'Summer Brain Drain': Separating Myth From Fact

Pittsburgh, PA

WESA -  If you consume any amount of media at all, there’s a good chance you’re already familiar with the idea that kids tend to lose ground academically during the summer months.
But what is the so-called “summer brain drain?” Is it real, or a media invention? And just how concerned should you be? Josher Raulerson tries to find some answers.

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Low-Cost Leases Electrify Plug-In Car Sales On West Coast

photo by Matt Calkins/Flickr

Bellevue, WA

Northwest News Network - Auto analysts say lower cost leases are propelling electric car deliveries. Automakers effectively use a $7,500 federal tax credit to put monthly lease payments on par with similar gas-powered vehicles. Tom Banse has more.

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Are Captain America and Friends Good for Ohio’s Economy?

Cleveland, OH

WCPN - The explosions and shootouts are back, as another superhero flick films in Cleveland. "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" is trying to ride the coattails of "The Avengers", part of which was shot in Cleveland in 2011. Kevin Costner's "Draft Day" is also filming, after Ohio's film tax credits lured the production away from New York. Along with the car chases and firefights comes renewed debate over Ohio’s film tax credits, without which none of this activity would take place in Ohio. Brian Bull reports debate centers over whether or not the productions pack economic benefits as well as crowds.

In the Suburbs Cicadas Drone Above and Crunch Underfoot

Summit, NJ

WNYC - Love is in the air – or at least the tree tops – as 17-year-old cicadas emerge from the earth and molt and sing and mate. Fred Mogul reports the emergence starts in the south, and as temperatures climb and move north, out they come.

Upstate Farmers Get Innovative to Access Major Food Markets

Model of 'Ceres', the Vermont Sail Freight Project.

Ferrisburg, VT

Innovation Trail - Farmers living far outside of New York City are getting creative, to get their products to the major market - whether it's by truck, or sail boat. Sarah Harris reports.

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Canadians Love Phoenix - Immigration Bill May Help Them Put Down Roots

photo: neutralSurface/flickr

Phoenix, AZ

Fronteras - Buried in more than 800 pages of the immigration reform legislation currently under debate is a proposal that would allow Canadians to visit second homes in the U.S. for up to eight months at a time. Jude Joffe-Block reports it's one of two proposals in the bill aimed at boosting foreign retirements here.

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Underwater Earthquake Recordings Reveal Mysterious Whale Calls

Photo credit: beringclimate.noaa.gov

Juan de Fuca Ridge, Pacific Ocean

Northwest News Network - The Blue whale is believed to be the largest animal ever to exist. But nobody remembers number two. Fin whales are the second largest animals on the planet, weighing in at around 80 tons. And they’re very mysterious creatures. Ashley Ahearn reports scientists have gained better access to the giant whale’s secret lives – almost accidentally.

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Aging in Place

Photo credit: adwriter/flickr

New London, NH

NHPR - According to a recent AARP survey, more than 95 percent of New Hampshire seniors want to remain in their own homes as they age - but that’s not always practical or affordable. To address these concerns, two non-profits in the state are developing a novel approach to home-based eldercare that’s becoming popular around the country. Sheryl Rich-Kern reports.

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Egg Industry Changing to Suit Consumer Tastes

McCallsburg, IA

Harvest Public Media - Americans like eggs. We consume about 250 eggs per person each year. However, the poultry business is often criticized for how it cares for the millions of hens that lay all those eggs. Amy Mayer reports the industry says it is responding and making changes.

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Crime Plagued Camden NJ Get a New Police Force

Camden, NJ

WHYY - It's a big week for Camden, New Jersey.  The city that has struggled with crime for decades and fought to rehire police officers after budget cuts spurred layoffs, has a new police force.  Elizabeth Fiedler reports the city's police department has been replaced with a special Metro Division of a new county-run force.

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Exploring the Secret Life of Plants

Photo by: K Latham/flickr

Avoca, NE

Harvest Public Media - As climate change continues to wreak havoc on weather patterns, crop scientists have been working to engineer plants better suited to extremes. But some researchers think we might be overlooking plants’ own solutions. Hilary Stohs-Krause reports.

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As Office Space Shrinks and Opens up, Workers Interact and Distract

Minneapolis, MN

MPR - The economy is supposedly on the mend, but companies continue to look for opportunities to trim expenses. The consulting firm Deloitte says businesses are still still as committed to cost-cutting as they were during the Great Recession, despite rising revenues. Annie Baxter reports some companies are examining their commercial real estate footprint as a potential cost to cut.