The Takeaway

Examining Michael Jackson's Legacy Through the Lens of His Accusers

A new HBO documentary chronicles the lives of two men who say that Michael Jackson abused them as children.

Mayoral Elections Set the Stage for a New Chapter in Chicago

Tuesday was Election Day in Chicago as voters went to the polls to elect a new mayor. Two candidates, both African-American women, are now heading into a runoff election in April.

Leaving a Crisis in Washington, Trump Meets Kim in Hanoi

In the shadows of Cohen’s testimony, President Trump shook hands with Kim Jong Un in Hanoi, Vietnam for the start of his second official summit with the North Korean leader.

Tensions Rise Between India and Pakistan 

A look at the longstanding tension between India and Pakistan in Kashmir and what further escalation could mean for the region.

How Michael Cohen Went from Loyal Attorney to Key Trump Critic

Michael Cohen was once one of Donald Trump's fiercest supporters. Today, he's expected to bring revelations to the House Oversight Committee. What led to his unexpected turn?

Breaking Down the Key Players in the Mueller Investigation

Beyond Michael Cohen, a number of other figures have emerged as targets of the Mueller investigation. The Takeaway breaks down the key players, from Paul Manafort to Roger Stone.

Cohen Testimony Puts Spotlight on Trump Organization

With the focus on Michael Cohen, we remember what's going on with the president's children and the Trump Organization. 

You Asked, We Answered: The Mueller Investigation 

From the latest on the investigation to the possibility of impeachment, we took your questions. 

Guests:

Amy Sabrin

Rebecca Davis O’Brien

Ilya Marritz

Andrew Prokop

Andrea Bernstein

Marcy Wheeler

Local Communities Feel the Effect of Change in Global Recycling Policies

On January 1, 2018, China stopped accepting any recycled plastic and unsorted scrap paper from overseas. Now, communities around the U.S. are seeing the consequences.

A Court Said New York's Mentally Ill Should Be Able to Live on Their Own. But Can They?

In the years since the court’s decision, 39 residents have returned to adult homes and 33 have died, according to the New York State Office of Mental Health.

Thwarted Terrorist Attack Raises Questions About the Rise of White Nationalism and its Presence in the Military

The Military Times reports that 25 percent of service members have been exposed to white nationalism in the ranks.

What Roller Skating Can Tell Us About Race in America

Roller rinks continue to be one of the most segregated spaces in the country. 

Guests:

Zulene Mayfield

Marian Chertow

Tom Jennings 

Joaquin Spaien

Janet Reitman

Tina Brown 

Dyana Winkler 

Venezuela: After a Tense Weekend, What is the Way Forward?

We hear two radically differing perspectives on the way forward for Venezuela.

Oscar-Winning Documentary Tackles Global Stigma Surrounding Menstruation

The Oscar-winning documentary, "Period. End of Sentence," tells the story of what happened when a group of teens raised money to send a pad maker to a small village outside New Delhi.

Robert Kraft's Arrest is Latest Example of an NFL Owner Exploiting Women

Kraft was arrested last week on charges of soliciting prostitutes in Florida.

Lake Erie May Soon Be Granted "Personhood." Here's What It Could Mean.

Residents from Toledo, Ohio will vote on a ballot measure to grant Lake Erie legal rights, in attempts to prevent future pollution.

Guests:

Fernando Cutz

Jorge Martin

Rayka Zehtabchi

Jane McManus

Clarence Thomas Questions Landmark Libel Case, Raising Concerns About Press Freedoms

Thomas took issue with the landmark Times v Sullivan case from 1964, which provides a broad framework for press freedoms enjoyed today.

Venezuela is Getting Ready for a Showdown Between Maduro and US-Backed Guaido

Saturday, February 23rd makes a month since Guaido declared himself interim president and the opposition said it must bring aid into the country.

Can the Academy Awards Recover from a Series of Missteps?

The 91st Academy Awards will be held this Sunday, but in the run up to this year’s ceremony, the focus has been less on the nominees, and more on several missteps made by the Academy.

Chicago Police Charge 'Empire' Actor Jussie Smollett with Staging Assault

On Wednesday, Jussie Smollett, the openly gay black actor known for his role in the TV series “Empire,” was charged with staging his own assault.

Guests:

Margaret Sullivan

John Q. Barrett

Joshua Goodman

Erin Ailworth

President Trump's National Emergency Draws Multi-State Challenge; Does the Lawsuit Have Standing?

16 states are challenging President Trump's declared national emergency, in what's likely to be a long legal battle.

Even with a Billion Dollars to Fight LA's Homelessness Crisis, the City is Struggling to Respond

Los Angeles can't spend the money quickly or effectively enough to help the city's tens of thousands of homeless residents.

Fewer Americans Have the Option to Learn a Foreign Language in School

Fewer Americans are learning a foreign language in school. That could have major implication for our communities and the country.

Guests:

Jennifer M. Chacón

Danny Cevallos

Matthew Tinoco

Kathleen Stein-Smith 

What Regulation Rollbacks at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Means for Consumers

In the Trump administration's latest effort to undermine regulation, the CFPB proposed a significant role back on Obama-era rules governing payday lending.

After Kaepernick's Collusion Settlement, What's Next for NFL Player Activism?

Last week, Colin Kaepernick settled a grievance with the NFL in which he alleged that NFL owners colluded to bar him from the league. Exact details of the settlement remain confidential.

Uncertainty in Haiti Following Violent Protests Over Corruption

Violent protests in Haiti have revealed the depth of discontent in the nation over corruption and economic conditions.

Guests:

Jesse Eisinger

Christopher Peterson

Jemele Hill

Jacqueline Charles

Hail to the Veep: Unpacking Vice Presidential History

On this President’s Day, The Takeaway looks at the role of the vice president in U.S. history and how Mike Pence has interpreted the job compared to past second-in-commands.

Migrants are Shuttered Away in Abandoned Mexican Factory, Not Allowed Exit to Request Asylum

Migrants have criticized the conditions within the facility, but human rights organizations and journalists have not been allowed in.

"The Yardstick Has Shifted": The Joys of Being Over 40

Two women who've written about life over 40, and the surprising joys it can bring.

Guests:

Joel Goldstein

Alice Driver

Jill Kargman

Sophfronia Scott

"We Are Here to Tell the Stories of Our Fallen Peers": Teen Journalists Documenting Gun Violence 

Hundreds of student journalists have documented every life lost to gun violence in the year since the Parkland shooting.

How Tackling Trauma in the Classroom Can Lead to Less Violence in Schools

School shootings from Sandy Hook to Parkland have opened new conversations about the best ways to take trauma into account in the classroom. But the issue goes well beyond shootings.

NASA Says Goodbye to Opportunity Rover 15 Years After Lift-Off

NASA is saying a bittersweet goodbye to its Opportunity rover, declaring it dead this week.

Amazon Walks Back Plans to Build Headquarters in New York

Facing steep political opposition, Amazon decided it wouldn't be worth the $3 billion in subsidies to build a campus in Long Island City.

On the Power of Love to Bridge Divides

On Valentine's Day, Nishta J. Mehra, a memoirist, reflects on the expansive role love has played in her life. 

Guests:

Mary Claire Malloy

Scarlett Liriano Cepin

The Next Chapter for the Mexican Drug War

El Chapo has been convicted. But will it matter for Mexico's drug war?

History Shows That a Planned Wall Along Texas Border Could Cause Flooding, Ecological Disaster

In Starr County, Texas, where a section of wall is scheduled to be built in September, residents and representatives are worried about potential flooding.

A Fake Holiday Celebrating the Real Power of Female Friendships

Ahead of Valentine’s Day, we talk about the value of female friendships in 2019.

Guests:

Guadalupe Correa-Cabrera

Melissa del Bosque

Roland Gutierrez

Nayda Alvarez

Kayleen Schaefer

Aminatou Sow

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