Nine states posted record high levels of COVID-19 infection on Monday and 29 states and territories reported an increase in their rolling number of cases. To discuss, we FEATURE A. Susana Ramírez, PhD. Ramirez is an expert in media, inequality and dietary health, and Latinx culture. Her program of research aims to advance the science of communication to improve population health. One line of research examines the nature of the public information environment (i.e., news, advertising, social media, misinformation), how people make sense of it, and how that affects health. Media includes: Huffington Post, Univision, ABC.

President Trump temporarily suspended a variety of work visas barring more that 500,000 foreigners from entering the U.S. To discuss we FEATURE Anu Joshi, Senior Director of Immigrant Rights Policy at the New York Immigration Coalition, an umbrella policy organization that represents over 200 member organizations. Joshi leads the NY Immigration Coalition’s work on immigration status and enforcement on both state and federal levels. Media experience includes: Brian Lehrer Show, Newsweek, The Guardian, Associated Press.

Youth organizing on Tik Tok have taken partial responsibility for the low attendance at President Trump's rally in Tulsa on Saturday – 6,200 people reportedly attended - far fewer than expected. To discuss the influence of social media on political campaigns, we FEATURE Luvvie Ajayi. Ajayi is a New York Times bestselling author, sought-after speaker and podcast host who thrives at the intersection of comedy, technology and justice. Her debut book, I’m Judging You: The Do-Better Manual was an instant bestseller and firmly established Luvvie as a literary force. She is currently working on her second book: The Fear-Fighter Manual, slated to be released in 2021. Media includes: Huffington Post, Black Enterprise, Ebony Magazine, Forbes.

There is much speculation over who Joe Biden will pick as his running mate. To discuss, we FEATURE Na'ilah Amaru. Amaru has leveraged her nearly two decades serving as a public interest advocate and Democratic operative towards advancing progressive policies across five U.S. states and at every level of government. Starting her career as a grassroots organizer in Georgia, Amaru became a policy advisor to former Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, legislative aide to U.S. Congressman John Lewis, and executive director of the New York City Council’s Black, Latino and Asian Caucus. Building Democratic governing power in a national capacity, Amaru now collaborates with state legislators and grassroots organizations across the country to advance progressive democracy reforms and fight voter suppression. Media includes: Forbes, NBC, NY1, WNYC.

The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to made a decision on June Medical Services v. Russo soon. The case will decide whether abortion clinics across Louisiana will be forced to close if they do not have admitting privileges with a nearby hospital, setting precedence for other states to do the same. To discuss, we FEATURE Robin Marty. Marty is a freelance reporter and the author of the new book Handbook for a Post-Roe America, a guide for what to do if and when Roe is overturned and states make abortion illegal. She is also the co-author of The End of Roe v. Wade, an updated account of 12 different abortion laws meant to provoke challenges to Roe v. Wade, published in Sepember of 2019. Marty specializes in abortion rights and access and the anti-abortion movement and figures. Media includes: Democracy Now!, Ms. Magazine, Politico, Rolling Stone.

Bubba Wallace, NASCAR's only Black full-time driver, recently found a noose in his garage. The incident has forced NASCAR and its fans to confront racism within the sport's fanbase. To discuss, we FEATURE Jill Pilgrim. Pilgrim, Founder and President of The Center for the Protection of Athletes' Rights, Inc., a 501(c)(3) sports advocacy and education organization. She is also currently Acting Executive Director & General Counsel of the Track & Field Athletes Association (TFAA). Pilgrim is a former track and field athlete with longstanding involvement in Olympic and amateur sports, as an athlete, an attorney and business advisor. Media includes: ESPN, NBC, CNN, BBC.

In the past few days, three men in the entertainment industry— musical artist Justin Bieber, actor Ansel Elgort, and Hollywood executive David Guillod— have been accused of sexual assault. To discuss, we FEATURE Amber J. Keyser, PhD. Keyser has significant expertise in sex-positive and consent-focused sex education, rape culture and the #MeToo movement, and the commodification of the female body in history, fashion, and media. Keyser has written five critically-acclaimed books on these topics. This includes No More Excuses: Dismantling Rape Culture (Twenty-First Century Books, 2019), a deep dive into the #MeToo movement, dissects the beliefs, behaviors, and cultural norms that excuse and normalize male sexual aggression and violence. Extensive media experience.

According to an analysis released by Center for American Progress, middle-income and rural families are more likely to live in "childcare deserts" or areas where the demand for childcare far outweighs the capacity that is available. To discuss, we FEATURE Rebecca Kilburn. Kilburn is a senior economist at the RAND Corporation. She has served as the principal investigator for over a dozen research projects designed to improve knowledge on human capital formation. Her recent research studies includes Responsible for the Promising Practices Network (PPN) on Children, Families and Communities, which provides easy-to-understand information on what works to improve outcomes for children and their families. Extensive media experience.

Temperatures in the Arctic Circle are expected to hit an all-time high this weekend. While scientists have not confirmed whether this is a direct result of climate change, they are not ruling out the possibility. To discuss, we FEATURE Julienne Stroeve. Stroeve received a PhD in geography from the University of Colorado Boulder, in 1996, for her work in understanding Greenland climate variability. Subsequently she has been a research scientist at the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) within the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES). Her Arctic research interests include atmosphere-sea ice interactions, sea ice predictability, climate change and associated impacts. She has conducted several Arctic field campaigns. Recent research is focused on understanding rapid Arctic change and what this will mean for the rest of the planet. Media includes: AtmosNews, ABC.

Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against the Trump administration's attempt to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which protected undocumented immigrants who came to the U.S. as children. To discuss, we FEATURE Pamela Chomba. Chomba is a Dreamer and activist, born in Lima, Peru. Chomba is currently the Director of State Immigration Campaigns at FWD.us where she works with Congressional advocacy and elevates grassroot-driven organizations to fight for legislation that would protect Dreamers like her. Media includes: ThinkProgress, Bustle, CUNY TV.

June is LGBTQ Pride Month, which is celebrated annually to honor the 1969 Stonewall riots. To discuss, we FEATURE Nadine Nakamura. Nakamura is an associate professor in the department of psychology at the University of La Verne where she teaches multicultural psychology at the masters and doctoral level. Her research relates to multiculturalism and intersectionality and include immigration, HIV, and ethnic and sexual minority health and mental health, as well as understanding the unique needs of LGBT people of color, LGBT immigrants and asylum seekers, and LGBT international issues. Media includes: APA Monitor, CNN.