Morning Notes from Donna Apidone

Thursday, July 24, 2008

dapidone — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 10:22:00 GMT

AMERICA'S HOSTS: Steve Inskeep and Deborah Amos; NEWSCASTS: Giles Snyder, Jean Cochran
CALIFORNIA/NEVADA HOST: Donna Apidone; NEWSCASTS: Steve Shadley

Here are some highlights of today's show:

A dark musical at Sacramento's Music Circus -- Jeff Hudson reviews "Sweeney Todd" this morning at 6:33 and 8:33.

The Bush administration is now talking to governments it once shunned. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice met with the North Korean foreign minister this week. Under Secretary William Burns participated in talks with Iran's nuclear negotiator last weekend. The new, softer approach has angered critics on the Right, but it doesn't extend to all "problem countries." This week, the State Department abruptly canceled a planned meeting with a delegation from Syria. That story airs at 6:10 and 8:10.

In today s health segment, NPR's Joanne Silberner reports on the medical care available to two patients with multiple sclerosis. One patient lives in a village in England, and the other lives in Pennsylvania. In the United Kingdom, the National Health Service determines whether to pay for medical treatments. In the US, the availability of medical care depends on your health insurance status and the money in your checkbook. This is part of our series on health care in European countries. That's at 6:40 and 8:40.

Congress has put the far-reaching housing bill on a fast track to the president. The House passed the measure yesterday and it goes to the Senate this week. It would help homeowners facing foreclosure, and put in place a rescue plan for troubled Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. More at 5:10 and 7:10.

Thanks for listening!

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

dapidone — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 10:29:00 GMT

AMERICA'S HOSTS: Steve Inskeep and Deborah Amos; Carl Kasell, Jean Cochran
CALIFORNIA/NEVADA HOST: Donna Apidone; NEWSCASTS: Steve Shadley

Here are some highlights of today's show:

Co-host Steve Inskeep talks with Democratic Senator Christopher Dodd about the housing bill he has been shepherding through the Senate. Dodd explains why Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are institutions that have gotten too big to fail. Dodd says that's not true of every financial institution ailing in today's economy. That story airs at 6:10 and 8:10.

A grand jury in El Dorado, Texas, has indicted polygamist leader Warren Jeffs and a group of his followers on charges of sexual assault of a child. They re members of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The group's ranch was raided earlier this year, and more than 400 children were taking from their families. This led to one of the largest child custody battles in American history. We'll hear more at 7:40.

A tiny French village hidden away in the foothills of the Alps has suddenly been thrust into the limelight this year. The cyclists and media circus of the Tour de France are coming though the town on their way up the mountains, and returning a few days later. An update at 7:51.

Thanks for listening.

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

dapidone — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 10:16:00 GMT

AMERICA'S HOSTS: Steve Inskeep and Deborah Amos; NEWSCASTS: Carl Kasell, Jean Cochran
CALIFORNIA/NEVADA HOST: Donna Apidone; NEWSCASTS: Steve shadley

Here are some highlights of today's show:

Tuesday is the day we air segments from Sacramento StoryCorps. Alice Hayashi still has strong memories of her family's life in an internment camp. Series curator Paul Conley shares that story with us this morning at 6:35 and 8:35.

In Serbia yesterday, one of the world's most wanted war criminals was arrested. Radovan Karadzic, the former leader of Serb nationalist forces in Bosnia was captured in a raid. He had been a fugitive since his indictment on war crime charges more than a decade ago. That story, and reactions from Serbia, at 6:10 and 8:10.

For decades, television networks have relied on ratings to sell advertisements. Now, a company, NeuroFocus, studies the brain's responses to TV scenes and commercials to find out more about a viewer's attention span, memory, and level of engagement. They'll read our minds at 5:21 and 7:21.

Thanks for listening!

Monday, July 21, 2008

dapidone — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 10:22:00 GMT

AMERICA'S HOSTS: Steve Inskeep and Deborah Amos; Carl Kasell, Jean Cochran
CALIFORNIA/NEVADA HOST: Donna Apidone; NEWSCASTS: Steve Shadley

Happy Monday! Here are some highlights of this morning's show:

Both major presidential candidates have said that protecting the American people is a top priority. But they've shared little information on the campaign trail about their proposals for homeland security. The details they've provided reveal few major divisions. We'll hear more at 6:14 and 8:14.

To gear up for the summer Olympic Games in less than a month, Beijing has rolled out new pollution-control measures. They're designed to cut the amount of vehicle exhaust and industrial pollution. More at 6:21 and 8:21.

Members of Congress say they're determined to do something about fuel prices before leaving for their August recess. But there's little consensus on energy issues. That's at 5:10 and 7:10.

Golf fans were treated to an exciting outcome in the British Open over the weekend, when veteran Greg Norman almost became the oldest winner of a major golf tournament. But Irishman Padraig Harrington overcame a wrist injury to win the tournament for the second time in a row. Co-host Steve Inskeep talks to commentator John Feinstein, about the tournament. We'll tee up at 5:35 and 7:35.

Thanks for listening.

Friday, July 18, 2008

dapidone — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 10:19:00 GMT

AMERICA'S HOSTS: Steve Inskeep and Deborah Amos; Paul Brown, Jean Cochran
CALIFORNIA/NEVADA HOST: Donna Apidone; NEWSCASTS: Steve Shadley

Here are some highlights of today's show:

Jeff Hudson wraps up his trilogy on the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival with a review of A Midsummer Night's Dream at 6:33 and 8:33.

Sacramento Sheriff John McGinness is increasing the number of two-officer patrol cars on the streets. Ginger Rutland has the Sacramento Bee commentary this morning at 5:33 and 7:33.

New attention is being focused on mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac as the Bush Administration presses Congress to act on a rescue package for the two institutions. Economic officials say Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac used to have plenty of capital reserves. But to stay afloat during a housing crisis, they need to raise more cash. That story at 6:10 and 8:10.

School districts across the nation are experimenting with paying teachers based on performance. Washington, DC's public school system is proposing a similar plan. We'll hear from the chancellor of District of Columbia Public Schools about how she plans to compensate teachers in her district. That's at 6:40 and 8:40.

In this week's clip installment of StoryCorps, Kay Wang shows us how her ornery attitude is as strong as ever at age 87. She is interviewed by her son, Cheng, and her granddaughter, Chen. They do their best to probe the comical moments of her life even as she declares the interview to be over. Sadly, Kay Wang died just weeks after this conversation was recorded and we brought Cheng and Chen back in to the studio to reflect on Kay's life and her StoryCorps experience. We'll hear them at 5:25 and 7:25.

Thanks for listening. Have a great weekend.

Thursday, July 17, 2008

dapidone — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 10:27:00 GMT

AMERICA'S HOSTS: Steve Inskeep and Deborah Amos; NEWSCASTS: Paul Brown, Jean Cochran
CALIFORNIA/NEVADA HOST: Donna Apidone; NEWSCASTS: Donna Apidone

Here are some highlights of this morning's show:

We'll hear Part Two of Jeff Hudson's trilogy on the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival. It's a review of Richard III, at 6:33 and 8:33.

Presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama both tout merit pay for teachers as a way to improve schools. Many school systems have tried incentive-pay to push teachers to boost student test scores. We'll hear about one school district in Colorado that has been experimenting with performance pay. That's this morning at 6:13 and 8:13.

Our international health care series continues. In the Netherlands, doctors routinely make house calls in the evenings and on weekends. There are also after-hours clinics, where patients can see a primary care doctor right in their own neighborhoods. The Dutch say this practice saves money. More at 6:40 and 8:40.

Domestic violence is one of Russia's darkest secrets. The government estimates 14-thousand women die each year at the hands of their husbands or male partners. However, Russian police don't even classify domestic abuse as a crime. The story airs at 5:21 and 7:21.

Thanks for listening.

Wednesday, July 17, 2008

dapidone — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 10:21:00 GMT

AMERICA'S HOSTS: Steve Inskeep and Deborah Amos; NEWSCASTS: Carl Kasell, Jean Cochran
CALIFORNIA/NEVADA HOST: Donna Apidone; NEWSCASTS: Steve Shadley

Here are some highlights of today's show:

One of the region's most popular outdoor theatre festivals has a new boss. Jeff Hudson profiles the new artistic director of the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival this morning at 6:35 and 8:35.

Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, Barack Obama, and his Republican challenger, John McCain, have proposals for dealing with the tight supply of oil. We'll hear whether the candidates' energy plans would make a difference as Americans face rising energy costs, this morning at 6:10 and 8:10.

The long lines continue in southern California at IndyMac Bank branches. There's been a run on the failed bank since federal regulators took over Friday. The takeover of IndyMac raises questions about the health of other financial institutions. We'll hear more at 5:10 and 7:10.

Batman returns to the big screen Friday with the release of "The Dark Knight." It's the latest in a spate of recent movies about super heroes. As commentator John Ridley observes, it's also the latest round in the contest between two giants of the comic book industry: DC and Marvel. That's at 7:50. Same bat time, same bat station.

Thanks for listening.

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

dapidone — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 10:34:00 GMT

AMERICA'S HOSTS: Steve Inskeep and Deborah Amos; NEWSCASTS: Carl Kasell, Jean Cochran
CALIFORNIA/NEVADA HOST: Donna Apidone; NEWSCASTS: Steve Shadley

Here are some highlights of today's show:

It's Tuesday, the day for Sacramento StoryCorps. Today we'll hear a father and daughter who met when the daughter was in her late twenties. Series curator Paul Conley will have the story this morning at 6:35 and 8:35.

A group of singles got together recently in Santa Monica, California. Their goal: meet the perfect, environmentally-conscious mate in mere minutes. We'll check out a new twist in the looking for love market -- green speed dating. That story at 6:24 and 8:24.

Two top Tribune Company officials have stepped down. Chicago Tribune editor Ann Marie Lipinski and Los Angeles Times publisher David Hiller have both resigned as Tribune cuts staff and shrinks its papers nationwide to save money. We'll hear about the changes at the Tribune Company and throughout the newspaper industry. That's at 5:35 and 7:35.

Thanks for listening.

Monday, July 14, 2008

dapidone — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 10:24:00 GMT

AMERICA'S HOSTS: Steve Inskeep and Deborah Amos; NEWSCASTS: Carl Kasell, Jean Cochran
CALIFORNIA/NEVADA HOST: Donna Apidone; NEWSCASTS: Steve Shadley

Here are some highlights of today's show:

After several weeks, the heat, smoke and ozone must be taking their toll. KXJZ's Kelley Weiss talks with the Air Resources Board about safe breathing, this morning at 6:35 and 8:35.

Two big economic issues are getting attention this week, and will be covered on Morning Edition. The U-S Treasury Department and Federal Reserve announced yesterday they would assist mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac by expanding the government's credit line. We'll get an explanation of what this means for mortgage holders, taxpayers, and the international financial system. AND ... Lawmakers are hearing about little else besides high gas prices, and that's what tops the Hill agenda this week. Those stories this morning at 6:10 and 8:10.

Leaders from Europe, North Africa and the Middle East have pledged to work for a Middle East free of weapons of mass destruction. Officials from 43 nations yesterday in Paris launched the first Mediterranean regional summit. The gathering has marked a few firsts, like bringing Syria's president to the table with Israel's prime minister. That's at 5:45 and 7:45.

Thanks for listening.

Friday, July 11, 2008

dapidone — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 10:15:00 GMT

AMERICA'S HOST: Renee Montagne; NEWSCASTS: Paul Brown, Jean Cochran
CALIFORNIA/NEVADA HOST: Donna Apidone; NEWSCASTS: Steve Shadley

Here are some highlights of today's show:

More and more folks are growing their own food these days, and that includes city folks. KXJZ's food reporter Elaine Corn has a story about community gardens this orning at 6:33 and 8:33.

A new study shows the death penalty in California is expensive and dysfunctional. The Sacramento Bee's Ginger Rutland has a commentary this morning at 5:33 and 7:33.

Four Colombian police officers are back home after ten years of captivity as hostages of the FARC guerrilla group. But more than 40 officers remain in the hands of rebel soldiers, and Colombians haven't forgotten them. That story at 6:14 and 8:14.

Just who are the people being considered as running mates for Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama? Host Renee Montagne talks about possible V-P choices with NPR's National Political Correspondent Mara Liasson and Political Editor Ken Rudin at 5:14 and 7:14.

Thanks for listening. Have a good weekend.

Thursday, July 10, 2008

dapidone — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 11:34:00 GMT

AMERICA'S HOSTS: Renee Montagne and Steve Inskeep; NEWSCASTS: Paul Brown, Jean Cochran
CALIFORNIA/NEVADA HOST: Donna Apidone; NEWSCASTS: Steve Shadley

Here are some highlights of today's show:

Around California, it's not uncommon for people in some Latino communities to get their prescription drugs at a swap meet, but it's illegal. KXJZ's Kelley Weiss reports this morning at 6:33 and 8:33.

Our international health series continues today with more US health care experts saying France might have the most to teach about achieving universal health coverage. Health care there, as in the United States, is provided by both government and private insurance. And people in both countries share a common value in what they expect from health care -- choice. That's at 6:40 and 8:40.

Just in time for the summer travel and reading season, co-host Steve Inskeep talks with librarian (and inspiration for a bobblehead) Nancy Pearl about "airplane reads." They're books that can take the sting off summer air travel and perhaps even lessen the agony of being stuck in the middle seat. That's at 7:51.

Stay cool. Thanks for listening.

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

dapidone — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 10:28:00 GMT

AMERICA'S HOST: Steve Inskeep; NEWSCASTS: Carl Kasell, Jean Cochran
CALIFORNIA/NEVADA HOST: Donna Apidone; NEWSCASTS: Steve Shadley

Here are some highlights of today's show.

It hasn't been lost on automakers that Americans are now looking for cars which are reliable and affordable. In fact, car companies have been marketing their vehicles that way for decades, starting as far back as when Henry Ford's Model T hit the scene. We'll hear about marketing this morning at 6:21 and 8:21.

On the last day of the G-8 summit in Japan, international leaders are disagreeing on plans to cut greenhouse gas emissions. Developing nations, including China, want countries to take the lead in cutting emissions by 80 to 95-percent by 2050. But rich nations have only proposed cutting emissions in half for the same period. That's at 5:10 and 7:10.

Searing temperatures are expected this week in most of California. That spells more trouble for firefighters, and can be deadly for people laboring in agricultural fields. So far this summer, at least at least one farmworker has died due to heat exhaustion. Now California officials are trying to better enforce laws requiring growers to provide adequate water and shade. More at 5:40 and 7:40.

And some fun basesball stories (including one by Frank Deford) at 7:51.

Stay cool. Thanks for listening.

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

dapidone — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 10:25:00 GMT

AMERICA'S HOSTS: Steve Inskeep and Renee Montagne; NEWSCASTS: Carl Kasell, Jean Cochran
CALIFORNIA/NEVADA HOST: Donna Apidone; NEWSCASTS: Steve Shadley

Will I see you tonight? I'll introduce Mick Martin and the Blues Rockers at the Sacramento Zoo at 6 p.m.

Here are some highlights of today's show:

It's Tuesday, and time for Sacramento StoryCorps. We'll meet a West Sacramento man who born into a family of 17 kids. KXJZ's Paul Conley produces this series. We'll hear it at 6:35 and 8:35.

The price of oil keeps hitting new highs, but is it the fault of oil speculators, as some in Congress claim? Or is that an oversimplification? And ... The Great Lakes hold a fifth of the world's supply of fresh surface water. All of the states bordering the lakes have ratified an agreement to keep water from being diverted out of the Great Lakes watershed. Advocates say this is a critical step in protecting a major natural resource. These stories are coming up at 6:10 and 8:10.

Taxpayers paid three billion dollars to buy travel trailers and mobile homes after Hurricane Katrina. However, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has stopped selling them -- at least temporarily -- because of concerns of high levels of formaldehyde. FEMA has more than 94-thousand trailers that it doesn't know what to do with, and that's costing taxpayers 130 million dollars a year. We'll hear about it at 5:21 and 7:21.

Thanks for listening.

Monday, July 7, 2008

dapidone — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 10:26:00 GMT

AMERICA'S HOSTS: Steve Inskeep and Renee Montagne; NEWSCASTS: carl Kasell, Jean Cochran
CALIFORNIA/NEVADA HOST: Donna Apidone; NEWSCASTS: Steve Shadley

Fires continue to burn, and skies continue to be smoky. We'll have the lates throughout the morning.

The G8 meeting in Japan this week was supposed to be a major milestone for talks on global warming. Instead, the process has bogged down. The Bush Administration won't commit to major steps without participation by China and India. And those nations won't move until the U-S does. As a result, strategists are expecting little of substance from the meeting Japan, and are now trying to figure out whether it will still be possible to negotiate a new climate treaty by the end of 2009, as the U.N. has planned. That's at 6:40 and 8:40.

A new California company, WiFi Rail, is close to sealing a deal with San Francisco's Bay Area Rapid Transit district to build wireless Internet access throughout the transit system. If successful, the network would be the largest transit-based WiFi system in the country. Over the last few years, there's been a string of municipal wireless networks that have failed. More at 5:35 and 7:35.

After winning the Wimbledon men's final five years in a row, Roger Federer was beaten yesterday by Spain's Rafael Nadal in the longest and possibly greatest men's final in the tournament's history. We'll hear the story at 5:40 and 7:40.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of Henry Ford's Model T, and there are still plenty of fans driving these cars today. While automobiles of the day were usually for the wealthy, the Model T began a revolution due to its inexpensive construction and simple design. In the first of our three-part series, co-host Renee Montagne takes a vintage Model T for a test ride. We'll join her in the rumble seat this morning at 6:21 and 8:21.

Thanks for listening.

Thursday, the Third of July

dapidone — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 10:26:00 GMT

AMERICA'S HOSTS: Renee Montagne and Ari Shapiro; NEWSCASTS: Paul Brown, Jean Cochran
CALIFORNIA/NEVADA HOST: Donna Apidone; NEWSCASTS: Steve Shadley

Here are some highlights of today's show:

Some of the world's top climbers scrambled up the face of Yosemite National Park's El Capitan in hopes of besting the speed record. The time to beat was set last October by German brothers Thomas and Alexander Huber who scaled the 29-hundred foot face of El Capitan in two hours, 45 minutes. Is it a record? we'll find out at 5:45 and 7:45.

If you think William Shakespeare is not the one who wrote all those plays, you're in good company -- Sigmund Freud, Charles Dickens, and Orson Welles all agree. In part-two of our Shakespeare series, co-host host Renee Montagne dares to ask: did Shakespeare really write the works he s credited with? The debate at 6:21 and 8:21.

George Washington slept there for years...it's the Virginia house he grew up in. Archaeologists have excavated the house, or what's left of it, and they say they've found artifacts that suggest that the Washingtons started out genteel but fell on hard times. We'll visit at 6:35 and 8:35.

Why is that people seem to spend more when they use credit cards than when they use cash? The answer could be rooted in psychology. More at 6:53.

Have a great holiday!