ABC News Daily

Since Donald Trump falsely accused migrants in Springfield, Ohio of eating pet dogs and cats, the US city has made headlines around the world and has been thrown into chaos.

Bomb threats have shut down schools and Haitian migrants feel intimidated in their adopted home. 

So, what’s life really like there for long term residents and the thousands of migrants who breathed new life into Springfield, while also straining services including health and education?

Today, Associated Press reporter Julie Carr Smyth takes us to Springfield, a city that’s been rocked by a lie. 

She explains that the bomb threats seem to have come from overseas, possibly involving forces that want to foment discord in the community.

Julie Carr Smyth says the local police are stretched to their limits, requiring additional state troopers to maintain order. 

She speaks about the challenges facing the city, with up to 20,000 Haitian migrants settling there in recent years, now making up about a quarter of the population. 

Featured: 

Julie Carr Smyth, Associated Press reporter based in Columbus, Ohio

Key Topics:

• Donald Trump false claims
• Springfield bomb threats
• Haitian migrants in Ohio
• Community impact of misinformation
• Police response
• Social services strain
• Public safety 
• Political rhetoric 

On Tuesday afternoon in Lebanon, hundreds of pagers used by members of the Hezbollah militant group to communicate, exploded all at once. 

It was a deadly attack, a young girl is among the dead and almost three thousand others are injured. 

Israel is being blamed, although it hasn't admitted its role. 

Today, intelligence expert John Blaxland on the sophisticated strike that’s embarrassed and rattled Hezbollah.  

Professor Blaxland says the attack is unprecedented in its coordination and technological sophistication. 

He highlights that the pagers were likely tampered with along the supply chain, possibly with military-grade explosives. 

The attack’s timing suggests it could be a pre-emptive move against a potential Hezbollah offensive, he says.

Professor Blaxland also notes the significant embarrassment and operational disruption this causes for Hezbollah, potentially affecting their future actions. 

Featured: 

John Blaxland, Director of the ANU North America Liaison Office and Professor of International Security and Intelligence Studies

Key Topics:

• Hezbollah
• Israel
• Lebanon
• Explosives
• Intelligence operations
• Middle East conflict
• Mossad
• Technological espionage

Instagram is making changes to how teenagers use the social media platform, applying limits to the content they see and who can get in touch with them. 

It’s a first for a social media giant as concern grows about the harmful content children are exposed to online. 

The announcement comes as the federal government works on an outright ban of social media for children. 

The precise age limit is still to be settled, South Australia thinks under-14 is appropriate, but any ban is likely to require some form of age verification. 

Today, tech reporter Ange Lavoipierre on what all of us might have to give up to prove our age.

Ange discusses the implications of the Instagram changes, highlighting the automatic privacy settings for teen accounts and the introduction of a “sleep mode” to limit screen time.

Featured: 

Ange Lavoipierre, ABC national technology reporter

Key Topics:

• Instagram teen accounts
• Social media age verification
• Online safety for teenagers
• AI tools for age detection
• Privacy concerns in social media
• Albanese government social media ban
• Screen time limits
• Parental controls on social media
• Harmful online content
• Social media regulations for children

Donald Trump is unharmed after a second apparent assassination attempt, this time on his golf course in Florida. 

A Secret Service agent opened fire on a gunman after seeing a rifle barrel poking through a fence while the former president was nearby.

What does the incident say about the former president’s security and will it win him any more votes? 

Today, Emma Shortis, a US politics expert at the Australia Institute on the threat of political violence in the US. 

She highlights the volatile nature of the current US political climate, emphasising the increasing frequency of political violence.

Featured: 

Dr Emma Shortis, senior researcher in international and security affairs at the Australia Institute

Key Topics:

• Donald Trump assassination attempt
• Political violence in the US
• Secret Service security measures
• US presidential campaign security
• Gun control debate in America
• Political rhetoric
• US election 2024
• Security protocols for political figures

The US election isn’t until November, but voting is starting in some states this week. 

The polls are tight, but even if Kamala Harris wins more votes overall than Donald Trump, she could still lose the election given the complicated electoral college system. 

It’s happened before, when Hillary Clinton won the support of millions of more Americans than Trump in 2016, but he went on to become president. 

The electoral college is the reason that on election night we’re all watching to see how individual US states vote and which candidate for president reaches 270. 

Today, ABC News Breakfast co-host and correspondent Michael Rowland explains how it works. 

He also offers his prediction on who will win the US election. 

Correction: The US constitution is not changed via a referendum. Any amendment would require the support of two thirds of both Houses of Congress, or be requested by two-thirds of the states. In either case, it would then need to be ratified by a large majority of states. 

Featured: 

Michael Rowland, ABC News Breakfast co-host and correspondent

Key Topics:

• US election 2024
• Electoral college system
• Swing states
• Kamala Harris
• Donald Trump
• Presidential debate
• Pennsylvania
• US politics

The Murdoch family will head to court in Nevada in the US next week in a fight over the future of the media empire. 

It’s a real-life succession drama, as Rupert Murdoch seeks to ensure his son Lachlan has full control of the editorial policy of the businesses once he dies. 

To do that, he’s got to beat three of his other children in court and he’s reportedly arguing that making the change is in good faith and would prevent power struggles resulting from the lack of consensus between the children. 

Today, journalist Paddy Manning, author of Successor, the first unauthorised biography of Lachlan Murdoch, and producer of a three-part Australian Story series Making Lachlan Murdoch on why he’s the chosen one.  

Paddy Manning explains that the family trust, established in 1999, is central to the dispute, as it grants equal voting rights to Rupert’s four children. 

He's been looking at Lachlan’s conservative views and his close relationship with his father, which contrasts with his siblings’ perspectives.

He tells Sam Hawley that the outcome of this court case could impact the editorial direction of major media outlets like Fox News. 

Featured:

Paddy Manning, journalist

Key Topics:

• Murdoch family court case
• Rupert Murdoch
• Lachlan Murdoch
• Media empire succession
• Family trust dispute
• Fox News editorial policy
• Conservative media

With less than two months until election day, US presidential candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump have come face to face in a wild, personal and fiery televised debate. 

From claims of migrants eating pet dogs to fear raising about Democrats wanting to ‘execute’ babies, Donald Trump was repeatedly corrected by the moderators. 

Kamala Harris spoke about her background, directly addressed her opponent and insisted she had a plan for the future. 

At the end of it, pop superstar Taylor Swift came out in support of Kamala Harris. 

Today, Kim Hoggard, a former US government official who worked in the Reagan and George H W Bush administrations, highlights how Kamala Harris blended personal anecdotes with policy discussions. 

She notes that Harris’s ability to push Trump’s buttons led to his increasingly extreme statements.

She believes this debate could be pivotal for the election result and says Harris’s performance may have exceeded Democratic party expectations. 

Featured: 

Kim Hoggard, former US government official in Reagan and Bush administrations

Key Topics:

• US presidential debate
• Kamala Harris
• Donald Trump
• Taylor Swift endorsement
• Migrant crime claims
• Abortion debate
• Real-time fact-checking

For a long time, Australia’s taxation system has been set up to benefit property investors and landlords and any attempts to change that have been shouted down. 

But with the generational divide in home ownership becoming more pronounced, voters are shifting their views.

Today, host of Q+A and The Party Room podcast Patricia Karvelas on whether governments will finally be forced to scrap negative gearing. 

Featured: 

Patricia Karvelas, host of RN Breakfast, Q+A and The Party Room

David Finney was a sailor in the Australian Navy who served for two decades and at the height of his career even received a bravery commendation. 

But in 2019 he took his own life. He’d been medically discharged from the ADF before his death. 

Ever since, his mother, Julie-Ann has been fighting to hold to account a defence force she says could and should have done so much more to save his life.

Now after three years, a Royal Commission into the deaths by suicide of thousands of current and former members of the military has handed down its report, which in part delivers a scathing assessment of defence leadership. 

Today we speak to Julie-Ann Finney about her son’s death and her hope for change. 

Julie-Ann Finney shares her journey, highlighting the trauma and grief experienced by families of veterans. 

She emphasises the need for accountability and systemic change within the Defence Force. 

Julie-Ann also discusses the importance of independent oversight in implementing the Royal Commission’s recommendations. 

Featured: 

Julie-Ann Finney, mother of David Finney

Key Topics:

• Mental health
• Australian Navy
• Military suicide
• Royal Commission
• Defence leadership
• Veteran advocacy

Millions of Australians live in apartments and the number is set to grow as housing density increases in our biggest cities. 

Being part of a strata scheme is part and parcel of owning an apartment, but many owners are not taking an active interest in how the blocks are being managed. 

A Four Corners investigation has revealed a rot at the heart of the strata management industry that’s draining the funds of owners. 

Today, investigative reporter Linton Besser shares stories of greed in many of Australia’s strata firms and explains why it’s worth owners’ time and effort to scrutinise how their money is being spent. 

He highlights the systemic issues within strata management, including phantom fees and mismanagement of funds. 

The investigation uncovers shocking stories of financial exploitation and neglect, raising the need for stricter regulations and oversight.

Featured:

Linton Besser, Four Corners reporter

Key Topics:

• Strata management
• Apartment living
• Housing density
• Financial exploitation
• Strata committees
• Phantom fees
• Owners corporation
• Strata regulations