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"Seven Minutes of Terror" Await NASA as New Mars Rover Will Make Landing Thursday Feb 17, 2021

Show notes

On Thursday, NASA is in for seven minutes of terror. The new Mars rover, Perseverance, will be landing, and everything has to be perfect for the mission to be a success. The entry, descent, and landing requires a heat shield, a parachute, rockets thrusters and a sky crane that will lower the rover on to the Martian surface. After that, the real mission starts as the rover will collect soil samples and also launch an autonomous helicopter. Christian Davenport, space reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for how it will all play out.

Next, the Department of Homeland Security, which was founded in response to 9/11 is beginning a pivot from focusing on foreign threats to a growing concern in the U.S., domestic terrorism. While the FBI usually looks into terrorism and extremists, the latest threat assessments from the DHS have pointed to increased activity by these groups and needs to reorient itself to these current threats. As always there are concerns of civil liberty violations and politicization of the department. Nick Miroff, reporter for The Washington Post, joins us for more.

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It's Tough to Get a COVID Vaccine Appointment, Here Are Some Tips to Get Through Feb 16, 2021

Show notes

The process of getting a coronavirus vaccine appointment can seem like trying to get a PS5 with all available appointments gone before you know it. This can be especially hard if you might be helping out a parent or grandparent navigating the sites. Part of the problem is poorly designed sites and also too many vaccine sites from state, local, and hospitals all having their own web portals. Geoffrey Fowler, tech columnist at The Washington Post, joins us for tips on how to master the vaccine appointment websites.

Next, as cases were soaring last year, the government bought millions of dollars of rapid covid tests and distributed them to states, now we are finding out that millions of those tests have gone unused. One area of concern is that many of these tests are also reaching their six month expiration dates. States have cited accuracy concerns and also other challenges such as training and demand for not using them. Sarah Krouse, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for how millions of rapid tests have remained unused.

Finally, the rate of infections in the U.S. is starting to trend in the right direction despite the rise in concern with more transmissible covid variants. While we are seeing these better numbers, experts are divided on why and chalk it up to four possibilities. Good behavior and mask wearing, improved vaccine distribution, changing seasonality, and more cases going undetected because of less testing. Reis Thebault, reporter at the Washington Post, joins us why coronavirus cases are dropping.

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Breaking Down Trump's Second Acquittal of Impeachment Charges Feb 15, 2021

Show notes

For the second time, former President Trump has been acquitted of impeachment charges against him. Seven Republican senators voted with Democrats to convict Trump, but it was not enough to make the two-thirds majority needed. With this win, President Trump maintains his control of the GOP, but the party is still divided, where does it go from here? Also, what did the Democrats achieve in all of this after twice failing to convict Trump? Ginger Gibson, deputy Washington digital editor at NBC News, joins us for a breakdown of impeachment part 2.

Next, a story straight out of Hollywood about an acting coach, turned life coach and energy healer, who became a toxic influence to her followers that leveraged personal information against them. Candace Silvers, daughter of comedian Phil Silvers, has been accused by some former students of claiming success for other actors' accomplishments, using students' private stories in class discussions, and promoting unsafe health advice to her followers. Silvers, for her part, chalks it all up to a small group of disgruntled clients. Gary Baum, senior writer at The Hollywood Reporter, joins us for more on the guru of Toluka Lake.

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WEEKEND EDITION- Over 200 Charged in Capitol Riots and Whole Categories of Friends Lost to the Pandemic Feb 14, 2021

Show notes

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

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WEEKEND EDITION- COVID Is Here to Stay, NTSB Concludes Kobe Crash Investigation, Some Healthcare Workers Refuse Vaccines Feb 13, 2021

Show notes

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

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Trump Appears to Be Headed Toward Acquittal in Second Impeachment Trial Feb 12, 2021

Show notes

Democrats have wrapped up their case in Trump’s second impeachment trial using new video of the Capitol riots and his own words against him, but it seems that the former president is still on his way toward acquittal. A majority of GOP senators have already voted saying the trial is unconstitutional and will stick to that in their final votes. Anita Kumar, White House correspondent and associate editor at Politico, joins us how it’s played out so far.

Next, there is only one airline left where you can book a flight with no one in the middle seat, at least until the end of April, and that is on Delta. Despite a pandemic, most people just want the cheapest fare possible and Delta has even lost money with this plan, but they feel like they are building up some goodwill when business travelers come back. Scott McCartney, Middle Seat columnist at the WSJ, joins us for more.

Finally, an Israeli company named Aleph Farms has unveiled the first 3-D printed ribeye steak. This is not plant-based and instead uses a culture of live animal tissue to grow the steak. It is a proof of concept for the company which hopes to bring these lab grown steaks to market in the second half of 2022. Laura Reiley, business of food reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for what to know about this new meat making process.

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Over 200 People Have Been Arrested and Charged in the Capitol Siege, Who Are They and Why Did They Go? Feb 11, 2021

Show notes

The central question of Trump’s second impeachment trial is: Did he incite rioters to storm the Capitol? To explore that, we can look at the over 200 people that have been arrested and charged so far in the siege. Mostly everyone there was a Trump supporter, some of which said Trump did inspire their actions. Others have been tied to far-right extremist groups, some had ties to law enforcement and the military and some were charged with conspiracy. Tom Dreisbach, investigative correspondent at NPR, joins us for those arrested so far and their stories.

Next, amid some early stumbles and lack of doses hampering the rollout of vaccines, we are seeing hesitancy and skepticism by many health-care workers who are refusing their doses. Many cite the speed at which they were developed and for others it is a trust problem, distrust of the government and even the health care systems they work for. Dhruv Khullar, practicing physician and contributor to The New Yorker, joins us for why so many health care workers are resisting the Covid vaccine.

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"Sudden Loss of Judgment" by Pilot Blamed for Kobe Bryant Helicopter Crash Feb 10, 2021

Show notes

The NTSB has concluded its investigation into the helicopter crash that killed Kobe Bryant, his daughter and 7 others, and said that it was the decision of the pilot to fly into clouds that caused him to lose his orientation to the ground which led them to flying into the hillside. Ian Duncan, transportation reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for what investigators said contributed to the fatal crash.

Next, how much does it cost for treatment of some of the most severe cases of coronavirus? For one woman, it cost over $1.3 million dollars before insurance covered a large portion, leaving her to still owe over $42,000 which she cannot afford. The trouble lies in the fact that despite some insurers waiving certain costs, people may still be on the hook for a percentage which adds up quickly. Maria La Ganga, reporter at the LA Times, joins us for more.

Finally, a recent study has shown that the U.K. coronavirus variant is indeed rapidly spreading through the U.S. and supports a CDC forecast that it could be the dominant strain here by late March. The good news is that cases and hospitalizations are going down, but experts are worried that the easing of restrictions by some states might let this more transmissible strain continue to take hold. Joel Achenbach, science reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for more on the spread of Covid variants.

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Despite Vaccines, COVID Is Here to Stay and We Must Learn to Live With It Feb 09, 2021

Show notes

With the current state of the coronavirus pandemic, it seems that the virus is here to stay for the long term. It is easily transmissible, we have new strains, and it will still take time to vaccinate the world. While we may not have the most restrictive measures in place forever, it will eventually be endemic, something we learn to live with and it will also mean big business. Think testing, ventilation for schools and businesses, and masking. Drew Hinshaw, senior reporter at the WSJ, joins us for why covid is here to stay.

Next, the loss of smell and taste that people experience is one of the most common symptoms of COVID-19. For some, it can come back quickly enough, but then steps in a distortion of those familiar smells. Months later people can have this lingering effect leading them to try anything to get it back. One of the techniques that people are using to re-train their brains is called smell training. Brittny Mejia, reporter at the LA Times, joins us for more.

Finally, as more are being vaccinated every day, people are starting to look forward to the little things again. Grocery shopping without worries, dining out, going to the movies, and seeing friends and family more often. One of the bright spots is that since older Americans are up first to get their vaccines, they are the ones ready to go out and get back to normal. Jem Bartholomew, freelance reporter, joins us for all the little joys people are looking for after getting vaccinated.

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Republicans Battle for Balance as Democrats Push for Second Trump Impeachment Feb 08, 2021

Show notes

Last week was a tough one for Republicans as they battled for balance within their own party. A fight between more traditional members and the Trump faction. The big questions, what to do with Liz Cheney who voted to impeach Trump and Marjorie Taylor Greene who has supported conspiracy theories in the past. This week, it will be all about Trump’s second impeachment trial as Democrats have accused him of inciting insurrection. Ginger Gibson, deputy Washington digital editor at NBC News, breaks down what to expect.

Next, the pandemic has disrupted our lives in many ways including our social lives and friendships, and has possibly erased an entire category of friends we once enjoyed. People that may not be in our inner circle, but acquaintances, friends you see while watching sports, even co-workers you don’t see as much anymore. Amanda Mull staff writer at The Atlantic, joins us for why these types of friendships are vital and the deeper appreciation we have for them after the pandemic.

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