Podcasts about political breakdown

New unemployment numbers show that California is tied with Nevada for the highest unemployment rate in the nation. Experts point to uncertainty over tariffs and trade policy, immigration raids and the rise of Artificial Intelligence as some of the main contributors.  So what does a high unemployment rate mean for one of the world's largest economies?   Scott talks with economist Christopher Thornberg, founding partner of Beacon Economics, an independent research and consulting firm. Check out Political Breakdown's weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After months of speculation, Kamala Harris announced that she will not run for governor of California, which keeps her options open for a potential campaign for president in 2028.  The decision has created a political earthquake throughout the state, as Democrats already running for governor step on the gas for campaign operations now that the biggest threat to their candidacy is removed. Scott and Guy are joined by Politico's senior political reporter Melanie Mason to discuss what's ahead for the 2026 California governor's race.  Check out Political Breakdown's weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A new poll shows that six months into San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie's term, voters are very happy with his overall performance. But are his social media posts a little too positive given the city's issues with ICE arrests and a budget deficit? Scott, Guy and KQED's Sydney Johnson discuss the mayor's popularity. Plus, they talk about a plan for "geographic equity" of shelter placement throughout the city.  Read more: San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie Is All Over Instagram. Is He Saying Enough? Check out Political Breakdown's weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Trump's massive domestic policy bill allocates an unprecedented amount of money to Immigration and Customs Enforcement's budget, significantly expanding their ability to carry out Trump's aggressive deportation agenda.  Already, weeks of intensified raids by federal immigration agents have generated fear and panic among many immigrant communities in California. Scott is joined by the Los Angeles Times immigration reporter Rachel Uranga to discuss the legal status of the raids and their impact on workers, their families and their employers. Check out Political Breakdown's weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In November, Orange County Congressman Derek Tran became the first Vietnamese American to represent Little Saigon in Washington, D.C. Tran barely defeated Republican incumbent Michelle Steel, helping Democrats flip three California House seats from red to blue. We revisit a conversation from May, when Scott and Marisa talked with Tran about representing a very purple district and his father's harrowing story as a refugee after the Vietnam War.   Check out Political Breakdown's weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox.     Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the last election, voters with college degrees leaned heavily toward Kamala Harris. But most voters without a degree backed President Trump. It's not just about policy. It's about pride, identity, and who feels like they're on your side. Republicans are speaking directly to working-class values like hard work, tradition, and loyalty, even while passing bills that slash healthcare and education. Meanwhile, Democrats often sound like they're talking down to people, using terms like “Latinx” or “climate denier” that might seem progressive, but to a lot of voters feels like a lecture. So how can Democrats reconnect and actually earn back trust? KQED Health Correspondent Lesley McClurg is joined by Joan Williams, the author of Outclassed: How the Left Lost the Working Class and How to Win Them Back. She's also Distinguished Professor of Law at UC Law San Francisco. Check out Political Breakdown's weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox.  Plus, take the Class Bubble Quiz. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Big K Hour 3: A Political Breakdown On The Latest News full 1573 Mon, 30 Jun 2025 13:24:35 +0000 bbJJ8qr6HRcqadZx8yQsc5DyzOdtntp1 news,a-newscasts,top picks The Big K Morning Show news,a-newscasts,top picks Big K Hour 3: A Political Breakdown On The Latest News The Big K Morning Show 2024 © 2021 Audacy, Inc. News News News News news News News News News News False https://player.amperwavepodcasting.com

Everyone assumes the reason Gavin Newsom has had right-wingers like Charlie Kirk and Steve Bannon on his podcast is to burnish his credentials for an imminent presidential run. But no podcast episode is going to make Republican voters forget that he's a California Democrat. Guest: Marisa Lagos, political correspondent for KQED and co-host of the Political Breakdown podcast. Want more What Next? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ad-free listening to the whole What Next family and across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page. Sign up now at slate.com/whatnextplus to get access wherever you listen. Podcast production by Ethan Oberman, Elena Schwartz, Paige Osburn, Anna Phillips, Madeline Ducharme, Isabel Angell, and Rob Gunther. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Everyone assumes the reason Gavin Newsom has had right-wingers like Charlie Kirk and Steve Bannon on his podcast is to burnish his credentials for an imminent presidential run. But no podcast episode is going to make Republican voters forget that he's a California Democrat. Guest: Marisa Lagos, political correspondent for KQED and co-host of the Political Breakdown podcast. Want more What Next? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ad-free listening to the whole What Next family and across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page. Sign up now at slate.com/whatnextplus to get access wherever you listen. Podcast production by Ethan Oberman, Elena Schwartz, Paige Osburn, Anna Phillips, Madeline Ducharme, Isabel Angell, and Rob Gunther. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Everyone assumes the reason Gavin Newsom has had right-wingers like Charlie Kirk and Steve Bannon on his podcast is to burnish his credentials for an imminent presidential run. But no podcast episode is going to make Republican voters forget that he's a California Democrat. Guest: Marisa Lagos, political correspondent for KQED and co-host of the Political Breakdown podcast. Want more What Next? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ad-free listening to the whole What Next family and across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page. Sign up now at slate.com/whatnextplus to get access wherever you listen. Podcast production by Ethan Oberman, Elena Schwartz, Paige Osburn, Anna Phillips, Madeline Ducharme, Isabel Angell, and Rob Gunther. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Republican State Sen. Brian Jones heads the Senate GOP caucus, and represents parts of San Diego County-- a decidedly purple Southern California district. After stints in both houses of the legislature, He's serving his final term in Sacramento. Although Republicans make up a minority of lawmakers at the state capital, they've made headway in recent months pushing against Democrats on issues like public safety. On this episode of Political Breakdown, Sen. Jones joins hosts Marisa Lagos and Scott Schafer in studio at KQED's San Francisco office. His appearance comes just a day after Governor Newsom unveiled his updated budget proposal for the coming fiscal year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trump has never hid his disdain for California. In his first hundred days in office, the President has gone on offense against the state on a number of key issues, from immigration to education. Scott Schafer and Marisa Lagos from KQED's politics team are spending the week in D.C. talking with California's elected officials. We check in about how state Democratic leaders are planning to counter Trump's policies, how California Republicans are adjusting to the new order and who might emerge as the next voices of Democratic leadership. Guests: Scott Shafer, senior editor; co-host of Political Breakdown, KQED Marisa Lagos, politics correspondent; co-host of Political Breakdown, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Political Breakdown team is reporting from Washington D.C. all this week. Today, Scott and Marisa sit down with Senator Alex Padilla at his office building on Capitol Hill to discuss the Trump administration's actions on deportations and immigration, including the recent appearance of ICE agents at two elementary schools in Los Angeles.  Then, they sit down with Suzan DelBene, who represents Washington State's first congressional district and also chairs the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC). They talk about Democrats' plan to win back the House next year.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

An investigation by CalMatters found that homeless shelters are dangerous, chaotic, and ineffective at getting people into permanent housing. The lead reporter behind the investigation, Lauren Hepler, spoke with KQED's Political Breakdown about what's gone wrong. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

California Attorney General Rob Bonta has filed a host of lawsuits against the Trump administration, as Governor Gavin Newsom tries to stay in Trump's good graces to safeguard federal disaster aid. It could be a good cop-bad cop strategy from the state, says KQED's politics team, who join us to talk about how the Trump administration is shaping state politics. We'll also look at who might be eyeing the governorship to replace termed-out Newsom — and whether former vice president Kamala Harris could enter the race. Guests: Guy Marzorati, correspondent, KQED's California Politics and Government Desk Marisa Lagos, politics correspondent, KQED; co-host, KQED's Political Breakdown Scott Shafer, senior editor, KQED's California Politics and Government Desk; co-host, Political Breakdown

A federal judge temporarily blocked President Trump's order to freeze federal grants and loans on Tuesday, as Medicaid and other programs experienced interruptions causing chaos and confusion. The Trump administration's directive could halt trillions of dollars in federal funds while agencies are directed to ensure financial assistance doesn't conflict with administration ideology. California's Attorney General and 22 other states have sued to stop the freeze, saying it is an unconstitutional violation of the separation of powers. We'll talk about what could be affected by the funding order, which is halted until at least Monday, the legality of Trump's action, and the efforts to fight it. Guests: Samuel R. Bagenstos, professor of law, University of Michigan Law School; former general counsel, White House Office of Management and Budget Mark Joseph Stern, senior writer, Slate magazine Marisa Lagos, politics correspondent, KQED, co-host of KQED's Political Breakdown

The Senate confirmation hearings for Trump's cabinet nominees took center stage in Washington D.C. this week. The Democrats tried to derail candidates, and the hearings tested G.O.P. unity. Concerns circulated around national security considerations to reinvigorating the economy and protecting environment, indicating that for these picks, and the nation, the stakes are high.  On this episode of Political Breakdown, host Lesley McClurg discusses this week's highlights on Capitol Hill, and explores what we can expect going forward with Zack Beauchamp. He's a senior correspondent at Vox, covering challenges to democracy in the United States and abroad, and right-wing populism.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One of the most controversial cabinet nominations is Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as head of the US Department of Health and Human Services. He's President-elect Trump's pick to be the country's top health official. RFK is armed with his 'Make America Healthy Again' platform and Trump's promise to let him 'go wild.' So, what will that look like on the ground? RFK has controversial views on vaccines, fluoride, and food regulation. On this episode of Political Breakdown, host Lesley McClurg speaks with Dr. Céline Gounder, editor-at-large for public health at KFF Health News and CBS News medical contributor. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Israel and Hamas have finally agreed to a ceasefire deal, putting an end to the deadly war in Gaza. President Biden outlined the deal in an address to the United States this morning. He said, “There was no other way for this war to end than with a hostage deal. And I'm deeply satisfied. This day has finally come for the sake of the people of Israel and for the sake of the people in Gaza who suffered unimaginable devastation because of the war.” Qatar announced the breakthrough following weeks of bumpy negotiations to end 15 months of devastating conflict. According to the health ministry in Gaza 46,000 Palestinians have lost their lives since Hamas's deadly on October 7th, 2023. On this episode of Political Breakdown, host Lesley McClurg speaks with Omar Dajani, he's an International Law professor with the McGeorge School of Law at University of the Pacific. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Next week, San Francisco mayor London Breed will pass the baton off to mayor-elect Daniel Lurie.  Breed led the city through most of the first Donald Trump presidency, the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath. In this exit interview with the Political Breakdown podcast, Breed reflects on her six years as mayor. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President-elect Donald Trump signaled his intention this week to make Harmeet K. Dhillon the deputy attorney general, running the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division. Dhillon is a San Francisco attorney who has long been a supporter of Trump. On this special edition of Political Breakdown, we're sharing an interview from 2018 when Marisa and Scott interviewed Dhillon about Republican politics, being an outspoken conservative living in liberal San Francisco, her time as a board member of the ACLU and her passion for knitting. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President-elect Donald Trump has doubled down on his campaign promise to deport millions off undocumented people living in the United States. In turn, California officials have promised to protect the state's undocumented population. KQED's Political Breakdown podcast sat immigration senior editor Tyche Hendricks to talk about how far Trump's deportation plans can go in California, and how immigrant communities and legal advocacy groups are preparing to fight back.  Links: California Is a Sanctuary State. How Much Will That Protect Immigrants From Trump's Deportation Plans? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

California leaders are gearing up for another 4 years of fighting back against President Donald Trump's administration. Attorney General Rob Bonta sits down with KQED's Political Breakdown podcast to talk about how his office is preparing — and what might be different this time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the face of it, California and Florida – the homestates of Kamala Harris and Donald Trump – are polar opposites. The divisions between the states came to symbolize the nation's red/blue divide in the starkly different responses to the pandemic and the rivalry between their ambitious and politically powerful governors. But we also share a lot of the same concerns, including a housing affordability crisis and disasters caused by extreme weather. In this hour we team up with South Florida public radio station WLRN for a post-election conversation about where the country is headed and what unites and divides us. Guests: Marisa Lagos, politics correspondent, KQED; co-host of KQED's Political Breakdown

Did you make a mistake filling out your ballot? Need a refresher on how ranked choice voting works? Wondering how to find your polling place? Kim Alexander, president of the California Voter Foundation, and KQED's Scott Shafer join us to take all of your voting questions ahead of the Nov. 5 election. Guests: Kim Alexander, president and founder, California Voter Foundation Scott Shafer, senior editor, KQED's California Politics and Government; co-host, Political Breakdown

The latest stars of TikTok and social media are not just influencers, they are presidential candidates. The campaigns of Kamala Harris and Donald Trump have rapid response digital teams that are jumping on every meme, dance, and remix, some which feature the candidates. But are these efforts reaching new voters? Or is the “For You Page” just solidifying people's world views, but to music? We'll talk to social media experts and hear from you: what's your favorite – or most hated – political meme in this election cycle and how has it influenced your vote? Guests: Sapna Maheshwari, business reporter covering TikTok and emerging media, New York Times Morgan Sung, host, "Close All Tabs" podcast available on KQED's "Political Breakdown" feed

Political Breakdown continues their series “Balance of Power” covering California's key congressional districts that could determine the balance of power in Congress next year. Today, Scott and Marisa are joined by Los Angeles Times enterprise reporter Hailey Branson-Potts to talk about the 27th congressional district race in northern Los Angeles County. Republican incumbent and former Navy combat pilot Mike Garcia is facing Democrat George Whitesides, who's a former chief of staff at NASA. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the election less than three weeks away, the temperature is rising, the attacks are escalating and the candidates are making last minute moves with an eye toward the finish line. In Oakland, the proposed recall of Mayor Sheng Thao is heating up. Thao has been on a media blitz this week, pushing back against the recall, which will appear on the November ballot. This morning, former Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf told Scott that she supports the recall of Thao. Marisa, Scott and Guy discuss this East Bay political battle. Listen to Thao's interview on Political Breakdown from earlier this week: Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao Makes Her Case Against A Recall Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Political Breakdown continues their series examining the key California congressional races that could determine which party controls the House of Representatives next year. Today, Marisa and Scott have conversations with the candidates in the 13th congressional district — a Central Valley district including all of Merced County and parts of Madera, Stanislaus, Fresno and San Joaquin counties. The Republican incumbent John Duarte faces a rematch against Democrat and former state Assemblyman Adam Gray. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Political Breakdown continues their tour of California's key congressional districts that could determine the balance of power in Congress next year. Today, Marisa and Scott go to California's Inland Empire, where Scott's been reporting on the rematch for the 41st congressional district. The Republican incumbent Ken Calvert, who's held the seat for more than three decades, faces the openly gay 39-year-old Democrat Will Rollins, who helped prosecute the January 6th rioters. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Online campaigning has changed dramatically since the early days of dial-up modems. In a new miniseries from KQED called Close All Tabs, internet culture journalist Morgan Sung takes us on a trip down digital memory lane to understand how internet culture is influencing this year's election.  Links: Listen to Close All Tabs on KQED's Political Breakdown feed, every Saturday until the election. Apply to be our intern! Vote for us in the Signal Awards Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Political Breakdown team continues their coverage of the most competitive congressional races in California that could determine control of the House next year.  Today, Scott and Marisa talk with Guy about Orange County's purple congressional district 47, currently represented by Democrat Katie Porter. Porter gave up the seat to run for the U.S. Senate and lost in the March primary. Now, Republican Scott Baugh and Democratic state Senator Dave Min are vying to win her seat. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Political Breakdown team continues their coverage of the most competitive congressional races in California that could determine control of the House next year.  Today, Scott and Marisa are joined by Politico's senior political reporter Melanie Mason to discuss the 45th congressional district race in Orange County, where 37% of the district's voting age citizens are Asian American. The Republican incumbent Michelle Steel, who was born in South Korea and has never lost an election, is being challenged by Democrat Derek Tran, an attorney and son of Vietnamese refugees.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

California has six competitive congressional districts that could determine which party controls the House of Representatives next year. In the lead-up to the November election, the Political Breakdown team will cover each of these races. Today, Scott and Marisa discuss the 22nd congressional district in the Central Valley… where Republican incumbent David Valadao is once again facing former Assemblymember Rudy Salas. They're joined by reporter Joshua Yeager, who covers Kern County and the Southern San Joaquin Valley for KVPR. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the second installment of our Prop Fest series we'll dig into Prop 3, which would enshrine the right to marriage for all couples into California's constitution. While same-sex marriage has been legal in the state since 2013, there is a so-called 'zombie law' on the books limiting the definition of marriage to only being between a man and a woman. Scott Shafer, co-host of KQED's Political Breakdown podcast, joins us to explain Prop 3 and the long back-and-forth history of marriage rights in California. Additional Reading: Read a transcript of this episode Check out the KQED Voter Guide Sign up for our newsletter Enter our Sierra Nevada Brewing Company monthly trivia contest Your support makes KQED podcasts possible. You can show your love by going to https://kqed.org/donate/podcasts This story was reported by Scott Shafer. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Amanda Font, Christopher Beale, and Ana De Almeida Amaral. The Bay is made by Alan Montecillo, Ericka Cruz Guevarra and Jessica Kariisa. Additional support from Jen Chien, Katie Sprenger, Maha Sanad, Holly Kernan, and the whole KQED family.

We take a deep dive into Proposition 36 on California's November ballot. The measure would impose harsher penalties on some theft and drug possession offenses by rolling back Proposition 47, approved by voters in 2014. More than 70% of likely voters say they support Prop 36, according to a new poll from the Public Policy Institute of California. We'll look at why and hear from both sides of the campaign. Guests: Darrell Steinberg, mayor, Sacramento Jeff Reisig, district attorney of Yolo County Marisa Lagos, politics correspondent, KQED; co-host of KQED's Political Breakdown

The Political Breakdown team is in Chicago all this week for the Democratic National Convention. Today, Scott, Marisa and Guy bring you an inside look at the first two days of the DNC. They recap the speeches and performances and talk to delegates about their excitement for Vice President Kamala Harris on the democratic ticket.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's the final day of the Democratic National Convention, where Vice President Kamala Harris will formally accept her party's nomination. The Political Breakdown team has been in Chicago for the DNC all week, talking with delegates, party leaders and elected officials. Today, Marisa, Scott and Guy share some of their conversations with the movers and shakers they've run into this week in Chicago. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Political Breakdown team is in Chicago for day two of the Democratic National Convention. This evening, the party is holding a ceremonial roll call to officially nominate Vice President Kamala Harris as the party's nominee, though she secured that nomination in an online vote nearly two weeks ago. On today's show, Scott and Marisa bring together some of Harris' old friends and colleagues to reminisce, share stories and give us a deeper understanding of the woman who is hoping to become the 47th president of the United States. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today is the first day of the Democratic National Convention, taking place in Chicago, Illinois. The Political Breakdown team is at the convention all week, and today, Scott and Marisa sit down with California Senator Laphonza Butler.  Governor Gavin Newsom appointed Butler to the Senate last year following the death of Dianne Feinstein, but Butler will not seek election to a full term this year. Butler helped run Vice President Kamala Harris' 2020 presidential campaign and shares what a Harris presidency would mean for her and her family.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With just days left before the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Political Breakdown continues our series examining what a potential Kamala Harris presidency would look like. Today, Marisa and Scott are digging to the issue voters say is number one for them: the economy. Just hours ago, Vice President Harris appeared alongside President Joe Biden to tout a new deal with drug companies to bring down costs on 10 commonly used drugs for Medicare recipients. Tomorrow, Harris is expected to roll out more details of her broader economic agenda in a speech in North Carolina. To talk about what we know so far about Harris' economic plans and her record, Marisa and Scott are joined by Alan Rappeport, economic policy reporter for The New York Times. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The next U.S. president will likely inherit wars in Ukraine and Gaza, along with complicated relationships with China and Russia. As vice president, Kamala Harris has mostly supported Biden Administration policies, but how would she recalibrate those positions if she is elected president? Political Breakdown continues their series digging into what a Harris administration might look like. Today, Scott and Marisa talk about foreign policy with Eric Bazail-Eimil, national security reporter and co-writer of POLITICO's "National Security Daily." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Political Breakdown continues our week-long series looking at how Vice President Kamala Harris would tackle a range of major issues if she's elected president. Today, Scott and Marisa talk with Grist's Zoya Teirstein about how a Harris administration would handle climate change and environmental protection. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What would a Kamala Harris presidency look like and how would her policies differ from President Biden? Just three weeks after Harris got into the race and ahead of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, the Political Breakdown team is spending all week analyzing what we know about the vice president's policy agenda. To kick us off, Marisa and Scott talk with NPR White House correspondent Deepa Shivaram, who's traveling with Harris as she campaigns across the country. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After a video of republican vice-presidential candidate J.D. Vance resurfaced that features him mocking “childless cat ladies,” child-free Americans erupted with outrage. A growing percentage of Americans under 50 — 47%, according to a new study from Pew — say they are unlikely to have kids because they simply don't want them. Vance's comments also touched a nerve with people who are childless because of infertility, economic pressures or lack of social support for parents. Many child-free people function as pillars in their communities and make up a significant piece of the electorate. We talk about the rising trend to not have children and what impact this might have on the election. And we hear from you: have you decided not to have children? Guests: Amy Blackstone, professor of sociology, University of Maine; author, "Childfree by Choice: The Movement Redefining Family and Creating a New Age of Independence" Natalie Arroyo Camacho, freelance lifestyle writer Jess Bidgood,, political journalist for The New York Times, author of the recent article, “The Republicans Who Want to Make America Have Babies Again” Scott Shafer, senior editor, KQED's California Politics and Government; co-host, Political Breakdown

President Joe Biden announced he's dropping out of the 2024 election and threw his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris. It's a move that wholly upends this presidential race, which until now has been a contest between the two oldest nominees ever. This is all happening with just weeks left before the Democratic National Convention in Chicago and just 107 days before election day. On this special edition episode of Political Breakdown, Marisa, Scott and Guy discuss reactions to this news, whether Democrats will coalesce behind Harris, who she might pick as a running mate and what to expect next. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

KQED's Political Breakdown team has been in Milwaukee all week for the Republican National Convention. Now that former President Donald Trump has accepted his party's nomination and the balloons have dropped, Scott, Marisa and Guy analyze his 93-minute speech and share their takeaways on the week, including the Democrats' turmoil. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The GOP is expressing confidence that the presidential election will break in its favor as the Republican National Convention draws to a close on Thursday. The event has been organized around MAGA themes, including “Make America Safe Again” and “Make America Strong Again,” with speakers taking aim at familiar targets like President Biden, crime and border security. Meanwhile, Democrats remain deeply divided over whether President Biden should end his candidacy, after Los Angeles Rep. Adam Schiff on Wednesday publicly called on Biden to leave the race. We'll get the latest with KQED's politics team, which is on the scene in Milwaukee. Guests: Marisa Lagos, politics correspondent, KQED; co-host, KQED's Political Breakdown Guy Marzorati, correspondent, KQED's California Politics and Government Desk Scott Shafer, senior editor, KQED's California Politics and Government; co-host, Political Breakdown

Trump Guilty. Times 34. GOP Closes Ranks. Effect on non-MAGA GOP. Trump: “I'm Innocent.” Down-Ballot Effect? What Should Biden Do? CA Senate Race. Gavin Newsom in the Wings. With Joe Garofoli, Senior Political Writer for the San Francisco Chronicle, Melanie Mason, Senior Political Reporter at Politico and Marisa Lagos, Political Correspondent for KQED San Francisco, Co-host of the Political Breakdown podcast. Today's Bill Press Pod is supported by Iron Workers Union. More information at IronWorkers.orgSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In 2020, California voters passed Proposition 22, which allowed app-based companies to classify their drivers as independent contractors and not employees with full benefits. It was a big win for companies like Uber and Lyft, who spent unprecedented amounts of money to get the measure passed. Now, the issue is back — this time before the California Supreme Court, which heard a case on Prop. 22 this Tuesday. KQED's Scott Shafer and Marisa Lagos explain in an episode of the Political Breakdown podcast. Links: Nov, 13, 2020: With Prop. 22 Approved, Regulating Gig Companies Just Got a Lot Harder Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices