Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Coyotes, Water Supplies, and an Elegy for a Son
Seal Beach residents plan to kill coyotes in town after a spate of pet attacks. We discuss whether that’s the best option. And we look at the latest scary numbers regarding California’s dwindling water supply.
By Madeleine Brand • • 43m ListenCoyotes have killed so many household pets in Seal Beach, the city has approved a plan to trap and kill the predators. We take a look at how coyotes thrive in urban environments and how the drought may be adding to the issue. Plus, author Edward Hirsch turned to poetry after his son died at the young age of 22; he talks to Madeleine about “Gabriel: A poem,” a 78-page elegy he wrote in his son’s memory. And we chat with the co-host of the TLDR podcast about the latest hoaxes to hit the web.
Banner Image: Coyote closeup by Christopher Bruno
In this episode
4 storiesCoyotes vs Cities
Coyotes have killed so many household pets in Seal Beach, the city has approved a plan to trap and kill the predators. We take a look at how coyotes thrive in urban environments and how the drought may be adding to the issue. Coyote photo credit: emdot
Read the story10 minWater Supplies Dwindle
Southern California could run out of water in as few as 18 months, according to the Metropolitan Water District. The head of the MWD announced in a speech this week that -- unless we’re surprised by heavy rains in the near future -- residents will have to take drastic measures to reduce water use.
Read the story7 minElegy for a Son
Three years ago, Edward Hirsch’s son Gabriel died at 22. Gabriel had gone to a party, where he was given a drug that sent him into cardiac arrest. For months afterward, his father,Edward Hirsch, was so overwhelmed by grief, he couldn’t function at work. But eventually, he turned to a familiar outlet.
Read the story14 minA Hoax Within a Hoax
Internet sleuths are still trying to figure out the latest hoax to hit with web. It appears to be a hoax within a hoax involving Emma Watson, 4CHAN, and a letter to President Obama. We talk about that, and how people are being fooled into cooking their iPhones in their microwaves.
Read the story9 min
