Morning Announcements

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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

Show notes

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

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Monday, December 23rd, 2024 - Shutdown averted; MAHA caucus; German market attack; IRS missed stimulus; Party City closes Dec 23, 2024

Show notes

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.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

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

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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

Show notes

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.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

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

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thursday, December 19th, 2024 - SCOTUS take TikTok case; Fed rate cut; Gov’t shutdown; Cheney targeted; CA bird flu outbreak Dec 19, 2024

Show notes

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.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

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

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Wednesday, December 18th, 2024 - Trump sues IA pollster; AOC’s loss; Biden backs stock ban; UHC murder update; WI shooter update Dec 18, 2024

Show notes

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.”

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

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

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

Show notes

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.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

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

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

Show notes

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.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

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

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Friday, December 13th, 2024 - Biden's pardons; Love Is Blind union push; NJ Drone update; Trump: TIME Person of the Year Dec 13, 2024

Show notes

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.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

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

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thursday, December 12th, 2024 - Wray resigns; ICE policy revoked; Inflation up; NJ drone mystery; NLRB blocked; Infowars bid rejected Dec 12, 2024

Show notes

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.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

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

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Wednesday, December 11th, 2024 - Mangione charged; McConnell falls; Hegseth's pitch; Murdoch drama; DOJ secrets; Netanyahu testifies Dec 11, 2024

Show notes

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.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

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

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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