Even before the catastrophic flooding in Texas, weather experts were ringing alarm bells over how staffing cuts at federal weather agencies could affect the reliability of weather forecasts in the United States. Marketplace’s Amy Scott joins us on the show today to explain how these cuts are impacting the day-to-day at the National Weather Service, and look at other headwinds the agency could face in the future, including privatization efforts and the ever-complicating factor of climate change.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• "Burning Questions: How do cuts to NOAA impact all of us?" from “How We Survive” 
• "FEMA cuts put more pressure on local disaster relief" from Marketplace 
• "Debate erupts over role job cuts played in weather forecasts ahead of deadly Texas floods" from AP News
• "Flood predictions could worsen when Trump’s cuts take hold" from Politico
• "As Floods Hit, Key Roles Were Vacant at Weather Service Offices in Texas" from The New York Times
• "Republicans want to privatize weather forecasts. Do Trump appointees stand to benefit?" from Fast Company 

We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

Now that the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” is law, Congress is turning its attention to another matter: avoiding a government shutdown. We’ll explain what it will take to keep the government running beyond Congress’ Sept. 30 deadline. And, we’ll fill you in on another deadline: President Trump’s new due date for trade deals before a slew of higher tariff rates kick in. Plus, a listener’s story of frozen pizza and facing fears.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• "Why the federal government will shut down. And why it won’t" from Punchbowl News
• "Trump combats TACO reputation as White House extends tariff deadline" from The Washington Post
• "Too Many Goods Are About To Face Historically High Tariffs" from Tax Policy Center

• "Flint finally replaced its lead pipes" from The Washington Post

  
  

  Got a question for the hosts? Call 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

Republicans’ newly passed tax and spending law establishes the first major federal program for shifting public money to private schools. It comes in the form of a wonky tax break. We’ll explain how it will work. And, we’ll get into how massive cuts to Medicaid will impact rural hospitals across the United States. Plus, anime is more popular than ever on Netflix.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• "Burning Questions: How do cuts to NOAA impact all of us?" from Marketplace
• "Congress Passes National Private School Voucher Program as Part of Policy Bill" from The New York Times
• "The new wave of private school vouchers" from Make Me Smart  
• "Rural hospitals will be hit hard by Trump’s signature spending package" from The Conversation
• "Trump bill's health effects won't be felt until after midterms" from Axios 
• "Netflix Says 50 Percent of Global Users Now Watch Anime, Reveals Expanded Slate" from The Hollywood Reporter 
• "A new start after 60: I quit my job, bought a camera – and became a successful wildlife photographer" from The Guardian
• "At 40, She Discovered She Was One of America’s Best Free Divers" from Texas Monthly  

Got a question for the hosts? Call 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

The Labor Department today reported the United States added 147,000 jobs in June. The number beat economists expectations, and it sits in stark contrast to yesterday’s ADP report which showed private sector lost 33,000 jobs last month. So what gives? We’ll explain what the two reports can tell us about the labor market right now. And, President Trump’s immigration crackdown could lead to more federal surveillance on all Americans. Plus, we want to hear about the wins in your life!

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• "ADP report June 2025: Private sector lost 33,000 jobs, missing expectations" from CNBC
• "Republican Budget Bill Signals New Era in Federal Surveillance" from Tech Policy Press
• "Steady Hiring Added 147,000 Jobs to U.S. Economy in June" from The Wall Street Journal
• "Can We Trust a Jobs Report From the Trump Administration? Yes, With Caveats." from The New York Times

Got a question for the hosts? Call 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

On today’s show, we’ll discuss some headlines that might’ve slipped under the radar this week. First, most staff at the U.S. Agency for International Deveopment officially marked their final day with the agency. What might the dismantling of USAID mean for U.S. influence abroad? Plus, school districts are scrambling as federal education dollars are on hold. Then, we’ll smile about Andy Weir’s latest sci-fi novel being adapted for the big screen and the WNBA expanding into more cities!

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• “Bush, Obama and Bono Commend USAID Staff Members on Their Last Day” from The New York Times
• “The US says 'little to show‘ for six-decade aid agency. Supporters point to millions of lives saved” from The Associated Press
• “USAID cuts could lead to 14 million deaths over the next five years, researchers say” from NBC News
• “Education Department freezes cash for school districts, teacher training, migrant students” from POLITICO
• “Watch the first trailer for ‘Project Hail Mary’” from Popular Science
• “WNBA adds three more franchises as league’s popularity continues to grow” from The Washington Post
• “‘Friendship’ Review: Tim Robinson and Paul Rudd Hit Maximum Cringe” from The New York Times

If you have a question, give us a call: 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected]

We’ve been a bit obsessed with the GOP’s budget bill lately. And with a Senate vote expected any day now, we’re keeping a close eye on the debate. We’ll break down how the GOP is playing with the numbers to make the bill look less costly on paper than it actually is. Plus, Gen Z’s not just good at memes and TikTok, they’re better at saving for retirement than millllenials. So how’d they do it? And a mildly terrifying story with a happy ending!

Here’s everything we talked about:

• “What is a vote-a-rama? Senate vote marathon ahead of Trump legislative package” from USA Today

• “Senate Republicans reject Democrats' accounting baseline challenge” from POLITICO

  
  

  “A List of Nearly Everything in the Senate G.O.P. Bill, and How Much It Would Cost or Save” from The New York Times

• “Gen Z, It Turns Out, Is Great at Saving for Retirement” from The New York Times
• “They sing to remember: The power of memory choirs” from National Geographic
• “Child reportedly fell overboard on Disney cruise. Her dad jumped in after her.” from USA Today 
• “Heroic Dad Jumps Off Disney Dream to Rescue Overboard Daughter” from Cruisehive

Questions? Thoughts? Suggestions? Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART and we just might feature it on the show!

The Supreme Court today ruled to limit the ability of federal judges to issue nationwide injunctions blocking President Trump’s executive orders. The decision will have major implications for how businesses push back against federal policy in the United States. We’ll get into it. And, American consumers aren’t feeling too hot about the economy. How much do those feelings matter? Plus, we’ll play a round of Half Full/Half Empty!

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• "Supreme Court sides with Trump administration on nationwide injunctions in birthright citizenship case" from SCOTUSblog
• "America’s Top Consumer-Sentiment Economist Is Worried" from Bloomberg
• "Opinion | How the N.B.A. and M.L.B. Shattered America’s Sports Culture" from The New York Times
• "Bumble stumbles as dating apps struggle" from Marketplace
• "Latest time use survey shows Americans are spending more time at home" from Marketplace
• "The colleges using ultimate frisbee to boost enrollment" from Marketplace
• "After a tough decade, American malls are reinventing themselves" from Marketplace

Got a question for the hosts? Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

The ceasefire between Israel and Iran appears to be holding for now. But as this conflict has played out, along with other ongoing wars around the world, it got us thinking: What does war even look like in 2025? In Ukraine, it looks like drone and missile attacks side-by-side with everyday life. On the show today, longtime international correspondent Deborah Amos joins us from Kyiv, Ukraine to talk about how modern warfare has changed.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• "Bank hacks, internet shutdowns and crypto heists: Here’s how the war between Israel and Iran is playing out in cyberspace" from Politico
• "Combat drones: We are in a new era of warfare - here's why" from BBC News
• "FPV drones in Ukraine are changing modern warfare" from Atlantic Council
• "Cyber Operations during the Russo-Ukrainian War" from the Center for Strategic and International Studies 
• “‘Will Trump give up the store?’ Edward Fishman on how US economic warfare works – and doesn’t" from The Guardian

Got a question for the hosts? Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

Many Americans are enduring a brutal heatwave this week. For those who work outside, the heat can be deadly. On today’s show, we’ll check in on a proposed heat safety law that would require employers to offer more breaks when the temperature rises above a certain threshold. Under the Trump administration, the law’s future is uncertain. And, the housing market can’t seem to break out of its slump. Plus, the lengths some Americans will go to score some Indian mangoes.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• "Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor and Indoor Work Settings Rulemaking" from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration 
• "As U.S. Sizzles, Business Groups Push Back on OSHA's Heat Safety Law" from Inc.
• "Heat Safety Experts behind OSHA Rules Were Laid Off, which Could Make It Easier to Scrap Regulations" from Scientific American
• "Trump’s OSHA Nominee Has a History With Heat and UPS Drivers" from The New York Times
• "U.S. New Home Sales Slump as High Mortgage Rates Persist" from The Wall Street Journal
• '"You'll never be ready to buy a home"' from “This Is Uncomfortable”
• "New York City is using ranked choice voting in its Democratic mayoral primary. Here's how it works" from AP News 
• "What you need to know about ranked choice voting" from “Make Me Smart” 

• "The Perilous Business of Importing Indian Mangoes to the U.S." from The New York Times

  
  

  Got a question for the hosts? Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

The United States’ entanglement in Iran and Israel’s current conflict has a long, complicated history. Today we’re looking back at how it led up to the U.S. strikes on Iran over the weekend. Two major factors: Iran’s nuclear capabilities and economic sanctions, which the U.S. used to deter Iran’s nuclear program and to incentivize Iran to sign on to the 2015 nuclear deal. Rose Kelanic, director of the Middle East Program at Defense Priorities, explains some of the history behind tensions between the U.S. and Iran, the role sanctions played in the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, and how the deal broke down.

Later, one listener’s take on the Trump administration’s threats to the Pell Grant program. And, a gardening blogger was wrong about DIY plant food hacks.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• "Strike Set Back Iran’s Nuclear Program by Only a Few Months, U.S. Report Says" from The New York Times
• "Trump tries to maintain fragile ceasefire hours after he announced it" from Politico 
• "Iran’s Nuclear Dreams May Survive Even a Devastating American Blow" from The New York Times 
• "History of US-Iran relations: From the 1953 regime change to Trump strikes" from Al Jazeera 
• "Why Israel will resist any US-Iran nuclear deal" from Atlantic Council 

• "Satellites show damage to Iran's nuclear program, but experts say it's not destroyed" from NPR  

  
  

  Got a question for the hosts? Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

Oil markets went into a state of panic after the United States launched strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities over the weekend, stoking fears that Iran could retaliate by closing the Strait of Hormuz. But Iran’s control over the key oil trade route may not be the economic weapon many think it is. We’ll explain. And, several provisions in the Republicans’ reconciliation bill haven’t made it through the so-called “Byrd Bath” and risk being axed from the legislation. Plus, did you know killer whales aren’t really whales?

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• "Capitol agenda: How Johnson may block an Iran rebuke" from Politico 
• "11 days until July 4: Byrd Bath and policy fights on deck" from Punchbowl News
• "Senate parliamentarian rejects GOP attempt to authorize states to conduct immigration enforcement" from The Hill
• "G.O.P. Can’t Include Limits on Trump Lawsuits in Megabill, Senate Parliamentarian Rules" from The New York Times  
• "Iran Has an Oil Card to Play. So Does the U.S." from The Wall Street Journal  
• "The largest digital camera ever built has released its first shots of the universe" from AP News  
• "Vera C Rubin Observatory first images" from BBC Sky at Night Magazine  
• "Killer whales seen grooming each other with kelp in first for marine tool use" from The Guardian 

Got a question for the hosts? Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

This week, we’ve looked at the budget reconciliation bill and its effects on student debt, taxes, health care and social programs. The bill is currently moving through the Senate. Today, we discuss the reconciliation bill and the national deficit. And we dig into other proposals such as AI regulation ban and private foundation taxes. Plus, we play a special budget round of Half Full/Half Empty.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• “AI moratorium sparks GOP battle over states’ rights” from The Hill
• “Introduction to Budget “Reconciliation” from The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
• “One, Big, Beautiful Bill: Impact on Philanthropy” from Council on Foundations
• “Senate Judiciary Unveils Its Own Plan To Curtail Court Orders” from CATO Institute
• “Parliamentarian rulings would kill key climate provisions in GOP megabill” from Politico

Got a question for the hosts? Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.