AFN News January 7

 

 

AFN NEWS

Thursday, January 7, 2021

 

1) From ABC News, I’m Michelle Franzen. The U.S. Capitol under siege; Trump supporters storming the halls and chambers earlier today at the capitol as the certification of the electoral results from each state was taking place. A formal step in the democratic process disrupted with violence. President-elect Joe Biden, “This is not dissent, it’s disorder. It’s chaos and it borders on sedition and it must end now.” Biden says it’s an assault on democracy and called on the President to do his job and stop fanning the flames. The President earlier spoke at the rally urging supporters to march to the Capitol, even suggesting he would too. Then, he tweeted for remaining peaceful until Republican leaders told him that’s not enough. The President putting out video messages past hour continuing unfounded claims that he won the election and told people to leave. “You have to go home now. We have to have peace. We have to have law and order. We have to respect our great people in law and order.” Republican leaders also speaking out. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, one of the lawmakers, rushed to safety during the breach said it was the saddest day in the office. “I condemn any of this. This is appalling. This is un-American. This should never happen in our nation and whatever is going on right now has got to stop.” At one point, shots were fired in the chamber. D.C. police say one civilian woman was shot. Her identity and details of how she was shot unknown.

2) The session today is a ceremonial step before chaos broke out. Senate Leader Mitch McConnel taking a stand against the President and Republican, saying it would move the country into dangerous and uncharted waters. “If this election were overturned by mere allegations from the losing side, our democracy would enter a death spiral.” Washington’s Mayor now issuing curfew set to begin in the next hour as the sun sets at the nation’s capital. You’re listening to ABC News.                                                     

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

Stocks closing mixed and pared back from bigger gains the wild unrest forces the U.S. Capitol into lockdown. The major averages gaining on investment. Democratic sweeping Georgia could lead to more fiscal stimulus and infrastructure spending. Stocks were hurt by the pandemic.  Such as banks, industrials and small companies gained today. Internet and tech-heavy Nasdaq failed as investors worried that the Democrat-controlled Congress could lead to higher taxes and a whole lot more regulations. In the bond market the yield on benchmarks 10-year U.S. Treasury rose 1% for the first time since March. The Dow winners Goldman Sachs, Caterpillar, JPMorgan. The Dow decliners; Apple, Microsoft and Salesforce. Take a look at Wall Street by the numbers. The Dow up 438 points for a record high, the Nasdaq finishing off 78. The S&P added 31.

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

                                                       

AFN News December 24

 

ABC NEWS  DECEMBER 24, 2020

                        

1)             From ABC News, I am Michelle Franzen.  President Trump, before leaving for Florida today, vetoed the key military spending bill.  ABC’s Andy Field is in Washington; “As promised, the president gave the thumbs down to the defense authorization bill because Congress did not eliminate liability protection for social media platforms that have censored him.  He also won’t okay the bill.  They would change the names of US bases, now named for Confederate soldiers.  He also says it limits how and when he can bring home US troops.  The House and Senate may have enough votes to override the veto.”  President Trump also says he will not sign the new COVID relief package passed by Congress.  It asks for direct checks, he says, for Americans to be raised to $2,000 up from $600. 

2)             This past week more than 800,000 Americans filed for first-time jobless claims.  That adds to the millions of people receiving aid from programs that were set to expire the day after Christmas.

3)             The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines rolling out to more areas of the US.  The CDC tracking shows more than 1 million Americans have received their first dose of Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccines so far. 

4)             And in New York City, the nation’s largest fire department began vaccinating its ranks today,

starting with EMTs.  “The cafeteria at the FDNY Fire Academy became a vaccine ward as EMTs like Marie Mased, rolled up sleeves for a shot of the Madorna vaccine.  ‘People are apprehensive, but it is important.’  Just prior to administering her shot, the FDNY announced the death of her colleague Evelyn Ford of coronavirus, ‘It’s sad to hear her passing, but it also shows how important it is to get vaccinated.’  EMTs were the front line when the virus overtook New York in the spring, and they are now among the first to get a vaccine, that is supposed to end the pandemic.  Aeron Kateresky, ABC News, New York.” 

5)             Coronavirus cases continued to surge around the US despite health officials urging Americans not to fly.  The TSA reporting reports more than a million people travelling. 

6-1)  I’m Connell McShane.  This is the Fox Business report.   

     “Stocks finishing mixed with the latest economic data mixed and President Trump unhappy about the coronavirus aid package passed by Congress.  Travel stocks rebounded today from steep losses earlier this week, while tech stocks lagged.  The Dow winners; Disney, Goldman Sachs and UnitedHealth group.  The Dow decliners; Salesforce, Microsoft and Walmart.  The Dow rising 114 points, the Nasdaq down 37, S&P 500 up 3.

6-2)  And there were 803,000 applications for jobless benefits last week, a decline from the previous week.  And personal income slid 1.1% in November, and consumer spending fell 4/10 of a percent   as COVID-19 cases picked up across the country, and shares of Pfizer rose 2%, following news that the drug maker reached a deal with the federal government to provide 100 million additional doses of the company’s COVID-19 vaccine.

    That’s your Fox Business report.  I’m Hilarie Barsky, invested in you.”

AFN News December 17

 

ABC NEWS  DECEMBER 17, 2020

                        

1)             From ABC News, I am Michelle Franzen.  Another vaccine in the pipeline waiting for emergency use approval, and the first authorized vaccine by Pfizer been rolled out to more high-risk groups like healthcare workers and nursing home residents around the country.  Today a report, though, of one person having an adverse reaction; “About 10 minutes after a healthcare worker in Juneau got the vaccine, she began showing signs of reaction.  Doctors in Alaska saying she has no history of allergies.  She was flush, had a rapid heart beating, shortness of breath.  Dr. Lindy Jones is an ER doctor who treated her; ‘And she had a red, flushed rash over her face and torso.’  She was transferred to the ICU, where she is now recovering.  The CDC has said a small number of people may have reaction to the vaccine.  Alex Stone, ABC News.”

 

2)             Hope and pain going hand in hand right now in the outbreak.  Vaccine still cannot help the more than 113,000 Americans hospitalized nationwide.  California in the past 24 hours reporting nearly 54,000 new cases and 293 deaths.  Los Angeles County alone accounting for 131 of those deaths.  ABC’s McGovern is in Burbank with frontline workers; “14-16.”  “As confidence seen in Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, COID nurses are huddling before a shift.”  ‘I want you guys to all shift your mindset to disaster mode.’  A call being repeated across the country with nearly 1/3 of all hospitals saying their IC uses are 80% full.”

 

3)             Today President-elect Joe Biden nominating former South Bend Mayor and rival Pete Buttigieg as his transportation secretary.  Biden says he’ll focus on him for structure and climate change; “Pete’s going to help build back better with jobs and hope, with vision and execution, and I am honored, I am honored he’s answering the call to serve his country once again.”  Veteran would become the first to open the gay person to lead the department if confirmed.  You’re listening to ABC News.

 

 

4-1)  I’m Marie Sminadie and this is the Fox Business report.

      “Stocks closing mixed with the Nasdaq notching yet another record close as investors with a stimulus deal and after the Federal Reserve vowed to keep monetary policy accommodative through super low interest rates and asset purchases       economy makes substantial future progress.  The Dow winners today; Home Depot, 3M, Salesforce.  The decliners; Niki, Caterpillar and Boeing.  Take a look at Wall Street by the numbers, the Dow down 45 points, the Nasdaq, though, up 53, S&P also up 7.

 

4-2)  Retail sales were down 1.1% in November as consumers hold back on purchases in limited Christmas holiday shopping as the pandemic triggers new business restrictions.  Decline marks  the first months of    drop since April.

 

4-3)  Shares of the drug maker Moderna falling nearly 7%, on a downgrade from Wall Street Palm Jeffrey’s.

That’s your Fox Business report.  I’m Tom Gram, invested in you.”

AFN News December 10

 

ABC NEWS  DECEMBER 10, 2020

                        

1)             From ABC News, I am Michelle Franzen.  A COVID vaccine from Pfizer will be reviewed tomorrow by the FDA.  It could be the start of the US turning the corner in this pandemic.  Colorado’s Governor Jared Polis, one of the many state leaders anticipating the first doses once approved; “And we’re ready.  Last week we got confirmation that Colorado’s first allocation should be 46,800 doses of the Pfizer vaccine.” 

 

2)             But heath experts are warning that the initial round will not help the surge of cases and hospitalizations playing out now nationwide.  California has stay-at-home orders.  The state topping 30,000 cases in just the past day.

 

3)             The House approved the one-week funding bill to avert a government shutdown just moments ago.  It moves on now to the Senate.  It will also give lawmakers some time to strike a deal on a new COVID relief package remaining benefits under the CARES Act expired at the end of this year.

 

4)             President-elect Joe Biden formerly named his choice for defense secretary.  “Retired General Lloyd Austin understands he will no longer be in armed forces enlisted member, but a civilian, answering to the president and the voters, ‘with a deep appreciation, and reverence for the prevailing wisdom of civilian control of our military’.  General Austin used to first as an African American, and if confirmed, becoming the nation’s only black defense secretary.  Andy Field, ABC News, Washington.”

 

5)             The federal government and nearly every state hitting Facebook with lawsuits.  “The Federal Trade Commission asked a judge to order Facebook to divest its Instagram and WhatsApp services to restore competition to social networking.  ‘It’s really critically important that again we block this predatory acquisition of companies’; New York Attorney General Tish (Letitia) James and 45 other state attorneys general filed a related lawsuit that accused Facebook of abusing its market power to crash rivals.  ‘By restoring competition of lawsuits, we hope consumers have alternatives to Facebook.’  Facebook said the government cleared its acquisitions years ago, and now wants to do-over.”  You’re listening to ABC News.

 

 

6-1)  I’m Connell McShane.  This is the Fox Business report.

      “Stocks finishing lower as investors away progress on a fresh economic stimulus deal at Washington.  Big tech companies among the biggest laggers, drugging down the tech heavy Nasdaq.  The Dow winners; Home Depot, 3M, Goldman Sachs.  The decliners; Apple, Boeing, Salesforce.  On Wall Street by the numbers, the Dow finishing off 109, the Nasdaq down 244, while the S&P is down 30.

 

6-2)  Shares of DoorDash surging on the first day of trading on Wall Street after the food delivery company completed one of the biggest initial public offerings for the year.  The company closing in 187 bucks, which is over 83% up from the IPO price.

 

6-3)  Facebook stock falling 2%.  The company was hit with lawsuits from (for) Federal Trade Commission in 48 states.  They claim the social media giant is committing anti-competitive acts that put its rivals out of business.

That’s your Fox Business report.  I’m Tom Gram, invested in you.”

AFN News December 3

 

AFN NEWS

Thursday, December 3, 2020

 

1) From ABC News, I’m Chuck Sivertsen. Not a moment too soon, Britain has approved Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine. An American official said the FDA will do so also in the U.S. next week. This as CDC director Robert Redfield says before any large-scale inoculations are available. “We are facing what he calls dark days this month, next month, and in February with lots more deaths.” “We’re potentially looking at, you know, another 150,000 to 200,000 people before we get into February. So, this is really a significant time,” Dr. Redfield at a Chamber of Commerce online event, encouraging everyone to get vaccinated. President Obama, “If Anthony Fauci tells me this vaccine is safe and can vaccinate, immunize you from getting COVID, absolutely I’m gonna take it.”

2) There seems to be some more interests in Washington on passing COVID relief before lawmakers go home for the holidays. President-elect Joe Biden talking online with small business owners about the help they need. “House Democratic leader Steny Hoyer speaking with Senet Majority Leader Mitch McConnell today about next week’s schedule. The two being in agreement that legislative business should conclude by next Thursday to give members enough time to head home in quarantine before the Christmas holidays.” ABC’s Alex Fussey.

3) Last night on Twitter, the President threatened to veto billions in military spending. “If the President vetoes the defense spending bill, it could stop more than a million service members from getting their paycheck, but the President claims he will do that unless Congress removes social-media liability protections that he’s upset about when they censor him. Reporters asking Spokesperson Kayleigh McEnany about it. ‘Yes, the President is serious about it.’ Mr. Trump also threatening the defense veto if congress tries removing military base Confederate war names. Andy Field, ABC News, Washington.

4) Pittsburg Steelers - Baltimore Ravens playing today with COVID-caused absences, four in the Steelers and over dozen players in the Ravens. 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 S&P 500 notching a new record close on COVID-19 vaccine optimism. The Dow winners; Boeing, Goldman Sachs and UnitedHealth. The Dow decliners; Salesforce, McDonald’s and Home Depot. The Dow rising 60 points, the Nasdaq down 6, S&P 500 up 7. // And more troubles brewing on the high season: Norwegian cruise Lines said they it will extend suspension of all cruises until at least the beginning of March 2021. // And the U.K. has granted emergency use authorization for Pfizer and BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine and could begin distribution to the most vulnerable populations in a matter of days. // And Salesforce, one of the Dow’s biggest losers today, its stocks tumbling 9% after the cloud computing company confirmed that it has agreed to buy work tool software pioneer Slack Technologies for $27.7 billion.

That’s your Fox Business Report. I’m Hilarie Barsky, invested in you.