It’s a rough time for people who worry about infectious diseases. A new study shows bird flu is more widespread in U.S. cows than previously thought. Around 250 Americans have been infected with measles, including two people who died. And globally, the Democratic Republic of the Congo is struggling to contain a Mpox outbreak, Uganda is battling Ebola, Tanzania is fighting Marburg, and Lassa fever is spreading in East Africa. In the face of all that, the Trump administration has gutted funding for programs that help protect Americans from these types of diseases. Anne Rimoin, an epidemiology professor at UCLA and director of the Center for Global and Immigrant Health, talks about what’s worrying her.

And in headlines: Senate Democrats said they’ll vote against a House bill to keep the government open past Friday, new government data showed egg prices hit another record last month, and President Donald Trump hosted the Irish Prime at the White House amid a growing trade war with the European Union.

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The Department of Education announced Tuesday it would lay off around 1,300 employees, or about half of its workforce. In a statement, Education Secretary Linda McMahon called the job cuts part of the agency's 'final mission,' and a 'significant step toward restoring the greatness of the United States education system.' While President Donald Trump campaigned on a promise to shutter the Education Department, McMahon said during her confirmation hearings last month that she wouldn't do so without Congress's approval. The layoffs could signify the administration's intent to gut the agency from within. John King, who served as Education Secretary under former President Barack Obama, talks about how the cuts will almost certainly hurt students.

Later in the show, Brian Sumers, who writes 'The Airline Observer' newsletter on Substack, explains why Southwest Airlines is nixing its popular free bag check policy.

And in headlines: House Republicans and one Democrat passed a spending plan to avert a government shutdown, Trump administration officials said they would immediately lift a pause on military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine, and President Trump weighed in on the fate of a Columbia University grad student who's facing deportation for organizing pro-Palestine protests on campus.

Show Notes:

• Check out Brian's Substack – www.theairlineobserver.com/
• Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/3kk4nyz8
• Support victims of the fire – votesaveamerica.com/relief
• What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast
• Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/
• For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

The Supreme Court announced Monday it will hear a challenge to Colorado’s ban on conversion therapy for LGBTQ kids. It’s the latest example of how Democratic state attorneys general are fighting a multi-front fight right now. They’re the top law enforcement officials in their respective states, responsible for protecting their laws and policies. At the same time, they’re pitched in a near-daily battle against the Trump administration’s push to upend the federal government. Colorado Democratic Attorney General Philip Weiser talks about how he’s managing both tasks.

And in headlines: Ontario’s premier announced a 25 percent surcharge on electricity exports to the U.S. in response to President Trump’s tariffs, Elon Musk blamed Ukraine for outage problems at X/Twitter, and the White House revamps a government app to help undocumented migrants self-deport.

Show Notes:

• Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/3kk4nyz8
• Support victims of the fire – votesaveamerica.com/relief
• What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast
• Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/
• For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday