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POLITICO
The POLITICO Tech podcast is your download on the disruption that technology is bringing to politics and policy. New episodes on Thursdays.
Episodes
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10 snips
Apr 26, 2022 • 13min
Why you should care about the spectrum fight
John Hendel, a POLITICO technology reporter, dives into the complexities of the U.S. radio spectrum management. He discusses the alarming technical flaws in radios that could hinder future communication advancements. The conversation highlights the contentious 5G spectrum debate, emphasizing potential aviation safety issues and regulatory challenges. Hendel also explains the FCC's ongoing struggle to manage spectrum effectively amid industry resistance, as well as recent legal updates impacting the landscape.

Apr 25, 2022 • 13min
'Modern day slavery' for some farmworkers in Georgia
An alleged human trafficking ring in Georgia highlights many of the loopholes found in the H-2A agricultural visa program, renewing calls for an overhaul. Ximena Bustillo reports.
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Apr 22, 2022 • 28min
Presenting Playbook Deep Dive: 'You only win if you fight': Will Gallego unseat Sinema?
This week Playbook co-author Ryan Lizza is in Arizona to dig into a few big plotlines ahead of this year’s elections. Trump narrowly lost the state in 2020, Senator Mark Kelly – the Democratic incumbent – is one of the most vulnerable senators up for reelection this year and strategists are already looking at the 2024 Senate election to see who will run against Kyrsten Sinema. On this week’s Playbook Deep Dive Episode, Ryan joins Rep. Ruben Gallego for a long dinner and a few drinks. They discuss Gallego’s fraught history with Sinema, a potential campaign against her in 2024, the political environment in Arizona ahead of midterms and his deployment in the Iraq war.Ryan Lizza is a Playbook co-author for POLITICO.Rep. Ruben Gallego is the congressman for Arizona's 7th district.Kara Tabor is a producer for POLITICO audio.Carlos Prieto is a producer for POLITICO audio.Brook Hayes is senior producer for POLITICO audio.Jenny Ament is executive producer for POLITICO audio.
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Apr 21, 2022 • 10min
Biden admin to roll back another Trump-era health rule
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Apr 20, 2022 • 12min
No one in D.C. wants to talk to the Russian ambassador
Russia’s ambassador to the United States can’t get meetings with senior officials at the White House or the State Department. He can’t convince U.S. lawmakers to see him, and it's rare to find an American think tanker who’s willing to admit to having any contact with the envoy. Senior foreign affairs correspondent Nahal Toosi discusses her conversation with Russia’s ambassador to the U.S. and D.C.'s loneliest man, Anatoly Antonov.
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Apr 19, 2022 • 13min
POLITICO’s midterm election forecast
We're six and a half months out from the the midterms, and to keep track of the almost 500 seats up for grabs, POLITICO has launched an election forecaster. Steve Shepard, the man behind the tracker, breaks down his 2022 election predictions and which races to keep an eye on.
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Apr 18, 2022 • 12min
House Dems’ super PAC sparks Latino backlash in Oregon
A newly drawn House district offered the prospect of electing Oregon’s first Latina to Congress. Then a top super PAC unexpectedly swooped in. Sabrina Rodriguez reports.
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Apr 15, 2022 • 13min
The changing demographics of the 'Chocolate City'
Gentrification has dramatically transformed Washington, D.C. — as a result, the city now has a smaller Black population. That decline mirrors a nationwide trend, nine of the 10 cities with the largest Black populations have also seen decreases in Black residents. Delece Smith-Barrow reports on the latest installment of The Recast’s Next Great Migration series: Washington, D.C.Read the full piece here.Read other Next Great Migration work at politico.com/greatmigration
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Apr 14, 2022 • 13min
Why does insulin cost so much?
Insulin is what economists would call a super inelastic product — no matter what the cost is, people will pay for it because it's a life-saving medication. Two bills currently in Congress hope to drive down costs. Katherine Foley reports.
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Apr 13, 2022 • 11min
Why your burger is so expensive
American consumers are seeing food prices rise at the fastest rate since 1981. Supply chain snarls, labor shortages and climate challenges — plus the conflict in Ukraine — share the blame. Steven Overly reports.
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