Animal Shelters Across U.S. Get Overcrowded As Adoptions Rates See Slight Decrease
Recent reporting from the Los Angeles Times found that many local animal shelters are reaching occupancy and overcrowding, creating issues given that the rate of folks adopting isn’t at the same level. In these instances of overflowing, it can lead to increased euthanizations in some cases, with California metrics this year seeing a 42% increase from last year’s total according to data compiled by Shelter Animals Count. This comes at a time where the percentage of animals adopted in California dropped 2% from last year. So how are shelters handling all these overcrowding of animals?
Today on AirTalk, we talk to Alene Tchekmedyian, investigative reporter at the Los Angeles Times, about what she heard from local shelters and the impact the overcrowding is having on their operations.
Could Sleeping Pods Be Part Of The Solution For Homelessness? Here's How It's Working In Reno
Reno, Nevada has been trying something out when it comes to homelessness. The city and county built something called the Nevada Cares Campus in 2021. It has room for around 600 people to sleep in a large tent and sleeping pods, according to the Wall Street Journal. The results appear significant. The number of unsheltered people dropped by 58%. Today on AirTalk, we explore the initiative, how it's been working and the challenges. Joining to discuss is Wall Street Journal Reporter Jim Carlton and Washoe County Commissioner Alexis Hill who's chair of the regional Community Homeless Advisory Board. If you have questions, call 866-893-5722 or email atcomments@laist.com.
Hypnosis Has Been Used To Treat Many Ailments, But It Still Has A Reputation To Battle
Scientists are inching closer to understanding how hypnosis can be used as a treatment for digestive disorders like irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease. Though its reputation hasn’t always been a credible one, hypnosis research dates back to the 1770s when “mesermism” was being tested to treat all kinds of ailments. Today, we know much more about hypnosis, also called hypnotherapy. It can be used to treat sleep problems, pain, depression, anxiety and unlike so many other treatments out there, research suggests it can be cost-effective and side-effect free. Joining us today to discuss how hypnosis is used and how it compares to CBT and other psychotherapy techniques is TKTK and David Spiegel, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Stanford University School of Medicine
Teens Might Be Getting More Help With Mental Health. But What's The Right Approach?
The pandemic revealed a crisis of sorts when it comes to young people and mental health, and this led to an increase in efforts, policies and programs to help. The problem? Studies now show that some of these programs have made things worse, according to a guest essay in the New York Times by USC psychology professor Darby Saxbe. Saxbe says the programs, which can include grief-coping workshops or TikTok interventions, mean well and cost less than traditional therapy. Today on AirTalk, Saxbe, who also directs USC’s Center for the Changing Family, joins Larry to discuss some of these efforts and why it's challenging to find the right approach for helping teens with mental health. We also want to hear from listeners. What has your experience been with your teens? What's the best approach? Call 866-893-5722 or email atcomments@laist.com.
As NBA In-Season Tournament Quarterfinals Tip Off, The League’s Gamble On The Midseason Competition Shows Signs It’s Paying Off
It’s four regular-season games in early December. Ordinarily, they’d be forgotten shortly after the final buzzer. That likely won’t happen this time. The NBA’s inaugural In-Season Tournament has reached the knockout stage — with the quarterfinals underway to decide which four teams go to Las Vegas later this week to play for the NBA Cup and the bulk of a prize pool that will total about $18 million. The tournament is based on the model used across European soccer, where teams play in tournaments like the UEFA Champions League and the FA Cup with tournament games interspersed throughout their regular season schedules. Tonight, the 1-seed Lakers face off against the 4-seed Phoenix Suns and the dynamic duo of guard Devin Booker and forward Kevin Durant. The winner will move on to the semifinals to face the New Orleans Pelicans for a chance to move on to the championship game. So far, the NBA’s hopes for the tournament -- to increase mid-season viewership and carve out days of appointment television similar to what the NFL has done with its Thursday Night Football broadcasts on Amazon -- seem to be coming to fruition. The NBA reported that the November 28th matchup between the Sacramento Kings and the Golden State Warriors averaged two million viewers, which it says represents a 93 percent increase in viewership from the comparable window last year, and says attendance at November games hit an all-time high. Sports Business Journal also reported last month that Netflix is interested in acquiring the rights to the In-Season Tournament, though Bloomberg’s Lucas Shaw reports that Netflix says it’s not interested in the rights to the tournament and is only considering filming an NBA docu-series.
Today on AirTalk, Los Angeles Times Lakers Beat Writer Dan Woike joins to preview tonight’s clash between the Lakers and Suns, and expand on the success so far of the NBA’s gamble in creating the tournament.
With files from the Associated Press
What’s The Most Embarrassing Object You’re Emotionally Attached To And Never Parting With?
It’s no surprise why many of us are attached to our material possessions. They might remind us of a special time, place or person. Sentimentality ensues. To lose or get rid of these things can actually be distressing. Photos, jewelry from a late grandmother, an old shirt from a lost love. While being overly attached to an object can lead to problems, our connection to items like these make complete sense. But what about the thing that doesn’t make sense… that you just cannot get rid of and probably never will? It could be ridiculous, embarrassing, unexplainable. Tell us what it is and why you can’t part with it by calling 866-893-5722 or email atcomments@laist.com.
