The Latest: 03/20/2026 10:59am ET

0:00This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human. Run a business and not thinking about podcasting? Think again, more Americans listen to podcasts than add supported streaming music from Spotify and Pandora. And as the number one podcaster, iHeart's twice as large as the next two combined, learn how podcasting can help your business, call 844-844-iHeart. This is your 24-7 News Update, the latest views this hour in just four minutes. More American troops are reportedly on their way to the Middle East, Kier Simons with more. The US's books are leaving San Diego harbor. The ship said to carry at least 2,200 marines. The US is accelerating their deployments according to two people familiar with the decision. As attacks in the region continue, a US F-35 fighter jet has had to make an emergency landing because of suspected enemy fire after flying a combat mission over Iran.

1:00Centcom says the aircraft landed safely and the pilot is in stable condition. And the spokesperson for Iran's Islamic revolutionary guard corps has reportedly been killed by US Israeli air strikes. Iranian state media reported today that spokesman Ali Muhammad Naini had been martyred. Chuck Norris has died. He was 86. Delta two, this is Delta one over. So what's the plan, boss? Surprise party. The iconic tough guy actor passed away Thursday morning while surrounded by friends and family in Hawaii. Norris suffered an undisclosed medical emergency on the Hawaiian island of Kauai and was hospitalized. His family said they'd like to keep the circumstances private, but I want his fans to know that he was at peace. Norris was a martial arts expert and had his breakout role starring in The Way of the Dragon opposite Bruce Lee. He went on to star in lone wolf McQuade and was best known for Walker, Texas Ranger from 1993 to 2001.

2:01Prices at the gas pump are now up almost a dollar a gallon since the start of the war in Iran in Charlotte, North Carolina. Landscaper Billy Provet says it's become a lot more expensive for workers to travel to and from jobs. Five trucks times twice a week, you're talking thousands of dollars. I mean, it just adds up really fast. I'm Michael Casner. California's recorded the hottest winter day in US history, Scott Carr with more. A weather station in Southern California's Coachella Valley recorded a temperature of 108 degrees on Wednesday, tying a record set in Texas in 1902 for the hottest winter day ever. The National Weather Service says the measurement is still preliminary, though heat records were also set in other parts of the Southwest. Las Vegas recorded in all time March high of 94 degrees. Phoenix at 102 degrees on Wednesday, the earliest day in the year that that famously hot city has ever reached 100 degrees.

3:02USS Gerald R Ford aircraft carrier is headed back home after the ship caught fire while in the Middle East, more from fill for R flames broke out on March 12th while the ship was operating in the northern portion of the Red Sea. For nearly 30 hours, sailors battled the fire in the ship's main laundry facility before it was finally put out. There was heavy damage to the USS Ford, the nation's newest carrier. At least three crew members were injured and flown off the ship. The carrier made its way to Crete for repairs. I'm Phil for R. Project Hail Mary is looking to take the number one spot at the box office this weekend. Please state your name. Ronald and Grace, we spoke out from a coma. I've several light years from my apartment and I'm not an astronaut. The sci-fi Ryan Gosling led dramedy from Amazon MGM is looking to make more than $100 million worldwide with $60 million here in North America.

4:03It's on track to be the studio's largest opening. And BTS has dropped their first album since being released from the Korean Army. The new album, Our Wrong, is now streaming and includes the single Swim, a new video of the single features, the seven members in a nautical setting, aboard a sailing ship, a Michael Casner.