Post Reports

What it’s like to cover the Supreme Court, year after year. And, the not-so-secret life of audio producers.
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Longtime Supreme Court reporter Robert Barnes on how he prepares for the decision season each year, and what he’ll be watching out for this month. 
What exactly does it mean to “produce” a podcast? After a listener asked the question, the Post Reports team started thinking: What if we pulled back the curtain on our process? Producer Bishop Sand and editor Alexis Diao give a behind-the-scenes look at what it means to be a producer on the show.
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What a forced plane landing in Belarus could mean for state sovereignty and press freedom. And, how some Americans are dealing with accent bias.
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On Sunday, Belarusian authorities forced the landing of a commercial flight carrying travelers from Athens to Lithuania, mere minutes before its final descent. Michael Birnbaum reports on President Alexander Lukashenko’s goals in downing the flight, and the international response to the arrest of a dissident journalist on board. 
Accent bias is a subtle but insidious form of discrimination. But as some Americans seek to get ahead in their careers by taking accent modification courses, others are asking whether they should have to change their accents to get ahead. Rachel Hatzipanagos reports. 
Today is the anniversary of George Floyd’s death. In our episode, “The Life of George Floyd,” we hear about Floyd’s family, his upbringing and how racism hobbled his ambition — a story that reflects the lives of many Americans.

Cryptocurrency’s highs and lows. How the Black Lives Matter movement has shaped American views on the Middle East. And a guide for talking to vaccine-hesitant friends and family. 
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Over the past week, cryptocurrency buyers saw several sudden drops in the value of their investments. Hamza Shaban reports on the market’s volatility and questions about the future of crypto.
Black Lives Matter activists have been taking to the streets and speaking out to show solidarity for Palestinians. Cleve Wootson reports on how their support has changed the conversations that the American public and politicians are having around the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Although more than 160 million Americans have received at least one shot of the coronavirus vaccine, many people have remained vaccine hesitant and have no intention of getting vaccinated. Producer Jordan-Marie Smith talks with advice columnist Carolyn Hax about some tips for talking with skeptical friends and family.

Stern. Exacting. Infallible. The reputation of the U.S. Secret Service is all about perfection. But behind the scenes, the agency is far from perfect. Carol Leonnig goes behind the scenes on scandals and close calls that have come to define the agency.
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Before Post reporter Carol Leonnig started covering the Secret Service, she had the same impression most of us do about the men and women in suits standing next to the president. 
“They are super serious, they never crack a smile. They've got those impenetrable faces and impenetrable shiny glasses. Everything about them is spit, polish and perfect,” says Leonnig.
But behind the scenes, the agency tasked with protecting the president is anything but perfect. 
“As an organization, you just started seeing morale break down,” says Jonathan Wackrow, a former agent and security expert.
In her new book “Zero Fail: The Rise and Fall of the Secret Service,” Leonnig brings to light the secrets, scandals and shortcomings that plague the agency today--from a toxic work culture to dangerously outdated equipment. 
“They have witnessed countless security vulnerabilities and gaffes...which make them fear that the zero-fail mission is perpetually at risk,” Leonnig says. “And that is a danger for the lives of the president and his family.”
Check out the book: “Zero Fail: The Rise and Fall of the Secret Service,” by Carol Leonnig.
Read an excerpt: “How Trump set back the Secret Service’s recovery from scandal and strain.”
Watch Leonnig’s interview on Washington Post Live.
This story was produced by Martine Powers and Ariel Plotnick, and edited by Maggie Penman.

What new legislation can –– and can’t –– do to address anti-Asian hate crimes. And, the growing role of people of color in far-right organizations.
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On Thursday, President Biden signed the Covid-19 Hate Crimes Act, which Congress passed in a rare moment of bipartisanship. Rep. Grace Meng (D-N.Y.) discusses the promise — and limits — of the bill aimed at combating anti-Asian hate crimes and how it will be implemented. 
People of color are playing increasingly visible roles across the spectrum of far-right activism. Today, non-White activists speak for groups of radicalized MAGA supporters, parts of the “Patriot” movement and –– in rare cases –– neo-Nazi factions. Hannah Allam reports on what’s attracting people of color to these groups and how the groups might be benefiting from their membership.

A new tax benefit aims to cut U.S. child poverty in half — if it can reach the parents who need it most. And what happens when the world’s fourth richest person gets a divorce.
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Democrats passed a new child tax credit that they hope will cut U.S. child poverty in half. Millions of parents will start getting money as soon as July. But will it reach the families most in need? White House economics writer Jeff Stein reports.
After 27 years of marriage and philanthropic partnership, Bill and Melinda Gates are calling it quits. For tech reporter Jay Greene, it’s a moment to reexamine Bill Gates’s image.
Post Reports is now a Webby Award winner. We won for best episode of a news and politics podcast, for our story “The Life of George Floyd.”

What we know about the investigation of Rep. Matt Gaetz. And a covid-stricken New Delhi family’s harrowing 12-day ordeal.
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Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) was a darling of the Republican right. Now he’s embroiled in allegations that he engaged in sex trafficking involving a minor. Matt Zapotosky reports the latest on the investigation.
Foreign affairs reporter Ruby Mellen brings us the story of two sisters scrambling to find care for their parents in coronavirus-ravaged New Delhi.
If you value the journalism you hear in this podcast, please subscribe to The Washington Post. We have a deal for our listeners — one year of unlimited access to everything The Post publishes for just $29. To sign up, go to postreports.com/offer.

No end in sight as the Israel-Hamas conflict enters a second week. And, how will the Biden White House respond to the intensifying crisis? 
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The crisis in the Middle East continues to escalate. Over the past few days, Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip have destroyed multiple buildings, including one that housed international media. Miriam Berger reports that at least 200 Palestinians have died, including dozens of children. 
President Biden and his aides have spent recent days trying to tamp down the eruption of violence in Israel and the Gaza Strip. But as White House reporter Anne Gearan explains, the administration has declined to join calls for Israel to temper its response. 

How to interpret the latest mask-wearing guidance from the CDC. And, what the wave of election laws across the U.S. means for voter access. 
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On Thursday, CDC Director Rochelle Walensky announced that in many cases, fully vaccinated Americans no longer need to wear masks indoors or outdoors. Yasmeen Abutaleb reports on the CDC’s rationale for the new guidance. 
National reporter Amy Gardner explains the election laws taking hold inseveralstates, raising concerns over voter access and how elections are run.

The threats — real and imagined — driving a run on gas across the Southeast. And why Peloton decided to recall 125,000 treadmills.
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A ransomware attack by suspected Russia-based hackers brought the Colonial Pipeline system to a grinding halt Friday. But gas shortages across the Southeast are largely driven by something else — panic. Will Englund reports.
Todd Frankel reported on dozens of injuries, and the death of one child, connected to a Peloton treadmill. Under pressure from consumers and regulators, the company issued a recall.
If you value the journalism you hear in this podcast, please subscribe to The Washington Post. We have a deal for our listeners — one year of unlimited access to everything the Post publishes for just $29. To sign up, go to postreports.com/offer.