Friday morning news: August 11, 2023

KENT COVINGTON, NEWS ANCHOR:

Hawaii » The Pentagon has deployed more than 130 National Guardsmen to Hawaii … where wildfires have killed at least 36 people.

Brigadier Gen. Pat Ryder said that includes support for the state’s emergency management agency …

RYDER: Support to local law enforcement and two Army National Guard CH47 Chinook helicopters to support wildfire response operations and search and recovery teams.

The death toll rose sharply on Thursday after authorities searched the charred remains of neighborhoods on the island of Maui.

One survivor said he drove through what looked like a “war zone.”

MOS: I had to drive through flames. There was a van and a house already on fire, the smoke was going over the road. I literally don’t know what’s on the other side of me. Just hoping and praying I don’t hit anyone, I don’t hit a car and get stuck - the van next to me doesn’t explode.

A flyover of the historic town of Lahaina showed entire neighborhoods reduced to ash. The town dates back to the 1700s and is the biggest community on the island’s west side.

Iran detainees » Iran has agreed to release five Iranian-American detainees in an exchange with the United States. WORLD’s Josh Schumacher has more.

JOSH SCHUMACHER, REPORTER: Iran transferred four Americans from prison cells to house arrest. A fifth prisoner was already under house arrest.

Iran is expected to free prisoners… in exchange for the release of $6 billion in assets frozen in South Korea.

Some Republicans on Capitol Hill say that while they’re happy to see the hostages go free … they feel the White House is paying an irresponsible price. Republicans say the massive cash payout will fund Iran’s terrorism in the Middle East.

One lawmaker called it a “ransom” payment.

For WORLD, I’m Josh Schumacher.

Trump legal » Donald Trump’s attorneys Thursday entered plea of not guilty on his behalf … to charges related to his possession of classified documents.

Two Trump employees are co-defendents. Trump’s valet Walt Nauta pleaded not guilty … while Mar-a-Lago property manager Carlos De Oliveira’s plea was delayed … as he does not yet have a local attorney.

Prosecutors accuse both men of scheming with Trump to delete video footage at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in an effort to obstruct the Justice Department’s investigation.

Biden bank records » House Republicans have released what they say are bank records from years earlier … demonstrating billions of dollars in payouts to the Biden family from foreign business partners.

House Oversight Commitee James Comer says that as his panel interviews more witnesses …

COMER: I think we’ll find more communication with Joe Biden, but we’ve already found more than enough to know that he has lied to the American people over and over again.

He says the newly released records shoot more holes in President Biden’s claims that he had no connection to his son Hunter’s business dealings.

GOP politics » The annual Iowa State Fair is underway, and while it’s always fun for the kids … once every four years, it takes on much greater meaning.

It has long been a popular event for White House hopefuls … looking to score points with voters in the first-in-the-nation GOP caucus state.

North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum addressed fair-goers on Thursday. He pointed to a credit rating firm downgrading U.S. credit rating last week.

BURGUM: That’s going to affect you, your kids, and your grandkids, because we’ve got so much debt piled up. You know, lower bond ratings are going to mean higher interest rates.

The 10-day event runs through August 20th …

… ending just a few days before the first Republican debate in Milwaukee.

Ukraine » Ukrainian officials have ordered more than 11,000 citizens around the eastern town of Kupyansk to evacuate … as Russian forces advance on the region.

SOT: soldiers helping citizens evacuate homes as bombs go off in the background.

Soldiers are aiding in evacuation efforts … escorting citizens into armored vehicles … as the ground shakes from incoming missiles.

Officials are evacuating 37 settlements…and as of Thursday, Russian troops were reportedly less than 5 miles from the city.

I’m Kent Covington.

Straight ahead: Culture Friday with John Stonestreet.

Plus, recommendations for creative listening.

This is The World and Everything in It.

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