A last-minute addendum to a Department of Justice deal with President Trump says the Internal Revenue Service is “forever barred” from auditing Trump, his family members and his businesses. The deal also created a $1.8 billion fund to pay out Trump allies who say they were unfairly investigated. Law professor Mary McCord explains the implications. Then, Trump critic Rep. Thomas Massie, a Republican from Kentucky, lost his primary on Tuesday. The president on Tuesday also endorsed Texas Attorney ...
May 20, 2026•21 min
The Trump administration announced a new Justice Department fund of more than $1.7 billion to compensate people it says were harmed by “weaponization” under the Biden administration. Former White House ethics lawyer Richard Painter talks about the legal and ethical questions surrounding the move. Then, Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents are getting quicker at finding people to arrest, thanks to tools provided by the tech company Palantir. Investigative journalist Joseph Cox tells us more...
May 19, 2026•21 min
The World Health Organization has declared an outbreak of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda to be a global health emergency. We hear from Dr. Krutika Kuppalli, an infectious disease physician with experience in Ebola outbreak response. And, on Saturday, one prominent critic of President Trump, Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy, lost his primary, and on Tuesday, another Republican Trump critic, Kentucky Congressman Thomas Massie, will see if he can survive Trump's wrath in what's bei...
May 18, 2026•20 min
From WBUR, here's a new kind of story, one that's all about the big questions and decisions we face. The Midnight Rebellion is a pick-your-own-path podcast set 100 years in the future, where the stakes are nothing less than the planet itself. It is fiction rooted in real science, built for the kids in your life (ages 7 and up) — and the whole family. You're listening to Chapter 1 of The Midnight Rebellion . Each chapter ends with a choice. YOU decide what’s next. Choose wisely. If you like what ...
May 16, 2026•20 min
Host Scott Tong checks in with us from Beijing, China, where he's been reporting from all week. Then, Melinda Liu moved to Beijing in 1980. Scott talks with her in a historic neighborhood about the ways China has transformed since the 1980s and the rural poverty that remains despite the modern leaps forward. And, Tong never met his grandfather, who was a political prisoner and died in a labor camp. It was seen as a shameful chapter in his family's history and was never talked about, but 70 years...
May 15, 2026•28 min
Thursday's meeting between President Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping concluded with a banquet. Seated at tables in the ballroom were more than a dozen CEOs, among them SpaceX's Elon Musk, Apple's Tim Cook and Nvidia's Jensen Huang. It was also attended by Trump's son Eric Trump, who runs the Trump Organization, and his wife, Fox News host Lara Trump. The Financial Times' Joe Miller tells us more. Then, during the summit, President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping have focused on trade,...
May 14, 2026•22 min
While artificial intelligence can be helpful for synthesizing complicated information, financial analysts urge consumers to avoid sharing personal financial information with chatbots. Washington Post columnist Michelle Singletary outlines the risks. And, amid an unpopular war in Iran and states pushing to redraw congressional maps, midterm elections are approaching. Republican analyst Charlie Dent and Democratic analyst Jamal Simmons weigh in on what it's going to take for their party's candidat...
May 13, 2026•22 min
The Labor Department reported on Tuesday that consumer prices increased by 3.8% in April compared to a year ago. That's the fastest pace of price increases in around three years. Wailin Wong, host of the Indicator from NPR’s Planet Money, joins us. Then, the subject of Taiwan is one of the main priorities for Beijing in the upcoming talks between President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. How will Trump approach the topic of Taiwan? We hear from Eyck Freymann, a fellow at the Hoover Insti...
May 12, 2026•20 min
Host Scott Tong is reporting from China this week as President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping prepare for a high-profile summit in Beijing. He joins us from Shanghai to share his first impressions of the country since the last time he was there. Then, the summit is set for later this week. Senior research fellow Yu Jie from Chatham House explains the power dynamic going into the meeting. And, Russia held its annual Victory Day parade on Saturday. It was scaled back compared to previous y...
May 11, 2026•26 min
The Virginia Supreme Court has thrown out a voter-approved redistricting referendum that could have helped Democrats pick up several U.S. House seats this fall. NPR’s Larry Kaplow explains more about the fight over congressional maps ahead of midterm elections. And, Alabama is one of many states moving forward with redistricting after the Supreme Court’s decision last week dealt a blow to the Voting Rights Act. Rep. Terri Sewell, a Democrat from Alabama, joins us. See pcm.adswizz.com for informa...
May 08, 2026•14 min
Ten years ago, Iroro Tanshi found something incredible in a cave in Nigeria: a colony of short-tailed roundleaf bats, a species that hadn’t been seen there in almost 50 years. We learn how her discovery helped kickstart a conservation movement in West Africa to protect rare species of bats from threats like poaching and wildfires. Then, North America has lost billions of birds since 1970, but some species are actually bucking this concerning trend and returning to places where humans hadn't seen...
May 08, 2026•27 min
"Shark Tank" star Kevin O'Leary wants to build a huge data center north of the Great Salt Lake in Utah. The project was greenlit, but still needs to obtain water usage rights as lake water supply is nearing a new low. KUER reporter Macy Lipkin shares more. Then, New Orleans may have crossed a “point of no return,” according to new analysis. Report co-author Jesse Keenan explains how rising seas, sinking land and stronger storms could point to a catastrophic environmental future. And, ahead of th...
May 07, 2026•27 min
Ohio and Indiana voters offered an early glimpse at the political mood heading into the midterms. NPR's Stephen Fowler joins us to talk about the results. Then, the Trump administration says it is investigating Smith College, the women's school in Massachusetts, over its policy of admitting transgender students. The 19th's LGBTQ+ beat reporter Kate Sosin tells us more. And, Melanie Turner, a special education teacher in Oakland, Calif., shares how a nonprofit is helping her pay for housing close...
May 06, 2026•20 min
The Food and Drug Administration says it is offering an “ultra-fast review” of two psychedelic drugs intended to treat serious mental health disorders. This follows a White House executive order directing the FDA to speed up research on psychedelics, which right now are illegal under federal law. Dr. Gail Saltz talks about the latest news surrounding psychedelics. Then, what happens when we open our eyes? Is consciousness something that can be pinpointed and studied? These are the questions scie...
May 05, 2026•24 min
On Monday, the Supreme Court temporarily restored mail access to the abortion pill mifepristone. It puts aside a lower court ruling in Louisiana on Friday that ended national telemedicine access to the pill. Dr. Veronica Gillispie-Bell, an OB-GYN based in New Orleans, explains what this means for nationwide abortion access. And, after talks for a government bailout fell through, Spirit Airlines shut down on Saturday morning. CNBC’s Leslie Josephs details the ramifications for Spirit's customers,...
May 04, 2026•16 min
A new exhibit called “Water’s Edge” at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian showcases work by late artist Truman Lowe of the Ho-Chunk nation. Exhibit curator Rebecca Trautmann details how a sculpture titled “Feather Canoe” represents Lowe’s work and what his artistic style contributes to the story of America. And, how did you check the weather this morning? Back in the late 1800s and 1900s, people traveled to their local post office to see the forecast in a Farmers’ Bulletin. S...
May 01, 2026•15 min
The average price of gas in the U.S. hit a wartime high of $4.30 on Thursday, according to AAA. Bloomberg's Michael Regan breaks down the latest numbers. And, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz has sent global energy prices skyrocketing and led to oil and gas shortages in parts of the world. Economic historian, author and S&P Global vice chairman Daniel Yergin says the Hormuz oil shock will lead to a new global balance of power. He joins us. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our col...
Apr 30, 2026•18 min
The Supreme Court axed a 2024 voting map from Louisiana that created a new majority-Black congressional district, calling the district an “unconstitutional racial gerrymander.” Law professor Spencer Overton explains what the ruling could mean for Black political power. Then, former FBI director James Comey surrendered to federal authorities Wednesday on charges he threatened President Trump's life when he posted an image of seashells on the beach spelling out “86 47.” Former federal prosecutor P...
Apr 29, 2026•20 min
A man has been charged with trying to assassinate President Trump at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. But threats against public officials are rising across parties. Political violence researcher Jacob Ware explains the deeper forces shaping modern violence. Then, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis unveiled a new plan this week to redraw the state’s congressional map to give Republicans four extra seats. Tampa Bay Times reporter Romy Ellenbogen shares what this would mean for voters. And, a CNN in...
Apr 28, 2026•26 min
On Saturday night, a gunman gained access to the ballroom where the White House Correspondents’ Dinner was being held and President Trump and top administration officials were present. MSNOW reporter Carol Leonnig explains whether there were holes in event security that night. Then, the Supreme Court is hearing a case about Monsanto's powerful weedkiller, Roundup, which has lost lawsuits from people who say the product’s ingredients caused their cancer. John Wesley Boyd Jr. from the National Bla...
Apr 27, 2026•25 min
The rise of violence against Jews around the world has made armed security guards a common sight at synagogues. Rabbi Andy Green of Congregation Or Tzion in Scottsdale, Ariz., reflects. And, a recent analysis has found a sharp spike in anti-Muslim content online after the United States and Israel started a war with Iran. Bigotry and misinformation about Muslims has been promoted by senior Trump administration officials and members of Congress. Imam Omar Suleiman, Islamic scholar and president of...
Apr 24, 2026•20 min
About 20,000 seafarers are stranded in the Persian Gulf as the U.S. and Iran remain in a standoff over the control of the Strait of Hormuz. John Canias of the International Transport Workers’ Federation explains the conditions these workers are facing. And, a revolutionary new drug could prolong and improve the quality of life for those suffering from pancreatic cancer. STAT News reporter Angus Chen shares more about the breakthrough. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and ...
Apr 23, 2026•19 min
Voters in Virginia narrowly gave the thumbs up to new congressional maps that could allow Democrats to pick up four seats in the House after President Trump aggressively pushed red states to redistrict to help Republicans. Semafor reporter David Weigel tells us more. Then, a wave of political controversies is back in the headlines, but not all scandals land the same way. Political scientist Brandon Rottinghaus talks about how politicians survive controversy. And, the Women’s Suffrage National Mo...
Apr 22, 2026•20 min
Fed chair nominee Kevin Warsh is arguing the Federal Reserve should stay independent on interest rates and step back from roles that go beyond its core mission. Marketplace’s Kimberly Adams details the heightened political pressure on the central bank and what Warsh’s hearing has entailed. Then, Apple CEO Tim Cook will step down from his role in September, and John Ternus, senior vice president of hardware engineering, will take his place. Technology writer and podcaster Kara Swisher explains mo...
Apr 21, 2026•19 min
Oil prices were up again on Monday after Iran once again shut down the Strait of Hormuz in retaliation for President Trump's decision to extend a blockade of Iranian ships. Foreign affairs columnist Ishaan Tharoor says Trump's current headache echoes one of history’s most revealing strategic failures. He joins us. Then, the federal government just launched a portal where small businesses can apply for refunds from tariffs that the Supreme Court struck down earlier this year. Emily Ley, the owner...
Apr 20, 2026•19 min
The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History has a new exhibit tracing the rise, near extinction and recovery of the bison. Museum director Kirk Johnson talks about a prehistoric skull at the centerpiece of the story and why it's important for American history. And, NASA's Artemis II mission made history this month by sending four astronauts farther from Earth than any other humans have been before. But moments like this echo the earliest days of American spaceflight in 1962, when John Gle...
Apr 17, 2026•14 min
Amid a shaky ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran, six Americans detained in Iran are in danger, advocates say. Former U.S. hostage envoy Roger Carstens explains what it will take to bring them home. Then, stock traders are remaining optimistic about a peace deal between the U.S. and Iran. The S&P 500 hit a record high this week. MS NOW’s Ali Velshi offers an analysis of the market. And, living costs are rising across the board, and saving for retirement or emergencies is becoming increasingl...
Apr 16, 2026•23 min
Rumors about former Rep. Eric Swalwell's behavior had been reportedly circulating for years. We talk with former Rep. Jackie Speier about the rumors and what Congress can do to better police its members. Speier was involved in 2018 in rewriting the way Congress handles sexual misconduct accusations. Politico's Melanie Mason explains how a group of social media influencers brought attention to the sexual harassment and assault they say Swalwell committed. Then, the Pentagon is sending more troops...
Apr 15, 2026•25 min
In an extensive New Yorker investigation, Ronan Farrow looks into OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, and whether one of the most influential AI minds can be trusted. Then, tech billionaires are trying to create autonomous communities, fueled by cryptocurrency and free from governmental oversight. They’ve set their sights on the Caribbean islands of St. Kitts and Nevi. Professor and author Douglas Rushkoff breaks down the implications. And, Anthropic’s new large language model, Claude Mythos, is said to be a...
Apr 14, 2026•29 min
President Trump has put in place a blockade in the Strait of Hormuz after the U.S. and Iran failed to strike a deal to end the war. We speak with former U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman, who served as lead negotiator on the 2015 Iran nuclear deal under former President Barack Obama, about what comes next. And then we talk with Pakistani Sen. Sherry Rehman about how negotiations played out in Islamabad. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data ...
Apr 13, 2026•18 min
