Another budget showdown on Capitol Hill

The Trump administration has agreed to share the data of millions of Medicaid enrollees with Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials in an effort to locate immigrants who may be undocumented in the U.S. We discuss the implications of this agreement. And, we explain a White House executive order in the works than plans to target AI models seen as too “woke.” We get into how that aligns with the Trump administration’s efforts to dismantle diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. Plus, we’ll play a round of Half Full/Half Empty!Here’s everything we talked about today:“Trump administration hands over Medicaid recipients’ personal data, including addresses, to ICE” from The Associated Press“White House Prepares Executive Order Targeting ‘Woke AI’” from The Wall Street Journal“A UK-based company hopes to use “robot dogs” to address labor shortages in health care” from Marketplace“Social media algorithms create “algospeak,” a kind of internet slang” from Marketplace“Roblox will scan users’ video selfies to assess their ages” from WIRED“TSA to add a lane for families with children and members of the military” from Fast CompanyFederal funding for public media has been eliminated. This is a critical time for public media, including Marketplace. Give now: https://support.marketplace.org/smart-sn

The Senate approved the Trump administration’s rescission package today, which proposes taking back $9 billion in federal funding already allocated for programs such as public media and foreign aid. We’ll get into the implications for the bipartisan nature of the budgeting process. Plus, we explain the latest development of a lawsuit against Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and company leaders, which stems back to the 2018 privacy scandal involving Cambridge Analytica. Then, we’ll smile at a piece of new technology that claims to shoot mosquitoes using lasers. And, do you believe in supernatural forces?Here’s everything we talked about today:“Russ Vought: Appropriations process ‘has to be less bipartisan’” from POLITICO“The Appropriations Process Was Already Broken. The Rescission Bill May Have Just Shattered It.” from NOTUS“Meta investors, Zuckerberg reach settlement to end $8 billion trial over Facebook privacy litigation” from Reuters“This ‘Iron Dome’ for mosquitoes shoots down bugs with lasers” from Fast Company“Angels, witches, crystals and black cats: How supernatural beliefs vary across different groups in the US” from The ConversationWe love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act is projected to cut Medicaid spending by more than $1 trillion. The law changes eligibility rules, and some predictions estimate at least 10.5 million people will be eliminated from the program. “For some adults, Medicaid will step in and help pay for care at home, or if care at home is not available, for care in nursing homes,” said Rachel Werner, executive director of the Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics at the University of Pennsylvania. “With the cuts to Medicaid funding, we are expecting that the availability of care in both of those settings will diminish, and it will be harder for people to get the care they need to live independently.” States will have to respond to the changes by either making up the funding gap or reducing services. On the show today, Werner explains how the funding cuts could limit the caregiving options for older Americans who need at-home care and place a larger responsibility on their families. Plus, we discuss how to start planning for long-term care amid all the legislative changes.Then, we’ll celebrate a listener’s win about her chocolate lab puppy. And, another listener’s quest to find life on Mars.Here’s everything we talked about today:“How Medicaid Cuts Could Force Millions Into Nursing Homes” from The Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics at the University of Pennsylvania“Advocates warn that Medicaid cuts in the big budget law put home-based health care at risk” from Marketplace“New AARP Report: Majority of Adults 50-plus Want to Age in Place, But Policies and Communities Must Catch Up” from AARP“A Closer Look at the Medicaid Work Requirement Provisions in the “Big Beautiful Bill” from KFF“Medicaid cuts: The how and why” from the newsletter Your Local Epidemiologist“As the need for nursing homes grows, nurses are in short supply” from MarketplaceWe love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

The Senate is expected to vote on President Donald Trump’s rescissions package this week, which proposes rescinding $9.4 billion in previously approved spending to several programs, including public media and foreign aid spending. We discuss how this could undermine the bipartisan process. Then, we take a look at Bitcoin trading at new record highs, as U.S. lawmakers prepare to pass new regulations on cryptocurrency. We explain the bills being proposed in what’s been dubbed “Crypto Week.” Plus, we hear listeners’ wins about a resurgence of monarch butterflies and a lifelong dream of clubbing in Berlin. Here’s everything we talked about today:“GOP leader faces showdown with Republicans on Trump-backed funding cuts” from The Hill“Schumer warns package to claw back funding would ‘poison’ annual spending talks” from The Hill“A Senate vote this week will test the popularity of DOGE spending cuts” from The Associated Press“Bitcoin Soars Past $120,000 as House Takes Up Crypto Bills” from The New York Times“‘Crypto Week’ on Capitol Hill” from Marketplace“Trump Rescission Proposal Builds on Illegal Impoundments, Would Undermine Future Funding Deals” from Center on Budget and Policy PrioritiesWe love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

Republicans’ freshly passed spending bill sets aside $45 billion just to expand immigration detention centers. And a number of private companies are poised to profit from the surge in funding. On the show today, Deirdre Conlon, co-author of the new book “Immigration Detention Inc" explains how immigration detention became dominated by private companies, how local economies have become entangled with the business of detention, and how Trump’s spending law changes everything.Plus, we’ll celebrate a listener’s cross-country move. And, a reminder to try being a local tourist.Here’s everything we talked about today:"Trump got $170 billion for immigration. Now he has to enact it." from Politico "We Asked Trump’s Former Prisons Chief How $45 Billion Will Reshape Immigrant Detention" from Mother Jones"Budget Bill Massively Increases Funding for Immigration Detention" from the Brennan Center for Justice"Trump administration seeks to turn mass deportations into an efficient business ‘like Amazon’" from PBS News"Unchecked Growth: Private Prison Corporations and Immigration Detention, Three Years Into the Biden Administration" from the ACLUGot a question for the hosts? Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

Republicans’ newly passed tax and spending law establishes the first major federal program for shifting public money to private schools. It comes in the form of a wonky tax break. We’ll explain how it will work. And, we’ll get into how massive cuts to Medicaid will impact rural hospitals across the United States. Plus, anime is more popular than ever on Netflix.Here’s everything we talked about today:"Burning Questions: How do cuts to NOAA impact all of us?" from Marketplace"Congress Passes National Private School Voucher Program as Part of Policy Bill" from The New York Times"The new wave of private school vouchers" from Make Me Smart  "Rural hospitals will be hit hard by Trump’s signature spending package" from The Conversation"Trump bill's health effects won't be felt until after midterms" from Axios "Netflix Says 50 Percent of Global Users Now Watch Anime, Reveals Expanded Slate" from The Hollywood Reporter "A new start after 60: I quit my job, bought a camera – and became a successful wildlife photographer" from The Guardian"At 40, She Discovered She Was One of America’s Best Free Divers" from Texas Monthly  Got a question for the hosts? Call 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

On today’s show, we’ll discuss some headlines that might’ve slipped under the radar this week. First, most staff at the U.S. Agency for International Deveopment officially marked their final day with the agency. What might the dismantling of USAID mean for U.S. influence abroad? Plus, school districts are scrambling as federal education dollars are on hold. Then, we’ll smile about Andy Weir’s latest sci-fi novel being adapted for the big screen and the WNBA expanding into more cities! Here’s everything we talked about today: “Bush, Obama and Bono Commend USAID Staff Members on Their Last Day” from The New York Times“The US says 'little to show‘ for six-decade aid agency. Supporters point to millions of lives saved” from The Associated Press“USAID cuts could lead to 14 million deaths over the next five years, researchers say” from NBC News“Education Department freezes cash for school districts, teacher training, migrant students” from POLITICO“Watch the first trailer for ‘Project Hail Mary’” from Popular Science“WNBA adds three more franchises as league’s popularity continues to grow” from The Washington Post“‘Friendship’ Review: Tim Robinson and Paul Rudd Hit Maximum Cringe” from The New York TimesIf you have a question, give us a call: 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected]

Summer is here and like many you might be planning your next vacation. But here’s the thing, a lot of popular destinations are grappling with the pressure of overtourism or mass tourism.On today’s episode, we dig into the phenonmenon of over tourism, the growing tensions between locals and visitors and the global economic forces at play. Plus, is it possible to be a responsible tourist or have we pushed some destinations too far? Later, listeners sound off on the power of labor unions and food allergies. Finally, are you team check-in bag or carry-on? This week’s answer to the Make Me Smart question might make you rethink everything! Here’s everything we talked about today: "Destination dupes" offer glam vacation vibes at a fraction of the price from Marketplace“Surging travel in Europe spikes concerns over tourism's drawbacks” from AP News“Overtourism was the buzzword of 2024. This summer looks to be just as crowded and chaotic” from CNN“Affordable travel is to blame for Europe’s overtourism problem, spoiling its most sought-after cities like Barcelona, Amsterdam and Athens” from Fortune“Hawaii will tax vacation stays and use money to help counter climate crisis” from The Guardian“The Goal: Tourism That Regenerates Hawai‘i, Not Degrades It” from Hawaii BusinessWe want to hear your answer to the Make Me Smart question: What’s something you thought you knew, but you later found out you were wrong about? Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART!

The ceasefire between Israel and Iran appears to be holding for now. But as this conflict has played out, along with other ongoing wars around the world, it got us thinking: What does war even look like in 2025? In Ukraine, it looks like drone and missile attacks side-by-side with everyday life. On the show today, longtime international correspondent Deborah Amos joins us from Kyiv, Ukraine to talk about how modern warfare has changed.Here’s everything we talked about today:"Bank hacks, internet shutdowns and crypto heists: Here’s how the war between Israel and Iran is playing out in cyberspace" from Politico"Combat drones: We are in a new era of warfare - here's why" from BBC News"FPV drones in Ukraine are changing modern warfare" from Atlantic Council"Cyber Operations during the Russo-Ukrainian War" from the Center for Strategic and International Studies “‘Will Trump give up the store?’ Edward Fishman on how US economic warfare works – and doesn’t" from The GuardianGot a question for the hosts? Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

This week, we’ve looked at the budget reconciliation bill and its effects on student debt, taxes, health care and social programs. The bill is currently moving through the Senate. Today, we discuss the reconciliation bill and the national deficit. And we dig into other proposals such as AI regulation ban and private foundation taxes. Plus, we play a special budget round of Half Full/Half Empty.Here’s everything we talked about today:“AI moratorium sparks GOP battle over states’ rights” from The Hill“Introduction to Budget “Reconciliation” from The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities“One, Big, Beautiful Bill: Impact on Philanthropy” from Council on Foundations“Senate Judiciary Unveils Its Own Plan To Curtail Court Orders” from CATO Institute“Parliamentarian rulings would kill key climate provisions in GOP megabill” from PoliticoGot a question for the hosts? Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.