Joan Esposito is joined by Dave Levitan, science journalist, author of “Not A Scientist: How Politicians Mistake, Misrepresent, and Utterly Mangle Science,” and deputy editor of Splinter.

Levitan discussed the deteriorating situation at the Environmental Protection Agency under Administrator Lee Zeldin. Zeldin's actions include reorganizing the Office of Research and Development and retaliating against employees who signed a public declaration of dissent, placing over 140 on leave. Levitan highlighted Zeldin's deregulation agenda, including exemptions for coal-fired power plants, which could worsen air quality and affect vulnerable communities. Additionally, Levitan noted ideological changes at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) under Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who is reshaping advisory committees to align with his views, potentially undermining public health efforts, including vaccination schedules.

Catch "Joan Esposito: Live, Local and Progressive" weekdays from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/live-local-progressive).

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