https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/may/12/fentanyl-test-strips-samhsa-funding
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Trump’s sudden cut in substance testing is ‘going to kill people’, experts warn
“What we keep hearing from the administration is that they believe that fentanyl test strips promote drug use,” said Daniel Fishbein, policy manager of federal affairs for the Drug Policy Alliance advocacy group. “Based on the research that I’ve reviewed, that’s simply not the case.”…
Kash Patel lobs false claims about top Democrat as they spar over allegations of FBI chief’s excessive drinking on the job
There are hardly enough hours in the day to unpack all the false statements made by Trump administration officials, but it appears that the FBI director, Kash Patel, told a particularly egregious lie during his Senate testimony on Tuesday when he claimed that Democratic senator Chris Van Hollen has a documented drinking problem.
Marty Makary departs FDA after clashes with Trump over fruit-flavored vapes
Waves of layoffs and the appointment of inexperienced officials have created a “massive upheaval that has been an ongoing feature of daily work at FDA ever since the new administration began”, Lurie said. “It’s just endless chaos.”…
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/may/12/marty-makary-fda-trump-administration
The economic chilling effect of Trump’s immigration crackdown : Planet Money : NPR
" The mass deportations in Trump 2.0 are not helping the labor market overall and not creating more job opportunities for U.S.-born workers," East says. In fact, she and her co-author find evidence that, if anything, the clampdown has hurt the employment prospects of U.S.-born workers, particularly working-class men who work in industries that are heavily reliant on undocumented workers, like construction...
Slotkin leaves door open to 2028 bid - POLITICO
“I believe in a Jewish state of Israel, yes. And to me that isn’t a radical thing to say,” Slotkin said. “I can say that in the same breath that I criticize the military policy of Bibi Netanyahu.”…
https://www.politico.com/news/2026/05/12/slotkin-2028-bid-door-open-00916010
Secret Service briefing fails to quiet GOP ballroom funding concerns - POLITICO
…” the requests “should have been in the president’s budget” and gone through the standard bipartisan spending process...
As Republicans carve up Black districts, Democrats pivot to a new midterm message - POLITICO
“Democrats are gonna be able to go into African American communities and say, ‘Republicans are doing everything they can to take away your political power,’” said Democratic strategist Ian Russell, who served as the DCCC political director in 2014 and 2016 and still works on House races across the country. “That’s a really salient message.”…
Raskin alleges Todd Blanche oversaw payouts to FBI agents accused of misconduct - Live Updates - POLITICO
Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland, the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, in a new letter is accusing Blanche of leveraging his “office to improperly shower government cash on Donald Trump’s political operatives and sycophants.”…
House Republicans press ahead on reworking Senate housing package - Live Updates - POLITICO
…House lawmakers of both parties have taken issue with language in the Senate bill that would require single-family homes built as long term rentals to be sold after seven years.
House Republicans are also pushing for the final bill to include a permanent ban on the Federal Reserve issuing digital currency and the potential addition of community banking provisions…
Kuwait says Iran attacked an island where China is helping to build a port | PBS News
Iran didn't immediately acknowledge the allegation by Kuwait, which came under attack by Iran in the war and during the shaky ceasefire still holding. But that allegation and ongoing attacks throughout the region have threatened to reignite open warfare…
Trump's 'Golden Dome' estimated to cost $1.2 trillion, far more than initially said | PBS News
Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-OR, who requested the estimate from the CBO, said in response to the report that the missile defense project is "nothing more than a massive giveaway to defense contractors paid for entirely by working Americans."
Last May, the president said the Golden Dome would cost $175 billion. The CBO last year estimated that just the space-based components of the Golden Dome could cost as much as $542 billion over the next 20 years...
Duffy’s ‘Great American Road Trip’ raises ethics questions : NPR
Sherman wants to know how much time the secretary — and government staff — spent on the project. And he says Duffy's insistence that it didn't cost taxpayers raises even more questions.
"If he's saying that this is a work project or that he did work on the project, then taxpayer funds should be paying for it," he adds. "And if it's a vacation or some kind of personal trip, then certainly industry should not be paying for it."…
https://www.npr.org/2026/05/12/nx-s1-5818190/sean-duffy-road-trip-reality-show-sponsors
Number of homeless people rising statewide — and they're needing shelter longer
"Forty percent are living paycheck to paycheck," she said. "At the same time, we are short over 200,000 units of affordable housing, and wages are stagnant while there's inflation. So what you're seeing is more people becoming homeless. At the same time, folks who have had chronic issues with homelessness, staying longer and having less pathways to self-sufficiency and success."…
6th Circuit Court: Trump’s “mandatory detention” immigration policy unconstitutional
The court majority wrote that the government cannot “subject long-term law-abiding residents of the United States…to the hardship of mandatory detention without due process.” It also found the current policy overturned decades of precedent for bond hearings in immigration cases...
‘Out of control’: Inflation surges to highest point in 3 years, driven by energy - POLITICO
“Today’s inflation data confirms what everyone can see: Costs are out of control, and President Trump is responsible,” Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-Pa.), the ranking member of the House Budget Committee, said in a statement…
https://www.politico.com/news/2026/05/12/inflation-iran-energy-gas-trump-economy-00915857
Tuesday, May 12, 2026
Water main break: GLWA urges 4 SE Michigan communities to use only what is "absolutely necessary"
After estimating that four southeast Michigan communities could be without tap water for close to two weeks, the Great Lakes Water Authority said Sunday evening that it is targeting Monday or Tuesday to replace a broken section of 42-inch water main in Auburn Hills…
Democrats express ‘grave concerns’ over secretive ICE deportation flights
Exclusive: In a letter 40 lawmakers demand the FAA address allegations of mistreatment of immigrants and the ‘urgent need for transparency’…
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/may/11/ice-deportation-flights-democrats-letter
Water main break: GLWA urges 4 SE Michigan communities to use only what is "absolutely necessary"
After estimating that four southeast Michigan communities could be without tap water for close to two weeks, the Great Lakes Water Authority said Sunday evening that it is targeting Monday or Tuesday to replace a broken section of 42-inch water main in Auburn Hills.
Democrats ask Supreme Court to halt a Virginia ruling blocking new congressional districts | PBS News
Democrats have been set on their heels because, days after the Virginia ballot measure passed, the Supreme Court's conservatives reversed decades of rulings and effectively neutered the Voting Rights Act, paving the way for Southern states to eliminate some majority Black districts and pad Republican margins in Congress...
Supreme Court temporarily extends access to a widely used abortion pill | PBS News
The Supreme Court is leaving women's access to a widely used abortion pill untouched until at least Thursday, while the justices consider whether to allow restrictions on the drug, mifepristone, to take effect...
EU targets Russians with sanctions over the abduction of thousands of Ukrainian children | PBS News
"Russia is trying to erase their identity," Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braže said Monday at a meeting with EU counterparts in Brussels, where the sanctions were endorsed. "When you look at the Genocide Convention, it's one of the features of the genocide crime. So, it's very serious."…
Israeli troops will spend weeks in military prison for desecration of Virgin Mary statue in Lebanon | PBS News
It was the latest act by Israeli forces to be denounced as anti-Christian in southern Lebanon, where Israel launched a ground invasion earlier this year to target the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militant group...
Upper Peninsula homeless shelter had to exceed its capacity this winter. Things could get worse.
"The folks that were barely making it before are well over the cliff," she said. "They're unable to make ends meet themselves. Everyone is feeling the increase of the cost of housing, of the rising cost of food, the rising cost of gas. There's a crescendo of things that are happening that are weakening people's abilities to survive."…
Public school groups urge Whitmer to reject Trump school choice program
The head of the K-12 Education Alliance of Michigan, Robert McCann, said that would violate the Michigan Constitution's prohibition on spending public money on private schools.
“Instead of money going directly to private schools, which would be blocked by Michigan's constitution, it creates a third party that the money goes to first and then ultimately ends up benefiting the private school anyway,” McCann said…
White House plans to reduce barriers to beef imports in an effort to lower prices - POLITICO
Reducing tariffs on beef imports is likely to infuriate ranchers...
https://www.politico.com/news/2026/05/11/trump-executive-order-lower-beef-import-tariffs-00914323
China’s Long Game
“China is betting that American decline will continue,” Ryan Hass writes. This is why China believes that the surest path to international power is not through a direct confrontation, but through patience: 
https://www.theatlantic.com/international/2026/05/china-trump-american-decline/687087/
Oil prices climb after Trump dismisses Iran’s response to peace plan
Brent crude rises after US president calls overture from Tehran ‘totally unacceptable…
Health advocates warn government’s claims of baby formula safety contradict data
Independent scientists who reviewed the results said most samples were contaminated with Pfas or phthalates…
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/may/10/fda-baby-formula-safety-claims-contradict-data
Monday, May 11, 2026
Rep. Rosa DeLauro on Congressional Chaos (Al Franken podcast on YouTube)
Guest Host Norm Ornstein welcomes Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) to cover all the news happening in Congress. We cover the war in Iran and how it’s driving prices up across the country and the world, consequently having a major impact on Americans' wallets. DeLauro calls this a "war of choice" and discusses what Congress can realistically do to invoke the War Powers Act and reclaim its constitutional authority.
DeLauro is the Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee and reveals how the Trump administration is taking the power of the purse away from Congress.
Plus, the midterms are rapidly approaching. Can Democrats make enough gains to slow down the Trump administration?
Interview:
DeLauro is the Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee and reveals how the Trump administration is taking the power of the purse away from Congress.
Plus, the midterms are rapidly approaching. Can Democrats make enough gains to slow down the Trump administration?
Interview:
Polygraphs (Andrew McCabe and Allison Gill; Unjustified podcast)
The FBI is investigating the Atlantic reporter who wrote a detailed story of Director Kash Patel’s alleged heavy drinking and erratic behavior.
Patel even ordered polygraphs for nearly two dozen staff members looking for leaks.
A second federal judge has blocked the Department of Justice from accessing data seized from Washington Post reporter Hannah Natanson.
Former Special Counsel Jack Smith spoke at a private event last month saying Trump has corrupted the Justice Department, and that it’s become difficult to track the number of times judges have accused DOJ officials of dishonesty or lack of candor.
A federal judge rules that the government can keep the ballots seized from election offices in Fulton County, Georgia.
Plus listener questions.
Interview:
Patel even ordered polygraphs for nearly two dozen staff members looking for leaks.
A second federal judge has blocked the Department of Justice from accessing data seized from Washington Post reporter Hannah Natanson.
Former Special Counsel Jack Smith spoke at a private event last month saying Trump has corrupted the Justice Department, and that it’s become difficult to track the number of times judges have accused DOJ officials of dishonesty or lack of candor.
A federal judge rules that the government can keep the ballots seized from election offices in Fulton County, Georgia.
Plus listener questions.
Interview:
Trump calls Iran’s response to peace plan ‘totally unacceptable’ as ceasefire frays
US president expresses ire at Tehran’s reported demands, as drones strike Gulf nations and Israel warns war ‘not over’…
Pardoned January 6 rioter sentenced to seven years for burglary
Zachary Alam spent four years in jail for his role in the Capitol attack before Trump pardoned him in 2025…
Seasonal Allergies Explained: What Actually Works (And What Doesn’t)(Dr. Zachary Rubin; Bench to Bedside podcast on YouTube)
Seasonal allergies are getting worse—and there’s a reason why.
In this episode of From Bench to Bedside, board-certified allergist Dr. Zachary Rubin and immunologist Dr. Melanie Matheu break down what’s really happening with rising pollen counts, why your allergies may be worse as an adult, and what actually works to treat them.
We cover:
📌 Subscribe for more science-backed health content every week.@jenhamilton
00:00 Intro
00:40 When should you see an allergist?
02:15 Why allergies get worse as you age
03:20 Why pollen counts are rising globally
05:30 The Japan allergy crisis
06:40 Debunking “botanical sexism”
09:00 Wind vs insect-pollinated plants
10:30 Why some pollen hits harder than others
11:40 Thunderstorm asthma explained
13:10 Wildfire smoke + allergy connection
14:10 Non-medication allergy strategies
16:00 Over-the-counter treatments explained
18:30 Nasal sprays: what to use (and avoid)
19:45 Allergy shots: do they actually work?
21:00 Top 3 tips if you’re miserable right now
21:45 Outro
In this episode of From Bench to Bedside, board-certified allergist Dr. Zachary Rubin and immunologist Dr. Melanie Matheu break down what’s really happening with rising pollen counts, why your allergies may be worse as an adult, and what actually works to treat them.
We cover:
- When to see an allergist
- Why pollen seasons are getting longer
- The truth about “botanical sexism”
- Thunderstorm asthma (yes, it’s real)
- The most effective over-the-counter treatments
- Whether allergy shots actually work
- And the top 3 things to do if you’re miserable right now
📌 Subscribe for more science-backed health content every week.@jenhamilton
00:00 Intro
00:40 When should you see an allergist?
02:15 Why allergies get worse as you age
03:20 Why pollen counts are rising globally
05:30 The Japan allergy crisis
06:40 Debunking “botanical sexism”
09:00 Wind vs insect-pollinated plants
10:30 Why some pollen hits harder than others
11:40 Thunderstorm asthma explained
13:10 Wildfire smoke + allergy connection
14:10 Non-medication allergy strategies
16:00 Over-the-counter treatments explained
18:30 Nasal sprays: what to use (and avoid)
19:45 Allergy shots: do they actually work?
21:00 Top 3 tips if you’re miserable right now
21:45 Outro
Interview:
https://youtu.be/ZMHHAXmBLUs?si=43WIwd80ymhcvYbC
Sunday, May 10, 2026
Weekly Roundup: The Grownups in Charge? SCOTUS, Gerrymandering & White Christian Power (Bradley Onishi and Daniel Miller; Straight White American Jesus podcast)
The Christian Nationalist Plan to Roll America Back to the 1850s (Full Weekly Roundup)
Welcome to Straight White American Jesus. This week, Brad and Dan dive into the redistricting chaos unfolding across the country in the wake of the Supreme Court’s latest voting rights decision. From Texas to Tennessee, Louisiana to Virginia, they trace how aggressive gerrymandering efforts are reshaping American democracy — and why Christian nationalist leaders see this moment as part of a decades-long project to reclaim political power for a shrinking minority.
The episode unpacks the racial, theological, and historical dimensions of the current backlash against voting rights, with clips from figures like Kevin Roberts, Mike Johnson, and Indiana Lieutenant Governor Micah Beckwith. Brad and Dan examine how rhetoric about “the adults in the room” echoes older hierarchies rooted in white Christian patriarchy, and why today’s attacks on representation are inseparable from the long conservative backlash against the Voting Rights Act, civil rights reforms, and pluralistic democracy itself.
The conversation also revisits the legacy of Paul Weyrich and the Christian nationalist strategy of pursuing minority rule through institutional control rather than majority support. Along the way, Brad and Dan explore the Supreme Court’s role in enabling these shifts, the partisan battles over congressional maps, and the broader erosion of democratic norms under MAGA politics.
Topics include:
Subscribe to Straight White American Jesus wherever you get podcasts, and support independent journalism and analysis at Axis Mundi Media.
The episode unpacks the racial, theological, and historical dimensions of the current backlash against voting rights, with clips from figures like Kevin Roberts, Mike Johnson, and Indiana Lieutenant Governor Micah Beckwith. Brad and Dan examine how rhetoric about “the adults in the room” echoes older hierarchies rooted in white Christian patriarchy, and why today’s attacks on representation are inseparable from the long conservative backlash against the Voting Rights Act, civil rights reforms, and pluralistic democracy itself.
The conversation also revisits the legacy of Paul Weyrich and the Christian nationalist strategy of pursuing minority rule through institutional control rather than majority support. Along the way, Brad and Dan explore the Supreme Court’s role in enabling these shifts, the partisan battles over congressional maps, and the broader erosion of democratic norms under MAGA politics.
Topics include:
- The Supreme Court’s latest redistricting ruling and its impact on voting rights
- Tennessee’s dismantling of a majority-Black congressional district in Memphis
- Christian nationalism and the push for minority rule
- Why leaders like Mike Johnson frame white Christian men as “the adults in the room”
- The historical roots of modern gerrymandering battles
- The role of the FBI raid on Virginia lawmaker Louise Lucas
- How backlash politics seeks to roll the country back to the 1950s — or even earlier
- The ongoing assault on democratic institutions and representation
Subscribe to Straight White American Jesus wherever you get podcasts, and support independent journalism and analysis at Axis Mundi Media.
Interview:
The Christian Past That Wasn’t - An Origin Story (Warren Throckmorton; The Christian Past That Wasn’t: Formerly Telling Jefferson Lies podcast)
Throckmorton writes:
Why did I write The Christian Past That Wasn't? Answering that question requires me to revisit season one of the podcast and reflect on the rise of Christian nationalism in the African nation of Uganda in 2009. More recently, my work in fact-checking started with a pundit named Bryan Fischer who once broadcast on the American Family Association radio network. As I contended with Fischer, I found out that most of his material came from David Barton.
Ultimately, my views changed from an inconsistent combination of Baptist distinctives and American civil religion to where I am today -- a strong supporter of separation of church and state. I wrote the new book to shed light on the heritage of religious tolerance and pluralism in the United States.
You can now order the book at Amazon or Barnes and Noble. Other options can be found at http://www.christianpast.com.
Interview:
You can now order the book at Amazon or Barnes and Noble. Other options can be found at http://www.christianpast.com.
Interview:
America (Almost Never) Reads the Bible (Dan McClellan and Dan Beecher; Data Over Dogma podcast on YouTube)
Brace yourself, because your favorite Bible scholarship show is going to talk politics. It's not that we're veering out of our lane, though. Unfortunately, the politics have come careening out of their lane, and smashed headlong into us. It's not our fault!
So yes, we're going to talk about the recent giant Christian nationalist piety performance that was "America Reads the Bible". This was an event where dozens of prominent members of the Christian right took turns reading bits of the Bible until they had gotten through the whole thing. A week worth of saying words, but was there any comprehension?
Interview:
So yes, we're going to talk about the recent giant Christian nationalist piety performance that was "America Reads the Bible". This was an event where dozens of prominent members of the Christian right took turns reading bits of the Bible until they had gotten through the whole thing. A week worth of saying words, but was there any comprehension?
Interview:
The Failure of Trump's Anti-Christian Bias Task Force (Hemant Mehta and Jessica Bluemke, The Friendly Atheist podast #634)
— The final report from Trump’s “Anti-Christian Bias” task force reveals… nothing. (1:00)
— A Christian phone network aims to purify the internet by blocking reality. (18:30)
— Florida pastor resigns after adult son, a youth pastor, caught in child predator sting. (27:38)
— The dark legacy of Paul Pressler and the Southern Baptist Convention. (40:44)
— Norway’s highest court upholds state funding for Jehovah’s Witnesses. (1:01:21)
— Ex-Spokane mayor demands $10M from city after backlash over extremist prayer rally. (1:11:50)
— Pastor who wrote book on biblical marriage arrested for alleged bigamy. (1:22:04)
— A Christian phone network aims to purify the internet by blocking reality. (18:30)
— Florida pastor resigns after adult son, a youth pastor, caught in child predator sting. (27:38)
— The dark legacy of Paul Pressler and the Southern Baptist Convention. (40:44)
— Norway’s highest court upholds state funding for Jehovah’s Witnesses. (1:01:21)
— Ex-Spokane mayor demands $10M from city after backlash over extremist prayer rally. (1:11:50)
— Pastor who wrote book on biblical marriage arrested for alleged bigamy. (1:22:04)
Interview:
- Audio only, with Jessica: https://friendlyatheistpodcast.com/2026/05/06/the-failure-of-trumps-anti-christian-bias-task-force/
- Video, without Jessica: https://www.youtube.com/live/CM28BWi57-c?si=OPRCCLDaJz2vKhXy
Trump Team's SNAP Lies DETERIORATE As Evidence Claims Fall Apart
The Trump administration and Fox News attempts to push a dangerous, new SNAP food aid fraud conspiracy fall apart as evidence claims prove baseless.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9w5CQ5nxB0w
The FDA is a complete mess’: Trump makes fate of agency chief unclear as public trust plummets
Makary’s tenure at the FDA has been marked by several controversial decisions on drugs and vaccines amid plummeting staff morale over layoffs and the appointments of divisive officials. Recent political clashes include abortion, drugs and vaping, but decisions to pull back publications on the safety of shingles and Covid vaccines, among other immunization decisions, have also rocked public health. There have also been concerns about the transition from two clinical trials to one, the commissioner’s new priority review vouchers and “data-free” regulatory decisions...
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/may/09/marty-makary-fda-food-drug-administration
‘Largely slop’: Trump’s new counterterrorism strategy is scant on substance but heavy on enemies
It makes no mention of far-right or white supremacist ideology, which has consistently been behind incidents of domestic political violence, but singles out “radically pro-transgender” and “anti-American” ideology for “neutralization”. It claims immigration has turned Europe into an “incubator of terror threats” and called on European allies to “halt its willful decline”. And it accuses past administrations of having “weaponized” the intelligence community, pledging to keep the intelligence apparatus from being used as a political tool “against innocent Americans” even as it outlines a plan that appears to do exactly that…
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/may/09/trump-counter-terrorism-policy-sebastian-gorka
Revealed: The Trump administration arrested the parents of at least 27,000 kids in seven months, ICE records show
The Guardian analyzed government data from January-August 2025, as advocates say the family-separation crisis will lead to generational trauma…
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2026/may/08/trump-administration-parents-arrested
Hantavirus misinformation runs rampant as the US is unequipped to respond to infectious disease health scare
The US’s withdrawal from the WHO – and cuts to the country’s health system – stymie officials’ response…
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2026/may/08/hantavirus-global-heath-scare
Michigan Sentencing Commission returns after nearly 3 decades to tackle discrepancies in punishment
"You can have offenders who have nearly identical crimes and criminal histories who could wind up with vastly different sentences," Yates said. "And that, of course, is completely antithetical to the purpose of a guideline system"…
Education Department launches hiring spree in key office, roughly a year after mass layoffs - POLITICO
The Federal Student Aid office plans to hire 334 full-time employees by 2027, despite staffing cuts last year and efforts to send the department’s work to other agencies.
The Trump administration is deleting government data. From infant deaths to hunger, here are five ways it’s hurting Americans
Example: Babies born in the US have a higher chance of dying than almost all other high-income countries. We’ve stopped tracking why…
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2026/may/07/trump-administration-deleting-data
Tennessee Republicans redraw maps to erase last Democratic, Black-majority district
Move comes days after supreme court ruling weakened Voting Rights Act protections against racial gerrymandering…
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/may/07/tennessee-congressional-map-redistricting
Ticked Off: What You Need to Know About Tick-Borne Diseases (Dr. Zachary Rubin; Bench to Bedside podcast)
Ticks aren’t just annoying! They can change your life.
In this episode of From Bench to Bedside, Dr. Zachary Rubin and Dr. Melanie Matheu break down the most important tick-borne diseases in the United States, including:
Alpha-gal syndrome (the meat allergy from tick bites) Lyme disease Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever Ehrlichiosis & Anaplasmosis
You’ll learn:
Alpha-gal syndrome (the meat allergy from tick bites) Lyme disease Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever Ehrlichiosis & Anaplasmosis
You’ll learn:
- What symptoms to watch for
- Why some reactions are delayed and confusing
- How to safely remove a tick
- What actually works to prevent tick bites
- 00:00 Intro + Disclaimer
- 00:40 Relationship Banter
- 01:50 The Tick Story
- 02:40 Episode Overview: Why Ticks Matter
- 03:10 Alpha-Gal Syndrome (Meat Allergy)
- 05:30 How Tick Bites Trigger Alpha-Gal
- 07:20 Where It’s Found + Rising Cases
- 08:40 Symptoms (Delayed Anaphylaxis Explained)
- 10:20 Lyme Disease Basics
- 11:50 Bullseye Rash + Early Signs
- 13:20 Lyme Complications (Neuro/Cardiac)
- 14:40 Treatment + Antibiotics
- 15:50 Lyme Vaccine Update + Context
- 17:00 Why Lyme Can Be Hard to Clear (Immune Evasion)
- 18:10 Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
- 19:30 Symptoms + Why It’s Dangerous
- 20:30 Ehrlichiosis & Anaplasmosis (The Mimics)
- 21:40 Tick Prevention Tips
- 22:50 What To Do If You Find a Tick
- 23:40 Final Takeaways / Wrap-Up
Buddhist nationalism (Dan Barker and Annie Laurie Gaylor, Freethought Radio podcast)
FFRF Director of Communications Amitabh Pal joins us as we interview journalist and author Sonia Faleiro about her book “The Robe and the Sword: How Buddhist Extremism is Shaping Modern Asia.”
Interview:
Saturday, May 9, 2026
The News Roundup for May 8, 2026 -- Domestic and International (The 1A)
President Donald Trump told PBS News this week that his offensive in the Middle East has a “very good chance of ending.” Just days later though, the U.S. traded fire with Iran in the Strait of Hormuz, threatening an already fragile ceasefire. The U.S. is still hoping for a “serious offer” from Iran on a proposal to end the war, according to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, even as the threat of escalation looms.
Donald Trump isn’t on the ballot in the upcoming Indiana primary. But his agenda certainly is. In late 2025, GOP state lawmakers resisted efforts by the White House to redraw Indiana’s congressional map. Now, Trump allies are running to unseat them.
The Trump administration has opened an investigation into Smith College, a women-only institution of higher education, over its 2015 decision to admit trans women as students.
And, in global news, the fragile ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran was tested this week when American forces launched “self-defense strikes” in the Strait of Hormuz after Iranian forces targeted three Navy destroyers, though none were struck.
These strikes come as Iran reviews the latest U.S. proposal to end the war which American officials hope will result in a “serious offer” from Iran, according to Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
President Donald Trump claimed this week that the U.S. will be taking over Cuba “almost immediately.” The backlash from the island nation was swift, with Cuban leader Miguel Diaz-Canel calling the American administration fascist.
On Monday, and despite the ceasefire, Israeli attacks killed 17 people in southern Lebanon.
Interview:
Donald Trump isn’t on the ballot in the upcoming Indiana primary. But his agenda certainly is. In late 2025, GOP state lawmakers resisted efforts by the White House to redraw Indiana’s congressional map. Now, Trump allies are running to unseat them.
The Trump administration has opened an investigation into Smith College, a women-only institution of higher education, over its 2015 decision to admit trans women as students.
And, in global news, the fragile ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran was tested this week when American forces launched “self-defense strikes” in the Strait of Hormuz after Iranian forces targeted three Navy destroyers, though none were struck.
These strikes come as Iran reviews the latest U.S. proposal to end the war which American officials hope will result in a “serious offer” from Iran, according to Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
President Donald Trump claimed this week that the U.S. will be taking over Cuba “almost immediately.” The backlash from the island nation was swift, with Cuban leader Miguel Diaz-Canel calling the American administration fascist.
On Monday, and despite the ceasefire, Israeli attacks killed 17 people in southern Lebanon.
Interview:
Doge slashing of humanities grants in 2025 ruled biased and unconstitutional
US judge says halt of $100m in funds allotted by Congress for scholars, writers and research illegal and discriminatory…
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/may/08/doge-humanities-grants-unconstitutional
Samuel Alito’s Voting Rights Act ruling cited misleading data from DoJ
Exclusive: Data in justice department filing quoted in landmark supreme court decision relied on questionable methodology, Guardian analysis finds…
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/may/08/supreme-court-voting-rights-act-misleading-data-doj
Trump shelved ‘Project Freedom’ after Saudis refused use of bases and airspace
Saudi Arabia refused to drop its objections despite a personal call between the crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, and Trump, NBC reported…
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/may/07/trump-project-freedom-saudi-arabia-strait-of-hormuz
‘The worst time for wheat’: US farmers face losses to extreme heat and drought
Temperature swings have left crops across the Plains in terrible conditions, with some farmers opting not to harvest
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/may/08/wheat-farmers-face-loss-crops-heat-drought
‘A share in the delight’: the people investing in the UK’s first community-owned solar battery
Oxfordshire’s Ray Valley Solar already generates clean energy for 7,000 homes, and is now crowdfunding storage to marry daylight with evening demand…
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