The Takeaway

The Biden Administration's Immigration Policy Tested by Surge of Unaccompanied Minors

Thousands of children and teenagers have arrived along the southern border in hopes of applying for asylum on the U.S. side of the border.  

Navigating Racial Trauma in the Aftermath of Police Killings

Saturday marked one year since Breonna Taylor was shot and killed by police in Louisville, Kentucky. 

Deb Haaland Confirmed As Interior Secretary. What Does This Mean for Tribal Communities?

Deb Haaland is the first Native American cabinet secretary in U.S. history. 

The Powerful Blame "Cancel Culture" to Deflect Responsibility 

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has joined a long line of politicians and celebrities who have invoked the idea of “cancel culture” as a defense against allegations of misconduct. 

Will the COVID-19 Relief Bill Drastically Reduce Child Poverty?

Signed into law this week, the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package includes an expansion of the child tax credit. 

A Historic Water Crisis Hits Jackson, Mississippi

While water is now returning to some homes and businesses, others still don’t have running water. 

Has Hollywood Finally Begun to Recognize Asian and Asian American Talent?

Asian and Asian American Actors have long been overlooked when it comes to awards season in the United States.  

President Biden Signs Historic $1.9 Stimulus Bill

Democrats in the House have also recently passed several other landmark bills addressing issues like voting rights, police reform, gun control, and the Equality Act. 

As HUD Secretary, Marcia Fudge Inherits Housing Crisis and Agency in Crisis

On Wednesday, Marcia Fudge was confirmed as secretary of housing and urban development in a bipartisan vote.  

Joking from a Distance: Roy Wood Jr. Reflects On A Year Without In-Person Comedy

Daily Show correspondent Roy Wood Jr. discusses one year of doing comedy during a pandemic, and telling jokes in a post-Trump era. 

Stimulus Package Offers Long-Awaited Aid to Black Farmers

Roughly $5 billion in the Congressional relief legislation is earmarked specifically for farmers who have been historically disadvantaged due to racial or ethnic prejudice. 

Iowa Journalist Found Not Guilty Following Arrest at Protests Last Summer

Des Moines Register reporter Andrea Sahouri was pepper-sprayed and arrested by police while covering the protests in May. 

What "It's a Sin" Means for LGBTQ Representation in Film and TV

The Takeaway looks at how "It's a Sin" fits into the history of LGBTQ representation in film and television and where there’s still room for improvement in the entertainment industry. 

Across the U.S., Some States Loosening Pandemic-Related Restrictions

At the same time, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has announced new guidelines for fully vaccinated people in the U.S.

How Families Will Benefit from the Latest Stimulus Package

Unlike previous stimulus packages, around 54% of the aid is allocated for individuals and families.  

Systemic Problems Are Leading to Vaccine Shaming. But the Anger is Misplaced

The vaccine rollouts have to do with systemic issues, not individual issues. 

Breaking Down the Biden Administration's Immigration Policies

Despite pledging a different approach to immigration, the Biden administration has continued to use a Trump-era policy to expel undocumented immigrants since taking office.  

Biden Administration Deporting Haitians to a Country in Turmoil

More than 900 Haitians were deported in the first part of February alone, and at least 70 have been deported already this week. 

Georgia Lawmakers Are Putting Forward Voting Rights Legislation to Restrict More Votes

Georgia lawmakers are putting forward voting rights legislation that would restrict the vote for Black and other minority voters in the state. 

During the 1970s, Social Workers Began Placing LGBTQ Youth with Queer Foster Families

As members of the gay and lesbian community faced discrimination at the hands of state, foster agencies were reaching out to queer activists for assistance with foster placements.

Minneapolis Prepares for Trial of Derek Chauvin

The jury selection begins today in the trial of Derek Chauvin, the officer accused of killing George Floyd last May.  

The State of Police Reform in the U.S.

The murder of George Floyd didn’t just spur calls for police reform in Minneapolis, but in cities and states across America. 

Major League Baseball Faces Challenges On and Off the Field in 2021 Season

Heading into the 2021 regular season, Major League Baseball is contending with COVID-19 related changes as well as sexual harassment allegations against multiple coaches.  

Meghan and Harry Open Up in First Interview Since Leaving the Royal Family  

In a bombshell interview, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry alleged that there were royal conversations about how dark their child’s skin would be and mental health struggles.  

Domestic Workers Hit Hard By the COVID-19 Pandemic

There are an estimated 2.5 million domestic workers in the U.S., the majority of whom are women of color and immigrants. 

New Podcast Dives Deep into Selena's Legacy and Latino Identity

“Anything for Selena,” from WBUR and Futuro Studios, doesn’t just focus on Selena’s life, but the way she changed culture and the way we see ethnicity and race today. 

Across the Country 70 Anti-Trans Bills Pending in State Legislatures

The House of Representatives passed the Equality Act, but 70 anti-trans bills are pending in state legislatures. 

Pandemic Delays Vote on United Methodist Church Split Over LGBTQ Issues

Disagreements over LGBTQ inclusivity have placed the United Methodist Church on the verge of a formal separation for more than a year now. 

Some music on this podcast by: http://www.ithinklikemidnight.com.