Post Reports

Until the past week, not much was known about “Jane,” one of the alleged victims at the center of the government’s case against Sean Combs. Jane — who is going by a court-approved alias to protect her identity — testified earlier this week that she was seeing Combs on and off until he was arrested in September. She alleges she was pressured into participating in sex parties with Combs and male escorts — events that allegedly happened while he was being investigated by the government for similar acts. Combs faces charges of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. Combs has pleaded not guilty and has denied wrongdoing. Style reporter Anne Branigin talks with host Elahe Izadi about how Jane's testimony could be a game changer in this trial and why the government believes she’s a victim of sex-trafficking. Today’s show was produced by Sabby Robinson. It was edited by Ariel Plotnick and Lucy Perkins and mixed by Sean Carter. Thanks to Carla Spartos. Follow our coverage of the trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs on Spotify here. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) faced a violent attack on his home in April. A man with a history of mental illness, 38-year-old Cody Balmer, has been charged with breaking in and setting fire to a dining room at the Governor’s Residence. The alleged arsonist said part of his motivation was Shapiro’s support for Israel. Since this incident, there have been other high-profile attacks against Jewish people in Boulder, Colorado, and Washington, D.C. Host Colby Itkowitz speaks with Shapiro about the attack and the recent spike in antisemitic actions in the United States. She also asks him about President Donald Trump’s decision to deploy the National Guard and Marines to California, and why so many people think he’s a top contender for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2028. Today’s show was produced by Laura Benshoff. It was edited by Reena Flores and mixed by Sam Bair, who also edited the video. Peter Stevenson and HyoJung Kim shot the video. Thanks also to Nick Baumann, Sean Sullivan and Ariel Plotnick. Watch the full interview on YouTube. And you can subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Since 2000, the rate of new cancer diagnoses for people ages 15 to 49 has climbed by 10 percent. This year, more than 200,000 people in that age group will be newly diagnosed with cancer. They will join more than 2.1 million Americans who were also diagnosed as young adults and are living with the disease.In today’s episode, Post video journalist Drea Cornejo sits down with host Elahe Izadi to talk about how Drea’s own cancer diagnosis three years ago, when she was 26, motivated her to report on the realities facing more younger adults. Drea documented the lives of Tanner and Shay Martin over the past six months as they navigated Tanner’s terminal colon cancer diagnosis with big life decisions including starting a family. While most young adults survive their cancer diagnosis, they still face the potential of a greatly altered future with implications for relationships, careers, finances and family planning. You can watch The Post’s short documentary about Tanner and Shay here. Be sure to also check out the comic about Drea’s diagnosis here. Today’s show was produced by Elana Gordon. It was mixed by Ted Muldoon and edited by Renita Jablonski with additional editing by Lynh Bui, Mary-Ellen Deily and Dan Keating. Additional reporting for this story came from Dan Keating, Ariana Cha and Julia Wall. Special thanks to Wendy Galietta, Whitney Leaming, Jessica Koscielniak and Stephen Smith. Subscribe to The Washington Post here

Washington’s juvenile justice agency appeared to finally be reformed. After decades of court monitoring, a judge declared in late 2020 that the long-troubled Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services could return to the mayor’s control. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D) promised “a focus on restorative justice, love, and empowerment” that would “serve and improve the lives of our young people, their families, and our entire community.” Instead, progress at the agency – charged with setting serious and repeat teen offenders on a better path – unraveled as youth crime spiked, a Washington Post investigation found. Today on the show, investigative reporter Nicole Dungca tells “Post Reports” co-host Elahe Izadi about some of the teens and children who spent months in a violent detention center as waits grew longer for rehabilitation programs. Read more here. If you value this reporting, please subscribe to The Washington Post. Today’s episode was produced by Peter Bresnan with help from Sean Carter, who also mixed the show. It was edited by Reena Flores. Thank you to Lisa Gartner and David Fallis.

On Monday, President Donald Trump restricted the entry of travelers to the United States from more than a dozen countries, resurrecting and expanding sweeping restrictions from his first term that are expected to draw swift legal challenges. The travel ban has been criticized by immigrant rights groups for targeting several African and Muslim-majority nations, and for appearing to capitalize on a moment of public grief: Earlier this month, a man seeking asylum in the United States threw an incendiary device at an event organized by a Jewish group in Boulder, Colorado. Trump cited the attack in his announcement of the ban. Today on Post Reports, host Elahe Izadi speaks with immigration reporter David Nakamura about who will be most affected by this ban, how the Trump administration crafted it to hold up in court, and why the public response to this iteration has felt muted. Today’s show was produced by Emma Talkoff, with help from Rennie Svirnovskiy and Tadeo Ruiz Sandoval. It was edited by Ariel Plotnick and mixed by Sam Bair. Thanks to Lucy Perkins and Christine Armario. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Demonstrators turned out in Los Angeles to oppose ICE raids. Trump called in the National Guard. Read more: Over the weekend, President Donald Trump ordered 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles to intervene in protests over federal immigration sweeps. California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) called the move “unconstitutional” and on Monday sued the administration. “Let me be clear: There is no invasion. There is no rebellion,” California Attorney General Rob Bonta (D) said in a statement. “The President is trying to manufacture chaos and crisis on the ground for his own political ends.” Today on “Post Reports,” host Colby Itkowitz talks with Supreme Court reporter Justin Jouvenal about the move – the first time in about 60 years that an American president has taken such action without a governor’s consent, and a chilling sign that Trump is prepared to send troops into other cities in response to protests. We also hear from reporter Arelis R. Hernández about the people detained by ICE, and the people who turned out to defend them. Today’s show was produced by Rennie Svirnovskiy. It was edited by Maggie Penman, with help from Lucy Perkins. It was mixed by Sean Carter. Thanks to Ariel Plotnick, Peter Bresnan, Efrain Hernandez Jr. and Susan Levine. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

When President Donald Trump took office in January, 2.4 million people worked for the federal government. It was America’s largest employer. Four months later, Trump — and Elon Musk’s U.S. DOGE Service — have hacked off chunks of government in the name of efficiency, with tactics rarely seen in public or private industry: Some federal workers have found themselves fired, rehired, then let go again. Many have been ridiculed as “lazy” and “corrupt.” They’ve been locked out of offices by police, fired for political “disloyalty,” and told to check their email to see if they still draw a paycheck. More than 30 former and current federal workers told The Washington Post that the chaos and mass firings had left them feeling devalued, demoralized and scared for themselves and the country. Many described problems they’d never experienced before: insomnia, panic attacks, suicidal thoughts. Others with a history of mental struggles said they’d found themselves pushed into terrifying territory. Today on “Post Reports,” host Colby Itkowitz speaks with investigative reporter William Wan about the administration’s immense toll on federal workers’ mental health. We hear from the husband of Caitlin Cross-Barnet, a public health worker who died by suicide in March. And, in the second half of the episode, Wan reflects on years spent covering the nation’s mental health crisis for The Post. Today’s show was produced by Rennie Svirnovskiy. It was mixed by Sean Carter, and edited by Maggie Penman. If you or someone you know needs help, call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988. You can also reach a crisis counselor by messaging the Crisis Text Line at 741741. Contact William Wan at william.wan@washpost.com or (202) 725-2121 on Signal. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

As the government has built its case against Sean “Diddy” Combs over the past few weeks, they have called witnesses to build out the story around an incident that many are familiar with – the violent 2016 encounter at the InterContinental Hotel in Los Angeles. A video of it was first released by CNN last year, and depicts Combs dragging and kicking his then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura in a hotel hallway. Witnesses, including former hotel security employees, have alleged that Combs and his employees attempted to cover up the incident through a $100,000 payoff. This week, another one of Combs’s alleged victims, “Jane,” took the stand and began delivering harrowing testimony about encounters she had with him and male escorts – similar to what Ventura alleged she experienced. She’s testifying under a pseudonym. Style reporter Anne Branigin explains how this anonymous testimony works and how the 2016 hotel incident ties into many of the government’s charges. Today’s show was produced by Sabby Robinson. It was edited by Reena Flores and mixed by Sean Carter. Thanks to Carla Spartos. Follow our coverage of the trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs on Spotify here. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Today on the podcast, host Colby Itkowitz speaks with two veteran political reporters: co-anchor of the Early Brief newsletter Dan Merica and national breaking news reporter Patrick Svitek. They talk about the public split between Elon Musk and President Donald Trump – and other news out of the White House, including a new travel ban. Plus, Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst doubles down on a flippant comment about Medicaid cuts as Republicans struggle to defend Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

This year’s NBA Finals will see the Oklahoma City Thunder take on the Indiana Pacers. The Thunder are led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren, a trio of up-and-coming stars. Meanwhile the Pacers and Tyrese Haliburton feature a potent offense and a deep bench. Both teams have rabid fan bases, craving an end to a championship drought. Guest host Ava Wallace is joined by The Washington Post’s national NBA writer, Ben Golliver. They discuss the changing landscape of the NBA and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver’s quest for parity across the league. Today’s episode was produced by Lucas Trevor, Josh Carroll and Jonelle LaFoucade. It was mixed and edited by Ted Muldoon. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of some of the earliest official D.C. Pride events. D.C. is also hosting WorldPride, one of the largest international celebrations of LGBTQ+ communities in the world. But some LGBTQ+ people say it doesn't feel like a time for celebration. Amid mounting political and cultural attacks, a rise in hate crimes and slashing of health care, some fear the rollback of hard-won rights. As D.C. decks itself in rainbows and welcomes WorldPride, many LGBTQ+ people are finding inspiration not by imagining a brighter future — but instead by revisiting a more hostile past. Reporter Marissa Lang has been out all over the D.C. region speaking to trailblazers of the LGBTQ+ rights movement. What advice can these living legends offer in difficult times? Today’s show was produced by Emma Talkoff, who also contributed reporting. It was mixed by Sam Bair and edited by Maggie Penman. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

On the eve of negotiations in Istanbul between Russia and Ukraine, the Ukrainian military struck targets hundreds of miles inside Russian territory. Small drones, smuggled into Russia over many months, carried out the attacks. This show of force – one of the biggest Ukrainian attacks since the war started three years ago – boosted morale within Ukraine. But the path to a ceasefire remains murky. Host Elahe Izadi speaks with Ukraine bureau chief Siobhan O’Grady about whether these strikes could change the balance of power in the war in Ukraine. Plus, updates from a day of peace talks between the two powers. Today’s show was produced by Rennie Svirnovskiy. It was edited by Ariel Plotnick and mixed by Sean Carter. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Today we’re going to listen to a conversation between our colleague Lizza Dwoskin and her friend Aisha Bowe, an aerospace engineer who was on the all-female Blue Origin flight that went to space in April. It’s about navigating what happens when a dream comes true — and then sparks public outrage. Blue Origin, the space company, is owned by Jeff Bezos. He also owns The Washington Post and is the co-founder of Amazon. Some of the other crew members were celebrities, including pop star Katy Perry and broadcast journalist Gayle King.The flight became a flash point for anger from the political left directed at billionaires associated with the Trump administration. Bezos was among the tech moguls who attended Donald Trump’s second inauguration. Now that some time has passed, Aisha was ready to sit down and talk about what this has all been like for her. Today’s show was edited by Renita Jablonski, Maggie Penman and James Graff. It was produced and mixed by Ted Muldoon. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

The government is about halfway through calling its witnesses in the racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking case against music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs. This week, Style reporter Anne Branigin gives an update on the big takeaways from the trial this week, including testimony from several of Combs’s former employees who claim he assaulted them. Combs has pleaded not guilty and has denied wrongdoing. Court reporter Shayna Jacobs also breaks down what the government has to do to prove these charges – and why racketeering conspiracy is a charge that’s broadly used today. Today’s show was produced by Sabby Robinson. It was edited by Reena Flores and mixed by Sean Carter. Thanks to Carla Spartos and Efrain Hernandez. Follow our coverage of the trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs on Spotify here. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s skepticism of vaccines and mainstream medicine is making waves in the agency he oversees. Host Colby Itkowitz talks with The Post’s national health reporter Lena Sun and health and science accountability reporter Lauren Weber about how Kennedy’s recent vaccine announcement and his “Make America Healthy Again” movement are shaping health policy for all Americans. Today’s show was produced by Laura Benshoff with help from Elana Gordon. It was edited by Lucy Perkins and mixed by Sam Bair. Thanks also to Leonard Bernstein. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Last week, the Department of Homeland Security issued an order barring Harvard from enrolling foreign students, claiming that Harvard had created an unsafe environment by allowing “anti-American, pro-terrorist agitators” to assault students on campus. The order said that students enrolled at Harvard must transfer schools or lose their legal status. A federal judge has blocked the effort for now, but thousands of international students are unsure if they will be able to return to Harvard in the fall. Host Colby Itkowitz speaks with higher education reporter Danielle Douglas-Gabriel about why the Trump administration has put Harvard University in its crosshairs, and how the university is pushing back. You can read the Letter to the Editor co-written by three Harvard international students in The Washington Post’s Opinion section here. Today’s show was produced by Emma Talkoff, with help from Peter Bresnan. It was mixed by Sean Carter. And edited by Ariel Plotnick. Thanks to Alyssa Rosenberg and Chastity Pratt. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Arizona, New Hampshire, Louisiana and Wyoming have all passed laws requiring voters to prove they are citizens. Texas has been considering one. But critics are raising alarm bells that such laws could make it harder for eligible citizens to vote – in particular, women who have changed their names after marriage or divorce. Today’s show was produced by Laura Benshoff. It was edited by Maggie Penman and mixed by Sam Bair. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Summer is the perfect time to dive into a new book, and the Post’s Book World section has compiled recommendations for every type of reader. Today, Book World editors Jacob Brogan and John Williams talk to host Elahe Izadi about the new releases and old titles they suggest digging into this summer. Here’s the list of books mentioned in today’s episode: “The Death and Life of August Sweeney” by Samuel Ashworth “Bleak House” by Charles Dickens “Mark Twain” by Ron Chernow “Buckley: The Life and the Revolution That Changed America” by Sam Tanenhaus “Is a River Alive?” by Robert MacFarlane “King of Ashes” by S.A. Cosby “Spent” by Alison Bechdel “Crush” by Ada Calhoun “The Book of Records” by Madeleine Thien “The Dry Season” by Melissa Febos “Sloppy” by Rax King “Flashlight” by Susan Choi “Second Life” by Amanda Hess “Mood Machine” by Liz Pelly Today’s show was produced by Emma Talkoff, with help from Lucas Trevor. It was edited by Ariel Plotnick, and mixed by Sean Carter. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

George Floyd’s murder sparked massive protests for racial justice around the country. There were calls for police reforms, reparations and closing the racial wealth gap. But five years later, it seems like the pendulum has swung back the other way. President Donald Trump is dismantling diversity and inclusion initiatives. And just this week, the Justice Department announced it was abandoning efforts to reshape law enforcement in cities where there have been high-profile killings by police officers. In light of all of this, we wanted to share a special episode of “Post Reports” from fall 2020. It’s called “The Life of George Floyd.” Martine Powers and our colleagues here at The Post looked at who George Floyd actually was — and what his story can tell us about being Black in the United States. Today’s show was produced and mixed by Ted Muldoon with help from Linah Mohammad. It was edited by Maggie Penman and Martine Powers. “George Floyd’s America” was reported by Arelis Hernández, Tracy Jan, Laura Meckler, Toluse Olorunnipa, Robert Samuels, Griff Witte and Cleve Wootson. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Federal prosecutors called a slew of witnesses this week to bolster their racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking case against Sean “Diddy” Combs. Many of them corroborated incidents that Combs’s ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura described in her testimony last week – but others added details that pushed against her narrative that he was controlling and coerced her into sex acts. And musician Kid Cudi took the stand to talk about the molotov cocktail he said was thrown into his Porsche. Style reporter Anne Branigin breaks down the key testimony from this week and how the trial is going for each side so far. Today’s show was produced by Sabby Robinson. It was edited by Reena Flores and mixed by Sean Carter. Thanks to Carla Spartos and Shayna Jacobs. Follow our coverage of the trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs on Spotify here. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.