We begin today's podcast talking about the failure of the latest Gaza cease-fire proposal, move on to the crisis inside MAGA over Jeffrey Epstein, and then get to the heart of the matter: The astonishing New York Times story released Sunday night in which we learn that the Biden administration used the autopen to execute pardons and commutations and clemencies—in clear violation of centuries of common law regarding the use of the pardon power. This is a big deal. We explain why. Give a listen.
For nearly a decade, state and local officials disacussed how to avoid fatalities, injuries, and property damage in the Guadalupe River valley in Texas. They failed to secure funds for a public warning siren. The flood killed more than 120 people and at least 160 are missing. Earlier this year, after numerous warnings by inspectors, a levee in Oregon gave way, damaging more than 950 homes, including those of the Burns Paiute Tribe. And on the Navajo Nation, notification was key to helping hundreds of residents evacuate as the Oak Ridge fire consumed more than 11,000 acres. We’ll hear about those and emergency plans by some other tribes aimed at keeping threats from becoming human tragedies.
GUESTS
Donovan Quintero (Diné), freelance reporter with the Navajo Times
Nelson Andrews Jr. (Mashpee Wampanoag), former tribal councilman, owner of Red Turtle Consulting LLC and CEO of American Indian Relief
Bodie Shaw (Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs), former deputy regional director for the Northwest Region of the Bureau of Indian Affairs and former national wildland fire director for BIA
Suzanne Settle, emergency services and resiliency director for the Burns Paiute
Break 1 Music: Healing Song (song) Judy Trejo (artist) Circle Dance Songs of the Paiute and Shoshone (album)
Break 2 Music: Long Black Cadillac (song) Tribz (artist)
Wildfire destroys historic Grand Canyon Lodge. More heavy rain in Texas flood zone. Kentucky church shooting. CBS News Correspondent Cami McCormick has today's World News Roundup.
This week, we get a few snapshots of what inflation is doing. Everyone wants to know when tariffs will start showing up in the overall data, because they mostly haven't yet, partly due to the Federal Reserve's tight monetary policy. But that doesn't mean tariffs aren't affecting the economy. We'll discuss. Also: how Europe is trying to keep U.S. trade tensions from boiling over, and where copper imports are being diverted ahead of looming tariffs.
From the BBC World Service: The European Union is looking further afield for trade agreements after weeks of testy talks with the U.S. We'll hear how European leaders are feeling and discuss the likelihood of any trade deals. Plus, China holds a powerful card in the global economy: control over rare earth minerals, used in everything from smartphones to wind turbines and electric cars. We travel to the country’s two biggest rare earth mining regions.
The Efficient Market Hypothesis claims that financial markets process information immediately and correctly. However, since the EMH is based upon unrealistic assumptions, we also have to question the efficacy of this hypothesis, especially when central banks intervene in the markets.
After Thailand’s constitutional court suspended the country’s prime minister, our correspondent explains the need for fresh elections to avoid economic stagnation – and the possibility of the army stepping in. More celebrities are setting up businesses. And what the sea slug can teach us about evolution.
President Trump sent letters to leaders of the European Union and Mexico threatening to impose higher import sanctions. The President has expressed frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin and says he will cut a deal coordinating arms shipments to Ukraine. And, as flood recovery efforts continue in central Texas, the magnitude of the disaster is coming into clearer focus. Want more comprehensive analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter.
Today's episode of Up First was edited by Miguel Macias, Ryland Barton, Russell Lewis, Janaya Williams and Lisa Thomson. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas and Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Damian Herring. And our technical director is Zo van Ginhoven.
California officials warn that federal budget cuts are undermining critical wildfire prevention and water programs—but say the state is fighting back. With the 2028 Olympics approaching, tourism leaders are working to boost California’s image despite safety concerns and financial risks. We also look at how AI chatbots are complicating disaster misinformation, and report on Tesla’s first deliveries to India as it seeks to tap into the country’s growing auto market.
