KPFK - BradCast w/ Brad Friedman

Guest: Helen Butler, Former GA election official

Helen Butler, voting rights expert and recently purged county election official, explains how Georgia Republicans are systematically removing black Democratic election officials from formerly bipartisan county election boards and replacing them with white Republican majorities. Butler details chilling maneuvers underway by GA Republicans to 'control the outcome of all elections' in the state and all aspects of government just in time for the crucial 2022 midterm elections. Butler also details, with infectious optimism, specific actions that every citizen can take to protect voting rights and free and fair elections in every community. Plus: Astute comments from our listeners...

Guest: Ron Fein, Legal Director, Free Speech For People

House Select Committee investigating the Jan. 6th Capitol attack released a treasure trove of text messages revealing more 'evidence' of Trump's 'supreme dereliction of duty,' exposing the involvement of GOP officials, Fox 'News' personalities, and more, and referred Trump's former Chief of Staff Meadows for criminal contempt charges. RON FEIN of good government group Free Speech For People explains their new lawsuit against the Federal Election Commission for failing to act on a complaint alleging multiple campaign finance violations by the Trump Campaign, how to reform the dysfunctional FEC, and US Attorney General Garland's inertia. Judge again rejects Trump's bid to block release of his tax returns. Plus Desi Doyen has our latest 'Green News Report.'

The latest on the massive, deadly tornado outbreak that struck 6 states, and the influence of climate change. New 'smoking gun' document spells out the road map of the criminal conspiracy launched by Donald Trump and his minions to steal the 2020 election from the American people. We debunk the false, assertions in the document that was turned over by Trump's former White House Chief of Staff to the House Select Committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol. Also: CA reinstates indoor mask mandate.

Guest: Diane Archer of JustCareUSA.org, Medicare expert

Guest host Nicole Sandler welcomes Diane Archer of JustCareUSA.org to tell us everything we need to know about Medicare, Medicare Advantage and the new privatization scheme known as direct contracting.

Good economic/labor news, as new jobless claims hit lows not seen since 1969, and Starbucks employees at Buffalo, NY store vote to unionize. Italy fines Amazon for monopolistic practices. Rightwing media outlet can't understand why anti-vaccine/anti-mask warriors are contracting COVID. MO's GOP Attorney General halts all local COVID public health measures. NY Attorney General to depose Donald Trump in tax/bank fraud case. DC appeals court denies Trump attempt to block White House records from House Select Committee investigating his Jan. 6th Capitol Insurrection. Biden convenes first Summit for Democracy to combat rise of authoritarianism. Plus Desi Doyen has our latest 'Green News Report.'

Guest: David Dayen, The American Prospect

Financial journalist David Dayen explains how big corporations are using inflation as a cover for price-fixing and profiteering, gleefully raising prices on consumers to goose record profits, how neoliberal economic policies created hidden supply chain risks, and actions that could roll back anti-competitive practices. New studies suggest getting vaccinated or booster shots ASAP is the best protection against severe illness from the Omicron variant. US House passes $768 billion defense bill for a single year of military spending, exposing the lie told by Republicans and Sen. Manchin (D-WV) that Biden's $1.7 trillion social spending bill over 10 years is 'too costly.'

Guest: Paul Lehto, Election law expert

Biden meets with Putin over Russian troop buildup on Ukrainian border. Trump Chief of Staff Meadows reverses decision to cooperate with House Select Committee investigating Jan. 6 Capitol Insurrection. Justice Dept. sues to block Texas' new, egregiously racially discriminatory legislative maps. Election law expert PAUL LEHTO discusses reforming the Electoral Count Act to close loopholes exploited by Team Trump and Republicans in their attempt to steal the 2020 election, before it can be used to subvert the 2024 election. Plus Desi Doyen has our latest 'Green News Report.'

Public health officials say preliminary data suggests COVID Omicron variant is more transmissible, potentially less lethal, and recommend getting vaccinated (or a booster) ASAP. New analysis confirms that corporate media is misreporting economic news under Biden, omitting near-record economic growth to misleading the public with far more negative coverage than during the same period of the Trump Administration, even for similar data. DOJ sues TX over racially gerrymandered maps. Callers weigh in...

Guest: Prof. Joshua A. Douglas, Univ. of Kentucky Law

The corporate media is misreporting economic news again, misinforming the public with scary headlines about preliminary job creation data without context or inclusion of positive economic indicators, with profound consequences economically and politically. Election law expert Joshua A. Douglas explains how state constitutions are a key tool in the democracy toolbox to combat Republicans' efforts to entrench themselves in permanent minority power through extreme partisan gerrymandering and voter suppression laws, plus other tools to counter the threat to free and fair elections and the GOP's extreme lurch toward authoritarianism.

Trump's cadre of wingnut grifters are turning on each other. Former Trump attorney L. Lin Wood released secretly recorded phone calls revealing QAnon loon Mike Flynn and former Overstock CEO Patrick Byrne attacking their fellow grifters, including Trump attorney Sidney Powell (now reportedly under DOJ investigation). Congressional far-right back benchers turn on each other , but it's Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) who is paying the biggest price. Scientists discover self-replicating robots. Plus Desi Doyen has our latest 'Green News Report.'