In L.A.'s quest for quick public transportation, Mayor Villaraigosa, the MTA board and members of the U.S. Congress disagree on how to fund subway and light rail extensions throughout the Southland. The Mayor favors fast-tracking the Westside subway, offsetting its high cost with federal New Start dollars, while others want that proposal expanded to include 5 transit projects. Wither the Westside subway, Crenshaw corridor and Gold Line extensions? Larry Mantle tunnels into the debate.
Small wind turbines would seem to offer a great energy solution for homeowners and small businesses – they’re relatively inexpensive, easily installed, and can offset anywhere from 10 percent to 100 percent of energy costs. But increasingly, the expense and delayed approval times to acquire county permits is discouraging the growth of this green business. Permits in unincorporated LA county can cost up to $13,000 and wait time can stretch into months, causing potential customers to give up their dream of a windmill in the backyard.
The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency announced that Iran has agreed to a draft deal to transfer most of its nuclear material abroad. The proposal came after three days of talks between leaders from Iran, the United States, France, and Russia, who have until Friday to approve the deal. The plans call for Iran to transfer its stockpile of nuclear fuel to Russia for reformatting, which then would be returned for use in a medical research reactor. Larry discusses details of the agreement.
Berkeley Breathed is a Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist, best known for Bloom County, a 1980s comic strip with funny, political commentary and memorable characters like Opus the Penguin. Breathed joins Larry to talk about his new anthology, "Bloom County: The Complete Collection," as well as his novel for young readers, "Flawed Dogs."
