AFN News March 04

 AFN NEWS

Thursday, March 4, 2021

1) From ABC News, I’m Michelle Franzen. Security stepped up at the U.S. Capitol after a joint intelligence brief warned of a possible plot tomorrow by a militia group. It comes as Senate lawmakers are investigating what went wrong with security on January 6th. “It was just before 2:00 p.m. on January 6th when D.C. National Guard commanding General William Walker said he received a frantic call from the Capitol police. ‘His voice cracking with emotion indicated that there was a dire emergency.’ But Walker said approval to deploy did not come for more than three hours. The Defense Department Robert Salesses said the acting Defense Secretary called for all available forces sooner than that. ‘And ordered the full mobilization of the D.C. National Guard at 3:04 p.m.’ By the time the National Guard arrived, the riot was largely over. Aaron Katersky, ABC News, New York.”

 2) One American contractor died after another rocket attack in Iraq at a base housing American and coalition troops. “President Biden says it’s still not certain who launched this latest hit. ‘No one was killed by the rocket. One individual, a contractor, died of a heart attack. But we’re identifying who’s responsible and we’ll make judgments from that point.’ If another Iran-backed group fired that rocket, it will further hurt chances of the U.S. and Iran resuming nuclear talks.” Andy Field, ABC News, Washington.  

 3) Texas and Mississippi moving ahead to roll back mask mandates. The CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky is urging Americans to keep wearing those masks. “Stamina has worn thin. Fatigue is winning, and the exact measures we have taken to stop the pandemic are now too often being flagrantly ignored.”

 4) For the first time since multiple sexual accusations surfaced, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo offered an apology but said he won’t step down. “I’ve never touched anyone inappropriately.” New York Attorney General is investigating the allegation. You’re listening to ABC News.

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I’m Connell McShane. This is the Fox Business Report.

Stocks finished its session low as another pickup in bond yields giving investors pause as the stimulus bill battle continues in Washington. The Nasdaq falling sharply as investors sold high-flying technology shares and pivoted to sectors viewed as more likely to benefit from an economic recovery. Financials, industrials, and energy companies were among the gainers. The Dow winners: Boeing, JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs. The decliners: Apple, Microsoft, and Salesforce. Take a look at Wall Street by the numbers. The Dow down 119 points, the Nasdaq down 361, the S&P down 51. In the best sign yet of a recovery in the ride hailing space, Lyft saying it saw its largest volume of rides last week since March of 2020, even called it in the pandemic when it started to take hold. Walmart making major investment in U.S. manufacturing with the $300 billion commitment.

That’s your Fox Business Report. I’m Tom Graham, invested in you.          

AFN News February 25

 

AFN NEWS

Thursday, February 25, 2021

 

1) From ABC News, I’m Michelle Franzen. As coronavirus cases go down, vaccines are wrapping up. The Biden Administration now says the country is on track to get shots in the arms of millions of Americans by the end of summer. Biden’s COVID response coordinator Jeff Zients says the administration continues to up weekly allocations to both states and pharmacies. “With 14. 5 million doses allocated to states, tribes and territories, and 2. 1 million through the federal retail pharmacy program. We’ve nearly doubled weekly supply of doses in just five weeks.” Zients says if Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine is authorized by the FDA this week, there could be 3 to 4 million more doses added to the next, next week. Mark Remillard, ABC News.

 2) This past hour, President Biden signing an executive order to help address supply chain issues from making enough protective equipment and semiconductor computer chips that have affected car manufacturing, he says, to create U.S. jobs. He commented at an earlier meeting with a bipartisan group of lawmakers on the supply chain issues, and called it productive. “Resilience and reliability of our critical supply chains. This is a critical area where Republicans and Democrats agreed. It was one of the best meetings. It’s the best being I think we’ve had so far. We’ve only been here about five weeks. It was like the old days. People were actually on the same page.”

 3) In California, Tiger Woods remains in a hospital recovering from leg surgery after his SUV crash. “Investigators have not yet pulled data from the so-called black box or event data recorder. The Genesis confirms the device in the SUV. Most newer cars have them recording data from the vehicle. L.A. Country Sheriff Alex Villanueva says right now there is no indication that Woods was distracted and looking at a phone. ‘We do not have any information on that whatsoever and I mean we’ll find out on that.’ The sheriff is saying that stretch of roadway from January of last year until this week had 13 accidents, four of them with injuries.” ABC’s Alex Stone. You’re listening to ABC News.

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

Stocks reversing morning losses and finishing sharply higher with the Dow posting a record close after Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell told Congress that the Central Bank would not begin raising interest rates until it believes it reaches its goals on maximum employment and inflation. Among the gainers today; energy companies and financials. The Dow winners; Boeing, Honeywell. The Dow decliners; Apple, Home Depot, and Walmart. Take a look at Wall Street by the numbers. The Dow finishing up 426 points, the Nasdaq adding 133, the S&P 500 adding 44. Shares of Johnson & Johnson rising over 1% after the Food and Drug Administration says the company’s single-dose COVID-19 vaccine candidate has no unexpected safety concern. McDonald’s shares rising 1% after its anticipated chicken sandwich launches today.

That’s your Fox Business Report. I’m Tom Graham, invested in you.

 

 

 

                                                       

AFN News February 18

 

AFN NEWS

Thursday, February 18, 2021

 

1) From ABC News, I’m Michelle Franzen. The Lone Star State heading into another dangerously cold night with more storms on the way. Millions remain without power after extreme cold caused a cascade of troubles for the state’s power grid. FEMA is now sending help and equipment. The winter weather has forced states like Texas to close many vaccination sites. But once they’re able to reopen, the Biden Administration plans to ask governors to extend hours to allow those states to catch up.

  2) White House coronavirus taskforce coordinator Jeff Zients also says the Administration is increasing resources on the ground to keep up the pace. “For the first time, we’ve activated over 1,000 members of the military to support community vaccination sites.” The Biden Administration hopes to have enough vaccine for 300 million Americans by the end of July. Faith Abubey, ABC News, Washington.

 3) President Biden-Vice President Kamala Harris met with labor leaders in the Oval Office today. He touted the stimulus plan and also the need to improve roads and services nationwide. “We want to talk about the Recovery Act we have here that we’re trying to pass, and I think it’s going to get done, and building infrastructure in this country.”

 4) A developing story out of Philadelphia today. Multiple people have been shot. Philadelphia police said seven people were shot near a SEPTA station at Broad Street and Olney Avenue that happened around 3 o’clock in the afternoon. One person is in custody and police said they recovered two weapons. The circumstances of the shootings were not immediately clear, neither were the conditions of the victims.” ABC’s Aaron Katersky. 

 5) Legendary conservative radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh has died. “Rush Limbaugh’s wife Kathryn Rogers alerting the world in a way. Limbaugh would have appreciated on his radio show. ‘It is with profound sadness I must share with you directly that our beloved Rush, my wonderful husband, passed away this morning due to complications from lung cancer.’ Limbaugh had been off the air in poor health since February 3rd.” ABC’s Jason Nathanson. You’re listening to ABC News.

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I’m Connell McShane. This is the Fox Business Report.

Stocks closing mixed with the Dow notching a third straight record close. The tech-heavy Nasdaq fell as investors retreat from shares of many technology companies that have powered markets higher. The Dow winners; Verizon, Home Depot, Chevron. The decliners; Apple, Caterpillar and Amgen. Take a look at Wall Street by the numbers. The Dow up 92 points, the Nasdaq down 82, the S&P down a point. Apple, one of Dow’s biggest laggers, its shares sinking 2% toward a one-month low after two of the technology giants, largest shareholders, disclosed they trimmed their stakes, one of them being Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway. And Shopify stocks falling over 3% despite the Canadian e-giant commerce posting stronger than expected quarterly earnings and revenue.

That’s your Fox Business Report. I’m Tom Graham, invested in you.        

AFN News February 11

 AFN NEWS

Thursday, February 11, 2021

 

1) From ABC News, I’m Michelle Franzen. House trial managers spent five hours so far presenting evidence in the impeachment trial of former president Trump that includes showing unseen video and audio from the January 6th inside the Capitol building, police calling for help on dispatch. “__ __ __ riot.” In the battle along with Trump’s past tweets, video and paid campaign, they say just “Stop to Steal,” then incited the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. Trial Manager Joe Neguse says the mob of Trump supporters went to the Capitol and encourage to fight like hell. “Senators, this clearly was not just one speech. It didn’t just happen. It was part of a carefully planned, monthlong effort with a very specific instruction; Show up on January 6 and get your people to fight the certification.” Trial managers and Trump’s defense team will have 16 hours apiece to present the case.

 2) President Joe Biden keeping his focus on the new administration, making a trip to the Pentagon today to mark Black History Month, and also working to build bipartisan support for his American rescue plan. Press Secretary Jen Psaki at the White House says that it includes funding for central services. “He’s proposed $350 billion in support for state and local government. That means keeping cops, firefighters, public health workers, teachers and other public servants on the job in the fight against the virus.”

 3) A handful of states now reporting cases of the South African variant. California is the latest. Then, the CDC is pointing to a recent study showing doubling upon masks could help. “Wearing a single mask is good but you can do more according to a new CDC study being presented in a medical journal JAMA. Researchers finding double masking is better with a surgical mask on the bottom layer on a cloth mask above and making sure whatever mask you wear is sealed tightly to the face.” ABC’s Alex Stone. You’re listening to ABC News. 

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I’m Connell McShane. This is the Fox Business Report.

Stocks finishing mixed with the Dow notching a record close as investors digest a fresh batch of earnings and remarks from the Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell who painted a small, dismal picture of the state of the U.S. labor market. Among the gainers, financials and energy while tech stocks lagged behind. The Dow winners, Goldman Sachs, Home Depot, Chevron. The decliners, Boeing, Cisco, McDonald’s. Take a look at Wall Street by the numbers. The Dow finishing up 63 points, the Nasdaq down 35, while the S&P was down a point. Shares in cannabis companies soaring with Tilray leading the charge jumping over 50%, as the Reddit community behind a recent trading frenzy talked up marihuana stocks. Brokerage firm Charles Schwab laying off about 200 employees from the combined Schwab-TD Ameritrade company.

That’s your Fox Business Report. I’m Tom Graham, invested in you.

 

AFN News February 4

 

AFN NEWS

Thursday, February 4, 2021

 

1) From ABC News, I’m Michelle Franzen. The race to vaccinate getting a boost. Next week, the federal government will start sending shipment to pharmacies. There is also a rush to finalize another relief package for millions of Americans struggling to make ends meet in this pandemic. Republicans say the price tag for President Biden’s rescue plan is too high. Biden says the stakes are too high to scale back. After a 90-minute meeting with President Biden at the White House, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said Democrats are unified in their desire to pass a big, bold stimulus package. He added Democrats will work with Republicans on the proposal when they can. “Vast majority of Republican voters support large parts of the program. We want to do it bipartisan, but we must be strong.” Democrats are moving forward with an effort to pass Biden’s $1.9 trillion plan, while Senate Republicans are pushing a deal roughly 1/3 that size. Elizabeth Schulze, ABC News, Washington.

 2) The House Rules Committee meeting considering a resolution to remove GOP freshman congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene from committee post. Democrats say House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy has failed to take action for Greene’s past comments including claims that mass school shootings for false flag events and promoted QAnon conspiracy series. GOP Representative, Jackie Walorski says Democrats are overstepping. “It’s not a function of majority party to make this determination unilaterally. It is unprecedented for the majority party to take actions to remove a minority member from his or her committee assignment for any reason.” That vote expected tomorrow.

 3) Nearly a month after the violent insurrection at the Capitol, a ceremony today for fallen U.S. Capitol police officer Brian Sicknick. He was given a rare distinction of “lying in honor” at the Capitol. Police say Sicknick died from the injuries a day after trying to fight the mob of Trump supporters who stormed the Capitol. You’re listening to ABC News.

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I’m Connell McShane. This is the Fox Business Report.

Stocks ending mixed as investors reacted to a slew of corporate earnings and monetary progress in Washington for yet another round of coronavirus stimulus aid. Among the gainers, energy stocks after oil briefly rose to a 12-month high, while financials edged higher with bond yields. Among the laggers, real estate, healthcare companies. The Dow winners; Boeing, Microsoft, Home Depot. The decliners, Amgen, Travelers, and Caterpillar. Take a look at Wall Street by the numbers. The Dow finishing up 35, the S&P also up 4, while the Nasdaq was down 2 points. Some stocks had soared in popularity among traders, and online forums rising today with GameStop rising 3% and AMC Entertainment rising 14%. Meantime, Silver, another WallStreetBets’ favorite, rising slightly.

That’s your Fox Business Report. I’m Tom Graham, invested in you.