America In The Morning

Melania Trump's Epstein Response, Ceasefire's Lebanon Problem, Betting On War, Gas Price Sticker Shock Worsens

Today on America in the MorningMelania Denies Epstein Relationship First Lady Melania Trump delivered a six-minute stunning statement Thursday from the White House and resurrected the Jeffrey Epstein controversy, denying any links to him or his crimes, and calling on Congress to hold a public hearing and let the victims tell their stories.  Washington correspondent Sagar Meghani reports.   Ceasefire’s Lebanon Problem The fragile ceasefire between the U-S and Iran enters a critical stage with planned talks this weekend to be held in Pakistan.  Correspondent Clayton Neville reports the situation between Israel and Lebanon is becoming intertwined with the US-Iran ceasefire.   Missing Woman’s Husband Arrested Authorities in the Bahamas are considering criminal charges against American Brian Hooker.  Correspondent Rich Johnson has more on the Michigan man and the disappearance of his wife.   Updating The Draft The Selective Service System plans to automatically register eligible American men between ages 18 and 26 for a US military draft by December, nearly a half-century after compulsory registration for the draft for that age group became law.    Judges Reviewing Combs Sentence New York judges are taking a second look at the prison term of disgraced music mogul Sean Diddy Combs.  Ed Donahue reports.   Latest On Iran War Questions are surfacing regarding the US-Iran ceasefire and how it impacts Lebanon.  A surprise move by Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu has Israel asking for direct negotiations with Beirut for both peace and de-arming Hezbollah, a move rebuffed by both of those parties.  Vice President JD Vance says Lebanon was never discussed in any US-Iran ceasefire, but the Prime Minister of Canada says the ceasefire should include Lebanon, but the terror group must also stop its attacks against Israel.  Washington correspondent Sagar Meghani reports.   Betting On War An interesting aspect of what has come out of the situation in the Middle East is what has been happening on betting sites.  Some new accounts on the prediction market Polymarket made highly specific and well-timed bets on the U.S. and Iran ceasefire, as well as events tied to surprise actions by the U.S. military.  Correspondent Ken Sweet reports.   California Fire Arrest The employee who's believed to have started a massive warehouse in California has been charged with felony crimes.  Joan Jones reports.   Gas Prices Go Higher Gas prices continue to climb in all 50 states.  Inflation A Problem Making matters worse for the average person is that inflation is sapping the purchasing power of Americans.  Correspondent Donna Warder reports. Finally   All systems are a go for the crew of Artemis II spacecraft, which will return to Earth today following their historic 9-day mission that took them around the moon and are now speeding towards a Pacific Ocean splashdown.  Correspondent Jennifer King reports. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

US-Iran Ceasefire Issues, Alleged Fighter Jet Leaker Arrested, Serial Killer Pleads Guilty, Bondi Could Face Contempt Charges

Today on America in the MorningIran Closes Strait Of Hormuz Again  With a fragile cease fire in place between the U.S. and Iran, there was confusion and some finger-pointing by both sides that each was violating the cease fire, but so far, the peace appears to be holding.  John Stolnis reports from Washington.  Pentagon’s Ceasefire Update During a Pentagon press briefing Wednesday to discuss the two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran, both the Secretary of War and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs had differing tones.  Correspondent Clayton Neville reports.   Alleged Fighter Jet Leaker Charged In North Carolina, a defense contractor has been charged with sharing classified information about the downed fighter jet in Iran. Correspondent Jennifer King has details.   Serial Killer Pleads Guilty It was a case in New York that baffled police for years.  Correspondent Julie Walker reports on a guilty plea by an architect-by-day serial killer-by night who preyed on women in the long-unsolved Gilgo Beach killings.   Hawaii Anesthesiologist Guilty An anesthesiologist in Hawaii has been convicted of attempted manslaughter for trying to kill his wife during a bloody cliffside attack.    Hot Month If you thought this past March was unusually warm, you are right.  Correspondent Lisa Dwyer reports it was a record-setter, in spite of the Ground Hog.   Latest On Iran War There are differing opinions from world leaders regarding the ceasefire in place between the United States and Iran, which took a turn when the Iranian government announced they were again blocking the Strait of Hormuz despite the ceasefire over Israel’s continued military campaign against Hezbollah in Lebanon.   Israel Hits Hezbollah Israel intensified its attacks against Hezbollah in Lebanon after the terror group continued to shoot missiles into Israel, which led Iran to close again the Strait of Hormuz.  Correspondent Charles deLedesma reports that Vice President JD Vance, speaking in Hungary, said that the situation between Israel and Lebanon was never part of the ceasefire agreement.   Bondi Could Face Charges The House Oversight Committee is meeting next week - looking into how the Justice Department handled the investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, but don't expect newly-fired Attorney General Pam Bondi to be in attendance, a move that has some members of Congress contemplating possible contempt charges.  Joan Jones has the story.   Texas Trial Testimony continues in the punishment phase of a trial of a former delivery driver who kidnapped and killed a 7-year-old girl in Texas.  Correspondent Clayton Neville reports mental health is at the center of the Capital Punishment trial. Husband Arrested In Wife’s Disappearance Police in the Bahamas have arrested the husband of a woman who fell overboard off a small boat near the island chain and vanished.  Finally   The Ketamine Queen will spend the next 15 years in prison.  Lisa Dwyer reports on the sentencing of a woman accused of providing actor Matthew Perry with the drugs that killed him. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

US-Iran Ceasefire, Worldwide Reaction To Trump Iran Comments, Talk Of The 25th Amendment, Georgia & Wisconsin Election Results

Today on America in the MorningUS-Iran Ceasefire President Trump and Iran have agreed on a two-week cease fire agreement that will see the U.S. ending their air assault on Iran and re-open the Strait of Hormuz to traffic once again, but questions over the agreement remain.  John Stolnis has the latest from Washington.   World Reacts To Trump Statements & Ceasefire In less than 48 hours we went from President Trump’s Easter Sunday message threatening massive Iranian destruction to Iran and the US accepting an outline for a ceasefire.  There was concern around the world that condemned the president’s threats against Iran, with comments against the United States prior to the US and Iran stepping back from the brink.  Washington correspondent Sagar Meghani has that part of the story.   Georgia / Wisconsin Special Elections There were two elections on Tuesday, one to fill the vacant congressional seat of Marjorie Taylor Green and the other to fill an opening on the Wisconsin Supreme Court.    Texas Raises Book Questions The Texas State Board of Education is considering controversial changes to public school curriculum, including a proposal that could add Biblical texts to required reading lists for students from kindergarten through high school.  Correspondent Clayton Neville reports from Dallas.   Reporter Freed The Iran-backed terror group that kidnapped American journalist Shelly Kittleson in Baghdad has freed her as a part of a prisoner swap.    Another Day Of Artemis II History More history was made and stunning views captured aboard the Artemis II spacecraft.  Correspondent Ed Donahue reports astronauts also made a special space-to-space phone call.   Latest On Iran War  A ceasefire brokered by Pakistan is holding and came into effect less than 2 hours before President Trump's self-imposed deadline to Iran. Steve Futterman reports. Talk Of 25th Amendment Following profane and stern social media posts by President Trump amid war, the list of politicians and other key figures in politics who are calling for the 25th Amendment to be invoked is growing.  Correspondent Clayton Neville reports.   Vance In Budapest Vice President JD Vance was in Budapest, Hungary where he took a special phone call from President Trump as they staged a big show of support for the reelection bid of Hungary's autocratic leader Viktor Orban.  Washington correspondent Sagar Meghani reports.   ICE Shooting In California Local and federal officials are saying very little about Tuesday morning’s shooting of an alleged gang member by ICE agents in California.  Details from correspondent Rich Johnson.  Baggage Prices Rising Another casualty of higher fuel prices – the American traveler.  Correspondent Ed Donahue reports on the rising cost of bringing baggage to the airport. Finally   Hard to believe it’s been 50 years since the characters Jill Munroe, Sabrina Duncan, and Kelly Garrett became part of television history as the three crime-fighting women working for a private detective agency.  Correspondent Julie Walker reports Kate Jackson, Jaclyn Smith and Cheryl Ladd reunite for 'Charlie's Angels' 50th anniversary. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tonight's Iran Deadline, NASA Makes History, Georgia Special Election, Details On Airman Retrieval Inside Iran

Today on America in the MorningTrump’s Iran Threat The clock is ticking for the Iranian regime in power to re-open the Strait of Hormuz or risk having the United States military bomb power plants and bridges inside the country.  John Stolnis has more on the President's threats to Iran, and discussions about the war and the latest negotiations from Washington.   NASA Makes History History was made over 250 thousand miles away from the earth as four astronauts reestablished contact with Mission Control after they flew behind the moon.  Correspondent Julie Walker reports Artemis II took a trip around the moon after surpassing Apollo 13’s distance record.   Georgia Special Election Republican Clay Fuller, a former district attorney, and Democrat Shawn Harris, a retired Army officer, emerged as the top two contenders from a crowded special election March 10, which led to today’s runoff election to replace Marjorie Taylor Greene.   New Troubles For Texas Congressman A new report accuses a sitting GOP Congressman from Texas of sending explicit text messages to a staffer.  Correspondent Clayton Neville reports the allegations follow a recent decision not to run for re-lection.    Iowa Law Upheld Appeals court rulings mean Iowa's book ban and other restrictions aimed toward age-appropriate gender and sexuality instruction can take effect.  Jennifer King reports.   Latest On Iran War Saying their entire country could be taken out in one night, President Trump held a news conference Monday to say that by 8 o’clock eastern time tonight, if Iran does not accept the United States ceasefire deal and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, he will order strikes on Iran’s bridges and power plants, saying in a statement that the Iranian people are willing to suffer if it means they will get their freedom.  Washington correspondent Sagar Meghani reports.   Praise For Airman’s Recovery A key highlight of the president’s news conference at the White House Monday was the success of a daring mission carried out by both the American military and CIA to rescue an airman and pilot who bailed out of his F-15 fighter jet after it was hit by Iranian fire.  Correspondent Jennifer King has the details.   Trump’s Media Threat President Trump is floating potential jail time for a journalist the President claims nearly compromised a war mission in Iran by leaking information that an airman was missing after being shot down.  Correspondent Clayton Neville reports.   Florida Terror Law Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has signed a new law cracking down on terror groups while reinforcing constitutional protections in state courts and schools.  The details from correspondent Sue Aller. Interest Rate Concerns The Federal Reserve is warning that an interest rate hike isn’t out of the question due to high gas prices.  Ed Donahue reports.   Finally   Monday marked a milestone after two months away, and despite her mother still missing, Savannah Guthrie returned to NBC to host the Today Show.  Entertainment reporter Kevin Carr has details. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Trump To Address Nation On Iran Again, American Airman Rescued, Questioning The Budget, Soleimani Family Members In Custody

Today on America in the MorningMissing F-15 Airman Rescued Americans are celebrating the rescue of a missing crew member that was lost after a fighter jet was shot down over Iran on Friday.  John Stolnis has the latest on that, as well as a new threat issued by the President against Iran over the Strait of Hormuz.   Soleimani Family Members Detained They were living in the lap of luxury, and supporting the Iranian regime from their Los Angeles home.  Federal agents have detained two relatives of the deceased Iranian General Qassem Soleimani, and the State Department wants them out of the country.  America in the Morning’s Jeff McKay has details.   Car Ramming In Louisiana Authorities in the Pelican State are investigating after a car plowed into a Lao New Year celebration in a town near Lafayette, Louisiana.  Correspondent Clayton Neville reports.   Who Is Todd Blanche The pictures of Pam Bondi have already been taken down at the Department of Justice after President Trump fired her last Thursday, despite being one of the president’s top loyalists, and came just hours after Trump spoke to the nation about the war with Iran.  As questions remain as to who could take over for Bondi and who as the ability to pass Senate muster, correspondent Luke Garratt takes a closer look at President Donald Trump's pick for acting attorney general.   Pennsylvania Firefighters Killed A Berks County, Pennsylvania fire company is grieving the loss of two of its leaders who were killed in a crash while assisting in a search for a missing woman.    The Artemis II Moon Flyby All systems remain a go for the Artemis II and four astronauts as they will be making their way around the far side of the moon.  Correspondent Julie Walker reports on what to know about their record-breaking moon flyby.  Latest On Iran War The price of oil is moving higher again today as the clock is ticking loudly on Iran to accept an American ceasefire deal or face American attacks on Iran’s electrical power grid and bridges by tomorrow if the Strait of Hormuz isn’t opened.  This comes after a daring rescue that included elements of Seal Team 6 deep in mountainous hostile enemy territory to retrieve a downed American airman over the weekend.  John Stolnis has a recap.   Defense-Heavy Budget President Trump’s new budget proposal is historic, one that could add trillions to the national debt and also includes $377 million for White House renovations.  Democrats are pushing back against a proposed budget focused heavily on Defense spending.  Correspondent Clayton Neville reports.   California Wildfire Contained The weather cooperated and firefighters were quickly able to get the upper hand on a fast-moving blaze that could have been far worse that caused mandatory evacuations.  Correspondent Julie Walker reports on progress battling a 4,000 acre Southern California wildfire.   Deadly Alabama Police Chase Four people died when a car that was being pursued by an Alabama state trooper went off the road and hit a tree.  Challenges To Voting Executive Order There are questions as to whether President Trump’s executive order on voting could pass legal muster.  Katie Clark reports that there are some in the GOP that are skeptical as to whether the order that didn’t come from Congress can survive a court challenge. Pope Leo’s Message Pope Leo is calling for peace in a message directed to world leaders during his first Easter Sunday mass from the Vatican.  Correspondent Donna Warder reports.   Tech News Happy Birthday to Apple, which has turned 50.  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