Washington Post
Staff writer for the Washington Post
PROFILE
Paul Farhi
Guest
FROM Paul Farhi
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
LA billionaire to buy the LA Times It looks like the LA Times is getting a new owner: bio-tech billionaire Patrick Soon-Shiong. He's a physician and founder of NantHealth, which is based in Culver City. Soon-Shiong is also a major shareholder of Tronc, the Times' parent company.
To the Point
House GOP Pushes to Permanently Bar NPR, Affiliates from Funding House Republicans have voted to defund public broadcasting for the rest of this year. Now there's a move to prevent NPR from getting public money permanently. The latest GOP move stems from a highly edited ambush video interview with an NPR fundraiser. Among other things, Ron Schiller told interviewers, who lied about their own identities, that NPR could survive a cutoff of federal funds. His comment that small rural stations would likely close was edited out, but Schiller resigned anyway and NPR fired President Vivian Schiller (who is unrelated). Paul Farhi reports for the Washington Post .
To the Point
NPR Chief Resigns after 'Sting' Video Vivian Schiller has resigned as the chief executive of National Public Radio after yesterday's release of a videotaped interview of James O'Keefe with NPR fundraiser Ron Schiller (no relation) who disparaged conservatives. Paul Farhi reports for the Washington Post .
Which Way, L.A.?
Public Broadcasting on the Firing Line Once Again In the 1990's, Big Bird, Kermit and all their friends saved Bill Moyers, Frontline and the rest of public broadcasting from Republican budget cuts. But charges of liberal bias never went away. Last year, NPR's news analyst Juan Williams told Fox News he was "nervous" flying with passengers wearing "Muslim garb." When NPR fired him, Speaker John Boehner and other Republicans saw evidence of "a left-wing network." Since January, six bills have been introduced to defund public broadcasting once and for all. This week, Congress will vote on a measure that would withhold the remaining amount of the budget for this year. We hear from their critics and their supporters.
To the Point
Public Broadcasting on the Firing Line Once Again In the 1990's, Big Bird, Kermit and all their friends saved Bill Moyers, Frontline and the rest of public broadcasting from Republican budget cuts. But charges of liberal bias never went away. Last year, NPR's news analyst Juan Williams told Fox News he was "nervous" flying with passengers wearing "Muslim garb." When NPR fired him , Speaker John Boehner and other Republicans saw evidence of "a left-wing network." Since January, six bills have been introduced to defund public broadcasting once and for all. This week, Congress will vote on a measure that would withhold the remaining amount of the budget for this year. We hear from their critics and their supporters.
Recommended
To the Point
What is Trump's plan for Middle East peace? On his first foreign tour, President Trump has promised "peace" between Israel and the Palestinians. Are there any details for re-starting talks that have been stalled for the past three years?
To the Point
Trump plays scolder-in-chief with NATO allies At the opening of NATO’s dramatic new headquarters in Brussels today, President Trump acknowledged that Article 5 — promising that “an attack on one nation is an attack on all” -- has only been invoked one time: in the aftermath of September 11. But the President failed to provide what 27 other Alliance members have been waiting for: a re-commitment by America’s new leader to Article 5. Instead, they got a scolding.
To the Point
Ex-FBI Director Comey tells his side of the story Today, former FBI Director James Comey came close to calling the President who fired him a liar. The White House denied the claim and called it insulting, but Republican Senators did not challenge Comey’s truthfulness. Many questions remain: did the President try to obstruct a federal investigation? Later, we’ll go behind the “velvet rope” for a look at 5-Star health care for the richest Americans.
To the Point
Venezuela spirals into economic and political chaos Venezuela, a country whose potential for prosperity is unmatched, finds itself on the verge of civil war. What sustains the repressive government? With time running out, guest host León Krauze looks at what the international community can do to pull the country from the edge of collapse.