Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Texas Abortion Law, Hollywood Vaccination Wars and Biofuel Theft
Since people have started taking greasy stuff out of the fryer and putting it in their biodiesel cars, the value of all that used oil has gone up, and stealing it has become a lucrative crime. The story of modern day cooking-oil rustling.
By Madeleine Brand • • 51m ListenA restrictive abortion law has already halved the number of clinics in Texas. If the state prevails in federal appeals court, many of those that remain will also have to close. Plus: the world of biofuels has made used cooking oil big business, and used-oil rustlers are making big money. And in we look at why L.A.’s most affluent are not vaccinating their kids - and what that means for the rest of us.
Banner Image: "Seattle - oil collection can for biodiesel" by Joe Mabel - Photo by Joe Mabel. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
In this episode
4 storiesTexas Abortion Law in Court
Abortion providers in Texas are waiting for a ruling today that will put many of them out of business. A federal appeals court is deciding whether to let a Texas state law go into effect. The law was found unconstitutional by a lower court last month.
Read the story9 minStealing Bio-Fuel
One of the bills sitting on Governor Brown’s desk would increase penalties for stealing used cooking oil. It also beefs-up law enforcement’s efforts to stop modern-day rustlers.
Read the story14 minDolphins, SNL Twins, and Tom Hardy with a Brooklyn Accent
In theaters this weekend: A dolphin with teenage handlers and a prosthetic tail. Two stars from Saturday Night Live. Tom Hardy with a Brooklyn accent. And Idris Elba as a serial killer. We get the latest in our weekly film roundup.
Read the story14 minHollywood’s Vaccine Wars
Politics. Religion. Money. And now you can add another topic to the list of things to avoid in polite conversation: Vaccinations. The number of people choosing not to vaccinate their children continues to rise, especially in the tonier communities of West L.A. and Hollywood.
Read the story9 min
