The March For Our Lives is scheduled for Saturday. The march was planned by students nationwide to demand that Congress address gun issues following the Parkland school shooting last month. To discuss, we FEATURE Celina Su. Celina is Marilyn J. Gittell Chair in Urban Studies and an Associate Professor of Political Science at the City University of New York. Her research concerns civil society and social policy, especially health and education. Her work focuses on how everyday citizens engage in and shape policy-making and community development—via deliberative democracy, community organizations, and protest and social movements. Media includes: PBS, The Nation, New York University Press.

The government will shut down this Friday if Congress cannot come to an agreement on federal spending. To discuss the impact of a government shut down on working people, we FEATURE Jennifer Epps-Addison. Jennifer is currently the Network President and Co-Executive Director of the Center for Popular Democracy. Formerly, she was the Chief Program Officer of the Liberty Hill Foundation, a social justice foundation in Los Angeles that funds grassroots community organizing campaigns for social change. She was also the Executive Director of Wisconsin Jobs Now, a nonprofit fighting for social and economic justice with collective, direct action as a fundamental organizing principle. Media includes: MSNBC, The Washington Post, The Guardian, Politico, NPR. 

FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe was fired Friday. In the months before the firing, President Trump repeatedly used his Twitter account to attack McCabe, leading many to speculate why the president was so keen for him to leave the FBI. To discuss, we FEATURE Danielle Brian. Since 1993, Danielle has been the Executive Director of the Project On Government Oversight (POGO). She frequently testifies before Congress and regularly meets with Members of Congress and officials at the White House and federal agencies to discuss how to achieve a more effective, accountable, open, and ethical federal government. Media includes: ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox News, Washington Post, New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, USA TODAY, NPR.

This week the U.S. Supreme Court will be hearing NIFLA v Becerra, a case that follows California's passing of the Reproductive FACT Act. The FACT Act requires clinics to provide information about affordable abortions and contraception services thereby protecting pregnant people from Crisis Pregnancy Centers that offer misinformation in order to delay a person's ability to receive a legal abortion. To discuss, we FEATURERobin Marty. Robin is a freelance writer, speaker and activist and facilitates workshops on reproductive justice activism in red and rural state settings, reframing the debate around reproductive rights. Robin addresses the current landscape of reproductive rights legislation as well as her research on and interviews with prominent anti-abortion rights groups and activists. Media includes: Politico, Rolling Stone, Ms. Magazine, Talking Points Memo, Truth Out, Think Progress.

Cynthia Nixon has recently announced her candidacy for New York governor and will be challenging incumbent governor Andrew Cuomo. To discuss, we FEATURE Dr. Christina M. Greer. Dr. Greer is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at Fordham University - Lincoln Center (Manhattan) campus. Her research and teaching focus on American politics, black ethnic politics, urban politics, quantitative methods, Congress, New York City and New York State politics, campaigns and elections, and public opinion. Media includes: MSNBC, The New York Times, ABC Channel 7, Wall Street Journal, Newsday, Associated Press.

President Trump is proposing a plan that extends the death penalty to drug traffickers in an effort to fight the opioid crisis. To discuss, we FEATURE Deborah Small. Deborah is the founder of Break the Chains: Communities of Color and the War on Drugs. The mission of Break the Chains is to help build a movement in communities of color in support of drug policy reform with the goal of replacing our failed drug polices with alternatives based on science, compassion, public health and human rights. Previously, Director of Public Policy & Community Outreach for the Drug Policy Alliance. Over the past eight years Ms. Small has been at the forefront of the national movement seeking to change our nation’s failed drug policies. Media includes: NPR, WNYC, NY1, Times Union, WBAI. 

The UK and the EU have agreed on "a large part" of the agreement that will lead to the UK leaving the European Union. To discuss, we FEATURE Valerie Rouxel-Laxton. Most recently, Valerie Rouxel-Laxton was Head of Economics and Finance for the EU delegation in the U.S. and prior to that she was Head of Sector, Countries of the G20, for the European Commission. She is an international economic affairs specialist, specialised in European integration and global economic trends. She strives to comprehend complex economic matters, communicate clearly to explain technical issues, and to advise on policies when appropriate. Extensive media experience. 

The federal interest rate is expected to rise this week. To discuss, we FEATURE Kathryn Lavelle. Kathryn is the Ellen and Dixon Long professor of World Affairs at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio.  Her research explores the exchange between economic and political institutions with a particular emphasis on global financial issues. Kathryn's first book, The Politics of Equity Finance in Emerging Markets, explored the political circumstances that surround large issues of stock in the developing world. While in Washington during 2006-2007, she worked on the staff of the House Committee on Financial Services on issues related to domestic and international monetary policy. Extensive media experience.   

Facebook and Cambridge Analytica are in the midst of a scandal involving the harvesting and use of personal data collected from tens of millions of people - often without their consent - and concern about that data having been used to influence the U.S. election and Brexit referendum in Britain. To discuss, we FEATURE Nancy Libin. Nancy is a partner at Jenner & Block LLP, a Washington, D.C. law firm, where she focuses on privacy law, cybersecurity, and related technology policy issues.  She previously served as the Chief Privacy and Civil Liberties Officer of the U.S. Department of Justice, where her portfolio focused on the intersection of privacy, technology, national security, and law enforcement. Media includes: CNN’s The Situation Room, NPR’s All Things Considered, PBS’s Nightly News Report.

Toys R Us has filed for bankruptcy and is expected to close stores nationwide. While owners of the company will be able to receive tax deductions despite risky business practices, many employees are expected to lose their jobs. To discuss, we FEATURE Connie Razza. Connie is Co-Director of Policy & Research at Demos. Previously, she directed Center for Popular Democracy’s broad-ranging research efforts pertaining to immigrant and civil rights, economic and community justice, and good government. Previously, Connie worked for Community Labor United (CLU), a coalition of base-building community organizations and labor unions in Boston. Media includes: Thom Hartmann, The New York Times, The Guardian. 

Thursday is World Water Day, which looks to highlight the importance of water and discuss the affect of damaged ecosystems. To discuss, we FEATURE Professor Linda M. Campbell. Professor Campbell is a Senior Research Fellow at Saint Mary's University in Halifax. Her research and teaching focus on contaminants in the environment and on sustainability / resilience issues, with particular emphasis on aquatic ecosystems and water resources. Dr. Campbell leads research projects focusing on environmental contaminants, especially mercury, arsenic, selenium and metals, in aquatic ecosystems. Media includes: CBC Mainstreet Radio, Canada Globe & Mail, Halifac Chronicle Herald, Kingston Whig-Standard.