Good morning! Here’s what we’ve got on tap today on Your Wake Up Call. You can listen on AM 820 News in Tampa and 1190 News in Orlando, or on NewsTalkFlorida.com.
CASUALTIES SPIKE IN GAZA, AS ISRAEL PRESSES ON WITH GROUND INCURSION
The Israeli offensive into the Gaza Strip continued on Sunday, the bloodiest day of the conflict, with at least 70 Palestinians and an additional 13 Israeli soldiers killed. The level of casualties has caused a heightened wave of concern, with President Obama dispatching Secy of State Kerry to Egypt to try and negotiate a ceasefire, and the UN Security Council holding an emergency meeting Sunday night. ABC News correspondent Tom Rivers will join us at 6:25.
MOUNTING CONCERNS OVER ISRAEL CONFLICT & DOWNED PASSENGER PLANE
President Obama dispatched Secy of State Kerry to Egypt on Sunday, amidst confirmed reports of a particularly violent day regarding the Israeli ground surge into the Gaza Strip. While the administration is standing by Israel, the high amount of civilian casualties isn’t making it any easier, and the president would like an immediate ceasefire. Then there is Ukraine, where criticism of Russia in regards to the missile that downed the Malaysia passenger plane, not to mention on how things have been handled since, is mounting. Unrelated, President Obama signs legislation on Monday barring LGBT discrimination by federal contractors. At 7:10, Ann Compton will discuss.
ANGER SWIRLS OVER BOTH DOWNING OF PLANE, AND HANDLING OF CRASH SITE
The weekend brought no resolution to any matter related to the shooting down of the Malaysia Airlines passenger plane over Ukraine last week. Still nobody accepting responsibility for firing the missile and explaining how it happened. As far as the bodies of the victims, reports that most are in refrigerated railroad cars, but still no word on how they are being handled. The crash site, reports of denied access and removal of evidence. A terrible tragedy, that continues to fester and get worse for those affected. At 7:35, ABC News correspondent Aaron Katersky will have more.
TELL US HOW YOU REALLY FEEL: JURY AWARDS $23.6 BILLION AGAINST RJ REYNOLDS
In a case regarding a chain smoker who died at the age of 36, a Florida jury first awarded the family $7 million in compensatory damages, and then, to apparently send a message, whopped the RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company with at $26.3 billion dollar judgement on punitive damages. Most lawyers agree the that verdict was a bit over the top, and believe it will be significantly reduced. But one wonders whether, particularly in Florida anyway, there will be a renewed rush to the courtroom to take on Big Tobacco. At 8:25, ABC News correspondent Scott Goldberg will have details.
Finally, at 8:51, AAA’s Mark Jenkins will join us to talk local, state and national gas prices.
