Republicans in Congress are attempting to claw back federal funding to replace the U.S. Postal Service’s outdated mail trucks with a mostly electric fleet. We’ll break down the fight. And, parents across the country are facing a slew of economic headwinds. How does a couple with 5 kids and a modest income make it work? Plus, a mysterious comet and a rebrand at MSNBC.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• "Republicans look to make a U-turn on federal commitment to electric vehicles for the Postal Service" from AP News
• "Senate Republicans cannot force US Postal Service to scrap EVs, parliamentarian says" from Reuters 
• "What It’s Really Like to Support a Big Family on a Modest Income in America" from The Wall Street Journal 
• "MSNBC to change name to MS NOW amid spinoff from NBCUniversal" from NBC News

• "A mysterious comet is shooting through our solar system. Why are scientists so excited about 3I/Atlas?" from The Guardian 

  
  

  We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

Immigration and Customs Enforcement has plans to nearly double the number of its immigration detention centers by the end of the year. The agency has an enormous budget to carry out its agenda, but can it find enough workers to do the job? We’ll get into it. And, we’ll play a round of Half Full/Half Empty!

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• "ICE documents reveal plan to double immigrant detention space this year" from The Washington Post
• "ICE Has Tons of Cash, But Is Struggling to Hire Enough Agents" from Time
• "Secretary Noem Unveils No Age Limit for Patriotic Americans to Join ICE Law Enforcement to Help Remove Worst of the Worst from U.S." from the Department of Homeland Security 
• "Spike in Corruption Followed Last Hiring Surge at CBP and ICE" from American Immigration Council
• "Adjustable-rate mortgages make a comeback" from Marketplace
• "The White House makes a play for Intel" from Marketplace
• "Work weeks are getting more intense for AI startups" from Marketplace
• "LA 2028 Olympics to sell venue naming rights" from Axios

We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

It’s not just you — we feel the bad vibes in the job market too. On the show today, we’ll unpack how what we’re hearing from those on the job hunt compares to what the data shows about a labor market slump. And, President Donald Trump says he wants to allow riskier assets like crypto and private equity investments in retirement accounts. Plus, mocktails make us smile.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• "Democratizing Access to Alternative Assets for 401(K) Investors" from The White House
• "Should You Include Cryptocurrency in 401(k) Investments?" from AARP
• "Trump wants your 401(k) to access crypto and private equity. Here's what to know." from CBS News
• "Would you add crypto to your retirement portfolio?" from Marketplace
• "How do hiring sites deal with a slowing job market?" from Marketplace

• "Long-term unemployment is rising as uncertain businesses hold off on hiring" from Marketplace

  
  

  We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

Since President Trump’s firing of the Bureau of Labor Statistics commissioner over a weak jobs report, we’ve been thinking a lot about the trustworthiness of U.S. economic data. Other countries like China can offer a glimpse of what happens when that trust erodes. On the show today, Marketplace’s China correspondent Jennifer Pak explains how she works around unreliable data when reporting on the Chinese economy. Plus, could the United States be headed in the same direction?

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• "12 million students in China will graduate this year into a shaky job market" from Marketplace
• "China says its unemployment rate is “stable,” but job seekers remain gloomy" from Marketplace 
• "Is GDP still a useful gauge of China’s economy?" from Marketplace
• "How Bad Is China’s Economy? The Data Needed to Answer Is Vanishing" from The Wall Street Journal  
• "How to deal with untrustworthy government economic data? Look to China" from Marketplace

• "Trump taps Heritage economist to lead BLS" from Politico

  
  

  We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

Today we’re diving into some ongoing battles over athlete pay, from college athletics to the WNBA. In the case of college sports, a recent lawsuit settlement involving the NCAA allows colleges and universities to pay their athletes directly. On the show today, sports journalist Kennington Lloyd Smith III explains how college athlete pay has evolved, how the recent House v. NCAA settlement could strain athletic departments, and what could come from the WNBA players’ current fight for more equitable pay. Plus, the sports private equity firms are eyeing.

Then, we’ll hear how one listener got involved in local government. Plus, Paralympic sled hockey gold medalist Declan Farmer answers the Make Me Smart question.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• "How college athletes will be paid after House v. NCAA settlement: NIL changes, enforcement, contracts and more" from CBS Sports
• "Trump signs executive order to 'protect' college sports" from Politico 
• "Down to Business: Valuations are wild, returns are rocky. But women’s sports teams are in demand" from The Athletic 
• "The WNBA Has a Good Problem on Its Hands" from The Atlantic 
• "Private equity tees up to invest in youth sports" from Marketplace  

• "Travelers aren't big fans of TSA's facial recognition program, report finds" from Marketplace  

  
  

  We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

President Trump today said he’s temporarily taking over Washington’s police department and sending in National Guard troops to crack down on crime. We’ll get into the legal questions surrounding the move, and Kimberly shares her thoughts as a local. Plus, key inflation data set to come out this week could bring the impact of tariffs into clearer view. Then, we’ll smile about meteor showers and beach glass.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• "Trump says he's placing Washington police under federal control and deploying the National Guard" from AP News
• "Trump says crime in D.C. is out of control. Here’s what the data shows." from The Washington Post 
• "What Trump can — and can’t — do in his bid to take over law enforcement in DC" from Politico  
• "Small Businesses Brace for the Punishing Side Effects of Trump’s Tariffs" from The New York Times
• "July Inflation Data: What to Watch in Tuesday’s CPI Report" from The Wall Street Journal 

• "How to Watch the Perseids, the Strongest Meteor Shower of the Summer" from The New York Times

  
  

  We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

President Trump will replace Billy Long as the head of the Internal Revenue Service, less than two months since he was confirmed. This comes after months of turmoil at the IRS. We’ll explain. And, did you know could opt out of facial recognition software when going through airport security? Plus, we’ll weigh in on Instagram’s new map feature and more during a round of Half Full/Half Empty! 

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• "Trump Is Removing Billy Long as the I.R.S. Head 2 Months After He Was Confirmed" from The New York Times
• "The Comply To Fly?" from The Algorithmic Justice League
• "This wedding season, some couples are using their registries to give back" from Marketplace
• "Should buy now, pay later factor into credit scores?" from Marketplace
• "The New York Post is launching a California edition. Why?" from The Washington Post 

• "Instagram Map lets your friends, and possibly exes, track your every move'" from The Washington Post

  
  

  Tell us about your experience with TSA’s facial recognition system. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email us at [email protected].

Remember the K-shaped economy? It’s the idea that the American economy recovered unevenly after the COVID-19 pandemic. Last week’s bombshell jobs report showed a similar pattern in the labor market, where certain sectors are booming, while others are falling behind. We’ll explain. And, we’ll unpack President Trump’s threats for a 100% tariff on semiconductors and the gap between what workers and employers want out of AI on the job. Plus, we’ll celebrate a listener’s career win!

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• "Tracking Trump’s New Tariffs on Every Country" from The New York Times
• "Trump vows 100% tariff on chips, unless companies are building in the U.S." from CNBC
• "Employers Pull Back on Hiring as Uncertainty Weighs on Plans" from The New York Times
• "How much say do workers have over the tech employers make them use?" from Marketplace
• "Providing ChatGPT to the entire U.S. federal workforce" from OpenAI
• "What workers really want from AI" from Stanford Report 

We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

Apple today plans to announce a new $100 billion investment aimed at boosting the compan’s production in the United States. It’s the latest in a string of moves by tech companies that could help maintain favor with the president and avoid tariffs. And, the Federal Aviation Administration wants to ease restrictions for drone package deliveries. We’ll get into the pros and cons of more drone-friendly skies. Plus, the origins of Pac-Man and a funeral fit for an AI chatbot model.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• "Federal Aviation Administration looks to expand drone package delivery" from ABC News
• "Video Shows Drone Rescuing Man During Flood in China" from The New York Times 
• "Trump, Apple to Announce Fresh $100 Billion US Investment" from Bloomberg
• ”Trump to Double India’s Tariff to 50% Over Russian Oil Purchases” from The New York Times
• "'It's a reminder of childhood': How Pac-Man changed gaming - and the world" from BBC News

• "Claude Fans Threw a Funeral for Anthropic’s Retired AI Model" from Wired

  
  

  We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

The Trump administration has vowed to roll back all sorts of federal regulations, from workplace safety standards to environmental protections. State and local governments have faced pressure from the White House to comply with this agenda. And it’s turned them into even more important battlegrounds in the regulatory wars. On the show today, Liane Jollon, executive director of Western Leaders Network, explains how local officials grapple with threats of funding cuts coming from the White House, and how you can get more involved in your state and local politics.

Later, listeners share some love for public libraries. And, Steve Pierson, co-host of “The Practivist Pod,” answers the Make Me Smart question. 

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• "States Ramping Up Regulations Amid Federal Pullback" from Forbes 
• "Trump administration moves to repeal climate ‘holy grail’" from Politico
• "Texas House issues arrest warrants for Democrats who left state to block congressional redistricting" from The Texas Tribune
• "Donald Trump wants states and cities to do as they are told" from The Economist
• "The Documenters Network" from City Bureau 

We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].