Today’s Headlines: Early voting is officially underway for North Carolina’s March 3 Senate primary — your reminder that primary season is here and checking your state’s election dates is now mandatory civic behavior. The timing matters, because Washington is doing the most: the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is likely to shut down after Senate Democrats blocked a funding bill that didn’t include limits on ICE practices. If it happens, the shutdown would also hit the TSA, FEMA, and the United States Coast Guard — just as Congress leaves town for a Presidents’ Day recess.  Meanwhile, border czar Tom Homan claims ICE is ending deployments to Minnesota, though reporting suggests those deployments may not have actually ended — or possibly started. At the same time, Customs and Border Protection is moving ahead with a $225,000 contract for Clearview AI, a facial recognition tool built on billions of scraped images, now approved for “tactical targeting” and network analysis.  That mysterious whistleblower complaint involving Tulsi Gabbard also landed exactly where everyone expected: it centered on her burying an NSA report about a Trump associate’s call with a foreign intelligence agency. Just as we guessed…last week, that associate was Jared Kushner, and the call reportedly involved Iran. Benjamin Netanyahu met with Donald Trump at the White House, after which Trump publicly scolded Isaac Herzog for not pardoning Netanyahu over corruption charges — while brushing off questions about responsibility for October 7. Elsewhere, X, owned by Elon Musk, is under scrutiny after reports it sold premium accounts to Iranian regime officials despite U.S. sanctions. And finally, Gallup announced its ending monthly presidential approval ratings after nearly 90 years. The last one, taken in December, clocked in at 36%.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

Axios: Inside North Carolina's 2026 high-stakes primary races

Politico: DHS shutdown all but certain after failed Senate vote - Live Updates

NYT: Trump Administration to End Surge of Immigration Agents in Minnesota

Wired:: CBP Signs Clearview AI Deal to Use Face Recognition for ‘Tactical Targeting’

WSJ: Gabbard Whistleblower Complaint Based on Intercepted Conversation About Jared Kushner

Axios: Trump says Israeli president "should be ashamed" for not pardoning Netanyahu

Wired: Elon Musk’s X Appears to Be Violating US Sanctions by Selling Premium Accounts to Iranian Leaders

NYT: Gallup Will No Longer Track Presidential Approval Ratings

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

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Today’s Headlines: Attorney General Pam Bondi’s House Oversight testimony devolved into a chaotic shouting match, yielding few answers about the DOJ’s handling of the Epstein files. Bondi repeatedly deflected, bizarrely citing stock market highs as a more appropriate topic, and accused Rep. Thomas Massie of having “Trump Derangement Syndrome.” The most notable takeaway: Bondi appeared to confirm the DOJ tracked which Epstein-related documents Democratic committee members reviewed, raising fresh concerns about internal surveillance. In Congress, six House Republicans joined Democrats to pass a resolution blocking Trump’s Canada tariffs, which were imposed without congressional approval. The Senate passed a similar measure earlier, but Trump can veto it, and the Supreme Court—currently reviewing the tariffs—has yet to rule. Several quieter policy shifts drew scrutiny. The Institute of Museum and Library Services revised federal grant guidelines to prioritize “uplifting and positive” patriotic narratives aligned with Trump executive orders, signaling a shift away from apolitical, merit-based funding. In New York, the Pride flag was removed from the Stonewall National Monument following a federal ban on “non-agency” flags in national parks. Environmental rollbacks accelerated as the EPA moved to reverse its finding that greenhouse gases endanger public health, while the Federal Judicial Center removed climate science guidance from its judges’ manual after political pressure. ProPublica also reported the U.S. Forest Service concealed knowledge that firefighters’ gear contained cancer-linked PFAS chemicals. Finally, a deep-red Oklahoma special election delivered a surprise: Democrats overperformed by roughly 30 points, marking their strongest showing in the district in nearly two decades.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

NBC News: Pam Bondi hearing devolves into shouting matches with Democrats over Epstein and DOJ prosecutions

NYT: House Votes to Cancel Trump’s Canada Tariffs

ProPublica: Institute of Museum and Library Services Grant Guidelines Take Political Turn Under Trump

NYT: Pride Flag Is Removed From Stonewall Monument After Trump Directive

Axios: EPA's "endangerment finding" rescission looms

ProPublica: Federal Judicial Center Pulls Climate Change Chapter From Official Manual for U.S. Judges

ProPublica: Firefighters Wore Gear Containing “Forever Chemicals.” The Forest Service Knew and Stayed Silent for Years.

Newsweek: Democrat Overperforms by 30 Points in Deep Red Oklahoma

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

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Today’s Headlines: Congress is scrambling to keep up with Europe’s Epstein accountability push. Rep. Ro Khanna publicly named six men he says were “likely incriminated” in the Epstein files, including retail billionaire Les Wexner, UAE hotel developer Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, an Italian politician, a Russian author, a former NYPD detective tied to an escort ring, and one largely unknown figure. Lawmakers say more names are coming. Members who reviewed the files also claim there are over a million mentions of Trump, documents contradicting his claim that he kicked Epstein out of Mar-a-Lago, and evidence showing Trump called Palm Beach police in 2006 to report Epstein — portraying himself as disturbed and uninvolved. It was a packed day on Capitol Hill. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick admitted he did visit Epstein’s island with his family after previously denying any social contact. Immigration officials testified ahead of a possible government shutdown, defending ICE while refusing to directly address the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti. Lawmakers also learned only about a quarter of ICE agents have body cameras, ICE wants more funding, and the agency plans to operate at the 2026 World Cup. In related news, ProPublica reported more than 18,000 habeas petitions filed this year by immigrants alleging illegal detention — driven by mass detention policies rather than allowing people to remain in their communities during proceedings. Elsewhere, Trump’s DOJ asked the Supreme Court to overturn Steve Bannon’s contempt conviction, while a Trump-appointed judge blocked the administration from forcing states to hand over voter data. Trump also criticized Netanyahu’s West Bank settlement expansion — while simultaneously floating another aircraft carrier deployment toward Iran. In election news, progressive organizer Analilia Mejia won New Jersey’s 11th District Democratic primary, defeating an AIPAC-backed field. And in Nebraska, lawmakers capped things off by passing a bill cutting minimum wages for teenage workers.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

NYT: Grand Jury Rebuffs Justice Dept. Attempt to Indict 6 Democrats in Congress

Politico: House Dem identifies ‘wealthy, powerful men’ DOJ redacted in Epstein files - Live Updates

NYT: Former Palm Beach Police Chief Said Trump Told Him ‘Everyone’ Knew About Epstein in 2006

ABC News: Howard Lutnick, Trump's commerce secretary, says he visited Epstein's island

Axios: ICE director grilled over Trump's immigration crackdown

Axios: ICE will be at the World Cup, director says 

ProPublica: Habeas Petitions Filed in Second Trump Term Hit Historic High

WaPo: DOJ seeks to undo Steve Bannon’s conviction for defying Jan. 6 subpoena

NYT: Michigan Judge Rebukes Justice Department’s Effort to Obtain Voter Data

Axios: Exclusive: Trump says he opposes Israeli annexation steps in West Bank

Axios: Exclusive: Trump says he might send second carrier to strike Iran if talks fail 

NYT: New Jersey 11th Congressional District Special Primary Election Results 2026

Nebraska Public Media: Legislature passes minimum wage decrease for teen workers

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

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Today’s Headlines: Ghislaine Maxwell invoked the Fifth during her House Oversight testimony, but her attorney said she would testify publicly if President Donald Trump grants her a pardon — claiming she could conveniently clear both Trump and Bill Clinton. The White House says a pardon isn’t being discussed “at this time,” which is doing a lot of work. Reps. Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie were allowed to view the unredacted Epstein files at the DOJ for two hours and said they spotted at least six “likely incriminating” names. They didn’t say who, but more lawmakers are expected to review the files soon. In the UK, King Charles said he would support investigations into Prince Andrew, including allegations he shared confidential trade information with Epstein, adding pressure on Prime Minister Keir Starmer as the scandal spreads across Europe. Meanwhile, the US State Department is launching a new program to fund MAGA-aligned think tanks across Europe ahead of America’s 250th anniversary, while Israel approved new measures expanding control over parts of the West Bank — in violation of the Oslo Accords — ahead of yet another Netanyahu visit to DC. Back home, Dr. Mehmet Oz urged Americans to get vaccinated for measles amid the largest outbreak in decades, a federal judge allowed Trump to keep $16 billion in Gateway tunnel funding frozen for now, and Trump attacked US Olympic skier Hunter Hess for expressing “mixed emotions” about representing the country — as Lindsey Vonn fractured her shin days after tearing her ACL.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

AP News: Ghislaine Maxwell avoids answering questions in House deposition

AP News: Palace says King Charles III will support police assessing former Prince Andrew's Epstein links

Financial Times: US government to fund Maga-aligned think-tanks and charities in Europe

NYT: Israel Gives Itself More Control Over Occupied West Bank

NYT: Oz Offers Forceful Call for Measles Vaccination

NYT: Gateway Funding Doesn’t Have to Be Immediately Restored, Judge Says

Axios: Trump calls Olympic skier with mixed feelings "a real loser"

AP News: US snowboard star Chloe Kim calls for unity after Trump bashes teammate over immigrant crackdown

AP News: Lindsey Vonn says she has complex tibia fracture requiring multiple surgeries after Olympic crash

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

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Today’s Headlines: This weekend was a lot. The Seattle Seahawks won the Super Bowl, the Winter Olympics kicked off in Milan, and Vice President JD Vance managed to make himself the main character by getting booed at the opening ceremony and delaying U.S. figure skater Alysa Liu with his massive motorcade — after reportedly flying a plane full of food to Italy, of all places. Embarrassing, but not even close to the most serious news. The FBI has invited election officials from all 50 states to an unusual “election briefing” later this month, amid growing concerns about Trump’s repeated calls to nationalize elections. At the same time, DHS has reportedly used administrative subpoenas to try to obtain user data on critics of the Trump administration, including people sharing information about ICE activity or emailing officials to oppose deportations. The Tulsi Gabbard saga also deepened, with new reporting revealing that she allegedly blocked the NSA from circulating a report about a suspicious phone call involving someone tied to foreign intelligence and a person close to Trump — a move that ultimately triggered the whistleblower complaint now under scrutiny. Meanwhile, fallout from the Epstein files continued, with multiple high-profile figures in the U.S. and Europe facing investigations, resignations, or calls to step aside. European governments in particular have moved quickly, launching probes into Epstein’s ties to human trafficking, Russian intelligence, and elite institutions — while U.S. consequences remain scarce. Elsewhere, China announced a renewed crackdown on crypto trading loopholes, reports emerged that U.S. service members were pressured to attend screenings of a Melania Trump documentary, the Trump administration allegedly threatened to freeze $16 billion in infrastructure funding unless major transit hubs were renamed after the president, and New York City lawmakers overrode a veto to strengthen labor protections for Uber and Lyft drivers. 

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

The Daily Beast: Vance’s Lavish Motorcade Wreaks Havoc at Winter Olympics

NBC News: FBI invites state election officials to an 'unusual' briefing on the midterms

The Guardian: NSA detected foreign intelligence phone call about a person close to Trump | US national security

Tech Crunch: Homeland Security is trying to force tech companies to hand over data about Trump critics

CNN: LA Olympics chief faces calls to resign after flirty emails with Ghislaine Maxwell are revealed in Epstein files

Bloomberg: World Economic Forum Opens Probe Into CEO Over Epstein Meetings

X: US Ambassador to Poland

Yahoo Finance: China Reiterates Crypto Ban While Cracking Down on Tokenized Assets and Yuan Stablecoins

The Daily Beast: Military Pressured to See ‘Melania’ Against Their Will

Rolling Stone: 'Chaos': Behind the Scenes of Amazon's Melania Trump Doc

NYT: Officials Pressed Schumer to Help Name Penn Station and Dulles Airport for Trump

Gothamist: City Council puts limits on how often Uber, Lyft can boot drivers off their apps

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

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Today’s Headlines: The Epstein files continue to ripple outward. Hillary and Bill Clinton are pushing back on House Republicans by agreeing to testify about Epstein only if the hearing is public, after being subpoenaed for a closed-door session. House Oversight Chair James Comer wants the testimony recorded but not publicly aired, while Epstein’s longtime benefactor Les Wexner is expected to give his own deposition later this month. Meanwhile, Brad Karp resigned as chair of powerhouse law firm Paul Weiss after emails revealed his close ties to Epstein, offering yet another reminder of how insulated powerful people stayed for years. Elsewhere, the Trump administration rolled out a new rule making it easier to fire roughly 50,000 senior federal employees, raising alarms about turning the civil service into a political patronage system. Trump also delivered a very on-brand speech at the National Prayer Breakfast, touching on missiles, enemies, and his personal afterlife odds. On the economy front, January layoffs spiked to their highest level since 2009, while hiring hit historic lows, signaling a cooling job market. Investigators are still searching for Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of Today Show host Savannah Guthrie, as authorities investigate a possible kidnapping and ransom demands. And finally, in lighter news, the Winter Olympics kick off in Milan tonight — followed by Bad Bunny on Sunday. 

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

PBS News: Hillary Clinton calls for public hearing in House Epstein investigation

Threads - Ali Vitali: Les Wexner expected for House Oversight deposition on Feb. 18th

CNN: Chairman of major law firm resigns after Epstein emails become public

Axios: Trump administration makes it easier to fire thousands of federal employees

PBS: WATCH: Trump says he 'probably should make it' to heaven in wide-ranging remarks at National Prayer Breakfast

CNBC: Layoffs in January were the highest to start a year since 2009, Challenger says

AP News: Savannah Guthrie's missing mother is 'still out there,' sheriff says, but no suspects

NBC News: How to watch the Milan Cortina opening ceremony

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

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Today’s Headlines: While U.S. officials continue to shrug at the Epstein files, Europe is once again doing the most. Lithuanian prosecutors announced a human trafficking investigation after reviewing information tied to the Epstein documents, citing connections to Lithuanian models and artists and urging potential victims to come forward. Back stateside, DHS said it will pull 700 federal immigration agents out of Minnesota following weeks of aggressive enforcement, though roughly 2,000 agents will remain after about 3,000 arrests during “Operation Metro Surge.” The Supreme Court also issued an emergency ruling allowing California to use its newly redrawn congressional map, after Democrats responded to Trump’s push for GOP-led states to aggressively gerrymander ahead of the 2026 midterms. Meanwhile, new reporting revealed that days before Trump’s inauguration, his family quietly sold nearly half of their crypto company to an Emirati royal with deep intelligence ties, a deal now under scrutiny by House Democrats over national security concerns tied to advanced U.S. AI chips. Elsewhere, the EEOC announced it is investigating Nike for allegedly discriminating against white employees as part of its DEI programs, marking a first-of-its-kind case. And finally, the Washington Post laid off roughly a third of its staff — gutting entire desks — as Jeff Bezos continues his very normal billionaire media ownership arc.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

Reuters: Lithuania launches human trafficking probe related to Epstein files

NBC News: Trump administration to withdraw 700 immigration agents from Minnesota

NYT: Supreme Court Clears Way for California Voting Map

WSJ: ‘Spy Sheikh’ Bought Secret Stake in Trump Company

WSJ: Top Democrat Launches Probe Into ‘Spy Sheikh’ Deal With Trump Company

Axios: Nike facing federal probe of alleged discrimination against white employees

NPR: Bezos orders deep job cuts at 'Washington Post'

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

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Today’s Headlines: Europe was unusually productive yesterday. French authorities raided Twitter’s Paris offices as part of a cybercrime investigation, summoned Elon Musk and former CEO Linda Yaccarino (voluntarily, lol), and announced France is ditching Zoom and Microsoft Teams in favor of its own platform. Spain followed up by unveiling plans to crack down on social media algorithms and hold tech executives personally liable for illegal or hateful content, after Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez accused Musk of amplifying disinformation about Spain’s immigration policy. Not to be outdone, Poland’s prime minister said Jeffrey Epstein was likely a Russian intelligence asset — and said his government plans to investigate. Back in the U.S., Trump floated the idea of “nationalizing” elections during a podcast appearance and teased more fallout from last week’s FBI raid in Georgia, despite elections being run by states under the Constitution. Democrats held a public forum on ICE abuses that Republicans skipped entirely, featuring testimony from people shot at, assaulted, or detained without cause — including a disabled woman who says she was dragged from her car and later treated in an ER for assault. Meanwhile, ICE is reportedly preparing a major operation targeting Haitian immigrants in Ohio as TPS protections expire, even as the agency quietly spends hundreds of millions buying warehouses to convert into detention centers.Elsewhere, DC U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro briefly threatened jail time for anyone bringing a gun into the district before walking it back, Trump continued his Kennedy Center renovation saga, and New York Magazine published a deeply unsettling profile of Rep. Nancy Mace detailing erratic behavior and staff misuse. 

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

NBC News: Paris prosecutors summon Elon Musk after raid on X's French offices

BBC: Spain announces plans to ban social media for under-16s

The Telegraph: Epstein was probably a Russian spy, says Tusk

WaPo: Trump says he wants to ‘nationalize the voting,’ a power granted to states

The New Republic: Not a Single Republican Shows Up to Hear Renee Good’s Brothers Testify

WaPo: Renée Good’s brothers, others describe assaults, shootings at hearing

MS Now: ICE eyeing Ohio next, where it is expected to target Haitian immigrants

Bloomberg: ICE Begins Buying ‘Mega’ Warehouse Detention Centers Across US

MS Now: Pirro walks back threat to lawful gun owners traveling to D.C.

NBC News: Kennedy Center won't be torn down during $200 million renovation, Trump says

NY Magazine: Nancy Mace Is Not Okay

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

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Today’s Headlines: The Wall Street Journal reported that a whistleblower complaint about Tulsi Gabbard is considered so sensitive it’s been locked away by an inspector general for eight months due to concerns it could cause “grave damage to national security,” even as Gabbard has remained in her role. The report landed just days after her unusual involvement in an FBI raid on a Georgia election office, which the New York Times says included a phone call where Trump spoke directly with agents on speakerphone. Elsewhere, DHS announced ICE officers in Minneapolis will begin wearing body cameras, as reports surfaced of a measles outbreak at an ICE detention center in Texas holding hundreds of children. Meanwhile, Bill and Hillary Clinton agreed to testify behind closed doors before House investigators about Jeffrey Epstein, narrowly avoiding contempt charges. Trump generated headlines of his own after plans for a massive “Independence Arch” in Washington were revealed, followed by threats to sue Grammy Awards host Trevor Noah over Epstein jokes. On

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

WSJ: Classified Whistleblower Complaint About Tulsi Gabbard Stalls Within Her Agency

NYT: Gabbard Arranges Trump Call With FBI Agents After Georgia Election Center Search

WSJ: Federal Officers in Minneapolis to Receive Body Cameras

SA Current: Source: Measles outbreak reported at ICE's Dilley family detention facility

Axios: Clintons agree to Republican demands on testifying to Congress

WaPo:Trump wants to build a 250-foot-tall arch, dwarfing the Lincoln Memorial

Axios: Trump, China swipe at political Grammys show

WSJ: U.S. Will Cut Tariffs on India to 18% in Trade Deal

WSJ: SpaceX, xAI Tie Up, Forming $1.25 Trillion Company

ProPublica: FAA Warns Airlines About Safety Risks From Rocket Launches, Urges “Extreme Caution”

People: Savannah Guthrie’s Mom Was Possibly Kidnapped ‘in the Middle of the Night’ from Her Home: Police

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

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Today’s Headlines: The federal government is currently shut down after Congress failed to pass a spending bill by Friday’s deadline, though Speaker Mike Johnson claims the shutdown could end as soon as tomorrow. Even so, the funding lapse barely registered amid a flood of other major news. On Friday morning, journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort were arrested following their coverage of an anti-ICE protest at a Minneapolis church, despite both repeatedly stating they were there in a journalistic capacity — a development that raised serious press freedom concerns. Around the same time, federal records identified the two immigration agents involved in the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, adding more scrutiny to ICE and CBP operations. There was at least one rare piece of good news: 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos and his father were released from an immigration detention center in Texas and returned home to Minneapolis after a judge ordered their release. That decision stood in stark contrast to reports that ICE allowed a suspect in the $100 million Brinks jewelry heist to be deported while continuing to detain families with young children. Elsewhere, the DOJ released more than 3.5 million pages of heavily redacted Epstein files, signaling that no new indictments are expected. President Trump also sued the IRS for $10 billion over leaked tax returns, promoted new Trump-branded savings accounts for children, announced plans to shut down the Kennedy Center for two years, and capped off the week as Democrats scored a surprise victory in a deep-red Texas state Senate district.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

Axios: Johnson predicts end by Tuesday to partial shutdown as Dems fight DHS funding

NYT: Don Lemon Released Without Bond Over Minnesota Protest Charge

ProPublica: Two CBP Agents Identified in Alex Pretti Shooting

People: 5-Year-Old Boy Released from ICE Detention Center After Almost 2 Weeks, Boards Plane Home to Minneapolis with His Dad

The Guardian: Prosecutors stunned as ICE lets suspect in $100m jewelry heist leave US | ICE (US Immigration and Customs Enforcement)

DOJ: Department of Justice Publishes 3.5 Million Responsive Pages in Compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act

NYT: Trump’s Lawsuit Against I.R.S. Creates ‘Enormous Conflict of Interest’ - The New York Times

CNBC: No need to wait for Trump accounts—you can open a 529 college savings plan now

Bloomberg: Trump Says He’ll Close Kennedy Center for Two Years in July

The Hill: Democrats flip Texas state Senate seat in shock upset

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

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