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January 29 - February 2, 2007
Monday, Jan. 29
A New Dawn of Dollars
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Almost all of the prominent candidates now running for president in 2008 are indicating that they will opt out of the nation's campaign finance regulations. The trend means that a federal infrastructure built following Watergate to regulate election spending now has no job to do in the nation's largest political contest.
Moving up the Primary
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The push for California to move up its 2008 primary from June to Feb. 5 gained some steam when Governor Schwarzenegger mentioned the idea during an interview recently. Senator Ron Calderon and Assemblyman George Plescia have both authored bills seeking to move the primary, but so far it all seems like a lot of talk and not much action. Patt finds out the latest.
Microsoft Unveils Vista
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Tomorrow (Tuesday) Microsoft's new Vista operating system for consumers officially launches. How will it compare to Windows? We get a preview.
- Robert Vamosi, senior editor, c|net reviews
Tuesday, Jan. 30
California Republicans Unveil Health Plan
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Members of the state GOP didn't hide their distaste for Governor Schwarzenegger's health plan when he unveiled it earlier this month. Now, they've unveiled their own blueprint addressing the state's health care issues, involving tax credits, deregulation and an emphasis on preventive care. Authors of the plan say it won't solve the problems of the state's 6.5 million uninsured residents, just those in greatest need of coverage.
How Old Is Too Old?
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News of a woman giving birth at 67 years old, following treatment at a Westwood fertility clinic, has been met with outcries across the country. Doctors agree that pregnancies are risky for women over 40. But what issues are introduced by older men? And what are Americans willing to accept when it comes to older parents, gay parents and other changes brought on by more powerful fertility treatment.
Wednesday, Jan. 31
Living Wage Lives on for LAX Hotel Workers
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Business and labor leaders have reached an agreement on pay and benefits for workers at a dozen hotels near LAX. The deal was reached just as the City Council was to decide whether to reject a previous agreement for a living wage, or put the matter to the voting public as a referendum. The new ordinance includes several business-friendly gambits, including a phasing in of the higher wage and a provision limiting the raise to hotels around LAX, sparing other private businesses.
The Cost of Daredevil Rescues
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Here's a recipe for a big mess; take bad weather, throw in daredevils who like taking risks and what happens? Some amazing rescues, that's what...at some amazing costs to...who? The manpower and money thrown at the rescue of a sailor off the coast of Chile while attempting to circumnavigate the world and the four-day search for hikers in Oregon in recent months have generated tremors around the question: How much is too much? Who should be paying to save the risk-takers and the simply foolhardy? A look at the human and dollar cost of such operations.
Thursday, Feb. 1
Farm Bill Proposal May Benefit California Growers
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The Bush Administration has unveiled a proposal for a new farm bill that is intended to increase spending for conservation, fruit and vegetable producers and organic crops. The bill also aims to shift subsidies from the nation's wealthiest landowners and traditional crops such as wheat, corn, and cotton to growers of specialty crops like lettuce, broccoli and other vegetables and fruits, which comprise the majority of California farms. If the bill is passed, growers in California would receive a significant amount of federal funding. Why the shift in policy and what does it mean for California farmers?
Super Commercials
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Football fans will of course be excited about Sunday's game. But the contest on the field has long been challenged by the creative ad spots between the action. This year, the harangue of hawking will by complimented by nearly every form of modern marketing, from user-generated ad ideas to online "Webisode" riffs and video sharing. It's perhaps the only place where a measly 90 million viewers isn't good enough.
- Barbara Lippert, Ad Critic and Columnist, Adweek Magazine
- Marissa Gluck, Founder and Managing Partner, Radar Research
Patt Asks a Ninja
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As more and more media companies get into podcasting, an independently produced comedy short has remained one of the most popular. It's "Ask a Ninja," produced by Kent Nichols and Douglas Sarine, two comedians from L.A. We'll talk to them about the phenomenon, which just put out a DVD compilation.
Friday, Feb. 2
Governor Announces Forced Prisoner Transfers
(Listen)
In a solution aimed at alleviating California's overcrowded prisons, Governor Schwarzenegger announced the transfer of 5,000 inmates to facilities in other states. Supporters claim that this move will help to ensure the safety of guards and provide better care for prisoners, while opponents argue that moving inmates involuntarily is illegal and may create more trouble inside California prisons. Currently, California's 33 prisons are equipped to hold 100,000 inmates but are operating beyond capacity and house about 174,000. Will this bold move really help ease problems in California's troubled prison system?
Climate Report Released
The first part of a major climate-change report has been released today by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in Paris. The details of this report, which focuses mainly on building a global consensus on the science of climate change, are being released to government policymakers to review for a few months until the final version is presented to the public in May. We speak with guests about the expectations of this release and the science behind the report.
When California Warms...
The scientific consensus released today forecasts an increase of global temperature of 3.5 to 8 degrees. How will such a change play out across our state? What have past heat waves and cold snaps shown us about the first areas, species and ecosystems to be affected?
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