Baylen, Asthaa Chaturvedi, Rachelle Bonja, Diana Nguyen, Marion Lozano, Corey Schreppel, Rob Szypko, Elisheba Ittoop, Mooj Zadie, Patricia Willens, Rowan Niemisto, Jody Becker, Rikki Novetsky, John Ketchum, Nina Feldman, Will Reid, Carlos Prieto, Ben Calhoun, Susan Lee, Lexie Diao, Mary Wilson, Alex Stern, Dan Farrell, Sophia Lanman, Shannon Lin, Diane Wong, Devon Taylor, Alyssa Moxley, Summer Thomad, and Olivia Natt. Our theme music is by Jim Brunberg and Ben Landsverk of Wonderly. Special thanks to Sam Dolnick, Paula Szuchman, Lisa Tobin, Larissa Anderson, Julia Simon, Sofia Milan, Mahima Chablani, Elizabeth Davis-Moorer, Jeffrey Miranda, Renan Borelli, Maddy Masiello, Isabella Anderson, and Nina Lassam.

In a recent investigation by The New York Times, it was revealed that passenger planes in the United States are coming dangerously close to crashing into each other far more frequently than the public is aware of. This alarming trend has raised concerns about the safety of the aviation system, which has long been regarded as one of the safest in the world. Sydney Ember, an economics reporter for The Times, sheds light on why there is a steady stream of close calls in the aviation industry.

The investigation has uncovered that airline close calls occur far more often than previously known, highlighting a significant issue within the industry. These incidents pose a serious threat to the safety of passengers and crew members. The report emphasizes the need for urgent action to address this growing problem and ensure the safety of the flying public.

On today's episode of The Daily, Sydney Ember provides background information on the frequency of close calls in the aviation industry. Additionally, the episode explores the topic of turbulence and offers insights on the various ways to listen to The Daily podcast.

It is worth noting that The Daily podcast is produced by a dedicated team consisting of Rachel Quester, Lynsea Garrison, Clare Toeniskoetter, Paige Cowett, Michael Simon Johnson, Brad Fisher, Chris Wood, Jessica Cheung, Stella Tan, Alexandra Leigh Young, Lisa Chow, Eric Krupke, Marc Georges, Luke Vander Ploeg, M.J. Davis Lin, Dan Powell, Sydney Harper, Mike Benoist, Liz O. Baylen, Asthaa Chaturvedi, Rachelle Bonja, Diana Nguyen, Marion Lozano, Corey Schreppel, Rob Szypko, Elisheba Ittoop, Mooj Zadie, Patricia Willens, Rowan Niemisto, Jody Becker, Rikki Novetsky, John Ketchum, Nina Feldman, Will Reid, Carlos Prieto, Ben Calhoun, Susan Lee, Lexie Diao, Mary Wilson, Alex Stern, Dan Farrell, Sophia Lanman, Shannon Lin, Diane Wong, Devon Taylor, Alyssa Moxley, Summer Thomad, and Olivia Natt. The theme music for The Daily is composed by Jim Brunberg and Ben Landsverk of Wonderly.

In other news, a separate investigation conducted by The New York Times has uncovered a widespread crisis of groundwater depletion in many parts of the United States. Communities and farms across the nation are pumping out groundwater at alarming rates, leading to the shrinking of aquifers. This crisis not only threatens the availability of drinking water but also poses a significant risk to the country's status as a leading producer of food.

Christopher Flavelle, a journalist covering climate adaptation for The Times, delves into this issue, focusing on Arizona, a state at the forefront of the crisis. Flavelle examines one controversial solution to address the shrinking aquifers: desalination. This process involves converting saltwater into freshwater, potentially providing an alternative source of water for communities facing water scarcity.

The investigation into the groundwater crisis in America has revealed five key takeaways. These include the alarming rate at which groundwater is being depleted, the implications for drinking water supplies, the impact on the country's agricultural industry, the urgency for action to address the crisis, and the potential role of desalination in mitigating the problem.

Contributing to the report is Sydney Harper, with fact-checking conducted by Susan Lee. The Daily podcast would like to acknowledge the contributions of Davis Lin, Dan Powell, Dave Shaw, Robert Jimison, Mike Benoist, Liz O. Baylen, Asthaa Chaturvedi, Rachelle Bonja, Diana Nguyen, Marion Lozano, Corey Schreppel, Rob Szypko, Elisheba Ittoop, Mooj Zadie, Patricia Willens, Rowan Niemisto, Jody Becker, Rikki Novetsky, John Ketchum, Nina Feldman, Will Reid, Carlos Prieto, Ben Calhoun, Susan Lee, Lexie Diao, Mary Wilson, Alex Stern, Dan Farrell, Sophia Lanman, Shannon Lin, Diane Wong, Devon Taylor, Alyssa Moxley, Summer Thomad, and Olivia Natt for their contributions to the podcast. The Daily's theme music is composed by Jim Brunberg and Ben Landsverk of Wonderly.

The investigation into the frequency of close calls in the aviation industry and the crisis of groundwater depletion in the United States highlight significant challenges that require immediate attention. These issues have far-reaching implications for public safety and the availability of essential resources, emphasizing the need for comprehensive solutions to ensure a safer and more sustainable future.