Press Play with Madeleine Brand
The Real Life Frank Underwood, Life After Prison and Disease-Fighting Bugs
Eric Cantor's replacement, the debate over teacher tenure, finding work after prison, bioengineered bugs, and our weekly film roundup.
By Barbara Bogaev • • 52m ListenThe man most likely to replace Eric Cantor as House Majority Leader is a Republican from Bakersfield who was one of the inspirations for Kevin Spacey’s scheming politician on House of Cards. Also, a California state court this week delivered a blow to teacher tenure. Does it really stand in the way of identifying and removing bad teachers from classrooms? In our weekly film roundup, this week’s big releases are all sequels. Next, a new proposal from LA Mayor Eric Garcetti and one city councilman could make it easier for convicted felons to find work after prison. And finally, releasing a new, genetically modified mosquito designed to combat Dengue fever comes with some interesting ethical questions.
Banner Image: Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif.; Credit: Talk Radio News Service
In this episode
5 storiesBeing Kevin McCarthy
The man most likely to replace Eric Cantor as House Majority Leader is California Rep. Kevin McCarthy. He’s also one of the inspirations for Kevin Spacey’s scheming politician Francis Underwood on House of Cards.
Read the story8 minResearching Teacher Tenure
The national debate about how to improve public education has grown more contentious than ever. One hot button question: Is teacher tenure standing in the way of identifying and removing bad teachers from classrooms? That argument got a boost earlier this week in the case Vergara v California.
Read the story9 minFilm!
In our weekly film roundup, it’s time to talk about sequels. The biggest releases this week are all “part deuxs.” Why can’t we get enough of our favorite franchises?
Read the story11 minFinding Work After Prison
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and City Council Member Curren Price are asking employers in LA to “ban the box.” They want to eliminate the part of job applications that asks prospective employees if they’ve ever been convicted of a felony. Instead, they’re suggesting background checks be conducted after applicants are found to be qualified.
Read the story13 minEngineering Mosquitoes to Fight Disease
Brazil is flooded with soccer teams and fans during the 2014 World Cup, but there’s another new visitor likely to go unnoticed to most football revelers: a genetically engineered mosquito.
Read the story8 min
