What A Day

The U.S. is currently seeing over 100,000 new COVID cases each day on average. It’s the highest number since this February, with hospitalizations and deaths up as well. We spoke to epidemiologist and former Detroit health commissioner Dr. Abdul El-Sayed about the state of the pandemic, and whether we should feel like we're moving backwards. We asked him about the return to in-person classes, what we can learn about the Delta variant from its course in other countries, vaccine verification in public spaces, and more.

And in headlines: fires continue to rage on in Greece, Cuomo's top aide resigns, and the future of billboards in space.

Show Notes:

The Guardian op-ed: “America is flying blind when it comes to the Delta variant” – https://bit.ly/3Cvaj6G

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

Next year's midterm elections will dictate the future of voter rights, reproductive rights, climate change, pandemic recovery, and more. They may seem far off, but we can start getting ready for 2022 now. We spoke with Crooked's political director Shaniqua McClendon about the "No Off Years" campaign, which aims to support local organizers on the ground, register more people, and fight misinformation around the polls.

And in headlines: the Dixie Fire continues to burn in Northern California, the Taliban seizes more regional capitals in Afghanistan, and Larry Page gets residency status in New Zealand.

Show Notes:

No Off Years by Vote Save America – https://votesaveamerica.com/nooffyears/

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

President Biden announced his goal to make new vehicles greener in his administration’s first major use of federal regulatory power to cut carbon emissions. Still, some climate advocacy groups say that Biden's executive order doesn’t go far enough compared to the plans of other countries to achieve zero emissions. 

New York's Governor Andrew Cuomo has been given until Friday the 13th to submit evidence in his defense for his impeachment investigation, which began back in March and focused not only on sexual harassment claims but also the handling of data about COVID deaths in nursing homes. We discuss what the impeachment process might look like with Josefa Velasquez, senior reporter at The City.

And in headlines: the Justice Department launches an investigation into Phoenix's police department, wildfires rage in Europe and the U.S., and Ibiza enlists undercover officers to infiltrate illegal dance parties.

Show Notes:

NY Times: “Facing Loss of Supporters, Cuomo Gains Attention From Prosecutors” – https://nyti.ms/3lCKmfs

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

The World Health Organization called for a moratorium on booster shots until the end of September, right as a number of countries have started or are planning to start booster campaigns amid concerns about the Delta variant of coronavirus. COVAX, the program supported by WHO to distribute donated vaccines to nations in need, is struggling to deliver on its promise.

Mexico has filed a lawsuit against 11 gun manufacturers and suppliers in the U.S., claiming that they knowingly facilitated sales to drug cartels. Mexican officials estimate financial damages could amount up to $10 billion. Experts believe the lawsuit will send a message to the U.S. to take decisive political action on gun control.

And in headlines: Democrats propose a law taxing major polluters, Rihanna is a billionaire, and former President Obama scales back on his 60th birthday bash.

Show Notes:

NY Times: “Where a Vast Global Vaccination Program Went Wrong” – https://nyti.ms/37kTHjD

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

A five month investigation into the conduct of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo found evidence of sexual harassment towards 11 current and former employees, and a sexist and hostile workplace. Nancy Pelosi, President Biden, and many more Democrats have called for Cuomo to resign, but so far he has refused.

A National Labor Relations Board officer found that Amazon broke federal labor laws, in part by installing an unmarked USPS mailbox in front of its Bessemer, Alabama, warehouse that created the impression Amazon was conducting the election. If an NLRB official agrees with the findings, that could mean there would be a redo in the vote. We spoke to Stuart Appelbaum, president of the union that's trying to organize the facility, about what comes next.

And in headlines: Capitol police officers receive the Congressional Gold Medal, the CDC announce a new eviction moratorium, and a cat takes the field at Yankee Stadium.

Show Notes:

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: Find Rental Assistance Programs – https://bit.ly/3xhrIvS

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

Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said that students must be in classrooms this year and that schools should require everyone to mask up, but local districts will ultimately decide on their policies themselves. Some workplaces are moving forward with vaccine and mask mandates, but predominantly among their white-collar employees.

The House failed to pass an extension of the federal eviction moratorium before it ended last weekend, although several states have their own local moratoriums still in place. But millions of Americans could face eviction in the coming months, with an estimated 15 million renters owing a collective $20 billion to landlords in back rent.

And in headlines: the flooding death toll in China rises, Simone Biles makes a comeback, and a MAGA twitter clone has an ISIS problem.

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

New GDP numbers released by the Commerce Department show that the size of the economy has risen above pre-pandemic levels, but an increased spread of coronavirus could slow that growth. Relatedly, the federal government announced several plans and ideas to address the vaccination slowdown, including cash incentives and reimbursement for federal employees who get the shot.

Congressional Democrats might include a pathway to citizenship for DREAMers and undocumented essential workers in their party's $3.5 trillion spending bill. The matter is extremely pressing since a federal judge ruled this month that DACA was illegal, and that Biden promised to create a more humane immigration policy while on the campaign trail. We spoke with DACA recipients to get their thoughts on the current situation.

And in headlines: Scarlett Johansson filed a lawsuit against Disney, Rick Astley’s “Never Gonna Give You Up” hit 1 billion views on YouTube, and Sunisa Lee took gold in gymnastics for Team USA.

Plus, it's hard to believe, but it's our last episode with Akilah as a full-time host. We send her off in style.

Show Notes:

Behind-the-scenes of Akilah’s last day at WAD – https://bit.ly/3ic0EcW

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

This year's Olympics is like no other, taking place in the midst of a pandemic, and in a city under a state of emergency in response to rising COVID-19 cases. We talked to The Washington Post's Ava Wallace about what it's like to report on the games this year, but also, the overall experience for her, for athletes, and for Tokyo residents at-large.

Democratic donor Ed Buck was convicted in federal court on Tuesday in connection with the death-by-overdose of two Black gay men who he injected with methamphetamine. We discuss the significance of the conviction, and what the long road to accountability says about the way our justice system treats Black gay men.

And in headlines: Tunisia’s president seizes judicial power, Activision Blizzard employees stage a walkout, and Hobby Lobby’s $1.6M Gilgamesh tablet is confiscated by the government.

Show Notes:

Washington Post: coverage by Ava Wallace – https://wapo.st/3BUVgmi

Follow Ava Wallace on Twitter – https://twitter.com/AvaRWallace

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

The CDC said yesterday that fully vaccinated people should wear masks in indoor public settings in counties where the transmission rate is "substantial" or "high," after new evidence showed that a vaccinated person could transmit the Delta variant of COVID to others. President Biden may also begin requiring federal employees and contractors to be vaccinated or face regular testing.

Four U.S. Capitol police officers testified to a House committee about the violence, racial attacks, and fear for their lives they experienced during the January 6th insurrection. The House panel into the riot will likely hold its next hearing before the end of Congress’s August recess.

Plus, one of What A Day's new co-hosts Priyanka Aribindi joins us for headlines: airports face jet fuel shortages, Simone Biles pulls out of an Olympic event, and the U.S. government sells a rare album once owned by Martin Shkreli.

Show Notes:

CDC: COVID-19 County Data Tracker – https://bit.ly/3zLKDjR

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

Federal public health officials are considering updating mask mandates even for vaccinated Americans as we reach another critical point in the pandemic. 

But some localities are going above and beyond that with vaccine mandates. New York City, for example, will require all city employees to be vaccinated, and California announced a vaccine requirement for all state employees and health care workers, too. Private businesses like United Airlines and Morgan Stanley have also started to mandate vaccination for employees. Then in cities like L.A., San Francisco, and New York, many bars and live events require customers to show proof of vaccination.

And in headlines: Biden formally announces the withdrawal of American troops from Iraq, a tobacco company wants to ban cigarettes, and Kanye will stay in the Mercedes-Benz Stadium until his album is finished.

Show Notes:

NYT: “Where Covid-19 Hospitalizations Are Rising in the U.S.” – https://nyti.ms/3BGSWiS

PC Mag: “How to Carry Your Vaccination Card on Your Phone” – https://bit.ly/3zBB0nY

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