Anne Garrels (1951 – 2022) was a US journalist who worked for National Public Radio during the Iraq war and authored of Naked in Baghdad.

 Northwestern University Medill School of Journalism students were mostly in high school when National Public Radio (NPR) correspondent Anne Garrels endured the “shock and awe” bombing of Iraq, chronicling her experiences in the book Naked in Baghdad. 

 But when she spoke at the university in 2008, that didn’t curtail their questions about the Abu Ghraib scandal, the dubious government contactor Blackwater, government censorship, reporters embedding with the active military operations and war reporting as a female when Garrels.

 Casually dressed in a leotard, flowered skirt, ballet flats and bare legs, Garrels discussed the progression of the war, the effect of escalating violence and kidnappings on reporting and everyday life in Iraq and her personal experiences as a reporter and a woman.

We start with a beautiful statement from Grammy-winner ALICIA KEYS on the power of diversity.

We explore the real culpability of the White House—NOT diversity—for the air crash that has (thankfully) not had an equal in 25 years.

Radio Host LYNNE FEINERMAN tells us that the fiscal sponsorship for her non-profit radio show has disappeared.

From Minnesota’s frozen tundra we hear HEDY TRIPP reports from a DEI conference on the anxiety being imposed on women on people of color.

MYLA RESON reports that there are massive demonstrations in Los Angeles and elsewhere against ICE actions targeting immigrants.

Co-convenor MIKE HERSH urges an end to the circular firing squad.

Our Alabama heart doctor RUTH STRAUSS questions Trump’s comprehension of tariffs.

Health Justice Monitor’s DON MCANNE terms the attack on USAID as “catastrophic.”

We get a warning on DEI and the DC helicopter crash from NICOLE UNG.

“Where are the Democrats?” asks New York’s JULIE WEINER, a truly great election protection activist.

In this chaotic news cycle, America’s worst plane crash in a generation already feels a generation old.

But the administration’s response to the tragic January collision that killed 67 people over the Potomac is worth revisiting. Not only because the loved ones of those lost deserve answers, but because it highlights a MAGA playbook we’ve seen repeatedly now — and we’ll see again very soon.

As I'm sure you're well aware, Donald Trump has handed unelected billionaire Elon Musk the keys to our federal government.  

And if he isn't stopped – as we're demanding in our Fire Elon Musk campaign – he'll keep wreaking havoc, shutting down key government services, and attacking our civil servants.

It's an outrageous abuse of power and is harming millions of Americans – but right now, Congress is acting like everything’s business as usual.  

That's right: our elected officials are totally abandoning their duty to their constituents while Musk does as he pleases. I need your help to deliver them a wakeup call. Our senators have substantial power to help mitigate Musk's attacks, provided that they do their jobs and use it.