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The Latest On The OC Oil Spill, What We Know About The Cause, Regulatory Questions And More

Published October 5, 2021 at 9:18 AM PDT
DAVID MCNEW/AFP via Getty Images
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AFP
An oil containment boom in the water around workers in boats trying to clean up the Talbert Marshlands area from an offshore oil rig as it reaches the shore and sensitive wildlife habitats in Newport Beach, California.

The Latest On The OC Oil Spill, What We Know About The Cause, Regulatory Questions And More

OIL SPILL LATEST 10.5.21

The U.S. Coast Guard received the first report of a possible oil spill off the Southern California coast more than 12 hours before a company reported the major leak in its pipeline and a cleanup effort was launched, records show. Two early calls about the spill came into the National Response Center, which is staffed by the Coast Guard and notifies other agencies of disasters for quick response. The first was from an anchored ship that noticed a sheen on the water and the second, six hours later, from a federal agency that said a possible oil slick was spotted on satellite imagery, according to reports by the California Office of Emergency Services. Many questions remain about the timeline, cause and platform owner. Today on AirTalk, we talk with California State Sen. Tom Umberg (D-District 34) and LA Times investigative reporter Connor Sheets, who’s been following this story.

With files from the Associated Press

COVID-19 AMA: AstraZeneca Antibody Drug Submitted to FDA, Southwest Vaccine Requirement For Employees & More

COVID Update 10.5.21

In our continuing series looking at the latest medical research and news on COVID-19, Larry Mantle speaks with Peter Chin-Hong, M.D., infectious disease specialist and professor of medicine at the UCSF Medical Center.

Topics today include:

  • Southwest to require COVID-19 vaccinations for employees
  • Health advocates say vaccine disinformation is a big reason in low inoculation rates
  • AstraZeneca submits coronavirus anti-drug for FDA authorization
  • J&J seeking emergency booster shot authorization
  • Pfizer shot protects from hospitalization even as effectiveness falls
  • Second vaccine doses may raise risk of myocarditis, although condition remains rare

Supreme Court “Shadow Docket” 101

SCOTUS Shadow Docket 10.5.21

The shadow docket refers to cases considered by the Supreme Court outside of the public eye. These one or two sentence decisions, often delivered late at night, have become more and more common over the years. Today on AirTalk, we’re talking to Stephen Vladeck, professor and Charles Alan Wright chair in federal courts at the University of Texas School of Law and James Romoser, editor of SCOTUSblog, about how the shadow docket may come into play for this Supreme Court term.

Orange County Oil Spill Creates Concern About Wildlife Health, Severe Ecological Effects

Oil Spill Environmental Impact 10.5.21

A major oil spill off the Orange County coast now spans 5.8 nautical miles, and has released 126,000 gallons of oil. The slick was first reported shortly after 9 a.m. on Saturday, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.

Oil from the spill had been spotted from Corona del Mar in the south all the way north to the Bolsa Chica in Huntington Beach, according to officials who spoke at a news briefing Sunday afternoon in Long Beach. Representatives from U.S. Fish and Wildlife, U.S. Coast Guard, local officials and Amplify Energy, the owner of the pipeline, were among those in attendance.

Today on AirTalk, we’re learning more about the environmental effects of the spill with Jacob Margolis, KPCC/ LAist science reporter, Kassie Siegel, senior counsel and the director of the Climate Law Institute at the Center for Biological Diversity and Christine Whitcraft, professor of biological sciences at Cal State Long Beach.

With files from LAist. Read more here

ChemoSkinny Podcast Explores The Impact Of Severe Illness On A Relationship

ChemoSkinny Podcast 10.5.21

Three years ago, a biopsy confirmed Stephanie Czajkowski’s fears after she discovered a lump in her breast: It was stage 2 breast cancer. She and her husband, Collin Friesen, spent the next few days pouring over medical literature, meeting with doctors, and joining online support communities. Her treatment mainly consisted of chemotherapy, which was successful. But as Stephanie recovered, the couple began to notice how her cancer impacted their relationship. Their treatment for that? A podcast exploring their experiences: called ChemoSkinny. Today on AirTalk, Stephanie and Collin join us to talk about what it’s like to hear the worst news about someone you love. We’re also joined by marriage and family therapist Joanne Koegl.

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