NPS to Redevelop Carter Barron, MCVFRA refutes IG report, Rockville v Gaithersburg
Release Date: 12/30/2025
Harvesting Empathy
I Hate Politics Podcast
Sunil Dasgupta talks with UMBC Media Studies Professor Jason Loviglio about his new book, Empathy Machines: This American Life, Podcasting, and the Public Radio Structure of Feeling, about the sociology of public radio aesthetics and the podcasting that emanated from it, as well as the political economy of a medium that burst through the American consciousness and now searching for its evolution. Music by Seth Kibel.
info_outline
Potomac Sewage Spill, Housing Bills, Charter School Closure
I Hate Politics Podcast
President Trump and Gov Wes Moore spar over jurisdiction at the sewage spill site. Dean Naujoks of the Potomac Riverkeeper Network with an update. What’s happening with the housing agenda in the Maryland General Assembly? Maryland Association of Counties’ Michael Sanderson explains. Montgomery County Board of Education takes the first step closing down the school district only and months-old charter school. Newly in public domain music by George Gershwin, Paul Whiteman band, and Marian Andersen.
info_outline
Can Maryland Control Prescription Drug Costs?
I Hate Politics Podcast
In 2019, Maryland became the first state in the nation to establish a Prescription Drug Affordability Board. After years of preparatory work, the agency is poised to take its first actions on two blockbuster diabetes drugs, Jardiance and Farxiga, and a year later, the Board can expand its price control mechanism to the private insurance market. Will they clear the thicket of dysfunction in the drug marketplace and help lower actual drug costs? Sunil Dasgupta talks with Andrew York, Executive Director Maryland Prescription Drug Affordability Board, and Vincent DeMarco, president of the...
info_outline
SRO Debate, Magruder HS, MCDCC Rule, College Park Renting
I Hate Politics Podcast
The Wootton High School shooting revives calls to bring SROs back to MCPS schools. MontgomeryCounty Councilmember Dawn Luedtke on why. Magruder High School in Derwood often gets overlooked in MCPS planning. PTSA President Kim Glassman wants answers. The Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee can now for the first time become involved in non-partisan Board of Education races. Chair Pam Luckett explains when. College Park Mayor Fazlul Kabir on city efforts to protect its student renters. And more. Newly in public domain music by George Gershwin, Paul Whiteman band, and Marian Andersen....
info_outline
The Political Reeducation of Commissioner Ragen
I Hate Politics Podcast
From Walkersville, MD, a purple town of 7,000 on Route 15, which connects Frederick, MD, to Gettysburg, PA, a tale of political education. Sunil Dasgupta talks with Town Commissioner Chris Ragen, a self-professed conservative, about his efforts to increase public participation in a decision that could have changed the town’s police force and saved money. Newly in public domain music by George Gershwin, Paul Whiteman band, and Marian Andersen.
info_outline
Wootton HS to Move, Snowcrete Oversight, HoCo Cancels ICE Jail
I Hate Politics Podcast
MCPS proposes to move Wootton High School from Rockville to Gaithersburg and causes uproar in the community. The Montgomery County Council oversight hearing on the failure of snow response comes down to coordination and communication. We read between the lines. Howard County, MD, becomes the first in the state council to revoke a building permit in Elkridge for an ICE jail. And more. Newly in public domain music by George Gershwin, Paul Whiteman band, and Marian Andersen.
info_outline
An Oral History Seeks to Counter Erasure of Jan 6
I Hate Politics Podcast
A new book, Storm at the Capitol: An Oral History of January 6th, by Associated Press Congressional Reporter Mary Clare Jalonick, captures first-hand descriptions of the day of the biggest attack on the United States Capitol since 1814. Jalonick, who was trapped in the press gallery of the U.S. House of Representatives, says she wanted to create a definitive record of the day because there is now, following Trump’s return to power, there is a risk of erasure of what really happened. Newly in public domain music by George Gershwin, Paul Whiteman band, and Marian Andersen.
info_outline
Snowcrete 2026, Potomac Sewage Spill, ICE Warehouses, Closing Chinese Immersion Program
I Hate Politics Podcast
How do other jurisdictions and past snow events compare to Snowcrete 2026? Montgomery County Councilmember Andrew Friedson weighs in prior to oversight hearings. Leaders from Republican-leaning jurisdictions oppose the 287g ICE agreement ban because they say the arrangement preempts ICE violence. MD Delegate Vaughn Stewart explores legislative ideas to limit ICE presence after the federal agency buys two warehouses in the state to serve as detention centers. In Prince Geroge’s County, a Chinese Immersion Program in a Title 1 school in College Park is being cut as part of budget woes. And...
info_outline
MCPS is Considering New Policy on AI in Classrooms. How is it going?
I Hate Politics Podcast
Montgomery County Public Schools, which had banned AI in classrooms in 2023, now has a draft new AI policy document out for public comment. Sunil Dasgupta talks with MCPS parent, Ed tech expert, and Stoneridge School of the Scared Heart teacher Jaime Chao Mignano to break down the document and the big AI questions that are predicted to upend education itself. Newly in public domain music by George Gershwin, Paul Whiteman band, and Marian Andersen.
info_outline
Potomac Sewage Spill, MD Budget, AI in Classrooms
I Hate Politics Podcast
The snow emergency has captured attention; hundreds of millions of raw sewage has spilled into the Potomac River from a pipe break under the American Legion Bridge, which joins Maryland and Virginia. DC Water, which runs the pipe, is working on it, but no local jurisdiction has issued a health advisory. Maryland Governor Wes Moore presented the last budget of his first term. We have takeaways. Montgomery County Board of Education has been considering a written policy on the use of AI in classrooms. We break it down. And more. Newly in public domain music by George Gershwin, Paul Whiteman...
info_outlineMontgomery County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association is defending its right to receive county emergency transportation funds after an IG report says they are not eligible. Rockville Councilmember Adam Van Grack and Gaithersburg Councilmember Yamil Hernandez face off over the Wootton High School solution. National Park Service has RFP out for redeveloping nearly 40 acres of Rock Creek Park to expand Carter Barron tennis complex. And more. Music by Kara Levchenko.