How Polarization Is Keeping America Divided 50-50

The Democrats have retained control of the Senate, and the House is still up in the air, although the numbers look to favor Republicans.  Throughout the midterm elections there have been many tight races and margins are just razor thin.  So why is America always divided 50-50?  As the two parties constantly jockey for the majority, neither party really builds any momentum.  Annie Lowrey, staff writer at The Atlantic, joins us for how polarization and a changing electorate is impacting politics.

Next, more colleges are offering admission to students who never even applied to those schools.  There has been an increase in universities that are participating in “direct admissions” programs to streamline the process for students but also align them with geographic and academic interests and boost enrollment  goals too.  The result is tens of thousands of students are getting offers they never thought they would.  Melissa Korn, higher education reporter at the WSJ, joins us for what to know.

Finally, dialing 0 to reach an operator or getting directory assistance from 411 is soon to be a thing of the past.  How many people even use those services now, as smartphones have made them obsolete?  Starting Jan. 1, AT&T is ending the service to landline customers in 21 states.  Wireless users aren’t even offered it.  Jo Constantz, reporter at Bloomberg News, joins us for a brief history of 411.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.