Opening statements in the trial of notorious Sinaloa drug cartel kingpin, Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman start today. A 17 count indictment, which spans nearly three decades of alleged criminal activity, accuses him of building a multi-billion dollar international narcotics empire through murder and violence. Nicole Hong, reporter for the WSJ, joins us to preview the logistical nightmare in transporting El Chapo to court… closing down the Brooklyn Bridge, armored car transport flanked by police, and snipers on rooftops.

Next, some updates on the fires burning throughout California. There are new reports of more deaths more people still missing. But as much as this is a story of family evacuations, firefighters, and loss, this is also a big weather story. Dry conditions and winds continue to worry firefighters, but this is also the new normal. Andrew Freedman, science editor at Axios, joins us to talk about climate change, population growth, and other trends making fire season run year round in California and extreme fire behavior more common.

Finally, comic book legend Stan Lee has passed away, he was 95. The genius that created superheroes like Spiderman, X-Men, Iron Man, Captain America and more captured the hearts and minds of people all over the world who saw themselves in the flawed, but heroic characters he created. Tawala Sharp, co-host of the Nerd-O-Rama podcast, joins us to remember Stan Lee and talk about how his work impacted comics and popular culture.

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