KT McFarland, Todd Eberly, Gov. John Sununu and guest host Mercedes Schlapp joined WMAL on Wednesday!

Mornings on the Mall

Wednesday, February 3, 2016

Hosts: Brian Wilson, Larry O’Connor & guest host Mercedes Schlapp

Executive Producer: Heather Hunter

5am – A         Q &A with Mercedes Schlapp

5am – B/C     Iowa caucus coin flip count unknown. (The Des Moines Register) – In an unknown number of Iowa Democratic caucus precincts Monday, a county delegate was awarded after the flip of a coin. Why is the number unknown? Because officials who reported county delegate totals without using the party’s smartphone app weren’t required to signify if the win was the result of a coin toss, said Sam Lau, a spokesman for the Iowa Democratic Party. Lau said seven coin flips were reported statewide, and Bernie Sanders won six of them. The Des Moines Register has identified six coin flips through social media and one in an interview with a caucus participant. Of those seven, Clinton was the apparent winner of six. It’s unknown if there is any overlap between the coin flips identified by the Register and the coin flips the state party confirmed. But it’s highly unlikely the coin flips had an impact on the caucuses final outcome, said Norm Sterzenbach, a former executive director of the party who said he would have caucused for Hillary Clinton had he not been occupied with other political responsibilities. The results, declared official 17 hours after the caucuses began, showed Clinton won 49.8% of statewide delegate equivalents, while Sanders won 49.6%. A coin flip is used in the Democratic caucuses when, for example, an equal number of caucusgoers support two candidates in a precinct with five county delegates. The coin flip would determine which candidate is awarded the fifth county delegate.

5am – D         Carson accuses Cruz camp of spreading false rumors on campaign suspension. (Fox News) — Republican presidential hopeful Ben Carson on Tuesday pointedly accused Ted Cruz’s campaign of spreading false rumors during the Iowa caucuses claiming the retired neurosurgeon was suspending his bid, in a coordinated effort to seal Cruz’s victory Monday night. The stunning charge came as a Carson spokesman declared, “There has never been a more tainted victory in the Iowa caucuses.” Early reports that Carson – who was directly competing with Cruz for social conservative and evangelical supporters – was leaving the campaign trail started to surface as caucusing began Monday evening. Upon hearing reports that their candidate was leaving the trail to return to his home in Florida, Team Carson responded swiftly, saying the retired neurosurgeon was only going home for clean clothes but was then headed to New Hampshire for the Feb. 9 primary. But Carson told Fox News Tuesday morning that Cruz supporters and representatives took that narrative a step further, and began telling caucus-goers at “many” precincts that he was dropping out. Speaking on Fox News’ “Hannity,” Cruz apologized on Tuesday. He said their political team had forwarded an initial news report that said Carson was taking a break from the campaign trail, but did not forward an update to that same story.

5am – E         Critter News:

• Fairfax police warn of possibly rabid fox in McLean. WASHINGTON — Police are asking Fairfax County residents to be on the lookout for a possibly rabid fox that bit a woman Tuesday afternoon. A fox approached a woman in her yard in the 1400 block of Laburnum Street in McLean, Virginia, at about 12:40 p.m. Tuesday and bit and scratched her, police say. Animal control officer responded to the scene, but were not able to find the fox, which they fear is rabid. The fox, which was last seen on Copley Lane, is described as having a red tint as well as bloody paws and nose. The fox was acting lethargic as well, police say.
• Dutch police considering using eagles to swoop down and pluck rogue drones out of the sky. THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — It may sound like a flight of fancy, but Dutch police are considering using birds of prey to swoop down and pluck rogue drones out of the sky. Police are working with a Hague-based company that trains eagles and other birds to catch drones to investigate whether the birds can be used above large events or near airports, where the small flying machines are banned. Dennis Janus of the national police said Tuesday that trainers exploit the birds’ natural instincts to tackle the high-tech problem of drones flying in restricted areas.
• Uber and WARLDC are teaming up to bring puppies-on-demand Wednesday. WASHINGTON — Uber is not only a ride-sharing service — it’s a puppy-sharing service, too. At least that’s the case on Wednesday, when for a second year it will deliver puppies in D.C. for a good cause. D.C. is once again among the cities where Uber and Animal Planet are working together to deliver puppies on Wednesday between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. The experience costs $30 for a 15-minute window. Seem a little expensive for some puppy playtime? Uber says the money will go to the Washington Animal Rescue League, a nonprofit animal shelter located in Northwest. And there’s good news if you find yourself unable to pull away from a pooch — the puppies are available for adoption.
• Health officials: Patient in Texas has acquired #Zika virus through sexual transmission. Sexually-transmitted Zika case confirmed in Texas. DALLAS (AP) — Health officials on Tuesday reported that a person in Texas has become infected with the Zika virus through sex in the first case of the illness being transmitted within the United States amid the current outbreak in Latin America. The unidentified person had not traveled but had sex with a person who had returned from Venezuela and fallen ill with Zika, Dallas County health officials said. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control issued a statement saying lab tests confirmed the non-traveler was infected with Zika. The virus, which has been linked to birth defects in the Americas, is primarily spread through mosquito bites, but investigators had been exploring the possibility it could be sexually transmitted. There was a report of a Colorado researcher who picked up the virus in Africa and apparently spread it to his wife back home in 2008, and it was found in one man’s semen in Tahiti.

6am – A         DRIVE AT FIVE INTERVIEW – AARON DAVIS – covers D.C. politics and government for the Washington Post

6am – B/C     D.C. Council Tables Permanent Cannabis Club Ban, Approves Task Force to Study Them. Taking Calls!

6am – D         Christie belittles Rubio as ‘the boy in the bubble.’ (Washington Post) — BEDFORD, N.H. – New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie launched a fresh and sharply personal broadside here Tuesday against opponent Marco Rubio, charging that the Florida senator who surged to a strong third-place finish in Monday’s Iowa Republican caucuses was “the boy in the bubble.” Christie questioned Rubio’s toughness, intelligence and even his manhood, telling reporters that he thought Rubio was running a campaign that is “constantly scripted” by his handlers while ducking tough questions about his record from journalists and New Hampshire voters. “Maybe he’ll do more than 40 minutes on a little stage telling everybody his canned speech that he’s memorized,” Christie told reporters. “This isn’t a student council election, everybody. This is an election for president of the United States. Let’s get the boy in the bubble out of the bubble, and let’s see him play for the next week in New Hampshire. I’m ready to play, and I hope he is.”

6am – E         Maryland Senate Deadline Is Today.

• The Maryland Senate filing deadline at the Maryland State Board of Elections is Today at 9 p.m. in Annapolis.
• Maryland’s primary is scheduled for April 26.
• Md. Congressman Elijah Cummings won’t jump into Senate race. Will seek re-election instead
• #MDSen filing is today. Come on Martin O’Malley!
• Democratic primary: Declared Candidates: Donna Edwards and Chris Van Hollen
• Republican primary: Declared Republican Candidates: Richard Douglas, attorney, former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense and candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2012, John Graziani, candidate for MD-04, Greg Holmes, candidate for MD-04 in 2012 and 2014 and Democratic State Senate candidate in 2006, Joseph Hooe, tire store owner and State Delegate candidate in 2002 and 2014, Chrys Kefalas, Vice President of Executive Communications for the National Association of Manufacturers, Lynn Richardson, Anthony Seda, Richard Shawver, candidate for U.S. Senate in 2006, Kathy Szeliga, State Delegate, and Dave Wallace, businessman and nominee for MD-08 in 2014.

7am – A/B/C Best Burgers in DC and Elsewhere?

• Wahlberg brothers looking to bring burger joint, Wahlburgers, to D.C. Wahlburgers, the gourmet burger chain from actors Mark and Donnie Wahlberg and their brother, Paul, is looking to enter the D.C. market. A flier circulating around among D.C. real estate brokers says that the chain is looking for flagship locations of about 5,000 square feet in the D.C. metro area. Lance Marine of CBRE Retail Services is representing the tenant; he confirmed they are looking for sites in Greater Washington. Wahlburgers is a Boston-based burger joint with classic burgers as well as a few signatures, such as the OFD (Originally from Dorchester), which has tomato jam, sautéed mushrooms and Swiss cheese. The restaurants have also been the subject of a reality TV show about the Wahlberg family on A&E. The show has aired four seasons since 2014 and has been renewed for two more. D.C. has been on the radar for the burger chain in recent months. The city is part of the company’s national expansion plans, according to Business Insider. That story referenced an agreement already in place for a location in D.C.; Marine declined to comment on any specific locations. The chain just opened its sixth location in December and hopes to open 100 to 150 more locations in the next five years. We’ve reached out to Wahlburgers for more on its D.C. plans and will update this when we learn more.

7am – D         INTERVIEW — KT MCFARLAND – Fox News National Security Analyst

• Top U.S. general slams the idea of carpet bombing ISIS
• Kerry sent ‘secret’ email to Clinton from personal account

7am – E         Trump’s Supporters 11 Times More Likely Than Clinton’s to Expect Sex on the First Date. A new study from Match—formerly Match.com, currently a “relationship company”—provides some illuminating details. Using data gleaned from its 2015 survey of 5,504 U.S. singles, Match compared the sex and relationship attitudes of Trump’s supporters to those of Hillary Clinton’s. Among the reveals: Single Trump fans are 99 percent more likely than singles who support Clinton to film themselves having sex, and 1,104 percent more likely to expect sex on the first date. That’s 11 times as many Trump supporters as Clinton supporters who believe that they have the right to pout if their date doesn’t put out as well as the right to take America back from whomever’s currently in possession. Clinton’s base is 2,133 percent more likely than Trump’s to have no expectations for any physical contact at all on the first date. Match’s study, which was run by Research Now, included responses from people between the ages of 18 and “70+.” About 84 percent of Trump’s fanbase is over 45; according to Match, Trump’s supporters are 54 percent more likely than Clinton’s to have five or more ex-partners. They’re 116 percent more likely to talk about their exes, too, which dovetails with the candidate’s “Make America Great Again” nostalgia. Demographics-wise, lovers of the real-estate mogul are 82 percent more likely to be unemployed than are followers of the former secretary of state. Meanwhile, Clinton’s supporters are six times as likely to be gay.

8am – A         INTERVIEW — TODD EBERLY – Associate Professor of Political Science and Public Policy, St. Mary’s College of Maryland

• The Maryland Senate filing deadline at the Maryland State Board of Elections is Today at 9 p.m. in Annapolis. Maryland’s primary is scheduled for April 26.
• Martin O’Malley drops out. What will his political legacy be?

8am – B         Entertainment News:

• Lady Gaga to Sing National Anthem at Super Bowl 50. Lady Gaga will introduce the most-watched event in the world on Sunday when she sings “The Star-Spangled Banner” at Super Bowl 50. Actress Marlee Matlin will accompany her by performing American Sign Language during the national anthem, according to The Associated Press. The performance will take place in Santa Clara, California’s Levi’s Stadium, where the Denver Broncos will play the Carolina Panthers. The Super Bowl, which will air on CBS and include halftime performances by Coldplay and Beyonce, is the latest event in what has been a prolific start to 2016 for Gaga. Last month, she took home the Golden Globe for her role in American Horror Story: Hotel, with the singer already lining up a busy February.
• Lady Gaga Will Pay Tribute to David Bowie at the Grammys. Gaga will perform a medley of David Bowie songs in tribute to the late singer-songwriter during the Grammys broadcast on February 15, when the ceremony will air live on CBS. The set will consist of three or four tunes and run up to seven minutes long. Chic leader Nile Rodgers, who produced Bowie’s Let’s Dance, is serving as musical director for the performance. Gaga is also nominated in the Best Song Written for Visual Media, along with co-songwriter Diane Warren, for the song “‘Til It Happens to You,” which appeared in the film The Hunting Ground.
• Kate Winslet breaks silence on Titanic raft end: ‘He could have actually fitted.’ Star of third highest-grossing film of all time voices agreement with fans who felt Leonardo DiCaprio’s character died unnecessarily. Titanic’s raft ending: ‘He could have actually fitted,’ Kate Winslet tells Jimmy Kimmel.’ In the final scenes of the film, lovers Jack (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Rose (Kate Winslet) are parted forever when it becomes apparent there is only room for the latter on a floating door after the shipwreck. Rose remains afloat, and goes on to enjoy a long and happy life; Jack shivers to his death in the icy Atlantic. Yet from first screenings, fans expressed scepticism about just how much of the raft Jack would have required, and conspiracy theories arose suggesting Rose may have hogged the space maliciously.

8am – C         Montgomery Co. seeks $1.6M to cover Silver Spring Transit Center suit fees. WASHINGTON — The cost of completing the Silver Spring Transit Center went above and beyond original projections. By the time it was finished in 2015, the project was four years late and cost $50 million more than first estimated. And each time the county executive staff went before the Montgomery County council to report on glitches in construction and added expenses, a promise came from Director of General Services David Dise: taxpayers would not have to spend a penny more than first projected. The cost of fixes to the flawed project would not come out of the taxpayers’ pockets. But now Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett’s office is seeking an additional $1.6 million connected to the project. This time it’s for legal fees. Montgomery County Attorney David Markovs says the additional costs go toward hiring experts who can attest to what the problems were, and why the firms could be at fault.

8am – D         INTERVIEW – GOVERNOR JOHN SUNUNU – 75th Governor of New Hampshire, former Chief of Staff for President George H. W. Bush and author of The Quiet Man – shared his thoughts on Iowa Caucus results, Donald Trump slamming him and analyzed the New Hampshire primary.

8am – E         Fitness/Diet News:

• A Stanford psychologist explains why spacing out and goofing off is so good for you. We believe that the opposite of focus— daydreaming, goofing off, spacing out— is to be avoided. Truly successful people don’t come up with great ideas through focus alone. They are successful because they make time to not concentrate and to engage in a broad array of activities like playing golf. As a consequence, they think inventively and are profoundly creative: they develop innovative solutions to problems and connect dots in brilliant ways. Dwight Eisenhower logged more hours on the golf course than any other U.S. president yet is also regarded as one of the best presidents this country has ever had. In a time and age when everyone is over-scheduled and over-focused, creativity is more and more prized— it’s the key to your effectiveness and success, in life and in business. It can also be a never- ending source of joy and happiness.
• Your fitness tracker probably has security issues. Ever wondered how secure you are with a fitness tracker on your wrist? The researchers at Open Effect have… and their answer is “not as much as you’d probably like.” In their analysis, several common trackers have flaws that theoretically let attackers follow you or intercept data. Seven out of eight used static hardware identifiers that could allow location tracking over Bluetooth, for a start. Also, the companion apps from Garmin, Jawbone, Withings and Xiaomi have holes that not only expose data, but let evildoers fake fitness info — a problem in lawsuits where that data could be crucial evidence.
• Chick-Fil-A diet suggests eating chicken nuggets ‘every 3 to 4 hours.’ (ABC News) — (NEW YORK) — Good news if you’re still looking for a diet plan catered to you. Chick-Fil-A is now reportedly touting a chicken nugget diet on its paper bags along with other “great ideas for healthier living.” The paper bag allegedly reads, “Kick off the New Year by adding one healthy habit to your routine. Here’s a good one: Eat smaller meals (like an 8-count pack of grilled nuggets) every three to four hours.” According to People magazine, the diet will cost you about $23.10 per day, not including beverages, but the nuggets are low-cal with 140 calories and 3 grams of fat per serving. Chick-Fil-A has not yet offered diet suggestions for Sundays when its chains are closed.