Episode Details

Part 1:
We talk with Sophie Hills, reporter for the Christian Science Monitor.
We discuss how the use of AI tools has affected the mayoral race in Los Angeles. These have enabled a new kind of 'campaign' which allows an influencer, not an official campaigner to shape perceptions about the candidates. This avoids the candidate to raise a great deal of money, with "no" connection to the influencer. Spencer Pratt has been successful with this strategy, which he can keep separate from his campaign.
Part 2:
We talk with Bryce Cristiano, journalist who writes about Phoenix AZ and the environmental issues affecting the city and surroundings.
We discuss the problem of Phoenix's pavements, including parking spaces. There are 12.2 parking spaces in Phoenix, about 3 for each resident. The heat that is generated and trapped by these paved areas is creating heat islands. There has been a rise in heat deaths, whose number now exceeds the murder rate. In addition, water runoff is polluting ground water, and causing floods due to non-absorption during the rainy season. As the city grows, the issues multiply. What can/should be done? 

WNHNFM.ORG production
Music: "I'm Easy", Keith Carradine