Progressive Voices

'BradCast' 2/25/2026: The State of the Union is Insane: Special coverage with Digby and 'Driftglass' by Progressive Voices

After That Speech… The State of Our Union Is Clear | Trump, Media Mergers & Arizona’s Age Law

Donald Trump addressed a packed Congress and the nation — and after that State of the Union speech, the direction of the country feels unmistakable. Was it leadership… or political theater? Many Americans are questioning whether the priorities laid out reflect the real problems facing the country.

Did the speech unify the nation — or deepen the divide?

Meanwhile in Hollywood, a media battle is brewing. Netflix and Paramount are reportedly eyeing Warner Bros. But should either be allowed to absorb another major studio? What happens to competition, creativity, and consumer choice if media consolidation continues unchecked?

And in Arizona, adult websites are blocked due to a new age-verification law. Apple is rolling out new compliance tools for child safety laws nationwide. But do age-verification mandates actually work? History suggests determined teenagers often find a workaround. Are these policies about protection — or political optics?

Politics. Corporate power. Digital control. The future of media and freedom.

The Karel Show streams live Monday–Thursday at 10:30 AM PST.

Watch and subscribe at youtube.com/reallykarel

Support independent commentary at patreon.com/reallykarel

Independent voice. Las Vegas based. No corporate filter.

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This time on Code WACK!

Why do Americans live about four years less, on average, than people in similar European countries, despite spending far more on health care? And why are so many dying from illnesses we already know how to prevent or treat?

To help us unpack this, we spoke with Dr. Adam Gaffney — a pulmonary and critical care physician, public health researcher, and Assistant Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. He’s a former president of Physicians for a National Health Program, and his research and advocacy focus on health care financing and national reform. He’s also the author of To Heal Humankind: The Right to Health in History. This is part one of a two-part series.

Check out the Transcript and Show Notes for more!

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

State of the Union or State of Denial? BAFTAs Controversy & Avalanche Liability

Tonight, Donald Trump delivers his State of the Union address. But is it a real assessment of America — or political theater?

Recent polling shows many Americans believe the White House isn’t focused on the issues that matter most: cost of living, stability, global tension, and domestic division. Will Congress continue to align with the President, or begin to break ranks?

Meanwhile, the BAFTAs spark global debate. Two award-winning Black actors take the stage. An actor with Tourette’s shouts a racial slur. Social media erupts. Was it handled correctly? What responsibility exists when neurological conditions intersect with harmful language? The answer isn’t simple — but the conversation matters.

And in the deadly avalanche tragedy, new details raise serious questions. The skiers weren’t acting recklessly alone — they were with a tour company. If warnings were issued, what liability exists? At what point does risk become negligence?

Politics. Race. Responsibility. Accountability.

The Karel Show streams live Monday–Thursday at 10:30 AM PST.

Watch and subscribe at youtube.com/reallykarel

Support independent commentary at patreon.com/reallykarel

#StateOfTheUnion, #TrumpAddress, #USPolitics, #Congress, #PoliticalDebate, #WhiteHouse, #CurrentEvents, #BAFTAs, #AwardsSeason, #RaceDiscussion, #TouretteSyndrome, #MediaControversy, #CulturalDebate, #AvalancheTragedy, #SkiAccident, #LegalLiability, #BreakingNews, #NewsAnalysis, #PoliticalCommentary, #Accountability, #DemocracyWatch, #EntertainmentNews, #SocialIssues, #IndependentMedia, #TheKarelShow, #LasVegasBroadcaster, #NationalDebate, #GlobalNews, #PublicPolicy, #EthicsInMedia

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'BradCast' 2/24/2026: Trump FCC Chair's New 'Threat' to Broadcasters by Progressive Voices

Green News Report 2/24/2026 by Progressive Voices

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 White House Correspondent for the Washington Examiner, Mabinty Quarshie, who previews tomorrow's 'State Of The Union' address.

Mabinty says she expects Trump to say that he doesn't need authority from the Supreme Court or from Congress in order to levy tariffs, and that he'll cherry pick any positive economic stats his staff can find. 

She and Brad also discuss why voters have soured on Trump's approach to immigration, and how electricity prices have doubled under his watch.

On the subject of tariffs, Congress will have to authorize Trump's 15% tariffs across the board after 150 days, which doesn't look like it'll have the votes in the House or Senate.

Mabinty also highlights how Trump's go to economic policy was tariffs, (and he was using it as a weapons for any world leader that angered him), but now those are likely to be gone soon.

Then, leading progressive strategist and Outreach Director of the Battleground Alliance, Heather Booth, discusses November's upcoming midterm elections in the House and Senate.

Heather highlights the damage that President Trump and congressional Republicans have done by taking away health insurance for millions of Americans, failing to address increases in the cost of living, and killing Americans like Renee Good and Alex Pretti.  

Next, despite acknowledging positive polling for Democrats heading into the midterm elections, she says that the results will all depend on Democrats organizing and turning out voters beginning now.

Brad and Heather then discuss how the Battleground Alliance brings together Unions, environmental groups and civic groups and are supporting local organizations that are doing the work on the ground to win the midterms for Democratic candidates in over 40 congressional races.

Heather also speaks about her organizing work with the late Rev. Jessie Jackson, and how his work lives on.

She and Brad recap redistricting thus far for the upcoming election cycle, how Democrats have fought back against the Republican efforts to rig the upcoming midterms, the threat the Supreme Court still presents to the Voting Rights Act, and how Americans can fight back if it's struck down.

Finally, Heather highlights how we can turn our anger into action and the 'hurt and hate into hope and heart.'

The website for the Battleground Alliance is www.BattlegroundAlliance.org.

Brad is on the National Journal's panel of political insiders, is an American political analyst for The Times of India TV, and is a national political analyst for WGN TV and Radio in Chicago and KNX Radio in Los Angeles. Brad also writes a political column every Sunday for 'The Hill.'

You can read his columns at www.MuckRack.com/Brad-Bannon.

His handle on BlueSky is @bradbannon.bsky.social.

'BradCast' 2/23/2026: Trump's Criminal Cover-Ups Continue to Continue by Progressive Voices

Cartel Chaos in Mexico, Deep Freeze in NYC & Is Trump Losing His Base?

Mexico is erupting after reports that cartel leader “El Mencho” is dead. Cities like Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara are facing violence, blockades, and fear. Why has the Mexican government struggled for years to defeat the cartels — and what happens now?

Meanwhile, the Northeast is locked in a brutal freeze. New York City is sheltering in place as extreme cold grips the East Coast. Is this just winter… or another warning about infrastructure and preparedness?

Plus — after traveling, spending time in the ICU with family, and watching the political climate shift, some hard lessons are emerging. Is Donald Trump losing parts of his own base? If so, what does that mean heading into the next election cycle?

Cartels. Climate. Power. Loyalty. This episode connects the dots.

The Karel Show streams live Monday–Thursday at 10:30 AM PST.

Watch and subscribe at youtube.com/reallykarel

Support the show at patreon.com/reallykarel

Independent commentary from Las Vegas, four days a week.

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'BradCast' 2/19/2026: Accountability Everywhere But Here by Progressive Voices