Tom Bergeron, David Bossie and Bret Baier joined WMAL on Friday!

Mornings on the Mall

Friday, July 1, 2016

Hosts: Brian Wilson and Larry O’Connor

 

5am – A         Beware: Lots of new Md., Va. laws go into effect on July 1

• Maryland’s minimum wage to rise 50 cents to $8.75. ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Maryland’s minimum wage and the state’s gas tax are going up. Here’s a look at some new laws that take effect Friday: MINIMUM WAGE: Maryland’s minimum wage will rise from $8.25 to $8.75. It’s the latest bump scheduled to take effect since lawmakers in 2014 approved increases over several years from $7.25. It is scheduled to go up to $9.25 next year and reach $10.10 in July 2018. GAS TAX: The state’s gas tax will rise nine-tenths of a cent to 33.5 cents. Lawmakers approved several increases in 2013, with regular hikes to adjust for inflation. The state’s gas tax has gone up a dime since 2013, when lawmakers approved the first increase in 20 years from 23.5 cents. RETIREMENT PLANS: A state-sponsored retirement savings plan goes into effect. IRAs will be created for private-sector employees without access to a workplace savings program with their employer. Employees would need to make the contributions and can opt out of the program. The law applies to employers using an automated payroll system who don’t already offer a retirement program. TRANSPORTATION: Maryland will have a new scoring system to prioritize transportation projects. It’s the result of a battle between the Republican governor and the Democrat-controlled Legislature over transportation funding. While the governor won’t be prevented from funding a project with a lower score than another, an explanation would be required for the decision. The governor vetoed the bill, but the Legislature overrode the veto in April, shortly before adjourning. POWDERED ALCOHOL: A ban on powdered alcohol in the state will be extended two years until June 30, 2018. LAND PRESERVATION: Funding to the state’s land preservation program known as Program Open Space will be restored. The law, already signed by the governor, will return $60 million over the next two years.  St. Mary’s County.
• New Virginia laws impact gun safety, children, animals, and fantasy sports. RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — A series of new laws is set to go into effect on Friday, including parts of a landmark gun compromise between Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe and Republican lawmakers. THINK OF THE CHILDREN: Several new laws will affect children. Come Friday, anyone who smokes in a car with children under eight will be subject to a $100 fine. Virginia’s public elementary schools will have to provide 20 minutes of physical activity a day for students. And 16- and 17-year-olds looking to get hitched will have to get a judge’s permission before getting married, a new law designed to help prevent child abuse. FANTASY TIME: A new law regulating fantasy sports industry and specifying that fantasy sports betting is not “illegal gambling” becomes law Friday. The bill, signed by McAuliffe this month, formally legalizes and regulates sites such as FanDuel and DraftKings, requiring them to pay a $50,000 initial registration fee and submit to regular outside audits. Some smaller fantasy sites have said it will force them to stop doing business in Virginia. ANIMALS AMONG US: Virginia will now allow the hunting of wild bird and animals with a slingshot, except for deer, bear, elk and turkey. Cities in Virginia will now be able to adopt new rules prohibiting the feeding of deer, with a $50 fine per violation.

5am – B/C   INTERVIEW – TOM BERGERON – host of “Dancing with the Stars” and the “Capitol Fourth” show

• This July 4th, America’s national Independence Day celebration kicks off our country’s 240th birthday as A CAPITOL FOURTH on PBS welcomes back  Emmy Award-winning  television personality  Tom Bergeron (DANCING WITH THE STARS)  to host festivities. Broadcast live from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol, “A Capitol Fourth” this year will also feature performances by: legendary Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter Smokey Robinson; platinum selling recording star and Grammy Award-winner Kenny Loggins; multi-platinum selling singer-songwriter Gavin DeGraw; (GLEE), who is set to star in DREAMGIRLS THE MUSICAL on London’s West End; musical prodigy and classical crossover star Jackie Evancho; Tony Award-winning Broadway and television star Sutton Foster (YOUNGER, GILMORE GIRLS); and the cast of the smash hit Broadway musical “On Your Feet!” the inspiring true story of Gloria and Emilio Estefan; with the National Symphony Orchestra under the direction of top pops conductor Jack Everly.  Alisan Porter, the Season 10 winner of THE VOICE, will open the show with a special performance of the “National Anthem.”  The concert will also feature special segments in celebration of the 75th anniversary of the USO and the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service.  The 36th annual broadcast of A CAPITOL FOURTH airs on PBS Monday, July 4, 2016 from 8:00 to 9:30 p.m. ET before a concert audience of hundreds of thousands, millions more at home, as well as to our troops serving around the world on the American Forces Network.  The program can also be heard live in stereo over NPR member stations nationwide.

5am – D/E     Lynch- Clinton Meeting News:

• State Department seeks 2-year-plus delay in suit for Clinton aides’ emails. Citing the agency’s own errors in the handling of a request for emails of four former aides to Hillary Clinton, the State Department is asking a federal judge to extend the deadline to complete processing of the records by more than two years. Justice Department lawyers notified U.S. District Court Judge Rudolph Contreras on Wednesday that State will be unable to meet the court-ordered deadline of July 21 in the lawsuit the conservative group Citizens United brought earlier this year seeking emails ex-State Department officials Cheryl Mills, Huma Abedin, Melanne Verveer and Michael Fuchs exchanged with individuals at the Clinton Foundation or a firm with ties to the Clintons, Teneo Consulting. The government lawyers asked Contreras to give State an additional 27 months— until October 2018—to finish work on the request, processing documents at a rate of about 500 pages a month.
• Judicial Watch Asks Justice Inspector General to Investigate Loretta Lynch-Bill Clinton Meeting. Judicial Watch today requested that the U.S. Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General investigate the meeting yesterday between Bill Clinton and Attorney General Loretta Lynch.

6am – A/B/C What would you call the 51st state? DC leaders settle on ‘New Columbia.’ Some argued against naming anything after Christopher Columbus. (Washington Post) — How does New Columbia sound? That may be the new name for the District of Columbia if the city wins its bid to become the 51st state, a statehood commission decided on Monday. Settling on a name was among the most basic constitutional questions settled by Mayor Muriel E. Bowser, Council Chairman Phil Mendelson, D.C. shadow Sen. Paul Strauss and others on the five-member commission, which also approved a draft state constitution that calls for the creation of a 21-person state legislature. New Columbia is actually an old name – it was approved by voters in a 1982 referendum that was part of an earlier campaign for statehood. But the moniker is far from a crowd pleaser.  Residents suggested at least 10 alternatives ranging from Potomac to Anacostia to Douglass Commonwealth – an homage to abolitionist Frederick Douglass that would have maintained the District’s “D.C.” abbreviation. “We decided to keep what had been part of the statehood legacy since 1982,” said Strauss, who says he’s not a “super fan” of the New Columbia name. “If the voters of the new state want to change it, that’s going to be a great thing they can do as a free state.” Some also wanted the new name disconnected from Christopher Columbus, saying they associate the Italian explorer with the decimation of indigenous people.

6am – D         Where to watch Independence Day fireworks in your area. WASHINGTON — The region is ringing in the Fourth of July with a bang — lots of bangs, actually. Fireworks shows are being held across the area, everywhere from the Mall to local middle schools. First off, while you might want to bring the glitz and sparkle of Independence Day to your home, make sure you know about fireworks laws in your area.

In Prince George’s County, backyard fireworks are illegal. Breaking this law could result in a $1,000 fine and six months of jail time.

In Montgomery County, backyard fireworks are also illegal, unless you’re running a preapproved public fireworks show.

In D.C., personal fireworks are illegal but sparklers smaller than 20 inches long are allowed. See a full list of what’s allowed and what’s not here.

6am – E         British MEP Daniel Hannan Spent Nine Minutes Smacking Down CNN Journalist. Daniel Hannan, a conservative Member of the European Parliament representing South East England and one of the most vocal advocates in favor of #Brexit, had a “fiery exchange” with CNN’s Christiane Amanpour, in which Hannan repeatedly rejected Amanpour’s attempts to smear Leave supporters as racist and pushed back against her accusations that he had made misrepresentations. The interview, which aired on Tuesday, featured Amanpour questioning Hannan for details about how Britain’s exit from the European Union would be accomplished.

 

7am – A         INTERVIEW — DAVID BOSSIE – President, Citizens United

• Lynch meeting with Bill Clinton creates firestorm for email case
• State Department seeks 2-year-plus delay in suit for Clinton aides’ emails. Citing the agency’s own errors in the handling of a request for emails of four former aides to Hillary Clinton, the State Department is asking a federal judge to extend the deadline to complete processing of the records by more than two years. Justice Department lawyers notified U.S. District Court Judge Rudolph Contreras on Wednesday that State will be unable to meet the court-ordered deadline of July 21 in the lawsuit the conservative group Citizens United brought earlier this year seeking emails ex-State Department officials Cheryl Mills, Huma Abedin, Melanne Verveer and Michael Fuchs exchanged with individuals at the Clinton Foundation or a firm with ties to the Clintons, Teneo Consulting. The government lawyers asked Contreras to give State an additional 27 months— until October 2018—to finish work on the request, processing documents at a rate of about 500 pages a month.
• Lynch to Accept F.B.I. Recommendations in Clinton Email Inquiry, Official Says.

7am – B         Pentagon ends transgender ban. Washington (CNN)The Pentagon said Thursday it was ending the ban on transgender people being able to serve openly in the U.S. military. The announcement — which removes one of the last barriers to military service by any individual — was made by Defense Secretary Ash Carter, who had been studying the issue for almost a year. The decision comes as the military has witnessed major changes in the role of women and the inclusion of gays, lesbians and bisexual service members in recent years. It drew some criticism from Republicans and conservatives, including Rep. Mac Thornberry, Republican chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, who charged the White House was “prioritizing politics over policy.” Carter said the ending of the ban takes effect immediately and that no longer could a transgender person be discharged on that basis.

7am – C         FBI asks agencies who responded to Pulse to deny records requests. (Orlando Sentinel) — The FBI has asked law enforcement agencies who responded to Pulse nightclub to withhold records from the public, according to officials. A June 20 letter from the FBI, attached to the City or Orlando’s lawsuit over withholding 911 calls and other records from 25 media outlets including the Orlando Sentinel, was also sent to the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office with instructions pertaining to how they should respond to records requests. The letter requests that agencies deny inquiries and directs departments to “immediately notify the FBI of any requests your agency received” so “the FBI can seek to prevent disclosure through appropriate channels, as necessary.” The Seminole County Sheriff’s Office sent the Sentinel the letter Tuesday night in response to a request for documents, video and audio recordings from the early morning hours of June 12. A spokeswoman for the Sheriff’s Office said the FBI sent them the letter Monday night and “instructed us to forward it to anyone requesting records.”

7am – D         Beware: Lots of new Md., Va. laws go into effect on July 1.

7am – E         Patrick Stewart Performs Country.

 

8am – A         INTERVIEW – TOM BERGERON – host of “Dancing with the Stars” and the “Capitol Fourth” show

• This July 4th, America’s national Independence Day celebration kicks off our country’s 240th birthday as A CAPITOL FOURTH on PBS welcomes back  Emmy Award-winning  television personality  Tom Bergeron (DANCING WITH THE STARS)  to host festivities. Broadcast live from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol, “A Capitol Fourth” this year will also feature performances by: legendary Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter Smokey Robinson; platinum selling recording star and Grammy Award-winner Kenny Loggins; multi-platinum selling singer-songwriter Gavin DeGraw; (GLEE), who is set to star in DREAMGIRLS THE MUSICAL on London’s West End; musical prodigy and classical crossover star Jackie Evancho; Tony Award-winning Broadway and television star Sutton Foster (YOUNGER, GILMORE GIRLS); and the cast of the smash hit Broadway musical “On Your Feet!” the inspiring true story of Gloria and Emilio Estefan; with the National Symphony Orchestra under the direction of top pops conductor Jack Everly.  Alisan Porter, the Season 10 winner of THE VOICE, will open the show with a special performance of the “National Anthem.”  The concert will also feature special segments in celebration of the 75th anniversary of the USO and the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service.  The 36th annual broadcast of A CAPITOL FOURTH airs on PBS Monday, July 4, 2016 from 8:00 to 9:30 p.m. ET before a concert audience of hundreds of thousands, millions more at home, as well as to our troops serving around the world on the American Forces Network.  The program can also be heard live in stereo over NPR member stations nationwide.

8am – B         Major League Baseball must permanently retire ‘God Bless America,’ a song that offends everyone.  It’s time for God to stop blessing America during the seventh-inning stretch. (NY Daily News/Gersh Kuntzman) — Welcome to the July 4 holiday weekend — when once again, baseball fans will be assaulted by the saccharine-sweet non-anthem “God Bless America” at stadia all over this great land. But no matter which home team you root, root, root for, “God Bless America” should be sent permanently to the bench. Now, don’t get me wrong: When Major League Baseball ordered all teams to play the patriotic jingle after 9/11, I didn’t immediately object. Standing with my fellow fans, as one, and singing a paean to our country provided catharsis, comfort and shared heartache. But it wasn’t long before heartache became headache. The Yankees still play it at every game, but most teams, like my beloved Mets, play “God Bless America” only on Sundays or holidays. But even that’s too much. Part of my outrage stems from ponderous Mussolini-esque introduction of the song, when fans are asked to rise, remove their caps and place them over their hearts. Reality check, friends: “God Bless America” is not the National Anthem. The only songs Americans should stand for are “The Star Spangled Banner” and “Here Comes the Bride.” Even Irving Berlin, who wrote “God Bless America” in 1918, considered it so maudlin and depressing that he stuck it in a drawer

8am – C         Woman stuns visitors at Lincoln Memorial with impromptu national anthem. (Today) — “The Star-Spangled Banner” is moving, beautiful and notoriously difficult to sing — that’s part of what makes the following video so impressive. In the now-viral clip, viewed by millions on Facebook and on YouTube, Star Swain stands at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., during a busy tourist rush and decides to do the unthinkable — for most of us. After copping to feeling nervous, Swain went on to belt out a pitch-perfect rendition of the national anthem. The soulful performance turned the heads of dozens of other visitors, and when Swain finished, several approached her for hugs and high-fives. Even armed guards congratulated her for the moving moment.

8am – D         INTERVIEW – BRET BAIER – Fox News Channel anchor of Special Report

• Lynch meeting with Bill Clinton creates firestorm for email case
• State Department seeks 2-year-plus delay in suit for Clinton aides’ emails
• Lynch to Accept F.B.I. Recommendations in Clinton Email Inquiry, Official Says. Attorney General
• Gingrich, Christie are the leading candidates to be Trump’s running mate. (Washington Post) –Donald Trump’s campaign has begun formally vetting possible running mates, with former House speaker Newt Gingrich emerging as the leading candidate, followed by New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie.

8am – E         Entertainment News:

• On yesterday in 1936, “Gone with the Wind” was published.
• Famed “Gone with the Wind” star Olivia de Havilland will turn 100 on Friday. Friday marks quite the milestone for Olivia de Havilland. The famed “Gone with the Wind” star — and the last living member of its sprawling cast — will turn 100 years old. De Havilland was born July 1, 1916 in Tokyo to British parents. The family moved to California three years later, and she made her screen debut in 1935 in Max Reinhardt’s production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” Four years later, she would appear as Melanie Hamilton Wilkes alongside Vivien Leigh, Clark Gable and Hattie McDaniel in “Gone with the Wind.” Her other notable screen roles included “The Adventures of Robin Hood,” “Hold Back the Dawn,” “The Heiress,” “The Snake Pit” and “To Each his Own.”
• “Morning Joe” hosts Mika Brzezinski and Joe Scarborough appeared to acknowledge a Page Six exclusive about their rumored romance during a flirtatious on-air exchange Thursday. Brzezinski, turning to her co-host toward the beginning of the show, said, “Can I get to the lead stories now?” “By the way,” Scarborough responded, with a devilish smirk on his face, “there are a lot of lead stories today” — prompting hearty laughter from the MSNBC set.  Both anchors are divorced and are considering going public as a couple, Page Six reported.