New York governor Andrew Cuomo and California governor Gavin Newsom drew praise early in the pandemic but have recently come under criticism. Bloomberg News looks at why their popularity has taken a turn for the worse. And the Wall Street Journal looks at the impact on Cuomo’s approval ratings. Conservative organizations raised hundreds of millions of dollars to support baseless challenges to the presidential election results. The Washington Post has the story of one major donor who wants his money back. Snow, ice, and freezing temperatures are gripping many parts of the United States. Texas is having a particularly hard time, in part because of its strained power grid. Vox explains what’s gone wrong with the grid and why the state wasn’t more prepared. Researchers are increasingly convinced of the therapeutic effects of spending time outside. The Wall Street Journal explains why some believe two hours a week in nature could be the new 10,000 steps per day.

Ask this episode

“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.