Topic: Cedar

The Texas Hill Country experienced unusual 70-degree weather and heavy rain during early May 2024. A massive invasion of thick black caterpillars occurred simultaneously, which notably transform into moths rather than butterflies despite the presence of cedar trees.

Researchers analyzing ten years of CDC data found that heart attack deaths among young people, which had been declining, reversed trend during the pandemic. A study from Cedars-Sinai suggests a 30% increase in heart attack risk for younger demographics. Health officials are debating whether this spike is a direct result of COVID-19 infections or other variables introduced since 2020.

An anecdote describes a social gathering with a former New York banker where cedar smoke caused an allergic reaction. The conversation touched on election integrity, with the banker dismissing claims of fraud as "just Twitter" noise, despite the unprecedented volume of mail-in ballots in the 2020 election.

A massive derecho wind storm struck Cedar Rapids, Iowa, causing extensive damage to corn crops and leaving neighborhoods without power for six days. Local farmers report hurricane-level gusts that destroyed graineries and flattened fields. Criticism is directed at national news outlets and the Trump administration for failing to provide adequate disaster reporting or emergency response while focusing on political narratives.

Donations from executive producers are read, including a significant contribution from Ross Easterling regarding HR 6666. A new knight, Sir Real Estate of the North Coast, describes the "reign of the Rhino" under Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and the mandatory mask policies at Cedar Point amusement park. The segment includes various "de-douching" requests and personal anecdotes from the listener community.

The hosts read birthday messages for listeners' spouses and children, including a 10-year-old who enjoys the show on road trips. They also recognize small business owners, such as the proprietor of "Two-Way Radio Parts," who continue to support the program. A listener's suggestion that Joe Biden should choose Michelle Obama as a running mate is briefly mentioned.

The hosts read a list of donations from "Associate Executive Producers" across the US and Canada. Notable contributions include a "drunk donation" from Cedar Park, Texas, and a first-time donation from a handmade jewelry business called Brandon Creations. The segment reinforces the listener-supported nature of the podcast.

CBS reporter Dean Reynolds visits a Trump rally in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to interview "Front Row Joes" and other steadfast supporters. The hosts deconstruct the televised report, criticizing the use of editing techniques—such as showing a young girl shouting "build a wall"—to frame supporters as irrational. One interviewee directly confronts the reporter on camera, accusing CBS of producing slanted stories.

Adam Curry describes his recent health struggles with a severe cough and an eye infection attributed to cedar pollen in Austin, Texas. He details his experience visiting a walk-in clinic as a "self-pay" patient without health insurance, noting the efficiency and lower costs compared to insurance-based billing. The physician prescribed penicillin and advised against expensive eye drops, resulting in a total cost of $169 instead of a much higher deductible-based fee.

Residents of Austin, Texas, are experiencing severe "cedar fever" symptoms due to local cedar trees. The persistent nasal congestion and respiratory issues have affected long-term residents for several months throughout 2016 and into early 2017.

The hosts play a clip of Alex Jones complaining about the severe seasonal allergies in Austin, Texas. Jones describes his physical suffering and suggests the allergies are worse than "nerve gas." The hosts joke that Jones is likely preparing to launch a new line of allergy-related products on Info Wars.

Defectors from North Korea claim the regime's military hacking units could destroy entire cities through cyberattacks. The hosts dismiss these claims as propaganda designed to support cybersecurity legislation. They also recommend a new television series, "Mr. Robot," which depicts a psychopathic hacker and is set to premiere on the USA Network.

President Obama visited Cedar Falls, Iowa, to promote faster broadband and municipal internet as a competitive advantage for U.S. cities. He compared U.S. speeds unfavorably to cities like Seoul and Tokyo, using an iPad to show a bar graph of download speeds. The hosts criticize the initiative as a push for government-regulated internet and note that Austin, Texas, which has very fast speeds, was omitted from the president's comparison.

Adam Curry describes suffering from "Cedar Fever" in Austin, Texas, an allergic reaction to cedar pollen that causes respiratory distress and dizziness. He contrasts the unseasonably warm 75-degree temperatures in California and Texas with a ground blizzard and record cold in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The discussion touches on personal health remedies, including visits to an applied kinesiologist and the use of magnolia-based treatments.

Adam Curry reports from the Travis Heights hideout in Austin, Texas, where his partner, Miss Mickey, is suffering from a severe illness she describes as the "dastardly flu." John C. Dvorak suggests the symptoms might be Valley Fever, a fungal infection caused by spores in the California Central Valley, while Curry notes the local prevalence of Cedar Fever. The hosts discuss the challenges of managing a household when a partner is incapacitated by illness and delirium.

The hosts discuss Adam's ongoing health issues, which John attributes to the psychological stress of moving to a new environment like Texas. Adam clarifies that he is suffering from a severe mold allergy triggered by high local alerts. He describes the difficulty of managing the condition with medication while adjusting to the different allergens found in the Austin area.

The hosts critique NPR for its increasing reliance on corporate advertisements disguised as sponsorship acknowledgments. They highlight commercials for Cedars-Sinai, Carbonite, and LifeLock appearing on the public radio network. This is contrasted with the No Agenda model of direct listener support without corporate influence.