Morning Announcements

Today's Headlines: Florida Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick resigned ahead of her expected expulsion vote — apparently getting kicked out by your colleagues is a bridge too far even for someone who funneled FEMA money into her own campaign — and all eyes are now on whether Revenge Porn Cory Mills follows suit. On the Iran beat, Trump blinked again and extended the ceasefire at the last minute after mediators in Pakistan asked him to hold off, while JD Vance's peace trip to Islamabad was postponed indefinitely. Elsewhere in war news, Pete Hegseth announced the military will no longer require troops to get the flu vaccine, citing "medical autonomy," because apparently that's where we are. In the financial crimes corner, the BBC published an analysis finding the Trump administration is likely engaged in insider trading tied to major political events — multiple traders won millions of dollars just before Trump made market-moving announcements. Meanwhile, Trump's preferred Fed Chair replacement Kevin Warsh told his confirmation hearing that Fed independence "means everything" to him, which is exactly what someone who doesn't mean it would say. In other financial ethics news, an investigation found the Noems were carrying up to $3.25 million in debt while Bryon Noem was sending tens of thousands to fetish models, which Kristi claims blindsided her. The Gates Foundation is cutting 500 jobs because Bill Gates hung out with Jeffrey Epstein, but on a brighter note, the House Oversight Committee and FBI are both investigating the 11 suspiciously dead and missing nuclear scientists — reassuring, except the FBI is run by Kash Patel. In genuinely good news, two new pancreatic cancer drugs showed remarkable results in early trials, with one mRNA vaccine keeping most responsive patients alive for six years. And finally, Virginia voters approved a new congressional map that could net Democrats four additional House seats ahead of the November midterms — possibly the last effective redistricting before the election.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

WaPo: House Democrat resigns ahead of possible expulsion vote over alleged financial crimes

NYT: Iran War Live Updates: Uncertainty Surrounds U.S.-Iran Talks as Cease-Fire Nears End

Axios: Vance's Pakistan trip postponed indefinitely as Iran boycotts peace talks

AP News: Flu vaccine no longer mandated for US troops, Hegseth says

BBC: The insider trading suspicions looming over Trump's presidency

WSJ: Kevin Warsh Hearing: Trump's Nominee Pressed on Disclosures, Fed Independence — Live Updates

Atlanta Blackstar: ‘Should Be in Prison!’: Kristi Noem Dragged Into Another Public Embarrassment as Report Exposes Jaw-Dropping Debt Tied to Her Husband — and Now Everyone’s Asking the Same Questions

WSJ: Gates Foundation to Cut 20% of Staff, Review Epstein Ties

CNN: At least 10 scientists tied to sensitive US research have died or disappeared in recent years, sparking federal investigation

WSJ: New Drugs for Pancreatic Cancer Show Remarkable Promise for Deadly Disease

NYT: Election Live Updates: Virginia Passes New Map, Lifting Democrats' Midterm Chances

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Today's Headlines: Kash Patel responded to bombshell reporting about his drinking and incompetence by filing a $250 million defamation suit against The Atlantic — can’t wait for discovery then, Kash. Meanwhile, Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer became the third Trump Cabinet member to resign in just a few months, notable mostly because all three have been women while the actual disasters remain firmly in place. On the foreign policy beat, the Iran ceasefire expires tomorrow at 8pm with Trump calling renewal "highly unlikely," JD Vance and crew headed to Islamabad anyway, and oil prices already on the rise. Back home, the House Ethics Committee is mulling expulsion votes for two Florida representatives — one facing sexual misconduct and illegal contract charges, the other caught steering COVID relief funds to her own campaign. In economic news, the Trump administration quietly launched a portal for the 330,000 businesses that overpaid on illegal tariffs to apply for refunds, with no apparent plan for the ones that already went under because of them. Over in Silicon Valley, Amazon invested another $5 billion into Anthropic while California simultaneously filed an antitrust suit against Amazon using the company's own emails as evidence, and Apple tapped 25-year veteran John Ternus as its next CEO, a man described as competent and affable, which feels like a low bar that is nonetheless refreshing. And finally, a bankruptcy judge is the only thing standing between The Onion and its dream of owning Infowars — which would be the most perfect ending to the Alex Jones saga anyone could have written.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

CNN: FBI director Kash Patel files $250 million defamation lawsuit against The Atlantic

WaPo: Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer will resign amid misconduct allegations

The Hill: Ethics panel reveals it’s conducted 20 sexual misconduct investigations into lawmakers since 2017

Politico: House Ethics panel issues rare statement committing to helping secure a sexual harassment-free workplace - Live Updates

Axios: House barrels toward rare double expulsion votes

WaPo: Iran talks on shaky footing after U.S. seizure of ship in Strait of Hormuz

AP News: Oil prices rise and US stocks give back a bit of their record-breaking rally

Politico: Hungary must arrest Netanyahu if he visits, Magyar says

Wired: The Weird, Twisting Tale of How China Spied on Alysa Liu and Her Dad

Axios: What to know about tariff refund site that launches Monday

Mashable: Amazon colluded to make competitors raise prices, California lawsuit says

WSJ: Anthropic, Amazon Tighten Bond in $5 Billion Investment and Computing Deal

WSJ: Tim Cook to Step Down as Apple Names New CEO

Mother Jones: The Onion Says It Has Again Struck a Deal to Take Over Infowars

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

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Today's Headlines: FBI Director Kash Patel is apparently drunk a lot. The Atlantic talked to over a dozen colleagues, painting a picture of locked-office incidents, security detail struggling to wake him up, and a man who thought his login failing meant he'd been fired. His team reportedly requested a battering ram for his office door. Lawsuit for defamation to come. Meanwhile, 8 children were killed in a mass shooting in Shreveport, Louisiana — the deadliest in the US in two years. Victims ranged from ages 1 to 14, spread across four crime scenes. Good to know the FBI director is on it. The Iran "ceasefire" continues to ceasefire in name only. Trump threatened to bomb every bridge and power plant in Iran and Iran rejected the next round of talks. The ceasefire expires Wednesday. The current draft deal involves Iran surrendering enriched uranium for $20 billion in unfrozen funds. Gas is averaging $4.05/gallon and the Energy Secretary basically said "lol maybe next year" on when it'll drop below $3. Jared Kushner is negotiating the Iran deal while his investment firm is bankrolled by Iran's enemies. Rep. Jamie Raskin launched a House investigation and asked Kushner directly: whose side are you actually on? In other news, Eleven nuclear scientists with classified clearances have died or disappeared suspiciously since 2023 — more than half in the past year. Trump says he "hopes it's a coincidence." Ok.  On the lighter side of dystopia: Trump signed an executive order fast-tracking psychedelic drug research with Joe Rogan in attendance as spiritual inspiration. Caitlyn Jenner left a note for Trump at Mar-a-Lago about her passport — he hasn't called back. The Strokes closed their Coachella set with a video montage of CIA regime changes and footage of bombings in Gaza and Iran. And the NSA is quietly using Anthropic's AI while the administration simultaneously argues in court that Anthropic is a national security threat.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

The Atlantic: The FBI Director Is MIA

The Hill: Patel says he’ll sue Atlantic for defamation over report on heavy drinking

WaPo: 8 children killed in Louisiana shooting, police say

Axios: Trump says he'll send negotiators to Pakistan, Iran suspects trap

Axios: Scoop: U.S. considers $20 billion cash-for-uranium deal with Iran

Axios: Trump's energy boss: gas may stay above $3-per-gallon into 2027

MS Now: Iran negotiator or private investor? Raskin launches investigation into Jared Kushner.

The Guardian: Department of Justice investigating Eric Swalwell amid sexual assault allegations | House of Representatives

The Hill: Who are the missing or dead scientists with connections to government research?

Mother Jones: Podcasters, Presidents, and Psychedelics: How Joe Rogan Got Trump Into Ibogaine

People: Caitlyn Jenner Asked Trump for Help After His Trans Policies Created 'Safety' Issue with Her Passport. He Didn't Reply, She Says

Variety: The Strokes End Coachella Set With Video Condemning U.S. and Israeli Bombings in Iran and Gaza

Axios: Scoop: NSA using Anthropic's Mythos despite blacklist

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

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Today’s Headlines: Trump announced a 10-day Lebanon-Israel ceasefire, claimed the Iran war is "going swimmingly," and said Iran agreed to hand over nuclear material — which Iran has not confirmed. The head of the International Energy Agency warned Europe has roughly six weeks of jet fuel left due to the Strait of Hormuz situation, with possible flight cancellations and energy shortages ahead. Congress failed for the third time to pass a War Powers resolution to curb the Iran war, this time losing 214-213. At $10 billion a week, the White House budget director refused to say how much the war will cost, explaining that costs "fluctuate." It was a full day of congressional hearings. RFK Jr. faced the first of seven back-to-back days of testimony. Trump nominated an actual doctor — a 24-year public health veteran — to lead the CDC, which is genuinely surprising. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll testified that he pushed back against Hegseth's general-firing spree, with Republicans on the committee taking his side. Pete Hegseth quoted Pulp Fiction instead of the Bible at a Pentagon prayer service. Budget director Russell Vought testified that DHS is "disintegrating." ICE deported 442,000 people last year, but only 38% had any kind of criminal record — pending charges included.Minnesota prosecutors charged a federal ICE agent with assault for pointing his gun at drivers on a state highway — the first case of its kind, with 17 more incidents under review. An 86-year-old French widow of an American military veteran has been in ICE detention since April 1st, after missing an immigration appointment while settling her late husband's estate — reportedly tipped off by his son over an inheritance dispute. A judge blocked above-ground construction on Trump's White House ballroom pending congressional authorization, though underground bunker work continues. His 250-foot DC arch cleared a federal design review despite massive public opposition. Spirit Airlines could liquidate as early as this week. United Airlines' CEO pitched Trump on merging with American Airlines — which would control nearly 40% of the global airline market. Democrats won New Jersey's special election by 59 points.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

NYT: Pope Leo, Amid Standoff With Trump, Says ‘Woe to Those Who Manipulate Religion’

Axios: Trump announces 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon

WSJ: Cease-Fire Between Israel and Lebanon Takes Effect

WaPo: Trump says Iran agrees to hand over ‘nuclear dust’

AP News: AP Exclusive: Europe has 'maybe 6 weeks of jet fuel left,' energy agency head warns

Axios: House hands Trump a win with failed Iran war powers vote

The Hill: Cease-Fire Between Israel and Lebanon Takes Effect

CNN: Public health veteran is Trump’s pick to lead CDC as administration shifts tone on vaccines

WaPo: Republicans back Army Secretary Dan Driscoll amid clash with Hegseth

The Hill: Hegseth shares air rescue group’s ‘Pulp Fiction’ prayer at Pentagon service

The Hill: White House budget director Vought declines to tell senators cost of Iran war

The Hill: White House OMB Director Russell Vought: DHS ‘disintegrating’

Axios: ICE deported 442k people in fiscal year 2025

The Hill: France calls on US to release 86-year-old widow of veteran detained by ICE

NYT: ICE Agent Charged With Assault After Motorists Say He Brandished Gun

NYT: Judge Again Halts Aboveground Construction on Trump Ballroom

WaPo: Trump’s 250-foot arch receives early design approval as public pans it

CNBC: Spirit Airlines could liquidate as early as this week, sources say

The Guardian: United Airlines CEO reportedly pitched merger with American, sparking competition fears | Business

NYT: Analilia Mejia, a Progressive Democrat, Wins Mikie Sherrill’s House Seat

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

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Today’s Headlines: Hungary's newly elected Prime Minister Peter Magyar revealed that Orban's government had been financing CPAC for years — and will no longer do so. JD Vance, meanwhile, told a Turning Point USA crowd that cutting Ukraine aid was one of the administration's top achievements, called Russia's invasion "haggling over a few square kilometers," and told reporters that the Pope should stick to theology and leave policy to politicians. The Pope is currently in Cameroon fighting corruption and attending peace talks. Meanwhile, the Iran ceasefire expires April 21st — less than five days away. U.S. officials claim they're "moving closer to a framework agreement," while Treasury Secretary Bessent previewed the backup plan: a "financial equivalent of a bombing campaign" on Iran through sanctions on countries doing business with Iranian-linked entities, including the UAE and China. In other news, LiveNation and Ticketmaster were found by a jury to be an illegal monopoly that engaged in anticompetitive conduct harming consumers, artists, and venues. Stock dropped 5%. Damages to be determined. The Swalwell scandal expanded to a second DA investigation, this time in Los Angeles, following Lonna Drewes' allegations. CNN published an investigation into a website with 62 million monthly visitors — more than Gmail — hosting tens of thousands of videos of men sharing advice on drugging and assaulting partners. RFK Jr.'s private journals revealed he once stopped on the highway to cut the penis off a dead raccoon to "study later." And finally, AllBirds is pivoting from shoes to AI infrastructure under the name NewBird AI and the founder of SantaCon was arrested for wire fraud after allegedly siphoning hundreds of thousands in charity donations into a personal slush fund for luxury vacations and fine dining.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode: 

The New Republic: Hungary’s New Leader Reveals Viktor Orbán Was Paying CPAC

Yahoo: Vance calls end of Ukraine aid 'one of the proudest' achievements of Trump administration

NYT: Vance Says Pope Leo Should Be More Careful When Talking About Theology

AP News: Pope demands the 'chains of corruption' be broken during visit to Cameroon

WSJ: LIV Golf Facing Imminent Closure as Saudi Backers Weigh Pulling Funding

Axios: U.S. and Iran inch toward framework deal to end war, U.S. officials say

AP News: From dropping bombs to pressuring banks: US pivots to economic warfare on Iran

The Hill: Los Angeles DA says Swalwell under investigation

CNN: Exposing a global ‘online rape academy’ that is teaching men how to abuse women and evade detection

NY Post: RFK Jr. once chopped off a dead raccoon’s penis to ‘study later’ while on a family road trip

NBC News: Live Nation illegally monopolized ticketing market, jury in antitrust trial finds

AP News: Allbirds, a former Wall Street darling fallen on hard times, looks to AI for its future

ABC7 NY: SantaCon founder accused of siphoning charitable funds for NYC holiday bar crawl for his own use

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

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