Tonight on Activate Radio: Thursday, June 8th, 2023

Thursday Night on Activate Radio

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Tonight on Activate Radio

6 Democracy Now
7 Economic Update
8 Final Straw Radio
9 Earth Riot Radio

6PM Democracy Now

Democracy Now is an independent, global news hour that broadcasts daily on affiliates. The show is hosted by Amy Goodman and Juan González, and it features a mix of news, interviews, and commentary. Tonight’s show:

“Airpocalypse”: David Wallace-Wells on Red Skies, Raging Wildfires & Pollution Link to Climate Crisis

Record-breaking Canadian wildfires continue to fill skies across much of North America with smoke, putting about 100 million people under air quality alerts. New York City recorded the worst air quality of any major city in the world as a result of the haze. Around the world, air pollution is already responsible for as many as 10 million deaths per year, and the problem is likely to get worse, says New York Times opinion writer David Wallace-Wells. He explains how today’s smoky skies are a glimpse of our future in the climate crisis, when warmer temperatures and dry conditions will continue to increase the size and severity of wildfires across the globe.

7PM Economic Update

Economic Update is a weekly radio program hosted by economist Richard Wolff. He takes complex economic issues and makes them understandable, empowering listeners with information to analyze not only their own financial situation, but the economy at large. By focusing on the economic dimensions of everyday life – wages, jobs, taxes, debts, interest rates, prices, and profits – the program explores alternative ways to organize markets, and government policies. Tonight’s show:

Germany, US, China: a Stressed Global Economy

This week’s updates focus on the German recession, deadly drug wholesalers, and immigrants in the US labor force, as well as oil and gas profiteers. In the latter half of the show the economic facts on China’s economic reality will be discussed and the origin and source of profits in Marxian economic theory will be detailed.

8PM Final Straw Radio

The Final Straw Radio is a weekly, english-language anarchist radio show founded in Asheville, NC. We strive to cover current and enduring topics by going to the source and speaking to the people involved and effected by struggles around them, with an anti-authoritarian and anti-capitalist perspective. Tonight’s show:

Mid MO Trans Folks on Living Under Emergency

In this discussion, we talk with two trans organizers in Missouri about the recently withdrawn emergency rule made by the state Attorney General Andrew Bailey. At the time, the emergency rule, which was one of the most far reaching bans on trans access to affirming medical care, had been stayed by the courts and was awaiting further hearing.

The Attorney General withdrew the ruling, claiming that it was no longer needed because the Missouri legislature had passed two bills that removed access to trans care for youth. The situation on the ground in Missouri is still dire, but the particular extremity of the rule has at least temporarily been dodged. (Just after, Gov. DeSantis in Florida introduced a flurry of new anti-trans legislation as if to outstrip Missouri in hateful targeting). During this conversation, we discuss the specific details that made this rule significantly threatening, as well as the various reactions and organizing efforts that it provoked. Though the situation has changed in Missouri, the discussion still holds important insight for those of us committed to the struggle against the state’s gender fascism, since this is a coordinated effort by the Republican party across state lines to wield violent power against specific populations deemed disposable. I will also read a statement by the organizers written in the wake of the withdrawal of the rule.

9PM Earth Riot Radio

Earth Riot Radio is a weekly radio program that focuses on the intersection of environmental and social justice issues. The show is hosted by Reverend Billy, and it features a mix of news, interviews, and commentary. Tonight’s show :

EARTH IS THE ONLY CELEBRITY THAT MATTERS

History was made by men triumphing over nature. Now the Earth makes history.

Earth has the right approach to the 6th Extinction. Engaging the human predator with its ungodly violence; filling us with fear so that we need strongmen and cruel armies. But our weak violence only spins us out. The Earth’s power is greater by many orders of magnitude. How can we join up?

-Rev Billy, on behalf of Savitri D and the Stop Shopping Choir

Activate Radio is a unique and valuable resource for anyone who wants to stay informed about the important issues today. The station’s programming is diverse, thought-provoking, and challenging, and it encourages listeners to think critically.

Why we do what we do: To decrease human suffering and to promote human values of equality and justice

Biden Vetoes Measure to Overturn Student Debt Relief Plan

President Biden on Wednesday vetoed a measure that would have overturned his plan to cancel up to $20,000 in student loan debt for tens of millions of Americans.

The measure, which was passed by the Republican-controlled House and Senate, was brought up under the Congressional Review Act (CRA), which allows Congress to nullify newly-placed rules and regulations. Such measures are not subject to the filibuster, so Democrats in the Senate could not block the measure, and a supermajority of 60 votes was not required to advance it.

Biden has said that he is committed to providing student debt relief, but he has also said that he believes the decision of whether or not to forgive student debt should be made by Congress. In a statement, Biden said that he vetoed the measure because he is “committed to continuing to make college affordable and providing this critical relief to borrowers as they work to recover from a once-in-a-century pandemic.”

The fate of Biden’s student debt relief plan now rests with the Supreme Court. The Court is still considering the plan, but the conservative majority is expected to strike it down. Justices displayed skepticism during February oral arguments that the Biden administration has the power to forgive up to $20,000 in student loans.

Biden officially announced the plan in August, after making forgiving student debt a campaign promise and feeling pressure from progressives to act. While progressives hailed the plan as a good first step toward forgiveness, moderate Democrats and Republicans voiced concerns over the cost to taxpayers, which is expected to be about $400 billion. When the president announced his plan, he also announced the upcoming end to the pandemic-era student loan payment pause that was put in place in March 2020 under former President Trump and has since been extended several times.

The resumption of payments was locked in with the passage of the bipartisan debt ceiling agreement, which included a hard cutoff date of 60 days after June 30.

If the Supreme Court strikes down Biden’s plan, it is unclear what will happen to the student loan debt that is currently held by tens of millions of Americans. It is possible that Congress will pass another bill to provide student debt relief, but it is also possible that borrowers will be left to continue paying their loans.

Activate News June 7th, 2023 Kilauea, Budowich, ClarenceThomas, RichmondShooting

Activate News for Wednesday, June 7th, 2023

Activate News is your independent source for news, free from the influence of corporations. We’re an all-volunteer radio station that originated at Occupy Boston, and we’re committed to bringing you the news that matters.

Here are some of the stories we’re covering today:

Kilauea Erupts Again, Lava Flows Confined to Crater Floor
Trump Spokesman Budowich Testifies in Miami
Justice Thomas requests extension to release financial disclosures.
Two killed, five injured in shooting after high school graduation in Richmond

Tune in at the top of the hour on Activate Radio to hear the latest from Activate News. You can find us online at activateradio.org.

We hope you’ll join us!