Shutdown Update, Troubling Decline in College Readiness

In the 5 AM Hour: Larry O’Connor and Patrice Onwuka discussed: Trump Pays TSA Workers: Airport wait times plummet from hours to minutes as TSA workers start getting back pay after President Trump signed a memo on Friday ordering the DHS to pay T.S.A. officers.  Back to the Moon: NASA begins the countdown for humanity’s first launch to the moon in 53 years, as the 32-story Space Launch System rocket is poised to blast off Wednesday evening with four astronauts.  Nick Minock Update: According to the WJLA ABC7 reporter, the Department of Education is opening an investigation in Fairfax County after an 18-year-old illegal immigrant was accused of groping multiple students at Fairfax High School. Where to find more about WMAL's morning show: Follow Podcasts on Apple Podcasts, Audible, and Spotify Follow WMAL's "O'Connor and Company" on X: @WMALDC, @LarryOConnor, @JGunlock, @PatricePinkfile, and @HeatherHunterDC Facebook: WMALDC and Larry O'Connor Instagram: WMALDC Website: WMAL.com/OConnor-Company Episode: Tuesday, March 31, 2026 / 5 AM HourSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the 6 AM Hour: Larry O’Connor and Patrice Onwuka discussed: Iran Update: President Trump shared jaw-dropping video footage Monday of a massive explosion in Iran reportedly caused by a US airstrike on a large ammunition depot in Isfahan.  Sec. Marco Rubio also clapped back at George Stephanopoulos on ABC’s “This Week” about the administration’s objectives in Iran. L.A. Decline: Los Angeles County sees largest population decline in the U.S., census data shows. L.A. Mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt also releases “Latinos Por Pratt” campaign video slamming Mayor Karen Bass. Sitting Study: Hate exercise? You can actually fight dementia from your couch according to a Swedish study. No Kings Money: As Fox News Digital reported, about 500 organizations with an estimated combined annual revenue of about $3 billion sponsored and organized the “No Kings” demonstrations. Where to find more about WMAL's morning show: Follow Podcasts on Apple Podcasts, Audible, and Spotify Follow WMAL's "O'Connor and Company" on X: @WMALDC, @LarryOConnor, @JGunlock, @PatricePinkfile, and @HeatherHunterDC Facebook: WMALDC and Larry O'Connor Instagram: WMALDC Website: WMAL.com/OConnor-Company Episode: Tuesday, March 31, 2026 / 6 AM HourSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the 7 AM Hour: Larry O’Connor and Patrice Onwuka discussed: INTERVIEW: Dr. Barbara Cohen: A member of NASA’s Artemis II Lunar Science Team discusses Artemis II, the first crewed test flight of NASA’s Artemis program, aimed at returning humans to the Moon and establishing a long-term lunar presence. INTERVIEW: Daniel Turner: Executive Director of Power the Future on the latest developments from Iran and their impact on America’s energy supply. Trump Library: Trump shares renderings of his presidential library — a massive skyscraper in Miami. Scott Presler: “Early Vote Action” founder is rallying Virginians across the state to vote against the Virginia redistricting referendum on April 21. Where to find more about WMAL's morning show: Follow Podcasts on Apple Podcasts, Audible, and Spotify Follow WMAL's "O'Connor and Company" on X: @WMALDC, @LarryOConnor, @JGunlock, @PatricePinkfile, and @HeatherHunterDC Facebook: WMALDC and Larry O'Connor Instagram: WMALDC Website: WMAL.com/OConnor-Company Episode: Tuesday, March 31, 2026 / 7 AM HourSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the 8 AM Hour: Larry O’Connor and Patrice Onwuka discussed: INTERVIEW: Asra Normani:  Senior Editor of Investigations at Fox News Digital on The Radicals behind the No Kings Protests. INTERVIEW: Rep. Ben Cline: R-VA on Virginia’s gerrymandering effort and his rallies with Scott Presler. TSA Pay Update: Airport wait times plummet from hours to minutes as TSA workers start getting back pay after President Trump signed a memo on Friday ordering the DHS to pay T.S.A. officers.  Chick-Fil-A Challenge: A Chick-fil-A restaurant in Towson Place, MD is offering families free ice cream if they put away their phones for their entire meal.  Where to find more about WMAL's morning show: Follow Podcasts on Apple Podcasts, Audible, and Spotify Follow WMAL's "O'Connor and Company" on X: @WMALDC, @LarryOConnor, @JGunlock, @PatricePinkfile, and @HeatherHunterDC Facebook: WMALDC and Larry O'Connor Instagram: WMALDC Website: WMAL.com/OConnor-Company Episode: Tuesday, March 31, 2026 / 8 AM HourSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

WMAL GUEST: DR. BARBARA COHEN (NASA Artemis II Lunar Science Team) on the countdown for the first crewed journey around the moon in more than 50 years, the mission's 10-day flight path, and NASA's plans for a long-term lunar presence. WEBSITE: NASA GSFC Bio: Dr. Barbara Cohen SOCIAL MEDIA: X.com/NASAArtemis Where to find more about WMAL's morning show: Follow Podcasts on Apple Podcasts, Audible, and Spotify Follow WMAL's "O'Connor and Company" on X: @WMALDC, @LarryOConnor, @JGunlock, @PatricePinkfile, and @HeatherHunterDC Facebook: WMALDC and Larry O'Connor Instagram: WMALDC Website: WMAL.com/OConnor-Company Episode: Tuesday, March 31, 2026 / 7 AM HourSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

WMAL GUEST: DANIEL TURNER (Founder and Executive Director of Power The Future) on President Trump's warning to Iran regarding the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz and the potential for strikes on Iranian oil wells and power plants. WEBSITE: PowerTheFuture.com SOCIAL MEDIA: X.com/DanielTurnerPTF Where to find more about WMAL's morning show: Follow Podcasts on Apple Podcasts, Audible, and Spotify Follow WMAL's "O'Connor and Company" on X: @WMALDC, @LarryOConnor, @JGunlock, @PatricePinkfile, and @HeatherHunterDC Facebook: WMALDC and Larry O'Connor Instagram: WMALDC Website: WMAL.com/OConnor-Company Episode: Tuesday, March 31, 2026 / 7 AM HourSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

WMAL GUEST: ASRA NOMANI (Senior Editor of Investigations at Fox News Digital) on the ideological shift toward radical rhetoric in the "No Kings" movement and the financiers behind nationwide protests calling for a May Day strike. WEBSITE: FoxNews.com - Asra Nomani SOCIAL MEDIA: X.com/AsraNomani Where to find more about WMAL's morning show: Follow Podcasts on Apple Podcasts, Audible, and Spotify Follow WMAL's "O'Connor and Company" on X: @WMALDC, @LarryOConnor, @JGunlock, @PatricePinkfile, and @HeatherHunterDC Facebook: WMALDC and Larry O'Connor Instagram: WMALDC Website: WMAL.com/OConnor-Company Episode: Tuesday, March 31, 2026 / 8 AM HourSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

WMAL GUEST: REP. BEN CLINE (R-VA) on his recent rallies with Scott Presler and the high-stakes fight against a proposed redistricting referendum that could flip multiple Republican seats in Virginia. WEBSITE: Cline.House.gov SOCIAL MEDIA: X.com/Cline4Virginia Where to find more about WMAL's morning show: Follow Podcasts on Apple Podcasts, Audible, and Spotify Follow WMAL's "O'Connor and Company" on X: @WMALDC, @LarryOConnor, @JGunlock, @PatricePinkfile, and @HeatherHunterDC Facebook: WMALDC and Larry O'Connor Instagram: WMALDC Website: WMAL.com/OConnor-Company Episode: Tuesday, March 31, 2026 / 8 AM HourSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the 5 AM Hour: Larry O’Connor and Patrice Onwuka discussed: TSA Nightmares: The House passed a 60-day continuing resolution to fund the DHS on Friday, but its fate remains uncertain as the Senate is in a scheduled two-week recess. Meanwhile, long lines continue at airports, including BWI in Baltimore. Iranian Crown Prince: CPAC in Dallas is highlighted by Iranian Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi stating he intends to “Make Iran Great Again.” Chris Stigall:  Former Kansas City-area radio talk show host Chris Stigall posted on Facebook on Friday that he is launching a campaign to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Sam Graves (R - 6th District, Missouri). Where to find more about WMAL's morning show: Follow Podcasts on Apple Podcasts, Audible, and Spotify Follow WMAL's "O'Connor and Company" on X: @WMALDC, @LarryOConnor, @JGunlock, @PatricePinkfile, and @HeatherHunterDC Facebook: WMALDC and Larry O'Connor Instagram: WMALDC Website: WMAL.com/OConnor-Company Episode: Monday, March 30, 2026 / 5 AM HourSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

No Kings Weekend: Patrice talks about running into a “No Kings” rally during her weekend in Washington while Larry and Patrice recap “No Kings” events across the nation. CPAC Straw Poll: JD Vance and Marco Rubio compete for the top slot in this year’s CPAC Straw Poll in Dallas. JD Vance and Aliens: JD Vance says he was 'obsessed' with UFOs, believes aliens are actually 'demons' Where to find more about WMAL's morning show: Follow Podcasts on Apple Podcasts, Audible, and Spotify Follow WMAL's "O'Connor and Company" on X: @WMALDC, @LarryOConnor, @JGunlock, @PatricePinkfile, and @HeatherHunterDC Facebook: WMALDC and Larry O'Connor Instagram: WMALDC Website: WMAL.com/OConnor-Company Episode: Monday, March 30, 2026 / 6 AM HourSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.