WAMU-FM: WAMU: The Kojo Nnamdi Show Podcast

LOBSTER: A SUMMER TALE: A lobster glut along the Northeast coast this summer has had wide-ranging consequences. The oversupply is so great that fishermen are losing money on their catch. And while New Englanders are enjoying bargain prices for this delicacy, don't expect that to be the case everywhere. We explore the intricacies of the lobster market and consider the cultural appeal of these crustaceans. (52 min.)

USING FACIAL RECOGNITION SOFTWARE: Some say it's the law enforcement tool of the future. Others say it's a threat to free speech and freedom of assembly. Software can now link your name to photos of your face and allow them to be accessed by Facebook friends, police and even the Department of Defense — without your knowledge. We explore privacy concerns over the boom in facial recognition technology. (52 min.)

WHOOPING COUGH, SWINE FLU AND BACK-TO-SCHOOL VACCINES : The U.S. is headed for the worst whooping cough outbreak in half a century. Maryland recently reported several cases of swine flu, and reports of West Nile virus are back. Some medical experts link the resurgence of infectious diseases to the rise of the anti-vaccine movement. What we need to know about protecting ourselves, our children and our communities. (52 min.)

CLIMATE SERVICES: Technology has changed the way we track weather. Apps and websites now give localized information in real time. Farmers and businesses rely on sophisticated modeling to predict conditions weeks and even months in advance. But as the swift and destructive path of this summer's derecho has proven, our understanding of weather patterns is far from perfect. Tech Tuesday explores how government planners, farmers, energy companies and a range of other businesses use climate and weather data for short and long-range planning. (52 min.)

VACATION POLITICS: D.C. can feel like a ghost town in August, with thousands of families making their annual vacation pilgrimages to the beach or mountains. But Americans receive — and take — far less downtime than their counterparts in other countries: The average U.S. worker gets just 10 paid days off, compared to 30 in Germany. Kojo talks with Howard Ross about the evolution of vacations in today's workplace. (52 min.)

CHARLOTTE GEARS UP FOR THE DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION : In just a few weeks, Charlotte, N.C., will become the epicenter of Democratic politics. The "Queen City" will host the president, Democratic delegates, journalists and thousands of protesters for the Democratic National Convention. Beyond the official events, Charlotte is preparing for big parties, big marches and heavy security. We preview what's in store, and get a read on the political winds in this battleground state. (31 min.) WHEN CHILDREN FLY ALONE: United Airlines is taking criticism over its policies for minors who fly unaccompanied by adults. A Bethesda, Md., man took his concerns public this weekend, after he paid a fee to have his daughter escorted in airports on her flight and she was still left alone. We examine the business practices airlines are deploying on this front, and why some airlines have outsourced how they handle minors to separate companies. (19 min.)

THE POLITICS HOUR: Casino supporters hit jackpot as Maryland votes to expand its gambling program. Virginia's governor loses the lottery to join Mitt Romney on the Republican presidential ticket. And the U.S. transportation secretary joins regional leaders in playing tough with the area's airports authority. Join us for our weekly review of the politics, policies and personalities of the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia. (52 min.)

A CONSERVATIVE APPROACH TO CLIMATE CHANGE: Within the scientific community, there is a widespread consensus that human activity is contributing to climate change. But the issue remains highly divisive within American politics. While some conservative lawmakers deny that climate change is a problem, many worry that government actions and regulations will end up stifling growth. We talk with former Republican Congressman Bob Inglis, who is proposing free-market solutions to address climate change and related issues. (33 min.) YOUR TURN: A COMING DIPLOMATIC SHOWDOWN OVER WIKILEAKS : The Ecuadorean government granted political asylum to WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. Assange has been in Ecuador's London Embassy for nearly two months and says he's willing to return to Sweden to face trial, but not before getting an international guarantee that he won't be extradited to the U.S. With the Brits putting pressure on Ecuador, and Sweden not making any promises, what are your thoughts? Should Assange be allowed to leave the embassy and fly to Quito, Ecuador? Or should the Brits step in and not allow it (and breach diplomatic protocol)? And what role does pressure from the Obama administration have to do with it? (18 min.)

PUBLIC POWER TO THE PEOPLE?: Consumer dissatisfaction with power companies is running high in the Washington region this summer after storms knocked out electricity for hundreds of thousands in late June. One local activist says the only way to to make our grids more reliable is to replace private companies like Pepco with publicly-owned utilities. We get a crash course in public power and whether it would be feasible in our region. (52 min.)

CARE WORKERS AROUND THE WORLD: The vast majority of people who care for children, the elderly and disabled in wealthy places like the United States come from developing countries. It's work that some say falls into the "3-D" category (dirty, difficult and demeaning). Immigrants who do these jobs are typically paid poorly and offered few basic workplace protections. It's a trend that's also creating care gaps in the families and societies these workers leave behind. We look at both ends of what's known as the "global care chain."(52 min.)

A RECIPE FOR CORRUPTION: JACK ABRAMOFF'S RESTAURANTS: As a lobbyist, Jack Abramoff used a lot of techniques to influence lawmakers — some of which broke the law and landed him in federal prison. One of the more prominent items in his toolbox was Signatures, the upscale restaurant he owned and operated in Washington, D.C - along with two other restaurant businesses. Abramoff joins Kojo to chat about how he used restaurants to manipulate levers of power and his new life as a government reform advocate. (52 min.)

THE TAX DEBATE BEHIND GAMBLING IN MARYLAND: The Maryland General Assembly is working in Annapolis this week on a plan to expand gambling in the Old Line State, paving the way for a potential high-end casino in Prince George's County. But the operators of the slots facilities already up and running in Maryland are pushing for additional relief to offset the losses they may suffer with additional competition. We explore the incentives on the table and how they're likely to affect the state's broader debate about expanding gambling. (17 min.) BANKERS BEHAVING BADLY: Scandals at three big British banks have grabbed headlines recently. Some in the financial world say these aren't isolated incidents coming to light, but rather all-too-common practices. We explore why regulators are cracking down now, what it means for U.S. banks, and whether we're about to see a new era of transparency in the financial world. (32 min.)

STORYTELLING IN THE DIGITAL AGE: Common wisdom has it that technology is shrinking our attention spans and narrowing the kinds of stories we seek on the Web. But what if new devices and platforms like e-books and tablets are actually creating entirely new forms of writing? New York Times tech reporter and suspense writer Matt Richtel joins us to explore how new technology is breathing life into the short story genre, and discusses how he uses real technology stories to inform his fiction. (52 min.)

AMERICA'S ALLY: WHAT'S NEXT FOR ETHIOPIA: Ethiopia is a strong U.S. ally and a regional power in east Africa. Over the last decade, it has pulled millions up from poverty through a combination of economic growth and foreign development assistance. But the country's ruling party, led by Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, has also brutally suppressed dissent by jailing journalists and political rivals. Now rumors that Meles is in failing health are ratcheting up tensions. We explore the situation in Ethiopia. (36 min.) ALL EYES ON TAMPA: PREVIEWING THE RNC: Two weeks from today, thousands of delegates, reporters and protesters will descend on Tampa, Fla., for the Republican National Convention. It's the city's time to shine in the national spotlight. We'll chat with local voices about security, weather, politics and traffic, and whether the area is ready for the moment. (14 min.)

"BASEBALL'S GREATEST MAVERICK" : Bill Veeck was born into professional sports: his father served as president of the Chicago Cubs and his first job was at Wrigley Field. But Veeck's sprawling career as a baseball executive affected many people outside the world of sports. He paved the way for integration in the American League, and rewrote the rules for how teams do business with their home cities and fans. We chat with biographer Paul Dickson about Veeck's life and legacy in sports and the Washington region. (52 min.)