Post Reports

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.Read more: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. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

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. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

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. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

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. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.