University of Georgia
Professor and director of the program in atmospheric sciences at the University of Georgia.
PROFILE
J. Marshall Shepherd
Guest
FROM J. Marshall Shepherd
To the Point
America's fourth-largest city is drowning Friday evening, Hurricane Harvey hit Rockport, Texas with 130 mile-an-hour winds, essentially destroying a city of 10,000 people. Since then, the storm was downgraded, but it moved East to the city of Houston, where it’s been hovering since — dropping more rain than Houston has ever seen before — creating 5500 refugees already. Thousands have been rescued with thousands more still at risk as first responders are being sent in from other parts of the country. As if record-breaking rainfall wasn’t enough, massive releases are needed from two giant reservoirs — even though they’ll make flooding worse. We update an unprecedented disaster due in part to the failure of long-term planning.
To the Point
Record Floods in Red States Record flooding this week in Houston killed eight people, devastated more than a thousand homes, and caused at least $5 billion in damage. And the storms aren't over. Forecasters predict that in coming days rains along the Gulf Coast could create flooding levels that haven't been seen for 500 years. While there's no definitive link between isolated extreme storms and global climate change, scientists agree that a warming planet increases the frequency of intense weather events, as well as rising seas. Some Red State mayors of cities affected by rising seas are now breaking ranks with party leadership and calling for policies to combat global warming. But are extreme weather events enough to budge top Republican leaders from their staunch denial of climate change science?
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KCRW Features
As sidewalk gardens grow on Skid Row, homeless residents lose a sidewalk In a city with tens of thousands of people living on its streets, sidewalk space can be a hot commodity. Businesses want to keep the sidewalk clear for customers, but the city’s housing crisis means that for some people, the sidewalk is home. Some property owners have reportedly used sprinklers or private security guards to make sure no one sets up camp outside their doors. And in recent months, people living on the streets have noticed a new tactic – business owners effectively occupying a portion of the sidewalk themselves.
KCRW Features
Dianne Feinstein Leverages ‘Seniority’ Sen. Dianne Feinstein is doing something she hasn't done in 18 years: Appear on the same stage as her political opponent.
To the Point
Rebecca Traister and the Power of Women’s Anger One of America’s leading feminist writers says women have changed history since Ancient Greece. And, she says, they’ll do it again. The backlash to President Trump was just the beginning. Record numbers of women are running for congress, state governorships and local offices. She tells Warren about her latest book,“Good and Mad: The Revolutionary Power of Women’s Anger.”