

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

Sep 29, 2022 • 19min
Hurricane Ian Makes Landfall In Florida
Hurricane Ian reached Florida Wednesday afternoon as one of the strongest storms to hit the U.S. mainland in decades. Some 2.5 million residents of Tampa and Fort Myers were ordered to evacuate, but thousands stayed behind – even in areas expected to be inundated by extreme storm surge flooding.And in headlines: a human rights organization said at least 76 Iranian protesters have been killed in clashes with police since the death of Mahsa Amini, Russian-occupied territories in Ukraine “voted” in favor of annexation, and Megan Thee Stallion launched a mental health resource website for her fans and followers.Show Notes:National Hurricane Center: Hurricane Ian Tracker – https://tinyurl.com/vesawdexBad Bitches Have Bad Days Too – https://www.badbitcheshavebaddaystoo.com/YouTube: Lizzo plays James Madison's flute at Library of Congress (Washington Post) – https://tinyurl.com/3dhf5ec6Vote Save America: Every Last Vote – https://votesaveamerica.com/every-last-vote/Crooked Coffee is officially here. Our first blend, What A Morning, is available in medium and dark roasts. Wake up with your own bag at crooked.com/coffeeFollow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/whataday/For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

Sep 28, 2022 • 24min
Florida Prepares For Hurricane Ian
Hurricane Ian has knocked out power across Cuba and is barreling toward Florida, where it’s expected to intensify into a Category 3 or 4 storm. Mary Annaïse Heglar, co-host of Crooked’s “Hot Take,” explains how climate change is making hurricanes like Ian stronger, less predictable, and more dangerous.Texas attorney general Ken Paxton is up for re-election on November 8, but his legal troubles and controversial policies have cast doubt over whether he's fit to be in office. Rochelle Garza, Paxton’s Democratic challenger, tells us about her campaign priorities, and why the race could have nationwide consequences.And in headlines: Japan held a state funeral for former prime minister Shinzo Abe, more than 800,000 people were evacuated in Vietnam ahead of Typhoon Noru, and the Senate advanced a short-term agreement to avoid a government shutdown.Show Notes:NPR: “What is the Waffle House Index?” – https://tinyurl.com/ycypnwu9Rochelle Garza for Texas Attorney General – https://www.rochellegarzafortexas.com/Vote Save America: Fuck Bans Action Plan – https://votesaveamerica.com/roe/Crooked Coffee is officially here. Our first blend, What A Morning, is available in medium and dark roasts. Wake up with your own bag at crooked.com/coffeeFollow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/whataday/For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

Sep 27, 2022 • 17min
The Pound And The Fury
The British pound hit a record low against the U.S. dollar on Monday. We discuss the economic plan by new U.K. Prime Minister Liz Truss that sent the currency tumbling, and how international markets are responding.Nearly complete results from Italy’s election showed a clear victory for a right-wing coalition – making it almost certain that the coalition's leader, Giorgia Meloni, will be prime minister. Her party has its roots in a post-World War II neo-fascist movement in Italy.And in headlines: Putin granted Edward Snowden Russian citizenship, Cuba voted to legalize same-sex marriage, and the CIA launched its own podcast. Show Notes:Vote Save America: Every Last Vote – https://votesaveamerica.com/every-last-vote/Crooked Coffee is officially here. Our first blend, What A Morning, is available in medium and dark roasts. Wake up with your own bag at crooked.com/coffeeFollow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/whataday/For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

Sep 26, 2022 • 18min
Move Over, Monkeypox
Almost 750 demonstrators were arrested in Russia on Saturday. They were protesting president Vladimir Putin’s declaration from last week of a “partial mobilization” or a draft in which some men are being called up to join the war. Plus, Ukraine's response to Putin's nuclear threats.The number of new cases of monkeypox in the U.S. are down significantly since their peak just about a month ago. Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, host of Crooked’s “America Dissected,” tells us why.And in headlines: an Arizona judge reinstated a near-total abortion ban from 1864, Hurricane Fiona hit eastern Canada, and Rihanna announced that she will headline next year’s Super Bowl halftime show.Show Notes:Vote Save America: Every Last Vote – https://votesaveamerica.com/every-last-vote/Crooked Coffee is officially here. Our first blend, What A Morning, is available in medium roasts. Wake up with your own bag at crooked.com/coffeeFollow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/whataday/For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

Sep 23, 2022 • 21min
How Favre We've Fallen
Outrage continues in Iran over the death of a woman detained by that country's "morality police," and at least nine people have been killed in clashes with security forces.Former N.F.L. quarterback Brett Favre has emerged as a key figure in one of the largest welfare fraud cases in Mississippi's history, after text messages revealed his connections to state officials involved in the scandal.And in headlines: a judge temporarily blocked Indiana's near-total abortion ban, President Biden issued a disaster declaration for Puerto Rico, and Ginni Thomas agreed to meet with the House panel investigating the January 6th riot.Show Notes:Deadspin: “The media needs to treat Brett Favre like it did Michael Vick and Colin Kaepernick” – https://tinyurl.com/25ner4tnVote Save America: Fuck Bans Action Plan – https://votesaveamerica.com/roe/Crooked Coffee is officially here. Our first blend, What A Morning, is available in medium and dark roasts. Wake up with your own bag at crooked.com/coffeeFollow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/whataday/For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

Sep 22, 2022 • 23min
A Heartbreaking Work Of Staggering Fraud
New York Attorney General Letitia James filed a $250 million lawsuit against former President Donald Trump and his three adult children, accusing them of "persistent and repeated" business fraud. Rolling Stone politics reporter Nikki McCann Ramirez joins us to discuss the case and what's at stake for the Trumps.Russian president Vladimir Putin declared a “partial” military mobilization to shore up forces in Ukraine. It was the first such move since World War II, and was met with rare protests.And in headlines: demonstrations in Iran continued over a woman who died in police custody, the Federal Reserve raised interest rates again, and a former Minneapolis police officer was sentenced to three years in prison for his role in the murder of George Floyd.Show Notes:Vote Save America: Every Last Vote – https://votesaveamerica.com/every-last-vote/Crooked Coffee is officially here. Our first blend, What A Morning, is available in medium and dark roasts. Wake up with your own bag at crooked.com/coffeeFollow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/whataday/For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

Sep 21, 2022 • 19min
You Can't Always Declassify What You Want
The legal battle over sensitive government documents seized from Mar-a-Lago continued on Tuesday, as lawyers for Donald Trump and the Justice Department met for the first hearing overseen by the special master appointed to review the materials.The midterm elections are fast approaching and a lot of candidates and organizations are vying for financial support. Shaniqua McClendon, Crooked’s political director, shows us how you can make a difference with your donations – even if you don’t have a lot to give.And in headlines: separatist regions in Ukraine moved closer to holding referendums to join Russia, Hurricane Fiona hit the Turks and Caicos islands, and world leaders gathered in New York for this year’s United Nations General Assembly.Show Notes:Vote Save America: Every Last Vote – https://votesaveamerica.com/every-last-vote/Crooked Coffee is officially here. Our first blend, What A Morning, is available in medium and dark roasts. Wake up with your own bag at crooked.com/coffeeFollow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/whataday/For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

Sep 20, 2022 • 15min
Nobody Puts COVID In A Corner
Queen Elizabeth II was laid to rest Monday, marking the end of the ten days of public mourning since her death on September 8th.President Biden said in an interview that the pandemic is "over,” prompting swift criticism from public health officials. Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, host of Crooked’s “America Dissected,” tells us, there's still work to be done.And in headlines: Hurricane Fiona left more destruction in the Caribbean, a Russian missile struck near another Ukrainian nuclear plant, and Adnan Syed, whose murder case was featured on the "Serial" podcast, was freed from prison.Show Notes:Vote Save America: Fuck Bans Action Plan – https://votesaveamerica.com/roe/Crooked Coffee is officially here. Our first blend, What A Morning, is available in medium and dark roasts. Wake up with your own bag at crooked.com/coffeeFollow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/whataday/For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

Sep 19, 2022 • 18min
Fiona Leaves Puerto Rico In The Dark
The entire island of Puerto Rico is without power after Hurricane Fiona made landfall on Sunday. More than 3 million people are in the dark, nearly five years to the day that Hurricane Maria struck.State officials in Alabama said they are not ready to use “nitrogen hypoxia” to execute people on death row – for now. They had planned to execute an inmate this week using the new and untested method, but will instead opt for lethal injection.And in headlines: world leaders arrive in London for Queen Elizabeth II's funeral, Virginia put out new school guidelines targeting trans students, and a federal judge appointed a special master to review the documents recovered from Mar-a-Lago.Show Notes:Bad Bunny: El Apagón - Aquí Vive Gente (Official Video) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TCX_Aqzoo4The Atlantic: "Dead to Rights: What did the state of Alabama do to Joe Nathan James in the three hours before his execution?" – https://tinyurl.com/mr3x2dshVote Save America: Fuck Bans Action Plan – https://votesaveamerica.com/roe/Crooked Coffee is officially here. Our first blend, What A Morning, is available in medium and dark roasts. Wake up with your own bag at crooked.com/coffeeFollow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/whataday/For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

Sep 16, 2022 • 24min
Red-State Governors Use People As Props
The White House announced a tentative agreement with freight rail companies and the unions representing 100,000 workers on Thursday, averting a strike that would have had huge economic consequences.Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said he paid to fly about 50 migrants from Texas to Martha’s Vineyard – escalating a tactic used by other Republican governors to protest the Biden administration’s immigration policies.A recent study found that Muslim characters on TV face an “epidemic of invisibility.” Al-Baab Khan, the study’s lead author, tells us how portrayals based on stereotypes fuel Islamophobia.And in headlines: Vladimir Putin met with Chinese president Xi Jinping for the first time since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Mississippi officials lifted the boil water advisory for Jackson residents, and Cardi B pleaded guilty to assault charges stemming from a fight at a strip club in 2018.Show Notes:USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative: “Erased or Extremists: The Stereotypical View of Muslims in 200 Popular Episodic Series” – https://tinyurl.com/9bjmxwr3Vote Save America: Fuck Bans Action Plan – https://votesaveamerica.com/roe/Crooked Coffee is officially here. Our first blend, What A Morning, is available in medium and dark roasts. Wake up with your own bag at crooked.com/coffeeFollow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/whataday/For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday