(Wednesday) Morning Run: Deadly News Chopper Crash, Kennedy Center Closed, GA Execution Stayed, Another Measles Death, Acts Bail on Sheeran, & MORE!

We recorded this episode as a public service to anyone who is considering using Vrbo for their next vacation. Sadly, we were loyal customers for several years, renting through Vrbo multiple times a year.  However, when we had such a difficult experience at a home over the summer, the homeowner refunded a percentage of our prepaid rental fee, only to have Vrbo, days later take $5,000 from us without asking, and without explanation. After hours on the phone, multiple calls, and multiple emails where all parties agreed we had NOTHING to do with an insurance claim, Vrbo has still refused to return money that wasn’t never meant to be charged to our our credit card.  Everyone who is thinking about renting a home, needs to hear our story first. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

President Trump’s self appointed Kennedy Center Board made the decision to close the memorial within hours of a judge blocking the latest effort to have Trump’s name etched on the building’s facade. And just wait until you hear the ten proposed inscriptions, all of which were rejected by the judge; each one praising, thanking and acknowledging Trump’s “generosity." But that proposed generosity has strings attached, Trump making clear in his latest social media post that a planned renovation won’t happen until the building is allowed to bear his name.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Both Texas and Georgia have scheduled executions for this evening, but late Tuesday, a Georgia judge put a temporary stay on the execution of 53-year-old Stacey Humphries. The judge granting Humphries a hearing based on a new law that allows inmates convicted of capital offenses to be resentenced if they suffered severe childhood abuse. Georgia prosecutors have filed an expedited appeal and state officials say they are keeping the execution plan in place for now. In Texas, 40-year-old LeJames Norman will be put to death for his role in a horrific 2015 triple homicide. His cohort, is scheduled to die for the same crime next week. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What an absolute mess. Finneas, Lukas Graham, Irish singer Aaron Rowe and Ed Sheeran’s own house band, Beoga, have all abruptly left the remainder of Sheeran’s US Loop tour after Macklemore was removed from the lineup for his “Free Palestine” remarks. None of the artists left quietly, either, all releasing lengthy statements taking a stand against silencing free speech, with many of them openly supporting Palestine. Ed Sheeran, however, put out the longest statement of them all and as we read it aloud, you’ll hear he actually said the least of everyone.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Robach and Holmes cover the latest news headlines and entertainment updates and give perspective on current events in their daily “Morning Run.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It had to be one of the strangest exchanges ever witnessed at a Senate Judiciary hearing. FBI Director Kash Patel began explaining recent changes to hiring practices when he was asked about lifting restrictions on applicants who engaged in prostitution and bestiality. That exchange led to an even more uncomfortable and at times comical Q & A between Patel and Senator John Kennedy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Democratic congressional candidate, 37-year-old Christopher Gallant, acknowledged he posed years ago for an ad campaign selling leather bondage gear.  He also commented on another past photo that leaked, showing him as a shirtless bartender in his underwear working a Fire Island event, saying he will not allow photographs from a past relationship or employment to be distorted and weaponized for political purposes. Gallant is in a hotly contested race on Long Island against Republican Nick LaLota.  The Suffolk County Democratic Committee also chimed in, touting Gallant’s service to the community as a former military pilot, air traffic controller, and volunteer firefighter.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet have been dealing with a lot of changes lately, and now, just two days after starting a new school, in a new country, they’ve had to make another major change: another new school. According to the Sussex’s spokesperson, the distance and traffic between home and school have proven to be too difficult and caused enough security concerns that they have switched the children’s school. This comes as the UK announced both the Duke and Dutchess will “imminently receive” an official risk re-assessment to determine whether tax funded security will be extended to them.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Macklemore has fired back after being dropped from Ed Sheeran’s tour. Macklemore says New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft organized a boycott with several stadium owners over his “Free Palestine” statements. Macklemore opened for Sheeran in New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium earlier this month where the rapper used the stage to say those two words and extend sympathies to the people of Gaza before he performed his protest song, “Hind’s Hall.” The Israeli American Council then issued a statement asking Sheeran, tour leadership and all venues hosting the tour to remove Macklemore from the tour.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Robach and Holmes cover the latest news headlines and entertainment updates and give perspective on current events in their daily “Morning Run.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.