The Take Away

The air traffic controllers' union is one of several organizations representing federal workers who have sued the Trump administration over unpaid wages.  The Takeaway has a conversation regarding people of color in newsrooms and the stories missed when newsrooms don't reflect the country. Guests:   

The President was also reportedly highly secretive about his meetings with Russian President, Vladimir Putin. Last week, Representative Steve King of Iowa, who has a long history of xenophobia and racism, gave an interview questioning why the term "white nationalist" became offensive. Nearly half of the employees at the Department of Homeland Security's Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency within the Department of Homeland Security have been furloughed.  Many parents in prison are completely stripped of their parental rights, even if they are incarcerated for non-violent, low-level crimes.  According to the federal statute in question, during a shutdown government offices should only address “emergencies involving the safety of human life or the protection of property." Guests: Michael Daniel Lori Lynn Adams Timothy Westmoreland

With William P. Barr set to take over the DOJ, a Paul Manafort court filing reveals new details of Robert Mueller's investigation. On Friday, "Hamilton" kicks off a two-week run in Puerto Rico. The production aims to bring tourism and media attention back to the island, but some Puerto Ricans have reservations. They're worried about paying their mortgages, racking up debt, and the work they left behind. There are doubts that the wall would actually make much of a difference to the already-enforced border. Guests: Sylvia Bofill Lowell Fiet Denise Meyers Heather Ulrich Patrick, who asked that we not use his last name, is a cyber security contractor with NASA.

There isn't good data on the number of Americans living paycheck to paycheck, but the truth is, many Americans have lived that way at some point in their lives. Charged with a misdemeanor? You could be swept into a massive, unfair system. Although the Saudi Crown Prince has been seen as a champion for women's rights, women are fleeing his regime. Once again, a black man has been found dead inside the home of Democratic activist and donor Ed Buck. Guest: Harry Holzer

If no compromise is reached, the political impasse could make this the longest-running government shutdown in American history.  US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer has for decades seen China as an existential threat to American prosperity. For years in the music and entertainment industry, there’s been an open secret about musician R. Kelly. Everyone knows, but no one wants to talk about it. That may be changing. Guest: Roy Meyers