Friday, August 15th, 2025 - Trump-Putin in AK; Newsom’s “Liberation Day”; Inflation fears; PBS out, right-wing PragerU in; Ivanka’s back, Hunter talks Epstein & more

Today’s Headlines: Trump and Putin are meeting today in Anchorage, Alaska, at the Cold War-era Elmendorf-Richardson base — which Russian media is treating like a five-star historic landmark. Ukraine’s Zelensky wasn’t invited to the land-talks party. Trump says he’s optimistic about a deal, with a joint press conference possible if things go smoothly (or solo remarks if they don’t). Meanwhile, investigators say Russia-backed hackers broke into the federal courts’ sealed records system, which holds national security cases and other sensitive files. In politics, California Governor Gavin Newsom marked “Liberation Day” by announcing a ballot measure to take redistricting power from his state’s independent commission, while Texas keeps fighting over its own maps. Border Patrol showed up at Newsom’s LA event, prompting Mayor Karen Bass to call it “provocative.” Inflation’s back in the spotlight as wholesale prices saw their biggest jump since 2022. PBS is still defunded, and conservative group PragerU is being floated as a replacement. And in family news: Ivanka Trump’s back to plan a White House UFC fight for America’s 250th birthday, while Hunter Biden claims Jeffrey Epstein introduced Donald and Melania Trump — something Melania’s lawyers want retracted, but Hunter says he’s not backing down. Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode: NBC News: Russians hail historic Alaska ties ahead of Trump-Putin summit on Ukraine CNN: Live updates: Trump says Putin will make deal on Ukraine as leaders prepare for Alaska meeting NYT: Russia Is Suspected to Be Behind Breach of Federal Court Filing System The Hill: Watch: Newsom outlines plan to combat Trump, GOP redistricting NYT: ICE shows up to Governor Newsom's press Conference CNBC: Wholesale prices rose 0.9% in July, much more than expected The Grio: Potential PBS replacement network says slavery was 'no big deal' in video The Daily Beast: Trump Gives MIA Ivanka New White House Gig Axios: Hunter Biden said he won't apologize to Melania Trump amid lawsuit threat Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices