[S1E24] All Politics Is Local __FULL__

Environmental challenges are rarely simple. From climate change to local conservation, the challenges of sustainability and long-term environmental health raise complex scientific, ethical, economic and political questions that defy easy answers. This podcast series, sponsored by the Program on Law, Communities, and the Environment (PLACE) at the University of Virginia School of Law, includes conversations with scholars from a range of disciplines whose work touches on the connections between human communities and the natural environment.

[S1E24] All Politics Is Local

The Firehouse 51 crew arrives for another shift. Herrmann, Otis and Dawson are concerned about the fate of Molly's bar; Casey is still trying to recover from the loss of Hallie, and Dawson and Mills still aren't speaking. Before they have time to settle in, the crew is called to a structure fire at the local prison. After a word with the warden, the crew heads into the prison.

After receiving word that the baby might be in trouble, Herrmann rushes to the hospital. Luckily, Herrmann's wife and baby are fine by the time he arrives. Boden tells Mills that the higher-ups have decided not to promote him to Squad. The Chief encourages Mills to keep at it, but Mills is fed up with the politics of the Firehouse. He heads to the police department to fill out an application

In the first week of February 2014, the Adirondack Mountains in northern New York were struck by a cold snap, harsh even by North Country standards. There was also a kind of chill in local political circles because the incumbent congressman had suddenly and unexpectedly stepped down.

Stories of the Week: State and local education officials from across the country are seeking waivers from standardized testing for the upcoming school year. Should the U.S. Department of Education grant them? As we mark the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, a new report reveals that nearly two-thirds of U.S. public schools contain physical barriers, such as inaccessible door handles and steep ramps, that potentially block access for individuals with disabilities. Are we doing enough to provide options for students with diverse learning needs?

Stories of the Week: A proposal to give the New York state education department more regulatory authority over private and religious schools has been put on hold. Is increased oversight of private school curricula necessary to ensure accountability, or an infringement on local autonomy? Military families addressed Congress this week to fix the Exceptional Family Member Program, which is supposed to cover services, including private school tuition costs in some cases, for children with special needs. The program has been meeting with resistance from public school districts claiming they can provide sufficient services, forcing families to fight costly legal battles. Is the program a well-deserved benefit for those serving our country, or an unnecessary financial drain on public school systems? 041b061a72