American Fever Dream

Today’s Headlines: Trump’s Asia trip is somehow still going, with his latest stop in Beijing producing no trade deal — but plenty of showmanship. After what he called an “amazing” meeting with Xi Jinping, Trump said China will resume buying U.S. soybeans and pause export limits on rare earth minerals, while the U.S. cuts fentanyl tariffs from 20% to 10%. Missing from the talks: Taiwan, Russian oil, or China’s access to Nvidia’s AI chips. Also not discussed (but probably should’ve been): Trump’s pre-meeting Truth Social post saying he’s ordering the military to restart nuclear weapons testing — something no U.S. president has done since 1992. The Kremlin warned that if Washington breaks the moratorium, Moscow “will act accordingly.” Back in the US, SNAP and WIC benefits for over 40 million Americans are set to expire tomorrow as Senate Republicans blocked emergency funding, while also refusing to let Democrats use USDA contingency funds to keep the programs alive. Meanwhile, coffee might finally get cheaper — Senators Catherine Cortez Masto and Rand Paul introduced a bipartisan bill to repeal Trump’s coffee tariffs. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker asked ICE to pause raids in Chicago over Halloween weekend after agents fired tear gas near a kids’ parade. The administration also announced it’ll cap refugee admissions at 7,500 next year — down from 125,000 — prioritizing white South Africans. The DOJ has reopened an investigation into Black Lives Matter leaders over alleged donor fraud from 2020, despite a prior review finding no wrongdoing. In corporate circus news, OpenAI is reportedly preparing to go public at a trillion-dollar valuation (sure, why not), five more suspects were arrested in the $100 million Louvre jewel heist, and King Charles has officially stripped Prince Andrew of his royal title and booted him from royal property — so long, “Prince” Andrew. Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode: NBC News: What Trump and Xi did and didn't agree upon in their meeting PBS News: Trump appears to suggest the U.S. will resume testing nuclear weapons for first time in 30 years NOTUS: Senate Republicans Block Democratic Effort to Fund SNAP During the Shutdown ALX Now: Warner urges Trump administration to use USDA funds to prevent SNAP benefits from expiring KOLO: Cortez Masto, Rand Paul push to repeal Trump tariffs on coffee Axios: Immigration enforcement will continue over Halloween in Chicago, Noem says AP News: Trump administration live updates: Refugees limited mostly to white South Africans CNN: Justice Department investigating fraud allegations in Black Lives Matter movement, AP sources say Reuters: Exclusive: OpenAI lays groundwork for juggernaut IPO at up to $1 trillion valuation CNN: Five new suspects arrested over Louvre heist – but still no sign of looted jewels WSJ: Prince Andrew Stripped of Royal Title by King Charles Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

Today’s Headlines: Hurricane Melissa tore through the Caribbean just as feared, leaving dozens dead and catastrophic damage across Jamaica, Cuba, and Haiti before weakening to a Category 1 on its way to the Bahamas. Nearly 80% of Jamaica is still without power, and hundreds remain missing across the islands. In Gaza, Israel resumed airstrikes that killed around 100 people after a soldier was shot in Rafah — but quickly announced the ceasefire was back on. Hamas says it’s delaying the return of hostage remains in response to the strikes. Trump, meanwhile, is still globe-trotting — now in South Korea, where he announced the U.S. will share sensitive nuclear submarine technology, one of the country’s most tightly guarded military secrets. This comes months after North Korea bragged about its own nuclear-powered sub. Back home, a new Pentagon memo ordered all 50 states, D.C., and U.S. territories to form “quick reaction forces” — over 23,000 National Guard troops trained for riot control — to respond to potential unrest. The administration also indicted its first Gen Z political figure: 26-year-old Illinois Democrat Kat Abughazaleh, charged with assaulting an ICE officer during a protest — charges that could carry up to 14 years in prison. On the money front, the Senate symbolically voted against Trump’s 50% tariffs on Brazil (which won’t actually change anything), the Fed cut interest rates another 0.25%, and the shutdown continues as millions risk losing food aid. The Dow hit a record 48,000 — mostly thanks to AI stocks — even as layoffs surge at UPS, Nestlé, and Amazon. And in some good news for once, philanthropist Mackenzie Scott donated $60 million to the Center for Disaster Philanthropy and another $38 million to Alabama State University — the largest gift in the HBCU’s 158-year history. Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode: AP News: Hurricane Melissa impacts southeastern Bahamas, after dozens killed across Caribbean AP News: Israel's military says ceasefire is back on as death toll from Gaza strikes reaches 104 AP News: Live updates: Donald Trump is meeting with China’s leader Xi Jinping The Guardian: Revealed: Pentagon orders states’ national guards to form ‘quick reaction forces’ for ‘crowd control’ | US military MSNBC: Kat Abughazaleh indicted over protests outside Chicago-area ICE facility Politico: Senate votes against Trump’s 50 percent tariff on Brazil - Live Updates Axios: Fed cuts rates again, but signals December cut uncertain Yahoo Finance: Layoffs hit Amazon, UPS, Target, and more — what's fueling the cuts NYT: MacKenzie Scott Backs Disaster Recovery in Marginalized Communities  Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson