Scotcast

Water scarcity warnings have been issued by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) amid a lengthy hot and dry spell of weather. We ask freshwater scientist Dr Rhian Thomas from Glasgow University and the BBC's Kevin Keane why experts are concerned about a lack of rain. And Martin tells Laura the story of Millie, the fare-dodging dog. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch with us by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk

A proposal to legalise assisted dying has been backed in principle by MSPs. The BBC’s Kirsten Campbell explains why the bill, brought forward by Liberal Democrat Liam McArthur (pictured), won’t necessarily become law. And MSPs Patrick Harvie and Pam Duncan-Glancy (also pictured) tell us why they voted for and against it respectively. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch with us by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk

Norma and Michelle are both living with life-changing health conditions. But they disagree on whether it should become legal to give terminally-ill people assistance to end their lives. As MSPs prepare to vote on the broad principles of a proposed assisted dying bill, Norma and Michelle explain their perspectives on this emotive and controversial issue. If you are suffering distress or despair and need support, including urgent support, or if you need advice and support with bereavement or other issues we’ve discussed today, a list of organisations that can help is available at bbc.co.uk/actionline. Or you can call for free to hear recorded information on 0800 066 066. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch with us by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk

The UK is at the forefront of an AI copyright debate, with politicians deciding whether to allow AI models to use music without paying artists for their work. Scottish band Glasvegas joined more than a thousand artists in releasing a silent album in protest at the plans. They want the government to side with creatives over technology companies. Robert Allan, lead guitarist in the band (pictured) and Sidrah Hassan, an AI ethicist, discuss what it could mean for the future of music. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch with us by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk

The alcohol ban on ScotRail trains, which has been in place since the Covid pandemic, will be scrapped. Martin and Laura discuss why the Scottish Government dropped the measure. And we ask Kirsty Mulcahy (pictured) from Sober Buzz what the change tells us about our drinking culture. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch with us by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk

First Minister John Swinney has revealed his programme for government for the next year to MSPs at Holyrood - including plans to scrap peak rail fares, tackle youth anti-social behaviour on buses and to increase in GP appointments. Oppositions parties say his government has run out of ideas. And with one year to go before Scots go to the polls, we ask Bernard Ponsonby and Andy Maciver (pictured) to predict the results of the vote. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch with us by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk

Scots are, on average, having fewer children than ever before. And our population is ageing rapidly. We ask demographer Paul Morland, author of ‘No One Left: Why the World Needs More Children’, why our falling birth rate is such a big problem – and how we can fix it. And Kryptonite: Martin responds to Laura and Natalie’s allegation he had no idea what he was talking about. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch with us by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk

Actor, comedian and star of ‘Chewin’ the Fat’, Karen Dunbar, drops by the studio to discuss fame, cancel culture and what it means to laugh. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins.This episode contains some use of strong language.Get in touch with us by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk

Jim Ratcliffe (pictured), part-owner of the Grangemouth refinery, has blamed carbon taxes after it stopped processing crude oil. We ask energy historian Ewan Gibbs and the BBC’s Kevin Keane what led to the loss of 430 jobs at the 100-year-old site. And Laura and Natalie question whether Martin really understands Kryptonite. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch with us by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk

First Minister John Swinney says rap group Kneecap should be axed from Glasgow's TRNSMT music festival after old footage emerged of one of its members appearing to say: "The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP."Former Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill tells Laura why Mr Swinney's intervention is “utterly pointless” and why the group, who have apologised to the families of murdered MPs Sir David Amess and Jo Cox, should be left alone. And after the power cuts in Spain and Portugal, David Wallace Lockhart reveals the action he’s taken.Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch with us by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk