Morning Announcements Morning Announcements

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
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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

Today’s Headlines: Yesterday was the second day of testimony in Defendant Donald's criminal trial, which was filled with drama. While there won't be any cameras in the courtroom, the New York State Court System announced that transcripts of each day's proceedings will be published on their website due to "unparalleled public interest." Former National Enquirer publisher David Pecker testified about his role in directing favorable stories to Donald's campaign, dating back to the 2015 republican primary. Meanwhile, there's anticipation for a ruling on whether Donald will be held in contempt of court for violating his gag order. The Supreme Court heard arguments on a dispute between Idaho's near-total abortion ban and a federal law requiring emergency abortion care, while the FTC voted to ban non-compete agreements nationwide, facing potential legal challenges from pro-business lobbyists. The Justice Department reached a $139 million civil settlement with victims of Larry Nassar, resolving claims of FBI mishandling. Lastly, the Senate was voting on a $95 billion foreign aid package for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, along with the TikTok ban, signaling a late-night passage.
Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

WA Post: Ex-publisher David Pecker details ‘catch and kill’ in Trump trial testimony


CBS News: Supreme Court to consider clash of Idaho abortion ban with federal law for emergency care 

The Hill: FTC votes to ban noncompete agreements


Reuters: US reaches $138.7 million civil settlement with victims of Larry Nassar


CNN: Senate passes $95 billion package sending aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan after months of delay



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 this episode, the Biden administration is considering sanctioning an Israeli military unit, Netzah Yehuda, known for its far-right ideology and comprised of ultra-Orthodox Jewish soldiers. This follows reports of the unit's reactivation after it was moved out of the West Bank due to convictions for torturing Palestinian detainees. Meanwhile, classified documents reveal Russia's plan to undermine the US and NATO through various means, including a water system hack in Texas. Defendant Donald's trial advances with opening statements and witness testimonies, while the Biden administration launches the American Climate Corps to train young people in green industries.
Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

WSJ: Israel's Military Spy Chief Resigns Over Oct. 7 Hamas Attack


BBC: US-Israel: Netanyahu vows to reject any US sanctions on army units


WA Post: Secret Russian foreign policy document urges action to weaken the U.S.


WA Post: Tex. hack may be first disruption of U.S. water system by Russia


AP News: Trump trial: Highlights from opening statements and first witness testimony


ACC: American Climate Corps



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 House of Representatives passed $95 billion in foreign aid packages for Ukraine, Taiwan, and Israel, with $60 billion allocated for Ukraine, $26 billion for Israel, $8 billion for Taiwan, and $9 billion for humanitarian aid in Gaza and the West Bank. Additionally, they approved a measure allowing the sale of frozen assets of Russian oligarchs to fund aid for Ukraine, sanctions on Russia, China, and Iran, and a TikTok ban if not sold within 9 months. Israel conducted a retaliatory strike against Iran in Isfahan, damaging part of an air defense system, and intensified air raids on Rafah. Maine joined 16 states and Washington DC in the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact. On Earth Day, alarming reports revealed that wildfire smoke contributes to thousands of deaths annually, while the Interior Department expanded protections in Alaskan wilderness and the EPA targeted hazardous "forever chemicals."
Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

CBS News: House approves aid bills for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan 

BBC: Israel Iran attack: Damage seen at air base in Isfahan


AP News: Israeli strikes on southern Gaza city of Rafah kill 22, mostly children, as US advances aid package


AP News: Maine joins compact to elect the president by popular vote but it won't come into play this November


NPR: Wildfire smoke contributes to thousands of deaths each year in the U.S.


WA Post: For the first time, U.S. may force polluters to clean up these 'forever chemicals'


NY Times: Biden Shields Millions of Acres of Alaskan Wilderness From Drilling and Mining



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: Jury selection for Donald Trump's trial progressed swiftly, with 12 jurors seated and an alternate, though two were dismissed for reasons including anti-Trump social media posts. To safeguard juror anonymity, Judge Juan Merchan barred media from reporting juror details. Additionally, Trump's civil cases related to his January 6th election efforts faced rejection for delay by a federal judge. At the UN Security Council, the US vetoed a resolution for Palestine's full UN membership, citing preference for negotiations. Over 100 students were arrested at a pro-Palestinian protest at Columbia University, including Representative Ilhan Omar's daughter. Maine's legislature passed a significant gun safety bill, and the Kennedy family endorsed President Biden's reelection in Philadelphia, despite family member Robert F. Kennedy Jr. running as a spoiler candidate.
Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

AP News: Judge in Trump case orders media not to report where potential jurors work


AP News: 12 jurors have been picked for Donald Trump's hush money trial. Selection of alternates is ongoing


NY Times: Judge Rejects Trump’s Effort to Delay Jan. 6 Civil Cases 

Axios: U.S. vetoes Palestinian bid for full UN membership 

NY Times: Over 100 Arrested at Columbia After Pro-Palestinian Protest 

NPR: Maine lawmakers pass sweeping gun legislation following the Lewiston mass shooting


NPR: The Kennedys endorse Biden, not their family member RFK Jr. 


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