Morning Announcements

• Friday, April 25th, 2025 - Kyiv attacks; Trumpcoin dinners & ‘28 merch; EU tech fines; EO updates; DeSantis scandal; Pope’s funeral

  Today’s Headlines: Ukrainian President Zelensky has rejected a U.S. proposal to end the war that would require Ukraine to give up Russian-occupied territory and promise never to join NATO. In response, Russia launched its deadliest attack on Kyiv in nearly a year. Meanwhile, the EU fined Apple and Meta a combined €700 million under a law cracking down on tech monopolies. Both companies are appealing, calling the penalties unfair to American firms. Trump also rolled out two executive orders: one targeting the Democratic fundraising platform ActBlue, and another aiming to roll back equity-focused school discipline policies. But courts blocked three separate Trump initiatives yesterday, including efforts to defund DEI programs in public schools and add proof-of-citizenship requirements for voting. He’s also launched a Trumpcoin investor leaderboard, the top 220 investors will be invited to dinner at his Virginia golf club, with a VIP reception for the top 25. And because nothing is ever enough, he’s also started selling TRUMP 2028 merch, raising eyebrows about a potential third term. In Florida, a Miami Herald investigation found that $10 million in Medicaid settlement money was funneled to a charity run by Casey DeSantis, then routed to political groups tied to the governor’s team. And finally, over 100,000 people are expected to attend Pope Francis’s funeral in the Vatican tomorrow, including Trump, Zelensky, Macron, and Prince William. Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode: AP News: In rare rebuke of Putin, Trump urges Russia to ‘STOP!’ after deadly attack on Kyiv NY Times: EU Fines Apple and Meta Total of $800 Million in First Use of Digital Competition Law NY Times: Trump Offers a Private Dinner to Top 220 Investors in His Memecoin CNBC: Trump 2028 apparel fuels third White House term questions  NY Times: Trump Directs Justice Dept. to Investigate ActBlue, Democrats’ Cash Engine  Whitehouse.gov: Reinstating Common Sense School Discipline Policies Ap News: Judges blocks Trump push to cut funding to public schools over diversity programs AP News: Judge halts parts of Trump’s overhaul of US elections, including proof-of-citizenship requirement AP News: Judge rules the Trump administration violated a 2019 settlement in deporting a man to El Salvador Miami Herald: The $10M steered to Hope Florida by the state was Medicaid money, document shows  CNN: Everything we know about the funeral of Pope Francis  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

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• Thursday, April 24th, 2025 - VP’s Ukraine push; Admin cuts hit milk tests, LGBTQ crisis line & Head Start; Tariff lawsuits; Weinstein retrial & more

  Today’s Headlines: Vice President JD Vance met with India’s Prime Minister Modi and urged Ukraine to accept a U.S. peace deal that heavily favors Russia, freezing current territorial lines and blocking NATO membership. Trump followed up by blaming Zelensky for stalled negotiations. Meanwhile, the administration is slashing programs across agencies: the FDA will stop testing milk for contaminants, the LGBTQ youth crisis line may lose funding, and Head Start is also on the chopping block. On the economic front, markets are volatile amid mixed messaging from Trump about trade with China and the future of Fed Chair Jerome Powell. Despite saying he won’t fire Powell, Trump is pressuring him to lower interest rates. A dozen states are now suing the administration, claiming its tariff policy is unconstitutional. And in New York, Harvey Weinstein faces a new trial for sexual assault, pleading not guilty as his attorney bizarrely claimed “the casting couch is not a crime scene.” Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode: NY Times: Vance Outlines U.S. Plan for Ukraine That Sharply Favors Russia NBC News: Trump slams Zelenskyy for rejecting Ukraine-Russia negotiations, saying a deal was 'very close' The Guardian: FDA suspends milk quality-control testing program after Trump layoffs | US domestic policy Axios: LGBTQ+ youth suicide hotline among proposed HHS budget cuts NBC News: Markets close higher — but see bigger gains evaporate — as the Trump administration signals softer trade stance Ap News: A dozen states sue the Trump administration to stop tariff policy  NBC News: Markets close higher — but see bigger gains evaporate — as the Trump administration signals softer trade stance NBC News: In retrial openings, prosecutors portray Harvey Weinstein as a powerful mogul who ‘preyed’ on women 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

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• Wednesday, April 23nd, 2025 - State Dept cuts; Pentagon fitness test; RFK autism registry; ICE halts cancer research & more

  Today’s Headlines: The State Department is getting a major overhaul, with Secretary Marco Rubio slashing overseas posts and U.S.-based staff by 15%, calling the agency bloated and politically biased. Meanwhile, the Pentagon will soon require women in combat roles to meet the same physical standards as men under a new "sex-neutral" fitness test. Over at HHS, Secretary RFK Jr. is compiling a national autism registry using private medical records, aiming to prove the condition’s cause by September. At Harvard, groundbreaking cancer research has stalled because ICE is detaining the scientist who wrote the analysis software—she’s now fighting deportation to Russia. Student loan borrowers in default could see their wages garnished starting in May, ending a pandemic-era pause. And Tesla reported a 71% drop in profits, partly due to Elon Musk’s political baggage—but its carbon credit sales are booming. Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode: NY Times: Marco Rubio Shares Plans for Overhaul of State Department  NY Times: Female Soldiers Will Have to Pass ‘Sex-Neutral’ Physical Test, U.S. Army Says The New Republic: RFK Jr. Set to Launch Disease Registry Tracking Autistic People  NBC News: New images could change cancer diagnostics, but ICE detained the Harvard scientist who analyzes them AP News: Student loans in default to be referred to debt collection, Education Department says WSJ: Tesla Profit Sinks, Hurt by Backlash Over Elon Musk’s Political Role 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

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• Tuesday, April 22nd, 2025 - Pope dies; Pentagon chaos; US signals Crimea deal; Abrego Garcia update; Noem robbed in DC & more

  Today’s Headlines: Pope Francis has died at age 88 following a stroke, initiating a nine-day memorial and the conclave to select his successor. Back in Washington, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is under fire after firing three senior aides over leaks, followed by a top ally’s resignation and a damning op-ed describing a “meltdown” at the Pentagon. Hegseth is also reported to have shared sensitive military plans in a private Signal chat with family and his lawyer. A new Democratic delegation has traveled to El Salvador to advocate for Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s release, as scrutiny of U.S. deportation policies grows. Meanwhile, two German teenagers were detained and deported from Hawaii after U.S. customs officers questioned their backpacking plans. Internationally, the Trump administration is signaling a pullback from ceasefire talks with Ukraine and is reportedly open to recognizing Crimea as Russian—contradicting Zelensky’s position. Domestically, the DOJ has scrapped a civil rights agreement with Alabama over wastewater treatment in Black communities, calling it an “illegal DEI policy.” Meanwhile, the DOGE-mandated weekly emails are being ignored or mocked by federal workers across departments. And finally, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem’s purse was stolen in D.C.—containing her passport, federal badge, and $3,000 in cash. Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode: AP News: Vatican says Pope Francis died after cerebral stroke Politico: Opinion | Former Top Pentagon Spokesperson Details ‘Month From Hell’ Inside the Agency  NY Times: Hegseth Said to Have Shared Attack Details in Second Signal Chat AP News: More Democratic lawmakers are visiting El Salvador on Abrego Garcia's behalf The Independent: Teenage German tourists handcuffed and deported from Hawaii over 'suspicious' hotel booking  Bloomberg: US Open to Recognizing Crimea as Russian in Ukraine Peace Deal Yahoo: Trump Administration Terminates ‘Illegal DEI’ Settlement Addressing Alabama’s Sewage Crisis In Black Communities  WA Post: The '5 things' emails are going by the wayside, as Musk readies his exit NY Times: Kristi Noem’s Bag, With Security Badge and $3,000, Is Stolen 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

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• Monday, April 21st, 2025 - SCOTUS halts deportations; Immigration errors; Trump eyes Schedule F; Penn Station; Still no trade deals

  Today’s Headlines: Senator Chris Van Hollen revealed new details about Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s transfer to a better prison in El Salvador and criticized the Trump administration’s misleading photo edits suggesting gang ties. Meanwhile, California sued the administration over sweeping tariffs, and immigration issues escalated—U.S. citizens and refugees are being wrongfully detained or ordered to leave the country, including a New Mexico teen and a Connecticut doctor. The Supreme Court temporarily blocked deportations under the Alien Enemies Act, while also agreeing to hear a case on Trump’s executive order to end birthright citizenship. Trump is also pushing to reclassify 50,000 federal workers under Schedule F, making them easier to fire, and is seizing control of Penn Station’s $7B renovation. On trade, no deals have been finalized despite meetings with global partners, casting doubt on the administration’s rushed timeline. Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode: CNN: Sen. Chris Van Hollen says Abrego Garcia described being ‘traumatized’ at CECOT, has been moved to different detention center Yahoo: Trump Posts Photoshopped Image of Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s Knuckle Tattoos With Disputed ‘MS-13’ Interpretation Miami Herald: Despite refugee status in the U.S., young Venezuelan was deported to Salvadoran prison  AZPM: U.S. citizen in Arizona detained by immigration officials for 10 days - AZPM  NBC News: American doctor receives email from immigration officials telling her to leave the country immediately NY Times: Trump Administration Asks Justices to Reject A.C.L.U. Request to Pause Deportations SCOTUS Blog: Justices will hear arguments on Trump’s effort to end birthright citizenship AP News: Trump moves to invoke Schedule F to make it easier to fire some federal workers NBC News: Trump faces imposing timeline to broker 75 trade deals in less than 90 days CBS News: Trump administration taking control of Penn Station renovation  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

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