The Takeaway

With caucus and primary season around the corner, it’s only a matter of time until candidates shift gears and begin expanding their campaigns in battleground states. Come November, voters in states like Pennsylvania, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin will play a critical role in determining what party will take the White House.

Although Pennsylvania handed President Obama victories in 2008 and 2012, voters decided to take a chance on President Trump in 2016, awarding him 20 electoral votes. This week, Politics with Amy Walter traveled to Pennsylvania to hear from politicians in the state about the lessons learned from 2016 and what’s at stake in 2020. Congressman Brendan Boyle, Congressman Dwight Evans, and Philadelphia Councilmember Kendra Brooks sat down with Amy Walter. 

Plus, Jerome Dillard, the State Director for Ex-Incarcerated People Organizing (EXPO), highlights the implications of failing to engage disenfranchised voters. Also, the New York Times’ Margot Sanger-Katz explains the Republican-led lawsuit that attempts to dismantle the Affordable Care Act and what that means for the 20 million Americans that would lose coverage. 

Finally, Steve Mistler, Chief Political Correspondent of Maine Public Radio, weighs in on Senator Susan Collins’ legacy and how it might change in light of the ongoing impeachment trial.

Why Some Newspapers Are Rethinking Presidential Endorsements

Some newspapers are rethinking not only their endorsement process, but their entire editorial and opinion sections altogether.

Rapper Killer Mike on the Political Issues that Matter to Him in 2020

The Takeaway talks to rapper Killer Mike about his activism, starting back when he was a teen, and gets his take on the 2020 candidate field.

Trump Administration Ends Delay in Puerto Rico Relief Funding

The Department of Housing and Urban Development has been delaying Puerto Rico from accessing about $8 billion of relief funding for nearly a year.

The United Methodist Church May Split Over LGBTQ Issues — Here's What May Happen

The "traditionalist" faction of the UMC may split from the Church, leading to an international conundrum.

Are Workplaces Ready for Salary Talk?

Talking about money has historically been seen as taboo, especially for women.

A Rift Within the Romance Novel Industry

Romance is the publishing world’s most lucrative genre. 

Bloomberg's Spending Spree in the 2020 Race

Pollsters are watching whether Bloomberg’s ad campaign has the potential to overshadow candidates who have more of a grassroots following.

Anti-Regime Protests Break Out in Iran Over Shot Down Ukrainian Jet

Citizens are expressing outrage over the government previously lying about having shot down the passenger plane.

International Olympic Committee Bans Politics Protesting at the Summer Games

The IOC has renounced the legacy of political protests at the Olympics and has decided to ban demonstrations from within the games. 

Why are the Oscars Still So White?

Five years after the hashtag began, the Oscars nominees still lack diversity.

Texas Governor Says the State Will No Longer Resettle Refugees

Under a new Trump directive, states have the ability to decide whether or not they resettle refugees.

Earthquakes Continue to Rattle Puerto Rico

A 5.9-magnitude earthquake struck Puerto Rico on Saturday morning.

Can Solar Energy Solve Puerto Rico's Energy Crisis?

Last week’s earthquake in Puerto Rico caused widespread power outages on the Island that left hundreds of thousands of residents without electricity for days.

The Legacy of Colonialism in Caribbean Tourism

The Caribbean is one of the most tourism-dependent regions in the world, yet the majority of the money made doesn't stay on the islands.

How the Politics of Gun Control Has Flipped

In Virginia, Democrats flipped the House and Senate in November, and now hold full control of the state government for the first time in a generation.

Against the background of impeachment, heightened tensions with Iran, and the Iowa Caucuses, Astead Herndon of The New York Times and Clare Malone of FiveThirtyEight join Politics with Amy Walter to provide an update on the state of the Democratic Primary.

Plus, Thanassis Cambanis of the Century Foundation analyzes the future of the US-Iran relationship in light of the assassination of Major General Qassim Soleimani and Andrew Clevenger of CQ Roll Call provides context about the War Powers Resolution.

What's the Relationship between Journalism and Patriotism?

As tensions between the U.S. and Iran escalate, a familiar debate is resurfacing on cable news.

The NFL's Rooney Rule is Not Working Like it Was Intended To

The Rooney Rule was created to help minorities get more head coaching opportunities in the NFL, it hasn't exactly worked as intended. 

An Environmental Rule Change That Ignores Climate Change

Federal agencies would no longer have to take climate change into account when measuring the environmental impact of major infrastructure projects.

Elizabeth Warren Goes After the Latinx Vote

When Julián Castro dropped out of the 2020 race, he joined team Warren, which has been trying to close a gap with Latino voters.

A link to the West Side story will be available here soon.

Iran Retaliates, Firing Missiles Into Iraq

On Tuesday, Iran’s military fired over a dozen ballistic missiles at two military bases in Iraq that house U.S. soldiers.

What Lawmakers are Saying About the US-Iran Conflict

Plus, a look at what Congress is busy with these next few weeks.

Child Care on the Campaign Trail

For many women running for office, paying for child care is a major hurdle.

Is Willpower the Secret to Keeping New Year's Resolutions?

More and more psychologists are questioning the role of willpower in accomplishing our goals. 

Alleged War Criminals from Guatemala's Civil War are Evading Justice — By Living in the U.S.

Some have been deported back to Guatemala, where they are facing trials for human rights abuses.

Are the Iranian People United Behind Their Government? 

The media portrayal of Iran shows the country united behind its government. But just how accurate is that viewpoint?

Another Look at the US-Iran Conflict from Iranian Americans

Two Iranian Americans joined The Takeaway again to give their perspective on the escalating conflict.

Two Years Into the Time's Up Movement, Has Hollywood Changed?

Does the world of entertainment look better, and safer, because of the movement?

"It's What I Call a Massacre:" Violence in Mississippi Prisons Leaves Inmates Dead, Families in the Dark

There have been at least five inmates confirmed dead. But advocates and prisoners worry there may be more.

Magnitude 6.4 Earthquake Rocks Puerto Rico

Millions of Puerto Ricans woke up to a 6.4 magnitude earthquake on Tuesday. 

The Aftermath of Soleimani's Death Since the U.S. Airstrike

How is President's Trump decision to assassinate a top Iranian commander playing out in Washington?

How Tribal Experts Are Shaping the Federal Government's Wildfire Strategy

In recent years, the federal government has been deferring more to tribal experts who say that intentionally setting prescribed fires is the best way to lessen damage from wildfires.

Why Some Foster Children Stay in Motels, Offices, and Institutions

About 56,000 foster children were living in congregate care as of 2013, according to the federal Children’s Bureau.

Weinstein's Criminal Trial Begins With a Long Jury Selection Process

The former movie mogul is in Manhattan for proceedings expected to last six weeks, and much of the focus will be on jury selection.