KPFK - BradCast w/ Brad Friedman

Guest: Russ Baker, Editor in Chief, Who What Why

PLEASE DONATE to KPFK! Non-partisan CBO analysis finds that Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson's proposal to 'offset' emergency aid to Israel by gutting the IRS' budget would actually add $12.5 billion to the deficit and lose $26 billion in revenue. Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers (D) sues dysfunctional GOP-controlled state legislature for failing to carry out basic functions. Investigative journalist RUSS BAKER explains how Elon Musk's rebranded Twitter/X became a primary source of disinformation about the Israel-Hamas War, the E.U.'s crackdown on the site, and possible solutions for the U.S. to counter disinfo. Original airdate 11-1-2023.

Guest: Heather Digby Parton, Salon; 'Driftglass', Professional Left Podcast

PLEASE DONATE to KPFK! Special coverage of the 3rd GOP presidential primary debate on Wednesday, with award-winning Salon columnist HEATHER DIGBY PARTON and 'DRIFTGLASS' of the Professional Left Podcast offering analysis, insight, context, fact-checking, and snark. We also cover Democrats' remarkable election victories earlier in the week, ongoing threats to democracy, 'scary' 2024 polls, and much more.

Guest: Robin Marty, Exec. Director, West Alabama Women's Center

PLEASE DONATE to KPFK! A positive election night for democracy and reproductive rights in the US on Tuesday. Voters resoundingly protected reproductive rights in Ohio. Democrats won control of state legislatures and state supreme courts. Gov. Andy Beshear (D) won re-election in deep-red Kentucky. Reproductive rights expert ROBIN MARTY, Executive Director of the West Alabama Women's Center, offers witty insight and deep analysis on Tuesday's victories for abortion rights and reproductive freedoms, the political landscape going forward into the critical 2024 election, and much more.

PLEASE DONATE to KPFK! Voters headed to the polls for important elections in Ohio, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Mississippi, parts of California and elsewhere. In PA, electronic voting machines had serious failures. In OH, college students never received their mail-in ballots. Wisconsin Republicans working hard to ensure chaos in the 2024 election. Mark Meadows' publisher is suing him for lying about the 2020 election. Plus Desi Doyen has our latest 'Green News Report.'

PLEASE DONATE to KPFK! Critical 'off-year' elections in several states on Tuesday show how much is at stake for Americans' reproductive rights, and may be 'bellwethers' for the upcoming 2024 elections. Ohio Republicans work overtime to block voters from enshrining reproductive rights in the state's constitution. Global calls for a ceasefire grow in the Israel-Hamas War, as the civilian death toll in Gaza hits 10,000+. Donald Trump faces accountability in NY civil fraud trial.

Guest: Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times business columnist

L.A. Times columnist MICHAEL HILTZIK explains the 'scam' lawsuit taken up by the rightwing supermajority on the US Supreme Court, brought by a rightwing billionaire-funded legal mill, that seeks to pre-emptively kill a potential future progressive wealth tax that doesn't even exist. Republican-controlled U.S. House finally selects a new Speaker, far-right Trump ally Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA), who is a 2020 election denier, insurrection insider, and ardent opponent of reproductive rights and LGBTQ rights. Hurricane Otis is the most powerful hurricane on record to hit Mexico. Original airdate 10-25-2023.

PLEASE DONATE to KPFK! We delve into several mysterious news items from this week, including: why the U.S. quietly 'paused' all gun exports; why new Republican House Speaker Johnson has no bank accounts or other assets; why 31 House Democrats voted against expelling indicted Rep. George Santos (R-NY); and why a mysterious website posted Brad's obituary, even though he is very much alive as far as he can tell. Plus Desi Doyen has our new 'Green News Report.'

Guest: Russ Baker, Editor in Chief, Who What Why

PLEASE DONATE to KPFK! Non-partisan CBO analysis finds that Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson's proposal to 'offset' emergency aid to Israel by gutting the IRS' budget would actually add $12.5 billion to the deficit and lose $26 billion in revenue. Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers (D) sues dysfunctional GOP-controlled state legislature for failing to carry out basic functions. Investigative journalist RUSS BAKER explains how Elon Musk's rebranded Twitter/X became a primary source of disinformation about the Israel-Hamas War, the E.U.'s crackdown on the site, and possible solutions for the U.S. to counter disinfo.

Guest: Mark Levine, former VA Delegate

PLEASE DONATE to KPFK! The stakes are high for women's rights in critical off-year elections next Tuesday in Ohio, Virginia, Kentucky, Mississippi and elsewhere. Ohio Republicans are deceiving voters about Issue 1, an initiative to protect abortion rights. In Virginia, majority control of the state assembly is up for grabs, and with it voting rights, an abortion ban and much more. Former VA Delegate MARK LEVINE explains the political landscape in VA and the stakes for the state and the nation. Plus Desi Doyen has our latest 'Green News Report.'

Staggering damage from monster Hurricane Otis in Acapulco now clear. New developments in the Israel-Hamas War include the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and much more. Disinformation about the war is surging across social media. United Auto Workers reach agreement with Big 3 auto makers. Callers weigh in.