Metropocalypse

By WAMU 88.5

Society & Culture Business Business News Places & Travel

What's Metropocalypse about?

Explosions and smoke-filled tunnels. Frustrated riders and epic commutes. This is the new normal on Washington’s Metro. Metropocalypse, a weekly podcast from WAMU 88.5, explores the unprecedented plan to rebuild tracks and re-engineer culture on the nation’s second largest transit system. Send questions & ideas to [email protected].

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Metropocalypse episodes:

08.20.2019
‘Mindhunter’ Actor Jonathan Groff On His Most Life-Altering Roles
Groff told Fresh Air in 2017 that his work on HBO's Looking changed his life: "It's ... the most personal thing I've worked on." He stars in the Netflix series Mindhunter, now in its second season.
08.20.2019
‘Bernadette’ Is A Stirring Tribute To A Woman Rediscovering Her True Calling
Where'd You Go, Bernadette follows a brilliant architect who, in the midst of a decades-long career slump, disappears to recapture her life's passion in the unlikeliest place imaginable.
08.20.2019
If These 2 Titles Remind You Of Masterful Suspense Novels, They Should
Laura Lippman's Lady in the Lake recollects Raymond Chandler's fourth Philip Marlowe novel and Ruth Ware's The Turn of the Key recalls Henry James' The Turn of the Screw. Happily, they both live up.
08.20.2019
Cave Diver Risks All To Explore Places ‘Where Nobody Has Ever Been’
"The big picture of survival is sometimes so hard to see, but we always know what we can do to make the next best step toward survival," says cave diver, photographer and memoirist Jill Heinerth.
08.20.2019
Democratic Presidential Candidates Attend Native American Forum
NPR's David Greene talks to Mark Trahant, editor of the news site Indian Country Today, about why Democratic presidential candidates are paying so much attention to Native American voters this year.
08.20.2019
California Tightens Standard For Police In Lethal Force Instances
California will have one of the strictest laws in the country detailing use-of-force standards for police. But law enforcement says proper training remains the key. The law takes effect Jan. 1.
08.20.2019
The Downside Of Planned Parenthood Leaving The Federal Title X Program
NPR's Noel King speaks with Dr. Sarah Traxler, chief medical officer of Planned Parenthood's North Central States, about the impact of losing Title X funding.
08.20.2019
Alaska Wildfires Damage The State’s Major Highways, Force Evacuations
Wildfires near Anchorage have burned buildings, forced evacuations and blocked highway traffic. Unusually dry weather has fueled the fires in what's typically one of the region's wettest seasons.
08.20.2019
Critics Complain Mexico’s Austerity Plan Has Gone Too Far
Mexico's president has cut thousands of government jobs to fight corruption. Critics say he is putting the country in danger — especially when it comes to attracting foreign investment.
08.20.2019
Employees Demand Google Publicly Commit To Not Work With ICE
The petition by more than a thousand Google employees is forcing the tech giant's hand at a time when it is risky for Silicon Valley to criticize the Trump administration.
08.20.2019
Pakistan Tries To Stop Militants From Benefiting From Animal Hides
One way for Pakistani charities to raise funds is by collecting animal hides after Eid holiday meals, and selling them to tanneries. But militants also raise money by gathering animal skins.
08.20.2019
NYPD Officer, Who Used Banned Chokehold On Eric Garner, Is Fired
NPR's Noel King talks to Cindy Rodriguez of member station WNYC and legal scholar Paul Butler about whether the family of Eric Garner has received justice for his death in 2014.
08.20.2019
Helicopter Visit Is Not Welcomed In Florida Community
Kfir Baranes wanted to surprise a friend with a visit on her birthday. He dropped by her backyard in Coral Springs in a helicopter. Police were called. Baranes faces a fine for a code violation.
08.20.2019
French Couple Faces Jail time After Taking Sand From Sardinia
The Italian island is known for its beaches. The couple is accused of stealing nearly 90 pounds of sand. Sand theft is a growing concern on the island, according to the BBC.
08.20.2019
California’s New Law Says Police Can Use Lethal Force Only When ‘Necessary’
California Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed a new bill to update standards for police use of deadly force. NPR's Mary Louise Kelly speaks with California assembly member Shirley Weber, the bill's author.
08.20.2019
Morning News Brief
NYPD fires officer who used banned choke hold in Garner case. China is accused of using fake social media accounts to try to disrupt Hong Kong protests. And, poll results on red-flag gun laws.
08.20.2019
New Leader Emerges From Anti-Government Protests In Moscow
A lawyer, who's a young mother, is the face of this summer's protests in Moscow calling for free elections. Opposition candidates are banned from running in next month's city council elections.
08.20.2019
Attorney General Barr Names A New Bureau Of Prisons Chief
NPR's David Greene talks to Catherine Linaweaver, a former warden of the Metropolitan Correctional Center, about when she worked with Kathleen Hawk Sawyer, who was named head of the Bureau of Prisons.
08.20.2019
Showtime Helps Motown Records Mark Its 60th Anniversary
The Showtime documentary — "Hitsville: The Making of Motown" — tells the story of the most successful soul/R&B record label in music history from the viewpoint of Berry Gordy and Smokey Robinson.
08.20.2019
Hong Kong Protests: China Accused Of Using Fake Social Media Accounts
Facebook and Twitter have suspended accounts associated with the Chinese government, accusing officials of using those accounts to spread disinformation to disrupt the Hong Kong protests.
08.20.2019
Maybe The Way To Control Locusts Is By Growing Crops They Don’t Like
A lab at Arizona State University tries to find new ways to combat the global scourge of locusts. One solution may have to do with farming practices.
08.20.2019
Planned Parenthood Withdraws From Title X Program Over Trump Abortion Rule
The organization says it is leaving the federal family planning program because of rule changes that prohibit its grantees from providing or referring most patients for abortion.
08.20.2019
U.S. And The Taliban May Be Near A Deal. What Does That Mean For Afghanistan?
The Afghan government has been left on the sidelines as the U.S. and the Taliban have held multiple rounds of talks this year in the Gulf nation of Qatar.
08.19.2019
Brazil’s Amazon Rainforest Is Disappearing Under President Jair Bolsonaro
Deforestation in Brazil's Amazon is soaring under far-right President Jair Bolsonaro. It is even happening in a vast highly protected reserve named after a murdered environmentalist.
08.19.2019
Obesity Medicine Specialist Discusses New WW App For Kids
NPR's Ailsa Chang speaks with Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford, who specializes in obesity medicine, about a new app from WW — formerly Weight Watchers — that targets children.
08.19.2019
California Residents Say They Need More Information On Previous Wildfires To Prepare
Warm temperatures have Californians again bracing for wildfires. But to better prepare, the residents of Ventura say they need a clearer picture of what went wrong in the destructive 2017 Thomas Fire.
08.19.2019
New Research Casts Doubt On Connection Between Smartphone Use And Teen Mental Health
New research casts doubt on the connection between smartphone use and teens' mental health. Some argue it is a case of correlation, not causation, and that the threat is overblown.
08.19.2019
50 Years Later, Virginia Recalls The Devastation Caused By Hurricane Camille
Fifth years ago, Hurricane Camille slammed into the eastern United States, killing hundreds of people and leaving behind a wake of devastation.
08.19.2019
Business Roundtable Issues Statement On The Need To Help Deal With Income Inequality
A group of 181 CEOs have issued a statement proclaiming the need to help deal with income inequality and working conditions. NPR's Mary Louise Kelly talks with New York Times reporter David Gelles.
08.19.2019
People On Both Sides Of Immigration Debate Meet At The Border To Have A Conversation
The surge of migrants crossing the Southern border has abated somewhat. But tens of thousands continue to come every month — more than 80,000 in July. The debate still rages over what to do about it.
08.19.2019
Afghanistan Ambassador To U.S. Discusses U.S. Security Talks With The Taliban
NPR's Mary Louise Kelly speaks with Roya Rahmani, Afghanistan's ambassador to the U.S., about the latest attack in her country and U.S. security talks with the Taliban.
08.19.2019
Can U.K.’s New Prime Minister Pull Off Brexit? Here’s What To Know
Britain's prime minister vows to bring the country out of the European Union at the end of October — deal or no deal. Here are some of the key challenges he faces.
08.19.2019
How Much Influence Can The U.S. Exert On What’s Happening In Hong Kong?
NPR's Ailsa Chang talks with Kurt Tong, former consul general to Hong Kong and Macau, about the influence the U.S. can exert on the situation in Hong Kong.
08.19.2019
From London To Sydney, Protesters Stood In Solidarity With Hong Kong This Weekend
From London to Sydney, Hong Kongers faced off against patriotic Chinese highlighting a clash in values and perceptions of the months-long protests that have rocked Hong Kong.
08.19.2019
NYPD Officer Involved In The Chokehold Death Of Eric Garner Fired By The Department
The officer involved in the 2014 chokehold death of Eric Garner has been fired by the New York City Police Department.
08.19.2019
Carl Safina: What Do Animals Tell Us About Ourselves — And Our Place In The World?
Ecologist Carl Safina says humans aren't the only ones who love, grieve, or think. He argues if animals are more complex then we once thought, shouldn't we reconsider the ethics of how we treat them?
08.19.2019
Frans de Waal: What Qualities Make A Good Leader … In Chimpanzees?
What makes an "alpha male?" Primatologist Frans de Waal says we often get it wrong. His research shows that alpha males possess leadership traits like generosity, peacekeeping, and empathy.
08.19.2019
Denise Herzing: Do Dolphins Have A Language?
We know that dolphins make distinctive clicks and whistles. But is that a language? Researcher Denise Herzing thinks it might be — and for the past 35 years — she's been working on unlocking it.
08.19.2019
Barbara King: Do Animals Grieve?
In 2018, an orca made headlines when she carried her dead calf on her back for weeks. Barbara King says this was a display of animal grief and explains how this changes our relationship with animals.
08.19.2019
With Steph Curry Donation, Howard University Brings Back Golf Team
Though Curry's representatives wouldn't confirm how much money he is donating to Howard University's golf program, they did confirm it will be a seven-figure commitment over the next six years.
08.19.2019
Ferguson, 5 Years On: What’s Changed Since Michael Brown’s Death
Five years after Ferguson, the national conversation about race and policing is still ongoing – and residents of Ferguson, Missouri, are still searching for answers.
08.19.2019
Connecticut Adopts Statewide Program To Track Overdoses
A paramedic in Hartford, Connecticut, thought of a new approach to tracking opioid overdoses.
08.19.2019
Heat Could Hamper Tokyo Olympics
The 2020 Olympics are less than a year away and officials are concerned about the weather.
08.19.2019
Why ‘Wealth Work’ Is Becoming A Fast Growing Industry
Low paid service jobs that often cater to higher-income customers are on the rise, everything from manicurists to Uber drivers.
08.19.2019
Clean Drinking Water Comes To West Virginia Town After 17-Year Hiatus
After nearly two decades, a boil advisory has been lifted from the tiny West Virginia town of O'Toole.
08.19.2019
HUD Proposes To Relax Rules On Challenging Bias In Housing Algorithms
The new rules would make it harder to challenge an institution's discriminatory lending practices due to algorithmic bias.
08.19.2019
Latest Suicide Bombing Renews Concerns About Afghan Peace Talks
NPR's Noel King talks to retired U.S. Army Col. Christopher Kolenda, who commanded U.S. troops in Afghanistan, and NPR's Greg Myre, about the status of Afghan peace talks.
08.19.2019
Local School Systems Adopt Inclusive Policies For Transgender Students
When they return to classes in the coming weeks, students in some area public schools will be able to identify as gender nonconforming on official forms, use the bathrooms that correspond to their gender identity, and more.
08.19.2019
Planned Parenthood May Reject Federal Funds Over Changes To Title X
It appears some health care providers that offer birth control, such as Planned Parenthood, are going to withdraw from the federal Title X program. Changes to Title X take effect Monday.
08.19.2019
The CBD Market Is Booming. What Do We Know About The Product?
I Can't Believe It's Not Weed!

What's Metropocalypse about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Metropocalypse episodes:

‘Mindhunter’ Actor Jonathan Groff On His Most Life-Altering Roles

‘Bernadette’ Is A Stirring Tribute To A Woman Rediscovering Her True Calling

If These 2 Titles Remind You Of Masterful Suspense Novels, They Should

Cave Diver Risks All To Explore Places ‘Where Nobody Has Ever Been’

Democratic Presidential Candidates Attend Native American Forum

California Tightens Standard For Police In Lethal Force Instances

The Downside Of Planned Parenthood Leaving The Federal Title X Program

Alaska Wildfires Damage The State’s Major Highways, Force Evacuations

Critics Complain Mexico’s Austerity Plan Has Gone Too Far

Employees Demand Google Publicly Commit To Not Work With ICE

Pakistan Tries To Stop Militants From Benefiting From Animal Hides

NYPD Officer, Who Used Banned Chokehold On Eric Garner, Is Fired

Helicopter Visit Is Not Welcomed In Florida Community

French Couple Faces Jail time After Taking Sand From Sardinia

California’s New Law Says Police Can Use Lethal Force Only When ‘Necessary’

Morning News Brief

New Leader Emerges From Anti-Government Protests In Moscow

Attorney General Barr Names A New Bureau Of Prisons Chief

Showtime Helps Motown Records Mark Its 60th Anniversary

Hong Kong Protests: China Accused Of Using Fake Social Media Accounts

Maybe The Way To Control Locusts Is By Growing Crops They Don’t Like

Planned Parenthood Withdraws From Title X Program Over Trump Abortion Rule

U.S. And The Taliban May Be Near A Deal. What Does That Mean For Afghanistan?

Brazil’s Amazon Rainforest Is Disappearing Under President Jair Bolsonaro

Obesity Medicine Specialist Discusses New WW App For Kids

California Residents Say They Need More Information On Previous Wildfires To Prepare

New Research Casts Doubt On Connection Between Smartphone Use And Teen Mental Health

50 Years Later, Virginia Recalls The Devastation Caused By Hurricane Camille

Business Roundtable Issues Statement On The Need To Help Deal With Income Inequality

People On Both Sides Of Immigration Debate Meet At The Border To Have A Conversation

Afghanistan Ambassador To U.S. Discusses U.S. Security Talks With The Taliban

Can U.K.’s New Prime Minister Pull Off Brexit? Here’s What To Know

How Much Influence Can The U.S. Exert On What’s Happening In Hong Kong?

From London To Sydney, Protesters Stood In Solidarity With Hong Kong This Weekend

NYPD Officer Involved In The Chokehold Death Of Eric Garner Fired By The Department

Carl Safina: What Do Animals Tell Us About Ourselves — And Our Place In The World?

Frans de Waal: What Qualities Make A Good Leader … In Chimpanzees?

Denise Herzing: Do Dolphins Have A Language?

Barbara King: Do Animals Grieve?

With Steph Curry Donation, Howard University Brings Back Golf Team

Ferguson, 5 Years On: What’s Changed Since Michael Brown’s Death

Connecticut Adopts Statewide Program To Track Overdoses

Heat Could Hamper Tokyo Olympics

Why ‘Wealth Work’ Is Becoming A Fast Growing Industry

Clean Drinking Water Comes To West Virginia Town After 17-Year Hiatus

HUD Proposes To Relax Rules On Challenging Bias In Housing Algorithms

Latest Suicide Bombing Renews Concerns About Afghan Peace Talks

Local School Systems Adopt Inclusive Policies For Transgender Students

Planned Parenthood May Reject Federal Funds Over Changes To Title X

The CBD Market Is Booming. What Do We Know About The Product?