The Latest: 03/18/2026 09:59pm 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. Iran is launching more attacks against Israel and Gulf states as the war is now in its 19th day. The drone and missile attacks come after Israel said it killed another key official in the regime. Iran's intelligence minister. The latest barrage came after Iran promised revenge.

1:02Israel yesterday announced it killed Ali Larajani, a powerful hardliner who helped oversee a crackdown on anti-government protesters in January. Israel and Saudi officials say its air defenses have been activated to intercept the threats and there's no word yet on casualties. Mean-time gas prices continue to rise and there's still no clear word on which nations, if any, will help the U.S. bring the situation in the straight of hormones under control. The Federal Reserve is keeping interest rates steady. It's the second time in a row the Fed has kept rates unchanged. It comes as the central bank navigates through some economic uncertainty that's been created by the Iran War. Fed Chair Jerome Powell warned there won't be another rate cut until the board sees progress on inflation. If we don't see that progress, then you won't see the rate cut. Powell says inflation has ease but remains somewhat elevated. The confirmation hearing for President Trump's pick to replace Kristi Nomas, the Department of Homeland Security Chief, is over. Republican Senator Mark Wayne Mullen of Oklahoma didn't face a lot of pushback before the Senate Homeland Security Committee, except for one exchange with fellow Republican Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky.

2:12You told the media that I was a freaking snake and that you completely understood why I had been assaulted. I can understand why your neighbor did what he did. Mullen also didn't apologize for calling Paul a snake in the grass but pledged to work with him if confirmed and earn his trust. Mullen is widely expected to get the support of a simple majority in the full Senate vote. And it's hot out there and a historic heat wave is taking shape as an extreme heat warning covers nearly 20 million people across the Southwest. The U.S. Postal Service is warning that it may be unable to pay its workers and vendors by February 2027. Postmaster General David Steiner appeared before House Oversides Up Committee and shared that at its current run rate, the Postal Service quote will be out of cash in less than 12 months. Steiner is pushing for Congress to act quickly to lift borrowing limits and reform outdated regulations. However, lawmakers at the hearings signaled a mix of urgency and caution. A federal judge is blocking House Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. from proceeding with an overhaul of the nation's childhood vaccine schedule. Michael Casner reports.

3:19The judge ruled that Kennedy's changes to vaccine recommendations as well as an influential vaccine advisory committee violated federal law. Kennedy and the CDC reduced the number of recommended shots from 18 to 11 and the new guidance dropped recommendations that all babies should be protected against hepatitis A, hepatitis B, RSV, Dengue and two types of bacterial meningitis. The judges also put a hold on the new members Kennedy appointed to the CDC's Vaccine Advisory Committee last June. I'm Michael Casner. Get ready to pay more at the gas pump. Again, Tammy Trujillo has the numbers. The national average for a gallon of regular is climbed to $3.84 according to AAA. That's up from $379 on Tuesday. A week ago, the national average was right around $3.57. In California, where prices are the highest in the country, drivers are paying $556 a gallon on average. Washington State and Hawaii now also have statewide averages above $5.

4:20Nile Horan is releasing a new album. The former member of One Direction announced his new album Dinner Party on his social media today. This will be Horan's newest album since 2023. The lead single of the same name comes out Friday. The project will be available to fans and drops on June 5th. I'm Lisa Carton.