Morning Announcements Morning Announcements

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.
Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

Axios: Bump stock ban blocked by Senate Republicans


AP News: Russia and North Korea sign partnership deal that appears to be the strongest since the Cold War


Politico: Ship attacked by Yemen’s Houthi rebels in fatal assault sinks in Red Sea


CNN: To help children with high BMI, expert panel recommends 26 hours of behavior coaching — but not weight-loss drugs



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 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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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.
Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

AP News: Netanyahu dissolves influential war Cabinet after key partner bolted from government


Foreign Affairs: The Terrorism Warning Lights Are Blinking Red Again | Foreign Affairs


NBC News: Putin to visit North Korea starting Tuesday for talks with Kim Jong Un 

Axios: Maryland governor to pardon 175000 marijuana convictions


WA Post: Surgeon general calls for social media warning labels - The Washington Post 


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 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.
Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

AP News: Supreme Court strikes down Trump-era ban on rapid-fire rifle bump stocks, reopening political fight


AP News: 2 killed and 6 wounded in shooting during a Juneteenth celebration in a Texas park


NBC News: Nine people, including two children, injured in seemingly random shooting at Michigan splash pad


NBC News: Israeli military announces 'tactical pause' to try to increase aid flow into Gaza


Axios: U.S. sanctions right-wing Israeli group for blocking Gaza aid


Axios: Alex Jones' personal assets will be liquidated to pay Sandy Hook families, judge rules


AP News: Strong winds, steep terrain hamper crews battling Los Angeles area's first major fire of the year


Axios: Record-breaking and long-lasting heat wave nears for millions 


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

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