Wednesday, December 11th, 2024 - Mangione charged; McConnell falls; Hegseth's pitch; Murdoch drama; DOJ secrets; Netanyahu testifies

Morning Announcements

Today’s Headlines: Luigi Mangione, charged with second-degree murder for killing United CEO Brian Thompson, was denied bail in Pennsylvania and is contesting extradition to New York. He has also been charged with forgery and gun-related crimes and plans to plead not guilty. Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell had another health scare, falling on Capitol Hill but reportedly being cleared to continue his schedule. Donald Trump’s Defense Secretary pick, Pete Hegseth, met with senators to push his nomination forward, earning a chance at a confirmation hearing. Across the media world, Rupert Murdoch faced a setback in his bid to alter his family trust to secure control for his son Lachlan, inspired, ironically, by an episode of Succession. A DOJ report revealed Trump’s administration secretly obtained phone records of congressmen and reporters, a concerning echo of surveillance overreach. Finally, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu testified in his corruption trial, dismissing charges as trivial while decrying a media-led witch hunt. His testimony continues in a grueling multi-week schedule.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

• CNN: Live updates: The arrest of Luigi Mangione, the UnitedHeathcare CEO shooting suspect
• CBS News: McConnell suffers fall on Capitol Hill, prompting medical treatment
• CBS News: Pete Hegseth returns to Capitol Hill to build support as Trump's defense secretary
• WA Post: Commissioner rejects Rupert Murdoch’s effort to change family trust
• NBC News: Trump's DOJ secretly obtained phone and text message logs of 43 congressional staffers and 2 members of Congress
• AP News: Israel's Netanyahu vows to challenge 'absurd' corruption charges as he takes the stand in his trial

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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