The Delta variant is spreading in the U.S., particularly in southern states. To discuss, we FEATURE Dr. Valda Crowder. Dr. Crowder is a board-certified emergency medicine physician who uniquely blends clinical knowledge with public health and business acumen. Dr. Crowder has worked nationally and developed policy that is part of today’s Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act legislation and Affordable Health Care Act. Outside of her medical practice, Dr. Crowder holds webinars to answer the public's questions about COVID-19. Media includes: The Baltimore Times, The Dallas Examiner, NPR.

Pfizer is in talks with top health officials at the FDA to authorize a third booster shot. To discuss, we FEATURE Amy Finan. Finan was appointed as the chief executive officer of the Sabin Vaccine Institute on April 18, 2016. In her time as CEO, Amy has led the development and implementation of a strategic plan focusing Sabin on a mission to make vaccines more accessible, enable innovation and expand immunization across the globe. Prior to joining Sabin, Amy served as senior vice president responsible for business development at the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO), the world's largest membership organization representing biotechnology companies, academic institutions and state biotechnology centers. Extensive media experience.

A new voting restrictions bill in Texas has moved a step closer to becoming law. The bill would put an end to 24-hour voting and drive-through voting in the state. To discuss, we FEATURE Wendy Davis. Davis is an attorney, author, former Texas state senator, former city councilperson and the 2014 Texas Democratic gubernatorial nominee. Her public service career as an elected official spans three decades. Davis has played a leadership role with considerable success on many important public policy fronts, including championing efforts against voter suppression; her efforts to secure passage of the Texas equal pay for equal work law; championing economic development through the use of public/private partnerships; and advocating for victims of sexual assault, passing legislation to clear a backlog of over 20,000 untested rape kits. Media includes: The New York Times, The Guardian, MSNBC. CNN, NPR.

Research, from the UK's Lancaster University, shows that domestic violence reports increase by 26% when a football match ends and is increased even more to 38% when a home team loses. To discuss, we FEATURE Madeline Garcia Bigelow. Bigelow is the Associate Executive Director and Director of the Domestic Violence Project at the Urban Justice Center, an advocacy and direct legal service organization dedicated to serving New York City’s most vulnerable residents. She founded the Project in 2003, assembling a team of attorneys, social workers, and advocates who work cohesively to address the issues confronted by victims of domestic violence in both a legal and non-legal context. Media includes: New York Daily News, Telemundo.

Following a loss at the Euro 2020 final, three of England's Black football players faced racist abuse online. To discuss, we FEATURE Shireen Ahmed. Ahmed is a sports activist, a freelance writer and a dynamic public speaker who focuses on Muslim women, and the intersections of racism and misogyny in sports. Ahmed is part of the “Burn It All Down” feminist sports podcast team. Her work has been featured and discussed in various outlets. Media includes: Sports Illustrated, PRI's The World, The Guardian, CBC.

Women at the Virginia Military Institute are speaking up about the abuse they face on campus, describing a hostile environment and fear of retaliation if they speak up about sexual harassment or rape. To discuss, we FEATURE Stephanie Szitanyi. Szitanyi is an Assistant Dean at The New School and is author of Gender Trouble in the U.S. Military. Her research focuses on female political representation, veterans running for office, the military and gender policies (sexual assault, transgender ban, women in combat, etc), and the militarization of American culture. She holds a PhD in Political Science from Rutgers University. Media includes: The Hill, New York Daily News.

Sunday, Donald Trump spoke at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC). To discuss, we FEATURE Jennifer Mercieca. Mercieca is an historian of American political discourse, especially discourses about citizenship, democracy, and the presidency. Her scholarship combines American history with rhetorical and political theory in an effort to understand democratic practices. She is the author of Founding Fictions and the co-Editor of The Rhetoric of Heroic Expectations: Establishing the Obama Presidency. Media includes: The New York Times, Huffington Post, BBC World News.

Officials in Haiti are currently trying to find the people responsible for assassinating president Jovenel Moïse. To discuss, we FEATURE Vanessa Leon. Leon is the Chief Executive Officer of Pinchina, an international urban planning firm she established in the aftermath of the 2010 Haiti earthquake. As a Haitian-American urban planner, her primary interests are in strengthening the physical, social, and economic wellbeing of vulnerable communities in Haiti, New York City and wherever else they may be. Media includes: The Root, Planning Magazine, BBC.

Billionaire Richard Branson has successfully launched himself and the Virgin Galactic crew into space. To discuss, we FEATURE Edythe Weeks. Weeks is a professor, space law scholar and author, and is working to raise awareness and stimulate knowledge inclusion for a broad range of people throughout the global general public about outer space development. Weeks teaches at Washington University, Webster University and Northern Arizona University on International Law and Politics of Outer Space; The New Space Rush; Introduction to International Relations; African Americans and the Law; and Diversity, Politics and Law. Media includes: Arizona Daily Sun, PR Newswire.