President Trump declared a national emergency today over the COVID-19 outbreak, and said more Americans should be able to get tested soon. We’ll explain why the US has been facing a testing shortage and how the plans announced today could address that. Then, 30 million US students rely on school meal programs. But what happens when school’s closed? We’ll dive into the latest plans to feed students being told to hunker down at home. Also on today’s show: we’ll preview what could be an unusually q...
Mar 13, 2020•14 min
Last night President Trump addressed the nation to explain how the US is responding to COVID-19. He talked up the importance of keeping the disease out of the country. But remember: it’s already here. We dive into the complications with testing and treating, and why there’s a lot more work that the US needs to do to be prepared. Meanwhile: if you’re still considering traveling, we’ll tell you what you might need to know when it comes to booking it. Also on the show: it’s Census season, and the g...
Mar 12, 2020•14 min
COVID-19 is now officially a pandemic. But as more and more companies are telling their employees to work from home, many people don’t have that luxury. We’ll explain why the lack of unemployment insurance and universal paid sick leave is a pain for the gig economy and for some hourly workers. Meanwhile, a New York judge just handed down a prison sentence for movie producer Harvey Weinstein. We’ll break it down. Also on today’s show: how Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders is faring in the Democratic pr...
Mar 11, 2020•13 min
Italians woke up this morning under a nationwide quarantine as the country attempts to stop the spread of COVID-19, the disease caused by coronavirus. Italy is the latest country to follow China’s playbook by using “social distancing” policies to contain the disease, and it might not be the last. We’ll explain why putting a little space between you and others might buy public health systems some time to figure out how to respond to this unfolding outbreak. Also on today’s show: Joe Biden and Ber...
Mar 10, 2020•13 min
The markets took a nosedive today. And in response, Wall Street found the brakes and stepped on them. We’ll explain what happened and what it means moving forward. Meanwhile, the beginning of the week might have you dreaming about taking a vacation. But heads up: the US government is warning people against booking their dream cruise. Also on the show: Mexico City finds out what a day without women looks like. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Mar 09, 2020•14 min
The Supreme Court heard its first major case on abortion access with a strong new conservative majority on the bench. We’ll dive into what the outcome of this case could mean for the future of abortion access in the US. Meanwhile, this Sunday is International Women’s Day. We talked to some women – and their partners – about how they share the workload at home. Also on the show: how people around the world are getting creative when it comes to telling people to wash their hands. Learn more about ...
Mar 06, 2020•15 min
Elizabeth Warren dropped out of the race for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination. Her next big plan is TBD. Meanwhile, countries around the world are planning stimulus packages to help people and businesses recover from the economic hit of COVID-19. But economists aren’t convinced of their value. Also on the show: the US-Taliban peace deal is getting tested. And now the International Criminal Court is launching a formal investigation into possible war crimes committed during the war in A...
Mar 05, 2020•14 min
With Super Tuesday behind us and nearly all the results in, the 2020 Democratic presidential field is narrowing even more. We’ll explain who won and lost big last night, and what happens next. Meanwhile: health officials are schooling the media on how to talk about COVID-19, the disease caused by coronavirus. It’s part of an effort to combat misinformation that’s been causing an ‘infodemic’. Also on the show: a potential women’s history museum in DC, and a pro-tip for commanding any room. Click ...
Mar 04, 2020•13 min
It’s Super Tuesday. The biggest primary day so far where voters in 14 states plus American Samoa cast their ballots to pick their preferred nominee. This time around, California has a starring role with the most delegates up for grabs. Meanwhile: COVID-19 is impacting major events around the world, which has some worried about what this could mean for the 2020 Summer Olympics. Also on the show: Apple admits to causing your iPhone to lag on purpose, and the Democratic Republic of Congo discharges...
Mar 03, 2020•14 min
At least six people in the state of Washington have died from COVID-19. As the US government ramps up testing efforts, experts warn to expect a big jump in confirmed cases as results start coming in. Meanwhile: over the weekend, former VP Joe Biden scored a major win in the South Carolina primary -- thanks in part to a big endorsement. Also on the show: Israel heads to polls for the third time in less than a year, and this time around there are a lot more complications. Learn more about your ad ...
Mar 02, 2020•12 min
This week, the stock market has been feeling the pain of COVID-19. We’ll look at what the current economic impact is and what a ‘market correction’ has to do with it. Meanwhile, the US and the Taliban are on the verge of a major peace deal. We’ll break down how the agreement could lead to the end of the US’s longest war. Also on today’s show: a look at pedestrian safety, the annual convention of conservative activists , and a leap-year tradition that could be skipped over. PS: Click here for mor...
Feb 28, 2020•13 min
Scotland is about to make your ‘time of the month’ a lot easier on your wallet. It will soon become the first country to make tampons and pads free and available for everyone. We’ll explain how that policy aims to tackle the ‘period poverty’ affecting girls and women around the world. Meanwhile, a patient in California has been diagnosed with coronavirus – aka COVID-19. And this case is raising questions about the way the US government is testing for the disease. We’ll tell you why. Also on the ...
Feb 27, 2020•13 min
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is warning Americans to prepare for COVID-19 to spread within the US. (That’s the new disease caused by coronavirus.) When the CDC says ‘this could be bad,’ they mean major disruptions to your everyday life. But health experts want to make it clear that preparing doesn’t mean panicking. Meanwhile, the Syrian civil war made a surprise appearance in last night’s Democratic primary debate. We’ll explain why the current situation in Syria is so dire, an...
Feb 26, 2020•13 min
Must feel good to be first. Bernie Sanders has achieved front-runner status in the 2020 Democratic primary. How is that possible after just three states have voted? We’ll explain the money (and delegate) math involved. Then: President Trump wrapped up a quick trip to India to talk trade with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. But the huge welcome party Trump got doesn’t necessarily mean that the US and India are locking down a trade deal anytime soon. Also on the show: a Zamboni driver hits th...
Feb 25, 2020•12 min
A jury in New York has found Harvey Weinstein guilty of third-degree rape and first-degree criminal sexual assault. He could face more than two decades in prison. We’ll dive into what today’s verdict means, what the jury didn’t convict him on, and what to expect next in the trial that was propelled by the #MeToo movement. Meanwhile: as coronavirus continues to spread, fears are growing that the outbreak is reaching the level of a pandemic. Also on today’s show: we remember NASA mathematician leg...
Feb 24, 2020•14 min
The US and the Taliban have agreed to a reduction of violence for the next seven days. It’s kinda like a test run to see if they can put down their weapons for good, and possibly end America’s longest war. But there’s still a lot that could get in the way and a long way to go. Meanwhile, Russian election interference is back in the news ahead of this year’s big vote. Also on the show: Nevada is crossing its fingers for a smooth caucus this weekend, and we remember the tech legend who gave us ‘co...
Feb 21, 2020•13 min
Nondisclosure agreements were a big talker at last night’s democratic presidential debate. We’ll dive into what former New York City mayor Mike Bloomberg had to say, and talk to former Fox News anchor Gretchen Carlson about ongoing efforts to curtail the practice of mandatory NDAs at the office. Meanwhile: President Trump’s longtime advisor Roger Stone was sentenced to over three years in prison today. But Trump’s recent ‘big pardon energy’ could mean that this prison sentence doesn’t mean priso...
Feb 20, 2020•13 min
Medicare for All is likely to come up in tonight’s big Democratic primary debate in Las Vegas. But Nevada’s powerful Culinary Union fought hard for its members to enjoy a top-notch private health care plan, and they’re resisting change. We’ll dive into the drama between the union and candidates pushing Medicare for All. Meanwhile, the coronavirus outbreak has led to travel restrictions for nearly half of China’s population, which means that a lot of people aren’t making it to the many manufactur...
Feb 19, 2020•12 min
The Boy Scouts of America has officially filed for bankruptcy as it deals with an onslaught of sexual abuse lawsuits. We’ll dive into what this move means for the future of the organization and for thousands of victims seeking justice. Meanwhile: former New York City mayor Mike Bloomberg has qualified for tomorrow night’s democratic presidential debate. Recent polls show him in second place behind Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders. Also on today’s show: why grasshoppers have proven to be a surprisi...
Feb 18, 2020•11 min
As the coronavirus continues to spread, one of the affected groups has been healthcare workers on the frontlines in China. We’ll dive into how a vaccine could be on the horizon, but still has a long way to go. Then: the Senate votes to rein in President Trump’s power to conduct military strikes in Iran. As tensions increase between the US and Iran, an unlikely middleman is helping the two countries work out their issues and bring much needed humanitarian aid to the Iranian people. Also on the sh...
Feb 14, 2020•10 min
Attorney General William Barr has RSVP’d to a hearing with the House Judiciary Committee. And Dems have a lot of things they want to ask him about. Think: Roger Stone, Jessie Liu, and Rudy Giuliani. Meanwhile: all eyes were on Federal Reserve nominee Judy Shelton today at her confirmation hearing. Her controversial ideas – like bringing back the gold standard – have some senators scratching their heads. Also on the show: why a surge in home sales might not be great for your wallet, and why today...
Feb 13, 2020•13 min
Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaidó is back home after a whirlwind trip throughout Europe and the US to drum up support for his cause. It’s been over a year since he defied current president Nicolás Maduro and declared himself the rightful president. And even though Guaidó has the US and over 50 other countries on his side, Guaidó’s campaign may be losing steam. As that political battle rages, the people of Venezuela continue to suffer through a refugee crisis of massive proportions. Also o...
Feb 12, 2020•10 min
Today, after years of lawsuits and red tape, a federal judge approved the merger of wireless network giants T-Mobile and Sprint. We dive into why states are making calls to stop this from happening and what it could mean for your next phone bill. Meanwhile, the Philippines is scrapping a decades-old military agreement with the US called the Visiting Forces Agreement. We’ll tell you why that could have major implications for global security. Also on today’s show: the New Hampshire primary is unde...
Feb 11, 2020•12 min
Today, the Trump administration unveiled its budget proposal for 2021. But since Congress holds the purse strings and Democrats have the majority in the House, it’s likely that this plan might not work out. We’ll dive into the plan’s winners and losers, and why the border wall between the U.S. and Mexico is back in the spotlight. Also on today’s show: China sees its deadliest day of the coronavirus outbreak, and why some of last night’s Oscar winners gave a nod to a new anti-discrimination law. ...
Feb 10, 2020•13 min
It’s Friday night, and some 2020 democratic candidates will be spending theirs in...New Hampshire for the eighth democratic debate. We’ll tell you why some of the candidates are hoping to put this ‘No Good, Very Bad’ week behind them. Meanwhile, football season is already making a comeback with a brand new league called the XFL. And this one’s taking your bets (legally). Also on today’s show: Harvey Weinstein’s defense team calls its first witnesses, and a historic first to keep an ear out for a...
Feb 07, 2020•13 min
President Trump’s Senate impeachment trial is over, but that’s not the end of political investigations in 2020. We’ll explain what info Democrats and Republicans in Congress want to track down now. Then, the coronavirus outbreak is causing a global shortage on protective face masks. We hear from one expert on what this could mean for the healthcare workers who need those masks the most. Also on today’s show: Tensions ease in the U.S.-China trade war, and a performance artist fakes a traffic jam....
Feb 06, 2020•11 min
President Trump’s Senate impeachment trial has come to an end. So, what happens now? Meanwhile, if you spotted members of Congress last night wearing pins with the letters E-R-A and asked W-H-Y, there was a reason for it. We’ll dive into the Equal Rights Amendment and the latest push to ratify it into the U.S. Constitution. Also on today’s show: tips for tax freshmen, and a preview of our chat with Coach Monica Aldama from ‘Cheer’ on Netflix. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/...
Feb 05, 2020•13 min
A day after the Iowa Democratic Caucus, we’re told results are still just around the corner. But the damage from a historic vote-counting fail is already being felt, and Iowa could be the biggest loser. Meanwhile, we’ll look at the big issues that might come up in tonight’s State of the Union Address by checking out the guest list. Also on today’s show: Democrats float an alternative to impeachment, and why one lonely creature might not have been the last of his kind. Learn more about your ad ch...
Feb 04, 2020•13 min
The 2020 primary season kicks off tonight with the Iowa caucuses. But how does a caucus actually work – and why does Iowa get so much clout? Meanwhile, the Senate impeachment trial continues but the end is in sight. We’ll break down what to look for in the coming days. Also on today’s show: why the World Health Organization has a problem with countries imposing travel bans in the midst of the coronavirus outbreak, and why there might be more to Shakira’s viral Super Bowl moment than just another...
Feb 03, 2020•12 min
After more than three years, Brexit is actually happening. We’ll break down what’s next for the UK. Spoiler: there’s still a long road ahead. Meanwhile, the debate over witnesses in the Senate impeachment trial is headed toward a vote. Which means the end is in sight. Also on today’s show: a lot of firsts will be happening on and off the field on Super Bowl Sunday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jan 31, 2020•10 min
