<p><em>This article is a companion piece to today’s Morning Wire Afternoon Update. To listen to the podcast version, click <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/podcasts/morning-wire" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.</em></p>
<p><strong>Southwest Loses $220 Million</strong></p>
<p>Embattled commercial airline Southwest <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/southwest-airlines-reports-massive-revenue-hit-after-christmas-meltdown" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> a $220 million loss for the last quarter mostly due to the cancellation of nearly 17,000 flights over the busy holiday travel season. The airline is expected to take more losses in the first quarter as well, due to a decline in ticket sales. In contrast, American Airlines posted an $803 million profit for the same period. Southwest CEO Bob Jordan addressed the losses Thursday.</p>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" title="Southwest Airlines CEO breaks down Christmas debacle and Q4 earnings" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cRhAmpF7iwo?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>
<p><strong>North Carolina Authorities Warns Of Razor Blades On Gas Pumps</strong></p>
<p>Authorities in North Carolina are <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/razor-blades-found-on-north-carolina-gas-pumps" target="_blank" rel="noopener">informing</a> the general public of a concerning development. There have been razor blades found on the handles of gas pumps at several sites in the state.</p>
<p><strong> COVID Fraud Abounds </strong></p>
<p>Fraudsters <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/fraudulent-lockdown-era-unemployment-payments-may-amount-to-60-billion-government-watchdog-says" target="_blank" rel="noopener">may have stolen</a> as much as $60 billion from the various unemployment insurance programs enacted by lockdown-era stimulus bills, according to a report from the nonpartisan Government Accountability Office. Some $878 billion was paid across all unemployment insurance programs between April 2020 and September 2022. “The unprecedented demand for benefits and the need to implement the new programs quickly increased the risk of financial fraud,” the GAO said in a statement.</p>
<p><strong>Brittney Spears Causes Panic By Deleting Instagram</strong></p>
<p>Concerned fans <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/police-perform-wellness-check-on-britney-spears-after-panicked-fans-call-them-over-deleted-instagram-account" target="_blank" rel="noopener">sparked</a> a wellness check for Britney Spears on Tuesday. After Britney Spears deleted her Instagram account, worried fans called law enforcement who performed a wellness check on the star on Tuesday night. A police spokesperson told Page Six later on, “I can confirm that we did get calls into our dispatch, and essentially, I can confirm that we don’t believe that Britney Spears is in any kind of harm or any kind of danger.”</p>
<p><em>To listen to the audio version of this podcast, <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/morning-wire/id1576594336" target="_blank" rel="noopener">click here</a>. And for more in-depth discussion of the biggest stories of the day, listen to the latest full episode of Morning Wire every morning.</em></p>

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Friday Afternoon Update: Southwest Loses $220 Million, NC Warns Of Razor Blades On Gas Handles, Britney Spears Causes Panic

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Ep. 1765 - This Video Is One Of The Worst Things I've Seen In A Long Time 

The Strait of Hormuz officially opens for business (kind of), the Pope makes “shocking” comments on immigration, and President Trump promises UFO disclosure at TPUSA. 


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Ep. 1956 -  Pope Leo's "SHOCKING" Immigration Comments EXPLAINED

A false miscreed has corrupted our leadership class.


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Ep. 1275 - Dumb, Dumber and Progressive

President Trump announces a 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel, a murder-suicide involving former Democratic Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax shakes Virginia, and France and Britain hold a conference to secure the Strait of Hormuz – after the Iranian conflict ends. Get the facts first with Morning Wire.

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U.S. Expands Hormuz Blockade & VA Fairfax Deaths Investigated | 4.17.26

U.S. Expands Hormuz Blockade & VA Fairfax Deaths Investigated | 4.17.26 [Member Exclusive]

A ceasefire goes into effect between Israel and Lebanon, a tragic murder-suicide rocks Virginia, and Dairy Queen deploys AI in the drive-thru. Get the facts first with Evening Wire.
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Ep. 2737
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Evening Wire: Lebanon Ceasefire Begins & Murder-Suicide Rocks VA | 4.16.26

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Friday Afternoon Update: Southwest Loses $220 Million, NC Warns Of Razor Blades On Gas Handles, Britney Spears Causes Panic