Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Heat Wave, Rush Hour, and the Grandparent Scam
The latest SoCal heat wave isn’t just unpleasant; it’s dangerous. More people in the US are killed by extreme heat than tornadoes, hurricanes, or flooding. And cities trap the heat in what are called “urban heat islands,” making things even worse. We talk about solutions to cool cities down.
By Madeleine Brand • • 50m ListenIt’s hot in Southern California! And cities trap the heat in what are called “urban heat islands,” making things even worse. We talk about some of the solutions to cool cities down. Plus, L.A. has a ban on construction on major roads during rush-hour, but it’s costing the city big bucks. On our weekly TV round-up: Saturday Night Live’s Weekend Update is getting a new host. Also: Senior citizens all over the U.S. and Canada are getting duped by a massive Montreal-based phone scam. And McDonald's is trying to trademark “McBrunch.” We talk about what might be on that menu, and the history of brunch culture.
Banner Image Credit: Kevin Baird
In this episode
5 storiesHeat Wave!
The Southern California heat isn’t just unpleasant, it’s dangerous. In the United States, extreme heat now kills more people each year than tornadoes, hurricanes, or flooding. And thanks to global warming, it could get worse. But there are some fairly simple solutions that could cool cities down and slow the increase of heat-related deaths.
Read the story7 minRush Hour Construction
Los Angeles has tried to reduce traffic congestion by banning construction on major roads during rush-hour. But in today’s L.A. Times , Jim Newton writes that that ban is costing the city millions of dollars a year. We talk about why that is, and whether L.A. still has traditional “rush hours” anymore.
Read the story9 minFake News Shakeup
Saturday Night Live fans will see a new face behind the "Weekend Update" desk next season, and for the first time in the show’s long history, it won’t be a white face. NBC announced that comedian Michael Che will replace Cecily Strong as co-anchor of the fake newscasts.
Read the story9 minThe Grandparent Scam
Senior citizens all over the U.S. and Canada are getting duped by a massive Montreal-based phone scam in which the callers pretend to be distressed grandchildren. And some rather intelligent people are falling for it.
Read the story13 minLet’s Do Brunch
McDonald's is catching on to something Angelenos are well aware of: People like brunch. A lot. The fast food giant is trying to trademark the term “McBrunch,” leaving us to speculate just what might appear on that menu. We look at McBrunch and the brunch culture.
Read the story7 min
