In Depth: Diving into the OC oil spill; looking at impact pandemic, virtual learning has on students

Marla Tellez hosts this week's episode of In Depth for Hal Eisner.

Segment One:

Congressman Ted Lieu joins Marla to talk about the legislation he co-authored to ban oil drilling in federal waters. Lieu says that drilling is already banned in state waters in California, but his bill would extend that to the waters three miles off the coast. He discussed the fact that the oil drilling off the Pacific coast makes up a bare fraction of the oil used in gas production. He says there is also legislation that will lift caps on penalties for any future oil spills. He thinks that will force oil companies to either modernize their equipment or stop drilling. He says it will help to solve the problem when car manufacturers go to all-electric models, and there is more use of renewable energy.

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Segment Two:

The CEO of International Bird Rescue, JD Bergeron, joins Marla to talk about the ongoing rehabilitation project for oiled birds in the spill area. Bergeron says the first two oiled birds that came through the bird rescue have been released back into the wild. He explains the process by which the birds are cleaned and restored to health. He says the public should not approach animals in the wild. He shares the Oiled Wildlife Hotline for people to use if they spot an animal in distress. That number is 877-UCD-OWCN.

Segment Three:

Myles Hunter, the CEO and co-founder of TutorMe and Allie McGlone, a tutor with the company join Marla to talk about the impact that the pandemic and virtual learning have had on students.  A significant number of students are dealing with learning loss, and tutors can help bridge the gap. Hunter says students need one-on-one help to get back on course.  He says the company has seen about five times more students than they saw before the pandemic.

McGlone says one of the biggest issues students have is staying focused. She says that with parents and teachers overwhelmed and overworked, tutors can fill in to boost students’ knowledge and confidence.

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Hunter says that the online platform works well for students who might be intimidated by having to get tutoring in person.

He says that their core focus is now to work with school districts, universities and colleges to get students tutoring for free. He says that the American Rescue plan is plowing billions of dollars into education, which should help get students back on track.

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