The Hidden Victims of America’s Wildfires
The Daily
10/28/25
•29m
About
Comments
Featured In
As wildfire seasons grow longer and deadlier, states are increasingly relying on private companies to provide thousands of firefighters to the front lines.
Hannah Dreier, who has been covering the story, explains how lax rules and regulatory loopholes have left many of these firefighters sick, in debt and on their own.
Guest: Hannah Dreier, a New York Times reporter who writes in-depth stories about national issues.
Background reading:
- Wildfire fighters, unmasked in toxic smoke, are getting sick and dying.
- Read the story about Joel Eisiminger. Just before turning 25, he was diagnosed with a cancer that usually strikes people more than twice his age.
Photo: Loren Elliott for The New York Times
For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.
Previous Episode
Mob Ties and Rigged Bets: Inside the N.B.A.’s Gambling Scandal
October 27, 2025
•27m
A federal investigation into illegal gambling has rocked the N.B.A. On Thursday, more than 30 people were indicted in the case, which involves the Mafia, high-profile players and the manipulation of professional basketball games to rig bets.
Jonah E. Bromwich and Jenny Vrentas, who have been covering the story, discuss the shocking facts and the growing concern that online betting might be compromising the integrity of the sport.
Guest:
- Jonah E. Bromwich, a New York Times reporter covering criminal justice in the New York region, with an emphasis on federal prosecutors and judges.
- Jenny Vrentas, a New York Times reporter covering money, power and influence in sports.
Background reading:
- The United States charged an N.B.A. coach and others in gambling schemes.
- Who was the unnamed “Player 3” in the N.B.A. gambling case?
Photo: USA TODAY Sports, via Reuters
For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.
Next Episode
Is China Beating Trump?
October 29, 2025
•24m
President Trump’s trade war against China has so far proved harder to win than his administration ever let on. And it reached new levels of tension this month when China said it would further restrict exports of rare-earth minerals to the United States and Europe.
Keith Bradsher, the Beijing bureau chief for The New York Times, discusses a potential turning point in the standoff as Mr. Trump meets this week with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, in what will be their first talks since the trade war began.
Guest: Keith Bradsher, the Beijing bureau chief for The New York Times.
Background reading:
- Chinese and U.S. officials reached a framework of a trade deal on Sunday.
- Trump’s deal with China may avert a crisis of his own making.
Photo: The New York Times
For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.
If you like this episode you’ll love
Promoted