Morning Announcements Morning Announcements

Today’s Headlines: Today's news brings updates on nationwide campus protests, centered at Columbia University where over 300 pro-Palestinian protesters were arrested. Mayor Eric Adams suggests the protests are influenced by outside agitators. Similar protests have erupted across the country, resulting in over 1500 arrests. Violence erupted at UCLA where 15 people were injured in clashes. In Congress, the House passed the Antisemitism Awareness Act, though its future in the Senate is uncertain due to debates over its impact on free speech. On abortion, Florida's 6-week ban is now in effect, while Arizona voted to repeal its 1864 abortion ban, but it won't take effect immediately. In Louisiana, a federal court blocked the state's new congressional map, leaving it without a map for the 2024 elections. Lastly, the Federal Reserve decided not to cut the inflation rate, maintaining it between 5.25 and 5.5%, citing the need for greater confidence in sustainable inflation reduction.
Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

AP News: Violence, chaos erupts on campuses as protesters and counter-protesters clash over the war in Gaza 

CBS News: Antisemitism Awareness Act passed by House of Representatives. Here's what the bill does


NBC News: Florida's 6-week abortion ban takes effect, cutting off access in much of the South


AP News: Arizona Senate OKs bill to repeal the state's 1864 near-total abortion ban 

WA Post: Federal judges strike down La. congressional map with second Black-majority district


CNBC: Fed keeps rates steady as it notes 'lack of further progress' on inflation



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

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Today’s Headlines: Just as ceasefire and hostage negotiations are gaining momentum, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declares his intention to invade Rafah, stating that the military will do so regardless of a truce. Meanwhile, Columbia University sees pro-Palestine protests escalating as students occupy administrative buildings, demanding divestment and transparency. In a different protest scenario, Brown University agrees to consider divesting from Israeli funds. In legal news, Donald Trump faces consequences for violating a gag order during his trial, with Judge Juan Merchan holding him in contempt and warning of jail time. Trump's potential plans for a second term, including extreme policy proposals, also surface. On a different note, there are reports of easing federal restrictions on cannabis, with the DEA expected to reclassify marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule 3, potentially impacting taxation and research efforts.
Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

AP News: Netanyahu vows to invade Rafah 'with or without a deal' as cease-fire talks with Hamas continue


AP News: Police clear pro-Palestinian protesters from Columbia University's Hamilton Hall after occupation


WA Post: Police breach occupied building at Columbia: University protest live updates


AP News: Trump trial day 9 highlights: Judge rules Trump violated gag order


TIME: Donald Trump on What His Second Term Would Look Like 

NBC News: Biden administration plans to reclassify marijuana, easing restrictions nationwide



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 International Criminal Court (ICC) is reportedly considering issuing arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other senior Israeli officials for their actions during the Gaza military campaign. Netanyahu reportedly asked President Biden to help prevent the ICC from issuing these warrants. Additionally, US congress members from both parties have attempted to warn the ICC against issuing the warrants. A coalition of attorneys, including some from the Biden administration, has urged President Biden to halt military aid to Israel, accusing Israel of violating US statutes and international humanitarian law. Amnesty International has also called for the halt of arms sales to Israel, alleging violations of international law. Campus protests have spread across universities in the US, with tensions escalating, while legal challenges from several Republican-controlled states are targeting federal expansions to Title IX aimed at protecting transgender students. On a positive note, a federal appeals court ruled that state health care plans must cover gender-affirming surgeries, citing violations of the anti-discrimination provision of the Affordable Care Act.
Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

NY Times: Israeli Officials Believe ICC Is Preparing Arrest Warrants Over Gaza War 

Axios: Netanyahu tells Biden he's worried about possible ICC arrest warrants


Axios: Congress threatens ICC over Israeli arrest warrants


Politico: Attorneys inside and outside the administration urge Biden to cut off arms to Israel 

WA Post: Amnesty International says Biden must halt arms transfers to Israel


NY Times: Columbia Suspends Student Protesters in Pro-Palestinian Encampment 

AP News: Israel-Hamas war protesters and police clash on Texas campus, Columbia University begins suspensions


AP News: Israel-Hamas war protesters and police clash on Texas campus, Columbia University begins suspensions


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AP News: Conservative states challenge federal rule on treatment of transgender students


WA Post: Court says state health-care plans can’t exclude gender-affirming surgery



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: This week's diplomatic efforts in Gaza see Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Saudi Arabia for ceasefire and hostage negotiations, with President Biden cautioning Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against escalating assaults on Rafah. The Israeli military's call-up of reserve soldiers indicates rising tensions. Meanwhile, over 800 arrests of pro-Palestinian student protesters occurred on college campuses, highlighting the pressure to oppose America's support of Israel's Gaza operation. This has led to the House voting on the Antisemitism Awareness Act, defining antisemitism per the Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's guidelines. Additionally, severe weather hit Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, and Texas, with over 100 tornadoes causing fatalities and extensive damage. Finally, Donald Trump met with Ron DeSantis reportedly to raise money for the November election, hinting at DeSantis's presidential aspirations. 
Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

NY Times: Biden and Netanyahu Discuss Possible Cease-Fire and Hostage Deal 

NPR: A 100-degree heat wave in Gaza offers a sweltering glimpse of a tough summer to come


NBC News: Hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters arrested at campuses as colleges crack down on encampments


Axios: Antisemitism vote set to reignite House Democrats' divisions


NBC News: At least 5 people, including infant, dead after night of tornadoes, storms in the Midwest


WA Post: Trump and DeSantis meet privately in Florida



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 heard oral arguments yesterday regarding whether Donald Trump has absolute immunity from prosecution due to his actions while president in attempting to overturn the 2020 election, arguing that anything a president does can be considered an "official act." Trump's attorney even suggested that assassinating a political rival could be an official act depending on circumstances. However, the Court didn't seem swayed by the full immunity argument, potentially opening the door for partial immunity or delaying the case. Meanwhile, in Defendant Donald's criminal trial, former National Enquirer publisher David Pecker testified about his involvement in a hush money agreement with Stormy Daniels, revealing that the Enquirer buried the story to help Trump's presidential campaign. President Biden issued a joint statement urging Hamas to accept a hostage and ceasefire deal, while a Commerce Department report showed weaker-than-expected economic growth in the US for the first quarter of 2024. Lastly, Harvey Weinstein's rape conviction was overturned by a New York Appeals Court, prompting plans for a retrial.
Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

Axios: Trump could get partial victory after Supreme Court hears immunity case


AP News: Trump hush money trial day 7 highlights: David Pecker cross-examination begins 

Axios: Biden and 17 world leaders call on Hamas to release the hostages


CNBC: GDP growth slowed to a 1.6% rate in the first quarter, well below expectations 

AP News: Harvey Weinstein’s rape conviction from landmark #MeToo trial overturned



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: Congress passed a $95 billion foreign aid package for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, along with a TikTok ban, allowing TikTok up to a year to secure a sale to an American company. Hamas released a video of an Israeli-American hostage, increasing pressure for negotiations. In Arizona, a grand jury indicted 18 people, including Trump affiliates, for efforts to overturn the 2020 election. The Supreme Court heard arguments on Idaho's abortion ban vs. federal emergency care law, showing a divided stance. Tennessee passed a law permitting concealed handguns for teachers, and the Department of Transportation issued new rules mandating automatic flight refunds. Lastly, bird flu concerns arose after FDA detection in milk samples, leading to new regulations for dairy cow transportation.
Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

Axios: What happens now that Biden has signed the TikTok bill 

Axios: Qatar passed U.S. proof-of-life of Israeli-American hostage on Monday


WA Post: Meadows, Giuliani and other Trump allies charged in Arizona 2020 election probe 

SCOTUS Blog: Supreme Court divided over federal-state conflict on emergency abortion ban


WA Post: Tennessee passes bill to let teachers carry guns, a year after mass shooting 

CBS News: New airline rules will make it easier to get refunds for canceled flights. Here's what to know 

Axios: U.S. expands testing for bird flu in dairy cows 


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