What A Day

President Biden addressed the ongoing supply chain problems that are jacking up prices for consumers and slowing economic recovery, and said that the Port of Los Angeles will begin operating 24/7. Shippers including FedEx and UPS also said that they would commit to shipping more packages during off-peak hours.  It’s a big week for booster shots. Today, the FDA authorization committee will discuss a potential third dose of Moderna’s vaccine, and on Friday, it will look at a possible booster J&J’s. The FDA will also turn its attention to the safety of mixing and matching different vaccines, which could make the whole booster process a lot easier if it’s approved.  And in headlines: Social Security recipients will get a boost to their checks by 5.9 percent in 2022, the U.S. will open its borders to Canadian and Mexican travelers next month, and trans workers at Netflix will stage a walkout to protest statements made by the company’s CEO. For a transcript of this episode, please visit ...

For more than a decade, officials in Rutherford County, Tennessee, were arresting kids en masse and placing them in juvenile detention. In this county, children were going to jail over tiny – or even non-existent – infractions. ProPublica and Nashville Public Radio reported this story and Meribah Knight, the lead author, joins us to unpack who allowed this to go on for so long.  And in headlines: Las Vegas Raiders head coach Jon Gruden resigned, Texas Governor Greg Abbott banned any entity in the state from mandating the COVID vaccine, and the NBA’s Kyrie Irving will not play in any games for the Brooklyn Nets until he's vaccinated. Show Notes: ProPublica: “Black Children Were Jailed for a Crime That Doesn’t Exist. Almost Nothing Happened to the Adults in Charge” – https://bit.ly/3v7F4vd For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

In July of 2014, Iranian-American journalist Jason Rezaian and his wife were accused of being spies by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard and were arrested. Jason was held captive for 544 days, and he’s the host of Crooked Media’s podcast, “544 Days.” He joins us to discuss his experience in captivity.  And in headlines: Merck asked the FDA for emergency use authorization of its experimental COVID-19 pill, Southwest Airlines cancelled thousands of flights since last weekend, and DC Comics announced that the new Superman is bisexual. Show Notes: Listen to “544 Days,” only on Spotify – https://spoti.fi/3v2QX5r For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

Guns were involved in three out of every four homicides in 2020, and 2021 is shaping up to be deadly, too. According to the Gun Violence Archive, from January 1st to September 15th of this year, more than 14,000 people died from gun violence in the U.S. Moms Demand Action founder, Shannon Watts, joined us to discuss Demand a Seat. It's a program that recruits gun violence survivors and activists to run for elected office and become more engaged in our politics. And in headlines: Texas’s restrictive anti-abortion law is back in effect, Iraqis voted in parliamentary elections, and Moderna has been supplying their shots almost exclusively to the world’s wealthiest countries. Show Notes: Moms Demand Action: Demand A Seat – https://www.everytown.org/demand-a-seat/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

Players across the National Women’s Soccer League have recently gone public with stories of verbal, emotional, and sexual abuse and harassment. Following these reports of abuse, the league cancelled all five games scheduled for last weekend. And when games resumed on Wednesday, the saga culminated with dramatic moments of silent protests at all league matches. Meg Linehan, who covers the world of women’s soccer for The Athletic, joins us to discuss the developing story.  And in headlines: the Senate voted to raise the country’s debt ceiling for now, Pfizer-BioNTech asked the FDA to authorize its vaccine for emergency use in kids 5-11, and Biden signs an executive order today to protect national monuments shrunk in size by Trump. Show Notes: The Athletic: “‘This guy has a pattern’: Amid institutional failure, former NWSL players accuse prominent coach of sexual coercion” – https://bit.ly/3oJ5TVs The Athletic’s Meg Linehan – https://twitter.com/itsmeglinehan For a transcript of this...

The Biden administration announced it will overhaul the student loan forgiveness program for public service employees. It was supposed to forgive certain federal loans of people who worked in the public sector or at non-profit jobs for at least 10 years, but about 98 percent of those who applied were denied. The change will help over a half-million borrowers. Work at all of the Kellogg Company’s U.S. cereal plants came to a halt. As of Tuesday, 1,400 workers across the country went on strike. Workers want better health care, holiday and vacation pay, and more. Before you panic shop, it is not immediately clear how much the supply of Frosted Flakes will be disrupted. And in headlines: a federal judge blocked the enforcement of Texas’s restrictive anti-abortion law, Mitch McConnell offered to suspend the country’s debt ceiling through December, and the New York Public Library announced no more late fees for overdue material. Show Notes: NY Times: “A Guide to Big Changes for Public Se...

Ernest Johnson was executed in Missouri, yesterday. Johnson had been on death row for over 25 years after being convicted of the 1994 murder of three people. However, pleas for clemency from his supporters, including Pope Francis, intensified recently, saying Johnson’s intellectual disabilities made the execution unconstitutional and immoral. The FDA’s advisory committee will be considering more booster shots, next week, as well as Pfizer vaccines for young children. Also, the drug company Merck said that its pill to treat COVID-19 reduced the risk of hospitalization among high risk people by 50 percent in a clinical trial.  And in headlines: a report found the French Catholic Church abused more than 200,000 minors over the last 70 years, Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen testified before the Senate, and a Russian film crew arrived at the International Space Station to make history. Show Notes: NY Times: “Missouri Executes Death Row Prisoner Despite Pleas From Pope and Others” ...

Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram were offline for six hours yesterday in what’s been called the most sustained and the largest outage for the company in recent memory. It came a day after CBS aired an interview with a Facebook whistleblower, and on the same day the company filed a dismissal in an anti-trust lawsuit by the federal government. The latest Supreme Court term began, yesterday, and there is a lot to keep our eyes on with the current 6-3 conservative majority. The court is going to hear arguably the most important 2nd Amendment case since at least 2008, possibly the most impactful reproductive health ruling in decades, and more. And in headlines: union members of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees voted to authorize a strike, Senate Republicans vow to not raise the country’s debt ceiling, and Clint Eastwood won a $6.1 million lawsuit against a CBD company. Show Notes: Washington Post: “Facebook apps coming back online after widespread outage” – https...

Wisconsin's 34-year-old Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes is one of the many Democrats running to beat Republican U.S. Senator Ron Johnson. Johnson's seat has been seen as one of the most likely to flip to Democratic hands next year. We interviewed Barnes about entering the primary with statewide name recognition and his overt effort to be the staunch progressive in next year's race. And in headlines: a 126,000 gallon oil spill hits the Southern California shores, a historically Black beach in L.A. is returned to its founders' descendants, and Ozy Media is shutting down. For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

Congress approved a short-term spending bill to keep the government open until early December, but Democrats are still scrambling to strike deals on social policies and infrastructure. The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), the union representing thousands of workers in the entertainment industry, has been at a months-long impasse in contract negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers over issues like more time for rest and better wages. Today, union members begin to vote on strike authorization. And in headlines: the Department of Homeland Security issued new guidelines regarding immigrants who are undocumented, Facebook’s head of safety testified at a Senate hearing, and Shakira and her son were overrun by two wild hogs. Show Notes: KTVO: “UAW members gear up for strike amid contract negotiations with John Deere” – https://bit.ly/3utpMjV Vote in Fat Bear Week – https://explore.org/fat-bear-week For a transcript of this ep...

Britney Spears' father has been suspended as conservator of her estate. Her lawyer requested that a separate hearing be set in 30 to 45 days, and #FreeBritney activists hope Spears will be free by her 40th birthday. Members of International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, the union that represents all kinds of people behind the scenes on TV and movie sets, will begin voting on a strike authorization tomorrow. The union and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers have been negotiating a new contract for the last four months.  And in headlines: YouTube cracks down on the spread of vaccine misinformation, the U.S. government declared 22 animals and one plant extinct, and the NBA says players who miss games for not complying with vaccine mandates will not be paid for missed time. Show Notes: LA Times: “Hollywood union calls for strike authorization vote by crew workers” – https://lat.ms/3m5wLMi Statement: IATSE President Calls on Members to Authorize Strike – ht...

After Senate Republicans blocked a bill that would have funded the government and raised the debt ceiling, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen told Congress it would be catastrophic if lawmakers didn’t raise that ceiling. Additionally, the House is supposed to vote on the infrastructure package tomorrow. Crooked Media’s Editor-in-Chief Brian Beutler joins us to break down all of the Congressional news.  And in headlines: U.S. defense officials testified before the Senate, Alabama state lawmakers plan to use the state’s COVID relief funds to build new prisons, and South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem is under scrutiny for her nepotism. For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

After decades of allegations and investigations, a jury convicted R. Kelly, marking the end of a six-week federal trial. He was found guilty of all nine counts that he faced, including charges of sex trafficking and racketeering. Republicans who claim the 2020 presidential election was stolen suffered a humiliating defeat in Arizona. But instead of admitting they were wrong, the Stop the Steal movement is leaning even more into its false, outrageous, completely-made-up claims that Trump actually won.  And in headlines: Pfizer tests an oral antiviral drug that could prevent COVID-19 infections, children today will live through three times as many climate disasters as their grandparents, and Facebook delays its plan to launch an Instagram for kids. Show Notes: NY Times: “Goldman Sachs, Ozy Media and a $40 Million Conference Call Gone Wrong” – https://nyti.ms/3AZv35a For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

As many as one in five people who became ill with COVID-19 have reportedly developed long-term symptoms that last well after they’ve recovered from the initial infection. Informally called “Long COVID,” the condition is associated with chronic fatigue, brain fogginess, headaches, and more. We interview Dr. Ashish Jha from the Brown School of Public Health, who’s launched a new study to look at Long COVID’s effects on people, health care, workplaces and more. And in headlines: Germany holds a parliamentary election, the World Health Organization resuscitates the investigation into COVID-19’s origins, and Biden gets an even bigger victory margin in Arizona’s GOP-led 2020 election audit. Show Notes: Brown School of Public Health: “Global Epidemics: Long COVID” – https://bit.ly/3ibhiJl For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

A CDC advisory board unanimously said that people 65 and older should be allowed to receive a booster shot of the Pfizer-BiONTech COVID vaccine. It also agreed that younger people who might be at high-risk could get a booster as well, but NOT those who are at high risk of being exposed to COVID at their jobs. Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, epidemiologist and the host of America Dissected, joins us to breakdown vaccine news.  And in headlines: the U.S. special envoy to Haiti resigns, New York City lawmakers move to protect and establish rights for delivery workers, and the White House prepares for a government shutdown. For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

In addition to Gabrielle Petito’s tragic murder, we discuss the horrific rates of people of color who’ve gone missing in America. For example in Wyoming, where Petito’s body was found, 710 Indigenous people went missing between 2011 and 2020, and over half of them were women.  In COVID news, President Biden pledged to donate 500 million vaccine doses to lower income countries. The FDA also authorized a Pfizer-BioNTech booster vaccine for people 65 and older and for those at risk of severe disease.   And in headlines: nearly 1,000 Haitian migrants in Del Rio, TX, were released into the United States, bipartisan Congressional negotiations on a sweeping police reform bill broke down, and Trump filed a lawsuit against his niece and reporters at The New York Times. Show Notes: Wyoming Department of Victim Services: “Missing and Murdered Indigenous People” – https://wysac.uwyo.edu/wysac/reports/View/7713 Associated Press: “#NotInvisible: Why are Native American women vanishing?” – https:...

In defiance of Texas’ new abortion law, one doctor in the state claimed he performed an abortion. On Monday, two men, neither of whom are in Texas, filed the first lawsuits under the law against that doctor. More than 1,000 Nabisco employees across five states will begin to return to work following a weeks-long strike. It was the first strike at the company in something like 52 years.  And in headlines: President Biden delivered his first address to the UN, the Biden administration continues to face backlash for its treatment of Haitian migrants on the southern border, and Instacart workers ask customers to delete the app. For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

The Senate’s parliamentarian said that Democrats could not use the $3.5 trillion reconciliation bill to create a pathway to citizenship for the millions of undocumented people in the U.S. At the same time, over 14,000 Haitian migrants began to arrive at the Texas-Mexico border in recent days in order to seek asylum. Several hundreds of them have been deported back to Haiti, using a pandemic-related policy adopted by the Trump administration. Denea Joseph, an undocumented DACA recipient and national immigrant rights activist, joins us to discuss the latest immigration news. And in headlines: the Biden administration eases travel restrictions on fully vaccinated foreign nationals flying to the U.S., the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine provokes a strong immune response in children 5 to 11 years old, and Russia recently held a national election and Putin is still the President. Show Notes: Al Jazeera: “Border Patrol Use Whips And Horses To Chase Asylum Seekers” – https://www.youtub...

An FDA panel, last week, unanimously approved a booster shot of the Pfizer-BioNTech covid vaccine for people 65 and older, and anyone at risk of severe illness. The full FDA will likely make a formal decision on boosters based on that advisory panel’s recommendations in the coming days, followed by a CDC meeting to decide who should be getting them.  Rikers is the main jail in New York City and the second biggest jail in America. It has always been known as an especially brutal place, but since the start of the pandemic, lawyers and public officials say conditions are now the worst the jail has seen in its 90 year history. And in headlines: U.S. officials began deporting hundreds of Haitians who arrived at the Texas-Mexico border, the White House is trying to set up a call between Biden and Macron to smooth things over, and the Pentagon admitted that a drone strike in Kabul was a, “tragic mistake.” For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

Former Minneapolis police officer and convicted murderer Derek Chauvin pleaded not guilty to not one but TWO federal indictments this week in two separate instances of extreme police brutality. He’s currently serving a 22.5 year sentence at a maximum security prison outside of Minneapolis. And starting today, Minneapolis voters will decide on a measure that could reform the make-up and mission of the local police department. Today, U.S. officials take a shot at maybe approving a booster of one of the COVID-19 vaccines. An FDA advisory committee has a hearing scheduled about the need for a third shot of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, and it is expected to vote today. And in headlines: health care is rationed throughout Idaho, California wildfires threaten some of the biggest trees on Earth, and France called out a new security alliance between the U.S., the U.K., and Australia. For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

Voters in California appeared to send the message to Governor Gavin Newsom that his coronavirus policies were the right way to go after saving him from a recall. The vote also sends a pretty strong political message to Democrats around the country about the pressures they might face for their own pandemic measures. Additionally, President Biden met with top executives of companies that supported his administration’s vaccination mandate plan. For the past three years, Facebook has been conducting studies into how Instagram affects its millions of young users. According to the Wall Street Journal, those studies say the app is harmful for a sizable chunk of them, especially teen girls. And in headlines: Olympic gymnasts testified before the Senate, the Justice Department filed an emergency motion to stop the enforcement of Texas's new controversial abortion law, and cultural icon RuPaul now has a shiny little bug named after him. Show Notes: Bloomberg: “U.S. Covid Vaccinations Slide A...

India Walton, the Democratic nominee for mayor of Buffalo, New York, is poised to win this November. Walton would be the first woman to ever lead the second largest city in the state, and the first self-identified socialist to lead a major American city in over 50 years. She joins us to kick off a new series of conversations that highlight candidates running in local and state elections and primaries across the country. And in headlines: Hurricane Nicholas made landfall near Houston, the Census Bureau reported U.S. poverty fell in 2020, and Senate Democrats reached an agreement on a voting rights bill. For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

The California recall election of Governor Gavin Newsom wraps up today. Newsom campaigned with President Biden, yesterday, and if he is booted from the Governor’s mansion, polls show he is most likely to be replaced with conservative talk show host Larry Elder. KQED’s political correspondent Marisa Lagos joins us to get a status report on where things stand. And in headlines: one million Afghan children are at risk of starvation and death, Secretary of State Anthony Blinken testified before Congress about the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, and the first trial associated with the Varsity Blues scandal kicked off. For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

This past weekend marked the 20th anniversary of 9/11, and beyond the typical yearly commemoration, the FBI released a newly declassified document detailing contacts that two hijackers had with Saudi associates in the U.S. Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, Spencer Ackerman, joins us to discuss the history of 9/11, the war on terror, and the latest developments in Afghanistan. And in headlines: Iran reached an agreement with the UN’s nuclear watchdog, people who are not fully vaccinated are eleven times more likely to die of COVID-19 than those who are fully vaccinated, and Democratic lawmakers still can’t agree on a price tag for their spending plan. Show Notes: NYT: “In U.S. Drone Strike, Evidence Suggests No ISIS Bomb” – https://nyti.ms/3E97iK1 Forever Wars Substack – https://foreverwars.substack.com/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

Tomorrow marks 20 years since 9/11. The terrorist attack caused a ripple effect that has influenced many parts of American history and culture, but it also fueled a rise in Islamophobia. We hear from Shahana Hanif how two decades of anti-Muslim bias has hurt and transformed the lives of American Muslims. When the attack happened, Hanif was a 10-year-old growing up in Brooklyn. Today, she lives in Brooklyn and is running for New York City Council, where she is likely to become the first Muslim woman ever to serve. And in headlines: the Justice Department sues Texas over its anti-abortion law, Biden mandates vaccines for all federal government employees and contractors, and Facebook and Ray-Ban team up to make high-tech glasses. Show Notes: AP: “Two Decades After 9/11, Muslim Americans Still Fighting Bias” – https://bit.ly/3hjRdHI For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

Yesterday marked the beginning of the federal criminal trial of Elizabeth Holmes, the founder of the blood-testing startup Theranos. She and her former boyfriend Sunny Balwani were charged with about a dozen counts that include wire fraud for lying to investors as well as patients about what Theranos technology could actually do.  The weekly pediatric coronavirus cases in the U.S. surpassed 250,000 this week for the first time since the pandemic began. The uptick in young people testing positive comes during Back to School week for many, and that is NOT a good sign. And in headlines: the Biden administration announced its plan to expand the use of solar energy, LAPD officers have been instructed to record the social media information of any civilian they stop, and Starbucks is reportedly trying to stop a unionization effort. Show Notes: Wall Street Journal: “Theranos Founder Elizabeth Holmes’s Trial: Prosecutors Must Show Intent” – https://on.wsj.com/3toFZqh Politico: “Get vaccinat...

A law that effectively banned abortions in Texas after the sixth week of pregnancy with no exceptions for rape or incest took effect last Wednesday after the U.S. Supreme Court refused to block it. We spoke to Leah Litman, an assistant professor of law at the University of Michigan and cohost of the podcast “Strict Scrutiny,” to get a better understanding of how the law was designed. Also in Texas, Governor Greg Abbott signed a voting restriction bill, yesterday, that bans 24-hour voting and drive-through voting, institutes onerous vote-by-mail ID mandates, and more. And in headlines: the Taliban announced the formation of its interim government in Afghanistan, President Biden visited New Jersey and New York to survey the damage caused by Ida, federal unemployment benefits expired, former Trump advisor Jason Miller was briefly detained in Brazil, and Jamie Spears filed a petition to end Britney Spears’ conservatorship after 13 years. For a transcript of this episode, please visit c...

The FAA had to investigate more than 600 incidents involving unruly passengers in the first half of 2021, which is already double the number from the previous two years combined. Sara Nelson, international president of the Association of Flight Attendants, joins us to discuss how flight attendants, as front-line workers, are dealing with these people. And in headlines: over one million people still don’t have power in Louisiana following Hurricane Ida, Texas Republicans passed their restrictive voting bill, the U.S. Forest Service closed every national forest in California because of wildfires, and video game streamer go dark today for #ADayOffTwitch. Show Notes: NOLA.com: “New Orleans foundation launches fund in response to Hurricane Ida; here's how you can donate” – https://bit.ly/3gReAs2 The Verge: “After Weeks of Hate Raids, Twitch Streamers Are Taking a Day Off in Protest” – https://bit.ly/3jsKzAl WAD is taking a long break for the holiday, and we'll be back on Wednesday, ...

After 20 years, the U.S. has pulled out the last of its troops from Afghanistan. We spoke with Democratic Rep. Barbara Lee, who was the only member of Congress to vote against the authorization of use of force that led to U.S. troops being in Afghanistan, to discuss the latest developments. And in headlines: officials are still assessing the damage of Hurricane Ida, a new Texas law bans abortions as early as six weeks into a pregnancy, the Dept. of Education is investigating five states with bans on mask mandates in schools, and two Michigan parents were ordered to pay nearly $45,000 after throwing away their son's massive pornography collection. Show Notes: WSJ: “U.S. Investigates Kabul Airstrike; 10 Afghan Civilians Died, Relatives Say” – https://on.wsj.com/3kF1mzr For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

A U.S. military drone blew up a vehicle in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Sunday that was filled with explosives and was believed to be a threat to the international airport. This came after a suicide bombing outside of the airport last Thursday killed at least 170 civilians and 13 American military members, and ISIS-K claimed responsibility.  This past year has been defined by unionizing and organizing efforts across many industries, and the pandemic put a spotlight on worker conditions. Mary Kay Henry, the international president of the Service Employees International Union, joins us to discuss the current state of the American labor movement with Labor Day just ahead.  And in headlines: Hurricane Ida made landfall yesterday, U.S. military aircrafts began bringing aid into southern Haiti, a Virginia school board was ordered to pay $1.3 million in a transgender student's suit, and controversy surrounds the debut of Kanye West’s new album. For a transcript of this episode, please visit cro...

California Governor Gavin Newsom is facing a recall election, which could result in getting replaced by a right-wing candidate even if he defeats them by a landslide in vote totals. We spoke with Dan Pfeiffer, a co-host of Pod Save America, about the state of the election, and what voters in California need to know.  The fallout from the shameful last act of former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has extended to Time’s Up, the organization founded by some of Hollywood’s most powerful women with the aim of supporting victims of sexual harassment and assault. Now, former members of Time’s Up and some sexual abuse victims are criticizing the org, saying that it has strayed away from its mission and failed the women they were supposed to help. And in headlines: two House members take a secret trip to Kabul, OnlyFans reverses its stance on sexually explicit content, and Tony Hawk wants us to buy his blood. Show Notes: Since our recording Wednesday night, The Washington Post reports that...

The first U.S. troops started leaving Afghanistan, yesterday, as President Biden decided not to extend the timeline for U.S. withdrawal past the original August 31st deadline. The Taliban said yesterday that they would no longer allow Afghans to evacuate, which is a major departure from their previous position. Full vaccine approval for children younger than 12 might not come until the end of the year, according to some experts, but emergency use authorization could happen faster. We discuss what's holding up the process, plus the timeline for FDA approval of non-Pfizer vaccines. And in headlines: the House passes the infrastructure bill and spending bill, violent beach cows in Corsica, and Lil Nas X's new job at Taco Bell. For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

The FDA granted full approval for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, making it the first vaccine in the country to move beyond the "emergency use authorization" that's been in place for months now. The announcement was followed by a slew of new vaccine mandates for educators, service members, and more. Republican attacks on voting rights are continuing every day in Texas, North Carolina, and Georgia. We discuss the latest updates in the conservative push to make voting harder, and the racist history of laws that bar people who have been convicted of a felony from casting a ballot. And in headlines: the Paralympic Games begin in Tokyo, the Cyber Ninjas are taken out in Arizona, and the latest on T. Rex's jaw. For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

In the new season of “This Land,” journalist Rebecca Nagle investigates who is attempting to take down a federal law that aims to keep Native American foster and adoptive children with Native American communities, and why. Nagle joins WAD to explain how all is not what it seems in a court case where a white couple claims that they cannot adopt their foster child, who is of Navajo and Cherokee descent, because of that law. And in headlines: California’s Prop 22 is ruled unconstitutional, powerful storms deluge Tennessee and the Northeast, and school districts face a bus driver shortage. Show Notes: “This Land: Season 2” – https://crooked.com/podcast-series/this-land/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

On the same day Facebook announced the launch of “Horizon Workrooms,” a virtual reality app for remote work meetings, the Federal Trade Commission filed an updated antitrust suit against the company. The FTC argues that Facebook tried to maintain a monopoly in the social media sphere through acquisitions of Instagram in 2012 and WhatsApp in 2014, and lessened the ability of contending apps like Vine to compete. Previously, a federal judge said the FTC failed to prove its contention that Facebook holds a monopoly, but with new FTC chair Lina Khan heading the more detailed suit this time around, Facebook may be forced to break up. House Democrats introduced HR 4, the John Lewis Voting Rights Act, which is expected to be taken up by Congress next week. HR 4 is less sweeping than HR 1, the For the People Act, but contains measures that reinstate oversight powers of the Voting Rights Act, and make it easier for courts and observers to block election law changes. Though HR 4 is more limit...

CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky announced that a vaccine booster plan can begin September 20, but only if the FDA determines that a third shot for those who got Pfizer and Moderna is deemed safe and effective. Federal health officials estimate that vaccine protection against COVID-19 decreases over time, but their effectiveness against severe disease, hospitalization and death remains high. Meanwhile, the World Health Organization criticized the plan, saying it was, “handing out extra life jackets to people who already have life jackets.” After decades of accusations and investigations, R. Kelly’s first trial started yesterday in Brooklyn’s federal court. He faces multiple charges including racketeering, kidnapping, forced labor, and eight counts of violating the Mann Act. Though he was acquitted of child pornography charges in 2008, the explosive “Surviving R. Kelly” documentary and the #MuteRKelly campaign brought about the current charges, which center around six women who say...

The Biden Administration is expected to announce as soon as today that boosters should be in order for most fully vaccinated people who got either the Pfizer or Moderna shots. The recommended third dose should come approximately eight months after the last shot. But those who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine will have to wait on a possible booster shot until results from a study are released in a few weeks. The Taliban has started to speak publicly about its plans for Afghanistan, and offered many reassurances that people who formerly assisted the U.S. and NATO, as well as women, will not be targeted. Those promises, however, have been met with skepticism by Afghan civilians as well as other countries. And in headlines: the legal settlement over the opioid crisis hits a snag, Chris Cuomo finally opens up about his brother, and New Zealand locks down for a single COVID case. Show Notes: NYT: Malala, “I Fear for My Afghan Sisters” – https://nyti.ms/3k3pYBJ For a transcript of ...

After Taliban fighters took control over Afghanistan this weekend, UN Secretary General António Guterres urged all countries to open their doors to Afghan refugees and refrain from deportations. Panicked civilians flooded the airport in Kabul on Monday, some even clinging to a departing U.S. plane, hoping to escape an uncertain future under Taliban rule. President Biden defended the U.S. withdrawal saying it was the right decision to avoid a third decade of war, and blamed Afghanistan’s military and political leaders. On Saturday, Haiti was hit by a 7.2 magnitude earthquake, causing at least 1,400 deaths. The recovery effort is lagging, however, due to hospitals being overtaxed as well as Tropical Depression Grace, which made landfall in the island country on Monday night. Haiti is one of the poorest countries in the world due to its historical colonial oppression, and Prime Minister Ariel Henry was reportedly frustrated at the slow international response to their calls for aid. And...

The Taliban seized Afghanistan with a takeover of its capital Kabul this past weekend, leading the country’s President Ashraf Ghani and U.S. personnel to flee. Afghan civilians also attempted to leave the country, which led to chaos at the airport in Kabul. We talked about what led to the swift takeover of Afghanistan by Taliban forces with Laurel Miller, director of the International Crisis Group’s Asia Program. Between 2013 and 2017, Miller was the deputy and then-acting Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan at the U.S. State Department. And Josie Duffy Rice joins as WAD co-host. In headlines: recovery efforts in Haiti after a 7.2 magnitude quake, Canadians face a snap election, and a trio of volcanoes erupt in Alaska. Show Notes: Twitter: Laurel Miller – https://twitter.com/LaurelMillerICG For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

The Taliban has taken over twelve provincial cities in Afghanistan, and U.S. intelligence officials estimate the country's capital Kabul could also fall within a few months. The takeovers have not affected the timeline of withdrawing U.S. troops from the country.  New Census data shows that diversity has grown quickly in the past decade with the greatest gains seen among people identifying as Hispanic, Asian, or multiracial. We spoke with Yurij Rudensky, redistricting counsel in the Brennan Center's Democracy Program, about how these numbers could be used and potential Republican gerrymandering.  And in headlines: the country's biggest teacher's union supports requiring vaccinations, blue hydrogen might not be all that clean, and a mayor in Japan bites an athlete's gold medal. Show Notes: Brennan Center for Justice: Redistricting – https://bit.ly/3CLp99p For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

Senators Joe Manchin and Krysten Sinema say they might not support a budget bill with a $3.5 trillion price tag, but Democrats in the House won't support the bipartisan $1.2 trillion infrastructure package unless the larger bill passes, too. We spoke with Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal about how House progressives are thinking about these two crucial bills. America is facing two major heat waves in the Pacific Northwest and in the eastern and central U.S. Abroad, there are wildfires burning in Canada, Russia, Greece, Algeria, Turkey, and Italy, all fueled by extreme heat and dry vegetation, and causing evacuations and mass destruction. And in headlines: rebel Tigray and Oromo forces announce an alliance against Ethiopia's government, Texas House Democrats may face arrest for their exodus, and NASA's next space suit is delayed. Show Notes: NYT: “Hidden Toll of the Northwest Heat Wave: Hundreds of Extra Deaths” – https://nyti.ms/2U8rREe For a transcript of this episode, please visit ...

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced his resignation yesterday, one week after New York Attorney General Leticia James’ office released a damning report detailing allegations of sexual misconduct leveled against the governor by 11 women who worked for him. Cuomo's resignation will take effect on August 24th, at which point Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul will take over. The International Panel on Climate Change released a report on Monday presenting clear and unequivocal evidence of the human impact on climate change. We talked to Dr. Kim Cobb, the Director of the Global Change Program at the Georgia Institute of Technology and one of the 200 authors who worked on the report, about the consequences of global warming and what world leaders can do about it. And in headlines: the $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure deal finally passes in the Senate, Prince Andrew is sued for sexual assault, and hermit crabs are getting horny from plastic pollution. For a transcript of this epis...

The U.S. is currently seeing over 100,000 new COVID cases each day on average. It’s the highest number since this February, with hospitalizations and deaths up as well. We spoke to epidemiologist and former Detroit health commissioner Dr. Abdul El-Sayed about the state of the pandemic, and whether we should feel like we're moving backwards. We asked him about the return to in-person classes, what we can learn about the Delta variant from its course in other countries, vaccine verification in public spaces, and more. And in headlines: fires continue to rage on in Greece, Cuomo's top aide resigns, and the future of billboards in space. Show Notes: The Guardian op-ed: “America is flying blind when it comes to the Delta variant” – https://bit.ly/3Cvaj6G For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

Next year's midterm elections will dictate the future of voter rights, reproductive rights, climate change, pandemic recovery, and more. They may seem far off, but we can start getting ready for 2022 now. We spoke with Crooked's political director Shaniqua McClendon about the "No Off Years" campaign, which aims to support local organizers on the ground, register more people, and fight misinformation around the polls. And in headlines: the Dixie Fire continues to burn in Northern California, the Taliban seizes more regional capitals in Afghanistan, and Larry Page gets residency status in New Zealand. Show Notes: No Off Years by Vote Save America – https://votesaveamerica.com/nooffyears/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

President Biden announced his goal to make new vehicles greener in his administration’s first major use of federal regulatory power to cut carbon emissions. Still, some climate advocacy groups say that Biden's executive order doesn’t go far enough compared to the plans of other countries to achieve zero emissions.  New York's Governor Andrew Cuomo has been given until Friday the 13th to submit evidence in his defense for his impeachment investigation, which began back in March and focused not only on sexual harassment claims but also the handling of data about COVID deaths in nursing homes. We discuss what the impeachment process might look like with Josefa Velasquez, senior reporter at The City. And in headlines: the Justice Department launches an investigation into Phoenix's police department, wildfires rage in Europe and the U.S., and Ibiza enlists undercover officers to infiltrate illegal dance parties. Show Notes: NY Times: “Facing Loss of Supporters, Cuomo Gains Attention Fro...

The World Health Organization called for a moratorium on booster shots until the end of September, right as a number of countries have started or are planning to start booster campaigns amid concerns about the Delta variant of coronavirus. COVAX, the program supported by WHO to distribute donated vaccines to nations in need, is struggling to deliver on its promise. Mexico has filed a lawsuit against 11 gun manufacturers and suppliers in the U.S., claiming that they knowingly facilitated sales to drug cartels. Mexican officials estimate financial damages could amount up to $10 billion. Experts believe the lawsuit will send a message to the U.S. to take decisive political action on gun control. And in headlines: Democrats propose a law taxing major polluters, Rihanna is a billionaire, and former President Obama scales back on his 60th birthday bash. Show Notes: NY Times: “Where a Vast Global Vaccination Program Went Wrong” – https://nyti.ms/37kTHjD For a transcript of this episode, ...

A five month investigation into the conduct of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo found evidence of sexual harassment towards 11 current and former employees, and a sexist and hostile workplace. Nancy Pelosi, President Biden, and many more Democrats have called for Cuomo to resign, but so far he has refused. A National Labor Relations Board officer found that Amazon broke federal labor laws, in part by installing an unmarked USPS mailbox in front of its Bessemer, Alabama, warehouse that created the impression Amazon was conducting the election. If an NLRB official agrees with the findings, that could mean there would be a redo in the vote. We spoke to Stuart Appelbaum, president of the union that's trying to organize the facility, about what comes next. And in headlines: Capitol police officers receive the Congressional Gold Medal, the CDC announce a new eviction moratorium, and a cat takes the field at Yankee Stadium. Show Notes: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: Find Rental Assis...

Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said that students must be in classrooms this year and that schools should require everyone to mask up, but local districts will ultimately decide on their policies themselves. Some workplaces are moving forward with vaccine and mask mandates, but predominantly among their white-collar employees. The House failed to pass an extension of the federal eviction moratorium before it ended last weekend, although several states have their own local moratoriums still in place. But millions of Americans could face eviction in the coming months, with an estimated 15 million renters owing a collective $20 billion to landlords in back rent. And in headlines: the flooding death toll in China rises, Simone Biles makes a comeback, and a MAGA twitter clone has an ISIS problem. For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

New GDP numbers released by the Commerce Department show that the size of the economy has risen above pre-pandemic levels, but an increased spread of coronavirus could slow that growth. Relatedly, the federal government announced several plans and ideas to address the vaccination slowdown, including cash incentives and reimbursement for federal employees who get the shot. Congressional Democrats might include a pathway to citizenship for DREAMers and undocumented essential workers in their party's $3.5 trillion spending bill. The matter is extremely pressing since a federal judge ruled this month that DACA was illegal, and that Biden promised to create a more humane immigration policy while on the campaign trail. We spoke with DACA recipients to get their thoughts on the current situation. And in headlines: Scarlett Johansson filed a lawsuit against Disney, Rick Astley’s “Never Gonna Give You Up” hit 1 billion views on YouTube, and Sunisa Lee took gold in gymnastics for Team USA. Pl...

This year's Olympics is like no other, taking place in the midst of a pandemic, and in a city under a state of emergency in response to rising COVID-19 cases. We talked to The Washington Post's Ava Wallace about what it's like to report on the games this year, but also, the overall experience for her, for athletes, and for Tokyo residents at-large. Democratic donor Ed Buck was convicted in federal court on Tuesday in connection with the death-by-overdose of two Black gay men who he injected with methamphetamine. We discuss the significance of the conviction, and what the long road to accountability says about the way our justice system treats Black gay men. And in headlines: Tunisia’s president seizes judicial power, Activision Blizzard employees stage a walkout, and Hobby Lobby’s $1.6M Gilgamesh tablet is confiscated by the government. Show Notes: Washington Post: coverage by Ava Wallace – https://wapo.st/3BUVgmi Follow Ava Wallace on Twitter – https://twitter.com/AvaRWallace For...