. Pam Bondi announced a lawsuit against New York’s Green Light law, which limits DMV data sharing with immigration officials. Lastly, RFK Jr. was confirmed as Health and Human Services Secretary—Mitch McConnell was the only Republican to vote against him.

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Thursday, February 13th, 2025 - US-Russia prisoner swap; Ukraine talks; Cabinet updates; Inflation rose to 3%; WH bars AP reporter Feb 13, 2025

Today’s Headlines: The U.S. swapped American detainee Marc Fogel for Russian bitcoin money launderer Alexander Vinnik, as Trump and Putin agreed to negotiate a Ukraine ceasefire without Ukraine’s NATO membership. Belarus freed three prisoners, including one American. Tulsi Gabbard was confirmed as Director of National Intelligence, and RFK Jr.’s nomination for Health Secretary advanced. A judge ruled federal employees must choose buyout offers, while eight fired inspectors general sued for reinstatement. Civil rights groups filed a lawsuit over Guantanamo immigrant detentions. Inflation rose 3%, dimming hopes of rate cuts. Lastly, the White House barred an AP reporter for refusing to adopt the term "Gulf of America."

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Wednesday, February 12th, 2025 - NIH funding fight;, Flu surge & Measles outbreak; Collins backed RFK Jr.; Bannon pled guilty; US teacher freed Feb 12, 2025

Today’s Headlines: A judge ruled the Trump administration broke the law by withholding NIH grants, which fund critical medical research. This is one of many lawsuits challenging Trump and Elon Musk’s DOGE team’s actions. Flu cases are spiking, hospitals are full, and measles outbreaks are popping up as vaccination rates drop. Senator Susan Collins backed RFK Jr. for Health Secretary despite his controversial vaccine stance. Trump fired the head of the Office of Government Ethics, and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem asked the IRS to help ICE crack down on undocumented workers. Steve Bannon pled guilty to fraud but got off with a conditional sentence. On a positive note, American teacher Marc Fogel was finally released from Russian detention after three years.

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Tuesday, February 11th, 2025 - Trump’s tariff update; Musk’s OpenAI snub; Bird Flu hots NV dairy worker; Vince Neal’s jet AZ crash Feb 11, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Trump officially imposed a 25% tariff on aluminum and steel imports and threatened Hamas to release all hostages by Saturday or face consequences. He also pardoned former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich and moved to drop corruption charges against NYC Mayor Eric Adams. Elon Musk’s $97.4B bid for OpenAI was swiftly rejected by CEO Sam Altman, who trolled Musk with a counteroffer to buy Twitter. Meanwhile, New York has banned Chinese AI assistant DeepSeek from government devices over surveillance concerns. A Nevada dairy worker contracted the new D1.1 bird flu strain, as the outbreak has hit 23 million birds. Trader Joe’s is now limiting egg purchases, with prices expected to spike 20% this year. Lastly, a deadly jet crash in Scottsdale, Arizona, killed one and injured three, prompting an NTSB investigation.

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Monday, February 10th, 2025 - Hamas hostage swap; Federal power struggle; Press crackdowns; Steel tariffs & more Feb 10, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Hamas released three Israeli hostages in exchange for 183 Palestinian prisoners in a staged handoff at gunpoint, as talks begin on the next phase of the truce. Meanwhile, Trump and Musk continue their battle against federal judges blocking their unconstitutional moves, with DOGE physically securing agencies and targeting the Pentagon next. Trump has also expelled major news outlets from Pentagon press spaces, taken control of the Kennedy Center, and announced new steel tariffs. Germany orders X to release election data amid concerns over Musk’s support for the far-right. Steve Wynn is pushing the Supreme Court to roll back press protections, while the FCC investigates a San Francisco radio station for reporting on ICE activity. And in a major shift, Google has scrapped its AI ethics pledge, clearing the way for AI-powered surveillance and weaponry.

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Friday, February 7th, 2025 - Trump’s “Anti-Christian Bias” task force; Musk’s DOGE scandal; CBS lawsuit; Federal buyouts; New bird flu threat Feb 07, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Trump announced a new task force to combat “anti-Christian bias,” led by AG Pam Bondi, and signed an executive order directing agencies to identify and halt anti-Christian discrimination. A federal judge temporarily blocked the deadline for federal employees to accept the administration’s buyout offer, while another judge prevented Elon Musk’s DOGE team from accessing Treasury records. A DOGE staffer resigned over racist tweets, and reports suggest the team has been feeding Education Department financial data into AI software. In Congress, Russell Vought was confirmed as OMB director despite a 30-hour Democratic filibuster, while Kash Patel’s FBI nomination was delayed for a week. Meanwhile, CBS released unedited 60 Minutes footage after Trump’s lawsuit accusing them of election interference, but he continues to attack the network, with his FCC chair calling their actions “concerning.” Finally, a new strain of bird flu was detected in Nevada dairy cattle, adding to rising concerns over multiple emerging variants.

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Thursday, February 6th, 2025 - Gaza tensions; Trump’s purge; Syria withdrawal; FBI lawsuits; January’s global temp Feb 06, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Saudi Arabia rejected normalizing ties with Israel without a Palestinian state after Trump claimed the U.S. would take over Gaza. Meanwhile, the Pentagon is drafting plans to withdraw all U.S. troops from Syria, a move Trump has attempted before. In domestic news, 20,000 federal employees accepted buyouts amid Trump's push for widespread layoffs, with intelligence agencies and USAID also facing major workforce reductions. The FBI turned over details of 5,000 employees involved in January 6th investigations, prompting lawsuits. The USPS briefly halted package shipments from China before reversing course due to backlash. Trump also signed an executive order banning transgender women from women’s sports. Finally, January was recorded as the hottest month ever.

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Wednesday, February 5th, 2025 - Trump’s wants Gaza; Musk’s mystery role; Migrants sent to Guantanamo; Costco vs. the GOP Feb 05, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Trump announced that the U.S. will take over Gaza “long term,” ruling out Palestinian return and suggesting other countries take in refugees. He also pulled the U.S. out of the UN Human Rights Council and UNRWA. Meanwhile, China hit back at U.S. tariffs with its own and launched an antitrust investigation into Google. The White House confirmed Elon Musk is officially a “special government employee,” though questions remain about his security clearance and financial conflicts. The first flight of detained migrants landed in Guantanamo Bay, and El Salvador agreed to house U.S. prisoners—including citizens. The administration is also reportedly looking to shut down the Department of Education and OSHA. Pam Bondi is officially attorney general, while RFK Jr. and Tulsi Gabbard moved closer to Senate confirmation. And in corporate drama, 19 GOP attorneys general threatened Costco over its DEI policies.

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Tuesday, February 4th, 2025 - Trump’s wealth fund; Tariff chaos; USAID showdown; FBI purge; Bird Flu warning; DC crash leak arrests Feb 04, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Trump signed an executive order to create a U.S. sovereign wealth fund, with officials suggesting it could involve government stakes in funded companies and even a TikTok takeover. Meanwhile, his tariff announcements rattled markets, prompting retaliatory moves from Canada and Mexico, though temporary delays were later negotiated. A constitutional showdown erupted as Congress members were blocked from entering USAID, which Trump and Elon Musk moved to dismantle. USAID officials abroad lost access to critical security tools. Trump’s acting U.S. attorney for D.C. pledged legal protection for Musk allies, while FBI agents received questionnaires about their January 6th investigations, signaling a crackdown. A new bird flu strain, H5N9, was detected in California, prompting mass poultry culling. Finally, two airport employees were arrested for leaking footage of last week’s Reagan Airport crash.

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Monday, February 3rd, 2025 - Musk’s takeover; Trump’s layoffs & tariffs, and Aviation disasters Feb 03, 2025

Today’s Headlines: A chaotic weekend in U.S. politics saw major shake-ups across federal agencies, aggressive policy moves, and international tensions. Treasury official David Lebryk resigned after clashing with Elon Musk’s team over access to government payment systems, while Musk’s aides seized control of IT systems at the Government Services Agency. The Trump administration ordered mass layoffs at the Office of Personnel Management and the FBI, demanding names of agents involved in January 6th investigations. USAID’s website went offline amid leadership purges, and the CDC scrubbed key health data. Trump also ordered California dams opened, risking floods, and imposed steep tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China, prompting retaliatory measures. His administration pushed for Ukrainian elections post-ceasefire. Meanwhile, Tennessee passed strict immigration laws, Louisiana indicted a New York doctor for prescribing abortion pills, and companies like Meta considered fleeing Delaware over corporate governance issues. On the aviation front, a Learjet crash in Philadelphia killed seven, while a United Airlines flight was evacuated in Houston due to an engine fire. The NTSB announced it will now release crash updates only via X. Finally, the Democratic National Committee elected Ken Martin as its new chair, facing the challenge of navigating an increasingly volatile political landscape.

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Friday, January 31st, 2025 - DC Crash; Trump tariffs; Cabinet hearings update; NPR & PBS probed; 2024 economy report; 8 hostages freed Jan 31, 2025

Today’s Headlines: A commercial jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter collided over the Potomac River near Washington, D.C., killing all on board. The FAA was understaffed at the time, and no administrator was in place. Trump responded by appointing an acting FAA commissioner and ordering a review of DEI policies. Meanwhile, Trump reaffirmed that tariffs on Canada and Mexico will begin tomorrow but left details vague. His cabinet hearings continued, with RFK Jr., Kash Patel, and Tulsi Gabbard facing scrutiny over controversial past statements and actions. The FCC launched an investigation into NPR and PBS over alleged sponsorship violations, signaling a possible move to defund public broadcasting. The U.S. economy grew 2.3% in 2024, slightly slowing from the previous year. Finally, eight Hamas-held hostages were released in Gaza, leaving no known living female hostages in captivity. An American hostage is expected to be freed next.

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Thursday, January 30th, 2025 - OMB chaos; Laken Riley Act; RFK Jr. grilled; TB outbreak; Frito-Lay recall; Menendez jailed; Meta settles Jan 30, 2025

Today’s Headlines: The White House’s OMB rescinded its federal spending freeze memo, but the policy remains, prompting legal challenges. A federal judge may now block it indefinitely. Meanwhile, a controversial buyout offer to federal workers is under scrutiny for its similarity to Elon Musk’s Twitter layoffs. Trump signed the Laken Riley Act, mandating indefinite detention for arrested immigrants, and announced a migrant detention facility in Guantanamo Bay. RFK Jr.'s contentious HHS confirmation hearing saw him grilled on vaccine misinformation and policy confusion. A tuberculosis outbreak in Kansas has caused 67 cases and two deaths. The FDA issued its highest-level recall for Frito-Lay chips in Oregon and Washington over safety concerns. Ex-Senator Bob Menendez was sentenced to 11 years for bribery, calling it a “witch hunt.” Reports suggest the DOJ may drop its corruption case against NYC Mayor Eric Adams, who has been in contact with Trump. Meta settled Trump’s lawsuit over his social media suspension, paying $25M—mostly to fund his future presidential library.

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Wednesday, January 29th, 2025 - WH aid freeze blocked; Trump rejoins anti-abortion pact, pauses HIV aid; RFK Jr. hearing and more Jan 29, 2025

Today’s Headlines: The White House ordered a $10 trillion freeze on federal financial aid, but a judge temporarily blocked it. While details remain unclear, the freeze could impact Medicaid, food stamps, disability benefits, and student aid. Medicaid systems briefly crashed nationwide, raising concerns about potential cuts. Trump rejoined the Geneva Consensus Declaration, an anti-abortion pact, and halted PEPFAR HIV/AIDS funding as part of a broader foreign aid review. Federal agencies face mass firings, hiring freezes, and severance offers for employees who resign. The new acting U.S. Attorney in D.C. is reviewing cases of pardoned January 6th defendants—some of whom have already been re-arrested. Billionaire Scott Bessent was confirmed as Treasury Secretary. RFK Jr.’s confirmation hearings begin, with his cousin Caroline Kennedy urging senators to reject him. Michigan Sen. Gary Peters announced he won’t seek reelection in 2026. Meanwhile, Google is renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America” after the Trump administration updated its official government sources.

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Tuesday, January 28th, 2025 - US-Colombia deal; ICE raids surge; DOJ firings; CDC-WHO cut ties; DeepSeek shakes market; Buckley Carlson joins Vance Jan 28, 2025

Today’s Headlines: The U.S. and Colombia have struck a deal to resume deportation flights, avoiding tariffs and visa restrictions for now, though Trump’s team is keeping those threats on the table. Immigration enforcement is in full swing, with ICE arrests skyrocketing and reports of Navajo citizens being detained during raids. Meanwhile, Trump’s DOJ fired officials involved in Jack Smith’s investigations and is asking new hires some eyebrow-raising “loyalty” questions. The CDC has also been ordered to cut ties with the WHO, sparking more public health concerns. On the tech front, China’s AI startup DeepSeek is making waves with a cheaper, more efficient model that’s shaking up U.S. tech stocks. And finally Tucker Carlson’s son, Buckley, is set to join VP J.D. Vance’s office as deputy press secretary.

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Monday, January 27th, 2025 - Ogles 3-term push; Cabinet updates; CA aid conditions; Deportation feuds; Egg prices; Musk backs Germany's AFD & more Jan 27, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Congressman Andy Ogles proposed a constitutional amendment allowing presidents up to three terms, excluding two-term presidents like Obama. Trump’s busy second term saw Kristi Noem and Pete Hegseth confirmed as Cabinet secretaries, an order to release JFK, RFK, and MLK Jr. assassination files, and NIH cancer research halted due to restricted agency operations. Trump’s administration launched a crypto task force, paused gender "X" passport processing, halted most foreign aid (except to Israel and Egypt), and tied California wildfire aid to election law changes. Immigration raids intensified, with costly military deportation flights rejected by Mexico and Colombia, sparking a tariff feud. Egg prices soar due to avian flu, killing 130M poultry. Internationally, Israel and Palestine exchanged hostages under a ceasefire. Elon Musk backed Germany’s far-right AFD, questioning historical guilt and endorsing their agenda.

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Friday, January 24th, 2025 - Hegseth vote; New Jan. 6 panel; EO blocked; LA wildfires; TN school shooting; Purdue-Sackler settlement Jan 24, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Trump’s first week back has been eventful. Pete Hegseth’s Defense Secretary nomination heads to a final vote, while John Ratcliffe is confirmed as CIA director. A new GOP-led January 6th committee was launched and Speaker Johnson has discouraged subpoenaing Cassidy Hutchinson amid fears of exposing lawmakers’ explicit texts. Trump’s order to limit birthright citizenship faced its first legal challenge, with a federal judge issuing a restraining order, calling it "blatantly unconstitutional." Meanwhile, Trump considers cutting FEMA as wildfires rage in Los Angeles, burning over 10,000 acres and prompting mass evacuations. In Nashville, a school shooting left two dead and two injured, despite AI weapon detection software failing. His manifesto cited Candace Owens and Adolf Hitler as inspirations. Lastly, the Sacklers agreed to a $7.4B settlement over Purdue Pharma’s opioid crisis role.

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Thursday, January 23rd, 2025 - Immigration arrests; Fed health agencies silenced; DEI rollback; Jan. 6 & Silk Road pardons Jan 23, 2025

Today’s Headlines:The second Trump administration is wasting no time shaking things up. ICE has already arrested 308 undocumented immigrants, calling them "threats to public safety." Federal health agencies have been ordered to pause all external communications until February 1, including scientific reports and health advisories—just as bird flu concerns grow. In a major rollback, Trump revoked the 1965 Equal Employment Opportunity Act, which banned workplace discrimination, and ordered federal workers to report any hidden DEI programs. Over at the DOJ, 15 top immigration officials were fired or reassigned. Trump also pardoned all January 6th participants, including far-right militia leaders, and hinted they might have a role in future politics. And in a surprising move, he pardoned Silk Road founder Ross Ulbricht, who was serving a life sentence for running a massive online black market.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

National Review: Trump's Mass Deportation Operation Begins with Over 300 Criminal Aliens Rounded Up on Day One
CNN: Trump administration directs federal health agencies to pause communications
Natural Law Review: President Trump's Executive Order Rescinds Affirmative Action
WA Post: Justice Dept. removes senior career officials from key positions
NBC News: Ex-Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio back home after Trump's Jan. 6 clemency
The Independent: Trump suggests Proud Boys and Oath Keepers might have a place in the ‘political conversation’ after Jan 6 pardons
Rreuters: Trump pardons Silk Road founder Ross Ulbricht for online drug scheme | Reuters

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Wednesday, January 22nd, 2025 - Trump EO update; $500B AI project; Mass deportation lawsuits; New Hegseth allegations; Winter storm hits Southeast Jan 22, 2025

Today’s Headlines: President Trump has already reversed 75 Biden policies, brought back the death penalty, and signed an order trying to end birthright citizenship—which has already sparked lawsuits. Immigration agents can now arrest people in schools, churches, and hospitals. Trump also announced a massive $500 billion AI project with OpenAI, Oracle, and Softbank. Meanwhile, Pete Hegseth’s cabinet nomination is in trouble after abuse allegations surfaced. At an inaugural prayer service, a bishop urged Trump to show compassion for immigrants and LGBTQ people, while Pope Francis called his deportation plans a disgrace. Finally, a record-breaking winter storm is hammering the Southeast.

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Tuesday, January 21st, 2025 - Trump’s first moves: tariffs, pardons, & power plays; Biden’s final acts; German warning on big tech Jan 21, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Donald Trump was inaugurated as the 47th president, outlining plans for his second term, including a southern border emergency, 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico, ending DEI initiatives, and pardoning 1,500 January 6 rioters. He also withdrew from the Paris Climate Agreement and WHO, designated cartels as terrorist organizations, and dismissed pending January 6 cases. Former President Biden issued pardons for January 6 Committee members, Dr. Fauci, General Milley, and his family. Meanwhile, the Senate confirmed Marco Rubio as Secretary of State, and Vivek Ramaswamy was ousted from his role in the Department of Government Efficiency after a clash with Elon Musk.A leaked German memo warns of Trump consolidating power with big tech, reshaping U.S. governance.

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Monday, January 20th, 2025 - Israel-Hamas ceasefire; TikTok ban; Trump inauguration; Cancer trends; CA price gouging Jan 20, 2025

Today’s Headlines: The Israel-Hamas ceasefire began Sunday, with 3 Israeli hostages and 90 Palestinian prisoners released. Aid is flowing into Gaza, but Israel warns fighting may resume. Back in the US, TikTok briefly went offline after a Supreme Court ban but returned following Trump’s 90-day reprieve and plans for U.S. ownership. Trump’s inauguration today will include signing orders on immigration, environmental rollbacks, and more. He also launched a cryptocurrency over the weekend reportedly earning billions. Meanwhile, a cancer report shows higher survival rates but rising diagnoses in young women, with racial disparities in mortality. In California, rent gouging was declared illegal by the state AG. Finally, Biden exits office after commuting 2,500 sentences and declaring the ERA valid, though without legal force.

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Friday January 17th, 2025 - Israel-Hamas deal & Cabinet hearings updates; FL AG to fill Rubio’s seat; Johnson’s House rules; SpaceX crash and more Jan 17, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Israel and Hamas' ceasefire deal remains unapproved as Israeli strikes continue amidst disagreements over prisoner exchanges. Trump’s cabinet hearings spotlighted Scott Bessent's opposition to raising the $7.25 minimum wage. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis named Ashley Moody to replace Marco Rubio in the Senate. Speaker Mike Johnson barred proxy voting for pregnant members and replaced House Intel Chair Mike Turner with Rick Crawford, aligning with Trump’s foreign policy. TikTok CEO Shou Chew will attend Trump’s inauguration, fueling speculation about TikTok’s future, while NYC Mayor Eric Adams quietly visited Mar-a-Lago. Lastly, a SpaceX rocket failed mid-flight, resulting in a "rapid unscheduled disassembly."

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Thursday, January 16th, 2025 - Israel-Hamas deal; South Korea arrest; Biden farewell; TikTok ban; Bondi hearing; FAA vs. Southwest; FDA Red dye ban Jan 16, 2025

Today’s Headlines: srael and Hamas reached a phased ceasefire and hostage deal starting January 19, with major obstacles ahead. South Korea’s impeached president was arrested for alleged rebellion and abuse of power. Biden’s farewell address warned of oligarchy and tech power threatening democracy. TikTok plans a U.S. shutdown pending a Supreme Court ruling on its ban, as Trump considers delaying enforcement. Pam Bondi faced grilling over DOJ independence in her AG confirmation, while Rubio, Ratcliffe, and Wright had smoother hearings. The Department of Transportation sued Southwest Airlines for delays, and the FDA banned Red Dye No. 3 in consumables, effective by 2027.

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Wednesday, January 15th, 2025 - LA wildfires & Hegseth hearing updates; Military gender care ban; Trump report released; Musk SEC Suit Jan 15, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Pete Hegseth’s confirmation hearing for defense secretary began, with his focus on restoring a "warrior culture" to the Pentagon; key opposition Senator Joni Ernst now supports his confirmation. Meanwhile, the House passed a defense bill banning gender-affirming care for service members’ children and ending DEI programs. Former Special Counsel Jack Smith’s report on Trump’s 2020 election interference concluded a trial sooner might have led to conviction. The SEC sued Elon Musk for alleged securities violations in his 2022 Twitter acquisition, though its future under the new administration is uncertain. In Los Angeles, wildfires prompted red flag warnings, potential evacuations for 84,000 more residents, and unsafe water advisories due to fire-related contamination.

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Tuesday, January 14th, 2025 - LA wildfires; Hegseth hearing; TikTok delay; Greenland deal; DOJ v RealPage; Israel-Hamas talks Jan 14, 2025

Today’s Headlines: The Los Angeles wildfire death toll has risen to 24, with a Particularly Dangerous Situation advisory in effect due to high winds, while lawsuits claim Southern California Edison’s equipment sparked the Eaton Fire, which has burned over 14,000 acres. In Congress, Trump’s defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth faces confirmation hearings amid controversy, and Senator Markey proposes delaying the TikTok sale deadline, with reports of Elon Musk being considered to acquire its U.S. operations. A House bill seeks to allow Trump to negotiate acquiring Greenland, as Denmark signals openness to increased U.S. military presence there. The DOJ expanded its antitrust lawsuit against major landlords and RealPage for alleged rent price-fixing. Meanwhile, President Biden’s final foreign policy address highlighted U.S. alliances and progress toward a potential Israel-Hamas hostage and ceasefire deal.

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Monday, January 13th, 2025 - LA wildfires; Trump & Menendez sentencing updates; NATO’s Trump-proofing; Job gains; Meta DEI cut Jan 13, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Wildfires in Los Angeles have claimed 16 lives, damaged over 10,000 structures, and forced 100,000 residents to evacuate, with curfews and nearly 30 arrests aimed at curbing looting. Governor Newsom issued an executive order to fast-track rebuilding and extend price gouging protections. President-elect Trump received an unconditional discharge in his felony case, while DOJ Special Counsel Jack Smith resigned ahead of Trump’s inauguration as NATO shifted Poland’s air defenses to prepare for the upcoming Trump administration. European strategies. December job gains exceeded forecasts, lowering unemployment to 4.1% but possibly delaying Fed rate cuts. Meta ended its DEI programs following Supreme Court rulings, and prosecutors recommended 15 years for Senator Bob Menendez after his bribery conviction.

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Friday, January 10th, 2025 - LA fires & Trump sentencing updates; Carter honored; Union giants merge; Title IX ruling; Vatican’s 1st female leader Jan 10, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Wildfires in Los Angeles continue to devastate the region, forcing 180,000 evacuations as federal aid is deployed. Jimmy Carter’s state funeral was held in D.C., with President Biden delivering a heartfelt eulogy. Donald Trump faces sentencing in his New York case today after failed legal maneuvers, while a phone call with Justice Alito raises ethical concerns. The AFL-CIO and SEIU announced a powerful union merger, and a federal judge struck down expanded Title IX protections for transgender students. Finally, Pope Francis appointed Sister Simona Brambilla to lead a major Vatican office, marking a historic first for women in the Church.

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Thursday, January 9th, 2025 - LA wildfires devastate; Trump fights court battles; NC justice blocked; Santos delays sentencing for podcast funds Jan 09, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Massive wildfires in Los Angeles have claimed 5 lives, destroyed thousands of homes, and forced 80,000 evacuations, with 0% containment as hurricane-force winds fuel the flames. Meanwhile, Trump’s legal maneuvers continue as he seeks Supreme Court intervention to block sentencing for his 34 felony convictions and delays the DOJ's 2020 election interference report. In North Carolina, the Republican-majority Supreme Court blocked certification of a Democratic justice’s election, citing disputed ballots. Lastly, George Santos asked to delay his sentencing to fundraise via his podcast and other ventures, facing fines and possible prison time.

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Wednesday, January 8th, 2025 - Meta scraps fact-checking; Cannon blocks Trump report; Minneapolis police reforms; JAMA study; Medical debt off credit report Jan 08, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Meta announced it’s ending its fact-checking program, replacing it with community notes and undoing limits on political content in feeds. Meanwhile, Dana White, UFC president and Trump ally, joined Meta’s board. Judge Aileen Cannon temporarily blocked Special Counsel Jack Smith’s report on Trump’s classified documents and election interference cases, pending appeal. Trump criticized former President Carter during his press conference and hinted at military action to control the Panama Canal and Greenland. Donald Trump Jr. visited Greenland as a private citizen but received no official meetings, while Greenland reaffirmed it’s not for sale. Minneapolis and the DOJ reached a consent decree to implement mandatory police reforms after George Floyd's killing. A new study found fewer than 0.1% of teens receive gender-affirming care, despite 3% identifying as transgender in a recent CDC survey. The Biden administration announced plans to remove medical debt from credit reports and eliminate $15 billion in medical debt, expected to improve credit scores for over 15 million Americans.

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Tuesday, January 7th, 2025 - Trudeau resigns; Trump certified; Bird flu death; Social Security boost; Lead in baby food; Giuliani contempt Jan 07, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Justin Trudeau is stepping down as Canada’s prime minister after nearly 10 years, staying on until the Liberal Party picks a successor ahead of March elections. Meanwhile, Congress certified Donald Trump’s election win without drama, and the U.S. reported its first bird flu death in Louisiana. President Biden signed the Social Security Fairness Act, boosting payments for public workers, while the FDA introduced voluntary lead limits for baby food to reduce exposure by up to 30%. Rudy Giuliani was held in contempt of court for not turning over assets in a $150M defamation case.

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Monday, January 6th, 2025 - Alcohol-Cancer link; Johnson re-elected; Trump remains a felon; Winter storms; NYC congestion fees, Carter funeral Jan 06, 2025

Today’s Headlines: The Surgeon General announced a new advisory linking alcohol to increased cancer risks for seven types of cancer, calling for updated warnings on beverages. Mike Johnson was re-elected as House Speaker, while a judge in Donald Trump’s New York hush money case denied his dismissal request but issued an “unconditional discharge,” leaving Trump a convicted felon without incarceration. Winter storms are affecting 63 million Americans across the Midwest and East Coast, and New York City’s new congestion pricing begins today, charging drivers $9 to enter parts of Manhattan.Lastly, Jimmy Carter’s state funeral observances have begun, with his motorcade traveling from Georgia to Washington, D.C.

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Friday, January 3rd, 2025 - New Year attacks update; Speaker vote; Siri settlement; Top on time airlines Jan 03, 2025

Today’s Headlines: Updates on the New Year’s attacks reveal that the New Orleans suspect, Shamsud-Din Jabbar, acted alone, leaving explosives near the scene and posting ISIS-related videos before the attack. Meanwhile, the Vegas Cybertruck attacker, Green Beret Matthew Livelsberger, died from a gunshot before the explosion, with no link found between the incidents. House Speaker Mike Johnson faces a critical vote today, backed by Trump, who announced a pre-inauguration rally for January 19. Apple agreed to a $95M settlement over Siri eavesdropping claims, potentially compensating users about $20 per device. Lastly, Aeromexico was named the most on-time airline of 2024, followed by Saudia and Delta, the top U.S. carrier.

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Thursday, January 2nd, 2025 - ISIS attack; Cybertruck explosion; US treasury hack; Norovirus surge; Trump’s sexual abuse verdict stands Jan 02, 2025

Today’s Headlines: The year started with tragedy as a man drove into a crowd on Bourbon Street, killing 10 and injuring 31, in an apparent ISIS-inspired attack. Hours later, a Tesla Cybertruck exploded outside Trump International in Las Vegas, injuring 7. Though connections between the two incidents are unclear, both vehicles came from the same rental company. Meanwhile, the US Treasury revealed a major cyberattack by a Chinese state-sponsored group, norovirus cases are surging nationwide, and Donald Trump lost his federal appeal, leaving him liable for $5 million to E. Jean Carroll.

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Monday, December 30th, 2024 - Carter dies; MAGA feud; Homelessness spike; Medicare cap; Migrant app; 37 Tornadoes; OR hikers death Dec 30, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Former President Jimmy Carter passed away at 100, leaving behind a legacy as the longest-living U.S. president. Meanwhile, MAGA infighting escalated over immigration policies, particularly H-1B visas, with tech leaders like Elon Musk clashing with traditionalists. Trump eventually backed the visas, citing their benefit to his businesses. Homelessness surged by 18% in 2024, disproportionately affecting Black Americans and families, though veteran homelessness declined. Medicare's new $2,000 cap on prescription drug costs begins in January, saving millions. Mexico unveiled an app to aid migrants under Trump’s looming immigration policies. A deadly storm system spawned tornadoes across the South, killing four. Lastly, a tragic search for Sasquatch in Oregon resulted in two men’s deaths, proving some myths come at a high cost.

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Friday, December 27th, 2024 - Israel strikes Yemen; Russia hits Ukraine; Int’l student travel warnings, NY climate act; WA H5N1 outbreak; Williamson eyes DNC Dec 27, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Israel launched airstrikes in Yemen targeting Houthi-controlled sites after recent missile and drone attacks, while Biden condemned Russia’s Christmas Day assault on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. U.S. universities urged international students to return early ahead of Trump’s inauguration, fearing potential travel bans. New York passed the Climate Change Superfund Act, requiring major polluters to pay for climate damages. In Washington, a bird flu outbreak at a wildlife sanctuary killed 20 large mammals, including over half the big cats. Lastly, Marianne Williamson announced her candidacy for DNC chair, pushing for party reform to avoid electoral setbacks.

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Thursday, December 26th, 2024 - Biden commutes death row inmates; Trump eyes WHO exit; Mangione arraigned; Kazakhstan plane crash Dec 26, 2024

Today’s Headlines: President Biden commuted the sentences of 37 federal death row inmates to life in prison, excluding the Tree of Life shooter, the Mother Emanuel shooter, and the Boston Marathon Bomber. On Christmas Eve, he signed 50 bills into law, including measures to prevent institutional child abuse, combat hazing, and deny pensions to corrupt lawmakers. One bill officially designated the bald eagle as the U.S. national bird. Luigi Mangione pleaded not guilty in New York to charges of first-degree murder and terrorism after his extradition from Pennsylvania. President-elect Trump’s transition team is preparing to withdraw the U.S. from the World Health Organization and revive his bid to purchase Greenland, both initiatives he pursued during his first term. A Kazakhstan plane crash that killed 38 may have been caused by Russian fire targeting Ukrainian drones.

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Monday, December 23rd, 2024 - Shutdown averted; MAHA caucus; German market attack; IRS missed stimulus; Party City closes Dec 23, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Congress narrowly avoided a government shutdown with a temporary budget through March 14th, while 81-year-old Rep. Kay Granger was revealed to have been living in assisted care since July. A new GOP Senate caucus aligns with RFK Jr.'s health agenda ahead of his unconfirmed HHS nomination. In Germany, a man killed five and injured 200 in a Christmas market car attack, reportedly tied to anti-immigration motives. Meanwhile, the IRS is sending $1,400 payments to 1M Americans who missed COVID stimulus funds. Lastly, Party City filed for bankruptcy again, announcing the closure of its 700 stores.

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Friday, December 20th, 2024 - Mangione indicted; Willis removed; Amazon strike; FAA NJ drone ban; France mass rape case; GOP budget bill gridlock Dec 20, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Luigi Mangione, accused of a high-profile murder, has been extradited to New York and indicted on federal charges, adding to existing state and Pennsylvania charges. Meanwhile, Georgia's Fani Willis was removed from Trump’s election interference case, with a new prosecutor to be appointed. In other news, Amazon faces its largest-ever strike, as nearly 10,000 unionized workers walk out over stalled negotiations. Additionally, the FAA has restricted drone flights in New Jersey over critical infrastructure, despite no confirmed safety threats and in France, 51 men were convicted in a shocking rape case involving a woman drugged and exploited by her husband. The survivor went public to raise awareness for sexual assault victims. Finally, Congress remains deadlocked on a government funding bill. A Trump-endorsed compromise was rejected, leaving a shutdown likely as debates over spending and debt limits continue.

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Thursday, December 19th, 2024 - SCOTUS take TikTok case; Fed rate cut; Gov’t shutdown; Cheney targeted; CA bird flu outbreak Dec 19, 2024

Today’s Headlines: The Supreme Court will decide if a law banning TikTok by January 19 unless sold to a U.S. company violates free speech. TikTok and content creators argue it does, while the government cites security concerns over Chinese surveillance. The Fed cut interest rates by 0.25% but warned of fewer cuts in 2025, raising inflation projections. Markets reacted sharply, with the Dow dropping over 1,100 points. A government shutdown is likely as President-elect Trump opposes a stopgap funding bill. Meanwhile, the House Ethics Committee plans to release a report on Matt Gaetz, and Rep. Barry Loudermilk is calling for Liz Cheney’s prosecution over her January 6th work. Finally, California declared a state of emergency over a bird flu outbreak hitting dairy cattle, now spread to 16 states. The CDC reported the first severe U.S. human case in Louisiana.

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Wednesday, December 18th, 2024 - Trump sues IA pollster; AOC’s loss; Biden backs stock ban; UHC murder update; WI shooter update Dec 18, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Donald Trump is suing pollster J. Ann Selzer, the Des Moines Register, and its parent company Gannett, claiming their Iowa poll showing Kamala Harris ahead was intentionally misleading. He’s seeking damages and wants the paper barred from publishing “deceptive” polls. Trump also said he plans to pursue more legal action against media outlets and social media influencers for defamation. Meanwhile, a judge denied Trump’s request to overturn his guilty verdict in the New York hush money case, ruling the charges don’t qualify for presidential immunity. President Biden threw his support behind banning congressional stock trading, but no action is likely anytime soon. Over in Congress, Rep. Gerry Connolly beat AOC in a vote for ranking member of the House Oversight Committee, a win backed by Nancy Pelosi. In New York, Luigi Mangione was indicted on first-degree murder and terrorism charges for what prosecutors say was a planned and targeted killing. If convicted, he could face life in prison without parole. Lastly, police identified the shooter at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin, as a 15-year-old female student. Investigators believe the attack was indiscriminate and driven by “a combination of factors.”

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Tuesday December 17th, 2024 - WI school shooting; $100B Softbank AI push; NY Mayor Adams update; DOT’s new airline rule; German election Dec 17, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Yesterday in Madison, Wisconsin, a teenage student opened fire at Abundant Life Christian School, killing three (including the shooter) and injuring six. Donald Trump and SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son announced a $100 billion U.S. investment plan focused on AI, citing optimism about the American economy. In New York, a top aide to Mayor Eric Adams, Ingrid Lewis-Martin, resigned ahead of an expected indictment for accepting improper gifts. Trump suggested he might pardon Adams if needed. The Department of Transportation unveiled new rules requiring airlines to improve services for passengers with disabilities, with full compliance expected by mid-2026. In Germany, Chancellor Olaf Scholz was ousted in a vote of no confidence, triggering an early election in February. Polls indicate a likely shift to the right, led by conservative Friedrich Merz.

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Monday, December 16th, 2024 - Drone mystery; S Korea impeachment; Paxton sues NY doc; McKinsey deal; OpenAI death; Trump & USPS; Pelosi’s new hip Dec 16, 2024

Today’s Headlines: The source of mysterious drones over the Northeast remains unknown, though Homeland Security promises transparency if foreign actors are involved. Two arrests on Long Island may or may not be linked. Meanwhile, South Korea’s President Yoon has been impeached after declaring martial law, with a court deciding his fate in the coming months. Texas AG Ken Paxton sued a New York doctor for mailing abortion pills to a Texas resident, challenging NY’s protective laws. McKinsey settled for $650M over its role in Purdue Pharma's opioid crisis, avoiding criminal charges. Former OpenAI researcher Suchir Balaji, who alleged copyright violations by the company, was found dead in an apparent suicide. In Washington, Trump reportedly wants to privatize USPS over its financial losses, and Nancy Pelosi underwent hip surgery after a fall.

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Friday, December 13th, 2024 - Biden's pardons; Love Is Blind union push; NJ Drone update; Trump: TIME Person of the Year Dec 13, 2024

Today’s Headlines: President Biden granted clemency to over 1,500 individuals in home confinement and 39 convicted of nonviolent crimes, marking the largest single-day clemency action in modern history, with more reviews promised before his term ends. Meanwhile, Donald Trump pledged January 6 pardons in his first presidential hour. The NLRB filed a complaint against Love Is Blind, classifying cast members as employees, raising unionization possibilities, and challenging restrictive contract terms, including hefty fines and media bans. In the ongoing mystery of large drones over New Jersey, Senator Blumenthal urged the Biden administration to act more aggressively, even suggesting shooting them down, though the White House reports no malicious activity. Donald Trump was named Time Magazine’s 2024 Person of the Year. In interviews, he shared plans on immigration, FDA oversight, and political legacy while celebrating by ringing the NYSE bell. Trump also invited China’s Xi Jinping to his inauguration, an unprecedented move.

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Thursday, December 12th, 2024 - Wray resigns; ICE policy revoked; Inflation up; NJ drone mystery; NLRB blocked; Infowars bid rejected Dec 12, 2024

Today’s Headlines: FBI Director Christopher Wray announced plans to resign at the end of President Biden's term, leaving Trump’s nominee Kash Patel poised to take over if confirmed. Trump also plans to revoke ICE arrest restrictions at schools, churches, and hospitals on day one of his next term, according to NBC News. Inflation data for November showed a 2.7% rise in the consumer price index, with core inflation up 3.3%, sparking speculation on the Fed's next move. Meanwhile, drone sightings over New Jersey led to claims of an "Iranian mothership," which the Pentagon denied. In Congress, Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema blocked Biden’s NLRB nominee, paving the way for a Trump pick. Elsewhere, a bankruptcy judge rejected The Onion’s bid to purchase Alex Jones’s Infowars, citing transparency concerns.

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Wednesday, December 11th, 2024 - Mangione charged; McConnell falls; Hegseth's pitch; Murdoch drama; DOJ secrets; Netanyahu testifies Dec 11, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Luigi Mangione, charged with second-degree murder for killing United CEO Brian Thompson, was denied bail in Pennsylvania and is contesting extradition to New York. He has also been charged with forgery and gun-related crimes and plans to plead not guilty. Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell had another health scare, falling on Capitol Hill but reportedly being cleared to continue his schedule. Donald Trump’s Defense Secretary pick, Pete Hegseth, met with senators to push his nomination forward, earning a chance at a confirmation hearing. Across the media world, Rupert Murdoch faced a setback in his bid to alter his family trust to secure control for his son Lachlan, inspired, ironically, by an episode of Succession. A DOJ report revealed Trump’s administration secretly obtained phone records of congressmen and reporters, a concerning echo of surveillance overreach. Finally, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu testified in his corruption trial, dismissing charges as trivial while decrying a media-led witch hunt. His testimony continues in a grueling multi-week schedule.

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Tuesday, December 10th, 2024 - CEO killer caught; Jay-Z allegations; Penny verdict; Syria update; Lara Trump’s plans Dec 10, 2024

Today’s Headlines: The suspect in United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson’s murder, 26-year-old Luigi Mangione, was arrested in Pennsylvania. Mangione, who left a manifesto blaming the insurance industry, was caught after being spotted at a McDonald’s. In another legal development, Jay-Z has been added to a lawsuit accusing him and Diddy of raping a 13-year-old at a 2000 MTV VMA party. Jay-Z has denied the claims, calling them an extortion attempt. Meanwhile, former Marine Daniel Penny was acquitted in the subway choking death of Jordan Neely, with jurors reaching their verdict after three days of deliberation. As the revolution in Syria unfolds, the U.S. is working with allies to secure Assad’s chemical weapons, while the DOJ has charged two regime officials with war crimes against Americans. Finally, Lara Trump resigned as RNC co-chair and hinted at interest in Marco Rubio’s Senate seat if he joins Trump’s cabinet, openly saying she’d consider it.

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Monday, December 9th, 2024 - Syria regime falls; Trump’s bold promises; ID abortion ban; UHC CEO killer manhunt Dec 09, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Syria’s Bashar al-Assad has been ousted after 50 years, with rebel group HTS taking control of Damascus as the U.N. calls for transition talks. In an NBC interview, President-elect Trump vowed mass deportations, January 6th pardons, and jail for political opponents. He also met with Macron and Zelensky in Paris to discuss ending the Ukraine war. Idaho will enforce the first U.S. abortion travel ban for minors, with penalties of 2–5 years for “abortion trafficking.” The suspect in United CEO Brian Thompson’s murder remains at large, with his backpack found in Central Park but no weapon.

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Friday, December 6th, 2024 - UHC CEO murder updates; Biden's possible pardons; Chinese hack warning; CA earthquake Dec 06, 2024

Today’s Headlines: New details have emerged in the murder of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, including photos of the unmasked suspect, who used a fake ID to check into a hostel and fled on a modified e-bike. Shell casings at the scene were engraved with a phrase referencing insurance industry tactics and possibly tied to a lawsuit alleging Thompson and others profited from insider stock trades before a DOJ investigation. Meanwhile, President Biden’s aides are reportedly discussing preemptive pardons for individuals Trump has vowed to prosecute in a second term, though Biden has not been involved, and the idea has faced pushback. The FBI warns against unencrypted texting due to a massive Chinese state-sponsored hack affecting global telecommunications carriers. Hackers have targeted sensitive communications and remain embedded in U.S. networks, though T-Mobile claims to have thwarted the attack. Finally, a 7.0 earthquake struck Northern California, triggering tsunami warnings for over 5 million residents. Despite the magnitude, there were no reports of major damage or injuries.

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Thursday, December 5th, 2024 - United Healthcare CEO dead; Hegseth out?; Narrow GOP majority; France’s PM to resign Dec 05, 2024

Today’s Headlines: United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson was shot and killed outside a Midtown Manhattan hotel yesterday morning before an investor conference. The masked shooter, who fled on a Citibike, remains at large. Thompson had reportedly received threats related to insurance disputes. Donald Trump is considering replacing Pete Hegseth with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis as his Secretary of Defense pick, citing DeSantis’ better chances of Senate confirmation. Meanwhile, Trump tapped billionaire Jared Isaacman, a SpaceX enthusiast, to lead NASA despite his lack of government experience. Republicans narrowly retained control of the House with 220 seats to Democrats' 215, though three GOP members will leave for Trump’s cabinet. This results in a net Democratic gain and a slimmer majority for Speaker Mike Johnson. In France, Prime Minister Michael Barnier and his cabinet are resigning after a no-confidence vote, marking the country’s first such political crisis since 1962.

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Wednesday, December 4th, 2024 - South Korea’s martial law drama, Trump team agrees to background checks; Dr. Oz probe; IA’s voter roll fight Dec 04, 2024

Today’s Headlines: South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol briefly declared martial law, citing “anti-state forces,” but repealed it after parliament unanimously invalidated the move, fueling impeachment talks. Donald Trump agreed to DOJ background checks for cabinet nominees, while his Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services pick, Dr. Oz, faces an FTC inquiry over undisclosed ties to a supplement company. In Iowa, the Secretary of State sued the federal government for citizenship data on 2,000 voters amid disputes over voter rolls and naturalized citizens being wrongly flagged.

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Tuesday, December 3rd, 2024 - Hunter’s pardon; Dems' leadership change; Musk's $56B loss; 2024's Word: Brain Rot Dec 03, 2024

Today’s Headlines: The post-Thanksgiving news cycle kicked off with criticism from both parties over President Biden's controversial pardon of his son, Hunter—a move that left a few from both sides of the isle irate. Meanwhile, Democrats in Congress are reshuffling leadership roles, with Amy Klobuchar and Cory Booker rising in the Senate and Jamie Raskin challenging Jerry Nadler for House Judiciary Committee chair. Elsewhere, Elon Musk faced a legal setback as a Delaware judge upheld a ruling against his $56 billion Tesla pay package. Finally, Oxford’s Word of the Year, "brain rot," perfectly captures the online content fatigue of 2024.

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Monday, December 2nd, 2024 - Hunter’s pardon & Trump’s family picks; Russia's rough weekend; Aussies ban social media; Diddy denied bail Dec 02, 2024

Today’s Headlines: President Biden issued a "full and unconditional" pardon for his son Hunter, calling the charges politically motivated. Over on the Trump side, the president-elect announced some eyebrow-raising family appointments: Jared Kushner’s dad is set to be ambassador to France, and Tiffany Trump’s father-in-law will advise on Middle East affairs. Trump also tapped Kash Patel for FBI Director and as for Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense—an old letter from Hegseth’s mom resurfaced, calling him out for mistreating women. On the international front, Russia had a rough weekend. Opposition forces took Aleppo in Syria, sparking Russian airstrikes, and protests broke out in Georgia after the government froze EU membership talks. Meanwhile, Putin praised Trump as “intelligent” and criticized Biden, adding to the chaos. Australia is making waves with a new law banning kids under 16 from social media, but no one’s sure how it’ll actually work. And finally, Diddy was denied bail yet again, with the judge saying he’s a danger to the community.

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Wednesday, November 27th, 2024 - Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire; Trump tariffs; Biden’s new GLP-1 rule; Macy’s $154M Nov 27, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Israel and Hezbollah have agreed to a ceasefire after 14 months of conflict, brokered by the U.S. and France. The deal halts fighting for two months, requiring Hezbollah to withdraw from southern Lebanon and Israeli troops to leave the area, with Lebanese forces and UN peacekeepers ensuring compliance. Meanwhile, Donald Trump plans to impose tariffs on goods from Mexico, Canada, and China after his inauguration, sparking threats of retaliation from Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum. The Biden administration proposed a new rule requiring Medicare and Medicaid to cover GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic. Lastly, Macy’s revealed that one employee hid $154 million in delivery costs over three years, delaying its earnings report.

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Tuesday, November 26th, 2024 - Israel-Lebanon ceasefire vote; Putin’s nuclear threat; DOJ drops Trump charges; TX abortion ban death Nov 26, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Israel’s cabinet is set to vote on a ceasefire deal with Hezbollah, a move that’s already facing backlash from Netanyahu’s far-right allies. Meanwhile, the government has sanctioned the newspaper Haaretz for its critical war coverage, and investigations continue into the antisemitic murder of Rabbi Zvi Kogan in the UAE. In Russia, Putin has lowered the threshold for nuclear strikes and warned that the war in Ukraine has taken on a “global” scope. NATO is also on high alert over rising Russian cyber threats targeting critical infrastructure. Back in the U.S., the DOJ dropped federal charges against Trump related to January 6 and classified documents. At the same time, a third woman in Texas has died due to delays in care caused by the state’s abortion ban, further exposing the deadly impact of restrictive policies.

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Monday, November 25th, 2024 - Gaetz leaves Congress; DOJ to break up Google; TX Bible curriculum; GA maternal death panel Nov 25, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Donald Trump’s second-term cabinet is coming together fast. Hedge fund CEO Scott Bessent, a former George Soros employee and respected strategist, has been picked for Treasury Secretary. Other key roles include Lori Chavez-DeRemer for Labor, Scott Turner for HUD, and Brooke Rollins for Agriculture. Matt Gaetz, meanwhile, says he’s leaving Congress after eight years to focus on supporting Trump from the sidelines. The DOJ is pushing to break up Google, proposing that it sell Chrome and Android to restore competition in online search. Google isn’t thrilled, calling the plan “wildly overboard,” with closing arguments happening today. In Texas, the state board of education approved a Bible-based curriculum for public elementary schools, offering schools $60 per student as an incentive to adopt it. And in Georgia, the maternal death oversight panel was abruptly dismissed after whistleblowers exposed preventable deaths linked to the state’s abortion ban. State officials say the leak violated the law, but critics call it an attempt to silence accountability.

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Friday, November 22nd, 2024 - Gaetz out, Bondi in & more on Trump 2.0; Bolsonaro indicted, ICC warrants; Hijab clinics outrage; Pope names digital saint Nov 22, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Matt Gaetz pulled out of the Attorney General race after just eight days, calling it a “distraction” as new allegations about a sexual encounter with a minor surfaced. Trump quickly named Pam Bondi, a former Florida AG and his impeachment lawyer, as the new nominee. Trump’s Defense Secretary pick, Pete Hegseth, is facing renewed scrutiny over past assault allegations, while Marjorie Taylor Greene will lead a cost-cutting subcommittee alongside Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy’s new department. Globally, Jair Bolsonaro was indicted for a 2022 coup attempt, the ICC issued war crime warrants for Netanyahu and others, and Iran announced “treatment” for women who defy hijab laws, as Iraq considers lowering the age of consent to nine. In a lighter note, Pope Francis is set to canonize Carlo Acutis, a millennial known as “God’s influencer,” as the first digital saint.

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Thursday, November 21st, 2024 - Trump 2.0 saga updates; Capitol bathroom ban; News via social media Nov 21, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Donald Trump’s second-term transition is already making waves with controversial picks like Russ Vought for OMB, Linda McMahon for Education Secretary, and Matthew Whitaker for NATO Ambassador—all pushing Christian nationalism and MAGA-focused policies. Vought’s Schedule F plan could let Trump replace career government workers with politically loyal staff. Trump is also ignoring standard transfer protocols, pressuring Senate Republicans to block Biden’s judicial picks, and backing Matt Gaetz for Attorney General—even as Gaetz faces serious ethics scandals. Meanwhile, Speaker Mike Johnson has banned transgender people from certain Capitol bathrooms, targeting Rep.-elect Sarah McBride. On a different note, Pew Research revealed that 21% of Americans now get their news from social media influencers, showing just how much the media landscape is shifting.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

Media Matters: Trump set to appoint Project 2025 architect Russ Vought to Office of Management and Budget | Media Matters for America
NBC News: Trump names former wrestling executive Linda McMahon as his pick for education secretary
WA Post: Vance seeks to build support among senators for Matt Gaetz as attorney general
WA Post: House Ethics Committee saw records suggesting Matt Gaetz paid women for sex
The Daily Beast: Trump Orders Republican Senators to Block Biden Judges
WA Post: President-elect Donald Trump is now receiving intelligence briefings
WA Post: Trump ignores transition rules. It’s a ‘hostile takeover,’ ally says
WA Post: Speaker Johnson restricts use of Capitol bathrooms by transgender people
Pew Research: America’s News Influencers

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Wednesday, November 20th, 2024 - Trump 2.0 picks & Gates sex scandal updates; Gop House attacks trans rights; Homicide rates drop Nov 20, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Trump’s transition team has announced key cabinet picks, including Dr. Oz to lead Medicare and Medicaid, Howard Lutnick for Commerce, and former reality TV star Sean Duffy for Transportation. Dr. Oz plans to cut Medicaid budgets, Lutnick will oversee tariff policies, and Duffy would manage Elon Musk's federally contracted companies. Meanwhile, Trump is aggressively pushing Matt Gaetz for attorney general despite renewed scrutiny over allegations involving a minor and leaked depositions. In Congress, House Republicans, led by Speaker Mike Johnson, are targeting trans rights with a bathroom resolution aimed at newly elected Representative Sarah McBride. On a brighter note, homicides have dropped by up to 40% in major U.S. cities this year, signaling significant progress in public safety.

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Tuesday, November 19th, 2024 - Kremlin warns US; Trump’s Deportation Plan, OH neo-Nazi march; Spirit Airlines bankruptcy Nov 19, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Following Biden’s approval of Ukraine's use of U.S.-supplied long-range missiles to strike Russian territory, the Kremlin responded with its largest attack on Ukraine in months, crippling parts of the country’s electric grid and warning that Biden’s move “adds fuel to the fire.” Meanwhile, Trump confirmed plans to declare a national emergency for mass deportations and named Brendan Carr, a critic of net neutrality and DEI policies, as his pick for FCC chair. In Ohio, a neo-Nazi march drew widespread condemnation from leaders, including President Biden and Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. Lastly, Spirit Airlines filed for bankruptcy but reassured customers it will continue operating, despite ongoing financial struggles.

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Monday, November 18th, 2024 - Trump 2.0 & racist texts update; Ukraine-Russia conflict; Israel strikes nuclear facility Nov 18, 2024

Today’s Headlines: The Trump transition continues with bold cabinet picks: fracking CEO Chris Wright for Energy Secretary and Doug Burgum for Interior, alongside former press aide Karoline Leavitt as press secretary. Pete Hegseth’s Defense Secretary nomination faces scrutiny over past allegations. House Speaker Mike Johnson suggests possible recess appointments to bypass Senate delays. Meanwhile, Trump’s team is eyeing military leaders involved in the Afghanistan withdrawal for potential court-martials. The FBI investigates racist and threatening texts sent to Black, Latino, and LGBTQ individuals post-election. On the international front, Biden approved Ukraine’s use of U.S.-supplied long-range missiles against Russia, while U.S. and Israeli officials confirmed Israel's strike on a covert Iranian nuclear facility.

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Friday, November 15th, 2024 - Trump cabinet updates; PA Senate recount; X’s AI Terms; Musk-Iran talks; CIA Discord Leakers charged Nov 15, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Trump’s cabinet picks are stirring up headlines, with RFK Jr., an outspoken anti-vaxxer, slated to lead Health and Human Services, and Matt Gaetz set for Attorney General despite ongoing controversies. Meanwhile, the Pennsylvania Senate race heads to a recount, and after Trump floated the idea of a third term, a House resolution reaffirmed the two-term limit. Trump joked about a possible third term, prompting Rep. Dan Goldman to introduce a resolution reinforcing the two-term limit for presidents. In tech news, X (formerly Twitter) updated its terms, allowing all user posts to be used for AI training, and any disputes will go through Texas courts, a favorable setting for Elon Musk. On the foreign front, Musk also reportedly met with Iranian officials to discuss U.S.-Iran tensions, and a CIA officer was arrested for leaking sensitive intel on potential conflict in the region. Finally, Air National Guard member Jack Teixeira received a 15-year sentence for leaking classified information on Discord.

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Thursday, November 14th, 2024 - GOP takes House; Updates on Trump’s picks & policy plans; FBI raids Polymarket CEO Nov 14, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Republicans have clinched the House majority, but with a twist: Rep. Matt Gaetz resigned to become Trump’s choice for attorney general. Gaetz, who’s still under scrutiny for previous allegations and controversial behavior, has raised eyebrows even among his Republican colleagues. Trump’s other major pick was Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence, keeping his trend of surprising choices. Meanwhile, Biden and Trump met at the White House to discuss the transition in what seemed like a cordial, if somewhat ironic, meeting given their history. On policy, Trump’s team is already laying out plans to double immigrant detention facilities and create a “warrior board” to review and potentially remove high-ranking military officers they don’t consider fit. He’s also promising to dismantle the Department of Education, pushing control back to the states, and target DEI programs in schools. On the tech front, Trump looks set to lift the ban on TikTok, meaning the app could stay available in the U.S. And finally, the FBI raided the New York apartment of Polymarket CEO Shayne Coplan, although details on the investigation remain under wraps.

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Wednesday, November 13th, 2024 - Amsterdam unrest & Trump picks updates; House bill targets nonprofits; Ten Commandments bill blocked Nov 13, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Tensions are rising in Amsterdam as targeted attacks against Jewish communities continue. Rioters set a tram on fire, prompting police to arrest eight suspects and designate “risk zones” across the city to increase security. In U.S. political news, President-elect Trump has announced new cabinet picks, including Marco Rubio as Secretary of State, John Ratcliffe for CIA Director, Kristi Noem for Homeland Security, and Pete Hegseth for Defense. Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee has also been tapped as ambassador to Israel. Trump introduced a new initiative, the “Department of Government Efficiency,” to be led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, focused on slashing government waste and bureaucracy. Meanwhile, House Republicans are fast-tracking a bill to allow the Treasury to strip tax-exempt status from nonprofits deemed to support terrorism—a move critics worry could stifle free speech. And in Louisiana, a federal judge has blocked a law requiring the display of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms, ruling it unconstitutional.

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Tuesday, November 12th, 2024 - House races tighten; Trump’s picks; Bitcoin soars; Biden honors Vets; Adams wants earlier trial Nov 12, 2024

Today’s Headlines: A week after Election Day, Republicans hold 214 House seats with 16 races still uncalled, and Pennsylvania’s Senate race leaning toward Republican David McCormick, though ballots remain uncounted. In state elections, Democrats flipped the Kentucky Supreme Court and rejected mandatory prison labor in California. Trump’s second-term team is starting to take shape: Stephen Miller will be Deputy Chief of Staff, Lee Zeldin is set for the EPA, Elise Stefanik has been tapped for UN Ambassador, Mike Waltz is Trump’s choice for National Security Advisor, and Tom Homan will lead a large-scale deportation effort, boosting private prison stocks on the news. Bitcoin surged to a new high of $82,000, driven partly by Trump’s win. President Biden marked Veterans Day at Arlington, his last as president, while NYC Mayor Eric Adams asked for an earlier trial date to avoid overlapping with his re-election campaign.

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Monday, November 11th, 2024 - Amsterdam attacks; Racist texts; Trump Putin & Zelensky calls; Iranian assassination plot; East Coast wildfires Nov 11, 2024

Today’s Headlines: In Amsterdam, mobs attacked Israelis after a soccer match, injuring dozens in what officials are calling a premeditated assault. Over 60 people were arrested, and Israel sent rescue planes to bring citizens home as the city banned protests and advised caution amid anti-Israel sentiment. In the U.S., Black Americans in at least 15 states received shocking anonymous texts instructing them to "pick cotton" and report to a “plantation.” The FBI and state officials are investigating, with some messages traced to a VPN in Poland. On Ukraine, Trump advisors proposed freezing the war with Russia keeping 20% of Ukrainian territory. Trump spoke separately with both Putin and Zelensky, signaling interest in de-escalating the conflict. Meanwhile, the DOJ unsealed charges against an Iranian agent plotting to assassinate Trump. Lastly, wildfires have spread beyond California to New York and New Jersey, with one fatality and poor air quality warnings in the area as California residents face new evacuations.

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Friday, November 8th, 2024 - Biden urges calm; Trump’s new team; Fed cuts rates; Musk gains billions; Giuliani asset seizure; Charges in Liam Payne’s death Nov 08, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Republicans gained control of the Senate as David McCormick flipped Pennsylvania, giving the GOP 53 seats, with two races still undecided. The House is leaning Republican, currently at 210 GOP to 198 Democrat seats. President Biden addressed the nation, urging calm and a peaceful transition of power. Trump’s second term is shaping up, with Susie Wiles named Chief of Staff and plans for mass deportation despite the projected $300 billion cost. The Fed cut interest rates by 0.25% as inflation continues to ease. Meanwhile, California and other states are preparing legal defenses to protect state rights under Trump’s administration. Elon Musk’s net worth surged $26.5 billion post-election, along with other billionaires. Rudy Giuliani was ordered to surrender assets, including his Manhattan penthouse and luxury items, to cover a defamation judgment owed to Georgia election workers. Finally, in Argentina, three people face charges connected to the recent death of Liam Payne.

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Thursday, November 7th, 2024 - Trump wins; GOP gains; Abortion rights expand; DOJ pauses cases; NY shields rights Nov 07, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Donald Trump has won the 2024 presidential election, becoming the 47th U.S. president. Kamala Harris conceded, delivering a speech at Howard University and calling Trump to acknowledge his victory. Republicans gained four House seats and are close to controlling both chambers, creating a likely GOP trifecta with Congress and the presidency. In state elections, Democrats broke North Carolina's GOP supermajority and gained seats on Michigan’s Supreme Court. Abortion rights measures passed in seven states, while California repealed Prop. 8, securing same-sex marriage rights in its constitution. The DOJ is reportedly preparing to wind down criminal cases against Trump under policies shielding sitting presidents. Meanwhile, New York's Governor Hochul and AG James launched the Empire State Freedom Initiative to protect residents' rights from potential federal overreach during Trump’s term.

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Wednesday, November 6th, 2024 - Election updates: Trump leads, Senate flips, Ballot measures & bomb threats; Musk sued; Netanyahu fires Gallant Nov 06, 2024

Today’s Headlines: As of 12:30am, Trump leads Harris in electoral votes, 230 to 189, with North Carolina as the only called swing state. Republicans secured the Senate with key wins, while Democrats Angela Alsobrooks and Adam Schiff claimed Senate seats in Maryland and California. In Florida, measures to overturn a 6-week abortion ban and legalize marijuana failed due to a high 60% threshold, though both had majority support. Meanwhile, Missouri rolled back its abortion ban and approved paid sick leave, with Colorado also passing abortion protections. Election Day saw bomb threats disrupting voting in Georgia and Arizona’s Democratic areas. Elon Musk faces a lawsuit over his $1 million giveaway, and in the Middle East, Hamas rejected a ceasefire proposal as Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu fired his defense minister, sparking protests in Tel Aviv.

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Tuesday, November 5th, 2024 - Election Day: Nat’l Guard on standby; Disinfo alert; Meta ad ban; Musk lottery ruling; School fee ban; Hurricane Rafael Nov 05, 2024

Today’s Headlines: National Guard units are on standby across multiple states, with heightened security measures in place, including fencing in D.C. and bulletproof glass in swing-state election offices. A U.S. cybersecurity official warned of unprecedented disinformation, though no major threats to election integrity have been identified. Meta extended its election ad ban beyond Election Day to prevent misinformation while votes are counted. In Pennsylvania, a judge ruled that Elon Musk can continue his $1 million giveaways in swing states, dismissing lottery concerns. The USDA announced a 2027 ban on online transaction fees for low-income students’ school lunch accounts. Finally, Tropical Storm Rafael is expected to strengthen to a hurricane, with warnings for the Cayman Islands and Jamaica.

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Monday, November 4th, 2024 - Election Eve: Harris leads IA, AZ AG probes Trump, PA ballots challenged; TX abortion tragedy; Netanyahu scandal Nov 04, 2024

Today’s Headlines: With less than a day before Election Day, national polls show a tight race. In Iowa, the Selzer poll has Vice President Kamala Harris leading Donald Trump by 3 points—a notable shift in a traditionally Republican state. The poll, known for accuracy, attributes Harris's lead to strong support among older women. Meanwhile, Trump’s controversial comments about Liz Cheney, including a firing squad reference, have prompted an investigation by Arizona’s attorney general. Cheney condemned Trump’s remarks as tyrannical. In Michigan, Trump courted Arab American voters in Dearborn, tapping into frustrations over U.S. policy on Gaza. Legal challenges in Pennsylvania threaten to disqualify thousands of mail-in ballots, mostly from overseas voters, but officials are defending their validity. Amidst heightened threats, Washington Governor Jay Inslee has activated the National Guard to protect election infrastructure. In Texas, a young woman died after being denied medical care following a miscarriage, highlighting the severe impacts of the state’s restrictive abortion law. Finally, in Israel, a scandal involving leaks of sensitive intelligence has raised questions about Prime Minister Netanyahu's involvement, as his aide was implicated in actions risking national security.

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Friday, November 1st, 2024 - 62M early votes; PA ballot battle; Trump campaign updates; Deadly floods in Spain Nov 01, 2024

Today’s Headlines: As we enter the final weekend before Election Day, early voting has surged to nearly 62 million ballots cast, with Democrats making up 41%, Republicans 40%, and 19% listed as "other." Notably, new voter turnout in swing states now surpasses the 2020 victory margin. Meanwhile, Republicans in Pennsylvania have filed an appeal to stop undated mail ballots from being counted, continuing a fight over voting regulations. Campaign trail rhetoric has intensified, with Trump claiming he’ll be a "protector of women" and RFK Jr. reportedly in line for a health policy role under a potential Trump administration, despite his controversial health stances. In Europe, flash floods have devastated Valencia, Spain, killing at least 155, in one of the continent's deadliest natural disasters in recent years.

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Thursday, October 31st, 2024 - Early votes reach 50M; Facebook’s militia issue; VA voter purge ruling; Airline refund rule Oct 31, 2024

Today’s Headlines: With just a week left until Election Day, 50 million Americans have already cast their ballots, as economic reports show GDP up 2.8% and inflation at 2.2%. Facebook faces scrutiny over auto-generating pages for extremist militias, making it easier for anti-government groups to use the platform for recruitment and ballot-box intimidation. The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 to let Virginia continue a voter roll purge of 1,600 suspected non-citizens, despite earlier court rulings that the process violated federal law. Overseas, Biden’s top advisers are heading to Israel to negotiate a possible de-escalation deal with Hezbollah, as Israel passes a law banning the UN's aid agency UNRWA from operating within its borders. In Ukraine, North Korean troops equipped with Russian military gear have reportedly joined the fight, adding to international concern. Finally, a win for travelers: airlines in the U.S. are now required to offer automatic refunds for cancellations, long delays, and significant changes to flights, with money back in your account within seven days.

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Wednesday, October 30th, 2024 - Harris D.C. rally; Early voting surge; SC Keeps RFK Jr.; Bannon released; FBI ballot fire probe; Biden critiques Musk Oct 30, 2024

Today’s Headlines: One week before Election Day, early voting has surpassed 50 million ballots cast, with Democrats slightly leading Republican registrations among voters. Vice President Kamala Harris rallied 75,000 supporters in Washington, D.C., urging generational change. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court allowed RFK Jr. to stay on ballots in Wisconsin and Michigan, dismissing state requests to remove him due to early voting. Steve Bannon was released from prison and quickly renewed claims of election fraud, while FBI investigations continue into recent ballot box arson cases in Oregon and Washington. On social media, Elon Musk suggested potential $2 trillion federal spending cuts if Trump wins, shortly after President Biden criticized Musk's history of violating immigration laws when he first arrived in the U.S.

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Tuesday, October 29th, 2024 - Ballot box fires; Bezos blocks endorsement, McD’s ¼ pounder back; Musk's PAC sued Oct 29, 2024

Today’s Headlines: With Election Day approaching, early voting has surged to 44 million ballots cast. Federal authorities are investigating ballot box fires in Oregon and Washington—both affecting tight races. The FBI and DHS have also issued warnings about possible election disruptions from domestic actors. Meanwhile, Jeff Bezos reportedly stopped a Washington Post endorsement of Kamala Harris, potentially to protect Blue Origin contracts, leading to a subscriber loss of 200,000. Philadelphia DA Larry Krasner has sued Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC for an alleged unlawful lottery targeting swing-state voters. Lastly, McDonald’s has resumed selling quarter-pounders after an E. coli outbreak was traced to raw onions from a supplier, not the chain itself.

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Monday, October 28th, 2024 - Musk’s Putin talks; Trump’s Nazi-style rally; China’s election hacks; Election updates; Odessa anti-trans bathroom ban Oct 28, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Elon Musk’s been holding private talks with Putin since 2022, discussing everything from business to geopolitics—a concerning revelation given Musk’s Pentagon contracts and his recent restrictions on Starlink access for Ukraine. Musk also just poured an extra $43.6 million into Trump’s Super PAC, pushing his total donations to $118 million. Meanwhile, Chinese hackers targeted U.S. political figures, including a Trump advisor, in an ongoing surveillance effort, capturing audio from calls and messages. On the campaign trail, Trump’s Madison Square Garden rally echoed a notorious 1939 Nazi event, where he called the U.S. “occupied” and promised mass deportations. In election news, North Carolina legislators are facing pressure to award Trump their electoral votes preemptively due to hurricane damage, Pennsylvania’s investigating 2,500 possible fraudulent voter registrations, and a federal judge has ordered Virginia to restore 1,600 voters wrongfully purged from its rolls. Lastly, Odessa, Texas, just banned trans people from using bathrooms that don’t match their birth-assigned sex, putting a $10,000 bounty on violations.

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Friday, October 25th, 2024 - Gaza talks; Trump groping claim; Russian disinfo, Boeing strike & McD’s E. Coli updates; Native American apology and more Oct 25, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Talks are set to resume between the U.S. and Israel in an effort to negotiate a ceasefire and hostage deal in Gaza, while fighting continues. A former Sports Illustrated model has accused Donald Trump of groping her in the 1990s during an encounter arranged by Jeffrey Epstein. Meanwhile, a new analysis shows Russian-funded disinformation on social media has spread false narratives about U.S. hurricane response, with public figures like Trump and Elon Musk amplifying these claims. President Biden is expected to formally apologize for the U.S.'s role in Native American boarding schools, and Boeing's union strike continues as workers rejected a 35% pay raise. McDonald's onion suppliers are linked to an E. Coli outbreak, affecting other chains. And lastly, Beyoncé is set to join Kamala Harris at a rally in Texas.

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Thursday, October 24th, 2024 - Russian disinfo; DOJ vs Musk PAC; Elderly scams; McD's E.Coli; N. Korean troops confirmed; CDC vax updates Oct 24, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Russian disinformation efforts have targeted Kamala Harris’s campaign, with documents revealing that John Mark Dougan, an American living in Moscow, is working directly with Russian military intelligence. The DOJ has warned Elon Musk's PAC that its $1 million giveaways to voters in swing states could violate federal election laws, hinting at a potential criminal investigation. A CNN investigation uncovered a disturbing scam where elderly Americans, some with dementia, were tricked into donating millions to political campaigns, often through deceptive recurring donation schemes. Meanwhile, McDonald’s has pulled Quarter Pounders from 20% of its US locations following an E.Coli outbreak linked to one death and dozens of illnesses. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin confirmed that North Korea has sent troops to Russia, heightening geopolitical tensions. Finally, the CDC has updated its guidelines, recommending pneumococcal vaccines for all adults over 50 to help prevent serious respiratory illnesses like pneumonia.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Wednesday, October 23rd, 2024 - Putin hosts BRICS; Trump echoes Hitler; Giuliani’s assets seized; Musk’s election prizes; Ex A&F CEO arrest and more Oct 23, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Vladimir Putin kicked off the BRICS summit in Kazan, hosting leaders like Xi Jinping and Narendra Modi, representing almost half of the world’s population. Meanwhile, new reports claim Donald Trump wanted the kind of blind loyalty Hitler got from his generals and made offensive comments about paying for a soldier’s funeral. Rudy Giuliani, now bankrupt, has to hand over his penthouse and valuables to two Georgia election workers he defamed. The DOJ is being urged to investigate Elon Musk for offering million-dollar prizes to swing state voters, and security fencing is going up in DC ahead of the election. Former Abercrombie CEO Mike Jeffries has been arrested on sex trafficking charges, while Juul settled lawsuits over misleading consumers and targeting minors.

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Tuesday, October 22nd, 2024 - IDF probe; US trade blacklist; Moldova’s EU bid; Harris-Cheney tour; Trump & Diddy face new lawsuits; AZ election fraud Oct 22, 2024

Today’s Headlines: The US State Department is investigating allegations of human rights violations by Israel's Force 100 unit at the Sde Teiman detention camp, potentially affecting military aid under the Leahy Law. Meanwhile, the US Commerce Department added several foreign companies to its trade blacklist for illegally acquiring military tech for China, Russia, and Iran. In Moldova, voters backed a referendum to join the EU and supported pro-western candidate Maia Sandu in the presidential race, pushing the country further from Russian influence. Kamala Harris and Liz Cheney campaigned in swing states while Donald Trump faced a new defamation lawsuit from the Exonerated 5. Arizona county supervisor Peggy Judd pleaded guilty for refusing to certify 2022 election results, and new lawsuits were filed against Sean "Diddy" Combs, accusing him of sexual abuse, some involving minors.

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Monday, October 21st, 2024 - North Korean troops in Russia; Israel-Hamas-Hezbollah & Campaign trail updates; Boeing strike deal Oct 21, 2024

Today’s Headlines: North Korea has sent 10,000 troops to Russia for military training, preparing them for deployment to Ukraine. This may be the start of a larger effort, with North Korea’s military being one of the world’s largest at 1.2 million soldiers. Turkey’s President Erdogan praised late Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, while Iran’s Foreign Minister was in Turkey for diplomatic talks, raising concerns about regional alliances. Israel is targeting Hezbollah’s financial arm in Lebanon, escalating tensions after strikes hit southern Beirut. The U.S. is investigating the leak of classified documents detailing Israeli plans to attack Iran, which were posted on a Tehran-based Telegram channel. On the campaign trail, Vice President Harris marked her 60th birthday in Georgia, while Donald Trump held rallies, including a McDonald's visit. Elon Musk announced a $1M-a-day lottery until election day, raising legal concerns in Pennsylvania. Trump reportedly tried to silence Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2024 election with financial incentives. And finally, Boeing reached a tentative agreement with its union after a month-long strike, offering a 35% wage increase, but the deal still needs union approval.

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Friday, October 18th, 2024 - Hamas’ Sinwar dead; Trump’s electors & McConnell’s remarks; Strong NC voting; Google blocks ads; Biden cancels $175B in loans Oct 18, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Israeli forces confirmed yesterday that they killed Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, the architect of the October 7th attacks, identifying him through dental records and fingerprints. President Biden and Vice President Harris celebrated the news while calling for a focus on bringing hostages home and ending the war. In the U.S., new reports show that over a dozen of Trump's 2020 "fake electors" are officially serving in his 2024 campaign, raising concerns about potential election chaos. Meanwhile, a new Mitch McConnell biography reveals he called Trump "stupid". In more election news, early voting in North Carolina is off to a strong start, despite ongoing hurricane recovery efforts, with only four polling stations unable to open. In a bid to reduce confusion and disinformation, Google will block election-related ads after polls close on election day, similar to its policy from 2020. Finally, President Biden announced that his student loan forgiveness program has now canceled $175 billion in debt for more than a million public service workers, including teachers, firefighters, and nurses.

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Thursday, October 17th, 2024 - Voter suppression updates; Israel to boost aid; FTC’s ‘click to cancel’; Italy’s anti-surrogacy law Oct 17, 2024

Today’s Headlines: A judge in Georgia blocked a last-minute rule that would have required hand-counting millions of ballots—an impossible task before the certification deadline. The judge also ruled election officials must certify results, even if fraud concerns arise. Meanwhile, Jimmy Carter, aged 100, cast his mail-in vote for Kamala Harris. In Alabama, a federal judge reversed a voter purge that removed over 3,000 names too close to Election Day, violating federal law. Israel is working to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza following a U.S. warning that aid shipments could be halted. The FTC finalized a rule requiring subscription services to make cancellations as easy as signups. Finally, Italy passed a law criminalizing international surrogacy, a move driven by far-right Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

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Wednesday, October 16th, 2024 - USA warns Israel; Hezbollah threats; Record GA voting; Trump's odd behavior; SBA funds dry; LGBTQ+ Honorable Discharges Oct 16, 2024

Today’s Headlines: The U.S. has warned Israel it might cut off military aid if they don’t allow more humanitarian supplies into Gaza, giving them a month to act. Meanwhile, Biden officials believe Israel won’t hit Iran’s nuclear sites, and Hezbollah is ramping up threats of more strikes on Tel Aviv and Haifa. Back in the U.S., Georgia saw record early voter turnout, while the DOJ is stepping in to monitor an Ohio county after concerns about voter intimidation. Trump held a strange town hall where he stopped answering questions and just played music. On the disaster front, Biden announced the government’s disaster loan fund is out of money, leaving recent hurricane survivors in the lurch. But on a positive note, the Pentagon has upgraded 800 discharges for veterans impacted by "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell."

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Tuesday, October 15th, 2024 - US missiles to Israel; Trump’s military threat; FEMA risks; Warren vs. shrinkflation; SpaceX launch; Commonwealth reparations Oct 15, 2024

Today’s Headlines: The Pentagon has deployed an advanced missile defense system, along with 100 U.S. troops, to Israel to strengthen its defenses amid tensions with Iran. Meanwhile, Donald Trump suggested using the military against "radical left lunatics" if re-elected. FEMA workers in North Carolina were relocated due to threats fueled by disinformation. Senators Warren and Dean accused major food companies of profiteering through shrinkflation and tax dodging. SpaceX successfully launched NASA's Europa Clipper mission to explore Jupiter’s moon. Lastly, Commonwealth nations are demanding $240 billion in slavery reparations from the UK.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Friday, October 11th, 2024 - Milton devastation; TD Bank guilty plea, Inflation rises; NYPD shakeup; Diddy trial date Oct 11, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Hurricane Milton struck Florida's western central coast, killing 13 people and leaving 3 million homes without power. A reverse storm surge reduced expected damage, but strong winds caused significant destruction, including knocking a crane onto a building and damaging the Tampa Bay Rays' stadium. In other news, TD Bank pleaded guilty to money laundering, facing a historic settlement with the DOJ. September’s inflation report showed a slight rise, while jobless claims hit a 14-month high. NYC’s NYPD Commissioner resigned amid ongoing federal investigations, and Diddy’s trial for racketeering and trafficking charges has been set for May 5th.

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Thursday, October 10th, 2024 - Milton strikes; Biden talks misinfo; Solar storm warning; Trump lies exposed; TikTok sued; Brazil lifts X ban Oct 10, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Hurricane Milton struck near Tampa, Florida as a Category 3 storm, triggering 19 tornadoes, injuring several, and leaving 350,000 homes without power. President Biden addressed misinformation claiming the storm was "manufactured" and set the record straight. Meanwhile, NOAA issued a warning for a severe solar storm that could disrupt power grids and radio signals. President Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu spoke yesterday to discuss Israel’s possible retaliation against Iran’s nuclear sites, with the U.S. working to prevent escalation despite Israel’s defense minister hinting at a "deadly" response. Back in the US, a report by Senator Sheldon Whitehouse revealed that Trump’s White House restricted the FBI’s investigation into Brett Kavanaugh’s 2018 sexual misconduct allegations, contradicting claims of an independent probe. Additionally, despite denying sending COVID tests to Putin, the Kremlin confirmed the delivery, while denying any recent phone calls between Trump and Putin. Trump is also facing backlash for having "God Bless The USA" bibles made in China. In other news, 13 states sued TikTok for allegedly harming children through addictive features. Brazil lifted its ban on Twitter after the platform blocked disinformation accounts and paid $5.1 million in fines.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Wednesday, October 9th, 2024 - FL braces for Milton; Trump-Putin ties exposed; Hamas sanctions; Election plot foiled; Vance targets Planned Parenthood Oct 09, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Florida is bracing for Hurricane Milton, one of the fastest-intensifying Atlantic storms on record, expected to bring a life-threatening storm surge of up to 15 feet. Evacuation orders are in place amid misinformation spreading online, prompting the White House to post official updates on Reddit. Meanwhile, the U.S. Treasury has imposed sanctions on Hamas’s international fundraising network. The FBI also arrested an Afghan man plotting an Election Day attack. In other news, Bob Woodward’s new book reveals troubling national security details, including Trump’s closeness with Putin and private conversations with foreign leaders. And finally, JD Vance pledged to defund Planned Parenthood, reaffirming the Trump administration's anti-abortion stance.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Tuesday, October 8th, 2024 - Milton's cat 5 threat; SC on TX abortion ban; OK’s “Trump Bible” deal; WV election rejection bill Oct 08, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Hurricane Milton has rapidly strengthened into a Category 5 storm, threatening Florida's central west coast, particularly the flood-prone Tampa area. With landfall expected soon, the National Hurricane Center warns of life-threatening conditions and advises residents to evacuate. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court upheld a Texas ruling allowing hospitals to refuse pregnancy terminations that violate state law, without explanation. In Oklahoma, Ryan Walters, the state superintendent, is pushing for a $3 million Bible purchase for classrooms, conveniently favoring Trump's endorsed “God Bless the USA” Bible. Lastly, West Virginia republicans introduced a bill to reject presidential election results they deem illegitimate, continuing election-related tensions.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Monday, October 7th, 2024 - Helene disinfo, Milton nears; Israel updates; Congress betting legal; Neo-Nazi arrests; Lawler apology; Job growth Oct 07, 2024

Today’s Headlines: As Hurricane Helene recovery continues, misinformation is spreading, but FEMA is debunking false rumors. They've provided $110 million in aid, with additional troops sent to North Carolina. For reliable information please visit: https://www.fema.gov/disaster/current/hurricane-helene/rumor-response

Meanwhile, Florida is now bracing for Hurricane Milton, with warnings of storm surges and heavy rain with flood watches already in place across much of the peninsula. In other news, U.S. authorities issued warnings ahead of the one-year anniversary of Hamas's attack on Israel, flagging potential threats to Jewish communities. Israel’s military strikes in Lebanon continue, with discussions ongoing on how to respond to Iran’s recent missile attack. Back in the US, a court ruling has legalized betting on U.S. congressional elections, sparking controversy. In Los Angeles, 68 members of a neo-Nazi gang were arrested in a major DOJ operation, seizing weapons and drugs. New York Congressman Mike Lawler apologized after old photos of him in blackface resurfaced, raising questions about his re-election prospects. On a brighter note, the September jobs report exceeded expectations, with 254,000 jobs added and unemployment down to 4.1%.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Friday, October 4th, 2024 - Port strike ends; Student loan relief; Trump on migrants; Election fraud conviction; Tyre Nichols verdict; Tulsa massacre probe Oct 04, 2024

Today’s Headlines: The U.S. dockworkers strike was called off after just three days. Workers are back on the job after a tentative agreement was reached, securing a 62% raise over six years. Negotiations will continue until January 15. In other news, a judge allowed President Biden’s student loan forgiveness program to move forward, offering relief to borrowers in several specific categories. Meanwhile, Trump said he would end Temporary Protected Status for immigrants and deport Haitian migrants and former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters was sentenced to nine years in prison for her role in a 2020 election data-breach scheme. A Memphis jury convicts three officers of witness tampering in Tyre Nichols case; only one guilty of civil rights violation. Finally, the DOJ opened its first investigation into the 1921 Tulsa race massacre, though no criminal prosecutions are expected. The focus will be on analyzing the massacre in the context of civil rights laws.

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Thursday, October 3rd, 2024 - Israel - Lebanon conflict & Helene updates; Trump Jan 6th case; Heritage FOIA requests Oct 03, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Tensions remain high as Israel continues its ground offensive in Lebanon and retaliates against Iran’s missile strike, which damaged a key airbase. While there were no casualties from the strike, Israel faces economic pressure with credit downgrades. Meanwhile, Hurricane Helene has left nearly 200 dead, millions without power, and climate change linked to its intensity. On the legal front, new evidence in the January 6th case shows Trump’s refusal to act during the Capitol violence. Additionally, Heritage Foundation investigators have been filing massive public records requests to scrutinize federal employees' communications.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Wednesday, October 2nd, 2024 - Iran strikes; Port strike; Trump delays, Diddy lawsuits; LA abortion drug ban Oct 02, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Last night's VP debate between JD Vance and Tim Walz hit on big topics like national security and immigration. Catch my full recap on the American Fever Dream podcast tomorrow morning. In other news, Iran launched its biggest missile strike on Israel after Israel entered Lebanon. Iran says it’s retaliation for the killing of Hamas and Hezbollah leaders. No Israeli deaths were reported, but a Palestinian was killed. Iran’s president is now suggesting talks as sanctions bite. Meanwhile, 50,000 U.S. port workers went on strike, halting major imports like cars and food. They're pushing for a 77% raise after years without one, and negotiations have stalled. Trump’s team is claiming new evidence in his January 6th case is politically timed, but it’s really a result of delays and legal adjustments. 120 sexual assault lawsuits were filed against Diddy, with many victims saying they were minors when the assaults happened. And finally, Louisiana has classified mifepristone and misoprostol as controlled substances, making them harder to access. These drugs, used for abortions and treating postpartum hemorrhage, now require special authorization, raising concerns about maternal healthcare.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Tuesday, October 1st, 2024 - Israel invasion; GA abortion ban overturned & chemical fire; AI bill vetoed, dye ban approved; VP Debate Oct 01, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Israel has officially launched a ground invasion into Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah's tunnel network along the border. Strikes have reached Beirut, forcing about 1 million people to flee their homes. Meanwhile, the U.S. is sending an additional 2,000–3,000 troops to the region. In a twist, one of the top Hamas commanders killed in Lebanon turned out to be a suspended UNRWA employee, sparking further investigations into the UN agency. In Georgia, a judge just struck down the state’s 6-week abortion ban, and in Rockdale County, people are being evacuated after a chemical plant fire released chlorine into the air. Over in California, Governor Newsom vetoed a first-of-its-kind AI safety bill but approved a law banning certain artificial dyes in school meals. And tonight, get ready for the vice presidential debate between Tim Walz and JD Vance, airing at 9 p.m. Eastern.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Monday, September 30th, 2024 - Helene hits; Hezbollah leader dead; Iranian hackers charged; Harris on border; Far right wins Austria Sep 30, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Hurricane Helene has caused at least 93 casualties across six states, including North and South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Virginia, and Tennessee, with hundreds still missing. The storm caused severe inland flooding, power outages for millions, and more rain is expected to worsen conditions. Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes killed Hezbollah's leader, Hassan Nasrallah, and senior commanders. Iran has vowed retaliation. The U.S. is considering boosting military presence in the region to prepare for possible escalation. In other news, U.S. prosecutors charged three Iranian hackers with targeting American officials, including Roger Stone, with phishing schemes tied to election interference. Finally, Kamala Harris proposed stricter border policies and the far-right Freedom Party won Austria's election, signaling a growing trend of populist victories in Europe.

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Friday, September 27th, 2024 - Adams indicted; Giuliani disbarred; NC Voter Purge; Netanyahu Rejects Ceasefire; Secret Service scandal; Free COVID tests Sep 27, 2024

Today’s Headlines: New York City Mayor Eric Adams has been hit with serious charges, including wire fraud and taking bribes from Turkey. He allegedly tried to cover up free travel and used illegal campaign donations to get millions in public funds. Meanwhile, Rudy Giuliani’s been disbarred in D.C. for trying to help Trump overturn the 2020 election. In other updates, North Carolina has removed 747,000 voters from the rolls, and Israel's Prime Minister Netanyahu says he won't stop strikes on Hezbollah anytime soon. The Secret Service is also looking into a misconduct claim involving someone on Kamala Harris' team. On a lighter note, the government has restarted its free COVID test program—you can order four kits starting next week

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Thursday, September 26th, 2024 - Israel strikes; AI election interference; Congress avoids shutdown; Hurricane Helene approaches Sep 26, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Today’s Headlines: Israel is gearing up for a potential ground invasion of southern Lebanon, focusing on Hezbollah militants with over 2,000 airstrikes in just three days. Meanwhile, President Biden is pushing for a diplomatic pause in the fighting and working on a ceasefire deal for Gaza. On the election front, a new intelligence report shows that Russia, Iran, and China are using AI to spread disinformation with Russia focused on boosting Trump and attacking Kamala Harris on immigration; and Iran targeting voters with false information about the Israel-Hamas war. In Ohio, a Haitian group has filed charges against Trump and JD Vance over harmful lies targeting their community. In other news, Congress has avoided a government shutdown for now by passing a temporary funding bill, and new ethics rules for Supreme Court justices are raising eyebrows. Finally, Florida is bracing for Hurricane Helene, a massive Category 4 storm set to cause major flooding and storm surges across the state.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Wednesday, September 25th, 2024 - Israel/Hezbollah updates; Biden at UN; Iran-Russia deal; Voter suppression update; Williams execution; Harris’ push to codify Roe Sep 25, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Israel continues strikes on Lebanon, killing a top Hezbollah commander, while the IDF aims to end the conflict quickly. The UN Security Council will hold an emergency meeting on Lebanon. President Biden, during his UN speech, emphasized alliances and criticized leaders focused on power. Meanwhile, Iran has been brokering secret talks between Russia and Yemen's Houthi rebels over missile supplies. Back in the US, Mississippi, a case challenging mail-in voting rules could affect other state and Missouri executed Marcellus Williams despite doubts about his conviction. Finally, Kamala Harris supports ending the Senate filibuster to codify Roe v. Wade.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Tuesday, September 24th, 2024 - Israel strikes; UN Assembly; NE electoral push fails; Trump plot; Crime falls; CA sues Exxon; Book bans up Sep 24, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Israel has ramped up strikes on Lebanon, aiming at Hezbollah and leaving nearly 500 dead and 1,500 injured. As global leaders gather for the UN General Assembly, discussions center on the fallout from the Middle East conflict and the war in Ukraine. Back in the U.S., Lindsey Graham’s push to change Nebraska’s electoral system hit a roadblock. A man who attempted to assassinate Donald Trump could face life in prison. FBI stats show violent crime dropped 3% last year. California is suing ExxonMobil for misleading the public on plastics recycling. And book bans in U.S. schools have tripled, with Florida and Iowa leading the charge.

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Monday, September 23rd, 2024 - Early voting begins; Voter suppression updates; TX maternal mortality rise; Robinson & Gaetz scandals Sep 23, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Election Day is just 42 days away, but early voting has already started in Minnesota, South Dakota, and Virginia. Most states offer early voting, except for Alabama, New Hampshire, and Mississippi (which has some exceptions). Meanwhile, Georgia's Board of Elections has sparked controversy with a rule requiring counties to hand-count millions of ballots—raising concerns about delays and errors. Other red states, like Texas and Oklahoma, continue voter suppression efforts, purging hundreds of thousands of voters and closing polling locations in minority areas. In Texas, the maternal mortality rate jumped 56% after its abortion bans, hitting Black and Hispanic women the hardest. And in North Carolina, Republican candidate for governor Mark Robinson is facing backlash over racist and offensive comments, leading key campaign staff to resign. Finally, Congressman Matt Gaetz is once again under fire—this time, with fresh allegations involving a minor at a sex party, adding to his ongoing House Ethics investigation.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

Rock The Vote: Nationwide Early Voting
WA Post: Pro-Trump Georgia election board votes to require hand counts of ballots
The Guardian: Network of Georgia election officials strategizing to undermine 2024 result
NBC News: A dramatic rise in pregnant women dying in Texas after abortion ban
WA Post: Porn site user linked to Mark Robinson also praised Hitler's Mein Kampf
New Republic: New Docs Reveal Horrific Extent of Matt Gaetz’s Creepy Sex Scandal

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Friday, September 20th, 2024 - Mark Robinson scandal; Hezbollah's threat; SC justices targeted; Graham backs NE electoral votes change Sep 20, 2024

Today’s Headlines: North Carolina’s Lt. Governor and GOP candidate for Governor, Mark Robinson, is facing backlash after a CNN report revealed he made offensive comments on a porn forum under his personal email. He denies the claims, calling them "tabloid trash." In other news, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah warned Israel of retaliation after they remotely detonated Hezbollah communication devices, calling it an act of war. Meanwhile, a 76-year-old man in Alaska was arrested for sending over 400 threats to Supreme Court justices. And finally, Senator Lindsey Graham is working with Nebraska lawmakers to change the state's electoral vote system before the 2024 election.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Thursday, September 19th, 2024 - Israel ramps up offensive; Fed cuts rates; Iranian hackers’ offer; U.S. OD deaths drop Sep 19, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Israel ramped up its offensive against Hezbollah yesterday by detonating thousands of two-way radios used by the group in Lebanon, killing 20 and injuring 450. This is part of Israel’s effort to neutralize Hezbollah so displaced families can return home. U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken, said they had no advance knowledge of the operation. Elsewhere, Iranian hackers tried to share stolen Trump campaign data with the Biden-Harris campaign, though there’s no sign the offer was accepted. The Fed cut interest rates to 4.8% and hinted more cuts are on the way. Meanwhile, House Republicans blocked a government funding bill, bringing the U.S. closer to a shutdown. On a brighter note, U.S. overdose deaths fell by 10.6%, the first decline in decades.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Wednesday, September 18th, 2024 - Senate Blocks IVF Bill; Russian disinfo targets Harris; AZ voter glitch; Diddy’s charges Sep 18, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Senate Republicans just blocked the Right to IVF Act, halting efforts to protect access to IVF treatments. Only two Republicans backed the bill, while Senator JD Vance didn’t even show up to vote. Meanwhile, Microsoft researchers revealed Russian-backed groups are spreading disinformation about Vice President Harris, and election officials in 15 states have received suspicious packages, sparking federal investigations. In Ohio, a sheriff urged people to track homes supporting Harris, and in Arizona, a DMV glitch may prevent 100,000 voters from participating in state elections. Israel launched a strike killing Hezbollah commanders in Lebanon, and Sean Combs was arrested on federal sex trafficking charges dating back to 2008.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Tuesday, September 17th, 2024 - GA abortion ban deaths; Trump’s crypto; TikTok ban; Toxic chemicals in food packaging Sep 17, 2024

Today’s Headlines: A new ProPublica report reveals that at least two women in Georgia, including 28-year-old Amber Nicole Thurman, died because doctors were too afraid to perform necessary abortion procedures under the state’s restrictive ban. Thurman’s death followed a 20-hour delay in treating her post-abortion complications. In other news, Donald Trump has launched a cryptocurrency exchange called World Liberty Financial, involving his sons and even 18-year-old Barron. Meanwhile, TikTok is taking the U.S. government to court over its sale-or-ban law, claiming it violates free speech. A pipeline fire in Houston forced evacuations, and a new study has found that over 3,000 harmful chemicals from food packaging have been detected in human blood, hair, and breast milk.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Monday, September 16th, 2024 - Trump assassination foiled; Vance’s lies & OH bomb threats; Boeing strike Sep 16, 2024

Today’s Headlines: The Secret Service stopped a potential assassination attempt on Donald Trump while he was golfing in West Palm Beach, Florida. The gunman, Ryan Wesley Routh, was arrested after fleeing the scene. In Springfield, Ohio, bomb threats shut down schools and public buildings after Trump spread false claims that immigrants were eating animals. JD Vance later admitted he pushed the story to get media attention. New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ chief legal adviser, Lisa Zornberg, resigned amid growing investigations into Adams’ circle. Lastly, Boeing workers went on strike, demanding a 40% pay raise after rejecting the company’s offer of 25%.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Friday, September 13th, 2024 - Jan 6 Security boost; Garland vows justice; Trump skips debate; NYPD’s Caban resigns; New Weinstein charges Sep 13, 2024

Today’s Headlines: The Department of Homeland Security has designated January 6th, the date for certifying the presidential election, as a National Special Security Event, ensuring heightened security similar to events like the Super Bowl. This move was requested by Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser. Meanwhile, Attorney General Merrick Garland reassured Justice Department staff of its continued commitment to upholding the rule of law, despite increased threats due to ongoing prosecutions. Donald Trump also announced he would not participate in another debate with Vice President Kamala Harris. In New York, NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban resigned amidst an FBI corruption investigation. Lastly, Harvey Weinstein has been indicted on new sex crimes charges as prosecutors prepare for his retrial in November

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Thursday, September 12th, 2024 - 9/11 remembrance, 67M watch debate, Taylor Swift drives voter registrations, Inflation cools, Hurricane hits Louisiana Sep 12, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Following the debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump, both attended the 9/11 remembrance ceremony in New York alongside President Biden, JD Vance, and others. Harris and Biden also participated in memorial events in Pennsylvania and at the Pentagon. The debate attracted 67 million viewers, while Taylor Swift's endorsement of Harris drove over 300,000 clicks to voter registration. Meanwhile, foreign officials praised Harris’s performance. Inflation data showed a 2.5% rise in August, and Hurricane Francine hit Louisiana, causing widespread power outages.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Wednesday, September 11th, 2024 - Swift backs Harris following debate; Vance's Jan 6th comments; GOP shutdown; Wildfire evacuations Sep 11, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump went head-to-head in a debate, while Taylor Swift made waves by endorsing Harris on Instagram shortly after. Meanwhile, Republican vice-presidential candidate JD Vance said that if he had been in Mike Pence’s position on January 6th, he would have asked states to submit alternative slates of electors to overturn the 2020 election results. On Capitol Hill, House Republicans are once again threatening a government shutdown unless the SAVE Act, which requires new voters to provide proof of citizenship, is passed. In state news, Missouri’s pro-abortion amendment will remain on the ballot following a state Supreme Court ruling. Additionally, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. successfully removed his name from North Carolina’s ballot, leading to last-minute reprinting. Finally, fast-spreading wildfires in California and Nevada have forced evacuations, with governors in both states declaring emergencies as the fires continue to spread.

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Tuesday, September 10th, 2024 - Prez debate; Foreign disinfo updates; State elections; Biden’s new mental health coverage rules Sep 10, 2024

Today’s Headlines: The presidential debate is tonight on ABC News at 9pm ET. In disinformation news, Iran has escalated its efforts to interfere in U.S. elections, particularly through phishing attacks aimed at Donald Trump’s advisor Roger Stone and attempts on the Biden and Harris campaigns. The goal appears to be sowing discord and undermining American democracy, especially amid the Gaza conflict. Meanwhile, the DOJ has charged former Trump advisor Dimitri Simes and his wife with money laundering for a sanctioned Russian broadcaster. Trump has claimed he will jail political adversaries if re-elected and opposition candidate to Venezuelan dictator, Maduro has fled to Spain to seek political asylum. In state-level news, Florida voters are being questioned by police for signing a petition to protect abortion rights, while Missouri faces legal battles over a similar amendment. North Carolina’s election start may be delayed due to legal disputes over RFK Jr.'s candidacy. Texas is suing to gain access to medical records of women traveling for abortions, and the Biden administration introduced new rules to improve mental health care coverage under private insurance.

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Monday, September 9th, 2024 - Apalachee & Trump sentencing updates; Cheney Endorses Harris; NYC Mayor probed; Airlines scrutinized; Weinstein gets lucky…again Sep 09, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Colin Gray, the father of the Apalachee High School shooter, has been arrested and charged with multiple counts, including involuntary manslaughter and second-degree murder. His son, charged with felony murder, will be tried as an adult. Colin reportedly bought the AR-15 used in the shooting, despite his son's previous threats. Meanwhile, Donald Trump’s sentencing in the New York hush money case has been postponed, and Dick Cheney has endorsed Kamala Harris, calling Donald Trump a major threat to the republic. Federal investigators have also searched key advisors to NYC Mayor Eric Adams amid ongoing corruption probes. Lastly, the Biden administration is scrutinizing airline frequent flyer programs for transparency, while UK prosecutors dropped sexual assault charges against Harvey Weinstein.

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Friday, September 6th, 2024 - Apalachee, Russian interference & Trump trial updates; Texas voter suppression; Hunter Biden plea Sep 06, 2024

Today’s Headlines: After a school shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, left four people dead and nine injured, authorities have charged 14-year-old Colt Gray with four felony counts of murder. Gray, who reportedly had a past history of online school shooting threats, allegedly took the gun from his parents. Meanwhile, the Department of Justice revealed that Tennessee-based Tenet Media, linked to Russian election interference, paid influencers exorbitant sums to push pro-Kremlin narratives. In other news, Donald Trump endorsed a plan to have Elon Musk lead a government spending audit, and Trump’s election interference trial will not begin until after the 2024 election. Finally, Hunter Biden entered a guilty plea in his tax evasion case, facing up to 15 years in prison and significant fines.

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Thursday, September 5th, 2024 - GA school shooting; Russian interference; Harris' small biz plan; OH Abortion Ruling Sep 05, 2024

Today’s Headlines: The tragic shooting at Apalachee High School in Georgia left four teenagers dead, spotlighting the state's lax gun laws. Meanwhile, the Biden administration announced actions to counter Russian election interference in 2024, including sanctions and criminal charges. Despite a warrant from the International Criminal Court, Vladimir Putin's visit to Mongolia went unchallenged. Vice President Kamala Harris proposed a small business tax expansion and earned an endorsement from Liz Cheney, as a Goldman Sachs report projected stronger economic growth under a Harris presidency. Lastly, an Ohio court blocked two abortion restrictions, citing a recent constitutional amendment.

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Wednesday, September 4th, 2024 - DOJ Charges Hamas, Chinese Disinfo Campaign & Kathy Hochul’s Aide; Hotel Union Strike Sep 04, 2024

Today’s Headlines: The DOJ announced criminal charges against Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar and other senior militants for the October 7th attack, including conspiracy to murder U.S. nationals and use weapons of mass destruction. The charges, filed in New York, also accuse Iran and Hezbollah of supporting the attack. In election news, Kamala Harris' campaign plans to transfer $25 million to support Democratic candidates in down-ballot races while Donald Trump's attempt to move his hush money case to federal court was denied. Additionally, a Chinese-linked disinformation campaign has been targeting American social media and a deputy chief of staff to NY Governor Kathy Hochul was charged with aiding the Chinese Communist Party. Lastly, hotel union workers across major chains went on strike over wages and staffing issues.

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Tuesday, September 3rd, 2024 - Israeli hostages; Brazil bans X; Maduro updates; Warning for parents; Q2 GDP was 3% Sep 03, 2024

Today’s Headlines: The Israeli military recovered the bodies of six hostages in Gaza, who were executed by Hamas just hours before their rescue. Among the victims were three individuals set to be released under a humanitarian deal. The executions were reportedly ordered by Hamas following a prior Israeli rescue mission. The incident led to widespread protests in Israel against Prime Minister Netanyahu, accusing him of delaying a deal to maintain his political power. In related news, the UK temporarily suspended some arms export licenses to Israel over concerns of violations in Gaza. Additionally, the U.S. government seized a plane belonging to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, escalating tensions following a disputed election. In Brazil, Elon Musk's refusal to comply with legal requirements led to a suspension of X. Finally, the U.S. Surgeon General issued a warning about the mental and physical health impacts of parenting, advocating for cultural support, and the U.S. economy saw 3% growth in the second quarter of 2024.

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Friday, August 30th, 2024 Aug 30, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Israel and Hamas have agreed to three separate, three-day pauses in fighting in Gaza to facilitate the vaccination of approximately 640,000 children against polio. This decision follows the confirmation of the first polio case in Gaza in 25 years. The pauses will begin on Sunday, with the option to extend each pause to a fourth day if necessary. In other news, Vice President Kamala Harris along with Tim Walz sat down for an interview with CNN's Dana Bash, while Donald Trump's campaign faced backlash for filming at Arlington National Cemetery. Additionally, charges against two former Louisville police officers involved in the Breonna Taylor case were dismissed, and a listeria outbreak linked to Boar's Head deli meats has resulted in nine deaths across 18 states. Lastly, Brazil's Supreme Court has warned Elon Musk that Twitter could be suspended in the country if it fails to designate a legal representative there.

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Thursday, August 29th, 2024 Aug 29, 2024

Today’s Headlines: The Democratic National Committee and Georgia's state Democratic party have filed a lawsuit against Georgia's State Election Board to block new rules that could allow county officials to refuse to certify elections. These rules, praised by Donald Trump, are seen as violating state law. Meanwhile, RFK Jr. is still on the ballot in several states despite trying to remove himself. Donald Trump's campaign has been running TV ads in Palm Beach just for his own visibility, while Congress members visited the site of a recent assassination attempt on Trump. In corporate news, Kroger is facing scrutiny for hiking grocery prices more than necessary, while the FTC is trying to block its merger with Albertsons. Lastly, a tragic incident occurred at Atlanta's airport, where two Delta employees were killed after a Boeing 747 tire exploded.

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Wednesday, August 28th, 2024 Aug 28, 2024

Today’s Headlines: The Israeli military rescued a 52-year-old Bedouin Arab hostage, Farhan al-Qadi, from a tunnel in Gaza. He was kidnapped during an attack on October 7th and was found unguarded. In Gaza, a 10-month-old baby contracted polio, marking the first case in 26 years, as the UN urges a vaccination pause amid ongoing conflict. Meanwhile, DOJ Special Counsel Jack Smith filed a new indictment against Donald Trump, adjusting charges to comply with a Supreme Court ruling. Trump also faced controversy at Arlington National Cemetery, and RFK Jr. will remain on Michigan’s ballot despite endorsing Trump. Additionally, Mark Zuckerberg claimed that the Biden administration pressured Meta to censor Covid-19 content. Finally, heat alerts are affecting 75 million Americans from the Midwest to the Mid-Atlantic.

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Tuesday, August 27th, 2024 Aug 27, 2024

Today’s Headlines: French prosecutors have arrested Telegram CEO Pavel Durov as part of an investigation involving a range of serious charges, including money laundering, drug trafficking, and child pornography. Durov remains in police custody without formal charges. Meanwhile, Texas has removed over 1 million voters from its rolls under Governor Greg Abbott’s voter-suppression measures, sparking a DOJ investigation request by the Latino civil rights group LULAC over targeted raids. Special Counsel Jack Smith is appealing a judge’s decision to dismiss Trump’s classified documents case, and in Alaska, a deadly landslide has claimed one life. Additionally, a CDC report shows a 117% rise in heat-related deaths between 1999 and 2023, as extreme temperatures continue to escalate. Finally, Los Angeles will pay over $38 million to settle a lawsuit for falsely claiming its affordable housing units were accessible to people with disabilities.

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Monday, August 26th, 2024 Aug 26, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Donald Trump’s Bedminster golf club will host a fundraiser next week to support January 6th defendants, despite reports that Trump may not attend. In international news, Israel conducted preemptive strikes against Hezbollah, with casualties on both sides, while ceasefire talks resume in Cairo. The Taliban in Afghanistan implemented new restrictive laws banning women’s voices and faces in public. Meta revealed that Iranian hackers attempted to breach WhatsApp accounts of Trump and Biden-Harris campaign staffers. Telegram CEO Pavel Durov was arrested in France over content moderation issues. Two astronauts are stranded at the International Space Station until February due to safety concerns with the Boeing capsule, and Dr. Anthony Fauci is recovering from West Nile Virus.

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Friday, August 23rd, 2024 Aug 23, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Vice President Kamala Harris officially accepted the Democratic nomination for president at the convention in Chicago, with less than 75 days until the election. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is expected to drop out of the presidential race and endorse Donald Trump, as his campaign reportedly runs out of funds. Meanwhile, the FDA has approved new COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna to combat the latest strain, kP2, which has driven a surge in cases this summer. Lastly, Andrew Tate has been detained and placed under house arrest in Romania, facing serious charges, including human trafficking and sexual relations with a minor.

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Thursday, August 22nd, 2024 Aug 22, 2024

Today’s Headlines: On the third night of the Democratic National Convention, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz was officially nominated as the party's vice-presidential candidate. The evening featured performances by Stevie Wonder, John Legend, and Maren Morris, along with segments on January 6th and speeches from prominent Democrats, including Senators Amy Klobuchar and Cortez Masto, Governors Wes Moore and Josh Shapiro, and former President Bill Clinton. Oprah also made an appearance to formally endorse the Harris/Walz ticket. Meanwhile, RFK Jr. is expected to drop his independent presidential bid and endorse Donald Trump, and Montana will vote on a constitutional amendment to protect abortion rights in November. Additionally, the DOJ is investigating Americans linked to Russian state media, and Columbia University is under scrutiny for its handling of antisemitism, with a House committee issuing a subpoena for records.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

Axios: DNC lineup: Who's speaking and what to expect
NBC News: RFK Jr. is planning to drop out of the 2024 presidential race and endorse Trump
NY Times: Montana Certifies Signatures for November Abortion Question
NY Times: U.S. Investigating Americans Who Worked With Russian State Television
NAtional Review: House Republicans Subpoena Columbia University Leadership in Antisemitism Investigation

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Wednesday, August 21st, 2024 Aug 21, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Secretary of State Antony Blinken returned from his Middle East trip without significant progress on a ceasefire and hostage deal, as Hamas accused the U.S. of siding with Israel. Major disagreements persist over control of key Gaza crossings and movement restrictions. Meanwhile, Israel's military recovered the bodies of six hostages in Gaza, with over 100 still captive. Reports also surfaced of Donald Trump allegedly discussing the ceasefire with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, though Netanyahu denies any conversation took place. In other news, President Biden quietly approved a revised nuclear deterrence strategy focusing on Russia, China, and North Korea. Additionally, the Arizona Supreme Court ruled to include an abortion rights measure on November ballots, a federal judge struck down the FTC's noncompete ban, and banks that financed Elon Musk’s Twitter acquisition are facing major losses.

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Tuesday, August 20th, 2024 Aug 20, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Israel has reportedly accepted a ceasefire and hostage deal, despite Hamas's rejection of the latest proposal. Mediators are now pressuring Hamas to agree, though specific details could take days to finalize. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, on his ninth trip to the region since October 7th, warned that this might be the last chance to secure a ceasefire and free hostages before significant regional escalation. Meanwhile, the Democratic Party is gathered in Chicago for the convention, where President Biden headlined speeches in support of Vice President Kamala Harris's presidential nomination. In other news, former NY Representative George Santos pled guilty to felony fraud charges, admitting to multiple criminal acts including wire fraud, identity theft, and misuse of campaign funds, he will face sentencing on February 7th.

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Monday, August 19th, 2024 Aug 19, 2024

Today’s Headlines: A potential ceasefire and hostage deal between Israel and Hamas fell apart yesterday after Hamas rejected the latest proposal, blaming Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. The disagreement centered around control of the Rafah crossing, the Philadelphi Corridor, and restrictions on civilian movement in Gaza. While this setback raises concerns about possible Iranian retaliation, President Biden remains hopeful, stating that negotiations are ongoing. Meanwhile, Biden is set to speak at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago tonight, with Vice President Harris expected to accept the party's nomination later this week. Harris is also promoting her economic policy, which includes tackling corporate price gouging, lowering drug prices, and proposing tax credits for families and first-time homebuyers. Additionally, Democratic representatives are urging Pentagon leaders to keep the military uninvolved in the upcoming election, the Supreme Court has blocked the Biden administration from enforcing protections for transgender students in certain states, and hackers have allegedly stolen the social security numbers of every American, putting the data up for sale on the dark web.

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Friday, August 16th, 2024 Aug 16, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Ukraine’s offensive against Russia is gaining momentum, with fighting now spreading beyond the Kursk region into Belgorod. This unexpected push has forced Russia to pull back some troops from inside Ukraine, and Ukrainian intelligence reports they’ve detained over 100 Russian soldiers. Meanwhile, in the US, Trump’s legal team is trying to delay his sentencing for 34 felonies until after the November election, claiming the current September date is politically motivated. On the policy front, the White House secured deals with major pharmaceutical companies to significantly lower the prices of 10 of Medicare’s most expensive drugs by 2026, which could save Americans billions. They also announced ambitious plans to build over 2 million new homes to tackle housing costs, with Kamala Harris adding her own proposals to support first-time homeowners and crack down on corporate price-gouging in the food industry. And as election season heats up, both campaigns have agreed to a vice presidential debate on October 1st, just in time for spooky season.

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Thursday, August 15th, 2024 Aug 15, 2024

Today’s Headlines: The US Air Force is refusing to clean up drinking water it contaminated with toxic "forever chemicals" near its bases in Tucson, Arizona, citing the Supreme Court's recent overturning of the Chevron deference doctrine, which limits the EPA's authority to enforce such cleanups. This comes after the EPA ordered the Air Force and National Guard to address the issue in May. Meanwhile, Ilhan Omar won her primary in Minnesota, ultra-MAGA Eric Hovde secured the GOP Senate nomination in Wisconsin, and Wisconsin voters rejected two Republican ballot measures. Inflation numbers show a 2.9% rise in the core Consumer Price Index, the lowest since 2021. Hurricane Ernesto, now a Category 1 storm, has left nearly half of Puerto Rico without power, and Ford and Mazda have issued a recall warning due to dangerous airbag inflators in certain older models.

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Wednesday, August 14th, 2024 Aug 14, 2024

Today’s Headlines: The US has approved $20 billion in arms sales to Israel, but don’t expect those fighter jets and missiles to arrive anytime soon—these are long-term contracts aimed at strengthening Israel’s defenses for years to come. In other news, Project 2025’s training videos, published by ProPublica, reveal plans to overhaul the federal government, including tips on dodging FOIA requests and outmaneuvering “left-wing” judges. Despite Trump’s attempts to distance himself, most of the speakers involved had ties to his administration. Meanwhile Donald and Elon Musk are now facing federal labor charges after their Twitter Spaces chat led to accusations of anti-union behavior. Arizona and Missouri have secured spots for abortion rights initiatives on their November ballots, with more states possibly joining soon. The Biden-Harris administration is also making moves with their “Time Is Money” initiative to curb corporate practices that waste consumers’ time, and Biden announced $150 million in grants for the Cancer Moonshot program. Tropical Storm Ernesto is set to become a Category 3 hurricane, threatening Puerto Rico with potential power outages. And finally, the Olympics Court of Arbitration rejected the US’s appeal over Jordan Chiles’ bronze medal, while Algerian boxer Imane Khelief filed a lawsuit against Elon Musk and JK Rowling for cyber harassment.

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Tuesday, August 13th, 2024 Aug 13, 2024

Today’s Headlines: U.S. intelligence is expecting Iran to launch an attack on Israel this week, with reports indicating that Iran has been prepping its missile and drone units, similar to what they did before their strike in April. The U.S. is working closely with regional allies and European countries, issuing a stern warning to Iran about the serious consequences of any deadly attack. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has also ramped up U.S. defenses in the Middle East. On the cybersecurity front, the FBI is investigating attempts by Iranian hackers to breach both the Trump and Biden-Harris campaigns, sparking fresh worries about foreign meddling in the 2024 election. In other news, Donald Trump reportedly flew to a rally on a plane that once belonged to Jeffrey Epstein, adding another bizarre twist to the campaign trail. Meanwhile, RFK Jr. is facing legal challenges to stay on the ballot in several states. Lastly, California experienced a 4.4 magnitude earthquake near Los Angeles, but fortunately, there were no major damages or casualties.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Monday, August 12th, 2024 Aug 12, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Hamas has announced that it will not participate in the final round of ceasefire and hostage deal talks scheduled by the U.S., Egypt, and Qatar. Meanwhile, intelligence reports indicate that Iran, possibly in coordination with Hezbollah, is preparing a large-scale retaliatory strike against Israel in response to the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. This follows a deadly IDF strike on a former school in Gaza that killed at least 100 people. In other news, Donald Trump's campaign was reportedly hacked, with documents leaked to Politico, raising concerns about foreign interference in the upcoming U.S. presidential election. Additionally, three teenagers were arrested in connection with a foiled terrorist plot targeting Taylor Swift's Eras Tour in Vienna. Lastly, the Paris Olympics concluded with the U.S. leading in total medals, though a controversy has emerged over American gymnast Jordan Chiles' bronze medal.

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Friday, August 9th, 2024 Aug 09, 2024

Today’s Headlines: President Biden, along with the Emir of Qatar and the President of Egypt, has called on Israel and Hamas to engage in a final round of negotiations next week to reach a hostage and ceasefire agreement. The leaders emphasized that a framework for the agreement is already in place and urged for no further delays. The summit will begin on August 15th in either Cairo or Doha. Meanwhile, Ukrainian troops surprised Russia by occupying villages in the Kursk region, marking the first such incursion since the war began in 2022. In U.S. politics, Donald Trump has agreed to participate in the September 10th presidential debate on ABC News, after attempts to move it to Fox News. Lastly, a new AP-NORC poll reveals that only 1 in 5 Americans believe democracy will survive the 2024 election, with nearly 60% fearing that the election's outcome could put democracy at risk.

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Thursday, August 8th, 2024 Aug 08, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Taylor Swift's three Eras Tour shows in Vienna have been canceled after law enforcement arrested two men planning a terrorist attack on the Ernst Happel Stadium, where the concerts were to be held. The suspects were reportedly radicalized online by the Islamic State, with one being a 19-year-old Austrian found with bomb-making chemicals at his home. Missouri Representative Cori Bush lost her primary to Wesley Bell, largely due to her polarizing positions and a federal investigation into her campaign spending. In Kansas, Democrat Marvin Robinson lost his primary after controversially supporting an anti-trans bill. Additionally, Georgia's State Election Board has granted local officials new powers over election result certification, which has raised concerns about potential delays. Finally, the publication of Kevin Roberts' book "Project 2025," for which JD Vance wrote the foreword, has been delayed due to the unpopularity of its ideas and Donald Trump's dissatisfaction with their association with his campaign.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

NY Times: Taylor Swift’s Vienna Concerts Are Canceled After Terror Plot Arrests
Politico: 3 big takeaways from Tuesday’s primaries: An incumbent loss, Trump’s endorsement power and more
NBC News: Georgia gives local officials new powers to investigate election results
Real Clear Politics: Heritage President To Delay Book Publication After Project 2025 Firestorm
Wa Post: Trump took a private flight with Project 2025 leader in 2022

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Wednesday, August 7th, 2024 Aug 07, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Vice President Kamala Harris has chosen Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate. They launched their campaign at a rally in Philadelphia and are touring key battleground states this week. In other news, a Pakistani national with ties to Iran was arrested for plotting to assassinate Donald Trump and other officials. The suspect, Asif Merchant, was caught by FBI informants posing as hitmen. Israel is on high alert for a major strike from Iran. Yahya Sinwar, leader of Hamas's military wing, has also taken over its political leadership following the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh. In Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro is refusing to concede despite losing the recent election to Edmundo Gonzalez. Protests continue, resulting in over 2,000 imprisonments and at least 22 deaths by pro-government forces. Tropical Storm Debby has caused extreme flooding and six fatalities in Florida and Georgia, with Virginia declaring a state of emergency and Charleston enforcing a curfew. Lastly, the Department of Homeland Security has partnered with Lyft in their Blue Campaign to combat human trafficking. Lyft drivers will now receive training to help identify and report potential trafficking situations.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Tuesday, August 6th, 2024 Aug 06, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Tensions are escalating in the Middle East. Several US troops were injured in a rocket attack at Al Asad airbase in Iraq, with no details on the number of injured or responsible parties. This attack follows recent strikes on US bases in Iraq and Syria by Iran’s proxies since the Israel-Hamas war began last October. Israel is preparing for a major retaliatory assault from Iran, anticipated within the next 24-48 hours. Meanwhile, nine UN employees in Gaza have been fired for their involvement in the October 7th attack. In the US, Elon Musk’s America PAC is under investigation for running scam voter registration websites, and Google has been found guilty of antitrust violations. The Supreme Court rejected an attempt to delay Donald Trump’s sentencing, and new concerns have arisen about undisclosed trips taken by Justice Clarence Thomas. The stock market experienced significant losses, partly due to Middle East tensions and fears of a recession. Hurricane Debby is expected to bring heavy rainfall and flash flooding to the southeast. Finally, Vice President Kamala Harris is set to announce her vice presidential pick today, with Tim Walz and Josh Shapiro as the final contenders.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Monday, August 5th, 2024 Aug 05, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Israel is preparing for a series of retaliatory strikes from Iran over several days, with Prime Minister Netanyahu declaring a "multi-front war" with Iran and its allies. Despite ongoing rocket fire from Hezbollah and Hamas, ceasefire and hostage deal talks in Gaza continue. Meanwhile, the US and UK urge their citizens to leave Lebanon due to rising tensions. Reports suggest Donald Trump received $10 million from Egypt’s National Bank before his 2017 inauguration, possibly from President Abdel Fatah El-Sisi. Despite investigations, the case was dropped under Attorney General Bill Barr. During his presidency, Trump praised El-Sisi and released over a billion dollars in military aid to Egypt. Elon Musk’s America PAC is under fire for misleading voter registration ads targeting swing states, collecting personal information for pro-Trump canvassing efforts. The PAC has spent over $800,000 on these ads in the past month. The CDC is investigating a listeria outbreak linked to Boar’s Head deli meats, leading to 2 deaths and multiple hospitalizations. Over 7 million pounds of deli meats have been recalled. Listeria can survive in refrigerated conditions, making the recall especially concerning for products often eaten cold.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Friday, August 2nd, 2024 Aug 02, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Today's major international news includes a historic multi-country prisoner swap resulting in the release of 16 individuals, including four Americans, from Russia. The Americans released are journalist Evan Gershkovich, activist Vladimir Kara-Murza, journalist Alsu Kurmasheva, and corporate security executive Paul Whelan. This swap, involving seven countries, is the largest between Russia and the West since the Cold War. Russia receives eight prisoners in return, including assassin Vadim Krasikov. In response to the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, Iranian Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has ordered a retaliatory strike against Israel. The Biden administration anticipates a response similar to previous attacks but potentially larger. Haniyeh was killed by a bomb planted months earlier in a guest house controlled by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The US State Department has recognized Edmundo Gonzalez's electoral victory in Venezuela, urging for a peaceful transition from Nicolás Maduro, who falsely claims victory. Vice President Kamala Harris is vetting potential running mates for her presidential campaign, with six candidates in consideration. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper have withdrawn from contention. Lastly, Simone Biles won her 9th gold medal in the women's all-around gymnastics final, becoming the oldest Olympic women's gymnastics champion since 1952. Teammate Suni Lee secured the bronze medal.

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Thursday, August 1st, 2024 Aug 01, 2024

Today’s Headlines: In recent events, Ismail Haniyeh, a top Hamas leader, was killed in a strike while in Tehran, with Israel claiming responsibility. This follows another strike killing a Hezbollah commander in Lebanon. U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken, stated they were not involved and see no imminent escalation. Hamas leaders will meet in Qatar to name a successor. In U.S. elections, Arizona's primaries saw Democrat Ruben Gallego and Republican Kari Lake advance. The United Auto Workers union endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris, adding to her support from other major unions. A glitch in Georgia's new voter registration website exposed personal data, raising security concerns. Meanwhile, the Federal Reserve kept interest rates steady, awaiting further progress on inflation. The Department of Education reached out to 25 million Americans about potential student debt relief options, particularly for long-term borrowers and those facing high debt due to interest. Delta Airlines is suing Microsoft and Crowdstrike for $500 million, citing losses from a software outage that caused over 5,000 flight cancellations.

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Wednesday, July 31st, 2024 Jul 31, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Venezuela is facing unrest as Nicolás Maduro claims victory in a contested election, with opposition data suggesting Edmundo Gonzalez won 67% of the vote. Protests have led to 16 deaths and over 750 arrests. In Israel, the military killed Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr in retaliation for an attack on a Druze community. Shukr, a high-profile figure, was involved in a 1983 Beirut bombing. Paul Dans has resigned from his role as director of Project 2025, a project linked to Donald Trump, amid criticism from Trump’s campaign. Kevin Roberts from the Heritage Foundation will replace him. Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe testified about security failures in the assassination attempt on Trump, acknowledging gaps in communication and coordination. An Interior Department investigation found that at least 973 Native American children died in abusive government-run boarding schools designed to forcibly assimilate them. Meta has agreed to a $1.4 billion settlement with Texas over illegal facial recognition data collection, addressing violations of state privacy laws.

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Tuesday, July 30th, 2024 Jul 30, 2024

Today’s Headlines: In Venezuela, President Nicolás Maduro declared himself the winner of Sunday's election, despite exit polls showing opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez with a significant lead. The National Electoral Council, controlled by Maduro, reported a narrow victory for him, raising concerns about electoral integrity. The U.S. and other foreign leaders expressed doubts about the results. Meanwhile, President Biden endorsed Supreme Court reforms, including term limits for justices and a new amendment to limit presidential immunity for crimes committed in office. He aims to prevent abuses of power similar to those seen in Venezuela. On the economic front, the U.S. saw a slight drop in inflation, with the Personal Consumption Expenditures Index falling to 2.5%. Vice President Kamala Harris is gaining momentum in her campaign, with significant fundraising and endorsements, including from Republican Mayor John Giles of Mesa, Arizona, and the CEO of the Chief Executive Leadership Institute, who noted a lack of support for Donald Trump among Fortune 500 CEOs. Harris has committed to attending the September 10th presidential debate, regardless of Trump's participation. Lastly, a new bill proposed by Representative Anthony D’Esposito would require House staffers to undergo active shooter training, following an assassination attempt on Donald Trump.

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Monday, July 29th, 2024 Jul 29, 2024

Today’s Headlines: A strike by the IRGC-backed Hezbollah hit a soccer field in Majdal Shams, Israel, killing 12 children and teenagers and injuring 30 others. This attack, the deadliest in northern Israel in recent months, has heightened fears of a broader regional conflict. Israeli leaders warned of severe repercussions, despite Hezbollah's denial of involvement. In Russia, President Putin announced the potential deployment of new strike weapons along the border, in response to the U.S. stationing longer-range missiles in Germany, raising tensions with the West. France's high-speed rail network suffered coordinated attacks disrupting the Olympics, with suspicions of Russian involvement. Meanwhile, authorities arrested Sinaloa cartel leader Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada and Iowa's strict 6-week abortion ban took effect. Finally, President Biden nominated Val Demings to the USPS Board, potentially impacting the position of Postmaster General Louis DeJoy.

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Friday, July 26th, 2024 Jul 26, 2024

Today’s Headlines: President Biden and Vice President Harris met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the families of American hostages held by Hamas. Harris described her discussion with Netanyahu as "frank and constructive," supporting Israel's right to self-defense while expressing concern over the humanitarian crisis and civilian casualties. She also condemned pro-Hamas graffiti and the disruptions during Netanyahu's speech in Washington, D.C. Netanyahu is set to meet with Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago next. Meanwhile, FBI Director Christopher Wray testified about the recent assassination attempt on Trump, revealing potential details about the weapon used but no clear motive. The U.S. GDP grew by 2.8% in the second quarter, driven by consumer spending and business investments. However, a global Crowdstrike outage affected a quarter of Fortune 500 companies, causing significant financial losses. In the western U.S. and Canada, at least 78 wildfires are burning, with some severe enough to create their own weather systems. Finally, the Paris Olympics begin today, with rumors of a performance by Celine Dion and Lady Gaga at the opening ceremony.

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Thursday, July 25th, 2024 Jul 25, 2024

Today’s Headlines: In his Oval Office address, President Biden reflected on his long career in public service and his decision to step aside, endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris as his successor. He emphasized that his focus for the remaining six months of his term will include efforts to end the Israel-Hamas conflict, support Ukraine and NATO, protect voting rights, pursue the cancer moonshot initiative, and work on Supreme Court reform and lowering costs for families. In a contrasting narrative, Fred Trump III shared shocking comments from Donald Trump, who reportedly suggested that people with disabilities, including his own grand-nephew, might be better off dead. Meanwhile, Netanyahu's addressed Congress seeking support amid allegations of war crimes and a request for expedited U.S. military aid to Israel. Despite criticism from both Democrats and Republicans, Netanyahu met with key U.S. figures, including an upcoming meeting with Trump. In other news, Elon Musk, initially pledging significant financial support for Trump’s campaign, has scaled back his contributions, amid rumors of a possible role in a future Trump administration. Additionally, concerns were raised over potential censorship of Kamala Harris's campaign on social media platform X, prompting calls for an investigation. In a disturbing incident in Illinois, Sonya Massey was tragically shot by police at her home, a case that has drawn scrutiny over the officer’s prior employment history. Finally, public health warnings have been issued across 19 states due to the detection of West Nile Virus in mosquitoes, with authorities advising preventive measures to avoid infection.

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Wednesday, July 24th, 2024 Jul 24, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Vice President Kamala Harris has secured the Democratic nomination after clinching the majority of DNC delegates. Key endorsements came from influential figures, including Nancy Pelosi, Chuck Schumer, and Hakeem Jeffries. Potential vice-presidential candidates are undergoing vetting, with Harris receiving widespread support from Democratic leaders and substantial fundraising. President Biden, now recovered from COVID-19, will address the nation to outline his plans for his remaining term, including efforts to end the Israel-Hamas war. Biden will meet with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, who also secured a meeting with Donald Trump. Diplomatic discussions are ongoing to establish a post-war plan for Gaza, involving an international mission and potential governance reforms. Senator Bob Menendez announced his resignation following bribery convictions, allowing New Jersey's Governor to appoint a temporary replacement. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle also resigned amid scrutiny over security lapses at Trump's rally, with Ronald Rowe stepping in as acting director. Delta Airlines is under investigation by the Department of Transportation due to prolonged disruptions from a recent outage, with Secretary Pete Buttigieg calling for passenger feedback on inadequate compensation. The EU's Copernicus Climate Change Service reported that July 21st was the hottest day ever recorded, highlighting the continuing trend of unprecedented global temperatures.

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Tuesday, July 23rd, 2024 Jul 23, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Vice President Kamala Harris is poised to become the Democratic nominee, with endorsements from key figures such as Nancy Pelosi, the Progressive Caucus PAC, and Governors JB Pritzker and Gretchen Whitmer. Harris has secured widespread support and significant delegate backing, with $240 million raised since President Biden's withdrawal. The Democratic National Committee will formally select the nominee before August 7th, and Harris's vice-presidential pick is still pending. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle faced bipartisan scrutiny from the House Oversight Committee over security failures leading to the assassination attempt on Donald Trump. Cheatle declined to answer many questions, prompting calls for her resignation. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is in the U.S. to address Congress and meet with President Biden and other leaders. Biden seeks to end the Israel-Hamas war and secure the release of hostages in Gaza. Netanyahu has also requested a meeting with Donald Trump, which is pending.

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Monday, July 22nd, 2024 Jul 22, 2024

Today’s Headlines: President Biden announced he will not run for re-election, endorsing Vice President Harris, whose campaign quickly raised $28 million from small donors. Harris received endorsements from many Democratic leaders and state party chairs, consolidating support. However, West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin is considering a presidential bid. Texas Representative Sheila Jackson Lee passed away at 74 from pancreatic cancer. The Secret Service and other officials are under scrutiny for security lapses in the assassination attempt on Donald Trump. Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich was sentenced to 16 years in a Russian prison on espionage charges, which the US government calls baseless. Lastly, the FCC reduced the cost of prison phone calls, significantly lowering the financial burden on inmates' families.

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AP News: Election 2024 live updates: Democrats rally around Harris after Biden exits
Wall Street Journal: Joe Manchin Considers Presidential Bid
NBC News: Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee dies after battle with cancer
WA Post:Secret Service said to have denied Trump requests for more event security
CBS News: Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle to testify Monday about Trump shooting
NBC News: Journalist Evan Gershkovich sentenced to 16 years by Russian court in case U.S. slams as a sham
NBC News: Inmate phone call costs slashed by U.S. agency

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Friday, July 19th, 2024 Jul 19, 2024

Today’s Headlines: The Republican National Convention concluded with speeches from Hulk Hogan, Kid Rock, Eric Trump, and UFC CEO Dana White, culminating in a speech from Donald Trump. Trump recounted being shot the previous weekend and honored a deceased rally-goer with a strange gesture involving a mannequin in a fireman uniform. Meanwhile, the SEC filed a lawsuit against the former CEO of the shell company that merged with Trump Media, accusing him of fraud. On the Democratic side, President Biden's administration announced $1.2 billion in student debt cancellation for public service employees, while a federal appeals court blocked parts of his original student debt relief plan. In international news, China has halted nuclear-arms-control talks with the U.S. over arms sales to Taiwan, joining Russia in refusing discussions. Maricopa County, Arizona, is investigating over 300 deaths linked to extreme heat this summer. Finally, Hunter Biden is seeking to overturn his gun charge conviction, citing Judge Aileen Cannon’s recent court decision that dismissed Donald Trump's classified documents case.

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Thursday, July 18th, 2024 Jul 18, 2024

Today’s Headlines: The third night of the Republican National Convention featured JD Vance and former trade advisor Peter Navarro, who flew from prison in Miami to Milwaukee to speak. Navarro was serving a 4-month sentence for contempt of Congress. Meanwhile, California Representative Adam Schiff called for President Biden to step down as the Democratic presidential nominee, citing concerns about his ability to defeat Trump. Later, the White House announced that Biden tested positive for COVID-19, leading to the cancellation of his campaign event in Las Vegas. New details emerged about the shooter at Trump’s Pennsylvania rally, including his preparations and actions leading up to the attack. Law enforcement had identified him as a person of interest shortly before the shooting but failed to prevent the incident.

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Wednesday, July 17th, 2024 Jul 17, 2024

Today’s Headlines: For the second night of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, speakers included Kari Lake, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, and Nikki Haley, who reversed her past criticism of Trump. Behind the scenes, Trump has secured significant financial backing, with Elon Musk pledging $45 million per month to America PAC and support from other notable donors like the Winklevoss twins and Palantir's co-founder. Silicon Valley figures Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz, along with billionaire Peter Thiel, are also contributing to Trump's campaign. US intelligence is tracking an Iranian-backed assassination plot against Trump, though it's not linked to the recent Pennsylvania rally shooting, which occurred despite "enhanced" security. Meanwhile, New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez was found guilty on 16 counts in a corruption trial involving bribes from foreign powers and businessmen. Democratic colleagues and New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy are calling for his immediate resignation. On a different note, President Biden is working on a proposal to reform the Supreme Court, including term limits for justices, an enforceable ethics code, and potentially a constitutional amendment to eliminate broad immunity for presidents and other constitutional officeholders.

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Wall Street Journal: Elon Musk Has Said He Is Committing Around $45 Million a Month to a New Pro-Trump Super PAC
The Information: Marc Andreessen, Ben Horowitz Say They Plan to Donate to Trump PAC
CBS News: The billionaire who fueled JD Vance's rapid rise to the Trump VP spot
The Atlantic: Peter Thiel Is Taking a Break From Democracy
NY Times: U.S. Detected Potential Iranian Plot to Kill Trump Separate From Saturday’s Shooting
Ny Times: Senator Menendez Found Guilty on All Counts in Corruption Trial
WA Post: Biden set to announce support for major Supreme Court changes

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Tuesday, July 16th, 2024 Jul 16, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Donald Trump, a convicted felon and Republican presidential candidate, has called for the dismissal of all legal cases against him on Truth Social. This includes federal indictments related to the 2020 election, the Georgia election racketeering case, and his civil and criminal cases in New York. Just before the RNC, Judge Aileen Cannon dismissed the classified documents case against Trump, citing the unconstitutionality of the special counsel's office, a decision now under appeal. Trump was charged with 37 felony counts for retaining classified documents at Mar-a-Lago and obstructing justice. News of his vice presidential pick, Ohio Senator JD Vance, who supports a national abortion ban and other extreme measures, overshadowed this development. Meanwhile, Trump’s allies are preparing to challenge the 2024 election results, aiming to block certification through a legal campaign. In contrast, President Biden proposed a 5% cap on annual rent increases, contingent on Democrats winning the presidency and majorities in the House and Senate.

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Monday, July 15th, 2024 Jul 15, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Donald Trump was injured in an assassination attempt during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where one attendee was killed, and two others were injured. The shooter, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, was killed by Secret Service. Corey Comperatore, a volunteer firefighter, died protecting his family. The FBI is investigating the incident as domestic terrorism. Crooks was a registered Republican who had donated to a progressive project in 2021 and was described as a bullied loner. President Biden condemned the violence and ordered a security review. Despite the attack, Trump's security plans for the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee remain unchanged. Meta will soon lift restrictions on Trump's social media accounts. Meanwhile, Elon Musk has made a sizable donation to America PAC, supporting Trump's reelection efforts.

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Friday, July 12th, 2024 Jul 12, 2024

Today’s Headlines: International adversary week rolls on with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban meeting Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago just after the NATO summit. Orban, who recently met with Putin and Xi Jinping, praised Trump as a "man of peace," while pushing for a Ukraine ceasefire that would cede land to Russia. This cozy relationship is drawing suspicion, especially after Orban's recent diplomatic maneuvers. Meanwhile, Democratic Senators have called for a special counsel to investigate Justice Clarence Thomas, highlighting undisclosed gifts, including a 2003 yacht trip to Russia, with potential connections to Putin. In other news, the Treasury and IRS have collected over $1 billion in tax debt from high-income individuals, thanks to enhanced funding for enforcement, aiming to recover up to $850 billion by 2034.

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Thursday, July 11th, 2024 Jul 11, 2024

Today’s Headlines: On the second day of the NATO summit in DC, the focus is on defending against Russia's ambitions in Ukraine and beyond. NATO aims to "Trump-proof" the alliance, preparing for a possible US withdrawal if Trump is re-elected, and is committed to putting Ukraine on a path to NATO membership while calling out China for enabling Russia's invasion. Meanwhile, a Moscow court issued an arrest warrant for Yulia Navalnaya, widow of the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny, accusing her of participating in an extremist society. In the US, despite President Biden's insistence that his candidacy is settled, there is ongoing concern among Democratic lawmakers, donors, and even George Clooney, who suggested in a New York Times op-ed that the party needs a new nominee. On another front, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has filed articles of impeachment against Supreme Court Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito over undisclosed gifts, with two Senate Democrats requesting a special counsel to investigate Justice Thomas further. Finally, the Senate saw a rare moment of bipartisanship with an agreement on legislation to ban members of Congress, the president, and the vice president, along with their spouses and dependent children, from buying and selling stocks.

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Wednesday, July 10th, 2024 Jul 10, 2024

Today’s Headlines: It seems like international rivalry week, with the NATO summit kicking off in DC and announcing a $700 million contract for more Stinger missiles, which were crucial in aiding Ukraine against Russia in 2022. Meanwhile, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Russia, calling Putin "my dear friend," while Russia launched a new offensive in Ukraine, tragically hitting the country's largest children's hospital. In the US, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is working with Democrats on legislation to counter the Supreme Court's ruling that grants Trump immunity from criminal prosecution. On the environmental front, sea-level rise has potentially wiped out the Key Largo tree cactus, marking the first time climate change has eradicated a US species. Lastly, the FTC has banned the NGL app from serving users under 18 for privacy violations and deceptive practices, resulting in a $5 million settlement.

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Tuesday, July 9th, 2024 Jul 09, 2024

Today’s Headlines: While attending the NATO summit in DC, President Biden doubled down on his commitment to run in the 2024 election, saying he's the best shot at beating Trump. Despite all the chatter, Biden dared other candidates to challenge him and shrugged off his critics. On the other side, Trump managed to get the Republican National Committee to quietly remove the call for a national abortion plan from their platform, even though they still hold strong anti-abortion views. Meanwhile, in California, Governor Gavin Newsom signed a budget that includes $12 million for reparations, focusing on formal apologies and setting up programs without direct payments. In other news, Boeing struck a plea deal over the 737 Max crashes, agreeing to a $243.6 million fine and $455 million for safety programs, though victims' families are calling it a "sweetheart deal." Hurricane Beryl knocked out power for 2 million Texans, and excessive heat warnings are up across the West, breaking temperature records and causing several suspected heat-related deaths. Lastly, during the pandemic, there was a 24% jump in STD diagnoses among seniors 65 and older, much higher than the 5% increase across all age groups.

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Monday, July 8th, 2024 Jul 08, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Donald Trump distanced himself from Project 2025, a plan by the Heritage Foundation to reshape American society under a second Trump administration, following public backlash. He also suggested changing election dates and supported imprisoning political opponents, while the private prison conglomerate GEO Group heavily backed his campaign. In international news, Russian President Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping discussed reducing Western influence at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization meeting. In the UK, Keir Starmer became Prime Minister after Labour's victory, and France's left-wing coalition prevented far-right gains in parliamentary elections. Reformist Masoud Pezeshkian won Iran's presidential election, advocating dialogue with adversaries. President Joe Biden reaffirmed his commitment to the presidential race, dismissing the need for a cognitive test. Lastly, the EPA fined General Motors $146 million for excess emissions, highlighting the importance of regulatory oversight.

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Wednesday, July 3rd, 2024 Jul 03, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Following the Supreme Court's ruling that granted Donald Trump immunity from prosecution for his "official acts" in the 2020 election interference case, his lawyers moved to dismiss his 34 felony convictions in New York and delay his sentencing. Judge Juan Merchan agreed to postpone the sentencing to September 18th at the earliest. Meanwhile, President Biden is facing criticism within his own party, with Representative Lloyd Doggett calling for Biden to withdraw from the race, and Nancy Pelosi questioning his mental fitness and emphasizing the need for him to give multiple sit-down interviews. Rudy Giuliani was disbarred in New York after a court ruled he made false statements to help Trump overturn the 2020 election. Giuliani had his law license suspended in 2021, and now he is permanently banned from practicing law in the state. The Arizona GOP filed an emergency motion to block approximately 35,000 voters from participating in the presidential election unless they provide proof of citizenship, following voter suppression laws passed in 2022. These laws require new voters to provide documentation to vote and allow for voter roll purges. In international news, Ukraine's security service announced it had thwarted a coup attempt against President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, allegedly planned to "play into Russia's hands." The plot involved staging a riot in Kyiv, seizing the parliament, and replacing the country's leadership. For our scary weather report, Hurricane Beryl, a Category 4 storm, has caused six fatalities in the Caribbean and is now approaching Jamaica with winds of 150 miles per hour.

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Tuesday, July 2nd, 2024 Jul 02, 2024

Today’s Headlines: The Supreme Court ruled to largely immunize Donald Trump from prosecution in the 2020 election interference case, with a 6-3 majority granting former presidents broad immunity for "official acts." Justice Amy Coney Barrett noted only Trump's calls to state officials about fake electors might be unofficial. This decision likely delays Trump's trial past the November election as Judge Tanya Chutkan must now assess which acts are official, potentially leading to further appeals. In response, Trump’s lawyers are seeking to dismiss his Manhattan felony convictions and delay sentencing, arguing some payments made during his presidency should be considered official acts. President Biden condemned the ruling, asserting it allows presidents to ignore legal accountability, thus undermining public trust. Meanwhile, the Trump Organization signed a deal with a Saudi real estate company for a high-rise project in Jeddah, highlighting ongoing financial ties with Saudi interests. The FDA gained new regulatory powers over cosmetics under the 2022 Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act, though compliance may be affected by the Supreme Court's recent decision. A Florida judge released transcripts from Jeffrey Epstein’s 2006 prosecution, revealing prosecutorial misconduct and insufficient charges against Epstein. Lastly, Warren Buffett plans to create a charitable trust for his Berkshire Hathaway shares, worth over $127 billion, managed by his three children, raising questions about its true philanthropic intent.

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Monday, July 1st, 2024 Jul 01, 2024

Today’s Headlines: The Supreme Court has undermined the Chevron deference, a precedent that allowed federal agencies to enact rules in their areas of expertise. This decision could impact regulations on clean air, water, vehicle safety, emissions, anti-discrimination protections, and consumer rights, shifting power to the judiciary and hindering law enforcement. This ruling is particularly significant as it aligns with Donald Trump's Project 2025 agenda to dismantle the administrative state and favor corporate interests. In another ruling, the Supreme Court favored January 6th rioters by dismissing obstruction charges related to their attempt to stop the 2020 election certification. This decision could affect Donald Trump's own obstruction charges in his criminal indictment. Additionally, the Supreme Court extended its term to decide on Trump's immunity claim regarding election interference. The decision, expected soon, could delay trial proceedings past the election. The Court also upheld an Oregon ban on unhoused individuals sleeping in public spaces, ruling it does not violate the 8th amendment's prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment. Meanwhile, Steve Bannon is set to begin a four-month prison sentence for contempt of Congress after the Supreme Court refused to hear his case.On the international front, France's far-right National Rally party, led by Marine Le Pen, is leading in first-round voting, with President Macron's centrist party potentially finishing third behind a new left-wing coalition. Lastly, Hurricane Beryl has rapidly intensified to a category 4 storm, expected to impact Barbados, the Grenadines, St. Vincent, Grenada, and the Windward and Leeward Islands with significant storm surge flooding.

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Friday, June 28th, 2024 Jun 28, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Last night's debate between President Biden and Donald Trump was highly anticipated. Biden appeared raspy and aged, while Trump seemed slightly more composed than usual. However, there was no live fact-checking, leaving many of Trump's claims unchecked, such as blaming January 6th on Nancy Pelosi and denying derogatory remarks about fallen soldiers. An exchange about their golf swings added little substance to the debate. The Supreme Court's leaked EMTALA opinion was confirmed to be purposeful and final, deferring to a lower court decision that allows emergency abortions in Idaho for now. This means that, despite the ruling, doctors in Idaho will likely remain hesitant to provide care due to legal uncertainties. Oklahoma's state superintendent Ryan Walters mandated that all public schools in the state teach the Bible, incorporating it into the curriculum for grades 5 through 12. Walters claimed the Bible is essential for understanding American history and Western civilization, though his interpretation and implementation of this mandate remain unclear. Former Uvalde school district police chief Pete Arredondo was indicted on 10 counts of abandoning or endangering a child due to the mishandled response to the 2022 school shooting at Robb Elementary School. Despite posting bail, his indictment marks a rare application of the child endangerment statute, reflecting the unprecedented nature of law enforcement's inaction during the shooting.

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Thursday, June 27th, 2024 Jun 27, 2024

Today’s Headlines: The Supreme Court had a busy day yesterday with several notable decisions. First, an unpublished opinion on emergency abortion care leaked online, revealing that emergency abortions can continue in Idaho for now due to the Court's decision not to rule on the merits of the case, upholding the EMTALA for the time being. In another decision, the Court ruled 6-3 to limit a federal public corruption law, allowing public officials to accept bribes for official acts if delivered after the fact, sparking concerns about ethics and accountability. Additionally, the Court upheld the government's ability to communicate with social media platforms about content moderation in a 6-3 ruling, but suggested that Congress should address the issue. In other news, President Biden pardoned thousands of LGBTQ veterans wrongfully discharged under a former law banning gay sex in the military, allowing them to apply for benefits. Sixteen Nobel Prize-winning economists warned that a second Trump administration would worsen inflation due to his proposed policies, including a 10% tariff on all imports. The US Surgeon General declared gun violence a public health crisis, urging Congress to take action. Meanwhile, Florida declined a federal grocery subsidy program that would have provided school meals for 2 million low-income children, citing operational costs and conditions. Lastly, a military coup attempt in Bolivia failed, with President Luis Arce remaining in power and the coup's leader arrested.

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Wednesday, June 26th, 2024 Jun 26, 2024

Today’s Headlines: challenger George Latimer, with significant funding from AIPAC opposing Bowman due to his criticism of Israel and comments on local Jewish communities. Meanwhile, in Colorado, Lauren Boebert won her Republican primary in a new district, leveraging her high profile and overcoming lesser-known opponents. In Israel, the Supreme Court ruled that ultra-Orthodox men must serve in the army, potentially destabilizing Netanyahu's coalition and possibly leading to new elections, as this group historically received exemptions for religious study. The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for top Russian military officials over war crimes in Ukraine, following previous warrants against Putin and other senior officials. Lastly, Judge Juan Merchan partially lifted the gag order on Donald Trump in his hush money trial, allowing him to comment on witnesses and the jury but not on attorneys or court staff, raising concerns ahead of the upcoming debate.

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Tuesday, June 25th, 2024 Jun 25, 2024

Today’s Headlines: The Supreme Court will hear an appeal from the Biden administration challenging Tennessee's ban on gender-affirming care for minors, with oral arguments scheduled for the fall. A new study links Texas's 2021 abortion ban to a nearly 13% rise in infant deaths and a 23% increase in newborns with congenital anomalies. Meanwhile, the American Accountability Foundation is investigating federal employees to identify Trump supporters and opponents, funded by the Heritage Foundation. Additionally, federal judges in Kansas and Missouri blocked Biden's student loan forgiveness plan, affecting millions of borrowers. Finally, Julian Assange has reached a plea deal with the US Department of Justice, allowing him to return to Australia after being held in a UK prison for five years.

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Monday, June 24th, 2024 Jun 24, 2024

Today’s Headlines: On Friday, the Supreme Court upheld a federal law barring those under domestic-violence restraining orders from owning guns, with Justice Clarence Thomas dissenting. This ruling comes as the court prepares to release decisions on 15 significant cases, including Donald Trump's immunity from prosecution for election interference and the legality of obstruction charges for January 6th rioters. Meanwhile, Donald Trump, addressing evangelicals, endorsed Louisiana's law to display the Ten Commandments in public schools and suggested a controversial sports league idea involving migrants. A newly released recording from 2021 features Trump accidentally admitting he lost the 2020 election. Additionally, Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun admitted to retaliating against whistleblowers during a Senate hearing. Finally, extreme heat continues to wreak havoc globally, with over 1,300 deaths during the Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia and record temperatures across the country, with an even hotter July forecasted.

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Friday, June 21st, 2024 Jun 21, 2024

Today’s Headlines: In an alarming development, journalist Lauren Windsor recorded Roger Stone discussing plans to help Donald Trump secure the 2024 election, highlighting their improved preparation compared to 2020. Stone mentioned having a lawyer and a judge ready to stop alleged election fraud and outlined efforts to change state laws and monitor voter lists in real-time. Meanwhile, RFK Jr. has failed to qualify for the June 27th CNN debate due to not meeting the necessary polling and state ballot qualifications. In other news, Louisiana will be the first state to require the display of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms by 2025, a move funded by donations. New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed a bill allowing parents to block algorithm-suggested social media posts and nighttime notifications for minors, with platforms given 180 days to comply. Lastly, Vermont state representative Mary Morrissey apologized for repeatedly pouring water into a colleague's tote bag, a bizarre act caught on camera.

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Thursday, June 20th, 2024 Jun 20, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Following the Supreme Court's recent ruling against an executive ban on bump stocks, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer attempted to introduce Congressional legislation for a similar ban. However, Senate Republicans blocked the proposal despite having over 20 cosponsors, with Susan Collins of Maine being the sole Republican supporter. Meanwhile, Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un have signed an agreement solidifying their alliance, pledging mutual aid in case of aggression and emphasizing trade, security, and cultural ties. On a different front, Iran-backed Houthi rebels attacked a carrier ship in the Red Sea, causing it to sink and killing one person, which has significantly disrupted maritime traffic in the region. Lastly, the US Preventive Services Task Force released new guidelines for healthy eating and exercise for children over six with high BMI, recommending 26 hours of behavior modification but not semaglutide medications, addressing the increasing issue of high BMI among US children.

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Wednesday, June 19th, 2024 Jun 19, 2024

Today’s Headlines: President Biden announced a new path to citizenship for over 500,000 undocumented immigrants married to U.S. citizens, eliminating the requirement for them to leave the country for ten years before applying for legal residency. This policy change allows these individuals to apply for green cards and three-year work permits, although the eligibility criteria are expected to be strict. New York’s highest court upheld a gag order on Donald Trump, preventing him from speaking about witnesses and court officers involved in his felony conviction case, with the order remaining in place until his sentencing on July 11th. A report from NewsGuard revealed that leading AI chatbots frequently echo Russian disinformation, raising concerns about their role in spreading propaganda, and OpenAI noted that groups conducting covert influence campaigns are starting to use chatbots to spread their messages. Thailand became the first Southeast Asian country to legalize same-sex marriage after over two decades of activism, with the law going into effect pending royal approval. Lastly, extreme weather is affecting the U.S. with record-high temperatures impacting over 80% of the population, ongoing wildfires in California worsening air quality, and unexpected snowfall in the Rocky Mountains. New York Governor Kathy Hochul activated the National Guard to assist with heat emergencies, and projections indicate the cost of cooling homes this summer will hit its highest level in a decade, impacting financial support for families.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

Axios: Biden moves to help half a million undocumented people married to citizens
AP News: NY court declines to hear Trump's gag order appeal in hush money case
Axios: Exclusive: Leading chatbots are spreading Russian propaganda
Reuters: Thailand to be first Southeast Asian country to recognise same-sex marriage
Spectrum News 1: New York activates the National Guard due to dangerous heat
Axios: Air quality hit as 20 large fires burn across western US
Accuweather: A foot of June snow in the Rockies while East swelters
NBC News: Extreme heat set to drive home cooling costs to 10-year high, advocates warn

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Tuesday, June 18th, 2024 Jun 18, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dissolved his war cabinet after the exit of his political rival Benny Gantz, planning instead to hold smaller meetings with individual officials. Although the war cabinet is gone, Netanyahu has not abandoned the proposed hostage and ceasefire deal, despite threats from his ultra-right-wing ministers to collapse his majority if he proceeds. Meanwhile, U.S. intelligence officials, including former FBI Director Christopher Wray, have warned of an increased threat of a serious terror attack, with heightened concerns around the southern border and potential involvement from groups like Hamas or state actors like Iran. Russian President Vladimir Putin is visiting North Korea for the first time since 2000 to discuss military cooperation with Kim Jong Un, potentially violating UN resolutions regarding weapons trade. In the U.S., Maryland Governor Wes Moore announced plans to issue mass pardons for over 175,000 marijuana convictions, marking a significant move toward criminal justice reform. Additionally, Surgeon General Vivek Murthy is advocating for warning labels on social media platforms to combat the mental health crisis among young users, along with other regulatory measures to protect children's data and limit addictive features.

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Monday, June 17th, 2024 Jun 17, 2024

Today’s Headlines: The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that the Trump administration's ban on bump stocks was an unconstitutional overreach of executive power, with Justice Sonia Sotomayor joining the majority opinion. This decision highlights the court's stance on executive authority and its limits, even in matters involving public safety and gun control. Over the weekend, two separate shootings occurred, one during a Juneteenth celebration in Texas, resulting in two deaths and several injuries, and another in Rochester Hills, Michigan, where nine people were injured before the suspect died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Israel announced a daily "tactical pause" in Rafah to allow more humanitarian aid into Gaza, amidst ongoing conflicts and new U.S. sanctions against the Israeli group Tzav 9 for blocking aid convoys. Alex Jones was ordered to liquidate personal assets to help repay $1.5 billion owed to Sandy Hook victims, although he can retain his company Infowars, his $2.8 million ranch, gun collection, and cryogenic chamber, reflecting the ongoing legal and financial repercussions of his actions. Lastly, extreme heat is expected this week across the Midwest and East Coast, with temperatures reaching 90 to 100 degrees, posing significant health risks and stressing the need for adequate preparedness and response measures.

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Friday, June 14th, 2024 Jun 14, 2024

Today’s Headlines: The Supreme Court unanimously rejected a case to ban the abortion medication mifepristone, citing the plaintiffs' lack of legal standing, without addressing whether Americans have a constitutional right to abortion medication. Justice Brett Kavanaugh stated the plaintiffs did not demonstrate any injury from the drug's availability, making the federal courts an inappropriate venue for their concerns. Consequently, mifepristone remains accessible within the first 10 weeks of gestation and can be dispensed by mail and various providers. Meanwhile, Justice Clarence Thomas faces scrutiny for undisclosed trips funded by billionaire Harlan Crow, despite amending his disclosure forms for other trips.Records reveal that Donald Trump’s presidential campaign redirected $4.6 million to his businesses, with the largest payment being $800,000 for Secret Service airfare to his aviation company. Trump also spoke at Capitol Hill, criticizing U.S. aid to Ukraine, proposing tariffs to replace income tax, and insulting Milwaukee, where the GOP convention is set to be held. In Congress, Republicans blocked a vote on a bill to federally protect access to IVF, only two Republicans, Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski, voted to advance the bill. Finally, Tesla shareholders voted to reinstate Elon Musk’s $56 million compensation package, despite a Delaware judge previously rescinding it due to improper granting by the company's board. This decision comes as Tesla's stock declined by 27% this year.

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Thursday, June 13th, 2024 Jun 13, 2024

Today’s Headlines: President Biden is attending the G-7 summit in Italy, where discussions will focus on using $300 billion of seized Russian assets to fund the Ukraine war and implementing new sanctions against Russia. Biden will also meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to sign a new security agreement, pledging long-term support for Ukraine's defense alongside commitments from 15 other countries. House Republicans have voted to hold Attorney General Merrick Garland in contempt of Congress for refusing to release audio recordings of President Biden's interviews, despite having transcripts, with Garland defending the decision as lacking a legitimate legislative purpose. The FBI reported significant crime reductions in the first quarter of 2024, with decreases in murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, and property crime, attributing this to targeted law enforcement efforts. Meanwhile, a hijacking incident in Atlanta highlighted issues with Georgia's permitless carry law, as the gunman, a felon with a history of mental health issues, legally accessed a firearm. And finally, the Federal Reserve announced that interest rates will remain unchanged, with one rate cut expected by the end of the year and higher long-term rates anticipated and the latest inflation report shows a 3.3% increase in CPI over the past year, slightly down from April's 3.4%, aiming for a 2% target rate.

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Wednesday, June 12th, 2024 Jun 12, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Hunter Biden was found guilty on three felony gun charges in Delaware for lying on a gun application and illegally possessing the firearm. Though he faces up to 25 years in prison, as a first-time offender, his sentence is expected to be much less severe, and his sentencing date is pending due to an upcoming trial for tax evasion. President Biden has ruled out a pardon for his son and did not mention the conviction during his recent public remarks. Rudy Giuliani posted a $10,000 bond for charges related to the 2020 election interference in Arizona, with his trial set for October. Meanwhile, New Jersey's attorney general is reviewing the eligibility of Donald Trump's golf properties for liquor licenses following his felony convictions. A federal judge struck down Florida's law banning gender-affirming care for transgender minors, deeming it unconstitutional, while Florida Governor Ron DeSantis vowed to appeal the ruling. Additionally, Apple announced new AI features for its products, including advanced notification management, text summarization, integration with ChatGPT, and a new image generation feature called Image Playground.

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Tuesday, June 11th, 2024 Jun 11, 2024

Today’s Headlines: The UN Security Council backed a US-supported plan for a Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal, with Russia abstaining from the vote. The Biden administration is considering a separate deal with Hamas via Qatari mediators if current talks fail. Meanwhile, Justice Samuel Alito faced controversy after a liberal filmmaker released recordings of him criticizing the media and advocating for a "return to godliness." Alito's wife, Martha-Ann, was also heard making comments about displaying a religious flag to counter a Pride flag. In Congress, House Speaker Mike Johnson appointed Trump allies Scott Perry and Ronny Jackson to the House Intelligence Committee, raising concerns due to their controversial backgrounds. Donald Trump had his first probation meeting, a standard procedure for convicted felons. Judge Aileen Cannon scheduled a hearing on the legality of Special Counsel Jack Smith’s appointment and a potential gag order on Trump. Jurors in Hunter Biden’s gun trial began deliberations, and in Wyoming, a landslide caused a critical highway collapse, prompting emergency measures and detour plans. The Teton Pass collapse significantly impacts daily commuters and local traffic, with 40% of Teton County’s workforce using the route. Emergency crews are working to establish a detour around the landslide, expected to be ready in a few weeks.

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Monday, June 10th, 2024 Jun 10, 2024

Today’s Headlines: On Saturday, the IDF rescued four Israeli hostages during an operation in Gaza's Nuseirat refugee camp, killing 270 Palestinians, according to Hamas's Gaza Health Ministry. The US provided intelligence support but did not participate directly. There are still about 120 hostages in Gaza, with 43 presumed dead. Meanwhile, Benjamin Netanyahu's chief political rival, Benny Gantz, announced his party's withdrawal from Netanyahu's coalition, criticizing his handling of the conflict and calling for early elections and a commission to investigate October 7th. This leaves Netanyahu's war cabinet dominated by ultra-right-wing ministers, likely leading to a more aggressive stance. In European news, far-right parties gained ground in the EU parliamentary elections in France, Germany, and Italy. Marine Le Pen's National Rally Party doubled the votes of President Macron’s party, prompting him to dissolve the lower house of parliament and announce snap elections. Italy's Giorgia Meloni and Germany's Alternative for Germany party also saw significant gains. However, the majority of the European Parliament remains with centrist parties, led by EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. In the US, the Department of Justice and FTC are investigating Microsoft, OpenAI, and Nvidia for antitrust issues in the AI industry, part of broader scrutiny of major tech companies. Additionally, Trump's former chief of staff, Mark Meadows, pled not guilty to nine felony charges related to efforts to overturn the 2020 election in Arizona. His trial, along with that of Michael Roman, is set for October 31st. Finally, May's jobs report showed the US added 272,000 jobs, exceeding expectations. Job growth was strongest in healthcare, government, and leisure and hospitality. Average hourly earnings increased, while the unemployment rate rose slightly above 4% for the first time since January 2022.

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Friday, June 7th, 2024 Jun 07, 2024

Today’s Headlines: In Gaza, two weapons experts identified US-made ammunition in an Israeli strike on a UN school, killing 40 and wounding 74. Israel claims the target was Hamas militants at the school. Meanwhile, fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon has escalated, with US and French officials working to de-escalate the situation to prevent Iranian intervention. Russian President Vladimir Putin threatened to sell long-range weapons to countries hostile to the West if NATO continues arming Ukraine. He also hinted at Russia's willingness to use nuclear weapons if its sovereignty is threatened, suggesting their weapons are more powerful than those used by the US in WWII. The European Central Bank and the Bank of Canada cut interest rates to 3.75% for the first time in five years, diverging from the US Federal Reserve. Meanwhile, Steve Bannon must report to prison on July 1st to serve his four-month sentence for contempt of Congress after defying a January 6th committee subpoena, though he plans to appeal to the Supreme Court. A new H5N2 bird flu strain has resulted in the death of a 59-year-old in Mexico. The World Health Organization indicates the risk from bird flu remains low, despite the emergence of different strains like H5N2 in Mexico and H5N1 in the US.

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Thursday, June 6th, 2024 Jun 06, 2024

Today’s Headlines: In a recent Senate vote, Republicans blocked the Right to Contraception Act from reaching the floor, arguing that contraception is already protected under Supreme Court precedent, despite parallels to past assurances about Roe v. Wade. Meanwhile, an appeals court in Georgia has paused proceedings in Donald Trump’s election interference case due to potential conflicts of interest involving District Attorney Fani Willis, delaying the case until October. Additionally, the NYPD is moving to revoke Trump’s concealed carry permit following his recent conviction, as is standard for convicted felons in New York. In another legal matter, Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg insists on maintaining Trump's partial gag order through sentencing due to his repeated violations. In international news, India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been reelected for a third term, but his party, BJP, lost its parliamentary majority. Lastly, Epoch Times CEO Bill Guan has been charged with money laundering and bank fraud, allegedly involving $67 million. The Epoch Times claims these charges do not affect their news activities, despite the funds being tied to the publication.

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Wednesday, June 5th, 2024 Jun 05, 2024

Today’s Headlines: President Biden made headlines with strong comments on two major fronts. In an interview with Time Magazine, he suggested that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu might be extending the Gaza operation for political reasons, given Netanyahu's plummeting popularity and pending corruption charges. Biden also signed an executive order temporarily shutting down asylum requests at the southern border when crossings exceed 2500 per day, marking the most severe immigration policy enacted by a Democratic president in modern history. This move comes after House Republicans twice rejected a bipartisan border bill.The Senate is set to vote on the Right to Contraception Act, aiming to protect access to contraception, though it is not expected to pass in the House. Additionally, a new study by the Commonwealth Fund revealed that childbirth in the U.S. is deadlier than in any other high-income nation, with a particularly high maternal mortality rate among Black women. The study emphasizes that most pregnancy-related deaths are preventable with better access to care and paid parental leave. In legal news, Wisconsin's attorney general has filed felony charges against three of Trump's advisors for their roles in a fake electors scheme during the 2020 election. This case is part of broader efforts to address election interference, with similar charges filed in Arizona and Georgia. Finally, new ProPublica reporting revealed that several witnesses in criminal cases against Trump have received significant financial benefits, such as high-paying jobs and severance packages, potentially influencing their testimony.

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Tuesday, June 4th, 2024 Jun 04, 2024

Today’s Headlines: European leaders are anxious about a potential second Trump term, fearing disruptions in areas such as Ukraine, NATO, and climate change. NATO is preparing for prolonged U.S. election uncertainty. The Biden administration has reversed its policy, now allowing Ukraine to use U.S. weapons to strike targets within Russia. Russia is targeting the Paris Olympics with a disinformation campaign using fake news sites and a propaganda documentary, aiming to destabilize the event. Mexico has elected Claudia Sheinbaum as its first female and Jewish president. She is a protege of former president López Obrador, whose tenure was marked by violence and anti-democratic actions.Panama is relocating residents from Gardi Sugdub island due to rising sea levels. Ticketmaster experienced a data breach affecting over 560 million customers, with the hack going unreported for 11 days. Lastly, three major pharmaceutical companies are reducing the cost of inhalers to $35 a month, following a Senate investigation into price disparities.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

The Atlantic: What Europe Fears
Politico: How Biden got to a ‘yes’ on letting Ukraine hit inside Russia
The Reuters: Russian disinformation campaign takes aim at Paris Olympics, Microsoft says
AP News: Mexico elects Claudia Sheinbaum as its first female president
NY Times: Claudia Sheinbaum Is Elected Mexico’s First Female President
AP News: Panama prepares to evacuate first island in face of rising sea levels
The Verge: Live Nation took 11 days to confirm the massive Ticketmaster data breach
NBC News: Some drugmakers to cap cost of asthma inhalers at $35 a month

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Monday, June 3rd, 2024 Jun 03, 2024

Today’s Headlines: This week starts off with significant updates. Israel has accepted a framework proposed by President Biden to wind down the war in Gaza, though Netanyahu's advisor has criticized it. The three-phase plan includes a temporary truce, hostage release, and negotiations for a longer ceasefire, but Netanyahu insists no permanent ceasefire will occur until Hamas is deposed. Meanwhile, Trump, recently convicted on 34 felony counts, suggested house arrest or prison could be a "breaking point" for the public while leveraging his conviction for fundraising, reportedly raising $52.8 million in a day. Additionally, Trump has secured support from several billionaires. RFK Jr. criticized Trump's trial as "profoundly undemocratic" and faced allegations of shady fundraising practices by his super PAC. The Supreme Court rejected a challenge to Texas's abortion ban, while Samuel Alito faced further scrutiny over neighbor disputes. Finally, Joe Manchin switched his party registration to independent, and jury selection begins in Hunter Biden’s federal gun charges trial.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Friday, May 31st, 2024 May 31, 2024

Today’s Headlines: A jury found Trump guilty on all 34 felony counts of falsifying business records, with sentencing set for July 11th, shortly before the Republican National Convention where he is to be formally nominated. Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg hasn't disclosed if prosecutors will seek prison time, with alternatives being house arrest or probation. Trump, declaring himself "a very innocent man," blamed the judge and his low polling in Manhattan. In other court news, Chief Justice John Roberts declined a meeting with Democratic senators regarding ethics and Justice Alito's recusal from January 6th cases, affirming that justices decide their own recusals. Lastly, the Treasury Department announced that starting next year, Americans can file their taxes for free through the new IRS Direct File program, following a successful pilot with 140,000 participants. Some lawmakers are advocating for a system where the government calculates and tells citizens what they owe, simplifying the tax process.

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Thursday, May 30th, 2024 May 30, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Two days after calling an airstrike in Rafah a "tragic mistake," Israel’s national security adviser stated that their Gaza operation will continue through 2024 to end Hamas’s control. While Qatar mediators relayed a ceasefire proposal from Israel, Hamas claimed they have not received it and are not interested unless the offensive stops. In Donald Trump’s trial, jury deliberations began with requests to rehear jury instructions and testimony from former National Enquirer publisher David Pecker. Meanwhile, Justice Samuel Alito refused to recuse himself from January 6th cases, despite controversy over a pro-January 6th flag flown at his home and Louisiana now requires schools to display the Ten Commandments in order to get public funding. Elon Musk’s AI company, xAI, raised $6 billion to build an AI supercomputer by 2025 and launched Grok, a ChatGPT-like product, while he also sued OpenAI for abandoning its mission. In better news, Melinda French Gates announced a $1 billion donation to advance women’s rights and health through her new foundation, Pivotal, following her departure from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

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Wednesday, May 29th, 2024 May 29, 2024

Today’s Headlines: At Manhattan’s 100 Centre Street, Donald Trump’s trial saw closing arguments from both sides, with jury deliberations set to begin soon. Outside the courthouse, Robert De Niro, along with Capitol police officers Harry Dunn and Michael Fanone, criticized Trump, calling him a potential "dictator for life." Meanwhile, in Florida, Judge Aileen Cannon denied DOJ Special Counsel Jack Smith's request for a gag order against Trump, who falsely claimed Biden authorized the DOJ to kill him during the Mar-a-Lago search. In election news, Democrats will hold a virtual roll call to nominate Biden early, circumventing Ohio’s ballot rules, while in Pennsylvania, voting rights groups are challenging a law that disqualifies undated mail-in ballots. In environmental news, Venezuela has lost its last glacier, making it the first country in the Americas without any glaciers, a sign of accelerating climate change. Finally, Pope Francis apologized for using an offensive term for gay men during a private meeting, drawing criticism for his remarks on admitting openly gay men into seminaries.

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Tuesday, May 28th, 2024 May 28, 2024

Today’s Headlines: US military officials are increasingly concerned about the alliance between Russia and North Korea, which involves Russia providing nuclear submarine and ballistic missile technology to North Korea, and North Korea supplying Russia with munitions for the war in Ukraine. This collaboration could potentially influence the upcoming US presidential election and has shifted the dynamics of international sanctions against North Korea. An Israeli airstrike in Rafah killed at least 45 people, including civilians and senior Hamas commanders, prompting international condemnation and a statement from Prime Minister Netanyahu, who called it a "tragic mistake" and promised an investigation while affirming continued operations against Hamas. Severe storms and tornadoes across Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas resulted in at least 20 deaths and significant damage, highlighting an unusual increase in tornado activity over the past two months. The NCAA reached a settlement allowing college athletes to be paid by their schools starting in the 2025-2026 academic year, following an antitrust lawsuit that awarded nearly $2.8 billion in damages to current and former athletes. Finally, Donald Trump is back in Manhattan court for the final week of his trial on 34 counts of falsifying business records, with closing arguments underway and the jury expected to deliberate soon.

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Friday, May 24th, 2024 May 24, 2024

Today’s Headlines: President Biden welcomed Kenyan President William Ruto for a three-day state visit, marking Kenya as the first African country to be designated a major non-NATO ally. The visit included meetings with tech leaders and discussions on Kenya’s deployment of 1,000 troops to Haiti for a UN-led mission. UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced a surprise early national election for July 4th, as his Conservative Party trails the Labour Party in polls, possibly aiming to secure a better electoral outcome. In the US, the Supreme Court ruled that South Carolina's Republican-led redistricting did not constitute illegal gerrymandering, despite its impact on Black voters. Justice Clarence Thomas controversially suggested the Court overreached in its historic Brown vs. Board of Education decision banning school segregation. The Department of Justice filed an antitrust lawsuit against Live Nation, parent company of Ticketmaster, alleging monopolistic practices that harm consumers and artists. Additionally, the border deal fails again while Louisiana lawmakers passed a law classifying abortion medications as controlled substances, with strict penalties for possession without a prescription. Economic updates include a Federal Reserve survey indicating 65% of households are struggling with inflation, prompting major retailers like Target and Walmart to announce price cuts. The Department of Education also announced $7.7 billion in student debt cancellation for 160,000 borrowers under existing forgiveness programs.

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Thursday, May 23rd, 2024 May 23, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Norway, Spain, and Ireland have recognized the State of Palestine based on pre-1967 borders, while Israel briefly seized and then returned AP broadcast equipment in Gaza amid accusations of image sharing with Al-Jazeera. In the U.S., Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito faces criticism for displaying a "Stop The Steal" coded flag, prompting a censure resolution from Representative Steve Cohen. Donald Trump's legal troubles continue as classified documents were found at Mar-a-Lago months after an FBI search, and Trump claimed the DOJ tried to kill him during that search. Meanwhile, Nikki Haley endorsed Trump for the 2024 election. Ohio's Secretary of State plans to exclude Joe Biden from the ballot due to nomination timing issues, potentially leading to legal action. Additionally, Capitol rioter Charles Hand III is running for Congress in Georgia. Finally, a mysterious package containing blood was sent to the RNC headquarters, prompting an investigation by law enforcement.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Wednesday, May 22nd, 2024 May 22, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Defendant Donald’s criminal trial is almost over, with the defense resting its case and closing arguments set for next Tuesday after Memorial Day. Jury instructions were finalized, which are crucial for guiding the jury and potential appeals. Trump hinted at a third term at the NRA meeting and posted a controversial video on Truth Social, later deleted. He’s also considering allowing states to restrict contraceptives. President Biden announced over a million claims approved under the PACT Act, providing $5.7 billion in benefits to veterans affected by toxic exposure. NYC Mayor Eric Adams is under investigation for allegedly conspiring with the Turkish government to funnel illegal campaign donations and pressuring officials to approve a new consulate. Scarlett Johansson accused OpenAI of using her voice for their AI system without her consent, despite her refusal.

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Tuesday, May 21st, 2024 May 21, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Yesterday, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, the foreign minister, and other top cabinet members died in a helicopter crash in northwest Iran near the Azerbaijan border. Raisi was a contender to succeed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Now, Khamenei’s son is a likely, though unpopular, successor. Iran will hold a presidential election on June 28th. Meanwhile, the ICC prosecutor is seeking arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and Hamas leaders for war crimes, sparking backlash from Netanyahu and President Biden. The U.S. House may vote on sanctions against the ICC. In Trump's trial, Michael Cohen's testimony ended, and the defense introduced surprise witnesses. The judge reserved judgment on a dismissal motion. Additionally, Truth Social’s parent company reported significant financial losses but remains highly valued due to meme stock status. Finally, the Senate plans to vote on a bipartisan border package, though it's expected to face opposition from Republicans despite their past negotiations.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Monday, May 20th, 2024 May 20, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Yesterday, Iran's state media reported that a helicopter carrying President Ebrahim Raisi and the foreign minister crashed due to extreme fog conditions near the northwest border. As of 9:30 PM Eastern on Sunday, the helicopter had not been recovered, and search and rescue operations were ongoing. Raisi, elected in 2021, is a hard-liner under US sanctions for alleged human rights violations and known for accelerating Iran's nuclear program and ties with Russia. If Raisi doesn't survive, the vice president will serve as interim president, with an election required within 50 days. Meanwhile, the Israeli military recovered the bodies of three Israeli hostages in Rafah, with around 100 hostages still captive. Inside Prime Minister Netanyahu's war cabinet, members are demanding a decisive strategy to end the war, accusing Netanyahu of prioritizing his political survival. In other news, Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito's home flew an upside-down flag post-2020 election, a symbol adopted by the "stop the steal" movement. Alito attributed this to a dispute his wife had with a neighbor over anti-Trump signs. Additionally, Rudy Giuliani was served indictment papers in Arizona for his role in attempting to overturn the 2020 election at his 80th birthday party. Finally, David DePape, who attacked Nancy Pelosi's husband, was sentenced to 30 years in prison.

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Friday, May 17th, 2024 May 17, 2024

Today’s Headlines: President Biden is moving to reclassify marijuana from a Schedule I to a Schedule III drug, which would officially recognize its medical benefits and allow for more federal research. The DEA has opened a 60-day public comment period on this proposal, inviting Americans to weigh in. At the same time, Congress has passed the $105 billion FAA Reauthorization Act, aimed at making flying safer and more accessible for people with disabilities, including better provisions for wheelchair users and improved emergency procedures. In other news, a recent review shows Latine students are more segregated in schools now than they’ve been since 1968, often ending up in under-resourced schools. In Trump’s criminal trial, Michael Cohen's credibility was put under intense scrutiny during cross-examination, with the trial expected to conclude soon. Lastly, Vice President Harris has agreed to participate in a vice-presidential debate hosted by CBS News. The debate will take place after the Republican National Convention, where she'll learn who her opponent will be.

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Thursday, May 16th, 2024 May 16, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Hundreds of thousands of Gazans are evacuating Rafah as Israel expands its operation there. Despite US and EU discouragement, the Biden administration plans to provide over $1 billion in military aid to Israel. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced $2 billion in new military financing for Ukraine as Russia advances towards Kharkiv. In other news, President Biden proposed a debate with former President Trump, accepted for June 27th, moderated by CNN's Jake Tapper and Dana Bash, with a second debate on September 10th hosted by ABC News. While details are being discussed, both campaigns have expressed concerns about the Commission on Presidential Debates. Defendant Donald’s trial continues, and Senator Bob Menendez's bribery trial began. April’s inflation report shows CPI rose by 3.4%, slightly less than March, but still above the Fed's target. The Fed is unlikely to lower interest rates before fall.

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Wednesday, May 15th, 2024 May 15, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Michael Cohen continued his testimony at Donald Trump’s trial, providing details of how Trump directed the falsification of business records to reimburse Cohen for the Stormy Daniels payment. The defense hasn't confirmed if Trump will testify. In a separate development, a New York court rejected Trump's appeal of gag orders imposed by Judge Juan Merchan, which he violated 10 times. Meanwhile, contractors paid by RFK Jr's campaign in NYC allegedly hid his name on ballot petitions, potentially constituting election fraud. In other news, 8 people died in a Florida bus crash, with the pickup truck driver charged with DUI manslaughter. The DOJ accused Boeing of violating a settlement related to 737 Max crashes, while Elon Musk must comply with an SEC subpoena regarding his takeover of Twitter, despite his attorneys' arguments against it.

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Tuesday, May 14th, 2024 May 14, 2024

Today’s Headlines: The New York Times revealed Hamas's secret police in Gaza, overseen by leader Yahya Sinwar, has been surveilling Palestinian civilians' political activities, online presence, and personal lives. The General Security Service, part of Hamas, acts as a government intelligence agency, using informants to monitor dissent, following individuals to check for infidelity, and censoring criticism on social media while promoting Hamas's messages. Meanwhile, President Biden signed legislation banning Russian imports of enriched uranium to cut off a significant revenue source to Russia amid the Ukraine invasion. Enriched uranium is a main fuel for US nuclear power plants, with Russia supplying about 20% of it, costing American companies around $1 billion yearly. The legislation also unlocks $2.7 billion for domestic uranium enrichment. In Defendant Donald updates, Michael Cohen testified in Donald Trump's trial about his involvement in concealing affairs. Cohen described Trump's motives and actions regarding Stormy Daniels' payment. Additionally, new reports suggest Trump could owe the IRS $100 million due to questionable tax practices. Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves signed a bill prohibiting transgender individuals from using public school bathrooms that match their gender identities. Lastly, six US airlines are suing the Biden administration over new transparency rules on flight fees, claiming they would confuse consumers.

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Monday, May 13th, 2024 May 13, 2024

Today’s Headlines: The Biden administration delayed bomb shipments to Israel to prevent civilian casualties in potential assaults on Rafah. Netanyahu criticized this, but Blinken clarified that high payload bombs are withheld due to their impact in populated areas. Israel hasn't shared post-strike civilian protection plans, raising concerns about insurgency. The US aims for a different approach to demilitarize Gaza, with $26 billion aid coming. A State Department report noted concerns about US-supplied weapons' use without concrete evidence. Israel increased humanitarian aid access. Meanwhile, a senior FBI official warned of foreign interference in US elections through disinformation spread, particularly via AI deep fakes and robocalls. A recent intelligence report noted Russia's attempts to denigrate the Democratic party and weaken support for Ukraine, while Iran aimed to exploit US social divisions. China sought to influence specific races, targeting candidates critical of China. On the Coup Beat, an appellate court upheld Steve Bannon's contempt conviction, but he's not immediately starting his sentence. Michael Cohen's testimony begins today in the ongoing hush money trial.. Additionally, Senator Bob Menendez faces federal charges again and Barron Trump was announced as a Republican delegate but declined due to prior commitments.

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Friday, May 10th, 2024 May 10, 2024

Today’s Headlines: In a Manhattan court, Stormy Daniels provided testimony about her sexual encounter with Donald Trump, with much of the cross-examination focusing on the details of the encounter itself rather than the hush money payment. Her lack of knowledge about Trump's business records became a notable point, highlighting the broader context of the trial, which concerns the payment made to cover up their liaison. Following Daniels, Donald's former assistant, Madeleine Westerhout, testified about communications with Michael Cohen regarding the reimbursement of the $130,000 hush money payment to Stormy. These communications led to the Trump Organization sending checks to Cohen, labeled as "legal expenses'' under a "retainer agreement" that lacks recorded documentation. Despite Donald's attorney's attempts for a mistrial, Judge Juan Merchan denied the motion, and Marjorie Taylor Greene's motion to remove Speaker Mike Johnson from office also failed. Meanwhile, recent data shows that medical school graduates are avoiding states with abortion bans for residency positions, and the US Preventative Services Task Force recommended that mammograms for breast cancer screening should start at age 40. Lastly, the Inspector General at the Office of Veterans Affairs reported nearly $11 million in improperly paid bonuses to senior executives, and Hunter Biden's federal gun charges trial is set to proceed next month alongside separate federal tax charges in California.

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Thursday, May 9th, 2024 May 09, 2024

Today’s Headlines: The Biden administration halted an arms shipment to Israel amid worries about civilian casualties. The shipment contained large bombs that could cause collateral damage in densely populated areas. In the Indiana primaries, Nikki Haley, despite withdrawing from the race, managed to secure over 21% of the Republican vote, revealing a significant base of support within the party. This contrasts with Donald Trump's dominance in the state, winning 78% of the vote and all 58 delegates. Meanwhile, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. 's aide, Zach Henry, was discovered to have been present at the Capitol insurrection on January 6th, raising questions about the campaign's affiliations. Furthermore, recent revelations about RFK Jr.'s health issues, including a dead worm in his brain and mercury poisoning, have drawn attention to his fitness for office. The attorneys general of six Republican-led states filed a lawsuit against Title 9 expansions, while a Catholic high school was granted the right to fire a teacher for marrying a man. Finally, record-high sea temperatures and severe storms have caused devastation in the Midwest.

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Wednesday, May 8th, 2024 May 08, 2024

Today’s Headlines: In the Middle East, ceasefire negotiations persist as Israeli forces seize control of the Rafah border crossing, a crucial entry point for humanitarian aid. Human Rights Watch accuses Israel of obstructing aid delivery and flouting ICC orders, while US House Republicans draft legislation in anticipation of potential ICC arrest warrants for Israeli officials. Amid the conflict, the US delays arms shipments to Israel, prompting questions about the effectiveness of the aid. In other news, President Biden condemns antisemitism, and Stormy Daniels' testimony in Donald Trump's trial sparks courtroom tension, with Judge Juan Merchan warning Trump's attorney about potential contempt charges. Additionally, a federal judge postpones a trial over classified documents found at Mar-a-Lago, while conservative judges refuse to hire from Columbia University due to recent protests. Finally, the FAA and FDIC launch investigations into Boeing and allegations of sexual harassment, respectively.

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Tuesday, May 7th, 2024 May 07, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Hamas accepted a ceasefire proposal yesterday, aiming to permanently end the conflict. However, Israeli officials rejected the agreement, claiming Hamas accepted a different version. Consequently, Israel launched airstrikes on Rafah, where many people sought refuge. Despite this setback, US officials are still involved, trying to salvage an agreement as both parties remain in negotiations. Meanwhile, Donald Trump was found in contempt of court for violating his gag order for the 10th time yesterday, with Judge Juan Merchan threatening jail time if the violations continue. Trump expressed his willingness to go to jail if it means he can continue attacking on Truth Social. In other news, 82-year-old Senator Bernie Sanders announced his reelection bid for a fourth term and Medicare's go-broke date was pushed back to 2036 while Social Security's trust funds are projected to run out by 2034, covering only 83% of benefits. Finally, a US soldier was detained in Russia for allegedly stealing from a woman he was romantically involved with during a visit to Vladivostok.

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Monday, May 6th, 2024 May 06, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Ceasefire talks between Hamas and Israel collapse in Cairo, leading Israel to announce an imminent incursion into Gaza. Hamas claimed responsibility for firing rockets at the Kerem Shalom border crossing, causing its closure, worsening the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza. Additionally, the Israeli government ordered the closure of Al Jazeera's local offices, citing security concerns and accusing the network of incitement against soldiers. Furthermore, the US halted a shipment of US-made ammunition to Israel, and in US politics, Senator Tim Scott's vague response to accepting the 2024 election results raised eyebrows. Meanwhile, Texas Congressman Henry Cuellar and his wife were indicted on bribery charges involving an oil company and a bank. Finally, severe weather in Texas and Oklahoma have caused widespread chaos.

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Friday, May 3rd, 2024 May 03, 2024

Today’s Headlines: US senators held a virtual meeting with International Criminal Court officials over rumors of arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and others. Meanwhile, Donald Trump, during his break from court, declared he wouldn't commit to accepting 2024 election results, reasserting false claims about winning Wisconsin in 2020. Back in court, testimony continued about hush money payments, with the judge considering more gag order violations. President Biden addressed campus protests, affirming dissent's importance but denouncing disorder, while another Boeing whistleblower's death raises questions about safety issues in the company.

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Thursday, May 2nd, 2024 May 02, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Today's news brings updates on nationwide campus protests, centered at Columbia University where over 300 pro-Palestinian protesters were arrested. Mayor Eric Adams suggests the protests are influenced by outside agitators. Similar protests have erupted across the country, resulting in over 1500 arrests. Violence erupted at UCLA where 15 people were injured in clashes. In Congress, the House passed the Antisemitism Awareness Act, though its future in the Senate is uncertain due to debates over its impact on free speech. On abortion, Florida's 6-week ban is now in effect, while Arizona voted to repeal its 1864 abortion ban, but it won't take effect immediately. In Louisiana, a federal court blocked the state's new congressional map, leaving it without a map for the 2024 elections. Lastly, the Federal Reserve decided not to cut the inflation rate, maintaining it between 5.25 and 5.5%, citing the need for greater confidence in sustainable inflation reduction.

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Wednesday, May 1st, 2024 May 01, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Just as ceasefire and hostage negotiations are gaining momentum, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declares his intention to invade Rafah, stating that the military will do so regardless of a truce. Meanwhile, Columbia University sees pro-Palestine protests escalating as students occupy administrative buildings, demanding divestment and transparency. In a different protest scenario, Brown University agrees to consider divesting from Israeli funds. In legal news, Donald Trump faces consequences for violating a gag order during his trial, with Judge Juan Merchan holding him in contempt and warning of jail time. Trump's potential plans for a second term, including extreme policy proposals, also surface. On a different note, there are reports of easing federal restrictions on cannabis, with the DEA expected to reclassify marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule 3, potentially impacting taxation and research efforts.

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Tuesday, April 30th, 2024 Apr 30, 2024

Today’s Headlines: The International Criminal Court (ICC) is reportedly considering issuing arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other senior Israeli officials for their actions during the Gaza military campaign. Netanyahu reportedly asked President Biden to help prevent the ICC from issuing these warrants. Additionally, US congress members from both parties have attempted to warn the ICC against issuing the warrants. A coalition of attorneys, including some from the Biden administration, has urged President Biden to halt military aid to Israel, accusing Israel of violating US statutes and international humanitarian law. Amnesty International has also called for the halt of arms sales to Israel, alleging violations of international law. Campus protests have spread across universities in the US, with tensions escalating, while legal challenges from several Republican-controlled states are targeting federal expansions to Title IX aimed at protecting transgender students. On a positive note, a federal appeals court ruled that state health care plans must cover gender-affirming surgeries, citing violations of the anti-discrimination provision of the Affordable Care Act.

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Monday, April 29th, 2024 Apr 29, 2024

Today’s Headlines: This week's diplomatic efforts in Gaza see Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Saudi Arabia for ceasefire and hostage negotiations, with President Biden cautioning Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against escalating assaults on Rafah. The Israeli military's call-up of reserve soldiers indicates rising tensions. Meanwhile, over 800 arrests of pro-Palestinian student protesters occurred on college campuses, highlighting the pressure to oppose America's support of Israel's Gaza operation. This has led to the House voting on the Antisemitism Awareness Act, defining antisemitism per the Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's guidelines. Additionally, severe weather hit Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, and Texas, with over 100 tornadoes causing fatalities and extensive damage. Finally, Donald Trump met with Ron DeSantis reportedly to raise money for the November election, hinting at DeSantis's presidential aspirations.

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Friday, April 26th, 2024 Apr 26, 2024

Today’s Headlines: The Supreme Court heard oral arguments yesterday regarding whether Donald Trump has absolute immunity from prosecution due to his actions while president in attempting to overturn the 2020 election, arguing that anything a president does can be considered an "official act." Trump's attorney even suggested that assassinating a political rival could be an official act depending on circumstances. However, the Court didn't seem swayed by the full immunity argument, potentially opening the door for partial immunity or delaying the case. Meanwhile, in Defendant Donald's criminal trial, former National Enquirer publisher David Pecker testified about his involvement in a hush money agreement with Stormy Daniels, revealing that the Enquirer buried the story to help Trump's presidential campaign. President Biden issued a joint statement urging Hamas to accept a hostage and ceasefire deal, while a Commerce Department report showed weaker-than-expected economic growth in the US for the first quarter of 2024. Lastly, Harvey Weinstein's rape conviction was overturned by a New York Appeals Court, prompting plans for a retrial.

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Thursday, April 25th, 2024 Apr 25, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Congress passed a $95 billion foreign aid package for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, along with a TikTok ban, allowing TikTok up to a year to secure a sale to an American company. Hamas released a video of an Israeli-American hostage, increasing pressure for negotiations. In Arizona, a grand jury indicted 18 people, including Trump affiliates, for efforts to overturn the 2020 election. The Supreme Court heard arguments on Idaho's abortion ban vs. federal emergency care law, showing a divided stance. Tennessee passed a law permitting concealed handguns for teachers, and the Department of Transportation issued new rules mandating automatic flight refunds. Lastly, bird flu concerns arose after FDA detection in milk samples, leading to new regulations for dairy cow transportation.

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Wednesday, April 24th, 2024 Apr 24, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Yesterday was the second day of testimony in Defendant Donald's criminal trial, which was filled with drama. While there won't be any cameras in the courtroom, the New York State Court System announced that transcripts of each day's proceedings will be published on their website due to "unparalleled public interest." Former National Enquirer publisher David Pecker testified about his role in directing favorable stories to Donald's campaign, dating back to the 2015 republican primary. Meanwhile, there's anticipation for a ruling on whether Donald will be held in contempt of court for violating his gag order. The Supreme Court heard arguments on a dispute between Idaho's near-total abortion ban and a federal law requiring emergency abortion care, while the FTC voted to ban non-compete agreements nationwide, facing potential legal challenges from pro-business lobbyists. The Justice Department reached a $139 million civil settlement with victims of Larry Nassar, resolving claims of FBI mishandling. Lastly, the Senate was voting on a $95 billion foreign aid package for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, along with the TikTok ban, signaling a late-night passage.

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Tuesday, April 23rd, 2024 Apr 23, 2024

Today’s Headlines: In this episode, the Biden administration is considering sanctioning an Israeli military unit, Netzah Yehuda, known for its far-right ideology and comprised of ultra-Orthodox Jewish soldiers. This follows reports of the unit's reactivation after it was moved out of the West Bank due to convictions for torturing Palestinian detainees. Meanwhile, classified documents reveal Russia's plan to undermine the US and NATO through various means, including a water system hack in Texas. Defendant Donald's trial advances with opening statements and witness testimonies, while the Biden administration launches the American Climate Corps to train young people in green industries.

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Monday, April 22nd, 2024 Apr 22, 2024

Today’s Headlines: The House of Representatives passed $95 billion in foreign aid packages for Ukraine, Taiwan, and Israel, with $60 billion allocated for Ukraine, $26 billion for Israel, $8 billion for Taiwan, and $9 billion for humanitarian aid in Gaza and the West Bank. Additionally, they approved a measure allowing the sale of frozen assets of Russian oligarchs to fund aid for Ukraine, sanctions on Russia, China, and Iran, and a TikTok ban if not sold within 9 months. Israel conducted a retaliatory strike against Iran in Isfahan, damaging part of an air defense system, and intensified air raids on Rafah. Maine joined 16 states and Washington DC in the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact. On Earth Day, alarming reports revealed that wildfire smoke contributes to thousands of deaths annually, while the Interior Department expanded protections in Alaskan wilderness and the EPA targeted hazardous "forever chemicals."

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Friday, April 19th, 2024 Apr 19, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Jury selection for Donald Trump's trial progressed swiftly, with 12 jurors seated and an alternate, though two were dismissed for reasons including anti-Trump social media posts. To safeguard juror anonymity, Judge Juan Merchan barred media from reporting juror details. Additionally, Trump's civil cases related to his January 6th election efforts faced rejection for delay by a federal judge. At the UN Security Council, the US vetoed a resolution for Palestine's full UN membership, citing preference for negotiations. Over 100 students were arrested at a pro-Palestinian protest at Columbia University, including Representative Ilhan Omar's daughter. Maine's legislature passed a significant gun safety bill, and the Kennedy family endorsed President Biden's reelection in Philadelphia, despite family member Robert F. Kennedy Jr. running as a spoiler candidate.

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Thursday, April 18th, 2024 Apr 18, 2024

Today’s Headlines: In Congress, the impeachment trial of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas quickly adjourned after senators deemed the articles of impeachment unconstitutional, while whistleblowers from Boeing testified before a Senate subcommittee, criticizing the company's safety culture. In the House of Representatives, a resolution in support of Ukraine passed overwhelmingly, with notable opposition from Representatives Paul Gosar, Matt Rosendale, and Thomas Massie, the latter of whom cosponsored a motion to vacate Speaker Mike Johnson. Donald Trump's criminal trial saw no additional jurors selected, while reports surfaced of his meetings with foreign leaders and plans to dine with the president of Poland. Switzerland moved to ban Nazi and racist symbols, Democrats regained a majority in the Michigan State House of Representatives, and a "rain bomb" in the UAE and Oman highlighted climate change concerns.

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Wednesday, April 17th, 2024 Apr 17, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Israel plans retaliation against Iran's strike, despite U.S. advisement against offensive action. The U.S. announces new sanctions on Iran's missile and drone program. In Donald Trump's criminal trial, seven jurors were selected, and he labeled it a "Biden-inspired witch hunt." The Supreme Court hears oral arguments on whether federal prosecutors overstepped authority in prosecuting January 6th rioters. Additionally, Speaker Mike Johnson faces increased pressure after another congressman agrees to cosponsor a motion to remove him from speakership.

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Tuesday, April 16th, 2024 Apr 16, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Donald Trump's first criminal trial started with jury selection which is expected to last up to two weeks. Trump, present throughout, unsuccessfully sought to modify the trial schedule. Prosecutors are emphasizing election interference, supported by evidence linking "hush money" payments to the 2016 election. The judge allowed National Enquirer articles into evidence and scheduled a contempt hearing for Trump's breach of a gag order. Meanwhile, Speaker Mike Johnson plans separate funding bills for Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan, including a TikTok ban and aid provisions. In the Supreme Court, Idaho's ban on gender-affirming care for transgender teenagers was upheld, and a lawsuit against a Black Lives Matter activist advances. The FBI launched a criminal investigation into the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse, and the Justice Department is preparing an antitrust lawsuit against Live Nation.

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Monday, April 15th, 2024 Apr 15, 2024

Today’s Headlines: The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) warned of retaliation against Israel following the attack on a consulate building in Syria. They seized an Israeli-affiliated cargo ship and launched approximately 350 strikes on Israel, mostly intercepted. President Biden reportedly deterred Israeli counterattack support. The IRGC declared the matter concluded. The Biden administration forgave $7.4 billion in student loans for 275,000 borrowers through the SAVE repayment plan. Loans under $12,000 will be canceled after 10 years, and balances forgiven after 20-25 years under the IDR adjustment. The IRS introduced a free tax filing feature as part of its Direct File Pilot program. Florida banned local heat and water break requirements for outdoor workers, and Arizona enacted the "Taylor Swift Act" against ticket bots. Over 150 cancer cases potentially linked to Poe Hall at North Carolina State University emerged due to hazardous materials. Donald Trump's first criminal trial for attempting to influence the 2016 election by paying off Stormy Daniels begins today.

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Friday, April 12th, 2024 Apr 12, 2024

Today’s Headlines: In Arizona, Republican lawmakers blocked a bill aimed at repealing the state's 1864 abortion ban, with one Republican briefly supporting the repeal before a colleague moved to adjourn, effectively stalling the vote. Meanwhile, the Biden administration announced a major gun control measure, closing the gun show loophole and requiring all gun dealers to obtain federal licenses and conduct background checks regardless of where they sell firearms. However, in Tennessee, the state senate advanced a bill allowing teachers to be armed in public schools, prompting outrage from gun control advocates and families of shooting victims. Additionally, OJ Simpson passed away after battling prostate cancer, just two months after claiming he was in good health. Finally, as if election year politics weren't enough, a double cicada year is upon us, with two broods of periodical cicadas emerging across the midwest, southeast, and Illinois, promising an onslaught of relentless buzzing.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

Axios: Arizona update, republicans blocked bill to repeal ban
Reuters: Biden admin closed ‘gun show loophole and require more background checks’
MSNBC: GOP-led Tennessee Senate advances bill to arm teachers without informing parents
People: OJ dead at 76
The Hill: Trump faces do-or-die moment with hush money trial
CBS News: Periodical cicadas will emerge in 2024

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Thursday, April 11th, 2024 Apr 11, 2024

Today’s Headlines: House Republicans, led by Matt Gaetz, sabotaged a procedural vote to start debate on the reauthorization of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, citing concerns over an exclusionary amendment that Trump claimed would protect Americans but others argued would dismantle the program. By blocking the debate, any chance to advocate for the amendment was effectively quashed. Meanwhile, Kevin McCarthy hinted during an interview at Georgetown University that Gaetz's actions contributed to him losing the chance to become Speaker, referencing allegations of unethical behavior involving a 17-year-old. In other news, a shooting during a Ramadan event in West Philadelphia left three injured, including the 15-year-old suspect who was subsequently apprehended by police. Additionally, Donald Trump stated he wouldn't endorse a national abortion ban, while South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem faced backlash from Native American tribes for offensive comments, and the New York state director for RFK Jr’s campaign openly discussed diverting votes from Biden in favor of Trump. Sunday’s Women’s NCAA Basketball National Championship game became the most watched basketball game since 2019.

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Wednesday, April 10th, 2024 Apr 10, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Arizona's Supreme Court upheld a near-total abortion ban, initially enacted in 1864, which makes nearly all abortion procedures illegal, without exceptions for rape or incest, to be enforced within 45 days. However, efforts to counteract this ban are already in motion, with plans to amend the state constitution directly on the November ballot to safeguard abortion rights, gathering significant support with over 500,000 signatures. In a separate development, concerns have been raised by Republican congressmen about the infiltration of Kremlin propaganda within their own party, highlighting the broader challenge of combating foreign influence and misinformation within the American political landscape. Additionally, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) introduced new regulations targeting toxic pollution from over 200 chemical plants across the United States, aiming to reduce the risk of cancer for nearby communities. In court case updates, James and Jennifer Crumbley were sentenced to 10-15 years in prison for involuntary manslaughter charges related to their son Ethan Crumbley's mass shooting, where he killed four classmates and received a life sentence without parole while The European Court of Human Rights ruled in favor of over 2,000 Swiss women who sued the government for failing to address climate change adequately, potentially forcing Switzerland to reduce fossil fuel consumption and Donald Trump's attempt to sue Judge Juan Merchan to delay his campaign finance trial was denied. Finally, Cowboy Carter made Beyoncé the first Black woman to top Billboard's country albums chart since its inception in 1964.

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Tuesday, April 9th, 2024 Apr 09, 2024

Today’s Headlines: As the six-month mark since Hamas’s October 7th massacre passes, Israel announces the withdrawal of most army brigades from southern Gaza. The IDF completes operations in Khan Younis to regroup for a planned incursion into Rafah. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hints at an imminent invasion while mediators discuss potential ceasefires and hostage exchanges in Egypt. Meanwhile, President Biden unveiled a new student loan forgiveness initiative aimed at relieving interest burdens for around 25 million Americans. Additionally, the administration proposed debt forgiveness for 2 million borrowers who have been repaying loans for 20 or more years, as well as those who missed enrollment in federal programs. Alongside this, over $6 billion in funding was announced to mass-produce semiconductor chips domestically, with a significant investment from the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company. In other news, Donald Trump expressed his stance on abortion being decided by states and is facing trial for campaign finance charges in Manhattan, attempting to delay proceedings. Elon Musk is under investigation in Brazil for allegedly enabling the spread of fake news and disinformation, facing accusations of obstructing court orders and incitement.

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Monday, April 8th, 2024 Apr 08, 2024

Today’s Headlines: In response to a tense phone call between President Biden and Prime Minister Netanyahu, Israel has taken action by opening the Erez border crossing for humanitarian aid and facilitating increased aid from Jordan, alongside addressing a communication breakdown regarding a strike on a humanitarian convoy. Meanwhile, the US economy surpassed expectations in March, with over 300,000 jobs added, steady unemployment rates, and rising hourly earnings, potentially affecting Federal Reserve interest rate decisions. Treasury Secretary Yellen's discussions with Chinese officials aimed to address economic challenges and competition, fostering ongoing bilateral talks and communication channels. In Nebraska, a legislative push for a winner-take-all electoral system failed, sparking broader conversations on electoral reforms. A Lancet study warns of a significant rise in prostate cancer diagnoses and deaths by 2040, despite advances in testing and treatment. Law enforcement investigates arson at Senator Sanders' office in Vermont and a sophisticated cash heist in Los Angeles, prompting FBI and police involvement. As millions witness a solar eclipse, cautionary reminders urge the use of proper eye protection.

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Friday, April 5th, 2024 Apr 05, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces mounting pressure from multiple fronts, notably following a phone call with President Biden regarding the killing of seven humanitarian aid workers by Israeli airstrikes. Biden warned that continued US support hinges on immediate steps to protect civilians and aid workers, prompting expectations for Israel to announce actions within days. Meanwhile, calls for an independent investigation into the airstrike mount, casting doubt on Israel's military's impartiality. Additionally, Netanyahu grapples with domestic unrest and calls for new elections by a key member of his war cabinet. In other news, Donald Trump faces legal setbacks, with courts rejecting motions in cases related to election interference charges and mishandling classified documents. Furthermore, the New York Attorney General seeks information on the collateral for Trump's $175 million bond, adding to his legal woes. Lastly, the centrist political group No Labels abandons plans to field an independent candidate in the 2024 election after facing rejections from prominent politicians.

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Thursday, April 4th, 2024 Apr 04, 2024

Today’s Headlines: In recent developments concerning Donald Trump, he made inflammatory remarks about immigrants during campaign speeches and launched a new website, BidenBloodBath.com, criticizing the Biden administration's border policies. Additionally, Trump filed a lawsuit against two co-founders of Trump Media, parent company of Truth Social, alleging stock forfeiture. Meanwhile, two brothers pleaded guilty to securities fraud for insider trading related to Truth Social's IPO. In Wisconsin, voters approved a constitutional amendment banning private funding for state elections, reacting to Mark Zuckerberg's donations in 2020. Lastly, a joint-study found that the diabetes drug Ozempic could be produced at a significantly lower cost than its current price, prompting scrutiny of pharmaceutical pricing practices.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Wednesday, April 3rd, 2024 Apr 03, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Seven aid workers from the World Central Kitchen, led by Chef José Andrés, were killed in Gaza by Israeli airstrikes after unloading over 100 tons of food. The incident, despite clear markings and prior notification to the IDF, has sparked global condemnation and raised concerns about the safety of humanitarian workers. Fallout includes potential setbacks to aid delivery efforts and suspension of operations by other organizations due to safety risks. The tragedy has also fueled protests in Israel, demanding Prime Minister Netanyahu's resignation. In other news, the Oklahoma state Supreme Court hears arguments on reparations for survivors of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, while details emerge about a company providing a bond to Donald Trump to prevent asset seizure for a civil fraud penalty. Additionally, a California lawmaker introduces a "right to disconnect" bill, granting employees the right to ignore after-hours communication from employers, with penalties for excessive contact.

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Tuesday, April 2nd, 2024 Apr 02, 2024

Today’s Headlines: In a flurry of international and domestic developments, tensions escalate in the Middle East as Iran's Revolutionary Guard reports Israeli airstrikes on the Iranian consulate in Syria, resulting in casualties, prompting Israel to heighten embassy security. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announces plans to enact legislation allowing action against foreign media networks deemed national security threats, with Al Jazeera targeted specifically. In the US, Florida's Supreme Court rulings greenlight a 6-week abortion ban and pave the way for a ballot measure on abortion rights. Michigan becomes the final state to decriminalize paid surrogacy contracts, signaling progress in LGBTQ rights and reproductive freedom. Congressional dynamics shift, potentially impacting House Speaker Mike Johnson's tenure, while former President Donald Trump secures a $175 million bond to avoid contempt of court in a fraud case, yet faces an expanded gag order in another legal battle.

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Monday, April 1st, 2024 Apr 01, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Over the weekend, thousands of Israelis protested Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government, demanding a new election, amidst ongoing ceasefire negotiations and Netanyahu's recent hernia surgery. Meanwhile, fallout from a recent bridge collapse in Baltimore is estimated to halt operations at the Port of Baltimore for approximately five months, causing significant regional economic strain, although the federal government has pledged $60 million for rebuilding efforts. Additionally, AT&T announced an investigation into a data breach affecting over 70 million customers, with varying degrees of personal information compromised. Lastly, California's new law has gone into effect, raising the minimum wage for most fast food workers to $20 per hour, marking a significant pay increase for many.

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Friday, March 29th, 2024 Mar 29, 2024

Today’s Headlines: The International Court of Justice orders Israel to ensure unhindered humanitarian aid access to Gaza, as the UN warns of impending famine, despite Israeli officials denying any restrictions. Meanwhile, in Georgia, the vice chairman of the Republican Party, Brian Pritchard, is found to have illegally voted nine times and is penalized with a $5000 fine. In South Carolina, a federal court mandates the use of an unconstitutional and discriminatory electoral map for upcoming congressional elections due to time constraints, affecting the 1st district currently held by Representative Nancy Mace. Donald Trump's legal battle in Atlanta revolves around arguing for dismissal of his election interference case, as new reports reveal over $100 million diverted from campaign funds to cover legal fees since leaving office. Tennessee Governor Bill Lee rolls back police reform legislation in Memphis, while the US Office of Management and Budget announces updated racial and ethnic categorization methods for federal forms. Finally, FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried is sentenced to 25 years in prison for securities fraud conspiracy, with concerns raised about his potential future actions.

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Thursday, March 28th, 2024 Mar 28, 2024

Today’s Headlines: In a rapid turnaround from earlier decisions, Israel announces its return to hostage and ceasefire negotiations, sending two officials to Washington DC next week. Discussions are centered on Israel's potential operation in Rafah, yet to materialize at the scale promised by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Amidst the royal drama surrounding Kate Middleton's cancer diagnosis, cybersecurity experts reveal a coordinated disinformation campaign linked to a Russian group, highlighting the manipulation of online discourse. Democratic candidate Marilyn Lands secures a significant victory in Alabama's conservative Madison county, flipping a historically Republican-held seat with a platform focused on protecting abortion rights and IVF. Donald Trump's Truth Social app goes public on the Nasdaq despite financial losses, and he breaches a gag order in his criminal trial by making false claims about the overseeing judge's daughter. Lastly, the Republican National Committee undergoes predictable changes under the Trump family regime, including questioning job applicants about beliefs regarding the 2020 election and relocating to Palm Beach proximity to Mar-a-Lago, reminiscent of Trump's past loyalty concerns within his administration.

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Wednesday, March 27th, 2024 Mar 27, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Top news today is a mix of tragedy and controversy. The Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore collapsed after a cargo ship crashed into it, leaving 6 people missing and presumed dead. Rebuilding the bridge will take years. On another front, the Supreme Court heard arguments in a case that could limit access to medication abortion. In other news, a judge placed a limited gag order on Donald Trump in his criminal trial, while Trump himself has begun selling bibles. Ronna McDaniel was fired from her new role as an NBC News contributor after facing backlash from colleagues. Internationally, Israel pulled its negotiators from peace talks with Hamas, and Florida passed a law restricting social media use for minors.

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Tuesday, March 26th, 2024 Mar 26, 2024

Today’s Headlines: The Supreme Court is considering a case on the abortion medication mifepristone, which is used in a majority of US abortions. The case questions whether the FDA overstepped its authority by making the drug easier to access. Mifepristone is safe and has been FDA approved since 2000. In separate legal news, Donald Trump got a reduced bond amount in a civil fraud case and a court date for his criminal campaign finance trial. This will be his first criminal trial. Boeing's CEO and several other top executives are resigning after a series of safety issues with the 737 Max airplane. Finally, the UN passed a resolution for a ceasefire in Gaza, but the US abstained and proposed a different ceasefire tied to hostage release. The Israeli Prime Minister cancelled his US visit in response.

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Monday, March 25th, 2024 Mar 25, 2024

Today’s Headlines: The attack in Moscow was perpetrated by ISIS-Khorasan (ISIS-K), an offshoot of the Islamic State, aiming to establish an Islamic caliphate in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. At least 137 people were killed and 60 injured in the concert hall attack. Russian security services apprehended 11 individuals, including the four shooters, identified as foreign nationals from Tajikistan, confirming ISIS-K's responsibility for the assault. Congress has averted a government shutdown by passing a $1.2 trillion spending package for the second half of the federal budget for 2024, signed by President Biden. Notably, military aid to Ukraine, Taiwan, and Israel was not included. While this provides temporary stability, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson faces challenges from the far right of his party for compromising on the bill. Additionally, Senator Lisa Murkowski hinted at leaving the Republican Party due to its support for Donald Trump. Meanwhile, Trump faces a deadline to cover a civil fraud penalty, but despite financial difficulties with his company Truth Social, an IPO valued at $5.7 billion has been approved, potentially offering a solution.

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Friday, March 22nd, 2024 Mar 22, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Secretary of State Antony Blinken has submitted a draft resolution to the UN Security Council urging an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, with the Biden administration exerting pressure on Israel for cessation. In Congress, the release of a $1.2 trillion government funding bill has taken center stage, highlighting key provisions impacting various departments. The Department of Justice, in conjunction with state attorneys general, filed an antitrust lawsuit against Apple, alleging monopoly practices. President Biden has struck a deal with Intel to invest in semiconductor chip plants in the US, aiming to bolster domestic production. Additionally, concerning findings from an independent probe into the Social Security Administration's handling of fines have raised due process concerns. Lastly, a study reveals disparities in online communication response rates among healthcare providers based on patients' race at large healthcare systems.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Thursday, March 21st, 2024 Mar 21, 2024

Today’s Headlines: The declaration by both the World Bank and World Health Organization of an imminent risk of catastrophic famine in Gaza, potentially affecting over 1 million people, underscores the dire humanitarian situation in the region, with already over 2 million facing acute food insecurity. Tensions escalate as the Israeli military contemplates action in Rafah, despite strong international pressure to refrain, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu advocating for a ground invasion to eliminate Hamas. In domestic affairs, the Biden administration's announcement of additional student debt relief for public service workers and the Federal Reserve's decision regarding the federal interest rate reflect ongoing efforts to address economic challenges amidst global uncertainties.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Wednesday, March 20th, 2024 Mar 20, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Yesterday's elections saw President Biden and Donald Trump secure easy victories in their respective presidential primaries in Illinois, Kansas, and Ohio, setting the stage for the upcoming general election. Of particular note was the Republican Senate primary in Ohio, won by Trump-backed candidate Bernie Moreno, who will challenge Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown for a fourth term. The race reflects Ohio's shifting political landscape, with Moreno defeating more centrist opponents and drawing attention for his criticism of Trump's role in the January 6th Capitol attack. Meanwhile, in a concerning legal development, Trump's attorneys argued for "absolute immunity" before the Supreme Court regarding his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results, while Trump himself made inflammatory remarks accusing the Democratic party of anti-Semitism. Additionally, the Supreme Court's decision to allow Texas's SB4 law, granting broad arrest powers to police regarding suspected undocumented migrants, to potentially go into effect raises significant concerns about states' rights versus federal authority in immigration matters. Finally, climate scientists warn of prolonged record-high ocean temperatures, leading to more severe weather events globally, highlighting the urgent need for climate action amidst escalating environmental crises.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Tuesday, March 19th, 2024 Mar 19, 2024

Today’s Headlines: We start in Haiti where the situation remains dire following Prime Minister Ariel Henry's resignation, with the country plunged into a state of chaos characterized by gang violence and political instability. The closure of international airports has further complicated matters, leaving Henry stranded in Puerto Rico. Meanwhile, in a legal battle, Donald Trump faces challenges in securing a bond to satisfy a $464 million civil fraud judgment in New York, potentially risking asset seizures by the New York Attorney General. Additionally, Trump's former campaign manager, Paul Manafort, infamous for his ties to Russian interference in the 2016 election, may return as a campaign advisor. On a brighter note, President Biden signed an executive order allocating $200 million for women's healthcare research, while the Supreme Court made significant rulings, blocking a Texas law empowering police to arrest suspected undocumented migrants and rejecting an appeal by Trump advisor Peter Navarro, who now faces a 4-month prison term for contempt of Congress related to the January 6th investigation. Lastly, the EPA has officially banned asbestos in the US, aiming to reduce the significant number of asbestos-related deaths annually.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

CBS News: What is happening in Haiti? Here's what to know
Wall Street Journal: Trump Says He Can’t Secure Bond for $454 Million Civil-Fraud Judgment
WA Post: Trump is eyeing Paul Manafort for 2024 campaign role
NBC News: Biden signs executive order to boost women's health research
AP News: Supreme Court extends block on Texas law that would allow police to arrest migrants
NPR: Ex-Trump adviser Peter Navarro to go to prison after Supreme Court rejects his appeal
WA Post: EPA bans the most common form of cancer-causing asbestos

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Monday, March 18th, 2024 Mar 18, 2024

Today’s Headlines: In Russia, Vladimir Putin secured his fifth term as president, extending his reign until 2030, amidst expected victory in the election. However, protests erupted locally and internationally against Putin's rule, with demonstrators rallying against him in support of the "Noon Against Putin" movement initiated by the late Alexei Navalny. Meanwhile, in the US, former President Donald Trump stirred controversy at a rally in Ohio, making racist remarks and asserting baseless claims about the election. Even his former Vice President, Mike Pence, publicly distanced himself, stating that he wouldn't endorse Trump due to his disregard for the Constitution. In Georgia, a judge ruled that the election interference case against Trump can proceed with District Attorney Fani Willis leading, provided her boyfriend, Nathan Wade, is removed from the case, prompting Wade's resignation. Additionally, another incident involving a United Airlines flight landing without a panel in Oregon sparked FAA investigations. On a lighter note, a study from South Korea revealed the therapeutic benefits of playing with dogs, showing improved relaxation and concentration among participants, echoing previous findings about the positive impact of service dogs on mental health.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Friday, March 15th, 2024 Mar 15, 2024

Today’s Headlines: In today's episode, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer calls for new elections in Israel, citing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as an obstacle to peace. Additionally, the US imposes sanctions on two illegal outposts in the West Bank, freezing assets and barring individuals associated with the settlements from the US financial system and entry into the country. Meanwhile, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas appoints Mohammed Mustafa as the new prime minister of the Palestinian Authority to stabilize governance in the West Bank and assist in post-war Gaza. In other news, concerns arise over Chinese-manufactured cargo cranes at US ports equipped with cellular modems, potentially posing national security risks. Representatives urge the release of surveillance documents related to Latino civil rights leaders from the 1950s to 1970s, while Senator Bernie Sanders introduces a bill to reduce the standard 40-hour workweek to 32 hours over four years, aiming to protect employee pay and benefits in light of increased productivity.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Thursday, March 14th, 2024 Mar 14, 2024

Today’s Headlines: The House of Representatives has passed a bill with bipartisan support, forcing US divestment from Chinese-owned companies, potentially leading to the ban of TikTok within six months if its owner, ByteDance, fails to sell the app. However, it remains uncertain whether the bill will garner enough support in the Senate. Despite this swift action, the House has declined to consider a proposal allowing remote voting for members of Congress who recently had a baby, despite bipartisan backing. Meanwhile, Kentucky Senator Rand Paul reintroduces the Justice For Breonna Taylor Act, seeking to ban no-knock warrants. In legal matters, a judge has dismissed three charges against former President Donald Trump in the Georgia election interference case, but serious allegations still stand. Trump's influence is evident in the reformation of the Republican National Committee as the Trump National Committee, with Lara Trump elected co-chair. Lastly, new revelations surface regarding an Alaska Airlines flight incident involving Boeing, underscoring safety concerns within the company.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

AP News: House passes a bill that could lead to a TikTok ban if Chinese owner refuses to sell
Wall Street Journal: Baby Boom in Congress Spurs Call for Remote Voting for New Moms
McClatchy DC: Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul files another no knock warrant ban
WA Post: Georgia judge dismisses six charges in Trump election interference case
NPR: RNC sees major cuts to staff as new, Trump-backed leadership takes over
NY Times: Alaska Airlines Flight Was Scheduled for Safety Check on Day Panel Blew Off

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Wednesday, March 13th, 2024 Mar 13, 2024

Today’s Headlines: In today's updates, Donald Trump vows to "free" the January 6th rioters if elected, despite over 1300 individuals facing charges related to the Capitol breach. Meanwhile, congressional hearings on President Biden's retention of classified documents reveal discrepancies in DOJ Special Counsel Robert Hur's report, with accusations of political bias from Democratic representatives. On the economic front, February's inflation report shows a slight increase to 3.2%, attributed to rising airline prices and car insurance, dampening hopes for interest rate cuts. Additionally, a Washington Post analysis highlights a troubling correlation between school hate crimes targeting LGBTQ students and state laws restricting LGBTQ education and rights. Lastly, the chaos surrounding Boeing and 737 Max jets deepens as the FAA uncovers production line issues and increases oversight, while the apparent suicide of whistleblower John Barnett, amidst allegations of safety regulation violations, raises further concerns.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Tuesday, March 12th, 2024 Mar 12, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Donald Trump's recent meeting with Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban has stirred controversy, with Orban revealing Trump's remarks about potentially withholding aid to Ukraine if re-elected. Meanwhile, France grapples with cyberattacks from a group suspected to have ties to Russia, highlighting ongoing tensions in Europe's cybersecurity landscape. Additionally, a surge in fake websites connected to Russian intelligence has emerged, disseminating propaganda under the guise of legitimate news sources. In the United States, intelligence warnings point to Chinese government influence on TikTok, leading to House Republicans scheduling a vote on a bill aimed at compelling ByteDance to sell the platform. Amidst ongoing unrest, ceasefire negotiations in Gaza falter as President Biden considers conditioning aid to Israel, adding strain to their relationship. In India, Prime Minister Modi's announcement to implement a citizenship law excluding Muslims ahead of his re-election bid sparks concerns over religious discrimination. On a different note, Airbnb responds to privacy concerns by announcing a ban on indoor cameras in rentals, aiming to safeguard guest privacy.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Monday, March 11th, 2024 Mar 11, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Donald Trump, now the presumptive Republican nominee for president, is set to receive intelligence briefings despite past controversies over classified information disclosures. In another development, Trump's hosting of Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban at Mar-a-Lago raises eyebrows amid concerns about strong border rhetoric. Trump's financial dealings also come into focus as he puts up a $91.6 million bond for defamation, facilitated by Chubb, with connections to Russia. Meanwhile, George Santos announces a congressional bid despite facing federal charges, while Senator Katie Britt faces fact-check backlash for misrepresenting a human trafficking incident. On a positive note, Oregon passes campaign finance reform to limit contributions and enhance transparency in state elections, effective 2027.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Friday, March 8th, 2024 Mar 08, 2024

Today’s Headlines: President Biden delivered his fourth State of the Union address, highlighting the critical need to protect American democracy both domestically and abroad, particularly in the face of challenges such as the Russian invasion of Ukraine. He emphasized a wide range of "kitchen table issues" aimed at bolstering the middle class, including measures to eliminate junk fees, increase price transparency, and cap prescription drug costs. Immigration reform, climate change legislation, and gun control were also prominent topics, alongside commitments to oppose cuts to Medicare and Social Security and ensure a fairer tax code. Additionally, Biden addressed efforts to secure a ceasefire in Israel and Gaza. Meanwhile, Sweden's admission to NATO marked a significant development amid geopolitical tensions, United Airlines faced scrutiny following an incident involving a tire falling off a plane during takeoff and Boeing still has not handed over documentation related to the mid-takeoff incident in January.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Thursday, March 7th, 2024 Mar 07, 2024

Today’s Headlines: On the Coup Beat, Mitch McConnell endorses Donald Trump following Nikki Haley's withdrawal from the Republican primary. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court gears up to decide whether Trump is immune from criminal prosecution due to his actions as former president, sparking debates on the limits of executive power. In other news, the Republican National Committee grapples with the idea of covering Trump's legal bills, while Elon Musk's refusal to donate to Trump's campaign adds a twist to the fundraising saga. On a brighter note, the House passes crucial budget bills, avoiding a government shutdown until September, and the Biden administration announces regulations to cap credit card late fees, aiming to save Americans billions annually. As the State of the Union address approaches, discussions on consumer protection and financial reform take center stage.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Wednesday, March 6th, 2024 Mar 06, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Yesterday marked Super Tuesday, with voters in 15 states and 1 territory casting ballots in primary elections. Both Trump and Biden secured wins in various states, including Arkansas, Texas, and North Carolina. Notably, the Republican presidential primary in Vermont saw Nikki Haley's debut. However, the most surprising outcome occurred in American Samoa's Democratic primary, where Jason Palmer defeated President Biden with only 91 votes. Elsewhere, California and Texas witnessed significant down-ballot races, with Adam Schiff and Steve Garvey advancing in California's senate primary and Colin Allred emerging as Ted Cruz's opponent in Texas. In North Carolina, controversial figure Mark Robinson secured the Republican gubernatorial nomination. Additionally, Senator Bob Menendez faced new charges of obstruction of justice, while Senator Kyrsten Sinema announced she won't seek re-election. Congress introduced bipartisan legislation targeting ByteDance, the owner of TikTok, and a study from Australia highlighted the detrimental effects of screen time on toddlers' language development.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

AP News: Super Tuesday Live Results
The Wall Street Journal: Who Is Jason Palmer Who Topped Biden in American Samoa?
The Texas Tribune: Colin Allred will face Ted Cruz in Texas this November
The Guardian: Hitler-quoting candidate wins North Carolina Republican gubernatorial primary | Super Tuesday
NBC News: Sen. Bob Menendez hit with obstruction of justice charges in bribery case
Axios: Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema will not seek re-election in 2024
Reuters: U.S. lawmakers push for ByteDance to divest TikTok or face ban
The Guardian: Screen time robs average toddler of hearing 1,000 words spoken by adult a day, study finds | Australia news

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Tuesday, March 5th, 2024 Mar 05, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Following Vice President Kamala Harris's plea for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, she held discussions with a senior Israeli cabinet member and Benny Gantz, leader of an opposition party to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Harris criticized Israel for not facilitating enough aid into Gaza, where the death toll has reportedly surpassed 30,000, with over 500,000 Gazans facing the risk of death from starvation. Additionally, the UN released a preliminary report alleging that members of Hamas committed sexual violence against women during an attack on October 7th, prompting calls for a broader investigation. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court unanimously overturned a Colorado state decision to remove Donald Trump from the Republican primary ballot, emphasizing that state courts lack authority over federal election matters. Lastly, Trump Organization's former CFO, Allen Weisselberg, pleaded guilty to perjury in a New York state civil fraud trial, and National Guard member Jack Teixeira pleaded guilty to leaking classified military documents, facing a 16-year prison sentence.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Monday, March 4th, 2024 Mar 04, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Starting with updates from Gaza, President Biden announced US military aid drops directly into Gaza following the tragic deaths of over 100 Palestinians during a humanitarian aid attempt. Additionally, Biden proposed exploring the possibility of opening a maritime corridor to increase aid delivery, while Vice President Kamala Harris called for an immediate ceasefire in the region. Transitioning to the US political scene, Donald Trump secured wins in Republican presidential primaries in Missouri, Michigan, and Idaho, edging closer to officially clinching the nomination. Trump, at a rally, accused President Biden of orchestrating a conspiracy to overthrow the government, echoing his ongoing rhetoric. Project 2025, a plan reportedly designed by Trump and his allies, surfaced with dystopian proposals such as using the Insurrection Act to enforce martial law and overhauling the Department of Health and Human Services into the "Department of Life." In an alarming move, Trump invited Hungary's authoritarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban to Mar-a-Lago, highlighting their shared authoritarian tendencies. In a progressive step, Missouri lawmakers, led by Ashley Aune, proposed legislation to overturn a 50-year-old law prohibiting pregnant women from divorcing. Lastly, Walgreens and CVS announced plans to sell abortion pills, coinciding with the upcoming Supreme Court hearing on the legality of mifepristone access.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Friday, March 1st, 2024 Mar 01, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Let’s start with Congress, after Mitch McConnell announced his resignation from his leadership role in November, Senator John Cornyn declared his candidacy for the Republican Senate leader position. Cornyn, known for his conservative stance, previously engaged in negotiations on key legislation such as gun safety and tech development funding, earning him both praise and criticism. Meanwhile, in the Senate, Cindy Hyde-Smith led Republicans in blocking a bill by Democrat Tammy Duckworth aiming to protect IVF access following an Alabama Supreme Court ruling, sparking controversy. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin faced scrutiny in the House Armed Services Committee regarding his handling of health issues, while President Biden signed an executive order to safeguard Americans' personal data from adversarial nations like Russia and China. The administration also initiated an investigation into potential data security risks posed by Chinese-manufactured smart cars. In Texas, a historic wildfire continues to ravage the landscape, with over a million acres already burned. Lastly, France made history by voting to constitutionally protect abortion rights in response to concerns over the overturning of Roe v. Wade in the United States.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Thursday, February 29th, 2024 Feb 29, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Mitch McConnell, the Senate Republican leader, announced that he is finally stepping down from leadership in November, following his 82nd birthday. Despite relinquishing his leadership role, McConnell plans to fulfill the remainder of his term, which is approximately two more years, but will not seek reelection. In Congress, bipartisan agreement emerged on a short-term stopgap bill to avert a government shutdown, proposed by House Speaker Mike Johnson, extending funding for certain agencies for one to two weeks.. Meanwhile, updates from the Michigan primaries reveal slight shifts in vote shares for President Biden and Donald Trump, with Biden securing 81.1% of the vote and Trump maintaining his lead with 68.2%. Legal battles involving Trump unfold, as the Supreme Court agrees to hear his appeal regarding immunity from criminal prosecution in the January 6th election interference trial, while a circuit court judge in Illinois rules him ineligible for the state's primary ballot due to the insurrection clause. Additionally, a New York state appeals court judge denies Trump's request to delay payment of his $450 million penalty in a civil fraud trial, requiring him to post a $100 million bond within 30 days. Lastly, Wendy's clarifies that their AI-enabled dynamic pricing menus aim to offer discounts and values at different times of day rather than implementing surge pricing.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Wednesday, February 28th, 2024 Feb 28, 2024

Today’s Headlines: The Michigan primaries ended with Donald Trump clinching a resounding victory over Nikki Haley in the Republican primary, securing approximately 65% of the vote, while President Biden emerged triumphant in the Democratic primary with just under 80% support. However, Biden faced dissent from the "Listen to Michigan" movement, advocating for a Gaza ceasefire, which garnered approximately 15% of the vote under the "uncommitted" category. Meanwhile, concerns mount regarding election interference readiness, as Senator Warner highlights deficiencies compared to 2020 and ongoing threats from Russian intelligence. In other news, Speaker Mike Johnson obstructs proposed funding packages amid Ukraine's military aid needs and a looming government shutdown. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen's proposal to reallocate frozen Russian assets to Ukraine seeks to address this crisis. Alabama faces upheaval in IVF services following a state Supreme Court ruling, although a bill is introduced to provide protection for such services. Lastly, Wendy's plans to introduce AI-enabled dynamic surge pricing to its menu, raising questions about its practicality and potential controversies.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

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Tuesday, February 27, 2024 Feb 27, 2024

Today’s Headlines: On the coup beat, Russia is actively trying to influence the 2024 US presidential election and European elections. They're spreading disinformation online and may use deep fake technology. Meanwhile, there are reports of negotiations involving the late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny. Hungary's parliament voted to admit Sweden into NATO, despite delays. Next, President Biden expressed hope for a Gaza ceasefire deal by next Monday, involving the return of Israeli hostages and release of Palestinian prisoners. However, uncertainty remains over prisoner selection. Prime Minister Netanyahu proposed a plan granting Israel control over Gaza, but it was rejected by Palestinian leaders and the Biden administration, which aims for Palestinian governance as a step towards statehood. Once again, the federal government faces the threat of a partial shutdown if a funding package isn't agreed upon by Friday. Despite plans for a bipartisan agreement, House Republicans' opposition has stalled progress. Meanwhile, Ronna McDaniel, chair of the Republican National Committee, is stepping down amid criticism from Donald Trump, who blames her for electoral losses. Lara Trump and Michael Whatley will take over key roles, prompting concerns about familial influence in political appointments. Additionally, Michigan holds its presidential primary today, with both Democratic and Republican primaries underway.

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Monday, February 26th, 2024 Feb 26, 2024

Today’s Headlines: The past week has been dominated by concerning developments, starting with Donald Trump's victory over Nikki Haley in the South Carolina primary, indicating potential challenges for Haley's campaign as major donors like the Koch Brothers withdraw support. Trump's controversial remarks at various events, including CPAC, have sparked criticism, alongside alarming trends observed at the conference, such as open support for the end of democracy. Meanwhile, President Biden announced 500 new sanctions against Russia over Navalny's death, while the return of Navalny's body underscores tensions with the Kremlin. On the domestic front, new state and local policies have raised eyebrows, including Tennessee's law allowing officials to refuse officiating weddings conflicting with their beliefs, and Nassau County, New York's executive order banning transgender athletes from certain competitions. Lastly, the NRA and its former CEO Wayne LaPierre faced legal repercussions for misspending millions, highlighting ongoing issues within the organization.

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Friday, February 23rd, 2024 Feb 23, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Yesterday saw significant developments in various fronts, starting with the ongoing saga surrounding Hunter Biden's investigation. David Weiss, the DOJ special counsel, requested Smirnov's return to jail, citing concerns over his dual citizenship and alleged ties to Russian intelligence, particularly his potential influence on U.S. elections. Meanwhile, Russian hackers targeted Ukrainian media outlets amidst escalating tensions, prompting the EU to approve new sanctions against individuals and entities linked to the Kremlin's military efforts. President Biden announced forthcoming sanctions against Putin and the Kremlin, coinciding with a meeting with Alexei Navalny's family and an appeal for emergency military funding for Ukraine. In the Middle East, negotiations between Israel and Gaza resumed under U.S. pressure, aiming for a ceasefire and prisoner exchange. On the legislative front, Senator Elizabeth Warren and Representative Jan Schakowsky introduced a bill targeting price gouging by corporations, while an American spacecraft, Odysseus, made a historic lunar landing, though its communication signals remain uncertain.

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Thursday, February 22nd, 2024 Feb 22, 2024

Today’s Headlines: The arrest of Russian-American ballerina dancer Ksenia Karelina in Russia, accused of aiding the Ukrainian war effort by donating a minimal sum to a Ukrainian charity, draws attention to ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine. Additionally, the U.S. contemplates imposing further sanctions on Russia following the death of Alexei Navalny. In Alabama, the suspension of IVF services by the University of Alabama at Birmingham underscores legal concerns arising from a recent state Supreme Court ruling on frozen embryos. The Supreme Court's refusal to hear a case on an admissions policy in Virginia stirs debate over diversity and discrimination. In Michigan, a tragic incident involving a child accessing a firearm leads to the first individual charged under the state's new firearm storage law. Meanwhile, proposed legislation in several states targeting school librarians distributing books on gender identity and sexual orientation raises concerns about censorship and freedom of expression. In New York, ongoing legal battles involving Donald Trump's civil fraud case reveal potential financial repercussions, while the FDA issues a warning about smartwatches and smart rings claiming to measure blood glucose levels, emphasizing health risks associated with inaccurate readings.

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Wednesday, February 21st, 2024 Feb 21, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Today's headlines are dominated by Russia-related news. Firstly, Russian troops have made one of the largest military gains in their ongoing invasion of Ukraine, capturing the city of Avdiivka after four months of combat. Additionally, Russia is gearing up for a presidential “election” in March, which is expected to extend Vladimir Putin's term. In other developments, an FBI informant involved in allegations against Hunter Biden has been charged with making false statements, highlighting potential ties to Russian intelligence. Furthermore, Russian security services have arrested a dual US-Russian national suspected of treason for allegedly raising funds for the Ukrainian army. Meanwhile, Yulia Navalnya, widow of opposition leader Alexei Navalny, has continued to advocate for a free and democratic Russia, despite facing challenges such as the suspension and restoration of her Twitter account. Shifting focus, the United States has vetoed a UN resolution for an immediate ceasefire in Israel and Gaza, opting instead for a temporary ceasefire linked to hostage negotiations. Lastly, the Biden administration announced the early cancellation of $1.2 billion in student debt, benefiting over 150,000 borrowers enrolled in the SAVE repayment program.

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Tuesday, February 20th, 2024 Feb 20, 2024

Today’s Headlines: In a whirlwind of news, the past week has seen a series of significant events unfold. First, the shocking report of Alexei Navalny's death in a Siberian prison has sparked accusations of foul play linked to Russian President Putin. Navalny's widow, Yulia, has openly accused Putin of orchestrating her husband's demise and has vowed to continue his fight. Meanwhile, former US President Donald Trump finds himself in legal hot water, facing a staggering $355 million penalty in a fraud trial, along with a three-year ban on him and his sons from running companies in New York. In another scandal, Congressman Matt Gaetz faces allegations of involvement in sex parties and questionable business dealings. The Alabama Supreme Court's controversial ruling on frozen embryos has stirred debate, while Wisconsin braces for political upheaval with the introduction of new legislative maps. Additionally, revelations regarding fake traffic on Twitter and misconceptions surrounding recycling have come to light. And to end on a brighter note, Greece has made history by legalizing same-sex marriage and adoption, marking a significant step forward for LGBTQ+ rights.

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Friday, February 16th, 2024 Feb 16, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Today's episode begins with follow-ups on yesterday's news, shedding light on Russia's alleged space laser threat, which experts suggest is related to Russia's development of a nuclear anti-satellite system aimed at disrupting US satellites. Meanwhile, in Kansas City, two teenagers are in custody following a shooting during the Chiefs' Super Bowl parade, believed to be a result of a personal dispute. Congressional leaders recommend Secret Service protection for Nikki Haley due to increased threats against her safety. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis testifies against disqualification in a case involving Donald Trump, while the FBI informant behind accusations against Hunter and Joe Biden faces charges for fabricating a bribery scheme. Lastly, a New York judge sets March 25th as the start date for Donald Trump's criminal trial related to hush money payments made to Stormy Daniels.

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Thursday, February 15th, 2024 Feb 15, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Yesterday's news cycle was a whirlwind of heartbreaking tragedy and high-stakes political maneuvers. The shooting incident at the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl parade shocked the nation, leaving one individual dead and 22 others injured, including innocent children, despite the significant presence of law enforcement officers. Meanwhile, tensions in the Middle East escalated as ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Gaza hit a major roadblock, with accusations flying between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hamas, further complicating the already volatile situation. South Africa filed a request with the UN regarding Israel's military operations in Rafah. Back on the domestic front, the House of Representatives' decision to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas for his handling of immigration issues ignited fierce debates, highlighting the deep partisan divides within Congress. Democratic leadership saw changes, with Representative Jim Clyburn stepping down. Concerns over a potential national security threat from Russia were raised by Republican Chair Mike Turner. Lastly, new House Speaker Mike Johnson stated that the House will not be rushed to pass a $95 billion military aid package for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan.

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Wednesday, February 14th, 2024 Feb 14, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Negotiations for a Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal have been extended by three days following inconclusive talks yesterday. Disagreement persists over the number of Palestinian prisoners to be exchanged for hostages before the IDF's scheduled assault on Rafah. In the special election for New York's 3rd congressional district, former representative Tom Suozzi clinched a Democratic victory over Republican Mazi Pilip, narrowing the GOP's majority in the House. The Senate approved a $95 billion security package for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan with a vote of 70 to 29, despite criticism from House Speaker Mike Johnson regarding its lack of border policy provisions. House Democrats plan to use a discharge petition to advance the bill if Johnson remains opposed. House Republicans seek a second impeachment vote for Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas over immigration concerns. The Department of Labor's report on a 3.1% rise in the consumer price index contributed to a stock market decline, raising concerns about potential Federal Reserve actions. Donald Trump is anticipated to attend a hearing in New York regarding his 2016 hush money payment, while a hearing in Georgia will address whether Fulton County District Attorney General Fani Willis should be disqualified from prosecuting a 2020 election interference case due to a romantic relationship with a special prosecutor. The UN's latest report highlights threats to migratory species, revealing that over 20% of nearly 1200 species are at risk of extinction due to habitat loss and exploitation.

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Tuesday, February 13th, 2024 Feb 13, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Out of Israel and Gaza today, the IDF rescued two hostages in Rafah, Gaza, while conducting heavy strikes that reportedly killed nearly 70 Gazans. President Biden, alongside Jordan’s King Abdullah, emphasized the need to protect over a million Palestinians in Rafah amid Israel's offensive. The Egyptian government threatened to void the Camp David Accords if the IDF invades Rafah while Netanyahu insists on sending ground troops to defeat Hamas. The IDF also discovered a tunnel network under UNRWA's headquarters in Gaza, suggesting it was used for intelligence purposes by Hamas. Back on the coup beat, Donald Trump has filed a request with the Supreme Court to overturn a ruling by the DC Circuit Court of Appeals, which determined he is not immune from prosecution for election interference. In addition, Trump and his immigration advisor, Stephen Miller, are planning a potential future presidency with promises of the "largest domestic deportation operation in history," aiming to mobilize a private red-state army for mass deportations. In a separate development, a major special election is underway in New York's 3rd district to replace former Representative George Santos, with Democrat Tom Suozzi facing off against Republican Mazi Pilip amidst challenging weather conditions. Despite the storm, polling locations remain open, and both candidates offer assistance to voters needing transportation to the polls.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

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Monday, February 12th, 2024 Feb 12, 2024

Today’s Headlines: In recent developments regarding the Hamas hostage deal and Israeli military actions in Gaza, US officials anticipate progress in the hostage deal negotiations, while Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu signals a potential advance into Rafah, Gaza's last unconquered city. The United States has cautioned against this offensive. Moody's downgrading of Israel's credit rating, citing the prolonged conflict's financial toll, underscores concerns about the situation's economic impact. The Senate convened on Super Bowl Sunday to advance a $95 billion national security bill, aiming to fund military aid for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. Meanwhile, Pakistan's recent election saw the party of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan winning the most seats in parliament, triggering a scramble to form a coalition government. Former President Trump made controversial remarks encouraging Russia to act aggressively toward NATO members who don't contribute enough to defense spending. In a legal development, a Florida judge ruled to provide unredacted documents to Trump's legal team in his case regarding classified documents. Lastly, an analysis by the IRS forecasts an additional $560 billion in tax revenue over the next decade, attributed to enhanced enforcement against tax evasion facilitated by the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

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Friday, February 9th, 2024 Feb 09, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Yesterday at the Supreme Court, justices heard arguments regarding Donald Trump's eligibility to remain on Colorado's Republican presidential primary ballot under the 14th Amendment's insurrection clause. Concerns arose over whether one state should have the authority to disqualify a candidate, potentially setting a precedent for political motivations. Meanwhile, Trump secured all 26 delegates in Nevada's Republican caucus, specially held for him by the state GOP chair. In another development, a DOJ Special Counsel report found distinctions between Trump and Biden's handling of classified documents, with Biden not facing criminal charges despite retaining and disclosing classified materials as a private citizen. However, concerns were raised about Biden's memory during the investigation. Additionally, Tucker Carlson's interview with Vladimir Putin in Moscow sparked controversy, with Putin doubling down on espionage accusations and inviting the U.S. to negotiate over Ukraine. In the Senate, despite lack of consensus on new border policy, a $95 billion military aid package for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan advanced with a 67-32 vote. Lastly, the CIA terminated a female whistleblower whose account of sexual assault prompted others to come forward with similar allegations, raising accusations of retaliation.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

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Thursday, February 8th, 2024 Feb 08, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Hamas is proposing a three-stage ceasefire deal with Israel in Qatar, involving the release of Israeli hostages over four months, humanitarian aid, and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu rejected the proposal, calling it "delusional" and vowing to achieve a "complete victory" over Hamas. Israel plans to extend its military campaign into the southern Gaza strip despite opposition. Back home, the Pentagon confirmed a successful drone strike targeting a Kata'ib Hezbollah commander in Iraq. President Biden's administration introduced stricter EPA standards to combat soot pollution, aiming to improve public health. The Supreme Court is deliberating whether Donald Trump can run in primaries under the 14th Amendment's insurrection clause. In Congress, the Senate rejected a border security bill, leaving aid packages for Ukraine, Israel, and Gaza uncertain. House Republicans plan another impeachment vote for Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. Additionally, a special election to replace George Santos's Long Island seat is forthcoming. These developments highlight the dynamic nature of American governance and its impact on various policy areas.

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Wednesday, February 7th, 2024 Feb 07, 2024

Today’s Headlines: The DC federal appeals court has unanimously rejected former President Trump's claim of absolute immunity from prosecution. Despite privileges shielding him while in office, the ruling states that he is now subject to federal criminal prosecution like any other citizen, including for actions taken during his presidency. The decision returns the matter to Judge Tanya Chutkan's jurisdiction, who previously ruled against Trump's immunity. However, Trump may appeal to the Supreme Court, though there's no guarantee the court will accept the case. Secretary of State Antony Blinken addressed negotiations in Doha, Qatar, involving Israel and representatives from Egypt and Qatar, acting on behalf of Hamas. The Qatar prime minister expressed optimism about progress toward a deal aiming to release Israeli hostages in Gaza and implement a ceasefire lasting one to two months. The Senate's bipartisan $118 billion proposal on immigration and military aid has failed due to lack of support, with Senate Republicans reversing course after criticism from Donald Trump. President Biden urged reconsideration of the bill, emphasizing its importance over political maneuvering. Meanwhile, House Republicans attempted to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas but fell short in the vote. In Nevada, primaries were held, with Nikki Haley and Biden winning, while Trump will participate in the Republican caucus. The outcome coincides with an investigation into the state GOP chairman's involvement in a fake elector scheme. In Michigan, Jennifer Crumbley was found guilty on all counts of involuntary manslaughter in connection with her son's school shooting. Lastly, Google settled a $350 million lawsuit over a security lapse on Google Plus, benefiting shareholders who purchased stock during a specific timeframe.

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Tuesday, February 6th, 2024 Feb 06, 2024

Today’s Headlines: In Congress, a bipartisan agreement costing $118 billion has been introduced in the Senate, addressing immigration and border security issues as conditions for funding military aid packages for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. The legislation seeks to impose tougher immigration and asylum laws, tighten border security, and grant the Department of Homeland Security emergency authority to shut down the border if migrant crossings exceed specified limits. Despite potential Senate approval, its prospects in the House are uncertain, with Speaker Mike Johnson criticizing the bill. California faces severe weather conditions, with a mega-atmospheric river causing widespread damage, flooding, mudslides, and power outages. The SEC is investigating allegations of sexual harassment against Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner, with current and former employees being questioned, including interns reporting unwelcome advances. The US State Department issued advisories for Americans traveling to the Bahamas and Jamaica due to rising violent crime, including armed robberies, sexual assault, and homicides, even at all-inclusive resorts.

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Monday, February 5th, 2024 Feb 05, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Over the weekend, the US and UK launched significant airstrikes, targeting at least 85 sites affiliated with Iran-backed militias in Syria and Yemen. The strikes primarily focused on drone and munitions facilities, resulting in the death of almost 40 militia members. This move is considered serious but a somewhat restrained escalation in response to the drone strike in Jordan. New financial sanctions aim to limit funding for these militias, yet they persist. Iran warned against targeting specific cargo ships, suggesting a continuation of their targeting of ships in the Red Sea. In other news, President Biden won South Carolina's Democratic primary by a landslide, securing all 55 delegates. The Department of Labor released a robust jobs report, with the US economy adding 350,000 jobs in January, exceeding expectations. Unfortunately, Judge Tanya Chutkan postponed the start of Donald Trump's DC trial for election interference, awaiting the Supreme Court's ruling on his immunity claim. Additionally, Trump's donors are covering legal fees for associates, and California faces extreme rain, flooding, and snow, with a state of emergency declared in eight counties due to an atmospheric river system. Evacuations have already taken place, and over half a million people are experiencing power outages.

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Friday, February 2nd, 2024 Feb 02, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Secretary of State Antony Blinken has initiated a State Department review of policy options for potential recognition of Palestinian statehood by the US and the international community after the Gaza war. Saudi Arabia's condition for diplomatic normalization with Israel is a clear pathway to Palestinian statehood. President Biden issued an executive order imposing visa restrictions on Israeli settlers in the West Bank who commit violence against Palestinians. The sanctions target foreign nationals, impacting "dozens" of extremist settlers and their family members. The order follows the death of a 17-year-old American citizen in the West Bank. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin apologized for not disclosing his cancer treatment in December. Oregon's state Supreme Court upheld the decision to ban ten Republican state senators from running for reelection due to their 6-week walkout last year. Donald Trump's Save America PAC spent over $50 million on legal costs last year, with donors covering expenses for his legal challenges.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

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Thursday, February 1st, 2024 Feb 01, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Five tech CEOs, including leaders of TikTok, Meta, Snap, X, and Discord, testified before the Senate Judiciary committee about child exploitation on their platforms. Lawmakers discussed the Kids Online Safety Act, aiming to make it easier for parents to sue tech companies for insufficient efforts in curbing online bullying, privacy violations, and sexual exploitation of minors. During the four-hour hearing, parents of children harmed by social media shared their experiences, including a tragic incident involving a fentanyl-laced pill ordered on Snapchat. Mark Zuckerberg faced pointed questions, ultimately apologizing to the affected families. TikTok CEO Shou Chew was grilled on the platform's ties to the Chinese Communist Party. In the House Homeland Security Committee, two articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas were advanced, citing his handling of the migrant crisis. The Federal Reserve announced no change to the federal funds rate, and the US Defense Department identified Kataib Hezbollah as the Iran-backed militia responsible for the drone strike in Jordan that killed three US soldiers.

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Wednesday, January 31st, 2024 Jan 31, 2024

Today’s Headlines: President Biden has announced the United States' response to the drone strike in Jordan, which killed three US soldiers, attributing the attack to Iran. The President outlined a tiered approach for a military response, emphasizing a staged and time-sensitive strategy, while emphasizing the avoidance of wider conflict in the Middle East. In another development, Missouri congresswoman Cori Bush is under investigation by the Department of Justice, Federal Election Commission, and the House Ethics Committee for alleged misuse of federal security funds by hiring personal private security. Bush argues that the expenditures were justified due to threats to her safety, and she used campaign funds appropriately. Fulton County in Georgia experienced a cybersecurity incident affecting various systems, though the case against Donald Trump remained unaffected. UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced a ban on disposable vapes and restrictions on candy-flavored e-cigarettes to curb nicotine addiction among minors. In a significant legal decision, a Delaware judge ruled that Elon Musk must relinquish a compensation package worth over $55 billion awarded by Tesla's board of directors. The Supreme Court has scheduled oral arguments on March 26th regarding the potential ban on the abortion medication mifepristone, a case with broader implications for the FDA's authority to regulate drugs. Elon Musk also announced that his brain startup, Neuralink, implanted a device in its first live human subject.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

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Tuesday, January 30th, 2024 Jan 30, 2024

Today’s Headlines: In international negotiations held in Paris, progress has been made towards a potential hostage release deal involving the United States, Israel, Qatar, and Egypt (representing Hamas). The broad terms include a staged release of remaining hostages over a 2-month ceasefire, with negotiations to permanently end the war. Despite the Qatari Prime Minister's optimistic statement, Hamas's leader downplayed progress, stating they hadn't received a proposal. In a separate development, a drone attack in Jordan resulted in the death of three US troops. Preliminary reports suggest the troops may have mistaken an enemy drone for an American one. In the realm of Iranian relations, the US Justice Department charged an Iranian national and two Canadians for plotting to assassinate an Iranian defector in Maryland. The UK imposed fresh sanctions on seven senior Iranian officials, and on the domestic front, Republicans in the House introduced impeachment articles against Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas for alleged refusal to comply with immigration laws. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton requested medical records of transgender youths from a clinic in Georgia, and finally, Attorney General Merrick Garland is set to undergo minimally invasive surgery on his back, temporarily passing duties to Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

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Monday, January 29th, 2024 Jan 29, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Over the weekend, three US troops were killed and dozens injured by a drone strike near the Syrian border in Jordan. These are the first US fatalities following months of strikes by Iran-backed militia groups in the region. In response, President Biden stated that the US will hold those responsible to account. Meanwhile, the International Court of Justice issued an interim response to South Africa's case against Israel for acts of genocide in Gaza, ordering Israel to prevent deaths and destruction but not explicitly calling for a ceasefire. Negotiations for a hostage deal involving Israel suspending military operations for two months in exchange for the release of hostages are reportedly getting closer to an agreement. On a different note, nine countries have suspended aid to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees due to allegations of employee involvement in the October 7th attacks. In other news, a New York City jury awarded writer E. Jean Carroll $83.3 million in a defamation suit against Donald Trump, who plans to appeal. The FAA approved Boeing 737 Max 9 jets to fly again after implementing new inspection and maintenance procedures. A study found the HPV vaccine Cervarix effective in protecting women from cervical cancer, and a massive data breach affected 26 billion records across various companies, including Twitter, LinkedIn, Canva, Adobe, and MySpace.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

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Friday, January 26th, 2024 Jan 26, 2024

Today’s Headlines: In the legal realm, Donald Trump testified for four minutes in the defamation trial brought by E. Jean Carroll, reiterating his denial of meeting her. Closing arguments are scheduled, with potential financial repercussions for Trump. Trump's attorneys also sought to disqualify Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis in a Georgia election interference case, alleging an improper romantic relationship and seeking dismissal of all counts. Meanwhile, former advisor Peter Navarro received a four-month prison sentence for criminal contempt of Congress related to the January 6th investigation. In Congress, Trump's influence is affecting border legislation negotiations. Shifting to the economy, a Commerce Department report reveals the US economy grew at 3.3% in Q4 2023, exceeding expectations, with a core inflation rate of 2% and unemployment below 4%. The FTC launched an investigation into AI industry competition, targeting major players like Google, Microsoft, Amazon, OpenAI, and Anthropic. Lastly, nearly a third of the US population across 27 states is experiencing unprecedented foggy conditions, leading to accidents and disruptions.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

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Thursday, January 25th, 2024 Jan 25, 2024

Today’s Headlines: In the aftermath of Tuesday's New Hampshire primary, Donald Trump secured 54.3% of the vote, overshadowing Nikki Haley's 43.3%. Despite Haley's optimistic rhetoric, the results indicate that Trump may not be as universally popular as he wishes. President Biden received a crucial endorsement from the president of the United Auto Workers union, Shawn Fain, bolstering his support among working-class voters. A disturbing revelation comes from research indicating that since Roe v. Wade was overturned in 2022, an estimated 65,000 pregnancies resulting from rape occurred in states with abortion bans lacking exceptions for rape. In Washington state, a $150 million settlement with Johnson & Johnson over its role in the opioid crisis was announced, with funds allocated for substance abuse treatment and litigation costs. Ohio's Republican state legislators overrode their governor's veto to ban gender-affirming healthcare for minors, impacting trans youths' access to treatments. Lastly, a Boeing 757 operated by Delta experienced a nose wheel incident during takeoff in Atlanta, adding to Boeing's recent troubles.

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Wednesday, January 24th, 2024 Jan 24, 2024

Today’s Headlines: In the New Hampshire primary, Donald Trump won with just over 53% of the vote, while Nikki Haley received slightly over 45%. Turnout was higher than expected, and an exit poll showed voters evenly split on whether President Biden legitimately won the 2020 election. In the DC federal appeals court, all 11 judges unanimously rejected Trump's request to lift a gag order related to the DOJ special counsel indictment. The order restricts Trump from making inflammatory remarks targeting DOJ special counsel Jack Smith and others involved. New data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics reveals a new low in the percentage of American workers who are union members. Internationally, videos of antisemitic speeches by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard in the UK are under investigation by the Charity Commission. The IRGC's involvement in more than "soft" warfare in the UK was also noted. Lastly, the Turkish parliament voted in favor of Sweden joining NATO after nearly 2 years of objections, pending approval from President Erdogan and Hungarian Prime Minister Orban. Sweden's potential admission is seen as consequential for geographic and strategic reasons.

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Tuesday, January, 23rd, 2024 Jan 23, 2024

Today’s Headlines: In today's New Hampshire primary, the Republican race has narrowed down to a competition between Nikki Haley and a candidate we will refer to as "coup boy." The latter has been gaining endorsements, particularly from South Carolina's congressional delegation, including Representatives Jeff Duncan and Nancy Mace, and Senator Tim Scott. Meanwhile, there are reports of a robocall in New Hampshire using AI to mimic President Biden's voice and discourage voting in the primary. The call allegedly falsely identified as coming from a former state Democratic Party chair associated with a super PAC supporting a Biden write-in campaign. Internationally, Israel has proposed a two-month pause in fighting with Hamas, aiming for the release of hostages and Palestinian prisoners. European Union foreign ministers advocate for a two-state solution, expressing concern over Israel's rejection. US and British militaries launch joint attacks on Houthi rebels in Yemen, and the Supreme Court allows federal Border Patrol agents to resume cutting barbed wire on the Texas-Mexico border. Finally, nine Democratic governors, led by New York Governor Kathy Hochul, call for addressing the humanitarian crisis resulting from the surge of migrants seeking refuge in the US.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Monday, January 22nd, 2024 Jan 22, 2024

Today’s Headlines: In recent political developments, Ron DeSantis, who had previously insisted on staying in the Republican primary race and not endorsing Donald Trump, surprised many by dropping out of the presidential race and endorsing Trump. With less than a year until Inauguration Day 2025, the New Hampshire primary is imminent, where unaffiliated individuals, not registered Democrats, can vote in the Republican primary. Meanwhile, Nikki Haley and Trump traded accusations, with Haley clarifying that she was not in charge of security on January 6th, as Trump erroneously claimed. In Trump's ongoing legal battles, he expressed a desire to testify at the E. Jean Carroll trial, where his attorney renewed a mistrial request. In the federal election interference case in Georgia, allegations of an improper relationship between the prosecutor and the district attorney have surfaced, leading to a potential investigation. Iran blamed Israel for recent airstrikes in Syria, escalating tensions in the region. Lastly, a study published in the scientific journal Sleep suggests that wearing an eye mask at night can improve memory and alertness in the morning by blocking minimal light exposure.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Friday, January 19th, 2024 Jan 19, 2024

Today’s Headlines: In the diplomatic update on the Israel-Hamas war, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel will pursue absolute victory, rejecting U.S. calls to scale back the military offensive. Meanwhile, the Saudi ambassador to the U.S. conditioned normalizing relations with Israel on a Gaza ceasefire and an "irrevocable" pathway to a Palestinian state. In the U.S., both houses of Congress passed a stopgap spending legislation, averting a government shutdown until early March. The Department of Justice released a report highlighting failures in law enforcement response to the Uvalde Texas school shooting. A study in The Lancet revealed disparities in pediatric healthcare, with children of color receiving generally worse care than their white peers. Florida's state Board of Education prohibited public colleges from using funds for DEI programs and replaced a sociology course, citing exposure to "radical woke ideologies." Lastly, a Georgia state judge overseeing the federal election interference case against Donald Trump scheduled a hearing on accusations against the lead prosecutor and Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, with a response deadline of February 2nd. Trump's co-defendant called for their removal from the case and dismissal of charges. Willis has not publicly commented, stating they will respond in court.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Thursday, January 18th, 2024 Jan 18, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Yesterday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the war against Hamas could potentially continue until 2025 until they complete all their goals, sparking speculation about political considerations. In a related development, President Biden met with congressional leaders to address stalled aid for Ukraine, Israel, and southern border funding. The $110 billion security package proposed by Biden in October, covering Israel, Ukraine, Taiwan, and border security, is under discussion, with hopes for a spending package vote next week. Additionally, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan announced the U.S. re-designating Yemen's Houthi militants as a terrorist group due to consistent attacks on commercial ships. The move entails freezing funds and imposing bans on members. Shifting to financial matters, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau proposed new rules limiting overdraft fees, potentially saving U.S. households billions annually. Meanwhile, research from the American Cancer Society reveals colon and rectal cancers as the leading causes of cancer death in young adults, with unclear causes. In a courtroom development, Donald Trump faced a day of legal proceedings, with reports of potential expulsion after disruptive behavior during E. Jean Carroll's testimony about defamation accusations.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Wednesday, January 17th, 2024 Jan 17, 2024

Today’s Headlines: In the latest Iowa caucus results, Donald Trump secured first place with just over 50% of Republican primary voters, marking a notable victory despite a low turnout, the lowest in the past quarter-century. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis claimed second place with slightly over 21%, followed by former South Carolina Governor and UN Ambassador Nikki Haley at 19%, and Vivek Ramaswamy with just over 7%, who has dropped out and endorsed Trump despite recent friction. Looking ahead, the New Hampshire primary is scheduled for January 23rd, but a debate slated for tomorrow night was canceled after Haley insisted on Trump's participation. Meanwhile, Trump faced a Manhattan courtroom, where a jury was selected to decide whether he owes E. Jean Carroll an additional $10 million in damages for defamation. Carroll had accused him of rape, a claim the judge has already deemed established as true. In Yemen, the U.S. launched another strike against Houthi rebels in response to a missile attack on a commercial ship, with national security adviser Jake Sullivan emphasizing the need to manage the escalating situation. Lastly, a federal judge blocked the planned $3.8 billion merger between JetBlue and Spirit Airlines, aligning with the Department of Justice's view that the deal was anticompetitive, raising questions about another proposed merger between Alaska Air and Hawaiian Airlines.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Tuesday, January 16th, 2024 Jan 16, 2024

Today’s Headlines: In the latest news, the Iowa caucuses unfolded as Republican voters participated in a unique process involving secret-ballot voting across more than 1500 locations. Notably, Donald Trump emerged victorious in the caucuses, shaping the early landscape of the 2024 elections. Meanwhile, a severe winter storm has gripped 110 million Americans within the polar vortex, with record-breaking temperatures and states of emergency declared by governors in Mississippi and Alabama. The Midwest is warned of wind chills below -30 degrees Fahrenheit, while Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Texas grapple with power outages. Amidst these weather challenges, the Federal Aviation Administration has advised prolonging the grounding of Boeing's 737 Max 9 planes for more extensive inspections, introducing the possibility of third-party oversight. Additionally, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has been released from the hospital after a two-week stay, prompting reviews into the handling of his medical situation. Lastly, a Manhattan jury is currently hearing a case regarding the defamation lawsuit brought by writer E. Jean Carroll against Donald Trump, seeking $10 million in damages for harm to her reputation in the wake of her rape accusation. This trial, distinct from a previous one, is expected to offer new insights into the complex legal saga.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Friday, January 12th, 2024 Jan 12, 2024

Today’s Headlines: In a series of developments, the United States, alongside the UK and 12 other nations, issued a joint statement urging Iran-backed Houthi rebels to cease their attacks on ships in the Red Sea. Responding to the increased attacks, the US led a military operation against Houthi militants in Yemen, marking a significant escalation aimed at curbing assaults in the Red Sea. President Biden confirmed the strikes' success but withheld details on casualties. Meanwhile, in the ongoing civil fraud trial, former President Donald Trump, despite initial reports suggesting otherwise, delivered a 6-minute statement in court, creating courtroom drama. The trial's conclusion on January 31st will reveal whether Trump faces business bans and a $370 million penalty, as suggested by New York Attorney General Letitia James. In another political development, House Speaker Mike Johnson faces discontent from hard-right Republicans for agreeing to a topline budget deal with Senate Democrats, with potential threats to his speakership if he doesn't renegotiate the terms. Additionally, the FAA announced an investigation into Boeing following an incident where an airplane door flew off, while an Ohio grand jury declined to indict a woman prosecuted for alleged corpse abuse after a miscarriage. Finally, a preliminary FDA review found no evidence linking semaglutide drugs, including Wegovy and Ozempic, to a higher instance of suicidal thoughts, though regulators continue to examine the issue.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Thursday, January 11th, 2024 Jan 11, 2024

Today’s Headlines: In a surprise announcement, Chris Christie withdraws from the 2024 Republican primary in New Hampshire, citing a commitment to truth-telling about Trump. However, a hot mic captures him saying Nikki Haley will "get smoked," and Ron DeSantis called him "petrified." Florida's book ban laws, affecting titles including dictionaries, encyclopedias, and biographies, raise concerns in the Escambia County School District. Republican governors in 15 states reject federally funded summer food assistance programs, impacting 8 million children, with reasons ranging from concerns about childhood obesity to a lack of belief in welfare. On the international front, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken states that Saudi Arabia seeks to normalize relations with Israel but demands a commitment to a two-state solution. Meanwhile, the International Court of Justice begins hearings on South Africa's case against Israel for alleged genocide in Gaza. In a humorous twist, Hunter Biden makes a surprise appearance at a House Oversight Committee meeting regarding a contempt of Congress resolution for refusing a closed-door deposition. Lastly, Trump backs out of delivering his closing argument in his civil fraud trial, citing unacceptable limitations imposed by the judge.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Wednesday, January 10th, 2024 Jan 10, 2024

Today’s Headlines: A newly released recording from 2020 reveals Roger Stone making alarming remarks, suggesting that either Eric Swalwell or Jerry Nadler "had to die before the election." Both Swalwell and Nadler, who were part of the House judiciary committee at the time, oversaw investigations involving Stone and Trump. Stone allegedly made these statements to a former New York police officer named Sal Greco. In another legal development, a federal appeals court in Washington DC heard arguments on whether Donald Trump is immune from criminal charges for attempting to overturn the 2020 election. Trump's lawyers argued that he could not be prosecuted unless impeached and convicted by Congress. A separate federal appeals court in New York declined to hear Trump's argument to avoid another trial in the defamation lawsuit from E. Jean Carroll. Trump is set to deliver his own closing argument in his civil business fraud trial in New York. The fifth and final Republican primary debate took place in Iowa, featuring Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis, while Trump held his own town hall on Fox News. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's prostate cancer diagnosis raised concerns as the Pentagon took three days to inform key officials. Storms across the United States led to wind advisories and tornado watches, causing fatalities and a moderate risk of extreme rainfall. Lastly, a security breach on the SEC's official Twitter account falsely announced the approval of a Bitcoin investment product, causing a temporary surge in Bitcoin prices.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Tuesday, January 9th, 2024 Jan 09, 2024

Today’s Headlines: In today's Morning Announcements, California Governor Gavin Newsom declares a special election to fill the vacant House of Representatives seat left by former Speaker Kevin McCarthy. The solidly republican Bakersfield district will vote in the primary on March 19th, with a potential runoff on May 21st if no candidate secures a majority. Meanwhile, new reports reveal that DOJ Special Counsel Jack Smith and Judge Tanya Chutkan were both targets of attempted swatting calls during the holiday season. Smith, who has faced increasing threats since being regularly mentioned by Donald Trump, was protected by US marshals, while Chutkan, overseeing Smith's case against Trump, had no such protection. The weather report warns of severe storms, blizzards, and flooding across the United States in the coming weeks, impacting millions. Lastly, an update on the grounded Boeing 737 Max 9 planes reveals issues with door plug installations, leading to significant cancellations as safety concerns persist.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Monday, January 8th, 2024 Jan 08, 2024

Today’s Headlines: The week starts on a positive note as the Senate announces a 2024 spending and budget deal, avoiding a government shutdown just over 10 days before the deadline. While the topline spending number has been agreed upon, the full budget details, including approximately $775 billion in non defense discretionary spending for 2024, still need to be allocated by Congress. Notably, the agreement excludes ongoing negotiations regarding border funding, immigration policy, and aid for Ukraine and Israel. On the political front, Illinois introduces a pledge against supporting government overthrow for Republican primary ballot access, drawing attention to former President Trump's refusal to sign, despite doing so in 2016 and 2020. Meanwhile, Capitol police officer Harry Dunn, known for his testimony about the January 6th insurrection, announces his run for the House of Representatives in Maryland. In a tragic turn, the family of the late Eddie Bernice Johnson files a wrongful death lawsuit against Baylor Scott & White Health Institute, alleging negligence during her recovery, leading to a fatal infection. Finally, the Federal Aviation Administration orders a temporary grounding of Boeing 737 Max 9 planes for inspection after a significant incident during an Alaska Airlines flight, emphasizing the importance of ensuring aircraft safety.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Friday, January 5th, 2024 Jan 05, 2024

Today’s Headlines: In a tragic incident in Perry, Iowa, a 17-year-old high school student opened fire at his school, resulting in the death of a 6th grader and injuries to four other students and the school's principal. The suspect, who later died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, is under investigation for social media posts made around the time of the shooting. Meanwhile, the Islamic State claimed responsibility for two suicide bombings in Iran during a memorial procession for General Qassem Suleimani, killing 84 people and injuring nearly 300. In Texas, an appeals court ruled that emergency rooms are not federally obligated to perform life-saving abortions, sparking controversy over the state's ban. New York City filed a lawsuit against transportation companies hired by Texas Governor Greg Abbott to transport migrants, seeking over $700 million in damages. Additionally, a report revealed that Donald Trump's businesses received at least $7.8 million from 20 foreign governments during his presidency. Shocking revelations from Jeffrey Epstein's documents included allegations against Prince Andrew and bizarre details involving Stephen Hawking and Bill Clinton. Lastly, the FDA is investigating reports of suicidal thoughts linked to diabetes-now-obesity drugs like Wegovy, Ozempic, Mounjaro, and Zepbound.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Thursday, January 4th, 2024 Jan 04, 2024

Today’s Headlines: In a series of legal battles, the former President, facing multiple indictments, has sought Supreme Court intervention to overturn the Colorado Supreme Court's ruling barring him from the state's Republican presidential primary ballot due to Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, disqualifying individuals involved in insurrection. Trump's lawyers aim to bypass oral arguments, while Colorado urgently requests a hearing before their March 5th primary. A similar appeal is made in Maine. Legal challenges under the 14th Amendment to Trump's eligibility for president are emerging in 15 states. A lawsuit in Pennsylvania questions Congressman Scott Perry's eligibility based on his role in attempting to delay the 2020 election certification. Meanwhile, Trump's associate, Jeffrey Clark, implicated in the conspiracy charges, is actively involved in "Project 2025," a plan to invoke the Insurrection Act on Trump's potential reelection. State capitols faced bomb threats, leading to evacuations, and an imam in Newark, New Jersey, was fatally shot. Internationally, top Hamas leader Saleh Arouri was killed in Beirut, and two explosions during a memorial procession in Iran raised suspicions of terrorist involvement. Finally, the unsealed Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell court documents mention nearly 200 names, including Trump, Clinton, Michael Jackson, David Copperfield, and Prince Andrew, promising further revelations.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Wednesday, January 3rd, 2024 Jan 03, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Israel has signaled its intention to cooperate with the proceedings after South Africa launched a case against Israel for genocide at the Hague's International Court of Justice. This marks a departure from Israel's usual stance of denouncing the court as biased and not cooperating with international cases. In internal matters, a poll shows only 15% of Israelis want Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to stay in office after the Gaza war, with Benny Gantz as a leading alternative. Netanyahu's anti-democratic judicial reforms face challenges, and a former cabinet member publicly apologized for contributing to internal strife. In the US, New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez faces charges of aiding the Qatari government, and a list of names connected to the Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell sex trafficking case is expected to be released. Harvard University's president, Claudine Gay, resigns amid controversies, and in South Korea, the leader of the major liberal opposition party is stabbed in a terrorist attack. On a positive note, more Americans can access insulin drugs at $35 per month as the three largest insulin manufacturers negotiate lower prices.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Tuesday, January 2nd, 2024 Jan 02, 2024

Today’s Headlines: In a significant development, Maine's state Supreme Court has ruled to remove Donald Trump from the state's Republican primary ballot, citing the 14th Amendment, which prohibits individuals who have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the Constitution from becoming president. This follows a similar ruling by the Colorado state Supreme Court. Currently, at least 35 states are considering challenges to Trump's candidacy related to his actions surrounding the January 6th events. Notably, two Republican candidates, Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis, pledged to pardon Trump if elected president and he is convicted of the numerous felony charges he faces. Meanwhile, the situation in Gaza remains dire, with Israeli military operations persisting despite a death toll exceeding 20,000. Investigative reports reveal disturbing acts of sexual violence against hostages held by Hamas, leading to calls for accountability. Additionally, South Africa has initiated a case at the UN accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza. Internationally, the conflict in the Red Sea involving Iran-funded Houthi rebels continues, with the US Navy destroying three boats after an attempted attack on a container ship. In the US, notable state-specific headlines include California's new law banning firearms in most public places, Illinois implementing laws on semi-automatic weapons and book bans, and Ohio's Republican Governor Mike DeWine vetoing a bill restricting transgender healthcare for minors. Ending on a positive note, the homicide rate in the United States dropped by 13% in 2023 compared to the previous year, despite public perception indicating otherwise.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

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Friday, December 22nd, 2023 Dec 22, 2023

Today’s Headlines: Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani faced a tumultuous week, culminating in his filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after being slapped with a $150 million defamation judgment for falsely accusing Georgia election workers of wrongdoing. The two women he defamed facilitated his financial downfall, though Giuliani is expected to make prompt payments despite his bankruptcy filing. Meanwhile, a tragic incident unfolded at a Prague university where a 24-year-old gunman, also suspected in earlier shooting deaths, killed more than a dozen people. In Iowa, a Des Moines Register/NBC News poll revealed that 42 percent of Republican voters were more likely to support Donald Trump after his xenophobic comments comparing immigrants to "poison in the blood." Lastly, former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy submitted his resignation from Congress, effective December 31, concluding a challenging year for him as he plans to focus on fundraising for Republican candidates in the future.

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AP News: Rudy Giuliani Files for Bankruptcy
AP News: Gunman kills more than a dozen at Prague university
Des Moines Register: Iowa GOP voters more likely to support Trump after xenophobic “poison the blood” comments
Axios: 67 percent say Donald Trump is their preferred candidate for presiden
Axios: Kevin McCarthy submits resignation from Congress effective 12/31

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Thursday, December 21st, 2023 Dec 21, 2023

Today’s Headlines: In Colorado, fallout continues after the state's Supreme Court disqualified Donald Trump from its ballots. President Biden acknowledged Trump's involvement in the insurrection but refrained from explicitly commenting on his eligibility for future office. The Supreme Court is set to decide next year on the validity of Colorado's decision, raising questions about the application of Section 3 of the 14th amendment to former presidents. Meanwhile, a federal judge ruled that a Confederate statue at Arlington National Cemetery can be removed, dismissing concerns about grave desecration. The statue will be relocated to state-owned land in the Shenandoah Valley as per Governor Glenn Youngkin's instructions. The UN Security Council postponed a vote on a resolution for a second time, seeking US support to pause fighting between Israel and Hamas. In New York City, the council voted to ban solitary confinement in jails, overriding Mayor Eric Adams' opposition. Finally, a traveler faces theft charges for stealing $23,000 from co-passengers aboard a Singapore Airlines flight.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Wednesday, December 20th, 2023 Dec 20, 2023

Today’s Headlines: In a recent development on the Coup Beat, the Colorado state Supreme Court has prohibited Donald Trump from participating in the state's 2024 Republican primary, citing the 14th Amendment's insurrection clause. Trump plans to appeal this decision to the U.S. Supreme Court, potentially impacting primaries across all 50 states. Simultaneously, the Supreme Court is examining another case on whether Trump, as a former president, has absolute immunity from prosecution by the DOJ Special Counsel. Meanwhile, ProPublica reveals financial concerns of Justice Clarence Thomas from 2000, detailing his efforts to secure a pay raise for justices and explore additional income avenues. In other news, New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed a bill establishing a task force to study the history of slavery, mirroring efforts in California and Illinois. Texas faces legal challenges to a new immigration law enabling police to stop and arrest individuals suspected of illegal entry, with Mexico planning to contest it as well. Additionally, a volcano erupted near Grindavik, Iceland, prompting evacuations, while the impending unsealing of court documents may reveal names of Jeffrey Epstein's associates on January 1st.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Tuesday, December 19th, 2023 Dec 19, 2023

Today’s Headlines: In ongoing hostage negotiations, the Qatari Prime Minister, the head of Israel's Mossad, and the U.S. CIA director are meeting in Warsaw, Poland, to discuss a potential deal for the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. Progress is anticipated to be slow, with Hamas insisting on resuming negotiations only after Israel ceases its military operations. Meanwhile, Pope Francis has made a groundbreaking announcement, formally approving the blessing of same-sex couples in a significant policy shift for the Catholic Church. In another development, former President Donald Trump has attracted attention for controversial statements, including paraphrasing Hitler at a rally and making questionable remarks about world leaders. Rudy Giuliani faces additional legal troubles as, following a $148 million damages verdict, he continued to insist on his innocence, prompting Freeman and Moss to file another lawsuit seeking a permanent injunction against him. In Texas, Governor Greg Abbott signed a bill allowing police to arrest undocumented migrants suspected of illegal border crossings, a departure from federal immigration policy. On a positive note, the minimum wage is set to increase in 22 states on January 1st, with some states implementing a $15 per hour minimum wage. Lastly, the Department of Transportation fined Southwest Airlines $140 million, 30 times larger than any previous similar fine, requiring the airline to set aside vouchers for affected passengers and pay an additional sum to the U.S. Treasury.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Monday, December 18th, 2023 Dec 18, 2023

Today’s Headlines: In a stunning revelation, CNN and the New York Times reported the mysterious disappearance of a 10-inch binder holding almost 3,000 pages of highly classified intelligence material during the final days of the Trump administration. This binder, with unredacted intelligence related to the "Crossfire Hurricane" FBI investigation into Russian election interference and connections to the Kremlin, has become a subject of concern, with former Trump staffer Cassidy Hutchinson testifying that she believed Mark Meadows took it home on the last day of the administration. Contrary to Meadows' denial, Trump himself suggested in an April 2021 interview that Meadows possessed the material. Meanwhile, the Israeli military admitted to mistakenly killing three hostages in Gaza during combat operations, with The New York Times reporting that Israeli ground forces damaged or destroyed at least six cemeteries in the same northern Gaza neighborhood. In the legal realm, a Georgia jury ordered Rudy Giuliani to pay $148 million for defamation, an amount he vows to appeal, and the infamous Alex Jones, facing a $1.5 billion lawsuit, has proposed a $55 million settlement for the Sandy Hook families in bankruptcy court. Adding a bizarre twist to the political scene, a Senate staffer was terminated for recording explicit content in the Senate hearing room, injecting scandal into the usually staid corridors of Congress.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Friday, December 15th, 2023 Dec 15, 2023

Today’s Headlines: Yesterday, arrests were made in Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands, with seven individuals suspected of planning attacks on Jewish institutions in Europe. Four are linked to Hamas, though Hamas denies involvement. Law enforcement in these countries and the U.S. will increase public presence around Jewish areas. In EU news, talks on Ukraine's membership began, coinciding with Russian President Putin's commitment to maintaining the current war strategy. The Biden administration urged Israel to wind down its conflict with Hamas, seeking more precise tactics within three weeks. New York Republicans selected Mazi Melesa Pilip to replace George Santos, while Democrats chose Tom Suozzi. A CDC report highlighted child gun accidents, emphasizing the need for safe storage. The Supreme Court upheld an Illinois ban on AR-15 weapons. Missouri Republicans proposed bills allowing homicide charges for abortion, and in Georgia, Rudy Giuliani's trial for defamation of election workers is underway, seeking damages of at least $24 million each.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Thursday, December 14th, 2023 Dec 14, 2023

Today’s Headlines: In a busy day of legal and legislative developments, the U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case challenging the Biden administration's policy on the abortion pill mifepristone, with potential far-reaching implications for abortion access. Separately, the Supreme Court is set to rule on former President Trump's claim of absolute immunity from prosecution. The House of Representatives passed a bipartisan resolution condemning antisemitism on college campuses, although the vote faced opposition over its call for the resignation of Harvard and MIT presidents. The House also voted to authorize an impeachment inquiry into President Biden, triggered by concerns about his involvement in his son Hunter's foreign business dealings. Meanwhile, President Biden announced a temporary solution to provide Ukraine with $200 million in military aid amid congressional deadlock, and the Federal Reserve decided to leave interest rates unchanged. In other news, 18 children in California filed a lawsuit against the EPA, alleging a failure to protect them from the impacts of climate change, and Tesla is recalling over 2 million vehicles due to safety concerns related to its Autopilot features.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Wednesday, December 13th, 2023 Dec 13, 2023

Today’s Headlines: Yesterday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with President Biden at the White House as Congress heads into a holiday recess without passing a new military aid package for Ukraine's fight against the Russian army. Zelenskyy emphasized the need for military resources outlined in a $61 billion military aid legislation, warning that Ukraine cannot win without them. Biden urged Congress to pass the aid, stating that failing to do so would be a "Christmas present" to Vladimir Putin. However, House Republicans, led by Speaker Mike Johnson, are hesitant, citing concerns about the lack of a clear strategy from the White House in the war. The Republican Party suggests that support for Ukraine aid could increase if more efforts are made to secure the U.S.-Mexico border. In other news, President Biden invited the families of Americans taken hostage by Hamas to meet in person, and he criticized Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu at a fundraiser, highlighting concerns about Israel's government stance on the conflict. The UN General Assembly voted in favor of a non-binding resolution for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, with the Israeli government possibly reopening the Keren Shalom border for aid. The Texas Supreme Court ruled against a pregnant woman seeking an abortion due to a fatal fetal condition, and a Washington Post report warns of increased Chinese government-backed hacking attempts on critical American infrastructure.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Tuesday, December 12th, 2023 Dec 12, 2023

Today’s Headlines: In a series of legal developments involving former President Donald Trump, he backed out of testifying at his civil fraud trial in New York, claiming election interference. Meanwhile, the Department of Justice's Special Counsel seeks to expedite a trial in DC on election interference, asking the Supreme Court to rule on Trump's immunity as a former president. The Court has already set a deadline for Trump's response. The Supreme Court also declined to hear a case challenging Washington's ban on conversion therapy for minors, leaving the ban intact. In Texas, a pregnant woman targeted by the state's Attorney General for an abortion is leaving the state. Ukrainian President Zelensky visits the White House amid a funding dispute for Ukraine's military, and Putin's opposition leader Navalny goes missing. Lastly, the Air National Guard takes action against 15 service members for failing to stop a National Guard officer from posting classified information on a Discord group linked to Russian channels. The officials, ranging from sergeants to colonels, faced consequences, including dismissals and administrative punishments, raising concerns about inaction and accountability within the military ranks.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Monday, December 11th, 2023 Dec 11, 2023

Today’s Headlines: The United States vetoed a UN security resolution for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, with the US deputy ambassador, Robert Wood, justifying the vote as the resolution being "imbalanced." Wood criticized the council for not condemning Hamas's October 7th attack, stating that halting military action would allow Hamas to continue ruling Gaza and set the stage for the next war. The UK abstained, and the resolution had support from nearly 100 co-sponsoring countries in less than 24 hours. In other news, a Texas district judge allowed a woman with a fatal fetal abnormality to undergo an abortion, marking the first case seeking a medical exception to the state's strict abortion ban. Attorney General Ken Paxton, however, plans to sue the performing doctor and advised hospitals to disregard the court's ruling. Other stories include a woman in Ohio facing felony charges for alleged abuse of a corpse after a miscarriage, FDA approval of treatments for Sickle Cell Disease, positive signs for a vaccine against triple-negative breast cancer, resignations at UPenn amid congressional testimony backlash, and President Biden's announcement of $8.2 billion for major passenger rail projects, including a high-speed rail line between Las Vegas and Los Angeles.

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Friday, December 8th, 2023 Dec 08, 2023

Today’s Headlines: The Human Rights Watch issued a report accusing Israel of deliberately targeting a group of American, Lebanese, and Iraqi journalists in southern Lebanon in October, resulting in the death of one Reuters journalist and injuries to six others. The report contends that the journalists, clearly identified as media and situated far from ongoing hostilities, were targeted without evidence of a military target nearby, classifying it as a war crime. In the U.S. Senate, discussions continue on the $106 billion aid package for Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan, and southern border funding after a failed vote earlier in the week. The U.S. and UK jointly impose sanctions against individuals linked to a Russian-sponsored cyber hacking campaign. The Biden administration reaches an agreement with Mexico to prevent Chinese investment in North American companies. Meanwhile, investigations are initiated into universities, including Harvard and UPenn, for their responses to calls for violence against Jews on campuses. In Texas, a state judge allows a pregnant woman with a fetus facing a fatal diagnosis to undergo an abortion, marking the first such case since the overturn of Roe v. Wade. Lastly, Democratic Representative Jamaal Bowman is censured by the House for pulling a fire alarm in the Capitol in September, while former President Donald Trump suggests he would act as a dictator on day one if re-elected in 2024.

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Thursday, December 7th, 2023 Dec 07, 2023

Today’s Headlines: In the University of Nevada, Las Vegas shooting incident, three people were killed, and one person was critically injured. The shooter, a man in his 60s, is now deceased. As of the latest recording, there is no further information on the shooter's identity or motive. The incident has resulted in heightened security concerns on the campus. In Gaza, the Israeli military intensifies its campaign, encircling the city of Khan Younis, targeting the home of top Hamas leader Yehya Sinwar. France freezes Sinwar's assets for six months. The fourth Republican presidential primary debate takes place, featuring four out of five remaining candidates, including Nikki Haley, Ron DeSantis, Vivek Ramaswamy, and Chris Christie. Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy announces his resignation, and the Department of Justice charges four Russia-affiliated soldiers with war crimes for actions during the Ukraine invasion. Senator Ron Wyden reveals that the federal government uses push notification data for tracking contacts, urging the DOJ to change rules for transparency.

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Wednesday, December 6th, 2023 Dec 06, 2023

Today’s Headlines: In the ongoing conflict since October 7th, Israel has expanded its military campaign into Gaza's second-largest city, Khan Younis, marking a new phase of the war. The Israeli military has urged Gazan civilians to evacuate, even as bombardment continues in designated shelter areas. The IDF's campaign has resulted in nearly 16,000 deaths, with 70% being women and children, and more than 42,000 people wounded. Despite the Gaza Health Ministry not distinguishing between civilians and militants, the IDF claims to have eliminated over 5,000 Hamas militants. On the diplomatic front, the Biden administration is set to impose visa bans on Israeli settlers and Palestinians involved in violence in the West Bank. This decision follows a surge in settler violence, displacing nearly 1,000 Palestinians. Meanwhile, the Senate is expected to vote on a $106 billion military aid package for Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan, and southern border funding. Republican senators are likely to vote against it, and the House Speaker insists on coupling aid for Ukraine with funding for Trump-era immigration policies. New Speaker Mike Johnson plans to initiate a formal impeachment inquiry into President Biden over unproven bribery claims. Lastly, the chairman of the Florida Republican Party, Christian Ziegler, faces a rape accusation, denies it, and refuses to resign, attributing the allegations to being "loud political voices" along with his wife, a co-founder of the conservative group Moms For Liberty.

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Tuesday, December 5th, 2023 Dec 05, 2023

Today’s Headlines: Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump recently hosted a private meeting in New York with the Prime Minister of Qatar and a group of Jewish business leaders, including notable figures like Josh Kushner, Robert Kraft, and Bill Ackman. The meeting coincided with the Qatari Prime Minister's UN Security Council address on the Gaza crisis, where he discussed Qatar's efforts and responded to questions about the country's relationship with Hamas. Meanwhile, amidst concerns of shadow diplomacy, Liz Cheney warned in an interview that if Donald Trump is re-elected, he might refuse to leave power, suggesting a potential slide into dictatorship. The U.S. also witnessed a disturbing record with two mass shootings within 90 minutes, marking the 37th and 38th incidents this year involving four or more victims. Harvard faced controversy as disinformation scholar Joan Donovan accused the university of stifling her research after a significant donation from Mark Zuckerberg's foundation. Additionally, the Supreme Court heard arguments on the Purdue Pharma bankruptcy plan, and a new Congressional Pension Accountability Act was introduced, inspired by George Santos, although it won't impact Santos directly due to his brief tenure in Congress.

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Monday, December 4th, 2023 Dec 04, 2023

Today’s Headlines: This weekend unfolded with a series of impactful events both on the international stage and within the United States. A comprehensive New York Times report detailed that Israeli officials had advanced knowledge of Hamas's attack plans over a year ago, shedding light on a 40-page blueprint named "Jericho Wall." The collapse of a truce in Gaza, coupled with Houthi rebels launching ballistic missiles at Red Sea ships and a subsequent intervention by a US warship, heightened geopolitical tensions in the region. Meanwhile, in the US, the House passed bipartisan legislation freezing $6 billion in funds to Iran, and the expulsion of George Santos from Congress added a layer of political drama, with potential revelations about his Republican colleagues and even discussions of an HBO movie in the works. Legal challenges loom for former President Donald Trump, as two federal judges ruled against his absolute immunity, paving the way for potential lawsuits related to the January 6th insurrection and other matters. Additionally, the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights initiated investigations into allegations of ethnic discrimination and the failure to address accusations of antisemitism, anti-Muslim, and anti-Arab harassment at several prominent US colleges and public school districts, creating a broader narrative of scrutiny and potential consequences for institutions found in violation of civil rights.

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Friday, December 1st, 2023 Dec 01, 2023

Today’s Headlines: Against the backdrop of delicate diplomatic negotiations, Israel and Hamas extended the Gaza truce by a day, facilitated by the mediating efforts of Qatar and Egypt. This extension saw the release of hostages by Hamas and the liberation of Palestinian prisoners by Israel. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken pressed Israel to exercise greater caution in military campaigns to prevent civilian casualties, leading to Israel's commitment to implement a comprehensive plan safeguarding civilians. On the domestic front, the Biden administration proposed a groundbreaking initiative, allocating $20-30 billion over the next decade to remove lead pipes across the U.S., with a significant portion funded by the 2021 bipartisan infrastructure act. Concurrently, a New York appeals court reinstated a gag order on Donald Trump in his civil fraud trial. Internationally, Pope Francis took punitive action against Cardinal Raymond Burke, revoking privileges, while Russia's Supreme Court declared LGBTQ activism extremist, effectively outlawing it. In the realm of technology and social media, Meta's quarterly report highlighted China as a prominent actor in influencing public opinion, revealing the removal of five Chinese networks targeting foreign audiences.

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Thursday, November 30th, 2023 Nov 30, 2023

Today’s Headlines: In the latest updates, the Gaza truce holds for a sixth day, marked by reciprocal hostage releases. Talks for extending the pause are ongoing, with Hamas now focusing on the release of more prisoners in exchange. The release of Palestinian detainees before the truce reveals that over half of those potentially eligible for release hadn't faced charges, raising questions about Israel's justice system. Meanwhile, a vote on the potential expulsion of George Santos from his congressional seat is expected by the week's end. The United Auto Workers Union, after securing contracts with major Detroit automakers, is launching a campaign to organize 13 non-unionized automakers, including BMW, Honda, and Tesla. In the tech world, OpenAI welcomes back Sam Altman as CEO, with Microsoft gaining a non-voting seat on the board. Former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger has passed away at 100, sparking reflections on the peace-related aspects of his legacy.

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Wednesday, November 29th, 2023 Nov 29, 2023

Today’s Headlines: On the fifth day of the truce between Hamas and Israel, Hamas released twelve hostages, including ten Israelis or dual-national citizens and two Thai citizens. In return, Israel released 30 imprisoned Palestinians. As of Tuesday evening, there was no announcement of a further extension, and today is set to be the final day of the truce. In the latest developments surrounding the DOJ's investigation into the January 6th Capitol riot, former Vice President Mike Pence has reportedly shared previously undisclosed details about the period between the 2020 election and the events of January 6th. Pence's insights include the strain in his relationship with Trump and his reluctance to overturn the election. Looking ahead to 2024, Trump is considering various strategies, including revisiting the Insurrection Act and threatening to repeal the Affordable Care Act if re-elected. Billionaire Charles Koch's endorsement of Nikki Haley in the GOP primary adds a significant dimension to the political landscape. In Congressional affairs, efforts to expel Representative George Santos are gaining traction, and Hunter Biden is open to testifying publicly in December. Legal proceedings in Texas seek to clarify exceptions to the state's abortion ban. On the economic front, Cyber Monday set records, with American consumers spending $12.4 billion online and a total of $38 billion over the five-day holiday weekend. The figures reflect a robust consumer spending trend, with over 200 million Americans participating in holiday shopping, a notable increase from the previous year.

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Tuesday, November 28th, 2023 Nov 28, 2023

Today’s Headlines: In recent updates, Israel and Hamas agreed to a two-day extension of their truce, releasing 10 hostages daily, with a fourth group of 11 Israeli hostages already freed. Israel is reportedly releasing 33 Palestinian teenagers under the same terms and allowing more aid trucks into Gaza. The extension was announced by the Qatari Foreign Ministry, mediating with input from Egypt and the U.S. Gaza faces a dire situation with three-quarters displaced, half in UN shelters, and a death toll exceeding 14,000, including many teenagers and children. Meanwhile, Elon Musk's visit to Israel follows Twitter controversy, losing major advertisers. During his tour near the Gaza border with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Musk expressed a commitment to help rebuild Gaza. In Vermont, Jason J. Eaton, the man who shot three Palestinian college students, was arrested on three counts of attempted murder. He pleaded not guilty, and the DOJ is investigating it as a potential hate crime. Lastly, Sunday marked the busiest day in U.S. airport history, with the TSA screening over 2.9 million travelers, setting a new record.

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Monday, November 27th, 2023 Nov 27, 2023

Today’s Headlines: A hostage deal, delayed by cross-allegations, successfully unfolded over the weekend. Hamas released 58 hostages, including a 4-year-old American, while Israel released over 100 Palestinians. The truce is set to end today, but extensions could see the daily release of 10 hostages. In the West Bank, two Palestinians accused of collaboration were killed by the Tulkarm Brigades, warning others to come forward by December 5th to avoid a similar fate. The Israeli military remains committed to operations until Hamas is eradicated. In Burlington, Vermont, a potentially hate-motivated shooting occurred, targeting three Palestinian college students who were shot multiple times by an unidentified white male while walking downtown wearing kaffiyehs. The victims, students from Brown University, Haverford College, and Trinity College, had gathered in Burlington to celebrate Thanksgiving and remain in serious condition. The shooter fled the scene, and police are actively investigating. In other news, Congress is gearing up for a vote on the potential expulsion of Representative George Santos, following a scathing House Ethics Committee report revealing his misuse of campaign funds for personal expenses. Additionally, major egg producers were found guilty of conspiring to limit the U.S. egg supply between 2004 and 2008, raising prices, while a far-right party led by Geert Wilders secured a surprising victory in Dutch parliamentary elections. On a lighter note, U.S. consumers set a new online spending record for Black Friday, reaching $9.8 billion, marking a 7.5% increase from the previous year.

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Wednesday, November 22nd, 2023 Nov 22, 2023

Today’s Headlines: As of the latest update, Israel and Hamas are on the verge of finalizing a deal to temporarily halt the ongoing conflict. Israel's Cabinet has given approval for the release of around 50 women and minors among the 240 hostages held by Hamas, reciprocated by the release of 150 Palestinian prisoners by Israel. This includes teenage boys, girls, and women, arrested during West Bank raids framed as counter-terror operations against Hamas. Israel plans to allow 300 aid trucks daily into Gaza through the Rafah crossing and provide more fuel. The truce might extend if Hamas releases additional hostages though Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to resume military operations once the truce concludes. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to visit Israel next week. In a legal development, Maryland's 4th Circuit Court of Appeals overturned a stringent gun law, deeming the handgun licensing statute, enacted in response to the 2012 Sandy Hook shooting, a violation of the 2nd Amendment. Similar legal challenges loom over other Maryland gun laws, including the assault weapons ban and restrictions on carrying guns in public. The CEO of Binance, the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange, pleaded guilty to a felony related to the platform's failure to prevent money laundering. CEO Changpeng Zhao resigned, and Binance agreed to a $4 billion settlement, acknowledging violations of the Bank Secrecy Act. The company will undergo monitoring and compliance measures for five years. In the realm of corporate drama, negotiations are underway at OpenAI to potentially reinstate CEO Sam Altman. Investors and employees, including many threatening to quit, are advocating for Altman's return while OpenAI's widely-used product, Chat GPT, experienced global outages.

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Tuesday, November 21st, 2023 Nov 21, 2023

Today’s Headlines: On the 45th day of the Gaza war, the U.S. intelligence community has shifted its stance, expressing growing confidence in the accuracy of death toll reports from the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry, contrary to earlier skepticism by the Biden administration. Meanwhile, Amos Hochstein, a senior Biden adviser, landed in Israel for talks with Israeli and Lebanese officials, addressing concerns about escalating tensions along Israel's northern border. Back in the U.S., a federal court ruling has the potential to impact the Voting Rights Act in seven states, limiting the ability of individuals and groups to sue under the act. Speaker Mike Johnson plans to release 44,000 hours of footage from the January 6th insurrection, with some portions withheld for sensitive security reasons. As Thanksgiving approaches, a massive storm is expected to sweep the eastern United States, adding challenges to travel during the busiest days of the year. Recent climate developments include the planet surpassing a key threshold, experiencing the first two days with a global average surface temperature above 2 degrees Celsius compared to preindustrial levels. The UN's 2023 Emissions Gap report warns of nearly three degrees Celsius of warming by 2100, even if current emission policies are met. Meanwhile, OpenAI faces internal turmoil following the sudden firing of CEO Sam Altman, prompting Microsoft to hire Altman and former president Greg Brockman to lead a new advanced AI research team. OpenAI employees threaten to quit, leading to an independent investigation into Altman's firing.

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Monday, November 20th, 2023 Nov 20, 2023

Today’s Headlines: In the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, negotiations are reportedly still underway for a potential deal to release Israeli hostages in exchange for a temporary pause in fighting. Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza has ceased functioning as a medical facility, with premature babies evacuated, and the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) claim the hospital was used as a military enclave, providing footage of a tunnel shaft. The IDF also presented security footage from October 7th showing two hostages inside Al-Shifa. In the United States, Congress is expected to vote on a military aid package for Israel, with Bernie Sanders and AOC calling for aid to be conditional on policy changes. Meanwhile, Houthi rebels in Yemen, backed by Iran, hijacked an Israeli-linked ship in the Red Sea, taking 25 crew members hostage, citing alleged connections to Israel. In a surprising development, Argentina elected far-right libertarian economist Javier Milei as president, defeating the center-left economy minister Sergio Massa. Finally, former First Lady Rosalyn Carter, wife of President Jimmy Carter, passed away at the age of 96, marking the end of the longest presidential marriage in U.S. history.

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Friday, November 17th, 2023 Nov 17, 2023

Today’s Headlines: Congress has averted a government shutdown through a temporary funding bill, though funding for Israel, Ukraine, and Palestinian aid is notably absent. Representative George Santos has opted not to seek re-election following an Ethics Committee investigation revealing misuse of campaign funds for personal expenses. The gag order on Donald Trump in his New York civil fraud trial has been temporarily lifted. Overseas, scrutiny continues on the Israeli Defense Forces' operation at Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza, with concerns about conditions and allegations lacking concrete evidence. Meanwhile, the Democratic National Committee's headquarters in D.C. was evacuated after a pro-Palestinian rally turned violent. Additionally, three NYU students are suing the university for not addressing escalating antisemitism, and a California community college professor faces involuntary manslaughter charges in connection with a pro-Israel protestor's death. In a San Francisco trial, David DePape was found guilty for breaking into Pelosi's home with a hammer, potentially facing a lengthy prison sentence.

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Thursday, November 16th, 2023 Nov 16, 2023

Today’s Headlines: There are indications of a potential diplomatic agreement between Israel and Hamas, with Hamas agreeing in principle to a deal involving a temporary ceasefire, the release of hostages, increased humanitarian aid to Gaza, and the release of women and children from Israeli prisons. However, caution is urged, as the deal is in general terms and could still face obstacles. Additionally, President Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping held a four-hour diplomatic meeting in California, addressing key points of tension between the U.S. and China, including the resumption of formal military-to-military contact, discussions on Taiwan, cooperation against opioid fentanyl, and economic competition. Meanwhile, Donald Trump has filed a motion for a mistrial in his New York civil fraud case, alleging bias from Judge Arthur Engoron, and the October inflation report indicates a 3.2% rise in the consumer price index, suggesting a potential easing of the Federal Reserve's consecutive rate hikes. The inflation report could influence policymakers' decisions in their upcoming December meeting.

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Wednesday, November 15th, 2023 Nov 15, 2023

Today’s Headlines: In recent events, the Israeli military's precise operation targeted Hamas within Gaza's Al-Shifa hospital, causing casualties and displacements. US intelligence confirmed the military use of hospitals, including Al-Shifa, by both Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad for activities and holding hostages. Shifting to domestic affairs, the House voted to prevent a government shutdown, approving a funding resolution until mid-January and early February for specific departments. Capitol tensions escalated with a confrontation between Tennessee Republican Tim Burchett and former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, highlighting internal strife. Additionally, the Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change report warned of a projected 370% increase in heat-related deaths by mid-century without effective government intervention, emphasizing the urgency of climate action. Concluding the update, Pope Francis removed Bishop Joseph Strickland, notable for his alignment with MAGA and opposition to Church inclusivity, following a formal Vatican investigation, although specific details remain undisclosed.

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Tuesday, November 14th, 2023 Nov 14, 2023

Today’s Headlines: In a notable development, the Supreme Court, amidst sustained criticism, introduced its first-ever code of ethics, unanimously agreed upon by all nine justices. Contrary to expectations, the policy doesn't impose substantial new ethical obligations, specific restrictions on gifts, travel, or real estate dealings. It leans on justices to uphold their own ethical standards without external enforcement. Donald Trump Jr. testified in the Trump Organization's civil fraud trial, passionately extolling his father's real estate acumen. Despite Ohio's recent pro-abortion referendum, some Republican representatives plan legislative maneuvers to shift jurisdiction from the courts to the legislature, raising questions about the vote's significance. The abrupt exit of Senator Tim Scott from the 2024 presidential race surprised both donors and campaign staff. Meanwhile, Jacob Chansley, the QAnon Shaman involved in the January 6th insurrection, filed paperwork to run for Congress in Arizona, presenting potential challenges and concerns.

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Monday, November 13th, 2023 Nov 13, 2023

Today’s Headlines: The largest hospital in Gaza, Al-Shifa, has been non-operational since Saturday due to fuel shortages, intense fighting, and heavy bombardment and Al-Quds hospital in Gaza City is also non-operational. The IDF announced evacuation routes from Al-Shifa and two other hospitals. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hinted at a potential deal to release hostages, involving an exchange of 80 women and children for 80 imprisoned female and underage terror convicts. Meanwhile, government funding runs out on November 17th, and Speaker Johnson proposed a bill to extend funding for various federal agencies until January 19th or February 2nd, excluding funding for Israel, Ukraine, and the Mexico border. Former President Donald Trump, during a Veterans Day rally, referred to his critics as "vermin'' and pledged to root them out. Reports suggest plans for an extreme expansion of his first-term immigration crackdown, including reviving the Muslim ban, mass deportations, and ending birthright citizenship. An update on the criminal investigation into New York City Mayor Eric Adams and his 2021 campaign's potential conspiracy with the Turkish government. FBI agents issued a search warrant to seize Adams's electronic devices as part of an investigation into a possible straw donor scheme.

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Friday, November 10th, 2023 Nov 10, 2023

Today’s Headlines: Israel has agreed to daily 4-hour humanitarian pauses in the ongoing conflict with Hamas, introducing a second corridor for civilians to flee Gaza. Negotiations in Qatar aim for a larger release of the estimated 240 hostages held by Hamas. The Council on American-Islamic Relations reports an alarming surge in anti-Arab and anti-Muslim bias in the U.S. during the Israel-Hamas war, with a 216% increase in complaints from the same period last year. Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia announced he won't seek re-election in 2024, sparking speculation about potential presidential ambitions. In another 2024 development, Donald Trump hinted at using federal agencies to target critics if re-elected and defended past family separation policies on the Mexico border in an interview with Univision.

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Thursday, November 9th, 2023 Nov 09, 2023

Today’s Headlines: In the aftermath of Election Day, voters across the United States displayed a strong focus on protecting reproductive rights, with notable victories such as Ohio amending its constitution to safeguard abortion rights. Democrats secured wins in Virginia's state legislature and governor races, along with milestones in local elections, including Houston's mayoral race heading to a runoff and Philadelphia electing its first female mayor. Additionally, Ohio's legalization of recreational cannabis officially marks more than half of Americans residing in states where marijuana is legal. Meanwhile, developments in the Middle East saw Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu proposing an indefinite security presence in Gaza, prompting Secretary Blinken to suggest unification with the West Bank under the Palestinian Authority. In other news, Ivanka Trump's testimony in her father's civil fraud trial portrayed her as minimally involved, and the House Oversight Committee issued subpoenas for Hunter Biden and James Biden, seeking testimony and documents. The actors' strike concluded with a tentative agreement featuring historic pay increases and AI technology protections, awaiting member ratification. Finally, the FDA approved Eli Lilly's obesity drug Zepbound, anticipated to lower net prices in its drug category.

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Wednesday, November 8th, 2023 Nov 08, 2023

Today’s Headlines: Yesterday's election results highlighted significant developments. Ohio voters passed an amendment to the state's constitution, affirming residents' rights to make their own reproductive decisions, including having an abortion. Ohio's 6-week abortion ban may be affected by this. Additionally, Ohio legalized the possession and sale of marijuana for recreational use. In Virginia, Democrats won control of the state Senate, establishing a split government at the state level. Kentucky's Democratic Governor Andy Beshear was reelected, while the Mississippi governor's race results were pending. In international news, the Israeli Defense Forces initiated a ground invasion in Gaza City, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suggested an "indefinite period" of security control in Gaza. The White House proposed a 3-day war pause in exchange for hostage releases, with Hamas expressing readiness to release foreign nationals. The third Republican primary debate for the 2024 presidential candidate is happening, featuring candidates like Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley. On a concerning note, cases of syphilis in newborns in the US have risen significantly over the past decade. Lastly, data from European and Japanese research centers showed that October was the warmest on record, indicating a continued trend towards record-high temperatures and climate concerns.

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Tuesday, November 7th, 2023 Nov 07, 2023

Today’s Headlines: In recent news, the frontrunner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination testified in a trial related to alleged fraudulent business activities. Donald Trump's five-hour testimony included denials of fraud allegations and assertions of a significantly higher net worth, making it a significant development for his business and legal future. Meanwhile, Secretary of State Antony Blinken's Middle East shuttle diplomacy failed to yield substantial progress in achieving a humanitarian pause or ceasefire in Gaza. The Supreme Court is deliberating the constitutionality of a 1994 law aimed at protecting domestic violence victims from their alleged abusers who are under restraining orders, with implications for the Second Amendment. A Missouri jury reached a landmark verdict against the National Association of Realtors, potentially influencing the housing market. Lastly, a report from the CDC revealed a troubling increase in infant mortality rates in the US for the first time in two decades, with provisional data indicating a 3% rise from 2021 to 2022, affecting various ethnic groups and states differently.

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Monday, November 6th, 2023 Nov 06, 2023

Today’s Headlines: The IDF surrounded Gaza City in northern Gaza, considering it a significant stage in the conflict, with plans to enter the city within 48 hours. Unfortunately, on Sunday, Israeli airstrikes hit two refugee camps in the area where Palestinian civilians were urged to seek refuge, resulting in numerous casualties and injuries. Gaza is also in the midst of its third telecommunications outage since the war began. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken engaged in diplomatic talks focused on the safety of US troops in Iraq and Syria, particularly regarding increased attacks from Iranian-backed militias. He also met with Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah to discuss the possibility of his party assuming power in Gaza, but Abbas emphasized the need for a comprehensive political solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Additionally, CIA director William Burns arrived in Israel to negotiate the release of hostages held by Hamas and work towards a humanitarian pause to prevent broader regional conflict. Meanwhile, Donald Trump is currently facing a civil fraud trial in New York, accused of inflating property values for personal gain. In addition, reports suggest he's planning for a potential second term, with ideas like deploying the military against civilians using the Insurrection Act. Trump also has plans to use the Department of Justice against opponents. Uber and Lyft will pay $328 million to settle a case for withholding money from drivers. In France, President Macron is proposing a constitutional amendment to protect abortion rights in response to the US overturning Roe v. Wade.

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Friday, November 3rd, 2023 Nov 03, 2023

Today’s Headlines: President Biden recommended a humanitarian pause in the Israel-Hamas conflict, signaling a change in the administration's stance. This pause aims to provide aid to civilians and allow foreign nationals to leave Gaza. Meanwhile, there is concern that Hamas is hoarding fuel, demanding deliveries during diplomatic negotiations, while Israel claims they already have a significant amount. The U.S. House of Representatives passed a $14.5 billion military aid package for Israel without including humanitarian aid for Palestinians or Ukraine. Additionally, two Republican representatives announced they won't run for reelection in 2024. President Biden signed an executive order addressing AI safety and standards, and there's an FBI investigation into potential illegal foreign donations to New York Mayor Eric Adams's campaign. Eric Trump testified in a civil fraud trial, and Sam Bankman-Fried was found guilty on 7 criminal fraud counts related to the collapse of the crypto exchange FTX and its sister hedge fund.

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Thursday, November 2nd, 2023 Nov 02, 2023

Today’s Headlines: Amid ongoing fighting and bombings in Gaza, a group of injured Palestinians and foreign nationals, including some American citizens, were permitted to leave through the Rafah crossing into Egypt for medical treatment. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is traveling to Israel and Jordan for diplomatic efforts to seek a resolution to the conflict. He aims to address the violence by right-wing settlers in the West Bank and reaffirm the U.S.'s commitment to a Palestinian state. Reporters Without Borders filed a complaint with the International Criminal Court regarding the killing of journalists and the destruction of media outlets in Gaza. The ICC is already investigating actions by Israeli and Palestinian authorities since the 2014 Israel-Hamas war. A vote to expel Representative George Santos failed along party lines. Donald Trump Jr. testified in the Trump family civil fraud trial, addressing his involvement in the company. The American Cancer Society updated its guidelines, recommending annual lung cancer screenings for all current and former smokers starting at age 50, removing the previous barrier related to the time since quitting smoking.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Wednesday, November 1st, 2023 Nov 01, 2023

Today’s Headlines: An Israeli military airstrike on the Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, resulted in the deaths of many Palestinians in this densely populated area. The IDF claimed responsibility for the strike, stating that it targeted Hamas leader Ibrahim Biari and destroyed infrastructure used by the group, which they intentionally placed within the civilian population. Additionally, the Rafah border with Egypt was set to open to receive critically injured Palestinian civilians for medical treatment. Meanwhile, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin testified before the Senate Appropriations Committee regarding the administration's request for supplemental security funding. Their testimonies were interrupted by protesters advocating for a cease-fire, approximately 12 individuals were arrested for their actions during the Senate hearing. Back in Congress, the new Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson, has introduced a complex bill that combines aid for Israel with a reduction in IRS funding, sparking potential controversy and opposition. The FBI has issued a warning, noting an elevated threat level against Americans and an increase in hate crimes targeting Jews and Muslims due to the Israel-Hamas conflict. This conflict's repercussions are evident as a 71-year-old man in Illinois pleaded guilty to a horrific attack on a Muslim family. Furthermore, a Cornell University student was arrested for posting threats and antisemitic messages, raising concerns about campus safety. Early voting in Ohio is underway, with abortion rights at stake; Issue 1 aims to amend the state constitution to safeguard reproductive healthcare decisions. Ohio's Secretary of State's controversial voter purge has also drawn attention, potentially affecting voter participation in the state's critical ballot decisions.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Tuesday, October 31st, 2023 Oct 31, 2023

Today’s Headlines: The Israeli military expanded its ground invasion into Gaza City, rescuing a female soldier who was taken hostage. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed Israel's commitment to continue the conflict. Meanwhile, Hamas released a video with three other female captives. Israel's Mossad director met with Qatari officials to mediate hostage negotiations, and the Biden administration is also involved. The conflict has led to international hate crimes, including an incident in Russia where a crowd stormed a flight from Tel Aviv, resulting in injuries and detentions. Russian President Vladimir Putin alleged Ukrainian involvement without evidence. Shifting gears, a man from Alabama, Arthur Ray Hanson II, was indicted for threatening a Georgia prosecutor and sheriff involved in the investigation into Donald Trump's alleged election interference. He left threatening voicemails in the lead-up to charges against Trump and is set to be arraigned on November 13th, claiming innocence. In the automotive industry, General Motors and the United Auto Workers union have reached a tentative agreement mirroring the deal struck with Ford. It includes a 25% wage increase over a 4.5-year contract, cost-of-living adjustments, profit sharing, and a 3-year progression to a top wage of approximately $42 per hour. The agreement also allows GM employees to transfer to battery or electric vehicle plants for job security amid the transition to electric vehicles.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Monday, October 30th, 2023 Oct 30, 2023

Today’s Headlines: The US launched airstrikes on two locations in eastern Syria, connected to Iran's Revolutionary Guard, in retaliation for multiple attacks on US bases and personnel in Iraq and Syria. The situation escalates further as rockets from Syria and Lebanon continue to strike northern Israel, prompting Israel to respond with its own rocket attacks. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declares this phase as part of an enduring and arduous war against Hamas. Amidst this turmoil, there's a fleeting moment of hope when 33 trucks bring aid into Gaza, although the relief is short-lived as thousands of individuals break into UN warehouses, reflecting the dire humanitarian conditions. The UN General Assembly seeks a ceasefire in Gaza, stressing the need for life-saving provisions and services for trapped and displaced civilians. Back in the US, the Lewiston, Maine shooter was found dead on Friday, allowing 37,000 residents to stop sheltering in place. Judge Tanya Chutkan reinstates a gag order against Trump in the Department of Justice's case, separate from the one reported on last week in his civil fraud case in New York. The legal woes continue to expand, as all three of Donald Trump's eldest children are set to testify in the civil fraud case, starting with Donald Jr., followed by Eric and Ivanka, though the latter is likely to contest the decision. And finally, George Santos, pled not guilty to charges of identity theft, wire fraud, device fraud, and making false statements to the FEC. The indictment alleges he used donors' identities for unauthorized credit card charges and lied about it to the FEC. House Republicans are set to vote on Santos' expulsion from Congress in the upcoming week.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Friday, October 27th, 2023 Oct 27, 2023

Today’s Headlines: In Lewiston, Maine, a manhunt is ongoing for a suspect responsible for a mass shooting that left 18 people dead and 13 injured. The suspect, 40-year-old Robert Card, is an Army reservist with extensive firearms training but was removed from a military training camp in July due to erratic behavior. In Gaza, Israel is conducting "limited raids" as it escalates towards a full ground incursion, while the US Pentagon is deploying nearly 1,000 troops to bolster air defenses. Iran's Foreign Minister warned during a UN General Assembly session that the US would not be spared from the conflict, emphasizing the need to address the release of Israeli civilian hostages and 6,000 Palestinians in Israeli prisons. In Congress, Senator Tammy Duckworth and Representative Ayanna Presley introduced legislation requiring employers to provide seven days of paid time off following a pregnancy loss, covering various circumstances. In Georgia, a federal judge ruled that some legislative and congressional districts were racially discriminatory, ordering the creation of new Black-majority districts. Finally, Category 5 Hurricane Otis struck Acapulco, Mexico, killing at least 27 people and defying forecasts as it rapidly intensified, making it the most intense hurricane to hit Mexico's Pacific coast.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Thursday, October 26th, 2023 Oct 26, 2023

Today’s Headlines: A tragic active shooter incident in Lewiston, Maine took 22 lives and left dozens injured across three locations: a bowling alley, a nearby restaurant, and a Walmart distribution center. Meanwhile, the UN Palestinian Refugee Agency warned of a critical situation in Gaza, where a shortage of fuel threatens to halt humanitarian operations, particularly impacting premature babies in need of incubators. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's televised defense of Hamas and criticism of Israel has raised concerns over the source's credibility. In the United States, a significant increase in antisemitic incidents was reported following the Israel-Gaza conflict, highlighting the need to address rising hate crimes. The House of Representatives elected Louisiana Representative Mike Johnson as Speaker, despite his relatively short tenure and divisive political stances. In a courtroom drama, former President Donald Trump faced a $10,000 fine for violating a gag order and continued to make controversial statements outside the trial. The United Auto Workers reached a new labor agreement with Ford Motors, increasing worker pay and reinstating cost of living adjustments. Lastly, Meta faces lawsuits from states' attorneys-general, alleging that the company contributes to youth mental health issues and violates laws by collecting data on children under 13. These actions come after the European Union demanded transparency from Meta and TikTok in countering illegal content during the Israel-Hamas conflict.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Wednesday, October 25th, 2023 Oct 25, 2023

Today’s Headlines: The 19th day of the Gaza war sees the Biden administration preparing for the possible evacuation of nearly 700,000 American citizens from Israel and Lebanon should the conflict escalate further, with concerns centered on the potential involvement of Hezbollah in Lebanon. Meanwhile, credit rating agencies adjusted their outlook on Israel's credit rating from 'stable' to 'negative,' signaling possible future downgrades. In Congress, the Republican majority continues to seek a Speaker of the House, while the former candidate, Tom Emmer, dropped out after Donald Trump criticized him. Additionally, two associates of Donald Trump, Jenna Ellis and Mark Meadows, have reportedly cooperated with federal officials regarding the 2020 election interference cases. Finally, Michael Cohen testified as a witness in Donald's civil fraud trial, revealing details about Trump's business practices and his failed attempt to buy the Buffalo Bills in 2014.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Tuesday, October 24th, 2023 Oct 24, 2023

Today’s Headlines: In the latest updates on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, a third envoy of aid entered Gaza while Hamas released two elderly Israeli women held hostage. Concerns are mounting as experts estimate around 220 hostages have been taken by Hamas and other militant groups in Gaza. The United States is urging de-escalation and advising Israel to delay a ground invasion to negotiate hostage releases. The U.S. is also cautioning regional actors, including Iranian-backed groups, against further involvement. In related news, a three-star Marine general and U.S. military officers have been sent to Israel to advise the Israel Defense Forces, focusing on the expected ground invasion. On the domestic front, the United Auto Workers (UAW) expanded its strike, calling for 6,800 workers to walk off the job at a major factory. Contract negotiations between the UAW and automakers remain unresolved, with the UAW seeking substantial raises and improved benefits. In California, a new law mandates businesses to grant five days of protected time off for mothers experiencing reproductive losses, such as miscarriages or stillbirths, beginning January 1st. Employers are prohibited from retaliating against employees taking this leave. California is the second state in the U.S. to implement such a law, following Illinois, aligning with its progressive policies.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Monday, October 23rd, 2023 Oct 23, 2023

Today’s Headlines: Two American hostages held in Gaza were released following an agreement between Hamas and the Qatari government. While Judith Raanan and her daughter Natalie were freed, around 200 hostages remained. Tensions persist in the region, with ongoing military activities, and there are concerns about verifying humanitarian aid deliveries. A group of U.S. Senators visited and met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, reinforcing their support for Israel's actions against Hamas. Back in the US, Samantha Woll, the president of a downtown Detroit synagogue, was tragically found stabbed to death outside her home. The Detroit Police Department, along with the FBI and Michigan State Police, is investigating the case, although a suspect and motive remain unknown. The U.S. House of Representatives still lacks a permanent speaker after three weeks. Nine Republican candidates are vying for the role, with a vote scheduled for Tuesday. This has been termed embarrassing by former Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Two high-profile co-defendants of Donald Trump in the 2020 Georgia election interference case, Sidney Powell and Kenneth Cheseboro, have pleaded guilty. Powell admitted to six counts of conspiracy and agreed to testify and issue an apology, while Cheseboro confessed to one count and will follow the same process.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

AP News: Israel says two Americans held hostage by Hamas, a mother and daughter, have been released
WA Post: Hezbollah steps up attacks, IDF says, fueling fears of wider conflict
The Guardian: Aid trucks enter Gaza but UN chief says people need ‘much, much more’
The Times Of Israel: Visiting US senators: Hamas must be destroyed, war was opened to prevent Saudi peace
Detroit Free Press: Detroit synagogue president Samantha Woll found fatally stabbed outside her home
WA Post: Here are the nine Republicans running for House speaker
Axios: Kevin McCarthy calls House speaker chaos "embarrassing" for GOP
Business Insider: 2 of Trump's co-defendants pushed for speedy trials in Georgia. Now both have turned against him

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Friday, October 20th, 2023 Oct 20, 2023

Today’s Headlines: In recent news, the humanitarian effort to deliver aid to Gaza faces incremental progress as the United Nations calls for an immediate cease-fire between Israel and Hamas, following a diplomatic agreement brokered by the US between Israel and Egypt. While aid trucks remain queued at the Rafah crossing, delays are attributed to road repairs from Israeli strikes, with coordination for American evacuations along the same route. President Biden, in a rare prime-time address, seeks substantial military aid for Israel and Ukraine, requesting one billion dollars in funding while increasing resources for Taiwan and border security. Representative Jim Jordan's tumultuous bid for Speaker of the House highlights divisions within the Republican party, with backtracking and ongoing challenges in garnering support. In California, Senator Laphonza Butler decides not to seek re-election, impacting the Senate race, while Sidney Powell's guilty plea in a Georgia election interference case has the potential to influence Trump's legal situation.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Thursday, October 19th, 2023 Oct 19, 2023

Today’s Headlines: In recent Middle East developments, tensions flared following the al-Ahli Hospital bombing in Gaza City, attributed to a misfired rocket from Hamas's ally, Palestinian Islamic Jihad. Protests erupted in Lebanon, causing disruptions during President Biden's regional visit. Despite this, Israel agreed to allow Egypt to deliver humanitarian supplies to Gaza under UN supervision. Upon his return, President Biden will address the nation on responses to international issues, proposing a $100 billion aid package. The Speaker election in the House of Representatives faced challenges, with Jim Jordan failing to secure majority support. President Biden's administration executed its first deportation flight to Venezuela, signaling stricter immigration enforcement amid ongoing border crossings.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Wednesday, October 18th, 2023 Oct 18, 2023

Today’s Headlines: The conflict in Gaza saw a tragic incident where a hospital in Gaza City was hit, causing significant casualties and sparking protests. The source of the explosion remains disputed, with Hamas blaming an Israeli airstrike, while the IDF claimed it resulted from a misfired rocket by Islamic Jihad. There are concerns about providing humanitarian aid and the potential involvement of Hezbollah. President Biden visited Israel to support the nation against Hamas and advocate for humanitarian aid, as water resources run low. In a Chicago suburb, a young Palestinian-American boy was brutally attacked, leading to charges against his landlord. In Congress, Representative Jim Jordan failed to secure enough votes in the Speaker vote, indicating ongoing divisions. Lastly, former President Donald Trump's civil fraud trial revealed questionable financial practices within the Trump Organization.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Tuesday, October 17th, 2023 Oct 17, 2023

Today’s Headlines: The Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt faced confusion and delays despite plans for it to open for aid and evacuations. The U.S. was involved in coordinating with Egypt to facilitate the process, as other exit routes controlled by Israel remained closed due to safety concerns. Tensions also escalated on Israel's border with Lebanon, leading to evacuations and the deployment of U.S. aircraft carriers in the Mediterranean. Iran hinted at possible action against Israel. President Biden planned to visit Israel amidst these tensions. Additionally, Hamas released a video of a French-Israeli woman held hostage, and there were concerns about her well-being. In the United States, Republicans were divided over the election of the Speaker of the House, and Judge Tanya S. Chutkan issued a gag order against former President Trump in his federal election interference trial to prevent attacks on prosecutors, court staff, and witnesses.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

NY Times: Confusion abounds about the status of Rafah border crossing access, controlled by Egypt
The Guardian: Israel tells residents at Lebanon border to evacuate
The Guardian: Iran threatens action against Israel in potential massive escalation of war
NY Times: Hamas releases video of French-Israeli woman held hostage, Mia Schem
The Hill: Rep. Jim Jordan rallies support ahead of key speakers’ vote
Politico: Federal judge issues Trump gag order

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Monday, October 16th, 2023 Oct 16, 2023

Today’s Headlines: In the second week of the Israel-Hamas conflict, Israel continues its military retaliation with missile strikes and urges over 1 million Palestinians to evacuate the northern Gaza strip. About 600,000 Palestinians have evacuated, and the Rafah border crossing to Egypt was briefly opened for aid and foreign nationals' evacuation. The U.S. opposes mass-relocating Palestinians to Egypt and is considering a visit by President Biden to Israel to show support and discourage Iran and Hezbollah from joining the conflict. Tensions escalated on Israel's northern border with Lebanon as Hezbollah fired strikes, leading to border closures. Israel had initially blocked water and energy supply to Gaza until Hamas released hostages but partially restored water supply. The U.S. confirmed the death of 29 Americans in the initial Hamas attack. In the United States, the Speaker of the House remains undecided, affecting the ability to pass military aid packages for Israel and Ukraine. Louisiana elected Republican Attorney General Jeff Landry as its governor, ending the state's distinction of having a Democratic governor in the deep south. The Eras Tour movie grossed nearly $100 million in its opening weekend, making it the highest-opening concert film of all time.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Friday, October 13th, 2023 Oct 13, 2023

Today’s Headlines: The ongoing tragedy in Israel and Gaza continues with Gaza facing power, fuel, and water shortages, and an impending Israeli ground incursion, while the US State Department explores the possibility of creating a humanitarian corridor for American evacuation. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed solidarity in Israel and embarked on an extensive regional visit. Meanwhile, former Hamas leader called for a Day of Jihad worldwide to promote Palestinian liberation. In an unexpected move, former US President Donald Trump criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli intelligence while praising Hezbollah during a campaign speech. In the ongoing saga of funds intended for Iran in exchange for the release of American prisoners, the US and Qatar have agreed to deny Iran access due to concerns over its use for humanitarian purposes. In the world of US politics, Representative Steve Scalise withdrew his Speaker of the House nomination, while Senator Bob Menendez received a superseding indictment alleging that he acted as a foreign agent and accepted bribes from a foreign government. Negotiations between SAG-AFTRA and the AMPTP have been suspended, prolonging the actors' strike, which began in July and shows no immediate sign of resolution.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

Reuters: Blinken tells Netanyahu in Israel: U.S. will 'always be there'
The Guardian: No power, water or fuel to Gaza until hostages freed, says Israel minister
Newsweek: 'Day of Jihad' Sparks Warnings for Americans to Stay Inside
ABC News: Trump criticized for calling Hezbollah 'very smart' as he talked of potential risk to Israel
NY Times: U.S. and Qatar Deny Iran Access to $6 Billion From Prisoner Deal
The Hill: Steve Scalise drops out of Speaker’s race
NBC News: Sen. Bob Menendez faces new charges accusing him of working for foreign government
The Hollywood Reporter: Donna Langley on SAG-AFTRA Talks: Execs Will Spend “As Much Time As It Takes” Until There Is a Resolution

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Thursday, October 12th, 2023 Oct 12, 2023

Today’s Headlines: In a week marked by escalating horrors, the US State Department confirmed the American death toll in Israel has reached at least 22 people, with 17 more unaccounted for, some of whom are among the estimated 150 hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. The US has shown support by sending Secretary of State Antony Blinken to the region, deploying a second aircraft carrier, and actively seeking safe passage for American civilians out of Gaza. Meanwhile, Gaza's power station stopped operating due to a lack of fuel, causing a shortage of safe drinking water for over 600,000 people following Israel's blockade and military actions. The war further intensified as Hezbollah, a Lebanon-based group, fired anti-tank missiles into northern Israel, prompting an Israeli response and calls for restraint from the UN. In Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a surprising move, agreed to form an emergency unity government with liberal-centrist ex-Defense Minister Benny Gantz, signaling dire circumstances. In the US, House Republicans nominated Representative Steve Scalise for Speaker of the House, with uncertainty surrounding whether he can secure a majority vote, in a development that challenges Donald Trump's endorsement of Representative Jim Jordan for the same role. The House is scheduled to reconvene tomorrow, but the timing of the vote remains uncertain.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Wednesday, October 11th, 2023 Oct 11, 2023

Today’s Headlines: As the Israel-Hamas conflict intensifies into its 5th day, President Biden delivered a strong condemnation of Hamas's actions, highlighting American casualties and hostages, while concerns surrounding intelligence failures and potential Iranian involvement in the attack came to the forefront. Concurrently, cyberattacks played a role in the conflict, targeting key institutions, including the Jerusalem Post, Ben Gurion Airport, and the RedAlert app. The Supreme Court's decision to maintain media defamation protections, as established in the New York Times vs. Sullivan case, underscored the legal landscape surrounding public figures and defamation claims. North Carolina passed sweeping electoral reforms, altering election board composition, redistricting, voter ID requirements, and early voting procedures, which raised concerns about their impact on accessibility and representation. Meanwhile, Representative George Santos faced a superseding indictment with 10 new felony charges, including identity theft, wire fraud, and making false statements. In a landmark move, California became the first state to outlaw four food and drink additives—red dye 3, brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, and propylparaben—linked to various diseases, a decision aligned with similar bans in numerous countries worldwide.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Tuesday, October 10th, 2023 Oct 10, 2023

Today’s Headlines: In recent days, a harrowing conflict has unfolded as Hamas launched a large-scale attack on Israel, resulting in casualties and hostage situations. Israel declared war and initiated airstrikes, with uncertainties surrounding civilian safety and vital resources in Gaza. U.S. lawmakers have returned home safely, and international support for Israel has increased. Amidst this turmoil, Kevin McCarthy's potential return as Speaker of the House gains attention due to the urgency in approving military aid for Israel. In a legal development, Donald Trump secured a temporary halt to efforts to dissolve the Trump Organization but failed to stop a civil fraud trial. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. shifted his presidential bid to run as an independent, facing challenges in polling. Lastly, the Writers Guild successfully ended a 5-month strike with a new contract, while the spotlight now turns to SAG-AFTRA.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Friday, October 6th, 2023 Oct 06, 2023

Today’s Headlines: In recent legal developments, Donald Trump faces ongoing challenges, including a motion to dismiss a federal election interference case and a civil fraud trial in New York. Meanwhile, Congressman George Santos's campaign treasurer, Nancy Marks, has pleaded guilty in connection with a federal investigation. In the business world, the Federal Trade Commission's lawsuit against Amazon has unveiled a secretive pricing strategy known as "Project Nessie," which is alleged to have driven up consumer prices and generated over a billion dollars in revenue for the company. On a different front, a massive strike involving approximately 75,000 healthcare workers from Kaiser Permanente facilities is taking place, demanding increased pay, a $25 minimum wage, and improvements in staffing and hiring processes. Lastly, the FDA has issued draft guidance encouraging pharmaceutical companies to develop treatments for stimulant use disorder, potentially opening the door to new approaches in addressing addiction to substances like cocaine, meth, and prescription stimulants, even considering the inclusion of behavioral therapy in treatment trials.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

The Guardian: Trump files motion to dismiss 2020 election subversion case – as it happened
The Guardian: Trump given seven days to submit list of firms that will lose New York business licenses
AP News: Ex-treasurer for Rep. George Santos pleads guilty to conspiracy, tells of bogus loan and fake donors
The Wall Street Journal: Ex-treasurer for Rep. George Santos pleads guilty to conspiracy, tells of bogus loan and fake donors
Reuters: Explainer: Why are Kaiser Permanente healthcare workers on strike?
Axios: FDA urges development of cocaine and meth addiction treatments

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Thursday, October 5th, 2023 Oct 05, 2023

Today’s Headlines: In the midst of a chaotic recess in the House of Representatives, potential candidates for the next Speaker, Steve Scalise and Jim Jordan, have emerged, with Scalise being an establishment-leaning Republican and Jordan representing the far-right Freedom Caucus. President Biden announced $9 billion in student loan forgiveness for 125,000 individuals, despite student loan repayments resuming on October 1st. The Catholic Archdiocese of Baltimore filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, raising suspicions that it's an attempt to evade accountability for decades of child sexual abuse amid changing laws. The Department of Justice charged eight Chinese companies and 12 executives for supplying chemicals used in the illegal production of drugs, particularly fentanyl, in a bid to combat the deadly drug epidemic. Abercrombie & Fitch is under investigation following allegations that its former CEO, Mike Jeffries, exploited men at sex parties hosted between 2009 and 2015, with some attendees lured under false pretenses and promised modeling opportunities with the company.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Wednesday, October 4th, 2023 Oct 04, 2023

Today’s Headlines: In a historic turn of events, Kevin McCarthy was voted out as the Speaker of the House, becoming the first Speaker to be removed from the position. This decision followed a motion to vacate led by Representative Matt Gaetz, resulting in McCarthy's removal with a vote of 216 to 210, with 8 Republicans joining Democrats in support. McCarthy subsequently announced that he would not run for Speaker again. The interim Speaker, Patrick McHenry, was appointed by McCarthy and will serve until a new Speaker is elected. This development coincides with the ongoing government shutdown battle. Meanwhile, in New York, Donald Trump's civil fraud trial commenced with Judge Arthur Engoron issuing a limited gag order after Trump's social media posts about a court staffer. The trial featured testimony from Trump's former accountant, highlighting discrepancies in tax statements. Hunter Biden pled guilty to three felony counts related to illegal firearm possession in Delaware. Finally, FEMA and the FCC scheduled a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System to ensure its effectiveness in warning the public about national emergencies, set for 2:20 pm Eastern Time.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Tuesday, October 3rd, 2023 Oct 03, 2023

Today’s Headlines: California Governor Gavin Newsom has appointed Laphonza Butler to fill the vacant Senate seat left by Senator Dianne Feinstein, making her the first openly lesbian Black woman to serve in the Senate. In Congress, Matt Gaetz introduced a resolution to remove House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, prompting a vote within 48 hours. Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump's civil fraud trial began in a Manhattan courtroom with testimony from the prosecution's first witness. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas recused himself from a case related to the January 6th insurrection, while another case before the Court could potentially undermine the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, admitted to using public posts to train their AI models, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration expanded its investigation into Ford Motors due to engine failure issues affecting over 700,000 vehicles, adding to concerns about automotive safety.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Monday, October 2nd, 2023 Oct 02, 2023

Today’s Headlines: President Biden has signed a temporary funding bill, averting a government shutdown for 45 days until November 17th. The bill, stripped of earlier Republican attempts to cut Social Security and military aid to Ukraine, includes a $16 billion increase in federal disaster assistance. Senator Dianne Feinstein of California passed away, and Governor Gavin Newsom is expected to appoint a replacement who can run for a full term in 2024, impacting Senate dynamics. California has passed laws banning firearms in most public places and doubling taxes on guns and ammunition to fund school security and gun violence programs. In legal matters, one of Donald Trump's co-defendants in the Georgia election interference case has accepted a plea deal, and Trump's civil fraud trial begins in New York to determine monetary penalties. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. plans to run as an independent in the 2024 presidential election, potentially complicating the race, while Duane Davis has been arrested and charged with the 1996 killing of Tupac Shakur, with an arraignment this week.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Friday, September 29th, 2023 Sep 29, 2023

Today’s Headlines: The urgency to prevent a government shutdown starting tomorrow is increasing as House Speaker Kevin McCarthy failed to propose a new 2024 budget or a plan to delay the shutdown, and he declined to call for a vote on the Senate's legislation to fund the government through November 17th. Meanwhile, Representative Matt Gaetz is considering the possibility of calling for a vote to remove McCarthy from the speakership, although it's seen as unlikely to succeed. President Biden faced an impeachment hearing led by House Republicans, during which subpoenas for his and his family's personal and bank records were announced, though witnesses testified there wasn't sufficient evidence for impeachment. President Biden also announced federal funding to create a library and community facility in honor of Senator John McCain, while criticizing MAGA extremism. An appeals court denied Donald Trump's request to delay his civil fraud trial, which is set to begin soon, involving allegations of exaggerating his net worth. Lastly, a Louisiana appeals court overturned a lower court ruling regarding the state's electoral map, which had raised concerns about Voting Rights Act violations and representation disparities.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Thursday, September 28th, 2023 Sep 28, 2023

Today’s Headlines: In a significant legal development, the FTC, in collaboration with 17 state attorneys general, has filed a lawsuit against Amazon, alleging that the tech giant is abusing its monopoly power to maintain artificially high prices and stifle competition. The lawsuit specifically accuses Amazon of implementing anti-discounting policies that penalize vendors for offering lower prices outside of Amazon's platform and mandating the use of its logistics service for goods to appear on Amazon Prime. FTC Chair Lina Khan stated that Amazon takes a substantial portion of sellers' earnings. In a separate lawsuit, Hunter Biden has sued Rudy Giuliani and another attorney for allegedly wrongfully accessing and sharing his personal information, seeking unspecified damages and data return. Hyundai and Kia are recalling 3.4 million vehicles in the US due to a fire risk, and the FAA faces potential disruption amid a looming government shutdown, with substantial financial implications for air travel.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

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Wednesday, September 27th, 2023 Sep 27, 2023

Today’s Headlines: North Carolina's GOP-controlled state legislature recently passed a controversial law granting itself the power to overturn election results and curtail early voting in Democratic-leaning areas by taking control of the state's board of elections from the Democratic governor, leading to concerns about voter suppression and potential legal challenges. In a more positive development, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected Alabama's electoral map that diluted Black voters' influence, ensuring the creation of a fairer map with a second majority-Black district for the 2024 elections. President Biden expressed support for United Auto Workers (UAW) during their ongoing strike in Michigan, advocating for a 40% pay raise and emphasizing unions' historical role in building the middle class. Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump addressed union members in Michigan during the second Republican presidential primary debate. In another significant legal development, a federal judge ruled that Trump committed fraud in a civil case brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James, pertaining to Trump Organization's asset value misrepresentations, with potential repercussions for Trump's business licenses in New York.

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Tuesday, September 26th, 2023 Sep 26, 2023

Today’s Headlines: Senator Bob Menendez and his wife Nadine have been indicted on federal corruption charges, including allegations of accepting cash, gold bars, and other favors in exchange for political influence. Menendez temporarily stepped down as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee but has denied the charges and refused to resign from the Senate, despite calls from colleagues and New Jersey's governor. President Biden announced the creation of an office for gun violence prevention led by Vice President Kamala Harris, aiming to coordinate gun policy and legislative efforts. The Republican-led House Oversight Committee scheduled the first hearing for President Biden's impeachment inquiry. In Nebraska, a woman who provided abortion pills for her 17-year-old daughter in violation of state law has been sentenced to two years in prison, and her daughter received 90 days in jail and two years of probation. Additionally, the Writers Guild and the AMPTP reached a tentative agreement to end a 146-day writers' strike, with details pending ratification by the WGA.

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Friday, September 22nd, 2023 Sep 22, 2023

Today’s Headlines:Electoral trends appear to favor Democrats after two key special elections this week. In the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, former congressional aide Lindsay Powell's victory ensures Democrats retain a 1-vote majority. Meanwhile, in New Hampshire, Democrat Hal Rafter won a special election in a traditionally Republican-leaning district, potentially ending full Republican control of the state government if they win another upcoming special election. Rupert Murdoch has stepped down, with his son Lachlan Murdoch taking over leadership roles in their media companies. Talks have resumed between Hollywood guilds and studios, aiming to avoid a strike. Congress faces challenges passing a 2024 federal spending bill, and President Biden announced a military aid package for Ukraine amidst Russian strikes. A lawsuit by 17 authors alleges OpenAI's systematic theft of their copyrighted works for training AI models. LimeWire, the defunct file-sharing service, is making a comeback in a new form with AI generation capabilities.

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Thursday, September 21st, 2023 Sep 21, 2023

Today’s Headlines: Former Trump aide Cassidy Hutchinson, who testified before the House Committee, revealed in her new book that Rudy Giuliani allegedly groped her during the January 6th insurrection, she escaped the situation by seeking Mark Meadows. The Biden administration announced the return of government-funded COVID tests available from September 25th on covidtests.gov, with plans to boost domestic test kit manufacturing. The Federal Reserve maintained its interest rate while projecting one more hike this year due to inflation concerns. President Biden introduced the American Climate Corps, aiming to employ 20,000 individuals in wetlands restoration, low-carbon energy deployment, and more. The UN General Assembly criticized major economies for inadequate carbon emission reduction efforts. Attorney General Merrick Garland denied allegations of hindering the Hunter Biden investigation. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer's decision to relax the Senate dress code faced opposition from 46 Republican senators.

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Wednesday, September 20th, 2023 Sep 20, 2023

Today’s Headlines: In the ongoing government shutdown saga, the House Republicans' 30-day funding stopgap is no longer on the table, as the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, featuring centrists from both parties, is now working to find a solution. Meanwhile, at the UN General Assembly, President Biden and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy discussed the importance of global unity against Russia's nuclear weapons and potential threats related to AI and food supply. Pennsylvania has become the 24th state to automatically register voters when they obtain a driver's license or ID card. A former White House aide revealed that Donald Trump frequently wrote to-do lists on classified documents, drawing attention to their content. Finally, the United Auto Workers union, in the midst of a strike, intends to expand strike locations if negotiations do not yield significant progress, requesting minimal White House intervention.

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Tuesday, September 19th, 2023 Sep 19, 2023

Today’s Headlines: Government shutdown looms as Congress faces a September 30th deadline to pass next year's federal budget, with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy preparing for a potential stopgap measure to keep the government running temporarily. The proposed stopgap measure includes a 1% cut in federal spending for most agencies except the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs, along with provisions to restore certain elements of the Trump-era border policy, but it faces opposition in the majority-Democratic Senate. Additionally, Hunter Biden has sued the IRS for unlawfully releasing his confidential tax returns, seeking documents related to the disclosure of his tax information and compensation for each unauthorized release. Meanwhile, Narcan, the opioid overdose reversal drug, is now available over the counter, but the manufacturer, Emergent BioSolutions, previously fought to prevent it from being sold without a prescription to maintain market dominance. Fast food workers in California have secured pay hikes, raising the minimum wage to $20 per hour by April 2024, part of a larger agreement involving the restaurant industry and unions. Finally, negotiations between the AMPTP and the Writers Guild are set to resume after a month-long hiatus and 140 days of striking, focusing on issues like residuals for streaming and mandatory staffing for writers rooms.

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Monday, September 18th, 2023 Sep 18, 2023

Today’s Headlines: DOJ Special Counsel Jack Smith has requested a gag order on Donald Trump regarding his public comments on the federal indictments related to election interference in 2020, aiming to prevent disparaging and inflammatory remarks about witnesses, parties, and others involved. The proposed restrictions are meant to prevent disinformation and threats while allowing Trump to quote public court documents or proclaim his innocence. Meanwhile, Representative Lauren Boebert faced scrutiny for her disruptive behavior and public displays of affection at a theater production of Beetlejuice, issuing apologies for her actions. The Biden administration has proposed an executive rule to protect federal workers from efforts to undermine the nonpartisan civil service, responding to the Trump administration's attempt to remove job protections for policy role employees with Schedule F. Lastly, a significant lithium deposit was discovered in the McDermitt Caldera along the Nevada-Oregon border, potentially meeting global demand for decades, but it faces opposition from Native Americans who consider the area sacred.

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Friday, September 15th, 2023 Sep 15, 2023

Today’s Headlines: In recent developments, Hunter Biden was indicted on three firearm-related counts, including making false statements on a firearm purchase form and possession of a firearm while using a narcotic. Amidst this, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy initiated an impeachment inquiry against President Biden, coinciding with the impending federal budget deadline on September 30th, with House Republicans causing obstacles in the budget vote. The United Auto Workers Union launched a strike against major US auto companies, adding to the 350,000 workers who have gone on strike in 2023. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis faced scrutiny for undisclosed private jet trips and hospitality from donors. Alex Jones, who owes $1.5 billion in damages to Sandy Hook victims' families, reported substantial personal spending but made no payments. Lastly, Kim Davis, the former Kentucky county clerk who refused to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples in 2015, was ordered to pay $100,000 in damages for violating a couple's constitutional rights.

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Thursday, September 14th, 2023 Sep 14, 2023

Today’s Headlines: In a Pentagon-funded think tank study by the RAND Corporation, a national security concern has emerged regarding US officials potentially suffering from dementia, who may inadvertently disclose classified government secrets. Despite extensive vetting for security clearance, there is currently no evaluation for age-related cognitive decline, and the US leadership is historically older. Senator Mitt Romney announced he won't seek reelection in 2024 due to his age. Hurricane Lee approaches New England with storm warnings in effect, while New York City's pension funds and the state of Oregon sue Fox Corporation for harm to investors related to election misinformation. Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un met at an economic summit in Russia, pledging support, while the US accused North Korea of supplying weapons to Russia. Lastly, the escaped murderer Danelo Souza Cavalcante was captured by Pennsylvania authorities after a 14-day manhunt.

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Wednesday, September 13th, 2023 Sep 13, 2023

Today’s Headlines: In a major antitrust trial, the DOJ has accused Google of using its market dominance to pay companies billions to be the primary smartphone search provider. An FDA panel unanimously voted against the effectiveness of the decongestant phenylephrine, potentially leading to the removal of related medications from stores. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy initiated an impeachment inquiry against President Biden, facing criticism from Representative Matt Gaetz. Five former Memphis police officers have been indicted on federal charges related to the deadly beating of Tyre Nichols. Tragic flooding in Libya following dam bursts has claimed over 5,200 lives. UNESCO may add Venice to the list of endangered world heritage sites due to climate change and human interference, with a decision expected soon.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

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Tuesday, September 12th, 2023 Sep 12, 2023

Today’s Headlines: In recent news, a Politico report has unveiled connections between Ginni Thomas, wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, and conservative figures leading up to the 2010 Citizens United ruling. They planned to use a nonprofit to funnel dark money into campaigns for conservative judicial nominees but altered their strategy following a backlash. In Florida, a conflict of interest arises as a justice with ties to the abortion ban case refuses to recuse himself, while efforts are underway to place an abortion rights referendum on the 2024 ballot. The FDA approved updated COVID-19 vaccines targeting the omicron subvariant, and Hurricane Lee's landfall remains uncertain amid record-setting billion-dollar weather disasters costing lives. Internationally, the US issued a waiver for Iran sanctions to secure the release of detained American citizens, and a strategic security and economic agreement with Bahrain is on the horizon. Additionally, a major international infrastructure project linking India, the Middle East, and Europe was announced, involving Saudi Arabia, India, the UAE, and the US.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

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Monday, September 11th, 2023 Sep 11, 2023

Today’s Headlines: This week's news includes significant events such as the 22nd anniversary of 9/11 and multiple natural disasters. In Morocco, a powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 6.8 struck, leaving thousands injured and over 2,100 dead, with the death toll expected to rise. Hurricane Lee, originally a category 5 storm, has been downgraded to category 2 but may intensify as it moves north, potentially impacting Bermuda and the east coast. Phoenix, Arizona, experienced a record-breaking 54th day with temperatures exceeding 110 degrees Fahrenheit, marking one of the hottest years on record. In a legal development, a federal judge in Georgia rejected Mark Meadows' attempt to move his election-related case to federal court. Lastly, a convicted murderer escaped from a prison in Pennsylvania, prompting a manhunt, with a $20,000 reward for information leading to his capture.

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Friday, September 8th, 2023 Sep 08, 2023

Today’s Headlines: In recent news, Trump's former trade advisor, Peter Navarro, has been convicted of 2 counts of criminal contempt of Congress for defying a House January 6th committee subpoena. Navarro's connection to an election interference strategy called the "Green Bay Sweep" was of particular interest to the committee. He now faces potential prison time and fines. Meanwhile, California is moving towards legalizing psychedelics for personal use by adults over 21, with legislation passing in the State Assembly. Hurricane Lee is rapidly intensifying and may become a category 5 storm, posing a significant threat to the Leeward Islands and Puerto Rico. Finally, Elon Musk's controversial tweets targeting the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) have sparked accusations of antisemitism and the threat of a defamation lawsuit.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

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Thursday, September 7th, 2023 Sep 07, 2023

Today’s Headlines: Today's news includes several quick updates. In Fulton County, Georgia, co-defendants Sidney Powell and Kenneth Cheseboro have a trial date set for October 23rd on racketeering charges. Federal prosecutors plan to seek a grand jury indictment of Hunter Biden by the end of September, related to gun possession and tax charges. The Department of the Interior canceled oil and gas leases in Alaska and is safeguarding 13 million acres in the National Petroleum Reserve while restricting new leasing. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell stated he has no plans to retire and intends to serve his full term until January 2027. In weather news, Tropical Storm Lee is expected to rapidly intensify into a Category 4 or 5 hurricane. Lastly, Mexico's Supreme Court decriminalized abortion nationwide, though local laws still prohibit it in many states, but federal hospitals and clinics can provide legal abortions even in those states.

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Wednesday, September 6th, 2023 Sep 06, 2023

Today’s Headlines: In recent news, Proud Boys founder Enrique Tarrio received a 22-year prison sentence for his role in the January 6th insurrection, marking the longest sentence among the participants. Meanwhile, in the ongoing Fulton County election interference case, all 18 of Donald Trump's co-defendants pleaded not guilty and opted to waive in-person arraignments, hinting at potential plea negotiations. Regarding Senator Mitch McConnell's health, Capitol Hill physician Dr. Brian Monahan ruled out certain conditions but did not provide further details on the diagnosis or treatment plan. The Atlantic saw the formation of Tropical Storm Lee, expected to strengthen into a dangerous hurricane, marking the 12th named storm of this year's Atlantic Hurricane season. Lastly, an incident at the US Open involved the ejection of a spectator for using a phrase from a pro-Hitler anthem, with Alexander Zverev ultimately winning the match.

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Tuesday, September 5th, 2023 Sep 05, 2023

Today’s Headlines: In recent news, the NYPD's plan to deploy surveillance drones during Labor Day weekend sparked privacy concerns as they would respond to various calls, leading to worries about invasive surveillance. Neo-Nazi hate groups, including the Blood Tribe and The Goyim Defense League, organized marches near Orlando, Florida, wearing matching red shirts and chanting troubling slogans, raising alarms about hate group activities in the area. In Fulton County, Georgia, District Attorney Fani Willis suggested that former Trump chief of staff Mark Meadows may have committed perjury during his testimony, impacting his credibility in the election interference case. Lastly, former President Trump raised over $9 million by selling merchandise featuring his mug shot, with potential legal implications as the photo's copyright belongs to the Fulton County Sheriff's Office, raising questions about the funds' ownership.

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Friday, September 1st, 2023 Sep 01, 2023

Today’s Headlines:In recent updates, former President Donald Trump entered a plea of not guilty in the Georgia criminal case centered on allegations of interfering with the 2020 election. This move was coupled with his waiver of arraignment, along with 18 co-defendants. Meanwhile, Georgia's Republican Governor Brian Kemp firmly declined calls to commence impeachment proceedings against Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, the prosecutor handling Trump's case, reiterating his dedication to responsible public service rather than political theatrics. In another development, two former leaders of the extremist group Proud Boys, Joseph Biggs and Zachary Rehl, received sentences of 15 and 17 years for their roles in the January 6th insurrection, while the sentencing of other Proud Boys members, including their leader Enrique Tarrio, is anticipated. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell obtained medical clearance to resume his routine after experiencing a recent health incident. Finally, the Department of Health and Human Services called for a reclassification of marijuana to a less restrictive category under the Controlled Substances Act, potentially affecting its legal status and commercial taxation.

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Thursday, August 31st, 2023 Aug 31, 2023

Today’s Headlines: In the midst of an active news day, Hurricane Idalia struck Florida's Gulf Coast as a Category 3 hurricane, causing significant flooding in Georgia and tragic fatalities in Florida. New York Attorney General Letitia James sought summary judgment in the case against Donald Trump's organization, asserting that inflated asset values were pervasive. A federal judge held Rudy Giuliani liable for defaming Georgia election workers and ordered sanctions against him. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell's unresponsive moment during a press conference raised questions, while President Biden announced prescription drugs for price negotiations under the Inflation Reduction Act. California's Chino Valley school district faced a lawsuit over its transgender student policy, and anti-abortion activists were convicted for blocking a DC abortion clinic, facing potential prison sentences.

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Wednesday, August 30th, 2023 Aug 30, 2023

Today’s Headlines: As Labor Day approaches, Hurricane Idalia intensifies into a Category 3 storm, targeting Florida's Big Bend region with unprecedented force and potential 15-foot storm surges. Meanwhile, the 2024 Republican frontrunner contemplates Vivek Ramaswamy as a possible vice presidential running mate. Census data predicts Gen Z as the last generation with a white majority, estimating the transition by 2045. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise reveals a treatable blood cancer diagnosis and commits to continuing his congressional role during treatment. Additionally, legal battles arise as RMS Titanic Inc. plans another expedition to the Titanic wreckage, sparking debates about preservation versus exploration.

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Tuesday, August 29th, 2023 Aug 29, 2023

Today’s Headlines: Yesterday, a faculty member was killed in a shooting at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill's laboratory building. The suspect was apprehended after a campus lockdown, and the relationship between the victim and shooter, as well as the motive, remains unclear. Hurricane Idalia is set to hit Florida's west coast and central areas as a category 3 storm, with concerns about storm surge due to warm Gulf waters. Former President Donald Trump faces arraignment on September 6th in the Georgia state election case and a trial date of March 4th, 2024 for the federal election interference case. Trump's campaign reportedly raised over $7 million since his booking, while the Department of Transportation fined American Airlines $4.1 million for extended on-board delays. Lastly, "Barbie" has become the highest-grossing film of 2023, surpassing the record set by a Harry Potter film.

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Monday, August 28th, 2023 Aug 28, 2023

Today’s Headlines: In Jacksonville, Florida, a tragic incident unfolded at a Dollar General Store where three Black individuals lost their lives in a racially motivated shooting. The perpetrator, Ryan Christopher Palmeter, wielded a Nazi-inscribed AR-15 and left behind hate-fueled manifestos, prompting law enforcement to categorize the act as driven by hate. Shifting focus, developments in the Fulton County case involving former President Donald Trump and his co-defendants saw legal teams advocating for an accelerated trial start, leading to a fixed commencement date of October 23rd, 2023, as approved by Judge Scott McAfee at the behest of prosecutor Fani Willis. Meanwhile, amidst the 2024 Republican presidential nomination race, Vivek Ramaswamy, a contender in the running, is utilizing his campaign commitments as grounds to evade a subpoena tied to a case related to one of his pharmaceutical companies, claiming that his intensive campaign schedule hinders his ability to comply.

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Friday, August 25th, 2023 Aug 25, 2023

Today’s Headlines: Former President Donald Trump turned himself in at Fulton County Jail, was booked, and posted $200,000 bail. His bail conditions limit communication with co-defendants and witnesses. Mark Meadows, his ex-chief of staff, surrendered on time and seeks a federal court move. Another co-defendant, Harrison William Prescott Floyd III, remains without bail due to assault charges. Trials for Trump and co-defendants are proposed for October 23rd. Maui County sued Hawaiian Electric over wildfires, causing deaths and disappearances. Hawaiian Electric faces multiple lawsuits, including from investors. A preliminary US intelligence assessment suggests an intentional explosion caused the plane crash that killed Yevgeny Prigozhin, linked to Wagner Group. Putin's comments on Prigozhin remain cryptic. According to Gallup, regularly greeting neighbors enhances well-being; those greeting 6 or more score 13 points higher on the Well Being Index.

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Thursday, August 24th, 2023 Aug 24, 2023

Today’s Headlines: The recent Republican primary debate aired on Fox News, featuring 8 candidates. Trump, however, didn't attend and instead had a pre-taped interview with Tucker Carlson on Twitter. In Georgia, more figures related to the 2020 election overthrow attempt, including Giuliani and Powell, turned themselves in to the Fulton County jail. They were booked, photographed, and released on bail. Giuliani's bail was set at $150,000. Meanwhile, the South Carolina Supreme Court upheld a 6-week abortion ban, citing the interest of the unborn child over women's privacy rights. This contradicted a previous ruling and raised debates about women's autonomy. In a tragic turn, Yevgeny Prigozhin, associated with Russia's Wagner Group, died along with 9 others in a private jet crash near Moscow. The Wagner Group confirmed no survivors.

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Wednesday, August 23rd, 2023 Aug 23, 2023

Today’s Headlines: The Republican primary debate for the 2024 presidential nominee is set, with Donald Trump choosing to skip it for a pre-taped interview. Legal matters include Trump's planned jail surrender, co-defendant John Eastman's voluntary surrender, and David Shafer's assertion of acting on Trump's orders. The Atlantic Ocean's record of four named storms in 39 hours underscores an active hurricane season due to warm ocean temperatures. In Texas, a new law allowing doctors to address specific medical conditions without using the term "abortion" is on the horizon, offering legal protections for physicians against penalties associated with the state's abortion ban. The day's events encompass a diverse range of political, environmental, legal, and healthcare topics.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

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Tuesday, August 22nd, 2023 Aug 22, 2023

Today’s Headlines: Tropical Storm Hilary caused havoc in southern California, breaking rainfall records, flooding near Palm Springs, and disrupting power and emergency systems. Fortunately, there were no deaths or major damage reported. President Biden visited fire-ravaged Maui, urging fair treatment of affected residents. Donald Trump faces charges for election-related actions in Georgia, with a surrender date set and restrictions imposed. He also seeks a trial postponement for federal charges, but the Special Counsel objects. A Pediatrics study highlights a record surge in firearm deaths among U.S. children, particularly affecting boys and communities of color. In a tragic incident, a woman displaying a Pride flag was shot and killed in California. On a positive note, the FDA approves Abrysvo, the first vaccine for RSV, benefiting infants through maternal vaccination. Clinical trials demonstrate its efficacy against severe infant disease, offering hope against a leading cause of infant hospitalization.

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Monday, August 21st, 2023 Aug 21, 2023

Today’s Headlines: The week's lead story revolves around severe weather events. Tropical Storm Hilary struck San Diego, causing concerns about flooding, power outages, and mudslides across the western US. The Baja peninsula and southern California faced the worst effects. An earthquake hit Ojai, but no major damage occurred. Meanwhile, the first Republican primary debate is approaching, with Donald Trump opting out for an interview with Tucker Carlson. A study reveals rising cancer rates among young Americans, especially in the 30 to 39 age group, potentially linked to lifestyle and environmental factors. Twitter's removal of older images and links is noted, raising questions about motives behind this action.

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Friday, August 18th, 2023 Aug 18, 2023

Today’s Headlines: Starting with Hurricane Hilary, set to hit and potentially last through the weekend, flash flood watches cover southern California, Nevada, and Arizona. While uncertainties remain, some desert areas might experience a year's worth of rain in just days. Meanwhile, Hawaii's wildfire recovery continues with over a thousand missing and climbing death tolls. Lawsuits against Hawaii Electric liken it to California's PG&E cases. University of Pittsburgh study shows children near natural gas wells have higher lymphoma risk. The Department of the Interior allocates $150 million to bring electricity to Native American homes. In Texas, a woman threatens a judge overseeing the Trump case and faces custody. Home mortgage rates hit 7.09%, surging since 2002 due to Federal Reserve's inflation fight.

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Thursday, August 17th, 2023 Aug 17, 2023

Today’s Headlines: In a week of significant developments, former President Donald Trump and 19 co-defendants have been indicted under RICO for conspiring to overturn the 2020 Georgia election. The trial's proposed start date on March 4th, just before Super Tuesday primaries, adds intrigue. Meanwhile, a federal appeals court restricts abortion medication Mifepristone, yet access remains due to a prior Supreme Court ruling. In North Carolina, anti-trans legislation passes, limiting healthcare and sports participation for trans minors. Former FBI official Charles McGonigal pleads guilty to violating Russia sanctions, and an aide to Rep. "George Santos" faces wire fraud charges for impersonating Kevin McCarthy's ex-chief of staff. Additionally, the Barbie movie encounters bans in multiple countries, sparking debates over its content.

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Wednesday, August 16th, 2023 Aug 16, 2023

Today’s Headlines: In today's episode, we're focusing on the grand jury indictment in Fulton County, Georgia. Former President Donald Trump and 18 co-defendants are charged with criminal racketeering and related crimes. They have until August 25th to surrender and enter their pleas. The charges were announced by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, who aims to try all defendants together within six months. This indictment is distinct as it employs the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) to group the defendants under one charge, carrying up to 20 years in prison. The charges stem from an alleged attempt to overturn the 2020 Georgia election. The indictment describes the group as a criminal organization that engaged in various related activities to manipulate the election results. The document includes 41 counts involving multiple individuals. Trump and Rudy Giuliani lead with 13 counts each. Other defendants include those implicated in federal charges related to the election overturning attempt. The indictment also involves individuals tied to the Georgia state Republican party. Mark Meadows, Trump's former chief of staff, faces indictment and seeks to move his case to federal court. The case is assigned to Judge Scott McAfee, potentially subject to change. The indictment brings a total of 91 counts against Trump, the leading Republican nominee contender.

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Tuesday, August 15th, 2023 Aug 15, 2023

Today’s Headlines: In a series of significant developments, former President Donald Trump has been indicted in Fulton County, Georgia, for his attempts to overturn the 2020 election, with 10 indictments issued by the grand jury. Montana witnessed a groundbreaking trial where a district court judge ruled that state agencies violate individuals' constitutional rights by permitting fossil fuel development without considering greenhouse gas emissions' impact. Amid an intense heatwave in the Pacific Northwest, the Biden administration has introduced a federal system to track heat-related illnesses, aiming to bolster planning for extreme heat events. A contentious raid by a Kansas police department on a local newspaper's office and owner's home has sparked concerns over First Amendment rights and privacy invasion. In Mississippi, former police officers have pleaded guilty to egregious cases of brutality against Black men, while NFL player Michael Oher, central to "The Blind Side" movie, has filed a petition accusing his "parents" of falsely claiming adoption and coercing conservatorship.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Monday, August 14th, 2023 Aug 14, 2023

Today’s Headlines: Starting the week with a somber update, Hawaii confronts a devastating wildfire aftermath that has claimed 93 lives and incurred nearly $6 billion in damages. In other news, Hunter Biden's tax-related plea deal has collapsed, potentially leading to a trial. A tragic incident involving a Texas migrant bus resulted in a child's death, raising questions about immigration policies while Florida introduces a policy mandating parental consent for any student name variations at school. Lastly, the US Treasury plans to combat real estate money laundering by enforcing transparency in luxury home purchases.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

Axios: What to know about Hawaii's catastrophic wildfires
Axios: Plea deal “impasse” exposes Hunter Biden to federal trial
AP News: 3-year-old riding one of Texas’ migrant buses dies on the way to Chicago, officials say
Daytona Beach News Journal: Do students need permission to use their nickname in class? Florida will now require parents consent first
Reuters: US set to unveil long-awaited crackdown on real estate money laundering

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Friday, August 11th, 2023 Aug 11, 2023

Today’s Headlines: The devastating wildfires in Hawaii have claimed at least 36 lives and caused widespread destruction, particularly in Maui, Oahu, and the Big Island. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas's undisclosed gifts, including luxury vacations and private flights, have been exposed, raising questions about potential conflicts of interest. Video evidence reveals that the buoy system installed by Texas Governor Greg Abbott to deter migrants at the border actually contains dangerous razor devices, leading to tragic consequences. Iran's move to transfer four Americans from prison to house arrest signals a potential step toward a larger prisoner swap with the US, possibly involving frozen funds and the release of Iranian detainees. Lastly, Russia is embarking on a moon mission, entering what looks like a "space race 2.0" with India, as both countries aim to land lunar landers at the south pole, showcasing the latest advancements in space exploration.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Thursday, August 10th, 2023 Aug 10, 2023

Today’s Headlines: The devastating wildfires in Hawaii are causing destruction and loss of life. The Supreme Court's surprising decision temporarily upholds regulations on ghost guns, pending a final ruling. A secretive search warrant was issued for Donald Trump's Twitter account, highlighting the lengths taken to investigate potential wrongdoing. President Biden's executive order restricts high-tech investments in China to safeguard national security interests. On the economic front, Americans' credit card debt reaches an all-time high of over $1 trillion, emphasizing financial challenges faced by many households.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Wednesday, August 9th, 2023 Aug 09, 2023

Today’s Headlines: In Ohio, a special election determined that a pro-abortion rights ballot initiative will not require a higher threshold for passage, maintaining the 50% majority requirement. Meanwhile, arrests have been made in the Montgomery brawl incident involving white men attacking a Black security guard. Former President Trump held a rally in New Hampshire, criticizing legal proceedings against him. Mike Pence qualified for the upcoming GOP debate, and details emerge about the assailant who murdered O’Shae Sibley, a Black gay man, involving homophobic and anti-Black motivations.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Tuesday, August 8th, 2023 Aug 08, 2023

Today’s Headlines: It’s special election day in Ohio and a pro-choice amendment added to the November ballot faces manipulation by the Republican legislature, aiming to increase the majority required for passage. Despite record early turnout with a significant Democratic presence, the outcome remains uncertain. Meanwhile, the American Library Association faces backlash and attempts at disassociation in multiple states due to a tweet from its new president. In Donald Trump's ongoing legal battles, his legal team asserts his First Amendment rights to shape evidence sharing in an election fraud case. Severe storms across the eastern United States leave over a million people without power, grounding flights and prompting early government closure. Lastly, Trump's counter defamation suit against writer E. Jean Carroll is dismissed, underscoring his difficulty recognizing factual statements.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Monday, August 7th, 2023 Aug 07, 2023

Today’s Headlines: The DOJ requested a protective order after Trump's provocative social media post. Judge Tanya Chutkan set a deadline for response which Trump's team sought to extend. Despite their efforts, Chutkan adhered to the original deadline. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas's ownership of a lavish RV came to light. The vehicle, costing $267,000, was partially financed by Anthony Welters, raising questions about transparency. Florida's education scene saw a reversal after Governor Ron DeSantis tried to remove AP Psychology from the curriculum. Now, students can take the course in full. DeSantis is also pushing for a "classical learning test" alternative to the SAT and ACT. The FDA approved Zuranolone, a rapid-acting pill for postpartum depression, though its pricing is pending DEA review. Additionally, the CDC recommends an RSV shot for infants under 8 months to reduce hospitalizations.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Friday, August 4th, 2023 Aug 04, 2023

Today’s Headlines: Former President Trump faced arraignment in a Washington DC courtroom where he pleaded not guilty to four federal charges connected to his efforts to subvert the 2020 election outcome. A trial date was set, and he was released from custody pending trial without any bail or travel restrictions. Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooter was sentenced to death in Pennsylvania after being found guilty of 63 criminal counts for the heinous act of murdering 11 people and injuring 8 others in 2018. In Florida, Governor Ron DeSantis banned AP Psychology from schools due to its references to gender and sexuality, leading to a clash with the College Board, which refused to remove these topics from the curriculum. DeSantis had a history of banning certain courses, including AP African American Studies, causing controversies in the state's education system.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

CNN: Trump arraigned, pleads guilty, and trial date set
ABC News: Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooter Sentenced To Death
The Hill: Florida Bans AP Psychology Due To References

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Thursday, August 3rd, 2023 Aug 03, 2023

Today’s Headlines: Former President Donald Trump is set to face arraignment on his third indictment related to his efforts to overturn the 2020 election. The arraignment is scheduled in person in Washington DC, where Trump will enter a plea, and the judge will decide whether to arrest him or release him on bond. Trump's lawyer, John Lauro, asserts that they should have as much time to prepare for trial as the federal government had since January 6. In another incident, a false alarm regarding an "active shooter" at the US Senate office buildings caused tension, but it turned out to be a prank call. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his separation from his wife Sophie after 18 years of marriage. In Hollywood, producers seek to resume negotiations with striking TV and film writers. Taylor Swift's Los Angeles concerts face controversy amid hotel worker strikes, with officials urging her to postpone the shows in solidarity with the workers' demands.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

CBS News: U.S. Trump's arraignment on federal charges: Here's what to expect
USA Today: Active Shooter Situation At US Senate Turns Out To Be False Alarm
CBS News: Canadian Prime Minister Splits From Wife
NBC News: Hollywood Producers Seek Sit-Down With WGA Negotiators
NBC News: Taylor Swift Urged To Postpone Los Angeles Concerns Amid Hotel Worker Strikes

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Wednesday, August 2nd, 2023 Aug 02, 2023

Today’s Headlines: Former President Donald Trump has been indicted for the third time by the Justice Department on federal charges related to his efforts to overturn the 2020 election. The charges are linked to the January 6 insurrection, where Trump and co-conspirators allegedly exploited the riots to pressure officials to delay election certification. The CDC announces that there is a possibility of leprosy becoming endemic in Florida, with cases doubling in the past decade. Governor Ron DeSantis wants to debate Vice President Kamala Harris over the state's history curriculum. Lizzo faces allegations of a hostile work environment from her dancers. Phoenix experienced a historic heatwave with numerous deaths. A Chinese zoo denies allegations that their bear is a human in a suit, sparking online debate.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Tuesday, August 1st, 2023 Aug 01, 2023

Today’s Headlines: Mar-a-Lago property manager Carlos De Oliveira appeared in court for an arraignment but couldn't offer a plea due to lacking a lawyer authorized in Florida. Trump's indictment related to January 6 is still pending. Anti-abortion groups pressure Ron DeSantis to advocate for a national abortion ban, but he focuses on state-level policies. Twitter, owned by Elon Musk, threatens to sue a group tracking hate speech. Cardi B faces a police report after throwing her microphone at a fan who threw a drink at her. Biden decides to keep the Space Force command in Colorado despite Trump's earlier decision to relocate it to Alabama, which had implications for military readiness and reproductive care access for service members.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Monday, July 31st, 2023 Jul 31, 2023

Today’s Headlines: A pro-choice group in Ohio submitted signatures to protect abortion rights on the November ballot, but Republicans are trying to change the threshold to block it. The Biden administration launched a new income-driven repayment plan called Save after a previous forgiveness plan was halted. Libraries in 28 Houston schools are becoming disciplinary centers, and librarians are being removed, potentially leading to more closures. An American nurse and her child were kidnapped in Haiti amidst increased unrest since the assassination of President Moïse. 2024 GOP candidates met in Iowa for Lincoln Day Dinner.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Friday, July 28th, 2023 Jul 28, 2023

Today’s Headlines: Donald Trump's indictment is still awaited as indications suggest an imminent one related to election interference. In Texas, a teacher was fired for attending a drag show and posting about it on Facebook. Senator Diane Feinstein faced criticism for appearing confused during a hearing. Prince Harry's lawsuit against a tabloid will proceed to trial. The DOJ is investigating the Memphis Police Department for potential discriminatory policing. July was recorded as the hottest month ever, prompting new actions by the Biden administration to protect workers and invest in climate preparedness.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Thursday, July 27th, 2023 Jul 27, 2023

Today’s Headlines: A plea deal for Hunter Biden on misdemeanor tax charges fell apart after a federal judge rejected the terms, expressing concerns about potential protection from future prosecution. In Israel, the Supreme Court will review a law limiting its authority to overturn government actions, leading to mass protests and economic repercussions. Retired Major David Grusch testified before the House Oversight Committee, claiming the U.S. government had a secret program collecting materials from crashed UFOs. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell suffered a health event during a press conference but later returned, stating he was fine.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Wednesday, July 26th, 2023 Jul 26, 2023

Today’s Headlines: The Department of Education is investigating Harvard's admissions policies, focusing on "legacy" students and potential racial discrimination. A study found that children from ultra-wealthy families have a higher chance of getting into Ivy League schools. A federal judge struck down the Biden administration's asylum restrictions but granted a 14-day delay for appeal. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy mentioned the possibility of an impeachment inquiry into President Biden despite no evidence of misconduct. The UPS strike was averted as the Teamsters Union secured pay raises and benefits for its employees. However, concerns were raised about UPS's plan to provide air conditioning only for new delivery trucks.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Tuesday, July 25th, 2023 Jul 25, 2023

Today’s Headlines: Israel's Parliament voted to pass legislation that would drastically overhaul the country's judiciary branch, backed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his right-wing coalition. The newly passed law limits the Supreme Court's ability to overturn government actions deemed "unreasonable." The law has drawn widespread criticism and sparked protests across Israel, with concerns about threats to the country's democratic principles. Meanwhile, the Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against Texas over buoys set up on the Rio Grande, citing violations of federal environmental law. President Biden will sign a proclamation establishing the Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument, honoring the Black teenager who was lynched in 1955. UPS employees are nearing a potential strike as contract negotiations continue, seeking better working conditions and improved pay. Greece faces a severe wildfire situation on multiple islands, leading to the largest evacuation effort in years.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Monday, July 24th, 2023 Jul 24, 2023

Today’s Headlines: Federal judge Aileen Cannon scheduled Donald Trump's trial for mishandling classified documents to start in late May 2024. A 19-year-old Nebraskan received a 90-day prison sentence and probation for accessing abortion pills at 17. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis requested an investigation into the state's investments in Anheuser-Busch InBev after conservative backlash over a transgender influencer partnership, raising concerns about discrimination. The National Weather Service predicted ongoing record-breaking temperatures, shifting to different regions, including the Midwest and Europe, extending the heatwave. The Barbie movie set records, earning $337 million globally in its opening weekend.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

Washington Post: Trump classified documents trial scheduled for May, before 2024 election - The Washington Post
The Guardian: Nebraska teen sentenced to 90 days in jail for burying fetus she aborted
AP News: DeSantis seeks review of Florida's holdings in Bud Light maker over transgender influencer backlash | AP News
Axios: Relentless U.S. heat wave to push into August
Hollywood Reporter: ‘Barbie’ Box Office Towers over ‘Oppenheimer’ with Record Opening – The Hollywood Reporter

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Friday, July 21st, 2023 Jul 21, 2023

Today’s Headlines: In Texas, 15 women are suing the state to seek an injunction against the abortion ban for life-saving procedures. The gender pay gap is shrinking, but men still earn more. The Senate proposed a bill for stronger ethics standards for the Supreme Court, facing opposition from Republicans. Florida's State Board of Education approved controversial academic standards. Ancient artifacts from Israel, previously displayed at a White House event, were found at Mar-a-Lago. Wesleyan University ends legacy admissions due to the Supreme Court's decision on affirmative action.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Thursday, July 20th, 2023 Jul 20, 2023

Today’s Headlines: Former President Donald Trump is facing a DOJ investigation into his involvement in the January 6th insurrection, with potential charges of witness tampering, conspiracy to defraud, and deprivation of rights. Meanwhile, a US Attorney is calling for a federal takeover of Rikers Island due to failed attempts to improve conditions and a series of deaths under Mayor Eric Adams' administration. Illinois has become the first state to eliminate cash bail, aiming to address racial disparities in the justice system. Disturbing reports from the southern border in Texas reveal inhumane treatment of migrants, as troopers were allegedly ordered to push migrants back into the Rio Grande without providing water, despite triple-digit heat. Hawaii is under a state of emergency due to Tropical Storm Calvin, anticipating heavy rainfall and dangerous winds. Lastly, Las Vegas police are revisiting the 1996 drive-by shooting of Tupac Shakur, an unsolved investigation spanning almost three decades.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Wednesday, July 19th, 2023 Jul 19, 2023

Today’s Headlines: Former President Donald Trump revealed on social media that he's now a suspect in the DOJ's investigation of the January 6th insurrection. He may face charges of obstruction and/or sedition. Despite this, he remains a top contender for a presidential nomination. In a separate case, a pre-trial hearing for the Mar-a-Lago classified documents case happened recently, but the trial's start date remains uncertain due to complexities with the evidence. Michigan's Attorney General filed felony charges against 16 Republicans for falsely claiming to be electors for Trump during the 2020 election. In Iowa, a new fetal heartbeat abortion ban was temporarily blocked by a district judge, allowing abortions up to 20 weeks. Lastly, a US soldier crossed into North Korea and is now held in the Panmunjom village, raising concerns about human rights violations.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Tuesday, July 18th, 2023 Jul 18, 2023

Today’s Headlines: A heat dome is causing extreme temperatures in the southern United States, with record-breaking highs in several states. Arizona is experiencing temperatures above 110 degrees for 11 consecutive days, leading to hospitalizations and heat-related deaths. Insurance companies like AAA are no longer offering coverage in Florida due to increased risks of extreme weather. Democrats in the House of Representatives are preparing to censure Representative George Santos for false statements about his background. Russia suspends a humanitarian grain deal with Ukraine, affecting food supply to developing countries.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

WA Post: Burning pavements, scalding water hoses: Perils of a Phoenix heat wave
CBS News: AAA pulls back from offering insurance in Florida, following Farmers
NBC News: Democrats prepare a vote to censure Rep. George Santos
BBC News: Ukraine grain deal expires after Russia pulls out

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Monday, July 17th, 2023 Jul 17, 2023

Today’s Headlines: Flash flooding in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, resulted in 4 deaths and 3 missing individuals. Europe is facing a severe heatwave with temperatures reaching 49 degrees Celsius (120 degrees Fahrenheit) and wildfires in Croatia and Spain's Canary Islands. Air transportation and train workers are on strike in Italy, causing hundreds of flight cancellations. The FDA has approved a new blood test for identifying severe risk of preeclampsia during pregnancy. The US Department of Health & Human Services is investigating racial disparities in maternal care at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. China-based hackers have breached email accounts in the Commerce and State departments. Comedian Sarah Silverman is bringing a class-action lawsuit against OpenAI and Meta for copyright infringement. Taylor Swift's Eras tour is credited with boosting the US economy through increased hotel bookings and tourism.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Friday, July 14th, 2023 Jul 14, 2023

Today’s Headlines: Yesterday, the FDA approved Opill, the first over-the-counter oral hormonal contraceptive pill in the US without a prescription. Nicknamed the "mini pill," Opill contains progestin and is similarly effective to other prescription oral contraceptives, with a 93% efficacy rate. Doctors recommend taking it at the same time daily, and if a dose is missed within a 3-hour window, using a backup method like a condom for the next 2 days. In other news, a widespread heatwave prompted heat alerts for 115 million Americans, while flooding and tornadoes occurred in certain areas. President Biden met with Nordic leaders in Helsinki, emphasizing the unity of the NATO alliance and stating that Putin has already lost the war in Ukraine. The House Ethics Committee investigation into Matt Gaetz has been revived, and the SAG-AFTRA union voted to strike, impacting scripted TV and film production.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Thursday, July 13th, 2023 Jul 13, 2023

Today’s Headlines: At the NATO summit in Lithuania, nations pledged military aid to Ukraine against Russian invasion. The question of Sweden's NATO membership remains unresolved. Lawyers' payments to Justice Clarence Thomas's former aide raise ethical concerns. Governor Doug Burgum offers gift cards to campaign donors, sparking legal debate. Inflation rose less than expected in June, with wages adjusting closer to the cost of living. Larry Nassar was stabbed in prison following an inappropriate comment. The SAG-AFTRA union negotiates with studios and threatens a strike.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Wednesday, July 12th, 2023 Jul 12, 2023

Today’s Headlines: A Nebraska mother pleaded guilty to assisting her 17-year-old daughter in ending a pregnancy and burying the fetus. Lawyers for former President Donald Trump requested a delay in his criminal trial until after the 2024 election, citing campaign preparations. Gal Luft, a chief witness for Republicans investigating President Biden, has been indicted on charges including acting as an unregistered foreign agent. Israel's coalition reintroduced a bill to limit the Supreme Court's power, sparking widespread demonstrations. Tesla's board of directors conducted a probe into a project known as "Project 42," involving plans to build a glass house for Elon Musk near Tesla's headquarters.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

The Guardian: US mother pleads guilty to giving daughter abortion pills and burying fetus
WA Post: Trump asks to delay classified documents trial to after 2024 election
WA Post: Indictment of Republican informant Gal Luft becomes conspiracy fodder
NY Times: Israeli Government Presses Ahead With Judicial Overhaul
Wall Street Journal: A Glass House for Elon Musk Sparks Internal Tesla Probe

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Tuesday, July 11th, 2023 Jul 11, 2023

Today’s Headlines: In today's news, upstate New York experienced heavy rain and flash flooding, resulting in the death of one person and flood alerts for 14 million people in the northeast and New England. Record-breaking global temperatures and heat advisories affected approximately 40 million people in the US. President Biden defended the controversial decision to provide cluster munitions to Ukraine amid the Russian invasion, despite bans by two-thirds of NATO members due to civilian casualties. The LIV golf league's championship tournament will be held at Trump National Doral in Miami for the second consecutive year after merging with the PGA Tour. The State Department warns of significant passport processing delays due to increased international travel, advising applicants to submit applications well in advance. Convicted sexual abuser Larry Nassar was stabbed by another inmate, attributed to staffing shortages in the prison. Three separate searches are underway for escaped murder suspects in Montana, California, and Pennsylvania, with authorities cautioning the public about their potential danger.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Monday, July 10th, 2023 Jul 10, 2023

Today’s Headlines: In recent congressional drama, Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene was removed from the House Freedom Caucus due to her clash with Representative Lauren Boebert. The June jobs report showed slower hiring but increased wages, indicating potential interest rate hikes. Arizona now allows over-the-counter access to contraceptives without a prescription. A Tennessee law banning gender-affirming healthcare for transgender minors was temporarily reinstated. Florida's new alimony laws eliminate permanent alimony and introduce modifications based on retirement and supportive relationships.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

Politico: Marjorie Taylor Greene booted from House Freedom Caucus
Wall Street Journal: Wage Gains, Low Unemployment Keep Pressure on Fed; Hiring Cooled in June
NPR: Arizona governor approves over-the-counter contraceptive medications at pharmacies
The Guardian: Court reinstates Tennessee ban on gender-affirming care for trans youth
NBC Miami: DeSantis signed a controversial measure to overhaul permanent alimony. Here's what to know about the bill

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Friday, July 7th, 2023 Jul 07, 2023

Today’s Headlines: The planet experienced a record-breaking temperature for the third consecutive day, attributed to El Nino and exacerbated by carbon emissions. Governor Tony Evers of Wisconsin used partial veto power to increase school funding and modify tax cuts in the state's budget. Donald Trump's personal aide, Waltine Nauta, pleaded not guilty to charges related to assisting Trump in hiding classified materials. Twitter threatened to sue Meta over alleged misappropriation of trade secrets and intellectual property related to the Threads app.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Thursday, July 6th, 2023 Jul 06, 2023

Today’s Headlines: Planet Earth experienced its hottest day on record, with global average temperatures reaching 62.92 degrees Fahrenheit. Maternal mortality rates in the US have more than doubled between 1999 and 2019, particularly affecting American Indians and Alaska Natives. Labor negotiations between UPS and the Teamsters Union have broken down, potentially leading to a strike that could disrupt the supply chain. The US Navy reported that Iranian navy vessels attempted to seize American oil tankers in international waters near Oman. President Biden expressed support for Sweden's admission into NATO, but Turkish President Erdogan's veto poses a challenge.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

WA Post: This July 4 was hot. Earth’s hottest day on record, in fact.
Axios: Study: Maternal deaths widespread beyond the South
Axios: Health experts see rise in maternal mortality post-Roe
Bloomberg: UPS Labor Talks Stall as Union Balks Over ‘Unacceptable’ Offer
Al Jazeera: US Navy says it repelled Iranian effort to seize oil tankers
NY Times: Biden Says He Is ‘Anxiously’ Waiting for Sweden to Join NATO

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Wednesday, July 5th, 2023 Jul 05, 2023

Today’s Headlines: A mass shooting in Philadelphia left five people dead and two children injured. The suspect, Kimbrady Carriker, is in custody without bail, and the motive remains unclear. Civil rights groups filed a complaint against Harvard University, alleging that its preference for legacy applicants disproportionately benefits white students. A federal judge issued an injunction preventing Biden administration officials from communicating with social media companies about "protected speech." Cocaine was found at the White House, prompting heightened security and an investigation into its origin.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

The Philadelphia Inquirer: Suspect and victims are identified in Kingsessing mass shooting; 5 killed ranged in age from 15 to 59
Reuters: Harvard 'legacy' policy challenged on heels of affirmative action ruling
WA Post: Judge blocks U.S. officials from tech contacts in First Amendment case
WA Post: Secret Service investigating suspected cocaine found in White House

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Monday, July 3rd, 2023 Jul 03, 2023

Today’s Headlines: In recent developments, the Supreme Court ruled against President Biden's authority to forgive student loan debt but announced a temporary 12-month repayment program. They also supported a Christian graphic artist's right to refuse services to same-sex couples based on free speech, despite the case being built on a fictitious incident. Taylor Taranto, linked to the January 6th insurrection, was arrested near Obama's home with weapons obtained through Donald Trump's Truth Social account. A mass shooting in Baltimore left two dead and 30 injured, while ongoing protests in France follow the fatal police shooting of a 17-year-old, leading to arrests and an assassination attempt against a mayor's family.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Friday, June 30th, 2023 Jun 30, 2023

Today’s Headlines: The Supreme Court ruled against race-based affirmative action in college admissions, impacting Harvard and the University of North Carolina. Common consumer products contain toxic chemicals linked to cancer and reproductive issues, posing risks to children and pregnant women. A heat dome has led to over 100 million people under heat warnings and 80 million in areas with air quality alerts. Google will block links to Canadian news content due to a law requiring payment to news publishers, potentially injecting millions into the Canadian news industry.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Thursday, June 29th, 2023 Jun 29, 2023

Today’s Headlines: Canadian wildfires caused smoky air in the American Midwest, with cities like Chicago and Detroit affected. Europe also experienced the smoke, resulting in beautiful sunsets. The US reported its first malaria cases since 2003, with treatment given to the five diagnosed individuals. The wreckage of the Titan submersible, including human remains, was found, leading to an investigation. President Biden praised his economic policies and announced a $42 billion investment for nationwide internet access. A federal judge temporarily blocked a Kentucky law prohibiting transgender treatments for minors, recognizing their medical necessity.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Wednesday, June 28th, 2023 Jun 28, 2023

Today’s Headlines: Damning audio recordings featuring Donald Trump fumbling with classified documents have surfaced, while the Supreme Court rejects the "independent state legislature" theory. The Wagner group hands over its military hardware and criminal cases are closed, a Florida law prohibiting children from drag shows is blocked, and Arizona's governor signs executive orders banning conversion therapy and allowing gender-affirming healthcare. Additionally, the OceanGate submersible Titan imploded, resulting in the death of all passengers and significant costs for the US government.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Tuesday, June 27th, 2023 Jun 27, 2023

Today’s Headlines: The aftermath of the attempted coup against Russian President Vladimir Putin continues to make headlines. Putin denounced the Wagner Group as traitors, while the group's exiled leader defended the event as a "march of justice." Switzerland's intelligence agency reported Russian and Chinese spies operating as diplomats. The Supreme Court made key decisions, potentially redrawing Louisiana's electoral map for better representation and upholding a ruling against a skirts-only dress code. The Department of Transportation allocated $1.7 billion for low- and zero-emission buses. Parts of Texas face extreme heat, with record-breaking temperatures anticipated.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Monday, June 26th, 2023 Jun 26, 2023

Today’s Headlines: Over the weekend, Yevgeny Prigozhin, the former friend of Russian President Vladimir Putin and head of the Wagner Group mercenary army, attempted a coup against Putin but eventually agreed to retreat to Belarus. The Department of Veteran Affairs analysis revealed that Black veterans were more likely to be denied disability benefits compared to their white counterparts. The US Coast Guard is leading an investigation into the implosion of the OceanGate submersible to enhance safety recommendations. The House Freedom Caucus discussed potentially removing Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene from the caucus. The I-95 highway near Philadelphia has reopened after a deadly truck fire.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Friday, June 23rd, 2023 Jun 23, 2023

Today’s Headlines: The 5 missing individuals on the OceanGate's Titan submersible have been confirmed dead due to a catastrophic implosion near the Titanic shipwreck. The US Navy had detected the implosion but its source was uncertain at the time. The names of the bail guarantors for Representative George Santos have been revealed as his father and aunt. Florida's ban on Medicaid coverage for gender-affirming healthcare has been ruled unconstitutional. Former Texas representative Will Hurd has joined the 2024 presidential primary as a Republican candidate. The FDA has approved the first gene therapy for muscular dystrophy, but it comes at a high cost and with restrictions.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Thursday, June 22nd, 2023 Jun 22, 2023

Today’s Headlines: The OceanGate submersible remains missing despite a search and rescue mission, and it is running out of oxygen. The cause of reported banging noises in the search area is uncertain. Representative Adam Schiff has been censured by the House of Representatives for his comments on Trump-Russia collusion, but he views it as a badge of honor. Justice Samuel Alito failed to disclose a private jet flight to a fishing trip, potentially violating federal law due to the donor's business interests. Governor Ron DeSantis, aided by Leonard Leo, orchestrated a conservative shift in the Florida Supreme Court by appointing three justices aligned with his policies.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

WA Post: Rescue window narrows as search area for Titan submersible doubles
AP News: In rowdy scene, House censures Rep. Adam Schiff over Trump-Russia investigations
ProPublica: Justice Samuel Alito Took Luxury Fishing Vacation With GOP Billionaire Who Later Had Cases Before the Court
Wall Street Journal: Justice Samuel Alito: ProPublica Misleads Its Readers
WA Post: Gov. Ron DeSantis used secretive panel to flip state Supreme Court

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Wednesday, June 21st, 2023 Jun 21, 2023

Today’s Headlines: The submersible owned by OceanGate Expeditions called Titan, has not been found and is expected to run out of oxygen soon. Concerns about the safety of the submersible were raised in a whistleblower lawsuit in 2018 and in a letter from experts in the industry. Hunter Biden has agreed to plead guilty to failing to pay income taxes and unlawfully owning a firearm. The trial of Donald Trump for his handling of classified documents is set to start on August 14th, but delays are expected. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Chinese President Xi Jinping, aiming to stabilize the diplomatic relationship between the US and China. However, China is negotiating with Cuba to establish a joint military training facility, and there have been concerns about Chinese spying and cyberattacks.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Tuesday, June 20th, 2023 Jun 20, 2023

Today’s Headlines: In an unexpected turn of events, a submarine carrying five individuals on a mission to document the Titanic wreckage has gone missing. The submarine is operated by OceanGate Expeditions, a private company that facilitates scientific research and offers paid participation for "mission specialists." A rescue operation is underway. Additionally, a Department of Justice investigation reveals civil rights violations by the Minneapolis Police Department, prompting the possibility of a consent decree for reform. In a high-profile case, Robert Bowers is convicted on 63 charges for the deadly Tree of Life synagogue shooting. The FDA advises updating COVID booster shots to protect against a new strain, XBB, which has become predominant in the US. Lastly, Live Nation, Ticketmaster, and other companies agree to show customers the full price of tickets upfront, including fees, providing greater transparency.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Friday, June 16th, 2023 Jun 16, 2023

Today’s Headlines: The Supreme Court upheld the Indian Child Welfare Act, which prioritizes Native American children's adoptions and foster care within their own communities. A National Guardsman, Jack Texeira, was indicted for leaking classified information. Michigan passed the Crown Act, banning hair discrimination. Nine women filed a lawsuit against Bill Cosby in Nevada under the state's lookback law. Donald Trump did not fulfill his promise to pay for everyone's food at a restaurant in Miami.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Thursday, June 15th, 2023 Jun 15, 2023

Today’s Headlines: The Federal Reserve decided against raising interest rates, noting signs of slowing inflation. European Union regulators suggested Google may have to sell its digital advertising business due to antitrust concerns. Miami Mayor Francis Suarez joined the 2024 Republican presidential race, emphasizing his success in attracting tech businesses and tackling climate change. A grand jury indicted Daniel Penny for manslaughter in the death of a subway rider, and Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers vowed to reject the state budget if funding for diversity efforts is cut. Lastly, a UN report highlighted a record number of forcibly displaced people worldwide, largely driven by conflicts and climate crises, with women and children disproportionately affected.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Wednesday, June 14th, 2023 Jun 14, 2023

Today’s Headlines: Former US President Donald Trump was arrested on federal criminal charges in Miami and pleaded not guilty to 37 charges. His military valet, Walt Nauta, also pleaded not guilty to 6 charges. Trump greeted supporters at a Miami restaurant after the arraignment. Senator JD Vance put a hold on confirming DOJ nominees, citing concerns about political harassment. Illinois outlawed book bans in public libraries. A former NYPD officer sued over the use of Police Benevolent Association cards. Canadian wildfires may continue impacting air quality. The Golden Globes were sold to billionaires with plans for expansion.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

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Tuesday, June 13th, 2023 Jun 13, 2023

Today’s Headlines: Former President Donald Trump is set to be arraigned in federal court in Miami on 37 criminal counts related to the handling of classified intelligence documents. His co-defendant, Walt Nauta, will also be arraigned on six charges. Security preparations are underway for potential protests or demonstrations by Trump supporters. In other news, JP Morgan Chase has agreed to pay a $290 million settlement to Jeffrey Epstein's victims, though they deny guilt. The bank is still facing litigation from the US Virgin Islands. JP Morgan is also suing its former executive Jes Staley, who has been accused of sexual assault. Musician Michael Travis Leake has been arrested in Moscow on drug trafficking charges. Meanwhile, former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi passed away at the age of 86 after being hospitalized for chronic leukemia.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

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Monday, June 12th, 2023 Jun 12, 2023

Today’s Headlines: Donald Trump has been indicted on 37 criminal counts related to the retention of classified documents, including 21 charges involving top-secret information. The indictment alleges that Trump was personally involved in packing and sorting boxes of classified documents, and he also faces charges of conspiracy to obstruct the investigation. Trump's former military valet, Walt Nauta, has also been charged with lying on Trump's behalf. The case will be overseen by a judge appointed by Trump himself, which could present a conflict of interest. Trump's attorneys have announced they are no longer representing him, but he quickly found new representation. Some Republican allies of Trump have shown support despite the charges. In other news, a major portion of the I-95 corridor near Philadelphia collapsed due to a commercial truck fire, leading to significant traffic disruptions and air quality concerns.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Friday, June 9th, 2023 Jun 09, 2023

Today’s Headlines: Former President Donald Trump has been indicted on seven criminal counts in Florida for retaining classified documents and obstructing justice. The charges include making false statements. This is the first criminal indictment of any US president. The Supreme Court ruled against Alabama's congressional map, requiring a new map that may benefit Democratic-leaning Black voters. California Governor Gavin Newsom proposed a 28th Amendment for gun control, but its chances of passing are low. A UK-led study found that long Covid has a severe impact on quality of life, comparable to some stage 4 cancers. Instagram has been implicated in facilitating connections to underage-sex content despite efforts to remove such networks.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

NBC News: Trump indicted on 7 charges in classified docs probe
AP News: Supreme Court rules in favor of Black Alabama voters in unexpected defense of Voting Rights Act
LA Times: Newsom launches long-shot push for U.S. constitutional amendment on gun control
The Guardian: Long Covid can impair quality of life more than advanced cancers, study says
The Wall Street Journal: Instagram Connects Vast Pedophile Network

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Thursday, June 8th, 2023 Jun 08, 2023

Today’s Headlines: There are major updates on the DOJ special counsel investigations into Donald Trump. He is now considered the 'target' of a grand jury investigation, potentially facing criminal charges. Mark Meadows has testified before a federal grand jury, and Steve Bannon has been subpoenaed in connection with the January 6th insurrection. Former vice president Mike Pence announced his presidential run, criticizing Trump's actions. Severe air quality problems continue in the northeastern and midwestern US due to wildfires in Quebec.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Wednesday, June 7th, 2023 Jun 07, 2023

Today’s Headlines: Representative George Santos' bond cosigners identities remain undisclosed despite requests, as his lawyer argues against revealing them. A Florida judge temporarily blocks parts of a law banning transgender minors from receiving puberty blockers, with the law still enforced for other minors. The PGA Tour merged with LIV Golf League, owned by the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund, amid mixed reactions. Wildfire smoke from Canada affects air quality across multiple US regions while Allstate and State Farm halt new home insurance policies in California due to climate risks.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Tuesday, June 6th, 2023 Jun 06, 2023

Today’s Headlines: Three new contenders, Mike Pence, Chris Christie, and Doug Burgum, have joined the race for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination. The Republican National Committee has set qualifying criteria for primary debates, while early polling shows Trump in the lead. Tensions between the US and China are escalating due to military provocations. The Supreme Court will hear a trademark case involving the phrase "Trump too small." Apple CEO Tim Cook unveiled the Apple Vision Pro, a VR and AR headset, with mixed reviews on its appearance.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Monday, June 5th, 2023 Jun 05, 2023

Today’s Headlines: President Biden successfully avoided a US default on its debt by signing a bill that suspends the government's debt ceiling just two days before the deadline. However, despite this agreement, the credit rating agency Fitch still maintains a negative watch on the United States' triple-A rating. On a positive note, the May jobs report exceeded expectations, with the addition of 339,000 non-farm payroll jobs in the US economy. In a significant ruling, a federal judge invalidated Tennessee's legislation that banned drag shows in public, citing violations of freedom of speech protected by the First Amendment. Unfortunately, two more anti-drag and anti-trans bills are progressing in Tennessee's state legislature. Furthermore, Floridians protested against a new immigration law that imposes restrictions on social services for undocumented immigrants and imposes penalties on employers and individuals associated with immigrants. This law may have adverse economic consequences for the state.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Friday, June 2nd, 2023 Jun 02, 2023

Today’s Headlines: The Senate is expected to vote on a bill to suspend the debt ceiling, preventing a potential US government default. The Supreme Court issued a ruling allowing companies to sue their own employees' union for damages caused during union activity, which could have implications for worker protections. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau warned consumers against storing money on payment apps like Venmo, emphasizing the lack of government insurance and oversight. Bill Cosby is facing a new lawsuit by former Playboy model Victoria Valentino, who accuses him of sexual assault. Cosby is already facing multiple accusations from other individuals.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

WA Post: Senate passes debt ceiling bill, sending it to Biden to sign into law
CBS News: Supreme Court ruling deals another blow to organized labor
WA Post: Don't use Venmo, Cash App and PayPal to store money, CFPB says
WA Post: Bill Cosby is facing new sexual assault lawsuit

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Thursday, June 1st, 2023 Jun 01, 2023

Today’s Headlines: The House of Representatives passed a debt ceiling agreement, delaying the consequences of a potential US default until 2025. Federal prosecutors obtained a recording of Trump discussing a classified document on Iran policy. Trump waved the document, claiming it could undermine statements made by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Mark Milley. Minnesota legalized recreational cannabis for adults over 21. It will take about 12 to 18 months for legal products to become available. Mike Pence is expected to launch his 2024 presidential campaign on June 7th, joining at least nine other candidates, including Chris Christie.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

The Hill: House passes bill to raise debt ceiling
Independent: Trump caught on tape discussing classified documents he kept after leaving White House, reports say
CBS News: Gov. Tim Walz signs recreational cannabis bill into law
Wa Post: Pence, Christie to launch presidential bids next week

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Wednesday, May 31st, 2023 May 31, 2023

Today’s Headlines: Debt ceiling deal causes division in politics, with threats to remove House Speaker. Mass shooting in Hollywood Beach leaves nine dead. Study shows increased heart attack deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially among young adults. New York City sinking due to subsidence and rising sea levels. The Sackler family granted immunity in the opioid crisis, paying $6 billion for addiction programs.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Tuesday, May 30th, 2023 May 30, 2023

Today’s Headlines: President Biden and House Republicans have reached a deal to suspend the debt limit through 2025, preventing a federal default. The agreement includes spending limits, work requirements for SNAP recipients, and expanded benefits for veterans and others. The deal also ends the pause on student loan repayments. In Texas, the state House has impeached Attorney General Ken Paxton over bribery allegations. Turkey's President Erdogan has been reelected, and Russia has issued an arrest warrant for Senator Lindsey Graham. France threatens to block Twitter in Europe if it doesn't comply with new rules.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Friday, May 26th, 2023 May 26, 2023

Today’s Headlines: No agreement has been reached on raising the debt limit, with a looming June 1st deadline. Republicans are making progress on a deal involving the debt limit and spending cuts in the next budget. They want increased work requirements for food stamps and Medicaid while protecting defense spending. The possibility of a deal is low, risking a credit rating downgrade and potential job losses and a recession. Founder of the Oath Keepers, Elmer Stewart Rhodes, has been sentenced to 18 years for seditious conspiracy. Homeland Security warns of potential violence leading up to the 2024 election, while recent charges against January 6th insurrectionists may be preventing further violence. New developments in the investigation reveal Trump's employees moving classified documents. A Texas committee unanimously recommends impeachment for Attorney General Ken Paxton, alleging abuse of power.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Thursday, May 25th, 2023 May 25, 2023

Today’s Headlines: Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announces his candidacy for the Republican presidential nomination in a glitchy Twitter space conversation with Elon Musk. An elementary school in Miami-Dade County moves the poem "The Hill We Climb" by Amanda Gorman to middle school shelves after a parent complained about its content. Target faces backlash and removes certain Pride merchandise from stores due to threats to workers' safety and damage to Pride displays. January 6th insurrectionist Richard Bigo Barnette is sentenced to 4.5 years in prison for various charges, including theft of government property. No progress on a debt ceiling deal as House Republicans push for spending cuts and reject proposals to increase revenue, risking a government funding crisis by June 1st.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Wednesday, May 24th, 2023 May 24, 2023

Today’s Headlines: A 19-year-old Missouri resident was arrested for driving a U-Haul truck into security barriers near the White House, facing charges related to threats, assault, and trespassing.Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy warned about the risks of social media to young people, including self-harm, eating disorders, and cyberbullying. He recommended delaying children's social media use and establishing boundaries. An Illinois attorney general's report revealed over 450 credible abusers in the Catholic Church, with many instances of sexual abuse involving priests and lay religious figures. False reports of a Pentagon explosion spread due to an AI-generated image shared on Twitter, causing a temporary stock market dip. Harlan Crow's lawyers argue against an ethics probe into his friendship with Justice Thomas, claiming Congress lacks authority.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Tuesday, May 23rd, 2023 May 23, 2023

Today’s Headlines: E. Jean Carroll, who previously won a defamation lawsuit against Donald Trump, has filed a new lawsuit seeking additional damages due to Trump's comments about her. Trump referred to her as a "wack job" and called her story "fake and made up" on national TV. Senator Tim Scott has announced his presidential campaign, criticizing the "radical left" and emphasizing his background. TikTok has filed a lawsuit to overturn Montana's ban of the app, claiming it violates free speech. A profile on Harlan Crow, a Republican donor and friend of Justice Clarence Thomas, reveals their relationship and Crow's collection of controversial items. Russia has expanded its list of sanctioned Americans, including enemies of Donald Trump, in response to US sanctions.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

NY Times: E. Jean Carroll Seeks New Damages From Trump for Comments on CNN
CBS News: Tim Scott announces he is running for president in 2024: "I am America"
AP News: TikTok files lawsuit to overturn Montana’s 1st-in-nation ban on the video sharing app
The Atlantic: Harlan Crow wants to stop talking about Clarence Thomas
NY Times: Russia's Latest Sanctions on U.S. Officials Turn to Trump Enemies

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Monday, May 22nd, 2023 May 22, 2023

Today’s Headlines: The US government has made limited progress in reaching an agreement to raise the debt ceiling, with a deadline approaching. President Biden criticized Republican proposals and mentioned the possibility of cutting spending and raising taxes. Governor Ron DeSantis is expected to announce his presidential run, trailing behind Donald Trump in polls. The NAACP issued a travel advisory for Florida, accusing Governor DeSantis of attempting to erase black history. Montana has become the first state to ban TikTok, leading to a lawsuit filed by TikTok creators on grounds of freedom of speech. Concerns have been raised about TikTok's data privacy and potential cooperation with the Chinese government. Smoke from Canadian wildfires has caused air quality alerts in several US states.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Friday, May 19th, 2023 May 19, 2023

Today’s Headlines: The Texas state legislature passed a bill to ban puberty blockers and hormone treatments for minors, which will be sent to Governor Greg Abbott for signing. Disney canceled its nearly $1 billion office development in Orlando, Florida, citing changing business conditions. A Florida teacher is being investigated for showing the animated Disney movie "Strange World" that features an openly gay character. The Supreme Court ruled that Twitter cannot be held liable under a federal anti-terrorism law for failing to prevent terrorist groups from using its platform. Senator Diane Feinstein suffered undisclosed complications from shingles, including facial paralysis and post-shingles encephalitis. SAG-AFTRA authorized a strike in anticipation of upcoming contract negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, focusing on compensation and regulating the use of artificial intelligence.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Thursday, May 18th, 2023 May 18, 2023

Today’s Headlines: Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed four bills into law that restrict LGBTQ rights. The bills include expanding the Don't Say Gay law, banning transition-related care for minors, prohibiting trans people from using public facilities aligned with their gender identities, and restricting "adult" performances in front of minors. However, Democrats are calling for an investigation into DeSantis's use of Florida's law enforcement agency. In North Carolina, the state legislature overrode Governor Roy Cooper's veto of a 12-week abortion ban. Donald Trump claimed responsibility for "killing Roe v. Wade." The resolution to expel George Santos from Congress was referred to the House Ethics Committee. In the mayoral race of Jacksonville, Florida, Donna Deegan became the first woman to hold the position, despite DeSantis endorsing her opponent.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

NBC News: DeSantis signs 'Don't Say Gay' expansion, gender-affirming care ban
NBC News: Supreme Court rejects challenge to Illinois assault weapons ban
Washington Post: North Carolina bans abortion past 12 weeks overriding governor veto
NBC News: Trump: 'I was able to kill Roe v. Wade'
AP NEws: Effort to expel Santos falters as Republicans vote to send measure to Ethics Committee
News 4 Jacksonville: Voters elect Donna Deegan as new Jacksonville mayor

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Wednesday, May 17th, 2023 May 17, 2023

Today’s Headlines:In the House of Representatives, Democrats aim to expel George Santos, but a two-thirds vote is needed. The US nears its debt limit, and Biden and Congress must find a resolution within 6-7 days. Rudy Giuliani faces allegations of misconduct, including selling pardons for $2 million, though no evidence has been provided yet. The IRS investigation reveals higher audit rates for Black taxpayers. OpenAI's CEO urges government regulation to mitigate risks in artificial intelligence, highlighting concerns about AI manipulating humans.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Tuesday, May 16th, 2023 May 16, 2023

Today’s Headlines: A man armed with a baseball bat attacked the district office of democratic representative from Virginia, Gerald E. Connolly, injuring two staff aides. The assailant faces charges of malicious wounding and is being held without bond. The motive is not yet identified, but he has a history of mental illness. Special counsel John Durham has issued a report criticizing the FBI for its investigation of Trump’s 2016 campaign and collusion with Russia, but no actual charges were made. Donald Trump spoke at Michael Flynn’s “Reawaken America Tour” and promised to bring Flynn back to power if elected. A woman has filed a lawsuit against Rudy Giuliani, alleging he coerced her into sex and owes her almost $2 million in unpaid wages. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman will testify in Congress on the oversight of AI and potential risks of the technology.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Monday, May 15th, 2023 May 15, 2023

Today’s Headlines: Fewer migrants than expected arrived at the US southern border after Title 42's expiration, but the Biden administration's border handling is still criticized, including limits on asylum seekers. Shuttered NYC hotels will house asylum seekers. Daniel Penny, who killed Jordan Neely in a subway chokehold, was released on $100k bail, with over $1.8m raised for his legal defense. FDA relaxed blood donation guidelines for gay and bisexual men. North Carolina governor vetoed abortion bill but could be overridden by Republican supermajority. Former TikTok executive filed a lawsuit claiming the Chinese government has "supreme access" to data belonging to parent company ByteDance, and accused the company of scraping data from competitors. Meanwhile, Twitter is getting a new CEO, Linda Yaccarino, amid a decline in advertising revenue and staff.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

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Friday, May 12th, 2023 May 12, 2023

Today’s Headlines: NYC prosecutors charge Daniel Penny with 2nd degree manslaughter for fatal chokehold on subway performer. Federal judge in Virginia declares regulations on handgun sales to 18-20 year olds unconstitutional. Congressional leaders postpone meeting on debt ceiling negotiations, while staff continues to meet. EPA proposes new limits on greenhouse gas emissions from power plants. Peloton recalls over 2 million exercise bikes due to assembly flaw causing potential falls and injuries. Senator Tuberville criticizes Defense Secretary Austin's efforts to remove white nationalist supporters from the military and blocks military nominees over abortion policy disagreement.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

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Thursday, May 11th, 2023 May 11, 2023

Today's Headlines: George Santos, a US representative, has been charged with 13 counts, including fraud and making false statements, and has pleaded not guilty. The end of the Title 42 immigration policy is causing concern for potential influxes of migrants, but new measures are being put in place to crack down on illegal border crossings and create legal pathways for asylum seekers. Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein has returned to the Senate part-time after a 3-month absence due to shingles, giving Democrats their majority on the judiciary committee.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

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Wednesday, May 10th, 2023 May 10, 2023

Today’s Headlines: Former President Donald Trump has been found liable for sexual abuse and defamation in the New York state civil trial, and has been ordered to pay $5 million to E. Jean Carroll. New York Representative George Santos has been charged with a crime, but the charges are not yet known. Congress failed to reach a deal on the debt ceiling crisis, and President Biden has floated the idea of invoking the 14th Amendment. A bill to raise the age to buy an AR-15 style rifle from 18 to 21 has been advanced in Texas. The US Preventive Services Task Force now recommends women start getting mammograms to detect breast cancer at age 40.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

AP News: Jury finds Trump liable for sexual abuse, awards accuser $5M
Washington Post: Rep. George Santos charged by federal prosecutors, people familiar say
NBC News: Biden and McCarthy barely speak, dimming prospects for a debt ceiling deal
Texas Standard: In surprise vote, Texas House committee advances bill to raise minimum age to buy assault rifles
Axios: Women should start getting mammograms at 40 not 50, major health panel says
US Preventative Task Force: Breast Cancer: Screening

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

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Tuesday, May 9th, 2023 May 09, 2023

Today's headlines: President Biden announced airline regulations requiring compensation for flight delays and cancellations. Troops were sent to the southern border as migrant processing centers were established. Republicans plan to vote on a bill to reinstate strict border policies. Closing arguments were given in E. Jean Carroll's trial against Donald Trump. A New York judge restricted Trump from posting about a hush money payment case. Vermont made it a crime to own or operate paramilitary training camps.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

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Monday, May 8th, 2023 May 08, 2023

Today's headlines: Mass tragedies occurred in Texas, with a shooting in Allen killing 8 people and an intentional SUV attack in Brownsville leaving 7 dead. Another shooting took place at a festival in St. Louis, resulting in 2 deaths. President Biden called for gun control legislation. The WHO declared COVID-19 a pandemic but not a global public health emergency. US economic numbers showed job growth but signs of a possible recession. Minnesota expanded voting access, and Georgia's election interference investigation progresses. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is expected to sign a bill shielding his travel records, and King Charles III was coronated alongside Queen Camilla.

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Friday, May 05, 2023 May 05, 2023

Today's Headlines: Scandals at the Supreme Court arise as billionaire donor Harlan Crow was found to have paid private school tuition for Justice Clarence Thomas's grandnephew. In another report, Justice Thomas's wife was paid tens of thousands of dollars for consulting work at the direction of a conservative activist. Four Proud Boys were found guilty of seditious conspiracy for their participation in the January 6th attack. Texas lawmakers advanced a bill that allows the Secretary of State to overturn election results in one of their largest counties if 2% or more of the polling locations run out of ballot paper for more than an hour. Jordan Neely, a Michael Jackson impersonator, was killed on the New York City subway by a passenger who put him in a chokehold.

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Thursday, May 04, 2023 May 04, 2023

Today's Headlines: Yesterday, a man opened fire at a medical facility in Atlanta, injuring 4 and killing 1 person, before fleeing and being captured by authorities. In Texas, a manhunt for a man who shot and killed 5 of his neighbors ended with his capture. Lawmakers introduced a bill that would restrict the financial activities of members of congress. Donald Trump's trial for rape and defamation continued while Trump flew to Scotland. Two drones exploded at the Kremlin, which Russia blamed on Ukraine. New York passed a law banning natural gas and other fossil fuels in most new buildings.

AP News: Police capture suspect in Atlanta medical practice shooting
NYTimes: Man Accused of Killing 5 in Texas Had Help Evading Capture, Officials Say
Axios: AOC, Gaetz unite to ban members of Congress from trading stocks
NYTimes: Trump Will Offer No Defense Witnesses in Rape Trial, His Lawyer Says
NYTimes: Explosions Over the Kremlin Set Off Dueling Accusations
Washington Post: N.Y. ditches gas stoves, fossil fuels in new buildings in first statewide ban in U.S.

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Wednesday, May 03, 2023 May 03, 2023

Today's Headlines: Democrats proposed a plan to increase the debt ceiling without Republican spending cuts. Missouri delayed the attorney general's order restricting gender-affirming care for transgender people. The US Surgeon General declared loneliness a health epidemic, as it poses deadly risks similar to smoking cigarettes. Pornhub blocked users in Utah to protest against stricter age-verification measures for adult content.

NBC News: Hollywood writers go on strike after contract negotiations fail
Wall Street Journal: Treasury Chief Janet Yellen Says U.S. Risks Default as Soon as June 1 Without Debt Ceiling Increase
Axios: Missouri gender-affirming care restrictions temporarily blocked by court
AP News: Loneliness poses risks as deadly as smoking
Axios: Pornhub blocks access in Utah in protest of new age verification law

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Tuesday, May 2nd, 2023 May 02, 2023

Today's headlines: The manhunt is still underway for the suspect who killed 5 people in Cleveland, Texas. The suspect had entered the US illegally and was deported at least 4 times, but his current immigration status is unknown.The Federal Reserve and FDIC have acknowledged that the recent bank failures were caused by lax oversight, watered-down regulations, and poor management, partly their responsibility. Disney's Orlando district formally voted to sue Disney, with the oversight board seeking to maintain its oversight of design and construction in the district after Disney rewrote the bylaws to strip them of those powers.

Writers Guild of America members voted to authorize a strike to request almost $600 million in salary increases, primarily concerning pay for streaming shows. A Montana state representative has filed a lawsuit after her colleagues voted to bar her from the House floor after she rebuked them for supporting a ban on gender-affirming care.

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Monday, May 1st, 2023 May 01, 2023

Today's headlines: Texas resident Francisco Oropeza shot five of his neighbors, aged between 8 and 31, after being asked to stop shooting rounds in his backyard. In Colorado, Governor Jared Polis signed four new gun-related laws and a poll found that most people support gun regulation. The Utah state court is deciding a case that could make it hard to get an abortion in the state, and Louisiana lawmakers are working on a bill that would give tax credits to anti-abortion crisis pregnancy centers. Finally, several financial institutions made bids to buy First Republic Bank.

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EXTRA EXTRA: Who Bought The Supreme Court? (Best Of Extra Extra) Apr 28, 2023

UPDATE: Extra, Extra is now available to all listeners! Thank you to our loyal subscribers for their support — monthly Spotify subscribers will no longer be charged after April, and monthly and annual Apple subscribers will receive prorated refunds for April and beyond within 30 days.

In the meantime, enjoy this episode of Extra Extra from late 2022 about the Supreme Court...

I mean, it's one Supreme Court, Michael. What could it cost? 580 million dollars? Sami goes deep into the decades-long scheme that resulted in a 6-3 conservative court taking away our abortion rights (and more). If that sounds like one of Sami's speculative theories, you'd be wrong, at least this time. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse joins the episode to explain what he's named "The Scheme", and unpacks how a very small group of right-wing donors have gradually spent $580 million dollars in dark money to build a covert operation for the sake of "court capture", complete with its own ecosystem of advertising, faux scholarship, and talent pipeline. Plus they answer the question everyone’s been asking: is it finally time to appoint more Supremes?

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Friday, April 28th, 2023 Apr 28, 2023

Today's headlines: Former US Vice President Mike Pence testified before a grand jury regarding Trump's alleged election interference. Missouri's law imposing restrictions on gender affirming care for minors and adults was temporarily halted by a judge. The Senate failed to remove the deadline for ratifying the Equal Rights Amendment, which would help in ending gender discrimination in society. Finally, Carolyn Bryant Donham, who falsely accused and led to the lynching of Emmett Till, died at the age of 88.

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Thursday, April 27th, 2023 Apr 27, 2023

Today's headlines: Disney has filed a lawsuit against Florida Governor Ron DeSantis for unlawful retaliation and free speech violations after he diluted Disney's self-government authority. Montana Representative Zooey Zephyr was barred from speaking on the House floor and gallery for the remainder of the legislative session, following her reference to a proposed ban on gender affirming care for minors. E. Jean Carroll testified against Donald Trump, accusing him of defamation after she alleged he raped her and lied in his denial. Lastly, Elizabeth Holmes has won a reprieve after appealing her requirement to report to prison while pursuing an appeal on her original fraud conviction.

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Wednesday, April 26th, 2023 Apr 26, 2023

Today's headlines: President Biden announced his 2024 reelection bid and Julie Chavez Rodriguez, the granddaughter of labor leader Cesar Chavez, will be his campaign manager. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas had a financial relationship with Harlan Crow, a friend with business before the court, despite Thomas previously defending his failure to report gifts from Crow. Jury selection began in the civil lawsuit brought by E. Jean Carroll against Donald Trump for alleged rape and defamation. Finally, Arizona Senator Kyrsten Sinema has been using campaign donations for lavish expenses including wine, luxury car services, private jets, and luxury hotels, according to election filings.

Resources/Articles mentioned this episode:

The Washington Post: Biden announces 2024 reelection bid, saying he wants to ‘finish the job’
NBC News: Joe Biden set to tap Julie Chavez Rodriguez as his 2024 campaign manager
Bloomberg: Clarence Thomas’s Billionaire Friend Did Have Business Before the Supreme Court
The Washington Post: Jury seated in E. Jean Carroll lawsuit against Donald Trump
AZ Central: Article rips Sen. Kyrsten Sinema for wildly extravagant spending

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

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Tuesday, April 25th, 2023 Apr 25, 2023

Today's headlines: Tucker Carlson abruptly left his top-rated primetime Fox News show, following Fox settling defamation claims from Dominion Voting Systems. CNN anchor Don Lemon also tweeted that he has been terminated, while CNN refutes his characterization of events. The New York Times reported that the air national guardsman who leaked classified Pentagon documents on Discord shared more sensitive intelligence than previously known. In South Florida, a man shot at Instacart delivery workers who accidentally drove onto his property. Myles Cosgrove, the former Louisville police officer who killed Breonna Taylor, has been rehired as a police officer in Carroll County, Kentucky.

Resources/Articles mentioned this episode:

The Washington Post: Tucker Carlson is out at Fox News after Dominion lawsuit disclosures
The Washington Post: CNN fires longtime host and anchor Don Lemon
NY Times: Airman Shared Sensitive Intelligence More Widely and for Longer Than Previously Known
NPR: A South Florida man shot at 2 Instacart delivery workers who went to the wrong house
NPR: Louisville officer who killed Breonna Taylor hired by police force in nearby county

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

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Monday, April 24th, 2023 Apr 24, 2023

Today's headlines: The Supreme Court ruled that the abortion medication Mifepristone will remain available via mail and telehealth appointments, but litigation over its FDA approval continues. President Biden is expected to announce his 2024 reelection campaign this week. An IRS special agent seeks whistleblower protection to reveal alleged mishandling of an investigation into Hunter Biden's taxes and foreign business work. A civil lawsuit was filed against police officers in Antioch county, California, accusing them of racist behavior. The Texas state Senate passed bills requiring display of the 10 commandments in classrooms and allowing time for prayer and Bible reading in schools. Bed Bath & Beyond filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy and will stop accepting coupons on April 26th. Finally, Twitter has reportedly started emailing certain public figures, including Lebron James & Stephen King, to let them know a complimentary subscription has been extended to them.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

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Friday, April 21st, 2023 Apr 21, 2023

Today's headlines: The Senate Judiciary committee, led by Democratic Senator Dick Durbin, called for Chief Justice John Roberts to testify at a hearing focused on ethics rules of the Supreme Court. Republicans in the House of Representatives passed legislation barring transgender athletes from competing on girls' and women's teams at federally supported schools, but it is unlikely to advance in the democratic-led Senate and would be vetoed by President Biden. Democratic Governor Laura Kelly of Kansas vetoed two anti-trans bills, but her veto is likely to be overridden by the legislature. MyPillow founder and Fox News personality Mike Lindell owes $5 million to a computer forensics expert who proved his election interference claims were false. SpaceX's test flight of their new rocket ended in an explosion and crash into the Gulf of Mexico.

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Thursday, April 20th, 2023 Apr 20, 2023

Today's headlines: Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito extended his ruling on the mifepristone case until Friday, keeping the drug available for now. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed an expansion of the "Don't Say Gay" bill, banning discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity in all grades. The Republicans released a budget proposal for 2024, including spending caps, repealing IRS funding, ending student loan forgiveness, and repealing tax credits. County commissioner Mark Jennings resigned in Oklahoma after being recorded making racist remarks. Chinese nationals were arrested in New York for operating an illegal police station, while a Wall Street Journal reporter remains jailed in Russia. Elon Musk's Twitter caused controversy by labeling the CBC as "government funded media."

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Politico: Alito extends reprieve for abortion pill access, maintaining status quo for 2 more days
AP News: Florida expands ‘Don’t Say Gay’; House OKs anti-LGBTQ bills
Axios: McCarthy unveils $1.5 trillion debt ceiling package
AP News: Oklahoma official who discussed killing reporters resigns
NBC News: 2 Chinese nationals charged with operating a secret police station in NYC
Washington Post: Evan Gershkovich, reporter jailed by Russia, appeals espionage arrest
AP News: CBC ‘pausing’ Twitter after ‘government-funded media’ label
AP News: Twitter removes policy against deadnaming transgender people

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

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Wednesday, April 19th, 2023 Apr 19, 2023

Today's headlines: Fox News settled with Dominion Voting Systems for $787.5 million in the largest-ever libel case settlement in US history, without admitting guilt or apologizing. An 84-year-old man in Missouri was charged with felonies for shooting a Black teenager who accidentally rang his doorbell, sparking protests. Oklahoma county officials were caught on audio discussing hiring hitmen to kill reporters and making racist remarks, potentially facing felony charges. President Biden signed an executive order to reform the child care and long-term care system, and proposed $600 billion in spending for child care and early education in the 2024 budget. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Walt Disney Corporation continued their feud over inspections and taxes, while Disney announced a Pride Nite event.

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Independent: Dominion wins $787m from Fox as election lies lawsuit settled
NY Times: Man Accused of Shooting Ralph Yarl Turns Himself In
AP News: Oklahoma sheriff says recording of killing talk was illegal
NBC News: Biden issues executive order to make child and home care cheaper
Vanity Fair: Disney Sees Ron DeSantis’s Prison-Complex Threat and Raises Him a “Pride Nite” Extravaganza

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

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Tuesday, April 18th, 2023 Apr 18, 2023

Today's headlines: The Fox News-Dominion trial was postponed but is now scheduled to start today, with potential testimony from Rupert Murdoch, Fox anchors, and former House Speaker Paul Ryan. Judicial confirmations for federal judges nominated by President Biden are being held up in the Senate due to Diane Feinstein's continued absence, amidst calls for her resignation. The Ohio Attorney General announced that a grand jury declined to indict police officers who killed Jaylan Walker, sparking controversy and potential civil lawsuits. A federal judge denied Donald Trump's bid to delay the civil trial regarding a rape allegation by author E. Jean Carroll, and the trial will begin on April 25th. Finally, George Santos announced his reelection bid in his New York congressional district.

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NY Times: The Defamation Trial of the Century Is Delayed
Politico: Republicans line up against replacing Feinstein on critical committee
WKYC: Ohio Attorney General releases evidence from Jayland Walker grand jury
Washington Post: Judge denies Trump’s request for delay in trial involving rape allegation
NY Times: George Santos Says He Will Run for Re-election in 2024

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

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Monday, April 17th, 2023 Apr 17, 2023

Today's headlines: A shooter opened fire at a birthday party in Dadeville, Alabama, killing 4 people and injuring 28 others. The suspect and motive are still unknown. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a new 6-week abortion ban into law. The Supreme Court temporarily blocked a mifepristone ban in Texas, which means women can still obtain the drug by mail. Justice Clarence Thomas reported rental income from a defunct firm in his financial disclosures. The Dominion Voting Systems trial is set to begin in Delaware, with Rupert Murdoch and several Fox News anchors scheduled to testify. Montana passed a law banning TikTok on all personal devices, which will take effect in January. Finally, two members of Congress traded in bank stocks last month while they were actively working on the fallout from the Archegos Capital Management meltdown.

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Friday, April 14th, 2023 Apr 14, 2023

Today's headlines: The 5th circuit court of appeals has allowed partial access to mifepristone abortion medication, but only up to 7 weeks and it cannot be sent through the mail. A new report from ProPublica found that Harlan Crow, a billionaire mega donor, purchased Clarence Thomas's childhood home without reporting the sale on his financial disclosures as required. Senator Diane Feinstein is giving up her seat on the Judiciary Committee due to health issues, which caused delays in the confirmation of Biden judges. Delaware Judge Eric Davis sanctioned Fox and its parent company Fox Corporation for withholding evidence in the Dominion Voting Systems lawsuit. Federal investigators have arrested a member of the intelligence wing of the Massachusetts Air National Guard for leaking classified Pentagon documents on a Discord group.

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Thursday, April 13th, 2023 Apr 13, 2023

Today’s Headlines: Senator Tim Scott launches an exploratory committee, taking a significant step toward a presidential bid. Justin J. Person, one of the two Democratic representatives ousted for the Tennessee House of Representatives last week, was reinstated to his House Seat after an unanimous vote from local officials. Also, Juul has agreed to the largest settlement in the company’s history, and will be paying $462 million to six US states and DC. In other news, the Biden administration proposed a plan to strongly incentivize sales of electric cars and trucks, aiming to ensure 2/3 of new passenger cars and a quarter of new heavy trucks sold in the US will be electric by 2032. Consumer prices rose at a more moderate pace in March, going up only 0.1% compared to 0.4% in the previous month. Finally, NPR had quit Twitter after being labeled as ‘state-affiliated media,’ stating that the company had lost faith in the decision-making of the social media platform.

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Wednesday, April 12th, 2023 Apr 12, 2023

Today's headlines: More details emerge about several shootings in the US recently, including one at Old National Bank in Louisville, Kentucky, where a disgruntled employee used a legally purchased AR-15 rifle to kill five people and injure eight others. Kentucky is one of 26 states that allows for permitless concealed carry of firearms. Another shooting took place outside a funeral home in Washington DC, leaving one person dead and three others critically injured. Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg filed a lawsuit against House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan and lawyer Mark Pomerantz to bar them from enforcing a subpoena of one of the former leaders in the DA’s investigation into Trump. In other news, leaked Pentagon and US military documents on the messaging app Discord reveal several insights into the US intelligence gathering process and its relationship with other countries.

Resources/Articles mentioned this episode:

Spectrum News: College closes following campus shooting, hours after mass shooting in downtown Louisville
CNN: Gunman livestreamed mass shooting at Louisville bank that left 5 dead and 8 injured
ABC News: What we know about Kentucky's gun laws after Louisville shooting
Washington Post: 1 Killed, 3 wounded in shooting outside D.C. funeral home
NY Times: Bragg Sues Jim Jordan in Move to Block Interference in Trump Case
AP News: Leaked US intel: Russia operatives claimed new ties with UAE

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

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Tuesday, April 11th, 2023 Apr 11, 2023

Today's headlines: A shooting at a bank in Kentucky killed 4 people and injured 9 others. A Texas judge ruled to halt FDA approval of abortion medication Mifepristone, while a Washington judge issued a contradicting ruling. Iowa's attorney general suspended funding for emergency contraception for sexual assault victims. Two Black lawmakers were expelled in Tennessee for protesting gun violence, while a white lawmaker was spared. The expelled lawmakers can be reappointed to their seats prior to a special election, which has not been scheduled yet. An American journalist has been detained in Russia on espionage charges, the first of this kind since the end of the Cold War. Finally, the Dalai Lama has apologized for asking a young boy to kiss him on the lips and "suck his tongue" during a public event in Northern India.

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Friday, April 7th, 2023 Apr 07, 2023

Today's headlines: A judge ruled that Rupert and Lachlan Murdoch may be forced to testify in the Dominion defamation case along with other Fox personalities, and jury selection for the trial is set to begin soon. The state of Washington is stockpiling abortion medication in anticipation of a potential court ruling in Texas that could halt its FDA approval and make the drug unavailable. Idaho's governor signed a bill into law that creates a new crime of "abortion trafficking" and makes it illegal for an adult to help a minor get an abortion without parental consent. The Kansas state legislature passed a law banning transgender girls from playing women's sports from kindergarten through college. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas has been treated to annual luxury vacations by a billionaire Republican donor over the past 20 years without disclosing them, in violation of ethics law. Elon Musk's Twitter labeled NPR's account as "state-affiliated media" because they receive some federal funding.

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NY Times: Rupert Murdoch Can Be Forced to Testify in Defamation Trial, Judge Says
NPR: Washington state stockpiles thousands of abortion pills
AP News: Idaho governor signs ‘abortion trafficking’ bill into law
The Lawrence Times: Transgender student athlete ban on the books in Kansas
ProPublica: Clarence Thomas and the Billionaire
NPR: Twitter labels NPR's account as 'state-affiliated media,' which is untrue

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

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Thursday, April 6th, 2023 Apr 06, 2023

Today's headlines: Former VP Mike Pence will comply with a judge's order to testify in the DOJ special counsel investigation into January 6th, but Trump may continue to appeal. Meanwhile, progressive candidate Brandon Johnson has won the mayoral election in Chicago. The Wisconsin Republicans have gained a supermajority in the state senate, allowing them to impeach elected officials. Democratic state lawmaker Tricia Cotham has defected to the Republican party, giving the Republicans a veto-proof supermajority in both chambers of the North Carolina legislature. A new report from Maryland's attorney general reveals that Catholic Church officials in Baltimore covered up sexual abuse of over 600 children for 60 years. Finally, the chairwoman of the Florida Democratic Party and the state Senate Minority Leader were arrested and charged with trespassing after refusing to leave a protest in Tallahassee.

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AP News: Pence won’t appeal order compelling grand jury testimony
Chicago Tribune: Brandon Johnson wins Chicago mayor election
AP News: GOP lawmaker wins Wis. Senate seat, creating supermajority
NY Times: Democrat’s U-Turn to Join the G.O.P. Upends North Carolina Politics
NBC News: Baltimore’s Catholic Church sexually abused at least 600 children over 60 years, Maryland AG says
AP News: Florida Democrats charged after abortion rights protest

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

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Wednesday, April 5th, 2023 Apr 05, 2023

Today's headlines: Yesterday Donald Trump made history for becoming the first US president to be indicted for a crime, so we finally get a full accounting of the 34 counts he's charged with, and what comes next in the case. The state of Wisconsin held a critical election to decide the majority of their state supreme court yesterday, and the winner of that race may end up casting the deciding vote on whether abortion would be legal or illegal in the state. Republican lawmakers in the Tennessee state house took the first steps towards expelling 3 of their Democratic colleagues in the legislature for participating in a recent gun control protest. Finally, approximately 15 million Americans who are on Medicaid are at risk of losing coverage soon.

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Tuesday, April 4th, 2023 Apr 04, 2023

Today's headlines: Former president Donald Trump has finally arrived in New York City and will be arraigned later today, leading to questions about just how much of the indictment we will be able to see, and whether or not a mugshot will be released to the viewing public. Meanwhile, following calls for protests from Trump and other public figures, all 36,000 of New York City’s police officers are on alert today in anticipation of potential unrest. The DOJ and FBI have reportedly uncovered new evidence which suggests Trump obstructed their investigation into top secret documents at Mar-a-Lago, even after they attempted to get him to return classified material. And in the final (for now) Trump-related story of the day, a new report shows that Ivana Trump was the subject of an FBI counterintelligence inquiry in the 1990s. Finally, we get an update on the severe winter storms and life-threatening sub zero wind chills that continue to threaten much of the south and midwest.

Resources/Articles mentioned this episode:

CBS News: Will there be cameras in the courtroom for Trump's arraignment?
NY Times: Trump at Mar-a-Lago: Magical Thinking and a Perp-Walk Fixation
Rolling Stone: Trump Aides Weigh Putting Mugshot on Campaign Merch
Axios: Trump's Surreal Surrender
Washington Post: Justice Dept. said to have more evidence of possible Trump obstruction at Mar-a-Lago
Bloomberg: FBI Releases Files on Ivana Trump
NPR: More storms and tornadoes have been forecast for the Midwest and South

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

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Monday, April 3rd, 2023 Apr 03, 2023

Today’s headlines: Donald Trump is scheduled to be arraigned tomorrow afternoon at 2:15pm in downtown Manhattan. Trump’s indictment has not yet been unsealed, but there are reportedly around 30 charges. Marjorie Taylor Greene announced that she’ll also be in New York City to join the protests and called for supporters to join her. We received news that Former republican governor of Arkansas Asa Hutchinson announced yesterday that he will run in the 2024 republican presidential primary and said that Trump should drop out of the race due to the indictment. To leave the indictment beat, over the weekend a series of several tornadoes occurred across 7 states in the south and midwest, leading to at least 25 deaths reported so far. Moving over to Florida, its state legislature has advanced a bill that will allow people to carry concealed firearms and weapons without permits, training, or background checks. Then for the final four stories, a federal judge in Delaware denied Fox News’s motion to dismiss the Dominion Voting Systems lawsuit, the DOJ has filed a civil lawsuit against railway company Norfolk Southern, Texas has struck down a provision of the Affordable Care Ac

Resources/Articles mentioned this episode:

Host: Sami Sage

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Original Music and Editing by Brandon Lee Bjornson

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Friday, March 31st, 2023 Mar 31, 2023

Today's headlines: The Manhattan grand jury that’s been hearing the case of Trump’s 2016 hush money payment to Stormy Daniels voted yesterday for an indictment, meaning that Trump will be arrested on criminal charges. The board members who DeSantis had just appointed to oversee the districts of Disney World have taken their seats, only to discover that Disney’s lawyers had modified the district’s rules to render the board effectively powerless. California governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation that established a first-in-the-nation task force to determine what potential reparations the state should pay to the Black community. Finally for today, The jury in Gwyneth Paltrow’s trial has found her not at fault in the ski collision with retired optometrist Terry Sanderson.

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Host: Sami Sage

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Original Music and Editing by Brandon Lee Bjornson

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Thursday, March 30th, 2023 Mar 30, 2023

Today's headlines: Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg’s office announced that the grand jury will be going on hiatus until late April. Following the shooting at The Covenant School in Nashville, which is the 130th this year, President Biden is renewing his call on Congress to pass a ban on assault weapons. The Senate voted to repeal the resolution from 2002 that gave President Bush the authority to invade Iraq on the pretense of the false claim that Saddam Hussein was stockpiling weapons of mass destruction. The FDA announced that the overdose drug Narcan will soon be available to buy over the counter without a prescription. Elon Musk is reportedly valuing the company at $20 billion dollars, which is less than half of the $44 billion that he paid for it. Finally for today, an elementary school in Waukesha Wisconsin has banned a first grade class from performing a Miley Cyrus and Dolly Parton duet of the song Rainbowland as it “could be perceived as controversial.”

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Host: Sami Sage

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Original Music and Editing by Brandon Lee Bjornson

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Wednesday, March 29th, 2023 Mar 29, 2023

Today's headlines: Following the shooting of 6 people at the Covenant School in Nashville Tennessee on Monday, law enforcement has released more information about the shooter, 28 year old Aubrey Hale. The Manhattan grand jury that’s hearing the investigation into Trump’s hush money payment to Stormy Daniels is reportedly not going to meet to vote on an indictment this week. New reporting from the Washington Post found that an activist group led by Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas’s wife Ginni, collected almost $600,000 dollars in anonymous donations over the past three years. Finally for today, FTX scammer Sam Bankman-Fried is back in the legal hot seat.

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Host: Sami Sage

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Original Music and Editing by Brandon Lee Bjornson

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Tuesday, March 28th, 2023 Mar 28, 2023

Today's headlines: Yesterday 6 people were shot and killed at a private Presbyterian elementary school in Nashville, known as the Covenant School. The Manhattan grand jury heard another round of testimonies yesterday from a throwback witness: the former publisher of the National Enquirer and Trump’s catch & kill boy David Pecker. Officials from the Federal Reserve, the Treasury and the FDIC are set to appear before Congress this week for a hearing related to the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank. Following a chemical spill of 8,000 gallons of latex finishing solution in Bucks County Pennsylvania on Friday, officials say that the city’s tap water is safe to drink through at least 3:30pm today. Finally for today, a temporary resolution regarding the highly controversial plan to overhaul Israel’s judiciary has presented itself: Netanyahu announced yesterday that he quote “wanted to avoid civil war” and is delaying the judicial overhaul to take time for dialogue.

Resources/Articles mentioned this episode:

Host: Sami Sage

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Original Music and Editing by Brandon Lee Bjornson

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Monday, March 27th, 2023 Mar 27, 2023

Today's headlines: The Manhattan grand jury that’s investigating Trump’s 2016 hush money payment to Stormy Daniels is expected to reconvene today. a federal judge has ordered several former Trump aides to testify in the probe that’s being overseen by DOJ special counsel Jack Smith. Republicans in the House of Representatives have passed a piece of legislation known as the Parents Bill of Rights which would require a number of things from public school districts. Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has returned home from inpatient physical therapy, almost 3 weeks after he fell and suffered a concussion and a rib fracture at a political event. Finally for today, Republicans in the Idaho state house of representatives rejected a bill that would have funded free menstrual products in public school bathrooms.

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Host: Sami Sage

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Original Music and Editing by Brandon Lee Bjornson

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Friday, March 24th, 2023 Mar 24, 2023

Today's headlines: A 6-hour congressional testimony of TikTok’s CEO Shou Chew by the House Energy & Commerce Committee happened yesterday. House Republicans are already seeking pre-revenge on Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg for his anticipated indictment of Donald Trump. the Anti-Defamation League’s annual audit found that antisemitic incidents in the US jumped to a record level in 2022, up 36% from 2021. Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed a law yesterday that will prohibit transgender people in public schools from using the bathroom that matches their gender identity. A judge in Wyoming has temporarily blocked the state’s new abortion ban that came into effect last weekend. Finally for this week, the FTC has proposed a new rule called the “Click to Cancel” provision, which would make it easier for people to cancel subscriptions.

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Thursday, March 23rd, 2023 Mar 23, 2023

Today's headlines: A highly-anticipated grand jury meeting that was planned for yesterday morning was canceled last minute by Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg. Yesterday the Federal Reserve announced that they’re raising the interest rate another quarter of a percentage point. Florida’s state board of education will vote next month on whether to expand the provisions of the “Don’t Say Gay” bill to grades 4 through 12. Finally, a Fox producer named Abby Grossberg, who worked with Tucker Carlson & Maria Bartiromo, has filed 2 lawsuits against Fox in New York & Delaware, accusing the company of coercing her into giving misleading testimony in the Dominion case.

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Wednesday, March 22nd, 2023 Mar 22, 2023

Today's headlines: As of this recording on Tuesday night, Donald Trump has not been arrested, despite his claims that he would be yesterday morning. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy announced that he would direct House committees to investigate the Manhattan DA’s potential prosecution of Donald Trump. Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida made a surprise visit to Kyiv Ukraine to meet with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky. A bill in Florida has advanced in the state Senate that’s meant to crack down on illegal immigration. Finally for today, a hospital in Idaho announced that they are ceasing all labor and delivery services as a result of doctor shortages and the political climate.

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Tuesday, March 21st, 2023 Mar 21, 2023

Today's headlines: The latest update from the Manhattan District Attorney’s investigation into Trump was that the grand jury heard testimony yesterday from Michael Cohen’s former lawyer Robert Costello. The banking system is continuing another fraught week, with the FDIC announcing yesterday that following its closure last week, Signature Bank will sell to Flagstar Bank. Yesterday President Biden issued his first veto of his term in response to a bill that would ban the government from considering environmental impacts or potential lawsuits when making investment decisions for people’s retirement plans. UN scientists came out with a new report stating that the panel said humanity still has a chance, but only if we slash almost two-thirds of carbon pollution by 2035. Finally for today, Putin has welcomed China’s Xi to the Kremlin amidst the fighting in Ukraine.

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Monday, March 20th, 2023 Mar 20, 2023

Today's headlines: Saturday morning, Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that he expects to be arrested on Tuesday by the quote “highly political Manhattan District Attorney’s office.” The International Criminal Court announced on Friday that they were issuing an arrest warrant for Putin in response to war crimes in Ukraine. UBS agreed to purchase its longtime competitor Credit Suisse for more than $3 billion dollars. French President Emmanuel Macron is now facing a no confidence vote following his unilateral decision last week to push through a law that would raise the retirement age 62 to 64. Wyoming became the first state to ban the use of pills for abortion effective July 1st. Florida republicans announced they will be advancing a bill that would ban girls from talking about their menstrual cycles in school before 6th grade. Finally for today, it has now been over a week since Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell fell at an event in DC and was admitted to the hospital with a concussion.

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Friday, March 17th, 2023 Mar 17, 2023

Today's headlines: Yesterday, a group of the largest banks in the US provided First Republic Bank with $30 billion dollars in cash to bolster their liquidity and calm the markets. The Biden Administration is demanding that TikTok’s Chinese owner ByteDance sell their stake in TikTok, or else face a possible ban of the app in the US. Fulton County Georgia has been hearing evidence about attempts to overturn the 2020 election results there. The US and Russia had a collision over the Black Sea, when a Russian fighter jet crashed into a US drone, forcing the US to bring it down in international waters. Finally for this week, new research from the Kaiser Family Foundation found that nonprofit hospitals in the US save more in tax exemptions than they provide in charity care.

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Thursday, March 16th, 2023 Mar 16, 2023

Today's headlines: Credit Suisse disclosed problems and weaknesses within its financial reporting yesterday, prompting their share price to plummet 20%. A pro-Trump super PAC known as MAGA Inc filed a complaint with the Florida Commission on Ethics yesterday. Stormy Daniels met with Manhattan prosecutors yesterday regarding the $130,000 dollar hush money payment that was made to her during Trump’s 2016 campaign. Texas education officials announced a state takeover of Houston’s public school district yesterday. San Francisco’s board of supervisors unanimously adopted a resolution that would set aside a $5 million dollar one-time, lump sum payment for a reparations plan. Finally for today, Honda is recalling 500,000 vehicles in the US and Canada because the front seat belts in some of their top-selling models may not latch properly.

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Wednesday, March 15th, 2023 Mar 15, 2023

Today's headlines: The DOJ and SEC are reportedly each separately investigating the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank, specifically the stock sales that SVB executives made just days before the bank was taken over by the FDIC. Texas judge Matthew Kacsmaryk, who is overseeing the lawsuit that would revoke FDA approval of mifepristone, held a conference call with the case’s attorneys on Friday to schedule a hearing for today (Wednesday). Yesterday the EPA proposed new regulations which would limit the amount of certain types of “forever chemicals” known as PFAs in drinking water. Finally for today, George Anthony Devolder Santos Zabrovsky Rivache filed a statement of candidacy with the Federal Election Commission yesterday.

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Tuesday, March 14th, 2023 Mar 14, 2023

Today's headlines: Three women in Texas have been sued for wrongful death by a man who says they helped his ex-wife obtain medication for an abortion. Former vice president Mike Pence has made his first semi-public criticism of Donald Trump. Residents across Florida’s southwest coast are facing a flare-up of toxic red tide algae on their shores this past week. Finally for today, California is facing yet another atmospheric river event through tomorrow.

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Monday, March 13th, 2023 Mar 13, 2023

Today's headlines: The FDIC abruptly overtook Silicon Valley Bank this weekend due to poor risk management, which was exacerbated by the fact that the company had no chief risk officer from April 2022 through this January. New reporting reveals that George Santos orchestrated a credit card skimming ring in Seattle in 2017. Finally for today, Chinese president Xi Jinping has been elected to an unprecedented third 5-year term.

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Friday, March 10th, 2023 Mar 10, 2023

Today's headlines: New reporting from the New York Times states that Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg is likely to indict Donald Trump on criminal charges. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell is currently in the hospital after falling on Wednesday night and suffering a concussion. Yesterday President Biden unveiled his proposal for the 2024 government budget with a price of $6.9 trillion. The FDA announced updates to their standards for mammograms and breast cancer screenings yesterday. The president and CEO of Norfolk Southern testified before the senate yesterday regarding the train derailment in East Palestine. Finally for today, Reporters discovered that a group of conservative Catholic philanthropists in Colorado spent at least $4 million dollars to buy mobile app data so they could identify priests who used gay dating apps.

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Host: Sami Sage

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Thursday, March 9th, 2023 Mar 09, 2023

Today's headlines: Five women and two doctors are suing the state of Texas after the women were denied abortions despite the fact that their pregnancies endangered their lives. Florida proposed its own 6 week abortion ban in the state Senate on Tuesday. An investigation into Louisville Kentucky law enforcement found that they engaged in a pattern or practice of conduct that violates both the constitution and federal law. Arkansas governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, signed legislation into law this week that significantly loosens child labor protections. Finally, The U.S. is considering vaccinating chickens as Bird Flu continues to kill millions of them.

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Host: Sami Sage

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Wednesday, March 8th, 2023 Mar 08, 2023

Today's headlines: Another legal filing dropped in the Fox News defamation lawsuit, including new excerpts from Rupert Murdoch's latest testimony. Walgreens announced that they're pulling the abortion pill out of the stores in GOP led states, leading governor Gavin Newsome to announce that the California will no longer be doing business with the drugstore chain. Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz has agreed to testify before the Senate about his public anti-union statements. Finally, the Missouri State House of Representatives voted on Monday to strip the city of St. Louis of autonomy over its own police department.

Host: Sami Sage

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Original Music and Editing by Brandon Lee Bjornson

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Tuesday, March 7th, 2023 Mar 07, 2023

Today's headlines: Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee issued a series of subpoenas yesterday as they’re investigating the alleged mistreatment of parents who protested “woke” school board policies. Chief election officials in 3 GOP led states announced that they will be leaving a voluntary bipartisan coalition between states that’s designed to ensure accurate voter lists. The US has already surpassed 100 mass shootings in 2023 yesterday, just 65 days into the year. Donald Trump’s former spokesperson Hope Hicks reportedly met with prosecutors in the Manhattan district attorney’s office yesterday. Another Norfolk Southern train derailment happened this past weekend in Ohio. Finally for today, here’s a new lady dictator on the scene; Kim Jong-Un’s kid sister, Kim Yo-Jong.

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Host: Sami Sage

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Monday, March 6th, 2023 Mar 06, 2023

Today's headlines: Walgreens has announced that they will no longer sell abortion pills in 20 conservative-led states. A Republican state senator introduced a bill late last week that would require content creators & online writers to register with the state if they write about Ron DeSantis. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is suing ExxonMobil after several nooses were reported found at the company's complex in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Finally for today, the prosecutor general in Iran has opened an investigation into the poisoning of approximately 700 school-age girls since November.

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Host: Sami Sage

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Friday, March 3rd, 2023 Mar 03, 2023

Today's headlines: Republican lawmakers in at least 5 states have introduced legislation that would limit or completely restrict gender affirming care for adults. As part of the legislation that took away Disney’s self-governance over its theme park district in Florida, Ron Desantis got to re-appoint the district’s Board of Governors. Attorneys for the Justice Department's civil division said in a court filing that Donald Trump *can* be sued by police officers over the January 6th insurrection. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel was among one of the state government officials who was threatened by a Michigan resident who said he would kill all the Jewish members of the state government. Finally for this week, the House Ethics Committee released a statement yesterday that its members voted unanimously to establish an investigative subcommittee to look into George Santos.

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Host: Sami Sage

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Thursday, March 2nd, 2023 Mar 02, 2023

Today's headlines: Pharma company Eli Lilly announced yesterday that they are slashing prices of insulin prices by 70%. The Supreme Court heard arguments regarding student loan forgiveness earlier this week, and it seems as if they are poised to stop the Biden administration from canceling $10 to $20 thousand dollars in federal student loan debt. Chicago mayor Lori Lightfoot suffered an unexpected loss in her race for reelection on Tuesday. Finally for today, a state senator in Florida has sponsored a new bill titled the Ultimate Cancel Act, which would cancel the filings of any political party that supported slavery during the Civil War.

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Host: Sami Sage

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Wednesday, March 1st, 2023 Mar 01, 2023

Today's headlines: An expose by the New York Times is spotlighting underage migrant children as they’re illegally employed to make products for well known brands in dangerous and underpaid jobs. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has unilaterally decided to provide Fox News anchor Tucker Carlson with exclusive access to 42-thousand hours of footage from the capitol on January 6th. President Biden announced yesterday that he plans to nominate Julie Su as the new Secretary of Labor. The Department of Energy briefed lawmakers on a classified intelligence report that the covid pandemic likely arose from an accidental leak at a laboratory in Wuhan. Finally for today, Canada has joined the US and EU in banning the app on government-issued phones due to data security and privacy concerns.

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Host: Sami Sage

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

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EXTRA EXTRA: The Full History Of Fox News In 45 Minutes Feb 28, 2023

In light of the Dominion Vs. Fox News lawsuit, we’ve been allowed a peek into the world of the Fox News Network. But how did we get here? It definitely didn’t happen overnight. In this episode of Extra Extra, Sami takes us through the past 30 years of its history and how the network has evolved.

Subscribe to the Extra Extra podcast: Morning Announcements: EXTRA EXTRA

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Tuesday, February 28th, 2023 Feb 28, 2023

Today's headlines: A newly unsealed legal filing in the defamation lawsuit against Fox News has revealed new depths of Rupert Murdoch’s involvement with the network’s editorial decisions during the 2020 election and after. The FBI arrested a man known as “sedition panda”, aka the guy who wore a panda head to the Capitol on January 6t. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has made his threat to take control of Disney’s self-governing district into a legislative reality. Representative Andy Ogles, acknowledged yesterday that he “misstated” his college major. The EPA has cleared Norfolk Southern to resume shipments of contaminated liquid. Finally for today, the Supreme Court said yesterday that they will hear a case ruling on the constitutionality of funding the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

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Host: Sami Sage

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

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Monday, February 27th, 2023 Feb 27, 2023

Today's headlines: Representative Barbara Lee announced last week that she’s entering the race for Diane Feinstein’s seat, joining the Democratic primary field alongside her House colleagues Katie Porter and Adam Schiff. Self-proclaimed spiritual lady Marianne Williamson announced that she’ll also be running in the democratic presidential primary for 2024. Marjorie Taylor Green called for a quote “national divorce” between red states and blue states Last week. Another new piece of legislation was proposed in Florida’s House of Representatives last week. Finally for today, FTX scammer Sam Bankman-Fried has been indicted on 4 new charges.

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Friday, February 24th, 2023 Feb 24, 2023

Today's headlines: Representative Jamie Raskin is calling for a congressional investigation into the $2 billion dollar investment that a Saudi fund made in Jared Kushner’s private equity fund. The Tennessee state assembly voted to pass legislation which bans transgender youth from receiving gender-affirming care, as well as drag show bans yesterday. The Florida senate has proposed a new bill that would impose at least $35-thousand dollars in damages against anyone who accuses someone else of engaging in discrimination. A new report released by the Anti-Defamation League found that every ideologically driven mass killing in 2022 was committed by right-wing extremists. The European Commission announced yesterday that they’re banning TikTok from corporate and personal devices in the European Commission. Finally for today, A nonprofit research group called Reset has studied accounts that frequently push Kremlin propaganda and found that they all pay for the Twitter verification system.

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Host: Sami Sage

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Thursday, February 23rd, 2023 Feb 23, 2023

Today's headlines: Voters in Virginia went to the polls on Tuesday to fill a congressional seat left vacant after the death of Democratic Representative Donald McEachin in November. Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner have both been subpoenaed by the DOJ. Conservative judge Daniel Kelly is now running to sit on the Wisconsin Supreme Court. A new study points to the spread of deceptive or inaccurate information and images which are used against women as a national security threat. Finally for today, the US Department of Defense just secured a server on Monday that had been exposed without a password.

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Host: Sami Sage

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Wednesday, February 22nd, 2023 Feb 22, 2023

Today's headlines: Putin has assured Russia that he will win the war, then proceeded to suspend the nuclear arms deal with US. The Jury in the Georgia Trump Inquiry have recommended multiple indictments. Yesterday the EPA formally ordered the railway company Norfolk Southern yesterday to manage and pay for the environmental cleanup. The Supreme Court heard a significant case regarding the Communications Decency Act, which in the early days of the worldwide web established that internet companies have immunity from lawsuits over the things that users post on their platforms. Finally for today, dozens of companies in the United Kingdom have completed a pilot program where they tested out a 4-day work week, which found major benefits to both workers' health and company productivity.

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Tuesday, February 21st, 2023 Feb 21, 2023

Today's headlines: President Biden spent his Presidents Day making a surprise trip to Kyiv, Ukraine to visit Vlodymyr Zelenskyy. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has reportedly given Fox News anchor Tucker Carlson exclusive access to 41-thousand hours of surveillance footage from the Capitol on January 6th. Two more major earthquakes, 6.4 and 5.8, have hit Turkey this weekend. One person was killed and 4 more were injured after a gunman opened fire in New Orleans on Sunday night. 98-year-old former President Jimmy Carter has transitioned to hospice care after a number of recent hospital stays. Finally for today, Facebook and Instagram are launching a new subscription service where users can pay a monthly fee to become verified.

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Monday, February 20th, 2023 Feb 20, 2023

Today's headlines: Governor Mike DeWine re-announced that the federal agency had changed course and actually would provide emergency aid to those affected by derailments in Ohio. Damning messages have emerged that show how everyone at Fox news was aware that Joe Biden was the winner of the 2020 election, yet they joined in knowingly perpetuating lies about the election. Donald Trump has promised to bring back firing squads and group executions if he wins in 2024. The Michigan Republican Party has voted for Kristina Karamo to be their new state party leader. Finally for today, new reporting has stated that Tennessee Republican Andy Ogles has lied about his political resume.

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Friday, February 17th, 2023 Feb 17, 2023

Today's headlines: Special Counsel Jack Smith has subpoenaed Trump’s former chief of staff and prolific texter Mark Meadows. A federal judge in Fulton County Georgia ordered the release of a 5-page excerpt of the grand jury report. Convicted liar Alex Jones is apparently holding onto firearms that belong to people who participated in January 6th. Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman announced yesterday that he had checked himself into Walter Reed Medical Center to treat severe clinical depression. President Biden is scheduled to speak to Chinese president Xi Jinping soon about how Chinese spy balloons ended up in U.S. airspace. Finally for this week, Tesla has announced that they are issuing their largest recall so far.

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Thursday, February 16th, 2023 Feb 16, 2023

Today's headlines: Jack Smith is reportedly seeking to invoke something called the “crime-fraud exception” to compel the testimony of one of Trump’s lawyers. Former VP Mike Pence plans to fight his own subpoena on the grounds of the constitution’s “speech and debate” clause. Yesterday Fox News lost its court appeal against Smartmatic Voting Machines for the false conspiracy theories that were spread on the network during the 2020 election. The DOJ announced yesterday that it is ending its sex trafficking investigation into Florida Republican Matt Gaetz, and that he will not be charged with any crimes. Finally for today, Elon Musk’s cousin James sent an early-morning urgent message to Twitter’s engineers because President Biden’s tweet in favor of the Philadelphia Eagles got 20 million more impressions than Musk’s tweet did.

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Host: Sami Sage

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Wednesday, February 15th, 2023 Feb 15, 2023

Today's headlines: The 43-year-old gunman who committed the tragic school shooting at Michigan State had no apparent connection to the campus died by a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The spokesman for the National Security Council stated that the leading explanation among intelligence officials regarding the Chinese balloons was that they were being flown for “benign or potentially commercial purposes.” Republican Nikki Haley is the first to announce her 2024 presidential run against Donald Trump. President Biden has officially confirmed his 100th federal judge in the Senate. Finally for today, Elon Musk reportedly gathered a group of engineers to ask them the pressing question of why the engagement on his personal account was tanking.

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Host: Sami Sage

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Tuesday, February 14th, 2023 Feb 14, 2023

Today's headlines: A 150-car freight train that was carrying hazardous materials derailed in East Palestine, Ohio on February 3rd, causing pet, fish and cattle as far as 100 miles away and contaminating the Ohio River basin; the freight company, Norfolk Southern, is now defendant of at least 4 class action lawsuits alleging negligence. The speaker of the Tennessee state House says that Tennessee should stop accepting the almost $1.8 billion dollars in education funding from the federal government. Ron DeSantis suggested yesterday that he wants to reevaluate the state’s relationship with the College Board altogether. A new report was released by the CDC yesterday from the Youth Risk Behavior Survey states that almost 15% of teen girls were forced to have sex, an increase of 27% over two years. Finally for today, the U.S. Embassy in Moscow is urging Americans to leave Russia "immediately" due to security risks.

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Host: Sami Sage

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Monday, February 13th, 2023 Feb 13, 2023

Today's headlines: Kansas City Chiefs won the Super Bowl 38-35 against the Philadelphia Eagles last night. An unidentified object was shot down Friday afternoon over Alaskan airspace, and one in Canada on Saturday. The DOJ special counsel who’s overseeing the January 6th investigations into Donald Trump subpoenaed Mike Pence to testify. A newly released letter from the Florida Department of Education to the College Board outlined the repeated discussions that both parties had throughout the past year regarding the curriculum change. The US Agency for International Development announced that it will provide $85 million dollars in funding to Turkey and Syria. Finally, we have another congressional representative with questions about their alleged background: Newly elected representative Anna Paulina Luna.

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Friday, February 10th, 2023 Feb 10, 2023

Today's headlines: After 4 days of search and rescue in Turkey and Syria, the death toll from Monday’s earthquakes has topped 21,000 people and is still climbing. Former Vice President Mike Pence has been subpoenaed by the DOJ special counsel Jack Smith, who is overseeing multiple probes into Donald Trump. New reports have revealed that Santos was charged with theft in Pennsylvania’s Amish country in 2017. The House has unanimously passed a resolution condemning China’s use of the surveillance balloon. Seven more police officers in Memphis are under administrative investigation. The Mississippi state house voted to create a separate court system and an expanded police force within the city of Jackson that would be appointed completely by white state officials. Yesterday a Dutch court found 3 men guilty of murder for their part in shooting down the passenger jet over eastern Ukraine. Finally for this week, new data from Boston University’s CTE Center show that 92% of former NFL players showed signs of CTE.

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Host: Sami Sage

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Thursday, February 9th, 2023 Feb 09, 2023

Today's headlines: The confirmed death toll from Monday’s back-to-back earthquakes in Turkey and Syria is approaching twelve thousand people, with tens of thousands more injured. A significant federal court case is coming up in Texas that has the potential to single-handedly outlaw medication abortion in all 50 states by banning mifepristone. The St. Johns County school district in Florida released a new list of books to be banned from all its libraries. Matt Gaetz was quietly added to a select committee that the republicans have formed. Finally for today, the republican-led House Oversight Committee held a hearing with Twitter executives to discuss how the company handled a particular New York Post story from 2020.

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Host: Sami Sage

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Original Music and Editing by Brandon Lee Bjornson

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Wednesday, February 8th, 2023 Feb 08, 2023

Today's headlines: Last night President Biden gave the second State of the Union address of his presidency. An internal memo sent through the Koch Brother’s donor network Americans For Prosperity has been released, laying out their goals for the next election cycle. Documents released yesterday show that one of the officers who killed Tyre Nichols last month, actually took and shared photos of Tyre after they had beaten him. Finally for today, authorities in two Atlanta suburbs are currently searching for suspects who left anti semitic flyers in the driveways of residents this past weekend.

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Tuesday, February 7th, 2023 Feb 07, 2023

Today's headlines: A massive 7.8 earthquake hit Turkey and Syria early yesterday morning, which was followed 12 hours later by an aftershock that measured 7.5. George Santos is facing yet another issue before the House Ethics Committee, that being a letter sent to the committee by one of Santos’s former volunteers Derek Myers, alleging Santos of sexual harassment and use of volunteer labor. A bill introduced yesterday in the Florida state legislature seeks to give Governor Ron DeSantis control over the board of the special governing district where Walt Disney World operates. A prominent neo-Nazi and his girlfriend were charged yesterday for plotting an attack on the Maryland power grid. Finally for today, President Biden is giving the state of the union address tonight at 9pm eastern time

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Host: Sami Sage

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Original Music and Editing by Brandon Lee Bjornson

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Monday, February 6th, 2023 Feb 06, 2023

Today's headlines: The Defense Department issued a statement that they were waiting until the Chinese surveillance balloon was over the ocean to shoot it down. The January job report showed non-farm payrolls increased by 517,000, the largest gain since May 2022. News broke on Friday that George Santos told campaign donors in 2021 that he had been a producer of the Broadway musical Spiderman, which ran from 2011 through 2014; Santos may also owe up to $3400 dollars in unpaid parking tickets and traffic citations from New York and Florida. Democrats have made South Carolina the first presidential primary voting state. Finally for today, New England and eastern Canada experienced a record-breaking Arctic chill this past weekend.

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Friday, February 3rd, 2023 Feb 03, 2023

Today's headlines: The DOJ is in talks with former Vice President Pence’s legal team to schedule a voluntary FBI search of his Indiana home and DC office. Republicans in the House of Representatives garnered enough votes to remove Representative Ilhan Omar from the Foreign Services Committee yesterday. The new republican-led House Oversight and Accountability Committee is prioritizing pandemic fraud. A Chinese surveillance balloon has been hovering over the United States for several days. Mother Jones has revealed a leaked memo from the Kremlin to Russian state-friendly media outlets. The number of “ghost guns” traced and recovered by the federal government more than doubled in 2021. Finally for this week, almost half of adults in the US are unsure whether medication abortion is legal in their state.

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Host: Sami Sage

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Thursday, February 2nd, 2023 Feb 02, 2023

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Wednesday, February 1st, 2022 Feb 01, 2023

Today's headlines: Yesterday, Santos announced that he submitted a request to House Speaker McCarthy to temporarily recuse himself from his assignments on the Small Business and Science committees. New reporting from The Washington Post investigated the real-life impact in Florida schools of a law that took effect last July, which can cause teachers to spend five years in prison and pay a $5,000 dollar fine, as well as potentially lose their teaching license. The Manhattan district attorney impaneled a new grand jury to present evidence regarding Donald Trump’s role in paying hush money to Stormy Daniels during his first campaign. Finally for today, President Biden and Speaker McCarthy will be meeting today to talk about the debt limit and budget priorities.

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Host: Sami Sage

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

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Tuesday, January 31st, 2023 Jan 31, 2023

Today's headlines: Another Memphis police officer, Preston Hemphill, has been relieved of duty following the death of Tyre Nichols. a San Francisco court released body cam and security footage of the hammer attack on Paul Pelosi, as well as audio of the 911 call and the police interview with the attacker, David DePape. Secretary of State Antony Blinken held a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem yesterday. Finally for today, TikTok’s CEO has voluntarily agreed to appear before the House Energy and Commerce Committee on March 23rd

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Monday, January 30th, 2023 Jan 30, 2023

Today's headlines: The police body camera footage from the fatal beating of Tyre Nichols was released on Friday evening. Another exposé involving former Attorney General Bill Barr has come forward, centered around what the piece called a “capital punishment killing spree” under Donald Trump’s administration. California Representative Adam Schiff announced that he will make a bid for Diane Feinstein’s senate seat in 2024. An anti-abortion bill was duly introduced in both the House and Senate last week. Finally for today, The FDA has proposed easing the blood donation rules for gay and bisexual men.

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Friday, January 27th, 2023 Jan 27, 2023

Today's headlines: Charges were brought yesterday against the 5 ex-police officers in Memphis Tennessee, who beat to death a 29-year-old Black man named Tyre Nichols. The democratic-led Virginia state Senate stopped the passage of a 15 week abortion ban which had been proposed by Governor Glenn Youngkin yesterday. On Wednesday, when Santos served surprise Dunkin Donuts with amended campaign filings on the side, forms now indicated that he had hired a new treasurer. Donald Trump pressured former Attorney General Bill Barr in 2019 to appoint someone at the DOJ to investigate the Mueller investigation. Finally for today, former employees of the American arm of Russian state-media broadcaster RT America are restarting a new media venture under the name GlobalTek.

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Host: Sami Sage

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Thursday, January 26th, 2023 Jan 26, 2023

Today's headlines: President Biden announced that the US will be providing the Ukrainians with Abrams tanks. The National Archives is considering whether they will ask all past presidents and vice presidents to review their personal records to verify that no classified materials are there. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has made good on his promise to reject the placement of certain Democrats on congressional committees, but has yet to remove George Santos. Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has announced that they will let Donald Trump back on their platforms in the coming week after his two year suspension. NBC News is reporting that Marjorie Taylor Greene is supposedly angling to be Trump’s 2024 pick for Vice President. Finally for today, a recent study claims Long Covid is having a significant effect on America’s workforce, preventing substantial numbers of people from going back to work.

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Wednesday, January 25th, 2023 Jan 25, 2023

Today's headlines: 7 people are dead after an incident in Half Moon Bay on Monday; in Oakland California, 1 person was shot dead and 7 others were injured. A lawyer for former Vice President Pence found a small number of classified documents at Pence’s home in Indiana. An appearance by George Santos on a Brazilian podcast from December 2022 has surfaced, where he claims (in Portuguese), that he was the target of an “assassination attempt” the prior year. Kevin McCarthy has stated that “I will never leave that woman, I will always take care of her" in regards to Marjorie Taylor Greene. The Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing yesterday sparked by the Taylor Swift Eras Tour ticket fiasco. Finally for today, A 30-year-old Wharton graduate named Charlie Javice is being sued by JP Morgan Chase who claimed that she engaged in an elaborate fraud scheme.

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Tuesday, January 24th, 2022 Jan 24, 2023

Today's headlines: The death toll has now risen to 11 people from Saturday night’s mass shooting in Monterey Park, and law enforcement has been able to learn new details about the evening. Verdicts came down in 2 separate January 6th trials yesterday, with guilty results across the board; In a separate trial, a DC jury found the insurrectionist who sat in Nancy Pelosi’s chair guilty on all 8 counts against him. Charles McGonigal was arrested on charges that he laundered money and violated sanctions against Russia, by working with a Russian oligarch. Arizona Representative Ruben Gallego announced yesterday that he plans to challenge Senator Kyrsten Sinema for her Senate seat in 2024. Finally for today, the DOJ has reportedly opened an investigation into Abbott Nutrition over operations at one of its factories that heavily contributed to the formula shortage last year.

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Monday, January 23rd, 2023 Jan 23, 2023

Today's headlines: 10 people were killed and 10 others injured over the course of two shooting incidents in Los Angeles on Saturday night. The FBI conducted a voluntary search of President Biden's Wilmington Delaware home on Friday, and found another 6 papers marked classified from his vice presidency. There’s been pretty much no progress on raising the debt limit since last week, with the White House stating that they will not negotiate with House Republicans for spending cuts. Florida's Department of Education has rejected the curriculum for an Advanced Placement course covering African American Studies. Finally for today, The Wall Street Journal reported on Friday that the Federal Reserve is investigating Goldman Sachs’s consumer business and whether it had appropriate safeguards.

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Friday, January 20th, 2023 Jan 20, 2023

Today's headlines: News broke that a federal judge in Florida fined Donald Trump and his head lawyer almost 1 million dollars for filing a lawsuit against Hillary Clinton and others in an effort to sue them for trying to rig the 2016 presidential election. The US officially hit the debt limit yesterday. A popular Brazilian drag artist named Eula Rochard, posted a photo where she is smiling next to George Santos dressed in drag, who went by the stage name Kitara Ravache. The Supreme Court Marshal has reported that it is not possible to determine the identity of any individual who may have disclosed the leaked Roe v Wade draft. The Department of Agriculture is overhauling its guidelines for what is considered “organic” food. Finally for this week, New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced yesterday that she plans to resign as of February 7th.

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Thursday, January 19th, 2023 Jan 19, 2023

Today's headlines: The United States is expected to hit the debt ceiling today because the House of Representatives is refusing to vote to raise it. New reports continue to arise about George Santos, who has still not resigned from Congress. Senators Kyrsten Sinema and Joe Manchin spoke on a panel at the World Economic Forum, where they high-fived over the preservation of the filibuster. Finally for today, several public colleges and universities are also banning TikTok from school computers, cell phones and Wi-Fi, and Taliban officials have started using the paid verification feature to acquire blue checks on Twitter.

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Wednesday, January 18th, 2023 Jan 18, 2023

Today's headlines: The Committee on Oversight and Reform will be led by Representative James Comer and will feature Scott Perry, Paul Gosar, Marjorie Taylor Greene, and Lauren Boebert. Solomon Pena, a failed republican candidate for the New Mexico state house, has been arrested for orchestrating the recent string of 4 attempted shootings that targeted newly elected state officials in New Mexico. TSA reported yesterday that they intercepted a record number of firearms at airport security checkpoints in 2022. The National Restaurant Association has been making food service workers unknowingly provide funding for lobbying against their own interests. Finally for today, Greta Thunberg was arrested yesterday at a protest against the expansion of a German coal mine

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Tuesday, January 17th, 2023 Jan 17, 2023

Today's headlines: The U.S. could hit its debt ceiling within days. As California enters its third week of flooding, blizzards, power outages, and other general terror, experts say that the worst should be over this week. A new survey by the Anti-Defamation League found that the percentage of Americans who believe in a number of anti-semitic tropes, has spiked in the past three years. Last week the Republican-controlled Missouri state House of Representatives voted to implement a stricter dress code for female legislators. Ohio citizens must now have a driver’s license, state ID, passport or military ID to cast a vote. A federal judge ruled that the writer E. Jean Carroll’s lawsuit against Donald Trump for sexual assault will be allowed to proceed. Finally for today, Italy’s most wanted mafia boss, who’s been on the run since 1993, was arrested yesterday in Sicily.

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Monday, January 16th, 2023 Jan 16, 2023

Today's headlines: A video from 2019 has resurfaced in which George Santos identifies himself as Anthony Devolder, and the founder of something called ‘United For Trump’; New reporting has revealed that Santos’s most recent job was to raise money for a small, Florida-based investment firm called Harbor City Capital; In 2021, the year after Santos began working there, the SEC said that Harbor City was a Ponzi scheme, and shut down after taking in over $17 million dollars; In May 2021, George Santos incorporated a company called the Devolder Organization LLC - a firm that he claimed was the source of between $3.5 and $11.5 million dollars in income and dividends, after making only $55 thousand dollars in 2020. Finally for today, another round of classified documents was found at President Biden’s Wilmington Delaware home

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Host: Sami Sage

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Friday, January 12th, 2022 Jan 13, 2023

Today's headlines: Two democratic representatives from New York, Dan Goldman and Richie Torres, have formally requested that the House ethics committee investigate George Santos. Garland has appointed a special counsel to investigate the found classified Biden documents. inflation dropped to 6.5% in December. The safety commission chair says he’s not seeking a gas operated stove ban following a rumor that Biden is trying to take them away. Finally for this week, the twitter office in Singapore was shut down on Wednesday because they did not pay rent, with landlords reportedly physically walking employees out of the building.

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Host: Sami Sage

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Thursday, January 12th, 2022 Jan 12, 2023

Today's headlines: Aides to President Biden have discovered at least one other batch of classified documents from during his vice presidency. At least 17 people have died in California over the course of the past 11 days of storms as of Tuesday. Republicans from Nassau County where George Santos is located have called for him to resign. Thousands of domestic flights across the US were canceled yesterday morning after an antiquated FAA computer system broke down late on Tuesday. Republicans in the House of Representatives passed two abortion-related measures yesterday afternoon. Finally for today, Illinois has become the 9th state in the country to ban the sale, manufacturing, and delivery of assault weapons.

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Host: Sami Sage

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Wednesday, January 11th, 2023 Jan 11, 2023

Today's headlines: a suspect has been taken into custody yesterday following a string of six shootings in New Mexico that began in early December and targeted state Democratic officials. Representative Katie Porter of California stated that she plans to run for senator in 2024, but Diane Feinstein has not yet announced that she plans to retire from said position. One of George Santos’s campaign fundraisers impersonated Kevin McCarthy’s chief of staff Dan Meyer. Donald Trump is being sued by the estate of Brian Sicknick, who died from a series of strokes on January 7th 2021 after the insurrection. finally for today, former Trump Organization CFO Allan Weisselberg was sentenced to 5 months in prison.

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Tuesday, January 10th, 2023 Jan 10, 2023

Today's headlines: The House of Representatives voted to pass their new rules package last night, which will govern the next two years under Speaker Kevin McCarthy. a nonpartisan organization, the Campaign Legal Center, filed a complaint yesterday accusing George Santos of a smattering of campaign finance violations. Attorney General Merrick Garland has assigned a US attorney in Chicago to review classified documents that were found at the Penn Biden Center for Diplomacy and Global Engagement in Washington DC. Brazil’s ex-president Jair Bolsonaro was admitted to a hospital in Orlando with abdominal pain. Finally for today, more than 7 thousand nurses at two major New York City hospitals went on strike yesterday.

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Host: Sami Sage

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Monday, January 9th, 2023 Jan 09, 2023

Today's headlines: After 15 rounds of voting, Kevin McCarthy is now the new Speaker of the House. President Biden made the first visit of his presidency to the southern border near El Paso yesterday. Swaths of northern and central California remain under extreme flood risk for the second week in a row. Conservative leader Matt Schlapp allegedly fondled a male staff member of Walker’s campaign in October. A 6 year old student shot and wounded his teacher inside a first grade classroom in Newport News, Virginia on Friday. Finally for today, a group of Bolsonaro supporters stormed Brazil’s Congress, Supreme Court and presidential palaces in the country’s capital of Brasilia yesterday.

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Friday, January 6th, 2022 Jan 06, 2023

Today's headlines: The House of Representatives is now 11 rounds deep into voting for the Speaker of the House. The South Carolina Supreme Court struck down the state’s ban on abortion after six weeks yesterday. Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin is now awake and has shown substantial improvement in the past 24 hours. Finally for this week, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced that Peloton has agreed to pay a $19 million dollar fine for their failure to notify regulators of a known defect in their Tread+ machines.

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Thursday, January 5th, 2022 Jan 05, 2023

Today's headlines: Kevin McCarthy has failed in another 3 rounds of voting in order to become Speaker of the House. Congressional republicans are planning to attempt to eliminate House staff labor unions, while also making it harder to raise the debt ceiling. California declared a state of emergency yesterday after the third rainstorm in the past week hit northern and central California. The email addresses used to register 235 million twitter accounts have been posted to an online hacking forum. Finally for today, Rick Singer, aka the man behind the college admissions bribery scheme, has been sentenced to 3 and a half years in prison.

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Wednesday, January 4th, 2022 Jan 04, 2023

Today's headlines: The House has adjourned with no speaker after McCarthy fails to win a third ballot. Members of Brazilian law enforcement announced that they intend to revive previous fraud charges against George Santos. New reporting from The New York Times has revealed that a non-profit known as the Supreme Court Historical Society has raised over 23 million dollars in the past 2 decades from corporations, law firms, and special interests. The Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights has reportedly received 19,000 discrimination complaints in the last year. Finally for today, the attorney general of the US Virgin Islands has filed a lawsuit against JP Morgan Chase in which she accused the bank of turning a blind eye to Jeffrey Epstein’s sex-trafficking scheme.

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Tuesday, January 3rd, 2022 Jan 03, 2023

Today's headlines: 47 Republicans and 36 Democrats will be sworn in today, followed by a vote for the new Speaker of the House. The republican district attorney in George Santos’ county announced she is opening an investigation into the new representative after Santos lied about quite literally everything about himself. Key notes from the January 6th Committee have come out, one of which states that Trump and his allies took at least 200 discrete actions to convince state legislators and lawmakers to disregard the 2020 election results, and also released thousands of pages of Donald Trump’s tax returns. At least several dozen Russian soldiers were killed in a massive military strike in Donetsk on New Year's day. Finally for today, Brazil’s new leftist president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was officially sworn in on Sunday.

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Friday, December 23rd, 2022 Dec 23, 2022

Today's headlines: As of this recording, the January 6th committee still has not released its full report, but they have released interview transcripts ahead of the final report. New reporting states that Republican congressman George Santos fabricated every line on his personal resume as well pretending to be a “Latino Jew,” as well as “openly gay.” Finally for this year, the Senate passed a major 1.7 billion dollar spending bill yesterday to fund the government for next year, and is expected to be passed by the House today.

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Thursday, December 22nd, 2022 Dec 22, 2022

Today's headlines: Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy spent the day with President Biden, first giving a joint press conference early in the day and speaking to congress at night. New information has come out that Donald Trump declared negative income, and paid no taxes in 2015, 2018 and 2020, while paying only $750 dollars in both 2016 and 2017. The release of the January 6th Report has been delayed until today. Finally for today, FTX scammer Sam Bankman-Fried has agreed to be extradited from the Bahamas to the US to face criminal charges.

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Wednesday, December 21st, 2022 Dec 21, 2022

Today's headlines: The House Ways and Means committee voted yesterday in a closed door meeting to release six years of Donald Trump’s tax returns to the public. The House January 6th committee is set to release the full report of its findings today, following the initial 100 pages that they released on Monday. Wells Fargo has agreed to pay 3.7 billion dollars to settle claims that they illegally charged fees and interest on customers’ auto loans and mortgages. Afghanistan’s Taliban government ruled yesterday that female students are barred from attending universities. Finally for today, scary weather reports flood in from California and Pakistan.

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Tuesday, December 20th, 2022 Dec 20, 2022

Today's headlines: the House January 6th Committee released an “executive summary” of its findings and recommended criminal charges for multiple individuals, including former president Donald J. Trump himself. The Supreme Court of the United States issued a temporary order that will keep in place Title 42, the Trump-era immigration policy that has been used to turn away migrants seeking asylum. A jury in Los Angeles found disgraced movie producer Harvey Weinstein guilty of rape and other sexual offenses. Republican Representative George Santos of New York is under fire after a report in the New York Times yesterday found that he faked several key parts of his resume, education, and employment history. Finally for today, Sam Bankman-Fried made a “chaotic” court appearance in the Bahamas yesterday in which he agreed to be extradited to the United States.

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Monday, December 19th, 2022 Dec 19, 2022

Attorney General Garland instructed prosecutors to end sentencing disparities between crack and powder cocaine. Trump calls on his supporters to stand down on any McCarthy opposition. The Jan. 6 committee’s final public meeting is today at 1PM Eastern. Binance, the world's biggest crypto exchange, is now under intense scrutiny after the FTX debacle. Finally for today, Nurses in the U.K. strike for the first time, seeking higher pay.

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Friday, December 16th, 2022 Dec 16, 2022

Today's headlines: Elon Musk has started banning critical journalists from Twitter, specifically those that write on him. The senate has passed a stopgap bill to avert the government shutdown at the end of the week. Aaron Dean, the killer of Atatiana Jefferson, has officially been convicted of manslaughter. Trump announced he’d be selling NFT trading cards depicting him as a superhero, an astronaut, an Old West sheriff, and a Top Gun fighter pilot. Finally for this week, three men who were part of the 2020 plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer were sentenced Thursday.

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Thursday, December 15th, 2022 Dec 15, 2022

Today's headlines: Yesterday marked the 10 year anniversary of the shooting massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut. The man who attacked Paul Pelosi told cops that there was ‘evil’ in Washington. Bernard Arnault has beaten Elon Musk as the world’s richest person. Finally for today, a cause of death has been revealed as an aortic aneurysm for the American soccer journalist who died at the World Cup.

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Wednesday, December 14th, 2022 Dec 14, 2022

Today's headlines: President Biden signed the Respect for Marriage Act Tuesday afternoon. FTX Used ‘Old-Fashioned Embezzlement’ tactics, as stated by a company CEO. The consumer price index rose only 0.2% in November, the smallest monthly increase since August 2021. Finally for today, Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene’s recent remarks have been labeled as “facetious” by Republican House leader Kevin McCarthy.

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Tuesday, December 13th, 2022 Dec 13, 2022

Today's headlines: The founder of the defunct and bankrupt cryptocurrency company FTX was arrested in the Bahamas last night after the United States Southern District of New York sent an indictment to extradite him. WNBA star and olympic gold medalist Brittney Griner was back on the court in Arizona, taking her first shots since she was wrongfully detained and jailed in Russia 10 months ago. A former top Twitter official forced to leave home due to threats amid ‘Twitter Files’ release. Special Counsel Jack Smith has subpoenaed Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger as part of his probe into the efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. Finally for today, two journalists have now died since the World Cup Tournament began.

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Monday, December 12th, 2022 Dec 12, 2022

Today's headlines: Elon Musk took to Twitter sunday morning to both threaten a public health official and ridicule trans and nonbinary people. Radical right figures, white nationalists and ultranationalist european leaders gathered at a Gala in New York gala Saturday night and declared “total war” on their perceived enemies. Republican leaders are planning on ending the January 6 Committee, with goals to Investigate the investigators. Finally, Vice President Kamala Harris popped over to LA yesterday to swear in Karen Bass.

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Friday, December 9th, 2022 Dec 09, 2022

Today's headlines: WNBA star Brittney Griner has been released in a prisoner swap. Iran announced yesterday that it executed the first prisoner who was convicted for a crime they committed during the recent anti-government protests. The Respect for Marriage Act has now been passed in both houses of Congress and will officially head to President Biden’s desk for signature. Finally for this week, the owner of the Washington Commanders Dan Snyder reportedly obstructed a congressional investigation into his football team.

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Thursday, December 8th, 2022 Dec 08, 2022

Today's headlines: Lawyers for Trump stated that they’ve found at least two more items that were marked classified in Trump’s storage unit. The House Jan. 6 committee plans to issue criminal referrals along with its final report later this month. Dozens of people have been arrested for plotting to violently overthrow the government in Germany. President of Peru Pedro Castillo was ousted yesterday after he sought to dissolve the government and take unilateral control. The rental car company Hertz announced they will pay about $168 million dollars to settle disputes with hundreds of customers that were falsely accused of vehicle theft. Finally for today, representative Madison Cawthorn has been told to pay over $14,000 thousand dollars to charity.

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Host: Sami Sage

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Wednesday, December 7th, 2022 Dec 07, 2022

Today's headlines: Democratic senator Raphael Warnock was elected as Senator yesterday night. Rep Andy Biggs announced that he will be challenging Kevin McCarthy for the speakership. Congress has awarded the congressional gold medal to the law enforcement officers who defended the capitol on January 6th. Jack Smith subpoenaed officials in multiple counties where Trump tried to reverse the election results in 2020. A New York jury reached a verdict in the trial against the Trump Organization, finding them guilty on all 17 counts yesterday. Finally for today, the state of Maryland is banning the use of TikTok and any China and Russia-based platforms within the state’s executive branch of government.

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Tuesday, December 6th, 2022 Dec 06, 2022

Today's headlines: Today is the final day of voting in the Georgia senate runoff race between current democratic senator Raphael Warnock and abortion provider Herschel Walker. A Christian graphic artist who objects to designing wedding websites for gay couples is arguing before the Supreme Court that a ruling against her would force artists to do work that’s against their beliefs. Approximately forty-thousand residents in Moore County, North Carolina have been without power since Sunday. A new report from the National Association of Real Estate Brokers has new data on persistent discrimination against Black Americans in the home buying industry. Dominion Voting Systems is suing Fox for 1.6 billion dollars. Finally for today, Vladimir Putin has signed a law banning any expressions of LGBTQ identity in public.

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Monday, December 5th, 2022 Dec 05, 2022

Today's headlines: Trump posted on Truth Social this weekend stating that the Constitution should be terminated due to "massive" election fraud. Attorney General Merrick Garland announced that the DOJ is seeking access to all of the interviews and evidence that has been collected by the January 6th committee. The DOJ announced that they have both reached an agreement and filed a new complaint with the city of Jackson, Mississippi over mismanagement of its water system. A new report by the House Select Committee on the Coronavirus Crisis has revealed that tech firms that were contracted by the government were complicit in facilitating aid fraud. Members of the Democratic National Committee voted on Friday to change the order of its primary calendar. Finally for today, Alex Jones has filed for Chapter 11 personal bankruptcy.

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Friday, December 2nd, 2022 Dec 02, 2022

Today's headlines: The Senate voted legislating a labor agreement that would give railway workers 7 days of paid sick leave, and passed legislation that will prevent a strike but only give workers one day of paid sick leave. The House Committee has obtained access to Trump’s Tax Returns. An appeals court in Georgia has struck down the special master who is reviewing the Trump documents that the FBI seized in August. Another court of appeals in Texas has rejected the Department of Education’s request to reinstate its student debt plan. French president Emmanuel Macron and President Biden gave a joint press conference and shared a state dinner at the White House yesterday. Finally for this week, Neuralink announced that they are working towards implanting a computer chip in a human brain within six months.

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Thursday, December 1st, 2022 Dec 01, 2022

Today's headlines: Democrats in the House of Representatives held their leadership elections yesterday, with representative Hakeem Jeffries of New York coming out as the first Black person to lead a political party’s caucus in either chamber. The House of Representatives held a vote on legislation to avert a nationwide railroad strike yesterday. Police are now cracking down on protestors over the widespread protests in China over the zero-covid policy. Five cars that were rented by Biden’s secret service burst into flames in the Nantucket Airport parking lot around 5am on Monday morning. The crypto firm BlockFi filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy following the collapse of FTX on Monday. Finally for today, Twitter announced that they will no longer enforce their policy against Covid misinformation.

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Wednesday, November 30th, 2022 Nov 30, 2022

Today's headlines: Herschel Walker ‘s wife collected tens of thousands of dollars in rental income for the Georgia residence that he had used as his official address. The Senate has voted 61 to 36 to pass the Respect for Marriage Act. Biden has called on Congress to act to divert a freight rail strike before early next month. A federal jury has found two leaders of the extreme-right-wing militia “the Oath Keepers” guilty; Trump’s former deputy chief of staff/former secret service agent Tony Ornato met with the January 6th committee; the South Carolina Supreme Court has unanimously ordered Mark Meadows to comply with the subpoena for his testimony in Georgia. Finally for today, France’s highest court has ruled that a man who was fired by his company in Paris for allegedly failing to be “fun” enough at work was wrongfully dismissed.

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Tuesday, November 29th, 2022 Nov 29, 2022

Today's headlines: Arizona’s Maricopa County has voted to certify the 2022 election over GOP objections. Former Trump advisor and purveyor of alternative facts, Kellyanne Conway sat for a deposition with the House January 6th committee for almost five hours yesterday without invoking the 5th amendment. Security has tightened in China after multiple widespread Covid protests. More than 2 million people in Houston Texas are currently under a boil water notice as of yesterday after a power outage at a purification plant. Five police officers in Connecticut were each charged with second-degree reckless endangerment and cruelty misdemeanors for their treatment of a Black man named Randy Cox in June of 2022. Finally for today, New news suggests Twitter is considering pulling twitter out of the App Store as a result of the false and dangerous content that Elon is now allowing, and even encouraging, on the platform.

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Monday, November 28th. 2022 Nov 28, 2022

Today's headlines: Reports emerged over the weekend that Donald Trump had dinner at Mar-a-Lago with, Kanye West, a famous 24 year old neo-Nazi named Nick Fuentes, and a former Trump strategist named Karen Giorno. Kanye West has announced his 2024 Presidential Bid, Calling for Christian Theocracy. Early voting began this weekend in the Georgia senate runoff race between Raphael Warnock and Herschel Walker. Half of twitter’s top 100 advertisers are no longer advertising on the platform. Mike Pence is considering answering to the Justice Department in their investigation into January 6th. Finally for today, France has taken the first steps to enshrine the right to abortion into their constitution.

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Wednesday, November 23rd, 2022 Nov 23, 2022

Today's headlines: The Biden administration announced yesterday that they’re extending the pause on federal student loan payments until June 30th, 2023. The Supreme Court has denied Donald Trump’s request to block the House Ways and Means Committee from accessing his tax returns. Senator Lindsey Graham testified yesterday for about two hours before a grand jury in the Georgia probe regarding election interference in 2020 - reportedly answering all the questions which he had previously spent months fighting all the way to the Supreme Court to avoid. Finally for this week, Some of the country’s top law schools including Yale, Harvard, Berkeley, Columbia, Georgetown and Stanford, have all decided to drop out of the US News and World Report rankings.

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Tuesday, November 22nd, 2022 Nov 22, 2022

Today's headlines: The Colorado Springs shooter will face 5 murder charges, and 5 additional hate crime counts of causing injury with bias motivation for each person he murdered. A court in Georgia ruled that voters will be able to vote in the senate runoff election between Raphael Warnock and Herschel Walker starting the Saturday after Thanksgiving. The new Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg is reportedly returning to his investigation into Donald Trump’s hush-money payments to Stormy Daniels. Finally for today, an “anti-woke” Texas startup called GloriFi is shutting down.

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Monday, November 21st, 2022 Nov 21, 2022

Today's headlines: A shooter opened fire at a bar in Colorado Springs that was regarded as a “haven for the LGBTQ community” known as Club Q yesterday. Elon Musk locked employees out of Twitter’s headquarters this weekend after the employee who controlled security was no longer with the company; Musk also has let Trump back on Twitter. Attorney General Merrick Garland announced on Friday that he is appointing a special counsel to take over two investigations into Donald Trump. Reverend Rob Schenck wrote in a letter that he was informed of the outcome of the 2014 Hobby Lobby decision, and that he used that information to prepare a public relations push. Finally for today, the 2022 World Cup is taking place in Qatar after a shady bidding war was organized to hold it there, as well as brutal, forced working conditions that led to the building of the stadium.

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Friday, November 18th, 2022 Nov 18, 2022

Today's headlines: Nancy Pelosi has announced that she will be stepping down from her leadership position in January after two decades of leadership. The republicans who are expected to chair the House Oversight Committee next session have already expressed their plan to lay out evidence that the Biden family is defrauding the United States. Democrat Mary Pelota in Alaska will be heading to the House of Representatives after defeating republicans Sarah Palin and Nick Begich; Karen Bass won her race for mayor of Los Angeles. John Kelly has revealed that when Trump was in office he repeatedly stated that he wanted the IRS to investigate a number of his political enemies. Finally for today, Ticketmaster announced that they’re NOT going to be holding a general ticket sale for Taylor Swift’s tour as they don’t have enough tickets.

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Thursday, November 17th, 2022 Nov 17, 2022

Today's headlines: Republicans have officially won control of the House of Representatives, with the current seat count at 218 to 210 seats for Democrats; The Respect for Marriage Act received enough votes for the Senate to agree to vote on it; Mitch McConnell has officially been re-elected minority leader. Oregon voters approved a measure to strengthen gun ownership requirements in the state. The missile that killed two Polish citizens was most likely an accident. Revolutionary protests against the Islamic Republic in Iran continue to escalate, with four protesters being sentenced to death. Finally for today, NASA launched its Artemis I rocket yesterday, which is expected to pave the way for the US to send astronauts to the moon for the first time since the 1970s.

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Wednesday, November 16th, 2022 Nov 16, 2022

Today's headlines: Donald Trump announced his 2024 presidential run from Mar-a-Lago last night. Control of the House of Representatives is still not officially decided, with Republicans one seat short of the 218 majority while Democrats hold 207 seats. Rick Scott will challenge Mitch McConnell for the Senate Republican leader. Two Polish citizens were killed yesterday near Poland’s border with Ukraine, after possibly being hit by heavy Russian strikes. Finally for today, the Mormon Church announced yesterday that it will support proposed federal legislation that would safeguard same-sex marriage and interracial marriage.

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Tuesday, November 15th, 2022 Nov 15, 2022

Today's headlines: Control of the House of Representatives is still not clear, with Republicans holding 212 seats to the Democrats’ 204.The governor’s race in Arizona was called last night for democrat Katie Hobbs. Voters in Nevada last week approved a measure that would establish ranked-choice voting in the state, while Georgia election officials have banned early voting on the Saturday before election. US intelligence officials have reportedly compiled a classified report detailing efforts by the United Arab Emirates to manipulate the American political system. A student at the University of Virginia opened fire on his classmates, killing 3 yesterday. A second federal court has issued another order blocking the Biden administration’s student debt relief program. Finally for today, 48 thousand academic staff members at the University of California’s school system went on strike yesterday.

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Monday, November 14th, 2022 Nov 14, 2022

Today's headlines: Democrats now control 50 senate seats to the Republican’s 49. Nevada has elected Republican Joe Lombardo as governor, but rejected one of the worst republican election deniers in the country, Jim Marchant, as their Secretary of State. Nevadans also voted to add a state constitutional amendment to increase the minimum wage to $12 dollars an hour by 2024. In Toledo, Ohio, the city council approved $800,000 dollars to purchase the medical debt of its residents, creating roughly $200 million in debt relief. Trump claims he sent the FBI to Florida to stop voter fraud in 2018, while officials say no such thing happened. Elon Musk spent the weekend tweeting his way into potential bankruptcy, while the company is operating with half of a staff and serious internal turmoil. Finally for today, FTX, One of the world’s biggest cryptocurrency exchanges run by Sam Bankman-Fried, has spent multiple millions of dollars trying to lobby the government to implement easy regulations on the growing crypto industry.

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Friday, November 11th, 2022 Nov 11, 2022

Today's headlines: Control of Congress is still undecided but, the count in the Senate now stands at 49-49, after the Arizona senate race was called for democrat Mark Kelly late last night. Montana voters rejected a measure that would have required health care providers to take "reasonable actions" to save an infant who is born alive or face felony criminal charges and fines up to 50 thousand dollars. Several top privacy executives resigned from Twitter yesterday, including the chiefs of information security, privacy, and compliance; Elon Musk also sent an email to every employee of twitter at 2:30am, announcing the end of remote work and letting them know that they were required to return to the office for a minimum of 40 hours per week. Finally for this week, a Connecticut judge has ordered Alex Jones and his company to pay an additional $473 million dollars in punitive damages to Sandy Hook families.

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Thursday, November 10th, 2022 Nov 10, 2022

Today's headlines: As of this recording at midnight eastern time this morning, control of both the House and Senate still remain up in the air - 49 seats for the Republicans and 48 for the Democrats. In New York, voters approved a $4.2 billion dollar bond to pay for major projects as a response to climate change and pollution. South Dakota voted to amend the state constitution to expand Medicaid to all adults who earn up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level. Missouri voters approved a ballot measure legalizing recreational marijuana for adults over 21. Universal free lunch passed with 55 percent of the vote in Colorado. Alabama, Tennessee, Vermont and Oregon have removed slavery loopholes from their constitution, while Louisiana has not. Finally for today, President Biden gave a speech about the midterm results, and the Kremlin is reportedly pulling its troops out of the key city of Kherson.

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Wednesday Evening Update, November 9th, 2022 Nov 09, 2022

Today's headlines: Congress is still undecided as of now, with 221 seats for Republicans, and 214 for Democrats with control leaning likely towards republicans, but not all races have been called. Right now the Senate is tied 48-48, with races in Arizona and Nevada still not fully counted. In Arizona, we likely won’t know the results of the governor and Senate races until tomorrow at the earliest. So far, only 80 of the 300 election deniers nationwide were elected into office. Finally, Tina Kotek has been elected governor of Oregon, making her the second out lesbian elected to lead any state, and Louisville judge Mary Shaw has lost her race in Missouri.

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Wednesday, November 9th, 2022 Nov 09, 2022

Today's headlines: Our first look at Election results is here! In the House of Representatives, the Democrats currently hold 217 seats, while the Republicans have 218, with numerous races not called yet. Overall, Democrats had way more wins than most polling had indicated. The Republican's best performance happened in Florida, where Ron DeSantis, Marco Rubio and Matt Gaetz were all reelected. More results arrive tomorrow!

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Tuesday, November 8th, 2022 Nov 08, 2022

Today's headlines: Election Day is here - 16.7 billion dollars has been spent on it, with almost 8 of those billions alone being spent on niche state and local races. Republican officials and candidates in at least 3 battleground states have been pushing to disqualify thousands of mail ballots In Pennsylvania; In Michigan, the republican nominee for Secretary of State sued an election official in Detroit; in Wisconsin, Republicans won a court ruling that will prevent some mail ballots from being counted. And finally for today, Russian businessman Yevgeny Prigozhin made the first open admission that he had interfered in the US elections in the past.

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Monday, November 7th, 2022 Nov 07, 2022

Today's headlines: Voting for the 2022 midterm elections officially ends tomorrow, and almost 40 million votes have already been cast. Elon Musk laid off half of Twitter’s employees over email on Friday, followed by those employees filing a lawsuit against him. Twitter is said to delay changes to the new check mark badges until after Midterms. Researchers have identified a series of Russian disinformation operations with the goals of stoking anger among conservative voters, undermining trust in the election system, and denouncing the Biden administration’s support for Ukraine. Republican candidate Joel Koskan was charged on Thursday for multiple sexual acts against his adopted daughter. Donald Trump missed the Friday deadline to turn over documents to the House January 6th committee. Finally for today, CDC officials say that the US is now officially in a flu epidemic.

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Friday, November 4th, 2022 Nov 04, 2022

Today's headlines: Obama gave his most frank warning yet about the state of democracy in the midterms to a rally in Phoenix. Paul Pelosi has been released from the hospital and will remain under doctor’s care at home. North Korea launched an intercontinental ballistic missile as well as two other short range missiles yesterday. Leaked Kremlin documents claim that Vladimir Putin is battling both Parkinson's disease and pancreatic cancer that has spread to other parts of his body. Finally for the week, Benjamin Netanyahu’s victory to become Israel’s prime minister is official.

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Thursday, November 3rd, 2022 Nov 03, 2022

Today's headlines: president Biden gave a speech last night on the theme of democracy. New reporting has emerged regarding Dr. Mehmet Oz’s role in research that killed hundreds of dogs. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has ruled that counties must segregate and not count mail ballots with missing or incorrect dates on their return envelopes. The federal reserve has increased the interest rate by .75 percent of a point again. Politico has published 8 emails from John Eastman, who was Trump’s legal advisor around the 2020 election. Finally for today, it’s looking like Netanyahu is going to be the Israeli prime minister again.

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Wednesday, November 2nd, 2022 Nov 02, 2022

Today's headlines: Justice John Roberts has ruled to delay the handover of Trump’s tax returns to the House Oversight committee while the court considers his request to hear his appeal. The Supreme Court has denied Lindsey Graham’s request to avoid testifying to the grand jury in Georgia over his role in election interference. Democratic members of the Federal Election Commission recently issued a statement that a US corporation illegally funneled Russian funds to Republican political candidates in the 2018 midterm elections. President Bolsonaro of Brazil has yet to formally concede the election results. Israel held its fifth election in less than four years yesterday, and exit polls seemed to indicate that former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu was on course for victory. Finally for today, Elon Musk announced that anyone will be able to buy a blue check for $8 a month.

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Tuesday, November 1st, 2022 Nov 01, 2022

Today's headlines: The assailant who attacked Paul Pelosi had a greater plan to kidnap Nancy and break her kneecaps if she didn’t tell him the “truth.” Elon Musk has dissolved the whole board of directors of Twitter, making him the sole director and giving him full control over the company. Trump has asked the Supreme Court to stop the IRS from releasing his tax returns to the House of Representatives Oversight Committee. Finally for today, Brazil has voted out their president Jair Bolsonaro.

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Monday, October 31st, 2022 Oct 31, 2022

Today's headlines: Nancy Pelosi’s husband Paul Pelosi was attacked inside their San Francisco home at 2:30am on Friday morning; Elon Musk tweeted an unfounded conspiracy theory about the attack. Saudi billionaires are the ‘second largest investors’ in Twitter after Musk’s takeover. According to data from the University of Florida's U.S. Elections Project, 20 million people have already voted in this year's election. A recent study found that homicide is the leading cause of death among pregnant women. Finally for today, SCOTUS is hearing challenges to affirmative action policies at Harvard and the University of North Carolina this week.

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Friday, October 28th, 2022 Oct 28, 2022

Today's headlines: GDP grew 2.6 percent last quarter, while unemployment is at 3.5 percent. Arizona’s current Secretary of State and the democratic nominee for Governor Katie Hobbs’ campaign office in Phoenix was broken into and a suspect was arrested, though the details of their identity and what was stolen have not yet been reported. New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez is reportedly under federal criminal investigation by the Southern District of New York. Elon Musk completed his deal to buy twitter for 44 billion dollars late last night. Finally for this week, new reporting from CNN is spotlighting Kanye West’s long history of admiration for Hitler and fascinating with the Nazis.

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Thursday, October 27th, 2022 Oct 27, 2022

Today's headlines: Three men were convicted yesterday of state charges in the plot to kidnap Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer. A second woman is alleging that Herschel Walker pressured her get an abortion, and that he personally drove her to the clinic. A judge has ruled that Mark Meadows has to testify before a special grand jury in the Georgia election probe. Finally for today, a new report from the World Meteorological Organization has found that methane emissions are rising faster than ever.

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Wednesday, October 26th, 2022 Oct 26, 2022

Today's headlines: With officially less than 2 weeks until the midterm elections, The U.S. has seen debate nights and record breaking voting turnouts across multiple states. Pediatric hospitals and physicians are reportedly overwhelmed by cases of not only covid and the flu, but RSV - which they’ve now nicknamed a “tripledemic.” President Biden received his updated covid booster and made a statement that not enough people are getting them. Mark Meadows is asking a judge to reject his subpoena in the Georgia election probe. UK’s new prime minister Rishi Sunak was sworn in after meeting with King Charles yesterday. And finally for today, Adidas has dropped Kanye West, and they claim they will absorb 250 million dollars in profit loss.

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Tuesday, October 25th, 2022 Oct 25, 2022

Today's headlines: The 8th circuit court of Appeals blocked the student loan relief program temporarily. The Justice Clarence Thomas of the Supreme Court has temporarily blocked Lindsey Graham from testifying in the Georgia election interference probe. A woman in Missouri who previously described herself as anti-abortion was denied an abortion last week after her water broke at 17 weeks of pregnancy. Attorney General Merrick Garland held a press conference yesterday regarding multiple charges in three cases. Brittney Griner’s appeal hearing is set for today. Finally for today, Rishi Sunak has been elected by the Conservative party as the new UK Prime Minister.

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Monday, October 24th, 2022 Oct 24, 2022

Today's headlines: Donald Trump has been officially subpoenaed by the House January 6th committee. Some of the classified documents reportedly found at Mar-a-Lago included highly sensitive information regarding Iran’s nuclear program, and the United State’s intelligence work against China. A federal judge has sentenced Steve Bannon to four months in prison for refusing to comply with a subpoena from the House January 6th committee. Lindsey Graham must testify in the Georgia investigation into whether he tried to help Trump overturn the 2020 election there. Internal documents and from Twitter show that Elon Musk told investors that he plans to get rid of almost 75% of Twitter’s workforce. Finally for today, North Korea and South Korea exchanged fire along their disputed western sea boundary yesterday.

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Friday, October 21st, 2022 Oct 21, 2022

Today's headlines: Supreme Court Justice Serena Joy rejected a request that the court hear a lawsuit brought by a Wisconsin taxpayers association, challenging President Biden’s student loan forgiveness. Newly released police body camera footage has been published, showing the results of Governor Ron DeSantis’s crackdown on voter fraud in action. Parts of Florida hit hardest by Hurricane Ian are seeing nearly double the normal number of infections from a flesh-eating bacteria that thrives in floodwaters. The UK is getting its third prime minister in 3 months after Liz Truss resigned. Rolling blackouts have begun in Ukraine, as Putin declared martial law in the four illegally annexed regions. Finally for this week, a new investigation shows an alarming number of retired US military officials who go on to advise countries with negative human rights records.

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Thursday, October 20th, 2022 Oct 20, 2022

Today's headlines: Donald Trump has been questioned in the E. Jean Carroll defamation lawsuit. According to new reports, Trump signed legal documents alleging instances of fraud during the 2020 election that he knew were false. An oversight report shared with Congress found that Covid was responsible for 1 in 4 maternal deaths in the first two years of the pandemic. The family of George Floyd announced that they plan to file a lawsuit worth 250 million dollars against Kanye West. Finally for today, Randy Kaufman, a republican who is running for a governing board in Arizona, has been arrested on a charge of public sexual indecency after getting caught masturbating behind his truck near a preschool.

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Original Music and Editing by Brandon Lee Bjornson

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Wednesday, October 19th, 2022 Oct 19, 2022

Today's headlines: Early voting for the midterms started in Georgia on Monday, and a record number of voters showed up for the first day of in-person voting. Biden announced yesterday that the White House would send a bill to codify abortion to the House, to be signed around the 50th anniversary of Roe on January 22nd, 2023. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is warning that China is speeding up its plans to try to seize Taiwan. A new study on Environmental Pollution has attempted to quantify the carbon emissions from California’s wildfires, and the damage they’re causing. Finally for today, millions of Americans can now legally purchase hearing aids over the counter for significantly less than before.

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Tuesday, October 18th, 2022 Oct 18, 2022

Today's headlines: The Biden administration has launched its online application for student loan borrowers to claim loan relief this week, while Covid officials scramble to plan for the Omicron subvariant threat. The nonprofit Center for Popular Democracy has found that US pharmaceutical companies have been responsible for significant EPA violations in Puerto Rico. Kanye West has offered to buy the right-wing social media network Parler, while the DOJ is recommending that Steve Bannon be sentenced to 6 months in prison. Finally for today, the Trump Organization charged the secret service 5-6 times the market rate to stay at his properties while they were on his protection detail.

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Monday, October 17th, 2022 Oct 17, 2022

Today's headlines: 4 people were killed and 61 injured following a major fire at the notorious Evin Prison in Tehran on Saturday evening. Current democratic senator Raphael Warnock debated his republican opponent Herschel Walker on Saturday night. Republican candidate Kari Lake refused to say in a CNN interview whether she would accept the results of her election if she loses the governor’s race in Arizona. New reporting reveals that Trump moved all of his business assets into another company the day the most recent lawsuit was filed. Finally for today, Elon Musk is being investigated by federal authorities in regard to his conduct in the course of the twitter acquisition.

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Friday, October 14th, 2022 Oct 14, 2022

Today's headlines: Yesterday the House January 6th committee held what they said would be their final session, but that was before we knew that they were contemplating issuing a subpoena to Donald Trump himself. A Trump employee told federal investigators that Trump personally instructed him to move documents that the National Archives and DOJ were trying to get back. The Supreme Court rejected Trump’s request that the special master be given access to review the approximately 100 classified documents that were separated from the other 11 thousand other documents found at Mar-a-Lago. New reporting from the Wall Street Journal reviewed the past 5 years worth of financial disclosures across 50 federal regulatory agencies, and found major levels of corruption. Finally for this week, CVS announced yesterday that they are absorbing the price of the tampon tax in 12 states.

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Thursday, October 13th, 2022 Oct 13, 2022

Today's headlines: A Connecticut jury has decided that Alex Jones must pay 14 family members of 8 Sandy Hook Elementary School victims, plus an FBI agent, a collective total of $965 million. A federal watchdog within the Treasury Department has opened an investigation into his misuse of taxpayer funds to pay for 50 asylum-seeking migrants to be flown privately from Texas to Martha’s Vineyard. Pfizer’s modified vaccine is now cleared for kids 5 to 11; Moderna was cleared for kids 6 through 17. Finally for today, the January 6th committee’s final hearing is today starting at 1pm EST, and the U.S. government plans to announce what is expected to be the largest increase in social security payments in four decades.

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Wednesday, October 12th, 2022 Oct 12, 2022

Today's headlines: The G-7 announced yesterday that they are committed to standing with Ukraine amidst the latest wave of military strikes, and will continue to support Ukraine. Israel and Lebanon agreed to a US-brokered deal yesterday that ends a decade-long dispute over their maritime border. President Biden is seriously reconsidering the U.S.’ with Saudi Arabia due to last week to significantly cut oil production starting in November. NASA conducted a test to see whether they could use a spacecraft to break up an asteroid in order to shift its orbit. Finally for today, TikTok is planning to build product fulfillment centers in the US, in an attempt to directly challenge Amazon.

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Tuesday, October 11th, 2022 Oct 11, 2022

Today's headlines: President Biden warned that Putin’s threats amounted to the most serious prospect of Armageddon since the Cuban missile crisis; Ukrainians have made a significant military advancement after blowing up the bridge between Crimea and Russia; Russia retaliated by unleashing the worst and most widespread strikes against Ukraine in the past several months. North Korea conducted a barrage of missile launch tests this weekend. As protests in Iran enter their fourth week, the death toll has reached 185 people. Approximately 23 million people in California will receive tax refunds to help families who are strained by rising inflation; Gavin Newsom called for a special session to address skyrocketing profits of oil companies. Finally for today, the Uvalde school district announced that they’ve suspended their entire school police force.

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Friday, October 7th, 2022 Oct 07, 2022

Today's headlines: President Biden announced yesterday that he is pardoning all prior federal offenses of simple marijuana possession, and calling on governors to pardon simple state possession offenses as well. Apollo Management and Sixth Street Partners are no longer in talks to finance the Elon Musk Twitter deal. The UN Human Rights Council has rejected a motion to hold a debate on China's alleged human rights violations in Xinjiang. Finally for this week, the United States and Albania have called for a vote in the General Assembly to condemn Russia’s attempted recent annexation of four Ukrainian regions.

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Thursday, October 6th, 2022 Oct 06, 2022

Today's headlines: SpaceX launched four crew members to the International Space Station yesterday. OPEC, led by Russia and Saudi Arabia, has made moves to slash oil production, eliciting a blistering White House response. Putin signed the final papers yesterday to annex four regions of Ukraine. The nationwide response to the Islamic Republic’s murder of a 22 year old woman for refusing to wear a headscarf has lasted for over 2 weeks. Finally for today, the estimated number of violent crimes decreased slightly in 2021, according to FBI data

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Wednesday, October 5th, 2022 Oct 05, 2022

Today's headlines: Donald Trump's lawyers have filed an emergency request asking the Supreme Court to intervene regarding the classified documents he was hoarding at Mar-a-Lago. Texas governor Greg Abbott sent another group of 46 Venezuelan migrants on a bus to Vice President Kamala Harris’s house in DC. Georgia Senate candidate Herschel Walker, who publicly claims to be strongly anti-abortion, actually paid for his girlfriend to have an abortion in 2009. Student athletes in several school districts in Florida will now be required to fill out information online about their periods in order to participate in games. Finally for today, Elon Musk has officially agreed to buy Twitter for 44 billion dollars.

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Tuesday, October 4th, 2022 Oct 04, 2022

Today's headlines: The Supreme Court is hearing a number of very charged and important issues next term. The National Archives has sent a new letter to Congress stating that they still do not have all of the records that they should have from the Trump administration. The January 6th committee has tentatively set the date of their rescheduled hearing for Thursday, October 13th. Kim Kardashian has agreed to pay 1.26 million dollars in order to settle SEC charges for failing to disclose that she was paid to promote EthereumMax on instagram. 16 of Florida’s Republican members of the House of Representatives voted against a government funding bill, which happens to include FEMA funding for disaster relief; New York Post and the Daily Beast state that migrants are now being transported from New York to Florida to assist with the Hurricane Ian recovery. Finally for today, Brazil held a presidential election on Sunday.

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Monday, October 3rd, 2022 Oct 03, 2022

Today's headlines: After hitting multiple islands and southwestern Florida last week, Hurricane Ian again made landfall on the coast of South Carolina over the weekend as a category 1 storm. In Cuba, where power for the entire country of 11 million people was knocked out by the storm, residents gathered to protest the lack of electricity. Russia attempted to unilaterally annex 4 regions of Ukraine, with Putin claiming that the annexations of Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia this past Friday; Ukraine disagrees on the risk of Putin actually using nuclear weapons; Ukraine formally submitted its fast-tracked application for NATO membership. The Justice Department accused a couple of conspiring to provide the Russian government with medical information about U.S. soldiers and their relatives on Friday. Finally for today, Donald Trump escalated his war with none other than Mitch McConnell this weekend.

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Friday, September 30th, 2022 Sep 30, 2022

Today's headlines: More news from Hurricane Ian, which turned out to be one of the worst hurricanes in America’s history, continues to pour in. After months of will she/won’t she, Ginni Thomas finally voluntarily testified to the House January 6th committee yesterday. Aileen Cannon overruled the special master Raymond Dearie’s request that Trump’s lawyers don’t have to clarify Mar-a-Lago document claims. Six Republican-led states are suing the Biden administration over his student loan plan. Finally for this week, The FDA has approved a new treatment for ALS.

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Thursday, September 29th, 2022 Sep 29, 2022

Today's headlines: Hurricane Ian hit southwestern Florida as a category 4 storm near Cayo Costa, knocking out the power of over 1.8 million people and leaving people trapped in flooded homes. Universities and colleges in Idaho are warning staffers not to refer students to abortion providers or tell them how to get emergency contraception. The founder of the Oath Keepers Stewart Rhodes, along with 4 other members of the extremist group, have just begun their trial for seditious conspiracy. The US embassy in Moscow is encouraging Americans with dual citizenship to leave immediately, or else they could be drafted by Putin’s mandatory military conscription order. Finally for this week, the Senate is enacting an attempt to protect the 2024 election through the Electoral Count Reform and Presidential Transition Improvement Act.

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Wednesday, September 28th, 2022 Sep 28, 2022

Today's headlines: Hurricane Ian has made its debut in Florida, with officials warning of dangerous storm surges, flooding, and powerful winds to come. A Texas process server attempted to serve the state’s Attorney General Ken Paxton with a subpoena to appear in federal court in a lawsuit brought by nonprofit reproductive health groups who want to help Texans pay for abortions out of state. Mark Meadows did not show up yesterday in response to his subpoena in Fulton County, Georgia. Finally for today, Students at schools across Virginia participated in walkouts yesterday, in protest of Governor Glenn Youngkin’s new policies restricting the rights of transgender students.

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Tuesday, September 27th, 2022 Sep 27, 2022

Today's headlines: Italy’s new prime minister will be Giorgia Meloni of the far-right Brothers of Italy party, who will lead the most right-leaning government since World War II. Vladimir Putin granted Russian citizenship to Edward Snowden. Hurricane Ian is expected to make landfall in western Florida tomorrow as a category 4 storm, with winds exceeding 140 miles per hour. Finally for today, the House January 6th committee resumes after its midseason hiatus tomorrow.

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Monday, September 26th, 2022 Sep 26, 2022

Today's headlines: A Arizona judge ruled that a near-total abortion ban from 1901 can be enforced on Friday. A republican lawmaker named Denver Riggleman, who formerly served on the staff of the January 6th committee in the House, is publishing an unauthorized account of the committee tomorrow. Sidney Powell, “lawyer” to Trump, did not show up to her grand jury date last week In the Fulton County, Georgia investigation into 2020 election tampering. Four occupied regions of Ukraine declared staged elections to become part of Russia on Friday. Italy held a snap election yesterday, while protests against the Islamic Republic continued in Iran this past weekend. Finally for today, Hurricane Ian is expected to potentially hit western Florida later this week as a category 4 storm.

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Friday, September 23nd, 2022` Sep 23, 2022

Today's headlines: The DOJ has been granted an appeal saying that they cannot continue to review the 100 classified documents that they seized in Mar-a-Lago; Raymond Dearie has separately ordered Trump lawyers to back up Trump’s claims on record that the FBI lied about seized documents. The writer that stated that Trump raped her, E. Jean Carroll, plans to use a new law to prove it. Ginni Thomas, Clarence Thomas’s wife, has come to an agreement with the January 6th House committee to voluntarily testify in the coming weeks. The House has passed a bill to prevent efforts to subvert presidential election results. Anti-Government protests have exploded this week across dozens of cities in Iran, all initially sparked by the death of a woman named Mahsa Amini, a 22 year old who died in police custody. Finally for this week, a strict ban on most abortions in Indiana has been struck down after being in effect for just a week.

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Thursday, September 22nd, 2022 Sep 22, 2022

Today's headlines: New York Attorney General Letitia James announced yesterday that she has filed a $250 million dollar civil fraud lawsuit against Donald Trump, as well as his three oldest children. President Biden has signed a bill eliminating the statute of limitations for child sex abuse. The DOJ has announced criminal charges against forty seven people who allegedly engaged in the largest pandemic relief fraud scheme. The Federal Reserve has raised interest rates again, taking rates to 3.25% in an effort to tame inflation by slowing the economy. Russian airlines have stopped selling plane tickets to Russian men between the ages of 18 and 65. Finally for today, Greg Norman (CEO of the new Saudi-backed LIV golf tournament) met with Capitol Hill lawmakers yesterday to discuss LIV's plans and business model.

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Wednesday, September 21st, 2022 Sep 21, 2022

Today's headlines: Two major Mar-a-Lago-related updates have come to light, including information on the hearing of special master Raymond Dearie, and news that there was a year-long period before the FBI sought a search warrant to seize the documents at Mar-a-Lago. Florida Governor DeSantis has been sued for Flying Migrants to Martha’s Vineyard; Sheriff Javier Salazar of Bexar County, Texas announced that his office will be investigating this “abuse of human rights” yesterday. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre warned yesterday that the administration was coordinating with officials in Delaware to prepare for the possible arrival of a plane from Texas that would be carrying migrants. Hurricane Fiona has hit Turks and Caicos as a category 3 storm, and is expected to strengthen into a Category 4. Finally for today, four regions in Ukraine announced plans to start voting this week to become a part of Russia.

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Tuesday, September 20th, 2021 Sep 20, 2022

Today's headlines: Hundreds of thousands of people gathered to watch the Queen’s coffin’s procession to Windsor, while anti-monarchy protesters face police crackdowns in the streets. A new lawsuit, which was filed last week, alleges that Amazon is currently valued as a monopoly and is in violation of antitrust law. Documentary evidence has risen stating that Florida migrants arriving in Venezuela were provided with false information to convince them to board flights. Trump appeared in Youngstown, Ohio this past weekend to speak in support of senate candidate JD Vance. Finally for today, a judge has vacated murder convictions for Adnan Syed of ‘Serial.’

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Monday, September 19th, 2022 Sep 19, 2022

Today's headlines: Queen Elizabeth the 2nd is being laid to rest today in London. Judge Aileen Cannon not only granted his request for a special master to review the documents that were seized at Mar-a-Lago, but picked one of his two preferred candidates, Raymond Dearie, to review them. Mark Meadows has reportedly complied with the DOJ in their January 6th probe, making him the highest-ranking Trump official known to have responded to a subpoena. Matt Gaetz has sought a preemptive pardon in 2020 in the sex trafficking probe that the DOJ is currently conducting into his behavior. A category 1 storm, Hurricane Fiona, hit Puerto Rico yesterday, leaving the island of 1.5 million people entirely without power. Senate Democrats are punting a bill to ban members of Congress from trading stocks. Finally for today, the creator of Patagonia, 83 year old Yvon Chouinard, announced that he has transferred his 3 billion dollars worth of ownership to a specially designed trust and a nonprofit.

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Friday, September 16th, 2022 Sep 16, 2022

Today's headlines: A nationwide rail strike has been averted with about 2 days to spare, after railroad companies and their workers reached a tentative labor agreement yesterday. Another portion of the Mar-a-Lago affidavit that justified the search warrant has been unsealed, showing that federal agents subpoenaed more than six months worth of surveillance footage between January 10th and June 24th, 2022. Governor Ron DeSantis flew two planes full of immigrants from Florida to Martha’s Vineyard in an effort to “transport illegal immigrants to sanctuary destinations.” Senate Democrats have decided to postpone a vote on codifying same-sex marriage into law until after the midterm elections. The Supreme Court ruled that Yeshiva University in New York must comply with a state court’s order that they recognize a gay rights organization on their campus. Finally for this week, new reporting from the Washington Post reveals that customs officials have copied Americans’ phone data at a massive scale.

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Thursday, September 15th, 2022 Sep 15, 2022

Today's headlines: New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Delaware held their primaries on Tuesday, marking the final primaries of the 2022 season, with Daniel McKee coming out on top in Rhode Island. The House January 6th committee has finally sent out a save the date for their next televised hearing - September 28th. The DOJ has also reportedly sent upwards of 40 subpoenas to Trump aides in recent weeks, including Mike Lindell. The Senate Judiciary committee is opening up an inquiry into claims that were made in the upcoming memoir of ex US attorney Geoffrey Berman. R. Kelly has been found guilty by an Illinois jury on 6 counts of child pornography and enticement of a minor. EPA is now investigating the water crisis in Jackson, Mississippi, and has sent personnel to the city to collect data and conduct interviews. Finally for today, new texts reveal that former Gov. Phil Bryant helped Brett Favre secure welfare funding for the USM volleyball stadium.

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Wednesday, September 14th, 2022 Sep 14, 2022

Today's headlines: The National Archives state that they are still not sure if they have all the documents that they requested from Donald Trump, even after the FBI search of Mar-a-Lago. Lindsey Graham has introduced legislation that would federally ban abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. Biden celebrates a new 'Inflation Reduction Act' as food and rent prices continue to climb. Finally for today, the Twitter Whistleblower stated that China and India had agents working for Twitter, and Twitter’s shareholders voted yesterday to approve Elon Musk’s offer to buy the company.

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Tuesday, September 13th, 2022 Sep 13, 2022

Today's headlines: King Charles addressed Scotland’s parliament after escorting his mother’s coffin to Edinburgh yesterday, while U.K.’s money, stamps and other objects to feature King Charles III after the queen’s death. President Biden delivered remarks on America’s plan to cut its death rate from cancer in half over the next 25 years. Ukraine has continued to make significant gains against the Russian invasion, retaking a wide swath of territory all the way back to the northeastern border in some places. Montana governor Greg Gianforte has passed a permanent rule that blocks transgender people from changing their birth certificates, even if they undergo gender-confirmation surgery. Finally for today, Trump’s legal team has filed an objection to the DOJ’s proposed special master candidates.

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Monday, September 12th, 2022 Sep 12, 2022

Today's headlines: Trump’s team and the DOJ both submitted their preferred candidates on Friday for the special master position to review what was taken in the Mar-a-Lago search; the DOJ has also requested a deadline on the review for October 17th, while Trump predictably requested a longer deadline, asking for a full 90 days. Old video footage resurfaced this weekend, showing Trump and his team loading numerous bankers boxes onto a private plane from Palm Beach, home of Mar-a-Lago, bound for his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey. Stephen Miller has reportedly been subpoenaed by a DOJ grand jury to testify about the 2020 fake electors scheme, the Save America PAC, and his communications with numerous Trump aides and people from various states. New York has declared a state of emergency over the spread of Polio. Finally for today, Russia has hit multiple power stations after Ukraine’s counteroffensive.

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Friday, September 9th, 2022 Sep 09, 2022

Today's headlines: Queen Elizabeth the 2nd has passed away at the age of 96. Multiple people were injured after a shooting at Uvalde Memorial Park in Uvalde, Texas last night. The DOJ has officially filed an appeal against Trump’s request for a special master. Steve Bannon has been indicted on six counts tied to money laundering, fraud, and conspiracy. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced that there will be a vote on the senate floor in the coming weeks to codify the right to same sex marriage. A 23 year old pregnant woman who was arrested in Alabama for carrying a small amount of marijuana and a pistol without a permit, has been held in jail without bond since May. Finally for this week, Michigan’s Supreme Court has ordered that a question on abortion rights be put on the state’s ballot in November.

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Thursday, September 8th, 2022 Sep 08, 2022

Today's headlines: Law enforcement officers, elected officials and military members can be found on the leaked Oath Keepers list. Steve Bannon is expected to be indicted by New York State prosecutors on a new criminal charge. A federal judge in Fort Worth, Texas has ruled that a provision of the Affordable Care Act which mandates free coverage of drugs that prevent HIV infections, violates the religious beliefs of a Christian-owned company. Finally for today, the Obamas returned to the White House yesterday for the reveal of new his and hers portraits - a presidential unveiling that Trump skipped during his time in office.

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Wednesday, September 7th, 2022 Sep 07, 2022

Today's headlines: Material on foreign nation’s nuclear capabilities was seized during the Trump Mar-a-Lago search. A New Mexico judge ordered that Otero County Commissioner and January 6th participant Couy Griffin be removed from office yesterday. Surveillance footage has been released that shows ex chairwoman of the Republican Party Kathy Latham bringing a group of data forensics experts into the county elections office the day after the insurrection. The UK has a new prime minister and leader of the Conservative party; Liz Truss. Four thousand cafeteria workers at Google have joined Unite Here, a union of over 300-thousand hotel and food service workers. Finally, Juul has agreed to a settlement with 34 states and territories over marketing its product to teenagers, and Investigators have seized 27 Antiquities from the Met.

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Tuesday, September 6th, 2022 Sep 06, 2022

Today's headlines: Judge Aileen Cannon has granted Trump’s request for a special master to review the documents that were seized by the FBI. Among these were more than 100 classified documents, over 11 thousand non-classified government documents, and 43 empty classified folders. Trump’s former chief of staff Mark Meadows turned over more texts and emails to the National Archives, which he had not previously turned over from his time in the administration. Federal agents were seen searching the Manhattan and Hamptons homes of the sanctioned Russian oligarch Viktor Vekselberg late last week. Finally, the state of Mississippi used welfare money to pay Brett Favre for speeches he never made, and the August jobs report indicates job and wage growth.

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Friday, September 2nd, 2022 Sep 02, 2022

Today's headlines: Biden delivered a prime-time speech on the "battle for the soul of the nation" in Philadelphia. Ginni Thomas pressed Wisconsin lawmakers to overturn Biden’s 2020 victory. A judge says Lindsey Graham must answer questions to the grand jury, but has also limited the scope of the testimony. The Jan. 6 Panel has called Gingrich to Testify, Saying he had a role in the ‘Trump Plot.’ Oath Keepers attorney Kellye SoRelle has been arrested on Jan. 6 charges, while the NYPD veteran who assaulted police during the insurrection receives a 10 year sentence. Finally for this week, Trump's former accounting firm will turn over his financial documents to House Democrats, while the chairman of Russia’s second-largest oil producer, Lukoil, died after reportedly “falling out of a hospital window.”

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Thursday, September 1st, 2022 Sep 01, 2022

Today's headlines: Sarah Palin has lost the special election for Alaska’s House seat. President Biden declared the water crisis in Jackson, Mississippi an emergency. The Michigan Board of canvassers has rejected an initiative to put a constitutional amendment that would protect the right to an abortion on the ballot in November. The FTC is suing an Idaho-based data company called Kochava, accusing it of selling location data from hundreds of millions of mobile devices. The FDA has authorized new versions of both Pfizer and Moderna boosters, specifically tailored to target the highly contagious omicron variant. Finally, a Ku Klux Klan plaque is mounted at the entrance of West Point's science center, and the first A.P. African American studies class is coming this fall.

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Wednesday, August 31st, 2022 Aug 31, 2022

Today's headlines: The DOJ has released their legal response for why Trump’s request for a special master to review the documents that were seized from Mar-a-Lago should not be granted. President Biden gave a big speech in Pennsylvania yesterday afternoon to campaign on behalf of democratic candidates Jon Fetterman for the Senate and Josh Shapiro to be governor. Tony Ornato, one of the most well known secret service agents to come out of the January 6th Insurrection), retired unexpectedly on Monday. Trump reportedly bragged to his aids that he had ‘Intelligence’ on Emmanuel Macron’s sex life. Finally, the entire city of Jackson, Mississippi has had no access to running water since Monday, and Google has removed the Truth Social app from the Google Play store.

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Tuesday, August 30th, 2022 Aug 30, 2022

Today's headlines: The DOJ has reportedly already completed its review of the stolen documents that they seized from Mar-a-Lago more than 3 weeks ago. Senator Lindsey Graham appeared on Fox News Sunday night and predicted that “if there’s a prosecution of Donald Trump for mishandling classified information, after the Clinton debacle … there’ll be riots in the streets.” The GOP nominee for Pennsylvania governor Doug Mastriano was found wearing a Confederate uniform for a 2014 U.S. Army faculty photo. A new report from the Brookings Institute determined that long covid is responsible for about a third of unfilled jobs in America, with between 2-4 million people out of work possibly due to long covid. Finally for today, President Biden's approval rating is up to 45% in a recent CBS poll.

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Monday, August 29th, 2022 Aug 29, 2022

Today's headlines: a redacted version of the affidavit that provided evidence for the FBI search was released in the Trump Mar-a-Lago case. The affidavit also revealed that the original 15 boxes of documents that Trump returned to the National Archives contained classified documents casually mixed in with magazines and contain Trump’s handwritten notes in the margins. The CIA has admitted to losing dozens of informants, having been captured, killed or compromised, while a Saudi Crown Prince has stated that Jared Kushner was “In his pocket.” A Florida judge has issued her response to Trump’s motion to appoint a “special master” to review the FBI’s search, while Truth Social is in financial trouble. An appeals court in Arkansas ruled against the state’s ban on gender affirming medical care for transgender minors, and a Missouri school district has adopted a policy that will allow parents to opt in to their children receiving paddling as a form of punishment. Finally, extreme flash flooding in Pakistan has led to deaths of over at least a thousand people, and California’s Air Resources Board has unanimously passed a rule banning the sale of new gasoline-powered vehicles starting in 2035.

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Friday, August 26th, 2022 Aug 26, 2022

Today's headlines: A lesser known republican mega donor named Barre Seid stealthily made one of the largest political contributions ever last year — donating 1.6 billion dollars worth of shares of his company. Texas attorney general Ken Paxton issued a legal opinion last week that could potentially lead to mass chaos in November’s election, including exposing election officials to potential criminal charges and threatening ballot security. Biden has announced Kim Cheatle as the new head of the Secret Service, while his administration has also moved to formalize DACA and shield it from legal challenges. A federal judge in Idaho blocked part of the state’s abortion ban, and an English teacher in Oklahoma has resigned after being placed on leave for informing her class that the Brooklyn public library has access to free e-books online, as well as QR code to find them. Finally for this week, The school board in Uvalde Texas unanimously voted to fire school district police chief Pete Arredondo, and Harvey Weinstein has been granted an appeal in his convictions of third degree rape and two counts of predatory assault in New York.

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Thursday, August 25th, 2022 Aug 25, 2022

Today's headlines: Val Demings won the democratic senate primary in Florida, while Matt Gaetz, who despite being investigated for sex trafficking, was victorious in his primary to run again for his Republican House seat. Pat Ryan has won a special congressional election for a seat in the Hudson Valley, while Jerry Nadler and Dan Goldman have won in the Upper East/West side district and the Brooklyn district. Yesterday President Biden announced that the federal government will cancel 10 thousand dollars in federal student debt for individuals who are making 125 thousand dollars or less in income. The Jan. 6 panel investigators have traveled to Copenhagen to view footage of Roger Stone's pardening, and the IRS has announced that they’re launching a full security review of their facilities nationwide. Finally, Dinosaur tracks from 113 million years ago were uncovered due to severe drought conditions at Dinosaur Valley State Park.

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Wednesday, August 24th, 2022 Aug 24, 2022

Today's headlines: Trump had more than 300 classified documents found at Mar-a-Lago, some of which were records that were clearly marked as classified, including documents at ‘top secret’ level. Then, Trump's legal team has asked for a 'special master' to go through the Mar-a-Lago evidence and determine if some should be returned. The Justice Department has issued a new subpoena to the National Archives for more January 6 documents, while the Former security chief of Twitter claims that the platform buried ‘egregious deficiencies.’ Finally, a new state law in Texas is requiring that schools hang posters in conspicuous locations that say “IN GOD WE TRUST,” and a state senator in Colorado is resigning from the Republican Party and becoming a Democrat.

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Tuesday, August 23rd, 2022 Aug 23, 2022

Today's headlines: A new NBC poll has found that 57% of voters say investigations into Trump should continue, while Anthony Fauci plans to step down in December after half a century in government. Multiple Arkansas officers have been suspended after a video was posted that shows them beating a suspect during an arrest, while a Louisiana woman claims she was denied an abortion after fetus was diagnosed with a fatal condition. Finally, Singapore has put an end to its gay sex ban, and Dennis Rodman says he's going to Russia to seek a release for Brittney Griner.

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Monday, August 22nd, 2022 Aug 22, 2022

Today's headlines: The 11th US Circuit Court of Appeals has temporarily saved Lindsey Graham from having to testify in the Georgia investigation into his actions on behalf of Trump, while Liz Cheney has told ABC News that the January 6th Committee has "been in discussions" with Mike Pence's legal team about him potentially testifying. Mitch McConnell stated at a Kentucky event that “there’s probably a greater likelihood the House flips than the Senate. Senate races are just different — they're statewide, candidate quality has a lot to do with the outcome.” The National Republican Senatorial Committee has canceled TV advertising worth about $10 million dollars. New highlights in House Discrimination cases, as a Johns Hopkins professor experienced an almost 300 thousand dollar appraisal discrepancy that was based on his race. The daughter of a very influential advisor to Putin, Daria Dugina, was killed when her car exploded outside Moscow this weekend. Finally, a school district in the Dallas-Fort Worth area has reportedly banned at least 40 books, including an Anne Frank adaptation.

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Friday, August 19th, 2022 Aug 19, 2022

Today's headlines: Trump’s longtime CFO of the Trump organization pled guilty yesterday to 15 felonies, while a federal judge ordered the DOJ to propose redactions that would make it okay to release the affidavit that was used to justify the Mar-a-Lago search warrant. The Secret Service apparently knew of a threat to Nancy Pelosi on January 6th days before the insurrection, but did not pass it along until 5:55pm the day of. Scotland has passed legislation that would make all period products available in pharmacies and community centers free of cost. A federal judge ordered Walmart, Walgreens, and CVS to pay $650 million dollars to two Ohio counties that they were found to have flooded with prescription painkillers. Finally, the Director of the CDC Rachelle Wallensky delivered remarks yesterday where she rebuked her own agency’s handling of the Covid pandemic.

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Thursday, August 18th, 2022 Aug 18, 2022

Today's headlines: Former VP Mike Pence said that he would 'consider' testifying before the Jan. 6 committee if asked, while Inspector General Joseph Cuffari said that he would not share investigative documents or allow his top lieutenants to sit for transcribed interviews before the House committee. The NBA has announced that it won’t be holding any games on Election Day in an effort to encourage more fans to vote. Recent reporting has found that there has been a substantial increase in political spending by a right wing group called the Convention of States Action. An unprecedented shortage has forced new water constraints on the Colorado River, while climate change is putting California at risk for a potential month-long superstorm. Finally, the South Carolina state Supreme Court temporarily blocked the state’s six week abortion ban, and the Biden administration is canceling all remaining federal student loans to borrowers that attended ITT Technical Institute.

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Wednesday, August 17th, 2022 Aug 17, 2022

Today's headlines: The DOJ has reportedly returned Trump’s passports after the Mar-a-Lago search, while several media outlets and Trump himself are requesting that a court unseal the affidavit. The New York Times reported yesterday that Trump’s White House counsel and January 6th hearing starlet Pat Cipollone, along with his deputy Patrick Philbin, have both been questioned by the DOJ. The Washington Post revealed that Trump’s team of lawyers pursued voting machine data in more states than just Georgia, and Trump’s longtime CFO Allan Weisselberg has a hearing scheduled for tomorrow in front of the Manhattan district attorney. Liz Cheney was defeated by election denier Harriet Hageman in the republican primary in Wyoming. Only 2 of the 10 republicans who voted to impeach Trump in 2020 will be moving onto their general elections in the upcoming midterms. Finally, an appellate court in Florida blocked a 16 year old girl from getting an abortion and President Biden announced yesterday that the FDA cleared the way for hearing aids to be sold online and in retail stores.

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NBC: Trump’s passports returned after Mar-a-Lago search, DOJ official says

Washington Post: Justice Department opposes release of Mar-a-Lago affidavit

NY Times: F.B.I. Interviewed Top White House Lawyers About Missing Trump Documents

Washington Post: Trump-allied lawyers pursued voting machine data in multiple states, records reveal

NY Times: Trump Executive Nears Plea Deal With Manhattan Prosecutors

NBC: Rep. Liz Cheney loses her primary in Wyoming to Trump-backed challenger

Washington Post: Election deniers march toward power in key 2024 battlegrounds

Axios: Florida court blocks teen from getting abortion, must continue pregnancy

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Tuesday, August 16th, 2022 Aug 16, 2022

Today's headlines: Giuliani is a target in the Trump Election inquiry, while Trump claims FBI agents took 3 of his passports during the Mar-a-Lago raid. Also, three people have been injured at a shooting at Six Flags, while The DOJ is investigating Southern Baptists following a sexual abuse crisis. Finally, Polio Has Been Detected in New York City Wastewater, Officials Say.

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Monday, August 15th, 2022 Aug 15, 2022

Today's headlines: The most recent updates in the Mar-a-Lago Trump search have been revealed. Meanwhile, the FBI and DHS have warned that threats towards federal law enforcement have skyrocketed since the Mar-a-Lago search, as armed Trump supporters have staged a protest outside the FBI office in Phoenix. Finally, a man has fatally shot himself following a car crash into a barricade near the Capitol Building, and Trump’s former Transportation Secretary Elaine Chaom (Mitch McConnell’s wife) has reportedly met with the January 6th Committee.

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Friday, August 12th, 2022 Aug 12, 2022

Today's headlines: Attorney General Merrick Garland spoke for about 2 minutes about the Mar-a-Lago search warrant, and announced that the DOJ has filed a motion to unseal the search warrant and FBI property receipt. The FBI has searched Trump’s home to look for nuclear documents and other items, while Judge Bruce Reinhart has been consistently attacked and doxed by Trump’s base since Monday. Finally, the C.D.C. has eased Covid guidelines, noting that the virus Is ‘Here to Stay,’ while some school districts in rural Texas have been switching to 4 day weeks.

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Thursday, August 11th, 2022 Aug 11, 2022

Today's headlines: Inflation eased in July from a year ago, but energy prices have fallen. Donald Trump has invoked the Fifth Amendment rights and declines to answer questions from the New York attorney general. New reporting has revealed that they had been subpoenaed to turn over surveillance videos from Mar-a-Lago several months ago. Pennsylvania state senator Doug Mastriano met with the January 6th House committee earlier this week and reportedly did not answer a single question, cutting the virtual meeting off after 15 minutes. Finally, the Justice Department charged a member of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, while Alex Jones has apparently shared a nude photo of his own wife with Roger Stone.

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Wednesday, August 10th, 2022 Aug 10, 2022

Today's headlines: FBI is searching Trump safe at Mar-a-Lago for possible classified documents, while Congressman and Trump ally Scott Perry is saying that the FBI has seized his cellphone. Then, A DC Circuit court of appeals ruled unanimously yesterday that the House Ways and Means Committee can access Trump's tax returns. The January 6th Committee met yesterday with Trump’s former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, while Trump had dinner with 12 of his most loyal Republican lawmakers last night at Bedminster. Finally, President Biden signed the $280 billion bipartisan CHIPS bill into law, which is intended to boost domestic high-tech manufacturing.

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Tuesday, August 9th, 2022 Aug 09, 2022

Today's headlines: Alex Jones' texts have been turned over to the January 6 committee. The FBI has executed a search warrant at Trump's Mar-a-Lago for document investigation and has found files in Trump’s toilet. Then, Trump apparently asked an aide why his generals couldn’t be like Hitler’s, while Paul Manafort has admitted he passed Trump campaign data to a suspected Russian asset. Finally, the UK is in for its second major heatwave of the summer.

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Monday, August 8th, 2022 Aug 08, 2022

Today's headlines: The Senate has approved the Inflation Reduction Act, a long-delayed health and climate bill, while Friday’s jobs report exceeded expectations by showing that the US economy added 528 thousand jobs in July, and unemployment is down to 3.5 percent. Then, Alex Jones was sentenced to pay an additional 42.5 million dollars in punitive damages, North Carolina announced on Friday that it plans to put AR-15 guns in every school in Madison County, and Indiana has officially become the first state to pass a new abortion ban since Roe was struck down. Finally, Hungary's Viktor Orban fired up Texas conservatives at CPAC this weekend, and President Biden is cleared to come out of isolation since he tested negative for covid yesterday.

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Friday, August 5th, 2022 Aug 05, 2022

Today's headlines: Alex Jones is charged $4 million in damages to two Sandy Hook parents following his defamation case. Then, the Louisville police officers that killed Breonna Taylor have been federally charged, while Brittney Griner has been found guilty of drug smuggling in Russia and sentenced to 9 years in prison. Finally, the White House has officially declared monkeypox a public health emergency.

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Thursday, August 4th, 2022 Aug 04, 2022

Today's headlines: Representative Peter Meijer became the second House Republican who voted for Trump impeachment to lose the primary. New election results have arrived out of Arizona, Michigan, Missouri, Kansas and Washington. Indiana Republican Rep. Jackie Walorski has died in a car accident that also killed two staffers. According to new reports, Phones of top Pentagon officials were wiped of January 6th messages. Finally, Alex Jones' lawyer accidentally sent the contents of Jones' phone revealing InfoWars' financials and texts he claimed didn't exist, while the Jan. 6 Committee Prepares to Subpoena those texts as well as other emails.

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Wednesday, August 3rd, 2022 Aug 03, 2022

Today's headlines: Kansas voters rejected a measure that would remove the right to an abortion from the state constitution, while a bipartisan group of senators have introduced legislation that would codify the right to an abortion into federal law. Then, The DOJ has filed its first lawsuit since Roe was overturned against a state abortion ban, Florida’s abortion plan is being challenged in new lawsuits by 7 religious leaders in the state, and the senate voted last night to pass legislation expanding health care benefits the millions of veterans. Finally, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has decided to take her trip to Taiwan against China’s wishes.

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Tuesday, August 2nd, 2022 Aug 02, 2022

Today's headlines: President Biden announced last night that the current leader of Al Qaeda, Ayman Al-Zawahri was killed by a US counterterrorism drone strike in Afghanistan. Meanwhile, new reports reveal that Prince Charles accepted £1m from Osama Bin Laden's family, while Pelosi's upcoming trip to Taiwan may test relations with China. A former high level Russian official who had been a former mentor and now critic of Putin has been hospitalized in Europe. Finally, Senator Lindsey Graham is fighting the subpoena he was served by the grand jury in Georgia, while the White House Digital Service, which is responsible for matching sick patients with potential organ donations, is severely flawed.

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Monday, August 1st, 2022 Aug 01, 2022

Today's headlines: At least 28 people have died due to extreme flooding in Kentucky, and at least 7 people have died due to a severe heat wave in California. Then, Democrats tried to include $400 billion into funding veterans' health care bills. Finally, the New York State Health Commissioner has officially declared monkeypox an emergency in New York, and President Biden tested positive for covid 19 again on Saturday morning.

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Friday, July 29th, 2022 Jul 29, 2022

Today's headlines: A G.D.P. report shows that the U.S. Economy has shrunk again, while Democrats in the House are preparing legislation that would ban stock trading by Congress. Then, the DOJ said Wednesday that a Pennsylvania mortgage company owned by Warren Buffet discriminated against potential Black and Latino homebuyers. Finally, judges in both Wyoming and North Dakota temporarily blocked the states’ abortion bans, and the Biden Administration is urging the FDA to approve MDMA and psilocybin within the next two years as potential therapies for PTSD and depression.

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Thursday, July 28th, 2022 Jul 28, 2022

Today's headlines: The DOJ has confirmed that it is investigating Trump himself in their January 6th criminal probe, while also investigating numerous arms of criminality, including the pressure campaign against Pence. The House Committee on Oversight and Reform committee found that gun manufacturers that sell assault style rifles have purposely employed ethically questionable tactics. Instagram head Adam Mosseri stated that the company does not intend to take predominant feedback from users into account. Senator Joe Manchin announced yesterday that he plans to support a deficit reduction package that will address climate change and prescription drug reform. Meanwhile, WNBA star Brittney Griner testified in Russian court yesterday, and Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced that the administration has made an offer to the Kremlin to exchange Griner and American Paul Whelan for convicted Russian arms trafficker Viktor Bout. Finally, Dr. Oz failed to report his ownership of a Garden State apartment, home to friends tied to groups involved in Armenian genocide denial.

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NBC: Merrick Garland calls Justice Department’s Jan. 6 probe the ‘most wide-ranging investigation in its history’

Washington Post: Justice Dept. investigating Trump’s actions in Jan. 6 criminal probe

CNN: 'The gun industry has flooded our neighborhoods': House hearing highlights assault-style weapons

Washington Post: Instagram knows you don’t like its changes. It doesn’t care.

Axios: Manchin announces support for climate, tax, health care deal

CNN: Brittney Griner testifies she signed documents without understanding what they said after being stopped at Moscow airport

Daily Beast: Dr. Oz’s Turkish Nationalist Pals Living in His Secret N.J. Condo

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Wednesday, July 27th, 2022 Jul 27, 2022

Today's headlines: The Biden administration is still deciding whether to extend student loan payment pause past August 31, while Disney’s Hulu has refused to air political ads that deal with controversial issues like abortion and the January 6 attack. Then, the senate has voted 64-32 on a package to fund domestic production of semiconductor chips. Finally, Mike Pence’s former chief of staff appeared before a January 6th grand jury last week, and Russia has announced that they’ll be pulling out of the international space station in 2024.

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Tuesday, July 26th, 2022 Jul 26, 2022

Today's headlines: the prime minister of Moldova told CNN in an interview that she is concerned Russia is going to invade them next. Meanwhile, two people were shot in the middle of the day in Whistler, Canada yesterday while a 37 year old woman opened fire inside Dallas Love Field Airport. A group of Republican state legislators sent a letter to law firm Sidley Austin, threatening the company and its lawyers with disbarment and protection if they facilitate abortions. Finally, Democrats in the Michigan state House called for a federal investigation into 11 republican lawmakers for seditious conspiracy, while a former republican congressman from Indiana has been charged with insider trading by federal prosecutors and the SEC.

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Monday, July 25th, 2022 Jul 25, 2022

Today's headlines: Steve Bannon was found guilty in court on 2 counts of contempt of congress for his refusal to comply with a subpoena and appear before the House committee. 24 Secret Service officers have all retained private counsel in regards to the January 6th Hearings, while a husband of a Colorado woman who has been missing for more than two years pleaded guilty last Thursday to casting her mail-in ballot for Trump. Then, California governor Gavin Newsom signed a new gun control bill on Friday while Madison Cawthorn illegally spent over 200 thousand dollars of donor money. Finally, a dutch reforestation company which aims to offset carbon emissions started what has become a thirty-five thousand acre forest fire in Spain.

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Friday, July 22nd, 2022 Jul 22, 2022

Today's headlines: The biggest takeaways from last night’s January 6th hearing, which focused on how Trump did not only *fail* tell the mob to go home after 4pm - he *chose* not to. Then, the department of homeland security is conducting a criminal probe into the deleted texts by the secret service, and President Biden tested positive for covid yesterday. Health officials in New York reported its first case of polio in almost a decade yesterday, the DHS under the Trump administration had used mobile location data on a much larger scale than was previously known, and it was revealed that the Trump administration spent years trying to add a citizenship question to the census. Finally, the House of Representatives voted on a bill that would protect access to birth control.

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Thursday, July 21st, 2022 Jul 21, 2022

Today's headlines: A bipartisan group of senators announced yesterday that they have reached agreement on 2 potential bills meant to strengthen the administration of elections, while the Defense of Marriage Act was passed in the House of Representatives on Tuesday. Meanwhile, a judge has ordered Rudy Giuliani to testify before the Fulton County grand Jury on August 9th, Donald Trump is still trying to get the 2020 election decertified, and Kremlin Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told Russian state media yesterday that Russia’s ambitions extend further south into Ukraine. Finally, the EU proposed plans for all member states to reduce gas consumption by 15 percent until Spring, and more than 100 million households in the US are currently under heat warnings.

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Wednesday, July 20th, 2022 Jul 20, 2022

Today's headlines: Secret Service cannot recover texts between January 5th and 6th for the January 6th Hearing Committee. Then, news out of the DOJ, and The House of Representatives voted on Monday over the question of whether Finland and Sweden should be able to join NATO. The UK hit an all time record high temperature of over 104 degrees yesterday, with the country experiencing a huge surge in fires due to the heat wave. An Indiana doctor who helped perform an abortion for a 10 year old girl in Ohio who became pregnant after being raped, has filed a claim against the Indiana Attorney General for his comments in the wake of the incident. Finally, more than a dozen members of congress were arrested yesterday at an abortion rights protest in front of the Supreme Court, and the House of Representatives passed a bill codifying same sex and interracial marriage yesterday.

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Tuesday, July 19th, 2022 Jul 19, 2022

Today's headlines: Extensive reporting from the New York Times post Roe reversal paints a dire picture of women whose lives were put at extreme risk due to doctors’ refusal to act, for fear of being prosecuted. In similar news, the Idaho Republican Party voted on their platform over the weekend and rejected a proposal to add language that would allow abortions to save the life of the mother. Then, the Republican candidate for the governor of New York is facing claims that he submitted fake signatures to get an additional line on the ballot in the November election, and Dr. Fauci announced yesterday that he plans to retire by the end of 2025. Finally, Yesterday was the first day of Steve Bannon’s trial for his failure to comply with subpoenas from the House January 6th committee, and Bennie Thompson is asking the DOJ to investigate the ex-governor of Mississippi.

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Monday, July 18th, 2022 Jul 18, 2022

Today's headlines: A special committee in the Texas state House released a comprehensive 77-page report about the police response to the elementary school shooting in Uvalde. Meanwhile, a bipartisan group of senators has agreed to a series of provisions to reform the Electoral Count Act, while the UAE has detained the American lawyer who had previously represented Jamal Khashoggi. Senator Joe Manchin has backed out yet again on negotiations for a democratic budget package, and a small town library in Vinton, Iowa has closed due to what they said was harassment by conservative residents over the display of LGBTQ books and staff. Finally, Betsy DeVos stated at a conservative education summit yesterday that she believes the Department of education should not exist.

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NY Times: Report on Uvalde Shooting Finds ‘Systemic Failures’ in Police Response

NBC: Senators are close to releasing a bill to stop candidates from stealing elections

US News: UAE Detains U.S. Lawyer for Khashoggi on Money Laundering Charges

NPR: Biden urges Democrats to pass slim health care bill after Manchin nixes climate action

Yahoo! News: Iowa Library Shuttered After Anti-LGBTQ+ Sentiments Flare

Axios: Betsy DeVos calls for abolishing the Department of Education

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Friday, July 15th, 2022 Jul 15, 2022

Today's headlines: Texas attorney general Ken Paxton is suing the Biden Administration over the recent reminder that federal law requires emergency medical treatment supersede any state restrictions on abortion, while a mile long procession of 52 school buses drove to Ted Cruz’s house in Houston. Meanwhile, Europe is currently undergoing a severe heat wave, the euro and the dollar are worth the same amount for the first time in two decades, and Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi announced that he will resign. Finally, President Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid held a 1-on-1 where they declared that they would not allow Iran to become a nuclear power, and Donald Trump’s ex wife Ivana Trump, has passed away at the age of 73.

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Thursday July 14th, 2022 Jul 14, 2022

Today's headlines: June inflation numbers are out, and prices have jumped 9.1 percent over the last 12 months. Democrats in Congress have introduced legislation to protect interstate travel for abortion, while the department of health has reminded pharmacies that they cannot stop patients from accessing prescribed medication in states with abortion bans. Finally, the justice department announced that they are establishing a Reproductive Rights Task Force, and a formerly unseen video taken from inside the Robb Elementary School in uvalde Texas has been released.

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Wednesday, July 13th, 2022 Jul 13, 2022

Today's headlines: News from yesterday’s January 6th hearing, which focused on showing how Trump and his advisors were directing the specific actions of extremist groups before and during the insurrection. The second half of the hearing involved testimony from 2 live witnesses, who represented the average voters and violent extremists that Trump relied upon. Finally, A federal judge has refused Steve Bannon’s request to delay his criminal trial to October for his contempt of congress charges, and a judge in Georgia has ordered Senator Lindsey Graham to testify in front of a grand jury.

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Tuesday, July 12th, 2022 Jul 12, 2022

Today's headlines: The next long awaited January 6th hearing is today. The Biden Administration has issued a directive to hospitals stating that they must provide abortion services if the life of a mother is at risk, and there’s a new covid variant on the loose. Finally, the Uber whistleblower who released over 124 thousand private company documents has been identified as Mark McGann, and Texas’s state power grid operator is warning residents to conserve electricity as temperatures are hitting 100 degrees across the state.

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Monday, July 11th, 2022 Jul 11, 2022

Today's headlines: Japan’s former prime minister Shinzo Abe was assassinated on Friday. New York lawmakers have passed a provision that changes how applicants will be screened for gun permits. The Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled against the use of most ballot drop boxes. and a 3-judge panel in Tennessee rejected a lawsuit by a Jewish couple who sued the state government for discrimination. The European Parliament has condemned the US Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v Wade, and Steve Bannon has agreed to testify to the House January 6th committee. Finally, Twitter is pursuing legal action against Elon Musk after he pulled out of his 44 billion dollar deal to buy the company.

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Friday, July 8th, 2022 Jul 08, 2022

Today's headlines: WNBA athlete Brittney Griner pleading guilty in Russia to drug charges. New reporting that FBI Directors Andrew McCabe and James Comey were both selected for an extremely invasive and rare IRS tax audit during Trump's administration. Intelligence agencies from the UK and the FBI made a rare joint address warning of Chinese economic espionage. Finally, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has taken the hint and resigned.

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Thursday, July 7th, 2022 Jul 07, 2022

Today's headlines include new information on the Highland Park shooting, news of the deal Pat Cipollone made with the January 6th committee to testify in a transcribed video interview, and news that Lindsey Graham is fighting the Fulton County DA. Finally, gas and median rent prices have dropped, and Prime Minister Boris Johnson is refusing to resign.

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Wednesday, July 6th, 2022 Jul 06, 2022

Today's headlines include new information on the Highland Park shooter, WNBA athlete Brittney Griner's handwritten letter to President Biden, New Jersey enacting new gun legislation, and Senator Lindsey Graham's potential testimony before the little election fraud investigation that could.

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Tuesday, July 5th, 2022 Jul 05, 2022

Today, we start with the terrible news that a shooter is in custody after opening fire at a holiday parade in Highland Park, Illinois, while Uvalde Texas is still grappling with the aftermath of the country’s last most traumatic shooting. Then, a curfew and a ‘state of emergency’ has been issued in Akron, Ohio, Trump’s ‘Save America’ has paid half a million dollars to law firms involved in the January 6th committee, and 2 bills were signed to bolster abortion rights in New Jersey. Finally, same sex marriage became legal in Switzerland this past Friday.

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Friday, July 1st, 2022 Jul 01, 2022

Today, we start with the latest SCOTUS news (and only one piece of it’s good). Then, judges in Kentucky and Florida have temporarily blocked their state’s near total ban on abortion, and Trump’s top White House lawyer has been subpoenaed by the January 6th committee. Finally, New Zealand has officially declared the American Proud Boys a Terrorist Organization while Bill Gates is officially the largest farmland owner in the country.

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Thursday, June 30th, 2022 Jun 30, 2022

Today, we start with results from Tuesday’s primary elections and news that the Supreme Court issued two decisions yesterday. Then, three men are in custody after 53 migrants were found dead inside of a tractor-trailer near San Antonio, Texas, Finland and Sweden have been formally invited to join NATO, and R Kelly was sentenced to 30 years in prison for sex trafficking. Finally, Bernie Sanders called to fine airlines $55 thousand dollars per passenger for flight cancellations.

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Wednesday, June 29th, 2022 Jun 29, 2022

Today, we start with news from yesterday’s last minute January 6th hearing. Then, John Eastman’s phone was seized by federal agents carrying out a search warrant, while a judge in Texas issued a temporary restraining order to block the enforcement of the state’s abortion ban. Finally, six justices issued an unsigned, unexplained shadow docket order for Louisiana, and Ghislaine Maxwell was sentenced to 20 years in prison for conspiring with Jeffrey Epstein.

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Tuesday, June 28th, 2022 Jun 28, 2022

Today, we start with laws and bans against abortion being put into effect across the nation. Then, The Supreme Court released a 6-3 ruling that a former Washington state high school football coach had a right to pray on the field immediately after games, while the January 6th House committee is holding an emergency hearing at 1pm eastern time tomorrow. Finally, news on the war in Ukraine, and Russia has set the trial for WNBA player Brittney Griner to begin on Friday, July 1st.

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Monday, June 27th, 2022 Jun 27, 2022

Today, we start with the news that the Supreme Court overturned Roe V. Wade in a 5-4 ruling on Friday. Next, bans or severely restrictive legislation went into effect in 11 states immediate after the ruling, while several lawmakers in congress were calling for a federal bill allowing the right to abortion, but it is unlikely to hold up with this Supreme Court. Finally, Attorney General Merrick Garland also announced on Friday that the justice department would combat any efforts to restrict access to abortion pills.

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Friday, June 24th, 2022 Jun 24, 2022

Today, we start with congress somehow passing the most comprehensive gun legislation in decades, while the government is managing to ban juul e-cigarettes. Finally, stories from the fourth day of the January 6th committee hearings.

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Thursday, June 23rd, 2022 Jun 23, 2022

Today, we start with President Biden asking congress to suspend the federal gas tax through the end of September, while A 5.9 magnitude earthquake struck Afghanistan Wednesday. Then, following the Uvalde shooting, Police Chief Pete Arredondo has been placed on administrative leave, congress seem to be getting some traction in passing legislation to help prevent future shootings, and a Georgia republican candidate said that his Democratic opponent could leave the state if she wasn’t happy there. Finally, the January 6th Committee hearing is happening today at 3pm eastern, and the fate of Roe vs. Wade could be announced at any moment.

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Wednesday, June 22, 2022 Jun 22, 2022

Today, we begin with a summary of the events that transpired at the third January 6th hearing this afternoon, including revelations and many testimonies. Finally, an aide to Senator Ron Johnson stated that he would be needing an "alternate slate of electors for Michigan and Wisconsin” during the insurrection, and the head of the Texas State Police stated that the police response to the Uvalde shooting was “an abject failure.”

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Tuesday, June 21st, 2022 Jun 21, 2022

Today, we begin with news that the fourth January 6th hearing session starts today at 1pm eastern time, while news rolls in for a few international elections. Then, Missouri Senate candidate Eric Greitens released a campaign video where he’s holding a shotgun, the average price for a gallon of gas has fallen back below 5 dollars, and Biden teases that he’ll be adding a federal gas tax holiday. Finally, more scary weather reports continue across the nation.

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Monday, June 20th, 2022 Jun 20, 2022

Today, we begin with emerging details on the shooting in Uvalde, Texas, and news that gas prices are up while Bitcoin is down. Then, the House January 6th committee says they’re cooperating with the Justice Department to share transcripts of interviews, a republican member of the house committee says that “there is violence in the future,” and Trump privately admitted he knew he lost to Biden. Finally, Pfizer and Moderna vaccines have been cleared for children ages 6 months to 5 years old, NATO’s chief warned yesterday that the conflict in Ukraine could potentially drag on for years, and voting has restricted the participation of transgender athletes in elite women's swimming competitions.

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Friday, June 17th, 2022 Jun 17, 2022

Today, we begin with the biggest takeaways from yesterday's January 6th hearing, and Biden saying that a recession is ‘not inevitable.’ Then, The leaders of France, Germany and Italy met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky yesterday, expressing support for granting Ukraine entry to the European Union. Finally, thousands of cattle in Kansas have been reported dead of heat-stroke, and Elon Musk has addressed twitter’s employees for the first time in a while.

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Thursday, June 16th, 2022 Jun 16, 2022

Today, we begin with news of the airdate for the next January 6th hearing, and a Barry Loudermilk ‘tour of the Capitol office building’ video is leaked. Then, new details about a key meeting that happened in the Oval Office on January 3rd, investigators in Georgia are seeking testimony from celebrity publicist Trevian Kutti, and a new case of election denial in New Mexico. Finally, the newest out of Russia, and the Federal Reserve has stated they’ll be raising the interest rate in an effort to fight inflation.

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Wednesday, June 15th, 2022 Jun 15, 2022

Today, we begin with Mitch McConnell saying that he is “comfortable” with the new senate framework on guns, while the January 6th hearing has been postponed as the committee has had video presentation difficulties. Meanwhile, a police officer will be paid more than 1.5 million dollars to resign after displaying a Nazi insignia on his office door, and the newest on the war in Ukraine. Finally, terrible weather can be felt around the nation, while the World Health Organization stated that they will be changing the name of Monkeypox.

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Tuesday, June 14th, 2022 Jun 14, 2022

Today, we begin with news that the House January 6th committee has sufficient evidence for the DOJ to indict Donald Trump on criminal charges, while Attorney General Merrick Garland gave a press conference on gun violence yesterday. Then, the newest from the January 6th hearing yesterday, the supreme court is releasing a ruling that allows immigrants to be detained indefinitely, and 31 members of the white nationalist organization Patriot Front were arrested Saturday. Finally, the Bear market is hitting Wall Street as stocks, bonds, and crypto take a dive.

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Monday, June 13th, 2022 Jun 13, 2022

Today, we begin with the Senate announcing that they have struck a bipartisan deal that would involve modest new gun restrictions, while the House January 6th committee will hold 3 televised hearings this week. Then, a Ginni Thomas email controversy, coach Jack Del Rio refers to the insurrection as a “dust up” in comparison to BLM protests, and Ryan Zinke wins his primary to become the Republican nominee. Finally, The US is ending the requirement for travelers to the US to test negative for Covid, and NASA announces that UFO’s are now being titled UAP’s.

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Friday, June 10th, 2022 Jun 10, 2022

Today, we begin with the long awaited start to the January 6th committee hearings in the House of Representatives. Then, new reporting revealed that Trump did intend to go to the capitol with the insurrectionists on January 6th, while a republican candidate from Michigan was charged with misdemeanors for his involvement in the insurrection. Finally, Teslas with automated driving systems are a step closer to being recalled.

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Thursday, June 9th, 2022 Jun 09, 2022

Today, we start with news that survivors of the recent mass shootings in Uvalde and Buffalo testified yesterday before the House of Representatives. Then, approximately 90 former Olympic gymnasts are seeking over 1 billion dollars from the FBI on assault charges, while the Los Angeles mayoral election is heading to a runoff between Rick Caruso and Karen Bass. Finally, Washington D.C. makes it illegal to fire someone for failing a Marijuana test, a man was arrested on murder charges near Brett Kavanaugh’s home yesterday, and Twitter is going to comply with Elon Musk’s demands for more internal data.

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Wednesday, June 8th, 2022 Jun 08, 2022

Today, we start with Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen acknowledging, again, that inflation is really bad, while the World Bank warns us that the global economy may be going semi-downhill. Meanwhile, a Texas lawmaker is introducing a bill in the state legislature that will ban minors from attending drag shows, while a New York governor was signing 10 gun control bills into law. Finally actor and Uvalde native Matthew McConaughey gave remarks at a press briefing yesterday.

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Tuesday, June 7th, 2022 Jun 07, 2022

Today, we start with Elon Musk threatening to end his $44 billion dollar agreement to buy Twitter, while Attorney General Ken Paxton is investigating the platform over reports of how many bots it has. Then, the leader of the Proud Boys and four top lieutenants were indicted for seditious conspiracy, a retired Wisconsin judge was shot and killed in his home last Friday, and President Biden is invoking the Defense Production Act for clean energy. Finally, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson survived his vote of no confidence in parliament yesterday.

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Monday, June 6th, 2022 Jun 06, 2022

Today, we start with a recap of the seven separate mass shootings that happened across the country this weekend. Then, the House Oversight Committee is inviting survivors and parents of victims of the recent Uvalde and Buffalo shootings to testify on Wednesday, while The House January 6th committee will begin televising hearings on Thursday night regarding the insurgency. Finally, the Special Olympics are announcing that they are lifting the vaccine mandate for their Orlando games, Rafael Nadal wins the French Open, and Queen Elizabeth celebrates her Platinum Jubilee.

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Friday, June 3rd, 2022 Jun 03, 2022

To end the week, we start with information on the three active shootings that occurred simultaneously on Wednesday night. Then, the Ohio Senate passed legislation Tuesday evening that would allow school board teachers to arm themselves, while The US announced that it is now providing more advanced and longer range missile systems to Ukraine. Finally, Amber Heard announced yesterday that she is going to appeal her case against Johnny Depp.

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Thursday, June 2nd, 2022 Jun 02, 2022

Today, we start with information on the shooting in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and the verdict on the Amber Heard / Johnny Depp trial. Then, News that the Supreme Court has blocked a social media law in Texas from taking effect, and updates on the Uvalde shooting. Finally, NYC is looking into installing gun-detection scanners into their subway systems, while Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen stated Tuesday evening that she “was wrong about the path inflation would take”.

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Wednesday, June 1st, 2022 Jun 01, 2022

Today, we start with The House Judiciary Committee announcing that they will hold an emergency hearing this week to consider a package of gun reform bills. Then, Michael Sussman, (whose firm represented Hillary Clinton’s campaign in 2016) was charged with lying to the FBI yesterday, while Russian forces now control “around half” of the Ukrainian city of Severodonetsk. Finally, Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny announced that he is facing new prison charges yesterday.

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Tuesday, May 31st, 2022 May 31, 2022

Today, we start with the justice department announcing that it will personally review the police response to the shooting in Uvalde Texas, while recent news suggests that “rational Republicans" could act on new gun control laws in the wake of the shooting. Then, while there have been FOURTEEN mass shootings in the US this past week, there is also incoming news regarding Monkeypox data, and the FDA is currently investigating a hepatitis A outbreak that could be linked to organic strawberries. Finally, The US’ first hurricane is here, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband Paul Pelosi was arrested and charged with a DUI on Saturday night.

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Friday, May 27, 2022 May 27, 2022

Today, we start with disheartening updates on the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas. Then, a New York federal judge challenged a law that would allow people affected by gun violence to sue gunmakers yesterday, while executive pay for chief executives rose by 17.1% last year. Finally, Oklahoma has signed a state law that bans abortion from the point of fertilization, and a new scandal involving the Wisconsin Elections Commission.

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Thursday, May 26, 2022 May 26, 2022

Today, we start with updates on the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas. Then, Biden’s nomination to lead the Bureau of ATFE appeared before the senate judiciary committee yesterday, and the primary results from Georgia, Arkansas, Alabama and Texas are in. Finally, new reports reveal that members of ISIS allegedly tried to murder George W Bush on Tuesday.

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Wednesday, May 25th, 2022 May 25, 2022

Today, we start with the latest information on the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas. Then, Georgia, Arkansas, Alabama and Texas are awaiting their primary results, and today marks the two year anniversary of the tragic death of George Floyd. Finally, the U.S. birth rate is up for the first time since 2014, and a one of a kind burn-proof edition of the Handmaid’s Tale is currently up for auction.

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Tuesday, May 24th, 2022 May 24, 2022

Today, we start with a Russian diplomat resigning over the war in Ukraine, Starbucks has been making plans for leaving Russia, and the Russian Foreign ministry is updating its list of blacklisted Americans. Then, Biden declares that the U.S. would defend Taiwan in case of an attack by China, Airbnb has announced that it will exit China, and the Ethics Committee in the house of representatives is investigating three republican lawmakers. Finally, Pfizer has announced that its vaccines are very effective in building a strong immune system in infants, while Mike Pence has signaled his interest in running for office against Donald Trump.

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Monday, May 23rd, 2022 May 23, 2022

Today, we start with Senator Bill Cassidy showing his true colors regarding race, and the first flight carrying baby formula has landed from Europe in the US. Then, it's revealed that Tesla paid $250,000 in 2018 to silence a Space X attendant that Elon Musk exposed himself to, and the recent spread of Monkeypox continues throughout the states.

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Friday, May 20th, 2022 May 20, 2022

*UPDATE: Today's episode begins with breaking news about a new abortion ban in Oklahoma.

Then we hear about the House committee requesting information from Barry Loudermilk on capitol tours he gave the day before the January 6th insurrection. Then, President Biden is invoking the Defense Production Act to aid the baby formula shortage and 192 republicans in the House are voting against an emergency measure. Finally, Facebook has been secretly funding groups to create the appearance of opposition in Washington, while the World Meteorological Organization has found that climate change benchmarks all set records in 2021.

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Thursday, May 19th, 2022 May 19, 2022

Today, we start with incoming results from the Pennsylvania senate republican primary race, and news that the justice department has finally asked the January 6th House committee for their closed-door transcripts. Then, the justice department’s back at it by suing Steve Winn, the Supreme Court has ruled in favor of Ted Cruz’s challenge to a federal law, and equal pay and bonuses are now in play for men and women’s soccer in the US.

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Wednesday, May 18th, 2022 May 18, 2022

Today, we start with President Biden addressing the Buffalo shooting, as well as current results from the elections in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Idaho, Kentucky and Oregon. Then, the longest battle of the war in Ukraine has ended, the FDA has authorized Pfizer booster doses for children ages 5 to 11, and a new bill signed by Governor Ron DeSantis. Finally, Elon Musk attempts to back out of his twitter deal while Google Trends releases new search data on the Johnny Depp and Amber Heard trial.

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Tuesday, May 17th, 2022 May 17, 2022

Today, we start with McDonalds announcing that they are pulling out of Russia, and Sweden announcing that they are pulling out of 200 years of neutrality. Meanwhile, a new poll reveals a startling set of beliefs about immigrants replacing American voters, and a solution has been found to the baby formula shortage. Finally, the largest wildfire in New Mexico state history continues raging.

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Monday, May 16th, 2022 May 16, 2022

The week starts with a tragic mass shooting out of Buffalo, New York. Then, Finland and Sweden move closer to joining NATO as Russia responds, the Texas power grid is failing again, and the White House is getting a new press secretary. Finally, in some good news, Australian researchers made a breakthrough in identifying the root cause of sudden infant death syndrome.

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Friday, May 13, 2022 May 13, 2022

Today, we start with Russia responding to Finland’s NATO plan, Hungary’s prime minister refusing to ban imports of Russian oil, an update on the nationwide shortage of baby formula, and North Korea's nationwide lockdown. Finally, we end the week with a New York judge ordering Donald Trump to pay 110 thousand dollars in contempt fees.

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Thursday, May 12th, 2022 May 12, 2022

Today, we start with the failure of the Women’s Health Protection Act in the Senate, the primary elections in West Virginia and Nebraska, and a federal judge stating he will block Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' redistricting map. Finally, we end with Spain’s proposal that would grant women 3 days of menstrual leave.

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Wednesday, May 11, 2022 May 11, 2022

Today we cover Elon Musk stating he would let Donald Trump back on Twitter, the Treasury secretary Janet Yellen’s comments on the effects of eliminating abortion, President Biden’s remarks on inflation, and the House of Representatives vote that would recognize congressional workers' right to unionize. Finally, we end with the Senate passing a bill that gives police protection to families of Supreme Court justices.

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Tuesday, May 10, 2022 May 10, 2022

Today we cover New York lawmakers pushing for abortion funds, President Biden signing a bill expediting the process to send military aid, and the severe fire risk for the southwestern United States. Lastly, AT&T, Comcast, and Verizon have agreed to provide high-speed internet service at a discount to low-income consumers.

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Monday, May 09, 2022 May 09, 2022

We start this week off with various changes that lawmakers in several states are trying to create to limit contraception. Then, we touch upon Marjorie Taylor Greene’s ability to run for reelection, the job growth in the U.S, and Jill Biden’s visit to Ukraine. Finally, we end with Rudy Giuliani canceling his appearance before the Jan. 6 committee.

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Friday, May 06, 2022 May 06, 2022

Today, we cover Canada’s announcement that Americans will be able to obtain abortions in Canada, Madison Cawthorn’s new 30-second naked video dropping, and the new press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre. Finally, we end this Friday with an increase in covid cases.

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Thursday, May 05, 2022 May 05, 2022

Today, we cover the 6 week abortion ban in Oklahoma, the big takeaways from the primary elections that were held on Tuesday in Ohio and Indiana, Pope Francis’ warning to the leader of the Russian Orthodox Church, and the Federal Reserve raising interest rates. Finally, we end with Intuit's agreement to settle the deception claim.

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Wednesday, May 04, 2022 May 04, 2022

Well, you guessed it– today we bring you up to date with all the buzz surrounding the leaked Supreme Court opinion that intends to overturn Roe v. Wade.

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Tuesday, May 03, 2022 May 03, 2022

We start today with the shocking news of a leaked copy of a supreme court majority opinion that will overturn Roe v. Wade. Trump’s former defense secretary, Mark Esper, came out with a memoir, meanwhile, the Israeli foreign minister calls out Russia’s Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov on his Hilter remarks. Then, the American Academy of Pediatrics reviews its flawed, race-based guidelines. Finally, The governor of Tennessee announced that executions will be paused while lethal injections are reviewed.

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Monday, May 02, 2022 May 02, 2022

This week starts with Nancy Pelosi's visit to President Zelensky. Connecticut passes a bill that will expand the types of medical professionals who can provide abortion services. Next, we touch upon the cross-country shortage of baby formula. Meanwhile, the Justice Department filed a complaint challenging Alabama’s recently enacted law. Finally, Biden subtly digs at the former president at the White House correspondents dinner.

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Friday, April 29th, 2022 Apr 29, 2022

We end this week, with the announcement of The January 6th House committee’s save the date, which has been tentatively scheduled from June 9th to the end of the month. Then, President Biden asked congress for another 33 billion dollars to aid Ukraine, in light of the White House unveiling a legislative package that would allow the federal government to sell Russian yachts. On top of that, we discover the U.S economy has shrunk 1.4 percent during the first three months of the year due to slow growth. Next, Moderna is officially seeking emergency authorization for children ages 6 months to 6 years due to a strong immune response in children. Lastly, The Oklahoma State House has passed a bill banning abortion after six weeks.

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Thursday, April 28, 2022 Apr 28, 2022

Yesterday Russia shut off the supply of natural gas to Poland and Bulgaria. Nestle raised their prices by more than 5% by passing on its rising costs to shoppers. Next, The Minnesota Human Rights Department found that the Minneapolis Police Department violated the Minnesota Human Rights Act. Meanwhile, 6 million Californians were asked to cut their outdoor watering to one day a week amidst the drought. Finally, Madison Cawthorn was given a citation for carrying a loaded handgun at Charlotte’s International Airport.

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Wednesday, April 27, 2022 Apr 27, 2022

President Biden announced 3 pardons and the commutation of 75 sentences for nonviolent drug offenders. Harvard commits 100 million dollars to study and remedy its ties to slavery. Next, the head of the UN’s atomic agency announced that radiation levels at Chernobyl are considered to be “normal”. Finally, the EU's internal market commissioner reminds Elon that he needs to play by “their rules”.

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Tuesday, April 26, 2022 Apr 26, 2022

We kick off today with Elon Musk buying Twitter yesterday for roughly 44 billion dollars and Donald Trump being fined $10,000 a day for failing to respond to a subpoena. Meanwhile, the EU announced a new set of digital regulations that will affect the US and other countries. Finland and Sweden have agreed to submit membership applications to NATO while the United States has named an ambassador to Ukraine. Finally, Mark Meadows has released 2319 text messages to the January 6th committee.

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Monday, April 25, 2022 Apr 25, 2022

This week starts with newly obtained audio by the New York Times of Trump’s conversation with Kevin McCarthy a few days after January 6th. Next, Marjorie Taylor Greene testified under oath in a lawsuit that will determine her eligibility to run for reelection. French President Emmanuel Macron makes history as the first French president to be reelected in 20 years. Meanwhile, the Biden administration unveiled another 800 million in military aid for Ukraine. Finally, 20 wildfires continued to burn in nearly half of New Mexico's Counties.

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Friday, April 22, 2022 Apr 22, 2022

This Friday starts with the closing of the consulates of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania in Russia. Next, the Florida state legislature has passed a bill to cancel Walt Disney World's special tax district. Meanwhile, The Department of Education announced it will retroactively cancel student loans for at least 40,000 borrowers. Finally, Donald Trump Jr will be voluntarily testifying before the January 6th committee.

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Thursday, Apr 21, 2022 Apr 21, 2022

The White House will appeal the decision of the Florida federal court to drop the mask mandate for federal travel. Meanwhile, Ron DeSantis starts meddling with Florida’s electoral maps. A UK court issued a formal order yesterday to extradite WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to the U.S. Players from Russia and Belarus are banned from the Wimbledon tennis tournament. Finally, Netflix’s share price dropped 37 percent yesterday after its customer base fell by 200,000 subscribers.

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Wednesday, Apr 20, 2022 Apr 20, 2022

After Monday night’s federal court ruling on the mask mandate for travel, TSA lifted its mask mandate. Then, Russia announced that the “next phase” of the war is underway. Meanwhile, a federal judge ruled that legal efforts to disqualify Marjorie Taylor Greene from running for re-election can proceed. The White House announced it has restored key protections to an important environmental law. Finally, The Intercept claims that Jared Kushner’s new investment fund has been publicly touting in their marketing deck to investors that Kushner has a relationship with Saudi Arabia.

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Tuesday, April 19th, 2022 Apr 19, 2022

Today starts with a Federal Judge in Florida who voided the federal mask mandate when on planes. Meanwhile, the city of Philadelphia became the first major US city to reinstate its own mask mandate. In Ukraine, the Russian army has started using lethal darts and in Oklahoma, access to abortion training for medical students is under serious threat. Elon Musk tweeted that members of Twitter's board of directors won't be paid if he acquires the company. Finally, Alex Jones’ media outlet filed for bankruptcy.

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Monday, April 18th, 2022 Apr 18, 2022

This week starts with a new abortion ban in Kentucky. Meanwhile, the RNC has voted to withdraw from the Commission on Presidential Debates. Then another update on the war in Ukraine, followed by Stephen Miller’s testimony before the House January 6th committee. Next, Governor Greg Abbott has trouble brewing at the Texas border. Finally, the Florida Department of Education banned fifty math textbooks.

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Friday, April 15th, 2022 Apr 15, 2022

This Friday starts with the sinking of Russia’s flagship in the Black Sea, and a pair of potential new NATO members. Next, Trump’s former chief of staff is embroiled in a voter fraud scandal. Then we get an update on the federal mask mandate, followed by another case of police brutality. We hear about Elon Musk’s latest bid to assume full control of Twitter. Finally, a Republican state Senator out of Tennessee made a *questionable* comparison praising an unexpected historical figure.

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Thursday, April 14, 2022 Apr 14, 2022

We begin today with the latest update on the Brooklyn shooting, with police apprehending a suspect by the name of Frank James after he was linked to the weapons used to wound 29 people on Tuesday. Time moves forward and another inflation report was released reporting inflation hit 8.5 percent in March, marking the fastest twelve-month pace since 1981. Then, if we didn’t have enough updates surrounding Ukraine, Rudy Juliani has officially unlocked all of his 18 devices continuing the investigation to see if he violated foreign lobbying laws by attempting to fire the US Ambassador to Ukraine. Last but not least, Lieutenant Governor Brian Benjamin of New York resigned on Tuesday after federal prosecutors unsealed an indictment that implicated him in a scheme to enrich his political campaigns with illegal donations. The classic… “You can’t fire me, because I quit!”

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Wednesday, April 13th, 2022 Apr 13, 2022

Today starts with an update on the subway shooting in Brooklyn, along with a story about new rules that ban the sale of ghost guns. President Biden used the term genocide to describe Putin’s invasion of Ukraine for the first time since the war began. Meanwhile, Zelensky has offered an exchange of prisoners between the two countries. Then we hear about a challenge to the recently passed Alabama law banning doctors from treating trans youth under age 19. Next, one state is moving to ban abortion altogether, while another state expands access and funding. The White House is taking steps to reduce the cost of federal home loans for Americans who are in medical debt. Finally, a surprising story about a congressman moonlighting as a pilot on the side.

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Tuesday, April 12th, 2022 Apr 12, 2022

Today starts off with the January 6th committee having enough evidence to make a criminal referral to the Justice Department against Donald J. Trump for the attack. Then, it’s revealed that Jared Kushner’s firm Affinity Partners got a $2 billion dollar investment from Saudi Arabia in a deal that was made shortly after Trump left office. Continuing with the Trump theme, Donald Trump Jr may have implicated himself in the scheme to overturn the election when he texted the former White House Chief of Staff. We then head east to take a look at the 8-mile long convoy of Russian forces making its way to the Donbas region in Eastern Ukraine. Lastly, we get the final update about Musk announcing that he will not be joining the Twitter board.

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Monday, April 11th, 2022 Apr 11, 2022

The week starts with an update on the arrest of a Texas woman accused of a self-induced abortion. Next, Dr. Oz has secured the endorsement of Donald Trump in his run for a Senate seat. Then we get details on the ongoing election in France, with President Macron maintaining a slim lead. Plus, an update on Russia's invasion of Ukraine, including yet another tragic missile strike. Finally, we hear about the 10 year ban Will Smith received from the Academy for slapping Chris Rock onstage at the recent Oscars ceremony.

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Friday, April 8th, 2022 Apr 08, 2022

This Friday starts with some good news (finally!) as KBJ has been officially confirmed to the Supreme Court. Next, in an historic move, the UN has voted to suspend Russia from the Human Rights council. Meanwhile, the House of Representatives voted on a bill that would require the preservation of evidence related to war crimes in Ukraine. Finally, Nancy Pelosi has tested positive for Covid, but is currently asymptomatic.

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Thursday, April 7th, 2022 Apr 07, 2022

Another day, another loss for Putin’s forces, as the Russian military have fully withdrawn from the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv. Meanwhile, President Biden announced an executive order banning new US investment in Russia, and a new round of sanctions for Russian banks. Next, prosecutors announced that the Minneapolis police officer who shot and killed Amir Locke will not face criminal charges. The NFL is facing an investigation of its own into allegations of workplace harassment of women and minorities. Plus, Federal Reserve officials are planning on making serious moves to fight high inflation in the coming months. Finally, the DC elite are reeling from a Covid surge after the recent Gridiron Club dinner turned into a superspreader event.

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Wednesday, April 6th, 2022 Apr 06, 2022

Today starts with President Zelensky's address to the UN Security Council, during which he implored the council to take action against the Russian atrocities that are becoming more and more clear as the war carries on in Ukraine. Then, Ivanka Trump testifies before the January 6th Committee, during which she was apparently not too chatty, but helpful nonetheless. Next, The Biden administration announces another pause on student loan payments, which is becoming a welcome pattern. After that, Oklahoma has passed a bill that bans abortions except to save the life of a pregnant person. Then, another GOP legislator in Tennessee has introduced a bill that would eliminate age requirements for marriages. To close things out, a story about a yale official that has admitted to a $40 million fraud scheme that took place over years without the university noticing.

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Tuesday, April 5th, 2022 Apr 05, 2022

Today starts with a trio of stories out of Russia, including a newly seized super yacht, a call for Putin to face consequences, and a pair of kremlin-friendly leaders getting reelected. Then, Ketanji Brown Jackson’s nomination is officially going to the Senate for a vote. Next, the CDC announced it’s getting a complete overhaul, and the UN released another depressing climate report. Then to close things out, a story about Amazon and their plans to block certain keywords on their employees’ internal messaging app, plus a major purchase for Elon Musk.

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Monday, April 4th, 2022 Apr 04, 2022

We start the week with more devastating news out of Ukraine. Then we hear a bizarre story involving five fetuses found in the home of an anti-abortion activist. Disney is at odds with the state of Florida over the "don't say gay" bill. Another new bill shows there may be hope for the legalization of marijuana nationwide. Sarah Palin is throwing her hat into the ring for a vacant congressional seat. The Will Smith saga refuses to go away, as the actor has resigned from the Academy. And finally, in some encouraging news, the first Amazon warehouse has successfully voted to unionize.

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Friday, April 1st, 2022 Apr 01, 2022

We begin today with some updates on the Oscars slap. Next, we cover new measures from the Biden administrations in support of transgender Americans. Meanwhile, Caitlyn Jenner officially joined Fox News as a contributor. Finally, we move over to a Russia-Ukraine update, before closing with a signed law that will create the first ever alert system for missing Indigenous people.

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Thursday, March 31st, 2022 Mar 31, 2022

Today starts with a misinformation showdown between two social media monoliths - Facebook and TikTok. Next, we hear about the EU finally cracking down “golden passport” programs that allow wealthy investors — such as Russian oligarchs — buy E.U. citizenship. Then it's Groundhog Day all over again as Donald Trump trots out one his favorite old conspiracy theories involving the Bidens and Russia. We also learn which Republican is willing to vote to confirm Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson. Finally, an announcement from the CDC about lowering warning levels for cruises.

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Wednesday, March 30th, 2022 Mar 30, 2022

First thing this morning - let's talk about the 7 hour gap shown in Trump's logs on January 6th. Next, we discuss some Russia-Ukraine updates, two COVID-related stories, and the first ever bill signed into law that will make lynching a federal hate crime. Then, we cover what an investigation into Joe Manchin’s business revealed, before closing with a scandalous story about North Caroline Congressman Madison Cawthorn.

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Tuesday, March 29th, 2022 Mar 29, 2022

We begin today with allegations that Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich suffered symptoms of suspected poisoning at peace talks on the Ukraine-Belarus border earlier this month. Next, we cover some January 6th stories, the controversial "Don't Say Gay Bill" that is now law in Florida, and the formal review into the incident between Will Smith and Chris Rock at the Oscars.

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Monday, March 28th, 2022 Mar 28, 2022

Let’s start off this week with the Ginni Thomas text message scandal and a recap of President Biden’s speech in Poland on Saturday. Next we discuss Biden’s “Billionaire Minimum Income Tax” before closing with the major ice shelf that collapsed in East Antarctica after record high temperatures.

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Friday, March 25th, 2022 Mar 25, 2022

We close this week with the latest on the Senate confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson. Next, we cover President Biden's support for expelling Russia from the G20 and more Russia-Ukraine updates. Meanwhile, North Korea tested their first intercontinental ballistic missile since 2017. Finally, we get to some Trump-related headlines, Virginia Thomas's questionable conduct in the 2020 election, and Arizona's two bills targeting transgender youth.

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Thursday, March 24th, 2022 Mar 24, 2022

We debrief you on the third day of Supreme Court hearings, some more Russian invasion updates, and the passing of first woman to serve as United States Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright. Next we share a tale of two state laws, Prince William and Kate Middleton's royal trip in Jamaica, and Mackenzie Scott's record donation of $275 million dollars to Planned Parenthood.

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Wednesday, March 23rd, 2022 Mar 23, 2022

We share some of the highlights from the second day of confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson. Next, we cover latest in the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the end of Amanda Bynes' conservatorship, and Kid Rock's recent claims involving Trump.

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Tuesday, March 22nd, 2022 Mar 22, 2022

Yesterday was the first day of Senate confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee, Ketanji Brown Jackson. Next, we talk about the latest on Russia and Ukraine, the SEC’s first climate disclosure rules for public companies, and Mayor Eric Adams’ revival of the controversial NYPD unit responsible for chokehold death of Eric Garner. Finally, we end today’s news day with a story about a frustrated Ted Cruz at a Montana airport.

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Monday, March 21st, 2022 Mar 21, 2022

We start today's show with updates on Russia-Ukraine. Next, we cover the confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson, Justice Clarence Thomas' hospitalization, and two states that are taking action to protect reproductive rights. Finally, we close with the death of the longest serving member of Congress, Alaska Rep. Don Young.

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Thursday, March 17th, 2022 Mar 17, 2022

We get you through some Russian invasion headlines, the Federal Reserves’ recent interest rate hikes (plus more to come likely), and the Biden administration’s initiative aimed at bolstering campus security and mental health services. Meanwhile, the Department of Homeland Security announced yesterday that Afghans in the United States can now avoid deportation and obtain work permits for the next 18 months through Temporary Protected Status. Finally, we close with the 7.3 magnitude earthquake in northern Japan and Starbucks’ plan to phase out paper cups in the U.S. and Canada.

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Wednesday, March 16th, 2022 Mar 16, 2022

We start with Ukraine and Russia’s compromise talks, and some more updates involving the two countries before moving over to a daylight saving time bill that was passed in the Senate. Finally, on this short news day, we close with how Pfizer and BioNTech are planning to ask to authorize a fourth COVID booster shot for people age 65 and older.

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Tuesday, March 15th, 2022 Mar 15, 2022

For today’s news day, let’s bring you the latest on Russia and Ukraine, before getting to our new segment that we’re gonna call — Today In F*cked Up News. Finally, let’s end our day with a story about Anna Sorokin.

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Monday, March 14th, 2022 Mar 14, 2022

We bring you everything you need to know about Putin’s invasion of Ukraine from this past weekend. Meanwhile, the US, the EU and other allies announced that they are revoking Russia’s status as an equal trade partner, and banned imports on all the good Russian products. Next, we talk about the Missouri bill that would make it illegal to abort deadly ectopic pregnancies, and the new omicron variant known as BA.2. Lastly, New York state has a new plan to distribute licenses to the first retail sellers of recreational marijuana.

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Friday, March 11th, 2022 Mar 11, 2022

We start by discussing the Russia-Ukraine talks from yesterday, and what we could expect with Russia's potential use of chemical or biological weapons. Next, we talk about the Missouri bill that would for helping with out-of-state abortions, and the extended mask mandate for planes and public transit. Meanwhile, the US Census Bureau is estimating that the 2020 census missed 18.8 million people, and Trump may be looking to fundraise for a new "Trump Force One" aircraft. Finally, let's end this week with Stephen's Miller lawsuit over a subpoena for his phone records.

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Thursday, March 10th, 2022 Mar 10, 2022

We’re starting today with news of Putin’s invasion of Ukraine (again). Next, President Biden signed an executive order yesterday that will be an early step in regulating how cryptocurrency is traded, and the Senate voted 79-19 earlier this week to pass a $107 billion dollar plan to overhaul the US Post Office. Finally, the Idaho state house passed a law that makes it illegal to provide gender affirming care to trans teens, and makes doing so a felony with a life sentence.

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Wednesday, March 9th, 2022 Mar 09, 2022

President Biden announced yesterday that the US is officially banning all imports of Russian oil, natural gas and coal. Plus, we share which companies are suspending operations in Russia. Next, we discuss the anti-lynching bill — it has officially passed. Then, we get into a few quick headlines about the January 6th consequences. Lastly, we close with two stories out of Florida and a new studying revealing adults who were exposed to harmful levels of lead as children.

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Tuesday, March 8th, 2022 Mar 08, 2022

Let’s talk about what happened during the four hours of diplomatic talks between Ukraine and Russia yesterday. Meanwhile, new reporting suggests that Donald Trump *may* actually have been right about there being voter fraud in the 2020 election, and a group of state attorneys general announced that they’ve opened an investigation into TikTok and the potential harms that it may pose to kids. Then, we talk about the the trucker convoy that has been circling the Capitol Beltway for the past 2 days. Finally, the Supreme Court announced that it would not review Bill Cosby’s sexual assault case.

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Monday, March 7th, 2022 Mar 07, 2022

Let’s bring you the latest on the Russia-Ukraine crisis. Moving over, Moldova has applied for EU membership, while WNBA player, Brittney Griner, was arrested 3 weeks ago in Russia for having vape cartridges in her luggage. Up next, Florida passed a bill banning abortions after 15 weeks, and Brett Hankison (who was charged for killing Breonna Taylor) was acquitted on 3 counts of wanton endangerment last week. Finally, we share February’s job numbers (and tbh — they’re not looking too great).

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Friday, March 4th, 2022 Mar 04, 2022

We end this week with the latest on the Russia-Ukraine crisis, before moving to updates on the Senate confirmation hearing for Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson. Next, the House January 6th committee claims that they have sufficient evidence to conclude that Trump obstructed Congress and conspired to defraud the United States by lying to Americans about the 2020 election results. Plus, the January 6th committee also subpoenaed Kimberly Guilfoyle. Then, we discuss the Texas judge that blocked the investigation of trans teens’ parents and the White House’s COVID-19 Preparedness Plan. Finally, we close with some *tea* on why Melinda Gates decided to divorce Bill Gates.

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Thursday, March 3rd, 2022 Mar 03, 2022

Russia has officially taken control of the Ukrainian city Kherson. Meanwhile, Russia’s neighboring country Georgia plans to submit bid to join the EU today. Also yesterday, the United Nations General Assembly voted 141-5 with 35 abstentions to condemn Russia’s invasion. Then we cover how the economic consequences continue to mount for Russia. Next let’s talk about everyone’s hero: Volodymyr Zelensky. Lastly, we close with Sen. Tim Kaine's new bill to support long COVID research and when the House select committee will finish wrapping up depositions with witnesses of the Jan. 6 Capitol attack.

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Wednesday, March 2nd, 2022 Mar 02, 2022

We have so much to unpack from last night's State of the Union. Up next, the Senate blocked the possibility of voting on a bill called the Women’s Health Protection Act. Meanwhile, the House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly for the Emmett Till Antilynching Act. And finally, Beto O'Rourke won the Democratic nomination for governor in Texas primary election.

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Tuesday, March 1st, 2022 Mar 01, 2022

We start of course with none other than Russia-Ukraine updates, before moving onto why Elon and his brother are reportedly under investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Finally, we close with a story about the $415 million relief out of the US Department of Education.

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Monday, February 28th, 2022 Feb 28, 2022

We start this week with a status update on the Russian invasion, the historic nomination of Ketanji Brown Jackson for the US Supreme Court, and Amanda Byne’s conservatorship.

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Friday, February 25th, 2022 Feb 25, 2022

We start with the latest Russia and Ukraine news, before covering the resignation of wo prosecutors in charge of the Manhattan district attorney’s criminal investigation into Donald Trump. Also this week, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced that gender-affirming health care for trans kids is a form of child abuse and should be classified as such under existing state law. Next we cover a new report about maternal mortality rates in the US, an update about the trucker convoy, and why Ford Ord vets think they may have been exposed to toxic chemicals in the water from their base. Finally, CPAC is being held in Orlando this weekend.

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Thursday, February 24th, 2022 Feb 24, 2022

Today we bring you the latest on the Russia-Ukraine crisis. Meanwhile in the US (which is also not looking great), a Tennessee bill was passed that would allow the temporary issue of permits to people (not just certified teachers) to teach most classes. Then, we move to why Ivanka Trump is reportedly in talks with the House Committee. Finally, let’s round off with a brand new segment, “Oh Really? No Shit.”

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Wednesday, February 23rd, 2022 Feb 23, 2022

Let’s start the headlines you need to know about Russia and Ukraine. Next, we cover updates from the Ahmaud Arbery trial, Britney Spears' $15 million dollar book deal, and the US women’s national soccer team lawsuit against the US Soccer Federation.

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Tuesday, February 22nd, 2022 Feb 22, 2022

Today, we have some big updates regarding Russia and Ukraine. Up next, we discuss Donald Trump's latest venture, the child tax credit, and a brand new (and toxic) upgrade to the Don't Say Gay bill. Then, move to Boris Johnson's plans to end Covid restrictions in England, before closing with an update on the ban on the imports of avocados from Mexico.

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Friday, February 18th, 2022 Feb 18, 2022

President Biden is still warning that Russia will attack in the next several days, as Kamala Harris prepares to head to the Munich Security Conference later this week. Next, Donald Trump, Donald Trump Jr., and Ivanka Trump are all required to testify under oath in NY’s investigation into the Trump Organization. And according to a new (and disappointing) report from the Pentagon, reported sexual assaults at US military academics increased significantly in the past school year. Then, we cover why Texas is suing the Biden Administration, a quick update from yesterday's Bob Saget story, and why the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating over 350 complaints into Tesla vehicles.

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Thursday, February 17th, 2022 Feb 17, 2022

It’s not a news day without, you guessed it: a Russia-Ukraine update. Next we talk about the Bob Saget's lawsuit, Biden’s letter to the National Archives, and a report that former U.S. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke misused his secretary position. Up next, we cover Remington’s settlement with the families of the 2012 Sandy Hook massacre. Finally, we close with New Zealand’s bill banning conversion therapy.

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Wednesday, February 16th, 2022 Feb 16, 2022

Prince Andrew reached a settlement out of court yesterday with his accuser Virginia Guiffre. Meanwhile, Sarah Palin’s lawsuit against NYC has officially failed once again (but are we really surprised?). Then, we get to Alec Baldwin’s wrongful death lawsuit, some more Russia-Ukraine updates, and close with a story on the suspension of avocado imports from Mexico.

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Tuesday. February 15th, 2022 Feb 15, 2022

Apparently Putin spent his Valentine’s Day rage texting, so let’s unpack, shall we? Next we cover some updates on the Canadian Freedom Convoy, before getting to why Kentucky parents are speaking out about a dress code policy. Then, we discuss why Trump’s long-time accounting firm will no longer will no longer be working with him, and close with Sarah Palin’s libel lawsuit against the New York Times and how it could soon get thrown out.

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Monday, February 14th, 2022 Feb 14, 2022

We begin this week with some big news out of Russia and Ukraine. Next, we cover the Freedom Convoy, before getting to why two Democratic Senators have raised concerns about how the CIA has handled Americans’ information. Then, we get to some concerning allegations regarding Tesla and then close with some recent studies published by the CDC about COVID booster effectiveness.

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Friday, February 11th, 2022 Feb 11, 2022

Let's kick off with a story about the toxic culture within the NFL (and why a convoy of truckers could hit the Super Bowl). And while we're talking about those protestors in Canada, they have officially blocked a third border crossing between the US and Canada. Up next, we run through several Trump-related news stories., before ending with our classic "Headlines That Speak For Themselves" segment.

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Thursday, February 10th, 2022 Feb 10, 2022

Let's start off with another Russia-Ukraine crisis update, before getting to some of the biggest stock traders in Congress of 2021. Up next, the National Archives and Records Administration has asked the Justice Department to examine Donald Trump’s handling of White House records. Then, we unpack some alarming allegations about Rudy Giuliani following the 2020 presidential election, and what the "dont say gay" bill could mean for schools in Florida. Finally, let's end with a recall announcement (and why you might might to park your car outside if you own a Hyundai or Kia).

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Wednesday, February 9th, 2022 Feb 09, 2022

Yesterday Mitch McConnell spoke out against the Republican National Committee’s censure of representatives Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger. Next, we have an update on the so called Freedom Convoy protests in Canada, before getting to a summary of the joint press conference regarding Russia and Ukraine. Meanwhile, multiple states have announced this week that they will be rolling back mask mandates. Then, we discuss Peloton’s own CEO stepping down (and also laying off 2,800 employees in the process). We share another interesting resignation, then close with why a pub that claims to be England’s oldest could close its doors because of COVID.

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Tuesday, February 8th, 2022 Feb 08, 2022

For our first story, we start off with the White House record boxes recovered at Trump's Mar-a-lago property. Next, we cover why the Supreme Court could soon act on a dispute over whether Alabama's new voting map infringes on the rights of Black voters, before getting to some Russia-Ukraine updates. Finally, we close with an announcement from your two favorite low budget airlines.

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Monday, February 7th, 2022 Feb 07, 2022

Starting off with a story out of Minneapolis, a 22 year old black man named Amir Locke was shot and killed by police while sleeping. Next, we move to the censure of Adam Kizinger and Liz Cheney, before getting to 2022's first anti-transgender bill. Finally, it's time for another Ukraine-Russia update, and two stories from the British Commonwealth.

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Friday, February 4th, 2022 Feb 04, 2022

Another day, another Russia-Ukraine update. What's next? Let's move over to announcement from Biden about a US raid that left an ISIS leader dead. Next, we discuss the continuing book ban across schools in the US and why the city of Rotterdam is considering dismantling part of a historic bridge for none other than Jeff Bezos. Speaking of Bezos, his ex-wife MacKenzie Scott just donated $133 million dollars to an educational nonprofit (where's your donations, Jeff?). Meanwhile, retired Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Vindman has now sued Trump, Donald Trump Jr, Rudy Giuliani and other ex-white house aides. To close the show, we end with New Mexico Sen. Ben Ray's recent hospitalization and a scary weather report.

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Thursday, February 3rd, 2022 Feb 03, 2022

We kick today off with you guessed it: Russia and Ukraine. Next we move to our first ever sports category (and this is one you won't want to miss). Finally, we close with a big scandal right out of CNN.

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Wednesday, February 2nd, 2022 Feb 02, 2022

Starting today with some good news, a redwood forest has been returned to a group of native groups. Meanwhile, Johnson & Johnson announced they will pay up to $665 million to tribal communities affected by the opioid crisis. Next, we cover Whoopi Goldberg's controversial Holocaust comments, before unpacking why a Michigan Republican candidate for governor is arguing against abortion care for rape victims. Then, we share a revealing poll that shows more and more teachers are ready to leave their job due to burnout. Finally, Pfizer has officially asked the FDA to approve low-dose COVID-19 shots for children between 6 months and 5 years old.

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Tuesday, February 1st, 2022 Feb 01, 2022

We begin today with some COVID-related news, including the full approval of the Moderna vaccine, Joe Rogan's statement regarding the Spotify controversy, and Boris Johnson's public apology. Next we cover Russia, before getting to North Korea's latest missile test. Lastly, a new study revealed that flood risk in the U.S. will increase by about 25% in the next three decades.

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Monday, January 31st, 2022 Jan 31, 2022

Let’s start this week with Democracy Watch, kicking off with Donald Trump’s recent rally, Sen. Susan Collin’s “unlikely” plan to back a Trump 2024 presidential bid, and Joni Mitchell’s plans to join Neil Young’s protest over Spotify. Next, we discuss a story about a Florida teen who was denied abortion care due to her GPA. Meanwhile, two nurses on Long Island were arrested for running a $1.5 million dollar scam selling counterfeit vaccination cards. Finally, Rafael Nadal won the Australian Open yesterday, making this his 21st grand slam title.

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Friday, January 28th, 2022 Jan 28, 2022

Following Justice Stephen Breyer’s announcement that he will be retiring, Biden shared his plan to announce the new nominee by the end of February. Meanwhile, the U.S. economy expanded 5.7% in 2021 (the largest surge since 1984). We discuss why Holocaust novel ‘Maus’ has been banned in a Tennessee school district, and the discovery of 93 possible burial sites neat a former Canada residential school. Finally we wrap with the upcoming fringe movement in Ottowa, and the recent Sarah Palin spottings in NYC (despite testing positive for COVID).

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Thursday, January 27th, 2022 Jan 27, 2022

Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer will be retiring after more than 27 years on the court. Next, we discuss Gov. Glen Youngkin’s continued efforts to promote anti-masking, another update on Russia and Ukraine, and why Neil Young’s music will be taken down on Spotify. Lastly, today is International Holocaust Remembrance Day, and in honor of it, you can listen to today's Betches Sup episode featuring Holocaust survivor Pinchas Gutter to learn about his story of survival.

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Wednesday, January 26th, 2022 Jan 26, 2022

Today we start with Russia and Ukraine again, before moving to our Democracy Watch segment. We cover the an update on the investigation of false electoral college submissions, Donald Trump’s new social media network, and announcements from Pfizer and Biontech about an omicron specific booster. Next, we discuss why 7 school boards in Virginia are suing Governor Glenn Youngkin over his new executive order. And lastly, the SAT is going all digital in 2024.

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Tuesday, January 25th, 2022 Jan 25, 2022

Let's start with some international news today, including the latest with the Russia-Ukraine tensions, and why Boris Johnson's 2020 birthday has been added to the country's list of illicit parties while the UK was on lockdown. Moving back to U.S. headlines, let's of course share an update on COVID, a message from the Director of the World Health Organization, and Sarah Palin's positive COVID test before her defamation trial. Meanwhile, a new study suggests that antibodies from the Pfizer booster last at least four months after the third shot. Next, we discuss the effects of the child tax credit before closing with the Supreme Court's decision to to hear a challenge to the consideration of race in college admissions.

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Monday, January 24th, 2022 Jan 24, 2022

Let’s start today’s news day with none other than Russia. Next, let’s cover a new CDC report that suggests there are inequities in the use of lifesaving COVID treatments. Then, we move over to Mark Cuban’s online pharmacy launch, why Sarah Palin is going to court today, and closing with why New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is postponing her wedding.

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Friday, January 21st. 2022 Jan 21, 2022

Let’s start with a returning segment, “Democracy Watch.” Then, we spend the rest of the episode covering Britney Spears’ dad allegedly spying on her, the return of USC frat parties (under certain conditions), and Pope Emeritus Benedict’s failure to act against abusive priests. Finally, we discuss the coordinated effort on Twitter to spread hate about Meghan Markle.

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Thursday, January 20th, 2022 Jan 20, 2022

Today marks one year since President Joe Biden’s inauguration, so let’s unpack what happened during his anniversary conference. The administration also announced that they will begin making 400 million N95 masks available for free starting next week. Then, we discuss the anti-critical race theory bill that was just passed in Florida, before moving to the Supreme Court’s ruling against Trump’s request to block the release of White House records. To close the show, we cover Puerto Rico's bankruptcy plan and Starbucks’ decision to drop its employee vaccination and testing requirements.

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Wednesday, January 19th, 2022 Jan 19, 2022

Yesterday, the House January 6th committee dropped some new subpoenas. Also, you can now officially order free COVID test kits online via USPS. We share some concerning data from epidemiological models, before unpacking why AT&T is delaying launching their 5G towers. For the rest of the episode, let’s cover some international headlines, including Indonesia’s new capital, updates from Tonga, and why lawmakers are issuing warnings over risky Chinese tech.

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Tuesday, January 18th, 2022 Jan 18, 2022

We begin today with what’s happening between OANN and DirecTV. Next, we have an update in the hostage situation in Colleyville, Texas. Then, we discuss Tonga’s volcanic eruption, a concerning discovery from Microsoft, and the Senate’s debate on voting rights legislation. To close the show, let's finish off with some Omnicron headlines.

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Monday, January 17th, 2022 Jan 17, 2022

We start this week with some concerning news out of Texas. Next we move to a decision right out of the Supreme Court regarding the status of vaccine mandates. Then, we share a January 6th update, before revisiting the deal with Trump wanting to buy Greenland. We discuss a problematic story out of a Mississippi middle school and why they were planning to offer shapewear to girls dealing with “body image” issues. Lastly, we cover why Kim Kardashian is getting sued and an update on Novak Djokovic.

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Friday, January 14th, 2022 Jan 14, 2022

Let’s start with some better news (for once) about Omnicron. Yesterday, Biden announced that the government will double the number of rapid tests available to Americans. Also, the House of Representatives passed the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act. Let’s also talk about the RNC feud with the Commission on Presidential Debates. Meanwhile, the House January 6th committee asked House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy to testify voluntarily. Plus, we share some recent data on the declining number of students enrolled in college now. Next, we share some numbers, this time on climate change. We move to a quick update on Russia, before closing with an announcement from Queen Elizabeth you won’t want to miss.

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Thursday, January 13th, 2022 Jan 13, 2022

U.S. inflation has hit 7%, so let’s talk about it. Next, we cover the drama between Dr. Anthony Fauci and Sen. Rand Paul during a congressional hearing Tuesday. Of course, we can’t forget about the election scandal story involving pro-Trump groups (but are we really surprised?). Then, we discuss Kanye West’s planned visit to Russia and what he’s got planned there. We share an update on Prince Andrew, before moving to why Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been called to resign. Finally, Maya Angelou has officially become the first black woman to appear on the U.S. quarter.

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Wednesday, January 12th, 2022 Jan 12, 2022

Let’s start today’s news day with a major investigation into the Ivy League and other top colleges in the U.S. Next, we cover several Covid news stories, before moving over to the latest updates involving Biden and the filibuster. Meanwhile, the Justice Department is establishing a specialized unit focused on domestic terrorism. And finally, former American Idol runner up Clay Aiken is running for Congress again in North Carolina.

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Tuesday, January 11th, 2022 Jan 11, 2022

We begin today’s news day with the passing of Bob Saget. Next, we have a quick update on Kazakhstan, and then move onto the Russia-US security talks in Geneva. Then, we share some unfortunate news about the increase in US carbon emissions as a result of the pandemic recovery. To close, we share a hopeful resolution about the Novak Djokovic vs. Australia drama.

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Monday, January 10th, 2022 Jan 10, 2022

We start off this week with, you guessed it, more Omnicron news. We cover the trial verdict of the the three men convicted of murdering Ahmaud Arbery, before moving to constitutionality of the Biden administration’s vaccine mandates. For the rest of the episode, let's pivot to some international news.

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Friday, January 7th, 2022 Jan 07, 2022

Let's start today with Biden's entire January 6th speech and the vigils held to commemorate those who took part in the insurrection. Next, we cover the historic posthumous pardon of civil rights leader Homer Plessy, before unpacking some of the drama that's been happening with Novak Djokovic and how he ended up in Australian immigration detention. Meanwhile in New York, to-go cocktails are making a permanent comeback. Finally, we unpack why Netflix's 'Emily in Paris' is under fire.

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Thursday, January 6th, 2022 Jan 06, 2022

It’s been an entire year since the insurrection, so let's start with some January 6th headlines. Next, the CDC has officially updated its isolation guidance (and yet it's still not as clear as the last guidance). Then, we check in on Ghislaine Maxwell and how she's doing in jail. Finally, we talk about the postponed Grammy awards ceremony.

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Wednesday, January 5th, 2022 Jan 05, 2022

The U.S. has hit a staggering milestone for Covid cases over the recent holiday weekend. Next, we discuss WTF 'flurona' is, before getting into a scary weather report out of Virginia. Then, we cover the dropped charges against former NY Governor Andrew Cuomo, and who was endorsed by Trump ahead of his election in Hungary. Lastly, we talk about California Representative Devin Nunes' resignation to become CEO of the Trump Media & Technology Group.

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Tuesday, January 4th, 2022 Jan 04, 2022

Let’s start 2022 with the Elizabeth Holmes verdict. Next we have some Omnicron of course. Plus, with the 1 year anniversary of the Jan. 6 insurrection approaching, let’s cover some Trump news from the weekend. Lastly, let’s finish off with our favorite segment, Headlines That Speak For Themselves.

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Friday, December 24th, 2021 Dec 24, 2021

It's the last one of the year, so let's run you through a breakdown of the 10 wildest news stories of 2021.

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Thursday, December 23rd, 2021 Dec 23, 2021

It’s another quick news day, but fortunately we have more good news than bad. Up first, we share President Biden’s latest announcement on the pause on federal student loans, before covering two Omnicron related stories, and the potential delay in 5G wireless service over safety concerns. Lastly, we close with why Mitch McConnnell is trying to get Joe Manchin to switch to the Republican Party.

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Wednesday, December 22nd, 2021 Dec 22, 2021

On this short news day, we cover Biden’s Omnicron plan, who is pushing for Joe Manchin to support the Build Back Better Bill, and an update on the Kelloggs strike.

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Tuesday, December 21st, 2021 Dec 21, 2021

We start this today with more Omnicron news and its rising Covid cases. Let's also circle back to Biden’s $2 trillion dollar Build Back Better bill. Speaking of the bill. we share reportings on where the monthly child tax credit payments have been used towards and why Senator Joe Manchin said he would vote against it. Finally, we close with updates from Ghislaine Maxwell’s trial and Steve Bannon's pledge to take over the entire United States election apparatus.

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Monday, December 20th, 2021 Dec 20, 2021

Well... it looks like the Build Back Better bill won't be passed until 2022. Next, let's share another Omnicron update, before getting to Governor Ron Desantis' new legislation that will allow parents to sue schools for teaching critical race theory. Then, we throwback to Kanye’s attempt at a presidential campaign, before closing with two court stories.

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Friday, December 17th, 2021 Dec 17, 2021

Yesterday the FDA lifted a major restriction that will permanently allow people to access abortion pills by mail. Next, let's talk Omnicron and the rising surge. BTW, it turns out that the drug Regeneron is not as effective against the Omicron variant as against previous ones. Meanwhile, the Republican Party has agreed to pay up to $1.6 million in legal bills for former president Donald Trump to help him fight investigations. This week, Biden signed an executive order that will allow you to renew your passport online. And lastly, (trigger warning: discussions of sexual assault), we talk about the sexual assault allegations against actor Chris Noth.

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Thursday, December 16th, 2021 Dec 16, 2021

The House voted on Tuesday night to cite former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows for criminal contempt. Next, we share an Omnicron update (and it’s not looking too great), before discussing a bombshell voter fraud story, and why Derek Chauvin is back in the news. Finally, we close with an announcement from the Federal Reserve, and what House Speaker Nancy Pelosi feels about the idea of banning congressional lawmakers and their spouses from owning stock shares of individual companies.

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Wednesday, December 15th, 2021 Dec 15, 2021

Today’s Morning Announcements start with some exiting news about a new Covid pill that reduces the risk of hospitalization and death by 89 percent. Text. Next we have more positive Covid news, as data out of South Africa shows that the omicron variant is not as deadly as previous iterations of the virus. After that, we cover a new ruling that employers with covid may be protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act. We also have a follow up from he ongoing January 6th insurrection cases making their way through the courts. Next, we discuss a group of women who are suing Tesla for allegedly fostering a hostile work environment even after complaining to their superiors. To round things out, we end with Andrew Cuomo’s latest setback, with a ethics panel ruling that he has to return his multi-million dollar payment for the book he wrote while serving as governor of New York.

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Tuesday, December 14th, 2021 Dec 14, 2021

Last night the January 6th committee in the House voted to hold Trump’s former chief of staff Mark Meadows in contempt. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court declined to block New York’s vaccine mandate for heath care workers. President Biden will travel to Kentucky tomorrow as the death toll rises. We also cover some updates on what we know about the “doomsday glacier” (and why we should be seriously concerned). And lastly, USA Gymnastics and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee have agreed to pay a $380 million settlement to hundreds of survivors of sexual abuse by Larry Nassar.

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Monday, December 13th, 2021 Dec 13, 2021

We start with our biggest story on the devastating storms this past weekend. On Saturday, California governor Gavin Newsom made an announcement pledging to empower private citizens to enforce a ban on the manufacture and sale of assault weapons in the state. Lastly, we leave you with some semi positive news involving the filibuster.

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Friday, December 10th, 2021 Dec 10, 2021

Political leaders in California announced that they would work to make California a sanctuary state for women seeking abortions if P vs. Wade is overturned. New York Attorney General Letitia James is seeking a deposition from former President Donald Trump on January 7th, 2022. A federal appeals court ruled Thursday against an effort by former President Donald Trump to shield documents from the House committee investigating the Jan. 6 insurrection at the Capitol. Meanwhile, two National Guard officials are testifying that the Army’s report over the response to the Capitol riot is “whole fiction.” Moving on, Starbucks workers at three stories in Buffalo voted to unionize. Finally, The Metropolitan Museum of Art is dropping the Sackler name from seven exhibition spaces.

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Thursday, December 9th, 2021 Dec 09, 2021

Today, we run through your favorite segment: Headlines That Speak For Themselves. Up first, Australia, Canada, and the UK announced yesterday that they’ll be joining the US in its diplomatic boycott of the 2022 Beijing Olympics. Yesterday Pfizer announced that its booster shot offers significant protection from the Omicron variant. Also yesterday, the head of Instagram Adam Mosseri testified in front of the Senate. As predicted, Trump’s former Chief of Staff Mark Meadows did not show up for his January 6th committee testimony. Meanwhile, this week began the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Kim Potter for the killing of Daunte Wright. Finally, we close with why a school district in San Antonio pre-emptively pulled more than 400 books from its libraries.

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Wednesday, December 8th, 2021 Dec 08, 2021

Let's start this news day with a debt ceiling update. We cover Biden and Putin's two hour video chat, the end of an era following the end of Germany’s first female chancellor's tenure, and why a Georgie federal judge blocked the COVID vaccine mandate for employees of federal contractors. Earlier this week, the Justice Department closed the investigation into the 1955 lynching of Emmett Till. Finally, Former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows says he will no longer cooperate with the House committee that’s investing the January 6th insurrection.

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Tuesday, December 7th, 2021 Dec 07, 2021

The United States announced that it will stage a diplomatic boycott at the Beijing Olympics next year. Next, we move to why the Justice Department has once again sued the state of Texas over its redistricted voter maps. Meanwhile, California Republican congressman Devin Nunes announced yesterday that he’s leaving his job to become the CEO of Donald Trump’s new media company. Then we cover the story on about the plumber who discovered of money hidden in the walls of Joel Osteen's Houston church. Finally, we discuss the alleged use of illegal drugs in the UK Parliament.

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Monday, December 6th, 2021 Dec 06, 2021

Let’s start the week with a quick Omicron update. Next, let’s meet the Crumbleys (AKA the parents of the 15 year old boy behind the Michigan school shooting). Then, we have to talk about Chris Cuomo before talking about former Republican Senator David Perdue and the passing of GOP Senator and one-time presidential nominee Bob Dole. Lastly, let's talk about that cream cheese shortage and its effects on NYC bagel shops.

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Friday, December 3rd, 2021 Dec 03, 2021

This Friday's episode begins with confirmed cases of the Omicron variant hitting the United States. Then we get an update on the potential government shutdown. Next, we hear the latest on the Oxford High School shooting. We also cover the severe impact of a staffing crisis in New York State. Finally, we get details on Angela Merkel transferring power to her successor in Germany.

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Thursday, December 2nd, 2021 Dec 02, 2021

We start with what happened during the Mississippi abortion rights case yesterday and the very first case of the Omicron variant detected in the United States. Next, we talk about the Cuomo brothers and Stacey Abrams’ announcement that she’s running again for governor of Georgia against Brian Kemp in 2022. Lastly, we have some more tragic news out of Michigan.

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Wednesday, December 1st, 2021 Dec 01, 2021

We kick off today's news day with a couple stories about Trump. Next, we cover why the House leadership is considering whether to take action against Rep. Lauren Boebert. over some inappropriate comments Then, we share some breaking news from the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Meanwhile, we unpack what went down in Barbados and Dr. Oz.'s announcement that he will be running for Senate in Pennsylvania next year. Finally, we close with the tragedy at a Michigan highschool and updates from the Ghislaine Maxwell trial (trigger warning: discussion of school shootings and sexual assault).

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Tuesday, November 30th, 2021 Nov 30, 2021

Let’s start with our Omicron variant update. Next, we talk about Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey's decision to step down (and who his replacement is). Yesterday was also the beginning of the trial of Ghislaine Maxwell. Finally, we share a story about what's happening in Barbados.

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Monday, November 29th, 2021 Nov 29, 2021

We have a new COVID variant in town (but honestly, what else is new?). Meanwhile, on Wednesday the Supreme Court plans to hear arguments in a case out of Mississippi that will likely determine whether or not Roe v Wade is overturned. Next, we turn to how the Texas abortion law makes risky pregnancies more difficult (yes, even harder than it already is). And on Friday, Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky claimed that a group of Russians and Ukrainians are currently plotting a coup against him for next month. Lastly, we cover the loss of two incredible artists.

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Wednesday, November 24th, 2021 Nov 24, 2021

Let’s start today with our favorite segment, Democracy Watch. Next, we move to why the Republican National Committee is paying some of former President Donald Trump's legal bills and an update on the Charlottesville rally trial. Finally, we end with the pharmacy companies responsible for fueling the opioid crisis.

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Tuesday, November 23rd, 2021 Nov 23, 2021

We begin with the aftermath of the Waukesha Christmas Parade incident, before covering some January 6th committee updates. Next we share some conclusions from the 8 month long investigation over former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, as well as some disappointing (but unsurprising) news about Facebook. Plus, we share Biden's nominees for the Federal Reserve. Lastly, we have an update for you on the Theranos trial.

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Monday, November 22nd, 2021 Nov 22, 2021

Let's catch you up on some news, starting with the Kyle Rittenhouse verdict. We move to our next story on Ohio's newly approved congressional district map, before covering the mysterious disappearance of Chinese tennis star, Peng Shuai. Finally, let's end with a lighter story on the first US city to require free menstrual products in public restrooms.

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Friday, November 19th, 2021 Nov 19, 2021

We start with an update on what's holding up the Build Back Better bill in congress (looking at you Joe Manchin). Next, we hear about Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt commuting the death penalty sentence of Julius Jones. Plus, we get another update on the slow deliberations in the Kyle Rittenhouse case, which involves some controversy surrounding a journalist's coverage. Finally, a coalition of state attorneys general have launched an investigation into how Instagram draws in young users and affects their well-being.

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Thursday, November 18th, 2021 Nov 18, 2021

This Thursday's episode starts with actual consequences for the "QAnon Shaman" resulting from his role in the January 6th insurrection, and mild accountability in the House for Republican Paul Gosar. We hear new data about opioid use in the US. Then we get an update on the Kyle Rittenhouse trial, as well as the trial of Ahmaud Arbery's killers in Georgia, and the possible exoneration of two men convicted of killing Malcolm X. Finally, we hear about the disappearance of Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai after she claimed in a Weibo post that the country’s former vice premier sexually assaulted her.

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Wednesday, November 17th, 2021 Nov 17, 2021

Today begins with some good news about widespread approval of the Pfizer vaccine booster, and an agreement for international use of the Pfizer COVID antiviral pill. Next, hear about the bizarre jury lottery selection process approved by the judge in Kyle Rittenhouse's case. Finally, the House of Representatives will vote on a resolution to censure Paul Gosar for his vile AOC tweet, and Wyoming Republicans voted to disavow Liz Cheney as a member of their party.

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Tuesday, November 16th, 2021 Nov 16, 2021

We begin today with another update on Steve Bannon's indictments. Next, we offer details on the $1 trillion infrastructure bill finally becoming law, as well as Biden's latest action on reducing crime and human trafficking on Native American lands. We also get an update on Kyle Rittenhouse's trial as the jury prepares to deliberate. Finally, we close things with Beto O'Rourke announcing his candidacy for Governor of Texas.

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Monday, November 15th, 2021 Nov 15, 2021

The week starts with some good news: Britney is free! Next, we share an update on Steve Bannon and Mark Meadows FINALLY facing consequences for not cooperating with the January 6th committee. Wisconsin is facing a redistricting crisis, and the FBI was hit with a hacking crisis of their own. Olympic gold medalist Suni Lee revealed that she was pepper sprayed while in LA last month. Finally, Austria is cracking down on unvaccinated citizens.

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Friday, November 12th, 2021 Nov 12, 2021

We start with an update on the January 6th committee’s attempts to get Trump to give up the documents that have been subpoenaed. Next, we share a proposed resolution from a group of House Democrats following Representative Paul Gosar's tweets depicting him killing Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Then, we move to the ninth death resulting from the Astroworld festival, before closing with a story about the NRA.

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Thursday, November 11th, 2021 Nov 11, 2021

We begin today with the Kyle Rittenhouse trial. Next, we cover the inflation surge, before moving to a surprise announcement from the United States and China. Lastly, we wrap with the $600 million dollar Flint water settlement.

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Wednesday, November 10th, 2021 Nov 10, 2021

The January 6th committee issued 10 more subpoenas yesterday, so let's unpack who these were issued to. Meanwhile, the Republican Party is reportedly considering stripping committee assignments from their 13 members of Congress who voted in favor of the bill. Yesterday, Pfizer asked the FDA to allow boosters of its COVID-19 vaccine for anyone 18 or older. Also, Oklahoma’s Supreme Court tossed out a ruling in a 2019 opioid case against Johnson &Johnson worth $465 million dollars. Lastly, we close with Malala Yousafzai's marriage to Asser Malik.

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Tuesday, November 9th, 2021 Nov 09, 2021

Yesterday the January 6th committee in the House issued subpoenas to 6 of Trump’s top advisors. Speaking of the insurrectionists, Representative Paul Gosar of Arizona shared a quite concerning video on Twitter. Next we share more updates on the Astroworld tragedy before closing with some good news.

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Monday, November 8th, 2021 Nov 08, 2021

Something major passed in Congress last Friday, so let's start today off by unpacking it. Next, let's talk about some voter fraud news regarding the Virginia election. Meanwhile, this past weekend, a federal appeals court temporarily blocked a new coronavirus vaccine mandate for large businesses with over 100 employees. And for our last story, we cover the tragedy at the Astroworld music festival.

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Friday, November 5th, 2021 Nov 05, 2021

Another day, another update on the election results. Yesterday, a federal judge slammed Trump’s attempt to shield documents from Congress. Next, we have quite a satisfying story to share. Then, in Wisconsin in the Kyle Rittenhouse trial, one of the jurors was dismissed yesterday morning after he made a joke to a deputy about the shooting of Jacob Blake. And lastly, yesterday some bombshell reporting came out in Business Insider about the founder of Barstool Dave Portnoy.

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Thursday, November 4th, 2021 Nov 04, 2021

Let’s start today off with some more election results. Next, we share some good news about paid leave and the reconciliation bill. Also yesterday in the Senate, Republicans blocked the debate of the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. And lastly, Facebook announced on Tuesday that they’re getting rid of facial recognition.

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Wednesday, November 3rd, 2021 Nov 03, 2021

First, we have some election results for you. (And of course, I’ll be back with more results and analysis tomorrow, as well as on the Betches Sup podcast). Next we have an update on the Pfizer vaccine for kids ages 5 to 11, the $1.85 trillion dollar spending bill, and a compromise on the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. Finally, we close this news day with a small climate win.

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Tuesday, November 2nd, 2021 Nov 02, 2021

Today is Election Day - so consider this your official reminder to go vote! Yesterday the Supreme Court heard two challenges to Texas’s new abortion law. Next, we move to spending bill (yes, again), before wrapping with an explanation of the phrase "Let's Go Brandon."

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Monday, November 1st, 2021 Nov 01, 2021

We start with a bunch of breaking news from last week including an update on the Pfizer vaccine, a decision coming out of the Supreme Court, and Joe Biden's meeting with Pope Francis. Next we move to why Republican representative Adam Kinzinger will not seek reelection for his House seat and a summary from the G20 summit. Lastly, tomorrow is Election Day, so this is your reminder to vote.

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Friday, October 29th, 2021 Oct 29, 2021

We kick off with President Biden’s announcement that the final reconciliation bill will be $1.75 trillion dollars. Next, let’s share some news from Facebook, before closing with why there’s a probe into school library books.

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Thursday, October 28th, 2021 Oct 28, 2021

Let’s start by talking about the spending package (again). It’s now looking likely that paid family and medical leave is going to be dropped from the bill completely. Stories continue to emerge from the Facebook Papers that you might find interesting. Next, the United States has issued its first passport with an “X” gender designation and 108,000 people will have their medical debt wiped out partially thanks to funding raised by Fair Fight. Lastly, we have an election announcement.

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Wednesday, October 27th, 2021 Oct 27, 2021

For our first story, we have a scandal right out of Liberty University. Next, let’s do an update on the spending bill in Congress, before getting to the billionaire tax proposal. Plus, Spanx founder Sara Blakely just sold her company to Blackstone at a valuation of about $1.2 billion dollars. Then, we cover Princess Mako's wedding, a new U.S. private refugee sponsorship program, and Pfizer's Covid vaccine for kids ages 5-11.

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Tuesday, October 26th, 2021 Oct 26, 2021

Let's start with yesterday’s military coup in Sudan. Next, we have to talk about Facebook and Tesla. Lastly, we have today’s edition of Democracy Watch (and this is a big one, everyone).

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Monday, October 25th, 2021 Oct 25, 2021

Last week, Alec Baldwin fired a gun on the set of the movie Rust, accidentally killing cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and wounding the director Joel Souza. Next, we have an update on if we’re ever getting any sort of deal on an infrastructure spending bill. We share a shady story about Johnson & Johnson, before closing with a weather report and an announcement from the White House.

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Friday, October 22nd, 2021 Oct 22, 2021

The House of Representatives voted to recommend prosecution under contempt charges to the Department of Justice for Steve Bannon. Yesterday in NYC, Mayor Bill DeBlasio announced that the city will require all police officers, firefighters, and other municipal workers to get COVID vaccines. Meanwhile, Paris Hilton met with members of Congress yesterday to discuss federal reforms of residential treatment centers for troubled teens. And lastly, the human remains that were found yesterday in Florida have turned out to be those of Brian Laundrie.

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Thursday, October 21st, 2021 Oct 21, 2021

Yesterday the FDA finally approved both the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson booster shots. On Tuesday night, the January 6th bipartisan House committee voted unanimously in favor of contempt-of-Congress charges against Steve Bannon. Moving to our next story, Republicans in the Senate unanimously blocked yet another piece of voting rights legislation called the Freedom to Vote Act. Meanwhile, Manchin has reportedly told associates that he is considering leaving the Democratic Party if they don’t agree to his demands to cut the infrastructure bill. Then, we cover some murder stories before closing with the Netflix employee walkout over Dave Chapelle's transgender comments in his comedy special.

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Wednesday, October 20th, 2021 Oct 20, 2021

Last night, The January 6th insurrection committee voted to prosecute Steve Bannon for criminal contempt. Next, we move to a story about a Miami school that is telling vaccinated kids to stay home for 30 days after their shot, before moving over to the Secretary of Homeland Security's recent COVID test results. Finally, we cover the governor’s race in Virginia between Democrat Terry McAuliffe and Republican Glenn Youngkin.

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Tuesday, October 19th, 2021 Oct 19, 2021

Yesterday former Secretary of State Colin Powell passed away due to COVID complications. Next, we move to some Strike-tober action before covering the trial of the three men who were charged with killing Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia last year. Finally, Donald Trump underwent an actual deposition for 4 and a half hours yesterday and we debrief you on more Trump legal news.

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Monday, October 18th, 2021 Oct 18, 2021

We got a short news day. First, we have an IATSE strike update, before revisiting a horrific story that broke late last week. Finally, former president Bill Clinton was discharged from the hospital yesterday.

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Friday, October 15th, 2021 Oct 15, 2021

We’re starting today’s episode with our newest segment: Democracy Watch. Yesterday, the FDA advisory committee officially recommended Moderna booster shots for people ages 65 and older, as well as younger adults who are at high risk. Then, we move to some economic stories, the supply chain, before ending with our final headline about Robert Durst.

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Thursday, October 14th, 2021 Oct 14, 2021

We start with a new study about booster vaccines from the National Institute of Health. On Tuesday, the FDA authorized the first ever e-cigarette. Meanwhile, the chair of the Senate Homeland Security, senator Gary Peters has asked TikTok to provide information on its policies surrounding violent and extremist content. Next, we move to our new and exciting segment, Democracy Watch. To close, we end with Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas' memo ordering U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to stop mass worksite raids. Plus, we have an update on the potential strike by IATSE.

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Wednesday, October 13th, 2021 Oct 13, 2021

We still have not quite settled the debt ceiling issue yet. New York City is giving every public school kindergartner $100 dollars in a college savings account, and California became the first state in the nation to adopt a law that will require large retail stores to provide gender-neutral toy sections. And in Texas, Governor Greg Abbott issued an executive order prohibiting COVID-19 vaccine mandates by any "entity," if someone objects to the vaccine for "any reason of personal conscience. " Yesterday, a Wyoming coroner issued an update in the Gabby Petito case, and today we're going to close the Morning Announcements with a brand new segment called Democracy Watch.

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Tuesday, October 12th, 2021 Oct 12, 2021

The pharmaceutical company Merck asked the FDA yesterday to grant them emergency use authorization for their new COVID antiviral pill. Also, you may have heard that Southwest Airlines has cancelled several hundred flights in recent days. Next we have a new update on the slow rolling Facebook scandal (but Facebook isn’t the only threat from cyberspace). Then we move to actor William Shatner’s scheduled flight on Jeff Bezos’ rocket Blue Origin before closing with some unfortunate news.

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Monday, October 11th, 2021 Oct 11, 2021

Happy Indigenous People’s Day. We start off with the reinstatement of Texas’ abortion law. Next we have an espionage story before closing with a report from Propublica about the systemic arrests of Black children in Tennessee for nonexistent crimes.

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Friday, October 8th, 2021 Oct 08, 2021

The debt ceiling fight is officially over (for now). Unfortunately we have to talk about the insurrection and the status of the congressional committee that is currently investigating it. Google and YouTube announced a new policy yesterday that prevents creators who post climate misinformation from being able to monetize their content on its platforms via ads or creator payments. But can you really deny climate change when at least 4 people were killed in flash floods in Birmingham Alabama and nearby areas? Finally, 8 former NBA players were charged with defrauding the NBA’s health and welfare benefits in a scam that earned them about 2.5 million dollars illegally.

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Thursday, October 7th, 2021 Oct 07, 2021

Our first update this morning is on the debt ceiling negotiations. Next we move to a school shooting at a high school in Arlington, Texas, the World Health Organization's official approval of the first malaria vaccine, and some unsettling news involving phone provider AT&T. Lastly, we wrap with the temporary block of Texas' controversial abortion law.

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Wednesday, October 6th, 2021 Oct 06, 2021

Yesterday Facebook's whistleblower testified in front of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and urged them to take action against Facebook. Next, we move to Johnson & Johnson's request for authorization from the FDA for its booster dose of the COVID vaccine, and why a Texas board is recommending posthumous pardon for George Floyd. Then, we cover why Tesla has been ordered by a federal jury to pay $137 million dollars to a former contractor, before moving to a major report revealing the abuse of over 300,000 minors by the French Catholic clergy. Finally, we finish off with why Kellogg's US. cereal plant workers are going on strike and the growing devastation of the oil spill in California.

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Tuesday, October 5th, 2021 Oct 05, 2021

Yesterday the world suffered through a massive outage of Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp. Speaking of Facebook, the company's stock fell 5 percent on Monday. Next, we move to Biden's remarks on raising the debt ceiling before wrapping with an update on the potential strike by thousands of crew members who work for Hollywood’s biggest streaming services and production studios.

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Monday, October 4th, 2021 Oct 04, 2021

Let’s start the week where we left off last week and why we're still on track to run out of money by October 18th. On a slightly better note, we have some good news on the COVID front. Next, we cover the major California oil spill, new research showing the massive underreporting of police killings, before closing with our last (and scandalous) story.

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Friday, October 1st, 2021 Oct 01, 2021

Well, we’ve officially averted a government shutdown (at least for the next two months). Next, we share an update on the infrastructure bill vote and why Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen calls for this debt limit to be abolished. To close this news week, we share an urgent message from the CDC.

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Thursday, September 30th, 2021 Sep 30, 2021

We kick off with the biggest news story on Britney Spears’ conservatorship battle. Next, we have a bit of an update on the infrastructure and debt ceiling negotiations (and why it’s looking like a stressful financial month). Then we move to Youtube’s new set of policies around anti-vaccine content, before closing with some scandalous stories out of South Dakota regarding none other than Kristi Noem.

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Wednesday, September 29th, 2021 Sep 29, 2021

This morning, we start with what you need to know about the debt ceiling and government shutdown showdown. Next, we move to what’s in the $3.5 trillion dollar spending bill, before closing with Nancy Pelosi’s plan to hold a vote on Thursday on a roughly $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill.

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Tuesday, September 28th, 2021 Sep 28, 2021

We start off with breaking news regarding R. Kelly’s sex-trafficking trial. Next, we move to Germany’s election results, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s response to border patrol agents who are at risk of losing their jobs, and Facebook’s plan to halt their kids’ version of Instagram. Next, the DEA just issued its first public safety alert in six years, and we close with a number of stories our of California.

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Monday, September 27th, 2021 Sep 27, 2021

An Amtrak train derailed on Saturday, causing multiple injuries and deaths. On Friday, a federal court of appeals blocked New York City’s school system from imposing a vaccine mandate for teachers and staff. Plus, New York plans to face staffing shortages ahead of its vaccine mandates. Next, we cover Germany’s election results before closing with Liz Cheney’s comments on gay marriage.

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Friday, September 24th, 2021 Sep 24, 2021

We close this week with your favorite — Headlines That Speak For Themselves. To start, the CDC announced its latest recommendations for who should receive Pfizer booster shots. Next, we have a few foreign policy stories this morning including the return of Taliban’s executions, Airbnb’s support for Afghan refugees, and a Senior U.S. diplomat’s resignation over inhumane treatment of Haitian migrants. On a related note, the Biden administration has suspended the use of horse patrols the Texas border. Then, we cover an upcoming potential government shutdown, the Collierville shooting, and what basically is a carbon copy of the the Texas abortion bill. Lastly, we move to NYC’s historic bill offering protections to food delivery workers and the federal arrest warrant issued for Brian Laundrie.

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Thursday, September 23rd, 2021 Sep 23, 2021

Texas Governor Greg Abbott is unfortunately building a more effective wall than Donald Trump ever could. Speaking of Texas, we cover a story about a couple who was kicked out on a restaurant for wearing face masks…but are we surprised though? Now let’s talk about the debt ceiling, why the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees is asking tens of thousands of entertainment industry workers to go on strike, and the latest of Trump’s recent lawsuit involving his niece.

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Wednesday, September 22nd, 2021 Sep 22, 2021

We’ve hit once again another grim milestone in the pandemic. Next, we unpack some terrifying photos of United States ICE agents using whips to control Haitian migrants at the southern border, before covering the General Assembly gathering in NYC this week, and an update on the case of Gabby Petito. Lastly, we wrap with what you should know about the Johnson and Johnson’s booster shots.

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Tuesday, September 21st, 2021 Sep 21, 2021

We kick off with why Roe vs. Wade is not quite settled yet. We also have some big vaccine news today, followed up Biden’s announcement that travel restrictions will be lifted starting in November for foreigners who are fully vaccinated against COVID. Next, the Biden administration also announced that they will be raising the cap on refugee admissions to 125,000 people beginning October 1, 2021. Lastly, there’s another book that’s about to come out, and this one is about Peter Thiel.

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Monday, September 20th, 2021 Sep 20, 2021

We bring back your favorite segment: Headlines That Speak For Themselves. We cover Biden's plan to give Pfizer COVID-19 booster shots to all Americans, a Texas doctor who challenged the abortion law, why France is still pissed with the U.S., and how the J6 rally went over this weekend. Then, it's to close with some true crime headlines.

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Friday, September 17th, 2021 Sep 17, 2021

On this news day, we start with a reminder of tomorrow ’s potential reunion following the Jan. 6th insurrections. Next, we move to why Pennsylvania Senate Republicans voted to subpoena for information on some 7 million voters from the 2020 election, Derek Chauvin’s return to court, and an update on the submarine deal between the U.S. and Australia. Plus, Roger Stone’s was apparently served with a lawsuit live on air during a radio interview and here’s what we know. Lastly, we wrap with Nicki Minaj’s vaccine tweets.

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Thursday, September 16th, 2021 Sep 16, 2021

We start today with a gruesome update now that we’re 19 months into the pandemic. Next, we share another story about Facebook today and its harmful effects on teenage girls, testimonies in the Larry Nassar hearing, and Biden’s plans to share nuclear submarine technology with Australia. Lastly, we end with the Democrat’s latest revised voting rights bill.

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Wednesday, September 15th, 2021 Sep 15, 2021

We start today off with the latest results from the California recall election, why Facebook reportedly allowed 6 million users to break platform rules, and a quick weather report from Louisiana. After a team of scientists and entrepreneurs announced the launch of their new company, can we finally bring back the woolly mammoth? Then, we uncover some of the details in Bob Woodward and Robert Costa’s new book, learn a little more about what Melania Trump was feeling the day of the Capitol riot, before closing with why Elizabeth Holmes’ father-in-law went incognito to the media during her trial.

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Tuesday, September 14th, 2021 Sep 14, 2021

The California recall election is today and we have a serious PSA for you all. Next, we cover Amy Cony Barrett’s appearance at the University of Louisville’s McConnell Center, the upcoming Sept. 18 Capitol rally, and why Simon Biles among other elite gymansts will be testifying before the Senate tomorrow.

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Monday, September 13th, 2021 Sep 13, 2021

On this light news morning, we bring you some COVID news headlines. We move to the Taliban's announcement that women in Afghanistan will only be allowed to study at university in gender-segregated classrooms, Britney Spear's engagement, and Emma Raducanu's outstanding win at the U.S. Open.

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Friday, September 10th, 2021 Sep 10, 2021

We end this week with some quick news, starting with why the Justice Department is suing the state of Texas before moving to Biden’s new vaccine mandates that could cover 100 million Americans.

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Thursday, September 9th, 2021 Sep 09, 2021

We begin with the removal of the nation’s largest confederate statue, before covering the upcoming ‘Justice for J6’ rally, the start of the Elizabeth Holmes trial, and a PSA for our Californian listeners.

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Wednesday, September 8th, 2021 Sep 08, 2021

We start with the controversial voting restriction signed by Texas Gov. Greg Abbot. Then we cover Biden’s site visits following the aftermath of Hurricane Ida, where abortion is now decriminalized, and the first country to accept Bitcoin as its legal currency. Lastly, we end with the Taliban’s newly announced government in Afghanistan.

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Tuesday, September 7th, 2021 Sep 07, 2021

Our very own Sami Sage is back with the Morning Announcements, starting with a statement from US Attorney General Merrick Garland on the new Texas abortion law. We move to the unemployment benefits that are set to expire for millions of Americans, more updates on Afghanistan, before ending on yet again another coup this year.

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Friday, September 3rd, 2021 Sep 03, 2021

To end this week of news, guest host Amanda Duberman takes us through a couple stories, starting with Hurricane Ida and its massive devastation in the Northeast. Next, we cover some updates on the Texas abortion law, why a Malaysian shot putter was stripped of his Paralympic medal, and what voters should know about the Newsom recall. And finally, we end with why Joe Manchin is threatening Joe Biden’s $3.5 trillion reconciliation plan.

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Thursday, September 2nd, 2021 Sep 02, 2021

Well…the most restrictive abortion law has officially taken effect in Texas. A grand jury has indicted three former Colorado police officers and two paramedics after the 2019 killing of Elijah McClain, and the Sackler family wins sweeping immunity from all future opioid lawsuits. Plus, a Michigan man wins a case against his parents who destroyed his porn collection (yup, you heard that right). Lastly, we end with Headlines That Speak For Themselves.

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Wednesday, September 1st, 2021 Sep 01, 2021

We begin with the new FBI report on hate crimes in 2020. Next we cover China’s online gaming ban, before covering more updates on Afghanistan and the Texas abortion law.

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Tuesday, August 31st, 2021 Aug 31, 2021

Let’s start off with some more news on Afghanistan before moving to the US Department of Education’s investigation into states for discriminating against students with disabilities. Next, we cover why Texas abortion providers are asking the U.S. supreme court to block a restrictive abortion law. Finally, we end with why The EU has just removed the U.S. from the country’s safe travel list.

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Monday, August 30th, 2021 Aug 30, 2021

This week, our very own Betches Sup host Amanda Duberman takes over, starting off with the powerful storm that descended into Louisiana yesterday. Next, we turn to Afghanistan and the recent responses to the airport bombing before closing with our favorite segment: Headlines That Speak For Themselves.

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Friday, August 27th, 2021 Aug 27, 2021

Guest host Alise Morales closes off this week of Morning Announcements with a series of updates on the devastating news out of Afghanistan and the backlash Biden has received from Republicans following the Kabul blasts.

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Thursday, August 26th, 2021 Aug 26, 2021

Another day, another news day. Alise kicks off the Morning Announcements, first covering OnlyFans' recently dropped porn ban, before moving to Nancy Pelosi’s feud with lawmakers who made an unauthorized trip to Kabul. Finally, the Pfizer vaccine now has a brand new name...can you guess what?

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Wednesday, August 25th, 2021 Aug 25, 2021

It’s a quick news day brought to you by guest host Alise Morales. First off, we start with the Supreme Court’s order to reinstate Trump’s “Remain in Mexico” policy before moving to the House’s approval of the $3.5 billion infrastructure bill.

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Tuesday, August 24th, 2021 Aug 24, 2021

Alise is back this week for the Morning Announcements, starting with our first story on the FDA approval of the Pfizer vaccine. Next we move to audit of the 2020 election being conducted in Arizona’s Maricopa County before wrapping with Andrew Cuomo’s final farewell to New York (hopefully).

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Monday, August 23rd, 2021 Aug 23, 2021

We kick off this week's Morning Announcements with guest host (and not to mention Betches Sup co-host and newsletter writer) Alise Morales. To start off, we have yet again another Afghanistan headline. Next, we move to Trump's recent Alabama rally before closing with a scary weather report.

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Friday, August 20th, 2021 Aug 20, 2021

We kick off with the big news of yesterday, including the Taliban takeover, an extreme weather update, and not to mention a bomb that near the US. Capitol. On the same note of bad news, let’s move over to more Afghanistan news before covering an update on Facebook and its antitrust lawsuit. Lastly, we end with the screaming match between none other than Alan Dershowitz and Larry David in Martha’s Vineyard.

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Thursday, August 19th, 2021 Aug 19, 2021

We start with once again more news on Afghanistan. Next, we move to the T-Mobile data breach, the former Purdue Pharma chair’s denial over his family’s role in the opioid crisis, and the latest news out of Texas. And finally, we close with an update on COVID booster shots.

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Wednesday, August 18th, 2021 Aug 18, 2021

Let’s start with yet again another update on Afghanistan. Next, we share an update on when we will be expecting to hear about the next COVID booster shot, New Zealand’s lockdown following its first single confirmed case since February, and the current state of Haiti following Tropical Storm Grace. And lastly, we have a disappointing story about Bob Dylan.

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Tuesday, August 17th, 2021 Aug 17, 2021

Let’s start with more news from Afghanistan and what is going on with the world right now. Next, we have an update on a state Supreme Court that ruled on Governor Greg Abbott’s anti-mask mandate, the investigation of Tesla’s Autopilot driver-assistance system, and why North Carolina may be raising its minimum age requirement for marriage. And finally, we end with why we may just have lived through the hottest month ever recorded on Earth.

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Monday, August 16th, 2021 Aug 16, 2021

The biggest news of today is the American exit from Afghanistan. Next, we hear some more bad news, this time regarding a 7.2 magnitude earthquake in Haiti. In better news, we have some data from the first round of child tax credit payments that went out last month. Lastly, we end with a story about the suspension of the co-founder of Snopes over plagiarism

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Friday, August 13th, 2021 Aug 13, 2021

We start off with our biggest story: Jamie Spears has finally agreed to step down as Britney Spears' conservator. Next, the US 2020 Census is officially out and we have some interesting results to share. Plus, the FDA has officially announced that they will authorize extra doses of COVID vaccines for immunocompromised patients. Next we have another update about the withdrawal from Afghanistan (and spoiler: it’s not so great.) Yesterday, Europe hit what many scientists believe could be an all time high temperature for the continent. Finally, we end with some Megan Rapinoe drama.

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Thursday, August 12th, 2021 Aug 12, 2021

Let’s start with two important COVID updates, before moving to an update on the bipartisan infrastructure bill. Then, we cover Andrew Cuomo’s ongoing impeachment investigation, the U.S.’s withdrawal from Afghanistan, and China’s karaoke ban over “illegal content.”

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Wednesday, August 11th, 2021 Aug 11, 2021

New York governor Andrew Cuomo finally resigned yesterday. On the same note of relief, The Senate has finally voted on the bipartisan infrastructure deal. Now let’s head over to our two most counterproductive states in the nation: Texas and Florida. Then we cover Target’s announcement that they will cover 100% of college tuition for its workers before wrapping with R. Kelly's trial officially beginning in New York this week.

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Tuesday, August 10th, 2021 Aug 10, 2021

The United Nations released its latest assessment about the state of the climate. Next we have two important resignations as part of Governor Cuomo’s harassment allegations before moving to the Pentagon’s announcement on vaccination requirements for members of the U.S. military. Finally, we have a not so positive story coming out of Wyoming, Michigan.

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Monday, August 9th, 2021 Aug 09, 2021

To start off, we have a development in the story of Governor Andrew Cuomo. Next, we cover the the closed door testimony of Jeffrey Rosen, some disappointing (though unsurprising) results by the Commonwealth Fund, and why LGBTQ+ children’s books must sold in discreet packaging in Hungary. Finally, we close with our Headlines That Speak For Themselves.

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Friday, August 6th, 2021 Aug 06, 2021

We close this week with Headlines That Speak For Themselves, including a milestone for vaccination in the U.S., a ceremony to honor the police officers who responded to the January 6th insurrection, and an update on Andrew Cuomo (who’s still Governor of New York). Next, we cover a sweeping civil rights investigation into the Phoenix police department’s use of force and how it's dealing with homeless residents, a new study from the Nature Climate Change journal, before closing with why Tucker Carlson went to Hungary.

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Thursday, August 5th, 2021 Aug 05, 2021

We start with yet again, more COVID news before going through updates on a new report on sexual harassment allegations against New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. Then, we move to a follow up on the St. Louis couple who went viral for waving their guns at Black Lives Matter protestors, before closing with some sketchy activity happening in Belarus and Obama’s 60th birthday party.

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Wednesday, August 4th, 2021 Aug 04, 2021

We start off with some big developments in the investigation into New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. Next, we got another update on COVID for New York City. Then, we move to President Biden’s announcement for a new action to limit housing evictions before closing with an update on the aftermath of the Capitol insurrection (trigger warning for suicide).

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Tuesday, August 3rd, 2021 Aug 03, 2021

The U.S. reached a milestone yesterday with vaccinations despite the surge of the Delta variant. And for all you California listeners, it's likely going to become very difficult to get your hands on bacon. Next, we run through some Olympics news before wrapping with Lindsey Graham's positive COVID test.

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Monday, August 2nd, 2021 Aug 02, 2021

We have (you guessed it) more COVID updates, starting with some new CDC guidelines and a promising trend with the growing pace of vaccinations. We also cover the end of the eviction moratorium before wrapping with an update on the infrastructure bill and when it will likely pass.

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Friday, July 30th, 2021 Jul 30, 2021

Let's kick off this Friday with some COVID news. President Biden announced some new pandemic requirements for approximately 4 million federal workers and the Israeli Health Ministry has plans to administer a third dose to adults over 60. Next we move to the $2.1 billion dollar emergency spending package Congress passed and the recent data that reveals the current state of the U.S. economy. Plus, ex-Cardinal Theodore McCarrick has been charged with sexually assaulting a teenager and a new legal complaint has been filed by the National Council of Negro Women against Johnson & Johnson. Lastly, we close with why Scarlett Johansson is suing Disney (and why we're team Jo').

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Thursday, July 29th, 2021 Jul 29, 2021

This morning we start with some COVID updates as things are getting…worse. On a kind of brighter note, let’s bring back our favorite segment — Headlines That Speak For Themselves. Representative Jim Jordan admitted that he spoke with Donald Trump on January 6th, Simone Biles pulled out of the all-around competition yesterday, and a swastika was discovered in an elevator at the state department. Finally, we close with Susan Wright’s loss to Texas state legislator Jake Ellzey and the questionable coup happening in Tunisia.

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Wednesday, July 28, 2021 Jul 28, 2021

To start off the Morning Announcements, we begin with updates from the January 6th Commission. Next we cover the CDC’s updates mask guidelines for vaccinated people, as well as Simon Bile’s withdrawal from the gymnastics final. Lastly, we wrap with the sentencing of the culprit of the series of shootings in Atlanta targeted at massage parlors.

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Tuesday, July 27th, 2021 Jul 27, 2021

To start off the Morning Announcements, we begin with California and New York City’s changes to their vaccination requirements for state workers yesterday. Next we cover another COVID-related announcement from the White House, President Biden’s meeting with Iraq’s president, and what’s happening in Tunisia right now. Lastly, we wrap with Tom Barrack Jr.’s court arraignment.

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Monday, July 26th, 2021 Jul 26, 2021

Let start with some COVID updates and why you should really start masking again if you haven’t already. Next, we get some updates from the House select committee, before moving to why California is now under a state of emergency. Finally, we wrap with the passing of civil rights activist, Robert Moses.

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Friday, July 23rd, 2021 Jul 23, 2021

The show director of the Olympics opening ceremony has been fired and several major websites went down in a widespread outage yesterday. Plus, the state of Mississippi is requesting that the court approve a law that would ban most abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy, and new projections released this week suggest that the current COVID surge in the U.S. is expected to accelerate through the summer and fall. Finally, we close with the 4,500 tips the FBI received during Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation.

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Thursday, July 22nd, 2021 Jul 22, 2021

Just as our fears have increased around the delta variant, a new study published this week suggests that the single dose Johnson and Johnson vaccine is less effective against the delta variant than the original virus. On Tuesday at a Senate hearing, things got a little tense between Dr. Fauci and Senator Rand Paul and the January 6th select committee is set to begin its work starting next week. We cover some more news from the House before wrapping with, you guessed it: more scary weather reports.

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Wednesday, July 21st, 2021 Jul 21, 2021

We have some quick news today. Jeff Bezoz was launched into space yesterday (thanks to us), Trump ally Thomas Barrack was indicted over foreign lobbying charges, and 71 total COVID-19 cases have been linked to the Tokyo Olympics. Finally, Canada will finally be opening their border to vaccinated Americans starting next month.

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Tuesday, July 20th, 2021 Jul 20, 2021

What's going on with the stocks lately? Well, the Dow took a hard hit yesterday as fears around COVID-19 have resurfaced. Next, Sami covers why the Chinese government has been accused of hacking into Microsoft and the Pegasus spyware used to target phones of journalists and activists. We move to the first Capitol rioter who has finally been sentenced, Haiti's new prime minister, before closing with Prince Harry's new book releasing in 2022.

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Monday, July 19th, 2021 Jul 19, 2021

We start this news day with some COVID-related headlines, starting with the rapid surge of the delta variant and LA county's reinstated their mask mandate. Next, we cover the first three positive COVID cases out of the Tokyo Olympics, before switching gears on the the latest on the DACA fight. Lastly, we wrap with some weather reports you might want to know about.

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Friday, July 16th, 2021 Jul 16, 2021

Sami kicks off with a new (but unsurprising) report that housing has become even more expensive than it already is in the United States. Next, we cover the first batch of child tax credit payments sent out to families, a scary and pretty big warning from the Amazon rainforest, and why we might see catastrophic flooding in U.S. coastal regions by the 2030s. Lastly, we wrap with President Biden and German Chancellor Angela Merkel's remarks at a recent press conference and the White House's announcement of a cybersecurity task force in response to the latest ransomware attacks.

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Thursday, July 15th, 2021 Jul 15, 2021

Sami begins with our first story on Britney Spears’ new lawyer…finally. Next, we cover Olivia Rodrigo’s visit to the White House, Illinois' requirement to have Asian American history taught in public schools, and the defamation lawsuit against comedian Sacha Baron Cohen. Finally, we wrap with Jair Bolsonaro’s hospitalization after suffering with hiccups for 10 days.

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Wednesday, July 14th, 2021 Jul 14, 2021

Sami begins the Morning Announcements with a follow up on how things are going after Democratic House members fled the state in order to block a final House vote (It turns out, not so well...). Next we move to.an update on the recent Russian cyber attacks, the violent protests in South Africa, before wrapping with some more bad news now that U.S. COVID cases are on the rise again.

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Tuesday, July 13th, 2021 Jul 13, 2021

On this busy news day, Sami starts with the racist abuse of Black players for England’s soccer team following England’s loss to Italy, 3-2 on penalty kicks. Next, we cover some recent efforts to stop voter suppression, one of the biggest anti-government protest happening in Cuba right now, and who might be Britney Spears’ new lawyer. Then we move to the new warning for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, Israel’s third dose of the Pfizer vaccine, and Drake Bell’s sentencing on child endangerment charges.

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Monday, July 12th, 2021 Jul 12, 2021

Sami starts this week with some Headlines That Speak For Themselves, starting with Confederate statues that were removed from public property in Charlottesville, Virginia. Then we move to what happened at CPAC, the hottest place on Earth right now, and the British billionaire who went to space this weekend. Lastly, we wrap with some quick sports news.

*Correction: Italy defeated England 3 to 2 in a shootout.

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Friday, July 9th, 2021 Jul 09, 2021

To wrap this week of Morning Announcements, Sami runs through some news stories you should know about. First we cover the Olympics’ spectator ban after Japan declares a state of emergency and the $25 million voting rights campaign. Then we move to Michael Avenatti’s prison sentencing, before closing with the chances of us getting a third vaccine dose.

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Thursday, July 8th, 2021 Jul 08, 2021

On today’s Morning Announcements, Sami covers the assassination of Haiti’s President and why Trump has sued Facebook, Twitter and Google. Plus, we another quick Trump story. To close, Sami wraps with the death of Leneal Lamont Frazier, the uncle of the teenager who filmed Derek Chauvin murdering George Floyd.

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Wednesday, July 7th, 2021 Jul 07, 2021

Today, Sami starts off the Morning Announcements with an update on the Britney Spears case. Also, we hear an update on Matt Gaetz and whether that indictment is coming or not (and if so, when?). Plus, we cover Trump's attempts to reach the chairman of the Maricopa county board of Supervisors, Andrew Cuomo's emergency declaration, before closing with a weather report.

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Tuesday, July 6th, 2021 Jul 06, 2021

Sami takes us through some headlines today, starting with Will Smith’s $100,000 gift to New Orleans, updates on the Florida condo collapse, and who may have been affected by the Russian-linked cyberattack. Then, we cover Amazon’s new CEO and Jimmy and Rosalyn Carter's 75th wedding anniversary, before closing with a health check on the Pope.

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Monday, July 5th, 2021 Jul 05, 2021

Sami starts with the past weekend's bombshell reporting on what actually happened during Britney Spears’ conservatorship. Next, we move to some alarming news about the Gulf of Mexico, before covering an ongoing ransomeware attack involving a Russian-linked hacking group and the $850 million dollar settlement regarding the Boy Scouts of America.

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Friday, July 2nd, 2021 Jul 02, 2021

Sami kicks off with our first news story about the Trump Organization and Allan Weisselberg indictment. Next, we cover House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's top picks for who will be on the special committee to investigate the January 6th insurrection, before closing with the Supreme Court's voting act ruling.

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Thursday, July 1st, 2021 Jul 01, 2021

Sami starts by running through a series of crimes committed by celebrities. Next, we cover the House of Representatives' vote to form a select committee to investigate the January 6th insurrection, why National Guard troops are being deployed to the southern U.S. border, and close with the passing of former secretary of defense, Donald Rumsfeld.

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Wednesday, June 30th, 2021 Jun 30, 2021

Sami starts the Morning Announcements with the House of Representative’s expected vote to select a committee to investigate the Capitol riot. Next we have an update on the condo collapse in Florida, the investigation into the business practices at the Trump Organization, before wrapping with a quick update on the New York City mayoral race.

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Tuesday, June 29th, 2021 Jun 29, 2021

On another day of news, Sami starts with the biggest news of yesterday on the case challenging transgender bathroom rights. Next we have a scary record-breaking weather report (yes, another one), updates on the Miami building collapse rescue mission, and why we may be required to start wearing masks yet again. Finally, we end with Donald Trump’s response to Bill Barr’s skepticism on the former President's election fraud claims.

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Monday, June 28th, 2021 Jun 28, 2021

Sami start's this week's Morning Announcements with some of the biggest news from the weekend, including the rescue mission following the massive condo collapse in Miami last week. Next, we cover Jonathan Karl's new book detailing the final days of Mr Trump's term in the White House, Connecticut's free prison calls, and a quick update on an emergency weather report.

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Friday, June 25th, 2021 Jun 25, 2021

On this Friday’s Morning Announcements, Sami starts with Nancy Pelosi’s plan to create a select committee to investigate the January 6th attack at the Capitol. Next, we cover the latest on Biden's bipartisan infrastructure agreement, Rudy Giuliani’s suspension from practicing law, and another mass grave discovery. Finally we wrap with yesterday’s devastating collapse of a Miami beachfront condo.

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Thursday, June 24th, 2021 Jun 24, 2021

Today, we start the Morning Announcements with Britney Spear’s conservatorship hearing. Next, we cover President Biden’s new efforts to tackle gun violence, the Supreme Court’s decision to back a highschool cheerleader who lost her spot on her team for going on a “profane” rant, and updates on the New York City mayoral race. Lastly, we wrap with where Kamala Harris will be traveling over the next few days.

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Wednesday, June 23rd, 2021 Jun 23, 2021

Sami returns with some news from yesterday regarding Kyrsten Sinema’s filibuster defense, and the latest updates on the For the People Act vote. Next, we touch on Britney Spears’ conservatorship battle, before moving to what the new Delta COVID variant could mean for the U.S. Finally, we close with why New Yorkers may have to wait a bit longer to know who won the democratic mayoral primary.

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Tuesday, June 22nd, 2021 Jun 22, 2021

This Tuesday, Sami begins with a recent decision coming out of the Supreme Court involving the NCAA. Speaking of decisions, we also cover Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer's announcement to back Senator Bernie Sanders' expanded Medicare plan. Then, we hear some first remarks from Iran's president-elect, Ebrahim Raisi and close out with the new sanctions imposed on Belarusian officials following the arrest of a journalist on a Ryanair flight.

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Monday, June 21st, 2021 Jun 21, 2021

We begin this week with a catchup from this past weekend, starting off with a controversial Communion dispute and the death of President Biden's’ dog, Champ. Next, we move to Georgia’s Secretary of State to remove over 100,000 apparently “outdated” names from the state’s voter registration rolls in the next coming weeks and a story out of Florida regarding the COVID vaccine. Lastly, we close with an international story about Iran’s newly elected President.

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Friday, June 18th, 2021 Jun 18, 2021

Sami is back with our first story about three major Supreme Court challenges involving Obamacare, LGBTQ rights, and voting restrictions. Next, we move to the bill marking June 18th as a national holiday and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's $250 million down payment aimed to fund a border wall. Finally, we wrap with what Naomi Osaka's plans are now that she's taking a mental health break and when she will make her next return.

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Thursday, June 17th, 2021 Jun 17, 2021

Sami starts today's Morning Announcements with takeaways from the Biden-Putin summit, before moving to the passed legislation that would award Congressional Gold Medals to honor those who protected the U.S. Capitol during the Jan. 6 insurrection. Next we cover the new federal sex protections extended to transgender and gay students, and the Federal Reserve's increased projections on interest rates this year. Finally, we wrap today's news day with a record-breaking (and quite unsettling) weather report.

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Wednesday, June 16th, 2021 Jun 16, 2021

Sami starts today with the latest news on Mitch McConnell’s call for an investigation into the disclosure of confidential tax information of some of the country’s wealthiest taxpayers. Next we cover the newly appointed chairwoman of the FTC and New York’s lifted COVID restrictions, before closing with Harvey Weinstein’s extradition to Los Angeles.

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Tuesday, June 15th, 2021 Jun 15, 2021

Sami begins today's Morning Announcements with the release of convicted NSA leaker Reality Winner from federal prison. Next, we move to Mitch McConnell’s plans for future Supreme Court vacancies and the protest against West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin, before wrapping with our final news story on President Biden’s upcoming meeting with Vladimir Putin.

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Monday, June 14th, 2021 Jun 14, 2021

Sami starts the Morning Announcements with a story about a huge news bombshell involving the Trump administration and Israel’s brand new Prime Minister. Next we cover the Pulitzer Prize citation awarded to a teen who documented the murder of George Floyd, Florida’s critical race theory ban, and Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson’s ban from Youtube. Lastly, we end this news day with the world's fifth and newest Ocean.

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Friday, June 11th, 2021 Jun 11, 2021

This Friday, Sami starts the Morning announcements with the cancellation of the Keystone XL pipeline. Next we cover the spike of consumer prices, another update on another (yet again) cyberattack, and why half of the pandemic's unemployment money may have been stolen from foreign criminals. Bad news aside, we wrap with Saudi Arabia to allow women to live alone without permission from male guardians and the new Barbie collection made from recycled plastic to fight ocean pollution.

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Thursday, June 10th, 2021 Jun 10, 2021

Sami starts the Morning Announcements with Biden's first overseas trip of his presidency, then moves to the new executive order reversing Trump's administration efforts to ban TikTok and WeChat in the US. Next we cover Florida Rep. Val Deming's announcement to run for Marco Rubio's US Senate seat, Pzifer and Moderna's plan to administer vaccines to children by this fall, and Biden's reported purchase of 500 million Pzifer vaccines to share globally. Finally, we end this news day with the Russian courts declaring groups linked to Alexei Navalny as "extremist."

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Wednesday, June 9th, 2021 Jun 09, 2021

Sami kicks off today’s Announcements with the massive internet outage that led some of the world’s biggest websites to crash. Next, we cover the unsettling congressional report on the January 6th Capitol riot, E. Jean Carroll’s defamation lawsuit against Trump, and the new law expanding voting rights to all registered voters in the state of Vermont. Then we move to Washington State’s ‘Joints for Jabs’ marijuana giveaway for people getting vaccinated, and wrap up the day with details about Chris Harrison officially exiting the Bachelor franchise for good.

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Tuesday, June 8th, 2021 Jun 08, 2021

In today's episode, we start with a news story involving Congressman Mo Brooks. Next, we move to the new FDA-approved medication for Alzheimers, Earth's soaring carbon dioxide levels, and Kamala Harris' first international trip as VP. Then, we cover an update on last month's Colonial Pipeline cyberattack and a recent cyberattack involving the New York City law department. Lastly, we finish with Simon Biles' historic vault.

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Monday, June 7th, 2021 Jun 07, 2021

In today's episode, we start off with Joe Manchin's scandalous op-ed in the Charleston Gazette responding to a democratic voting rights bill. Next, we move to Facebook's announcement that they will be extending Donald Trump's ban from the platform and his first speech since his presidency ended. Finally, we end with a story about a federal judge in San Diego overturning California's assault weapons ban.

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Friday, June 4th, 2021 Jun 04, 2021

In today's episode, we start with some reporting on how the NFL pledged to halt the use of "race norming." Next we move to a throwback Trump story, a couple of updates on some Florida politicians, and the former CEO of Make-A-Wish Iowa pleading guilty to charges of embezzling funds up to $40,000. Finally, we cover Italian artist Salvatore Garau's invisible sculpture that sold for $18,000, Donald Trump Jr.'s Cameo debut, and the Bidens' visit to see the Queen next week.

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Thursday, June 3rd, 2021 Jun 03, 2021

In today's episode, we start with Israeli opposition parties announcing that they will form a new government coalition to oust Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Next, we move to Donald Trump's shutdown of his own blog, Arizona's GOP-led election audit, and Biden's announcement of June as "National Month of Action." Lastly, we wrap with Biden's suspension of oil drilling leases in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and Melanie Stansbury's win in the New Mexico special election.

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Wednesday, June 2nd, 2021 Jun 02, 2021

In today's episode, we start with a news story about a cyberattack involving the world's largest meat processing company. Next, we move to Biden's speech commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Tulsa Massacre, the state of Illinois to be the first to require that Asian American history be taught in school, and the Florida bill prohibiting transgender athletes from competing in female sports. Lastly, we wrap with the Grand Slam's response to Naomi Osaka pulling out of the French Open and an excerpt from our newly launched podcast, Pop Alarm.

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Tuesday, June 1st, 2021 Jun 01, 2021

In today’s episode, we start with an update on the extremely restrictive voter suppression law out of Texas. Next, we cover Michael Flynn saying that the US should have the same kind of coup that Myanmar had. Then we move to negotiations in Israel over the political coalition that is likely to unseat prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Finally, we explain the reason why Naomi Osaka has withdrawn from the French Open, and why China announced that they will be ending their two child policy.

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Monday, May 31st, 2021 May 31, 2021

In today's episode, we start with the Senate-blocked January 6th commission and one of the most restrictive voting bills approved by the Texas Senate. Next, we move to a Miami mass shooting that killed 2 people and left over 20 injured, Israeli opposition parties seeking to oust Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Israel and Egypt's talk to rebuild the Gaza Strip. Our last stories cover a mass of graves discovered at a former residential school and a Nashville hat shop under fire for promoting Star of David anti-vaccine badges.

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Friday, May 28th, 2021 May 28, 2021

In today’s episode, we start with an update on the investigation of the Capitol insurrection and studies claiming COVID-19 vaccines to have long lasting immunity. Next, we move to Egypt’s reported invitation to Israel, Palestine, and Hamas for a summit discussing a long-term ceasefire and Andrew Cuomo’s announcement to deploy state troopers to provide security in light of the rise in antisemitic attacks. Then, we cover a new poll revealing how many Americans agree with QAnon beliefs, why Naomi Osaka will not be speaking with the media during the French Open, and Howard University’s plans to rename its College of Fine Arts after alum, Chadwick Boseman. Our last news story of the day wraps with why Amy Cooper (AKA Central Park Karen) is suing her former employer.

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Thursday, May 27th, 2021 May 27, 2021

In today's episode, we start off by covering Biden’s order of the investigation into the origins of COVID-19. Next, we move to a San Jose transit worker that opened fire to a group a people, the details into Texas Governor Greg Abbot's constitutional gun carry law, and Kristen Clark’s move to lead the Civil Rights division of the Justice Department. Lastly, we wrap with Amazon’s acquisition of MGH Studios for $8.45 billion dollars.

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Wednesday, May 26th, 2021 May 26, 2021

In today's episode, we start with Biden's meeting with George Floyd's family a year following his death. Next, we move to a number of Republicans' response to Marjorie Taylor Greene's comments on comparing masking policies to the Holocaust. Then, we cover Moderna's findings in their teen vaccine study, how a number of individuals who tried to overturn the 2020 election are now running the vote, and Florida's new social media law. Lastly, we wrap with another Florida news story about a high school that altered 80 girls' yearbook photos that were deemed "immodest."

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Tuesday, May 25th, 2021 May 25, 2021

In today’s episode, we start with an international story involving Ryan Air and Belarus dictator, Alexander Lukashenko. Next, we move to the Commerce Department security unit accused of spying on hundreds of employees, why Mike Pompeo is being sued for $1.9 million dollars, and Penn State University’s decision to remove gendered terms for their class names. Lastly, we end with a some vaccination data from the CDC.

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Monday, May 24th, 2021 May 24, 2021

In today's episode, we start with an update on the 2019 death of Ronald Greene. Next, we move to Matt Gaetz' girlfriend to allegedly cooperate with federal authorities in the sex trafficking investigation, Majorie Taylor Greene's remarks comparing House COVID restrictions to the Holocaust, and the effects of 2020 on our health. Lastly, we wrap with why Trump has billed the Secret Service $40,000 since leaving office, and former Trump advisor Jason Miller's defamation lawsuit loss.

*Trigger warning for police violence.

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Friday, May 21st, 2021 May 21, 2021

In today's episode, we start with the Israel-Hamas ceasefire, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's meeting in Iceland, and why Trump CFO Allen Weisselberg is under criminal tax investigation. Our next story covers Mike Pence's brother, who voted against the bipartisan bill to probe the Capitol riot, despite threats to hang the former VP. Finally, our last story of the week is about Europe's reopening plans for vaccinated tourists this summer.

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Thursday, May 20th, 2021 May 20, 2021

In today’s episode, we start with the phone call between President Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Next, we move to the escalated investigation of the Trump Organization, the House approval of the January 6 commission, and the extreme Texas law banning most abortions in the state. Then, we wrap with the alleged illegal contributions to Sen. Susan Collins' re-election campaign and Mark McCloskey's plans to run for Senate after waving rifles at BLM protestors last summer.

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Wednesday, May 19th, 2021 May 19, 2021

In today's episode, we start with updates from the situation in Israel. Next, we move to an update from the prosecutor handling the shooting of Andrew Brown, the bipartisan commission to investigate the Capitol riots, and a newly signed bill aimed at strengthening efforts to address hate crimes targeted at Asian Americans. Then, we move through a number of quick stories including an upcoming report on UFO sightings, Biden and Harris' tax returns, Trump's claimed pension payments, and Representative Val Demings' plans to run against Marco Rubio in the Florida Senate Race. Lastly, we wrap with an update on COVID-19 cases across the U.S. and the criticism Prince Harry is receiving over his remarks on free speech.

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Tuesday, May 18th, 2021 May 18, 2021

In today's episode, we start with the conflict between Israel and Hamas. Next, we move to the Supreme Court's decision to weigh in on a Mississippi abortion law, Matt Gaetz' associate Joel Greenberg pleading guilty to several charges in a sex case, and a number of headlines regarding Bill Gates. Lastly, we end with Cuomo's $5 million dollar pandemic book deal.

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Monday, May 17th, 2021 May 17, 2021

In today’s episode, we start with the escalating situation between the Israelis and Palestinians. Next, we move to new allegations against Matt Gaetz, Biden’s secret Venmo account, and the investigation of Marjorie Taylor Greene and her husband regarding homestead exemptions.

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Friday, May 14th, 2021 May 14, 2021

In today’s episode, we start with a major announcement from the CDC. Next, we move to why anti-vaxxers are now considering masking up, the continued conflict in Israel, and Biden’s executive orders to strengthen U.S. cybersecurity. Then, we cover stories involving congressional lawmakers, including Marjorie Taylor Greene’s feud with AOC, and an update on the Matt Gaetz investigation. Lastly, we finish with some Headlines That Speak For Themselves.

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Thursday, May 13th, 2021 May 13, 2021

In today’s episode, we continue (once again) with the crisis in Israel. Next, we move to Liz Cheney’s removal from her party leadership position, the Colonial Pipeline’s restored operations, and Vermont’s vaccination milestone. To end this day of news, we wrap with Ellen Degeneres’ announcement of her show officially ending in 2022.

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Wednesday, May 12th, 2021 May 12, 2021

In today’s episode, we start with an update with the conflict in Israel, Dr. Anthony Fauci’s fight with Kentucky Senator Rand Paul over COVID origins, and the NRA’s bankruptcy petition dismissed by a federal judge. To end this episode, we finish with Headlines That Speak For Themselves.

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Tuesday, May 11th, 2021 May 11, 2021

In today's episode, we start off with the growing tensions in Jerusalem, an update on the pipeline ransomeware attack, and NBC's cancellation of the 2022 Golden Globes amid diversity controversy. Lastly, let's end with Headlines That Speak For Themselves.

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Monday, May 10th, 2021 May 10, 2021

In today's episode, we have a lot to catch up on. We start with a ransomeware attack forcing a shutdown of a major U.S. pipeline and the Trump Justice Department's seizure of Washington Post reporters' records. Next, we move to the growing tensions in East Jerusalem and Arizona's response to the 2020 election audit. To finish off this busy news day, we end with Headlines That Speak For Themselves.

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Friday, May 7th, 2021 May 07, 2021

In today’s episode, we have some quick news for you. We start with Florida’s new voter suppression bill, the GOP’s plans to replace Liz Cheney, and the EU’s rapid vaccine rollout. And lastly, Caitlyn Jenner is sad that her friends are leaving California.

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Thursday, May 6th, 2021 May 06, 2021

In today's episode, we start with a couple of Trump related stories, including Facebook's decision not to reinstate Trump’s banned accounts, along with reports that his Scottish golf clubs paid no taxes and laid off dozens of people all the while receiving government subsidies. Then, we cover Texas’ sweeping new abortion restrictions, and the reasons behind the rise of protests in Colombia. Lastly, we end with Headlines That Speak For Themselves, including updates on Covid-19 patents, Derek Chauvin’s fate, Ghislaine Maxell’s trial, Broadway’s reopening, and Peloton’s treadmill recall.

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Wednesday, May 5th, 2021 May 05, 2021

This Wednesday's episode starts with Biden's decision to raise the refugee cap following some major blowback. Next, we cover Biden's new vaccine goals, the recent climate data revealing why the US is hotter than ever, and Kevin McCarthy's off-air comments about Liz Cheney. Lastly, we end with a Pennsylvania man sentenced to 5 years probation after voting in name of his deceased mother and the Facebook Oversight Board's plan to rule on Trump's indefinite ban.

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Tuesday, May 4th, 2021 May 04, 2021

In today's episode, we cover why there's an unlikely chance of reaching herd immunity this year, Facebook's decision on the fate of Trump's accounts, and Gov. Ron DeSantis's announcement to suspend all local COVID-19 restrictions in Florida. Lastly, we end with Headlines That Speak For Themselves.

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Monday, May 3rd, 2021 May 03, 2021

In today's episode, we cover India's record-breaking Covid count, North Korea's response to Biden's speech to Congress, and the legal fight between Apple and Fortnite. To end this slow news day, we wrap with Mitt Romney's address at the Utah GOP Convention.

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Friday, April 30th, 2021 Apr 30, 2021

In today’s episode we started with a story about a Virginia woman fired from her job after she was caught on video making racial majors towards her Black neighbor. Next, we move to the federal indictment expected for Derek Chauvin and three other former officers charged in George Floyd’s death, Alexey Navalny’s first public appearance since ending his prison hunger strike, and New York’s probe into toxic metals found in baby food. Lastly, we finish off with the Senate passing the Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act with a strong bipartisan vote of 89-2.

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Thursday, April 29th, 2021 Apr 29, 2021

In today’s episode, we cover why Rudy Giuliani’s NYC apartment was raided by the FBI, Facebook’s internal report highlighting the company’s role in the Capitol insurrection, and a New York man found guilty of threatening lawmakers. Lastly, we finish off with a court update on the shooting and killing of Andrew Brown Jr and President Biden's speech to Congress.

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Wednesday, April 28th, 2021 Apr 28, 2021

In today's episode, we start with Biden's 100th day of presidency, the CDC's new mask guidelines for fully vaccinated people, and Joe Rogan's anti-vaccine remarks. Next, we move to why a Miami private school is banning vaccinated teachers from interacting with students, Birmingham's blanket pardon for more than 15,000 city residents convicted of marijuana possession, and the civil rights investigation in the killing of Andrew Brown Jr.

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Tuesday, April 27th, 2021 Apr 27, 2021

In today's episode, we cover the investigation into Louisville policing over Breonna Taylor's death, details in the Isaiah Brown shooting, Florida's new voter suppression bill, and Arizona GOP's attempt to prove election fraud (yet again). Next, we move to the 2020 census results, and end with the Supreme Court's decision to take up first major gun control case in more than a decade.

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Monday, April 26th, 2021 Apr 26, 2021

In today's episode, we start with Caitlyn Jenner's official announcement to run for California governor. Next, we move to Ghislaine Maxwell's first courtroom appearance, Oklahoma's bill protecting divers who hit protestors, and President Biden's tax plan. Lastly, we end with Headlines That Speak For Themselves.

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Friday, April 23rd, 2021 Apr 23, 2021

In today's episode, we start with the biggest headline of the day regarding the DC statehood bill. Next, we move to the approved legislation bill aimed at addressing hate crimes against Asian Americans, Biden's move to recognize the Armenian genocide, and why the Supreme Court ruled against imposing new restrictions on life without parole for juveniles. Lastly, we cover the Senate Republican's $568 billion counteroffer to Biden's infrastructure plan.

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Thursday, April 22nd, 2021 Apr 22, 2021

In today's episode, we cover the Ma'Khia Bryant shooting, the Justice Department's probe of the Minneapolis police, and the forceful arrest of a 73 year old woman with dementia. Next, we move to the USDA's extension of universal free lunch through next school year before finishing up with Headlines That Speak for Themselves.

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Wednesday, April 21st, 2021 Apr 21, 2021

In today's episode, we start with the verdict on the Derek Chauvin trial. Next, we move to new reporting regarding the brutal prison conditions in the Washington D.C. jail and finish with Headlines That Speak for Themselves.

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Tuesday, April 20th, 2021 Apr 20, 2021

In today’s episode, we start with closing arguments in the Derek Chauvin trial. Next, we cover the ‘anti-riot’ bill signed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Andrew Cuomo’s investigation over use of state resources to complete his recent book, and Judge Timothy Kelly’s ruling to revoke bail for two Proud Boy leaders involved in the Capitol riots. Finally, let’s finish up with Headlines That Speak for Themselves.

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Monday, April 19th, 2021 Apr 19, 2021

In today's episode, we start with new information about the Adam Toledo shooting, Russia's response to last week's sanctions, and the Indianapolis FedEx shooting. Next, we move to Representatives Marjorie Taylor Greene and Lauren Boebert's vote against the National Marrow Donor Program, the controversy and backlash surrounding the America First Caucus document, and Headlines That Speak for Themselves.

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Friday, April 16th, 2021 Apr 16, 2021

In today's episode, we start with a walk down memory lane regarding the Trump administration's election interference. Next, we move to Capitol Police Inspector General Michael Bolton's testimony addressing failures during the January 6 insurrection, new findings in the released footage of the fatal shooting of 13 year old Adam Toledo, and updates on the Derek Chauvin Trial. Then, we talk about the new legislation known as HR 40, a bill on studying reparations. Lastly, we end on Headlines That Speak For Themselves.

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Thursday, April 15th, 2021 Apr 15, 2021

In today's episode, we start with an update on the Daunte Wright case, witness testimony from the defense in the Derek Chauvin trial, and new details on the Matt Gaetz investigation. Lastly, we end on Headlines That Speak For Themselves.

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Wednesday, April 14th, 2021 Apr 14, 2021

In today's episode, we cover the joint CDC and FDA statement on the halt of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine, the resignation of the police officer and chief following the fatal shooting of Daunte Wright, and a new phase of the Derek Chauvin trial with the defense calling its first witnesses. Lastly, we end with the call between President Biden and Vladimir Putin amid rising Ukraine tensions.

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Tuesday, April 13th, 2021 Apr 13, 2021

In today’s episode, we cover a number of recent cases of police misconduct, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s attempted request to talk with Putin, and Biden’s announcement to name Cindy McCain as US ambassador to the UN World Food Program. Next, we move to why Will Smith and Director Antoine Fuqua have decided to pull their production of “Emancipation” from Georgia, FEMA’s $1.9 trillion dollar relief package for COVID-19 funeral expenses, and the latest CDC updates on the vaccine.

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Monday, April 12th, 2021 Apr 12, 2021

In today’s episode, we start with a summary of the Derek Chauvin trial from Friday, President Biden’s Supreme Court commission, and Amazon’s Alabama union vote. Next, we move to the rising conflict between Ukraine and Russia, the 533 million users affected in a Facebook data leak, and Tishaura Jones’ historic victory as St. Louis’ first black female mayor.

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Friday, April 9th, 2021 Apr 09, 2021

The last episode of this week starts with updates on the Derek Chauvin trial, President Biden’s executive actions to curb gun violence, Matt Gaetz' alleged payments for sex, and the charges dropped against Georgia Representative Park Cannon.

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Thursday, April 8th, 2021 Apr 08, 2021

Today's episode continues with Day 8 of Derek Chauvin trial, details of President Biden's $2 trillion dollar infrastructure package, Matt Gaetz "blanket pre-emptive pardons," Alexei Navalny's double hernia diagnosis, and why NRA leader Wayne Lapierre escaped to his friend's yacht. Lastly, we end on Headlines That Speak For Themselves.

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Wednesday, April 7th, 2021 Apr 07, 2021

Today's episode starts with takeaways from Day 7 of the Derek Chauvin trial, followed by Biden's announcement to make the COVID-19 vaccine eligible to all US adults by April 19th. Next, we cover the veto override on the Arkansas transgender bill, Mitch McConell's response to companies speaking out about Georgia's new voting law, and the MLB All-Star's move to Denver. Lastly, Caitlyn Jenner is reportedly running for California Governor.

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Tuesday, April 6th, 2021 Apr 06, 2021

Today’s episode covers the Derek Chauvin trial, the Iranian nuclear agreement, a potential Capitol police exodus, and why Alabama stalled a bill that would reverse a ban on teaching yoga in school. Next, we move to updates on the Arkansas bill restricting medical treatments for trans youth and end on Harvey Weinstein's appeal to reverse his sex crimes convictions.

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Monday, April 5th, 2021 Apr 05, 2021

Today's episode catches up on a lot of news from Friday, starting with a deadly attack at the US Capitol, MLB's move to pull the 2021 all-star game out of Atlanta, and more witness testimonies in the Derek Chauvin trial. Next, we move to the Facebook data leak, how Trump steered supporters into unwitting donations, and an alleged coup in Jordan.

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Friday, April 2nd, 2021 Apr 02, 2021

Today’s episode starts with the Derek Chauvin trial (again) and the fallout from the voter suppression law in Georgia. Then we move to the shooting in Orange, California, an update from the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, and the reported 15 million failed Johnson & Johnson vaccines. Lastly, we have a new update about Matt Gaetz.

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Thursday, April 1st, 2021 Apr 01, 2021

Today’s episode covers a number of headlines including the third day of the Derek Chauvin trial, Matt Gaetz' response to the DOJ investigation, Biden's additional actions to combat violence against AAPI communities, and COVID vaccine updates for teenagers ages 12 to 15. Then, we move over to New York's marijuana legalization, Russian hackers suspected of stealing thousands of State Department emails, and two Capitol police overs suing Trump over the January 6th riot.

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Wednesday, March 31st, 2021 Mar 31, 2021

Today’s episode covers some updates on the Derek Chauvin trial, the CDC's updates on vaccine effectiveness, the union vote count for the Amazon warehouse in Alabama, the White House's infrastructure plan, Matt Gaetz' investigation for sexual relationship with a minor, and Arkansas's new bill banning healthcare for trans youth.

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Tuesday, March 30th, 2021 Mar 30, 2021

Today’s episode covers opening arguments and the start of witness testimony in the Derek Chauvin trial, Minnesota's court ruling on sexual assault, Donald Trump's Mar-A-Lago speech, and and Headlines That Speak For Themselves.

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Monday, March 29th, 2021 Mar 29, 2021

Today’s episode dives deep into the new Georgia voter suppression law and the fallout from its passage, a status update on the Suez Canal ship, House testimony from the CEOs of Facebook, Google, and Twitter; and then we finish with Headlines That Speak For Themselves

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Friday, March 26th, 2021 Mar 26, 2021

Today’s episode covers headlines including: the container ship stuck in the Suez Canal, update on AstraZeneca, the Colorado gunman’s first court hearing, Biden’s first press conference, another Cuomo scandal, Alexei Navalny’s illness, and a new provocation from North Korea

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Thursday, March 25th, 2021 Mar 25, 2021

Today’s episode covers AAPI representation in the Biden administration, VP Harris’s new role leading on immigration issues, an update on the Capitol insurrection investigation, and the status of the country’s most important dogs.

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Wednesday, March 24th, 2021 Mar 24, 2021

Today’s episode includes updates on the shooting in Colorado, questions about AstraZeneca data, a 10 year overhaul of the Post Office, a failure on Facebook’s part, and Prince Harry’s next step.

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Tuesday, March 23rd, 2021 Mar 23, 2021

Today’s episode includes an update on the AstraZeneca vaccine (and one from Krispy Kreme), the Supreme Court’s consideration to reinstate the death penalty for the Boston Marathon bomber, a sneak peak at the Biden administration’s next big legislative package, and Headlines That Speak For Themselves (including some international ones today).

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Monday, March 22nd, 2021 Mar 22, 2021

This Monday’s episode covers the state of emergency declared in Miami Beach thanks to spring breakers, some optimistic studies regarding pregnant women and mRNA vaccines, what’s going on at the southern border, White House staffers being fired for past marijuana use, and shockingly good news from Diane Feinstein.

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Friday, March 19th, 2021 Mar 19, 2021

Today’s episode covers Biden’s first big brush with Putin, good news and bad news regarding Covid, the House vote to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act, and the confirmation of Xavier Becerra as Secretary of Health and Human Services. Plus Headlines That Speak For Themselves, obviously. And be sure to check out today’s episode of the Afternoon Tea with comedian Blaire Erskine in the Betches Sup podcast feed.

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Thursday, March 18th, 2021 Mar 18, 2021

Today’s episode covers the shooting of eight people in Atlanta, highlights from Biden’s interview with ABC News, a resurfacing of Brett Kavanaugh-related sketchiness, and Headlines That Speak For Themselves

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Wednesday, March 17th, 2021 Mar 17, 2021

Today’s episode covers threats from Mitch McConnell, threats to Gavin Newsom’s governorship, a newly-released intelligence report about foreign interference in the US election, and Headlines That Speak for Themselves.

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Tuesday, March 16th, 2021 Mar 16, 2021

Today’s episode covered a very light news day with stories about the arrest of two men for the assault of Capitol Police officer Brian Sicknick, European countries suspending the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine, and a shitty but unsurprising announcement from the Vatican.

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Monday, March 15th, 2021 Mar 15, 2021

This Monday’s episode covers the $27 million settlement for George Floyd’s family, rare bipartisanship over Daylight Savings Time, a new example of unethical conduct from Cuomo, Biden sending FEMA to the border to manage the influx of migrant children, and of course Headlines That Speak For Themselves

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Friday, March 12th, 2021 Mar 12, 2021

The final Morning Announcements of the week covers legislation strengthening background checks for firearms sales that just passed the House, a groundbreaking story about a Chicago suburb that will pay reparations to Black residents, an update on the Cuomo allegations, plus the Headlines That Speak For Themselves.

*After this episode was recorded, it was announced the Governor Cuomo will face an impeachment investigation by New York State lawmakers.

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Thursday, March 11th, 2021 Mar 11, 2021

Today’s episode covers the (final!) passage of the Covid relief package, a near-total ban on abortion that just became law in Arkansas, a dive into the new financial war between Trump and the GOP, and finally our new segment: Headlines That Speak For Themselves.

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Wednesday, March 10th, 2021 Mar 10, 2021

Today’s episode details the Royal Family’s response to the explosive Oprah interview, a voter suppression law that just passed in Georgia, an additional Cuomo allegation, and a new mini-segment I’m trying out with a bunch of quickie headlines you might wanna know.

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Tuesday, March 9th, 2021 Mar 09, 2021

Today’s episode addresses the new CDC guidelines for individuals who are post-vaccination, news about the trial of Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd, an update on the crazy energy bills received by Texas residents in the face of bad weather, and news of another republican senator who’s chosen to retire.

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Monday, March 8th, 2021 Mar 08, 2021

This Monday’s episode covers the passage of the $1.9 trillion Covid relief package in the Senate, a new allegation against Governor Andrew Cuomo, a report from the Wall Street Journal that accuses the Kremlin of peddling disinformation about the Pfizer an Moderna vaccines, and some shitty Women’s History Month news.

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Friday, March 5th, 2021 Mar 05, 2021

The final episode of this week includes stories about how Qanon’s final hopes were dashed as Trump did not get inaugurated yesterday, the extension of National Guard presence in DC, the passage of the George Floyd Justice in Policing Bill and HR-1 in the House. Then we move over to Republican scandal corner, exploring the malfeasance of former Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, and Representatives Ronny Jackson and Madison Cawthorn.

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Thursday, March 4th, 2021 Mar 04, 2021

Today’s episode covers a warning about an attack on the Capitol today (yes, another one), new Senate testimony about safety failures on the 6th, details about the first trial date for a defendant in the Capitol riots, changes in the Covid relief bill (not amazing ones), an update on the Cuomo scandal, and the lack of running water in Jackson, Mississippi.

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Wednesday, March 3rd, 2021 Mar 03, 2021

Today’s episode is a hump day treat including: the best vaccine news we’ve heard in a while, the dumbest thing we’ve heard from Texas in about a week, FBI Director Christopher Wray’s congressional testimony about the capitol insurrection, the confirmation of Rhode Island governor Gina Raimondo as the Secretary of Commerce, and new US sanctions on Russia for their treatment of Alexei Navalny.

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Tuesday, March 2nd, 2021 Mar 02, 2021

This Tuesday’s episode is a quick one that covers marijuana legalization in Virginia, the significance of Biden’s statement in support of Amazon workers unionizing, news about family reunification, and a new Cabinet confirmation.

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Monday, March 1st, 2021 Mar 01, 2021

The first Morning Announcements of the week covers the former guy’s appearance at CPAC, the approval of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine, the passage of the Covid Relief bill without the $15 minimum wage provision, an update on the murder of Jamal Khashoggi and US relations with Saudi Arabia, and a new allegation against Governor Andrew Cuomo.

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Friday, February 26th, 2021 Feb 26, 2021

Today’s episode covers a number of headlines including: Jennifer Granholm’s confirmation as Energy Secretary, the passage of the Equality Act in the House and Marjorie Taylor Greene’s multiple temper tantrums around it, two updates from the January 6th insurrection (one not fun, one kind of fun), the Manhattan DA’s possession of Trump’s tax returns, and more criminal activity from USA Gymnastics (Trigger Warning: sexual assault & suicide).

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Thursday, February 25th, 2021 Feb 25, 2021

Today’s episode covers news about the Johnson and Johnson vaccine, the House testimony of Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, an update from Maricopa County, a new allegation of sexual harassment against Governor Andrew Cuomo, and a grand jury decision in the death of Daniel Prude.

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Wednesday, February 24th, 2021 Feb 24, 2021

Today’s episode summarizes the Senate hearing about the security failures that led to the Capitol insurrection, an update on Biden’s Cabinet confirmations, as well as two pop culture/politics crossovers featuring Barack Obama, Bruce Springsteen, George Clooney, and exposing Jim Jordan.

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Tuesday, February 23rd, 2021 Feb 23, 2021

Today’s brief episode covers Merrick Garland’s Senate confirmation hearing for Attorney General, a Supreme Court ruling that gives the Manhattan District Attorney immediate access to 8 years of Trump’s tax returns, and the abolition of the death penalty in Virginia.

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Monday, February 22nd, 2021 Feb 22, 2021

This Monday’s episode provides an update on the energy crisis in Texas, followed by a positive development for the future of US energy and environmental policy. Next we talk about the recent Covid death toll and vaccination numbers, plus two stories about the new lengths that Republicans in Georgia and Florida are willing to go to in order to suppress voting rights. We finish with a hilarious headline out of where else but Florida?

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Friday, February 19th, 2021 Feb 19, 2021

Sami records today’s episode out of Omaha, Nebraska, and starts with an update on the situation in Texas, including Ted Cruz’s “drop off” of his daughters in Cancun. Next we talk about the landing of the Mars rover Perseverance, and an update on the Cuomo Covid coverup. Our last story is about a historic banking blunder where Citibank accidentally wired almost a billion dollars it didn’t intend to. Can I have some?

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Thursday, February 18th, 2021 Feb 18, 2021

Today’s episode starts off with an explanation about what is going on with Texas’s power grid amidst record low temperatures and ice storms. Then we report on Rush Limbaugh’s death, and talk about Donald Trump’s statement where he laid into Mitch McConnell, plus a demand from a Kentucky county Republican Party chairman that Mitch resigns.

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Wednesday, February 17th, 2021 Feb 17, 2021

For today’s news we start with a new civil lawsuit that’s being brought against Trump for inciting the January 6th insurrection, this time by Democratic Representative Bennie Thompson of Mississippi. In our second story, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem is under scrutiny for her use of a state-owned plane to attend right-wing political (and personal) events, racking up huge bills on the taxpayers’ dime. Then we’re back in Georgia for a remix of the 2021 Senate runoff election. Finally, we end with an update on Amy Cooper (remember her?) and a PSA about healthcare open enrollment.

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Tuesday, February 16th, 2021 Feb 16, 2021

For our first story, we have an update on the status of the Republican Party post-acquittal, including a concerning interview by Lindsey Graham about the party’s future moves. Meanwhile, Nancy Pelosi is calling for a 9/11-style commission into the Capitol riots to find out a full accounting of what happened. Next we have an update about right-wing social media app Parler, and finish up with a scary weather report that affects almost half of America.

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Monday, February 15th, 2021 Feb 15, 2021

Our first episode this week details how former President Trump was acquitted 57-43 in the Senate impeachment trial, but not until after some crazy news breaks that led to a debacle on Saturday morning over whether witnesses would be called. Then we have an update involving Lindsey Graham and the criminal investigation in Georgia into Trump’s attempts to overturn the election. Then we talk about a Covid-related scandal in New York involving a potential cover-up of nursing home deaths by Cuomo’s administration. We finish with some comical corruption by Mike Pompeo that involved spending $10,000 on embossed pens

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Friday, February 12th, 2021 Feb 12, 2021

Today’s episode summarizes the final hours of the House impeachment managers case to convict Trump, plus an update on how the Republicans are taking the trial. Next is an update from the Biden administration regarding the border wall and a massive announcement that they expect all Americans to be vaccinated by July. Then we have a new development in the case against Derek Chauvin for George Floyd’s murder. Lastly, we finish with new reporting that confirms some suspicions about Trump’s case of Covid in October.

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Thursday, February 11th, 2021 Feb 11, 2021

On today’s episode we recap the most salient arguments and moments from the prosecution in Trump’s Senate impeachment trial. Then we talk about a Washington Post analysis regarding the financial histories of the Capitol rioters, and end with news of a new investigation out of Georgia into Trump’s attempt to overturn the Georgia election results. Remember that one?

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Wednesday, February 10th, 2021 Feb 10, 2021

In today’s episode we start with a summary of what happened on the first day of Trump’s senate impeachment trial. Next comes a story about how one of the leaders of the Oath Keepers, who helped organize the insurrection, had previously worked for the FBI and had top-secret security clearance. Then we discuss a pretty wild story about a cyber hack on a water plant in Florida, and end with a story of teamwork from Chuck Schumer and AOC.

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Tuesday, February 9th, 2021 Feb 09, 2021

This episode marks the first day of Trump’s impeachment trial in the Senate and we start with a rundown of what to expect this week. Our second story involves findings from The Washington Post about how the Education Department disproportionately audits Black and Latino college students’ financial aid applications. We end the episode with a story about how Rachel Maddow and MSNBC got $250,000 richer.

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Monday, February 8th, 2021 Feb 08, 2021

Trump’s Senate impeachment trial starts this week, and we talk about a Liz Cheney anecdote that points to how the Senate Republicans are likely to vote. Next we have an update on the Covid relief package, plus news of a new proposal for an additional child tax credit. We finish the episode with more fallout from Fox News’s $2.7 billion defamation suit for lying about the election.

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Friday, February 5th, 2021 Feb 05, 2021

This Friday’s episode talks about the latest consequences for Marjorie Taylor Greene and an update on next week’s Senate impeachment trial. Then we talk about President Biden’s first foreign policy speech of his term, and how Fox News got smacked with a massive lawsuit for airing misinformation about the election. Finally, we have some positive results from a new study on the AstraZeneca vaccine.

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Thursday, February 4th, 2021 Feb 04, 2021

This morning we start with a breakdown of the situation with the ongoing farmer protests in India. Then we move onto the latest with Marjorie Taylor Greene and Liz Cheney*, and Canada’s declaration of the Proud Boys as a terrorist organization. Lastly we cover the Republican attempts to roll back voting rights in the Georgia state senate.

*After this episode was recorded, the Republican vote to remove Liz Cheney failed in a secret ballot, 145-61.

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Wednesday, February 3rd, 2021 Feb 03, 2021

This Wednesday’s episode start with an update on Biden’s executive orders to overturn Trump’s immigration policies. In Senate news, we have an update on the Covid relief bill and Democrats’ move to pass a $1.9 trillion package via budget reconciliation, which does not require 10 Republicans signing on to pass it. Also in the Senate, we have two Cabinet confirmations that have taken way too long, and a surprising denunciation by the Senate Minority Turtle. Then we have an update on the sentencing of Alexey Navalny in Russia, and we finish with news about Amazon’s Jeff Bezos announcement that he is stepping down as CEO.

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Tuesday, February 2nd, 2021 Feb 02, 2021

In today’s episode we go into the background and geopolitical context of the military coup in Myanmar, followed by a tragic incident of police pepper-spraying a 9-year old Black girl. We close the episode with news of a Biden administration deal to manufacture at-home Covid tests.

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Monday, February 1st, 2021 Feb 01, 2021

This Monday’s episode starts with an update on the Covid relief negotiations and the 10 Senators who may be willing to negotiate. Next we talk about the second weekend of mass protests in Russia, and Donald Trump’s loss of his entire legal team about a week before his Senate trial. Plus an update on which corporate America darlings support the January 6th sedition.

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Friday, January 29th, 2021 Jan 29, 2021

This Friday, we continue to cover the drama around Gamestop shares falling over 40% on Thursday after Robinhood restricted trading for its users. Next, we talk about how Rep. Majorie Taylor Greene was appointed to the House Education and Labor Committee and how Kevin McCarthy met with Trump at Mar-a-Lago to plan for the 2022 midterms. Finally, with the rise of more contagious Covid strains, experts are sharing new precautions around mask-wearing.

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Thursday, January 28th, 2021 Jan 28, 2021

This Thursday we start with GameStop’s stock surge as Reddit users team up to take on Wall Street. Next, we talk about the Department of Homeland Security’s warning of a domestic terrorist threat following the inauguration, the GOP’s plan to use the filibuster to stall Biden’s DHS nominee Alejandro Mayorkas, and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s social media past coming back to bite her. Finally, we cover some good news as Biden signed a number of executive actions to address the climate crisis, create jobs, and restore scientific integrity.

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Wednesday, January 27th, 2021 Jan 27, 2021

On this Wednesday’s episode, we update you on the Senate trial of Donald Trump, including what scholars say about the constitutionality of trying a former president, and which Republican Senators had the spine to vote to proceed. Next, we talk about President Biden’s first perfect phone call with Vladimir Putin and run through some of his recent achievements, including securing 200 million more vaccines for the American people and rescinding the Trump administration memo that led to child separation at the border.

*After this recording, Leahy has been released from the hospital and has returned home.

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Tuesday, January 26th, 2021 Jan 26, 2021

This Tuesday we start off with an update on the articles of impeachment against former President Trump, including who will be presiding over the Senate trial. We cover a few more news items out of the Senate, and how Mitch McConnell is resisting the transfer of power.* We also cover the first few confirmations of Biden’s cabinet and the executive actions he’s taking in the face of a paralyzed senate. Lastly, we end with some Coronavirus updates, including the status of the remaining vaccine trials.

*After this recording, Mitch McConnell agreed to pass the organizing resolution and formally hand over majority power to the Democrats, without formal agreement to keep the filibuster in place.

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Monday, January 25th, 2021 Jan 25, 2021

We start off the week with a bombshell story about former President Trump’s attempt to interfere with the Department of Justice in an attempt to overturn the Georgia results. We then give an update on Trump’s impending Impeachment and his intention to create a third party to challenge those who oppose him. We also cover the Arizona’s GOP censure of several notable Republicans for speaking out against Trump. Then, we report on Dr. Fauci and Dr. Birx’s accounts of what it was like working under the previous administration. We end with some news from Russia and the wide-spread protests that have broken out in reaction to the jailing of Alexey Navalny.

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Friday, January 22nd, 2021 Jan 22, 2021

This Friday, we cover the Biden’s administration first full day in office, which was focused on COVID-19 and mess they are inheriting from the Trump administration. Then, we cover the status of the articles of impeachment against Trump and how Republican senators are preparing for the upcoming trial. We also report on Charles Flynn’s involvement in the National Guard's response to the insurrection. To round it all out, we end with a funny story about the Oval Office Redesign.

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Thursday, January 21st, 2021 Jan 21, 2021

On this Thursday’s episode, we run down yesterday’s historic Inauguration and the Biden administration’s first day in office: including the Democrats officially taking control of the Senate, and President Biden signing 17 executive orders/actions that included a wide array of policy advancements. We end by reporting on Trump’s final list of pardons and commutations, which included a who’s who of Republican operatives.

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Wednesday, January 20th, 2021 Jan 20, 2021

This Wednesday, we cover what we’ve all been waiting for: Joe Biden and Kamala Harris’ historic Inauguration. We also talk about Trump’s plans for the day and his struggles in drawing a crowd for his farewell. Then, we report on Mitch McConnell’s strongly worded speech yesterday where he denounced Trump for his involvement in the insurrection. We also cover a new grim milestone we have reached from COVID-19. Finally, we mention Biden’s sweeping immigration plan that provides a path to citizenship for millions of immigrants.

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Tuesday, January 19th, 2021 Jan 19, 2021

This Tuesday we cover what we expect for the last day of the Trump administration, which is sure to include a large number of pardons and commutations. We report on updates from the insurrection, including a sketchy tour by Representative Lauren Boebert, and the theft of Nancy Pelosi’s laptop by an insurrectionist who intended to sell it to Russian Intelligence. Then, we delve into a few more Russia-related stories, including the arrest of Alexey Navalny and the new location of Parler’s new hosting servers after being banned by Amazon Web Services. Finally, we end with an overview of the steep increase in federal executions that have happened in the past few months.

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Monday, January 18th, 2021 Jan 18, 2021

This Monday, we start with a few words from MLK that remain incredibly relevant to our current times. Then, we cover reports about the last gasps of the Trump presidency, including their attempts to collect fees for pardons, install political personnel in civil roles, and how the Trump’s ban from Twitter has affected disinformation on the site. Lastly, we cover Biden’s announcement on his plans for executive actions immediately after being inaugurated as our President.

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Friday, January 15th 2021 Jan 15, 2021

Impeachment process and lingering reactions to yesterday’s vote. We have updates from the FBI’s efforts to track down the perpetrators of last week's coup attempt. Then, we cover soon-to-be President Biden’s proposed Covid stimulus package along with his pick to chair the Democratic National Committee. We also talk about a new suit against the NYPD for their use of force during the George Floyd protests over the summer, and lastly, we close out with two juicy stories about Rudy Giuliani and Jarvanka.

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Thursday, January 14th, 2021 Jan 14, 2021

In this Thursday’s episode we cover the the President Trump’s historic second impeachment and what the Senate trial might look like. Next we cover new reporting about potential complicity in the Capitol attacks, security preparations for the upcoming inauguration, and how Republican representatives are refusing to comply with new safety measures at the Capitol. Lastly, we cover the Supreme Court’s decision in the first abortion related case since Amy Coney Barrett joined the court.

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Wednesday, January 13th, 2021 Jan 13, 2021

In this Wednesday’s episode we talk about Trump’s remarks at the border wall, the DOJ and FBI’s continuing investigations into insurrectionists, and what future threats might look like surrounding Inauguration week. We cover today’s impeachment vote in the house, and how a few notable Republicans are planning to vote. Lastly, we cover an update on the water situation in Flint, Michigan, along with a new CDC guideline for travelers entering the US.

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Tuesday, January 12th, 2021 Jan 12, 2021

In this Tuesday’s episode we discuss what Congress is doing in the aftermath of the coup, the status of impeachment and the 25th Amendment, and the lack of communication from law enforcement. We also discuss the FBI’s warning about continuing violence as well as security plan for President-Elect Biden’s inauguration next week. Lastly, we have a couple of stories that will be sure to have Trump fuming.

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Monday, January 11th, 2021 Jan 11, 2021

In this Monday’s episode we cover the continuing fallout from the Trump-incited insurrection at the Capitol and the calls for the removal of the President from office. We also discuss questions related to the preparedness of the police on the day of the events, and the social media reaction to the President’s seditious messaging. Lastly, a note on COVID-19, which keeps breaking records in the United States.

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Friday, January 8th, 2021 Jan 08, 2021

Friday, January 8th, 2021

This Friday’s episode focuses on the aftermath of the Trump-incited insurrection at the Capitol on Wednesday, including the fate of the participants, resignations across the cabinet, and the effects on the President himself. Also, we discuss the outcome of the Electoral College certification that was delayed by the events and a statement by the head of the Association of Flight Attendants.

*After the recording of this episode, Secretary of Education Betsy Davos has resigned from her position at the Cabinet as well as the Sergeant of Arms of the Senate.*

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Thursday, January 7th, 2021 Jan 07, 2021

This Thursday’s episode focuses mostly on the Trump-incited mob who stormed the Capitol yesterday and disrupted the legitimate certification of Biden’s electoral college victory by Congress. Also, we cover the results of the Georgia Senate Runoffs and Biden’s reported pick for Attorney General.

*The death toll of these events nows stands at 4 people as of midnight on Wednesday*

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Wednesday, January 6th, 2021 Jan 06, 2021

This Wednesday’s stories include: updates on the Georgia runoff elections, the Jacob Blake shooting, the Kyle Rittenhouse’s case, the recent cyberattack, Mar-a-Lago’s repeated mask violations, and the Grammys.

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Tuesday, January 5th, 2021 Jan 05, 2021

This Tuesday’s stories include a bombastic op-ed by the ten living Defense Secretaries, a couple of questionable Medal of Freedom Recipients, and a trip across the pond for a new coronavirus lockdown and a throwback Julian Assange headline.

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Monday: January 4th, 2021 Jan 04, 2021

This Monday’s stories include Trump’s batsh*t call to the Georgia Secretary of State, the Senate’s latest coup attempt, an encouraging COVID vaccine update, and details on the tragic shooting of Andre Hill.

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Coming Soon - Morning Announcements (Trailer) Dec 23, 2020

Morning Announcements with host Sami Sage starts January 4th, 2021! Follow us now on Spotify or subscribe on Apple podcasts to be the first to hear it.

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