Hurricane Iselle, the first of two hurricanes is set to strike Hawaii today. Then, a bill seeks to limit electric vehicle rebates to low-income Californians. According to the latest figures from digital trend tracker comScore, 166 million people in the US now own a smartphone. Finally, in a new documentary, “The Dog,” filmmakers Allison Berg and Frank Keraudren tell the story of John Wojtowicz, the inspiration for Al Pacino’s character in “Dog Day Afternoon.”
Hurricanes to hit Hawaii for the first time in 22 years
Hurricanes Iselle is forecast to hit Hawaii on Thursday, followed by Hurricane Julio this weekend. The storms are the first hurricanes to land in Hawaii in more than two decades, and the rush to prepare is overtaking the islands. The biggest impact will likely be felt on the Big Island, with hurricane effects starting midday today. Already, sustained 80 mph winds are blowing about 300 miles east of Hilo -- in the Big Island city, skies are calm, but overcast. While Hawaii’s mountainous terrain and high volcanos may provide some buffer to the storm, there may still be violent winds, rain, and flooding on the Big Island. Oahu (which includes Honolulu) will likely avoid hurricane conditions, but will still face a tropical storm.
What is causing these stormy conditions in Hawaii? How are the islands preparing for the hurricane? How will Hurricanes Iselle and Julio develop in the next few days?
Guest:
John Bravender, meteorologist for the National Weather Service based in Hawaii
Danny Miller, owner of Hilo Bay Hale Bed & Breakfast
Debra Ching Maiava, Owner of Ponds Restaurant and General Manager for 25 years of Ken’s House of Pancakes
Bill seeks to limit electric vehicle rebates to low-income Californians
Legislation authored by Sen. Kevin de Leon (D-Los Angeles) would put a cap on who is eligible to receive a state rebate for the purchase of an electric vehicle based on income.
A recent survey from the Center for Sustainable Energy, which administers the state rebate program, shows the close to four-fifths of the state rebates went to families making $100,000 a year or more, prompting De Leon to draft Senate Bill 1275.
Environmental groups support the bill, which will head to the Assembly’s appropriations committee. Its deadline for passage is August 31.
To spur EV adoption, California gives out up to $2,500 rebate per car. Federally, EV buyers can also receive a $7,500 federal tax credit.
Would capping the state rebate to low- and lower-income drivers hurt EV sales? If you currently drive an EV, were rebates a big reason behind your decision to make the switch? If you don’t currently own one, what would help you take the plunge?
Guest:
Ethan Elkind, Associate Director of the Climate Change and Business Program, a joint program between UCLA and UC Berkeley schools of law. He is the author of “Railtown” which looks at the history of the LA Metro Rail system (UC Press, 2014).
It’s complicated: Our relationship with the smartphone
According to the latest figures from digital trend tracker comScore, 166 million people in the U.S. now own a smartphone. That's almost 7 out of every 10 cellphone users in the country.
The smartphone undoubtedly has changed the way we live, work, and play, but the perennial question remains whether the benefits outstrip the unintended headaches. The latest to weigh in on this debate is tech bible Wired magazine, which has devoted much of its August issue looking at the different ways the smartphone has "unleashed humanity's creative potential."
What does your smartphone mean to you?
Guests:
Rob Capps, Director of Editorial Projects, WIRED magazine. His piece, How Smartphones Have Unleashed Humanity’s Creative Potential, is in this month’s magazine, a themed issue devoted entirely to the topic
Jason Perlow, Senior Technology Editor at ZDNet, a tech news site, and a technologist
5 things parents should talk to their kids about before college
Going to college is a rite of passage. It’s a big life change whether someone is living at home and attending a local college or going somewhere far away.
As families all over the country prepare their kids for this next stage of their lives, what kind of conversations should they be having?
History professor Claire Potter has been thinking about the topic from an educator’s point of view. “By September, one of the biggest topics for discussion — and one of the biggest gripes — among many college faculty will be how emotionally, and practically, underprepared many of your kids are for their freshman year,” she writes in a piece for the Chronicle of Higher Education.
Fear not, Potter has created a checklist of topics parents should talk to their kids about. To listen to our interview with her, click on "Listen Now" to the left.
What kind of advice would you give your kids who are going to college? What have you learned about the college experience that you would impart to your kids?
Guest:
Claire Bond Potter, Professor of History at The New School for Public Engagement and frequent contributor to the Chronicle and Higher Education
The truth behind Dog Day Afternoon
In a new documentary, “The Dog,” filmmakers Allison Berg and Frank Keraudren tell the story of John Wojtowicz, the inspiration for Al Pacino’s character in “Dog Day Afternoon.”
Wojtowicz robbed a bank to raise money for his lover’s sex change operation. Ernest Aron, who became Elizabeth Eden, was driven to transition from male to female -- Wojtowicz orchestrated the robbery of a Brooklyn branch of Chase Manhattan as a labor of love.
The incident resulted in the death of one of his accomplices and a 20-year sentence for Wojtowicz (he would only serve five). In the 10-year making of “The Dog,” Berg and Keraudren spoke with Wojtowicz’s family, his former allies in the gay rights movement, and one of his former hostages.
What impact did this self-described “Dog” have on the gay right’s movement? What’s the truth behind “Dog Day Afternoon”?
Guests:
Allison Berg, filmmaker, Director of "The Dog"
Frank Keraudren, filmmaker, Director of "The Dog"