Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Ports Crisis, The Internet of Things, and the Art Laboe Connection
A dispute between longshoremen and shipping companies has created a backlog that’s leaving cargo ships sitting offshore waiting to be unloaded and export goods languishing on the docks. What’s the fight about, and what’s the wider impact -- especially on California’s delicate citrus industry?
By Madeleine Brand • • 51m ListenA dispute between longshoremen and shipping companies has created a backlog that’s leaving cargo ships sitting offshore waiting to be unloaded, and export goods languishing on the docks. What’s the fight about, and what’s the wider impact -- especially on California’s delicate citrus industry? Then, in our weekly web roundup, a look at the scary-slash-promising possibility of “The Internet of Things,” a future point when all our appliances and even our bodies are connected online. In our film segment, a look at the Oscar nominees in animation, foreign film, and other less talked-about categories. And finally, legendary DJ Art Laboe is off L.A.’s airwaves for the first time in 60 years...at least for now.
In this episode
5 storiesCrisis at the Ports
There’s a crisis at the nation’s West Coast ports. An ongoing dispute between longshoremen and shipping companies has led to a suspension of unloading cargo ships.
Read the story8 minPorts Shutdown Affects Oranges
The shutdown at the ports is costing some $1 billion a day, and California’s citrus growers are feeling the pain. It’s a $2.4 billion-a-year business, and while most perishable fruits and vegetables are flown out, oranges are still shipped the old-fashioned way. We get a firsthand account of how badly the business is being hurt.
Read the story7 minWeb Roundup: “The Internet of Things”
We’re getting closer and closer to the day when our cars, appliances, and even our own bodies are plugged into the Internet at all times. The idea is referred to as “the Internet of things.” It means our refrigerator can warn us when we’re almost out of milk, or our washing machines can order more laundry soap directly from Amazon.
Read the story9 minOscar Animation Nominees
What most people know about the Oscar race for best animated feature is that the Lego Movie never made it to the starting line. But the mourning period is done: the teeth have been gnashed and the garments have been rended.
Read the story14 minMaking the Art Laboe Connection
Dj Art Laboe has been a fixture of L.A. radio for more than 60 years...until this week. His show, The Art Laboe Connection, has been taken off L.A.’s airwaves as part of a programming overhaul. HOT 92.3 - with an oldies format - is now Real 92.3, a hip hop station.
Read the story9 min
