
What’s up with all these food recalls?
Last month, organic carrots were recalled after they were linked to an E. coli outbreak across 18 states that left one dead. This week, cucumbers available in 19 states have been recalled after regulators fielded reports of at least 68 people falling ill from salmonella. Meanwhile, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention declared a massive E. coli outbreak linked to slivered onions in McDonald’s Quarter Pounders to be over this week. Earlier this year, a Boar’s Head plant shut down and ceased making liverwurst following a deadly outbreak of listeria. These kinds of high-profile incidents have many wondering about the country’s food safety system, even as the number of food recalls this year appears to be on track to go down slightly.Today on “Post Reports,” co-host Elahe Izadi talks with national health-care reporter Rachel Roubein about how food regulation in the U.S. works, how bacteria like salmonella can wind up in vegetables like cucumbers and how to make sure the produce in our kitchens is safe to eat.Today’s show was produced by Elana Gordon with help from Emma Talkoff. It was edited by Lucy Perkins with help from Reena Flores and mixed by Justin Gerrish. Thanks also to Tracy Jan. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.
5 Joulu 202425min

A surprising turn in Syria's civil war
In the past week, the civil war in Syria reignited. Islamist rebels seized control of Aleppo, triggering a new phase in a years-long civil war. The Post’s Middle East bureau chief, Kareem Fahim, talks with host Elahe Izadi about why this moment matters.Read more: Last weekend’s assault on Aleppo, Syria’s economic capital, poses the most serious challenge to President Bashar al-Assad in years. Government forces, supported by Russia and Iran, have controlled the majority of territory in Syria. Now, the government is fighting back against Islamist rebels who showed surprising strength.This shakeup raises questions for the major foreign powers who have, directly or indirectly, become involved in the conflict, such as Russia, Iran and the United States. The incoming Trump administration will have to decide how it addresses one more destabilizing situation in the Middle East.Host Elahe Izadi talks with Middle East Bureau Chief Kareem Fahim about the implications for Syria and for the wider regional conflict.Today’s show was produced by Peter Bresnan, with help from Sabby Robinson, Ariel Plotnick and Rennie Svirnovskiy. It was mixed by Justin Gerrish and edited by Monica Campbell, with help from Alison MacAdam, Reena Flores and Lucy Perkins. Thanks to Jesse Mesner-Hage. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.
4 Joulu 202419min

A trans teen takes her case to the Supreme Court
The case the Supreme Court will hear Wednesday is brought by a doctor and three transgender teens with their families – including L.W. and her parents, Brian and Samantha Williams. Their suit challenges a law in Tennessee, but nearly half of states have banned certain treatments for minors with gender dysphoria, so the implications of the Supreme Court case could be wide-ranging. When the Williams family first sought out hormone treatment for their daughter, it wasn’t illegal in any state, but over the past few years, trans kids have increasingly become a talking point for Republican lawmakers.Elahe Izadi speaks with reporter Casey Parks about what the law in Tennessee has meant for L.W. and her family – and what a ruling in this case could mean for the tens of thousands of kids who live in states where gender transition care is restricted. Today’s show was produced by Emma Talkoff and Ariel Plotnick with help from Bishop Sand. It was edited by Maggie Penman with help from Reena Flores. It was mixed by Justin Gerrish.Subscribe to The Washington Post here.
3 Joulu 202434min

Why many people on death row will never be executed
Today, why so many people on death row will likely never be executed and what this says about the American justice system.Read more:Today, more than 2,000 people sit on American death rows. But some may never see an execution chamber. Between moratoriums, court orders and other official edicts, many people on death row are left in a state of indefinite limbo.Host Martine Powers speaks with criminal justice reporter Mark Berman about the state of the death penalty in America and what those languishing on death row symbolize about the American justice system.Today’s show was produced by Ariel Plotnick, with help from Sabby Robinson and Rennie Svirnovskiy. It was edited by Maggie Penman, with help from Monica Campbell, and mixed by Justin Gerrish. Reshma Kirpalani provided tape from video interviews. Thank you to Efrain Hernandez Jr. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.
2 Joulu 202427min

Impromptu: The real reason Americans are having fewer kids
On this episode of “Impromptu,” Opinions columnists Shadi Hamid and Heather Long talk with Style columnist Monica Hesse about what’s really behind the baby bust and whether we just need to prepare for a lower fertility future. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.
29 Marras 202430min

Bacon: The best-kept secret in Washington
Shane Harris first tasted “Vangie’s bacon” 10 years ago, and he hasn’t stopped thinking about it since. But learning her secret recipe turns out to be harder than Shane’s day job covering national security for The Washington Post. Today on the show, Shane goes on a quest to unlock the bacon mystery – and a time in Washington when Republicans, Democrats, spies, diplomats and journalists used to set their differences aside and gather around a dinner table.Today’s show was produced and mixed by Ted Muldoon. It was edited by Maggie Penman and Renita Jablonski. Special thanks to Ariel Plotnick and Ariella Markowitz. Tape of David K.E. Bruce courtesy of the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum.Subscribe to The Washington Post here.
27 Marras 202445min

Everyone loves rooftop solar. But there’s a problem.
Today, host Martine Powers talks with The Post’s climate zeitgeist reporter Shannon Osaka about the benefits and challenges of rooftop solar panels, and why rooftop solar is more expensive than solar farms. Shannon also shares advice about how to take advantage of solar tax credits before President-elect Donald Trump returns to the White House. Today’s show was produced by Peter Bresnan and Ariel Plotnick. It was edited by Lucy Perkins with help from Reena Flores and mixed by Justin Gerrish. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.
26 Marras 202424min

Can RFK Jr. make America healthy again?
Today on “Post Reports,” we unpack President-elect Donald Trump’s seemingly contradictory picks for the top positions in public health – in particular, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Read more:Public health experts have been alarmed by the idea that Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a longtime anti-vaccine activist, could be running the Department of Health and Human Services. But some of his other positions – like getting ultraprocessed foods out of school lunch and leaving abortion decisions up to women and their doctors – sound like liberal talking points. Today, Martine unpacks his beliefs with accountability reporter Lauren Weber, who covers the forces behind medical misinformation for The Post. They talk about how likely it is that RFK Jr. and Trump’s other health picks could be confirmed, and what power they could have over American public health. Today’s show was produced by Rennie Svirnovskiy with help from Emma Talkoff. It was edited by Maggie Penman with help from Reena Flores. It was mixed by Justin Gerrish. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.And build your ultimate Thanksgiving menu with our holiday meal planner here.
25 Marras 202426min