AFN News June 11

AFN NEWS

Thursday, June 11, 2020　

1) From ABC News, I’m Daria Albinger. A challenge to Congress from George Floyd’s brother: he asked the House Judiciary Committee to end what he and so many other African Americans have been feeling for years. “I’m tired of pain, pain you feel when you watch something like this. When you watch your big brother, who you’ve looked up to your whole life, die, die, begging for his mom.” Philonise Floyd, one of the first to testify at a House hearing on proposed changes to police practices and accountability. Civil rights lawyer Benjamin Crump who also represents the Floyd family telling the committee he believes police officers have unchecked authority. “If there is no accountability, Congresswoman Bass, it will keep happening and we pray that George Floyd is the last one, but if this great body doesn’t act, it’s gonna happen again and I predict it’s gonna happen in the next 30 days.” House Democrats have proposed sweeping police reform bills. The Republicans say they are working on their own measure. George Floyd died 16 days ago but the protest across the nation stemming from his death continue from New York City, Boston, to outside the White House.

2) As more places lift COVID-19 restrictions, House officials warn the White House the pandemic is still very much reality. “The U.S. is closing in on 2 million confirmed diagnosed cases of COVID-19. At least 111,000 Americans have died, but the outbreak in Government’s response is no longer front and center at the White House. Vice President Pence on Tuesday led a meeting of the coronavirus task force, but it’s been more than a month since the task force held a press briefing. They were daily occurrences during the early period of the outbreak. Dr. Anthony Fauci Wednesday on ABC’s “Good Morning, America” said even as the nation reopens, Americans should still wear masks, wash their hands often and practice social distancing. Karen Travers, ABC News, Washington.

3) The Federal Reserve today said it is going to leave interest rates unchanged for now. You’re listening to ABC News.

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I’m Liz Claman and this is the Fox Business Report.

Stocks finishing mixed even after the Federal Reserve pledged to hold interest rates at near zero for some time, and using the necessary tools to support the economy. The NASDAQ notching its third straight record close, and finishing above the 10,000 mark for the first time ever, with the Dow falling 282 points, the NASDAQ up 67, S&P 500 down 17. // And Tesla stocks hitting a new record high, jumping above $1,000 a share after CEO Elon Musk told staffers that it was time to bring the Tesla Semi commercial truck to volume production. The stock also receiving a boost from a bullish call by Wedbush and said that Tesla could have more room to run. // And Boeing is aiming to conduct a key certification test flight on its grounded 737 MAX jet in late June, according to Reuters. The plane has been grounded since March of 2019 after two fatal crashes. That’s your Fox Business Report. I’m Hilarie Barsky, invested in you.

AFN News June 4

AFN NEWS

Thursday, June 4, 2020

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1) From ABC News, I’m Daria Albinger. It’s been nine days since George Floyd died while in the custody of Minneapolis police officers. Today all four of the-now-former officers face criminal charges and an officer who had already been charged facing an even more serious offence. “Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin facing a new charge of second-degree murder for the death of George Floyd. ‘For second-degree felony murder, you have to intend the felony and then death be the result without necessarily having it be the intent.’ Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison is also announcing the three other officers are charged with aiding and abetting murder in the second-degree. ‘I strongly believe that these developments are in the interest of justice for Mr. Floyd, his family, our community and our state.’ I would admit winning a conviction is going to be hard. Ryan Burrow, ABC News, Minneapolis.”

2) The reaction to the charge is coming from near and far. These protesters are in Manhattan. “Black lives matter, too, and it’s been too long, but we’ve been murdered in the street. We’re dead tired. We can’t keep doing this.” The cities across the nation are preparing for another night of protest. New York City Mayor De Blasio says an earlier curfew, which will take effect again tonight at 8:00 p.m., resulted in less looting last night.

3) President Trump doesn’t have a plan as of yet to reform policing in the U.S. Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany, “There’s been discussion of various proposals that we can look at, but no announcements on that front just yet.” The former President, Obama, says reforms that were proposed after the death of Michael Brown can build trust and save lives. The former president urging mayors across the country to review the use of force policies in their community.

4) Stocks rallied on the sign that it may not take as long for the economy to climb out of the COVID-19 impacted recession. The Dow soared more than 500 points. You’re listening to ABC News.

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I’m Liz Claman and this is the Fox Business Report.

Stocks finishing sharply higher as investors are hopeful that economic activity will improve as coronavirus lockdowns ease. Also boosting market today, payroll processor ADP reported that the private sector lost nearly 2.8 million workers versus 9 million job losses that analysts were expecting. Among the gainers, energy, financials and industrials, and Boeing is the biggest winner in the Dow surging 13%. The Dow soaring past 26,000 marking, closing up 527 points. The NASDAQ up 75, S&P 500 up 42. // And beauty brand Coty stocks spiking, closing up around 13% due to the Kardashian factor. Coty announcing in a filing that it was in talks with reality TV star Kim Kardashian on a possible collaboration. Coty already has a $600 million deal with Kardashian’s half-sister Kylie Jenner. That’s your Fox Business Report. I’m Hilarie Barsky, invested in you.

AFN News May 21

AFN NEWS

Thursday, May 21, 2020　

1) From ABC News, I’m Daria Albinger. As of today, all 50 states are taking some steps to lift COVID-19 restrictions. Connecticut is the last to allow some businesses to reopen today. Vice President Pence traveled to Florida to meet with tourism officials. “I really think Florida has set the pace. I mean, you have a large senior population here. And the way you’ve deployed testing, the way you implemented and echoed federal guidance is commendable.” The Vice President was not wearing a mask when he and local officials stopped for lunch at a burger joint.

2) In Orlando, Disney Retail and Dining Center at Disney Springs reopened today. Tomorrow Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resorts and SeaWorld will reveal their plans to reopening days to local officials. Disney is the parent company of ABC News.

3) New Jersey is expanding testing capacity. Governor Phil Murphy says residents can now get tested for Covid-19 outside sit in Walmarts. “New Jersey residents will be able to take a self-administered, self-swab Covid-19 test at seven Walmart locations.”

4) Tomorrow, religious services of ten people or less can resume across New York State. On Friday, Alaska will allow all businesses to reopen without restrictions.

5) A victory in court for the Trump administration. “Supreme Court Wednesday blocked the release of grand jury materials from the Russia investigation denying House Democrats for the second time this month, the ability to view information that, they believe, might show President Trump obstructed justice. The House Judiciary Committee, which requested the withheld material, Trump may have misled Mueller and written answers to the special counsel. The court will now decide early this summer whether to extend the hold. Adam Kelsey, ABC News, Washington.”

6) Thousands have evacuated in Midland, Michigan. Flood waters from two breached dams continue to rise. “Don’t let up. Don’t take it easy at this point in time. Don’t think we are done and we’ve passed the peak, because simply we are not in that point,” That’s City Manager Brad Kaye. That city could get up to 9 feet of water. You’re listening to ABC News.

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I’m Liz Claman and this is the Fox Business Report.

Stocks finishing higher on investors’ hope for global economic recovery. Minutes from the Federal Reserve’s most recent policy meeting shows that the central bank pledged to act as appropriate to support the economy until its snapback. The Dow rising 369 points, the NASDAQ up 191, S&P 500 up 49. // And shares of Facebook surging 6% to reach a new record high today on investors’ enthusiasm for the company’s new ecommerce platform called Facebook Shops and a similar program to launch later this year called Instagram Shops. // And Walmart shoppers can now order groceries along with electronics in the same purchase on the Walmart app for curbside pickup or delivery. The retailer has combined its Walmart grocery app with its main app to allow consumers to shop for items in multiple departments. The retail giant has also added more slots for grocery pickup and the ability to arrange for prescription refills and more. That’s your Fox Business Report. I’m Hilarie Barsky, invested in you.

AFN News 14

AFN NEWS

Thursday, May 14, 2020　

1) From ABC News, I’m Chuck Sivertsen. States are moving ahead with varying degrees of reopening. COVID-19 hospitalizations are declining in Louisiana. Governor John Bel Edwards says Phase One of reopening gets underway Friday. Bars conserve customers if they have a permit from the Health Department but they won’t be functioning as bars. “There are just some settings that are inherently more risky than others about transmission of the bars. Again bars are one of those and I get it unfortunate.” Also taking the next steps, it’s been almost two months that New Jersey has been effectively locked down. Now Governor Phil Murphy is ready to allow construction and reopen retail. “We can get small businesses back up and running in a manner that continues to protect both workers and shoppers.” That means curbside pickup only. “To be clear, no customers will be allowed back into nonessential retail stores at this time.” The change takes effect Monday morning. Aaron Katersky, ABC News, New York.

2) In hard-hit Massachusetts, next Monday is the expiration day for Governor Charlie Baker’s stay-at-home orders, no words of extension. “This isn’t gonna be a situation or a circumstance where on May 18 every business in Massachusetts that is currently closed is gonna be permitted to open. It’s not gonna work like that and it shouldn’t work like that.”

3) Working on a new stimulus bill totaling $2 trillion including direct payments to states and local governments, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Reaction to that from Senator Kevin Cramer, North Dakota, Republican. “The trillion dollars that the Speaker is presenting, uh, it’s unserious in my view because it represents basically how much all of the states collectively collect in the revenue year.”

4) A closely watched Southern California congressional race appears to be over. Democrat Christy Smith conceding to the 25th District contest to Trump-backed Republican Mike Garcia. Democrat Katie Hill resigned from the seat after admitting to an affair. You’re listening to ABC News.

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I’m Liz Claman and this is the Fox Business Report.

Stocks tumbling and closing in the red after Fed Chair Jerome Powell warns of a prolonged recession from the coronavirus pandemic. The Dow falling 517 points, the NASDAQ down 139 and its now in negative territory for the year, S&P 500 down 50. // And after the closing bell, Cisco Systems shares rising after the maker of network services, video conferencing tools and security software, reported better-than-expected earnings although revenue dropped 8% from last year’s quarter. // And GE certainly not bringing good things to life on Wall Street. Shares of the industrial conglomerate tumbling over 3.5% amid growing concerns over the troubled aerospace industry. GE started kicking the lowest level in more than 11 years in today trading. // And Rite Aid announcing a new partnership with Instacart which will allow customers to order and receive essential healthcare and grocery items delivered directly to their homes. That’s your Fox Business Report. I’m Hilarie Barsky, invested in you.

AFN News May 7

AFN NEWS

Thursday, May 7, 2020　

1) From ABC News, I’m Daria Albinger. Governors have been telling President Trump they need the federal government to help more with testing for COVID-19, especially if states begin to lift restrictions. White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany says more isn’t necessary, better when it comes to testing. She says it must be strategic. “If we tested every single American in this country at this moment, we have to retest them an hour later and then an hour later after that, because at any moment you could theoretically contract this virus, so the notion is that everyone needs to be tested is just simply nonsensical. The people who need to be tested are vulnerable population.”

2) And the White House coronavirus taskforce won’t be phased down at the end of the month after all. President Trump says the group’s focus will shift to rebooting the economy and developing a vaccine. “I know we could wind it down sooner, but I had no idea how popular the taskforce is.” He says members will change as the crisis evolves.

3) Pharmaceutical giants are working to get potentially lifesaving COVID-19 treatments to the nation’s hardest-hit areas like Maryland. “Gilead has donated 1,600 doses of Remdesivir to the state of Maryland. This is the only drug proven in a clinical study to help with COVID-19.” Governor Larry Hogan also allowing elective medical procedures to resume tomorrow. Officials in Virginia are monitoring COVID-19 outbreaks in two poultry plants. “The National Guard regularly provides assistance in emergencies and this is the greatest emergency that we have seen in many years.” Governor Ralph Northam says the guard helping with testing in the plants in the surrounding community.

4) Uber is slamming the breaks on 3700 full-time jobs with fewer of us getting at needing rides. That’s about 14% of its workforce. Rival Lyft announced that it’s laying off a lot of workers, too.

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I’m Liz Claman and this is the Fox Business Report.

Stocks ending mixed as investors wait plants for the reopening of the economy against the latest batch of earnings reports, with the Dow falling 218 points, the NASDAQ up 45, S&P 500 down 20. // General Motors outlining plans for May 18th restart most of its North American plants shut down by the coronavirus pandemic. This has reported the stronger-than-expected quarterly profit with sales of its full-size pickups rising about 27% year over year. Shares of GM closing up 3%. // And after the closing bell, speaker maker Sonos reporting earnings with its losses more than doubling in the March quarter as the coronavirus outbreak forced the closure of its retail stores muting sales of its speakers. // And ride-sharing company Lyft bringing nearly $1 billion sales in mid pandemic, although the company posted $400 million loss for the first quarter but it’s actually an improvement from last year. That’s your Fox Business Report. I’m Hilarie Barsky, invested in you.