Post Reports

Tom Sietsema has been The Post’s food critic for 25 years. Over a quarter of a century, Sietsema has eaten at and reviewed thousands of restaurants. Even after all these years, he’s not sick of it. In fact, Sietsema loves the theater of dining out, and he takes great pride in guiding readers toward truly delicious food.

Today’s show was produced by Ariel Plotnick. It was edited by Maggie Penman and mixed by Sam Bair. 

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“Sesame Street” is an American institution. It began airing in 1969 as an educational program intended to help toddlers prepare for kindergarten. It has grown into a cultural staple and become one of the longest-running shows in TV history. 

Back in 2022, Laura Meckler learned that Season 55 of “Sesame Street,” which will start airing next year, will focus heavily on the emotional well-being of young kids. She spent almost two years following the cast and creatives behind the show as they researched, wrote, and filmed their upcoming season.  

But as she was reporting, Laura learned that “Sesame Street” is in a fight for its own survival. Warner Bros. Discovery, which currently distributes “Sesame Street,” has announced that it will not renew the show’s contract for another term. Now, the iconic show is on the hunt for a new streaming partner and is preparing a major reimagining as it tries to adapt both to the needs of today's kids and to the increasingly competitive world of children’s TV. 

Today’s show was produced by Peter Bresnan. It was edited by Maggie Penman and mixed by Sam Bair. 

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This weekend, the 2024 College Football Playoff kicks off, featuring more teams, more storylines and a lot more money than ever before. Today on the show, how we got to this moment in college sports, and what could be next.

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In 2021, amateur athletes won the right to profit off sponsorships using their name, image and likeness or NIL). Now, some college football players are able to ink million-dollar endorsement deals with shoe brands and insurance companies. This has led to sweeping changes in college athletics, from how players are recruited to whom teams play against. 

Guest host Ava Wallace talks to sports columnist Jerry Brewer and Jesse Dougherty, a reporter covering the business of college sports. They talk about the development of NIL, how conference realignment shaped the 2024 season and what the future could hold for amateur athletics.

Today’s show was produced by Lucas Trevor and edited by Maggie Penman. It was mixed by Ted Muldoon.

Today on “Post Reports,” Washington scrambles to avoid a government shutdown. President-elect Donald Trump and Elon Musk have fanned the flames. 

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On Wednesday, Republicans scrapped House Speaker Mike Johnson’s initial bipartisan plan to avoid a government shutdown. That’s after President-elect Donald Trump and Elon Musk condemned the bill online. Musk called it “terrible,” “criminal,” “outrageous,” “horrible,” “unconscionable,” “crazy” and, ultimately, “an insane crime.”

Today on “Post Reports,” host Elahe Izadi and congressional reporter Marianna Sotomayor discuss what Trump and Musk found so objectionable about that first plan, and why some are seeing it as a preview of the kind of power Musk – who’s not even a government official – could soon have over Washington. 

Today’s show was produced by Rennie Svirnovskiy and Laura Benshoff, with help from Sabby Robinson. It was edited by Reena Flores, with help from Lucy Perkins, and mixed by Sam Bair. Thanks also to Emily Rauhala. 

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When Francesca Ebel, a Russia correspondent for The Post, returned to one of Moscow’s most popular nightclubs after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began, she noticed differences. The physical structure was there, but there were fewer young artists. Something had changed.

What Ebel noticed that night was just one example of a bigger shift. Her reporting has since found that young Russians are increasingly embracing a culture of ultranationalist patriotism and Orthodox Christian values. Online influencers and Kremlin-sanctioned artists are changing the narratives on war and identity. An independent poll this year found a majority of Russians ages 18 to 24 support Russia’s war in Ukraine. Conforming can bring rewards and career advancement. Defiance can mean jail – or worse. 

Today on “Post Reports,” Ebel speaks with host Elahe Izadi about her reporting inside Russia on how Putin’s propaganda strategies toward Russian youth are working – and creating a new generation to carry forward the Kremlin’s anti-Western ideology. 

Read more from The Post’s “Russia, Remastered” series:

• We reported for months on changes sweeping Russia. Here’s what we found.
• A wartime generation of youth molded by Putin’s propaganda 
• Artists say Putin’s push for patriotism is killing Russian culture
• To please Putin, universities purge liberals and embrace patriots
• Have babies for Russia: Putin presses women to embrace patriotism over feminism
• Washington and the West struggle for a way forward with Putin’s Russia

Today’s show was produced by Elana Gordon, with help from Emma Talkoff. It was mixed by Rennie Svirnovskiy, who also helped with translation. It was edited by Monica Campbell, with help from Maggie Penman. Thanks to David Herszenhorn, Paul Schemm and Jenn Amur. 

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Since he last held office, President-elect Donald Trump’s business interests have evolved. The real estate mogul launched the social media company Truth Social, and — in the height of this year’s presidential campaign — he announced a cryptocurrency venture, World Liberty Financial. 

Both of these industries could be targeted with efforts at regulation during Trump’s second term. So what could it mean for Trump to oversee an administration that also plays a role in these regulations? This dynamic sets up what ethics experts have described as unprecedented potential conflicts of interest for his second term.

“Post Reports” host Elahe Izadi speaks with investigative reporter Jonathan O’Connell about how Trump became involved in these new businesses, what potential conflicts of interest they present, and what we might learn from how Trump approached potential conflicts in his first term.  

Today’s show was produced by Laura Benshoff with help from Ariel Plotnick. It was edited by Alison MacAdam and Reena Flores and mixed by Sam Bair. 

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Hundreds of thousands of protestors celebrated in Seoul over the weekend as South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was impeached by the National Parliament. 

Yoon, who was elected by a narrow margin in 2022, oversaw deepening political divisions and a population increasingly frustrated by income inequality. His tenure was marked by scandals and unpopular choices. But his administration reached a breaking point when Yoon declared martial law in early December, outraging many Koreans who saw the move as an unwelcome return to the authoritarian rule of decades past.

Washington Post Tokyo bureau chief Michelle Ye Hee Lee was among the crowd celebrating outside the National Assembly, talking to protestors about why they were so excited to see the president impeached. She joins “Post Reports” to explain how Yoon fell from power, who will lead the country next and what lessons other countries can take from a tense 11 days in South Korea. 

Today’s show was produced by Emma Talkoff with help from Elana Gordon and Sabby Robinson.

It was edited by Maggie Penman with help from Lucy Perkins, and mixed by Sam Bair. 

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Dean DeSoto has been teaching his driving class for aggressive drivers over the past 26 years. During that time, he has come to believe several things. One is that what goes on in the country will play out on its roadways. Another is that anger on the roads is getting worse. Across the country, the number of people injured or killed in road rage incidents involving a gun has doubled since 2018, according to data from the Gun Violence Archive, a nonprofit research group. There is no uniform definition of aggressive driving across law enforcement agencies and no national database to track it, but DeSoto has been keeping his own tally, including cases in Texas involving guns, knives, ice picks, 2-by-4s, tire tools, PVC pipe, plumbing pipe, bats, hammers, shovels, hatchets, ball bearings, marbles, frozen water bottles, bricks, stones and, in at least one instance, a spear.

This story follows attendees of DeSoto’s class as well as a police officer who encounters rage from motorists in Texas. The piece was reported, written and read by Ruby Cramer. Audio production and original music by Bishop Sand.

Aaron Blake, senior political reporter and author of The Campaign Moment newsletter, sits down with senior congressional correspondent Paul Kane and White House reporter Matt Viser to talk about what Biden is trying to do with his last few weeks in office. They also talk about Time magazine’s person of the year interview with Trump and what two GOP Senate appointments could mean for Trump’s ability to get his agenda through Congress.

Today’s show was produced by Laura Benshoff. It was edited by Lucy Perkins and mixed by Justin Gerrish. 

Subscribe to Aaron’s newsletter, The Campaign Moment, here. 

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Americans are being conned every day by increasingly sophisticated scams. Today, we hear the story of one woman who lost her life's savings to a government impersonation scam.

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According to the Federal Trade Commission, Americans were scammed out of more than $10 billion in 2023. And that’s just what’s been reported.

Most scam victims never report the crime because they feel shame and embarrassment.

In “Scammed,” a seven-part series, personal finance columnist Michelle Singletary explains how con artists exploit human nature and technology to manipulate their victims. She joins “Post Reports” to tell the story of how Judith Boivin lost her life’s savings to a government impersonation scam. 

Today’s show was produced by Charla Freeland. It was edited by Maggie Penman and Ted Muldoon, who also mixed the show. Thank you to Joshua Carroll and Amber Ferguson. 

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Two years ago, President Biden and congressional Democrats passed the Inflation Reduction Act, aimed at stimulating clean energy production and reducing carbon emissions. Since then, hundreds of thousands of jobs have been created and Americans have claimed over $8 billion in tax credits to spend on climate-friendly technologies for their homes. The biggest winners have been more conservative areas, where more investments have been made because of lower tax barriers and more incentives for companies to build there. But despite this, President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to stop efforts to boost clean energy, calling it the “green new scam.” 

“Post Reports” co-host Elahe Izadi speaks with reporter Maxine Joselow about how he could do this and what the lasting effects of the Inflation Reduction Act might be.

Today’s show was produced by Sabby Robinson with help from Elana Gordon. It was mixed by Justin Gerrish and edited by Lucy Perkins with help from Maggie Penman. Thank you also to Roger Hodge.

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After a five-day manhunt, authorities have arrested and charged a man with the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Today on “Post Reports,” we bring you the latest in the case — and a look at why some on the internet cheered the killing.

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Authorities have charged 26-year-old Luigi Magione with murder in the shooting of Brian Thompson, the UnitedHealthcare chief executive who was killed in New York City last week. 

New York police say Mangione killed Thompson, 50, with a fatal shot to his torso. According to a complaint made public Tuesday, police say Mangione is the person who killed Thompson based on evidence that includes “written admissions about the crime” as well as surveillance footage.

Today on “Post Reports,” health reporter Dan Diamond takes host Martine Powers through the multiday search for Mangione and the charges he faces. Dan also breaks down the reputation of UnitedHealthcare, and explains why so many on social media celebrated the health-care executive’s death. 

Today’s show was produced by Rennie Svirnovskiy with help from Sabby Robinson and Ariel Plotnick. It was edited by Reena Flores with help from Monica Campbell, and mixed by Justin Gerrish. Thanks also to Stephen Smith. 

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After more than a decade of destructive civil war in Syria, it was widely assumed that the Assad regime would keep its grip on power. Instead, lightly armed rebels were able to launch an offensive that succeeded in toppling the regime in less than two weeks. Bashar al-Assad fled to Moscow.

Louisa Loveluck spoke with Martine Powers as she prepared to cross into Syria.

Today’s show was produced by Sabby Robinson, with help from Ted Muldoon, Emma Talkoff and Ariel Plotnick. It was mixed by Justin Gerrish and edited by Monica Campbell, with help from Maggie Penman and Reena Flores. Thanks to Naomi Schanen, Lior Soroka, Mohamad El Chamaa, Jesse Mesner-Hage, Jenn Amur and Andrew Golden.   

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On Capitol Hill, Hegseth is facing renewed scrutiny over allegations of excessive drinking and sexual misconduct, which he denies. So this week, the veteran and former Fox News host spent time with lawmakers, publicly and privately making the case for his leadership of the Defense Department. But some Republican senators are skeptical, and Trump is reportedly lining up other options.

Senior political reporter Aaron Blake breaks down the latest Cabinet controversies with White House editor Naftali Bendavid and Washington Post Live anchor Leigh Ann Caldwell. Plus, they discuss the extraordinary breadth of Biden’s pardon of his son Hunter and the possibility that Biden will issue more preemptive pardons to critics of the incoming president. 

Today’s show was produced by Laura Benshoff. It was edited by Reena Flores and mixed by Justin Gerrish. 

Subscribe to Aaron’s newsletter, The Campaign Moment, here. 

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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. 

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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.

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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. 

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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.



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Today, why so many people on death row will likely never be executed and what this says about the American justice system.

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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. 

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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. 

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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.

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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. 

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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. 

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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. 

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And build your ultimate Thanksgiving menu with our holiday meal planner here.

“Post Reports” co-host Martine Powers and senior political reporter Aaron Blake talk with reporter Leigh Ann Caldwell, who co-authors the Early Brief politics newsletter for The Post, about why Gaetz’s bid for attorney general lasted just eight days. Aaron breaks down why Trump’s electoral mandate is actually weaker than he claims. Plus, answers to listeners’ and readers’ lingering questions about the 2024 election. 

Today’s show was produced by Laura Benshoff. It was edited by Lucy Perkins and Mary Jo Murphy and mixed by Justin Gerrish. 

Subscribe to Aaron’s newsletter, The Campaign Moment, here. 

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Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is poised to have an influential role in the next Trump administration as the president-elect's pick to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. Recently, Kennedy told news outlets that a top priority will be directing communities to take fluoride out of their drinking water. 

Fluoride has been a pillar of public health for decades, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention describes it as one of the 10 greatest public health achievements of the 20th century. Experts point to evidence that it strengthens teeth and improves oral health. But fluoride has also inflamed local debates, where some oppose the government putting something in public drinking water. Recent research also raises questions about potential benefits and harms of fluoride.

Yet these growing debates are already well underway in Oregon, which is home to Portland, the largest U.S. city without fluoride in its drinking water. The liberal suburb of Hillsboro and the small conservative town of Lebanon may also foreshadow the impassioned fights that could soon spread across the country. Whether to add or remove fluoride from drinking water was on the ballots in both places this month, fueling intense battles in person and online. 

National health reporter Fenit Nirappil recently traveled to Oregon to understand up close the science and politics of fluoride. He spoke with host Elahe Izadi about what he learned. 

Today’s show was produced by Elana Gordon, who also contributed reporting. Sabby Robinson contributed production help. It was edited by Reena Flores, with help from Lucy Perkins, and it was mixed by Justin Gerrish. Thanks to Tracy Jan. 

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You can also read the oral history of Elphaba ahead of the opening weekend of the movie, Wicked, here.

Just a few years ago, the National Women’s Soccer League was a relatively small business. Now, it’s becoming a financial juggernaut with multimillion-dollar investments, a big TV deal and huge attendance. Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to tune in this weekend for the big game: the championship match between the Washington Spirit and the Orlando Pride.

Guest host and sports writer Ava Wallace speaks with soccer reporter Steve Goff and sports editor Ella Brockway about how the NWSL emerged from years of scandal and underinvestment. 

Today’s show was produced by Bishop Sand with help from Lucas Trevor. It was edited by Maggie Penman and Alison MacAdam and mixed by Justin Gerrish.

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During his presidential campaign, Donald Trump promised to make sweeping changes to federal agencies, including doing away with the Education Department.

This is not a new threat. Closing the department has been an off-and-on Republican goal since it was created in 1979. It is also difficult to make happen since it would require congressional approval – and it’s unlikely Trump would have sufficient support. 

Still, Trump argues – and many Republicans are with him – that the department is unnecessary, ineffective and a tool of a “woke” culture war. 

Today on “Post Reports,” host Elahe Izadi speaks with education reporter Laura Meckler about the implications of eliminating the Education Department and the possible ripple effects of Trump’s criticism of the agency. 

Today’s show was produced by Sabby Robinson, with help from Bishop Sand. It was mixed by Justin Garrish and edited by Monica Campbell, with help from Alison MacAdam, Maggie Penman and Lucy Perkins. Thanks to Chastity Pratt. 

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Today on “Post Reports,” how President-elect Donald Trump plans to make good on his campaign promise of mass deportations.  

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President-elect Donald Trump has taken steps to fulfill his pledge to deport undocumented immigrants on a massive scale by naming top officials to lead the effort: Stephen Miller and Tom Homan. 

Miller — who helped shape policies during Trump’s first administration, including the ban on travel from many Muslim-majority countries and family separations at the border — is expected to become a deputy chief of staff.

Tom Homan, a former acting head of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, will serve as “border czar,” in charge of border security and deportations. 

On today’s “Post Reports,” reporter Nick Miroff walks host Elahe Izadi through what those picks could mean for the incoming administration’s approach to immigration enforcement and why they might have an easier time this term to turn Trump’s rhetoric into reality. We also hear from an immigration lawyer and advocate about how he’s advising his clients to prepare for another Trump presidency. 

Today’s episode was produced by Rennie Svirnovskiy and Laura Benshoff, with help from Ariel Plotnick. It was mixed by Sam Bair and edited by Monica Campbell with help from Maggie Penman and Lucy Perkins. Thanks to Maria Sacchetti and Efrain Hernandez Jr. 

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There’s Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. Former Republican congressman Matt Gaetz to head up the Justice Department. Former Democratic congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard as the director of national intelligence. Trump has chosen some eyebrow-raising names to staff his Cabinet. But are there any Republicans in the Senate that would choose to block them? 

Congress reporter Liz Goodwin joins hosts Aaron Blake and Elahe Izadi to dig into Trump’s Cabinet appointments, their chances in the Senate, and whether Trump could bypass the upper chamber entirely with the use of recess appointments.

Today's episode was produced and mixed by Ted Muldoon. It was edited by Reena Flores, Lucy Perkins and Mary Jo Murphy.

Subscribe to Aaron’s newsletter, The Campaign Moment, here. 

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Gaetz has been under investigation for allegations of sexual misconduct, illegal drug use and accepting improper gifts. The choice of Gaetz for attorney general stunned senators and even some of Trump’s own advisors and set up a test of loyalty for a Republican Senate that might be loath to confirm Gaetz. 

Host Elahe Izadi speaks with congressional reporter Marianna Sotomayor about why Trump would choose Gaetz – and why the former congressman is so controversial, even within his own party. 

Today’s episode was produced by Laura Benshoff, with help from Ariel Plotnick and Emma Talkoff. It was mixed by Rennie Svirnovskiy and edited by Monica Campbell with help from Maggie Penman, Lucy Perkins, and Reena Flores. Thanks to Emily Rauhala. 

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Elon Musk invested millions of dollars to help Donald Trump’s reelection campaign through the political action committee America PAC. The result was a massive door-knocking campaign in critical swing states and million-dollar giveaways to voters who signed a petition. Musk held rallies and town halls across Pennsylvania, spoke at Trump’s Madison Square Garden rally, and was alongside the president-elect at Mar-a-Lago on election night.

Now Musk has been picked to help lead a new Department of Government Efficiency, with the goal of cutting government spending and streamlining regulations. 

Tech reporter Trisha Thadani spoke with Martine Powers about Musk’s political affiliations and his role in a future Trump administration and how it could benefit Musk’s companies. 

Today’s show was produced by Ariel Plotnick and edited by Maggie Penman. It was mixed by Sam Bair. Thanks to Lucas Trevor, Bishop Sand, Reena Flores, Sabby Robinson and Emma Talkoff. 

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When it comes to abortion, the results of last week’s election were decidedly mixed. Abortion protections passed in New York, Maryland, Montana, Nevada, Arizona, Colorado and Missouri but failed in Florida, Nebraska and South Dakota. This means that 2 million more women now have access to abortion services across the country. 

But with Donald Trump’s second term as president nearing, there are questions about how a Republican-controlled government will approach the issue of abortion, and whether a federal abortion ban could be on the table. 

Elahe Izadi speaks to Post reporter Molly Hennessy-Fiske about what abortion access now looks like after the election, and how that could change again when Trump returns to the White House. 

Today’s show was produced by Peter Bresnan. It was mixed by Sam Bair and edited by Monica Campbell. Thanks to Susan Levine, Frances Stead Sellers and Maggie Penman. Additional reporting for this episode was provided by Reshma Kerpalani.

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On today’s “Post Reports,” how foreign leaders are reacting to Trump’s victory, and how they are preparing for a second Trump presidency.

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For months, foreign leaders have been anxiously awaiting the results of the United States’ presidential election. Now, with Donald Trump’s decisive victory, politicians and policymakers abroad are wondering what a second Trump presidency will mean for them, and for the complex issues facing the world right now.

Today, host Martine Powers speaks with foreign affairs columnist Ishaan Tharoor about the ripple effects of Trump’s win across the globe. 

Today’s show was produced by Rennie Svirnovskiy with help from Ariel Plotnick and Elana Gordon. It was mixed by Sam Bair. And edited by Lucy Perkins with help from Maggie Penman. 

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Read more about veterans helping with Hurricane Helene recovery efforts here.

“Post Reports” co-host Martine Powers, senior political reporter Aaron Blake and White House reporter Cleve Wootson break down the questions many Democrats are asking right now about why Harris lost: Should Biden have dropped out earlier? Did Harris run a bad campaign? Does America hate women?

Today’s show was produced and mixed by Ted Muldoon. It was edited by Lucy Perkins and Mary Jo Murphy.

Subscribe to Aaron’s newsletter, The Campaign Moment, here. 

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On the campaign trail, Donald Trump promised to do a variety of things on “Day 1” should he win the presidency: mass deportations, tariffs on all U.S. imports, cutting federal funding for schools that discuss race and much more. 

Today, host Martine Powers speaks with White House reporter Yasmeen Abutaleb about what Trump’s second term could mean for America.

Today’s show was produced by Emma Talkoff, with help from Ariel Plotnick and Bishop Sand. It was mixed by Rennie Svirnoskiy. And edited by Monica Campbell, with help from Reena Flores. Thanks to Gina Harkins.

“Post Reports” co-host Martine Powers talks with senior political reporter Aaron Blake and senior national political correspondent Ashley Parker about how Donald Trump won over a broad swath of voters to defeat Vice President Kamala Harris. Plus, how Democrats are reacting to their election losses and what this defeat means for the party’s future.

Today’s show was produced by Laura Benshoff and Sabby Robinson. It was edited by Lucy Perkins and Mary Jo Murphy and mixed by Sam Bair. 

Subscribe to Aaron’s newsletter, The Campaign Moment, here. 

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Former president Trump is projected to win the White House – again. Martine Powers takes you through what we know about the results of a historic election.

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Very early Wednesday morning, former president Donald Trump stepped on stage in south Florida and claimed victory. Sounding surprised about how the election had gone, the former president promised to “fix everything” and praised his supporters, saying this was “the greatest political movement of all time.” 

This morning on Post Reports, we’re walking you through what happened overnight. Later today we’ll be back with another episode diving deeper into the results, and what the second Trump presidency might look like.

This morning’s show was produced and mixed by Rennie Svirnovskiy with help from Peter Bresnan and Elana Gordon. It was edited by Renita Jablonski with help from Maggie Penman and Monica Campbell. Thank you to Aaron Blake, Dan Balz and Mo Rodman.

After an unprecedented campaign season, Election Day in America is finally here. Today, host Martine Powers talks with senior political reporter and host of “The Campaign Moment” podcast Aaron Blake about what to pay attention to as results start to come in this evening, including downballot races and potential scenarios for each candidate's path to victory.

Plus: Election anxiety is real! Here’s how to manage stress throughout the day.

Today’s show was produced by Ariel Plotnick and Emma Talkoff. It was mixed by Rennie Svirnovskiy and Sam Bair. It was edited by Reena Flores, with fact checking help from Lucy Perkins. Thanks to Mary Jo Murphy, Jenna Johnson, Cathy Decker, Susan Levine, and the whole slew of Post reporters around the country covering this election on the ground, including Laura Benshoff, Holly Bailey, Yvonne Wingett Sanchez, and Josh Dawsey.

It’s the day before the presidential election, and a lot of people have already voted – or at least made up their minds. 

But there are still undecided voters in key swing states who may or may not turn out. Last week, “Post Reports” producers interviewed some of these voters – whom we’re calling “The Deciders” – a key voting bloc that The Washington Post has been following all year. We’re bringing you their thoughts today.

Host Martine Powers also speaks with Scott Clement, polling director for The Post, about what these voters mean for former president Donald Trump’s or Vice President Kamala Harris’s path to victory.

Starting in the spring, The Post reached out to a contact list of voters who were not committed to either candidate, or who had a history of voting infrequently, and therefore might sit out the 2024 presidential election. All live in one of the seven battleground states largely expected to determine the election: Arizona, Georgia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan and Nevada. Clement describes how The Post has surveyed this group over time to gain insight into what motivates them and which way they are swinging this November.

Correction: a previous version of this podcast incorrectly said voter Richard Schall is from Michigan. The audio has been updated.

Today’s show was produced by Laura Benshoff with help from Peter Bresnan. It was edited by Maggie Penman and mixed by Sam Bair. Thanks also to Emily Guskin.

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What the early voting numbers and final polling say in the last days of the 2024 campaign.

“Post Reports” co-host Martine Powers and senior political reporter Aaron Blake talk with Amy Gardner, who covers early voting for The Post, about what early voting data can and can’t tell us right now about the election results. They also talk about whether looking at polls this weekend is helpful, and what to make of burned ballot boxes in Oregon and Washington. 

Today’s show was produced by Eliza Dennis. It was edited by Lucy Perkins and Mary Jo Murphy and mixed by Sam Bair. 

Subscribe to Aaron’s newsletter, The Campaign Moment, here. 

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In the final days of a presidential election that polls show as extremely close, we wanted to know how supporters of Vice President Kamala Harris and former president Donald Trump are feeling. 

Our host Martine Powers and producer Emma Talkoff went to Harris’s rally on the Ellipse in D.C. while producer Elana Gordon went to a Trump rally in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Today, we bring you dispatches from these two rallies that happened on the same day a week before the election. 

Also, we’re highlighting a Halloween story. The Post has reported on eco-friendly ways to get rid of a pumpkin. Tips include composting it or even smashing it. 



Today’s show was reported and produced by Martine Powers, Emma Talkoff, Elana Gordon and Ted Muldoon, who also mixed the show. It was edited by Renita Jablonski and Maggie Penman. Thank you to Monica Campbell, Bishop Sand, Sabrina Rodriguez and Ariel Plotnick. 

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San Luis, Arizona, has a population of around 40,000 people. Most still vote for Democrats, if they vote. But in the 2020 presidential election, Democrats saw their advantage drop by 36 percentage points here since 2016. 

This swing is one indicator of the inroads Republicans have made in recent years in traditional Democratic strongholds, gains that former president Donald Trump hopes will propel him back into the White House. That strategy relies on winning over young, non-college-educated men. 

We meet a family in San Luis, where debates over whom to vote for dominate the dinner conversation, and we travel to other key swing states where Latino men are aligning with the GOP to better understand this emerging political trend.

Host Martine Powers speaks with voting reporter Sabrina Rodriguez about her reporting on Latino communities in battleground states, and they also break down the fallout from racist and sexist remarks at a recent Trump rally in New York City. 

Today’s show was produced by Laura Benshoff, with help from Sabby Robinson. It was mixed by Sam Bair. It was edited by Monica Campbell, with help from Maggie Penman and Reena Flores. Thanks to Nick Baumann. 

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Patience Frazier said she had a miscarriage in April 2018. A month later, police were at her door, asking about a Facebook post and a cross in her backyard. Today, the story of Frazier, and what happens when someone is prosecuted under an abortion law. 

Read more:

Patience Frazier was charged with manslaughter under an abortion law from 1911. It was a rare instance of a woman who sought an abortion facing prosecution. 

Host Martine Powers is joined by reporter Caroline Kitchener to talk about Frazier’s story, the aftermath of her arrest, and the sheriff’s deputy who pushed for her prosecution.

Today’s episode was produced by Rennie Svirnovskiy, and edited by Reena Flores. It was mixed by Ted Muldoon. 

Thanks to Peter Wallsten, Bishop Sand and Lucas Trevor. 

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Former president Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris have made vastly different proposals to address the housing shortage. Harris says that her administration will provide incentives to get millions of homes built while helping first-time homebuyers with their down payments. Trump says that deporting large numbers of undocumented immigrants will free up more housing for Americans, an idea that has been widely debunked by economists.

Host Elahe Izadi speaks with housing reporter Rachel Siegel about why housing has become such a hot topic this election season, and whether either candidate's plans are feasible. 

Today’s show was produced by Sabby Robinson, with help from Bishop Sand. It was mixed by Sam Bair and edited by Peter Bresnan, with help from Lucy Perkins. Thanks to Sam Fortier and Mike Madden.

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In the lead-up to the 2016 presidential election, host Lillian Cunningham created the “Presidential” podcast, with one episode dedicated to each of the (at the time) 44 U.S. presidents. Now, in the thick of the 2024 election, Lillian is back. This is the second of two special “Presidential” podcast episodes released in advance of the presidential election on Nov. 5. The episodes examine how the candidates, former president Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, could make history if they win. This episode focuses on the history and precedent surrounding Trump’s run, as a former president hoping to retake the office.

Library of Congress archivist – and “Presidential” fan favorite – Michelle Krowl talks with host Lillian Cunningham about the long history of American presidents seeking reelection after their tenure has ended, unspooling the stories of the six previous men to try it. Only former president Grover Cleveland was successful, but all of their efforts offer parallels and lessons for today. 

Want to brush up on more presidential history? Listen to the full “Presidential” podcast. Host and creator Lillian Cunningham takes listeners on an epic historical journey through the personality and legacy of each American president. The podcast features interviews with the country’s greatest experts on the presidency, including Pulitzer Prize-winning biographers Doris Kearns Goodwin, David McCullough, Jon Meacham and Bob Woodward.

Archival audio in this episode is courtesy of the Library of Congress and the G. Robert Vincent Voice Library at Michigan State University.

Over the past few months, Elon Musk has heavily invested in the Trump campaign. Musk is hosting rallies in swing states, giving out million-dollar checks to registered voters in those states and organizing canvassers. Billionaires donating to presidential campaigns is nothing new, but Musk is putting much more than money into the race. 

Elahe Izadi speaks with technology reporter Trisha Thadani and national political reporter Michael Scherer about Musk’s political influence.

Today’s show was produced by Eliza Dennis and Laura Benshoff. It was edited by Reena Flores and mixed by Sam Bair. 

The Campaign Moment newsletter is here.

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The morning after the 2020 election, then-president Donald Trump prematurely declared victory and claimed that a “fraud” was being perpetrated on the American public. He would go on to wage a campaign against the 2020 results, which culminated in rioters storming the U.S. Capitol. 

Now, with Trump back on the ballot, experts are concerned that Trump and his allies may use the same playbook they did in 2020 to challenge the 2024 results. Trump has already suggested that the 2024 election would be stolen from him and has continued to press baseless claims about election fraud. 

Today on “Post Reports,” Martine Powers speaks with reporter Patrick Marley about how Trump tried to contest the 2020 results, what has changed in the past four years, and what may play out in 2024.

Today’s show was produced by Peter Bresnan, with help from Emma Talkoff. It was edited by Monica Campbell, with help from Ariel Plotnick. It was mixed by Sean Carter. Thanks to Jenna Johnson. 

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This year, several large unions withheld their endorsements for a presidential candidate – a move that upset Democrats, because the majority of unions have always endorsed Democratic candidates. This was reflective of a shift that’s been happening since the 2016 election, with more and more union members moving to the right.

This division was on display when labor reporter Lauren Kaori Gurley visited the Ford auto plant in Wayne, Michigan, a factory in a critical swing state. Workers told her that they listen to MSNBC and Joe Rogan while they work and wear shirts in support of former president Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris. Some said they were still undecided. 

Host Martine Powers spoke with Lauren about why this shift to the right has happened and what workers at the auto plant told her about how they’re deciding whom to vote for.

Today’s show was produced by Sabby Robinson, with help from Emma Talkoff. It was mixed by Sean Carter. And edited by Reena Flores, with help from Monica Campbell. Thanks to Mike Madden. 

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In recent months, rapid advances in AI audio technology have made it possible to clone any voice, chat with artificial versions of celebrities like Judi Dench, and make a podcast on any topic in minutes.  

Those developments have raised ethical questions, opening the door for election disinformation and scams. And they’ve also raised philosophical questions about what complex constellation of qualities allows us to relate to a voice.

Martine Powers speaks with technology columnist Geoffrey Fowler about how Silicon Valley is attempting to re-create the human voice – and where they’re falling short.

Also mentioned in today’s show: How to spot AI-generated “deepfakes” of Kamala Harris and Donald Trump.

Today’s show was produced by Emma Talkoff with help from Elana Gordon. It was edited by Peter Bresnan with help from Monica Campbell and mixed by Sean Carter.



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Hamas’s leader Yahya Sinwar was killed by Israeli forces last week. The Israeli government had been searching for Sinwar ever since he helped orchestrate the deadly Oct. 7 terror attacks last year. While some celebrated Sinwar’s death – and see this moment as a potential catalyst for a ceasefire – Sinwar’s supporters see him as a martyr, 

Today, host Martine Powers speaks with The Post’s Jerusalem bureau chief, Steve Hendrix, about who Sinwar was, the fallout from his death, and whether it changes the likelihood of an end to the war in Gaza. 

It was produced by Sabby Robinson with help from Emma Talkoff and Bishop Sand. It was edited by Ariel Plotnick, with help from Reena Flores. Thanks to Jesse Mesner-Hage, Ahemed Shehata and Lisa Jacobson. 

Listen to the latest update in the “Empty Grave of Comrade Bishop” series here. 

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“Post Reports” co-host Martine Powers and senior political reporter Aaron Blake talk with national political reporter Marianne LeVine about the peculiar moments that she’s observed on the campaign trail this week with former president Donald Trump. From a music listening session on stage, to some eyebrow-raising interviews with both candidates, “The Campaign Moment” crew digs into the Trump and Harris campaigns’ final sprints before Election Day. 

Today’s show was produced by Eliza Dennis. It was edited by Reena Flores and Mary Jo Murphy. It was mixed by Sam Bair. 

Subscribe to Aaron’s newsletter, The Campaign Moment, here. 

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Jon Tester is one of the last Senate Democrats standing in a red state. First elected in 2006, he pitches his bipartisan record and his Montana roots as an antidote to national political warfare. He still farms the land his grandparents settled in the state and has a personal relationship with voters. But the state he represents is changing. The Republican candidate, businessman and veteran Tim Sheehy, has accused Tester of being too liberal for Montana, a state that voted for Trump by more than 16 percentage points in 2020.

On today’s “Post Reports,” host Martine Powers speaks with reporter Liz Goodwin, who traveled to Montana with producer Laura Benshoff, about the race and the Republican voters who used to like Tester and will probably decide his fate.

This episode was produced by Laura Benshoff, with help from Emma Talkoff. It was edited by Reena Flores, with help from Ariel Plotnick. It was mixed by Sean Carter. Thank you to Emily Ruahala and Jesse Mesner-Hage.

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Just 140 miles off the coast of the Philippines’ largest island is a sparkling blue lagoon that is rich with fish and minerals. This ring of reefs and rocks is called Scarborough Shoal. For centuries, it has been a place of open passageway and connection, drawing fishermen from all over the region. 

It’s a place that captain Jory Aguian, student activist Mathew Silverio and the rest of a small Philippine flotilla of wooden boats are determined to reach. They hope to follow in the steps of generations before them and to show solidarity with the Philippine fishermen who have managed to remain at Scarborough. However, getting there is complicated. 

Scarborough Shoal is in the South China Sea – a waterway that is claimed in part by at least six countries and has become one of the most geopolitically tense places in the world. With its geographic proximity, the Philippines views Scarborough as theirs, but China also claims the shoal. In recent years, as the Philippines has tried to stress its claim to this waterway, China has doubled down on its efforts to maintain its security interests in the South China Sea. This has led to escalating tensions and confrontations, with Chinese ships using water cannons on Philippine boats and flying fighter jets overhead.  

And so the question for those on board this small Philippine flotilla is: Can they do this, can they achieve their goal of making it to Scarborough? How far are they willing to go, to risk their lives?

Today on “Post Reports,” we embed with the Post’s Southeast Asia bureau chief, Rebecca Tan, on a voyage into these contested waterways. Yasmin Coles and Martin San Diego contributed to this story. 

Today’s show was produced by Elana Gordon. It was edited by Peter Bresnan with help from Reena Flores. It was mixed by Sean Carter. Special thanks to Alan Sipress.

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The Three Mile Island nuclear power plant, site of the worst nuclear accident in U.S. history, could reopen in 2028. The plant’s owner, Constellation Energy, signed a deal with Microsoft that would allocate 100% of the plant’s power output to the tech company. Constellation is seeking a $1.6 billion federal loan guarantee to get the plant up and running. 

Microsoft hopes the power generated by the facility will help fuel  the increasing energy needs of  AI. It’s estimated that by 2030, 17% of the U.S. energy output could be going to data centers used by tech companies to power AI. 

On today’s “Post Reports,” host Martine Powers speaks with reporter Evan Halper about how AI is reshaping the energy landscape in the U.S., and about the potential benefits and dangers of reopening Three Mile Island. 

One other story mentioned in today’s episode: see how climate change could be affecting the price of your home. 

Today’s show was produced by Peter Bresnan, with help from Emma Talkoff. It was mixed by Sean Carter and edited by Ariel Plotnick, with help from Reena Flores. Thanks to Christopher Rowland.

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This summer, at a small recruiting station in Toms River, New Jersey, Sgt. 1st Class Dane Beaston met with a team of Army recruiters to offer some encouragement.

“Let's change the places we're looking,” Beaston told his colleagues. “Let's change our messaging. Let's change what we're doing if it's not working, right? But the potential's out there.”

Beaston has given a lot of talks like these lately. While his team has gotten closer to meeting its goals since he joined a couple years ago, it fell short of meeting its quota in June. 

This isn’t just a problem in Toms River. Across the country, the Army is struggling to sign people up. Negative trends accelerated by the pandemic have shrunk the number of young people able to meet the Army’s academic and athletic requirements. Trust in American institutions is also waning.

Today on “Post Reports,” Martine Powers speaks with Greg Jaffe, a national reporter at The Post, about the time he and reporter Missy Ryan spent at the Toms River recruiting station to see how recruiters there are trying to persuade young people to join the Army.

Today’s show was produced by Sabby Robinson, with help from Peter Bresnan. It was edited by Monica Campbell and mixed by Sean Carter.

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In the lead-up to the 2016 presidential election, host Lillian Cunningham created the “Presidential” podcast, with one episode dedicated to each of the (at the time) 44 U.S. presidents. Now, in the thick of the 2024 election, Lillian is back. This is the first of two special “Presidential” podcast episodes that will be released in advance of the election on Nov. 5. The episodes examine how the two major party candidates, former president Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, could make history if they win. 

This one focuses on the history Harris would make, and the history that has led to this moment. Sharon McMahon, a beloved voice on American civics and the creator behind Instagram’s @SharonSaysSo, helps guide listeners through women’s initial efforts to gain the right to vote and explains why, from her perspective, the pace of further progress has been slower than expected over the past century. She also explores the changes that are likely (and unlikely) to happen if Harris does become the first woman to win the White House.

Want to brush up on more presidential history? Listen to the full “Presidential” podcast. Host and creator Lillian Cunningham takes listeners on an epic historical journey through the personality and legacy of each American president. The podcast features interviews with the country’s greatest experts on the presidency, including Pulitzer Prize-winning biographers Doris Kearns Goodwin, David McCullough, Jon Meacham and Bob Woodward.

Archival audio in this episode is courtesy of the Library of Congress, the Lyndon Baines Johnson Presidential Library and News Radio KDKA. Special thanks to the Shirley Chisholm Cultural Institute. 

Democrats want to retake control of the House of Representatives. Vice President Kamala Harris goes on a media blitz. And elected officials wade through destruction and misinformation after another hurricane made landfall this week.

“Post Reports” co-host Martine Powers and senior political reporter Aaron Blake talk with Congressional reporter Marianna Sotomayor about whether Democrats will succeed in flipping the House and which voters Harris wanted to reach with her flurry of interviews on podcasts and TV this week. They also dig into the political aftermath of Hurricane Milton. 

Today’s show was produced by Eliza Dennis. It was edited by Lucy Perkins and Mary Jo Murphy and mixed by Sam Bair. 

Subscribe to Aaron’s newsletter, The Campaign Moment, here. 

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From Medicare to Obamacare, health care has long been a powerful and polarizing issue in the race for president. This year, the issue of reproductive health care is dividing Americans. The high cost of prescription drugs and access to affordable health care are also concerns. 

So how exactly does the ticket of former president Donald Trump and JD Vance compare with Vice President Kamala Harris and Tim Walz when it comes to our health? National health reporter Dan Diamond breaks down what we know from the candidates’ current policies and track records. 

Read more: 

• Vance floats new health plans for chronically ill, reopening ACA debate
• Trump struggles to embrace ‘lousy’ Obamacare, calling again to replace it
• Biden, Harris say seniors will see lower prices for diabetes, heart medications
• Harris and Trump are ready to take on Big Pharma
• How Kamala Harris is tackling medical debt — with Roy Cooper’s help
• Democrats’ ads shift from Trump to abortion and economy with Harris as nominee

Today’s show was produced by Elana Gordon with help from Rennie Svirnovskiy and Emma Talkoff. It was edited by Reena Flores and mixed by Sean Carter. Thanks to Stephen Smith.  

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After Hurricane Helene hit the southern United States last month, a wave of conspiracy theories flooded social media about the storm and the response by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA. Former president Donald Trump promoted one conspiracy theory, falsely suggesting that the Biden administration used FEMA disaster funds to help migrants at the southern border.

Now, as Hurricane Milton nears landfall, FEMA and other federal agencies are gearing up to respond to potentially devastating damage, and also to combat conspiracy theories that may discourage people from getting help. 

Today on “Post Reports,” Martine Powers speaks with climate reporter Maxine Joselow about how FEMA is preparing for Hurricane Milton while fighting misinformation.  

Today’s show was produced by Sabby Robinson with help from Peter Bresnan and Ariel Plotnick. It was mixed by Sean Carter and edited by Monica Campbell with help from Reena Flores. Thanks to Molly Hennessy-Fiske. 

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On today’s “Post Reports,” we look into why Republicans are waging legal battles to disqualify mail-in ballots, and why rhetoric against mail voting might actually hurt their presidential candidate. 

Read more:

Since 2020, the Republican Party has waged a nationwide legal campaign to reject mail-in ballots.

From Wisconsin to North Carolina to Nevada, Republicans say much of their litigation is aimed at enforcement of election law, down to the letter. But critics see a strategy that has nothing to do with election integrity — and everything to do with disqualifying voters who cast ballots by mail, an overwhelming majority of whom support Democrats. 

At the same time, Republicans are also ramping up their get-out-the-vote operations, which include pushing their supporters to use mail-in ballots.

On today’s “Post Reports,” Elahe Izadi speaks with democracy reporter Colby Itkowitz about Republicans’ efforts to get mail-in ballots thrown out in Pennsylvania, and about the have-it-both-ways strategy they’re employing in this election. 

And we hear from an election official in Pennsylvania’s Lycoming County — a GOP-leaning area in the center of the state — who’s sick of the fighting. 

Today’s show was produced by Rennie Svirnovskiy, with help from Sabby Robinson and Laura Benshoff. It was edited by Reena Flores and mixed by Sean Carter. Thank you to Griff Witte and HyoJung Kim.  

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Israeli communities near the Gaza Strip awoke on Monday, the first anniversary of the Hamas attacks, in the same way they were roused on Oct. 7, 2023: to the sound of air-raid sirens.

At 6:32 a.m. – almost to the minute of the surprise assaults last year – militants in Gaza launched four rockets toward those same towns and kibbutzim, sending Israelis into shelters and highlighting how the battle continues to rage 12 months after that fateful morning. 

Israeli forces immediately struck targets inside Gaza, where more than 41,000 people have been killed since the start of the war, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.

Despite the fighting, Israelis came together to remember those who were lost, those who are still being held captive and those who remain unable to return to their homes. About 1,200 Israeli citizens, visitors, guest workers and soldiers were killed in the Oct. 7 attacks. At least 250 were taken hostage. More than 160,000 fled to safety from towns around Gaza and along the border with Lebanon. Few have come home.

Today on “Post Reports,” Martine Powers speaks with Steve Hendrix in Jerusalem about the aftermath of the Oct. 7 attacks in Israel, and about the internal divisions within Israel as its war with Hamas in Gaza expands to include Lebanon, Yemen and Iran. 

Today’s show was produced by Peter Bresnan, with help from Emma Talkoff and Rennie Svirnvoskiy. It was edited by Monica Campbell and Reena Flores and mixed by Sean Carter. Thanks to Jesse Mesner-Hage, Heidi Levine, Joe Snell and Alisa Shodiyev Kaff. 

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The WNBA playoffs are underway, capping a record-breaking season: The league added teams, games saw the highest attendance ever, and television viewership skyrocketed. Many credit rookie player Caitlin Clark for drawing fans to the league after millions tuned in to watch her and rival players compete in this year's college basketball championship. 

Host Elahe Izadi speaks with sports reporters Kareem Copeland and Ava Wallace about how the “Clark effect” has transformed the WNBA on and off the court.  

Today’s show was produced by Sabby Robinson. It was edited by Reena Flores. It was mixed by Sean Carter. Thanks to Mark Selig.

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As Election Day looms, we’re seeing more and more headlines based on poll results. Some declare Trump and Harris neck and neck, while others state one candidate has a small advantage over the other. But how can we make sense of all these polls flooding the news cycle?

Today, Martine Powers speaks with The Post’s deputy polling director, Emily Guskin. Emily explains how a poll comes to be, what to look for when trying to understand whether a poll is trustworthy and breaks down once and for all what “margin of error” really means.

Today’s show was produced by Ariel Plotnick, with help from Bishop Sand. It was edited by Reena Flores and mixed by Sam Bair. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Correction: A previous version of this episode gave an example of a margin of error applying to a percentage of a sample that hated apples. In the example, the margin of error actually applied to the percentage of the population that hates apples. The audio has been corrected.

Democratic Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota and Republican Sen. JD Vance of Ohio faced off at what was expected to be the only vice presidential debate on Tuesday night. But it was much less dramatic than the presidential debates. 

Read more:

“Post Reports” co-host Elahe Izadi talks with senior political reporter Aaron Blake about Walz’s stumbling performance, Vance’s efforts to soften his image on unpopular issues for the GOP, like abortion, and whether either performance could significantly impact the race. 

Today’s show was produced by Laura Benshoff and Emma Talkoff. It was edited by Lucy Perkins and Mary Jo Murphy and mixed by Rennie Svirnovskiy. 

Subscribe to Aaron’s newsletter, The Campaign Moment, here. 

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Across the southeastern United States, Hurricane Helene destroyed houses, swept up cars and overflowed riverbanks. Now millions of people are without power and clean drinking water; more than 100 people are dead. 

“It's not really an overstatement to say there are towns that were there and are basically not there anymore,” environment and climate reporter Brady Dennis said. He’s been reporting from North Carolina, where many communities were not prepared for the disaster. On today’s show, Dennis describes the widespread destruction and relief efforts to host Elahe Izadi.

Today’s show was produced by Elana Gordon, with help from Sabby Robinson. It was mixed by Sean Carter and edited by Reena Flores, with help from Ariel Plotnick. Thanks to Scott Dance, Paulina Firozi and Katie Zezima.

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For months, tensions between Israel and the militant group Hezbollah have increased, with the two sides exchanging cross-border attacks. Yet in recent weeks, Israel has ratcheted up its attacks in Lebanon, including the assassination of Hasan Nasrallah on Friday. The Shiite cleric oversaw Hezbollah for decades and became one of the most powerful and divisive leaders in the Middle East.

The impact of Israel’s strikes has also been devastating. The death toll has now surpassed 1,000 people, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry. The agency doesn’t distinguish between combatant and civilian deaths, but it said more than 80 children are among the dead. Hundreds of thousands of people are fleeing for safety. 

Now, officials have told reporters at the Post that Israel is planning an imminent, limited ground invasion into Lebanon.

Today, host Elahe Izadi speaks with Shane Harris, who covers intelligence and national security for The Post, about Israel’s strategy in attacking Hezbollah inside of Lebanon. We also hear whether this could pull Iran and the United States into a bigger regional conflict.

Today’s show was produced by Emma Talkoff, with help from Rennie Svirnovskiy. It was mixed by Sean Carter and edited by Monica Campbell, with help from Reena Flores. Thanks to Joe Snell and Ben Pauker. 



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Kevin Roche was recently elected to a small governing board in Norfolk, Mass. He had lived in the small town his whole life. Then Roche received the news Haitian migrants were going to be sheltered in Norfolk.

The state had opened new shelters in towns across Massachusetts, but none so big in a town so small.

This is the story of one town’s reckoning with the national immigration crisis — from inside the auto shop that Kevin operates, to the airport terminal where the migrant families were staying.

The story was written and read by Ruby Cramer. Audio production and original music by Bishop Sand.

“Post Reports” co-host Elahe Izadi and senior political reporter Aaron Blake talk with Senate reporter Liz Goodwin about how Senate Democrats are feeling ahead of the November election. They also dig into the politics of New York City Mayor Eric Adams’s indictment and preview what to expect in next week’s first – and likely only – vice presidential debate. 

Today’s show was produced by Laura Benshoff and mixed by Sam Bair. It was edited by Lucy Perkins and Mary Jo Murphy. 

Subscribe to Aaron’s newsletter, The Campaign Moment, here.

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In 2020, North Carolina was the one that got away for Democrats: Then candidate Joe Biden lost the state by the smallest margin in the presidential election. Now, with the election a little over a month away, Democrats and Republicans are kicking into overdrive, campaigning to win North Carolina, a newly competitive swing state.

Elahe Izadi speaks with political reporter Hannah Knowles about why Democrats now think they can win North Carolina and how the state could tip the balance of the election in November.

Today’s show was produced by Laura Benshoff, with help from Ariel Plotnick. It was edited by Reena Flores and mixed by Sean Carter. Thanks to Sean Sullivan. 

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This week, Israel unleashed a wave of airstrikes in southern Lebanon, against what it says are Hezbollah targets. At least 569 people have been killed in the attacks this week and more than 1,800 injured, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry. The ministry doesn’t distinguish between civilians and combatants but said at least 50 children, 94 women and nine paramedics were among the dead. 

Thousands of civilians are now fleeing southern Lebanon in search of safety. 

Also, on Wednesday, Hezbollah fired a missile toward the Tel Aviv area as retaliation, which Israeli forces intercepted. This marks the first time the militant group has aimed a missile toward this major Israeli city. 

Israel has increasingly turned its attention away from its war against Hamas in Gaza to its conflict with Hezbollah, which has been launching near-daily rockets into northern Israel. Hezbollah says it has been carrying out the attacks in solidarity with the Palestinians of Gaza and will not stop until there is a cease-fire there. Tens of thousands of Israelis under fire have left their homes in the north of the country, and Israeli officials have vowed to ensure their safe return.

Today, on “Post Reports,” host Elahe Izadi speaks with the Post’s Susannah George about this dramatic escalation and fears of a widening conflict. 

Today’s show was produced by Sabby Robinson, with help from Rennie Svirnovskiy and Ariel Plotnick. It was edited by Monica Campbell, with help from Reena Flores. It was mixed by Sean Carter. Thanks to Mohamad El-Chamaa, Suzan Haidamous, Lior Soroka and Jesse Mesner-Hage. 

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Last Friday, Georgia’s state election board voted 3-2 to approve a new election rule: before vote totals can be reported, each precinct must confirm the total number of votes cast by three separate hand counts.

The move was spearheaded by a pro-Trump majority who say that it will make elections more transparent. But critics – among them many of Georgia’s election administrators – said hand counts would take too long, cost money and almost certainly produce counting errors, opening the door to doubts about the election results in November. The office of the Republican state attorney general, which is responsible for advising the board, wrote in an opinion that the change was unlawful. 

This rule is the latest in a string of new election measures passed by the pro-Trump election board. Democracy advocates have accused the board of intentionally injecting chaos and uncertainty into the presidential contest.

Today on “Post Reports, host Elahe Izadi speaks with Amy Gardner, who covers voting for the Post, about how the rule change could affect the November election.



Today’s show was produced by Emma Talkoff, with help from Lucas Trevor. It was mixed by Sean Carter. And edited by Monica Campbell, with help from Reena Flores. Thanks to Griff Witte.

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The FDA wants to propose putting labels on the front of food and drink packages in order to flag whether they are high in added sugar, saturated fat or sodium. The effort aims to help people make healthier choices and to address the nation’s exploding rates of diet-related diseases. 

The proposal could come as early as next month, but a fight with the food industry is already heating up. At the same time, some nutrition experts and lawmakers worry the FDA options under consideration are confusing and won’t be clear enough to protect Americans’ health.

So, what could these labels even look like? 

Today on “Post Reports,” reporter Lauren Weber joins host Martine Powers to unpack the FDA efforts and how possible labels might compare with the front-of-package food warnings commonly found in other countries like Chile and Mexico. 

Today’s show was produced by Elana Gordon, with help from Ariel Plotnick. It was edited by Monica Campbell and mixed by Sean Carter. Thanks to Tracy Jan and Rachel Roubein. 

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“Post Reports” co-host Elahe Izadi and senior political reporter Aaron Blake chat with national political reporter Michael Scherer about all of this week’s political news. They also dig into how last week’s first – and perhaps only – debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former president Donald Trump is shaping voters’ perceptions of the candidates.

Today’s show was produced by Laura Benshoff and mixed by Sean Carter. It was edited by Lucy Perkins and Mary Jo Murphy. 

Subscribe to Aaron’s newsletter, The Campaign Moment, here. 

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Thousands of people were injured across Lebanon this week in back-to-back explosions of electronic devices – pagers, mostly – used by the militant group Hezbollah.

Host Martine Powers speaks with Post correspondent Susannah George about what it’s like in Lebanon in the aftermath of these explosions and why they may portend an escalation of the conflict between Israel and Lebanon.

Also, an update on the controversy over the 2024 Olympic medal stripped from Team USA gymnast Jordan Chiles after the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled her coach did not initiate the decisive inquiry before the one-minute deadline. 

An investigation by The Post, which analyzed dozens of videos to examine the disputed inquiry, shows CAS ruled against Chiles based on time markers that don’t precisely match the sport’s protocol for inquiries.

Today’s show was produced by Rennie Svirnovskiy, with help from Emma Talkoff and Bishop Sand. It was mixed by Ted Muldoon and edited by Monica Campbell. Thanks to Jesse Mesner-Hage, Jenn Amur, Suzan Haidamous, Mohamad El Chamaa and Lior Soroka. 

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In the past couple weeks, both former president Donald Trump and his running mate, Sen. JD Vance (Ohio), have pushed unfounded claims about Haitian immigrants stealing and eating pets in the small city of Springfield, Ohio. The story got its start with a viral Facebook post and quickly made its way from far-right corners of the internet into the Republican mainstream. 

Since the presidential debate between Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, during which Trump repeated these claims, the town of Springfield has been struggling with the sudden national attention. More than 30 bomb threats have been made in Springfield in the past week, and some members of the Haitian community are fearing for their safety. 

National correspondent Danielle Paquette traveled to Springfield last week to speak with Haitian immigrants about how their lives have changed since the debate, and today on “Post Reports,” Martine Powers talks with her about what she learned. 

Then, democracy reporter Sarah Ellison explains exactly how this conspiracy took root online and how it spread so quickly. 

Today’s show was produced by Peter Bresnan. It was edited by Reena Flores and mixed by Sean Carter. 

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Sean Combs was arrested Monday in New York, and today prosecutors unsealed the criminal indictment. The hip-hop impresario could face years in prison if found guilty. Meanwhile, Combs’s lawyers have called the persecution “unjust.” It all comes less than a year after the first public allegations against Combs emerged.

Today on “Post Reports,” Martine Powers speaks with Style reporter Anne Branigin about the indictment against Combs, what he’s accused of and what it could mean for the music mogul.

Today’s show was produced by Sabby Robinson, with help from Emma Talkoff and Lucas Trevor. It was mixed by Sean Carter and edited by Reena Flores, with help from Monica Campbell. Thanks to Avi Selk and Lindsey Underwood. 

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Today, what we know about a possible second assassination attempt on former president Donald Trump. And, what this latest threat of political violence could mean for his presidential campaign.

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Yesterday, Ryan Wesley Routh was arrested on the suspicion of possibly trying to assassinate former president Donald Trump. Today, Routh was charged with two gun-related crimes.

Host Martine Powers speaks with national political reporter Isaac Arnsdorf about what happened at Trump’s West Palm Beach, Fla., golf course on Sunday. And we unpack the potential implications for the presidential campaign.

Today’s show was produced by Rennie Svirnovskiy with help from Bishop Sand. It was edited by Ariel Plotnick and mixed by Sean Carter. 

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Affirmations help alleviate stress and can make you emotionally and mentally stronger. Host Cristina Quinn talks to clinical psychologist Natalie Dattilo-Ryan about what kinds of affirmations are most effective. She lays out an exercise to help get you started with identifying the right kinds of statements to shore up your sense of self. Next, we dive into research on affirmations and stress levels with Carnegie Mellon University psychology and neuroscience professor David Creswell. Creswell’s work reveals how affirmations can activate the brain's reward system.

For more on how to make affirmations work for you, read this from The Post’s Allyson Chiu.

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To hear more, check out “Try This” wherever you listen to podcasts.

As students return to school, more states and districts are cracking down on cellphones. But not everyone agrees. On “Post Reports,” we hear how things look on the frontlines of this battle.

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A few years ago, Jennifer Rosenzweig’s high school students gave her a strange nickname: the “Bucket Lady.” That’s because Rosenzweig, an English teacher at Scarsdale High School in New York state, saw students increasingly on their cellphones, including in class, and having trouble focusing. Her solution? Have students drop their phones in a bucket before class. 

Today, Rosenzweig is no longer the sole phone cop at her school, which now has a caddy on every classroom door, with pockets that students drop their phones into as they enter.  

New policies like this are spreading at schools throughout the United States, with pressure coming from teachers and parents who see phones as a distraction, an impediment to learning and a burden on students’ mental health.

Host Martine Powers speaks with national education reporter Laura Meckler about the growing battle over phones in schools and the different opinions on the correct approach. 

Today’s show was produced by Emma Talkoff with help from Ted Muldoon and Rennie Svirnovskiy. It was mixed by Sean Carter and edited by Monica Campbell. Thanks to Karina Elwood and Chastity Pratt. 

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Post Reports co-host Martine Powers talks with senior political reporter Aaron Blake about what each candidate needed to do in this debate to win over voters in an incredibly tight race. They also talk about whether a new endorsement from Taylor Swift could give Harris an edge.

Note: An initial version of this episode had an incorrect reference to Springfield, Illinois rather than Springfield, Ohio. The error has been fixed.

Today’s show was produced and mixed by Ted Muldoon and Laura Benshoff. It was edited by Lucy Perkins and Mary Jo Murphy. 

Subscribe to Aaron’s newsletter, The Campaign Moment, here. 

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In preparation for Tuesday’s debate between Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, “Post Reports” fact-checks the former president’s claims about crime and immigration. 

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Crime is falling rapidly in many U.S. cities for the second year in a row. But the decrease in homicides and assaults has been largely ignored by Republican politicians like Donald Trump, who publicly blames his opponent Kamala Harris and other Democrats for what he claims is a surge in violent crime across the United States.

Ahead of the first –– and probably only –– debate between Trump and Harris on Tuesday evening, reporter Devlin Barrett joins host Martine Powers to give some context to what we might hear on the debate stage when it comes to crime, policing and immigration. 

The teams behind “Post Reports” and “The Campaign Moment” will also be working late to get you an episode first thing tomorrow, breaking down the biggest moments of the debate and fact-checking some of the candidates’ answers. Keep an ear out for that episode.  

Today’s show was produced by Rennie Svirnovskiy, with help from Elana Gordon. It was edited by Peter Bresnan and mixed by Sean Carter. 

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Just 36 hours after his 14-year-old son was arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of four people at Georgia’s Apalachee High School, Colin Gray was charged with two counts of second-degree murder and four counts of involuntary manslaughter. Those are the most serious charges ever filed against the parent of an alleged school shooter.

Host Martine Powers speaks with enterprise reporter John Woodrow Cox about how the speed and severity of the charges against Colin Gray mark a shift in school shootings in the United States.

Today’s show was produced by Ariel Plotnick, with help from Rennie Svirnovskiy, Sabby Robinson and Elana Gordon. It was edited by Reena Flores and mixed by Sean Carter. 

Subscribe to The Washington Post here. And here’s a link to our series “Surviving to graduation,” which dives deep into the role schools play in combating gun violence. 

“Post Reports” co-host Martine Powers and senior political reporter Aaron Blake talk with White House reporter and Kamala Harris expert Cleve Wootson about what Harris and Donald Trump need to do at next week’s debate. They also dig into Harris’s record fundraising numbers and how Harris hopes to help down ballot Democrats in key House and Senate races. 

Today’s show was produced and mixed by Ted Muldoon. It was edited by Lucy Perkins and Mary Jo Murphy. 

Subscribe to Aaron’s newsletter, The Campaign Moment, here. 

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Recommended reading: 

How Democrats made Project 2025 one of their top anti-GOP attacks

A louder voice in fighting abortion bans: Men in red states

Biden is suddenly seeing his best polls in years

What Michael B. Moore’s congressional race tells us about gerrymandering, and how a Supreme Court decision affects the future of American democracy.

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Businessman Michael B. Moore is running a surprising congressional campaign: He’s trying to win as a Democrat in South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District, a seat that is considered solidly Republican in this election cycle. While he won his primary race, it’s unlikely he’ll win the general election because of a recent Supreme Court decision on gerrymandering.

Host Martine Powers speaks with voting issues reporter Patrick Marley about Moore’s race, and what it can tell us about the impact of a conservative Supreme Court on American democracy.

Today’s show was produced by Rennie Svirnovskiy. It was edited by Reena Flores and mixed by Sean Carter.

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Vice President Kamala Harris has been supported by prominent technology executives since the beginning of her political career. She has maintained many of her Big Tech connections while also pushing tighter privacy policies,but she has left her stance on breaking up powerful tech companies largely undefined. This is at odds with the Biden administration’s commitment  to antitrust enforcement, bringing lawsuits against companies like Google and Apple. 

Host Martine Powers speaks with Cat Zakrzewski, a national technology policy reporter for The Post, about how Harris is navigating her close ties to Silicon Valley, and what her approach to Big Tech may be if she becomes president.

Today’s show was produced by Sabby Robinson, with help from Peter Bresnan. It was mixed by Sean Carter. It was edited by Monica Campbell and Ariel Plotnick. Thanks to Cristiano Lima-Strong for his reporting. 

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At the Pathways to Independence program in Kearny, N.J., disabled workers sort clothing hangers and unload boxes through work contracted with outside companies. One of those workers is 33-year-old Jaime Muniz, who has been there for 11 years and whose paycheck recently averaged about $1.28 per hour. 

“My payment is not going well,” Muniz told The Post’s disabilities reporter Amanda Morris. “And it's making our lives harder, a lot harder.”

Yet paying workers with disabilities far below minimum wage is completely legal. Muniz is one of tens of thousands of workers with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are paid subminimum wages at facilities across the country. The labor program, sanctioned by federal law, is supposed to prepare workers for higher-paying jobs in the community, and while many families support them, Morris and her colleagues Caitlin Gilbert and Jacqueline Alemany found in a months-long investigation that they often lack oversight and accountability. 

Today, host Martine Powers speaks with Morris about what she heard from workers and their families, the future of this arcane law, and the growing scrutiny surrounding these programs.

Today’s show was produced by Elana Gordon with help from Sabby Robinson and Ariel Plotnick. It was edited by Reena Flores and mixed by Sam Bair. Thanks to Emily Codik, Caitlin Gilbert, Jacqueline Alemany, Lauren Gurley and Andrea Sachs. 

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When Szu Yu Chen, a graphics reporter at The Washington Post, was covering this year’s Grammy Awards, she couldn’t help but notice how many nominated songs came in under three minutes. The more she looked into it – analyzing Billboard charts and interviewing artists – the more she realized this was a real trend. Meanwhile, when “Post Reports” audio engineer Sean Carter was working in a recording studio in Atlanta, he kept observing a similar shift, too.  

Today, Carter guest hosts “Post Reports,” in conversation with Chen, exploring what’s driving this change in music, and what’s gained and lost as a result. 

Today’s show was produced by Elana Gordon, edited by Monica Campbell and mixed by Rennie Svirnovsky. 

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Jesse Dufton was born with a condition in which the light-sensing cells of his retina gradually deteriorated. This did not stop him from climbing with his family – bouldering by age 2, securing his own ropes by 5. 

When Dufton went to public school and then university, he downplayed his vision problems as he became a better climber. Then he met Molly Thompson, who took note of his long hair that made him look like a mature student. 

The two grew closer and often climbed together. But even as the couple was falling in love, Dufton was losing all of his sight. Dufton and Thompson had to invent new ways of communicating to continue their love of climbing.  

This story was written and read by Kevin Sieff. Audio production and original music composition by Bishop Sand.

“Post Reports” co-host Elahe Izadi and senior political reporter Aaron Blake talk with White House reporter Yasmeen Abutaleb about Harris and Walz’s interview on CNN, new polling that shows continued Democratic enthusiasm, and an altercation between the Trump campaign and an employee at Arlington National Cemetery. 

Today’s show was produced by Laura Benshoff. It was edited by Lucy Perkins and Ariel Plotnick. It was mixed by Sean Carter. 

Subscribe to Aaron’s newsletter, The Campaign Moment, here. 

Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Since the beginning of the pandemic in 2020, there has been a big uptick in the use of the powerful anesthetic ketamine to treat anxiety and depression. But after the death last year of actor Matthew Perry, star of the hit sitcom “Friends,” due in part to the effects of ketamine, doctors and government officials are reconsidering the drug’s widespread availability.

On today’s “Post Reports,” Elahe Izadi speaks with reporter Daniel Gilbert, who has been following the ketamine boom for years. They talk about how ketamine became so widely accessible and about the uncertain future of the drug. 

Today’s show was produced by Peter Bresnan, with help from Emma Talkoff and Ali Bianco. It was edited by Monica Campbell and mixed by Rennie Svirnovskiy. 

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This is not the presidential race that former president Donald Trump prepared for. Today, we unpack the state of the Trump campaign, its struggles to adapt and its strategy to face a new opponent.

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This presidential race has taken several unexpected turns, especially for former president Donald Trump.

Earlier this summer, the spotlight moved off of Trump as Vice President Kamala Harris jumped into the race. Now, the Republican nominee is crisscrossing the country to battleground states to recapture national attention.

Host Martine Powers speaks with national political reporter Isaac Arnsdorf about the state of Trump’s campaign and how it's adapting to an entirely new opponent.

Today’s show was produced by Ali Bianco, with help from Rennie Svirnovskiy. It was edited by Reena Flores and Monica Campbell and mixed by Sean Carter. Thanks to Sean Sullivan and Erin Patrick O’Connor.

Subscribe to The Washington Post here. And check out the latest story from health columnist Anahad O’Connor on how the avocado oil sold in some grocery stores may be fake.

NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry “Butch” Wilmore were supposed to be on the International Space Station for eight days. But as the Boeing Starliner capsule they were in was approaching the space station, the spacecraft’s thrusters started to fail. Since then, Boeing and NASA have struggled to figure out what went wrong. NASA decided last week that the astronauts should stay put for eight months until they could come back in a SpaceX capsule. 

Host Martine Powers speaks with space industry reporter Chris Davenport about the plan to bring the astronauts home and what the repercussions of this mission will be on Boeing and future space travel. 

Today’s show was produced by Ted Muldoon, with help from Sabby Robinson. It was edited by Reena Flores. Ted also mixed the show. Thanks to Chris Rowland. 

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When the state of New York became the first in the nation to require public schools to test their drinking water for lead in 2016, students learned that dozens of water fountains across the district were contaminated. Since then, a group of students and parents have banded together to fight for clean water in the schools.

Host Martine Powers speaks with investigative reporter Silvia Foster-Frau about her reporting in the East Ramapo Central School District and what people everywhere need to know about keeping kids’ drinking water safe.

Today’s show was produced by Emma Talkoff, with help from Bishop Sand. It was mixed by Sean Carter and edited by Monica Campbell. Thanks to Rosalind Helderman. 

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Elahe Izadi, co-host of “Post Reports,” and senior political reporter Aaron Blake sit down with White House reporter Cleve Wootson at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago to talk about the highlights from Harris’s speech. Harris focused on her middle-class upbringing and how she would protect abortion access and reproductive rights, and she cast herself as a candidate who would bring normalcy and competency to the White House. 

They also revisit the most memorable speeches of the four-day convention and look ahead to what the next two months might look like for Harris. 

Today’s show was produced by Laura Benshoff and Ariel Plotnick. It was edited by Lucy Perkins and Mary Jo Murphy and mixed by Sam Bair. 

Subscribe to Aaron’s newsletter, The Campaign Moment, here. 

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As Ukraine continues to lose ground to Russia in the east of the country, President Volodymyr  Zelensky has quietly moved Ukrainian forces into Russia. Post correspondents have documented the operation and witnessed the Russian soldiers taken captive by Ukrainian forces in this surprise incursion. 

Additional Post reporting alongside Ukrainian forces revealed the state of Sudzha, a captured Russian town in western Russia. 

Host Martine Powers speaks with Ukraine bureau chief Isabelle Khurshudyan in Kyiv about why Ukraine advanced into Russia, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s response, and what might happen to the people in this newly occupied area of Russia. 

Today’s show was produced by Bishop Sand, with help from Rennie Svirnovskiy, Ali Bianco and Emma Talkoff. It was mixed by Sean Carter. The show was edited by Monica Campbell, with help from Reena Flores. Thanks to Jenn Amur, Jon Gerberg and Siobáhn O’Grady. 

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On Aug. 5, following weeks of student protests and police violence that left hundreds dead, Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled to India. The students have since worked with the country’s military to form an interim government, led by Nobel Peace Prize-winning economist Muhammad Yunus. 

Soon after Hasina’s resignation, South Asia correspondent Karishma Mehrotra traveled to the capital city of Dhaka to speak to students, members of the new interim government and others. Martine Powers talks with Karishma about what she learned in Dhaka – and what comes next as this new government tries to make meaningful reforms. 

Today’s show was produced by Peter Bresnan, with help from Emma Talkoff. It was mixed by Sean Carter and edited by Monica Campbell. Thanks to Anant Gupta and Rashad Ahamad. 

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Biden received a warm welcome at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Monday evening when he walked on stage to address his party. Thousands of Democratic delegates packed in the arena chanted “Thank you, Joe!” and pumped signs saying “We love Joe” as he gave his speech. 

“Post Reports” co-host Elahe Izadi and senior political reporter Aaron Blake talk with White House reporter Matt Viser about Biden’s historic address and what the first night of the convention tells us about the current strength of the Democratic Party. 

Today’s show was produced by Laura Benshoff. It was edited by Lucy Perkins and Mary Jo Murphy and mixed by Sean Carter. Thanks also to Ariel Plotnick.

Subscribe to Aaron’s newsletter, The Campaign Moment, here. 

Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

The United States imposes more sanctions than any other country on Earth. Since the 1960s, sanctions have become a core element of U.S. diplomatic strategy, with countries like North Korea, Venezuela, Syria, Russia, China and Iran all being subject to these economic penalties. 

Today, Elahe Izadi speaks with White House economics reporter Jeff Stein about how the United States fell in love with sanctions, about whether the country’s current strategy is sustainable and about whether sanctions truly work as a diplomatic tool. 

Plus, Elahe reports from Chicago on the opening scenes of the Democratic National Convention.  

Today’s show was produced by Rennie Svirnovskiy and Ariel Plotnick, with help from Trinity Webster-Bass. The show was mixed by Sean Carter and edited by Reena Flores, with help from Lucy Perkins. Thanks to Mike Madden. 

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On a hot June evening in 1964, Mickey Schwerner, James Chaney and Andrew Goodman were ambushed by the Ku Klux Klan and killed as they left town.

The atrocity became a seminal moment in the civil rights movement. Yet 60 years after the killings, some people in Philadelphia worry that the country is forgetting what was learned along the way. Others wonder what the past is owed — and for how long. They talked with Susan Levine this spring about their community’s painful legacy of racism.

This episode was produced and mixed by Bishop Sand. It was edited by Lucy Perkins. Thanks also to Allison Michaels.

Senior political reporter Aaron Blake and congressional reporter Liz Goodwin talk with “Post Reports” co-host Martine Powers about the economic policies that Harris’s campaign unveiled Friday, and whether Democrats could win a trifecta in November and make those proposals reality. 

They also look ahead to the Democratic National Convention in Chicago next week, where President Joe Biden will address delegates after withdrawing from the race last month. 

Today’s show was produced by Laura Benshoff. It was edited by Lucy Perkins and Mary Jo Murphy and mixed by Rennie Svirnovskiy. 

Subscribe to Aaron’s newsletter, The Campaign Moment, here. 

Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Florida is just one of a number of states where abortion rights will be on the November ballot. In Florida, voters will decide whether to pass Amendment 4, which would reverse Florida’s six-week abortion ban and put abortion protections in the state constitution.

Grassroots organizers in Florida have been going door to door trying to get out the vote to pass Amendment 4. Some of these groups have been specifically targeting Latino voters, who organizers believe have been ignored by the Democratic Party. 

This summer, reporter Molly Hennessy-Fiske visited Florida to spend time with these organizers and see the kinds of conversations they were having with potential voters. Today on “Post Reports,” host Elahe Izadi speaks with Molly about what she learned in Florida about how abortion rights could shape the election. 

Today’s show was produced by Peter Bresnan, with support from Ali Bianco and Elana Gordon. It was mixed by Sean Carter and edited by Monica Campbell, with help from Lucy Perkins. Thanks to Susan Levine. Additional reporting by Reshma Kirpalani.

Today on “Post Reports,” how a college track star’s gender transition changed her relationship to the sport she loves. And Post sports columnist Jerry Brewer on the efforts to include – or exclude – trans athletes from the wider world of sports.

Read more:

During the Paris Olympics, female boxers Imane Khelif of Algeria and Lin Yu Ting of Taiwan were falsely accused of being transgender, after the International Boxing Association claimed without evidence that the women had failed gender eligibility tests in a previous competition.

The IBA is not recognized by the International Olympic Committee, which defended the women’s participation in the Olympics, and questioned the validity of the IBA’s tests. 

The outcry over both women’s participation – spread by prominent figures such as J.K. Rowling and Elon Musk – was a prime example of what sports columnist Jerry Brewer has called a “panic” over trans inclusion in sports in his “Grievance Games” series for The Post. 

“I think we think that sports is a place for everyone,” Jerry said. “But I think there's a myth of inclusion about sports. And I think that we have a long history of exclusion that brave people have had to fight through to make us more inclusive, to make us more diverse.”

On today’s “Post Reports,” host Martine Powers speaks with Jerry about how the promise of sports as a national unifier has buckled under the pressure of grievance and division. And we hear from a college athlete – Sadie Schreiner – about what it takes to compete as a trans woman. 

You can read more stories from Jerry’s “Grievance Games” series, or listen to audio versions of each essay read by Jerry, at the links below: 

• How grievance splintered American sports
• The fight over Jackie Robinson
• The panic over trans sports inclusion
• The media’s role in fracturing sports

Also mentioned in the show is a conversation between Russian writer, journalist and opposition politician Vladimir Kara-Murza – recently released from a Russian prison in the largest prisoner swap since the Cold War – and Post Opinions Editor David Shipley on Washington Post Live. You can hear them talk about Kara-Murza’s imprisonment, his historic release and press freedom on our opinion podcast, “Impromptu.” 

Today’s show was produced by Rennie Svirnovskiy, with help from Emma Talkoff. It was edited by Peter Bresnan, with help from Lucy Perkins, and mixed by Sean Carter. Special thanks to Dan Steinberg and Donelle Wedderburn. 

Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Bridgeview, Ill., just 30 minutes from downtown Chicago, is home to one of the largest concentrations of Palestinian Americans in the country. The town, nicknamed “Little Palestine,” traditionally votes Democratic. But now, ahead of the presidential election, residents are seriously reconsidering how they vote, because of President Joe Biden’s approach to the war in Gaza.

Today, host Martine Powers speaks with White House reporter Yasmeen Abutaleb about Little Palestine, the broader rift in the Democratic Party over Gaza, and whether Vice President Kamala Harris changes the calculation for Muslim and Arab American voters. 

Today’s show was produced by Ariel Plotnick with help from Sabby Robinson. It was edited by Reena Flores and mixed by Sean Carter. Thanks to Naftali Bendavid.

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In a historic decision, a federal judge has ruled that Google is a monopoly and that the tech giant has been using its market power illegally to quash competition. The ruling marks one of the biggest wins for the Department of Justice over Big Tech in at least 20 years.

Host Martine Powers speaks with tech policy reporter Eva Dou about the details of the case and how it could change Google. Also, what the decision could mean for other tech giants like Apple and Microsoft, as well as startups.

Today’s show was produced by Ali Bianco, with help from Elana Gordon. It was edited by Monica Campbell and mixed by Sean Carter. Thanks to Trinity Webster-Bass and James Graff.

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Post Reports co-host Martine Powers sits down with senior political reporter Aaron Blake and Marianna Sotomayor, a congressional reporter covering the House of Representatives, to talk about House Democrats’ enthusiasm for Vice President Kamala Harris’s VP pick, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz – a former member of Congress himself. They also discuss takeaways from the primary loss of Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.), Walz’s military and governance record, and former president Donald Trump’s campaign event slowdown. 

Today’s show was produced by Laura Benshoff. It was edited by Allison Michaels, Lucy Perkins and Mary Jo Murphy and mixed by Rennie Svirnovskiy. Thanks also to Trinity Webster-Bass.

Subscribe to The Campaign Moment Newsletter here.

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For the first time, breaking – or breakdancing – will be an Olympic event. Since it originated in Black and Latino neighborhoods in the Bronx during the 1970s, it has spread worldwide, with competitions held in places like Brazil, Germany and Korea. 

Host Elahe Izadi speaks with Ronnie Abaldonado, a veteran breaker who’s been in some of the most famous breaking crews and judged international competitions for years. He explains how Olympic judges will score the breakers and whom he’s looking forward to watching. 

Today’s show was produced by Sabby Robinson. It was edited by Monica Campbell and Ted Muldoon and mixed by Sean Carter. Thanks to Jason Murray. 

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TikTok, which says it has 170 million U.S. users, made it too easy for children to create accounts and then collected data on those who did — a major violation of the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, known as COPPA, the Justice Department alleged in a lawsuit on Friday. But tech companies collecting and selling data from users goes far beyond TikTok — and affects everyone.

Post Reports co-host Martine Powers speaks with technology reporter Drew Harwell about why the Justice Department is suing TikTok for storing the data of millions of children. And she talks with NOTUS investigative reporter Byron Tau, who shares all of the ways that apps gather information on us — and sell that information to law enforcement and governments.

Plus, learn how sea lions are mapping the ocean floor with cameras attached to their backs. Check out the video here.

Today’s show was produced by Emma Talkoff and Trinity Webster-Bass. It was edited by Reena Flores, with help from Arie Plotnick, and mixed by Sean Carter and Rennie Svirnovskiy. 



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“Post Reports” co-host Martine Powers sits down with senior political reporter Aaron Blake, who writes The Post's Campaign Moment newsletter. They talk about why Vice President Harris chose Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate, his strengths and weaknesses, and how he compares with the GOP’s vice president pick, JD Vance.

Today’s show was produced by Laura Benshoff. It was edited by Lucy Perkins and Mary Jo Murphy and mixed by Sean Carter. Thanks also to Trinity Webster-Bass. 

Subscribe to Aaron’s newsletter, The Campaign Moment, here. 

Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

The U.S. women’s basketball team is a dynasty – and it didn’t need Caitlin Clark. Host Ava Wallace talks with columnists Candace Buckner and Jerry Brewer about that and drama on the track. Plus: How NBC brings the sounds of the Games to your living room.

Subscribe to Ava’s newsletter here. 

Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Today’s show was produced and mixed by Ted Muldoon. It was edited by Joe Tone.

It has been one week since Venezuela’s presidential election. Both sides have claimed victory – but a review of the tallies collected by the opposition paints a different picture.

In the hours and days after the election, independent observers and world leaders called on President Nicolás Maduro to publish the voting records and corroborate his claims of winning. Meanwhile, the opposition, led by Edmundo González and María Corina Machado, has collected thousands of receipts – printed voting tallies – that point to what could be the largest electoral fraud Venezuela has ever seen.

Host Martine Powers speaks with Bogotá bureau chief Samantha Schmidt about the fallout of the election and how The Post analyzed these voting tallies to determine what happened in the election. 

Today’s show was produced by Sabby Robinson and Ali Bianco. It was edited by Monica Campbell and mixed by Sean Carter. Thanks to Steven Rich, Ana Vanessa Herrero, Maria Lusia Paul, Matt Brown and Abha Bhattarai. 

Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

For much of his childhood, Mike Lindgren said, he parroted his mother’s right-wing opinions without question. But after Mike failed several classes as a freshman in public high school, his mother, Jennifer Lindgren, sent him to a private boarding school that promised a hands-on, “inclusive” approach to learning. There, surrounded by teachers and classmates he described as liberal, Mike said he grew more curious about his peers’ worldviews — and correspondingly less sure of his own.

Jennifer fought more with Mike after he went away to Ithaca College, and they spoke less. Then, after not seeing Mike for months, Jennifer traveled to Ithaca College for her son’s graduation. 

Could they accept each other, even if they didn’t understand each other anymore?

This story is part of our Deep Reads series, which showcases narrative journalism at The Washington Post. It was written and read by Hannah Natanson. Audio narration comes from our partners at Noa, an app offering curated audio articles.

In an interview with panelists at the National Association of Black Journalists conference in Chicago, former president Donald Trump questioned Vice President Harris’s racial identity, saying she only recently started calling herself Black. Also, the leader of Project 2025, the controversial right-wing policy group, is stepping down. And the Harris campaign has hit some major fundraising goals and is expected to announce her running mate any day now.

Plus, read The Post’s exclusive investigation into a secret probe into whether Trump took money from Egypt here.

Co-host Martine Powers talks with reporters Issac Arnsdorf, who covers Trump, and Tyler Pager, who covers the White House, about what to make of it all.

Today’s show was produced by Laura Benshoff. It was edited by Lucy Perkins and Mary Jo Murphy and mixed by Rennie Svirnovskiy. Thanks also to Ali Bianco.

Subscribe to The Campaign Moment Newsletter here.

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Today, we hear about the secret negotiations that led to an extraordinary prisoner swap on Thursday. Among the freed: Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, other Americans, Russian dissidents – and a convicted assassin. 

Read more:

On Thursday, the biggest exchange of prisoners since the height of the Cold War took place.

The quiet negotiations took months between the U.S., Russia and several European nations. Among the at least two dozen people freed was Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, detained in Russia on charges of espionage in 2023. Also, Paul Whelan, a former Marine who had been imprisoned in Russia for more than five years. Russian dissidents, along with a convicted Russian assassin, were also among those freed.  

Host Martine Powers speaks with national security reporter Shane Harris about the buildup to this landmark prisoner swap, how it unfolded in these final hours and what the U.S. gave up to make it happen.

Today’s show was produced by Rennie Svirnovskiy, with help from Sabby Robinson and Emma Talkoff. It was edited by Monica Campbell, with support from Reena Flores. It was mixed by Sam Bair. Thanks to Jennifer Amur and David Herszenhorn.

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On Wednesday, Hamas’s No. 1 political leader outside of Gaza, Ismail Haniyeh, was assassinated in Iran. As the impact of his death ripples around the world, the assassination risks making the already deadly conflicts in the Middle East a lot worse.

Host Martine Powers speaks with Steve Hendrix, The Post’s Jerusalem bureau chief, to understand how this apparent assassination has compounded fears of a larger war in the Middle East – and what could prevent it.

Today’s show was produced by Emma Talkoff, with help from Sabby Robinson and Ali Bianco. It was edited by Reena Flores, with help from Monica Campbell, and it was mixed by Sean Carter. Thanks to Jenn Amur and Erin Cunningham.



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For years, the United States and Australia have duked it out for dominance in the Olympic swimming pool. Now, with U.S. legend Michael Phelps retired and Katie Ledecky slipping in some races, it might be Australia’s turn at the top of the podium.

The Washington Post’s Ava Wallace speaks with Post reporters Dave Sheinin and Rick Maese about the newest stars in the pool this year and which races not to miss.

Subscribe to Ava’s newsletter here. 

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Today’s show was produced and mixed by Ted Muldoon. It was edited by Joe Tone. 

This month, Earth hit its hottest days recorded in history. But even on the warmest days, millions of workers in the U.S. labor in heat that is increasingly hazardous to their health.

This month, the Biden administration proposed a rule that, for the first time, would protect such workers, whether their jobs are indoors or outdoors. The proposal sets out two heat index triggers that would apply nationally and require employers to offer drinking water, among other safeguards.

Yet some employers, in areas such as agriculture, construction and tourism, are resisting the changes, arguing that they would make their sectors less competitive.

Today on “Post Reports,” Elahe Izadi speaks with climate change reporter Anna Phillips about the federal government’s efforts to protect workers.

Today’s show was produced by Trinity Webster-Bass, with support from Elana Gordon. It was edited by Monica Campbell and mixed by Sean Carter. 

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In December 1982, the Police flew to the Caribbean island of Montserrat to record their fifth album. The executives at A&M Records were excited. A year earlier, the trio had generated hit singles like “Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic” and “Spirits in the Material World.” Suddenly, they were filling arenas.

But the atmosphere in the recording studio quickly turned sour. Guitarist Andy Summers sniffed at lead singer Sting’s demo of “Every Breath You Take” as cheesy pop. Drummer Stewart Copeland bristled when the singer tried to give him orders. And Sting, who had been contemplating going solo, was tired of pretending this was still a democracy: Why were they arguing about whose songs were best? Wasn’t it obvious? 

This oral history, including interviews with Sting and the other members of the band, takes listeners inside the making of “Synchronicity,” one of the most popular records of the 20th century – and what eventually tore the band apart.

Post Reports co-host Martine Powers sits down with senior political reporter Aaron Blake and Maeve Reston, a national political reporter covering the 2024 presidential race. They talk about how Vice President Harris may tackle the Israel-Gaza conflict, new polling on the Harris-Trump matchup, and how Gen Z influencers and memes may engage young voters and buoy Harris’s campaign. 

Today’s episode was produced by Laura Benshoff and mixed by Rennie Svirnovskiy. It was edited by Lucy Perkins and Mary Jo Murphy. Thanks also to Trinity Webster-Bass and Drew Harwell.

Subscribe to Aaron’s newsletter, The Campaign Moment, here. 

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On Friday, more than 8.5 million Microsoft computers around the world shut down.

The tech outage threw our most essential systems into chaos. Airlines delayed or canceled flights. Hospitals turned away non-emergency patients. Banks, businesses, courts, government offices – all were faced with blank, inactive computer screens that many cal the “blue screen of death.” The culprit? A software update pushed to Windows devices by cybersecurity company CrowdStrike.

Host Elahe Izadi speaks with technology reporter Joseph Menn about what happened inside CrowdStrike, and what this incident tells us about the state of the cybersecurity industry.

Today’s show was produced by Ali Bianco, with help from Sabby Robinson and Trinity Webster-Bass. It was edited by Reena Flores and Ariel Plotnick and mixed by Sean Carter. Thanks to James Graff.

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There are a lot of questions heading into the Summer Olympics: Is Paris prepared to host the Games? Who are the star athletes this year? What exactly is a “horsey passport”?

The Washington Post’s Ava Wallace speaks with Post sports columnist Jerry Brewer and sports feature writer Rick Maese about those questions and more in the first episode of The Sports Moment which we're sharing with you this morning. After you listen, look up the show and hit follow to hear more from Ava and the rest of our team in Paris.

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Today’s show was produced and mixed by Ted Muldoon. It was edited by Joe Tone, Allison Michaels and Renita Jablonski.

This is a special episode of The Campaign Moment dedicated to answering the questions on everyone’s minds about what happens next now that Harris is the Democrats’ potential nominee.

Senior political reporter Aaron Blake, who writes The Post's new Campaign Moment newsletter, and Colby Itkowitz, who covers voting and elections on the democracy team, sit down with Post Reports co-host Elahe Izadi. They talk about how Harris polls against Trump, what it means for her to take over a campaign that was designed for President Biden, and how the GOP is reacting to her campaign.

Today’s show was produced by Laura Benshoff. It was mixed by Sean Carter. It was edited by Lucy Perkins and Mary Jo Murphy. Thanks also to Trinity Webster-Bass.

Subscribe to Aaron’s newsletter, The Campaign Moment, here. 

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Ava Wallace, sports reporter at The Washington Post, is in France to report on the Summer Games — and eat a lot of croissants. Join her starting July 24, continuing through the entire run of the games, for several episodes a week as she captures the highs, the lows and the Paris of it all, along with other Post colleagues.

Follow The Sports Moment podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music or YouTube.

Sign up for The Sports Moment: Olympics Edition newsletter here.

Yesterday, President Biden announced that he would no longer be running for reelection; he also endorsed Vice President Harris to replace him as the Democratic nominee for president in November’s election. Over the past 24 hours, endorsements of Harris have been rolling in from top Democrats. 

Today on Post Reports, host Elahe Izadi speaks with The Washington Post’s White House bureau chief, Toluse Olorunnipa, about Biden’s decision to endorse Harris. Plus, host Martine Powers and White House reporter Cleve Wootson dive deep into Harris’s career and how she’s evolved as a politician over the years.

Today’s show was produced by Emma Talkoff and Trinity Webster-Bass. It was mixed by Sam Bair and edited by Reena Flores, with help from Ariel Plotnick. 

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On Sunday afternoon, President Biden released a statement announcing that he would stand down from seeking reelection in the 2024 presidential race. The statement came after weeks of mounting pressure from members of his party, many of whom expressed concern over his health and speculated whether he would be able to beat former president Donald Trump. 

Host Elahe Izadi speaks with White House reporter Tyler Pager about this monumental decision by the president and whether it puts Democrats in a better position to beat Trump. 

Today’s show was produced by Ariel Plotnick and Sabby Robinson. It was edited by Reena Flores and mixed by Sean Carter. 

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So far, polling suggests that young voter turnout in 2024 may not match 2020’s rate. In April, only 41 percent of Black people 18 to 39 told a Washington Post-Ipsos poll that they were certain to vote this year, down from 61 percent in June 2020.

The poll mirrored what Shannon Salter was seeing among her civics students, whose interest in voting had been hobbled by poverty, racism and two aging presidential candidates seemingly far removed from the world of a struggling Allentown, Pa., teen.

To these students, American politics was an ego-driven, aimless mess. She had more than a month to go before the end of the term to convince her students that their participation in American democracy was worth it. She had no idea how hard a sell that would turn out to be.

This story is part of our Deep Reads series, which showcases narrative journalism at The Washington Post. It was written and read by Greg Jaffe. Audio narration comes from our partners at Noa, an app offering curated audio articles.

Democrats flipped the typical convention script this week, dominating the news during the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. 

Following the attempted assassination of former president Donald Trump at a rally Saturday, the GOP aimed to send a message of unity to the party faithful. In his acceptance speech, Trump initially seemed somber, telling the crowd, “I’m not supposed to be here tonight.” They chanted back, “Yes, you are.” But he quickly regained his normal campaign posture, hammering Democrats over immigration and the economy. Meanwhile, new reporting from The Post shows that Biden is hearing concerns about his fitness to lead the ticket from senior Democratic figures like former House speaker Nancy Pelosi and former president Barack Obama.

Martine Powers and Aaron Blake, senior political reporter and writer of The Campaign Moment newsletter, speak with Dan Balz, the chief correspondent covering national politics, the presidency and Congress at The Post.

Today’s show was produced by Laura Benshoff and Charla Freeland. It was edited by Reena Flores and Lucy Perkins and mixed by Sam Bair. 

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In the early 1980s, the Olympic Games were on the verge of dying out. After a string of disasters, the Games had become unaffordable, politically fraught, and faced serious security concerns. Then came the spectacular 1984 Summer Games in Los Angeles that reinvented the way the Olympics were run.

Guest host Ted Muldoon sits down with Les Carpenter, who covers the Olympics for The Post. They break down what changed in the 1984 Games and explore if 2024 could be another turning point.

Today’s show was produced and mixed by Ted Muldoon. It was edited by Renita Jablonski. Thanks to Matt Rennie. 

Audio of the 1984 Olympic events courtesy of the ABC Sports Collection, managed by ESPN. Additional audio courtesy of AT&T Archives and History Center, RunnerSpace.com and Rocky Mountain PBS.

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Voyager 1 launched on Sept. 5, 1977, during the height of the space age. In the decades since, this unmanned spacecraft has ventured to the outer edges of our universe, sending back one-of-a-kind images and exploring realms that humans will probably never reach. 

Voyager 1 is now more than 15 billion miles away in interstellar space, still collecting data and sending it back to Earth. But late last year, Voyager 1 faced its biggest crisis yet. It went silent and stopped communicating. In the months that followed, scientists at NASA launched an all-hands-on-deck effort to find a solution.  

Today on “Post Reports,” science reporter Joel Achenbach on Voyager’s journey through space, its fragile future and the desperate effort to keep it with us. We hear from Linda Spilker, project scientist for Voyager 1, and David Cummings, a member of a “tiger team” at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.   

Today’s show was produced by Elana Gordon. It was edited by Peter Bresnan and mixed by Sean Carter. Thanks to Stephen Smith.  

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On Saturday, Thomas Matthew Crooks attempted to assassinate former president Donald Trump. Crooks got on top of a roof near the Butler, Pa., rally and shot toward the rally stage. But almost a minute and a half before Crooks fired, bystanders alerted security that they saw a man on a roof.

Since the assassination attempt, the Secret Service – the organization meant to protect current and former presidents – has been under scrutiny. Today, guest host Chris Velazco speaks with investigative reporter Carol Leonnig about the Secret Service – how they work, their past failures and how they responded at the scene. 

Today’s show was produced by Sabby Robinson and Ali Bianco. It was edited by Reena Flores and mixed by Sean Carter. Thanks to Peter Wallsten and Isaac Stanley-Becker.

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This week, amid calls for political unity and growing questions over presidential security, Trump faces one of the most consequential weeks in his campaign yet – the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, where he will officially accept the Republican nomination for president. 

Post Reports co-host Martine Powers speaks with senior political reporter Aaron Blake and political investigations and enterprise reporter Josh Dawsey from the convention. They explore the weight of the ongoing investigation into the attempted assassination, its larger implications and what to expect from the convention this week. Also, they discuss the dropped charges in a legal challenge regarding Trump’s handling of classified documents, and the announcement of Trump’s running mate: Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio.

Today’s show was produced by Laura Benshoff and Charla Freeland, and mixed by Sean Carter. It was edited by Lucy Perkins and Mary Jo Murphy. Thanks also to Ali Bianco.

Subscribe to Aaron’s newsletter, The Campaign Moment, here. 

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A shooter fired multiple rounds toward the stage at a Saturday campaign rally for former president Donald Trump. Federal officials are investigating the incident as an assassination attempt.

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Donald Trump, the former president who is set to formally accept the Republican nomination later this week, was less than 10 minutes into his speech at a rally in Pennsylvania when a burst of gunfire interrupted him. Trump was quickly rushed offstage with what appeared to be blood on one side of his face. He later said in a TruthSocial post that he was shot in his upper right ear. Authorities are investigating the event as an assassination attempt. According to law enforcement, the shooter and one spectator are dead and at least two others are critically injured.

National political reporter Isaac Arnsdorf was at the Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania and witnessed the shooting unfold. He spoke with host Martine Powers late Saturday night, recounted his experience and shared the latest details of what we know so far. Martine also spoke with Post photographer Jabin Botsford who was a few feet from Trump when the gunfire began and a Trump supporter who attended the rally.

Today’s show was produced and mixed by Ted Muldoon, with production assistance from Rennie Svirnovskiy. It was edited by Reena Flores and Renita Jablonski. 

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This week, Biden vowed in his high-stakes press conference on Thursday night to remain in the race, but it’s unclear if his message satisfied voters. 

His speech followed new polling this week that suggests that more than half of Democrats want Biden to drop out of the race. It also found that the overall race hasn’t changed much, and that Trump and Biden are locked in a dead heat. 

Post Reports co-host Martine Powers talks with senior political reporter Aaron Blake and national politics reporter Hannah Knowles about how Democratic voters and politicians feel about Biden, and why Trump has been so quiet during a tumultuous moment in his opponent’s campaign. They also dig into what to expect at next week’s Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. 

Today’s show was produced by Laura Benshoff. It was edited by Lucy Perkins and Mary Jo Murphy and mixed by Rennie Svirnovskiy. 

Subscribe to Aaron’s newsletter, The Campaign Moment, here. 

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Wimbledon. Hit films like “Challengers.” Tennis core. While household names such as Serena Williams and Roger Federer have retired from the game, a new generation of players is on the rise. They are fueling a resurgence in the sport’s popularity and pushing for long-awaited pay equity. 

Today on “Post Reports,” Martine Powers speaks with sports reporter Ava Wallace from Wimbledon about this tennis moment and the new players to watch, such as Carlos Alcaraz, Lorenzo Musetti, Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff, and the challenge the sport is facing from pickleball. Wallace also offers her viewing tips as Wimbledon heads to its final matches.  

Today’s show was produced and mixed by Ted Muldoon. It was edited by Monica Campbell. Thanks to Greg Schimmel. 

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Summer is in full swing, and that means many Americans are taking long-awaited vacations. While the joys of exploring new places or visiting family and friends are numerous, the chaos that comes with summer travel –such as  flight delays, disappointing Airbnbs and turbulence – can be enough to make us all want to stay home.

Host Martine Powers speaks with Post travel reporter Natalie Compton about how to survive the mayhem of summer travel.

Today’s show was produced by Sabby Robinson. It was edited by Ariel Plotnick and mixed by Sean Carter. 

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As of Tuesday afternoon, nine congressional House Democrats have called on President Biden to step aside. At the same time, influential liberals like Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer and New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have publicly announced their support for Biden’s candidacy. Biden himself has been defiant about remaining in the race. 

Today on “Post Reports,” host Martine Powers talks to White House reporter Yasmeen Abutaleb about the schism inside the Democratic Party and why this week is so pivotal for the future of the Biden campaign. 

Today’s show was produced by Peter Bresnan and Elana Gordon. It was edited by Lucy Perkins and Monica Campbell and mixed by Sean Carter. 

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Last week, France was preparing for the possibility of its first far-right government since World War II. Now, it faces a political crossroads, just weeks before the Olympics kick off in Paris.

French President Emmanuel Macron shocked the nation last month when he dissolved Parliament and announced snap elections, hoping to win more seats for his centrist party. But after the first round of elections last week, Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally made historic gains and seemed poised to secure a large victory in the runoff. 

Instead, the leftist Popular Front came out on top in Sunday night’s elections after forming an alliance with Macron’s centrists. However, no party secured an absolute majority of seats, leaving the country uncertain of what party will lead it.

Today on “Post Reports,” host Martine Powers speaks with international correspondent Rick Noack about what these election results spell for France’s long-term future and global standing, and how that might impact Paris’s readiness to host the 2024 Summer Olympics. 

Today’s show was produced by Ariel Plotnick and Ali Bianco. It was edited by Ted Muldoon and mixed by Sean Carter. Thanks to Marisa Bellack.

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With the 60th anniversary of the march from Selma to Montgomery approaching next year, Philip Howard wants to ensure that visitors to Alabama receive a more robust truth, one that goes beyond a paragraph written on a historical marker.

Howard conceived an ambitious goal to tell a cohesive, robust story about the Selma-to-Montgomery march. The march was mostly known for its beginnings, when officers beat and bloodied protesters walking over the Edmund Pettus Bridge. But few delved into the details that made the third attempt to cross the bridge successful, including the families and organizations that helped along the way. 

There were four “campsites” where protesters stayed overnight while completing their 54-mile sojourn. Persuading the families who owned these campsites to publicly preserve their history would be a journey of its own.

This story is part of our Deep Reads series, which showcases narrative journalism at The Washington Post. It was written and read by Robert Samuels. Audio production and original music composition by Bishop Sand.

Learn how to enjoy cooking by identifying parts of your personality outside the kitchen that will set you up for success inside the kitchen.

In the first class in our course on how to enjoy cooking more, host Cristina Quinn teams up with the Washington Post food team to uncover tips for identifying your kitchen personality. Food and dining editor Joe Yonan, food writer and recipe developer Aaron Hutcherson and recipes editor Becky Krystal discuss how to apply personality characteristics — like a tendency to tinker or an adherence to rules — to your cooking experience. The process can make preparing a meal more personalized and therefore more pleasurable.

Find more than 10,000 recipes – sortable by cuisine, course and time it takes to cook – in The Post’s recipe finder. Try one of Cristina’s favorites, Simple Butter Chicken.

Subscribe to The Washington Post for just 50 cents per week for your first year. (Sale ends July 10). Connect your subscription in Apple Podcasts.

To hear more, check out “Try This” wherever you listen to podcasts.

From Theresa May, who struggled to connect with the public, to Boris Johnson, whose tenure was marred by scandals, to Liz Truss, who served as prime minister for just 45 days, the Conservative Party has had significant challenges with U.K. voters in recent years. 

With economic turmoil following Brexit, a pressing need for better health care, and concerns about job security, many British voters are seeking a fresh start. 

Tomorrow, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his Conservative Party will face voters in the first general election since 2019. Projections for Thursday’s general election show the opposition Labour Party, led by Keir Starmer, on the precipice of a parliamentary supermajority win.  

Today on “Post Reports,” host Martine Powers speaks with The Washington Post’s London bureau chief Bill Booth about the decline of the Conservative Party and the contenders vying to be the next British prime minister. 

Today’s show was produced by Sabby Robinson. It was edited by Lucy Perkins and mixed by Sean Carter. Thanks also to Trinity Webster-Bass and Ali Bianco.

To learn more about the election, check out our colleague Ishaan Tharoor’s column.

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It’s not Friday, but here’s a special Tuesday edition of The Campaign Moment — our weekly roundtable conversation to help you keep track of the biggest developments of the 2024 campaign.

We’re bringing you an episode early in the week to share details from inside President Biden’s campaign as the Democratic Party reckons with the fallout from his stumbling performance at the first presidential debate. Senior political reporter Aaron Blake, who writes The Washington Post's “The Campaign Moment” newsletter, and Tyler Pager, a White House reporter who’s been traveling with Biden around the country, sit down with co-host Martine Powers. They reveal the behind-the-scenes details of Biden’s preparation before the debate, his Friday campaign rally to reinvigorate the president’s image, and his team’s willingness to engage in discussions about replacing him ahead of the Democratic convention.

Today’s show was produced by Laura Benshoff and mixed by Sean Carter. Additional production by Ali Bianco. It was edited by Allison Michaels and Mary Jo Murphy.  

Subscribe to Aaron’s newsletter, The Campaign Moment, here. 

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Today, the Supreme Court announced a ruling that could change the limits on presidential power. 

In a 6-3 decision, the court ruled that the president is immune from prosecution of any criminal acts committed in an official capacity during his tenure. The ruling, however, sends the case back to the lower court to determine what counts as an official act and what doesn’t.

Martine Powers speaks with reporter Devlin Barrett about the complexities of presidential immunity, what this means for former president Donald Trump and his indictment on charges of election interference, and the potential impact for future presidents. 

Today’s show was produced by Peter Bresnan, with help from Laura Benshoff, Trinity Webster-Bass and Ali Bianco. It was edited by Reena Flores, with help from Lucy Perkins, and mixed by Sean Carter. Thanks to Debbi Wilgoren. 

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It’s a special early Friday edition of The Campaign Moment. We’re in your feed first thing today after Post Reports co-host Martine Powers and senior political reporter Aaron Blake went into the studio shortly after the debate ended. Aaron says it’s one of the most significant moments of the campaign so far. He and Martine talk through Biden and Trump’s performances, which had Biden noticeably stumbling at times and Trump basing many answers around falsehoods that were left unchallenged by the CNN moderators. Aaron explains the tough questions in front of Democrats now and what this could mean for a buoyed Trump campaign. 

Today’s show was produced and mixed by Ted Muldoon. It was edited by Renita Jablonski. 



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Last week, President Biden announced an executive action that could change everything for DACA recipient Javier Quiroz. But it could all be undone in November. Today, we discuss Biden’s and former president Donald Trump’s takes on immigration.

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Once again, immigration is a big focus on the presidential campaign trail. President Biden’s recent policies restricting asylum aim to decrease migration at the southern border. He also recently issued an executive action that assists undocumented spouses who want to apply for U.S. residency. Former president Donald Trump proposes employing the military to deport migrants en masse, among other hard-line measures. 

Among those watching how this will all play out is Javier Quiroz, an undocumented immigrant who has lived most of his life in the United States. His wife and high school sweetheart, Haleigh, is a U.S. citizen. They found it difficult to plan ahead in their life together –– until last week, when Biden announced the executive action that would change everything for them.

Martine Powers speaks with immigration reporter Maria Sacchetti about Javier and Haleigh Quiroz and their love story. They are among the more than 500,000 couples whose lives could change under Biden’s new policy. But come November, their lives could change back depending on who becomes the next president. 

Today’s show was produced by Rennie Svirnovskiy, with help from Ali Bianco and Trinity Webster-Bass. It was mixed by Sean Carter, and edited by Monica Campbell. Thanks to Dominic Anthony Walsh. 

Subscribe to The Washington Post here and check out the newest season of the “Try This” audio course.

U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy has been at the forefront of a movement to scrutinize the impact of social media and its potential harms. Last week, he called for placing tobacco-style warning labels on social media platforms to alert users that the platforms can harm children’s mental health.

Today, host Martine Powers talks to Murthy about what social media is doing to children and what type of effect warning labels could have on the issue. Plus, we talk about his latest advisory declaring gun violence a public health crisis.

Today’s show was produced by Elana Gordon. It was edited by Ariel Plotnick and mixed by Sean Carter. Thank you to Stephen Smith.

If you liked this episode, check out this week’s episode of “Impromptu”; journalists on the Post’s Opinions desk talk about smartphones, anxiety about teen mental health, and whether warning labels on things like social media could actually work.

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These days, there’s one thing that Raquel Campos isn’t taking for granted: water. Back in January, the taps went dry in her apartment in Mexico City. At first, she thought it was just her building, until she realized far more of the city was experiencing the same dilemma. 

Mexico City is experiencing one of the worst droughts in its history. That, along with other factors such as leaky infrastructure, has left the capital’s critical Cutzamala water system dwindling to record lows. Throughout June, it has hovered at about 26 percent of its capacity. Water scarcity is affecting both lower-income and wealthy neighborhoods. 

Today on “Post Reports,” host Elahe Izadi speaks with weather and climate reporter Kasha Patel about Mexico City’s water crisis and how the city – along with other parts of the world – is trying to tackle these challenges. 

Today’s show was produced by Emma Talkoff. It was edited by Monica Campbell and mixed by Sean Carter.

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Soon after the 2012 Sandy Hook shooting, in which 20 children and six adults were murdered, Infowars’ Alex Jones began to push the false idea that the tragedy was a hoax perpetrated by the U.S. government to promote gun restrictions. So a group of parents decided to sue Jones for defamation, and in 2022 they were awarded a $1.5 billion settlement. 

This month, a bankruptcy judge ordered Jones to liquidate some of his personal assets to help cover the judgment. Jones was allowed to keep his controlling stake in the Infowars conspiracy site for now, but the site could be shut down within a matter of months. 

Elahe Izadi sits down with media reporter Will Sommer to talk about Jones’s fall and what it could mean for the future of the misinformation landscape.

Today’s show was produced by Peter Bresnan. It was edited by Lucy Perkins and Reena Flores and mixed by Sean Carter. 

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It’s Friday, so it’s time for The Campaign Moment — our weekly roundtable conversation to help you keep track of the biggest developments of the 2024 campaign.

Host Elahe Izadi chats with reporters Amy Gardner and Yvonne Wingett Sanchez, who are on the Democracy team at The Post. They discuss the efforts to overturn the 2020 election results and the ongoing political and legal fallout from those attempts. They also talk about the recent charges filed against fake electors in Arizona, including notable names like Rudy Giuliani and Boris Epshteyn, and why some election officials are making deep fakes of themselves to educate voters.

Today’s show was produced by Ted Muldoon and Laura Benshoff. It was edited by Lucy Perkins and Griff Witte. 

Subscribe to The Campaign Moment newsletter here. 

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Two years ago, President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act, which included the most ambitious climate measures in the U.S. to date. It contains tax credits for electric vehicles, and his administration has taken subsequent action forcing automakers to shift production away from gas-powered vehicles by capping allowable carbon emissions from the auto industry.

But many consumers remain skeptical of the technology, and its adoption is largely concentrated in areas where Democrats are in the majority.

All of this has become fodder for former president Donald Trump. At a recent rally in Las Vegas, he vowed to end the “mandate on electric” and complained that batteries are too heavy to power trucks and boats.

And now, vulnerable Senate Democrats, such as Ohio’s Sherrod Brown and Montana’s Jon Tester, who helped pass the Inflation Reduction Act, find themselves under attack for their party’s climate policies. Host Elahe Izadi speaks with Senate reporter Liz Goodwin about how one of Biden’s signature accomplishments turned into a liability for Democrats and could affect which party controls the Senate next year. 

Today’s show was produced by Laura Benshoff. It was edited by Reena Flores and Ted Muldoon and mixed by Sean Carter. 

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American sports have changed from a unifying bond to a platform for division. Is there any going back?

Sports columnist Jerry Brewer has been thinking about the state of sports for decades. In the past few years, it has soured in his mind. In his new series of essays titled “Grievance Games,” Brewer set out to explore why he believes the unifying power of sports has been ruptured through grievance politics. And how many of those grievances are racially charged. 

Today on Post Reports, Brewer narrates the first piece in the series, which serves as an introduction to his thinking.

You can find this column, and the next three in the series, here.

This story was written and narrated by Jerry Brewer. It was produced and mixed with original music by Bishop Sand.

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The U.S. men’s cricket team’s win against Pakistan shocked the world – not just because they beat a titan of the sport, but also because many of the team’s players play cricket while juggling full-time jobs. 

“I’m focusing on my work and completely switched on [to] my work,” said Saurabh Netravalkar, an engineer for Oracle and a star player for Team USA. “And if I'm on the field, I’m completely on the field, so that really helps me – switching on and switching off.”

Netravalkar spoke with The Post’s Pranshu Verma, a tech reporter and a huge cricket fan. He’s been following Team USA and Netravalkar’s historic rise. He discusses the attention that this tournament has brought to the sport in the United States and what it would take for it to become more widely popular in the country. 

Today’s show was produced by Sabby Robinson. It was mixed by Sean Carter and edited by Monica Campbell.

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With every breath you take, you could be inhaling microplastics. Today, we talk about where they come from, how they impact our health and what we can do to avoid them in our daily lives.

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For years, scientists on the hunt for microplastics have found them almost everywhere. First, they spotted tiny pieces of plastic in the ocean, in the bodies of fish and mussels. Then they found them in soft drinks, in tap water, in vegetables and fruits, in burgers.

Now researchers are discovering that microplastics are floating around us, suspended in the air on city streets and inside homes. One study found that people inhale or ingest on average 74,000 to 121,000 microplastic particles per year through breathing, eating and drinking.

Today on “Post Reports,” climate reporter Shannon Osaka answers host Elahe Izadi’s questions about these plastic particles that humans are taking in in much larger quantities than previously thought. And she gives some advice on how to get microplastics out of our lives as much as possible. 

Today’s show was produced by Emma Talkoff, with help from Rennie Svirnovskiy. It was edited by Ariel Plotnick and mixed by Sean Carter. 

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It’s Friday, so it’s time for The Campaign Moment — our weekly roundtable conversation to help you keep track of the biggest developments of the 2024 campaign.

In a district that overwhelmingly voted for Trump in 2020, Ohio voters almost elected a Democratic congressman this week. But are such special election results representative? Senior political reporter Aaron Blake, who writes The Washington Post's new Campaign Moment newsletter, and Toluse Olorunnipa, White House bureau chief for The Post, sit down with host Elahe Izadi. They also discuss Hunter Biden’s conviction on felony gun charges, how family matters impact presidential campaigns, and polling that shows voters are checked out when it comes to major campaign stories.

Today’s show was produced by Laura Benshoff and Ted Muldoon. It was edited by Lucy Perkins and Mary Jo Murphy. 

Subscribe to Aaron’s newsletter, The Campaign Moment, here. 

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Dietary supplements are enormously popular in the United States. A new federal survey found that a majority of Americans are taking them, with many consuming multiple kinds on a regular basis. 

And yet, supplements are shrouded in misconceptions. Supplements have less oversight than pharmaceutical drugs and are regulated differently. While people may take them to be healthier, we often don’t think about possible side effects or interactions. We also assume we know what we’re getting. 

Today, host Martine Powers talks with the Post’s Well+Being columnist, Anahad O’Connor, about how to be smarter about the supplements we take to improve our health. 

Today’s show was produced by Elana Gordon. It was edited by Lucy Perkins and mixed by Sean Carter. 

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Since Lina Khan was appointed chair of the Federal Trade Commission in 2021, the FTC has become more ambitious in its efforts to curb alleged unfair business practices. The agency has banned most non-compete agreements, has begun to scrutinize the proliferation of AI and has initiated lawsuits against massive tech companies like Meta, Microsoft and Amazon. (Amazon founder Jeff Bezos owns The Washington Post).The FTC under Khan’s leadership has drawn bipartisan support in Congress, but also the ire of some pundits and business leaders. 

Elahe Izadi sat down with Khan in The Washington Post studio this week for a wide-ranging conversation about Khan’s tenure at the FTC, how the government should be regulating AI, why the FTC is going up against Amazon and what it means to be doing this work in an election year. 

Today’s show was produced by Peter Bresnan. It was edited by Allison Michaels and mixed by Sean Carter. 

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Today on “Post Reports,” the story of Ashraf Omar Alakhras and his family farm and an exclusive investigation into the destruction of food and agriculture in Gaza. 

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Since Israel’s invasion of Gaza more than seven months ago, Gaza’s food and agricultural system is on the brink of collapse. Airstrikes and bulldozers have razed farms and orchards across the region, according to a Washington Post investigation comparing satellite imagery before and after the start of the war. Experts say that it could take decades to reconstruct what had already been a vulnerable but dynamic food system. 

But beyond those satellite images is the story of Ashraf Omar Alakhras and his family’s farm. For months, the Post’s visual forensics reporter, Nilo Tabrizy, has been corresponding with Alakhras about what has happened and what it will take to rebuild. 

Today’s show was produced by Elana Gordon. It was mixed by Sean Carter and edited by Monica Campbell. Thanks to Reem Akkad, Peter Finn, Leila Barghouty and Elyse Samuels. Additional reporting from Imogen Piper and Miriam Berger, with help from He Yin of Kent State University. 

Find The Post’s latest coverage of the Israel-Gaza War here. 

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Housing has become increasingly expensive around the country. And while it’s traditionally seen as a local issue, housing could be a major factor in the 2024 presidential election.

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In polls, voters often say the economy is one of the top issues they’ll consider when voting in the 2024 presidential election.

But what exactly does that mean? For a lot of people, the cost of housing — rent or a mortgage payment — is the main way they feel fluctuations in the economy. That cost can also be the most stressful.

Today, host Elahe Izadi speaks with politics reporter Leigh Ann Caldwell about why housing has gotten so expensive in Nevada and other swing states— and how that could sway the presidential election.

Today’s show was produced by Emma Talkoff. It was edited by Ariel Plotnick and mixed by Sam Bair.

Two projects from the Post Reports team were just honored with Peabody awards. You can listen to “The Empty Grave of Comrade Bishop” here; and Part One of “Surviving to Graduation” here.

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It’s Friday, so it’s time for The Campaign Moment — our weekly roundtable conversation to help you keep track of the biggest developments of the 2024 campaign.

This week, we hear directly from some undecided voters about how Donald Trump’s criminal conviction lands with them. Senior political reporter Aaron Blake, who writes The Washington Post's new Campaign Moment newsletter, and Isaac Arnsdorf, who covers Trump and the MAGA movement for The Post, sit down with co-host Martine Powers. They also discuss Stephen K. Bannon’s upcoming stint in prison, as well as President Biden’s executive order curtailing asylum and its implications for the campaign.

Today’s show was produced and mixed by Ted Muldoon.

It was edited by Renita Jablonski and Mary Jo Murphy. 

Subscribe to Aaron’s newsletter, The Campaign Moment, here. 

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Eight months into Israel’s war in Gaza, a string of standoffs, schisms and ultimatums have brought Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s emergency war cabinet to the brink of collapse and raised the prospect that his own coalition could follow, possibly leading to new elections.

Externally, the embattled prime minister is under growing pressure from the public to bring home Israel’s remaining hostages and from the Biden administration to reach a cease-fire agreement with Hamas. Within his unity government, formed less than a week after the deadly militant attacks on Oct. 7, he is contending with rebellions by allies and opponents alike.

Today, “Post Reports” host Martine Powers speaks with Jerusalem bureau chief Steve Hendrix about the external and internal pressures Netanyahu faces during is facing amidst a critical moment in the war in Gaza.

Today’s show was produced by Emma Talkoff, with help from Ariel Plotnick. It was edited by Monica Campbell and mixed by Sean Carter. Thanks to Lior Soroka.



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In Hunter Biden’s 2021 memoir, “Beautiful Things,” he writes: “I’ve bought crack cocaine on the streets of Washington, DC, and cooked up my own inside a hotel bungalow in Los Angeles. I’ve been so desperate for a drink that I couldn’t make the one-block walk between a liquor store and my apartment without uncapping the bottle to take a swig.”

Federal prosecutors this week used these words and other excerpts from Biden’s memoir against him, as they attempted to convince a jury that he lied about his drug use when purchasing a firearm in Delaware in 2018.

The president’s son faces three felony charges related to the gun purchase. 

Today on “Post Reports,” Justice Department reporter Perry Stein and host Martine Powers break down the charges Biden faces in his federal trial, why the prosecution is using his memoir as evidence and what impact the case could have on his father’s reelection campaign. 

Today’s show was produced by Peter Bresnan, with help from Rennie Svirnovskiy. It was edited by Monica Campbell and mixed by Sean Carter. 

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On Monday, Anthony Fauci – a former health adviser in the Trump and Biden administrations – testified in front of the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic, a panel devoted to investigating the federal response to covid-19. The contentious hearing came amid a battle between the panel’s Republican and Democratic leaders over how to understand Fauci’s legacy in shaping the U.S. response to the covid-19 pandemic, as well as the popular understanding of the virus’s origin.

Host Martine Powers speaks with health reporter Dan Diamond about why this hearing catapulted a retired Fauci back into the headlines.

Today’s show was produced by Ariel Plotnick and Emma Talkoff. It was edited by Ted Muldoon and mixed by Sean Carter.

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TikTok offered the Biden administration a kill switch. Today on “Post Reports,” why the U.S. government declined.

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In 2022, TikTok offered the U.S. government an extraordinary deal. 

The social media app – owned by a Chinese company – said it would let federal officials pick its U.S. board of directors, would give the government veto power over each new hire and would pay an American company that contracts with the Defense Department to monitor its source code. 

The Biden administration, however, went its own way. 

Today on “Post Reports,” tech reporter Drew Harwell takes host Elahe Izadi behind the scenes of the U.S. government’s decision to pass on TikTok’s proposal. 

Today’s show was produced by Rennie Svirnovskiy. It was edited by Lucy Perkins and mixed by Sean Carter. 

Subscribe to The Washington Post here and check out this story about the health consequences of loud restaurants.

It’s Friday, so it’s time for The Campaign Moment — our weekly roundtable conversation to help you keep track of the biggest developments of the 2024 campaign.

This week is a special episode dedicated to the questions raised by having a presidential candidate and former U.S. president who is now a felon. Senior political reporter Aaron Blake, who writes The Post's new Campaign Moment newsletter, and Ashley Parker, his colleague on the politics team, sit down with Post Reports co-host Elahe Izadi. 

They talk about the politics of Donald Trump’s guilty verdict, how Republicans and Democrats are reacting to it, and the politicization of the rule of law. 

Today’s show was produced and mixed by Ted Muldoon. It was edited by Renita Jablonski and Mary Jo Murphy. 

Subscribe to Aaron’s newsletter, The Campaign Moment, here. 

Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

A New York jury convicted former president Donald Trump on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in his hush money trial. Tonight on “Post Reports,” the scene in the Manhattan courtroom. And what comes next.

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Donald Trump is now the first former U.S. president to be tried and found guilty of a crime, after a New York jury convicted him on Thursday of falsifying business records in his hush money case.

The trial lasted seven weeks. The 12-person jury unanimously agreed on the verdict after deliberating for two days, finding that Trump falsified records to cover up a $130,000 payment made to an adult-film actress before the 2016 election to keep her quiet about an alleged sexual encounter with him years earlier.

Politics reporter Isaac Arnsdorf was in the courthouse as the verdict was read. Tonight on “Post Reports,” he talks with host Elahe Izadi about that moment, and what comes next.

Today’s show was produced and mixed by Ted Muldoon, with help from Rennie Svirnovskiy. It was edited by Renita Jablonski. 

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How far-right Israeli settlers are blocking aid to Gaza. And, why humanitarian aid has become politicized.

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Right-wing Israeli settlers stepped up their attacks on aid trucks passing through the West Bank this month, blocking food and aid from reaching Gaza as humanitarian groups warn that the enclave is sinking deeper into famine.

The Post’s Loveday Morris went to a border crossing to see these blockades in real time. Today, we break down what this means for the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the region, and how aid has become so politicized. 

Today’s episode was produced by Sabby Robinson. It was edited by Lucy Perkins and mixed by Sean Carter. Thanks also to Erin Cunningham.

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Crypto, AI and clean-tech manufacturing are pushing America’s power grid to the brink. Aging utilities can’t keep up. On today’s episode of “Post Reports,” we look into who will be left to pay the price.

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Vast swaths of the United States are at risk of running short of power this summer, as electricity-hungry data centers and clean-technology factories eat up what the country’s aging power grid churns out.

Today on “Post Reports,” business reporter Evan Halper explains what’s putting the power grid under so much strain, what solutions the government and Big Tech are proposing, and who will foot the bill. 

Today’s show was produced by Rennie Svirnovskiy. It was edited by Peter Bresnan, with help from Monica Campbell. It was mixed by Sean Carter. 

Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

India’s general election ends this weekend, with Prime Minister Nerendra Modi leading the polls. Today on “Post Reports,” we unpack where Modi’s support comes from and what a win for his party would mean for the world’s largest democracy.

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For more than a month, people across India have been voting in this year's general election. It’s the largest the world has ever seen, and Prime Minister Nerendra Modi and his right-wing Bharatiya Janata Party are ahead in polls by a wide margin. A lot of Modi’s support is coming from women – largely because they are in favor of his Hindu nationalist platform and because his party has encouraged women to work. He has also been able to reach young voters through his social media campaigning. 

But many see India’s struggling economy and his Hindu nationalism as reasons to vote him out – particularly because attacks against Muslims have increased during his time in office. An alliance of more than two dozen parties is running against him, but they’ve struggled to stay organized and make gains. 

Correspondent Karishma Mehrotra reports from New Delhi on what it’s been like on the campaign trail and what it could mean to have Modi lead for a third term.

Today’s show was produced by Elana Gordon and Sabby Robinson. It was edited by Monica Campbell and mixed by Sean Carter. 

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A community organizer and several residents of public housing in Milwaukee are trying to get attention from their representatives in government. Low-income Black voters, like those at College Court, are often discussed by political pundits as key to President Biden’s reelection campaign against former president Donald Trump. The residents are facing issues like bedbugs, violence, public spillover of mental illness and backlogged maintenance issues, which are all seemingly intractable to an overwhelmed housing authority. The promise of public housing, where rent was typically capped at 30 percent of tenants’ incomes, appears to no longer include safety. The reasons lie in a tangle of acronyms and funding streams, regulations and deputy directors, good intentions followed by fine print and excuses. 

This story is part of our Deep Reads series, which showcases narrative journalism at The Washington Post. It was written and read by Jose A. Del Real. Audio narration comes from our partners at Noa, an app offering curated audio articles.

It’s Friday, so it’s time for The Campaign Moment — our weekly roundtable conversation to help you keep track of the biggest developments of the 2024 campaign.

Senior political reporter Aaron Blake, who writes The Post's new Campaign Moment newsletter, is out sick this week, so national political reporter Michael Scherer and White House reporter Tyler Pager join Martine Powers this week. 

They talk about how the Biden campaign may need more popular Democratic candidates down ballot to boost turnout in key battleground states, Donald Trump’s claims that President Biden was prepared to “take me out” when the Department of Justice raided Mar-a-Lago in 2022, and the controversy swirling around political-flag-flying at Supreme Court Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr.’s homes.

Today’s show was produced by Ted Muldoon and Laura Benshoff. It was edited by Renita Jablonski and Mary Jo Murphy and mixed by Rennie Svirnovskiy. 

Subscribe to Aaron’s newsletter, The Campaign Moment, here. 

Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Niger has been a key U.S. ally in West Africa in the fight against growing threats from Islamist extremist groups. But a military coup last July soured that relationship. Now, the U.S. says it will withdraw from the country by mid-September.

For more than a decade, the U.S. military presence in Niger has enabled U.S. intelligence gathering, monitoring and support to Niger, as it works to contain extremist groups. 

After last year’s coup, many Nigeriens support their country’s new leadership, hoping they can better fight violence from these groups. But discussions between the United States and Niger’s military junta have broken down. 

Today on “Post Reports,” West Africa bureau chief Rachel Chason shares what she learned in an exclusive interview with Niger’s prime minister, Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine, and what this could all mean for Nigerien and American national security interests. 

Read more: 

U.S. lays out plans for withdrawing troops from Niger

U.S. threats led to rupture of vital military ties, Nigerien leader says

Why the Islamic State is surging in Africa

Today’s show was produced by Elana Gordon. It was edited by Ted Muldoon and Lucy Perkins and mixed by Sean Carter. 



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In a place with a long history of hate, a rebel Republican bloc mobilizes against far-right extremism within the local party. 

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A generation ago, community activists were able to bankrupt and push out a white supremacist hate group that took root among the tall pines and crystal lakes of North Idaho. It was a hard-fought triumph — one North Idaho residents took pride in.

But today, some of those activists and residents worry that hateful ideologies are returning to their region. 

This time, they say, the threat is no longer on the fringes of society, dressed in Nazi garb at a hideout in the woods. Instead, they say they see it in the leadership of the local Republican Party, which has mirrored the lurch to the right of the national conservative movement during the Trump era on matters of race, religion and sexuality. The bigotry of the past, they say, now has mainstream political cover.

Today on “Post Reports,” extremism and domestic terrorism reporter Hannah Allam talks with host Martine Powers about the self-described “traditional” Republicans who spent the past two years planning to wrest back control from leaders they accused of steering the local GOP toward extremism — charges those officials vehemently denied. And Hannah gives an update on their plight. 

Today’s show was produced by Rennie Svirnovskiy. It was edited by Renita Jablonski and Ted Muldoon, who also mixed the episode. 

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Popular rapper Young Thug is on trial in Atlanta on racketeering charges, along with other members of his rap group, YSL. Today on “Post Reports,” why the trial will soon be the longest in state history and how his lyrics are being used against him.

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The popular rapper Young Thug, whose real name is Jeffery Lamar Williams, skyrocketed to fame over the past decade, headlining festivals, winning a Grammy, and building up a successful record label and the rap collective YSL. But in May 2022 he was arrested and indicted with more than two dozen other people, accused of “overt acts” such as drug possession and armed robbery. 

The trial has gone on for almost a year and a half – with jury selection alone taking over 10 months. More than 200 people have been called to testify, and the prosecution is using Young Thug’s social media accounts and lyrics as evidence of being involved in criminal activity. Reporter Ben Brasch has been following the trial closely and explains each side’s arguments and how this case could affect other rappers’ artistic expression. 

Today’s show was produced by Sabby Robinson. It was edited by Monica Campbell and mixed by Sean Carter. 

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Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi died in a helicopter crash on Sunday, along with other top officials. Today on “Post Reports,” the reactions to his death from within Iran and worldwide – and what it will mean for the country’s leadership.

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The deaths of two of Iran’s top officials brought shock and celebrations from within Iran and among the country’s diaspora. Iran’s president, Ebrahim Raisi, and the foreign minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, were killed along with other officials and crew members when their helicopter crashed traveling from Iran’s border with Azerbaijan. It crashed in thick fog, and search teams struggled to find the crash site for hours because of the weather. 

In Iran, officials declared five days of mourning, with many Iranians gathering to grieve Raisi’s death. But across social media and at protests in Tehran on Monday, people danced in celebration. Raisi was a polarizing figure during his four-decade career in the country’s government, during which he cracked down on political protests. 

Yeganeh Torbati is a financial investigative reporter who is following the aftermath of Raisi’s death. She explains his legacy and what Raisi’s death means on a global scale. 

Today’s show was produced by Bishop Sand, with help from Sabby Robinson. It was edited by Monica Campbell and mixed by Sean Carter. 

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It’s Friday, so it’s time for The Campaign Moment — our weekly roundtable conversation to help you keep track of the biggest developments of the 2024 campaign. Senior political reporter Aaron Blake, who writes The Post’s new newsletter by the same name, and national political reporter Michael Scherer join Martine Powers this week. There is a lot to dig into about the debates agreed to this week by President Biden and former president Donald Trump. Also on the must-chat list: the latest from the hush money trial in New York, the reporting by Michael and Post colleagues on the Trump campaign’s “leaner” ground strategy and the implications of some of the latest polling. 

You can now also follow The Campaign Moment in a new feed to hear extra episodes from Aaron and our politics team as the campaign year continues. 

Subscribe to Aaron’s newsletter, The Campaign Moment, here. 

Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Today’s show was produced and mixed by Ted Muldoon and Sean Carter. It was edited by Renita Jablonski and Mary Jo Murphy.

Today, what’s really happening with inflation in the United States. And what the public perception of the economy could mean for the 2024 presidential election. 

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While inflation in the United States is still higher than normal, a streak of discouraging data finally broke in a report released Wednesday from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Inflation is now slowing — from 3.5 percent in March to 3.4 percent in April — after months of hotter-than-expected reports. But it’s too early to know whether this trend will continue. 

Economics reporter Rachel Siegel has been tracking what has felt like roller coaster inflation over the past few years and breaks down where the economy is at now — and how it may affect the 2024 presidential election. She also dives into how the latest economic numbers are playing out in terms of interest rates and their knock-on effect on America’s housing market.   

Today’s show was produced by Ariel Plotnick with help from Peter Bresnan. It was mixed by Sean Carter and edited by Monica Campbell.

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As trust in institutions plummets and as many people search for shared values, what is the state of American identity? Today, in a special episode of “Post Reports,” we feature a live discussion about the importance of identity in a changing world.

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In a live podcast taping, “Post Reports” hosts Martine Powers and Elahe Izadi sit down in Seattle at the Cascade PBS Ideas Festival with Post Opinions columnists Shadi Hamid and Jason Willick. They rethink American identity and whether, during these fractured times, we are creating more opportunities to understand each other – or becoming more distant?

For more from our Post Opinions colleagues, listen to their podcast “Impromptu.” Each week, columnists get into it, with conversations about ideas and debates they can’t stop thinking about. Listen and follow here.  

Today’s show was produced and mixed by Ted Muldoon and edited by Monica Campbell. 

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People are turning to drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy to lose weight – but where do they fit in the body-positivity movement? Today on Post Reports, what some fat activists think of these drugs and how one doctor is talking about these medicines with her patients.

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Some companies are marketing GLP-1 drugs to body-positive influencers in the hopes that they’ll market their products to their followers. 

Shane O’Neill is a style reporter at the Post and writes the Style Memo newsletter. When he heard about this marketing push, he reached out to some of these influencers and activists to get their take on whether these drugs had a place in their messaging.

At the same time, many doctors are busy fielding questions from patients who are interested in taking these drugs to lose weight. Mara Gordon is a physician in New Jersey who is trying to stop weight stigma by practicing a size-inclusive approach to medicine – meaning she doesn’t offer these drugs for weight loss. She doesn’t think that these drugs can cure fatphobia, and so she tries to talk through patients' goals with them and orient the solutions away from weight loss.

“So let's say I have a patient who doesn't have diabetes, but they say they want to lose weight. So we try to explore that – what are you hoping to achieve? What feels wrong in your life that feels related to, related to your body size?”