The Daily Dive

Latest Episodes:

Massive Oil Spill Impacts California Coastline, Ship Anchor Probed as Possible Cause Oct 05, 2021

Show notes

Huge environmental disaster off the coast of California as we saw a leak from a pipeline connected to an oil company called Amplify Energy. At least 126,000 gallons of crude oil spilled into the sea with tar balls washing up on shore and impacting wildlife. The initial impact was in Huntington Beach, but the oil is moving south affecting more areas of the coastline. The leak is believed to be stopped now and the cause is still unknown, whether the structural integrity of the pipe was compromised or if a ship anchor struck the pipe. Steve Gregory, reporter for KFI News in LA and OC, joins us for what to know.

Next, Netflix’s new show ‘Squid Game’ is a hit and poised to become their most watched show ever. There are many reasons why it is hitting at this moment, one of them being social media. On TikTok the hashtag #SquidGame has been viewed more than 22 billion times and is perfect meme fodder. While the show was not heavily marketed in the U.S. it is a unique property and Korean entertainment is currently huge in the states. Kalhan Rosenblatt, youth and internet culture reporter at NBC News, joins us for why ‘Squid Game’ has taken off.

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Massive Spending Bill Stalled by Democrats and Why Getting a Religious Exemption for the Vaccine May Be Difficult Oct 04, 2021

Show notes

House Democratic leadership has failed to get enough support for the massive $3.5 trillion spending bill, stalling President Biden's top agenda item right now. There is support for the plan, just not at that price tag. On the Senate side, Senators Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema are the holdouts there with Manchin wanting something in the range of $1.5 trillion, but the focus right now is on Sinema who has not committed to any particular price or policy items. Ginger Gibson, deputy Washington digital editor at NBC News, joins us for this and the beginning of the next controversial term for the Supreme Court.

Next, as the deadline for many vaccinate mandates are coming soon, many still resisting their shots are looking for exemptions. Religious exemptions are one way that people are seeking to get out of the mandates, but they may not be as easy to get as some may think. Employers have a lot of discretion when granting these. Employers have to provide reasonable accommodations, but they can also probe whether a person's beliefs are sincere and deny it if they think they are not. Many objections are based in the belief that the vaccines contain fetal cell lines, which they don't. Andrea Hsu, labor and workplace correspondent at NPR, joins us for more.

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WEEKEND EDITION- Restaurant and Retail Workers Turn To Cannabis Industry, Liquor Shortages, At-Home Tests to Avoid Bad Drug Trips Oct 03, 2021

Show notes

This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.

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WEEKEND EDITION- Cops Resist Vaccine Mandates, R. Kelly Found Guilty, Vet Clinics Stressed Out Oct 02, 2021

Show notes

This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.

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Restaurant and Retail Workers Turn To Cannabis Industry for Jobs Oct 01, 2021

Show notes

Where have all the restaurant and retail workers impacted by the pandemic gone? Many of them went to work in the marijuana industry. There is now an estimated 321,000 workers in the legal cannabis industry. Workers in this industry say they are finding better hours, benefits, and more opportunities to advance. Abha Bhattarai, national retail reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for marijuana jobs have been a refuge for retail and restaurant workers.

Next, the $2 trillion crypto market is heating up and so is the fight to control it. China has made some impactful decisions recently banning all crypto transaction as they make way for their own digital currency. The U.S. is currently figuring out what kind of regulations and oversight might be needed in the states to protect consumers. Claire Ballentine, personal finance reporter at Bloomberg News, joins us for more.

Finally, checking in on our furry friends and the people who help keep them healthy… the pandemic has caused all sorts of backlogs at veterinary offices. Vet staff has been increasingly stressed out as there have been spikes in demand for services, slowed-down curbside protocols, labor shortages, and pets having to be turned away in some cases. HG Watson, contributor to the Guardian, joins for what to know.

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United Airlines Terminating Nearly 600 Employees Who Failed to Comply With Vaccine Mandate Sep 30, 2021

Show notes

United Airlines has the strictest vaccine mandates of all the U.S. airlines and just announced that they will move to fire almost 600 workers who failed to comply. The company has about 67,000 employees and about 96% of them have been vaccinated. Others who sought exemptions for religious or medial reasons will be placed on temporary unpaid leave. Leslie Josephs, airline reporter at CNBC, joins us for how the ball is dropping for those refusing the mandate.

Next, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has announced that 23 animals and plants have been cleared off the endangered species list and are officially extinct. The most notable animal on the list is the ivory-billed woodpecker which is sometimes referred to as the “Lord God Bird.” The last reported sighting was in 2004, but even then it was not confirmed. Dino Grandoni, environmental reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for more.

Finally, Texas politics is taking over America. Recent happenings there such at the strict new abortion law, the Haitian immigrant crisis, and any action taken on Covid have all extended beyond the Texas borders and influenced the national debate on those topics. Marissa Martinez, fellow at Politico, joins us for how everyone is talking about Texas.

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Top Military Leaders Weigh In on Afghanistan and How at-Home Testing Kits Could Get You a Better High Sep 29, 2021

Show notes

Top U.S. military leaders were testifying before the Senate Armed Services Committee and took aim at actions by both Presidents Trump and Biden when it came to Afghanistan. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said that the deal Trump made with the Taliban had a demoralizing effect on Afghan soldiers. General Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said that he thought we should keep at least 2,500 troops there to maintain stability, despite Biden denying his advisors told him so. Daniel Flatley, Congressional Reporter at Bloomberg News, fills us in on what to know.

Next, could a DNA test help you have a better drug experience? There is an emerging industry making at-home testing kits that look at different genetic traits that could help people understand how they will react to cannabis or psychedelic drugs and find the right dose. Companies that are looking into alternative therapies for depression, pain, PTSD and other ailments are trying to make sure you don’t have a bad trip. Tiffany Kary, consumer reporter at Bloomberg News, joins us for more.

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Law Enforcement Continues to Resist Vaccines Despite Covid Being Top Killer for Cops Last Year Sep 28, 2021

Show notes

Police officers are continuing to resist vaccinations even as we see more mandates for public employees and as it becomes the number one killer for officers with gunfire coming in second. Cops are lagging behind the general public they serve and for many of the same reasons we hear in other sectors…not wanting to be forced and skepticism over safety. Policy unions are calling for more exemptions or weekly testing. Zusha Elinson, national reporter at the WSJ, joins us for more.

Next, R&B singer R. Kelly has been found guilty on all counts in his sex-trafficking and racketeering trial. The prosecution called on 45 witnesses to make their case that he was a sexual predator that abused young women and underage girls for more than two decades. The defense tried to say that his victims were just groupies who tried to exploit him. Sentencing will come on May 4th. Lou Shapiro, criminal defense attorney and legal analyst, joins us for what to know.

Finally, the pandemic has amplified the social anxiety that some young people are experiencing, and it was intensified by the isolation many underwent. They aren’t necessarily scared about catching Covid, but just have the intense fear of being watched and judged. Eduardo Medina, reporter at the NY Times, joins us for post pandemic social anxiety.

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Biden Administration Needs a Big Win Before Midterms Sep 27, 2021

Show notes

The Biden administration has been bogged down with some stumbles recently in Afghanistan, immigration out of control in Del Rio, Texas, and the fate of the massive spending bill still unclear. Analysts say that Biden badly needs a win and the passage of his domestic plan could be the last thing possible before the midterm elections. Ginger Gibson, deputy Washington digital editor at NBC News, joins us for this and the fight over lifting the debt limit.

Next, the liquor shortage caused by the pandemic still continues in some states and they are having to resort to rationing liquor supplies to keep up. As with many other industries, problems at every step of the supply chain are affecting liquor stocks. Some producers are having a hard time sourcing glass bottles, the cost of importing liquor is high, and there is a shortage of truck drivers hampering delivery. Joe Hernandez, reporter at NPR, joins us for why some states are still short on liquor.

Finally, the future of retail could feature live-stream-shopping. Ntwrk, is a shopping app that functions sort of like a QVC for hyped up streetwear. It offers up a digital shopping experience where clothing makers and customizers can talk about their products through live broadcasts and shoppers can buy directly from the app. The app also has some big investors behind it such as Drake, Live Nation, and Foot Locker. Jacob Gallagher, On Trend columnist at the WSJ, joins us for more.

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WEEKEND EDITION- Moderna Is the Most Effective Vaccine, Texas Abortion Bill Gets Its First Test, Instagram Is Toxic for Teen Girls Sep 26, 2021

Show notes

This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.

Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.