Post Reports

Caitlin Myers, an economist at Middlebury College and expert on the economic consequences of abortion access, discusses her vital research on the potential long-term impacts of denying abortions. She emphasizes how such denials can affect women's economic futures and opportunities for decades. Myers also highlights the historical disparities in abortion access across socioeconomic classes and critiques stereotypes surrounding those seeking the procedure. Finally, she addresses the implications of recent FDA policy changes on medication abortion accessibility.

Robert Barnes, a Supreme Court reporter for The Washington Post, offers deep insights into the leaked draft opinion regarding Roe v. Wade. He scrutinizes the implications for abortion rights and the strong reactions from both pro-choice and anti-abortion activists. The conversation shifts to how states are preparing for potential changes, with some even considering trigger bans. Barnes also highlights the broader impact of this decision on personal liberties and the complex landscape of reproductive healthcare across the nation.

This Tuesday, Ohioans will vote in the primary ahead of this fall’s midterm elections. Today on “Post Reports,” we’re talking about the transformation of one candidate from never-Trumper to Trump’s pick for Ohio’s open Senate seat. Read more:Back in 2016, commentator and venture capitalist J.D. Vance was known for his memoir “Hillbilly Elegy,” about the ravages of poverty and drug use in his Ohio town. He made the rounds on talk shows like “Charlie Rose” and NPR’s “Fresh Air” explaining the conditions and mindset that had led so many people to support then-presidential candidate Donald Trump. But he himself decried Trump’s rise.Fast forward to today. Vance is now the frontrunner for the Republican nomination for Ohio’s empty Senate seat. He’s a staunch member of a splinter group of the Republican Party called national conservatism, that advocates for tighter borders and cracking down on big business. He’s grown a beard. And he’s embraced Trump and his values, earning him the former president’s endorsement.Magazine writer Simon van Zuylen-Wood followed Vance for weeks to try to understand his transformation and what his candidacy says about the state of the Republican Party. Today on “Post Reports,” we take you inside Vance’s campaign.If you’re curious to learn more about the Ohio primary, read The Trailer from The Post’s Dave Weigel.

Today on “Post Reports,” we meet a carpet cleaner who speaks two dozen languages — and we have an update on what’s happened to him since this story was first published in print.Read more:In a city where diplomats and embassies abound, where interpreters can command six-figure salaries at the State Department or the International Monetary Fund, where language proficiency is résumé rocket fuel, Vaughn Smith was a savant with a secret.He speaks 24 languages well enough to carry on lengthy conversations — and has basic understanding of more than a dozen others — and yet he works as a carpet cleaner. Today on Post Reports, enterprise reporter Jessica Contrera and audio producer Bishop Sand bring us the remarkable story of a hyperpolyglot with a special brain and a history that has kept him a secret for so long. We also have an update about how his life has started to change since Jessica’s story was first published.Plus, one more thing: Thanks to your support, we won the 2022 People’s Voice Webby for business podcasts! The winning episode is “A tax haven in America’s heartland.”

Why college enrollment numbers are down. And how one solution to climate change could threaten an endangered species.Read more:May 1 is college decision day, which is the last chance students have to submit the deposit that secures their spot at the university or college of their choice. But colleges aren’t getting as many students as usual. Enrollment has shrunk more than 5 percent since 2019 — that’s a loss of nearly 1 million students. Danielle Douglas-Gabriel explains why enrollment is down and what it means for higher education.Then, we join scientists from the New England Aquarium on an expedition off the coast of Cape Cod in search of the elusive right whale. With only about 300 right whales left, the species ranks as one of the world’s most endangered marine mammals. Nearly annihilated centuries ago by whalers, right whales today face new threats from climate change. Dino Grandoni reports on how rising temperatures are driving them to new seas and how one climate solution – offshore wind turbines – could encroach on their habitat.

Foreign correspondent Louisa Loveluck shares her harrowing experiences from the front lines in Ukraine, revealing the horrifying aftermath in Bucha where over 200 bodies were discovered. She poignantly describes the emotional toll on families and the sheer devastation left in the wake of conflict. In the Donbas region, refugees from Mariupol share their heartbreaking stories, exposing the dire need for humanitarian aid, contrary to claims made by Russian President Putin about evacuation efforts. Loveluck's firsthand accounts bring a chilling reality to light.

What will Elon Musk do with Twitter? Today on “Post Reports,” we talk about what’s next for one of the world’s most influential communication platforms.Read more:Elon Musk, the world’s richest person, will buy social media site Twitter for about $44 billion after weeks of back-and-forth with the company. Musk now holds the future of the platform in his hands, and critics fear his strong belief in free speech could lead to more misinformation and hate speech on the platform. Will Oremus explains what we know about Musk's plans and what this could mean for the rest of us.

What the battle between Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Disney World says about what Republicans are willing to do to win the culture wars. And, how the end of the federal public transit mask mandate will affect vulnerable people who use buses and trains.  Read more:Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) has been publicly feuding with Disney over a controversial law that limits what teachers can say to kids about gender and sexual orientation. Reporter Hannah Sampson explains how the state’s Republican-led legislature has responded and why the fight is another example of the GOP trying to use the culture war to its political advantage. When a Florida judge ended the federal transit mask mandate last week, there was a lot of focus on how it would affect air travel. But the end of the mandate also affects public transit such as subways and buses, leaving many people who have no transportation alternatives with a puzzle. Katie Shepherd reports on what ending the mask requirement on public transit means for the medically vulnerable. 

The impact of no-knock warrants is deeply explored, revealing the emotional scars left on survivors like Wanda Stigal. Corruption within the sheriff's office comes to light, illustrating the harsh realities of accountability in law enforcement. The community of Monroe County grapples with the fallout of wrongful accusations and trauma from aggressive policing. Tensions rise in a tense interview with the sheriff about misconduct, while the emotional toll on families seeking justice highlights the urgent need for reform. A cautious new approach to enforcement offers a glimmer of hope.

Today on “Post Reports,” the Biden administration announces a plan to welcome Ukrainian refugees. Plus, just in time for Earth Day, our corporate accountability reporter helps you decipher what it means when a company claims to be “green.”Read more:The Biden administration announced plans Thursday to expedite the arrival of Ukrainian refugees, creating a new system that will allow citizens and organizations such as churches to sponsor them and warning that Ukrainians attempting to cross via Mexico will be denied entry starting next week. Maria Sacchetti reports.Plus, it’s almost Earth Day, and corporations are eager to tout their environmental progress. Our corporate accountability reporter, Doug MacMillan, has some tips for how to decipher these promises, which sound good but could be “greenwashed.”