Americast

Legendary environmental activist talks America’s contaminated water supply.

The entire population of Jackson, Mississippi lost access to safe running water after excessive rainfall and flooding. But it’s not the first time there’s been issues with the city’s water supply, or the first case of contaminated drinking water in the US.

Justin and Sarah speak to environmental activist Erin Brockovich, who won a case over safe drinking water in California, before being portrayed on film by Julia Roberts. They’re also joined by Corey Stern, the lawyer representing 1,600 Jackson residents in their lawsuits against the city and the state.

The mayor of Jackson, Chokwe Antar Lumumba, now says “Even when we are not under a boil water notice, it’s not a matter of if these systems will fail, but when these systems will fail. Safe, drinkable, reliable, sustainable and an equitable water treatment facility is a much longer road ahead”.

And President Joe Biden and former president Donald Trump have both been in Pennsylvania making some big speeches. The Americast gang break down what they said and how it played out on our undercover voters’ social media feeds.

Americast is made by Phil Marzouk, Alix Pickles and Chris Flynn. The studio director is Emma Crowe. The assistant editor is Sam Bonham. The senior news editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.

Donald Trump, some top secret documents and the FBI.

Welcome to episode one of the new-look Americast!

Classified documents stored at former President's Florida home were likely concealed as part of an effort to obstruct an FBI investigation, says the US Department of Justice officials. Justin, Sarah and the Zurch chat to former FBI special agent Asha Rangappa, about how attempts to retrieve the documents went down and what could happen next.

And Marianna introduces our undercover voters…

Americast is made by Phil Marzouk and Alix Pickles. The studio director is Emma Crowe. The assistant editor is Sam Bonham. The senior news editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.

We're back! With Justin Webb, Sarah Smith, Marianna Spring and (of course) the Zurch. Join us every Wednesday for all the latest news and gossip from America.

A message to Americasters from the Zurch.

Biden imposes sanctions on Russia over “beginning of invasion”…

Prince Andrew has settled the civil sex assault case brought against him in the US by Virginia Giuffre. He’s agreed to make a substantial donation to her charity in support of victims’ rights.

Randy Zelin, a New York attorney, joins Emily, Jon and Anthony to discuss what we know and what we will probably never know about the deal.

Americast was made by Alison Gee and Phil Marzouk. The technical director is Emma Crowe and the editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.

The American media’s been full of stories about Boris Johnson – so why is the US fascinated with the British prime minister? Mark Landler from the New York Times says there are plenty of similarities with Donald Trump, but also some significant differences.

Mike Pence has made it very clear he disagrees with his former boss: “President Trump is wrong,” he said. “I had no right to overturn the election.” Olivia Troye, who was the vice-president’s homeland security adviser, thinks he’s paving the way to run for president in 2024.

With thanks to Opinion Video at The New York Times for permission to use their Jonathan Pie video.

Americast was made by Alison Gee and Phil Marzouk. The technical director is Emma Crowe and the editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.

As Canadian truckers protest over vaccine regulations, Emily, Jon and Anthony take a look at what it means for the US and whether demonstrations could spread there too.

Also, CNN journalists Marshall Cohen and Zachary Cohen talk us through their investigation into the “fake electors” scheme that tried to overturn the 2020 presidential election result. The January 6 committee has now subpoenaed 14 people in connection with it.

And now that Supreme Court Judge Stephen Breyer has announced he’s retiring, President Biden is expected to nominate the first black woman to the court. The Americast team hear why Senator Ted Cruz says he finds this “offensive”.

Americast is made by Estelle Doyle and Phil Marzouk. The assistant editor is Alison Gee and the editor is Jonathan Aspinwall. The studio director is Emma Crowe.

As the Ukraine crisis escalates, we hear why Kyiv is so important to Moscow.

Retired Lt Col Alexander Vindman, who testified before Congress about the Trump-Ukraine scandal, explains why he thinks Biden has a much better understanding of Putin than Trump ever had.

Also, the hot mic moment that caught Biden off guard, Anthony tries to take over the podcast with a filibuster, and we answer an A-level student’s question about Mike Pence and a steaming pile of horse poo.

Americast is made by Estelle Doyle and Phil Marzouk. The assistant editor is Alison Gee and the editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.

Joe Biden defends his first year of presidency in a rare press conference, but his comment about a possible Russian invasion of Ukraine is what gets Emily and Jon scratching their heads.

They speak to Elaine Kamarck, a former staffer to Vice-President Al Gore and President Bill Clinton, now with the Brookings Institution. She thinks Biden said more than he should have.

Meanwhile, Anthony is travelling with Secretary of State Anthony Blinken to Ukraine, as the US makes a last ditch attempt at finding a diplomatic solution. He explains why there is no way there is going to be a shooting war between Americans and Russians over Ukraine.

And we hear the latest on Donald Trump’s legal troubles: the Supreme Court has allowed the release of his presidential records to the committee investigating the 6 January assault on the Capitol – and it turns out his New York triplex isn’t quite as big as he said.

Americast is made by Estelle Doyle and Phil Marzouk. The assistant editor is Alison Gee and the editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.