The Daily Dive

This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.

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A recent top-secret cable was sent to C.I.A. stations across the world saying that dozens of informants used as spies for the U.S. have been captured, killed, or compromised. According to one expert, because of technology, the old way of spying has become obsolete. Biometric scans, facial recognition and even cell phones are revealing key facts about movements, patterns, and life associations. Ken Dilanian, national security correspondent at NBC News, joins us for more.

Next, scientists are constantly working on averting the next pandemic and one avenue that is being pursued is a so-called pan-coronavirus vaccine. This would be a shot that could block many related viruses all in one. Although still years away, they are trying to develop a vaccine to protect you from everything from Covid variants to the common cold. Betsy McKay, senior writer at the WSJ, joins us for the effort to make a universal vaccine.

Finally, work burnout has been an issue for some time, but the pandemic has shown many people just how much their work has taken over their lives. With constant meetings and new pressures people are struggling to take control. Unfortunately, sometimes it takes a life-changing event to realize it. Rachel Feintzeig, work and life columnist at the WSJ, joins us for why maybe you should care a little less to get your life back.

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Some more on all the fallout from the Pandora Papers. Part of a global hunt looking for looted treasure has led to the offshore trusts of art dealer Douglas Latchford. Latchford has trafficked and profited from Cambodian artifacts he obtained over the years. He was indicted in 2019 and prosecutors wanted the forfeiture of any and all property related to his trade, but he died soon thereafter leading to the big question… What happened to all the money and looted treasures. Peter Whoriskey, reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for how the Pandora Papers shed some light where these relics might be.

Next, another story about the growing costs of being unvaccinated. A woman in Colorado is being denied a kidney transplant because both she and her donor are unvaccinated. UCHealth said she would be inactivated on the kidney transplant list unless she began the process of getting a vaccine. Studies have shown that Covid-19 can be especially deadly for recipients of kidney transplants with a mortality rate of 20-30%. Hannah Knowles, reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for more.

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The Pandora Papers have hit and it's shedding light on the financial secrets of world leaders, politicians, fugitives and con artists. Leaked records show how big power players are stashing assets in secret shell companies, offshore tax havens, and trusts with governments doing little to stop it. Through these documents we are seeing country leaders on five continents using the offshore system, including King Abdullah II of Jordan spending millions on luxury homes in California. We are also learning how South Dakota is a key player where people are moving money to secretive American trust companies. Michael Hudson, senior editor at the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, the group who led the effort in obtaining these documents, joins us for what's in the Pandora Papers.

Next, get ready for mail delays and price hikes coming to the US Postal Service. In an effort to cut costs over the next 10 years, first-class mail will be slowed down and there will be less reliance on planes used to transport mail across the country. First-class mail used to be delivered in 1-3 days, and in some cases it will be delivered in 1-5 days. Price hikes are also coming to stamps and package delivery just in time for the holiday season. This plan and the Postmaster General have both received criticism. Ellen Ioanes, reporter at Vox, joins us for what to expect and who is affected most.

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Huge environmental disaster off the coast of California as we saw a leak from a pipeline connected to an oil company called Amplify Energy. At least 126,000 gallons of crude oil spilled into the sea with tar balls washing up on shore and impacting wildlife. The initial impact was in Huntington Beach, but the oil is moving south affecting more areas of the coastline. The leak is believed to be stopped now and the cause is still unknown, whether the structural integrity of the pipe was compromised or if a ship anchor struck the pipe. Steve Gregory, reporter for KFI News in LA and OC, joins us for what to know.

Next, Netflix’s new show ‘Squid Game’ is a hit and poised to become their most watched show ever. There are many reasons why it is hitting at this moment, one of them being social media. On TikTok the hashtag #SquidGame has been viewed more than 22 billion times and is perfect meme fodder. While the show was not heavily marketed in the U.S. it is a unique property and Korean entertainment is currently huge in the states. Kalhan Rosenblatt, youth and internet culture reporter at NBC News, joins us for why ‘Squid Game’ has taken off.

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House Democratic leadership has failed to get enough support for the massive $3.5 trillion spending bill, stalling President Biden's top agenda item right now. There is support for the plan, just not at that price tag. On the Senate side, Senators Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema are the holdouts there with Manchin wanting something in the range of $1.5 trillion, but the focus right now is on Sinema who has not committed to any particular price or policy items. Ginger Gibson, deputy Washington digital editor at NBC News, joins us for this and the beginning of the next controversial term for the Supreme Court.

Next, as the deadline for many vaccinate mandates are coming soon, many still resisting their shots are looking for exemptions. Religious exemptions are one way that people are seeking to get out of the mandates, but they may not be as easy to get as some may think. Employers have a lot of discretion when granting these. Employers have to provide reasonable accommodations, but they can also probe whether a person's beliefs are sincere and deny it if they think they are not. Many objections are based in the belief that the vaccines contain fetal cell lines, which they don't. Andrea Hsu, labor and workplace correspondent at NPR, joins us for more.

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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Where have all the restaurant and retail workers impacted by the pandemic gone? Many of them went to work in the marijuana industry. There is now an estimated 321,000 workers in the legal cannabis industry. Workers in this industry say they are finding better hours, benefits, and more opportunities to advance. Abha Bhattarai, national retail reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for marijuana jobs have been a refuge for retail and restaurant workers.

Next, the $2 trillion crypto market is heating up and so is the fight to control it. China has made some impactful decisions recently banning all crypto transaction as they make way for their own digital currency. The U.S. is currently figuring out what kind of regulations and oversight might be needed in the states to protect consumers. Claire Ballentine, personal finance reporter at Bloomberg News, joins us for more.

Finally, checking in on our furry friends and the people who help keep them healthy… the pandemic has caused all sorts of backlogs at veterinary offices. Vet staff has been increasingly stressed out as there have been spikes in demand for services, slowed-down curbside protocols, labor shortages, and pets having to be turned away in some cases. HG Watson, contributor to the Guardian, joins for what to know.

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United Airlines has the strictest vaccine mandates of all the U.S. airlines and just announced that they will move to fire almost 600 workers who failed to comply. The company has about 67,000 employees and about 96% of them have been vaccinated. Others who sought exemptions for religious or medial reasons will be placed on temporary unpaid leave. Leslie Josephs, airline reporter at CNBC, joins us for how the ball is dropping for those refusing the mandate.

Next, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has announced that 23 animals and plants have been cleared off the endangered species list and are officially extinct. The most notable animal on the list is the ivory-billed woodpecker which is sometimes referred to as the “Lord God Bird.” The last reported sighting was in 2004, but even then it was not confirmed. Dino Grandoni, environmental reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for more.

Finally, Texas politics is taking over America. Recent happenings there such at the strict new abortion law, the Haitian immigrant crisis, and any action taken on Covid have all extended beyond the Texas borders and influenced the national debate on those topics. Marissa Martinez, fellow at Politico, joins us for how everyone is talking about Texas.

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