Morning Announcements

Betches Media
  • 4.7 (1.6K)
  • DAILY NEWS
  • UPDATED DAILY

Morning Announcements is your daily news rundown from Betches News--because the world’s a mess, and someone’s gotta explain it. Every morning, Betches co-founder and host Sami Sage cuts through the chaos to break down what actually matters, one unhinged headline at a time. All in under 10 minutes, so you can stay informed without spiraling.

  1. 16H AGO

    Monday, March 16th, 2026 - No ceasefire in Iran, 5k marines and 3 warships deployed; DOGE bros exposed; TikTok deal nets Trump $10B

    Today’s Headlines: Three weeks into the Iran "excursion" — Trump's word, not ours — and there's no end in sight. Trump claimed Iran asked for a ceasefire; Iran said that didn't happen. Either way, 5,000 more marines and three more warships are headed to the region, joining the 50,000 U.S. troops already there. Oil is stuck at $100 a barrel, every country Trump asked to help escort tankers through the Strait of Hormuz said no, and the U.S. bombed Iran's Kharg Island oil hub — which Trump said he might hit "a few more times just for fun," as one does. Iran fired a missile at an Italian base in Iraq's Kurdistan region, a drone killed a French soldier in the same area, and Emmanuel Macron had to call Tehran to say that's unacceptable. At home, a federal judge blocked the DOJ's attempt to criminally investigate Fed Chair Jerome Powell, ruling it was a pretext to pressure the Fed on interest rates — the Trump administration is appealing. The FCC chair threatened to pull local TV licenses over Iran war coverage he doesn't like, and Trump threatened media outlets on social media for the same reason. Neither has real teeth yet, but that's sort of the point. Meanwhile, a viral six-hour deposition of two former DOGE employees revealed they used ChatGPT to identify 1,400 grants to cut — including ones for Black civil rights documentaries and Holocaust research — with zero government or academic experience between them. The Wall Street Journal reported that the Trump administration will collect a $10 billion fee from the TikTok deal — on an app valued at roughly $14 billion total. Palantir's CEO went on CNBC to brag that his AI will shift economic power away from educated women who vote Democratic. Kash Patel announced the FBI will now train with UFC fighters. Marco Rubio is on the witness list in his close friend's federal trial for acting as an unregistered foreign agent of Venezuela. A Florida Democrat won the Boca Raton mayoral race by one vote, and the Republican loser said he'd "sleep on" whether to accept the results. And a UCLA study found that diverse film casts outperform at the box office — which landed the same weekend the Oscars completely snubbed Sinners. Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode: The Guardian: Middle East crisis live: Israel says it has launched ‘extensive strikes’ on Iran as Trump says US ‘not ready’ to make a deal to end war NYT: More Marines and Warships Being Sent to Middle East, U.S. Officials Say Reuters: Airstrike on Italian base in Iraq was deliberate, defence minister says Bloomberg: Oil Erases Gains as Traders Gauge Supply Impact of Kharg Attack CNBC: Iran sends millions of oil barrels to China through Strait of Hormuz even as war chokes the waterway The Sun: Russians ‘forced to use walkie-talkies and paper maps’ after Putin’s internet blackout as Kremlin intensifies crackdown CNN: FCC chair threatens TV networks amid Iran war coverage — but his warning rings hollow Politico: Court blocks probe of Fed Chair Jerome Powell, DOJ to appeal WSJ: Trump Administration Set to Receive $10 Billion Fee for Brokering TikTok Deal The New Republic: Palantir CEO Makes Shocking Confession on Disrupting Democratic Power 404 Media: I Watched 6 Hours of DOGE Bro Testimony. Here's What They Had to Say For Themselves Deadline: Kash Patel Confirms UFC Fighters Will Train FBI Agents: "Historic Opportunity" Vanity Fair: Marco Rubio’s Florida Bestie Is an Accused ‘Foreign Agent’ Set to Go on Trial— With Rubio On the Witness List Palm Beach Post: Recount makes Andy Thomson new Boca mayor. Liebelson may fight result Variety: Audiences Prefer Films With Diverse Casts, UCLA Study Finds Subscribe to the Betches News Room and join the Morning Announcements group chat. Go to: ⁠⁠⁠betchesnews.substack.com Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    14 min

  2. 3D AGO

    Friday, March 13th, 2026 - US-Iran war day 13: Khamenei 2.0 vows revenge; Synagogue attack & ODU shooting; Trump endorses Jake Paul for…nothing

    Today’s Headlines: Two shootings in one day. An attacker rammed an explosives-filled truck into a Michigan synagogue and opened fire — nearly empty due to a half-day, so no casualties besides the shooter. The FBI called it targeted antisemitic violence. Hours later, a man who served 11 years for supporting ISIS killed one person and injured two in a classroom at Old Dominion University before being subdued by ROTC students. Both are being investigated as terrorism. On the war: Iran's new Supreme Leader Khamenei made his first public statement — no surrender, Strait of Hormuz stays shut, and he will avenge his entire family's deaths. Both US and Israeli intelligence now agree the regime won't fall anytime soon, so Israel has quietly downgraded its goal from regime change to degrading Iran's military. The USS Gerald Ford, which Trump sent from Venezuela to Iran with zero maintenance time, had a laundry room fire and has broken plumbing. The U.S. Treasury is borrowing $50 billion a week, adding a trillion to the deficit over five months. Total national debt: $38.9 trillion. Congress passed a bipartisan housing bill 89-10. Trump said "no one gives a f**k about housing." Florida passed a law requiring a passport or birth certificate to register to vote. Epstein's accountant testified for six hours, claimed he saw nothing, and named five men who paid Epstein: Les Wexner, Glen Dubin, Steven Sinofsky, Leon Black, and the Rothschild family — which accounted for maybe 30 seconds of testimony. The Pentagon banned photographers because Hegseth didn't like his pictures. The White House made a war hype video using NFL footage without consent. Trump has been gifting cabinet members Florsheim shoes in the wrong size. And finally, he gave Jake Paul his "complete and total endorsement" for no office, no race, and no discernible reason. Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode: AP News: Man who rammed his vehicle into Michigan synagogue was naturalized citizen from Lebanon, DHS says WaPo: Islamic State sympathizer opens fire at Old Dominion University, killing one Bloomberg: Bibi says no guarantee of Iran regime change WSJ: Israeli Officials Think Iran’s Regime Isn’t Likely to Fall Soon WSJ: U.S. Air Force Refueling Plane Crashes in Iraq WaPo: U.S. sailors injured in fire aboard aircraft carrier supporting Iran war NYT: Iran War Live Updates: U.S. Refueling Plane Crashes in Iraq, Military Says Fortune: The U.S. borrowed $50 billion a week for the past five months, finds the CBO ProPublica: Credit Bureaus Are Leaving More Mistakes on Frustrated Consumers’ Reports Under Trump’s CFPB The Guardian: Senate again fails to pass homeland security funding as department shutdown nears one month – live | US Congress AP News: Senate passes bipartisan housing bill to improve access and affordability Punchbowl: Trump dismisses housing fight in push for SAVE Act NBC News: Richard Kahn, Jeffrey Epstein's longtime accountant, gives closed-door testimony to House Oversight Committee NYT: Florida Republicans Pass Bill Requiring Proof of Citizenship to Vote WaPo: Pentagon bars photographers over ‘unflattering’ Hegseth photos WaPo: Former NFL players decry White House video mixing big hits, airstrikes WSJ: Trump Is Obsessed With These $145 Shoes—and Won’t Let Anyone Leave Without a Pair NYT: Trump Endorses Jake Paul, Who Isn't Running for Office Subscribe to the Betches News Room and join the Morning Announcements group chat. Go to: ⁠⁠⁠betchesnews.substack.com Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    12 min

  3. 4D AGO

    Thursday, March 12th, 2026 - Day 12 US-Iran war: US missile kills 175 kids, Intel says Iran not losing; Hegseth spending spree; SAVE Act; Epstein accountant testifies

    Today’s Headlines: Twelve days in, the Iran war has cost $11 billion and nearly 2,000 lives. The most damning number: 175 people — mostly children — killed when a U.S. Tomahawk missile hit an Iranian elementary school because the Defense Intelligence Agency used outdated targeting data. Trump is still blaming Iran. He spent yesterday in Kentucky rallying against Thomas Massie and bragging the war was over "in the first hour." US intelligence disagrees: Iran's government is intact and now led by a younger, more radical Supreme Leader. Trump and Netanyahu are also diverging — Trump wants a victory banner, Israel wants regime change. Hezbollah is firing rockets into Israel; Israeli strikes have displaced over 700,000 people in Lebanon. Iran has escalated in the Strait of Hormuz, hitting three commercial ships and threatening every regional port. The US and IEA announced one of the largest emergency oil reserve releases in history after the Trump administration reversed course in two hours. February inflation already showed fuel oil up 11.1% before any of this started.  The FBI is warning California law enforcement about potential Iranian drone strikes launched from ships off the coast, and thousands of Stryker employees — the company makes robotic surgery systems — arrived to find their devices locked with an Iran-linked hacking group's logo on their screens. A government watchdog found Hegseth's Pentagon burned $93 billion in September 2025 alone. The last five days of that month's spending exceeded Canada and Mexico's combined military budgets. Trump is threatening to veto all legislation until the SAVE Act — which would significantly restrict voting access — clears the Senate, while DHS investigates Arizona's 2020 election results and targets swing states ahead of the midterms. Epstein's accountant testified before House Oversight in a closed session; one detail leaked: a Trump accuser reportedly received a settlement from the Epstein estate. And a 12-foot gold statue appeared on the National Mall depicting Trump and Epstein in the Titanic bow pose — Epstein as Rose — with plaques noting their friendship was "built on luxurious travel, raucous parties, and secret nude sketches." Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode: NYT: ⁠First Week of Iran War Cost More Than $11 Billion, Pentagon Tells Congress⁠ NYT: ⁠U.S. at Fault in Strike on School in Iran, Preliminary Inquiry Says⁠ ABC News: ⁠Iran live updates: US senators told Iran war cost $11.3B in first 6 days⁠  NBC News: ⁠Live updates: Trump goes after Rep. Thomas Massie in Kentucky congressman's district⁠ ABC News: ⁠Iran live updates: US senators told Iran war cost $11.3B in first 6 days⁠ Reuters: ⁠Exclusive: US intelligence says Iran government is not at risk of collapse, say sources⁠ WSJ: ⁠Trump Says the Iran War Is Nearly Won but Israel Has Other Ideas⁠ ABC News: ⁠Iran live updates: US senators told Iran war cost $11.3B in first 6 days⁠ Axios: ⁠IEA announces historic oil reserve release amid Iran war⁠ WSJ: ⁠President Trump’s Head-Spinning Pivot on an Emergency Oil Release⁠ Politico: ⁠Energy, food prices surged in February — before Iran fighting started⁠ ABC News: ⁠FBI warns Iran aspired to attack California with drones in retaliation for war: Alert⁠ WSJ: ⁠Iran Expands War With Major Cyberattack Against U.S. Company⁠ The New Republic: ⁠Pete Hegseth Blew Billions on Fruit Basket Stands, Chairs, and Crab⁠ NYT: ⁠Thune Is in a Vise as Trump and Far Right Demand Fight on Voter Bill⁠ ABC News: ⁠Trump administration opens investigation into Arizona’s 2020 election results⁠ NYT: ⁠Trump Wants to ‘Take Over’ Elections. These States Are Prime Targets⁠ Mediate: ⁠BOMBSHELL: Trump Accuser Got Payoff from Jeffrey Epstein Estate, Says Dem Lawmaker⁠ The Guardian: ⁠New satirical statue depicts Trump and Epstein as doomed lovers from Titanic⁠ Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    13 min

  4. 5D AGO

    Wednesday, March 11th, 2026 - US-Iran war; Kim Jong Un's hot takes; Lindsey Graham's crazy hat collection; Epstein’s Zorro ranch probe

    Today’s Headlines: The Pentagon finally broke out the spreadsheet: 140 U.S. troops wounded in the Iran war, 8 seriously, 108 back on duty. On the diplomatic side, Russia — yes, Russia — proposed a UN ceasefire resolution, because apparently Putin has opinions about attacking civilian infrastructure now. North Korea's Kim Jong Un called the strikes "illegal," which is a bold choice of words from a guy who just test-fired nuclear-capable cruise missiles for fun. The Trump administration quietly asked Israel to lay off Iran's oil infrastructure. Turns out when you're eyeing post-war economic arrangements, blowing up the oil fields isn’t what you want. In “let’s make things worse” news, Senator Lindsey Graham hit Fox News with a "FREE CUBA" hat and ominous promises that Cuba's "liberation" is coming, then swapped it for a "Make Iran Great Again" hat. Separately, Trump's DOJ has been quietly hunting for criminal charges against Cuba's top leaders since February — because why not? Meanwhile, the FBI has lost 300 counterterrorism agents since January, 45 fired, with sources warning the country is now "dangerously exposed." Cool. Meanwhile, New Mexico authorities are searching Jeffrey Epstein's Zorro Ranch after allegations that two girls may be buried there. The ranch is now owned by a Republican ex-Texas state senator running for comptroller, whose son works in the Trump administration.  Anthropic has filed two lawsuits against the Pentagon after being designated a supply chain risk in what it calls ideological retaliation. That designation has never been used against an American company before. On the Ticketmaster front: the DOJ settled its antitrust case, but most of the 40 states involved aren't buying it. A federal judge is telling them to accept or negotiate by the end of this week. Finally, the special election for Marjorie Taylor Greene's Georgia seat ended without a winner. The April 7 runoff will pit Trump-endorsed Republican Clay Fuller against Democrat Shawn Harris — a cattle farmer and retired brigadier general who actually out-performed the Trump pick. In MTG's own district. Interesting. Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode: Axios: 140 US service members injured in Iran war Axios: Scoop: U.S. asks Israel to halt strikes on Iran's energy infrastructure AP News: Live updates: US says 140 troops wounded in Iran war with no end in sight AP News: Russia seeks UN resolution urging all parties in Iran war to immediately halt military activities ABC News 4: 'We're marching through the world;' Graham continues push for more US intervention abroad MS Now: DOJ running quiet operation in Miami to hunt for charges on Cuban leaders, per sources MS Now: DOJ losing experienced counterterrorism minds at a critical time, say current and former officials CNN: New Mexico authorities search Zorro Ranch formerly owned by Epstein NYT: Anthropic Sues Department of Defense Over ‘Supply Chain Risk’ Label AP News: Judge urges states to settle Live Nation claims after US strikes deal but states say no chance AP News: Trump-backed Fuller and Democrat Harris move to Georgia runoff to succeed Marjorie Taylor Greene Subscribe to the Betches News Room and join the Morning Announcements group chat. Go to: ⁠⁠⁠betchesnews.substack.com Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    10 min

  5. 6D AGO

    Tuesday, March 10th, 2026 - Iran war’s first 2 days = $5.6B; Tehran toxic air; Sleeper cell alert; TX ICE facility misery; DOJ-Ticketmaster deal;

    Today’s Headlines: The Iran conflict is sending mixed signals from the top — Trump says it's ending soon, Hegseth says it's just beginning — but the consequences are already concrete: $5.6 billion spent in the first two days, gas prices spiking, and the Strait of Hormuz effectively paralyzed, choking off 20% of the world's oil supply. Israeli airstrikes left Tehran's air toxic and unbreathable, Iran shot a second missile into NATO airspace over Turkey in less than a week, and U.S. authorities intercepted encrypted communications believed to be an activation trigger for Iranian sleeper cells on American soil. Putin congratulated Iran's new supreme leader and promised unwavering support, then called Trump to offer his own proposals for ending the war — which is either diplomatic or suspicious, depending on your level of trust in Vladimir Putin. At home, AP News released damning investigative reporting on Camp East Montana, ICE's largest detention facility, where the agency's own data shows 80% of detainees have no criminal record. The facility is closed to visitors amid a measles outbreak, detainees report being denied medication and clean water, and staff were allegedly overheard making bets on suicide deaths. The DOJ reached a settlement with LiveNation and Ticketmaster — $200 million in damages plus forced platform access for rivals and a mandate to sell 10 amphitheaters — marking the most significant crack in the company's decade-long grip on live events. And California Rep. Kevin Kiley formally left the Republican Party to become an independent, effective immediately. Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode: Axios: Trump says Iran war will be over "very soon" CNBC: Oil prices fall as Trump weighs taking over Strait of Hormuz WaPo: Early Iran strikes cost $5.6 billion in munitions, Pentagon estimates NBC News: Toxic rain fell over Tehran as airstrikes hit oil facilities NYT: NATO Intercepts Second Iranian Missile Entering Turkey’s Airspace, Defense Ministry Says ABC News: Iran may be activating sleeper cells outside the country, alert says Axios: Trump and Putin discuss end to Iran and Ukraine wars on call AP News: Attempted suicides, fights, pain: 911 calls reveal misery at ICE’s largest detention facility Politico: Live Nation reaches settlement with DOJ in antitrust fight The Hill: GOP lawmaker makes formal switch to independent Subscribe to the Betches News Room and join the Morning Announcements group chat. Go to: ⁠⁠⁠betchesnews.substack.com Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    10 min

  6. MAR 9

    Monday, March 9th, 2026 - Iran’s new leader; Draft “not off the table”; Oil over $100/barrel; CIA arms Kurds; WH blocks terror threat intel

    Today’s Headlines: Iran has a new Supreme Leader: Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the late Ayatollah, who is reportedly a bigger hardliner than his father — whose death he can thank the U.S. and/or Israel for, along with his wife's. Trump immediately called him "unacceptable," which might've been useful information before the bombing campaign began. The U.S. death toll from Iranian retaliatory strikes is now at 8, oil just crossed $100 a barrel for the first time in four years, and the White House press secretary went on Fox News and refused to rule out a draft. Meanwhile, the CIA is reportedly arming Kurdish forces to stir up an internal uprising in Iran, while U.S. and Israeli officials are discussing sending special forces in to secure Iran's nuclear stockpile. Meanwhile, the White House blocked intelligence agencies from issuing a terrorism threat warning to local law enforcement about rising domestic risks tied to the war. When Trump was asked about Americans dying on home soil, he said "some people will die. When you go to war, some people will die."  Elsewhere in the hemisphere, Trump held a "Shield of the Americas" summit at his Doral golf club — because of course he did — gathering 17 Latin American leaders to announce a military coalition against cartels, with fired DHS Secretary Kristi Noem elevated to special envoy of the whole thing. Trump also started floating regime change in Cuba, because the Iran war apparently wasn't enough. In other chaos: Hungary detained seven Ukrainian bank employees carrying $82 million in cash and two armored vehicles, which Ukraine called "state terrorism." Two teenagers from Pennsylvania were arrested for attempting to set off explosive devices outside New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's home during dueling protests. Senate Republicans blocked a bill that would have forced disclosure of Epstein's financial records, and no one is asking any follow-up questions about that. And Texas Rep. Tony Gonzales — currently under House Ethics investigation — is dropping his reelection bid but refusing to resign his seat. Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode: WSJ: Live Updates: Iran Picks Mojtaba Khamenei as Supreme Leader NYT: Pentagon Announces Seventh U.S. Death in War With Iran Axios: U.S. weighs sending special forces to seize Iran's nuclear stockpile CNN: CIA working to arm Kurdish forces to spark uprising in Iran, sources say The Daily Beast: Leavitt Refuses to Rule Out Drastic Troops Option for Iran War Yahoo: Trump White House Reportedly Blocking Intelligence Report Warning of Homeland Security Threats in Midst of Iran War Time: Trump's War With Iran The Hill: Trump revamps war on drugs with ‘Shield of the Americas’ endeavor NPR: Trump vows to 'take care of Cuba,' praises Venezuela cooperation at summit NYT: Oil Prices Surge Above $100 a Barrel for the First Time in Almost Four Years WSJ: U.S. Has a Big Ask for China: Buy Less Oil from Russia, More From America Bloomberg: US Considers Easing Russia Oil Sanctions NBC News: Hungary detains Ukrainians carrying $82 million in cash and gold; Kyiv calls it a hostage-taking NBC New York: Mayor Mamdani was home when protesters lit device outside Gracie Mansion AP News: Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney calls for Mountbatten-Windsor's removal from line of succession KOBI 5: Sen. Ron Wyden pushes for senate passage of Epstein bank records bill Politico: Tony Gonzales drops reelection bid among pressure from GOP Subscribe to the Betches News Room and join the Morning Announcements group chat. Go to: ⁠⁠⁠betchesnews.substack.com Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    12 min

  7. MAR 6

    Friday, March 6th, 2026 - Noem fired; DHS funding fight; Anthropic CEO blasts “safety theater”; Trump ballroom gets 35K complaints

    Today’s Headlines: The first cabinet firing of Trump 2.0 has arrived. After two rough days testifying before Congress, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is out. Her replacement is Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin — a rancher, MMA fighter, and former ethics investigation subject who had to repay $40K in "mistaken" payments. So, a lateral move. DHS remains unfunded for a third week, and Democrats say swapping Noem out isn't enough. On the war front, the House voted 212-219 against a War Powers resolution that would have required Trump to seek congressional approval before continuing strikes in the Middle East. The US embassy in Kuwait has been shuttered after retaliatory strikes killed six American soldiers. Trump, meanwhile, told Axios he wants to personally pick Iran's next leader — though he noted most of his preferred candidates are already dead, which is a sentence that actually happened. In a memo reported by The Information, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei went off on the Trump administration, stating plainly that the White House's beef with his company comes down to Anthropic refusing to donate, refusing to flatter, and refusing to play along with what he called "safety theater." OpenAI, he implied, has been less principled. Elsewhere: Trump's White House ballroom plans hit a snag after 35,000+ public comments — 97% of them hostile — delayed a federal vote until next month. RFK Jr. got 50+ medical schools to adopt his nutrition curriculum framework, though notably none of the schools that already settled with the Trump administration signed on. And a new anti-corruption group sued Trump and Pam Bondi over the TikTok deal, arguing the administration ignored Congress's national security mandate to hand the app to political allies instead. Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode: WSJ: Trump Ousts Kristi Noem Axios: Democrats say Kristi Noem's ouster isn't enough to end DHS shutdown AP News: March 5 updates on the Iran war AP News: Hegseth says firepower over Tehran ‘about to surge dramatically’ Axios: Exclusive: Trump says he must be involved in picking Iran's next leader Axios: Exclusive: Trump demands immediate pardon for Netanyahu to focus on Iran THe Information: Anthropic CEO: Trump Disliked Company For Not Giving ‘Dictator-Style Praise’ WaPo: Federal commission delays vote on Trump’s White House ballroom project WaPo: Thousands of public comments slam Trump’s ballroom: ‘I did not vote for this’ NYT: 50 Medical Schools Back Kennedy Plan on Nutrition After Pressure NPR: President Trump, Pam Bondi sued over sale of TikTok assets Subscribe to the Betches News Room and join the Morning Announcements group chat. Go to: ⁠⁠⁠betchesnews.substack.com Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    9 min

  8. MAR 5

    Thursday, March 5th, 2026 - TX Senate runoff; Missing Epstein files; Pam Bondi subpoenaed; IRS–ICE ruling; Khamenei’s son likely successor

    Today’s Headlines: State Rep. James Talarico won the Democratic Senate primary with 53% over Rep. Jasmine Crockett and will face either Sen. John Cornyn or Attorney General Ken Paxton, who are headed to a May 26 GOP runoff after neither cleared 50%. Rep. Dan Crenshaw was primaried from the right by state Rep. Steve Toth, while several incumbents were pushed into runoffs amid redistricting chaos, including Democrats Al Green and Christian Menefee facing each other and Republican Tony Gonzalez battling gun YouTuber Brandon Herrera. In other news, the Justice Department admitted it withheld 47,635 Jeffrey Epstein files after the Wall Street Journal flagged missing records. The House Oversight Committee has subpoenaed Attorney General Pam Bondi and is seeking testimony from Epstein associates including Bill Gates and Leon Black. A federal judge ruled the IRS illegally shared taxpayer data with ICE in roughly 42,695 cases. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, already under scrutiny over a questionable $143 million DHS contract and internal leadership turmoil, faced more heat on Capitol Hill. ProPublica reports the Trump administration is loosening intelligence-sharing restrictions, aka making it easier to spy on us, without notifying Congress. Abroad, Iran’s leadership transition is intensifying, with Mojtaba Khamenei emerging as a likely successor. President Donald Trump says the U.S. is “actively considering” its role after the conflict, as the Senate narrowly rejected a measure to require congressional approval for continued strikes. Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode: Axios: James Talarico wins US Senate Democratic primary in Texas, beating Crockett Axios: Brutal night in Texas points to trouble ahead for House members WSJ: There Are 47,635 Epstein Files Offline for Review, DOJ Says Axios: Republicans help Dems subpoena Pam Bondi in Epstein probe WSJ: House Asks Bill Gates, Leon Black and Goldman Lawyer to Testify on Epstein AP News: The IRS broke the law by disclosing confidential information to ICE 42,695 times, judge says NBC News: Trump administration live updates: Kristi Noem faces House grilling over DHS killings; Texas Senate GOP primary heads to runoff ProPublica: Trump Administration Moves to Allow Intelligence Agencies Easier Access to Law Enforcement Files NYT: Democrats Question Credentials of Armed Squad Created by Trump Ally WSJ: Son of Khamenei Is Top Contender for Supreme Leader WSJ: Iran War Live Updates: Trump ‘Actively Considering’ U.S. Role in Iran After Conflict Ends Axios: Senate rejects bid to restrain Trump's war in Iran Subscribe to the Betches News Room and join the Morning Announcements group chat. Go to: ⁠⁠⁠betchesnews.substack.com Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    11 min
See All (1.3K)

Trailer

Hosts & Guests

4.7
out of 5
1,550 Ratings

About

Morning Announcements is your daily news rundown from Betches News--because the world’s a mess, and someone’s gotta explain it. Every morning, Betches co-founder and host Sami Sage cuts through the chaos to break down what actually matters, one unhinged headline at a time. All in under 10 minutes, so you can stay informed without spiraling.

Information

  • Creator
    Betches Media
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    1.3K
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Betches Media. All rights reserved.
  • Provider
    Betches Media

You Might Also Like