The Takeaway

No, the COVID-19 Vaccines Do Not Affect Fertility 

There’s been a false claim circulating around that’s had quite the staying power: that the COVID-19 vaccines cause infertility. There is zero science supporting this, but despite that, it’s become concerningly widespread.

How to Talk to a Science Denier

According to the latest numbers from the CDC about 52% of the U.S. population is fully vaccinated with the Covid-19 vaccine. But what about the other 48%? How do we get the skeptics, anti-vaxxers and conspiracy theorists on board to take the vaccine?

Cuban Doctors Use Social Media to Protest Conditions During Pandemic

At the end of July, The Takeaway checked in on Cuba after historic demonstrations erupted across the country where thousands were protesting the severe economic crisis, the mismanagement of the pandemic, and government restrictions on civil liberties and freedoms. 

The Deep Value of Financial Therapy

The WNYC Studios podcast Death, Sex, and Money recently aired a series of conversations that highlight the value of speaking openly in relationships about financial decisions.

For transcripts, see individual segment pages.

What Hurricane Ida Means for New Orleans

Sixteen years after Hurricane Katrina, Louisiana braced for yet another potentially devastating storm. On Sunday, Hurricane Ida slammed into Louisiana, making landfall as an "extremely dangerous" Category 4 storm. Though it was downgraded to a Category 2 storm, the hurricane brought catastrophic flooding, high storm surges, and 150mile per hour winds to low-lying coastal communities like New Orleans. The storm surge was so powerful that it even temporarily reversed the flow of the Mississippi River.  

How A U.S. Vet Feels on Our Last Day in Afghanistan

Tim Kudo, a former Marine captain who served in Afghanistan and Iraq, recently called the U.S. evacuation “ill-planned” and “a catastrophe for the Afghan people whom we have betrayed” in an op-ed for The New York Times. We speak with him about his take on the messy withdrawal.

Kabul: American Withdrawal, U.S. Drone Strikes, and ISIS-K

On Monday, the last U.S. military flight left Afghanistan -- a day ahead of the August 31st deadline. This early departure came just days after a suicide bombing at the Kabul airport on Thursday. It was one of the country’s deadliest terrorist attacks, killing roughly 170 Afghan civilians and 13 American service members.

Black Content Creators Organize One Day Boycott Against Twitch 

Black digital content creators are boycotting the Twitch social media platform on Wednesday, September first with #ADayOffTwitch. According to the content creators this action came about because of the ongoing harassment of marginalized streamers in the form of “hate raids.” We spoke to Raven, a content creator and activist on Twitch, who is one of the creators of #ADayOffTwitch boycott.   

For transcripts, see individual segment pages.

The Supreme Court Ended Biden Administration's Eviction Moratorium

For months, the Biden administration has been extending a federal eviction moratorium to protect tenants struggling to pay their rent during the pandemic, but now, the eviction moratorium is over.

What Resettlement Looks Like for Afghan Refugees

Amid the chaotic evacuation of U.S. troops and allies from Afghanistan, the US State Department has prepared to bring around 50,000 Afghan refugees into the U.S. for resettlement. Some conservatives have criticized the plans despite the extensive security checks that are required for refugees to relocate within the U.S. However, in the face of those partisan complaints, refugee agencies in states across the country have already started the complicated resettlement process for recent Afghan arrivals.  

"This Land" Tackles Potential Threat to the Indian Child Welfare Act

This month marks the season two debut of the award-winning, documentary podcast “This Land” which is produced by Crooked media and hosted by Rebecca Nagle. She joined to discuss the new season which centers around a federal challenge to the Indian Child Welfare act. The ICWA is meant to protect Native Children by giving their tribes and family a say in the child’s placement. This season exposes how the far right is challenging the law in order to advance their conservative agenda.

For transcripts, see individual segment pages.

The Supreme Court Reinstated Trump's 'Remain in Mexico' Policy 

This week, the Supreme Court ruled that the Biden administration must reinstate the Trump-era immigration policy known as 'Remain in Mexico,' which forces many asylum seekers to live in Mexico while they wait for the date of their asylum hearings.Many migrants seeking asylum have had to endure unsafe and inhumane conditions in Mexico during that interim period.

How the Biden Administration is Responding to Deadly Terrorist Attacks in Kabul

On Thursday, two terrorist attacks by the Kabul airport killed dozens of Afghans and at least thirteen U.S. service members. U.S. officials say that an Afghanistan based affiliate of ISIS was behind the attack. With less than a week until the August 31 deadline that the U.S. says all U.S. military members will be withdrawn from Afghanistan, these deadly attacks and the potential of more in the coming days greatly complicate the situation for the Biden administration.

A Win for Felony Offender Enfranchisement in North Carolina

A North Carolina judicial panel declared that roughly 56,000 formerly incarcerated individuals “can register to vote and cast ballots.” This specifically applies to individuals who are felons, served their time and are out on parole. It would also include people “convicted of a federal felony” but have probation as their punishment. State lawmakers who are defendants in the case promise to file an appeal.

For transcripts, see individual segment pages.

Are Disasters Natural? 

Wildfires. Flooding. Hurricanes. These all come to mind when one thinks of natural disasters. There have been many this year including the most recent flooding in Tennessee where at least 21 people died and many more are still missing. But just how natural are these disasters? What role does disaster preparedness have in mitigating the damage done if there isn’t equity in the system?

What to Pack in Your Go-Bag for When Disaster Hits

If a disaster hit your home tonight, tomorrow, or next week, have you thought about what you would bring with you, and what you would leave behind?

Broadway's Latest Season Centers Black Theater Artists

Broadway producers are doing something a little different this season: actively supporting and celebrating the work of Black artists. All seven of the news plays premiering this season on Broadway were written by Black playwrights, a testament to the activism displayed by Black theater artists over the course of the pandemic.

For transcripts, see individual segment pages.

Policing Fatness in Black and Queer Bodies 

Earlier this month, Pop Royalty Lizzo and Cardi B released a video for their new song Rumors which debuted at number four on the Billboard Hot 100. But what should have been a celebratory moment for Lizzo was ruined by the internet haters, who unleashed a toxic stream of offensive and racist comments about Lizzo’s body.

The Battle of Blair Mountain 100 Years Later

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the largest labor uprising in the United States, the Battle of Blair Mountain. In August 1921, 7000-10,000 coal miners began marching together against corruption by the coal company, making it the biggest labor uprising in the history of the United States.

Trans Athlete Bill Hearing During Most Anti-LGBTQ Year in Texas Legislative History 

On Tuesday the Texas House, which is currently in a ‘special session,’ held a hearing on Senate Bill 2, the bill that would ban transgender student athletes from playing sports. The Takeaway spoke with Landon Richie, an 18-year-old trans activist who has grown up in the state, about his experience and the barrage of anti-trans legislation. 

For transcripts, see individual segment pages.

How Full FDA Approval of Pfizer Vaccine Could Impact the Fight Against COVID-19

On Monday, the FDA fully approved Pfizer-BioNTech’s Covid-19 vaccine for people ages 16 and older. A poll released by the Kaiser Family Foundation at the end of June found that three out of ten unvaccinated adults said they would be more likely to get vaccinated if the FDA granted its full approval to one of the vaccines. 

COVID Cases Surge in Alabama As ICU's Run Out of Beds 

The delta variant of COVID-19 is hitting hard in the Southern United States. Alabama has seen a 59% increase in hospitalizations over the past two weeks, with ICU’s at 100 percent capacity. The Takeaway spoke with Sarah Nafziger, vice president of clinical support services at University of Alabama Hospital.

Julius Jones Fights for Commutation 

On September 13, 2021, the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board will decide whether to commute the sentence of Julius Jones who has been in prison for 20 years. Jones maintains his innocence saying, “I have spent the past twenty years on death row for a crime I did not commit, did not witness, and was not at.” At issue in Jones’ case are a potential racist juror, ineffective counsel, and the fact that no witnesses were allowed to testify for Jones to present his alibi. 

A Host of Problems for Jeopardy! 

Mike Richards, who is the executive producer of Jeopardy!, was recently named host of the beloved quiz show. But after an article from the Ringer revealed offensive and misogynistic comments made by Richards as the host of a podcast called The Randumb Show, he announced that he would be stepping aside from the hosting role of Jeopardy!.

For transcripts, see individual segment pages.

The Colorado River is Facing a Water Shortage 

Last week, the federal government declared the first-ever water shortage for the Colorado River. There will be mandatory cutbacks to prevent Lake Meade, the largest reservoir by volume in the US, from reaching critically low levels. These measures will bring exceptional challenges to farmers and Indigenous communities who are particularly vulnerable to water scarcity throughout the Colorado River system, and it will surely complicate the water supply which reaches nearly 40 million people. 

What U.S. Immigration Policy Means for Haiti's Recovery 

Last week, Haiti was struck by both a 7.2 magnitude earthquake and tropical depression, leaving close to 2000 dead and many more injured or missing. Thousands are without shelter, as more than 80,000 homes were destroyed in the earthquake. Heavy rains from Tropical Storm Grace are further complicating relief efforts in Haiti. On top of all that, Haiti was already struggling with the COVID-19 pandemic, gang violence, and a political crisis made worse by the recent assassination of its president. Despite this turmoil, the Biden administration is still turning away Haitians who want to flee the country because of recent events. 

Georgia State Board of Elections Moves Ahead With Review of Fulton County 

In March, Georgia Republican lawmakers passed a sweeping new elections law. The law provides a pathway for the Georgia State Board of Elections to review and possibly suspend a local election board, and install a temporary administrator to oversee election administration.

How the OnlyFans Ban Disrupts Content Creators

On Thursday, social media platform OnlyFans said that it would ban, “any content containing sexually explicit conduct,” starting in October. Banned content includes photos and video. The reason given by the company is that it was at the request of their, “banking partners and payout providers.”

For transcripts, see individual segment pages.

A Look at What Happened to Capitol Hill Bomb Threat Suspect 

On Thursday, 49-year-old Floyd Ray Roseberry of Grover, North Carolina surrendered to Capitol Police after an hours-long standoff at the Library of Congress. Earlier in the day, Roseberry posted a video to social media claiming he had explosives. In a press conference following his surrender, U.S. Capitol Police Chief Tom Manger, indicated Roseberry had suffered personal losses in his family. 

Should Politicians Apologize?

On Monday President Joe Biden said, “I am President of the United States of America, and the buck stops with me,” when discussing Afghanistan. He also noted he was “saddened by the facts” of the current crisis but did not apologize for any failure on the part of the US. Our round table discussion will address past instances when presidents publicly apologized or noted lessons learned, when they didn’t, and how that ultimately affects how they’re seen by voters. 

From Baking to Painting Murals: Protesting Can Take Many Forms

Following the murder of George Floyd, millions of people across the globe took to the streets to protest police brutality and systemic racism. But people also protested in more unique ways like baking. 

For transcripts, see individual segment pages.

A Critique on Western Media Coverage of Afghan Women 

How can media outlets do better when covering Afghanistan in this moment?

Gaming Culture is Toxic

Toxic gaming culture is back in the spotlight once again, after the state of California filed a lawsuit against the gaming giant Activision Blizzard in late July.

Gorsuch and Thomas Call to Reexamine Landmark Press Freedom Case

The landmark press freedom case New York Times v. Sullivan (1964) is under attack by Supreme Court Justices Neil Gorsuch and Clarence Thomas.

For transcripts, see individual segment pages.