Morning Announcements

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Wednesday, January 10th, 2024 Jan 10, 2024

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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

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

Tuesday, January 9th, 2024 Jan 09, 2024

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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.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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

Monday, January 8th, 2024 Jan 08, 2024

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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.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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

Friday, January 5th, 2024 Jan 05, 2024

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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.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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

Thursday, January 4th, 2024 Jan 04, 2024

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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.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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

Wednesday, January 3rd, 2024 Jan 03, 2024

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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.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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

Tuesday, January 2nd, 2024 Jan 02, 2024

Show notes

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.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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

Friday, December 22nd, 2023 Dec 22, 2023

Show notes

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.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

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

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

Thursday, December 21st, 2023 Dec 21, 2023

Show notes

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.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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

Wednesday, December 20th, 2023 Dec 20, 2023

Show notes

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.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz

Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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

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