Morning Announcements Morning Announcements

Today’s Headlines: President Biden welcomed Kenyan President William Ruto for a three-day state visit, marking Kenya as the first African country to be designated a major non-NATO ally. The visit included meetings with tech leaders and discussions on Kenya’s deployment of 1,000 troops to Haiti for a UN-led mission. UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced a surprise early national election for July 4th, as his Conservative Party trails the Labour Party in polls, possibly aiming to secure a better electoral outcome. In the US, the Supreme Court ruled that South Carolina's Republican-led redistricting did not constitute illegal gerrymandering, despite its impact on Black voters. Justice Clarence Thomas controversially suggested the Court overreached in its historic Brown vs. Board of Education decision banning school segregation. The Department of Justice filed an antitrust lawsuit against Live Nation, parent company of Ticketmaster, alleging monopolistic practices that harm consumers and artists. Additionally, the border deal fails again while Louisiana lawmakers passed a law classifying abortion medications as controlled substances, with strict penalties for possession without a prescription. Economic updates include a Federal Reserve survey indicating 65% of households are struggling with inflation, prompting major retailers like Target and Walmart to announce price cuts. The Department of Education also announced $7.7 billion in student debt cancellation for 160,000 borrowers under existing forgiveness programs.
Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

AP News: Biden is honoring Kenya with state visit as the East African nation prepares to send police to Haiti


Reuters: Rishi Sunak calls UK national election for July 4


NBC News: Supreme Court throws out race claim in South Carolina redistricting case in win for GOP


Axios: Clarence Thomas attacks Brown v. Board ruling amid 70th anniversary


NBC News: 'It is time to break up Live Nation': DOJ sues Ticketmaster parent over alleged monopoly


Axios: Bipartisan border deal fails again in Senate 

WA Post: Louisiana House passes bill making abortion pills controlled substances 

Reuters: US households still feel pinched by inflation, Fed survey says 

WA Post: Grocers are finally lowering prices as consumers pull back 

AP News: Biden administration canceling student loans for another 160000 borrowers



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

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Today’s Headlines: Norway, Spain, and Ireland have recognized the State of Palestine based on pre-1967 borders, while Israel briefly seized and then returned AP broadcast equipment in Gaza amid accusations of image sharing with Al-Jazeera. In the U.S., Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito faces criticism for displaying a "Stop The Steal" coded flag, prompting a censure resolution from Representative Steve Cohen. Donald Trump's legal troubles continue as classified documents were found at Mar-a-Lago months after an FBI search, and Trump claimed the DOJ tried to kill him during that search. Meanwhile, Nikki Haley endorsed Trump for the 2024 election. Ohio's Secretary of State plans to exclude Joe Biden from the ballot due to nomination timing issues, potentially leading to legal action. Additionally, Capitol rioter Charles Hand III is running for Congress in Georgia. Finally, a mysterious package containing blood was sent to the RNC headquarters, prompting an investigation by law enforcement.
Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

Reuters: Norway, Spain and Ireland to recognize Palestinian state, as it happened


Axios: "Act of madness": Israeli officials seize AP equipment, cut live feed of Gaza


NY Times: Supreme Court Justice Alito’s Beach House Displayed ‘Appeal to Heaven’ Flag


House.gov: Congressman Cohen Introduces Resolution of Censure Against Justice Alito 

Axios: Trump's attorneys found classified docs in his bedroom months after raid


NY Times: Trump Falsely Claims Biden Administration Was 'Locked & Loaded' to Kill Him 

PBS: WATCH: Former Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley says she will vote for Donald Trump


NY Times: Ohio Elections Official Threatens to Exclude Biden From the Ballot


NBC News: Jan. 6 rioter who pushed through tear gas inside Capitol advances to House GOP runoff in Georgia


CBS News: Vials of suspected blood sent to RNC headquarters in Washington, D.C., prompting lockdown



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: Defendant Donald’s criminal trial is almost over, with the defense resting its case and closing arguments set for next Tuesday after Memorial Day. Jury instructions were finalized, which are crucial for guiding the jury and potential appeals. Trump hinted at a third term at the NRA meeting and posted a controversial video on Truth Social, later deleted. He’s also considering allowing states to restrict contraceptives. President Biden announced over a million claims approved under the PACT Act, providing $5.7 billion in benefits to veterans affected by toxic exposure. NYC Mayor Eric Adams is under investigation for allegedly conspiring with the Turkish government to funnel illegal campaign donations and pressuring officials to approve a new consulate. Scarlett Johansson accused OpenAI of using her voice for their AI system without her consent, despite her refusal.
Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

AP News: Donald Trump's hush money trial: Highlights from day 20


The Guardian: Trump floats idea of three-term presidency at NRA convention | US elections 2024


NBC News: Trump shares video suggesting his victory will bring 'unified Reich'


WA Post: Trump backtracks after suggesting he’s open to states restricting birth control access


NY Times: V.A. Has Approved 1 Million Claims Under Burn Pit Law, Biden Announces 

NY Times: Eric Adams’s Aide Is Cooperating With FBI Investigation Into NYC Mayor 

WA Post: Scarlett Johansson says OpenAI copied ‘Her’ voice after she said no



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: Yesterday, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, the foreign minister, and other top cabinet members died in a helicopter crash in northwest Iran near the Azerbaijan border. Raisi was a contender to succeed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Now, Khamenei’s son is a likely, though unpopular, successor. Iran will hold a presidential election on June 28th. Meanwhile, the ICC prosecutor is seeking arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and Hamas leaders for war crimes, sparking backlash from Netanyahu and President Biden. The U.S. House may vote on sanctions against the ICC. In Trump's trial, Michael Cohen's testimony ended, and the defense introduced surprise witnesses. The judge reserved judgment on a dismissal motion. Additionally, Truth Social’s parent company reported significant financial losses but remains highly valued due to meme stock status. Finally, the Senate plans to vote on a bipartisan border package, though it's expected to face opposition from Republicans despite their past negotiations.
Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

AP News: Iran's president killed in helicopter crash, election set for next month


WA Post: Biden criticizes ‘outrageous’ ICC arrest warrant ask for Israeli leaders 

WA Post: Prosecution rests in Trump hush money trial


Axios: Trump's Truth Social loses $328 million in the first quarter


Axios: Senate will again vote on bipartisan border package



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: Yesterday, Iran's state media reported that a helicopter carrying President Ebrahim Raisi and the foreign minister crashed due to extreme fog conditions near the northwest border. As of 9:30 PM Eastern on Sunday, the helicopter had not been recovered, and search and rescue operations were ongoing. Raisi, elected in 2021, is a hard-liner under US sanctions for alleged human rights violations and known for accelerating Iran's nuclear program and ties with Russia. If Raisi doesn't survive, the vice president will serve as interim president, with an election required within 50 days. Meanwhile, the Israeli military recovered the bodies of three Israeli hostages in Rafah, with around 100 hostages still captive. Inside Prime Minister Netanyahu's war cabinet, members are demanding a decisive strategy to end the war, accusing Netanyahu of prioritizing his political survival. In other news, Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito's home flew an upside-down flag post-2020 election, a symbol adopted by the "stop the steal" movement. Alito attributed this to a dispute his wife had with a neighbor over anti-Trump signs. Additionally, Rudy Giuliani was served indictment papers in Arizona for his role in attempting to overturn the 2020 election at his 80th birthday party. Finally, David DePape, who attacked Nancy Pelosi's husband, was sentenced to 30 years in prison.
Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

Reuters: Helicopter carrying Iranian President Raisi crashes, search under way


NY Times: Who is Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi?


CBS News: Bodies of three hostages, including Shani Louk, recovered by Israeli forces in Gaza, officials say


NY Times: Israel-Hamas War in Gaza: Latest Updates


NY Times: Display at Alito’s Home Renews Questions of Supreme Court’s Impartiality


NBC News: Rudy Giuliani is served indictment papers at his own birthday party after mocking Arizona attorney general 

WA Post: Attacker of Paul Pelosi, David DePape, sentenced to 30 years in prison



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: 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