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Start your day with The Daily Dive. News without the noise, told straight. Explore the most interesting news of the day. Connect with the writers, analysts and reporters that know the real story. Hosted by Oscar Ramirez in Los Angeles, this 20 minute podcast will be ready for you when you wake up. (Posted by 6 AM EST)
This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
For quite a while now, employees have been able to call the shots as the labor market remained tight. They could job hop and get higher wages too. Well now, the balance of power is shifting back to the employer and workers with high hopes for raises in the coming year may be disappointed. Companies are adjusting budgets for salaries, and it doesn’t look like it is keeping up with inflation or expectations. Matt Boyle, senior reporter at Bloomberg News, joins us for what to expect.
Next, where have all the coupons gone? As high inflation continues to hit us, many are looking for deals anywhere they can, but paper coupons and even digital ones are harder to come by. Circulation is down and redemption rates have also plummeted as people just don’t have the time to sort them all and smartphones have made other shopping incentives possible. Lydia DePillis, economy reporter at the NY Times, joins us for what to know.
Finally, as the workplace landscapes have changed with remote work and others starting different jobs, many have been using their cell phones instead of old business lines and caller ID has been outing people. Because caller ID is linked to the main account holder, many young professionals are being outed as still being on their parents’ phone plane. Lindsay Ellis, careers reporter at the WSJ joins us for more.
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The clothing industry is the last trillion-dollar sector that hasn’t been fully automated. Many apparel makers have also been hesitant to talk about automation because of the ramifications and possible loss of jobs. Still, there is a quiet effort underway to develop machines that can automate some parts of jeans factories and hopefully bring more manufacturing back from overseas. Tim Aeppel, reporter at Reuters, joins us for how robots are coming for your blue jeans.
Next, as more of Gen Z enters the workplace and communications increasingly happen online and in text formats, something is getting lost in translation. Older colleges are having a hard time keeping up with Gen Z’s use of emojis, slang, and even punctuation. Danielle Abril, “Tech at Work” writer at for the Washington Post, joins us for how workplace language is changing with younger employees.
Finally, when is a bumblebee a fish? When a unanimous ruling by a California state appeals court deems it so. Public-interest groups had asked the state to include four types of bumblebees on its list of endangered species, but the 50-year-old law only applied to birds, mammals, fish, amphibians, or reptiles. Because the legal definition of a fish was vague and had been used to include other animals in separate instances, the bee was added to the list. Matt Grossman, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for the legal wrangling it took to get there.
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Sam Bankman-Fried, the disgraced founder and former CEO of crypto company FTX, has been arrested in the Bahamas and charged by federal officials with eight counts of fraud, conspiracy, campaign finance law violations and money laundering. He is being accused of funneling customer money into his hedge fund to make investments and loans to himself. About $8 billion in client funds have gone missing with only $1 billion being recovered. The difficulty there is that there was no adequate record-keeping as it was found out the multibillion-dollar company was using QuickBooks. Dan Primack, business editor at Axios, joins us for what to know.
Next, a significant breakthrough when it comes to fusion energy, something that could one-day provide us with unlimited clean power. Researchers at the National Ignition Facility were able to achieve what is called ignition, getting more energy out of a reaction than what they put in. The team fired 192 laser beams at a small fuel pellet and produced a small amount of net gain energy. While this is an important step in proof-of-concept of the science, it is still a long time away from being a commercially viable energy source. The lasers and equipment used would have to be drastically upgraded to produce more energy. Umair Irfan, senior correspondent at Vox, joins us for this fusion energy breakthrough.
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The labor market remains tight, and employers still need workers to fill their ranks. In order to speed up the process, some companies are dropping a once crucial step: the interview. Places like UPS, Home Depot, and The Gap are dropping it for mostly hourly positions and in places with high turnover and warehousing. Some are offering jobs 25 minutes after applying and others are making offers 24-48 hours after applying. After exhausting other methods to attract workers, some are going with speed. Sarah Chaney Cambon, labor economics reporter at the WSJ, joins us for what to know.
Next, the condiment business is hyper competitive and one of the major players in the spice game, McCormick, has been making acquisitions to take over the world of hot sauce. They bought Frank's Red Hot and Cholula Hot Sauce in deals worth millions of dollars each. The past few years have proven to be beneficial for McCormick as many people stayed in and cooked more at home, but they were not immune to supply chain issues that affected the industry when it came to acquiring key ingredients. Austin Carr, features writer at Bloomberg BusinessWeek, joins us for the fight for hot sauce supremacy.
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Shakeup for the Democrats in the Senate. After clinching a 51-49 majority with Raphael Warnock’s win in Georgia, Sen. Krysten Sinema announced she would be leaving the Democratic party and register as an Independent. While the impact may be minimal when trying to pass legislation, it means a lot when we look ahead to 2024 and how the two parties will fight to win that seat. Julia Manchester, national political reporter at The Hill, joins us for how this decision plays out, Kari Lake files an election lawsuit in Arizona, and the big fight of the week, Congress struggling to fund the government and avoid a shutdown.
Next, a look into the hyper competitive world of body building and the extremes it takes to get those outrageous physiques. There is hours and hours of training, strict diets, and then there are the drugs… steroids and other performance enhancing drugs. It is leaving athletes with irreparable damage to their bodies, with some having heart problems, needing kidney transplants, and worst-case, death. Jenn Abelson, investigative reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for how the extreme sport of bodybuilding is pushing some to the edge.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Biden administration stuck a deal with Russia to free WNBA star Brittney Griner. In exchange for her freedom, the U.S. released arms dealer Vitkor Bout, who is known as the “Merchant of Death.” This caps a 10 month ordeal for Griner after she was arrested for possession hash oil cartridges in Russia. Alex Ward, national security reporter at Politico, joins us for what to know about her release and what happens to Paul Whelan another American in Russian custody for espionage chargers.
Next, the chip manufacturing boom in the U.S. is just beginning. This week President Biden toured a Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. plant in Arizona that is tripling its investments to build new semiconductor chips. As the relationship between China, Taiwan, and the U.S. continues to be strained, we are rushing to build our own local supply. Matt Phillips, markets correspondent at Axios, joins us for how the U.S. semiconductor industry is just starting.
Finally, more businesses are getting rid of their customer service reps you can reach by phone and increasingly offering options such as chat boxes to resolve issues. For many companies, it is cost prohibitive to maintain staff just to answer calls and the result is they are making their numbers harder to find or getting rid of them all together. Rachel Wolfe, consumer trends reporter at the WSJ, joins us for why connecting with a human is almost impossible.
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There’s a new food category coming to your grocery stores… “thaw and eat” foods. The makers of Uncrustables and Hot Pockets are both offering products that can be ready to eat in a couple of hours with no microwave required. Think turkey and cheese or ham and cheese sandwiches. These are being targeted to adults who want grabbable, no-mess bites. Jennifer Kingson, chief correspondent at Axios joins us for what to know as food companies are throwing more resources at launching this new frozen category.
Next, the Good Morning America cheating scandal is proving that people still love an old-fashioned tabloid drama. While other scandals have been met with lots of negative emotion, there are some in the public that seem to be rooting for anchors Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes. They are both temporarily sidelined for now, but ratings have been up since the scandal surfaced. Aja Romano, culture reporter at Vox, joins us for what to know.
Finally, the data shows that married couples hold four times as much wealth as unmarried couples who live together. The leading thought as to why, is because they pool their resources together. Other research is now showing that couples who do combine finances are also happier. Julia Carpenter, personal finance reporter at the WSJ, joins us for what joining finances does in a relationship.
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One of the biggest components of inflation is starting to ease. Housing costs are coming down, but it could take some time before it shows up in official inflation numbers. Economists say that increases in rents and home prices will remain low as the economy has slowed and mortgage rates remain elevated. Shelter inflation is one of those things that tend to be sticky, which means that once it starts moving in any direction it is slow to change back. Gwynn Guilford, economics reporter at the WSJ, joins us for what to know.
Next, what do you do with an iconic Los Angeles landmark that became too old to operate normally and too much of a treasure to tear down? LA County would like to turn the old General Hospital building into affordable and homeless housing, but to do that, there is a ton of work to be done. The county has already committed $250 million to removing hazardous materials, upgrading electrical and water systems, installing air conditioning, fire sprinklers and so much more. The eventual goal will be to have “Healthy Village” with as many as 1,400 units with beds for housing, and medical and mental health care. Doug Smith, senior writer at the LA Times, joins us for the future of LA’s General Hospital.
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The hot weight-loss drug Wegovy is in short supply and high demand. The drug has proven to help people lose as much as 15% of their weight by suppressing appetite, but the company expected a more gradual adoption of the drug and has lost out on a ton of potential cash. Selling only $700 million to date, analysts had projected $2 billion in sales for 2021 and 2022. Peter Loftus, pharma reporter at the WSJ, joins us for why you can’t find Wegovy.
Next, the Real ID requirement for air travel has been delayed once again. Americans will have two more years, until May 2025 to go to the DMV and provide the proper paperwork. The deadline was extended to help DMVs with pandemic related setbacks. To date, only about 49% of people have gotten their updated IDs. Luz Lazo, transportation reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for what to know.
Finally, a pair of marijuana bills may be attached to “must-pass” year-end bills in Congress. A bipartisan group of senators will be trying to add the SAFE Banking Act to allow cannabis businesses to access loans and open bank accounts and the HOPE Act, which would provide grants to states that expunge former convictions. Sophia Cai, congressional reporter at Axios, joins us for the plan to pass pot legislation.
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It’s the FBI’s biggest investigation ever. Looking into who was in Washington on Jan.6 and who stormed the Capitol. It has also included the biggest ever request of phone data from geofence warrants. Google has provided data from over 5,000 devices as the FBI has tried to narrow their search to pinpoint suspects. Google also has a three-step process for these types of warrants to help protect as much privacy as possible and only provide info on those most likely to have commit a crime. We are only learning more about this now as lawyers for one suspect are looking to throw out the geofence evidence in court. Mark Harris, contributor to Wired, joins us for what to know.
Next, if you weathered the pandemic storm and stuck with your employer over the last couple of years, then you very well could be underpaid. The tight labor market has led to a lot of movement and forced employers to try and lure new candidates with bigger paychecks and more work benefits. That has led to a divide with current employees as salaries for new hires are on average 7% higher than existing workers. Aki Ito, senior correspondent at Business Insider, joins us for more.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The word of the year for 2022 is gaslighting. Merriam-Webster chooses the word of the year based only on data from lookups and in 2022, lookups for gaslighting increased 1,740%. Most interestingly, there was not a particular news event that drove the lookups, it was a word that had interest every single day of the year. Peter Sokolowski, editor at large for Merriam-Webster joins us for a definition of this year’s top word and a look at some more including oligarch, codify, sentient, and loamy.
Next, Elon Musk has been under a lot of scrutiny since he took over Twitter, but another one of his companies is being looked at for ghosting cities across America. Musk’s Boring company, which has teased cities with plans to dig out underground tunnels to help relieve what he called “soul-destroying” traffic, has had a lot of big ideas but rarely followed through after being confronted with the realities of building public infrastructure. The only place where Musk has been able to showcase a finished project has been a 1.6 mile “loop experience” under the Las Vegas Convention Center. Ted Mann, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for how many cities still want to work with the Boring Co. despite its uneven record.
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As the labor market remains tight, employers have begun to rethink whether a college degree is needed to work for them. Google, Delta Air Lines, and IBM have all relaxed requirements so they can open up the pool of possible candidates. The shift helps employers focus more on skills and experience and is a pathway for some to higher-paying jobs. Austen Hufford, economics reporter at the WSJ, joins us for how a higher education degree is no longer needed in some cases.
Next, in a hopeful sign for the Fed, job openings have fallen to 10.3 million. While there continues to be a higher demand for workers, it shows that it is starting too cool which helps the Fed in fighting inflation. The ratio of openings to unemployed workers has now dropped to 1.7. Molly Smith, U.S. economy editor at Bloomberg News, joins us for what to know.
Finally, as inflation is making people keep an eye on their pocketbooks, daters out there on the scene are beginning to embrace frugality. Currently, the average date night costs $98 as we see restaurant prices up 17% and alcoholic beverages away from home up 12%. Many are also opting for lower cost dates until they decide they want to make a bigger investment in a partner. Rachel Wolfe, consumer trends reporter at the WSJ. Joins us for why being a cheap date can be a plus.
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NASA’s successful launch of the Artemis 1 mission looks like it will be a boon for private space companies. More than halfway over, the Orion spacecraft has already reached its max distance from the Earth of 270,000 miles. At least 22 companies specifically focused on the Moon have raised money to travel there, develop tech to mine for resources and even build habitats there. Miriam Kramer, space reporter at Axios, joins us for the coming Moon economy.
Next, middle-aged men have a problem with suicide. Overall, men have a suicide rate between three and four times higher than women. To fight this mental health problem, researchers are studying new approaches to get them help which include participation in “meaning-centered” groups, “hope kits,” and videos on how men can speak with their doctors about suicidal thoughts. Andrea Peterson, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for what to know.
Finally, insiders say that President Biden is gearing up to run for office again and this week we have a seen a preview of a possible campaign strategy, one that will try to leverage the power of the White House. Advisers will want to keep the President out of every item in the news cycle, but keep up diplomatic engagements, quick trips to swing states, and ramp up the fundraising efforts. Hans Nichols, reporter at Axios, joins us for how Biden will run.
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China’s zero-Covid policies is causing a wave of protests that are getting hard to ignore. Recent protests all have their own reasons for sparking, but the underlying issue seems to revolve around the policy which has seen residents unable to access food, medicine, and medical care in some cases. Some changes have been made to the zero-Covid policy, but frustrations have boiled over. Ellen Ioanes, foreign affairs reporter at Vox, joins us for what to know.
Next, the money transfer service Zelle, saw some 1.8 billion transactions in 2021that totaled $490 billion dollars. Now, the banks behind Zelle are standardizing the methods with which to reimburse scammed customers. Popular scams include messages that seem to come from customer support and tricks users into sending money into what appears to be your own account, but it’s linked to a fraudulent one. David Benoit, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for more.
Finally, restaurants are getting a small reprieve from chicken. As they have been battered by high inflation, and rising labor and operational costs, chicken has begun to drop in price. Prices for chicken breast has dropped about 70% since the first week of June. During this time restaurants have kept up their promotions to keep people coming back. Patrick Thomas, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for how dropping poultry prices will hopefully be giving you a break soon.
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With the economy slowing and many companies beginning to layoff workers, small businesses are in a tight spot as they continue to face staff shortages but are having a hard time competing with larger companies when it comes to offering higher wages. Small businesses are also reporting that about 90% of open positions are seeing few to no qualified applicants. Cheryl Winokur Munk, contributor to CNBC, joins us for how they can attract top talent by highlighting more than just wages.
Next, a look at what the latest news surrounding Taylor Swift fans and the huge demand for her concert tickets says about the economy. Despite uneven economic times, these turbocharged consumers are willing to pay almost anything to see their favorite artist, for them, there is no substitute. The pent-up demand over the pandemic and limited supply sent die-hard fans to crash the Ticketmaster website. Augusta Saraiva, economics reporter at Bloomberg News, joins us for what to know about “Swiftonomics.”
Finally, it was once a given at many live concerts, the band would end their show and spend a couple of minutes off-stage before coming back for a roaring encore. Now, some artists are doing away with them saying they just feel forced. They’d rather just play out a whole set, and not waste anyone’s time leaving a potential encore only for something memorable and not expected. Travis Andrews, features writer at The Washington Post, joins us for what to know.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
If you are looking for deals this holiday season, this is where it all starts. Black Friday leading into Cyber Monday. With inflation still battering Americans, many price-conscious consumers are buying less gifts and donating to charity less. Retailers on the other hand are looking to move products with sales and promotions. Marc Saltzman, tech columnist at USA Today and host of the Tech It Out Podcast, joins us with some apps and browser extensions for deal hunters, products to look out for, and scams to be wary of.
Next, the holiday season also means tons of cookies and baked goods. In order to make all those delicious favorites, you need a lot of butter. Butter in particular has been seeing some very high prices due to labor shortages and a growing appetite for cheese. In response an underground network of butter bargain hunters is sharing the news when prices drop and tips on how to get around per-person limits. Some have even turned to churning out their own butter. Clare Ansberry, Turning Points columnist at the WSJ, joins us for what to know.
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Beyond Meat, the plant-based meat company, is struggling and it’s causing some worries throughout the meat alternative industry. The company has struggled to manage growth amid slumping sales. Among some of the setbacks, the company tried to rush out new products only to miss deadlines and disappoint customers. Beyond’s jerky product, chicken tenders, and dinner sausages all hit roadblocks as their CEO tried to push out new offerings. Jesse Newman, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for the tough times at Beyond Meat.
Next, Thanksgiving is here and it’s time to talk about our favorite foods! To end the show today we will give you the official Thanksgiving food power rankings. We will speak to Lucas Kwan Peterson, food columnist at the LA Times, for his take on where all your favorite Thanksgiving foods rank. A little preview of what you are in for… Turkey ranks dead last in his list, pumpkin pie doesn’t fare much better either, and cranberries of all things might just be the most controversial food item.
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According to recent surveys, Americans are stressed out by inflation and are planning to buy fewer Christmas gifts and donate less to charity. Last year on average, people bought about 16 gifts for family and friends, this year that number has dropped to nine. Another survey found that many are planning to donate less with 44% blaming a lack of funds. Jon Hilsenrath, senior writer at the WSJ, joins us for how inflation is souring the holiday season.
Next, hospitals are being pushed to the brink as we see RSV, Covid and the flu infecting people at high rates. We are also seeing a continued staffing shortage in the healthcare industry that is causing a replay of what we saw during the height of the pandemic. A slew of nursing home closures is also pushing more into the hospital system. Sabrina Malhi, health and science reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for what to know.
Finally, dogs and humans can both get dementia, a problem we know comes with age. We also know that movement and exercise can help reduce the risk of getting the degenerative disease. Two recent studies are offering new data about the precise amounts of walking that can protect human and dog brains. Gretchen Reynolds, health columnist at The Washington Post, joins us for why it’s definitely a good idea to take your dog out for a walk.
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On his adventures into MAGA country, Jordan Klepper encounters some of the more imaginative, conspiratorial minds America has to offer. In “Jordan Klepper Fingers the Conspiracy,” a new, six-episode limited podcast series, Jordan steps off the trail to dig deep into some of the wildest theories he’s heard, and trace their origins with journalists, experts, and anyone who might have a lead on when JFK Jr. is coming back. The podcast offers an opportunity to better understand some of the most extravagant stories Americans tell themselves. Listen to Jordan Klepper Fingers The Conspiracy on the iHeartRadio app or wherever you get your podcasts. https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-klepper-30873042/
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Just a few years ago, betting on sports was regulated to Nevada and a handful of other locations in the U.S., but after a flurry of action from lobbyists and the gambling industry, 31 states now allow sports gambling either online or in-person. Sold by possible tax revenue, many states have come on board, sometimes with very favorable tax breaks for gambling companies. An investigation by the Times finds that in many cases that revenue hasn’t lived up to projections. Other convincing was done at events such as the “Cigars, Cars, and Bars” event that some Kansas lawmakers attended. Eric Lipton, investigative reporter at the NY Times, joins us for how sports betting has expanded so fast.
Next, a study in Germany that was exploring the possibility of using industrial hemp in animal feed found that when portions of the plant that had higher THC concentration was fed to some dairy cows, they produced milk with detectable levels of THC. The dairy cows even displayed behavioral changes such as yawning and salivating a lot and standing in one place for long periods of time. Still regulators are looking into hemp because it could be an excellent source for animal feed. Hemp seeds are high in protein and do not contain any THC. Joel Achenbach, science reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for what to know.
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President Biden turned 80 over the weekend, the oldest serving president in U.S. history. He has said he intends to run again, planning a decision for early next year. However, recent gaffes have added to concerns from those in his own party and polls also show that the public has doubts about leaders his age. Julia Manchester, national political reporter at The Hill, joins us for this, GOP hopefuls beginning to make their case, and Nancy Pelosi’s legacy as Speaker of the House.
Next, due to inflation, supply chain issues, and the bird flu, your Thanksgiving meal is definitely more expensive this year. 20% more expensive to be exact. The average cost of a meal for ten is $64.05. You could see a shortage of large birds and everything on the table costs more except for one item, fresh cranberries. Herb Scribner, reporter at Axios, joins us for what to know.
Finally, electric vehicles continue to grow into the mainstream of car buying. EVs are the fastest growing segment of the auto market with sales jumping 70%. Gas powered cars account for most of the new car market, but people are increasingly turning to battery powered cars to save money on maintenance and fuel, making them their daily drivers. Peter Eavis, business reporter at the NY Times, joins us for more.
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Heading into the holiday shopping season big retailers are hoping to offload all the excess inventory from recent months and also balance how much to discount items to move product. The good thing is that it means more promotions and sales for consumers, but will it be the products that people want? The main items that will see the deepest discounts are computers, electronics, and toys, many of which are left over from pandemic delays. Beauty products on the other hand will not be seeing as many discounts. Melissa Repko, retail reporter at CNBC, joins us for what to know as retailers continue to do anything they can to attract customers.
Next, the fall of the crypto exchange FTX has quickly wiped out the value of the company, the billions of dollars that its CEO was worth, and left scores of others without a way to access their money and assets. FTX has now filed for bankruptcy and the new CEO that has stepped in said that he’s never “seen such a complete failure of corporate controls.” Some experts have said that it could be possible that people never recover their funds. For now, it has caused more volatility in the crypto market and caused more values to drop. Joel Khalili, crypto reporter at Wired, joins us for all the fallout from the FTX collapse.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
NASA’s Artemis 1 Moon mission is currently underway after the SLS rocket and Orion capsule launched early Wednesday morning. The mission is expected to last until mid-December when the capsule will splash back down in the Pacific Ocean. This mission paves the way for the return of astronauts to the Moon and a new space station to be assembled in orbit there. Ramin Skibba, space writer at Wired, joins us for what to know.
Next, it’s been described as a “game changer” when it comes to weight loss, but some people who have taken it say it’s changing their taste buds. Semaglutide is the key ingredient in drugs like Wegovy and Ozempic. It’s helping people lose as much as 15-20% of their body weight by making you feel full and reducing cravings, but it’s making some disgusted by their favorite foods. Anna Medaris, health correspondent at Insider, joins us for more.
Finally, now that New York City’s pay transparency law is in place, people are browsing jobs like they were browsing new homes, even if they’re not in the market for a new one. As employers are now required to post salary ranges, people are dreaming of moving into something new or asking for a pay raise. Emily Peck, reporter at Axios, joins us for how job listings are the new Zillow.
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The human race has reached a milestone. There are now an estimated eight billion people on the planet. Overall, less people are living in extreme poverty, and we have generally better access to health care, food, and clean water. Half of the population still just lives in 7 countries, and it could take us about 15 years to hit the next milestone of nine billion. Stef Kight, politics reporter at Axios, joins is for what to know as we still face several challenges as the population continues to grow.
Next, there is a mystery in the labor market as older Gen Z workers are missing from the workforce. We are seeing fewer people ages 20-24 with a job which equals to a shortfall of about half a million workers. In 2021, wages were rising and there were tons of job openings, it attracted teens, but didn’t stick with others. We have also seen a rise in the number people in this age range that are neither working or in school. Bryan Mena, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for more.
Finally, a mother was arrested recently after he 10-year-old son got a tattoo. Last month, the boy walked into the nurse’s office looking for Vaseline, he wanted to rub it on his new tattoo. While there have been shifting attitudes about tattoos recently, there are many laws on the books where those under 18 cannot get a tattoo, even if they have parental consent. Sarah Maslin Nir, staff reporter at the NY Times, joins us for what to know.
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The makeup of Congress continues to take shape as the House continues to skew toward Republicans and Democrats retain control of the Senate. Democrats overperformed in the midterms and they can attribute that to independent voters that broke their way. Despite the GOP holding the edge on top issues, independent voters were turned off by candidates that were too closely aligned with Trump. Aaron Zitner, politics reporter at the WSJ, joins us for how independents decided the midterms.
Next, the FAA recently held a public comment period on the size of airline seats. What they got, was tens of thousands of comments that painted a horrible picture of what passengers experience. But will those comments lead to bigger and better seats? Probably not. The FAA will decide if they want to make minimum seat requirements, but only what’s necessary for safety, not comfort. James Bikales, reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for what to know.
Finally, in a shift on what you might expect, baby boomers can’t stop looking at their smartphones. While the concern of too much screen time is mostly directed at kids and teens, some millennials and Gen Xers are complaining that their parents can’t let the phones go, especially when the grandchildren are around. Heather Kelly, tech reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for how some families have had enough of the phones.
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The Democrats have retained control of the Senate, and the House is still up in the air, although the numbers look to favor Republicans. Throughout the midterm elections there have been many tight races and margins are just razor thin. So why is America always divided 50-50? As the two parties constantly jockey for the majority, neither party really builds any momentum. Annie Lowrey, staff writer at The Atlantic, joins us for how polarization and a changing electorate is impacting politics.
Next, more colleges are offering admission to students who never even applied to those schools. There has been an increase in universities that are participating in “direct admissions” programs to streamline the process for students but also align them with geographic and academic interests and boost enrollment goals too. The result is tens of thousands of students are getting offers they never thought they would. Melissa Korn, higher education reporter at the WSJ, joins us for what to know.
Finally, dialing 0 to reach an operator or getting directory assistance from 411 is soon to be a thing of the past. How many people even use those services now, as smartphones have made them obsolete? Starting Jan. 1, AT&T is ending the service to landline customers in 21 states. Wireless users aren’t even offered it. Jo Constantz, reporter at Bloomberg News, joins us for a brief history of 411.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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Positive sign as inflation cooled slightly to 7.7% in October. Experts warn not to get too excited as they would like to see more of trend but hope this could be the peak. Used car prices have dropped, along with airfare and apparel, but rents continue to stay elevated. The Fed has signaled it will continue to raise rates until inflation drops more, but in smaller increments. Rachel Siegel, economics reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for the signs that inflation may be easing.
Next, New York City recently became the biggest job market in the country to require employers to list pay ranges in their job ads. The hope is that it would give job seekers an edge in pay negotiations, but the rollout has had mixed results as companies are posting salary ranges with differences of hundreds of thousands of dollars. Theo Francis, business reporter at the WSJ, joins us for what to know about New York City’s pay transparency law.
Finally, the National Park Service put out an advisory asking people to please stop licking the psychedelic toads. There has not been any indication that people are licking toads to trip out but wanted to send out the warning that it’s potentially dangerous and can cause poisonings. The toads in question are the Sonoran Desert toads also known as the Colorado River toad. Adela Suliman, reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for what to know.
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Control of Congress still hangs in the balance as Republicans are poised to take over the House, but we will have to wait until December for a runoff election to see who will take Georgia’s Senate seat. In the meantime, the red wave never really happened, and Democrats fared far better than most thought. Former President Trump is in a weaker position coming into his big announcement and President Biden is taking any good news he can get. David Siders, national political correspondent at Politico, joins us for midterm takeaways.
Next, marijuana was also on the ballot in 5 states. Just ten years ago Washington and Colorado became the first states to legalize marijuana. Now, Maryland and Missouri have been added to the list for a total of 21 states plus D.C. As the stigma of cannabis use has worn off in many cases, it has also become big business projected to produce sales of $100 billion by 2030. Mary Jane Gibson, contributor to Vox, joins us for the mixed night of results for marijuana on the ballot.
Finally, Meta has become the latest in a string of big tech companies to announce layoffs and hiring freezes. The parent company of Facebook said they will be cutting 13% of its workforce, about 11,000 employees. Revenue has been down for Meta as they face increased pressure from competitors like TikTok. Meta will also start prioritizing content from viral creators over posts from friends and family. Naomi Nix, tech reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for more.
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The top issue for this election season has been the economy and it has put Democrats in a bad position as Republicans have seized on the issue. Despite high inflation and fears of a recession, there are still other positive economic markers such as low unemployment. Still, the uncertainty of what’s to come has voters concerned for their futures and polls show they are backing Republicans. Howard Schneider, economics correspondent at Reuters, joins us for what to know.
Next, despite Covid infections being down and pandemic restrictions mostly all lifted, the virus has proved to be a persistent drag on the workforce. It’s keeping millions out of work when they get infected and disrupting businesses operations, raising their costs and killing productivity. Workers themselves are also losing out due to unpaid absences. Gwynn Guilford, economics reporter at the WSJ, joins us for how Covid is still setting us back.
Finally, marriage can have a lot of benefits to the pocketbooks of couples. Married couples are four times as wealthy as unmarried couples who live together. They tend to have a higher net worth and more likely to be homeowners. Experts think that a big part of it is that married couples pool their financial resources in way that cohabitating couples don’t. Julia Carpenter, personal finance reporter at the WSJ, joins us why moving in together doesn’t match the benefits of marriage.
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Election Day is here, and the economy and inflation continue to be the top issues for voters. To that end, according to recent surveys, more full-time workers are feeling the pain and having to get second jobs to supplement their income. Nearly three-quarters of workers said they need more work to keep up with inflation and it’s not just blue-collar workers, even people in professional jobs are looking for more. Ray Smith, careers reporter at the WSJ, joins us for how more workers are looking for side hustles.
Next, how much are you paying for water? Corporate America has convinced more people to buy water, whether it’s bottled, boxed, or in a can. For most of America, the water coming from the tap is perfectly fine, except for notable exceptions like Flint, Michigan. What’s happened is that as people have lost more confidence in public infrastructure and clever advertising by packaged water companies is making us buy something that is mostly free. Emily Stewart, senior correspondent at Vox, joins us for more.
Finally, museums have seen a recent spat of climate-change activists throwing food such as tomato soup and mashed potatoes at famous paintings in order to draw more attention to their causes. It has prompted museums to issue “zero bag” policies and even hire security consultants to teach their staff new surveillance tactics on how to spot would-be vandals. Yael Kohen, deputy editor for style news at the WSJ, joins us for how museums are fighting back.
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Title: Navigating Interracial Friendships with Some Of My Best Friends Are
Description: Here's a preview of another podcast we're enjoying, Some of My Best Friends Are, from Pushkin Industries. Harvard professor Khalil Gibran Muhammad and journalist Ben Austen are friends, one Black and one white, who grew up together on the South Side of Chicago. On Some of My Best Friends Are, Khalil and Ben, along with their guests, have critical conversations that are at once personal, political, and playful, about the absurdities and intricacies of race in America.In this preview, Khalil and Ben talk with author Saladin Ambar about his new book, Stars and Shadows: The Politics of Interracial Friendship from Jefferson to Obama. Through famous bonds ranging from Ella Fitzgerald and Marilyn Monroe, to Barack Obama and Joe Biden, they explore the dynamics, benefits, and difficulties of cultivating interracial friendships. Hear the full episode, and more from Some of My Best Friends Are, at https://podcasts.pushkin.fm/sbfs2?sid=dive.
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The midterms are finally here, and which party will take control of Congress hangs in the balance. Republicans, poised to take over the House, have the lead on the economy, crime, and inflation. Democrats, lead on the issues of climate change and abortion. Control of the Senate will be up to a few key races including Pennsylvania and Georgia. President Biden and former President Obama are making the case that democracy is at stake in this election and former President Trump, painting Democrats as the radical left, could be announcing his reelection bid very soon. Julia Manchester, national political reporter at The Hill, joins us for a midterm preview.
Next, Americans went on a fast furniture buying spree during the pandemic and very soon it could all be going in the trash. Fast furniture is mass-produced and relatively inexpensive, think of something you might find at Ikea or Wayfair. Each year we throw out more than 12 million tons of furniture and some of the materials in fast furniture don’t break down or biodegrade. Some of these items are only meant to last about five years, so the next spot for them is the landfill. Debra Kamin, contributor to the NY Times, joins us for what to know.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Federal Reserve has raised interest rates by another 0.75 percentage point to continue fighting inflation. They have signaled that they may keep raising them, but in smaller increments. In the meantime, experts say it is time to reassess your financial plans and pay down any high-interest debt immediately, maybe delay you house or car hunt, and put more money into saving accounts. Julia Carpenter, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for how the latest rate hike impacts you.
Next, this week Netflix launched their ad-based tier in the hopes of attracting more subscribers. The new tier is called “Basic With Ads” and goes for $6.99 a month. It will be a big test for a company that resisted placing ads with their content for a long time, but also comes at a time when many other streaming services are doing the same. Joe Flint, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for what to know and the fight over advertisers and licensing agreements.
Finally, with the rise of quiet quitting and more people returning to work, workers have gotten less productive. Productivity has had the sharpest drop since 1947 and its hard to pin down exactly why, but experts think one reason is that employees are leveraging the power they gained in the tight labor market. It’s harder for employers to fire and hire new workers. Burnout could also be a factor. Taylor Telford, reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for how productivity is down.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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Each weekday, The Big Take brings you one story—one big, important story. Host Wes Kosova talks to Bloomberg journalists around the world, experts and the people at the center of the news to help you understand what’s happening, what it means and why it matters. Money, politics, the economy and business, energy, the environment, technology—we cover it all on The Big Take. Listen to The Big Take on the iHeartRadio app or wherever you get your podcasts. https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1308-the-big-take-84969425/
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Pediatric hospitals are currently packed with kids coming down with respiratory syncytial virus or RSV. Babies under a year old are being hospitalized at six times the rate from 2019 and overall rates for people of all ages are seven times higher. The good news is that help could be on the way. This week, Pfizer announced that a clinical trial of their maternal vaccine prevented 69% of severe cases in infants. While RSV is mainly thought of as affecting children, it does affect many older Americans and other vaccines are in the final stage of development there as well. Keren Landman, health and science reporter at Vox, joins us for what to know.
Next, commercial satellites could be the next targets in space. Private networks that provide aid during wartime efforts could be under the crosshairs as we are seeing with Ukraine and Russia. SpaceX’s Starlink, which is providing internet to Ukraine after their networks were taken down, is coming under Russian scrutiny. This is prompting the Pentagon and others to think about establishing rules and norms for behavior in space. Miriam Kramer, space reporter at Axios, joins us for this and news of a “planet killer” asteroid, but don’t worry they say it’s not a threat.
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For now, it seems like all the changes to Twitter are playing out in real-time on the platform itself. On Tuesday, Elon Musk tweeted that it would be changing the verification method for accounts and that it would be rolled up into its “Twitter Blue” service at a cost of $8 per month. When verification first started, it was an attempt to combat misinformation. Heather Kelly, tech reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for why it could soon cost you for the blue checkmark on your profile.
Next, as the holiday shopping season starts to heat up, be sure to check out retailers’ return policies. Over the pandemic, shoppers have become accustomed to very generous return and shipping policies, but that is changing. Major retailers are shortening their return windows and even adding restocking fees in some cases. Returns have increased in costs to these companies to the tune of $761 billion. Rachel Wolfe, consumer trends reporter at the WSJ, joins us for why it’s getting harder to return unwanted items.
Finally, as doctors continue to look for solutions to address the shortage of organs for transplant, they are increasingly looking to pigs as a possibility. To that end, we are learning more about David Bennett, who earlier this year received a heart transplant from a pig. While he only lasted three months with the pig heart, researchers found out that the heart took longer to generate a heartbeat than typical humans or pigs. Amy Dockser Marcus, health and science reporter at the WSJ, joins us for what to know.
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After an extremely hot employment market and people job-hopping their way to better paying positions, it seems like the Great Resignation is cooling off. While overall job listings are still higher than pre-pandemic levels, demand is falling in areas where remote work really took off such as HR, software development, marketing, and math-related roles. Emily Peck, markets correspondent at Axios, joins us for how more people are prioritizing job security over pay.
Next, as we approach the midterms and more people than ever are voting by mail, you can track your ballot in about half of states. The envelopes that carry your mail-in ballots have a number associated with them that corresponds to an individual voter, and that number is used by companies like BallotTrax and Ballot Scout to track the ballot. Geoffrey Fowler, tech columnist at The Washington Post, joins us for how you can now track your mail-in ballot’s every move.
Finally, there are about eight different types of difficult people that you can work with. They range anywhere from insecure bosses to office know-it-alls and political operators only looking out for themselves. But the worst type of people to work with are the passive-aggressive types because it is so common and the hardest to pin down. Amy Gallo, contributing editor to the Harvard Business Review and author of “Getting Along: How to Work with Anyone,” joins us for how to handle difficult people.
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Last week, Paul Pelosi, the husband of Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, was attacked at their home in San Francisco. We are now learning more about the attacker who left an extensive online trail of support for conspiracy theories and blog posts railing against Jewish and Black people, the media, and transgender people. When he entered the home, he kept asking “Where’s Nancy?” Julia Manchester, national political reporter at The Hill, joins us for what we know about this attack and the broader concern as we see an increase in political violence.
Next, Halloween means it’s time for spooky movies! Horror movies in general have had quite the evolution in the last 100 years. Some of the best horror movies have acted as a mirror reflecting our own fears of the time back at us and built upon each other to get us where we are today in the genre. From the early days with the classic movie monsters, to the slashers and serial killer flicks, all the way to modern horror movies, they have all been commentaries of what is going on in the world at the time. Aja Romano, culture writer at Vox, joins us for the horror century of movies.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The world is running out of helium, but the concern is not that we won’t be able to blow up balloons, the shortage could impact the usage of MRI machines. Helium is a non-renewable element that comes form the Earth’s crust and in its liquid form, it’s used to cool the magnets that make the MRI work. Caroline Hopkins, freelance reporter for NBC News, joins us for why it is so scarce and how manufacturers are developing newer machines that use less liquid helium.
Next, U.S. mortgage rates have shot up over 7%, the highest it has been in 20 years. A year ago, the rate was just over 3% but this week, the rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage averaged 7.08%. The housing market continues to cool as some sellers refuse to lower prices and buyers are ever-more constrained by their budgets. Ben Eisen, banking and finance reporter at the WSJ, joins us for what to know.
Finally, just in time for Halloween, why do so many people take delight in disgusting things? Disgust itself is an emotion of avoidance originally concerned with possibly harmful foods but has evolved to include other things such as violations of morals or cultural rules. But why do disgusting things hold our attention so much? It could be because of something call “benign masochism.” Bradley Irish, associate professor of English at ASU, joins us for the allure of disgust.
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The debate to watch this week was between John Fetterman and Mehmet Oz. It was Pennsylvania’s first and only Senate debate and could be the thing that tips the scales. John Fetterman’s recovery from a stroke he suffered some months ago was on full display. The Democrats’ speech was delayed, and he struggled to answer coherently at times. Dr. Oz, on the other hand, was very polished and comfortable on camera staying on message with attacks on crime and inflation but had a stumble on the abortion issue. Julia Manchester, national political reporter at The Hill, was there and gives us the top takeaways for this consequential debate.
Next, long before social networks became the place for celebrities and influencers to flex their clout, their likeability was ruled by the Q Score. Advertising agencies, TV studios and marketing execs used the Q Score as a guide to put the most liked people, athletes and even brands in front of audiences. While it doesn’t hold the same importance as it once did, the Q Score is still measured to this day, and this list of most and least liked people are probably exactly what you might think. Travis Andrews, features writer at The Washington Post joins us for what happened to the almighty Q Score and how celebrity has changed.
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The midterm elections are now less than two weeks away and both parties are making strategic shifts in messaging and reallocating financial resources. Republicans are moving money away from races they see as a lock and attacking Democrats by doubling down on crime and inflation issues. Democrats are sending resources to areas that were once solidly blue as they have been put on the defensive and changing their messaging away from abortion to the economy and health care. Alayna Treene, congressional reporter at Axios, joins us for what to know.
Next, we’ve known for a long time that asbestos is bad for your health and while the U.S. did regulate safety standards around it, they never banned it. To this day, hundreds of tons of asbestos are shipped to the U.S. for use by chemical companies that produce chlorine. Part of the reason why it was never banned is that protocols are so stringent, these companies made the case that the threat of exposure to workers is very little. However, interviews with employees at one OxyChem plant near Niagara Falls tells a different story. Kathleen McGrory, reporter at ProPublica, joins us for how some workers fear for their health after years of working at these chemical plants.
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Results from the 2022 National Assessment of Educational Progress are showing the largest drop in math scores ever with declines in every state. Reading scores didn’t fare much better with the largest drop in 4th grade reading since 1990. Educators say that the pandemic has exacerbated existing gaps in education and tech issues hampered remote learning. Ben Chapman, education reporter at the WSJ, joins us for the big concern, it could take years for students to recover.
Next, as winter approaches public health officials are warning that other viruses could be coming back with a vengeance. Covid is obviously a concern with new variants always on the horizon, but flu cases are higher than usual for this time of the year, and then there are worries of respiratory syncytial virus or R.S.V. Apoorva Mandavilli, reporter at the NY Times, joins us for how cases are expected to be mild, but the sheer number of them could overwhelm hospitals.
Finally, there’s an army of robot workers coming to fill in during this tight labor market. Better technology and improved cost-effectiveness are hitting at a time when employers are still facing a worker shortage. A half-million industrial robots were installed globally last year, and we’re also seeing a rise the “service” robot industry with everything from autonomous cleaning robots and those that can unload trucks. Christopher Mims, tech columnist at the WSJ, joins us for what to know.
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Xi Jinping has claimed a third term as the Communist Party leader in China. He will now serve another five-year term overseeing the world’s second largest economy and a growing military continuing to pose threats to the U.S. on multiple fronts. Julia Manchester, national political reporter at The Hill, joins us for the latest in China and more. With the midterm elections just a few weeks away, Democrats are getting more worried about their prospects, and we’ll get a preview of the high-stakes Pennsylvania Senate debate on Tuesday.
Next, it was the largest animal welfare seizure in the Humane Society’s history. Nearly 4,000 beagles were rescued from the Envigo facility in Virginia where they were breeding dogs for research. After USDA investigators found horrible conditions there, an undercover investigation by PETA, and a lawsuit filed by the Justice Department, a judge ruled that the dogs be surrendered to the Humane Society. But that was only the beginning, then came the huge task of retrieving and adopting out the dogs, some of which had health and behavioral problems. Lizzie Johnson, staff writer at the Washington Post, joins us for the rescue of the Envio beagles.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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Scientists at Boston University recently created in a lab a new Covid virus that had the transmissibility of the Omicron variant and was also more likely to cause severe disease. They called it the Omicron S-bearing virus. The study found that the engineered virus had a mortality rate of 80%. The experiment has once again called into question the purpose of so-called “gain of function” research and also oversight on such projects. Kelsey Piper, senior writer at Vox’s Future Perfect, joins us for why labs keep making dangerous viruses.
Next, AI art generators have just been unleashed on the public. These new text-to-image generators let you type in almost any phrase, and it will return you an image in various art styles. Dall-E 2 by OpenAI and DreamStudio by Stability AI are now open for anyone to use and the result is a lot of fun! The artificial intelligence interprets your words and creates fully original images, but there are still a lot of questions over how it works, copyright and who owns the images? Then there are concerns about real artists and graphic designers. Joanna Stern, senior personal tech columnist at the WSJ, joins us for what the future of AI art may hold.
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The latest way immigration smugglers are trying to recruit more help is by advertising on social media apps such as TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat. Posts are promising hundreds or thousands of dollars for a few hours of driving. The problem is, the recruits often don’t know what they are in for until they are close, picking up migrants by the border and driving them inland. Alicia Caldwell, immigration reporter at the WSJ, joins us for what to know.
Next, scientists have been very excited after detecting what could be one of the most powerful explosions of its kind ever seen in space. Space telescopes picked up a bright Gamma Ray Burst 2.4 billion light-years away that could have been triggered by a star exploding in a supernova and possibly creating a black hole. Miriam Kramer, space reporter at Axios, joins us for all the latest space news.
Finally, marijuana use is becoming the new normal for young adults. As more states continue to legalize cannabis and the stigma surrounding it wears off, more Americans are lighting up. A big part of the growth is coming from young women as more companies are offering products geared toward them. This November, 5 more states have marijuana on the ballot. Daniel de Visé, reporter at The Hill, joins us for more.
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On Monday, hearing aids became available for people to purchase over the counter without the need to see a doctor first. The FDA cleared the sale of these and is seen as a win for those with hearing loss, but before you go out and buy one, make sure to do your research. There will be a lot of different models at different price points, and you’ll need to choose the best option for you. Nina Keck, senior reporter at Vermont Public, joins us for what to know.
Next, this year we have seen close to a record number of poultry die because of the bird flu. More than 47 million have died due to cullings or infection as farmers are battling a different form of the virus which will keep infection threats elevated into 2023. As more birds die, it’s affecting poultry prices heading right into the holiday season coupled with record high inflation. Tom Polansek, reporter at Reuters, joins us for how the bird flu is hitting the U.S.
Finally, are you susceptible to getting a lot of mosquito bites? It might be because of how you smell. Researchers at Rockefeller University have found that people who have a higher level of carboxylic acid on their skin could be up to 100 times more attractive to female mosquitoes. As microorganisms interact with the acid it produces odors that smell like cheese or smelly feet and mosquitoes love it. Teddy Amenabar, reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for why you might be a mosquito magnet.
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As housing affordability continues to be a problem across many parts of the country, could an algorithm be responsible for apartment rents going up? The software called YieldStar suggests daily prices for open units using data analytics. In some cases, the software suggests double digit price increases. It even goes as far as to suggest that landlords could get more revenue with a lower occupancy rate, but with increased rents. How much is this software being used? In one Seattle neighborhood, 70% of apartments were overseen by 10 property managers, all who used the pricing software. Heather Vogell, reporter at ProPublica, joins us for how this algorithm impacts rising rents.
Next, production was shut down on Bill Murray’s latest project earlier this year when it was alleged that he sexually harassed a member of the production staff. We now know that Murray got on top of the woman and kissed her through their masks, she settled in the amount of about $100,000. Bill Murray has a great reputation with his fans, but since those allegations surfaced, fellow actors and co-workers have come forward with their own negative stories about him. Matt Wilstein, senior writer at the Daily Beast and host of The Last Laugh Podcast, joins us for what to know.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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There’s a new Hollywood drug on the scene, but it’s not a party drug, it’s a frug that is used to treat diabetes. People are looking to Ozempic and similar drugs used to treat Type 2 as a quick fix for weight loss. These drugs have an ingredient called semaglutide which stimulates insulin production, but also targets areas of the brain that regulate appetite. Sara Ashley O’Brien, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for how doctors are urging caution as it is gaining in popularity.
Next, scientists have transplanted clumps of cells that resemble the brain into rats with the hopes that it could help study autism, epilepsy, and schizophrenia. The experiments involve a new technique that takes skin cells and changes them into stem cells. These cells where then implanted into the rat brains and they quickly formed connections. Mark Johnson, science reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for how it works and the ethical concerns behind it.
Finally, the housing market has cooled, and crazy bidding wars are over. For those still trying to sell their homes, they are remodeling properties to avoid cutting prices, but not all projects have equal pay off. To get the most bang for your buck, you’ll want to refinish hard-wood flooring, install new wood flooring, or give the home an insulation upgrade. Veronica Dagher, personal finance reporter at the WSJ, joins us for the repairs that will help sell your home.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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After tons of anger and outcry from the entire city of Los Angeles, former City Council President Nury Martinez has resigned her city council seat. This comes after leaked audio surfaced in which you can hear Martinez and two other councilmembers make crude and racist remarks. The scandal has outraged residents who shut down council meetings demanding more resignations. In the wake of the leaked audio, the CA attorney general has also said they will investigate the L.A. redistricting process and then there is the mystery yet to be solved of who recorded and leaked the audio. Gustavo Arellano, columnist at the LA Times, joins us for how it's all playing out.
Next, the inflation rate cooled slightly to 8.2% but is still battering Americans with record high prices. 18 months after President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan, the consensus is that it helped the economy recover quickly from the pandemic lows, but also contributed to the inflation we face today. On the high end, estimates say that about half, 4% of current inflation can be attributed to the rescue plan. High product demand and other factors also contributed, but within days of signing the plan, some prices began to rise. David Lynch, global economics reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for what to know.
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This year’s rankings of universities around the world has fewer U.S. universities ranking in the top 100 and China stepping up with more high impact research. A higher percentage of China’s research is being cited globally and is focused on materials science, chemistry, and engineering while the U.S. is focusing on clinical medicine and physics. Doug Belkin, higher education reporter at the WSJ, joins us for how China’s universities are on the rise.
Next, Mark Zuckerberg has unveiled Meta’s new virtual reality headset called the Quest Pro saying it’s the next major step for VR and a milestone to building the Metaverse. The only problem is that it’s going to cost you. The new headset is about $1,500, which puts it out of reach for casual users and most gamers. Shirin Ghaffary, tech reporter at Recode by Vox, joins us for what to know.
Finally, robotic engineers have been taking cues from the insect world to create machines that could aid in search and rescue ops, sniff out gas leaks and more. As sensors and battery tech keeps getting better and smaller, they are outfitting Madagascar hissing cockroaches with 3D-printed sensors or creating fully robotic machines inspired by how insects move and fly. Pranshu Verma, tech reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for the cyborg cockroaches.
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The effort to create a more secure and powerful internet, one that could potentially be unbackable lies in quantum research going on at the University of Chicago, more specifically in a basement closet at the lab there. In this closet they are firing off quantum particles into a fiber-optic network with the hopes of eventually connecting a network of supercomputers. Jeanne Whalen, reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for how the technology works and what the future of the internet could look like.
Next, as the labor market continues to be tight and employers still face a shortage of workers, many are turning to so-called second chance hiring… recruiting employees with a criminal record. It has long been a challenge for people who have been convicted of crimes to get jobs and face an employment rate of over 27% from the last numbers we have. Allison Prang, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for how more companies are looking to hire from this untapped talent pool.
Finally, while most people feel comfortable with communicating through text, the new method that is catching on is sending voice messages. It serves as a happy medium between a call which can be too urgent and a text. The problem is that not everyone is on board with these audio messages yet and there is some etiquette to follow when sending them. Magdalene Taylor, contributor to the WSJ, joins us for the year of the voice message.
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Leaked audio has led to a scandal at the Los Angeles City Council. City Council President Nury Martinez, Councilmembers Kevin de Leon and Gill Cedillo, and LA County Federation of Labor President Ron Herrera were all caught in a conversation from last year where they were talking about redistricting and Latino political power and how they could sway it their way, but the conversation quickly devolved into racist remarks made by Martinez about the Black son of one of their fellow councilmembers saying he seemed like a “little monkey.” Martinez even disparaged other Latino groups. Gustavo Arellano, columnist for the LA Times, joins us for all the fallout, Martinez has resigned from her position, but not from the city council.
Next, the holiday travel season will be upon us soon and you’re already hearing about how you should start planning and buying those flights now as they are expected to get more expensive. The other thing to be aware of is surprise rental-car fees that can catch you off guard. Sneaky refueling fees that pop up on receipts, cancellation fees for pre-paid reservations, and “convenience fees” for riding in toll lanes. Dawn Gilbertson, travel columnist for the WSJ, joins us for what to watch out for.
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Last week President Biden announced an expedited review of how marijuana is scheduled under federal law and that he would pardon individuals charged with simple marijuana possession on a federal level. This action will clear thousands of people but will not clear state convictions or decriminalize the drug. Julia Manchester, national political reporter at the Hill, joins us for the politics of the pardon and how the abortion issue is playing out before the midterms.
Next, more American are getting married for the first time in their 40s and 50s. For women, the rates of first marriages in midlife has increased by 74% between 1999 and 2019. For men, it has increased by 49%. Many say they didn’t marry sooner because they were pursuing education and careers and some just say they weren’t interested in marrying earlier. Clare Ansberry, Turning Points columnist at the WSJ, joins us for what to know.
Finally, sales of energy drinks are up 56% since summer of 2019 and the rise has been partially driven by options that claim to be healthier. New drinks on the market are touting vitamins, electrolytes, less sugar, and better taste. Doctors are still not totally convinced and warn of not drinking too much, but that hasn’t stopped big beverage companies from investing in the market. Rachel Wolfe, consumer trends reporter at the WSJ, joins us for why everyone is slamming down energy drinks.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Parents, students, and educators have been alarmed recently with the increase of gun confiscations and shootings at school campuses, but also with an increase of swatting events, hoax 911 calls about active shooters. In response, school districts are beefing up security with new metal detectors, random searches, and anonymous tip lines. Scott Calvert, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for how gun and student behavioral problems are on the rise.
Next, as prices continue to remain high due to inflation, the big question is when will they come down? Unfortunately, for some goods and services, when prices go up, they tend to stay that way. These items are referred to as being “sticky” and can include things like the cost of a haircut, household furnishings, baby clothes, alcohol, and medical care. Julia Carpenter, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for what to know about sticky prices.
Finally, why do pets do the quirky things they do? A lot of their actions tend to have evolutionary roots or are based on bonds they have created with you. Some researchers think dogs circle before they poop to align themselves with the Earth’s magnetic field and paw the ground after to deposit scents and mark territory. Cats on the other hand bury their waste to cover their tracks. Marlene Cimons, contributor to The Washington Post, joins us for more.
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Elon Musk has done an about-face and offered to close his deal to buy Twitter for $44 billion. If both parties agree, they can avert a trial set for later in the month. Should the deal go through, many expect a lot of changes in the company such as layoffs, lighter content moderation, and adding more functionality. Musk has said he wants to build a “super app” with offerings similar to WeChat. Jeremy Owens, SF Bureau Chief and tech editor at MarketWatch, joins us for what to know.
Next, as high inflation continues to batter Americans, the effects are starting to weigh more and more. A recent report said that 60% of Americans are now living paycheck to paycheck and even high-income earners are feeling the strain. Of those earning more than six figures, 45% of them are in the same boat. At the same time people are feeling a recession fatigue and finding it hard to stay disciplined. Jessica Dickler, personal finance reporter at CNBC, joins us for more.
Finally, a new survey from Morning Consult is identifying the brands that Gen Z loves the most. They are crazy for tech and junk food! YouTube, Google and Netflix are among their favorite corporate brands and then there is M&Ms, Doritos, and KitKat. Jennifer Kingson, chief correspondent at Axios, joins us for Gen Z’s favorites as they mature into more spending power.
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As we deal with the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, meteorologists, emergency managers, and others are asking what they could have done better to effectively communicate with the public. This time computer models were at odds with each other until about 36 hours before the storm hit, and graphics used such as the “cone of uncertainty” are often misunderstood. Andrew Freedman, climate and energy reporter at Axios, joins us for why Ian was one of the most complex hurricanes to forecast.
Next, despite GDP shrinking and fears of a recession looming, many companies are still in hiring mode. They continue to struggle with staffing shortages that were built up during the pandemic. There is also still a lot of turnover in many industries that can wreak havoc on efficiency as new hires need to be trained. Sarah Chaney Cambon, labor economics reporter at the WSJ, joins us for what to know.
Finally, the tech giant Google continues to have a hard time innovating and bringing new successful ventures to fruition. The latest casualty for Google is Stadia, their cloud-based gaming service. It was shut down three years in after failing to attract new players and developers. Scott Rosenberg, managing tech editor at Axios, joins us for how Google keeps messing up opportunities to cash in on new technology.
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Residents in Florida and other areas affected by Hurricane Ian are now in rescue, recovery, and damage assessment mode. As of Monday, the death toll was over 100 and many still needed their power restored. For some, a sense of panic has set in for fears that there might not be enough food, water, and gas to go around. Michelle Kaufman, reporter at the Miami Herald, joins us for what’s next as people try to rebuild and President Biden makes his way there on Wednesday.
Next, Elon Musk and Tesla unveiled the prototype of their humanoid AI robot named Optimus. When completed, the robot should be able to handle difficult chores, lift heavy objects, and have some conversational capabilities. The robot should have a price point below $20,000. Meghan Bobrowsky, tech reporter at the WSJ, joins us for how Tesla wants to be known as more than just a car company.
Finally, as marijuana has been legalized in more states, the taboo around consuming cannabis products has largely faded, but one area where it has not is parents who smoke. Some parents say that using cannabis helps them relax and be more present to connect with their kids but feel they will be judged if they speak openly about it. Ellen McCarthy, feature writer at The Washington Post, joins us for the parents who get stoned.
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Police departments across the country are struggling with recruiting new officers and retaining their current force as we are seeing a rise in violent crime and a line of work that has lost its popularity. To attract more recruits, departments are adjusting standards to fill vacancies which has already led to some problems and boosting up signing bonuses. In Redding, California, the signing bonus was $40,000, more than half an entire year’s starting salary. Zusha Elinson, national reporter at the WSJ, joins us for how law enforcement agencies are trying to attract new cops.
Next, Uber has a courier service called Uber Connect, where you can have a package picked up at one location and delivered to another. Drivers don’t know what’s inside the package, but some suspect they may be being used to transport drugs and other prohibited items. Drivers can cancel deliveries, but some feel compelled to go through with suspicious deliveries for safety concerns since customers often have your first name, photo, license plate, and vehicle description. David Ingram, tech reporter at NBC News, spoke to Uber Connect drivers who were worried about being used as drug mules.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
For most, it’s hard to fathom a 50-mile trek on foot across any terrain. But for YiOu Wang, a professional ultra-marathon runner, that kind of distance is all in a day’s work. It takes strategic training and relearning what it means to sleep and rest to prepare the body and mind for such exertion. Join host Anahad O’Connor to learn about the important role sleep plays in athletic training and competition. Plus, hear from neurophysiologist and brain coach to elite athletes, Louisa Nicola, as she explains how bodies in training at any level require more attention to sleep to maintain strong muscles and high performance.
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Hurricane Ian tore through the Southwest Florida coast and caused catastrophic flooding, destroyed infrastructure, and left millions without power. In all of this, one of the biggest curiosities are those that decide to hunker down and weather the storm despite evacuation orders. Some stay because they are defiant, others for fear of returning to nothing, and some just don’t have the money to leave. Jared Leone, contributor to the Washington Post, joins us for why some choose to stay put.
Next, whether you in the path of a hurricane or other extreme weather event, it’s important to be prepared for natural disasters. Two key things to be prepared with is a way to communicate and a way to maintain power. You can download emergency preparedness apps to help keep you informed, and don’t forget you can always call 911 even without a phone plan. A generator or some type of backup power is also a must. Marc Saltzman, contributor to USA Today, joins us for what tech can keep you prepared.
Finally, you might be “quiet quitting,” coasting by and feeling like you’re getting away with it, but you might also be getting “quiet fired” and it could lead to you actually getting fired. It’s hard to tell because your boss could be respecting your boundaries, but they could also be overlooking you on new projects or stop inviting you to meetings to minimize your significance. Callum Borchers, On the Clock columnist at the WSJ, joins us for what to know about being “quiet fired.”
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We got some very good news from a late-stage clinical trial for a drug that slowed down the progression of Alzheimer’s. Biogen and Eisai’s drug slowed down the cognitive decline in participants by 27% compared to those that received placebos. The drug does not restore mental capacity or totally stop it, but works by clearing out the buildup of amyloid, a toxic protein that affects the brain. Robert Langreth, science and health reporter at Bloomberg News, joins us for what to know.
Next, the big space news from Monday was NASA’s successful DART mission, the first planetary defense test. For this test NASA flew an unmanned spacecraft right into a asteroid to test if the impact could disrupt its orbit. It will still take some weeks for more complete data, but for now, it worked and made for some very compelling video as it made impact. Miriam Kramer, space reporter at Axios, joins us for more.
Finally, when Covid-19 vaccines were first rolled out, many women were complaining about a strange side effect. They said it was messing with their menstrual cycles. Turns out, it was true. In a study of nearly 20,000 people and with data from a popular period-tracking app, researchers found out that on average vaccinated women experienced a one-day delay in getting their periods, but it was only temporary. Amanda Morris, disability reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for what the research says.
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Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, announced that it has taken down the first targeted campaign by the Chinese to interfere with U.S. elections. The campaign was limited and not very sophisticated, but it does signal a change from more broadly criticizing American foreign policy to getting involved in domestic politics. Steven Lee Myers, correspondent at the NY Times, joins us for how leading up to the midterm elections we are seeing another influence campaign.
Next, amid droughts, water shortages and increased efforts to conserve water, low-flow showers are getting more attention. As more states pass laws restricting showerhead flow, bath companies are working hard to highlight the technology in their fixtures that make it feel like you are getting more with less water. For example, adding air to water droplets can make a big improvement. James Tarmy, reporter at Bloomberg News, joins us for what to know.
Finally, the holiday shopping season will quickly be upon us and the places where kids are going to discover the toys they want are YouTube and TikTok. The season’s hot toys are closely tied to apps, video games, and influencers and advertising for these products is shifting from TV to social media. Jennifer Kingson, chief correspondent at Axios, joins us for where to find out which are the top holiday toys.
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In an effort to fight current labor shortages and as robotic technology gets better, you’ll soon start seeing robots manning the fry station at some fast food restaurants. Miso Robotics has been developing Flippy the robot, initially to flip hamburgers, but the greatest need for restaurants is working the fryer where most backups and accidents happen. Laura Reiley, business of food reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for where this robot is already working to make you fries.
Next, there are currently over 70 companies in Britain undergoing an experiment with a 4-day work week. So far, they are about halfway through the six-month experiment, and many of the companies say it is going well. In some cases, productivity is up, the employees themselves are enjoying it, and customers to these companies aren’t noticing much difference. Jenny Gross, reporter at the NY Times based in London, joins us for what to know.
Finally, as remote work continues and employers try to navigate the changing work landscape, many are opting to install so-called “bossware“ on their employees devices. Some say this help to increase accountability, others say it erodes trust. Emily Peck, markets correspondent at Axios, joins us for how managers are fighting “productivity paranoia.”
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The midterm elections are six weeks away and new polls show that voters are divided over who should control Congress. For now, Republicans hold a firm lead on the economy, crime, and inflation. Democrats hold leads on the issues of abortion and climate change. Julia Manchester, national political reporter at The Hill, joins us for how voters are feeling and the Republican governor that everyone wants stumping for them.
Next, inflation continues to hammer away at the country and another stressor coming to older Americans and those with aging parents, the rising cost of senior living homes. Long-term care providers have had to deal with higher costs of food, utilities, insurance, wages, and managing Covid-19, and those costs are being passed on to seniors and their families catching them off-guard. Clare Ansberry, Turning Points columnist at the WSJ, joins us for what to know.
Finally, another factor that could be keeping the housing supply limited for some time to come is that homeowners are reluctant to sell their homes now that mortgage rates are much higher. To sell your house and then buy into another loan with a rate nearly double what many have been locked into, doesn’t make sense. Instead, many are choosing to list their homes for rent. Nicole Friedman, U.S. housing reporter at the WSJ, joins us for more.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The world is running out of old whiskey and renewed interest in rare bottles of bourbon has fueled a black market where people sell and trade for their favorite brands. One case in Virginia highlights how far some will go to get these sought-after bottles, it was an inside job from the state’s Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority selling delivery secrets. Justin Jouvenal, reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for what to know about the bourbon boom.
Next, scientists have calculated how many ants there are in the world and the number seems unimaginable. 20 quadrillion! That’s about 2.5 million ants for every person and a total weight larger than all the wild birds and mammals combined. Dino Grandoni, environmental reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for how scientists were able to come up with this new estimate.
Finally, it seems that the fall Covid booster campaign may be facing an uphill battle to get more shots in arms. Health authorities are even facing some resistance from those that embraced vaccines early on. Many aren’t convinced that another shot will improve protection despite being retooled for the Omicron subvariants and there’s also a lack of data on just how effective they are. Jared Hopkins, Pharma reporter at the WSJ, joins us for more.
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Immigration politics have taken center stage after migrants were flown from Texas to Martha’s Vineyard last week. Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida has waded into the story after his administration chartered a plane to fly 48 immigrants there at a cost of $615,000. What’s happened now is that some of the migrants have filed a lawsuit saying they were “lured” to take the flights through fraud and misrepresentation and a Texas sheriff has opened an investigation into the legality of the move. Gary Fineout, reporter at Politico and author of the Florida Playbook, joins us for what to know.
Next, why does it seem like so many kids need glasses these days? Myopia, or nearsightedness, for decades was thought to be just a genetic condition, but optometrists are seeing kids come in with vision worse than their parents. Cutting back on screen time and spending more time outdoors and in open space could help, but there is also a sprouting market for treatments to slow the progression called “myopia control” or “myopia management.” These can take the form or contacts, lenses or drops. Sarah Zhang, staff writer at the Atlantic, joins us for more on the myopia generation.
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In a surprise to many, a judge vacated the murder conviction of Adnan Syed who had been serving a life sentence for the murder of his former high school girlfriend, Hae Min Lee. Syed was the subject of the hit podcast “Serial.” An investigation found that prosecutors failed to turn over evidence that could have helped him and pointed to two possible “alternative suspects.” Michael Levenson, reporter at the NY Times, joins us for what’s next, prosecutors have 30 days to drop charges or try him again.
Next, Uber has announced that it was the latest victim of the hacking group Lapsus$, which broke into their internal network systems and posted messages to employees. This international group of hackers, which includes some teenagers in their ranks, have been motivated by notoriety more so than money and have targeted other top tech companies in the past year. Bob McMillan, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for what to know about Lapsus$.
Finally, an influential U.S. task force has called for routine anxiety screenings by primary care clinicians in adults aged 19-64. This follows a similar recommendation for children and teens 8 to 18. The recommendations were made to raise awareness for mental health and catch the signs which can go undetected for years. Rachel Zimmerman, contributor to the Washington Post, joins us for more.
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Intensive parenting, or also commonly known as helicopter parenting, is the dominant model of raising children right now. But does that mean it’s a good model to follow? It turns out that research shows this style, one in which parents overextend themselves to ensure their child’s success, may lead to parental burnout and even harm a child’s competency and mental health. Elliot Haspel, early-childhood policy expert and contributor to the Atlantic, joins Oscar Ramirez, for more on intensive parenting, and how to get away from it.
Next, it’s the topic that no one wants to talk about. Death. Or more specifically, what happens to our bodies after we die. Instead of choosing a traditional casket burial, many Americans are deciding to opt for cremations, with 56% of Americans being cremated. By 2040, that number may rise to up to 80%. The number of people who are deciding on green burials has also increased. A couple of examples for these green burials is having the body buried in biodegradable containers or reducing the body into soil that can be used for gardening. Karen Heller, national features writer at The Washington Post, joins Oscar Ramirez, for more on why Americans are moving away from traditional burials.
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As our attitudes toward certain drugs begin to relax, many are redefining what it means to be sober. Some drugs, such as magic mushrooms and MDMA are being taken in smaller doses and this action is being claimed by wellness culture. Although we only have limited research, many report beneficial effects on this microdosing. Luke Winkie, contributor to Vox, joins Oscar Ramirez for the new sober-ish.
Next, almost everyone has a Disney adult in their life. These superfans live and breathe the company’s aesthetic, spending lots of time and money at the theme parks and buying its merchandis. Although they’ve been around for a long time, the term is somewhat new, along with the anti-Disney adult sentiment online while fans mourned the parks’ closures and advocated them reopening in the middle of the pandemic. EJ Dickson, senior writer at Rolling Stone, joins Oscar Ramirez for more on the adult Disney fandom.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
With so much of our information online and at risk from getting hacked, you may be wondering if it’s possible to scrub yourself from the internet. Unfortunately, you’ll probably never delete everything about you online, but you can minimize how much information is out there. However, it’s going to take a lot of time, patience, and money. Heather Kelly, tech reporter at The Washington Post, joins Oscar Ramirez for what to know about deleting your data online.
Next, should recess be a right or a privilege for children in schools? For a long time educators have withheld recess as a form of punishment for misbehaving students. However, research has shown that allowing students unstructured free time is important for developing social and coping skills in children, and there is a movement to protect recess, prohibiting schools from taking it away as a punishment. Jackie Mader, early education reporter at The Hechinger Report, joins Oscar Ramirez for more on the fight for recess.
Finally, buy now, pay later. The model that allows consumers to buy something, take it home, and pay for it in installments has exploded in popularity. We’re seeing more and more retail stores and apps offering this service and getting in on the action. While many are incentivized with the service, especially with most of them being interest free, some experts are warning against them over concerns of overspending. Claire Ballentine, personal finance reporter at Bloomberg News, joins Oscar Ramirez for more.
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Although Pornhub wasn’t the first tube site, it still remains on top 15 years after its launch. The site was a good partner to studios and creators and helped to promote their content. It changed the way people entered and worked in the industry and even laid the groundwork for other sites such as OnlyFans. Anna Iovine, reporter at Mashable, joins Oscar Ramirez for how Pornhub changed the world.
Next, social media influencers are being given free or discounted beauty procedures in exchange for promotional posts and some of them are starting to regret it. Surgeons, clinics and med spas cannot advertise through official channels on platforms like TikTok, but they are able to make deals with influencers to make posts advertising their products. For the influencers themselves, they say that some of these procedures can be addictive, beginning with lip fillers and botox, and then moving on to facial surgeries, all to look good for their social media followers. Kat Tenbarge, tech and culture reporter at NBC News, joins Oscar Ramirez for more.
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Educators are experimenting with new new ways of grading that don’t rely on the traditional A-F grading system which many say is inequitable. These experiments often focus on the work students do, allowing for them to redo tests and papers, and letting students own their learning by giving themselves deadlines. Valerie Strauss, education reporter at The Washington Post, joins Oscar Ramirez for the hunt for a fairer grading system.
Next, is a story of a man named Vaughn Smith. Vaughn cleans carpets for a living and is also a hyperpolyglot, someone who can speak 11 languages or more. However, Vaughn is special, and by his count he can speak around 37 languages. It turns out, that Vaughn’s brain looks different and functions differently than a monolingual person’s. Jessica Contrera, reporter at The Washington Post, joins Oscar Ramirez for more about Vaughn, what drove him to learn so much, and how his brain really works.
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As the US economy has recouped around 22 million jobs that were lost during the pandemic, many of these workers are new and inexperienced. These workers shuffled around between industries and are thrown into the fray without as much training as they need. This inexperience has caused service to be slow and inefficient with some of the most effected industries being restaurants, airlines, and even hospital systems. Lauren Weber, reporter at the Wall Street Journal, joins Oscar Ramirez for more.
Next, we may have seen the end of the coupon. As inflation remains high and costs of goods seem to skyrocket, many are looking for deals. However, circulation of paper and digital coupons is down and redemption rates have plummeted. It seems that people just don’t have the time to sort through them anymore. And with the rise of smartphones and online shopping, customers are incentivized to get their deals through other means. Lydia DePillis, economy reporter at the NY Times, joins Oscar Ramirez to explain where all of the coupons have gone.
Finally, how many friends do you actually need? Although some have said we can hold around 150 meaningful relationships at one time, research says that the magic number of close friends is about 3-5. And these close relationships take time, with it taking around 200 hours to become close with someone. Allie Volpe, senior reporter at Vox, joins Oscar Ramirez for more.
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A new Gallup poll shows that half of US workers say they are quiet quitting, a phenomenon in which employees do the bare minimum at work. The key term here is employee engagement which measures involvement at work and enthusiasm employees have about work. Since 2021, employee engagement has fallen as workers feel unfulfilled with their jobs and are now being asked to return to the office. Ray Smith, reporter on the Careers Team at the Wall Street Journal, joins Oscar Ramirez for more on quiet quitting.
Next, did you know there is a secret world of private gigs? These have always been around, but now music stars are getting paid millions to play private weddings and parties. The key here, is secrecy. Attendees usually sign NDAs to protect all parties involved from criticism of inequality of wealth and how much is being paid for these acts. Experts say that this trend will continue, moving beyond acts hired for nostalgia to pop stars. David Browne, senior writer at Rolling Stone, joins Oscar Ramirez for more.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Schools are back but they are still dealing with the setbacks and learning loss all due to the pandemic. Recently we saw Department of Education data showing 9-year-olds are behind in reading and math, the sharpest decline we’ve seen since 1990. The learning loss was generally worse in districts that kept classes remote longer. To combat this, states are spending billions on tutoring, expanded summer school, and more individual attention for students. Scott Calvert, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for more on what schools are doing and how they are tracking progress.
Next, we’ll tell you about LA’s first street psychiatrist trying to tackle mental health in the homeless population where it is desperately needed. Dr. Shayan Rab leads the Homeless Outreach and Mobile Engagement (HOME) team and approaches homeless individuals with the hopes of getting them long-term treatment and off the street. Since this street-based treatment is not done in a traditional setting, Dr. Rab and his team must get creative and resourceful in how they provide help and even fill prescriptions. Doug Smith, senior writer at the LA Times, joins us for how street psychiatry is trying to pull some out of homelessness.
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A lot of people out there have some regrets about their education. Just about 2 in 5 American graduates regret the major they took with almost half of humanities and arts majors regretting their choice. After the Great Recession, the country took a big shift to STEM majors and generally those students were happy with their decision. Andrew Van Dam, Department of Data columnist at The Washington Post, joins us for the most regretted and lowest paying college majors.
Next, as the uneven economic news leads to fears of a recession, people are worried about their job security as companies look to cut costs. The four kinds of employees most likely to get laid off in a downturn are new hires, high earners, millennials, and recruiters and coders. Aki Ito, senior correspondent at Insider, joins us for how those who benefitted from the Great Resignation are most at risk.
Finally, as overall pandemic worries continue to fade, one of the biggest curiosities continues to be log Covid, what causes it and who is the most susceptible? A new study says that psychological factors such as depression, anxiety, and loneliness, could be better predictors than physical ailments. To be clear, it is not a causal relationship, but there is an association. Siwen Wang, research fellow at Harvard and lead author of this study, joins us for what to know.
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U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon on Monday granted former President Trump’s requested to appoint a special master to review documents seized during the raid at Mar-a-Lago. With her decision, Cannon, who is a Trump appointee, has also waded into the messy politics of the whole situation as many quickly criticized the ruling. Zoe Tillman, senior reporter at Bloomberg News, joins us for what to know about the special master and its impact.
Next, we’ll tell you about all the backlash to quiet quitting. It started as a movement among office workers to just do the bare minimum and draw more work/life boundaries, but bosses and work coaches say there really isn’t a reason to coast on the job. Detractors say it can cause more laziness and even hurt the performance of other employees. Kathryn Dill, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for why people are hating on quiet quitting.
Finally, you may have seen them strolling on a sidewalk near you, but delivery robots may not be ready for prime time just yet. A pilot program in 4 cities looking at the impact of these delivery bots determined that in a lot of cases it was the failure of local infrastructure that proved difficult for them to succeed. They worked in more controlled environments but might not be ready for more critical tasks such as delivering medication. Joann Muller, transportation correspondent at Axios, joins us for more.
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Teachers in California have been struggling to make ends meet and, in some cases, they are having to take on side gigs to be able to afford to live in the areas where they teach. A recent survey showed that almost 70% of teachers in the LA area have considered quitting, 28% of them had a second job. Nationally there are about 300,000 fewer workers in public education in June of this year compared to February 2020. Michael Sainato, reporter at the Guardian, joins us for how more on teachers thinking about leaving the profession.
Next, telehealth companies got a big push during the pandemic when rules were waived that required people to see an in-person health provider to be prescribed controlled substances. Now telehealth apps are spending millions to advertise on TikTok saying they can get a person a diagnosis of ADHD and a prescription for Adderall in as little as 30 minutes. Content creators are also posting about living life with ADHD leading to billions of views and many to think they might also have the condition. Then they are targeted with ads. Sara Morrison, senior reporter at Recode, joins us for how startups are pushing Adderall on TikTok.
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Even as pandemic disruptions have faded and most schools have returned to in-person instruction, permanent virtual classes are still being offered to protect vulnerable children. Districts in Texas, California, and New York are creating full-time remote learning programs for this school year. The virtual option may only be appropriate for a small percentage of students, but in an effort to fight declining enrollment and disruptions from families moving, virtual schools will remain part of the education system. Ben Chapman, education reporter at the WSJ, joins us for what to know.
Next, the country has been grappling with a drug overdose crisis driven by opioids, most notably fentanyl. Early on, most of the fentanyl came from China, but now two Mexican drug cartels have dominated the supply coming to the U.S. The Sinaloa and Jalisco cartels have set up sophisticated operations handling the manufacturing, marketing, and delivery of the synthetic drug. For them, the formula is easy to replicate and inexpensive to make. Jon Kamp, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for how these cartels are controlling the U.S. fentanyl market.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week the California legislature passed a bill to create a government panel that would set wages for fast food workers in the state. They would be able to set hourly wages of up to $22/hour. Fast food operators are mobilizing against the bill saying it will drive up operating and labor costs and lead to price increases for consumers. Unions on the other hand are praising the decision and other states are keeping an eye on the developments with a possibility of adopting similar legislation. Heather Haddon, restaurants reporter at the WSJ, joins us for what to know.
Next, we are increasingly seeing anxious and depressed teenagers use multiple psychiatric drugs, a practice called polypharmacy. The problem is that many of the medications might not be tested in adolescents or tested for use together. Often this path starts with drugs used to treat ADHD and other medication gets added on to treat side effects or dull the effects of some drugs. A study from 2020, found that over 40% of people ages 2 to 24 who were prescribed ADHD drugs were also prescribed at least one other medication for mood and behavioral disorders. Matt Richtel, reporter at the NY Times, joins us for more.
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The FDA has cleared the new Covid booster shots that target the Omicron subvariants that are prominent right now. The shots are likely to be offered very soon but complicating the efforts will be the vaccine fatigue that has set in and the fact that these shots have been cleared without results from clinical trials. Vaccine experts say it is not needed since it’s just an update to a proven shot and is similar to the process for flu shots. Liz Whyte, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for what to know about the retooled boosters.
Next, get ready for the magic mushroom pill! As the medical benefits of psychedelic drugs has moved into solid science and more mainstream startups are racing ahead to bring products to market. Psilocybin and other psychedelics have shown promise in treating conditions like depression and PTSD and is especially effective when paired with therapy. As a result, we are seeing an industry pop up that could see a global market for psychedelic pharmaceuticals reach $6.9 billion by 2027. Kristen V Brown, health editor and reporter at Bloomberg News, joins us for more.
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The water system in Jackson, Mississippi is failing. There is little to no drinking water and residents are under order to boil water for 3 minutes before drinking or using to cook. Gov. Tate Reeves has signed an emergency declaration and first steps are to restore water quantity at the O.B. Curtis Water treatment plant and then water quality as the shortage is expected to last days. Bobby Harrison, senior capitol reporter at Mississippi Today, joins us for what to know about this water system failure.
Next, thieves across the country are targeting Hyundai and Kia owners. Design flaws in the cars that use a steel key and not fobs or push-button start are being stolen, sometimes in a matter of seconds with as little as a screwdriver or a USB cord. Tutorials online and even groups calling themselves the “Kia Boys” are popularizing the thefts. Annalise Frank, Detroit reporter at Axios, joins us for what to know.
Finally, Republicans had been excited for a red wave to hit in the midterm elections, but those hopes have been running up against a few walls recently. Democrats have a long way to go to maintain their majorities in both chambers of Congress, but Democrats recently scored a victory in a bellwether election, persuadable voters are trending towards Dems, and the abortion issue isn’t playing well for the GOP. Sahil Kapur, senior national political reporter at NBC News, joins us for more.
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Salvage food stores have long been a place for people to find deals at a deep discount, but inflation and some rebranding is making them grow in popularity. These stores sell what mainstream retailers call “unsellables,” often products like dented cans and boxes, things on the cusp of sell-by dates, and weird holiday marketing attempts. Another thing fueling interest is the small subgenre on social media where people chronicle their trips and display their hauls like trophies. Some people just love finding a good deal. Kim Severson, food correspondent at the NY Times, joins us for what to know about salvage stores.
Next, almost $400 million went to a veteran retraining program as part of the American Rescue Plan, but a lack of oversight and the involvement of for-profit schools led to a flop where only 397 veterans landed jobs. It’s known as the Veteran Rapid Retraining Program or VRRAP. One school where there were problems was the Chicago-based Future Tech Career Institute. Students there said that schedules were disorganized and didn’t follow a set syllabus, and school-issued laptops didn’t have enough memory and couldn’t run critical software. Lisa Rein, reporter at the Washington Post covering the federal government, joins us for more.
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The discussions surrounding President Biden’s decision to forgive some student debt for millions of Americans continued with some opponents saying it would increase inflation and it amounts to an unfair bailout for elites and those that could not manage their loans. The White House chose to fight back by highlighting several Republican lawmakers who had six and seven figure PPP loans forgiven which taxpayers were also in the hook for. Julia Manchester, national political reporter at The Hill, joins us for this, more fallout from the Mar-a-Lago raid, and Democrats thinking they may have a chance in November after all.
Next, Abbott Laboratories has restarted production of Similac at their plant Michigan that was at the center of the U.S. baby formula shortage. One thing that gets overlooked was what caused the shutdown…a lot of sloppiness coming from the factory. By the time FDA investigators showed up for their annual inspection, it was already a year overdue because of Covid restrictions. Despite finding evidence of cronobacter bacteria at the plant, the FDA relied on Abbot to fix its own problems and then came a whistleblower report. By the time the plant was shut down some babies had fallen ill, and the shortage was imminent. Anna Edney, national healthcare reporter at Bloomberg News, joins us for how the US baby formula shortage got started.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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NASA’s Artemis program which will return people to the surface of the moon will have a big test on Monday. We will see a launch of the new moon rocket called the Space Launch System. It will send an uncrewed Orion capsule around the moon and back and eventually take people to the moon surface in 2025. Miriam Kramer, space reporter at Axios, joins us to discuss if NASA’s old way of space exploration will stand up in the modern space age.
Next, the fall Covid-19 booster campaign will be upon us soon and how well the new Omicron-specific boosters will work may depend on a phenomenon called “original antigenic sin.” Since people have been infected, vaccinated, and boosted, people’s immune systems are on different playing fields and your first exposure may play a bigger part in future immune responses. Carolyn Johnson, science reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for what to know.
Finally, everyone wants that opportunity to achieve the perfect work/life balance and remote work is a big factor, but would you take a pay cut for it? Some employers are currently debating whether remote work can be classified as a perk or benefit and pocket the savings by reducing salaries for people working at home, especially if they move to lower-cost markets. Don Lee, economics reporter at the LA Times, joins us for how you may soon be asked to take a pay cut to keep working from home.
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Big news for those with student loan debt! President Biden announced that he will forgive $10,000 in federal student debt and $20,000 for those with Pell grants. This new action will affect millions and see almost 9 million people get their balances wiped completely. There are earnings caps and the payment pause on most federal loans has been extended through December 31. Annie Nova, personal finance reporter at CNBC, joins us for what to know about the debt relief and the pressure from both sides of the aisle, some still don’t think it was enough and others think it could set a bad precedent and increase inflation.
Next, Google has an automated tool to detect abusive images of children that is a big help in combating the online spread of these types of photos, but sometimes the system can get it wrong, and the consequences can be serious. Recently a father took a picture of his naked son to send to the doctor for a diagnosis, but as the photo passed through Google’s servers it was flagged and it all went downhill. The father became the target of a police investigation and lost access to his account along with a decade’s worth of contacts emails and photos. Kashmir Hill, technology reporter at the NY Times, joins us for what to know about this case.
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The street takeover scene in Los Angeles is growing in popularity along with a growing backlash from residents demanding that law enforcement do more to crack down on these dangerous gatherings. Often organizing on social media, people are blocking off streets to race and perform dangerous car stunts on city streets. In the last 6 months, at least eight people have died at or near street takeovers. Nathan Solis, reporter at the LA Times, joins us for how a lack of police resources make it tough to curb the events.
Next, it sounds like more and more infectious diseases are popping up every day. Polio, monkeypox, Marburg virus and other infectious diseases are increasingly in the news for spreading around the globe. It’s not just one thing that is causing this, but a combination of factors like our increased contact with animals, the pace of global travel, and climate change. Hilary Brueck, health correspondent at Insider, joins us for what to know.
Finally, there’s a mysterious illness killing dogs in northern Michigan. Officials are investigating, but they believe it could be a new strain of the parvovirus. What’s complicating efforts is that while the symptoms are similar to parvo, some dogs are testing negative for it. Layla McMurtrie, reporter at the Detroit Free Press, joins us for what to know about this illness affecting young and unvaccinated dogs.
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Are you friends with the people you work with? After going through the Great Resignation or starting to work remote more and more are saying that work friendships are harder to form and are also less of a priority. In a survey of U.S. employees, relationships with co-workers tied at the very bottoms as a factor for job satisfaction. Compensation and work-life balance ranked the highest. What’s more, half of workers aged 18-25 said workplace friendship were not at all important. Lindsay Ellis, careers reporter at the WSJ, joins us for how Americans are breaking up with their work friends.
Next, there’s one place in the country that is a constant factor in why airline travel can get so bad… Florida. The airspace in Florida can serve as an obstacle course for airlines and the effects of delays cascade throughout the rest of the country, even if you’re not flying through the area. Bad weather, military exercises, space launches, and being short-staffed at air traffic control, all contribute to the woes of flyers. Micha Maidenberg, space and aviation reporter at the WSJ, joins us for why you can blame Florida for making air travel so miserable.
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The political fallout continues from the FBI’s raid on Mar-a-Lago as Republicans maintain it was all politically motivated government overreach. Since the search, the FBI has come under increased scrutiny and threats of violence. FBI Director Christopher Wray, who is trying to distance himself from the politics is reportedly “pissed” about the threats against his department. Former President Trump on the other hand, is pressing for the unredacted release of the affidavit that led to the search warrant. Julia Manchester, national political reporter at The Hill, joins us for the latest and a look at how Republicans are worried about their possible gains in the Senate.
Next, Inc. Magazine has released their list of the fastest growing companies in America. Among the top 500, the median revenue growth rate over the past three years has been 2,144% and of all the companies on the list, they have added about 1.2 million jobs. Scott Omelianuk, Editor in Chief at Inc. Magazine joins us for the results of their CEO survey, what these companies reveal about the future of business, and a look at SnapNurse, the Uber of nursing and how it has reimagined medical staffing.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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What’s the better bargain, eating out or cooking at home? As record high inflation continues to punish Americans, we are seeing the biggest gap between grocery stores and restaurants since the 70s. Since last year, grocery prices have increased 13.1% while restaurant prices have gone up 7.6% and they are pushing out new deals showcasing the value over shopping at the grocery store. Heather Haddon, restaurants reporter at the WSJ, joins us for what to know.
Next, the schools of the future are going to be looking a lot different than the current architecture. Gone are the hallway and classroom models, start looking for flexible learning spaces with movable walls, wellness rooms, and better ventilation which will promote a “whole child” approach that focuses on small groups, collaboration, and hands on learning. Jennifer Kingson, chief correspondent at Axios, joins us for what to know about the K-12 schools of the future.
Finally, have you even been ghosted in a relationship? Did it mess with your mind? In a study of college students at Wesleyan University, some students admitted that they ghosted because they lacked the right communication skills to have an honest conversation. Others said they did it to leave a toxic relationship. Jhanelle Thomas, Master of Arts at Wesleyan University joins us to talk about how ghosting is linked to mental health.
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Vasectomies have been growing in popularity recently as a form of contraception and it’s not the middle-aged dads you might think, younger child-free men have been scheduling more appointments with their urologists and even posting about their experiences on social media. Alisha Haridasani Gupta, reporter at the NY Times, joins us what for could be driving this… the economy and a more restrictive family planning landscape.
Next, it was expected, but Rep. Liz Cheney lost her primary in Wyoming to the Trump-backed Harriet Hageman, 66% to 29%. It all went downhill for Cheney politically after she voted to impeach Trump and for her part in leading the Jan. 6 hearings. Lachlan Markay, politics reporter at Politico, joins us for the loss and what’s next for her, she could be gearing up for a 2024 presidential run.
Finally, Pfizer’s Covid antiviral drug Paxlovid is leaving a bad taste in a lot of people’s mouths. It’s a side effect of the drug called dysgeusia that people say tastes like a mouthful of dirty pennies or even rotten milk. In some cases, it’s so bad, people have said they want to discontinue taking the treatment, which doctors don’t recommend. Alex Janin, personal health reporter at the WSJ, joins us for what to know about Paxlovid mouth.
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“The Flash” star Ezra Miller has released a statement saying they are seeking treatment for “complex mental issues.” Miller has been in the news recently for all the wrong reasons as they have faced a series of legal issues and assault and abuse allegations. Warner Bros. has spent $200 million on the movie so far and looks like the remain committed to a theatrical release in 2023. Brent Lang, executive editor at Variety, joins us to discuss whether this will be enough to squash Miller’s PR mess.
Next, all eyes were on a signature verification process in Los Angeles to see if the recall of LA’s DA George Gascon would be put on the ballot. On Monday the numbers came in and the effort failed to provide enough valid signatures. Many signatures were thrown out for being duplicates or the person not being registered to vote. Jeremy White, CA politics reporter at Politico, joins us for what this does for the progressive prosecutor movement.
Finally, the pandemic took a big toll on movie theaters causing closures and worries across the industry, but we are seeing with recent releases that people still love going out to theaters for blockbusters. Studio execs are also committing to the big screen and readjusting their priorities to continue releases. Erich Schwartzel, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for how movie theaters are back.
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Streaming companies continue to be frustrated by customers who subscribe to their service, watch the shows they want, then cancel and go to another platform. Competition is stiff for the streamers, but price-conscious customers looking for more content are following specific shows rather than staying loyal to any one service. Sarah Krouse, streaming reporter at the WSJ, joins us for how customer loyalty is declining at the top streaming services.
Next, as we continue to see low job satisfaction and high burnout rates among workers and changing policies and priorities from leaders, middle managers are stuck with pressure from both sides and are having a hard time keeping everything on track. Especially hard is implementing return to work plans and dealing with turnover. Julia Herbst, senior editor at Fast Company, joins us for why no one wants to be a middle manager anymore.
Finally, on the ballot this November, one Southern California county will ask its residents if they want to secede from the state. Feeling like they aren’t getting enough funding, San Bernardino County will ask voters if they want them to “to study all options to obtain its fair share of state and federal resources, up to and including secession. “ Dani Anguiano, reporter at The Guardian US, joins us for how residents feel and the hard road ahead to actually break away.
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Former President Trump had a very tumultuous time last week as his home at Mar-a-Lago was raided by the FBI. There they seized 11 sets of classified documents, some that were labeled top secret. Latest reports say that in his final days in office, he was so preoccupied with trying to overturn the election, that he failed to properly prepare to leave the White House leaving aides to just throw everything into boxes. Trump now faces three separate criminal investigations. Julia Manchester, national political reporter at The Hill, joins us for what to know about the raid, how Republican leaders are reacting, and two primaries to watch out for this week.
Next, stick shift cars may soon be a thing of the past. Of the hundreds of new car models for sale in 2022, only 30 can be purchased with a manual transmission. A couple of reasons why the manual is on its way out, is that new car technology has become too good and the rise of electric vehicles, which have no gear boxes, continues to push them out. Still, many car drivers love the connection they feel when controlling the car and lament how they may no longer be, myself included. Ian Bogost, contributing writer at The Atlantic, joins us for the end of the manual transmission.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Coming out of the Great Resignation and the tight labor market, some employers are saying that it’s finally getting a little easier to hire. Especially when we look at the hospitality and healthcare industries, employers are having a better time at recruiting and getting people to accept offers. Uber, which has rebounded with drivers, said they think inflationary pressures motivated more people to drive for the platform. Chip Cutter, workplace reporter at the WSJ, joins us for how inflation could be bringing more people to the workforce and causing less turnover.
Next, an interesting story about how a mother and her daughter are facing criminal charges after the daughter had an abortion in Nebraska. In this case police obtained their Facebook messages through a search warrant. In Nebraska, 20 weeks is the limit to have an abortion, and the teen at the time had it some weeks after. The pair contracted with another man to bury the body after the baby came out stillborn. Jason Koebler, editor in chief at Motherboard, joins us for how this case highlights how tech companies could be enlisted by law enforcement to prosecute these cases.
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U.S. inflation has eased slightly to 8.5% down from its 40-year high of 9.1%. Some of the gains have been made up with falling energy and gas prices, but grocery prices are still as concern as they are up 13% from last year. The Fed has been managing the inflation crisis with adjustments to the key interest rate and meets next month to evaluate. Gwynn Guilford, economics reporter at the WSJ, joins us for what to know about the latest inflation numbers.
Next, the labor market remains tight despite recession fears and the U.S. added 528,000 jobs in July driven mostly by travel and hospitality sectors. On the other hand, the tech sector has been dealing with cuts and business is booming for layoff specialists. These are companies that help businesses with identifying who to layoff, make sure they receive the right amount of severance, and day-of communication plans. Maxwell Strachan, features writer and editor at Motherboard, joins us for what to know.
Finally, the Covid pandemic has changed just about every aspect of Americans’ health, and it has mostly been for the worse. As people missed health screenings, abandoned routines, and went through isolation we saw a range of other chronic diseases worsen. Overall death rates of heart disease and stroke rose, drug overdose deaths and alcohol abuse rose, and even mental health took a hit. Brianna Abbot, health reporter at the WSJ, joins us for more.
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In this time of high inflation and recession fears the country continues to add more jobs driven by gains in the travel and hospitality industries. Restaurants, bars and hotels keep hiring people, but they still don’t have enough as pent-up demand for those services remains high. Allison Pohle, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for how many of these industries have recovered almost all of their pre-pandemic jobs.
Next, Amazon recently held an event where they debuted some improvements in their text-to-speech technology and had and AI mimic the voice of someone’s dead grandmother. What’s amazing is that it’s becoming easier to create these artificially generated voices to sound like anyone and in this case, they only needed about 60 seconds of audio rather than 60 hours. Adam Bluestein, contributor to Fast Company, joins us for how this is just the beginning for voice cloning.
Finally, craft beer lovers beware! Brewers are facing a shortage of carbon dioxide and it could cause delays in production. Breweries rely on CO2 for putting bubbles in the beer itself, but also along the production process to move the beer through lines and purge oxygen from tanks. Emily Heil, food reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for the latest challenge for craft brewers.
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We are seeing an increase in food insecurity around the country and this time around it is not due to a wave of people losing jobs, rather high inflation has been hitting Americans hard, leading many to seek out help from food banks. Lora Kelley, business reporter at the NY Times, joins us for how the food banks themselves are struggling to meet demand as they see decreasing donations and increased costs due to paying more for transportation and acquiring food.
Next, despite fears of a recession and record-high inflation, pent-up demand for travel and fun are leading people to Las Vegas. After sheltering for most of the pandemic, older consumers are returning to the Strip, international travelers are also back, and work and fan conventions are filling up the calendar. Katherine Sayre, gambling reporter at the WSJ, joins us for how people are feeling lucky as Vegas is still booming.
Finally, American’s urge to spend has not stopped even as prices have increased, and they are whipping out their credit cards and charging it. There has been a shift in buying physical goods and home items during the pandemic to spending on experiences like travel and entertainment and it’s raising the amount of credit card debt. Javier David, managing editor for business and markets at Axios, joins us for what to know about soaring credit card debt.
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Senate Democrats have passed the Inflation Reduction Act with a 51-50 vote, Vice President Kamala Harris cast the tie-breaking vote. Democrats say the bill will combat climate change, reduce health care costs, reduce the deficit, and raise taxes on big corporations. The bill now moves on to the House before it hits Biden’s desk, but the bill also delivers another big win for the president. Despite some wins however polls still show that Americans are worried about the economy and Biden’s approvals remain low. Julia Manchester, national political reporter at The Hill, joins us for what to know.
Next, some streaming stars are learning the hard way what the price of online fame can be. Stars on the video game streaming platform Twitch invite viewers into their homes to hangout, interact with fans and they can gain big followings pretty quickly, but they also have to deal with stalkers and harassment. While it’s not new that celebrities have had to deal with these difficulties from fans, the intimacy that the streaming relationship allows for just amps it up. Kellen Browning, tech reporter at the NY Times, joins us for how content creators and streamers are now hoping that platforms put a greater emphasis on personal security.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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The U.S. has officially declared the monkeypox outbreak a national health emergency. This is in addition to various states already declaring their own emergencies. The designation frees up funds to ramp up vaccination efforts, testing, education, and outreach. In the meantime, many monkeypox patients feel there is a lack of guidance and have been reporting excruciating pain. Dominique Mosbergen, medical science reporter at the WSJ, joins us for what to know.
Next, researchers at Yale University have used a new system they created called OrganEx to restore cells in some organs of pigs that had just died. When blood is no longer pumping through organs the cells begin to die, but with this system, it restored circulation and even repaired some of the damaged cells. Evan Bush, science reporter at NBC News, joins us for this breakthrough and the ethical questions raised about how medicine defines death.
Finally, Polio is back in the U.S. after being eliminated in 1979. There was a recent case in an unvaccinated 20-year-old in Rockland County, New York. What makes this case interesting is that it came from a vaccine derived strain, meaning that it mutated from an oral vaccine that had small amounts of the live virus. Miranda Dixon-Luinenburg, joins us for this latest case and how it affects the global eradication efforts.
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As the Fed tries to combat inflation by raising interest rates and cooling down the economy, it risks moving us into a recession and causing a big spike in unemployment. Now, there is a fight brewing about how big the jump could be or if it will be more of a soft landing like the Fed wants. As it stands now, there has been a small drop in job openings, but there are still roughly two jobs open for each unemployed worker. Courtenay Brown, economics reporter at Axios, joins us for the inflation vs. jobs fight.
Next, when it comes to student debt, the fastest-growing demographic of borrowers are those aged sixty-two and older. Of the forty-five million Americans who have student debt, one in five are over fifty and we have seen their student loan balances increase over 500%. One example of how bad it can get… a woman took out a $29,000 federal loan in 1983, she is now 91 and owes more than $329,000. Eleni Schirmer, organizer with the Debt Collective and contributor to The New Yorker, joins us for how more Americans are aging into their debt.
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Hi Daily Dive Listeners - we have a new show we think you'll love.“Countdown With Keith Olbermann,” the landmark news and commentary program that reordered the world of cable news, returns as a daily podcast. Olbermann’s daily news-driven mix will include his trademark “Special Comment” political analysis, the tongue-in-cheek “Worst Persons In The World” segment, and his timeless readings from the works of the immortal James Thurber. The man who turned SportsCenter into a cultural phenomenon will broaden the content to include a daily sports segment, a daily call for help for a suffering dog, and a remarkable series of anecdotes covering a career that stretched from covering the 1980 Olympic Miracle on Ice a month after his 21st birthday, to anchoring the 2009 Presidential Inauguration and the 2009 Super Bowl pre-game show in a span of just twelve days, to rejoining ESPN as a “rookie” baseball play-by-play man at the age of 59.
Take a listen to the trailer and, if you want to hear more, find "Countdown with Keith Olbermann" in your listening app of choice and follow/subscribe so you never miss an episode.
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President Biden made the announcement Monday that Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri has been killed by a drone strike in Afghanistan. The CIA zeroed in on his location by carefully studying the movements of him and his family until Biden authorized a “precise tailored airstrike” with two Hellfire R9X missiles hitting Zawahiri in the balcony of his safe house in Kabul. Idrees Ali, foreign policy correspondent at Reuters, joins us how the strike happened and the impact it has made on the terrorist network.
Next, a popular side hustle selling Dum Dum lollipops on Amazon is costing the candy company who makes them millions and it’s also violating Amazon’s policy. People are engaging in drop-shipping and pocketing the profits by looking for products with lower prices than on Amazon, then posting those items on the website, waiting for someone to place an order, and finally purchasing the product from the other retailer and shipping it directly to the customer. A lot of these methods are also driven by tutorials on YouTube and TikTok. Spencer Soper, reporter at Bloomberg News, joins us for how it all works.
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Shortly after millennials hit their teens and started getting jobs, their employment numbers plummeted fueling the myth of the lazy millennial. But now, after looking at the data, it seems like it might not be that they didn’t want jobs, rather they were entering the workforce after two recessions and competing with laid-off, more experienced workers. Andrew Van Dam, Department of Data columnist at The Washington Post, joins us for what to know.
Next, the nonprofit agency that operates the transplant system is called the United Network for Organ Sharing and according to a recent review, the technology used to match donated organs to patients is in need of a full overhaul. It has been plagued by aged out software, periodic system failures, and an over-reliance of manually inputting data. Lenny Bernstein, health and medicine reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for more.
Finally, as the group of people who have not had Covid continues to shrink, many ideas begin to swirl about how they have avoided it for so long. For some it could be a healthy immune system, masking, or just luck, but could genetics also be at play? Katherine Wu, staff writer at The Atlantic, joins us for how scientists are looking into whether some are just naturally resistant to the virus.
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This week House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is visiting 4 Asian countries to discuss trade, Covid-19, climate change and security. Missing notably from her itinerary is whether Pelosi and her delegation would visit Taiwan in what would be the first visit from an American official since 1997. China has warned of consequences if Pelosi does touch down there because China claims them as their territory. Julia Manchester, national political reporter at The Hill, joins us for what to know about this, Republicans increasingly courting Latino voters, and Biden testing positive again for Covid-19.
Next, the deadliest road in America is US-19, a stretch of highway in Pasco County, Florida. The road has three lanes on both sides with extra turn lanes and a speed limit of 45-55 mph making it more like a freeway. The road was definitely not built with pedestrians in mind as crosswalks are few and far between causing people to often cross where they can to access the businesses and restaurants along the way. Roads like this are called “stroads” meant to be quick thoroughfares through multiple cities, but also share characteristics with smaller streets, places for people to live, shop, and eat and this combination can be deadly for those on foot. Marin Cogan, senior correspondent at Vox, joins us for more.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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The U.S. economy shrunk for a second quarter putting us on a path closer to a recession. GDP fell at a rate of 0.9% after a 1.6% decline in the first quarter. Most of the dip was driven by slower consumer spending and drops in business and residential investment. Reade Pickert, economy reporter at Bloomberg News, joins us for how we will still need official news from the National Bureau of Economic Research to determine if the recession is here.
Next, as interest rates are rising, companies are calling workers back to the office, and home prices expected to fall, Zoomtowns that drew in remote workers during the pandemic are showing that the housing market is cooling fast. Boise, Idaho in particular is emblematic of this with its housing market currently overvalued by 69%. Nicole Friedman, U.S. housing reporter at the WSJ, joins us for what to know as more houses are sitting on the market longer.
Finally, the new battleground for fast-food restaurants is chicken nuggets. KFC will be testing new nuggets that could replace their popcorn chicken and Boston Market has rolled out their first nuggets that are roasted and not fried. The industry is looking to boost profits by targeting younger Gen Z customers who love their chicky nuggies. Jennifer Kingson, chief correspondent at Axios, joins us for the nugget wars.
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Two HIV patients have joined a very small group of patients who seem to have beaten the virus. A 66-year-old man who received a transplant of stem cells with a genetic mutation that blocks HIV has no virus in his body and a woman in her 70s that was treated with retroviral drugs and immune boosting therapies is “functionally cured.” Researchers are hoping that these cases will provide clues to a possible cure in the future. Betsy McKay, senior writer at the WSJ, joins us for what to know.
Next, let’s talk about all those pandemic impulse buys you may be regretting. It was a time when everyone had a lot of time on their hands and some extra money, so people bought Peloton bikes, roller skates, bread makers, even new homes or pets, but now that things have returned a little more to normal those things have hit the back burner. Emily Stewart, senior correspondent at Vox, joins us for pandemic buyer’s remorse.
Finally, high inflation costs have sent businesses searching for new sources of revenue and greener way to deal with waste and it’s leading to some interesting new products. Think compost made from crabs, vodka distilled from dairy waste, and soap made from bacon grease. Harriet Torry, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for how customers are reating to inflation’s funky byproducts.
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With much of President Biden’s legislative agenda stalled recently he is finally poised for some big wins in Congress. The first major prescription drug legislation in nearly 20 years and a $50 billion bill to subsidize semiconductor chip manufacturing are two bills that have bipartisan support and appear to be on their way to passing. Mike DeBonis, congressional reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for how Democrats hope these bills have big political payoffs.
Next, as inflation continues to push prices higher for everyone, businesses are looking to offset their increased costs by making products slightly smaller but keeping the same price. It’s called shrinkflation, and if you don’t pay close enough attention, you could be missing out. Laura Daily, contributor to The Washington Post, joins us for how to combat shrinkflation by looking at unit pricing and keeping an eye on tricky labeling.
Finally, the sober-curious movement is making its way into dating and more people are opting to go out without the drinks. Social norms around drinking on dates have changed and people looking for more authentic connections. They are also making sure to mention it on their online dating profiles. Rachel Wolfe, consumer trends reporter at the WSJ, joins us for how younger adults are looking for more creative dates without the booze.
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The WHO has now declared monkeypox a “public health emergency of international concern.” Cases have continued to rise worldwide and has not necessarily grown out of control, but it has the potential to do so. Part of this is to also raise awareness for people to know symptoms, warning signs, and look out for guidelines. Keren Landman, epidemiologist and senior health reporter at Vox, joins us for what to know.
Next, many experts may have been wrong about the Great Resignation. While workers have been quitting and switching jobs to get more power, money and benefits, the big gains have only benefited a select group. Fears that a recession could be coming also have the potential to make it worse. Juliana Kaplan, labor and inequality reporter at Business Insider, joins us for more.
Finally, the exclusive club of people who have not had Covid continues to shrink. However, some experts say that most people have been infected even if you didn’t realize it as some 40% of confirmed cases are asymptomatic. Immunologists are looking into whether exposure to other pathogens or coronaviruses could trigger immune responses before Covid spreads. Julie Wernau, health and medicine reporter at the WSJ, joins us for those that think they have remained Covid-free.
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President Biden is still recovering from Covid-19 as his doctors have said he has improved significantly but still has a sore throat while other symptoms have diminished. They also said that it is likely that he has the BA.5 Omicron subvariant. Julia Manchester, national political reporter at The Hill, joins us for a quick health update and what we learned from dueling Trump and Pence rallies in Arizona. The Republican base still loves the former President as he gears up to run again.
Next, Beyond Meat has a pepperoni problem. It currently has a deal to bring its alt-meat to KFC, Taco Bell and Pizza Hut, but more than a year into its partnership it is struggling to deliver on the new products. When it comes to the pepperoni, only a small test has been done at select Pizza Hut locations because they kept hitting speed bumps along the way. The fake pepperoni links are formed in Pennsylvania, flown to Europe to be cooked and sliced, then flown back to the states. There were even disagreements over the order of cooking and slicing. Deena Shanker, food reporter at Bloomberg News, joins us for Beyond Meat’s struggles.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
President Biden has tested positive for Covid-19 despite being vaccinated and double boosted and is experiencing mild symptoms. The current wave of infections we are seeing are mostly the BA.5 Omicron subvariant and it could be what the Covid normal looks like. Katherine Wu, staff writer at The Atlantic, joins us for how the endless churn of variants will keep infecting people even if you’re vaccinated or had prior infection.
Next, the impact of the pandemic on children has been so uneven that in classrooms across the country we are seeing a wider range of student abilities and it could be harder for those lagging behind to catch up. A recent study shows that students in grades three to eight showed a larger spread in achievement levels this year compared to 2019. The gap was 4-8% in reading and 5-10% in math. Erin Einhorn, national education reporter at NBC News Digital, joins us for what to know.
Finally, Costco has two recession-proof items at their stores… the $1.50 hot dog combo and their $4.99 rotisserie chickens. When it comes to the chicken, Costco has built out its own chicken business contracting with famers to raise their birds, building a feed mill, a hatchery, and slaughter plant. Kenny Torrella, reporter at Vox, joins us for how the rotisserie chickens are considered a “loss leader” just to get you in the door to buy more stuff.
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Many in the entertainment industry had been waiting on numbers from Netflix on how many subscribers they lost in the last quarter. They lost just under one million subscribers instead of the two million they had predicted. That still leaves a lot of questions on what they can do to stop people from leaving in droves. Peter Kafka, senior correspondent at Recode, joins us for the big question, is this a Netflix-specific issue or does the entire streaming business have a problem?
Next, while the Jan. 6 committee hearings have not made a huge splash in changing peoples minds about former President Trump and his actions around that time, we may be seeing some signs that they are wounding his reputation after all. The constant drip of negative coverage is causing some Republicans on the margins to reconsider their support for 2024 according to some polls and focus groups. David Siders, national political correspondent at Politico, joins us for more.
Finally, as more companies are resuming normal operations, work conferences are also making a comeback and these professional gatherings are acting as mini vacations for parents who spent the pandemic taking care of their kids while they were out of school. Alina Dizik, contributor to the WSJ, joins us for how parents are escaping their families by going on work trips.
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The Omicron subvariant BA.5 is proving that the pandemic is still not over. It continues to evade immunity, even from previous omicron infections. The good news is that death rates are down and hospitals aren’t overwhelmed like before, but the virus is spreading fast again and the small fraction of people getting seriously ill can add up. Umair Irfan, senior reporter at Vox, joins us for how virus mutations are keeping Omicron in play.
Next, all signs point to President Biden running again in 2024, but the one person who weighs most heavily on his decision is former President Trump. It has set up an almost codependent relationship between the two for the next election. Rumors are that Trump could declare in September and Biden in April, but there are plenty of considerations yet to be made. Matt Viser, White House reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for how we could be in store for a presidential rematch.
Finally, we’ll tell you how the Brazilian butt lift became one of the deadliest cosmetic surgeries and inadequate regulations make it hard for patients to tell if they are getting a good doctor or not. One of the things to consider, there is a difference between plastic surgeons, which require years of specialized training and cosmetic surgeons which doctors can call themselves after a few months of training. Fiona Rutherford, healthcare reporter at Bloomberg News, joins us for what to know.
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A committee of the Texas House of Representatives released a preliminary report over the weekend of all the failings in the response to the shooting in Uvalde that led to the death of 19 children and 2 teachers. The report was all bad news and found problems at every level. Despite there being almost 400 officers from various agencies, no one took command of the situation, the school itself also didn’t follow safety protocols, and those that knew the shooter missed several warning signs. Alicia Caldwell, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for how a lack of leadership and communication delayed a confrontation with the gunman.
Next, we’ll talk to a man that has gone public with his battle with monkeypox. He will detail his illness from being notified by phone that he was exposed to the flu-like symptoms and the painful lesions that appeared all over his body. One of the toughest parts of recovery was the isolation he had to be in while waiting to get better. His decision to go public about his experience led to a lot of reaction online, most of which was supportive. Matt Ford, actor, writer and video producer, joins us for what it’s really like to experience monkeypox.
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President Biden wrapped up his first presidential trip to the Middle East over the weekend with few concrete deliverables on increased oil production from Saudi Arabia and no progress on an Israeli and Palestinian resolution. Ginger Gibson, deputy Washington digital editor at NBC News, joins us this, Biden’s meeting with the Saudi crowned prince, another round of bad poll numbers, and Sen. Joe Manchin refusing to support the president’s agenda.
Next, some restaurants are facing an extortion racket and it’s all playing out on Google. Emails are being sent to dozens of restaurants threatening bad, one-star reviews unless owners pay up with $75 Google Play gift cards. These reviews are critical in attracting business and some restaurants are complaining of inaction on the part of Google in policing these negative comments. Christina Morales, food reporter at the NY Times, joins us for how restaurants are responding.
Finally, the battle for the future of American passenger rail is currently being played out. Amtrak is trying to expand with 39 new routes to reach dozens more cities and towns and it has the money to do so, but it doesn’t have the railroad tracks. Amtrak contracts with private rail owners because it doesn’t own its own, but the fight to keep freight and the supply chain moving, is taking precedent. Luz Lazo, reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for what to know in a decision that could come by the end of summer.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is getting an upgrade this weekend (July 16) as it debuts a new three-digit number for calls and texts. The new number is 988 and the hope is that the shorter number will be more memorable during a crisis. Underscoring how important the service is, latest numbers show that one in six calls to the hotline go unanswered, so it is more important then ever to get people connected. Brianna Abbott, health reporter at the WSJ, joins us for what to know about 988, the new National Suicide Prevention Lifeline number.
Next, recent news out of the field of xenotransplantation, two brain-dead people has pig hearts transplanted which offered doctors a chance to use new infectious disease protocols designed to help ensure that pig viruses aren’t transmitted to patients. This is all leading up to plans for the FDA to allow clinical trials for pig organ transplants. Amy Dockser Marcus, health and science reporter at the WSJ, joins us for more.
Finally, another 40-year high, inflation has soared to 9.1%. Driving the increases have been continued high energy costs, but also rising food and housing costs. The big challenge is how to curb inflation without causing a recession. The main tool of the Fed is to keep raising interest rates and they have signaled they will keep doing so. Rachel Siegal, economics reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for the nation’s most challenging economic problem.
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Twitter is now suing Elon Musk seeking to enforce the $44 billion deal he made to buy the company after he said he wanted out. Musk says his decision to drop out has to do with Twitter not providing him enough info to be able to verify how many accounts on the platform are fake and that could be tough to decide as data scientists say isn’t easy to determine. Sarah Needleman, tech reporter at the WSJ, joins us for the complex metric this legal battle will be centered on.
Next, CA Gov. Gavin Newsom took to Washington DC while President Biden is out of the country on a trip to Israel and the Middle East. It seems that Newsom has been trying to raise his national profile on issues such as abortion, climate change and guns and even pushing back on his own party for not being strong enough on those issues. All that movement has sparked discussion on whether he has presidential ambitions. Hannah Knowles, campaign reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for more.
Finally, Americans are cancelling homebuying deals at the highest rates since the start of the pandemic. A new report from Redfin says 15% of deals are being cancelled and even homebuilders are seeing cancellations. Inflation and higher mortgage rates are mostly to blame with some borrowers no longer qualifying for the loans they want. Diana Olick, real estate correspondent at CNBC, joins us for what to know.
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Americans relationship with college is complicated and according to a new poll many think that it might not be worth the cost and time commitment. Overall, most people believe that the benefits outweigh the costs long-term, and those with bachelor’s degrees usually earn 75% more than they would if they only have a high school diploma. But the pandemic also plays a big part in this as enrollment has been down 1.3 million students since March 2020. Chris Quintana, education reporter at USA Today, for how many still value higher education, but feel it’s too expensive for many.
Next, could your smartphone be ruining your memory? We are increasingly outsourcing much of our memory to an external device like our phones and we are missing out on some of the complex actions our brains should be doing. Experts say that constant distractions from notifications are keeping us from moving memories into long-term storage. Another downfall is relying too much on GPS step-by-step directions which can prevent us from improving spatial memory abilities. Rebecca Seal, contributor to the Guardian, joins us for the rise of digital amnesia.
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NASA has released photos from the James Webb Space Telescope from its first six months of observation and the incredible images show a range of deep space features including a nebula around a dying star, water vapor around an exoplanet, an area where new stars are born and a huge image of five galaxies where one of them is tearing a path through the cluster. Purbita Saha, deputy editor at Popular Science, joins us for our first look at what the JWST can do.
Next, a new report from the CDC is showing that the pandemic fueled a surge in superbug infections and deaths. Overall, there was a 15% increase mostly due to sicker patients, lack of staff and safety equipment and doctors overprescribing antibiotics. Early on when doctors didn’t know how to treat Covid, they gave almost 80% of those hospitalized antibiotics even though they didn’t need them. Lena Sun, health reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for more.
Finally, as many people continue to look for new jobs that provide the work/life balance they want, remember to look at the fine print. Those remote jobs you may have your eye on, may not be as remote as you think. Some jobs listed as remote still require new hires to come into the office part-time or even live nearby to attend occasional in-person meetings. Lindsay Ellis, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for what to watch out for so you don’t waste your time.
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Driven by mass migrations of both workers and employers, red states have been winning the post-pandemic economic recovery over blue states. Not really a move because of political preferences, workers left for financial and lifestyle reasons such as cheaper housing, less Covid restrictions and lower taxes. Biggest winners are Florida, Texas, and North Carolina while California, New York and Illinois have lost the greatest number of residents. Josh Mitchell, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for how red states have had quicker recoveries.
Next, we’ll tell you about Jonathan Mitchell, the architect of the Texas abortion law. Known by many to be a very bright legal mind, his legal theories and court cases have laid the groundwork which brought down Roe v. Wade. Looking ahead to what is next, he has jumped into other lawsuits over everything from a contraceptive mandate to affirmative action and same-sex marriage. His theories are based in textualism, which basically refers to the thought that if a constitutional right is not mentioned in the constitutional text, then it doesn’t exist. Lauren McGaughy, investigative reporter at the Dalla Morning News, joins us for more.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Robert Crimo III, the suspect in the Highland Park shooting, was able to purchase guns legally despite a suicide attempt in April of 2019 and another incident where Highland Park police were called to his family home after he threatened to “kill everyone.” In 2020 and 2021 he passed four different background checks that cleared him to purchase the firearms after his father co-signed for him. Monica Eng, reporter at Axios Chicago, joins us for how Crimo legally bought his guns.
Next, as we approach the midterm elections and beyond, a possible shadow race for 2024 that is developing is the back-and-forth between CA Gov. Gavin Newsom and FL Gov. Ron DeSantis. Newsom just took out a $100,000 ad in Florida taking a shot at Florida’s politics and Republicans are eager to have the fight with him. Jeremy White, CA politics reporter at Politico, joins us for the growing political ambitions for these two governors.
Finally, with all of our data constantly in jeopardy you might want to consider scrubbing your info from the internet. Well, the bad news is that you’ll never fully be able to delete everything online, but you can minimize some of it. More bad news, it is going to take time, money and patience. Heather Kelly, tech reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for what to know about deleting your data.
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WNBA star Brittney Griner has been detained in a Russian prison since Feb. 17 when she was caught at an airport near Moscow with hash oil in vape cartridges. She is on trial right now where a guilty verdict could carry a sentence of 10 years. Her best hope of getting out could be a prisoner exchange, but the U.S. has long been wary of these and the DOJ usually opposes them. Louise Radnofsky, sports reporter at the WSJ, joins us for what to know.
Next, there are now enough doses of vaccine available globally to vaccinate all adults and children, but the demand has dropped so much that governments, vaccination sites, and even the drugmakers themselves are having to dispose of millions of doses. One of the main problems is that vaccines are packaged in multi-dose vials, and once they’re opened, the rest must be discarded if not used in 12 hours. Peter Loftus, Pharma reporter at the WSJ, joins us for how the supply has now outstripped the demand.
Finally, Lake Mead has shrunk to record lows. The reservoir supplies electricity to 350,000 homes as well as irrigation and drinking water to 25 million people. But as the water levels continue to drop, people are more interested finding barrels with bodies or jewelry and other treasures that were once hidden. Joshua Partlow, reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for more.
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Tragedy in Highland Park, Illinois as yet another mass shooting took the lives of seven people and injured more than 30 others. Officials say that 21-year-old Bobby Crimo opened fire on people gathered for a 4th of July parade perched from the roof of a building, more than 70 rounds were fired with a rifle that was purchased legally. Police say he planned the attack for weeks and dressed as a woman to disguise himself so he could blend in with the crowd to escape. Ben Collins, senior reporter at NBC News, joins us for what to know and the trail of violent imagery he posted online.
Next, the Federal Reserve is trying to bring inflation down with interest rate increases despite the risk of a possible recession. However, the thing that the Fed is worried about more, is a psychological shift in consumers that could sustain high inflation. If consumers suspect prices will remain high in the future, it changes the way they behave today. The toughest calls for the Fed still lie ahead once the economy contracts and unemployment rises. Nick Timiraos, chief economics correspondent at the WSJ and author of Trillion Dollar Triage, joins us for how inflation psychology is stocking more anxiety.
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Where have all the coupons gone? As record high inflation is still hitting us, many are looking for deals anywhere they can, but paper coupons and even digital ones are harder to come by. Circulation is down and redemption rates have also plummeted as people just don’t have the time to sort them all and smartphones have made other shopping incentives possible. Lydia DePillis, economy reporter at the NY Times, joins us for what to know.
Next, according to a recent survey from Gallup, the world is unhappier and more stressed out than ever. The second year of the pandemic seemed to be worse in many ways as people had more negative experiences and less positive ones. They felt less rested and experienced less enjoyment. Mohamed Younis, editor in chief at Gallup, joins us for the new highs reached in Gallup’s Negative Experience Index.
Finally, the airline industry was waiting for business travelers to come back to get them back up to pre-pandemic levels. Well, some of that has returned, but flight cancellations and delays are causing some professionals to opt for the road trip instead. To avoid delays and missing appointments, they are willing to drive up to 7 hours to get where they need to be. Allison Pohle, travel reporter at the WSJ, joins us for more.
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Democrats have been torn over how aggressively they should respond to the end of Roe v. Wade. President Biden wants to tie it to the midterm election and mobilize voters, but others in the Democratic party want Biden to be more aggressive and test the boundaries of executive power, to show their constituents how hard they are fighting. Ginger Gibson, deputy Washington digital editor at NBC News, joins us for this and how President Biden is also pitching himself to Dems as he gears up to run for president again.
Next, some concerning news when it comes to our all-volunteer military. Every branch of the U.S. military is struggling to make its 2022 recruiting goals. A few things are at play when it comes to this. First, a record low percentage of young Americans are even eligible to serve due to obesity, drug use or criminal records. Second, a very small percentage of those eligible are willing to join. Generational shifts are also happening as there are fewer young people with parents who had served in the military. Courtney Kube, national security correspondent at NBC News, joins us for how they are responding by offering incentives and targeting parents in recruiting efforts.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Netflix has a lot on the line with its latest installment of Stranger Things. New data shows that Netflix subscribers are more likely to leave the service in the first month than subscribers of any other streaming competitors. Big Media was sleeping on them for a long time, but now offer their own services and have taken their shows and movies with them. Peter Kafka, senior correspondent at Recode, joins us for how they are responding… cheaper, ad supported version and splitting seasons into two parts.
Next, booster shots coming in the fall will be tailored to the latest wave of the pandemic and target Omicron and its subvariants BA.4 and BA.5. This would hopefully provide more short-term immunity protections as new variants have been better able evade current vaccines. Pfizer would most likely be the first ready with these new boosters. Carolyn Johnson, science reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for more.
Finally, we are hearing a lot more about hiring freezes and layoffs as high inflation and fears of a recession persist. The latest we have seen over the past few weeks are some companies rescinding jobs offers. It’s not happening on a large scale yet, but what should you do if it happens to you. Jennifer Liu, work reporter at CNBC Make It, joins us with some tips on how to get yourself back out there.
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This week, in a surprise hearing from the Jan. 6 committee, we heard from Cassidy Hutchinson who was an aide to WH Chief of Staff Mark Meadows. At the hearing she detailed many instances that Trump knew of the possible violence at the Capitol and some examples of extreme anger from the president too. She told a story about Trump grabbing the steering wheel of his security detail demanding that they take him to the Capitol and also an instance when he threw a plate at the wall after William Barr said there was no fraud in the election. Julia Manchester, national political reporter at The Hill, joins us for what, if anything legally may come from the hearings.
Next, since the Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade, trigger laws in various states have been put into effect and focus has been turned to providing continued access for women if needed. What we are seeing is an uptick in demand for abortion pills, which could also set up new legal battles in states with those bans. Also known as medication abortion, it accounted for 54% of all abortions in 2020 because it is less invasive, less expensive and pills can be received by mail. Pam Belluck, health and science reporter at the NY Times, joins us for what to know.
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When it comes to providing more security at schools, especially in the wake of recent mass shootings, one of the conversations always includes arming teachers. In the small town of Utopia, Texas about 45 mins north of Uvalde, they have been arming teachers since 2013 and parents there they feel safer for it. Volunteers must have a concealed carry permit and must be approved by the school board. Moriah Balingit, national education reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for what to know.
Next, something you may not have known when you put gas in your car. If you pay with a debit or credit card, gas stations put a hold on your card up to $175. Holds used to be $125 but have shot up $50 because of inflation and rising gas prices. Typically, these holds are released in about two hours, but can take longer in some cases. Ayse Kelce, personal finance reporter at the WSJ, joins us for how some can be put at risk for overdraft fees because of these increases.
Finally, a new AI image generation tool called Dall-E could be one of those new technologies that change the world. A mix of the names Salvador Dali and Pixar’s Wall-E, this tool takes text prompts and generates images from them in a variety of art styles with very intuitive results. It’s almost like using a Google search bar like it was Photoshop. Casey Newton, contributing editor at The Verge, joins us for how this could spur a creative revolution.
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Now that the Supreme Court has struck down Roe v. Wade, questions are swirling about what could be next. Concerns have been expressed about a nationwide ban on abortion, but while it could be possible, the road to get there is difficult. More Republican gains would have to be made in controlling Congress and the presidency which is why Democrats are using the decision to call on voters to support them. Nicole Narea, politics reporter at Vox, joins us for more.
Next, could Q be back? After more than 18 months of silence, the leader of the QAnon conspiracy theory has returned online with three posts asking people if they want to “play the game again?” and “Are you ready to serve your country again?” Stuart Thompson, reporter at the NY Times covering disinformation, joins us for what to know about the latest Q drops and what his return could mean for many who subscribed to his conspiracy theories.
Finally, burnout and the struggle to maintain a better work/life balance is showing up at the highest levels in the workplace. According to a recent survey, 70% of C-suite executives say they may seriously want to resign for a job that supports their well-being better. The survey is also shining a light on the disconnect between how execs view their efforts with employees on mental health and well-being and what workers are really saying. Jennifer Kingson, chief correspondent at Axios, joins us for how even your boss wants to quit.
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Protests overtook the country once again as the Supreme Court ruled to strike down Roe v. Wade. Pro-abortion advocates were enraged and anti-abortion advocates cheered the decision. Trigger laws set to be enacted if Roe was struck down took effect in some states and quickly limited women’s access in those areas. The focus now turns political as President Biden called on people to vote in elected officials that would do something about it. Ginger Gibson, deputy Washington digital editor at NBC News, joins us for all the fallout and what this decision says about the politicization of the Supreme Court.
Next, we’ll tell you how the “Disney adult” became one of the most hated groups on the internet. Everyone knows a Disney adult, someone who loves the parks and spends insane amounts of money on vacations, getting the latest merch, or limited-edition pins and Mickey ears. These Disney superfans have been around for a long time, but the term is relatively new and the anti-Disney adult sentiment really took hold during the pandemic as fans were mourning the closures of the parks and online groups were just having none of that. EJ Dickson, senior writer at Rolling Stone, joins us for more on the adult Disney fandom.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In a 6-3 vote, the Supreme Court struck down a centuries-old New York law requiring those that want to carry a concealed weapon for self defense to show a specific need for doing so. This decision also clears a way for legal challenges to similar laws in other states. The ruling comes down as the country is grappling with a series of mass shootings and a new gun law making its way through the Senate. Robert Barnes, Supreme Court reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for more.
Next, youth mental health has been a growing issue in the country that has only been amplified by the isolation and stress caused by the pandemic. In collaboration with the award-winning podcast, Force Multiplier, we’ll hear from mental health advocate, digital strategist and content creator, Jorge Alvarez, about today’s challenges with global and mental health access. He’ll also tell us why representation is a big factor in fighting the cultural stigma around mental health.
Finally, it’s the new layaway… Buy now, pay later. It has been exploding in popularity as more retail stores are offering it and a slew of new apps also getting in on it. It lets consumers take something home immediately and then pay off purchases in installments. Payments are usually interest-free making it an enticing option for those trying to avoid credit cards. Claire Ballentine, personal finance reporter at Bloomberg News, joins us for why some experts are warning of overspending risks.
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President Biden has called on Congress to suspend the federal gas tax for three months in an effort to ease prices that have been skyrocketing. Biden is also calling on states to suspend their gas taxes, but it’s a tough sell as lawmakers and economists are skeptical it will provide enough relief. He is also pinning the blame on oil and gas companies calling for them to increase oil production. Hans Nichols, reporter at Axios, joins us for what to know.
Next, as fears of a recession loom, more companies are announcing layoffs or hiring freezes leaving current employees to think of ways to stand out and stay employed. The pendulum is swinging back in favor of employers where the Great Resignation had empowered employees to jockey for better pay and benefits. Ray Smith, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for how to keep your job or find a better one should a recession come.
Finally, the real estate market has begun to cool ever since mortgage rates have increased, but home prices are still going up. The spring selling season has been slow, and the lack of supply is keeping prices up. Rents are even on the rise, on average they are up 26% from before the pandemic. Emily Peck, markets correspondent at Axios, joins us for more.
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Gas prices may one of the most visible features of how the economy is doing. We constantly see the rising prices on every street corner, but even as higher prices are a pain it isn’t really the best metric for understanding the broader economy. It’s not always the case that the economy is falling apart as prices rise and that it speeds ahead if prices are lower. Gas prices hit everyone differently, but as we see better fuel efficiency and richer households, a better indicator for how much pain is at the pump is how much disposable income people are spending on gas. Rebecca Leber, senior reporter at Vox, joins us for how that number is still relatively low at the moment.
Next, a couple of recent stories about when an animal or even an artificial intelligence can be considered a person have sparked conversations on the evolving thought on who or what is deserving of moral consideration. First, is Happy the elephant who was not granted legal personhood in a case in New York filed by the Nonhuman Rights Project. Second, is the story of the Google engineer who believed that an AI language model had become sentient. Expert consensus said that no, the AI had not gained sentience and the engineer was put on leave. Kenny Torella, staff writer at Vox, joins us for what this says about us and how these questions will increasingly be raised.
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Rep is a bold, wide-ranging podcast, brought to you by journalist Noor Tagouri.
Noor began by examining the misrepresentation of Muslims in US media and how this impacts American culture. She discovered a fuller exploration of the ever-evolving story of America, which challenged the stories we’ve known…and revealed how the stories we tell affect all of us.
Rep is a thoughtful investigation of our beliefs and understandings and how they exist within the dynamic of politics, pop culture, and public opinion.
This is a story about the stories we tell.
Listen here or on the iHeartRadio app.
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Workers in the U.S. have a very strange relationship with working and not taking time off. After going through the pandemic, Covid may have done away with the sick day. Because of the pace of work or fears of getting in trouble, many people continued to log in for meetings and answered emails. Managers also weren’t good role models as they took to working while sick too, this is coming despite many companies changing sick day policies to allow people more time to heal. Emma Goldberg, reporter at the NY Times, joins us for why employees can’t seem to take a sick day.
Next, we’ll tell you about the anti-cult activism of Ginni Thomas, wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. She focused on this work after a “deprogramming” she went through after she fell in with a group she considered a cult. She was involved with an organization called Lifespring which advertised training seminars that could help unlock hidden potential. The group was accused of breaking participants down mentally and one man reportedly had a psychotic break. Alex Seitz-Wald, senior politics reporter at NBC News, joins us for how Thomas got out and the controversial world of anti-cult activism.
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Calling all bargain hunters…stores have too much stuff and will be cutting prices soon. Large shipments of electronics, outdoor furniture, and loungewear that people wanted during the pandemic are finally coming in, two years late. That means that retailers that can’t hold big items in their inventory will be slashing prices. Rachel Wolfe, consumer trends reporter at the WSJ, joins us for where and when to look for these deals… just have to wait a little further into summer.
Next, there is a whole swath of young kids that have never known life without Covid. Their formative years were spent masking and social distancing and the long-term effects remain unknown. Studies and observations show that some kids are behind in speech, motor and social development and could need counseling, speech therapy and other support to adjust. There is optimism in the resilience of young kids to adapt now that things are a little more back to normal and in some of the positive effects like spending more time with family. Anna North, senior correspondent at Vox, joins us for how the pandemic affected the country’s youngest children.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
New data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that over a 10-month period, there were nearly 400 car crashes that involved advanced driver-assistance technology. Think of Tesla’s Autopilot or Full Self Driving Mode, and other tech like lane-keeping and adaptive cruise control. Tesla was responsible for about 70% of the crashes, but they also have more vehicles on the road. Neal Boudette, reporter for the NY Times, joins us for more.
Next, with all the changing economic news, some workers don’t feel as powerful as they used to. The tight labor market and the Great Resignation led employees to demand remote work and higher salaries, but as inflation continues and fears of a recession loom, people are looking for more security over flexibility and companies are taking note. Callum Borchers, On the Clock columnist at the WSJ, joins us for this change in attitude.
Finally, children are increasingly becoming targets of ID theft and it usually goes unnoticed until they apply for a student loan or first credit card and find their credit scores are in the dumps. Identity theft affects about 1.25 million kids every year and most of the time these victims know the perpetrators personally, whether it is family member or caregiver. Tatum Hunter, tech writer at The Washington Post, joins us for how to protect your kids.
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In an effort to help with inflation, the Federal Reserve has raised interest rates by 0.75 of a percentage point, the largest increase since 1994. We will see what the impact of this action will be, but many are still dealing with record high prices of goods and gas. With all that is going on many experts fear a recession could be on the way. Michelle Singletary, personal finance columnist at The Washington Post, joins us for some financial moves you can make to prepare if a recession comes our way.
Next, rolled into all the latest economic news are the big drops in the Crypto market. Bitcoin and other cryptocurrency prices are plummeting and even crypto companies that were on hiring sprees are now laying off employees. Cryptocurrencies were once marketed as a hedge against inflation, but we now see that they are very much tied to the overall market. David Yaffe-Bellany, crypto reporter at the NY Times, joins us for what to know.
Finally, another round of primaries this week brings us closer to the midterms. We saw the first impeachment casualty in Rep. Tom Rice in South Carolina. He voted to impeach Trump and now it cost him. In Nevada, Republicans flipped a Democratic House seat as they made big inroads with Hispanic voters. Mariana Alfaro, politics reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for top takeaways.
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The bear market is here! The S&P 500 is more than 20% off its peak and its time for investors to reassess their risks in the stock market. For many, these losses can be felt harder than gains after such a long period of increases. Tech stocks are down and the crypto market, which was once seen as a hedge against falling markets and inflation is also seeing huge drops. Suzanne Wooley, personal finance reporter at Bloomberg News, joins us for more.
Next, after more than 2 years of the pandemic, we are seeing that Covid is making the flu and other common viruses act in unfamiliar ways. Behavioral changes like stay-at-home orders, masking and social distancing could be responsible for viral shifts. For instance, at Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital, children are being admitted with a range of seven different respiratory viruses, many of which are out of season and seem to be more virulent. Frances Stead Sellers, senior writer at The Washington Post, joins us for how everything is out of whack.
Finally, President Biden is increasingly growing frustrated with rising prices and the inability of the WH to bring down inflation. The American people are even more so frustrated as they continued to get hammered with no end in sight. Tyler Pager, White House reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for how Biden is worried about messaging and ineffective policies impacting the economy.
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Did you weather the pandemic storm and stick with your employer over the last couple of years? Well, you could be underpaid. The hot job market and Great Resignation has led to a lot of movement and forced employers to lure new candidates with bigger paychecks and that has led to a divide with current employees. Aki Ito, senior correspondent at Business Insider, joins us for how salaries for new hires are on average 7% higher than existing workers.
Next, you’re booking a flight and want to pick a “preferred seat,” you click through and see an extra fee, in some cases it can be as high as $100, but it doesn’t come with any extra legroom or early boarding… so what are you paying for? In most cases, it just helps you avoid the middle seat, but for airlines, it’s the second biggest source of revenue. Dawn Gilbertson, Carry On columnist at the WSJ, joins us for what these fees are and how to get the free seats.
Finally, get ready to see more robots in your daily life. We see them all over the place now delivering food or cleaning your floors, but the ongoing labor shortage is fueling the demand for more robot workers. They could have a bigger presence in restaurants and are poised to make a big difference in caring for the elderly. Jennifer Kingson, chief correspondent at Axios Media, joins us for the summer of robots.
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Senate negotiators have reached a deal on guns. For now, it’s just a framework, a deal on principle. Legislation still needs to be written, but it mostly centers around giving states incentives to create red flag laws and expanded background checks for those 18-21. There would also be funding for mental health and school safety. Ten Republican senators have signed on so far, but there is still a lot that can go wrong. Ginger Gibson, deputy Washington digital editor at NBC News, joins us for what to know about the framework and what to expect from the rest of the Jan. 6 hearings.
Next, what does a road trip looks like in an all-electric vehicle? For one reporter, it was kind of a nightmare. The trip did cost less money for fuel, but more time was spent charging than sleeping. To be clear, this trip used public-charging infrastructure on a trip from New Orleans to Chicago and back. Not all chargers were fast chargers and not all of them are created equal, charging speeds varied every time. Rachel Wolfe, consumer trends reporter at the WSJ, joins us for her four-day EV road trip.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The number of Monkeypox cases keep rising and some changing guidance from the CDC is causing confusion. Cases are still very low overall and prolonged, close contact is needed to contract the virus, but it can be airborne too. The CDC recently deleted their guidance for travelers to wear masks to protect themselves, because they say it also caused confusion. Apoorva Mandavilli, reporter at the NY Times, joins us for what to know about monkeypox.
Next, when is a bumblebee a fish? When a unanimous ruling by a California state appeals court deems it so. Public-interest groups had asked the state to include four types of bumblebees on its list of endangered species, but the 50-year-old law only applied to birds, mammals, fish, amphibians or reptiles. Because the legal definition of a fish was vague and had been used to include other animals in separate instances, the bee was added to the list. Matt Grossman, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for the legal wrangling it took to get there.
Finally, two senators this week proposed an industry friendly cryptocurrency bill. The legislation would create a regulatory framework for the crypto markets, classify the majority of digital assets as commodities, and empower the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to regulate the industry. Paul Kiernan, financial regulations reporter at the WSJ, joins us for what’s in the bill.
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This episode is something special I did in conjunction with 23andMe and the SPIT podcast which you can hear on iHeartRadio. I took a look into what my DNA says about me. Beyond what my ancestry says, with a focus on my health. Throughout this process I learned about two genetic variants that could impact myself or my family and also that I have a typical likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes, which has always been a concern since it runs in my family. There’s also fun stuff I learned from my DNA… I won’t be losing my hair anytime soon and why I experience itchier mosquito bites. Stacey Detweiler and Alisa Lehman from the 23andMe team both join me to go over some of my results and help understand more about my DNA.
Next, I go a little deeper into what the results I got specifically mean to me. Things I’ve experienced with my family and in my past and why this process has been eye opening in some cases. The best thing to come out of this has been the information learned and knowing what to do next to improve my health.
Listen to more stories on the SPIT Podcast here.
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Another round of primaries across the country teases more of what to expect once we get to the midterms. In California, we saw a turnout problem for Democrats and a blow to progressive district attorneys with a successful recall of the San Francisco DA. Crime and homelessness figures to be a top issue in the LA mayor’s race and we’ll tell you how Trump’s picks fared. David Siders, national political correspondent at Politico, joins us for top takeaways.
Next, more than 90 women and girls have filed $1 billion in claims against the FBI for the mishandling of the Larry Nassar investigation. Nassar was the doctor to the national woman’s gymnastics team when concerns were reported to the FBI and they didn’t take the claims seriously, didn’t document evidence received and made false statements to cover their mistakes in the investigation. Louise Radnofsky, sports reporter at the WSJ, joins us for more.
Finally, a new study is showing that a drug approved to treat Type 2 diabetes is also extremely effective at reducing obesity. The drug called tirzepatide works on hormones that help control blood sugar and sends signals to the brain that the stomach is full. People in the study lost as much at 21% of their body weight, 50-60 pounds in some cases. Karen Weintraub, health and medicine reporter at USA Today, joins us for how this drug has the potential to change the way doctors treat weight related issues.
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Meet the next generation of lovable lawyers in Class Action - an immersive 12-episode series hosted by Katie Phang. They’re idealistic, diverse, and passionate about seeking justice. And they’re fighting each other in court in the 21-22 season. Upstart law teams from Texas, New York and South Dakota are vying for a national championship, and a rising undergrad program is on a journey to the promised land of mock trial competitions.
Listen here or on the iHeartRadio app.
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A recent trial for a cancer drug yielded some amazing results for those that participated. Complete remission for every patient. It was a very small trial with only 18 patients with rectal cancer, so caution is encouraged as much work needs to be done to replicate the results, but there has been no other study in which a treatment completely removed cancer in every patient. Gina Kolata, medical reporter at the NY Times, joins us for what we know about the latest study.
Next, we have seen what has been going on in the housing market and with sky high rents, but all these increases are also hitting one of the country’s most affordable housing options… mobile homes. Costs of manufactured homes are on the rise, but so is the rent for the land that they sit on. In some cases, those costs are doubling or tripling. Abha Bhattarai, economics correspondent at the Washington Post, joins us for how high demand, low inventory and corporate owners are impacting it all.
Finally, vaccine experts advising the FDA have endorsed a new Covid vaccine made by Novavax saying that the shot’s benefits outweigh any risks associated with it. The vaccine will still need full approval before coming on the market, but it will be the first one available using a more traditional, protein-based technology. Liz Essley Whyte, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for what to know about its effectiveness and concerns.
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Schools have been struggling to meet the mental health needs of students and new data is showing just how much the pandemic has impacted them. 7 in 10 public schools are seeing a rise in children seeking services and 76% of faculty and staff have expressed concerns about depression and anxiety in students since the start of the pandemic. Laura Meckler, national education reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for how only about half of schools surveyed say they can effectively provide needed services.
Next, at the beginning of the year there was a lot of talk in California about vaccine mandates and requirements for employees and students. Now, as politics and Covid fatigue have set in, those plans are all doomed. Low vaccination rates in children and pushback from unions representing police and firefighters have also played big role in doing away with the plans. Rachel Bluth, correspondent for Kaiser Health News, joins us for how the most popular vaccine legislation has been those to ban them.
Finally, after two years of the pandemic, many are reviving their efforts to connect with more people in their networks and it could be overwhelming. But how many friends do you actually need? Research says that the magic number of close friends is about 3-5. Fostering these relationships take time and energy with research saying it takes 200 hours to become close with someone. Allie Volpe, senior reporter at Vox, joins us for more.
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More gun violence over the weekend is still putting pressure on a bipartisan group of senators to come to a consensus on new gun laws. This group of 9 say they have a framework for legislation that could deal with mental health services and school security, expanded background checks, and red flag laws. Some feel that there could be momentum as polls signal that majorities of people support new laws after tragedies in Uvalde, Buffalo, and Tulsa. Ginger Gibson, deputy Washington digital editor at NBC News, joins us for this, President Biden struggling with multiple crises, and former President Trump could be on the brink of another run.
Next, for the past eight months we have seen hundreds of mysterious hepatitis cases in children around the world. At least 38 children have required liver transplants and nine have died. While these numbers remain low, it has changed the lives of those affected. One such case happened in Ohio, were 4-year-old Liviah came down with hepatitis for still unknown reasons and deteriorated so quickly that she needed a transplant. She survived and now her parents are now on a mission to inform others about warning signs and encourage people to be donors. Emily Anthes, reporter at the NY Times, joins us for the story of Liviah’s new liver.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
As we continue to ride another Covid wave some people are testing positive for the coronavirus for 10 days or longer, leading them to ask questions about how long they might be infectious to others and if they need to continue isolating. The answers are unclear because antigen tests could be picking up leftover viral debris but you can otherwise be free of symptoms. Emily Anthes, science reporter at the NY Times, joins us for what to know.
Next, Gen z is shifting their attitudes when it comes to work. For a long time they were looking for work that could make a difference and that would align with their values, but as inflation and student loan debt continue to rise, they are willing to ditch some of those values for a better paycheck. Callum Borchers, On the Clock columnist at the WSJ, joins us for how entering the workforce during the pandemic is changing some minds.
Finally, a productivity tool used by some with ADHD is gaining ground in online circles. People looking for a way to stay motivated are turning to a virtual co-working model called “body doubling” on places like TikTok. People needing help with work or even just doing chores like laundry are finding that this process helps keep them accountable and stay productive. Kelsey Ables, reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for why body doubling is catching on.
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Are you finally ready for things to be back to normal this summer? Think again. A worker shortage means that some businesses will work on limited hours or be closed altogether. No one is applying for some of these summer job and that is leading to higher labor costs and higher prices. Sarah Chaney Cambon, labor economics reporter at the WSJ, joins us for how many places are cutting back operations despite high demand.
Next, President Biden is expressing frustration over continued low approval ratings and not being able to catch a break as multiple crises have piled up. Inflation, high gas prices, a baby formula shortage, and what to do about gun violence have all hit at the same time. The focus now turns to how to fix the issues, but also what would be a winning message as we head into the midterms. Peter Nicholas, senior national political reporter at NBC News, joins us for more.
Finally, as we get through the current wave of Covid infections, it seems that the effort to update vaccines can’t keep up with the changes in the virus itself. While still dealing with the Omicron variant, we are seeing subvariants that appear to be more resistant to antibodies and evade protection from previous infection. Clinical trials are under way for updated vaccines, but the FDA will decide this summer if we will move forward with them. Caitlin Owens, healthcare reporter at Axios, joins us for what to know.
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Have you ever tried to read the different privacy policies of all the apps on your phone? No one has! Our next guest tried to see how much reading he would have to do to get through all of it and it came out to 1 million words. It’s one of the ongoing discussions around what data is collected and how it is shared, but rarely does anyone get through it, much less understand it all. To that end, tech companies are trying to simplify the language of these policies and make it more digestible. Lawmakers are even working on legislation that could make the policies clearer. Geoffrey Fowler, tech columnist at the Washington Post, joins us for how we could use technology to protect our privacy, not just invade it.
Next, plant-based food has come a long way in the last decade and has much more to go, but it hasn’t always tasted the best and it’s a hurdle that companies will have to overcome as we look to the future. Many companies are still banking on a plant-based future as they continue to pour billions of dollars into the industry, but to capture the stomachs of more customers they will have to battle rising meat consumption and continue to improve flavors. Kenny Torrella, reporter at Vox, tells us what he’s learned from months of eating vegan food samples.
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New Census figures are showing that big cities have been in a decline. The largest cities lost a greater share of people than small and mid-sized ones. New York, San Jose, and Chicago saw the greatest numbers of people leaving, while Texas and Arizona had seven of the ten fastest growing cities. All of these migrations were accelerated by the pandemic and work-from-home capabilities. Paul Overberg, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for why people are leaving.
Next, the market for NFTs has always been a volatile one, but lately investors have been questioning if some of these purchases have been worth it. In 2021 the NFT market blew up with people spending about $40 billion and now that some of the hype has died down, investors are looking at values that are only worth a fraction of what they initially paid. There are still some that are holding their value, and the art world is also banking on an NFT future. Pranshu Verma, reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for what to know.
Finally, we’ll tell you how PornHub changed the world. It wasn’t the first tube site, but 15 years after it launched it still remains on top. The site became a good partner for studios and creators as it was a big promotional tool for them. It changed how people could enter and work in the industry and also influenced the content itself. Anna Iovine, reporter at Mashable, joins us for more
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After a tragedy like the one in Uvalde the conversation on guns ratchets up and people demand action, unfortunately not much ever gets accomplished. This time a small group of bipartisan senators are trying to find common ground wherever they can, most likely on federal red flag laws which would keep guns out of the hands of people who could be a danger to others. Ginger Gibson, deputy Washington digital editor at NBC News, joins us for why you shouldn’t get your hopes up, a new CBO report that says high inflation will be around into next year, and some more takeaways from primary contests around the country as we make our way to the midterms.
Next, we’ll tell you about the ‘E-pimps’ of OnlyFans. Most people think that when you go onto the site and subscribe to a content creator you are actually dealing with that person directly. While that might be true in a lot of cases, some accounts are being managed by marketing agencies who handle every aspect of running an account. Everything from marketing on social media, writing their daily posts, and chatting with subscribers and selling personalized content. The chatters in particular, are sometimes outsourced from places like the Philippines. Ezra Marcus, contributor to the NY Times, joins us for what to know.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Rebound Covid… it’s an issue that has been popping up for some getting sick, but it is also happening to people that were treated with the antiviral Paxlovid. Some are getting better and testing negative, only to rebound with symptoms and test positive after the illness has dissipated. It has caused the CDC to change its guidelines and tell people with rebound symptoms to isolate for another 5 days. Karen Weintraub, health reporter at USA Today, joins us for what to know.
Next, testosterone therapy is changing the game for men and aging. The hormone is responsible for regulating the male sex drive, generating red blood cells, making sperm and a host of other things. As you get older these levels drop, but doctors are increasingly prescribing therapies to patients and other companies are even offering treatment plans to boost levels. Andrew Zaleski, nutrition and health writer at GQ Magazine, joins us for how more men are looking to testosterone to improve their lives.
Finally, polyamorous couples… those who are open to romantic relationships with more than one person at a time are finding ways to make commitments official since they can’t get married. It’s still illegal to marry more than one person at a time. For these couples, some are turning to commitment ceremonies that share aspects of traditional marriages and others that are completely custom. Suzannah Weiss, contributor to the Washington Post, joins us for how it all works.
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Another tragic mass shooting has many asking an all-too familiar question. How could this happen again? Why wasn’t odd behavior from the shooter flagged? The shooter was able to legally purchase two rifles within days of him turning 18. When it came to the massacre, the 19 children and two adults he killed were all in one classroom. Relatives and former friends said he was bullied for a speech impediment and did not have a good relationship with his mother, which is why he was living with his grandmother, who he shot in the face. Silvia Foster-Frau, national reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for what to know.
Next, as more are readying themselves to travel this summer, be prepared for anything. A lot can go wrong with flight delays or cancellations or even rental cars not being available. If a flight is cancelled, try everything you can from standing in line, checking the airline website, or even calling them out on social media and since speed is of the essence, grab the first thing that comes up or it could be gone very fast. Dawn Gilbertson, ‘Carry On’ columnist at the WSJ, joins us for a worst-case scenario guide.
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How old are you really? There is a growing interest in biological age vs. your chronological age. The idea behind it is that your cells and organs age differently and knowing your biological age can help you postpone or avoid age related illnesses. There is currently no standard way to measure it, but scientists and start-ups are developing ways through blood tests or saliva tests. Betsy Morris, senior writer at the WSJ, joins us for what to know.
Next, there is a lot of frustration when kids are misbehaving or acting out. So how do you discipline when it happens, especially if you might be in a public place. Is a timeout in order or a time-in? It also helps to explain why their actions are a problem, many times we assume kids know better, but sometimes they don’t. Deborah Farmer Kris, education journalist and founder of Parenthood365, joins us for how to discipline in the heat of the moment.
Finally, for all you fans of intermittent fasting, a new study concludes that it might not be all it’s cracked up to be. Time restricted eating goes like this… eat anything you want as long as it’s only between a 6–8-hour time period. The new study let one group of participants eat a set number of calories between 8a-4p and the other group the same number of calories at whatever time they wanted. What they found was there was no difference. Gina Kolata, medical reporter at the NY Times, joins us for what is all means.
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NFTs have been facing criticism recently as some investors are being left with assets that are only worth a fraction of the value from when they first bought them. The volatile market of NFTs and cryptocurrencies can make it easy to make money, but also lose huge amounts too. The problem can be compounded when celebrities and influencers promote them without also informing followers of the risks. Jesselyn Cook, investigative tech reporter at NBC News, joins us for more.
Next, its something families have been struggling with, the massive amounts of time kids are spending on their screens, but there is a small number of parents who are refusing to give their kids smartphones. 53% of kids have a smartphone by age 11 and that number swells to 89% once they hit 16. It can be a hard dilemma for families to navigate as children often feel left out and face social pressure as well. Ellen McCarthy, feature reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for what to know.
Finally, why is it so hard to get a restaurant reservation right now? It’s great for restaurants trying to make their rebound from the pandemic, but tough for customers as you need to plan a little better or have a bit of luck. Everyone is trying to get back out and there could be fewer options because of pandemic closures. Lane Florsheim, style reporter at the NY Times, joins us with some tips for nailing down that reservation.
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Some relief is coming to families that have been grappling with a shortage of baby formula. President Biden authorized Operation Fly Formula which delivered 78,000 pounds of formula from Germany to Indiana on Sunday. More shipments are expected soon. Ginger Gibson, deputy Washington digital editor at NBC News, joins us for what to know about this, Biden’s trip to Asia, and a judge blocking the end of Title 42.
Next, the number of Americans that quit their jobs during the pandemic spiked, and it could be a permanent fixture on the job market. This has led to more opportunities for employees, but for employers it has been a nightmare. They are dealing with high turnover and how to keep workers happy… simply offering a WFH model doesn’t work anymore. Aki Ito, senior correspondent at Business Insider, joins us for the ‘Forever Resignation.’
Finally, the circus is coming back! Five years ago, Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus said it was closing due to sagging ticket sales and an outdated business model. Now, they have announced a return in 2023 but with one notable absence, the animals. The elephants and lions are gone, and the circus will take on a more narrative story based on human feats. Sarah Maslin Nir, reporter at the NY Times, joins us for more.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Pent-up inflation could be the next thing to drive up costs even higher. Consumers have largely been shielded from the full brunt of expenses that producers, distributors, and small businesses have faced. Especially in the restaurant industry, they have been hesitant to raise prices too much, but as their costs increase something has got to give. Case in point, a Mississippi restaurant had had to start listing their order of 15 chicken wings as “market price.” At its highest, an order cost $28, but the true cost was closer to $34. Amy Yee, reporter at Bloomberg News, joins us for why even higher prices could still be on their way.
Next, many have already cast ballots in primaries across the country as we start getting closer to the midterm elections, but what are the key issues that people will be voting on. Inflation and the economy continue to be top of mind, but other issues like abortion have vaulted to the top after the leaked draft Supreme Court opinion signaling it would overturn Roe v. Wade. Crime and parental rights in education have also been seized upon by Republicans as top issues for them. Marianna Sotomayor, congressional reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for the top items voters will consider.
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Some were calling this week’s primaries “Midterm Super Tuesday” as Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Kentucky, Oregon, and Idaho cast primary votes. Former President Trump proved his endorsement is very much still coveted in Republican circles, but not all of his preferred candidates won. We also saw the complete fall of Rep. Madison Cawthorn and a mixed bag of news for Democrats. Aaron Blake, senior political reporter at The Washington post, joins us for top takeaways.
Next, the first public session in 50 years on UFOs took place in Congress this week. We learned that the Pentagon has gotten hundreds of additional UFO reports since last summer bringing their database to about 400. There was also a new video played that showed a spherical craft moving past a plane in broad daylight. Lawmakers continue to look at these sightings as national security issues and intelligence agencies are vowing to thoroughly investigate sightings. Bryan Bender, senior national correspondent at Politico, joins us for what we learned in the UFO hearings.
Finally, when we think of nanobots, our minds can begin to wander about incredible microscopic machines capable of repairing bone or healing an illness or even more nefarious things we see in sci-fi movies. While we aren’t there quite just yet, scientists have been able to get nanobots to swim around a wound, deliver antibiotics and help kill bacteria. Max Levy, contributor to Wired, joins us for how these nanobots work.
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New York has a red flag law on the books that should have prevented the shooter in Buffalo from buying the firearm he used in the assault. In 2021 when the gunman was still a minor, he was flagged for making comments about murder/suicide at school and taken for a mental health evaluation. Not deemed a risk at the time, he was let go and no continued effort was made to keep guns out of his hands. Melissa Chan, reporter at NBC News, joins us for what went wrong in this case.
Next, Sweden and Finland are formally trying to join NATO. Having remained neutral for many years, the war in Ukraine has changed many attitudes in strengthening defenses against Russia. Turkey has voiced skepticism in letting the two countries joins, but many think that are just holding out for other concessions. NATO requires unanimous agreement for new nations to join. Michael Birnbaum, reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for what to know.
Finally, we are seeing a mad dash for the ultrarich to hire on private butlers, maids and estate managers. Pre-pandemic, a salaried housekeeper in the Hamptons could earn up to $65,000, now many say the minimum is $85,000 or more. High-end nannies can earn $110,000 in some cases. Tracking along with some other pandemic working trends, these workers have a lot more power than they used to. Noah Kirsch, wealth and power reporter at The Daily Beast, joins us for more.
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The mass shooting in Buffalo, NY has once again seemed to follow an all too familiar path of online radicalization and planning leading to violence. In this case the shooter acted as a lone wolf, but despite not have a direct collaborator, he had an online pack. The shooters ideology is shared by others, whether it be those who subscribe to the Great Replacement theory or creators of the memes that influenced him. Juliette Kayyem, former assistant secretary for homeland security, joins us for how despite acting solo, the shooter is not alone.
Next, when a tragedy like the one in Buffalo happens, questions arise of possible warning signs and why action wasn’t taken sooner. In this case, the shooter was reported to police for a possible threat of violence and had a mental health evaluation in 2021. There are also questions about writings and plans he had posted online and how one becomes radicalized. Aaron Gregg, reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for the troublesome trail that led to terror.
Finally, it is the dominant model of modern parenting, and it might be time to quit it. Intensive parenting, also known as helicopter parenting, is a model where parents try to overextend themselves in trying to maximize their child’s success, but research shows that it can lead to parental burnout and harm a child’s competence and mental health. Elliot Haspel, early-childhood policy expert and contributor to the Atlantic, joins us for how to get away from anxiety-driven intensive parenting.
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A mass shooting that took the lives of 10 people over the weekend in Buffalo, New York seems to be a racially motivated attack. An 18-year old gunman seemed to target Black shoppers at a Tops supermarket. A manifesto was posted online by the shooter where he talked about the ‘Great Replacement’ theory which says that white Americans are being replace with nonwhites through immigration, interracial marriage, and violence. Ginger Gibson, deputy Washington digital editor at NBC News, joins us for this latest tragedy, and new poll numbers that look bad for President Biden as debates about abortion and student loan forgiveness continue.
Next, there’s a new startup that wants to get into your ears and monitor your brain. NextSense wants to eventually have earbuds that can stream music, take phone calls, and pick up brain waves. The startup’s aim is to focus on brain health, improve sleep, and even help patients with epilepsy. The company also hopes to collect data from various users in order to learn more about what’s between our ears. Steven Levy, editor at large at Wired, joins us for the story of how it all got started at Google.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A baby formula shortage has caused parents to scramble to find alternatives to keep their kids fed with the appropriate nutrition. The FDA has shut down Abbot Nutrition’s factory in Michigan amid an investigation into bacterial infections which has been the biggest problem with supply as they are the largest producer in the country. Dr. Steven Abrams, Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Texas, joins us what to know about the shortage as the FDA will start allowing Abbot to releasing some formula.
Next, the bird flu is currently wreaking havoc on farms across the country wiping out 36 million chickens and turkeys. The virus itself is really bad for the birds and has a near 100% mortality rate, but it’s actually the culling that is claiming so many of them. If one bird gets infected, the whole flock must be taken out. Kenny Torella, staff writer at Vox, joins us for what to know as the bird flu has already spread to 32 states.
Finally, Happy the elephant will have her day in court next week. The 51-year-old elephant currently lives in the Bronx Zoo, but her lawyers are arguing that she be granted legal personhood. If she wins, her detention at the zoo would be considered unlawful and she would be sent to a sanctuary. She is part of a small but growing group of animals and natural entities like lakes and wild rice fighting for legal rights. Corinne Ramey, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for more.
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Very soon you could be seeing ads on your favorite streaming platform. Netflix has long been a holdout when it came to placing ads during their content, but a huge loss of subscribers has them scrambling for how to make up the lost revenue. To that end, a cheaper pricing tier with ads could be coming by the end of the year. Peter Kafka, senior correspondent at Recode, joins us for why it makes sense and if viewers will stick around for it.
Next, the withholding of recess has long been a punishment tactic for teachers when kids misbehave or miss assignments. Now, there is growing momentum to pass laws that protect recess time and prohibit schools from taking it away to punish kids. Research has shown that unstructured free time is important for child development as it fosters good social, communication, and coping skills. Jackie Mader, early education reporter at The Hechinger Report, joins us for the fight for recess.
Finally, we all know that coworker who might not be the brightest or hardest worker, but still gets promoted anyway. Whether it’s schmoozing, brown-nosing, or riding coattails, some have mastered the art of ‘failing up.’ As more are going back to the office and after too many pandemic Zoom meetings, it is becoming more evident again. Callum Borchers, On the Clock columnist at the WSJ, joins us for how some are turning failure into success.
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High inflation persists as President Biden points to the pandemic and the war in Ukraine as top causes for high prices. Each month we get updated numbers on the Consumer Price Index, but how is that number calculated? 477 government workers spend their days going to grocery stores and other businesses to track the costs of over 100,000 goods and services each month. Rachel Wolfe, consumer trends reporter at the WSJ, joins us for how we calculate inflation.
Next, what is the largest source of stolen guns in country? Stolen guns from cars. From 2019-2020, 180 cities saw a rise in gun thefts from vehicles. This new trend is very concerning and simply a crime of opportunity. Thieves are rolling through neighborhoods and pulling on door handles looking for open cars and laws vary from state to state on how guns should be secured in unattended vehicles. Melissa Chan, reporter at NBC News, joins us for this disturbing trend.
Finally, a new report confirms that most working parents are burned out. Research from Ohio State University says that 66% of working parents meet the criteria for parental burnout, meaning they feel they have nothing left to give. This study was conducted at the height of the pandemic, but researchers think high rates of burnout are here to stay. Catherine Pearson, reporter at the NY Times, joins us for more.
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Researchers are constantly working on new vaccine delivery methods for Covid and are hoping that nasal vaccines could be better at preventing transmission and infection. Several candidates are in the works and in early clinical trials but the hope is that it could work better by taking hold in mucus membranes where the virus enters the body. Karen Weintraub, health reporter at USA Today, joins us for how you next booster could be taken up the nose.
Next, many people took advantage of programs that paused federal student loan payments and interest and saved money or put it into other financial priorities. But there were also some that remained diligent and continued to make payments as they could. The result for them was being able to pay off completely or a huge chunk of their federal loans. For those that did pay them off, now it’s about building new savings since this debt is now gone. Julia Carpenter, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for more.
Finally, less than six months ago, Netflix launched a website called Tudum that was supposed to build more fandom for their properties. Billed as place to offer news about shows, in-depth interviews, and exclusives, they site has had to lay off employees already. Current and former employees say that it suffered from lack of direction and strategy. Mia Sato, reporter at The Verge, joins us for what happened at Tudum.
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As the war in Ukraine rages on, we saw another high-profile U.S. visitor go to the country to show support. First Lady Jill Biden met with her counterpart Olena Zelenska, Ukraine’s first lady. The met at a school and showed support for mothers across the war-torn country. Ginger Gibson, deputy Washington digital editor at NBC News, joins us for this and a look at the fallout since the leak of the draft opinion of the Supreme Court. Justice Clarence Thomas has said the court can’t be bullied and that young people now show no respect for the law.
Next, we’ll tell you about a man named Vaughn Smith who cleans carpets for a living. Vaughn is also a hyperpolyglot. A hyperpolyglot is someone who can speak 11 languages or more, but Vaughn is special, by his count her can speak closer to 37 languages. To see what makes his brain tick, he decided to undergo an MRI at MIT and found that his brain does not function like that of a monolingual person. Jessica Contrera, reporter at The Washington Post, joins for more about Vaughn and what drove him to learn so much, a deep need for understanding others.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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UFOs continue to be in the news as classified briefings have begun on Capitol Hill, but some lawmakers are frustrated saying that intelligence agencies are not taking it seriously enough. Lawmakers see these sightings as national security issues and want more analysts and surveillance systems dedicated to finding the origins of these aircrafts instead of just more reports of sightings. Bryan Bender, senior national correspondent at Politico, joins us for what we know about these briefings.
Next, the war in Ukraine continues as Russia keeps intensifying its attacks on multiple fronts. On the cyber front however, Russia has not been able to make the impact it had hoped. Ukraine has managed to stay online with the help of Elon Musk’s Starlink terminals, crowdsourced intelligence collection, and even deployed facial recognition programs to identify captured or killed Russian soldiers. Justin Ling, contributor to Wired, joins us for the ongoing digital battle.
Finally, a check in on the gig economy as we are in this next phase of the pandemic. A rebound in travel has led Uber to post revenue at a 136% increase from pandemic lows making $6.9 billion in the first quarter. Still, drivers are having a tough time with high gas prices. On the other side of things, companies like Instacart are having a tough time finding their footing as people are ordering less groceries to be delivered. Kellen Browning, tech reporter at the NY Times, joins us for more.
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The education culture war is raging with discussions on everything from how we teach history, gender and sexuality and race. We are seeing textbooks being banned and laws being implemented restricting certain conversations in school settings. While some of these discussions have been loud and very contentious, a new poll says that for most parents, its more background noise. Majorities of parents, across party lines say that many of these issues are being taught in a way that does align with their personal values. Anya Kamenetz, education correspondent at NPR, joins us for how leading into the midterms, a very vocal minority is driving the discussion around education.
Next, it was one of the main tools that helped us transition to a work from home model during the pandemic, Zoom and other video conferencing apps. They helped us connect and collaborate when we could not do so in person. But a new study shows that compared to meeting in-person, creativity did take a bit of a hit. Because we are so focused on the video screen during these meetings, we lose sight of our environments and move less, both of which stimulate creativity. Erica Pandey, business reporter at Axios, joins us for the toll that video conferencing took on workplace creativity.
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The big story of the week is the draft opinion by the Supreme Court that was leaked on Monday. The draft may still undergo some changes, but everything points to the overturning of Roe v. Wade and with it, the constitutional right to an abortion. So how did we get here? Lawsuits over the years haven’t explicitly challenged that ruling, rather they have asked the Court to uphold restrictions that make is more difficult and expensive for clinics to provide abortions. If overturned, there are 22 states with laws on the books that could outright ban or ban abortions in the very early stages of pregnancy. Ian Millhiser, senior correspondent at Vox, joins us for what to expect.
Next, the leak of this draft opinion has been a rare breach that many say has never happened before. There have been calls for the leaker to be identified and criminally charged, but legal experts say that is unlikely. The draft opinions are not classified materials and if the person who did leak it had legitimate access to the document, then there is little that could be done. Also in question is how much the Justice Department could become involved in an investigation. Matt Zapotosky, national security correspondent at The Washington Post, joins us for more.
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Police records are showing that across the country, women are being stalked with Apple AirTags. When released the devices were touted as a way to help users keep track of missing items like your keys, wallet or car, but police reports are showing that some women were getting notifications that their phones were tracked by an AirTag they didn’t own. In some of those cases they could identify a man in their lives, usually an ex-partner, they suspected were trying to track them. Samantha Cole, tech reporter at Motherboard, joins us for how some are using them as stalking tools.
Next, the military has long had a special relationship with the Jeep, specifically the WWII Jeep. In 1940 the Army was taking bids for a new military vehicle and settled on a design by the Willys-Overland company that would be produced by Ford. How it got its name? The common belief is that it comes from the abbreviation of “G.P.” which was a common term of any military vehicle. The Jeep even drove up the Capitol steps. Miranda Summers Lowe, contributor to Task and Purpose, joins us for how the Jeep became America’s favorite military vehicle.
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Despite some positive signs in the economy, record high inflation, rising interest rates, and the GDP shrinking 1.4% has led many to worry about a possible recession coming our way. While it doesn’t seem like we are there quite yet, economists are mixed in their views of what to expect. This is also reflected in ongoing, sagging poll numbers for President Biden. He still has very low marks on the economy and voters say they trust Republicans more to fix it which doesn’t bode well for the midterms. Ginger Gibson, deputy Washington digital editor at NBC News, joins us this and Nancy Pelosi goes to Ukraine to show support.
Next, Gen Z doesn’t seem like they want to work and they are broadcasting it over social media. Many have said that they don’t have a dream job because they “don’t dream of labor.” The past few years of the pandemic have changed many attitudes when it comes to the work/life balance and young people entering the workforce at this time don’t want to get bogged down in toiling away with nothing to show for it. They have gained reputations as job hoppers and aren’t afraid to air grievances on social media with hashtags like #QuitTok. Terry Nguyen, reporter at Vox, joins us for more.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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Start saying goodbye to menthol cigarettes. The Biden administration has moved to ban the sales of menthols and flavored cigars, although it most likely would not take effect until 2024. A third of all cigarettes sold in the U.S. are menthols with $20 billion in annual sales and 18.6 million Americans who smoke them. We have already seen signals that at least one tobacco company plans to sue over the order. Menthols have been seen as especially dangerous to minorities who smoke them in greater numbers and also harder to quit. Jennifer Maloney, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for more.
Next, social media influencers are being given free or discounted beauty procedures in exchange for posts and some are beginning to regret it. Surgeons, clinics and med spas cannot advertise through official channels on platforms like TikTok, but they have gravitated toward exchanges with influencers to target larger and younger audiences. For the influencers themselves, they say it can be addictive starting with fillers and Botox and progressing into other surgical procedures, all in the bid to look perfect because of social media pressures. Kat Tenbarge, tech and culture reporter at NBC News, joins us for what to know.
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Fentanyl continues to spread rapidly through the U.S. drug supply and the community groups that work closely with those most at risk of overdosing say that Naloxone is needed in greater quantities and closer to users. Naloxone which reverses the effects of opioids comes in a nasal spray and an injectable, but cost has always been a problem. Speed is also of the utmost importance as the drug can quickly prove to be fatal. Julie Wernau, health and medicine reporter at the WSJ, joins us for how the strategy is changing on overdose-reversal drugs.
Next, a sound hack called 'binaural beats' is helping people to get a digital high. Our ears process sounds one before the other to figure out where the sound is coming from and the 'binaural beats' disrupts that with two similar but different sounds with no greater than a 30 Hz difference. People have said that these beats are helping them with focus, sleep, sexual arousal and even getting high. Sofia Quaglia, contributor to the Daily Beast, joins us for how it all works.
Finally, the country is drowning in spam. We are getting more spam in all its forms... texts, emails, social media and robocalls. In March alone, the average American received 42 spam texts. For spammers, it's all about the money and it's working as Americans reported losing $131 million to fraud schemes that were initiated by texts. The difficulty is that even as service providers try to crack down, spammers change their tactics. Sara Fischer, media reporter at Axios, joins us for more.
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Netflix is scrambling to figure out a way to retain subscribers as they ended the first quarter with 200,000 less people paying for their content. Netflix has long sold itself as a commercial free space for TV shows and movies, but is now exploring a lower priced option that is ad-supported. Another area the company hopes to cut back on is rampant account sharing. They estimate that 222 million households pay for the platform and it is being shared with another 100 million more homes. Price sensitive customers are also leaving for competitors with cheaper subscriptions. Joe Flint, media reporter at the WSJ, joins us for more.
Next, let’s talk about death… specifically what happens to your body. Cremation is now more popular than a traditional casket burial with 56% of Americans being cremated. Estimates say that by 2040, 80% of people could go that way. A number of factors are influencing these decisions such as the significantly cheaper cost and increasingly secular population. There have also been an increase in green burials where the body is put into biodegradable containers or even reduced to soil. Karen Heller, national features writer at The Washington Post, joins us for the rise of cremation.
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A software startup named Classroom Technologies has teamed up with Intel to monitor student emotions on Zoom. The system can detect whether students are bored, distracted or confused by looking at facial expressions and how they interact with content. There are a lot of critics of this “emotion AI” technology that say you can’t properly read students in this manner and also concerns over privacy and student surveillance. Real psychologists were brought in to teach the AI however. Kate Kaye, senior reporter at Protocol, joins us for more.
Next, there has been renewed attention on what the country does with its nuclear waste. Currently there are 80 sites in 35 states where spent nuclear fuel is being stored, but the problem is there is no long-term plan for its disposal. The ultimate goal would be to have an underground geological repository where it can be buried, but there have been many obstacles to getting it done. And if you wondered what this waste looks like, it’s not the glowing green ooze that you think. Rebecca Tuhus-Dubrow, contributor to The Washington Post, joins us for what to know.
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In less than two weeks, Richard Bernard Moore is set to be executed in South Carolina. The method he chose is firing squad. If this goes through he will be fourth prisoner in the country to die that way since 1976. Because of a law passed last year, it made the electric chair the default method of execution if lethal injection drugs could not be obtained. Moore chose firing squad because he opposes the electric chair, but still said that his two choices were unconstitutional. He is scheduled to be shot in the heart by 3 riflemen on April 29. Andrea Salcedo, reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for more.
Next, California may have reached a turning point when it comes to crime and homelessness. One of the bluest states in the country, CA has voted for policies aimed at reshaping criminal justice, but polls are showing a growing dissatisfaction with the direction that the state is going and has fueled recall efforts of progressive district attorneys in LA and SF. Christal Hayes, national correspondent at USA Today, joins us for how crime data tells a complicated story despite all the headlines and crimes that people have witnessed.
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President Biden has a number of issues that continue to bog down his approval ratings. Starting with the war in Ukraine, Biden recently said that Putin is a war criminal and that he is committing genocide there. Biden projects calm about Covid publicly, but officials are nervous another wave could hit. And approval rating are the lowest they have been, especially with young people. Ginger Gibson, deputy Washington digital editor at NBC News, joins us for what to know.
Next, there is a top-secret world to the lavish and private gigs of music stars. While these have always been around and evolved over the years, music stars can get paid millions to play private parties, weddings and more. The key thing in all of this is secrecy. Attendees to these parties usually sign NDAs to protect all parties from criticism of wealth inequality and how much money is transferred. Experts say this trend will continue as it has moved beyond old rock and nostalgia acts to pop stars. David Browne, senior writer at Rolling Stone, joins us for more.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
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Elon Musk continues to take Twitter on a roller coaster ride as he has now made an offer to buy the rest of the company. Musk has offered to buy it for $43 billion and said that Twitter has extraordinary potential and wants to unlock it. He is worth about $259 billion, so he can afford it, but says that to make the changes he thinks are necessary, the company needs to go private. Aaron Gregg, business reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for Musk’s hostile takeover bid.
Next, the CDC’s latest round of Covid guidelines are facing their first test. The guidelines now reflect a shift in priorities. They are moving away from trying to eliminate the transmission of the virus to reducing deaths and strain on the healthcare system. We will know if the guidelines fail right away, but a measure of success may be harder come by. Keren Landman, senior reporter for health and science, joins us for more.
Finally, more states and school districts are making moves to address the mental health of children, but there are some parents and activists that are pushing back saying school officials are acting in inappropriate roles and pushing progressive thinking. A lot of this stems from people wanting more parental rights in education. Caitlin Owens, health care reporter at Axios, joins us for how kids’ mental health could be America’s next culture war.
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The next big treatment for addiction may have presented itself. Several psychedelic drugs have been touted as effective treatments for alcohol and drug abuse, but psilocybin also known as magic mushrooms seems to be the most effective when combined with therapy. Psilocybin still remains illegal under federal law, but there are some clinical trials running to study the drug and how it can address the psychological needs of addiction. Brenden Borrell, contributor to the NY Times, joins us for more.
Next, when the Russian invasion of Ukraine began, many thought it would be a swift victory for Putin, but the Ukrainian military has fought valiantly and pushed them back as best they can. The secret to that success… years of training with NATO and other Western allies. For more than eight years, NATO and its members have worked with them to become a modern military with Western standards where soldiers are taught to think on the move rather than the rigid Soviet style of war that they came from and one that Russia currently employs. Daniel Michaels, Brussels Bureau Chief at the WSJ, joins us for how Ukraine’s military has improved over the years.
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Inflation ticks up again to a new four-decade high of 8.5%. This is now the sixth straight month of inflation over 6%. The current rate of inflation continues to be driven by high energy costs and more rises in grocery prices. Some economists hope that we are hitting a peak as prices in some sectors begin to ease, but the overall problem persists. Gwynn Guilford, economics reporter at the WSJ, joins us for more.
Next, a new proposal in California would shorten the work week to four days and force overtime beyond that. The plan would apply to companies with more than 500 employees and could in effect raise employees’ wages by 25% increasing costs for employers. There are currently pilot projects with 38 companies exploring the effects of switching to a four day work week. Wes Venteicher, reporter at The Sacramento Bee, joins us for what to know.
Finally, health experts with the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force will be issuing draft guidance that all children as young as 8 years old should be screened for anxiety. One of the things they point to is the effect that the pandemic has had on young kids and also an increase in numbers of kids aged 6-17 that have been diagnosed with anxiety and depression. Brianna Abbot, health reporter at the WSJ, joins us for what’s in the recommendations.
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Thousands of Etsy sellers have gone on strike. Protesting an increase of transaction fees, we are seeing as many as 14,000 sellers put their shops into vacation mode. The impact is unclear at the moment as Etsy has about 5 million sellers on the platform. Charity Scott, e-commerce reporter at the WSJ, joins us for more on this strike as the company makes efforts to become a bigger destination for shoppers.
Next, there’s another massive cargo ship that is stranded in Chesapeake Bay in Maryland and it has been there for a month now! The circumstances aren’t as disruptive as the last time a cargo ship was stuck in Suez Canal, but it is becoming somewhat of a destination for gawkers and those bored enough wanting to see a stranded ship. Julie Bykowics, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for how the Coast Guard will be making a third attempt to get the ship free.
Finally, the Army wants to build new barracks for its soldiers at Fort Bliss in Texas, but to save time and money, they will be using a 46-foot 3D printer. A machine called the Vulcan uses a special kind of concrete called Lavacrete to build the walls of the building at a lower cost than traditional construction. David Roza, Air Force reporter at Task and Purpose, joins us for what will be the largest 3D printed building in the western hemisphere once it’s done.
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There is a Covid outbreak in Washington D.C. where many that are close to the president have tested positive in recent days. A number of people attended a high profile dinner last week including the Attorney General and Agriculture Secretary. President Biden continues to test negative. Also as the midterm elections are on the horizon, former President Trump is endorsing Dr. Oz for Senate and Democrats are scrambling to change the narrative on the economy as many experts say they will have a tough time keeping majorities in Congress. Ginger Gibson, deputy Washington digital editor at NBC News, joins us for more.
Next, Epic Games has just released the latest version of their 3D software development tool called Unreal Engine 5. This tool allows gaming and movie developers to present intricate 3D details, facial realism, and large-scale world building. Epic says that the new update will make it the backbone of everything from movies and video games to metaverse experiences. It is free to download and use, but Epic will take a cut once projects developed using Unreal Engine 5 make over $1 million in revenue. Andrew Chow, culture and tech reporter for Time magazine, joins us for the impact it might have.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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As the war in Ukraine continues we are seeing a new surge of refugees at the border. More than 2,000 Ukrainians have reached the U.S. border with Mexico and more migrants from other countries are expected to seek asylum as the coronavirus public health order known as Title 42 will be lifted soon. Ukrainians have also been frustrated as there hasn’t been official guidance on how they can enter the U.S. Miriam Jordan, national immigration correspondent at the NY Times, joins us for more.
Next, drone deliveries are now a thing in Texas. ‘Wing’ is a division of Alphabet, Google’s parent company and just launched the first commercial service in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area. People will be able to order things like small items from Walgreens, pet medication and even ice cream and have it delivered straight to their door in a matter of minutes. Harry Guinness, contributor to Popular Science, joins us for how it works and whether it will catch on beyond a novelty.
Finally, we have a jobs alert! Walmart is raising the starting salary of its truck drivers to at least $95,000 and up to $110,000 for their first year. Walmart will also start a training program to help people earn their commercial driver’s license. As consumer buying habits have changed, Walmart needs to beef up its supply chain workers to make sure stores are stocked. Melissa Repko, retail and consumer reporter at CNBC, joins us for what to know.
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Good news for those with federal student loans. The Biden administration has extended the suspension of loan payments through August 31. This is the sixth time it has been extended. This will benefit about 41 million people so they don’t accrue interest on their loans. Danielle Douglas-Gabriel, reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for what to know about the extension what politics are at play.
Next, as people made the shift to working from home during the pandemic and starting new jobs because of the Great Resignation, everyone was using their cell phones instead of their old business lines and caller ID has been outing people. Because caller ID is linked to the plan holder, many young professionals are being outed as still being on their parents’ phone plane. Lindsay Ellis, careers reporter at the WSJ joins us for more.
Finally, young men have been driving the rebound of movie theaters. As studios have begun to release big budget movies in theaters, the films that have made the most money are those catering to this demographic. Young men have been more comfortable returning than older people and women after shutdowns. Erich Schwartzel, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for how this is influencing what entertainment looks like for everyone else.
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Elon Musk has acquired a 9.2% stake in Twitter making him the largest shareholder. That’s 73 million shares worth about $3 billion and now, he also has a seat with the board of directors. Musk has about 80 million followers and has been critical of Twitter in the past. Sarah Needleman, tech reporter at the WSJ, joins us for where many think Elon could play a big role at the company… issues of content moderation.
Next, are some people ‘super immune’ to Covid? There are many who have had Covid multiple times, while others have avoided infection all together. Researchers are currently studying health care workers whose bodies fought off infection, but never created specific antibodies for it. The hope is that understanding what kept them from getting sick could lead to better vaccines. Madison Muller, health reporter at Bloomberg News, joins us for more.
Finally, the use of certain drugs in small amounts is beginning to be claimed by wellness culture. Microdosing of magic mushrooms or even MDMA is getting more attention and even rewriting the definition of what it means to be sober. While research remains limited, many feel that the positive effects of small doses can be beneficial to their lives. Luke Winkie, contributor to Vox, joins us for the new sober-ish.
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Inflation continues to be at a 40-year high with no signs of letting up. In response, shoppers are starting to change their buying habits and cutting back on staples. Consumers are buying things in smaller quantities and also switching to store brands to save money. The big question is whether consumer product giants will adjust prices after betting big that people would stick with them. Sharon Terlep, consumer products reporter at the WSJ, joins us for more.
Next, there is an estimated 7.7 to 23 million people that might have had long Covid. In an effort to find root causes and treatments, patients suffering from these prolonged symptoms are joining with researchers to come up with answers. While that might seem like a given, that is not the usual partnership in place when studying diseases.. Frances Stead Sellers, senior writer at The Washington Post, joins us for how long Covid is changing medical research.
Finally, why are people acting so weird? We are seeing more crime, unruly people and other strange behavior recently and it begs the question, what’s up with that? Experts suggest a range of things have been influencing people with stress as the main culprit. People are also drinking more and are dealing with isolation. Olga Khazan, staff writer at The Atlantic, joins us for what’s going on with all this weird behavior.
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Amid shutdowns during the pandemic, the government stepped in quickly to provide much needed financial support to Americans and business owners, but maybe they moved too quickly. One of the plans to help was the Paycheck Protection Program also known as PPP which we now know has been looted by fraudsters to the tune of billions of dollars. The true amount may not be known, but in this program alone it could be about $80 billion and much of it is unrecoverable. To scam the government people inflated the number of employees they had or even created companies out of whole cloth and there was little verification. Laura Strickler, national investigative reporter at NBC News, joins us for the looting of the PPP.
Next, in an update to a story that was first reported on last fall, teen girls are still going to doctors offices with TikTok-related tics and other disorders as well. While some of these tics might seem like Tourette's, they are actually being diagnosed with functional neurological disorders which can include verbal tics and abnormal body movements. New research is supporting other theories that some of these girls were also susceptible to other disorders. Once they got treatment for the tics, other disorders began to develop, but doctors still think that social media videos play a factor. Julie Jargon, family and tech columnist joins us for more.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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Positive drug tests have hit a two-decade high mostly driven by an increase of positive marijuana tests. A couple of things are at play here. First, attitudes about marijuana are changing as more states move to legalize recreational use. Secondly, due to labor shortages, many businesses loosened drug screening policies to open themselves up to a wider pool of applicants. Will Feuer, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for more.
Next, President Biden has unveiled his plan to try and help ease gas prices across the country. We will be releasing one million additional barrels of oil per day from the national Strategic Petroleum Reserve for the next six months. The plan also includes putting pressure on energy companies to ramp up domestic production of oil. Jeff Stein, White House economics reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for the plan to lower gas prices.
Finally, over 5,000 sellers on the Etsy platform are planning a strike starting on April 11 to protest an increase in transaction fees that will be implemented on the same day. Sellers say that the company is making record sales and revenue but continues to saddle them with more fees and an influx of resellers and drop shippers on the site. Mia Sato, reporter at The Verge, joins us for why you might not be able to buy from your favorite sellers very soon.
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Many people who left their jobs during the Great Resignation are having regrets. About 20% of those that left didn’t think it was a good idea after all and many aren’t even planning on staying very long in their new positions. Reasons why they aren’t happy range from the new role being different from what they expected or even missing the culture of their old job. Paul Davidson, economics and jobs reporter at USA Today, joins us for more.
Next, according to the U.N. an estimated 4 million Ukrainians have fled the country mostly to nearby countries, especially Poland, which has taken in about 2.4 million people. Most of them have been women and children because of a law barring men of fighting age from leaving. While the numbers have begun to slow down, the refugee crisis will have long lasting effects. Joanna Sugden, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for how the number of those fleeing is larger than they first predicted.
Finally, the battle for your toilet paper is on. Due to the scarcity of traditional toilet paper during the pandemic, many people tried alternatives such as recycled toilet paper and paper made out of bamboo. Now these alternative companies are trying to maintain the momentum they have gained. Daniela Sirtori-Cortina, consumer goods reporter at Bloomberg News, joins us for how they are marketing to you, making sure you know it’s sustainable and most importantly, soft.
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The FDA has authorized a second Covid booster shot for people 50 and older and those 12 and older that have weakened immune systems. The decision was mostly based on data from Israel that shows it could be lifesaving for those over 60 but has only marginal benefits for younger people. Carolyn Johnson, science reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for the latest and also how the FDA will soon meet to discuss the long-term booster strategy for the rest of the population.
Next, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed the controversial Parental Rights in Education bill, known to opponents as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill. One of the key stories that influenced the formation of the bill is a lawsuit by January Littlejohn and her husband against Leon County Schools where they claimed that school officials helped their child transition to a different gender without keeping them informed. The conversation on this will continue as it doesn’t go to trial until next year and for Republicans, they see parental rights as a winning issue for the midterms. Andrew Atterbury, Florida education reporter at Politico, joins us for more.
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Inflation continues to be a problem with a not so easy solution. Part of the problem is not everyone agrees on the absolute causes so the fixes are also not agreed upon. Most can agree that supply chain issues, rising oil prices and shifting consumer demands are all contributors. While the Fed and the White House try to help, they are limited in what they can do. Emily Stewart, senior correspondent at Vox, joins us for the complicated issue.
Next, a new supply chain issue could be on its way soon to one of the busiest ports in the world. New contract negotiations for more than 22,000 union dockworkers will begin soon and if history is any indicator, we are in for some disruptions. These workers have been working around the clock for most of the pandemic and some points of resistance could be more automation at the ports. Peter Goodman, global economics correspondent at the NY Times, joins us for this possible supply chain risk.
Finally, crime concerns in Los Angeles are leading to wealthier homeowners to seek out panic room installs in their homes. Depending on the build-out, the price can range anywhere from $100,000 to a million dollars. These safe rooms can be outfitted with biometric scans for entry and even with high-end amenities. Hadley Meares, contributor to the Hollywood Reporter, joins us for the rising demand for safe rooms.
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President Biden wrapped up his European trip with a message of unity for European allies, reassurances for Poland and a gaffe that some thought was him calling for regime change in Russia. We also saw a new round of poll numbers that don't look good for Biden. Approval rating is low and confidence in handling of Russia and the economy also took hits. Ginger Gibson, deputy Washington digital editor at NBC News, joins us for more.
Next, the return to in-person learning for students this year has yielded some improvement in test scores in reading and math, but still not to pre-pandemic levels. Young students still seem to be struggling, especially those that were learning to read in the last two years. Many teachers were alarmed to see how behind some were academically and emotionally when returning. Sara Randazzo, education reporter at the WSJ, joins us for how test scores are rising.
Finally, last June the Department of Defence released its much hyped UFO report and it landed without much information. Now an activist has published a longer and redacted report that members of Congress were briefed with. While still lacking a lot of clear information we did get an idea of other sections in the report that focused on possible new advanced technologies and most interestingly, the most common shapes of UFOs observed. Jason Koebler, editor in chief at Motherboard, joins us for this latest development.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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Could stimulus checks for gas be headed your way soon? Consumers could see increased costs of $2,000 this year due to gas prices. Three different plans have been proposed on the federal level to help ease the pain of high prices. But while lawmakers are trying to hand out more money, there are concerns it could make inflation worse. Aimee Picchi, reporter at CBS Moneywatch, joins us for what’s in these plans.
Next, President Biden is in Europe meeting with NATO and European allies to discuss next steps with Russia and how to help Ukraine. In response to the refugee crisis, Biden said that the U.S. will welcome up to 100,000 Ukrainians and is looking for ways to expedite the process. Biden also pledged more than $1 billion in new humanitarian assistance. Stef Kight, politics and immigration reporter at Axios, joins us for how the refugee process could work.
Finally, Hollywood loves its sequels, so much so that they barely even bother to change the name. Take the latest “Scream” or “Texas Chainsaw Massacre,” often new movies in the same franchise just add or subtract “the” or it remains exactly the same. Filmmakers say it’s not being lazy, rather it pays homage to the original and gets a new generation interested in a franchise. Chris Kornelis, contributor to the WSJ, joins us for more.
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If you traded in crypto or bought NFTs last year, don’t forget you might be on the hook for all those taxes. NFTs in particular are posing a problem for consumers and accountants. Depending on the crypto used to buy it and who’s doing the selling, NFT transactions can be taxed as income, short or long-term capital gains, collectibles or dividends. Sam Sutton, reporter at Politico, joins us for the confusing classifications of NFTs.
Next, according to a review of patient data, people who had Covid-19 were at a greater risk of developing Type 2 diabetes within a year, than those who avoided getting sick. Looking at the records of over 180,000 VA patients researchers calculated that those that got Covid were 46% more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes for the first time or prescribed medication to control blood sugar. Lenny Bernstein, health and medicine reporter at The Washington post, joins us for more.
Finally, as sanctions hit Russian oligarchs to put pressure on Putin to end his invasion of Ukraine, we have seen their yachts try to get to friendlier waters. Yacht watchers have been tracking their movements as they try to avoid being seized and as they even get denied fuel. Benoit Faucon, senior reporter at the WSJ, joins us for how some Russian oligarchs’ yachts are on the run.
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The war in Ukraine has caused a refugee crisis where the U.N. says that over 3.5 million people have fled the country, but we are also hearing that Russians are also leaving because of the invasion. While most are going to nearby countries some have made the trip here to the southern border with Mexico attempting to seek asylum and frustration has been mounting that they are not getting in like Ukrainians are. For those that do get in, they are being given a 1-year stay in the country. Steve Gregory, reporter for KFI News in Los Angeles, took a trip to the border and spoke to one Russian family seeking asylum.
Next, as we progress through the pandemic and we see some positive trends with fewer cases and hospitalizations, the concern is always what could be coming next. A new strain circulating in Europe and quickly spreading here may not lead to a new wave, but vaccine makers have asked for approval for a 4th round of booster shots and the question is, where does that end? We could be in store for boosters every year until we can develop a universal coronavirus vaccine. Robert Langreth, science and health reporter at Bloomberg News, joins us for the future of booster shots.
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One of the biggest debates of the pandemic was how to proceed with school as the virus disrupted everything. Everything from learning remotely or in person to wearing masks was a point of contention, but at the Lewis-Palmer school district in Colorado, they chose to keep kids in class and made masks optional. What resulted were students who flourished and boosted some of their test scores when other districts in the state lagged behind. Perry Stein, education reporter at The Washington post, joins us for how this district tried to proceed as normal.
Next, for many people that have experienced long Covid, they have had to deal with not only prolonged symptoms, but the hassle of trying to fight for disability benefits. We still understand very little about long Covid and how severe the effects are can be difficult to measure. Insurers demand that there be evidence that a person cannot work, and some medical tests may not clearly show an impairment leading to denials of benefits. Christopher Rowland, business of health reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for the fight for disability payments.
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The war in Ukraine stretches on as reports come in that Russia is using hypersonic missiles as well reports that they shelled an art school where 400 residents were taking shelter. Despite the continued onslaught, some experts say that the war could be headed toward a stalemate. Russia has mounting casualties, loss of equipment, and had their progress on the ground slow down. The thought is that Ukraine might not be able to push them out of the country, but Russia can't take more of Ukraine. Ginger Gibson, deputy Washington digital editor at NBC News, joins us for this and a preview of the confirmation hearings for Kentanji Brown Jackson.
Next, the country runs on Amazon deliveries and we have all seen the Amazon branded vans in our neighborhoods. Back in 2018, they launched their Delivery Service Partner program as an opportunity for people to build small businesses using Amazon's technology, processes and experience in logistics. While definitely an opportunity, it can be tough to turn a profit as partners must foot the cost for worker compensation claims, leases on vans, and damage repairs. Amazon also holds control on almost all aspects of the business. Lauren Kaori Gurley, reporter at Vice News, joins us for how some Amazon delivery companies are being crushed by debt.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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The Secret Service has released a new report on the growing terrorism threat of incels. These are men that call themselves “involuntary celibates” or “anti-feminists.” The report looked into incidents of violence linked to this type of extremism including a series of red flags before a man opened fire inside Hot Yoga Tallahassee killing two and injuring four in 2018. Nicole Sganga, Homeland Security reporter at CBS News, joins us for the findings of the report.
Next, the surging prices of used cars are turning them into profitable investments for those willing to part with them. Used car prices have surged 41% since last year and some are finding that they can make money on what was once a rapidly depreciating asset. Claire Ballentine, personal finance reporter at Bloomberg News, joins us for used car flipping and what to watch out for… taxes!
Finally, most of the world has rallied behind Ukraine in their struggle to fight off the Russian invasion. Ukrainian President Zelensky announced the creation of the International Legion of Territorial Defense for foreigners looking to support them and we have seen some Americans and veterans answer the call to serve. Jeff Schogol, senior Pentagon reporter at Task and Purpose, joins us for how some vets are in search of a just war.
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Hi, Daily Dive fans! iHeartPodcasts and Pushkin Industries are excited to announce What's Your Problem - a brand new tech/business podcast where entrepreneurs and engineers discuss problems they’re solving to change the world. Hosted by Jacob Goldstein, former Co-Host of NPR's Planet Money. A show that brings out creative perspectives and wild decisions, but don't just take our word for it. Check out the trailer to decide for yourself!
About What’s Your Problem: The show where people at the top of their fields talk about the problems they’re trying to solve right now. Hosted by Jacob Goldstein, former Co-Host of NPR's Planet Money.
Listen and subscribe to What’s Your Problem on the iHeartRadio app or wherever you get your podcasts!
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The U.S. will provide $800 million in new military aid to Ukraine, totaling over $1 billion so far to help them fight back against Russia. This comes after Ukrainian President Zelensky made an impassioned plea to Congress for more help including a no-fly zone. It still doesn’t seem that the U.S. or European allies are ready to take that step, hoping to avoid a wider conflict. Julia Manchester, national political reporter at The Hill, joins us for more.
Next, more than a third of the CDC’s wastewater samples across the U.S. are showing rising Covid trends the first two weeks of March. Sewer samples can often spot increasing virus levels before official tests results. It’s unclear if this points to an upcoming wave, but we currently have 98% of the U.S. population that is in places with a low community level rating. Drew Armstrong, senior editor for healthcare at Bloomberg News, joins us for what the wastewater is signaling.
Finally, the Covid pill made by Merck has been prescribed heavily despite some concerns. Regulators and doctors think that the Merck pill should be one of the last options in treating Covid because concerns that it could cause birth defects and cause more variants to form. But with Pfizer’s pill in limited supply, many doctors have turned to molnupiravir. Jared Hopkins, pharma reporter at the WSJ, joins us for what to know about the Merck Covid antiviral.
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Inflation is keeping the prices of goods high and the Russian invasion of Ukraine is causing oil and gas prices to rise, but your electric bill is also soaring. Natural gas prices are being affected by the Ukraine crisis and raising the costs for utilities to produce electricity. As a result customers are seeing increases of up to 20%. Katherine Blunt, energy reporter at the WSJ, joins us for why your electric bill is going up.
Next, rising crime has been on everyone’s mind lately and in California, the conversation over criminal justice reform and crime policies will play out over the next state attorney general race and also a pair of efforts aimed at recalling two progressive district attorneys in LA and SF. The crime issue will also be made a centerpiece for the midterm elections nationally. Jeremy White, writer for the CA Playbook at Politico, joins us for more.
Finally, the workplace has gone through drastic changes as a result of the pandemic and even attitudes about work have changed. With more job openings than people looking for work, employees feel like they have all the power, but how long can that last? There is also a movement for better pay transparency, but would you disclose how much you make to others? Tess Vigeland, host of the new WSJ podcast “As We Work” joins us to talk about the changing dynamics of the workplace.
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California’s high speed rail is an ambitious infrastructure project that is behind schedule, billions of dollars over budget, and struggling to maintain support as the political energy behind it is murky at best. Plenty of work is being done right now, but it doesn’t completely match what was originally sold. Jill Cowan, California reporter at the NY Times, joins us for a look at where the biggest infrastructure project of them all is currently standing.
Next, the war in Ukraine is threatening the economic recovery here at home. Supply chains haven’t fully recovered from the pandemic and inflation is at record highs. Sanctions on Russia are crippling their economy, but also hurting us when it comes to energy, cars and food. Emily Peck, markets correspondent at Axios, joins us for more.
Finally, the CDC wants to monitor everyone’s poop, but states are not all on board. During the pandemic, state and local health officials were able to detect Covid in their communities before residents developed symptoms and the CDC wants to expand those programs to stay ahead of variants and other viruses too. States would need a widespread buy-in for this to be successful, but may logistical challenges remain. Katherine Foley, healthcare reporter at Politico, joins us for the plan to monitor the nation’s sewage.
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Russia continues its assault on Ukraine this time targeting a military base just miles away from the Polish border. The airstrike killed at least 35 and injured over 130 people. The two major concerns at the moment are that Putin is inching closer to a NATO ally which would draw the U.S. into a conflict if attacked, but also there is a fear that Russia might be gearing up to use chemical weapons. Ginger Gibson, deputy Washington digital editor at NBC News, joins us for this latest attack, social media platforms being banned and inflation and high gas prices could endanger economic recovery here at home.
Next, there is a hidden cost to taxpayers for accusations of repeated police misconduct. The Washington Post collected data on nearly 40,000 payments at 25 of the nation's largest police and sheriff's departments and found that about $3.2 billion has been paid out to people claiming police misconduct. Many of the officers had multiple accusations. In most cases it is easier to just settle claims rather than long drawn out defenses and in paying a settlement, the officer or the department don't have to admit wrongdoing. Steven Rich, database editor for investigations at The Washington Post, joins us for more.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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Inflation continues to be the highest it has been in 40 years driving costs up, but drivers nationwide are also having to contend with spiking gas prices which are the highest since 2008. The invasion in Ukraine and bans on Russian oil and natural gas are keeping these prices high with no end in sight. Michael Laris, transportation reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for how people are adjusting as gas keeps going up.
Next, President Biden’s ‘test to treat’ program started rolling out this week to praise and also many questions. People will be able will be able to walk into participating pharmacies or clinics and if they test positive for Covid, they will be given a free course of Pfizer or Merck’s antiviral pills. Questions are still floating around about supply of pills, rapid tests, and concerns over drug to drug interactions. Katie Shepherd, health and science reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for more.
Finally, the cost of going out is also going up with inflation creating problems for the nightlife industry. The increased costs for supplies and labor for restaurants and bars is leading to raising entrance fees and charging more for food and drink. The need to socialize and go out is high post-pandemic, but the high cost is making people reconsider. Anna Kambhampaty, styles reporter at the NY Times, joins us for nightlife inflation.
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The U.S. and European allies have done as much as they can to support Ukraine except for getting their militaries involved. The challenge is not engaging in fighting with Russia for fear it could spur WW3. Military analysts think that the risk of use of nuclear weapons is low, but it’s not a chance anyone wants to take. Stephen Fidler, bureau chief at large for the WSJ, joins us for how the West continues to help without getting directly involved in fighting.
Next, a sad follow up to a story that was a medical first. David Bennett, the first patient ever to receive an animal organ genetically modified to prevent rejection in a person, has died. He died two months after being implanted with a pig heart. The heart was working fine for weeks, but Bennett’s health deteriorated in the last few days. Karen Weintraub, health reporter at USA Today, joins us for what we know.
Finally, Disney has been hearing from upset fans angry about the high cost of tickets and fees for line-cutting apps that used to be free. Pent up demand is sending people to both Disney World and Disneyland in droves, but many increasingly feel that fun trips are out of reach without some serious investment. Hannah Sampson, travel reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for more.
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President Biden has announced the latest steps to maintain pressure on Russia as Putin continues the Ukrainian invasion… banning the imports of Russian oil and natural gas. In his announcement Biden acknowledged two key things: First, we will see increased gas prices as a result and secondly, some of our European allies won’t be able to take the same steps right away because of their dependence on Russian energy. Russia is the world’s third-largest oil producer and Europe is their biggest customer. Justin Scheck, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for how the oil bans will affect prices in the U.S.
Next, the Great Resignation saw many people choose to leave their toxic jobs for better ones or leave for jobs that offered a better work-life balance. But not everyone left and some just opted to take it a little easier and work less. Employers struggling to retain workers are just having to deal with it. The Hustle culture is over and the challenge for employers is to figure out how to navigate changing workplace attitudes. The new hybrid work life might be one that accommodates both types of employees. Aki Ito, senior correspondent at Business Insider, joins us for the new coasting culture at work.
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Inflation keeps rising for the moment and could get worse before it gets better as the situation in Ukraine shows no signs of slowing down. Trying to figure out when prices will come down is tough and depends on many factors affects cars, rent, and energy costs. Gwynn Guilford, economics reporter at the WSJ, joins us for what’s coming down and what’s going up this year.
Next, a new study looking at brain scans of people before and after contracting Covid shows that they had more loss of gray matter and tissue damage than those who did not get infected. Notably, the study looked at those that were older and had more mild infections, meaning they did not have to go to the hospital. The shrinkage and damage was primarily in areas associated with smell. Pam Belluck, health and science writer at the NY Times, joins us for more.
Finally, more Americans are reporting that they are starting to feel the health worker shortage. Demand in health services is going back up as people are getting into their regular checkup routines, but they are finding it difficult navigating canceled appointments or delayed surgeries. More than one in five people said they skipped annual checkups and getting back hasn’t been so smooth. Tina Reed, healthcare editor at Axios, joins us for how the health worker shortage continues to affect us.
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Putin and Russia continue their attacks on Ukraine with civilians increasingly getting targeted in the fighting. A short-lived ceasefire was supposed to let people flee safely, but the shelling continued again. In Russia, anti-war protesters are being detained and a new law was just passed giving someone 15 years in prison for spreading what they call fake news about the invasion. Ukraine's President Zelensky in the meantime made pleas to NATO for a no-fly zone and to the U.S. to provide more support including an embargo on Russian oil. Ginger Gibson, deputy Washington digital editor at NBC News, joins us for this and the latest on Trump and the Jan. 6 committee.
Next, for months many parents have been waiting for Covid vaccines for their children under 5. Instead there has been growing confusion and frustration at shifting timelines, delays, and poor communication from the FDA. Also in question is whether the vaccine for very young children will be a two or three dose protocol. Pfizer and Moderna say more data for this age group will be coming very soon and that authorization could hopefully come by April or May. Caroline Chen, healthcare reporter at ProPublica, joins for what's holding up the vaccine for kids under 5.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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Educators have been experimenting with new grading systems since before the pandemic, but when everything switched to remote learning and students were having a tough time keeping up, many teachers did away with the traditional A-F grades. Some experiments include relaxing penalties for late or incomplete work and retaking exams once an understanding of the material had been established. Valerie Strauss, education reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for the hunt for a fairer grading system.
Next, New York City is about to let non-citizens vote in elections for mayor, City Council and other local elections. This will not include undocumented immigrants, but is open to about 800,000 green card holders and others authorized to work in the country. Lawsuits have already been filed and opponents say it could dilute the power of Black voters. Erin Durkin, reporter at Politico New York, joins us for more.
Finally, the office romance might have made a comeback, and it happened all over Zoom. Two years of isolation led to many making more connections over video chats and Slack with co-workers. Even for front-line workers, smaller social circles meant spending more time with and falling for your fellow employee. Callum Borchers, On the Clock columnist at the WSJ, joins us for how workplace loved bloomed despite being at home.
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President Biden tried to strike a tone of unity during his State of the Union speech and at key points it seems he succeeded. Speaking about the country’s support for the Ukrainian people and opposition to Putin’s invasion Biden received applause from both sides of the aisle. He later highlighted issues that do garner bipartisan support like fixing the opioid epidemic, funding the police, mental health and fighting cancer. The Republican response focused on what we might be seeing during the midterm elections… a focus on parents and education and hammering Biden on inflation. Julia Manchester, national political reporter at The Hill, joins us for all the fallout.
Next, in another preview of what we could be seeing in the midterm elections, Texas had its primary and the establishment seems to have maintained the momentum for now. No incumbent Republican was ousted especially Gov. Greg Abbott who won easily despite some early pushback from the right. President Trump was also a player in the primary as he supported some 16 House incumbents and 2 candidates in open seats. David Siders, national political reporter at Politico, joins us for more.
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We could be in store for a more brutal phase of fighting in the Russian invasion of Ukraine. We have seen some civilian targets be hit and deaths as a result, but all eyes are on this Russian convoy headed toward Kyiv. In the meantime, the isolation of Putin and his country continue as financial and social sanctions hamper the economy and keeps Russians from participating in world events. Dave Lawler, world editor at Axios, joins us for more.
Next, the refugee crisis as a result of the Ukrainian invasion is shaping up to be a huge concern. Over 600,000 people have fled to nearby countries and the numbers are rising. The good news is that Europe is opening its doors when they had been more reluctant in situations past. Lara Jakes, diplomatic correspondent at the NY Times, joins us for how the U.S. and others are handling the influx of Ukrainians.
Finally, with cases of Covid dropping and mask mandates going away, it does seem that we are moving to the next phase of the pandemic, but how many people have actually been infected with coronavirus? A new analysis of blood tests that reveal antibodies from infection estimates that 140 million people have come down with it, that’s 43% of the country that has had a natural infection. Dan Keating, health reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for this and how a majority of children have also been infected.
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The West has pressed on with more sanctions and economic punishment for Putin and Russia causing the ruble to crash and closing down their stock market. The big question still remains, how long can Putin let his country feel the economic effects of a prolonged attack. For now, U.S. officials have ruled out imposing a no-fly zone, for fear of a larger conflict. The invasion is even affecting other countries such as Germany which has pledged to dramatically increase its defense spending. Nahal Toosi, senior foreign affairs correspondent at Politico, joins us for how a harsher strategy is being taken with Putin.
Next, we are seeing doctors around the world reporting that patients are coming in with the sudden onset of Tourette’s-like tics. Particularly they are seeing more teenage girls which do not fit the typical profile of someone with Tourette’s and more interesting, many of them seem to share the same outbursts, leading some to believe that social media could be behind it. Theories have gone around suggesting it could be mass psychogenic illness or another condition called functional neurological disorder. Helen Lewis, staff writer at The Atlantic, joins us for what could be behind these new-style tics.
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Ukraine has agreed to talk with Russia hoping to end the invasion, but say they want peace talks and are not ready to surrender. There is little hope for a resolution as Putin has ratcheted up the tensions by ordering his nuclear deterrent forces to be on high alert and with Ukrainians banding together, Russian forces are having a more difficult time taking over the country. Ginger Gibson, deputy Washington digital editor at NBC News, joins us for more.
Next, as Covid infections are dropping, Americans are going back to bars, movies and sporting events but one place they aren't going back to is the office. Employers are doing everything they can to get their workers back, but many have found a work-life balance that they don't want to let go of. It's not even about Covid as 61% of remote workers are doing so by choice. Callum Borchers, On The Clock columnist at the WSJ, joins us for why workers just don't want to go back.
Finally, the days of the International Space Station are numbered as NASA plans to retire it by 2031. It will be quite a spectacle as the plans are to gradually lower it closer to earth with a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. With this massive hole in low Earth orbit, it will also set off the race for private companies to be the next big space research hub. Amanda Schupak, contributor at The Daily Beast, tells us what's next for the ISS.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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The Russian invasion of Ukraine continues as we see President Biden announce even stricter sanctions imposed on Russian banks and oligarchs hoping to deter Putin from his mission. But things have progressed too much with reports of Ukrainian deaths, Russia capturing nuclear site Chernobyl, and worries of how far this can go. We are even seeing reports of anti-war protests in Russia. Julia Manchester, national political reporter at the Hill, joins us for the latest sanctions, the impact they might have, and the politics surrounding the invasion.
Next, we will tell you about the Nocturnals. The ultra-introverts that prefer to go about their lives at night relishing in the solitude and quiet. The people that seek out this lifestyle by choice go against what many psychologists think is an important part of human interaction and also against their own natural circadian rhythms. But some feel that the inconveniences of operating at night or even the possible health effects are acceptable trade-offs because it makes them happier and truer to themselves. Faith Hill, associate editor at The Atlantic, joins us for more.
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Russia continues to make moves for a full-scale invasion of Ukraine with reports that troops are ready to go. In the meantime the U.S. is considering tougher sanctions and even going a step further with export control methods that could keep Russia from obtaining U.S. and foreign made tech. This would degrade industrial production in Russia by keeping things like commercial electronics, semiconductors, and aircraft parts out of their hands. Alexandra Alper, White House reporter at Reuters, joins us for more.
Next, new research shows that everything we see could be from 15 seconds in the past. Our eyes and brains create an illusion of stability so we don’t feel dizzy or nauseated. Instead of analyzing every single visual snapshot, we perceive an average of what we saw in the past 15 seconds. Caroline Delbert, contributing editor at Popular Mechanics, joins us for what this new research says.
Finally, a feel good story about community coming together to help without even asking why. Claire Rowan’s 16 year-old son Will, depends on a specific powdered infant formula as his only source of food. The problem happened when the FDA recalled that formula. That led to Rowan scrambling to find a replacement and posting to online groups where the community took it upon themselves to help track down more. Sydney Page, reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for how everyone came together to help.
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President Biden has said that we are seeing the “beginning of a Russian invasion of Ukraine” as Putin has moved troops into two separatist regions in eastern Ukraine. In response to that, President Biden announced a round of sanctions against Russian banks and oligarchs to keep them from conducting financial transactions with the West. Mariana Alfaro, reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for what to know about the sanctions and how it could affect gas prices here in the U.S.
Next, in this unrelenting U.S. housing market, renting a home could be harder than buying a home. With a high demand and continuing low supply we have seen rental prices for single-family homes rise 7.8% last year. With people being priced out of owning a home, many resort to renting, only to find the same problems… a rental listing pops up, and an immediate flood of applications for that property. Allison McNeely, personal finance reporter at Bloomberg News, joins us for more.
Finally, get ready to start hearing the term megadrought more often when talking about the American Southwest. A new study shows that the past two decades have been the driest in 1,200 years. The study also illustrates the role that temperature plays, more so than precipitation, when it comes to fueling these megadroughts. Henry Fountain, climate reporter at the NY Times, joins us for how we could be in store for this for possibly another ten years.
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Everyone wants a service dog and the demand for these helpful pups has led to the rise of an industry with almost no regulation and it can be pricey. Organizations can charge anywhere from $15,000 to $40,000 for a fully trained service dog depending on the type of ailments they are supposed to help with. Trainers for their part do incur a lot of costs for boarding, training and feeding and must also account for some 60% of dogs that don't make it through the training process. Some families in desperate need of these services opt for buying their own dog and then getting them trained which could be a gamble. Markian Hawryluk, senior Colorado correspondent for Kaiser Health News, joins us for the 'Wild West' market of service dogs.
Next, like many industries, the pandemic has taken the plant-based food industry on a rollercoaster ride. Early on, regular meat prices rose by about 40% which led to sales of plant-based meat as an alternative rise by 65%. However, by the end of last year sales were down leading many to think that maybe the novelty had worn off and the industry had peaked. The reality is that there is still a lot more to come, whether it be in the form of more fast food launches or other products beyond meat alternatives such as chicken, seafood, and bacon. Kenny Torella, reporter at Vox, joins us for the pandemic highs and lows of the plant-based food industry.
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The center for many of the discussions surrounding covid policy, race and gender is your local school board. School districts are having to navigate constantly changing health guidelines and other hot button issues while they face threats of violence often from anonymous harassers. One school board member in Virginia named Brenda Sheridan was the target of many letters and voicemails in which she and her children received threats of death. School board members are asking for increased security during meetings and police are having a difficult time tracking down the anonymous threats. Gabriella Borter, U.S. national correspondent at Reuters, joins us for more.
Next, many metaverse early adopters are finding themselves accident prone as they play with VR headsets. It can make for some funny videos on social media, but the injuries can be very real. One teen fell and fractured his kneecap within hours of opening his new headset, others have broken vases and even injured innocent bystanders. There is even a Reddit group called VRtoER where people share stories and videos of their mishaps. Salvador Rodriguez, tech reporter at the WSJ, joins us for how you still need to be careful even in virtual spaces.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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The threat of a Russian invasion of Ukraine still looms with officials saying it could happen within several days. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, appearing at the United Nations, laid out what a Russian invasion could look like saying that missiles and bombs could drop across Ukraine, communications would be jammed, and cyber-attacks could shut down key institutions. Officials said that Russia could be trying to set up a pretext such as a violent event that would justify an invasion. Nahal Toosi, senior foreign affairs correspondent at Politico, joins us for more.
Next, gunshot detection devices that are used in cities across the U.S. are getting criticism for their high cost and whether they are effective at reducing crime. One such company is called ShotSpotter who has contracts with about 120 police agencies who pay $65,000 to $90,000 a year for each square mile of service. The other angle to this is that ShotSpotter helps police departments apply for federal grants so they can afford the technology. Jon Schuppe, reporter at NBC News Digital, joins us for how ShotSpotter is winning police contracts and fighting criticism.
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In good medical news, a woman in New York City appears to have been cured of HIV. The woman also had a form of leukemia which made her a candidate for a transplant of stem cells that carry a rare genetic mutation that blocks HIV. She received those stem cells in the form of umbilical-cord blood from a newborn. While scientists are encouraged by this development, treating HIV with transplants is still risky and costly and really only an option for those that need them for treatment for other diseases like cancer. Betsy McKay, senior writer at the WSJ, joins us for more.
Next, we are learning more about a massive human smuggling ring that was led by U.S. Marines stationed at Camp Pendleton. This story dates back to 2019 where Marines were recruited to pick up immigrants near the border and drive them inland to be released. They made perfect smugglers because no one would suspect them and wave them passed various checkpoints. It was obviously all about money and soldiers could make anywhere from $500-$750 per immigrant that they picked up. In the end, many of the Marines involved in the plot were let go on technicalities. Emily Green, reporter for Vice News, joins us for how it all went down.
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DoorDash is bumping up its fees on the restaurant side of things. Specifically when it comes to McDonald’s, the delivery platform will charge higher commissions when orders are taking longer to fill and if drivers are kept waiting. It is all an effort to improve efficiency and cut losses. We all know that getting food delivered is more expensive, but we are also learning that you are being charged more for the food itself than if you ordered it in-store. Heather Haddon, restaurants reporter at the WSJ, joins us for more.
Next, Tesla is currently running a beta test of its “Full self-driving” mode on certain models and looking at footage posted by beta testers, it is not going as smooth as Tesla might have hoped. No injuries or major accidents have been recorded, but what we see is a system that is still hesitant in certain situations, struggle to control the system, and a near miss with a pedestrian. Faiz Siddiqui, tech reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for a look at how this mode handles in real-world situations.
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Public health experts are worried about the next crisis that could overwhelm the healthcare system… a wave of cancers that we didn’t catch. The rates of cancer screenings dropped over the pandemic and have not recovered. Many put off regular screenings and may have missed a diagnosis that could save their lives. Dylan Scott, senior correspondent at Vox, joins us for this problem which we might not see the extent of for years.
Next, the search for Dillon the Pickle is on. The costume for the Portland Pickles mascot is missing and police are on the hunt to get it back. After being lost on a plane on a trip back from the Dominican Republic, the duffel bag with the costume was found by the airline and placed on the porch of the team’s general manager, only to have the bag stolen by a man with a mask on. Joseph Pisani, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for the hunt for this pickle mascot.
Finally, after leaving their jobs in the Great Resignation what are the jobs that people actually want? According to Google search data, some of the top “How to become” searches last year were real estate agent, flight attendant, therapist and notary. While the search data doesn’t indicate if people actually picked up those jobs, it does track with other pandemic trends. Rani Molla, senior data reporter at Recode, joins us for more on the jobs Americans want.
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The threat of a Russian invasion in Ukraine is still keeping Western officials on high alert. President Biden and Vladimir Putin held an hour-long discussion over the weekend where Biden said there would be "swift and severe" consequences should they attack Ukraine. In the meantime, Russia has other ways of maintaining pressure through a destabilization campaign of cyber attacks, fake bomb threats, and economic disruption. Ginger Gibson, deputy Washington digital editor at NBC News, joins us for this and former President Trump's penchant for destroying records.
Next, a woman in San Antonio named Jane became one of the first to undergo surgery for a treatment of Alzheimer's called deep brain stimulation. This is not a treatment to reverse the disease, rather it is aimed at helping people maintain their memories and independence. The surgery involved implanting electrodes in the brain to keep the memory areas stimulated. The process uses a very sophisticated robotic system to make the precise movements needed while the patient is awake. Dr. Alexander Papanastassiou, associate professor of neurosurgery at UT Health San Antonio, was involved in this surgery and joins us for how it all works.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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Inflation has crept up to 7.5%, the highest it has been in 40 years. Prices of food, energy and used cars are all up, and in practical terms, the average U.S. household is spending an additional $276 a month. The middle class also continues to be hit harder than other groups. Gwynn Guilford, economics reporter at the WSJ joins us for how much inflation is costing you.
Next, Russia has begun conducting military drills on the Ukraine border worrying Western officials that they are readying for an invasion. In the meantime, President Biden has approved a plan to help Americans flee Ukraine if Russia does invade. Biden has warned Americans in the area to get out because things could go crazy quickly. Nancy Youssef, national security correspondent at the WSJ, joins us for more.
Finally, a New York City couple was arrested Tuesday on charges that they laundered some $4.5 billion that was stolen in a breach of a cryptocurrency exchange. In 2016 almost 120,000 Bitcoin was stolen from crypto exchange Bitfinex. Federal officials wanted to make clear that despite the security of crypto, it is still highly traceable and criminals should beware. Justin Rohrlich, reporter at the Daily Beast, joins us for the largest financial seizure ever by federal officials.
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High inflation is now hitting you in another place you might not expect, your car insurance. Many insurers are raising their rates by 6%-8% and in extreme cases are asking for double digit increases. Rates are going up to offset higher costs for car repairs, replacements and rentals. Leslie Scism, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for these increases coming at a time when traffic and accidents have risen from pandemic lows.
Next, a new attitude is beginning to take shape with the pandemic… people are over it and ready to move on. 64% of the U.S. is fully vaccinated and many have natural immunity from prior infection, Democratic governors are beginning to relax pandemic rules, and cases are dropping at a rapid rate. Lenny Bernstein, health and medicine reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for the shifting attitude toward the pandemic.
Finally, a story about a man who unknowingly left behind almost $230,000 at a Las Vegas slot machine. Robert Taylor hit a jackpot in January, but then the machine malfunctioned. Thinking he didn’t win, he walked away. After the casino fixed the machine, they found he did indeed win the money and then took on the difficult task of tracking him down. Andrea Salcedo, reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for more.
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Mask mandates are beginning to fall in states across the country, particularly when it comes to schools. Democratic governors in Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey and Oregon are lifting statewide rules leaving the final say to school districts on how to proceed. Some still want more guidance from the CDC, but the trend is shifting away from the mandates. Laura Meckler, national education writer at The Washington Post, joins us for more.
Next, the Biden administration wants more students to become butchers. It’s an effort to scale up local and regional meat processing to foster competition in the industry. Training workers would help address labor shortages, but some say it could be a difficult sell getting students into an industry with so much manual labor done mostly by immigrants at the moment. Ximena, Bustillo, reporter at Politico, joins us for more on these agricultural programs.
Finally, some states are putting forth proposals that would accept Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies as acceptable tax payments bringing them closer to the mainstream. Proposals in Wyoming and Arizona are in the early stages and could be a benefit for retailers, but there will most likely be some legal hurdles. Ben Schreckinger, national political correspondent at Politico, joins us for how states are considering accepting digital currency.
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The rollout of the Pfizer’s Covid pills has faced shortages and criticism that state health departments are not prioritizing those at the highest risk of serious illness. The Biden administration has purchased 20 million courses of the treatment but has only been able to release 265,000 courses due to production delays. Benjamin Ryan, contributor to NBC News, joins us for a look inside the U.S. rollout.
Next, Frontier and Spirit Airlines have agreed to a merger worth $6.6 billion that would make them the fifth largest airline in the country. The move will see them keep their ultra-low fare business model and cause some worry for other airlines who have not rebounded with business and international travel customers. Leslie Josephs, airline reporter at CNBC, joins us for this deal that could create 10,000 jobs by 2026.
Finally, full-frontal male nudity is going mainstream in Hollywood. With the rise of streaming platforms that are largely free from ratings rules, more men including some big stars are becoming more comfortable with baring it all. Be warned however, it may not be the real thing as many times prosthetics are used. Ellen Gamerman, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for what it takes to make a nude scene happen.
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The situation in Ukraine remains tense as Russia has assembled at least 70% of the forces they would need to launch a full scale invasion. Officials worry that there could be a huge amount of casualties and the Ukraine capital could fall quickly. With the Winter Olympics as a backdrop, Russia and China have expressed support for each other. Ginger Gibson, deputy Washington digital editor at NBC News, joins us for this, criticism of the Covid protocols at the Games and the RNC censuring Rep. Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger.
Next, the condiment business is hyper competitive and one of the major players in the spice game, McCormick, has been making acquisitions to take over the world of hot sauce. They recently bought Frank's Red Hot and Cholula in deals worth millions of dollars each. The pandemic proved to be beneficial for McCormick as many people stayed in and cooked more at home, but they were not immune to supply chain issues that affected the industry. Austin Carr, features writer at Bloomberg BusinessWeek, joins us for the fight for hot sauce supremacy.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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In a dramatic raid in Syria that President Biden approved, U.S. special operations forces conducted a nighttime mission to take out the Islamic State’s leader. After a shootout between an ISIS lieutenant and U.S. forces, the IS leader detonated what is believed to be an explosive vest killing himself and his own family. Gordon Lubold, WH and national security reporter at the WSJ, joins us for how the operation went down.
Next, we are learning more about the mysterious ‘Havana syndrome’ after a panel of experts determined that an external energy source could be behind the symptoms affecting U.S. diplomats and intelligence officers abroad. No device or country has been identified as being behind it, but the experts said the pulsed electromagnetic energy could come from a portable device. Shane Harris, national security reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for more.
Finally, as the Winter Olympics get under way a lot of focus will be on the venues and snow needed for some 66 medal events that require it. All of the snow for the Games will be completely man-made using special snow guns that use specific air and water ratios to make the perfect snow for each event. Bonnie Berkowitz, reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for how they make a bulletproof downhill course.
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What is the science behind the sharp rise in Omicron infections and then the rapid decline? It seems we might have hit a peak here in the U.S. and are already seeing new infections drop in places like the U.K. and South Africa. Umair Irfan, reporter at Vox, joins us for how more immunity could be building up in the population and the variant is running out of new people to infect.
Next, the IRS wants to scan your face. Starting this summer anyone that wants to access their records on the IRS website like tax transcripts, child tax credits or payment plans, they will need to record a video of their face and send it to private contractor ID.me to confirm their identity. Drew Harwell, tech reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for more.
Finally, many questions still remain about the Jan. 21st accident involving a truck transporting research monkeys that crashed in Pennsylvania. The latest update is that Kenya airways that flew the monkeys to the U.S. will not renew its contract to continue to their transport. There are also still questions about Michele Fallon’s health, the woman who fell ill after contact with them. Michael Levenson, reporter at the NY Times, joins us for what we know.
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One of the longest running mysteries of the pandemic has been long Covid and what causes it. Studies have found that 10-20 percent of people that have recovered from the coronavirus get long Covid which can appear up to 3 months after recovery and last for 6 months or more in some cases. Researchers are zeroing in on the causes and the two leading theories are that the virus turns the immune system against the body and despite recovering, the virus could be lingering in the body not in the blood, but in the body's’ tissues. Yasmin Tayag, contributor to Vox, joins us for what could be behind long Covid.
Next, Los Angeles is hoping to build a future where water won’t run out and comes from mostly local sources. Currently Southern California gets most of its water from the Colorado River and up north, but there have been billions of dollars in investment to double down on water recycling, reclamation, and storage. The goals are lofty to treat water locally, but it could set LA up to be water independent as droughts continue. Laura Bliss, reporter at Bloomberg CityLab, joins us for more.
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Police departments across the country are dealing with resignations and retirements from their officers and struggling to replace them. Some officers describe the job as more stressful and less rewarding than in the past amid increased scrutiny over police actions. Kris Maher, reporter at the WSJ, joins us how police departments are short-staffed and their efforts to recruit.
Next, the fight over Covid misinformation continues on Spotify as Joe Rogan and the company have both responded after Neil Young, Joni Mitchell and others demanded their music be taken off the platform for misinformation spread on Rogan’s podcast. Spotify said they will be more transparent with its rules for what is allowed on the platform as well as add content advisories to podcasts that talk about Covid. Travis Andrews, reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for more.
Finally, ransomware hackers are increasingly adding a new tactic to get paid, contacting you directly. After the Allen Independent School District in Dallas was hacked, parents started getting emails threatening to release the sensitive information of their children unless they were paid off. Kevin Collier, cyber security reporter at NBC News, joins us for the evolving practices of ransomware gangs.
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You are seeing them everywhere and oddly there still aren’t enough to get Americans all the stuff they want. Tractor trailers and delivery trucks have taken over the roads. While all these deliveries are solving one problem and getting us what we need, it is creating new problems such as damage to roads and even homes as they take up more space on residential streets. Atlanta in particular has been hit hard as it has two of the top five truck bottlenecks in the country. David Harrison, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for how this trend will continue with infrastructure projects on their way and no slowing of online orders.
Next, Idaho is sitting on one of the most important elements on Earth… cobalt. Needed for the production of lithium-ion batteries for use in electric vehicles, mining companies are beginning to set up operations in what is known as the Idaho Cobalt Belt. It is an interesting development and look at how the clean-energy revolution is reshaping the landscape and posing some environmental risks. Most of the cobalt supply is mined in the Congo and sent to China, so it’s important that we are able to mine domestically. Michael Holtz, contributor to the Atlantic, joins us for more.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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The tension with Russia continues as fears mount that they could invade Ukraine. But what are all the motivations behind it? Putin wants guarantees that NATO will not expand further eastward. For the U.S., China seems to be a bigger threat, but we are bound to help because of our involvement with NATO. Jonathan Guyer, senior foreign policy writer at Vox, joins us for more.
Next, the crypto crash has erased more than $1 trillion in global value for cryptocurrencies and the drops have hit everyday investors pretty hard. Some are rethinking their investments, others are in it for the long term thinking it could be the financial platform of the future. Tory Newmyer, economic policy reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for more on all the crypto volatility.
Finally, the road to filming and producing all those excellent Super Bowl commercials that many love, has been very stressful this year. The average price for 30 seconds of ad time during the game is up to $6.5 million, an increase of a million from last year. However, because of Covid surges, delays and price hikes have affected commercial shoots. Suzanne Vranica, advertising editor at the WSJ, joins us for all the disruptions.
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Big Supreme Court news as we found out Wednesday that Justice Stephen Breyer will be retiring after 27 years, giving President Biden a chance to nominate a new judge. Conservative judges will still control the majority, but it could provide Democrats with some much needed enthusiasm before the midterms. Sam Baker, senior editor at Axios, joins us for some possible front-runners for the job.
Next, the SAT is going digital soon in an effort to make the test easier to take, administer, and be more relevant. The test will go from three hours down to two in part due to a process called “adaptive testing” that will tailor the difficulty of questions to what is appropriate for a student’s performance level. Nick Anderson, higher education reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for all the changes.
Finally, inflation remains at a 40 year high and many are having to adjust their buying habits more than just the simple, switching to generic brands at the grocery store. People are scaling back on other life events and picking up new skills to make due. You can’t make cuts on things like medication, so the savings need to come from other areas. Veronica Dagher, personal finance reporter at the WSJ, joins us for more.
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NFTs have taken over the art world and millions of dollars are being spent on these digital artworks, but how much are they really worth? Right now the Institute for Contemporary Art Miami is going through the difficult process to determine the value of a CryptoPunks NFT named Priscilla in case it gets destroyed, but also for tax purposes for the donor. Kevin Dugan, reporter at NY Mag, joins us for more on what determines an NFTs value.
Next, according to a recent survey of mayors across the country, 73% of them believe that voters hold them accountable for handling homelessness in their cities, but many of them don’t feel like they have control over the issue. A third of mayors said they don’t even have staff dedicated to it. Jennifer Kingson, chief correspondent at Axios, joins us for how some mayors feel powerless to reduce homelessness.
Finally, one of the common themes of the pandemic keeps persisting… nurses stretched too thin and looking for help to avoid burnout. The healthcare sector has lost about 500,000 workers since February of 2020. The staffing shortage coupled with medical workers getting sick with Covid themselves is pushing them to the brink. Julie Wernau, health and medicine reporter at the WSJ, joins us for more.
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Next week marks the beginning of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing and one thing to watch for will be how the weather behaves. China will be deploying weather modification technology at new levels of scale to make sure the games go off without a hitch. Could-seeding to produce rain and ‘blueskying’ to make sure the skies are beautiful and wiped away of clouds and smog. This is on top of already using millions of gallons of water to create the snow needed for outdoor events. Steven Zeitchik, tech and innovations reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for China’s efforts to control the weather.
Next, in an effort to keep overdoses at a minimum and provide people safe spaces to use drugs without having to be on the street corner, New York has opened two locations where people can use drugs with supervision. If something goes wrong, trained workers can step in with oxygen or other life saving measures. There is opposition where the fear is that these facilities may lessen the incentive for people to enter treatment programs. Meryl Kornfield, reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for more on these safe consumption sites that could be on their way soon in other places like Rhode Island and California.
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Recent polls by NBC News don't paint a good picture for people's views about the country or the party in power. Large majorities feel that the country is not going in the right direction, households feel like they are falling behind economically, and that political polarization will continue for some time. Ginger Gibson, deputy Washington digital editor at NBC News, joins us for bad polls and Sen. Joe Manchin ready to negotiate on the Build Back Better plan.
Next, what does it mean to be asymptomatic? As Covid guidelines constantly change around us and infections keep spreading, many don't want to believe a sniffle or scratchy throat could be a symptom. To be clear, being asymptomatic means you feel your best and aren't taking any medications to manage symptoms such as a headache. If anything seems amiss, a Covid test might be a smart choice. Allie Volpe, contributor to Vox, joins us for what to know.
Finally, supply chain issues continue to affect many industries, and for anyone that has been trying to buy furniture, you know the pain all too well. Deliveries on couches and other furniture can be up to seven months in some cases and people are having to get by with bean bags and beach chairs until their orders come. Rachel Wolfe, consumer trends reporter at the WSJ, joins us for why you might be waiting a while for that couch.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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The CIA has issued an interim report saying that they found no ‘worldwide campaign’ by any foreign power that was behind the mysterious Havana syndrome. While another report has said that a “directed, pulsed radio frequency” could be the cause, the CIA said that most incidents could be attributed to preexisting medical conditions of those affected or environmental factors. Shane Harris, intelligence and national security reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for more on Havana syndrome.
Next, health experts are warning that nations could be giving up too soon in the fight against the pandemic. Many are looking forward to a time when the virus will be endemic and we can just live with it, and certain policies have already begun to reflect that. Joel Achenbach, science reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for why experts say it’s not time to let your guard down just yet.
Finally, this week we saw Microsoft make a huge deal worth $69 billion to buy videogame company Activision Blizzard. While this will bolster their game catalogue, Microsoft execs also see the acquisition as a pathway to the metaverse. The metaverse is so much bigger than gaming, but it will still need gaming first-adopters to help it take off. Sarah Needleman, tech reporter at the WSJ, joins us for more.
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President Biden has officially been in office for one year and it has definitely been uneasy at best. He started with early successes in passing the Covid relief bill and the vaccine distribution program, but then hit problems with the Delta and Omicron surges, a disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan, and record high inflation. Jonathan Lemire, WH Bureau Chief at Politico and host of ‘Way too Early’ on MSNBC, joins us for more on Biden’s first year.
Next, the 5G rollout from Verizon and AT&T has been hit with delays and caused flight cancellations as we hear about worries from the FAA that the 5G frequencies can possibly interfere with radio altimeters that aircraft use to help land when visibility is low. Rebecca Heilweil, reporter for Recode by Vox, joins us for more.
Finally, we’ll tell you about the hypermilers. People who are trying to get as much fuel efficiency out of their vehicles whether it be gas or electric. Recently, there has been a closer look at EVs, and they found that the sweet spot for making the most of a charge can be very slow… sometimes below 30 mph. Mike Colias, autos reporter at the WSJ, joins us for the hypermilers.
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Some good news when it comes to jobs and the pandemic. Texas, Arizona, Idaho and Utah have recovered all the jobs they lost since the start of the pandemic and another dozen states could hit that mark by the middle of this year. A lot of this was driven by population growth due to companies and workers shifting away from coastal cities. Bryan Mena, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for more.
Next, for those working remotely, the sick day may be gone. As the Omicron variant continues to cause disruptions, some remote workers experiencing mild symptoms are opting to work through it. Some figure that since they are not in the office posing a risk to others, they are taking the posture of, “If I can work, I’ll work.” Kathryn Dill, reporter at the WSJ, joins us Americans complicated relationship with taking time off.
Finally, crime tourists have been targeting wealthy Asian and Middle Eastern residents in the D.C. area. Law enforcement experts say cells of professional burglars are entering the country, targeting residents, and then move on to another city or state to steal more. In once particular case, the burglars were linked to more than 50 thefts stealing more than $2 million. Justin Jouvenal, justice reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for the wave of crime tourists.
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Everyone knows there is money to be made by going viral on TikTok, and it's enough to make some reconsider the line of work they are in. To bolster that idea, you can look to some TikTok stars that are making more money than many of the top CEO's in the country. Charli D'Amelio, who gained notoriety for dancing and spun her fame off into a clothing line made more money last year than the CEO's of Exxon Mobil, Starbucks, and McDonalds. Joseph Pisani, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for more.
Next, we have been seeing the effects of climate change on humans, animals and our environment, but one place that has been overlooked are insects. For many they can be seen as pests, but they are an integral part of the ecosystem. Once thought to be very resilient, we are seeing their life cycles change, some on the verge of extinction like bumble bees, and the rise of damaging pests like locusts and mosquitoes. Oliver Milman, reporter for the Guardian, joins us for how the speed of climate change is causing an imbalance in the insect world.
Finally, you might think that marijuana and parenting don’t mix, but there is a growing movement of ‘cannamoms’ who say that consuming weed helps them to calm down, reduce anxieties and be more present in their kids’ lives. They want to fight the stigma around it and also make clear that they aren’t getting blazingly high and consider it low risk, just like a glass of wine. Jesse Staniforth, contributor to the BBC, joins us for more on ‘cannamoms.’
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This week we hit the one year mark for Joe Biden's presidency and it has been one marked with many roadblocks and only incremental agenda achievements. The two main promises of his campaign have eluded him... ending the pandemic and bringing the country together. Ginger Gibson, deputy Washington digital editor at NBC News joins us for Biden one year in, the Supreme Court halting vaccine mandates for larger employers, at-home Covid test going out this week, and the Texas synagogue hostage situation.
Next, a grieving family trying to make connections after the death of their son found that his biological father had psychiatric problems. They wish his hospitalization and condition was disclosed on the questionnaire the father filed out when he donated sperm. Turns out Donor 1558 had schizophrenia and later the Gunner family also had to deal with their son Steven when he was also diagnosed with the same disorder and died of an opioid overdose. The Gunner's are now using their story to push for legislation to get better disclosures from sperm donors. Amy Docker Marcus, health and science reporter at the WSJ, joins us for more.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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The Omicron surge is putting a heavy strain on hospitals around the country with many hospital workers themselves testing positive, forcing them to stay home. To help with serious staffing shortages, California is implementing a temporary and controversial new policy that allows asymptomatic healthcare workers who have tested positive to return to work immediately. Hayley Smith, reporter at the LA Times, joins us for Covid-positive medical workers staying on the job.
Next, the disruptions from the latest Covid surge continue as college campuses are changing plans for the start of the semester. In-person instruction has been delayed, boosters are being mandated, and they are even restricting student travel. Yale University is asking students not to go to local businesses, restaurants or bars until later in the semester. Melissa Korn, higher education reporter at the WSJ, joins us for more.
Finally, businesses are still having a hard time gaining new employees and are looking to automation and cashier-less checkouts to stay in business with fewer or no employees. New startups are now able to outfit any small business with AI-powered checkout systems. Erica Pandey, business reporter at Axios, joins us for how the future of Main Street could be one without workers.
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In some grocery stores around the country we are again seeing empty shelves. Some of the reasons remain the same as early in the pandemic, others have changed slightly. The Omicron surge coupled with labor shortages is making it difficult to keep things stocked. Supply chain issues in other countries are affecting us, and more people are eating at home. Laura Reiley, business of food reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for what to know.
Next, the head of human resources at your place of work could be some of the most important people as we face constantly changing guidelines when it comes to the pandemic. They are key figures in setting new policy on mask wearing, testing and vaccine mandates and have had to quickly become experts on public health. Emma Goldberg, reporter at the NY Times, joins us for all the new complexity brought to the world of H.R.
Finally, there are a lot of unexpected ways that children change their parents. There is a growing body of research that shows that a child’s behavior has a much stronger influence on their parents’ behavior than the other way around. It is a phenomenon called bidirectional parenting. Melissa Hogenboom, science journalist at the BBC and author of The Motherhood Complex, joins us for more.
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Health experts see at-home Covid tests as a key tool in the fight against the pandemic. Starting Saturday, Jan. 15th people with private health insurance will be able to get reimbursed for up to 8 tests per month. The administration is also encouraging insurers to create networks of preferred stores or pharmacies so that costs can be covered up front. For those without private insurance, 500 million at-home tests will soon be available for people to request online. Despite all this action, limited supply of tests is still a concern. Annie Nova, personal finance reporter at CNBC, joins us what to know about free at-home Covid tests.
Next, the University of Maryland Medical Center has successfully transplanted a gene-edited pig heart into a man named Dave Bennett. Bennett was not cleared to be on the heart transplant waiting list and then opted for this very experimental procedure. The pig who gave his heart for this had ten specific genes edited so that the body wouldn’t reject the organ, to help prevent blood from coagulating in the heart, and to keep the pig from growing too large. Karen Weintraub, health reporter at USA Today, joins us for this medical first and what it could mean for the future.
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The Omicron variant continues to surge, but we aren’t hearing the same calls for shutting things down again, at least not from Democratic mayors and governors. We have seen an attitude shift and recognition that Covid fatigue is real and people just want to get back to normal. This fight is especially playing out with school closures in Chicago. Susannah Luthi, reporter at Politico, joins us for why many Democratic leaders are changing their tune.
Next, Pfizer is looking to start human trials of their Omicron specific vaccine by the end of this month. A key goal of this research will be to compare the protections between the current formulation and one tailored to Omicron. If needed still, the shot could be ready by March. Andrew Dunn, senior healthcare reporter at Business Insider, joins us for more.
Finally, researchers are getting excited for the possibility of sci-fi types of medical implants becoming a reality soon. Blurring the lines of tech wearables like Fitbits, researchers and doctors are thinking up of more ways to bring these technologies to monitors inside the body. Kenneth R. Rosen, contributor to the Washington post, joins us for how new medical implants may not be far off.
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A new office has been established in the Pentagon to study UFOs. Spearheaded by Sen. Kirsten Gilibrand and tucked into the National Defense Authorization Act, the office is positioned as a national security issue. While many welcome this new office, some activists fear that without some civilian involvement we could see cover-ups of vital info. Ginger Gibson, deputy Washington digital editor at NBC News, joins us for this, Covid at-home test being sent to Americans, and Joe Biden heads to Georgia on Tuesday.
Next, for the first time in nearly 50 years, the number of dialysis patients shrunk, not because more people were healthy, but because Covid struck. People with kidney failure and the associated illnesses are more prone to severe infection, but many people also neglected getting their treatments during the pandemic. And despite dialysis centers implementing Covid precautions, some facilities didn't follow their own infection control policies. Duaa Eldeib, reporter at ProPublica, joins us for how dialysis patients were the pandemic's perfect victims and how few people took notice.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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Covid testing is once again becoming an issue as the demand for tests is growing. Specifically, at-home rapid tests are very hard to come by and when you do find them the prices can be inflated. Some are resorting to buying the tests at triple the retail price as they are becoming a necessity for returning to work and school. Kelsey Butler, equality reporter at Bloomberg News, joins us for the unpredictable market for rapid tests.
Next, President Biden began the anniversary of the Jan. 6 Capitol riots by denouncing the violence and pinning all the blame on former President Trump. Many Republicans on the other hand handled the day in a variety of ways. Some tried to depict what happened that day as acts of patriotism or defending freedom, others held rallies in support of protestors at the Capitol. One year later, some of the participants are even running for elected office. David Siders, national political correspondent at Politico, joins us for more.
Finally, the current wave of Omicron infections is forcing businesses to scramble to cover their bases while people are calling out or quarantining and it could threaten the economic recovery. Some estimates say that more than 5 million American are in quarantine. The markets have not reacted that way and like with the Delta surge, they hope the rebound will be quick. David Lynch, global economics correspondent at the Washington Post, joins us for how businesses are reacting to the latest wave.
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30,000 active-duty service members still have yet to be vaccinated despite mandates and some deadlines already passing. To be clear, the vaccination rate stands at more than 97%, but some are instead resigning or facing honorable discharges. Lawsuits are pending and thousands have requested religious exemptions, although none have been granted. Melissa Hernandez, reporter at the LA Times, joins us for more.
Next, CES 2022 is here and it’s time to take a look at the tech we could be using very soon or prototypes of things to come. The Metaverse featured well at CES with products like the Pebble Feel, which is a hot and cold simulator that can replicate shifting weather. We also saw a fully autonomous tractor from John Deere that could revolutionize farming and a stuffed animal robot that nibbles your finger. Dalvin Brown, personal tech reporter at the WSJ, joins us for what’s at CES.
Finally, plant-based fried chicken is coming to KFC. Beyond meat has partnered with them and are debuting faux chicken nuggets that are made using “whole muscle” technology that imitate cuts of meat like chicken breasts. Amelia Lucas, restaurant reporter at CNBC.com joins us for KFC’s new Beyond Fried Chicken.
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The anniversary of the Jan. 6 Capitol riots is upon us and members of Congress are still investigating all that went down on that day, but how has some of the extremism that took place that day shifted a year later? Much of it has moved to the local level. The shift has gone to local politics, school boards, and county health boards. Ben Collins, senior reporter at NBC News, joins us for how this shift to a local level has a purpose.
Next, looking back at 2021, we saw a big drop in engagement with news content. 2020 was a huge year with Trump still in office and the onset of the pandemic and people were tuned in all the time. But a year later as Covid fatigue set in, people diverted their attention elsewhere like streaming content and sports. Neal Rothschild, Director of Audience and Growth at Axios, joins us for how many tuned out in 2021.
Finally, Omicron has definitely thrown a wrench into back-to-school plans for students as many districts shifted last minute to remote learning after the holiday break. For parents, the constant changes have left them frustrated trying to adjust to evolving plans and confused on what to do. The students aren’t faring better either. Maggie Astor, reporter at the NY Times, joins us for more.
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Covid cases continue to rise in the U.S. as the Omicron variant proves to be highly transmissible. The rise in infections has reignited the conversation over masks which now has some doctors and healthcare systems saying cloth masks may not be enough, recommending that you pair them with surgical masks or upgrade to other options like KN95 masks. Nidhi Subbaraman, science reporter at the WSJ, joins us for what to know.
Next, we have seen a rise in violent incidents at schools both minor and major, everything from fights to gun possession and drug use. On top of other difficulties facing schools, administrators are dealing with tough questions on how best to respond to disciplinary issues and advocates fear that suspensions and expulsions could add to problems for vulnerable students. Erin Einhorn, national reporter at NBC News, joins us for more.
Finally, a lot has been made of the Metaverse and the blurring of lines between our real world lives and our digital lives. One of the latest things we have seen in this realm is getting married and there could be a lot of perks to having a digital marriage such as unlimited guests or even out of this world destinations. Steven Kurutz, features reporter at the NY Times, joins us for one couples’ wedding in the Metaverse.
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Checking in on our furry friends and the people who help keep them healthy… the pandemic has caused all sorts of backlogs at veterinary offices. Vet staff has been increasingly stressed out as there have been spikes in demand for services, slowed-down curbside protocols, labor shortages, and pets having to be turned away in some cases. HG Watson, contributor to the Guardian, joins for what to know.
Next, every wonder why you feel like you might not fit into a particular political party? Americans are divided for sure, but it goes beyond a left or right thing. Even within each party there are deep divides. Pew Research sorted American ideologies into nine distinct categories, four that lean left, four that lean right, and stressed sideliners in the middle. And for those that do fit into the center, they often hold little common ground. Baxter Oliphant, senior researcher at the Pew Research Center, joins us for the wide spectrum of political beliefs.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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Work burnout has been an issue for some time, but the pandemic has shown many people just how much their work has taken over their lives. With constant meetings and new pressures people are struggling to take control. Unfortunately, sometimes it takes a life-changing event to realize it. Rachel Feintzeig, work and life columnist at the WSJ, joins us for why maybe you should care a little less to get your life back.
Next, what happens when you order things online and send them back? You may think it makes its way back to the shelf and on its way to another person, but that is rarely true. Oftentimes items make their way to bulk resellers overseas, stripped for parts, or just thrown away. Returns are a big problem for companies that are expected to have generous return policies as a default. These reverse logistics are many times cost prohibitive to deal with. Amanda Mull, staff writer at The Atlantic, joins us for the nasty logistics of returning your online items.
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A recent top-secret cable was sent to C.I.A. stations across the world saying that dozens of informants used as spies for the U.S. have been captured, killed, or compromised. According to one expert, because of technology, the old way of spying has become obsolete. Biometric scans, facial recognition and even cell phones are revealing key facts about movements, patterns, and life associations. Ken Dilanian, national security correspondent at NBC News, joins us for more.
Next, famed TV artist Bob Ross is one of history's most prolific painters racking up almost 30 thousand paintings in his lifetime, but you'd be hard pressed to find one of his original works in the open market. There are a few reasons why you might not find these paintings being sold. First off, Bob Ross Inc. which owns the majority of his work, has them locked away in a warehouse, but they make more money selling paints and painting supplies using his name. Secondly, many of his paintings are already sitting in homes across the country. His paintings can sell for over $10 thousand. Zach Crockett, senior writer at The Hustle, joins us for why it's so hard to find an original Bob Ross painting.
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Where have all the restaurant and retail workers impacted by the pandemic gone? Many of them went to work in the marijuana industry. There is now an estimated 321,000 workers in the legal cannabis industry. Workers in this industry say they are finding better hours, benefits, and more opportunities to advance. Abha Bhattarai, national retail reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for marijuana jobs have been a refuge for retail and restaurant workers.
Next, could “luxury mystery boxes” be the future of high-end discount shopping? A new solution for selling off overstock and off-season clothing has emerged in these mystery boxes which can sell anywhere from $700 to $2000. The only catch is that you don’t know what is in the box until you open it. The high-end merch in these boxes is said to be 2-3 times the retail value of the box, but there’s a chance it could always be a bust. This has even spilled over into the online arena with unboxing videos. Jacob Gallagher, fashion reporter at the WSJ, joins us for what these mystery boxes mean for the fashion economy.
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You’re not crazy… you are spending more time in that fast food drive-thru and they are also a little less accurate. A new study done with mystery shoppers found we are spending about a minute more in these lines than we were last year. When it comes to accuracy, Chick-fil-A and Taco Bell top the list. Amelia Lucas, restaurant reporter at CNBC.com, joins us for what to know.
Next, when things go wrong at an Airbnb, a specialized safety team mobilizes to help the problems go away. In some cases violent crimes or even severe property damage is taken care of by this secretive PR who is armed with NDAs and millions of dollars in settlement money. Team members have said that the job is nerve-wracking trying to balance the interests of the guests, hosts, and especially the company. Olivia Carville, reporter at Bloomberg News, joins us for how Airbnb is spending millions to make bad news go away.
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NFTs are all the rage in the art market right now with about $2.4 billion worth of NFTs being traded in the second quarter alone. But with all this money comes scammers and hackers taking advantage of people by selling fake art, stealing credit card numbers, and even spreading viruses that can drain crypto wallets of all their funds. Kelly Crow, art reporter at the WSJ, joins us for why you should be wary of NFT scams.
Next, Facebook knows that Instagram can be a problem for teen girls. According to their own internal research, 32% of teen girls said that when they felt bad about their bodies, Instagram made them feel worse. While there are many social media platforms out there, some of these problems are worse on Instagram. TikTok is focused on video and performance, Snapchat keeps the focus on the face with filters, but Instagram centers on the body and lifestyle making the social comparisons worse. Georgia Wells, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for Facebook has consistently played down the apps negative effects, despite research showing it has been a problem.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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Professional dog trainers are having to deal with an increase in misbehaving pandemic puppies. Because of quarantines and shutdowns many first time dog owners didn’t properly train or socialize their pups which led them to be overly reactive or have separation anxiety. The big worry for these trainers is that if people can’t get dogs under control, they may be surrendered. Bailey Berg, contributor to Vice News, joins us for more.
Next, how many times have you gone to McDonald’s for a nice frozen treat only to be told that the ice cream machine is broken? One couple attempted to get to the bottom of why the Taylor ice cream machines that McDonald’s uses are always breaking and found that there is a secret repair menu that most workers don’t know how to access which forces them to contact the manufacturer for maintenance. This couple eventually created a way to hack the machines, only to have Taylor and McDonald’s stop them. Andy Greenberg, senior writer at Wired, joins us for the fight over hacking McDonald’s ice cream machines.
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We have been seeing a decline in those identifying as religious for some time now and in the absence of religious belief many have channeled that into political belief. What is America supposed to mean or what does it mean to be un-American? Politics has become the new religion and ideological intensity has risen driving a divide in the country. Shadi Hamid, contributing writer at The Atlantic, joins us for more.
Next, another story of students taking on mountains of debt only to have the high paying jobs they were promised out of reach. Law school, which was once seen as a great path to a well-paying job is the latest to be scrutinized as students often take out six figure federal loans. Recent graduates of the University of Miami School of Law borrowed a median of 163,000 and two years later, half of them were earning 59,000 or less, making it difficult to pay down their loans. Just 15% of recent grads were able to begin repaying their student loans after two years. Andrea Fuller, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for more.
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It's a seller's market out there and in some cases they are flexing their muscles to squeeze the most out of selling their homes. There have been some unusual demands such as taking all of the kitchen cabinets, mid-range appliances, and even toilets. Sometimes it's for sentimental reasons, but sometimes it's just because they can. Buyers, worn out from bidding wars, just accept the terms. Ronda Kaysen, NYT columnist and co-author of Right at Home, joins us for more.
Next, be careful when you see your favorite influencers and personalities promoting cryptocurrency. With all the hype around crypto right now, many are promoting “alt-coins” or “meme-coins” and unfortunately they are often tied to what are known as pump and dump schemes. Influencers pump up the altcoins in their networks, the value rises for a very short period of time, major investors dump the coins when it hits their peak, and everyone else is left with these crypto coins worth nothing. Matt Binder, reporter at Mashable, joins us for the shady world of influencers promoting cryptocurrency.
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About 60 miles north of Los Angeles, Lockheed Martin has a super-secret aircraft and weapons facility called Skunk Works. The U-2 spy plane and F-117 Nighthawk were both developed there and Lockheed is currently jockeying for a role in the Air Force’s next fighter jet program. Skunk Works has just opened a new state-of-the art factory and invited journalists to tour it, albeit in a very secretive manner with much of the travel around the campus through underground tunnels. Lee Hudson, defense reporter at Politico, joins us for a peek inside this very secretive facility.
Next, the WSJ set up 31 TikTok accounts registered to teenagers to see what the algorithm would serve them up. What they saw after thousands of videos was a never ending stream content related to sex, drugs, and eating disorders. TikTok’s algorithm is engagement based, so spend any amount of time on a video or re-watch it, and get ready for a flood of similar content. The company uses 10,000 people and other algorithms to police content, but the app does not restrict certain videos based on age. Georgia Wells, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for how TikTok serves up videos to minors.
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A new treatment known as optogenetic therapy has given a blind man some of his vision back. Light- activated proteins were inserted into eye nerve cells and paired with specials goggles that emit flashes of amber-hued light. This combination allowed the man with a degenerative eye disease to see and count objects, when he could previously just detect some light. Tina Hesman Saey, senior writer at Science News, joins us for more.
Next, ghost kitchens or virtual restaurants have taken over America’s restaurants. The new world is search optimized and data-driven. Often these restaurants have no storefront and no place to dine-in. Instead, they can be found on food delivery apps like Uber Eats and GrubHub. Some experts say that these virtual restaurants will be a $1 trillion industry in the next ten years. At a time when restaurants are struggling due to the pandemic, this expansion can be a lifeline for many. Adam Chandler, contributor to Marker, joins us for the rise of ghost kitchens.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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Many are expecting the Metaverse to be the next phase of the internet where our real lives increasingly mesh with our digital lives and companies are taking notice. Investors are already spending millions to buy up virtual real estate and just like in real-life, location matters. While the internet is infinite, virtual plots of land are not, and companies are buying up what they can in online worlds like Decentraland hoping to develop those areas into shopping centers and more. Debra Kamin, contributor to the NY Times, joins us for this new virtual land boom.
Next, there is a secret unit within the Customs and Border Protection’s National Targeting Center called the Counter Network Division. This division has very few rules and used various databases at its disposal to investigate Americans. This division still operates today and would gain access to the personal information of journalists, government officials, congressional members and their staff. Jana Winter, investigative correspondent at Yahoo News, joins us to talk about Operation Whistle Pig and the investigation into journalist Ali Watkins.
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NASA’s Parker Solar Probe has made history by being the first spacecraft to touch the Sun. The probe launched in 2018, but just this past April on its eighth flyby it flew through the Sun’s upper atmosphere also known as the corona. There it was able to sample particles and the magnetic fields. The next flyby will be in January 2022 and scientists expect it to get closer still. Justin Kasper, Deputy Chief Technology Officer of BWX Technologies and professor at the University of Michigan, joins us for how humanity has touched the Sun.
Next, waves of Covid infections continue to cause problems for hospital systems facing staff shortages and that are already full treating people with other ailments. In most cases, those locking up the system are patients who are unvaccinated and it doesn’t stop in just one area. The ripple effects of transferring patients to different locations with space to treat them also puts a strain on hospital workers. Drew Armstrong, senior editor for healthcare at Bloomberg News, joins us for more.
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We are getting more information on the Omicron variant from the first large real-world study in South Africa and see protection from hospitalization fall to 70% and against infection fall to 33%. This study pitted the new variant against two shots of Pfizer, which has been widely used in the area. Denise Roland, healthcare reporter at the WSJ, joins us for what we are seeing from Omicron, more transmissible and so far, milder infections.
Next, many parents and guardians of school shooters unfortunately ignore some of the warning signs that something bad is imminent. We are seeing it with the parents of the shooter at Oxford High School in Michigan who have both been charged with involuntary manslaughter. But in once case in 2018, a grandmother took action and reporter her grandson, averting a disaster. Steven Rich, database editor for investigations at The Washington Post, joins us for more.
Finally, we are learning more about what was happening in President Trump’s inner circle during the Jan. 6 Capitol riots. Through text messages provided by former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, we are seeing Trump’s son, Fox News personalities and even lawmakers plead with Meadows to convince Trump to do something to stop those storming the Capitol. Josh Gerstein, senior legal affairs reporter at Politico, joins us for what to know.
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2021 has been the ultimate seller’s market with a number of housing records set this past year. The pandemic sent remote workers into a rush looking for bigger places and mortgage rates were at an all-time low. Median home sales reached a high and the speed at which homes sold also set a record. Daryl Fairweather, Chief Economist at Redfin, joins us for all the housing records set this year.
Next, we are in the era of the celebrity meal and it could be an ongoing trend. We’ve seen partnerships with celebrities and influencers with fast-food restaurants and it has been a big benefit for both parties. Restaurants get plenty of promotion on social media and collect tons of customer data. The celebrities, get undisclosed amounts of money. Anna Kambhampaty, styles reporter at the NY Times, joins us for more.
Finally, some employers have been tracking remote workers with things like keyboard or mouse-tracking software and it is making them feel like they can’t step away from their desk, even for a restroom break. Enter ‘mouse movers,’ small devices that jiggles your mouse to make it look like your active. Samantha Cole, senior staff writer at Vice, joins us for how sales are taking off.
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The Biden administration has directed federal resources and FEMA to affected areas after devastating tornadoes hit six states in the South and Midwest, hitting Kentucky especially hard. As many as 30 tornadoes wreaked havoc over Friday night. Ginger Gibson, deputy Washington digital editor at NBC News, joins us for the response, tensions rising with Russia, and Chris Wallace moves to CNN+.
Next, months of pandemic learning and then switching back to in-person instruction has left many students without the social maturity needed to advance to the next grade. As a result schools are having to deal with a wave of misbehavior with minor incidents but also major things like fights and gun possession. Ben Chapman, national education reporter at the WSJ, joins us for how schools are responding... more counseling, increased patrols and fewer suspensions.
Finally, we have been seeing a lot of action with the 'Great Resignation' as people quit their jobs for better opportunities. But people aren't just leaving, they're broadcasting it to social media and finding a community with others who have done the same. Traditionally career coaches wouldn't recommend speaking ill of former employers online, but all the rules have changed. Emma Goldberg, reporter at the NY Times, joins us for more.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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Since the start of the pandemic, the testing infrastructure in the U.S. has been marred by stumbles. Now, as President Biden is putting more emphasis on rapid tests to help fight Covid, these tests are often out of stock and still too expensive for many. Even as the new rules say insurers would pay for these tests, it could be difficult to get the reimbursements. Lena Sun, health reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for more on rapid Covid tests.
Next, the tiny town of West Hollywood is going all in on cannabis and wants to rebrand as the Emerald Village. The city is planning on approving as many as 40 cannabis permits for dispensaries and high end lounges. The effort also has star power investors with people like Jay-Z, Patricia Arquette, and Woody Harrelson. Hugo Martin, business reporter at the LA Times, joins us for how West Hollywood wants to be a global destination for pot tourism.
Finally, President Biden and Democrats have been having serious messaging problems. The administration has delivered on a very fast economic recovery getting out of the pandemic, with good jobs numbers and rising wages. The big problem holding them back is inflation with many Americans worried about the rising costs of food and everyday goods. Max Burns, contributor to The Hill, joins us for why voters are still pessimistic about the economy.
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According to Gallup’s annual Health and Healthcare survey, among all U.S. adults, confidence in advice from doctors is down. More reported losing trust in their doctors over the past year and Republicans in particular had a 13% drop from a decade ago while Democrats’ trust increased. Jeffrey Jones, senior editor at Gallup joins us for what to know as this data is consistent with changing attitudes of trust in science.
Next, Amazon Web Services had a nine hour outage on Tuesday which led to website and streaming service disruptions, delays in package deliveries, and many smart home devices to stop working. In some cases people had to sweep their own floors or turn on their own lights, and it highlighted just how many internet-connected devices people have in their homes and the reliance on a connection to the cloud. Sarah Needleman, tech reporter at the WSJ, joins us for more.
Finally, before the pandemic, most people probably wouldn’t let a scratchy throat or even a mild cold interfere with plans, now even the sniffles can derail plans. What happens now could be an over-explanation of symptoms to rationalize missing out on something, or even the simple “It might be Covid” to get out of plans. Allie Caren, reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for what to know.
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Samuel Little, the most prolific serial killer in the U.S. died at the end of last year and had confessed to a slew of murders that have yet to be closed. Many of those murders took place in the Los Angeles area leaving detectives chasing ghosts as they try to connect dots and corroborate the killings. There is one final push for any information in these cases as one of the lead investigators is retiring this month and any evidence and confessions are hard to verify because of time and changing cityscapes. James Queally, criminal justice reporter at the LA Times, joins us for more.
Next, we’ll take a look at one woman’s path through rehab as she tries to fight the effects of long Covid. Samantha Lewis got Covid in October 2020 and has been dealing with issues such as brain fog, fatigue, balance issues and more since then. She had to reduce time at work and place reminders in her house of even the simplest tasks such as brushing her teeth to get by. She was finally on the path to recovery after seeing doctors at Northwestern Memorial Hospital’s Neuro Covid-19 clinic in Chicago who recommended cognitive rehab. Pam Belluck, health and science writer at the NY Times, joins us for how Samantha is doing a year later.
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The medical field is still experiencing a shortage of nurses and as Covid persists, some are leaving staff jobs to become travel nurses and in some cases tripling their salaries. As shortages occur in hospitals, the demand is rising for travel nurses and it can be very lucrative for those that can be flexible enough to move around for weeks and months at a time. Lenny Bernstein, health and medicine reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for how travel nursing is taking off even more.
Next, lingering concerns about the pandemic and inflation is making Americans hoard cash. Over the past two years, Americans have saved close to $1.6 trillion in money they would not otherwise have saved. Covid relief and stimulus payments have helped many in saving the excess money. The trend might even continue as many are wary of dipping into their savings. Julia Carpenter, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for the super savers.
Finally, a new survey is shedding light on how some Latino voters feel about the term Latinx and it could be problematic for those using the term to reach out to the community. Only 2% say they refer to themselves at Latinx and worse yet, about 40% of them say they are bothered or offended by the term. Marc Caputo, national political reporter at Politico, joins us for the big question, how effective is this language when communicating with Latino voters?
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Chris Cuomo's time at CNN is done. He has been fired by the network after more details emerged about the extent in which he helped his brother former NY Gov. Andrew Cuomo amidst sexual misconduct allegations. Chris offered up to reach out to sources to see if any more accusers would come forward and also counseled his brother on his media responses. Ginger Gibson, deputy Washington digital editor at NBC News, joins us for Cuomo's ouster, GOP infighting, and former Republican senator, presidential candidate and WWII hero Bob Dole dead at 98.
Next, decentralized finance also known as DeFi is a fast growing market that is worth over $100 billion. With no regulation, it is like the wild west where anyone can mint a new cryptocurrency coin and pull a scam relatively easily. Enter the RugSeekers, a group of crypto vigilantes hunting the markets for scams. After being burned by a rug pull scam and not wanting others to fall for the same schemes, Robert Browning and his team examine source code, crypto wallets and price charts for red flags that could indicate fraud. Misyrlena Egkolfopoulou, reporter at Bloomberg News, joins us for more.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
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The White House has detailed its new strategy to fight coronavirus and keep Omicron at bay. One of the big changes is to tighten up the testing timelines for international travelers coming to the U.S. People will now have to test within a day of departure regardless of vaccination status and continues to wear masks on planes through mid-March. Sabrina Siddiqui, White House reporter at the WSJ, join us for what else is in the plan, testing reimbursements and booster shots.
Next, new Census data shows that more Americans are living alone as milestones keep slipping to later in life. 28% of all U.S. households are people living alone. The trend of delaying big life events also continues. The median age of men getting married is now 30.4 years old and women at 28.6 years old. Birth rates also continue to drop from an already record low last year. Reid Wilson, correspondent at The Hill, joins us for more.
Finally, better check to see if you are still paying for antivirus software protection. Many experts say you probably don’t need to anymore. Computer security has evolved, most personal computing happens over the internet, and hackers are more interested in taking over your accounts for email, social media, or financial websites. Kevin Collier, cybersecurity reporter at NBC News, joins us for what to know.
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The cost of getting some professional degrees are leaving students with high debt and without the high salaries to match. Programs for veterinarians, dentists, chiropractic medicine, physical therapy, and even optometry are producing graduates with high debt and very modest beginning salaries. Beyond the debt, it is also hurting those very occupations in some areas as graduates avoid lower paying rural areas which causes shortages. Andrea Fuller, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for a look at how the cost of professional degrees are still hurting students.
Next, as we enter the holidays there are more chances than ever to reconnect with old friends and it can be a very powerful thing. Research has shown that psychological stress often causes nostalgia and reconnecting can give us a sense of stability. A good exercise could be to make a list of old friends you miss and then reach out… it could increase your positive mood, self-esteem or self-confidence. Elizabeth Bernstein, author of the “Bonds” column at the WSJ, joins us for more.
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The Supreme Court begins hearing arguments today in the Mississippi abortion case that bans abortions after 15 weeks. There is a lot of scrutiny on what will happen with this decision as it could overrule Roe v. Wade. There could also be a scenario where they overrule that decision while still not abolishing the constitutional right to an abortion. Ian Millhiser, senior correspondent at VOX, joins us for what to know.
Next, there is still much we don’t know about Omicron, the new Covid variant spreading through the world. We don’t know if it is more transmissible or most importantly, if it causes more severe illness, preliminary observations show that it could cause milder infections. If so, that could be good as we get on our way to the virus being endemic. Andrew Joseph, reporter at STAT News, joins us for the bottom line, it will take weeks and more data before we know.
Finally, the midterms haven’t hit yet and no formal announcement has been made, but speculation is already swirling on who could be former President Trump’s pick for VP if he should run again. There are three lanes he could pick from, a woman, a person of color, or even a consigliere type. Marc Caputo, national political reporter at Politico, joins us for the two most important factors, loyalty and embracing his views on the 2020 election.
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Big shakeup for Twitter’s leadership as CEO Jack Dorsey stepped down on Monday with the company’s technology chief, Parag Agrawal assuming the top post. Dorsey had been serving as the CEO of both Twitter and digital payments company Square and said he decided to leave, because the company is ready to move on from its founders. Salvador Rodriguez, technology reporter at CNBC, joins us for what to know about the leadership change.
Next, some hospitals have been preparing to lose staff over vaccine mandates. Up to 30% of hospital workers aren’t vaccinated and could face termination. In some areas, a reduction of staff could cause disruptions to services. We are also learning that a federal district court in Missouri just issued an injunction temporarily blocking the mandate in 10 states. Julie Wernau, health and medicine reporter at the WSJ, joins us for more.
Finally, love them or hate them the holiday office party is back. This year employees could be in store for a few iterations. The virtual parties are back, but with lessons learned. They won’t run as long and could include a box of food or crafts. The in-person party also makes its return, but much in much smaller groups. Rani Molla, senior data reporter for Recode at Vox, joins us for what to expect.
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The new Covid variant Omicron is beginning to spread across the world. No confirmed cases here in the U.S. just yet, but it has already caused the government to ban travel from 8 African countries. This new variant is concerning because it has a large number of mutations, which could make it more transmissible, but no data on whether it is more deadly. Ginger Gibson, deputy Washington digital editor at NBC News, joins us for this, Republicans seizing on inflation, and the Mississippi abortion case will be heard by the Supreme Court this week.
Next, the great California exodus continues, but not in the way you think. Many people are moving, but not necessarily out of state. Instead they are moving inland to the east. The Inland Empire tied Phoenix for 2020's biggest gain in households as people are looking for bigger properties and cheaper home prices. This is also causing some of those currently living in that area to also move out east more. With this influx of new households also comes more economic opportunities and more diverse neighborhoods. Christine Mai-Duc, state politics and housing reporter at the WSJ, joins us for more.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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The holiday shopping season is in full swing and a lot has changed since the pandemic began. The biggest shift is that businesses are expecting to see more customers in-person, so expect big crowds. E-commerce is expected to slow, but only slightly as it should top the $200 billion mark for the first time. Customers will have more buy now, pay later options and get ready for live-streaming shopping events. Melissa Repko, retail reporter at CNBC, joins us for what to expect this season.
Next, the snowball effect in the supply chain is raising prices and making it harder to get some of the items you want. The biggest challenge that beer and liquor makers are facing is obtaining glass bottles. America loves their chicken tenders, and prices have jumped because of delays at meat processing plants and in Tyson’s case a bad rooster. Medical equipment, toys, video game consoles, and even your favorite athleisure wear are all facing setbacks. Phil McCausland, reporter at NBC News, joins us for a look at some specific items hurt by back backlogs and rising prices.
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Supply chain issues have plagued various industries as we continue on our way back from the pandemic. Now it is coming for America’s supply of pies! Compounding the issue is climate and bad weather effects on pretty much every ingredient in our favorite pies. Case in point is Tampa-based Mike’s Pies who is struggling to fulfill orders and maintain stock of ingredients, starting with their graham cracker crumb vendor. Laura Riley, business of food reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for how even after supply chain issues get resolved, climate change still poses a problem.
Next, Thanksgiving is here and it’s time to talk about our favorite foods! To end the show today we will give you the official Thanksgiving food power rankings. We will speak to Lucas Kwan Peterson, food columnist at the LA Times, for his take on where all your favorite Thanksgiving foods rank. A little preview of what you are in for… Turkey ranks dead last in his list, pumpkin pie doesn’t fare much better, and cranberries might just be the most controversial food item.
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President Biden is tapping the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to release 50 million barrel of oil in hopes that it will bring down the price of gas. This is an effort done in coordination with 6 other countries to bring down prices which is a big contributor to inflation. The only snag is that it still may take some time before we see the effects or if it works at all. Tim Puko, energy policy reporter at the WSJ, joins us for what to know.
Next, the Bay Area and Los Angeles have been hit with a spat of flash-mob style robberies targeting luxury retail stores, jewelry stores, and even marijuana dispensaries. In coordinated efforts large groups of people rush a store, grab as much as they can, and then retreat to cars waiting outside. It underscores the huge challenge that law enforcement has and many also point to Prop 47 which reduced some property crimes to misdemeanors. Rachel Swan, reporter at the SF Chronicle, joins us for more.
Finally, the Democratic Party is going through an identity crisis. Recent polls and focus groups of voters who supported President Biden are hard pressed to know what they currently stand for. Even passing the infrastructure bill and the Build Back Better plan in the House isn’t fixing the issue as voters don’t feel Biden is getting it done. David Siders, national political reporter at Politico, joins us for how the Democratic brand is broken.
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A Michigan woman named Wendy Wein is going to prison after trying to hire a hitman to kill her ex-husband. She didn’t want to kill him herself and didn’t trust the people she knew, so she went online and landed at RentaHitman.com. She went as far as meeting someone and paying a $200 down payment. The problem was that that it is a fake website. Jonathan Edwards, reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for more.
Next, booster shots have been approved for anyone over 18 that has already been fully vaccinated. Protection from getting infected starts to wane after about 6 months especially for those that are older or immunocompromised. But what should you do if you are healthy and not at risk? Does getting a booster shot take away someone’s opportunity to get their first shot? Kelsey Piper, staff writer at Vox, joins us for what to know about boosters.
Finally, you might think that marijuana and parenting don’t mix, but there is a growing movement of ‘cannamoms’ who say that consuming weed helps them to calm down, reduce anxieties and be more present in their kids’ lives. They want to fight the stigma around it and also make clear that they aren’t getting blazingly high and consider it low risk, just like a glass of wine. Jesse Staniforth, contributor to the BBC, joins us for more on ‘cannamoms.’
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The House has passed President Biden's $1.7 trillion Build Back Better plan and it will now move on to the Senate where it will most likely undergo some changes before it gets voted on. The Senate is aiming for a vote before Christmas. While it was passed along party lines, everyone came out with a win as progressives will get to expand the social safety net, moderates got the CBO score they wanted, and even House minority leader Kevin McCarthy drew the praise of Donald Trump for his 8 hour speech delaying the vote. Ginger Gibson, deputy Washington digital editor at NBC News, joins us for this and how the U.S. is spending billions on Covid treatments other than vaccines.
Next, Pfizer recently struck a licensing deal with the Medical Patents Pool which in turn can strike deals with other manufacturers to make generic versions of its Covid antiviral pill for poorer countries, but when it comes to its mRNA vaccine, Pfizer has not been so willing to share the recipe. They stand to make $36 billion in revenue this year and have said that they will increase their shipments to poor countries at adjusted prices. Stephanie Baker, senior writer at Bloomberg News, joins us for the fight over profits and the lopsided global supply of vaccines.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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Covid disruptions to classrooms continue to happen across the country, but many schools are turning to testing over quarantine to keep kids in class. Test-to-stay programs are screening students regularly after exposure to known cases rather than sending them straight home. This allows them to remain in class while they continue to test negative. Sabrina Siddiqui, White House reporter at the WSJ, joins us for how schools are finding ways to keep kids in the classroom.
Next, the iconic Staples Center in Los Angeles will have a new name come Christmas day. In a branding deal worth $700 million, it will now be known as Crypto.com Arena. Crypto.com allows people to trade in popular cryptocurrencies and boasts over 10 million users. Anna Hirtenstein, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for the larger play… the crypto industry’s latest move to get mainstream recognition.
Finally, CVS said it will be closing 900 stores over the next three years as it shifts its strategy to focus on digital sales and more healthcare services. They will be spinning off into three different kinds of stores. One will be their traditional retail locations, one will offer primary care services, and the last will be HealthHubs that offer mental health services and other wellness features. Melissa Repko, retail reporter at CNBC, joins us for more.
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Millions of American are expected to travel for Thanksgiving and if you are heading out, you should expect delays. One of the biggest mysteries is how many TSA agents will be in compliance with vaccine mandates for federal workers set for Nov. 22nd. The government doesn’t think there will be any delays, but long wait times are inevitable as TSA employees are leaving for other reasons too. Suzanne Rowan Kelleher, staff writer at Forbes, joins us for how holiday travel could be a mess.
Next, President Biden has been on the wrong side of the polls recently amid missteps and verbal flubs. According to a Politico/Morning Consult poll, just 44% of voters approve of his job performance and worse yet, 48% say he is not mentally fit. Beyond that, voters didn’t find him to be a clear communicator or a strong leader. Marc Caputo, national political reporter at Politico, joins us for more bad poll numbers for Biden.
Finally, everyone has done it at some point, but it might be wise to stop sucking in your stomach all the time, it could be bad for your health. We’re not talking about the occasional time when taking a picture or trying to fit into an outfit, but prolonged stomach gripping can affect your pelvic floor muscles, make it harder to take deep breaths, or cause soreness and stiffness in you lower back. Allyson Chiu, wellness reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for more.
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A woman in Argentina known as the “Esperanza patient” has become only the second documented person whose own immune system possibly cured her of HIV. She is what’s known as a so-called elite controller of HIV. This happens in an estimated 1 in 200 people and their immune systems are able to suppress the virus from replicating to very low levels without using antiretroviral treatments. While still unknown how this occurs, it does provide hope for the 38 million people living with the virus. Benjamin Ryan, contributor to NBCNews.com, joins us for what to know about the “Esperanza patient.”
Next, where have all the public bathrooms gone? Going through the pandemic and seeing the closures of bars, restaurants and other public spaces, it laid bare how very few places there are for a person to relieve themselves. It was a trend that was definitely happening before the pandemic with many places being closed or just neglected which also gave public restrooms bad reputations. According to a “Public Toilet Index,” the U.S. only has eight toilets per 100,000 people overall. Elizabeth Yuko, contributor to Bloomberg CityLab, joins us for what to know about the lack of public bathrooms.
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Former congressman from El Paso and Democratic presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke, has thrown his hat in the ring again… this time into the Texas governor’s race. He has an uphill battle in a solidly red state that hasn’t chosen a Democratic governor since 1991 and there is also a wild card factor if actor Matthew McConaughey chooses to run. David Siders, national political reporter at Politico, joins us O’Rourke’s announcement.
Next, President Biden and his administration have had a messaging problem when it comes to inflation, coronavirus and Afghanistan. It is causing Democrats to worry whether his is underestimating the scale of the challenges we face in the country. Constant re-branding of legislative priorities have also made it tough to gain traction all while approval ratings keep dropping. Tyler Pager, White House reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for what to know.
Finally, phone notifications are driving people crazy. The constant pings and chirps are causing distractions as our communication has become more fragmented. Work and personal messages are blurring together for a non-stop flow of distractions and when we lose out focus, it can take an average of 25 minutes to get back on track. Rachel Feintzeig, work and life columnist at the WSJ, joins us for how it can be hard to get anything done.
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Inflation is the latest issue that Biden and his administration need to get under control. Everything is more expensive right now and supply chain issues continue to affect the economy. While Democrats try to bring prices down, there is also more urgency to pass Biden's Build Back Better plan, with some notable holdouts like Sen. Joe Manchin who is concerned with how it could impact inflation. Ginger Gibson, deputy Washington digital editor at NBC News, joins us for this, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg stepping into the spotlight, and Steve Bannon being indicted for contempt of Congress.
Next, every wonder why you feel like you might not fit into a particular political party? Americans are divided for sure, but it goes beyond a left or right thing. Even within each party there are deep divides. Pew Research sorted American ideologies into nine distinct categories, four that lean left, four that lean right, and stressed sideliners in the middle. And for those that do fit into the center, they often hold little common ground. Baxter Oliphant, senior researcher at the Pew Research Center, joins us for the wide spectrum of political beliefs.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Since you love this podcast, we think you might like this one as well. Check out Essential Voices where in each episode, host Wilmer Valderrama will have intimate conversations with people on the frontlines of the food system, transportation, child-care and other workers who are so often overlooked. That conversation leads to a round-table discussion with activists and politically-active celebrities, discussing themes, issues and areas of needed change.
About this Episode
When the pandemic began, journalist Ashton Pittman began working at the Mississippi Free Press, a new nonprofit media outlet, not realizing what the future would hold. At a time when local, national, and global communities relied heavily on news outlets for an accurate portrayal of the Covid pandemic, Ashton’s work to provide fair and accurate journalism became essential. Not only reporting on Covid-19 but also on the Black Lives Matter protests in Mississippi, Ashton came face to face with combating misinformation and vaccine hesitancy, all the while uplifting stories of Mississipians in a media desert. Roundtable guests: Award-winning journalists Maria Hinojosa from Latino USA on NPR and Julio Ricardo Varela from Latino Rebels, both produced by the Futuro Media Group.
Listen and Subscribe to Essential Voices with Wilmer Valderrama on the iHeartRadio app or wherever you get your podcasts! https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-essential-voices-with-wil-84986899/
Learn more about the Mississippi Free Press: http://mississippifreepress.org/
Learn more about Maria and Julio’s podcast, In The Thick: https://www.inthethick.org
Learn more about Futuro Media: https://www.futuromediagroup.org
Learn more about Latino Rebels: https://www.latinorebels.com
Episode Transcript: https://app.trint.com/public/bb77b0f4-77a8-4888-bd34-0da794a592ae
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Prices were up 6.2% last month which is the largest rise in 30 years. Inflation is making everything more expensive and the era of cheap everything is over. Supply chain issues continue to be the main culprit for most of our post-pandemic woes, but inflation could wipe away wage gains and savings that many Americans are now having to spend. Kevin Dugan, reporter at NY Magazine, joins us for how everything is more expensive.
Next, Thanksgiving is quickly approaching and we are hearing that it will be more expensive than in years past and also that there might be a turkey shortage. The expensive part is true, but there won’t be a mass shortage of turkeys. Rather, it might be difficult to find the turkey you want. Last year, small birds were all the rage because of smaller family gatherings, this year is all about the mid-size birds. Emily Stewart, senior reporter at Vox, joins us for why you should start shopping now.
Finally, electric vehicle company Rivian Automotive just went public and is proving to be a very attractive stock netting about $12 billion on an $80 billion valuation. Rivian has had a slower and more deliberate approach to its rollout which will also be a good test of the meme stock craze that has lifted various companies’ value. Andrew Hawkins, transportation reporter at The Verge, joins us for more.
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Many are still reeling from the tragedy at the Astroworld Festival where eight people died and hundreds were injured. Many questions remain on how things escalated so quickly, but crowd surges like the one that night happen fast and often go unnoticed until it’s too late. Emergency plans for the event covered other things like active shooters, but nothing in the case of a crowd surge. Ahiza Garcia-Hodges, reporter at NBC News, joins us for more.
Next, we have been learning a lot about mRNA because of the Covid vaccines, but the next big thing for RNA could be fixing moldy food. The next generation of pesticides and fungicides could use RNA to target very specific insects and fungi. One particular type of fungus they hope to target is responsible for at least $10 billion in damage to crops every year. Matt Reynolds, senior writer at Wired, joins us for how RNA may be used next to help farmers.
Finally, the crypto market continues to be the Wild West. The combined value of all cryptocurrencies is over $3 trillion and that is driving interest and investors to snatch up newer cryptocurrencies and unfortunately, fall for scams. One example is “Squid coin” which capitalized on the popular Netflix show, but ended up being a “rug pull” scam. Thomas Urbain, markets and tech reporter at AFP, joins us for what to know.
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The brokerage app Robinhood is the latest company to have been hit with a data breach. In this case it is affecting about 7 million users and has been linked to a phone call where a hacker duped a customer support staffer for access. No money has been lost yet and most of the breach concerned names and email addresses, with about 300 people that had more details exposed. There is still concern as other scammers can do a lot with just names and emails. Annie Massa, investing reporter at Bloomberg News, joins us for more.
Next, we have seen walkouts and protests across the country at fast food restaurants and now we’ll take a look at a rebellion inside a McDonald’s in Bradford, Pa. Workers at this fast food chain were unhappy with wages and conditions and banded together to walkout. Frustrated with the lack of support from the franchise owner and even corporate offices the workers left and in a good twist all found better paying jobs. Online and elsewhere these workers received scathing criticism saying they were entitled, but they also got some support from others in the service industry. Greg Jaffe, national reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for how this walkout took place.
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A couple in California has filed a lawsuit against a fertility clinic that mixed up their embryos with another couple. Daphna and Alexander Cardinale carried the baby of another couple, gave birth to a baby girl and raised her for four months until the couples decided to swap babies. The other couple was implanted with the Cardinale’s embryo. Adam Wolf, attorney for the Cardinale family, joins us for what happened and the effort to never let this happen again.
Next, there is a new etiquette for post-pandemic office life. Many still have anxieties about being back and others are just rusty from being away for so long. Hugs and handshakes are out, be honest with those close talkers so they give you space, and it is OK to ask about vaccination status. Rachel Feintzeig, work and life columnist at the WSJ, joins us for how to avoid the awkward return.
Finally, there is such a thing as being too positive and it could be very annoying. Positivity given in the wrong way is called “toxic positivity” and it can come off as dismissive or condescending when you don’t listen and just offer up platitudes like “Cheer up!” and “Try to have a better attitude.” There is a better approach when someone just wants to vent to you. Elizabeth Bernstein, author of the Bonds column at the WSJ, joins us for more on toxic positivity.
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President Biden got a big win when the House finally passed the bi-partian infrastructure bill, but any political gains will take time to be seen. Still in flux for now is the $1.75 trillion Build Back Better plan and polls continue to show that Biden's approval rating keeps dropping. Ginger Gibson, deputy Washington digital editor at NBC News joins us for this, a federal judge halts the vaccine requirement for companies with 100 or more employees, and things don't look good for a Democratic majority as many are retiring before the midterms.
Next, we'll continue to look at how the Great Resignation is affecting the job market. While many have left to pursue better wages and working environments, millions of Americans have been left behind and still can't find work. Millions of jobs are available, but they are not connecting with those who need them. Karla Miller, work advice columnist at the Washington Post, joins us for those left behind and the flip side, what employers did right to hold on to their workers... trust, appreciation, and support go a long way.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Biden administration has released new vaccine rules that could cover more than 100 million workers. For companies with more than 100 employees, the deadline is now January 4th for them to be fully vaccinated or get tested weekly. Employers are not required to pay for testing so the burden will most likely be placed on the employee. There is already opposition to the new rules and lawsuits will follow. Mo’Kelly, host of the Mo’Kelly Show on KFI Radio, joins us for what to know.
Next, there’s a plumbing problem on the SpaceX Crew Dragon. When astronauts return home later this month from the International Space Station they will have to wear backup “undergarments” if they need to do any business. A possible urine leak in the space toilet is the culprit. Alex Knapp, senior editor at Forbes, joins us for why it’s more important than ever for these astronauts to use the restroom before they launch.
Finally, there’s a new rulebook for first dates and it includes dressing down. We’re talking sweatpants or athleisure wear and no makeup. This can also extend to dating app profiles. The effort behind this is to put forth more authenticity, so a potential partner can get to know you better versus some perfect version of you. Rory Satran, fashion director and columnist at the WSJ, joins us for why first dates are much more casual.
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The Pfizer vaccine has been approved for kids ages 5-11 and while there are a lot of concerns with giving the vaccine to children, the dosage has been adjusted. Children in this age range will only be getting 10 micrograms of RNA in each shot, versus 30 micrograms for those 12 and up. Katherine Wu, staff writer at The Atlantic, joins us for why the dosage is less about weight and size and more about how the body can marshal a defense.
Next, election night 2021 did not look too good for Democrats. In a very closely watched race for governor in Virginia, Republican Glen Youngkin pulled out the win over Terry McAuliffe. Messaging was off for Democrats and Youngkin proved he could win without fully embracing Trump. David Siders, national political correspondent at Politico, joins us for election night takeaways.
Finally, residents in Minneapolis voted down the ballot measure that would have gotten rid of the police department in favor of a Department of Public Safety. People on both sides agree that police reform must be done there, but a majority did not want to dismantle the current structure. Janelle Griffith, national reporter at NBC News, joins us for all the fallout from “Question 2.”
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Vaccine mandates continue to be a problem for many companies that contract with the federal government. The clock is ticking with a December 8th deadline and thousands of employees have yet to be vaccinated. Many are requesting exemptions for religious and medical reasons and others are readying to file lawsuits in opposition. Tina Bellon, reporter at Reuters, joins us for the rebellion over these mandates.
Next, we have been hearing a lot about the Great Resignation and its effects on the job market. Right now, the normal rules don’t apply. In some cases people have quit their jobs and found better ones, many are finding success with gig jobs. Employers desperately searching for new workers aren’t worried about gaps in your resume as people are looking for their first post-pandemic jobs outside of what they did before 2020. Karla Miller, work advice columnist at the Washington Post, joins us for more.
Finally, this year’s Thanksgiving dinner is going to be very expensive. Pretty much every ingredient and other components like the disposable aluminum roasting pan is going to cost more or be harder to find. The usual suspects are responsible for this… supply chain issues, transportation costs and labor shortages. Kim Severson, national food correspondent at the NY Times, joins us for why you should shop smart and early for Thanksgiving.
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Instagram has changed itself to become a shopping destination for many, but be careful who you’re buying and don’t fall victim to “ghost stores.” You may think you are buying items from independent, small business owners and designers and paying a premium for it, but with some digging, you might be able to find some of those same items for half the price at places like Shein, AliExpress or Amazon. Terry Nguyen, reporter at Vox, joins us for the ghost stores of Instagram.
Next, the pandemic was a big inflection point for workers of all industries, but teachers were put in an especially difficult spot dealing with remote learning, back-to-school craziness, and concerns for their own health. Many teachers quit, and others are still thinking about it. Leslie Gray Streeter, author and contributor to The Washington Post Magazine, joins us to talk about conversations she had with teachers that left their profession because of the pandemic. Many felt guilt, anger and heartbreak over their choices.
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Biden’s Build Back Better plan continued to be slimmed down in an effort to get all Democrats on board. The plan now stands at $1.75 trillion and had some key things taken out like paid family leave and efforts to lower prescription drug prices. Biden said that his presidency and House and Senate majorities hinge on what happens with the plan. Ginger Gibson, deputy Washington digital editor at NBC News, joins us for this, Florida suing over vaccine mandates and a preview of election day.
Next, there has been a lot of scrutiny placed on social media recently in light of the Facebook Papers, and while social media has opened the line of communication for many, maybe we weren’t meant to talk to each other so much? The number of meaningful relationships a person can have is far less than the number of people you can accumulate in a social network, and that’s where the problems can start. Both genuine speech and misinformation gets muddled together very quickly. Ian Bogost, contributing writer at The Atlantic and Director of Film and Media Studies at Washington University, joins us for more.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
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Beware of higher prices for everyday items. You’ll be paying more for everything from coffee to toilet paper… and big companies are betting that you’ll keep paying those prices. Procter & Gamble, Nestle, Verizon and others all plan to continue raising prices and push customers to more expensive products well into 2022 to help offset the growing costs of the supply chain crisis. Sharon Terlep, consumer products reporter at the WSJ, joins us for why companies think you’ll stick with them as things get more expensive.
Next, Halloween means it’s time for spooky movies and horror movies in general have had quite the evolution. Some of the best horror movies have acted as a mirror reflecting our own fears of the time back at us and built upon each other to get us where we are today. From the early days with the classic movie monsters, to the slashers and serial killer flicks, all the way to modern horror movies, they have all been commentaries of what is going on in the world at the time. Next step will be to see how the pandemic impacts the horror genre. Aja Romano, culture writer at Vox, joins us for the horror century of movies.
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The Facebook Papers are out and it is shedding more light on how executives there weighed various tradeoffs between their bottom line and impacts on public safety. In one instance, it took them years to implement a fix for the algorithm that was feeding people angry, emotional content filled with misinformation. If you used the angry emoji on a post instead of the like button, it carried more weight and then feed you more of the same, despite the signal that you did not like it. Jeremy Merrill, data reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for more.
Next, despite all the rain that dropped in West recently, it wasn’t enough to pull it out of a drought. Water continues to be scare, getting more expensive and it is leading places like California to invest in more water treatment facilities. Recycled wastewater get a bad rap because of where it’s coming from, but the filtration technology being used now is producing water so clean, it would actually harm you if minerals weren’t put back into it. Matt Simon, science journalist at Wired, joins us for why people should drink more recycled wastewater.
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A clearer picture is starting to develop of the situation that unfolded on the set of “Rust” where Alec Baldwin handled a firearm that discharged and killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and injured director Joel Souza. We are learning that the assistant director who handed Baldwin the hot gun was also fired from another movie where a gun discharged too. Sonia Rao, pop culture reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for how some basic safety protocols were not followed.
Next, there is a new effort to eliminate gender bias in new toys on the market and also the marketing associated with them. In California, a bill was signed requiring retailers to have gender-neutral sections for children items and toys. This is a move that many toy makers have been moving toward, but this law is bringing more attention to the issue. Allison Prang, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for the fight over gender-neutral toys.
Finally, this coming election day, police are on the ballot in Minneapolis. If passed, the ballot initiative called “Question Two” would replace the police department with a department of public safety that would include officers, but also mental health and substance abuse experts. The new department would be overseen by the mayor and city council, but residents and public officials are split on the subject. Janelle Griffith, national reporter at NBC News, joins us for more.
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Falling in line with what we heard from Pfizer’s mRNA vaccine, Moderna has released interim data showing that their vaccine is also safe and produced the desired immune response in children ages 6-11. The dosage would be half of what it is for adults, but still come in a 2-shot protocol. Peter Loftus, pharmaceutical reporter at the WSJ, joins us for what to expect as the vaccines get closer to being approved for children.
Next, remember all those vaccine lotteries? It went something like this… get you vaccine and you’re automatically entered to win a million bucks. 19 states in total ran some type of lottery and spent at least $89 million, unfortunately, they didn’t work too well. Research says that the increases were “very small in magnitude and statistically indistinguishable from zero.” Erin Schumaker, science editor at Business Insider, joins us for more.
Finally, for those that enjoy a good night out dancing with friends or having a drink, you may be asking when you can enjoy nightlife again. The pandemic changed a lot, but as things open up more, it is all about accessing your personal risk. Clubs and bars are after all perfect places to spread Covid with crowds of people and poor ventilation. Alex Abad-Santos, senior correspondent at Vox, joins us for what to know.
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Progress has been slow, but it seems that Biden's Build Back Better plan is back on track with a vote expected this week. The spending plan has been pared down to about $2 trillion from the initial $3.5 trillion. In order to get there, paid leave for new parents has been reduced, expanded Medicare that would include dental and vision will now be a voucher, and tuition free community college has been scrapped. Ginger Gibson, deputy Washington digital editor at NBC News, joins us for this, the Supreme Court taking on the Texas abortion law, and Dr. Fauci is in the GOP crosshairs again.
Next, we could very soon see mass firings across the country as deadlines for vaccine mandates approach. The federal government, certain states, and private companies have faced opposition from employees as some are still resisting their shots for a variety of reasons, but what happens after that? Disruptions to some essential services could occur as rehiring and training may lag. Firefighters, police, and nursing staff are not so easily replaced. Pedro Gonzalez, associate editor at Chronicles Magazine, joins us for more.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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A recent phenomena has been turning up in doctors’ offices where teen girls are exhibiting sudden and severe physical tics. After digging into it, many of the girls had one thing in common, they are were watching Tourette syndrome TikTok videos. Most of these teens had also previously been diagnosed with anxiety or depression, but girls with tics are rare and these teens had a high number of them and in some cases the same tic, such as saying the word ‘beans.’ Julie Jargon, family and tech columnist at the WSJ, joins us for how these tics were developing because of social media.
Next, former President Trump has announced that he will be launching a digital media network complete with a social media platform called “Truth Social.” With this venture he seems to be taking aim at everyone in three distinct divisions: social media, subscription based content and news, and even alternatives to internet services like AWS. Truth Social could be launching in early 2022, but there seems to be a lot of work yet to be done as some reports said the site was already hacked. Kia Kokalitcheva, tech and business reporter at Axios, joins us for more.
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In a first of its kind procedure, surgeons transplanted a pig kidney into a human and it immediately began to work. The kidney was grown in a genetically altered pig modified so the human body wouldn't reject the organ. While the procedure was a success, it was only monitored for 54 hours. So the big question is what would be the long-term viability of the organ. Roni Rabin, health writer at the NY Times, joins us for this success that could one day be a new source for transplant organs.
Next, the White House has unveiled its plan for getting kids aged 5-11 vaccinated once the Pfizer vaccine is approved for that age range. The vaccines would be distributed at pediatric offices, pharmacies, and schools. The vaccine would be two shots at a lower dosage given three weeks apart. Kids are largely spared the worst effects of the virus so the big hurdle will be getting parents to vaccinate their kids while there is already so much pushback. Sabrina Siddiqui, White House reporter at the WSJ, joins us for more.
Finally, a story of a multimillion-dollar shoplifting scheme run by a father-daughter duo. Robert and Noni Whitely have been sentenced to five years in prison after orchestrating a scheme that got them $6.1 million dollars over a decade. They would give shoplifters a list of items like razor blades, toothpaste, shampoo and over the counter drugs then turn around and sell them on online marketplaces at a discount. Lukas Alpert, financial crime reporter at MarketWatch, joins us for how it all happened
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Mix-n-match Covid booster shots could be on their way soon. The FDA may be allowing Americans to switch to another shot when choosing a booster. Preliminary data shows that it is still safe and gives a huge boost to your protection particularly if you had the J&J shot. The Pfizer vaccine boosted antibody levels by a factor of 35 and Moderna raised it 76-fold. Carl Zimmer, columnist at the NY Times, joins us for more on mix-match boosters.
Next, the Haitian gang accused of kidnapping American missionaries goes by the name of 400 Mawozo, and they have reportedly asked for $17 million, a ransom of $1 million per hostage. Kidnappings have increased as the president there was recently assassinated and poverty persists throughout the country. This group has been responsible for 80% of the kidnappings in the last few months. Miriam Berger, international news reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for what to know.
Finally, nearly 40% of state workers in California remain unvaccinated despite Gov. Gavin Newsom’s orders. The orders are to be vaccinated or undergo weekly testing and state workers are lagging compared to the general public. The big hurdle comes soon as state offices begin to reopen and the testing infrastructure still needs to be completed. Wes Venteicher, state worker reporter at the Sacramento Bee, joins us for more.
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It could be the next generation of the internet. It could be bigger than the impact of the mobile revolution and many companies are gearing up to make it happen. I am talking about the ‘metaverse.’ It is an immersive digital world where you can shop, gather with friends in the form of digital avatars, and experience a world that goes beyond the real one. The technology isn’t completely there yet, but big tech companies like Microsoft and Facebook are working toward that goal. Sarah Needleman, tech reporter at the WSJ, joins us for what to expect from the metaverse and what it will take to get there.
Next, interventions in diet, exercise and mental outlook are some of the best ways to add healthy years to your life. Experts who have studied longevity say that by the end of this century, it’s possible that someone could live longer than the current record of 122 years old. There is a process in which certain stressors can activate genes that slow down cell growth and aging, and a lot of that can be triggered with diet and exercise. Matt Fuchs, contributor to The Washington Post, joins us for how to how to add healthy years.
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It is always a little worrisome when a former president goes into the hospital, but former President Bill Clinton has responded well to his medications and been discharged after a urological infection went into his bloodstream. He will now go back home to NY to continue treatment. Ginger Gibson, deputy Washington digital editor at NBC News joins us for the update on Bill Clinton and what is next for election day. The race for governor in Virginia and school board races across the country are making education a central issue as critical race theory and Covid rules loom large.
Next, what happens when you order things online and send them back? You may think it makes its way back to the shelf and on its way to another person, but that is rarely true. Oftentimes items make their way to bulk resellers overseas, stripped for parts, or just thrown away. Returns are a big problem for companies that are expected to have generous return policies as a default. These reverse logistics are many times cost prohibitive to deal with. Amanda Mull, staff writer at The Atlantic, joins us for the nasty logistics of returning your online items.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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The White House has scrambled to help ease the situation at ports off the coast of California and avert a holiday shopping crisis. President Biden announced this week that the Port of Los Angeles will be open 24/7 and that major companies will also expand their working hours to help offload products. While this may help in the short term, supply chain issues are expected to last into next year. Steven Overly, global trade and economics reporter at Politico, joins us for more.
Next, some good airline news for a change. For all those that love their carryon bags, overhead bin space is getting bigger and there are also more spots. The changes are rolling out on newer planes, but space is increasing by 50% and both passengers and the airlines are finding that it is reducing the friction of loading on the plane. Scott McCartney, Middle Seat columnist at the WSJ, joins us for more space in those overhead bins.
Finally, we recently heard that the ivory-billed woodpecker was deemed extinct and now the American bumblebee could be at risk. Their population has decreased by 89% across the country and has already disappeared from 8 states. Climate change, pesticides, loss of habitat, and competition from honey bees are driving their numbers down. Asha Gilbert, trending reporter at USA Today, joins us for what to know.
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Confusion in Texas over vaccine mandates. Gov. Greg Abbot just banned vaccine mandates for all entities in the state including private businesses. This could pose a problem for many companies that contract with the federal government since Biden has mandated that they do get vaccinated. Now, some companies are caught in the middle and could lose federal funding or run afoul of the state law. Mitchell Ferman, economy reporter at the Texas Tribune, joins us for more.
Next, the employment recovery in the country is still a bumpy and uneven one. There are still more jobs than there are unemployed people and the pace of new hires was weak for last month. More women have dropped out of the labor force due to messy back to school rollouts and child care issues and lower-wage workers are waiting for new opportunities instead of going back to old jobs. Eli Rosenberg, labor reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for what we are seeing in unemployment numbers.
Finally, while the majority of migrants coming to the border are very poor and take long perilous trips, some of the more affluent migrants and taking different routes. In some cases middle-class migrants from Brazil and Venezuela are taking flights to Mexico and then making the last leg of the trip by cab or bus. Alicia Caldwell, immigration reporter at the WSJ, joins us for some are flying to the border.
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Manufacturing and supply chain issues continue to affect most industries and if you are remodeling your kitchen or buying new appliances you might want to prepare for some delays. Some people have had to wait months and in extreme cases a year to get the appliances they ordered. To get by, some are using loaners from appliance stores or even doing dishes in the bathtub. Austen Hufford, manufacturing reporter at the WSJ, joins us for all the appliance delays.
Next, President Biden’s numbers have not been improving much and it seems to be the very thing he promised to fix, the pandemic, that’s dragging him down. While there have been some really bad headlines with Afghanistan and immigration, the pandemic looms large as people experience fatigue with continued regulations. Christopher Cadelago, White House reporter at Politico, joins us for why Democrats are worried that Biden can’t shake the pandemic.
Finally, Facebook and Instagram have been under a lot of scrutiny after a whistleblower leaked internal documents about what the social media giant knows about how toxic Instagram can be to teen girls. In response, Instagram is working on features to help them take a break and nudge them away from harmful content. Kim Lyons, deputy news editor at The Verge, joins us for more.
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A plot to sell nuclear submarine secrets to a foreign country has been thwarted by the FBI. A Navy nuclear engineer and his wife were both charged in the attempt. In one instance, Jonathan Toebbe, who had top-secret clearance and conducted a “dead drop” where he placed an SD card with gigs of sensitive data inside a peanut butter sandwich for what he thought was an agent of a foreign country. Devlin Barrett, reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for espionage plot.
Next, pharmaceutical company Merck is seeking emergency use authorization for its Covid-19 pill. If approved, it would be the first oral antiviral for Covid. Other treatments such as remdesivir and monoclonal antibody treatments both require an intravenous infusion. The pill reduces risk of hospitalization by 50%. Riley Griffin, healthcare reporter at Bloomberg News, joins us for more on this pill that directly targets the virus.
Finally, Southwest Airlines was a mess this past weekend as it cancelled over 2,000 flights. The airline blamed air traffic control, bad weather, and staffing shortages for the delays. There was speculation that many employees, including pilots were calling out sick in response to vaccine mandates, but the company said those reports were inaccurate. Leslie Josephs, airline reporter at CNBC, joins us for Southwest’s problems.
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The debt limit has been extended and kicked down the road to December. So get ready for more fighting very soon. Mitch McConnell says that Republicans won't vote to extend it again putting all the pressure on Democrats to pass it through reconciliation. Republicans are hoping to use the rising debt as an issue during the midterms. Ginger Gibson, deputy Washington digital editor at NBC News, joins us for the ongoing fight, how the Build Back Better plan will be slimmed down, and thousands of U.S. service members have yet to be fully vaccinated despite upcoming deadlines.
Next, America's supply chain is broken and there is no better example than looking at all of the ships sitting off the coast of California. The pandemic caused a major shift in consumer spending and it triggered a huge influx of imports and it's all bottlenecked due to lack of coordination and worker shortages. Ships are at ports waiting to be unloaded, not enough workers there can offload containers in a timely manner, and a shortage of truck drivers is delaying shipments to the rest of the country. This all results in price hikes for everyone and possible shortages for holiday shopping. David Lynch, global economics correspondent at The Washington Post, joins us for the broken supply chain.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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A recent top-secret cable was sent to C.I.A. stations across the world saying that dozens of informants used as spies for the U.S. have been captured, killed, or compromised. According to one expert, because of technology, the old way of spying has become obsolete. Biometric scans, facial recognition and even cell phones are revealing key facts about movements, patterns, and life associations. Ken Dilanian, national security correspondent at NBC News, joins us for more.
Next, scientists are constantly working on averting the next pandemic and one avenue that is being pursued is a so-called pan-coronavirus vaccine. This would be a shot that could block many related viruses all in one. Although still years away, they are trying to develop a vaccine to protect you from everything from Covid variants to the common cold. Betsy McKay, senior writer at the WSJ, joins us for the effort to make a universal vaccine.
Finally, work burnout has been an issue for some time, but the pandemic has shown many people just how much their work has taken over their lives. With constant meetings and new pressures people are struggling to take control. Unfortunately, sometimes it takes a life-changing event to realize it. Rachel Feintzeig, work and life columnist at the WSJ, joins us for why maybe you should care a little less to get your life back.
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Some more on all the fallout from the Pandora Papers. Part of a global hunt looking for looted treasure has led to the offshore trusts of art dealer Douglas Latchford. Latchford has trafficked and profited from Cambodian artifacts he obtained over the years. He was indicted in 2019 and prosecutors wanted the forfeiture of any and all property related to his trade, but he died soon thereafter leading to the big question… What happened to all the money and looted treasures. Peter Whoriskey, reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for how the Pandora Papers shed some light where these relics might be.
Next, another story about the growing costs of being unvaccinated. A woman in Colorado is being denied a kidney transplant because both she and her donor are unvaccinated. UCHealth said she would be inactivated on the kidney transplant list unless she began the process of getting a vaccine. Studies have shown that Covid-19 can be especially deadly for recipients of kidney transplants with a mortality rate of 20-30%. Hannah Knowles, reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for more.
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The Pandora Papers have hit and it's shedding light on the financial secrets of world leaders, politicians, fugitives and con artists. Leaked records show how big power players are stashing assets in secret shell companies, offshore tax havens, and trusts with governments doing little to stop it. Through these documents we are seeing country leaders on five continents using the offshore system, including King Abdullah II of Jordan spending millions on luxury homes in California. We are also learning how South Dakota is a key player where people are moving money to secretive American trust companies. Michael Hudson, senior editor at the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, the group who led the effort in obtaining these documents, joins us for what's in the Pandora Papers.
Next, get ready for mail delays and price hikes coming to the US Postal Service. In an effort to cut costs over the next 10 years, first-class mail will be slowed down and there will be less reliance on planes used to transport mail across the country. First-class mail used to be delivered in 1-3 days, and in some cases it will be delivered in 1-5 days. Price hikes are also coming to stamps and package delivery just in time for the holiday season. This plan and the Postmaster General have both received criticism. Ellen Ioanes, reporter at Vox, joins us for what to expect and who is affected most.
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Huge environmental disaster off the coast of California as we saw a leak from a pipeline connected to an oil company called Amplify Energy. At least 126,000 gallons of crude oil spilled into the sea with tar balls washing up on shore and impacting wildlife. The initial impact was in Huntington Beach, but the oil is moving south affecting more areas of the coastline. The leak is believed to be stopped now and the cause is still unknown, whether the structural integrity of the pipe was compromised or if a ship anchor struck the pipe. Steve Gregory, reporter for KFI News in LA and OC, joins us for what to know.
Next, Netflix’s new show ‘Squid Game’ is a hit and poised to become their most watched show ever. There are many reasons why it is hitting at this moment, one of them being social media. On TikTok the hashtag #SquidGame has been viewed more than 22 billion times and is perfect meme fodder. While the show was not heavily marketed in the U.S. it is a unique property and Korean entertainment is currently huge in the states. Kalhan Rosenblatt, youth and internet culture reporter at NBC News, joins us for why ‘Squid Game’ has taken off.
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House Democratic leadership has failed to get enough support for the massive $3.5 trillion spending bill, stalling President Biden's top agenda item right now. There is support for the plan, just not at that price tag. On the Senate side, Senators Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema are the holdouts there with Manchin wanting something in the range of $1.5 trillion, but the focus right now is on Sinema who has not committed to any particular price or policy items. Ginger Gibson, deputy Washington digital editor at NBC News, joins us for this and the beginning of the next controversial term for the Supreme Court.
Next, as the deadline for many vaccinate mandates are coming soon, many still resisting their shots are looking for exemptions. Religious exemptions are one way that people are seeking to get out of the mandates, but they may not be as easy to get as some may think. Employers have a lot of discretion when granting these. Employers have to provide reasonable accommodations, but they can also probe whether a person's beliefs are sincere and deny it if they think they are not. Many objections are based in the belief that the vaccines contain fetal cell lines, which they don't. Andrea Hsu, labor and workplace correspondent at NPR, joins us for more.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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Where have all the restaurant and retail workers impacted by the pandemic gone? Many of them went to work in the marijuana industry. There is now an estimated 321,000 workers in the legal cannabis industry. Workers in this industry say they are finding better hours, benefits, and more opportunities to advance. Abha Bhattarai, national retail reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for marijuana jobs have been a refuge for retail and restaurant workers.
Next, the $2 trillion crypto market is heating up and so is the fight to control it. China has made some impactful decisions recently banning all crypto transaction as they make way for their own digital currency. The U.S. is currently figuring out what kind of regulations and oversight might be needed in the states to protect consumers. Claire Ballentine, personal finance reporter at Bloomberg News, joins us for more.
Finally, checking in on our furry friends and the people who help keep them healthy… the pandemic has caused all sorts of backlogs at veterinary offices. Vet staff has been increasingly stressed out as there have been spikes in demand for services, slowed-down curbside protocols, labor shortages, and pets having to be turned away in some cases. HG Watson, contributor to the Guardian, joins for what to know.
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United Airlines has the strictest vaccine mandates of all the U.S. airlines and just announced that they will move to fire almost 600 workers who failed to comply. The company has about 67,000 employees and about 96% of them have been vaccinated. Others who sought exemptions for religious or medial reasons will be placed on temporary unpaid leave. Leslie Josephs, airline reporter at CNBC, joins us for how the ball is dropping for those refusing the mandate.
Next, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has announced that 23 animals and plants have been cleared off the endangered species list and are officially extinct. The most notable animal on the list is the ivory-billed woodpecker which is sometimes referred to as the “Lord God Bird.” The last reported sighting was in 2004, but even then it was not confirmed. Dino Grandoni, environmental reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for more.
Finally, Texas politics is taking over America. Recent happenings there such at the strict new abortion law, the Haitian immigrant crisis, and any action taken on Covid have all extended beyond the Texas borders and influenced the national debate on those topics. Marissa Martinez, fellow at Politico, joins us for how everyone is talking about Texas.
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Top U.S. military leaders were testifying before the Senate Armed Services Committee and took aim at actions by both Presidents Trump and Biden when it came to Afghanistan. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said that the deal Trump made with the Taliban had a demoralizing effect on Afghan soldiers. General Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said that he thought we should keep at least 2,500 troops there to maintain stability, despite Biden denying his advisors told him so. Daniel Flatley, Congressional Reporter at Bloomberg News, fills us in on what to know.
Next, could a DNA test help you have a better drug experience? There is an emerging industry making at-home testing kits that look at different genetic traits that could help people understand how they will react to cannabis or psychedelic drugs and find the right dose. Companies that are looking into alternative therapies for depression, pain, PTSD and other ailments are trying to make sure you don’t have a bad trip. Tiffany Kary, consumer reporter at Bloomberg News, joins us for more.
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Police officers are continuing to resist vaccinations even as we see more mandates for public employees and as it becomes the number one killer for officers with gunfire coming in second. Cops are lagging behind the general public they serve and for many of the same reasons we hear in other sectors…not wanting to be forced and skepticism over safety. Policy unions are calling for more exemptions or weekly testing. Zusha Elinson, national reporter at the WSJ, joins us for more.
Next, R&B singer R. Kelly has been found guilty on all counts in his sex-trafficking and racketeering trial. The prosecution called on 45 witnesses to make their case that he was a sexual predator that abused young women and underage girls for more than two decades. The defense tried to say that his victims were just groupies who tried to exploit him. Sentencing will come on May 4th. Lou Shapiro, criminal defense attorney and legal analyst, joins us for what to know.
Finally, the pandemic has amplified the social anxiety that some young people are experiencing, and it was intensified by the isolation many underwent. They aren’t necessarily scared about catching Covid, but just have the intense fear of being watched and judged. Eduardo Medina, reporter at the NY Times, joins us for post pandemic social anxiety.
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The Biden administration has been bogged down with some stumbles recently in Afghanistan, immigration out of control in Del Rio, Texas, and the fate of the massive spending bill still unclear. Analysts say that Biden badly needs a win and the passage of his domestic plan could be the last thing possible before the midterm elections. Ginger Gibson, deputy Washington digital editor at NBC News, joins us for this and the fight over lifting the debt limit.
Next, the liquor shortage caused by the pandemic still continues in some states and they are having to resort to rationing liquor supplies to keep up. As with many other industries, problems at every step of the supply chain are affecting liquor stocks. Some producers are having a hard time sourcing glass bottles, the cost of importing liquor is high, and there is a shortage of truck drivers hampering delivery. Joe Hernandez, reporter at NPR, joins us for why some states are still short on liquor.
Finally, the future of retail could feature live-stream-shopping. Ntwrk, is a shopping app that functions sort of like a QVC for hyped up streetwear. It offers up a digital shopping experience where clothing makers and customizers can talk about their products through live broadcasts and shoppers can buy directly from the app. The app also has some big investors behind it such as Drake, Live Nation, and Foot Locker. Jacob Gallagher, On Trend columnist at the WSJ, joins us for more.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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Good news for home buyers! The crazy housing market cooled down last month, albeit by some very modest numbers. Still, it’s an improvement for many buyers that have struggled and been outbid. Average number of offers per house have gone down, less inspection and appraisal contingencies are being waived, and we are seeing more price cuts. Nicole Friedman, U.S. housing reporter at the WSJ, joins us for why some prices have eased.
Next, there has been a huge hack of internet company Epik. They have long been the last hope of websites belonging to groups like the Proud Boys, QAnon conspiracy theorists, and others known for extreme posts. The hacker group Anonymous dumped tons of private data including names and other identifying data and extremism researchers say it will allow them to gain new insight into how they operate online. Drew Harwell, tech reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for more.
Finally, you’re not crazy… you are spending more time in that fast food drive-thru and they are also a little less accurate. A new study done with mystery shoppers found we are spending about a minute more in these lines than we were last year. When it comes to accuracy, Chick-fil-A and Taco Bell top the list. Amelia Lucas, restaurant reporter at CNBC.com, joins us for what to know.
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All of the available vaccines have been proven to be safe and effective against serious illness and hospitalization, but is there one that stands out above the rest? A series of studies have found that the Moderna vaccine may provide the most protection when it comes to antibodies and hospitalization. Part of it may be that the vaccine delivers a larger dose that Pfizer. Apoorva Mandavilli, reporter at the NY Times, joins us for why Moderna has the edge.
Next, schools have not been spared in the labor shortage going on in the country. There is an urgent need for more substitute teachers and cafeteria workers, but school bus drivers are also sorely needed in districts all over the country. School districts have resorted to offering signing bonuses and even paying parents to drive their own kids to school. Reid Wilson, correspondent at The Hill, joins us for the bus driver shortage.
Finally, Amazon is continuing its plans to expand beyond the online marketplace. They are planning on brick and mortar department stores where they can sell their own apparel brands with high tech dressing rooms. Apparel is seen as a big winner for the company who has over 100 private label brands and just surpassed Walmart as the country’s largest seller of clothing. Sebastian Herrera, technology reporter at the WSJ, joins us for more.
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It didn’t take much time for the first test to come through on the Texas abortion law. A San Antonio physician named Alan Braid, recently wrote an op-ed admitting that he performed an abortion despite the new law. What came next were actually two lawsuits against him with neither of the plaintiffs having a particular objection to the abortion, but rather looking to challenge the law. Elizabeth Findell, Texas reporter for the WSJ, joins us for why they are suing.
Next, immigration at the southern border continues to be a problem with the latest epicenter in Del Rio, Texas as thousands of Haitian immigrants have set up a makeshift camp under a bridge as they wait to be processed by Border Patrol. In the meantime, the Biden admiration is getting heat from both Republicans and Democrats for the worsening situation. Sabrina Rodriguez, national political correspondent at Politico, joins us for more on the latest immigration crisis.
Finally, as commercial companies have taken over most of the flight to low Earth orbit, NASA is reorganizing to put a new focus on deep space. With plans to reach the moon and Mars, NASA is looking toward the development of new tools like habitats and rovers, to new propulsion systems. Christian Davenport, space reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for how NASA is looking to deep space for its long-term goals.
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The story of Gabby Petitio has been getting national attention and had some new developments in the last few days. On Sunday, the FBI found a body that resembles Petito’s description and on Monday they searched the family home of her fiancé Brian Laundrie who has gone missing. Many questions still remain and Laundrie has yet to be named an official suspect. Hannah Knowles, reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for more.
Next, starting in November, the U.S. will ease restrictions for international travelers who are vaccinated against Covid-19. The will have to show proof of vaccination and a negative test within three days of departure. There are also new rules for unvaccinated U.S. citizens who will need to have a negative test one day before departure and another test after returning. Leslie Josephs, airline reporter at CNBC, joins us for the latest travel changes.
Finally, love in the time of Covid has been a difficult one. For single people, many relationships started quickly and passionately and also ended just as quickly during the pandemic. Finding someone during a time of loneliness made them hold on tighter, but once the vaccines came along, a lot of relationships fell apart since you didn’t have to lay low anymore. Diana Spechler, contributor to the Guardian, joins us for Covid-era romances.
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President Biden is going all-in on vaccine mandates. Much of his presidency hinges on getting the pandemic under control and the administration sees these mandates as the path toward getting back to normal. While some see these vaccine requirements as infringing on people's personal freedoms, many more seem to be in favor of the mandates and getting as many people vaccinated as possible. Ginger Gibson, deputy Washington digital editor at NBC News, joins us for how the mandates play out politically and how time is ticking to get the Democrats $3.5 trillion spending bill worked out.
Next, Facebook knows that Instagram can be a problem for teen girls. According to their own internal research, 32% of teen girls said that when they felt bad about their bodies, Instagram made them feel worse. While there are many social media platforms out there, some of these problems are worse on Instagram. TikTok is focused on video and performance, Snapchat keeps the focus on the face with filters, but Instagram centers on the body and lifestyle making the social comparisons worse. Georgia Wells, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for Facebook has consistently played down the apps negative effects, despite research showing it has been a problem.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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Throughout the pandemic we have looked to three numbers to track how bad things were getting… cases counts, hospitalizations, and deaths. Hospitalizations in particular have been a key figure in assessing the severity of the illness, but a new study suggests that almost half of those hospitalized have mild or asymptomatic symptoms. While some patients are admitted for serious illness, some are there unrelated to Covid and later test positive, but are still counted toward overall hospital numbers. David Zweig, contributor to the Atlantic, joins us for closer look into Covid hospitalizations.
Next, about 60 miles north of Los Angeles, Lockheed Martin has a super-secret aircraft and weapons facility called Skunk Works. The U-2 spy plane and F-117 Nighthawk were both developed there and Lockheed is currently jockeying for a role in the Air Force’s next fighter jet program. Skunk Works has just opened a new state-of-the art factory and invited journalists to tour it, albeit in a very secretive manner with much of the travel around the campus through underground tunnels. Lee Hudson, defense reporter at Politico, joins us for a peek inside this very secretive facility.
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The effort to recall CA Gov. Gavin Newsom has failed and by a wide margin. The race was called just 50 minutes after the polls closed. So how did Newsom beat the recall? Huge Democratic turnout and the perfect foil in the leading Republican candidate, Larry Elder. The rise of Elder helped the Newsom campaign turn the race into a more traditional choice election and motivated voters to get to the polls. David Siders, national political reporter at Politico, joins us for a race that started off as a longshot, became unexpectedly competitive, and ended with a blowout.
Next, new Census data show that when accounting for pandemic relief aid such as direct stimulus payments and enhanced unemployment benefits, the poverty rate fell to 9.1% lifting nearly 8.5 million people out of poverty. The other story that we saw was the population of those without health insurance rose, mostly due to people losing private insurance as they lost jobs. We will most likely now see arguments in favor of more aid like this to continue help lifting people out of poverty. Amy Goldstein, national healthcare policy reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for more.
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More vaccine mandates are coming to workplaces and offices including one from the Biden administration on companies with more than 100 employees. For now, many places are just operating on the honor system where health information is given voluntarily, but some employees feel nervous because they are not sure if everyone is following the rules. Ray Smith, lifestyle reporter at the WSJ, joins us for how businesses are handling mandates so far.
Next, a new study from the National Institute on Drug Abuse says that college students are smoking marijuana and using psychedelic drugs at record levels, but binge drinking less. How this relates to the pandemic is unclear, but tracks as larger parties and gatherings were mostly shut down last year. María Luisa Paúl, reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for more.
Finally, the latest Roomba vacuum is packed with new artificial intelligence and cameras that can detect dog poop, snap a picture and send it straight to your phone. The latest improvements can make it much more effective at cleaning your floors, but it does come at a cost of more or your personal data in the form of pictures and other details of your house. Dalvin Brown, innovations reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for how some of these new features concern privacy experts.
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The first trial in the Varsity Blues college-admissions cheating scandal has kicked off. While 57 individuals have been charged so far and 46 of them have plead guilty or will plead guilty, just a handful are going to court. In this trial we will see a former casino executive who paid $300,000 to get his daughter into USC and a private equity investor who paid over $1 million to get his kids into college. Melissa Korn, higher education reporter at the WSJ, joins us for opening arguments.
Next, New York City is now enforcing its vaccine requirement for restaurant employees and patrons who wish to eat indoors. Anyone aged 12 or older, must show proof of at least one shot to eat or drink indoors at restaurants, bars, nightclubs and more. Establishments will be fined $1,000 for a first violation. Heather Haddon, restaurants reporter at the WSJ, joins us for how businesses and customers are divided over this new enforcement.
Finally, the issue of homelessness continues to overtake many big cities across the country and homeless encampments are becoming a permanent part of the landscape. There are more encampments, they are popping up in new parts of cities, and are becoming communities where people live, rather than temporary situations. Petula Dvorak, columnist at The Washington Post, joins us for why this is changing how cities look.
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The deadline for the Gavin Newsom recall vote is Tuesday. Over seven million votes have been cast so far and the final push will see President Biden hitting California in support of Newsom. We also saw a last minute development as actress Rose McGowan alleged that Newsom's wife called her with a message from Harvey Weinstein's lawyer 6 months before her accusations went public asking what they could do to help the issue go away. McGowan is also throwing her support behind Larry Elder. Ginger Gibson, deputy Washington digital editor at NBC News, joins us for more.
Next, Texas schools are surveilling students' online activity and many times they are doing it without their knowledge or consent. Trying to watch out for signs of distress, violence, or self harm, schools are using technology from companies like Social Sentinel, Go Guardian and others to monitor social media posts, email and other online activity. Ari Sen, freelance investigative journalist at the Dallas Morning News, joins us for how Texas schools are keeping tabs on students.
Finally, we have heard for a while now that sitting for prolonged periods of time can be very harmful to your health contributing to high blood sugar, high cholesterol and messing with your metabolic health. To counter the ill effects of sitting too long, a new study says that moving for 3 minutes every 30 minutes can be very helpful. Even just walking 15 steps improved the blood sugar of workers in the study. Gretchen Reynolds, Phys Ed columnist at the NY Times, joins us for what to know.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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The WSJ set up 31 TikTok accounts registered to teenagers to see what the algorithm would serve them up. What they saw after thousands of videos was a never ending stream content related to sex, drugs, and eating disorders. TikTok’s algorithm is engagement based, so spend any amount of time on a video or re-watch it, and get ready for a flood of similar content. The company uses 10,000 people and other algorithms to police content, but the app does not restrict certain videos based on age. Georgia Wells, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for how TikTok serves up videos to minors.
Next, the much anticipated trial of Elizabeth Holmes, the founder of blood testing company Theranos, kicked off this week with opening arguments. She has been accused of knowing that the company’s new tech and blood tests were unreliable, harming patients, and overstating the company’s performance. The prosecution is trying to portray here as a fraud who lied and cheated to get money, and the defense is trying to humanize Holmes and saying that Theranos failed as a business and that failure is not a crime. Ben Popken, senior business reporter at NBC News, joins us for the opening of this trial expected to last three months.
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The recall election for CA Gov. Gavin Newsom is in its final days and so far we have seen a healthy turnout for Democrats, lots of money being spent on ads, and big national figures supporting Newsom. Next Tuesday is the last day to cast a ballot and recall proponents are hoping for a big in-person election day push. Melanie Mason, national political correspondent at the LA Times, joins us for more.
Next, despite being vaccinated, many people are still worried about breakthrough Covid infections and curious how to navigate this phase of the pandemic. It really depends on a lot of factors including your overall health and the concentration of infections where you live. Another thing that can help you in managing your risk is more home testing. Tara Parker-Pope, health columnist at the NY Times, joins us for what to know.
Finally, Congress has a very busy month filled with deadlines and not much time. The Senate comes back on Monday and the House the following week. Work needs to be done on Biden’s infrastructure bill, spending packages need to be approved to avoid a government shutdown, and then there are issues to address over Afghanistan and the Texas abortion law. Jordain Carney, Senate reporter at The Hill, joins us for the long to-do list for Congress.
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Ever since Pluto was lost as a planet back in 2006, astronomers have been in search for the elusive Plant 9. A recent study published last month is re-examining evidence for a possible 9th plant far beyond Neptune. The evidence lies in the clustering of icy asteroids and comet cores, something big with a lot of gravity is pulling on them. The next step is looking in the right place and the recent study also has a so-called “treasure map” that tells astronomers where to look. Mike Brown, Professor of Planetary Astronomy at Caltech and also part of the team that took Pluto’s classification away, joins us for the current hunt for Planet 9.
Next, the number of men that are enrolled at two and four-year colleges has fallen behind women by record levels and there seems to be no reversal in sight. Part of the problem is that that fewer men are applying, but there are also a host of other issues including the rising cost of education and the need to make money now. Some say the time and energy required is not worth the cost, others have a lack of guidance or feel lost on what to do next. Doug Belkin, higher education reporter at the WSJ, joins us for how more men are giving up on college.
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September 15 will mark another ambitious spaceflight from the private sector as we see the first all-civilian mission to orbit the Earth. SpaceX’s next crewed mission will be called Inspiration4 and the crewmembers will orbit the Earth for three days, conduct science experiments, and fly higher than the International Space Station. Miriam Kramer, space reporter at Axios, joins us for a preview of the next big space mission.
Next, an interesting story about evolution and cannibalism. The invasive species of the Australian cane toad has very few predators and with that lack of a competing species, they are turning on each other. With limited resources, cane toad tadpoles have been seen eating toad hatchlings when they are new and vulnerable. In response, the hatchlings are even developing faster so they are tougher to eat. John Timmer, science editor at Ars Technica, joins us for cannibal cane toads.
Finally, a feel good story of how a marriage certificate from 1870 was reunited with its distant family members. Hidden behind a picture frame in a thrift store in North Carolina, the weathered document had little info to go on, but a local genealogist was able to crack the clues and find the great-granddaughter of the woman from the marriage certificate. Sydney Page, reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for how this document from the 1870’s made its way home.
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Texas now has the most restrictive abortion law in the country as the Supreme Court declined to block the law from being implemented. The law bans abortions after a fetal heartbeat can be detected, about 6 weeks into pregnancy, before many women even realize they are pregnant. What’s more, the law lets individual citizens sue against abortion providers. Ginger Gibson, deputy Washington digital editor at NBC News, joins us for more on this law, how the U.S. plans to run diplomacy in Afghanistan and the Gavin Newsom recall is just over a week away.
Next, the recent flip flop from OnlyFans on whether they would ban sexually explicit content has led competitors to ramp up their efforts to steal content creators and subscribers. There is a huge financial opportunity to get in the game as users spent $2.3 billion in 2020 on the platform. OnlyFans might have changed the game for adult content forever and now other platforms are striking while they see weakness. Will Yakowicz, staff writer at Forbes, joins us for more.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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The demand for deworming drug ivermectin has been surging to more than 80,000 prescriptions per week. Pharmacists have been reporting shortages of the drug which is used in small doses in humans to treat lice, scabies, and other parasites, but most commonly used in animals. The big concern is people trying to get the drug from livestock stores. Emma Goldberg, reporter at the NY Times, joins us for the surging demand despite studies showing it does little to treat Covid.
Next, are you traveling this Labor Day weekend? Make sure to check all the Covid mandates of your destination. The CDC has said if you are unvaccinated you should not be traveling, but some estimates say that as many as 1 in 5 Americans will be traveling over the weekend. The main thing to prepare ahead of time is to have digital proof of you vaccination records. Allison Pohle, travel reporter at the WSJ, joins us for more.
Finally, retailers are very worried about the holiday shopping season as pandemic related delays continue. Factory shutdowns, computer chip shortages, and clogged ports are gearing up to leave stores with emptier shelves and consumers with higher prices and longer waits for shipping. Abha Bhattarai, national retail reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for how September is the new December when it comes to holiday shopping. If there is something you want, get it now.
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The Gavin Newsom recall election is just under two weeks away. September 14 marks the day, but many have already voted by mail and the current snapshot is about 4.7 million Californians who have cast their ballots. Twice as many Democrats have voted as Republicans and so far have they been older and white. Seema Mehta, political reporter at the LA Times, joins us for who the campaigns are targeting in the final days… younger voters and Latinos.
Next, we have seen the demand for Covid-19 monoclonal antibody treatments skyrocket in the last few weeks. Some states have set up infusion centers where patients can get the treatment and are also passing rules where you can get it without a doctor’s prescription. Karen Weintraub, health reporter at USA Today, joins us for how this underutilized treatment is gaining traction.
Finally, we have been seeing an increase in overdose deaths where fentanyl is being laced into other illicit drugs. In mid-August, one town in Suffolk County, NY, suffered eight overdoses with six of them dying over the course of three days. All of them were tied to cocaine laced with the synthetic opioid. Police are seeing this trend all over the country including places like San Francisco and Nebraska. Sarah Maslin Nir, staff reporter at the NY Times, joins us for more.
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The next big phase of our withdrawal from Afghanistan will be the resettlement of thousands of Afghans into communities across the country. Refugee organizations that deal with the State Department are ramping up their operations and have been told to expect some that have special immigrant visas and as many as 50,000 Afghans without visas. Depending on their status, it can complicate the process and changes the services that can be provided to them. While it will be a huge undertaking for these organizations, Americans are already stepping up and offering their help and support. Michelle Hackman, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for what’s next for Afghan refugees.
Next, President Biden officially marked the end of the war in Afghanistan on Tuesday and continued to stand by his decision saying he would not extend the forever war and disagreed with the criticism that evacuations could have started earlier. On the political front, the administration is trying to turn the page and focus on other priorities, but Republicans want to continue to hammer him for the botched withdrawal. Some Republicans are pressuring Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy to press Biden harder on the issue and are refining their messages hoping to act quickly. Olivia Beavers, congressional reporter at Politico, joins us for more.
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The last evacuation planes and troops have left Afghanistan ending the longest war America has been involved in. There are still some Americans and Afghans that remain there, but their evacuation will no longer be a Pentagon mission, it is now a diplomatic mission. In the end, after 20 years, the U.S. failed to defeat the Taliban, establish a functioning democracy, and stop ISIS extremists. What happens next is still unclear as we need to resettle thousands of Afghans and see what kind of government is formed by the Taliban. Ishaan Tharoor, foreign affairs columnist at The Washington Post, joins us for the end of America’s presence in Afghanistan.
Next, a look inside Pfizer’s Pearl River research center, where the vaccine was created with their partner BioNTech. The team there is in a never-ending effort to stay ahead of the pandemic. The lab has “variant hunters” that continue to track the effectiveness of the vaccine on new variants, a “virus farmer” that grows the latest variants for testing, and scientists developing the next formulation of the vaccine if needed. Olivia Goldhill, investigative reporter at STAT News, joins us for a look inside Pfizer’s labs.
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Hurricane Ida made landfall in Louisiana on Sunday exactly 16 years after hurricane Katrina. Coming in as a category 4, residents are bracing themselves for a days-long event hoping that the levees hold up, and watching out for storm surges and flooding. The other concern is hospitals maintaining power as Covid patients fill ICUs. Ginger Gibson, deputy Washington digital editor at NBC News, joins us for more on Ida and also updates on Afghanistan. The evacuation deadline is Tuesday as we saw drone strikes against ISIS-K and President Biden meet with families of the fallen service members of last week's attack.
Next, a new generation of companies have made big strides in the science of smell and a device that looks like a big purple nipple could be the digital nose of the future. This device will be used by Anheuser-Busch to measure how beverages aromatic notes are perceived and try to enhance flavors. In some airports, the device will be used for bomb detection, and it will also be used with a different company to detect traces of marijuana on people suspected of driving under the influence. Zach Schonbrun, contributor at Bloomberg Businessweek joins us for how this device is trying to replicate our sense of smell.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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President Biden has condemned ISIS-K attacks in Kabul that killed at least 13 U.S. service members, over 60 Afghans, and injured many more. He also vowed to hunt them down and make them pay. This comes as evacuations continue amid a looming deadline. Jessica Donati, reporter at the WSJ and author of Eagle Down: The Last Special Forces Fighting the Forever War, joins us for how the CIA and other troops are conducting missions outside of Kabul to extract Americans.
Next, as the Delta variant continues to infect so many people, the demand for at-home Covid tests is going up. The only problem with that, is that the test manufacturers can’t keep up and they are becoming harder to find online and on pharmacy shelves. These antigen tests have faced questions of reliability, but work best on people who are shedding lots of virus particles and provide quick results. Brianna Abbot, health reporter at the WSJ, joins us for more.
Finally, NFTs are all the rage in the art market right now with about $2.4 billion worth of NFTs being traded in the second quarter alone. But with all this money comes scammers and hackers taking advantage of people by selling fake art, stealing credit card numbers, and even spreading viruses that can drain crypto wallets of all their funds. Kelly Crow, art reporter at the WSJ, joins us for why you should be wary of NFT scams.
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One of the most recognizable album covers in music is the subject of a new lawsuit alleging it constituted child pornography. Spencer Elden is suing over Nirvana’s “Nevermind” album cover in which he is pictured as a naked baby 30 years ago. In his lawsuit, Elden said that having him swim toward a dollar on a fishhook makes him look like a sex worker. Chris Willman, features editor at Variety, joins us for how that album cover came to be and the new lawsuit.
Next, Delta Air Lines has upped its game in the vaccine pressure campaign. Stopping short of a mandate, Delta has said that unvaccinated employees will have their health insurance premiums increased by $200 a month. They cited the high cost of treating employees who have been hospitalized which averages out to $50,000 per person. Leslie Josephs, airline reporter at CNBC, joins us for more.
Finally, the intelligence community has provided President Biden with a report on the origins of Covid-19 and it was inconclusive. Furthermore, the WHO team that was also looking into the start of the pandemic warned that time is running out and it could soon be biologically impossible to obtain the data needed to nail down the cause. Betsy McKay, senior writer at the WSJ, joins us for ongoing delays into the search for the pandemic origins.
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President Biden has said the U.S. will stick to the August 31 deadline to evacuate from Afghanistan despite calls to stay longer. Biden said there has been over 70,000 evaluations since August 14 and also cited threats from groups like ISIS-K as reasons to not extend the timeline. While the deadline seems firm, Biden said it all depends on the actions of the Taliban. Julia Manchester, national political reporter at The Hill, joins us for the latest on the race to get out before the end of the month.
Next, the recall election of CA Gov. Gavin Newsom is under way with a deadline of September 14 for mail-in ballots. Recent polls have shown that the recall is closer to passing than Democrats would like and a lot of it comes down to voter enthusiasm. Without Trump as a foil are enough Democrats paying attention and energized to vote to defeat the recall? David Siders, national political correspondent at Politico, joins us for more.
Finally, after throat cancer surgery in 2015 left actor Val Kilmer without his natural voice he turned to UK-based software firm Sonantic for help. With audio from old movies and artificial intelligence, they were able to digitally restore his voice. While in this case the technology was used for a benefit, there are some critics that say it could be misused and affect other voice actors. Dalvin Brown, innovations reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for how AI gave Val Kilmer his voice back.
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The FDA has finally granted full approval to the Covid-19 vaccine made by Pfizer to those 16 and older. Children under 11 are still not approved and those ages 12-15 can get the vaccine under emergency use authorization. With this approval, the hope is that some hesitant people might now get their shots, but also that more businesses and local governments might mandate them. Andrew Joseph, reporter at STAT News, joins us for what to know about Pfizer’s full approval.
Next, to help with the evacuations of Americans and Afghans from Afghanistan, the Pentagon has active a little-used program called the Civil Reserve Air Fleet, which compels airlines to provide aircraft to help in emergencies. 18 aircraft will be provided from some major airlines and it is not expected to impact operations here at home. Leslie Josephs, airline reporter at CNBC, joins us for this and also the coming vaccine mandates from airlines.
Finally, over 75% of pregnant people have not been vaccinated and doctors are reporting that they are seeing more young and healthy pregnant women ending up in hospitals on ventilators or delivering babies prematurely because of Covid. There are also some extra precautions needed in treating pregnant patients like making sure their oxygen levels are higher. Shira Stein, reporter at Bloomberg Law, joins us for more.
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The evacuations of Americans and Afghans continues in Kabul as the situation in Afghanistan remains tense. To help with the effort, the Pentagon has enlisted the help of commercial airlines to help transport people from other temporary bases. In the meantime, new polls show that President Biden's approval ratings have dipped below 50% and our allies around the world have also expressed disapproval of what is happening. Ginger Gibson, deputy Washington digital editor at NBC News, joins us for more fallout from Afghanistan and how it might impact Biden's domestic agenda as he receives criticism from both Republicans and Democrats.
Next, people with dissociative identity disorder have taken their lives to YouTube and the community has tons of fans. Formerly known as multiple personality disorder, people with DID are sharing what it is like to live with the condition as well as letting their alternative personalities or "alters" come forward to be seen and answer questions. Experts in the field who treat those with DID have expressed concern about putting their lives on YouTube but those those with DID have found community and support by sharing their stories. Lizzie Feidelson, contributor at NY Magazine, joins us for a look at Wyn, a Youtube content creator with DID.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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The Biden administration is still trying to contain all of the fallout from the Taliban taking over Afghanistan. The most pressing issue right now is the continued evacuation of Americans and Afghan allies, but there are several other storylines in this wide ranging event. The Afghanistan war still remains unpopular with the American people, but why didn’t the administration act on the calls for evacuations from diplomats earlier and is it possible at all to trust the Taliban’s promises? Ret. USMC Lt Col. Jonathon Myers, former intelligence officer and author of American to the Corps: A Marine Corps Intelligence Officer’s Incredible Journey, joins us to break it all down.
Next, governors in Florida, Missouri, and Texas have begun pushing expensive Covid antibody treatments instead of masks and vaccines. States are setting up and staffing infusion centers with the hope of keeping people out of hospitals. Florida’s surgeon general issued a ruling for anyone to be able to take Regeneron’s monoclonal antibody treatment without a doctor prescription. Dan Goldberg, health care reporter at Politico, joins us for the push for Covid cocktails over masks.
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Covid booster shots are coming this fall. The Biden administration has called for boosters to be available for those that are fully vaccinated with Pfizer or Moderna eight months after their second shot. With the Delta variant, the coronavirus is still too widespread and too transmissible and the outcome of the pandemic seems pretty certain, the virus is not going away and will be endemic. Sarah Zhang, staff writer at The Atlantic, joins us for how we are going to have to live with coronavirus.
Next, older millennials are beginning to enter their high-earning years, but for many, it doesn’t feel like it. With a higher debt-to-income ratio and delaying home ownership and having a family, these higher-earning years might not provide the financial security they were hoping for. Julia Carpenter, personal finance reporter at the WSJ, joins us for how millennials are still struggling despite making more.
Finally, some hotels are going the way of the airline industry and offering a la carte pricing for certain services and amenities. Early check-in, access to the pool, gym use, or even daily housekeeping could be offered as add-ons in exchange for a lower room rate. Big hotel chains are still wary of such a change, but the fourth largest hotel owner is trying out the new business model. Craig Karmin, real estate bureau chief at the WSJ, joins us for a change up in hotel fees.
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Many Covid relief programs have been subject to fraud by scammers, but a whole slew of international scam artists have taken advantage of the enhanced unemployment benefits offered up to those affected by the pandemic. Russian scammers, Chinese hackers, and Nigerian scammers have used stolen identities easily accessed from data breaches and relaxed verification requirements to make bogus claims for Covid aid. Aging state unemployment systems also contributed to the problem. The scams are so widespread, we don't really know how much money has been stolen, but it is believed to be in the hundreds of billions of dollars. Kit Ramgopal, reporter with the investigative unit at NBC News, joins us for how they did it.
Next, the pandemic has changed the way we eat and what chefs serve us. Restaurants are still trying to recover from prolonged closures, supply chain issues, and lack of staff. In response to all of that we saw menus slimmed down to optimize to-go orders, which is still the case in many areas, but we also saw complete menu overhauls that limited seafood because of costs and less complicated menus that are easier to execute. Patricia Escárcega, reporting fellow at The Counter, joins us for more.
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U.S. defense officials expected that Afghanistan’s capital could fall to the Taliban 90 days after troops withdrew from the area, but it took less than ten days. How were they able to take over so quickly? A number of factors contributed including intelligence failures, a lack of will to fight by the Afghan forces, corruption and money. Amanda Macias, national security reporter at CNBC, joins us for how Afghanistan fell so fast.
Next, speaking on the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan’s capital, President Biden acknowledged that tings unfolded quicker than they expected but also said that he stood squarely behind his decision to pull troops out of the area. What are the next steps for U.S. policy toward Afghanistan and did we learn anything from intelligence failures on the ground? Dr. Tom Copeland, author of "Fool me Twice: Intelligence Failure and Mass Casualty Terrorism," joins us for the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan.
Finally, it’s been a theme we have seen throughout the pandemic, a reassessment of the work-life balance. According to the latest Washington Post poll, a third of workers under 40 considered changing their careers or where they lived during the pandemic. Surprisingly, the majority of workers in this poll also wanted to return to their workplace all or most of the time. Scott Clement, polling director at The Washington Post, joins us for more.
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The fight between parents, school districts, and governors over mask wearing in schools continues as more students are returning to class. In some states, Republican governors have passed rules that schools cannot mandate masks, but confronted with increasing Covid cases, school superintendents are defying orders and requiring them for kids. Ginger Gibson, deputy Washington digital editor at NBC News, joins us for the mask fight, why the new census numbers are important, and the incoming NY Gov. Kathy Hochul has already said she will run in 2022.
Next, the world is experiencing another major coronavirus surge and every country is dealing with it differently. In those responses we are seeing pockets of people resisting the vaccines, but also a severe lack of access to the shots in poorer countries. Germany and Israel have vaccinated two-thirds of their populations, Great Britain has left it to personal responsibility and is learning to live with the virus, and Indonesia has become a new epicenter dealing with a growing number of deaths. Sammy Westfall, reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for how the world is handling the latest surge.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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The FDA is moving to authorize booster shots for those that are immunocompromised. This would be a shift in the American vaccination strategy as the Delta variant surges across the country and other countries have also approved boosters. Studies have shown that a third vaccine dose can trigger a more robust immune response in those with weaker immune systems. Jon Rockoff, health business editor at the WSJ, joins us for more.
Next, through its Artemis program, NASA was planning to send astronauts to the moon by 2024. According to a new report, that’s not going to happen. Among other challenges, the spacesuits to be used to walk on the moon, won’t be ready until 2025. Even when they are completed, we will only have two flight-ready suits at a cost of over $1 billion. Christian Davenport, space reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for the latest NASA delays.
Finally, an increase in requirements for proof of vaccination by schools, employers, and local governments is fueling a black market for fake vaccination cards. You can find fake vaccination certificates on social media or the dark web and can be easy enough to counterfeit yourself, but even digital systems are being fooled. J.D. Tuccille, contributing editor at Reason, joins us for more on fake vaccine cards.
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As the Delta variant continues to surge across the U.S., we are hearing more stories of children being hospitalized. Part of it is a numbers game, as cases across the country go up, so will the number of kids infected, but are they getting sicker? For the most part, kids that show up to hospitals have milder symptoms, but there are those that do develop pneumonia and other serious effects from Covid. Emily Anthes, reporter at the NY Times, joins us for kids and the Delta variant.
Next, we have seen an extension on the moratorium on evictions providing some relief to tenants behind on their rent, but the rent-relief program created to help tenants and landlords cover those costs has been slowed down by delays, confusion, and too much paperwork. The program run by the Treasury Department is slated to dole out over $46 billion in payments. To date, they have only sent out about $5 billion. Andrew Ackerman, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for more.
Finally, one of the most enduring internet pranks and memes has been good ol’ Rickrolling. Someone sends you a link to something that you have a legitimate interest in seeing, you click it, and boom, Rick Astley’s 1987 hit “Never Gonna Give You Up” starts playing. Well now, the official video for that song has hit over one billion views on YouTube. Travis Andrews, internet culture writer at the Washington Post, joins us for this internet prank milestone.
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After a report indicating he harassed 11 women, an ongoing impeachment probe, and numerous calls for him to step down, NY Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that he will resign effective in 14 days. Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul will take over and become the first female governor of New York. Phillip Bump, national correspondent at The Washington Post, joins us for the resignation and a look at some of the other corruption in New York state politics.
Next, the Senate finally passed the $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill with a vote of 69-30. 19 Republicans joined Democrats to push the plan through and it will now move to the House, where progressives say it doesn’t go far enough. The Senate now moves on to debate a $3.5 trillion package that is expected to pass without any Republican support. Tanya Snyder, transportation reporter at Politico, joins us for more.
Finally, children are going back to school and there is still chaos and confusion over masks. We are in the sophomore year of Covid and there is still no consensus on how to keep students and teachers safe. Some school districts across the country are mandating mask wearing and defying state orders to do so. Governors have even threatened to withhold school funding if masks are required. Dan Goldberg, healthcare reporter at Politico joins us for the back to school mess.
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The Delta variant of Covid-19 continues to cause surges in cases and hospitalizations around the country. In Florida, where we are seeing big spikes, hospitals are on the race to find open ICU beds. Coronavirus patients fill about 43% of ICU beds there, but when you combine this number with people going to hospitals for other ailments, it becomes hard to find enough space. In the Orlando area, hospital group AdventHealth has even set up a mission control office to track open beds and reallocate resources where needed. Melanie Evans, hospital reporter at the WSJ, joins us for more.
Next, one of the main storylines we heard throughout the pandemic were households getting new puppies. Whether it was to combat loneliness or give the kids something to do, pandemic puppies were all the rage. But on the other side of things, many were already dealing with aging pets and through shutdowns and work-from-home set ups, many took the time to say goodbye to beloved pets. Many got a chance to include them more in their new routines and also has to readjust those routines once they were gone. Jorge Ribas, reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for another perspective on pandemic pet life.
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The bipartisan infrastructure bill keeps inching along in the Senate. Full passage there is expected this week, setting up a win for President Biden. We also have two Democratic governors fighting for their political lives. NY Gov. Andrew Cuomo is facing an impeachment and calls to resign after a NY attorney general report found that he harassed 11 women. In California, Gov. Gavin Newsom is facing a recall vote next month with the polls getting tighter. Ginger Gibson, deputy Wahington digital editor at NBC News, joins us for this and why the U.S. Postal Service may be slowing down its delivery.
Next, another story of students taking on mountains of debt only to have the high paying jobs they were promised out of reach. Law school, which was once seen as a great path to a well-paying job is the latest to be scrutinized as students often take out six figure federal loans. Recent graduates of the University of Miami School of Law borrowed a median of $163,000 and two years later, half of them were earning $59,000 or less, making it difficult to pay down their loans. Just 15% of recent grads were able to begin repaying their student loans after two years. Andrea Fuller, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for more.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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The FDA has expedited its timetable for full approval of the Pfizer vaccine hoping to have the process completed by early September. The move to full approval is expected to kick off more vaccination mandates especially for hospital workers, college students and federal workers. Moderna has also filed for full approval, but is still submitting data. Sharon LaFraniere, investigative reporter at the NY Times, joins us for what to know.
Next, Republicans on the House Foreign Affairs Committee have released a report focusing on the origins of the Covid pandemic and zeroed in on the lab leak theory. Citing information about changes in safety protocols and requests for an overhaul of a hazardous waste treatment system, the report says that the virus may have been accidentally released sometime prior to September 2019. Declan Garvey, associate editor at The Dispatch, joins us for this latest report.
Finally, vaccine maker Moderna announced that their Covid shot is 93% effective at preventing infection as much as six months after your second dose. However, Moderna also said that a booster shot might be needed before the winter. We are currently seeing hospital admissions and deaths rise about 40% since last week, but we are also seeing an uptick in people getting their shots. Carolyn Johnson, science reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for more.
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The nationwide moratorium on evictions lapsed just last Saturday, but only a few days later the CDC stepped in and provided an extension for those that live in counties experiencing high or substantial community spread of the virus. This has led to a lot of confusion and worry among those at risk of being evicted. For some, it was a little too late as some were kicked out of their homes already. Abha Bhattarai, business reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for the last minute eviction ban extension.
Next, Arizona is currently giving us a preview of how mask wearing in schools will play out across the country. Arizona is one of at least seven states that have mandated that schools not require mask wearing. Still, with surges in cases and guidance from the CDC, some AZ school districts are defying the order and requiring masks for students and staff. Aydali Campa, education reporter at the WSJ, joins us for the continued fight over masks in school.
Finally, last week we heard that Scarlett Johansson was suing Disney over breach of contract for releasing her latest Black Widow movie on the Disney+ streaming service at the same time as its theatrical release. It’s odd to see lawsuits like this with studios preferring to negotiate, but it’s also another example of the current battle between actors and studios over profits made from streaming. Lucas Shaw, reporter at Bloomberg News joins us for more.
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A much anticipated report from the New York State Attorney General Letitia James, has found that Gov. Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed 11 women, nine of whom are current and former state employees and one who was a New York State trooper assigned to his security detail. The report found that he made inappropriate comments to women and unwanted touching, groping and kissing. In one case, Cuomo and his office even retaliated against a woman who spoke out about how she was treated by the governor. Calls have intensified for him to resign, but Cuomo has remained defiant and refuses to step down. Tom Winter, investigations correspondent at NBC News, joins us for what’s in the report.
Next, a new study looking at the effects of children’s exposure to Disney princesses shows that it isn’t damaging. A debate has persisted that being exposed to the princess culture can negatively impact gender stereotypes in both boys and girls. The first phase of the study found that boys and girls with high engagement with Disney princesses were associated with more female-stereotypical behavior. However, when researchers caught up with those kids 5 years later, the story was not the same. Julie Jargon, Family and tech columnist at the WSJ, joins us for the Great Princess Debate.
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The Biden administration wants to reform state drug laws and focus on what’s called “harm reduction,” which promotes safe drug use instead of abstinence and threats of jail time. The Office of National Drug Control Policy will be promoting draft model laws that supports harm reduction programs, increase treatment options, and reform criminal statutes. Dan Vergano, science reporter at BuzzFeed News, joins us for this and also how a Cape Cod Covid outbreak in mostly vaccinated people prompted the CDC to change its mask wearing guidance.
Next, where will the future of booze take us? Spirits are currently going through a revolution where distillers are using new methods and applying them to classic and unfamiliar ingredients. Think of things like marigolds, pasilla peppers, coffee fruits and more. The trend is toward bigger flavors, weird fermentations and more sustainability. But one of the issues with all of these new, weird flavors is how to market them to those that might not be as adventurous as others. Adam Rogers, senior correspondent at Wired, joins us for more.
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Florida has become the new national epicenter for Covid cases. Over the weekend they had their highest one-day total since the start of the pandemic with 21,683 cases. With an overall vaccination rate of 60%, Gov. Ron DeSantis has refused to implement any new mask mandates or vaccine requirements at a time when other states are beginning to do so. Ginger Gibson, deputy Washngton digital editor at NBC News, joins us for this, the infrastructure bill keeps moving along in the Senate, and news of terrible conditions at a children's migrant shelter in Texas.
Next, it's a seller's market out there and in some cases they are flexing their muscles to squeeze the most out of selling their homes. There have been some unusual demands such as taking all of the kitchen cabinets, mid-range appliances, and even toilets. Sometimes it's for sentimental reasons, but sometimes it's just because they can. Buyers, worn out from bidding wars, just accept the terms. Ronda Kaysen, NYT columnist and co-author of Right at Home, joins us for more.
Finally, trying to make up for lost time due to the pandemic, everyone is getting married and it has become a mad scramble for everything wedding related. With marriages expected to be up by 50% this year, people are trying to do them on expedited timetables and the prices of formalwear, especially those dresses, are going up. Daniela Sirtori-Cortina, reporter at Bloomberg News, joins us for summer marriage madness.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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President Biden has come closer to a bipartisan win on his $1 trillion infrastructure plan. 17 Republican senators voted with Democrats to advance the bill that focuses on hard infrastructure like roads, bridges, broadband, and public transit. Biden will still have to manage some Democrats who feel that their priorities have been sacrificed for the sake of bipartisanship. Chris Cadelago, White House correspondent at Politico, joins us for more.
Next, we are still in the middle of summer, but it might be time to start thinking of the holiday shopping season. When it comes to toys, there will be less choices and higher prices. Ocean freight bottlenecks are delaying shipments from China and even getting shipping container space is becoming more expensive, so the costs get absorbed by retailers and consumers. Omar Abdel-Baqui, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for why toy prices are going up.
Finally, despite rising cases of Covid in the unvaccinated, it can be very tough to persuade the vaccine hesitant, it can be even tougher to talking to family and friends. Experts say that the first step is to listen closer. You have to understand their reasons for refusing the shot before trying to convince them. It’s also important to focus on your relationship and de-escalate if things get heated. Derek Hawkins, reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for how to talk to vaccine hesitant friends and family.
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In the sports world there is something called the “yips” where athletes unexplainably lose the fundamental skills of their sport and can impact their decision making. In gymnastics, it’s called the “twisties” and it can be especially dangerous. The brain can disconnect from the body and if you’re vaulting in the air and spinning and land wrong, it can be catastrophic. Liz Clarke, sports writer at The Washington Post, joins us for how Simone Biles, among other things, was experiencing the “twisties.”
Next, dino nuggets are definitely having a moment right now. Parents buy them for their young picky eaters and young adults buy them for nostalgia. Major companies are taking note and are even exploring other shapes to add to the “fun nugget” category. Tyson Foods says that they make up 21% of their total nugget sales. Ellen Byron, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for the dino nugget boom.
Finally, mask and vaccine mandates are coming, Covid cases are rising and so is the anger. There is a growing frustration that the vaccinated are having with the unvaccinated as we see the majority of cases are all happening with those refusing the shot. Roni Rabin, health reporter at the NY Times, joins us for all the anger surrounding vaccines.
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Olympic shocker as Team USA gymnast Simone Biles pulled out of the team finals to focus on her mental health. She left the competition after one rotation on the vault in what was originally described as a medical issue. She returned to cheer on her teammates and later opened up about the stress she was feeling. Team USA went on to win a silver medal with the Russian delegation winning gold. Oriana Gonzalez, reporter at Axios, joins us to talk about Simone Biles and the mental health of elite athletes.
Next, the CDC has issued new guidance saying that everyone should wear masks in certain high transmission indoor areas regardless of vaccination status as well as universal masking for schools. This comes as the Delta variant continues to spread throughout the country. Public health officials are also worried that more variants could be on the way and the system to sequence the genetic mutations of the virus isn’t ready to track them. The U.S. is only sequencing about 10% of all Covid cases and more needs to be done so that another variant doesn’t catch us by surprise. Cynthia Koons, health care reporter at Bloomberg News, joins us for more.
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Here come the vaccine mandates! The Dept. of Veterans Affairs has become the first federal agency to require its healthcare workers to be vaccinated. New York City is mandating vaccines for city employees or weekly tests. And California is the first state requiring health care workers and state employees to show proof of vaccination or get tested weekly. Erin Allday, health writer at the SF Chronicle, joins us for the new vaccine requirements.
Next, let’s talk about vaccine breakthrough infections of Covid-19. Some recent numbers from the CDC say that breakthroughs represent about 0.098% of those that are fully vaccinated. Still, they are happening, but those cases are often mild or asymptomatic. Getting vaccinated is not a free pass, but it gives you the best defenses possible to fight the virus. Katherine Wu, staff writer at the Atlantic, joins us for more.
Finally, the summer travel season so far has been a weird one. There are delays and cancellations due to computer glitches and staff shortages, summer storms have had an impact, and some international destinations are requiring Covid tests. There are less flights out there and the demand is as high as ever. Scott McCartney, Middle Seat Columnist at the WSJ, joins us for an update on summer travel.
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House speaker Nancy Pelosi has named another Republican to the select committee investigating the Jan. 6 Capitol riots. In addition to Rep. Liz Cheney, Pelosi has added Rep. Adam Kinziger, another critic of former President Trump. This comes after Pelosi rejected two other picks from Kevin McCarthy. It seems that it will be incredibly difficult to produce a report that does not seem partisan. Ginger Gibson, deputy Washington digital editor at NBC News, joins us for this, how the surge of coronavirus cases in the unvaccinated will impact the Biden agenda, and the CIA is now looking into Havana Syndrome cases.
Next, the debate about marijuana in sports was reignited recently when Sha'Carri Richardson was denied a spot in the Tokyo Olympics after testing positive, but what does the science say... does it actually help? The short answer is no. There's no scientific evidence that it can make athletes bigger, stronger, or faster. In fact, it can increase heart rates and is especially damaging to the lungs if smoked. However, elite athletes and even regular people say that it can help them recover from tough workouts, reduce pain, improve sleep, and most of all, calm nerves and alleviate anxiety. Anahad O'Connor, health reporter at the NY Times, joins us for more.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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The Tokyo Olympics are now officially under way and they will definitely be an Olympics like no other. Happening amid the pandemic and rising numbers locally in Japan, these Games will also not have any spectators. The big question now is how that might affect the athletes, having no cheering fans and the bigger concern, not having their families present. Questions have also been raised about athletes not being subject to the usual, rigorous drug testing standards. Erin Doherty, reporter at Axios, joins us for more.
Next, there is a harsh reality for many that work as customer service agents. Many big companies often use contractors that have agents working from home to help you when you have a problem. They are often caught in the middle between abusive callers and corporate mandates to make the customer feel better. One of the unspoken rules is that the agents cannot hang up on an abusive caller no matter how bad it gets. Calling out sick could get you fired, managers track your time, and sometimes you have to absorb start-up costs. Ariana Tobin, reporter at ProPublica, joins us for how bad it is for some customer service agents.
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Largely driven by the pandemic, drug overdoses and homicides, U.S. life expectancy fell by 1.5 years in 2020. This is the biggest decline since World War II. The group that fared the worst were Hispanic men who had a drop of 3.7 years. Life expectancy is an important number because it is a measure of a nation’s well-being and prosperity. Betsy McKay, senior writer at the WSJ, joins us for the big drop.
Next, the restaurant industry has been having a hard time coming back after the pandemic. Each month so far this year, about 5% of restaurant and hospitality workers have quit their jobs largely due to low pay, no benefits, and rude customers. There are currently 1.2 million jobs unfilled in the industry despite rising wages and signing bonuses. Alina Selyukh, business correspondent at NPR joins us for more.
Finally, another story about how desperate some businesses are to get more employees. In this crazy labor market, recruiters are the new telemarketers and job ads are the new spam. Companies are digging up resumes and calling people back that might have applied years ago. And they are increasingly using automated tools to reach as many people as possible. Te-Ping Chen, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for what some businesses are resorting to.
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With the concerning Delta variant of Covid-19 and surging cases of infection, many public health officials think that tactics may need to change to increase vaccination rates. Vaccine mandates have been talked about, but the government and many businesses have not gone that way… yet. Many health experts think that could change once the FDA grants full approval to the current vaccines. Shannon Pettypiece, senior White House reporter at NBC News Digital, joins us for why mandates could be on their way.
Next, we have seen a rise in alcohol use disorder, but too often medical professionals are failing to treat it. There are some medications that can help treat alcoholism, but doctors often fail to prescribe them. There are also other tools that can simply help people reduce the amount of alcohol intake. Many doctors are not specifically trained to treat addiction and usually refer people to mental health experts or send patients to rehab. Anahad O’Connor, health reporter at the NY Times, joins us for how many alcoholics do not get treatment.
Finally, in the age of the pandemic workplace and hybrid working models, everything has become a meeting. We are now in the age of the never-ending check-in. Meetings have gotten shorter, but more frequent and it could be leading to meeting burnout. Going back to the office could lead to efficient, in-person check-ins, but a hybrid model could be a mess for that. Rachel Feintzeig, work and life columnist at the WSJ, joins us for more.
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Pandemic reality check… we are getting further away from the end than we should be. To be clear, it is nowhere near as bad as it was at the height of the pandemic, but once again numbers are trending in the wrong way. Infections are going up, hospitalizations and deaths are going up, and in some places like L.A. County, mask restrictions are being re-imposed. Joel Achenbach, science reporter at the Washington post, joins us for more.
Next, Jeff Bezos and his company Blue Origin are set to take off to the edge of space. While this is a similar mission to the one that Richard Branson and Virgin Galactic carried out, the four passengers of Blue Origin will be taking off in a rocket straight up into the air and fall back down in a capsule after floating in microgravity. Morgan Brennan, co-anchor of CNBC’s Squawk on the Street, joins us for the next entry into space tourism.
Finally, 18-year-old Kara Eaker is the first U.S. athlete to test positive for Covid-19 after arriving in Tokyo for the Olympic Games. She is an alternate for Team USA Gymnastics and has been taken to a hotel to quarantine until she tests negative. While vaccination rates are low in Japan, about 85% of the delegations are expected to be vaccinated. Tina Reed, healthcare editor and author of VITALS at Axios, joins us for this early test to Olympic Covid protocols.
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More pressure for a permanent solution has been put on President Biden and Democrats as a judge just ruled that the DACA program is illegal. Those currently in the program can stay in the U.S. and renew their status, but there will be no new applicants until the appeals process is complete. This is coming at a time when a record number of migrants are still crossing the border. Ginger Gibson, deputy Washington digital editor at NBC News, joins us for the latest on immigration, more news and falsehoods coming out of the Arizona audit, and Sen. Chuck Schumer pushes for a vote on infrastructure this week.
Next, forensic investigators have been using DNA in legal cases for a long time and as the technology has gotten better, they are using genetic material from smaller and more challenging samples. Enter software called TrueAllele, which can help narrow down genetic profiles even if DNA samples are muddied or too tiny. TrueAllele has been providing key evidence in thousands of violent crime cases, but the only problem is that no one knows exactly how it works. The process has been kept hidden as a trade secret until now. Justin Jouvenal, justice reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for a case in Virginia that could get a first look into how this software is transforming DNA evidence.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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Expanded child tax credits have started to hit bank accounts of eligible families and for many, the monthly payments will be sent out automatically, but some families may need to sign up on an IRS portal. The Biden administration says that these expanded tax credits could reduce child poverty by as much as 50% and hopes to get a four-year extension for the program. Lauren Egan, White House reporter at NBC News, joins us for what to know, as anything with taxes is never that simple.
Next, former President Trump is not happy about recent excerpts from a trio of new books about his presidency. There will also be more books to come including a very anticipated release from former counselor Kellyanne Conway. Reports say that Trump sat down for at least 22 book interviews. Meredith McGraw, national political correspondent at Politico, joins us for how Trump is raging over books he did interviews for.
Finally, professional dog trainers are having to deal with an increase in misbehaving pandemic puppies. Because of quarantines and shutdowns many first time dog owners didn’t properly train or socialize their pups which led them to be overly reactive or have separation anxiety. The big worry for these trainers is that if people can’t get dogs under control, they may be surrendered. Bailey Berg, contributor to Vice News, joins us for more.
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Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has released draft legislation aimed at decriminalizing marijuana at the federal level. Called the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act, it would remove weed from the Controlled Substances Act and begin regulating and taxing it. It would still give states the power to set their own laws and would also expunge non-violent cannabis related arrests. Natalie Fertig, federal cannabis policy reporter at Politico, joins us for what to expect in the marijuana debate.
Next, drug overdose deaths have risen sharply in the country by 30% in 2020 with over 93,000 deaths. A large driver of those deaths were the result of the synthetic opioid fentanyl as it has been frequently mixed into other drugs. The pandemic also played a role in this as people who were receiving treatment or wanted it had difficulty accessing it early on. Isolation and other life disruptions also fueled the uptick. Betsy McKay, senior writer at the WSJ, joins us for the rise in overdose deaths.
Finally, public health officials are once again worried about superspreader events as we see lagging vaccination rates and rising Covid cases. With less mask wearing and social distancing, people are going out more and attending larger gatherings. Studies have shown that 10 percent of people infected with Covid could be responsible for 80 percent of the spread. Denise Chow, science reporter at NBC News, joins us for more.
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Checking in on the restaurant and hospitality industry, things have not gotten much better yet. Businesses are still struggling to attract employees who in some cases have moved on to other sectors. Pandemic layoffs pushed many hospitality employees to seek jobs with better pay, more perks, and different career opportunities and some are not going back to their old jobs. Heather Haddon, restaurants reporter at the WSJ, joins us for more.
Next, in November of 2019 a woman with a sore throat gave an Italian hospital a skin sample that would later test positive for Covid-19. This would make her one of the world’s first suspected cases, but there’s a problem for researchers looking into its origins and trying to establish a timeline… all her details have been lost and no one knows who she is. Drew Hinshaw, senior reporter at the WSJ, joins us for this mysterious case in Italy.
Finally, why does everything feel more expensive right now? The short answer is because it is! We are paying more for everything from used cars to groceries to lumber and chicken wings. Inflation is up, but economists think this is a temporary situation as post-pandemic production bottlenecks and imbalances continue to work themselves out. Emily Stewart, senior reporter at Vox, joins us for why everything is costing more.
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The #FreeBritney movement is getting some supporters on Capitol Hill that couldn’t further from each other ideologically all pushing for reviews and more oversight on guardianships and conservatorships. Lawmakers from Elizabeth Warren to Ted Cruz are interested in shedding light on the system, but the federal government’s role in these programs is limited and is largely left to the states. Still, after Britney Spears’ testimony last month, there have been more calls for reform. Victoria Colliver, CA health care reporter at Politico, joins us for more.
Next, some master’s degree programs at elite school aren’t paying off. At Colombia and other top universities these programs are failing to generate enough income for graduates who are grappling with hundreds of thousands of dollars of federal loans. A recent analysis shows that graduates of the Columbia film program have the highest debt to earnings ratio among graduates of any major university master’s program in the country. Melissa Korn, higher education reporter at the WSJ, joins us for how graduate students are now accruing more debt than undergrads and are asking administrators for more in financial aid.
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Richard Branson and his team at Virgin Galactic successfully completed their trip to the edge of space 53 miles above the earth's surface. The aim of the mission was to kick-start a new space-tourism industry and showcase the safety and security of the technology. Ginger Gibson, deputy Washington digital editor at NBC News joins us for this new billionaire space race and a look at how President Biden's agenda is faring in Washington, from early successes, to what's up in the air, and what has completely stalled out.
Next, a story about a junior Microsoft engineer who figured out how to generate Xbox gift card codes and sell them for bitcoin in a scheme that netted him over $10 million. This engineer worked in a department that tested the online infrastructure by generating codes and making purchases. The purchases didn't go through as they were only tests, but the gift card codes had real money associated with them. While the scheme was simple and successful, he left a lot of breadcrumbs that investigators used to catch him. Austin Carr, technology reporter at Bloomberg News, joins us for this $10 million gift card cheat.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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Throughout the pandemic, mental health has been a big issue with a lot of anxiety and depression going around, but there is a silver lining, the world’s psychological immune system turned out to be more resilient than we thought. Many people were able to weather the psychological challenges of the pandemic and focus on the positive, despite some real challenges. Elizabeth Dunn, psychology professor at the University of British Columbia and Chief Science Officer of Happy Money, joins us for how the pandemic didn’t affect mental health the way you think.
Next, most companies are simply encouraging employees to be vaccinated, but a growing number of them are starting to require it. In the tech world, some big software companies are marking a departure from industry leaders like Facebook and Google. Recent surveys found that the majority of professionals support vaccine mandates and say it would make them feel more comfortable about returning to the office. Aklison Levitsky, reporter at Protocol, joins us for how vaccine requirements are popping up at the workplace.
Finally, all this talk about the effectiveness of mRNA vaccines and the Delta variant taking hold in the U.S. is making some recipients of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine wonder if they need an mRNA booster shot. Some preliminary studies suggest that it is safe to combine the two, but there has been no official guidance to do so and it might be difficult to access a second shot. Ben Guarino, reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for more.
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Facial recognition systems are the next target for hackers trying to commit identity fraud and also claim unemployment benefits. From June 2020 to January 2021, there were more than 80,000 attempts to fool the selfie step when trying to claim unemployment benefits. Analysts also say that the fastest growing type of financial crime is known as synthetic identity fraud, where fraudsters use AI to combine features from different faces to create a new identity. Parmy Olson, technology reporter at the WSJ, joins us for how hackers are trying to fool facial recognition with masks and artificial intelligence.
Next, local residents near Seneca Lake in upstate New York are protesting a Bitcoin mining operation they say is polluting the air and heating the lake. A gas-fired power plant is currently operating there and using the energy it produces to run at least 8,000 computers for the energy-intensive mining of the digital currency. Not everyone is angry at the power plant however as it has created jobs and provided some economic benefit. Still residents are worried that the lake is overheating and that other similar operations could pop up. Gretchen Morgenson, senior financial reporter for the NBC News investigative unit, joins us for how mining for Bitcoin can impact the environment.
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The Russian ransomware gang REvil has struck again, this time taking out thousands of businesses in what is called a supply chain attack. This is a step above what ransomware attacks usually look like that only target one entity. The main target was IT services company Kaseya which is how the hackers were able to infiltrate other computer systems. Lily Hay Newman, senior writer at Wired, joins us for how REvil did it and the $70 million they want to restore service.
Next, the Delta Covid-19 variant continues to cause worry among public health officials especially in places like Wyoming where only 32% of people are fully vaccinated and big events are taking place like a 10-day rodeo set to start later this month. Hospitals are also seeing a rise in younger patients infected with this variant. Julie Wernau, health and science reporter at the WSJ, joins us for how this variant is gaining ground among the unvaccinated.
Finally, our body odor can reveal a lot of details about our health and also plays a role in attraction. Single people could actually even smell different that married people. In one study of smelly t-shirts, single people’s BO smelled stronger than married men’s BO, with the thought being that men in relations ships and that have children have lower testosterone and therefore different body odor. William Park, senior journalist at BBC Future, joins us for how smell plays a role in how much we like each other.
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One of the bright spots that helped restaurants and businesses make it through the pandemic was the ability to extend out onto sidewalks and streets. It helped them continue to do business while indoor activities were restricted and in many areas these changes are being made permanent, but for disabled citizens, these changes can make sidewalks feel like obstacle courses. Calls are now being made for "mini equality impact assessments" which notify business owners of reasonable adjustments that can be made to provide better accessibility. John Surico, contributor to Bloomberg CityLab, joins us for how "open streets" impacted disabled users.
Next, the demand for mental healthcare has overwhelmed supply for most of the pandemic, and in some places like Massachusetts, the need for those services is critical. If traditional hospitals and treatment centers don't have available space for mental health services, some may need to go to the ER in what is known as emergency room boarding for psychiatric patients. These types of stays have risen between 200% and 400% in Massachusetts during the pandemic and ERs are not equipped for this type of treatment. Martha Bebinger, healthcare reporter at WBUR, joins us for what to know and one girl's 17-day stay in an ER.
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Prosecutors have charged the Trump Organization with a 15 year scheme to defraud the government and also charged its CFO, Allen Weisselberg, with grand larceny and tax fraud. These indictments are the first in the long running investigation into Donald Trump’s finances and business dealings. Ginger Gibson, deputy Washington digital editor at NBC News, joins us for these charges, Liz Cheney being named to the committee investigation the Capitol insurrection and the Supreme Court ruling on Arizona voting laws.
Next, be careful when you see your favorite influencers and personalities promoting cryptocurrency. With all the hype around crypto right now, many are promoting “alt-coins” or “meme-coins” and unfortunately they are often tied to what are known as pump and dump schemes. Influencers pump up the altcoins in their networks, the value rises for a very short period of time, major investors dump the coins when it hits their peak, and everyone else is left with these crypto coins worth nothing. Matt Binder, reporter at Mashable, joins us for the shady world of influencers promoting cryptocurrency.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Leading into the 4th of July weekend it’s important to be safe when dealing with fireworks. You will most likely be seeing some illegal fireworks going off near you, but in South LA, the explosion came for the LAPD. Responding to a tip, cops found 5,000 pounds of illegal fireworks at one home including other “improvised explosive devices.” Those were put into a special chamber to be detonated when an unexpected explosion occurred, injuring 17 people and damaging nearby cars and homes. Steve Gregory, reporter for KFI News in Los Angeles, joins us for what happened with this unexpected blast.
Next, there is a lot of talk about infrastructure lately as the Biden administration tries to get a bill passed and one of the big questions being debated is how to pay for it. But why does it cost so much to build things in America? When it comes to mass transit and roads, we just don’t build enough and are out of practice. Every time a new project comes along it’s like starting from scratch. There is also the complexity of working across multiple jurisdictions and bottlenecks at every step of the process. Jerusalem Demsas, policy reporter at Vox, joins us for why the U.S. gets very little for what it builds.
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In a surprise ruling for many, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court on Wednesday overturned Bill Cosby’s sexual assault conviction, paving the way for him to be immediately released from prison. He is already home. The justices ruled that since the previous prosecutor said he would not charge Cosby in exchange for testimony in a deposition, any further prosecution would be barred. Lou Shapiro, criminal defense attorney and legal analyst, joins us for what to know about the ruling.
Next, we are seeing record temperatures in the Pacific Northwest and an early start to wildfire season causing concern for local officials and the Biden administration. In response officials are planning to roll out measures designed to lower the risk of these fires and also raise the pay for federal wildland firefighters in the hopes of retaining them at the end of the season. Andrew Freedman, climate and energy reporter at Axios, joins us for how we are preparing for wildfire season.
Finally, the champ has been dethroned. No longer can Los Angeles claim it has the worst traffic, a title it has held since 1982. Now, the New York-Newark region has the worst traffic distinction with people spending over 494,000 hours stuck in traffic. Los Angeles dropped off the top spot all because of the pandemic and stay-at-home orders. Jordan Mendoza, reporter at USA Today, joins us for more.
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The search continues for unaccounted people at the Champlain Towers South Condo in Florida as we hear of more red flags that were raised about the building going back to 2018 and even just two days before it collapsed. An engineering consultant indicated in a 2018 report that concrete damage would multiply exponentially over the years, despite residents being told the building was in good shape. Elisha Fieldstadt, reporter at NBC News, joins us for some of the building warning signs.
Next, car dealers are selling more vehicles above the sticker price as demand continues to remain high while supply is low. Dealers are loading cars with extra additions and in some cases charging 10,000 over MSRP. Nora Naughton, auto industry reporter at the WSJ, joins us for why dealers are selling cars for so much, the short answer… is because they can.
Finally, the Arizona ballot audit could be backfiring on Republicans as polls continue to show that half of voters oppose it, with independent voters opposing it by 18 points. The counting is done for now, but next comes the report which is expected to be partisan. The polls however do show that voters in AZ might not want Biden to run for a second term. Marc Caputo, national political reporter at Politico, joins us for why there is opposition to the audit.
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A new study has some good news for the lingering question about how long immunity lasts after being vaccinated. The mRNA vaccines made by Pfizer and Moderna set off a persistent immune reaction in the body that could protect against the virus for years. The study suggests the most people immunized with mRNA vaccines might not need booster shots, unless the virus and variants evolve too much. Apoorva Mandavilli, reporter at the NY Times, joins us for more.
Next, U.S. forces in Syria came under rocket fire a day after the U.S. launched airstrikes against militias backed by Iran in Iraq and Syria. The U.S. airstrike was described as a defensive attack after seeing an uptick in drone strikes from the militias. These new Iranian-made drones can be capable of evading U.S. surveillance and defenses. Courtney Kube, national security correspondent at NBC News, joins us for the latest military actions in the area.
Finally, we are seeing people leave unemployment rolls faster in states that have cancelled enhanced unemployment benefits than in those keeping them in place. Businesses are still having a tough time attracting workers and keeping them from quitting, and many suspected that workers were still reluctant to go back into the workforce because of these extra benefits. Eric Morath, labor and economics reporter at the WSJ, joins us for how people are looking for jobs now that unemployment benefits are ending.
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Vice President Harris went to the U.S./Mexico border last week, former President Trump and a group of House Republicans are also making a trip. Ginger Gibson, deputy Washington digital editor at NBC News, joins us for this, a bipartisan framework agreed upon for infrastructure, and how election attacks continue to persist in Michigan and Arizona.
Next, some hopeful news on the treatment of cancer. The same mRNA technology that is used in the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines could be used to help treat cancer. Karen Weintraub, health reporter at USA Today, joins us for how mRNA tech is being used for more than Covid.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Speaking out publicly for the first time about the conservatorship that has controlled her life for 13 years, Britney Spears pleaded with a judge to end it and detailed how over the years she has been forced to work against her will, be drugged, and prevented from removing a birth control device so she could have more kids. Spears mentioned that she just wanted to be heard and the conservatorship to be ended without another psychological evaluation. Lisa Richwine, entertainment reporter at Reuters, was on the scene in the courtroom and details what she heard and why it may still be a long road to #FreeBritney.
Next, federal regulators are warning firefighters about the risks of putting out electric vehicle fires. One of the big issues is the lithium-ion batteries that power the cars. When the cars catch fire, the stored energy in those batteries often heat up and continue to reignite. In one case it took seven hours and 28,000 gallons of water to put the electric car fire out completely. Regulators are calling for more firefighter training on how to put them out. Cyrus Farivar, investigative tech reporter at NBC News, joins us for more.
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The Supreme Court on Wednesday handed down a student free speech ruling siding with Brandi Levy, the cheerleader who in 2017 posted a profane Snapchat post while off-campus after she didn’t make the varsity cheer squad. Levy was then suspended from the cheer program for one year. The Justices ruled 8-1 that the punishment did violate her First Amendment rights. Bianca Quilantan, education reporter at Politico, joins us for the Court’s first major student free speech case since 2007.
Next, we have been hearing a lot about unruly passengers on flights recently and the thousands of dollars in penalties they face, but now Airline industry groups, flight attendants and lawmakers want more done to help out. Airline reps want the Attorney General to prosecute unruly passengers and there are even call for mandatory self- defense training for flight attendants who have to deal with angry flyers. Leslie Josephs, airline reporter at CNBC, joins us for more.
Finally, the idea of that one big TV hit that brings everyone together may be already dead. Shows definitely still have their fans, and passionate ones too, but gone are the universal hits and common entertainment culture. Steven Zeitchik, entertainment business writer at the Washington Post, joins us for why big TV hits may be no more.
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The Delta variant of Covid-19 is getting a lot of attention lately as it is likely to become the dominant strain in the U.S. in the near future. This variant is more transmissible, can infect a large portion of those who have only had one dose of the vaccine, and can also cause more severe disease. Sarah Zhang, staff writer at the Atlantic, joins us for why health officials are using this variant of concern to push more people to be vaccinated.
Next, younger millennials and Gen Z are ditching traditional investments and pouring money into cryptocurrency and the technology that surrounds it. Part of the big shift is because many don’t trust traditional investment institutions, wanting to have fun with meme stocks, and also feeling like part of a community as they share research and tips. Taylor Locke, money reporter at CNBC, joins us for why younger investors are banking on crypto despite the volatility.
Finally, some find it creepy and others find it comforting, but people keep finding loved ones who have passed on Google Maps. Using a time travel feature on the site that allows people to look at street view going back to 2007, some are finding relatives forever memorialized on Google. There are questions however over how data associated with deceased people should be handled. Rebecca Heilweil, reporter at Recode by Vox, joins us for more.
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The Supreme Court ruled unanimously on Monday against the NCAA and limits on academic-related benefits for student athletes. This ruling was narrow in that it has nothing to do with college athletes making money off of their image, name, and likeness or payments for on-field achievements. With this ruling, colleges may offer greater benefits such as graduate student scholarships, internships, computer equipment and more. Ben Strauss, sports and media reporter at the Washington Post, joins just for what this means for the movement to increase compensation for student athletes.
Next, more companies are pushing for employees to prove they are vaccinated for Covid-19. Most employers have not mandated that workers get vaccinated, but are implementing policies for those who choose not to get the shots like continued mask wearing. Employers are bolstered by new guidance that says they can require all workers entering a workplace to be vaccinated. Orla McCaffrey, consumer finance reporter at the WSJ, joins us for what to know.
Finally, the first new Alzheimer’s drug approved in almost 20 years is providing a lot of hope for those afflicted with the disease, but it is causing headaches for lawmakers in Washington. The high cost of the treatment, if approved by Medicare, could cost the government almost $57 billion a year. Benjy Sarlin, policy editor at NBC News, joins us for how taxpayers and patients could be squeezed by a costly drug whose benefits are questionable.
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Last week the Supreme Court dismissed a lawsuit trying to challenge Obamacare. The Affordable Care Act has now withstood three different challenges and the Court ruled in a 7-2 decision that Texas and other Republican led states had no standing to bring this lawsuit forward. Sen. Joe Manchin also outlined demands on voting legislation in hopes for a potential compromise. A vote on this should be coming this week. Ginger Gibson, deputy Washington digital editor at NBC News, joins us for this and also how emails showed how much pressure Trump put on his Justice Department to help overturn the election.
Next, when things go wrong at an Airbnb, a specialized safety team mobilizes to help the problems go away. In some cases violent crimes or even severe property damage is taken care of by this secretive PR who is armed with NDAs and millions of dollars in settlement money. Team members have said that the job is nerve-wracking trying to balance the interests of the guests, hosts, and especially the company. Olivia Carville, reporter at Bloomberg News, joins us for how Airbnb is spending millions to make bad news go away.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Even as more parts of the country continue to fully reopen from the pandemic, you’re going to keep seeing what many are calling “Hygiene Theater.” Think plexiglass dividers, scanning QR codes for menus, and the constant cleaning of surfaces, despite surface contact not being a significant transmitter of the virus. These actions have much more to do with making customers feel better than it does with science. Marc Fisher, senior editor at The Washington Post, joins us for how long this “hygiene theater” may last.
Next, we have a new tech alert. Over the next few weeks, a company named Kernel will be shipping out a high tech helmet that can read your mind. It can analyze electrical impulses and blood flow and researchers hope it can help gain insight into brain aging, mental disorders, strokes, and even what happens to the brain during meditation and even psychedelic trips. Kernel’s CEO, Bryan Johnson is an interesting character himself and hopes that these helmets can further our understanding of the brain. Ashlee Vance, writer at Bloomberg Businessweek, joins us for more.
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President Biden and Vladimir Putin had their much anticipated summit on Wednesday and both walked away saying the meeting was positive and constructive. Biden said he pressed Putin on recent cyberattacks and human rights issues, but Putin didn’t seem to cede much ground. They did agree to allow their ambassadors to return to their posts, begin strategic stability talks on nuclear arms, and consultations on cybersecurity issues. Nahal Toosi, foreign affairs correspondent at Politico, joins us for key takeaways.
Next, the housing market continues to have a much lower supply of homes needed to meet demand and now we have a better idea of how many are needed. A new report by the National Association of Realtors says we need 5.5 million more housing units, everything from single family homes to multi-family units. The report does call for policy responses, some of which are in President Biden’s infrastructure proposal. Nicole Friedman, housing reporter at the WSJ, joins us for more.
Finally, the Federal Reserve expects inflation to rise about 3.4% this year and conversations started swirling about what it means for the markets and the economy, but what does it mean for normal people? The short answer… expect higher prices for everything from used cars and airline fares to groceries and gas. Alicia Adamczyk, money reporter at CNBC, joins us for what a rise in inflation means for you.
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A new study done by the National Institutes of Health is showing that in five states, some people were infected with Covid-19 before those states recorded their first cases. Blood samples collected between January and March of 2020 were tested for antibodies… out of 24,000 samples, nine came back positive. While these cases were earlier than previously recorded it does show that there wasn’t much community spread at the time. Betsy McKay, senior writer at the WSJ, joins us for more.
Next, we have been seeing a lot of bad behavior on airplanes recently. Disruptions by passengers due to alcohol and especially their refusal to wear masks has been on the rise. The FAA has not been shy about publicizing the fines associated with unruly passengers and proposed a $15,000 fine for one man who wasn’t wearing his mask and drinking alcohol on the plane when it was prohibited. Hannah Sampson, travel reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for the rise of conflicts in the air.
Finally, be warned when making plans this summer… everyone has the same idea as you. Right now, national and state parks are being overwhelmed with people trying to enjoy outdoors activities. At Arches National Park in Utah, they reach capacity and close gates to visitors most days before 9am. You have to also be ready for long lines just to get in anywhere. Allison Pohle, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for how it’s packed everywhere, even outdoors.
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Israel has a new prime minister for the first time since 2009. Benjamin Netanyahu is out and Naftali Bennett is in. With this change in leadership, the Biden administration sees an opportunity to defuse tensions over Iran and other policy disagreements, but the new government in Israel is fragile and consists of eight parties with varying interests. Vivian Salama, national security reporter at the WSJ, joins us for more.
Next, a new coronavirus vaccine may soon be available from Novavax as they say their two-dose shot is 90% effective at preventing symptomatic Covid-19. While it may not make much of an impact in the U.S., it is expected to be a welcome addition to global vaccination efforts. Approval may still take a few months as they ramp up their manufacturing processes, but it is still a big win for Novavax who has never won an approval for a vaccine. Peter Loftus, pharmaceutical reporter at the WSJ, joins us for what to know.
Finally, the latest Gallup survey shows that those reluctant to take the Covid-19 vaccine are likely to stay that way. Over 64% have had at least one dose of the vaccine, and another 12% say they plan to. But of those that are left, over half of them say that they won’t be vaccinated and won’t change their minds. The biggest worry people have now is not getting sick, but those that don’t want their shots. Jeffrey Jones, senior editor at Gallup, joins us for what the latest numbers say.
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Over the weekend a judge threw out a lawsuit by employees of Houston Methodist Hospital after the hospital mandated that they get Covid vaccines. 117 employees joined the failed lawsuit alleging they did not want to be part of the vaccine experiment. Many legal experts agree that employers can mandate vaccinations as conditions of employment. The G-7 summit also agreed this past weekend to give one billion vaccine doses to poorer countries, half of which will be supplied by the U.S. Ginger Gibson, deputy Washington digital editor at NBC News, joins us for this and a preview of President Biden's meeting with Vladimir Putin.
Next, it's becoming a lot more common in the lives of high-profile people and celebrity circles... non-disclosure agreements. Want to party with a celeb or get romantically involved? You might have to sign an NDA, but there are questions of legality and enforcement. Even some of the lawyers that draft up NDA's inform their clients that while they might feel more comfortable having people sign them, not all parts could be enforceable. Many people are confused or regret signing them and it's important to know that these protect the celebrity, not the person signing them. Hallie Lieberman, sex historian and contributor to Buzzfeed News, joins us for more.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Some good news on the coronavirus front as we might be closer herd immunity than you think. More than 64% of adults have had at least one vaccine dose, and for those who haven’t had the vaccine, about half of them have natural immunity from prior infection. When you factor in natural immunity, the number of individuals protected is more than we think. Dr. Marty Makary, professor at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and author of “The Price We Pay: What Broke American Healthcare and How to Fix It,” joins us for why herd immunity is not so far off.
Next, tech companies are looking at ways of getting you over your Zoom fatigue and bringing holograms to the office for your next meeting. Projects at WeWork and Google are working on a new style of communication with holograms and avatars to make things feel more personal and allow you to read body language better. Ann-Marie Alcántara, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for how this tech is closer to becoming an everyday reality.
Finally, as we see the demand for Covid-19 vaccines drop, Johnson & Johnson vaccine doses are being left unused and they could be expiring as soon as the end of this month. The doses only last about 3 months in the refrigerator and hundreds of thousands or more could go to waste. States want to redistribute or send these doses abroad, but there are very strict rules on how the vaccines can be reallocated. Laura Strickler, investigative reporter at NBC News, joins us for these expiring vaccines.
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It’s something we always knew was happening, ultra-rich Americans paying little to no taxes even as their wealth increases. ProPublica has obtained IRS data on the top 25 richest Americans and how they maneuver the tax system by claiming very little taxable income, borrowing money, or reporting investment losses all to offset paying taxes. Between 2014 and 2018, these top 25 saw their worth rise a collective $401 billion, but paid a true tax rate of just 3.4%. Jeff Ernsthausen, senior data reporter at ProPublica, joins us for how billionaires like Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, Warren Buffet and others sometimes get away with paying nothing in taxes.
Next, plant-based meats were already having a moment before the pandemic showing up in your grocery stores, fast food chains, and restaurants, but as meat and pork prices were going up do to the pandemic, these alternative meats were surging in options and dropping in price. In 2020, we saw 112 new plant-based meat, egg, and dairy brands hit the shelves and people aren’t just trying them once, we are seeing repeat customers. Laura Riley, business of food reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for how plant-based proteins are taking a bite out of Big Meat.
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The U.S. was able to recover a portion of the money paid out in the ransomware attack on the Colonial Pipeline. The FBI was able to seize $2.3 million of the $4.4 million that was paid to the Russian hacker group DarkSide. While some details are being kept secret by the Feds, they were able to access the private key to DarkSide’s digital bitcoin wallet. Kevin Collier, reporter at NBC News, joins us for the latest twist in this ransomware attack.
Next, the FDA has approved a new drug that could help all those that suffer from Alzheimer’s disease. This is the first new Alzheimer’s drug approved in almost 20 years and targets proteins called amyloids that are thought to play a part in cognitive decline. More studies on its effectiveness will continue to be done and the treatment is very expensive, coming in at over $50,000 a year. Robert Langreth, science and health reporter at Bloomberg News, joins us for more.
Finally, Amazon is currently sharing your internet connection with your neighbors and they didn’t even give you a chance to opt out. Using Amazon connected devices such as Echo smart speakers and Ring cameras, they launched a new kind of wireless network called Sidewalk. Amazon says it will improve the effectiveness of its devices, but you also have no control over the information shared on this network. Geoffrey Fowler, tech columnist at The Washington Post, joins us for how to turn off the Sidewalk network on your devices.
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Since the Jan. 6 Capitol riots, there has been a growing community of sedition hunters who comb over hours of video and thousands of photos in the hopes of identifying those that stormed the Capitol building. These internet sleuths have even set up their own infrastructure to help with the effort with facial recognition databases and websites to help track suspects. The FBI appreciates the help and said that some of these tips have been helpful in dozens of cases. David Yaffe-Bellany, reporter at Bloomberg News, joins us for the sedition hunters looking for insurrectionists.
Next, virtual brands are taking over your favorite food delivery apps. The pandemic has transformed the food industry and in a time when many restaurants were closing, food brands have proliferated. Big chains and even mom and pop restaurants are expanding the brands housed in their kitchens and offering burgers, pizza, and especially chicken wings all coming from the same kitchen, just under different names. Uber Eats estimates that there are over 10,000 virtual brands on its platform alone. Josh, Dzieza, investigations editor at the Verge, joins us for the rise of virtual brands and how to spot them… keep an eye out for those chicken wing spots.
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There is division in the Democratic party as Sen. Joe Manchin has said that he will not vote for the Democrats' voting rights bill or vote to change the filibuster rule. He said that doing this in a partisan manner will only continue to divide Congress. President Trump also made a return in a speech to North Carolina Republicans and threw out many familiar lines about the election being stolen. Ginger Gibson, deputy Washington digital editor at NBC News, joins us for this and the broad strokes of what to expect in the upcoming UFO report...sorry, no aliens.
Next, a look into the public safety app that is pushing boundaries and unfortunately making some mistakes along the way. The Citizen app recently put out a reward for the capture of a man who they believed started a brush fire in Los Angeles. The man that was singled out, didn't actually have anything to do with the fire. The app was also considering branching out into somewhat of a private security force for a monthly fee. Former employees and some experts say that this new aggressive direction could do more harm than good. Cyrus Farivar, investigative tech reporter at NBC News, joins us for a look into the Citizen app.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
JBS, the second largest producer of beef, pork, and chicken is now fully operational after being the victim of a ransomware attack by a Russian group named REvil. Luckily the disruption to the food supply will be minimal, but workers going back had to put in some good old fashioned manual labor as many of the operations at these plants are automated. Elizabeth Elkin, agriculture reporter at Bloomberg News, joins us for the latest ransomware attack on critical sectors of the U.S. economy.
Next, as many companies are debating what the road back to the office will look like, they better be prepared to make remote work a part of the equation. A recent survey showed that almost 40% of workers would quit a job if their employers were not flexible about working remotely. Top reasons for wanted to keep that set up is the lack of commute and cost savings associated with that. Anders Melin, reporter at Bloomberg News, joins us for how important remote work has become over the course of the pandemic.
Finally, a lot of people have been lucky enough to hit it big in the markets and come out with extra money. Whether it was company shares, retail or crypto investing some are stressed with what to do with all that sudden money. A couple of things to do immediately would be let your feelings calm down from all that cash and set money aside for taxes. Julia Carpenter, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for tips on how to manage that stress.
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Some concerning news for those with immunocompromised systems has emerged. A recent study found that the vaccines are proving less effective than for people with normal immune systems. 46% of transplant patients had no antibodies after two vaccine shots and the other 54% who did develop antibodies, were at lower levels. Joe Barrett, senior Midwest correspondent at the WSJ, joins us for why immunocompromised people might be looking at booster shots to help.
Next, the summer travel season is here and it is all about the beach destinations. In previous years, the top leisure vacations we all big international cities, and now everyone is looking toward places like Miami, Cancun, Honolulu, and anywhere they can go all-inclusive. The travel industry still has a long way to go before it recovers, but planning ahead right now is more important than ever. Rani Molla, senior data reporter at Vox’s ReCode, joins us for how 2021 is the summer of resorts.
Finally, retro gaming is having a moment right now and the must have item to make it all complete is an old tube TV. Enthusiasts are looking at online marketplaces and even yard sales for CRT TVs that will match up perfectly with old pixelated game displays. It provides that nostalgia feel, hides flaws, and smooths out the experience. Aiden Moher, contributor to Wired, joins us for more.
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CA Gov. Gavin Newsom continues to face a recall vote, but the early momentum in getting the recall on the ballot has faded and Republicans are having difficulties making some of the attacks stick. The state is scheduled to reopen June 15, there is a budget surplus, and even the polls look good for Newsom right now with 57% opposing the recall. Carla Marinucci, senior writer for Politico’s CA Playbook, joins us for an update on the fight over Newsom’s political future.
Next, the housing market continues to be as crazy as ever with low inventory and sky high prices. But thousands of homes known as “whisper listings” or “pocket listings” are being reserved for certain buyers and it’s squeezing the supply even tighter. In some cases brokers may show an unlisted home to a small circle of buyers before publicly advertising that listing. Nicole Friedman, housing reporter at the WSJ, joins us for the dwindling options for home buyers.
Finally, the conversation about Covid-19 variants is changing in the hopes of avoiding confusion and stigma. The WHO has announced a new naming scheme that uses the letters of the Greek alphabet instead of numbers or a county’s name. The UK variant known as B.1.1.7 will now be Alpha and the South African variant will be Beta. Out of 24 letters in the Greek alphabet, 10 have already been assigned. Elizabeth Weise, national correspondent at USA Today, joins us for more.
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Is it illegal for businesses to require proof of vaccination? Short answer is no. In some states such as Texas, Florida, Utah and others, they have banned vaccine passports, but that does not apply to private businesses. Misinformation is floating around on the internet citing protection from Fourth Amendment, but the reality is, a business can ask you to voluntarily disclose your vaccination status and you can refuse, but that business also has the right to refuse you entry. Sasha Hupka, reporter at CapRadio.org, joins us for some fact checking.
Next, it was August 1, 1981 when MTV was launched playing the first ever music video on television. That video was “Video Killed the Radio Star” by the Buggles. To celebrate the importance of MTV as a cultural and musical force, there is a new exhibit at the Grammy Museum in Mississippi. The exhibit is called MTV Turns 40: I Still Want My MTV and is open to the public now. It spotlights pivotal moments in their history… everything from its inception to Yo! MTV Raps!, MTV Unplugged, Beavis and Butthead, and even the Jersey Shore. Bob Santelli, founding Executive Director of the Grammy Museum and curator of the MTV exhibit, joins us for what MTV meant for music and popular culture.
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President Biden continues to promote his infrastructure plan across the country, but behind the scenes negotiations continue with not much progress. Senate Republicans offered a counter proposal that was just under $1 trillion with money for more traditional projects and paid for in part by using Covid relief funds. There is also still debate on the exact definition of infrastructure. Ginger Gibson, deputy Washington digital editor at NBC News, joins us for infrastructure talks, immigration, and Biden calling for a Covid probe.
Next, the coronavirus lab leak theory got extra attention last week as we found out that three researchers at the Wuhan Institute of Virology got sick in November of 2019 and sought treatment at a hospital. Their symptoms were consistent with Covid and common seasonal illnesses. Also being talk about was an abandoned Chinese mine where people got sick after clearing bat guano. Scientists from the Wuhan institute took samples and found several new coronaviruses in 2012. Ken Dilanian national security correspondent at NBC News, joins us for why calls to investigate the coronavirus origins have intensified.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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Washington is swirling with UFO chatter right now as many eagerly await an intelligence report due sometime next month. Top senators, pentagon insiders, and former CIA directors have been weighing in on the subject, but that hasn’t always been the case. UFO talk usually got you in trouble or got you strange looks. Michael Rosenwald, reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for how UFO sightings went from jokes to national security concern.
Next, for all those that are out traveling this Memorial Day weekend, get ready for high costs and lots of people. As the economy continues to rebound from the pandemic, we are seeing vacations get more expensive with rising airfare and hotel rates. The price of gas is even making road trips more expensive too. Leslie Josephs, airline reporter at CNBC, joins us for why costs are quickly going up.
Finally, a new treatment known as optogenetic therapy has given a blind man some of his vision back. Light- activated proteins were inserted into eye nerve cells and paired with specials goggles that emit flashes of amber-hued light. This combination allowed the man with a degenerative eye disease to see and count objects, when he could previously just detect some light. Tina Hesman Saey, senior writer at Science News, joins us for more.
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There has been a lot of volatility with cryptocurrency lately, especially for bitcoin. China has been one of the key factors in the ups and downs. China recently took some actions that will likely ban all bitcoin mining there soon. About 75% of all bitcoin mining currently happens in China. Last week they also warned financial institutions not to participate in crypto transactions. Tim De Chant, tech policy reporter at Ars Technica, joins us for what is happening in the crypto market.
Next, the pandemic has changed how we shop and some things like wider aisles and curbside pickup will be sticking around, while companies that don’t adapt may continue to close. Retailers are expecting a spending boom, but business will have to give consumers reasons to get out, like new concept stores and in-store experiences. Hillary George-Parkin, contributor to Vox, joins us for what to expect from post-pandemic shopping.
Finally, the Army is getting some upgrades. New night vision goggles are being rolled out that look like the stuff out of video games. We all know the green-washed look of the traditional night vision equipment, but the new goggles offer more contrast with soldiers, objects, and locations outlined in white. It also offers augmented reality capabilities. Dalvin Brown, innovations reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for the new night vision tech.
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Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis this week signed a ‘Big Tech’ bill aimed at cracking down on social media giants like Facebook and Twitter for deplatforming conservatives. The bill makes it illegal to remove candidates for office from their social media in the lead up to an election. It also makes it easier for the Florida attorney general and individuals to sue big tech. Ana Ceballos, reporter at the Miami Herald, joins us for this new law that will most certainly be challenged in court.
Next, another important piece of the vaccine puzzle has come into play. Moderna says that its vaccine has been found to be 100% effective in kids ages 12-17, two week after their second dose. Moderna will seek for FDA authorization early in June offering more choices for families over summer vacation and before the new school year begins. Elizabeth Weise, national correspondent at USA Today, joins us for how this will help bring us closer to herd immunity.
Finally, the recent unionization effort at an Amazon warehouse in Bessemer, Alabama failed, but the fight continues. In a hearing before the National Labor Relations Board, the union is arguing that a mailbox installed on the grounds by the Post Office interfered with how workers may have voted. Amazon wanted workers to use the mailbox to cast their ballots. Sara Morrison, reporter at Vox’s Recode, joins us for why the decision to overturn the votes may come down to this mailbox.
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Who is out there driving in-person economic spending as the country recovers from the pandemic? Right now, vaccinated consumers have been less likely to go out to restaurants and entertainment venues than those who don’t plan to get the vaccine. Early data shows that the vaccinated are still cautious and avoiding large crowds. Many states that have higher vaccination rates have had a slower rebounds of in-person spending and experts say that spending among vaccinated people will most likely be at full force by summer. Sarah Chaney Cambon, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for more.
Next, an interesting story about a man named Robert McDaniel who was put on Chicago PD’s Heat List. Chicago’s predictive policing program said he would be involved with a shooting, but didn’t specify what side he would be on. After an algorithm decided he would be on the list, police increased their surveillance of McDaniel and he also became a pariah in his own community… the increased scrutiny made people think he could have been a police informant. In the end, McDaniel was a victim who was shot twice on separate occasions. Matt Stroud, contributor to the Verge, joins us for Robert McDaniel’s life on the “heat list.”
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There's been a lot of buzz about UFOs in the news lately. Some new video from 2019 was recently leaked showing an object flying by a Navy ship and disappearing into the water. Former President Obama was also recently asked about what he knew about these strange objects. This is all leading up to an upcoming report to be delivered to Congress that will supposedly detail what the Pentagon knows about unidentified aerial phenomena. Ginger Gibson, deputy Washington digital editor at NBC News, joins us for UFOs, Georgia and Arizona still looking into election results and the vote to create a Jan.6 commission moves to the Senate.
Next, President Trump and many of his allies continue to push the claim that there was mass fraud during the last election causing him to lose. Multiple lawsuits have been thrown out in court as there is no evidence to the claims. Arizona is currently going through an audit looking for irregularities. While many of these allegations have been pushed out for some time, where did they originate? Many of the key elements of the story saying the election was stolen from Trump were formed by a man named Russell Ramsland Jr. who was delivering presentations about fraud and voting machines as early as 2018. Jon Swaine, investigative reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for how the stolen election myth was made.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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Everyone is expecting the summer travel season to be that comeback moment for airlines and the hospitality industry, but signs are showing that it may already be happening. TSA airport screenings are up 715% compared to the same time last year. If you’re planning to fly, you might want to get your tickets soon, prices are already creeping back up to pre-pandemic levels. Scott McCartney, middle seat columnist at the WSJ, joins us for how the U.S. travel surge is already here.
Next, vaccine booster shots may be coming as early as September. The CEO’s of Pfizer and Moderna have signaled that the extra shots will be needed because the durability of protection against coronaviruses is generally not lifelong. The picture will become clearer as more data emerges about how long immunity lasts at the current dosage. Caitlin Owens, healthcare reporter at Axios, joins us for how Pfizer and Moderna are preparing boosters in case a third shot is needed.
Finally, get ready for “Hot Vax Summer” as pent-up demand to go out is at an all-time high, but be wary of the hype. Sometimes expectations don’t live up to reality. As some are preparing for a summer of hookups and fun, it can also come with awkward social interactions and even some ghosting. Lisa Bonos, reporter at The Washington Post covering dating and relationships, joins us for more.
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With just over 60 days to go before the Olympics are set to begin in Tokyo, a prominent group of doctors and a majority of those polled in Japan are calling for them to be cancelled once more. New Covid cases have surged and the vaccination rollout remains very slow due to a number of reasons. Less than 2% of the population in Japan is fully vaccinated. Jeff Tracy, sports reporter at Axios, joins us for more.
Next, what is behind sudden drop in Bitcoin? This week Bitcoin fell as much as 30% and other cryptocurrencies also took a hit. We’ve seen some institutional support drop with Tesla no longer accepting Bitcoin and regulatory concerns as China banned financial companies from providing services for crypto trading. Jesse Pound, markets and investing reporter at CNBC, joins us for what to know.
Finally, a growing body of research is showing that dogs can sniff out Covid-19, including people without symptoms. These dogs can be trained relatively quickly and have a pretty good success rate, sometimes doing better than rapid antigen tests. Some companies and countries are now getting ready to deploy these pups to help screen large amounts of people quickly for things like sporting events and more. Ruth Bender, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for how dogs can detect the coronavirus.
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Enhanced child cash benefits will be hitting parents’ bank accounts starting July 15. The IRS will send families monthly payments of $250-$300 per child to families depending on their ages and incomes of parents. The Biden administration says this is an important step in stamping out child poverty and are hoping to extend this program to 2025. Jeff Stein, White House economics reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for what to know.
Next, cryptocurrency scams spiked 1,000% in the past year costing about 70,000 people more than $80 million. $2 million of that were sent to Elon Musk impersonators. Many of these scams played out in online chat groups and even on dating apps. Kate Marino, business editor at Axios, joins us for how scammers were cashing in.
Finally, how do you manage your workforce now that more people are returning to the office? Some workers are sad about leaving their remote work setup, others anxious about getting sick, and there are those that are burnt out. It’s important to give employees flexibility, help smooth out social interactions, and foster a focus on workflow. Rachel Feintzeig, work and life columnist at the WSJ, joins us for how to rally the post-pandemic workforce.
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Vaccine hesitancy continues to be an issue in the push to get everyone vaccinated and we have seen some smaller incentives such as free doughnuts and tickets to sporting events among other things, but Ohio has definitely stepped up its game. Gov. Mike DeWine is offering $1 million each to five adults by lottery, if you get your shots. Separately, he is offering full-ride scholarships at a public state university to five vaccinated teenagers. Incentives have been shown to work in some cases, but this plan has gotten a mixed reaction so far. Joel Achenbach, science reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for more.
Next, let’s get into the mind of what persuaded one man to storm the Capitol on Jan. 6. ProPublica was able to obtain a jailhouse letter from Guy Reffitt, who is currently being held for his part in the riots that day. He is not accused of entering the Capitol building or hurting anyone, but is suspected of having a gun and numerous text messages show his planning to put the country on notice that people are not happy... prosecutors characterize him as a serious danger to his family, Congress, and the entire system of justice. Things were so worrisome to his family at one point, that his own son reported him to the FBI. Joaquin Sapien, reporter at ProPublica, joins us for a look into what motivated Guy Reffitt.
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The fighting between Israel and Hamas continues with rockets and airstrikes killing people on both sides. There was even an airstrike on a building that housed international news outlets. Benjamin Netanyahu has said that the attacks will continue as U.S. diplomats have been dispatched to the area to help with de-escalation talks. Ginger Gibson, deputy Washongton digital editor at NBC News joins us for how the Biden administration is reacting to this situation and why the new guidance from the CDC on masks was causing confusion in the White House.
Next, as students spent more than a year at home in remote-learning settings, cheating has become more rampant and easier than ever. At North Carolina State University, more than 200 students were caught cheating. Texas A&M University had a 50% increase in cheating. Educators say a big part of this is the stress and pressure during the pandemic, and a lot of the cheating is done on homework help and homework auction sites where students can post their assignments and people bid on completing them for a price. Tawnell Hobbs, senior special writer at the WSJ, joins us for the latest surge in cheating.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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The CDC has updated its guidance saying fully vaccinated people no longer need to wear masks indoors or physically distance regardless of crowd size. Only a few instances remain where you need the mask. The reason for this announcement is that the vaccines have been shown to work in the real world, protect against variants, and vaccinated people are less likely to transmit the virus. Marissa Fernandez, health care reporter at Axios, joins us for the latest from the CDC.
Next, if you’re trying to buy a new car right now, you might not find what you’re looking for. A shortage of computer chips is driving up prices and leaving dealerships with less cars to offer. The chips are used for everything from safety systems to brakes and engines. Some manufacturers are holding unfinished cars until they can get the chips or taking out some tech features from the cars. Nora Naughton, auto industry reporter at the WSJ, joins us for more.
Finally, it’s time to relax if you are fully vaccinated. You can really start to ease the worry about your Covid risk. Many public health experts agree the risk of the virus has greatly diminished for those that have gotten their vaccine. New daily cases, hospitalizations, and deaths are declining and in the instance that you do catch the virus after your shot, the symptoms will likely be much milder. German Lopez, senior correspondent at Vox, joins us for why the vaccine is the best way to start moving beyond the pandemic.
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House Republicans have voted to remove Rep. Liz Cheney from her post as conference chair after backlash over her continued criticism of former President Trump. With this vote, it illustrates that Republicans think the only way to winning majorities in Congress is with Trump as their leader. Julia Manchester, political reporter at The Hill, joins us for all the fallout… Cheney vowed to work toward never letting Trump near the Oval Office again.
Next, the east coast is dealing with the effects of the Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack, but these types of hacks are affecting others as well. Another ransomware gang just leaked sensitive personnel files from the D.C. Metro Police Department. Information such as social security numbers, psychological assessments and more have been released after a $4 million ransom was not paid. Dan Goodin, security editor at Ars Techinca, joins us for more.
Finally, a new study is pointing to MDMA as a possible new treatment for those suffering from PTSD. In a recent 18-week trial, participants were given three doses of MDMA which was followed up with one-on-one therapy. In almost all cases, this treatment was significantly more effective than those that got placebos. Jeffrey Kluger, editor-at-large for Time Magazine, joins us for the promise of MDMA in treating PTSD.
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The Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack continues to affect the east coast as some gas stations are running out of fuel and people are waiting in long lines to stock up. With this attack, ransomware has emerged as a large scale threat moving beyond schools and businesses to infrastructure like the pipeline. The group DarkSide is said to be behind the attack, and resembles somewhat of a ransomware business. Robert McMillan, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for how these types of cyberattacks are increasingly causing problems.
Next, the FDA has approved the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine for adolescents ages 12-15. They could be getting shots later this week, but as the pool of eligible recipients starts to skew younger, many parents may have questions about vaccinating their kids. The dosage is the same as adults and was shown to be 100% effective against symptomatic Covid. Karen Weintraub, health reporter at USA Today, joins us for what to know.
Finally, as the economy continues to rebound after pandemic closures, it is accelerating growth in small and midsize cities and there are a few breakout cities that are at the forefront of the comeback. Greenville, S.C. has a robust automotive industry. Provo, Utah has a growing tech industry with younger residents moving in, and Des Moines, Iowa is a place for finance jobs. Justin Baer, senior writer at the WSJ, joins us for the rising stars driving America’s economic recovery.
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The pandemic-era real estate market is crazy and it’s showing no signs of slowing down. This time has been a windfall for sellers entertaining multiple offers above asking price and headaches for buyers, where offering more money is no longer good enough, contingencies are being waived and other concessions are also being made. Aimee Picchi, reporter at CBS MoneyWatch, joins us for the ulta-tight pandemic housing market.
Next, the economy is in comeback mode but businesses can’t find enough people to hire, despite millions of people that are still unemployed. Potential workers are holding back because of fears of getting sick, lack of child care, and some are still making more money with enhanced unemployment benefits than they made in their pre-pandemic jobs. Eric Morath, labor and economics reporter at the WSJ, joins us for why despite an economy ready to be on fire, some businesses can’t find employees.
Finally, similar to the housing situation, if you are in the market for a used car, good luck. You can expect high prices and fewer options. The average price for a pre-owned vehicle hit a record of over $25,000 in April. A global chip shortage is slowing down new-car inventory, people are holding on to their leases longer, and less inventory at rental car companies are all playing a part in these higher prices. Nora Naughton, auto industry reporter at the WSJ, joins us for more.
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Supply continues to outweigh demand for the coronavirus vaccine as some states are beginning to order fewer doses than what they are supposed to be allotted. The Biden administration has a goal of 70% of adults vaccinated by July 4, but only about 57% of adults have received at least one shot so far. Also in an effort to get people back in the workforce, some states are rolling back enhanced unemployment benefits. Some governors argue that the extra money is keeping people from going back to work. Ginger Gibson, deputy Washington digital editor at NBC News, joins us for this and the upcoming vote to remove Re. Liz Cheney from her Republican leadership post.
Next, famed TV artist Bob Ross is one of history's most prolific painters racking up almost 30 thousand paintings in his lifetime, but you'd be hard pressed to find one of his original works in the open market. There are a few reasons why you might not find these paintings being sold. First off, Bob Ross Inc. which owns the majority of his work, has them locked away in a warehouse, but they make more money selling paints and painting supplies using his name. Secondly, many of his paintings are already sitting in homes across the country. His paintings can sell for over $10 thousand. Zach Crockett, senior writer at The Hustle, joins us for why it's so hard to find an original Bob Ross painting.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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How many times have you gone to McDonald’s for a nice frozen treat only to be told that the ice cream machine is broken? One couple attempted to get to the bottom of why the Taylor ice cream machines that McDonald’s uses are always breaking and found that there is a secret repair menu that most workers don’t know how to access which forces them to contact the manufacturer for maintenance. This couple eventually created a way to hack the machines, only to have Taylor and McDonald’s stop them. Andy Greenberg, senior writer at Wired, joins us for the fight over hacking McDonald’s ice cream machines.
Next, some 2020 election ballots are still being counted in Arizona. This is coming in the form of an unofficial recount and audit of the 2.1 million votes cast in Maricopa County. The Justice Department has signaled that the recount may violate federal law and the AZ Secretary of State has said that other problems have also been noticed such as ballots left unattended on counting tables. The audit is being run by Florida based contractor Cyber Ninjas who have been employing unorthodox practices such as checking ballots with UV lights. Rosalind Helderman, reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for this recount that many Trump allies are keeping a close watch on.
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Facebook’s Oversight Board has ruled that former President Trump will remain banned for now. The board ruled that Facebook was justified in banning Trump, but took issue with the “indefinite” suspension calling it “vague and uncertain.” They gave Facebook six months to decide if the ban is permanent and also to fully explain their decision. Heather Kelly, technology reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for why Trump’s ban continues.
Next, drug makers and labs are already working on the next-generation of Covid vaccines, and they could come in the form of a pill or nasal spray. Two oral formulations and seven nasal spray formulations are currently being worked on and tested. Researchers also hope to eventually work on a universal vaccine to provide protection against all types of coronaviruses. Gregory Zuckerman, special writer at the WSJ, joins us for the next generation of Covid-19 vaccines.
Finally, the tools to treat patients in the medical field have changed and improved over time, but the tools used in psychiatry are still largely the same ones used 100 years ago. But with the rise of big data, the information captured by our smartphones and speech and facial recognition technologies can provide more insights for mental health professionals. Dr. Daniel Barron, author of Reading Our Minds: The Rise of Big Data Psychiatry, joins us for why it’s time to use this data to make psychiatry more precise and effective.
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Liz Cheney, the no. 3 Republican in the House, may have her days numbered as Republican Conference chair. After calling out former President Trump again for statements he made about the 2020 elections, party leadership is saying that they are concerned about her ability to carry out the message in preparation for the midterm elections. Daniel Flatley, congressional reporter at Bloomberg News, joins us for what to know about the Republican divide.
Next, the oldest millennials are turning 40 and according to a recent survey, 44% of them already have at least one chronic health condition. And with these conditions the financial effects can also pile up. The top conditions affecting them are migraines, depression, asthma, diabetes, and hypertension. Megan Leonhardt, senior money reporter at CNBC Make it, joins us for how these chronic conditions are affecting older millennials.
Finally, part of the next phase of the vaccine effort is targeting those that are still hesitant or refusing to get their shots. The White House and public health experts are playing close attention to recent focus groups of vaccine skeptics that changed their minds. Some heard info from doctors they trust, others heard stories from long haul survivors whose symptoms improved with the shot. Dan Diamond, national health reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for why some are changing their minds on getting vaccinated.
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Florida has taken another step in moving on from the coronavirus pandemic. On Monday, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill banning vaccine passports and an executive order invalidating all remaining local emergency orders, saying the state is no longer in a state of emergency. Some mayors were pushing back on the orders while other lawmakers argued they were trying to strike a balance of protecting people and protecting their civil liberties. Mary Ellen Klas, Capitol Bureau Chief at the Miami Herald, joins us for these new orders and how they impact the national conversation.
Next, the FDA has banned the use an electric shock treatment, but there is still one school using it. The Judge Rotenberg Educational Center in Massachusetts, which deals with some of the difficult developmental and emotional disability cases in the country, uses what’s called a GED device to shocks students to modify their behavior. Disability rights advocates and former residents have spoken out against this practice, but interestingly, some parents of those currently enrolled that have received this treatment support it and say it is the only thing that works. Kevin Monahan, senior producer at the investigative unit at NBC News, joins us for more.
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Joe Biden reached his 100 days in office this past week and we know where Republicans stand on his agenda, but what about the progressive wing of his own party? The news so far is good, they feel heard and are happy with some of his proposals, although the big worry is having a plan to push anything through a divided Congress. Ginger Gibson, deputy Washington digital editor at NBC News, joins us for this, what to expect from the Rudy Giuliani investigation, and more celebrities running for office.
Next, the coronavirus pandemic is still ongoing, but we have gotten parts of it under control. Vaccines are being administered and thanks to the work of various countries, we have treatments that can help spare people some of the most severe infections. One such example is the U.K., not so much a pandemic success story, but their Covid-19 trials is. Through their Recovery Trial project, they were able to mobilize a massive clinical trial that tested various treatments and ultimately found a cheap and widely used steroid that became key in treating the virus, saving an estimated 1 million lives worldwide. Dylan Scott, senior correspondent at Vox, joins us for more.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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Good news, bad news when it comes to vaccines. Good news is that 92% of Americans who got the Covid vaccine returned for their second shot. The bad news, millions of people have not gone back for their second dose, citing fear of side effects and thinking they are sufficiently protected after one shot. Public health experts applaud that high number but also urge everyone to finish their two-shot regimen. Elizabeth Weise, national correspondent at USA Today, joins us for more.
Next, the FDA is moving forward with a nationwide ban on menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars. The ban will not extend to menthol flavored e-cigarettes. Right now more than a third of cigarette purchases in the U.S. are for menthols and are mostly consumed by young people and smokers in communities of color. Marisa Fernandez, health care reporter at Axios, joins us for upcoming ban.
Finally, the CDC updated guidance this week for those that are fully vaccinated saying you no longer need to wear a mask outdoors, except if you are in crowded areas such as concerts or sporting events. There has been ongoing pushback over continued mask wearing with some states rolling back their mandates and others keeping them intact. Lena Sun, health reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for why you can toss that mask when outdoors.
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The White House has proposed the third massive spending plan of its administration. The latest plan is called the “American Families Plan” and will cost $1.8 trillion. The plan will expand access to education with free universal preschool and two years of tuition free community college among other initiatives and would be paid for by raising taxes on investors and wealthy Americans. The package cannot be passed without Congress and will be a tough sell for many as-is. Jeff Stein, White House economics reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for what’s in the plan.
Next, there is an ongoing erosion of personal ownership. With the rise of digital purchases, subscription and streaming based services, do we even really own music or movies anymore? Beyond that, other products we may buy that have, for example, proprietary software that may need to be serviced by specific parent companies may also hinder what we do with our property. This new dynamic may also change the relationship and attachments we have to what we own. Dan Greene, contributor to Vox, joins us for how some rights of traditional ownership are changing.
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The recall election to remove California Gov. Gavin Newsom is on! Proponents of the recall have submitted enough signatures to put the recall on the ballot. No date has been set yet, but the vote may come by November. Now we have to see how many people will jump into the race to replace and how does the state change over the course of the next few months. Taryn Luna, reporter at the LA Times, joins us for how the recall circus back in California.
Next, on Monday we heard that the Supreme Court will be hearing a major Second Amendment case that could impact gun laws for years to come. They will be hearing a case out of New York in the next term that has to do a law restricting the ability to carry concealed handguns in public. Ian Milhiser, senior correspondent at Vox, joins us for what to know about this case and how the conservative majority in the court may impact the decision.
Finally, we know that women and especially mothers of school-aged children have had a tough time when it comes to staying in the workforce. Now, we have some numbers, Nearly 1.5 million mothers are still missing from the workforce compared to last year at the beginning of the pandemic. Two big factors driving those numbers, are access to child care and the demands of the home and virtual schooling for kids. Katie Riley, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for more.
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Many companies are starting to hire again and some have a special requirement before coming on board, a Covid-19 vaccine. Employers are starting to mandate candidates get a shot before they are hired and are also applying the rule to existing employees too. Certain exemptions can be made, but generally, it is legal for employers to mandate such vaccinations. Chip Cutter, workplace reporter at the WSJ, joins us for how employers across all industries are beginning to require Covid vaccines.
Next, two camps are emerging as more than a quarter of Americans are fully vaccinated… those that want to party, travel, and get back to normal, and those that are still nervous about catching the coronavirus. Some are finding it hard to turn off the past year of extra precautions taken not to get sick and are wary about returning to in-person interactions. Elizabeth Chuck, senior writer at NBC News Digital, joins us why some are still nervous about Covid, despite being vaccinated.
Finally, a little more on the state of jobs in the country. Restaurants and bars are continuing to make their comeback, but they are running into another problem, a lack of employees. This is affecting both national chains and independent restaurants, and to help with this, they are turning to hiring bonuses, more pay, and other perks. However, these extra costs can be passed on to the consumer. Heather Haddon, restaurants reporter at the WSJ, joins us for more.
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This week President Biden will reach his first 100 days in office and polls show that generally, the public approves of the job he is doing so far. 53% approve of his overall performance with the highest marks coming for his handling of the pandemic and the lowest marks for what is happening at the southern border. More people also approve of the administration’s priorities such as Biden’s infrastructure plan. Ginger Gibson, deputy Washington digital editor at NBC News, joins us for this and a preview of Biden’s first address to a joint session of Congress.
Next, after a rollercoaster year of remote learning and school closures due to the pandemic, many parents may be feeling powerless as they face the possibility of their children being held back. This particular situation deals with third graders across the country who are not reading at the appropriate grade level. 18 states have laws on the books where students must be held back if they don’t meet the requirements and many students have fallen behind. In Tennessee, some estimates say that nearly 66% of third graders don’t meet English language standards. Carly Sitrin, education reporter at Politico, joins us for more.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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After the guilty verdicts in the George Floyd murder case, a lot of attention has been turned to what’s next. District attorneys and law enforcement researchers say that with this decision, more prosecutors are going to be willing to charge police officers in shootings. With increased attention to police misconduct and this high profile conviction, prosecutors may be more aggressive in these cases. Dan Frosch, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for what to expect.
Next, fake doses of the Pfizer vaccine have been spotted in Mexico and Poland as criminals take advantage of the high demand across the world. There is no indication that this is happening in the U.S. so no need to worry, but investigators said that about 80 people in Mexico got fake shots and in Poland, vials that were labeled as vaccine contained anti-wrinkle treatment. No one has been harmed. Jared Hopkins, pharma reporter at the WSJ, joins us for these counterfeit vaccines.
Finally, President Biden has announced new climate goals in an effort to convince the world that the U.S. is once again a leader when combatting climate change. Biden announced that the country will aim to cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 50-52% below 2005 levels and wants to do it by 2030. Andrew Freedman, climate and energy reporter at Axios, joins us for more.
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State of emergency declared at the Arizona border. Gov. Doug Ducey has blamed the Biden administration for the surge in illegal crossing and said that about 250 National Guard troops would be deployed to help local law enforcement that is overwhelmed. While unaccompanied minors continues to be a problem, Arizona is seeing an influx of single adult males. Alicia Caldwell, immigration reporter at the WSJ, joins us for more.
Next, we might be hitting another snag in the vaccine rollout… too much vaccine. Some states are starting to see the supply of doses exceed the demand. The pace of vaccinations has flattened out at about 3 million per day as states are starting to see too many open vaccine appointments. Rachel Roubein, health reporter at Politico, joins us for how the strategy is changing to get more people vaccinated.
Finally, get ready for the forever maskers. There are pockets of people that have indicated that despite the easing of mask wearing rules and increased vaccination rates, they will most likely be wearing their masks far beyond the pandemic. Reasons vary, with many saying they have avoided the flu and other illnesses and want to keep that streak going. Eve Peyser, writer at NY Magazine, tells us about those who won’t be putting their masks away just yet.
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Guilty on all three counts. Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer who knelt on George Floyd’s neck for more than nine minutes, causing his death, was found guilty on second and third degree murder, in addition to second degree manslaughter. In an emotional case, many feel that justice has been served, but it’s just a first step toward accountability. Janelle Griffith, national reporter at NBC News, was on the scene in Minneapolis and helps us break down this historic verdict.
Next, more than half of American adults have received at least one dose of a Covid vaccine, and while that is good news, experts increasingly feel that we might not get to herd immunity. Recent polls suggest that 15-25% of Americans don’t plan on being vaccinated which won’t help in the effort. Elizabeth Weise, national correspondent at USA Today, joins us for why herd immunity might no longer be on the table.
Finally, coronavirus vaccination cards are increasingly being used in fraud scams. Recent listings on eBay are promising an “Authentic CDC Vaccination Card” for about $10. And scammers are also using those vaccination selfies you might be posting to make their fakes look even more real. Dan Diamond, national health reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for more.
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Los Angeles could become the biggest U.S. city to start a guaranteed income program. LA Mayor Eric Garcetti will be asking the city council to set aside $24 million for a program that would pay out $1000 in monthly payments to 2,000 low-income families. There is some data from similar programs that show it does help beneficiaries, but it doesn’t fare well in overall in public polling. Chris Palmeri, LA Bureau Chief at Bloomberg News, joins us to discuss the new plan.
Next, vaccinations rates are going up and people are ready to get out there and start shopping again, but how will consumer spending change? With the increased use of delivery apps and curbside pickup, grocery shopping might see the most sustained changes. Younger shoppers will also be a big force in apparel spending and more eager to interact with people outside of their households. Melissa Repko, retail reporter at CNBC, joins us for more.
Finally, it seems that the fight to unionize at an Amazon warehouse in Bessemer, Alabama may not be over yet. The Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union filed objections alleging that Amazon illegally interfered with the votes. This comes after the employees there overwhelmingly voted against forming a union. Annie Palmer, technology reporter at CNBC, joins us for what’s next in what could be a lengthy legal challenge.
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Dr. Anthony Fauci addressed the pause of the J&J vaccine on Meet the Press Sunday and said he does not expect the use of the shot to be cancelled saying it could be back in some form by Friday. Last week we also saw another mass shooting where the shooter was able to obtain his guns legally, despite being on the radar of the FBI and some of those charged with storming the Capitol are claiming they were just there as journalists, not to cause mayhem. Ginger Gibson, deputy Washington digital editor at NBC News, joins us for more.
Next, the conversation about vaccine passports continues as many private businesses and some states move ahead with developing methods to verify that people have been vaccinated or have negative covid tests, at the same time, some states are trying to ban them. Without federal leadership on the issue, people will most likely have to navigate a patchwork approach with many apps to choose from. Ashley Gold, tech and policy reporter at Axios, joins us for what might be next in this discussion.
Finally, ransomware attacks continue to be a problem for the country, costing the U.S. $1.3 billion last year. It has been an especially frustrating problem for schools that have been targeted as they try to navigate closures due to the pandemic. In one case, a school had to cancel online and in-person classes for a week as they tried to get their systems back up. And in another case, they had to turn to all-paper packets with no teacher interaction. Kevin Collier, reporter at NBC News, tells us about ransomware hitting schools.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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The defense has rested, the prosecution has rested and closing arguments will begin on Monday in the trial of Derek Chauvin, accused of killing George Floyd. The defense will continue to claim that underlying health conditions and drug use caused Floyd’s death. Chauvin has been charged with second and third degree murder and also second-degree manslaughter. The jury will be sequestered while they make their decisions. Janelle Griffith, national reporter at NBC News, joins us to recap this week of defense witnesses.
Next, in December of 2015 a terrorist attack in San Bernardino, California left more than a dozen people dead. In the aftermath of the scene, an iPhone 5c was found that belonged to one of the shooters. What kicked off after that was a fight between the DOJ and Apple to unlock that phone. Now, years later, we are finding out that the FBI turned to a little known Australian firm which used and exploit chain to finally get in. Reed Albergotti, technology reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for how a terrorist’s phone was finally unlocked.
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If you have money invested in cryptocurrency, you most likely had a good day Wednesday. Coinbase, the largest exchange for bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies became the first major crypto company to go public and surged in its first day in the stock market. With Coinbase going public, it pushes cryptocurrency into the mainstream as something to seriously invest in. Paul Vigna, reporter at the WSJ, joins us to break it down.
Next, we are learning a little more about the investigation into Rep. Matt Gaetz and a trip he took to the Bahamas with some associates and at least five young women. This trip is a key focus of the DOJ in their investigation. We also learned that Matt Gaetz’s phone was seized last winter as federal agents were looking into him. Marc Caputo, national political reporter at Politico, joins us for new details.
Finally, the CDC is studying cases of Covid “vaccine breakthrough.” There have been hundreds of cases reported in Florida, Michigan, and Washington about people getting infected with coronavirus after getting fully vaccinated. Experts say that this is expected as no vaccine provides 100% coverage, but are also looking into whether these are cases of being exposed to high levels of the virus or variants. Rob Stein, health correspondent at NPR, joins us for more.
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The fallout over the Daunte Wright shooting continues in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota. We are seeing more protests and also the resignation of Police Chief Tim Gannon and Officer Kim Potter, who shot Wright. As it stands, they are making it seem like a case of mistaking her firearm for her Taser, but the community is not accepting it. Torey Van Oot, Twin Cities reporter at Axios, joins us for the latest police shooting happening under the backdrop of the Derek Chauvin trial.
Next, the FDA and the CDC has paused the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine while it reviews data after finding six women came down with blood clots after receiving the vaccine, one of those women died. Still, this is extremely rare, these are the only 6 cases so far after almost 7 million shots have been administered. Peter Loftus, healthcare reporter at the WSJ, joins us for what we know about the J&J vaccine.
Finally, President Biden is planning to withdraw all U.S. troops from Afghanistan by September 11, 2021. A deadline of May 1 was originally agreed upon by the Trump administration and the Taliban. The plan will not be conditions-based and will allow the U.S. to shift to current priorities, including military competition with China. Missy Ryan, national security reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for more.
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Elon Musk and his Boring Company has a new public transit system built 40 feet under the Las Vegas Convention Center. It cost $52 million and reduces a 15 minute walk to just under a couple of minutes as you ride in a Telsa through tunnels at about 35 mph. It’s a proof of concept that will soon be expanded as the city of Las Vegas and Clark County are going to also develop the “Vegas Loop,” a 15 mile system with stations at local resorts and attractions. Rick Velotta, gaming and tourism reporter at the Las Vegas Review-Journal, joins us for more.
Next, throughout the pandemic, nursing homes have been under more scrutiny as outbreaks were happening in these facilities that were understaffed and housed some of our most vulnerable citizens. In California, death and neglect was found inside a troubled nursing home chain called ReNew Health. Their CEO applied to operate nine new facilities and was denied because of all of the violations at her other facilities, but in a weird twist, she is still operating those very facilities because of licensing loopholes. Elly Yu, investigative reporter at KPCC and LAist.com, joins us to talk about the flawed system allowing this to happen.
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The scandal surrounding Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz continues with more twists and turns. There is currently a DOJ investigation against him and now the House Ethics Committee will also be looking into him. In the meantime, Joel Greenberg, an associate of Gaetz who is the reason why the whole investigation kicked off, and is also facing charges of his own, is rumored to be close to a plea deal which could pose more problems for Gaetz. Former President Trump also surfaced over the weekend to blast Mitch McConnell and many are questioning the role that Vice President Kamala Harris is playing when it comes to immigration. Ginger Gibson, deputy Washington digital editor at NBC News, joins us to break it all down.
Next, the post pandemic beauty boom is here as people are ready to emerge from the pandemic and be seen in person again. No more hiding behind zoom calls, the demand for beauty services is roaring back and it's not just the regular color and cut, people are signing up for all that they can. Businesses that offer cosmetic injectables and other skin care services are projecting their busiest summer yet and are even considering expanding locations. Amanda Mull, staff writer at the Atlantic, joins us for why America is about to go botox wild.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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President Biden on Thursday addressed the issue of gun violence in the country calling it an epidemic and an international embarrassment. He also issued six executive actions geared toward ghost guns, pistols outfitted with stabilizing braces, red flag legislation and more reports on gun trafficking from the ATF. He also called on Congress to enact more permanent legislation. Anita Kumar, White House correspondent and associate editor at Politico, joins us for more.
Next, the Derek Chauvin trial continues as we heard from experts saying that George Floyd died from a lack of oxygen and not drugs or health conditions. We also heard from Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo and several other officers that worked with Chauvin testify that his actions were not necessary and out of line with police training. Janelle Griffith, national reporter at NBC News, joins us for what some were describing as the crumbling of the “blue wall of silence.”
Finally, there is a new shortage hitting restaurants because of the pandemic: Ketchup is getting hard to come by. More precisely, ketchup packets have been hit by supply chain problems and the market leader, Kraft Heinz, is having trouble keeping up with demand. In the meantime, restaurants are looking for alternatives and different ways to offer single serve portions. Heather Haddon, restaurants reporter at the WSJ, joins us for the shortage of everyone’s favorite condiment.
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Vaccine passports have become another contentious issue in the country as governors in Texas and Florida have signed orders banning them in their states with the argument that it will reduce individual freedom and harm patient privacy. Still, many private companies are planning to move forward with requiring proof of vaccination before using their services or going to see live sports. Jordan Davidson, staff writer at The Federalist, joins us for more on the fight against vaccine passports.
Next, Florida has been going through an ecological disaster this past week at the Piney Point phosphate plant in Manatee County. A leaking reservoir threatened to break releasing millions of gallons of wastewater into the nearby area. Instead, 165 million gallons were released into Tampa Bay. This wastewater is not radioactive, but is full of nitrogen and phosphorus which could lead to an algal bloom that could kill off fish in the area. Zach Sampson, environment reporter at the Tampa Bay Times, joins us for what the plan is to dispose of the rest of this wastewater and how taxpayers could be on the hook for millions.
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In an effort to help people social distance and businesses to stay afloat, many state and local governments across the country relaxed regulations over cocktails-to-go, telehealth and other medical services, even document notarization and marijuana sales. Now that the country is starting to open back up in earnest, many want to keep these changes permanent because it adds more convenience and access to consumers, while others want to go back to pre-pandemic regulations saying if it wasn’t a necessity before the pandemic, why should it continue? Aaron Zitner, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for the fight to abandon regulations eased under Covid.
Next, NFTs or non-fungible tokens are all the rage right now as many are making money selling digital artwork and other digital items, but there is a growing climate controversy surrounding them. These NFTs are partially responsible for millions of tons of greenhouse gas emissions that is generated by the cryptocurrencies used to buy and sell them. One of the major players in this is the cryptocurrency Ethereum which is built on a system that is incredibly energy hungry. Justine Calma, science reporter at The Verge, joins us for more.
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Are movie theaters ready for their comeback? Over the holiday weekend “Godzilla vs. Kong” hit it big at the box office posting the best numbers since the pandemic began and sent a signal to the entertainment industry that pent-up demand is there. The good showing happened despite the title also being released for streaming on HBO Max. Erich Schwartzel, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for what to look out for as we get closer to the summer movie season full of pandemic delayed releases.
Next, retail pharmacies are a huge part of the administration’s plan to get the country vaccinated, but privacy watchdogs are raising red flags and want oversight into how these pharmacies might be using personal information to boost profits. In many cases, to sign up for your vaccine, you may need to hand over phone numbers, emails, and even more personal data as these companies are looking at how to convert people into long-term customers. Mohana Ravindranath, eHealth reporter at Politico joins us for more.
Finally, a heads up on a very lucrative career opportunity filled with sun and sand. In 2019, the latest year we have data for, the top paid lifeguards in Los Angeles earned up to $329,000. Now, these are not pool lifeguards or part-timers hanging at the beach guard towers, but captains and chiefs. Still, some of these salaries can be eye-popping mostly due to overtime. Adam Andrzejewski, senior contributor to Forbes, gives us details on the top paid lifeguards.
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President Biden has detailed his American Jobs Plan. A $2 trillion jobs and infrastructure plan focused on rebuilding 20,000 miles of roads, expanding access to clean water, broadband, extra care for the elderly and more. While infrastructure usually gets bipartisan support, this will be a tough sell because of the high price tag and how to pay for it, with increased taxes on corporations. Ginger Gibson, deputy Washington digital editor at NBC News, joins us for what’s in the plan.
Next, the pandemic flipped the educational system upside down last year. It changed so much for students, but also made it difficult for teachers. Making worse a trend that was already happening before the pandemic, fewer students are wanting to pursue teaching. Low-pay was already making people think twice, but now, add in the perceived increase in risk. Emma Goldberg, reporter at the NY Times, joins us for more.
Finally, as the country slowly gets back to normal, people are ready to party again. Bar and restaurant owners are getting prepared for an influx of patrons ready to get wild and the hottest thing to put on your dating profile right now is that vaccination selfie. Lisa Bonos, reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for the party comeback and a possible roaring 2020s.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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So far, the trial of Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer charged with murder in the death of George Floyd, has been very emotional. We have been shown lots of video of the incident and heard from compelling witnesses to the scene. Prosecutors are trying to argue excessive use of force and the defense will say that Mr. Floyd’s death was the result of heart disease and drug use. Shawna Chen, reporter at Axios, joins us for what we have seen so far in this trial expected to last about a month.
Next, many large companies are formulating their return-to-work plans as more people are getting vaccinated and it’s shaping up to be a hybrid model, with time split between the office and working from home. Some experts think this could pose extra challenges like giving preferential treatment to workers in the office, among other things. Jena McGregor, writer at The Washington Post, joins us for how the hybrid office is here to stay.
Finally, keep that vaccination card handy, because it could be useful in getting some freebies. Companies are supporting efforts to get more people vaccinated and drum up some new business by offering a free doughnut a day in the case of Krispy Kreme or free joints in the case of one dispensary. Charles Passy, writer at the WSJ, joins us for more.
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Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz is currently under investigation by the Dept. of Justice for an alleged sexual relationship with a 17 year old girl and possibly paying for her to travel across state lines. Gaetz, for his part, denies the allegations and says that this is all part of a $25 million extortion plot by a former DOJ official. Philip Bump, national correspondent at The Washington Post, joins us for what we know about this investigation.
Next, a new study by Pfizer shows that their vaccine is 100% effective against symptomatic Covid-19 in 12 to 15 year olds. There were over 2,200 adolescents involved in the study and all will be followed for two years to track long-term effectiveness and safety. More studies are also being done to test vaccine effectiveness in younger age ranges. Karen Weintraub, health reporter at USA Today, joins us for more.
Finally, DoorDash and other food delivery apps were a life-line for many restaurants that were trying to stay open during pandemic. But in return for doing business with these apps, commission fees were imposed in the 20-30% range of the total order. Some states and cities imposed caps on these commissions, but DoorDash just tacked on other fees directly to consumers. Cyrus Farivar, investigative tech reporter at NBC News, joins us for the fight against delivery commission fees.
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The surge of migrants at the border continues and is expected to possibly last 7 months as projections for September by Customs and Border Protection is anywhere from 22,000-25,000 migrants crossing the border. The administration is trying to get control over the situation, but the message is not reaching migrants and smugglers. Reuters spoke to over a dozen self-identified smugglers to see how and why unaccompanied minors are crossing the border. In many cases, these smuggling operations can cost thousands for migrants, as they are transported by a variety of ways, even by plane. Laura Gottesdiener, Reuters correspondent based in Mexico, joins us for more.
Next, a recent study is shedding light on the neurological difficulties some are having months after a Covid infection. These issues were even present in many that did not have severe cases of coronavirus. The most common issues were brain fog, headaches, tingling, and muscle pain. As is with many Covid problems, scientists think it is related to the inflammation caused in the body when trying to fight off the virus. Pam Belluck, health and science reporter at the NY Times, joins us for these neurological Covid issues that linger.
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A new study conducted by the CDC that followed about 4,000 health care personnel, police, firefighters, and other essential workers found that under real-life conditions, both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are 90% effective after your second dose. Good news that is significant because these were all front-line workers who are more likely to be exposed to the virus. Lena Sun, health reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for more on vaccine effectiveness.
Next, the long awaited report into the origins of Covid-19 has arrived, but unfortunately it still leaves key questions unanswered. The most likely scenario is that the virus jumped from bats, to a still unknown intermediary animal, and then to humans. The findings may still be called into question as the investigators had little power to conduct an impartial investigation without Chinese influence. Drew Hinshaw, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for what we know about the WHO report.
Finally, there is a mysterious disease killing young black bears in California. Bears normally shy away from humans, and one of the symptoms is a new found fearlessness. The disease causes the bears brains to become inflamed and could be related to some new viruses found in bears with these symptoms. Ryan Sabalow, reporter at the Sacramento Bee, joins us for the curious illness affecting bears.
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The next phase of the Biden economic plan will be broken up into two parts. The first will concentrate on infrastructure... rebuilding and repairing roads, bridges, airports and more. The second part which will be unveiled in the coming weeks, will focus on child care and health care reforms. Also on the docket for Congress will be a voting rights bill and expanded background checks for gun purchases. Ginger Gibson, deputy Washington digital editor at NBC News, joins us for what to expect.
Next, as schools shut down for almost a year in many cases during the pandemic, the mental health of students greatly suffered. According to a Reuters survey of school districts, 74% reported multiple indicators of mental health stresses among students and 57% of responding districts said that teachers were also seeking assistance. Michael Pell, data journalist at Reuters, joins us for how the pandemic did more damage to our students than just getting behind on schoolwork.
Finally, many are wondering about what the comeback will look like for former President Trump. After losing his favorite megaphone on Twitter, aides to the former president are saying he could be a couple months away from launching his own social media platform. Whatever the president chooses to do, he will definitely have a receptive audience, but will it be enough to break through in the crowded social media landscape? Gabby Orr, national political reporter at Politico, joins us for more.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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President Biden held his first news conference after 65 days in office and took questions on the surge of migrants at the border, foreign policy questions about China and North Korea, and also about the filibuster in the Senate. Biden also set a new vaccine goal of 200 million shots in the first 100 days and said he would be running again in 2024. Julia Manchester, political reporter at The Hill, joins us for a breakdown of how it went.
Next, we are still monitoring the campaign to unionize at an Amazon warehouse in Bessemer, Alabama. Mail- in voting is still underway and working conditions at these warehouses are in the spotlight. Meanwhile, employees at other locations are gathering signatures, discussing potential strikes, and consulting with unions about other campaigns. Sebastian Herrera, technology reporter at the WSJ joins us for the increasing pressure that Amazon facing during this union vote.
Finally, AstraZeneca and their vaccine has been on a rollercoaster ride this week as we learned that their shot is 76% effective against symptomatic Covid-19. On Monday it was 79%, then U.S. officials said they were using outdated data, and finally came back with the correction. Karen Weintraub, healthcare reporter at USA Today, joins us for the difficult rollout of this vaccine.
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Another mass shooting on Monday rocked Colorado and the country leaving families mourning the loss of loved ones and many residents asking “why does this keep happening in Colorado?” Easy access to guns plays a part as it did in this case, where the shooter obtained his guns just days before the shooting. Colorado also has a history with mass shootings with tragedies in Aurora, Littleton, and at Columbine High School. The picture of the shooter that is emerging is one of an angry, lonely, and possibly paranoid man. Alicia Victoria Lozano, national reporter at NBC News, joins us for more.
Next, we currently have three great vaccine options out there, but the rollout for one seems to be a little bumpier than the others. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is just not reaching as many arms as the others. Only about half of the doses that have been distributed, have been administered. Some officials believe that states may be holding back some shots to bank enough to reach underserved communities, but some states representatives say they are using all available doses as they come. Erin Banco, healthcare reporter at Politico, joins us for why the J&J vaccine might not be reaching more people.
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We may soon have a report detailing everything the government knows about UFOs. Tucked away in the $2.3 trillion dollar appropriations bill that President Trump signed last year was a provision saying the director of national intelligence and secretary of defense must present a UFO report. Reis Thebault, reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for more on this report which could be out by June.
Next, the migrant crisis on the border continues with very few solutions in place and numbers expected to swell going into April and May. In the Rio Grande Valley, we are hearing of border agents releasing migrants without court dates and in Donna, Texas we’ve seen the first pictures of overcrowding in a temporary overflow facility. Stef Kight, immigration reporter at Axios, joins us for what the scene is like at the southern border.
Finally, from good news to questions and concerns. AstraZeneca released details from its U.S. trials that their vaccine is 79% effective against Covid-19. Then, hours later, federal officials said that they might have used outdated information and was missing a month’s worth of data. AstraZeneca said it would release more data soon, but the damage may have already been done, another misstep in the rollout. Karen Weintraub, health reporter at USA Today, joins us for the latest.
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QAnon has gripped the fascination of many people in the country. People have been hanging on every cryptic post that Q would send to message boards and while many of the conspiracies and predictions of President Trump staying in power, mass arrests of politicians, and Satanists pulling the strings of the deep state have not come true, Q’s followers still persist. And what if one of those followers were in your family? For our first story, we will speak to Albert Samaha, investigative journalist and deputy editor at BuzzFeed News, about his struggles to get his own mother to stop believing in QAnon.
Next, good news as we may soon have another vaccine available to us. AstraZeneca and its partner, Oxford University, have released information about their clinical trials in the U.S. and found their vaccine is safe and prevents 79% of symptomatic cases of Covid-19. It also reduced severe cases and hospitalizations by 100%. There has been recent concern of blood clots associated with the vaccine in Europe, but the trials showed that no cases of that in the U.S. Karen Weintraub, health reporter at USA Today, joins us for more.
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The crisis at the southern border continues as the Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, defended the actions of the administration. He made clear that the border is closed, but the message is unlikely to reach the migrants headed their way to the U.S. There are currently over 5,000 unaccompanied minors at the border and overcrowding is becoming an issue. In other political news, Republican Attorneys General are suing the Biden administration on a range of issues and there were a number of protests and vigils over the weekend as people were calling for an end to anti-Asian violence. Ginger Gibson, deputy Washington digital editor at NBC News, joins us for more.
Next, since December and increasingly in recent weeks we have seen mass abductions of students and teachers in Nigeria. Kidnappings for ransom have become a very lucrative industry there and comes almost seven years after the abductions of 276 girls which sparked the #BringBackOurGirls campaign on social media. While many quickly showed support online to find these girls, the rescue effort tooks years to pay off, and many girls are still missing. Drew Hinshaw, reporter at the WSJ and co-author of the new book "Bring Back Our Girls," joins us for how that social media campaign changed everything for years to come.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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They’ve been hiding underground for 17 years and very soon the swarm will hit multiple states. The Brood X cicadas will be all over the place beginning in late April or early May. While they might pose an inconvenience as they come out in the billions, they are a crucial part of the ecosystem. Dr. Sebastian Alejandro Echeverri, scientist and contributor to NBC News, joins us for what to expect and why you don’t want to mow your lawn when they come out.
Next, Moderna announced this week that they will begin testing their Covid vaccine on children aged 6 months to 11 years. This is the next piece of the puzzle to widen the mass vaccination campaign beyond adults. If all goes well, health officials believe that junior high and high school students could get their shots in the fall and elementary school students early next year. Peter Loftus, healthcare reporter at the WSJ, joins us for more.
Finally, the pandemic has created a housing boom, but it’s different from the last time. Residential home prices are hitting highs that we haven’t seen since 2006. The big winners are people who already own homes because they can take advantage of lower mortgage rates, but on the other side, competition is stiff because of low supply. Nicole Friedman, reporter at the WSJ, joins us to talk about the crazy housing market.
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The fear among Asian-Americans is real. We have been seeing an uptick in Anti-Asian racist incidents and according to one report, there were 3,800 incidents this past year during the pandemic, mostly against women. These can include everything from shunning people, using slurs, or even physical attacks. Experts see two trends emerging, one is incidents of racism related to the pandemic, and the second is violence against elderly Asians. Kimmy Yam, reporter at NBC News and writer for NBC Asian America, joins us for more.
Next, the fight for his political life has officially begun for California Gov. Gavin Newsom. On Wednesday, proponents of a recall effort submitted over 2 million signatures to be verified, only 1.5 million signatures are needed. Newsom has already begun a press tour to defend his handling of the state’s pandemic response, and get ready for more ads flooding the state. Newsom is pinning the recall effort on Trump supporters and opportunists, while the other side wants to keep it all about Newsom’s closures of businesses. David Siders, national political correspondent at Politico, joins us for what to expect next in this recall.
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Which vaccine are you getting? For now, the experts are clear that the best vaccine to get is the first one that is available to you. But if you had your choice as supply goes up, which would you get? There are concerns about side effects, effectiveness, and immunity and those differences are small, but they do exist. Elizabeth Weise, national correspondent at USA Today, joins us for what to know about the available vaccines.
Next, the White House is planning a wide-reaching campaign at getting those that are skeptical of the vaccines on board. It will be targeting young people, people of color, and conservatives. A recent focus group shows that to target some GOP voters, it will be best to keep politics out of it and provide as much information as possible so they can make informed decisions. Dan Diamond, national health reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for how to win over some vaccine skeptics.
Finally, in a good sign of a recovering economy, the hotel industry is starting to regain some footing after its worst year ever. Americans are getting the itch to travel again and there are some good indicators for the leisure and hospitality industry. They are hiring again, getting advanced bookings, and seeing stock shares rise. Peter Grant, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for what we hope is a hotel rebound.
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News out of the Vatican made clear the Catholic Church's stance on same-sex marriages. The Church will not bless these unions despite how stable or positive the relationships are. This news comes at a time when more Americans are identifying as LGBTQ and less are identifying as religious. The Vatican also said that God does not and cannot bless sin, but people should still be welcomed with respect and sensitivity. Bill Chappell, reporter at NPR, joins us for more.
Next, two men have been arrested and charged in the assault on police office Brian Sicknick during the Capitol riots on Jan. 6. The two men were charged with assaulting three officers with an unknown chemical spray, which could have been bear spray. Julian Khater and George Tanios were seen on video at the riots spraying police and were caught when tipsters notified the FBI. Peter Hermann, reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for the latest charges related to the Capitol siege.
Finally, there are a lot of questions about vaccine passports and when they might be available in the U.S. These could be paper or digital documents that show you are fully vaccinated or recently tested negative for coronavirus and may allow you to travel internationally more freely, or avoid local quarantines. Dr. John Torres, senior medical contributor to NBC News, joins us for how the U.S. is still far from laying any groundwork to get these vaccine passports implemented.
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President Biden has a growing border crisis on his hands as we are seeing huge numbers of migrant children coming to the U.S.-Mexico border. The administration has dispatched FEMA to help with transferring these unaccompanied minors from the custody of Border Protection to the care of Health and Human Services. There is also action in the Senate to try and reform the filibuster into a talking filibuster, in the hopes that bills on voting rights and gun control can be passed and NY Gov. Andrew Cuomo continues to face more calls to resign. Ginger Gibson, deputy Washington digital editor at NBC news, joins us to break it all down.
Next, as more states start to open up and vaccine distribution continues to grow, many are looking at who did what right during the pandemic. Two states that are often compared for how different an approach they each took are California and Florida. Gov. Newsom in CA if facing a recall effort for his handling of the pandemic, while Gov. Ron DeSantis is being praised in some conservative circles for his handling. California has a better death rate, but higher unemployment. Florida has more kids in school, but is facing a budget shortfall. Soumya Karlamangla, health reporter at the LA Times, joins us for who handled COVID-19 better.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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For many, this past year of the pandemic has been a lost year. And for our kids and teens, the disruption to school life has had major impacts on both academic life and also took on emotional toll. In Hobbs, New Mexico, the high school there close and sports were canceled, taking away activities that gave many meaning and provided social interaction. Kooper Davis was one such student who despite his best efforts, felt lost without his normal routine and outlets and the stress eventually overcame him. Alec MacGillis, reporter at ProPublica, joins us for what the pandemic has cost some teenagers.
Next, we have been seeing a decline in those identifying as religious for some time now and in the absence of religious belief many have channeled that into political belief. What is America supposed to mean or what does it mean to be un-American? Politics has become the new religion and ideological intensity has risen driving a divide in the country. Shadi Hamid, contributing writer at The Atlantic, joins us for more.
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Amazon workers at a warehouse in Bessemer, Alabama are currently voting on whether they want to unionize. The voting period ends on March 29, but already the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union has said that in recent weeks, over 1,000 Amazon employees have called to inquire about organizing drives at their own facilities. Jay Greene, reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for how Amazon is fighting to keep its employees from unionizing.
Next, the tourism industry has taken a huge hit by Covid. Before the pandemic, tourism accounted for one in ten jobs around the world. International travel hit a 74% decline. Worldwide emissions from air travel, dropped about 50% and cruise lines had to stop trips all together with most sailings canceled into May or June. Stephen Hiltner, travel desk editor at the NY Times, joins us for how bad 2020 was for tourism.
Finally, many businesses thrived because of the shifts in spending during lockdowns. Now, looking forward to an economy that will hopefully be getting back to normal soon, these companies are facing questions about if they can keep up. Will people continue to order from DoorDash or go back to restaurants? Will the home improvement sector continue to grow or are people going on vacations? Paul Ziobro, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for more.
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Media companies and streamers are having to deal with what to do about problematic content on their platforms. As they build their libraries of older movies and shows, they are experimenting with disclaimers, warnings, or removing content outright that could be deemed racist, sexist, or homophobic. Rebecca Keegan, senior film editor at The Hollywood Reporter, joins us for how Hollywood is addressing it.
Next, as vaccine distribution continues to ramp up, we are still hearing about people resistant to getting the shot. A recent poll by the Kaiser Family Foundation says that nearly one-third of Republicans would not get the vaccine. Reasons range anywhere from side effects, being developed too quickly, and distrust of the government. Dan Diamond, reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for the upcoming messaging effort to get more people on board.
Finally, the late stage pandemic has been messing with our brains and no one remembers how to be normal. As more people get their vaccines and states ease restrictions, it’s raising hopes about getting back out there, but we are out of practice and stress and boredom has been a strain on our brains. Ellen Cushing, special projects editor at The Atlantic, joins us for more.
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The CDC has issued new guidelines for those who are fully vaccinated. The good news is that those people can now visit with other fully vaccinated people indoors without wearing masks or social distancing. And if they are exposed to the virus, there’s no need to quarantine or get tested if they show no symptoms. Lev Facher, Washington correspondent at STAT News, joins us for the new rules for those that have gotten their vaccine.
Next, we are seeing a rise in border crossings at the southern border. Some have blamed the policies from the Biden administration as the reason for encouraging the surge, but that is only a small part. There have been hurricanes in Honduras that have left people homeless, food shortages in Central America, and the pandemic has also been pushing people to the U.S. Stef Kight, immigration reporter at Axios, joins us for why migrants are fleeing their homes once again.
Finally, another tragic story of fraternity hazing gone wrong. 20 year-old Stone Foltz from Bowling Green State University has died after being given “copious amounts of alcohol” as a frat party. His family has decided to donate his organs. The fraternity, Pi Kappa Alpha, has been stripped of its status as a student organization and an investigation is underway. Bethany Bruner, reporter at The Columbus Dispatch, joins us for more.
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The $1.9 trillion Covid relief bill is on its way to the House for a vote on Tuesday after being passed by the Senate. The bill will give people $1,400 in direct payments and $300 in unemployment benefits. Some of the rules have changed this time around and if you lost your job or made less money this past year, it might be wise to get your taxes done ASAP. States also continue to roll back pandemic restrictions and Gov. Andrew Cuomo faces more allegations of inappropriate behavior from two more women and more calls to resign. Ginger Gibson, deputy Washington digital editor at NBC News, joins us for the latest.
Next, the Covid vaccines have been major breakthroughs in science and technology. They've produced a class of vaccines that researchers believe can protect people from other illnesses and outbreaks. From Pfizer and Moderna we have mRNA platforms and Johnson & Johnson used viral-vector technology. With new insights into the immune system, scientists are reprogramming the body to muster better defenses against viruses. Peter Loftus, health care reporter at the WSJ, joins us to talk about the promising new class of vaccines
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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The investigation by a team of scientists from the WHO into the origins of Covid- 19 continues to cause tension between the U.S. and China. Now, an interim report that was set to be released has been scrapped and another team of scientists is calling for an all-new investigation with more transparency and access. Betsy McKay, senior writer at the WSJ, joins us for more problems for the WHO probe.
Next, Google is phasing out third party cookies and will not introduce other forms of identifiers to track individuals as they browse the internet. Instead they will implement something called a Privacy Sandbox which doesn’t track individual people and instead groups them in crowds of similar interests. Mitchell Clark, news writer at The Verge, joins us for Google’s embrace of a privacy-first internet.
Finally, better numbers and an improved vaccine rollout is making some optimistic for the end of the pandemic, but some scientists are reshaping their views as to when it will all end. We are past the emergency phase of the pandemic, but the rise of Covid variants is very concerning and this is shaping up to be a virus we live with for a long time. Julie Steenhuysen, health and science correspondent at Reuters, joins us for more.
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The rise of doorbell cameras have become a powerful tool for law enforcement, but they also pose a risk. These same cameras can be used against them by allowing suspects to see the cops coming, possibly causing harm to them. It happened in South Florida when two FBI agents were killed by suspects who saw them coming on their Ring doorbell cam. Privacy issues also arise as millions of people are being recorded without their knowledge or consent. Drew Harwell, technology reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for more.
Next, scientists have been talking to people in their sleep and they are answering back. Researchers have been able to establish two-way communication with people while they were in a lucid dreaming state. Participants in the study were asked math questions and responded back with eye movements and facial expressions. Researchers hope that one day some sort of “dream therapy” could be possible in helping people out. Karen Konkoly, Ph.D. students at Northwestern University and one of the researchers on the project joins us for how it all works.
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NY Gov. Andrew Cuomo continues to be in hot water as a third woman has come forward to allege unwanted advances and sexual harassment. Cuomo now faces an investigation by the NY Attorney General and also calls for his resignation from both parties. David Freedlander, contributor to NY Magazine, joins us for how Cuomo is trying to navigate these scandals as his political future is called into question.
Next, the market for a type of new digital asset known as a non-fungible token or NFT has exploded. These NFT’s can be anything from digital art, sports cards, or even pieces of land in a virtual environment and are authenticated by blockchain which proves you own it. Recently, a 10-second video artwork that was originally bought for $67,000, sold for $6.6 million. Elizabeth Howcroft, Reporter at Reuters, joins us for how NFT’s are booming right now.
Finally, researchers are looking to disease resistant patients in the hopes to expose weaknesses in Covid-19. Studies are being done to identify people who were heavily exposed to the virus, but never came down with it and also had no antibodies. Some of the answers lie in gene susceptibility, autoantibodies, and mutations. David Cox, freelance journalist at the BBC, joins us for how scientists are looking for Covid’s weak spots.
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The conversation about raising the federal minimum wage continues in Congress after it will not be allowed to stay in the Covid relief bill. Some members of Congress want an increase to about $10 and want something regional to apply. Many large businesses have already raised wages and while other businesses support the increases, not all are sold on President Biden’s $15 an hour plan. Eric Morath, labor and economics reporter at the WSJ, joins us for more.
Next, after drug lord El Chapo was arrested in 2016, a void was left as to which cartel leader would assume power next. The DEA is now on the hunt for El Mencho, leader of the CJNC cartel which is responsible for huge amounts of meth and fentanyl coming into the U.S. He has eluded federal authorities so far and in many ways is like hunting a ghost. He maintains a low profile compared to the flashy El Chapo. Gabe Gutierrez, correspondent at NBC News, joins us for the hunt for Mexico’s bloodiest drug lord EL Mencho.
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The House has passed President Biden's $1.9 trillion Covid relief bill and will now head to the Senate. While it will most likely pass there, it will be losing a provision that would have raised the federal minimum wage to $15. President Trump was also in the spotlight speaking at CPAC, and NY Gov. Andrew Cuomo is facing an investigation after a second former staffer accused him of sexual harassment. Ginger Gibson, deputy Washinbgton digital editor at NBC News, joins us to break it all down.
Next, pandemic numbers have been trending in the right direction and the vaccine rollout has been ramping up, but when can we all get back to normal? The next few months will look just as they have been, continued mask wearing and social distancing, but the summer could be the closest to normal that we have seen in a long time. Joe Pinkser, staff writer at The Atlantic, previews what the next few seasons might look like on our road to pre-pandemic normalcy.
Finally, some estimates say that we could face a shortage of doctors in the next decade, but right now there are thousands of doctors that can't get a job. Medical schools are producing more graduates, but residency programs haven't kept up with matching doctors. Part of the problem is matching doctors who went to medical school abroad. Emma Goldberg, reporter at the NY Times, joins us for why many young doctors are in debt and unmatched with residency programs.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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More vaccines could be approved very soon. One from Johnson & Johnson and another from a company called Novavax. If authorized, this vaccine could be one of the most potent weapons against the pandemic. Early data shows that it could be the first shot to slow down asymptomatic spread and potentially provide longer-lasting protection. The other part of this story is the company itself, Novavax was a small biotech company that had tried to develop an approved vaccine with no success. Gregory Zuckerman, special writer at the WSJ, joins us for how Novavax turned its company around to make and effective Covid vaccine.
Next, ghost kitchens or virtual restaurants have taken over America’s restaurants. The new world is search optimized and data-driven. Often these restaurants have no storefront and no place to dine-in. Instead, they can be found on food delivery apps like Uber Eats and GrubHub. Some experts say that these virtual restaurants will be a $1 trillion industry in the next ten years. At a time when restaurants are struggling due to the pandemic, this expansion can be a lifeline for many. Adam Chandler, contributor to Marker, joins us for the rise of ghost kitchens.
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FDA scientists have given their stamp of approval and said that Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine is safe and effective in fighting Covid-19. This could lead to its emergency-use authorization very soon. The vaccine reduced moderate to severe cases by 66%, does not require cold storage and is most importantly only a single shot. Matthew Herper, senior writer at STAT News, joins us for more on the J&J vaccine which can also help protect against new variants.
Next, the latest Gallup poll shows that adults who identify as LGBTQ has risen about one percentage point since the last update we got in 2017. 5.6% of adults identify this way with 1 in 6 adults in Generation Z considering themselves LGBTQ. The majority of LGBT Americans also say they are bisexual. Jeffrey Jones, senior editor at Gallup, joins us for more.
Finally, a team of scientists with the WHO are exploring the origins of Covid-19 and are focusing on two animal types for possible vectors where the illness jumped to humans. Investigators say that ferret badgers and rabbits, which were sold at the Wuhan market could have played a role in the spread. Drew Hinshaw, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for more on the WHO investigation into Covid-19.
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Drug companies Pfizer and Moderna have pledged to boost the doses of vaccines delivered after solving some manufacturing issues they had. While they are stepping up production many ask, why can’t we make these doses any faster? Much of the answer in that lies in the very specialized process and raw materials that go into making them. Isaac Arnsdorf, reporter at ProPublica, joins us for more.
Next, security officials that were in charge during the assault on the Capitol on January 6 were testifying before Congress and offered their account of how things went south. There were concerns of “optics” and a mess of conflicting orders that led to hours long delays in mobilizing the National Guard. Anita Kumar, White House correspondent and associate editor at Politico, joins us for more on the Capitol Hill security failures.
Finally, a case in which an organ transplant patient has died after receiving lungs infected with Covid. Initial tests on the donor and lungs came back negative, but after the transplant, the patient fell ill with fever and showed signs of lung infection. Her condition deteriorated and then tests came back positive, she died 61 days after the transplant. JoNel Aleccia, senior correspondent at Kaiser Health News, joins us for this rare and tragic story.
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Texas continues its recovery from the winter storm that took down their power grid. And while millions of people were left without power, some still had the lights on and are now being hit with bills in the thousands of dollars. One man was hit with a bill at almost $17,000. For those that did not have fixed electricity prices, the cost of their power went up with demand. Ivan Penn, energy correspondent at the NY Times, joins us for why some Texas electric bills skyrocketed.
Next, it seems counterintuitive, but some Covid tests can’t pick up on certain variants in their results, and labs are using those very same tests to help flag if you might have the U.K. variant. If tests come back positive for Covid-19, but fail a specific section of the test, that could be an indicator that someone is infected with the U.K. strain. Brianna Abbott, health reporter at the WSJ, joins us for how some tests are being used to flag different Covid variants.
Finally, you’ve heard of lab-grown meat, now get ready for lab-grown wood that potentially could be grown into any shape. Scientists at MIT have a very early proof of concept that allowed them to grow plant tissue with cells, no seeds, soil, or sunlight needed. Keith Gillogly, contributing writer at Wired, joins us for more on this new tech.
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Texas is still trying to recover from a winter storm that left millions without power for days. The efforts are now focused on getting people food and water while President Joe Biden has declared a major disaster there freeing up more federal funding to help out. At the same time, Sen. Ted Cruz is still trying to smooth over the PR disaster from his trip to Cancun. Ginger Gibson, deputy Washington digital editor at NBC News, joins us to break it all down.
Next, the pace of vaccinations in the U.S. is starting to pick up, but many distribution sites are still recovering from an initial botched rollout. Many local health departments and hospitals were in the dark about how many doses they were getting and when they would be delivered. Officials overestimated how many doses to set aside for nursing homes, and reporting from states was also uneven. Sarah Krouse, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for vaccine distribution problems.
Finally, the pandemic has forced one of the fastest and most sweeping shifts in human behavior in modern history. At one point, almost half of the population was spending more than 18 hours a day in their homes with their family. According to the data of how families were spending their time, television won big time. People also devoted more time to working and taking care of their children. Andrew Van Dam, reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for how we all spent our time.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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Texas has been the story of the week… battered by a winter storm that left millions without power. While much of the power has been restored after days in freezing temperatures, there is still a food and water crisis there. It has also exposed huge flaws in the Texas power grid when it comes to extreme weather events. Josh Lederman, correspondent at NBC News, joins us for how huge demand for power and power plants that failed to produce that power led to a power grid failure.
Next, the latest data from Pfizer shows that its vaccine is less effective against the South African variant of coronavirus. While clinical trials have not been done, lab experiments show that there is about a two-thirds drop in the neutralization powers against this variant. Andrew Joseph, reporter at STAT News, joins us for what this means for the current batch of vaccines we have.
Finally, while the main concern with variants right now are those from the U.K. and South Africa, scientists are finding at least seven variants that originated here. More concerning is that they are all evolving in the same way, potentially becoming more contagious. These other strains are not as prevalent yet, but it makes the case for better surveillance on how the virus is changing in the population. Carl Zimmer, columnist at the NY Times, joins us for more.
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We are recovering from the pandemic, but to a different economy. According to a new report, millions of jobs that have been affected by the pandemic are unlikely to come back as increased automation takes hold, more people work from home, and business travel not expected to rebound so quickly. Heather Long, economics correspondent at The Washington Post, joins us for why we need to invest more in retraining workers.
Next, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has seen his profile rise within the Republican Party. His record on vaccinations, unemployment, and pro-business attitude during the pandemic has raised chatter about a potential run in 2024. His clashes with the media have also animated conservatives. Marc Caputo, national political reporter at Politico, joins us how Ron DeSantis is becoming ‘top tier’.
Finally, beware of hidden Covid surcharges. Some companies have been charging extra fees to make up for lost profits, cleaning costs, and PPE. These charges are being seen in places like dentist offices, senior living facilities, and restaurants. It’s hard to tell how widespread this is, but Attorneys General in some states have sent out warnings to consumers. Hannah Denham, business reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for what to watch out for.
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On Thursday, NASA is in for seven minutes of terror. The new Mars rover, Perseverance, will be landing, and everything has to be perfect for the mission to be a success. The entry, descent, and landing requires a heat shield, a parachute, rockets thrusters and a sky crane that will lower the rover on to the Martian surface. After that, the real mission starts as the rover will collect soil samples and also launch an autonomous helicopter. Christian Davenport, space reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for how it will all play out.
Next, the Department of Homeland Security, which was founded in response to 9/11 is beginning a pivot from focusing on foreign threats to a growing concern in the U.S., domestic terrorism. While the FBI usually looks into terrorism and extremists, the latest threat assessments from the DHS have pointed to increased activity by these groups and needs to reorient itself to these current threats. As always there are concerns of civil liberty violations and politicization of the department. Nick Miroff, reporter for The Washington Post, joins us for more.
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The process of getting a coronavirus vaccine appointment can seem like trying to get a PS5 with all available appointments gone before you know it. This can be especially hard if you might be helping out a parent or grandparent navigating the sites. Part of the problem is poorly designed sites and also too many vaccine sites from state, local, and hospitals all having their own web portals. Geoffrey Fowler, tech columnist at The Washington Post, joins us for tips on how to master the vaccine appointment websites.
Next, as cases were soaring last year, the government bought millions of dollars of rapid covid tests and distributed them to states, now we are finding out that millions of those tests have gone unused. One area of concern is that many of these tests are also reaching their six month expiration dates. States have cited accuracy concerns and also other challenges such as training and demand for not using them. Sarah Krouse, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for how millions of rapid tests have remained unused.
Finally, the rate of infections in the U.S. is starting to trend in the right direction despite the rise in concern with more transmissible covid variants. While we are seeing these better numbers, experts are divided on why and chalk it up to four possibilities. Good behavior and mask wearing, improved vaccine distribution, changing seasonality, and more cases going undetected because of less testing. Reis Thebault, reporter at the Washington Post, joins us why coronavirus cases are dropping.
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For the second time, former President Trump has been acquitted of impeachment charges against him. Seven Republican senators voted with Democrats to convict Trump, but it was not enough to make the two-thirds majority needed. With this win, President Trump maintains his control of the GOP, but the party is still divided, where does it go from here? Also, what did the Democrats achieve in all of this after twice failing to convict Trump? Ginger Gibson, deputy Washington digital editor at NBC News, joins us for a breakdown of impeachment part 2.
Next, a story straight out of Hollywood about an acting coach, turned life coach and energy healer, who became a toxic influence to her followers that leveraged personal information against them. Candace Silvers, daughter of comedian Phil Silvers, has been accused by some former students of claiming success for other actors' accomplishments, using students' private stories in class discussions, and promoting unsafe health advice to her followers. Silvers, for her part, chalks it all up to a small group of disgruntled clients. Gary Baum, senior writer at The Hollywood Reporter, joins us for more on the guru of Toluka Lake.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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Democrats have wrapped up their case in Trump’s second impeachment trial using new video of the Capitol riots and his own words against him, but it seems that the former president is still on his way toward acquittal. A majority of GOP senators have already voted saying the trial is unconstitutional and will stick to that in their final votes. Anita Kumar, White House correspondent and associate editor at Politico, joins us how it’s played out so far.
Next, there is only one airline left where you can book a flight with no one in the middle seat, at least until the end of April, and that is on Delta. Despite a pandemic, most people just want the cheapest fare possible and Delta has even lost money with this plan, but they feel like they are building up some goodwill when business travelers come back. Scott McCartney, Middle Seat columnist at the WSJ, joins us for more.
Finally, an Israeli company named Aleph Farms has unveiled the first 3-D printed ribeye steak. This is not plant-based and instead uses a culture of live animal tissue to grow the steak. It is a proof of concept for the company which hopes to bring these lab grown steaks to market in the second half of 2022. Laura Reiley, business of food reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for what to know about this new meat making process.
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The central question of Trump’s second impeachment trial is: Did he incite rioters to storm the Capitol? To explore that, we can look at the over 200 people that have been arrested and charged so far in the siege. Mostly everyone there was a Trump supporter, some of which said Trump did inspire their actions. Others have been tied to far-right extremist groups, some had ties to law enforcement and the military and some were charged with conspiracy. Tom Dreisbach, investigative correspondent at NPR, joins us for those arrested so far and their stories.
Next, amid some early stumbles and lack of doses hampering the rollout of vaccines, we are seeing hesitancy and skepticism by many health-care workers who are refusing their doses. Many cite the speed at which they were developed and for others it is a trust problem, distrust of the government and even the health care systems they work for. Dhruv Khullar, practicing physician and contributor to The New Yorker, joins us for why so many health care workers are resisting the Covid vaccine.
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The NTSB has concluded its investigation into the helicopter crash that killed Kobe Bryant, his daughter and 7 others, and said that it was the decision of the pilot to fly into clouds that caused him to lose his orientation to the ground which led them to flying into the hillside. Ian Duncan, transportation reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for what investigators said contributed to the fatal crash.
Next, how much does it cost for treatment of some of the most severe cases of coronavirus? For one woman, it cost over $1.3 million dollars before insurance covered a large portion, leaving her to still owe over $42,000 which she cannot afford. The trouble lies in the fact that despite some insurers waiving certain costs, people may still be on the hook for a percentage which adds up quickly. Maria La Ganga, reporter at the LA Times, joins us for more.
Finally, a recent study has shown that the U.K. coronavirus variant is indeed rapidly spreading through the U.S. and supports a CDC forecast that it could be the dominant strain here by late March. The good news is that cases and hospitalizations are going down, but experts are worried that the easing of restrictions by some states might let this more transmissible strain continue to take hold. Joel Achenbach, science reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for more on the spread of Covid variants.
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With the current state of the coronavirus pandemic, it seems that the virus is here to stay for the long term. It is easily transmissible, we have new strains, and it will still take time to vaccinate the world. While we may not have the most restrictive measures in place forever, it will eventually be endemic, something we learn to live with and it will also mean big business. Think testing, ventilation for schools and businesses, and masking. Drew Hinshaw, senior reporter at the WSJ, joins us for why covid is here to stay.
Next, the loss of smell and taste that people experience is one of the most common symptoms of COVID-19. For some, it can come back quickly enough, but then steps in a distortion of those familiar smells. Months later people can have this lingering effect leading them to try anything to get it back. One of the techniques that people are using to re-train their brains is called smell training. Brittny Mejia, reporter at the LA Times, joins us for more.
Finally, as more are being vaccinated every day, people are starting to look forward to the little things again. Grocery shopping without worries, dining out, going to the movies, and seeing friends and family more often. One of the bright spots is that since older Americans are up first to get their vaccines, they are the ones ready to go out and get back to normal. Jem Bartholomew, freelance reporter, joins us for all the little joys people are looking for after getting vaccinated.
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Last week was a tough one for Republicans as they battled for balance within their own party. A fight between more traditional members and the Trump faction. The big questions, what to do with Liz Cheney who voted to impeach Trump and Marjorie Taylor Greene who has supported conspiracy theories in the past. This week, it will be all about Trump’s second impeachment trial as Democrats have accused him of inciting insurrection. Ginger Gibson, deputy Washington digital editor at NBC News, breaks down what to expect.
Next, the pandemic has disrupted our lives in many ways including our social lives and friendships, and has possibly erased an entire category of friends we once enjoyed. People that may not be in our inner circle, but acquaintances, friends you see while watching sports, even co-workers you don’t see as much anymore. Amanda Mull staff writer at The Atlantic, joins us for why these types of friendships are vital and the deeper appreciation we have for them after the pandemic.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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When it comes to women in the workforce during the pandemic, the numbers don’t tell the full story. Since the pandemic began, women have lost $5.4 million jobs, and nearly 2.1 million women have left the workforce entirely. There are many reasons why women have been squeezed out, but one thing is sure, the effects will be long lasting. Angela Garbes, contributor to The Cut and author of “Like a Mother,” joins us for more.
Next, this is what I wanted to hear. A 24-year-old graduate student from MIT got on the GameStop train and turned $500 into over $200,000. He did it like many others, getting advice on the Wallstreetbets subreddit and felt like he was part of something bigger. In the end, family and friends convinced him to sell before the stock dropped. Gregory Zuckerman, special writer at the WSJ, joins us for one person’s wild GameStop ride.
Finally, how has President Biden been adjusting to life in the White House? Joe Biden is an extrovert who like walking about the building and checking in with staffers. Biden also has a much more structured day than his predecessor when it comes to phone calls and briefings. Anita Kumar, White House correspondent and associate editor at Politico, joins us for Biden’s more traditional style.
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Incredible medical story of 22 year-old Joseph DiMeo, who is the world’s first to receive a successful face and double hand transplant. After a car crash left Joseph with 80% of his body burned and 20 surgeries later, his doctors thought he would be a good candidate for the transplants. He is now six months out from his surgery and healing and progressing very well. Karen Weintraub, health reporter at USA Today, joins us for how it all happened.
Next, Amazon founder and CEO, Jeff Bezos, is stepping down from his post. He will not be leaving the company however, instead he will serve as executive chairman where he’ll continue to work on innovations for Amazon and big decisions about the future of the company. Patrick Thomas, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for what this change in position means for Bezos and Amazon.
Finally, California Governor Gavin Newsom continues to take political blows as a recall effort against him takes in more signatures and Republican opponents are emerging to run for governor should the recall qualify to be on the ballot. Former Sand Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer has thrown his hat in the ring and so has businessman John Cox. Seema Mehta, political reporter at the LA Times, joins us for who is stepping up as the recall effort gains steam.
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The stakes are high for Amazon. Starting February 8th, workers at their Bessemer, Alabama warehouse will be voting whether to unionize or not. If they vote to do so, it will be the first Amazon warehouse in the U.S. to have union representation. This could have a big impact on the company as other warehouses could also push for the same. In the meantime, Amazon is doing everything they can to discourage workers from voting yes. Jay Greene, reporter at the Washington post, joins us for more.
Next, there is a lot of concern about the coronavirus variants floating around, especially as we are making a hard push to get as many people vaccinated as we can. One of the big questions with all of this is why are these different strains emerging now? One answer to this is time. The virus has always been mutating since the beginning and these variants can be a response to increasing herd immunity, response to treatments, and evolutionary changes due to the time it has been circulating. Brian Resnick, senior science reporter at Vox, joins us for more on the Covid variants.
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The rollercoaster on Wall Street continues this week with trading in silver futures being the new GameStop. Small investors on Reddit are once again coming together to buy silver and boost up its price. But this time, it's a little different, hedge funds are betting in favor of silver and the precious metals game doesn't play out like short sell stocks. Jon Sindreu, Heard on the Street columnist at the WSJ, joins us for why it will be tough to replicate the GameStop craze.
Next, mass vaccination sites will soon be common around the country as states try to boost the number of people that are vaccinated. Pharmacies and pop-up sites will also play important roles, but most people will get their shots at one of these big centers. At this stage in the rollout, most of these sites will be hampered by the lack of available doses and logistical challenges. Elizabeth Weise, national correspondent at USA Today, joins us for more.
Finally, the vaccines are the world's biggest hope for getting the coronavirus pandemic under control, but for those that do get COVID-19, we have come a long way in being able to treat some of the most severe infections. Antibody treatments might be some of the most promising as they help the immune system recognize the virus and fight back. There are also antiviral and steroid drugs that can help keep the virus at bay and immune system in check. Claire Maldarelli, associate editor at Popular Science, joins us for the best Covid treatments available.
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The first test of unity and bipartisanship in Congress has presented itself. President Joe Biden has supported a $1.9 trillion Covid relief bill that could be passed without Republican support, but 10 GOP senators have presented their own slimmed down bill in an effort to get something passed. Will a compromise be made? Also, a week out from Trump's impeachment trial, the legal team has not been set. A weekend shakeup has left the former president with no defense team as of yet. Ginger Gibson, deputy Washington digital editor at NBC News, joins us for this and how Congress intends to look into the Gamestop buying frenzy on Wall Street.
Next, childhood obesity is an ongoing problem that has only been made worse by the pandemic. The huge disruptions to the regular school year has impacted the amount of movement schools kids are engaging in as well as their diets, and it could have a lasting effect on their health. Kids tend to gain weight over summer when there is no school and for many, the pandemic has been similar to a 10-month summer break. Furthermore, some of the most nutritious meals many kids were eating were in school settings. Sam Bloch, staff writer at The Counter, joins us for more.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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It’s called vaccine tourism… and it’s how the super rich are beating you to the vaccine. In Florida, there were reports of rich Canadians and Venezuelans crashing the state to get their shots, but in London, there is an exclusive lifestyle and travel service called Knightsbridge Circle that has been organizing trips to Dubai and Abu Dhabi for their clients to get vaccinated. Oscar Rickett, contributor to Vice World News, joins us for how money can buy vaccines.
Next, CDC officials have said that it might be time to reopen schools. The most available evidence says that in-person instruction can be safely carried out if the proper precautions like mask wearing is followed and a community willing to impose restrictions on other settings like bars and indoor dining. Roni Rabin, health writer at the NY Times, joins us for why schools may be on the path to opening back up.
Finally, even as vaccines roll out and expectations are that people will want to get back out and start spending, some experts are predicting that as many as 10,000 retail stores could close in 2021. Apparel retailers are taking the biggest hit with people skeptical about getting out there in public. Lauren Thomas, retail reporter at CNBC, joins us for more.
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GameStop has been killing it on Wall Street this week as thousands of small investors are buying stock and driving up the market value of the company. These investors are gathering in places like the r/Wallstreetbets subreddit and targeting short sellers by buying up what are called “meme stocks.” While GameStop is the current beneficiary of this plan, other companies like BlackBerry and AMC have also been bought up, sending shares soaring. The big question becomes… what happens when people stop buying or try to offload their shares to cash in? James Surowiecki, columnist for online business magazine Marker, joins us for how it all works.
Next, California and other states have begun rolling back some of their strict coronavirus restrictions as new Covid strains are beginning to circulate. New cases and hospitalizations are declining causing governors like Gavin Newsom to let some businesses open at limited capacity again. Some say politics may be at play since he is facing a recall effort, but Newsom says that has no merit. Businesses and restaurants are happy at the chance to reopen, but some urge caution that it could be too soon. Emma Court, health reporter at Bloomberg News, joins us for more.
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How have people finances held up during the pandemic? In many cases, not well, but many households have been saving and economists hope that these savings and pent-up demand will push economic growth this year when businesses open back up. 36% of people have saved their stimulus checks, 35% paid down debt, and 29% spent it right away. Harriet Torry, economics reporter at the WSJ, joins us for more.
Next, on his first day in office, President Joe Biden submitted an immigration bill signaling it was a top priority to him. Hoping to avoid missteps from the Obama administration, he put his full wish list in the bill and is willing to break it down piece by piece if necessary to get things passed. Anita Kumar, WH correspondent and associate editor at Politico, joins us for Biden’s immigration plan.
Finally, Houston-based company, Axiom Space, is planning to send private citizens to the International Space Station next year and on Tuesday, revealed who will be making the historic trip. A former astronaut will serve as commander of the mission and three wealthy men who each paid $55 million for their ticket. They will fly on the SpaceX Dragon and have an 8-day stay at the space station. Christian Davenport, reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for these citizen astronauts are in for.
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With an uneven vaccine rollout, high demand, and stories of vials being thrown away, how many vaccines doses are going to waste? It is hard to tell. The CDC requires that states report how many shots are discarded, but many states are not even counting the number. It is important to know so we can fix issues in the supply chain or in storage deficiencies, but data collection and enforcement varies by state. Caroline Chen, healthcare reporter at ProPublica, joins us for more.
Next, the new strains of coronavirus have been very concerning when it comes to vaccine efficacy, but Moderna, maker of one of the approved vaccines in the U.S. has said that their shots are effective against South African and U.K. variants. Still, they are exploring making a booster shot and a new version of the vaccine to combat the South African strain, in which scientists see sharp declines of antibody levels in people. Peter Loftus, healthcare reporter at the WSJ, joins us for Moderna's vaccine plans.
Finally, the troubling pattern emerging among the new coronavirus variants is that they are all more transmissible and they are becoming the dominant strains in their respective areas. Mutations in the virus are making the spike protein stickier, allowing people to become infected more easily. This leads many scientists to believe that the changing virus will require updated annual vaccines similar to the flu shot. Sarah Zhang, staff writer at the Atlantic, joins us for more on these new covid variants.
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First week in office and Joe Biden has signed a number of executive orders and also given his support to two major bills, a $1.9 trillion Covid relief bill and an immigration bill with a pathway to citizenship for many immigrants. In a sign of what to expect for the next few years, we are already seeing opposition from Senate Republicans. Despite controlling the House, Senate, and the White House, the narrow margins will make it tough to pass anything. Ginger Gibson, deputy Washington digital editor at NBC News, joins us for this and what to expect from Trump's second impeachment trial.
Next, we unfortunately have very little control over what we see in our social media feeds. It is mostly left to the algorithms that dictate how and what is featured first. Gone are the days of posts in chronological order, now we see mostly content that the system thinks we want to see...and that can push us further into our own bubbles which can lead to voices of misinformation being amplified. Joanna Stern. senior personal tech columnist at the WSJ, joins us for some ideas on how we can take charge of our own social media again.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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President Joe Biden has a singular focus in his first few days in office to get the coronavirus pandemic under control. He has signed ten executive orders aimed at accelerating the rollout of vaccines by using the Defense Production Act, supporting state and local governments to help them in their responses, mandating mask wearing, and restoring faith in the government. Will Feuer, health and science reporter at CNBC, joins us for the Biden Covid plan.
Next, a study of nursing home residents found that a monoclonal antibody treatment made by Eli Lilly can cut the risk of Covid-19 by up to 80%. It is important to catch people at the early stages of infection and is meant for those that are high-risk patients. One of the difficulties in administering these drugs however is that it’s delivered via an hour-long infusion. Karen Weintruab, health reporter at USA Today, joins us for more.
Finally, now that Joe Biden is president, what’s left for QAnon conspiracy theorists and the extreme faction of President Trump’s base? As it became clear that there was no “storm” coming and that Trump would not remain in power, conspiracy minded online chat groups turned to anger, denial, disappointment, and even turned on each other. Tina Nguyen, political reporter at Politico, joins us how these groups reacted to the storm that never came.
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Joe Biden has now been inaugurated as the 46th President of the United States. In his inaugural address he stressed the message of unity, calling for an end to the “uncivil war” pitting the left against the right. As president of the Senate, Vice President Kamala Harris swore in new Democratic senators, and former President Trump left town early saying he would be back again in some form. Julia Manchester, political reporter at The Hill, joins us for how the day played out.
Next, before leaving office, President Trump granted clemency to 143 people…73 pardons and 70 commutations. Most notably, people that did not make the list were President Trump himself, family members, Rudy Giuliani, or Tiger King Joe Exotic. Names that did stand out included Steve Bannon and rapper Lil Wayne. Josh Gerstein, senior legal affairs correspondent at Politico, joins us for who got the last Trump pardons.
Finally, a check in on what kind of country Joe Biden is inheriting as he takes office. The U.S. is older with less people giving birth, it is financially insecure as the pandemic has devastated the economy, and people politically polarized more than ever after such a contentious election. Paul Overberg, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for more.
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It’s inauguration day for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris and there is a ton on their legislative agenda. The first days of the Biden administration will be packed with dealing with the pandemic and trying to administer 100 million vaccine doses in 100 days, they’ll try passing another Covid relief package, issue executive orders such as getting back into the Paris Agreement on climate change and ending the emergency declaration at the southern border. Biden will also present an immigration bill with an 8-year pathway to citizenship for some undocumented immigrants. Lauren Egan, digital White House reporter at NBC News, joins us for what to expect in Biden’s first 100 days.
Next, could “luxury mystery boxes” be the future of high-end discount shopping? A new solution for selling off overstock and off-season clothing has emerged in these mystery boxes which can sell anywhere from $700 to $2000. The only catch is that you don’t know what is in the box until you open it. The high-end merch in these boxes is said to be 2-3 times the retail value of the box, but there’s a chance it could always be a bust. This has even spilled over into the online arena with unboxing videos. Jacob Gallagher, fashion reporter at the WSJ, joins us for what these mystery boxes mean for the fashion economy.
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It is all hands on deck at the FBI as they try to track down those who stormed the Capitol on January 6th. The Justice Department has charged about 100 people so far, with more to come, but the focus is also on extremist groups, such as the Oath Keepers and the Proud Boys who they believe moved in organized and practiced fashion to force their way in. Devlin Barrett, national security reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for more.
Next, companies are still in a rush working on drugs that can help treat COVID-19 and stay ahead of new, more transmissible variants that are popping up all over. Monoclonal antibody drugs are administered intravenously making them a little cumbersome, and some are working on new ones that are more accessible and maybe given as a shot. Joseph Walker, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for the race to stay ahead of coronavirus mutations.
Finally, procrastination can be difficult to avoid as working from home amid the pandemic is sapping the motivation for many. When your boss or coworkers are not around, it can be tough to hold yourself accountable, and experts say it can be important to start small, establish your routine, and don’t beat yourself up about it. Rachel Feintzeig, work and life columnist at the WSJ, joins us for how to avoid procrastinating at home.
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Get ready for another eventful week as statehouses across the country and the Capitol beef up security and prepare for protests and possible violence leading up to the inauguration of Joe Biden. We will also be seeing another round of pardons from President Trump, with a possible self-pardon. Ginger Gibson, deputy Washington digital editor at NBC News, joins us for this and what Biden plans to do in his first days in office.
Next, a large study of patients that have had COVID-19 shows that six months later, more than three quarters of them were still experiencing at least one lingering symptom. The most common issue was ongoing exhaustion, followed by muscle weakness and difficulty sleeping. Pam Belluck, health and science writer at the NY Times, joins us for the continued health issues covid survivors face.
Finally, the pandemic may have fundamentally changed access to entertainment and possibly for the better. The live events industry has suffered under health restrictions and forced many events to go virtual. While live-streamed events can't replace the experience or financial benefits, it has opened events to wider audiences and will probably be part of the mix going forward. Emily Yahr, entertainment reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for how virtual events may be here to stay.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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One of the biggest lingering questions about the vaccines we have on deck right now is how long it bestows immunity on a person. Good news is that Moderna’s CEO says that their vaccine should provide immunity for at least one year. They’re also on track to deliver at least 600 million doses this year. Leah Rosenbaum, healthcare reporter at Forbes, joins us for this and another vaccine hitting phase 3 trials.
Next, the FBI is continuing to issue warnings about more mobs possibly heading to state capitols in the run up to Joe Biden’s inauguration. But what is the science behind mob thinking and why do so many people readily accept false information? Part of what promotes this thinking that many people tend to trust sources of information, rather than the substance with little fact checking. Sara Fischer, media reporter at Axios, joins us for more.
Finally, the Consumer Electronics Show went completely virtual this year due to the pandemic, and despite no packed Vegas showrooms, companies were still showing off their newest tech. Samsung is envisioning a future with robots in your home, LG has transparent TVs, Cadillac has flying taxis, and GM is going all in on electric vehicles. Marc Saltzman, host of the Tech It Out Podcast, joins us for the best of CES 2021.
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Donald Trump has made history, becoming the first president to be impeached twice by The House. The president was charged with “incitement of insurrection” and 10 Republicans joined with Democrats in the vote to impeach. The next step is a trial in the Senate, but it looks unlikely that it will happen before Trump leaves office, leading to more questions. Julia Manchester, political reporter at The Hill, joins us for how it all played out.
Next, the Trump administration has changed its vaccine rollout plans. It is now recommending for people over 65 and those with high-risk conditions such as heart disease or diabetes to get the vaccine immediately. They also want to send out more first doses without reserving the second shot, hoping more people can start the process. Dan Vergano, science reporter at BuzzFeed News, joins us for the rollout changes and concerns from the Biden administration about the new plan.
Finally, as California battles the worst of the coronavirus pandemic and a slow vaccine rollout, Gov. Gavin Newsom is also facing a lot of criticism for his handling of the state. Newsom is facing growing support for an effort to recall him which got a boost after shutting down outdoor dining and a blunder of his own, getting caught eating out at a fancy restaurant. David Siders, national political correspondent at Politico, joins us for the challenges Gov. Newsom is facing.
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As we get closer to the inauguration of Joe Biden, the FBI and security officials are warning of security threats at the Capitol and possibly all 50 states. Lawmakers have been briefed on four specific threats and including one where armed Trump supporters would surround the Capitol preventing Democrats from entering. In the meantime, the FBI has over 160 open cases on people who stormed the Capitol last week. Juliegrace Brufke, Capitol Hill reporter at The Hill, joins us for more.
Next, as vaccinations in the U.S. continue to ramp up slowly, the next phase may be even harder to administer. Finding and scheduling people in the next priority group could be a logistical nightmare. Doctors’ offices and pharmacies are expected to offer the vaccines next and mass vaccination sites are also being set up. Sarah Zhang, staff writer at The Atlantic, joins us for continued challenges in vaccinating everyone.
Finally, the Trump administration has made it easier for businesses to classify workers as independent contractors which is a win for many gig economy companies such as Uber, Lyft, and DoorDash. Workers that are independent contractors are not covered by federal minimum wage and overtime laws. Eric Morath, labor and economics reporter at the WSJ, joins us for what the implications of this new rule could be.
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The security failures last Wednesday when pro-Trump supporters sieged the Capitol building seem to be even worse than initially thought. Former Capitol Police Chief Steven Sund, said that he tried six times to get back up from the National Guard and each time his request was rejected or delayed, with some of the reasoning for no back up, were the optics of declaring an emergency. Peter Herman, reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for more on the Capitol Police failure.
Next, the social media platform Parler is down. After being removed from Google and Apple app stores for an insufficient content moderating plan, Amazon Web Services also cut them off. It could take more than a week for the platform to come back as conservatives and far-right extremists look for an alternative to Twitter. Ryan Mac, senior tech reporter at BuzzFeed News, joins us for the latest as Parler is now suing Amazon to get back online.
Finally, because of the pandemic, grocery trends are looking different this year. Instead of seeing large product lines or product innovations, there will be a focus on supply chain issues and keeping shelves stocked instead. We will see changes in grocery store layouts, more plant-based items, and new functional foods and beverages. Cara Rosenbloom, registered dietician and president of Words to Eat By, joins us for what to look out for this year.
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The fallout continues from the siege on the Capitol building and calls for President Trump to resign have intensified. While that is unlikely to happen, Democrats are planning another vote to impeach Trump and compounding the issues in the final days of his presidency, many social media companies have suspended the accounts of the President. With his favorite megaphone silenced and his time in power waning, it seems he will not go silently as he plans a visit to Texas this week and will most likely continue to rail against big tech companies. Ginger Gibson, deputy Washington Digital editor at NBC News, joins us for more.
Next, once again we are trying to learn about the origins of the coronavirus that has caused a global pandemic. A team of scientists from the WHO is beginning an investigation as to how it has emerged. While the leading theory is that the virus jumped from bats to humans, another theory posits that it could all have been an accident... a virus made more infections in a lab through something called "gain of function" research. Nicholson Baker, author of 17 books and contributor to NY Magazine joins us to talk about this lab-leak hypothesis as we try to understand the origins of the COVID-19 so we can prevent the next pandemic.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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Congress has affirmed the Electoral College votes for Joe Biden and he will become president on January 20th. But how we got there was a mess. Mobs of supporters of President Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol and broke into the House and Senate chambers. It was a failure of security where members of Congress had to be evacuated and taken to undisclosed locations. Ginger Gibson, deputy Washington digital editor at NBC News, was in the Capitol while it was raided and shares her experience with us. We will also discuss the fallout: many are calling for President Trump to be removed after initially encouraging his supporters and continuing to dispute the election.
Next, throughout the pandemic, many have had issues with claiming unemployment benefits, some waiting months for payments. But there has also been scammers cashing in on fraud in the system to the tune of $32 billion. Many of the scammers are coming out of Nigeria, but they can’t do it alone and use a “mule” network to get it done. Many of the victims are also people who are employed, but have had their identities stolen. Nick Penzenstadler, reporter at USA Today, joins us for how scammers are cashing in on unemployment. You can read Nick's full story here.
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It’s official, Democrats have taken control of the Senate. Both Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff won their Senate runoff races in Georgia splitting the chamber 50/50, giving Vice President-elect Kamala Harris the tie breaking vote. For Warnock, he has achieved many historic firsts including becoming the first Black Democrat Senator from Georgia. Maya King, politics reporter at Politico, joins us for how Warnock won.
Next, with a new strain of coronavirus spreading through the U.K. and very strict lockdowns, Britain is taking a different approach to vaccinating its people. Instead of following the two shot protocol of the Pfizer vaccine taken about 3 weeks apart, officials have said they will try to give more people their first dose of the shot and delay the second shot by as much as three months. Helen Branswell, senior writer at STAT News, joins us for this modified rollout.
Finally, the death toll from the coronavirus in the U.S. continues to rise, but sometimes it is hard to register the magnitude of losses. Some perspective is often needed to understand what has been lost. For instance, on average, each person in the U.S. who has died from COVID-19 has lost about 13 years of their lives. Joe Pinsker, staff writer at the Atlantic, joins us for some numbers that make the impact of the pandemic sink in.
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The rollout of the vaccines so far in the U.S. has been moving at a slower pace than expected. In California, where the state is experiencing huge coronavirus numbers and shortages of equipment and oxygen, only 35% of doses that have arrived have been administered. Colleen Shalby, reporter at the LA Times, joins us for why the rollout hasn’t gone as expected and what Gov. Newsom is planning to speed things up.
Next, more than 1 million Americans are still waiting for unemployment aid. Deep backlogs are contributing to some not getting financial aid, but also to blame are extensive fraud prevention checks, old computer systems, and applications getting flagged for extra scrutiny. Any claim set aside for a manual review can take months to resolve. Heather Long, economic correspondent at the Washington Post, joins us for more.
Finally, the pandemic has taken a toll on relationships in many ways, but interestingly, both marriages and divorces are down. Many had to cancel or postpone weddings due to lockdowns, and on the other side, some are avoiding divorce for practical reasons and economic uncertainty. Ben Steverman, reporter at Bloomberg News, joins us for why these rates may be falling and whether they might tick back up after the pandemic is over.
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Georgia is the center of the political world right now as the Senate runoff elections continue and control of the Senate will be determined. Over the weekend, President Trump also called Georgia's Secretary of State to pressure him into recalculating the vote in his favor asking him to find 11,780 votes. Natalie Jennings, Editor of The Fix at the Washington Post, joins us for what happened in this hour-long phone call.
Next, the new variant of the coronavirus that was found in the U.K. has now made its way into the U.S. The mutated virus is more transmissible, but not more severe and has been found Colorado, California, Florida and most recently, New York. People infected with the new variant are thought to have greater concentrations of the virus in their noses and throats. Apoorva Mandavilli, reporter at the NY Times, joins us for how Covid is spreading faster.
Finally, Wednesday will be an eventful day as some Republicans will object to the certification of Electoral College votes and many MAGA supporters will turn out to protest in Washington D.C. While the certification will most likely go through, activists and Trump supporters will still turn out to put pressure on Republican lawmakers. Tina Nguyen, White House reporter at Politico, joins us for what to expect on January 6th.
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The marijuana dispensary MedMen had a very promising beginning looking to be the Apple Store of pot. It was one of the first mainstream brands that drew many to invest in marijuana, but things soon began to unravel. There was a class-action lawsuit from employees alleging labor law violations, and other lawsuits alleging manipulating stock prices, bank fraud and more. Adam Bierman had to resign as CEO and the stock value dropped significantly. Ben Schrekinger, national political correspondent at Politico, joins us for how the Apple of Pot collapsed.
Next, we will talk about the strange world of cheerleading music. After the success of the Netflix Docuseries “Cheer,” more people were taking a look into the world of cheerleading and one thing that stands out is the music accompanying the high flying routines. Gone are the days of simple rhyming chants, modern cheer squads are performing to club-like tracks full of EDM drops, pump-up raps, and laser beam samples. Cheer music still has to abide by copyright laws and music licensing and it has spurred a whole new industry that makes original music for top cheer teams. Duncan Cooper, music journalist and former editor of the Fader, joins us for the world of cheer music.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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One of the main keys to preventing COVID-19 indoors is proper ventilation. Health scientists have started to issue recommendations to schools and businesses that want to reopen on how often indoor air needs to be replaced, as well as fans, filters, and other equipment that needs to be replaced. For schools, think open windows with fans, air purifiers, and upgraded HVAC systems. Cailtin McCabe, reporter for the WSJ, joins us for how good ventilation can help keep coronavirus particles at bay.
Next, there is no COVID baby boom that some suspected there might be. In fact, Americans aren’t making babies, and that could be bad for the long term economy. Some estimates say there could be 300-500,000 fewer babies born next year which leads to fewer consumers, workers, and taxpayers. Peter Coy, economics editor at Bloomberg BusinessWeek, joins us for the American baby bust.
Finally, the culture war over face coverings continues and it is a growing problem for retail and service workers across the country who are yelled at and sometimes assaulted for asking patrons to wear masks. They have become the primary enforcers for social distancing guidelines inside restaurants and shops even as some think wearing a mask infringes on their rights. Emily Davies, reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for how anti-maskers put business on edge.
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At the Penn Vet Working Dog Center, canine studies are being done to see if man's best friend can sniff out coronavirus. So far, they are doing a pretty good job of it! Nine dogs are currently enrolled in the study with the hopes that one day they might be able to pick out infected individuals, including those that are asymptomatic, in nursing homes, businesses and airports. Dogs have already been proven to be able to detect explosives and some diseases such as hidden cancers, diabetes, and bacterial and viral infections. Frances Stead Sellers, senior writer at the Washington Post, joins us for more.
Next, the reopening of schools was a huge topic this past year and it might not be the best course of action to treat schools like COVID hot zones. Thankfully, children are, by and large, spared most of the effects of the virus. They are only half as likely to get infected as adults and while they can transmit the disease, they seldom cause outbreaks. In the meantime, as schools in other countries have already opened, we can look to them to see what has worked and what has not. Some of the most appropriate safety measures could include testing and contact tracing, improved ventilation in classes, and keeping students with a single group of peers throughout each day. David Zweig, contributor to Wired, joins us for more.
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One of the most interesting aspects of the coronavirus pandemic is how our everyday lives have changed. One such thing is a move away from a culture of waste. People are re-growing scallions and growing herbs at home, they are washing and reusing Ziploc bags and more. But while being this frugal in the past was mostly rooted in saving money, this time around it’s a little different. There is a fear of scarcity and also an effort to avoid unnecessary movement. Meredith Haggerty, editor at Vox, joins us for the novel frugality.
Next, there has been a huge effort by daycare workers to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and it's paying off. A study of more than 57,000 childcare providers found that those who continued working through the pandemic weren't more likely to catch coronavirus than those that were out of work. Extra precautions such as cleaning surfaces daily, extra hand washing for kids, and keeping them in smaller and separate groups helped limit the spread. Kate Baggaley, contributor to Popular Science, joins us for more.
Finally, thousands of U.S. troops will be taking part in a COVID-19 early detection study with the aim of understanding what it means to be asymptomatic and also catching illnesses before they get worse. Soldiers will wear bio-measuring devices that monitor small changes in blood oxygen levels, heartbeat, or respiratory patterns. Nancy Youssef, national security correspondent at the WSJ, joins us for more.
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To get back to work, companies are trying to secure tests for their workers. Amazon, for example, is looking for ways to test employees regularly including building its own testing lab. But there is a big discussion of the best way to proceed. Will employers need more diagnostic tests or would it be better for antibody tests? Will vaccines be required? Then there are also questions about costs, supply, and concerns about employee privacy. Sarah Krouse, reporter for the WSJ, joins us for how employers want to ramp up their own testing capabilities.
Next, vitamin C was having a moment during the pandemic and sales were surging, but you have to watch out for some offering it up as a coronavirus treatment. The FTC and FBI are investigating health clinics and wellness centers for overhyping high-dose IV infusions of vitamin C as ways to prevent or treat COVID-19. Brent Schrotenboer, investigative reporter at USA Today, joins us for more.
Finally, many are worried about what some call the “twindemic,” continuing to fight the coronavirus pandemic, while also trying to get though the flu season. The flu and COVID-19 share several common symptoms, and it is important to know how to differentiate the two viruses. Karina Zaiets, reporter at USA Today, joins us for how to tell the difference.
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For all those parents with kids doing remote learning this year, pay attention to your children's grades. In some cases, the auto-grading software used to grade quizzes and schoolwork are getting it wrong. If a student's answers don't match exactly what's in the teacher's answer guide, it can be marked wrong, even if it's just a capitalization discrepancy. Julie Jargon, family and tech columnist at the WSJ, joins us for how these auto-grading systems are causing some headaches.
Next, a look back at the early days of the pandemic and the first nursing home outbreak at the Life Care Center of Kirkland in Washington. Forty-six people died there, but did those deaths have to happen? The way that COVID-19 tore through the facility is a cautionary tale for the way we operate nursing homes in the U.S. There were failures at many steps during the way, all while residents and workers saw some of their friends get sick and die. Katie Engelhart, contributor to California Sunday Magazine, spent months investigating what happened and joins us for how it all played out.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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Earlier this year, many eyes were on Europe as they begin to open their economies and roll out contact tracing apps across various countries there. Germany was one of the first to release their app, but its effectiveness will depend on how many people actually download and use it. Bojan Pancevski, Germany correspondent for the WSJ, joins us for how the apps work and privacy concerns.
Next, at the beginning of the year, the famous flagship store for Tiffany and Company in New York had to move to a new location so the building could be renovated. While the move to a temporary location was short, it took dozens of security guards, hundreds of cameras, and a vow of secrecy from workers to move 114,000 gems without getting robbed. James Barron, reporter for the NY Times, joins us for how Tiffany pulled off this big move and got it all done before time of opening Monday morning.
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Earlier this year, America was running low on a crucial resource for coronavirus vaccines and drugs…monkeys. The pandemic has created a huge demand for monkeys as research test subjects. There has been a drop in supply from China which supplied 60% of monkeys imported into the U.S., and we were already dealing with decreased numbers. Sarah Zhang, writer at the Atlantic, joins us for how were are short on these animals needed for research.
Next, the coronavirus pandemic has exposed a lot of flaws in the way business is done in the U.S. Flaws in the supply chain were evident all over. But the “Great Toilet Paper Panic of 2020” shows how something so mundane represents a complex supply chain. Because of what is called “just in time” manufacturing and distribution, toilet paper is still only seen in limited quantities and manufacturers are still playing catch up on back orders. Manufacturers have also had to adjust their packaging which is why you might be seeing fewer options. Jen Wieczner, senior writer at Fortune, joins us for the case of the missing toilet paper.
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The coronavirus is mutating, and while we should be cautious, there is no cause for alarm yet. A new variant of the virus has appeared in the U.K. that officials said could spread up to 70% faster, but luckily, the variant doesn’t seem to be any more severe. Some have expressed concern that it might become resistant to the current vaccines rolling out. The worries are focused on whether the new strain is less vulnerable to certain antibodies. Apoorva Mandavilli, reporter at the NY Times, joins us for what we know about this new Covid variant.
Next, why are Americans so distrustful of each other? Social trust in the U.S. is dropping and it’s one of those things that once it’s lost, it is very difficult to regain. Research has found that a country’s level of social trust is related to three main factors: corruption, ethnic segregation, and economic inequality. But trust is not limited to those factors alone and can’t be explained away by them as well. Political polarization can also be a key factor. Kevin Vallier, author of “Trust in a Polarized Age,” joins us for why it’s so hard to trust our fellow citizens.
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A CDC panel over the weekend has made its recommendations on who is next in line to receive the two vaccines we have available so far. What is called Phase 1b, will see first responders such as police and firefighters, other frontline workers like teachers and grocery workers and also people over 75 get the vaccine. Karen Weintraub, health reporter at USA Today, joins us for who’s next in getting the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines.
Next, the airline industry is looking to more testing as a way to make people feel safer while flying. What will that look like? Think testing sites at airports, adding results to passenger records, and offering flights only for tested passengers. While it may help, some caution that tests aren’t always reliable and fake negative-tests certificates already making the rounds. Scott McCartney, Middle Seat columnist at the WSJ, joins us for more.
Finally, when kids were forced into remote learning because of the pandemic, many parents turned to learning pods to help their children retain some semblance of traditional learning. Some parents however, quickly found out that these pods and these new forced social circles came with their own problems. Anna Sillman, writer at The Cut and NY Magazine, joins us for some learning pod problems.
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Democrats and Republicans have reached a compromise deal on a new coronavirus stimulus package that will give Americans a direct payment of $600 and enhanced unemployment benefits of $300 per week. In other news, President Trump has been downplaying the seriousness of the hack of several government agencies saying it could have been China despite experts and even Mike Pompeo saying it was clearly Russia, and the effort to recall the governor of California is gaining steam. Ginger Gibson, deputy Washington digital editor at NBC News, joins us for a full breakdown.
Next, the disruption that the pandemic has caused to the education system has ranged from kids having to transition to remote learning, parents experiencing burnout trying to help their kids learn and balance work life, but it has also caused a teacher shortage. Early retirements and quarantines are forcing some school administrators to recruit parents as substitute teachers, increase class sizes, and even use bus drivers to babysit classrooms. Arizona in particular has been hit hard by a shortage of teachers and many say that educational achievement has suffered because of it. Valerie Bauerlein, national reporter at the WSJ, joins us for more.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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The pandemic has accelerated the exit of many Americans from big cities and tax heavy states to cheaper ones that can provide lower costs, bigger living spaces, and a better quality of life. New York and California have seen a big exodus and people are moving to places like Texas and Florida. Austin, gained the most people between April and October this year. Misyrlena Egkolfopoulou, reporter at Bloomberg News, joins us for how the pandemic is speeding up relocations.
Next, as coronavirus vaccines are rolling out, the big question is… Who is next in line? A CDC panel is meeting this weekend to discuss recommendations for who will get the vaccine after healthcare workers and residents of nursing homes. Groups such as teachers, firefighters, and even camp counselors are lobbying to be next. Rachel Roubein, health care reporter at Politico, joins us for who are the next most essential group.
Finally, getting into the end of the year, everyone is experiencing Covid fatigue and parental burnout has reached a tipping point. Parents have had an especially jarring year having to balance everything from staying healthy, juggling remote learning for the kids, and also trying to balance work life. It is especially tough for moms out there that are trying to do it all or even dropping out of the workforce to take care of their kids. Anna North, senior reporter at Vox, joins us for more.
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The U.S. has been hacked again. Russian government hackers are believed to be responsible for infiltrating the computer systems of multiple agencies including the Pentagon, Homeland Security, Treasury Department, and even the National Institutes of Health. The hacking group, Cozy Bear are said to be the perpetrators and exploited a vulnerability in computer monitoring software from a company called SolarWinds. Ellen Nakashima, national security reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for how despite the U.S. spending billions on cybersecurity, the Russians we still able to get in.
Next, the novel coronavirus has been with us for about a year now, we have vaccines rolling out and know a lot about the virus that has wreaked havoc on the world, but we also still have many questions. It is a virus of contrasts… it’s dangerous enough to send some to the hospital and kill over 1.6 million people worldwide, but mild enough for many to recover quickly or be asymptomatic. Andrew Joseph, reporter at STAT News, joins us for what we know about coronavirus one year in.
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We are on track to get the second coronavirus vaccine approved by the end of the week. On Tuesday, the FDA confirmed that Moderna’s two-dose vaccine is safe and effective. In the first week of its rollout about 6 million doses will be shipped out. The government also bought another 100 million doses from Moderna for a total of 200 million at a cost of $3.2 billion. Sarah Owermohle, health care reporter at Politico joins us for more good vaccine news.
Next, Bill Barr has called it quits on being the Attorney General. He put in his resignation and will leave shortly before Christmas, about a month before the Biden administration will take over. The relationship between Barr and President Trump has soured in the last few months, especially after Barr said there was no widespread election fraud. Devlin Barrett, national security reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for more.
Finally, many are still experiencing COVID fatigue and its happening at the worst time. Despite vaccines starting to rollout, cases are rising and ICU bed availability is low, and people are letting their guard down. People are also experiencing news overload and are tired of hearing about coronavirus. Zlati Meyer, staff writer at Fast Company, joins us for what the latest polls say about how over the pandemic everyone is.
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The worst fears of public health experts came true after Thanksgiving travel… rising Covid cases, reduced ICU bed capacity, and more lockdowns. Even though vaccines are currently rolling out, health officials are worried about Christmas and New Year’s celebrations. They are already urging caution about traveling, but as we saw already, many people will probably not follow that advice. There were some lessons learned from the last time… officials need better messaging and provide better testing as they will definitely see a rush. Brittany Shammas, reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for more.
Next, in-person early voting has begun Monday in Georgia for the Senate runoff election. This is an important election in that it will determine control of the Senate. It will be tough for Democrats, but it is achievable. Also in Georgia, President Trump is continuing a very public fight with Republican Governor Brian Kemp. The bad blood between these two goes back some time, but the attacks have increased after Kemp refused to back the president’s assertion that the election was stolen. Amy Garner, national political reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for the feud between Trump and Georgia’s governor.
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The Pfizer vaccine is being shipped out now to all the states and will start being administered immediately as we mark another turn in the pandemic. Despite President Trump's record on handling the coronavirus, Operation Warp Speed has been a success in getting a vaccine approved in less than a year. In other news, after suffering another loss in court, it seems that the president is all out of options to overturn the election. The Electoral College is meeting today to formally cast votes for Joe Biden, sealing his victory over Trump. Ginger Gibson, deputy Washington digital editor at NBC News, joins us for all this... plus, how the Hunter Biden investigation could influence the president-elect's decision on an Attorney General.
Next, according to a new report Havana Syndrome was most likely caused by a pulsed microwave energy attack. Havana Syndrome dates back to 2016 when American and Canadian diplomats in Cuba started suffering from mysterious neurological symptoms such as pressure in the head, dizziness, and visual distortions after hearing loud sounds. Some people had what was similar to traumatic brain injury. Back in 2018, some reports said that Russia could have been a suspect in this, but the recent report does not name who is responsible or if the energy waves were intentionally directed at diplomats. Josh Lederman, national political reporter at NBC News, joins us for what caused Havana Syndrome.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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An FDA advisory committee has recommended authorization of the Pfizer vaccine and it will soon start making its way through the U.S., but some of the biggest hurdles still to overcome are mistrust in both the government and vaccines themselves. Polls are showing that many still do not want to take the vaccine as soon as it is available. This is especially evident in communities of color who are disproportionately affected by the coronavirus. We need about 70-75% of people to get vaccinated so that we can get on the road back to normal. Ian Duncan, reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for why many are taking the wait-and-see approach with the Covid vaccine.
Next, a story about a Chinese spy targeting California politicians. Between 2011 and 2015 a Chinese intelligence operative named Christina Fang, developed extensive ties with local and national politicians including CA Congressman Eric Swalwell. It is not believed that Fang passed along any classified information to the Chinese government, but she did get very close to political power through campaign fundraising, extensive networking, and romantic or sexual relationships with at least two Midwestern mayors. Zach Dorfman, senior staff writer at the Aspen Institute and author of the Axios Codebook Newsletter, joins us for how this Chinese spy operated and was rooted out.
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As we wait for the emergency use authorization here in the U.S. for the Pfizer vaccine, all eyes are on the U.K. with their program and many were alarmed when two British people had allergic reactions to the vaccine. It prompted British officials to advise those with serious allergies to avoid getting vaccinated for now. Karen Weintraub, health reporter at USA Today, joins us for the latest as the Pfizer vaccine continues its rollout.
Next, masks have been a point of contention since the beginning of the pandemic and recent headlines about the benefits of mask wearing have not helped either. A recent study out of Denmark says that there is no benefit to mask wearing, but the devil is in the details… The study was centered around the public messaging of mask wearing, not the actual benefit in blocking the virus. Noah Haber, contributor to Wired, joins us for why studies about mask wearing are so difficult to conduct.
Finally, we’ll tell you about Molly, the record holder for the longest frozen embryo known to have come to birth. Molly Gibson was frozen as an embryo 27 years ago, and thanks to the National Embryo Donation Center and embryo adoption, Molly was brought into the world, healthy and thriving. Marisa Iati, reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for more on this record holding baby.
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The U.K. has begun the rollout of the Pfizer vaccine and all eyes will be on them for things they do right and things they get wrong. It has been less than a week that Britain has granted emergency use authorization and because of limited supplies and how difficult the Pfizer vaccine is to ship and store, only about 50 hospital hubs will be able to administer the vaccine for now. Joanna Sugden, assistant editor at the WSJ based in London, joins us for how vaccine distribution is going in the U.K.
Next, President Trump continues his fight to overturn the election but his time is running out. He will have to leave the White House come January, but his protracted fight is causing rifts in the Republican Party with many party leaders supporting the president's claim of a stolen election and Republican governors that have certified his loss. David Siders, national political correspondent at Politico, joins us for how the president's influence impacts the party in the Georgia Senate runoff election, the midterms, and 2024.
Finally, businesses across the country have been hit hard by lockdowns and restrictions, but in Los Angeles, there is a revolt when it comes to a ban on outdoor dining. Restaurants feel like they are scapegoats for the lockdowns with elected officials failure to provide the science behind their reasons to close outdoor dining. Some restaurants owners are filing lawsuits and even planning on defying lockdown rules to keep their businesses afloat. Anh Do, reporter at the LA Times, joins us for more.
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Reports are saying that Attorney General Bill Barr is considering leaving his post before the end of President Trump's term. Trump continues to dispute the outcome of the election even as the Department of Justice has said that there was no widespread fraud, which has put Barr at odds with the president. Devlin Barrett, national security reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for what might be prompting the Attorney General to leave early.
Next, the 737 Max is on its way back and American Airlines will be the first to offer flights starting December 29. In advance of the first commercial flights after its grounding for 20 months, American Airlines has offered a few demos of the plane, flying around executives, staff, and some members of the media. We'll speak to Leslie Josephs, aviation reporter at CNBC, who was on one of these preview flights and tells us how the experience went and what changes Boeing has made to make the plane safer.
Finally, we have two vaccine candidates that are on their way very soon to be approved by the FDA for distribution, but while those may begin being administered shortly, the long haul of vaccine results is just beginning. We have another candidate from AstraZeneca that has released preliminary findings with some promising and confusing results, as well as other trials underway. Sarah Zhang, staff writer at the Atlantic, joins us for more.
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President Trump continued to dispute the outcome of the election at a rally in Georgia over the weekend while he also encouraged his followers to vote in the Senate runoff election there. Some experts say that while Trump's claims of fraud won't work in court, it could lay the groundwork for new voting restrictions. Joe Biden in the meantime, continues the transition and will meet with Operation Warp Speed leaders this week. Ginger Gibson, deputy Washington digital editor at NBC News, joins us for more.
Next, space is increasingly becoming an integral part of militaries around the world as they are conducting anti-satellite tests and establishing military branches. The U.S. Space Force is now one year old and France and Japan have also created their own space divisions. More countries are expanding into space with ways that will benefit their societies and are increasing their defensive and offensive capabilities there. Miriam Kramer, space reporter at Axios, joins us for the rise of military space powers.
Finally, because of the pandemic and dealing with isolation and the need for social interaction, it has forced some men to realize that they need deeper friendships. Many male friendships are rooted in "shoulder-to-shoulder" interactions such as watching sports or playing video games and with most of that gone right now, they are feeling the need more than ever to make deeper connections. Samantha Schmidt, reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for how some men are looking for more out of their friendships.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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We are seeing coronavirus continue to spread across the country, hospitalizations and deaths are also on the uptick and doctors and nurses are caught in the middle with treating the sick and people who still think the virus isn’t as bad as some make it seem. Some health-care workers call it “Covid denial,” and on top of the physical and mental demands of the job, they say this makes it harder for them to provide care. Sarah Krouse, health reporter at the WSJ, joins us for more on this extra challenge health care workers are facing.
Next, we are in the holiday shopping season and since the pandemic has changed the way everything is done right now, most people are shopping online and it’s making it extra difficult to get those hot items right now. Looking for a PS5 or a new Xbox? Good luck with that… Grinch bots are grabbing them all up. Automated programs are beating you to the punch for the top sneakers, toys, and electronics that are sold online. Many experts say that retailers need to do more to slow this activity down, but the bots are always improving. Teresa Carr, columnist at Undark.org, joins us for how Grinch bots are ruining everything.
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Lots of news out of the CDC recently when it comes to COVID-19. First, the CDC said that the standard 14 day quarantine can be shortened to 10 days or even seven if certain criteria are met. It can be 10 days if you are showing no symptoms at all, and seven if you get a negative test. New guidelines were also released when it comes to testing before and after travel. Joel Achenbach, science reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for the latest guideline adjustments.
Next, a federal vaccine advisory panel has recommended that health-care workers and residents of nursing homes be the first people to receive any vaccine that might soon be approved. About 40 million doses of vaccine should be available by the end of December, and since it is a two-shot protocol, only about 20 million people will be vaccinated until more can be manufactured. Betsy McKay, senior writer at the WSJ, joins us for this, and a new analysis of blood donations that shows coronavirus was infecting people in mid-December of 2019, a few weeks before it was officially identified in China and about a month earlier that the first U.S. case.
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The airline industry has taken a huge hit during the pandemic and some of the declines could be permanent. A new analysis says that business travel could be permanently cut by 36% and that could also affect the way you travel. Regular consumers could see higher ticket prices and reduced routes to your favorite places. Scott McCartney, Middle Seat columnist at the WSJ, joins us for more.
Next, a bipartisan group of senators has proposed a $908 billion stimulus plan that they hope could break the logjam in Congress. The plan provides some relief for small businesses and some benefits for unemployed workers, but does not include direct stimulus payments to Americans. Like with most plans, there is not much hope that this would pass. Jeff Stein, White House economics reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for what’s in the latest stimulus plan.
Finally, we are getting some information on how children have been faring during the pandemic amid shutdowns and remote learning. It seems that kids have been doing well and consistent when it comes to reading, but have been slowing down when it comes to math. Researchers say that parents are more comfortable helping kids with reading than math assignments. Leslie Brody, education reporter at the WSJ, joins us for how math progress has slowed.
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Moderna has now become the second company to request emergency use authorization from the FDA for their vaccine candidate. In their latest findings, the vaccine is over 94% effective against coronavirus and very effective at preventing serious cases of the virus. The next step will be on Dec. 10 when the FDA will discuss approval for Pfizer and then Dec. 17 for Moderna. Karen Weintraub, health reporter at USA Today, joins us for more as we get closer to vaccine approvals.
Next, President-elect Joe Biden continues to formulate his team as he makes his way through the transition. Over the weekend he named an all female communications team and Monday announced his senior economic team where Janet Yellen will be nominated to be the first female Treasury Secretary. Not all of his nominees will be slam dunks to be confirmed, but they all have experience and respect in their respective fields. Kate Davidson, economic policy reporter at the WSJ, joins us for who is on the economic team and the challenges they will face.
Finally, as we see cases of coronavirus rising and new lockdowns and restrictions imposed, restaurants are feeling the brunt of it and defying orders to close down. Feeling like scapegoats, many are worried that these continued restrictions will put them out of business. Lawsuits have also been filed against the restrictions with limited success. Heather Haddon, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for how the pandemic continues to squeeze the restaurant industry.
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The two leading vaccine candidates are using technology that has never been approved in a commercial vaccine before. They both use messenger RNA to direct human cells to manufacture the spike protein found on the coronavirus. While this technology has been in development for two decades, the latest vaccines prove the science is sound and could change the way future vaccines are made. Karen Weintraub, health reporter at USA Today, joins us for how these mRNA vaccines work and why they do so well.
Next, Hollywood and the entertainment industry has been grappling with a series of mass layoffs. The pandemic has accelerated a shift in the business needs of major studios and networks. As the focus of the industry turns to streaming and subscription based platforms, companies need different expertise from their executives rather than traditional programming and marketing knowledge. Cynthia Littleton, co-editor in chief at Variety, joins us for how the entertainment industry continues to redefine itself for a streaming future.
Finally, while the pandemic continues to be the most urgent health need in the country, there are many that are still struggling with addiction. There is an addiction treatment method called contingency management that has been shown to work, but so far has been underused. The concept rewards drug users with money and prizes for staying abstinent, and therein lie most of the objections to using this method. Abby Goodnough, national health correspondent at the NY Times, joins us for more.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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Black Friday is here and it’s all about getting those deals! Most people will be doing their shopping online, so you better get that refresh finger ready. Some of the hot items people are trying to track down are the new PS5 and Xbox consoles, but good luck with that. Marc Saltzman, tech columnist and host of the “Tech It Out” podcast, joins us for this and some apps that could help you get the best deal in town.
Next, looking forward to Christmas and trying to get in some of those traditional experiences, how will your visit to Santa be different during the pandemic? Some retailers are cancelling Santa visits and opting for a virtual meet-up. Others are doing in-person visits where Santa could be protected inside a giant snow globe or barricaded behind an 8-ft picture frame. Abha Bhattarai, national retail reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for how your Santa visit won’t be the same.
Finally, it has been referred to by some as the zombie deer disease. Chronic Wasting Disease affects the brains of deer, elk, and similar animals leaving them listless, drooling, and eventually dead. But a study is underway now in Yellowstone National Park that is exploring the idea of using wolves as the first line of defense against this disease. Jim Robbins, science writer at the NY Times, joins us for how the predator cleansing effect could help fight this terrible disease.
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Thanksgiving is here and even amid the pandemic many will be gathering with family, please be safe and wear your mask when you can, but let’s talk about food. To start us off today we will give you the official Thanksgiving food power rankings. We will speak to Lucas Kwan Peterson, food columnist at the LA Times for his take on where all your favorite Thanksgiving foods rank. A little preview of what you are in for… Turkey ranks dead last in his list, pumpkin pie doesn’t fare much better, and cranberries might just be the most controversial food item.
Next, one of the most interesting symptoms of COVID-19 is when people lose their sense of smell and taste. As many as 80% of people experience a temporary loss of smell and while most recover in about two weeks, for some, it can last much longer and even distort some of the smells of very familiar things. French fries might smell like rotting meat, coffee could smell like burning rubber. This condition is known as parosmia. Scientists are studying why this happens and are getting clues to how recovery might work. Robbie Whelan, reporter for the WSJ, joins us for more.
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President-elect Joe Biden has announced his nominees for his top national security team. Some of the names include Tony Blinken for Secretary of State, Alejandro Mayorkas for DHS Secretary, Avril Haines for Director of National Intelligence, and John Kerry as climate envoy. Carol Morello, diplomatic correspondent at the Washington Post, joins us for more on who they are and how these picks have often pushed for policies that Trump used to fuel his rise.
Next, China has successfully launched its most ambitious mission to the Moon yet. It is a quick ‘grab and go’ mission to bring back some lunar rocks and dirt. If they succeed it will be the first time since 1976 that we will have fresh moon rocks back here on earth. It is a complicated process for the mission and they hope to be back in about 23 days. Loren Grush, senior science writer at The Verge, joins us for more on the Chinese Moon mission.
Finally, retailers are preparing for another surge of shoppers as we are seeing rising coronavirus cases and in some areas, new rounds of lockdowns. All the while, essential workers continue to go in to work and put their health at risk. Hazard pay incentives that we saw at the beginning of the pandemic have not come back and some companies don’t plan on bringing it back. Michael Corkery, business reporter at the NY Times, joins us for more on the lack of coronavirus hazard pay.
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Once again, more good news on the vaccine front. AstraZeneca and Oxford University has released some early data saying their vaccine candidate on average is 70% effective against coronavirus. In some cases depending on the dosing, it can be up to 90% effective. This vaccine candidate is also cheaper to make and can be stored at normal refrigeration temperatures. Adam Feuerstein, reporter at STAT News, joins us for the latest vaccine results.
Next, some doctors and nurses are calling it quits over the pandemic. Medical professionals are closing their practices or retiring early because of financial stress and also the mental exhaustion of trying to stay safe while coronavirus continues to spread unchecked in the country. This trend could have an adverse effect for patients who could see a reduction in patients’ access to medical care. Reed Abelson, health reporter at the NY Times, joins us for why some doctors are closing shop.
Finally, President Trump’s legal team has been a mess in fighting the outcome of the election with no real evidence of widespread fraud. The legal team even took to the steps to oust Sidney Powell, one of the lawyers who had appeared with Rudy Giuliani and pushed some of the most outlandish conspiracy theories about the elections including that some Republican governors were part of the plot. Philip Bump, national correspondent at the Washington Post, joins us for why they gave Powell the boot.
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Another week has gone by and President Trump continues to fight the outcome of the election despite loss after loss in court. Even though his campaign doesn't have any solid evidence of fraud, he's continuing to claim the election was stolen, he's fighting with Republican governors, and he's thinking of what he is going to do post-presidency. Meanwhile, President-elect Joe Biden will be making some cabinet picks this week. Ginger Gibson, deputy Washington digital editor at NBC News, joins us for more.
Next, it looks like people are rushing the toilet paper aisle again. We are seeing cases of coronavirus rise and with it, new lockdowns in certain states. The next logical thing to do is stock up on toilet paper obviously, and while we are seeing some empty shelves already, supply chain experts say that it won't be the same this time. Mark Hay, contributor to the Daily Beast, joins us for how stores are better prepared for toilet paper panic buying.
Finally, for all those parents with kids doing remote learning this year, pay attention to your children's grades. In some cases, the auto-grading software used to grade quizzes and schoolwork are getting it wrong. If a student's answers don't match exactly what's in the teacher's answer guide, it can be marked wrong, even if it's just a capitalization discrepancy. Julie Jargon, family and tech columnist at the WSJ, joins us for how these auto-grading systems are causing some headaches.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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An unfortunate update on many of the small businesses that received Paycheck Protection Program loans… about 300 of them have had to file for bankruptcy. The stimulus funds were not enough to keep these businesses open as the pandemic continues to hamper economic activity and a lack of additional help from Congress. In filings, the pandemic was the primary reason for declaring bankruptcy. Shane Shifflet, data reporter at the WSJ, joins us for how tough it is for these businesses and why the number of failed companies who received PPP loans is likely higher.
Next, we’ll tell you about Parler. It has been billed as the “Free Speech Social Network.” It has been the top app on both Google and Apple’s app store offering mostly conservatives a safe space without fear of being deplatformed for your views. In many cases, when posts or profiles get flagged on Twitter or Facebook, they often end up on Parler with new life. It is small operation for now, but more people are joining including high profile conservative voices. Arielle Pardes, senior writer at Wired, joined the social network and tells us what her free speech experience was like.
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Thinking of getting tested before Thanksgiving? Be careful if you’re planning the… everyone-has-gotten-tested approach to getting together with family at Thanksgiving. Getting a negative test doesn’t clear you from continuing to wear masks or social distance. While this approach can be used as a form of risk reduction, it is not a guarantee of safety from the virus. Quarantining can also help, but they day is quickly approaching. Christie Aschwanden, reporter at Wired, joins us for more.
Next, Boeing’s 737 Max has been given approval by the FAA to fly passengers again. The plane had been grounded for 20 months after two crashes killed 346 people. There was an issue with an automated flight control system which would point the plane down despite pilots trying to override it. All the issues have been resolved, but because of the pandemic customer orders for the planes have been cancelled or deferred. Leslie Josephs, aviation reporter at CNBC, joins us for the return of the 737 Max.
Finally, coronavirus is still running rampant across the country as the death count in the U.S. is now over 250,000. Thanksgiving is approaching and public health experts have urged caution over large gatherings. One more point of caution, more than 3 million people are estimated to be contagious with the coronavirus according to new models by epidemiologists at Columbia University. Joel Achenbach, science reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for why this estimate is so much higher than the official case count.
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There is a lot of talk about a new round of lockdowns as the country sees increased cases of coronavirus. Some states have already imposed more restrictions on businesses as we wade into all too familiar territory, and the focus again turns to what Congress can do to help individuals and businesses with more stimulus to get through more closures. Courtenay Brown, markets reporter at Axios, joins us for what could be the economic fallout of lockdown 2.0.
Next, Vice President Mike Pence faces an uncertain future as the Trump administration will soon have to make its way out. Pence does have presidential ambitions of running in 2024, but if President Trump wants to run again, he will have to take a backseat. Pence has been relatively quiet since the election, but will emerge soon to boost Republican senators in Georgia headed to a runoff. Gabby Orr, White House reporter at Politico, joins us for what Mike Pence’s next moves could be.
Finally, it’s not only economic effects to worry about if more lockdowns are imposed, the emotional burden is also an important factor in people’s lives. A recent study out of New Zealand, which had a severe lockdown, shows that the emotional cost was far greater for those with previous mental health problems and also younger people. John Timmer, senior science editor at Ars Technica, joins us for why it’s important to keep the emotional toll of lockdowns in mind.
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More great vaccine news this week as Moderna has said that their vaccine candidate appears to be 94.5% effective against COVID-19. Similar to the Pfizer candidate, Moderna’s vaccine also uses mRNA to target the spike protein of the virus. The other good news is that this one can be stored at standard refrigerator temperature for a month before being used, which will make it easier to ship and store. Karen Weintraub, health reporter at USA Today, joins us for more.
Next, Covid cases are surging in the U.S. and Europe and as a result we are seeing a new wave of lockdowns, but officials are struggling to identify where people are getting infected. Most people are being infected at home, but because contact tracing efforts are pretty much a failure right now, it is hard to trace where the infections are originating. Matthew Dalton, Paris correspondent at the WSJ, joins us for how it’s still difficult to pinpoint how everyone keeps getting sick.
Finally, winter is coming and it’s time to start thinking about stocking your pantry to avoid any panic buying later on. And because of the uncertainty, you should think like a survivalist when it comes to shopping. Take inventory of what you need, plan how you will store your supplies, and think of shelf stable food and canned goods. Tim MacWelch, survival expert and contributor to Outdoor Life, joins us with tips on building a pantry that will last.
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President Trump continues to refuse to concede and maintains that the election was stolen from him. Despite any real evidence, the new line of attack is over voting machines that they say were switching votes to Joe Biden. Rudy Giuliani has now been put in charge of challenging the outcome of the election. Meanwhile, coronavirus is at the top of President-elect Joe Biden's to-do list. He is facing questions about whether he would support a national lockdown after a member of his covid advisory board had suggested one. Ginger Gibson, deputy Washibngton digital editor at NBC News, joins us to break it all down.
Next, after some good news last week about Pfizer's vaccine candidate, everyone is looking toward the next steps, how to distribute it to the country. There's still plenty of time to work out the kinks, but many states are not ready to get it out, especially in rural areas. The Pfizer vaccine is unusually difficult to ship and store, it must be kept in super cold temperatures and has a short shelf life after being opened. The military will help ship the vaccine to states, but once they get delivered, it is up to the states to distribute. Issac Arnsdorf, reporter at ProPublica, joins us for the challenges states are facing in distributing the leading vaccine candidate.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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Big shakeup at the Pentagon this week as President Trump fired Defense Secretary Mark Esper and three other top Pentagon officials were also replaced. The exit had been expected for months as the relationship between Esper and the White House deteriorated. Esper had his first public break with the president when he wanted to use active duty troops in D.C. to put down violent protests after the death of George Floyd. Meghann Myers, Pentagon bureau chief at the Military Times, had a conversation with the former Defense Secretary and tell us why he said he was no yes man.
Next, the FDA this week gave the emergency use authorization to Eli Lilly for their monoclonal antibody Covid treatment. It is similar to the treatment that President Trump received when he was sick and is aimed at keeping mild cases from turning more serious. The process of getting this treatment developed and approved was difficult in that the company also had to deal with the pandemic at the same time. They had to trim down their staff, work remotely in some cases, and the chief of the lab had to use a robot with an iPad attached to it so he can patrol the lab. Peter Loftus, health care reporter at the WSJ, joins us for how Eli Lilly got it done.
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Cases of coronavirus continue to surge across the country and records are being set. Texas jut became the first state to hit one million cases and the country set a record Tuesday for the amount of hospitalizations. That is a particular concerning point especially in rural areas where they have fewer intensive care beds and sometimes have to transfer patients. Melanie Evans, hospital reporter at the WSJ, joins us for record hospitalizations.
Next, President Trump still refuses to concede the election and it is holding up the Biden transition. Despite no evidence of widespread fraud, 70% of Republicans say they don’t believe the election was free or fair. And now some Republican Party officials and leaders are also joining the call that the elections were stolen. David Siders, national political reporter at Politico, joins us for more.
Finally, when it comes to jobs, women have been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic. More than 2 million women have dropped out of the labor force as of October and one of the big reasons is that virtual schooling is causing moms to quit. Having to make tough decisions about paying for childcare or working, many women with school age children are staying home. Heather Long, economics correspondent at the Washington Post, joins us for how the pandemic has hit working women.
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How will the country’s response to the coronavirus pandemic change now that Joe Biden will come into power? The Biden-Harris campaign has already announced a Covid advisory board, with a plan that includes more of a national strategy. This means more testing, a national mask mandate, and possibility of more lockdowns which no one wants. Biden would also like to see the CDC more involved and repair the relationship with the WHO. Noah Higgins-Dunn, reporter at CNBC, joins us for what the Biden coronavirus plan is all about.
Next, President Trump has refused to concede and has numerous lawsuits hoping to overturn the outcome of the election. Meanwhile, the White House has ordered different agencies not to cooperate with the Biden transition team until the General Services Administration confirms the election. This office needs to sign paperwork that would release funds to the transition team and allow them to begin getting briefings from government offices. Lisa Rein, national reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for how the GSA is holding up the transition.
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Great news on the vaccine front! Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine candidate has been shown to be 90% effective in early findings. The Pfizer vaccine is a two-shot protocol given three weeks apart. They are still waiting on more data, but could possibly apply for emergency use authorization before the end of November. Karen Weintraub, health reporter at USA Today, joins us for what to know about the latest vaccine news.
Next, it was a crazy election week, but probably the most hectic for the nation’s vote counters. While the rest of the country was waiting anxiously to see which candidate would be elected president, these vote counters worked day and night, amid hecklers, protesters and allegations of fraud. Some even endured physical threats and online harassment. Amy Gardner, national political reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for more.
Finally, local governments are raising concern over using rapid response antigen tests on asymptomatic people. Louisiana, one of the first states to receive shipments from the U.S. government, said that these tests aren’t recommended for those that may be asymptomatic because they can return false positives or miss it completely if someone has a small viral load. Emma Court, health reporter at Bloomberg News, joins us for the caution around rapid Covid tests.
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Joe Biden is now President-Elect of the United States with over 75 million people voting for the Biden/Harris ticket. President Trump has refused to concede while his campaign files lawsuits in multiple states alleging fraud and that the election was stolen. As Biden begins the transition to taking over, there is much on his plate... getting a handle on the coronavirus pandemic, the economy, and most importantly, trying to unite a deeply divided country. Ginger Gibson, deputy Washington digital editor at NBC News, joins us for more.
Next, possibly the biggest winner in this election was cannabis and magic mushrooms. Measures to legalize cannabis had major victories in various states. Oregon became the first state to make possession of small amounts of harder drugs like cocaine, heroin and other drugs not punishable by jail time. Oregon and Washington D.C. also approved the therapeutic use of magic mushrooms. Alicia Victoria Lozano, digital reporter at NBC News, joins us for how drugs were a big winner this election.
Finally, as the weather turns colder, restaurants have had to adapt once again to be able to serve customers and keep the coronavirus from spreading. Enter... Bubble dining. Restaurants are setting up clear plastic domes and pods with tables set inside to keep customers safe and warm, but are they safe? Ventilation and cleanliness must still be maintained inside. Allyson Chiu, wellness reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for the new dining pods.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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Beyond the election, the economy may still be caught up in gridlock as it seems likely that Democrats will control the House and Republicans will control the Senate. Republicans have already signaled that if Joe Biden wins the presidency, they will prevent any major spending bill even as the economy continues to suffer through the pandemic. Felix Salmon, chief financial correspondent at Axios, joins us for the upcoming gridlock.
Next, coming in to the election, it seemed that Democrats had a good chance at flipping the Senate. Well, the polls were wrong and it looks like that chance has nearly faded. We are looking at two possible Senate runoff races in Georgia for Democrats to make gains, but it could be difficult. Siobhan Hughes, Capitol Hill reporter at the WSJ, joins us for more.
Finally, doctors are beginning to figure out why some people have long-term symptoms from COVID-19. Called “post-acute Covid” or “chronic Covid” many are continuing to deal with symptoms for weeks or months after they were expected to recover. These symptoms range from severe fatigue and brain fog to digestive problems and erratic heart rates. Sumathi Reddy, WSJ’s “Your Health” columnist, joins us for what could be causing these long-term effects.
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Possibly the biggest loser in this election, the polls. Once again many pollsters and poll analysts got it wrong. Coming into Election Day, it looked like a Biden landslide and a democratic flip of the senate, but that didn’t happen. Going forward these polls will need to be re-evaluated and regain the trust of the people. David Graham, staff writer at The Atlantic, joins us for why a failure of the polls threatens our ability to understand what others think outside of these elections.
Next, President Trump is mounting several legal challenges in different states. The campaign is calling for a recount in Wisconsin, and suing to halt mail-in vote counting in Michigan and Pennsylvania. They are alleging that Trump representatives are not being given enough access to the counting of ballots. Shan Li, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for these voting legal fights.
Finally, an update to an important ballot proposition that we were following out of California. The voters there decided to approve Prop 22 which would allow Uber, Lyft, and other gig economy companies to classify workers as independent contractors instead of employees. Taryn Luna, reporter at the LA Times, joins us for more on the most expensive ballot prop in history.
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The election this year is will also mark the end of an era for the media and things will change no matter what. The media has revolved around the president for the last 4 years and the pandemic has advanced the new landscape digitally by years. There will be a wave of retirements in places like the LA Times, Washington Post, and even the NY Times. Battles over free speech and censorship will also continue when it comes to big social media platforms. Ben Smith, media columnist at the NY Times, joins us for how the media will be changing after the election.
Next, examining the mortality rate in more than 500 U.S. jails, Reuters found that in about two thirds of cases, inmates died while in lockup before they had a chance to be convicted in court. Most of these inmates died while waiting for quality healthcare. These jails are run by county sheriffs or local police and have little federal oversight and a rising share of them have contracted out their healthcare to private companies. Peter Eisler, national affairs correspondent at Reuters, joins us more.
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Election Day is here and we are all eager for the polls to close and get quick results for the big question… who wins the presidency? But this year there is a record number of people voting early by mail, and counting all those could take some time. One of the most crucial numbers to follow might be votes not yet counted. Mark Niquette, politics reporter at Bloomberg News, joins us for a new statistic that the AP is using to see how far off we are from a result.
Next, President Trumps has called on his supporters to watch out for fraud and volunteer to become poll watchers. So far in early voting, that army of watchers didn’t really materialized, in part, because poll watching seems to be an extremely boring job. Still, as some are concerned about voter intimidation, it is something to watch out for as the day develops. Jessica Huseman, lead reporter for ProPublica’s Electionland project, joins us for more.
Finally, as the pandemic began and lockdowns were in place, there were tons of stories of pets being adopted and a boon for the pet-care industry. Now, as the pandemic wears on and we see job losses and reduced wages, we are seeing a growing number of people having to surrender their pets to shelters or sanctuaries. Brent Schrotenboer, reporter at USA Today, tells how it’s getting tougher for some to care for their pets.
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Final push before Election Day and President Trump is still looking to big rallies to turn out his base, while Joe Biden leads in national polls. Over 93 million people have already voted early and the focus is going to be on the states' ability to count millions of mail-in ballots in quick enough fashion to get a result. Ginger Gibson, deputy Washington digital editor at NBC News, joins us for what to look out for as election night approaches.
Next, still getting tons of emails and texts with calls to vote from people and organizations you don't know anything about? There is a whole voter data economy, where candidates, parties, and nonprofits collect, buy. and use a ton of information to target you. In some cases they have over 3,000 data points such as income, debt, family, ethnicity and so much more that is used to send you online ads, mailers, and those pesky texts. Geoffrey Fowler, tech columnist at the Washington Post, tells us how they get all your information.
Finally, one of the numbers that public health experts have not been able to get a handle on, is exactly how many people have recovered from COVID-19. There is no agreed upon standard definition for a coronavirus recovery, so each state counts it a different way and some don't even track the number at all. Sarah Toy, health and science reporter at the WSJ, joins us for joins us for how many people we think have recovered and why experts think that number is way off.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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National polls continue to show Joe Biden in the lead over President Trump, but there has been this lingering skepticism about the polls since the 2016 election, weren’t they wrong last time? Chis Kahn, polling editor at Reuters, joins us for what’s different and why there’s more reason to trust them. Polls are doing a better job of reading Trump’s base, there are fewer undecided voters, and there is a bigger focus on state polls.
Next, a study out of Britain this week said that people with detectable antibodies for the coronavirus fell by about 27% over a period of three months over the summer, calling in to question how long immunity lasts. But health experts say this is not a cause to worry, antibodies tend to wane over time naturally. Apoorva Mandavilli, reporter at the NY Times, joins us for what to know about this antibody study.
Finally, it’s important not to lose sight of our mental health during the pandemic and as daylight saving time ends, the nights get longer and winter approaches, there could be a collision of pandemic depression and seasonal depression. Experts say it’s time to lay the groundwork to help avoid it getting the best of you. Chelsea Cirruzzo, contributor to the Washington Post, joins us for more.
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Keith Raniere, the founder of NXIVM, which has been referred to as a sex cult by some, was sentenced to 120 years in prison for sex trafficking and fraud on Tuesday. Women in a secretive sect of NXIVM were said to be forced into sex with Raniere and also branded with his initials. Pilar Melendez, reporter for the Daily Beast, was in the courtroom for his sentencing and tells us how it went down.
Next, as cases of coronavirus surge and hospitalizations also increase, hospitals have to walk a delicate line on whether to cancel elective and non-essential surgeries again. When these surgeries were cancelled early in the pandemic, hospitals lost out on a lot of revenue and patients had to postpone procedures like knee and hip replacements among other things. Melanie Evans, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for how hospitals are better prepared to keep these surgeries going.
Finally, the story of Hunter Biden’s emails and business dealings has failed to gain big traction aside from some conservative outlets. The focus has shifted to suppression of the story by the mainstream media and less on the content of the emails and salacious pictures found on the laptop. Tina Nguyen, White House reporter at Politico, joins us for more.
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COVID-19 vaccine trials are currently underway and we hope to hear news soon about how safe they are, but what is it like participating in one of those trials? Beyond that, what is it like participating with your whole family. Jackie Hajdenberg, investigative reporter with Columbia Journalism Investigations, is currently enrolled in the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine trial with both her parents, her sister, teenage brother, and 80 year-old grandma. Jackie joins us to tell us how it’s going so far and why she feels the people shouldn’t worry at the safety of these trials.
Next, one of the biggest storylines of the 2020 election is all of the early voting and mail-in voting. The numbers are changing constantly, but we are already at half of the total turnout for 2016. This means that most likely the majority of ballots will be cast before Election Day for the first time in history and that there might be some delays in getting results as things are counted. Amy Gardner, national political reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for what to know about the early voting surge.
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Cool space news as a study has confirmed that NASA has discovered water on the sunny parts of the Moon and not just in cold, shadowed areas. The water is not in puddles or icy patches, but rather in it is embedded in glass created during impacts on the moon, so the next step is to figure out how to mine this water. Miriam Kramer, space reporter at Axios, joins us to talk about Moon water.
Next, we are one week out from Election Day! Tens of millions of people have already voted and Joe Biden continues to lead in the polls. Still, this race is not over and President Trump is keeping up his heavy campaign schedule hitting multiple battleground states and the Senate could also be in play for Democrats. Brett Samuels, White House reporter at the Hill, joins us for what the candidates strategies are for the final week.
Finally, looking ahead to Thanksgiving… there could be a glut of big turkeys this year. Farmers had to try and predict the demand and processing schedule for the bird during a pandemic and fear that there might not be enough small turkeys. Driving the worry, family gatherings could be smaller and people may be looking for protein alternatives. Laura Reiley, business of food reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for too many fat turkeys.
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More coronavirus has infiltrated the Whit House. Marc Short, chief of staff for Vice President Mike Pence and other key staffers around him have tested positive for COVID-19. Despite these new infections Pence will continue his campaign schedule as he and his wife have tested negative. We will also take a look at some key races that could help Democrats flip control of the Senate if they win. Ginger Gibson, deputy Washington digital editor for NBC News, joins us the latest leading up to election day.
Next, as we prepare for a vaccine to be approved, hospitals and pharmaceutical companies are ramping up their security and storing coronavirus vaccines in undisclosed locations, deploying GPS trackers to monitor shipments, and even setting up fake shipments with dummy trucks to throw criminals off. The Department of Health and Human Services is even arranging for U.S. Marshals to accompany shipments. Jared Hopkins, Pharma reporter at the WSJ, joins us for the tight vaccine security.
Finally, there has been a huge effort by daycare workers to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and it's paying off. A study of more than 57,000 childcare providers found that those who continued working through the pandemic weren't more likely to catch coronavirus than those that were out of work. Extra precautions such as cleaning surfaces daily, extra hand washing for kids, and keeping them in smaller and seperate groups helped limit the spread. Kate Baggaley, contributor to Popular Science, joins us for more.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
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We have been hearing a lot about voter and election fraud recently, specifically with regards to mail- in voting. While officials maintain that voting by mail is secure and there is no widespread fraud, many voters are still concerned that there are problems. Corbin Carson, reporter for KFI News in Los Angeles, joins to talk about his seven-part series examining the various types of voter fraud concerns, the data behind how often it happens, and what protections are in place to keep elections safe. To hear Corbin’s full series on voter fraud you can find it at kfiam640.com Keyword: Fraud.
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Next, movie theaters across the country are struggling to survive as the pandemic has slowed down the entertainment industry. Many cinemas have been allowed to reopen, but they must operate at limited capacity and many people are choosing not to go in part because Hollywood is postponing big movie releases. But for small family-owned theaters, the problems are worse. They are playing classic movies and even renting out the entire theater for showings. Alexander Gladstone, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for how small movie theaters are trying to stay alive.
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We are in the final stretch of the 2020 election and the Joe Biden campaign is outraising and outspending the Trump camp. Joe Biden is airing ads in battleground states while President Trump is cancelling orders and opting for live rallies. Zach Montellaro, campaign reporter at Politico, joins us for how the campaigns are spending cash leading up to Election Day.
Next, we are getting some mixed results on a rheumatoid arthritis drug that was showing some promise in treating patients with COVID-19. In a large study, the drug showed promise in reducing deaths of people who were admitted to the ICU. In some smaller studies, the drug showed no benefit. Still the drug has been added to a growing list of possible therapeutics. Karen Weintraub, health reporter at USA Today, joins us for more.
Finally, we take a look into the future of office work. Things are changing because of the pandemic and it’s not just more working from home. There are considerations going into long awaited innovations in office design, how to restructure the work week and hours in the day, and even company perks could be changing. Eleanor Cummins, contributor to Popular Science, joins us for how the office will never be the same.
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The Justice Department on Tuesday filed an antitrust lawsuit against Google, accusing them of monopolizing the online search and search advertising markets. It is no secret that Google is a major player in these areas, but this is just a first step in what could be a lengthy court battle. Kyle Daly, technology editor at Axios, joins us for what the DOJ is alleging and what it could mean for consumers.
Next, some initial results from coronavirus testing in New York City schools is showing a surprisingly small number of positive cases. About half of the city’s students have opted for hybrid learning, which is helping them keep class sizes small and allow for more social distancing between desks. David Goodman, reporter at the NY Times, joins us for the testing plan aiming to test 10-20% of the school population at least once a month.
Finally, many are worried about what some call the “twindemic,” continuing to fight the coronavirus pandemic, while also trying to get though the flu season. The flu and COVID-19 share several common symptoms, and it is important to know how to differentiate the two viruses. Karina Zaiets, reporter at USA Today, joins us for how to tell the difference.
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Coronavirus case counts continue to rise in many places as the country fights to contain the spread, but throughout the pandemic, there have been some bright spots in states’ responses. President Trump gave states the opportunity to call their own shots and some have been more successful than others. Speaking to public health experts and officials, Politico has a list of which states had the best pandemic response whether it is fighting the virus, managing the economic fallout, or getting kids back to school. Tucker Doherty, healthcare reporter at Politico, joins us for who did it best.
Next, some more bad news on the vaccine front. The share of Americans who say they are likely to get a Covid vaccine as soon as it’s available is dropping. Only 58% of the public say they would be vaccinated when it becomes available. The number is even less when it comes to communities of color. There is a high level of distrust in vaccines as everything about them has been politicized. Ed Silverman, senior writer at STAT News, joins us for what the latest numbers say.
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Stimulus talks continue between House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin with a deadline set for Tuesday on whether anything will be able to get done by election day. It seems there have been some agreements on more stimulus checks for Americans and aid for airlines, but disagreements on other issues such as a national testing strategy. Ginger Gibson, deputy Washington digital editor at NBC News, joins us for this, millions of Americans who have already voted early, and what to expect from the final debate between President Trump and Joe Biden.
Next, the coronavirus pandemic has sparked a need for more plastic. Demand for everything from face shields, gloves, takeaway food containers, and even bubble wrap for online shopping has gone up, and with that demand it has severely set back the effort to recycle. This is happening as big oil companies are investing hundreds of billions of dollars to create new plastic. Companies that have made pledges to use more recyclable materials are even in a tough spot as new plastics are far cheaper than using recycled plastic. Joe Brock, special correspondent at Reuters, joins us for how the coronavirus pandemic has accelerated the trend of creating more and not less plastic trash.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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The NY Post this week published what it called “smoking gun” emails revealing how Hunter Biden introduced a Ukrainian businessman tied to Burisma, to his father Joe Biden. The emails were obtained from a laptop left at a computer repair shop whose contents were later shared with Rudy Giuliani and then the NY Post. Glenn Kessler, editor and chief writer of Washington Post’s Fact Checker, joins us for what to know.
Next, there’s a lot to look out for on election night. One of the biggest concerns is that there could be chaos at the polls and we won’t know who wins on election night. Some other things to look out for will be poll watchers for fear of voter intimidation, how long it will take for mail-in ballots to be counted, and litigation that could follow. Mark Niquette, national government reporter at Bloomberg News, joins us for everything that could go right or wrong on election night.
Finally, scientists are looking into what is becoming known as Covid brain fog. These are lingering symptoms of memory loss, difficulty focusing, dizziness and even grasping for everyday words. Some Covid survivors say that it’s impacting their ability to work and function normally. Pam Belluck, health and science writer at the NY Times, joins us for what to know about Covid brain fog.
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The federal prosecutor appointed by Attorney General Bill Barr to review unmasking requests by Obama Administration officials has completed his work and found no substantive wrongdoing. U.S. Attorney John Bash provided no criminal charges, no public report, and also left the department just last week. Matt Zapotosky, reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for what we know about the unmasking probe.
Next, the gig economy is on the ballot this year, at least in California, and it is shaping up to be the most expensive ballot proposition ever. Prop 22 will decide whether gig economy companies can classify workers as employees or independent contractors. The spending on this is huge with gig economy companies shelling out $184 million to help pass it and just $10 million for the opposition. Kia Kokalitcheva, tech and business reporter at Axios, joins us for more.
Finally, there was a time early in the pandemic where employers thought they would be relying on rapid response tests to get employees back to work safely. But as we have seen with recent events, testing alone won’t stop the spread of COVID-19. These tests were not designed to be used this way and is only one part of a full response plan. Aarian Marshall, staff writer at Wired, joins us for how and when tests should be used for returning to work.
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Calling into question how long people are immune after being infected with COVID-19, we have a 25-year-old man that is the first American confirmed to have been infected twice with coronavirus. We know this is a reinfection because the virus was genetically different the second time around and his symptoms were also worse. Karen Weintraub, health reporter at USA Today, joins us for what we know about this reinfection.
Next, some more information on the men accused of trying to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. They were also planning on “taking out” another political leader, Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam. The organizers of these plans wanted to make them big, saying they needed 200 men to storm capitol buildings. The FBI has said that neither governor was ever at risk. Pilar Melendez, reporter at the Daily Beast, joins for these foiled plots.
Finally, as we move through the pandemic and everything has become more politicized, we are seeing trust in government science erode. President Trump has hailed some therapeutic treatments as cures, which they are not, and some government agencies like the FDA have stumbled too. But trust in the science needs to be maintained especially when it comes to taking a vaccine once it is approved. Joel Achenbach, science reporter at the Washington Post, joins us more.
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When will theme parks come back to California? Disney and the city of Anaheim is in a battle with the state to reopen Disneyland and get back to normal. Full guidelines on reopening have not been released, but we do know some of the requirements. The park would be limited to 25% capacity and restricted to visitors that live within 120 miles. The park is a huge economic driver for local businesses, but a balance must be struck in protecting the health of the public and employees. Tarpley Hitt, reporter at the Daily Beast, joins us for the fight to reopen Disneyland.
Next, while president Trump campaigned on getting rid of the swamp and Washington’s insider culture of lobbying, he actually built a swamp of his own where his properties and businesses reaped the benefits of public and private businesses and special interest groups spending money at his properties. According to the NY Times, 60 customers brought in nearly $12 million dollars to his family business during the first two years of his presidency. And people knew where to find him, Trump has visited his resorts and hotels nearly 400 days since his inauguration. Kenneth Vogel, reporter at the NYT, joins us for how Trump’s properties made money from those wanting to get close to the president.
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The next presidential debate has been thrown into turmoil. After the Commission on Presidential Debates decided it will hold a virtual debate, President Trump said he would not be participating. Instead his campaign said he will hold a rally and Biden’s camp will hold a town hall. While the president continues to recover from COVID-19, he says he is ready to get back out there. Ginger Gibson, deputy Washington digital editor at NBC News, joins us for this and new polls and stimulus talk.
Next, to survive the pandemic, the restaurant industry has had to adjust and reinvent itself. While many can’t wait to get back into a buzzing restaurant, the reality is that it might still be far off. So restaurants are focusing on outdoor patio dining, takeout options, keeping menus smaller, and being creative in how to retain their customer base. At least 100,000 restaurants have closed in the past six months and the industry is on track to lose $240 billion. Tom Sietsema, food critic at the Washington Post, joins us for how restaurants are changing with the pandemic.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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Vice President Mike Pence and Sen. Kamala Harris had their first and only debate on Wednesday and while not as chaotic as the Trump/Biden debate, there were a few moments that stood out. That smile from Sen. Harris when Pence was trying to talk over her and the star of the show, the fly that stood on Pence’s head for two minutes. There was lots of coronavirus talk and plenty of dodged questions. Sabrina Siddiqui, national political reporter at the WSJ, joins us for a breakdown of the vice presidential debate.
Next, the NFL is still dealing with a coronavirus outbreak mostly centered on one team, the Tennessee Titans. Since last week, 21 members of the organization have tested positive for COVID-19. But as the cases mount, the scheduling of games is starting to become an issue. The NFL is even considering possibly adding an additional week to make up the games missed. The NFL Players Association is investigating the cause of the outbreak. Mark Maske, NFL reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for more.
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More good news on treatments for COVID-19. Pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly, has requested the emergency use authorization of its antibody- based treatment for people with mild to moderate symptoms of coronavirus. This treatment is similar to the one that President Trump received and they could have 100,000 doses ready this month and one million by the end of the year. Peter Loftus, health care reporter at the WSJ, joins us for more.
Next, the CDC has updated its guidelines once again and finally acknowledged that COVID-19 can spread to aerosolized particles in the air. These particles can linger in a room and spread beyond 6 feet. While the CDC has said it can spread this way, they say it isn’t the main way the virus spreads. This all means that it is important to have proper ventilation inside and also wear a mask. Caitlin McCabe, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for how these tiny air particles can spread the virus.
Finally, as kids across the country are taking classes remotely, it’s clear that the internet infrastructure in the country is not adequate enough to meet everyone’s needs. This is especially clear in some rural areas where high speed internet is just not an option and where the connection can lag when everyone is logged on. School districts say they need help to improve access. Monica Chin, writer at The Verge, joins us for how the internet wasn’t prepared for online school.
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How did the coronavirus infiltrate the White House? Many experts say that the reliance on coronavirus rapid response tests without other mitigation strategies like wearing masks and social distancing might have been the problem. The White House was using Abbott Laboratories’ ID Now tests like metal detectors, despite them delivering false negatives 9% of the time. Sarah Toy, health and science reporter at the WSJ, joins us for more.
Next, the FDA has put out guidelines on the protocols to follow before a vaccine can get emergency use authorization. They want an expert panel to review any vaccine and also want two months of safety data. This will definitely put any vaccine out of reach before the election. The White House has also agreed to these guidelines. Angelica LaVito, health reporter at Bloomberg News joins us for how a vaccine will be properly vetted.
Finally, the spooky season is here and Halloween is on a Saturday, meaning that in a normal year we would see parties and a lot of trick-or-treaters. But this is not a normal year and many parents are wondering whether they want to risk sending their kids out at all. Rudri Patel, contributor to The Washington Post, spoke to the experts and shares their advice on how to assess the risk of trick-or-treating.
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President Trump has been released from Walter Reed Military Medical Center. His doctors say that he is improving, but also say he is not out of the woods just yet. As Trump heads home, Republicans are also battling other issues as well. The confirmation of Judge Amy Coney Barrett has come into question since some GOP senators have also tested positive. Daniel Lippman, WH reporter at Politico, joins us for more.
Next, the economic recovery of the U.S. has been uneven as some workers and companies are showing signs of coming out fine, while others face an uncertain path. The pandemic has been kind to those that can work from home and the businesses that cater to them, but lower wage workers and those tied to tourism and public gatherings have suffered. Theo Francis, business reporter at the WSJ, joins us for the K-shaped recovery.
Finally, as some college campuses have been exploding with COVID-19 cases, Colby College in Maine has been keeping the numbers down with mandatory mask wearing, students willing to follow the rules, and one of the nation’s most rigorous testing programs. The college has poured $10 million into its response plan and tests students twice a week. Chris Quintana, national education reporter for USA Today, joins us for how they are keeping the numbers low.
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The Frost Tapes takes you on a deep dive into the archives of legendary television host David Frost, who interviewed some of the most compelling, controversial, and confounding figures in American life during the sixties and seventies—a time when America grappled with issues that are hugely relevant today. Most of those tapes have been lost for a generation. Until now.
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President Trump has been diagnosed with COVID-19 and is being treated at Walter Reed Military Hospital. Trump's doctors say that he is improving and could be discharged soon, but there have been conflicting messages. The course of treatment he is receiving does not point to mild symptoms of coronavirus. Also, while we do not know the exact point at which the president contracted the virus, it seems that last week's Rose Garden ceremony for Judge Amy Coney Barrett could be the superspreading event. Others in the president's circle who also attended the event have also tested positive. Ginger Gibson, deputy Washington digital editor at NBC News, joins us for more.
Next, Palantir, a secretive data analytics company with ties to law enforcement and the defense and intelligence communities has just begun publicly trading on the NY Stock Exchange with a $21 billion valuation. Buzzfeed News has just obtained two LAPD training manuals showing that at great taxpayer expense, Palantir has helped the LAPD set up a vast database of names, addresses, phone numbers, license plates, jobs and more from those that live in the city. Critics say that this amounts to more surveillance of the public and that innocent people can be swept up into searches that police do on the platform. Caroline Haskins, technology reporter at Buzzfeed News joins us for how it all works.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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Some coronavirus vaccine trial participants have spoken out about their experience so far and are reporting fever, body aches, and exhaustion, but say that the side effects did not last more than a day and in the end were worth it. Participants in Moderna and Pfizer’s trials said that they felt getting more side effects after the second dose. Berkley Lovelace, health care reporter at CNBC joins us for how participants felts after getting their shots.
Next, in some key battleground states there has been an early surge in Democrats voting by mail, and it’s worrying some GOP leaders. Republicans fear that some of the messaging from the president may be turning off voters from voting by mail and hope that many in their party will turn out to vote in person. Amy Gardner, national political reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for more.
Finally, a major hospital and health care network has been battling with a massive ransomware attack that crippled its digital systems across the country. Universal Health Services, has had to route some patients to other emergency rooms and facilities, delay appointments and test results, and have also had to move to an all paper system. Lily Hay Newman, senior writer at Wired, joins us for the latest ransomware attack on a hospital.
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The NFL has had its first COVID-19 team outbreak as ten members of the Tennessee Titans have had positive tests after their last game with the Minnesota Vikings. In response to this the NFL has postponed the upcoming Week 4 game against the Steelers. The Titans coach has said that some of the people infected are experiencing flu-like symptoms. Matt Bonesteel, sports reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for how the NFL will respond to this outbreak.
Next, the first debate between President Trump and Joe Biden was a messy affair. Both candidates were talking over each other and hurling insults. Even the debate moderator, Chris Wallace, got caught in the fighting. Many people walked away with a bad taste in their mouths after seeing the performance from both candidates. Still there were some points scored and missed opportunities. President Trump refused to denounce white supremacist groups and Joe Biden dodged a question about packing the Supreme Court. Ginger Gibson, deputy Washington digital editor at NBC News, joins us for a breakdown of the debate.
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The NYT has obtained nearly two decades worth of President Trump’s tax returns and found out that he paid only $750 in taxes in 2016 and the same in 2017, and paid no taxes at all in several previous years. While Trump paints himself as a successful businessman, several of his properties and business ventures were money losers. David Fahrenthold, reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for how trump used the tax code to his benefit.
Next, a look into how YouTube is fighting misinformation and conspiracy theories. Crucial to its success and also a major source of misinformation spread was its recommendation system. Early on, if you watched a video about the earth being flat, you would then be recommended tons of similar videos. To stop these sort of videos from getting more exposure, they began to tweak the algorithms and teach AI how to identify and down-rank conspiracy videos. Still, as we saw with conspiracy videos about the coronavirus pandemic, there is much work to be done. Clive Thompson, contributor to Wired, joins us for more.
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The first debate between President Trump and Joe Biden goes down tonight. It is sure to be an unpredictable affair that so far has been a game of expectations. Trump has portrayed Biden as sleepy and senile while still saying he has a ton of experience in the debate arena. Biden on the other hand has to keep the gaffes at a minimum. Tyler Pager, national political reporter at Bloomberg News, joins us for a debate preview.
Next, new documents obtained by STAT News show just how involved the military is in Operation Warp Speed, the effort to fast-track a COVID-19 vaccine and therapeutics. The $10 billion initiative is going to pose a huge logistical undertaking once a vaccine is approved and that is one of the benefits of having so many in the military involved, they are good at complex logistical issues. Nicholas Florko, Washington correspondent at STAT News, joins us for more.
Finally, the CDC, one of the most admired public health agencies in the country has seen its credibility erode over the course of the pandemic. There were some stumbles early on in the roll out of test kits to the changing guidance on aerosols and how the coronavirus spreads, the agency has also had to deal with political interference. Lena Sun, health reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for how 2020 has been a disaster for the CDC.
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President Trump has nominated Judge Amy Coney Barrett to be the next Supreme Court Justice of the United States. The timeline to get her confirmed will be moving at record place with hearings starting on October 12th, setting up a vote right before the election. Republicans have the votes, so it's highly likely that she will get confirmed, which concerns Democrats when it comes to issues like the Affordable Care Act. Ginger Gibson, deputy Washington digital editor at NBC News, joins us for this and also a preview of the Trump/Biden presidential debate on Tuesday.
Next, months into the pandemic and the country is still facing a shortage of N95 respirator masks. While hospitals have increased their supplies and stockpiles continue to be replenished, many nurses and frontline healthcare workers find themselves still reusing masks that were meant to be used only once. Mask production has increased, but without long-term guarantees, manufacturers are hesitant to invest more and they are protecting their intellectual property and not sharing exactly how the masks are developed. Jessica Contrera, reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for the N95 shortage we can't seem to fix.
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The first year of the 2020s has left us all asking: How will we move forward from here? Join Pete Buttigieg, former presidential candidate and Mayor of South Bend, Indiana, in conversation with leading activists, politicians, authors, scholars, entertainers and more to confront America’s greatest challenges and discuss the ideas and actions that will shape the times we are about to live through.
If you enjoyed this trailer, search The Deciding Decade with Pete Buttigieg in the podcast app of your choice. Be sure to subscribe and never miss an episode drop!
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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All signs seem to point to the fact that President Trump will be able nominate and get confirmed by the Senate, his third Supreme Court justice all in his first term. This would push the Court to be the most conservative it has been since 1950. And depending on the outcome of the election, could set up future fights between the branches of government. Michael Bailey, professor at Georgetown University, joins us for the Court’s ideological shift.
Next, essential workers in the U.S. are reporting high levels of burnout. Because of the pandemic, essential workers are having to deal with increased workloads, understaffing, and stress from fear of getting sick and enforcing safety protocols. Michael Sainato, reporter at The Guardian, joins us for how 58% of U.S. workers are burned out.
Finally, music festivals and the live events industry are trying to create their own ‘bubbles’ to get people out again. One strategy that is being explored is two-stage Covid testing. Get a test a few days before the event, and then another quick test before you can get in. While there are some limitations, this could be a model to get live events going again. Michelle Lhooq, independent counter culture journalist at Bloomberg News, joins us for more. You can also catch more of Michelle’s counter culture reporting at RaveNewWorld.Substack.com.
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A grand jury in Kentucky has charged former Louisville police detective Brett Hankison with three counts of wanton endangerment in the case of Breonna Taylor who was killed by police fire in March. The charges were related to other circumstances and not directly to the death of Breonna herself. Other officers involved in the incident were also not charged. Marisa Iati, national reporter for the Washington post, joins us for the latest developments in Breonna Taylor’s case.
Next, a look back at the early days of the pandemic and the first nursing home outbreak at the Life Care Center of Kirkland in Washington. Forty-six people died there, but did those deaths have to happen? The way that COVID-19 tore through the facility is a cautionary tale for the way we operate nursing homes in the U.S. There were failures at many steps during the way, all while residents and workers saw some of their friends get sick and die. Katie Engelhart, contributor to California Sunday Magazine, spent months investigating what happened and joins us for how it all played out.
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A coronavirus vaccine may be on its way soon, but that doesn’t mean that people are ready to take it. According to an Axios-Ipsos poll, 60% of people say they don’t want to take a first-generation vaccine, in part because of how it has been politicized. Margaret Talev, politics and White House editor at Axios, joins us for how resistance to taking a Covid vaccine is growing.
Next, thousands of U.S. troops will be taking part in a COVID-19 early detection study with the aim of understanding what it means to be asymptomatic and also catching illnesses before they get worse. Soldiers will wear bio-measuring devices that monitor small changes in blood oxygen levels, heartbeat, or respiratory patterns. Nancy Youssef, national security correspondent at the WSJ, joins us for more.
Finally, K-12 enrollment has been decreasing in recent years, but during the pandemic, kindergarten numbers are really low. Parents are frustrated by putting their young children in front of screens for their first year of school and instead are opting for extended pre-school, learning pods, or skipping it all together. Mackenzie Mays, reporter at Politico, joins us for how the pandemic is creating a rare gap year for some.
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President Trump’s next move in the Supreme Court fight will come at the end of the week as he seeks to nominate someone to take over for Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg. Republicans have said that they will take up the nomination even though the actual vote may take place in the lame duck session after the election. Fadel Allassan, reporter at Axios, joins us for the political fight to replace the Notorious RBG.
Next, the Justice Department has released a list of cities deemed “anarchist jurisdictions” that are marked for review and threatened with withholding federal grant money. New York City, Portland, and Seattle are all on the list for voting to cut police funding, not prosecuting protesters, and rejection of federal intervention. Allan Smith, political reporter at NBC News, joins us for more.
Finally, a big thank you to my colleague Mo’Kelly for filling in for me while on vacation. He did a wonderful job and we have one more story from him. Have you noticed that your trash has expanded along with your waistline with all that ordering in you have been doing during the pandemic? Tom Sietsema, food critic at The Washington Post, joins us with tips on minimizing your trash pileup from takeout containers.
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One team from Massachusetts General Hospital considered whether Google searches for GI issues might be a way to spot COVID-19 hotspots early. Claire Maldarelli, Associate Editor for Popular Science lays out how your computer key strokes may serve as a stroke of genius in weathering the pandemic in future months.
Then, nobody would doubt whether cyclists competing in the Tour De France are exceptional athletes. But did you know they often have trouble walking average distances? Joshua Robinson European Sports Reporter for The Wall Street Journal will join us from the French Alps with his insight.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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The military has confirmed it sought information on using a ‘heat ray' against D.C. protesters. If that weren’t enough, there were other military grade weapons being considered through startling investigative reporting by Dina Temple-Raston, Investigations correspondent for NPR who will walk us through the inquiries and the subsequent implications.
Then, if you want to get away, Hawaii may be the place to do it. Hawaii is to begin allowing travelers who test negative for COVID to bypass quarantine starting Oct. 15. David Oliver, social media editor for the Travel section at USAToday will tell us how we’ll need to pack.
And finally, if you’re in California or Oregon you might have noticed the orange to almost red hue of the sky. The phenomenon is connected to the ongoing brush fires, but not necessarily in the way you may think. Sara Kiley Watson, editorial assistant for Popular Science will paint a clearer picture for us.
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Two L.A. County Sheriff’s Deputies cling to life in critical condition after being ambushed while in their SUV at a Compton metro stop. To which Sheriff Alex Villanueva called out Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James to pitch in monetarily to the reward for the assailant. KFIAM640 Los Angeles report Steve Gregory will bring us up to date.
Then, the Maine super-spreader wedding has now been linked to more than 170 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 7 deaths. And get this, most diagnosed weren’t even at the wedding and those numbers may not be the final tally either. We’ll get a sense of both the medical community response and larger general civic reaction from NBC breaker news reporter Minyvonne Burke.
And finally, as a companion story, nurses across the country have been dying from COVID-19 due to their profession’s inherent dangers. We’ll discuss the strain this has put on hospitals and the protections put in place to guard hospital staff at all levels with Christina Jewett, senior correspondent for Kaiser Health News.
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A massive 12 million dollar settlement has been reached between the city of Louisville and the family of Breonna Taylor who was killed during a no-knock raid by police back in march. What is eyebrow raising is that the settlement also includes police reforms to be implemented. Tim Craig, national reporter for The Washington Post has the details.
Then, as the AstraZeneca trials for a COVID-19 vaccine hit a snag, the debate resumes as to whether the guard rails and safety protocols worked as intended or proof that we’re moving too fast in quest to return to normalcy prior to the pandemic. Liz Szabo, senior correspondent at Kaiser Health News will update us on the status of the trials and what any setback may mean.
And finally, as wildfires continue to rage out west and President Trump met with California officials; the debate intensified as to what role if any, the federal government should play in the fight against climate change. Brady Dennis, Environmental Policy and Public Health Issues Reporter for The Washington Post will bring us the latest.
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Oracle may have won the bidding war over TikTok, or at least that’s what is being reported; although few specifics are being given. That’s important because it remains unclear whether the sale will be enough to avert the ban on operating in the U.S. threatened by President Trump. Axios Technology editor Kyle Daly joins us to provide insight on what happens next.
Then, as fires rage largely out of control in California and Oregon, it’s good news/bad news with the strong winds which both aid in improving air quality and assist in further spreading the flames. Thomas Fuller, San Francisco Bureau Chief for the New York Times will have an update on the fires and the prospect of further federal intervention.
And finally, as the U.S. approaches 200k deaths and millions more hospitalized in the fight against COVID19, the bill is coming due, much to the surprise of many under the belief that COVID-19 treatment would be paid for by the federal government. Robbie Whelan, correspondent for the Wall Street Journal will break down who is responsible for which costs and to what degree.
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President Trump has a faced a lot of bad news recently from a barrage of negative books, but while he often complains about the deep state trying to undermine him, most of the attacks are coming from people who were in his close orbit. Ginger Gibson, deputy Washington digital editor at NBC News, joins us for this, and new polls showing that most voters don’t see Trump or Biden as mentally fit to lead.
Next, the pandemic has disrupted nearly every aspect of life and it will also be reshaping the holiday shopping season. The sales and promotions will be coming earlier than ever and everyone will be shopping online which could lead to a delay in getting your packages. Jennifer Kingson, managing business editor at Axios, joins us for how it’s all changing and why you should start shopping as early as you can.
Finally, a COVID-19 vaccine supply chain is starting to take shape. Once a vaccine is approved, it will be a huge undertaking to transport the millions of doses to their destinations. Everything from temperature controlled containers to securing flights for doses to be delivered will all have to be figured out. Ed Silverman, Pharmalot columnist and senior writer at STAT News, joins us for more.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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There has been a lot of fallout from the new Bob Woodward book on President Trump. Trump has gone into damage control over quotes and audio clips where he said that he intentionally downplayed the coronavirus so he would not cause panic. The president continues to claim he has done a good job and is trying to shift blame to Woodward. Orion Rummler, reporter at Axios joins us for more.
Next, remember all those seeds that were being sent to Americans from China? The USDA came out and said not to plant them and instead contact your local agricultural departments. Well we are finding out that hundreds of people did plant those seeds and some people even ate them! Jason Koebler, editor in chief of Motherboard at Vice, joins us joins us for what he found out about all those unsolicited seeds.
Finally, during the pandemic, online gaming traffic rose about 30% and with that, attempts to hack into players’ accounts and steal their digital goods also rose. It’s a game of volume for the hackers, but all together they can make millions in selling your stolen goods. Julie Jargon, family and tech columnist at the WSJ, joins us for how to protect yourself from online gaming fraud.
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We had a setback this week in vaccine development as AstraZeneca and Oxford University put a hold on stage three clinical trials of their experimental COVID-19 vaccine. One participant in the U.K. came down with an unexplained illness forcing the trial to shut down while an investigation is done. Rebecca Robbins, reporter at STAT News, joins us for what this pause means.
Next, the west coast is on fire this week with major fires in Washington, Oregon, and California. CA Gov. Gavin Newsom has said that so far, at least 2.3 million acres have burned, 20 times what burned in all of last year. But as fire season keeps starting earlier and lasting longer every year, what can be done to prevent these megafires? Some experts say we need more controlled burns throughout the year to get rid of some of the fire fuel. Elizabeth Weil, reporter at ProPublica, joins us for more.
Finally, as universities begin to see outbreaks of coronavirus on their campuses, some are sending students home to quarantine, and that is causing another concern that they could be spreading it back home. Some public health experts are suggesting that it might be better to have them quarantine on-campus or nearby to avoid more community spread. Melissa Korn, higher education reporter at the WSJ, joins us for how colleges are handling outbreaks.
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The CEOs of nine drug companies that are developing coronavirus vaccines have all signed on to a pledge to not seek regulatory approval until the shots have been shown to work in late stage clinical trials. This is an attempt to calm fears that a vaccine may be approved too soon for political reasons. Many Americans are skeptical about taking a vaccine if it seems like the development and authorizations are rushed. Christopher Rowland, business of healthcare reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for more.
Next, there are eight critical battleground states where the 2020 election will be won or lost. Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin represent 127 electoral votes and a potential roadmap for victory for the candidates. President Trump must turn out rural voters and Joe Biden needs a huge turnout in big cities, and in many states suburban women hold the balance of power. Michael Kruse, senior staff writer at Politico, joins us for the eight states to watch in the election.
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While the economy has suffered greatly because of the coronavirus and millions are claiming unemployment benefits, there are still some that are getting hired for new jobs. With that, there are some new rules for landing a job during the pandemic. You still have to work your networks, as many jobs are found through referrals. You also need to be flexible and realistic about location. There are many companies with "work from home" policies right now, but that is constantly changing. You must also be prepared for a completely virtual interview process. Kathryn Dill, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for how to get a job in the covid era.
Next, we'll tell you what enabled the CBD craze to take root in America. Right now, CBD can be found in products all over boasting some kind of health benefits from pain management to treating anxiety and inflammation. But in 2011, a rag-tag group of doctors, activists, and writers met on a marijuana farm to think of a way to market it. CBD was featured on Discovery Channel's "Weed Wars" and the subject of A CNN special touting its benefits in treating epilepsy. Sen. Mitch McConnel of all people even had a hand in making hemp and CBD legal. Amanda Chicago Lewis, contributor to the NY Times, joins us for how the CBD craze got started.
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President Trump has come under criticism for comments attributed to him where he called U.S. servicemembers killed in combat "suckers" and "losers." While the president has vehemently denied saying anything, varios news organizations have independently confirmed his words. Ginger Gibson, deputy Washington digital editor at NBC News, joins us for the fallout from those statements, the rush to release a vaccine, and states in desperate need for another coronavirus relief bill.
Next, one of the main keys to preventing COVID-19 indoors is proper ventilation. Health scientists have started to issue recommendations to schools and businesses that want to reopen on how often indoor air needs to be replaced, as well as fans, filters, and other equipment that also needs to be replaced. For schools, think open windows with fans, air purifiers, and upgraded HVAC systems. Cailtin McCabe, reporter for the WSJ, joins us for how good ventilation can help keep coronavirus particles at bay.
Finally, many unoccupied buildings that were abandoned during the coronavirus shutdowns and left empty for long periods of time may have a new uninvited guest: mold. The CDC has warned people who are reopening buildings to watch out for potential hazards like mold and the bacteria that causes Legionnaires' disease. While mold and bacteria is always around us, in poorly ventilated areas and in increased concentrations, it could lead to health problems. Louise Matsakis, reporter at Wired, joins us for what to know about mold problems.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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A slew of post-convention polling has come out and it shows that both candidates have emerged roughly where they were before. Joe Biden still maintains a lead, but President Trump has gained a little bit of ground in certain state polls. One of the next big moments that could impact the race comes at the end of September when the first debates are held. Steven Shepard, chief polling analyst at Politico, joins us for more.
Next, America is running low on a crucial resource for coronavirus vaccines and drugs…monkeys. The pandemic has created a huge demand for monkeys as research test subjects. There has been a drop in supply from China which supplied 60% of monkeys imported into the U.S., and we were already dealing with decreased numbers. Sarah Zhang, writer at the Atlantic, joins us for how were are short on these animals needed for research.
Finally, Amazon is one step closer to delivering you that package by drone. The FAA just granted them approval to operate its fleet of delivery drones, a program they call “Prime Air.” Their drone would be capable of delivering cargo that is lighter than 5 pounds hopefully in about 30 minutes. Rob Verger, associate editor at Popular Science, joins us for the latest and why it still might be some time before you see drones flying everywhere.
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Good news when it comes to the treatment of COVID-19. Studies involving 1,700 patients showed that deaths were significantly reduced by the use of steroids, raising hopes that cheap and widely available drugs could become standard treatments for severe cases of coronavirus. The steroids helped in dampening an overactive immune system. Joseph Walker, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for more.
Next, as the pandemic worked its way through the United States, Hawaii had a handle on its cases early on. Recently however, case counts and hospitalizations have started to creep up as a result of complacency by residents and a lack of preparation by officials. Quarantine measures for travelers are still in place and the opening of the state has continued to be delayed. Alice Miranda Ollstein, health care reporter at Politico, joins us for what happened to Hawaii.
Finally, President Trump’s new pandemic advisor has been pushing a controversial ‘herd immunity’ strategy that has some public health experts worried. Dr. Scott Atlas, who has no background in infectious diseases, has pushed to reopen the economy and let the virus spread through the general population while only protecting our most vulnerable. Yasmeen Abutaleb, reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for the herd immunity plan.
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California is facing a backlash for its tiered system for reopening businesses during the pandemic. Counties throughout the state used to be on a watch list, but are now in a color-coded system of yellow, orange, red, and purple, with purple being the worst designation. Critics say the system hits some businesses harder than others. Chris Woodyard, LA Bureau Chief for USA Today, joins us for the plan to reopen California.
Next, COVID-19 has impacted the public health system so much that it will have to change to accommodate and incorporate COVID-19 into doctors’ offices, virus surveillance, and hospital planning. The good news is that the health care system has done it before with HIV and H1N1. Nicole Wetsman, health reporter at The Verge, joins us for how the coronavirus has changed the health care system.
Finally, President Trump is pushing some conspiracy theories that is matching some months old rumors inspiring people to arm themselves. Trump said that a plane “loaded with thugs” wearing dark uniforms were sent to disrupt the RNC and also said that “people that are in the dark shadows” are controlling Joe Biden. Ben Collins, reporter at NBC News, joins us for more.
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Clashes continue in the streets between armed civilians and protesters, sometimes with deadly outcomes. Local authorities are facing complaints that they are not handling the violence and even supporting those that take up arms against protesters, which at times have turned to looting and vandalism. Joshua Partlow, reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for more as President Trump gets ready to go to Kenosha, Wisconsin.
Next, a new report from the Centers for Disease Control says that 94% of people who died from COVID-19 had underlying health conditions, while only 6% of people had COVID-19 listed as the only cause of death. Some of the top comorbidities that people had were influenza, hypertensive disease, diabetes and cardiac arrest. Ursula Perano, reporter at Axios, joins us for more.
Finally, last week Elon Musk had a presentation for his Neuralink implants. The goal is to mass-market brain implants that could solve brain and spine problems. For the presentation Musk trotted out a group of pigs that had the implants and observed their brain activity. John Timmer, senior science editor at Ars Technica, joins us for the latest on Elon Musk’s Neuralink.
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Two conventions down and we are on to the general election. The GOP convention was not the optimistic and light affair that Trump had hoped for. Instead it tried to paint a picture of lawlessness and economic decline if Biden were to be elected, and the coronavirus pandemic was talked about as if it was in the past tense. Ginger Gibson, deputy Washington digital editor at NBC News, joins us for a breakdown.
Next, some new clues are emerging as to why the coronavirus hits men harder. Simply put, men produce a weaker immune response to the virus than women do, and the findings could have implications for vaccine dosing. Women produce more T-cells and a stronger immune response, possibly because their bodies are primed to fight pathogens that threaten their unborn children. Apoorva Mandavilli, reporter at the NY Times, joins us for more.
Finally, are you getting ready to travel during the pandemic? There's a lot to know about testing before you get out there. Some places require proof of a negative test before you arrive and other locations require you to quarantine before you can move freely. There is also the big question of timing so you can get your results in time. Natalie Compton, reporter at the Washington Post, tells us what you need to know.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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As colleges and universities are heading back to school many are sounding the alarm as coronavirus cases were emerging just days into classes. At the University of Alabama, there were more than 500 cases. And at Ohio State University, over 200 students were suspended for violating virus related rules. Hannah Knowles, reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for how back-to-school is going so far during the pandemic.
Next, good news on the vaccine front. Moderna said that its experimental vaccine induced an immune response in people aged 56 and older. The immune response was comparable to those seen in younger adults. This is significant because there had been a concern that vaccines might not offer the same amount of protection to older adults. Peter Loftus, healthcare reporter at the WSJ, joins us for more.
Finally, we know that COVID-19 hits minorities the hardest, but unfortunately, the data often doesn’t show it. Many states are not collecting the race or ethnicity of coronavirus patients, which could make it harder to know the real impact on low-income communities. Tom Simonite, senior writer at Wired, joins us for how we need more targeted data collection of Covid patients.
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Many of the transmission chains of COVID-19 begin with “superspreading” events. That’s when one person, usually in a crowded indoor space, passes the virus to dozens of others. Some estimates say that 10% of people have been causing 80% of infections. But one big question is who is the superspreader… the person or the event? Katherine Harmon Courage, contributor to Vox, joins us for how superspreading is fueling the pandemic and how we can stop it.
Next, we have more bad news for the Washington Football Team. A new report says that Larry Michael, the team’s former lead broadcaster and a senior vice president told staffers to make a video of lewd outtakes from a cheerleader bikini shoot specifically for team owner Dan Snyder. Female employees were also directed not to be present in any areas where players were because they could be a distraction. Twenty-five women also came forward to say that they experienced sexual harassment while working for the team. Will Hobson, sports reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for more.
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State of emergency declared in Wisconsin and the National Guard deployed as protests grow over the shooting of Jacob Blake. Video from over the weekend shows an incident with police in which Blake was shot seven times in the back. His family now says he is paralyzed from the waist down. Fabiola Cineas, race reporter at Vox, joins us for what we know about the shooting of Jacob Blake.
Next, the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the adoption of telemedicine and its role in the health-care system by at least three years, some experts say. This increased use is also driving a slew of possible business deals. Some telehealth companies are getting ready for initial public offerings, while others are exploring sales and acquisitions. Sarah Krouse, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for more.
Finally, as the Republicans continue their convention this week, polls are showing that there was no convention bump for Joe Biden. While he still maintains a lead over President Trump, limited polls show that there is no change in his image rating or in his lead over the president. Steven Shepard, senior campaign editor at Politico, joins us for the lack of a convention bump.
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Researchers in Hong Kong have confirmed the first case of COVID-19 reinfection. The man who is 33 years-old, first had the coronavirus in late March and contracted the virus again in August while traveling in Europe. One thing to note, the second time around the man did not have any symptoms. Andrew Joseph, reporter at Stat News, joins us for what to know about the first COVID reinfection.
Next, The FDA has issued an emergency use authorization for convalescent plasma as a coronavirus treatment. Some 70,000 Americans have already received blood plasma as part of their treatment. While the president has said that the treatment is “very safe and effective,” The FDA did not go that far because there have been no controlled clinical trials. Sarah Owermohle, healthcare reporter at Politico, joins us for more.
Finally, as the Republican National Convention gets underway, there will be no new party platform. Instead, the GOP will fully support President Trump’s agenda. The Trump campaign released a 49-point wish list for his second term including developing a vaccine by the end of 2020, creating 10 million jobs in 10 months, and fully funding and hiring more police. Alayna Treene, White House reporter at Axios, joins us for Trump’s second term agenda.
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With the Democratic National Convention behind us, it's time for President Trump and Republicans to make their case to voters for the November election. The Democrats just wrapped up their virtual convention with strong messages from Joe Biden and Former President Obama about the importance of getting out to vote and remove Donald Trump. With few technical glitches and a surprisingly fun roll call vote, the Democrats did have a successful convention. This week President Trump will accept his party's nomination from the south lawn of the White House, but will be present in some form or another for all four days of the convention. Ginger Gibson, deputy Washington digital editor at NBC News, joins us for the dueling conventions.
Next, at the Penn Vet Working Dog Center, canine studies are being done to see if man's best friend can sniff out coronavirus. So far, they are doing a pretty good job of it! Nine dogs are currently enrolled in the study with the hopes that one day they might be able to pick out infected individuals, including those that are asymptomatic, in nursing homes, businesses and airports. Dogs have already been proven to be able to detect explosives and some diseases such as hidden cancers, diabetes, and bacterial and viral infections. Frances Stead Sellers, senior writer at the Washington Post, joins us for more.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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Uber and Lyft will continue operations in California. An appeals court has allowed the ride-hailing companies to continue treating their drivers as independent contractors while an appeal works its way through the court. Uber and Lyft are hoping that a proposition on the November ballot will make them exempt to AB5. Faiz Siddiqui, tech reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for more.
Next, as kids are returning to school in various forms whether it be in person, hybrid, or online learning, many are experiencing a level of anxiety with how different things are during the pandemic. Psychologists suggest that parents need to keep calm and listen to children’s anxieties and enforce good routines of mask wearing and social distancing. Andrea Peterson, health reporter at the WSJ, joins us for tips on how to manage back-to-school anxiety.
Finally, amid accusations of racial insensitivity, sexual misconduct, and a toxic workplace, the “Ellen DeGeneres Show” has overhauled the senior production team and fired three top producers. Ellen herself delivered the news to staff over a video conference call. Matt Donnelly, senior film writer at Variety, joins us for how the Ellen show is trying to clean up its act.
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The Senate Intelligence Committee earlier this week released its final report on Russian interference in the 2016 election and it detailed significant contacts between the Trump campaign and people with ties to Russian intelligence. Former campaign manager Paul Manafort was especially singled out as a “grave counterintelligence threat.” Olivia Beavers, Congressional reporter at The Hill, joins us for more on the Senate report.
Next, public health experts have said that casinos are a high-risk environment for COVID-19 and a new analysis of smartphone data shows just how interconnected the country is with visitors to Las Vegas. During a four day period in July, 26,000 devices were identified on the Las Vegas Strip, and in that same weekend, those same smartphones showed up in every state on the mainland except for Maine. Marshall Allen, healthcare reporter at ProPublica, joins us for how mobile people are despite the pandemic.
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Some good coronavirus news today as scientists are seeing that the body does show signs of lasting immunity to COVID-19, even in those that only had mild symptoms. We still don’t know how long immunity will last, that will have to be looked at in real time, but recent studies show that antibodies, B-cells and T-cells are all doing their jobs. Katherine Wu, science reporter at the NY Times, joins us for what we are learning about coronavirus immunity.
Next, you might have heard about the Boogaloo Bois, a group of Hawaiian shirt wearing anti-government insurgents. They are hoping for a second civil war and often organize in gun toting militias. Vice News followed Mike Dunn, a 19-year old man organizing against gun control and saw how he rose into the Boogaloo movement. The movement evolved from an obscure internet meme to a national security concern in the span of just a few months. Tess Owen, senior reporter at Vice News, joins us for more.
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The FDA has approved a new and inexpensive saliva test for COVID-19 that was developed by Yale University and funded in part by the NBA and the NBA Players Association. So far, the test has yielded similar results to other diagnostic tests and also avoids a key step that has caused shortages in chemical reagents in other tests. Ed Silverman, @Pharmalot columnist and senior writer at STAT News, joins us for more.
Next, the first Bluetooth “exposure-notification” app has launched in Virginia and it’s called Covidwise. The app uses Bluetooth chirps to detect if you have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive. While it is very easy to use, for it to really be effective, it needs widespread adoption. Geoffrey Fowler, tech columnist at the Washington Post, joins us this useful app with little privacy risk.
Finally, as the Democratic National Convention takes place this week and the Republican convention taking place next week, we are firmly into general election mode. But what do the polls show about the state of the presidential race? Joe Biden continues to maintain a lead, but that is narrowing and while Biden has his supporters, voters are really more united in opposition against Trump. Steven Shepard, politics editor at Politico, joins us for what the polls are saying right now.
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The Democratic National Convention gets started today in a way that we have not seen yet... completely virtual. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, various speeches will be given throughout the four day event, but none will be in front of an audience. Democrats hope that the virtual convention will still be able to energize voters to turn out in the fall. Ginger Gibson, deputy Washington digital editor at NBC News, joins us for the Dem convention, a new doctor on the coronavirus task force, and the ongoing postal service crisis.
Next, coronavirus fatigue has hit the country. The pandemic has upended society on a scale and duration that has not been seen before, and the worst part about it is that there is no end in sight. Waiting for a vaccine to get approved is just the beginning, then comes the hard part, distributing it to millions of Americans. In the meantime, parents are worried about how to balance work and school for their kids, healthcare workers continue to work long hours, and unemployed workers struggle to keep up. Brady Dennis, national reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for more on COVID fatigue.
Finally, the agricultural economy has not been doing well and more U.S. farmers are declaring bankruptcy. The pandemic has compounded a series of problems for farmers such as a drop in prices, trade disputes and tariffs from China and Mexico. This year, the administration is expected to pay out $33 billion, which is about 36% of farm income. Jesse Newman, agricultural reporter for the WSJ, joins us for how farmers are still going bankrupt despite record levels of federal aid.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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President Trump on Thursday announced a major foreign policy achievement, Israel and the United Arab Emirates have agreed to establish a “full normalization of relations” and Israel will also suspend its annexation plans in the West Bank. This makes the UAE the third Arab country that has active diplomatic ties with Israel. Dave Lawler, world editor at Axios, joins us for what this big announcement means.
Next, doctors’ offices, nursing homes, and federal officials are in a scramble to obtain point-of-care COVID-19 tests from the only two companies that have emergency approval to produce them. There has been some concern about accuracy with these tests but they are useful for quicker results and don’t need to be sent away to a lab. Sarah Krouse, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for more.
Finally, as dentists have started to open up, they are seeing patients come in with a new set of symptoms and they are dubbing it “mask mouth.” Dentists are seeing inflammation in gums, decaying teeth, and really bad breath. Wearing a mask can lead to dry mouth and a host of other problems unless proper precautions are taken. Melkorka Licea, features writer at the NY Post, joins us for what to do about mask mouth.
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Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has announced that they have approved the first vaccine for COVID-19. He said that the vaccine, dubbed Sputnik-V, “works quite effectively” and it has even been given to his daughter. However, many health experts are skeptical because it has not gone through late stage clinical trials, Tina Hesman Saey, senior writer at Science News, joins us for what we know about Russia’s vaccine.
Next, Joe Biden has picked Sen. Kamala Harris as his running mate, and even though she was seen as a front runner from the beginning, the process to get there was unusual and laborious. 11 finalists were involved, a panel of lawyers, and tough questions for all. Michael Sherer, national political reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for how the Biden Harris ticket came to be.
Finally, we all remember the panic buying at the start of the pandemic and how tough it was to find toilet paper and cleaning supplies. While some of those products are back in stores in steady supply, other groceries are still hard to find. Baking ingredients, coffee and tea, barbeque and other items are hard to come by. Annie Gasparro, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for why it’s still so hard to find things.
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Joe Biden has picked Sen. Kamala Harris to be his running mate. She is the first Black woman to be named to a major-party U.S. presidential ticket and potentially the first woman vice president if they win in November. Harris was seen as a safe choice as she has a national profile and experience with elected office, but it will remain to be seen if her experience as a prosecutor would be a benefit or a liability with some voters. Daniel Lippman, White House reporter at Politico, joins us for more on the announcement.
Next, as companies begin to resume operations while the pandemic continues to endure, many are hiring new executives as Chief Medical Officers in industries where they normally would not be. Tyson Foods and Royal Caribbean Cruises recently made the appointments because they need expert medical advice on how to keep employees and consumers safe. Patrick Thomas, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for more.
Finally, as the pandemic stretches on, many people are looking for places to go on vacation, and some are still risking going to traditional summer getaways despite them being coronavirus hotspots. Places like Florida, Nevada, and California are still the most searched travel destinations. Dian Zhang, data reporter at USA Today, joins us for how some Americans are visiting these virus hotspots anyway.
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The United States Postal Service is dealing with a backlog of letters and packages and are facing a crisis that could delay the results of the election in November. A number of cost cutting policies have been put in place by the new postmaster general, there are fewer mail trucks on the road, and postal workers are not able to work overtime. The Postal Service is seeking billions in aid from Congress to help stay afloat, but with mail-in voting expected to increase this year, the Postal Service says they will be able to handle the influx of ballots. Adam Clarke Estes, deputy editor with Recode at Vox, joins us for more.
Next, the problem with making decisions about kids going back to school is that the research takes time to conduct and when it comes to children and the virus, there is still so much that remains unknown. A recent report found that more than 97,000 children tested positive in the last two weeks of July. And while they can contract and spread the virus, the questions is… to what extent? In the few schools that have re-opened, we are seeing pictures of students not wearing masks and hearing about outbreaks as well. Chelsea Janes, national reporter at The Washington post, joins us for the limited research on children and coronavirus.
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The United States now has over 5 million confirmed coronavirus cases and President Trump continues to field criticism for his response to the pandemic. In an effort to further the conversation on economic relief for unemployed Americans, the president has signed 4 executive orders that would delay payroll tax deductions, extend unemployment benefits at $400, have officials consider a halt to evictions, and defer student loan payments until the end of the year. Ginger Gibson, Deputy Washington Digital Editor at NBC News, joins us to break down how the executive orders will work and how Congress is reacting.
Next, contact tracing was supposed to be one of the biggest tools in the fight to contain the spread of coronavirus, but many health departments across the country are losing the race to warn the contacts of COVID victims. City and county health departments say they don't have enough money or staff to keep up with the surge of cases. On Alabama's Gulf Coast, the contact tracers are stretched so thin that they are telling people who get the virus to notify any contacts themselves. The country only has about a quarter of the contact tracers that is recommended to be able to do the job effectively, not to mention the difficulty in getting some people to comply. Jaimi Dowdell, investigative reporter at Reuters, joins us for more.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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A new study looking at the movements of Americans during the pandemic shutdown orders shows that rich Americans stayed put while poor Americans increased their movements, presumably because they were essential workers and could not work from home. Matt Simon, science journalist at Wired, joins us for how your income could be a predictor of how well you can social distance.
Next, Major League Baseball is getting serious with new protocols to prevent COVID-19 outbreaks among players and staff. Anyone found in violation of these new rules could be suspended for the remainder of the season. Face coverings are required at all times and are even discouraged from talking to or facing each other when eating or drinking together. Bob Nightengale, MLB columnist at USA Today Sports, joins us for more.
Finally, as a result of the pandemic, Halloween could be cancelled, or at least look very different than in the past. Many major theme parks have already cancelled their Halloween events and now, big questions remain about trick-or-treating and also how it could impact the costume and candy industries. Hugo Martin, business writer at the LA Times, joins us for how Halloween could be different this year.
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There is a rush to look for more survivors in Beirut as anger continues rise over a massive explosion that looks to be a result of negligence. The huge amounts of ammonium nitrate that exploded were improperly stored in a warehouse for over six years. Half of the city is destroyed and thousands have been left homeless. Missy Ryan, national security reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for what we know.
Next, businesses are adjusting pricing, store designs, and product production as the ‘new normal’ for companies is emerging during the pandemic. Businesses are responding to the changing needs of their customers after learning how consumers behaved during the shutdowns. Micah Maidenberg, reporter for the WSJ, joins us for how businesses are looking to make their comebacks.
Finally, when there was a critical shortage of N95 facemasks, the FDA relaxed the rules to allow the importation of Chinese-made KN95 masks to help supply hospitals with the proper protection. What happened after that however, was it flooded the market with masks that did not meet basic U.S. quality tests. Austen Hufford, manufacturing reporter at the WSJ, joins us for the problems with KN95 masks.
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Americans are not happy with the way things are going in the country. According to Gallup, U.S. satisfaction is at 13%, the lowest it has been in nine years. The national mood has soured greatly because of the effect of the pandemic on the country and the mood drop mostly occurred among Republicans. Jeff Jones, senior editor at Gallup joins us for how Americans are currently feeling.
Next, states continue to largely go it alone with how they respond to the coronavirus outbreak. Without a set of national guidelines they are relying on their local public health officials when deciding whether to re-close portions of their economies. Many are taking a county by county approach as cases and deaths rise and fall. Ted Mann, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for more.
Finally, President Trump is continuing his assault on mail-in voting, and it could hurt his reelection bid. There could be a delay in results because of how long it takes to count them, but voting by mail is expected to increase because of health concerns from coronavirus. And the president may need those mail-in votes in key battleground states. Christopher Cadelago, national political reporter at Politico, joins us for Trump’s fight against mail-in voting.
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Microsoft has said that it will move forward with plans to buy the U.S. operations of TikTok after a wild weekend in which President Trump said he might want to ban the social media app in the U.S. No price has been decided yet, but this would be a big move for Microsoft into the social media world and also help with some data and privacy issues that TikTok has had. Georgia Wells, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for more.
Next, we are moving at record speed to develop and approve a vaccine for the coronavirus, but after that comes the hard part: distributing the vaccine. The coordination, planning, and communication needed to pull this off will be so complex and it has many worried, considering the poor response to the pandemic by the administration so far. Lena Sun, health reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for what could be the largest vaccination campaign ever undertaken.
Finally, while diagnostic tests for COVID-19 are more widely available now, you have to be careful when paying with insurance and where you are getting them. One woman in Houston paid for her son’s rapid-response drive-thru test with insurance and it should have cost $175, but the freestanding emergency room tried to bill $2,479. Marshall Allen, healthcare reporter at ProPublica, joins us for how out-of-network covid tests could cost you more than you think.
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Lots of political news this month as the modified conventions will take place and Joe Biden will announce who his pick will be for his running mate. Biden has already committed to picking a woman as his vice president, but there has been increased pressure to pick a woman of color. Ginger Gibson, Deputy Washington digital editor at NBC News, joins us for who is on the shortlist.
Next, the summer of 2020 will be full of booming home sales and unfortunately, evictions. The lowest mortgage rates in history are allowing people to take advantage and buy bigger homes, but on the flipside, renters are facing job losses and evictions. Heather Long, economics correspondent at the WSJ, joins us for what else is driving home sales during the pandemic.
Finally, there is no COVID baby boom that some suspected there might be. In fact, Americans aren’t making babies, and that could be bad for the long term economy. Some estimates say there could be 300-500,000 fewer babies born next year which leads to fewer consumers, workers, and taxpayers. Peter Coy, economics editor at Bloomberg Businessweek, joins us for the American baby bust.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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There is new evidence that COVID-19 can have lingering effects on your heart. A German study is showing that MRIs of people who have recovered from the coronavirus still had visual signs that the virus had an impact months after recovering. Patients showed signs of ongoing inflammation of the heart muscle. Erika Edwards, health and medical reporter at NBC News, joins us for how COVID-19 can linger in your heart.
Next, household transmission is becoming an increasing worry as young people are infecting older family members in shared homes. Many young adults surged into bars and restaurants when things opened back up and are also among essential workers and it is only a matter of time before they come in contact with family members living in multi-generational homes. Lenny Bernstein, health and medicine reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for more.
Finally, a weird science story. Scientists in Hungary accidentally created a new species of fish called a “sturddlefish.” It is a hybrid of the Russian sturgeon and American paddlefish. Approximately 100 sturddlefish remain alive today, but while they will be cared for, there are no plans to breed more. Daisy Hernandez, reporter at Popular Mechanics, joins us for how these new fish came to be.
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Oregon Gov. Kate Brown and the Trump administration have reached an agreement for federal officers to leave the front lines of the federal courthouse in Portland in hopes to de-escalate protests that have been going on for two months. State troopers and local police will move in to protect the area. Nick Miroff, DHS reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for the phased withdrawal of federal officers from Portland.
Next, cigarette smoking may have made a comeback during the coronavirus pandemic. Americans are spending less on travel and entertainment and as a result are having more opportunities to light up. We are also seeing that some people are moving away from vaping and returning to traditional cigarettes after restrictions on e-cigarette flavors. Jennifer Maloney, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for more.
Finally, a state investigation is underway after video surfaced of a charity concert last Saturday featuring the Chainsmokers that showed a lack of proper social distancing from concert-goers. Part of the investigation will focus on why the event was issued a permit to begin with. Organizers insist that coronavirus guidelines were in place. Dan Adler, writer at Vanity Fair, joins us for how the Hamptons event is under fire.
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Baseball has been having a rough go as they began their 60 game season amid the pandemic. MLB has paused the 2020 season for the Miami Marlins after an outbreak of COVID-19 among players and staff. One big issue for them is the misalignment between the playing schedule, testing schedule, and protocols for what happens in between. Louise Radnofsky, sports reporter at the WSJ, joins us for more.
Next, the workplace of the “Ellen DeGeneres Show” is under investigation by WarnerMedia after some reports of a toxic work culture and crew furious over poor communication during the coronavirus shutdown. There have not been any direct allegations made about Ellen herself. Matt Donnelly, senior film writer at Variety, joins us for bad news at the Ellen show.
Finally, one of the main symptoms for many that get COVID-19 is losing their sense of smell. Scientists now know why that happens and the good news is, it’s only temporary. SARS-CoV-2 attacks the cells that support smell-detecting neurons, and because they don’t actually attack the neurons themselves, people usually recover after a few weeks. Elizabeth Weise, national correspondent at USA Today, joins us for why the coronavirus attacks your sense of smell.
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What does it take to keep a movie studio open during the pandemic? A lot of work and a lot of coronavirus tests. Pinewood Atlanta Studios will be spending $1.5 million on tests each month once it is operating at full capacity. They are also using an app to track worker’s symptoms between tests, and a badge system that doesn’t let you open any doors on the lot unless you have a negative test. Sarah Krouse, reporter at the WSJ joins us for more.
Next, we all know that those with underlying health conditions are more at risk of getting worse symptoms from COVID-19, but those with diabetes are dying more often. A new government study shows that nearly 40% of people who have died of COVID-19 had diabetes. Robin Respaut, reporter at Reuters, joins us for why coronavirus is killing diabetes patients at alarming rates.
Finally, after six months of the pandemic and less than 100 days to go before the election, many are asking why Trump hasn’t tried harder to solve the coronavirus crisis. No issue has impacted his re-election prospects as the pandemic has, and opponents and allies alike, don’t feel like he has done enough in his response. Dave Clarke, White House editor at the Washington Post, joins us for how Trump is trying to re-focusing on coronavirus.
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The politics of the coronavirus recovery takes center stage this week as Republicans will unveil their stimulus proposal just days before enhanced unemployment benefits are set to expire. The GOP favors a targeted bill to address this issue, but Democrats have rejected that wanting a comprehensive bill. Democrats favor a bill with a price tag closer to $3.5 trillion and Republicans are in at the $1 trillion range. We are also 100 days out from the 2020 election and have a few new polls showing that many do not approve of the way that President Trump has handled the response to the pandemic and show him trailing behind Joe Biden. Ginger Gibson, Deputy Washington Digital Editor at NBC News, joins us to break it all down.
Next, the brand new "Get Wired" podcast takes a look into an app called Citizen, that asks you to report on the crime next door. Millions of users have logged on to the app to view, report, and comment on local incidents in their communities. The key thing is that if someone is close enough to the action, you can live-stream what is going on. This has led some to become stars on the app for broadcasting live. Anthony G. is one such person who gets to the scene of a crime to report, and he's only 12! Boone Ashworth, contributor to Wired, joins us for how Citizen got its start and how it looks to grow.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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Six months after the coronavirus appeared in America, the nation’s ineffective response has failed to contain it. There is no unified national response and everything about it has become politicized. Testing continues to remain a problem with long wait times to be tested and to get results, which also makes contact tracing useless. While other countries were able to drive infection rates down, it seems that opening the country back up too soon and without proper guidelines may have been the biggest mistake. Joel Achenbach, reporter for the Washington Post, joins us for America’s response to the coronavirus.
Next, one of Hollywood’s biggest moneymakers is being slowly killed off. Cable TV continues its decline as streaming services ramp up subscribers and entertainment companies return to more niche programming also seeking to host their properties on streamers. Experts suggest that cable subscriptions will bottom out in the next few years forcing companies to invest more in new media. Kate Aurthur, editor-at-large at Variety, joins us for how cable TV is struggling for survival.
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The U.S. has agreed to pay Pfizer and BioNTech nearly $2 billion to secure 100 million doses of their experimental coronavirus vaccine. It still needs to go through phase three trials and be approved by the FDA, but the race is on to secure as many doses as possible. Operation Warp Speed has struck similar deals with other vaccine developers as well. Jared Hopkins, Pharma reporter at the WSJ, joins us for all the money being poured into vaccines.
Next, Congress continues to debate what to do about enhanced jobless benefits that are set to expire at the end of next week. Some 25 million Americans are set to lose an extra $600 a week that were given out to help keep people afloat during the pandemic shutdowns. Also on the table is whether to dish out more individual stimulus payments. Eric Morath, labor economics and policy reporter at the WSJ joins us for more.
Finally, the culture war over wearing face masks continue, and in California, the city of Huntington Beach has become the symbol of mask resistance. Despite evidence that face coverings help limit the spread of the coronavirus, some residents think the virus is over hyped, others are just fed up with constantly changing restrictions. Jake Sheridan, reporter at the LA Times, joins us for why face masks continue to be a point of contention.
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President Trump is planning to send about 150 Homeland Security Investigations agents to Chicago to help local law enforcement deal with a spike in crime. These agents will likely assist in intelligence gathering, targeting drug trafficking groups and gangs. Nick Miroff, DHS reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for why federal agents may be headed to Chicago and other cities.
Next, many restaurants have hit their breaking point and are permanently calling it quits. Riding the roller coaster of coronavirus restrictions and people wary of eating out has proved too much for some to stay in business. Over 15,000 restaurants have permanently closed and more could be on the way. Heather Haddon, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for how the pandemic continues to wreak havoc on the restaurant industry.
Finally, vitamin C is a having a moment during the pandemic and sales are surging, but you have to watch out for some offering it up as a coronavirus treatment. The FTC and FBI are investigating health clinics and wellness centers for overhyping high-dose IV infusions of vitamin C as ways to prevent or treat COVID-19. Brent Schrotenboer, investigative reporter at USA Today, joins us for more.
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We are all looking forward to the end game for COVID-19, when the spread of the virus slows down significantly or stops altogether because enough people have immunity to it. Whether it is by vaccine or enough people catching it, we are trying to get to the point of herd immunity, but the math to get there is tricky, and the variables used to calculate keep making it a moving target. Kevin Hartnett, senior math writer at Quanta Magazine, joins us for how the population can achieve herd immunity.
Next, from the beginning of the pandemic and despite calls from governors across the country for a unified national response, the plan has largely been every state for itself. From obtaining your own PPE and setting up your own testing and contact tracing programs, states have been desperate for federal support. Alice Miranda Ollstein, healthcare reporter at Politico, joins us for more.
Finally, the culture war over face coverings continues and it is a growing problem for retail and service workers across the country who are yelled at and sometimes assaulted for asking patrons to wear masks. They have become the primary enforcers for social distancing guidelines inside restaurants and shops even as some think wearing a mask infringes on their rights. Emily Davies, reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for how anti-maskers put business on edge.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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Demand for coronavirus testing continues to go up and the supplies continue dwindle, as we hear stories of long wait times and even longer waits for results. But that doesn’t seem to be a problem for sports teams that are testing players every day and getting results in 24 hours. Louise Radnofsky, sports reporter at the WSJ, joins us for how sports teams are handling testing.
Next, over 32 million Americans are receiving unemployment benefits and the Labor Department says the nation has 5.4 million job openings. That being said, Ivanka Trump and the White House rolled out the “Find Something New” campaign, a jobs initiative urging people to pursue jobs training and career paths that don’t require a college degree. Toluse Olorunnipa, reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for how the program was slammed as tone-deaf during the pandemic.
Finally, COVID parties are not a thing. You might have seen stories about people throwing parties to intentionally infect others with the coronavirus, but if you dig deeper into the stories, they quickly fall apart. To be clear, people can and are getting sick by partying in close quarters, but they are not throwing COVID-specific parties. Gilad Edelman, senior writer at Wired, joins us for more.
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Federal executions are back and for the first time in 17 years, a death row inmate was put to death in Indiana. Daniel Lee Lewis was a member of a white supremacist group and was found guilty of murdering a family of three, including an 8-year-old girl in 1996. Tim Evans, investigative reporter at the Indianapolis Star, was there to witness the execution and give us the details of how it all played out.
Next, we’ve seen a number of states experience a surge in coronavirus cases and become new hotspots. Largely avoiding a big outbreak early in the pandemic, Arizona now has the highest per-capita rate of COVID-19 cases in America over the past week. Local officials and public health experts are pointing a finger at the leadership for being complacent and not preparing for a future wave when they had time. Dan Frosch, reporter for the WSJ, joins us for how Arizona wasn’t ready for its coronavirus surge.
Finally, it’s over for former Attorney General and Alabama Senator Jeff Sessions. Sessions was one of the first to endorse President Trump, add legitimacy to his campaign, and rise to Attorney General. Later, Sessions was fired and now, he has lost a runoff for his old Senate job. Amber Phillips, reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for the rise and fall of Jeff Sessions.
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The reopening of schools in the fall continues to be a contentious discussion with some committed to on-campus instruction and others only online. Los Angeles, San Diego, and Atlanta, three of the nation’s largest school districts, said this week that they will begin the new school year online and bring students back later in the year. Illustrating the divide in California, the Orange County Board of Education voted to support the return to school without social distancing or masks. Laura Meckler, national education reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for more.
Next, as President Trump continues the push to reopen schools, the CDC wants to take a more cautious approach. A CDC document on its guidelines was leaked and it recommends that schools be prepared to shut down for several days if a person carrying the virus was in a school building, they should have multiple means of social distancing and limits on out-of-classroom activities. As with many things these days however, there seems to be a disconnect between policy and science. John Timmer, senior editor at Ars Technica, joins us for the CDC’s approach to reopening schools.
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The reopening of America has not been going so well just yet. While some gains have been made, a resurgence of cases and delays in unemployment benefits have continued to push people to the edge. There are issues with fraud and user confusion, long waits to process jobless applications, and outdated computer systems used by unemployment offices. Eli Rosenberg, work and labor reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for more.
Next, California is largely closing again amid a rise in coronavirus cases. Gov. Gavin Newsom has ordered once again, the closure of indoor dining and limits on gyms, churches, hair salons and other businesses. And as cases go up, testing continues to be a problem to get under control. From the very beginning of the pandemic, the state fell behind and has been struggling to keep up. There was problems with current infrastructure, supply shortages, and it led to difficulties in contact tracing too. Emily Baumgaertner, reporter at The LA Times, joins us for California’s failure at mass testing.
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Today is all about testing. Short of a vaccine, testing is the first line of defense in helping limit the spread of COVID-19. But what will it look like when everyone returns to work? Some employers are finding out that testing employees is more trouble than it's worth. Issues with cost, access, and employee privacy are some of the reasons why testing isn't part of back-to-work plans. Instead, employers are in favor of lower cost options like masks, hand sanitizer, temperature checks, and symptom screening. Emma Court, heath reporter at Bloomberg News, joins us for workplace safety during the pandemic.
Next, antibody tests were also hailed as one of the main ways to get people back to work. Test positive for antibodies and it means you've had the coronavirus and aren't in danger of catching it or infecting someone else. But these tests have had problems with accuracy. The reporter we speak to next had to take five antibody tests before she could trust the results. And the big question, does testing for antibodies give you a free pass? We still don't know how much immunity is bestowed on a person or for how long it lasts. Stephanie Baker, senior writer at Bloomberg News, joins us for what to know about these tests.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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The Supreme Court has issued a spilt ruling on President Trump’s tax cases. The court ruled that Manhattan prosecutor Cy Vance has the legal right to subpoena records from Trump’s financial institutions, but rejected the House’s effort to get similar records. Josh Gerstein, senior legal affairs correspondent at Politico, joins us for why you still won’t be seeing Trump’s taxes anytime soon.
Next, President Trump is pushing hard for schools to fully reopen in the fall. He has slammed the CDC guidelines on reopening and also threatened to cut funding from schools that don’t open. While children are only half as likely as adults to get infected with COVID-19, there is still a lot of concern over how to reopen. Laura Meckler, national education reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for the fight to reopen schools.
Finally, some marriages are starting to buckle under quarantine and strict lockdowns. In some households, months of monotony and spending too much time together is exposing bad behavior and exacerbating underlying problems most likely there before the pandemic began. Marisa Kashino, senior editor at Washingtonian, joins us for more.
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Who is getting all the money? The Small Business Association and the Treasury Department have released the names of more than 660,000 businesses that received money from the Paycheck Protection Program. The program has given payouts to lawmaker-connected businesses including car dealerships, casinos, construction companies and restaurants. Nicholas Wu, politics reporter at USA Today, joins us for more on the PPP.
Next, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and President Trump have both said they are looking at banning TikTok from the U.S. The reasons may differ however. Pompeo says there are national security concerns and President Trump might want ban it to punish China for the conronavirus. Sam Shead, tech correspondent at CNBC, joins us for more.
Finally, there is an ongoing discussion about how COVID-19 spreads through the air. We know that it can spread from respiratory droplets when someone coughs or sneezes, but there is a growing body of evidence showing that is can spread through even smaller aerosolized droplets that can linger in poorly ventilated areas. Kat Eschner, contributing editor at PopSci, for why COVID’s airborne transmission may deserve more attention.
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The hunt is on for vaccine test subjects and coronavirus researchers are having to compete to recruit tens of thousands of healthy people for phase 3 trials. While drugmakers usually recruit patients through advertising on social media or at doctor’s offices, they are now looking at pharmacies, enlisting churches in the search and even requesting that their own employees and families ask around. Jared Hopkins, Pharma reporter at the WSJ, joins us for the search for vaccine trial participants.
Next, a world leader in pandemic preparedness at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security has said that we might have to deal with wearing masks for several years as it will take time for a vaccine to hit the masses. He also suggests that there will be no summer time lull in cases leading us to a another big wave in the fall. Claire Reilly, host of “Hacking the Apocalypse” and senior editor at CNET, joins us for this and how technology is being leveraged to help the fight against COVID-19.
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As the coronavirus continues its spread throughout the country, some hospitals are also struggling to contain the spread inside its walls. While it's only a small number of overall cases, U.S. medical centers have reported over 5,000 cases of patients catching coronavirus after being admitted for other conditions and that number does not include cases of medical staff that have caught the virus at work. Melanie Evans, hospital reporter at the WSJ, joins us for more on how hospitals try to protect both staff and patients from infection.
Next, we continue to monitor how the coronavirus pandemic is affecting the economy, and for the retail sector, it looks like it will be a tough rebound. Retail lost about 1.2 million jobs between March and June and many store closure that were supposed to be temporary might end up being permanent. Online shopping will continue to grow and brick and mortar stores will have to continue to adjust their models to buy online and pick up in-store as shopping in person continues to face difficulties. Jennifer Kingson, managing editor for business news at Axios, joins us for more.
Finally, another sector hit hard by the economic shutdown is the freelance, creative worker with multiple gigs. This is especially evident in places like Los Angeles, that have built an economy on these freelancers. Performers, production crews, ride-share drivers and personal trainers were among the first to lose work and will likely be the last to make a full comeback. Tim Puko, reporter for the WSJ, joins us for the difficult comeback of freelance workers.
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This year, the graduating class of Paradise High School has had to deal with the current coronavirus pandemic and still recover from the Camp Fire which devastated the community. For the second year in a row, graduation at Paradise High School has been a triumph over disaster. As the pandemic hit, classes had to go online again, and while the community had come close together after the fire, this time was different, stay at home orders and isolation prevented students from banding together in the same way. The near future for them may still be a mystery as many colleges have not finalized plans for the fall, but the students are ready to face any challenge presented to them. Justine Calma, reporter at The Verge, joins us for the Paradise Class of 2020.
Next, as the school year approaches in the fall, it might not be the best course of action to treat schools like COVID hot zones. Thankfully, children are, by and large, spared most of the effects of the virus. They are only half as likely to get infected as adults and while they can transmit the disease, they seldom cause outbreaks. In the meantime, as schools in other countries have already opened, we can look to them to see what has worked and what has not. Some of the most appropriate safety measures could include testing and contact tracing, improved ventilation in classes, and keeping students with a single group of peers throughout each day. David Zweig, contributor to Wired, joins us for more.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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Ghislaine Maxwell, the longtime associate and accused madam for Jeffrey Epstein, has been arrested on charges that she recruited and groomed underage girls for abuse by Epstein. The charges say that Maxwell would try to befriend the young girls and normalize the abuse by discussing sexual topics and prompting them to give Epstein massages. Devlin Barrett, national security reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for more.
Next, the 4th of July will not be the same this year as various states are closing down beaches, bars and restaurants, and shutting down fireworks displays in response to rising COVID-19 cases. Officials are targeting places that younger people tend to congregate as the rise in cases are affecting more people in their 20s and 30s. Rachel Adams-Heard, reporter at Bloomberg News, joins us for how more young Americans are getting the coronavirus.
Finally, the country is facing three simultaneous disasters. The pandemic, the economic fallout from that, and civil unrest in response to police brutality. Many people are responding the only way they know how, with anger. Elizabeth Chang, wellness editor at the Washington Post, joins us with tips to get out of the “anger incubator” we are living in.
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Several Texas bar owners have filed a lawsuit against Gov. Greg Abbot over his order to shut down bars for a second time since the pandemic began. Bar owners feel like they are being unfairly targeted when restaurants that serve alcohol can remain open and other businesses can continue to operate. Bars are especially vulnerable because people tend to gather in close quarters for extended periods of time, there is poor air ventilation, and virus particles can spread with people speaking loudly. Sarah Blaskovich, reporter at the Dallas Morning News, joins us for more.
Next, Moderna is currently the front-runner in developing a coronavirus vaccine. They will be entering the third phase of clinical trials this month with about 30,000 people participating. While there is a lot of hope riding on Moderna to come through, the company has no track record in developing an approved drug and is also using an unproven approach to making the vaccine. Still, the company is worth $24 billion because of its current work. Peter Loftus, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for more on vaccine front-runner, Moderna.
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It’s happening again. As we moved to reopen the country, cases are starting to surge and the demand for testing is increasing. But testing shortfalls are causing long lines in hard hit states such as Florida and Texas. Without a vaccine, testing has become the first line of defense and delays complicate everything. Emma Court, healthcare reporter at Bloomberg News, joins us for how testing is hitting a snag again.
Next, the Coronavirus Resource Center at Johns Hopkins University has become the gold standard for tracking COVID-19 cases and deaths. They help provide near real-time data on how coronavirus is spreading across the world in an environment where case counts are consistently inconsistent. Kyle Swenson, reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for more.
Finally, despite promises that people should not have to pay for getting sick with COVID-19, doctors are discovering costly long term health effects ranging from kidney failure to heart and lung damage and the question is whether health care providers and insurers will pay for the long term effects. In the meantime, many are being saddled with huge hospital bills. Susannah Luthi, healthcare reporter at Politico, joins us for the costs of treating COVID-19.
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Forty-five years after committing his first murder, Joseph James DeAngelo has pled guilty to being the Golden State Killer. In total, he pled guilty to 13 counts of murder, 13 counts of kidnap, and 62 rapes and other crimes he was not officially charged with. He will serve life in prison without parole and be spared the death penalty. San Stanton, reporter for the Sacramento Bee, joins us for the Golden State Killer’s guilty plea.
Next, the drug maker Gilead has set the price for remdesivir, its anti-viral drug which has been shown to be an effective treatment for COVID-19. For people on private insurance, it will cost $3,120 for a five day treatment. Gilead says that it could save hospitals about $12,000 per patient. Zachary Brennan, reporter at Politico, joins us for more on the costs of treating COVID-19.
Finally, American intelligence officials have said that a Russian military intelligence unit secretly offered bounties to Taliban-linked militants for killing U.S. troops in Afghanistan. It is still unclear if the program actually existed, but President Trump says he was never briefed on the subject. Missy Ryan, national security reporter for the Washington Post, joins us for what we know.
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While we are still in the middle of the pandemic, we are starting to see the long-term effects of lost schooling and shutting down travel and business. The GAO is estimating that over the next decade we will see almost $8 trillion in lost economic growth. We are seeing those losses in education, jobs, tourism, and restaurants. Fadel Allasan, reporter for Axios, joins us for more on the pandemic’s lost years.
Next, businesses that have been able to reduce the friction in their business models are those that have succeeded throughout the pandemic and will continue to grow as we come out of it. Think of Amazon and how they saved us so much time during the pandemic. No need to go shopping, order it online and it will be delivered, saving time and helping you reduce risks to your health. Same for the workplace, working from home has reduced the friction of commuting. Christiane Lemieux, contributor to Wired and co-author of the new book Frictionless, joins us for how the future of commerce belongs to frictionless businesses that give you your time back.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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The country is experiencing a coronavirus surge and it is everywhere. This past week the U.S. hit its highest single day of new coronavirus cases since April. Texas Gov. Greg Abbot also announced that due to a rise in cases, the state will pause any further phases to reopen. Furthermore, the increase in cases are skewing younger. Sam Baker, healthcare editor at Axios, joins us for the rise in cases.
Next, vote-by-mail has been getting a lot of scrutiny lately as President Trump and Attorney General Barr have both said it will lead to a huge amount of fraud. Both said that foreign countries could print up tens of thousands of counterfeit ballots despite experts saying that is not true. And despite partisan fears, research says that no party gains an advantage. Darrell West, director of governance studies at the Brookings Institution, joins us for more about mail in voting.
Finally, everything that makes a dive bar great, makes them especially vulnerable to COVID-19. Dark interiors and busy atmospheres might lend itself to a good time, but it makes it hard to social distance and keep the air clean. The big questions is… are patrons ready to go back? Nick Mancall-Bitel, reporter at Eater, joins us for more.
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The FBI has concluded its investigation into a noose that was found in the garage stall of NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace at the Talladega Superspeedway and found that he was not the target of a hate crime and that it was a garage rope pull that was there since October 2019. Cindy Boren, sports reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for more on the FBI’s investigation.
Next, Florida’s party and tourism fueled economy is contributing to a rise in coronavirus cases and it has all the makings of possibly being the next large epicenter. The demographics are also changing, more people in their 20s and 30s are contracting the virus and things could also get complicated when President Trump takes the convention there in August. Francisco Alvarado, contributor to the Daily Beast, joins us for the rising numbers in Florida.
Finally, it’s not just you… you are hearing a ton of fireworks going off at night. While we are getting closer to the 4th of July and we usually hear an increase of fireworks leading up to the big day, there has been an increase in reports in New York, Los Angeles, Baltimore, and the Bay Area of people complaining about the loud bangs for weeks. Jaweed Kaleem, national correspondent at the LA Times, joins us why we are hearing fireworks more frequently across the U.S.
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One of the unfortunate effects of shutting down the economy for months to limit the spread of coronavirus, was that there was no revenue going back into local governments. As a result, budgets have been upended and now, over 700 cash strapped cities have to stop plans to repair roads, water systems, and other investments. Tony Romm, business reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for more.
Next, White House officials are discussing a plan to launch and in-depth review of the CDC and its missteps in handling the coronavirus pandemic, including an early failure to deploy working test kits. Part of the examination would also look into the state-by-state death toll to tally those that died of coronavirus rather than other causes. Adam Cancryn, healthcare reporter at Politico, joins us for why there might be more scrutiny on the CDC.
Finally, what is it like going to a restaurant now? As the country continues to reopen and people are trying to get back to normal, there is a new way of dining out. Employees are required to wears masks and have their temperatures taken and there’s almost nothing on the table, except for hand sanitizer. Sarah Needleman, reporter for the WSJ, joins us for changes to restaurant dining.
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Both NASCAR and federal authorities are investigating the placement of a noose inside the garage stall of Bubba Wallace at the Talladega Speedway in Alabama. Wallace was just recently successful in getting NASCAR to ban the Confederate flag at all its tracks and facilities and the only black driver at NASCAR. Jerry Brewer, sports columnist at The Washington Post, joins us for more on what happened and how NASCAR is responding.
Next, Arizona is reopening, coronavirus cases are rising, and masks continue to cause a divide. After pressure from public health officials, Gov. Doug Ducey is allowing local authorities to mandate the use of masks, a call they previously could not make and many have chosen to do so. But now there is a debate whether Arizonans will comply with the orders. Alicia Caldwell, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for the continued fight over wearing facemasks.
Finally, President Trump had his first rally in Tulsa on Saturday and nothing went according to plan. Turnout was low after he touted over a million people signing up, and while he did attack Joe Biden, it was overshadowed by calling coronavirus the “Kung Flu” and saying he wanted to slow down coronavirus testing. Alex Isenstadt, reporter at Politico, joins us for more on Trump’s rally.
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Going through the coronavirus pandemic has been a learning process for both people and governments in how the virus infects someone, but there is finally a growing consensus on how you catch COVID-19. Getting sick from touching surfaces or quick encounters is less of a worry than close-up, person to person interactions for extended periods of time. It's crucial to understand how the virus is transmitted because it informs governments on the proper ways to reopen economies. We should still be worried about things like concerts and bars, we need to improve ventilation in buildings, and we need to continue to wear those facemasks. Betsy McKay, senior writer at the WSJ, joins us for more on how you catch COVID-19.
Next, there have been over 50,000 coronavirus deaths in U.S. nursing homes. In New York, one of the hardest hit areas in the country, things got very complicated when Gov. Andrew Cuomo in March issued an order stating that if a hospital determined a patient who needed nursing home care was medically stable, the home had to accept them even if they had been treated for COVID-19. The reasoning behind the order was that it would open up crucial beds when they thought hospitals would be overwhelmed by coronavirus patients. Joaquin Sapien, reporter at ProPublica, joins us for how this decision might have contributed to the spread of COVID-19 in New York nursing homes.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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In a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court has blocked the Trump administration’s bid to end the DACA program. While the court agrees that Trump can end the program, the decision written by Chief Justice Roberts said they did not properly weigh how ending the program would affect those who had come to rely on its protections. Stef Kight, reporter for Axios, joins us for the decision on DACA.
Next, some more good news in the fight against COVID-19. A study out of the U.K. has found that dexamethasone, a cheap and widely used steroid, used to reduce inflammation, reduced death rates by about a third in the most severely ill COVID-19 patients that were on ventilators. The drug however did not provide any benefit for those that didn’t need respiratory support. Jeremy Olson, healthcare reporter at the Star Tribune, joins us for more.
Finally, despite what your local rules around facemasks are, you’ll want to make sure you have one if you are going to be flying. Air travel is starting to pick up and most airlines require that you wear a mask, but if you want to be difficult, it could land you on an airline no-fly list. Scott McCartney, Middle Seat columnist at the WSJ, joins us for flying in the pandemic.
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Senate Republicans led by Sen. Tim Scott have introduced their police reform bill called the JUSTICE Act. The bill aims to improve data collection about police use-of-force and “no knock” warrants, document police misconduct, and direct the DOJ to establish de-escalation guidelines. Li Zhou, politics reporter at Vox, joins us for more on the GOP’s police reform bill.
Next, as we continue to reopen the country many eyes will be on Europe as they begin to roll out contact tracing apps across various countries there. Germany just became the latest to release their app, but its effectiveness will depend on how many people actually download and use it. Bojan Pancevski, Germany correspondent for the WSJ, joins us for how the apps work and privacy concerns.
Finally, as we learn more about the virus, some good news for policymakers facing tough decisions about how to reopen schools and daycare centers. A recent study finds that children and teenagers are only half as likely to get infected with the coronavirus as adults aged 20 and older. They also don’t usually develop harsh symptoms even if they get infected. Joel Achenbach, science writer at the Washington Post, joins us for more.
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President Trump has signed an executive order on police reform that calls on police departments to increase training on use of force, limit the use of chokeholds, and create a national database for police misconduct. While falling short of the sweeping changes that activists are calling for, it does signal that the president is willing to work with Congress on police reforms. Toluse Olorunnipa, White House reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for more.
Next, lawyers in the Golden State Killer case have reached a deal for Joseph James DeAngelo to plead guilty to charges of murder and rape and avoid a death penalty trial and instead impose a life sentence. Victims of some of the crimes have expressed both relief and anger at this outcome. Sam Stanton, reporter at the Sacramento Bee, joins us for this new deal for the Golden State Killer.
Finally, many people have a problem with tech companies tracking your location in order to send you ads, but during the coronavirus pandemic, some governments are OK with it. Public health officials are setting aside privacy concerns as they use location data to track the movement of people to help inform them on how to reopen economies. Patience Haggin, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for how we are always being tracked.
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Can people who are asymptomatic spread COVID-19? The WHO last week said it was “very rare” and then had to walk it back clarifying that the error was confusion due to a muddling of scientific jargon and that there is a difference between asymptomatic and presymptomatic people. Either way, the virus can be spread whether the person exhibits symptoms or not. Greg Barber, staff writer at Wired, joins us for more on the COVID confusion.
Next, we have a conversation with MSNBC analyst, former U.S. Attorney, and former acting head of the DEA, Chuck Rosenberg about his podcast, The Oath with Chuck Rosenberg. In one of his latest episodes he spoke with civil rights activist Maya Wiley about policing in America. They discuss the possibility of real change within law enforcement and also the culture of silence in the police force. Chuck will also tell me about his time as acting head of the DEA and speaking out against President Trump, saying he appeared to have “condoned police misconduct” back in 2017.
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While the majority of people who contract COVID-19 only develop mild symptoms, there are those extreme cases where the virus wreaks havoc on the body. In one such story, we are hearing of a patient in her 20s who received a double lung transplant, the first of its kind in the U.S. since the pandemic began. Tests confirmed that her lungs were beyond repair and she would not survive without a transplant. She is now recovering, but faces a long rehabilitation. Lenny Bernstein, health and medicine reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for more.
Next, as calls intensify for officials to defund police departments and reallocate that money to other community services, there are some cities that can offer ideas with programs they have implemented already. One such pilot program which has led to a drop in arrests is called “RIGHT Care” in Dallas. On calls responding to mental health issues, they send out a team that includes an officer, a paramedic, and a social worker, an attempt to get people help without an arrest to violent confrontation. Jon Shuppe, reporter at NBC News Digital, joins us for some of these programs that don’t rely completely on law enforcement.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
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You’ve heard the rallying cry to “defund the police,” but while many local officials and law enforcement experts disagree with the idea of dismantling police departments, they do say however, that some of the duties police perform could be better handled by others. The idea of taking funds away from police budgets and redirecting that money into resources that support homeless housing, mental health, addiction, and employment services is gaining steam. Kim Hart, cities reporter at Axios, joins us for where it might make sense to cut police budgets.
Next, when the country shut down to help prevent the spread of coronavirus, it was also thrust into the learning experiment of mass remote learning. As the end of the school year approaches, the results are in: It didn’t work. The problems quickly stacked up in school districts ill equipped to make such drastic changes. Some students lacked access to computers or internet, teachers had no experience with remote learning, and some parents were unavailable to help. Lee Hawkins, education reporter at the WSJ, joins us for how the remote learning experiment went and what’s on deck for next year.
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This summer will be very important in the fight against COVID-19. Three coronavirus vaccine candidates will be entering phase 3 of clinical trials in the race for an effective treatment. Each of these trials will involve tens of thousands of people and researchers hope to get some results within six to eight months. Peter Loftus, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for the race to a vaccine.
Next, news that we did not want to hear… several states have seen an increase of coronavirus cases and hospitalizations following Memorial Day. Data from the states that are reporting some of their highest seven-day averages of new cases also suggests that the increases are not just due to more testing. What is more concerning is that some states are nearing hospital bed capacity. Jacqueline Dupree, who keeps track of coronavirus numbers for the Washington Post, joins us for more.
Finally, amid the pandemic and protests against police brutality, there are still elections happening… and in Georgia, Tuesday was a mess. People were waiting in lines over 4 hours to cast ballots, some voting machines didn’t work, there were provisional ballot shortages, and all this happened while trying to social distance. Zach Montellaro, campaign reporter at Politico, joins us for the chaos in Georgia and why people are concerned for November.
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One thing that has eluded the U.S. during the coronavirus pandemic is accurate counting of cases and deaths. Every state counts the numbers differently, despite guidelines from the CDC to count both lab confirmed cases and “probable” cases of COVID-19. The goal is to get accurate national statistics that inform public health decision making. Beth Reinhard, investigative reporter at the Washington Post joins us for how cases are counted.
Next, the pandemic has led to the fastest rise in food prices in more than 40 years and consumers are on the hunt for more value. Shutdowns at meat processing plants, increased costs for labor and transportation, and a pullback on promotions at grocery stores all contributed to the price raises. Annie Gasparro, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for why your grocery bill is so high.
Finally, as all eyes are on police departments to enact some type of reforms to end police brutality. Some departments have already begun to ban chokeholds and require authorization to use crowd control measures with “less than lethal” weapons. Louise Matsakis, writer at Wired, joins us for more on these nonlethal weapons and the serious harm they can do.
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As protests continue throughout the country, many hope that this could be a moment for police reforms, but experts say that it will be a difficult path and the politics of police reform have squashed efforts before because of powerful police unions and legal immunity. But public perception of police bias has started to shift and many recognize a deeper problem. Kimberly Kindy, national investigative reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for more.
Next, the country continues to make its way back from the shutdowns of the coronavirus pandemic. NYC, the hardest hit area in the U.S., began reopening Monday with construction, agriculture, and manufacturing sites opening including retail stores offering curbside and in-store pickup. Stephanie Yang, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for the first day of reopening in NYC.
Finally, when the protests first started and quickly turned violent, the big question was who was high jacking the demonstrations. Many blamed far-right and far-left extremist groups. One such group called the “Boogaloo Boys,” who wear Hawaiian shirts and carry guns, just had some members arrested in Las Vegas for trying to incite violence. Craig Timberg, reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for more on the “Boogaloo Boys.”
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Amid the protests against police brutality sweeping the country after the death of George Floyd, there have been many calls to defund the police. The concept is to take money away from police department budgets, which can be in the billions in some cities, and move that money to community services. LA Mayor Eric Garcetti, just announced that the LAPD budget could be cut by up to $150 million and reinvest that money into communities of color. I’ll tell you more about the growing calls to defund police.
Next, as we continue to reopen the country after the coronavirus pandemic shut everything down, one industry that has yet to formalize a plan to get back is the entertainment industry. What we do know, is that whatever the plan is that eventually comes out, it will be expensive to restart production. There will be shorter shooting days and longer shooting schedules, casts and crews will be put in quarantine, breaks for temperature checks and COVID testing, and new personnel dedicated to health and safety. Adam B. Vary, senior entertainment writer at Variety, joins us for the pricey plan to restart production.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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Right now there are over 100 coronavirus vaccine candidates in various stages of testing and when one finally breaks through, it may not be as simple as one shot and you’re done. There is a high likelihood that an eventual vaccine could be a two-dose protocol given a month or two apart, with the first injection priming the immune system and the second strengthening the immune response. Elizabeth Weise, reporter at USA Today, joins us for why you might need two coronavirus shots.
Next, as protests continue around the country, the DEA has been given permission to collect intelligence on people protesting George Floyd’s death according to a memo obtained by BuzzFeed News. The authority was granted only on a two week basis as they look to provide law enforcement with backup in investigating extremist groups and those causing violence. Jason Leopold, senior investigative reporter at BuzzFeed News, joins us for more.
Finally, the latest unemployment data is showing that the number of workers applying for and receiving unemployment benefits still remained historically high, but eased at the end of May. This leads many to hope that the worst of the economic fallout from that pandemic is over. Sarah Chaney, economics reporter at the WSJ, joins us for some good economic news.
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New charges in the case of George Floyd. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison increased the murder charge for Derek Chauvin to second-degree murder and also charged the other three officers present at the time with aiding and abetting second-degree murder. Kim Bellware, reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for more on these new charges.
Next, there are approximately 1,600 active duty U.S. Army troops waiting for a possible deployment into the streets of Washington D.C. to restore order if protests get out of hand. President Trump would have to enact the Insurrection Act of 1807 to deploy them, but the plan has been met with opposition by many including Defense Secretary Mark Esper. Nancy Youssef, national security correspondent at the WSJ, joins us for the plan to activate the military.
Finally, the coronavirus pandemic has reduced public education in the U.S. to a shell of its former self. A Reuters survey of several school districts found that students aren’t having enough facetime with teachers, some districts don’t even take attendance for online classes, and access to classes is also difficult at times. Michael Pell, reporter at Reuters, joins us for how schools have been affected.
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The Minnesota Department of Human Rights will launch an investigation into the Minneapolis Police Department after filing a civil rights charge because of the death George Floyd. As that plays out, protests continue in Minneapolis and around the country. Lam Thuy Vo, senior reporter at BuzzFeed News, is on the ground with protesters and tells us about the change they want to see.
Next, continued unrest and protests are derailing the plans of some restaurants and businesses to reopen. After being shut down for months because of the coronavirus pandemic, businesses have had to shift their focus to protecting staff and inserting themselves in the moment at hand. Heather Haddon, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for more.
Finally, there have been over 40,000 deaths tied to U.S. nursing homes because of COVID-19 according to a USA Today analysis. It is about 40% of nation’s coronavirus death toll. Limited testing, a lack of personal protective equipment, and poor infection control at these facilities has hit this vulnerable population hard. Marisa Kwiatkowski, investigative reporter at USA Today, joins us for how there is growing concern of more infection as states reopen.
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The family of George Floyd has released results of an independent autopsy saying that he was asphyxiated when the now-fired officer, Derek Chauvin, put his knee on Floyd’s neck. This info contradicted some aspects of the Hennepin County Medical Examiner report which now released some updates also calling Mr. Floyd’s death a homicide. Paul Walsh, reporter at the Minneapolis Star Tribune, joins us for more on these autopsy report details.
Next, as protests continue throughout the U.S., social media is amplifying tensions and giving us a real-time chronicle of the riots and police responses. Protestors are organizing on social media and police are even using social media to try and track protests and looters. Sebastian Herrera, tech reporter at the WSJ, joins us for social media is being used during this time of unrest.
Finally, while COVID-19 was initially thought to be a respiratory disease, many of the symptoms have another thing in common, poor blood circulation and blood vessel damage. This is why 40% of deaths from coronavirus are related to cardiovascular complications. Dana Smith, senior writer at Elemental, joins us for how the disease is starting to look like a vascular infection instead of a purely respiratory one.
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Protests around the country are erupting into violence, vandalism, and looting. Protests against police brutality and in support of George Floyd, have been high jacked and are detracting from the original message. Curfews have been set in more cities and the National Guard has been called in to back up police in about 16 states. Steve Gregory, reporter for KFI News in Los Angeles, was at the destructive protests over the weekend in LA and joins us for what he saw and reactions from the business owners who got their businesses ransacked.
Next, while unrest continues across the country, concerns about the coronavirus pandemic still remain. We are still waiting for a treatment or vaccine, but there’s also some uncertainty to immunity for those that have had the disease and recovered. We still don’t know for how long someone might be protected from COVID-19 after they have gotten it. And in your body, it’s not just antibodies that are fighting the virus, B cells and T cells also help fight illnesses after antibodies have disappeared. Katherine Wu, science reporter at Smithsonian Magazine, joins us for why immunity to the coronavirus is so complicated.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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Las Vegas has a date to reopen! On June 4, selected casinos will be open for business. Temperatures will be checked and employees will wear masks. Bars and restaurants will be open, but buffets will continue to be closed. On the gambling floor, there will be increased cleaning and less people a table. Bailey Schulz, reporter at the Las Vegas Review-Journal, joins us for the plans to open Vegas.
Next, President Trump has signed an executive order that could open the door for federal regulators to punish Facebook, Google, and Twitter for the way they moderate content online. This order comes after Twitter decided to fact check some posts by the president about mail-in voting. The order could pave the way for a revision of a long standing legal protection known as section 230. Cat Zakrzewski, author of the Technology 202 Newsletter at the Washington Post, joins us for the fight against big tech companies.
Finally, antibody tests and issues with their accuracy have led to more questions for many who felt they were ill before the first reported coronavirus case in January. After looking at their personal histories and antibody test results some think that the coronavirus could have been circulating as early as November of last year. Dan Frosch, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for more.
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South America has now become a new epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic. Brazil now has the second most cases of COVID-19 only behind the United States, and President Bolsonaro is still refusing to impose strict measures to curb the spread. Other countries like Peru and Chile are also facing increased numbers. Alex Ward, reporter at Vox and co-host of the Worldly podcast, joins us for how South America’s numbers are going up.
Next, as the country is on the road to reopening many cities are closing the roads to make way for restaurants and people. In order to allow for people to properly social distance, some public roads are being closed to allow restaurants to expand their seating arrangements and provide more space for residents to run, walk, and ride. Mike Laris, transportation reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for how cities are making more room.
Finally, the whole reason behind flattening the curve was so that the healthcare system would not be overwhelmed. But as many hospitals prepared for the worst, in some areas the cases never came. One example is the University of California, San Francisco Medical Center where a whole floor was cleared for COVID-19 cases. Despite the cost, officials don’t regret over preparing. Jim Carlton, reporter for the WSJ, joins us for more.
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The economy is slowly starting to come back and hopefully the worst of the shutdown is over. For the first time since forced shutdowns began in March, spending on hotels, restaurants, and airlines are picking up. While there is some uncertainty going forward with high unemployment and consumer spending, we are hoping that we have hit peak economic loss. Harriet Torry, economics reporter for the WSJ, joins us for more.
Next, hair salons and barbershops can now reopen in California, LA County will still have to wait a little longer though. But while things have been shut down, there has been an underground world of haircuts. Barbers and stylists have made house calls under fear of potential penalties and people have gotten freshened up under fear of potential shaming. Emily Guerin, reporter for KPCC and LAist.com, joins us for how people got their haircuts despite quarantine.
Finally, some people haven’t seen or touched others for 3 months because of COVID-19 and while the country is in the beginning stages of getting back out there, some will continue to isolate. Alan Gomez, reporter for USA Today, joins us for how some in the elderly and medically vulnerable communities and those skeptical of their government’s reopening plans are keeping the quarantine going.
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As the country continues to reopen for business, one of the hardest hit industries will still have a difficult time recovering. Restaurants will see a long slow ramp up back to the way things were. Real-time industry data is showing that while people are starting to get out there, restaurants are only seeing a fraction of the business they used to have, partly due to capacity limits for social distancing. The estimates are still dire as to whether some businesses can remain open after the comeback. Jordan Weissmann, senior economics reporter at Slate, joins us for more.
Next, we’ll tell you about the pirates of the highway. Thieves are stealing big trailers often times without even knowing what is in them hoping for a big score. In one case, two men made off with $30,000 of canned corn. The operations in stealing these trailers range from getting lucky and picking up an unattended trailer to elaborate schemes in paying off low-level workers for tips on cargo and location. Dylan Taylor-Lehman, writer at narratively, joins us for how these highway pirates are making off with precious cargo.
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This week two NASA astronauts are about to take part in one of the biggest spaceflights in a decade. Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley will be launching on the inaugural flight of SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft to the International Space Station. While both men have experience in going to space already, there are some differences this time. One key thing, the astronauts have had to learn how to manually fly the ship with just touch screens. Loren Grush, senior science reporter at The Verge, joins us for more on the Crew Dragon launch.
Next, coronavirus has been tearing through jails and prisons across the country. A recent analysis by Reuters has found that there has been an undercounting of COVID-19 cases in the system and that some state prisons are seeing infection rates of up to 65%. While there is a worry that inmates could be getting ill in such close quarters, the other concern is all of the corrections officers and workers that could also be infected and then spread the virus throughout their communities. Research shows that the majority of those infected have been asymptomatic. Linda So, reporter for Reuters, joins us for how coronavirus is spreading in jails and prisons.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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We have some movement in the college admissions cheating scandal known as Operation Varsity Blues. Two of the most high profile parents involved, Lori Loughlin and her husband Mossimo Giannulli, had decided to plead guilty after previously being scheduled to go to trial in October. The plea agreements do include jail time, fines, and community service. Melissa Korn, higher education reporter at the WSJ, joins us for more on what kind of time they could be facing.
Next, the coronavirus pandemic has exposed a lot of flaws in the way business is done in the U.S. Flaws in the supply chain were especially evident all over. But the “Great Toilet Paper Panic of 2020” shows how something so mundane represents a complex supply chain. Because of what is called “just in time” manufacturing and distribution, toilet paper is still only seen in limited quantities and manufacturers are still playing catch up on back orders. Manufacturers have also had to adjust their packaging which is why you might be seeing fewer options. Jen Wieczner, senior writer at Fortune, joins us for the case of the missing toilet paper.
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Some good news for regions that are reopening their economies, a recent study from South Korea is showing that COVID-19 patients that have tested positive after recovering, are not infectious. Theses so called “re-positive” patients weren’t spreading any lingering infection and were shedding only dead virus particles. Emma Court, health reporter at Bloomberg News, joins us for what we are learning about how contagious someone is after recovering from the virus.
Next, as all 50 states are reopening in some form, how ready are gyms to reopen? For a lot of gym owners, there is a frustration in the lack of any strict guidelines. Temperature checks, extra cleaning, and hand sanitizer are a must, but face masks still present an uncertainty with some gyms letting the customers decide on whether to wear them. Hilary Potkewitz, contributor to the WSJ, joins us for how the first gyms are handling the comeback.
Finally, in-person school might be canceled right now, but that hasn’t stopped scandals from being resolved. On Monday, the University of Kentucky fired the entire coaching staff of its storied cheerleading program. A three-month internal investigation said that students were engaging in hazing rituals, public nudity, and drinking alcohol on the coaches’ watch. Tim Sullivan, sports columnist at the Courier-Journal, joins us for more.
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As the cruise ship industry shut down and travel restrictions around the world limited which ports the ships could dock at, the first concern was to get passengers off in any way possible. Two months later, 100,000 cruise ship crew members remain trapped at sea near Florida and have been largely forgotten. Taylor Dolven, business reporter at the Miami Herald, joins us for what the crew members crave most, accurate information about when they can go home.
Next, President Trump caused a stir when he announced that his is taking hydroxychloroquine as protection against coronavirus. He said he began taking it right around the time that news broke that two White House staffers had tested positive for COVID-19. While the drug has been around for a long time, there is no proof that it prevents someone from contracting the virus and there are concerns about side effects. Lenny Bernstein, health and medicine reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for more.
Finally, how’s your body holding up while working from home? For a lot of people, it’s taking a toll on their necks and backs. Poor ergonomics and weeks of bad posture has led to backaches, neck pain, and headaches. Aaron Zitner, reporter for the WSJ, joins us for what to do to help your body out.
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There was some good news in the fight against coronavirus on Monday as drug maker Moderna said that its vaccine induced immune responses in healthy volunteers in a clinical study. The volunteers made antibodies that matched or exceeded the levels found in patients who had recovered after contracting the virus. Moderna will now move into Phase 2 trials with more people involved in that study and then Phase 3 they hope to begin in July. Moderna ultimately hopes to have something ready by the fall, but we are still some time away from having a vaccine to be distributed widely. I'll tell you what you need to know.
Next, a criminal investigation is under way after a massive explosion in a downtown Los Angeles warehouse injured 12 firefighters. The business where the fire occurred is called Smoke Tokes and is reported to be a supplier for butane honey oil or hash oil. An explosion erupted as firefighters were trying to put out the flames and led to crews having to escape the roof of the building and walking through a 30-foot wall of fire. Despite burn injuries and breathing in “superheated air,” all the firefighters are expected to survive. Steve Gregory, reporter for KFI News in Los Angeles, joins us for this dramatic fire story.
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How might we get back to normal? Many experts say it won't happen until we get a vaccine, which is still quite some time away, others say something like herd immunity could also get us back. But it seems that without working in conjunction with a vaccine, herd immunity won't save us either. There are a number of unknown variables that need to be factored in, such as, how long we have immunity for after recovering from COVID-19 and to meet the threshold without a vaccine it could also mean more deaths. Kaleigh Rogers, reporter at FiveThirtyEight.com, joins us for how we get to herd immunity.
Next, some companies are getting rid of hazard pay for essential workers even as the dangers of working on the front lines persists. As businesses were shutting down, many companies offered bonuses or pay bumps to compensate people for the risk of working at supermarkets and other crowded workplaces, but that is no longer the case. Kroger is walking back a $2 raises to employees, Target and Amazon are following suit later this month. Anders Melin, reporter at Bloomberg News, joins us for why hero pay is going away.
Finally, as we begin the cautious approach to get back to work at the office, just know that your every move will be watched. At some workplaces, thermal cameras will measure body temperatures of people walking in, at others, apps will trace workers interactions in the office. Workers could also be divided into groups based on perceived health risks. A concern for many is that once these extra measures are put in place, they many never go away, even after fears of the virus subside. Konrad Putzier, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for how employers plan on tracking you when you come back.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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California was one of the first states to issue stay-at-home orders and it could be one of the last to fully open. There are many signs that coronavirus restrictions could be in place for the long haul. The Cal State University program plans to cancel almost all in-person classes in the fall. In LA County, safer-at-home orders have been extended indefinitely, even as some restrictions have begun to relax. Colleen Shalby, reporter at the LA Times, joins us for more.
Next, big social media platforms have been pretty quick to stop the spread of misinformation during the pandemic, but last week we saw the first true hit conspiracy video of the coronavirus era. It was called the “Plandemic,” and it got over 8 million views on Facebook and YouTube. The video has since been removed, but not before making a star out of discredited scientist Dr. Judy Mikovits. Casey Newton, Silicon Valley editor at The Verge, joins us for what to know about the “Plandemic.”
Finally, a fun conversation with Mike Love of the Beach Boys. While isolated at his home, he wrote a new song called “This Too Shall Pass” to encourage positivity and also raise some money. All proceeds from the song will go to Feeding America’s COVID-19 Response Fund to help food banks feed their local communities. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and co-founder of the Beach Boys, Mike Love, joins us to talk about his new song and live music after coronavirus.
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What will the new normal look like for the economy once the country fully opens back up? In some ways, the post COVID-19 economy will look a lot like the one that struggled to recover from the 2008 financial crisis. After an initial rebound, there will be slow growth and high unemployment. Households will save more and spend less as they continue to worry about health and finances and more small businesses could still close their doors. Rich Miller, reporter at Bloomberg News, joins us for the new normal for the economy.
Next, on February 23, 25-year-old Ahmaud Arbery was shot and killed in Brunswick, Georgia. While out for a jog, he was confronted by Travis and Greg McMichael and Ahmaud was shot twice in the chest with a shotgun. There has been a growing concern that the case has been mishandled by both police and prosecutors. The case is now on its fourth prosecutor and the Georgia Attorney General has asked the Justice Department for an investigation. It took 74 days for an arrest to be made. Trymaine Lee, MSNBC correspondent and host of the Into America Podcast, joins us to talk about Ahmaud Arbery’s case and organizing in the time of coronavirus.
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According to the latest Axios-Ipsos poll, in a best case scenario, only half of Americans would be willing to participate in a voluntary contact tracing program. Widely seen as one of the key elements to reopen the country, a distrust of the government and big tech companies, drives this sentiment to not release sensitive personal data. Margaret Talev, politics and White House editor at Axios, joins us for how people feel about getting back to normal.
Next, doctors are learning more about how COVID-19 affects a person’s body, and they are finding that it is more than just a respiratory disease. It can damage the kidneys, heart, brain, and blood vessels. Doctors are also reassessing how to treat it. Blood thinners are being used to treat blot clots and genetics could also play a role in how it affects you. Lenny Bernstein, health and medicine reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for all the ways that the coronavirus attacks the body.
Finally, as states legalize recreational and medical marijuana, community associations and municipalities are having a problem with their pot smoking neighbors and how to deal with the odor. It’s prompting some homeowners associations to ban smoking and companies are having to install elaborate air filtration systems. Beth DeCarbo, real estate columnist at the WSJ, joins us for more.
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Is America ready for live music again? We might have our first test this week. Despite not being in compliance with the state’s stay-at-home orders and rules for public spaces, country-rock singer, Travis McCready, is scheduled to take the stage Friday night at Temple Live in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Concertgoers must wear masks, will be temperature checked, and must social distance inside the venue. Graham Bowley, investigative reporter at the NY Times, joins us for more.
Next, GOP lawmakers are ramping up their attacks on state lockdowns and arguing for a quicker reopening of the country. Frustrations are growing with lawmakers who are trying to balance public health and letting the economy get worse, but some are even joining protests saying that stay at home orders are an overreach. Melanie Zanona, congressional reporter at Politico, joins us for the fight against lockdowns.
Finally, the first wave of coronavirus litigation has been filed. Hundreds of lawsuits are starting to come out in state and federal courts. Airlines, cruise lines, fitness chains, and the entertainment industry are all facing lawsuits as well as actions by states and senior living facilities. Shayna Jacobs, reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for what these virus lawsuits are all about.
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One of the most interesting aspects of the coronavirus pandemic is how our everyday lives have changed. One such thing is a move away from a culture of waste. People are re-growing scallions and growing herbs at home, washing and reusing Ziploc bags and more. But while being this frugal in the past was mostly rooted in saving money, this time around it’s a little different. There is a fear of scarcity and also an effort to avoid unnecessary movement. Meredith Haggerty, editor at Vox, joins us for the novel frugality.
Next, coronavirus has upended the U.S. food system. It was always a delicate balance of demand from consumers at grocery stores and restaurants, and the supply chain from famers and food processors, but illnesses, shutdowns, and stay-at-home orders changed everything. Farmers had crops spoil without any buyers, meat processors closed due to outbreaks, distributors lost 60%-90% of their business volume, and food banks who relied on grocery stores and restaurants are struggling as the need has surged. Kevin Rector, reporter at the LA Times, joins us for the chaotic food system.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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You may have seen headlines about a now-dominant strain of the coronavirus spreading that is more contagious than the original. According to researchers, a mutation occurred in the virus as it began spreading in Europe in early February and it rapidly became the dominant form. This news comes from a research paper from scientists at Los Alamos National Laboratory and has not been peer reviewed. There is some skepticism that any mutations have changed the general contagiousness or lethality of COVID-19. Sarah Kaplan, reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for what to know.
Next, a crazy story about how an ex-Green Beret led a failed attempt to oust Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro. The original plan was to have some 300 armed volunteers sneak into Venezuela, raid military bases, and capture Maduro. That plan never happened and it seemed like everything went wrong. Jordan Goudreau, owner of Silvercorp USA, reportedly hatched the plan with Venezuelan opposition officials. There is still much to be known, but there is no indication that any U.S. officials sponsored Goudreau’s actions. Karen DeYoung, senior national security correspondent at the Washington Post, joins us for how this whole plot fell apart.
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At least 43 states are beginning to reopen their economies and new modeling is projecting that there could be 134,000 coronavirus related deaths by August. The models coming from the University of Washington took into account rising testing, contact tracing, and rising temperatures, but said that the premature relaxation of social distancing would likely cause more cases of COVID-19 and more deaths. Alice Miranda Ollstein, healthcare reporter at Politico, joins us for more.
Next, researchers at 3 universities have received a federal research grant to create a contact tracing mobile app for students that could track a person’s real-time location and symptoms and would calculate a type of social credit score that determines your COVID-19 risk and also a risk score for locations. Tami Abdollah, senior reporter at Dot LA, joins us for how some universities hope to keep students safe.
Finally, since coronavirus has shut everything down and no playbook for running a completely digital political campaign, candidates have had to operate a little more like influencers and hope to go viral. Zoom and Instagram Live streams are now for policy discussions. Twitter and Facebook are the new rally stages to build a following. Makena Kelly, policy reporter at the Verge, joins us for how campaigns have had to adapt.
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States around the country are beginning to get their army of coronavirus detectives ready to work. In California specifically, the state has teamed up with two universities to train more than 3,000 employees per week to become contact tracers. A robust system of contact tracing will be crucial for states to manage the spread of the virus as they reopen and one estimate says that the country needs 30 contact tracers for every 100,000 people. Rachel Becker, reporter at CAL Matters, joins us for more.
Next, the current lockdown has turned the nation’s highways into speedways. With less cars on the road, people are driving faster than ever, leading to increases of tickets issued for people driving over 100 mph. In some areas, officials are even closing some streets to allow for residents to move more freely. Jim Carlton, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for the open roads.
Finally, murder hornets are a thing, but they’re most likely not coming for you. The Asian giant hornet looks fearsome and can grow to nearly two inches with a stinger a quarter of an inch long. But while these hornets can pack a venomous punch, they mostly target honeybees and have only been spotted in Washington State last December. Sara Kiley Watson, editorial assistant at Popular Science, joins us for what to know about murder hornets.
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As several companies are in the race to create antibody tests to get people back to work and end lockdowns, there is a greater need for the blood of those who have recovered from COVID-19. Other companies are stepping in to solicit blood donations from patients and then selling the blood to labs and test manufacturers at a premium. The more antibodies in the blood, the higher the price... some samples are selling anywhere from $350 to $40,000. Some of the companies involved said they are not profiteering and the steps in obtaining the blood is very complex. Jane Bradley, investigative reporter for the NY Times, joins us for the lucrative trade in human blood samples.
Next, Florida has begun to reopen the state for business as they were able to dodge some of the worst of the coronavirus. Despite not issuing early statewide stay-at-home orders, many of the decisions were left to local authorities to shut down. A lesser population density and warmer climate could also have played a role in fewer infections, but one other factor, there was an attitude change in Florida residents themselves. Smartphone data shows that by mid-March, before stay-at-home orders were put in place, residents had already begun to hunker down and limit movements. Still with a larger population of people over 65, fears of a second wave of infections persist. Arian Campo- Flores, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for how Florida made it this far.
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The coronavirus pandemic had disrupted the food supply chain in a way that has forced both farmers and some food processors to get creative in salvaging some food and still make some sales. As restaurants shut down, farmers and suppliers were left with an oversupply of food specifically grown for diners and not for grocery stores. Some processors were selling chicken and cheese in parking lots and some suppliers were hiring laid off restaurant workers to divide large batches of food into smaller portions made for one shopper. Julie Wernau, reporter for the WSJ, joins us for more.
Next, the nursing home industry is pushing for immunity from lawsuits during the COIVD-19 outbreak. Nursing homes care for some of the most vulnerable and at-risk people during the outbreak and we have also seen nearly 12,000 deaths at these long term care facilities. So far at least six states have granted immunity from coronavirus lawsuits and six others have given immunity to health care providers which could include nursing homes. The fear is that immunity will increase neglect and abuse in some of these facilities because now they are not liable. Laura Strickler, investigative reporter at NBC News, joins us for nursing home immunity during coronavirus.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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As we learn more about COVID-19 and the way it affects people, doctors are seeing a “second-week crash” in patients who suffer the most severe reactions to the coronavirus. Doctors still don’t know why the fifth through 10th days seem to be so dangerous for some, but they suspect overactive immune responses, blood clotting, or even the impact of ventilators. Lenny Bernstein, health and medicine reporter for the Washington Post, joins us for more.
Next, stress and fear over the pandemic has been taking a toll on intimacy. Some are having less sex, others more, and some have been trying new things with their partners. There might not be a quarantine baby boom like some expected, but experts say you can better connect with your partner by practicing ‘mindful sex.’ Elizabeth Bernstein, columnist for the WSJ, joins us for sex in the time of coronavirus.
Finally, the entertainment industry has had to go through many adjustments during this shutdown. As movie theaters across the country closed, Universal Pictures decided to release one of its newest titles, “Trolls World Tour,” for digital rental and it has paid off. In three weeks of digital release, the movies has made more money that the original did in five months in theaters. Erich Schartzel, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for how this might be the new path for Hollywood.
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A government run study of Gilead Science’s ant-viral drug, remdesivir has shown that the medicine is an effective treatment for COVID-19. The study achieved its primary goal which was to improve time to recovery, which was reduced by four days for those on the drug. Adam Feuerstein, reporter at STAT News, joins us for more on remdesivir which is expected to get emergency approval by the FDA.
Next, restaurants in Georgia, Tennessee, and Anchorage, Alaska have begun to reopen and all eyes will be on them to see how the rollout goes. In Georgia, the state government has issued 39 guidelines that restaurants must follow including wearing facemasks, screening employees and patrons for signs of illness, and even sign in sheets if the info is needed later for contact tracing. Chloe Sorvino, writer at Forbes, joins us for how some restaurants are beginning to open their doors.
Finally, the US Department of Defense officially released three videos depicting encounters that Navy pilots had with UFOs. These videos had already previously been released by the NY Times, but now the Pentagon is officially recognizing that the unclassified videos are real, though they do not comment on what is seen. Daniel Oberhaus, writer at Wired, joins us for more.
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The U.S. has already pledged almost $3 trillion to save Americans and the economy from the coronavirus pandemic. About 60% of the money for businesses large and small and direct payments to people are in the form of grants, which are funds that will not be recovered by taxpayers. Scott Newsome, PhD candidate at the University of California Santa Cruz, joins us for how the coronavirus bailout will cost us hundreds of billions of dollars.
Next, we are making our way to getting back to work, but one big hurdle is the commute. For many that rely on public transportation, this still poses a big problem for companies and employees wary of being in close contact with many people. Some companies are considering alternatives to mass transit like, private bus shuttles or smaller office space closer to where many workers live. Chip Cutter, reporter for the WSJ, joins us for the commute back.
Finally, one in three death certificates were wrong before coronavirus hit, and it could get worse. Part of the problem is the paperwork and the patchwork system of medical examiners, coroners, and doctors who fill out the death certificates. It can all vary from state to state and also the circumstances, where the death occurred. Jessica Priest, investigative reporter at the USA Today Network, joins us for more.
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The quarantine fatigue is real! Researchers analyzing smartphone data are finding that more Americans are venturing out despite stay-at-home orders. Work trips have remained about the same, but personal trips are starting to increase and so are trips between counties and state lines. There is also some confusion as states announce plans to open back up, some think that they can start easing up on staying at home. The U.S. has never ordered so many to stay at home all at once, and we might be seeing the limits that citizens are willing to handle. Katherine Shaver, reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for how people are over quarantine.
Next, some things might never be the same after going through this pandemic. One such thing that could change is grocery shopping. The current crisis has accelerated the use of personal shoppers on services like Instacart, Amazon Fresh, and Walmart Grocery. Supermarkets also operate on the psychology of shopping and spending as much time as possible in store and with social distancing, that could also change the way things are done. Stores could expand warehouse space to allow personal shoppers to quickly pick up product for delivery and we could also see smaller stores with more attentive personnel. Ian Bogost, professor at Georgia Tech and contributor to The Atlantic, joins us for what supermarkets could look like after the pandemic.
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The coronavirus pandemic has thrown American universities for a loop in trying to figure out how to open effectively and provide students with a learning experience on par with what they will be paying for. On one had you have students unsure if they want to incur massive debt just to attend online classes. On the other had colleges are in danger due to lost revenue from athletics, room and board, and tuition. Erica Pandey, reporter at Axios, joins us for the tough decisions for both students and universities.
Next, the economy continues to stall while business remains closed. 4.4 million Americans applied for jobless benefits according to the latest numbers which brings us to 26 million unemployment insurance claims in the past five weeks. The wave of layoffs the country is experiencing makes it very important to have a financial plan even if you are still working. Survey your spending, negotiate with lenders, pause college savings, and consolidate debt. Chris Kornelis, contributor to the WSJ, joins us with tips if you have lost your job or fear you will.
Finally, as states begin to reopen for business, many experts agree that a robust system of contact tracing must be implemented to keep the spread of the virus in check. To accomplish this, some estimates say that we could need up to 300,000 workers and we are nowhere near that. These workers would need to interview those that have tested positive, identify those they have come in contact with, and then try convince those people to self-quarantine. Alice Miranda Ollstein, healthcare reporter at Politico. joins us for more on contact tracing.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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While we still need more research on which drugs are the most effective in treating COVID-19, a recent study looking at records from the VA shows that there is no overall benefit from using hydroxychloroquine. It was actually linked to more deaths in patients that were treated with it alone than in combination with azithromycin. Chris Rowland, business of healthcare reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for why hydroxychloroquine might not be the most effective treatment.
Next, after a few days of confusion, President Trump signed a proclamation suspending immigration over the next 60 days. While the president made it seem like it would block many from coming in, the order includes broad exemptions for several categories of foreign workers and employers. Molly O’Toole, immigration and security reporter at the LA Times, joins us for what’s in the proclamation.
Finally, something non-coronavirus related. Post Malone could be the world’s most relatable pop star. A look back a Bloomberg’s Pop Star Power Rankings which grades artists earnings ability across criteria like touring, album sales, social media and more, shows that he was number one for all of last year as well as being listened to more times than any artist in the U.S. Lucas Shaw, reporter at Bloomberg News, joins us for how Post Malone got here.
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Another major meat processing plant has closed due to coronavirus. Tyson Foods has had to close down its Waterloo, Iowa pork processing plant, just as it is re-opening another facility in Columbus Junction that closed on April 6. The plant will be closed indefinitely as they clean, install infrared body temperature scanners, and plexiglass barriers to protect workers. As more plants close around the country, there are increased worries about the supply chain of meat. Tyler Jett, jobs and economy reporter for the Des Moines Register, joins us for more.
Next, one of the key marks that states must achieve to be able to safely re-open their economies is ramped up testing. Being able to test and trace workers is essential to containing the spread of the virus. But expanding the capacity to test has been difficult because of supply shortages and backlogs. One main shortage important to being able to administer the tests is a lack of swabs. Another highly touted test kit by Abbot Labs, has faced shortages of its own single use cartridges. Chris Weaver- Reporter for the WSJ, joins us for why it has been so difficult to get testing right.
Finally, the Air Force’s flying hospital pods has had its first mission, pulling COVID-19 patients out of Afghanistan and into Germany for treatment. These bio-containment modules date to the 2014 Ebola crisis and are officially called a "Transportation Isolation System." They allow for moving people who are infected with a contagious infection without giving it to anyone else on the plane, or contaminating the aircraft itself. Rob Verger, associate editor at Popular Science, joins us for what we know about this "TIS" system.
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All eyes will be on Georgia as Gov. Brian Kemp intends to start re-opening his state to business as soon as Friday, April 24. Gyms, barber shops, bowling alleys can re-open although they will still have to practice social distancing and screen people for fever and respiratory issues. Dine-in restaurants and theaters can open Monday and state-wide stay-at-home orders expire at the end of the month. Public health officials have questioned if it is too early, but it is a difficult balance between health and business. James Hohmann- national political correspondent at The Washington Post, joins us for how Georgia will re-open.
Next, for the first time ever in trading, U.S. oil prices dipped into negative territory on Monday. Companies had to pay to get rid of the over supply of oil, but this doesn't mean that you'll get paid to take gasoline off someones hands. We might see some modest savings in the next few days and weeks, but the big questions remains, what to do with all the extra oil. The administration is planning to add millions of barrels to the nations reserve. Amy Harder, energy reporter at Axios, joins us for more.
Finally, President Trump is suspending U.S. immigration for 60 days, citing the coronavirus crisis and jobs shortage. The thought process behind this is that it will limit the number of people coming from global hotspots and relieve pressure on the healthcare system, but it will also limit job competition from immigrants. While there has already been a lot going on with travel restrictions, slowed visas processing, and barring asylum seekers, this new action will most likely face some type of legal challenge. Gabby Orr, White House Reporter at Politico, joins us for new immigration orders.
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The road to re-opening the economy will be a messy fight that the governors of each state will have to handle. We are already seeing protests and lawsuits over stay-at-home orders and people wanting to get back to work. And while the administration has issued guidelines for states to open back up, all the details and final say is left up to the governors. Another source of conflict could be states moving faster than the willingness of cities in re-opening. Brett Samuels, White House reporter at The Hill, joins us for the fight over coronavirus restrictions.
Next, to get back to work, companies are trying to secure tests for their workers. Amazon, for example, is looking for ways to test employees regular including building its own testing lab. But there is a big discussion of the best way to proceed. Will employers need more diagnostic tests or would it be better for antibody tests? Then there are also questions about costs, supply, and concerns about employee privacy. Sarah Krouse, reporter for the WSJ, joins us for how employers want to ramp up their own testing capabilities.
Finally, a look at the initial stumbles by the CDC in making testing kits. The roll out of testing kits was initially delayed because of faulty CDC test kits with contaminated components. The worse part of it is, that the component that was contaminated was not critical to detecting the virus. It took more than a month for the CDC to get back on track and prevented the U.S. from ramping up at the beginning of the outbreak here. David Willman, investigative reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for more.
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As we continue to track and monitor the spread of COVID-19 cases across the country one important metric is the total death count. But depending on which state we are getting numbers from, these deaths can be tallied in very different ways. Some states only count the death if there is a confirmed laboratory test, others count probable cases of coronavirus. Some, like Dr. Deborah Birx say a death should count to the total tally if someone has COVID-19 regardless of the cause of death, others wouldn’t count it if someone for example died by a heart attack. All of these inconsistencies amount to what could be an undercount in official numbers. Emma Brown, reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for which deaths count toward the COVID-19 death toll.
Next, coronavirus and social distancing has disrupted the power of touch. While we maintain distance, things like the handshake may be dying, you can’t hug a friend or loved one, and some feel like they may be in touch isolation. So what does this mean for how we connect with each other when this is all over? It may take some time to get things back to normal and feel comfortable with the way we touch and want to be touched. In the mean time, experts agree you should give your skin whatever it needs to make it feel its best. Tim Teeman, senior editor at the Daily Beast, joins us for a conversation about the power of touch… its importance and how it might comeback
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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There is still so much yet to be learned about the novel coronavirus causing the pandemic we are currently in. One such thing we still don’t fully understand is the origin of the virus itself. State Department cables dating back to 2015 warned of safety issues at a Wuhan lab studying bat coronaviruses and potential human transmission. So while it seems that the coronavirus was probably not engineered in a lab, could it have somehow escaped from that lab. Josh Rogin, columnist from the Washington Post who obtained these State Department cables, joins us for what we know.
Next, we take a look inside Italy’s fight against COVID-19. Isobel Yeung, senior correspondent at Vice News was embedded in the Lombardy region of Italy, a global hotspot for the coronavirus. While she was there she reported from the Papa Giovanni Hospital and spoke to doctors in the ER and ICU about their experiences treating patients, she spoke with local residents about how their lives have changed and if they feel things are getting any better. Isobel also went to a local funeral to observe how social distancing has affected the whole thing. It is an emotional and informative look into how the pandemic has changed Italy and you can see it all on Vice TV.
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As the country gets ready to re-open the economy, states are already preparing test-and-trace programs that will help in the effort. Massachusetts, Utah, and North Dakota are among those working on a comprehensive strategy that includes increased testing and contact tracing that will monitor those that are infected and their close contacts. Emma Court, health reporter at Bloomberg News, joins us for how technology will play a major role.
Next, throughout this pandemic, there are those ready to take advantage of others with fake cures, scams and price gouging. One huge scam that came to light recently involved a union group in CA that was supposed to buy 39 million masks, the only problem… the masks never existed and the union was duped by a supposed broker in Australia and supplier in Kuwait. Adam Elmahrek, investigative reporter at the LA Times, joins us for more.
Finally, as 17 million Americans file claims for unemployment, many are having problems completing the process online. For some states, the problem is rooted in crashing websites due to a decades old coding language known as COBOL that almost no one knows. There aren’t many programmers that are fluent in this language as most systems have modernized. Makena Kelly, policy reporter at The Verge, joins us for why some unemployment checks are being held up.
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As we continue to monitor the effect that social distancing and closing down large parts of the economy is having on the country we are beginning to see a second round of layoffs. People who thought they were safe are increasingly facing unemployment. Employees working from home, government employees, and even some healthcare workers are all in danger the longer that business is shut down. Harriet Torry, economics reporter at the WSJ, join us for round two of job losses.
Next, worries about the food supply are growing after the world’s biggest pork processing plant had to close its doors due to coronavirus. Smithfield Foods in South Dakota has seen nearly 300 of its employees contract COVID-19 and will be closed for at least two weeks. South Dakota did not have stay-at-home orders in place and workers there had been calling for more personal protective equipment. Alex Gangitano, reporter at The Hill, joins us for more.
Finally, Joe Biden has picked up a pair of crucial endorsement in his run for president. President Barack Obama and Sen. Bernie Sanders have both come out in support of Biden. In his endorsement, Obama also addressed the coronavirus pandemic and called out the GOP and the administration for lack of action. Zach Montellaro, campaign reporter at Politico, joins us for what this means for the transition to the general election.
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Researchers are looking into how an immune system gone haywire may be doing the most damage in patients experiencing some of the most severe symptoms and even death because of COVID-19. This might be happening in two stages, first the immune system fails to respond quickly enough to the virus, then responds too aggressively and causes more damage. Joe Walker, reporter for the WSJ, joins us for why a hyperactive immune response may make things worse.
Next, last week we heard about Nadia, a tiger in the Bronx zoo that had contracted COVID-19. The tiger and a few other big cats had come down with dry coughs, so the decision was made to test, and the test was one made specifically for the animals. It’s important to understand how the transmission works… can it spread to other animals or even pets? Kate Knibbs, writer at Wired, joins us for more.
Finally, as we track and map out the spread of the coronavirus, we are learning that most of the cases in New York actually came from Europe and not China. Early travel restrictions from those coming from China were put in place, but the virus had already spread making it much more difficult to contain. Carl Zimmer, Columnist at the NY Times, joins us for how coronavirus came to New York.
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Everyone is looking forward to how and when we can get back to work and get back to normal. We still have yet to hit the peak number of cases in the U.S. but some are hoping that testing for antibodies in the blood could help get us back. If you have antibodies to COVID-19 it means you already had the disease and could be immune, at least in the short term. Rachel Becker, reporter at CalMatters, joins us how antibody testing could help, but there are still many questions left to be answered.
Next, the virus has changed the way we internet. While some things may be obvious… people are starting to have more video chats with friends, family and co-workers, other aspects of the way we spend our time online can be surprising. People are moving away from their phones and using desktop computers more, people are consuming more news from local and established newspapers and less on partisan sites, and video games have seen an increase while sports have lost out. Nathaniel Popper, reporter at the NY Times, joins us for how we are spending our lives online during the pandemic.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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Last week unemployment claims totaled 6.6 million, bringing the total number of applications to nearly 17 million since the pandemic has shut down huge parts of the U.S. economy. And as a result of so many applying for unemployment, people are having a tough time getting through and completing the process. Dana Mattioli, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for how tough the job market is right now.
Next, one thing to keep an eye out while we social distance and stay at home, Americans are doubling down on some of their worst habits in order to cope with mental and emotional stress of dealing with coronavirus. Alcohol sales and consumption are up, marijuana sales are up, and people are eating more and exercising less. Sara Fischer, reporter for Axios, joins us for how virus vices are taking a toll on people.
Finally, some space news! On Thursday a Russian Soyuz rocket carried three astronauts to the International Space Station. It also marked the end of NASA’s dependence on Russian rockets for human spaceflight. NASA was buying seats on Soyuz capsules for $86 million a pop, but will now be getting rides from SpaceX and Boeing. Daniel Oberhaus, writer at Wired, joins us for more.
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Sen. Bernie Sanders has dropped out of the race for the 2020 Democratic nomination for president. With no real pathway to overtake Joe Biden in the delegate count, Sanders is suspending the campaign, but still staying on the ballot to get as many delegates as possible to influence the party platform at the convention. Julia Manchester, political reporter at The Hill, joins us for more on Bernie ending his run.
Next, the U.S. is eyeing a second coronavirus outbreak in China. In the past few days, officials have noted an emergence of new cases, particularly in asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic individuals. The administration is closely monitoring how China handles this next wave to better understand what we could expect later this year when we too, could possibly see a second outbreak. Erin Banco, national security reporter at The Daily Beast, joins us for how we are keeping an eye on China.
Finally, in this time of coronavirus, telemedicine is having a moment. It was once a hard sell to get people to see a doctor over the phone or a computer screen, but now some companies can’t keep up with demand. Wait times have increased on some of these services and it is leading them to hire more doctors to help you quicker. Parmy Olsen, reporter for the WSJ, joins us for the rise of telemedicine.
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China has officially lifted the lockdown of Wuhan, the city where the coronavirus outbreak first emerged. When this all started, China shut down the city of 11 million and many countries took the same steps in some fashion. Now the city is opening back up, but all is not as it was before. People can leave Wuhan, but a government sanctioned phone app will have to affirm they are not a contagion risk, some businesses have set up street-front counters so customers can get their goods without going inside, and schools remain closed. Marissa Fernandez, reporter for Axios, joins us for the end of the Wuhan lockdown.
Next, we have heard a lot of mixed results about the anti-malarial drug, hydroxychloroquine and its effectiveness in treating COVID-19. Not wanting to offer false hope, many health experts have urged caution until more studies have been done. But how did all this talk about this drug get started and why has President Trump pushed for its use so hard. In mid-March, a cryptocurrency investor, a law school graduate, and a self-described philosopher found each other on Twitter and published a paper about the potential. Tina Nguyen, White House reporter at Politico, tells us about the domino effect that led to hydroxychloroquine being part of the conversation.
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It’s all hands on deck to fight coronavirus and the US Army’s top virus research lab is also helping out with the effort. The US Army Institute of Infectious Diseases is working on the long term game to help beat COVID-19. They are working on animal models to test possible treatments and also working on screening antibodies that could be used to make a universal vaccine. Eric Niiler, contributor to Wired, joins us for how USAMRIID is helping out.
Next, as some are starting to recover from COVID-19 they face an uncertain road back to normal. The guidelines vary on when someone can return to their normal pre-quarantine lives. But generally, you want to be symptom free for at least three days and have two consecutive negative tests, although those can be hard to come by in quick fashion. Daniella Hernandez, reporter for the WSJ, joins us for when someone can be considered well again.
Finally, something to watch out for in getting tested and seeing a doctor during this pandemic, unforeseen medical bills. While you might not get charged for the test itself, you might not want to go to the emergency room. Some in-network emergency rooms could be staffed with doctors that work for private companies and out-of-network. Emmarie Huetteman, correspondent for Kaiser Health News, joins us for more.
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U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams says that this week will be one of the hardest and saddest for Americans as we continue to fight our way through the coronavirus pandemic. The next two weeks are critical as experts think multiple states will hit their peak of cases of COVID-19. Several governors are also in a tight situation trying to acquire the proper supplies for their states as the national stockpile of equipment is almost depleted and they are pleading with the federal government to take a bigger lead in helping. Stef Kight, reporter for Axios, joins us for this and also how Joe Biden continues to campaign during this crisis.
Next, while we brace ourselves to make it through this right now, the scientific community around the world is in a race to develop a vaccine for COVID-19. There are currently at least 43 different vaccines in development around the world. But the process remains slow. While many things have changed about how to develop vaccines, such as being able to target the DNA and RNA of the viruses in quick fashion, the rest of the process- tasing in humans and also the manufacturing for wide use remains very slow. That is why we might still be a year away from an effective vaccine. Samanth Subramanian, contributor to The Guardian Long Reads, joins us for the work behind the race to develop a coronavirus vaccine.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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We’ve known for some time that those with underlying health conditions are more at risk of getting more severe symptoms from COVID-19, but new data from the CDC shows that those with diabetes, lung disease and heart disease face an increased chance of being hospitalized. The CDC found that of those people requiring admission to an ICU, 78% had at least one underlying health condition. Joel Achenbach, reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for more.
Next, with the global economy coming to a halt, airline flights cancelled, and people staying at home, the unintended consequence has been that air pollution is down. In a somewhat unwanted atmospheric experiment we are seeing levels of carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide go down, but these small gains may not last once things get back to normal. Ula Chrobak, contributor to Popular Science, joins us for how coronavirus has cut down air pollution.
Finally, curious about what people are doing to pass the time as more states impose stay-at-home orders? Jigsaw puzzles are having a moment, but good luck trying to find one. Amazon has stopped accepting puzzle shipments, so try Target, Barnes and Noble, and your local mom and pop shop. Michael Phillips, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for the jigsaw puzzle craze and why to watch out for secondary puzzle dealers.
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Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has officially declared a 30-day stay-at-home order for the state after facing criticism for not doing so earlier. The other issue facing Florida is what to do with sick people on the Zaandam cruise ship that wants to dock in Port Everglades. DeSantis only wants to take state residents that are on the ship and the Coast Guard has said that the ships must stay out at sea with the sick on board. A plan is still being worked on for what to do even as another sick cruise ship also plans to make its way there. Samantha Gross, reporter at the Miami Herald, joins us for more.
Next, the CDC is considering recommendations for people to wear face masks while out in public. Previously, the recommendation was not to buy any masks, as medical workers needed them and they were in short supply. But we have gotten to the point where we need to step up efforts to stop the spread of coronavirus. Masks reduce the spread of infectious disease by catching microbes expelled by the wearer and also protecting them from outside microbes, and while they might not catch everything, there’s a strong case we should all be wearing masks during a pandemic. Ferris Jabr, writer for Wired, joins us for how wearing face masks could help.
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As COVID-19 testing capabilities ramp up and companies are coming up with new tests, why does it still take so long to get results? First, it is a multi-step process… once a sample is taken, it needs to travel to a lab, then it needs to be processed. And different circumstances in processing will lead to different turnaround times. Julie Appleby, senior correspondent at Kaiser Health News, joins us for the steps involved in testing and new ones on the way.
Next, we hear a lot about confirmed cases of coronavirus. The U.S. has the most confirmed cases in the world right now, but unfortunately, that metric does little for us in the way of tracking how fast it is spreading due to uneven testing. Instead, some suggest we track the rate of hospitalizations and other factors. Faye Flam, columnist at Bloomberg News, joins us for why we still need a lot more data to find out true rates of infection and spread.
Finally, coronavirus is forcing pregnant women to make tough choices. There are many hospitals with such tight restrictions that in some cases a woman’s partner might not even be allowed into the delivery room. Women are having to resort to FaceTime to have their partners present, and it could be falling to nurses to provide supportive care and camerawork. Laura Kusisto, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for more.
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This could be a make-or-break week for the American economy amid the coronavirus pandemic. Bills and rent are coming due for millions of laid off workers and businesses, big and small, alike. Tough decisions will have to be made on what to pay first and what to put off. The restaurant industry alone has lost $25 billion in sales since March 1, and many are feeling the pain. Ruth Simon, senior special writer at the WSJ, joins us for more.
Next, President Trump has extended the social distancing guidelines until at least April 30. Previously Trump wanted to open the economy back up by Easter, instead we are now learning that the peak of the outbreak in America could come about that time. Gabby Orr, White House reporter at Politico, joins us for how Dr. Anthony Fauci and Dr. Deborah Birx, convinced the president to extend the guidelines.
Finally, with coronavirus, it’s all about the genetic mutations. Two critical mutations occurred… the first altered the spikes in the virus to allow it to latch onto proteins that line the respiratory tract, the second mutation, allowed the virus to grow a protein dagger that lets it bind tightly to throat and lung cells making it infectious and deadly. Robert Bazell, professor of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology at Yale, joins us for coronavirus mutations.
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With the most number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the world, here in U.S., new hotspots are emerging. While mostly concentrated on the coasts, more cases are creeping into other cities. The CDC has issued a domestic travel advisory urging residents of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut not to travel for 14 days. In other news, GM and Ford are working to make more ventilators and new polls show Joe Biden and Trump in a competitive race for 2020. Julia Manchester, political reporter for The Hill joins us for more.
Next, fearing a surge of coronavirus cases that could tear through prisons and jails, counties and states are releasing thousands of inmates. Health and corrections officials have issued warnings about cramped and unsanitary conditions that could spread the virus and put inmates, corrections officers, and prison healthcare workers at risk. Kimberly Kindy, national investigative reporter at the Washington Post, tells us who is getting out of jail.
Finally, as travel is restricted across much of the world, there are a ton of cheap airfare deals. While you shouldn’t fly during a pandemic, you might want to consider booking a short getaway later in the year once things calm down. The good thing is that fares will remain low until people start traveling again. Scott McCartney, Middle Seat columnist for the WSJ, joins us for what to consider before snagging a travel bargain.
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As the search for an effective COVID-19 treatment continues, doctors are looking to an old method of delivering antibodies to an infected person, by using blood plasma from recovered patients. While a vaccine could still be a year away, the FDA has expedited the use of this blood plasma infusion in NY to see if it is an effective short term treatment. Mike Hixenbaugh, national investigative reporter for NBC News, join us for how doctors are exploring all options.
Next, something a little lighter while we practice social distancing… How has coronavirus impacted those looking for love and dating? Dating apps have seen big increases in people still looking to connect with others and singles are doing the best they can with video dates, all that’s lacking is the physical chemistry. There is even an app called Quarantine Together. Georgia Wells, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for how dating works in the time of coronavirus
Finally, looking to hang out with your friends virtually? What if you want to host a movie night or just watch your favorite shows with friends? Ashley Carman, senior reporter at The Verge, joins us for a look at a few web browser extensions that you can use to sync up your Netflix stream and video chat at the same time. We’ll also talk about Zoom, who is having a moment right now in connecting people.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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New York has become the epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak in the U.S. It has 50% of the cases in the country and is facing severe shortages of critical medical supplies needed for patients and medical workers. New York is throwing everything it can against the wall in its fight against the virus and some expect the peak of the epidemic to still be weeks away. Jennifer Kingson, managing editor at Axios, joins us for the fight for New York.
Next, many people have lost jobs or had their wages cut back as companies are slowing or shutting down due to coronavirus concerns. But right now, some of America’s biggest employers are trying to hire hundreds of thousands of workers, often forgoing normal hiring practices hoping to get people started right away. Michael Corkery, reporter at the NY Times, joins us for why Walmart, Amazon, grocery stores, and pizza chains are all hiring.
Finally, Congress is working to pass a $2 trillion coronavirus stimulus package to keep the economy moving while everything is shut down to help slow the spread of COVID-19. This will be the third emergency spending package Congress has advanced and the largest economic aid measure in U.S. history. It will include direct payments to Americans, help for small businesses, extended unemployment programs, and help for hospitals and healthcare workers. Alayna Treene, White House reporter at Axios, joins us for how the stimulus bill could help you.
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As hospitals brace for an influx of patients with COVID-19, they are already running low on critical medical supplies. Facemasks and other protective equipment are in very short supply, and despite tapping into the strategic national stockpile, it seems there will not be enough to go around. In the meant time, hospitals and medical workers are looking to the administration for guidance. Toluse Olorunnipa, White House reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for more.
Next, the 2020 Tokyo Olympics have officially been postponed until sometime next year. This is the first time in the modern era that that games have been impacted by anything other than war. Now comes the big problems, handling the logistics of moving everything, all the money that has been poured into the games so far, and what happens to the athletes who still need to stay in tip top shape for the games? David Mack, editor at BuzzFeed News, joins us for how coronavirus has impacted the biggest sporting event so far.
Finally, as many people are working remotely from home, they are closer than ever to a fully stocked fridge and pantry due to all that panic buying. It could be harder than ever to avoid eating all day, but now is the time to set a good eating schedule, keep using fresh produce, and try not to eat pasta the whole time. Hilary, Potkewitz, contributor to the WSJ, joins us for how to avoid eating too much while working from home.
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As the race to find treatments for COVID-19 intensifies, scientists have identified 69 drugs that may be effective in treating coronavirus. Still, many of the drugs must be studied and tested. There is no antiviral drug proven to be effective yet and doctors can just offer supportive care such as managing fever and using a ventilator in severe cases. Carl Zimmer, author of A Planet of Viruses, joins us for how scientists are scrambling to find a treatment.
Next, back to biology class for why it is so hard to kill coronavirus. The virus itself isn’t technically alive and uses proteins in our own bodies to create millions of copies of itself, in the process making us sick. It’s also worth looking back at history, as some viruses have been responsible for some of the most destructive outbreaks in the past 100 years. Sarah Kaplan- reporter at the Washington post, joins us for a biological look at what we are up against.
Finally, amid the extreme social distancing that is being practiced, some are privately mourning special moments in life that have been cancelled or postponed. People giving birth at this time are video conferencing to show their new child to the family, proms and graduations are cancelled, and funerals are also being canceled, forcing some to mourn alone. Ellen Byron, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for more.
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Cases of coronavirus only continue to rise especially here in the U.S. where we now have over 30,000 cases. But while we still face many problems ahead, we wanted to take a moment to talk to someone who has recovered from COVID-19. Carl Goldman, owner of KHTS Radio at hometownstation.com, was one of the passengers of the Diamond Princess cruise ship that docked in Japan. He spent time in quarantine on the ship, came down with the virus, was transported to Nebraska for treatment and finally tested negative. Carl joins us to tell us about how bad his illness was, the clinical study he signed up for, and what it is like to get back home.
Next, Rand Paul has become the first Senator to test positive for COVID-19. He is asymptomatic and now in quarantine. This is happening as Congress is working on another financial aid package that could be worth nearly $2 trillion dollars. This would provide help for small businesses, checks for Americans, about $3,000 for a family of four, and enhanced unemployment insurance. And while states try to grapple with the influx of patients, they are still desperately short on masks and protective equipment for medical workers. Some governors are calling for a coordinated national response to the shortage. Ginger Gibson, political reporter for Reuters, joins us for more.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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Numbers of confirmed COVID-19 cases continue to rise in the U.S. and more local governments are imposing stricter social distancing rules. The strongest clampdown is in the Bay Area which has advised people to shelter in place. Despite these rules, we continue to see many put and about. Erin Allday, health writer at the SF Chronicle, joins us for how its going a few days in and also how hospitals are prepping for a wave of coronavirus cases.
Next, even as the sports world has ground to a halt, there was some interesting football news regarding Tom Brady. We learned that he will play for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this coming season. Brady will be 43 when the season starts so the big questions is how much he might have left in the tank to be starting over. Andrew Beaton, sports reporter at the WSJ, joins us for more.
Finally, many experts have signaled that the U.S. could be in for a shortage of life-saving ventilators amid the coronavirus pandemic. While we are not currently short, hospitals are trying to brace themselves for a spike in severe cases where patients need help breathing. The government is ordering more and encouraging states to also do the same. Dr. Janette Nesheiwat, Fox News medical contributor, joins us for what to know about a possible ventilator shortage.
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More big news in the time of coronavirus. The big 3 automakers: Ford, General Motors, and Fiat Chrysler are closing down all factories to protect workers from the spread of coronavirus. This would affect about 150,000 workers. But what about other manufacturers? Other factories are still working and they are staggering shifts and installing barriers to protect workers from infection. Austen Hufford, manufacturing reporter for the Wall Street Journal, joins us for more.
Next, Joe Biden has increased his delegate lead in the race for the democratic nomination for president. Biden swept the three states that voted on Tuesday… Arizona, Florida, and Illinois. This all makes Sanders’ path to the nomination very difficult. His campaign manager has said that he will be “assessing his campaign” to see what happens next. Julia Manchester, political reporter at The Hill, joins us the big takeaways from the latest round of voting.
Finally, a little bit of perspective as we face this coronavirus pandemic. It is a disaster that has no modern parallel. Even some of the worst events that have happened, like natural disasters or terrorist attacks, happen in one place at one time. But this is a health threat hitting the globe all at once and will affect us in many profound ways for some time. Bryan Walsh, future correspondent at Axios, joins us for why this is an endurance race with no clear end yet.
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As whole countries go on lockdown and states and cities here in the U.S. shut down bars and restaurants, we are seeing a generational divide in some cases and the problem is carefree youth that could slow down the fight against the virus and endanger older people. There were various reports of “lockdown parties” in France and Belgium and college students continued some dorm parties. Some feel like the lockdowns are preventing the youth from living, but they are just efforts to mitigate the spread. Stacy Meuchtry, Paris Bureau Chief for the WSJ, joins us for how the youth are reacting and also how the lockdowns are playing out in France.
Next, how are the major tech companies responding to the global pandemic? President Trump jumped the gun in announcing a website that Google was working on to help people get information and schedule tests for COVID-19 . The site is now up, but only in limited capacity in the Bay Area. Also, could Amazon play a role by delivering testing kits? Kara Swisher, hosts of the Pivot and Recode Decode podcasts joins us for more on what big tech can do.
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Testing for coronavirus will soon start to ramp up as the government gets up to speed and also as private labs develop their own tests, such as the Mayo Clinic, who has made their own test that can detect the virus that causes COVID-19. Experts say that once this starts, we will begin to see confirmed cases rise. Dr. Bill Morice, President of Mayo Clinic Laboratories, joins us for why testing is so important.
Next, amid the coronavirus pandemic, Democrats had their first one-on-one debate between Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden. While Joe Biden remains the front-runner for the nomination, Sanders hammered him on a bunch of policy issues. Joe Biden held his ground and also committed to choosing a woman as a running mate. Jake, Schlesinger, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for the big takeaways and also how Biden’s plans show how the party’s center has shifted left.
Finally, the White House has issued new guidelines for the next 15 days. No gatherings in groups of 10 or more and people should avoid bars, restaurants, and food courts. But state and city governments are going a step further and ordering them to close except for delivery and takeout. Marisa Fernandez, reporter at Axios, joins us for more.
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COVID-19, the coronavirus continues to disrupt everyday life in the U.S. and around the world. In the U.S. there are now over 3100 cases and over 60 deaths. New travel restrictions are also being put in place for people coming from the U.K. and Ireland, in addition to those already in place for Europe. This is leading to massive lines at airports that are trying to screen citizens as they return. We also learned that President Trump has tested negative for the virus as the administration continues to weigh out options for keeping the economy going while we all practice social distancing. Ginger Gibson, political reporter for Reuters, joins us to talk about the politics of coronavirus.
Next, we know that older people are most at risk for getting severe symptoms from coronavirus, but why aren’t children getting that sick? Studies have shown that children can contract the virus at the same rates as adults, but the symptoms are not as bad. It all could come down to a person’s underlying health conditions. While the immune system is fighting the virus it could also be exacerbating these underlying health factors. Megan Molteni, staff writer at Wired, joins us for why COVID-19 isn’t affecting kids the same way as others.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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You are hearing the stories all over the place, bans on large public gatherings, schools closing, and major sports leagues all suspending operations for now. President Trump even banned travel from Europe for 30 days. The goal of all of this is to flatten the curve, which is to slow the spread of COVID-19 to allow local healthcare systems to effectively treat those that are sick. Reid Wilson, correspondent for The Hill, joins us for why canceling all these events makes sense.
Next, there was a major victory for Led Zeppelin in their “Stairway to Heaven” lawsuit. A federal appeals court ruled that they did not steal the opening bars from Spirit’s song “Taurus.” A lot of the ruling had to do with what’s called the inverse ratio rule which has to do with access to an artist’s body of work. Devon Ivie, associate editor at Vulture, joins us for what this means for other music copyright lawsuits.
Finally, new research is showing how long COVID-19 can survive on a variety of surfaces. It is still not known if you can contract the coronavirus from touching certain surfaces, it is believed that it is mostly contracted from person to person transmission, but it can live in the air for about three hours and on some surfaces up to three days. My producer Victor Wright, joins us for more.
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The World Health Organization has now declared the COVID-19 crisis a pandemic with Iran and Italy as the new front lines in the battle against the virus. Italy has over 12,000 cases and over 800 deaths leading the government to put the entire country on lockdown, limiting the movement of 60 million people. Chico Harlan, Rome Bureau Chief at the Washington Post, joins us for what Italy is like post lockdown.
Next, after Super Tuesday part 2, Joe Biden has extended his lead to claim the Democratic nomination for the president. But you can’t count out Bernie Sanders just yet. Despite calls for him to get out of the race, Sanders has said he will continue his campaign and participate in a one-on-one debate with Biden on Sunday. David Siders, national political correspondent at Politico, joins us for the continued fight for the Democratic nomination.
Finally, the spread of COVID-19 continues to affect all aspects of everyday life and the sports world is no different. March Madness will be played with no fans, the Golden State Warriors will also play a game in an empty arena. But what about Major League Baseball? Opening day is two weeks away and while they would like to use alternate sites for games, it seems like they too might play with no fans in attendance. Jared Diamond, national baseball writer at the Wall Street Journal, joins us for more.
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As we monitor the health situation with the spread of COVID-19, the coronavirus, we must also keep an eye on the economy. While the outbreak is unlikely to collapse the economy as a whole, it could exacerbate some other issues in the U.S. President Trump has proposed a payroll tax cut and relief for hourly workers, but is it enough to fight off a recession. For more on that and if $8 billion is enough to combat the coronavirus, we will speak to Ursula Perano, reporter at Axios.
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Social distancing is the big buzzword you are hearing about on how to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19. But what does it mean and has it worked in the past? Campaign rallies are being cancelled, concerts and music festivals are also being cancelled, schools are closing, and tough decisions are being made wherever large gatherings of people are taking place. Denise Roland, reporter at the Wall Street Journal, joins us for how social distancing could help.
Next, as Joe Biden continues his rise back to front-runner status, the attacks are increasing again from President Trump and his allies. This time they are trying to paint Biden as senile and attack his mental capacity. Biden is offering no shortage of gaffes as ammo for the president and needs to fight back. Trump, a master at branding and repetition has proved successful at this in the past. Alex Isenstadt, reporter for Politico, joins us for more.
Finally, more COVID-19 coverage. New research out of China is shedding some more light on who are the most at risk from the coronavirus. We already know that older people are more at risk of severe symptoms and death, but what about children and the virus? How does the infection fare along men and women? And is it the virus that’s killing people or their existing diseases. Sharon Begley, senior science writer at STAT News, joins us for what the limited research says.
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Everyone was waiting for the Grand Princess cruise ship to dock in Oakland, CA. Now that it’s there, it will be a 2-3 day process for everyone to get off. Those in need of medical attention go first, followed by those infected, then residents of California, and the rest. Crew member will remain in quarantine on the ship and it will go back out to sea. Steve Gregory, reporter at KFI News, just us for more on yet another cruise ship to come down with COVID-19.
Next, the next round of primaries are here for the Democrats. Six states are voting today with Michigan as the big prize. Joe Biden is polling well and beating Sanders there, but that was also the case in 2016 when Hillary Clinton was beating Sanders, only for him to narrowly win the state. Steve Shepard, senior campaigns and elections editor at Politico, joins us for what the polls say about today’s votes.
Finally, back to coronavirus. With new cases on the rise, public transit agencies across the U.S. are ramping up their responses. The big secret weapon… is bleach. In New York alone, there are 4,373 buses and 6,418 train cars, these will be disinfected every 72 hours. The risk is still low over getting it on public transit, but it all depends on how crowded it is and how long you ride. Andrew Hawkins, senior reporter at The Verge, joins us for more.
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As COVID-19 continues to spread in the U.S. and the world, global markets are taking hits and there are also unexpected beneficiaries of the coronavirus economy. Companies that provide cleaning and disinfecting products are seeing gains, and so are companies like Zoom, Teledoc, and Dropbox, that allow you to connect with people from home. Meanwhile travel companies like cruise lines are taking hits. For more on the emerging coronavirus economy we speak to Marisa Fernandez, reporter at Axios.
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33 states now have cases of coronavirus, at least 21 dead and over 500 people infected in the U.S. The next thing to watch out for is the Grand Princess cruise ship that will dock in Oakland on Monday. Everyone on board will be taken to federally operated quarantine locations and tested for the virus. In the meantime more events such as SXSW are being cancelled for fears that COVID-19 can spread in large gatherings. We are also learning a little more about how the virus kills. If it move into the lungs and the lower respiratory tract, the case can become more severe and it can progress from moderate to severe very quickly. My producer Victor Wright joins us for more.
Next, the amount of forensic pathologists who are qualified to perform an autopsy of a body is very low relative to the caseloads that need to be worked. That is why sometimes you hear of extreme cases where bodies are stacked two to a gurney and put in refrigerator trailers to await further examination. It is very important that forensic pathologists can keep up with these caseloads, because often they are on the front lines spotting trends on why people are dying, such as the opioid crisis. Jordan Kisner, contributor to the NY Times, joins us for why America has an autopsy crisis.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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Today we will get you caught up on the investigation of the doomsday couple Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell. There are tons of twists and turns with this story, with the main unsolved mystery… where are the two children of Lori Vallow? This story has claims of cults, child-stealing, attempted murder and more. Lori Vallow was hiding out in Hawaii, and is being extradited to Idaho and will be in court today. For more on this story we speak to Tracy Connor, executive editor of the Daily Beast.
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COVID-19 continues to spread and this time we take a look at New York, which has at least 22 cases. Most of the new cases in NY are the result of a community spread and are tied to a lawyer in Manhattan who has underlying respiratory issues. He infected his family, then a neighbor, then friends and it has led to about 1,000 people self-quarantining. In the meantime, NY continues to monitor and test those who are at risk of having contracted the virus. Ben Guarino, reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for more on the COVID-19 spread.
Next, some lighter fare… It’s hard to beat that multisensory experience of eating something nice and crispy… the sight, the taste, the feel, and especially the sound. We will talk about the entire industry dedicated to making foods crispy and crunchy. Think of crispy chips and crunchy chicken sandwiches, we’ll talk about how companies perfect recipes for mass production and beyond that… how they also market crispiness through sound and looks. Alex Beggs, writer at Bon Appetit, joins us for more.
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A look into the near future… robotic exoskeletons might be helping Delta Air Lines workers with the heavy lifting. The Sarcos Guardian XO exoskeleton debuted at CES in January and could be ready for commercial production by the end of the year. It can lift 200 pounds and moves with the wearer. It is a project that has been in the works for 20 years and is ready to become a reality. For more on this story, we speak to Stan Horaczeck, technology editor at Popular Science.
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The U.S. death toll has risen to 11 people after officials reported the first death in California that was connected to a cruise ship that traveled from the U.S. to Mexico. Los Angeles has also declared a health emergency after 6 new cases were confirmed there, one of which was a worker at LAX who screens incoming flights from China. Steve Gregory, reporter for KFI News in Los Angeles joins us for the latest and also why we might all have to be practicing social distancing.
Next, after Super Tuesday and the shocking performance of Joe Biden, we now have a two way race for the Democratic nomination. Biden and Bernie Sanders are now on the hunt for the most delegates. Bloomberg got out of the race and Elizabeth Warren is reassessing what to do after a dismal performance. Max Greenwood, politics reporter at The Hill, joins us for the top takeaways from Super Tuesday.
Finally, the Pentagon is sitting on a bunch of valuable airwaves, and we don’t know exactly why. As more companies are getting ready to set up 5G networks, they will require large swaths of airwaves that live in the “mid-band” set of frequencies. But the Pentagon owns much of these airwaves and doesn’t want to let go. Bryan Bender, senior national correspondent at Politico, joins us for more.
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What do you do if you suspect you might have coronavirus? First thing you should do, is call your doctor, rather than drive down there. You don’t want to spread the virus if you can help it. For today’s update, we’ll talk to Dr. Ray Casciari, pulmonary disease expert and former chief medical officer at St. Joseph Hospital about how the virus can and cannot spread and why cotton gloves could help.
Next, the Supreme Court has agreed to hear the third major challenge to the Affordable Care Act and the timing of it all will make it a major campaign issue for the election. The Trump administration supports doing away with the ACA and oral arguments before the court could weeks or even days ahead of Election Day 2020. Caitlin Owens, healthcare reporter at Axios, joins us for more.
Finally, it can be pretty scary when your teen starts driving. The good thing however, is that parents and insurers can both track your kids with new apps that allow parents to monitor acceleration and hard braking, even when you are calling or texting. Insurers sometimes offer discounts for using the monitoring apps. Julie Jargon, family and tech columnist at the Wall Street Journal, joins us for how to track the kids without being in the car.
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This NFL off-season has the potential to be one of the wildest ones yet. There are a lot of veteran quarterbacks who might be available in free agency and it could cause a scramble for those who play the most important position in the game. But the one player who everyone has their eyes on… is Tom Brady. If he leaves the Patriots, that scramble will be intense. For more on all the talk you’ll be hearing once free agency kicks off, we will speak to Andrew Beaton, sports reporter at the Wall Street Journal.
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The outbreak of COVID-19, the coronavirus, is dominating the headlines everyday as more cases pop up around the world. In order to keep you updated on what to know we are going to do regular updates on what’s important. In the United Stated we have at least 100 confirmed cases and 6 deaths. My producer Victor Wright joins me to discuss the latest and why you need to stop buying face masks.
Next, Super Tuesday is here and we’ll tell you the top story lines to watch. Bernie Sanders is leading in the delegate count, so will he be able to keep up that momentum? Joe Biden is coming off a huge win South Carolina and picked up some key endorsements from Pete Buttigieg and Amy Klobuchar, how well will he fare? And it’s also the first time Mike Bloomberg is on the ballot, how will all that ad spending work out for him? Rebecca Klar, reporter at The Hill, joins us for more.
Finally, Clearview AI, the facial recognition app that scraped photos from social media and the internet is also developing surveillance cameras. While Clearview has said that its service is for law enforcement only, the surveillance cams are being shopped around to other industries. Caroline Haskins, tech reporter at BuzzFeed News, joins us for more on this fast rising startup.
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A woman in Georgia is crying foul saying that police detectives lied to her in order to obtain her DNA. Police then used that DNA and the relatively new investigative genetic genealogy technique to match her son to a cold case murder. Asking innocent people to voluntarily provide their DNA is known as “target testing” and when this case goes to trial in June, it could be the first to explore how police conduct investigations using genetic genealogy. Jon Schuppe, reporter for NBC News Digital, joins us for how once again the use of genetic genealogy by police is being questioned.
Next, More cases of COVID-19 are popping up in the U.S. as authorities were also investigating a possible wider spread in Washington State after the first recorded death there. Vice President Mike Pence tried to put Americans at ease over the weekend, but did acknowledge we would see more cases. Joe Biden scored a huge win in South Carolina, giving him the momentum heading into Super Tuesday. Still, Bernie Sanders leads the delegate count for now. Ginger Gibson, political reporter for Reuters, joins us to break it all down.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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Netflix has another hit in its hands with the reality dating show Love is Blind. The premise is that people will connect emotionally with each other by sitting in secluded pods and talking with one another without ever seeing each other. They fall in love on a deeper level and get engaged within a matter of days. The rest of the show is a test if their love can last in the real world, leading to their wedding a month later. Conversation about the show has taken off on social media with many thinking it’s a train wreck, but only wanting more. For more on why this crazy experiment has taken off, we will talk to Amelia Harnish, contributor to the WSJ.
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It is being called the Noah’s Ark of citrus, The Givaudan Citrus Variety Collection at UC Riverside in California and it has over 1,000 different citrus specimens. But one thing that could destroy it all, is the bacterial infection known as citrus greening which kills trees and produces inedible fruit. Citrus greening has caused over $2 billion in losses in Florida and worries are that it could also ruin things in California. The infection is transmitted by small insects, so the only way to keep them out is to put nets and screens around the trees. Gustavo Arellano, reporter at the LA Times, joins us for the effort to save citrus from greening.
Next, we have the first possible instance of community exposure of COVID-19 in northern California. A woman has been infected and she did not travel to the heart of the outbreak in China, or have contact with anyone that had the virus. It is concerning because it could be a sign that it is spreading in the community and it is tough to track who might have had contact with this woman. President Trump has set up a COVID-19 task force led by Mike Pence to handle the federal response but it continues to seem that coronavirus will continue its spread. Erin Allday, health writer at the San Francisco Chronicle, joins us for what to know about the latest case.
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The Hot Pocket heiress Michelle Janavs was sentenced earlier this week to five months in prison for her role in the college admissions cheating scandal. She spent $300,000 to help her two daughters cheat on exams and secure admission for one of them to USC. While parents are pleading guilty and not-guilty, what is happening to the students wrapped up in this scandal? None of them have been charged with crimes, but they also have faced consequences in other ways. Kate Taylor, reporter at the NY Times, joins us for more on how the students have been affected.
Next, Democrats have had their 10th debate so far and the last one before voting begins in South Carolina and on Super Tuesday and the debate was a mess. With candidates feeling a sense of urgency, they were talking over each other, there were attacks that were personal and also on policy, and the moderators quickly lost control. Bernie Sanders was facing the heat as the front-runner, but largely came out unscathed. Mike Bloomberg fared better in his second debate, but still has a lot of ground to make up. Maya King, 2020 Fellow at Politico, joins us for a breakdown of the latest Dem debate.
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Amazon has taken its "Go" technology used in its small convenience stores and opened up a large cashierless grocery store. As you walk into the store you scan in with your Amazon app, shop for anything you want, and simply walk out. You will be charged automatically for everything you took. Amazon hopes that the new grocery store will demonstrate how well the new technology works so that it can sell the system to other businesses. My producer Victor Wright joins us for how Amazon is increasingly getting into the the food business.
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In 2016, nearly 100 million eligible Americans did not cast a vote for president. These are the non-voters, a huge number of voters that could be influential if they mobilized, but they choose not to. The Knight Foundation has now released the results of “The 100 Million Project,” the largest survey of chronic non-voters. In a nutshell, these people are less white, less educated, poorer, younger, and more likely to be women. Evette Alexander, Director of Learning and Impact at the Knight Foundation, joins us for why so many people choose not to vote, and if they were to vote, who would benefit the most for their turnout.
Next, we will talk about the strange world of cheerleading music. With the success of the Netflix Docuseries Cheer, more people are taking a look into the world of cheerleading and one thing that stands out is the music accompanying the high flying routines. Gone are the days of simple rhyming chants, modern cheer squads are performing to club-like tracks full of EDM drops, pump-up raps, and laser beam samples. Cheer music still has to abide by copyright laws and music licensing and it has spurred a whole new industry that makes original music for top cheer teams. Duncan Cooper, music journalist and former editor of the Fader, joins us for the world of cheer music.
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Are you ready for that dream job? NASA is hiring new astronauts for its Artemis moon mission program. NASA wants the first person to reach the South Pole of the moon to be a woman and applications open on March 2. The mission here is to see what it would be like to work in space and set up a moon base, which would be a precursor to making our way to Mars. It is a tough lift however to be an astronaut, My producer Victor Wright joins us for all the qualifications need to get into space.
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Harvey Weinstein has been found guilty in his sexual assault trial in New York on two charges, but acquitted on three others including some of the more serious charges of being a sexual predator. The next phase is sentencing which will happen on March 11 where he faces a possible sentence of 5-25 years. Shayna Jacobs, courts reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for the verdicts and also how it’s not over just yet, Weinstein still faces charges in LA.
Next, Congress is getting ready for its next fight, the clash over surveillance reforms. Lawmakers have a March 15 deadline to figure out how and whether to reauthorize provisions of the USA Freedom Act, including the controversial records program known as Section 215. Lawmakers may even want to work in changes to the FISA court. Jordain Carney, Senate reporter at The Hill, joins us for more.
Finally, Target’s delivery app, Shipt, is getting some pushback from its workers. Some are describing a culture of retaliation after speaking up on Facebook groups dedicated to being a helpful community for Shipt shoppers. Some have complained about the new algorithmic pay model the app uses now and are even being deactivated for speaking up. Lauren Gurley, staff writer at Vice’s Motherboard, joins us for more on what it’s like to work in the delivery app gig economy.
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Popular Science has compiled a list of seven mysterious sounds that science has yet to solve. Everything from odd cannon-like sounds near upstate New York’s Seneca Lake, to weird radio transmissions coming from Russia, to singing sand in the desert, which could be a result of grains of sand rolling down the dunes. To go through some of these unknown audio mysteries, we speak to Rachel Feltman, articles editor at Popular Science
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After winning by a wide margin in the Nevada Caucuses, Bernie Sanders has cemented his frontrunner status in the Democratic nominating process so far. The fight moves on to South Carolina and Super Tuesday, but in the meantime, establishment Democrats are nervous that Sanders may be too far to the left and could not defeat President Trump in a general election. Ginger Gibson, political reporter for Reuters, joins us for this and more disagreement between the administration and the intelligence community.
Next, lifesaving organs, mostly kidneys, that are scheduled for transplants are trashed each year and many are critically delayed after being shipped on commercial airlines. There is no national system to transfer organs from one region to another and is instead left to 58 non-profit organizations to collect the organs and package them. From there, if the organ needs to make a trip, they rely on commercial couriers and airlines to get it to its destination. And missed connections and delays could endanger the use of the organ if it doesn’t arrive in time. JoNel Aleccia, senior correspondent at Kaiser Health News, joins us for how some organs go missing in transit.
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This is a compilation of the best stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of the best stories of the week.
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You see it happening all over the place, plastic bag bans at super markets and plastic straw bans at bars and restaurants. While it can be an inconvenience for some, many say that it is worth it to help save the environment. But what if it is actually just a waste of money and harmful to the environment in other ways? We wanted to offer you another viewpoint on this discussion and speak to John Tierney, contributing editor to City Journal, for what he describes as a plastic panic.
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Roger Stone, sentenced to 40 months in prison for crimes that include obstruction of justice, lying to Congress, and witness tampering, but the big question is whether he will serve all that time. Looming over the whole case is whether the President will get involved. He has said that Stone “has a very good chance of exoneration.” Ursula Perano, reporter at Axios, joins us for the sentencing details.
Next, there has been a recent string of beehive heists in California’s Central Valley. There is a booming demand for honeybees used for pollination rather than their honey and bee keepers are making the trip to make money. But also on the lookout are thieves looking to steal them and make a profit. Oliver Milman, reporter at the Guardian, joins us for more on these hive heists.
Finally, the Nevada Democratic debate gave us a ton of fireworks! First-time on the stage, Michael Bloomberg took the majority of the heat from candidates. Turning in what many saw as a poor performance, he had to field criticism over stop-and-frisk, his taxes, sexist comments he has made, and even non-disclosure agreements he had with some women. Zach Montellaro, campaign reporter at Politico, joins us for a full breakdown.
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As the coronavirus infects more and more people, scientists are constantly asking the question: How is the coronavirus actually killing people? Although there are some hypotheses, there is still no one, clear explanation. My producer, Victor Wright, joins us for more on this story.
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Meth is back, and it is uglier than ever. While the opioid crisis has had its grip on the country for some time now, on the streets of Ohio and Kentucky meth is making a resurgence because of the cheap price, increased purity, and opioid users looking for alternatives. And while communities grapple with how to treat these epidemics, we still must treat the underlying problem of addiction. Terry DeMio, reporter at the Cincinnati Enquirer, joins us for the latest drug problem.
Next, Michael Bloomberg is changing the game on how his campaign is advertising. The latest effort is recruiting “deputy digital organizers” at a cost of $2,500 a month to post pro-Bloomberg messages on their personal social media accounts, but also send texts to everyone in their contacts lists. Georgia Wells, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for how they are blurring the lines between traditional campaign organizing and distribution of sponsored content.
Finally, Coronavirus may be on the brink of a global pandemic. As numbers continue to get worse in mainland China, the virus is also spreading in other countries. Many countries have begun to issue travel restrictions, impose quarantines, and also trace the contact of people with known infections. Marisa Fernandez, reporter for Axios, joins us for how COVID-19 keeps spreading.
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There is a facial recognition app called Clearview AI, which law enforcement agencies across the country are using to identify suspects or victims. The crazy part about it is how the app works. It scrubs the internet and sites like Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Venmo for pictures that the app can then use to match against photos submitted to the app. In Florida, the Tampa Bay Times, has found about a dozen police departments that have tried out or bought access to the facial recognition system and with any new system, questions about privacy and accuracy arise. Malena Carollo, reporter at The Tampa Bay Times tells us how it all works and what it costs for these departments to use.
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President Trump on Tuesday handed out a slew of pardons and commutations ranging from former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich to former San Francisco 49ers owner Edwards DeBartolo. Specifically with the former governor, he was sentenced to 14 years for corruption charges including trying to sell an appointment to Barack Obama’s old senate seat in exchange for campaign contributions. He served a little over half of his sentence and Trump said he had been treated very unfairly. Brett Samuels, White House reporter at The Hill, joins us for more.
Next, we talk about a man named Derek Murphy who has an unusual hobby. He exposes cheaters in marathons and other endurance races. He runs a website called MarathonInvestigations.com and uses a variety of techniques to root out those that have cheated. One such runner that he outed was Frank Meza, 70 year-old doctor who got caught cheating in the Los Angeles Marathon last year. Unfortunately, Meza later killed himself after he was exposed because he could no longer stand the scrutiny. Derek Murphy says he was not targeting Meza just that he wanted to maintain the integrity of the sport. Still his website is filled with many instances of others cheating the system. Gordy Megroz, contributor to Wired, joins us for more on the man that catches marathon cheaters.
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Arby's has started a turf war with McDonald's over fish sandwiches ahead of the Lent season. Arby's is running a series of ads and also taking to social media to get people to question the Filet-O-Fish and and try their new Fish 'N Cheddar Sandwich. It will be a tough lift to dethrone the popularity of McDonald's Filet-O-fish, but after the chicken sandwich wars of last year, it could be anyone's game. My producer Victor Wright joins me for what to know.
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The Department of Justice has been tossed into turmoil once again after Attorney General Bill Barr changed sentencing recommendations for Trump ally Roger Stone and after Barr gave an interview to ABC news saying that President Trump’s constant tweets make it impossible for him to run the DOJ properly. Now, over 1,100 former DOJ officials are calling on Barr to resign. Ginger Gibson, political reporter for Reuters, joins us for this and also how democrats focus is increasingly turning to Michael Bloomberg and the money he is pouring into the race for President.
Next, we are learning about how the CIA and NSA spied on both allies and enemies through a company they owned that made cryptography equipment. The company was called Crypto AG and sold its encryption machines to countries like Iran, India, Pakistan, countries in Latin America, and even the Vatican. What none of the countries knew was that the machines had been rigged by the CIA so they could easily break the codes that countries used to send encrypted messages. It was one of the most audacious operations run by the CIA and provided a wealth of intelligence for the U.S. Greg Miller, reporter for the Washington Post, joins us for more on Operation Rubicon.
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Today we have a true crime story and a yearlong police sting that failed completely. Police used what’s called a Mr. Big sting. It is one of the most controversial tactics used by police that it has been banned in many countries. The way it works is one undercover officer befriends the suspect and lures the suspect into committing increasingly serious crimes. At this point the officer introduces the suspect to the Mr. Big character, who acts as boss or drug kingpin and offers protection in exchange for a confession to the worst thing they ever did… the crime police are trying to charge them with. This story is about Alan Dale Smith, a suspect in the murder of Beverly Smith, whose real murderer has never been found and the botched Mr. Big sting run by a small police department in Canada. Michael Lista, Contributing Editor for Toronto Life, joins us for more on this story.
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This is a compilation of the best stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of the best stories of the week.
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According to a recent survey of 2,000 Americans, the most common nightmares that people have are falling, being chased, and death. Another interesting nightmare that many people are having are dreams about their teeth falling out, Researchers broke down some of the findings by gender as well and found that women tend to have dreams about loved ones dying more often than men, and men usually have dreams about technology breaking down.
My producer Victor Wright and I talk about some of the most common nightmares and also share some of the bad dreams keeping us up at night.
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Last year there were approximately 59 billion robocalls made, and about 44% of those were placed by scammers. Technology is transforming fraud and making it easier for would be scammers to set up robocall operations. You don’t even need to set up a huge call center anymore, anyone can set up an internet based autodialing system. Experts say you could make a million calls for $100 to $200 and you just have to play the law of averages to snag someone. John Wasik, author of “Winning in the Robotic Workplace,” joins us for how robocalls are coming to get us all.
Next, we are talking about our emotions. There is a scientific theory that says that we have infinite emotions, so long as we can name them. Going beyond the basics of joy, anger, sadness, fear, love, hate, and desire… we often feel like we could be experiencing a new emotion, when it could be a layering of emotions on top of each other. Take for example FOMO, fear of missing out, it could be a layering of envy on top of fear with a little sadness. Genevieve Smith, features director at NY Mag, joins us to introduce some 78 new emotions that now have names.
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In what seems like an annual tradition, Disneyland raises its prices, meaning some day ticket prices cost over $200. While some park-goers have voiced their displeasure, others recognize that it's just part of going to Disneyland. My producer Victor Wright joins me to discuss the price hike and some new attractions at the parks.
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Roger Stone is causing a stir again. Prosecutors had recommended he serve 7-9 years in prison after being found guilty of obstruction and witness tampering, but President Trump tweeted his displeasure about this and then the DOJ submitted a new sentencing recommendation saying nine years was too much. Trump praised Attorney General Bill Barr for intervening in the matter and all four prosecutors withdrew from the case. Ursula Perano, reporter for Axios, joins us for the latest dust up.
Next, Bernie Sanders emerged victorious in the New Hampshire primary. There are now two front-runners in the case, Bernie on the progressive side and Pete Buttigieg on the moderate side. The landscape of the Democratic race could be changing with a rising Amy Klobuchar and declining Joe Biden. Maya King, 2020 Fellow at Politico, joins us for what happened in New Hampshire.
Finally, as populations continue to age, those people caring for both children and parents are facing growing pressures. Called the “Sandwich Generation,” many are in pivotal points in their lives and careers and are torn between work and caregiving responsibilities. Clare Ansberry, reporter for the WSJ, joins us to talk about those stuck in the middle.
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We have been talking a lot about the spread of the coronavirus and also about all of people held in quarantine on air bases and cruise ships for fear that they might come down with it.
One such couple from Santa Clarita, CA has had their Diamond Princess cruise extended by 14 days, but not by choice. A passenger on their ship contracted coronavirus, leading to a quarantine aboard the ship, now docked in Japan.
Carl Goldman surprised his wife, Jeri Seratti-Goldman, with a 16-day cruise aboard the ship as a birthday gift, but now they’re stuck in their cabin at port in Yokohama, Japan until Feb. 19.
The Goldmans are owners of the radio station KHTS in Santa Clarita and have been have detailing parts of their quarantined experience on the station’s website, hometownstation.com
We got a chance to hear from Carl Goldman about his experience being trapped on the ship.
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Back in September 2017, we learned from credit reporting company Equifax that they had been hacked and the personal information of about 147 million people had been compromised. On Monday, the Justice Department charged four Chinese military members as the culprits. Exploiting a software vulnerability that Equifax failed to patch, the hackers were able to spend weeks in the system stealing sensitive data. Matt Zapotosky, national security reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for how it was done.
Next, Ransomware has taken a significant leap forward in its sophistication and accessibility. Right now anyone can get on to the dark web and buy their way into “RaaS” or ransomware as a service. It provides the buyer with an online interface to easily execute and manage this type of cybercrime. It is a simple, low-risk way to target someone… infect their computer, encrypt their files, get paid ransom money, and send the victim a way to decrypt those files. Drake Bennett, reporter on the Projects and Investigations team at Bloomberg News, joins us for what happened when he sabotaged his editor with ransomware.
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The film 'Parasite' was the big winner at the Academy Awards over the weekend making history for being the first South Korean film to win in four big categories: Best Picture, Best Director, Best International Feature, and Best Original Screenplay. It was a victory for director Bong Joon Ho and his whole team. My producer Victor Wright joins me to discuss the film and the historic win.
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Coronavirus continues to spread and hit new milestones. The virus has now killed more people than SARS with the death toll over 900 and over 40,000 infected in mainland China. Also in the mix is the Diamond Princess cruise ship that has been quarantined in Japan, they just confirmed 65 more cases with at least 20 of them being Americans a total of at least 135 cases. Morgan Hines, reporter at USA Today, joins us for how the cruise ship is handing the coronavirus.
Next, as the Democratic candidates head to New Hampshire for the primary we will talk a little about the direction that the party is headed. The nomination is far from decided and the party has two ways to go, a more moderate pick or more progressive. Bernie Sanders, more than any other 2020 candidate, has shaped a lot of the policy agenda for Democrats with things like “Medicare for All” and has campaign rallies full of enthusiastic supporters very similar to President Trump. Michael Kruse, senior staff writer at Politico, joins us to ask the question, is the Democratic Party Bernie Sanders’ party now?
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Imagine how many times you are on your way anywhere and you pull out your traffic app only to see the dreaded red line signaling a traffic jam. You trust the app and rely on it so much that you find another way, but what if it was all a lie. A Berlin-based artist wanted to demonstrate the pervasive, real-life influence that modern tech has on our lives and he did it all with a little red wagon and 99 phones. In a video he called “Google Maps Hacks” he tricked the app and caused a fake traffic jam. The result was the dreaded red line Google Maps and no cars on the streets he was walking. For more on this we spoke to Kate Cox, reporter at Ars Technica, for how this artist tricked Google Maps.
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The next contest in the Democratic nominating process is Tuesday as New Hampshire has its primary. The attacks are staring to heat up between sanders and Buttigieg with Joe Biden also joining the fray as he seeks to remain in the running after the Iowa caucus. Trevor Hunnicutt, political reporter for Reuters, joins us for this and impeachment aftermath, President Trump outs officials who testified against him.
Next, east Africa is facing a locust swarm of biblical proportions. It is the worst it has been in decades and could get 500 times worse by June! The swarms threaten farms and crops and could cause a food shortage in the area. Matt Simon, science reporter at Wired, joins us for the scary science behind these huge swarms… Locusts change colors, eat toxic plants, and even grow extra muscles as then band together to wreak havoc.
Finally, scientists at Northwestern University are working in collaboration with the U.S. Army to improve military uniforms to protect soldiers against chemical weapons. They are creating fabrics that could absorb and quickly neutralize deadly nerve agents. Sophia Chen, contributor at Wired, joins us for how it all works.
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This is a compilation of the best stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of the best stories of the week.
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The victory lap was classic Trump. After being acquitted in the Senate on two impeachment charges, the president gave a wide ranging speech where he knocked his foes like Mitt Romney and Nancy Pelosi, praised his allies and called the investigations into him BS. The big question that remains is how the country moves forward after so much division. Meredith McGraw, White House reporter at Politico joins us for Trump’s celebration speech.
Next, most popular restaurant chains are going all in on breakfast spending millions and hiring thousands to expand their offerings and win the battle for the growing breakfast market. With the rise of food delivery apps, we are seeing foot traffic diminish for lunch and dinner at many places and companies see huge growth potential with breakfast. Erica Pandey, reporter at Axios, joins us for more.
Finally, the original American Idol, Kelly Clarkson, is having one of the strongest starts for a new daytime talk show in seven years averaging about 1.9 million daily viewers. While she doesn’t have the usual training of a talk host, her authenticity and covers of popular music on the show are proving to be a hit with the audience. Kevin Fallon, senior entertainment reporter at the Daily Beast, joins us for why the Kelly Clarkson Show is killing it in daytime.
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The impeachment trial of Donald Trump is now over. The Senate has voted to acquit the president on both articles of impeachment. The votes were along party lines with only Sen. Mitt Romney voting guilty on abuse of power charges. After many senators voiced concern and made clear that they did not condone the actions of the president, they ultimately decided that Trump did nothing wrong and that voters should decide if they want to vote him out of office. Daniel Lippman, White House reporter at Politico, joins us for how it all played out.
Next, the district attorney in Orange County, CA has decided to drop charges against a Newport Beach surgeon and his girlfriend who were accused of drugging and sexually assaulting several women. It was a case that gained international attention for all the salacious details… A well-off, good looking couple who liked to party, who were in the swinging scene, were drugging and assaulting women and recording it on video. At the time the allegations came out, authorities said there could have been 1,000 victims. Corbin Carson, reporter for KFI News in Orange County, joins us for how the case fell apart and why charges are being dropped.
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President Trump has delivered his third State of the Union address in a busy political week that will see him acquitted in the impeachment trial in the Senate. With the theme of “The great American comeback” President Trump touted his accomplishments and also had a few made for TV moments when he awarded a young girl a scholarship and reunited a soldier with his family. Judy Kurtz, In the Know Columnist at The Hill, joins us for the top takeaways from the State of the Union.
Next, the Iowa caucus has turned into a huge mess for the Democratic Party. A new app meant to speed up the reporting of caucus results failed spectacularly and the Iowa Democratic Party said it was due to a “coding error.” It wasn’t until the following day that results from 62% of the precincts were reported and it showed former Mayor Pete Buttigieg in the lead followed by Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Joe Biden, and Amy Klobuchar. Ginger Gibson, political reporter for Reuters, was on the ground in Iowa while all this played out and joins us for how it all went down.
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The news surrounding the coronavirus outbreak continues to change rapidly. There are now 11 confirmed cases in the U.S. as well as the second person-to-person transmission. While officials in many countries try to get a handle on the spread of the virus, it could have the potential to be a pandemic. Marissa Fernandez, reporter at Axios, joins us for the latest developments.
Next, congratulations to the Kansas City Chiefs for winning their first Super Bowl in 50 years. Leading the team to a comeback victory, Patrick Mahomes is also leading a new generation of quarterbacks and a new age of offenses where the new norm is scoring a lot… and fast. Andrew Beaton, sports reporter for the WSJ, joins us for how Mahomes is changing the NFL.
Finally, conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh has announced that he has advanced lung cancer. He will be taking some time off for more medical tests and treatment, but hopes to return to the airwaves soon. One of the most influential voices among conservatives, Limbaugh reaches millions of people with his show weekly. My producer Victor Wright, joins us for more on Limbaugh’s announcement.
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We have a huge week for politics as the Democratic nominating process begins Monday with the Iowa caucus. Tuesday, President Trump will deliver his third Sate of the Union address with the theme of the ‘great American comeback.’ Wednesday, the Senate will vote on impeachment with an expected acquittal of the president, and Friday will bring us to another Democratic debate. Ginger Gibson, political reporter for Reuters, joins us to lay it all out.
Next, the drug Kratom is gaining in popularity across the country and some say that there could be between 10 and 15 million users in the U.S. alone, with a thriving culture of Kratom users online. People are taking Kratom for everything from chronic pain relief to replacement of their morning coffee and even to get high. Available in head shops and some gas stations, the federal government has been considering a total ban after finding it in the system of some who have died of drug overdoses. Emma Grey Ellis, writer at Wired, joins us for what Kratom is all about.
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This is a compilation of the best stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of the best stories of the week.
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Border authorities have just announced that they discovered the longest-ever smuggling tunnel at the US-Mexico border. It runs 4,309 feet, between Tijuana and San Diego. Authorities said that it was a sophisticated tunnel 70 feet below the surface, 2 feet across, and about 5.5 feet high, complete with electrical lighting, forced air, and a rail system. Steve Gregory, reporter for KFI News in Los Angeles, joins us for more.
Next, a dog owner is airing a Super Bowl ad to thank the University of Wisconsin at Madison School of Veterinary Medicine for saving his best friend from a dire cancer prognosis. David MacNeil, owner of WeatherTech, is airing a 30-second spot as a thank you and a call for people to donate to the school. Kim Bellware, reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for a story about a very lucky dog.
Finally, a story about Randy Constant, a Missouri farmer who led a double life and masterminded one of the biggest frauds in the history of organic farming. Constant sold organic feed grain that wasn’t really organic. And once it got into the supply chain, it meant that all the poultry and cattle that ate the feed also were not organic, despite being labeled so. Mike Hendricks, investigative reporter at the Kansas City Star, joins us for how Constant cheated the system.
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201 U.S. citizens have been evacuated from the coronavirus zone in Wuhan, China. A plane left China, stopped in Alaska, and then made its way to March Air Reserve Base in California. Passengers were screened multiple times on the way and will be quarantined for 72 hours and then monitored for about 14 days. Corbin Carson, reporter for KFI News in Los Angeles, joins us for what we know about these evacuations.
Next, it could all be over this Friday. The impeachment trial in the Senate continues and one of the biggest unknowns may have finally been settled. The big question was whether witnesses such as John Bolton could be called to testify, but after a Senate GOP lunch meeting, it seemed that senators had the votes to block witnesses and vote to wrap up the trial this week. Alexander Bolton, senior staff writer at The Hill, joins us for more.
Finally, we now know why stress turns your hair white. After experimenting with rats, scientists found that within the hair follicle, there is a reservoir of pigment regenerating stem cells that get depleted when you are stressed out and when that dries out, your hair turns gray. Eleanor Cummins, contributor to Popular Science joins us for the science behind stress and gray hairs.
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Right now, about one in eight couples suffers from infertility and investors are taking note, pouring tons of cash into the industry. The U.S fertility market is expected to grow to $15.4 billion by 2023 and there is more to it than just IVF. Startup businesses are also tackling at-home testing, wearables, and egg-freezing. Beth Kowitt, senior editor at Fortune, joins us for the business of babymaking.
Next, the hot new thing that kids as young as 6 are asking their parents for… are Airpods. Parents are wrestling with the how to handle relentless begging from their kids for the wireless earbuds. Are they responsible enough to handle an expensive item like that? There is also the fact that some schools are banning them because it can be used for cheating. Julie Jargon, family and tech columnist at the WSJ joins us for more.
Finally, Michael Bloomberg has hit double digit polling in his bid for the Democratic nomination for president and it is causing concern for some of the other candidates. There are even calls for the DNC to change the rules so he can participate in the debates and spar with the others. Chris Cadelago, national political reporter for Politico, joins us for what millions in advertising can do for your campaign.
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The Senate trial of President Trump continues with Trump’s defense team making their case that the president did nothing wrong with his actions toward Ukraine. But now, there may be enough new pressure on Senate Republicans to allow witnesses after a leak from the upcoming book by former national security adviser John Bolton. In the book, Bolton says that Trump explicitly told him that he wanted to continue freezing the military aid to Ukraine until they came to the table with investigations into his political rivals. Stef Kight, reporter for Axios, joins us for more.
Next, it was a tragic day on Sunday when Kobe Bryant, the former LA Laker and basketball legend died in a helicopter crash with his daughter and 7 others. The investigation into the crash will focus on a lot on the fog and weather, but will also look into the helicopter itself and the pilot, who received clearance to fly in poor weather conditions. Kris Ankarlo, news correspondent for iHeartMedia, joins us for what we know about the investigation and also how the city of Los Angeles has reacted to the loss.
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There is a new type of hearing loss that is hitting people of all ages and scientists are still trying to find out why. It is called hidden hearing loss and is not characterized by the traditional view of loss of hearing that the organ just gets less adept at detecting sound, instead you can still hear fine, but the brain doesn’t process the sounds clearly enough. Corinne Iozzio, executive editor at PopSci, joins us for what to know about hidden hearing loss.
Next, a surge of new plastic could be on its way to the planet. 2020 will be a consequential year for plastic as the fossil fuel and petrochemical industries are pouring billions of dollars into opening new plants with the purpose of making tons of new plastic. For example, Shell will soon be opening a new ethane cracking plant that is expected to produce up to 1.6 million tons of plastic annually. Beth Gardiner, contributor to Yale Environment 360 joins us for more.
Finally, Scott McCartney, Middle Seat columnist for the WSJ, joins us for his annual rankings of the best and worst airlines. Using criteria such as on-time arrivals, flight cancellations and more, the list is a measure of the efficiencies and dependability of the airlines. For the third year in a row, Delta has come out on top. At the bottom of the list this year is American Airlines. Scott helps break it all down.
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This is a compilation of the best stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of the best stories of the week.
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Amazon is continuing to experiment with new ways to let you pay. The latest plan is to create checkout terminals that would let you pay with the palm of your hand. Customers would link their hands to their credit card information and you can pay without ever having to pull out your phone or wallet. Credit card companies are in discussion with Amazon and have to figure out if they will be collaborators or competitors. Anna Maria Andriotis, reporter for the WSJ, joins us for how big tech is trying to further integrate itself into your financial life.
Next, we take a look behind the scenes at Rotten Tomatoes. The very popular review-aggregation website that many people visit before they consider watching a new show or movie. Many in Hollywood have come to hate it, but Rotten Tomatoes has become such an asset for companies that want you to watch their movies. People respect the Tomoatometer, and if your movie is certified fresh, then chances are people will want to check it out. One-Third of Americans look at Rotten Tomatoes before seeing a movie. Simon Van Zuylen-Wood, contributor to Wired, joins us for how it all works… there’s no algorithm just curators pouring over reviews.
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Jeff Bezos - world’s richest man, CEO of Amazon, and owner of the Washington Post was hacked by the crown prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman. A digital forensic analysis has determined that large amounts of data were extracted after a corrupted video file was sent to Bezos from the WhatsApp account of the crown prince. Stephanie Kirchgaessner, investigative reporter for The Guardian who broke the story, joins us for how it all happened.
Next, Reuters has an exclusive report about how Apple scrapped a plan to offer end-to-end encryption of iCloud data to its users. The plan was canned after the FBI complained that the move would harm investigations into terrorists and child predators. Instead Apple shifted its focus to protecting passwords and health data. Joseph Menn, investigative technology reporter at Reuters, joins us for more.
Finally, Netflix has released some new viewership numbers for its latest hit “The Witcher.” According to Netflix, 76 million member households chose to watch the show, but those numbers might have been inflated after they changed the metric used to qualify a view. Before, someone had to watch 70% of a show or movie, now, a person only needs to watch two minutes to count as a view. Jeremy Owens, tech editor at MarketWatch, joins us for how Netflix is changing its views on “views.”
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The CDC has reported that the first case of the Chinese coronavirus outbreak has hit the U.S. The man infected is from Washington State and the CDC confirmed he had it with a genetic test. The virus is zoonotic which means it can be transmitted from animals to humans, but it can also be passed between humans. Dan Vergano, science reporter for Buzzfeed News, joins us for what we know about coronavirus.
Next, there is a campaign to redefine something called “Chinese Restaurant Syndrome.” It is an entry in the Miriam-Webster dictionary that describes symptoms of numbness, dizziness, and palpitations affecting people who eat Chinese food with MSG. Activists say that this definition and stigma surrounding MSG are unfounded and rooted in racism. Amelia Nierenberg, food reporter for the NY Times, joins us for the campaign to #RedfineCRS.
Finally, west coast transplants are starting to ruin the small-town vibes of places like Boise and Star, Idaho. Many people, often from California, are coming to these small towns for the slower pace of life and cheaper housing costs, but as they come in droves, they are bringing the same problems they were trying to escape. Dan Frosch, reporter for the WSJ, joins us for how managing growth is the big problem facing these small towns.
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The next big immigration move that the Trump administration will be taking is action to tackle birth tourism. “Birth tourists” often come to the U.S. from China, Russia, and Nigeria to have their children so they can have U.S. citizenship. New regulations would alter the requirements for B visas also known as visitor visas. One key thing to watch out for will be any lawsuits that could be filed against the changes. Stef Kight, immigration reporter at Axios, joins us for how the administration plans to limit birth tourism.
Next, the NY Times has made an endorsement for 2020. Actually, they made two endorsements. The Democratic Party as whole has not made a decision of where it wants to go… a more progressive route or moderate. So, breaking with convention, the NYT editorial board has decided to endorse both Sen. Amy Klobuchar as a moderate choice and Sen. Elizabeth Warren as a more progressive choice. Democratic voters must decide which model they want to go with that would have the best chance of beating President Trump and moving the country forward. To help explain this decision, we speak to Mara Gay from the NY Times Editorial Board.
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On Tuesday, the Senate impeachment trial of Donald Trump really gets underway and even though we almost certainly know the outcome, the President will be acquitted, it is a historic moment nonetheless. The strategy will be to admit nothing, apologize for nothing, and challenge the whole thing on constitutional grounds. Ginger Gibson, political reporter for Reuters, tells us the main arguments, who is on Trump’s legal team, and how Senators will have to deal with no cellphones and no talking.
Next, the famous flagship store for Tiffany and Company in New York had to move to a new location so the building could be renovated. While the move to a temporary location was short, it took dozens of security guards, hundreds of cameras, and a vow of secrecy from workers to move 114,000 gems without getting robbed. James Barron, reporter for the NY Times, joins us for how Tiffany pulled off this big move and get it all done before time of opening Monday morning.
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This is a compilation of the best stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of the best stories of the week.
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Historic day on Thursday Congress opened the impeachment trial of President Trump. House Democrats read the formal charges and all 100 senators were sworn in as jurors. And just before all this happened, the GAO released a report saying that the administration’s Office of Management and Budget violated the law when it withheld military aid to Ukraine. Caitlin Emma, Reporter for Politico, joins us for more.
Next, the fight for privacy is under way again between Apple and the FBI. After a December 6th shooting at a naval base in Pensacola Florida was deemed an act of terrorism, Attorney General Bill Barr said Apple wasn’t doing enough to help unlock the shooter’s two phones. Apple maintains that breaking encryption on one phone could endanger the privacy of all iPhone users. Rosie Perper, global reporter for Business Insider, joins us for the fight to unlock a terrorist’s phone.
Finally, new data released by NASA and NOAA has shown that 2019 capped the hottest decade in recorded history. The past 5 years each rank among the 5 hottest years since record-keeping began. Brady Dennis, national environmental reporter at The Washington Post, joins us joins us for more on how this warming trend is affecting the globe.
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The House has delivered the articles of impeachment formally to the Senate so they can begin their trial. Speaker Nancy Pelosi also named a seven-member prosecution team to make the case for impeachment. One of the biggest questions that remain are whether any witnesses will be called and if new evidence released by Democrats will make any impact. Brett Samuels, White House reporter at The Hill, joins us for more.
Next, the FAA is investigating why a Delta airlines plane making an emergency landing at LAX dropped jet fuel over a playground covering children and some adults. Special procedures dictate that if necessary, fuel dumps must be made from higher altitudes and over unpopulated areas. Thankfully there were no serious injuries. Colleen Shalby, reporter at the LA Times, joins us for more on the outrage after this fuel was dumped on kids.
Finally, the last Democratic debate before the Iowa caucuses was on Tuesday and everyone was waiting for fireworks between Sen. Bernie Sanders and Sen. Elizabeth Warren for comments he allegedly made saying a woman could not win the presidency. While the candidates did play nice on stage, there was a tense moment between the two after the debate. Emily Glazer, politics reporter at the WSJ, join us for the moments that mattered in the debate.
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Russian military agents have hacked into Burisma, the Ukrainian gas company at the center of the scandal that led to President Trump’s impeachment. The tactics used were phishing emails used to steal login credentials and also gain access to one of Burisma’s servers. We still know very little about the information that was accessed, but any new information could impact the impeachment trial. Maggie Miller, cyber policy reporter at The Hill, joins us for more.
Next, a creepy airport story. A woman named Ashley Barno was boarding a flight at the San Diego International Airport when she began to receive flirty text messages from an unknown number. The texts soon turned out to be from an American Airlines employee who got her information off of her luggage bag tag. Barno is now suing the airline for negligent hiring, sexual harassment and stalking. Reis Thebault, reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for what all these texts said.
Finally, the Pentagon has confirmed that they do have Top Secret- classified briefings and Secret-classified video about the Nimitz UFO encounter. The Navy has said that a review of the materials determined that their release “would cause exceptionally grave damage to the National Security of the United States.” MJ Banias, contributor to Vice, joins us for the latest we are learning about the Nimitz UFO evidence.
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Oscar noms are out and “Joker” is leading the pack with 11 nominations, including best picture. And despite efforts to get more diversity into the Oscars, in the major categories, it was a list of mostly white nominees and women were all together left out of the Best Director category. Brent Lang, executive editor for film and media at Variety joins us to discuss the nominations and who got snubbed.
Next, in the music industry, everyone is worried about getting sued and music copyright lawsuits could be scaring away new hits. After a court ruled that “Blurred Lines” infringed on Marvin Gaye’s “Got to Give It Up”, more artists and record companies are consulting with musicologists and even getting insurance to protect them in the case that they might get sued. Amy Wang, music business editor at Rolling Stone, joins us for more.
Finally, some Generation Xers is starting to hit their midlife crisis. And while most people think a midlife crisis is about getting that new sports car, getting a trophy wife, or just some bad behavior, Generation X is is getting into yoga, meditation retreats and keto diets. Andrea Peterson, health reporter at the WSJ, joins us for the virtuous midlife crisis.
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We are learning more about what led to the targeted strike to kill Iran’s Gen. Soleimani and it was all based on intelligence that there would be some attack on U.S. embassies according to President Trump. However, Secretary of Defense Mark Esper said that he did not see specific evidence, but that he still believed an attack could occur. Iran is also facing protests from its people after they admitted to shooting down the Ukrainian jetliner killing 176 people. Ginger Gibson, political reporter for Reuters, joins us to break it all down.
Next, Impossible Foods unveiled its latest creation at CES last week. Get ready for Impossible Pork! The company is aiming to get kosher and halal certification to open up their product to more people. So we spoke to a life-long practicing Muslim, who tried the plant-based pork for her thoughts on it as someone who had never eaten pork before. Abrar Al-Heeti, reporter at CNET, joins us for this and also how Muslim and Jewish religious leaders feel about fake pork.
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This is a compilation of the best stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of the best stories of the week.
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A warning for those listening, this first story is pretty gruesome. A 25 year-old Michigan man named Kevin Bacon has been murdered allegedly at the hands of Mark Latunski. They found each other on a dating app, met on Christmas Eve, and days later Bacon was found in Latunski’s basement hanging from the rafters by his ankles and his throat slit. Latunski also allegedly admitted to cutting off and eating part of Bacon’s body… his testicles. Latunski’s attorney is seeking an insanity defense for his client. For more on this story we speak to Michelle Myers, Kevin’s best friend and roommate, and she’ll tell us more about the loss of her friend.
Next, New York City has a garbage problem and a lot of it has to do with the failures in their recycling program. For nearly two decades New York City has almost completely outsourced its trash burden to other communities and have fallen short on ambitious recycling and waste reduction goals that other major American cities have accomplished. Politico New York has published a five-part series examining all the aspects of why all this garbage has become such a problem in the city. Sally Goldenberg, NY City Hall Bureau Chief, and Danielle Muoio, NY City Hall Reporter for Politico, join us for more.
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President Trump addressed the nation Wednesday after Iran launched a retaliatory attack on an airbase where some U.S. troops were based and announced that there were no casualties and Iran appears to be “standing down.” Instead of any new military escalation, Trump announced new sanctions on Iran. And while a broader conflict seems to have been de-escalated, there is still concern of attacks through proxies, cyber-attacks, and what Iran will do with their nuclear program. Dave Lawler, world editor at Axios, joins us for the fallout of the Iranian strike.
Next, we take a look at some of the newest tech coming out of CES 2020. Sony has developed a concept car and the idea of ambient technology and AI took off. AI is being put everything and everything we use from our devices to our toilets will be connected and learn more about you. Samsung even unveiled its project called Neon, which it is saying are “artificial humans” - AI that you can talk and interact with and looks like a real person. There are also a bunch of other gadgets and fun things at the show. Stan Horaczek, technology editor at Popular Science, joins us for what he experienced at CES 2020.
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A new study is revealing the high cost of having a baby in America. The average new mother with insurance will pay more than $4,500 for her labor and delivery. According to the authors of the study, the real reason for the increase seems to be the rise in high deductibles with women paying a greater share of their childbirth expenses as a result. Olga Khazan, staff writer at The Atlantic, joins us for how even if you have insurance, it is costing more to start a family.
Next, a news kind of online service is aiming to help match people who need a co-parent. Someone that wants to have a child, but not necessarily the romance that comes with it, although feelings do sometimes develop. Julie Jargon, family and tech columnist at the WSJ, joins us for how people are using technology to find platonic parenting partners without the love and marriage.
Finally, the Democratic presidential primary is starting to take a dark turn. Candidates are campaigning in Iowa and starting to focus on issues like a possible conflict with Iran and wildfires in Australia impacting climate change. And all these issues are causing an indecisiveness in Iowa voters’ minds as to who is best positioned to win in a general election. David Siders, national political correspondent at Politico, joins us with more.
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The trial of Harvey Weinstein has begun in New York. The trial is expected to last about 2 months and will be a high profile media spectacle as many will be interested to see if the fallen entertainment mogul can escape punishment. And just as the trial began in NY, new charges of sexual assault were leveled against him in Los Angeles. Eriq Gardner, senior editor at the Hollywood Reporter, joins us for a look at the Weinstein trial.
Next, there is concern and curiosity in eastern Colorado. Reports have surfaced of mysterious drones flying in formation in the night sky hundreds of feet in the air over the Eastern Plains. Local officials don’t know who is operating them and several government agencies have denied any involvement, but the FAA is investigating. Sam Tabachnik, reporter for the Denver Post, joins us for what we know.
Finally, with so many people coming in and out of LAX, there are a ton of crazy things that TSA and Customs teams come across such as dead bodies and snakes in Pringles cans. Brandon Presser, reporter at Bloomberg News joins us for what he learned after working at LAX. Yes, there is a private terminal for those that can afford it and he’ll also tell us where they put your stuff after it’s been confiscated.
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Tensions with Iran continue to escalate after the U.S. ordered a drone strike killing Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani. Now Iran has signaled that they will no longer abide by the Iran Nuclear deal and the Iraqi parliament has passed a resolution calling on the U.S. to expel troops from the country. Both sides have vowed to retaliate if anyone makes a move with the United States targeting 52 Iranian sites, and Iran pointing to 35 U.S. targets. Ginger Gibson, political reporter for Reuters, joins us for more on this and why you don’t have to worry about a draft if World War 3 starts.
Next, to lighten up the mood, we will speak to Elahe Izadi, pop culture writer for the Washington Post, about the 20 defining comedy sketches of the past 20 years. While these sketches might not have been the “best” or even the “funniest,” Elahe identifies some of the top comedy sketches that that held a prominent place within our culture. There are a few criteria in place to help narrow down the list, but it all starts with a little more cowbell!
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This is a compilation of the best stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of the best stories of the week.
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You might have heard of the placebo effect, but what about its evil twin the nocebo effect? It’s when a person experiences negative symptoms from an inert pill or treatment, sometimes even from verbal suggestions. Studies are currently being done to better understand placebo and nocebo effects. Shayla Love, science writer at Vice, joins us to discuss how it all works.
Next, it’s called Munchausen by Internet, the condition of faking illness online. It’s a form of factitious disorder, a mental disorder where people fake illness or actually make themselves sick to get sympathy and attention. But one place online that experiences this at higher rates is in the cancer community. People in online cancer support groups are routinely outed as healthy. It seems almost impossible to think that someone could lie about such a serious illness, but it happens a lot, and those that offered their love, sympathy, and support often feel betrayed. Roisin Lanigan, contributor to The Atlantic, joins us for why the internet has a cancer-faking problem.
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Scammers are always looking for new ways to cheat you out of your money. And one scam in particular that is ramping up are gift card scams. People are posing as grandchildren, government officials, and tech-support agents and ask for payments through store gift cards. Gifts cards are the choice of scammers because purchases can be made immediately and anonymously. Julie Jargon, family and tech columnist at the WSJ, joins us with a story of how one family learned the hard way.
Next, cannabis restaurants are coming to California and if all goes well, this could be a model you start seeing in other states. The now open Lowell Farms Cannabis Café is pairing a farm to table meal with “flower service” so you can pair your meal with the perfect weed strain. Even though the state has legalized recreational marijuana, running a cannabis restaurant is nothing like running a typical restaurant and there are a lot more regulations to follow. Maura Judkis, reporter for the Washington Post, joins us for some of the creative ways this will all work.
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First, we speak to Joanna Stern from the WSJ, who asked a certified ethical hacker to get into as many of her webcams as he could. He was easily able to get into her system, snap shots of her and even spy on her child through a Wi-Fi connected baby monitor. Joanna joins us for some tips on how to protect yourself, and the big realization, we are often our own worst enemies.
Next, a company call Digital Recognition Network has built a private, nationwide surveillance database that could potentially track the movements of car owners over long periods of time. This network is built on the backs of repo men equipped with cameras that scan the license plates of every car they drive by and then add it to a searchable database accessible to private investigators, repo agents, and insurance companies. Joseph Cox, senior writer at the Vice’s Motherboard, joins us to talk about DRN and how well it works, Vice tracked someone using this surveillance tool.
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Americans are spending more money on faster internet speeds on the promise of faster load times and higher quality streaming, but is it really worth it? Recent tests by the WSJ show that a typical household doesn’t use most of their bandwidth while streaming and only get marginal gains from upgrading your speed. Shalini Ramachandran, reporter for the WSJ joins us for why upgrading your bandwidth might not be the best choice.
Next, as the impeachment inquiry got underway this year, it all started with a whistleblower complaint against the president. And as President Trump continues to cast doubt on all the allegations, we are awaiting a Senate trial in the new year. Whistleblowing has been around since the beginning of the country and has always been a tool to prevent the abuse of power by those who hold it. Allison Stanger, author of Whistleblowers: Honesty in American from Washington to Trump, joins us to discuss what prompted the first whistleblower protection law to be enacted and how protecting them is more important than ever.
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Scientists have created a new more powerful technique to edit genes. While most people may be familiar with CRISPR, this new method is called “prime editing” and it offers more precise gene cuts with less errors. Jackson Ryan, science editor at CNET, joins us more on this new gene editing technique that could enable treatment for approximately 89% of genetic mutations that cause disease.
Next, something very exciting as we talk to a 2019 Nobel Prize winner! Earlier in the year, Dr. Gregg Semenza and two others received the Nobel Prize for Medicine for their work into how cells sense and adapt to oxygen availability. Because of their discoveries, there have been advancements that led to anemia and cancer drugs. Dr. Semenza, Professor of Genetic Medicine at Johns Hopkins University and 2019 Nobel Laureate, joins us to explain his work, how he reacted when he got the call notifying him he had won, and the high school teacher that inspired his love of science and discovery.
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This is a compilation of the best stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of the best stories of the week.
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Aliens have been in the news a lot recently! An internet campaign to “Storm Area 51” got a lot of attention earlier this year and the Navy just confirmed the authenticity of declassified vides that show “unidentified aerial phenomenon.” Lydia Saad, researcher at Gallup, joins us to discuss their latest survey on Americans thought on UFOs. Most Americans are skeptical, but say the government knows more than they are letting on.
Next, it is one of the most compelling UFO cases in modern history: the Nimitz UFO Encounters. And while we already know about how the Nimitz encountered a Tic Tac shaped aerial vehicle, we are hearing from other witnesses to the event. These witness accounts say that shortly after the encounter, there was a rush to turn over all the data concerning the UFO sighting and that two men quickly departed with all the relevant data to the event. Tim McMillan, contributor to Popular Mechanics, joins us for what he learned from the other Nimitz witnesses.
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Amazon’s home security company Ring has made partnerships with local law enforcement all across the country and the result is starting to look like an Amazon- Ring- Police surveillance network. Amazon gives local police ring products, the police encourage adoption of the ring platform, and then people give police access to their doorbell cams. Caroline Haskins, writer at Vice’s Motherboard, joins us for more.
Next, a million Americans are arrested every year for drunken driving, and in many cases, the breathalyzer test is what seals the deal. But a recent NY Times investigation has found that these devices can give skewed results because of human error or because the devices haven’t been properly calibrated. There have been so many errors that judges in Massachusetts and New Jersey have thrown out more than 30,000 breath tests in the past 12 months alone. Stacy Cowley, reporter for the NY Times, joins us for why we can’t always trust the breathalyzer test.
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Every year, millions of Americans head to Christmas tree lots to pick out that perfect tree. But have you ever stopped and wondered how that tree got there? Of course not! What you may not know is that researchers are working to bring you better trees every year and avoid the dreaded coning. Robbie Gonzalez, senior writer at Wired, joins us for the science of growing the perfect tree.
Next, Collectible toy values are on the rise. Matthew Kitchen, Gear and Gadgets editor for the WSJ joins us to talk about the rising collectible market and the 20 year rule. That means start looking for your Power Rangers and Harry Potter toys. We will also tell you what the Holy Grail of toys is, so you can start looking.
Finally, the FDA has named 16 brands of dog food that have been linked to canine heart disease. The FDA isn’t suggesting that pet owners stop feeding their dogs these brands just yet, but some vets are advising against “grain free” foods. Rachel Feltman, science editor at Popular Science, joins us for what pet owner should know.
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We got some results from the NASA Twin Study and it’s teaching us about long term space travel. The study focused on identical twin astronauts Scott and Mark Kelly. Scott spent 340 days in space, while Mark remained on Earth. Comparing their results, NASA found that there were changes to Scott’s DNA, genes, body bacteria and more. Claire Maldareli, Associate editor at Popular Science, joins us for what happens to your body when you live in space for a year.
Next, Washington has become the first state in the country to legalize human composting. Before, the only acceptable means of disposition of a human body was burial or cremation, now we have “natural organic reduction.” The process involves wood chips, takes about four weeks, and yields about two wheelbarrows worth of soil. Brendan Kiley, reporter for the Seattle Times, joins us for a new alternative to burial or cremation
Finally, we speak to Sarah Zhang, writer at the Atlantic, about the sperm donor who has met 17 of his kids. Tim Gullicksen began donating sperm in 1989 and most of his kids are 18-25 years old now. They found him and other siblings through the Donor Sibling Registry and DNA test sites like 23andMe. A new family unit has formed and Sarah helps tell you their story.
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Millennials are sick of drinking. Maybe not completely, but it seems that attitudes are changing about drinking and some are trying to cut back. As Millennials are getting married and building families later in life, social life in their 30s is mirroring activities in their 20s. Amanda Mull, writer at the Atlantic, joins us to talk about changing attitudes about drinking and what may be driving the change.
Next, we now have two cities on the books with laws decriminalizing magic mushrooms, Denver and Oakland. There is an important distinction however, these laws just make it a lower priority for law enforcement, you can grow them and possess them, just not sell them. However, some lawmakers see it going the way of cannabis into legalization. Matt Simon, science writer at Wired, joins us to talk about the journey to decriminalize psilocybin, also known as magic mushrooms.
Finally, we are going over some of the scientifically proven sources of sex appeal. Ben Healy, columnist at The Atlantic, looked over a wide range of studies to compile some interesting aspects of attraction. For instance, if you’re looking for a long term relationship, you might want to find a guy with a beard. Ben joins us to explore some of the studies on attraction.
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This is a compilation of the best stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of the best stories of the week.
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This year many iconic toy brands are hitting milestone anniversaries. Barbie is 60, Sesame Street is 40, Little Mermaid is 30, and SpongeBob is 20. And while no kid wants an old toy, toymakers are repackaging these classics into special-edition versions. Updated toys for the kids, but capitalizing on the nostalgia factor for the parents. Ellen Byron, reporter for the WSJ, joins us for how toy companies are navigating these age milestones.
Next, be careful of what you buy from third party sellers on Amazon. You could be buying trash… literally. Some sellers are buying liquidation items or even dumpster diving and then turning around and selling them on Amazon. As an experiment, some WSJ reporters went trash picking, set up a store on Amazon and sold their dumpster products. Khadeeja Safdar, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for how some third party sellers are using a program called Fulfillment by Amazon to get away with this.
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Historic moment for the United States as President Donald Trump becomes the third president in American history to be impeached. Both articles- Abuse of Power and Obstruction of Congress, passed along party lines. The next step is to move to a trial in the Senate in the new year where Republicans have said they will not remove him from office, Ginger Gibson, political reporter for Reuters joins us to talk about the impeachment vote, and the legacy of President Trump and Nancy Pelosi.
Next, some new findings from the Monitoring the Future survey. Teenagers are drinking less alcohol, smoking fewer cigarettes, and trying fewer hard drugs. But while these trends are good news, there has been a sharp increase in the vaping of nicotine and marijuana. The survey looks at eighth, 10th and 12th graders and says that young people have gotten the wrong message on vaping, thinking that it is not harmful. Matt Richtel, reporter for the NY Times, joins us for what the survey shows, youth drug use and experimentation continues to go through an evolution.
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Ugly Christmas sweaters have started to take cues from their autumn cousin, the sexy Halloween costume, in their absurdity. Santa Claus is no longer the jolly old fat man, rather he is getting naughtier…pooping down chimneys and telling you about that big package he has for you. There are now hundreds of retailers stocking up on ugly sweaters with varying degrees of raunchiness. Maura Judkis, reporter at the Washington Post joins us for the evolution of the ugly Christmas sweater.
Next, the largest private security company in the world, G4S, has a problem with guns. It can’t seem to keep track of all the guns they supply to their security guards. An investigation by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel shows that more than 600 guns have been reported lost or stolen and they sometimes end up being used in violent crimes and even murders. Gina Barton, investigative reporter for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, joins us to talk about the hundreds of guns lost by G4S and where they were found.
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After filing for bankruptcy and closing more than 800 stores, Toys “R” us is back with a new format and more surveillance. With 2 new stores in Texas and New Jersey, the new format lets kids play with toys before they buy, but what really caught people’s attention were the new cameras embedded in the ceiling. Louise Matsakis, staff writer at Wired, joins us for how physical retailers are monitoring your every move in new ways.
Next, The Supreme Court refused to hear a major case on homelessness and let stand a ruling that protects the rights of homeless people to sleep on sidewalks or public spaces if no shelter is available. Critics say that this will cripple the ability of local governments to maintain the health and safety of their communities. David Savage, reporter for the LA Times, joins us for more.
Finally, with the impeachment vote in the House coming this week, the tribalization of politics will be almost complete. We’ve seen is play out in the process so far as Republicans and Democrats continue to support or oppose the president along party lines. Gerald Seib, executive Washington editor at the WSJ, joins us to talk about how divided the parties are.
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The House will be holding a historic vote this week and is expected to impeach President Trump. After that it all goes to the Senate trial in the new year. Sen. Mitch McConnell is getting a lot of heat for already saying that he will be working with the White House and the president will not be removed from office. Ginger Gibson, political reporter for Reuters, joins us for more impeachment news and also some questionable pardons coming from Kentucky’s outgoing governor, Matt Bevin.
Next, we speak with Charlie Harding, one of the hosts of the Switched on Pop Podcast and author of the new book Switched on Pop: How Popular Music Works and Why It Matters. On the podcast Charlie and his co-host Nate Sloan dissect pop on a musical level and the book offers a blueprint for how to learn more about what makes music great so you can understand and appreciate popular music and other genres. Charlie also fills us in on what we should be listening for besides just the rhythm and lyrics so you can expand your palette of hearing.
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This is a compilation of the best stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of the best stories of the week.
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The House Judiciary Committee was debating the articles of impeachment before it is sent over to the full House for a vote next week where President Trump is expected to become the third president in U.S. history to be impeached. Democrats are bracing for some defections from moderates, but still expect to pass it. Juliegrace Brufke, House reporter at The Hill, joins us for more.
Next, GEDmatch, the genealogy website that helped crack the Golden State Killer case has been sold to a forensic genetics firm that wants to make tools for DNA analysis and allow access to their database. The deal shows how this still developing field is drawing interest from those looking to profit. Peter Aldhous, science reporter at BuzzFeed News, joins us for more on Verogen, the new owner of GEDmatch.
Finally, property owners once saw short-term rental sites like Airbnb as threats, but now they are embracing the business model. Startups are leasing blocks of furnished apartments under long-term rentals and then renting those out to travelers for stays of a few weeks to as short as one night. Konrad Putzier, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for how apartment landlords are becoming the new hoteliers.
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16-year-old Greta Thunberg who rose to prominence this year for her passionate pleas for governments to take action on climate change has been named the 2019 Time Person of the Year. The teen has become the leading face of a movement that has inspired millions of young people, speaking before the United Nations, and meetings with numerous heads of state including the pope. Charlotte Alter, national correspondent for Time, joins us for why Greta Thunberg is the person of the year.
Next, as we approach the end of the decade, let’s take a look at the gadgets that made an impact. The story of tech in the 2010s is the story of gadgets being present in all parts of our lives all the time. The Verge has compiled a list of the top 100 gadgets of the decade that range from small mundane gadgets that we used to pass the time to smartphones that set precedent for all other phones for years to come. Jake Kastrenakes, editor at The Verge, joins us for more.
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House Democrats have announced two articles of impeachment against President Trump focusing only on his dealings with Ukraine. He is charged with abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. And now the timetable moves fast, the committee votes this week, then the entire House next week. Alex Gangitano, reporter at The Hill joins us for how President Trump is on his way to be impeached in the House.
Next, the Merriam-Webster word of the year… is They. Lookups for they increased 313% in 2019 over the previous year. While it is a very common word, more recently they has been used to refer to one person whose gender identity is nonbinary. Other words that made the list for the top of 2019 include quid pro quo, crawdad, and tergiversation. Emily Brewster, senior editor at Merriam-Webster, joins us for more on the words of the year.
Finally, at the same time that House Democrats are trying to impeach the president, they are also delivering him a political victory. Nancy Pelosi announced that there is an agreement on the USMCA, the trade pact to replace NAFTA. After winning the endorsement of the president of the AFL-CIO labor union, it is on track to be passed before the Christmas break. Ian Kullgren, reporter at Politico, joins us for more.
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The Inspector General report into the origins of the 2016 Russia probe is out and it has a little something for everyone. The report says that the probe was not tainted by any political bias, which should dispel notions of a Deep-State, but it also found that there were serious performance failures by some FBI officials, which should make President Trump happy. Brett Samuels, WH reporter at The Hill, joins us for the top takeaways.
Next, American factories are starting to demand a white collar education for blue collar work. Within three years, U.S. manufacturing workers with college degrees will outnumber those without. The shift toward automation and efficiency has opened the door to more women and reduced the prospects for lower skilled workers. Austen Hufford, manufacturing reporter at the WSJ, joins us for more.
Finally, the impeachment of Donald Trump seems to be close on the horizon. The Judiciary Committee heard from counsel outlining the impeachment case against the president and Democrats are preparing formal charges. Bart Jansen, justice reporter at USA Today, joins us to recap the hearing full of protester outbursts and lawmaker fights.
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The FBI says it’s working under the presumption that the Florida naval base shooting was an act of terrorism. Investigators are still trying to unlock any motivations and investigating claims that the shooter showed videos of mass shootings at a dinner party only days before the attack. Ginger Gibson, political reporter for Reuters, joins us this and what to expect this week in the ongoing impeachment inquiry. We may have articles of impeachment ready to be voted on soon.
Next, an investigation done by Columbia Journalism Investigations is showing that many popular dating apps do not conduct any criminal background or identity verification checks and known sex offenders have been found using these apps and assaulting women. Tinder, Plenty of Fish, OkCupid and other free dating apps owned my Match Group are not checking users and potentially leaving some vulnerable to sexual assault. Elizabeth Picciani, a fellow at Columbia Journalism Investigations joins us for more on this story and what happens when you report an instance to Match Group.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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It’s on now! Speaker Nancy Pelosi has instructed House committee chairmen to move forward with articles of impeachment against President Trump. The timeline will move fast as articles could be ready next week with a vote before Christmas. President Trump for his part says he wants to get it over quickly and move on the trial in the Senate. Toluse Olorunnipa, White House reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for how impeachment is ramping up.
Next, the huge success of ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ has launched dozens of stars and now Hollywood is catching on to the booming drag queen economy. Drag queens have come up from primarily doing nightclub shows to selling out arenas, getting on the Billboard charts, and even doing red-carpet appearances for films like ‘Frozen 2.’ Katie Kilkenny, associate editor at the Hollywood Reporter, joins us for how the queens are blowing up.
Finally, as internet culture has become everyday culture, and we are living in the days of viral everything, many people have come to love viral pets even though they have never met them. And what happens when those animals pass away? We also grieve their deaths. Most recently, cute cat Lil Bub passed away and the internet world mourned. Abby Ohlheiser, reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for more.
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First there were “Greenies” in baseball, then there were steroids, but now, Adderall seems to be the performance-enhancing drug of choice. The pills are easy to get, hard to test for, and provide that boost of focus and energy that is needed to play the game. Kendall Baker, sports editor at Axios, joins us for the big problem…While many believe taking Adderall is cheating, some players need it for legitimate reasons, so what should be done?
Next, while the impeachment inquiry is still underway and 2020 Democratic candidates are fighting for the nomination, what is the Trump campaign doing to fight back against anti-Trump animus? Trotting out Mike Pence. Trump can handle the big rallies and Pence will be out making the case for another term with seniors, suburban women, and swing-state voters. Gabby Orr, White House reporter at Politico, joins us for more.
Finally, now that many people have cut the cord and are spending more time with streaming platforms, you have to be careful about all that binge-watching. Some internet providers put a data cap on what you consume and the autoplay feature could be a major culprit. Jefferson Graham, host of the Talking Tech Podcast joins us for why too much binging could cost you more.
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You might not be aware, but the DMV is selling your personal information. DMV’s are selling the personal data you give them when you apply for a driver’s license or register a vehicle and to thousands of businesses and even private investigators and it’s all perfectly legal. Joseph Cox, senior staff writer at Vice’s Motherboard, joins us for how DMVs are making millions off of your personal information.
Next, we are keeping an eye on two reports. First: the House Intelligence Committee has released its impeachment report and accused President Trump of misconduct and obstruction. Second: the Inspector General’s report on whether the FBI was justified in investigating former Trump campaign associates, its due out next week. Brett Samuels, White House reporter at The Hill, joins us for what to know about both.
Finally, Cyber Monday has come and gone and consumers spent $9.4 billion, the largest online shopping day of all time. But what comes next is the scramble to deliver all those packages. And with the tight holiday-season calendar, UPS, FedEx, Amazon, and the Post Office are in overdrive to make sure you get your packages on time. Paul Ziobro, reporter for the WSJ, joins us for how it’s going to get done.
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There is good news and high optimism that there could be an HIV vaccine as soon as 2021. Three experimental HIV vaccines are in the final stages of testing and it is promising that these trials have made it this far. The trials are focusing on different demographics in different parts of the world. Tim Fitzsimons, reporter for NBC News, joins us for why scientists are more hopeful for a vaccine than any other time since 1984.
Next, Congress is gearing up for a chaotic December. House and Senate members are currently scheduled to leave town by December 13, but are planning to stay until late December to finish legislative work and get ready for the next phase of impeachment. Lawmakers have until Dec. 20 to pass spending bills in order to avoid another shutdown and the House wants to vote on impeachment before Christmas. Jordain Carney, Senate reporter at The Hill, joins us for more.
Finally, McDonald’s is getting into the chicken sandwich wars with its latest offering. It is a fried chicken filet topped with butter and pickles, a deluxe version has tomatoes, lettuce, and mayo. Just in the testing phase, it is only available in Houston, Texas and Knoxville, Tennessee. Kate Taylor, correspondent at Business Insider, joins us for McDonald’s big play in the effort to compete in the new battlegrounds for fast food, chicken and breakfast.
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The House Intelligence Committee has a set a Tuesday vote to approve the release of their report on President Trump’s dealings with Ukraine. After the release of the report, the investigations is handed off to the Judiciary Committee to write articles of impeachment. Ginger Gibson, political reporter for Reuters, joins us for what’s next in the impeachment inquiry and Joe Biden’s 8-day “No Malarkey” bus tour in Iowa.
Next, it is one of the most compelling UFO cases in modern history: the Nimitz UFO Encounters. And while we already know about how the Nimitz encountered a Tic Tac shaped aerial vehicle, we are hearing from other witnesses to the event. These witness accounts say that shortly after the encounter, there was a rush to turn over all the data concerning the UFO sighting and that two men quickly departed with all the relevant data to the event. Tim McMillan, contributor to Popular Mechanics, joins us for what he learned from the other Nimitz witnesses.
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This is a compilation of the best stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of the best stories of the week.
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Black Friday is here and it’s time to talk more about shopping. Are you an ecoshopper, an online convert, or a retro doorbuster? Sales are now starting before Thanksgiving, we have Small Business Saturday, and it extends all the way to Cyber Monday and shopping patterns are diverging by age. Ray Smith, reporter for the WSJ, joins us to talk about the generational divide in holiday shopping.
Next, as the holidays are approaching, you have to be wary of scammers. One scam in particular that ramps up at the end of the year are gift card scams. People are posing as grandchildren, government officials, and tech-support agents and ask for payments through store gift cards. Gifts cards are the choice of scammers because purchases can be made immediately and anonymously. Julie Jargon, family and tech columnist at the WSJ, joins us with a story of how one family learned the hard way.
Finally, as we buy more products online and want them delivered faster and faster, we have to take a look at those people fulfilling those orders. A recent report from The Atlantic and the Center for Investigative Reporting shows that ruthless quotas at Amazon’s fulfillment centers are injuring workers at a rate of 9.6 serious injuries per 100 full time workers in 2018. The industry average is just 4. My producer Victor Wright joins us for more.
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Thanksgiving is here and we are all about the food and shopping! To start us off today we will give you the official Thanksgiving food power rankings. We will speak to Lucas Kwan Peterson, food columnist at the LA Times for his take on where all your favorite Thanksgiving foods rank. A little preview of what you are in for… Turkey ranks dead last in his list, pumpkin pie doesn’t fare much better, and cranberries might just be the most controversial food item.
Next, some people will start shopping tonight after dinner, some start on Black Friday, others are waiting until Cyber Monday. Whatever the case may be, we have a list of some very helpful apps and websites that will make your shopping experience run a lot smoother. For those looking for deals online, Slickdeals can help with alerts when something you’ve been looking for goes on sale, and for those looking for doorbuster deals, Flipp is the app for you. Marc Saltzman, tech columnist for USA Today, joins us for all the apps you need before you start shopping.
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Not too many things happening with the impeachment inquiry this week as lawmakers are taking a break for Thanksgiving, but one development that occurred was a federal judge ruled that former White House counsel Don McGahn must testify under subpoena in the ongoing House impeachment inquiry. The Justice Department which is representing McGahn has said it will appeal. Alayna Treene, White House reporter at Axios, joins us for what it all means.
Next, a comprehensive new study is showing that mortality rates for U.S. adults ranging from ages 25-64 continue to increase, bringing down the general population’s life expectancy for at least three years in a row. The culprits killing more people are drug overdoses, diseases linked to obesity, and suicides. Jorge Ortiz, reporter for USA Today, joins us for more.
Finally, there was a daring jewelry heist that happened at a museum in the German City of Dresden on Monday. German media has called the theft the biggest one there since the Second World War. In order to pull it off, the thieves set fire to a nearby electrical distribution point which caused complete darkness at the museum. My producer Victor Wright joins us for how they got away with it.
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President Trump has ordered the Pentagon not to remove Chief Petty Officer Edward Gallagher from the Navy SEALs. Gallagher was at the center of a high-profile war crimes case where he was convicted of posing for photographs with the body of a teenage ISIS captive. Navy Secretary Richard Spencer also resigned over the issue because he reportedly proposed a private compromise with the White House that would have let Gallagher retire despite the outcome of an upcoming peer-review process. Wesley Morgan, military affairs reporter for Politico, joins us for all the details.
Next, we will tell you about El Mencho, the most powerful drug kingpin you’ve never heard of. Now that El Chapo is behind bars for good, authorities have turned their attention to the leader of the CJNG cartel which has 5,000 members spread across every continent except Antarctica. Reports say the cartel uses ruthless tactics including acid baths, decapitations, and even cannibalism. Beth Warren, investigative reporter for the Louisville Courier Journal, joins us for more on drug kingpin, El Mencho.
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Yet again… add one more to the list. Billionaire and former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has announced that he is also running for President. Bloomberg will have an uphill battle to the nomination, but will throw millions of dollars into his campaign and not accept any donations. Ginger Gibson, political reporter for Reuters, joins us for this update and also a number of polls showing that Independents are starting to sour on the impeachment inquiry.
Next, every minute there are about 3.8 million queries typed into Google. And while the company says that it does not use any human curation to arrange results on a page, Google has interfered with search results with to a far greater degree with algorithm tweaks, blacklists, and thousands of low-paid contractors to access the quality of search results. There are a lot more factors that go into what information gets displayed when you use Google than you might think. Kirsten Grind, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for how Google decides on what you see.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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Federal law enforcement officials are investigating whether the gun used in a school shooting at Saugus High School in California was a homemade, unserialized gun known as a “ghost gun.” The popularity of ghost guns has increased with advances in technology and make up a third of guns recovered by the ATF. Alain Stephens, western correspondent at The Trace, joins us for more on these ghost guns.
Next, the fifth round of Democratic debates took place on Wednesday in the shadow of the impeachment hearings. Less than three months before voting starts taking place in Iowa and New Hampshire, Mayor Pete Buttigieg stood his ground, Joe Biden stumbled again, and Sen. Kamala Harris had a few good moments. Niall Stanage, White House columnist at The Hill, helps break it down.
Finally, while millennials have gotten a reputation for being useless and leeching off their parents, a BuzzFeed analysis of Census Bureau data shows that while a large number of Boomers help support their adult children, just as many millennials are financially supporting their parents, dispelling the notion that they are lazy and dependent. Vanessa Wong, reporter at BuzzFeed News, joins us with some stories of millennials supporting their parents.
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Three teens in Alabama were tired of playing video games and decided to make a YouTube video. They wanted to make a “To Catch a Predator” style video so they set up some fake online dating profiles saying they were minors. All it took was two days and they made contact with a local teacher. The action was swift after they posted their video confronting him. Anna Claire Vollers, reporter for AL.com, joins us for Hive vs. Predator.
Next, we had critical testimony in the impeachment hearings. Ambassador to the European Union, Gordon Sondland, testified that there was indeed a quid pro quo in demanding that Ukraine investigate Burisma and the Bidens in exchange for military aid and a visit to the White House. Sondland also threw everyone under the bus saying that indicated that Mike Pompeo, Mike Pence, and Mick Mulvaney all knew what was going on. My producer Victor Wright, joins us for more.
Finally, for generations General Electric was a breeding ground for CEOs and business leaders, now, Amazon has taken that spot. Amazon employees are taking the 14 leadership principles they learn while on the job and are applying them to the startups and businesses they go on to run. Dana Mattioli, reporter for the WSJ, joins us for how Amazon is America’s new CEO factory.
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Are you worn out with the amount of political news coming out daily? As the impeachment inquiry continues in Washington, many Americans are finding it difficult to keep up with the latest and what to believe, and it is causing them to tune out. Fake information is part of the problem, but so is the growing amount of opinion in news. Sabrina Tavernise, reporter for the NY Times, joins us for the fog of political news.
Next, while the fog of daily political news can get very thick, we did have a full day of impeachment hearings with more on the way. On Tuesday, Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, Russia advisor to Mike Pence, Jennifer Williams, Ambassador Kurt Volker, and senior NSC official Tim Morrison all testified. Abbey Marshall, reporter at Politico, joins us to break down the testimony.
Finally, the last three weeks have not been kind to reboots at the box office. Doctor Sleep, Terminator: Dark Fate, and Charlie’s Angels were all flops. Part of the problem of why these reboots are not getting any traction is that many of these appeal to nostalgia for projects that came out about 20 years ago and younger moviegoers are not as familiar or attached to them as older audiences. Jeremy Fuster, reporter at The Wrap, joins us for more.
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Another big week with more public testimony in the Democrats impeachment hearings. And as the hearings continue to anger President Trump, it is also causing some tension between him and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Reports say that Trump blames Pompeo for letting so many State Dept. officials testify to impeachment investigators. Carol Lee, NBC News correspondent, joins us for more.
Next, loneliness is becoming a more common situation that people are experiencing, but would you pay upwards of $720 for help finding a friend. While people are racking up thousands of friends online and through social media, many people still long for deep platonic relationships. Enter co-working and co-living spaces, apps to help you find friends, and even consultants to help you set up friend dates. Lisa Bonos, reporter for the Washington Post, joins us for more on the friend finding industry.
Finally, a little puppy named Narwhal captured the hearts of many people on the internet last week. Narwhal is special because he was born with two tails. And while that could be strange already, the second tail he was born with is coming out of his forehead! Claire Maldarelli, associate editor at Popular Science, joins us for the science behind Narwhal’s forehead tail.
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Washington is all about the impeachment hearings right now. There was a wild moment that played out last week as ousted ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch testified, she got to answer in real-time to Twitter attacks from the president. More testimony released from other officials also tie Trump to the delay in Ukraine finds. This week there will be eight people testifying across three days including Gordon Sondland, ambassador to the EU. Ginger Gibson, political reporter for Reuters, joins us for a breakdown of testimony so far.
Next, there is a new vodka out on the market that aims to help stop climate change. It is made solely from carbon dioxide and water and the process used results in a carbon-negative vodka. Chemist Stafford Sheehan was working on a project to make renewable fuel from air. One of the fuels he made was ethanol, then he purified that and made a few beverages from it. But while the science creates a chemically pure vodka, some argue that it lacks soul and character. Adam Rogers, author of Proof: The Science of Booze, joins us for how this vodka helps fight climate change.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week
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The Florida citrus industry in danger because of a disease that affects tree roots and prevents raw green fruit from ripening. The disease is called huang long bing, which means yellow dragon sickness. The problem is so bad that 90% of the state’s groves are infected by the disease and the industry might only survive 10-15 more years. Darryl Fears, reporter for the Washington Post joins us for the most feared citrus disease in the world.
Next, the stories that emerged from the first round of public impeachment hearing varied dramatically depending on where you get your news. Check out conservative media and the hearing was a dud, check out other media and the story was about new details of a call between Trump and Gordon Sondland. Neal Rothschild, reporter at Axios, joins us for impeachment’s dueling echo chambers.
Finally, add one more to the list. Former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick has declared that he is running for president. Jumping into the already crowded field of democratic candidates and missing several debates already, he will face an uphill battle to make his case for the nomination. Zach Montellaro, campaign reporter for Politico, joins us for more.
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The House’s public impeaching hearings got underway on Wednesday with testimony from top State Department official George Kent and the top U.S. diplomat to Ukraine Bill Taylor. One new thing we learned was that one of Taylor’s staff members said that they overheard Trump on a phone call asking about the “investigations,” bringing the president closer to the Ukraine pressure campaign. Alex Gangitano, reporter at The Hill, joins us to break down the impeachment testimony.
Next, Google has partnered with one of the U.S.’s largest healthcare systems on an initiative called “Project Nightingale” to collect detailed personal health information of millions of people in 21 states. The problem is that neither Google, nor its healthcare partner notified patients or doctors that they were collecting data. Sarah Needleman, tech reporter for the WSJ joins for more on this story which has triggered a federal inquiry.
Finally, another update on the ongoing outbreak of vaping related illnesses. Last month, a 17-year old boy whose lungs were damaged so badly by vaping received a double lung transplant. The patients lungs were scared, stiffened, and had various spots of dead tissue. Denise Grady, reporter at the NY Times, joins us for more.
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Soldiers in an intelligence unit with top-secret clearances were ordered by their commander to download an app they say could endanger them. The soldiers were concerned that the apps permissions allowed it to collect substantial amounts of personal data which caused concern that a hack could put individuals and missions at risk. Alex Horton, reporter for the Washington Post, joins us for more.
Next, a split Supreme Court looks like it could be ready to let President Trump end the DACA program. The two issues at hand are whether the courts have power to second guess Trump’s action and if the repeal itself was lawful. All eyes were on Chief Justice John Roberts as the potential swing vote, but the decision will not come until next spring. Bianca Quilantan, higher education reporter at Politico joins us for the fate of the Dreamers.
Finally, Disney+ launched Tuesday to some technical difficulties. Some were not able to access the service after paying for it, others could not access certain Star Wars titles, and others experienced long load times. But despite these initial hiccups, Disney+ has the potential to be a real contender with new programming and tons backlog titles from Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar, and the Disney Vault. My producer Victor Wright, joins us for what to expect from the new streamer.
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A “potential chemical of concern” has emerged from the outbreak of vaping related lung illnesses. The CDC has identified Vitamin E acetate as the potential culprit after finding it in the lung fluid of 29 samples from across 10 states. Vitamin E acetate can be grease-like or sticky and can cling to lung tissue. Emma Ockerman, reporter for Vice News, joins us for the latest.
Next, there is an anti-California sentiment growing in Boise, Idaho. Californians are leaving the state because of high taxes and housing affordability, and settling in places like Boise. But as Boise is experiencing a growth spurt, they are angry at Californians for pushing home prices higher, adding to traffic, and limiting opportunities for locals. Maria La Ganga, reporter for the LA Times, joins us for why there is so much hostility.
Finally, the struggle is real for some men to grow a beard. And in order for some guys to get that perfect look, they are faking it. Sometimes beards don’t grow in as fast as you might like, hair comes in patchy or in weird colors, so some guys are faking it with bread sprays, beard transplants, and even vitamin infused gummies that are supposed to promote hair growth. Ray Smith, style reporter for the WSJ, joins us for more.
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The next phase in the impeachment inquiry starts this Wednesday as televised hearings will feature diplomats that have already testified behind closed doors. First up is the top diplomat in Ukraine, William Taylor. Taylor was upset that security aid to Ukraine was held up for political reasons. Ginger Gibson, political reporter for Reuters, joins us for what to expect from the hearings, GOP defenses to Trump, and whether Michael Bloomberg will run for president.
Next, a million Americans are arrested every year for drunken driving, and in many cases, the breathalyzer test is what seals the deal. But a recent NY Times investigation has found that these devices can give skewed results because of human error or because the devices haven’t been properly calibrated. There have been so many errors that judges in Massachusetts and New Jersey have thrown out more than 30,000 breath tests in the past 12 months alone. Stacy Cowley, reporter for the NY Times, joins us for why we can’t always trust the breathalyzer test.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week
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Thanks in part to big tech companies, San Francisco is now home to more dogs than children. The city’s demographic is skewing younger and richer, people are staying single for longer, having fewer children, and getting more dogs. Dogs are welcome most everywhere and many companies have dog friendly workplace policies. Jason Sheeler, contributing writer to AirMail.news, joins us for how San Francisco is living the dog life.
Next, Virgin Hyperloop One is looking to become the next major mode of transportation and is looking for a place to construct a 6 certification track that would be tested for commercial use. Still hurting from losing out on the Transcontinental Railroad in the 1880s, Missouri is throwing its hat in the ring early in hopes of winning the contract. Shayndi Raice, reporter for the WSJ, joins us for more.
Finally, the U.S. is officially leaving the Paris Agreement, an effort by 200 countries to lower carbon emissions and keep the global climate from rising 1.5 degrees Celsius. The withdrawal will take one year and be official one day after election day 2020, setting it up to be a huge campaign issue. Sara Kiley Watson, editorial assistant at Popular Science, joins us for what comes next.
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Update on the impeachment inquiry… House Democrats have announced that public hearings will begin next week with testimony from three State Dept. officials that have already testified behind closed doors. In other impeachment news, Donald Trump Jr. has tweeted out the name of the alleged whistleblower. Hayes Brown, host of the Impeachment Today Podcast, joins us to break it all down.
Next, the next front in the streaming wars will be a piracy crackdown. With more streaming platforms coming online very soon, companies are preparing to combat open source software that is sharing content and also what many people may guilty of… password sharing. The streamers need paying subscribers and password sharing has become an increasing problem. Eriq Gardner, senior editor at the Hollywood Reporter, joins us for more.
Finally, with little fanfare or reward, Michael Gillespie has become one of the top people fighting a growing element of cybercrime: ransomware. There are almost 800 known types of ransomware, and Gillespie, has cracked more than 100 of them. Hundreds of thousands of victims have downloaded his decryption tools for free. Renee Dudley, tech reporter at Pro Publica, joins us for the ransomware hero of Normal, Illinois.
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Horrible tragedy in Mexico as at least 9 Americans: three women and six children from a prominent local Mormon family were killed by drug cartel gunmen. Authorities in Mexico say that it may have been a case of mistaken identity and the targets were a rival drug cartel. Pilar Melendez, reporter at The Daily Beast, joins us for what we know.
Next, Student surveillance services are constantly monitoring the emails, homework assignments, pictures, and even chats of students for any sign that they might be a danger to themselves or others. Gaggle, is one such service that is monitoring about 4.8 million students across the country. Caroline Haskins, tech reporter for BuzzFeed News, joins us for how Gaggle is watching everything your kids are doing.
Finally, STDs are at an all-time high and a new study is showing that people are trying to “crowd diagnose” what they have by asking people on Reddit. People enjoy the anonymity and speed of the internet, but doctors worry that a misdiagnosis could lead to ineffective treatments and further spread of a disease. Julia Naftulin, health reporter at Insider, joins us for more.
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As scientists continue to look for the ever elusive dark matter, experiments designed to look for this currently undetected substance may depend on ancient shipwrecks. More specifically the lead that has been buried under water for hundreds of years. While other materials can be used in such experiments, this lead has low levels of radioactivity, which make it ideal for shielding dark matter detectors from rouge radiation. Robin George Andrews, contributor to the Atlantic, joins us for more.
Next, transgender athletes are having a moment right now and at all levels of sport are stepping onto the podium winning medals and setting records. But as more transgender athletes are winning competitions, opponents are saying that they are ruining sports for cisgendered girls and women. Some ways that have been floated around to address this would be to create multiple divisions or extra categories for athletes to compete in. Christie Aschwanden, contributor to Wired, joins us for more on how trans athletes are shaking up sports.
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We are one year out from the 2020 election and the country is more divided than ever. President Donald Trump is facing an impeachment process and Democrats still have not chosen a candidate to take him on. While one year will fly by overall, it is an eon in politics and anything can still happen. Ginger Gibson, political reporter for Reuters joins us for some poll numbers and what to expect this next year.
Next, there is a small town called Green Bank in West Virginia, where WiFi is illegal. Its home to the Green Bank Observatory, a crucial facility in the field of radio astronomy. The observatory detects signals from space that are so faint, that any radio interference can throw off readings, therefore, any radio frequency interference that could corrupt their research has been deemed illegal. Matt Blitz, reporter at Popular Mechanics, joins us for how this town operates in 2019.
Finally, there has been a decline in religion in the country happening for some time now, but two new surveys released recently show that millennials are skipping church and not going back. In 2019, two-thirds attended services a few times a year, and 4 in 10 say they seldom or never go. Christine Emba, opinion columnist for the Washington Post, joins us for why this may be happening.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week
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In a 232-196 party line-vote, the House has approved rules for the Trump impeachment inquiry. The rules lay out how the House Intelligence Committee, who is currently leading the investigation will transition to public hearings. They will release a report of their findings and also release transcripts of closed-door testimony. Mike Lillis, congressional reporter at The Hill, joins us for the latest step in the impeachment inquiry.
Next, one of the biggest events in horse racing happens this weekend as Santa Anita Racetrack hosts the Breeders’ Cup. Santa Anita itself has been under tons of scrutiny for 36 horse deaths since last December, and while there are many factors that can contribute to a horse injury, one of the few factors we can control is the quality of dirt tracks. Lexi Pandell, contributor to Wired, joins us for the super-optimized dirt that helps keep horses safe.
Finally, Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey has announced that they will no longer run political ads, putting pressure on Facebook, who recently said they would allow political ads to be posted on their platform even if there were lies in the campaign messaging. Steven Overly, tech reporter at Politico, joins us for more.
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Starting us off today is the dying trend of trick-or-treating. While kids are still getting their hands on sweets and we are spending more than ever on candy, the tradition of knocking door-to door is fading in favor of alternative Halloween events like “trunk-or-treats” and other community celebrations. Ursula Perano, reporter at Axios joins us to talk about how trick-or-treating is changing.
Next, we’ll tell you about the “most haunted hotel in Los Angeles,” The Cecil Hotel. A mother threw her newborn out of a window, a man was killed by a falling woman, a serial killer lived there, and more recently, a traveling tourist was found floating in the water tank of the hotel after people had complained of funny tasting water. My producer Victor Wright, joins us for some of the strange happenings at the Cecil Hotel.
Finally, another creepy story. With shades of the Michelle Carter case, a former Boston College student has been charged with involuntary manslaughter after prosecutors said she engaged in a campaign of abuse and urged her boyfriend to commit suicide, which unfortunately he did, only hours before his college graduation. Maria Cramer, reporter for the Boston Globe, joins us for more.
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Halloween is here and it’s time to talk about costumes. If you Google sexy “anything” costume, chances are you will be directed to Yandy.com where you can find costumes to be sexy witch, sexy Mr. Rogers, and yes… even a sexy impeachment costume. Maura Judkis, reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for the sexy Halloween costume industrial complex.
Next, the National Security Council’s top Ukraine expert, who sat in on the phone call at the center of the impeachment inquiry testified before three House panels about how he raised concerns twice that President Trump was pushing for Ukraine to investigate Democrats and the Bidens. Brett Samuels, White House reporter at The Hill, joins us for more on the testimony of Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman.
Finally, the 5-hour workday is getting put to the test… in Germany. Buckle down, work 5 hours, and get paid the same as a full time job. One consulting firm is trying it out by discouraging small talk during work hours, banning social media. Keeping phones in backpacks, and checking company email just twice a day. Eric Morath, reporter for the WSJ, joins us for how this could get workers to be more efficient.
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Freshman Rep. Katie Hill is resigning from Congress after facing allegations of inappropriate sexual relationships with staffers. Hill was under investigation by the House Ethics Committee for an improper relationship with a male congressional staffer and then admitted to a relationship with a female campaign staffer. John Bresnahan, congressional bureau chief at Politico, joins us for more.
Next, U.S. Special Operations Forces cornered ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in a tunnel in a raid over the weekend after which he set off a suicide vest. Commandos on the scene were able to identify him by combining facial-recognition technology and fast DNA analysis. Joseph Trevithick, assistant editor at The Warzone, joins us for how Special Forces are increasingly becoming combat detectives…gathering and analyzing identity intelligence.
Finally, researchers are getting close to finding out what is causing the mysterious polio-like illness affecting children, called acute flaccid myelitis. There is a growing body of evidence that it could be two viruses which have developed new abilities to infect the nervous system. Claire Maldareli, associate editor at Popular Science, joins us for how scientists are narrowing down the cause of AFM.
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President Trump announced on Sunday that Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the Islamic State leader, died during a military operation by Delta Forces in Syria. The President described al-Baghdadi dying like a dog and a coward saying he retreated into a “dead end” tunnel with three of his children and detonated a suicide vest after which the tunnel collapsed. Special Forces conducted a DNA test to verify the remains. Ginger Gibson, political reporter for Reuters, joins for this news and the latest from the impeachment inquiry.
Next, as scientists continue to work on getting lab-grown meat to have the right texture and taste, they are taking their latest cues from cotton candy and literally spinning up meat fibers. They are spinning up thin strands of gelatin that mimic muscle fibers which could be the next step in getting lab-grown steaks, chicken, and pulled pork. While ground beef and chorizo can be made just fine, it’s still going to take a lot of work to replicate a steak. Matt Simon, science writer at Wired, joins us for more.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week
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As details in the impeachment probe continue to develop daily, we are learning that top Ukrainian officials were told in early August about the delay in security assistance which undercuts one of the main arguments by the president, there was no quid pro quo because the Ukrainians didn’t know the assistance was blocked. Andrew Kramer, reporter for the NY Times based in Ukraine, joins us for more.
Next, there is an ongoing revolution with “smart drugs,” accelerating us into a 24/7 society and chances are that you might already know someone who takes cognitive-enhancing drugs. It is predicted that the global brain health supplement market will reach over $10 billion dollars by 2025. Alex Wilkins, reporter at Metro, joins us for how attitudes are changing about “smart drugs.”
Finally, legendary directors Martin Scorsese and Francis Ford Coppola have weighed in on Marvel’s blockbuster superhero movies saying they are not cinema and calling them despicable. Responding to the criticism, Disney Chief Bob Iger defended the films by saying it was disrespectful to the people who work on those movies. Erich Schwartzel, entertainment reporter at the WSJ, joins us to discuss the latest Marvel criticisms.
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President Trump on Wednesday announced the U.S. will lift sanctions on Turkey and also said that the ceasefire in northern Syria is now permanent. The safe zone in the area will now be enforced by Russia and Turkey. Missy Ryan, national security reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for the latest details and the Trump foreign policy doctrine.
Next, scientists have created a new more powerful technique to edit genes. While most people may be familiar with CRISPR, this new method is called “prime editing” and it offers more precise gene cuts with less errors. Jackson Ryan, science editor at CNET, joins us more on this new gene editing technique that could enable treatment for approximately 89% of genetic mutations that cause disease.
Finally, who are all those strangers that are watching your Instagram stories? While we may like the extra attention, it may be part of a new account promotion strategy. Some social media agencies are enlisting bots to make it look like their clients are watching millions of stories a day. It’s called “mass storyviewing” and people are just hoping that you follow them back. Jane C. Hu, contributor to Slate, joins us for those strangers watching your stories.
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The top American diplomat in Ukraine, William Taylor, described in closed-door testimony to impeachment investigators a quid-pro-quo pressure campaign by President Trump to withhold security aid and a White House meeting unless the Ukrainian President publicly pledged to investigate the Bidens and 2016 election interference. Taylor also Rudy Giuliani as being at the center of an “irregular policy channel” that was at odds with normal foreign policymaking. My producer Victor Wright, joins us for some of the details of William Taylor’s testimony.
Next, a crazy story coming out of Illinois. A 9-year old boy is facing five counts of murder and arson charges stemming from a fire he started back in April. At his arraignment, the judge had to slow things down multiple times to help the boy understand the charges against him. The boy did not know what “alleged” or “arson” meant. The boy is too young to go to jail, but if convicted he could be put on probation for five years and sent to a detention center if that is violated. Phil Luciano, reporter for the Peoria Journal Star, was in the courtroom for the boy’s arraignment and tells us what he saw.
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For parents with kids in school, you might already be aware that many middle and high schools offer online gradebooks where the status of quizzes, homework, and overall grades can be monitored…and it’s quickly becoming the latest parental obsession. Julie Jargon, family and tech columnist at the WSJ, joins us for how watching the steady stream of test and homework scores is too tempting for some.
Next, Democrats are increasingly getting worried about the amount of money that President Trump and the RNC have raised so far and what it could mean for the general election. This year, they have raised about $300 million for his re-election effort, more than any sitting president in history at this point in the campaign. David Siders, national political correspondent at Politico, join us for money in the campaign and how it’s used.
Finally, U.S. tourism has had a good run for about a decade and small historic cities are starting to feel the pain of this prolonged boom and locals are directing some of their anger at hotel developers. Local city leaders are even passing moratoriums on new hotel construction and hoteliers are feeling unjustly targeted. Mike Sasso, economics reporter at Bloomberg News, joins us for more on these cities overrun by tourists.
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Acting Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney was trying all weekend to walk back comments he made at a press conference where he seemed to say there was a quid pro quo in holding up military aid to Ukraine. Also, Defense Secretary Mark Esper said that troops leaving Syria will not come home, instead they will go to Western Iraq. Ginger Gibson, political reporter for Reuters, joins us for all the big political news over the weekend.
Next, we check in on the great American cannabis experiment. Now almost seven years old, it was in 2012 that Washington and Colorado chose to make cannabis legal for recreational use. But with every new state that legalizes, the contradictions between state and federal laws become more apparent. While marijuana continues to remain illegal under the Controlled Substances Act, the cannabis industry is growing and generated over $10 billion in sales last year. What all this means is that some Americans are making money producing and selling cannabis, while others are being arrested and charged for the same activity. Natalie Fertig, reporter at Politico, joins us for more.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week
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Vice President Mike Pence announced that Turkey will pause its military operation in Syria for 5 days to allow for the Kurds to withdraw from the area. While President Trump called it a victory, critics still say Turkey got everything they wanted and the whole ordeal has diminished the standing of the U.S. in the area. Dave Lawler, Axios world editor, joins us for the ceasefire.
Next, the world’s longest flight is leaving New York Friday and arriving in Sydney during its Sunday morning. It will be providing fresh insight into the physical and emotional toll these long haul flights have on the crew and passengers. Angus Whitley, reporter for Bloomberg News and one of the passengers who will be on this long haul flight joins us for what to expect from this 20-hour flight.
Finally, an entire marketplace has sprung up online where people put Cheetos that looks like things up for sale, sometimes for hundreds and thousands of dollars. After the Harambe Cheeto sold for $100,000, people have been trying endlessly to make money off of these cheesy puffs. Tove Danovich, journalist and contributor to TheOutline.com, joins us for the collectible Cheetos market.
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GM and the United Auto Workers union have finally struck a proposed agreement to end a month-long strike of about 46,000 GM union workers at 55 facilities in 10 states. One of the last sticking points in the negotiations had been commitments by GM to build vehicles in U.S plants. Phoebe Wall Howard, automotive reporter for the Detroit Free Press, joins us for how workers on the strike line feel about the latest developments.
Next, Virgin Galactic has unveiled the jumpsuits that space tourists will be wearing on their flights to the edge of space. The new suits made by Under Armour, are included in the $250,000 price tag for the flight. Virgin Galactic is in the final testing stages and is planning flights for next year. Michael Sheetz, space reporter at CNBC, joins us for more.
Finally, more women are flocking to another industry primarily dominated by men, and they are coming for the equal pay. More women are becoming truck drivers because they are typically paid by the mile, per load, and experience, not by gender. Cristina Roca, reporter for the WSJ, joins us for how many women are moving into trucking.
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The NBA and China have been in a weird spot since Houston Rockets GM Daryl Morey tweeted support for Hong Kong’s pro-democracy protesters. Now, NBA star LeBron James has waded into the controversy and it might have made things worse after saying Morey was “misinformed.” Mike Sykes, sports reporter for Axios, joins of for the latest in the NBA’s troubles with China.
Next, we watched all three hours of the Democratic debate so you didn’t have to. Kicking the whole thing off were questions about impeachment and it led to former Vice President Joe Biden defending his and his son’s actions with regards to Ukraine. Sen. Elizabeth Warren feeling the front-runner status, defended herself from all sides and struggled to answer how she would pay for her Medicare-for-all plan. And of course, Sen. Bernie Sanders has to answer questions about his health and whether he can keep going in the race, to which he teased a special guest at an upcoming rally. Sources say A.O.C. will be endorsing him. Amie Parnes, senior political correspondent at The Hill, joins us to break down the democratic debate.
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As chaos continues to grow in Syria, President Trump has ordered all U.S. troops to withdraw from the north to avoid a conflict between Turkey and the Kurds. This will likely be a pullback of about 1,000 troops. Ginger Gibson, political reporter for Reuters, joins us for this, another resignation at the top of DHS, and the latest on the impeachment inquiry.
Next, a Florida inmate filmed a secret documentary about the conditions inside Martin Correctional Institution. With oversized glasses that had cameras attached to them and a hollowed out Bible with a hidden camera in it, Scott Whitney filmed other inmates passed out on synthetic drugs, fights, mold covering kitchen walls and more. Romy Ellenbogen, reporter for the Miami Herald, joins us for what these hidden recordings show.
Finally, how do you feel about eating alone? At home, Americans eat 45% of all meals alone and single diners at restaurants comprise about a quarter of party sizes. But while hectic schedules are a main cause of solo dining, many people say that they like to eat alone and food companies are taking notice. Ellen Byron, reporter for the WSJ, joins us for more.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week
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Before talking to Dr. Gregg Semenza, we could find ourselves in an unprecedented scenario: President Trump could be impeached in the House, acquitted in the Senate, and then re-elected in 2020. Congress would have nowhere to go in the event of another scandal, it might be politically impossible. David Nather, managing editor at Axios, joins us to talk about the impeachment inquiry.
Next, something very exciting as we talk to a 2019 Nobel Prize winner! Earlier this week, Dr. Gregg Semenza and two others received the Nobel Prize for Medicine for their work into how cells sense and adapt to oxygen availability. Because of their discoveries, there have been advancements that led to anemia and cancer drugs. Dr. Semenza, Professor of Genetic Medicine at Johns Hopkins University and 2019 Nobel Laureate, joins us to explain his work, how he reacted when he got the call notifying him he had won, and the high school teacher that inspired his love of science and discovery.
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Hundreds of thousands of Californians are experiencing planned power outages in an attempt to avoid wildfires sparked by wind-damaged PG&E electrical equipment. Last year’s Camp Fire was set off by PG&E equipment destroying the town of Paradise and killing 86 people. Matt Simon, science writer at Wired, joins us for all the conditions that got us here.
Next, amid more scrutiny in the wake of the college admissions cheating scandal, the ACT has announced that it will lets students retake individual portions of the test they wish to improve instead of having to retake the entire test. These new scores will be added to a “superscore” for the student. Tawnell Hobbs, education reporter for the WSJ, joins us for what this all means for students taking college entrance exams.
Finally, Apple and Google are pushing to transform the video game industry. Moving beyond traditional console and computer games, these companies are launching mobile game platforms like Apple Arcade and cloud based gaming like Google’s Stadia. Kevin Webb, tech reporter for Business Insider, joins us for how the video game industry is changing.
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The FBI has now confirmed that Samuel Little is the most prolific serial killer in U.S. history. Little has confessed to 93 murders. FBI crime analysts believe that all of his confessions are credible and law enforcement has been able to verify 50 confessions. One of the interesting parts of this is how many details Little remembers of his victims… names, dates, locations. Little has even sketched the faces of many of those victims. Now the FBI is looking for help from the public in matching the remaining unconfirmed confessions. Christine Palazzolo, crime analyst with the FBI’s Violent Crime Apprehension Program and Angela Williamson, DOJ ViCAP liason, join us to talk about Samuel Little.
Next, we continue to talk about Samuel Little and how he managed to evade being connected to all these murders until he was convicted in 2014 for the strangling deaths of three women in Los Angeles. It was after being put in prison in California, that he spoke to a Texas Ranger and he began to confess to over 90 murders. LA County Deputy District Attorney, Beth Silverman, who secured Little’s 2014 conviction joins us for how he was finally brought to justice.
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President Trump is facing criticism from both sides for a decision to withdraw troops in Syria for an expected Turkish attack on Kurds who have been U.S. allies in the fight against ISIS. He also threatened to destroy Turkey’s economy if they went too far. Morgan Chalfant, White House reporter for The Hill, joins us for more on Trump’s rationale, getting our troops out of endless wars.
Next, there is a cheating scandal rocking the poker world and it is playing out over YouTube and online forums as internet detectives try to figure out what’s going on. Poker player, Mike Postle, is under investigation for cheating during live-streamed poker games and is being accused of making too perfect a call on hands. It’s not the hands he is winning, rather it is those he is losing. David Hill, contributor to The Ringer, joins us for more.
Finally, more people are going to dealer lots to buy a new car and walking away with seven-year auto loans. These loans with longer terms have created an illusion of affordability and dealers now make more money on the loans than on the cars they sell. Ben Eisen, banking reporter for the WSJ, joins us how these longer term loans are putting consumers deeper in debt.
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A second whistleblower has now come forward and spoken to the intelligence community inspector general about information that backs up the original whistleblower complaint about the president’s dealings with Ukraine. This comes as the former special envoy for Ukraine, Kurt Volker, also released text messages that seemed to imply that the Ukrainian president would have to agree to the investigations Trump wanted before they could confirm a trip to the White House. Ginger Gibson, political reporter for Reuters joins us for the latest.
Next, co-working giant WeWork seemed destined for a huge public launch. The office space startup was valued at $47 billion before it filed for its IPO, and then in just about six weeks it all came crashing down. Once Adam Neumann, the founder of WeWork, filed its registration for the IPO and people got a look at the internal workings of the company, a ton of conflicts of interest and mismanagement was discovered. Then came news that Neumann frequently smoked marijuana and drank shots of tequila at work, it changed how investors and his employees saw him, and led to his ouster as CEO. Dakin Campbell, senior finance correspondent at Business Insider, joins us for the fall of WeWork.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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There are so many fast moving developments in the Trump, Ukraine, and whistleblower saga that it is hard to keep track of it all. Brett Samuels, White House reporter at The Hill, joins us to break down what we know. Trump openly said China should investigate the Bidens, how Vice President Mike Pence been involved, and the former special envoy for Ukraine is also testifying about what he knows.
Next, part of the whistleblower complaint was that the transcript of President Trump’s call with the Ukrainian president was placed in a special computer system reserved for the most sensitive national security secrets. While not illegal, it was characterized as highly unusual. Daniel Lippman, reporter at Politico, joins us for why the White House ordered this system upgraded to prevent leaks.
Finally, for all those wanting to get into the TV business, beware. Right now, story producers for reality TV, those who craft the narrative of your favorite reality TV shows, are facing decreasing wages and tougher working conditions. Tightening budgets are leading these producers to take on more work for the same pay. Katie Kilkenny, associate editor at The Hollywood Reporter, joins us for more.
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For years, public health officials have urged people to eat less red meat and processed meats because they have been linked to heart disease, cancer, and other illnesses. Now, a new analysis says that these dietary guidelines are not backed by good scientific evidence. There was immediate backlash and several public health organizations pushed back saying these new conclusions could harm the credibility of nutrition science. Claire Maldarelli, associate editor at Popular Science, joins us for what to know about the latest red meat controversy.
Next, the top story in Washington continues to be the whistleblower complaint against the President. And as Trump continues to cast doubt on the allegations, we are also learning that Rep. Adam Schiff learned the outlines of the whistleblower’s concerns days before he filed his complaint. Whistleblowing has been around since the beginning of the country and has always been a tool to prevent the abuse of power by those who hold it. Allison Stanger, author of Whistleblowers: Honesty in American from Washington to Trump, joins us to discuss what prompted the first whistleblower protection law to be enacted and how protecting them is more important than ever.
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The homelessness issue in San Francisco has gotten so bad that in one neighborhood, residents put boulders on the sidewalk to prevent people from setting up camp. What happened next was a battle between activists and residents that resulted in them being removed after it became too much of a problem for the residents who put them there in the first place. Hannah Knowles, reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for how it all played out.
Next, foul balls are hurting hundreds of people at Major League Baseball parks, leading to a discussion of whether more netting should be placed to protect people from errant baseballs. The Phillies are the latest team to say that they will expand safety netting before next season starts. NBC News found at least 808 reports of industries to fans from baseballs. No park shared data for the investigation but 701 of those injuries came from just 4 parks, so the true number of injuries could be much higher. Vicky Nguyen, investigative and consumer correspondent at NBC News, joins us for more on foul ball injuries.
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California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law the "Fair Pay to Play Act" on Monday, a first-in-the-nation law that will make it easier for college athletes to profit from their own name, image, and likeness. The law doesn’t go into effect until 2023, but it could be a major problem for the NCAA. Steve Berkowitz, reporter for USA Today Sports, joins us with more.
Next, we got one step closer to our self-driving car future, but there were some hiccups. Tesla released a new feature to some of its customers called “Smart Summon” which would enable the car to leave a parking spot and navigate around obstacles to pick up its owner. The problem is that it didn’t work out to well and led to some fender benders. Andrew Hawkins, transportation reporter at The Verge, joins us for what went wrong.
Finally, America’s first licensed cannabis restaurant is now open to the public. Lowell Farms: A Cannabis Café lets you eat a meal, while smoking marijuana or consuming edibles. Budtenders will find the right pairing of weed to match your food, or you can bring your own in for a “toke-age” fee. Jenn Harris, senior writer for the LA Times food section joins us for what to expect.
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The whistleblower will testify… House Intelligence Chairman Adam Schiff said that he has reached an agreement with the Trump-Ukraine whistleblower to come before the committee and be grilled by lawmakers. Ginger Gibson, political reporter for Reuters joins us to discuss the latest controversy for the president and what to expect from this story this week.
Next, having your flight delayed and canceled is a nightmare, but imagine if that nightmare happened for three days straight. American Airlines Flight 988 from Peru to Dallas, was plagued by problems leading passengers to be stranded in Peru for days. Scott McCartney, Middle Seat columnist for the WSJ, tells us how it happened and what you should do in similar circumstances.
Finally, a U.S. adventurer recently became the first person to reach the world’s deepest spots. Called the Five Deeps mission, Victor Vescovo, a Texas businessman, traveled solo to the deepest points of five oceans. The expedition discovered over 40 new species, corrected underwater maps and more. Josh Dean, contributor to Popular Science joined Victor at one of his missions and tells us his story.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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The whistleblower complaint against President Trump has been released and it is alleging that Trump is using the power of the office to solicit interference from a foreign government in the election. Furthermore, it alleges a cover-up by the White House to “lock down” records of the call. Brett Samuels, White House reporter at The Hill, joins us for what is in the complaint and a recap of testimony from the DNI Joseph Maguire.
Next, the upcoming movie Gemini Man pits a 49-year-old Will Smith against a 23-year-old clone of himself. To get it all done, 500 artists at six visual effects studios were tasked with creating a completely digital version of Smith. They are not simply de-aging him. This is a Will Smith comprised of nothing but data. Darryn King, contributor to Wired, joins us to talk about this game-changing tech.
Finally, a quick story about how the creator of the Labradoodle says the dog breed is his life’s regret. Wally Conron, spoke to the “Sum of All Parts” podcast and explained why he created the breed to begin with and why he is unsure if what he bred was a “designer dog, or a disaster.” My producer Victor Wright joins us for more.
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So much is happening in Washington right now and no signs of slowing down. An impeachment inquiry has been launched by Democrats, a declassified transcript summary has been released by the White House of a phone call Trump had with the Ukrainian President, and we are waiting to learn more about the whistleblower complaint that started it all. Morgan Chalfant, White House Reporter at The Hill, joins us for more on what was said in the phone call.
Next, you’ve heard all about the crisis at the border and influx of migrant families seeking asylum, but what happens after they are released into the US and waiting for the next step in the process? Often times they are exhausted, sick, out of money, and it is up to the local border communities to pick up the tab for helping them out. Alan Gomez, immigration reporter for USA Today, tells us how local governments are spending millions caring for migrants released by the Border Patrol.
Finally, earlier this summer, an asteroid narrowly missed the Earth and internal NASA emails show that scientists were completely caught off guard by its rapid approach. This near-miss resurfaced the long running conversation of how to build a reliable way to detect potentially hazardous asteroids. Dan Vergano, science reporter at BuzzFeed News, joins us for more on this sneaky space rock.
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House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has ordered a formal impeachment inquiry against Donald Trump after mounting pressure from fellow Democrats. But what prompted all of this? A controversy about a phone call that President Trump had with the Ukrainian president about investigating Joe Biden and his son in exchange for military aid. Ben Schreckinger, national political correspondent for Politico, joins us to discuss the latest Trump controversy that finally led to an impeachment inquiry.
Next, Carmen Blandin Tarleton is possibly facing another face transplant. 12 years after the attack that left her disfigured and 6 years after getting a face transplant, Carmen’s immune system is rejecting her face. She is now faced with two possibilities, get another transplant, but if the tissue fails rapidly, she might have to return to the disfigurement of her original face. Alex Horton, reporter for the Washington post, joins us for more.
Finally, there are a lot of reasons why couples combine their finances, and a lot of reasons why it can be difficult too. Some fear a loss of control of their own money, others are nervous about how their partner manages money and different financial goals. Cheryl Winokur Munk, contributor to the WSJ, joins us for when my money and your money becomes our money and what to do about it.
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Going to see your favorite musical act is getting pricier. Concerts are more expensive than ever, but fans keep paying up. The average price of a ticket to the 100 most popular tours in North America have quadrupled over the past two decades. Lucas Shaw, entertainment reporter at Bloomberg News, joins us for why ticket prices keep going up.
Next, politicians have been caught swearing since the beginning of politics, but according to a new analysis the number of swear words used by lawmakers on Twitter took a noticeable jump after 2016. Beto O’Rourke’s latest campaign T-shirt even has the F-word on it. J. Clara Chan, media and politics reporter at The Wrap, joins us for when profanity hits the campaign trail.
Finally, the CIA has declassified dozens of files from its attempts to create secret animal spies. By 1967 the CIA had three programs aimed at using dolphins, cats, dogs, and birds in secret spy missions. While not the most successful programs, it is an interesting look at how animals were being trained to perform a variety of tasks to help gather intel on the enemy. Paul Handley, national security correspondent at AFP news agency, joins us for more.
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Checking in on the 2020 Democrats…Sen. Elizabeth Warren continues to surge and is getting huge crowds at many of her events. While Joe Biden remains the frontrunner, these large crowds are a sign of growing enthusiasm. Ginger Gibson, political reporter for Reuters, joins us for that, a new plan on background checks circulating on Capitol Hill, and how President Trump has changed the White House to fit his style.
Next, the movies made it seem so simple, get a strand of hair and you can figure out who it belongs to through DNA. Well that is only true if the hair had a root on it, and in most cases they don’t. That has changed now thanks to a scientist who has developed a new technique that makes is possible to recover and sequence DNA from a hair without a root. The scientist behind the technique is now getting packages of hair from all over in hopes that he can identify serial killers and victims. Heather Murphy, reporter for the NY Times, joins us for the latest advancement in DNA.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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Aliens have been in the news a lot recently! An internet campaign to “Storm Area 51” has been getting a lot of press and the Navy just confirmed the authenticity of declassified videos that show “unidentified aerial phenomenon.” Lydia Saad, researcher at Gallup, joins us to discuss their latest survey on Americans thoughts on UFOs. Most Americans are skeptical, but say that the government knows more than they are letting on.
Next, vaping related lung illnesses continue to surge as the FDA has disclosed that its enforcement arm is conducting a parallel investigation with the one led by the CDC. Officials now say that at least 530 people in 38 states have fallen ill due to vaping. While the ultimate cause is still unknown, the focus seems to be on black market vaping products. Lena Sun, reporter for the Washington Post, joins us for more.
Finally, a whistleblower complaint has triggered a tense showdown between Congress and the intelligence community. The complaint involves President Trump’s communications with a foreign leader and an alleged “promise” that he made. Caitlin Oprysko, reporter at Politico, joins us for more on this whistleblower allegation that was deemed a credible and “urgent concern” by the Inspector General of the intelligence community.
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President Trump announced that he has selected the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs, Robert O’Brien to be the new National Security Adviser. O’Brien will be the fourth person to hold the job in Trump’s first term. The president thinks he will be a good pick because he has been successful at getting hostages released from abroad. Alayna Treene, reporter for Axios, joins us for what to know about Trump’s new pick.
Next, a company called Digital Recognition Network has built a private, nationwide surveillance database that could potentially track the movements of car owners over long periods of time. This network is built on the backs of repo men equipped with cameras that scan the license plates of every car they drive by and then add it to a searchable database accessible to private investigators, repo agents, and insurance companies. Joseph Cox, senior writer at Vice’s Motherboard, joins us to talk about DRN and how well it works,
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The Trump administration is weighing a range of options for action against Iran after attacks on Saudi oil plants. Retaliatory action could include a cyberattack or physical strike against Iranian oil facilities. Nahal Toosi, foreign affairs correspondent at Politico, joins us for what to know about the attacks and also how Saudi Arabia figures into the foreign policy of the president.
Next, the latest blunder from the NY Times on a story about new sexual misconduct allegations against Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh has raised a lot of questions. A key portion was left out of the initial report that the woman involved has no recollection of the incident. Niall Stanage, White House columnist at The Hill, joins us for more.
Finally, NBCUniversal has released some details of their upcoming streaming service. Launching in April 2020, the service will be called Peacock and will have more than 15,000 hours of content with library titles like The Office and Parks and Recreation and original content such as reboots of Battlestar Galactica and Saved by the Bell. Lesley Goldberg, co-host of TV’s Top 5 Podcast for the Hollywood Reporter, joins us for all the details.
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The United Auto Workers union went on strike at General Motors sending almost 50,000 members to the picket lines. The union is pushing for GM to improve wages, narrow the pay gap between new and old workers, and reopen plants that have shut down. Among other things, GM wants workers to pay for a greater portion of their healthcare costs. Phoebe Wall Howard, auto and labor reporter for the Detroit Free Press, joins us for more.
Next, OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma has filed for bankruptcy as part of their deal to resolve thousands of lawsuits accusing it of causing an opioid epidemic, but legal battles will still continue because half of the states involved have not signed on to the deal. Sara Randazzo, reporter for the WSJ, joins us for what we know about how Purdue Pharma is trying to settle its part in the opioid crisis.
Finally, actress Felicity Huffman was sentenced last week to serve 14 days in prison and pay a $30,000 fine for her role in the Operation Varsity Blues college admissions cheating scandal. Justin Paperny, founder of White Collar Advice and a federal prison consultant, joins us for what Huffman can expect in prison and also the big questions… what does this mean for other parents waiting for their time in court?
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Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh was accused of another sexual misconduct allegation over the weekend which was reported to the FBI during his confirmation process, but was not investigated. Ginger Gibson, political reporter for Reuters, joins us to discuss the new allegation, who came out on top from the last Democratic debate, and a new report that says Border Patrol agents are suffering from a crisis in morale, this comes after facing a severe backlash for enforcing President Trump’s immigration policies.
Next, many of the suspects in recent mass shootings have posted to hate-filled online forums such as 8chan. Manifestos are posted there, where people share them, discuss, and get inspiration to commit other attacks. Large numbers of fatalities are even celebrated as "high scores." The difficulty for law enforcement in getting a handle on this is that posts are often anonymous, and when a site gets shut down, people just move on to the next one. Georgia Wells, reporter for the WSJ, joins us for more on the online world where mass shooters thrive.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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A bill rewriting California employment law has been sent to the desk of Gov. Gavin Newsom. This law could have far reaching effects in re-classifying independent contractors as employees and could potentially change the business models of “gig economy” companies like Uber and Lyft. Alejandro Lazo, reporter for the WSJ, joins us for how this bill could impact business and also what changes may come to workers.
Next, a C.I.A. informant has been extracted from Russia and is now presumed to be living in the Washington D.C. area. This informant had been sending secrets to the U.S. for decades and was instrumental in providing intelligence that Vladimir Putin had personally ordered an influence campaign in 2016 aimed at the presidential election. Adam Rawnsley, reporter for the Daily Beast, joins us for what we know about this spy, what to expect when you defect from a country, and also what happened when The Daily Beast visited the home of the suspected C.I.A spy.
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Controversy continues to follow NFL wide receiver Antonio Brown. After being dropped by the Oakland Raiders and picked up by the New England Patriots, Brown is now facing allegations that he raped a former trainer. The NFL is considering a range of options which could include making him ineligible to play. Neil Greenberg, sports reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for more.
Next, the popular kids YouTube channel Ryan ToysReview has been hit with an FTC complaint alleging that they are misleading preschoolers into watching ads by not disclosing sponsorship deals. The channel has over 21 million subscribers and brought in $22 million last year. Stephanie McNeal, BuzzFeed News reporter, joins us for this complaint against a YouTube channel featuring a 7 year old.
Finally, Republican Dan Bishop pulled off a critical win beating Democrat Dan McCreedy in a special election to represent North Carolina’s 9th Congressional District. It was an important race that was seen as a testing ground for President Trump’s political messaging heading into 2020. Max Greenwood, national political reporter at The Hill, joins us for this critical GOP win.
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President Trump has ousted his third National Security Advisor, John Bolton. And in typical Trump fashion, he made the announcement on Twitter. The President asked for his resignation after major disagreements over how to handle big foreign policy issues like Iran, North Korea, and Afghanistan. Stef Kight, reporter for Axios, joins us for how it all played out.
Next, it sounds like a great program... free money with no strings attached. Universal basic income is getting a lot of attention as some 2020 Democratic hopefuls have touted the idea as a way to reduce wealth inequality and cities like Stockton, California and Jackson, Mississippi are currently undertaking pilot programs. Robert Samuels, reporter for the Washington Post, joins us for how one program in Mississippi is working out.
Finally, a long held monster myth may finally be put to rest. New evidence suggests that Loch Ness in Scotland contains no "monster" DNA. Using a new technique to analyze the environmental DNA of the lake, scientists identified 3,000 species of plants, animals, and bacteria... but no monster. Jason Gilchrist, ecologist at Edinburgh Napier University in Scotland, joins us to talk about the Loch Ness Monster.
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Congress is back in session and as usual… tons to do and not much time. Top on lawmakers’ to-do list is some type of action on gun control after mass shootings that happened in Texas and Ohio. Democrats are ramping up impeachment talks once again, and another shutdown could be on the horizon. Melanie Zanona, congressional reporter at Politico, joins us for the top things to watch for as Congress gets back to work.
Next, as vaping related illnesses and deaths are getting headlines, the FDA is cracking down on Juul, one of the top e-cigarette companies. The FDA has said that “Juul has ignored the law” because is marketed its products as less harmful than cigarettes without FDA approval. Marisa Fernandez, reporter at Axios, joins us for the vape crackdown.
Finally, there is a growing trend of workers who are leaving big cities and taking their jobs with them to smaller cities. The increase of employees working remotely is causing places like Boise, Idaho to grow fast. And while some people find a higher quality of life by moving, these cities are also going through growing pains. Ben Eisen, reporter for the WSJ, joins us for more.
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Peace talks between the Taliban and the U.S. have stalled for now after a car bombing last week that killed an American soldier. President Trump also revealed that he had even invited members of the Taliban and Afghan leadership to Camp David to continue negotiations. This drew criticism from many about whether it was an appropriate venue to invite Taliban leadership. Ginger Gibson, political reporter for Reuters, joins us for this, another republican running against Trump, and more protests in Hong Kong.
Next, a story from the biohacker community. There is a new DIY implant called PegLeg that lets you stream movies and music from inside your leg. PegLeg can be accessed by any Wi-Fi enabled device to share and upload files, stream movies and music, and even act as a server for an anonymous chat room. The big question… why would anyone ever want to do this? Daniel Oberhaus, writer at Wired, joins us for what PegLeg is all about and also details his experience with biohacking, he had a chip implanted in his hand.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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Vitamin E acetate is now a focus of the investigation into vaping-related lung illnesses. High levels of vitamin E acetate were found in many of the samples tested that contained cannabis, but not in nicotine vaping products. Kristen Jordan Shamus, writer at the Detroit Free Press, joins us for this and the first-in-the nation ban on sales of flavored vape products in Michigan.
Next, CNN hosted a climate change town hall with 10 democratic candidates that lasted for 7 hours. One thing that was clear is that the whole landscape has shifted on the topic. Gone are the days of asking if climate change is real, it is all about the biggest and most ambitious plans to handle the climate crisis now. Ben Geman, reporter for Axios, helps us break it all down.
Finally, a 28-year-old cold case murder has been solved by Philadelphia law enforcement because of some new photo-enhancing technology and a pale yellow sock. Theodore Dill Donahue has been arrested for the murder of his former girlfriend Denise Kulb. Mensah Dean, writer at the Philadelphia Inquirer, joins us for how a sock helped solve a murder.
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Walmart, the biggest retailer in the world, is discontinuing sales of short barrel rifle ammo, handgun ammo, and handguns altogether after facing backlash for not pulling weapons two deadly shootings in its stores. The CEO of Walmart will also be asking the White House and members of Congress for “common sense” action on guns. Lauren Thomas, retail reporter at CNBC joins us for more.
Next, the Trump administration is moving ahead with plans to divert $3.6 billion from military construction projects to build a border wall. This new funding would go toward 11 wall projects and would affect as many as 127 military projects. Sarah Ferris, congressional reporter at Politico, joins us updates on the border wall.
Finally, it’s a big question for a lot of people. Can I fly with my weed? 10 states so far have legalized recreational marijuana but there are many contradictions between federal and state laws and with the booming marijuana tourism industry, it can be very hard to figure it all out. Scott McCartney, reporter for the WSJ, joins us for the good news, the TSA, for the most part, isn’t looking for your pot.
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A weakened Hurricane Dorian was headed northwest and the threat to South Florida has diminished after claiming the lives of 5 people and devastating the Bahamas. The next spot for worry could be coastal Georgia and the Carolinas. Andrew Freedman, deputy weather editor at the Washington Post, joins us for more on what to expect from Dorian.
Next, a mysterious tragedy the CA Bay Area where a diving boat caught fire and sank, taking with it 34 people, most who were caught below deck when the fire broke out and most likely had no means of escape. Only five crew members survived when they jumped off the boat. My producer Victor Wright, joins us for what we know so far.
Finally, the Trump administration has reached an “agreement in principle” with the Taliban to withdraw over 5,000 troops from Afghanistan over the next five months. It would all depend on the Taliban meeting certain requirements such as a reduction in violence in the area. Deirdre Shesgreen, foreign affairs reporter for USA Today, joins us for concerns and details about this deal with the Taliban.
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It’s official! Only 10 candidates qualified for the next Democratic debate meaning they all fit on one stage and it will only be one night. We are also finally get that Biden vs. Warren matchup that didn’t happen in the first two debates. Ginger Gibson, political reporter for Reuters, joins us for this, the democratic gamble of taking some far left positions, and also the policy legacy that President Trump is leaving behind… many of his legislative wins could be cemented with another term or easily reversed if he doesn’t win.
Next, China has a social credit system that rewards good citizens and punishes others for things like failing to pay debts, excessive video gaming, and criticizing the government. Punishments can range from bans on leaving the country, not letting your kids into private schools and even being put on a public blacklist. While this system plays out there, Silicon Valley is building a parallel system brought on by tech industry user policies. Insurance companies can base premiums on what they find in your social media. A company called PatronScan can also put you on a blacklist for getting into bars across the U.S and even abroad. Mike Elgan, contributor to Fast Company, joins us for the Silicon Valley social credit system.
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Americans attitudes have shifted on what values matter most to them. Patriotism, religion, and having children are less important to young people now than young people two decades ago. One thing that hasn’t changed, is that most still value hard work. My producer Victor Wright, joins us for more on Americans changing values.
Next, we are going over some of the scientifically proven sources of sex appeal. Ben Healy, columnist at The Atlantic, looked over a wide range of studies to compile some interesting aspects of attraction. For instance, if you’re looking for a long term relationship, you might want to find a guy with a beard. Ben joins us to explore some of the studies on attraction.
Finally, as millennials are in their prime age for getting married, more couples are veering away from traditional ceremonies and even hiring ghostwriters to write their vows. Couples are looking for customized, personal weddings and are challenged with creating ceremonies from scratch. Fleming Smith, reporter for the WSJ, joins us to talk about why some are outsourcing their vows to outside consultants.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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The “chicken sandwich wars” are over… for now. Popeyes had the most successful product launch in their history with their new chicken sandwich. All it took was a couple of tweets between them and rival Chick-fil-A and the wars started, leading to long lines and eventually selling out completely. Kate Taylor, retail correspondent for Business Insider, joins us for the chicken sandwich craze and also how Popeyes employees hated life during the past two weeks.
Next, the Justice Department’s inspector general has concluded that former FBI Director James Comey violated FBI policies in his handling of memos documenting private conversations with President Trump which led to the appointment of a special counsel. He broke the rules by giving a friend one of the memos with directions to leak it to the media. Olivia Beavers, national security reporter at The Hill, joins us for more.
Finally, what happens when you don’t pay a hospital bill? About 43 million Americans have unpaid medical debt typically from seeing out-of-network doctors, hospital stays, and ambulance rides. Olga Khazan, writer at the Atlantic, joins us for some of the lengths that hospitals and debt collectors go to get you to pay up.
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More news on the thousands of lawsuits brought forth by state and local governments hoping to hold drug manufacturers accountable for the opioid crisis. OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma and its owners, the Sackler family are in talks to settle the cases in a deal valued between $10 and $12 billion. Sara Randazzo, reporter for the WSJ, joins us with details on the deal.
Next, the doorbell-camera company Ring has quietly partnered with more than 400 police forces across the country to gain access to homeowners’ cameras forming a “new neighborhood watch.” Privacy experts have sounded alarms on giving police more surveillance access and contributing to an endless stream of suspicion. Drew Harwell, AI reporter for the Washington Post, joins us for more on the rapid growth of this program.
Finally, the CDC is investigating the link between vaping and a mysterious lung disease in teens and young adults. Health officials are looking into 193 cases in 22 states that all have one commonality, all the patients reported vaping in the weeks and months before they got sick. There has also been one death linked to e-cigarettes. Rachel Feltman, articles editor for Popular Science, joins us for what to know.
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Former Vice President Joe Biden has enjoyed front-runner status among the 2020 Democrats since the beginning, but his electability argument may have just hit a snag. A new poll shows that he is in a three way tie with Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren. Biden is also having trouble connecting with younger voters. Amie Parnes, senior political correspondent at The Hill, joins us for more.
Next, we are living on a planet increasingly overrun with plastic. More specifically, microplastics are showing up everywhere, even in drinking water. Good news is that the WHO looked at the available data on microplastics and as it stands, there is no evidence that drinking these microplastics is a threat to human health. Dan Vergano, science reporter for BuzzFeed News, lets us know why we don’t need to worry, at least for now.
Finally, we are starting to get a better picture of how Democrats want to change the tax system to generate money for all of the policies they are proposing. Instead of just taxing salaries and income that are generated from assets, Democrats want to shift toward taxing the wealth of the richest. Richard Rubin, U.S. tax policy reporter for the WSJ, joins us for the top three democratic plans on taxes.
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In the first case to go to trial of more than 2,000 lawsuits brought on by state and local governments seeking to hold the pharmaceutical industry accountable for contributing to an opioid-addiction crisis, Johnson and Johnson must pay $572 million dollars to Oklahoma for creating a public nuisance, exaggerating the benefits of painkillers and minimizing addiction risks. Daniel Siegal, senior trials reporter at Law360, joins us for what this ruling means.
Next, the Lungs of the World are burning. The Amazon rainforest is burning at an unprecedented rate with over 40,000 fires in the Amazon this year. These fires are not wildfires or caused by climate change, instead they set by farmers and ranchers clearing existing farmland and increased deforestation. Rachel Feltman, editor at Popular Science, joins us for what to know about these fires.
Finally, it was all a hoax! Last week fear spread in Lancaster, California that a sniper could be on the loose targeting police. Sheriff Deputy Angel Reinosa put out a call for help that he had been shot which led to a huge police presence and manhunt for the shooter. But cracks almost immediately began to show in the deputy’s story until he admitted he made it up. Hannah Knowles, reporter for the Washington Post, joins us for more.
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The fears of an economic slowdown loomed over the G-7 Summit over the weekend as President Trump sought to encourage economic growth in other countries to avoid a global recession. This comes at a time when the trade tensions with China are only increasing. Ginger Gibson, political reporter for Reuters, joins us for a G-7 roundup and a new Republican challenger to President Trump.
Next, China is pouring billions of dollars into research and development of quantum technology, hoping to dominate a field with big economic and military applications. While the U.S. still leads where it matters most, quantum computers, China is pulling ahead in quantum communications and satellites. Jeanne Whalen, reporter for the Washington Post, joins us for the race to lead in quantum tech.
Finally, the rise of athleisure and “vegan” clothing is speeding the decline of the leather industry. Americans are also eating more beef than they have in a decade which results in a higher number of hides available to manufacture leather products. In some cases it costs more to process the hides for leather than they are worth. Lydia Mulvany, reporter for Bloomberg News, joins us to talk about how leather is losing.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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It’s a Green Friday this week on the podcast! First, Sen. Bernie Sanders has unveiled his Green New Deal to fight climate change and it’s coming in at a whopping $16.3 trillion. It declares climate change a national emergency, transforms the country’s energy system to rely on renewable energy for electricity and transportation by 2030 and complete decarbonization by 2050. Miranda Green, energy and environment reporter at The Hill, joins us for what’s in the plan
Next, cannabis restaurants are coming to California and if things go well, this could be a model you start seeing in other states. The soon-to-open Lowell Farms Cannabis Cafe will be pairing a farm-to-table meal with “flower service” so you can pair your meal with the perfect strain. Even though the state has legalized recreational marijuana, running a cannabis restaurant is nothing like running a typical restaurant and there are a lot more regulations to follow. Maura Judkis, reporter for the Washington Post, joins us for some of the creative ways this will all work.
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Texas is the latest state to be hit with a cyberattack. Officials have confirmed that 22 municipalities were infiltrated by hackers. A mayor of one of the cities said that hackers were asking for $2.5 million in ransom to unlock files. Bobby Allyn, reporter for NPR, joins us for what we know about these cyberattacks that are increasingly targeting state and local governments.
Next, President has decided to call off a state trip to Denmark after being told that Greenland is not for sale by the prime minister. The prime minister of Denmark called the idea “absurd” and President Trump countered by saying that her statement was “nasty.” Marisa Fernandez, reporter for Axios, joins us to breakdown the latest.
Finally, scientists are finding out more about how big earthquakes get started… often times with many smaller foreshocks. Sometimes days or even weeks before most 4.0 and above earthquakes occur, scientists have found smaller quakes preceding it. Thanks to advanced computing techniques we are learning more and it could help earthquake forecasting in the future. Daniel Trugman, seismologist at Los Alamos National Laboratory, joins us for what we know.
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Americans are spending more money on faster internet speeds on the promise of faster load times and higher quality streaming, but is it really worth it? Recent tests by the WSJ show that a typical household doesn’t use most of their bandwidth while streaming and only get marginal gains from upgrading your speed. Shalini Ramachandran, reporter for the WSJ joins us for why upgrading your bandwidth might not be the best choice.
Next, after so many recent mass shootings, the business of everyday ballistic gear is booming. Companies are selling bulletproof backpacks, clipboards, and more. The key demographic for these products are parents with kids. But how effective are these products in protecting your kids from gunfire? Abha Bhattarai, national retail reporter for the Washington Post, joins us for more.
Finally, Facebook is making good on its promise to let you see all of the info they have collected about you from other websites. The new tool called, Off-Facebook Activity, will let you see what they know about you from your browsing history and give you the option of clearing it, but not deleting it completely. Ryan Mac, senior tech reporter at BuzzFeed News, joins us for what this new tool is all about.
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After 5 years of investigations and protests, New York City Police Commissioner James O’Neil fired Daniel Pantaleo who was the officer involved in the 2014 chokehold death of Eric Garner. O’Neil said that using the banned chokehold was a mistake that any officer could have made in the heat of an arrest, but he can no longer effectively serve as a NY City police officer. My producer Victor Wright joins us for more.
Next, we speak to Joe Barnett, managing editor of Budget and Tax News, for a look into red-light cameras in the country. While people should not running red-lights, are these cameras increasing safety and causing fewer accidents. The results are mixed, some evidence suggests that increasing the time of the yellow light may be more helpful and enforcement of red-light citations is not always the easiest.
Finally, in recent years more young adults are continuing to see their pediatricians well into their mid-20’s. People are on their parents insurance longer and feel more comfortable seeing the same doctor they have known since they were kids, but how long can you sit in that Candy Land waiting room geared toward toddlers? Caren Chesler, contributor to the Washington Post joins us for when it’s time to look for another doctor.
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Hoping to calm fears of an impending U.S. recession after a wild ride in the financial markets last week, President Trump’s top economic advisers took to the Sunday talk shows to tout how good the economy is. Joe Biden also continues his campaign of vowing to cooperate with Republicans and Elizabeth Warren is surging in the polls. Ginger Gibson, political reporter for Reuters, joins us to break it all down.
Next, kids aren’t playing enough sports. The cost of youth sports has skyrocketed, parents complain of bad coaches, and kids just aren’t having fun. The average kid today spends less than three years playing a sport and quits by age 11. Kendall Baker, sports editor at Axios, joins us for why kids aren’t sticking with youth sports.
Finally, the latest baby monitors promise a bevy of new ways to watch your child while they sleep, but sometimes they can add more fear and anxiety. Some parents are catching ghostly images next to their babies at night and are struggling to explain them. One motion detecting monitor caught human-like figures floating around a crib. Julie Jargon, family and tech columnist at the WSJ, joins us for more.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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Michael Gargiulo, known as the ‘Hollywood Ripper’ or the ‘Boy next door killer’ has been found guilty of the murder of Ashley Ellerin and Maria Bruno and the attempted murder of Michelle Murphy. This case gained a lot of attention because of the gruesome nature of the killings and also because actor Ashton Kutcher testified during the trial. Andrew Mollenbeck, West Coast reporter for iHeart Media, joins us to break down the story.
Next, the mystery surrounding Jeffrey Epstein’s suicide continues to grow as an autopsy found that he suffered multiple breaks in his neck bones including the hyoid bone, which can occur in those that hang themselves but is more associated with strangulation. We are also learning that the two guards assigned to monitor him fell asleep and falsified records. My producer Victor Wright joins us for more.
Finally, there have been a lot of worries of a coming recession for the United States, but what is also adding to the concern is a synchronized global slump. Nine key economies are also already in a recession or on the verge of one. For now U.S. consumers are holding up much of the global economy, but things can change very quickly. Heather Long, economics correspondent for the Washington Post, joins us for what to know.
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Warning to pet owners: A toxic algae bloom has killed three dogs in a matter of hours. Owners Melissa Martin and Denise Mintz took their dogs to play in a nearby pond, only one dog swam in the water, but he got the other two wet. Hours later they died after seizing and showing signs of liver failure. Alex Guarino, reporter for WECT in North Carolina, joins us to talk about the toxic bacteria that is popping up more and more.
Next, rapper A$AP Rocky and two associates were found guilty of assault in a Swedish court but will not face any more jail time, ending a case that has drawn international attention. Rocky and his crew spent about a month in jail. The case caught the attention of celebrities and even President Trump who sent his top hostage negotiator to monitor the trial. Alex Marshall, reporter for the NY Times, joins us for how the judge ruled.
Finally, earlier this week the Trump administration announced changes to the way the Endangered Species Act would be enforced and many fear that it would lead to less protections for endangered plants and animals and would clear the way for new mining, oil and gas drilling, and development in areas where protected species live. Kiona Smith, reporter for Ars Technica, joins us for the new rules.
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Amid the second deadliest outbreak of Ebola in history, doctors and scientists have been running a clinical trial of new drugs in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Two of the experimental treatments have been so effective that the trial was cut short and some are saying that Ebola is now curable. Jamie Ducharme, health reporter for Time Magazine, joins us for what we know.
Next, the Trump administration has decided to delay imposing more tariffs on laptops, cell phones, and a wide range of other products made in China. President Trump said they delayed tariffs because of Christmas, so that consumers would not face higher prices for the holidays. David Shepardson, reporter at Reuters, joins us for more.
Finally, Millennials are struggling at work. Many of them aren’t engaged and at least 60% are open to new job opportunities. Part of the problem is that expectations are unrealistically high, and want career advancement in months vs. years. Tess Brigham, psychotherapist and contributor to CNBC joins us for how to lose the ‘I hate my job mentality.’
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After finding registered sex offender and multimillionaire Jeffrey Epstein dead in his prison cell over the weekend, Attorney General William Barr ripped federal detention center officials in New York saying it was a “failure to adequately secure” Epstein and that the case would continue on against any co-conspirators. Devlin Barrett, national security reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for what we know.
Next, the Trump administration is tightening the rules that could deny green cards or citizenship to immigrants who need public assistance. The “Public charge” rule would impact immigrants who are more likely than not to receive certain public benefits for 12 months out of a 36 month time period. Things like food stamps, welfare or housing assistance. Ted Hesson, immigration reporter at Politico, joins us for how this new rule would work.
Finally, Simone Biles has just reasserted herself as the greatest gymnast ever winning her sixth U.S. national championship and landing a move on the floor exercise that no other woman and very few men have landed before, the triple twisting-double somersault. Nancy Armour, columnist for USA Today Sports, joins us for what makes Simone Biles one of the best athletes today.
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The conversation about what to do about guns and mass shooters has intensified after two tragedies killed 31 in El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio. The president has signaled that he wants to do something, but has offered no specifics and is getting warnings from the NRA to be careful or alienate his supporters. Ginger Gibson, political reporter for Reuters joins us for where the 2020 Democrats stand on gun violence and who is the front runner after the second round of debates.
Next, a great story of how scorned women and a cop nicknamed Casanova caught the infamous ‘Dine-and-Dash Dater’ in Los Angeles. Paul Gonzales would meet women on dating apps, invite them out to top restaurants for dinner and order lavish meals, and a lot of it too. Then he would excuse himself to the bathroom and never come back, leaving the women with the bill and full of embarrassment. Jeff Maysh, writer and journalist, caught up with Paul Gonzales and tells us what going through his mind and why he did what he did. Part of it was that only fine foods could make him feel better from his physical ailments.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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U.S. immigration officials conducted raids on several food processing plants in Mississippi Wednesday detaining 680 mostly Latino workers in what was the largest workplace raid in at least a decade. About 300 parents with small children have been released, but the raids still caused a lot of anxiety and fear in the community. Alissa Zhu, reporter for the Mississippi Clarion Ledger joins us for more.
Next, Puerto Rico has a new governor, its third in less than a week. Former Secretary of Justice Wanda Vazquez was sworn in after the Supreme Court ruled that Pedro Pierluisi was sworn in on unconstitutional grounds. Still there is much unrest as the people of Puerto Rico do not want Vazquez to be the governor either. Samantha Schmidt, reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for what’s next for Puerto Rico.
Finally, something fun to end the week with. After the new 'Top Gun: Maverick' trailer dropped a few weeks ago we were treated with a look at some of the newer jets that will be flying in the movie. Rob Verger, assistant tech editor at Popular Science, joins us for everything we know about the old Tomcats and the newer Super Hornets Tom Cruise will be flying in the movie.
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After the latest two tragedies, many lawmakers are being pressured to do something to help stop the senseless violence taking the lives of so many. While measures like expanded background checks and assault rifle bans are harder to sell, “red-flag” laws often have bipartisan support, but do they stop mass shootings? Jon Schuppe, reporter for NBC News Digital, joins us to discuss how they work.
Next, in recent years there have been a ton of alternatives to conventional cows’ milk hit the market, things like soy milk, almond milk, and coconut milk, but the new frontier may be lab made dairy. Creating the proteins that make dairy… dairy. And then using it to make cheeses and other products that never came from an animal. Inja Radman, molecular biologist and founder of New Culture, joins us for the quest to make cow-free dairy.
Finally, we’ve reached peak baby in bars. The rise of craft brewing and taprooms has made family-friendly drinking establishments more common and it is becoming a new place to take the kids. But while it can be all for fun, it can make some people feel awkward, and then there’s that whole drink responsible thing. Stephie Grob Plante, contributor to Vox, joins us to explain the rise of babies in bars.
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Earlier this week, the United States took the rare step of formally labeling China as a currency manipulator. This comes after increased trade tensions as the President also decided to impose additional tariffs on Chinese goods. Talks to end the trade war have repeatedly failed and the new tariffs are set to take place on September 1st if no deal is made. Doug Palmer, senior trade reporter at Politico, joins us to explain what it means when China devalues their money.
Next, we get to talk to one of the best skip tracers in the world. A combination bill collector, bounty hunter, and private investigator, a skip tracer finds people and things that have disappeared and don’t want to be found. Most people would be very surprised to find out that the best bounty hunter in the world is only 4’11”. Skip tracer, Michelle Gomez specializes in hard to locate recoveries and joins us to talk about how she got involved of the world of skip tracing, some of the methods she uses to hunt people down, and one of her biggest cases… tracking down Ryan Mullen, who at one point was on the FBI’s most wanted list.
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Addressing the nation after shootings in El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio, President Trump vowed to take action and called for bipartisan cooperation to respond to the recent mass shootings. He blamed mental illness and video games for glorifying violence, but made no mention of limits on the sale of guns. Marisa Fernandez, reporter at Axios, joins us for how the president wants to combat the problem.
Next, FBI Special Agent Scott Garriola is nearing retirement, but before he goes, he is asking for the public’s help to find 12 fugitives that have escaped justice. These people were all accused of committing violent crimes or murder and most are believed to have escaped to Mexico. Scott Garriola joins us to talk about his own 12 most wanted list. Learn more about who is on that list here: https://tinyurl.com/FBIfugitives
Finally, Amazon’s home security company Ring has made partnerships with local law enforcement all across the country and the result is starting to look like an Amazon- Ring- Police surveillance network. Amazon gives local police ring products, the police encourage adoption of the ring platform, and then people give police access to their doorbell cams. Caroline Haskins, writer at Vice’s Motherboard, joins us for more.
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Tragedy strikes again as two mass shootings at crowded public places in Texas and Ohio have claimed the lives of at least 29 people and injured dozens of others, and it all happened within 24 hours of each other. In Ohio, one of the victims was the shooter’s sister and in El Paso, we have a manifesto posted online that spoke of a “Hispanic invasion of Texas.” That case is now being treated as domestic terrorism. Ginger Gibson, reporter for Reuters, joins us for another mass shooting two weeks in a row.
Next, the Boeing 737 Max grounding could stretch into 2020 and we are finding out that there were red flags after the first crash about the possibility that another one could happen within months. Unfortunately that’s exactly what happened. An internal risk analysis done by the FAA suggested that a warning to pilots would be enough to provide Boeing with 10 months to implement a fix. Andrew Tangel, reporter for the WSJ, joins us for more.
Finally, a hidden epidemic of chronic disease might threaten cocaine and meth users in the coming years because of increasing signs of dangerous adulterants in illicit drugs. Aside from the negative health effects of drug use, toxic lab-made adulterants are becoming more common. Dan Vergano, science reporter at BuzzFeed News, joins us for what to watch out for.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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The A$AP Rocky trial is underway in Sweden and the rapper testified about an altercation he had with two men in Stockholm. A$AP claims that he feared for his safety when two young men were following him and fought with his bodyguard. One of the issues is whether a bottle was used to beat up one of the men. Christina Anderson is in Sweden covering the trial, she joins us for what happened and this added twist… President Trump has sent a special envoy to sit in at the trial.
Next, a new congressional report is shedding more light on all the awful crimes that were committed by Olympic gymnastics doctor, Larry Nassar. The new report says that the FBI, USA Gymnastics, and more, all knew about the allegations of Nassar’s abuse of athletes, but hid the extent of his crimes from the public and the athletic community. Brianna Sacks, BuzzFeed News reporter, joins us for more.
Finally, at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, a baby southern white rhino was just born and the program that helped bring him into the world could help save the nearly extinct northern white rhino. Scientists want to use frozen eggs and sperm from a dead northern white rhino and implant it into a surrogate mother to hopefully repopulate them. Brad Fikes, reporter at the San Diego Union Tribune, joins us for this ambitious project to save the northern white rhino.
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Night 2 of the Democratic debates and the front-runner Joe Biden was taking hits from all around on healthcare, immigration, and criminal justice reform. He handled himself better than last time, but did not get out unscathed. Sen. Kamala Harris also took a lot of heat from other candidates and was put on defense many times throughout. Sen. Cory Booker might have won the most improved candidate award. He needed a breakout moment and had a few good exchanges with Biden. Julia Manchester, campaign reporter at The Hill, joins us for a breakdown of night 2.
Next, after news came to light about Operation Varsity Blues, the college admission cheating scandal, a national conversation occurred about unfairness in the admissions process. Now a new financial aid loophole is facing scrutiny by the Education Dept. They are looking into a tactic used by wealthy parents in the suburbs of Chicago where they transfer the legal guardianship of their college bound children so they can more easily claim financial aid. Doug Belkin, reporter for the WSJ, joins us for how it all works.
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The first night of the second round of Democratic debates focused highly on the divide between the moderates and progressives… are candidates like Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren too far to the left and promising too much to win against Donald Trump. The conversation spread into many of the top issues for Democrats… healthcare, immigration, and the economy. Julia Manchester, campaign reporter at the Hill joins us to discuss night 1.
Next, one of the country’s biggest credit card issuers, Capital One, has been hit by a data breach which has compromised the personal information of over 100 million people. The thing that makes this breach different than others, is that it was the work of one hacker named Paige Thompson, rather than an outside group with nation-state connections. Kate Fazzani, cyber security reporter at CNBC, joins us for how all this information was stolen.
Finally, 3M has invented a new way to ship products that could do away with having to use cardboard boxes and tape on small deliveries. Their new Flex & Seal Shipping Roll, can be cut to size and uses an adhesive inner layer that only sticks to itself and not the object inside. Katharine Schwab, reporter at Fast Company, joins us for this new product that could help small businesses.
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Another mass shooting has happened in the country, this time in northern California at the Gilroy Garlic Festival. 19- year old Santino William Legan opened fire at the festival killing 3 and injuring at least 12 others. Police were on the scene quickly exchanging fire with the gunman and killed him. It was all over in about a minute. Barry Holtzclaw, managing editor at the Gilroy Dispatch joins us for what we know.
Next, while we want to know everything we can about why these tragedies happen, it is important not to lose sight of the victims. While many were injured, the three deaths are heartbreaking because of how young the victims were. They are 6-year old Stephen Romero, 13-year old Keyla Salazar, and 25- year old Trevor Irby. My producer Brooke Peterson joins us for more.
Finally, another shakeup in the Trump administration as the Director of National Intelligence, Dan Coats, is resigning. Texas Representative John Ratcliffe has been tapped to take over the post. Ratcliffe is a fierce defender of the president and attracted attention for his stern questioning of Robert Mueller. Morgan Chalfant, national security reporter at The Hill, joins us for who John Ratcliffe is.
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First off today an interesting conversation with Vivienne Ming, a theoretical neuroscientist, AI expert, and professional mad scientist about using technology to augment human sight, hearing, memory, and emotions. In particular, she wants to use tech to turn her son who is diagnosed with autism into a cyborg of sorts with superpowers. Giving him the ability to read and recognize emotions in other people, or enhancing working memory would be a huge benefit to Vivienne’s son, but does it give him an unfair advantage? Does tech that boosts human potential change what it means to be human? Vivienne joins us for what happens when we all want to be superhuman.
Next, President Trump has been handed a huge victory for his immigration agenda and building a wall on the southern border. The Supreme Court has cleared the way for $2.5 billion in military funding to be used for border wall construction. Ginger Gibson, political reporter for Reuters, joins us for this and the latest problem for President Trump. He’s fighting back accusations of racism once again after lashing out on Twitter against Rep. Elijah Cummings.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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Executions to resume. The Department of Justice has announced that it will resume capital punishment for the first time in nearly two decades. Unlike many states that were having issues with a 3-drug protocol, federal authorities will use a single drug, pentobarbital. Five death row inmates have scheduled executions starting at the end of this year. Jaqueline Thomsen, reporter at The Hill, joins us for more.
Next, Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Rosselló has announced that he will be resigning next week on August 2. This comes after more than 2 weeks of protests over corruption and mismanagement and the release of vulgar text messages between Rosselló and his inner circle. Andrew Scurria, reporter for the WSJ, joins us for this and how the incoming Governor Wanda Vasquez is already getting calls to resign before she even starts.
Finally, a mysterious occurrence has happened as accused sex trafficker and pedophile Jeffrey Epstein was found in his jail cell semi-conscious and with apparent bruising on his neck. Conflicting reports say it could have been a suicide attempt or a ploy to get a transfer to another facility. Harry Siegel, journalist at the Daily Beast, joins us for what we know.
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Mueller Day came and went and it wasn’t the big spectacle that Democrats had hoped for and President Trump had feared. In back to back sessions, Special Counsel Robert Mueller declined to answer questions, appeared confused with certain lines of questioning, and really didn’t seem to move the needle of public opinion. Ginger Gibson, political reporter for Reuters, joins us for how the Mueller testimony went.
Next, the small city of Emeryville, California has the nation’s highest minimum wage at $16.30 and is ground zero for a national debate over how to balance raising the wages of the lowest paid workers, but also making sure that small businesses can keep up, especially restaurants which have been hit hardest as they struggle to avoid raising menu prices. Jim Carlton, reporter for the WSJ, joins us for this minimum wage fight.
Finally, the nation’s biggest on-demand food delivery app, DoorDash, is dropping their current tipping policy which came under scrutiny when customers realized that their tips were being used to meet a minimum payment for a driver rather than what a tip should be, adding to the drivers income. We spoke to Kia Kokalitcheva, tech reporter for Axios, for how the old policy worked, and then I share with you how the CEO of DoorDash has reacted.
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One of Britain’s most famous and controversial politicians, Boris Johnson, has become the new Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. His first big task will be to make good on his Brexit promise to lead the country out of European Union. Annabelle Timsit, reporter at Quartz and who is based in London, joins us for all the reaction to the new prime minister.
Next, Sammy, the one-winged bald eagle has been birdnapped. The 35 year old bird has been living a good life at the Quogue Wildlife Refuge on Long Island since 1988 when he was shot and had to get his right wing amputated. Now, someone has broken into his cage and taken him. Marisa Nelson, assistant director of the Quogue Wildlife Refuge, joins us to share Sammy’s story and call for his return.
Finally, we take a look at what makes ADX Florence the country’s most secure prison. It is all a matter of design. Holding a who’s who of bad guys and now the infamous El Chapo, the Alcatraz of the Rockies is literally built into the side of a mountain. Soundproof cells are made of concrete from top to bottom and only has a disorienting 4-inch wide window to the outside world. Eleanor Cummins, assistant editor at Popular Science, joins us for a look at ADX Florence.
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Hundreds of thousands of Puerto Ricans filled the streets to protest and demand the resignation of Governor Ricardo Rossello. In a scandal called “RickyLeaks,” over 800 pages of online chats we released where Rossello and others in his inner circle made sexist and homophobic comments and even mocked victims of Hurricane Maria. Ursula Perano, reporter for Axios, joins us for the political crisis in Puerto Rico.
Next, we are currently building the Giant Magellan, the world’s largest telescope. It is being constructed under the football stadium at the University of Arizona, is made from a special glass shipped from Japan, and the resolution will be 10 times greater than the Hubble Space Telescope. Jared Males, astronomer at the University of Arizona, joins us to talk about Giant Magellan and what we hope to discover once it is up and running.
Finally, if Florida is in trouble, then we might all be. The state is feeling the squeeze of environmental change on its beaches, farms, wetlands, and cities and can serve as a preview of what our climate change future may look like. Corinne Iozzio, executive editor at Popular Science, joins us for their special report, The Florida Problem.
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The release of an audio recording has shed new light on the seizure of a British tanker on the Strait of Hormuz by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard. Another escalation in tensions on this critical waterway where one-fifth of the global oil exports pass through as Iran continues to struggle with sanction that are crippling their economy. Ginger Gibson, political reporter for Reuters joins us for this, Trump vs. The Squad, and upcoming Mueller testimony,
Next, genetic genealogy has been used to help solve cold cases involving suspected killers and rapists, but now it has been used to exonerate Christopher Tapp for the rape and murder of Angie Dodge in 1997. Experts now say this technique could be used to clear others who have been wrongly convicted. Sal Hernandez, reporter for BuzzFeed News, joins us for another first for genetic genealogy.
Finally, the viral face aging app, FaceApp was nothing but good fun until reports came out that the company was owned by Russians and that the app could potentially get all the photos on your camera roll, but is there anything really to worry about? Geoffrey Fowler, tech columnist for the Washington Post, took a look under the hood of this app and lets us know if you should worry about your privacy.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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President Trump informed reporters on Thursday that the USS Boxer, operating in the Strait of Hormuz, shot down an Iranian drone after it had approached and closed within a threatening range. Tension has been unfolding in the Strait of Hormuz, which provides passage for about one fifth of the world’s oil every day. In recent weeks it had been suspected that Iran seized a tanker from the UAE and also tried to stop a British vessel. Dave Lawler, world news editor for Axios, joins us for details.
Next, we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing on July 20. It was an incredible feat that had not been accomplished before, was the result of eight years of work by more than 400,000 people and cost billions of dollars. While this was a huge achievement, there was some uncertainty the landing would happen because of an error code that triggered an alarm and some worry. Dr. Lance Eliot, AI expert and contributor to Forbes, joins us to tell the story within the story about the Apollo 11 moon landing and lessons we can learn from it 50 years later.
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The saga of El Chapo, the notorious drug kingpin and leader of the Sinaloa cartel, is over for now. He was just sentenced to life in prison plus 30 years. Over his 30-year criminal career, he smuggled more than $12 billion worth of drugs and caused the deaths of dozens of people. Lisa G. reporter for NBC News Radio Network, joins us for where El Chapo will be going, the Alcatraz of the Rockies.
Next, Elon Musk has unveiled plans by Neuralink to connect the human brain with AI, with the goal of possibly implanting devices in paralyzed humans, allowing them to control phones or computers. The plan involves implanting flexible threads into the brain that are capable of transmitting high volumes of data. Elizabeth Lopatto, deputy editor at The Verge, was there for Musk’s presentation and will give us all the details.
Finally, yesterday was World Emoji Day and the new crop of emoji coming soon to an iPhone and Android near you will be a lot more diverse. There will be dozens of new skin tone, gender and couple combinations as well options to represent people with disabilities and over course a yawning smiley. Ina Fried, chief tech correspondent at Axios, joins us for more.
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Today is the 5th anniversary of the death of Eric Garner and yesterday we found out that the Justice Department will not bring federal charges against Daniel Pantaleo , the New York City police officer who put Garner in a chokehold that later led to his death. Carl Takei, senior staff attorney at the ALCU, joins us to discuss why no charges were filed and if there is any other disciplinary action yet to come for Pantaleo.
Next, as Operation Varsity Blues works its way through the courts with parents and coaches who were charged in the college admissions cheating scandal we take a look at how USC is investigating the students who have been connected to the scandal. 33 students are under investigation to see what they knew or if they lied on their applications. Joel Rubin, reporter for the LA Times, joins us for a look inside the admissions investigation.
Finally, a cash shortage may soon be squeezing the huge Democratic field of presidential candidates. Nearly half of the candidates spent more campaign cash than they raised in the second quarter of the year. Early money is more important than ever because candidates are forced to spend heavily to meet polling and donor thresholds to qualify for debates. David Siders, reporter for Politico, joins us for who is in danger.
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Let’s see them Aliens! You probably noticed an influx of alien memes and jokes on your social media over the weekend… Well that’s because over 1 million people have signed on to a joke Facebook event to storm Area 51 and see what’s inside. Michael Brice-Saddler, reporter for the Washington Post, joins us for how this all got started and how the Air Force plans to respond if people actually show up.
Next, the Trump administration has made moves to eliminate nearly all asylum claims at the southern border. A new directive slated to start today, would prohibit claims from anyone who passes through another country on their way to the U.S., which essentially covers everyone other than people from Mexico. Molly O’Toole, immigration reporter for the LA Times, joins us for this new asylum rule that is certain to face legal scrutiny.
Finally, President Trump has increased his attacks on a group of progressive Democrats known as “the squad” after telling them to go back to the “broken and crime infested” countries they came from. Of the four Congresswomen he is referring to, only one was born out of the country. Many are calling the president’s statements racist, we’ll tell you what you need to know.
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Anxiety in immigrant communities is high as long-threatened ICE raids are getting underway. ICE is targeting some 2,000 immigrants with deportation orders in 10 major cities but the extent of the operation is yet to be seen. Ginger Gibson, political reporter for Reuters, joins us for this, in-fighting between Democrats, and Mueller testimony being delayed a week.
Next, millennials are turning away from traditional organized religion and are embracing more spiritual beliefs like tarot, astrology, meditation, energy healing, and crystals. Millennials are increasingly identifying as “nones” when asked about religious affiliation. They are atheist, agnostic, or spiritual but not religious. Jessica Roy, reporter for the LA Times, tells us about changing attitudes on religion and spirituality.
Finally, did you experience the “Sunday Scaries” last night? Sunday night is becoming the new Monday morning and it is making workers miserable. Late-night and weekend work emails are causing people anxiety and making them feel like they have to address work off hours. Kelsey Gee, reporter for the WSJ, joins us for how jobs creep may be a contributor to burnout.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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President Trump has decided to drop the effort to get a citizenship question on the 2020 Census and will instead issue an executive order requiring all federal agencies to submit information on citizenship data to the U.S. Department of Commerce. The president is insisting that he is not backing down and will still find out how many citizens and non-citizens are in the country. Nicole Narea, immigration reporter for Law360, joins us to explain it all.
Next, the FBI is investigating a secret gang-like group within the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. The federal probe comes after there were allegations of beatings and harassment by members of the Banditos, a groups of deputies in the East LA Sheriff’s station. The members of the group all share a tattoo of a skeleton with a sombrero, bandolier and pistol. Maya Lau, reporter for the LA Times, joins us for more.
Finally, a skull fragment found in the roof of a cave in Greece is now considered the oldest fossil of Homo sapiens ever discovered in Europe. Believed to be 210,000 years old the discovery can potentially rewrite the history of humans and Neanderthals in Europe. Ed Yong, writer at the Atlantic, joins us for what this might mean for the history of our species.
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Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta publicly defended his role in overseeing the prosecution of Jeffrey Epstein for sex crimes committed in Florida. Democrats have been calling for his resignation for accepting what was called a sweetheart deal that let Epstein off with very little consequences. Acosta said that his office stepped in to make sure he served jail time when going to trial was a roll of the dice. Ursula Perano, reporter at Axios joins us for details.
Next, an Asian couple from Queens gave birth to twins through in-vitro fertilization, but a huge shock came when they were delivered, the babies were not theirs, they were not of Asian descent, and the twins weren’t even related. A Los Angeles fertility clinic screwed the whole thing up and now two lawsuits have been filed over the whole ordeal. My producer Miranda joins us for this IVF mix up.
Finally, Virgin Orbit just dropped a rocket over California in a crucial test flight. For the last 5 years Virgin Orbit has been developing a rocket called LauncherOne that is designed to put satellites the size of washing machines into low orbits around the Earth. Loren Grush, science reporter at The Verge, joins us what you need to know about private companies getting increasingly involved in delivering payloads into space.
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The criminal groping case against actor Kevin Spacey shifted dramatically on Monday when the man accusing Spacey of groping him exercised his Fifth Amendment rights, a move that could lead to dismissal of the case. There was also an admission from the accuser’s mother that she had deleted some material from her son’s cellphone, which has now gone missing. Joey Garrison, national correspondent for USA Today, was in court for the turn of events and joins us with details.
Next, it will all be going down on July 17. Special Counsel Robert Mueller is testifying before two House committees about his report on Russian interference in the election and possible obstruction of justice. But while the report has received a lot of attention, many lawmakers and the public at large have yet to read the whole thing. Darren Samuelsohn, senior reporter at Politico, joins us for how lawmakers reacted when he asked them if they read the report or not.
Finally, WarnerMedia has announced its new streamer will be called HBO Max and will be taking one of the top shows on Netflix. HBO Max will be launching next spring and will be taking ‘Friends’ with it at a cost of $425 million for 5 years. Joe Flint, reporter for the WSJ, joins us for what else to expect from this new streaming option.
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Federal prosecutors on Monday released an indictment against billionaire financier Jeffrey Epstein charging him with sex trafficking and creating a vast network of underage victims for him to sexually exploit. The indictment alleges that he would pay girls for massages that would then become sex acts and then paid the girls more money to recruit other girls. This story has a lot of details and even has connections to the current Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta. Kate Briquelet, senior reporter at the Daily Beast was in court for Epstein’s arraignment and joins us for details.
Next, records shared with the Washington Post are showing that the FBI and ICE are using state driver’s license photos as a go-to place for facial-recognition searches. Agents are scanning the faces of many Americans without their consent or knowledge. Between 2015 and 2017, Utah’s DMV database was alone the subject of nearly 2,000 facial recognition searches from outside law enforcement agencies. Drew Harwell, tech reporter for the Washington Post, joins us for how your state’s DMV database is turning into a facial recognition gold mine.
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New numbers are in for President Trump and he has hit his highest approval ratings for his presidency according to a Washington Post- ABC News poll. While he continues to have strong numbers for his handling of the economy, a majority of people say that he continues to act un-presidential. Also developing over the weekend, Republican Rep, Justin Amash leaves the party and Nancy Pelosi spars with AOC. Ginger Gibson, political reporter for Reuters joins us to break it all down.
Next, it was an elaborate sting operation that Amazon collaborated with the Colorado PD to catch porch pirates, but unfortunately it accomplished nothing. The plan was simple enough, load fake Amazon packages with GPS trackers and then catch thieves on Amazon-owned Ring doorbell cams. It was called Operation Grinch Grab and happened with no arrests. Caroline Haskins, writer for Motherboard at Vice.com joins us for this failed op and also how Amazon’s “Neighbor” app is creating a digital ecosystem in which you are encouraged to think the worst about your neighbors.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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Facebook and YouTube have been overrun with bogus cancer treatment claims and tech platforms are tweaking algorithms and cutting off advertising for pages and videos promoting dubious information. The problem is that the amount of misleading info is so extensive and publishing on these platforms is so easy, it’s hard to get a handle on it. Daniela Hernandez, digital science editor at the WSJ, joins us for more.
Next, data brokers are selling your secrets and now states are trying to stop them. Vermont has implemented a new data broker registry, but it is highlighting the difficulties of regulating these secretive firms. Douglas MacMillan, business reporter for the Washington Post, joins us for how data brokers buy and sell the personal information of millions of Americans.
Finally, the military may soon have to be on a diet and might have to ban beer and pizza. The military is studying whether the keto diet can help lower obesity rates and boost the physical and mental performance of soldiers in the field. But in order for this to work, soldiers may have to stick to the diet even in their off time. Krisitne Froeba, reporter for the Military Times, joins us for Keto in the military.
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Tanks, flyovers and fireworks! President Trump is planning a Fourth of July Celebration that he says will be “like no other.” Trump will deliver a speech at the Lincoln Memorial which is not a usual occurrence for an American president and critics will be watching to see if he politicizes the event. My producer Miranda joins us for all the details you need to know.
Next, along with all the fireworks, there will be plenty of grilling going on and you should grill anything you want to your hearts content. But some top chefs have weighed in on foods you should never grill and we got the list. Shockingly burgers and some other grill staples make that list! It is all about preserving fat and flavor. Kate Krader, food editor at Bloomberg News, joins us for the Do Not Grill List.
Finally, the FDA has named 16 brands of dog food that have been linked to canine heart disease. The FDA isn’t suggesting that pet owners stop feeding their dogs these brands just yet, but some vets are advising against “grain free” foods. Rachel Feltman, science editor at Popular Science, joins us for what pet owner should know.
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A new report from the Department of Homeland Security Office of the Inspector General has discovered extreme overcrowding, prolonged detention stays, and health risks at several Border Patrol stations in south Texas. The Associated Press has also released a video of a 12 year-old girl describing the poor care at a Border Patrol station in Clint, Texas. Stef Kight, reporter for Axios, joins us for more on the situation at the border.
Next, the House Ways and Means Committee has sued the Treasury Dept. and the IRS for six years of President Trump’s tax returns, setting off a legal battle that could end up at the Supreme Court. The administration has fought all efforts to release Trump’s financial records and has called the effort to obtain them politically motivated. Joshua Rosenberg, tax correspondent for Law360, joins us for what to know.
Finally, World UFO Day was yesterday and a new report by SatelliteInternet.com has listed the states with the most UFO sightings. If you’re interested in spotting something you might want to head up North. My producer Miranda joins us for where to spot UFOs, and what are the “5 Observables” that UFOs exhibit.
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Genetic genealogy has been used to identify more than 40 murder and rape suspects in some cases at least 50 years old. There was always questions as whether using this investigative technique would hold up in court and now we have an answer. William Talbot II was tracked down through DNA that two cousins uploaded to a genealogy site, and was just found guilty of the murder of a young Canadian couple in 1987. Megan Molteni, science writer for Wired, joins us for the big win for genetic genealogy.
Next, as plastics continue to overtake the world, scientists are making progress in developing new ways to break down plastic and keep them out of landfills and the ocean. Scientists have now created a biological enzyme that can digest plastic into their chemical components so that it can be re-used. Corinne Iozzio, executive editor at Popular Science, joins us for the latest on plastic eating enzymes.
Finally, it’s almost the 4th of July… and with that comes fireworks. While nothing says America quite like bright exploding lights in the air, it can cause a terrible situation for the thousands of people that get hurt when they go off, birds in the air, and man’s best friend. Caitlin Gibson, feature writer for the Washington Post, joins us for why you should always be careful during the holiday and watch out for ruptured globes.
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President Trump had another history making moment over the weekend as he became the first sitting president to step into North Korea. Trump shook hands with Kim Jong Un and the two agreed to revive stalled talks about denuclearization. Ginger Gibson, political reporter for Reuters, joins us for this, what happened at the G-20 and Sen. Kamala Harris surging in the polls.
Next, after a yearlong investigation that became the largest sex crimes inquiry involving a single person in LAPD history, George Tyndall, the gynecologist accused of sexual misconduct toward hundreds of USC students was arrested and charged last week with more than two dozen felonies. Brianna Sacks, former USC student and Buzzfeed News reporter joins us for all the details that led to his arrest.
Finally, we are in a global plastic crisis of our own making. Plastics made from oil and natural gas have become part of our daily lives from cell phones, to shipping materials and more, but the problem is we use many plastics only once then discard them and it is showing up in our oceans, mountain peaks, and our food. Andrew Freedman, science editor at Axios, joins us more on our plastic planet.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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We got through it! 2 nights, 20 candidates, 4 hours, lots of Trump bashing, and lots of policy. The first round of democratic debates has ended and there were some clear winners and losers. All the front runners remain intact, Julian Castro raised his profile and Kamala Harris looked strong in a serious exchange with Biden, but how did the front runner Joe Biden fare at the end of it all? There was also an interesting moment of honesty from Pete Buttigieg. Ginger Gibson, political reporter for Reuters joins us from the Democratic debate spin room to break it all down.
Next, a Supreme Court ruling that is considered a setback for the Trump administration. The will not be able to ask U.S. residents the status of their citizenship on the 2020 census, at least for now. It is being kicked down to a lower court for more explanation from the administration, but time is running out, and now Trump is asking if the census can be delayed. Nicole Narea, senior immigration reporter for Law 360 joins us for more.
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It’s the moment that Democrats have been waiting for… Robert Mueller will testify before two House committees in back to back open sessions. It will be a must-see-TV event and it’s going down on July 17. Darren Samuelsohn, senior reporter at Politico, joins us for how this will play out and the other cast of characters that Dems want to interview…all of the prosecutors that worked on Mueller’s team.
Next, get ready for the next big job you can do from behind a desk… truck driver. Automated freight delivery is expected to begin long before self-driving cars are here, and one company in Florida just did the first unmanned, high speed test of a heavy- duty commercial truck on a public highway. Joann Muller covers automated vehicles for Axios and joins us for what this test looked like and the future of freight delivery.
Finally, a story about the border wall, but not the one you are thinking of. This is the controversial, crowdfunded half-mile long wall built along the New Mexico border. The city of Sunland Park, New Mexico, says that the wall was illegally constructed lacking the proper permits, and the landowner could face some jail time. Sal Hernandez, reporter for Buzzfeed News, joins us what to know about this border wall.
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It all kicks off tonight in Miami! The battle for the Democratic nomination for president and hope for the party to defeat President Trump. The first debate of the season will feature 20 candidates across two days, with 4 of the top 5 candidates going at it on night 2, but some Democratic bigwigs are scared of what might happen if it turns into a slugfest. Holly Otterbein, national political reporter for Politico, joins us for a debate preview.
Next, after an uproar over migrant children being held in filthy conditions at a border patrol facility in Clint, Texas, John Sanders, the acting head of Customs and Border Protection, has resigned. This leaves another critical post without a permanent leader while many issues continue to pop up at the border. Alicia Caldwell, immigration reporter at the WSJ, joins us for this and where we are with the $4.5 billion border aid bill.
Finally, last week we were bombarded with news of the latest way our phones are damaging our bodies. Horns were growing out of young people’s skulls. Because we learn forward to look at our screens, bone spurs were developing on the back of people’s heads. But the research didn’t really support that and there was a possible conflict of interest with one of the researchers. Eleanor Cummins, assistant editor at Popular Science, joins us for why we all need to calm down.
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After the president announced that there would be mass deportations coming over the weekend, he decided to delay planned immigration raids for two weeks to give Democrats time to change asylum laws. This comes as we find out that the government has had to move almost 300 migrant children from a remote border patrol station in Texas due to poor conditions. Alicia Caldwell, immigration reporter for the WSJ, joins us for the latest immigration news.
Next, as tensions have been running high since Iran shot down an unmanned American drone, President Trump is leveling new sanctions against Iranian leaders. President Trump had previously called off a military strike and thought that this was a more proportionate response. Bryan Bender, Defense editor for Politico, joins us for what to expect from these sanctions and how we got here.
Finally, there has been another fight that has gone viral. This one included parents and coaches at a youth baseball game in Lakewood Colorado. The players were all seven years old, and the parents were upset with a call made by the umpire, who is 13. Six adults have been cited in this fight so far. Jason Gay, sports columnist for the WSJ joins us to talk about why parents get so angry.
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Let’s check in on the world of presidential politics. As we await the first round of debates for the Democratic field to begin this week, the gloves have come off in the battle for the nomination. Former Vice President Joe Biden still leads the field in all the poll and he continues to take hits all around. On the other side, President Trump has said he may not reach out to swing voters instead focusing on turning out his base to win him re-election. Ginger Gibson, political reporter for Reuters, joins us to break it all down.
Next, we’re going to tell you the story of a little robot named Jibo. People welcomed this social robot into their families, and now they are mourning its death. Jibo launched on Indiegogo but its history traces back to labs at MIT. It was part smart assistant like Alexa, but had a cute little body that could twist and turn and because of facial recognition it would always welcome you when you walked into the room. But now, the servers will be turned off soon and the robot just won’t be the same anymore. Ashley Carman, host of the “Why'd You Push That Button?” Podcast, joins us for how Jibo made emotional connections with its users.
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This is a compilation of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of the most compelling stories of the week.
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President Trump warned that Iran “made a very big mistake” after the Iranian Revolutionary Guard shot down and American RQ-4A Global Hawk surveillance drone. Iran maintains that the drone crossed their airspace, but the US says that is just not true. Bryan Bender, defense editor at Politico, joins us for more on the drone shoot down and continued tension with Iran.
Next, in the aftermath of the shootings in Parkland last year, prosecutors around the country turned to a zero tolerance policy when it came to students who made threats against a school. This even prompted one prosecutor in Texas, to charge 216 students in 3 months. But now, some are moving away from that because they want to avoid overcharging students in cases that don’t turn out to be serious. Dan Frosch, Reporter for the WSJ, joins us for how priorities are changing.
Finally, we speak to Sarah Zhang, writer at the Atlantic, about the sperm donor who has met 17 of his kids. Tim Gullicksen began donating sperm in 1989 and most of his kids are 18-25 years old now. They found him and other siblings through the Donor Sibling Registry and DNA tests like 23andMe. A new family unit has formed and Sarah helps tell you their story.
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NXIVM leader Keith Raniere has been found guilty on all charges related to the sex cult he started under the guise of a self-help group. Among the charges he was found guilty of were forced labor conspiracy, sex trafficking, and child porn charges. Pilar Melendez, reporter for the Daily Beast, was in the courtroom for the verdict and joins us for how it all went down and highlights from the trial.
Next, a shooting at a California Costco involving an off-duty police officer and an intellectually disabled man is sparking a debate about proper use of force. Two different stories are emerging about what went down in the food tasting line at Costco, but the off-duty cop discharged his weapon and it resulted in the death of Kenneth French. His parents were also shot and are still in the hospital. Hannah Fry, reporter for the LA Times, joins us for this complicated story.
Finally, while the fast food industry as a whole has been flat, Chick-fil-A has experienced double digit growth. It has moved up the ranks from the seventh largest restaurant chain in the US to become the third. While the company is not without its challenges, people love it for the waffle fries and their legendary customer service. Laura Reiley, the business of food reporter for the Washington Post, joins us for why Chick-fil-A is so popular.
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Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan is out and will withdraw from the nomination process to be permanent Defense Secretary after it was reported by USA Today that the FBI is examining a 2010 domestic fight between Shanahan and his former wife, where accounts differ as to who the aggressor was. Army Secretary Mark Esper will take over for Shanahan. Tom Vanden Brook, Pentagon correspondent for USA Today joins us for all the details.
Next, President Trump in a tweet signaled that mass immigration arrests are starting next week. It was a plan that was being formulated, but the operation was not imminent. The arrests will target individuals who have final deportation orders and will include families. Maria Sacchetti, immigration reporter for the Washington Post, details what we know about the plan.
Finally, the future of food delivery may be starting this summer and Uber wants your next Big Mac to be delivered by drone. The food delivery business is expected to be $76 billion in 2022 and Uber is betting that drone deliveries will be a big part of that, which could even change the way kitchens operate. Kate Krader, food editor at Bloomberg News, was at the first test flight and will tell us how it all works.
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Tensions in the Mideast have been escalating recently and got another push as Iran announced that it will break uranium stockpile limits set under the 2015 nuclear deal within the next 10 days. This comes at a time when the U.S. has blamed Iran for attacks on two oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman last week. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has said that the US is weighing a range of options for how to deal with Iran. Marisa Fernandez, reporter for Axios, joins us for more.
Next, an odd story of a man suing a Scottsdale cryonics company for $1 million and the return of his dad’s frozen head. Kurt Pilgeram’s father paid a company called Alcor Life Extension Foundation to preserve his body at subzero temperatures in the hope that future technology might be able to restore his life, it is called cryonics. Kurt thought that his father’s full body was to be preserved, but was shocked when the company sent back the ashes of his body and only froze his head. Karl Puckett, reporter for the Great Falls Tribune, joins us for Pilgeram’s fight to get all of his father’s remains.
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The 2020 campaign season officially kicks off on Tuesday when President Trump takes the stage in Orlando to announce his bid for re-election. But things are different this time… He’s the incumbent, he has millions of dollars in his war chest and a far more sophisticated campaign apparatus. Ginger Gibson, political reporter for Reuters, joins us for this and winners and losers of the Democratic debate lottery.
Next, one of the most important issues people deal with is healthcare and the rising costs, which is why politicians are constantly trying to get a handle on it. But healthcare monopolies exists everywhere. Even the behind-the-scenes parts of the industry are controlled by a few companies, which drives up the costs for everyone. Sam Baker, Healthcare Editor at Axios, joins us for a healthcare system full of monopolies.
Finally, there is a fake meat gold rush in the fast food industry. Restaurants are rushing to add meat-free burgers to their menus, but suppliers are struggling to keep up. Rapid growth in demand is straining the ability of Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods to fulfill all the orders. In turn, they are ramping up production, while fast food restaurants are happy to provide higher priced meat alternatives to their customers. Heather Haddon, reporter for the WSJ, joins us for more.
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This is a compilation of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of the most compelling stories of the week.
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Today we are talking about the people who pay people to kill people. We are getting more details that the attempted murder on “Big Papi” David Ortiz’s life was a hit job, in New York a police officer hired a hitman to kill her husband and a young girl. Thankfully most of the headlines we see are about contract killings that go nowhere. For more, we speak to journalist Rene Chun about why more often than not, these hit jobs don’t succeed.
Next, WH Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sander is leaving her post at the end of the month. Sanders is returning to her home state of Arkansas where the president hopes that she runs for Governor. Daniel Lippman, reporter for Politico, joins us for how Sanders changed the game getting rid of daily press briefings and the President’s latest comments on accepting opposition research from foreign entities and not contacting the FBI.
Finally, you see them everywhere… people walking around with AirPods in their ears. People have full on conversations wearing them and it can lead to some awkward social interactions where you don’t know if the music is turned down or if the other person is even paying attention. But is there a case to be made for wearing them all the time? Marina Koren, science reporter at the Atlantic, joins us for one good reason, it can help some safely ignore street harassers.
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Former Stanford University sailing coach John Vandemoer is the first person to be sentenced in the college admissions cheating scandal: Operation Varsity Blues. He was sentenced to one day in prison, six months of home detention, two years of supervised release, and a $10,000 fine. My producer Miranda joins us to break it down and the thing that worked in his favor, he never pocketed the money, but sent it all back to the sailing program.
Next, nearly 1,400 people had died in Congo from an Ebola outbreak that has lasted nearly a year, and now the contagious disease has spread to Uganda. A 5 year old boy crossed the border with his family and later died. The Ebola problems have persisted in Congo as a result of community distrust and armed rebel groups threatening violence against health workers. Andrew Freedman, science editor at Axios, joins us for more on the Ebola outbreak.
Finally, at first it looked like a simple domestic murder, but then police learned about the alien reptilian cult. Steve Mineo was shot by his girlfriend Barbara Rogers who had been accused of being a “Vampire Witch Reptilian Super Soldier.” She has now been found guilty of third-degree murder. Kyle Swenson, reporter for the Washington Post, joins us for the bizarre backstory of this extraterrestrial cult that swallowed them both up.
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Alabama Governor Kay Ivey has signed a bill that would require people convicted of certain sex offenses to undergo “chemical castration” as a condition of parole, a requirement meant to keep them from committing similar crimes. The process is not permanent and can be reversed but there are ethical questions and concerns if it actually works as a deterrent. Marisa Iati, reporter for the Washington Post, joins us for more.
Next, there has been a rise of unproven billion-dollar health care industries and the FDA is attempting to get them under control. The FDA just won a ruling that will stop stem cell treatments at a Florida clinic after some patients went blind after being injected with extract made from their own fat. Caitlin Owens, reporter for Axios, joins us for more on this ruling and also where the FDA plans on getting involved next, the booming CBD industry.
Finally, do you really need “Dark mode?” It is the big tech trend right now and Apple just announced its coming to its new iOS 13. It is being praised as a way to reduce the strain on your eyes and make you more productive, but is it all it’s made out to be? Based on existing studies, it’s not, but it sure does look cool and it isn’t as bad as the blue light coming from your white screens. Arielle Pardes, senior associate editor at Wired, joins us for the popularity of Dark mode.
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There is an animal cruelty controversy that is striking the largest dairy producer in Indiana and one of the largest in the country. Video released by a group called Animal Recovery Mission showed cases of abuse and cruelty in the treatment of calves at Fair Oaks Farms. There was also drug use by some employees caught on camera. On one side of the issue is Richard Cuoto, founder of ARM who has been called the Batman of animal cruelty and on the other side, Mike McCloskey, founder of Fair Oaks Farms who runs Fair Oaks’ Dairy Adventure which some have called the Disneyland of agricultural tourism. Sarah Bowman, environmental reporter at the Indianapolis Star, joins us to break down this story.
Next, we now have two cities on the books with laws decriminalizing magic mushrooms, Denver and Oakland. There is an important distinction however, these laws just make it a lower priority for law enforcement, you can grow them and possess them, just not sell them. However, some lawmakers see it going the way of cannabis into legalization. Matt Simon, science writer at Wired, joins us to talk about the journey to decriminalize psilocybin, also known as magic mushrooms.
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New tariffs have been avoided. Mexico has agreed to take stronger measures to slow migration over the border and President Trump has dropped the threat of tariffs for now. Joe Biden had a rough week reversing his long held position on the Hyde Amendment which some say was a purely political shift to get on board with an issue important for the Democratic Party. House Democrats are also scheduling a series of hearings this week on the Special Counsel’s report. Ginger Gibson, political reporter for Reuters joins us to break it all down.
Next, the party drug MDMA is getting more attention as clinical studies are being done to see if psychiatrists can harness the therapeutic power of the drug to help patients with PTSD. Part of what helps the process is that MDMA can strengthen the bond between therapist and patient by enhancing feelings of trust, emotional openness, and empathy. It acts as sort of a psychological accelerant making changes in the brain that lay the groundwork for recovery. Liza Gross, contributor to the Verge, joins us for a look into how MDMA could possibly transform psychiatry.
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This is compilation of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is compilation of the most compelling stories of the week.
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It was back in April that Walmart announced it was doubling down on robots in its stores to scan shelves and scrub floors hoping to keep labor costs down and open up employees to more fulfilling work. Well, the roll-out has happened and the results are… mixed. The human workers are sometimes the ones that feel like machines. Customers have reportedly fallen asleep on one of the machines, workers have to retrain the machines in some cases, and engineers have had to figure out creative ways to have robots announce themselves to customers so they aren’t caught off guard. Drew Harwell, AI reporter for the Washington Post, joins us for how the robots are doing at Walmart.
Next, YouTube has stepped into the hate speech minefield. Earlier this week they announced three changes aimed at limiting the posting and spreading of hate speech content. Unfortunately for YouTube, the long planned announcement came during an uproar over enforcement of its policies surrounding conservative host Steven Crowder and homophobic and racist insults he made against Vox’s Carlos Maza. Ina Fried, chief tech correspondent at Axios, joins us for YouTube’s new policies.
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Homelessness is a problem all across the country, but the headlines out of California are getting out of control and LA County seems to be having an especially bad time. Homelessness has jumped 12% despite millions of dollars being poured in to help limit the problem, and in the meantime there is constant news of rats, fleas, and feces due to homeless encampments. Benjamin Oreskes, reporter for the LA Times, joins us to break down the latest numbers.
Next, 2019 already has the highest number of migrant arrests than any other full year in the past decade. In May alone, there were over 144,000 migrants taken into custody. The acting CBP Commissioner John Sanders has said that we are in a full blown emergency with not enough resources or money to handle the influx. Stef Kight, reporter for Axios, joins us for the continued border surge.
Finally, the sport of boxing was turned on its head this past weekend as Andy Ruiz Jr. became the first Mexican Heavyweight Champion of the world. He was an 11-1 underdog when he beat Anthony Joshua. But what really makes this story so great is how much of a humble every man Ruiz is, and then there is his flabby body which is not what a typical champion looks like. Jason Gay, sports columnist at the WSJ, joins us for the Andy Ruiz Jr., the humble heavyweight.
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Some good news for all you coffee drinkers out there. In California, coffee no longer needs a cancer warning AND a new study shows that even 25 cups a day isn’t bad for your heart, at least when it comes to stiffening of the arteries… all that caffeine might be a different story. Sara Randazzo, legal reporter for the WSJ, joins us for what to know in CA, and then we explore what 25 cups of coffee might do to you.
Next, President Trump continues his tour of the U.K. and for the most part things seem to be going smoothly. Despite protests in the area, the president has successfully met with the Queen and had a joint press conference with outgoing Prime Minister Theresa May, where he praised her saying she deserves a lot of credit for her handling of Brexit. Daniel Lippman, reporter for Politico, joins us for Trump in London.
Finally, Amazon is ramping up its Prime one-day delivery saying it can deliver over 10 million products in one day. And to help with “choice overload” the company has a badge it places on one product per search called Amazon’s Choice to help you pick an item that is highly rated and ready to ship out, but how does Amazon choose its choices? Louise Matsakis, writer for Wired, joins us for the latest Amazon news.
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More Americans are living solo and the companies that want their business are upending generations of family-focused products and marketing and catering to single person households with smaller appliances, individual packaging, and GIANT toilet-paper rolls. Ellen Byron, reporter for the WSJ joins us for how many people are living alone now and how they buy things differently.
Next, a new study is exposing the health risks of gene editing human embryos. It appears that the genetic variation that a Chinese scientist was trying to re-create when he edited twin girls’ DNA may be more harmful that helpful to their overall health. A study shows that people with this gene mutation were 21% less likely to live until the age of 76. Megan Molteni, who covers DNA technologies for Wired, joins us for the unintended consequences of gene editing.
Finally, when bills pile up, some young people are turning to strangers on Venmo to raise cash. While crowdfunding has been around for a while on platforms like GoFundMe, people are now just throwing out their mobile payment app handles and asking for money for a range of things: rent, medical expenses, family funerals and even small things like a cup of coffee or a trip to the nail salon. Suhauna Hussain, reporter for the LA Times, joins us for more.
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The country has experienced another mass shooting and this time 12 people have lost their lives in Virginia Beach. DeWayne Craddock was a public utilities engineer who put in his two weeks’ notice earlier in the day before he indiscriminately shot at others in a municipal building. The investigation is still ongoing and no motive has been found. My producer Miranda joins us for what we know about this latest tragedy.
Next, President Trump has opened up the trade war to a second front announcing 5 percent tariffs on all Mexican imports until the country does more to stop the flow of immigrants passing through Mexico to the United States. The president is also on a 5 day tour of the UK and is meeting with Queen Elizabeth and the outgoing Prime Minister Theresa May who is dealing with Brexit chaos. Ginger Gibson, political reporter for Reuters, joins us to break it all down.
Finally, it’s one of the most popular pages on the internet, but behind the scenes, editors are fighting a brutal war over every word. Donald Trump’s Wikipedia page is a war zone for editors who are trying to include the latest meaningful news, all while fighting off hackers and each other. Aaron Mack, writer at Slate, joins us for a look into how the presidents Wikipedia page is handled.
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This is a compilation of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of the most compelling stories of the week.
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Today we have a follow up to a story that started in November 2016. The mysterious “sonic attacks” on US and Canadian diplomats in Cuba. They reported heard loud screeches or buzzing sounds and then came down with dizziness, headaches, difficulty concentrating, and other symptoms resembling a traumatic brain injury. We never did find out what caused it and it may stay that way due to the way the US State department began the medical investigation, much of the early research may have been botched or biased. Dan Vergano, Buzzfeed News reporter joins us for the deep dive he did into what has become known as “Havana Syndrome.”
Next, another day, another political controversy. This time, the controversy involves emails to Navy and Air Force officials about the president’s Memorial Day weekend visit to Japan, and a request to keep the USS John McCain “out of sight” of President Trump. The president and acting defense secretary distanced themselves from the order, but it continued the long feud the president has with the late senator. My producer Miranda joins us to break it down.
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Special Counsel Robert Mueller made his first public comments in two years since the beginning of the Russia investigation. In his remarks he recapped some of his findings and made two things clear, Russia did interfere in the election and his report does not exonerate the president from obstruction of justice…DOJ policy prohibits him from charging a sitting President. Zoe Tillman, legal reporter at Buzzfeed News joins us for what it all means.
Next, this past weekend another horse died at the Santa Anita race track bring the total to 26 since December. It is still unclear what is causing the breakdowns, but there are increased calls for a moratorium on racing there. John Cherwa, horseracing reporter at the LA Times, joins us to discuss why so many horses are dying at Santa Anita.
Finally, do you know what your iPhone is up to in the middle of the night? Even though the screen is off and your snoring away, app trackers on your phone are busy sending out your data to companies you probably have never heard of. Geoffrey Fowler, tech columnist at the Washington Post, joins us for the secret life of your data and what you can do to limit app tracking.
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The first big trial in the opioid crisis has kicked off in Oklahoma and it will have wide ranging implications for hundreds of other lawsuits. The state will argue that Johnson and Johnson’s deceptive marketing campaign created a “public nuisance” that will cost the state $17 billion to take care of. Sara Randazzo, legal reporter for the WSJ, joins us for what it is all about, can a company be held responsible for the opioid crisis.
Next, a small preview of what we can expect as 2020 starts coming our way… fake videos and what big tech companies do to respond to them. Last week a video was circulated of Nancy Pelosi slurring her words and sounding drunk. Fact checkers soon deemed the video fake, but it took Facebook 32 hours to address the issue and didn’t even remove the video. Sara Fischer, media reporter at Axios, joins us to break down Facebook’s response to fake videos.
Finally, it’s time to start ditching those chore charts and start embracing allowance tracking apps. Kids still want money from the bank of mom and dad, and parents still want to impart a basic work ethic, but lists of chores on the fridge and saving in a piggy bank doesn’t cut it with the smartphone generation. Julie Jargon, family and tech correspondent with the WSJ, joins us for how kids’ allowance works in the smartphone age.
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We are about a month away before the race for the Democratic nomination really starts to heat up. The first debates are happening at the end of June and it is going to be a packed stage. We will tell you who has qualified so far and also how the candidates are handling Fox News, some are refusing to go on the network and others are doing town halls. Ginger Gibson, political reporter for Reuters, joins us for a 2020 update including how Dems plan on paying for all their proposals.
Next, similar to a “Do Not Call” registry, momentum is growing for a “Do Not Track” registry. A bill was just introduced by Sen. Josh Hawley which would legally require companies to stop collecting data on users who opt out of certain kinds of “non-essential “tracking. Emily Birnbaum, tech policy reporter at The Hill, joins us for the effort to limit the collection of your data.
Finally, as more households are installing smart doorbells, some are using them as nature cameras, checking the video all day long and obsessing over the wildlife at their doors. Some are even checking these doorbell streams about 30 times in a day saying it’s better that TV or social media. Sarah Needleman, tech reporter at the WSJ, joins us for the new nature cams.
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I want to start off by saying Thank You to all service members of the military who fight to protect us and give us the freedoms we cherish so much. Today, on Memorial Day, we specifically remember those that gave the ultimate sacrifice in service of their country. Telling the stories of those that have given their lives for us is one of the best ways to honor them and keep their memory alive. Today, we speak to National Guard officer Robert Perry. He will be sharing the story of one of his friends Corporal Glenn J. Watkins, who was killed on April 5, 2005 by an IED during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Next, as we continue to celebrate Memorial Day many of use the opportunity to travel and get away and you might just be staying at a hotel, but beware the fine print…hotel fees are starting to get out of hand. Hotels have gotten creative in making you pay mandatory fees with few options for getting out of them. They are often called resort fees, destination fees, housekeeping fees and more. Scott McCartney, travel editor for the WSJ, joins us to talk about why you need to read the fine print about extra fees when booking a hotel.
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This is a compilation of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of the most compelling stories of the week.
Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
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Millennials at the far end of the spectrum are turning 38 this year and are approaching middle age. The bad news is that they are playing catch up in the game of life. New data shows that they are in worse financial shape than every preceding living generation and may never recover. A lot of factors go into why Millennials are in their current situation… they began their working life when the recession hit, they have less wealth, less property, lower marriage rates and fewer children. Paul Overberg, reporter for the WSJ, joins for the current state of millennials and the impacts on the future.
Next, if you are accused of stealing an animatronic robot from Disney World, it’s probably a smart idea not to start a Disney-related twitter account and post pictures of the stolen robot. Patrick Spikes has been accused of stealing over $14,000 in items from Disney World using underground tunnels to get backstage and then selling them online for at least $30,000. Kelly Weill, reporter for the Daily Beast, joins us for how spikes was sneaking around and stealing out of the back door of Disney.
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America was first introduced to him in December 2001. He became known as the “American Taliban” and he is set to be released from prison today. John Walker Lindh is being released after serving 17 years of a 20 year sentence for providing support to the Taliban. John Woolfolk, reporter for the San Jose Mercury News, joins us for who the “American Taliban” is and the big questions how does a former jihadist get integrated back into society.
Next, Washington has become the first state in the country to legalize human composting. Before the only acceptable means of disposition of a human body was burial or cremation, now we have “natural organic reduction.” The process involves wood chips, takes about four weeks, and yields about two wheelbarrows worth of soil. Brendan Kiley, reporter for the Seattle Times, joins us for a new alternative to burial or cremation.
Finally, President Trump and Democrats continue their fight with each other and nothing is getting done. What started off as a meeting on infrastructure ended with a press conference in the Rose Garden where the president said he would not work with Democrats until they stop investigating him. Daniel Lippman, reporter for Politico, joins us for the big walk out by the president.
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Many more students, especially in affluent areas are getting extra time to take the SAT. After the big college admissions cheating scandal came to light, there is more scrutiny on the whole process and a WSJ analysis shows that there has been an increase in special allowances that give students more time or other accommodations when taking tests. Doug Belkin, Higher education reporter for the WSJ, tells us about “504 designations.”
Next, the trial for NXIVM sex cult leader Keith Raniere continues in court and testimony is shedding more light on the practices of the group and also what went down when Raniere was arrested. Just before he would engage in group sex with his slaves, federal agents busted in to arrest him and he hid in a walk-in closet, leaving the women to cover for him. Pilar Melendez, reporter for the Daily Beast, breaks down the latest.
Finally, former White House counsel Don McGahn was subpoenaed to appear before the House Judiciary Committee and testify on ways that Trump could possibly have obstructed justice. All Democrats got was an empty chair after he refused to show on orders from the White House. Kyle Cheney, congressional reporter for Politico, joins us for the no-show and increased calls for an impeachment inquiry.
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President Trump has warned Iran not to threaten the U.S. again or it will face its “official end” shortly after a rocket landed near the US Embassy in Baghdad. Iran quickly responded with a hashtag, #NeverThreatenAnIranian. The US has deployed bombers and an aircraft carrier to the area, as Iran has increased its uranium enrichment production. Nahal Toosi, foreign affairs correspondent for Politico, joins us to discuss the rising tensions with Iran.
Next, is revenge porn considered free speech? The Illinois Supreme Court has heard arguments on whether the state’s revenge porn law violates freedom of speech after a woman sent nude photos of her husband’s mistress to friends and family as an example for why the marriage went bad. Deanna Paul, former sex crimes prosecutor, joins us to discuss revenge porn laws.
Finally, now that Game of Thrones is over, has appointment TV officially ended? Will there ever be another show that you have to make time to watch when it airs… or have streaming services and social media changed the way we watch TV? My producer Miranda joins us to discuss if we’ll ever all watch a show together again.
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As various restrictive abortion bills have been enacted recently, President Trump has weighed in saying he is “strongly pro-life” but also puts himself at odds with some of the more extreme bills. Attorney General Bill Barr is ready to investigate the investigators, one GOP Rep. is calling for impeachment, and the trade war with China continues to hurt farmers. Ginger Gibson, political reporter for Reuters, joins us to break it all down.
Next, genetic genealogy has been a great tool for law enforcement leading us to the Golden Stare Killer and closing many other cold cases, but critics fear we might be on a slippery slope where this tool is used to investigate less serious crimes. DNA genealogy sites only let police use their info in cases of homicide or sexual assault, but for the first time, it was just used to identify a suspect in a violent assault. Peter Aldhous, reporter for Buzzfeed News, joins us for the latest use of forensic genealogy.
Finally, a conversation about the most important meal of the day… Breakfast. But is it really? Or is it all just marketing? Amanda Mull, writer at The Atlantic, joins us for a look at where the concept of the quick, modern American breakfast comes from, how important breakfast is, and why you shouldn’t be afraid to eat a chicken parmesan hoagie for breakfast.
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This is a compilation of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of the most compelling stories of the week.
Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
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The SAT, the college entrance exam that is taken by about two million students each year, is adding a new metric for college admissions officers to factor into their decisions… an “adversity score” to measure potential hardships faced by the students. The score is calculated using 15 factors including crime rates, poverty levels from the student’s high school and more. Doug Belkin, higher education reporter at the WSJ, joins us for how the score works and how it can impact your chances of getting into college.
Next, President Trump has put forward a new merit based immigration plan that would change the asylum process, fund more border security, and change who qualifies for a green card. Left out of the proposal… anything to do with undocumented immigrants here now and the Dreamers. Stef Kight, reporter for Axios, joins us for Trump’s new immigration plan.
Finally, if you live in the city, your mental health could be more at risk than others. Living in the city means dealing with stressors like air and noise pollution, pollution from traffic, and even your neighbors. Claire Maldarelli, associate editor at Popular Science, joins us for how where you live can impact your mental health.
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It is called the “Human Life Protection Act” and it is the most restrictive abortion bill in the country. The bill was just signed by Alabama Governor Kay Ivey and it criminalizes nearly all abortions except for cases where there is a serious health risk to the mother. Abbey Crain, reporter for Reckon by AL.com, joins us for what’s in the bill and what is could mean for the future of Roe. Vs Wade.
Next, San Francisco has become the first city in the U.S. to ban the use of facial recognition software by city agencies and its police force. Privacy and civil rights advocates have worried that the capability could be used for mass surveillance and possibly lead to false arrests. The law will not apply to local businesses or airports. Trisha Thadani, city hall reporter for the San Francisco Chronicle, joins us more on the facial recognition ban.
Finally, the CEO of Amazon Jeff Bezos has a grand vision for our future in space. He envisions a future where people live on space colonies and also where the heavy industry, the polluting industry will operate, leaving Earth to be a beautiful place to live and visit. Miriam Kramer, space reporter for Axios, joins us for what Jeff Bezos plans to do with his rocket company, Blue Origins.
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Some dogs Iowa have been quarantined after officials detected a vicious disease and humans could be at risk too. Several cases of “Canine Brucellosis” coming from a commercial small-dog breeding facility have been confirmed, and the disease is zoonotic, meaning it can be passed from dogs to humans, although it is rare that it could happen. My producer Miranda joins us for what to know.
Next, there is another battle brewing over your data and this time it has to do with e-scooters. To operate in cities like Los Angeles, scooter companies are required to share data on scooter usage such as pick up locations and exact routes taken. Companies like Uber and Lyft are objecting to this data grab for fear it might cause further regulation for its other businesses. Aarian Marshall, writer at Wired, joins us for why scooters are the next data battleground.
Finally, what happens when you take away your teen’s phone? Sometimes they turn to burner phones. Julie Jargon, Family and tech columnist at the WSJ, joins us to talk about one family and the fight they had with their daughter over phone usage, how it tore apart their family, and tips on how to identify if your teen might be using a burner phone to stay connected.
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Trade war continues… China has hit back with tariffs on $60 billion in U.S. goods after President Trump increased tariffs on $200 billion of Chinese goods last Friday. The moves were made after trade talks once again stalled between the two countries. Sabrina Rodriguez, trade reporter at Politico, joins us for the latest tit-for-tat and how Trump’s trade agenda is working out so far.
Next, Operation Varsity Blues continues to work its way through the courts as actress Felicity Huffman has officially pled guilty in the college admission cheating scandal. The big question now is, what will her punishment be? Prosecutors are eyeing 4-10 months in federal prison and a $20,000 fine. Lou Shapiro, federal defense attorney in Los Angeles, joins us to discuss the case and why William H. Macy hasn’t been charged with anything.
Finally, for anyone that has a smart speaker in their home, you know Alexa has been eavesdropping on you the whole time right? The smart speaker is always listening and in many cases it’s also recording you and keeping that recording for the company to listen to. Geoffrey Fowler, tech columnist at the Washington Post, joins us for what he learned after listening to 4 years of his own Amazon Alexa archives.
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It’s called Munchhausen by Internet, the condition of faking illness online. It’s a form of factitious disorder, a mental disorder where people fake illness or actually make themselves sick to get sympathy and attention. But one place online that experiences this at higher rates is in the cancer community. People in online cancer support groups are routinely outed as healthy. It seems almost impossible to think that someone could lie about such a serious illness, but it happens a lot, and those that offered their love, sympathy, and support often feel betrayed. Roisin Lanigan, contributor to The Atlantic, joins us for why the internet has a cancer-faking problem.
Next, let’s check in on how the crowded field of Democratic hopefuls for president is doing. Coming in at 21 candidates, the newspaper headlines and social media mentions are concentrated on just a handful of contenders. The top four getting all the love are Joe Biden, Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, and Kamala Harris. There’s still plenty of time for others to make a name for themselves, and the first debate is at the end of June. Ginger Gibson, political reporter for Reuters, joins us for how the Dems are doing.
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This is a compilation of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of the most compelling stories of the week.
Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
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The stem cell industry is booming in the U.S. and while some legitimate medical uses have been discovered, there is a growing industry of clinics and doctors offering poorly understood products often without much regulation. Patients are paying thousands of dollars for unproven treatments that claim to heal a variety of ailments with some stem cell injections into a joint costing between $5,000 and $10,000. Often these stem cells are amniotic stem cells obtained via donation after women give birth, and that’s an important distinction. Caroline Chen, healthcare reporter at ProPublica, joins us for the birth-tissue profiteers.
Next, the Republican-led Senate Intelligence Committee has subpoenaed Donald Trump Jr. to answer questions about previous testimony before Senate investigators in relation to the Russia investigation. The president has said he is surprised by the subpoena and Sen. Richard Burr who chairs the committee is facing GOP backlash. Stef Kight, reporter for Axios, joins us for what this is all about.
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President Trump’s taxes released… sort of. The NY Times has obtained IRS tax transcripts for the president from 1985-1994 and what it shows is a lot of money lost. During that time he lost money from his core businesses- casinos and hotels and totaled more $1 billion. It also helped him to avoid paying taxes 8 of those 10 years. Toby Eckert, tax editor at Politico, joins us for what we know and don’t know about Trump’s taxes.
Next, there are juveniles across the country that are getting trapped in the criminal justice system all because of court fees. Most jurisdictions allow courts to charge youths with administrative fees, public defender fees, probation supervision fees, and many other charges. If a family can’t afford these fees, the youth could end up in indefinite parole. Paul McLeod, Buzzfeed News reporter joins us for a new bill in Congress that could end this.
Finally, Kim Kardashian West has made criminal justice reform one of her top priorities leading her to want to become a lawyer. In the meantime, she has been funding the 90 Days of Freedom campaign and has helped release some 17 inmates in the past 3 months. These are all people who were serving life sentences for low level drug offences and are benefiting from the recently pass First Step Act. Stef Kight, reporter for Axios, joins us for more on Kim’s efforts.
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Michael Gargiulo, the so-called “Hollywood Ripper” is on trial this week to face two murder charges stemming from 2001 and 2008. He is also connected to a 1993 murder in Chicago. All of his victims were young women who lived nearby him. Tarpley Hitt, reporter for the Daily Beast joins us for who the Hollywood Ripper is and the dramatic court testimony from one of his survivors.
Next, the fight between the White House and Democrats in the House continue to escalate. The latest twist in the story is that the White House told former counsel Don McGahn not to comply with a subpoena for documents related to Robert Mueller’s investigation. The White House is also refusing to give Democrats the president’s tax returns, and AG Barr could be held in contempt of Congress. Daniel Lippman, reporter for Politico, joins us for more.
Finally, an interesting case out of Plano, Texas, where a drunk man killed 8 people in 2017. But just last month, the bartender who served him was arrested and charged with violating the “Sale to Certain Persons” law. While she did serve him the alcohol, she also followed him and called the police, still she has been arrested. My producer Miranda joins us to help explain this case.
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A new report is again making a dire prediction about the future of our planet. The diversity of life on the planet is deteriorating much faster than we thought and up to 1 million species are threatened with extinction, many of which could be lost “within decades.” Andrew Freedman, science editor at Axios, joins us for the transformational change needed to avert this, and the good news, it’s not too late yet.
Next, The US has deployed a carrier strike group and a number of bombers to the Middle East to serve as a deterrent to Iran based on new intelligence that American forces could be in danger in the area. Bryan Bender, defense editor at Politico, joins us for what this deployment means and how Iran/U.S. relations are going.
Finally, the hit HBO show Game of Thrones is in its final season and fans are rabid when it comes to catching all the little details in the show. But did you notice that Starbucks cup sitting on the table? It’s a flub that many just couldn’t believe. My producer Miranda joins us for what happened and how the PR value of this mistake could mean well over $1 million for Starbucks.
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Tentative date set… House Democrats are eyeing a May 15 date for Robert Mueller to testify and set the record straight on Bill Barr’s roll out of his report on the Trump administration. Ginger Gibson, political reporter for Reuters joins us for all the fallout from the Attorney General’s hearing last week and a new poll that shows voters are loving what the president is doing with the economy.
Next, the e-scooter craze is continuing to take over cities across the country. But while these scooters can be fun to ride, it’s important to take proper safety precautions. A new study is shedding light on how many people are getting injured while riding. E-scooter use results in 20 injuries per 100,000, and with 38.5 million trips taken last year those injuries can pile up quickly. Andrew Hawkins, transportation reporter at the Verge, joins us for why you should always wear a helmet when scooter riding.
Finally, we’ve all heard the stories of the decline of the American mall, empty stores and declining sales, but there might be some good news on the horizon. If Millennials tried to kill the mall, Gen Z might be the ones to save it. Gen Z, which ranges from age 7-22, love the shopping mall and companies are starting to target them with Instagram worthy displays and in-house customization options. Jordyn Holman, retail reporter for Bloomberg News, joins us for the future of the mall.
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This is a compilation of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of the most compelling stories of the week.
Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
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After a couple day of some very impassioned debate, the Florida House of Representatives passed controversial bill that would permit classroom teachers to carry guns in schools. It is an expansion of a “guardian” program created after the Parkland shooting last year. The new bill is opt-in for school districts and also includes other safety procedures. Colleen Wright, education reporter for the Miami Herald joins us for more.
Next, the robots might have just arrived for you jobs, just not the way you would expect them to. Software and algorithms are used to screen applicants, hire employees and assign jobs, but now they are also used to determine who to fire. Technology is allowing managers to track worker productivity on a minute by minute basis. Greg Ip, economics columnist for the WSJ, joins us for how the algorithms are deciding more in the workplace.
Finally, a great story about an almost perfect bank heist. Gary Cazeraz, robbed the Alaskan bank he worked at and took $4.3 million. He hopped on a plane to Seattle, drove to Mexico, and then hopped on a bus to go the rest of the way. That’s when things went bad for him. Now back in the states, he has just been sentenced to 10 years in prison. Kyle Swenson, Reporter for the Washington Post, joins us for how this bank heist went wrong.
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Attorney General Bill Barr testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday about special counsel Robert Mueller’s report and it was tense. We found out Mueller sent a letter to Barr objecting to the characterization of his report’s findings, Barr did not personally review all of the evidence, and Democrats are calling on the attorney general to resign. Alayna Treene, White House reporter for Axios joins us for a recap.
Next, Amazon’s facial-recognition technology is helping to supercharge local police. The Washington County Sheriff’s office was the first law enforcement agency in the country to use Amazon’s artificial intelligence tool called Rekognition. Local officers can now use pictures from security cams, smartphones, even pictures from your social media and match that to mugshots in the police database leading them to narrow down a suspect’s identity. Drew Harwell, Algorithms reporter for the Washington Post, joins us for how facial recognition tech is changing the game for local police.
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Violent clashed have erupted in Venezuela as the opposition leader and self-declared interim president Juan Guaido urged the people and military to take to the streets and rise up against the president Nicolas Maduro. Venezuela is currently caught in a huge political and humanitarian crisis which have led to these two men claiming to be president. Dave Lawler, Axios World Editor, joins us to break down all the fighting in Venezuela.
Next, President Trump has issued a memo for his departments to tighten asylum rules for migrants. The memo instructs DHS and DOJ to develop new rules to bar certain asylum seekers from getting work authorization, impose fees on applications, and speed up immigration court decisions. Daniel Lippman, reporter for Politico, joins us to break down the president’s memo.
Finally, men are notoriously bad patients. Compared to women, they avoid going to the doctor, skip more recommended screenings, and practice riskier behavior. This is leading the healthcare industry to push for men to get the care they need. In order to do this healthcare providers are putting urologists in charge for broader concerns about men’s health. Laura Landro, contributor to the Wall Street Journal, joins us for how to get men to go to the doctor.
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Terror plot thwarted. The FBI and local law enforcement in Los Angeles have arrested a 26 year old man who obsessed with getting his hands on an IED so he could cause mass casualties in retaliation for the shootings in New Zealand. The would-be terrorist had a long list of enemies: Christians, Jews, white supremacists, police officers, and even his next door neighbor. My producer Miranda joins us for this foiled terror plot.
Next, 2020 Democratic presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke has put out the first big policy proposal of his campaign. It is a $5 trillion plan to combat climate change which he called “the greatest threat we face.” It is an ambitious plan that could be a way to attract younger and more progressive voters, but some aspects of the plan will be a hard sell in Congress. Zack Colman, energy reporter for Politico, joins us for the details.
Finally, if you have seen Avengers: Endgame or that big Game of Thrones battle, you might have been feeling a lot of sad emotions lately. Don’t worry if you feel a sense of loss or grief when your favorite characters dies or even when your favorite show ends, it’s totally normal. Eleanor Cummins, assistant editor at Popular Science, joins us for why mourning a fictional character is totally valid.
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Another hate crime committed in a place of worship as congregants were celebrating the last day of Passover in a Poway synagogue. A 19 year old man opened fire killing one and injuring three others. In a manifesto posted online, the shooter said he was inspired by recent shootings in Pittsburgh and New Zealand. My producer Miranda joins us for how events unfolded and how these attacks continue to be accelerated by online platforms.
Next, Ginger Gibson, political reporter for Reuters joins us to break down all the news from the weekend. Joe Biden started off strong raising $6.3 million dollars in the first 24 hours of his campaign. The economy continues to be strong with a 3.2% GDP growth rate giving a lift to the president and more worries for Democrats. Ginger also gives us the lowdown from the White House Correspondents dinner.
Finally, a recent uptick in sightings of UFO’s has prompted the Navy to draft formal procedures to document the encounters that military personnel were experiencing. The Navy isn’t saying that there are aliens, but needed a way to acknowledge strange sightings by credible and highly trained military personnel. Bryan Bender, national security reporter for Politico, joins us for more on UFO’s or as the military calls it now, unexplained aerial phenomena.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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Well it’s finally official, former Vice President Joe Biden has jumped in the race for president in 2020. He announced his bid by video and positioned his run as a battle for the soul of the nation, saying we cannot let Donald Trump alter the character of the nation. Zach Montellaro, campaign reporter for Politico, joins us for what to watch out for as Joe Biden joins an already crowded field of contenders.
Next, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un just held his first summit with the Russian president and Putin confirmed that North Korea is willing to give up their nuclear weapons, but only if they get ironclad security guarantees. We are also hearing that as we were trying to get a comatose Otto Warmbier back after being held by North Korean for 17 months, they issued a $2 million bill for his hospital care before he could be released. Dave Lawler, Axios world editor, joins us for the latest.
Finally, you only have a year and a half left. Airports and the TSA are gearing up for the Real ID deadline and you should be too. You won’t be able to fly domestically after October 1, 2020 unless you have a Real ID compliant license, or you want to carry around your passport. Harriet Baskas, contributor to USA Today, joins us for why you should get your Real ID sooner rather than later.
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Twitter has become a public square where anyone can share ideas, discuss, debate, or even troll others. We often see media reports point to activity on Twitter as a representative example of how the country feels on any given subject, but how do Twitter users compare to the US population. My producer Miranda joins us to discuss new findings from the Pew Research Center. Bottom line: Twitter is not America.
Next, as more media companies are gearing up to launch their own streaming platforms, Netflix might have to think about life without some of its top shows. For example, the top Netflix show by minutes watched is “The Office,” but discussions are already happening at NBCUniversal to pull the show and bring it to their streaming service. Joe Flint, reporter at the WSJ, joins us to discuss what could be a recurring headache for Netflix and its subscribers.
Finally, some international additions are coming to a McDonald’s near you! Starting in June, McDonald’s will be introducing new menu items from other countries. You can try the Grand McExtreme Bacon Burger from Spain or the Stroopwafel McFlurry from the Netherlands. Kate Taylor, reporter from Business Insider, joins us for the new additions.
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After tragedy struck in Sri Lanka where three churches and four hotels were hit by suicide bombers on Easter Sunday, the Islamic State is now claiming responsibility and officials say it might have been retaliation for last month’s mosque attacks in New Zealand. There are also reports that Sri Lanka had been warned ahead of time about an impending attack, but did not act on the intelligence. Dave Lawler, Axios world editor, joins us for what we know so far.
Next, the business of donating human eggs can be very lucrative, with some agencies paying as much as $50,000 per cycle in some cases, but donors say it can be confusing to navigate the process and leaving some unaware of the risks. Often the marketing doesn’t match the experience. Paris Martineau, writer for Wired, joins us for a look into the egg donation industry.
Finally, health experts have said that sitting too much or living a sedentary lifestyle can be hazardous to your health. Researches wanted to quantify how much people are sitting and found that Americans are sitting more than ever and the habits are starting young. Brianna Abbot, health reporter for the WSJ, joins us for how teens have become more sedentary than adults and computers may be to blame.
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As the country continues to struggle with the an influx of migrant asylum seekers and the system remains overtaxed to handle them all, reports of caravans forming to make the trek to the US keep making news. But how do these caravans form? Migrants are using social media platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp chat groups to share information and organize. Stef Kight, immigration reporter for Axios, joins us for how social media fuels migrant caravans.
Next, Johnson and Johnson is facing thousands of lawsuits with some wins and some losses from people alleging that using their Baby Powder products containing talc, gave them cancer or mesothelioma. According to a report from Reuters, which reviewed internal documents from Johnson and Johnson, when an arm of the WHO began classifying cosmetic talc such as Baby Powder as “possibly carcinogenic” and talc suppliers started including that information on its shipments, Johnson and Johnson was still looking for ways to sell it and they looked at two key groups of longtime users: minority and overweight women. Chris Kirkham, reporter for Reuters, joins us for more on their investigation.
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Today’s podcast is all about the ever changing workplace. First, get ready for Walmart’s robot army. Walmart is planning to deploy almost 4,000 bots to work in its stores to mop the aisles, scan shelves, and even unload trucks. Erica Pandey, future reporter for Axios, joins us to talk about more automation in the workplace which as Walmart puts it, allows employees to do more fulfilling customer service work.
Next, in the age of legal marijuana, many employers are dropping the zero tolerance rule when it comes to drug tests. In states like California where marijuana is legal, the economy is growing, and unemployment is low, companies are facing shortages of qualified workers. Margot Roosevelt, economy and labor reporter for the LA Times, joins us for why increasingly companies are not drug testing or ignoring some results.
Finally, it’s a conversation happening in HR departments across the country… How can employers be more sensitive when giving that notice of termination? What is the best day to fire someone? It used to be Friday, but now it’s more like Wednesday. Chip Cutter with the WSJ, joins us for that and what you should do when getting fired.
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This is a compilation of the most compelling stories of the week.
Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
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This is a compilation of the most compelling stories of the week.
Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
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It’s finally here. The redacted version of the Mueller report has been released. It is broken up into two volumes and totals 448 pages. First, on the question as to whether the Trump campaign had colluded with Russia…the investigation identified numerous links between individuals with ties to the Russian government and individuals associated with the Trump campaign, but there was not enough evidence to bring criminal charges. Ginger Gibson, political reporter for Reuters, joins us to break it all down.
Next, we continue our conversation with Ginger to discuss the question of obstruction of justice. The report details 10 instances of possible obstruction where the president tried to seize control of the Russia probe and force the removal of Robert Mueller, but no determination was made leaving it open for Congress to decide. In many cases Trump was saved from more legal jeopardy, by his staffers who refused to comply with his requests.
Finally, the Mueller report provides us with some intimate scenes from inside the Trump White House. My producer Miranda joins us to talk about how the President felt when he first heard that Mueller was appointed Special Counsel, a tense meeting between the president and White House Counsel Don McGahn, how long the president held on to former AG Jeff Session’s resignation letter.
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The threat is over. Sol Pais, the Florida student who was said to have an infatuation with the Columbine shootings, made her way to Colorado, bought a shotgun and ammunition, and was seen as a credible threat which prompted many school closures has been found dead. My producer Miranda joins us to discuss her story and what was in her social media that led authorities to think she could hurt herself and others.
Next, as the opioid crisis continues to grip the country, federal prosecutors have arrested 60 physicians and pharmacists across five states with illegally handing out opioid prescriptions. Some of the doctors accused were trading drugs for sex, giving prescriptions to Facebook friends, and even pulling teeth to justify pain pills. Terry DeMio, Pulitzer prize winning reporter for the Cincinnati Enquirer, joins us for this prescription crackdown.
Finally, researchers have found a way to restore some activity to pig brains after death. The findings could reshape the way we understand the limits of the brain and could open up new avenues for treating strokes and brain diseases. The experiments did not re-animate dead brains, but did prove cellular activity hours after the brains died. Daniela Hernandez, reporter for the WSJ, joins us for how the experiments worked.
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In the aftermath of a fire that destroyed part of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, the status of many of the cathedral’s artifacts were uncertain. Many of the priceless relics were salvaged including the crown of thorns which was believed to be placed on Jesus Christ’s head at crucifixion. Marisa Fernandez, reporter at Axios, joins us for what was saved and what’s next… how long it will take to rebuild.
Next, in anticipation of the redacted version of the Mueller report to be released Thursday, we speak to Kyle Cheney, reporter at Politico for the major subplots to watch in the report. While we know the main plots, Russian collusion and obstruction of justice, there are other story lines, subplots and characters to learn more about. Kyle helps us break it all down.
Finally, as measles cases continue to rise across the country and the world, we have finally found patient zero who infected 39 people in Michigan. It is a traveler who picked it up in Brooklyn and took it to Detroit. The crazy thing is, he felt sick, went to the doctor, but the doctor had never seen a case of measles before and misdiagnosed him. Lena Sun, national health reporter for the Washington Post, joins us for how the measles are getting around.
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The Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, one of the greatest architectural treasures in the world and a sacred site for Catholics, was engulfed by flames Monday as it was undergoing renovations. The iconic spire collapsed and more damage was done before 400 firefighters were able to put out the blaze. We will hear what it looked like from an eyewitness and my producer Miranda joins us to talk about what religious relics were stored there.
Next, an update on Operation Varsity Blues. Actress Lori Loughlin and her husband Mossimo Giannulli have pled not guilty in the college bribery case. After adding charges of conspiracy to commit money laundering, they both face a minimum of 4 year and 9 months in prison. State and criminal defense attorney Lou Shapiro, joins us for more and who the next targets are… students who might have known about their parents activities.
Finally, some results from the NASA Twin Study are teaching us about long term space travel. The study focused on identical twin astronauts Scott and Mark Kelly. Scott spent 340 days in space, while Mark remained on Earth. Comparing their results NASA found that there were changes to Scott’s DNA, genes, body bacteria and more. Claire Maldarelli, Associate editor at Popular Science, joins us for what happens to your body when you live in space for a year.
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And we have another contender. South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg has officially announced that he is running for president in 2020 adding to the nearly 20 Democratic hopefuls running. He is young, he is gay, and is rising in the polls but can he last? Ginger Gibson, political reporter for Reuters, joins us for that and what we are expecting to be some big news, the release of the redacted Mueller report.
Next, Facebook has long wanted to be the place for your most important life events, whether it’s getting married or having kids, anything big, but what happens to a person’s Facebook when they pass away? Last week Facebook announced some new features on handling a loved ones profile, such as giving your legacy contact more control over your profile and creating a tributes page. Louise Matsakis, security and online platform reporter for Wired, joins us for how it all works.
Finally, when Brett Kavanaugh was elevated to the Supreme Court, many thought that a conservative takeover of the court was imminent, but in early decisions so far, that hasn’t happened. It has been stalled by a bromance between Chief Justice John Roberts and Kavanaugh who have so far sided with the liberal justices more than the conservatives. Richard Wolf, reporter for USA Today, tells us about this Supreme Court bromance.
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This is a compilation of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of the most compelling stories of the week.
Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
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WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has been kicked out of the Ecuadorian Embassy in London, arrested, and charged by the US Justice Department with “conspiracy to commit computer intrusion” for allegedly conspiring with Chelsea Manning in 2010 to crack a password on Defense Department computers. This charge is an important distinction because it focuses more on Assange the hacker vs Assange the journalist, who published classified information. Joe Uchill, cyber-security reporter for Axios, joins us for why Ecuador decided to rescind his asylum and what it means for press freedoms.
Next, we speak to Rob O’Dell, senior investigative reporter for the Arizona Republic, who was part of a two-year investigation into how state lawmakers each year are introducing thousands of bills that were thought of and written by corporations, industry groups, and think tanks. The investigation found at least 10,000 bills almost entirely copied from model legislation that were introduced nationwide, fore than 2,100 of those were signed into law. Rob will tell us what else the investigation revealed and which state lawmaker is the biggest culprit when it comes to sponsoring copycat bills.
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Big day for science as astronomers have captured the first image of a black hole. The photo from the Event Horizon Telescope is our first real look at a black hole from the M87 galaxy. It is 6.5 billion times the mass of our sun and thought to be the almost the size of our entire solar system. Miriam Kramer, space reporter at Axios, joins us for this amazing development and what it means for our understanding of space and gravity.
Next, archaeologists in the Philippines have turned up the bones and teeth of a distantly related species of human, further expanding the human family tree. In all seven teeth, 3 foot bones, two finger bones, and a fragment of a thigh were found. John Hawks, paleoanthropologist at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, joins us to talk about this new discovery.
Finally, huge news that shook the NBA world and the Lakers organization. Magic Johnson, president of basketball operations for the LA Lakers resigned in an impromptu press conference. Magic cited not having fun in his current position and the not being able to mentor other players as some of the reasons for his departure. Dan Beyer, managing editor of Fox Sports Radio, joins us to break down the surprise announcement.
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As more shakeups in the Trump administration are happening, we are going to take a look at how the president like to narrate exits and maintain the final word when people depart. Outgoing DHS head Kirstjen Neilsen got a 21 word tweet, while Linda McMahon got a great good bye at Mar-a-Lago in front of cameras when she left her post at the Small Business Administration. Daniel Lippman, reporter at Politico, joins us for how optics matter when the president gets rid of you.
Next, an update on Operation Varsity Blues, the college admissions cheating scandal. Lori Loughlin, her husband and 14 others just got indicted on new charges of money laundering, a day after Felicity Huffman and 12 other parents plead guilty to lesser charges. Prosecutors are offering deals to everyone, but they all carry some jail time. My producer Miranda joins us for all the updates.
Finally, Attorney General William Bar went before Congress to testify about the president’s budget request for the Dept. of Justice, and it didn’t take long before Democrats asked all about when he would release the full Mueller report. AG Barr said that a redacted version would be released within a week. Sadie Gurman, Justice Dept. reporter for the WSJ, joins us for how William Barr’s hearing went.
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Big shakeups to the Trump administration as Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen resigns and the US Secret Service Director is also out. The changes signal a shift in the priorities for the president to tougher enforcement on the border as the acting head of DHS will be Kevin McAleenan, the Customs and Border Protection commissioner. Steve Gregory, national correspondent for iHeartMedia, joins us to discuss the current changes at DHS and also President Trump’s recent trip to the southern border.
Next, former “Smallville” actress Alison Mack has pleaded guilty for her role in the alleged sex-slave cult, NXIVM. After making a tearful apology, Mack admitted that she helped find, recruit, and control women who joined the NXIVM founder Keith Raniere’s inner circle. Some of the women were branded with the founders initials and blackmailed into performing services for Raniere. My producer Miranda joins us to break it all down.
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Today we are talking about the cold case factory. After the capture of the Golden State Killer exposed many to forensic genealogy last April, many cold cases have been solved using this technique of combining DNA analysis and family tree building. One company, who has worked with several law enforcement entities and has had a lot of success in solving over 30 cold case murders just last year is Parabon NanoLabs. Writer and journalist Sarah Weinman, joins us to discuss how Parabon has gotten so good at solving cold cases using forensic genealogy and the bigger question, how this crime solving game changer will hold up in court.
Next, we’ve talked about deepfake videos before, but deepfake audio is not far behind and companies are already working on trying to identify fakes before it’s too late. Experts say that great deepfake audio is only a couple years away and is most likely to supercharge political mayhem, spam calls, and white collar crimes. Kaveh Waddell, emerging tech reporter for Axios, joins us to talk about the future of fake audio.
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This is compilation of the most compelling stories of the week.
Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
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This is a compilation of the most compelling stories of the week.
Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
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Hopes were raised that Timmothy Pitzen had been found, but those hopes were dashed after the FBI determined that the person claiming to be the boy who went missing in 2011 was not him. It was actually a 23 year old man name Brian Michael Rini. But what actually happened to Timmothy Pitzen? My producer Miranda joins us to tell his story.
Next, the controversy surrounding Joe Biden continues to swirl, despite him not officially running for president yet. There are now seven women who have accused Biden of invading their personal space, though none of the women felt it was sexual in nature, just not appropriate in a professional setting. Biden has said he will be more mindful of how he interacts with others. Ginger Gibson, political reporter for Reuters, joins us to discuss how this will impact his potential big.
Finally, Millennials are sick of drinking. Maybe not completely, but it seems that attitudes are changing about drinking and some are trying to cut back. As Millennials are getting married and building families later in life, social life in their 30s is mirroring activities in their 20s. Amanda Mull, writer at the Atlantic, joins us to talk about changing attitudes about drinking and what may be driving the change.
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There is a new crop of tech startups making prescription drugs available without ever needing to talk directly to a doctor. On these sites, people self-diagnose, select a drug, and enter some personal health and credit card info. Then a doctor assesses your choice, approves it and boom, you get your medicine. Sam Baker, healthcare editor at Axios, joins us for how these sites are doing an end-run around doctors’ traditional role in the system.
Next, when was the last time you heard about the draft? Did you know that failing to register for the draft could have a bunch of long term consequences? Want to get federal student aid, citizenship, or even a federal job, it’s all impossible if you didn’t register for the draft by age 26. Gregory Korte, reporter for USA Today, joins us for what happens when you fail to register.
Finally, people over 65 will soon make up the largest single age group in the US. The culture and content of the internet has been historically determined by people who have access multiplied by those who have the most time to spend on it. In the next decade, it’s going to be more old people, and they are increasingly targeted by scams and fake news. Craig Silverman, reporter at Buzzfeed News, joins us for why we need to increase digital literacy in older Americans.
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Nipsey Hussle's alleged killer Eric Holder has been arrested by police. Nipsey was shot in the head and torso in what police call a personal dispute with his killer. What makes his death more tragic is that he had become more than a Grammy nominated rapper. He went from being a gang member to a rap star, to an entrepreneur and community organizer, an activist who wanted to turn his old neighborhood around. Gerrick Kennedy with the LA Times, joins us to talk about Nipsey Hussle’s legacy.
Next, from moms to doctors to everyday employees, burnout is everywhere. While many people get stressed with day to day activities, burnout could be a much more serious thing. Think of it as chronic stress gone awry, emotional exhaustion, cynicism, and feeling ineffective. Writer Jenny Rough joins us to talk about burnout and what to do about it.
Finally, it’s a meltdown that happens across the country in many households. You tell the kids it’s time to turn the video games off and they start yelling and throwing tantrums, but why doesn’t it happen when it’s time to stop playing with Legos? There is something happening in their brains when the video games stop. Julie Jargon, family and tech correspondent for the WSJ, joins us for how to handle kids and their games.
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Get ready for congestion pricing. New York City is set to become the first big city in the country to charge vehicles a fee for driving on its most congested streets in a hope to ease gridlock and raise money for public transit. It’s a complicated issue in a high profile area and other cities will be watching as they mull over implementing similar systems. Paul Berger, reporter for the WSJ, joins us to discuss what we know about the NY Plan.
Next, we have a White House whistle-blower and she is calling out the process in which security clearances were being approved. Tricia Newbold, a White House security adviser for 18 years, has said the at least 25 officials were granted clearances after initially being denied. Some of disqualifying issues involved foreign influence, conflicts of interest, financial problems and more. Andrew Desiderio, reporter for Politico, joins us to talk about the latest whistle-blower allegations.
Finally, the Impossible is happening… at Burger King. 59 locations in the St. Louis area are testing out the Impossible Whopper, made with a vegan patty produced by start-up Impossible Foods. If all goes well, Burger King plans to roll out the plant-based burger to all of its 7,200 locations. Jon Porter, reporter at the Verge, joins us to discuss Burger King’s latest offering.
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Former Vice-president Joe Biden has been accused of inappropriate conduct by a woman who says he put his hands on her shoulders, smelled her hair, and slow kissed the top of her head. Biden for his part has said that he does not believe he ever acted inappropriately. Ginger Gibson, political reporter for Reuters joins us for how this could impact his possible presidential bid and more.
Next, Mike Pence laid out the goal last week of putting American astronauts to the moon by 2024. While this could be a major achievement, it also comes with a gamble… it’s going to take a lot of money and time to complete projects needed to meet the deadline. Andrew Freedman, science editor at Axios, joins us for this new space race to the moon.
Finally, where is the high tech transportation future we were promised? There are no jetpacks, no flying cars, but we are almost there on self-driving cars. Corrine Iozzio, editor at Popular Science joins us to break down how close we are to getting those jetpacks and more. She’ll also tell us why PopSci declared in 1924 that flying cars were only 20 years away.
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This is a compilation of the week's most compelling stories.
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This is a compilation of the week's most compelling stories.
Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
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Jo Cameron is the woman who feels no pain. Jo is now 71 and scientists are just finding out why she has gone through her whole life experiencing very little pain. She would often cut herself or burn herself and wouldn’t notice until she saw blood or smelled burning flesh. Rachel Feltman, editor at Popular Science, joins us for what makes Jo Cameron feel no pain, a gene mutation that scientists hope could help others in the future.
Next, these measles cases are getting out of hand. The number of cases so far this year is nearing the total for all of 2018 with six states reporting outbreaks. It has become such a public health hazard that Rockland County, NY has banned unvaccinated minors from entering public spaces for 30 days. Rachel Becker, reporter at the Verge, joins us for why the measles have gotten out of control and why these types of bans may become more common.
Finally, a follow up to the lawsuit against Monsanto and its parent company Bayer. Edwin Hardeman claimed that years of using their Roundup weedkiller gave him non-Hodgkin lymphoma. A jury decided that the product did give him cancer, and they also just decided Bayer was liable in the case and owes him $80 million. Sara Randazzo, reporter for the WSJ, joins us to wrap up the case.
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Earlier this week the DOJ reversed course and announced that it is siding with a district court ruling that said the Affordable Care Act was unconstitutional. Hoping to strike the law down entirely, President Trump is also trying to rebrand the GOP as “The Party of Healthcare.” Sam Baker, healthcare editor for Axios, joins us this new development and how split the president’s party is on this new course of action.
Next, McDonald’s has just made its biggest acquisition in two decades in a deal worth $300 million. It is an Israeli startup called Dynamic Yield, which McDonald’s hopes will take them from mass marketing to mass personalization. You will first see Dynamic Yield’s technology at the drive thru window where digital displays can change in real time based on factors such as weather and what the customer is ordering. My producer Miranda joins us for more.
Finally, you’ve heard of the placebo effect, but what about its evil twin the nocebo effect? It’s when a person experiences negative symptoms from an inert pill or treatment, sometimes even from verbal suggestions. Studies are currently being done to better understand placebo and nocebo effects. Shayla Love, science writer at Vice, joins us to discuss how it all works.
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All charges dropped and record wiped clean. Actor Jussie Smollett, who was charged with disorderly conduct for filing a false police report about being the victim of an alleged hate crime has been cleared, but the story is not over. Prosecutor Joe Magats, who dropped the charges said they did not exonerate Jussie. Aamer Madhani, reporter for USA Today, joins us from Chicago to discuss why charges were dropped.
Next, attorney Michael Avenatti has been arrested and charged in NY with trying to extort Nike of more than $20 million, as well as charges in CA for bank fraud and embezzlement. Avenatti claimed to represent an AAU coach who had evidence the Nike employees paid off some players and demanded payment himself or make the news public. Kendall Baker, sports editor at Axios, joins us for what’s lost in the headlines, the dark side of college basketball bribery.
Finally, the CBD boom is here and the FDA is having a hard time keeping up. CBD is a marijuana and hemp extract that does not give you the high of THC and it is blurring the lines between a drug and a dietary supplement. It is being positioned as a cure all and put in shampoos, ointments, drops, and more. Sarah Owermohle, healthcare reporter at Politico, joins us for how the FDA plans to handle CBD.
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Now that the cloud over Trump’s presidency has been lifted, where do we go from here? After being cleared of collusion with Russia and mostly cleared of obstruction of justice, the president’s advisers and lawyers are demanding apologies from his detractors and have a new target, House Intel Chairman Adam Schiff, and they’re calling for his resignation. Daniel Lippmann, reporter for Politico joins us for the political fallout of the Mueller report.
Next, let’s check in on one of the President’s priorities… the border. New data from the Dept. of Homeland Security shows that the number of immigrants arrested or turned away at the southern border has continued to climb to levels not seen for years and detention centers are overcrowded to the point that ICE and CBP have begun releasing some migrant families almost immediately instead of holding them in detention. Stef Kight, reporter for Axios, joins us for what’s happening at the border.
Finally, all signs point to yes. The news is that it is almost certain that former vice president Joe Biden will run for president in 2020, adding to the already crowded field of Democrats vying for the nomination. But there are still questions about Biden’s age who is 76 right now. Ginger Gibson, political reporter for Reuters, joins us for the Biden bid and how other Dems will run against Trump.
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Attorney General William Barr’s summary of Special counsel Robert Mueller’s report is out and it did not find evidence that President Donald Trump’s campaign “conspired or coordinated” with Russia to influence the 2016 election but it also did not make a conclusion on whether Trump obstructed justice. The president was very happy and declared it a “complete and total exoneration.” While this is a victory for the president, the fight still continues as Democrats are demanding that the full report made public. I’ll break down what we know so far.
Next, you’ve heard of genetically modified foods, we now have the first gene-edited food being served in the Midwest, but no one knows exactly where just yet. A product known as Calyno oil which was made from gene-edited soybeans to have fewer saturated fats and zero trans fats is being served as some Midwestern restaurants. Megan Molteni, science reporter at Wired, joins us for how this gene-edited soybean came to be.
Finally, we have been told for years to watch what we post on social media to protect your privacy and you data. Now posting suspect behavior could make your insurance more expensive. Insurers are likely to add social media to the data they review before issuing policies. Ellen Byron, reporter for the WSJ, joins us for why it might not be a good idea to post pics of your latest rock climbing adventure or even happy hour.
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This is a compilation of the most compelling stories of the week.
Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This is a compilation of the most compelling stories of the week.
Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
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Everyone in the political world is on pins and needles again for the end of the Mueller probe. The buzz is that any day now the probe could end. But don’t hype yourself up too much. While President Trump has said he wants the “ridiculous” report to be made public, the ball is in Attorney General William Barr’s court on how much we will actually see. Darren Samuelsohn, WH reporter for Politico joins us for what to expect.
Next, we finally get to tell you about the first high profile mob killing in 34 years. Last week, Gambino crime family boss Francesco “Frankie Boy” Cali was shot and run over with a truck outside his home. The culprit was 24 year old Anthony Comello who has no mob ties, but may have been interested in Cali’s niece. My producer Miranda joins us for what we know.
Finally, one of the biggest demographic trends of the past 50 years is the rise of singles. The Census Bureau reported that 48% of adults were either divorced or never married. Singles in America still face a certain stigma, but studies also suggest that they become happier as they age. Elizabeth Bernstein, columnist for the WSJ, joins us to talk about the art of being single.
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There is a very interesting legal fight playing out right now, phase 1 is done and we are moving to phase 2. A jury has just found that a man named Edwin Hardeman developed cancer from exposure to Roundup weedkiller he used in his yard. Hardeman developed non-Hodgkin lymphoma after using Roundup for 26 years on his yard. Sara Randazzo, legal reporter for the WSJ joins us for details of the case and what to expect for Phase 2 of the trial, determining what liability Bayer and Monsanto have.
Next, an incredible story about finding family and living with the new reality that you might have 50 brothers and sisters. Jacoba Ballard knew she was donor-conceived and wanted to find some half siblings who might have had the same donor. Her investigation led her to find other siblings and something unexpected. It all pointed to one man, Donald Cline. Cline was a fertility doctor who was accused of using his own sperm to impregnate women who came to him for artificial insemination. Sarah Zhang, writer at the Atlantic, joins us for this crazy story and how all the newfound siblings feel now that the truth is out.
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An update in the Robert Kraft prostitution solicitation case… Prosecutors have offered to drop charges against Kraft and 24 other men, but there is a catch… the proposed agreement calls for the men to admit they would have been proven guilty at trial, along with some other requirements such as community service and taking an STD test. While this may be an option for some involved the stakes are higher for Kraft, who still has to deal with the NFL. My producer Miranda joins us for this proposed deal.
Next, it is the most expensive, active HOA case of its type in the country right now and legal fees for both parties are almost at $1 million dollars! The case revolves around a wall. A decorative wall built around a plant bed on the side of Jim Hildenbrand’s house. Jim Carlton, reporter for the WSJ, joins us for this crazy story with a key tip… read all those HOA rules before you sign.
Finally, some news out of the retail and e-commerce world. New data out proves just how strong the hold Amazon has over its consumers and other big retailer need to watch out. When consumers are ready to buy a product, 74% of them go straight to Amazon before anywhere else. Lauren Thomas, retail reporter at CNBC, joins us for that, and also why you might be spending more time on Instagram… You can now buy items you see directly from the app.
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On March 15, New Zealand changed forever when a terrorist decided to kill 50 people at two Mosques in Christchurch. That terrorist also livestreamed his attack and it spread online for hours. A lot has been made about how ineffective social media platforms were in containing the video and its copies. Facebook for its part said it removed 1.5 million videos with images from the shooting. Elizabeth Dwoskin, Silicon Valley correspondent for the Washington Post, joins us for how YouTube handled the situation. They assembled a team of incident commanders and hit the panic button, disabling recent uploads and cutting out human content moderators letting AI take the driver seat.
Next, we are learning more about the two Boeing 737 Max jet crashes that have grounded the plane from operating. Increasingly it seems that the culprit was the new MCAS flight control system put in place. Andrew Freedman, science editor at Axios, joins us for the latest. Pilots were not adequately trained on how to operate this new system, and now there are investigations into how the plane itself was certified. It seems time constraints and trying to compete with Airbus pushed the FAA to defer to Boeing in certifying the MCAS system.
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Over the weekend, President Trump issued the first veto of his presidency rejecting legislation to overturn his declaration of a national emergency to fund a border wall. A dozen Republican Senators broke ranks with the president, but it still doesn’t mean they don’t support his immigration efforts. Ginger Gibson, political reporter for Reuters, joins us for the veto and more Democrats jumping into the 2020 race.
Next, in the midst of a nearly day-long outage for Facebook and Instagram last week, it is easy to think most people are just mad they can’t get some fresh memes or cyber stalk their crush, but what you may not realize is that when Facebook goes down an economy goes with it. Ashley Carman, tech reporter for the Verge joins us to talk about the people who build business on these platforms and lose out when Facebook is offline.
Finally, you’ve been hearing a lot about addiction to smartphones and how to limit your time in front of screens. The ironic trend happening now is people getting more tech? People are opting for getting a companion device, a second minimalist phone, with limited functions so they can ditch the larger phones. Sarah Krouse, reporter for the WSJ, joins us for how more tech, could help you break your smartphone addiction.
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Special report as New Zealand has suffered from the deadliest mass shooting in their history. At least 49 people have been killed at two mosques in Christchurch. The man accused of attacking the mosques has been described as an Australian citizen and as an “extremist, right-wing terrorist.” What makes this story more horrifying is that the gunman live-streamed 17 minutes of his rampage online and through social media. He has been taken into custody and charged with murder. Leaders around the world have condemned these attacks that have no place in our world today. My producer Miranda joins us for all the details we have so far and what was in the shooter’s 74 page manifesto posted to social media.
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This is a compilation of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of the most compelling stories of the week.
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Another heavy hitter has gotten into the race. Beto O’Rourke has officially announced his bid for the presidency in 2020. There has been months of speculation as to whether he would jump in and what he has to offer. As a former congressman from El Paso, he is uniquely positioned to make the border one of his top priorities. Stef Kight, reporter for Axios, joins us to tell us what Beto is all about.
Next, the largest college admissions scam ever prosecuted by the Justice Department is the story that keeps on giving. We are now learning what started the off the whole investigation. A Yale dad who was being investigated in a securities fraud case offered up a tip to get leniency in his case. He wore a wire, offered a bribe to a Yale soccer coach, and now we have 50 people charges with crimes, lawsuits filed, and the fate of students caught up in the scandal. My Producer Miranda joins us to break down the latest.
Finally, Happy Birthday to the World Wide Web. This past week the web celebrated its 30th birthday. It has changed the way we buy goods, get information, and much more, but the web’s inventor is not happy with the way things are going. Tim Berners-Lee says it is no longer a force for good. Elizabeth Schulze, tech correspondent for CNBC joins us to say happy birthday to the web.
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Big death penalty news yesterday as California Governor Gavin Newsom signed an executive order granting temporary reprieves to all 737 inmates on California’s death row, which is the largest in the nation. The order will also close the execution chamber at San Quentin State Prison. Phil Willon, reporter for the LA Times, joins us to discuss the governor’s decision to shut down the death penalty regardless of the voter’s decision to keep it.
Next, another really bad day for Paul Manafort, President Trump’s former campaign chairman. After being sentenced in Virginia last week to just under 4 years in prison for bank and tax fraud, a judge in D.C. slapped another 3.5 years on him bringing his total to just about 7.5 years. Daniel Lippman, reporter for Politico, joins us for all the details on his sentencing, including new charges coming out of NY, where if he is convicted, the president wouldn’t be able to pardon him there.
Finally, it could be the newest foodie trend, road to table. Right now over 20 states allow roadkill salvage, and California might be the next state to let people take the meat from the roadkill they see on the road. More than 20,000 deer are hit by cars on CA’s roadways annually. Eleanor Cummins, assistant editor at Popular Science joins us for this and also concerns about that pesky zombie deer disease.
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Boeing’s back to back 737 MAX 8 crashes have become a nightmare. First there was the Lion Air crash last October that killed 189, then just this week another crash in Ethiopia killed 157. Various countries and airlines have grounded the 737 MAX planes and there are growing calls for the FAA and the US to do the same. While we won’t know what caused the crash in Ethiopia for months, Boeing is already making adjustments after the Lion Air crash by issuing a software update. Andrew Freedman, science editor at Axios, joins us to break down everything we know about these two crashes,
Next, Operation Varsity Blues. Federal prosecutors have charged dozens of wealthy parents including two Hollywood actresses with bribing college coaches and SAT testing administrators to get students admitted to elite colleges under false pretenses. The man behind it all is William Singer who owned Edge College & Career Network. In all 50 people are charged with over 30 parents funneling at least $25 million to Singer. My producer Miranda joins us for all the details and how the scheme worked, including details on actress Lori Loughlin’s daughter, Olivia Jade, who was admitted to USC under this scheme and is already making money off the whole thing.
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The food delivery wars are heating up and companies are looking to create superusers out of you. They want to convert the casual user lured in by discounts into everyday users who rely on them for takeout and groceries. While convenience is king in ordering delivery, some companies are pitching subscription services that waive individual delivery fees to lock you in. Heather Haddon, reporter for the WSJ, joins us for the food delivery wars.
Next, President Trump sent a record $4.75 trillion 2020 budget proposal to Congress. While the budget will most likely be rejected, it highlights the administrations priorities for 2020. The White House is requesting and additional $8.6 billion for the border wall and also looking at cuts to the Education Department. Marisa Fernandez, reporter for Axios, joins us for details on the budget.
Finally, file this under things not to do when taking a selfie: Pose with a Jaguar. One woman in Arizona crossed a barrier at the Wildlife World Zoo to take a selfie, when the big cat reached out and dug its claws into her arm. A good Samaritan came to her rescue and helped her get free, but her arm was still damaged. Jessica Boehm, reporter for the Arizona Republic, joins us for the 90 seconds of terror this woman went though
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Are you in the market for a human skull? Maybe a full skeleton? Would you be surprised if I told you to check Instagram? The sale, purchase, and trade of most human bones in the US is largely legal, and people are connecting on Instagram to find what they need. While some might want that perfect centerpiece for a collection, should these remains be treated as consumer products or objects with archaeological or anatomical value? Brian Switek, author of Skeleton Keys: The Secret Life of Bone, joins us to talk about the human bone trade.
Next, what do you think the most important job in the world is right now? As our society continues to play out on online platforms, the content and comment moderator play one of the most vital roles on the internet. Recent stories show how tough the job actually is, FB content moderators coping with PTSD symptoms and resorting to doing drugs and having sex on the job to deal with the stress. Ryan Broderick, Buzzfeed News reporter and former content moderator himself, joins us for why this job is so important.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
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Philadelphia has become the first major city to ban cashless stores. Lawmakers want to maintain access to the marketplace for lower-income consumers that may not have credit and debit cards, but Amazon and other business are expressing concerns about limits on innovation. Scott Calvert, reporter for the WSJ, joins us to talk about the debate over going cashless.
Next, as diet fads come and go, one of the latest trends to gain traction is that of intermittent fasting. While fasting is not a new concept, people are connecting through apps to track their progress and support each other as they typically go 16 hours without eating, sometimes more. My producer Miranda once went 49 hours without a meal. Shari Rudavsky, health and medicine reporter with the Indy Star, joins us to talk about how it all works.
Finally, last year more that 3.5 million people cut the cord. And as the streaming wars continue, Disney+ is going to be a major player. Estimates say that they could eventually draw 160 million subscribers, more than Netflix current 139 million. What people are really getting excited for is that the Disney Vault is going away, so you will be able to see your favorite Disney favorite anytime. My producer Miranda joins us for more.
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The FDA this week approved a controversial drug to help treat depression and it the first new antidepressant to be greenlit in decades. It is a nasal spray branded as Spravato made by Johnson and Johnson and is very similar to Ketamine. The benefit of this nasal spray is its fast acting impact on depression symptoms. Peter Loftus, reporter for the WSJ, joins us for more on this new drug.
Next, phone numbers are quickly becoming the new social security numbers. Your mobile phone number is becoming the primary way for tech companies like Facebook to identify users and secure your accounts, think two-factor authentication. Scott Rosenberg, technology editor at Axios, joins us for the big problem, your phone and number are being used like access keys, and how often do you want to give that information away.
Finally, R. Kelly has broken his silence on the latest sexual abuse claims against him. In a nearly 80 minute interview he did with Gayle King from CBS, R. Kelly denies all the allegations, says everyone is lying about him and plays the victim claiming he has too big of a heart. It is an explosive interview and my producer Miranda joins us to break it all down.
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Amazing health and science news as we find out that there may be a second person cured of HIV after getting a stem cell transplant. A man known as the “London patient” had a stem cell transplant from a donor who had a natural immunity to HIV. The transplant changed his immune system and gave him the donor’s HIV resistance. Betsy McKay, senior writer at Wired, joins us for how it all worked.
Next, freshman Democrats in Congress are forming alliances in a bid to gain friendships and influence, and it’s just like high school. Sarah Ferris, congressional reporter for Politico, joins us to introduce you to the House’s freshman cliques: The Gang of Nine, The Squad, and the Big Six.
Finally, a story with a happy ending. Two California sisters ages 5 and 8 are safely back home with their parents after being lost in the woods for 44 hours. Leia and Caroline Carrico relied on some wilderness training they had to keep warm and dry after getting lost on a hike. They spoke to the media to recount their ordeal and it might be the cutest thing you’ve heard in a long time. My producer Miranda joins us to break down the story.
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: The war between President Trump and the House Democrats has officially started. On Monday the House Judiciary Committee sent document requests to 81 individuals and entities related to President Trump and his inner circle. Spencer Ackerman, senior national security correspondent for the Daily Beast, joins us to talk about the 3 broad areas of interest Democrats are probing: Allegations of obstruction of justice, public corruption, and other abuses of power.
Next, Amazon is continuing its quest to infiltrate every part of your life. After changing the online retail industry and buying Whole Foods, they are now planning to launch a new grocery store business. This new effort would not directly compete with Whole Foods and allow it to carry products they can’t carry there. Heather Haddon, reporter for the WSJ, joins us to talk about where the industry is heading, big retailers combining e-commerce with physical stores.
Finally, despite winning 3 Oscars for Roma, Netflix is still getting no love. Legendary director Steven Spielberg is on a quest to boot Netflix from Oscar consideration. In his view, once you pick TV as a format, you should be competing for Emmy's. My producer Miranda joins us for Spielberg’s fight to keep Netflix from playing with the big boys.
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After a tough week with collapsed denuclearization talks with North Korea and negative testimony by Michael Cohen, President Trump returned to the safety of his base at CPAC 2019. The president went on for over 2 hours railing against everything from trade to immigration to the Mueller probe. Ginger Gibson, political reporter for Reuters, joins us for CPAC news and Republican pressure to back down on his border emergency declaration.
Next, we are about to get the first marijuana breathalyzer by a California start up called Hound Labs. While a drug test can tell is someone has used marijuana in the last several days to weeks, none of them can tell is someone has just smoked or is currently high. This breathalyzer aims to change that. Erin Brodwin, science reporter at Business Insider, joins us to talk about who is behind it, and where law enforcement will be trying it out.
Finally, my favorite thing to do on the weekends, catching up on sleep, might not actually be as good for you as you think. A new study suggests that burning the candle during the week and catching up on the weekends is not an effective health strategy which could lead to weight gain and an increased risk of diabetes. My producer Miranda joins us to talk about sleeping in on the weekends.
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This is a compilation of the most compelling stories of the week.
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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This is a compilation of the most compelling stories of the week.
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After a lot of hype and with the back drop of the public testimony from Michael Cohen, we found out that the second summit with Trump and Kim Jong Un had collapsed. No deal was made and the summit was even cut short. The main issue that could not be agreed upon were the lifting of sanctions on North Korea. Dave Lawler, Axios World Editor, joins us for a breakdown of the Hanoi summit.
Next, YouTube has been having a lot of problems related to its services and children. First, they disabled comments on millions of videos where users were commenting with timestamps on videos that showed minors in suggestive positions or situations. Second, reports said their YouTube Kids platform was showing children videos with disturbing behavior on them. Louise Matsakis, security writer at Wired, joins us for how to help protect your kids.
Finally, millennials are experiencing buyer’s remorse after purchasing a house. The top reason why… they didn’t realize how much it costs for maintenance. Others are using social media to find a house and aren’t visiting the neighborhoods they might be living in. Diana Olick, real estate correspondent at CNBC, joins us for how to avoid buyer’s remorse.
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These congressional hearings are quickly becoming must-watch TV. Michael Cohen gave his public testimony about all his dealings with President Trump and there were some big moments. Cohen testified that Trump is a racist, a conman and a cheat. He accused the President of having knowledge of and directing hush money payments to Stormy Daniels, he said the president know that there would be a WikiLeaks dump of DNC emails, and also that he knew about conversations about a Trump Tower Moscow project.
Republicans all the while, tried to paint Cohen as a liar who can’t be trusted. Ginger Gibson, political reporter for Reuters, was in the room for the testimony and helps break down the highlights.
Next, another crazy story of a teacher having a sexual relationship with a student. 27 year old Brittany Zamora was arrested after having sex with her 13 year old student. They would send each other text messages, pass notes in class, and even had another student stand watch while they had sex in the classroom. It was all thanks to the boy’s parents for noticing something different about their boy that brought the whole thing to light. My producer Miranda joins us for the details.
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Michael Cohen, President Trump’s former lawyer and fixer is in the middle of his three day tour of congressional testimony. Today is his public hearing and some big allegations are expected to fly. Yesterday he apologized for lying to Congress, but today he is expected to claim the president engaged in criminal conduct while in office. Daniel Lippman, reporter for Politico, joins us to discuss Cohen’s testimony and his credibility.
Next, despite some weaker earnings, Domino’s is winning the pizza wars. As the pizza field grows more crowded, Domino’s leads the field with great deals and delivery locations outside of the home. My producer Miranda joins us for more on the pizza wars and the top pizza chains.
Finally, Walmart will be eliminating the People Greeter position at about 1,000 stores around the country and workers with disabilities say they are feeling targeted. The position is being replaced with “customer hosts” that have expanded responsibilities. They must be able to lift 25 pounds, clean up spills, collect carts, and more. Adding this would exclude a range of workers with disabilities and some elderly people also. We’ll cover the blowback and Walmart’s response.
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Prosecutors on Monday released documents detailing New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft’s actions at the Orchids of Asia Day Spa in Jupiter, Florida. He has been charged with two, first degree misdemeanor counts of soliciting prostitution. Investigators say Kraft was there twice in a 24 hour period, and they have video. My producer Miranda joins us for the details and how the NFL is reacting.
Next, DNA testing kits started off as a novelty for amateur genealogists and has gone mainstream. Some predictions say that within the next two years, more than 100 million people may be part of a commercial genetic database. What many don’t realize is that these companies are sharing your data with law enforcement, drug makers, and even app developers. Kim Hart, managing editor at Axios, joins us for why you should always read the fine print before you test your DNA.
Finally, as the opioid epidemic continues to plague large swaths of the country, the small town of Little Falls, Minnesota has made progress in getting the problem under control. They didn’t do anything revolutionary, just made a real effort, spent real money, and treated the addiction as a disease instead of a crime. Dan Vergano, Buzzfeed News Reporter, joins us for the blueprint they used to curb it drug epidemic.
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Another big week in politics is coming up as the President is making his way to Vietnam for the second summit with Kim Jong Un of North Korea. Still aiming for the goal of complete denuclearization, the president says he is in no rush as long as missile testing has stopped. Ginger Gibson, political reporter for Reuters, joins us for this and the House vote to overturn Trump’s emergency declaration.
Next, new research suggests that a controversial gene editing experiment to make twin girls in China resistant to HIV may have also altered their brains and enhanced their ability to learn and form memories. Lulu and Nana had their genes modified before birth using the CRISPR editing tool and this could possibly be one of the unintended consequences. Antonio Regalado, reporter for the MIT Technology Review, joins us for more on the CRISPR twins.
Finally, emoji are having another moment. As we use them more in our everyday communication, it’s increasingly starting to show up as evidence in court. Between 2004 and 2019 there has been an exponential rise in emoji and emoticon references in US court opinions, the problem is that not everyone can always agree on what the emoji actually mean. Dami Lee, reporter at the Verge, joins us for emoji in court.
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This is a compilation of the most compelling stories of the week.
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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.
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It was a hoax! Empire actor, Jussie Smollett, is now being accused of staging a homophobic, racist attack against himself in an attempt to raise his profile because he was angry at the salary he was making. Prosecutors say the actor gave detailed instructions for the fake attack. Aamer Madhani, national correspondent at USA Today, was in court for the bond hearing and fills us in on the details.
Next, an odd story of a failed domestic terror plot. Lt. Christopher Paul Hasson, who was a Coast Guard officer and a self-described white nationalist, was plotting to kill a long list of prominent journalists and Democratic politicians. He had stockpiled weapons and ammunition and even created a hit list. Claudia Koerner, Buzzfeed News reporter joins us for more on this extreme domestic terror plot.
Finally, Samsung has unveiled the Galaxy Fold. It’s the latest smartphone offering that boasts an Infinity Flex Display that allows the phone to have a tablet-sized screen that can be folded to fit in your pocket. It can run three apps at once and costs $2,000. Rob Verger, assistant tech editor at Popular Science, joins us to discuss whether this foldable phone will be the next thing you buy.
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As smartphones have become integral parts of many people’s lives, you should always be aware of what is going on with your privacy and personal data. And as we ramp up to another round of elections in two years, there is a new frontier in campaign tech and data brokers are collecting your information for political campaigns to buy up. Evan Halper, reporter for the LA Times joins us for how political campaigns are tracking us through our phones and TVs.
Next, as social media amplifies the missteps by brands and big companies, it is forcing them to figure out a rapid response plan: acknowledge, apologize, and investigate… and then hope people forget and it all goes away. Sara Germano, reporter for the WSJ, joins us to talk about crisis management for brands and how long your window of opportunity may be… only 30 minutes in some cases.
Finally, here comes the Space Force! The president has signed a directive to start the process for creating the Space Force within the Air Force. This is the first step in taking a rally slogan to a real national security entity aimed at protecting our interests in space from threats like China and Russia. Andrew Freedman, science editor at Axios, joins us to break it down.
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We were waiting for it… and now it happened. California along with 15 other states have filed a lawsuit against President Trump’s emergency declaration over border wall funds. The lawsuit argues that the president used the pretext of a manufactured crisis to declare a national crisis. The lawsuit will make its way through the 9th Circuit which has ruled against him on various other legal challenges. Jeremy White, reporter for Politico, joins us to set up this legal fight.
Next, after last week’s shooting in Aurora Illinois, one of the first questions that pops up is, did the suspect own the gun legally? In that case, he passed the background check and got his gun, but he never should have passed that background check. He had a prior felony conviction in another state. This is a problem that arises in cases all across the country, people getting guns when they shouldn’t. There is a law on the books that a gun sale can proceed after three days, even if the background check isn’t completed. Zusha Elinson, reporter for the WSJ, joins us to talk about how many banned buyers get guns and what the ATF has to do to get them back.
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Was it a hate crime or hoax? The twists and turns keep coming in the case of actor Jussie Smollett. While at first it seemed that he might be the victim of a racial, homophobic, and political attack, investigators are now looking into whether the Empire actor had a hand in planning it. The two people who reportedly carried out the attack are selling him out, saying he paid them to do it. My producer Miranda joins us for more.
Next, good detective work, DNA, and a genealogy site are once again credited with helping to solve another cold case. Jerry Westrom was charged with a 1993 murder after police obtained his DNA through a napkin he used after eating a hot dog and discarded. The DNA was matched through a genealogy site and police were able to track him down. Ryan Mac, reporter for Buzzfeed News joins us for how this cold case was solved.
Finally, a lot of people are waiting for former vice president Joe Biden to decide if he will enter the 2020 race for president. While he has often been seen as a front runner in the democratic field, new polls show he might not be that far ahead of the rest of the field. Elena Schneider, campaign reporter for Politico, joins us for this and what all the other democratic hopefuls are looking for, a big viral moment.
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And so it happened, while we did avert another government shutdown, President Trump declared a national emergency at the border to get funds for his border wall. Now all the questions surrounding this, are how long it will take to process this after legal challenges, and what projects will have to be halted so the money can be reallocated. Ginger Gibson, political reporter for Reuters, joins us for more on this never ending fight over border security.
Next, you wouldn’t think this would be such a divisive topic, but the LA Times ruffled some feathers with its official fast food French fry power rankings. We spoke to Lucas Kwan Peterson, the LA Times food columnist about his methodology, the intense backlash he received for his rankings, and why he positions burger favorite In-N-Out dead last when it comes to French Fries.
Finally, Americans are abandoning public transit, but don’t necessarily blame ride-sharing companies. While they have experienced a rise in popularity, it hasn’t caused a broad shift across the country, but cars are still the problem. Over 50% of former transit riders have full time access to a car, which means they don’t need that bus or train. Aarian Marshall, writer at Wired, joins us for the increased shift away from public transportation.
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Welcome to the Daily Dive: WEEKEND EDITION. This is a compilation of the most compelling stories of the week
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Welcome to the Daily Dive: WEEKEND EDITION. This is a compilation of the most compelling stories of the week
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A deal has been reached to avert another government shutdown, but it comes with a twist! The President will sign the compromise bill which only gives him a fraction of the money he wanted to construct a border wall, but he will also declare a national emergency to get the rest. Caitlin Emma, budget reporter for Politico, joins us for what’s next, legal challenges to the national emergency declaration.
Next, big news in the business world, Amazon has canceled its plans to build its HQ2 in Long Island City, NY. To the surprise of many, the back out is seen as a victory by local lawmakers and housing activists which had a problem with the $3B in tax incentives that Amazon was going to receive. On the other hand, land developers and others are angry at the missed opportunity in lost economic activity. My producer Miranda joins us for why Amazon is backing out.
Finally, Panera Bread had a vision of conscious capitalism. A restaurant that used a pay-what-you-want model to help feed those that could not afford to pay full price. Well, that experiment has failed and after 9 years is closing its last Panera Cares store in Boston. Brenna Houck, reporter for Eater.com, joins us for what went wrong.
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Once again, we have another spy in our midst. The Justice Department just unsealed an indictment against a former Air Force counterintelligence officer on espionage charges for allegedly revealing classified info to Iran. Eric Geller, cyber security reporter for Politico, joins us for more on Monica Witt, who defected to Iran and gave away some of our secrets.
Next, since its Valentine’s Day, let’s talk about love and the gamification of dating. It’s all around us… viral matchmaker shows to find love or apps that we use to endlessly swipe on to find a date, all this technology might actually be making it harder to meet “the one.” Jessie Li, reporter for Axios, joins us to talk about how apps are the new norm in dating and how it affects us.
Finally, we talk to Dr. Wendy Walsh, psychology professor and author, who has a new podcast out called Mating Matters. In her new podcast she uses the science of human behavior to talk about love and sex and how mating instincts control everything we do. Mating Matters is out now on iHeart Radio or whenever you get your podcasts.
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Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, the notorious drug kingpin, has been found guilty in his US trial after six days of deliberations by the jury. Throughout the trial which started last November, gave us a look into the inner workings of a $14 billion drug empire. His sentencing now comes up in June. My producer Miranda joins us for all the details and some of the trial highlights.
Next, we speak to Joanna Stern from the WSJ, who asked a certified ethical hacker to get into as many of her webcams as he could. He was easily able to get into her system, snap shots of her and even spy on her child through a Wi-Fi connected baby monitor. Joanna joins us for some tips on how to protect yourself, and the big realization, we are often our own worst enemies.
Finally, after two years and 200 interviews the Senate Intelligence Committee is getting ready to wrap up its investigation into the 2016 election and it seems to be a big win for the president. They have uncovered no direct evidence of a conspiracy between the Trump campaign and Russia. Daniel Lippman, reporter for Politico, joins us for the Senate report and what it means for other investigations.
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As we are facing another potential government shutdown if no deal is reach on funding for President Trump’s border wall, border security continues to be a major topic. One aspect of border security has to do with our border patrol agents and the struggle to recruit and keep agents. It’s a tough job, with harsh conditions, and there is also an issue with overtime pay. Ted Hesson, immigration reporter for Politico, joins us for more.
Next, the leaks continue to drip out from the White House. Axios has published another round of President Trump’s private schedules, again showing that he spends a lot of his day in unstructured “Executive Time.” The White House is furious about the leaks and expects some type of action to be taken this week. Alayna Treene, reporter for Axios, joins us for more on the leaks.
Finally, my favorite story coming out of the weekend, #DontWash. Fox News host Pete Hegseth said that he hasn’t washed his hands in 10 years, and germs are not a real thing because he can’t see them. While he was joking on the air, the Twitterverse exploded with tons of people expressing outrage over how someone could not wash their hands. My producer Miranda joins us to talk about how to properly wash your hands.
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Another huge week in the political world is upon us. The ongoing crisis in Virginia continues as the top three elected officials face calls to resign amid scandals of wearing blackface and sexual assault. Fears of another government shutdown have grown as efforts to make any type of compromise have stalled again over immigration enforcement. Finally, the race for the Democratic presidential nomination is growing as Elizabeth Warren and Amy Klobuchar have entered the race. Ginger Gibson, political reporter for Reuters, break it all down for us.
Next, as relatively inexpensive genetic testing is all over the place, we are getting a chance to learn a little more about our best friends. You can now do genetic test for you dogs, and it works much like the ones for humans, swab the mouth, send it in and get your results. There a number of different companies offering services, each with a different focus, different results, and varying costs. Sarah Fallon at Wired, tested her dog with three different companies. She joins us to talk about the results and which might be best for you and your pup.
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Welcome to the Daily Dive: WEEKEND EDITION. This is a compilation of the most compelling stories of the week
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Welcome to the Daily Dive: WEEKEND EDITION. This is a compilation of the most compelling stories of the week
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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The line came from President Trump during the State of the Union Address, if there is going to be peace and legislation, there cannot be war and investigation. But that is exactly what is ramping up. While the Mueller probe may be winding down, Democrats are starting to look into Trump’s taxes and business dealings and another investigation is looking into money that came into the president’s inaugural committee. Daniel Lippman, reporter for Politico, joins us to break down all the news investigations.
Next, a crazy story about 23 year old Tomi Masters who moved to California from Indiana to make it big in the cannabis industry. What happened to her however was tragic and still unresolved. She met a hacker who introduced her to a dark world of digital manipulation and fear which led to her death, found floating in a river in the Philippines. Now, the two men who are suspects in her death, her hacker boyfriend and another hacker who started the UGNazi hacktivist group, are due in court soon. Davey Alba, reporter for Buzzfeed news joins us for this wild story.
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The political crisis in Virginia has deepened. The top three elected officials, all Democrats, are facing scandals. Governor Ralph Northam is inder pressure to resign after a picture surfaced of him wearing blackface. Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax is facing allegations of sexual assault, and Attonrey General Mark Herring admitted that he also once wore blackface. Stef Kight, reporter for Axios, joins us to break it all down.
Next, there is a wave of bankruptcies sweeping the US Farm Belt. Low commodity prices and the ongoing trade war are starting to wear down farmers. They are selling land and equipment to keep afloat, but the last resort is bankruptcy and analysts say more filings could be on the way. Jesse Newman. Reporter for the WSJ, joins us to discuss how farmers are navigating the tough landscape.
Finally, car dealers are beginning the year with more vehicles sitting on their lots. Almost 4 million cars were on dealerships lots at the end of January and sales are expected to weaken in 2019. Adrienne Roberts, reporter for the WSJ, joins us to talk about the soft sales and what is changing in the US car market, we are buying more crossovers and SUVs.
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President Trump delivered his second State of the Union and covered a lot of ground. He started by calling for unity in an effort to win for our country, listed some of his economic victories, made another plea for the border wall, and presented some new legislative agenda items. There were moments of bipartisan applause, some groans, and the crowd even sang happy birthday. Caitlin Emma, reporter at Politico joins us to break it all down.
Next, we continue our conversation with Caitlin to talk about the Democratic response delivered by Stacey Abrams. Her star will continue to rise after delivering the response setting her up as a future leader of the Democratic Party. And while she hit on many of the issues Democrats care about, will either speech move the needle of public opinion?
Finally, read with caution… most health cures you hear about in the news aren’t always ready for humans…just yet. Last week an article got a lot of traction touting a possible cure to cancer within the year. While a possible breakthrough could be on the horizon, it’s not ready yet to test on humans. Claire Maldarelli, Associate editor at Popular Science, joins us to talk about the lengthy process of developing a drug to successfully treat a disease.
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Huawei, the world’s second largest maker of smartphones has been getting in trouble recently. Their CFO has been charged with fraud and violating sanction by doing business with Iran, They are also accused of stealing trade secrets from T-Mobile. Now there is a new report that the FBI conducted a sting operation on Huawei at CES. Matt Binder, tech reporter at Mashable, joins us for news of this sting op.
Next, the leaks are back at the White House. A massive leak of President Trump’s private schedules for the past three months is giving us a look into how the president structures his day. According to Axios who published the schedules, the president spends 60% of his time in unstructured “Executive time.” Alayna Treene, WH reporter for Axios, joins us for more on what the president does throughout his day.
Finally, a couple of medical updates… one concerning cancer and the other about food allergies. First, cancers fueled by obesity are on the rise among young adults and appearing at increasingly younger ages. Next, doctors are surprised at the number of people developing food allergies in adulthood, the most common of which is shellfish allergies. My producer Miranda joins us to break down these two studies.
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The State of the Union Address is finally happening tomorrow and it comes at a time when there are various problems on all sides. The Mueller probe could be nearing an end while it continues to indict people close to the president and the ongoing battle to avert another government shutdown or national emergency to build a border wall. Ginger Gibson, political reporter for Reuters, joins us for a preview of the big speech.
Next, what’s the best way to recover after a big game or hard workout? Is it best to take an ice bath, use a foam roller, wear compression tights, or what about a good old fashioned massage? Claire Maldarelli- associate editor at Popular Science, joins us to break down the benefits of each and what actually works for muscle recovery.
Finally, we are at the peak of flu season and hopefully you didn’t sick, but what do you do if a co-worker comes in sick. As some show up to the office coughing and sneezing, the sick shamers are springing into action. Chip Cutter, reporter for the WSJ, joins us to talk about why some come to work sick, and others shame them into going home.
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Welcome to the Daily Dive: WEEKEND EDITION. This is a compilation of the most compelling stories of the week
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Welcome to the Daily Dive: WEEKEND EDITION. This is a compilation of the most compelling stories of the week
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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The battle over funding for the boarder wall continues. House Democrats have put forward a plan that would increase funding for border security, but not offer any money for a border all. The president has said that there will be no deal without the wall, and Nancy Pelosi says there will be no wall. Stef Kight, reporter for Axios, joins us to see if any type of deal can be made.
Next, health companion robots are gaining ground for consumer households and a friendly robot face could be the last one you see in case of an emergency. Stan Horaczek, tech editor at Popular Science, joins us to talk about Samsung’s new Bot Care which is being positioned as companion robot that could be paired with an older person that wants to live alone, but still might need some assistance.
Finally, there is a mysterious secret tunnel in Florida and no one knows who put it there. Authorities found a tunnel leading to a bank ATM which leads investigators to believe it was for a possible bank heist. Linda Trischitta, reporter for the Sun Sentinel, joins us to break down a bizarre story.
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Experts are sounding the alarm on measles again as authorities in the Northwest say that there are 38 confirmed cases. Most of the confirmed cases are children under 10, 34 of them were not immunized. Eileen Drage O’Reilly, science writer at Axios, joins us to talk about why public health officials are concerned and why some are refusing to vaccinate their kids.
Next, President Trump is once again at odds with some of his top intelligence officials. Speaking before the Senate Intelligence Committee, CIA Director Gina Haspel and Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats both broke with the President on several foreign policy fronts including North Korea, Iran, and ISIS. Caitlin Oprysko, reporter for Politico, joins us for what they said and the President’s response.
Finally, Flight attendants now have to hustle for tips. A new policy at Frontier airlines lets passengers tip the flight attendants whenever they use their cards to pay for drinks or snacks. Reaction is mixed with some welcoming the extra income, and others saying the sales jobs bogs them down when passenger safety is their main concern. My producer Miranda joins us to break it down.
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Apple had to respond to some privacy issues caused by a bug in the Facetime app. Apple disabled the group-chat function after users said a software bug could let callers activate another user’s microphone without them knowing. Robert McMillan, reporter for the WSJ, joins us for what to do about the bug and also the story of how a 14 year old and his mom found the vulnerability and tried to bring it to Apple’s attention.
Next, tax season officially started this week and the new tax law has a bunch of changes you should be aware of. According to a new survey about half of people don’t even know how the new law affects their tax bracket. Darla Mercado, personal finance reporter for CNBC, joins us for what to know as you start filing your taxes.
Finally, former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz hasn’t even announced that he is running for president, just that he is thinking about running as a centrist independent, and it has been a disaster. Daniel Lippman, reporter for Politico, joins us for all the reaction, Dems don’t want him to run for fear that he would siphon off votes from their nominee and Trump, he’s not worried about anyone running against him.
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The Polar Vortex is back and it is going to hit the Midwest hard. It will bring the coldest weather in a generation and in Chicago, no one under 25 will have ever experienced weather this cold. Andrew Freedman, extreme weather expert and science editor at Axios, joins us for a look at the freezing temps and how this all fits in with global warming.
Next, we are still in shutdown hangover and we are starting to see some of the numbers. The Congressional Budget Office projected that the 35 day partial government shutdown resulted in losses of $11 billion, $3billion of which can never be recovered. Caitlin Emma, budget and appropriations reporter for Politico, joins us for the cost of the shutdown.
Finally, the content landscape is becoming saturated. Think of all the various amounts of news you read, Instagram pictures you like, and YouTube videos you watch, it’s all considered content and that’s the problem. Everything is content and it is causing a shift in how we consume it. Jacob Gallagher, reporter for the Wall Street Journal, joins us for a discussion on how traditional content like journalism and magazines are faltering while brand content and content creators are thriving.
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The government shutdown is over for now, but it is still unclear what the final outcome will be. President Trump walked away with nothing in terms of his border wall and now there is a 3 week time limit on whether it will happen again. Also developing over the weekend, Roger Stone gets indicted in the Mueller probe. Ginger Gibson, political reporter for Reuters, joins us for a breakdown of all the big political news.
Next, a quick update on the story of 13 year old Jayme Closs, who was held captive for 88 days by Jake Patterson. A lot was made of who would be getting reward money that was offered for anyone that had information that led to her rescue. Well since she saved herself when she escaped, she will be getting $25,000 of that reward money. My producer Miranda joins us for more.
Finally, there is a whole community of content creators on YouTube that are blind. While YouTube doesn’t seem like a natural fit for someone who is visually impaired, these creators have become voices for and often overlooked group of people who use the internet just as much as many others. Emma Grey Ellis, writer at Wired, joins us to discuss the blind YouTubers making the internet more accessible.
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Welcome to the Daily Dive: WEEKEND EDITION. This is a compilation of the most compelling stories of the week
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Welcome to the Daily Dive: WEEKEND EDITION. This is a compilation of the most compelling stories of the week
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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
And the votes failed to re-open the government. The Senate voted on two proposals, one backed by Republicans and one backed by Democrats, but neither gained enough support. There are hopes however that now that we know what won’t pass, the two sides can come to a consensus on what will pass. Shannon Vavra, reporter for Axios, joins us for another failed bid to stop the longest government shutdown in history.
Next, as we continue to wallow in endless robocalls and spam calls, the nation’s four major wireless companies are trying to give you a heads up when a bad call is coming through. For T-Mobile users, suspicious calls now show up on your caller ID labeled as “Scam Likely.” Dalvin Brown, consumer tech reporter for USA Today, joins us for the continued fight to save you from robocalls.
Finally, a pair of documentaries about the failed Fyre Festival have been released on Hulu and Netflix. It was billed as a luxury music experience on Pablo Escobar’s former island complete with beautiful Instagram models, but it was all a fraud. Kate Talbot, contributor to Forbes, joins us for what the Fyre Festival documentaries reveal about Millennials and social media influencers.
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The government shutdown continues, the President and Nancy Pelosi continue to fight about where the State of the Union address will be held next week, but let’s take a moment to talk about the president’s lawyer, former mayor Rudy Giuliani. Reports are that after a series of gaffes in what should have been a victory lap in light of the latest Buzzfeed News report, he has drawn the ire of Trump. Darren Samuelsohn, reporter for Politico, joins us for the latest internal drama.
Next, after falling to record lows, the supply of homes on the market is rising, the problem now is the affordability of those homes for the average American. Home builders have been faced with higher costs for land, labor and materials, but have also trended to making luxury homes and less starter homes. Diana Olick, real estate correspondent for CNBC, joins us to talk about the lack of affordable homes,
Finally, have smart phones become boring? Well get ready for a lot of weird phone tech this year. You will start seeing more about foldable screens, pop-up cameras, and even the possible return of the Motorola Razr with a foldable display. Lauren Goode, senior writer at Wired, joins us to talk about how smartphone makers are trying to make them exciting again.
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2017 marked the beginning of the end for Toys R Us, 2018 was all about Sears, and now 2019 will be all about JC Penney and whether they can avoid the same fate as Sears. As companies struggle to keep up in the changing retail industry, Penney’s new CEO and her plan to save the company are getting some attention. Suzanne Kapner, reporter for the WSJ, joins us to discuss another former retail giant in trouble.
Next, as the government shutdown reaches its 33rd day, there will be a second round of checks with zeroes on it for federal workers affected by the shutdown. Considering that over three-quarters of all full-time workers are living paycheck to paycheck, what are the best and worst ways to borrow money during this time. Jessica Dickler, personal finance writer for CNBC, joins us for some advice on getting cash during the shutdown.
Finally, Oscar nominations finally came in and as usual, there were surprises and snubs. Netflix has changed the movie game and long fought for recognition, and now has claimed a best picture nomination with “Roma.” Black Panther, Spike Lee, and Bradley Cooper also made headlines. Jason Nathanson, ABC News entertainment correspondent joins us for an Oscars breakdown.
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The Democratic field of those running for president in 2020 has just added another contender. Kamala Harris was the former attorney general for California, San Francisco district attorney, and has been in the Senate for two years. Chris Cadelago, national political reporter for Politico, joins us to discuss her campaign launch and what could be both a strength and weakness, her prosecutorial career.
Next, the next summit between President Trump and Kim Jong Un will be sometime in February and while many have said that North Korea has not been very forthcoming in its disclosure of missile sites or even efforts to denuclearize, a new report says that researchers have discovered a secret ballistic missile base that was previously undisclosed, and there could be as many as twenty. Marissa Fernandez, reporter for Axios, joins us to discuss the report.
Finally, there is a new four legged robot dog that thanks to artificial intelligence, can run faster, operate with more efficiency, and even get back up after its been kicked down. But this dog is special, it not only learned with AIbut through computer simulations on a desktop, learning 1,000 times faster than the real world. Rob Verger, assistant tech editor for Popular Science, joins us for ANYmal, the robot dog.
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In an effort to end the partial government shutdown that has been going on now for a month, President Trump offered a compromise deal which still included $5.7 B for the wall, but also included temporary protections for DACA recipients and extension of TPS, but the plan was a nonstarter with Democrats and many in conservative circles slammed the idea as amnesty for the wall. Ginger Gibson, Political reporter for Reuters, joins us to discuss this and also that huge report from Buzzfeed News that the Special Counsel has disputed.
Next, we will tell you the story of Michelle Hadley, Ian Diaz, her US Marshal ex-boyfriend and his wife Angela Diaz, who framed Michelle in a Craigslist 'rape fantasy' plot. It is a strange story with twists and turns that landed Michelle in jail for 3 months, until she was exonerated, but the damage to her life had already been done. Now Michelle Hadley is fighting back filing a lawsuit to reclaim her good name. Jessica Testa, reporter at Buzzfeed News, joins us to break down the story.
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Welcome to the Daily Dive: WEEKEND EDITION. This is a compilation of the most compelling stories of the week
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Welcome to the Daily Dive: WEEKEND EDITION. This is a compilation of the most compelling stories of the week
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As the government shutdown continues, it seems that the conversation is starting to veer away from the actual issues… The humanitarian crisis at the border and the border wall itself. A new report says that possibly thousands of migrant children were separated from their families and released before officials started officially counting them, and we have no idea with who or where they are. Stef Kight, reporter for Axios, joins us for more on what is happening at the border.
Next, there is a controversial startup called Ambrosia that is charging $8,000 to fill the veins of older people with the blood of younger people as a way to combat aging… and they accept PayPal. Erin Brodwin, science reporter for Business Insider, joins us to talk about the murky science behind this idea and where clinics are set up to get your treatment.
Finally, what are you doing this weekend? Probably not going to Church. According to a new survey, two-thirds of young people say they have stopped going to church and 96% of them say life changes are the main reason why they don’t go anymore. Holly Meyer, religion reporter for the Tennessean joins us for all the reasons young people just aren’t in to church anymore.
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It is the 27th day of the partial government shutdown and it seems like things are going backwards. Speaker Nancy Pelosi has asked President Trump to reschedule the State of the Union Address originally scheduled for Jan.29 citing security concerns. At the same time a bipartisan group of senators is pressing Trump to re-open the government. Daniel Lippman, reporter for Politico, joins us to discuss the politics of the ongoing shutdown.
Next, President Trump has signed a bill guaranteeing back pay for federal workers, but not until the government re-opens, in the mean time workers will still see zeroes on their paycheck. While this may be a relief to many, what happens if you are an essential worker and get sick, or the vacation and sick time you accrue for working? Jay Willis, writer for GQ, joins us for a look into the effects of the shutdown on federal employees.
Finally, Netflix has announced that it is raising the subscription prices for its streaming services and experts say that you should brace yourself for more increases in the future. More competition from new streaming services and the need for more original content is causing Netflix to spend more money than it brings in. My producer Miranda joins us for a breakdown of the price hikes.
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There seems to be another space race on our hands. While the US is working to sending Astronauts into space again and establishing commercial flights, China has ventured to the far side of the moon. Already an accomplishment getting there, China’s lunar lander has successfully sprouted cotton plantsmarking the first time humans have grown plants on the lunar surface. Loren Grush, science reporter at The Verge, joins us for more on this achievement.
Next, YouTube is taking a page out of the Tinder handbook and now lets you swipe through videos on its mobile app so you can endlessly watch videos… they hope. Eleanor Cummins, assistant editor at Popular Science, joins us for a project 2 years in the making which is known to employees by its internal name “swipey watch.”
Finally, you’ve been hearing a lot about freshman Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortex and a lot of talk about a ‘Green New Deal,’ well get ready to hear a lot more. It is a new proposal to decarbonize the American economy, create jobs, and tackle climate change. Mike Grunwald, senior writer for Politico Magazine, joins us to talk about what a “Green New Deal” looks like and lessons learned from the past.
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On October 15, 2018 13 year old Jayme Closs went missing in Wisconsin after her parents were killed in their family home. Jayme was missing for 88 days before she was found last week. 21-year old Jake Thomas Patterson was arrested and charged with kidnapping and the murder of her parents. It is an odd story that still has many unknowns. It is unclear why Patterson targeted Jayme, he saw here getting on a school bus and according to investigators, “he knew that was the girl he was going to take.” My producer Miranda joins us for the details we know, including how she was found and the former social worker who kept her safe until police arrived.
Next, there is an effort to make hipsters the new hunters. The number of Americans 16 and older who hunt, has dropped 18% from two decades ago and an older generation of hunters is pitching the sport as a way to make sure that the meat you get is local and sustainable. Zusha Elinson, reporter for the WSJ, joins us how hunters are targeting hipsters with slogans like “Hunters are the original conservationists.”
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It is now the longest government shutdown in history. Many federal workers that are affected by the shutdown are not being paid, and no one in the political leadership wants to budge. Ginger Gibson, political reporter for Reuters joins us for the continued shutdown and two reports about the president and Russia. We learn what triggered a counterintelligence investigation against the president and the extraordinary lengths he went through to hide readouts of his meetings with Vladimir Putin.
Next, these are the most dangerous jobs in the US. Electricians, firefighters and police officers are among some of the jobs that carry a lot of risk. But did you know that fishers and fishing related work are also on this list? My producer Miranda joins us for what many of these jobs have in common, working from dangerous heights, contact with dangerous machinery or environments, or driving for long periods of time.
Finally, there is a mysterious and stubborn appeal of mass-produced fried chicken. When done right, it’s crispy, salty, juicy and one of the best comfort foods around. We speak to freelance writer Adam Clair about why everyone loves it so much and why so many accomplished chefs call Popeye’s their favorite fried chicken.
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Welcome to the Daily Dive: WEEKEND EDITION. This is a compilation of the most compelling stories of the week
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Welcome to the Daily Dive: WEEKEND EDITION. This is a compilation of the most compelling stories of the week
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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
With the partial government shutdown getting ready to stretch into its 4th week. Federal workers are starting to feel the pain. It’s payday and many aren’t getting paid. The conversation also continues to revolve around whether the president would declare a national emergency to get the border wall built. Haley Britzky, reporter for Axios joins us for all the ways people are starting to feel the shutdown.
Next, the trial of Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman has gone on for about two months in Brooklyn federal court and is expected to last several more weeks. What we are learning for the trial however is how he and his Sinaloa Cartel smuggled cocaine, marijuana, and other drugs in into the US using cars, trains, planes, submarines, and underground tunnels. My producer Miranda joins us for some trial highlights including the IT guy who helped bring El Chapo down.
Finally, hotel fees are starting to get out of hand. Hotels have gotten creative in making you pay mandatory fees with few options for getting out of them. They are often called resort fees, destination fees, housekeeping fees and more. Scott McCartney, travel editor for the WSJ, joins us to talk about why you need to read the fine print about extra fees when booking a hotel.
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After years’ worth of accusations of sexual misconduct against R. Kelly, the R&B legend may be about to face legal consequences again. After Lifetime aired a 6 part docuseries called Surviving R. Kelly, officials in Georgia have started investigating him and Illinois officials have also asked for anyone with information to come forward. David Mack, reporter for Buzzfeed News, joins us to discuss R. Kelly’s past and all the new interest surrounding him.
Next, The Consumer Electronics Show is under way in Las Vegas previewing tons of cool gadgets and tech. Jefferson Graham, host of the Talking Tech podcast joins us to talking about some of the best things he’s seen there, including smart shoes that detect when you fall, digital license plates, and so many TVs. We will also talk about home much of this new tech actually makes it to market.
Finally, an effort to clean up what is known as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, a patch of trash that has 1.8 trillion pieces of plastic and weighs 88,000 tons, has failed. Ocean Cleanup, a startup with aspirations of capturing the trash and bringing it to land created a floating system that would corral the trash has broken under the stress of the ocean. Matt Simon, science writer at Wired, joins us for what happened.
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President Trump addressed the nation from the Oval Office to persuade Americans on the need for a border wall to address the humanitarian crisis there. He struck a more measured tone using a more emotional appeal rather than trying to use too many facts and figures. The democratic response on the other hand accused the president of using the oval office to manufacture a crisis. Amanda Becker, correspondent for Reuters, joins us to discuss the effectiveness of the address and if it moves the needle at all?
Next, storied retailer Sears could be on its way to being done for good. After filing for bankruptcy last October, negotiations have continued to see what can be done to keep the company afloat. Zlati Meyer, Money reporter for USA Today, joins us for what may be the final days for Sears, and the biggest problem, while many feel nostalgic about the company, no one is shopping there.
Finally, a follow up to a mysterious story that started in 2016. US and Canadian diplomats in Cuba had complained of bizarre symptoms after hearing strange noises, prompting speculation about potential sonic weapons. The AP obtained audio of the purported sonic attack and now we know what the sound was. Hilary Brueck, science reporter for Business Insider, joins us for what was in the audio… the calling song of the Indies short-tailed cricket.
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Today’s podcast is focused on healthcare and the trends that will be shaping the conversation this year. First, there are five big things that you will be hearing about, among them are the battle between Big Pharma and Washington, the Affordable Care Act in legal trouble again, and the ongoing opioid crisis. Sam Baker, healthcare editor for Axios, joins us for what is poised to be a wild year for healthcare.
Next, telemedicine is a growing market that is expected to reach revenues of over $13 billion by 2023. And with a growing shortage of mental- health professionals for children and teens, more healthcare providers are turning to technology to help pediatricians fill the gap and provide services to those that need it. My producer Miranda joins us to talk about telemedicine and her experience seeing a digital doctor.
Finally, treating your pets for illnesses can be very pricey and some people are going into debt over trying to keep your best friend in good health. Expenses can pile up very quickly and before you know it, you are thousands of dollars into treatment and tests and more may be on the way. We spoke to Elizabeth Ann Entenman, who wrote about her experience for Buzzfeed News, about going into debt because of her dog and why she doesn’t regret it.
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The partial government shutdown is now in its third week and still no end in sight. The only concession coming from the White House is that the president would be willing to ditch the concrete wall for a steel fence. Ginger Gibson, political reporter for Reuters, joins us for the politics of the shutdown and the real test, when federal workers start seeing zeroes on their paycheck this week.
Next, as we continue with the tightest labor market in decades, companies are looking for ways to attract and retain new workers and are willing to pay for your college degree. This is not necessarily a new thing, the change up now is that companies are paying for it upfront and in full. Kelsey Gee, reporter for the WSJ, joins us for how to take advantage of these programs and get a free college education.
Finally, as the ride sharing economy continues to grow, new sectors are growing out of the industry and it is focusing on kids. A growing crop of ride services is offering rigorously vetted drivers who can transport your kids where they need to go as well as babysit. Rebecca Heilweil, covering this story for Wired, tells us about companies like Kango and HopSkipDrive that are trying to be the “Uber for kids.”
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Welcome to the Daily Dive: WEEKEND EDITION. This is a compilation of the most compelling stories of the week
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Welcome to the Daily Dive: WEEKEND EDITION. This is a compilation of the most compelling stories of the week
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We have another possible spy mystery on our hands. This time an American named Paul Whelan has been arrested in Russia where the Russian Federal Security Service said he was caught during an espionage operation. There a few more twists and turns in this story that make it so intriguing. Kristen Shamus, reporter for the Detroit Free Press, joins us for what we know about Paul Whelan and the response from the US to get him back.
Next, the new Congress has been sworn in and it is the most diverse congressional class in history. Nancy Pelosi has regain the speakership of the House and it is setting up a showdown with the administration as she will be the main counterbalance to President Trump. Stef Kight, reporter for Axios, joins us to talk about all the new diversity and the agenda for democrats this year.
Finally, Los Angeles has become the first city in the US to deploy an earthquake early warning app for the public. The app is called ShakeAlertLA and it uses a network of seismic sensors to detect earthquakes and send warnings to smartphones hoping to give seconds or tens of seconds of notice to residents before an earthquake hits. Ron Lin, reporter for the LA Times joins us for more on this new early warning system.
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We are about two weeks in to the partial government shutdown and there still seems to be no end in sight. President Trump continues to stand firm that he need $5 Billion for border security and Democrats begin their control of the House and hold firm that they will not give him the money. The President also hit back on Mitt Romney and Jim Mattis. Ginger Gibson, political reporter for Reuters, joins us to discuss the government shutdown impasse.
Next, NASA has made space exploration history observing the most distant space object ever and it looks like a lumpy red snowman. The New Horizon’s space craft traveling at 32,000 mph did a flyby of a space object called Ultima Thule which is about 4 billion miles from Earth. Andrew Freedman, science editor at Axios, joins us to discuss this great space achievement to start the year off and what to expect in 2019.
Finally, it’s a new year and everyone is concerned will health and wellness and those New Year’s resolutions that you never keep. On top of a lot of peoples lists however is getting some better sleep. The secret to that might be figuring out your chronotype. Are you a morning person or night owl or something in between? Shana Lebowitz, reporter at Business Insider, joins us to talk about the four main chronotypes: bears, dolphins, lions, and wolves.
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Today we speak to a guy that most people love and hate. He is the inventor of the touchscreen keyboard autocorrect for the original iPhone. Sometimes autocorrect saves your life, other times it just gets in the way. We will speak to Ken Kocienda who was a software engineer and designer for more than 15 years and he has a new book out about working during the Golden Age of Steve Jobs. I’ll even ask why auto correct always writes out DUCK when you’re trying to type ****.
Next, it was a spectacular fall we all witnessed for a man once known as America’s Dad. Bill Cosby was sentenced to 3-10 years in prison for drugging and sexually assaulting Andrea Constand and was taken away after his hearing in handcuffs, an image that many thought they would never see. Cosby was accused of sexual misconduct and rape by 60 women. Claudia Rosenbaum, reporter for Buzzfeed News, joins us for more on Cosby and his classification as a sexually violent predator.
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This past year brought us a lot of awareness of new cancer treatments making a difference in people’s lives. The Nobel Prize for medicine went to a pair of scientists for their work on cancer. The discoveries of Dr. James Allison and Dr. Tasuku Honjo led to new ways to treat cancer by targeting the body’s immune system rather than cancerous tumors themselves. Peter Loftus, Reporter for the WSJ, joins us to talk about the impact of their work in the fight to cure cancer.
Next, one of the more bizarre stories to hit the news. It was the story of 11 malnourished children found in a compound in New Mexico. It was weird to begin with, but then took a turn. According to prosecution documents, the remains of a boy were found and the man who is at the center of it all was allegedly training one of the children in the use of an assault rifle in preparation for a future school shooting. National Security analyst Ryan Mauro, joins us for more on this story.
Finally, one of the big jerks of the year was a man known as the “dine and dash dater.” He was finally caught after years on the prowl. Paul Gonzales would meet women on dating apps, take them out, order a robust dinner, and then leave and never come back, forcing the women to pay a huge bill. Lauren Strapagiel, reporter for Buzzfeed News, joins us for how much jail time he is facing and what was in all those dinner orders.
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This past year the country mourned together for the loss of Sen. John McCain. The country lost a war hero, a statesman, and a patriot who lived his life in service to his country. McCain, died at the age of 81 after a yearlong battle with brain cancer. Ginger Gibson, political reporter for Reuters, joins us to talk about John McCain’s love of country, his political legacy, and how the Republican party changes now that he has passed.
Next, it is a punctuation that might be getting overused in recent times and it is also causing a lot of anxiety. It is the exclamation point. People are using it too much in texts and emails and it making people feel weird. On the other hand, when people don’t use one, it makes you feel like they might be mad at you. Katy Bindley, personal tech reporter for the WSJ, joins us to talk about why the exclamation point is making people freak out.
Finally, let’s check in on the video game phenomenon of Fortnite. The game has grown so much it is inspiring lawsuits over dance moves in the game and people are also making money off of the game in ways you wouldn’t expect. Parents are enlisting video game tutors for their children. They are hiring coaches so their kids don’t fall behind and paying upwards of $20/hr. Sarah Needleman, tech reporter for the WSJ, joins us for this new trend of Fortnite tutors.
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Welcome to the Daily Dive: WEEKEND EDITION. This is a compilation of the most compelling stories of the week
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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Welcome to the Daily Dive: WEEKEND EDITION. This is a compilation of the most compelling stories of the week
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It was mid-June when President Trump announced that he wanted to create a Space Force, and while some may have thought it was just some more rambling by the president… it might be much more necessary that you think. There is a new arms race that is threatening to explode in space and the president wants to create another branch of the military to maintain our dominance in the arena. Garrett Graff contributing editor to Wired joins us to discuss why we need someone looking out for us in space. It has a lot to do with GPS and how China and Russia are major players.
Next, a huge fall for a startup that seemed to have huge potential. Earlier this year federal prosecutors charged Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes with 11 counts of criminally defrauding investors, patients, and doctors. Holmes conned many into believing she could change the health care industry by offering faster, cheaper, and painless blood tests. Dan Primack, business editor at Axios joins us for a discussion on how the lessons learned from Theranos changed biotech investing and increased skepticism of new technology.
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A big story this past year was that of halted executions because of the drugs that were being used. One such case was Scott Dozier. He was set to be executed with a three drug cocktail using fentanyl that had never been used before, but that wasn’t the issue… Drug maker Alvogen sued to block the use of a sedative they make called midazolam. Chris Kudialis, reporter for the Las Vegas Sun joins us to discuss why a judge sided with a drug company to stop the execution of Scott Dozier.
Next, one of the biggest moves in basketball this year involved superstar LeBron James coming to Los Angeles King James agreed to a 4 year deal worth $154 million dollars after taking a personal meeting with Lakers legend Magic Johnson. Dan Beyer, Managing editor at Fox Sports Radio, joins us to discuss the big move, what it means for the Lakers and the NBA.
Finally, one of the more bizarre stories of the year centered around a self-help community called Nxivm, which federal prosecutors say was a gateway to a secret sex cult. One of the weirder twists was that former “Smallville” actress Allison Mack was one of the top recruiters who was accused of brainwashing women to join. David Mack, Buzzfeed News reporter joined us to detail what this cult was all about.
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One of the biggest stories of the year was the Capture of the Golden State Killer. One of California’s most notorious serial killers. He went by many other names, The East Area Rapist, and the Visalia Ransacker, but Joseph James DeAngelo was captured and charged with various rapes and murders that happened in the 70’s and 80’s. Sam Stanton, reporter for the Sacramento Bee joins us for what he is accused of and how investigators connected the DNA dots to track him down.
Next, with the rise of money transfer apps such as Venmo, once again, you better check those privacy settings. Venmo’s default privacy setting is set to “public,” which means all your transactions are visible to everyone. Xavier Harding, reporter for Mic, joins us to talk about hiding all those payments to your friends for Uber rides and burgers.
Finally, taking a look back at some of the crazier moments of the year has to include rapper, Kanye West. He faced a ton of backlash after a weird stream of consciousness rant on TMZ where he said 400 years of slavery was a choice. We spoke to DJ A-Oh from hip hop station REAL92.3, for more on Kanye and his crazy outbursts.
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For Christmas Day I want to share my favorite story of the year! Because we all got duped! Do you remember playing the McDonald’s Monopoly game? You’d buy a meal and paper monopoly game pieces either helped you get park place and boardwalk, sometimes they were just instant wins for a free order of fries. Journalist Jeff Maysh joins us to tell us the story of how an ex-cop rigged the entire McDonald’s monopoly game and stole millions! The story includes mobsters, strip club owners, drug traffickers, one tenacious FBI agent and the anonymous tip that brought the whole scheme down.
Next, a new industry is booming, popping up all over the place and prompting cities to take a step in regulating them. Companies are hoping that their product can solve many of the problems of getting around in densely populated areas. Kia Kokalitcheva, tech reporter for Axios, will tell us about the electric scooter craze and how cities are handling this new e-scooter economy.
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Every year, millions of Americans head to Christmas tree lots to pick out that perfect tree. But have you ever stopped and wondered how that tree got there? Of course not! What you may not know is that researchers are working to bring you better trees every year and avoid the dreaded coning. Robbie Gonzalez, senior writer at Wired, joins us for the science of growing the perfect tree.
Next, Collectible toy values are on the rise. Matthew Kitchen, Gear and Gadgets editor for the WSJ joins us to talk about the rising collectible market and the 20 year rule. That means start looking for your Power Rangers and Harry Potter toys. We will also tell you what the Holy Grail of toys is, so you can start looking.
Finally, a Christmas classic is again facing controversy and being called out for some of the lyrics. Some radio stations in the US and Canada have removed “Baby its cold outside” from their holiday playlists because some say the song is about a man coaxing his date to stay despite her wanting to leave. My producer Miranda joins us to discuss how the public perception has changed about this Christmas standard.
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Welcome to the Daily Dive: WEEKEND EDITION. This is a compilation of the most compelling stories of the week
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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Welcome to the Daily Dive: WEEKEND EDITION. This is a compilation of the most compelling stories of the week
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Immigration and border security continue to make headlines, there is still no consensus on avoiding a possible government shut down because President Trump is not getting all of the funding for his border wall. The administration also set new policies for asylum seeking migrants where they will stay in Mexico while their claims are being processed. Ted Hesson, Immigration Reporter for Politico, joins us for more on that and a GoFundMe that has been set up for the border wall.
Next, we’re all in the midst of heavy shopping for the holidays and many are turning to Amazon but what’s the first thing you do to vet your items? See how many stars it has and read the reviews. But you have to be careful, there are tons of fake reviews being populated by shady Facebook groups. Joanna Stern, Personal Tech Columnist for the Wall Street Journal joins us for how to spot fake Amazon reviews.
Finally, it’s quickly becoming a Christmas tradition for many – it's Elf on the Shelf. The Elf watches your kids and reports back to Santa, so they better be good, and the next day he pops up in a different location. The problem is, many parents are struggling to keep up and are regretting ever starting the game. My Producer Miranda joins us for the tyranny of the Elf on the Shelf.
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In a rare bipartisan success and with a little help from Jared Kushner, the Senate passed a criminal justice reform bill called the First Step Act. The bill is limited in scope affecting only federal inmates, but addresses issues like mandatory minimum sentences, increased credit for good behavior, and makes some changes retroactive, which could send up to 4,000 prisoners home when the President signs the bill. Stef Kight, reporter for Axios, joins for all the details.
Next, look how far we have come in 4 years. Artificial intelligence image generation is getting scary! Nvidia researchers released a paper and video showing how impressive machine learning has gotten. The computer generated faces look very realistic complete with wrinkles and all. James Vincent, reporter for The Verge, joins us to talk about how it is done and what’s next for this tech.
Finally, Facebook just can’t seem to get out of the spotlight. It seems that they have spent the whole year apologizing for data and privacy slip ups. This time, news has surfaced that they gave other big tech companies like Microsoft, Netflix, Spotify, Amazon, and Yahoo unprecedented access to users’ personal data exempting them from most privacy rules because they were business partners. Brianna Sacks, Buzzfeed News reporter, joins us for the latest Facebook privacy slip up.
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It was a wild hearing for former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn as Judge Emmet Sullivan delayed the sentencing for lying to the FBI and told him he may not avoid prison time. The judge even told Flynn that he sold his country out. Alayna Treene, political reporter for Axios, joins us for what happens next and all the courtroom drama.
Next, it’s time to prepare for the smart home fitness revolution. Connected fitness started out with apps, then fitness trackers, connected cardio equipment, and now the next level is intelligence. Lauren Goode, senior writer at Wired, joins us to discuss what the new home fitness gym will look like…Internet connected home systems that promise feedback loops between you and the fitness gurus running your workouts.
Finally, we speak to Megan Leonhardt, senior money reporter for CNBC Make it, about how much money it costs to be Santa Claus and how much money you can make. There is a lot more than just the red suit that goes into playing the part. There’s Santa school, beard bleaching and more, but being a top tier Santa can really bring in the money.
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After eight years and two investigations, Maj. Matthew Golsteyn is being charged with murder in the death of an alleged Taliban bomb-maker during a 2010 deployment. Now, President Trump is saying he will be reviewing the case, calling him a hero. Todd South, reporter for the Military Times, joins us for how the story unfolded leading to these charges which carry the possibility of the death penalty.
Next, it’s a growing problem especially now during the holidays… porch pirates. As we are getting more and more things delivered to our houses every day, now you have to worry about more than being there when it arrives, you have to worry about people stealing your packages right from your doorstep. Elizabeth Weise, reporter for USA Today, joins us for what to do about porch pirates.
Finally, as malls across the country continue to lose storefronts, what happens to the mall Santa? Sometimes there is no crowd, no line of kids waiting to sit on Santa’s lap. It’s not happening everywhere, but some mall Santa’s are struggling. Jennifer Levitz, reporter for the WSJ, joins us to talk about what’s a Santa to do when it gets really, really slow.
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A huge court ruling to wipe out Obamacare has revived the health care debate and will have far reaching effects. While a judge ruled that the Affordable Care Act was unconstitutional, the case may not be fully resolved until 2020, which could make it the defining issue of the next election. Ginger Gibson, political reporter for Reuters, joins us to discuss this ruling and the next Chief of Staff, Mick Mulvaney.
Next, the face of retail is changing. There has been a decline of American malls, and growing divides between the richest and poorest Americans. This is causing an increase in big luxury brands, but also the rise of the dollar store as a main shopping destination for many. Erica Pandey, retail reporter for Axios, joins us to discuss how dollar stores are picking apart the market and will be the big retail survivors.
Finally, delivery service Postmates is on a mission to build the delivery robot of the future. Postmates has its own robotics division with the goal of building a robot that can navigate streets and people to bring you that burrito you ordered. Arielle Pardes, senior writer at Wired, joins us to talk about Postmates robot rover called Serve, who looks a lot like Disney’s WALL-E,
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Welcome to the Daily Dive: WEEKEND EDITION. This is a compilation of the most compelling stories of the week
Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Welcome to the Daily Dive: WEEKEND EDITION. This is a compilation of the most compelling stories of the week
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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Maria Butina admits to being a secret agent. The Russian gun rights proponent who cultivated close ties to the NRA and conservative political figures plead guilty to acting as an agent of the Russian government. She has agreed to cooperate with investigators which could help shed light on Russian spying and interference efforts. Kyle Cheney, Congressional Reporter for Politico, joins us to talk about Maria Butina, Russian secret agent.
Next, Meat is experiencing an evolution. We have gone from grass-fed to lab-grown. When you hear about lab-grown meat it usually takes the form of a ground meat patty, but now an Israeli startup has made the world’s first lab-grown steak. This has been the holy grail of the lab-grown meat industry… to make a piece of steak that has the taste, texture, and mouthfeel of the real thing. Jason Bellini, video correspondent for the WSJ, joins us to discuss his trip to try the world’s first lab-grown steak and most importantly, how it tasted.
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Michael Cohen, the President’s former attorney has been sentenced to 3 years in prison after implicating Trump in a hush-money scandal. Standing before the court, an emotional Cohen said that his weakness was blind loyalty to the Donald Trump and felt he had to cover up his dirty deeds. Laura Nahmias, reporter for Politico, was in the courtroom and break down what happened.
Next, we are joined by David McCabe, technology reporter for Axios, to discuss the testimony of Google CEO Sundar Pichai before the House Judiciary Committee. Conservatives on the committee got into heated exchanges with Pichai over what they perceive as political bias baked into Google’s platforms. At the end of it all, Pichai acknowledged that there will be increased scrutiny on Big Tech and regulation on the way.
Finally, just another way that local governments are trying to squeeze more money out of you. State regulators in California want to tax your texts. There is a vote scheduled for next month about charging a fee for text messages on mobile phones to help support programs that make phone service accessible to the poor. John Woolfolk, reporter for the Bay Area Newsgroup, joins us to talk about taxing your texts.
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Today is all about the triple B’s. Border Drama, Biker gangs, and Baby Boomers. First, the President had a contentious meeting with Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer over averting a government shutdown. The central issue was funding the border wall. There was shouting and snarky remarks by all involved, but ended with the President saying he would be proud to shut the government down over the wall. Marissa Fernandez, reporter for Axios joins us for the fight and where progress on the wall is right now.
Next, could the survival of the notorious biker gang, The Mongols, hinge on a trademark? The feds are hoping so. It’s an interesting tactic, take away their signature insignia and logo, and you strip them of their identity. They are in court now facing an array of racketeering charges. Joel Rubin, reporter for the LA Times, joins us to discuss how the feds are trying to take down the Mongols.
Finally, Baby Boomers, more than ever, are aging alone and the resulting loneliness could be a public health threat. Researchers have found that loneliness can take a physical toll on a person resulting in many different health concerns. Janet Adamy, News Editor for the WSJ, joins us to discuss a generation of Americans entering old age and being the least prepared for it.
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It might just be the Washington job that no one wants… but there is an opening for White House Chief of Staff. The President announced over the weekend that John Kelly would be leaving at the end of the year, and then next person in line, Nick Ayers, doesn’t want the job, not wanting to serve two years in the post. Daniel Lippman, reporter for Politico, joins us for who might be in line next for this important post.
Next, it’s Google’s turn to get the Facebook treatment. After months of dodging requests to testify on Capitol Hill, Google CEO Sundar Pichai will be taking the hot seat today. The House Judiciary committee has signaled that it will not take it easy on Pichai and will be questioning him on privacy, how it handles user’s data, anti- conservative bias, and plans to bring Google back to China. David, McCabe, technology reporter for Axios, joins us for what to expect.
Finally, imagine the next time you are on vacation… you look around and realize that all the other tourists around you are taking the same picture as you. There is a sense of “pics or it didn’t happen.” You’ve seen other people pictures on social media and decide, I want to go to that same exact place. Laura Mallonee, writer for Wired, joins us to help answer the question, why we all take the same travel photos.
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It truly has become the midterm elections that never end. The race for the 9th district in North Carolina has been called into doubt over claims of electoral fraud. The North Carolina Board of Elections has decided not to certify the results of the election which has Republican Mark Harris in the lead with just over 900 votes. Ginger Gibson, political reporter for Reuters, joins us to explain the controversy and if a new election might be needed.
Next, the future of lie detection may be here and it is focused on your eyes. A new technology is aiming to get rid of the standard polygraph test and poses itself as a more accurate, cheaper, and faster alternative. Mark Harris, journalist with Wired, joins us to talk about EyeDetect, how it works and where it is already being used.
Finally, get ready for one of the worst gifts for the season, divorce for the holidays. Starting on January 1, new tax rules will go into place that will affect alimony payments and how they are taxed, which is causing a rush on getting your divorce finalized before the New Year. David McKay Wilson, reporter for LoHud.com, joins us for what to know about the new tax law and why you may want to address your divorce sooner rather than later.
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Welcome to the Daily Dive: WEEKEND EDITION. This is a compilation of the most compelling stories of the week
Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Welcome to the Daily Dive: WEEKEND EDITION. This is a compilation of the most compelling stories of the week
Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
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The future is here… and robot cars are now officially a real business. Google offshoot Waymo has launched their commercial ride hailing service in Arizona and just like Uber or Lyft, you order your ride with an app, but the car will be doing all the driving. The cars still have someone behind the wheel and is not available to everyone just yet, but it soon will be. Russ Mitchell with the LA Times, joins us to talk about robots on the road.
Next, in a story that has gotten national attention, a high school newspaper in a football town in Arkansas published an investigation into five football players’ transfers to a rival school. What happened next is what made headlines, the school district made the students take down their article and would not allow them to post again without approval because it was causing a disruption. Amber Jamieson, Buzzfeed News reporter joins us to discuss this journalistic controversy.
Finally, more movement in Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation. He is recommending no prison time for former Trump National Security Advisor Michael Flynn. Flynn was such a great help to the investigation, no jail time was necessary. Lauren Meier, reporter at Axios, joins us for the biggest takeaways from Mueller’s sentencing memo.
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There is a growing trend of people using a feature on the iPhone called AirDrop to send lewd pictures to unsuspecting strangers and its being called “cyber flashing.” It has become such a problem, that a bill was introduced last week by two members of the New York City Council that would punish people who send harassing and explicit photos with up to a year in jail or a $1000 fine. Issie Lapowsky, senior writer for Wired, joins us to discuss the AirDrop problem and how this law would even work.
Next, CIA Director Gina Haspel has briefed Senators on their assessment that Saudia Arabia’s Crown Prince ordered and monitored the killing of journalist Jamaal Khashoggi, and they were not happy. Sen. Bob Corker said that if the crown prince was in front of a jury, he would be convicted in about 30 minutes. Gregg Hellman, defense reporter for Politico, joins us to discuss how we know the crown prince probably ordered the hit.
Finally, microblogging site Tumblr has decided that it will delete all adult content from its platform and it has caused an uproar with the users who flocked to the site for its art positive and sex positive platform. This comes at a time when Tumblr has been removed from the Apple App store for some child pornography found on the service. My producer Miranda joins us for why some are saying this may be the end for Tumblr.
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90 days… President Trump and President Xi JinPing have agreed to a temporary freeze to the ongoing trade war after a meeting at the G20 summit over the weekend. The US will not increase tariffs that were set to begin January 1 and China has agreed to buy up agricultural, energy, and industrial products from the US. Sabrina Rodriguez, trade reporter for Politico, joins us for how this sets up some intense negotiations and some gains in the stock market.
Next, it has happened again in the NFL, a player got caught abusing a woman, but nothing happened until after TMZ released video of the incident. Kareem Hunt, running back for the Kansas City Chiefs, has apologized for his actions and has been cut from the team, but now serious questions have been raised about the investigation that the NFL has done in this case. Dan Beyer, Managing Editor for Fox Sports Radio, joins us to break down the latest NFL controversy.
Finally, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, December and January are the two most common months for companies to lay off workers. General Motors just announced that it will lay off workers and close some plants early next year. So what do you do if you get this bad news? My producer Miranda joins us for some warning signs to look out for and a huge tip… don’t use that credit card!
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George Herbert Walker Bush, 41st President of the United States passed away over the weekend, he was 94. He lived an extraordinary life, aviator in WWII, member of Congress, United Nations Ambassador, director of the CIA, VP, and President. He is remembered as a great statesman and as a man of great decency and kindness. Ginger Gibson, Political reporter for Reuters, joins us to talk about his presidency and his final days.
Next, the average life expectancy for people in the US peaked in 2014 and has been dropping ever since. The average baby born in the US in 2017 is expected to live 78.6 years… a slight drop from 78.7 years. While that drop may not seem significant it is important to look at what is contributing to the decline. Dan Vergano, Science reporter for Buzzfeed news, joins us for what is driving the numbers, increased rates of suicide and drug overdoses from opioids.
Finally, US government scientists will be testing an experimental birth control method for men. It’s not a pill or new condom, it is a gel that is applied to the back and shoulders. The gel is made to halt the production of sperm while maintaining the energy and libido benefits of testosterone. Michelle Fay Cortez, healthcare reporter for Bloomberg news, joins us to talk about the new male birth control.
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Welcome to the Daily Dive: WEEKEND EDITION. This is a compilation of the most compelling stories of the week
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Welcome to the Daily Dive: WEEKEND EDITION. This is a compilation of the most compelling stories of the week
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More movement in the ongoing probe by Special Counsel Robert Mueller. This time, President Trump’s former attorney and “fixer” Michael Cohen came forward and plead guilty to lying to the Senate Intelligence Committee about building a Trump Tower in Moscow. Previously Cohen said that any possible deal ended in January 2016, but that was a lie and things continued into the presidential campaign. Kyle Cheney, Congressional reporter for Politico, joins us for more on this and why Cohen said he lied… loyalty to the President.
Next, a new government climate report that came out on Black Friday has some bad news for the country, there could be thousands killed and hundreds of billions of dollars in annual losses to some economic sectors if things don’t change. President Trump said that he doesn’t believe the report. Andrew Freedman, Science editor at Axios, joins us for what is in the new report.
Finally, who are the highest paid TV hosts for 2018? Some of the names on the list might not surprise you, but the top earner this year is the first time this person has topped this list and it is all thanks to a very savvy business move. Judge Judy Sheindlin raked in $147 Million dollars last year. My producer Miranda joins us for how Judge Judy is making all her money.
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We are learning more about a man named Sam Little who could be one of the deadliest serial killers ever. Currently in prison for three murders, he is now claiming that he has killed at least 90 across the US. Authorities have already corroborated his involvement in 36 of those cases and expect more to be confirmed. Little was constantly on the move and targeted women who were prostitutes and drug addicts and usually strangled his victims. These factors helped contribute to why he evaded capture for so long. James Queally, reporter for the LA Times joins us for more on this serial killer and how police are trying to connect all the dots.
Next, as conditions worsen in Tijuana and at the border, some caravan migrants are giving up on seeking asylum in the US. Some have decided to stay in Mexico and find work there, others are heading back home. The backlog is so severe, that it could take months before migrants are called on to submit their petitions for asylum. Alicia Caldwell, immigration reporter for the WSJ, joins us to talk about how some migrant turning back and how much longer we can expect this all to last.
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The plot thickens in the ongoing Russia probe by special counsel Robert Mueller. First, Mueller accused Paul Manafort of lying to the FBI after he made a plea deal. Then a report out of the Guardian newspaper said that Manafort held secret talks with Julian Assange in the Ecuadorian embassy before WikiLeaks published a stash of Democratic emails stolen by Russian intelligence officers. Shannon Vavra, reporter for Axios, joins us for that latest bad news for Paul Manafort.
Next, The CDC says it is ok to start eating romaine lettuce again, as long as it is not from the central and northern coastal growing regions of California. So far, 43 people in 12 states have gotten sick from E.coli contaminated romaine lettuce. Theresa Tamkins, health editor for Buzzfeed News, joins us for the latest from the CDC and why contaminated water is often the source of all the problems.
Finally, after things have settled down with the California wildfires, a light is shining on the little known business of private firefighters. Some have hired private crews to protect their houses, but the majority of private fire crews work on behalf of insurance companies. Hannah Fry, reporter for the LA Times, joins us to talk about the business of private firefighters and how getting a new homeowner’s insurance policy could get you their services.
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Big science news surfaced on Monday when a Chinese researcher claimed that he helped make the world’s first genetically edited babies. Twins girls, born this month, named Lulu and Nana, had their DNA altered to have the ability to resist possible future infection with HIV. Brianna Sacks, Buzzfeed News reporter, joins us for these claims and also the backlash, many say that this is human experimentation and not ethically or morally defensible.
Next, big space news also made headlines as NASA’s Mars InSight lander successfully touched down on the red planet. The first robot to successfully land on Mars since NASA’s curiosity rover touched down in 2012, InSight is on a mission to investigate the planet’s interior for clues on how rocky planets, including Earth formed 4 billion years ago. Andrew Freedman, Science editor at Axios, joins us for the big news and why it matters.
Finally, big economic news as General Motors will cut up to 14,000 workers in North America and put five plants up for possible closure as it will abandon many of its car models and restructure the company to focus more on autonomous and electric vehicles. Daniel Lippman, co-author of the Politico Playbook, joins us to discuss the impact of these cutback and how President Trump has responded.
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The migrant caravan continues to be a thorn in the president’s side who is doing everything he can to deter migrants from seeking asylum in the United States. Over the weekend there were reports that an agreement with Mexico’s incoming government had been reached to keep migrants in Mexico while their claims were processed, but a deal has not been finalized. Ginger Gibson, political reporter for Reuters joins us for more on this, cutting the deficit, and what the Mueller report will hold for the president.
Next, there is a pricey war going on to influence your social media feed. We all know about social media influencers hawking products to their followers on Instagram and Youtube, but this has grown into a huge business where brands shell out $60,000 in exchange for one video review or upwards of $85,000 for an influencer to publicly disparage a competitors product. Paris Martineau, reporter for Wired, joins us to from more on how influencers can make or break a brand and all the money and shady practices behind it.
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Welcome to the Daily Dive: WEEKEND EDITION. This is a compilation of the most compelling stories of the week
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Welcome to the Daily Dive: WEEKEND EDITION. This is a compilation of the most compelling stories of the week
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Parents be on alert! This is the first holiday shopping season without Toy R Us and you need to start shopping earlier or risk losing out on the hottest toys of the season. Other stores like Target and Walmart are trying to pick up the slack with expanded toy sections for the holidays, but it might not be enough. My producer Miranda joins for how retailers are trying to pick up business from their dying rivals.
Next, with the announcement of Amazon’s new HQ2 and HQ3 locations, an increasing practice that tech giants employ when making land grabs is coming to light… local government officials often sign non-disclosure agreements while negotiating terms, and it could be hurting the cities they settle on. Caroline O’Donovan, Buzzfeed News Reporter, joins us for how NDA’s keep the public in the dark.
Finally, immediately after the midterms passed, many started turning their attention to 2020. But before donors start bundling their money and backing candidates… everyone wants to know if Beto O’Rourke will be running for president. David Siders, National political correspondent for Politico, joins us to discuss if the progressive star will throw his hat in the ring.
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Thanksgiving is here and it’s time for family and food! My producer Miranda joins us to talk about the most expensive Thanksgiving dinner in America costing $150,000. We will also talk about all the meal essentials, canned cranberry sauce or not? Dressing or stuffing? We will also tell you the perfect time to eat Thanksgiving dinner.
Next, after the meal it’s time to start thinking about shopping. Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday are all this weekend. Shop the smart way… do your research and let your phone do all the work. Did you know that there are some apps that help you get cash back for doing the shopping you are already going to do anyway? Marc Saltzman, Tech columnist for USA Today, joins us for a list of apps that can sniff out great deals.
Finally, some more shopping tips. Jenifer Jolly, consumer tech journalist and founder of techish.com, joins us with a list of some of the top gadgets available this year. The big thing… video calling screens that follow you while you talk. This is what landlines will be in the very near future. There’s also a new smart mirror that tracks your skincare goals.
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President Trump issued a statement on Tuesday saying that the US will stand by Saudi Arabia regardless of whether Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ordered the murder of journalist Jamaal Khashoggi. The Saudi’s are central to Trump’s Middle East strategy and does not want to lose a huge weapons deal that amounts to billions of dollars. Dave Lawler, Axios World Editor, joins us for more on why Trump is sticking with MBS.
Next, it’s a high stakes game for the control of sports betting dollars. Back in May, the Supreme Court cleared the way for states to legalize sports betting and now legislatures all over the country are starting to work out the specifics. The next fight is whether college and professional leagues will get a piece of the action. Dan Primack, Business Editor at Axios, joins us with a view from three different sources… NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, Las Vegas, and Draftkings.
Finally, the president pardoned two turkeys named Peas and Carrots, although Peas was declared the overall winner. The contest starts out with 50 top tier turkeys and gets whittled down to the top two. But what happens after the contest? The other 48 get turned into deli meat, Peas and Carrots get to go to Virginia Tech’s “Gobblers Rest.” My producer Miranda joins more for a little history and the process behind the Presidential Turkey Pardon.
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Thanksgiving and the Holidays are upon us and that means that some of the best and worst things for people are also here… seeing all your family. It can be difficult getting together with a lot of people and managing all the conversations and expectations. My producer Miranda joins us for a few tips on how to avoid or at least minimize family drama. Sometimes it’s fun to enjoy the drama, but sometimes you also have to just hug it out.
Next, hundreds of residents in Tijuana, Mexico turned out to protest the arrival of the migrant caravan of Central Americans making their way through to the US to seek asylum. The message is similar to what President Trump is saying, we do not have enough resources to support you while you wait for months to be processed. Alicia Caldwell, immigration reporter for the WSJ, joins us to discuss the icy reception in Tijuana and what’s next.
Finally, we are still going through the tightest job market in decades and as companies are on a hiring spree for the holidays, many people are getting hired sight unseen, just after a simple phone interview. Companies are providing candidates with a fast and easy process trying to get them before someone else snatches them up. Chip Cutter, reporter for the WSJ, joins us to talk about the easy way to get a job, just pick up the phone.
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The President weighed in on some of the biggest stories driving the news over the weekend in an interview with Fox News. Trump addressed whether he thought the Saudi Crown Prince played a role in the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, saying “will anybody really know?” He also was hesitant to confirm there were any more staff shakeups coming soon. Ginger Gibson, political reporter for Reuters, joins us to discuss that and the some of the last House and Senate races that were decided over the weekend.
Next, if you drive in Los Angeles, just be aware that the LAPD and Palantir are watching you. Being used by stations across the country, police have increasingly turned to using Automatic License Plate Reader systems as a tool to help track down bad guys. Privacy groups warn that officers could be using it as a “surveillance tool” possibly targeting people who aren’t involved in criminal activity. Mark Harris, writer at Wired, joins us for more on how police are using this tool.
Finally, a case that started off as a feel good story has now turned into a fraud case, we find out that a New Jersey couple who started a GoFundMe page for a homeless veteran and raised over $400,000 was all a scam. They were all in on it, and if they hadn’t let greed overtake them and fought about the money, they might have gotten away with it. My producer Miranda joins us for the GoFundMe Paying it Forward scam.
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Welcome to the Daily Dive: WEEKEND EDITION. This is a compilation of the most compelling stories of the week
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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Welcome to the Daily Dive: WEEKEND EDITION. This is a compilation of the most compelling stories of the week
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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Stopping short of a complete ban on flavored e-cigarettes, the Food and Drug Administration proposed a range of new rules to help limit the exposure of e-cigs to young people. The FDA will allow stores to still sell the products, but they must be in closed off areas inaccessible to minors. They also proposed banning menthol in cigarettes and flavored cigars. Bob Herman, healthcare reporter for Axios, joins us for details on the FDA’s plans.
Next, the Florida recount is under way but is not without its problems and lawsuits. A manual hand recount has been order in the Senate race between Bill Nelson and Rick Scott where about 12,600 votes separate them. Other voters get more time to resolve issues with their signatures and get their ballots counted. Matt Dixon, Florida Bureau Chief for Politico, joins us for more on the midterm elections that never end.
Finally, an update on the California wildfires. Containment has increased but so has the death toll and many are still missing. But as firefighters continue to bravely get things under control, we find out that authorities in the town of Paradise only issued limited evacuation alerts leaving many at the mercy of the fast moving fire. My producer Miranda joins me for that and also what is next, tracking down the cause of the fire.
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Check out this scenario… Two people call customer service at the same time to complain about the same thing. One person gets connected to a rep in a few seconds, the other has to wait on hold for a long time. What’s up with that? My producer Miranda joins us to talk about your customer lifetime value, a number many companies use to determine how much you’re worth for the long term and how nice they’ll treat you.
Next, there is a chemical derived from a cactus-like plant in Morocco that is so hot, it destroys nerve fibers, but in a good way. The substance known as RTX has emerged as a promising new painkiller. It destroys certain nerve fibers that signal pain, and could be a new tool to help free us from the grasp of opioids. Matt Simon, Science journalist at Wired, joins us for the potential new painkiller.
Finally, scientists have discovered a “Super Earth,” a planet that is much bigger and colder than ours, orbiting around a nearby star. How big? Three times the mass of Earth. How Cold? Over 230 degrees below zero. Doyle Rice, Science reporter at USA Today joins us for what to know about this “Super Earth.”
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Amazon has finally announced the big winners in its search for homes for its second and third headquarters. Long Island City in NY and Crystal City in the Northern Virginia area of DC. Each site will split $5 billion in investment from Amazon and each have more than 25,000 employees. The consolation prize goes to Nashville, Tennessee, where Amazon will open a new operations center with more than 5,000 jobs. My producer Miranda joins us for all the details and tax incentives.
Next, Democrats have flipped a Senate seat, this time in Arizona, where Rep. Kyrsten Sinema defeated Rep. Martha McSally. This victory guarantees that Democrats will hold at least 47 seats. Zach Montelarro, campaign reporter for Politico, joins us to discuss the strategy that won Sinema the seat, and what the win means for the Democrats who have not had a win there since 1976.
Finally, some shakeups coming to the White House where Deputy National Security Advisor Mira Ricardel has been fired, and rumors of Chief of Staff John Kelly and DHS secretary Kirstjen Nielson on the chopping block next. One person we know is out… is CNN’s Jim Acosta who had his press pass taken away by the Secret Service. CNN in now suing to get him back in. Haley Britzky, reporter for Axios joins us for the continued fight between the White House and CNN.
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Opening statements in the trial of notorious Sinaloa drug cartel kingpin, Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman start today. A 17 count indictment, which spans nearly three decades of alleged criminal activity, accuses him of building a multi-billion dollar international narcotics empire through murder and violence. Nicole Hong, reporter for the WSJ, joins us to preview the logistical nightmare in transporting El Chapo to court… closing down the Brooklyn Bridge, armored car transport flanked by police, and snipers on rooftops.
Next, some updates on the fires burning throughout California. There are new reports of more deaths more people still missing. But as much as this is a story of family evacuations, firefighters, and loss, this is also a big weather story. Dry conditions and winds continue to worry firefighters, but this is also the new normal. Andrew Freedman, science editor at Axios, joins us to talk about climate change, population growth, and other trends making fire season run year round in California and extreme fire behavior more common.
Finally, comic book legend Stan Lee has passed away, he was 95. The genius that created superheroes like Spiderman, X-Men, Iron Man, Captain America and more captured the hearts and minds of people all over the world who saw themselves in the flawed, but heroic characters he created. Tawala Sharp, co-host of the Nerd-O-Rama podcast, joins us to remember Stan Lee and talk about how his work impacted comics and popular culture.
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Three devastating wildfires are raging all over California causing over a quarter of a million people who were in harm’s way to evacuate. At least 25 deaths have been reported and over a hundred in northern California are still missing. My producer Miranda joins me to recap what has happened so far and what is coming next. A town called Paradise has been almost completely destroyed, and winds are picking up in Southern California that could cause more problems for firefighters.
Next, Ginger Gibson, political reporter for Reuters joins us for our weekly look at the political world. President Trump was in France over the weekend where his “America First” nationalism was repudiated by Emmanuel Macron, saying nationalism is a betrayal of patriotism. We will also look at what is going on in Florida as recounts are being done for the Governor and Senate races.
Finally, Uber has a secret restaurant empire that you may never have known about. Uber Eats, the food delivery service is working with over 1,600 virtual restaurants around the world which only exists on their platform. You can’t go eat at these restaurants, but you can order delivery from them. Kate Krader, food editor at Bloomberg News, joins us for a look at how Uber data is fueling the spread of new restaurants and food delivery.
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Welcome to the Daily Dive: WEEKEND EDITION. This is a compilation of the most compelling stories of the week
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Welcome to the Daily Dive: WEEKEND EDITION. This is a compilation of the most compelling stories of the week
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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Tragedy again strikes the country as another mass killing has occurred. 28 year old Marine veteran Ian David Long entered the Borderline Bar and Grill in Thousand Oaks California during a College Country night and killed 12 people before turning the gun on himself. Long’s motives remain unclear but neighbors say he was known to suffer from PTSD. Kris Ankarlo, reporter for one of our iHeart radio stations in Los Angeles, was on the scene and spoke to us about how the night unfolded.
Next, my producer Miranda joins us for more on the background of the shooter. He was in the Marines from 2008 to 2013 and was honorably discharged, although he was not without his problems getting caught shoplifting. Long used a Glock 21 .45 caliber handgun he bought legally but used an extended magazine which is illegal in California. Thousand Oaks, the city where the shooting occurred, was declared the third safest city in the US before this.
Finally, we can’t tell this story completely without telling the story of the victims. Twelve people were killed and 22 others were injured. Among the dead was Ventura County Sheriff’s Sgt. Ron Helus. He is being praised as a hero after being one of the first on the scene and going in to the Borderline Bar and Grill to engage the shooter. He was shot multiple times and died later. We will tell you about him and some of the other victims.
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Attorney General Jeff Session has been fired from his post at the Justice Department. One day after the midterm elections, Sessions resigned at the request of the President. His chief of staff, Matthew Whitaker, will be acting Attorney General until a permanent replacement can be found. Ginger Gibson, political reporter for Reuters joins us to discuss what this firing means and how it could impact the Mueller investigation.
Next, we continue our conversation with Ginger about all the fallout from the elections. Big picture… how does the dynamic change now that Democrats control the House? Get ready for a lot of investigations. Also, women made huge gains and historic firsts by being elected to office all around the country, Ginger will run down the list. And we will also get into the President Trump’s combative press conference with the media… It was classic Trump and classic Jim Acosta.
Finally, money is pouring in to a GoFundMe campaign for a teacher was was caught on video punching a student. Marston Riley, a music teacher, can be seen punching a student after the student threw a basketball at him and used racial slurs. There are many that say the teacher handled it poorly, but there are also those supporting him donating over $145,000. My producer Miranda joins us for all the details on this brawl.
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Record turnout of voters for a midterm election as Republicans maintain control of the Senate and Democrats take over in the House of Representatives. Top issues on voter's minds were healthcare, immigration, the economy, and the Trump effect, people voting in opposition and support of the President. Stef Kight, reporter for Axios joins us for how the dynamic changes between the White House and Congress.
Next, Operation Faithful Patriot is under way and US troops have arrived at the border to support Border Patrol and DHS. So far they are laying razor wire on fences at bridges and erecting wire fences along the river edge in Texas. Alicia Caldwell, immigration reporter for the WSJ, joins us to talk about what troops are doing at the border and how much estimates say it might cost for the full deployment.
Finally, Harvard researchers caused a stir when they said the first interstellar object observed in our solar system called Oumuamua, could possibly be an alien spacecraft. Oumuamua is such a curious object because it is not easily classified as an asteroid or comet, but it also picked up speed once it entered our solar system. Andrew Freedman, science editor at Axios, joins us for more on this and why it is almost certainly not an alien probe.
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As people head to the polls to vote on new members for the House and Senate, many are also voting on various statewide ballot initiatives. Two states in particular are being watched closely, Oregon and Washington. There people will decide whether or not to increase taxes on soda and sugary drinks. What most people don’t know is that Coca Cola, Pepsi Co, and other American beverage companies are largely financing the initiatives and they are being pitched as a tax on affordable groceries. Helena Bottemiller Evich, food and agriculture reporter for Politico joins me for the new tactic in fighting soda taxes, sweeping statewide ballot measures.
Next, as the migrant caravan continues to make its way to the United States, a new focus is being put on the countries they are coming from. Many migrants are fleeing poverty and violence in their home countries, but what exactly is going on there? There is a new breed of gang taking over there, ones that are preying on their own neighborhoods. Gangs like MS-13 and Barrio 18 are extorting local neighborhoods with protection schemes, gone are the days of the cartel and the kingpin. Robbie Whelan, correspondent for the WSJ, joins us to talk about how gangs have taken over El Salvador so much, that they could be the largest employers they hiring as many as 60,000 people.
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The midterm elections are finally here and everyone is casting their ballots tomorrow. After two years with practically no political power, Democrats have a strong chance of winning control of the House and Republicans seem likely to keep control of the Senate. Will the president’s messaging win out, or will it be a blue wave changing the dynamic? Ginger Gibson, political reporter for Reuters, joins us for a midterm preview… what are the issues, how much money is being spent, and races to watch out for.
Next, man’s best friend never ceases to amaze and it’s all about that nose. We know that dogs can be trained to sniff out bombs and drugs, but they are also being trained to sniff out diseases. Researchers just presented the latest results of a study where dogs were able to correctly pick out the scent of children infected with Malaria. Megan Molteni, writer at Wired, joins us to talk about Medical detection dogs, trained to pick up the scent of Malaria and other diseases like prostate cancer, diabetes, Parkinson’s and more.
Finally, Sam’s club is going the way of Amazon Go and opening a store that is ditching cashiers. Dallas will soon be the home of the first Sam’s club store where customers can scan and pay for items with an app, eliminating cashiers and standing in the checkout line. Companies are trying to improve the customer experience and are taking notice of Amazon’s approach. Lauren Thomas, retail reporter for CNBC, joins us for details of the new store and if this is the future of shopping.
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Welcome to the Daily Dive: WEEKEND EDITION. This is a compilation of the best stories of the week
Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Welcome to the Daily Dive: WEEKEND EDITION. This is a compilation of the most compelling stories of the week
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President Trump is keeping immigration in the conversation ahead of the midterm elections and he is focusing on the migrant caravan headed toward the states. Calling it an invasion and a crisis at the southern border, the president is planning on issuing a comprehensive executive order on immigration possibly next week to change how asylum claims are handled. Daniel Lippman, reporter for Politico, joins us for the latest remarks.
Next, a great story about how spies are recruited and what they are spying on. The Trump administration is ramping up its efforts to target China over economic espionage and the stealing of intellectual property. Chinese backed firms and other actors have recently been accused of stealing trade secrets from Micron, a maker of memory chips and details for a type of jet engine technology from US-based companies. The theft of intellectual property by China could add up to billions every year. Garrett Graff, contributing editor at Wired, joins us for more on the theft of intellectual property and the way China is recruiting spies in the US.
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We are five days away from the midterm elections! Finally! It seems like we are on our way to split control of Congress and the Senate. The GOP is set to retain the Senate and Democrats might flip control of the House. But, hey… you never know. Shannon Vavra, reporter for Axios, joins us to talk about the midterms, it’s all about voter turnout and the president is on a blitz of rallies.
Next, that Big Mac and Coke now comes with a side of inflation. US companies are raising prices on everything from plane tickets to paint, to your favorite fast food. They are passing on higher costs for fuel, metal, and labor costs after years of low inflation. Annie Gasparro, food reporter for the WSJ, joins us to talk about why prices are going up and why you might not mind it, or even notice.
Finally, a gruesome end to notorious Boston crime boss and snitch, Whitey Bulger. Within hours of being moved to a high security federal prison in West Virginia, he was killed… beaten to death and his eyes gouged out. Reports say he was beaten so badly, he was unrecognizable. The top suspect in his prison killing, another mafia hit man. My producer Miranda joins us for all the gory details.
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President Trump is planning to sign an executive order that would remove the birthright citizenship for some US-born babies. His order would be aimed at babies born to non-citizens and unauthorized immigrants, and almost certainly sets up a standoff with the courts and a constitutional debate over the 14th amendment, as many legal scholars say that it is not within the powers of the president to take this action. However there are those that say it is possible. Stef Kight, immigration reporter for Axios, joins us to discuss the President’s plans.
Next, just in time for Halloween… how do you get rid of that haunted house? Selling your house may pose some interesting challenges if it is occupied by ghosts or if a death has occurred in there. According to a new survey, 49% of people said that under no circumstances, would they buy a haunted house. Jeff Andrews, data reporter for Curbed.com, joins us for some spooky stories about houses and how realtors sell these stigmatized houses.
Finally, be careful out there when partying and trick or treating. Halloween can be a scary night to be a pedestrian. A new study has found that 43% more pedestrians die on Halloween night than on other autumn nights. It’s darker and spookier and more people are out and about on Halloween so be careful when getting around watch out for people darting across the street. Rachel Becker, reporter for the Verge, joins us for the concerning numbers.
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This last week proved that there is still plenty of hate in America and also that there continues to be a place for it on social media. Many social media platforms have become amplifiers of hate speech and in many cases, tech companies have shown that they don’t have a handle on this. With the case of the Pittsburgh Synagogue shooter, little known Gab.com has come into the spotlight. Ina Fried, Chief Technology Correspondent for Axios, joins us to talk about the role of social media in recent violent events.
Next, the U.S. Military is planning to deploy over 5,000 troops to the southern border in a mission called Operation Faithful Patriot. As news of a migrant caravan headed toward the U.S. continues, the president is calling it an invasion that will be met by the military. Alicia Caldwell, Immigration Reporter for the WSJ, joins us for the details of the deployment and the backlog of asylum cases in the U.S.
Finally, a woman is locked in a legal battle with her ex-husband over the fate of her frozen embryos. In this particular case, it sparked the creation of an Arizona law that sides with the party willing to carry the embryos to term. Critics say it could create a legal precedent defining embryos as “life” in order to chip away at abortion rights. Azeen Ghorayshi, Science Reporter at Buzzfeed News, joins us for this story which is one of the subjects of a new Netflix special called “Follow This.”
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Another tragedy strikes the country as the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh was attacked Saturday by a man who had been posting anti-Semitic statements on social media as recently as five minutes before he attacked. In all, 11 people are dead ranging from ages 54-97, several others including officers were injured. Megan Guza, reporter for the Pittsburgh Tribune Review, joins us for more details and community reaction.
Next, after a week of being on edge with several pipe bombs traveling through the postal system targeting prominent Democrats, federal authorities arrested Cesar Sayoc as the pipe bomb suspect. A fervent supporter of President Trump, the FBI was able to track him down because of a fingerprint on one of the packages and DNA on two of the pipe bombs. Ginger Gibson, political reporter for Reuters, joins us for what to expect in the case against Cesar Sayoc.
Finally, a big shift in credit score calculations is coming in early 2019. Get ready for the Ultra FICO score. Millions of Americans could see a possible 20 point boost in their credit scores. Some of the new factors that will be considered will be how consumers manage the cash in their checking accounts and savings. This is all an effort to boost the number of approvals for credit cards and personal loans. My producer Miranda joins us for the details on how you can increase your Ultra FICO score.
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Welcome to the Daily Dive: WEEKEND EDITION. This is a compilation of the best stories of the week
Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Welcome to the Daily Dive: WEEKEND EDITION. This is a compilation of the best stories of the week
Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Investigators are plowing through clues and looking for motives in the latest pipe bomb scare that has targeted prominent Democrats and critics of the president. Officials warn that more bombs may be found and are still trying to determine if they were capable of detonating. Lauren Meier, reporter for Axios, joins us to discuss the latest details and where investigators think they may have originated from… Florida.
Next, Disney World has a big secret they don’t want you to know about, it is a favorite spot for people to scatter family ashes. Disney fans say treating the park as a final resting place is the ultimate tribute and some say it could happen at least once a month! Erich Schwartzel, reporter for the WSJ, joins us for details on how people sneak in the ashes and what the most popular ride to spread them is. Hint: it’s the spookiest ride in the park.
Finally, it seems that Megyn Kelly’s time at NBC is over. After doing a segment about offensive Halloween costumes on her show, she defended wearing blackface as not racist, saying that when she was a kid, it was okay as long as you were dressing up like a character. The backlash was quick and she apologized. My producer Miranda joins me for what happens next, the fight over millions in her contract.
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Suspicious packages reportedly containing functioning explosive devices were sent to a group of prominent Democrats including former Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, Eric Holder, George Soros and John Brennan at the CNN building in NY. The packages seemed to be pipe bombs and officers said they looked like if they similarly constructed. Daniel Lippman, co-author of the Politico Playbook, joins us for all the details.
Next, all the mail bombs that were sent out luckily never made it to their intended targets and were intercepted before they could harm anyone. But how does the mail screening for the Secret Service and the US Postal Service work? My producer Miranda joins us for some of the standard procedures that mail rooms and security companies go through to sniff out potential explosives and even biological threats.
Finally, as the midterm elections get closer, you may have noticed a new way campaigns are reaching out to you. The most popular way isn’t on social media or on TV anymore, it’s flooding your cellphone with personalized text messages. Campaigns are manually sending text messages to voters one at a time and are skirting regulations with this Peer 2 Peer messages. David McCabe, tech reporter at Axios, joins us to for why this is the new way to target voters… you open it 90% of the time and usually read it within 5 minutes.
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International furor continues as new details emerge in the killing of Jamal Khashoggi. Turkish President Erdogan accused a Saudi Team of a savage and premeditated murder saying that a team landed in Istanbul ahead of Khashoggi to to background work and prepare to intercept him. There were also reports of a body double who exited the rear of the consulate wearing Khashoggi’s clothes. Greg Hellman, defense reporter for Politico, joins us for more, including reports that some body parts have been found.
Next, one of the transportation visionaries of our time is at it again as Elon Musk has announced that a test tunnel that will whisk cars underground at speeds of 130 mph will open in December in Los Angeles. His company has been at work quietly drilling a tunnel under the city of Hawthorne, CA and tests could be coming soon. Laura Nelson, transportation reporter for the LA Times joins us for what the project is about and is Musk can deliver on his ambitious plan.
Finally, hostels are back in a new and trendy way, but don’t call them hostels. The hospitality industry is putting a new focus on youth travelers with smaller private rooms and dorm room settings with bunk beds. Youth travelers account for about a quarter of international travelers and companies are taking notice. My producer Miranda joins us for a breakdown of the new hotel hostel hybrid… focusing on higher end food and drink options with cheap beds.
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The migrant caravan from Central America continues to make its way north on its way to the US/Mexico border. President Trump also continues to express his displeasure and push his immigration policy blaming the caravan on Democrats, calling some of the migrant’s criminals and unknown Middle Easterners, and vowing to cut financial aid to the countries they are fleeing from. Ted Hesson, Immigration Reporter for Politico, joins us to discuss the caravan and its impact just before the midterm elections.
Next, the health and wellness industry is booming, but the problem is, we are still fatter than ever. Despite promises made by gyms, fitness programs, and fad foods, Americans diets are still terrible. Stef Kight, demographics reporter for Axios, joins us to talk about how much fast food we eat and how our bodies are living in an environment that really supports obesity.
Finally, that hack that Facebook announced last month, was not done by some nefarious nation-state, rather it was done by spammers looking to make money through deceptive advertising. The problem is, you shouldn’t rest any easier knowing it was spammers. My producer Miranda joins us to talk about how all of your personal data will only increase scams and spamming campaigns and make them more profitable.
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The Saudi foreign minister says that the killing of Jamal Khashoggi was 'tremendous mistake.' The story from Saudi officials is that Khashoggi was strangled after a fistfight, but it still doesn’t explain why he was dismembered. As one Senator said, you don’t bring a bone saw to an accidental fist fight. Ginger Gibson, political reporter for Reuters joins us for how President Trump is reacting to all of this, and we also discuss the migrant caravan headed toward the US, now said to have more than 5,000 people marching.
Next, we get a little Black Mirror on you. As Google has announced that its phone calling AI assistant Duplex, is headed to some phones before the end of the year. Emily Dreyfus, senior writer at WIRED, joins us for a look into how AI is changing the way offload everyday tasks to technology and interact with other people. We also reminisce about the good ol' day of AOL instant messenger when you only had to worry about creeps on the other side of the chat, now we have to worry about bots too.
Finally, Lotto fever continues to grip the country. Nobody won the Mega Millions or the Powerball over the weekend. This pushes the Megan Millions to a record $1.6 Billion dollars and can only go higher before the next drawing on Tuesday. My producer Miranda joins us for how the people behind Mega Millions changed the odds and tweaked the game to create record setting jackpots!
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Welcome to the Daily Dive: WEEKEND EDITION. This is a compilation of the best stories of the week
Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Welcome to the Daily Dive: WEEKEND EDITION. This is a compilation of the best stories of the week
Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
It looks like we might be in for it again with another migrant caravan headed toward the US. According to reports, more than 3,000 migrants from Honduras have made it into Guatemala and are headed north. It might take several weeks for them to reach the US, but President Trump is already putting pressure on Honduras and Mexico to stop them. Stef Kight, immigration reporter for Axios, joins us for the latest immigration news and what it means for the midterms.
Next, the largest Mega Millions jackpot ever is up for grabs tonight and a large Powerball jackpot is up on Saturday. Good Luck! But what do you do if you actually win? Who do you call first? Experts say the first person you should call is a lawyer. Rodrigo Torrejon, reporter for the Record in New Jersey, joins us for what you should do first after you hit it big to avoid the lottery curse.
Finally, just in time for Halloween, archaeologists have found a vampire burial ground. In it they found the skeleton of a 10 yr old child with a stone stuffed in its mouth. The child died of malaria, but people feared that it would rise from the dead and continue to spread the disease. My producer Miranda joins me to talk about what else they found at this site and more on “deviant burials.”
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We are starting to get gruesome details about what might have happened to Washington Post writer Jamal Khashoggi. According to Turkish officials, audio recordings show that Khashoggi was dead within minutes of stepping into the Saudi Consulate, he had his fingers severed, was beheaded and dismembered. Daniel Lippman, reporter at Politico, joins us for some of the gory details and how President Trump is reacting to the whole situation.
Next, we talk about the awkward etiquette of iPad tipping. As more business are using services such as Square to easily process credit card payments, it is turning tipping into a public ordeal. What if the store clerk only handed you a muffin, when you pay the pre-set tip amounts are set at 18%, 20%, and 25%, what do you do? Give less of a tip, give no tip? Jennifer Levitz, Reporter for the WSJ joins us to talk about how to handling tipping.
Finally, while Halloween is a time for scares and candy, it all comes at a price. This year Americans will spend nearly $9 billion on everything from costumes to candy to decorations. But hidden in that cost is the fact that 31 million Americans will spend $480 million on costumes for their pets! My producer Miranda will joins us for all the scary numbers and top costumes for pets.
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The Department of Health and Human Services has formally rolled out a proposal that would require drug companies to include the list prices of drugs in the their TV ads, similar to the way they disclose side effects. These price disclosure would only have to be made in text and not voice-overs. Sam Baker, healthcare editor for Axios, joins us for all the details and how the Pharma industry plans to fight back.
Next, we all know the big problems that climate changes poses to the earth, but now it’s gone too far! Droughts and heat waves will hurt barley crops, likely doubling the price of beer in the coming decades. Ireland and other European countries would likely see the biggest price increases, but the US could also be affected. Dan Vergano, Science reporter for Buzzfeed News, joins us for what to know about climate change and your beer.
Finally, an influx of thefts have been targeting car owners, more specifically Honda owners. Criminals are increasingly stealing airbags out of late model Hondas and the reselling them to questionable repair shops and unsuspecting online customers. Nathan Bomey, Business reporter for USA Today, joins us for where these thefts are happening and how costly repairs can be.
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The intrigue surrounding the disappearance of Washington Post writer Jamal Khashoggi has deepened as reports say that Saudi officials are preparing a report to acknowledge his death was the result of an interrogation gone wrong, although that may be subject to change. Nahal Toosi, foreign affairs correspondent for Politico, will join us to walk through Khashoggi’s mysterious disappearance and why this has set off a diplomatic feud between Saudi Arabia and Turkey and bipartisan uproar in Congress.
Next, the fight for the future of TV is on and it will be taking the form of more subscription services. While people are increasingly moving away from traditional TV and getting settled in with the likes of Netflix, Amazon, and other subscription services, more companies are looking to distribute more video content through the internet. Sara Fischer, Media Reporter for Axios, joins us to talk about what’s in store for the future of TV and who the major players are.
Finally, as MoviePass continues its spiral down, one of its competitors is stepping up to help theater chains set up their own versions of subscription based film-going experiences. Movie-ticket subscription service Sinemia, is providing the technology for any theater to set up a subscription service and set up their own unique pricing plans for any style of movie showing. Jason Guerrasio, senior entertainment reporter at Business Insider, joins us for more options in the movie subscription game.
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The midterm elections are quickly approaching and the stakes couldn’t be higher. Control of the House and Senate hang in the balance and voters will also be picking the fate of many governorships. Ginger Gibson, political reporter for Reuters, joins us to set up the key issues everyone will be voting on, the economy, judicial appointees, women’s rights and more.
Next, it is Cyber Security Awareness Month, and a new report coming out of the Government Accountability Office has concluded that almost all the weapons that the DOD tested between 2012 and 2017 have “mission critical” cyber vulnerabilities. In one case, a tester was able to guess an admin password on a weapons system in nine seconds. Emily Dreyfuss, Senior Writer for Wired, joins us for what is in the GAO report and a Department of Defense playing catch up to the realities of cyber warfare.
Finally, the trade war continues with China and other countries. Farmers have specifically been targeted and they are not happy. But one sector that is very optimistic that the tariffs could help turn the tide for them are garlic farmers. Courtenay Brown, markets reporter for Axios, joins us to talk about why the trade war with China could help equal out the prices for US garlic farmers.
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Welcome to the Daily Dive: WEEKEND EDITION. This is a compilation of the best stories of the week
Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Welcome to the Daily Dive: WEEKEND EDITION. This is a compilation of the best stories of the week
Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
It was another surreal day in the Trump Administration when rapper Kanye West went to the White House for a meeting with the President. Kanye has been getting a lot of heat recently for his support of the President, but he embraced it in full sporting a MAGA hat and hugging Trump. Kanye went on one of his classic stream of consciousness rants, to which the President simply responded by saying “I’ll tell you what, that was pretty impressive.” Olivia Nuzzi, Washington correspondent for NY Magazine, was in the room and tells us what she saw.
Next, we will continue our conversation with Olivia about another big event she was present for earlier this week. She had a private Oval Office press conference with the President, Mike Pence, John Kelly, Mike Pompeo, and Sarah Huckabee Sanders. The President was set on having Olivia write up a piece showing that there is no chaos in the White House and his relationship with John Kelly is great. It is a great read and a great interview as it is the closest thing to being a fly on the wall most of us will ever get.
Finally, an astronaut from the US and another from Russia had to make a dramatic ballistic re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere after the rocket they were aboard failed. The Soyuz booster suffered an unspecified failure just two minutes after launch. Luckily the two made it back to land safely. Rod Pyle, space historian and author joins us for more on this.
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Hurricane Michael continues to move leaving Florida clobbered and flooded. When Michael hit land, it was a Category 4 storm, making it the strongest storm ever to hit the area, and one of the strongest to hit the US. Andrew Freedman, science editor at Axios and extreme weather expert, joins us for why the storm got turbocharged, and the bigger question, why are we seeing more extreme weather events like this?
Next, we have all heard the crazy stories of emotional support animals on planes. Some of my favorites include mini horses, peacocks, hamsters, and a duck wearing a diaper. Well now, people are flying with squirrels! One passenger had to be kicked off of a Frontier airlines flight after she was told she could not fly with her emotional support squirrel. My producer Miranda joins us for this story and what it takes to gets cleared for an emotional support animal.
Finally, we all want a better credit score, but some experts say that once you hit a certain number, going higher is a waste of time. All you need to do is hit 750 or 760 and you will be getting the best loans and rates. Yoni Blumberg, reporter for CNBC Make It, joins us for why there’s no need to hit that magic number of 850.
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Another shakeup is coming to the Trump administration. Ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, is resigning from her post and will be leaving at the end of the year. Haley is one of the most respected members of the Trump Cabinet and while at times clashed with the President, she was a strong voice at the UN and avid supporter of the president. Greg Hellman, Defense Reporter for Politico, joins us for why she is leaving and who might fill her post.
Next, a new report is shedding light on nursing homes that may be pushing patients into pricey rehab treatments in the final days of their lives. The findings of the study raise some questions about financial motives as for-profit nursing homes were twice as likely to use what are called “ultra-high intensity” therapy than non-profits. Riley Griffin, reporter for Bloomberg News, joins us for what to know about nursing homes trying to cash in.
Finally, October is Cyber Security Awareness Month, and you really need to stop using that free Wi-Fi hotspot… or at least be more careful about it. Using free public Wi-Fi networks can leave you vulnerable to cyber thieves. Marc Saltzman, tech columnist for USA Today, joins us for some tips on how to keep you data safe when using free public hotspots.
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Well, we are in for it again as Hurricane Michael is set for a collision course with the US. After just going through it with Florence, Hurricane Michael is intensifying and could make landfall as a category 3. Andrew Freedman, science editor at Axios and extreme weather expert joins us what to expect from the hurricane and also a gloomy global warming report from the UN that says preventing an extra single degree of heat could make a life-or-death difference in the next few decades.
Next, Google just came clean about a bug in their system that exposed the private data of hundreds of thousands of users of its social network Google +. The problem is they opted not to disclose the issue in part because of fears that regulatory scrutiny and reputation damage. Douglas MacMillan, reporter for the WSJ, joins us to talk about the bug and what data was exposed.
Finally, chances are you’ve probably noticed someone at work come down with something recently. That’s because flu season is upon us and it’s time to get your flu shot. I know many of you might say I didn’t get the shot last year and I never got sick, or I got the shot last year and was sicker than ever before. Caroline Kee - Health Reporter for Buzzfeed news, joins us for why those excuses mean nothing, and you should still get the flu shot before the season gets into full swing.
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We now have a new Supreme Court Justice after a weekend of votes and protests. And while this chapter is now over, the political divide seems greater than ever. Kavanaugh’s first day on the bench will be Tuesday and in a win for President Trump, the Supreme Court now firmly swings to the right. Ginger Gibson, Political Reporter for Reuters, joins us for the latest and what’s next, the midterm elections.
Next, it seems like we get a new 5G announcement every week. The latest being that Verizon recently launched home 5G service in selected areas. People are looking to 5G to usher us into the next era of tech, autonomous vehicles, smart homes, virtual and augmented reality, but the questions is will it live up to the hype and when can we expect it. Kim Hart, Managing editor for Axios, joins us to talk about why we will still be living in a 4G world for a little while longer.
Finally, the economy continues to boom, and you need a job! There’s just one thing you need to be aware of… the robots! Robots powered with Artificial intelligence are reading your resumes and deciding whether you make it to the next level. Jill Cornfield, personal finance writer for CNBC, joins us for tips on knowing how these AI and algorithms work, then tailoring your resumes to your advantage.
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Welcome to the Daily Dive: WEEKEND EDITION. This is a compilation of the best stories of the week.
Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Welcome to the Daily Dive: WEEKEND EDITION. This is a compilation of the best stories of the week.
Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Well it seems that we are on our way to getting a new Supreme Court Justice. The FBI turned in its report on Brett Kavanaugh and Republicans seem more confident that he will be confirmed, while Democrats remain unhappy with the report saying it was not a thorough enough investigation because they didn’t talk to enough witnesses. A procedural vote is set for today and a final vote to confirm Kavanaugh could come this weekend. Daniel Strauss, reporter for Politico, joins us for what we know about the FBI report and the final Senate vote.
Next, it’s October, so that means Halloween is around the corner and to get in the mood we are going to talk about zombies. More specifically ant zombies. Matt Simon, writer for Wired, will tell us about a fungus called Ophiocordyceps, which literally takes over the bodies of ants until it eventually kills them. It is a fascinating story of how the fungus grows in the muscles of the ant, uses it to infiltrate the colony, and forces it to its death, only to rain down more fungal spores on the rest of the colony.
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We all got the alert yesterday on our phones… The Presidential Alert, a test of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. The alert is designed to let the White House inform the entire country of a grave public emergency such as a terrorist attack or invasion. But did you know the long strange history of alert systems in the country. My producer Miranda joins us for some of the past systems some of which included buzzers and pink balloons.
Next, after months of negotiations, a new bill that will transform the music industry is set to become law very soon. The Music Modernization Act is set to update decades old copyright laws to catch up to the world of streaming music we live in now. Sara Fischer, media reporter for Axios, joins us to discuss this rare bill in American politics… everyone seems to like it!
Finally, the food industry is now will be going through some big changes in the coming years as tech innovations are having an impact on what we eat and how food is made. Annie Gasparro, food reporter for the WSJ, joins us for what’s on the horizon… 3D printed chicken nuggets, fake shrimp made of algae, and the ability to grow anything anywhere.
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Nothing left to do but just wait. The FBI is getting its investigation into Brett Kavanaugh wrapped up and should be out soon. But the public won’t know what’s in it, unless something leaks. All senators will have a chance to see the report in a secure setting. Kyle Cheney, congressional reporter for Politico, joins us what’s going on in the investigation and when we can expect a vote to confirm Kavanaugh.
Next, we have a great story that involves winning the lottery, drugs, bank heists, and a PT Cruiser? Natalie O’Neill, contributor to The Daily Beast, joins us for the story of the PT Cruiser Bandit. A man who hit it big winning 19 million in the lottery, then losing it all and turning to robbing banks out of desperation. It’s been called the lottery curse where you win a ton of money, and then have a spectacular fall, and Jim Hayes was definitely a victim of that curse.
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It is Nobel Prize time and this year the award for medicine goes to a pair of scientists for their work on cancer. The discoveries of Dr. James Allison and Dr. Tasuku Honjo led to new ways to treat cancer by targeting the body’s immune system rather than cancerous tumors themselves. Peter Loftus, Reporter for the WSJ, joins us for the latest Nobel Prize winners and the impact of their work in the fight to cure cancer.
Next, Goodbye NAFTA, hello USMCA! The US, Canada, and Mexico have just agreed to update NAFTA after more than a year of intense negotiations. The deal has a new name, new rules for auto makers, still doesn’t take care of current steel and aluminum tariffs, and sets up the next battle with figuring out our trade disputes with China. Megan Casella, trade reporter for Politico, joins us for what’s in the deal and the potential fight with Congress to get it all approved.
Finally, it has been a whirlwind of news for Elon Musk and Tesla. The Securities and Exchange Commission sued Musk for tweets related to taking Tesla private. Musk caved and now he has to pay $20M, step down as chairman, and hire a lawyer to approve any tweets he sends out related to the company. Ben Geman, Energy Reporter at Axios, joins us on the Elon Musk roller coaster.
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The Kavanaugh confirmation circus continues… for one more week at least. In a stunning turnaround on Friday. Sen Jeff Flake announced that he would vote for Judge Kavanaugh, but wanted an FBI investigation into the credible allegations against him. So that is where we are now, The FBI is going to issue a report on its findings, but make no determination about the allegations. Ginger Gibson, political reporter for Reuters joins us to make sense of the ongoing Supreme Court drama.
Next, a new report has said that the “gig” economy may not be the workforce of the future, but that isn’t stopping rideshare companies from trying to attract new drivers. Lyft has said that you can get a guaranteed $2500/month, even though drivers earn about half as much as they did 5 years ago. Jefferson Graham, host of the talking tech podcast joins us to talk about how much you can make and why you always have to pay attention to the fine print.
Finally, we have all been there. You’re in a funk and you can’t get out of it. How about using fear to lift you out. Pushing yourself to complete scary but exhilarating activities can give you a lasting sense of strength and accomplishment and might just be the cure you need. Elizabeth Bernstein, columnist for the WSJ, joins us to talk about using fear to break out of a funk.
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Welcome to the Daily Dive: WEEKEND EDITION. This is a compilation of the best stories of the week.
Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Welcome to the Daily Dive: WEEKEND EDITION. This is a compilation of the best stories of the week.
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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
It was emotional, exciting, angry, and in the end I’m not sure we are any closer to the truth or consensus. Both Christine Blasey Ford and Brett Kavanaugh testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee to tell their stories and try to establish credibility. Ford’s testimony was emotional and tense as she described an alleged sexual assault by the Supreme Court nominee. Brett Kavanaugh was angry, defiant, and also shed some tears during his testimony. Christine Blasey Ford walked away looking credible, and Kavanaugh walked away strong in his denial and with lots of republican support. Ginger Gibson, political reporter for Reuters, joins us for a full analysis of all the testimony and what’s next.
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It is a huge day in Washington and the stakes could not be higher. Both Brett Kavanaugh and his accuser Dr. Christine Blasey Ford are set to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee, this will happen as there has now been another woman accusing Kavanaugh of misconduct. Rod Rosenstein is also meeting with the President to decide the fate of his career in the Justice Department. Ginger Gibson, political reporter for Reuters, joins us for a preview of what to expect at the hearing.
Next, there have been many pet owners who have taken their dogs to be groomed only for them to die shortly after. People are pointing the finger at practices and negligence at PetSmart locations as the cause for their pet’s deaths. NJ.com conducted a 9 month investigation into these deaths and detailed their findings in their report Groomed, then gone. They spoke to pet owners who had dogs that died and current and former PetSmart employees. Sophie Nieto-Munoz and Alex Napoliello, reporter from NJ.com join us for a wrap up of the investigation.
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The spectacular fall for a man once known as America’s Dad is complete for now. Bill Cosby has been sentenced to 3-10 years in prison for drugging and sexually assaulting Andrea Constand and was taken away after his hearing in handcuffs, an image that many thought they would never see. Claudia Rosenbaum, reporter for Buzzfeed News, joins us for more on the sentencing and Cosby’s classification as a sexually violent predator.
Next, President Trump is once again at the top of the World Stage as he delivered an address to the UN General Assembly touching on a wide variety of topics. Trump had tough words for Iran, defended his trade policies, rejected globalism, and promoted the sovereignty of the US and other countries. Nahal Toosi, foreign affairs correspondent for Politico joins us for what the President said and what caused some in the audience to laugh at during his speech.
Finally, it seems Millennials are actually doing something right. They are staying married. According to a new analysis, younger couples are causing the divorce rate to plummet. They are being pickier about who they marry and tying the knot at older ages when education, careers and finances are on track. My producer Miranda joins us for why marriages today have a better chance of lasting longer than 10 years ago.
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Thursday will continue to be the biggest day in Washington this week. Christine Blasey Ford will testify about sexual assault allegations she made about Brett Kavanaugh. We now find out that they is another accuser, and possibly more. Kavanaugh continues to deny all. Thursday will also host a meeting between Rod Rosenstein and President Trump about his future at the justice department after news came that Rosenstein was ready to resign. Ginger Gibson, political reporter for Reuters joins us to break it all down.
Next, DNA comes through again! Sacramento police arrested the man known as the NorCal Rapist, and the investigation was almost identical to that of the Golden State Killer. DNA was entered into genealogy website GEDmatch.com and investigators followed the family tree until they zeroed in on their suspect. Sam Stanton, reporter for the Sacramento Bee, joins us for how investigators did it again.
Finally, in a story of survival with a happy ending, an Indonesian teenager was rescued after surviving 49 days out at sea with little to no supplies. Aldi Novel Adilang was working on a floating fish trap when his tether snapped and wind pushed him out to sea. He survived by catching fish and drinking sea water he squeezed from his clothes. My producer Miranda joins me to discuss how Aldi was finally rescued.
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A tentative deal has been reached… and it’s going down on Thursday. Lawyers for Christine Blasey Ford have agreed that she will testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee to provide a firsthand account of her allegations against Brett Kavanaugh. Ford’s testimony is the last thing standing in the way of Kavanaugh’s confirmation to the Supreme Court. Ginger Gibson, political reporter for Reuters, joins us for what to watch for and whether the President will fire Rod Rosenstein.
Next, School districts across the country are modernizing dress codes, signaling the end to standards that have been around for a while. After backlash that dress codes are sexist and unfairly target girls, some schools are beginning to allow spaghetti straps, midriff baring shirts, miniskirts and short shorts. Lauren Meier, reporter for Axios joins us for the new school dress code, just make sure you’re wearing a bottom, a top, shoes, and covering those private parts.
Finally, let me introduce you to the helicopter parents of 2018, The Lawnmower parent. These are parents that mow down all of a child’s challenges, discomforts, and struggles, leaving them ill-equipped to deal with the real stuff once they become adults. Justin Worsham, host of The Dad Podcast, joins us to discuss this new parent label, and what to do to avoid being a lawnmower parent.
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Welcome to the Daily Dive: WEEKEND EDITION. This is a compilation of the best stories of the week.
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Welcome to the Daily Dive: WEEKEND EDITION. This is a compilation of the best stories of the week.
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The rollercoaster ride that is the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court took another twist as we found out that indeed Christine Blasey Ford is open to testify, just not on Monday, and only if the terms were fair and her safety could be ensured. Ben Shrekinger, National Political Correspondent for Politico joins us for more details and also how those that know Ford and Kavanaugh are split in their support.
Next, we touch base again with Wilmington, North Carolina and see how people are coping in the aftermath of Florence. Flooding still persists and more may be on the way. Some are just getting power back and others are just exhausted from the whole ordeal. Alex Riley, reporter for the Wilmington Star News, fills us in on how the recovery efforts are going in an area hit hardest by the storm.
Finally, after the Sunspot Solar Observatory in New Mexico mysteriously closed earlier this month and scientists were evacuated, people were left wondering if dangerous solar flares were to follow or if aliens had anything to do with it. Well we now know what happened. The facility was closed due to an FBI investigation about child pornography. We found out that the janitor was up to no good at night. Brianna Sacks, with Buzzfeed News joins us for all the details.
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The FBI is embarking on an effort to better understand the psychology behind mass shooters. In a sign of how common these types of killings have become a new study would mirror past research on serial killers and assassins. Zusha Elinson, reporter for the WSJ joins us to talk about a proposed FBI study that would interview mass shooters to find patterns in their background, thinking, and behavior.
Next, Elon Musk continues to be in the news, but not always in the best ways. He is feeling heat from all over right now as he faces two investigations by the Justice Department and the Securities and Exchange Commission over tweets he made about taking Tesla private. Lauren Meier, reporter for Axios, joins us to talk about why “funding secured” may be the two costliest words ever tweeted and also who will be going on the first SpaceX Moon voyage.
Finally, we all want a deal when looking to fly. Especially if we are trying to fly overseas. There recently has been a rise in the low cost, long haul airlines with deals that may be too good to be true. Soo Youn, Business and tech reporter for ABC News joins us for a story that is just that. Imagine booking a cheap ride to Paris, showing up to the airport, and finding out your flight doesn’t exist anymore.
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With all the twists and turns that we have with the Brett Kavanaugh confirmations we find out what's next… A Monday hearing with Christine Blasey Ford who has accused Kavanaugh of sexual assault and Democrats want Republicans to call other witnesses to testify under oath, while President Trump says that he is not a man that deserves this. Alayna Treene, political reporter with Axios, joins for more details including what Anita Hill has to say about all this.
Next, the President has ordered the declassification of documents related to the early days of the FBI’s Russia investigation. Specifically, the President wants to declassify the surveillance application that targeted former campaign adviser Carter Page and a bunch of texts from James Comey and others in the FBI that could show a bias against the president. Kyle Cheney, congressional reporter with Politico, joins us for what this means for the midterm elections.
Finally, a recent scientific mission into the secret ocean lair of California’s great white sharks has provided some clues into why these sharks migrate every winter and spring to an area that seemed to be a big empty void in the sea. Peter Fimrite, environmental writer for the SF Chronicle, fills us in on an area that has become known as the White Shark Cafe
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The process of Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation has been thrown into turmoil following accusations of sexual assault decades ago. What once seemed like a slam dunk and another win for President Trump, may now possibly be delayed. Both Kavanaugh and his accuser Christine Blasey Ford have said they would testify before the Senate Committee. Alayna Treene, political reporter with Axios, joins us what is next and why it is all about timing.
Next, as communities continue to deal with the aftermath of Florence, recovery efforts and flooding are what we need to keep an eye on. But today we spoke to one of those people that fly straight into the eye of the hurricane to monitor wind speeds and track the trajectory of storms. Dr. Heather Holbach, a hurricane hunter working with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration joins us for what it’s like to fly through a hurricane.
Finally, many are hyping up 5G to be the next big technological advancement that will increase internet speeds and allow us to transmit larger amounts of data. Automakers are also looking toward 5G to pave the way for driverless cars. Chester Dawson, senior reporter for the Wall Street Journal, joins us to talk about how 5G will change your driving experience and when it might happen.
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Florence has been downgraded to a tropical depression but that does little to ease the devastation that is affecting the Carolinas. Winds have slowed, but the rainfall and flooding are the major problems. 15 people so far have died because of the storm. Alex Riley, reporter for the Wilmington Star News fills us in on how they are weathering the storm and its aftermath in a location that has been completely cut off due to flooding.
Next, two big political stories developed over the weekend. First, President Trump’s former campaign chair, Paul Manafort has agreed to cooperate with Special Counsel Robert Mueller and plead guilty to reduced charges. Second, a woman has come forward alleging that SCOTUS nominee Brett Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her decades ago when they were in high school. Some Senators are now calling for a delay of Kavanaugh’s confirmation vote. Ginger Gibson, political reporter for Reuters joins us to break it all down.
Finally, as the recreational marijuana industry is getting used to new regulations in California, lab tests are showing that mold and pesticides are being found in marijuana and cannabis edibles. But it may not be all bad news, samples that were contaminated were low and many of the other infractions were due to mislabeling. Josh Ocampo, reporter with Mic, joins us for the latest report from the Bureau of Cannabis Control.
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Welcome to the Daily Dive: WEEKEND EDITION. This is a compilation of the best stories of the week.
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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Welcome to the Daily Dive: WEEKEND EDITION. This is a compilation of the best stories of the week.
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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Carolina Coast is in for it all weekend as Hurricane Florence makes its way to land. It is now at Category 2 and has slowed down which means the area will face sustained winds and tons of rainfall. The Eye of the storm is on track to hit Wilmington, North Carolina and the situation there could be dire for days. Alex Riley, reporter with the Wilmington Star News, joins us to talk about how they will be weathering the storm and if people took caution and evacuated.
Next, President Trump has been talking about how ready the administration and FEMA are to respond to Hurricane Florence. He even took to twitter to say how much of a success his response was to Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico and denied that almost 3000 people died there after the hurricane hit the island. Rebecca Ballhaus, reporter for the Wall Street Journal , joins us for why a proper response to hurricanes is so important, casualties can happen even after the storm has already passed.
Finally, it wasn’t too long ago that we were talking about the magic number that fast food companies have settled on when giving you deals. $5 dollars is all the rage right now, but the company that started it all is getting rid of it. The 5 Dollar Foot long at Subway is no more! Zlati Meyer, Money reporter for USA Today, joins us for why you can’t get a $5 dollar sub anymore and what’s next.
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The FDA has declared youth vaping an “epidemic of addiction” and is putting manufacturers of e-cigarettes on notice. FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb has given manufacturers of the top 5 brands of e-cigs 60 days to come up with new plans to prevent youth vaping or he might ban the sales of them all together. According to the latest numbers more than 2 million middle school, high school, and college students vape. Jayne O'Donnell, healthcare policy reporter for USA Today joins us for more on the epidemic use of e-cigs among teens.
Next, it is a story that is getting national attention. A murder of a beloved chef instructor was a mystery. Then Portland police arrested his romance novelist wife. The big twist… she once penned an essay that was called, “How to murder your husband.” Shane Dixon Kavanaugh, reporter for the Oregonian, who first reported the story, joins us for details in this bizarre case.
Finally, my producer Miranda joins us for more on this true crime story with a twist of irony and some of the oddest quotes from the Nancy Brophy essay, “How to murder your husband”
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Hurricane Florence continues to strengthen as 1 million people are told to flee the East Coast. Florence is expected to make landfall on the Carolina coastline later this week and may then stall out over land pounding the area with a potentially deadly storm surge, high winds, and dangerous inland flooding. Andrew Freedman, science editor for Axios and extreme weather expert joins us details on the huge storm and why it is so unique.
Next, the economy continues to fire on all cylinders and there are plenty of jobs to go around. It’s so good right now, the number of available jobs exceeded the number of job seekers by more than 650,000. There are about 6.9 million available jobs. It’s so good right now, people are quitting in record numbers too. Eric Morath, economics reporter for the Wall Street Journal, joins us to talk about the latest numbers and where all these job opening are.
Finally, teens aren’t the only ones experiencing FOMO, the fear of missing out, when trolling around on social media. Parents are feeling it too, and going into credit card debt because of it. Jill Cornfield, personal finance reporter for CNBC, joins us for more on why parents are also falling victim to the “everyone else is doing it” mentality on social media.
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Les Moonves is out as the Chief Executive at CBS amid accusations that sexual harassed and assaulted numerous women over his career, but he won’t be going far. Moonves is still set to remain as an unpaid adviser to CBS as part of his termination agreement. My producer Miranda joins us to talk about what his possible payout would be… reportedly set to be over $100 million pending the results of an investigation, and more details from the latest Ronan Farrow story which details the accounts of six new women.
Next, we speak to a guy that most people love and hate. He is the inventor of the touchscreen keyboard autocorrect for the original iPhone. We will speak to Ken Kocienda who was a software engineer and designer for more than 15 years and he has a new book out about working during the Golden Age of Steve Jobs. I’ll even ask why auto correct always writes out DUCK when you’re trying to type F***.
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The mystery is still alive as questions continue to swirl about who the anonymous senior administration official is. The main question seems to be how senior is this anonymous person and how much influence do they have over the president? Ginger Gibson, political reporter for Reuters joins us more on this, the return of President Obama, and a wrap up of the Brett Kavanagh confirmation hearings.
Next, the Justice Department has announced that it will be investigating social media companies’ alleged political bias amid claims from the President and others that they are stifling conservative voices. Companies like Facebook and Twitter are giants in the social media game and do have a big stronghold in this form of communication. Kevin Collier, cyber security correspondent for Buzzfeed news joins us to discuss the DOJ investigation and Alex Jones being banned by Twitter.
Finally, with all this talk about political voices being suppressed and social media companies and the algorithms that decide what you see. DO you actually know how your Facebook news feed works? A new study says over half of users don’t know how it all works. Mike Snider, Money and Tech Reporter for USA Today, fills us in on how your newsfeed works and how to make it give you more of the news you want.
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Welcome to the Daily Dive: WEEKEND EDITION. This is a compilation of the best stories of the week.
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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Welcome to the Daily Dive: WEEKEND EDITION. This is a compilation of the best stories of the week.
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Everyone around the country is asking the same question… Who wrote it? After the NY Times published an anonymous Op-Ed called “I am part of the resistance inside the Trump administration,” the country was left to wonder who this “senior official” is. The news has left the President angry and isolated. Mike Snider, reporter for USA Today, joins us more on this and the flurry of denials from cabinet officials saying they are not the ones who penned the essay.
Next, even after California legalized recreational marijuana sales, the illegal weed industry is booming and doing better than ever. While sales of legal marijuana will surpass illegal sales, it is estimated that the illegal market will still be worth over $2.5 billion in 2018. Hayley Fox, contributor to VICE covering the cannabis industry, joins us to talk about why no taxes and no overhead keeps the black market strong.
Finally, it’s been done for a long time to help with weight loss, but scientists are now looking at fasting as a way to help you live longer. A recent study by the National Institute on Aging found that mice who fasted, lived up to 40% longer than those that had access to food around the clock. Dalvin Brown, over at USA Today, joins us for the latest study.
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It started off as a feel good story about a Good Samaritan that has turned into a bitter fight over money. Homeless man, Johnny Bobbitt Jr. helped out Kate McClure when she was stranded without gas on the interstate in Philadelphia. As a way to repay the favor, she set up a GoFundMe page and raised over $400,000 for him. Well now all the money is gone and Bobbitt is accusing McClure and her boyfriend of spending all the money. Lauren Strapagiel, reporter for Buzzfeed, joins us to talk about what happened to all this donated money.
Next, as a new book about the Trump administration is ready for release, the White House is ramping up the attacks on famed journalist Bob Woodward trying to discredit the book as nothing but lies. The book paints a picture of chaos and division in the West Wing, but Bob Woodward’s credibility is tough to fight. Bryan Bender, National Security reporter for Politico, joins us for all the latest trash talking and what it all means.
Finally, as the average age in developed economies will keep rising in the coming years, one of the next big economic disruptions may be in anti-aging medicines. The new boom could be in drugs that slow, reverse, or prevent age-related diseases. Sam Baker, healthcare editor for Axios, joins us to discuss what this could mean for the future and a new drug hitting clinical trials.
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Former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick continues to make headlines despite not being on the field anymore. Kaepernick will once again be in ads for Nike as they gear up for the 30th anniversary of their Just Do It campaign. It’s part of a campaign that plans to release a Kaepernick inspired shoe, t-shirt and will donate money to his “know your rights” educational campaign. Dan Beyer, managing editor for Fox Sports Radio joins us for more on the deal and all the reaction.
Next, have you jumped on the anti-plastic straw bandwagon? Well I have another ocean polluter for you to tackle and its worse. Cigarette butts are the most common item collected on beaches, while plastic straws rank 7th on the list. Josh Ocampo, reporter for Mic, joins us to talk about throwing away your dirty cigarette butts properly, how Americans are terrible at recycling and what happens when you put something in the wrong bin.
Finally, the confirmation hearing for Brett Kavanaugh to be the next Supreme Court Justice has begun and it started with some chaos. Protesters chanted and were arrested, Democrats interrupted and tried to get the hearing postponed and it all may be for naught as Republicans still maintain a majority. Stef Kight, reporter for Axios joins us for all the fireworks kicking off the hearing.
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The midterm elections are only a couple of months away and state legislatures are poised for big changes. More women are running for office and they have a great rate of victory. In Michigan for example, a woman will appear on the ballot for Governor, attorney general, secrtary of state, and in several house and senate races. Ginger Gibson, political reporter for Reuters, joins us what this all means for the midterms.
Next, nature never seems to amaze. A Revolutionary corn discovery could save fertilizer, limit runoff, and transform the way the way the largest crop in America is grown. Scientists have found a corn varietal in Mexico that goes through a process called nitrogen fixation. It basically creates its own fertilizer. Anna Groves, reporter for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, fills us in on how the process works and if this news can be used for a more sustainable future.
Finally, a man known as the “dine and dash dater” has finally been caught after years on the prowl. Paul Gonzales would meet women on dating apps, take them out, order a robust dinner, and then leave and never come back, forcing the women to pay the huge bill. Lauren Strapagiel, reporter for Buzzfeed News, joins us for how much jail time he may be facing and what was in those dinner orders.
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It is Labor Day and while many of you have the day off to relax, we are going to be talking about…jobs. Teens and summer jobs, robots at work, and ghosts at interviews. First, the economy is pumping and there are more jobs than ever, but the share of teens with summer jobs has plunged, and the type of work they do has shifted. Drew DeSilver, Senior writer at the Pew Research Center, joins us for why teens aren’t taking summer jobs anymore and what kind of work they are doing now.
Next, experts have warned for years that robots will replace humans in restaurants. In a twist on that prediction, amid the lowest unemployment in years, fast-food restaurants are turning to machines—not to get rid of workers, but because they can’t find enough. Eric Morath, reporter for the Wall Street Journal, joins us to talk about automation and Flippy the burger flipping robot.
Finally, in a move usually reserved for the dating world, jobs seekers are ghosting employers. It’s the hottest job market in decades and workers are holding all the cards. My producer Miranda joins me to talk about ghosting on the job: blowing off interviews, accepting offers but not showing up the first day and even vanishing from existing positions – all without giving notice.
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Welcome to the Daily Dive: WEEKEND EDITION. This is a compilation of the best stories of the week.
Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Welcome to the Daily Dive: WEEKEND EDITION. This is a compilation of the best stories of the week.
Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
There are two new laws hitting the books that will close loopholes that allow fraudsters to steal children’s identities. Kids are attractive targets for scammers to open credit cards or take out loans because they have clean credit reports. In many cases family members are the ones responsible for opening up these credit cards. Leticia Miranda, reporter for Buzzfeed News, joins us for details on the new law and a story about a dad who opened a credit card in his son’s name to buy a ring for his new wife.
Next, a gene editing tool known as CRISPR has been used to repair a gene mutation in dogs with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. The results of the study were very exciting because of the future potential to treat the same illness in humans. Amy Dockser Marcus, reporter for the WSJ, joins us to talk about the study and if CRISPR could be ready for humans next.
Finally, the question has been around for some time now. Which is worse for you? Alcohol or Marijuana? Weed or Whiskey? Erin Brodwin, senior science and tech reporter for Business Insider, looked into all the research and recent studies on the effects of each of these substances on your body and will let us know who the winner is.
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There is a big food fight in Missouri over the use of the M-word, MEAT. A new law aimed at clearing up shopper confusion just went into effect that bans calling plant-based and clean meat alternatives “meat.” Zlati Meyer, reporter for USA Today joins to talk about the new law, who pushed for the law, and why the makers of Tofurky are fighting back.
Next, President Trump attacked Google earlier in the week saying that search results for Trump News only brought up 'fake news' and national left wing media, suppressing conservative outlets. Google responded and said they don’t bias their results toward any political ideology. But how does Google organize their search results? For that we turned to Jefferson Graham host of the Talking Tech Podcast to find out why everyone’s search results are different.
Finally, we might be close to losing another American icon. Insiders are saying that Sears may be close to the end. With closing stores and a CEO that many are saying has been dismantling the company for years, Sears has become the Weekend at Bernie’s of department stores. Erica Pandy, global e-commerce reporter for Axios, joins us to talk about the fall of Sears.
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There is a shocking new trend happening as the opioid crisis continues to spread all over the country. Pet owners are abusing their own animals to get drugs and its causing changes in the way vets prescribe and administer painkillers to animals. Beth Warren, reporter for the Louisville Courier Journal, joins us to talk about new warnings from the DEA and FDA, and the story of a woman who cut her dog with razors looking for tramadol.
Next, California has passed a bill that will no longer require people arrested for crimes to post bail to be released from jail, while awaiting their day in court. According to Governor Jerry Brown, California has reformed its bail system so that rich and poor alike are treated fairly. Melody Gutierrez, reporter for the San Francisco Chronicle, joins us to talk about when this new law will take effect and how it will all work.
Finally, summer is over and autumn is here! Starbucks has released the pumpkin spice latte a week early this year marking the unofficial start to the fall season. The pumpkin drink has been around now for 15 years! Kaitlin Menza, reporter for Mic, joins us talk about the return of the PSL and also how much money it has made for Starbucks.
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Another shooting and another person suffering from mental illness. We have learned that David Katz, responsible for killing two and injuring nine at a Madden eSports tournament in Jacksonville had twice been hospitalized for mental illness and prescribed anti-psychotic and antidepressant medications. We will speak to Eli Blumenthal, reporter for USA Today about the shooting and the rise of eSports, the money involved and the training gamers go through.
Next, President Trump announced that he reached an agreement with Mexico to rewrite portions of NAFTA. He also wants to rename it the US Mexico Free Trade agreement. Sabrina Rodriguez, a fellow covering trade at Politico, joins us to talk about the next steps, getting Canada on board and getting Congress to approve.
Finally, have you noticed how many drink options there are when you go to the store? As companies are fighting for market share and giving consumers what they want, you are getting new hybrid concoctions like cold brew coffee made with lemonade. Jennifer Maloney, reporter for the WSJ, joins us for all the new drink options and how fizzy seltzer is upending coffee and beer.
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The country has lost a war hero, statesman, and patriot who lived his life in service to his country. Senator John McCain, has died at the age of 81 after a year long battle with brain cancer. He will lie in state at the US Capitol, becoming just the 31st person receive the honor. Ginger Gibson, political reporter for Reuters, joins us to talk about John McCain’s love of country, his political legacy, and how the party changes now that he has passed.
Next, fake news has had its moment and now it’s time for Fake News 2.0. Industrial- scale creators of fake news are becoming increasingly savvy in their efforts to avoid being caught by new web detection tools and defensive AI. Sara Fischer, media reporter for Axios, joins us to talk about how the tactics that bad actors are using have changed and new technologies that they are taking advantage of.
Finally, one company is trying to turn deepfake technology into a new business model. Deepfakes are a new image-manipulation technology where artificial intelligence learns to mimic based on the data given to it, whether it be photos or videos. In this case, a porn company is letting its subscribers put themselves into adult videos with deepfake tech. Matt Binder, reporter for Mashable, joins us to talk about whether this new business model it about to take off.
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After searching for University of Iowa student, Mollie Tibbetts for more than a month, her body was found earlier this week and Cristhian Rivera, who is not in the country legally has been charged with her death. Gary Barrett, reporter for WHO Radio in Iowa will join us for more details in the case and how home surveillance footage was the break in the case that led investigators to her murderer.
Next, how valuable do you think your personal data is on the black market? Hackers are always trying to steal things like medical records, credit card numbers, and social security numbers, but you might be surprised how little some of it is worth despite how damaging it might be for you. Megan Leonhardt, Senior Money Writer at CNBC Make It, joins us for more on the black market worth of your personal data.
Finally, let’s say its midnight, and you want a steak, a really good steak and everything is closed, what do you do? Well thanks to Applestone Meat Co., you can go to one of their 24/7 Meat vending machines. You can get anything from beef, to pork, to lamb, and sausages. Kate Krader, food editor at Bloomberg News, joins us for more on why you might soon be buying your steaks from a vending machine.
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President Trump has now weighed in on both his former lawyer and former campaign chairman becoming convicted felons and he has praise for one and jabs for the other. The President continues to say good things about Paul Manafort, but have nothing but contempt for Michael Cohen. Lauren Meier, news editor for Axios, joins us for all the fallout and why Michael Cohen is willing to spill more secrets.
Next, we all know how expensive health insurance can be. Health plans are so expensive that Americans are being priced out and ditching insurance. And now they are turning to a patchwork of alternatives to help them get by. John Tozzi, healthcare reporter for Bloomberg News is following the healthcare stories of a dozen families for a year and will join us to talk about two alternatives that are growing in popularity.
Finally, it is a punctuation that might be getting overused in recent times and it is also causing a lot of anxiety. It is the exclamation point. People are using it too frequently in texts and emails and it makes people feel weird. On the other hand, when people don’t use one, it makes the recipient feel like the sender is mad. Katie Bindley, personal tech reporter for the WSJ, joins us to talk about why the exclamation point is making people freak out.
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Huge news impacting the Trump administration and the Mueller investigation as two of the President’s men went down in a single day. First, Ginger Gibson, political reporter for Reuters, joins us for the news that former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort has been found guilty on 8 of 18 charges of fraud and what the bigger picture is for the Mueller investigation.
Next, President Trump’s longtime personal lawyer and fixer, Michael Cohen, has plead guilty to 8 counts of tax and bank fraud, and also campaign finance violations. Daniel Lippman, reporter for Politico joins us for more, including the news that Cohen said that at the direction of Trump, he arranged to make hush money payments to Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal.
Finally, another update in the case against the Golden State Killer. We now know where he will be tried in court, Sacramento. The district attorneys from the 6 counties in CA where Joseph James DeAngelo committed his crimes agreed to coordinate and prosecute him in California’s capitol. Sam Stanton, reporter for the Sacramento Bee joins us for the latest including 13 new charges laid out against the Golden State Killer.
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School is back in session and while better test scores may be at the top of the list for many administrators, security is also key. With the latest instances of violence in schools, no one wants to be next, so schools are mining students social media posts for signs of trouble. Tom Simonite, Senior writer at Wired, joins us to talk about the companies that are diving into students socials in an effort to keep kids safe.
Next, it’s finally come to this… doctors may soon be prescribing playtime. A new report by the American Academy of Pediatrics is recommending more playtime for kids as a way to build everyday life skills that they will need as adults. Melissa Healy, Health reporter at the LA Times, joins us to discuss the latest advice from doctors on how to raise a successful kid, and it all starts with playtime.
Finally, as talks of trade wars and tariffs dominate the news, you might be surprised to find out what one of America’s hottest exports is. Because of a high supply and regulations regarding the industry, American sperm is in high demand. So is Danish sperm. Soo Youn, journalist and contributor to the Guardian, joins us to breakdown the laws and why America is so popular.
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The President is once again railing against the NY Times for the news that White House counsel Don McGahn is cooperating extensively with Robert Mueller’s investigation. McGahn’s testimony is particularly important because he was involved in many of the events being investigated and is setting up the mind-set of the President during his decisions. Ginger Gibson, Political reporter for Reuters joins us for this and more on the security clearance revolt around John Brennan.
Next, school is back in session, but some kids are still getting an extra day off. One of Colorado’s largest school districts is switching over to a 4-day school week. Officials say that it is a cost cutting measure and the district can save upwards of $1 million. Nicole Brady, Anchor and reporter for Denver 7 joins us to talk about what the new school week looks like and if more districts in the country might be turning to this new schedule.
Finally, as more states are legalizing marijuana for both medicinal and recreational uses, a new job industry is blooming. Ohio, set to open its doors to medical marijuana sales later this year are already looking for budtender, bud trimmers, cannabis chefs, and master growers. Randy Tucker, reporter for the Cincinnati Enquirer, joins us for how much you can make in these jobs and the type of credentials you might need.
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Welcome to the Daily Dive: WEEKEND EDITION. This is a compilation of the best stories of the week.
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Welcome to the Daily Dive: WEEKEND EDITION. This is a compilation of the best stories of the week.
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There are few people who have such a huge impact on music, culture, and the world as did the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, and we just lost her. She died at age 76 surrounded by family in Detroit from pancreatic cancer. With her impassioned gospel rooted voice she leaves behind a huge catalogue of classic songs that spans many genres. Mo’Kelly, Los Angeles radio host and music industry veteran, joins us to discuss her legacy.
Next, the bill for President Trump’s big military parade keeps growing. The price has just gone up 80 million, to a total of $92 million. Inspired by a military parade he saw in France, it is expected to have tanks, helicopters, fighter jets, and more! Amanda Macias, National Security reporter for CNBC, joins us for why the price tag is so high and what else to expect.
Finally, a popular club drug is being used in more studies to treat PTSD. Although it still has a negative perception as a party drug, researchers are finding out that MDMA helps break down the barriers needed for PTSD victims to process their emotions in better ways. Thor Benson, reporter for The Daily Beast tells us the story of one veteran who says MDMA saved his life.
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A horrible situation has come to light in Pennsylvania as a grand jury report alleges that Catholic Church officials systematically covered up the sexual abuse of more than 1000 children by more than 300 priests in the past 70 years. John Luciew, reporter for PennLive, joins us for more on the report including how the diocese helped avoid scandal by terms as sick leave and health leave when priests were removed or relocated because of abuse allegations.
Next, President Trump has revoked the security clearance of ex-CIA Director John Brennan citing “erratic conduct and behavior.” The news comes on the heels of recent tweets from Brennan that were critical of the president for calling Omarosa Manigault Newman a dog and also calling his meeting with Vladimir Putin treasonous. Caitlin Owens, reporter for Axios, joins us for more and also the news that the administration is considering revoking clearances for other former intelligence officials.
Finally, it might win the prize for the worst job in America. San Francisco has decided to form a Poop Patrol, to keep the sidewalks clean. Between the beginning of the year and this past Monday, San Francisco residents have called the city to report feces on the street a whopping 14,597 times, and it’s not all animal poop. As the homelessness problem persists in the city, officials have decided that a Poop Patrol is the answer to keeping streets clean.
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The state of Nebraska just experienced a series of firsts Tuesday morning. It was the state’s first execution since 1997, the first execution by lethal injection (prior to this the state used the electric chair), and the first death sentence in the country carried out with the use of the opiod fentanyl. Brent Martin, News director for the Nebraska Radio Network joins us for a fascinating conversation about Nebraska’s strange history with the death penalty, abolishing it in 2015 and reinstating it a year later, the use of fentanyl as states are running out of drugs used in lethal injection cocktails, and also who was the inmate on death row, Carey Dean Moore.
Next, the war of words continues between the White House and former aide Omarosa Manigault-Newman. The President continues to rail against her calling her a dog, and she remains defiant continuing to release audio tapes of the President and others within the White House as she tours the media in advance of her new book. Andrew Restuccia, White House reporter for Politico, joins us for the latest in the battle, the Trump campaign has filed for arbitration saying she violated a non-disclosure agreement.
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He goes by many names, the Golden State Killer, The East Area Rapist, and the Visalia Ransacker, but now Joseph James DeAngelo has been charged with his 13th murder. In 1975 he shot and killed Claude Snelling as he tried to prevent DeAngelo from kidnapping his 16 yr old daughter. Sam Stanton, reporter for the Sacramento Bee joins us for the latest charges that are believed to be the first murder of the Golden State Killer.
Next, the FBI has fired Peter Strzok, the counterintelligence agent who had become emblematic of a Deep State effort to undermine President Trump. In communications with FBI lawyer Lisa Page, Strzok said “No he won’t, We’ll stop it” when asked if trump would become president. Eli Stokols, White house reporter for the LA Times, joins us for more on the firing and Peter Strzok’s GoFundMe page!
Finally, have you ever wondered why your Uber driver is taking the long way home? It’s an age old practice coming out of the cab industry called 'longhauling', but now it’s made its way to ride-sharing. Drivers say that it isn’t taking advantage of consumers since Uber has to pick up the tab for the extra mileage. Greg Bensinger, reporter for the WSJ, tells us about longhauling and why drivers say it’s an easy way to make some extra money.
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A year after violent protests in Charlottesville, Virginia, which ended with the death of a counter protester, white nationalists are at it again. They gathered for a white civil rights rally called Unite the Right 2. Ginger Gibson, political reporter for Reuters was at the rally and filled us in on the scene there and also the news that you can trust no one in the White House. Omarosa is back with a new book and secret recording of her firing.
Next, there is a fierce battle over your bed. The mattress industry is being turned upside down, and it might be the perfect time for you to buy a new bed. The world’s largest mattress retailer is under threat of bankruptcy and online bed-in-a-box retailers are planning to open brick and mortar locations. Nathan Bomey, reporter for USA Today joins us for more on the unstable mattress industry where there are more locations to buy a mattress in the US than there are McDonald's.
Finally, David McCabe, reporter for Axios, joins us for the wild west of children’s entertainment. Gone are the days of Saturday morning cartoons, kids can access an endless amount of children’s programming with on demand platforms and streaming services. Children’s content is still largely unregulated on these streaming platforms and it is bringing new challenges for producers, policymakers, and parents.
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Welcome to the Daily Dive: WEEKEND EDITION. This is a compilation of the best stories of the week.
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Welcome to the Daily Dive: WEEKEND EDITION. This is a compilation of the best stories of the week.
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Space Force is back! Speaking alongside Defense Secretary James Mattis, Vice President Mike Pence announced that the Pentagon has begun the process of establishing the Space force as the 6th branch of the military. The development of the Space Force comes in response to anti-satellite weaponry and other tech by countries such as China and Russia. Axios editor Lauren Meier joins us for the details and the biggest hurdle…approval by Congress.
Next, as the conversation about sustainable food continues and the population is expected to balloon to 9.8 billion people by 2050, we will speak to Jake Malooly, writer for Wired, about his 2 week adventure into Entomophagy- The consumption of insects. With their low impact on the environment they are have grown in popularity as the next big thing. Jake will fill us in on his favorite bug dishes.
Finally, before you invite all your friends over this weekend, listen to this. A recent study has found that when one partner dislikes the other’s friends it can harm your marriage. In some cases couples are twice as likely to divorce because of the bad blood. Elizabeth Bernstein, reporter for the WSJ, joins us for more on the study and what to do when you don’t like your spouse’s friends.
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Last week there was news that 11 malnourished children were found in a compound in New Mexico. It was a bizarre story to begin with, but now it has taken an even weirder turn. According to prosecution documents filed, the remains of a boy have been found and the man who is at the center of it all was allegedly training one of the children in the use of an assault rifle in preparation for a future school shhoting. National Security analyst Ryan Mauro, joins us for more on this story including details of the compound and weapons found.
Next, a member of Congress has been charged with securities fraud and insider trading. GOP Rep. Chris Collins sits on the board and is the largest shareholder of a company called Innate Immunotherapeutics. He is accused of passing along insider info to his son who sold his shares and avoided losses in excess of $700,000. Kyle Cheney, Congressional reporter for Politico, joins us to detail the allegations and how the information was passed along.
Finally, have you heard of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch? It is an island of trash floating between California and Hawaii that is 3x the size of France and weighs 80,000 tons. Elizabeth Weise, tech reporter for USA Today, joins us for the big cleanup effort happening soon… a giant floating trash collector made by the Ocean Cleanup Project.
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New details from the confession of the Parkland shooter Nikolas Cruz have been released. The Broward State Attorney’s office released a transcript of Cruz’s hours-long confession to the massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas HS. Paula McMahon, reporter for the Sun Sentinel, joins us to talk about the voices in Nikolas Cruz’s head and what they were telling him to do.
Next, there is a new outbreak of Ebola in the Congo. Genetic tests confirm that this outbreak is different from an earlier outbreak that was declared over in late July. So far there are 43 cases, 34 deaths, and doctors are getting ready to use an experimental vaccine to treat those exposed to the virus. Andrew Freedman, Science editor at Axios, joins us to talk about how the vaccination program will work and also how security concerns may make it difficult to administer.
Finally, Rick Gates continues to take the stand at the financial fraud trial of President Trump’s former campaign chair Paul Manafort. While he continues to maintain that Manafort directed him to commit all the banking fraud, the defense got to cross examine him. Laura Nahmias, reporter for Politico, joins us for the defenses strategy to paint Rick Gates as a liar and also the news that he used some of the money to pay for an affair in London.
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As the financial fraud trial of President Trump’s former campaign chair, Paul Manafort continues…Robert Mueller’s team called it’s star witness, Rick Gates, and HE IS singing! Described as Paul Manafort’s right hand man, Gates admitted to helping his boss evade taxes to the tune of millions of dollars, bank fraud and hiding offshore accounts. Laura Nahmias, Reporter for Politico joins us for more on Rick Gates’ testimony and how the defense will try to get Manafort off.
Next, as Chicago experienced a violent weekend, gangs and guns are being blamed. Over 70 people were shot and 12 people were killed… No one was arrested. Aamer Madhani, Chicago resident and reporter for USA Today fills us in on what happened over the weekend and reactions from local leaders.
Finally, Silicon Valley has become a den of spies. Increasingly, spies are infiltrating the Bay Area to steal trade secrets and technology, but they are even involved in political espionage. Andy Ross, Columnist for the San Francisco Chronicle, joins us for details on a Chinese spy who was a driver for Sen. Diane Feinstein for 20 years!
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Political reporter for Reuters, Ginger Gibson joins us this week to talk about reports that President Trump is privately brooding and publicly roaring. According to reports, the President continues to privately fume over the Mueller investigation and is worried the Don Jr. might be in legal trouble over the infamous Trump Tower meeting. Publicly, the President is getting his base fired up at various rallies aimed at voter turnout for the midterm elections and a Twitter spat with LeBron James.
Next, as a global heatwave continues, there were many heat records broken last month. Los Angeles set an all-time high temperature record in July, Unprecedented heat in Europe led to wildfire outbreaks in Scandinavia, and South Korea also just set an all-time high on August 1. Andrew Freedman, Science Editor at Axios joins us to talk about the heatwave and what scientists say might be the first in more to come.
Finally, are you on social media too much? Well, now there’s an app for that. Actually, just some add-ons. Facebook and Instagram are getting new tools to let you know when you have been using the apps too much. Katie Bindley, Personal Tech Reporter for the WSJ, joins us to talk about how social media platforms are helping you cut back on using their own services.
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Welcome to the Daily Dive: WEEKEND EDITION. This is a compilation of the best stories of the week.
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Welcome to the Daily Dive: WEEKEND EDITION. This is a compilation of the best stories of the week.
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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The issue of ghost guns, untraceable guns that can be made with 3D printing machines and skirt the regulation of gun laws made waves earlier this week, when a federal judge issued a temporary restraining order on the release of blueprints that would allow anyone to download specs and 3D print their own ghost gun. At the center of this is a man named Cody Wilson and his company Defense Distributed which wants to grant people access to these blueprints. For more on this, we will talk to Andy Greenberg, senior writer at Wired, who has been following Cody’s story for years and even made his very own fully functioning ghost gun.
Next, to end on a lighter note, let’s check back in on the video game phenomenon of Fortnite. Already cashing in on more than a billion dollars this year, the game is inspiring people to make money off of the game in other ways. Parents are enlisting video game tutors for their children. They are hiring coaches so their kids don’t fall behind and paying upwards of $20/hr. Sarah Needleman, tech reporter for the WSJ, joins us for this new trend of Fortnite tutors.
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President Trump took to Twitter again to rail against the Robert Mueller investigation and also the trial against his former campaign chairman Paul Manafort. The President was calling on Attorney General Jeff Sessions to end the witch hunt before it stains the country any further. Lauren Meier, reporter for Axios, joins us to talk about Trump’s call to end the Mueller probe and Paul Manafort’s trial.
Next, as more people are submitting their genetic data to DNA testing companies, questions about how long companies can keep your data and more importantly what they do with your data keep popping up. Some of the top DNA testing companies have all agreed to new rules on how to best handle your information. Xavier Harding, Tech writer for Mic, joins us for more on how these companies manage your DNA.
Finally, it might be time to get a dashcam for your car. Marc Saltzman, tech columnist for USA Today, tells us why the time may be right to have one in your car. It might provide the right evidence in a car accident, it could protect you from a scam, and you might just enjoy the footage if you catch something fun.
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With about three months to go before the midterm elections, Facebook has identified an ongoing political influence campaign on the social media network. Facebook has admitted that it is still early in their investigation so they could not identify who the bad actors were, but it did resemble the activity of Russian interference in 2016. Kyle Cheney, Congressional reporter for Politico joins us for more on how these pages sought to inflame social and political tensions.
Next, Sara Fischer, media reporter for Axios joins us to talk about media bias. We know there is left and right bias in politics, but in the mainstream media it can extend beyond that to stories on terrorism, missing minorities, even climate change. A lot of the times decisions in big national newsrooms may be made because of financial pressures or wanting the next big viral story. It might be time to take a closer look at your local news or even podcasts…
Finally, an update in the hazing death of Timothy Piazza, the Penn State student who was neglected by his frat brothers and didn’t get medical help until the next morning after falling down 15 feet of stairs. Mike Deak, reporter for the Courier News tells us about Ryan Burke, the “rush chair” who gave Piazza vodka during the hazing ritual and is only getting three months of probation.
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Today is all about fast food. The first is how we all got scammed and the second is about that fast food magic number. Do you remember playing the McDonald’s Monopoly game? You’d buy a meal and paper Monopoly game pieces either helped you get Park Place and Boardwalk, sometimes they were just instant wins for a free order of fries. Journalist Jeff Maysh joins us to tell us the story of how an ex-cop rigged the McDonald’s Monopoly game and stole millions! The story includes mobsters, strip club owners, drug traffickers, one tenacious FBI agent and the anonymous tip that brought the whole scheme down.
Next, how much are you willing to spend on fast food? There is a magic number that works for both consumers and fast food companies. You may have seen all the latest deals popping up… They are all $5. Zlati Meyer, money reporter for USA Today joins us to talk about the sweet spot that keeps you coming back for more. It’s all about getting a great value, but there is also a psychological component.
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California is on fire and it is showing no signs up letting up anytime soon. Across the state, fires have ravaged communities by taking homes and taking lives. One fire in Southern California was started by a suspected arsonist, but in northern California, the Carr Fire is the most concerning. David Benda, reporter for the Redding Record Searchlight joins us to talk about how that fire started, the manpower being used to fight it, and how the community is dealing with it.
Next, President Trump has been touting some good economic numbers. It’s the strongest growth since 2014, the GDP grew at 4.1% for the second quarter. Consumer spending is up and so are savings. The president’s tax cuts did play a part in these new economic numbers. Ginger Gibson, political reporter for Reuters fills us in on what the numbers mean and also new tweets from the president talking about a potential government shutdown.
Finally, my producer Miranda joins me for two quick discussions. Is sleeping with a fan on actually bad for your health? Like most headlines, the risks may be overblown. But the second questions has Americans divided. Is brushing your teeth in the shower just fine or totally gross?
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Every summer there is a battle over which song becomes the anthem for that season, who will be the song of the summer? Well we aren’t talking about that today… We are talking about the ingredient of the summer! And what it is may surprise you! Kate Krader, food editor at Bloomberg News, joins us to talk about why escargot is the ingredient of the summer and also a simple sauce that is the summer’s best burger hack.
Next, Facebook just set a record, but not a very good one. No other company has ever lost more than $100 Billion dollars in market value in just one day. Facebook did just that as well as losing about $15 billion in stock wealth for its CEO Mark Zuckerberg. Dan Primack, business editor for Axios joins us to discuss what all the losses are about and why you should care about Facebook and the FAANG stocks.
Finally, the self-help group turned sex cult, NXIVM is back in the news. According to prosecutors, the Seagrams liquor heiress, Clare Bronfman used her family fortune to buy an island, a private plane to get there, and also helped bankroll the group which is accused of coercing women to please their master Keith Raneire and also brand them with his initials. My producer Miranda joins us for the latest.
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The tape has been leaked! Secret recordings between then candidate Trump and his long time fixer Michael Cohen was released to CNN. Many have been waiting for this audio to drop, but what does it actually show? It’s not a smoking gun of any kind, but does point to a scandal suppression operation for Trump. Blake Hounshell, editor in chief of Politico Magazine joins us to discuss what the tape says and what it all means.
Next, what does it really take to be an astronaut and handle the extreme environment of space? Panicking while in space can be deadly, so how does one train to stay alive in emergencies? Corey Powell, contributing writer to NBC News joins us to talk about the intense training astronauts go through and what the key things they must learn in order to make it in space.
Finally, remember when President Trump met with Kim Jong Un and said that they will be taking steps to denuclearize? Well it looks like they actually might be coming to the table. Satellite images are showing that North Korea has started dismantling a rocket launch site. We still have a long way to go, but they are steps in the right directions. Alexandria Sage, reporter for Reuters, joins us for more.
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There was some surprising news that singer Demi Lovato was rushed to the hospital after an apparent overdose. The singer has struggled with substance abuse for a long time but had recently been sober for six years. We will tell you about Demi Lovato’s past and revisit an interview with drug and alcohol counselor Todd Zalkins.
Next, an update to a wild story from over the weekend where police engaged in a shootout with a suspect who shot his own grandmother multiple times. The suspect led police on a chase to a Trader Joe’s in Silverlake California where he crashed and then took hostages inside the store. The tragic part of this story is that the store manager was caught in the crossfire and was shot by police, she later died. My producer Miranda joins us for the details.
Finally, The Trump administration is planning to give farmers up to $12 Billion in aid to eases concerns over the ongoing trade disputes with China and some of our allies. Khorri Atkinson, reporter for Axios, joins to talk about the effect that the trade war is having on farmers and how this short term solution will work.
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The war of words escalated in an ALL CAPS on Twitter as President Trump warns Iran’s president Rouhani to “NEVER, NEVER THREATEN THE UNITED STATES AGAIN.” As tensions have increased between the two countries after the US dropped out of the Iran nuclear deal, new sanctions are getting ready to be re-imposed on Iran as soon as August 4. Adam Wren, contributing editor to Politico Magazine joins us to discuss where all the tough language is coming from.
Next, the Hanford site, a decommissioned nuclear production complex in Washington state is currently undergoing a demolition and cleanup phase. Just last year 42 workers had been contaminated with plutonium and americium. According to reports by the cleanup company itself, “Mistakes were made at several levels that created a situation that is unacceptable for worker safety.” Zahra Hirji, science reporter for Buzzfeed News, joins us to talk about the nuclear cleanup effort and estimates say it will take 50 years and $1 billion to make the site safe.
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Something to start your Monday with… The NASA of coffee. Colombia’s coffee is in danger from threats of fungi and pests. Farmers are looking for ways to battle coffee leaf rust, coffee bud disease, and a pesky beetle. Andrew Wight, journalist based out of Medellin Colombia joins us to discuss how the NASA of coffee is working on ways to keep your coffee fresh.
We have all seen that teen with their face buried in their smartphones. You can barely hold a conversation with them before they get bored and go back to their devices. A new study of more than 2500 teens has just found a link between digital media use and the development of ADHD symptoms. Melissa Healy, health and science reporter for the LA Times joins us for the particulars and why we should all be taking a break from our devices.
Finally, Ghosting… a term that usually lives in the online dating world has crept its way into the job market. My producer Miranda joins us to talk about this new trend of blowing off interviews or work altogether and how it is driving companies crazy. With a strong job market and more opportunities, people ghosting possible job prospects.
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It’s Friday so we have a fun slate of stories for you to enjoy and they are all about toys. First up: old toys. Collectible toy values are on the rise. Matthew Kitchen, Gear and Gadgets editor for the WSJ joins us to talk about the rising collectible market and the 20 year rule. That means start looking for your Power Rangers and Harry Potter toys. We will also tell you what the Holy Grail of toys is right now.
Next: New Toys. The video game phenomenon Fortnite continues to rake in the cash. It just pulled in over $1 Billion in the first half of 2018. Eli Blumenthal, reporter for USA Today will tell us all about how this “free to play” game makes its money. It’s all about dressing up your character with cool costumes that offer no game play advantage.
Finally: Future toys. Flying cars may soon be more of a reality. Larry Page, co-founder of Google just bought up his 3rd flying car company. Other big companies like Uber are also working on big projects to bring you eVTOLs… electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles. Mark Harris, science and tech writer joins us to talk about why these are the electric scooters of aviation.
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We have another Russian agent in our midst. For nearly 5 years a 29 year old Russian political science student was a fixture at many important conservative events. Maria Butina is accused of conspiring to set up a back channel of communication between the Kremlin and the Republican party using the NRA as a conduit. Lauren Meier, reporter for Axios, joins us to discuss who Butina is and how she infiltrated influential political circles.
Next, with the rise of money transfer apps such as Venmo, once again, you better check those privacy settings. Venmo’s default privacy setting is set to “public,” which means all your transactions are visible to everyone. Xavier Harding, reporter for Mic, joins us to talk about hiding all those payments to your friends for Uber rides and burgers.
Finally, you’ve heard it before, watch what you post online. In this case, be careful posting bad reviews of your doctor online, because they might fight back! Jayne O’Donnell, reporter for USA Today joins us to talk about doctors and hospitals suing patients for posting negative reviews and why it’s almost always an uphill battle.
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The backlash was strong and the backpedaling was quick. A day after President Trump seemed to side with Russian president Vladimir Putin over our own intelligence agencies, he clarified his remarks and said that he indeed does accept the conclusion that Russia did meddle in the 2016 election still maintaining that there was no collusion. Haley Britzky, reporter for Axios joins us to discuss the president’s remarks including his misstatement, he meant to say he doesn’t see any reason why it WOULDN’T be Russia who meddled in the election.
Next, Patrick Malone, national security reporter for the Center for Public Integrity joins us for an interesting story about lost radioactive material, plutonium and cesium. Two security experts that were tasked with making sure these materials did not fall into the wrong hands, left it in the back seat of their rental car and it got stolen. The bad thing is, this is part of a bigger problem, lots of radioactive material has gone missing over the years.
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The reviews are in after President Trump’s big meeting with Vladimir Putin and the news is not good. When asked if he believed the assessment of the US intelligence community or Putin over election meddling in 2016, President trump deferred to Putin, gave him a huge pass, and once again attacked Hillary Clinton. Shannon Vavra, reporter for Axios joins us to discuss all the fallout from Trump’s latest denials.
On the immigration front, a federal judge has temporarily halted the deportation of parents who have been reunited with their children. The ALCU has sued for the pause because parents need more time to make informed decisions about whether to leave their children behind in the US. Ted Hesson, immigration reporter for Politico, joins us to discuss the ruling and the next big deadline for reunification.
Finally, there is an ongoing debate whether home smart locks are just a novelty or the future. Wouldn’t you love to open your front door with your phone or a fingerprint? Joshua Fruhlinger, contributor to the WSJ, joins us for the pros and cons of smart locks.
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President Trump is in Helsinki Finland for another big meeting with a world leader, Vladimir Putin. The president said he is going into the meeting with low expectations. Ginger Gibson, Political reporter for Reuters joins us to discuss the meeting and whether the elephant in the room will be addressed… The Justice Department’s indictment of 12 Russian intelligence agents for attempting to influence the 2016 presidential election.
Next, as more people are cutting the cord to traditional cable and satellite services for cheaper streaming options, we are seeing increasing in prices in those very same services. Rob Pegoraro, writer for USA Today Tech joins us to talk about all the options we have and what we can do to keep costs down.
Finally, the trend among companies to reduce their environmental impact keeps growing. The latest company to make a move is Co-working giant, WeWork which offers a range of office and work spaces for small companies. My producer Miranda joins us to talk about how they are helping the environment, by no longer serving meat at employee events, or reimbursing their employees for meals that include red meat, poultry, and pork.
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The city of Stockton in CA will soon embark on a bold basic income program that will test what people do with free money. Some residents will be given $500 a month with no strings attached. Annie Lowrey, author of a new book about universal basic income called Give People Money joins us to talk about the idea of giving citizens money to keep them from falling below the poverty line and how it could change the way we work.
It’s time to get ready for another one of the biggest shopping days of the year. Get out of here Black Friday, move over Cyber Monday… It’s time for Amazon Prime day! Get ready for lightning deals and don’t forget to ask Alexa from some secret deals. Personal tech columnist Jennifer Jolly joins us for tips on getting the best deals and avoiding the hype.
Finally, Marco della Cava, tech and culture writer for USA Today joins us to talk about a tech heist that that was thwarted by the FBI. A former Apple engineer almost got away with their secret plans for self-driving cars. Remember, you can’t fight Big Tech.
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The execution of Scott Dozier has been halted… for now. He was set to be executed with a three drug cocktail using fentanyl that has never been used before. But in this case that wasn’t the issue… Drug maker Alvogen sued to block the use of a sedative they make called midazolam. Chris Kudialis, reporter for the Las Vegas Sun joins us to discuss why a judge sided with a drug company to stop the execution of Scott Dozier.
Next, President Trump is in Brussells for a big NATO summit. Always one to stir the pot, the president called out Germany for going into business with Russia, and also demanded higher military spending by allies. Greg Hellman, defense reporter for Politico joins us to talk about how much money our NATO allies are spending on defense and also the next big meeting President Trump will have, a face to face with Putin.
Finally, are you afraid of needles? Do you find yourself getting nervous when it’s time to take your medicine? Mike Feibus, health tech analyst, joins us to talk about some of the cool new alternatives startups are exploring to deliver treatments pain-free. One of them includes taking a pill that dissolves in your body and THEN gives you a shot!
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Straight out of the “You never know what they’ll think of next” file… People are using Fitbits and Apple Watches to monitor their heart rate when binging on drugs. Christina Farr, reporter for CNBC joins us to talk about concerns that doctors have and also the weird game of people sharing their own screenshots of their elevated heart rate on forums like Reddit and Twitter.
The reunification of children and families is under way. A federal judge had issued a deadline for the government to reunite children under five with their parents and they are missing the deadline. Trevor Hughes, reporter for USA Today joins us to discuss the difficulty of tracking all the kids and families and what happens to them after being reunited.
Finally, all of the Wild Boars are safe. The last of the 12 boys and their soccer coach who were trapped in Thailand have made it out of the cave safely. My producer Miranda joins us for a wrap up of the story that caught the attention of people all over the world. We will tell you how they were rescued, the first thing they ate when they got out, and any health problems they may still face.
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The big announcement has been made! President Trump has made his second nomination to the Supreme Court in two years. Sam Baker reporter for Axios joins us to discuss who the new nominee is and all the money that will be poured into the confirmation battle. As the mid-term elections quickly approach, expect the battle for the next Supreme Court Justice to figure prominently.
Next, the debate continues to swirl as to the effectiveness that e-cigs provide when someone is trying to cut down on smoking. A new study suggests that vaping often doesn’t help smokers quit. Betsy McKay, senior writer for the WSJ, joins us for more on why vaping isn’t helping you quit.
Finally, start saying goodbye to the plastic straw. As more cities and companies are starting to ditch the single-use plastic straw, Starbucks has said they they will ban plastic straws by 2020. Kate Bratskeir, senior editor for Mic, fills us in on the phase out of straws and what is next for Starbucks.
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Tonight is the big night! President Trump will announce his second nominee to be the next Supreme Court Justice. The announcement will be made in prime time and is expected to set off a big fight from Democrats. Ginger Gibson, political reporter for Reuters will join us for that and the fallout from Mike Pompeo’s trip to North Korea where he was accused of “gangster like” tactics in perusing the denuclearization.
We have another problem in the US. Too much cheese! We have the largest stockpile of cheese in the 100 years since regulators have been keeping tabs. Heather Haddon, reporter for the WSJ joins us for the latest. As milk consumption drops, dairies turn more of it into cheese, and now tariffs from Mexico and China might make the problem worse.
Finally, The Wild Boars are making a comeback. The rescue effort to escort the Thai soccer team from a flooded underground cave has begun with promising results. The first group of boys is out, and the race is on amid dropping oxygen levels and more rain. My producer Miranda joins us to detail how the boys are making it out of the cave safely.
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EPA Chief Scott Pruitt has resigned after months of ethics controversies citing unrelenting attacks on himself and his family. Pruitt has been the subject of more than a dozen investigations over spending taxpayer money on travel, excessive spending, and much more. Lauren Meier, reporter for Axios joins us for that and also to lay out who the president’s frontrunners are to be the next Supreme Court Justice.
More now than ever, our lives are centered around our phones… photos, contacts, sensitive information. Keep track of those apps and try to never use a public Wi-Fi hotspot. Marc Saltzman, tech columnist for USA Today joins us to talk about how to keep cyber thieves out of your smartphone.
Finally, you see them all the time on social media, celebrities hawking the latest fitness fads. Celebrities are swearing by lollipops that make you lose weight and teas that help rid the body of toxins. We will speak with Josh Ocampo, reporter for Mic, to give us the lowdown on whether or not these products are worth your Instagram likes and more importantly your money.
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What has happened to the great American summer job? America’s teens just aren’t working as much anymore. More teens are going to school over the summer, some are doing community service works, and others are just taking unpaid internships. Drew DeSilver, senior writer at the Pew Research Center joins us to talk about why the number of teens with summer jobs has dropped and what type of work they are getting in to.
Next, we will talk about the new arms race that is threatening to explode in space. It was mid-June when President Trump announced that he wanted to create a Space Force. While some may have thought it was just another rambling by the president… it might be much more necessary that you think. Garrett Graff contributing editor to Wired joins us to discuss why we need someone looking out for us in space. It has a lot to do with GPS and China and Russia are major players.
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It’s July 4th and it’s time for family, BBq’s, and fireworks. But what if there were no fireworks? Would you be interested in a drone show instead? As Western states and towns are concerned about wildfire conditions, some are turing to elaborate drone shows such as the ones seen at the latest Winter Olympics. Elizabeth Weise, tech reporter for USA Today joins us to talk about a new trend that may be taking place skipping the booms for drones.
The 4th is also a time for grilling and burgers, but would you eat a burger made by a robot? Would you be mad if that robot took your job? As more fast food restaurants are finding that they are short of workers, they are turning to technology to help fill the ranks. Eric Morath, reporter for the WSJ joins us to talk about Flippy the burger cooking robot and more automation coming to your local quick serve restaurants.
Finally, the story that has been gripping the world the past few days. 12 boys and their soccer coach have just been found after spending 10 days lost in a flooded cave in Thailand. They are safe and in relatively good condition, but the hardest part is yet to come… how do we get them all out safely. The options aren’t great. My producer Miranda joins us for all the details.
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Basketball superstar LeBron James is coming to Los Angeles! King James has agreed to a 4 year deal worth $154 million dollars after taking a personal meeting with Lakers legend Magic Johnson. Dan Beyer, Managing editor at Fox Sports Radio, joins us to discuss the big move, what it means for the Lakers and the NBA.
Next, rumors have been swirling for some time that President Trump’s long time personal attorney may flip and cooperate with federal authorities. In an interview with ABC’s George Stephanopoulos, when questioned about his loyalty to Trump, he said he will not be a punching bag and will put family and country first. Daniel Lippman from Politico, will joins us to break it all down.
Finally, Doug MacMillan, reporter for the WSJ, joins us to talk about tech’s dirty secret. Google is letting app developers read through your Gmail. It all comes down to those privacy policy notifications you refuse to read. Computers and algorithms are sifting through your email, but in some cases so are humans. We will let you know how it works and how to check if you agreed to let these app developers see your data.
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This is going to be a big week for tariffs in the US. Some of our allies and biggest trading partners have slapped the US with retaliatory tariffs on some of the biggest agricultural products we export such as beef, pork, and soybeans. Ginger Gibson, political reporter for Reuters joins us for a breakdown of these tariffs, the news that North Korea may be deceiving us about denuclearization, and the ongoing anger over the president’s immigration policies.
Next, we will get you all the details about the Capital Gazette shooting. Who were the 5 victims that had their lives taken prematurely and why the shooter’s grudge over a negative article about him in the paper motivated him to carry out this attack? Brianna Sacks, Buzzfeed news reporter joins us for that and also why anyone who’s ever worked at a newspaper has a Jarrod Ramos story to tell.
Finally, confusion over how the shooter was identified swirled in the hours after the attack. Police used facial recognition technology to confirm his identity. As more police departments use this tech in increasing ways, it was a win for the Anne Arundel police and for the technology. Tech reporter for USA Today, Marco Della Cava joins us to discuss how the process works and why some civil liberty groups fear facial recognition technology.
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Another mass shooting has occurred in the country. This time it was aimed at the Capital Gazette newspaper in Maryland. 5 people were killed and others were injured. The suspect stormed the offices of the newspaper with a shotgun and canisters of smoke grenades. Brianna Sacks, reporter for Buzzfeed, joins us for the latest information available at the time of recording. Reports say that he was making threats to the paper over social media.
The ever present tech disruptor Amazon is at it again. First they buy online pharmacy company PillPack and beyond that they are also getting ready to build a grassroots delivery network that could sidestep UPS and the Postal Service. They are looking for people to build their own small businesses with up to 40 delivery vehicles to help them speed up delivery times. Mike Snider, tech reporter for USA Today joins us for the latest.
Finally, comedies are becoming a grim business for Hollywood. Traditional comedies are struggling at the box office and you can thank superhero movies, Netflix and YouTube. Ben Fritz, reporter for the Wall Street Journal, will join us to talk about how much is being spent on making the latest slew of comedies and why people don’t like laughing in theaters anymore.
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Huge news for the Supreme Court and the Trump administration yesterday as Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy announced that he will retire effective July 31. Often seen as the swing vote, losing Kennedy offers President Trump the chance to cement the conservative tilt at the Supreme Court. Lydia Wheeler, reporter for The Hill joins us to talk about the impact of this retirement and the intense confirmation battle the next nominee will face.
In other huge political news, a newcomer has defeated the #4 Democrat in the House. 10 term incumbent Joe Crowley was defeated by 28 year old Alexandia Ocasio-Cortez in New York’s 14th district primary. My producer Miranda will join the conversation to talk about how Ocasio-Cortez won despite being outspent 10-1 and what it means for the Democratic Party.
Finally, on the immigration front, another bill has failed to get enough votes in the House to address the immigration problems in the country. As republicans now turn their attention to a more narrow bill addressing migrant family separations, a judge has ruled that the government can’t separate families at the border and must reunite those already separated. Bill Scher, contributing editor to Politico Magazine joins us for the latest.
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Big news out of the Supreme Court as they upheld President Trump’s most recent iteration of his travel ban. The justices, in a 5-4 decision said that despite language that the president has used in the past to describe the ban, it still falls within his power to control immigration policy. Sam Baker, reporter for Axios, will joins us to discuss the reasons behind the ruling and the larger picture for the Supreme Court with another rumored retirement that may be coming soon.
Next, three years into their campaign to add diversity to the ranks of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, we get a record number of invitees at over 900. There are more women and minorities in the Academy’s membership, but what could it mean for the Oscars? Glenn Whipp, film and TV reporter for the LA Times joins us to discuss the impact on the next big awards.
Finally, Jeanette Settembre, reporter for Moneyish, joins us to talk about people ditching social media. Privacy concerns have prompted 40% of people to scrap at least one social media account. People are not liking what companies are doing with your data and its making them rethink it social media is worth their time.
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The fight over immigration and the President’s policies has created a huge divide that is no longer playing out just in Washington. President Trump tweeted over the weekend that in order to end illegal immigration people need to be stopped at the border and turned away immediately depriving them of their due process. Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders was also subjected to the divide when she was asked to leave a Virginia restaurant simply because she defends the President’s policies. Daniel Lippman from Politico joins us for the latest.
Iconic American brand Harley Davidson announced that because of tariffs imposed by the European Union they will be shifting some of their production overseas. Erica Pandey, reporter for Axios will join us to talk about how Harley Davidson is handling increased costs after being caught in the tariff cross fire.
Finally, Marijuana hit a milestone yesterday. The FDA has approved the first CBD drug derived from the plant. Peter Loftus with the Wall Street Journal will join us to talk about who the drug helps and also about changing federal regulations to remove its schedule 1 classification.
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When voters head to the polls for the midterm elections they will be presented with a slew of candidates and propositions. Many factors will need to be considered and one of the main issues is what politicians plan to do for the opioid crisis. Ginger Gibson, political reporter for Reuters joins us to discuss her trip to Binghamton NY where she talked to voters about the politics of addiction and what really matters to them.
AMC theaters just launched a service to rival Movie Pass. This comes with news that Movie Pass will also be introducing surge pricing this summer. Movie pass is losing tons of money, but still contends that it is right where it wants to be. Journalist Rick Paulas will join us to talk about the controversial business model of Movie Pass, and more importantly… what are they doing with your data.
Finally, Marriage is out of fashion, but jewelry company Tiffany is selling more engagement rings than ever after three years of decline. Suzanne Kapner, reporter for the Wall Street Journal joins us to talk about how being more inclusive and targeting the ever elusive millennial has turned around their business.
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Confusion over the president’s executive order and immigration policy continues to take center stage. We are watching how the Department of Homeland Security and Health and Human Services decide to implement the order and whether a district judge will change her ruling on the Flores Settlement. All while the House is still expected to vote on a compromise immigration bill. Stef Kight, reporter for Axios joins us to break it all down.
Something to think about as you head into the weekend… would you pay for a subscription service for the movie theater? AMC theaters has launched a subscription service to compete with Movie Pass. Ben Fritz, reporter for the Wall Street Journal, joins us to talk about the pros and cons of this new service and the fight for the future of movies.
Finally, the latest environmental trend is getting the plastic straw out of restaurants and bars. The only problem is that paper straws. The most popular replacement are in such high demand, that there is a shortage and long wait times to get them. My producer Miranda joins me to talk about the rise of the paper straw!
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President Trump has signed a directive ordering the cessation of separating families at the border in favor of detaining families as a unit. This poses a major legal battle and an impeding vote on the two proposed immigration bills later today. We detail what he signed and what will happen to the thousands of kids already separated from their parents. Also, another major merger is in the works as Disney puts in a huge bid to buy Fox. Media reporter for the Wall Street Journal, Keach Hagey, has all the details and tells us if she thinks Comcast may still try to counter and buy Fox outright. Finally, are you sick of your avocados going bad before you get a chance to enjoy them? Buzzfeed food reporter Venessa Wong has the solution in the form of a new company called Apeel. You have to hear this story to believe it!
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The need to do something about children being separated from their families at the border is reaching critical mass. The President has demanded that congress act and change the law so that the separations do not have to occur. In turn, there are many lawmakers that are proposing bills to handle the situation. Some are more narrow and others more comprehensive. Haley Britzky, reporter for Axios, joins us to talk about the latest bills aimed at solving the current situation.
And in a surreal moment at the White House Press briefing where Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Neilson was defending the practice, a reporter played audio obtained by Pro Publica of crying children who had just been separated from their parents. We will speak to that reporter, Olivia Nuzzi, about playing the audio and reaction from the room.
Finally, as the president has called for the creation of a Space Force, we will bring you another space related story. A woman has sued NASA to keep a vial of moon dust gifted to her by Neil Armstrong. It’s a fun story and we will speak to Mark Kaufman, science reporter at Mashable for all the detail
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We're continuing coverage of the situation at the southern border where families are being separated. We spoke to Politico's Daniel Lippman about what lawmakers are doing and spoke about the press conference held by Sarah Huckabee Sanders and DHS Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen. We also got updates in the ongoing saga of Elizabeth Holmes and her Theranos con. It's a fascinating story made clear and concise by Axios Business reporter Dan Primark. Finally, the World Health Organization announced that compulsive video game playing now qualifies as a mental health condition. We spoke to USA Today Tech reporter Mike Snider for the full rundown.
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Tension continues to mount at the southern border and while some accuse the Trump Administration of playing politics and using children as a bargaining chip, spokespeople are fighting back and demanding a quick vote to sort through the family separations at the border. We went though what happened over the weekend and explained the bills up for a vote later this week. Also, we spoke to Reuters' Ginger Gibson for a politics roundup, including President Trump's reaction to the DOJ report released late last week. Finally, we spoke to Kia Kokalitcheva about a booming new industry in the tech sector, e-scooters, and how Lyft and Uber are trying to get in on the ground floor.
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The Department of Justice released their report investigating former FBI Director James Comey's investigation into Hillary Clinton's email scandal. To help explain the findings and determine who 'won' on Thursday we spoke to Axios Reporter Stef Kight. The Federal Reserve decided to increase rates this week because the economy is doing well. We spoke to CNBC's personal finance reporter, Jessica Dickler, to find out how this may effect everyday consumers on everything from credit card debt to student loans. Finally, it was a big weekend for gaming, we spoke to Marc Saltzman of USA Today and got a full rundown on what he saw at the E3 Convention.
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A judge ruled that AT&T and Time Warner can merge, overruling and lawsuit brought forward by the Department of Justice and the Trump administration. In the hours after the ruling, another major media company put in a bid to do the exact same thing. As these types of mergers become more common we need people like Steven Overly of Politico to explain what this means for the everyday consumer. News broke that the controversial plan to split California into three separate states has received enough signatures to be on the November ballot. We spoke to John Myers of the LA Times to find out how realistic it is that this plan will be voted in. Finally, we have some Golden State Killer/East Area Rapist updates - some of the victim's families may be entitled to financial compensation, Kellen Browning of the Sacramento Bee gave us the details.
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President Trump and Kim Jong Un's Singapore Summit has come and gone. We continued our ongoing coverage with Axios Reporter Alayna Treene to find out how the meeting went and go through some of what President Trump said during his followup interviews. To shine a spotlight on one of the details that did come out of the Summit we spoke to Bryan Bender, defense editor for Politico, he explained to us what President Trump meant by 'expensive war games'. Finally, an extensive list of the ways Facebook tracks users was released. We spoke to Elizabeth Weise of USA Today to find out what's going on and what may can be done to regulate the tech giant.
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Rules about net neutrality were struck down Monday beginning a new debate in the policy. Kim Hart of Axios gives insight and breaks this complicated story down for us. Also, air ambulances are becoming more and more common as the cost for these emergency rides soar, Bloomberg's John Tozzi details what happened to a family after their toddler suffering a 107* fever took a more than $50,000 ride to save his life and what lawmakers are doing to fix this. Finally, we'll check in on the happenings in Singapore surrounding the summit between President Trump and Kim Jong Un with Alayna Treene who has been following the story for Axios.
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President Trump spent his weekend at the G-7 Summit from which sparked several viral moments and memes including a very tense photo showing German Chancellor Angela Merkel facing down President Trump as he refused to sign a joint statement with the other leaders. How will this impact his meeting with Kim Jong Un? Reuters reporter Ginger Gibson explains. In the wake of yet another high profile celebrity suicide, LA Times reporter Melissa Etehad highlights a phenomenon that has mental health experts worried. Finally, are you sick and tired of getting robocalls? Sarah Krouse of the Wall Street Journal details why they're so prevalent and some measures you can take to safeguard yourself from phone predators.
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Organic matter was found on Mars. What does this mean for the possibility of future or past life? Gizmodo's Ryan Mandelbaum has the information. President Trump is gearing up for his summit with North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un next week. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo gave a press conference to speak about some key details. Reporter for Axios, Alayna Treene, gave us analysis and insight as to what she expects will come out of next week's meeting. Finally, MIT may have created a psychopathic AI. Named 'Norman' an AI was programmed to view death and destruction. Why are these findings significant? Extreme Tech's Ryan Whitwam clears the air.
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There is a mystery brewing in China, it's something out of a spy novel. American Diplomats and their families are hearing some kind of auditory weapon and it is giving them traumatic brain injury symptoms. A similar disturbance has been reported by Americans in Cuba - are the two connected? Also, we have post primary wrap up with Politico's Campaign Editor Scott Bland. He'll explain why what happened in California is so significant. Finally, President Trump was convinced by Kim Kardashian West, he granted clemency to a woman serving time for drug charges. Is this going to be a continuing trend for The President? Axios' Lauren Meier explains.
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The news struck early Tuesday morning, fashion designer and icon Kate Spade had committed suicide in her New York City home. We spoke to Booth Moore, style and fashion news director for The Hollywood Reporter to gain insight on how Spade will be remembered. Also, did the Superbowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles set out to embarrass President Trump and the White House? Andrew Beaton of the Wall Street Journal gives details. Finally, Apple has set out to improve their iOS by adding tools to combat smartphone addiction with a new feature called Screen Time. Dr. Anna Akbari let us know if she thinks any of this will actually help users.
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It's Primary Day in many states. California's is notable because they have an interesting 'top two' rule. Politico's David Siders explains what may happen and the significant impact the winner can have nationally. Also, the Supreme Court has handed down their ruling in favor of a cake maker who believes that he should not be forced to bake for a same sex wedding. Lydia Wheeler of The Hill gives analysis of what this means for LGBTQ citizens and businesses moving forward. Finally, in the wake of another, different and deadly, volcano we spoke to Dr. Peter Ward about why Guatemala's is different than Hawaii's.
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We heard the story of how the Golden State Killer may have gotten caught due to a relative submitting DNA to one of those genealogy registers but now we have more details on how Joseph DeAngelo gave investigators enough evidence to make their arrests. Sam Stanton of the Sacramento Bee explains how discarded tissues on trash day led to his arrest. Also, Ginger Gibson of Reuters will update us on all of the political happenings over the weekend including President Trump's high approval ratings with Republicans and whether he will pardon himself, should the need arise. Finally, there is a growing trend of replicating wine - Bruce Schoenfeld will tell us what that even means how involved the process is.
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GOP lawmakers were blindsided Thursday after President Trump announced his plan to impose sweeping tariffs on U.S. allies and not on China like they had assumed. Politico's senior trade reporter, Doug Palmer, joins to explain what the tariffs are and how soon they go into effect. Also, capping off the week of offense, as the heat on Roseanne Barr was starting to simmer, another female comedian decided to say something hateful. Media reporter for The Hill, Joe Concha, breaks down the double standard and explains why this is a game that no one will win. Finally, USA Today tech reporter, Elizabeth Weise, has an important message from the FBI to anyone who uses a router in their home.
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More news continues to unfold in the fallout after Roseanne Barr's terrible Tuesday. President Trump came to her defense but that is little consolation to the hundreds of people put out of work and the millions of dollars lost. We'll examine the financial angle to this story. Also, President Trump echoed Congressman Trey Gowdy in his criticism of Attorney General Jeff Sessions, going so far as to say he regretted hiring him. Politico's Mel Leonor give the details and what this means moving forward for Sessions. Finally, a controversial video game made the rounds this week, it was a first person shooter which isn't a new concept. The problem with this game is that you could be in the perspective of a school shooter, killing students and police. USA Today's Brett Molina has the backstory on how a game like this could even be produced in the first place.
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Roseanne had a very rough Tuesday. We discussed the fallout after her Tuesday tweet storm and just how much money ABC lost canceling her #1 show. Also, a new study details the death toll in Puerto Rico following the devastating Hurricane Maria and it's much higher than previously reported, Buzzfeed News reporter Nidhi Prakash give the full analysis. Finally, you may want to unplug your Alexa after hearing Jefferson Graham of USA Today's report that the devices are always listening and may even send your private conversations to people in your contact list.
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Big moves were made of the weekend in regards to President Trump's relationship with both North and South Korea. Political reporter for Reuters, Ginger Gibson, explained the updates. Also, in observance of Memorial Day, we spoke to National Guard Officer Robert Parry. Robert told us the story of his friend, Corporal Glenn Watkins. Glenn was a father, husband, and member of the Army National Guard. We remember those who have fallen by telling their stories when given the opportunity.
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It's been six months since the #MeToo movement start and we're starting to see some of the men named face charges. Harvey Weinstein is expected to surrender to police in New York on allegations of aggravated sexual assault. Buzzfeed News reporter Claudia Rosenbaum has details. Also, President Trump announced that he was pulling out of the scheduled summit with North Korea, we spoke to Politico's Daniel Lippman for insight and analysis. Finally, the conclusion of our series on the incredible collar bomb heist. Rich Shapiro will resolve this crazy story for us.
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The NFL owners have made their decision - no more kneeling during the national anthem. What does this mean for players who choose to protest, and which owners are not happy with the ruling? Andrew Beaton, sports reporter for The Wall Street Journal explains. Another major ruling came down involving President Trump and his habit of blocking trolls on Twitter. Lydia Wheeler, the legal and regulator affairs reporter for The Hill gives her analysis and prediction for how this will change social media and the White House. We'll also continue our series on the incredible collar bomb heist as told by Rich Shapiro - in part two we find out that our victim may not have been so innocent at all.
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How old were you when you moved out of your parent's home for good? A 30 year old New York man flat out refuses to leave the nest and a State Supreme Court Judge has issued his official ruling. Justin Page of CNY Central was in the courtroom and has all the details. Now, we don't want to kill your buzz about summer but the CDC has issued their summer warning, use caution when swimming in hotel pools. Science reporter for The Verge, Rachel Becker, will explain all the little parasites lurking in that cool water. Finally, the first part in a three piece segment on the incredible collar bomb heist - we spoke to reporter Rich Shapiro and got all the details surrounding the unbelievable story behind Netflix's hit Evil Genius.
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As more details emerge in the aftermath of the Santa Fe High School shooting we learn interesting information about the potential sentencing for the shooter and whether his father might face any consequences from criminal defense attorney Janet Johnson. Mike Pompeo issued his list of demands for the nuclear treaty with Iran on Monday, Politico's Louis Nelson explains them in detail. Finally, yet another retailer is accused of enforcing the 'fat tax'. Racked's Nadra Nittle provides insight and explains what happened and how businesses can remedy this bias to better serve consumers.
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In the wake of yet another deadly school shooting, many people are asking, "What are schools doing to secure themselves?" We'll talk about Southwestern High School in Indiana, it's called 'The Safest School in the Country'. They have some revolutionary security measures in place, but do they measure up to realistic scenarios? Also, Ginger Gibson from Reuters joins us to analyze President Trump's weekend tweets and decode all the news about a secret informant that sounds more like the plot of a spy movie than real life. Finally, a new study out of UCLA claims that a scientist may have been able to transplant memories between snails. STAT News Reporter Usha Lee McFarling explains the science and what, if any, human applications we may have to look forward to.
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It's the last day before the Royal Wedding and nerves are at a fever pitch. We spoke to Danny Pike of the BBC and got local reaction to the pomp and circumstance as well as details about the ceremony. We also spoke to Tim Teeman, a native Briton and Royal's editor for The Daily Beast about the business side of the wedding. If you aren't waking up early for the wedding, maybe you're spending your weekend checking out the new Deadpool movie. Vulture's Abraham Riesman gives us the full rundown of how the first one got made, it's a story decades in the making.
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Are you a LAUREL or a YANNY? Find out today and have Wired's Louise Matsakis explain what it really is and how it became the viral sensation across all social media this week. There was also some major breaking Russia news out of Washington, POLITICO's Louis Nelson breaks it down. Finally, a new study was released that correlates the legalization of marijuana with the increased cases of second hand smoke in children.
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The leaks keep flowing out the White House, Axios News Editor Lauren Meier, joins us to explain how these leaks are shared and how far White House staffers will go to conceal their identities given the information provided. Also, it was announced this week that Twitter has developed a strategy to silence trolls and bullies. Reuters Tech Reporter and Social Media Expert David Ingram was in the room with Twitter's Jack Dorsey and explains it all. Finally, 60 Minutes Australia gathered a team of experts to explain what they believe happened to flight MH370 - Oscar takes you through their findings.
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The Supreme Court of the United States may have taken the first steps to legalize sports betting nationwide, what does this mean for the future of professional sports? Jason Gay, Wall Street Journal's Sports Reporter takes a look at the what this means moving forward. Hawaii's volcano problem continues to grow, Volcanologist Dr. Peter Ward joins to provide scientific analysis and explain how this particular volcano has been erupting consistently for the last three decades.
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President Trump and the White House had a big win late last week with the release of the hostages from North Korea, but that victory was short lived as it was revealed that his administration his a major leak problem. Ginger Gibson, political reporter for Reuters, joins us to analyze the vicious comments made about Senator John McCain and the administration's peculiar response to the blow back. Also, May is Mental Health Month and writer Katie Williams spoke to us about her book, Journey of the Heart, and how her brother's suicide has impacted her life.
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President Trump celebrated the release of three hostages held in North Korea, Buzzfeed World News Correspondent, Megha Rajagopalan is based in Beijing, China and joined us to analyze what this means for the future of North Korea and the significance of the summit sent for June 12 in Singapore. We also spoke to USA Tech Reporter Marc Saltzman about Google's new digital assistant and played a fun game of Human or Robot - try and see if you can get it right yourself.
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It is peak allergy season and what was suspected to be a regular runny nose turned out to be a brain fluid leak - Dr. Jim Keany joined us to explain exactly what happened to Kendra Jackson and whether or not it is something that you should be worried about for yourself. Also, President Trump once again threatened to revoke press credentials for media outlets this week, Washington Correspondent for New York Magazine, Olivia Nuzzi, explained whether she believes he is serious this time and what could possibly be done to repair the President's relationship with the press.
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President Trump has decided to withdraw the United States from the Iran Nuclear Deal leaving many businesses and other countries in the lurch. We spoke to POLITICO's foreign affairs correspondent, Nahal Toosi, and got insight into how this may affect American prisoners in Iran and what kind of sanctions will be in place moving forward. As Uber wraps up their second annual Elevate Summit news was released that the company intends to expand to include flying taxis and hope to have the program rolled out by 2023. Tech and culture reporter for USA Today, Marco della Cava joined us to explain how this will work and more importantly, how much a ride will cost.
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President Trump is expected to announce his decision about the Iran Deal today but over the weekend news broke that a secret spy intelligence team used by Harvey Weinstein was also used the members of the Trump campaign. Reporter for New York Magazine, Chas Danner, provides insight into what information may have been uncovered. Also, we spoke to Buzzfeed News reporter Blake Montgomery about First Lady Melania Trump's announcement of her agenda and platform that comes sixteen months after her husband was sworn in.
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Rudy Giuliani's media blitz continued over the weekend so we called on POLITICO's Louis Nelson to help us sort through what he said and what it means. We also spoke to Hawaii News Now reporter Dillon Ancheta to give details and insight into the volcano eruption on Hawaii's big island.
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Rudy Giuliani may have landed the President in hot water after his comments on Hannity. Daniel Lippman from POLITICO joins us to explain why. We also spoke to Dr. Nathaniel Morris about the remarkable surge in pets being prescribed mental health meds.
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Investigative reporter for CBS News, David Goldstein, joined us to give details of the disgusting conditions of one Los Angeles hospital for veterans. Popular hip-hop radio host for Real 92.3, DJ A-OH, provides insight into the saga of Kanye West's controversial statements that have been unfolding in the last two weeks.
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Leaks, leaks, leaks! Senior White House Reporter for POLITICO, Darren Samuelsohn, joined us to discuss the leaks associated with Robert Mueller's investigation and also give insight into how reporters deal with and vet these types of leaks. Producer Miranda gives a rundown of Facebook's newest venture, and why it sent the stocks of Tinder and Match plummeting.
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The migrant caravan coming from Honduras finally arrived at the US border. Reporter Steve Gregory was there to interview participants and share their story with us. We also spoke to Buzzfeed's David Mack about the mysterious sex cult that has ensnared several high profile heiresses and a Hollywood actress.
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More information has been released about how investigators used DNA and Genealogy websites to track down the Golden State Killer, we spoke with Sam Stanton of the Sacramento Bee about those methods and what it was like to see the suspect live at his first court appearance. We also spoke to political reporter for Reuters, Ginger Gibson, about her experience attending the White House Correspondents Dinner and the announcement over the weekend from North and South Korea.
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Benjy Egel, a breaking news reporter for the Sacramento Bee, gives us an in depth profile of the man suspected to be the Golden State Killer including a timeline of his crimes and the incredible break in the case that lead to this week's arrest. We also spoke to Buzzfeed News reporter Claudia Rosenbaum about the guilty verdict in the Bill Cosby trial. Claudia was in the courtroom and provides details heard nowhere else.
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As teachers in Arizona prepare to walkout, Richard Ruelas of the Arizona Republic gives us the rundown on what they want and when they want it. We also spoke to Jason Morgan Ward, Professor of History for Mississippi State University about the 'lynching memorial' going up today in Montgomery Alabama. We closed with a preview of our coverage surrounding the apprehension of the suspected Golden State Killer, listen for some creepy audio from the man himself.
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As more details emerge following the van attack in Toronto, Buzzfeed News reporter Brianna Sacks joins the show to give background on the driver's obsession with an American mass murderer. We also spoke to Republican political strategist, John Thomas, about President Trump's first state dinner and his budding bromance with French President Macron.
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Investigative reporter for The Tennessean, Dave Boucher, joins the show to give details following the arrest of the Waffle House shooting suspect and provide background details about the shooter's mental health leading up to the events that transpired over the weekend. We also spoke to Todd Zalkins, an addiction specialist and interventionist about the findings released two years after the overdose death of the musician Prince.
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Political reporter for Reuters, Ginger Gibson, joins the show to cover the President's reaction over the weekend to a NYT report about whether his personal attorney Michael Cohen could turn against the President as he faces a possible criminal investigation into his business dealings. We will also speak to Rod Pyle, author and space historian, about NASA's newest exoplanet hunter that recently launched, TESS. We will also ask Rod about a possible doomsday happening...today???
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Start your day with The Daily Dive. News without the noise, told straight. Launching April 24th.
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