What A Day

A bipartisan relief bill that had some momentum last week hit a snag after two senators said they won’t support the proposal. We explain. Plus, an update on coronavirus restrictions in New York. The Trump administration has five executions planned between now and January 20th, including that of Brandon Bernard, whose sentence many are fighting to commute. Biden is against the death penalty and said he will work to end it as president.  And in headlines: police shooting of 23-year-old Casey Goodson in Ohio, the Trump admin passed on extra doses of the Pfizer vaccine, and one weird trick pandas use to stay warm. Show Links: https://www.helpsavebrandon.com/ "Brandon Bernard Awaits Execution Amid Calls for Clemency" https://theintercept.com/2020/12/05/federal-executions-brandon-bernard/

Biden has reportedly selected California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, who led the defense of the Affordable Care Act in the Supreme Court last month, to lead the department of Health and Human Services. We discuss the pick. California Governor Gavin Newsom’s new lockdown order takes effect today in large parts of the state, and will be in effect for at least the next three weeks but possibly longer.  The UK will begin its initial batch of COVID-19 vaccinations this week, using the drug from Pfizer. Russia began vaccinating thousands in Moscow with their Sputnik V vaccine this past weekend, and there’s reporting that China is gearing up for a rollout of vaccines, too.  And in headlines: judge orders DACA restored, hundreds of thousands of farmers strike in India, and Trump doesn’t nail the messaging in Georgia.

There’s about a month left to go until the two Senate runoffs in Georgia, with Republican Senators Loeffler and Perdue walking the line of campaigning as a check on Biden while also not admitting that he will be the President. Meanwhile, Democratic challengers Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff are focusing largely on the pandemic and the multi-million dollar stock trades both their Republican opponents made in its early weeks. We spoke to Nse Ufot, the CEO of the New Georgia Project, which registered almost half a million people in Georgia leading up to the November election. She told us about what matters to voters in Georgia, how she thinks Trump’s attacks on the integrity of the election is affecting the race, and more. And in headlines: Bangladesh moves Rohingya families to a settlement on a remote island, Facebook to remove false COVID-19 vaccine info, and mayors are behaving badly. Show Links: votesaveamerica.com/georgia newgeorgiaproject.org

The UK became the first country to authorize Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine yesterday, with vaccinations expected to begin next week. In the US, the CDC voted to give health care workers and residents of long term facilities access to the vaccine first, if and when it's approved. CDC director Dr. Robert Redfield predicted that the US could see close to 450,000 deaths from COVID-19 by next February, but that could be mitigated by following public health protocols. The CDC also put out a new holiday travel advisory and new guidelines on quarantining before and after a trip. And in headlines: PPP loans for small businesses went to big businesses, no more emotional-support dogs on flights, and the White House defends its right to have Christmas parties.

Attorney General Bill Barr said what is obvious to everyone, that the Justice Department hasn’t found any election of widespread voter fraud that would change the result of the election. As Trump winds down his presidency, he’s reportedly looking into pre-emptive pardons for Ivanka, Eric, Don Jr., Jared Kushner, and his face-melting lawyer Rudy Giuliani.  A bipartisan group of senators pitched a compromise relief bill yesterday, which would extend some federal unemployment assistance and fund state and local governments, but would stop short of offering direct payments. An estimated 12 million Americans will lose COVID-relief benefits the day after Christmas if Congress can’t come to a deal.  And in headlines: Uber buys Postmates, LA nearly shuts down COVID-testing site for gender-swapped reboot of “She’s All That,” and the story of the loneliest elephant in the world.

Biden officially announced several top members of his economic team, including his picks to lead the Treasury, White House Council of Economic Advisers, and the Office of Management and Budget. We talk about the picks and what it says about Biden's economic priorities. Moderna submitted its vaccine for FDA authorization yesterday, following Pfizer’s submission a couple weeks ago. The CDC is holding an emergency meeting today to hammer out some guidelines for states on who should get their COVID shots first.  And in headlines: SCOTUS hears arguments on Trump’s plan to keep undocumented immigrants out of the census count, a London lab uses AI to predict the shapes of proteins, and Spiderman is able to have in-person school in Atlanta.

New York City is opening up elementary schools next week after city officials faced heavy criticism for appearing to prioritize economic activities like restaurant dining over the well-being of children. Across the country, public school closures have led to a spike in private school matriculation, since private institutions have a better chance of staying open.  Trump still hasn’t conceded yet, but he has ramped up predictable lame-duck behavior like pushing through a battery of new rules and policy changes. Some policies might not pass legal muster or will be easy for the Biden administration to reverse, but others will have a lasting impact.  And in headlines: Biden announces the first all-female senior White House communications team, Iran’s foremost nuclear scientist assassinated, and the Utah monolith is gone in a cloud of dirt. Show Links: "Trump Races to Weaken Environmental and Worker Protections, and Implement Other Last-Minute Policies, Before Jan. 20" https://www.propubl...

Michigan and Wayne County have repeatedly been targeted in Trump’s attempts to overturn the election results. In particular, he and his supporters have singled out Detroit, a heavily Democratic, majority-Black city. We talk to Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib about that effort. Plus, we get her take on what’s next for House Democrats and what she’d like to see from the Biden administration.  And in headlines: what happens when the Pope likes posts, no more politics in Animal Crossing, and Rudy Giuliani melts. Plus, we’re joined by writer and comedian Demi Adejuyigbe. Show Links: Find Demi on Twitter: https://twitter.com/electrolemon

Yesterday brought more bad news about the current state of the pandemic, even as we got more good news about ending it in the future. The entire public school system in New York City, the largest in the country, is going fully remote as cases rise in the city. Meanwhile, the FDA gave emergency use authorization to the first at-home COVID test, and Pfizer said their vaccine is 95% effective, according to new data. Trump’s attempts to overturn the election are ongoing, but they’re ongoing poorly. We discuss the state of play in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania — where Trump’s team is targeting Black and Democratic counties. Plus, the latest on the recount in Georgia. And in headlines: the Trump administration can no longer deport children who cross the southern border, Boeing’s 737 Max airplanes are once again approved to fly, and Apple cuts fees on small app developers but critics say it’s not enough.

The US is in an extremely dangerous period of the pandemic, with cases and hospitalizations at record highs, holidays fast approaching, and little in the way of a federal response. Our guest host for today —epidemiologist and former Detroit health commissioner Dr. Abdul El-Sayed — answers our questions about the current state of affairs, vaccine updates, Thanksgiving, and what gives him hope about a Biden administration.  And in headlines: Hurricane Iota update in Central America, Apple faces privacy lawsuit in Europe, and Dolly helped get us the Moderna vaccine. Show Links: Listen to America Dissected crooked.com/americadissected Shop the Crooked Store store.crooked.com

Pharmaceutical company Moderna announced yesterday that its vaccine is 94.5% effective, according to early data. This comes after Pfizer's announcement last week and raises the prospects that two vaccines could cleared for use on a limited basis by the end of the year. With two senate runoffs set for January, all eyes are on Georgia. We talk about the candidates, the issues, and the organizers animating the race. And in headlines: more than 92,000 people have filed abuse claims against the Boy Scouts, “Stop The Steal” lawsuits stopped in four states, and more on this weekend’s NASA-SpaceX launch. Show Links: Sign up to Adopt Georgia: votesaveamerica.com/georgia Donate to Warnock & Ossoff: votesaveamerica.com/getmitch Donate to grassroots organizations in Georgia: votesave.us/everylastvote

The federal government still hasn’t affirmed Biden's victory, blocking him from the White House access he needs to get a handle on the transition and the government's pandemic response. America has now surpassed 11 million COVID-19 cases, and the virus is still predominately affecting Black and Brown Americans. Some states are taking sweeping actions to slow rising case numbers, like New Mexico and Oregon, which have both reimposed lockdown measures. And in headlines: new NYPD data show the limits of independent oversight committees, leaders from 15 Asia-Pacific countries sign the world’s largest free trade deal, and Chad Wolf’s moves to limit DACA weren’t legal.

Joe Biden’s lead has only grown since major networks projected him to win the presidential election last weekend, and despite that, Trump has continued to baselessly claim that he is the true winner and delay Biden’s transition process. To better understand the nuances of Trump’s lawsuits and whether we have anything at all to worry about, we spoke to Risk Hasen, a law professor at UC Irvine who specializes in election law and campaign finance.  And in headlines: over 700,000 people file for unemployment, wolves as a first line of defense against chronic wasting disease, and YouTube Rewind is cancelled for this year.

The US is still in the thick of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the number of confirmed cases rising by 70 percent in the past two weeks. The CDC put out a new guidance that said face masks protect the person wearing the mask as well as the people around them—which is one more reason to keep wearing them.  Republicans are still occupying an alternate reality where they largely refuse to acknowledge that Joe Biden has won the presidential election, even as Biden and his team of outside allies start preparing for the transition. Biden announced former White House ebola response coordinator Ron Klain as his Chief Of Staff, and we’re learning more about his plans to address the global climate crisis.  And in headlines: a president’s ouster in Peru, TikTok asks for clarity on ban, and Ring recalls doorbells after they light on fire.

Secretary Of State Mike Pompeo made a bad “joke” yesterday that led many to believe Trump will continue to ignore the election results… which is making it harder for President-elect Joe Biden to begin the transition process. Trump’s lawsuits to challenge election results have been mostly unsuccessful and lacking in any evidence. We go through a few examples, as well as what comes next in the election certification process. And in headlines: Amazon faces antitrust charges in the EU, who’s making the McDonald’s McPlant, and a deep-dive into the story of Dean Browning’s alleged burner account.

Pfizer says an initial analysis of their vaccine found it was more than 90 percent effective in preventing COVID-19. President-elect Joe Biden announced his 13-member pandemic task force, which includes health experts that previously served in Republican and Democratic administrations. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell backed Trump’s refusal to accept the results of the election yesterday, while simultaneously welcoming new incoming Republican senators. In Georgia, current senators Perdue and Loeffler are demanding that the Republican secretary of state step down over the election, without providing evidence to support their vague claims of “failures.” And in headlines: Hurricane Eta made landfall in the Florida Keys, Blue Ivy Carter narrates an audiobook, and Trump ousts Secretary of Defense Mark Esper.

The presidential race was called this weekend for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, leading to spontaneous celebrations across the country. Biden and Harris gave their first speeches as President-elect and Vice President-elect on Saturday night, reiterating their message of unity and sketching out a mandate that includes rooting out systemic racism, working towards and economic fairness, and tackling climate change. The country recorded its 10 millionth COVID case over the weekend, which is higher than any other country on earth. Today Biden is set to announce a COVID task force, as part of a weeklong focus on the pandemic and healthcare. And in headlines: the latest on the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh, Mexico to legalize marijuana, and a closer look at the saga of Four Seasons Total Landscaping.

A significant number of ballots were counted yesterday in states where races have been too close to call, leading to gains for Joe Biden in Pennsylvania, Nevada, and Georgia. At this point, Trump would need everything to break his way to win the election—and that doesn’t seem likely. Biden’s campaign continued to project confidence yesterday, while Trump did a press conference where he tried out every anti-Democratic lie he could think of.  Looking at the Senate races: the Ossoff/Perdue race in Georgia got even tighter yesterday, meaning there will be a runoff election in January. This will take place alongside the Warnock/Loeffler runoff, and could allow the Democrats to tie up the Senate.  And in headlines: rising tensions in Ethiopia lead to fears of civil war, Jared Kushner’s apartment company tries to evict hundreds during the pandemic, and another new lava planet we can move to. Show Links: votesaveamerica.com/protect

Joe Biden now has the most votes of any presidential candidate in history, and he’s won two more key states in his path to 270 electoral votes: Michigan and Wisconsin. We’re still waiting on calls in five battleground states: Arizona, Nevada, Georgia, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina. We discuss where things stand, and how the two campaigns are responding. Spoiler alert: one is being dignified and the other is trying to derail the democratic process. Meanwhile, things aren't looking so good for Democrats in the Senate. Susan Collins won re-election in Maine, making the chances of a Dem majority much slimmer. And in headlines: the US sees over 100,000 new COVID cases in a single day, passage of California’s Proposition 22 sends ride-share stocks soaring, and re-examining the gender roles of hunter-gatherers.

Yesterday was Election Day, and it ended as we expected it to: without an official call on the presidential race. There wasn’t a Biden landslide like we hoped, but as we went to record last night, he still had a path to victory. We discuss that path, some surprising and less surprising calls, and how the two presidential candidates treated the results.  Looking at Congress, Democrats retained control of the House, adding some cool new progressives including Cori Bush, Jamaal Bowman, and Marie Newman. The jury’s still out on who will control the Senate.  And in headlines: the US is no longer part of the Paris Climate Agreement, record-setting COVID numbers in the US, and Trump destroys Lil Wayne’s relationship.

After four long hard years, we’ve made it to election day… now we just need to make it through the next 24, to 48, to 100-plus hours. We discuss when the results will come in and what we’ll be watching out for. Plus, a look at some key Senate races in states that could flip.  And in headlines: battleground states were hit hardest with misinformation, voter preferences by first name, and a whale statue saves a train. Show Notes: If you run into any issues voting or witness voter suppression or intimidation, call the voter protection hotline: 1-833-DEM-VOTE — 1-833-336-8683 Make a plan to vote: votesaveamerica.com/plan Sign up to volunteer: votesaveamerica.com/volunteer Listen to Akilah's Spotify playlist "Chill Times Bro" https://open.spotify.com/playlist/69Sif17z5Lec1TTDudahnz?si=lET8v3wxRKKtkKmOGK-6Iw

Over 93 million people have voted as of Sunday night. More than 8 million of those voters are doing so for the first time, according to the data firm TargetSmart. We talk to a group of first time voters about why they are participating this year, and why they’re choosing Biden. The US hit a new record high of Covid-19 cases last Friday — with many swing states hitting record highs as well. And the UK announced a new lockdown to combat their rise in cases.  And in headlines: Typhoon Goni hits the Philippines, high school journalists bust Kentucky State Police, and a new giant coral discovered at the Great Barrier Reef.

Another 5 million people cast ballots yesterday, bringing the vote total to over 80 million so far. We explain two recent Supreme Court decisions over voting rights in Pennsylvania and North Carolina… and what they could mean for the post-election count. The GDP went up by 7.4 percent in the third quarter, but the economy is still 3.5 percent smaller than it was pre-pandemic. Plus, we check in on the chances for a new relief bill after the election. And in headlines: Trump HHS can’t find one celebrity to make a PSA with, Jerry Falwell Jr. sues Liberty University, and Taiwan hasn’t had a domestic COVID case for 200 days. Plus, Phillip Picardi joins us as a special guest! Show Links: Listen to Phillip's show "Unholier Than Thou" https://crooked.com/podcast-series/unholier-than-thou/

COVID-19 numbers are up in the US, with more than 500,000 new cases over the past week. Trouble spots include El Paso, TX, where hospitals are stretched to capacity, plus the Dakotas, Wisconsin, and Montana. Europe is also seeing numbers spike, leading some countries to re-implement national shutdowns.  There are five days until election day, so we’re continuing to review notable ballot initiatives. Today, we discuss Utah and Nebraska amendments that would outlaw slavery as punishment for crimes, a Florida amendment that would raise the minimum wage, and more.  And in headlines: tens of thousands protested a new abortion law in Poland, tech CEOs testify about content moderation, a look at how swordfish stab. Show Links: votesaveamerica.com/volunteer

With less than a week until November 3rd, almost 70 million people have already voted in this election as of last night, which is over half the total in 2016. We talk with Charlotte Swasey, the Vice President of polling at Data for Progress, about how things are looking for Biden, how to read the polls, and what results we may and may not get on Election night.  And in headlines: protests in Philly over the shooting of Walter Wallace Jr., California’s record-breaking fire season continues, and Russia implements mask mandate. Show Links: Make a plan to vote: votesaveamerica.com

Amy Coney Barrett was officially confirmed as a Supreme Court justice, cementing a 6-3 conservative majority on the court. Barrett has not said whether she will recuse herself from cases having to do with this election… meanwhile, her confirmation has led even more moderate Democrats to warm up to the idea of court reform or expansion. Policing is on the ballot this year, with over 20 state and local measures that deal with law enforcement budgets, police oversight, marijuana legalization and more. We talk through some of those measures and the effect they might have if they pass. And in headlines: Chile votes to replace its constitution, China’s Ant Group has largest IPO in history, and the nation of Kazakhstan reclaims “very nice.” Show Links: votesaveameria.com/volunteer

At least 5 aides of Mike Pence including his Chief of Staff have tested positive for Covid-19, but Pence still isn’t going to quarantine. The country is seeing record numbers of new cases, with over 85,000 new cases last Friday… that fits with a recent admission from White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows that the federal government is “not going to control the pandemic.”  Over 59 million people have already voted in the election and far fewer votes are undecided this year than they were in 2016. We take a look at how Trump and Biden are spending their final week on the campaign trail and how polls are looking in key states.  And in headlines: police fatally shoot 19-year-old Marcellis Stinnette in Illinois, Spain declares a national state of emergency, and HHS blows a deal with Santa.

Last night Biden and Trump faced off in the second and final presidential debate. It was less interrupt-y and the candidates discussed everything from the pandemic to climate change and racism. We break down what Biden and Trump had to say, and the biggest news leading into the night.  And in headlines: Remdesivir approved, Pompeo signs an anti-abortion declaration, and a beautiful green dog is born in Italy. Show Links:  “What Prop 22’s Defeat Would Mean For Uber and Lyft — And Drivers” https://www.latimes.com/business/technology/story/2020-10-19/prop-22-explained

The DOJ announced an $8.3 billion settlement with Purdue Pharma yesterday for illegally marketing their painkiller Oxycontin. The settlement doesn’t prevent members of the Sackler family, who own Purdue Pharma, from criminal liability and there is still a criminal case pending.  Protests continue in Nigeria against a notorious police unit called SARS, which has been accused of corruption, violence and other forms of abuse. Earlier this week, security forces fired on a crowd of protesters, reportedly killing several people and injuring others. And in headlines: lawyers unable to find parents of 545 children who were separated under Trump immigration policy, Big Ten mayors ask conference organizers to be COVID-cautious, and another Quick Bites the dust. Show Links: Support protesters in Nigeria: https://feministcoalition2020.com/ "These Twelve Elections Could Curb ICE's Power" https://theappeal.org/politicalreport/immigration-in-november-2020/

The Justice Department filed a major lawsuit against Google saying that the company is illegally trying to maintain its search dominance using anti-competitive practices. We look at what's the behind the case and what it could mean for Google. Trial volunteers in London will be deliberately infected with COVID-19 to aid in vaccine research starting in January, if a plan by researchers gets approval from regulators. In the US, the governors of California and New York are pledging review any FDA-approved vaccine before disseminating it to the public in their states. And in headlines: a grand juror in the Breonna Taylor case speaks out, Ireland reimposes shutdown, and Phil Collins’ house is occupied by his ex-wife and armed guards. Show Links: "Why the US government is suing Google" https://www.vox.com/recode/21524710/google-antitrust-lawsuit-doj-search-trump-bill-barr

In the final two weeks before November 3rd, Trump has been criticizing his own public health experts like Dr. Anthony Fauci. Meanwhile, Biden and Harris have been defending scientists and their role in public policy. Federal prosecutors charged six men for some of the biggest, most notorious hacks in recent years, including the 2018 Winter Olympics hack and a 2017 hack on Ukraine. The hackers are all members of the Russian military intelligence agency, the GRU, which was also linked to election interference in the 2016 election.  And in headlines: Carlos Mesa poised to win the Bolivian election, Trump will remove Sudan from a list of state sponsors of terrorism, and a 2,000 year old cat carving in Peru. Show Links: "The Untold Story of the 2018 Olympics Cyberattack, the Most Deceptive Hack in History" https://www.wired.com/story/untold-story-2018-olympics-destroyer-cyberattack/

In the US, we’re now seeing uncontrolled spread of coronavirus as parts of the country get colder and people prepare to gather for the holidays. On Friday, the CEO of Pfizer said his company won’t apply for emergency vaccine authorization until late November at the earliest, which appears to be the nail in the coffin for any vaccine getting approval by election day.  After SCOTUS ruled that Trump could shut down the census count last Tuesday, the court agreed on Friday to review Trump’s plan to omit undocumented immigrants for the purposes of determining congressional seats. Civil rights groups are already suing the administration over the latter plan, which would further entrench systemic racism in how marginalized demographic groups are represented.  And in headlines: Bolivia voted yesterday in an election that could signal the future of socialism in the region, Colorado battles historic wildfires, and a probiotic, problematic yogurt shop in Colorado. Show Links: "What the Supreme...

A new study shows eight million people have fallen into poverty since May, when the CARES Act money started running out, but lawmakers in Washington still can’t agree on a second relief bill. We review the current state of negotiations, and how the delay is affecting Americans in need.  Yesterday the Senate Judiciary Committee wrapped up their confirmation hearings for Judge Amy Coney Barrett, with no big surprises except a few frustrating moments where Democratic ranking member Dianne Feinstein went out of her way to signal approval for the process and for Lindsey Graham. And in headlines: Thailand declares a “state of extreme emergency” after protests, three people who were traveling with Biden and Harris test positive for COVID-19, and the BTS IPO. Plus Crooked's own Erin Ryan fills in for Akilah. Show Links: "Inside the Fall of the CDC" https://www.propublica.org/article/inside-the-fall-of-the-cdc

Amy Coney Barrett appeared for her last day of Senate questioning yesterday and gave more evasive non-responses. Today is the final day of the hearings, and will feature witness testimony on Barrett’s nomination.  Brian Fallon is the executive director of Demand Justice, a group which pushes for progressive structural reforms and political hardball when it comes to the judiciary. We spoke to him about Barrett’s confirmation and what Democrats need to do differently to fix the courts.  And in headlines: 5.2 million people in the country won’t be able to vote because of felony convictions, Europe faces a second wave of Covid-19, and a major scandal in the Federal Duck Stamp Contest. Plus, Crooked's own Erin Ryan fills in for Akilah Hughes.

Yesterday was day two of Amy Coney Barrett’s confirmation hearings, when members of the Senate Judiciary Committee got their first public chance to directly question the nominee. There were a lot of questions, but there weren’t many answers. Safety concerns led Johnson & Johnson to pause a large clinical trial of its COVID vaccine candidate and Eli Lilly to pause trials of their antibody drug. A new study found a person in Nevada was infected twice with COVID within a period of six weeks, which is the first confirmed case of reinfection in the US.  And in headlines: the Supreme Court rules to halt the census, Trump vs. Fauci, and a tourist in Peru waits 7 months to visit Machu Picchu.

Senate hearings began yesterday to consider Judge Amy Coney Barrett’s nomination to the Supreme Court. Democrats tried to keep the focus on the Affordable Care Act, while Republicans treated the day like they were writing a profile of Barrett for a conservative version of Marie Claire.  With three weeks left until November 3rd, we look at recent polling, what it says about swing voters, and the state of early voting across the country. And in headlines: the California GOP installs illegal ballot-drop boxes, Facebook announces it will ban Holocaust denial, and the epic battle between Microsoft and Trickbot. Show Links: https://caearlyvoting.sos.ca.gov/

Senate confirmation hearings begin today for Judge Amy Coney Barrett, Trump's Supreme Court nominee. The president is scheduled to return to the campaign trail today just over a week after being hospitalized with COVID-19, after his doctor released a memo saying he’s no longer contagious, but providing no other information.  Daily new cases of COVID-19 in the US are creeping above 50,000, which is the highest since August. Our guest host for today—epidemiologist and former Detroit health commissioner Dr. Abdul El-Sayed—answers our questions on what’s to come this winter, the long-term effects of COVID-19, and how to fight “vaccine hesitancy." And in headlines: Nigeria’s government disbands a controversial police unit, Pakistan bans TikTok, and Jaime Harrison’s record-breaking fundraising against Senator Lindsey Graham. Show Links: America Dissected, hosted by Abdul El-Sayed https://crooked.com/podcast-series/america-dissected/

Thirteen men were charged yesterday in connection to an alleged violent plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. This is unsurprising when you consider Trump’s “LIBERATE MICHIGAN” tweets from earlier in the year that encouraged armed protestors to mount anti-government and anti-COVID restriction rallies.  The fate of next week’s debate is in question after an extended back-and-forth between the Trump and Biden campaigns, which concluded with Trump insisting that he should be allowed to debate in person next week, even though he could still be contagious. House speaker Nancy Pelosi will introduce legislation today to create a “Commission on Presidential Capacity” that would evaluate the president’s mental and physical health for office.  And in headlines: Hurricane Delta is set to be 2020’s tenth named hurricane to hit the US, incarcerated inmates can now apply for stimulus checks, and Google’s parent company introduces Waymo. Plus, Crooked's own Tommy Vietor fills in for G...

Last night was the first and only vice presidential debate, with Senator Kamala Harris and VP Mike Pence facing off. Their conversation covered police killings of Black Americans, Trump’s response to the pandemic, Roe v. Wade, and more. We discuss a debate that was a lot more measured than the last one, but still very frustrating.  Trump went back to the Oval Office yesterday and released another long-winded video in which he said contacting COVID-19 was a “blessing from God” and described the antibody cocktail he received as a “cure.” Outside of DC, there are still over 40,000 new cases being identified daily, with the Dakotas and Wisconsin as particular hot spots. And in headlines: George Floyd killer Derek Chauvin is released on $1 million bail, a Greek neo-fascist political party is found guilty of running a criminal organization, and SNL pays their audience.

Trump said yesterday he won't negotiate with Democrats on another Covid relief before the election. He sent a torrent of other tweets too, all while more people in D.C. continued to test positive, including Trump's senior adviser Stephen Miller and General Mark Milley. Former South Carolina Democratic party chair Jaime Harrison is tied with Senator Lindsey Graham in a tight senate race according to recent polling. We talk to Harrison about his campaign, his vision for South Carolina, the Supreme Court, and more.  And in headlines: the FDA announced its guidelines for vaccines, 4 million people have already voted in the US, and Cole Haan debuts Slack shoes. Show Links: votesaveamerica.com/getmitch crooked.com/debate

Trump is now back in the White House after making a Trumpian and very public return, but doctors say he’s still not "out of the woods." Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany tested positive along with two deputies in the communications department, but the White House’s contact tracing effort seems to be negligible at best.  The Supreme Court began its new term yesterday by rejecting an appeals case from Kentucky clerk Kim Davis, who refused to give out same-sex marriage licenses due to religious objections. But Justices Alito and Thomas used the moment to voice their opposition to same-sex marriage as a constitutional right. We discuss what that means in light of Trump’s nomination of Amy Coney Barrett, and what other cases the court will hear in the next month.  And in headlines: police shoot a Black man in Texas who was trying to stop domestic violence, the EPA gives Oklahoma authority over environmental issues on tribal lands, and the rock gods rule in the case of Led Zeppelin vs. Spi...

Amidst rosy reports about Trump's condition, we also learned that he received multiple drug treatments over the weekend including dexamethasone, which is typically reserved for patients with severe cases of coronavirus. We look at what his diagnosis, along with other positive cases among Senate Republicans, means for the country and the Supreme Court confirmation process. Following a negative test on Friday, Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden tested negative again on Sunday. VP Pence and Senator Harris have also tested negative and are planning to move forward with their debate this Wednesday, though their podiums will be moved six feet further apart. Only three US states are reporting a decline in new Covid-19 cases compared to last week. Wisconsin is having a major outbreak, with new daily case numbers doubling in the past two weeks. And in headlines: Kentucky AG Daniel Cameron releases audio recordings from Breonna Taylor Grand Jury, continued fighting between Armenia and ...

In a tweet overnight, President Trump said that he and the first lady had tested positive for the coronavirus. The news comes after a White House aid, Hope Hicks, tested positive. She had been traveling with the President in recent days, including to the debate on Tuesday. House Dems passed a new slimmed down relief package yesterday, but Republicans still say it’s too expensive. In the meantime, layoffs continue across industries and about half the jobs that were lost between February and April still haven’t returned.  The Senate officially subpoenaed the CEOs of Facebook, Google, and Twitter for a hearing on how they moderate content that’s posted on their platforms. As the election nears, Facebook says it is adding additional restrictions to political ads that will go into effect immediately, but critics stay it's still nowhere near enough. Special guest Yedoye Travis joins for the headlines: the DOJ’s task force on policing gets halted because it’s almost all policemen, skateboa...

Former Congressman and Secretary of Agriculture Mike Espy is running for Senate in Mississippi, hoping to be the first Democrat to represent the state in the Senate in over thirty years. He’s nearly tied with his opponent, incumbent Republican Cindy Hyde Smith, who’s previously joked about “public hangings” and held up the legacy of Confederate soldiers. We talk to him about his race, Trump’s refusal to renounce White supremacists, the Supreme Court, and how the pandemic is impacting Mississippians. And in headlines: California establishes path to reparations for slavery, fires in Brazil’s tropical wetlands, and Trump’s White House gives the go-ahead to cruise ships. Show links: votesaveamerica.com/getmitch

The first presidential debate took place in Cleveland last night. It was an extremely bumpy ride, with Trump failing to condemn white supremacy and suggesting once again he might not accept the election results. We discuss the highlights and lowlights of a night that was almost all lowlights.  And in headlines: Kentucky’s AG to release grand jury proceedings from Breonna Taylor’s case, the UK and Canada impose sanctions on Belarusian officials, and David Attenborough kills it on Instagram.

Tonight is the first of three debates between Democratic nominee Joe Biden and President Trump. The debate will cover six major topics, which include the economy, the pandemic, and the integrity of the election, but notably, not the environment. We discuss what else to expect and how this debate could affect the election.  Reports have revealed a strategy that the Trump campaigned allegedly used in 2016 to suppress Black voters by convincing them not to vote. The campaign sorted 3.5 million Black Americans into a category labelled “deterrence,” then targeted them with Facebook videos meant to cause cynicism and disaffection.  And in headlines: the global coronavirus death toll passes 1 million, Uber wins back its license to operate in London, and a small village in Romania re-elects their deceased mayor. Show Links: "Revealed: Trump campaign strategy to deter millions of Black Americans from voting in 2016" https://www.channel4.com/news/revealed-trump-campaign-strategy-to-deter-mill...

The New York Times published a bombshell report on two decades of Trump’s taxes, showing he paid only $750 in federal income taxes in 2016 and in 2017. Trump received massive refunds after reporting losses on his businesses, one of which is currently being reviewed by the IRS, and could cost him $100 million if it’s found to be illegitimate.  On Saturday, Trump formally announced Judge Amy Coney Barrett as his nominee for the Supreme Court. We discuss her past positions on abortion, gun rights, and more to see how she might rule. And in headlines: Armenia and Azerbaijan declare martial law, Sri Lanka sends hazardous waste back to the UK, and astronauts prepare to vote from space. Show Links: "Trumps Taxes Show Chronic Losses And Years Of Tax Avoidance" https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/09/27/us/donald-trump-taxes.html

While Trump is casually threatening to be an all out dictator, the economic crisis he continues not to solve continues. New unemployment data show the recovery is slowing down. We look at whether Congress is any closer to another relief package.  Next week Congress is expected to call in big tech CEOs for another big hearing, this time on Section 230 and the moderation of social media platforms. We explain. And in headlines: Breonna Taylor protests continue, Eric Trump ordered to testify, and protecting Joshua trees.

Yesterday, the grand jury in Jefferson County, Kentucky announced that only one of the officers who shot at Breonna Taylor would be indicted… and that officer’s charges don’t have anything to do with Taylor’s killing. Last night following the decision, two police officers were shot in downtown Louisville. We spoke to Kentucky state representative Charles Booker hours after the decision about what comes next. Booker has been organizing and protesting in the streets for months for Breonna Taylor and racial justice. And in headlines: lawyers for the family of Dijon Kizzee dispute LASD’s account of his shooting, four protestors from Kenosha sue Facebook, and Seattle’s city council overrides the Mayor to cut funding to the police. Show Links: Hood To The Holler: https://hoodtotheholler.org/ The Bail Project: https://bailproject.org/louisville/?form=donate Invest/Divest Louisville: https://www.investdivest.org/

America has passed the grim milestone of 200,000 deaths in the COVID-19 crisis, which was made far worse by Trump’s abjectly poor leadership. The FDA is expected to roll out new, more rigorous standards for approving the coronavirus vaccines following concerns that Trump would try to push out an unsafe drug.  As the election approaches, there have been a deluge of legal cases seeking to address how people can vote during the pandemic. We discuss legal battles in four swing states: North Carolina, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania.  And in headlines: a Black man in Wisconsin is suing police after being held at gunpoint in his own home, the Trump administration tries to re-impose UN sanctions on Iran against the UN’s will, and millions of dollars in mask fines for NFL coaches. Show links: "They're called 'naked ballots': Here's why they could play a pivotal role in the election" https://www.wtae.com/article/theyre-called-naked-ballots-heres-why-they-could-play-a-pivotal-role-in-th...