Morning Announcements Morning Announcements

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

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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

Today’s Headlines: In Congress, the impeachment trial of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas quickly adjourned after senators deemed the articles of impeachment unconstitutional, while whistleblowers from Boeing testified before a Senate subcommittee, criticizing the company's safety culture. In the House of Representatives, a resolution in support of Ukraine passed overwhelmingly, with notable opposition from Representatives Paul Gosar, Matt Rosendale, and Thomas Massie, the latter of whom cosponsored a motion to vacate Speaker Mike Johnson. Donald Trump's criminal trial saw no additional jurors selected, while reports surfaced of his meetings with foreign leaders and plans to dine with the president of Poland. Switzerland moved to ban Nazi and racist symbols, Democrats regained a majority in the Michigan State House of Representatives, and a "rain bomb" in the UAE and Oman highlighted climate change concerns.
Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

NBC News: Highlights: Senate rejects impeachment articles against DHS Secretary Mayorkas


AP News: Boeing put under Senate scrutiny during back-to-back hearings on aircraft maker's safety culture


Rolling Stone: Thomas Massie, Long a Friend to Russia, Votes Against Resolution Supporting Ukraine 

NY Times: Trump Holds Series of Meetings With Foreign Leaders


AP News: Switzerland's lower house moves to ban use of Nazi and extremist symbols that could stir violence 

AP News: Michigan Democrats win special elections to regain full control of state government


Axios: Dubai's record-shattering "rain bomb" has clear climate change ties 


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: Israel plans retaliation against Iran's strike, despite U.S. advisement against offensive action. The U.S. announces new sanctions on Iran's missile and drone program. In Donald Trump's criminal trial, seven jurors were selected, and he labeled it a "Biden-inspired witch hunt." The Supreme Court hears oral arguments on whether federal prosecutors overstepped authority in prosecuting January 6th rioters. Additionally, Speaker Mike Johnson faces increased pressure after another congressman agrees to cosponsor a motion to remove him from speakership.
Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

AP News: Israel says it will retaliate against Iran, despite the risks


Axios: U.S. to hit Iran with fresh sanctions after Israel attack


NBC News: Trump trial updates: Defense argues juror bias from Facebook posts; unfit for hush money case jury


AP News: Supreme Court questions obstruction charges brought against Jan. 6 rioters, Trump


WA Post: Mike Johnson faces growing momentum to oust him as House speaker 



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: Donald Trump's first criminal trial started with jury selection which is expected to last up to two weeks. Trump, present throughout, unsuccessfully sought to modify the trial schedule. Prosecutors are emphasizing election interference, supported by evidence linking "hush money" payments to the 2016 election. The judge allowed National Enquirer articles into evidence and scheduled a contempt hearing for Trump's breach of a gag order. Meanwhile, Speaker Mike Johnson plans separate funding bills for Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan, including a TikTok ban and aid provisions. In the Supreme Court, Idaho's ban on gender-affirming care for transgender teenagers was upheld, and a lawsuit against a Black Lives Matter activist advances. The FBI launched a criminal investigation into the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse, and the Justice Department is preparing an antitrust lawsuit against Live Nation.
Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

WA Post: The Trump Trials: Day One is in the books. Here's some key takeaways.


The Hill: Speaker Johnson unveils plan for Ukraine, Israel at closed-door GOP meeting


NBC: Supreme Court allows enforcement of Idaho ban on gender-affirming care for transgender minors


PBS: Supreme Court allows lawsuit that free speech advocates warn will threaten right to protest


WA Post: Federal criminal investigation opened into Key Bridge crash


WSJ: Justice Department to File Antitrust Suit Against Live Nation



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