The Latest: 03/18/2026 02:59pm ET

0:00This is an I Heart Podcast. Guaranteed Human What if your soda actually did something for you? Introducing Skypop Protein Soda with 10 grams of complete protein, 0 sugar and 45 calories. Skypop Protein Soda offers four delicious flavors with big taste and real benefits. Light, refreshing and ready for wherever your day takes you. It's any time protein that helps you reach higher. Skypop Protein Soda. Reach for the sky. Get your Skypop Protein Soda now at Target. This is your 24-7 News Update. The latest views this hour in just four minutes. The Federal Reserve is leaving interest rates unchanged. It's the second time in a row that the Fed has kept rates steady. It comes as the central bank navigates through some economic uncertainty that's been created by the Iran War. And it's day 19 of that war. There's still no clear word on which nations will help bring the situation in the straight-of-form moves under control.

1:01The narrow waterway normally sees about one-fifth of the world's oil supply pass through, but Iran is shut it down as a result of Operation Epic Fury. President Trump has said over Air Force Base in Delaware attending the dignified transfer of three Ohio Airmen who died overseas. The Airmen were among the six who died in Western Iraq last week after two tankers collided in mid-air while refueling an aircraft. U.S. Central Command says the cause of the crash is under investigation. Vice President J.D. Vance says President Trump will soon announce actions aimed at lowering gas prices in the U.S. We're working on a number of things. In fact, a couple of things that I think will be announced in just the next 24 to 48 hours. I don't want to get ahead of the president on that, but we recognize this is an issue we are fighting against it. Vance told an audience in Auburn Hills, Michigan today that while prices have surged since the start of the war, it's only a temporary blip. The national average for a gallon of regular is climbed to 384 according to AAA. That's up from 379. Yesterday it was 290 a gallon in February. A woman is accusing Caesar Chavez of sexually assaulting her and fathering two of her children.

2:04Dolores Huerta has released a statement John Fink reports. She released her statement at age 96 saying the encounters happened in the 1960s and that she stayed quiet for decades to protect the farm worker movement she helped build. The claim surfaced the same day a New York Times investigation detailed multiple allegations against Chavez, including accounts from women who say they were abused as miners. In response, the United Farm workers said it will not take part in upcoming Caesar Chavez day activities. Committee in Will Ferrell is set to be a community ambassador to the Los Angeles World Cup 2026 host committee. He's joining fellow local Snoop Dogg, Magic Johnson in Evilongoria. I'm Chris Carasio. The lieutenant governor of Illinois is headed to the general election after winning the Democratic primary for the US Senate. Julianna Stratton is the projected winner of yesterday's race to fill the seat being vacated by longtime Senator Dick Durbin who is retiring. Stratton will face the former chair of the Illinois Republican Party Don Tracy, who's the projected winner of the GOP primary. The first four of the NCAA basketball tournament is underway Howard Edge UMBC yesterday 8683 to claim the 16th seat in the Midwest region and will play number one Michigan in the first round.

3:12Texas squeaked by NC State 6866 to earn the 11th seat in the West and will face 6th seeded BYU. The first four wraps up tonight when prayer review A&M and Lehigh square off at a battle for the 16th seat in the South region. The winner will face number one Florida Miami will hire tips off against SMU in the last game. The victor will secure the 11th seat in the Midwest and play 6th seeded Tennessee in the first round. Amazon is now offering delivery as fast as one hour for certain items details from Lisa Carton. The online giant rolled out one hour and three hour delivery options Tuesday. Amazon says more than 90,000 items, including everyday household essentials, health and beauty items and over-the-counter medications are eligible to be quickly shipped. The one hour option is live and hundreds of cities and towns across the country. Meanwhile, the three hour option is available to customers in more than 2,000 cities and towns. The city of Daytona Beach could let voters decide on restrictions for so-called toilet to tap water recycling. The proposal comes as communities across Florida look for new ways to address drinking water shortages,

4:16but some residents say they're concerned about the safety of turning treated wastewater into tap water. Public hearing and a final vote are set for today. Season two of One Piece is performing well on Netflix to the show debuted with 16.8 million views in its first four days of availability. This is a slight decrease from the 18.5 million view debut of season one. I'm Chris Caragio.