AFN NEWS

Thursday, May 9, 2019　

1) From ABC News, I’m Daria Albinger. The Justice Department calls the House Committee vote to hold Attorney General William Barr in contempt of Congress politically motivated and unnecessary. “Mr. Chairman, there’re 24 ayes and 16 nos.” Party is here. The committee has voted one party line to hold Attorney General William Barr in contempt for not turning over the full unredacted Mueller reports. The vote comes after President Trump on Wednesday asserted executive privilege over the report. After a lengthy hearing, both sides accuse the other of nasty manners. Chairman of the Committee Jerry Nadler, “The Trump Administration is taking obstruction of Congress to new heights.” Republican Jim Jordan, “I think it’s all about trying to destroy Bill Barr because Democrats are nervous. He’s going to get to the bottom of everything.” Anyway, this battle left to the court to decide. Serena Marshall, ABC News, Capitol Hill.

2) Sources confirmed to ABC News that the Senate Intelligence Committee has subpoenaed President Trump’s oldest son Donald Trump Jr. He previously met with three congressional committees on the Russia investigation but it’s unclear why the committee wants him to return.

3) The Colorado charter school shooting suspects have appeared in court for the first time. “With long shaggy purple hair, 18-year-old Devon Erickson held his head low. When he looked up, his hair covered his eyes. His finger nails painted in dark color. He wore a red jail uniform. He was given no bail. Prosecutors asking the court documents be sealed in this case. Charge is likely to be filed on Friday when Erickson is due back in court. Alex Stone, ABC News, Highlands Ranch, Colorado. The other juvenile suspect also appeared in court. Brendan Bialy is one of the students who helped subdue one of the shooters along with 18-year-old Kendrick Castillo who was killed. “Ricky charged the shooter and immediately was on top of him with complete disregard for his own safety.” Bialy is a member of the Marine’s Delayed Entry program.

4) Stocks ended the day slightly lower on Wall Street, the S&P fell 5 points, the NASDAQ lost 20, but the Dow gained 2 points. You’re listening to ABC News.

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From the Fox Business Network; on Wall Street stocks ending mixed after swinging between gains and losses throughout the day as investors contended with mixed signals around a potential US-China trade deal with the Dow closing up 2 points, the Nasdaq down 20, S&P 500 down 4. // And after the closing bell, Disney releasing quarterly results and popping in the extended session after reporting earnings in revenue that beat analysts’ estimate for its second quarter as more people flocked to its theme parks and bought its products and services. // And McDonald’s will be adding a handful of items to its menu in the U.S. this summer from its operators from across the globe. The limited time offers include fries with cheese and bacon from Australia and bacon burger topped with Gouda from Spain. The burger giant says it has been adding and subtracting items from its menus as it tries to generate new interest from customers and more than through the Golden Arches. With the Fox Business Report, I’m Hilarie Barsky.

AFN NEWS

Thursday, May 2, 2019　

1) From ABC News, I’m Daria Albinger. Testifying about the Russia investigation before Senate panel, Attorney General William Barr says Congress must stop using the criminal justice process as a political weapon. “The report is now in the hands of the American people. Everyone can decide for themselves. There’s an election in 18 months. That’s very democratic process, but we are out of it.” Barr also says Special Counsel Robert Mueller never intended for his report to be a roadmap for Congress. “I don’t think Bob Mueller was suggesting that the next step here was for him to turn this stuff over to Congress to act upon. That’s not why we conduct grand jury investigations.” Barr was scheduled to testify before the House Judiciary Committee on Thursday, but sources tell ABC News that’s not going to happen.

2) Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Kerr Putney calls Riley Howell, one of two students killed yesterday in a UNC Charlotte classroom, a hero for taking on the gunman. “You’re either gonna run, you’re gonna hide and shield, or you’re gonna take the fight to the assailant. Having no place to run and hide, he did the last.” Former student Trystan Andrew Terrell is facing two counts of murder. The motive isn’t clear.

3) Hundreds of Google employees taking part in a sit-in to protest alleged retaliation for last fall’s protest. The November protest was organized after a report that Google paid a former executive $90 million in a severance following the sex assault claim.

4) Interest rates will remain unchanged. “Folk shopping for new homes celebrating the Fed’s decision to keep interest rates between 2.25 and 2.5%. At a Federal Reserve meeting, all board members voting to keep rates the same in part because the economy continues to grow and inflation actually shrank. The Fed Chair saying he sees the U.S. economy on a good path.” ABC’s Andy Field in Washington.

5) Stocks gave up early gains and lowered on Wall Street. The Dow fell more than 100 points today. You’re listening to ABC News.

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From the Fox Business Network, stocks ending in the red after the Fed left interest rates unchanged. However, Fed Chair Jerome Powell said at a news conference that low inflation may only be transitory, and that comment may have dashed hopes that the Fed would be lowering rates in the future with the Dow falling 164 points, the NASDAQ down 46, S&P 500 down 22. // And chipmaker Qualcomm tanking after hours, after forecasting current quarter revenue largely below Wall Street target, excluding a settlement payment from Apple. The gloomy forecast comes a day after Apple said its sales in China, the world’s largest smartphone’s market, was stabilizing helped by price cut and lower taxes. // And shares of Square dropping after the digital payment company beat estimates on its first-quarter financials but mixed on payment volume and its second-quarter outlook. // And wearable device maker Fitbit reporting better-than expected first-quarter results, benefiting from higher sales of its smartwatches and wearable devices that track daily activities. With the Fox Business Report, I’m Hilarie Barsky.

AFN NEWS

Thursday, April 25, 2019　

1) From ABC News, I’m Daria Albinger. Facebook bracing for a massive fine from federal regulators after a series of data privacy scandal. “In Facebook first-quarter earnings, it’s taking a $3 billion charge as a contingency against the possible fine by the Federal Trade Commission. The FTC has been looking into whether Facebook has violated a 2011 agreement to protect user privacy. That charge has not come down yet, but it appears Facebook is expecting it as the company has already worked into its earnings. Facebook reporting revenue growth in the first quarter to $15 billion with over 2 billion monthly users. Alex Stone, ABC News.”

2) President Trump fighting back against Democrats’ potential subpoena. “These aren’t like impartial people. The Democrats are trying to win 2020. They’re not gonna to win with the people that I see, and they’re not gonna win against me. The only way they can maybe luck out, and I don’t think that’s going to happen. It might make it even the opposite. That’s what a lot of people are saying. The only way they can luck out is by constantly going after me or nonsense.”

3) In Illinois, police announcing charges against parents of a boy who went missing nearly a week ago. Crystal Lake Police Chief Jim Black says when they brought new cellphone evidence to the parents of AJ Freund, the parents gave them information that led investigators to the boy’s body. It It was found wrapped in plastic in a shallow grave nearby Woodstock. The parents now face multiple counts including murder. The news ends a nearly weeklong search for the boy. “To AJ, we know you’re at peace playing in heaven’s playground and are happy. You no longer have to suffer.” Police did not reveal the cause of death. Ryan Burrow, ABC News, Crystal Lake, Illinois.

4) The head of the Boy Scouts says they want to create a national registry that can stop accused sexual abusers from joining other organizations. The comments come after revelations there were more than 12,000 victims of sexual abuse within the Scouts. You’re listening to ABC News.

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From the Fox Business Network, stocks closing in the red as corporate earnings are in focus. Among the gainers today real estate companies and utilities, while energy and banks lagged with the Dow falling 59 points, the NASDAQ down 19, S&P 500 down 6. // And after the closing bell, Facebook shares jumping even as the company says it expects to pay $3 billion fine to the Federal Trade Commission. The onetime charge slashes Facebook’s first-quarter net income considerably, although revenue grew by 25% in the first quarter. The social media giant managed not only to stay afloat but also continue to thrive with record profit, revenue and user numbers. // And Chipotle reporting quarterly earnings and revenue beating analysts’ expectations. The Mexican fast food chain has been focusing on endorsing sales with digital enhancement with the new loyalty program and investment in delivery and online order pickup. // And Microsoft beating Wall Street estimates for quarterly revenue fueled by its Azure cloud computing unit. With the Fox Business Report, I’m Hilarie Barsky.

AFN NEWS

Thursday, April 18, 2019　

1) From ABC News, I’m Chuck Sivertsen. Federal officials say Sol Pais, the Florida 18-year old infatuated with Columbine massacre has been found dead. She was obsessed with the Columbine shooting, had made threats online and talked her friends. She bought three one-way tickets to Colorado and she bought a shotgun immediately after landing in Denver. The FBI Dean Phillips says that’s why the manhunt was so urgent. “It was really a combination of her actions and comments. She made several comments to folks that we obtained through interviews.” Hundreds of schools here in Colorado were shut down. Most will reopen on Thursday. Alex Stone, ABC News, Denver.

2) North Korea has test-fired a new tactical guided weapon which, South Korea’s news agency says, was supervised by North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un. 

3) Attorney General William Barr will hold a news conference at 9:30 tomorrow morning Eastern Time on the release of the Russia report.

4) The Trump Administration has imposed new sanctions on Cuba and Venezuela. National Security Advisor John Bolton addressing the U.S. Bay of Pigs invasion veterans in Miami, announcing new sanctions against Cuba and Venezuela, including stopping Venezuelan oil shipping to Houston this week. “So we have a ship’s captain out there wondering where he’s gonna go next,” More than a half dozen new sanctions on Cuba and Venezuela aimed at overturning what President Trump calls brutal and repressive governments. Andy Field, ABC News.

5) Acing Homeland Security Secretary Kevin McAleenan is in McAllen, Texas to draw attentions to the number of families crossing the southern border. “Yesterday in one 24-hour period, we had over 4,800 people cross our border, a new record for the modern era.” McAleenan says congressional action is needed.

6) A British member of the elite international diving team that helped rescue the Thai soccer team from a cave last summer is now missing in a Tennessee cave.

7) Wall Street major indexes closed slightly lower. You’re listening to ABC News.

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From the Fox Business Network, stocks ending slightly lower as the healthcare sector continues to sell off, with the Dow falling 3 points, the NASDAQ down 4, S&P 500 down 7. // And Neiman Marcus is getting serious about the fast-growing secondhand luxury business. The luxury retailer acquiring a minority stake in Fashionphile, an online seller of preowned designer handbags and accessories. At select Neiman Marcus stores, customers will be able to not only receive an immediate quote for their items from Fashionphile but also payments they can spend immediately on new items at the store. // And you wanna find some happy employee? Check out Trader Joe’s. The California-based grocer has officially been dubbed the best large-sized employer of the year. Forbes releasing its annual list of best employers with Trader Joe’s and Southwest Airlines claiming the top two spots of large companies this year. With the Fox Business Report, I’m Hilarie Barsky.

AFN NEWS

Thursday, April 11, 2019　

1) From ABC News, I’m Daria Albinger. President Trump speaking in Crosby, Texas, signing two executive orders making it easier for energy companies to build oil and gas pipelines over state objections. “The United States is now the number-one producer of oil and natural gas anywhere in the world, anywhere on the planet, not even close.”

2) Earlier in San Antonio, the President talked border security, saying cartels take money from migrants falsely promising them safety. “They’ll be dropped off and they start walking and they’ll say Houston is right down the road but it’s actually 300 miles away, and we find dead people from Guatemala, Honduras, from El Salvador, from Mexico.” The President says he will be sending more troops to the border.

3) Attorney General William Barr tells the Senate Committee he believes there was spying on the 2016 Trump presidential campaign. “Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee Adam Schiff responding that statement was exactly what the President wanted to hear. “I’m sure that was music to Donald Trump’s ears but I’m sure it was also a body blow to the hardworking men and women at the FBI.” Mark Warner, the Vice Chair of the Senator Intelligence Committee, responded to Barr on Twitter, saying Mr. Barr knows how counter-intel investigations work and that giving a wink and a nod to this long-debunked spying conspiracy theory is irresponsible. Serena Marshall, ABC News at the Capitol.

4) Durham, North Carolina Fire Chief Bob Zoldos says firefighters were responding to reports of the gas leak when there was a sudden explosion. “While in the middle of their evacuation of all the unit behind us, there was an explosion that involved approximately five buildings on this block including catastrophic damage to one.” One person died and firefighters among several injured.

5) A historic win for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on a special election result shows he’s likely to win his 5th term. You’re listening to ABC News.

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From the Fox Business Network; shoppers digging deeper into their pockets to pay for food and fuel. Consumer prices rising nearly half percent last month, which is the biggest jump we’ve seen in 14 months. The cost of gas hurting the most of energy prices accounting for 16% of the rise. Americans are also paying more for food and housing. Now speaking of those rising gas prices, they are all up nearly 30 cents in the past month, and the national average cost for regular’s now 2.76 a gallon. // And look it up if you drive a Ford. The automaker’s recalling 327,000 F-Series pickup trucks for the second time in the past few months. Apparently there are still problems with heater cables in the engine that could catch fire. // And talk about paying the price to try to look your best. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeon, Americans had 17.7 million cosmetic procedures in 2018, total price tag $16.5 million. That’s 4% more than 2017. With the Fox Business Report, I’m Connell McShane.