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    Back to Press Play with Madeleine Brand

    Press Play with Madeleine Brand

    Water on Mars, and 'The Pentagon’s Brain'

    NASA has announced that liquid water has been discovered on the surface of Mars. What does this mean for space exploration?  And how much do you know about the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency? It’s the most powerful military science agency in the world and it’s also one of the most secretive.

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    By Madeleine Brand • Sep 28, 2015 • 51m Listen

    A big announcement from NASA: liquid water has been discovered on the surface of Mars. Does this mean there’s life on Mars?

    Then, half a century ago, the engineer Ralph Parsons came up with a plan to bring Southern California all the water it would ever need. This plan was called the North American Water and Power Alliance, or NAWAPA. The plan was never implemented, but its promise never quite went away either.

    Next, Los Angeles public schools face a critical moment right now as billionaire Eli Broad plans to double the number of charter schools in the city. At the same time, the district is still dealing with fallout from its failed plan to give iPads to all students, teachers and administrators. And that’s not all the LAUSD is struggling with.

    Then, how much do you know about DARPA? It’s the most powerful military science agency in the world and it’s also one of the most secretive and unknown. Until now.

    Finally, in our TV roundup we talk about the season premiere of Empire, and other new shows.

    Banner Image: Planet Mars: image provides a global "snapshot" of weather patterns across the planet. Here, bluish-white water ice clouds hang above the Tharsis volcanoes. Photo Credit NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS

    In this episode

    5 stories
    1. 0:00

      Life on Mars?

      A big announcement from NASA today: liquid water has been discovered on the surface of Mars. How was this discovery made, and what ramifications does it have for science?

      Read the story
      8 min
    2. 7:59

      Could a Vintage Water Planning Project End the Drought?

      Half a century ago, the engineer Ralph Parsons came up with a plan to bring Southern California all the water it would ever need. This plan was called the North American Water and Power Alliance, or NAWAPA. NAWAPA never got built, but its promise lingers.

      Read the story
      8 min
    3. 16:01

      LAUSD Faces Challenges

      Los Angeles public schools face a critical moment right now. Billionaire Eli Broad’s plan to double the number of charter schools in the city threatens to siphon off students. At the same time, the district is still dealing with fallout from its failed plan to give iPads to all students, teachers and administrators.

      Read the story
      9 min
    4. 25:47

      'The Pentagon’s Brain'

      How much do you know about DARPA? That’s the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, by the way. It’s the most powerful military science agency in the world and it’s also one of the most secretive and unknown. Until now.

      Read the story
      14 min
    5. 40:51

      TV Roundup: 'Empire,' 'The Daily Show,' 'Black Mirror'

      Cookie and Lucious are back, and TV watchers are reaping all the benefits. But can Empire keep outdoing itself without losing the audience? Then, The Daily Show returns with Trevor Noah as its new host; and Netflix has picked up British sci-fi series, Black Mirror.

      Read the story
      9 min
    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/e23b2c8a5a7a4a05410f82a6104e445f/custom_thumbnail_large.png?h=250&fm=webp

      Madeleine Brand

      Host, 'Press Play'

    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/e23b2c8a5a7a4a05410f82a6104e445f/custom_thumbnail_large.png?h=250&fm=webp

      Matt Holzman

      Producer, 'The Document'

    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/e23b2c8a5a7a4a05410f82a6104e445f/custom_thumbnail_large.png?h=250&fm=webp

      Anna Scott

      Former KCRW Housing and Homelessness Reporter

    • KCRW placeholder

      Jolie Myers

      Managing Producer, 'Press Play'

      News

    In this episode

    5 stories
    1. 0:008 min

      Life on Mars?

    2. 7:598 min

      Could a Vintage Water Planning Project End the Drought?

    3. 16:019 min

      LAUSD Faces Challenges

    4. 25:4714 min

      'The Pentagon’s Brain'

    5. 40:519 min

      TV Roundup: 'Empire,' 'The Daily Show,' 'Black Mirror'

    Back to Press Play with Madeleine Brand