The Latest: 03/19/2026 04:02pm 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. Operation Epic Fury is entering its 20th day with the war in Iran showing no signs of winding down. President Trump says Israel attacked a major Iranian gas field yesterday out of anger without letting the US know in advance. That has sent oil prices up further as well as gas climbing right along with it.

1:00Speaking of that AAA says the national average for a gallon of regular jumped overnight to $3.88 in California where prices are the highest in the country. Drivers are paying $5.61 a gallon on average. Travelers at many airports across the country are continuing to experience long security lines and extended wait times as they try to travel to their spring break destinations. NBC's Tom Castello reports it's the result of continuing TSA staffing shortages brought on by the partial government shutdown. We're talking two and three hour waits at key airports including for example Miami, New Orleans, Houston hobby, Houston Intercontinental, Philadelphia. Newark has been bad at times JFK has been bad. The TSA acting deputy administrator has said that some airports might have to be closed altogether due to the shortages. Also three terminal security checkpoints at Philadelphia International Airport have been temporarily closed. Senator Mark Wayne Mullin is one step closer to becoming the next head of Homeland Security. The Senate Homeland Committee advanced his nomination with an eight seven vote today. Mullin's nomination is now heading to the full Senate where he'll need a simple majority to be confirmed.

2:09Cities and states across the country are starting to distance themselves from the Cesar Chavez name. A bombshell New York Times report says the late civil rights icon and leader of the United Farm Workers Union sexually assaulted several women decades ago. His birthday is a state holiday in California and Los Angeles mayor Karen Bass says she's changing Cesar Chavez data farm workers day. In Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs office announced the state will not recognize Cesar Chavez day on March 31st dozens of U.S. streets schools and parks bear his name. I'm Chris Carasio. Actor Sean Penn is being hailed as a great friend of Ukraine for his decision to skip the 2026 Oscars award ceremony and proceed with his trip to the war torn country. More from Mark Mayfield. Penn won his third Oscar for his supporting role as Colonel Lockshaw in the film one battle after another. The actor was not present to collect his trophy, but the CEO of Ukrainian Railways presented Penn with an iron Oscar crafted from rail car metal that survived a Russian missile attack.

3:09Penn also gathered praise from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for his activism efforts. The U.S. Postal Service is warning that it may be unable to pay its workers and vendors by February of next year. Postmaster General David Steiner appeared before a House Oversight subcommittee and shared that at its current run rate, the Postal Service 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. California is recording the hottest winter day in U.S. history. A weather station in the Coachella Valley yesterday recorded a temperature of 108 degrees that ties a record set in Texas in 1902 for the hottest winter day ever. The National Weather Service says the measurement is still preliminary. Heat records were also set in other parts of the Southwest. Las Vegas recorded an all-time march high of 94 degrees. Phoenix hit 102 degrees yesterday, which was the earliest day in the year that the famously hot city is ever reached.

4:09Finland is still the world's happiest country. The World Happiness Report is out with its annual list of the happiest countries on Earth and for the ninth year in a row. Finland is ranked number one. Iceland claims second place followed by Denmark and third. The U.S. once again failed to crack the top 10 coming in 23rd this year. Anna Music History News on this date back in 2001, Aerosmith, Steely Dan, Queen, and Paul Simon were among the inductees into the rock and roll hall of fame. I'm Chris Krasio.