Morning Announcements Morning Announcements

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.
Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

NBC News: Supreme Court rejects bid to restrict access to abortion pill


Axios: Clarence Thomas took more undisclosed trips, Senate committee finds


The Daily Beast: Trump’s Campaign Is Funneling Cash Back to His Businesses


Reuters: Trump talks tariffs and taxes, calls Republican host city 'horrible'


WA Post: Senate Republicans block bill to protect access to in vitro fertilization


CNBC: Tesla shareholders vote to reinstate Elon Musk's $56 billion pay package



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

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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.
Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

NBC News: Biden heads to Italy to pitch world leaders on more cash for Ukraine


CNN: House GOP votes to hold Attorney General Garland in contempt


The Guardian: Violent crime in the US plummeted in first months of 2024, FBI data reveals


NBC News: Suspect in armed bus hijacking in Atlanta spoke to local media at a shooting scene hours earlier


NY Times: Southern Baptists Vote to Oppose Use of I.V.F.


NY Times: Age Limit for Congressional Candidates Is on North Dakota’s 2024 Ballot 

CNBC: Fed holds rates steady, indicates only one cut coming this year



Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson
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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.
Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

AP News: Hunter Biden convicted of all 3 felonies in federal gun trial


Reuters: Former Trump lawyer Giuliani posts bond in Arizona election case


AP News: In the rough: Felony convictions could cost Trump liquor licenses at 3 New Jersey golf courses 

AP News: A Florida law blocking treatment for transgender children is thrown out by a federal judge


The Verge: Apple Intelligence: every new AI feature coming to the iPhone and Mac



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

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.
Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

NY Times: Fourteen of the 15 members voted in favor, with Russia abstaining


NBC News: Biden admin has discussed potentially negotiating unilateral deal with Hamas to free U.S. hostages


WA Post: Justice Alito talked about political divide on purported secret recordings


AP News: Speaker Johnson appoints two Trump allies to a committee that handles classified intelligence


NY Times: Trump Will Have Virtual Interview With Probation Official on Monday 

Slate: Trump trial news: Now what is Aileen Cannon doing?


WA Post: Jury deliberations in Hunter Biden gun trial end for the day. Jurors are due back Tuesday morning


CBS News: Part of Wyoming highway collapses in landslide, blocking crucial transit route



Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson
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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.
Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

WA Post: Four Israeli hostages rescued alive; at least 210 people killed in Gaza, officials say


Axios: Netanyahu preventing victory over Hamas, Gantz says as he exits coalition 

AP News: Far-right gains in EU election deal stunning defeats to France’s Macron and Germany’s Scholz


Axios: U.S. to open broad antitrust probe into AI giants: source


AP News: Former Trump chief of staff Mark Meadows pleads not guilty in Arizona's fake elector case


CNBC: Jobs report May 2024: U.S. job gains totaled 272,000 in May



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

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.
Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

WA Post: Israel used U.S. munition in deadly strike on U.N. school, experts say


Axios: Biden officials warn Israel "limited war" with Lebanon may draw Iran to intervene


AP News: Putin warns that Russia could provide long-range weapons to others to strike Western targets


Axios: European Central Bank cuts interest rates, diverging from the Fed


AP News: Trump ally Steve Bannon must surrender to prison by July 1 to start contempt sentence, judge says


Axios: Mexico death linked to bird flu not previously seen in humans



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