Dec 28, 2021

In California, a blueprint for addressing the opioid crisis

Eric Baradat/AFP via Getty Images

We'll also hear why rural hospitals are bracing for additional staffing strains and take a look at some cooling trends in the red-hot housing market.

Segments From this episode

COVID-19

Rural hospitals, short of staff, brace for omicron

by Savannah Maher

Dec 28, 2021

Many health care workers have fled the pandemic's burdens in areas with low vaccination rates and fragile economies.

A health care worker tends to a COVID-19 patient in Apple Valley, California. Rural hospitals are struggling to hire staff amid surging case numbers.

Ariana Drehsler/AFP via Getty Images

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COVID-19

Investors pressure Moderna to broaden global access to vaccine

by Lily Jamali

Dec 28, 2021

The company is under scrutiny over vaccine equity. It received considerable U.S. government help in developing its vaccine.

As the omicron variant spreads, some shareholders of Moderna are criticizing the company, arguing its price for the COVID-19 vaccine is too high for low-income countries.

Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images

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Home prices are still climbing, just not as fast as they have been

by Justin Ho

Dec 28, 2021

October's increase was smaller than September's, which was smaller than August's.

Though the housing market is still competitive, price gains are beginning to slow.

Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

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California invests millions to try and curtail drug overdoses

by Lesley McClurg

Dec 28, 2021

The program's approach includes an emphasis on medically-assisted treatment, using drugs to help ease withdrawal symptoms and cravings.

California Bridge regional director Joshua Luftig, right, and program coordinator Christian Hailozian at the Bridge Substance Use Program at Highland Hospital in Oakland

Beth LaBerge/KQED

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Millions subscribed in streaming services this year, but will the steam fizzle out?

by Kimberly Adams and Anais Amin

Dec 28, 2021

Deloitte Global predicts that at least 150 million paid streaming service subscriptions will be canceled globally in 2022.

"Netflix and streaming services operate in a way where they're not just competing with each other, they're very much competing with literally any other thing that we could be doing," said The Verge's Catie Keck.

Hocus-focus via Getty Images

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Will Brexit turn the U.K. into a hub for the trade in looted antiquities?

by Stephen Beard

Dec 28, 2021

In its drive to rid itself of certain EU laws, Britain might encourage the trafficking of stolen cultural artifacts.

The Gilgamesh Dream Tablet, a 3,500-year-old cuneiform clay tablet, is seen at a Washington, D.C., repatriation ceremony in September. The tablet was looted from Iraq and trafficked in the United Kingdom.

Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

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Music from the episode

Fishtail Parker Nightmares On Wax

Topaz Basil Panagop, Fauves

Jetty Tycho

Digital Dreams Ptr.

The Wad Vels Trio

Gold Silver Diamond Generationals

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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