The Latest: 03/19/2026 06:59pm ET

0:00This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human One ice coffee? 99 cents please. For real? No way. One ice coffee? 99 cents please. For real? No way. What a deal! Your new morning groove. Ice coffee from McDonald's any size for just 99 cents to 11 a.m. Price and participation may vary cannot be combined with any other offer. This is your 24-7 news update. The latest views this hour in just four minutes. The Iran War is escalating as it reaches day 20. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth says the US is winning the war in Iran decisively. Tony Waterman reports Hegseth told a Pentagon briefing today the war is on track but didn't say what it might end. Hegseth was adamant that this conflict wouldn't become a forever war when asked about a report that the Pentagon is seeking an additional 200 billion dollars to fund the fight.

1:08Hegseth said it takes money to kill bad guys and replenish weapons stockpiles. Hegseth says the US has struck more than 7,000 targets across Iran since the start of Operation Epic Fury. Waterman reports the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff also briefed reporters. General Dan Kane said US warplanes are now flying deeper into Iranian territory to strike its military capabilities. And there are reports President Trump is considering deploying thousands of troops on the ground. Speaking with reporters in the Oval Office today President Trump insisted he's not putting troops in Iran. The USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carriers now headed back home after the ship caught fire while in the Middle East. Flames broke out on March 12th while the ship was operating in the northern portion of the Red Sea. Sailors battled the fire for nearly 30 hours in the main laundry facility before it was finally put out. At least three crew members were injured and flown off the ship. Several American cities and states are now starting to distance themselves from the civil rights figures Caesar Chavez.

2:13A bombshell New York Times report says the leader of the United Farm Workers Union sexually assaulted several women decades ago. His birthdays estate holiday in California and LA mayor Karen Bass says she's changing Caesar Chavez Day to Farm Workers Day. Dozens of US street schools and parks bear his name. Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs office says that state will not recognize Caesar Chavez Day on March 31st. I'm Scott Carr. Many of those trying to catch a flight nationwide are continuing to experience long security lines and extended wait times as some try to get to spring break. Destinations as Tom Costello reports it's the result of continued TSA staffing shortages brought on by a partial government shutdown and it's still not clear how long it might last. Republicans are blaming Democrats Democrats blaming Republicans no and inside at the moment for this partial government shutdown with TSA officers going more than a month now without a full paycheck. They're not the only ones Coast Guard FEMA cyber security all in this period where they're working without pay.

3:18And as he reports the stress at some airports is becoming more acute more and more airports having long lines and already seen Philadelphia curtailing their TSA checkpoints because they don't have enough staff. TSA's acting deputy administrator has said some airports might have to be closed if call out rates continue to climb. Long time broadcaster for the New York Mets how he rose as he'll be retiring at the end of this season Daria Albinger has that for almost half a century the name how he rose has been synonymous with New York Mets baseball. Although he's never yet home run stolen a base or snagged a pop ply the 72 year old is one of the teams play by play guys. But at the end of this season he's calling it a career rose who says he grew up in the upper deck of Shay Stadium joined the Mets in 1987 as a pre game and post game radio host. He became the teams lead TV announcer in 1996 he returned to the radio booth in 2004 and was inducted into the Mets Hall of Fame in 2023 in New York. I'm Daria Albinger.

4:18Last week fewer Americans than expected found themselves filing for first time jobless benefits. The Labor Department says it received 205,000 initial requests in the week ending March 14th that slower by 8,000 from the previous weeks revised total and less than the 250,000 most analyst were expecting. I'm Scott Carr.