With the tax discussion continuing and the House and Senate going into conference to meet an agreement, we FEATURE Amy K. Matsui. Amy has been with the National Women's Law Center since 2002 and works on economic issues affecting low- and moderate-income women and families, with special emphasis on child care policy and federal and state tax policy.  She has particular expertise on federal and state tax provisions that help families meet the costs of the child care they need in order to work. This work includes analysis of federal and state tax credits for working families, technical assistance to state advocates with regard to such credits, federal advocacy, public education, and coordinating the Center’s tax credits outreach campaign. Media includes: The Wall Street Journal, Fox Business, Fortune, U.S. News & World Report.

Tuesday is the election between Republican Roy Moore and Democrat Doug Jones for Alabama's Senate seat. To discuss, we FEATURE Nichole M. Bauer. Nichole is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of Alabama. She studies the challenges facing women in politics as candidate, lawmakers, and voters.  Her current research investigates how and when voters rely on gender stereotypes to evaluate female candidates. She uses an interdisciplinary approach to understanding the dynamics of gender stereotypes in political campaigns by incorporating theories from psychology, mass communication, and political science. Media includes: NPR, Political Psychology, Politcal Behavior.

The FCC will vote Thursday on whether or not to repeal net neutrality rules. To discuss, we FEATURE Cheryl A. Leanza. Cheryl is the President of her consulting firm, A Learned Hand, LLC.  In this capacity she serves as policy advisor to the United Church of Christ’s historic media advocacy arm and as the Co-Chair of the Leadership Conference of Civil Rights Media & Telecommunications Task Force. She has been a leader in public interest advocacy for more than 15 years, including advocacy for diversity in media ownership, net neutrality, capping predatory prison phone rates, and other policies furthering First Amendment principles.  She has represented non-profits before the Federal Communications Commission, in the U.S. Appellate courts and before Congress. Media includes: The New York Times, The Washington Post, Time Magazine, McClatchy, The Hill, Sojourners.

A video of Daniel Shaver, an unarmed man who was killed in a police shooting in Arizona in 2016, was recently released showing that he begged for his life before being shot by a police officer. The officer was acquitted of murder and manslaughter last Thursday. To discuss, we FEATURE Charlene Carruthers. Charlene currently serves as the national director of the Black Youth Project 100 (BYP100), an activist member-led organization of Black 18-35 year olds dedicated to creating justice and freedom for all Black people. Her passion for developing young leaders to build capacity within marginalized communities has led her to work on immigrant rights, economic justice and civil rights campaigns nationwide. Media includes: NPR, MSNBC, BBC, The Chicago Tribune.

The last day to enroll in health insurance is Friday. To discuss, we FEATURE Lois Quam. Lois was named Chief Executive Director of Pathfinder International in 2017. Pathfinder International works to give sexual and reproductive health and rights worldwide. Prior, she spent 17 years at UnitedHealth Group, primarily focused on serving older and low-income Americans. She was responsible for forming a relationship with AARP to provide health insurance to it's members, spearheaded UnitedHealth’s entrance into the Medicare Part D pharmacy program, strengthened the company’s clinical and care management capabilities and oversaw the formation of Ovations, a business segment devoted to serving the health needs of people over age 50. Media includes: The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, NPR, Newshour, Fortune, The Boston Globe. 

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley recently said that the women who have accused President Trump of touching or groping them without their consent "should be heard" and that "women should always feel comfortable coming forward." To discuss, we FEATURE Linda A. Seabrook. In November of 2015, Ms. Seabrook joined Futures Without Violence as General Counsel where she leads a number of programs aimed at reducing violence against women and children. Prior, she was a part of Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, a national top-tier labor and employment law firm where she focused on employment discrimination and sexual harassment cases, and occupational safety and health law. Media includes: NPR, the Post & Courier, USA Today.

The nominations for the 75th annual Golden Globe Awards were announced today. To discuss, we FEATURE April Reign. The creator of the viral #OscarsSoWhite, April is an influential and sought-after media presence, having built an organic following of over 100,000 worldwide. April’s worldwide campaign to increase inclusion of marginalized communities in entertainment helped to usher in the most systemic changes to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 80 years. Studios and production companies are following suit, taking into consideration Reign’s 10-point plan to increase diversity. Media includes: The Guardian, CNN, Forbes, The Today Show, BBC, The Los Angeles Times. 

Wildfires have ravaged California throughout 2017, with the Thomas Fire being the most destructive thus far. The fire has caused many evacuations throughout Ventura County and has made its way up north to Santa Barbara. To discuss, we FEATURE Rossana G. D'Antonio. Rossana is an Assistant Deputy Director for Los Angeles County Department of Public Works, the largest department of public works in the nation. She has successfully established herself as an expert in a STEM-related profession, navigating the political environment of county government, providing public works infrastructure services with dwindling resources, and addressing communities with varying interests. Ms. D’Antonio created the Department’s Innovation Lab (iLab) with a mission to incorporate innovation and implement sustainable design practices in public infrastructure. Media includes: Pasadena Now 92.3 FM, The Beat Radio Show, Women's Legacy Leadership Conference. 

Bitcoin prices have surged and investors are predicting that it will go even higher. To discuss, we FEATURE Dr. Gina C. Pieters. Gina is an Assistant Professor of Economics at Trinity University, where her research examines the prices of internationally traded goods. She completed her undergraduate degrees in Physics and Economics at University of California, Santa Cruz, and her PhD. in Economics at the University of Minnesota (after a brief stint in Wall Street). She is currently studying the use of Bitcoin in international markets. Her research shows that Bitcoin can be used to detect market manipulation of official exchange rates (for example: Is China manipulating its exchange rates?), and the consequence of regulations on prices in individual Bitcoin markets. Media includes: NPR Marketplace, NPR Tech, TheStreet.com.