Mar 5, 2025

Halving the IRS workforce in the middle of tax season

Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images

The second Trump administration is reportedly working on a plan to dramatically reduce the workforce at the Internal Revenue Service.

Segments From this episode

As many as half of IRS workers could get the ax

by Nova Safo

“I think there’s no scenario in which it doesn’t endanger the federal revenue,” says Vanessa Williamson, a senior fellow at the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center, of the Trump administration’s play to layoff workers at the IRS. We’ll hear more.

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Spring break travel gets off to uncertain start

by Daniel Ackerman

Mar 5, 2025

Many people are taking shorter vacations or booking at the last minute. The cruise industry, however, is thriving.

Bookings for cruise ships — like for Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas, billed as the world's largest cruise ship, seen above — have been strong this spring.

Joe Raedle/Getty Images

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Los Angeles Wildfires

Money talks: LA's wealthy Palisades will rebuild faster than middle-class Altadena

by Caleigh Wells

Mar 5, 2025

After the fires, contractors are likely to choose higher-value properties in Pacific Palisades than less lucrative projects in Altadena.

A sign expressing love for the community stands among the ruins of a house that was destroyed in the Eaton fire.

David McNew/Getty Images

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The team

David Brancaccio Host

Leanna Byrne Host, BBC

Kelly Silvera Executive Producer

Meredith Garretson Morbey Senior Producer

Alex Schroeder Producer

Erika Soderstrom Producer

Ariana Rosas Producer

Nic Perez Director/Producer

Dylan Miettinen Digital Producer

John Bruington Media Producer

Jesson Duller Media Producer

Brian Allison Technical Director

James Graham Producer, BBC

Jo Critcher Producer, BBC

Naomi Rainey Producer, BBC

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