Wednesday, February 19th, 2025 - Fed prosecutor quits; DOGE Wins; USDA firings; Trump backs Tate; Multi-state floods; Pope hospitalized

Today’s Headlines: Denise Cheung, a longtime federal prosecutor, stepped down after refusing a request to freeze funds from a Biden administration environmental grant without any evidence—something she felt could violate constitutional rights. A judge ruled that Elon Musk’s DOGE team can continue making decisions at federal agencies for now, though the case isn’t over. Meanwhile, the USDA accidentally fired key officials handling the bird flu outbreak, and the FDA food division chief resigned after mass layoffs gutted his team. Trump is reportedly pushing Romania to lift travel restrictions on Andrew Tate, who’s in prison facing serious charges. Flooding in Kentucky, West Virginia, and Georgia has claimed at least 14 lives, and more rough weather is on the way. Lastly, Pope Francis remains in the hospital with pneumonia.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

• WA Post: High-ranking D.C. federal prosecutor resigns over order to freeze EPA funds 
• NBC News: Judge denies states' bid to curtail DOGE's powers
• NBC News: USDA accidentally fired officials working on bird flu and is now trying to rehire them
• NBC News: Leader of FDA food division resigns 
• Forbes: Here’s Why Trump May View Andrew Tate As An Ally—As He Reportedly Pressures Romania To Lift His Travel Restrictions 
• CNN: At least 14 dead in multi-state floods as rivers rise and rescues continue 
• WA Post: Heavy snow and ice will hit from the Plains to the Mid-Atlantic 
• CBS News: Pope Francis has bilateral pneumonia, Vatican says 

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

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