Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Managing Measles, Upending the Food Pyramid, and Obama’s Millennial Bid
Measles was declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000, but the CDC reported 644 cases last year. What’s the best way to manage the current outbreak in California before it gets worse? Also, President Obama’s bid for millennial support culminates today when he’s interviewed by three young YouTube stars.
By Barbara Bogaev • • 52m ListenMeasles was declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000, but the CDC reported 644 cases last year. What’s the best way to manage the current outbreak in California before it gets worse? Then, the U.S. Agriculture Department is updating the food pyramid (now redesigned as a plate) and may recommend people move toward a more plant-based diet. But the meat industry and some members of Congress are fighting back. We catch up on the debate. Next, President Obama will be interviewed by three millennial YouTube stars today. We hear about his media blitz to grab young people’s attention, and other Internet news, in our weekly web roundup. Then, a Hollywood doorman-turned-mortgage salesman talks about his new film chronicling his experiences on the ground floor of the financial crisis. And finally, Target unveils a new plus-size clothing line next month. What took so long?
Banner Image: The USDA MyPlate nutritional guide icon
In this episode
5 storiesHow to Handle a Measles Outbreak
Measles was declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000, but the CDC reported 644 cases of the disease in 27 states last year. Now, about 70 people in have been infected by an outbreak that started at Disneyland. Most are California residents, but at least eight of them have traveled home to nearby states, raising the concern of a wider outbreak.
Read the story9 minShould Climate Change Affect the Food Pyramid?
The U.S. Agriculture Department has started working on its latest dietary guidelines. You might know it as the food pyramid, though it was redesigned as a plate five years ago. It gets updated every five years. Government officials are considering a recommendation to put less emphasis on meat, and more on fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
Read the story7 minObama’s Millennial Media Tour and More
Glozell Green calls herself “The Queen of YouTube,” and she’s one of three stars of the site chosen by the White House to pepper the president with questions in a live web stream this afternoon. We get more background on her, President Obama’s millennial-focused media blitz, and other Internet news in our weekly web roundup.
Read the story10 min'Americons'
Americons is probably the only film in history that centers on a real estate loan. The “Option Adjustable Rate Mortgage” was one of the risky mortgages that got people into deep trouble when the housing bubble burst. They also helped bring down lenders Countrywide and Washington Mutual.
Read the story13 minPlus-Size Fashion Goes Mainstream
Target is unveiling a plus-size fashion line called Ava and Viv next month. Some are thrilled, others say it’s about time. Plus-size clothing is a nearly $20 billion business and nearly 40 percent of U.S. shoppers buy plus-size clothes, but only about 15 percent of clothes for sale fall into the plus-size category.
Read the story8 min
