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Jun 15, 2017

06/15/2017: The U.S. has more Disney World workers than coal miners

EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt caught a lot of heat for claiming the U.S. has added 50,000 coal jobs. That’s not true; there are actually about 51,000 coal miners in this country total. That small group wields out-sized political influence, so we’ll do numbers on the coal industry and the way energy is moving overall. Then: A gas explosion in Colorado this spring is renewing an intense debate in that state over drilling in urban areas. Plus, as we approach the ten-year anniversary of the iPhone, we’ll take a look at the untold stories of its invention with author Brian Merchant.

West Virginia's primary is Tuesday. Hillary Clinton has said, "We're going to put a lot of coal miners out of business." Donald Trump promised, "We're going to put the miners back to work." Above, signs at a Charleston, West Virginia, rally on Thursday.  
West Virginia's primary is Tuesday. Hillary Clinton has said, "We're going to put a lot of coal miners out of business." Donald Trump promised, "We're going to put the miners back to work." Above, signs at a Charleston, West Virginia, rally on Thursday.  
BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images

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EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt caught a lot of heat for claiming the U.S. has added 50,000 coal jobs. That’s not true; there are actually about 51,000 coal miners in this country total. That small group wields out-sized political influence, so we’ll do numbers on the coal industry and the way energy is moving overall. Then: A gas explosion in Colorado this spring is renewing an intense debate in that state over drilling in urban areas. Plus, as we approach the ten-year anniversary of the iPhone, we’ll take a look at the untold stories of its invention with author Brian Merchant.