From Baldwin in ‘Rust’ to Biden in Rome: 5 podcast episodes from this week’s headlines

Welcome back to Podsauce’s weekly news podcast episode round-up from the headlines. From Biden’s agenda and the G20 Rome Summit to the bomb cyclone that stormed the west coast, it’s never a dull moment. This week, we learned that vaccines for kids aged 5-11 are getting closer to approval. With international law enforcement cooperation, there was a dark web drug bust.

On our list, we’ve included pop culture updates with news on the tragic shooting by Alec Baldwin on the set of Rust. A show explores how the epic sci-fi film Dune is sweeping the nation. And we’ll hear about the backlash Netflix and comedian Dave Chappelle are receiving from his stand-up special, The Closer. For more news podcasts, check out our episode picks from this week’s headlines:

NPR Up First

This episode of NPR’s “Up First” provides US economy news and updates on President Biden’s climate and tax reform plans, as Democrats are battling over his economic agenda and decisions like social safety net changes and paid family leave. President Biden is heading to Europe, making his first stop in Rome for the G20 summit. Biden is scheduled to meet with Pope Francis at the Vatican tomorrow, then with French President Emmanuel Macron later in the week. We’ll also hear updates on the federal parole commission’s challenge for prisoners reentering the community.

USA Today’s 5 Things

COVID-19 vaccines for kids aged 5-11 will soon be approved as FDA experts weighed in, and hurdles could be cleared as early as next week. An online, dark net drug bust operation was underway, and international law enforcement cooperated to arrest 150 people from Australia to Europe. The fake pills sold were laced with lethal drugs. This episode also discusses the Brazilian Senate committee’s actions to criminally charge President Jair Bolsonaro in his handling of the pandemic. And this week’s crazy weather patterns were recapped starting with the bomb cyclone over the west coast and heavy winds predicted in the northeast this weekend.

Global News Podcast

On this episode of BBC’s “Global News Podcast,” we learned about international institutions rebuking Sudan after its military coup, its suspension from the African Union, and that the World Bank has halted financial aid. There are COVID-19 statistic updates regarding jobs. We hear snippets from the Santa Fe Sheriff’s press conference on Wednesday regarding Alec Baldwin’s tragic on-set shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and director Joel Souza. The prop gun used had live bullets, and an investigation is still unfolding. In the world of rowing, a doping scandal shook Venice, Italy. A rower’s award was taken away after testing positive for marijuana. This episode explains how an illegal gold mine was found in indigenous lands in the Brazilian Amazon.

Slate Culture

This episode of “Slate Culture” is all about the sci-fi blockbuster epic, Dune! Benjamin Frisch, Allegra Frank, and hosts Steve Metcalf and Dana Stevens have a panel review chat, then discuss Netflix’s Maid. Later in the episode, they discuss how an International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees’ strike was avoided, as contract negotiations were made and agreed upon. This episode also explains the on-set death of Rust’s cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, injuries sustained by director Joel Souza with Alec Baldwin’s use of a loaded prop gun. Then, the panel breaks into a lively roundtable discussion of experiencing Halloween as an adult.

Today, Explained

Vox’s “Today, Explained” dives into one major topic per day in its weekday episodes under 30 minutes. Dave Chappelle has received backlash with his recent Netflix stand-up special, The Closer. Vox’s Aja Romano joined host Sean Rameswaram to unpack what Dave says in the special, including identifying himself as a trans-exclusionary radical feminist, or “team TERF.” This has caused an uprising at Netflix, as this week employees staged a walkout and an employee was fired. Chappelle’s special has been condemned by the trans community, and Dave responded this week. Then, Vulture’s Craig Jenkins analyzes the special.