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Morning Announcements

Morning Announcements

By: Betches Media
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 Morning Announcements is your daily news rundown from Betches News--because the world’s a mess, and someone’s gotta explain it. Every morning, Betches co-founder and host Sami Sage cuts through the chaos to break down what actually matters, one unhinged headline at a time. All in under 10 minutes, so you can stay informed without spiraling.© Betches Media. All rights reserved. Political Science Politics & Government
Episodes
  • Wednesday, August 20th, 2025 - Trump’s hot mic; Security purge & Smithsonian feud; TX standoff; OK’s PragerU tests; TikTok sued; Radioactive shrimp & more

    Wednesday, August 20th, 2025 - Trump’s hot mic; Security purge & Smithsonian feud; TX standoff; OK’s PragerU tests; TikTok sued; Radioactive shrimp & more
    Aug 20 2025
    Today’s Headlines: President Trump was caught on a hot mic telling French President Emmanuel Macron that Vladimir Putin “wants to make a deal,” though the Kremlin brushed it off Reports say Putin even suggested Zelensky travel to Moscow — a nonstarter, given Russia’s stance on Ukraine. Trump also ruled out sending U.S. troops to Ukraine as part of security guarantees. Meanwhile, the Trump administration revoked security clearances for 37 current and former national security officials, many tied to the 2016 Russia interference assessment. Trump also escalated his attacks on “woke” institutions, directing his lawyers to target the Smithsonian museums over their exhibits. In California, Republican lawmakers are suing to block Governor Gavin Newsom’s redistricting legislation, while in Texas, State Rep. Nicole Collier is literally sleeping in the capitol to avoid signing a GOP loyalty paper that would otherwise allow her to leave without threat of arrest. Elsewhere, Oklahoma schools chief Ryan Walters announced that out-of-state teacher applicants must pass an “anti-radical” test written by PragerU and immigration authorities rolled out a new policy weighing immigrants’ “positive attributes” in citizenship applications — just as ICE moved to deport a Maine police officer accused of overstaying his visa. Finally, Minnesota joined states suing TikTok over addictive algorithms, and the FDA warned consumers to toss certain Walmart frozen shrimp after reports of possible radioactive contamination linked to an Indonesian supplier. Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode: BBC: Kremlin plays down Zelensky talks as Trump warns Putin may not want 'to make deal' AP News: Trump administration revokes security clearances of 37 current and former government officials Axios: Trump says he has instructed lawyers to look into "woke" in Smithsonian museums Axios: California Republicans sue to pause Newsom's redistricting effort NBC News: Texas Democratic legislator is sleeping in the state Capitol after refusing security escort to leave AP News: Oklahoma to test ideology of teachers coming from California and New York Axios: Citizenship reviews now ask immigrants to show "positive contributions" to U.S. AP News: Maine police officer arrested by ICE agrees to voluntarily leave the country AP News: Minnesota sues TikTok, alleging it preys on young people with addictive algorithms NBC News: Walmart shrimp may have been exposed to radioactive material, FDA says Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    9 mins
  • Tuesday, August 19th, 2025 - ​​Trump-Zelenky meeting; Mail-in voting ban; Newsmax settlement; TX redistricting; Hamas Ceasefire & more

    Tuesday, August 19th, 2025 - ​​Trump-Zelenky meeting; Mail-in voting ban; Newsmax settlement; TX redistricting; Hamas Ceasefire & more
    Aug 19 2025
    Today’s Headlines: After Trump’s meeting with Putin, Zelensky and several spooked European leaders rushed to DC for damage control. Trump called his Oval Office chat with Zelensky their “best meeting yet” (not saying much), hinted at a three-way with Putin, and bragged Europe would “carry the burden” on Ukraine—all while admitting he’d already “spoken indirectly” with Putin. Meanwhile, Russian TV aired footage of U.S. equipment flying Russian and American flags near Zaporizhzhia. Back home, Trump announced an executive order to ban mail-in voting and attacked voting machines, echoing Putin’s lines while undermining the constitutionality of state run elections. In related news, Newsmax agreed to pay Dominion $67 million for 2020 election lies, following big settlements with Smartmatic and Fox. In Texas, Democrats are back, clearing the way for Republicans to lock in five new House seats and in other potentially corrupt news, the White House was caught keeping a loyalty “scorecard” on businesses’ support for Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill,” while they weigh taking a 10% stake in Intel—an unusually socialist-sounding move. Meanwhile, the DOJ is set to hand over long-delayed Epstein records, with Bill Barr insisting it was suicide despite “camera blind spots.” And reports say Trump officials helped spring an Israeli cybersecurity exec arrested in Nevada on child sex charges, flying him home before trial. Finally, Hamas has reportedly accepted a new ceasefire and hostage deal brokered by Egypt and Qatar, though Israel hasn’t formally responded, and Netanyahu is still vowing a Gaza City offensive as over a million Israelis strike in protest. Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode: AP News: Live updates: Trump says he is setting up meeting for Zelenskyy and Putin to discuss Russia-Ukraine war The Daily Beast: Flag-Waving Russian Forces Troll Trump After Crumbling to Putin Axios: Trump raises end to mail-in ballots after claiming Putin questioned their security NBC News:Newsmax to pay $67M to settle defamation lawsuit from voting machine company WSJ: Texas Democrats End Walkout, Ensuring GOP Redistricting Plans Will Pass Axios: Scoop: White House loyalty rating for companies WSJ: Trump Administration Weighs 10% Stake in Intel to Help Bolster Chip Maker CNN: House Oversight Chair says Justice Department to start providing Epstein-related records on Friday Mediaite: Israeli Official Arrested in Nevada Child Sex Operation Is Released and Back in Israel Axios: Hamas accepts latest Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal proposal Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    10 mins
  • Monday, August 18th, 2025 - Red carpet for Putin summit; Israel national strike; Gaza visas paused; Dems bid to end DC takeover; Hurricane Erin

    Monday, August 18th, 2025 - Red carpet for Putin summit; Israel national strike; Gaza visas paused; Dems bid to end DC takeover; Hurricane Erin
    Aug 18 2025
    Today’s Headlines: The Trump–Putin “summit” in Alaska dominated the weekend, though there seemed to be more bad optics than progress. Putin demanded control of Donetsk plus recognition of Russia’s land grabs in Ukraine, while hinting China could offer Kyiv “security guarantees” instead of NATO. No deal came out of it, but plenty of eyebrow-raisers did: Russian FM Lavrov in a vintage USSR shirt, US troops literally rolling out a red carpet, Trump’s team leaving summit documents (including Putin’s lunch menu) at a hotel printer, and Putin even hopped into Trump’s car for a quick chat. Journalists said Trump’s staff looked “ashen,” a post-meeting lunch was mysteriously canceled, and the only follow-up so far is Trump planning a phone call with Zelensky and EU leaders. Elsewhere, Israel saw a massive general strike—organizers say about 10% of the country joined—to pressure the government into prioritizing a hostage deal over expanding the Gaza war. In the U.S., about 60 kids from Gaza arrived for medical care with the help of a nonprofit, sparking outrage from Laura Loomer and prompting the Trump administration to pause visitor visas from the territory. Back in DC, hundreds of National Guard troops from West Virginia, Ohio, and South Carolina are being deployed to the capital in Trump’s ongoing push to control city policing—though officials insist they’re not armed “at this time.” Democrats, led by Rep. Jamie Raskin, are pushing a resolution to end Trump’s authority over the DC police. And finally, Hurricane Erin—the first named storm of the season—rapidly jumped to a Category 5 before downgrading slightly. It’s still expected to slam the Southeast as a major hurricane early this week. Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode: Axios: Putin made maximalist claims to Ukrainian territory in Trump summit: Sources NBC News: Ukraine and allies left scrambling as Trump shifts toward Putin after Alaska summit NBC News: Ukraine and allies left scrambling as Trump shifts toward Putin after Alaska summit Times of Israel: Large protests held across Israel as national strike for hostages gets underway NYT: U.S. Pauses Visitor Visas for Gazans After Laura Loomer Posts WSJ: More National Guard Soldiers Head to D.C. and Prepare to Carry Weapons Axios: Democrats introduce measure to terminate Trump's D.C. takeover NYT: U.S. Pauses Visitor Visas for Gazans After Laura Loomer Posts Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    9 mins
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