AFN NEWS

Thursday, December 20, 2018　

1) From ABC News, I’m Scott Goldberg. A big swing on Wall Street after the Federal Reserve announces raising interest rates again for the fourth time this year. The Dow went from being up 381 points to down 351 points at the close. Despite pressure from President Trump to keep interest rates the same, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell says, “Political considerations have played no role whatsoever in our discussions or decisions about monetary policy.” The Fed Chair saying they raise rates another 1/4% to keep inflation low and that presidential tweets didn’t sway them. “Nothing will deter us from doing what we think is the right thing to do.” Andy Field, ABC News, Washington.

2) A U.S. official told ABC News the Trump Administration is pulling all U.S. troops out of Syria within the next 30 days. The decision by President Trump is not a popular one with Democrats or Republican. “Colossal, in my mind, mistake, a grave error.” That’s Marco Rubio from Florida, a Republican. Chris Coons from Delaware, a Democrat. “To abandon the ground that we have gained and the allies who have fought alongside us in Syria, I think it would be a profound strategic mistake.” President Trump tweeted this morning that ISIS has been defeated. That’s despite the Pentagon releasing statement last week saying the fight against ISIS is not over.

3) It looks like the federal government will not shut down on Friday. The Senate’s advancing a stopgap measure kicking the deadline in February.

4) Former Attorney General Loretta Lynch was on Capitol Hill today. “Republicans are just now wrapping up their month-long investigation into the handling of the FBI’s investigation into former Secretary of State and Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email server. Lynch was criticized during the presidential campaign for speaking with former President Bill Clinton at an airport as Federal investigators reviewed his wife’s use of private email. ABC’s Stephanie Ramos.

5) Federal judges blocked the Trump Administration for denying asylum to immigrants who claimed to be victims of domestic or gang violence. You’re listening to ABC News.

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From the Fox Business Network; markets finishing in the red after the Federal Reserve raised interest rates by 1/4 points. The Dow dropping 352 points, the NASDAQ lost 147 and the S&P 500 closing down 39. Oil futures climbing as supplies decline for the third straight week. The Energy Information Administration reporting domestic crude supplies fell by $1/2 million last week. Futures plunging yesterday to the lowest level in nearly 16 months. // The number of new enrolments in Obama Care exceeding expectations after a Federal judge ruled the Affordable Care Act is unconstitutional. Supporters of Obama Care are certain to appeal. // And Lion Air beefing with Boeing as both sides are steeled with the fallout from the deadly crash two months ago. A new Boeing 737 Max 8 plunged into the Java Sea in Indonesia killing all 189 people on board. A preliminary report saying faulty sensors caused the plane to enter a dive. With the Fox Business Report, I’m Steve __.

AFN NEWS

Thursday, December 13, 2018　

1) From ABC News, I’m Scott Goldberg. Politically wounded Theresa May has survived the confidence vote within her own party. By a vote of 200-117, her ruling conservative party colleagues have given Theresa May lukewarm support to carry on, but the road ahead remains incredibly steep and fraught with the yet more political dangers. The next hurdle, trying to get her UK exit from Euro plan through Parliament over the next few weeks. Something few here think will happen. ABC’s Tom Rivers at the foreign desk in London.

2) Tomorrow in the French Parliament, President Emmanuel Macron faces a confidence vote. It follows weeks of violent anti-government protests.

3) President Trump’s former personal lawyer and right-hand man Michael Cohen will soon be headed to federal prison. He was sentenced today by a judge to three years behind bars after Cohen pleaded guilty to a number of crimes including paying hush money to two women who claimed to have had affairs with the President. “Make no mistakes. The President of the United States was front and center in this proceeding today. He talked about being in mental incarceration from the moment that he met the President of the United States, and that he acknowledged again that he did these acts at the direction of the President of the United States.” ABC’s chief justice correspondent Pierre Thomas talking about Michael Cohen. In addition to Cohen’s sentence, federal prosecutors said the publisher of The National Enquirer won’t be prosecuted for killing an unflattering story about President Trump.

4) The National Enquirer’s corporate parent AMI admitted the purpose of buying former Playboy model Karen McDougal’s story of an affair with Donald Trump and never publishing it was to help the Trump campaign. The practice known as “catch and kill” costs $150,000 and at the time AMI coordinated with President Trump’s former fixer and lawyer Michael Cohen. ABC’s Aaron Katersky.

* AMI = American Media Inc.

5) A senior White House official says Republican Congressman Mark Meadows, North Carolina, is out of the running for the next White House Chief of Staff. They said the President told him he needs Meadows in Congress. You’re listening to ABC News.

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From the Fox Business Network; on Wall Street, major averages closing in the green. Stocks rising on investor optimism about U.S.-China trade relations. Among the gainers today, tech and energy companies, while real estate and utilities were among the laggards. Trade sensitive stocks like Boeing and Caterpillar were among the Dow gainers, while Verizon and Walmart were among the Dow losers with the Dow closing in the green but paring from session high closing up 157 points, the NASDAQ up 66, S&P 500 up 14, and Verizon was among the Dow laggards today with the stocks falling over 2 and 1/2 percent after the Telecom giant said it would take a $4.6 billion hit for Oath media and expensive Internet venture that never panned out. Verizon is taking a charge in the fourth quarter to cover weak revenue and earnings from Oath. It says that the benefits from integrating Yahoo and AOL with the enterprise were less than expected. With the Fox Business Report, I’m Hilarie Barsky.

AFN NEWS

Thursday, December 6, 2018　

1) From ABC News, I’m Scott Goldberg. A somber ceremony for former President George H.W. Bush at the National Cathedral. Broken up by light moments, his friends and family recalled the 41st President’s love of jokes. The common theme in all of the eulogies for former President George H.W. Bush on Thursday, his sense of humor. His son George W. Bush, “He placed great value on a good joke, so I chose Simpson to speak.” A reference to Alan Simpson, former senator from Wyoming who had the crowd laughing with lines like this about Bush 41. “And he threw his head back and gave that great laugh, but he never, ever could remember a punchline. And I mean never.” Karen Travers, ABC News, Washington. The casket carrying the 41st President’s body is now on its way to Houston, where he will be buried tomorrow.

2) On this national day of mourning, stock markets were closed. The day after, the Dow dropped almost 800 points, following a tweet from President Trump calling himself Tariff Man. “A key issue here on Wall Street is confusion over the true prospects for a deal with China on tariffs coming out of the G 20 Summit. It sounded from the White House like there was a very real possibility of a long-term deal being struck, but in a series of tweets yesterday from President Trump, we received some mixed signals.” ABC’s Rebecca Jarvis. President Trump once again tweeted today about the possibility of a deal with China, saying that country is sending quote “very strong signal that plans to deliver.”

3) A search and rescue operation is under way for U.S. Marine aircraft off the coast of Japan. They say there was a mishap during training.

4) And a Border Patrol agent who confessed to shooting four women in the head and leaving their bodies in rural Texas has been charged with capital murder. Now, the charge is upgraded against Juan David Ortiz by grand jury. You’re listening to ABC News.

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From the Fox Business Network; to honor the life and legacy of President George H.W. Bush, U.S. markets were closed today during a national day of mourning. The last time the markets closed to honor the death of a president was more than a decade ago in 2007 after President Gerald Ford died. // And most Federal Reserve districts reporting modest or moderate economic growth in recent weeks, though four regions said growth had slowed or was slight. According to the Fed’s Beige Book, a snapshot of the economy gleaned from discussions with business contacts in the Fed’s 12 districts. Policymakers will review the Beige Book report as they prepare for their mid-December meeting where they’re expected to approve a quarter point rate hike for the fourth time this year. // And Google’s self-driving car spin-off is finally ready to give it a whirl today in profit from its nearly decade-old technology. Waymo introducing a small-scale ride-hailing service in the Phoenix area that will include a human behind the wheel in case the robotic vehicles malfunction. With the Fox Business Report, I’m Hilarie Barsky.

AFN NEWS

Thursday, November 29, 2018　

1) From ABC News, I’m Scott Goldberg. House Democrats voted to nominate Nancy Pelosi for Speaker of the House once again. The majority of House Democrats chose the nominee longtime leader Nancy Pelosi for Speaker of the House. The California Representative became the first female speaker in 2007. This time she ran unopposed but a small group of members vowed to vote against her. Pelosi will have several weeks to firm up her support, cut deals and flex her power before the full House vote on her nomination January 3rd. Kenneth Moton, ABC News, the Capitol.

2) The Senate has advanced the resolution to end U.S. military involvement in Yemen. This is a rebuke to the White House that comes after lawmakers on both sides __ were upset about a briefing they got this afternoon. “Secretary Mattis met with senators on U.S.-Saudi relationships and concerned about the war in Yemen, and what the CIA knows about Jamal Khashoggi’s death. ‘We have no smoking gun that the Crown Prince was involved.’ CIA reports there is a high probability he was. President Trump saying the U.S.-Saudi relationship isn’t worth risking over that possibility. Andy Field, ABC News, Washington.

3) President Trump’s lead attorney says lawyers for former Trump campaign Chairman Paul Manafort shared information with the President’s legal team about what Manafort told the special counsel. “This cooperation with the Trump lawyers simply shows how scared, literally petrified both Manafort and Trump are.” This afternoon Senate blocked a vote on the bill that would protect Mueller, if the President tried to fire him.

4) Officials say a body discovered in North Carolina is believed to be missing 13-year-old Hania Aguilar who was kidnapped outside of her house three weeks ago. “This is the outcome that we all feared that was going to happen. We did not want to hear this.” Lumberton Police Chief Michael McNeil and investigators say her body was discovered yesterday along a road.

5) On Wall Street, the Dow gained more than 600 points today. You’re listening to ABC News.

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From the Fox Business Network; on Wall Street, all the major averages ending sharply higher for the third straight day of gains. Investors are welcoming remarks by Fed Chair Jerome Powell who painted a rosy picture of the U.S. economy, while addressing the economic club of New York today. Powell suggested that the Fed might be willing to raise interest rates at the slower pace next year. // Among the Dow leaders today, Boeing, Caterpillar and Visa, while Verizon and United Technologies were among the laggers. The Dow ending its session high, closing up 618 points. The NASDAQ up 209, S&P 500 up 62. // And shares of online furniture and home goods retailer Wayfair rallying today, closing up over 14% after the company said its online sales were up 58% over the holiday shopping weekend compared with the last year. While Cyber Monday was the peak sales day of the holiday weekend, Black Friday marked the highest growth day. With the Fox Business Report, I’m Hilarie Barsky.

AFN NEWS

Thursday, November 22, 2018　

1) From ABC News, I’m Michelle Franzen.  __ now one of the busiest travel days of the year. “We have 165 ___ today and 95% of those planes are gonna be going out full.” Justin Franco, a spokesman for American Airlines describing the scene of LaGuardia Airport in New York City. Airports coast to coast have reported few cancellations today, while tens of millions of other travelers are out on the road. “The roads have been actually pretty good. You’ve seen a volume start now, which is kind of what I expected. I was hoping it to get through the main part of New York around this time, so I think we’re working good so far.” Another busy travel day expected to be this Sunday.

2) High winds and low temperatures could impact the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade tomorrow in New York City. ABC’s Aaron Katersky is on Central Park West, where the balloons are being inflated. “Here is a question of how high these balloons are going to fly because the wind is going to be an issue. The balloons have only been grounded once in the whole history of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. That was back in 1971 when it was just far too windy.”

3) President Trump is spending Thanksgiving at his Mar-a-Lago estate. He is facing some pushback from one of his recent comments. “For the first time ever, Chief Justice John Roberts is pushing back after President Trump slammed the federal judge who ruled against his migrant asylum policy, and in his statement, Roberts writes we do not have Obama judges or Trump judges, what we have is an extraordinary group of dedicated judges doing their level best. ABC’s Emily Rau. The President responding in a tweet to Roberts striding in part quote “You do indeed have Obama judges and they have a much different point of view than people who are charged with the safety of our country.”

4) The two big wildfires that burned in California this month could end up costing insurance companies between 9 and 13 billion dollars, according to new analysis. 

5) And the Dow closed down just shy of a point today after yesterday’s triple digit loss. You’re listening to ABC New.

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From the Fox Business Network; I am Tom Graham with the Fox Business Report. Stocks rebounding today sort of closing mixed after taking a beating Monday and Tuesday. The Dow off slightly following nearly a point after a quick drop just before the bell. The NASDAQ climbing 63 points, for the S&P jumped 11. Global oil prices bouncing back, stabilizing after the worst drop for U.S. crude in three years. Tech shares also showing gains, helping lift U.S. stocks. // Bad news for one popular clothing brand, Gap sales for stores have dropped 7% over the last twelve months. Brick-and-mortar furniture retailers also struggling. IKEA is slashing 7500 jobs. // Next to the turkeys gone, the biggest shopping period of the year kicked off Black Friday. Some retailers will actually be opening their doors even on Thanksgiving, including Walmart, Target and Best Buy. Business news twice an hour on Fox News Headlines 24/7. I’m Tom Graham.

AFN NEWS

Thursday, November 15, 2018　

1) From ABC News, I’m Scott Goldberg. Scorched ground and burned-out buildings in the Northern California left behind by the deadly Camp Fire. “It looks like a warzone. It is. It’s the devastation that only fires of this kind can bring about.” Gov. Jerry Brown and officials don’t know what sparked that blaze blamed for at least 48 deaths, but Pacific Gas & Electric had an issue with a line right before it started. Already after being linked to so many wild fires, Pacific Gas & Electric has been floating the possibility that if found liable, it could go bankrupt. In the Camp Fire now, PG&E’s telling the Securities and Exchange Commission that if it’s found liable in that fire, it would exceed its insurance coverage and it would have a major impact on the company. PG&E stock immediately took a dip. ABC’s Alex Stone in Malibu. A total of 51 people died in the wildfire statewide.

2) Moments ago in Washington, President Trump announced his support for criminal justice reform bill called the First Step. “It will provide new incentives for low-risk inmates to learn the skills they need to find employment.” He says it will also allow federal inmates to be placed in prisons close to their homes. Sen. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell expected to push the bill through by the end of the year.

3) This afternoon, McConnell posed for pictures with incoming Republican senators including a candidate whose race has not yet been called. “The new senate Republicans taking their place in the 116th congress took their photo with the Majority Leader Wednesday.” “Florida Governor Rick Scott was there too. His state is currently recounting the ballots cast in the senate race. Rick Scott was running to unseat Democratic senator Bill Nelson. Scott and Florida Republicans have filed multiple lawsuits to return to the election night result which had Scott ahead. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schemer said Scott is simply afraid that a recount might lead to Nelson winning the race. Ali Rogin, ABC News, Capitol Hill.”

5) British Prime Minister Theresa May says the cabinet supports the draft agreement on BREXIT. The Parliament will have to approve. You’re listening to ABC News.

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From the Fox Business Network; lots of swings on Wall Street with stocks closing in the red. Among the laggards today, tech and financials, while industrials and energy companies gained, oil snapping the record 12-day losing streak. Apple is the biggest drag on the Dow suffering its fifth day of losses. Among the Dow gainers today, Verizon and Home Depot. The Dow closing down for a fourth straight session dove 206 points, the NASDAQ down 64, S&P 500 down 21. // And Victoria’s Secret’s CEO Jan Singer is stepping down from her role of the lingerie company. Victoria’s Secret is a part of L Brands and the bland has struggled lately with competition and changing tastes in women’s underwear. L Brands is taking steps to focus, including the announcement that it will close Henri Bendel stores and its E-commerce sites after the holiday shopping season. With the Fox Business Report, I’m Hilarie Barsky.

AFN NEWS

Thursday, November 8, 2018　

1) From ABC News, I’m Scott Goldberg. Attorney General Jeff Sessions is packing up his office after being forced out of it by the President who asked for his resignation today. “In a tweet, President Trump announced the departure of Attorney General Jeff Sessions, writing quote, ‘We are pleased to announce that Matthew G. Whitaker, Chief of Staff to Attorney General Jeff Sessions at the Department of Justice, will become a new Acting Attorney General of the United States.’ Whitaker, who had previously said that the Mueller investigation has gone too far, has not recused himself and now as Acting A.G. will oversee the Mueller probe. Laura Behnke, ABC News, the White House.” ABC News political director Rick Klein says Sessions didn’t just resign, Jeff Sessions was fired. That is Washington called for firing the Attorney General of the United States, and it is very much mixed into both the election results with the President getting more of Republican senators feeling like this is a moment to clear the deck, and of course the Robert Mueller probe. Top Senate Democrat Jack Schumer says protecting Special Counsel Robert Mueller is most important now as the future of the Russian investigation is in question. “It would create a constitutional crisis if this were a prelude to ending or greatly limiting the Mueller investigation.” Schumer’s calling on Acting A.G. Whitaker to recuse himself from the probe, so Nancy Pelosi, the Democratic Leader of the House with Democrats, will now take over after last night’s midterm elections. They’ve picked up 29 seats in that Chamber. In a lengthy news conference earlier today, President Trump threatened those Democrats if they start investigating him. “They can look at us, then we can look at them, and it’ll go back and forth, and it’ll probably be very good for me politically. I could see it being extremely good politically, because I think I’m better at that game than they are, actually.” Despite losing the House, the President says he thinks the elections proved he is popular.

2) On Wall Street, stocks rallied on those election results, the Dow closed up 545 points, gaining more than 2%, S&P 500 at the highest close in four weeks.

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From the Fox Business Network; on Wall Street, stocks soaring on the midterm election bounced to major averages hitting session highs after President Trump indicated he’s willing to work with Democrats on policy initiatives that will help the economy to keep growing. Among the gainers today, tech stocks and healthcare companies with the Dow closing up 545 points, the NASDAQ up 195, S&P 500 up 58. Also energy stocks rose after a swath of oil-and-gas companies reported earnings that topped expectations and after Colorado voters rejected limits on fracking. // And pot stocks soaring as Attorney General Jeff Sessions resigned. Sessions was vocally opposed to cannabis legalization, and the midterm election having ushered in the green way with Michigan voting to legalize recreational marijuana. And other states supporting medical cannabis use. With the Fox Business Report, I’m Hilarie Barsky.

AFN NEWS

Thursday, November 1, 2018　

1) From ABC News, I’m Daria Albinger. President Trump talking immigration just days before the midterm elections. As he makes his way to a Florida campaign rally, the President says he could send even more American troops to the southern border as the migrant caravan makes its way to Mexico. “As far as caravan is concerned, our military is out. We have about 5,000-8, we’ll go up to anywhere between 10 and 15,000 military personnel on top of border patrol, ICE and everybody else at the border.” The announcement would double or triple the number of troops currently deploying. *ICE=Immigration and Customs Enforcement

2) And the President continues to push the idea of ending birthright citizenships for babies born to non-U.S. citizen. “I believe that you can have a simple vote in Congress, or it’s even possible in my opinion. This is after meeting with some very talented legal scholars that you can do it through an executive order.” But House Speaker Paul Ryan says the President can’t end birthright citizenship with an executive order, and legal scholars are in fact divided on whether Congress can even do it.

3) A federal grand jury indicts the man accused of mass murder in a Pittsburg synagogue. “Just days after the shooting that left 11 dead and 6 wounded, the grand jury hit suspect Robert Bowers with 44 charges. They include specific language that says these were hate crimes that ended in the death of 11 people and injury of 6, but hate crime designation is a key. It opens the door for prosecutors to call for the death penalty in this case, something they promise they’ll do. Bowers will be arraigned on the grand jury charges tomorrow. Pete Combs, ABC News.”

4) Investigators in New York City now believe two Saudi sisters whose bodies were found bound together and floating in the Hudson River were alive when they went into the water. Police consider the death suspicious.

5) A 9-year-old boy is dying in Mississippi after he was hit by a pickup truck as he was about to board a school bus. Police say the driver is cooperating. You’re listening to ABC News.

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From the Fox Business Network, on Wall Street, stocks climbing to the second day in a row at the end of the brutal and volatile month on Wall Street, the Dow closing up 241 points, the NASDAQ up 144, S&P 500 up 29. // And shares of Kellogg tanking close to 9% after the package foods company slashed its full-year profit and earnings outlook. Kellogg has been spending more on advertising and promotions in order to drive sales of its cereals, which has proved challenging as consumers seek out healthier and low-sugar options. Kellogg investing in single-serve packages of its snacks like Pringles and Cheez-Its to help boost sales but the cost of producing them is denting its profit. // And shares of Denny’s skyrocketing 25% after the company says it will sell most of its company-owned stores over the next 18 months. It plans to become 95 to 97% franchised. With the Fox Business Report, I’m Hilarie Barsky.

AFN NEWS 

Thursday, October 25, 2018　

1) From ABC News, I’m Daria Albinger. Five packages sent to high-profile Democrats are being analyzed at the FBA’s lab in Virginia. Federal investigators turned to figure out who’s behind the threat. “The investigation involves six devices meant for George Soros, Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, Eric Holder, Maxine Waters, and John Brennan, the intended recipient at CNN. The pipe bomb-like devices appeared to have been made the same way, leading investigators to believe they were sent by the same person or group, while investigators said they made no conclusion. They have noted all the intended recipients are critics of President Trump and frequent subjects of his attack.” ABC’s Aaron Katersky. President Trump calls the devices egregious conduct. “The full weight of our government is being deployed to conduct this investigation and bring those responsible for these despicable acts to justice.” New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio on CNN says there’s no place for violence against the media. “Obviously, what’s happened here is directed for political purposes” Capitol police confirmed they’re investigating a suspicious package found at a facility that screens congressional mail before it goes to Capitol Hill. 

2) President Trump headed to Wisconsin for a campaign rally but earlier signed a law targeting the nation’s opioid epidemic. “The President says he has focused on arresting opioid dealers and helping those are already addicted, and that the stop act he’s just signed will help.” “We’re going to end it or we’re going to at least make an extremely big dent.” The new law gives State $6 billion for prevention, treatment and research as well as giving the post office power to stop even from sending deadly fentanyl through the mail. Andy Field, ABC News, Washington.

3) Police say two people are dead following a shooting at a grocery store outside of Louisville, Kentucky. They say the suspect isn’t in custody.

4)  Another sell-off on Wall Street, the Dow loses more than 2% on disappointing earnings news. You’re listen to ABC News.

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From the Fox Business Network, stocks taking another beating on Wall Street Wednesday. The Dow falling into negative territory for the year after sinking more than 600 points. The S&P 500 also erasing its gains for the year, and the NASDAQ is saying its worst percentage loss since 2011. Investors selling after mixed profiteer reports and new worries about the cost of higher interest rates. There’s one reason why they’re worried rising mortgage rates, putting their heart on housing. New home sales plunging 5 and 1/2% in September to a two-year low. // Looks like Santa’s in readiness to work this year. Consumers telling the National Retail Federation their plan to spend a little more than 1,000 bucks during a holiday season. That’s around 4% more than last year. // A lot of kids are giving their mom and dad the vice of remorse. More than half of parents surveyed by the company CompareCards say they let their children borrow their credit cards for online purchases and get this. Nearly half of them regret doing so afterwards. With the Fox Business Report, I’m Charles Payne.

AFN NEWS 

Thursday, October 18, 2018　

1) From ABC News, I’m Chuck Sivertsen. State Department affirms to ABC News that the same day Secretary of State Pompeo arrived in Saudi Arabia’s capital. That nation transferred $100 million to the U.S. for what was called stabilization projects in Syria. The Saudis agreed to provide the funds in August but the timing is raising questions because of allegations that the Saudis killed journalist Jamal Khashoggi at Saudi consulate in Turkey. That’s what Pompeo went to Riyadh to talk about it. Whereas reporters asking the president how can the world learn the truth about Jamal Khashoggi’s disappearance if Saudi Arabia is investigating itself. “No, they’re just, they’re great, very talented people. They’re not investigating themselves.” Turkey’s officials indicating evidence that the Saudis murdered Khashoggi inside the Istanbul Consulate. President Trump saying this is like the Kavanaugh hearings, saying the Saudis are guilty until proved innocent. Andy Field, ABC News, Washington.

2) More than 2,000 Honduran migrants traveling through Guatemala are headed to the U.S. the day after President Trump warned Central American governments they risk losing aid if they don’t do something to stop them. “People coming up in caravans. We have to stop them even though the laws are terrible. The laws are terrible. Our laws are terrible. They’re laughingstock all over the world.”

3) President Trump at today’s Cabinet meeting also asking all to come to the next meeting with proposals for 5% budget cuts, saying he believes the reductions could be done easily.

4) California officials are announcing the rollout of an earthquake early-warning system called ShakeAlert to warn people across California, Oregon and Washington about a significant earthquake before the shaking starts. Alerts to go out to public transportation systems, schools, hospitals, utilities and more. Congressman Adam Schiff, California, Democrat. “We feel those systems will work on the extensive urgency. We don’t want to have to wait until there’s a collapse or tragedy to get this done.” Ultimately, officials want the system to mass-alert everybody on their cellphones. You’re listening to ABC News.

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From the Fox Business Network, the major averages closing in the red for another wobbly session on Wall Street, the Dow taking a hit from losses by IBM and Home Depot. IBM’s shares funking as a result of the company missing revenue expectations for its third quarter while Home Depot was downgraded by Credit Suisse. The Dow closing down 92 points, the NASDAQ down 3, S&P 500 down a point. // And shares of Caesars Entertainment soaring around 11% on heavy volume after a report that Tilman Fertitta, the billionaire owner of Golden Nugget Casinos and the NBA’s Houston Rockets, is interested in a merger deal. // And Netflix stocks shooting up around 5% after the company reported a big increase in subscribers, which relieved investors after the stock has plumped over the summer. The video-streaming service adding 7 million subscribers worldwide from July through September, far above the company’s expectations. With the Fox Business Report, I’m Hilarie Barsky.

AFN NEWS 

Thursday, October 11, 2018　

1) From ABC News, I’m Daria Albinger. It’s still a dangerous major hurricane and now comes fear that thousands didn’t escape the rough of Hurricane Michael. U.S. Northern Command General Terrence O’Shaughnessy says Hurricane Michael exploded into a Category-4 hurricane so quickly many Florida residents may have never left their homes. “And we're not seeing the numbers in the shelters, and we're not seeing the numbers necessarily going away, so it’s my, my concern right now is there’s many people in harm’s way.” The National Guard prepared to search house by house for people trapped by debris. A fear could be far worse than any recent storms. Andy Field, ABC News, Washington. Michael still Category 3 is moving into Alabama and Georgia with a 125-mile-an-hour wind, and already residents are getting a feel for the destruction that was left behind. As ABC’s Pete Combs reports from Panama City Beach, Florida, “Some people starting to venture out, starting to take a look at the damage. That in itself could be dangerous because powerlines are still down and there are a lot of tree limbs that are just barely hanging onto the trees or stuck in the wires, and that means it’s very, very dangerous for people to be walking around here.” Hundreds of thousands are without power, and some homes have been moved completely off their foundations.

2) The Dow and the NASDAQ losing more than 3% today, market strategist Matthew Miskin with John Hancock says the reason is the declining tech stocks. “These technology companies are hugely dependent on foreign revenues and foreign business and have been performing in the way that’s really showing lack of response to the slowing global growth.” White House Spokeswoman Sarah Sanders says in the statement that the fundamentals of the economy will remain incredibly strong.

3) New York State Police charged the operator of Prestige Limousine with criminally negligent homicide for the weekend crash that killed 20 people. Police say the driver shouldn’t have been behind the wheel and the vehicle shouldn’t have been on the road. You’re listening to ABC News.

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From the Fox Business Network, on Wall Street, the Dow marking its worst day since February with the decline of more than 800 points as investors are worried about rising interest rates and corporate earnings slowing down. Among the biggest decliners today, tech stocks which have been among the biggest winners for the past 12 months. The Dow closing down 832 points. NASDAQ down 315, S&P 500 down for the fifth straight session. It’s the longest losing since November of 2016, closing down 95 points. // And retired Americans who collect Social Security can look forward in 2019 to the biggest increase in benefits in seven years with the benefits likely rising about 2.8% next year, based on the formula that determines annual cost-of-living adjustments in Social Security which would mark the biggest gain since a 3.6% advance back in 2012. With the Fox Business Report, I’m Hilarie Barsky.

AFN NEWS 

Thursday, October 4, 2018　

1) From ABC News, I’m Daria Albinger. The FBI has identified the suspect in Utah tied to the letters that caused a ricin scare. The U.S. Attorney’s Office says William Clyde Allen III is now in custody. “The FBI has made a contact with the suspect and is questioning him. The Pentagon top spokesperson says an analysis of the two envelopes sent to the Pentagon has determined the substance inside was not ricin but castor seeds.” ABC’s luis Martinez.

2) The FBI could finish the background investigation into Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh as early as today. “Once the Senate receives the FBI’s conclusions on Brett Kavanaugh, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell will file, what’s called file cloture, basically taking the first step in the process that gets lawmakers to the Kavanaugh confirmation vote. Once he filed the procedural motion, the Senate and the House will let a day go by before it can hold the actual vote. Stephanie Ramos, ABC News, Washington.”

3) USA Weightlifting CEO Phil Andrews, one of several Olympic sports leaders, to testify before Senate panel about changes being made to protect athletes from abuse. “Weigh-in in our sport can now be done within a singlet or fully closed. That has also been suggested to our international federation for discussing where we’re discussing that in less than a month.” The hearing holds a number of sex abuse scandals across several sports.

4) An effort to raise awareness of what’s been called the silent enemy plaguing veterans. “Covering the National Mall, thousands of small American flags placed by the group of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America to bring awareness to veteran’s suicide. More than 5500 flags represent each military and veterans’ suicide so far this year, an average of 20 suicides every day, according to new data from the Department of Veterans Affairs. The veterans group hopes this effort will spark action by leaders in Washington. Elizabeth McLaughlin, ABC News, the Pentagon.”

5) Chicago Cubs’ infielder Addison Russell has accepted a 40-game suspension under MLB’s domestic violence policy. You’re listing to ABC News.

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From the Fox Business Network, on Wall Street, the major averages closing slightly higher with the Dow notching its 15th record close of the year. Among the gainers today, banks and big technology companies were high, dividend stocks fell. The Dow closing up 54 points, NASDAQ up 26, S&P 500 up 2. // And shares of Barnes & Noble jumping in the extended session after announcing its foreign strategic alternative has to evaluate selling itself, following interest from multiple parties. // And Eldorado Resorts completing a purchase of Atlantic City’s Tropicana casino. The New Jersey Casino Control Commission still has to approve a full casino license for Eldorado. The deal is part of $1.85 billion acquisition of Tropicana Entertainment that billionaire investor Carl Icahn agreed to back in April. The Tropicana recently improving its performance in Atlantic City to place behind only the Borgata in terms of annual gambling revenue. With the Fox Business Report, I’m Hilarie Barsky.

AFN NEWS 

Thursday, September 27, 2018　

1) From ABC News, I’m Daria Albinger. President Tramp is standing by his Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh who appears before the Senate Judiciary Committee tomorrow with one of three women accusing him of sexual misconduct. Even before the public testimony, the President said he doesn’t believe the sex assault charges against Brett Kavanaugh. “They know it’s a big, fat con job.” Mr. Trump blaming Democrats for smearing Kavanaugh, “and they go into a room and I guarantee you they laugh like hell.” But the President says he is open to withdrawing the nomination if he believes the testimony. “I’m gonna see what happens tomorrow.” Andy Field, ABC News, Washington.

2) Some tech giants appeared on Capitol Hill. Leaders from Google, Apple, Twitter, Amazon, AT&T and Charter Communications testified at the senate hearing calling for increase and registration that would better regulate consumer privacy and make customers feel safer. Google’s Keith Enright has concerns about how his company tracks data. “We acknowledged that we had made mistakes in the past, from which we learned and improved our privacy program.” Facebook which has come under scrutiny in the aftermath of the 2016 election was not at the hearing. Kenneth Moton, ABC News, the Capitol.

3) Chairman Jerome Powell says the Federal Reserve is boosting interest rates 1/4 of a percent to a range of 2 to 2 and 1/4%. “We expect the job market to remain strong, and the median of committee participants’ projections for the unemployment rate later this year is 3.7% and a bit lower than that in 2019.” The increase will make borrowing more expensive.

4) The father of a missing 6-year old autistic boy from North Carolina says it wasn’t unusual for his son to run ahead of him. “He usually runs but he’ll slow down or stop to give me a chance to pick him up.” And Ritch says he panicked when he couldn’t find the son Maddox, who’s been missing since Saturday.

5) And estimated 80,000 Americans died of the flu and its complications last year, the highest death toll in at least four decades. You’re listening to ABC News.

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From the Fox Business Report, on Wall Street, the major averages giving up all the year gains with all the major averages closing in the red after the Federal Reserve made its third interest rate hike this year, raising its benchmark rate by a quarter point, indicating another increase is likely before the year’s end. // Financial and industrial stocks were among the laggards today with the Dow closing down 107 points, the Nasdaq down 17, S&P 500 down 10. // And shares of Bed Bath & Beyond tumbling 15% in the extended session after the home goods retailer reported earnings and revenue missing Wall Street estimate. // And Amazon is opening a new store that sells items from its website rated 4 stars or above, the company is saying in a blog post. The store called Amazon 4-star is said to open this Thursday in New York SoHo neighborhood. Amazon Prime members will pay “the Amazon.com price” when they shop there. An Amazon spokesperson said the store is permanent, not a pop-up location. With the Fox Business Report, I’m Hilarie Barsky.

AFN NEWS 

Thursday, September 20, 2018　

1) From ABC News, I’m Daria Albinger. The shooter is dead and the police officer is wounded after a mass shooting at the Pennsylvania courthouse. Attorney Eric Randolph said he came face to face with the gunman at the Fayette County Magistrate Court in Masontown. “Where am I gonna get shot? Is it gonna be the head or the body? I looked back up and he was gone, so I presumed then that he went back, and then he went back into the waiting area.” Police say all four people wounded, suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

2) Another mass shooting: this one in Middleton, Wisconsin, where Police Chief Charles Foulke says the suspect opened fire inside the software company where they worked, wounding three people before being shot by officers. “The shooter had a pistol, semiautomatic pistol and we’re told that he had a number of magazines, extra magazines and so on.” Foulke says the suspect died at a hospital.

3) A friend of the woman accusing Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh of sex assault takes exception to comment on Sen. Orrin Hatch who suggested Dr. Christine Blasey Ford was confused or mixed up in recollections of what happened. “When you have someone’s hand over your mouth and you think that you might die by accident, you know who you are dealing with.” Samantha Guerry says Ford didn’t ask to become political football.

4) President Trump is in the Carolinas surveying the destruction from Hurricane Florence. The President warning those at the Horry County South Carolina Emergency Operations Center. It may be sunny outside but there are still some tough days ahead. “We just left North Carolina. They got hit really, really hard, and they are working. And all of that water is coming your way,” but the President assuring residents and first responders “Washington is with you. Trump is with you. We are always with you 100%.” The President visiting victims of the storm as well as state and federal officials during his two-state visit. Ryan Burrow, ABC News, Fayetteville, North Carolina. Students in North Carolina affected by Florence will get free school lunches through October 26th, courtesy of the government. You are listening to ABC News.

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From the Fox Business Network, stocks mostly surging today. The Dow up 159 points, the S&P climbing nearly 4, while the NASDAQ fell 6. Financial loss was up that includes Bank of America, City Group, Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan and Morgan Stanley. // Delta Airlines join two rivals in raising fees to check a bag on a flight within the U.S. The Airline now says it will cost $30 for checking the first bag and $40 for checking the second. Changes match increases imposed by United Airlines and JetBlue. Last year US carriers raised more than $7 billion from fees on checked bags and ticket changes. // And big pot worth big bucks. Shares of marijuana grower Tilray soaring sky-high, up more than 60% and raising up Wall Street, hitting the market value of nearly $23 billion. That’s more green than American Airlines or the CBS corporation. Shares of the Canadian-based weed firm up tenfold since its debut on the NASDAQ back in July. With the Fox Business Report, I’m Tom Graham.

AFN NEWS 

Thursday, September 13, 2018　

1) From ABC News, I’m Chuck Sivertsen. More than 10 million people are now under storm watches or warnings in Carolina and Virginia as Hurricane Florence shifts south. “Florence is now a Category 3 storm, but don’t let that fool you. We are on the wrong side of this storm where most of the damage is done.” North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper says life-threatening rain may last for days as he urges people who haven’t evacuated the coast to leave now. “The Red Cross already housing more than 1600 people fleeing storm from South and North Carolina. They’ll open more evacuation centers today. Red Cross officials say as many as 100,000 residents may need places to stay and wait out the storm. The Red Cross supplementing local schools and stadium shelters with FEMA making sure they get supplies they need. Andy Field, ABC News. Forecasters say Florence will hit the Carolinas and then stall extending the length of Hurricane-force winds, storm surge, and rainfall.

2) Former Trump campaign Chairman Paul Manafort is in negotiations with special counsel Robert Mueller’s office over a possible plea agreement. Sources tell ABC News. Manafort’s second trial on failing to register as a foreign agent is slated to begin later this month.

3) President Trump has signed an executive order that will impose sanctions for election interference. “Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats says the administration signs an attempted interference in U.S. elections, not just by Russia but from China and capabilities from potentially Iran and North Korea. Coats told reporters on a conference call, there’s an ongoing effort to catch and stop these attempts. In an effort they will continue on a 24-hour basis until the midterm election. The DNI said the administration wants to have a full assessment after the election to, quote, ensure the American people know exactly what may or may not have happened. Karen Travers, ABC News at the White House.

4) Food and Drug Administration calls e-cigarettes an epidemic among miners. The agency has written fines to retailers found unlawfully selling e-cigarettes to those underage. You’re listening to ABC News.

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From the Fox Business Network, on Wall Street major averages ending mixed with weakness in the tech sector pushing the NASDAQ in the red. The Dow closing up 28 points. The NASDAQ down 18. S&P500 up a point. // And for the third straight year, household income rising with a median average of $61,372, according to the Census Bureau, boosted by a large number of Americans with full-time jobs and calling back some losses in income from the great recession that started at the end of 2007. Yet, householders are still earning essentially the same income that they did back then as inflation adjusted median income remains below the record for a typical household which was $62,000 in 1999. // And mobile devices are driving 60% of all e-commerce traffic, according to data provided by customer relationship management company Salesforce. Additionally, 71% of shoppers use mobile devices in store to read reviews, make purchases. With the Fox Business Report, I’m Hilarie Barsky.

AFN NEWS 

Thursday, September 6, 2018　

1) From ABC News, I’m Daria Albinger. President Trump calls the New York Times Op-Ed piece by a senior administration official gutless, while Press Secretary Sarah Sanders says that person should resign. “The Times to see unusual step of granting an anonymity to the official who says I’m part of a liberal resistance instead of working to preserve our democratic institutions while thwarting Mr. Trump’s more misguided impulses until he is out of office. It’s not clear where exactly in the administration the official serves or what the level of direct access to the President might be. Alex Stone, ABC News, Washington.”

2) President Trump also continues to push back on Bob Woodward‘s book that’s critical of his administration. “We do run a strong White House. There’s no question about it and we are doing things that nobody else has ever been able to do and our country is stronger now than it’s ever been.” The President calls the book pure fiction.

3) Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh answering pointed questions during his confirmation hearing. Constitutionality of investigating sitting president, something he says he hasn’t taken a position on. “No one is above the law in the United States including the President of the United States.” The question’s coming from Republican Sent. Ben Sasse of Nebraska. “If you believe that presidents should have the power to do whatever they wanted, I couldn’t vote for you, either. So I’m headed toward voting for you because I don’t believe any of those things are true.” Protesters have interrupted the hearings for the second day.

4) Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey spending a day fielding questions from House Committee members on allegations that the company suppresses conservative views, something New Jersey Democrat Frank Pallone takes exceptions to. “I think it’s the height of hypocrisy that President Trump and congressional Republicans criticize Twitter for its supposed liberal bias, when President Trump uses the platform every day for his juvenile tweets and spreading lies and misinformation to the whole country and to the world.” The hearing was briefly interrupted by a protester.

5) A magnitude 6.6 earthquake hit northern Japan. Officials don’t know the extent of the damage at this point. You’re listening to ABC News.

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From the Fox Business Network, on Wall Street, major averages closing mixed with tech stocks dropping which weighed on the NASDAQ. The Dow closing up 23 points, the NASDAQ down 96, S&P500 down 8. // And shares of American Express falling after the Wall Street Journal reported the FBI has launched probe into the company’s foreign exchange pricing practices. The investigation is in its early stages and is focused on whether the foreign exchange international payments division misrepresented pricing to clients in order to win their business. // And Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi says that the ride-hailing company is on track to launch an initial public offering next year and it has no plans to sell its self-driving car research arm, Advanced Technologies Group. In fact, Khosrowshahi says that the company is quite optimistic. It’ll be able to reduce testing of self-driving cars later this year, this after a fatal crash involving an autonomous Uber car in Tempe, Arizona. With the Fox Business Report, I am Hilarie Barsky.

AFN NEWS ON THE HOUR

Thursday, August 30, 2018　

1) From ABC News, I’m Chuck Sivertsen. Hundreds of people have lined up to file past Sen. John McCain’s casket at the Arizona State Capitol. “Linda Gordon was the first one in line so she could pay a respect to John McCain, arriving seven hours early. “We are respecting him and showing him. We love him and thank you so much that we’re grateful.” Many in line hear veterans who say they want to thank McCain for his service. McCain’s casket is protected by the Arizona National Guard. Alex Stone, ABC News, Phoenix.” At the end of an earlier ceremony, Sen. McCain’s wife Cindy could be seen laying her cheek on his flag-draped casket.

2) President Trump praising outgoing White House counsel Don McGahn, who will leave this fall. “Don McGahn‘s a really good guy, been with me for a long time. Privately before this, he represented me. Been here now, it’ll be almost two years and a lot of affections for Don.” McGahn represents the office of the President.

3) In a series of tweets, President Trump says joint U.S.-South Korea military exercises have been called off, citing costs. He also downplayed the report that talks with North Korea broken down. At the White House, the President blaming his trade fight with China for derailing talks to denuclearize North Korea. “I have a fantastic relationship with Chairman Kim as you probably know, and we’re just going to have to see how it all ends up.” China appears to ease their economic sanctions on North Korea, giving the U.S. less leverage to make a deal with North Korea. Andy Field, ABC News, Washington.

4) Chief Clinical Officer Dr. Kirk Tucker says 29 people at the Ross Correctional Institution in Chillicothe, Ohio were being treated for likely exposure to fentanyl including 23 correctional officers. “This is a very unique event. This is once in a lifetime event, something in my position ___ ___ have to experience.”

5) Temporarily, prisons in Pennsylvania are on lockdown for following the treatment of 29 employees at ten prisons for exposure to drugs in recent weeks.

6) A major up day on Wall Street today. You’re listening to ABC News.

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From the Fox Business Network, on Wall Street, stocks continuing their upward march to end in the green with the major averages boosted by the new trade talks with the U.S. and Canada. // And a rally in tech stocks with Amazon and Apple hitting new record high, the Dow closing up 61 points, the NASDAQ notching a new record high up 80, the S&P 500 also hitting a new record high up 17. // And after the closing bell, Salesforce reporting quarterly earnings with the customer-relationship management software company’s quarterly result beating Wall Street estimates but its earnings outlook for the third quarter did not. // And Chick-fil-A is heading into fall, and adding some new menu items in catering option. New to the menu, 30-count nuggets, waffle potato chips, and an improved fruit cup. Additions to its catering menu include a grilled chicken bundle which allows you to assemble your own grilled chicken sandwiches and a spicy chilled grilled chicken sub. With the Fox Business Report, I’m Hilarie Barsky.