February 2, 2019

Federal shutdown put drivers at risk, safety groups say

Washington — The five-week partial government shutdown hobbled the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s ability to enforce automotive recalls and investigate thousands of complaints about potential safety defects, according to groups that advocate for highway safety.

They say the 35-day shutdown hampered the National Transportation Safety Board's efforts to investigate accidents, which could have ramifications down the line for automakers' ability to learn from crash reports.

NHTSA, which furloughed 331 employees during the shutdown, issued zero recalls in January. Safety groups say the shutdown took a toll on NHTSA’s ability to enforce automotive recalls.

The groups have encouraged Kia and Hyundai to recall approximately 3 million cars that they argue are at risk of having their engines catch fire, but the South Korean automaker has thus far only recalled 168,000.

NHTSA launched an investigation of the Kia and Hyundai complaints in August, but was unable to compel the South Korean automakers to broaden the scope of their recall because the transportation department was shut down, said Jason Levine, executive director of the nonprofit Center for Auto Safety.

"There was no one at NHTSA to say 'What are you doing? That's not enough,'" he said, noting that there was no one at the agency to review complaints that are typically used to determine if other investigations should be launched.

"During the 35 days, NHTSA was still receiving complaints, but there was no one there to review them," Levine said, noting complaints sent to NHTSA often prompt investigations that led to recalls if officials at the agency spot trends.


Read more: https://www.detroitnews.com/story/business/autos/2019/02/01/shutdown-put-drivers-risk-safety-groups-say/2713121002/



NHTSA, which furloughed 331 employees during the shutdown, issued zero recalls in January. Safety groups say the shutdown took a toll on NHTSA’s ability to enforce automotive recalls. (Photo: LM Otero, AP)

February 2, 2019

Stephen Colbert Mini-Monologue: Trump's Incoherent NYT Interview

The President's rambling interview with the "failing New York Times" was so mind-numbing that Stephen felt compelled to release this rare miniature Late Show monologue.




Stephen Has A Story: Don't Pull A Colbert



It's Super Bowl time! Noted football enthusiast Stephen Colbert remembers the one time he tried to play.



FYI: Colbert was a repeat tonight, probably because he's having a special show in his usual timeslot, 11:35pm ET, following Sunday's Super Bowl (with guests Conan O'Brien, Steve Carell and James Taylor) - and he offered this "mini-monologue" so we wouldn't be Colbert-less tonight. Also, his show is going to be live on the night of the SOTU.

February 2, 2019

Real Time with Bill Maher (HBO) - 2/1/19

Congressman Will Hurd



Congressman Will Hurd (R-TX) joins Bill to discuss border security and President Trump's rocky relationship with intelligence.




Mayor Bill de Blasio



New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio joins Bill to discuss his progressive vision for America and his views on marijuana reform.




New Rule: Climate Emergency



In his editorial New Rule, Bill argues that the national emergency we should be addressing isn't border security – it's the threat posed by climate change.




Overtime: Rep. Will Hurd, Myr. Bill de Blasio, Jennifer Rubin, Jon Meacham, Peter Hamby



Bill Maher and his guests answer viewer questions after the show.

February 2, 2019

Seth Meyers: Michael Moore Calls for Starbucks Boycott to Stop Howard Schultz from Running for POTUS

Michael Moore explains why he takes issue with Howard Schultz's self-made billionaire claim and shares what his platform would be if he ran for president.




Michael Moore Would Deliver Joints to Every American if He Were President



Michael Moore talks about Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's 70% marginal tax rate, why Americans support taxing the rich and takes a moment to praise Nancy Pelosi's handling of the government shutdown.

February 2, 2019

Seth Meyers - Trump's Accomplishments, Cat Pee Parasite - Monologue - 1/31/19

Seth's Favorite Jokes of the Week: Trump's Border Wall Tweet, Roger Stone's Indictment



Seth's favorite jokes from the week of January 28.

February 2, 2019

The Daily Show - That's Fracked: Can a Colorado School Combat Environmental Racism?

Desi Lydic heads to Colorado to find out how an energy company could be allowed to drill just a quarter mile away from an elementary school.

February 2, 2019

The Daily Show - That's Fracked: Can a Colorado School Combat Environmental Racism?

Desi Lydic heads to Colorado to find out how an energy company could be allowed to drill just a quarter mile away from an elementary school.

February 1, 2019

Ram recalls 18,682 pickup trucks over possible power steering failure

Unsecured fastener defect impacts a total of 182,000 vehicles in North America

Fiat Chrysler is recalling some 182,000 Ram 1500 pickups from model year 2019 over a defect that could cause the power steering to stop working. Some 18,682 trucks are affected in Canada, specifically ones built before October 25, 2018.

On affected vehicles, a fastener that grounds the battery circuit may not be secured properly, and could become loose, opening the circuit and stopping the power steering from functioning.

Roughly one-third of the affected vehicles are still on dealership lots and have not yet been sold.

Were the truck to lose power steering, the driver would still be able to steer the vehicle. However, the sudden or intermittent change in the way the steering reacts could increase the risk of a collision. No accidents or injuries have been reported so far.

The recall campaign will be launched soon, and the required repair work should be simple to finish.

Short article, no more at link: https://driving.ca/auto-news/news/ram-recalls-18682-pickup-trucks-over-possible-power-steering-failure

February 1, 2019

Stephen Colbert: Guest Ellen Page Calls Out Hateful Leadership

'The Umbrella Academy' star Ellen Page puts it pretty simply: 'This needs to f***ing stop.'

February 1, 2019

Stephen Colbert - Monologue and Opening - 1/31/19

Donald Trump Is Denying U.S. Intel And Reality



The President's rejection of U.S. intelligence speaks to his larger inability to accept reality.




Just One Question For The Super Bowl Players



Stephen gives his staff the chance to ask just one question to the athletes competing in Super Bowl LIII. Starring Johnny Hekker, John Johnson III, Trey Flowers, Tom Brady, Julian Edelman, Rob Gronkowski, Ndamukong Suh, Dante Fowler, and Jason & Devin McCourty.




These Videos Of Trump Are 'Deepfakes'



The Late Show exposes the creators of these widespread "deepfakes," digitally altered videos that can be weaponized to spread misinformation.




Batman Is No Match For The Polar Vortex



Gotham City's caped crusader has finally met his match: the Polar Vortex.