joined WMAL on Thursday!
Mornings on the Mall
Thursday, April 20, 2017
Hosts: Brian Wilson and Mary Walter
Executive Producer: Heather Hunter
5am – A/B/C Bill O’Reilly Is Out At Fox News. Do You Agree Or Was It A Bad Move?
5am – D Uproar Over Deported DREAMer:
- DHS says Dreamer deportation valid; caught hopping border fence> (DC Examiner) — There’s been a lot of confusion and argument over the deportation of Juan Manuel Montes, a 23-year-old Mexican-born man who entered the United States illegally as a child but received legal protection under President Barack Obama’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. A story in USA Today on Tuesday with the headline, “First protected DREAMer is deported under Trump” reported that “federal agents ignored President Trump’s pledge to protect from deportation undocumented immigrants brought into the United States as children by sending a young man back to his native Mexico.” The paper reported that Montes had spent the evening of Feb. 17 with his girlfriend in Calexico, Calif., and was “waiting for a ride when a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer approached and started asking questions.” The paper reported Montes did not have his ID or proof of his DACA status — he “had left his wallet in a friend’s car” — and found himself deported within hours. The case led to expressions of outrage by activists and others opposed to the Trump administration’s border security policies. But the actual story, according to the Department of Homeland Security, is much different. DHS said Montes “was apprehended by the Calexico Station Border Patrol after illegally entering the U.S. by climbing over the fence in downtown Calexico. He was arrested by Border Patrol just minutes after he made his illegal entry and admitted under oath during the arrest interview that he had entered illegally.” The interview was conducted in Spanish, DHS said. Montes’ problem, according to DHS, was that he left the United States without authorization, which is a clear reason for revocation of DACA status. If they want to travel outside the United States, people in the U.S. illegally but with DACA protection must apply for something called “advance parole.” At that point U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services “will determine whether your purpose for international travel is justifiable based on the circumstances you describe in your request,” according to USCIS guidelines. Justifiable reasons include traveling to obtain medical treatment, to visit an ailing relative, attend a funeral, take part in a semester-abroad academic program, and more. But DACA holders must apply for advance parole if they want to leave the country. If they don’t, the consequences can be quite serious. This is from the USCIS guidelines: CAUTION: If you travel outside the United States on or after August 15, 2012, without first receiving advance parole, your departure automatically terminates your deferred action under DACA.
- Hispanic judge Trump called biased to hear deported ‘Dreamer’ case. (The Hill) – The federal judge who oversaw a lawsuit against Trump University and was accused by President Trump of being biased because of his Mexican heritage will now oversee a controversial immigration case. U.S. District Judge Gonzalo Curiel has been assigned to a case involving the first “Dreamer” deported under Trump’s tenure, according to a new report. Curiel will preside over a lawsuit brought by Juan Manuel Montes following his deportation in February, USA Today said Wednesday.USA Today said Curiel’s assignment was purely by chance, with judges on the Southern District of California selected for cases on a rotating schedule. Curiel will be asked to decide whether U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) should release information on Montes’ deportation to his team of attorneys.
5am – E Chaffetz won’t run for reelection… Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) will not seek reelection in 2018, he announced in a Facebook post Wednesday morning. “After long consultation with my family and prayerful consideration, I have decided I will not be a candidate for any office in 2018,” the House Oversight Committee chairman said. Chaffetz, 50, had been floated as a potential candidate for Senate or Utah governor, but he denied any interest in running for anything in 2018. However, he noted that he “may run again for public office, but not in 2018.” Sen. Orrin Hatch’s (R-Utah) seat is up in 2018, while Utah Gov. Gary Herbert’s (R) seat is up in 2020. “For those that would speculate otherwise, let me be clear that I have no ulterior motives. I am healthy. I am confident I would continue to be re-elected by large margins. I have the full support of Speaker Ryan to continue as Chairman of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee. That said, I have made a personal decision to return to the private sector,” Chaffetz said.
Because Rep. Jason Chaffetz won’t run for reelection, Rep. Jim Jordan could take over his old committee job. (DC Examiner) – To keep Republicans from becoming conceited in their House majority, Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, volunteered to serve as the proverbial thorn in their side. The Freedom Caucus he founded has sabotaged budgets, axed a House speaker, and recently exploded the Obamacare overhaul. But in a major shakeup, Jordan could soon join the ranks of House leadership. He could chair the powerful House Oversight Committee beginning in 2018. And while that’d be a nightmare for some, it’s not an outlandish possibility.
6am – A SPORTS NEWS:
- CAPS PLAYOFFS: The Capitals hold on to beat the Maple Leafs 5-4 in Game 4. Washington Capitals strike early, top Toronto Maple Leafs to tie series. Tom Wilson and T.J. Oshie each scored two goals as the Washington Capitals beat the Toronto Maple Leafs, 5-4, on Wednesday night to tie their first-round playoff series at two games apiece.
- Wizards beat Hawks to take 2-0 series lead. In a rough-and-tumble, foul-filled game, Bradley Beal took over in the fourth quarter with 16 of his 31 points, including a key late 3-pointer, helping the Washington Wizards beat the Atlanta Hawks 109-101 on Wednesday night for a 2-0 lead in their Eastern Conference first-round series. John Wall earned chants of “M-V-P!” while finishing with 32 points and nine assists, including the dish to Beal for his shot from beyond the arc with 38 seconds remaining that sealed the win for the hosts. The series now shifts to Atlanta for Game 3 on Saturday. Paul Millsap led the Hawks with 27 points and 10 rebounds, and Dennis Schroder scored 23 points.
- NATS: Bryce Harper and Ryan Zimmerman both hit grand slams for the Nationals. The Nationals trounced the Braves 14-4 on Wednesday night in Atlanta. Eight of those runs game on two grand slams from outfielder Bryce Harper and first baseman Ryan Zimmerman. The grand slam was Harper’s second home run of the night.
- Patriots star Gronk crashes White House press briefing. New England Patriots star Rob Gronkowski on Wednesday crashed White House press secretary Sean Spicer’s daily media briefing.
- Trump compares Patriots’ “greatest Super Bowl comeback of all time” to his own election win. President Trump drew parallels between his unlikely election victory and the New England Patriots during their Super Bowl celebration Wednesday at the White House. Trump borrowed one of Patriots head coach Bill Belichick’s most famous phrases in his speech honoring the defending champions. “Whether you’re trying to rebuild our country or win a Super Bowl, there are no days off,” the president said during a ceremony on the South Lawn.
- Brady among several New England Patriots players who skipped White House visit. Superstar quarterback Tom Brady was among several New England Patriots players who decided not to attend Wednesday’s ceremony at the White House honoring the team’s Super Bowl LI win — but unlike some of his compatriots, Brady claimed his decision not to go has nothing to do with President Trump. Brady only announced Wednesday morning that he would not be attending. “Thank you to the president for hosting this honorary celebration and for supporting our team for as long as I can remember,” he said in a statement. “In light of some recent development, I am unable to attend today’s ceremony, as I am attending to some personal family matters.” The White House told Fox News it was aware ahead of time that Brady wouldn’t be at the ceremony. While Brady didn’t specifically say what the family issue was, it’s known that his mom has cancer.
6am – B ENTERTAINMENT NEWS:
- Proving age don’t mean a thing, People names Julia Roberts,49, the Most Beautiful Woman in the World for 5th time. LOS ANGELES (AP) — Julia Roberts is more than just a “Pretty Woman.” People magazine has named her the “World’s Most Beautiful Woman” for a record fifth time. The magazine announced Roberts’ selection on Wednesday. The 49-year-old actress has previously claimed the cover spot in 2010, 2005, 2000 and 1991. Roberts, who won an Academy Award for “Erin Brockovich,” says she is “very flattered” by the experience. People’s 28th annual “World’s Most Beautiful” double-issue will be on newsstands Friday.
- Tennis superstar Serena Williams confirms pregnancy through spokeswoman. Tennis superstar Serena Williams is pregnant and taking maternity leave through the rest of 2017, expecting to give birth this fall, her spokeswoman said on Wednesday in an announcement that upended a sport the 35-year-old athlete has dominated for the past decade. The confirmation came hours after Williams, due to regain to the No. 1 world ranking next week, set off a day of frenzied speculation with a short-lived selfie posted on social media – posing for a photo in a yellow one-piece swimsuit on Snapchat with the caption: “20 weeks.” Williams deleted the photo shortly after it appeared and waited more than six hours to make any public comment, stoking debate among tennis fans about whether or not she was joking. “I’m happy to confirm Serena is expecting a baby this fall,” Los Angeles-based publicist Kelly Bush Novak said. Bush Novak told Reuters that Williams intended to sit out the remainder of the 2017 season and return next year. Williams, the world’s highest paid female athlete, announced her engagement to Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian last December.
- ADAM SANDLER FILMS BELOVED ON NETFLIX: Netflix co-founder & CEO Reed Hastings has revealed that the service’s users have collectively streamed more than 500 million hours of Adam Sandler’s movies over the last year and a half.
6am – C Great again: Chesapeake Bay crabs are back, females at all-time high. (DC Examiner) — The Maryland Blue Crab is back, potentially opening the door to changes in how many can be caught and efforts to clean up the Chesapeake Bay. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources said that its winter survey found a record level of spawning females. In fact, they found more than are even considered healthy for the habitat. “The healthy abundance of adult crabs in the Chesapeake Bay bodes well for crabbers in the first half of the 2017 crabbing season,” said the department. “The overall population of crabs was estimated at 455 million, the 11th highest level recorded by the survey. The spawning female stock increased 31 percent, from 194 million to 254 million, exceeding the healthy target level of 215 million for the first time since 2010,” said the department. It added, “While the survey indicates the population has slightly decreased due to lackluster recruitment, it showed a surge in spawning-age female crabs to the highest level recorded in the 28-year history of the baywide survey.” Overall, it called the crab “resiliant” and harvests “sustainable.”
6am – D INTERVIEW — JOE CONCHA — Media reporter, The Hill– discussed the change in Fox’s primetime lineup.
6am – E Berkeley Cancels Coulter Appearance Over Security Concerns… Coulter Vows To Speak At UC Berkeley Despite Event Cancellation. BERKELEY (CBS SF) — A scheduled appearance by conservative commentator and writer Ann Coulter at the University of California later this month has been canceled because of concerns about safety and security at the event. But Coulter tweeted on Wednesday that the speech would go on at another Berkeley venue. “Yes, it was officially banned,” Coulter told the Hollywood Reporter. “But they can’t stop me. I’m an American. I have Constitutional rights.” Word of the cancellation by UC Berkeley officials of the April 27th event comes just days after a violent encounter between far-right supporters and far-left protesters at a pro-Donald Trump rally in Berkeley in which multiple people were injured and arrested. In a letter to the Berkeley College Republicans, UC Berkeley Vice Chancellor Scott Biddy and Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Stephen Sutton said the university will work with the group to find an alternative time and date for the polemical Coulter to speak at Berkeley. The letter said the UC Police Department determined that because of “currently active security threats,” it was not possible to assure the event could be held successfully of that the safety of Coulter, sponsors, and attendees could be adequately protected at any of the campus venues available. Berkeley College Republicans spokesman Naweed Tahmas said he hopes the university will reconsider. “I don’t think Berkeley wants to be known as the campus that’s too afraid to take a stand and support freedom of speech,” said Tahmas.
6am – F Hogan outlines $100M effort to cut congestion on I-270. POTOMAC, Md. — Standing just off Interstate 270 near the Montrose Road interchange, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan outlined his $100 million dollar plan to relieve congestion on the busy commuter route. Speaking above the constant roar of traffic, Hogan said the project, which could start this spring and wrap up in 2019, won’t be a cure-all, but will make a difference. “The project will help break 14 different bottlenecks on 270,” he said. “It will add 23 new lane miles of roads, more than 25 real-time traffic communication devices and more than 30 intelligent signals.” According to data supplied by the Maryland State Highway Administration, the plan could save a commuter whose drive starts between I-70 in Frederick and Father Hurley Boulevard in Germantown, as much as 30 minutes during the morning commute. “That’s 130 more hours each year, or more than three entire workweeks freed up from sitting in traffic,” Hogan said. Among the changes, adding “metered ramps” — ramps where traffic lights will stop and start traffic in sync with sensors along I-270 to “flush” cars lined up on the on-ramps. Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett thanked the governor for the investment represented by the project, but took the opportunity to remind Hogan — who is running for re-election — that in Leggett’s words, Montgomery County is the “economic engine of Maryland.”
7am – A People Of Baltimore Voted Least Attractive In US. BALTIMORE (WJZ) — In a new Travel and Leisure survey of America’s favorite places, readers scored cities on a few different categories, including how “hot or not” the locals are. Turns out, America thinks Baltimoreans aren’t the prettiest people. Baltimore, Maryland was ranked the least attractive city. Charm City slipped down the list from fourth to first place in this year’s survey. Readers seem to love Baltimore for its revitalized Inner Harbor, and its beautiful historic sites, but while the city itself is rather photogenic, Americans think the citizens are not. We beg to differ. Atlanta was previously voted one of America’s Most Attractive Cities, but it slipped down to number eight this year. Tampa, Florida comes in 7th. The scenery may be lovely, but readers don’t think the residents are. Sixth place goes to Cleveland, Ohio and Milwaukee, Wisconsin comes in fifth.
7am – B DC man convicted under revenge porn law sentenced to 9 years. WASHINGTON — A D.C. man convicted of stalking and harassing his ex-girlfriend by posting sexually explicit photos of her in her neighborhood and workplace was sentenced to nine years in prison Wednesday. The conviction of Lamont Delrico Roberts, 46, was the first under a new law in the District outlawing revenge porn. The law against “nonconsensual pornography” went into effect in May 2015. The law criminalizes the unlawful disclosure of naked photos without the consent of the person depicted in them even if the photos were taken or given by the victim. A jury last November found Roberts guilty of five counts of unlawful disclosure, one count of stalking, three counts of making felony threats and one count of simple assault for harassing his ex-girlfriend after she ended the relationship.
7am – C Starbucks’ Unicorn Frappuccino tastes like sour birthday cake and shame. (Washington Post) — Most people think of unicorns as cuddly-cute magical rainbow sparkle horses, right? Except according to ancient lore, the mythical creature was “the fiercest animal, and it is said that it is impossible to capture one alive,” Pliny wrote. “Its cry is a deep bellow.” A deep bellow was the noise heard across America when Starbucks released its long-rumored Unicorn Frappuccino in participating stores nationwide Wednesday. It is, indeed, a fearsome beast, one “made with a sweet dusting of pink powder blended into a crème Frappuccino with mango syrup, and layered with a pleasantly sour blue powder topping,” according to a Starbucks news release. It changes colors from purple to pink when you stir in “swirls of blue.” When a news release identifies a drink’s component parts by its colors, rather than its flavors — well, that’s a pretty telling detail. And sure enough, it is vibrant and fun. But what flavor is “pink?” Pink is the flavor of Lisa Frank trapper keepers and strawberry milk. What does sour blue powder taste like? Like Jolly Ranchers, and shame. I guess there’s some mango in there, although it’s overshadowed by a mouth-puckering sour flavor and immediately forgotten in the aftermath of a long-lasting, tongue-coating Robitussin aftertaste.
7am – D/E INTERVIEW — TOM FITTON – President of JUDCIAL WATCH and author of “Clean House: Exposing Our Government’s Secrets and Lies”
- MOCO VOTER ROLLS: Conservative group urges Maryland to do more to weed out ineligible voters — or it will sue. A conservative legal watchdog group said it will sue the state of Maryland unless it takes more aggressive action to remove ineligible voters from the registration rolls of Montgomery County, its largest jurisdiction. In a letter to the Maryland State Board of Elections last week, Judicial Watch cited data showing that there are more registered voters in Montgomery than there are citizens of voting age (18 and over). The group called it “strong circumstantial evidence” that the state’s rolls are swollen by voters who are deceased, have moved away or who are not citizens. Judicial Watch has made similar allegations in more than 90 counties in 11 states, including North Carolina, Florida and Kentucky. Montgomery County, where Democrats have a 2-to-1 registration advantage — is the only Maryland county that was served notice. The group said it will file a lawsuit against Maryland within 90 days unless the state takes corrective action.
- WH VISITOR LOGS: White House Says It Will No Longer Release Visitor Logs To The Public. The Trump administration says it will not make public the names of those visiting the White House, reversing the Obama administration’s policy. White House communications director Michael Dubke said in a statement that the decision was due to the “the grave national security risks and privacy concerns of the hundreds of thousands of visitors annually,” NPR’s Scott Horsley reports.(AOL) — Tom Fitton, president of the conservative-leaning watchdog Judicial Watch, said the organization was “disappointed” with the White House’s decision. “Unfortunately, this move is perfectly in line with the policy of the Obama White House to prevent these visitors logs from being processed and released under the Freedom of Information Act,” Fitton’s statement read. “This new secrecy policy undermines the rule of law and suggests this White House doesn’t want to be accountable to the American people,” Fitton said.
- DC MAYOR: DC Mayor Bowser leaves and no one knows where she went. Judicial Watch has investigated past DC mayors and found sketchy funding given to mayors for their travel.
8am – A INTERVIEW – Montgomery County Executive ISIAH “IKE” LEGGETT
- Hogan outlines $100M effort to cut congestion on I-270. POTOMAC, Md. — Standing just off Interstate 270 near the Montrose Road interchange, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan outlined his $100 million dollar plan to relieve congestion on the busy commuter route. Speaking above the constant roar of traffic, Hogan said the project, which could start this spring and wrap up in 2019, won’t be a cure-all, but will make a difference.
8am – B/C INTERVIEW – SCOTT ALLEN – Sports Reporter, The Washington Post
- BIO: Scott Allen writes about all things D.C. sports.
- CAPS PLAYOFFS: The Capitals hold on to beat the Maple Leafs 5-4 in Game 4. Washington Capitals strike early, top Toronto Maple Leafs to tie series.
- Wizards beat Hawks to take 2-0 series lead.
- NATS: Bryce Harper and Ryan Zimmerman both hit grand slams for the Nationals.
- Redskins to host first Thanksgiving game in franchise history.
8am – D INTERVIEW — DYLAN BYERS — Senior Reporter for Media & Politics for CNN – discussed the change in Fox’s primetime lineup.
8am – E Calls: Bill O’Reilly Is Out At Fox News. Do You Agree Or Was It A Bad Move?
