Good morning, everyone. I'm Emily Gisinski, host of Afterparty and the Making Kelly Wrap-Up Show on SiriusXM Channel 111. It's Friday, October 9th, 2026, and this is your AM update. "I think it's more about the issue here. She supports hormone treatment to help minors transition." Republicans spending millions to defend Senator Darling Graham's seat in deep-red South Carolina, as new polling raises the possibility of a stunning Democrat upset. U.S. Ambassador Kimberly Gillfoil reportedly under investigation by the State Department, medallegations of workplace misconduct, lavish perks, and questionable financial dealings. The first Atlantic hurricane of the season, now threatening millions along the Gulf Coast, as forecasters warned of a potentially dangerous landfall. "We have an extremely high IQ audience for a change, for a change, it's very nice." And President Trump honoring some of the biggest players in science and tech. Among the names, Elon Musk. All that and more coming up in just a moment on your AM update. Urgent care? Closed, of course. ER? Good luck there. Tell a health? Oh, I mean, okay, but the pharmacy's closed. That's where a medical emergency kit from the wellness company could come in. These are not first aid kits. These things contain essential prescriptions used for over 30 common conditions. We all know when we need them, we don't need a doctor in that moment. We need the script. Sinus and ear infections, UTIs, stomach bugs, travelers, diarrhea, and more on hand, before you need them, so you have them when you need them. Use your doctor-developed guidebook to select the right prescription or call their telemed doctor standing by. It's like an urgent care and drug store at home for when you need it. When you are sick, traveling or stranded, you could have used a medical emergency kit. When that have been easier, order online in minutes, and it's shipped right to your door. And save $45 with my promo code
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[email protected]/mk. Republicans now pouring millions of dollars into a Senate race in South Carolina. As new polling raises questions about whether a reliably red state could be more competitive than anyone expected. Axios reporting the Senate leadership fund, the leading super PAC supporting Republican Senate candidates, plans to spend $5 million helping Senator Darlene Graham hold onto her seat. When Republican familiar with the plans describing the investment as an insurance policy, as the GOP works to protect to seat Democrats have not won in decades. Graham is the younger sister of the late Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, appointed by South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster in July to serve out the remainder of her brother's term following his death. The president backing her appointment and later helping her secure the Republican nomination, defeating Congressman Ralph Norman in a contentious primary. Now Graham faces Democrat Dr. Annie Andrews, a pediatrician and mother of three who has managed to make this a surprisingly close race. According to real clear polling, Graham leading Andrews by just 2.4 points, 45.7% to 43.3%. Two recent polls from Trafalgar and Insider Advantage, showing an even tighter contest, Graham ahead by just a single point in each. Those numbers particularly striking in a state president Trump carried by nearly 18 points in 2024, and where Democrats have not won a statewide election since 2006. Axios reporting the close polling has alarmed some Republicans, particularly as Andrews outrases and outspends Graham. The $5 million investment largely going toward television advertising, aimed at reminding voters of Andrews Democrat Party affiliation. President Trump also jumping into the contest this week, throwing his full support behind Graham while unloading on her Democrat opponent in a lengthy true social post. The president referring to Andrews as quote "any training" Andrews, and accusing her of supporting transgender policies, open borders, higher taxes, restrictions on gun ownership, and defunding the police. Graham asked about the president's remarks by WACH, the local Fox affiliate in Columbia, South Carolina on Tuesday, distancing herself from his choice of words while defending his criticism of Andrews record on transgender issues. "That's not how I would have said it, but I think it's more about the issue here. She supports hormone treatment to help minors transition." Andrews now firing back at a new campaign ad released yesterday. Politics can get pretty ugly, and when it does, you deserve to hear the truth. My career as a pediatrician has always been about taking care of kids, and I've got three of my own, so I want you to hear me loud and clear. I don't support biological men playing women sports, and I don't support and haven't ever performed gender surgery for minors. I'm Dr. Annie Andrews, and I approve this message because darling Graham lying about me won't do a thing to help you." Graham taking to Acts yesterday, accusing Andrews of trying to mislead voters about her record, pointing to Andrews' opposition to South Carolina's Help Not Harm Act, which banned gender transition surgeries and puberty blockers for minors. Graham also highlighting Andrews' previous criticism of legislation restricting biological males from competing in-girl sports, which Andrews had described as "shameful." The senator closing her post by declaring, "thankfully the internet lives forever, and we have the receipts." US Ambassador to Greece, Kimberly Gilfoil reportedly facing a formal state department investigation, following allegations of misconduct and mistreatment of employees at the American Embassy in Athens. The Daily Mail reporting yesterday, five sources confirmed the State Department's Office of Inspector General has opened an investigation. Three sources telling the outlet investigators are examining allegations involving improper gifts, private plane and helicopter travel, possible substance abuse, and her close relationship with an energy and construction company. Embassy personnel also reportedly describing it "toxic workplace," accusing Gilfoil of berating employees and threatening to fire them when her demands are not met. The Daily Mail detailing one incident over the summer in Mecanos, where Gilfoil allegedly demoted a member of her security detail after he failed to answer a four-in-the-morning phone call requesting more ICE. The allegations coming just one day after a separate Wall Street Journal report examining Gilfoil's financial dealings with Kentucky businessman and trump donor, Eric Dieters. Dieters telling the journal he paid Gilfoil $300,000 over several years for appearances at political events before seeking her help reaching senior Trump administration officials about personal tax and legal disputes. Messages reviewed by the journal showing Gilfoil contacting former IRS commissioner Billy Long on his behalf and discussing efforts to reach Justice Department officials. Dieters also offering her as much as $1 million to arrange an interview with Tucker Carlson, which never materialized. As Gilfoil approached her July 2025 Senate confirmation hearing, the journal reporting she asked Dieters to draft a letter stating he owed her $250,000 consulting payments. Dieters now claiming the debt was fabricated, while Gilfoil's attorney insists she was owed money for previous speaking engagements. Then just six days before the hearing, Gilfoil allegedly asking Dieters to pay $100,000 directly toward her American express balance, reportedly assuring him the transaction would not leave a conventional paper trail. Dieters refusing, telling Gilfoil the payment would cost him his marriage. Gilfoil's attorney disputing the authenticity of the messages, while the journal does not establish whether the credit card request was connected to the disputed consulting payments. However, CBS News reporting yesterday that Dieters himself had issued an ultimatum to senior Trump administration figures shortly before taking his allegations public. Dieters acknowledging he emailed White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, Donald Trump Jr., and Gilfoil last week, demanding help extra-diting a Pakistani doctor accused of performing unnecessary spinal surgeries. The businessman giving them until Monday evening to act, or he would take his grievances to the media. The three reportedly failing to respond. Dieters openly expressing his contempt for Gilfoil yesterday on MS now. Kimberly Gilfoil is a wicked evil person. She thought I was going to be a sucker, and I'm not a sucker. I'm a good dude. Regardless what medical protective says about me, I have fought for 14 years for these Dr. Durrani victims to get justice, and I asked one thing of the Trump administration, extra-diting, and a helping. Dieters himself also facing a history of legal and professional troubles, including two suspensions from the Kentucky Bar Association over a misconduct that included making false statements in court and filing frivolous claims for the journal. An American embassy official defending Gilfoil to the journal, pointing to her Senate confirmation and saying she remains committed to representing the American people with integrity. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, also facing questions about the journal's reporting yesterday, while departing Greece following a visit to Athens. "I know the game, okay? The game is someone gives information to a newspaper or in media outlet. The media outlet reports it. You immediately turn to me and say, 'I need you to respond to our reporting.' That's not the way this process works. Like, our job is not to respond every time someone decides to give the media something without any advance warning, without having any chance to look at it and see what's in there." Coming up, a historically quiet, Atlantic hurricane season, suddenly turning dangerous as a powerful storm bears down on the Gulf Coast, and President Trump honoring Elon Musk in a handful
of other major science and tech leaders in a ceremony at the White House. I want to talk to you about Cozy Earth. This is the most luxurious thing you can do for yourself. Just go on their website, search around, and buy anything. The quality is that good. I am telling you this from my own personal experience. This thing's been a game changer in my life. When it comes to making the bed and the couch, infinitely more comfortable, my sleepwear, everything. They're towels like these guys. I don't know how they do it. It must be some patented technology. It's the bamboo, I guess, but Cozy season is officially here and the nights are starting to get a little cooler. So look, there's two specific pieces I need to tell you about. First, the bamboo sheet set. It can fix your hot sleeping. It can fix your bad night's sleep. Stay perfectly cool. Sleep straight through the night. Without kicking off the covers, you will not want to. You will want the covers on every inch of you. And getting out of bed in the morning is going to be harder than ever. We'll disclose that upfront. Then there's their bubble cuddle blanket. The weight, the drape, the ultra-plush texture, they're unreal. Everyone in your house is going to love this thing. If you want to elevate your everyday living space, this is the ultimate upgrade. Best of all, you can try Cozy Earth risk-free. With their 100 night sleep trial, not to mention a 10-year warranty. Okay, so you can sleep on this thing for 100 nights. And if you don't want it after that, you think it hasn't worked out, send it back in for a full refund. Go to Cozy Earth.com, use the code Meganam for up to 20% off home and sleepwear. That's Cozy Earth.com. The code Meganam. And when they ask you, where you heard about them at checkout, tell them you heard about them on AM update. Hurricane Isaeus, the first Atlantic hurricane of the season, bearing down on the Gulf Coast to ahead of an expected landfall late tonight or early Saturday. The storm becoming a category 1 hurricane Wednesday night, marking the latest arrival of the season's first Atlantic hurricane since satellite records began in 1966, according to Fox Weather. The historically slow start attributed, in part, to El Nino, natural weather pattern in the Pacific that has produced atmospheric conditions unfavorable for hurricane development across much of the Atlantic. Isaeus intensifying rapidly Wednesday, gaining 40 miles per hour in wind speed in just 6 hours. The National Hurricane Center warning yesterday that the storm could strengthen considerably before making landfall late Friday or early Saturday, with coastal Alabama and the Western Florida Panhandle facing some of the greatest danger. Hurricane warnings issued from Mississippi into Florida as forecasters warn of destructive winds flash flooding, possible tornadoes, and a life threatening storm surge, potentially reaching 5 to 7 feet in some coastal communities. The threat extending well beyond the coastline, heavy rainfall expected to spread inland across the southeast and into portions of the Tennessee Valley and Carolinas over the weekend. Florida Governor Rhonda Santas and Alabama Governor K.I.V. declaring states of emergency ahead of the storm. As schools close and evacuation orders are issued in vulnerable coastal communities, the approaching hurricane also disrupting offshore energy production. Shell, Chevron, and BP taking precautions at facilities in the Gulf and removing non-essential workers. Forecasters urging Gulf Coast residents to follow local emergency instructions, warning that dangerous conditions could begin well before the center of the hurricane reaches land. President Trump awarding some of the biggest names in American innovation yesterday, with the nation's highest honors in science and technology. Among those awarded Thursday, Elon Musk. Today is my privilege to bestow national medals of science and national medals of technology and innovation on some of those very same technology leaders, people whose contributions to their fields will be remembered in the annals of science forever and ever and ever. First, we honor an industrial titan, a brilliant engineer and one of the greatest technology founders to ever live. His name is Elon Musk. Quite honestly, there's nobody like him. Few Americans in history have done more to advance America's national interest than Elon in one field after another. His genius and determination have made science fiction into reality, and that is so true. Elon founded SpaceX with his life savings in 2002 and created the first privately developed liquid-fueled rocket to reach orbit in the face of vanishingly impossible odds. Musk's honor coming after some turbulence between him and the president, the two having a very public falling out last year, after Musk left his role leading the Department of Government Efficiency or Doge and called Trump's tax and spending bill "disgusting abomination" according to Fox News. Trump responding at the time, by threatening Musk's government contracts. However, the two appearing to have patched things up, since the tension in the relationship has eased, Musk appearing in Trump's orbit, including at a technology leaders' lunch and during Chinese president Xi Jinping's visit to Washington last month. Musk also returning to an advisory role at the Pentagon. Here's the president again. Elon is our modern day Thomas Edison and Elon, I want to congratulate you, my friend and all of that, but you are a very, very special guy. Thank you very much and congratulations, Elon. Bringing together leaders in both science and tech to discuss accelerating American innovation. President Trump, with a personal connection to today's event, his uncle John G. Trump, receiving the National Medal of Science posthumously from President Reagan in 1985, first worked in radiation research. That'll do it for your AM update. I'm Emily Jarsinski, host of Afterparty. Go and check out more at AfterpartyEmily.com. Catch the Megan Kelley Show later today. Live on Sirius XM's, the Megan Kelley Channel, 111 at New Knees, on youtube.com/megankelly, and all podcast platforms.
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