Dark Crossings: Life and Death Along the U.S.-Mexico Border

Coming up on today’s show:

• The U.S. Border Patrol apprehended 341,084 people along the border between the U.S. and Mexico in 2017, and the number of migrant deaths increased, up to 412 from 398. Michel Marizco,senior editor of the Fronteras Desk for KJZZ in Tucson, Arizona, discusses the reasons behind the shift, and why the border is more dangerous than ever, and Francisco Cantu reflects on his time spent along the border as a border patrol agent.

• As reports of continued chemical warfare emerge from southern Syria, a recent outbreak of violence has erupted along the northern border with Turkey. Jamal Elshayyal is a correspondent for Al Jazeera. He joins the program to talk about the latest developments.

• Kenya has been in turmoil after three of the country’s largest, privately-owned television stations were shut down by the government last week and forced to remain off air for days.  Wairimu Gitahi,the founder of Mediatwenty Productions in Nairobi, discusses the recent challenges to media freedom and democracy in her country, and the ongoing divisions created by last year’s turbulent elections.

• Esmond Bradley Martin, a well-known investigator known for his ground-breaking work in exposing the ivory and rhino horn trades, was killed at his home in Kenya this weekend. Jani Actman, wildlife trade reporter for National Geographic’s Wildlife Watch Blog, says Martin’s death has been a blow to the animal conservation community, and that his decades-long legacy leaves behind big shoes to fill. 

• The EPA is getting ready to clean up a radioactive site along the Missouri River. While environmentalists are applauding the agency’s commitment to the cleanup effort, there are lingering questions about Pruitt’s long term vision, for the superfund program, and for the EPA. Kara Cook-Schultz is toxics director for the U.S. Public Interest Research Group. She joins the program to talk about this project’s lasting implications.

• As traditional crimes reach historic lows, cyber crimes are on the rise and often go unreported. Now, police are struggling to fight these new types of crimes. Dr. Gregory Michaelidis is a cyber-security communications consultant and a former Obama Administration staffer with the Department of Homeland Security. He joins The Takeaway to discuss what types of cyber crimes exist and how to achieve digital security. 

This episode is hosted by Todd Zwillich