May 9, 2017

05/09/2017: Trump fired FBI Director James Comey. Now what?

MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images

President Trump has fired FBI Director James Comey, the White House said, for the way he handled the investigation into Hillary Clinton's emails. We'll talk with Politico's Sudeep Reddy about whether that reasoning passes the sniff test and what this news means for Republicans' congressional goals. Then: The Trump administration has put off a decision about staying in the Paris climate agreement as coal production is up. The long term for coal is trickier though. Plus: "American Idol" is back from the dead.

Segments From this episode

Coal finds Washington allies who cast doubt on its energy rivals

by Scott Tong

May 9, 2017

In the words of the president, the so-called “war on coal” is over. One could get that impression on news that coal production ticked up the first quarter, thanks to a cold winter boosting business for all energy. But long-term rival fuels like natural gas and renewables are pushing coal out of the market. And […]

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The history of income tax's standard deduction is more interesting than you think

by Aaron Schrank

May 9, 2017

We look back at the creation of the standard deduction, which President Trump is looking to double.

In 1944, the income tax system was getting pretty complex, so Congress created the standard deduction. Above, piles of tax forms are on display at a public library.

Tim Boyle/Getty Images

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Amazon pushes into Wi-Fi communication space with latest Echo version

by Mitchell Hartman

May 9, 2017

In addition to everything else Amazon can do for you — recommend books, stream movies, let you shop for appliances and clothes and gourmet food, and get it all by overnight delivery — the company also wants to put a video-equipped digital assistant in your house. This is the latest iteration of Amazon’s Echo speaker […]

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Shelf Life

Susan Burton's fight to stop a cycle of 'institutional abuse'

by Kai Ryssdal and Maria Hollenhorst

May 9, 2017

After doing several stints herself, helping women transition out of prison is personal.

“Life has took me on a journey, and through much of that journey, I didn't feel whole, connected and grounded,” said Susan Burton.

RICHARD BOUHET/AFP/Getty Images

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Back so soon? 'American Idol' returns … but to ABC, not Fox

by Adriene Hill

May 9, 2017

Just a year after it went off the air at Fox, “American Idol” is coming back. The iconic singing competition show is returning on rival network ABC. The show’s ratings had slumped on Fox to 11.5 million viewers during its 15th season from a high of 30 million at its peak. So why does ABC […]

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President Trump fired FBI Director James Comey

by Kai Ryssdal

May 9, 2017

We'll talk about the reason the White House gave and what this means for Trump's policy goals.

President Donald Trump shakes hands with FBI Director James Comey during an Inaugural Law Enforcement Officers and First Responders Reception in the Blue Room of the White House on January 22, 2017 in Washington, DC.

Andrew Harrer-Pool/Getty Images

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President Trump has fired FBI Director James Comey, the White House said, for the way he handled the investigation into Hillary Clinton’s emails. We’ll talk with Politico’s Sudeep Reddy about whether that reasoning passes the sniff test and what this news means for Republicans’ congressional goals. Then: The Trump administration has put off a decision about staying in the Paris climate agreement as coal production is up. The long term for coal is trickier though. Plus: “American Idol” is back from the dead.