The Colorado River – and the people that rely on it – are in a state of crisis. Climate change and overuse are taking a significant toll. Seven states must compromise and reach a solution to prevent the river from collapsing.
In late 2023, tensions were running high between the major players in the water world as they convened at the annual Colorado River co ... Show More
Oct 21
Why these food safety experts will eat rare steak, but not buffet fruit salad
Can you eat a tuna sandwich if it sits in your backpack all day? Is ceviche risky? And, after Hot Cyclospora Summer, are we allowed to eat lettuce yet? We brought your food safety questions to Don Schaffner and Ben Chapman, scientists and hosts of the podcast Risky or Not?, and t ... Show More
34m 39s
Oct 14
The secret origins of commercial coyote urine
Last spring, a curious listener called with an unusual question about coyote urine. Is it – as advertised by companies who sell it – an effective, all natural pest deterrent? And more importantly: “Who are the coyotes that are providing this urine?” Since then, producer Taylor Qu ... Show More
33m 5s
Oct 7
The deer sharpshooters of Maui
Maui has a problem: too many deer, not enough hunters. So on a dark, humid night, Nate joined a group of elite hunters as they endeavor to turn an ecological nightmare into a source of profitable, high-protein venison. Over the course of a few hours, he watches the employees of M ... Show More
34m 46s
May 2023
Behind the historic deal to save the Colorado River
In the western US a landmark deal to protect one of the country's most important waterways has finally been reached. The Colorado River serves more than 40 million Americans across multiple states, but it’s drying up at an alarming rate. Drought, overuse, and climate change are l ... Show More
56m 26s
Jan 2023
7 States, 1 River and an Agonizing Choice
<p>In the United States, 40 million people in seven states depend on water provided by the Colorado River.</p><p>After 20 years of drought, the situation is dire and the river is at risk of becoming a “deadpool,” a condition in which there is not enough water to pass through the ... Show More
23m 45s
Feb 2023
‘Dead pool’, drought and a drying Colorado River
The Colorado River – the lifeblood of the American southwest – is drying up. The river’s basin supplies water to 40 million Americans across seven states, plus two states in Mexico. It’s partly because of climate change, a major drought, and because of century-old rules that gove ... Show More
24m 19s
Oct 2025
Solve me a river
This week on Unexplainable or Not, Sally Helm, the newest member of our team, tries to figure out what's killing mussels, why rivers suddenly change course, and what the longest river in the world is. Guests: Douglas Edmonds, professor at Indiana University; Neel Dhanesha, sc ... Show More
37m 18s