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.