The Latest: 03/17/2026 07:59pm ET

0:00This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human No one knows what the future holds, but you deserve a weather app that can help. Weatherbug is easy to use and provides forecasts for your every need. From storm warnings to pollen levels, write at your fingertips. Get the fastest local alerts and comprehensive 10-day forecasts wherever you are. It's hyper-local, real-time, customizable alerts. Make sure the weather never takes you by surprise so you can plan every day with confidence. Download the free weather bug app from the app store today, and start getting accurate weather forecasts 24-7. This is your 24-7 News Update, the latest views this hour in just 4 minutes. President Trump says help is not necessary when it comes to protecting the straight of hormones. In a meeting with Ireland's Prime Minister at the White House, Trump made the comment to reporters. When asked about getting more NATO allies to help secure the straight as the war in Iran continues. I think NATO is making a very foolish mistake, and I long said that I wonder whether or not NATO would ever be there for us.

1:06So this was a great test, because we don't need them, but they should have been there. France, Germany and Spain have rejected involvement in helping secure the strategic waterway where one fifth of the world's oil passes through. The UK remains undecided on the issue. Flyers across the U.S. are dealing with bad weather and long lines. On the weather front, delays and cancellations are starting to pile up as a line of thunderstorms hit the East Coast. As far south as Florida, flight-aware reports over 1,100 flights have been cancelled at last check with almost 7,000 delays. Meanwhile, major airports are reporting long security lines due to the partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security. TSA says its agents are fully stretched as they work without pay. The Republican-led House Oversight Committee has voted to subpoena attorney general Pam Bondi to testify over the DOJ's handling of the Epstein case. More for Mark Mayfield. The motion passed on a 24-to-19 vote with five Republicans voting in favor of the subpoena.

2:07That group included representative Nancy Mase of South Carolina who introduced the motion. In a post on X, Mase wrote, A.G. Bondi claims the DOJ has released all of the Epstein files. The record is clear they have not. Mase went on to say the Epstein case is one of the greatest cover-ups in American history. And the World Baseball Classic final is happening tonight in Miami. Team USA will battle Venezuela in the championship game. The stars and stripes advanced after edging the Dominican Republic 2-1 in the semifinal round. America is seeking its second ever title after winning the tournament in 2017. I'm Lisa Carton. About 10 million people in Cuba remain without power following a total collapse of its electrical grid. George Celice reports it's the first major blackout since the U.S. effectively shut off the flow of Venezuelan oil to Cuba. The crisis creating dangerous conditions and leaving residents outraged. This is an abuse. What will happen? It will be two or three days without electricity and what little we have to eat spoils. And nobody has answers for anything this man said.

3:09President Trump says he believes he will have the, quote, honor of taking Cuba. Speaking at the White House Monday, Trump called the island less than 100 miles from Florida. A failed nation and said, I think I can do anything I want with it. Today is the Illinois primary election for midterms later this year. U.S. Representative Raja Krishnamurti spoke out about his supporters ahead of today's primary. I feel very good about my good friends in organized labor. Like the teamsters who are doing incredible work, knocking on doors, making phone calls, sending text messages, asking people to vote. The midterm election will include an open U.S. Senate seat. That race has three frontrunner candidates including Krishnamurti, fellow U.S. Representative Robin Kelly, and Illinois Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton. The candidates are seeking to replace retiring U.S. Senator Dick Durbin. His announcement last year was anticipated. Also multiple open congressional seats up for grabs. And in Georgia, one more Democrat is in the running for Lieutenant Governor, more from Thomas Cage.

4:12Georgia State Senator Nebula Parks, representing Duluth and Peach Tree Corners, has resigned from her District 7 seat to focus on her Democratic primary campaign for Lieutenant Governor. Parks, a Democrat from Duluth, was serving her second term in the State Senate, a special election to fill the vacancy for Senate District 7 has not been scheduled yet. Atlanta reports Parks is running against two other candidates in the Democratic primary. While the Republican side has seven qualified candidates, I'm Lisa Carton.