Grammy-nominated rapper D Smoke talks about collaborating with his brother SiR, working as a public school teacher, and gives advice for new artists. The podcast also discusses controversial topics such as Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and taxpayer-funded stadiums.
Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas may have violated federal ethics rules by not reporting a forgiven $250,000 loan on his tax returns.
Taxpayer-funded stadiums for billionaire team owners are often a poor investment, failing to deliver promised economic benefits for the community.
Deep dives
Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas Accused of Violating Ethics Rules with Gifts and Loans
Clarence Thomas, a Supreme Court Justice, has been accused of violating federal ethics rules by accepting lavish gifts from wealthy friends. A report from Democrats on the Senate Finance Committee states that Thomas borrowed a quarter of a million dollars from a friend in 1999 to purchase a luxury RV. The friend allegedly forgave a substantial amount of the debt nine years later, which was not reported on Thomas' financial disclosure forms or tax returns, potentially violating federal ethics rules.
Bullying Prevalence in Schools: New York Ranks 39th Out of 48 States
A study reveals that New York ranks 39th out of 48 states in terms of bullying prevalence in public schools. The CDC data shows that roughly 14% of public schools deal with instances of bullying every day or at least once a week. New York's lower ranking in bullying is surprising, considering its historical reputation. The study suggests that, although bullying remains a significant issue, it may not be as prevalent in New York schools as in other states.
The Problem with Taxpayer-Funded Stadiums for Billionaire Team Owners
The recent trend of taxpayer-funded stadiums for billionaire team owners is under scrutiny. The Daily Show highlights the controversial cost of constructing sports stadiums using public funds. The show points out that these stadiums make grand promises of economic growth and increased property values for the community, but these claims often fall short. Critics argue that the money invested in stadiums could be better used to benefit the community in other ways, as the promised economic benefits rarely materialize. The show also highlights the power dynamics and pressure tactics used by team owners to secure taxpayer subsidies for stadium construction.
Desus Nice chats about the latest news, including Clarence Thomas not reporting a $250,000 forgiven loan on his tax returns and New York having one of the lowest bullying rates in the country, and Ronny Chieng chimes in on the list of worst first dates according to women. Desus then dives into the trend of billionaire franchise owners building stadiums that cost taxpayers lots of money, and for little benefit, in this week’s Long Story Short. Also, Grammy-nominated rapper D Smoke stops by to talk about his experience collaborating with his brother SiR on their latest single “Work Hard Play Hard,” how working as a public school teacher informed his new YA novel, and his advice for new artists.