The 1,000 prisoners up for early release

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘Why true crime fascinates us’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002ld3w The convicted rapist Nicholas Rossi is being sent to jail in Utah. His case became headline news when details of a faked death and claims of mistaken identity emerged after he was arrested on a Glasgow hospital ward. The BBC’s Steven Godden, who was dispatched to follow the story, tells us how he feels about the man who lied to him. And the chancellor Rachel Reeves took to the Downing Street podium this morning following speculation around her UK Budget, but what could what she said mean for Scotland and the Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar ahead of the Holyrood election? Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch: [email protected]

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘Top doctor: NHS can’t go on like this’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002h7pg Former health secretary Jeane Freeman (pictured) has claimed 'politics gets in the way' of improving the NHS. As first minister John Swinney announces measures to ease waiting lists, we ask the BBC’s David Wallace Lockhart and health correspondent Lisa Summers how important the NHS will be at the 2026 Holyrood election. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Natalie Higgins and Laura Miller. Get in touch: [email protected]

The Orange Order say they have been subjected to a rise in vitriol and violence against them - and accuse the Scottish government of not doing enough to stop it. Andrew Murray, the order's most worthy grand master, tells Martin Geissler about past mistakes and how he intends to modernise the organisation. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch: [email protected]

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘Life inside our packed prisons’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0027t4p Justice secretary Angela Constance (pictured) is proposing the emergency release of up to 1,000 prisoners. The BBC’s David Cowan tells us why prison officers are saying Scotland’s jails are in 'crisis'. And Martin and Laura discuss a damning report into an NHS maternity unit in Edinburgh. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch: [email protected]

Brendan Rodgers’s shock resignation from Celtic was quickly followed by a blistering statement from major shareholder Dermot Desmond (pictured), leaving fans, commentators and pundits in disbelief. Martin and Natalie ask the BBC’s Chris McLaughlin how it came to this, and Tino Callaghan from The Celtic Exchange podcast tells us why some fans are clamouring for change at the heart of the club. And Martin tells us why he’s going to have to set his alarm a lot earlier from now on. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch: [email protected]

Criminologist Professor David Wilson (pictured) is co-host of the This Much is True Crime podcast. We talk to him about how and why only some tales become big news stories. And he explains why people are so drawn to the genre. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Natalie Higgins and Laura Miller. Get in touch: [email protected]

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘Gangster arrests in Dubai: who’s who?’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002jtr1 Police have secured their first prosecution under Operation Portaledge, launched in response to gang violence which erupted across the central belt. The BBC’s Dave Cowan tells us how officers caught Liam McDermid (pictured) as he hunted for a gun on a leafy pathway – and if they can now dare to believe they have turned the tide on the gangs. And Martin vents to Laura why news of the shock departure of Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman from Strictly Come Dancing has annoyed him. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch: [email protected]

Stephen Flynn (pictured left) is among MPs calling for the UK Parliament to strip Prince Andrew of his royal titles over links with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. The SNP’s Westminster leader tells us how he is planning to challenge what he calls a 'crazy' parliamentary convention limiting debate about the Royal Family. And David Wallace Lockhart explains why there’s a big dispute over who should pay for Donald Trump’s Scottish ‘holiday’. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Natalie Higgins and Laura Miller. Get in touch: [email protected]

Susie Wolff (pictured) is a former Formula 1 test driver and current director of the F1 Academy series for aspiring female drivers. Ahead of the release of her autobiography, Driven, Susie tells us about making her name in a male-dominated sport and adjusting to the fame of featuring in the Netflix series Drive to Survive. And Laura explains how her childhood knowledge of cricket led to her big TV breakthrough. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch: [email protected]

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘Sandie Peggie tribunal: what’s going on?’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002hwmc A review has found National Librarian Amina Shah’s (pictured) decision to exclude a gender-critical book from a National Library of Scotland display was based on 'inadequate evidence'. Lucy Hunter Blackburn, who co-edited The Women Who Wouldn’t Wheesht with Susan Dalgety, tells us what inspired their book featuring essays by JK Rowling and former SNP MP Joanna Cherry KC. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Natalie Higgins and Laura Miller. Get in touch: [email protected]