Podcast appearances and mentions of danielle douglas gabriel

The Trump administration is taking a different approach to student debt and many borrowers will notice it right away. In May, the Department of Education will begin collecting payments from borrowers in default, ending a pause that began during the pandemic. The government will withhold tax refunds and garnish wages to recover the debt. Geoff Bennett discussed more with Danielle Douglas-Gabriel. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Stat: $1.6 trillion: The amount that Americans collectively owe in student loan debt. Story: In the United States, getting a college degree is often seen as a pathway to a prosperous future. But since the 1980s, the price of college has skyrocketed, leaving millions of students to rely on federal loans to help cover the cost. Now, many borrowers face high monthly payments that are difficult to afford while balancing necessities like food, housing, and health care.  In this episode of “After the Fact,” we speak with Brian Denten from Pew's student loan initiative about potential solutions to make repayment more manageable. And Washington Post reporter Danielle Douglas-Gabriel talks about the history of student loans and the impact they have on individuals and communities.

On today’s show: The Supreme Court announced it will hear an appeal from TikTok over a law that could ban the popular app in the U.S. — or force a sale. Lauren Feiner of The Verge talks about what’s next. More colleges are offering free tuition to middle-class families. Danielle Douglas-Gabriel of the Washington Post explains how that could open the door to more diverse applicants. The New Yorker’s Jennifer Wilson on her personal journey through the new business of breakups. Plus, Trump upended a bipartisan spending bill, a House panel voted to release its ethics report on former Congressman Matt Gaetz, and researchers corrected an alarming study on the toxicity of black plastic. Today’s episode was hosted by Shumita Basu.

The Wall Street Journal’s Annie Linskey reports on how some Democrats fear time is running out to change course before Biden gets the nomination. Throughout modern history, assassination attempts on U.S. presidents have led to changes in gun policy. But, Vox argues, that seems unlikely this time. Washington Post reporter Danielle Douglas-Gabriel explains why many universities are abandoning race-conscious scholarships worth millions. Sen. Bob Menendez is guilty. Politico lays out what happens next. The Atlantic looks into how a conservative policy blueprint could affect weather reports Americans rely on. Research shows that climate change is messing with time more than previously thought. CNN has the story. Today’s episode was guest-hosted by Gideon Resnick.

The Department of Education rolled out a new Federal Student Aid form, but its many glitches have negatively impacted students and colleges alike. Danielle Douglas-Gabriel, national higher education reporter for The Washington Post, joins host Krys Boyd to discuss what was supposed to be an easier, more user-friendly FAFSA, how instead it now leaves students questioning if they'll have funding, and the schools that are unable to tally enrollment dollars. Her article is “‘Very unpredictable': Colleges fear FAFSA fiasco will hurt enrollment.” 

Decisions by two federal judges put key parts of President Biden's plans for easing student loan payments on hold and in doubt. The program offers a way to lower monthly payments and get some debt forgiveness. More than 8 million are enrolled but these rulings put those key features on pause. William Brangham discussed more with Danielle Douglas-Gabriel. It's for our series, Rethinking College. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Decisions by two federal judges put key parts of President Biden's plans for easing student loan payments on hold and in doubt. The program offers a way to lower monthly payments and get some debt forgiveness. More than 8 million are enrolled but these rulings put those key features on pause. William Brangham discussed more with Danielle Douglas-Gabriel. It's for our series, Rethinking College. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

The White House says that President Biden's new student loan forgiveness plan could help 30 million borrowers. Danielle Douglas-Gabriel, national higher education reporter at the Washington Post, shares her reporting and unpacks the details.

President Biden on Monday announced new plans to cancel student debt for millions of borrowers, his broadest student loan forgiveness attempt since the U.S. Supreme Court struck down his more sweeping plan over a year ago. Danielle Douglas-Gabriel, who covers the economics of higher education for The Washington Post, joins Lisa Desjardins to discuss. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

A new version of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid form promised an easier path for students to access financial aid for college. But the rollout has been far from easy. Read more:For decades, scores of students got tripped up by the daunting Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA. Then, in December, the Education Department released a new version of the form, promising a streamlined path for students to access aid. But the launch has not gone smoothly. Technical glitches have locked some families out of the online system to complete the form, while many who have completed the FAFSA probably have incorrect estimates of aid because the agency failed initially to update a crucial income formula. Colleges won't get most data until March, meaning students will have to wait longer for financial aid awards and have less time to weigh offers and make a key life choice.Today on “Post Reports,” higher education reporter Danielle Douglas-Gabriel explains why students, families and colleges are in limbo. Today's show was produced by Sabby Robinson and mixed by Sean Carter. It was edited by Monica Campbell. Thanks to April Bethea. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Rep. Jordan (R-OH) and Rep. Raskin (D-MD) on Biden impeachment inquiry and arrest of former FBI informant reportedly in contact with Russian operatives, interview with Washington Post's Danielle Douglas-Gabriel on $1.2B in student loan forgiveness for 150,000 borrowers (2), Supreme Court case on states challenging EPA's downwind clean air regulations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Biden on Friday announced another $5 billion in student loan forgiveness for 74,000 borrowers. It's the latest batch of student debt cancellations after the Supreme Court struck down his larger forgiveness plan last year. John Yang reports on Biden's efforts and speaks with Danielle Douglas-Gabriel, who covers the economics of higher education for The Washington Post, to learn more. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

The road to college financial aid usually begins with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA. After years of delays, a new version of the form will be released at the end of December. While it promises increased access to aid, the delays could put universities and students in a bind. The Washington Post's Danielle Douglas-Gabriel joins John Yang to discuss what's changed and why. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

President Biden has been using existing, targeted programs to cancel student debt after the Supreme Court struck down his original plan in June. Wednesday, he announced another $9 billion in forgiveness for 125,000 borrowers and the Education Department is also making another attempt at mass relief. John Yang discussed the latest with Danielle Douglas-Gabriel. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

President Biden can't stop, won't stop trying to forgive student debt, even as borrowers are shortly expected to resume payments. The Washington Post's Danielle Douglas-Gabriel explains. This episode was produced by Jon Ehrens, edited by Amina Al-Sadi with help from Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Hady Mawajdeh and Amanda Lewellyn, engineered by Cristian Ayala, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained Support Today, Explained by making a financial contribution to Vox! bit.ly/givepodcasts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On Washington Post Live NEXT, Washington Post senior video reporter Dave Jorgenson speaks with Tyshawn Jones about the culture of skateboarding, diversifying the sport and his latest business ventures. Next, national higher education reporter Danielle Douglas-Gabriel and deputy politics editor for NextGen Brianna Tucker examine the impact of the Supreme Court decision to strike down President Biden's student loan forgiveness plan.

On Thursday, the Biden administration announced plans for a new income-driven repayment plan called the Saving on a Valuable Education — or SAVE. Danielle Douglas-Gabriel, national higher education reporter at The Washington Post, explains what's in the plan and what legal and political challenges it may face.

On Thursday, the Biden administration announced plans for a new income-driven repayment plan called the Saving on a Valuable Education — or SAVE. On Today's Show:Danielle Douglas-Gabriel, national higher education reporter at The Washington Post, explains what's in the plan and what legal and political challenges it may face.

The Supreme Court struck down President Biden's plan to cancel more than $400 billion in student loan debt. The decision affects more than 40 million borrowers, but the president insisted that his fight is not over and pledged an alternative relief plan. Geoff Bennett discussed more with NewsHour Supreme Court analyst Marcia Coyle and Danielle Douglas-Gabriel of The Washington Post. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

The Supreme Court struck down President Biden's plan to cancel more than $400 billion in student loan debt. The decision affects more than 40 million borrowers, but the president insisted that his fight is not over and pledged an alternative relief plan. Geoff Bennett discussed more with NewsHour Supreme Court analyst Marcia Coyle and Danielle Douglas-Gabriel of The Washington Post. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

The eastern U.S. has been blanketed in smoke from Canadian wildfires over the past few days. It's gotten so bad that many places, like New York City, broke air quality records. We have what you need to know. Plus, preparing for student loans to come back this summer. Guests: Axios' Javier David and Jacob Knutson, The Washington Post's Danielle Douglas-Gabriel. Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Alexandra Botti, Fonda Mwangi, Lydia McMullen-Laird and Alex Sugiura. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com. You can text questions, comments and story ideas to Niala as a text or voice memo to 202-918-4893. Go deeper: Smoke from Canadian wildfires leads to record poor air quality in East U.S. How to protect yourself from wildfire smoke The student loan payment pause will end soon. Here's what to know. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Supreme Court is hearing oral arguments about President Biden's student loan forgiveness plan. If Biden's plan is successful, more than 40 million borrowers could have up to $20,000 of their federal student loan debt canceled. Plus, the race to save fading Black history. And, all your Black artist recommendations for the end of Black History Month. Guests: Axios' Russell Contreras and The Washington Post's Danielle Douglas-Gabriel. Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Alexandra Botti, Naomi Shavin, Fonda Mwangi and Alex Sugiura. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com. You can text questions, comments and story ideas to Niala as a text or voice memo to 202-918-4893. Go Deeper: What to know as student loan forgiveness plan goes to Supreme Court In photos: Fading Black history Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The fate of student debt relief promised for some 40 million Americans is in the hands of the Supreme Court. The justices heard arguments in high-stakes cases over the legality of President Biden's student loan forgiveness plan. John Yang discussed the arguments with NewsHour Supreme Court Analyst Marcia Coyle and Danielle Douglas-Gabriel of The Washington Post. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

President Biden's plan to cancel billions of dollars in student debt will go before the Supreme Court Tuesday. A number of states have sued, citing government overreach. But do they have the right to do that? Danielle Douglas-Gabriel of the Washington Post and professor William Baude join us. Then, Major League Baseball implemented a pitch clock and other new regulations to speed up the game, which have caused some drama in spring training games so far. Washinton Post national baseball writer Chelsea Janes joins us to unpack the changes. And, Americans have long believed that free markets are a fundamental right. The new book "The Big Myth: How American Business Taught Us to Loathe Government and Love the Free Market" explores where that idea came from and its validity. Naomi Oreskes, who co-authored the book with Erik M. Conway, joins us.

Interview with Washington Post's Danielle Douglas-Gabriel on Supreme Court cases challenging President Biden's federal student loan forgiveness program (1), president nominates Julie Su for Labor Secretary, House passes bill to block ESG retirement investment regulation, House Republicans on giving Fox News police video from Jan 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tuesday, President Biden's student loan forgiveness plan will be debated before the U.S. Supreme Court. The proposed plan would cancel $10k in federal student loan debt for those making under $125k in income per year. The SCOTUS decision will affect millions of borrowers who could see their debt wiped out or reduced. Washington Post education reporter Danielle Douglas-Gabriel joined Dan to discuss.

The fate of student debt relief promised for some 40 million Americans is in the hands of the Supreme Court. The justices heard arguments in high-stakes cases over the legality of President Biden's student loan forgiveness plan. John Yang discussed the arguments with NewsHour Supreme Court Analyst Marcia Coyle and Danielle Douglas-Gabriel of The Washington Post. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Protests are erupting across China, as public outrage grows over COVID lockdown restrictions. Chinese protesters are asking the government to lift its zero-COVID policy, and are calling for President Xi Jinping's resignation. Plus, what's next for student loan forgiveness. And, early voting begins in Georgia's runoff Senate race. Guests: Axios' Bethany Allen-Ebrahimian and The Washington Post's Danielle Douglas-Gabriel. Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Alexandra Botti, Fonda Mwangi and Alex Sugiura. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com. You can text questions, comments and story ideas to Niala as a text or voice memo to 202-918-4893. Go Deeper: China's COVID frustration boils over, protestors call for Xi to resign China's COVID storm Student loan-payment freeze extended as courts weigh debt relief Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The White House plan to cancel up to $20,000 in student loans for millions of Americans hit a snag this month after legal challenges from conservative interest groups. Danielle Douglas-Gabriel, national higher education reporter at the Washington Post, explains these court developments and what they mean for student debt holders.

The White House plan to cancel up to $20,000 in student loans for millions of Americans hit a snag this month after legal challenges from conservative interest groups. On Today's Show:Danielle Douglas-Gabriel, national higher education reporter at the Washington Post, explains these court developments and what they mean for student debt holders.

An appeals court temporarily blocked President Biden's plan to erase the student loan debt of millions of Americans while it considers a challenge. Several groups have gone to court to try to stop the forgiveness program. The decision comes as the application process for the relief program opened online. Danielle Douglas-Gabriel of The Washington Post joined John Yang to discuss the plan. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

An appeals court temporarily blocked President Biden's plan to erase the student loan debt of millions of Americans while it considers a challenge. Several groups have gone to court to try to stop the forgiveness program. The decision comes as the application process for the relief program opened online. Danielle Douglas-Gabriel of The Washington Post joined John Yang to discuss the plan. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

We are halfway till the weekend! Today we find discuss what people need to know about the student loan forgives application. What would you do if you were losing your vision, this family is inspiring us and is making Mikalah cry!  Special guests: Danielle Douglas-Gabriel is a national higher education reporter who covers college affordability, accountability and state and federal financial aid policy at The Washington Post

Fueled mostly by the controversial Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade, Democrats are seeing a resurgence in the polls. And Republicans don't seem to be helping their cause as they have nominated a number of weak candidates in races that should be easy wins. Pollster Stuart Elway joins to talk about how the numbers have changed and to take a closer look at some of Washington's most competitive matchups. PLUS: The latest on the FBI raid of Mar-a-Lago now that we have the redacted affidavit that led to the search. AND: Fact-checking some of the more outlandish claims about the IRS and what it plans to do. Guests ABC's Alex Stone and Andy Field as well as Danielle Douglas-Gabriel from the Washington Post. The Northwest Politicast with Jeff Pohjola: From this Washington to that one, Jeff Pohjola will explore the issues and politics of the week. Frequent guests and top analysts break down the news to get to the heart of what matters most. Subscribe at nwnewsradio.com or on your favorite podcast app.

President Biden's new plan to cancel some student loan debt will impact millions of Americans. On today's “Post Reports,” we learn how this program works, what it means for the economy and why some people are unhappy with this approach. Read more:Millions of Americans rely on the federal government to cover the cost of college. Soaring tuition costs, higher enrollment and changes to the federal lending system have all contributed to the $1.6 trillion in outstanding federal student debt. This week, President Biden announced a plan to cancel up to $10,000 in federal student loan debt for many borrowers, and up to $20,000 for Pell Grant recipients.National higher education reporter Danielle Douglas-Gabriel provides a walkthrough of who qualifies for the plan and the arguments for and against this massive debt forgiveness.

Joe Biden announced that the White House will cancel up to $20,000 in student loans for millions of Americans. Danielle Douglas-Gabriel, national higher education reporter at The Washington Post, explains the ins and outs of the president's loan forgiveness plan. → Biden to cancel up to $10,000 in student loans, $20K for Pell recipients → Who qualifies for Biden's plan to cancel $10,000 in student debt?

President Biden announced a measure to forgive up to $20,000 in student loan debt for many borrowers. On Today's Show:Danielle Douglas-Gabriel, national higher education reporter at The Washington Post, explains the ins and outs of the president's loan forgiveness plan.

Today we have a very preview from the Washington Post's daily show, Post Reports. Every weekday, host Martine Powers walks listeners through the news of the day. In this particular episode, reporter Danielle Douglas-Gabriel talked with Black women about the student loan debt freeze and what they've been able to do while their payments remain paused.  

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.

Millions of borrowers took advantage of the pandemic's pause on federal student-loan repayment, put in place by the CARES Act two years ago and extended by President Biden until May 1st. What happens when that pause ends? Danielle Douglas-Gabriel covers the economics of higher education for The Washington Post. She warns that the return to repayment may be bumpy. And Sean McEvoy, Maryland's student loan ombudsman, outlines the rights borrowers are entitled to and offers advice on spotting student-loan forgiveness scams. From the public service loan forgiveness homepage - "Most of the PSLF qualifying payment rules have been suspended through October 31, 2022. Under this temporary waiver, you may get credit for payments you've made on loans that would not normally qualify for PSLF. These payments will count even if you didn't pay the full amount or on-time. However, only payments made after Oct. 1, 2007 can count as qualifying payments." Find the PSLF Help Tool here.This program originally aired January 20, 2022. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

SeaTac is set to be expanded in an effort to remain competitive with other West Coast airports, but Rantz is already feeling the panic and frustration of how bad things will be during construction. Should bicyclists be tolled to cross the new 520 bridge? Rantz doesn't see why they shouldn't. Rachel Belle joins the show from Phoenix, where she is getting the local perspective on the area getting taken over by football fans for a week. Danielle Douglas-Gabriel, reporter for The Washington Post, joins the show to explain what went wrong with President Obama's plan to tax 529 college savings accounts. Did he mean to target the affluent, but get the numbers wrong? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Millions of borrowers took advantage of the pandemic's pause on federal student-loan repayment, put in place by the CARES Act two years ago and extended by President Biden until May 1st. What happens when that pause ends? Danielle Douglas-Gabriel covers the economics of higher education for The Washington Post. She warns that the return to repayment may be bumpy. And Sean McEvoy, Maryland's student loan ombudsman, outlines the rights borrowers are entitled to and offers advice on spotting student-loan forgiveness scams. Find the PSLF Help Tool here. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With college enrollment down by more than 1 million students since the start of the pandemic, national higher education reporter at the Washington Post, Danielle Douglas-Gabriel discusses possible causes for the dip and its disproportionate impacts including the allure of a job-seeker's market, concern over COVID and family obligations like childcare.  Plus, an overview of a related high-profile higher education lawsuit alleging that some schools artificially inflate tuition costs despite large endowments. 

Join us as we wrap up the major higher ed news from 2021 with Danielle Douglas-Gabriel of the Washington Post, Elissa Nadworny of NPR, and Katherine Wheatle of Lumina Foundation.  Together, we talk about the important and sometimes strange stories inside higher education, and consider themes to watch for in 2022. 

A group of elite colleges and universities this week found themselves at the center of a lawsuit alleging that they conspired to limit financial aid to admitted students. Sam talks to Washington Post higher education reporter Danielle Douglas-Gabriel about the lawsuit and what it means for students and families across the country. Plus, Eric Eddings and Brittany Luse join Sam to talk about the era of Black abundance in media and their revamped podcast, For Colored Nerds. You can follow us on Twitter @NPRItsBeenAMin and email us at samsanders@npr.org.

Danielle Douglas-Gabriel from the Washington Post joins The Student Loan Podcast to discuss President Joe Biden's recent American Families Plan announcement and its impact on higher education costs and student loans. Capture everything that was covered in today's episode by visiting the show notes at: https://thestudentloanpodcast.com/episode27 Visit our podcast sponsor at StartNoo to learn how you can exchange service hours in the community for direct payments towards your student loans or tuition. 

Hoy en Día a Día, comenzamos conversando con el presidente del Partido Demócrata de Islip, Luis Montes, sobre el discurso de Joe Biden en la sesión del Congreso de EE.UU: “Hay un claro contraste entre la visión del presidente Biden y la visión de la administración Trump”, comentó, destacando que “Hay cambios sobre temas importantes como el migratorio o las vacunas… El 1% de los adultos mayores estaban vacunados cuando llegó al poder, y ahora va más del 70%”. Sobre la situación de migrantes en la frontera norte, conversamos con la periodista de la Voz de América conversamos, Celia Mendoza: “Ha habido 172.000 aprehensiones en el mes de marzo, más de 18.000 menores no acompañados y más de 50.000 unidades familiares”, comentó, y añadió que: “Lo que se dio en el mes de marzo eran grupos de hasta 100 y 200 personas en un solo cruce, lo que abrumó a las autoridades”. También nos atendió la reportera de Educación Superior de The Washington Post, Danielle Douglas-Gabriel, quien nos habló sobre el paquete de $1.8 billones propuesto por la Casa Blanca para expandir la educación en EE.UU: “Este plan es previsto a 10 años y si bien es complejo, significará movidas trascendentales… El Colegio Comunal gratis puede beneficiar principalmente a las minorías. Son muchos los latinos que han tenido que abandonar el Colegio Comunal por cuestiones económicas”, aseguró la reportera. Desde Colombia nos atendió Carlos Arturo Albino, periodista de Noticias RCN, para abordar el tema de las protestas en Colombia en contra de la reforma tributaria: “Fue un paro convocado por el Proyecto a la Reforma Tributaria que fue ingresado al Congreso de la República por parte de la presidencia… Algunas de las observaciones de los manifestantes son el alza de impuestos y gasolina, por eso se hace esta protesta”, nos contó. Albino destacó que “La protesta se desvirtuó completamente cuando se inició esta escalada de violencia el día de ayer”. Magaly Huggins, psicólogo social y fundadora del Programa de Atención a Mujeres Víctimas de Violencia, nos habló sobre ‘Yo Te Creo’, movimiento para visibilizar a las víctimas de abuso: “En un mundo sin normas como es la Venezuela fallida del siglo XXI, las redes permitieron que muchas mujeres abrieran la boca y dijeran lo que habían vivido”, nos dijo, asegurando que “Las estadísticas internacionales indican que 3 de cada 10 mujeres han sido víctimas de violencia”. Huggins destacó que “Estamos mandando atención psicológica y jurídica a todas las mujeres vía celular”, puesto que quiere que “Caigan todos los que han abusado de las mujeres y que haya justicia, no venganza”. Y para cerrar, conversamos con María Eugenia Mosquera, directora y fundadora de Vale TV, sobre la transmisión especial de la beatificación de José Gregorio Hernández: “En Vale TV nos ha tocado hacer la transmisión en vivo y directo y tener la señal matriz gratuita… Estimamos que el acto de beatificación va a durar unas 2 horas”, nos dijo. Mosquera destacó que “Va a ser un acto con una participación pequeña por medidas de bioseguridad”, el cual comenzará a las 10:00 am.

Danielle Douglas-Gabriel from the Washington Post joins The Student Loan Podcast to discuss the history and current state of the student loan industry. Danielle covers everything from the history of student loans in America, CFPB enforcement efforts, student loan scandals that have shaped current student loan policies, the Biden administration plans for student loans, and so much more. We hope you have your thinking caps on for this episode because Danielle drops knowledge bombs all episode long. We hope you take away as much as Danielle shares in this episode with us today. Capture everything that was covered in today's episode by vising the show notes at: https://thestudentloanpodcast.com/episode17 Visit our podcast sponsor at StartNoo to learn how you can exchange service hours in the community for direct payments towards your student loans or tuition. 

Dr. Miguel Cardona’s journey as an educator started in an elementary school classroom in Meriden, Connecticut. Now, Connecticut’s education commissioner is heading to Washington D.C. as President Biden’s pick for nation’s Secretary of Education.  This hour, we sit down down with Dr. Cardona. If confirmed by the Senate, Cardona will take the helm of the U.S. Department of Education during a pandemic that has profoundly disrupted the country’s education system.  As Education Commissioner, Cardona advocated strongly for an in-person return to the classroom in Connecticut. How will he navigate education during COVID-19 at a national scale? Later, we talk with Washington Post education reporter Danielle Douglas-Gabriel to learn what she will be watching for as the U.S. Department of Education shifts from former Secretary Betsy DeVos's leadership to the Biden administration. GUESTS: Dr. Miguel Cardona – Commissioner of Education for the state of Connecticut and President Biden’s nominee for Secretary of Education Danielle Douglas-Gabriel - Reporter for the Washington Post Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Miguel Cardona’s journey as an educator started in an elementary school classroom in Meriden, Connecticut. Now, Connecticut’s education commissioner is heading to Washington D.C. as President Biden’s pick for nation’s Secretary of Education.  This hour, we sit down down with Dr. Cardona. If confirmed by the Senate, Cardona will take the helm of the U.S. Department of Education during a pandemic that has profoundly disrupted the country’s education system.  As Education Commissioner, Cardona advocated strongly for an in-person return to the classroom in Connecticut. How will he navigate education during COVID-19 at a national scale? Later, we talk with Washington Post education reporter Danielle Douglas-Gabriel to learn what she will be watching for as the U.S. Department of Education shifts from former Secretary Betsy DeVos's leadership to the Biden administration. GUESTS: Dr. Miguel Cardona – Commissioner of Education for the state of Connecticut and President Biden’s nominee for Secretary of Education Danielle Douglas-Gabriel - Reporter for the Washington Post Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“I think it’s fantastic that we are seeing equity creep into conversations about what higher education policy should look like. But, I’m really concerned that I’m already seeing it creep on out,” Danielle Douglas-Gabriel, Jesse O’Connell, and Amanda DeLaRosa offer their optimism and concerns about higher education in 2021.

Drew Harwell and Carolyn Y. Johnson examine the algorithms measuring your worth. Danielle Douglas-Gabriel explains why the Education Department gave millions in student loans to ineligible colleges. And Sarah Dadouch on the ongoing protests in Lebanon.

Much of the coverage of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's congressional testimony this week focused on optics, with pundits on both sides framing the hearings as either beneficial or damaging to a particular political narrative. But where the hearings may have lacked in made-for-TV soundbites, Mueller's comments reiterated the fact that the United States remains under attack from a foreign adversary, one that seeks to undermine our faith in the foundational principles of democracy. We hear from cybersecurity experts about how this problem goes far deeper than just election meddling, and what needs to be done to address the continuing threat. Plus, we take a look at the growing amount of student debt owed in the US, which passed a staggering $1.5 trillion in 2018. With more and more students struggling to pay for a college education, what are political leaders, and 2020 Democratic presidential candidates, doing to address this crisis? Guests: Suzanne Spaulding, former Under Secretary for cyber and infrastructure protection at the US Department of Homeland Security. Lisa Kaplan, founder of the Alethea Group. M.H. Miller, editor at The New York Times, and author of a forthcoming book about his experience with student debt. Danielle Douglas-Gabriel, a reporter covering the economics of education for The Washington Post.

While all eyes have been on a high-profile #CollegeAdmissionScam involving super-rich people buying and bribing their kids' way into elite universities, hardly anyone noticed that an entire network of private and for-profit universities was shut down this month. Faculty and staff have been abruptly fired and tens of thousands of students have been completely abandoned with no more financial support--the government cut off their student loans, which many used to pay for basic living costs--and no certainty that they will be able to graduate, transfer their course credits, or get their money back. In Part II of this mini-cast series, we talk with Torrey Wilson, (former) Associate Professor at the Illinois School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University.    Additional links/info below... Stacy Cowly & Erica L. Green, The New York Times, "A College Chain Crumbles, and Millions in Student Loan Cash Disappears"  Michael Vasquez, The Chronicle of Higher Education, "'Ruined' and Evicted: How Dream Center Closures Are Affecting Students" Michael Vasquez, The Chronicle of Higher Education, "The Nightmarish End of the Dream Center's Higher-Ed Empire"  Ben Unglesbee, Education Dive, "Timeline: How Dream Center's Higher Ed Bid Went off the Rails"  Zachary Small, Hyperallergic, "The Rapid Closure of Art Institutes Across America"  Danielle Douglas-Gabriel, The Washington Post, "'The Department Must Do More': Trump Administration's Handling of Argosy University Faces Criticism"  Dawn Rhodes, Chicago Tribune, "As Argosy University in Chicago Shuts Down Amid Student Loan Scandal, Confusion and Emotion Reign"  Savannah Eadens, Chicago Sun Times, "Argosy University Closing Leaves Students in Limbo: 'We're Sinking'"  Rachel Leingang, AZ Central, "Latest Victims of Argosy University Meltdown: Staff and Faculty Don't Get Final Paycheck"    Featured Music (all songs sourced from the Free Music Archive: freemusicarchive.org) Lobo Loco, "Malte Junior - Hall"

Toluse Olorunnipa explains why House Democrats are challenging Trump’s national emergency. Nicole Ellis on her personal journey to figure out whether egg freezing was right for her. And the plight of adjunct professors, with Danielle Douglas-Gabriel.

Our duty as voters is to judge the job performance of our members of Congress and decide whether or not they deserve to be re-hired or fired from their positions as lawmakers. In this episode, Jen summarizes 20 controversial bills and laws that passed during the 115th Congress which you can use to judge whether your Representative and two Senators have voted in your best interest. Links to all of the votes are listed in this episode's show notes on www.congressionaldish.com Please Support Congressional Dish - Quick Links Click here to contribute a lump sum or set up a monthly contribution via PayPal Click here to support Congressional Dish for each episode via Patreon Send Zelle payments to: Donation@congressionaldish.com Send Venmo payments to: @Jennifer-Briney Use your bank’s online bill pay function to mail contributions to: 5753 Hwy 85 North Number 4576 Crestview, FL 32536 Please make checks payable to Congressional Dish Thank you for supporting truly independent media! Recommended Congressional Dish Episodes CD174: Bank Lobbyist Act CD163: Net Neutrality CD157: Failure to Repeal CD151: AHCA - The House Version (American Health Care Act) CD129: The Impeachment of John Koskinen CD069: Giving Away Your Land CD048: The Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) Bills S.2155: Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act, introduced Nov 16, 2017, enacted May 24, 2018. Outlined in detail in CD174: Bank Lobbyist Act First significant re-writing of the banking laws since Dodd-Frank in 2010 Most significant change: Kills a Dodd-Frank requirement that banks with more than $50 billion in assets undergo stress tests to ensure their stabilityr. Bank Lobbyist Act changed that so stress tests will only be required for banks with over $250 billion. This exempts 25 of the 38 largest US banks from important regulations. Passed the Senate 67-31 Passed House of Representatives 258-159   H.R.1628: American Health Care Act of 2017, introduced March 20, 2017, passed House May 4. 2017. Outlined in detail in CD151: ACHA The House Version (American Health Care Act) There were quite a few versions of bills that would have ripped up the rules placed on insurance companies by the Affordable Care Act, but every version - including this one - eliminated the requirements that health insurance cover “essential health benefits”, which include: Ambulances Emergencies Hospital stays Maternity and newborn care Mental health Prescription drugs Rehab Lab work Preventative visits Dental and vision for children Would have also allowed - in some circumstance - insurance companies to charge us more for “pre-existing conditions” Passed the House of Representatives 217-213 All Democrats no's 20 Republicans no’s   S.Amdt. 667 (McConnell) to H.R. 1628: Of a perfecting nature., July 28, 2017. The “Skinny Repeal” is a wildly irresponsible 8 page bill, which was only available to read for a few hours before the vote, which also would have allowed the sale of health insurance that doesn’t cover the essential health benefits. This vote was the famous, dramatic moment when John McCain turned his thumb down and killed the bill. Get the full story in CD157: Failure to Repeal Failed Senate 49-51 All Democrats and Independents voted no   S.J.Res. 34: A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Federal Communications Commission relating to "Protecting the Privacy of Customers of Broadband and Other Telecommunications Services." introduced March 7, 2017, enacted April 3, 2017. Regulation overturned: Killed a regulation that applied the privacy requirements of the Communications Act of 1934 to internet access and telecommunications providers. Required them to: Provide privacy notices that clearly and accurately inform customers Get opt-in or opt-out customer approval to use and share customer information Require opt-in’s when the company is making money from selling our information Secure our information Notify customers of data breaches Not condition service upon the customer’s surrender of privacy rights Passed Senate 50-48 All Republicans yes All Democrats and Independents no Passed House 215-205 - All Democrats no   H.R. 21: Midnight Rules Relief Act of 2017, introduced January 3, 2017, passed House January 4, 2017. Allows Congress to bundle rules that they want to prevent into one bill so there is a single vote on a joint resolution of disapproval. This means that each one will not be carefully considered as is required now. Passed the House of Representatives 238-184 Every Democrat voted no Has not been voted on in the Senate   H.R. 26: Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act of 2017, introduced January 3, 2017, passed House January 5, 2017. Changes the Congressional Review Act to require Congressional review of major agency regulations before they can go into effect. Passed the House 237-187 all Republicans voted yes Has not been voted on in the Senate   H.J.Res. 38: Disapproving the rule submitted by the Department of the Interior known as the Stream Protection Rule, introduced January 30, 2017, enacted February 16, 2017. Regulation overturned: Killed the “Stream Protection Rule”, which required permits to specify when coal mining would reach a damaging level for ground and surface water quality. Stricter water quality monitoring requirements in streams. Required land disturbed by mining be restored to a condition similar to what it was before the mining. Passed Senate 54-45 Passed House 228-194   H.J.Res. 41: Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of a rule submitted by the Securities and Exchange Commission relating to "Disclosure of Payments by Resource Extraction Issuers." introduced January 30, 2017, enacted February 14, 2017. Regulation overturned: Kills a regulation requiring fossil fuel companies to annually report any payments made by the company or a subsidiary to a foreign government or the Federal Government for the commercial development of oil, natural gas, or minerals. Passed Senate 52-47 All Republicans yes All Democrats and Independents no Passed House 235-187   H.J.Res. 44: Disapproving the rule submitted by the Department of the Interior relating to Bureau of Land Management regulations that establish the procedures used to prepare, revise, or amend land use plans pusuant to the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, introduced January 30, 2017, enacted March 27, 2017. Regulation overturned: Kills a regulation that enhanced opportunities for public involvement during the preparation of resource management plans by increasing public access to plans in earlier stages of the process, allowing the public to submit data and other information. Passed Senate 51-48 All Republicans yes All Democrats and Indepedents no Passed House 234-186   H.J.Res. 40: Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Social Security Administration relating to Implementation of the NICS Improvement Amendments Act of 2007, introduced January 30, 2017, enacted February 28, 2017. Regulation overturned: Kills a regulation that required Federal agencies to give the Attorney General information on more people for inclusion in the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). People who would be added include people collecting disability benefits due to mental instability. Passed Senate 57-43 All Republicans voted yes Passed House 235-180   H.J.Res. 83: Disapproving the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to Clarification of Employer's Continuing Obligation to Make and Maintain an Accurate Record of Each Recordable Injury and Illness, introduced February 21, 2017, enacted April 3, 2017. Regulation overturned: Kills a regulation that made clear that the requirement to record work-related injuries and illnesses is an ongoing obligation; the duty does not expire if the employer fails to create records in the first place. The records must be complete for as long as records are required, which is 5 years and citations can be issued for up to 6 months after that. Passed Senate 50-48 All Republicans yes All Democrats and Independents no Passed House 231-191   H.J.Res. 37: Disapproving the rule submitted by the Department of Defense, the General Services Administration, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration relating to the Federal Acquisition Regulation, introduced January 30, 2017, enacted March 27, 2017. Regulation overturned: Kills a regulation that required contractors for the Defense Department, General Services Administration, and NASA to report their compliance with 14 federal labor laws, required contractors to provide documentation on “hours worked, overtime hours, pay, and additions to or deductions from pay” in each pay period, and limited mandatory arbitration of employee claims for contracts and subcontracts worth more than $1 million. Passed Senate 49-48 All Republicans voted yes All Democrats and Independents voted no Passed House 236-187   H.J.Res. 111: Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by Bureau of Consumer Finanacial Protection relating to "Arbitration Agreements" introduced July 20, 2017, enacted November 1, 2017. Regulation Overturned: Killed a regulation that prohibited banks and other financial institutions from forcing arbitration in their contracts to prevent customers from filing and participating in class action lawsuits. Passed Senate 51-50 VP Mike Pence broke the tie All Democrats and Independents voted no Passed House 231-190 All Democrats voted no   S.J.Res. 57: A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by Bureau of Consumer financial Protection relating to "Indirect Auto Lending and Cmopliance with the Equal Credit Opportunity Act" introduced March 22, 2018, enacted May 21, 2018. CFPB regulation overturned: Killed a regulation that included auto dealers in the definition of “creditor” for the purpose of prohibiting them from discriminating in any way in a credit transaction on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, age, or welfare assistance. Passed Senate 51-47 All Republicans yes All Independents no Passed House 234-175   S. 204: Trickett Wendler, Frank Mongiello, Jordan McLinn, and Matthew Bellina Right to Try Act of 2017, introduced January 24, 2017, enacted May 30, 2018. Allows people diagnosed with a life-threatening diseases or conditions who have exhausted approved treatment options and can’t participate in a clinical trial on an experimental drug that has not been FDA approved to get that drug directly from the drug company, with a doctor’s approval. Allows drug companies to sell their unapproved drugs directly to customers as long as the drugs have to have been through a completed Phase 1 of a clinical trial. This law says the Secretary of HHS can’t use the clinical outcomes of the patient’s use of the drug to delay or adversely affect the review or approval of the drug, unless he/she certifies it’s for safety reasons or the drug company requests that data be used. Gives legal immunity to the drug companies, prescribers, dispensers or an “other individual entity” unless there is willful misconduct, gross negligence, to the intentional breaking of a state law. Passed the Senate by unanimous consent (no recorded vote) Passed House 250-169 on May 22 All Republican votes were yes's Along with 22 Democrats   H.R. 772: Common Sense Nutrition Disclosure Act of 2017, introduced January 31, 2017, passed House February 6, 2018. Changes the calorie disclosure requirements from telling us the number of calories in the standard menu item as usually prepared to allowing them to tell us the calories per serving, with them determining what a serving is. Allows restaurants to choose whether they will display calories by entire combo meals, by individual items in combos, by servings in items in combos. Let’s them use ranges, averages, or “other methods” as determined by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (making it a decision of political appointee) Eliminates the requirement that restaurants provide calories in store if “the majority of orders are placed by customers who are off-premises” Restaurants will not be required to get any signed certifications of compliance. Restaurants can not be held liable in civil courts for violating nutrition disclosure laws. Passed the House 266-157 Has not been voted on in the Senate   H.R. 2936: Resilient Federal Forests Act of 2017, introduced June 20, 2017, passed House November 1, 2017. Allows more wood to be removed by the logging industry from Federal Forests and exempts them some from environmental regulations Passed House 232-188 Has not been voted on in the Senate   H.R. 4606: Ensuring Small Scale LNG Certainty and Access Act, introduced December 11, 2017, passed House September 6, 2018. Deems the importation or exportation of natural gas to be “consistent with the public interest” and says the applications for importation or exportation “shall be granted without modification or delay” if the volume does not exceed 0.14 billion cubic feet per day and if the application doesn’t require an environmental impact statement. Passed House 260-146 Has not been voted on in the Senate   H.R. 1119: Satisfying Energy Needs and Saving the Environment Act (SENSE Act), introduced Febraury 16, 2017, passed House March 8, 2018. Says the EPA must give coal companies the choice of if their steam generators will comply with emissions standards for hydrogen chloride or sulfur dioxide. The EPA is not allowed to require compliance with both Passed House 215-189 Has not been voted on in the Senate       H.R. 3053: Nuclear Waste Policy Amendments Act of 2018, introduced June 26, 2017, passed House May 10, 2018. Forces the continuance of the process of moving all the nuclear waste in the United States to Yucca Mountain in Nevada. Grants the entire US government immunity for damages caused in the course of “any mining, mineral leasing, or geothermal leasing activity” conducted on the land reserved for nuclear waste disposal. Speeds up the approval process by 6 months for interim storage and basically forbids disapproval Would Increase by 57% the amount of spent fuel allowed to be held during construction - no environmental review to make sure the tanks can hold this much The Secretary of Energy does NOT need to consider alternative actions or no-action alternatives to infrastructure projects needed for Yucca mountain as far as environmental analysis are concerned. Passed the House of Representatives 340-72 Has not been voted on in the Senate                       H.R. 7: No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act of 2017, introduced January 13, 2017, passed House January 24, 2017. Makes permanent a common funding law amendment that prevents federal money from being used to perform abortions. This bill would also prevent any government payment assistance on the health insurance exchanges for plans that cover abortion - which effectively would stop health insurance companies from offering abortion coverage in their plans since that would make them ineligible for many of us to purchase. Passed the House of Representatives 238-183 All Republicans voted yes Has not been voted on in the Senate       Additional Reading Article: Pompeo eyes Fox News reporter to head Counterpropaganda Office by Robbie Gramer and Elias Groll, Foreign Policy, September 6, 2018. Article: "Right to Try" is a cruel farce by Beatrice Adler-Bolton, Jacobin Magazine, August 12, 2018. Article: The 'right to try' could cost dying patients a fortune by Michelle Cortez, Bloomberg, June 20, 2018. Article: Congress works to revive long-delayed plan to store nuclear waste in Yucca Mountain by Michael Collins, USA Today, June 3, 2018. Report: Johnson to FDA: Agency should comply with right to try law, U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs, May 31, 2018. Article: Senator behind right-to-try law says its intent is to weaken FDA by Anna Edney, Bloomberg, May 31, 2018. Opinion: Right to Try Act poses big challenge for FDA by Michael D. Becker, NPR, May 24, 2018. Article: Right-to-try bill headed for vote puts bigger burden on FDA to protect patients, Gottlieb says by Ike Swetlitz and Erin Mershon, Stat News, May 17, 2018. Article: Walden, Shimkus, Lance, Walters steer House toward advancing nuclear waste bill by Ripon Advance News Service, May 14, 2018. Article: House passes Yucca bill, but its future is uncertain as Heller pledges to stop it in the Senate by Humberto Sanchez, The Nevada Independent, May 11, 2018. Article: The revenge of the stadium banks by David Dayen, The Intercept, March 2, 2018. Article: Pence says that Congress should get right-to-try legislation 'done' by Erin Mershon, Stat News, January 18, 2018. Statement: Examining patient access to investigational drugs by Scott Gottlieb, FDA.gov, October 3, 2017. Article: What was in the failed Senate 'skinny repair' health care bill? by Tami Luhby, CNN Money, July 28, 2017. Article: Scott Gottlieb: Conflicts surround Trump's FDA pick by Sandee LaMotte, CNN, April 4, 2017. Report: House passes bill to overturn 'midnight' regulations en masse by Lydia Wheeler, The Hill, January 4, 2017. Article: Now you have to keep OSHA injury records for 5 years by Fred Hosier, Safety News Alert, December 21, 2016. Opinion: With Harry Reid's retirement, will the Yucca Mountain plan be revived? by The Times Editorial Board, Los Angeles Times, December 8, 2016. Article: Bankers ease rules on automatic student loan defaults by Danielle Douglas-Gabriel, The Washington Post, October 27, 2016. Article: Sallie Mae under fire for death-induce defaults by Shahien Nasiripour, Huffpost, April 25, 2014. Report: Victim: Gang-rape cover-up by U.S., Halliburton/KBR by Brian Ross, Maddy Sauer, And Justin Rood, ABC News, December 10, 2007. Resources Company Information: Volks Constructors Corporation Congressional Publication: Disapproval of Regulations by Congress: Procedure Under Congressional Review Act, Oct 10, 2001. Court Report: Petition for Review of a Final Order of the Occupational Safety & Health Review Commission Disease Information: Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), MDA.org Explanatory Statement: Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2018 Fact Sheet: President Trump: Cutting Red Tape for American Businesses FDA: Expanded Acces INDs and Protocols Law Resolutions: Congressional Review Act (CRA) Letter: Scott Gottlieb to Elizabeth J. Fischmann, Associate General Councel for Ethics Letter to the Senate: Dean Heller, Re: 2019 NRC Approps LinkedIn Profile: Scott Gottlieb OpenSecrets.org: Rep. Bruce Westerman - Arkansas District 04 OpenSecrets.org: Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers - Washington District 05 OpenSecrets.org: Domino's Pizza OpenSecrets.org: Sen. Ron Johnson - Wisconsin Study Report: Clinical Development Success Rates Study 2006-2015 Sound Clip Sources House Session: Legislative Day of May 22, 2018, HouseLive.gov. 6:13:00 - Rep. Mike Burgess (TX) "The bill we will be voting out soon is about patients. It is about having more time with their loved ones. In the words of Vice President MIKE PENCE, ‘‘It’s about restoring hope and giving patients with life-threatening diseases a fighting chance.’’ With hundreds of thousands of Americans with a terminal illness and their families looking for us to act, I urge Members of this House, the people’s House, to support restoring hope and giving them a fighting chance at life." Hearing: House Hearing; Yucca Mountain, May 10, 2018. 32:00 Representative Greg Walden (OR): You know, the Department of Energy’s Hanford site is just up the mighty Columbia River from where I live and where I grew up. That area and those workers helped us win World War II, and the site’s nuclear program was instrumental in projecting peace through strength throughout the Cold War. While the community has been a constructive partner in support of our vital national security missions, it did not agree to serve as a perpetual storage site for the resulting nuclear waste. Fifty-six million gallons of toxic waste sitting in decades-old metal tanks at Hanford—these are those tanks that were being constructed to hold this waste. They are now buried in the ground. The only entry point is right here. The amount of waste stored at Hanford would fill this entire House Chamber 20 times over. According to a recent Government Accountability Office report, the oldest of these tanks, some of which date back to the 1940s, have single-layer walls, or shells. They were built to last 20 years. They will be almost 100 years old by the estimated end of their waste treatment. The Department of Energy has reported that 67 of these tanks are assumed or known to have leaked waste into the soil. There is an understandable sense of urgency in the Northwest behind the cleanup efforts that are under way at Hanford. H.R. 3053 will provide the pathway to clean up the contaminated Hanford site. You see, the waste from Hanford will end up in a secure permanent storage site that we believe will be Yucca Mountain. 35:15 Representative Greg Walden (OR): The legislation authorizes the Department of Energy to contract with private companies to store nuclear waste while DOE finishes the rigorous scientific analysis of the repository design and the associated Nuclear Regulatory Commission licensing process. So, an interim storage facility can bring added flexibility to DOE’s disposal program and may provide a more expeditious near-term pathway to consolidate spent nuclear fuel. 41.31 Representative Fred Upton (MI): In my district, we have two nuclear plants. Both of them have run out of room in their storage, so they have dry casks that are literally a John Shimkus baseball throw away from Lake Michigan. Every one of these 100-some sites across the country is in an environmentally sensitive area, and at some point they’re going to run out of room. In Michigan, we’ve got two other sites that also have dry casks in addition to the two in my district. 45:05 Representative Buddy Carter (GA): This legislation is important not only because of what it means to the future of clean-energy opportunities for this country, but also what this means for our communities. Nuclear energy has become a safe and effective way to generate energy, all while not producing greenhouse gas emissions. 53:29 Representative Leonard Lance (NJ): New Jersey is home to four nuclear reactors at three generating stations: Oyster Creek, Hope Creek, and Salem. Oyster Creek will be closing this October. In the congressional district I serve, these plants account for about half of the power generation and 90 percent of the carbon-free electricity. New Jersey’s nuclear plants avoid 14 million tons of carbon emissions each year. Public Service, FirstEnergy, and Exelon are doing their part in storing their station’s spent nuclear fuel on-site, but we need a permanent site. The expertise and know-how of the federal government has a responsibility to my constituents and to the American people. I want the 3,000 metric tons of nuclear waste out of New Jersey and consolidated in a national protected facility. 58:54 Representative Dina Titus (NV): The first ‘‘Screw Nevada’’ bill was passed in 1982, and since that time, Nevada’s residents, elected officials, business leaders, health and environmental groups have steadfastly opposed the Yucca Mountain repository. I ask unanimous consent to enter into the record over 100 letters from those groups in opposition. 59:19 Representative Dina Titus (NV): You’ve heard that the legislation before you now, ‘‘Screw Nevada 2.0,’’ is a work of compromise, a bipartisan effort, not perfect, but a step forward. Well, that, frankly, is an opinion. It’s not the facts. Here are the facts: the legislation overrides environmental laws, allowing the EPA to move the goalposts in terms of radiation limits to ensure that nothing will ever interfere with the agenda of the nuclear industry. It sets up a consent-based process for the establishment of an interim storage facility but imposes a permanent facility at Yucca Mountain. It increases the amount of nuclear waste to be dumped in Nevada by 37 percent, 110 metric tons more that were not considered in any of the environmental or safety studies being used to justify the project. It also removes the prohibition currently in law that prohibits Nevada from being the de facto interim storage facility until a permanent one can be licensed. It was also changed after passing out of committee to address the high scoring costs—is it already three minutes? Chairman: Gentlewoman’s time has expired. Representative Paul Tonko: Mr. Speaker, we grant the gentlelady another minute. Chairman: Gentlelady’s recognized. Rep. Titus: Thank you. —to address the high scoring costs, making it less likely that we get host benefits. Also, contrary to the sponsor’s comments, the area around Yucca Mountain is not some desolate area. It has iconic wildlife, endangered species, and Native American artifacts. Also, the proposed facility sits above the water table and on an active fault and can only be reached by roads that travel through 329 of your congressional districts. 1:03:53 Representative Ruben Kihuen (NV): You know, Mr. Speaker, I find it offensive. I sit here and listen to all my colleagues, and they all want to send nuclear waste to the state of Nevada. They’re all generating this nuclear waste, and they want to send it to my backyard right in the Fourth Congressional District. You know, bottom line is this, Mr. Speaker: if you generate nuclear waste, you should keep it in your own backyard. Don’t be sending it to our backyard. 1:11:27 Representative Joe Courtney (CT): Next to me is a picture of Haddam Neck, Connecticut, which is a pristine part of the state where the Connecticut River and the Salmon River come together. Where the circle is on the photograph, there are 43 casks of spent nuclear power uranium rods that, again, today, pretty much cordon off that whole area. If you drove up in a car, you’d be met by a platoon of heavily armed security guards who, for good reason, have to patrol that area every single day because of the dangerous material that is stored there. That has been the case for over 20 years. It costs Connecticut ratepayers $10 million a year, again, for a site that should be long overdue for renovation and access to folks from all over the world because of its rich archeological and historical area. This bill provides a way out for this area, along with 120 other sites across the country, that host communities have been saddled with storage of spent nuclear fuel because of the fact that this country has been unable to come together with a coherent policy. And this bill provides a way out. 1:15:23 Representative Dana Rohrabacher (CA): This bill authorizes the construction of Yucca Mountain as a nuclear waste storage site, which would alleviate the burden of incredible risk that is now borne by communities throughout the country, such as in my district, where homes are not far located from the closed San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station. That, and many other plants throughout the nation, have closed their doors in decades. Yet, Congress has yet to agree of how to safely store that waste, while—and what’s really important is we must store the waste—but while we develop new nuclear energy technologies, that we are capable of doing, that are safe and produce less of their own waste and can consume the waste of older plants—I reminded Secretary of Energy Perry of that yesterday—but, in the meantime, until that technology—by the way, it is sinful that we have not developed that technology, which we are capable of, that could eat this waste—but until we do, having safe storage at Yucca Mountain makes all the sense to me and is safe for my constituents. 1:17:07 Representative Rick Allen (GA): Mr. Speaker, I have the great honor of representing Georgia’s 12th Congressional District, which is home to every nuclear reactor in our state, and we are leading the way in the new nuclear. At Plant Vogtle, in my district, there are thousands of spent fuel rods being held in spent fuel pools and dry cask storage containers, and in the next few years we’re going to double the number of nuclear reactors online at Vogtle. Hearing: House Hearing; Forests Act, November 1, 2017. 3:02:49 Representative Bruce Poliquin (MA): Now, H.R. 2936 brings federal regulations in line with this new technology and new standards of safety by allowing family-owned logging business the ability to train 16- and 17-year-olds under very close supervision of their parents. 3:23:31 Representative Greg Walden (OR): In Oregon, this bill would take away arbitrary prohibition on harvesting trees over 21 inches in diameter. It’s tied the hands of our forest managers. 3:28:00 Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA): I represent the Colville National Forest, which is about a million-acre forest. It’s really the engine of our economy in the Northwest, because what happens on the Colville National Forest determines whether or not we have Vaagen’s lumber or 49 Degrees North ski resort or the biomass facility that Avista runs, converting wood waste into electricity. This is all providing jobs, energy, recreational opportunities. Yet mills have been closed, jobs have been lost. It’s unacceptable. It’s time to pass the Resilient Federal Forests legislation. 5:32:57 Representative Jeff Denham (CA): The Resilient Federal Forests Act gives us the tools to immediately reduce the threat of catastrophic wildfires. It allows us to expedite the removal of dead trees and rapidly mitigate disease-infested areas. 5:41:58 Representative Louie Gohmert (TX): If you want to just leave it to nature, nature will destroy massive numbers of acres of land. So we have a responsibility. Even in the Garden of Eden when things were perfect, God said, tend the garden. 6:06:29 Representative Raul Grijalva (AZ): This is not the first time we have seen the bill, this piece of legislation. House Republicans sent a version to the Senate in the 113th and the 114th Congress, where it languished on the shelf because our colleagues on the other side of the Capitol found it too extreme. Rather than view that experience as an opportunity to seek compromise, this time around, today, we are considering a bill that is even more extreme and polarizing. They doubled the environmental review waivers, added language to undermine the Endangered Species Act, and scaled back protections for national monuments and roadless areas. 6:07:39 Representative Raul Grijalva (AZ): But this bill is not about forest health or wildfire mitigation; it’s about increasing the number of trees removed from our forests. 6:18:24 Representative Tom McClintock (CA): You know, there’s an old adage that excess timber comes out of the forest one way or the other—it’s either carried out or it burns out. When we carried it out, we had resilient, healthy forests and a thriving economy, as excess timber was sold and harvested before it could choke our forests to death. In the years since then, we’ve seen an 80 percent decline in timber sales from our federal lands and a concomitant increase in acreage destroyed by forest fire. I would remind my friend from Oregon that timber sales used to generate us money, not cost us money. The direct revenues and spin-off commerce generated by these sales provided a stream of revenues that we could then use to improve our national forests and share with the local communities affected. 6:22:38 Representative Jared Huffman (CA): Title I of this bill allows intensive logging projects of 10,000 to 30,000 acres each. That’s as big as the entire city of San Francisco. Projects of that size can proceed on federal public lands without any environmental review under NEPA, without any compliance with the Endangered Species Act. Title II of the bill eliminates the requirement that the Forest Service consult with the Fish and Wildlife Service; essentially, lets the Forest Service decide for itself if it wants to follow the Endangered Species Act consultation requirements regarding any of its projects on public lands. Title III further chokes judicial review by prohibiting the recovery of attorneys' fees for any challenges to forest management activity under the Equal Access to Justice Act, including meritorious successful challenges. This severely limits public review of logging projects on federal public lands. Hearing: Examining patient access to investigational drugs, Energy & Commerce, October 3, 2017. House Session: Legislative Day of January 4, 2017, Houselive.gov 4:15:30 - Rep. Darrell Issa (CA) "For the freshmen of either party,when you go to make a vote on this, re-member, we are not changing the un-derlying law. Only one regulation under the underlying law has ever been repealed, and it was bipartisan in both the House and the Senate when it was repealed. It has been 16 years, and the few that will likely be considered under this act and the underlying law will be just that, a relatively few regulations that are believed to be unnecessary and for which the House, the Senate, and the President concur.   Video: Josh Lyman Sick of Congress, YouTube, July 23, 2012. Community Suggestions See more Community Suggestions HERE. Cover Art Design by Only Child Imaginations Music Presented in This Episode Intro & Exit: Tired of Being Lied To by David Ippolito (found on Music Alley by mevio)  

In our last episode, we talked about narrowing down your teenager’s long list of college options (or LLCO, as we call it in our new book How To Explore Your College Options: A Workbook for High School Students), and we discussed several questions to ask yourselves about those colleges as you narrowed down the list. We recommended ending up with perhaps 15 colleges (give or take 5) on your teenager’s “short list.”  One thing we did not talk about was whether you should put a public two-year community college on the list. We have talked about community colleges--the good and the bad about them--back in Episode 113 and more recently in Episode 135. Although we remain concerned about the seriously low graduation rate and the seriously low transfer rate at most community colleges, it is still possible that a community college is your teenager’s best or only choice or best safety school choice. If you can be sure that your teenager will be admitted to a public four-year college in your state or in another state, personally I would go with that option instead of a public two-year community college option. However, if you cannot be sure that your teenager will be admitted to a public four-year college or if your family circumstances would be too strained (either financially or otherwise) by sending your teenager to a public four-year college, then put the local community college on the short list. If you are fortunate enough to live in an area that has more than one conveniently located community college option, then choosing among those options can be as important as choosing among four-year college options. All community colleges are not created equal--anymore than all four-year public or private colleges are. So do your homework or give us a call. But today, we want to talk about another topic that relates to community colleges, but not only to community colleges. It is a very important topic if you believe that it might be a good idea to save some money on the first two years of college by sending your teenager to a community college or to a public four-year college before allowing him or her to transfer to a more prestigious or more academically selective public or private college. We have heard this sentiment from parents many times: “Let Susie start out at the local community college and save our money for a big finish at the great private university she always wanted to go to.” Well, there is a new study out that might make you think twice about that strategy. 1. Losing Credits When Transferring The study was brought to our attention by reporter Danielle Douglas-Gabriel in a wide-ranging article in The Washington Post in mid-September. Ms. Douglas-Gabriel referenced a new report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office (the GAO), entitled Students Need More Information to Help Reduce Challenges in Transferring College Credits. Here is the opening of the highlights from that government report: Based on GAO’s analysis of the Department of Education’s (Education) most recently available data, an estimated 35 percent of college students transferred to a new school at least once from 2004 to 2009, and GAO found that students may face challenges getting information or advice about transferring course credits. An estimated 62 percent of these transfers were between public schools. According to stakeholders GAO spoke with, students can face challenges transferring credits between schools that do not have statewide polices or articulation agreements, which are transfer agreements or partnerships between schools designating how credits earned at one school will transfer to another. Stakeholders also said that advising and information may not be adequate to help students navigate the transfer process. (quoted from the report) Let’s start there. First of all, about one-third of college students transfer (personally, I think that is a lot and I am a bit surprised the number is that high), and over half of those are between public colleges. I am going to guess that a significant number of those are from two-year public community colleges to four-year public universities. The report then decries the lack of clear articulation agreements--that is, spelled-out plans between pairs of colleges that show how the credits a student earns at one college will be counted or will be deemed acceptable by the other college. Never having studied the subject, I am guessing that articulation agreements are probably most plentiful between community colleges and four-year public or private colleges relatively nearby or between various colleges within a citywide or statewide public system of colleges.  So, a little background: Articulation agreements protect students. Obviously, students do not want to lose credits they have earned at a college when they transfer to a new college. This is especially true of students who start out at a community college to save money and then transfer to a four-year college to get a bachelor’s degree. If credits are lost in that transfer and have to be made up at the new college, the whole idea of having started at the cheaper community college just goes out the window! On the other hand, articulation agreements can also be good for colleges. This is especially true when four-year colleges can market themselves easily and cheaply to graduates from a particular community college as the next step in their college careers. Imagine how cost-effective it is for a four-year college to advertise and recruit students who are sitting in classes on one community college campus. Of course, community colleges also benefit because they can advertise a clear path for their graduates right into a four-year college; that fact might indeed help recruit students to the community college in the first place. So, here’s the problem, according to the GAO report: The possible financial implications of transferring depend in part on the extent of credits lost in the transfer. Using [the Department of] Education’s transfer data, GAO estimated that students who transferred from 2004 to 2009 lost, on average, an estimated 43 percent of their credits, and credit loss varied depending on the transfer path. For example, students who transferred between public schools--the majority of transfer students--lost an estimated 37 percent of their credits. . . . Transferring can have different effects on college affordability. Students seeking to obtain a bachelor’s degree at a more expensive school may save on tuition costs by transferring from a less expensive school. On the other hand, transfer students may incur additional costs to repeat credits that do not transfer or count toward their degree. Transfer students can receive federal financial aid. GAO’s analysis showed that almost half of the students who transferred from 2004 to 2009 received Pell Grants and close to two-thirds received Federal Direct Loans. Students who lose credits may use more financial aid to pay for repeated courses at additional cost to the federal government, or they may exhaust their financial aid eligibility, which can result in additional out-of-pocket costs. (quoted from the report) Well, losing perhaps one-third of the credits you earned when you try to transfer them is frightening. Having to pay again to take courses for credits you thought you already earned or having your financial aid run out before you can retake those credits (either because you have been enrolled for too many years or too many semesters) is equally frightening. All this should make you, parents, want some kind of ironclad agreement signed in blood before your teenager starts down the transfer route. But, alas, I believe you aren’t going to get one.  2. The GAO on Information Availability Here is what the GAO report said about getting a hold of important information:  While GAO estimated that the websites for almost all schools nationwide provided credit transfer policies, as required by [the Department of] Education, about 29 percent did not include a list of other schools with which the school had articulation agreements. Among those schools, GAO found that some did not have any articulation agreements, while others did but did not list partner schools on their websites. Schools must provide such listings, but they are not required to do so specifically on their website. As a result, students may not have ready access to this information to fully understand their transfer options. (quoted from the report)  Interestingly, the GAO report recommended that the Department of Education require that colleges provide information about specific articulation agreements with other colleges on their websites. The Department of Education did not agree with that and agreed only that general transfer information should be provided to students (well, obviously). What all that means is that you as parents and your teenagers as prospective freshmen and as enrolled students must do your homework relentlessly to figure out exactly what will happen in a transfer scenario. And, we have to caution, don’t expect that homework to be easy! 3. Bright Spots Ms. Douglas-Gabriel did point to a few bright spots in her article: Several state higher education systems, including those in Tennessee, North Carolina and Texas, are using innovative strategies to streamline the transfer process. The University of California system, for instance, has “guided pathways” that chart the sequence of courses needed to transfer. Some schools, such as George Mason University and Northern Virginia Community College, offer dual enrollment for some majors. (quoted from the article) And, of course, these are not the only collaborative arrangements out there. So, if your teenager is moving toward a community college with the idea of transferring to a four-year college later or if your teenager is moving toward a public four-year university with the idea of transferring to a different four-year university later, then hope for one of these streamlined processes. Better yet, look for one of these streamlined processes--because some careful planning now can save a lot of heartbreak later. Find our books on Amazon! How To Find the Right College: A Workbook for Parents of High School Students (available as a Kindle ebook and in paperback) How To Explore Your College Options: A Workbook for High School Students (available in paperback) Ask your questions or share your feedback by... Leaving a comment on the show notes for this episode at http://usacollegechat.org/episode140 Calling us at (516) 900-6922 to record a question on our USACollegeChat voicemail if you want us to answer your question live on our podcast Connect with us through... Subscribing to our podcast on Google Play Music, iTunes, Stitcher, or TuneIn Liking us on Facebook or following us on Twitter Reviewing parent materials we have available at www.policystudies.org Inquiring about our consulting services if you need individualized help Reading Regina's blog, Parent Chat with Regina

8 AM - 1 - Washington Post's Danielle Douglas-Gabriel talks about her piece: "Nine universities on one small campus? It's real. It's here. And it could be higher ed's future.". 2 - Tourists rescue bison calf in Yellowstone cuz they thought it was cold. 3 - The News with Marshall Phillips. 4 - The law is cracking down less on people who steal stuff.

9 AM - 1 - Washington Post's Danielle Douglas-Gabriel talks about her story: "White House steps up effort to reform student loan servicing to stave off rising defaults". 2 - Campbell Brown: Why I Blame TV News for Trump's Rise. 3 - Jack brought in Denmarkian Candies; The News with Marshall Phillips. 4 - Mo' stuff; Final Thoughts.