April 2 - 6, 2007
Monday, April 2
And the Tribune Company Goes to...
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The Tribune Co. has accepted a buyout offer from real estate investor Sam Zell in a deal valued at about $8.2 billion. The owner of the Chicago Tribune, the LA Times, and various other newspapers and TV stations spent six months soliciting bids and reviewing offers. Larry talks with Business Week columnist John Fine and Crain Chicago Business reporter Tom Corfman about the sale and about the Tribune's new owner, Sam Zell.
Supreme Court Rules on Global Warming Regulation
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The Supreme Court ordered the federal government on Monday to take a fresh look at regulating carbon dioxide emissions from cars, a rebuke to Bush administration policy on global warming. In a 5-4 decision, the court said the Clean Air Act gives the Environmental Protection Agency the authority to regulate the emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases from cars. Larry Mantle talks with UCLA Environmental Law Center Executive Director Sean Hecht.
Law Enforcement and Meth
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In light of new restrictions on selling over-the-counter drugs used in the production of meth, manufacturers of this dangerous drug have gone either south of the border or even more underground. How are law enforcement agencies working to curb the production and sale of the drug? Larry talks to some of the top cops in meth enforcement.
Meth and the Gay Community
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It is well known that meth has been the drug of choice for many gay men. Larry Mantle examines the relationship of meth to gay culture and efforts by the gay community to curb its abuse. Panelists are former California Assemblyman Paul Koretz, West Hollywood City Councilman John Duran and AIDS Healthcare Foundation President Michael Weinstein.
Children and Play
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Larry Mantle talks with child development expert David Elkind about why he thinks play is essential to healty emotional and academic development.
Batter Up!
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Sports Illustrated has picked the Dodgers and the Angels to meet in this year's World Series. Larry talks with Mike DiGiovanna, baseball writer with the LA Times, about opening day for both teams as well as how the 2007 season may unfold.
Tuesday, April 3
Iraq War Spending
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President Bush in a news conference today expressed frustration with the debate on Iraq war spending and accused majority-party Democrats of being "more interested in fighting political battles in Washington than
providing our troops what they need." Larry discusses the issue with Ron Elving, Senior Washington Editor for National Public Radio, and takes listener thoughts about what to do in Iraq.
Have You Done Your Taxes Yet?
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Larry Mantle talks with Kathy Kristof, Business Columnist for the L.A.Times who pens the "Personal Finance" section, about the changes to the tax code this year, and other tax related issues.
The New Alternative Weekly, The District
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Larry Mantle talks with Will Swaim, formerly of the OC Weekly, about his new venture as Publisher of the new alternative newspaper, The District, which will be available in Long Beach, and launch in mid-April.
British Sailors in Iran
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It's a standoff that's heightening tensions even further in the Middle East. Fifteen British sailors and marines were captured by Iran in the Persian Gulf on March 23rd. Iran insists the crew was deep in its territorial waters; Britain says they were in Iraqi waters and under a United Nations mandate. Larry talks with Scott Peterson, reporter for the Christian Science Monitor, Rob Gifford, NPR-correspondent in London, and Jim Walsh, international security expert at Security Studies Program at M.I.T.'s Center for International Studies, about the latest in this confrontation.
The Qur'an
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The Qur'an is a ritual, political and legal authority, as well as a literary masterpiece and an ethical and spiritual guide. In his new book The Qur'an: A Biography (Atlantic Monthly Press), Bruce Lawrence, author and professor of Islamic Studies at Duke University, describes the origins of the faith from 7th century Arabia and explains why the book is both memorized and recited by devout Muslims. Larry talks with Bruce about the sacred book of Islam and its impact on the world.
Wednesday, April 4
British Hostages to be Released
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Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Iran would free the 15 detained British sailors and marines Wednesday as an Easter holiday "gift" to the British people. Iranian state television said the 14 men and one woman, who were seized while on patrol in the northern Persian gulf on March 23, would leave Iran on Thursday. An Iranian official in London said the hostages would be handed over to British diplomats in Tehran.
Work, Work, Work
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The number of Californians of retirement age who continue to work has risen considerably in the last decade. According to a report released this week by the California Budget Project, improved health and longer life expectancy has enabled people to work longer. But the main reason for the trend is that more and more seniors can't afford to retire. Larry Mantle talks with the California Budget Project's Executive Director, Jean Ross.
Today's New Environmentalists And Their Vision For The Future
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The need for solutions to environmental problems is evident. Teresa Heinz Kerry and Senator John Kerry, both long involved in environmental advocacy, traveled across the country to see at first hand how these issues unite people regardless of their party affiliation or ideological beliefs. Larry talks with the Kerry's about their new book, This Moment on Earth, which describes the people and communities they met who are actively working to save the world they know and love. The book also includes a guide to how readers can get involved.
The Obsessive Quest For The Perfect Lawn
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In his new book American Green, author and environmental historian Ted Steinberg takes on our country's obsessive preoccupation with lush, velvety, green lawns. Steinberg explores the mysteries of the all-American landscape and "mows down" the turf-care industry along the way. The author joins Larry Mantle to discuss the origins of the lawn and the American obsession with maintaining the perfect turf.
Thursday, April 5
Deporting Arrested Illegal Immigrants Before Trial
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Gang members who have been arrested, and are then found to be in the Southland illegally, will now face deportation before they go to trial. L.A. City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo, and L.A. County District Attorney Steve Cooley, are working more closely with federal immigration officials. The partnership with Immigration and Customs Enforcement marks a departure for local law enforcement which generally keeps federal officials at arm's length. Joining Larry to discuss the new policy are Angelica Salas of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA) and L.A. County District Attorney Steve Cooley.
Grocery Strike Deja Vu?
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In 2003 Southland grocery workers struck for over four months and it's possible it could be deja vu all over again. Albertsons, Ralphs and Vons officials announced they will once again lock out Southland workers at all three chains if clerks at any one launch a strike. Larry talks with Rick Icaza, President, United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 770 and Edena Tessler, spokeswoman for the supermarket chains about this latest labor battle.
Nuclear Power To Combat Global Warming
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As the threat of global warming looms larger, CO2 emission-free nuclear power is being given a second look as an energy alternative in California. Republican State Assemblyman Chuck Devore has proposed legislation that would lift the moratorium on building nuclear power plants in California. Also joining the conversation with Larry is Karl Zichella of the Sierra Club, who argues that global warming can be mitigated without resorting to new nuclear power plants in California.
Near is More
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In his new book Deep Economy: The Wealth of Communities and the Durable Future (Times Books), author and environmentalist Bill McKibben, challenges the prevailing economic view that "more is better" and urges us to move beyond growth as the paramount economic ideal. McKibben proposes we pursue prosperity in a more local direction, with cities, suburbs, and regions producing more of what they consume like food, energy and even culture, on a local level. The author joins Larry Mantle to talk about his new economic vision.
Memoirs Of A Boy Soldier
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What is war like through the eyes of a child soldier? How does one become a killer and how does one stop? In his book A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier (Farrar, Straus and Giroux), Ishmael Beah, now twenty-six years old, tells the riveting story of how, at the age of twelve, he fled attacking rebels and wandered his homeland of Sierra Leone which had been rendered unrecognizable by violence. By thirteen, he'd been picked up by the government army, and found that he was capable of truly terrible acts. Ishmael joins Larry to share his firsthand account of how his life was altered by war and how he emerged from the chaos.
Friday, April 6
Expo Line Phase 2
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Phase 1 of the MTA's Exposition Light Rail project, intended to run from Downtown Los Angeles to Santa Monica, has begun. West side residents are divided over possible routes for the Expo Line to follow from Culver City to Santa Monica. Larry is at the Palms/Rancho Park Branch of the LA Public Library to moderate a panel discussion on Phase 2 of the Expo Line with guests Zev Yaroslavsly, Los Angeles County Supervisor representing the Third District, Samantha Bricker, Chief Operation Officer for the Exposition Construction Authority, Jonathon Weiss, Cheviot Hills resident and member of Light Rail for Cheviot, and Terri Tippit, spokesperson for Neighbors For Smart Rail.
What if You Can't Avert Your Eyes?
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Recently billboards showing graphic images of a woman being tortured and killed were erected in LA and NY advertising the film Captivity. The MPAA has withheld rating the film and the billboards have been removed. Larry talks about the controversial ad campaign with Marti Noxon, producer of TV's Grey's Anatomy, who worked to get the billboards removed, and Ira Teinowitz, Washington Bureau Chief for Advertising Age and Television Week.
FilmWeek
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Larry and critics Henry Sheehan of HenrySheehan.com and Peter Rainer of the Christian Science Monitor discuss this week's new releases, including Grindhouse, The Reaping, The Hoax, Killer of Sheep, and Black Book.
