Morning Announcements

Today’s Headlines: Trump blames Zelensky for Russia’s invasion after a Saudi meeting that excluded Ukraine, calling him a dictator and urging elections. Meanwhile, Trump asserts more control over federal agencies with executive orders on legal authority, IVF access, and blocking NYC’s congestion pricing plan (complete with a crown photo). Medicaid faces $880 billion in cuts as part of a GOP budget designed to fund $4.5 trillion in tax breaks for the wealthy. Over at the Pentagon, Trump ordered defense spending cuts, while the IRS begins laying off 6,000 workers. Hamas plans to return the bodies of four Israeli hostages, including a mother and her two children, as the ceasefire continues. And in Mexico, President Sheinbaum threatens to sue Google over its maps labeling the “Gulf of America”. Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode: AP News: Trump says Ukraine started the war that's killing its citizens. What are the facts? WA Post: Trump moves to narrow independence of Fed, along with other Wall Street overseers  WA Post: Trump’s executive order aims to lower the cost of IVF. Here’s what we know. WA Post: Trump administration revokes approval of NYC congestion toll  NY Times: Trump Says Medicaid Won’t Be ‘Touched.’ House Republicans Want It Cut by Hundreds of Billions. WA Post: Trump administration orders Pentagon to plan for sweeping budget cuts    NY Times: Trump Administration Live Updates: Hegseth Calls for 8 Percent Annual Defense Cut  WA Post: Bodies of Bibas family, symbol of hostage horrors, to be returned, Hamas says  Axios: Mexico threatens Google with lawsuit over "Gulf of America" label on maps   Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

Today’s Headlines: Denise Cheung, a longtime federal prosecutor, stepped down after refusing a request to freeze funds from a Biden administration environmental grant without any evidence—something she felt could violate constitutional rights. A judge ruled that Elon Musk’s DOGE team can continue making decisions at federal agencies for now, though the case isn’t over. Meanwhile, the USDA accidentally fired key officials handling the bird flu outbreak, and the FDA food division chief resigned after mass layoffs gutted his team. Trump is reportedly pushing Romania to lift travel restrictions on Andrew Tate, who’s in prison facing serious charges. Flooding in Kentucky, West Virginia, and Georgia has claimed at least 14 lives, and more rough weather is on the way. Lastly, Pope Francis remains in the hospital with pneumonia. Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode: WA Post: High-ranking D.C. federal prosecutor resigns over order to freeze EPA funds  NBC News: Judge denies states' bid to curtail DOGE's powers NBC News: USDA accidentally fired officials working on bird flu and is now trying to rehire them NBC News: Leader of FDA food division resigns  Forbes: Here’s Why Trump May View Andrew Tate As An Ally—As He Reportedly Pressures Romania To Lift His Travel Restrictions  CNN: At least 14 dead in multi-state floods as rivers rise and rescues continue  WA Post: Heavy snow and ice will hit from the Plains to the Mid-Atlantic  CBS News: Pope Francis has bilateral pneumonia, Vatican says  Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson