An unfortunate update on many of the small businesses that received Paycheck Protection Program loans… about 300 of them have had to file for bankruptcy. The stimulus funds were not enough to keep these businesses open as the pandemic continues to hamper economic activity and a lack of additional help from Congress. In filings, the pandemic was the primary reason for declaring bankruptcy. Shane Shifflet, data reporter at the WSJ, joins us for how tough it is for these businesses and why the number of failed companies who received PPP loans is likely higher.




Next, we’ll tell you about Parler. It has been billed as the “Free Speech Social Network.” It has been the top app on both Google and Apple’s app store offering mostly conservatives a safe space without fear of being deplatformed for your views. In many cases, when posts or profiles get flagged on Twitter or Facebook, they often end up on Parler with new life. It is small operation for now, but more people are joining including high profile conservative voices. Arielle Pardes, senior writer at Wired, joined the social network and tells us what her free speech experience was like.

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