The Latest: 03/18/2026 10:59pm 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. An historic heat wave is taking a nearly 20 million people across the southwest. The heat wave is caused by a ridge of high pressure, heavy air that's sinking toward the ground. Southern California's heat wave will peak tomorrow and Friday as the danger becomes extreme. Here's Mark Mayfield. That's especially true for inland areas.

1:02Some triple-digit temperatures will likely lead to more broken records over the next few days. The National Weather Service is calling this March heat wave historic. Employers are asked to make sure workers have plenty of water and places to cool off. An extreme heat warning will run until Friday night for almost every corner of Southern California. I'm Mark Mayfield. U.S. military action against Iran is raging on. It comes as Iran confirmed its intelligence minister was killed by an Israeli strike last night, and comes a day after other top Iranian officials were killed by Israel. White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt with an update. We've now actually struck more than 7800 targets. More than 120 Iranian naval ships are at the bottom of the ocean have been sunk by our great military. Meanwhile, gas prices continue to climb, and there's still no clear word on which nations, if any, will help the U.S. bring the situation in the strait of Hormuz under control. Elsewhere, at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware, President Trump attended the dignified transfer of three Ohio airmen who died overseas.

2:04The 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. The central bank is set to make its next decision on interest rates in June. Fed chaired Jerome Powell after the announcement. If we don't see that progress, then you won't see the rate cut. Powell says inflation has eased but remains somewhat elevated. Disney is marking the beginning of a new era. Bob Iger handed over the reins of the company to new CEO Josh Domaro during today's shareholder call. I'm Lisa Carton. As the economic and energy crisis in Cuba continues to spiral, President Trump says he wants to see changes at the top of that country's government. After signaling for weeks that he may focus on the island nation, after the U.S. is involvement in Iran and Venezuela, the president saying yesterday we'll be doing something with Cuba very soon. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, also weighing in. Cuba has an economy that doesn't work in a political and governmental system that can't fix it.

3:05George Solis reports the situation on the island is becoming more dire, amid unpredictable power outages that began after the Trump administration blocked oil shipments from Venezuela after arresting its leader Nicholas Maduro. TSA's acting deputy administrator is warning of potential airport shutdowns if DHS isn't funded. Florida Senator Rick Scott says the Democrats shut the government down to protect illegal immigrants. It was they don't want to get rid of the criminals. That's what ICE is trying to do. They want to get rid of people out of this country that should never have come here because they didn't have a right to come here and they're killing our kids. Meanwhile Senate Democrats just submitted a new DHS funding proposal to White House negotiators who've already agreed to increase funding for body cameras for ICE officers and proposed audits by the inspector general to screen for noncompliance. In New York City, residents are getting guidance on adding housing units to their property. Scott Pringle reports. Mayors are on Mamdani's launched an ADU for you website.

4:05It features guidance on feasibility analysis, cost estimates and other tools to help eligible homeowners navigate the complexity for adding a unit. That could include converting an addict or garage into housing or putting it a backyard cottage. Mamdani says ADU units will help homeowners stay in their communities, bring an extra income and help with the city's severe housing shortage. In New York, I'm Scott Pringle. New details are emerging after the WNBA and players union reached a verbal agreement on a new collective bargaining agreement. Reports saying the deal includes a major increase in the salary cap to $7 million. I'm Lisa Carton.