What A Day

June is Pride Month, the unfortunate time when many corporations claim they support LGBTQ+ people, but also support politicians who actively work against LGBTQ+ rights. It’s not a new phenomenon – even before June, for example, activists called out Disney, which promotes itself as being gay-friendly. We talk about “rainbow washing” with journalist Fran Tirado, and how corporate pride can be done respectfully.

And in headlines: President Biden delivered a prime-time address on guns, today marks 100 days since Russia invaded Ukraine, and the White House said it will finally pay its interns.

Show Notes:

Donate to Crooked Media’s Pride Fund – https://crooked.com/pride/

Sign up for Crooked Coffee’s launch on June 21st – http://go.crooked.com/coffee-wad

Journalist Fran Tirado – https://twitter.com/fransquishco

Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/whataday/

For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

A jury found that both Johnny Depp and Amber Heard were liable for defamation in their lawsuits against each other. But the jury awarded significantly more in damages to Depp, and his team is treating it as a legal win.

One contentious race in California’s primary election next Tuesday is for L.A. County Sheriff, in which incumbent Sheriff Alex Villanueva faces eight challengers. Although he ran as a progressive reformer in 2018, his time in office has been a huge disappointment and he has clashed with many officials, journalists and residents. Cerise Castle, host of the podcast, “A Tradition of Violence,” joins us to discuss Villanueva’s track record and the candidates looking to unseat him.

And in headlines: the gunman accused of killing 10 Black residents in Buffalo was indicted on 25 counts, Biden's Education Department said it would clear $5.8 billion in debt held by people who attended Corinthian Colleges, and Sheryl Sandberg is stepping down as COO of Meta.

Show Notes:

Sign up for Crooked Coffee’s launch on June 21st – http://go.crooked.com/coffee-wad 

Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/whataday/

For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

The first of several funeral services started for the victims killed by a gunman at a school in Uvalde, Texas. And over the weekend, the Justice Department said it would open a probe into the local law enforcement’s response to the mass shooting.

Two former Minneapolis police officers on trial for aiding and abetting George Floyd’s killing asked a judge to delay and relocate their trial. In addition, two people filed federal civil rights lawsuits against Derek Chauvin and the city of Minneapolis because they say in 2017 then-Officer Chauvin knelt on their necks. We talk about Floyd’s life and legacy with Robert Samuels and Toluse Olurunnipa, co-authors of, “His Name is George Floyd.”

And in headlines: E.U. leaders voted to ban most Russian oil imports, Shanghai says it plans to finally ease COVID restrictions, and the Supreme Court blocked a Texas law that would ban large social media companies from deleting posts based on the views they express.

Show Notes:

Sign up for Crooked Coffee’s launch on June 21st – http://go.crooked.com/coffee-wad 

• “His Name Is George Floyd: One Man's Life and the Struggle for Racial Justice” – https://bit.ly/3GzJzEu

Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/whataday/

For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

Parents and other community members in Uvalde, Texas, are criticizing local police for its handling of the Robb Elementary School shooting where 21 people were killed on Tuesday. In addition, many are wondering why there were differences in the initial statements that officials had made, why it took so long for police to apprehend the gunman, and how the gunman was apparently able to enter the school through an unlocked door.

In headlines: Oklahoma enacted the country’s strictest anti-abortion law, actor Kevin Spacey was charged with four counts of sexual assault in the U.K., and a New York court required Trump and his family members to sit for a deposition in a civil case brought by Attorney General Letitia James.

And we interview Makanalani Gomes, a member of the Global Indigenous Youth Caucus. The Red Hill water crisis in O’ahu, Hawai’i continues to spark outrage among residents, particularly Native Hawaiians. Local activists have taken up the issue all the way to the United Nations, demanding a formal investigation into the facility. Gomes discusses her and her fellow activists’ demands to demilitarize Hawai’i and the Pacific at large.

Show Notes:

What A Day is going on break for Memorial Day weekend. We’ll be back with a new episode on Wednesday, June 1st.

Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/whataday/

For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

Officials have not confirmed all the identities of the 21 victims – nearly all children – of the Robb Elementary school shooting in Uvalde, Texas. However some family members have started to identify them publicly. Their deaths have sparked widespread outrage over Republicans’ staunch opposition to gun control measures. Nicole Golden, executive director of Texas Gun Sense, joins us to discuss her work advocating for gun reform in her state.

And in headlines: Trump-backed candidates saw mixed results during Tuesday’s primary elections, State Farm Insurance dropped its support for the GenderCool Project, and the British government released an official report about Partygate.

Show Notes:

Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/whataday/

For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

A gunman killed at least 19 children and two teachers at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, on Tuesday. Officials say they expect the death toll to rise with additional victims hospitalized but in critical condition.

Today, President Biden is expected to issue an executive order on federal police reform on the two-year anniversary of the death of George Floyd. The order will direct all federal law enforcement agencies to revise their use-of-force policies, create a national registry of officers who have been fired for misconduct, and more.

And in headlines: the Indiana Legislature overrode their governor’s veto of an anti-trans sports bill, the national birth rate rebounded in 2021, and an Iraqi national was arrested for plotting to assassinate George W. Bush.

Show Notes:

Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/whataday/

For a transcript of this episode, please visit https://crooked.com/whataday

COVID cases are rising again in the U.S. In just the past month alone, the average number of confirmed cases has doubled according to the CDC. But with many people using at-home rapid tests where results don’t get reported to officials, the actual case count could be much higher. Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, epidemiologist and host of Crooked’s “America Dissected,” joins us to discuss how to get an accurate estimate of the surge as we head into summer. 

And in headlines: The first Russian soldier convicted of war crimes in Ukraine was sentenced to life in prison, the Southern Baptist Convention covered up allegations of mishandled sexual abuse, and outgoing Congressman Madison Cawthorn is being investigated by the House Ethics Committee.

Show Notes:

Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/whataday/

For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

A federal judge ruled that the Biden administration could not end a pandemic-related border restriction program known as Title 42. It was set to expire today.

The first shipment of infant formula from Europe arrived in Indianapolis on Sunday, one of the first signs of relief to the critical shortage in the U.S. Other shipments are expected later this week, as well, to help ease the burden.

And in headlines: millions are now homeless and stranded in India and Bangladesh due to severe weather, the World Health Organization said there are 92 confirmed cases of monkeypox in at least a dozen countries, and Georgia holds its primary elections tomorrow.

Show Notes:

• Vote Save America – https://www.votesaveamerica.com/

Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/whataday/

For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

Oklahoma’s legislature passed the country’s strictest abortion bill. The ban goes further than Texas’ abortion law, and if signed by Republican Governor Kevin Stitt it would take effect immediately.

After the New York State Court of Appeals declared maps drawn by the legislature unconstitutional, a court-appointed “special master” released a new set of Congressional districts for the state. The Brennan Center’s Michael Li joins us to discuss the chaos that erupted from New York’s newly drawn maps.

And in headlines: the white gunman in Buffalo, New York’s racially motivated mass shooting appeared in state court, SpaceX reportedly paid $250,000 to settle a sexual misconduct claim against Elon Musk, and clusters of monkeypox have been reported in the U.S. and Europe.

Show Notes:

Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/whataday/

For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

Following Tuesday’s Pennsylvania primary elections, Lieutenant Governor John Fetterman won the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate. And State Senator Doug Mastriano, one of the leading proponents to overturn the 2020 presidential election in the state, was nominated as the GOP’s gubernatorial candidate. Amanda Litman, co-founder of Run for Something, joins us to discuss various primary races from earlier this week.

And in headlines: a Russian soldier pleaded guilty in Ukraine’s first war crimes trial, top White House officials recommended taking precautions amid rising COVID cases, and professional soccer players on both the U.S. women's and men's national teams will finally earn the same pay.

Show Notes:

Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/whataday/