Trump focuses on regulating AI, worker fired by DOGE runs for office, Hantavirus explained

Zoe Schiffer: Yes, we don’t need your puppy.

Brian Barrett: Your puppy will just say he’s sick.

Zoe Schiffer: Grok reduces the intensity of the quarrel between the mother and the person who shouts at her about her child.

Leah Weiger: I really feel for these workers, and I really feel for all these stranded customers. The soul in a lot of ways, like something we like to poke fun at a little bit, like you take the soul when you have to, but it was also really available and it worked and it wasn’t as expensive as everyone else. It’s kind of sad, especially when I look at the shrinking airline industry in the United States, when I look at Europe and say, “You guys have too many low-cost airlines.” And especially with all the deals, everything back and forth between JetBlue and Spirit being crushed, it was a little sad to see that happen.

Brian Barrett: And Leah, when you say stranded, I want to be clear, this is literal. I believe some of these employees were not in their home cities when Spirit closed its doors. So they had to rely on other airlines offering them a portable seat or travel pass to get back home. Fortunately, it seems to be a very collective industry. Other airlines helped them. Other airlines offer preferential hiring interviews to Spirit Airline employees. But can you imagine if I was in London right now, if WIRED shut down and I had to find another way back home. I mean I’ll be fine, but…

Leah Weiger: No, but it would also be ridiculous. This is wild. I think about it 30 Rock The episode when Liz Lemon says, “Oh, yeah, this is my journey.” And they would say, “Sorry, we don’t have any flights anymore. We’re just making popcorn,” which was amazing to see, but very real.

Brian Barrett: I think on a consumer level, if you’re going to book tickets for the summer, do it soon because now it’s all about supply and demand, right? An entire airline has disappeared. There are a large number of seats that are not available, so there is greater scarcity. Prices basically go up at the worst possible time for people like me who are thinking about planning some time to travel in the summer with two kids again.

Zoe SchifferAfter the break, we will learn about the news of the Hanta virus outbreak on a cruise ship. Should we be worried or are we panicking for no reason? We’ll find out.

Leah Weiger: So, in recent days, there have been more and more headlines of the Hantavirus outbreak occurring on MV HondiusA cruise ship flying the Dutch flag. The cruise departed from the southern tip of Argentina more than a month ago, making stops in Antarctica and St. Helena Island, among other stops. The problem started when the man started showing symptoms like fever and headache, and eventually this became a respiratory illness. He died on the plane, and a few weeks later his wife died as well. It was later confirmed that she was infected with the Hanta virus as well. As of this week, seven cases have been confirmed, and the ship is currently carrying 147 passengers and crew. To help us understand what’s going on on Earth, we’re joined by WIRED writer Emily Mullen.