KPCC News: Science/Technology Podcast
KPCC's award-winning news team brings you features and interviews focusing on science and technology in Southern California. KPCC's local reporting can be heard during Morning Edition and All Things Considered, and throughout the day, at 89.3 FM. Visit KPCC online at www.kpcc.org. Note: These stories are part of KPCC's ongoing news coverage. Topic-based stories will appear in this podcast as they are broadcast on-air. New stories may appear daily, weekly, or bi-weekly, not necessarily on a predictable schedule.
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Zipcar offerings grow near UCLA, USC
Car sharing services in Los Angeles will expand under a plan announced today by city leaders and the company Zipcar. KPCC’s Molly Peterson has more.
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Carmakers, Chamber of Commerce continue waiver wars
Two groups have filed a lawsuit against the federal government for its decision to let California and other states regulate greenhouse gases from tailpipes. KPCC’s Molly Peterson has more.
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Court says judge should have allowed Asperger's defense in eco-terrorism case
A federal court has ruled that a Caltech student should have been able to refer to his Asperger’s syrdrome as a defense in a high-profile arson case. The court overturned William Cottrell’s conviction in the torching of dozens of SUVs at car dealerships in the San Gabriel Valley six years ago. KP …
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LA city leaders to monitor DWP water line replacement
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power officials will report to the city’s political leaders about water mains after two major pipe ruptures in Studio City and Valley Village. KPCC’s Molly Peterson reports.
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Southern California moving closer to marine protected areas
State officials have sought opinions from people who play and work along the Southern California coast about the best ways to safeguard its marine life. KPCC’s Molly Peterson says a meeting about marine protected areas takes place in Los Angeles.
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Federal EPA rejects overseas e-waste dumping by Monterey Park company
An import-export company in Monterey Park must craft a plan to recycle 32-thousand pounds of electronic waste it tried to dump overseas. KPCC’s Molly Peterson reports.
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Hearing aids evolve into the world of wireless communications
Tell the truth: after a lifetime of rock 'n' roll, you're not really surprised that sometimes you don't hear everything, are you? It might be time for a hearing aid. But KPCC's Susan Valot says it's okay. Today's hearing aids are actually kind of cool!
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Business is smoking for fire engine service and repair station
Moving hundreds of firefighters and tons of gear during a wildfire takes some sturdy trucks. Every now and then, those trucks have to come in for repairs – and that when Manny Perez goes to work. He runs a fire engine dealership and repair business called California Seagrave, and he spoke with K …
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New restrictions in Cleveland National Forest due to fire danger
Firefighters have contained a 25-acre fire along the Ortega Highway in the Cleveland National Forest. That's about 12 miles east of San Juan Capistrano. KPCC's Susan Valot says officials have also boosted the fire danger level, and some restrictions, in the forest.
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Officials say biggest wildfire in LA County history is arson
Fire officials are calling it arson. They say someone deliberately sparked the Station Fire that’s blackened more than 200 square miles in the hills north of Los Angeles. KPCC’s Shirley Jahad has more.
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'Hot shot' crew member fights 5 wildfires in 8 days
Nearly 5,000 fire fighters have been battling flames and digging dirt to create fire lines in steep hillsides to contain the massive Station Fire. Many of them are members of “hot shot” crews. They travel from one fire to the next, sleeping in tents and living away from home for weeks at a time …
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LA Council member wants to ban mobile billboards
Los Angeles City Councilman Dennis Zine wants to ban mobile billboards – those supersized ads that trucks tow throughout the city. KPCC’s Alex Cohen has the story.
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Backyard fruit quarantine spreads to LA County
State agriculture officials have announced a quarantine today on backyard citrus fruit and plant movement in Los Angeles County. KPCC’s Cheryl Devall says a pesky insect is the reason.
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Santa Monica Mountains residents seek more responsibility for fighting fire
Two autumns ago, a fire in Malibu’s Corral Canyon destroyed more than 50 houses and caused $100 million of damage. Since then, some people who live in and around the Santa Monica Mountains have started their own fire protection efforts. KPCC’s Molly Peterson profiles one of these groups.
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Firefighters explain how they battle flames in Angeles National Forest
The Morris Fire is about 45 percent contained as it continues to burn in an uninhabited area near the Morris Dam. Incident commander Ron Woychak talked with KPCC’s Shirley Jahad about the challenges of fighting this fire. Some 1,200 firefighters are working on the blaze.
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California astronaut part of NASA's Discovery crew
NASA's space shuttle Discovery will try for the third time tomorrow to blast away from Cape Canaveral, Florida, to dock with the International Space Station. KPCC's Steve Julian talked to Pat Duggins, who reports from Florida for National Public Radio on shuttle missions. Duggins tells Steve Juli …
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Pumps Under Pressure: Investigations, strong storms raise stakes
We continue a story today about hurricane protection equipment, pumps installed in New Orleans after Katrina. A Los Angeles-based Corps engineer says they won’t protect the city in a major storm. To this day no public records indicate that these pumps will work as designed. KPCC’s Molly Peterson re …
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Firefighters battling tough weather, tough terrain in Morris fire
More than 800 firefighters are battling the Morris fire in the Angeles National Forest north of Azuza. The climate and the terrain have been working against them. But the fire isn’t threatening any homes. KPCC’s Shirley Jahad has more from the command center in Irwindale.
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Fire danger high for next few days in SoCal mountains
The hot and dry weather has triggered a red flag warning from the National Weather Service. KPCC's Susan Valot says it’ll stay in effect until Friday night.
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LA officials praise Angelenos for cutting water use
On this high-temperature day, L.A.’s mayor praised Angelenos for reducing their water and energy use. More on the story from KPCC’s Cheryl Devall.
KPCC News: Science/Technology Podcast
