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UFOs Become a National Security Concern for DC May 28, 2021

Show notes

Washington is swirling with UFO chatter right now as many eagerly await an intelligence report due sometime next month. Top senators, pentagon insiders, and former CIA directors have been weighing in on the subject, but that hasn’t always been the case. UFO talk usually got you in trouble or got you strange looks. Michael Rosenwald, reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for how UFO sightings went from jokes to national security concern.

Next, for all those that are out traveling this Memorial Day weekend, get ready for high costs and lots of people. As the economy continues to rebound from the pandemic, we are seeing vacations get more expensive with rising airfare and hotel rates. The price of gas is even making road trips more expensive too. Leslie Josephs, airline reporter at CNBC, joins us for why costs are quickly going up.

Finally, a new treatment known as optogenetic therapy has given a blind man some of his vision back. Light- activated proteins were inserted into eye nerve cells and paired with specials goggles that emit flashes of amber-hued light. This combination allowed the man with a degenerative eye disease to see and count objects, when he could previously just detect some light. Tina Hesman Saey, senior writer at Science News, joins us for more.

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Adding to the Volatility, China May Ban All Bitcoin Mining in the Country May 27, 2021

Show notes

There has been a lot of volatility with cryptocurrency lately, especially for bitcoin. China has been one of the key factors in the ups and downs. China recently took some actions that will likely ban all bitcoin mining there soon. About 75% of all bitcoin mining currently happens in China. Last week they also warned financial institutions not to participate in crypto transactions. Tim De Chant, tech policy reporter at Ars Technica, joins us for what is happening in the crypto market.

Next, the pandemic has changed how we shop and some things like wider aisles and curbside pickup will be sticking around, while companies that don’t adapt may continue to close. Retailers are expecting a spending boom, but business will have to give consumers reasons to get out, like new concept stores and in-store experiences. Hillary George-Parkin, contributor to Vox, joins us for what to expect from post-pandemic shopping.

Finally, the Army is getting some upgrades. New night vision goggles are being rolled out that look like the stuff out of video games. We all know the green-washed look of the traditional night vision equipment, but the new goggles offer more contrast with soldiers, objects, and locations outlined in white. It also offers augmented reality capabilities. Dalvin Brown, innovations reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for the new night vision tech.

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Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis Signs "Big Tech" Bill Cracking Down on Social Media Platforms May 26, 2021

Show notes

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis this week signed a ‘Big Tech’ bill aimed at cracking down on social media giants like Facebook and Twitter for deplatforming conservatives. The bill makes it illegal to remove candidates for office from their social media in the lead up to an election. It also makes it easier for the Florida attorney general and individuals to sue big tech. Ana Ceballos, reporter at the Miami Herald, joins us for this new law that will most certainly be challenged in court.

Next, another important piece of the vaccine puzzle has come into play. Moderna says that its vaccine has been found to be 100% effective in kids ages 12-17, two week after their second dose. Moderna will seek for FDA authorization early in June offering more choices for families over summer vacation and before the new school year begins. Elizabeth Weise, national correspondent at USA Today, joins us for how this will help bring us closer to herd immunity.

Finally, the recent unionization effort at an Amazon warehouse in Bessemer, Alabama failed, but the fight continues. In a hearing before the National Labor Relations Board, the union is arguing that a mailbox installed on the grounds by the Post Office interfered with how workers may have voted. Amazon wanted workers to use the mailbox to cast their ballots. Sara Morrison, reporter at Vox’s Recode, joins us for why the decision to overturn the votes may come down to this mailbox.

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Unvaccinated People Are Driving in-Person Spending and How Being Put On Chicago PD's Heat List Got One Man Shot Twice May 25, 2021

Show notes

Who is out there driving in-person economic spending as the country recovers from the pandemic? Right now, vaccinated consumers have been less likely to go out to restaurants and entertainment venues than those who don’t plan to get the vaccine. Early data shows that the vaccinated are still cautious and avoiding large crowds. Many states that have higher vaccination rates have had a slower rebounds of in-person spending and experts say that spending among vaccinated people will most likely be at full force by summer. Sarah Chaney Cambon, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for more.

Next, an interesting story about a man named Robert McDaniel who was put on Chicago PD’s Heat List. Chicago’s predictive policing program said he would be involved with a shooting, but didn’t specify what side he would be on. After an algorithm decided he would be on the list, police increased their surveillance of McDaniel and he also became a pariah in his own community… the increased scrutiny made people think he could have been a police informant. In the end, McDaniel was a victim who was shot twice on separate occasions. Matt Stroud, contributor to the Verge, joins us for Robert McDaniel’s life on the “heat list.”

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Report Detailing What the Pentagon Knows About UFOs Coming Soon to Congress May 24, 2021

Show notes

There's been a lot of buzz about UFOs in the news lately. Some new video from 2019 was recently leaked showing an object flying by a Navy ship and disappearing into the water. Former President Obama was also recently asked about what he knew about these strange objects. This is all leading up to an upcoming report to be delivered to Congress that will supposedly detail what the Pentagon knows about unidentified aerial phenomena. Ginger Gibson, deputy Washington digital editor at NBC News, joins us for UFOs, Georgia and Arizona still looking into election results and the vote to create a Jan.6 commission moves to the Senate.

Next, President Trump and many of his allies continue to push the claim that there was mass fraud during the last election causing him to lose. Multiple lawsuits have been thrown out in court as there is no evidence to the claims. Arizona is currently going through an audit looking for irregularities. While many of these allegations have been pushed out for some time, where did they originate? Many of the key elements of the story saying the election was stolen from Trump were formed by a man named Russell Ramsland Jr. who was delivering presentations about fraud and voting machines as early as 2018. Jon Swaine, investigative reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for how the stolen election myth was made.

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WEEKEND EDITION- Rise of Cryptocurrency Scams and Cheating Has Become More Rampant During the Pandemic May 23, 2021

Show notes

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

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WEEKEND EDITION- New Child Tax Benefits Coming Soon, U.S. Travel Surge Is Here, Dogs Sniffing for Covid May 22, 2021

Show notes

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

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Start Planning You Next Trip Now, the U.S. Travel Surge Is Already Here May 21, 2021

Show notes

Everyone is expecting the summer travel season to be that comeback moment for airlines and the hospitality industry, but signs are showing that it may already be happening. TSA airport screenings are up 715% compared to the same time last year. If you’re planning to fly, you might want to get your tickets soon, prices are already creeping back up to pre-pandemic levels. Scott McCartney, middle seat columnist at the WSJ, joins us for how the U.S. travel surge is already here.

Next, vaccine booster shots may be coming as early as September. The CEO’s of Pfizer and Moderna have signaled that the extra shots will be needed because the durability of protection against coronaviruses is generally not lifelong. The picture will become clearer as more data emerges about how long immunity lasts at the current dosage. Caitlin Owens, healthcare reporter at Axios, joins us for how Pfizer and Moderna are preparing boosters in case a third shot is needed.

Finally, get ready for “Hot Vax Summer” as pent-up demand to go out is at an all-time high, but be wary of the hype. Sometimes expectations don’t live up to reality. As some are preparing for a summer of hookups and fun, it can also come with awkward social interactions and even some ghosting. Lisa Bonos, reporter at The Washington Post covering dating and relationships, joins us for more.

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With Rising Covid Cases and Slow Vaccination Rates, the Tokyo Olympics Could Be in Danger Again May 20, 2021

Show notes

With just over 60 days to go before the Olympics are set to begin in Tokyo, a prominent group of doctors and a majority of those polled in Japan are calling for them to be cancelled once more. New Covid cases have surged and the vaccination rollout remains very slow due to a number of reasons. Less than 2% of the population in Japan is fully vaccinated. Jeff Tracy, sports reporter at Axios, joins us for more.

Next, what is behind sudden drop in Bitcoin? This week Bitcoin fell as much as 30% and other cryptocurrencies also took a hit. We’ve seen some institutional support drop with Tesla no longer accepting Bitcoin and regulatory concerns as China banned financial companies from providing services for crypto trading. Jesse Pound, markets and investing reporter at CNBC, joins us for what to know.

Finally, a growing body of research is showing that dogs can sniff out Covid-19, including people without symptoms. These dogs can be trained relatively quickly and have a pretty good success rate, sometimes doing better than rapid antigen tests. Some companies and countries are now getting ready to deploy these pups to help screen large amounts of people quickly for things like sporting events and more. Ruth Bender, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for how dogs can detect the coronavirus.

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New Child Tax Credit Payments Hitting Parents' Bank Accounts on July 15 May 19, 2021

Show notes

Enhanced child cash benefits will be hitting parents’ bank accounts starting July 15. The IRS will send families monthly payments of $250-$300 per child to families depending on their ages and incomes of parents. The Biden administration says this is an important step in stamping out child poverty and are hoping to extend this program to 2025. Jeff Stein, White House economics reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for what to know.

Next, cryptocurrency scams spiked 1,000% in the past year costing about 70,000 people more than $80 million. $2 million of that were sent to Elon Musk impersonators. Many of these scams played out in online chat groups and even on dating apps. Kate Marino, business editor at Axios, joins us for how scammers were cashing in.

Finally, how do you manage your workforce now that more people are returning to the office? Some workers are sad about leaving their remote work setup, others anxious about getting sick, and there are those that are burnt out. It’s important to give employees flexibility, help smooth out social interactions, and foster a focus on workflow. Rachel Feintzeig, work and life columnist at the WSJ, joins us for how to rally the post-pandemic workforce.

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