What A Day

Protesters in hundreds of cities around the country rallied against gun violence, last weekend. And on Sunday, a bipartisan group of Senators announced a deal to increase gun safety measures. If passed, it would lead to enhanced background checks, pave the way for additional red flag laws in states, and more. The overall scope of the Senate package, however, falls short of the strong measures that President Biden and others demanded.San Francisco voters recalled progressive District Attorney Chesa Boudin last week after a targeted campaign claimed his position on criminal justice reform led to an increase in crime. Some in the media have claimed that his ouster in a liberal city is a bad omen for progressive DAs everywhere, but we explain how the stats don’t back that up.And in headlines: Idaho police arrested 31 suspected White nationalists they say were going to riot at a local Pride event, gas topped a record $5 per gallon, and the January 6th House committee hearings continue today.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-wadFollow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/whataday/For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Last night was the first of several public hearings by the January 6th House committee, with the purpose to get the insurrection and the bigger effort to overturn the 2020 presidential election back on people’s radars. Congressman and committee member Adam Schiff, joined us before the hearing to explain what he hopes Americans will learn. And Andrea Bernstein, co-host of the “Will Be Wild” podcast, joined us afterwards to discuss her takeaways.And in headlines: the Justice Department launched a civil rights investigation into Louisiana’s State Police Department, 42 million people are on excessive heat watch ahead of an upcoming heatwave, and Britney Spears' ex-husband interrupted her wedding.Show Notes:“Will Be Wild” from Pineapple Street Media and Wondery – https://apple.co/3HcFEO5Donate 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-wadFollow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/whataday/For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The January 6th House committee finally begins its hearings tonight. The committee intends to lay out what happened on the day of the insurrection, the larger effort to overturn the 2020 presidential election and future elections. Dan Pfeiffer, co-host of Pod Save America, joins us to discuss what to expect and look out for.And in headlines: the House voted to advance stricter gun control measures, Moderna is seeking FDA approval for an Omicron-specific COVID booster, and San Francisco voters recalled progressive district attorney Chesa Boudin.Show Notes:Dan Pfeiffer – https://twitter.com/danpfeifferDonate 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-wadFollow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/whataday/For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Congressmembers yesterday and today are hearing from the family members of the victims of recent mass shootings across the country. They’re there to essentially beg lawmakers to act on both gun violence and white supremacy.The World Bank issued a bad prognosis for the global economy yesterday, saying that a recession is going to be difficult to avoid for a number of countries. This is happening as a result of a lot of conditions: Russia’s war in Ukraine, international supply chain issues, inflation, and more.And in headlines: the NFL welcomed its first openly trans cheerleader, the U.S. is set to approve a new COVID vaccine, and the U.S. seized a Russian oligarch’s yacht.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-wadFollow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/whataday/For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

As abortion access continues to decline on the local level, lawmakers and advocates across the country are devising new ways to protect abortion access as much as they can, where they can. Chito Vela, an Austin City Councilmember, joins us to discuss what he’s doing to decriminalize abortion in Austin, Texas, should Roe be overturned.And in headlines: Seven states have primary elections today, a federal grand jury charged five members of the Proud Boys with seditious conspiracy, and UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson survived a no-confidence vote among Conservative members of Parliament.Show Notes:Washington Post: “Empty clinics, no calls: The fallout of Oklahoma’s abortion ban” – https://wapo.st/3xo4aZnDonate 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-wadFollow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/whataday/For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

There were at least five mass shootings this weekend in a matter of 27 hours, according to the Gun Violence Archive. This slate of recent mass shootings, which include Buffalo and Uvalde, has compelled Congressional lawmakers to try to take action on gun control. A group of bipartisan senators may present a package on gun restrictions as early as this week.For parents who lost children in the Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde, Texas, there are few legal avenues for them to pursue accountability or ensure that a tragedy like this doesn’t happen again. However, some may try a strategy used by the Sandy Hook victims’ families — going after the gun manufacturers in court.And in headlines: a Catholic church in Nigeria was attacked, a series of Russian airstrikes hit Kyiv, and there's a staffing shortage of lifeguards in the U.S.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-wadFollow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/whataday/For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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-wadJournalist Fran Tirado – https://twitter.com/fransquishcoFollow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/whataday/For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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 The Knock LA Los Angeles Progressive Voter Guide for the June 2022 Primary Election – https://bit.ly/3Ncf8XzCerise Castle: “A Tradition of Violence: The History of Deputy Gangs in the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department” – https://bit.ly/3x9OMQrFollow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/whataday/For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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/3GzJzEuFollow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/whataday/For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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.KSAT: “Remembering the victims of the Uvalde elementary school shooting” – https://bit.ly/3MOvdSVNew York Times: “How to Help Victims of the Uvalde School Shooting” – https://nyti.ms/3LNCnFKNew York Times: “Uvalde Had Prepared for School Shootings. It Did Not Stop the Rampage” – https://nyti.ms/3LOnKSBGrist: “Following 14,000-gallon fuel spill, Pacific representatives call for UN investigation” – https://bit.ly/3NuGNTkGlobal Indigenous Youth Caucus – https://www.globalindigenousyouthcaucus.org/Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/whataday/For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.