The Wednesday Flyover Replay : Ukraine Mineral Deal, Love at First Sight, and Puppy Mountain

The Wednesday Flyover Replay : Ukraine Mineral Deal, Love at First Sight, and Puppy Mountain.

Presented by Russell Sherrard.

Narrated by Artificial Intelligence, Our Hosts are Christopher and Jenny.

THE FLYOVER REPLAY.

Wednesday, February 26, 2025.

Good Morning! On this day in 1919, President Woodrow Wilson officially designated the Grand Canyon as a national park. It’s now one of America’s most popular tourist attractions.

Have you ever met someone and instantly felt a connection with them right away? Science now claims to have answers for why love at first sight can happen, as we report in our Wednesday Wisdom section below.

We hope you enjoyed reading today’s Flyover. Let us know how we’re doing by replying to Russell Sherrard at russellsherrard@reagan.com.

The sponsors keep the tanks full around here. Be sure to check out today’s sponsors.

TAKEOFF.

Ukraine, U.S. Agree on Minerals Deal.

Ukraine and the U.S. reached a framework agreement Tuesday on a minerals deal that grants the U.S. greater access to Ukraine’s vast mineral reserves, including rare earth elements like lithium and semiconductor-grade neon gas.

However, negotiations continued over whether these mineral revenues would repay past U.S. military and economic aid or only support future assistance. Security guarantees for Ukraine and the extent of U.S. decision-making power over resource management also remain unresolved.

One key part of the deal calls for a fund where Ukraine allocates half of the revenue from future state-owned resource projects—such as oil, gas, and infrastructure—for domestic development.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to visit Washington soon to finalize and sign the agreement with President Trump.

Federal Judges Block Variety of Trump Policies.

Federal judges across the country on Tuesday blocked key Trump administration policies, issuing rulings that challenge executive actions on federal funding, foreign aid, and refugee admissions.

In Washington, D.C., a federal judge appointed by former President Biden indefinitely halted a directive seeking to freeze trillions in federal grants and loans, citing its sweeping impact.

Also on Tuesday in Seattle, another Biden-appointed judge blocked Trump’s executive order suspending refugee admissions, arguing it exceeded presidential authority and contradicted congressional mandates.

The administration also faced legal setbacks on foreign aid, with an Obama-appointed judge ordering the State Department and USAID to comply with a previous restraining order and pay outstanding invoices to contractors.

$1 Million Retirement: How Long It Lasts by State.

A new list shows that $1 million in retirement savings would last less than 20 years in Hawaii, California, and Massachusetts but over 75 years in Arkansas, Mississippi, and West Virginia.

Rankings were based on $1 million in retirement savings, Social Security benefits, and essential living costs, including groceries, housing, utilities, transportation, health care, and other expenses.

Hawaii was the most expensive state, as retirement funds were projected to last only 12 years. California was second, with 16 years, followed by Massachusetts, with 19 years.

The same amount could cover retiree expenses for 89 years in West Virginia, 87 years in Mississippi, and 77 years in Arkansas.

POLITICS.

The House narrowly passed a multitrillion-dollar budget blueprint on a 217-215 vote Tuesday evening, a victory for Speaker Mike Johnson.

Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Tuesday that the White House will now select press pool outlets covering the president, replacing the White House Correspondents’ Association’s traditional role.

President Trump confirmed Monday that proposed tariffs on Canadian and Mexican goods will take effect next week, citing the need to regain trade ground with both countries.

A Utah bill banning fluoride in public water systems is awaiting Gov. Spencer Cox’s approval, which could make Utah the first state to enact such a ban.

After a word from one of our sponsors Jenny will be Narrating the last half of the news.

And Now, A word From one of Our Sponsors.

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Thanks Christopher.

Now, back to the News.

SPORTS.

Kansas City Chiefs general manager Brett Veach said star tight end Travis Kelce doesn’t plan to retire this offseason and is “fired up” about playing out the final year of his contract next season.

The Green Bay Packers have proposed an NFL rule change that would ban the Philadelphia Eagles’ controversial “tush push” quarterback sneak play.

The Minnesota Timberwolves erased a 17-point deficit with three minutes left on Monday night against the Western Conference-leading Oklahoma City Thunder.

The White House Transition.

The Senate confirmed Dan Driscoll, an Iraq War veteran and adviser to Vice President Vance, as the next Army secretary Tuesday in a 66-28 vote.

Over 20 Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) employees, formerly with the Obama-era U.S. Digital Services, resigned Tuesday over concerns about the department’s efforts to shrink the federal government.

In other DOGE news, federal workers received a second chance to report their weekly accomplishments over email or face termination after confusion over Monday’s initial deadline.

FINANCE.

Big Stock Move: Hims & Hers shares dropped 22% Tuesday despite a 95% revenue surge, as weak margins and FDA scrutiny threatened its semaglutide weight-loss drug sales.

Consumer confidence fell sharply in February, dropping 7% to a 98.3 points—the largest decline since 2021—as economic worries and inflation concerns mount.

Apple shareholders on Tuesday rejected a proposal by a conservative think tank to end the company’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.

Bitcoin tumbled below $90,000 on Tuesday, its lowest since November—a 20% drop since January. Other cryptocurrencies, including Ether, XRP, and Solana, also declined.

SCIENCE AND TECH.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has linked the latest flu wave to a possible mismatch in this season’s vaccine, suggesting it may be less effective against the current strain.

NASA has awarded SpaceX a $100 million contract to search for asteroids and comets that could threaten Earth, deploying its NEO Surveyor spacecraft no earlier than September 2027.

Scientists have found evidence that Mars once had a more habitable environment with sandy sun-soaked beaches and gentle, lapping waves from an ancient ocean.

THE ROTATOR.
WISDOM WEDNESDAY.

Have you ever experienced love at first sight or an instant friendship? New research reveals factors why we “click” with certain people instantly.

Dale Carnegie’s 90-year-old classic How to Win Friends and Influence People offers practical strategies for building relationships and influencing others, and now a summary is available in a 20-minute video.

Researchers say this 30-second morning habit will ignite your metabolism all day and rehydrate your cells.

ET CETERA.

Watch a live stream from St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican as thousands gather for a prayer vigil as Pope Francis remains in critical condition with double pneumonia. The nightly recitation of the Rosary is set for 3 p.m. ET. (9 p.m. in Rome)

A “Puppy Mountain” photo went viral in China, drawing tourists to the lookout where a mountain resembles a dog drinking from the water.

One of only three Rolls-Royce Boat Tails in the world was spotted cruising in Dubai. Valued at $30 million, this ultra-rare luxury car includes a yacht-inspired wooden deck.

Daily Quote.

“We make money if the Ukrainian people make money.”

— U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on the minerals deal agreement reached with Ukraine.

And thats the news for today.

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Organized by month, this devotional has a morning and evening meditation for every day of the year. Although these devotions are short in length, they are filled with spiritual goodness. In just a few sentences, Spurgeon is able to convey the wisdom of Scripture with eloquence and purpose. These daily messages provide Christians with the spiritual energy they need to begin and end each day. Spurgeon weaves a verse of Scripture into each devotion, helping readers draw deeper meaning out of the selected passages. This powerful devotional provides Christians with the spiritual nourishment required to strengthen their relationships with God. Readers will find themselves inspired by Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotionals.