May 16, 2022

Building affordable housing is hard, but so is changing minds about where to build it

Lots of communities aren't friendly to lower-cost housing developments. Also, conservationists worry about protecting Texas' Big Bend National Park.

Segments From this episode

Biden administration creates plan to increase affordable housing

by Stephanie Hughes

May 16, 2022

Measures include supporting the production of mobile homes and tiny houses, and piloting new ways of financing. But federal money isn't all it will take to change how, and where, people want to live.

Federal money isn't all it will take to change how, and where, people want to live.

Creative/Getty Images

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A Warmer World

Quantifying climate risk goes mainstream

by Lily Jamali

May 16, 2022

People seeking to minimize flood and fire risk when looking for a home have new tools to guide them.

The 2017 Tubbs Fire decimated neighborhoods. Many people are seeking safer homes as fire risk worsens, but there are few tools to help them.

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

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In Texas, conservationists push for stricter land protections at a popular national park

by Travis Bubenik

May 16, 2022

Visitor numbers have skyrocketed at Big Bend, prompting calls for a wilderness designation to better protect the park’s pristine landscape.

As tourism in the area grows, conservationists are worried about keeping Big Bend National Park protected.

John Moore/Getty Images

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Energy is getting more expensive. More middle-income families are struggling to pay.

by Samantha Fields

May 16, 2022

Between a quarter and a third of U.S. households are said to be energy insecure, and many don't qualify for aid.

Energy costs should take up about 6% of household income, energy experts say. But many low- and middle-income families are spending multiple times that.

Photo illustration by George Frey/Getty Images

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The Calling

Glass art called to him, so he left Home Depot to make marbles

by Marielle Segarra

May 16, 2022

Hunter Read traded in his day job for long hours and the physically demanding task of crafting artsy marbles. And he loves it.

“You couldn’t stop me from doing this if you tried,“ Hunter Read says of making his faceted glass marbles.

Marielle Segarra/Marketplace

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Music from the episode

Blue Monday Pete Rock

Cruise Astronautica

Pyramid Blue Richard Houghten

F.T.B. Robert Glasper

It Is What It Is Blood Orange

Smoke & Mirrors Tokimonsta

The team

Nancy Farghalli Executive Producer

Daisy Palacios Senior Producer

Maria Hollenhorst Producer

Sean McHenry Associate Producer

Andie Corban Associate Producer

Richard Cunningham Associate Producer

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