Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Angelenos’ Water Use, In Defense of Lawns, and Let the Campaigns Begin
A UCLA report finds that even though Angelinos use about 16 percent less water than we did in the year 2000, we still have a long way to go when it comes to conservation. And more Californians are ripping out traditional green grass for drought resistant plants. But are lawns being unfairly demonized in the drought?
By Madeleine Brand • • 51m ListenLA County got a C in UCLA’s new Environmental Report Card. The report finds that even though Angelinos use about 16 percent less water than we did in the year 2000, we still have a long way to go when it comes to conservation. More and more Californians are ripping out traditional green grass for drought resistant plants. But are lawns being unfairly demonized in the drought? Hillary Clinton announced her presidency by video yesterday. Marco Rubio told donors this morning that he’ll officially announce tonight. What’s behind the announcement strategies? Writers are some of the most important, and least respected, people in Hollywood. How has the craft and the industry changed in the last 100 years? The much anticipated Game of Thrones season 5 premiered last night. With somewhat less nudity and gore, season 4 of “Veep” also premiered. Our weekly TV roundup takes a look at HBO’s big sunday night.
Banner Image: A dry riverbed in California.
In this episode
5 storiesLA Water Conservation Lags Behind
UCLA has just come out with its Environmental Report Card and LA County’s water gets a C. That’s a general grade for quality, how much we use, and where we get it from. The good news: Angelenos have clean drinking water and it’s safe to swim at our beaches, at least when it’s not raining, during the summer.
Read the story10 minIn Defense of Lawns
Like almonds for the ag industry, lawns have become a symbol of consumer water waste in the drought. More and more Californians are ripping out traditional green grass for drought resistant plants. But are lawns being unfairly demonized?
Read the story10 minLet the Presidential Campaigns Begin
Hillary Clinton announced her presidential campaign by video yesterday. Meanwhile, Senator Marco Rubio told donors this morning that he’ll officially announce his candidacy tonight . He joins an increasingly crowded GOP primary ticket. Both Rand Paul and Ted Cruz tried to make a splash when they announced they’ll run.
Read the story8 minThe History of Hollywood Writers
Writers are some of the most important, and least respected, people in Hollywood. But so many people still want to be screenwriters. There are as many how-to books for writers as there are aspiring writers. But a new book isn’t about the art and craft of writing. It’s about the job of writing, and how that’s changed over the last 100 years or so.
Read the story13 minHBO Premiers New "Game of Thrones" and "Veep"
HBO was all about politics last night. The much anticipated Game of Thrones season 5 premiered, and what is that series if not a political drama. With somewhat less nudity and gore, “Veep” also premiered. Selina Meyer has officially made the title of the show obsolete for Season 4.
Read the story10 min
