

What A Day
Crooked Media
If you’re looking for hype, fake outrage, and groupthink, kindly keep moving. Our mission at What a Day is simple: to be your guide to what truly matters each morning (and the fun stuff you might have missed) in just 20 minutes. Host Jane Coaston brings you in-depth reporting and substantive analysis on the big stories shaping today and the creeping trends shaping tomorrow—and when she doesn’t know the answers, she asks someone even smarter to fill us all in. Radical, right? New episodes at 5:00 a.m. EST, Monday–Friday in your favorite podcast app and on YouTube. Being informed was never this easy.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 4, 2020 • 14min
No Winner, No Cry
Yesterday was Election Day, and it ended as we expected it to: without an official call on the presidential race. There wasn’t a Biden landslide like we hoped, but as we went to record last night, he still had a path to victory. We discuss that path, some surprising and less surprising calls, and how the two presidential candidates treated the results. Looking at Congress, Democrats retained control of the House, adding some cool new progressives including Cori Bush, Jamaal Bowman, and Marie Newman. The jury’s still out on who will control the Senate. And in headlines: the US is no longer part of the Paris Climate Agreement, record-setting COVID numbers in the US, and Trump destroys Lil Wayne’s relationship. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Nov 3, 2020 • 20min
No Sleep Til Votes In
After four long hard years, we’ve made it to election day… now we just need to make it through the next 24, to 48, to 100-plus hours. We discuss when the results will come in and what we’ll be watching out for. Plus, a look at some key Senate races in states that could flip. And in headlines: battleground states were hit hardest with misinformation, voter preferences by first name, and a whale statue saves a train.Show Notes:If you run into any issues voting or witness voter suppression or intimidation, call the voter protection hotline: 1-833-DEM-VOTE — 1-833-336-8683Make a plan to vote: votesaveamerica.com/planSign up to volunteer: votesaveamerica.com/volunteerListen to Akilah's Spotify playlist "Chill Times Bro" https://open.spotify.com/playlist/69Sif17z5Lec1TTDudahnz?si=lET8v3wxRKKtkKmOGK-6Iw Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Nov 2, 2020 • 20min
First Vote's The Charm
Over 93 million people have voted as of Sunday night. More than 8 million of those voters are doing so for the first time, according to the data firm TargetSmart. We talk to a group of first time voters about why they are participating this year, and why they’re choosing Biden.The US hit a new record high of Covid-19 cases last Friday — with many swing states hitting record highs as well. And the UK announced a new lockdown to combat their rise in cases. And in headlines: Typhoon Goni hits the Philippines, high school journalists bust Kentucky State Police, and a new giant coral discovered at the Great Barrier Reef. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Oct 30, 2020 • 20min
In This COVID Economy?
Another 5 million people cast ballots yesterday, bringing the vote total to over 80 million so far. We explain two recent Supreme Court decisions over voting rights in Pennsylvania and North Carolina… and what they could mean for the post-election count.The GDP went up by 7.4 percent in the third quarter, but the economy is still 3.5 percent smaller than it was pre-pandemic. Plus, we check in on the chances for a new relief bill after the election.And in headlines: Trump HHS can’t find one celebrity to make a PSA with, Jerry Falwell Jr. sues Liberty University, and Taiwan hasn’t had a domestic COVID case for 200 days. Plus, Phillip Picardi joins us as a special guest!Show Links:Listen to Phillip's show "Unholier Than Thou"https://crooked.com/podcast-series/unholier-than-thou/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Oct 29, 2020 • 20min
Ballot Cleanser
COVID-19 numbers are up in the US, with more than 500,000 new cases over the past week. Trouble spots include El Paso, TX, where hospitals are stretched to capacity, plus the Dakotas, Wisconsin, and Montana. Europe is also seeing numbers spike, leading some countries to re-implement national shutdowns. There are five days until election day, so we’re continuing to review notable ballot initiatives. Today, we discuss Utah and Nebraska amendments that would outlaw slavery as punishment for crimes, a Florida amendment that would raise the minimum wage, and more. And in headlines: tens of thousands protested a new abortion law in Poland, tech CEOs testify about content moderation, a look at how swordfish stab.Show Links:votesaveamerica.com/volunteer Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Oct 28, 2020 • 26min
I've Got Polls But I'm Not A Pollster
With less than a week until November 3rd, almost 70 million people have already voted in this election as of last night, which is over half the total in 2016.We talk with Charlotte Swasey, the Vice President of polling at Data for Progress, about how things are looking for Biden, how to read the polls, and what results we may and may not get on Election night. And in headlines: protests in Philly over the shooting of Walter Wallace Jr., California’s record-breaking fire season continues, and Russia implements mask mandate.Show Links:Make a plan to vote: votesaveamerica.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Oct 27, 2020 • 19min
I Just Can't Barrett
Amy Coney Barrett was officially confirmed as a Supreme Court justice, cementing a 6-3 conservative majority on the court. Barrett has not said whether she will recuse herself from cases having to do with this election… meanwhile, her confirmation has led even more moderate Democrats to warm up to the idea of court reform or expansion.Policing is on the ballot this year, with over 20 state and local measures that deal with law enforcement budgets, police oversight, marijuana legalization and more. We talk through some of those measures and the effect they might have if they pass.And in headlines: Chile votes to replace its constitution, China’s Ant Group has largest IPO in history, and the nation of Kazakhstan reclaims “very nice.”Show Links:votesaveameria.com/volunteer Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Oct 26, 2020 • 20min
Pence Like Nobody's Watching
At least 5 aides of Mike Pence including his Chief of Staff have tested positive for Covid-19, but Pence still isn’t going to quarantine. The country is seeing record numbers of new cases, with over 85,000 new cases last Friday… that fits with a recent admission from White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows that the federal government is “not going to control the pandemic.” Over 59 million people have already voted in the election and far fewer votes are undecided this year than they were in 2016. We take a look at how Trump and Biden are spending their final week on the campaign trail and how polls are looking in key states. And in headlines: police fatally shoot 19-year-old Marcellis Stinnette in Illinois, Spain declares a national state of emergency, and HHS blows a deal with Santa. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Oct 23, 2020 • 20min
A More Muted Presidential Debate
Last night Biden and Trump faced off in the second and final presidential debate. It was less interrupt-y and the candidates discussed everything from the pandemic to climate change and racism. We break down what Biden and Trump had to say, and the biggest news leading into the night. And in headlines: Remdesivir approved, Pompeo signs an anti-abortion declaration, and a beautiful green dog is born in Italy.Show Links: “What Prop 22’s Defeat Would Mean For Uber and Lyft — And Drivers”https://www.latimes.com/business/technology/story/2020-10-19/prop-22-explained Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Oct 22, 2020 • 17min
Pharma Police
The DOJ announced an $8.3 billion settlement with Purdue Pharma yesterday for illegally marketing their painkiller Oxycontin. The settlement doesn’t prevent members of the Sackler family, who own Purdue Pharma, from criminal liability and there is still a criminal case pending. Protests continue in Nigeria against a notorious police unit called SARS, which has been accused of corruption, violence and other forms of abuse. Earlier this week, security forces fired on a crowd of protesters, reportedly killing several people and injuring others.And in headlines: lawyers unable to find parents of 545 children who were separated under Trump immigration policy, Big Ten mayors ask conference organizers to be COVID-cautious, and another Quick Bites the dust.Show Links:Support protesters in Nigeria:https://feministcoalition2020.com/"These Twelve Elections Could Curb ICE's Power"https://theappeal.org/politicalreport/immigration-in-november-2020/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.


