Segment 1, beginning at 1:00: The American Jobs Plan would be historic should it pass through Congress.
The ambitious proposal would not only cover roads, bridges, and the traditional pillars of infrastructure, but also human capital. One component of the bill addresses affordable housing, pledging the construction of 2 million homes in addition to public school upgrades and training a clean-energy workforce. "This will far exceed the New Deal, it will far exceed the great society of LBJ," U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver said.
- U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II, D-Kansas City
- Jordan Weissman, economics and public policy reporter, Slate
Segment 2, beginning at 27:51: Since 2004, 1,800 newspapers have closed in the United States. That’s about 100 per year.
Northeast News has been covering the historic northeast of Kansas City for 89 years, but the lack of revenue could mean the end of this local publication. On March 24, the paper ran a blank front page demonstrating how their reporting will vanish without adequate support. Journalists weigh in on the fate of local publications.
- Michael Bushnell, publisher, Northeast News
- Justin Wingerter, reporter, Denver Post
