April 28 - May 2, 2008
Monday, April 28
Santa Anita Fire Update
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Fires raged for much of the weekend and continue to send thick plumes of smoke above the hills of Sierra Madre. Larry checks in with KPCC's reporter on the scene, fire fighters and other emergency officials.
Stimulus Checks Are in the Mail: Will They Save the Economy?
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Tax rebates will begin showing up in some people's bank accounts today. But analysts say many Americans are likely going to spend their rebates on basic necessities, including gas and food, and to pay down debt. Larry talks with economist Jack Kyser about the affect the stimulus checks are likely to have on Southern California's economy.
Eli Broad and Roy Romer
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Roy Romer, former superintendent of Los Angeles Unified schools, will join Eli Broad and other leading philanthropists, business leaders and economists to discuss the crisis in American education, its impact on the country's future, and current reform efforts to ensure all students will graduate with the skills needed to compete in a global economy. Larry Mantle talks with Broad and Romer about the need to reform and improve K-12 schools.
Voter ID Law Upheld by Supreme Court
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The Supreme Court ruled Monday that states can require voters to produce photo identification without violating their constitutional rights. Larry talks with election law expert Rick Hasen about the 6-3 ruling which Democrats and civil rights groups said would deter poor, older and minority voters from casting ballots. Backers of say photo IDS are needed to deter voter fraud.
Genetic Privacy Bill Passed by the Senate
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Genetic tests available to people with family histories of breast cancer, Alzheimer's or other fearful diseases are the same ones that might also cost them their jobs or health insurance. A bill called the The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act would ban discrimination based on genetic information, and it was passed by the Senate Thursday in a 95-0 vote. Larry Mantle talks about the pros and cons of the bill with Jeremy Gruber of the National Workrights Institute, bioethicist Mark Rothstein from the University of Louisville School of Medicine, and Kelly Vogel of the America's Health Insurance Plans.
Wallace Stegner and the American West
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Larry speaks with author Philip L. Fradkin about his critically-acclaimed book "Wallace Stegner and the American West." The book chronicles the life and accomplishments of American historian, conservationist, and Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Wallace Stegner. Known as the "Dean of Western Writers," he was arguably the premier chronicler of the 20th century Western American experience.
Tuesday, April 29
California's Deficit May Balloon
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State budget deficit projections were dire enough at $14.5 billion, but new reports from Governor Schwarzenegger's office show shortcomings are now at a dizzying $20 billion through June of 2009. Where is the money going to come from? And what will this mean for the state economy? Larry tries to find out.
Possible Bank of America/Countrywide Merger
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Bank of America said Monday that, as part of its acquisition of Countrywide Financial, it will modify some $40 billion in mortgage loans to help homeowners from defaulting. The move may provide some relief in the growing subprime mortgage crisis. Larry talks with business analyst Mark Lacter about how the merger would work and if Bank of America's shareholders will actually let it go through.
California Expands DNA Database to Find Criminals
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It's been an informal crime-fighting tool for a while, but now California has made it official. Attorney General Jerry Brown has announced that police may use the DNA of relatives of possible perpetrators in their investigations. Critics contend this will expose innocent family members to police surveillance and investigation. Advocates say it will help capture violent offenders. Larry asks experts and KPCC's listeners what they think.
Jeremiah Wright: Wright or Wrong?
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Jimmy Carter had Billy Carter, Bill Clinton had Roger Clinton and Hillary Clinton has, well, Bill Clinton. Most presidents and presidential contenders seem to have someone close whose behavior damages their campaign. For Barack Obama, it's his former pastor, Jeremiah Wright. Larry Mantle talks with listeners about the pastor's latest controversial statements.
When Science Goes Wrong
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Brilliant scientific successes have helped shape our world, and are always celebrated. But for every victory, there are countless, little-known, mishaps. Larry Mantle talks to neuroscientist Simon LeVay about some of the more catastrophic consequences of scientific pursuit.
Wednesday, April 30
LAPD Denies Racial Profiling
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Los Angeles Police officials announced yesterday that they had wrapped up over 300 investigations of racial profiling and concluded that none had merit. The announcement had some LAPD critics outraged. But how does one measure racial profiling? Is it possible to know what's going on in the head of a police officer when he opts to question someone? Larry Mantle talks to Chief William Bratton and Delores Jones-Brown of the John Jay College of Criminal Justice.
The Economic Slowdown: How is it Affecting You?
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Are we in a recession? Recent numbers show the economy has slowed down, but is not retracting. Economists spend a lot of time discussing whether or not the word "recession" is appropriate, but at the end of the day, people are still paying more for everything, especially gas and food. Meanwhile, housing values continue to fall and the financial sector is feeling the pain. Larry asks KPCC's listeners how they're doing financially and how the country's economic woes are changing their behavior.
Orange County Journalists Roundtable
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Larry Mantle talks with William Lobdell, City Editor of the Orange County Edition of the Los Angeles Times, and OC Weekly staff writer Gustavo Arellano about the latest news events and developments in Orange County.
McCain's Healthcare Plan
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40 million Americans are without health insurance and Senator John McCain has announced his plan to tackle the crisis. Larry and his guests discuss the details of the Senator's proposal to find out who benefits, who loses, and who pays the bill. They also compare how his plan measures up against those of the Democratic Presidential candidates. Dr. Richard Brown of the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research and Joseph Antos of the American Enterprise Institute discuss the merits of McCain's plan.
A Literary Conversation with Nicholas Basbanes
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Larry talks with literary critic and columnist Nicholas Basabanes. His latest book, "Editions & Impressions," brings together the best of Mr. Basbanes' book journalism. In it he describes a library springing up on the battlefield in Iraq, a Swedish palace library left unfinished when builders walked off the job three centuries ago, and his meeting with one of the most prolific book thieves of the twentieth century.
Thursday, May 1
May Day Demonstration
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One year ago today, Los Angeles' May Day immigration rally ended in conflict as protestors and journalists met with aggressive LAPD resistance. Because of the unrest, the police department issued a mandatory crowd control and crisis management program for all officers. Six-hundred police participated in a mock demonstration held at Dodger Stadium last month in an attempt to better prepare for this year's May Day gathering. Before today's demonstrations begin, city leaders gathered to unveil a new study by the Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation that examines the negative effects of immigration raids on the Los Angeles area economy. Larry and guests Gary Toebben, President and CEO of the LA Area Chamber of Commerce, Jack Kyser, Chief Economist with the LAEDC (Los Angeles Economic Development Corportation), Joel Rubin, reporter for Los Angeles Times, and Anjelica Salas, Executive Director of CHIRLA (Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles) discuss the issues highlighted by today's immigration marches.
Cokie Roberts
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In "Ladies of Liberty: The Women Who Shaped Our Nation," author and journalist Cokie Roberts looks back at some of the remarkable women who helped move our young country forward, from the inauguration of John Adams in 1797 to the inauguration of his son, John Quincy Adams in 1825. Drawing on letters, journals, recipes and songs, Roberts illuminates the lives and accomplishments of Dolly Madison, Theodosia Burr, Susanna Rowson, Sacajawea, and other key women who added to the culture as writers and educators, reformers and religious leaders, settlers and seekers. Cokie Roberts joins Larry in studio to discuss her latest book.
Port Protest
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The West Coast ports from Oakland to Long Beach represent key economic entry points--and potential choke points--for the US market and economy. Today those ports are either closed down completely or severely slowed down due to a war protest by the longshoreman who operate the cranes and offload the ships. Larry talks with Craig Merrilees, spokesman for the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, about what's going on.
Farm Bill
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In a time of record food prices and record profits for agro-business, many are bristling as Congress is poised to pass a $300 billion farm bill that continues $5.2 billion a year in direct payments that will be disbursed to farmers. The Senate and House are negotiating with the White House to come up with a final bill, but this won't satisfy many detractors who say the bill pays farmers to plant unhealthy and environmentally damaging commodity crops. Others say it will help the California economy which is highly dependent on agriculture as one of its biggest exports. Larry checks in with Dan Morgan, who writes on agriculture for the Washington Post, Jack King, manager of national affairs for the California Farm Bureau Federation, and Daniel Imhoff, President and Co-Founder of the Wild Farm Alliance
Charles Bock
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In his debut novel "Beautiful Children," Charles Bock captures Las Vegas with scope and nuance and provides a glimpse into a microcosm of modern America. The novel begins one Saturday night in Las Vegas when a twelve-year-old boy goes out with a friend and doesn't come home. In the aftermath of his disappearance, the boy's parents navigate the mystery of what's become of their son. The people of Beautiful Children are "urban nomads," each with a past to hide, every one of them searching for salvation and weaving their way through a neon underworld of sex, and drugs. Charles Bock joins Larry Mantle to talk about the writing of his first novel and the gritty life of urban and suburban Las Vegas.
Friday, May 2
The Tax Question
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Governor Schwarzenegger is a California Republican. And that's supposed to mean that tax increases are out of the question. But a feature in today's LA Times says that in light of the growing budget deficit, now looming at $20 billion, a tax hike is back on the table. Is the Governor laying the groundwork for a tax increase, even as he publicly continues to say "no way!" Larry tries to find out. Larry's guests include Evan Halper, L.A. Times Staff Writer, Aaron McClear, Press Secretary for Governor Schwarzenegger, and Raphael Sonenshein, Professor of Political Science at Cal State University Fullerton.
Viva Los Tacos!
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Taco truck owners and their culinary fans are up in arms over an ordinance recently passed by the LA County Board of Supervisors. The new law, which is set to go into effect on May 15, will make it illegal to park vehicles in the same spot for longer than one hour. Vendors who resist will face fines of up to $1000 or six months in jail, or both. Though taco trucks have long been regulated by the county, the previous law carried only a small $60 fine. Developers and restaurant owners, particularly in East LA, support the harsher regulations and are pushing for tough enforcement. Critics fear it will put their beloved taco trucks out of business. Larry talks with Phil Greenwald, Attorney representing some of the taco truck owners, Ron Mukai, Business Owner and Board Member of the East LA Chamber of Commerce, and Miriam Torres, co-owner of Hermanes Torres taco truck.
Summer Movie Trends
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May officially kicks off the summer movie season. Larry and our FilmWeek critics Claudia Puig and Lael Loewenstein ask our listeners what films they're looking forward to and why. What makes a film worth seeing in a theatre, considering that after paying for parking, tickets, babysitter, gas, popcorn, it could run you upwards of $75 for an evening out? Is movie going as a collective and social experience in danger of being supplanted with home viewing?
Filmweek Reviews
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Larry and critics Lael Loewenstein, of Variety,
Claudia Puig, of USA Today, and Charles Solomon, of amazon.com review some of the week's new feature films including "Iron Man," "Made of Honor," Redbelt, as well as the documentaries "Standard Operating Procedure" and "Swimming in Auschwitz." Peter Rainer joins in to talk about two recent film festivals in Bermuda and Palm Beach.
