Microsoft’s Activision Blizzard gamble faces regulatory battle
Microsoft continues its pursuit of “Call of Duty” maker Activision Blizzard in a $69 billion deal. While the FTC continues to scrutinize the transaction, Young Voices contributor Rachel Chiu believes the deal would be good for business. She joins Jim on "The Final 5" to explain why.
McCarthy feels heat from right on debt ceiling deal.
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy is taking flak from many in his own party over his deal with the White House to avert a national default, even as some fault the White House for taking so long to get to the negotiating table. Political strategist Rich Nichols is Jim’s guest on "The Final 5."
DeSantis launch and the 2024 race
Ron DeSantis' campaign announcement on Twitter was both glitchy and lucrative, with his campaign reporting a major fundraising haul in the first 24 hours. Young Voices contributor Andrew Donaldson joins Jim to take a look at the growing 2024 presidential field.
What’s changed, what hasn’t in the 3 years since George Floyd’s death?
Tomorrow is the third anniversary of George Floyd’s death at the hands of a group of former Minneapolis police officers. Tashira Halyard and Margo Lindaur… two former lawyers, best friends, and co-hosts of the "justUS Podcast" join Jim on "The Final 5" to react.
Scott, DeSantis jump into growing GOP 2024 field
This week stands to be the most eventful in the 2024 Republican presidential sweepstakes so far. Senator Tim Scott announced his entry on Monday, and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis will follow suit on Wednesday. Republican strategist Quill Robinson joins Jim on "The Final 5" to take a look at the state of the race, and give some insight on what the changing electorate is looking for in a nominee.
Biden, McCarthy meet again over debt ceiling
After vowing he wouldn’t negotiate with Republicans over the debt ceiling, President Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy met again on Monday. While the two didn’t reach a deal ahead of the June 1st deadline, they struck a more conciliatory tone. Dr. Tracy Pearson joined Jim with her take on the talks.
Meet the D.C. Scavenger, JoAnn Hill
You may think you know all there is to know about Washington, D.C., but local author JoAnn Hill’s new book aims to prove you wrong! She joins Jim on "The Final 5" to talk about “D.C. Scavenger,” the inspiration behind writing it, and she puts our host to the test!
Durham Report peels back details on Trump-Russia Probe
The long-awaited report by Special Counsel John Durham into the origins of the Trump-Russia probe was finally released this week, detailing how the FBI handled (and mishandled) aspects of the investigation that upended the 2016 election. Jack Hunter of Based Politics joins Jim on "The Final 5" to discuss.
Crunch time for Biden, Congress on debt ceiling
President Biden has relented on negotiations over the looming debt ceiling crisis, agreeing to appoint surrogates to hash out details with Congressional Republicans. Punchbowl News reporter Max Cohen joins Jim on "The Final 5" with more, plus why some Republicans think Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen’s June 1 deadline may not be realistic.
U.S. reaction to uncertainty over Turkey’s election
The future of controversial Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hangs in the balance as neither he nor his opposition were able to muster a majority in the nation’s election. Geopolitical analyst Harley Lippman joins Jim on "The Final 5" to explain why the U.S. has an interest in the outcome, even if the White House isn’t publicly picking sides.
RFK’s candidacy draws interest from….Republicans
The son of the late Robert F. Kennedy is making a longshot bid for the Democratic Presidential nomination in 2024, but his stances on some hot button issues are attracting the interest of Republicans. Kennedy, who opposes vaccines and has claimed that the government oversaw the assassination of his late uncle John F. Kennedy, announced his challenge to President Biden earlier this month. Young Voices contributor Samuel Mangold-Lenett wrote about the GOP interest in RFK’s candidacy in The Federalist, he joined Jim on "The Final 5" to explain more.
Forward Party head: all politics are local
The Forward Party says the key to a viable alternative to two party system starts with the thousands of local races that often go uncontested. Lindsey Drath, who’s heading up the startup party’s efforts, joins Jim on "The Final 5."
Vogel aims to rep Gen Z, Maryland in Congress
With Rep. David Trone (D-MD) vacating his House seat for a Senate run, the first candidate has stepped forward: Delegate Joe Vogel (D) of Montgomery County. He joins Jim to explain why he’s getting in the race, why his age (25) shouldn’t be a factor, and what he has to say about the current state of Congress.
Vogel aims to rep Gen Z, Maryland in Congress
With Rep. David Trone (D-MD) vacating his House seat for a Senate run, the first candidate has stepped forward: Delegate Joe Vogel (D) of Montgomery County. He joins Jim to explain why he’s getting in the race, why his age (25) shouldn’t be a factor, and what he has to say about the current state of Congress.
Debt ceiling summit ends with no clear path
President Biden's meeting with congressional leaders on the looming debt ceiling crisis ended with no change. Republicans continue their calls for spending cuts, while Democrats insist that raising the debt ceiling come with no pre-conditions, just as it was done three times during the Trump administration. Punchbowl News reporter Mica Soellner joins Jim with a status update.
Title 42 to end with no federal fix
Title 42, the pandemic-era border policy that allowed officials to turn away migrants based on a public health emergency, is set to end on Thursday. While border states brace for an influx of migrants, Republicans are calling for a last minute legislative fix while the White House says it has a plan. Barak Lurie joins Jim on The Final 5 with what he thinks the next steps should be.
Politicians dancing badly
FOX 5’s Jim Lokay has the latest round of politicians dancing badly!
Biden boasts boom for small biz
National Small Business Week is wrapping up, and President Biden is taking credit for his policies leading to increased confidence amongst American’s small businesses, even as inflation continues to plague the bottom line for many. Rhett Buttle of Public Private Strategies, who served as a business advisor to the 2020 Biden campaign, joined Jim on The Final 5.
Did Ukraine forces send a "saboteur" pigeon with a mine into Russia??
Russian media reported that police officers responded after a man phoned to report a “Ukrainian saboteur pigeon" painted the color of the Ukrainian flag.
Late night shut down over writer strike...but not Jim Lokay on the Final 5!
WGA's strike has put most of late night TV in time out.