August 21 - 25, 2006
Monday, Aug. 21
Engineers And Architects Association To Strike
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Guest host Ted Chen discusses the possible strike by the Engineers and Architects Association that provides essential services to Los Angleles.
State Republican Convention
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The California Republican Party's three-day summer 2006 convention took place in Los Angeles this weekend. Gov. Schwarzengger and Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, a potential candidate for the 2008 Republican presidential nomination, were among the speakers. Ted talks with political analyst, Sherry Bebitch Jeffe, about what was discussed at the convention and the positions the party will take on measures on the November ballot.
Redistricting/Term Limits Deal Delayed
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Last fall State Democratic leaders Don Perata and Fabian Nunez asked voters to defeat Governor Schwarzenegger's redistricting measure. In return, they promised, the legislature would pass its own redistricting legislation soon. After the bill was put on hold last week, it appears that "soon" will be 2008, at the earliest. What happened? Guest host Ted Chen finds out.
Cease Fire In Jeopardy?
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Guest host Ted Chen talks about the current situation in Southern Lebanon namely the alleged violation of the cease fire agreement by the Israelis, the difficulty that the UN is having finding countries to contribute troops to enforce the agreement and the agreement's lack of clarity regarding the disarmament of Hezbollah.
Being A Kid Again
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They've been referred to as kidults and grups; adults with the taste or mindset traditionally associated with people younger than themselves. They're going through what could be called adultescence, in a state of Peter Pandemonium. Larry talks about the phenomenon with Christopher Noxon, author of the new book, Rejuvenile. Noxon describes the phenomenon of Boomers playing kickball, collecting Matchbox cars, and hanging onto a childlike part of their lives.
Tuesday, Aug. 22
City Workers Strike
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Dozens of union workers from Los Angeles' crime labs, water sanitation facilities and runways at Los Angeles International Airport began a strike today in defiance of Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. Guest host Ted Chen speaks with a variety of guests about the impact of the strike on city services.
Minimum Wage Increase
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California's lowest paid workers will
get a $1.25 an hour pay raise over the next two years. The increase is a compromise between Governor Schwarzenegger and legislative leaders. Ted and his guests discuss the ramifications of the increase which will bring the state minimum wage to eight-dollars an hour by January, 2008.
Hillary's Political Future
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Senator Clinton and her representatives say she's too busy concentrating on her re-election this November to give any thought to the 2008 Presidential race. Yet some say the Junior Senator from New York is mounting a far more extensive campaign than is necessary to stay in the Senate. Ted Chen and his guests discuss the political future of the former first lady.
Pension Reform
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Last week President Bush signed legislation he calls "the most sweeping reform of America's pension laws in over 30 years." It gives companies seven years to shore up funding of their traditional pensions. However some critics say that, in time, these changes will weaken the pension system.
Shrinking Vacation Syndrome
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The American work ethic is alive and well. So much so that we're taking less and less vacation time. And thanks to technology that allows us to get things done 24/7 we can continue to work while we "play". Ted talks with Joe Robinson about what he calls OCP, or obsessive-compulsive productivity, as well as finding balance between our work and our life.
Wednesday, Aug. 23
Drug Discount Deal Close
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Lawmakers are close to a deal that would allow Californians with moderate incomes to receive deep discounts on prescription medicines.
Tom Cruise
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Paramount Pictures has severed its 14-year relationship with Tom Cruise, citing "unacceptable behavior" off-screen, Sumner Redstone told the Wall Street Journal in an interview. Is this a smart move for Viacom in light of the fact that his last 7 films have grossed more than $100 million each in the U.S.? What happened? And, what is next for Cruise and his production company?
Governor Signs Solar Energy Bill
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A landmark solar energy bill cleared by the California Legislature was signed into law Monday by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. The bill uses incentives, rebates and new building requirements to promote the construction of solar roofs. With the goal of constructing one million solar roofs over the next decade, the bill will create the country's largest solar program. The bill received bipartisan support from the state Assembly and Senate last week. Ted Chen discusses the bill with the Governor's former environmental leader Terry Tamminem, State Senator Kevin Murray, and Berkeley energy expert and opponent of the bill, Severin Borenstein.
Iran Agrees To Nuke Talks
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Iran said it was ready for "serious negotiations" on its nuclear program, but are they? Ted Chen talks with experts about Iran's nuclear program and what is going to be done to convince them to abandon uranium enrichment.
Empty Nest Syndrome
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Students are heading off to college which means lots of parents will be adjusting to life in the empty nest. Ted and his guests discuss how this transition period affects relationships between children and their parents as well as husbands and wives.
Thursday, Aug. 24
Stem Cells Created Without Destroying Human Embryos
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A California biotech company has found a new way of making stem cells without destroying embryos, touting it as a way to defuse one of the country's
fiercest political and ethical debates. Some opponents of the research said the method still doesn't
satisfy their objections and many stem cell scientists and their supporters called it inefficient and politically wrong-headed. But a spokeswoman for President Bush, who vetoed legislation
last month that would have allowed federal funding for embryonic
stem cell research, called it a step in the right direction.(AP) Ted Chen talks with experts about the new development.
City Strike Ends
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City workers who spent the last two days on the picket lines returned to their jobs today, even though the walkout failed to force the city into renewed contract negotiations. AirTalk guest host Ted Chen talks with KPCC reporter Frank Stoltze about the news.
Easing Traffic at LAX
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Los Angeles World Airports is working with LAX area cities and homeowners to develop traffic solutions as part of its ever-evolving LAX Master Plan. Eight different options for easing vehicle congestion around the airport were presented at last night. Ted Chen discusses the plans with LAX Airport Planning Chief Mike Doucette, and Denny Schneider of the Alliance for a Regional Solution to Airport Planning.
Lawsuit Against Employers Who Hire Illegals
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An Orange County attorney filed an anti-trust lawsuit on Monday against an agribusiness company accusing it of unfair business practices by hiring illegal immigrants to pick blueberries. The lawsuit, filed on behalf of farm labor contracting agency Global Horizons against a grower and two competing labor suppliers, alleges that by using illegal farm workers these companies are unfairly undercutting competitors. Guest host Ted Chen discusses the lawsuit with the attorney David Klehm and the interim president of MALDEF.
The Emmy Awards
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The Primetime Emmys will be handed out this Sunday, August 27, in recognition of excellence in the television industry. The 58th Annual awards program will be hosted by Conan O'Brien. Ted talks with Brian Lowry of Variety about who was and wasn't nominated, the Television Academy's new nominating process, and the future of those infamous gift bags.
Dick Smothers
The Smothers Brothers timeless blend of music and comedy has kept them in front of audiences, on stage and on television, for over 48 years. The pair, who have been referred to as "An American Classic," will highlight concert at the Hollywood Bowl this weekend. Ted speaks with Dick Smothers about the Brothers' long career and future.
Friday, Aug. 25
PUC Lifts Caps On Phone Rates
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State regulators are lifting most price controls for landline phone companies. They say competition with wireless, internet and cable phone providers will keep rates in check. The five-nothing vote by the California Public Utilities Commission allows phone companies to change their rates without prior approval. Such restrictions have been in place since the 1980s. Phone companies say the new rules will allow them to bundle services like Internet access and video-on-demand along with phone service for a single price. But some consumer groups objected to the decision, arguing it paves the way for phone companies to hike prices on poorer customers. Ted Chen and his guests discuss the new rules that are set to take effect in January 2009.
Supreme Court To Rule On School Integration
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Ted Chen discusses the issue of school integration and the ruling coming down from the Supreme Court.
Yen Do's Legacy
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Yen Do, the founder of the Nguoi Viet Daily News, the nation's first Vietnamese newspaper, died last Sunday. Ten Chen talks with guests about the legacy of the publisher remembered for his work with immigrants through his newspaper.
FilmWeek
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Guest host Ted Chen and critics
Jean Oppenheimer of New Times
and Scott Foundas, film editor for the L.A. Weekly,
discuss this week's new releases, including Invincible, Idlewild, How to Eat Fried Worms, Beerfest, Half-Nelson,
The Quiet, Viva Pedro!, Two Drifters, Queens, Fanfan la Tulipe, Buzz,
and last week's Snakes on a Plane.
