UK’s New PM Vows Brexit on Oct 31 “No Ifs or Buts”

Guest: Simon Usherwood, Deputy Director, The UK in a Changing Europe, Professor of Politics, University of Surrey

Britain’s new conservative Prime Minister Boris Johnson said in his first public speech last week that the “doubters, the doomsters, the gloomsters” are wrong about Brexit. In more than two years of negotiations, Johnson’s predecessor Theresa May failed to negotiate a deal with the European Union that the British parliament would approve. What might Prime Minister Johnson do differently? 

Production Studios Threaten Boycott of Georgia if Abortion Bill Remains Intact

Guest: Paul Hardart, Professor of Marketing, New York University, Director of the Entertainment, Media and Technology Program

The highest grossing film of all time –Avengers Endgame –was not filmed in Hollywood. It was filmed in the Hollywood of the South. If you’ve watched any hit movies or TV shows in the last decade, you’ve seen something filmed in Georgia. But, now studios are threatening to pull their productions out of Georgia –some have even followed-through on the threats. Not because of money. Because Georgia’s legislature passed a so-called “heartbeat” bill that essentially bans abortions after six weeks of pregnancy. Is it curtains for Georgia’s movie business?

Autopilot Really Does Not Mean You Can Take a Nap in Your Tesla

Guest: Matthew Avery, Director of Research, Thatcham Research

For those of you in the market for a new car, is a self-driving vehicle on your list? That’s a trick question. You can’t buy a self-driving car today. But surveys show half of Americans don’t know that. Can you blame us, though? Tesla is touting its Autopilot system. Cadillac has Super Cruise. Audi has Traffic Jam Pilot. If these aren’t self-driving cars, what are they, exactly?

Colorado River Drought

Guest: Brad Udall, Senior Water & Climate Research Scientist, Colorado Water Institute, Colorado State University

The Colorado River is mighty as it rushes down from the Rocky Mountains. But by the time it reaches the Pacific Ocean in Mexico, it’s a mere trickle. Along the way, seven US states and two in Mexico drain, dam and divert the Colorado River’s waters. And there’s just not enough to go around as populations grow and temperatures rise. 

Driverless Cars to Overtake Plane

Guest: Scott Winter, Assistant Professor of Graduate Studies, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

On a really long trip, would you rather ride in a self-driving car or fly in an airplane? I don’t mind flying but skipping airport security and being able to lean back and sleep sounds really appealing. So, appealing in fact, that airlines might be in trouble.

Looking Back at 75 Years of Smokey Bear

Guest: Wendy Melillo, Associate Professor of Journalism and Public Communication, American University, Author of “How McGruffand the Crying Indian Changed America”

Smokey Bear turns 75 this year. As ad campaigns go, Smokey’s message been incredibly consistent over the decades. Like, for example, that wildfires are burning bigger and hotter –and most are still started by people. Has Smokey Bear been a misfire all these years?