Jul 18, 2022

Floods and droughts

Scott Olson/Getty Images

We have a few stories about economics and water for you to ponder today.

Segments From this episode

Lending is strong as borrowers tap their credit

by Justin Ho

Jul 18, 2022

Banks are reporting increased lending to both consumers and businesses.

People have been spending more on their credit cards, and some are using buy-now, pay-later services, says Andrew Davidson with Comperemedia.

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A Warmer World

U.S. schools are rebuilding on safer ground to combat flooding and climate change

by Stephanie Hughes

Jul 18, 2022

Thousands of schools are located in areas subject to flooding, a Pew study says. Rebuilding puts schools in competition for safer land.

Needing to rebuild and re-purchase supplies after a flood can be very expensive for schools and their communities, said Matt Casale with the Public Interest Research Group. Above, volunteers clean a school in Houston after flooding from Hurricane Harvey in 2017.

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One way out of a drought? Technology that makes water potable.

by Caleigh Wells

Jul 18, 2022

The California communities of Santa Monica and Avalon are conserving water but also using desalination to increase the supply.

The touristy beach town of Avalon, on California's Catalina Island, used to have severe drought restrictions. Now it uses desalination to make saltwater into freshwater.

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Homebuilders' confidence in housing market plummets

by Lily Jamali

Jul 18, 2022

The National Association of Home Builders' latest survey also shows that 13% of builders reported cutting prices.

In the NAHB's July survey, 13% of builders reported cutting prices to encourage sales.

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New gun control law puts emphasis on mental health

by Kimberly Adams and Sarah Leeson

Jul 18, 2022

There's a disconnect between mental health funding and who actually commits mass shootings. The greatest effect may be on suicides.

The new law includes funding and legislation for mental health facilities. But only 3% to 5% of violent acts are committed by people with serious mental illnesses.

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Lab billing operations add to rural hospital woes, leaving some on life support

by Blake Farmer

Jul 18, 2022

For rural communities, the loss of hospitals means no access to nearby emergency care and the loss of health care jobs.

Rural hospital closures have increased during the pandemic. Many hospitals were run by lab companies that left difficult financial and legal problems behind.

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Music from the episode

The Medium Toro y Moi, Unknown Mortal Orchestra

Occasional Magic Yppah

Summertime Magic Zikomo

Tell Me Groove Theory

Seconds Into Months MNDLSS

K.I.S.S.E.S Bent

Fail Safe William Tyler

The team

Nancy Farghalli Executive Producer

Maria Hollenhorst Producer II

Andie Corban Producer I

Sean McHenry Director & Associate Producer II

Richard Cunningham Associate Producer I

Dylan Miettinen Associate Digital Producer

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