Make Me Smart

• Another budget showdown on Capitol Hill

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

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• Who profits from immigration detention?

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

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• The first national private school voucher program just dropped

  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].

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• The end of USAID

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

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• Is it possible to be a "good tourist"?

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

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