Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Airbnb Growth Outpaces City Policy, Farming in the Drought, and 'All Involved'
In the war between short-term rentals and homeowners, cities are caught in the middle. Also, if the drought continues, will California agriculture have to change?
By Madeleine Brand • • 51m ListenAirbnb says it will start paying hotel taxes in Malibu. How will LA deal with short-term rentals? How will California agriculture, which uses 80% of the state’s water, change if the drought persists? And the Colorado River, which provides water for about 30 million people in the Southwest, is at the top of the list of “America’s Most Endangered Rivers.” Madeleine talks to the author of All Involved, a new novel about the 1992 LA Riots that looks at the events from the perspective of seventeen different narrators. And Kentucky Senator Rand Paul formally announced today that he’s getting in the race for the Republican presidential nomination. We take a look at how these campaigns and candidates might interact over the coming year here in California.
Banner Image: Colorado River, just below Glen Canyon Dam; Credit: Rob Hyndman
In this episode
5 storiesAirbnb Growth Outpaces City Policy
The escalating wars over short-term rentals: Airbnb, VRBO, and others versus homeowners. And cities are caught in the middle with varying policies and regulations. One issue is taxes. Just yesterday, Airbnb said it will start collecting taxes from properties listed in Malibu. West Hollywood is considering a blanket ban on short-term rentals.
Read the story12 minFarming and the Drought
About 80% of water in California goes to agriculture. It’s a number that has been spotlighted as the state grapples with how to reduce water usage. Governor Jerry Brown stopped short of imposing water use restrictions on farmers -- farmers say they’ve been dealing with the drought for years.
Read the story7 minThe Health of the Colorado River
As if the news about the drought wasn’t disturbing enough, a new report is raising an alarm for one of Southern California’s major sources of water. Every year, an environmental organization called American Rivers puts out a report titled “America’s Most Endangered Rivers.”
Read the story6 min'All Involved'
All Involved is a new novel about the 1992 LA Riots. It looks at the events from the perspective of seventeen different narrators. Madeleine talks to the author.
Read the story15 minGOP Presidential Hopefuls and California
Kentucky Senator Rand Paul formally announced today that he’s getting in the race for the Republican presidential nomination. He joins Texas Senator Ted Cruz, who announced last week. Florida senator Marco Rubio is expected to announce next week.
Read the story8 min
