Progressive Voices

'BradCast' 6/17/2026: The Trouble With Trillionaires [and Billionaires] by Progressive Voices

This time on Code WACK!

What role do family members and friends play in the lives of nursing home residents? When COVID hit, how were residents impacted when their loved ones were no longer allowed to visit them?

Today, we share the story of Melody Taylor Stark, who became an advocate for the Essential Caregivers Act after her husband, a retired dentist and nursing home resident, dramatically declined, then died, after being denied her daily visits during the dark days of COVID.

Melody is a founding member of Essential Caregivers Coalition, a member of Caregivers for Compromise, and San Gabriel Valley Disability Collaborative, and Facebook co-administrator for Aging Enlightened, a group that was begun by a prominent reporter for Kaiser Health News. She works diligently to advance positive system changes in disability rights and long-term care.

This is part one of a two-part series on the Essential Caregiver’s Act.

Check out the Transcript and Show Notes for more!

And please keep Code WACK! on the air with a tax-deductible donation at heal-ca.org/donate.

Police Kill 10,000 Dogs Every Year… Why Does Nobody Care?

POLICE KILL 10,000 DOGS EVERY YEAR… WHY DOES NOBODY CARE?

A family was celebrating a big Knicks victory when police arrived over a noise complaint. Minutes later, their beloved dog was dead.

The owner sat on the ground sobbing while officers stood nearby. No arrests. No charges. No consequences.

And here’s the shocking part: this isn’t rare.

Experts estimate that police kill more than 10,000 dogs every year in America — roughly 25 to 30 every single day. That’s nearly ten times the number of people killed annually by police.

Many of these animals are family pets on their own property. Animal welfare groups, including the ASPCA, have called for mandatory reporting, better training, and accountability when officers use deadly force against animals.

So why is this still happening?

Because dogs have no legal rights of their own. They can’t sue. They can’t testify. And in the eyes of the law, they’re often treated as property rather than family members.

Today, Karel asks a difficult question:

Why are police allowed to kill thousands of beloved pets every year with little oversight or accountability?

PLUS:

• Are bars and clubs using facial recognition technology to collect your personal information without your knowledge?

• Why are businesses scanning your face and storing your data for weeks?

• What Toy Story 5 reveals about childhood, imagination, friendship, and our growing dependence on screens.

The Karel Cast is heard on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Spreaker, and all major podcast platforms.

Watch live Monday through Thursday at 10:30 AM Pacific on YouTube.

Please like, subscribe, share, and support independent media.

Support the show:

Patreon.com/reallykarel

Karel is a history-making broadcaster, entertainer, and commentator broadcasting from Las Vegas alongside his faithful service dog, Ember.

#PoliceDogs,#DogLivesMatter,#AnimalRights,#DogLovers,#PoliceAccountability,#CivilRights,#PetSafety,#JusticeForPets,#AnimalWelfare,#DogsOfYouTube,#BreakingNews,#PoliceReform,#PetOwners,#FamilyDogs,#ASPCA,#DogAdvocate,#PetProtection,#FacialRecognition,#PrivacyRights,#Surveillance,#ToyStory5,#Parenting,#Technology,#SocialCommentary,#CurrentEvents,#NewsAnalysis,#IndependentMedia,#TheKarelCast,#ReallyKarel,#YouTubeNews

https://www.youtube.com/live/fK0UhkEA8gc?si=UvuwJ2om9taVKAcY

'BradCast' 6/16/2026: DOJ Defies Career Staff to Greenlight Paramount-Warner Deal by Progressive Voices

Green News Report 6/16/2026 by Progressive Voices

WATER WARS HAVE BEGUN: The Colorado River Crisis Is Exploding

The American West is facing a crisis that could reshape life for millions.

The Colorado River supplies water to nearly 40 million people across the Southwest, but record drought, shrinking snowpack, rising temperatures, and increasing demand have pushed the river to a breaking point. California, Nevada, and Colorado all need the water. None want to give up their share. And now negotiations are collapsing.

Could the next battle over the Colorado River be fought in court? As Lake Mead and Lake Powell continue to face pressure, states are preparing for what could become one of the biggest legal and political fights in modern American history.

Plus:

• Why are bars in San Francisco’s Castro District using facial recognition technology on customers?

• Is it legal, and what does it mean for privacy?

• The latest political headlines from Washington.

• Health and fitness news that could affect your daily life.

The future of water in the American West isn’t a distant problem—it’s happening right now.

Join history-making broadcaster Karel as he breaks down the stories shaping our lives, our freedoms, and our future.

Support The Karel Cast:

Patreon.com/reallykarel

Subscribe:

YouTube.com/reallykarel

Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Spreaker, and everywhere podcasts are available.

LIVE Monday through Thursday at 10:30 AM Pacific.

#ColoradoRiver,#WaterWars,#LakeMead,#LakePowell,#Drought,#ClimateChange,#WaterCrisis,#California,#Nevada,#Colorado,#AmericanWest,#EnvironmentalNews,#BreakingNews,#Politics,#CurrentEvents,#ClimateCrisis,#WaterRights,#Southwest,#WesternStates,#FacialRecognition,#Privacy,#Technology,#Surveillance,#WashingtonDC,#HealthNews,#FitnessNews,#NewsAnalysis,#ReallyKarel,#KarelCast,#YouTubeNews

https://youtube.com/live/pYC_rzWM-RU

The guest host for today's show is Brad Bannon. Brad runs Bannon Communications Research, a polling, message development and media firm which helps labor unions, progressive issue groups and Democratic candidates win public affairs and political campaigns. His show, 'Deadline D.C. with Brad Bannon,' airs every Monday from 3-4pm ET. 

Brad is first joined by Alex Lawson, Executive Director of 'Social Security Works.' 

The pair discusses GOP House Speaker Mike Johnson's comments that Republicans will cut Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid in 2027.

Alex also shares how Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and Democratic members of the House, plan to schedule a vote to expand Social Security, if they win back the House in the November midterms.

Finally, he also recaps his exciting visit to Netroots Nation 2026 that just took place in Philadelphia, and he previews '7 Days in DC: A Week of Democracy in Action.' (Find out more here: 7daysindc.com/#about)

Then, Brad is joined by Sarah Jones, Editor-in-Chief for PoliticusUSA.  

The two discuss what details are known thus far of Trump's Iran peace deal, including reporting that the deal has no agreements about Iran's nuclear program, which is why the President told the country he started this war.

Next, they explain why Trump's UFC cage fight on the White House Lawn for his 80th birthday wasn't just a fantastic waste of taxpayer money, it was yet another stain he's left on the image of the White House, and the country.

Lastly, Sarah shares how Trump's name being removed from the Kennedy Center, following his loss in court on the matter, symbolizes the end of his power in a very important and motivating way.

Alex Lawson's handle on Blue Sky is @alaw202.bsky.social.  The website for Social Security Works is www.socialsecurityworks.org.

You can read Sarah's work at www.thedailypoliticususa.com.

Follow her on BlueSky, where her handle is @politicussarah.bsky.social.

The handle for PoliticusUSA is @politicususa.com.

'BradCast' 6/15/2026 (Deal or No Deal in Iran, Trump is Losing his War on America) by Progressive Voices

ALIENS vs GOD? Would Disclosure Shatter Religion?

What happens if humanity learns we are not alone?

Steven Spielberg’s upcoming film Disclosure Day raises a question that has fascinated scientists, theologians, and governments for generations: If extraterrestrial life is proven beyond any doubt, what happens next?

Would confirmation of alien civilizations strengthen religious belief—or challenge it? Does the Bible leave room for intelligent life beyond Earth, or would disclosure force humanity to rethink some of its oldest stories about creation and our place in the universe?

Karel explores the philosophical, religious, and political implications of alien disclosure, government secrecy, and whether the public has a right to know if world leaders already possess evidence of extraterrestrial life.

Also on today’s show:

🔴 Facial recognition technology arrives at San Francisco’s Castro District bars. Supporters say it’s about safety and identifying troublemakers. Critics fear it could become a database of LGBTQ people. Would you allow your face to be scanned just to enter a club?

🔴 Elon Musk becomes the world’s first trillionaire. What does that level of wealth mean for democracy, economics, and society? Can any individual accumulate too much power?

🔴 Plus Karel’s unfiltered take on the stories shaping our culture, politics, and future.

Join the conversation live and tell us what YOU think:

👽 Would proof of alien life change your beliefs?

📸 Would you submit to facial recognition to enter a bar?

💰 Is trillionaire status an achievement—or a warning sign?

The Karel Show streams LIVE Monday through Thursday at 10:30 AM Pacific.

Support independent media:

Patreon.com/reallykarel

Watch, Like & Subscribe:

YouTube.com/reallykarel

Listen everywhere podcasts are available including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Spreaker, and more.

Karel is a history-making broadcaster, entertainer, journalist, and commentator broadcasting from Las Vegas with his faithful service dog Ember.

#LGBTQ,#lasvegas,#Aliens,#UFO,#DisclosureDay,#StevenSpielberg,#ExtraterrestrialLife,#AlienDisclosure,#Religion,#Christianity,#Bible,#God,#Theology,#Science,#UAP,#GovernmentSecrets,#FacialRecognition,#Privacy,#Surveillance,#LGBTQ,#GayBars,#CastroDistrict,#SanFrancisco,#CivilLiberties,#ElonMusk,#Trillionaire,#Economics,#Politics,#CurrentEvents,#NewsCommentary,#TheKarelShow,#ReallyKarel

https://youtube.com/live/FV6AqklUKjg

This Gay Week: The Flag That Annoys The World

It’s Pride Month, but in some parts of the United States, the United Kingdom, and beyond, flying a Pride flag has become a political statement, a cultural battleground, and sometimes even a target.

Why does a rainbow flag generate so much controversy? Is the outrage genuine, or is it being manufactured by politicians, media personalities, and culture-war influencers looking for the next fight?

This week, Karel and Scott Jacobsen of The Good Men Project examine the growing backlash against Pride visibility and what it says about LGBTQ rights in 2026.

Also on this episode:

🏳️ Why are Pride flags becoming flashpoints in communities around the world?

🏳️‍🌈 Could the Mayor of Budapest face jail time for supporting Pride?

🎭 Has “Tip Toe” become a little too close to reality?

🏢 Why was a long-standing UK community service organization suddenly forced to relocate?

🌍 The latest LGBTQ news and developments from around the world.

Every week, This Gay Week breaks down the stories impacting LGBTQ people, equality, politics, culture, and human rights.

Join the conversation in the comments and let us know: Why do you think the Pride flag creates such strong reactions?

Support independent media:

Patreon: patreon.com/reallykarel

Subscribe:

youtube.com/reallykarel

Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Spreaker, and everywhere podcasts are available.

The Karel Show streams LIVE Monday through Thursday at 10:30 AM Pacific.

Karel is a history-making broadcaster, entertainer, journalist, and commentator broadcasting from Las Vegas with his faithful service dog, Ember

#ThisGayWeek,#PrideMonth,#PrideFlag,#LGBTQ,#LGBTQNews,#GayNews,#Equality,#HumanRights,#Pride,#LGBTQRights,#GayRights,#RainbowFlag,#Politics,#CurrentEvents,#News,#PoliticalCommentary,#CultureWar,#CultureWars,#BudapestPride,#LGBTQCommunity,#SocialIssues,#CivilRights,#NewsAnalysis,#IndependentMedia,#Podcast,#YouTubeNews,#ReallyKarel,#KarelShow,#ScottJacobsen,#TheGoodMenProject

https://youtu.be/PKS8Fb5bSW4