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Spin-Off: Mortgage Giants, Hurricane Dorian, GOP Primaries Sep 06, 2019

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The Trump Administration wants to spin off Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac as private companies. We’ve got the A to Z on Fannie and Freddie and what these proposed changes could mean for you, especially if you’re house shopping or hope to be one day. Meanwhile: Hurricane Dorian made landfall in the US today, after wreaking havoc in the Bahamas. If you want to help relief efforts, you can make a donation to one of these organizations. Also on today’s show: Republican officials in four states may cancel their presidential primaries, and can Facebook be trusted to keep your ‘secret crush’ secret?

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Deadlines: Iran Deal, Climate Crisis, NFL Kickoff Sep 05, 2019

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It’s almost the end of the week, and deadlines are looming – in Iran. They’re giving major players in Europe until tomorrow to help them out financially before they stop complying with more parts of the 2015 Nuclear Deal. Meanwhile, Democratic presidential hopefuls spent seven straight hours yesterday talking about climate change. We’ll break down where candidates actually differed. Also on today’s show: fantasy football water cooler conversations are about to start back up again, and artificial intelligence is going wild.

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Game-Changing: Brexit Lingo, Hong Kong Bill, and Cherokee Nation Delegate Sep 04, 2019

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‘Blimey’ isn’t the only British phrase being thrown around in the UK today. All kinds of parliamentary phrases have been flying as the debate over how-to-Brexit heats up. Today, members of Parliament voted to avoid a no-deal Brexit, and against holding snap elections. Meanwhile, Hong Kong’s leader is hoping to cool down protests. She formally withdrew controversial legislation today, but some protesters still aren’t happy. Also on today’s show: a potential new member of Congress, and a new record for a tennis legend.

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At What Cost: Taliban Talks, China Tariffs, and a Very Long Cruise Sep 03, 2019

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US and Taliban negotiators are reportedly closing in on a deal that lead to a drawdown of US troops in Afghanistan. The deal could be a way to help the US end the longest war in its history, but some worry it could put Afghanistan on a path back to Taliban control. We’ll break down what we know about the deal so far. Meanwhile, the latest round of US tariffs have just kicked in against Chinese products – and these tariffs could hit your wallet. Also on today’s show: another app wants your face, and a new cruise is testing just how much time you want to spend with your friends.

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Out of Office: AI and Jobs, Hong Kong Arrests, and Pigs on the Run Aug 30, 2019

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Automation and artificial intelligence are supposed to make jobs easier, but sometimes they can take away jobs altogether. This Labor Day weekend, we’re taking a look at the current and future impact of AI on American jobs. Then: the Hong Kong government has arrested protest leaders ahead of a large demonstration planned for this weekend. We’ll explain how the government is changing its tactics. Also on today’s show: Florida is bracing for impact as Hurricane Dorian approaches, and 250 pigs on the run in Vermont.

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Lift Off: US Space Command, Vaping, ‘Planet’ Pluto Aug 29, 2019

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Today President Trump announced the lift-off of a new part of the military: the United States Space Command. We’ll explain what it might look like, and what its role could be. Then: this summer, 22 states have reported cases of people suffering from respiratory illnesses after vaping. We’ll look into what doctors are saying, and why the e-cigarette industry is under pressure. Also on today’s show: Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro takes steps to prevent more fires in the Amazon, and NASA’s chief thinks Pluto should be considered a planet again.

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Incoming: UK Parliament Suspension, Hurricane Dorian, Greta Thunberg Aug 28, 2019

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Today UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson asked the Queen to suspend parliament, and she said she would. We’ll explain why this is a controversial move, and what this has to do with Brexit. Then: Hurricane Dorian is threatening Puerto Rico, and could continue to Florida this weekend. We’ll look at how Puerto Rico and the federal government are preparing. Also on today’s show: the Democrats might actually be able to fit all their presidential debate candidates on one stage, and Greta Thunberg sails into New York.

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Reckoning: Opioid Rulings, Epstein, and Rescuing Rhinos Aug 27, 2019

Show notes

Johnson & Johnson was hit with a $572 million penalty for its role in fueling the opioid crisis in Oklahoma. The drug company says it will appeal. We’ll discuss how the judgment was reached, and how it could affect similar cases throughout the country. Then: Jeffrey Epstein’s victims were given a day in court in Manhattan, as prosecutors asked the judge to formally drop the charges against him following his suicide. Also on the show: women’s rights advocates scored a victory in Bangladesh, and scientists make a last ditch effort to save the northern white rhino from extinction.

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Tiebreak: G7 Conclusion, GOP Challengers, and Althea Gibson Aug 26, 2019

Show notes

G7 leaders are heading home after their latest summit in France. We’ll take a look at three of the big issues they tried to tackle, and what to expect next. Then: former US Rep. Joe Walsh is challenging President Trump in the 2020 Republican primary. We’ll Skimm his résumé for you. Also on today’s show: the 19th Amendment turns 99, and tennis legend Althea Gibson is honored with a statue at the US Open.

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Cruel Summer: The Amazon, Beach-side Summits, and Taylor Swift Aug 23, 2019

Show notes

As fires continue to burn across the Amazon, Brazilan President Jair Bolsonaro has blamed NGOs for starting the fires and is picking fights with other countries for telling him how to do his job. We’ll give you the latest on the fires and how the international community is responding. Then: G7 leaders are holding their annual meeting this weekend in Biarritz. But the outlook at this beachside meeting isn’t sunny. Also on today’s show: Taylor Swift dropped her new album ‘Lover’ – and said she’s fighting for her music rights.

Note: We mistakenly said on this episode that São Paulo is the capital of Brazil. Brazil's capital is actually Brasilia. Skimm This regrets the error.

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