In short
U.S.-Iran escalation (Strait of Hormuz blockade, U.S. seizure of an Iranian cargo ship), a Louisiana mass shooting killing eight children, and Los Angeles Skid Row animal abuse claims involving fentanyl testing on dogs.
Guests
No guests mentioned in the transcript.
Key claims
U.S. Navy disabled the Iranian-flagged Tuska after warnings; Marines boarded and President Trump said the U.S. has full custody and will seize more ships if Iran continues. Iran’s Supreme Leader Mushtaba Khamenei says the Strait will stay closed and demands U.S. bases shut. Louisiana police say a domestic dispute became a mass shooting across three locations; suspect carjacked, fled, and was killed in a shootout. Skid Row nonprofit Starts With One Today alleges drug users abuse dogs (including fentanyl testing), illegal breeding, selling dogs/puppies, and inconsistent enforcement.
Notable examples
one dog’s infection rotted to the bone (amputation); another owner allegedly used tweezers to cut a dog’s leg while intoxicated.
Written by AI. May contain mistakes. Listen to the episode to check what was said.
Chapters
Tap a time to open that second in VOIran Escalation and U.S. Response
0:00 to 1:04
Discussion on the escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran, including recent military actions.
“I've tried a lot of seafood over the years, guys, and truly it's been hit or miss.”
Iran Escalation and U.S. Response
1:24 to 5:25
Discussion on the escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran, including recent military actions.
“forces seize an Iranian ship, and Marines are now aboard.”
Tragic Mass Shooting in Louisiana
5:25 to 6:41
Coverage of a mass shooting in Louisiana resulting in the deaths of eight children.
“Now to a devastating story out of Louisiana.”
Animal Abuse on Skid Row
6:41 to 8:08
Report on disturbing animal abuse cases involving drug users on Skid Row in Los Angeles.
“And finally, a deeply disturbing situation unfolding in Los Angeles.”
Transcript
Automatic transcript. May contain errors.0:00I've tried a lot of seafood over the years, guys, and truly it's been hit or miss. You know, sometimes it looks great, but then you cook it and it just doesn't have that flavor or freshness you expect. So finding something reliable has made a huge difference. Wild Alaskan Company really changed that for me. It's the best way to receive high-quality, wild-caught seafood delivered right to your door on your schedule. The first box I got was super easy to use. Everything comes individually portioned and vacuum sealed, so there's no guesswork. I cooked that wild Alaskan sockeye salmon just in a pan with a little olive oil, salt, and pepper, and it turned out fantastic.
0:34Clean flavor, great texture, and didn't feel like frozen fish at all. I've also tried the wild Pacific cod, which I love. It's light and flaky and really easy to work in when you need a quick dinner. What stood out is that the fish is quick frozen right after it's caught in Alaska, so it locks in that freshness along with the nutrients like omega-3s. And it's clean, no GMOs, no antibiotics, no additives. And it supports sustainable fishing and Alaskan fishermen. They're so confident in the quality that there's 100 % satisfaction, money-back guarantee, so there's no risk in trying it. Go to wildalaskan.com slash Rubin for$35 off your first order of premium wild-caught seafood.
1:09That's wildalaskan.com slash Rubin for$35 off your first order.
1:17Good morning, everybody. It's Monday, April 20th, 2026. and this is First Look. We've got a big, fast-moving show for you today. Here's what we're tracking. A major escalation with Iran. The Strait of Hormuz remains closed. U.S. forces seize an Iranian ship, and Marines are now aboard. A horrific mass shooting in Louisiana leaves eight children dead in what officials are calling one of the worst tragedies in the state's history. And later, shocking reports out of Los Angeles' Skid Row, where activists say drug users are abusing animals in deeply disturbing ways. Let's get into it. We start overseas, where tensions between the United States and Iran are escalating rapidly.
2:03And the headline right now is this. The Strait of Hormuz is still closed, and the U.S. just seized an Iranian cargo ship. Let's walk through what happened. An Iranian-flagged cargo vessel, the Tuska, nearly 900 feet long and weighing almost as much as an aircraft carrier, attempted to bypass the U.S. naval blockade in the Gulf of Oman. The U.S. Navy, specifically the guided missile destroyer USS Spruance, intercepted the ship and issued multiple warnings to stop. The Iranian crew refused, so the U.S. responded. According to reports, Navy forces fired on the ship, blowing a hole in the engine room to disable it.
2:46Then came the next step. US Marines boarded the vessel and took full custody. President Trump confirmed it directly, saying, we have full custody of the ship and are seeing what's on board. And he made it clear this is just the beginning. More ships will be seized if Iran keeps trying to test the blockade. Now, step back for a second. This is a major escalation. You've got US forces actively interdicting, disabling, and seizing Iranian vessels in international waters. That's not symbolic, that's enforcement. And it comes at the same time Iran is escalating its own rhetoric. Iranian Supreme Leader, Mushtaba Khamenei, has now declared that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed, specifically to pressure President Trump.
3:35He's also demanding that all US military bases in the region be shut down, warning they could face attacks if they're not. So yes, the tension is very real. But here's the other side of it. Iran is clearly feeling the pressure. Their internal messaging is completely fractured. You've got three different state-run media narratives happening at once. One says Iran may not even participate in talks, blaming Washington's excessive demands, unrealistic expectations, constant shifts in stance, repeated contradictions, and the ongoing naval blockade. Another says talks are still scheduled for Tuesday morning, possibly extending into Wednesday.
4:18And a third essentially admits they haven't decided whether to show up at all. Three narratives, same regime. That's not strength, that's confusion. Meanwhile, Vice President J.D. Vance is preparing to face Iranian negotiators in Pakistan, assuming Iran actually shows up after, frankly, testing the U.S. in a big way and getting shut down in the Gulf. And the U.S. position remains unchanged. End all uranium enrichment. Remove all highly enriched nuclear material. And eliminate any path to a nuclear weapon. Iran doesn't want to agree to that. But they're also getting squeezed, economically, militarily, and diplomatically.
5:01Their oil flow is restricted. Their ships are being seized. Their messaging is inconsistent. And historically, Iran has a reputation for saying one thing publicly while negotiating something very different behind the scenes. So now the question is simple. Do they come to the table or keep escalating against a U.S. posture that, at least right now, isn't blinking? Now to a devastating story out of Louisiana. Police say a domestic dispute turned into a mass shooting early Sunday, leaving eight children dead. The victims ranged in age from just one year old to around 14 years old. In total, 10 people were shot, including two adults.
5:43Authorities say the violence unfolded across three separate locations, making it one of the most disturbing and complex crime scenes they've ever handled. Police Chief Wayne Smith described it as an extensive scene unlike anything most have ever seen. And in a heartbreaking detail, officials say some of the children were related to the suspect. After the initial shootings, the suspect carjacked a vehicle at gunpoint just half a block away and fled. That triggered a police pursuit into neighboring Bossier Parish. When officers attempted to stop the vehicle, the suspect opened fire, leading to a shootout.
6:22Police ultimately killed the suspect at the scene. The mayor of Shreveport called it possibly the worst tragedy in the city's history. Authorities are still working to piece together exactly what led to this, and are asking the public to provide any videos, photos, or information that could help the investigation. And finally, a deeply disturbing situation unfolding in Los Angeles. A non-profit group says drug users on Skid Row are testing narcotics on dogs, using animals to check for fentanyl contamination. According to volunteers with Starts With One Today, they're receiving daily reports of abuse, dogs being sold for drugs illegally bred, neglected, and left to die.
7:06Some of the cases are horrific. One dog had a leg so badly infected it had rotted down to the bone, requiring amputation. Another dog suffered severe eye and leg injuries, with rescuers claiming the owner, while under the influence, was attempting to cut into the animal's leg with tweezers. Volunteers also say puppies are being sold on the street to fund drug habits. And despite repeated calls to authorities, they say enforcement has been inconsistent. In some cases, they claim officials have witnessed illegal breeding and failed to act, and even provided crates to breeders, which they say only enables the situation.
7:47The city says it is taking action. Officials point to over 100 LAPD officers trained in animal cruelty cases, along with rescues, citations, and arrests. But those working on the ground say it's not enough, and that they're still stepping in themselves, often in dangerous conditions, to save these animals. That's your first look for this Monday. A lot happening, from serious global escalation to heartbreaking and disturbing stories here at home. We'll keep tracking all of it and bring you the updates as they come. I'm Dave Rubin. Thanks for starting your day with First Look. We'll see you next time.
From the publisher
Dave Rubin of "The Rubin Report" gives a first look to the stories you need to know to start your day including a major escalation with Iran as the U.S. seizes an Iranian cargo ship and enforces its Strait of Hormuz blockade while tensions rise over nuclear negotiations and military threats; a devastating mass shooting in Louisiana that left eight children dead after a domestic dispute spiraled into multiple crime scenes; and disturbing reports from Los Angeles' Skid Row where activists say drug users are abusing dogs and using them to test narcotics, raising serious concerns about addiction and public safety, and much more.


