Author Archives: Molly Samuel

About Molly Samuel

Molly Samuel joined KQED as an intern in 2007, and since then has worked here as a reporter, producer, director and blogger. Before becoming KQED Science’s Multimedia Producer, she was a producer for Climate Watch. Molly has also reported for NPR, KALW and High Country News, and has produced audio stories for The Encyclopedia of Life and the Oakland Museum of California. She was a fellow with the Middlebury Fellowships in Environmental Journalism and a journalist-in-residence at the National Evolutionary Synthesis Center. Molly has a degree in Ancient Greek from Oberlin College and is a co-founder of the record label True Panther Sounds.

A Balloon Makes the Lights Go Out in San Francisco, and We Ask: Just How Does That Work?

April 26, 2013, 3:20 pm • Posted by Molly Samuel
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More than 4,700 PG&E customers in San Francisco lost power Wednesday afternoon when a bunch of mylar balloons hit a power line. KQED happened to be one of those customers.

Filed under: Energy, Science
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Three Things to Know About the New Exploratorium

April 16, 2013, 5:12 pm • Posted by Molly Samuel
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The Exploratorium is opening on Wednesday at Pier 15. The new $300 million location, a restored pier, is three times the size of the old one, and it's a state-of-the-art green building, outfitted with solar panels and a heating and cooling … Continue reading »

Filed under: Architecture, Arts and Entertainment, Education, Science
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Sierra Club Chief Arrested at Keystone XL Pipeline Protest

February 13, 2013, 5:10 pm • Posted by Molly Samuel
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For the first time in the Sierra Club's 120-year history, its national leader has been arrested for civil disobedience. Executive Director Michael Brune was one of several celebrity demonstrators arrested today in Washington, DC, when they tied themselves to a … Continue reading »

Filed under: Environment
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Birds Cost BART Millions; Photos of the Culprits

December 7, 2012, 11:00 am • Posted by Molly Samuel
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Listen to the audio version here:[Audio clip: view full post to listen] Nesting birds are adding nearly $5 million to the price of building the BART extension south of Fremont. BART's board approved paying the extra cost on Thursday. It's … Continue reading »

Filed under: Animals and Wildlife, Transportation
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What Will Climate Change Do to Our Past?

November 20, 2012, 12:50 pm • Posted by Molly Samuel
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Archaeologists are combing California's coast, searching for artifacts before they're lost to rising seas.

Filed under: California History, Environment, Native American Issues, Science
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Oakland Reevaluating Urban Farming Rules

July 25, 2011, 11:57 am • Posted by Molly Samuel
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Oakland is taking another look at its urban agriculture rules. The clash between Oakland's regulations, which were written in 1965, and the current popularity of urban homesteading came to a head in March when urban farmer and author Novella Carpenter … Continue reading »

Filed under: Agriculture, Food, Oakland
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Mice Make Trouble in the Farallones

May 16, 2011, 11:35 am • Posted by Molly Samuel
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The Farallon Islands have been crawling with house mice for years. They may have stowed away on boats and ridden out to the islands as early as the 1800s. Mice can be annoying or — if they're your pets — … Continue reading »

Filed under: Animals and Wildlife, Environment
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