Morning Announcements

Today’s Headlines: Donald Trump’s second-term transition is already making waves with controversial picks like Russ Vought for OMB, Linda McMahon for Education Secretary, and Matthew Whitaker for NATO Ambassador—all pushing Christian nationalism and MAGA-focused policies. Vought’s Schedule F plan could let Trump replace career government workers with politically loyal staff. Trump is also ignoring standard transfer protocols, pressuring Senate Republicans to block Biden’s judicial picks, and backing Matt Gaetz for Attorney General—even as Gaetz faces serious ethics scandals. Meanwhile, Speaker Mike Johnson has banned transgender people from certain Capitol bathrooms, targeting Rep.-elect Sarah McBride. On a different note, Pew Research revealed that 21% of Americans now get their news from social media influencers, showing just how much the media landscape is shifting.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Today’s Headlines: Trump’s transition team has announced key cabinet picks, including Dr. Oz to lead Medicare and Medicaid, Howard Lutnick for Commerce, and former reality TV star Sean Duffy for Transportation. Dr. Oz plans to cut Medicaid budgets, Lutnick will oversee tariff policies, and Duffy would manage Elon Musk's federally contracted companies. Meanwhile, Trump is aggressively pushing Matt Gaetz for attorney general despite renewed scrutiny over allegations involving a minor and leaked depositions. In Congress, House Republicans, led by Speaker Mike Johnson, are targeting trans rights with a bathroom resolution aimed at newly elected Representative Sarah McBride. On a brighter note, homicides have dropped by up to 40% in major U.S. cities this year, signaling significant progress in public safety.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Today’s Headlines: Following Biden’s approval of Ukraine's use of U.S.-supplied long-range missiles to strike Russian territory, the Kremlin responded with its largest attack on Ukraine in months, crippling parts of the country’s electric grid and warning that Biden’s move “adds fuel to the fire.” Meanwhile, Trump confirmed plans to declare a national emergency for mass deportations and named Brendan Carr, a critic of net neutrality and DEI policies, as his pick for FCC chair. In Ohio, a neo-Nazi march drew widespread condemnation from leaders, including President Biden and Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. Lastly, Spirit Airlines filed for bankruptcy but reassured customers it will continue operating, despite ongoing financial struggles.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Today’s Headlines: The Trump transition continues with bold cabinet picks: fracking CEO Chris Wright for Energy Secretary and Doug Burgum for Interior, alongside former press aide Karoline Leavitt as press secretary. Pete Hegseth’s Defense Secretary nomination faces scrutiny over past allegations. House Speaker Mike Johnson suggests possible recess appointments to bypass Senate delays. Meanwhile, Trump’s team is eyeing military leaders involved in the Afghanistan withdrawal for potential court-martials. The FBI investigates racist and threatening texts sent to Black, Latino, and LGBTQ individuals post-election. On the international front, Biden approved Ukraine’s use of U.S.-supplied long-range missiles against Russia, while U.S. and Israeli officials confirmed Israel's strike on a covert Iranian nuclear facility.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Today’s Headlines: Trump’s cabinet picks are stirring up headlines, with RFK Jr., an outspoken anti-vaxxer, slated to lead Health and Human Services, and Matt Gaetz set for Attorney General despite ongoing controversies. Meanwhile, the Pennsylvania Senate race heads to a recount, and after Trump floated the idea of a third term, a House resolution reaffirmed the two-term limit. Trump joked about a possible third term, prompting Rep. Dan Goldman to introduce a resolution reinforcing the two-term limit for presidents. In tech news, X (formerly Twitter) updated its terms, allowing all user posts to be used for AI training, and any disputes will go through Texas courts, a favorable setting for Elon Musk. On the foreign front, Musk also reportedly met with Iranian officials to discuss U.S.-Iran tensions, and a CIA officer was arrested for leaking sensitive intel on potential conflict in the region. Finally, Air National Guard member Jack Teixeira received a 15-year sentence for leaking classified information on Discord.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Today’s Headlines: Republicans have clinched the House majority, but with a twist: Rep. Matt Gaetz resigned to become Trump’s choice for attorney general. Gaetz, who’s still under scrutiny for previous allegations and controversial behavior, has raised eyebrows even among his Republican colleagues. Trump’s other major pick was Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence, keeping his trend of surprising choices. Meanwhile, Biden and Trump met at the White House to discuss the transition in what seemed like a cordial, if somewhat ironic, meeting given their history. On policy, Trump’s team is already laying out plans to double immigrant detention facilities and create a “warrior board” to review and potentially remove high-ranking military officers they don’t consider fit. He’s also promising to dismantle the Department of Education, pushing control back to the states, and target DEI programs in schools. On the tech front, Trump looks set to lift the ban on TikTok, meaning the app could stay available in the U.S. And finally, the FBI raided the New York apartment of Polymarket CEO Shayne Coplan, although details on the investigation remain under wraps.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Today’s Headlines: Tensions are rising in Amsterdam as targeted attacks against Jewish communities continue. Rioters set a tram on fire, prompting police to arrest eight suspects and designate “risk zones” across the city to increase security. In U.S. political news, President-elect Trump has announced new cabinet picks, including Marco Rubio as Secretary of State, John Ratcliffe for CIA Director, Kristi Noem for Homeland Security, and Pete Hegseth for Defense. Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee has also been tapped as ambassador to Israel. Trump introduced a new initiative, the “Department of Government Efficiency,” to be led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, focused on slashing government waste and bureaucracy. Meanwhile, House Republicans are fast-tracking a bill to allow the Treasury to strip tax-exempt status from nonprofits deemed to support terrorism—a move critics worry could stifle free speech. And in Louisiana, a federal judge has blocked a law requiring the display of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms, ruling it unconstitutional.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Today’s Headlines: A week after Election Day, Republicans hold 214 House seats with 16 races still uncalled, and Pennsylvania’s Senate race leaning toward Republican David McCormick, though ballots remain uncounted. In state elections, Democrats flipped the Kentucky Supreme Court and rejected mandatory prison labor in California. Trump’s second-term team is starting to take shape: Stephen Miller will be Deputy Chief of Staff, Lee Zeldin is set for the EPA, Elise Stefanik has been tapped for UN Ambassador, Mike Waltz is Trump’s choice for National Security Advisor, and Tom Homan will lead a large-scale deportation effort, boosting private prison stocks on the news. Bitcoin surged to a new high of $82,000, driven partly by Trump’s win. President Biden marked Veterans Day at Arlington, his last as president, while NYC Mayor Eric Adams asked for an earlier trial date to avoid overlapping with his re-election campaign.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Today’s Headlines: In Amsterdam, mobs attacked Israelis after a soccer match, injuring dozens in what officials are calling a premeditated assault. Over 60 people were arrested, and Israel sent rescue planes to bring citizens home as the city banned protests and advised caution amid anti-Israel sentiment. In the U.S., Black Americans in at least 15 states received shocking anonymous texts instructing them to "pick cotton" and report to a “plantation.” The FBI and state officials are investigating, with some messages traced to a VPN in Poland. On Ukraine, Trump advisors proposed freezing the war with Russia keeping 20% of Ukrainian territory. Trump spoke separately with both Putin and Zelensky, signaling interest in de-escalating the conflict. Meanwhile, the DOJ unsealed charges against an Iranian agent plotting to assassinate Trump. Lastly, wildfires have spread beyond California to New York and New Jersey, with one fatality and poor air quality warnings in the area as California residents face new evacuations.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Today’s Headlines: Republicans gained control of the Senate as David McCormick flipped Pennsylvania, giving the GOP 53 seats, with two races still undecided. The House is leaning Republican, currently at 210 GOP to 198 Democrat seats. President Biden addressed the nation, urging calm and a peaceful transition of power. Trump’s second term is shaping up, with Susie Wiles named Chief of Staff and plans for mass deportation despite the projected $300 billion cost. The Fed cut interest rates by 0.25% as inflation continues to ease. Meanwhile, California and other states are preparing legal defenses to protect state rights under Trump’s administration. Elon Musk’s net worth surged $26.5 billion post-election, along with other billionaires. Rudy Giuliani was ordered to surrender assets, including his Manhattan penthouse and luxury items, to cover a defamation judgment owed to Georgia election workers. Finally, in Argentina, three people face charges connected to the recent death of Liam Payne.

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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