Friday, August 15th, 2025

Today, Governor Gavin Newsom announces a special election in California to fight back against Republican gerrymandering in Texas; a DC man who threw a sandwich at law enforcement was a Department of Justice employee; an inspector general report finds severe shortages at VA hospitals; Kari Lake defends her Voice of America cuts as lawmakers warn her she overstepped; the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals sides with Black Louisianians by striking down their racists state legislative map; Trump announces his Kennedy Center Honorees and says he might include himself among them; and Allison and Dana read your Good News.

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Guest: John Fugelsang
Tell Me Everything - John Fugelsang, The John Fugelsang Podcast
John Fugelsang - Substack
@johnfugelsang.bsky.social - Bluesky, @JohnFugelsang -Twitter
Separation of Church and Hate by John Fugelsang - Pre-order 

Stories
California will move forward with redistricting vote to counter Texas, Newsom says | ABC News

Trump leaves his mark on the Kennedy Center Honors | POLITICO

‘Severe’ staff shortages at US veterans’ hospitals, watchdog finds | Trump administration | The Guardian

Kari Lake defends VOA cuts in court after warnings from Capitol Hill | The Washington Post

Fifth Circuit Sides with Black Louisianians, Strikes Down Racially Discriminatory State Legislative Map | American Civil Liberties Union

Fired DOJ employee could face prison for throwing sandwich at officers | The Washington Post

Good Trouble 
“I just received an email from the Center for Reproductive Rights saying that Trump’s GSA cut off the connection that let visitors to their website send comments to regulations.gov. The CCR has been asking people to use that link to voice their opposition to the Trump administration’s attempt to ban abortion care for veterans and their families, even in cases of rape, incest or medical emergencies.  Wouldn’t it be great if Beans listeners made up for the lost  comments by sending thousands today?” Go to regulations.gov and search for Reproductive Health Services or use this link: regulations.gov/commenton/VA-2025-VHA-0073-0002
 

From The Good News
regulations.gov/commenton/VA-2025-VHA-0073-0002

Lessons from Cats for Surviving Fascism by Stewart Reynolds | Hachette Book Group

Erika Evans

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