Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Baryshnikov, Sherpa Strike, and Fancy Taco Bell
Sherpas on Mount Everest go on strike, Mikhail Baryshnikov stops by, the Academic Decathlon Championships kick off, and Taco Bell gets bougie.
By Madeleine Brand • • 51m ListenSherpas on Mount Everest say they’re going on strike after an avalanche killed 16 of their colleagues. A fight between a Nevada rancher and the federal government over whether he can graze his cattle on public land has expanded well beyond the Nevada state line. The national championship of the academic decathlon kicks-off this week. Mikhail Baryshnikov stops by our studio to talk about his new project. And Taco Bell is creating a new, fancier restaurant for those who no quiero Taco Bell.
Banner Image: Avalanche on Everest; Credit: Ilan Adler
In this episode
5 storiesSherpas Quit the Mountain
Sherpas on Mount Everest say they’re going on strike after an avalanche killed 16 of their colleagues.
Read the story8 minCattle Fight and Racism
A fight between a Nevada rancher and the federal government over whether he can graze his cattle on public land has expanded well beyond the Nevada state line. Cliven Bundy’s stance that he has the right to use that land has attracted armed supporters, who see him as an anti-government figurehead.
Read the story8 minAcademic Decathlon National Championship
The Academic Decathlon is a competition in which high school teams compete to answer questions in seven different academic categories. Local school districts around the country hold competitions. The winners advanced to state-wide competitions. And starting today, it’s the big Academic Decathlon enchilada: the national competition.
Read the story9 minMikhail Baryshnikov
Mikhail Baryshnikov is the most famous living ballet dancer in the world. He defected to Canada in the mid-1970s. In the ballet world, he’s worked with everyone from George Balanchine to Alvin Ailey to Twyla Tharp.
Read the story15 minBougie Taco Bell
Taco Bell is experimenting with a more, shall we say, fine dining option: its new restaurant is called U.S. Taco Company and Urban Tap Room. With higher-end items like a lobster taco and tequila-caramel-Guinness ice cream float, Taco Bell is looking to tap into the Chipotle crowd. The first U.S.
Read the story7 min
