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--:-- Georgia Howe: This episode is brought to you by LifeLock. When you visit the doctor, you probably hand over your insurance, your ID, and contact details. It's just one of the many places that has your personal info. And if any of them accidentally expose it, you could be at risk for identity theft. LifeLock monitors millions of data points a second. If you become a victim, they'll fix it, guaranteed, or your money back. Save up to 40% your first year at LifeLock.com slash podcast. Terms apply.
--:-- John Bickley: I'm Georgia Howe with Daily Wire editor-in-chief John Bickley. It's Monday, February 27th, and this is your Morning Wire afternoon update.
--:-- Georgia Howe: A pending new energy efficiency rule from the Department of Energy could ban nearly 50% of current gas stoves from the market if it's enacted. That's according to the Biden administration's own analysis. The announcement comes after months of speculation that government officials were seeking to ban the cooking appliance. The rule is also separate from a Consumer Product and Safety Commission rule that could further burden the gas stove industry.
--:-- Richard Trumka Jr: The vast majority of Americans have no idea that every time they cook they could be subjecting themselves and their loved ones to toxic chemicals including children who are more vulnerable to effects like developing asthma and lifelong respiratory disease. Also, unfortunately, the chemicals aren't only emitted when you have the burner on, because gas stoves can leak chemicals when they're turned off, too.
--:-- Georgia Howe: The Commerce Department is set to announce a plan that leverages the federal government's expansive investment in the semiconductor industry to promote affordable child care. According to a New York Times report, any semiconductor manufacturer seeking a portion of nearly $40 billion in new federal subsidies will need to essentially guarantee affordable, high-quality child care for workers who build or operate a plant.
--:-- Ron DeSantis: Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill into law today that ends Disney's self-governing power and puts the media giant under the control of a state board. The bill renames Disney's Reedy Creek Improvement District to the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District and allows only term-limited members who have no recent connections to Disney.
--:-- John Bickley: DeSantis says the Reedy Creek situation was a bad deal all around. We had this situation here that was basically indefensible from a policy perspective. How do you give one theme park its own government and then treat all the other theme parks differently? We believe that that was not good policy. We believe being joined at the hip with this one California-based company was not something that was justifiable or sustainable.
--:-- Georgia Howe: Parts of the southern plains counted the injured and surveyed the damage today after tornadoes swept through the area, while some Michigan residents faced a fifth day without power following last week's ice storm. Meanwhile, in California, the National Weather Service said a series of winter storm systems will continue moving into the state through Wednesday.
--:-- Georgia Howe: CPAC, the Conservative Political Action Conference, is set to start this Wednesday just outside of Washington, D.C. Many see it as the first major step in the 2024 GOP primary campaign. Announced candidates such as ex-UN Ambassador Nikki Haley and former President Donald Trump are scheduled to speak at the annual conference.
--:-- Elissa Slotkin: Democratic Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin of Michigan announced Monday that she would be throwing her hat into the 2024 Senate race. The state Democratic primary is expected to be one of the nation's most competitive as candidates vie for outgoing Senator Debbie Stabenow's seat.
--:-- Georgia Howe: Slotkin called for a new generation of leaders in her new ad. Our country's going to get through this. It's hard work, but that's what Michiganders do. We need engaged citizens and principled leaders, because together, there is no problem we cannot solve.
--:-- Georgia Howe: Tens of thousands of Mexican citizens have taken to the street to protest the country's potential new election reform laws, which critics say would weaken electoral integrity if signed into law by the president. The new rules would cut funding for election offices and the training of polling station watchers, and they'd reduce penalties for candidates who fail to report campaign spending, among other measures.
--:-- Georgia Howe: And a last-minute technical problem forced SpaceX to call off Monday's attempt to launch four astronauts to the International Space Station. The countdown was halted with just two minutes remaining until liftoff from the Kennedy Space Center. Engineers determined that there was a problem with the engine ignition system, causing SpaceX to postpone the launch until at least Thursday.
--:-- Georgia Howe: Well, those are your drive-home updates this afternoon. To learn more about these stories, go to dailywire.com. And for more in-depth discussion of the biggest stories of the day, listen to our latest full episode of Morning Wire every morning.
