KPFK - BradCast w/ Brad Friedman

US drone strike kills Al-Qaeda leader. Death toll rises in Kentucky floods and Pacific Northwest heat wave. Congressional Democrats push to quickly pass Inflation Reduction Act, with major provisions in healthcare, climate and clean energy, but face numerous obstacles. Are compromises in the climate section that allow for expansion of fossil fuels enough to tank the bill? Callers weigh in on all of the above...

Guest: Alissa Jean Schafer, Energy & Policy Institute

'Big Lie' rightwing media outlet One American News (OAN) is about to go out of business. Donald Trump demands CNN to stop reporting on his 'Big Lie' efforts to steal the 2020 election. Leaked documents expose how monopoly utility Florida Power & Light used a web of dark money to manipulate politics and elections, prop up fake candidates, mount disinformation campaigns, and secretly take over at least one news site to attack its critics and promote its propaganda. Utility expert ALISSA JEAN SCHAFER explains the widening FPL scandal and the dark money playbook utilized by power utilities across the country. Also today: Comedian Jon Stewart has choice words for Republicans voting down healthcare for dying veterans.

Kentucky hit with historic rain and deadly flash floods. Senate Democrats reach deal with obstructionist Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) on landmark legislation that raises taxes on big corporations, lowers healthcare costs, and makes the largest investment in climate/clean energy in US history. Senate GOP retaliates by blocking expanded healthcare for veterans exposed to toxic burn pits. New polling suggests 'conventional wisdom' about the November 2022 midterm elections is changing in these un-conventional times. Plus Desi Doyen has our latest 'Green News Report.'

Guest: Adrian Martinez, Senior Attorney, Earthjustice

New reporting confirms the Justice Department has been investigating former Pres. Donald Trump's efforts to steal the 2020 election in a criminal probe, and top former Trump White House aides are cooperating with federal prosecutors. US Postal Service says it will quadruple its expected purchase of all-electric delivery trucks to 40 percent of its new fleet. Earthjustice senior attorney Adrian Martinez explains how their public pressure campaign has forced USPS to shift to more EVs, why it's vitally important to do so, and next steps for pushing USPS to 100% EVs. Plus: Pres. Biden, recovered from COVID, encouraged all Americans to utilize free vaccinations, boosters and anti-viral treatments to protect their families.

Climate-intensified floods hit MO. Record heat hits Pacific Northwest. Anti-poverty non-profit CEO Wes Moore wins Dem gubernatorial primary in Maryland. In Illinois, hand-marked paper ballots save the day after major 'glitch' discovered. New emails expose how Team Trump coordinated their 'fake electors' scheme in 7 states to steal the 2020 election with full knowledge that it was illegal, and show that Pennsylvania's GOP nominee for governor, far-right Christian Nationalist Doug Mastriano, was coordinator for PA. Biden excoriates Republicans for downplaying Jan. 6 attacks on law enforcement. Plus Desi Doyen has our latest 'Green News Report.'

Guest: Dr. Leah Stokes, UC Santa Barbara

Encore: Original air-date 7/19/2022. Multiple, simultaneous record-smashing heat waves continue wreaking havoc, from Asia to Europe to the US. Climate policy expert DR. LEAH STOKES explains the stakes of the climate crisis, what Sen. Manchin's (D-WV) sabotage of climate legislation has cost us all, and discusses executive actions and federal agency policies that Biden can still utilize, plus additional actions on every level that will significantly cut US carbon pollution. Plus Desi Doyen has our latest 'Green News Report.'

Guest: Heather 'Digby' Parton, Salon; Richard Eskow, The Zero Hour

Our special coverage of the House January 6 Committee hearings continues with opinion columnist HEATHER DIGBY PARTON of Salon and RICHARD ESKOW, columnist and host of The Zero Hour. In an incredibly information-dense hearing, the evidence and witnesses made clear that Trump was central to the plot to halt the peaceful transfer of power, betrayed his oath of office by refusing to take any action to stop the deadly attack on the U.S. Capitol, and much, much more. Also today: a federal jury has convicted former Trump aide Steve Bannon on two counts contempt of Congress for ignoring lawful subpoenas from the J6 Committee.

Guest: Sarah Lipton-Lubet, Take Back The Court

House Democrats are quickly passing bills to codify reproductive rights, marriage and contraception rights into federal law to protect them from Republicans' radical, stolen-and-packed rightwing Supreme Court majority. SARAH LIPTON-LUBET of the non-profit Take Back the Court explains the need for the long-overdue expansion of the Supreme Court after Senate Republicans' theft of two seats from the American people, and why UN-packing the Court is critical to protect democracy. Also today: Newsmax blatantly lies to viewers about J6 hearings. Pres. Biden tests positive for COVID. Plus Desi Doyen has our latest 'Green News Report.'

In Maryland, 2020 election denier won the GOP primary for governor. US senators reach bipartisan deal to close loopholes exploited by Trump in Electoral Count Act. Brazil's Pres. Bolsonaro declares upcoming elections fraudulent if he loses. New legal developments are a bad sign for Trump cronies Steve Bannon, Rudy Giuiani, and 16 GOP fake electors in Georgia. House Democrats pass bill protecting constitutional rights to same-sex and inter-racial marriage, forcing Republicans to go on record against them. Pres. Biden announces plans for new executive actions to tackle the climate crisis.

Guest: Dr. Leah Stokes, Climate policy expert, UC Santa Barbara

Multiple, simultaneous record-smashing heat waves continue wreaking havoc, from Asia to Europe to the US. Climate policy expert DR. LEAH STOKES explains the stakes of the climate crisis, what Sen. Manchin's (D-WV) sabotage of climate legislation has cost us all, and discusses executive actions and federal agency policies that Biden can still utilize, plus additional actions on every level that will significantly cut US carbon pollution. Plus Desi Doyen has our latest 'Green News Report.'