To the Point

After decades, America’s draconian crackdown on crime isn’t working. Even most conservatives agree with liberals that it’s worse than a waste of money. President Trump has used a rare word when it comes to proposed reform:  “bipartisanship.” It could happen before the new Congress takes office--but Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell might be applying the brakes.

Americans are living longer than ever before-- and facing increasing age discrimination. As older people are separated from the young, loneliness is becoming a national health crisis. From Cleveland, Ohio to Singapore, new projects are bridging the generational divide, reinforcing the sense of common humanity.  

Victims of California’s fires can apply for assistance, but President Trump had a warning for the state’s residents. He wants to see a change in forest management. Scientists tell us the firestorms are are result of climate change--which the president still denies. Should cities still allow for building in firezones? Later, Warren talks to one Malibu resident about his firsthand experience in the Woolsey fire.

Women had a major impact on the midterm elections. So did $5 billion in campaign spending. Meantime, Democrats now lead the House while Republicans dominate the Senate, and the politics of division continues on Capitol Hill. We’ll hear how former House Speaker Newt Gingrich helped start an era of gridlock and perpetual campaigning.

During a visit to Pittsburgh to honor the victims of an anti-Semitic attack, President Trump was met with protests. The president has ridiculed Democrats targeted with pipe bombs and deployed troops against Central American asylum seekers. By defying the tradition of ‘President as Unifier,’ can Trump help maintain Republican dominance in Washington?

Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania went twice for Barack Obama. But they gave Donald Trump his Electoral College upset when they had the chance. Would they do it again? Trump’s not on the ballot, but he’ll have a big influence on year’s Midterm elections. Races for Governor and other statewide offices will have echoes in Washington.

As America prepares to vote again, a question remains from 2016: are the Russians still “meddling” with US elections? Meantime, are Republican election officials in Georgia and Kansas suppressing the vote to serve their own interests? Those updates and the latest on climate change: President Trump says, maybe it’s not a hoax after all.

Republicans have secured their long-term goal: a right-wing majority on the U.S. Supreme Court. There are conflicting expectations for rulings on abortion, immigration, voting rights--and the powers of both the White House and Congress. In this divided nation, public trust in the rule of law is also at stake. How will the bitter battle over Brett Kavanaugh impact next month’s midterm elections?

President Trump has denied Russian interference in the U.S. election. However, carefully gathered evidence shows that Russian hacking and social media made a difference. Especially important: targeting of African Americans, veterans and Christian fundamentalists. News coverage was oblivious to the source of misinformation. Warren talks with one of America’s most credible analysts of campaigns and voting patterns.