The Takeaway

What Does Justice Look Like for Jeffrey Epstein's Victims Now?

On Saturday morning, guards at the Metropolitan Correctional Facility discovered the body of Jeffrey Epstein, who has apparently died by suicide.

Issue of Suicides in U.S. Jails Extends Far Beyond Jeffrey Epstein

Jeffrey Epstein’s apparent suicide dominated headlines over the weekend, and his high-profile case is just a part of the much bigger picture of suicides in jails across the country.

The Racial Divide of Breastfeeding in the U.S.

In the U.S., white, educated women are more likely to breastfeed and for longer periods. Some reasons for that are deeply rooted in our nation’s history.

Other Segments:

U.S.-China Trade War Enters Dangerous New Chapter

The Trump administration labeled the Chinese government a "currency manipulator" following a weakening of its currency.

Reflecting on Ferguson, Five Years Later

It's been five years since Michael Brown was shot and killed by police in Ferguson, Missouri.

Ferguson's New Generation of Activists

Michael Brown's death, and the protests that followed, inspired a new generation of activists in and around Ferguson.

Former Police Captain Shares His Experiences of Ferguson

Captain Ron Johnson, a veteran of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, led police operations in Ferguson for the weeks and months of protests following Michael Brown's death.

Last weekend, there were two mass shootings in the span of 13 hours. In El Paso, 22 were killed in what federal authorities are considering a domestic terrorist attack. And in Dayton, nine people were killed when a gunman opened fire in the city’s Oregon district.

After horrific events like these, there's always questions like "Will lawmakers take action?" and "Will this time be different?" While there has been some small movement in the wake of the Parkland and Las Vegas mass shootings, the issue of gun control is largely at a standstill.  

This week, we're revisiting the last time major gun control legislation was signed into law. Twenty-five years ago, Congress passed two major gun control bills, but the votes didn’t line up exactly as you’d expect. The Brady Bill, which was signed in 1993, didn’t go into effect until February 1994, and that was followed by the Assault Weapons Ban later that year.  

Plus, we take a look at the complex world of absentee ballots. Last week, a new round of charges were filed against a political operative in North Carolina. He's being investigated for alleged voter fraud related to his handling of absentee ballots during the 2016 and 2018 elections. We also break down another voter fraud scandal in Brooks County, Georgia, from 2010. 

Guests:

Hank Brown (R), former Senator from Colorado

Glen Browder (D), former Congressman from Alabama

German Lopez, senior correspondent at Vox

Professor Barry Burden, director of the Elections Research Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison

Steve Harrison, political reporter for WFAE

Jon Ward, national political correspondent with Yahoo News

Andra Gillespie, associate professor of political science at Emory University 

Rethinking Public Spaces in the Wake of Mass Shootings

As mass shootings continue to happen in public spaces, many people in the United States say their sense of safety has been deeply shaken.

A Leadership Crisis in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico’s Supreme Court has ruled that the new governor, Pedro R. Pierluisi, was sworn in last week on unconstitutional grounds.

Venezuela Hit with More U.S. Sanctions as Humanitarian Crisis Worsens

The latest sanctions come more than three months after opposition leader Juan Guaidó's attempted coup stalled.

Other Segments:

Ferguson's New Generation of Activists

Michael Brown's death, and the protests that followed, inspired a new generation of activists in and around Ferguson.

Former Police Captain Shares His Experiences of Ferguson

Captain Ron Johnson, a veteran of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, led police operations in Ferguson for the weeks and months of protests following Michael Brown's death.

The Danger of Linking Mental Illness to Mass Shootings

The American Psychiatric Association said that gun violence is a public health crisis and that “the overwhelming majority of people with mental illness are not violent."

Toni Morrison's Legacy

Listeners reflect on the work and life of author Toni Morrison.

SNL Writer Julio Torres Steps in Front of the Camera to Show Viewers His Favorite Shapes

This week, Saturday Night Live writer Julio Torres is out with "My Favorite Shapes," a stand-up special that highlights his delightfully absurd sensibilities.

Other Segments:

Reflecting on Ferguson, Five Years Later

It's been five years since Michael Brown was shot and killed by police in Ferguson, Missouri.

India Revokes Kashmir's Autonomy

The region is now under a complete news and communication blackout while much of India celebrates.

The Physical and Psychological Toll of Surviving a Mass Shooting

While much of the media coverage on mass shootings is focused on death tolls, the recovery process for survivors of mass shootings tends to get overlooked.

Can We Reduce Domestic Terrorism in the U.S.?

In remarks from the White House on Monday, President Trump talked about possible tools to detect mass shooters before they strike.

How Are You Processing the Mass Shootings?

Listeners react to the recent mass shootings in El Paso and Dayton.

Other Segments:

Saudi Arabia Will Expand the Rights of Women

But the announcement comes at a time when Saudi Arabia and its de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, are under intense scrutiny for their record of human rights abuses.

Has Anything Changed in Flint?

Like in 2016, the 2020 presidential candidates continue to talk about and visit Flint, yet many residents still don't have safe water.

The Hidden Failings of Family Medical Leave

The Family Medical Leave Act, which mandates 12 weeks of unpaid leave, is more difficult to benefit from than one might imagine.

Tragedy Strikes in El Paso and Dayton 

Over the weekend, two mass shootings marked a week full of domestic terrorism in the country.  

"Erased from Public Memory": The History of Anti-Latino Violence in the U.S.

There is a historical precedent to the shooting in El Paso and people living in the border.

Black Homeownership Drops to Lowest Level in 50 Years

At the same time, the Trump administration is trying to weaken the 1968 Fair Housing Act.

Other news: 

Why Aren't There More Female Esports Competitors?

As esports becomes more popular, the gender divide amongst its competitors is becoming more apparent.

The Political Future of Puerto Rico

Today marks the first week of a new era for Puerto Rico without Ricardo Roselló as its leader, following his resignation on Friday.

This week, Politics with Amy Walter is coming to you from Detroit.

The city has gotten a lot of attention over the course of the week as it hosted the latest round of democratic debates. But why Detroit? Because — Michigan.

President Donald Trump won Michigan by just over 10,000 votes in 2016. But Democrats are hoping to put the state firmly back in their column. After a strong showing in the 2018 midterms, Democrats are feeling hopeful. Republicans say there's still a lot of support for President Trump — even in the counties, the Democrats were able to flip. 

Guests:

Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D), representing Michigan's 12th District

Lavora Barnes, Chair of the Michigan Democratic Party

Congresswoman Haley Stevens (D), representing Michigan's 11th District

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer (D)

Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, a progressive activist who ran against Whitmer in the primary

Congressman Paul Mitchell (R), representing Michigan's 10th District

Jamie Roe, a Michigan-based Republican strategist

Coal Miners, Protesting Unpaid Wages, Block Train Tracks

On July 1st, the mining company BlackJewel LLC, the 6th largest coal producer in the country, filed for bankruptcy, and the fate of its 1,700 employees remains unclear.

Remembering the Red Summer, 100 Years Later

Black communities faced unprecedented violence during the Red Summer of 1919, and responded with activism that laid the groundwork for modern protest movements. 

Hannah Gadsby on Breaking Comedy Rules and Creating New Ones in "Douglas"

Hannah Gadsby sits down with The Takeaway to talk about managing audience expectations, discussing her recent autism diagnosis on stage, and channeling anger through her work.

Other segments:

Both Police and Protesters are Grappling with Technology Amid Hong Kong Protests

After weeks of demonstrations, tension is escalating.

How Did the CNN Debates Address Race and Inequality?

CNN held the second of two Democratic presidential debates in Detroit Wednesday night.

How the Political Crisis in Puerto Rico is Unifying the Puerto Rican Diaspora

The protests in Puerto Rico have served to lift up the voices of groups that were typically underrepresented on the island: LGBTQ people, women, and members of the diaspora.

Democratic Debates in Detroit and Where Black Voters Stand in 2020

Democrats lost many black voters in 2016. The Democratic debates in Detroit, a majority-black city, could show how Democrats plan to get those votes back in 2020.

Did Katy Perry Steal A Song? A Forensic Musicologist Weighs In

A jury decided this week that Katy Perry's hit "Dark Horse" infringed on the copyright of Christian rap group.

Other segments: 

US Nuclear's Secret Plan to Leverage Trump's Saudi Ties into a Comeback

Congress is investigating the plan, which would export nuclear tech to Saudi Arabia, and could be in violation of U.S. law.