Morning Announcements Morning Announcements

Today’s Headlines: President Biden is moving to reclassify marijuana from a Schedule I to a Schedule III drug, which would officially recognize its medical benefits and allow for more federal research. The DEA has opened a 60-day public comment period on this proposal, inviting Americans to weigh in. At the same time, Congress has passed the $105 billion FAA Reauthorization Act, aimed at making flying safer and more accessible for people with disabilities, including better provisions for wheelchair users and improved emergency procedures. In other news, a recent review shows Latine students are more segregated in schools now than they’ve been since 1968, often ending up in under-resourced schools. In Trump’s criminal trial, Michael Cohen's credibility was put under intense scrutiny during cross-examination, with the trial expected to conclude soon. Lastly, Vice President Harris has agreed to participate in a vice-presidential debate hosted by CBS News. The debate will take place after the Republican National Convention, where she'll learn who her opponent will be.
Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

NBC News: Justice Department takes 'major step' toward rescheduling marijuana


NPR: Senate passes FAA reauthorization bill, sending legislation to the House 

Axios: Latino students are the most segregated they've been since 1968


AP News: Michael Cohen pressed on his crimes and lies as defense attacks key Trump hush money trial witness


Axios: Biden-Harris campaign accepts VP debate invite from CBS



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: Hundreds of thousands of Gazans are evacuating Rafah as Israel expands its operation there. Despite US and EU discouragement, the Biden administration plans to provide over $1 billion in military aid to Israel. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced $2 billion in new military financing for Ukraine as Russia advances towards Kharkiv. In other news, President Biden proposed a debate with former President Trump, accepted for June 27th, moderated by CNN's Jake Tapper and Dana Bash, with a second debate on September 10th hosted by ABC News. While details are being discussed, both campaigns have expressed concerns about the Commission on Presidential Debates. Defendant Donald’s trial continues, and Senator Bob Menendez's bribery trial began. April’s inflation report shows CPI rose by 3.4%, slightly less than March, but still above the Fed's target. The Fed is unlikely to lower interest rates before fall.
Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

Reuters: Blinken offers new US aid as Kyiv reels from renewed Russian attacks


NBC News: Biden and Trump agree to debates in late June and September 

NY Times: Robert Menendez ‘Put His Power Up For Sale,’ Prosecutors Say in Senator’s Trial 

Axios: Finally, some relief: Inflation and retail sales reports point to cooler economy 


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: Michael Cohen continued his testimony at Donald Trump’s trial, providing details of how Trump directed the falsification of business records to reimburse Cohen for the Stormy Daniels payment. The defense hasn't confirmed if Trump will testify. In a separate development, a New York court rejected Trump's appeal of gag orders imposed by Judge Juan Merchan, which he violated 10 times. Meanwhile, contractors paid by RFK Jr's campaign in NYC allegedly hid his name on ballot petitions, potentially constituting election fraud. In other news, 8 people died in a Florida bus crash, with the pickup truck driver charged with DUI manslaughter. The DOJ accused Boeing of violating a settlement related to 737 Max crashes, while Elon Musk must comply with an SEC subpoena regarding his takeover of Twitter, despite his attorneys' arguments against it.
Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

AP News: Cohen gives insider details at trial as Trump's defense attorney accuses him of seeking vengeance


NY Times: Appeals Court Upholds Gag Order on Trump in Manhattan Trial 

NY Times: Are R.F.K. Jr. Signature Gatherers Misleading New Yorkers for Ballot Access? 

NBC News: 8 dead after bus carrying farm workers in Florida hit by truck, whose driver is charged with DUI-manslaughter


AP News: Justice Department says Boeing violated deal that avoided prosecution after 737 Max crashes


Axios: Musk must testify in SEC investigation, court rules



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 New York Times revealed Hamas's secret police in Gaza, overseen by leader Yahya Sinwar, has been surveilling Palestinian civilians' political activities, online presence, and personal lives. The General Security Service, part of Hamas, acts as a government intelligence agency, using informants to monitor dissent, following individuals to check for infidelity, and censoring criticism on social media while promoting Hamas's messages. Meanwhile, President Biden signed legislation banning Russian imports of enriched uranium to cut off a significant revenue source to Russia amid the Ukraine invasion. Enriched uranium is a main fuel for US nuclear power plants, with Russia supplying about 20% of it, costing American companies around $1 billion yearly. The legislation also unlocks $2.7 billion for domestic uranium enrichment. In Defendant Donald updates, Michael Cohen testified in Donald Trump's trial about his involvement in concealing affairs. Cohen described Trump's motives and actions regarding Stormy Daniels' payment. Additionally, new reports suggest Trump could owe the IRS $100 million due to questionable tax practices. Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves signed a bill prohibiting transgender individuals from using public school bathrooms that match their gender identities. Lastly, six US airlines are suing the Biden administration over new transparency rules on flight fees, claiming they would confuse consumers.
Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

NY Times: Secret Hamas Files Show It Spied on Everyday Palestinians - The New York Times 

WA Post: U.S. bans Russian uranium imports, key to nuclear fuel supply 

AP News: Star witness Michael Cohen says Trump was intimately involved in all aspects of hush money scheme 

ProPublica: IRS Audit of Trump Could Cost Former President More Than $100 Million


NBC News: Mississippi enacts transgender bathroom ban in public schools 

AP News: US airlines are suing the Biden administration over a new rule to make certain fees easier to spot 


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 Biden administration delayed bomb shipments to Israel to prevent civilian casualties in potential assaults on Rafah. Netanyahu criticized this, but Blinken clarified that high payload bombs are withheld due to their impact in populated areas. Israel hasn't shared post-strike civilian protection plans, raising concerns about insurgency. The US aims for a different approach to demilitarize Gaza, with $26 billion aid coming. A State Department report noted concerns about US-supplied weapons' use without concrete evidence. Israel increased humanitarian aid access. Meanwhile, a senior FBI official warned of foreign interference in US elections through disinformation spread, particularly via AI deep fakes and robocalls. A recent intelligence report noted Russia's attempts to denigrate the Democratic party and weaken support for Ukraine, while Iran aimed to exploit US social divisions. China sought to influence specific races, targeting candidates critical of China. On the Coup Beat, an appellate court upheld Steve Bannon's contempt conviction, but he's not immediately starting his sentence. Michael Cohen's testimony begins today in the ongoing hush money trial.. Additionally, Senator Bob Menendez faces federal charges again and Barron Trump was announced as a Republican delegate but declined due to prior commitments.
Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

​​Reuters: Israel due to get billions of dollars more in US weapons despite Biden pause


Axios: Israel has not shown U.S. plan for protecting civilians in Gaza: Blinken


The Guardian: US finds Israel’s use of weapons in Gaza ‘inconsistent’ with human rights law, but will not cut flow of arms | Biden administration


AP News: FBI warns that foreign adversaries could use AI to spread disinformation about US elections 

WA Post: Steve Bannon’s appeal of criminal conviction for Jan. 6 testimony fails


WA Post: The Trump Trials: Waiting for Cohen


WA Post: Sen. Bob Menendez’s trial, where gold bars may shine, begins Monday 

The Guardian:Barron Trump will not be a delegate at Republican National Convention after all



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 a Manhattan court, Stormy Daniels provided testimony about her sexual encounter with Donald Trump, with much of the cross-examination focusing on the details of the encounter itself rather than the hush money payment. Her lack of knowledge about Trump's business records became a notable point, highlighting the broader context of the trial, which concerns the payment made to cover up their liaison. Following Daniels, Donald's former assistant, Madeleine Westerhout, testified about communications with Michael Cohen regarding the reimbursement of the $130,000 hush money payment to Stormy. These communications led to the Trump Organization sending checks to Cohen, labeled as "legal expenses'' under a "retainer agreement" that lacks recorded documentation. Despite Donald's attorney's attempts for a mistrial, Judge Juan Merchan denied the motion, and Marjorie Taylor Greene's motion to remove Speaker Mike Johnson from office also failed. Meanwhile, recent data shows that medical school graduates are avoiding states with abortion bans for residency positions, and the US Preventative Services Task Force recommended that mammograms for breast cancer screening should start at age 40. Lastly, the Inspector General at the Office of Veterans Affairs reported nearly $11 million in improperly paid bonuses to senior executives, and Hunter Biden's federal gun charges trial is set to proceed next month alongside separate federal tax charges in California.
Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

WA Post: Checks, not sex, and other takeaways from Trump's New York hush money trial


Axios: Trump denied second mistrial request, gag order change in hush money case 

AP News: House Speaker Mike Johnson survived a motion to vacate. Here's why his job is far from safe


NPR: Medical residents are starting to avoid states with abortion bans, data shows


AP News: Breast cancer is on the rise in women in their 40s. An earlier mammogram may help catch it sooner


WA Post: VA improperly approved nearly $11 million in bonuses for execs, watchdog finds 

Axios: Hunter Biden's federal gun charges to go to trial after appeal dismissed



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