California’s Snowpack Is Lagging Behind This Year - What Does It Mean For The State’s Water Supply?
California is beginning 2024 with a below-normal mountain snowpack a year after it had one of its best starts in decades, and officials said Tuesday that the weather whiplash has made the outcome of this winter uncertain. The water content of the statewide snowpack was 25% of the average to date, said Sean de Guzman, a water supply forecasting official with the California Department of Water Resources. The snowpack functions as a huge frozen reservoir, providing about 30% of the water used annually in California as it melts and runs off into streams and rivers in the spring. De Guzman conducted the first in a seasonal series of manual measurements on a snow course in the Sierra Nevada at Phillips Station, south of Lake Tahoe. The department also collects measurements with electronic instruments at more than 260 other sites. A year ago there was nearly 5 feet (1.5 meters) of snow at the location and the statewide snowpack was at 177% of average, he said in a webcast. Joining us to discuss is Sean de Guzman, manager of the California Department of Water Resources’ snow surveys and water supply forecasting unit.
With files from the Associated Press.
A Growing Number of COVID & Flu Cases This Winter Season
Recent CDC data found that tens of thousands have been infected with COVID-19 and/or influenza this winter season. The reporting, which looked at the week of December 17, found more than 14,000 folks hospitalized with the flu, and in that same time we’ve seen more than 29,000 COVID hospitalizations. With COVID and influenza infections growing, it’s also created greater likelihood for folks to be dual infected by both viruses. So what can be made of this winter season’s increase in infectious diseases spreading? And with the increased spread, how much more dual infections are we seeing of COVID and influenza this year? Today on AirTalk, we get into the recent CDC data, and its implications for the winter season with Dr. Dean Blumberg, M.D., professor of medicine and chief of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at UC Davis Children’s Hospital.
Author Of The New Book “The Canceling Of The American Mind” On Cancel Culture, How It Threatens Us, And Possible Solutions
“Cancel culture” entered our vernacular around 2014 and its meaning has never been more potent than it is today. Amid rising claims of antisemitism across U.S. college campuses, many are debating what qualifies as free speech and how excoriating the “otherside” has become an all too common and dangerous practice. In his new book ““The Canceling of the American Mind: Cancel Culture Undermines Trust, Destroys Institutions, and Threatens Us All–But There is a Solution,” author Greg Lukianoff offers not only a comprehensive analysis and survey of the impact of “cancel culture,” but solutions for it as well. He joins us today on AirTalk to discuss the deepening dysfunction in American society and paths to reclaiming free speech.
LA County’s General Hospital Building Is Getting A Makeover
Los Angeles County’s landmark General Hospital building in Boyle Heights is getting a long-awaited glow up. Last month, L.A. County supervisors approved Culver City-based developer Primestor Venture Partners to redevelop the grounds into a community center, including options for affordable housing units. Primestor’s proposal called the project a sustainable and walkable neighborhood that includes commercial spaces with employment opportunities. According to the L.A. Times, only four stories of the building remain in use today after the General Hospital closed in 2008. Joining to discuss the project is L.A. Times Senior Writer Doug Smith, and L.A. County Supervisor Hilda Solis.
Larry Mantle Interviews Jon Batiste About His New Documentary ‘American Symphony'
In 2022, musician Jon Batiste found himself the most celebrated artist of the year with eleven Grammy nominations including Album of the Year. In the midst of that triumph Jon embarks on his most ambitious challenge to date, composing an original symphony. This trajectory was upended when Batiste’s life partner — best-selling author Suleika Jaouad — learns that her long-dormant cancer has returned. “American Symphony” is an intimate portrait of two artists at a crossroads and a meditation on art, love, and the creative process.
Shoes On Or Off When Entering Someone’s House? AirTalk Listeners Debate This Age-Old Question
Shoes on or off in the house? Every home and family has different rules. In some cultures, it’s an expectation -- a sign of respect when entering someone else’s private space. And even in the U.S., it seems to be more common than not, at least when it comes to how we live in our own space -- a May 2023 CBS News/YouGov poll found that almost two in three Americans remove their shoes when entering their own home. And there are valid reasons to ask others to do so -- some want to avoid dirt and possibly pathogens being tracked inside, while others may want to prevent damage to their floors. But that very same poll found that two-thirds of people don’t require guests to take their shoes off at the door, maybe because it would be too awkward to do so if it’s not already a cultural expectation, or even come off as rude. Some folks just prefer to keep their shoes on because they don’t like being in sock feet, or maybe they worry about potential foot odor.
Today on AirTalk, we want you to make your case in this debate -- do you habitually take your shoes off or keep them on when you’re entering someone else’s house, assuming there isn’t a pre-existing rule one way or another? What about when guests enter your home -- do you require them to take off their shoes? Why or why not? Convince us whether or not we should leave our shoes at the door by calling 866-893-5722 or email atcomments@laist.com.
