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.

AFN NEWS ON THE HOUR

Thursday, August 23, 2018　

1) From ABC News, I’m Daria Albinger. The bull market: it is now the longest in history. That means for more than 3400 days the benchmark, S&P 500 Index of major stocks, has gone without a drop of 20% or more. “Consumers are spending in more buying the product that corporate America makes. When corporate America is making more money because of that and also paying fewer taxes, facing fewer regulations, they make more money. Stock investors turn around and buy those companies.” ABC’s Rebecca Jarvis. The S&P closed down a point today. The Dow Jones 88.

2) __ __ __. Co-owner of Yarrabee Farms, Dane Lang, says the man accused of murdering Mollie Tibbetts, 24-year-old Cristhian Rivera, gave them a different identity when he applied for a job four years ago. “In this case, the individual did provide a state-issued photo-ID and the social security card.” Dane Lang didn’t say what identity Rivera who’s in the country illegally gave.

3) FEMA Administrator Brock Long says they’re ready for what Hurricane Lane now a Category-5 storm is to bring to Hawaii. “Bottom line is a lot of uncertainty in the track forecasts that we’re currently monitoring. However, what is certain is that Hawaii is going to be impacted and see torrential rains over the next several days.” So far, Lane is forecast to pass west of the Big Island tomorrow and come close to Honolulu on Friday.

4) White House Spokeswoman Sarah Sanders says President Trump did nothing wrong one day after former Attorney Michael Cohen said in court that then candidate Trump directed them to make   hush money payments to two women. Sanders says there are no charges against the President.

5) The President awarded the Medal of Honor to Air Force Technical Sergeant John Chapman who died on an Afghan mountain top of fighting two bunkers of Al-Qaeda militants in 2002. “At over 10,000 feet, they fought the enemy at the highest altitude of any battle in the history of the American military.” Chapman was providing a cover for his teammate trying to carry out the rescue mission. You’re listening to ABC News.

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From the Fox Business Network, Stocks entering the longest bull run ever on Wednesday. The current rally started 3,453 days ago on March 9th of 2009. The major indexes have been soaring. That’s welcome to folks investing in their golden years. In fact, nearly 3 in 10 working Americans just telling Bankrate.com that they’re stashing away more money for retirement this year than last year. // But fewer folks are investing in homes. The National Association of Realtors is reporting existing home sales slipping in July for the 4th straight month. The combination of rising prices and the shortage of homes on the market keeping many potential buyers on the third __. // And finally parents can relate to this. More than half of all teens in America say they spend too much time on their cellphones. The study from Pew Research also says that the same number of teens are trying to cut back on their usage. With the Fox Business Report, I’m Connell McShane.

AFN NEWS ON THE HOUR

Thursday, August 16, 2018　

1) From ABC News, I’m Richard Cantu. Citing alleged erratic behavior in unfounded and outrageous allegations, White House Spokeswoman Sarah Sanders announced that President Trump is revoking the security clearance of Obama-era CIA Director John Brennan. “He was pressed in a briefing about how there have been violations of his classified information of after all, as Sarah citing her statement that has to do with the President’s constitutional responsibility to protect the confidential information, but they have no evidence. The only thing they do have is that Brennan has made the statements that have been upsetting to this President.” ABC’s Jordyn Phelps.

2) After closing arguments concluded the jury in Paul Manafort‘s bank and tax-fraud trial is getting instructions from the judge. Prosecutors presented Manafort as a liar and a schemer while his defense blames former business partner Rick Gates for embezzling money. “They didn’t deliver a case at all. They didn’t present the case at all. They’re really relying on that cross examination of Gates last week, and then they’re closing arguments again to bring it all back to Manafort’s former business partner Rick Gates as the man behind all of these crimes.” ABC’s Katherine Faulders.

3) In an effort to crack down on Mexican drug cartels, the Chicago Police and multiple federal law enforcement agencies are joining forces with Mexican authorities to launch a new taskforce. Authorities say they’ll target cartel revenue and high-level leaders.

4) “Authorities in New Haven, Connecticut say at least 40 people have overdosed on what they say may have been synthetic marijuana. “New Haven Fire Chief John Alston says a number of the overdoses occurred in New Haven Green, a park in the city’s downtown, and so far there have been no death. Doctors say the K2 may have been raised with opioid but its toxicology report will need to confirm now.” ABC’s Mark Remillard.

5) An Ohio man missing for a week on Mt. St. Helens in Washington State has been found alive. Rescuers say they found Matthew Matheny on a flank of the volcano. He’s been airlifted to a hospital.

6) Down day on Wall Street with the Dow losing 137 points and the NASDAQ closing off 97.

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From the Fox Business Network, lots of workers feeling like they are stuck in a rut. A new survey from LinkedIn shows more than a third of professionals feel they don’t have a good sense of where their careers going, and that surprisingly. Many say that lack of direction is keeping them from changing jobs. // The job site Glassdoor reviewing that its latest, highest-paying jobs in America with a temping list. The physician tops that list. The median based salary for doctor is near $200,000 a year. // Stocks sinking ahead on Wednesday after Turkey raised tariffs on U.S. imports. The Dow, NASDAQ, S&P500 all closing down but well off the __ of the day as investors dealt with new worries about a potential trade war. // Shoppers are showing any signs of worries this summer, however, retail sales jumping more than expected in July. The government says the consumers were spending out things like clothes, appliances, cars, a lot at the restaurants. With the Fox Business Report, I’m Neil Cavuto.

AFN NEWS ON THE HOUR

Thursday, August 9, 2018

1) From ABC News, I’m Richard Cantu. A man from living on the New Mexico compound with 11 starving children appeared in court to face child abuse charges. “And you are Siraj Wahhaj?” In court Siraj Wahhaj said very little. His appearance was brief. Prosecutors arguing court documents said he should not be released on bail because they claim he was at the New Mexico compound training children to commit school shootings. Prosecutors don’t explain more but they say he will be a threat to the community if released. Alex Stone, ABC News.

2) Police in southern California have arrested 51-year-old Forrest Gordon Clark on arson charges, alleging he set a blaze two days ago that’s burned 4,000 acres and 12 cabins in the Cleveland National Forest. Orange County Supervisor Todd Spitzer; “This is a monster. Who would go out with low humidity and high wind and the highest temperatures this time of the year and intentionally set the forest on fire?” Clark being held on $1 million bail, facing life in prison if convicted.

3) Speaking outside the federal courthouse in Houston, Daniel Candelaria with United We Dream called the Trump Administration racist. Inside a judge took argument in a lawsuit seeking to end the program that protects young immigrants from deportation. “We have been living here for years. Our families have been living here for years. Our communities have made a home here. This is our home. We are here to stay.”

4) In the first New York Council passed ordinances tackling the growth of ridesharing services. The marquee measure places a one-year stop on issuing new licenses for drivers, as the city says it wants to examine the industry and consider more regulations. This is as the number of for-hire drivers in New York has skyrocketed, while the number of cab drivers has plummeted. The Council says the cap is an effort to ease traffic congestion while Uber and Lyft say it does nothing to make commute easier and instead might mean higher prices and longer wait time in the areas poorly served by yellow cabs. Mark Remillard. 

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From the Fox Business Network, the new report from Project Time Off shows the average American used more than 17 vacation days last year. That’s the most since 2010. // CVS (Consumer Value Store) bringing back house calls with a modern twist, the drugstore chain and a nursing plan, to take its telemedicine program nationwide. It allows customers to use smartphones to see a medical professional and get diagnosis for common illnesses like a cold and the flu. The virtual visit will cost $59. // Fewer Americans are renting a piece of the American dream. Real Estate Company Zillow says 35.7% of all occupied homes were rented in the month of June. That’s down more than a half percent from 2016. // Here’s something for mom and dad to think about as kids head back to college. More than a third of millennials surveyed by the company OppLoans say they lied about how they spent their parents’ money while in school. Fifteen percent say they primarily spent the cash on partying.  With the Fox Business Report, I’m Maria Bartiromo.