AS THE AMAZON BURNS - Brazil's President Bolsonaro

"As Brazilians struggle to breathe through Amazon’s smoke, Bolsonaro rejects foreign aid" PBS NewsHour 8/27/2019

Excerpt

SUMMARY:  The Amazon's raging fires are leaving some Brazilian children unable to breathe.  Heavy levels of smoke in the air are harmful to anyone but especially dangerous for babies and those with underlying respiratory issues like asthma.  Despite the health risks, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro rejected $22 million in foreign aid to fight the fires.  Emma Murphy of Independent Television News reports.

"What Bolsonaro’s presidency means for Brazil and the Amazon" PBS NewsHour 8/27/2019

Bolsonaro, the Trump of the tropics.

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SUMMARY:  In the Amazon rainforest, historic levels of deforestation and fire have prompted global outcry.  But what’s driving the devastation?  Amna Nawaz and producer Mike Fritz traveled to Brazil to better understand both the physical and political dynamics at play.  The series' first report focuses on the influence of Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, an advocate for logging and developing the Amazon.

ON THE HOT SEAT - Scott Pruitt

Scott Pruitt, Trump's (anti-science, anti-regulation) servant trying to dismantle the EPA.

"On the hot seat at the House, Scott Pruitt makes few concessions" PBS NewsHour 4/26/2018

Excerpt

SUMMARY:  Now, we turn to one of the President’s top cabinet members who’s been under fire himself, EPA administrator Scott Pruitt.  His appearances before two House committees today were ostensibly about budget matters.  But lawmakers put him on the hot seat for all sorts of different reasons.

In a moment, Jeffrey Brown talks with Lisa Desjardins about the politics and the policy at issue.  But we begin with Lisa’s look at Pruitt’s day on Capitol Hill.