Press Play with Madeleine Brand
What climate change means for America’s aging power grids
The central and southern U.S. is still reeling from a winter storm that brought snow, ice, and the coldest temperatures in decades. Millions of Texans woke up this morning still without power.
By Madeleine Brand • • 49m ListenThe central and southern U.S. is still reeling from a winter storm that brought snow, ice, and the coldest temperatures in decades. Millions of Texans woke up this morning still without power. Texas, which operates its own power grid, has not been able to keep up with the demand for heat.
California also has had blackouts from wildfires and heatwaves. They’re all examples of how the country’s aging power grids can’t keep up with the growing number of weather disasters related to climate change.
In this episode
5 storiesUS power grids are vulnerable to extreme weather. Climate change may force us to upgrade
Around the U.S., aging power grids can’t keep up with the growing number of weather disasters caused by climate change.
Read the story11 minSome of Gov. Newsom’s major donors received big no-bid contracts and job advancements from the state
About half a dozen companies that made big donations to California Governor Gavin Newsom got special treatment from the state to help it deal with the coronavirus pandemic.
Read the story7 minHow talk show host Rush Limbaugh transformed US media
Rush Limbaugh, the talk show host who redefined right-wing A.M. radio, died today at age 70. His widow Kathryn Limbaugh made the announcement on his program. She described her late husband as quick-witted, passionate and courageous.
Read the story8 min‘Framing Britney Spears’ and how media portrayed young women celebrities in early 2000s
The paparazzi relentlessly pursued Britney Spears during her heyday. She ended up being involuntarily hospitalized. Now her father controls her career and fortune. This story is told in a new documentary called “Framing Britney Spears."
Read the story14 minHoney bees move into Santa Barbara office that workers left in March 2020 due to COVID
Many people haven’t set foot in an office in nearly a year. Dust is accumulating, and desk calendars are still turned to March 2020. It’s a time capsule of pre-pandemic times.
Read the story9 min
