Morning Announcements

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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

Show notes

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

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Thursday, November 21st, 2024 - Trump 2.0 saga updates; Capitol bathroom ban; News via social media Nov 21, 2024

Show notes

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

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

Wednesday, November 20th, 2024 - Trump 2.0 picks & Gates sex scandal updates; Gop House attacks trans rights; Homicide rates drop Nov 20, 2024

Show notes

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.

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, November 19th, 2024 - Kremlin warns US; Trump’s Deportation Plan, OH neo-Nazi march; Spirit Airlines bankruptcy Nov 19, 2024

Show notes

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.

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, November 18th, 2024 - Trump 2.0 & racist texts update; Ukraine-Russia conflict; Israel strikes nuclear facility Nov 18, 2024

Show notes

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.

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, November 15th, 2024 - Trump cabinet updates; PA Senate recount; X’s AI Terms; Musk-Iran talks; CIA Discord Leakers charged Nov 15, 2024

Show notes

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.

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, November 14th, 2024 - GOP takes House; Updates on Trump’s picks & policy plans; FBI raids Polymarket CEO Nov 14, 2024

Show notes

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.

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, November 13th, 2024 - Amsterdam unrest & Trump picks updates; House bill targets nonprofits; Ten Commandments bill blocked Nov 13, 2024

Show notes

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.

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, November 12th, 2024 - House races tighten; Trump’s picks; Bitcoin soars; Biden honors Vets; Adams wants earlier trial Nov 12, 2024

Show notes

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.

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, November 11th, 2024 - Amsterdam attacks; Racist texts; Trump Putin & Zelensky calls; Iranian assassination plot; East Coast wildfires Nov 11, 2024

Show notes

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.

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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