Susanne Whatley News Anchor

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Susan Whatley is a News Anchor at KPCC: Southern California Public Radio.

Stories by Susanne Whatley

Polar bear mom star of 3-D film 'To the Arctic'

By Susanne Whatley

It wasn't until their final expedition that Greg and Shaun MacGillivray found the stars of their latest project: A polar bear and her two cubs.

Assemblyman back after year in Afghanistan

By Susanne Whatley

Lt. Cmdr. Jeff Gorell checked out from a year of active duty last Thursday, and checked in to his job as a member of the State Assembly in Sacramento.

Hunger Games kills at weekend box office

By Susanne Whatley

"The Hunger Games" slaughtered at the box office this weekend, setting new records for film openings in March and for movies that aren't sequels.

New LAIR reptile exhibit opening at LA Zoo

By Susanne Whatley

All manner of cold-blooded creatures are settling into new digs at the L.A. Zoo. It’s called Living Amphibian, Invertebrates, and Reptiles, or “LAIR” for short.

Dogs now permitted on restaurant patios

By Lisa Brenner with Susanne Whatley

Waiter, there's a dog in my soup. Dogs are now legally permitted on patios to enjoy the luxury of outdoor restaurant dining alongside their owners.

Villaraigosa on Occupy LA, city budget, declining crime

By Susanne Whatley

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa spoke with KPCC about Los Angeles' budget, L.A.'s crime rates declining for a ninth straight year, how Occupy L.A. changed the city budget and more. Here's what he had to say.

Judge OKs Malibu Lagoon restoration to mixed reviews

By Susanne Whatley | KPCC & wires

The Malibu Lagoon restoration project can go forward. That's the decision of a San Francisco judge who’d put the brakes on the effort earlier this year. Not everyone is pleased with the decision to restore circulation to the lagoon's brackish waters.

JPL celebrates 75th anniversary with new documentary 'The American Rocketeer'

By Susanne Whatley

This fall, Pasadena's NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory observes the 75th anniversary of the first rocket experiments in the Arroyo Seco, the site that later became its home. The first experiments were 75 years ago this Halloween.

Los Angeles City Council backs letting fans buy Dodgers

By Susanne Whatley | KPCC/AP

The Los Angeles City Council is backing efforts to allow fans to buy the Los Angeles Dodgers. Yesterday, the Los Angeles City Council voted to ask Congress to allow Angelenos to buy the team if it goes onto the market.

California bills take aim at paid signature-gatherers

By Mike Roe and Susanne Whatley

Decades ago, it seemed like a good idea — letting Californians decide on issues from taxes to the legality of same-sex marriage through ballot initiatives. Now, critics say that progressive approach to governance has morphed into an industry that caters to special interests with money to spend. Two state Senate bills are taking aim at the process. One would require signature-gatherers to wear badges that indicate whether they’re paid or volunteers. The other would allow issue campaigns to pay them by the hour. But not per signature. Both measures passed the state Senate this week. State Senator Mark DeSaulnier of Concord explains what his bill's goal is.

Pasadena Showcase house: Tour of Tudor-style mansion ends Sunday

By Susanne Whatley

One of the oldest house and garden tours in the country is running the annual Pasadena Showcase House of Design through Sunday in an English country-style mansion in La Cañada Flintridge..

Northrop Grumman unveils new Firebird spy plane

By Mike Roe and Susanne Whatley

Northrop Grumman is test-flying a new spy plane over the Mojave desert. The Firebird can be flown with or without a pilot. Rick Crooks, Northrop’s director of advanced projects, led the development team and describes the plane - and its future.

Los Angeles shifts money from neighborhood improvements to pay for jail staffing

By Susanne Whatley

Money intended for neighborhood improvements near a landfill will instead be used to staff L.A.'s new jail. The city will pay back the money over time.

Remebering Jack Popejoy, dead at 63

By Steve Julian and Susanne Whatley

Longtime radio news reporter and anchor Jack Popejoy died of cancer over the weekend. He was 63.

'No Strings Attached' tops weekend box office

By Susanne Whatley

Natalie Portman recently won a Golden Globe for best dramatic actress in the movie "Black Swan," and now has a new distinction. It's a number one comedy.