Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Electoral College drama and American meddling in elections abroad
We look at past elections where the popular vote went against the Electoral College, plus America’s record of interfering in other countries’ elections.
By Madeleine Brand • • 49m ListenDonald Trump is expected to win the most electoral votes, despite protests nationwide calling for members of the Electoral College to switch sides. We look at past elections where the popular vote went against the Electoral College.
One reason some are questioning the validity of this election: Russian interference. But the U.S. has its own history of meddling in other countries’ elections.
OxyContin kicked off an opioid epidemic that killed nearly 200,000 Americans in the last two decades. Now doctors aren’t prescribing it as much, so now the company that makes the drug is pushing it overseas.
Sebastian Bach did a lot of drugs when he was lead singer of the hair metal group Skid Row. He talks about that and his career switch to Broadway.
Zsa Zsa Gabor died over the weekend at age 99. She was ahead of her time, mainly famous for being famous.
Photo courtesy of Kelvinsong
In this episode
5 storiesElectoral college: a history full of drama
Members of the Electoral College are expected to officially elect Donald Trump to the presidency today. Some have pushed for them to reject Trump. Others called for delaying the vote until the president-elect resolves potential conflicts of interest.
Read the story9 minRussia and America's track records of meddling in other countries' elections
Even after Donald Trump is sworn in, his presidency begins under a cloud of suspicion. Senators from both parties this weekend called for a bipartisan panel to investigate Russian interference in the election. This isn’t the first time Russia has tried to affect our politics. America also has a long history of trying to sway elections. The U.S.
Read the story9 minSqueezed in US, OxyContin manufacturer aims to make up profits overseas
OxyContin was once a billion dollar seller for the pharmaceutical industry in the US. The drug helped kick off an opioid epidemic so widespread that President Obama called it a National Crisis. Top health officials have urged doctors to stop prescribing the drug, and the warnings have worked.
Read the story9 minSebastian Bach on heavy metal, musical theater, hair tips
The singer Sebastian Bach once said he put the 'hair' in hair metal. Back in the '80s, his band Skid Row topped the charts. In the early '90s, grunge bands like Nirvana overtook metal. Years later, Skid Row replaced him. But Sebastian Bach didn’t stop singing. He turned to Broadway.
Read the story14 minZsa Zsa Gabor and her sisters: prototypes for the Kardashians?
Zsa Zsa Gabor, one of the first celebrities who was famous simply for being famous, died this week at age 99. The Hungarian actress and socialite was renowned for her charm, wit and many husbands.
Read the story6 min
