What A Day

Latest Episodes:

Not Some Distant Tragedy Oct 11, 2023

Show notes

The devastation from the war between Israel and Hamas continues to unfold. As of Tuesday, nearly 2,000 people combined have been killed in Israel and Gaza, with many more injured. President Biden confirmed that at least 14 Americans are among the dead, and U.S. citizens are among the hostages held by Hamas.

Meanwhile, Secretary of State Antony Blinken is heading to Israel today in a show of solidarity. The U.S. has already repositioned military assets in the region as Israel gears up for what could be an unprecedented assault on Gaza.

And in headlines: thousands of people are feared dead following Saturday’s powerful earthquake in Afghanistan, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced he’s running for president as an independent, and economic historian Claudia Goldin won a Nobel Prize for tracing the history of women in the workplace.

Show Notes:

What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast

Crooked Coffee is officially here. Our first blend, What A Morning, is available in medium and dark roasts. Wake up with your own bag at crooked.com/coffee

For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

Israel Declares War on Hamas Oct 10, 2023

Show notes

At least 1,500 people have been killed in the days since Hamas, the Palestinian armed group that controls Gaza, launched a surprise attack against Israel. Israel has since declared war, and vowed to launch a "total" siege on Gaza. Meanwhile, the U.S. and other global powers are working to stop it from becoming a conflict with multiple fronts.

Parts of West Maui reopened to tourists this weekend for the first time since this summer's deadly wildfires were extinguished. State officials maintain that allowing visitors to return to the area is necessary for the island's economic recovery. But many residents, including those from the town of Lahaina, say their community isn't ready.

Show Notes:

Council on Foreign Relations: What is Hamas? – https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/what-hamas
Maui Medic Healers Hui – https://mauimedichealershui.org/
‘Āina Momona: Maui Relief Efforts — https://www.kaainamomona.org/maui
Hawai’i Public Radio, “Native Hawaiians grapple with generational trauma in wake of Maui fire” — https://tinyurl.com/mr2nc3hb

Crooked Coffee is officially here. Our first blend, What A Morning, is available in medium and dark roasts. Wake up with your own bag at crooked.com/coffee.

SCOTUS Is Back! Term Preview from Strict Scrutiny Oct 09, 2023

Show notes

***What A Day will be back with a new episode Tuesday, October 10th***

It's the start of a new Supreme Court term... and the start of Strict Scrutiny's fifth season!

While the cases ahead may seem technical and boring, they’re actually quite significant. Hosts Melissa, Kate, and Leah preview the first oral arguments the Court will hear in October Term 2023.

Listen to Strict Scrutiny every Monday wherever you get your podcasts.

Putting Alabama On The Map Oct 06, 2023

Show notes

Federal judges chose a new congressional map for Alabama on Thursday, after a major, two year legal fight. The final, court-approved map gives Black Alabamians more political power, and could also give Democrats an edge in 2024.

Talks between SAG-AFTRA and AMPTP resume today, after negotiations to end the Hollywood actor’s strike restarted earlier this week. It’s not clear if they’re close to a deal, but the use of artificial intelligence may be a major sticking point.

And in headlines: the Biden administration has cleared the way to allow more border wall construction in Texas, Canadian voters elected a First Nations member to lead the province of Manitoba, and the CDC is phasing out its paper COVID vaccine cards.

Show Notes:

What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast

Crooked Coffee is officially here. Our first blend, What A Morning, is available in medium and dark roasts. Wake up with your own bag at crooked.com/coffee

For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

Reading Is Fundamental, Honey Oct 05, 2023

Show notes

Republicans remain divided over who should lead their delicate House majority after Kevin McCarthy was ousted as speaker. A vote for his replacement is set for next week – and so far, at least three Republicans have signaled that they want the job.

Banned Books Week, an annual event to draw attention to the harms of censorship, has taken on new significance this year. Legislation in some GOP-led states has forced schools and libraries to pull many titles from their shelves, disproportionately targeting books about race, sexuality, and gender identity. Conrrado Saldivar, president of the Wyoming Library Association, joins us to discuss how he’s defending the right to read.

And in headlines: President Biden canceled another $9 billion in student loan debt, more than 75,000 Kaiser Permanente employees walked off the job as part of a three-day strike, and voting is open for Fat Bear Week 2023.

Show Notes:

Banned Books Week – https://bannedbooksweek.org/
American Library Association: Unite Against Banned Books – https://uniteagainstbookbans.org/
Explore.org: Fat Bear Week 2023 – https://explore.org/fat-bear-week
What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast

Crooked Coffee is officially here. Our first blend, What A Morning, is available in medium and dark roasts. Wake up with your own bag at crooked.com/coffee

For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

Kevin Knows I'm Miserable Now Oct 04, 2023

Show notes

In an unprecedented move led by far-right Republicans, Kevin McCarthy was voted out of his job as Speaker of the House. He later said he would not seek the position again, leaving the House GOP fractured and scrambling to find a new leader for their slim majority.

The Supreme Court heard arguments in a major case against the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The fate of the agency, which was created in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis, is on the line – though the justices appeared skeptical of the argument brought by payday lenders.

And in headlines: Donald Trump was hit with a gag order in his civil fraud trial, Tennessee state Rep. Justin Jones filed a federal lawsuit against leaders of the state’s House of Representatives, and the entire run of “Mean Girls” is now on TikTok.

Show Notes:

Sixth & I: Roxane Gay in conversation with Juanita Tolliver – https://www.sixthandi.org/event/roxane-gay/
What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast

Crooked Coffee is officially here. Our first blend, What A Morning, is available in medium and dark roasts. Wake up with your own bag at crooked.com/coffee

For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

Introducing Laphonza Butler Oct 03, 2023

Show notes

A testy and defiant Donald Trump showed up to court yesterday in Manhattan, for the first day of his civil fraud trial. The former president called the suit, brought by New York attorney general Letitia James, a “witch hunt,” though it could cost him control of his sprawling real estate empire.

Laphonza Butler will be the new junior U.S. Senator from California, after she was appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom to replace the late Dianne Feinstein. Marisa Lagos, political correspondent at NPR member station KQED in San Francisco, joins us to discuss Butler’s career.

And in headlines: the scientists who laid the groundwork for the COVID vaccines won a Nobel Prize, the U.S. Supreme Court officially started its new term, and Mariah Carey has declared an early start to this year’s holiday festivities with a new tour.

Show Notes:

What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast

Crooked Coffee is officially here. Our first blend, What A Morning, is available in medium and dark roasts. Wake up with your own bag at crooked.com/coffee

For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

Shutdown, Swerved Oct 02, 2023

Show notes

Just hours before the Saturday night deadline, a bill to fund the government through mid-November passed both chambers of Congress and was signed by President Biden. The bill – which ensures the federal government can keep paying its workers for about 45 more days – included funds for natural disaster relief, but notably did not include any added funding for Ukraine.

Senator Dianne Feinstein, the longest-serving woman in the U.S. Senate, died Thursday night from natural causes at her home in Washington, D.C. She was 90 years old. Now, it's up to California Governor Gavin Newsom to choose her replacement ahead of next year's primary election, though he has promised to name a Black woman for the role.

And in headlines: at least 13 people were killed after a fire broke out at a nightclub in the Spanish city of Murcia, New York City is still drying out after Friday’s round of heavy rain, and Beyoncé's Renaissance tour could be coming soon to a theater near you.

Show Notes:

What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast

Crooked Coffee is officially here. Our first blend, What A Morning, is available in medium and dark roasts. Wake up with your own bag at crooked.com/coffee

For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

Shut Up Or Shut Down Sep 29, 2023

Show notes

Republicans held their first hearing Thursday in their impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden. The six-hour hearing before the House Oversight Committee tried to make the case that the president benefitted from his son's business dealings – even though the Republicans' own witnesses said they didn't have any evidence to prove it.

Meanwhile, the U.S. government notified federal workers that a shutdown is on the horizon if Congress doesn't reach a deal by 12:01 a.m. ET Sunday. The disruption could impact millions of government employees and military families, and affect many critical services.

And in headlines: Donald Trump’s civil fraud trial in New York is set to start on Monday, California will raise the minimum wage for fast food workers, and Netflix has rolled the credits on its DVD-by-mail service.

Show Notes:

What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast

Crooked Coffee is officially here. Our first blend, What A Morning, is available in medium and dark roasts. Wake up with your own bag at crooked.com/coffee

For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

A Time For Chaos Sep 28, 2023

Show notes

The second 2024 GOP presidential debate took place yesterday at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California. The pool of candidates was smaller compared to the last round, but it wasn’t any less chaotic. Erin Ryan, host of Crooked Media’s “Hysteria” podcast, and Brian Beutler, founder of the Off Message newsletter, join us to break it all down.

And in headlines: the American soldier who crossed into North Korea in July was transferred to U.S. custody, a federal judge in Texas blocked that state’s ban on public drag shows, and late-night TV is gearing up for its comeback.

Show Notes:

Substack | Off Message – https://www.offmessage.net/
What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast

Crooked Coffee is officially here. Our first blend, What A Morning, is available in medium and dark roasts. Wake up with your own bag at crooked.com/coffee

For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

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