We discuss a list of new state laws taking effect across the country: California requires drink test kits. Kansas abortion providers must ask why. Iowa restricts hemp consumables. Georgia increases swatting penalties. Florida allows killing bears. California dumps junk fees. Tennessee protects musicians from AI.

Sources used in this episode:

https://www.npr.org/2024/07/01/nx-s1-5025098/laws-july-california-florida-abortion-bears

We catch up on our lives and discuss our travels both past and planned, as well as other things happening in our lives. We touch on everything from nationalism to ordering a pair of headphones.

We're back with another enticing episode of the Sam and Derik Show. We start with an update on the 1882 shelling of the village of Angoon, Alaska. Next, we cover a rare win for environmentalists given by... Ron DeSantis? Then it's a discussion on whether "Influencers" should be treated like media which somehow strays into AI bullet vending machines. What a ride.

Sources used in this episode:

US Navy apology for the bombardment of Angoon:

https://www.juneauempire.com/news/long-awaited-u-s-navy-apology-for-1882-bombardment-will-bring-healing-to-angoon/

Florida Ban on Balloon Releases and Satirical Image:

https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/desantis-bible-day-gender-hospitals/

https://apnews.com/article/balloon-ban-environment-florida-sea-turtle-10c6e21aaf3baa9c340052d3f3b34dbd

DNC Treating Influencers Like Press:

https://gizmodo.com/democratic-national-convention-influencer-credentials-1851555271

AI Bullet Vending Machines:

https://gizmodo.com/oklahoma-alabama-now-have-ai-powered-vending-machines-that-sell-bullets-2000377093

It's part 2 of episode 12, and we do a deep dive into an incident that happened at an event called the "Stronger Men's Christian Conference." The event was criticized by a pastor, who was then kicked out. We also discuss masculinity, LGBTQ+ issues, and Chuck Norris riding on a tank crushing cars.

Sources used in this episode:

The main one discussed:

https://baptistnews.com/article/what-happened-when-mark-driscoll-and-josh-howerton-showed-up-at-the-stronger-mens-conference-this-weekend/

Other articles on the incident:

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2024/04/15/pastor-mark-driscoll-kicked-off-state-christian-conference/73331462007/

https://www.christianpost.com/news/pastor-john-lindell-says-mark-driscoll-tried-to-divide-his-church.html

We're back with a three-part episode 12, releasing weekly. In this part, we cover a few fun stories, with deeper conversations on more personal topics in the next two parts to come.

First in part 1, we do a quick follow-up to an early segment we did on our show about the Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine a year ago, and their agreed settlement. Then it's a discussion on a proposed Rhode Island law to require in-person checkout options at stores. Next, we dive into a study showing video game players are sticking with older video games over new ones. Finally, we catch up with each other and see how things have been going.

Sources used in this episode:

East Palestine Train Derailment:

https://abcnews.go.com/US/norfolk-southern-agrees-600-million-settlement-east-palestine/story?id=109034578

Rhode Island Self-Checkouts:

https://progressivegrocer.com/rhode-island-wants-limit-self-checkouts-grocery-stores

Older Video Games Getting More Playtime:

https://kotaku.com/old-games-2023-playtime-data-fortnite-roblox-minecraft-1851382474

It's our final segment of episode 11, and we dive deep into El Salvador and its crackdown on gangs and criminals. They massively reduced their crime rate through mass incarceration, but is this the best solution for fighting crime, or only the opening move of an authoritarian power grab?

Sources used in this episode:

https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/el-salvador-says-murders-fell-70-2023-it-cracked-down-gangs-2024-01-03/

https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/violent-crime-rates-by-country

https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/safest-countries-in-the-world

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_incarceration_rate

It's episode 11 part 3, and we get serious with a discussion on the ongoing fentanyl crisis. Oregon declared a state of emergency after legalizing drug possession, and we dig into what we think the approach should be when it comes to drug addiction. After that, we catch up on how our lives have been and what we've been up to.

Sources used in this episode:

https://www.cnn.com/2024/01/31/us/fentanyl-crisis-portland-state-of-emergency/index.html

https://www.npr.org/2023/12/28/1220881380/overdose-fentanyl-drugs-addiction

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-68101263