AFN NEWS ON THE HOUR

Thursday, July 19, 2018

1) From ABC News, I’m Richard Cantu. Just one day after offering a clarification on Russian meddling in the 2016 election, President Trump once again contradicts the U.S. Intelligence Community. ABC’s Cecilia Vega questioned the President before today’s cabinet meeting. “He was answering my question. He looked right at me. I asked point-blank “Do you believe that Russia is still interfering and targeting the United States? And he said, “No,” and that, and then “Thank you, no,” and then ___ try to usher us out of the room, and I went back and I asked again, and he again said, “No, thank you very much.” But White House Spokeswoman Sarah Sanders says the President was saying no to taking more questions. Tennessee Republican Senator Bob Corker calls it an unclear message from the White House at the time of clear evidence of Russian meddling. “I think it a signal that this central intelligence goes to absolutely believe their attempting meddling in our elections is very demoralizing.” The President tells CBS that he holds Russian President Putin personally responsible for meddling in U.S. elections.

2) Prosecutors say 29-year-old Maria Butina accused of being a covert Russian agent was likely in contact with Kremlin operatives while living in the U.S. She pleaded not guilty but is being held without bond.

3) A judge in Georgia has ruled that a young immigrant hoping to serve as a state lawmaker can’t. Maria Palacios became a U.S. citizen last year, and in March just started to run for a state representative. “To me, Gainesville, Georgia is my home.” Believing, though, she is now a U.S. citizen, Secretary of State Brian Kemp who’s running for governor and just tough on immigrant platform says she can’t run. Now in the proceeding that took less than 5 minutes, Fulton County’s Superior Court judge Craig Schwall ruled Palacios can’t run for office until she lived in Georgia as a U.S. citizen for at least two years. ABC’s Pete Combs.

4) Prison guard killed in Minnesota: The State Corrections Department reports 16-year veteran officer Joseph Gomm was attacked by a convicted murderer in the building at the prison east to the Twin Cities.

5) Wall Street; the Dow closed up 79 points. The NASDAQ was down fractionally. You’re listening to ABC News.

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From the Fox Business Network, more than 8 in 10 workers surveyed by recruiting firms Accounting Principals and Ajilon say they are either looking for a new job or open to a better job opportunity. Regardless of how content employers are, it appears they want out of the workforce when they are fairly young. // That’s because, as a separate report from Bankrate finds, the average American thinks the ideal age to retire is 61. // Google getting slapped with a record $5 billion antitrust fine by the European Union. The EU accusing the company of forcing cellphone makers to use Android operating system to load Google search and browser apps. The company says it will appeal the fine. // Finally, “America’s Team” is also the richest team on the planet. For the third year in a row, Forbes is naming the Dallas Cowboys the most valuable sports franchise in the world. How much is America’s Team worth? Try 4.8 billion bucks. From the Fox Business Network, I’m Charles Payne.