Bolton Makes a Plea Deal

Former National Security Advisor John Bolton is pleading guilty in a classified documents case and is about to pay a hefty fine.
Correspondent Laura Winters reports.

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Bolton served as National Security Advisor in President Trump’s first term in office – but became an outspoken critic of the President often appearing on MSNBC and CNN. He plans to plead guilty and pay a fine north of 2 million dollars as part of a deal with federal prosecutors for mishandling classified documents. Bolton is accused of sharing sensitive information – including notes on intelligence briefings – for possible use in a book he was writing.

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Trump Supports Coal

President Trump is unveiling new investments aimed at boosting America’s coal industry. Willie Nelson reports from the White House.

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President Trump is announcing a major investment in the coal industry, as the administration moves to expand domestic energy production and strengthen America’s energy independence.

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Willie Nelson, The White House.
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( )-q-17 -WHITE HOUSE-(Correspondent Willie Nelson) “power grid”

President Trump is announcing a major investment in the coal industry.

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TAG: Correspondent Willie Nelson from the White House.

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VERBATIM:

President Trump is highlighting coal production, as the administration continues its focus on American energy independence and lowering energy costs. Coal remains a key part of the president’s broader energy agenda, alongside efforts to expand domestic production and strengthen the nation’s power grid.

American Airlines Suspends Services

American Airlines is temporarily suspending some of it’s routes this summer.

Bill Alexander, Reporting.

VERBATIM-It’s because steep jet fuel costs continue to strain carrier’s budgets amid the war with Iran. In a statement, American said it had adjusted service for select routes in August and September and that impacted travelers would be offered alternative arrangements or refunds. American said the changes were in line with wider industry trends.

The Blue Moon

Get set for a rare blue micro-moon this weekend.

VERBATIM:

It’s when a blue moon that’s also the most distant and smallest-looking full moon of the year rises. The brilliant star Antares will photobomb Sunday’s spectacle for a celestial three-for-one. A blue moon occurs every two to three years when a second full moon squeezes into a single month. May 1 saw this month’s first full moon. The upcoming full moon will be farther from Earth than usual at a distance of 252,360 miles. That will make the moon seem a bit smaller and dimmer. Keith Peters reporting.

Trump’s Name Removal From Kennedy Center.

The Kennedy Center is removing references to President Trump.

This move comes after a federal judge ruled that the Trump references were added illegally.

A Thursday memo to staff from the Kennedy Center’s Office of General Counsel says email signatures, letterhead and other documents must reflect the name as “The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts” or “Kennedy Center.”

The changes must be completed by June 12th.

Gas approaches $4 a gallon national average, says AAA

Gas prices continue to creep higher. According to Triple-A, the national average for gasoline is just under 4 bucks — at 3-98 a gallon. Drivers in the western U-S are paying even more. The average gallon of regular gas is 5 dollars and 30 cents in Washington and 5-83 in California.

Google adds AI to its popular Maps app

Google is adding artificial intelligence to its popular Maps app. As part of a major redesign, Google Maps will depend more heavily on AI to help people get around.. One tool called Ask Maps will expand upon conversational abilities that Google brought to the service last November, The other called Immersive Navigation will feature 3D renderings of places to help users get their bearings as they drive. Google’s digital mapping service is used by more than 2 billion people worldwide.

South Carolina’s measles outbreak keeps growing

The measles outbreak in South Carolina continues to grow. State health officials report another nine cases, for a total of 185. Of those infected, 172 were unvaccinated. There are more than 200 people in quarantine and three in isolation. Most cases were reported in children ages five to 17. The widening outbreak has been reported in the northwest part of South Carolina, which includes Greenville and Spartanburg.

Trump pauses plans to deploy National Guard troops in three cities

Bowing to lawsuits from Democratic-run cities of Chicago, Los Angeles and Portland, Oregon, the President’s added in his New Year’s Eve social media post: “We will come back, perhaps in a much different and stronger form, when crime begins to soar again – Only a question of time!” The Supreme Court recently ruled against the Administration’s deployment of National Guard troops in the Chicago area. The order was not a final ruling but was a significant setback. The president argued the moves were intended to curtail crime, enforce immigration law, and protect federal properties. A court case in Tennessee is ongoing. New Orleans is welcoming a deployment through Mardi Gras for public safety.

Gospel singer Richard Smallwood dead at 77

Smallwood passed away Tuesday in Maryland due to complications from kidney failure, after years of health challenges. Dedication to music kept him going, with songs recorded by Whitney Houston, Yolanda Adams and Destiny’s Child among others. He began playing piano at age 5 and formed his first gospel group by 11. One of his biggest hits was the song “Total Praise.” nominated eight times for Grammy Awards, and 19 Dove Awards, receiving the latter 4 times during his career, including his induction into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame.

Home prices rise at slowest annual rate in 13 years

Rising home prices are showing signs of slowing down. U-S home prices rose in October, but at the slowest annual rate in more than 13 years. Government data show home prices went up just 1-point-7 percent last month from a year earlier. Home price increases are now a fraction of what they were during and immediately after the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s another positive sign in a housing market that’s been too expensive for many would-be home buyers.

Pending U.S. home sales hit highest level since 2023

There are some hopeful signs for America’s real estate market. Pending home sales in the U-S surged in November to their highest level in three years. The National Association of Realtors says sales rose 3-point-3 percent last month, after October’s sales were revised upward. It’s the best performance since February 2023. The numbers suggest improving affordability conditions for home buyers.

Visa and Mastercard report 4% growth in holiday sales

The two biggest credit card companies are reporting 4-percent growth in U-S holiday retail sales. Visa and Mastercard released the figures, showing that consumers largely shrugged off their economic worries. According to the data, shoppers were more deliberate with their purchases by shopping early and leaning on promotions to get the best deals. Sales of electronics like TVs and smartphones led spending in Visa transactions, while Mastercard said its card users focused on clothing and jewelry.

Winter storm warnings posted across the northern U.S.

Winter storm warnings have been posted across the northern part of the country. Thanksgiving holiday weekend travelers from Montana to New York are facing snow, rain, and cold weather. More snow is falling over the Great Lakes region with totals of at least a foot in parts of Michigan and in areas off Lakes Erie and Ontario. The National Weather Service says the forecast conditions do not meet blizzard warning criteria. The south could see heavy storms with some flash flooding possible this weekend in the western Gulf Coast.

Focus on the Family founder Dr. James Dobson dies at 89

Dr. James Dobson, the founder of Focus on the Family, has passed away — he was 89 years old. Dobson was a pillar of the Evangelical community for decades and one of the best-known Christian broadcasters of all time. He was also an advisor to presidents, a best-selling author and a trained psychologist. Gary Bauer of the James Dobson Family Institute says “Dr. Dobson was a pioneer — a man of deep conviction whose voice shaped the way generations view faith, family and culture.”

Another fighter jet mishap on the USS Harry S. Truman

More trouble for the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier. An F/A-18 fighter jet landing on the Truman in the Red Sea went overboard, forcing its two pilots to eject. They were later rescued by a helicopter and suffered minor injuries. The incident marks the latest mishap to mar the deployment of the Truman. Last month, another fighter jet slipped off the hangar deck of the Truman. The F/A-18s cost about 60 million dollars apiece.

The Senate’s number two Democrat says this term will be his last.

In his fifth term representing Illinois in the US Senate, Dick Durbin has made the announcement that he will not seek re-election in 2026. Durbin’s statement will mark the culmination of more than four-decades career representing his home state… He is the ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and sits on the Appropriations and Agriculture committees. He has served Democratic whip since 2005. He joins Jeanne Shaheen, Tina Smith, and Gary Peters as Democrats who will not seek their seats in the upcoming mid-terms. Mitch McConnell is the lone Republican vacating his long-held seat. SOC

Americans remember the one U.S. visit by Pope Francis

In so doing he followed in the footsteps of his three predecessors… but It was Francis… the first-elected Pope from the Western Hemisphere… who became the first to address a joint session of the US Congress at the invitation of then-House Speaker, John Boehner. During that same trip, he addressed the UN General Assembly, as had Popes Benedict 16th, John Paul the 2nd, who did so twice, and Pope Paul VI. Also, like Pope Benedict, Pope Francis stopped at New York City’s Ground Zero Memorial and Museum to remember those who died during the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

Pope Francis has died.

The 88 year-old Pope had entered the hospital on February 14 to receive treatment for pneumonia and a complex lung infection. In recent years, Francis had overcome numerous health problems, even though knee and sciatica ailments had restricted his movement during public appearances… often a wheel chair . Even so, he kept up an active global travel schedule, as recently as last December, to Corsica. Born in Buenos Aries, Argentina, he became Pope after a conclave’s election in March 2013, following the rare resignation of Pope Benedict that year on February 28.

In first post-presidency speech, Biden criticized Trump

On a day Democrats designated as “Social Security Day of Action”, former President Biden mischaracterized the Trump Administration’s exposure of fraud within the program. Prior to the speech, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt disputed Democrat attacks.

American pastor in South Africa rescued from his kidnappers

Josh Sullivan –a 45-year-old American from Tennessee, was freed after three of his unidentified abductors were killed in a gun battle with officials. The whereabouts of the 4th is unknown. Sullivan has ministered at his Fellowship Baptist church since 2018 alongside his wife and two children. The missionary was kidnapped last Thursday. One police official says in a statement that it was miraculous that Sullivan escaped the rescue unharmed. The number of kidnappings in South Africa has risen by 264% over the past decade, but few involve ransoms.

Even with the tumult over tariff news last week, at least one poll indicates popularity for President Trump.

The results come from the Daily Mail, surveying over 1-thousand registered voters surveyed between March 31 & April 3, including the day after President Trump’s “Liberation Day” announcement. The poll finds President Trump’s approval at 53% …up four points from the week prior. This figure includes a remarkable a 13 point jump in the age group 18-29, a 17 point increase among black voters… and … yes..even… a 6 percent increase in favorability among Democrats & Independents. As for the tariffs themselves, most are still are unsure, but along three different lines, there is an overall one-to-2 percent edge of approval over disapproval for President Trump’s moves.

Pentagon restores Jackie Robinson webpage after removing it

The Defense Department says it was a mistake to remove its webpage dedicated to Jackie Robinson yesterday (WED). Although the department is under a Trump Administration directive to delete DEI content…a Pentagon spokesman says it was beyond that guidance to remove the Jackie Robinson webpage, honoring the World War 2 veteran who broke baseball’s color barrier. The page has since been restored, including information about his legal encounters with segregation during Army service as a 2nd Lieutenant, an experience which influenced the Dodger’s legendary president Branch Rickey to select Robinson for his heroic journey to withstand racism in integrating the National pastime.

A partial government shutdown is looming at week’s end

House Speaker Mike Johnson is looking to schedule a vote tomorrow (TUE) on the 99-page bill, with a view to Democrats responsible for a potential partial government shutdown. He’ll again need total GOP support to thread the needle. Congress must act by Friday midnight. when the current continuing resolution expires. House Republicans unveiled a spending bill Saturday that would keep federal agencies funded through September 30th. Trump praised the bill, posting on his Truth Social platform that Republicans have to “remain UNITED — NO DISSENT —.”