America In The Morning

Trump To Tap Strategic Reserves, Tornadoes Rip Illinois & Indiana, Senate Talks Filibuster Change, The Cost Of War

Today on America in the MorningTrump To Release Oil Reserves Americans continue to feel sticker shock at the gas pump in the wake of the U.S. war with Iran.  President Trump is encouraging oil tankers to travel through the Strait of Hormuz, a highly used waterway that Iran has shut down in response to American and Israeli military strikes.  John Stolnis has more from Washington.   Midwest & South Tornadoes The National Weather Service confirmed that a powerful EF-3 tornado touched down in Kankakee, Illinois Tuesday evening, just a part of the severe weather to slam into the Midwest that included hail larger than the size of a softball.  There was damage reported in towns in Indiana where two people died.  Storms continued into Wednesday and reached through the Mid-Atlantic, Midwest and into the South, with tornado watches and warnings that included Pennsylvania, Baltimore, and down to Mississippi.  Correspondent Mike Hempen reports.   California Warnings While the war in the Middle East is far from the shores of California, the FBI is warning police departments throughout the Golden State about the possibility of a surprise drone attack.  Correspondent Clayton Neville reports.   Vehicle Hits WH Gates There was a scare at the White House when a vehicle crashed through a barricade near the Old Executive Office Building on the White House grounds, sending a swarm of police, National Guard, and Secret Service to the scene.  Correspondent Julie Walker reports a man was taken into custody, and the area immediately went into lockdown.   Hawaii Storms & Volcano The 50th State is dealing with a powerful and slow-moving storm that was inching across Hawaii on Wednesday, bringing an extended period of heavy rain as much as 2 inches per hour, thunderstorms and strong winds that could last into early next week.    Cornyn & The Filibuster Senator John Cornyn is denying changing positions on the filibuster in Congress to gain a potential Trump endorsement in his Texas runoff with State Attorney General Ken Paxton.  Correspondent Clayton Neville reports.   Debating The Millionaire’s Tax In Washington State, their House passed a Millionaire’s tax that now moves on to the state senate, a bill that the founder of Starbucks said could force him to move out of the state.  This bill is one of a number of bills that states including California and cities like New York City are debating to enact.  Correspondent Haya Panjwani reports on some local governments working on taxing higher income households.   War Spending Pentagon officials told lawmakers in a closed-door briefing on Capitol Hill that they estimated the cost of the war against Iran had exceeded $11.3 billion dollars in the first six days alone. Kansas Transgender Protest Kansas is one of five states to prohibit trans-people from changing the gender marker on their driver's licenses.  Correspondent Joan Jones reports they also became the first state that retroactively is canceling licenses that were already active and changed.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

War Ends With Trump, Concerns Over Strait Of Hormuz, Georgia Election Results, Mandani's Dinner Guest

Today on America in the MorningWar Will End With Trump The White House continues to proclaim their war with Iran is proceeding on schedule, and that President Trump will be in charge of when it ends and how, including when he will announce Iran’s unconditional surrender.  John Stolnis has more from Washington.   Concerns Over Strait Of Hormuz One reason the price of oil plunged was a report from the Energy Secretary saying the Navy escorted an oil tanker through the Strait of Hormuz, which was later retracted.  CNN reported Tuesday that the vital corridor in and out of the Persian Gulf was being mined by the Iranians.  Correspondent Ed Donahue reports tensions are high at sea, in the oil producing nations in the Gulf, and also at the White House which warned Iran not to keep the Strait of Hormuz closed.   Georgia Primary Results Clayton Fuller, one of 12 Republicans on the ballot and who received an endorsement from President Trump, will take on Democrat Shawn Harris in the runoff scheduled for April 7 as the two top vote getters.    Shooting Outside Toronto Consulate Police in Toronto are investigating and actively searching for two people who opened fire outside the US consulate on Tuesday.  Correspondent Clayton Neville reports officials in Canada are calling this a national security incident.   Strip Club Promo Stopped A pro sports league is scrapping plans for one of its teams to promote a local strip club after facing criticism.  Correspondent Gethin Coolbaugh reports.   Oil Production Cuts With ships and oil tankers not traversing the Strait of Hormuz, the vital waterway in and out of the Persian Gulf, a number of oil and liquefied natural gas producing nations are planning to cut production with their storage tanks at or near capacity.  Correspondent Jon Gambrell reports.   Charges In NYC Attack Two Pennsylvania men, ages 18 and 19 and one of them a high school senior, were charged with bringing bombs to the New York City mayor's home where a protest and counter-protest was being held,  and supporting a terrorist organization.  Correspondent Julie Walker reports the FBI investigation led them to a storage facility in a Philadelphia suburb where more bomb making material was found.   Issues Over Mamdani’s Dinner New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is facing backlash after hosting a holiday dinner that included Columbia University student and anti-Israel activist Mahmoud Khalil.  Correspondent Bob Brown has details. Finally   Police have charged a woman from Florida for driving up to the Los Angeles home of singer Rhianna and opening fire.  Correspondent Jennifer King has details. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Trump Talks Iran, NY Attack Terrorism Links, Georgia Primary Day, Pain At The Pump

Today on America in the MorningTrump Talks Iran Bombs, missiles and drones continue to fly and fall in Iran, Israel, and much of the Persian Gulf.  President Trump spoke to the nation and took questions about the war with Iran.  Correspondent Rich Johnson reports.   NY Attack Inspired By ISIS One lived with his parents in a $2 million dollar Pennsylvania home.  That teen, and his friend, went to New York and told police they were inspired by ISIS when they tried to use an explosive device during a protest outside the home of New York City’s mayor.  Correspondent Julie Walker reports.   Guilty Verdicts Three brothers, including two who were among the country’s most prominent real estate brokers, were convicted in Manhattan on Monday of engaging in a year’s long conspiracy to traffic women and girls for sex.  Correspondent Jennifer King reports the verdict came in after 3 days of deliberations.   Georgia Primary Day There’s a lot on the line in Washington as voters in Georgia’s 14th Congressional District today head to the polls to elect a replacement for former Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene.  Correspondent Clayton Neville reports.   Iran School Hit Investigated Much is being said about a missile that struck a school in Iran that reportedly killed over 160 people, mostly school-age girls.  Now new footage is raising the likelihood the U.S. was responsible for the deadly blast at an Iranian school, but President Trump believes as an investigation is underway, the US did not launch the suspected Tomahawk missile.  Washington correspondent Sagar Meghani reports.   Latest In The Middle East President Trump spent Monday afternoon addressing the war with Iran as “Operation Epic Fury" continues, answering questions on topics including moving ships through the Strait of Hormuz, high oil prices, and Iran’s new choice to head the Islamic Republic, as Iranian leaders pledge to keep fighting.  Correspondent Clayton Neville reports.   Pain At The Pump Oil prices may have fallen on Monday following a sharp weekend rise, but that has not stopped the price at the pump to worsen for American drivers, which has risen nearly 50 cents in just the past week.  Ed Donahue reports global markets are reacting to rising oil prices due to the war in Iran, and people getting gas in Pennsylvania and Florida are feeling the impact to their bottom line.   Kiley Leaves GOP The razor-thin majority in the House of Representatives just got a little thinner after a GOP congressman from California announced he’s leaving his party and becoming an independent.  Joan Jones has details as to what led Kevin Kiley to defect during an election year. Trump’s SAVE Act Demands Politico is reporting that President Trump will delay his endorsement of a candidate in the Texas GOP primary runoff between state attorney general Ken Paxton and incumbent Senator John Cornyn in an effort to pressure senators to pass his voting restrictions bill.   Tech News Anthropic isn’t going quietly into the night, suing the Pentagon over the government’s restriction of their A-I program.  Chuck Palm has this story today in his new segment, the New Old Tech Guy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oil Prices Skyrocket, Iran's New Leader, Russia Behind The Scenes, NY Terror Probe

Today on America in the MorningOil Prices Skyrocket As War Intensifies The Trump Administration maintains that the United States and Israel are winning war with Iran, but is leaving the door open to sending in ground forces to secure nuclear materials as Israel and the US continues to attack Iran’s capabilities to wage war and develop nuclear weapons.  Correspondent Clayton Neville reports.   Russia In The Background There are serious questions being raised as to reports that Russia has gotten involved in the war with Iran, helping the Iranian government with logistics about US positions in the region, and providing Iran with information to help Tehran strike the US military.  Correspondent Ed Donahue reports in an interview with the UK’s Sky News, Russian Ambassador to the UK Andrey Kelin confirmed his nation is backing Iran, a situation that the Trump administration is not at this time concerned about.   Gracie Mansion Explosive Device The FBI is launching a terrorism investigation after a homemade explosive device ignited outside the home of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.  Correspondent Julie Walker reports on protests and counter-protests that ended in a number of arrests.   Incident At US Embassy In Norway There are terrorism concerns abroad after an explosion outside of the US Embassy in Oslo, Norway caused damage but no injuries.  The details from correspondent Mike Hempen.   Prank Leads To Teacher’s Death There was tragedy in Georgia when a prank gone wrong left a teacher dead.  It happened in Gainesville, Georgia, when teenagers as a prank were throwing rolls of toilet paper in a tree in the front yard of Jason Hughes, a 40-year-old teacher at North Hall High School.    Latest In The Middle East In the Middle East, acrid smoke filled the air in Tehran after the Israeli Air Force destroyed a fuel depot, setting it ablaze, as both the US and Israel began targeting Iranian infrastructure.  The US military confirmed a seventh service member has died from injuries they sustained during an Iranian attack at a facility in Saudi Arabia.  Iran dominated the Sunday TV news programs, as supporters and opponents predicted glory and doom, which came as Iran’s leaders reportedly chose a new Supreme Leader.  The latest from correspondent Rich Johnson.   US-UK Trouble President Trump had choice words for the prime minister of Great Britain, saying we don’t need people that join wars after we’ve already won since the UK had originally refused the US request to use British bases to attack Iran.  Correspondent Rica Ann Garcia reports.   Trump’s Next Target While word out of Florida is that President Trump could announce an economic deal with Cuba in the coming days, the president is predicting that the government of the island nation just 90 miles from Key West could fall in weeks as a lack of fuel and energy is decimating the Communist nation.  Correspondent Julie Walker reports President Trump says Cuba is the next country in the U.S. crosshairs.   Gas Prices Soaring Your eyes will not be deceiving you when you gas up today.  The price of a barrel of West Texas Crude oil was up 20 percent and surpassed $110 dollars overnight.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Noem Removed As DHS Secretary, Trump Wants Iran Leadership Choice, Gas Prices Soar, New Trouble For Britney Spears

Today on America in the MorningNoem Removed As DHS Secretary Less than 24 hours after Kristi Noem faced bipartisan backlash during a Senate hearing, where one Republican member questioned whether she was telling the truth, the Homeland Security Secretary was removed from her position, and will be replaced by Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin.  Correspondent Haya Panjwani reports on reactions to the removal of Kristi Noem, who instead will be shifted to a position with a new government security initiative.   Trump Wants Decision For Who Will Lead Iran As U.S. and Israeli planes continue pummeling targets inside Iran with air strikes, President Trump says he wants to be personally involved in picking who will be the next leader of Iran.  John Stolnis has more from Washington.   Gas Prices Surge Gas prices continue to surge across the nation over the Iran war.  America in the Morning’s Jeff McKay has the latest on sticker shock at the gas pump.   Gonzalez Drops Reelection Bid A Texas House Republican has lost the support of his party following the suicide of a woman he had an affair with.  Correspondent Ed Donahue reports this has led Congressman Tony Gonzalez to release a statement late Thursday night, saying he will drop his reelection bid but says he will remain to finish out the end of his term in Congress. DHS Funding Bill Fails The temporary government shutdown continues as legislation that would have funded the Department of Homeland Security failed to pass in the Senate.  The details from correspondent Clayton Neville.   New Trouble For Britney Spears Oops, she did it again.  Britney Spears was stopped by police driving on a California highway, suspected of being under the influence.  Correspondent Mike Hempen reports.   Latest In The Middle East President Donald Trump said Thursday he should be involved in choosing Iran’s next supreme leader as the U.S. and Israel hammered the country for a sixth day.  He called thoughts of the son of the late-Ayatollah Ali Khameni taking over as supreme leader unacceptable.    Iran Attacks Widen Overnight, Iran attacked two residential buildings and a hotel in Bahrain, continuing their strategy of bringing more countries into the conflict.  Correspondent Jon Gambrell reports neighboring Azerbaijan accuses Iran of a drone attack and vows to retaliate, while Sri Lanka says it is trying to safeguard an Iranian navy vessel after the US torpedoed and sank an Iranian frigate that was near its territorial waters.   Texas Two-Step Results from Tuesday’s primary elections in Texas are leading to calls from Washington for some Republican candidates to drop out of their runoff races.  Correspondent Clayton Neville reports from Dallas.   Senate Protester Injured A man’s arm was broken this week as he protested US military action in Iran and Israel’s war in Gaza while inside the Capital at a Senate hearing in Washington in his full uniform.  Correspondent Joan Jones reports that one of those who helped secret service usher the veteran out of the Senate chamber was a sitting US Senator. Arrest After Two Cleveland Girls Murdered There was shock and horror in Cleveland this week when police found the bodies of two young girls stuffed inside suitcases and left in a park in shallow graves.  Thursday night, police arrested the mother of the two girls.   States Tariff Lawsuit Two dozen states announced they are taking legal action over President Trump's recent tariffs.  Correspondent Mike Hempen reports that one state, Connecticut, is seeking $17 hundred dollars per family in his state for tariff-related expenditures.   Finally   NBC "Today" show host Savannah Guthrie has visited her co-workers in New York for the first time since the disappearance of her mother in Arizona one month ago.  Correspondent Carrie Antfinger has details. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices