Ep 101. March 22, 2017

On March 22, 2017, Vice News Tonight aired its first episode of the series. The episode covers a range of topics from the day's news cycle, including the confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch, the terrorist attack in London, and the Republican healthcare bill.

The episode starts with a brief introduction to the show and the importance of quality journalism in today's rapidly changing news landscape. The show then shifts to coverage of the confirmation hearings for Neil Gorsuch, which had been ongoing for three days by March 22. Correspondent Alexandra Jaffe reports from Capitol Hill, describing the tenor of the hearings and the challenges that Gorsuch has faced in the process. She speaks with Senators Chuck Grassley, Dianne Feinstein, and Sheldon Whitehouse, among others, to get their thoughts on the nominee and the direction of the hearings.

From there, the show transitions to the terrorist attack in London, which had occurred earlier that day. The show includes footage of the aftermath of the attack and interviews with eyewitnesses and law enforcement officials. Correspondent Elle Reeve provides context for the attack, explaining the history of terrorism in the UK and the challenges that law enforcement faces in preventing attacks like this one.

The next segment of the show covers the Republican healthcare bill, which was being debated in Congress at the time. Correspondent Jay Caspian Kang breaks down the key provisions of the bill and how it differs from the Affordable Care Act (ACA). He speaks with Senator Rand Paul, who was an early critic of the bill, and healthcare policy experts to get their analysis of the bill's strengths and weaknesses.

The episode also includes a segment on the future of coal in America. Correspondent Michael Moynihan travels to Wyoming to speak with coal miners and other stakeholders in the industry about the challenges they face. He also discusses the role of renewable energy in the US energy mix and how that is affecting the coal industry.

Towards the end of the show, Correspondent Arielle Duhaime-Ross reports on the dangers of lead contamination in drinking water in the US. She speaks with experts about the health risks associated with lead exposure and the challenges that communities face in testing and treating their water supplies.

The final segment of the show covers local news from around the US. The show includes stories on the shooting of an unarmed black man in Sacramento, California and the ongoing trial of former Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane.

Overall, the first episode of Vice News Tonight set the tone for the series, providing in-depth coverage of the day's news cycle and tackling a variety of complex and important issues. With a focus on quality journalism and storytelling, the show proved to be a valuable addition to the post-cable news landscape.