Today, Explained

Latest Episodes:

Aiding chaos Feb 25, 2019

Show notes

Venezuela's whole “two presidents” thing has turned lethal. Emiliana Duarte spent the weekend at Venezuela’s border with Colombia where security forces faced off against protesters.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jussie Smollett's worst enemy Feb 22, 2019

Show notes

Jussie Smollett was the victim of a racist, homophobic hate crime last month. Or at least that’s what he’d have you believe. The Advocate’s Zach Stafford tells the Smollett saga from its shocking start to its outrageous end.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Train takes a bullet Feb 21, 2019

Show notes

Californians were promised high-speed rail. Eleven years and billions of dollars later, all they have is a fight with President Trump. Vox’s Matthew Yglesias laments a train in vain.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HQ2-1 Feb 20, 2019

Show notes

Amazon decided on two headquarters: one in New York and the other in Arlington, Virginia. One deal fell apart, the other just might work out perfectly. Today, Explained’s Noam Hassenfeld finds out why. ************** Clarification: We noted that New York offered $3 billion in subsidies to Amazon. We have clarified that this was a mix of both cash grants and tax incentives.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A little privacy, please Feb 19, 2019

Show notes

The Verge's Casey Newton says a California privacy law to protect your online data might finally push federal legislators to come up with one set of rules for the entire country. Recode's Kara Swisher says it's high time big tech gets its act together.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

2020 vision Feb 18, 2019

Show notes

Nearly a dozen candidates have announced their run for the presidency and 2019 has only just begun. John Dickerson of Slate’s Political Gabfest explains the endless American tradition.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Emergency podcast! Feb 15, 2019

Show notes

President Donald Trump declared a national state of emergency today. It’s the latest installment in his controversial “Build the wall!” series.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The 400% interest rate Feb 14, 2019

Show notes

Remember the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau? It’s not doing so well. Enforcement is down by 75 percent, employees are leaving in droves, and now regulations are being rolled back.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Race runs through it Feb 13, 2019

Show notes

Virginia: birthplace of American democracy and American slavery, first state to elect a black governor and maybe the first to have a governor with a KKK costume on his yearbook page. Christy Coleman from the American Civil War Museum in Richmond explains the duality of Old Dominion.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Killing Sears Feb 12, 2019

Show notes

Sears was on its way to the graveyard of American icons when its former CEO, a reclusive billionaire named Eddie Lampert, stepped in to buy it. Unfortunately, he’s the same CEO who led the company into bankruptcy.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices