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May 14 - 18, 2007
Monday, May 14
California Too Disaster-Prone to Insure?
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It's been a decade of disaster for insurance companies. Now Allstate, one of the largest insurance companies in the country, announced that it will stop writing new homeowner insurance policies in California in order to limit the company's exposure to catastrophes such as earthquakes and wildfires. Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner says the move is consistent with Allstate's actions in other states, but is a short sighted business maneuver. Patt talks with guests about what it means for homeowners.
The "Upfronts" Fall Television Preview
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Couch potatoes listen up! This is the week CBS, NBC, ABC, Fox and the CW go to New York to woo advertisers with their new fall lineups. As the networks compete for eyeballs with DVDs, You Tube, and other sources of entertainment, they've been hard-pressed to find new ways to attract viewers--and thereby advertisers. Still, sitcoms remain a big money maker as do dramas such as NBC's hugely successful Law & Order, which was renewed and is now one of the longest-running dramas in television history. Patt finds out what to expect in the next TV season.
Going Postal Forever
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Postal rates are on the rise again. As of today, it now costs 41 cents to send a one-ounce first class letter. But for those who don't want too much to change, there's hope, in the form of the new Forever Stamp. Patt talks with a postal historian about the sticky situation.
California Budget - May Revise
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The Governor's revised state budget proposal was released today. Patt and guests do the numbers.
Tuesday, May 15
Falwell Dies
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Rev. Jerry Falwell, the face of the religious right, died this morning at age 73. A fundamentalist, he founded Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, in 1971 and started the Moral Majority conservative political lobbying group in 1979. In a long influential career frought with controversy, he publicly implied that feminists, gays, lesbians, and liberal groups were to blame for inciting the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, and he told an evangelical conference in 1999 that the Antichrist was probably a living male Jew. He later apologized for both comments.
Gas Boycott Just a Lot of Gas?
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E-mails circulating the web are calling for a "Gas Out" today, urging drivers not to buy gas for one day in an attempt to decrease demand and lower gas prices. Experts say short-lived boycotts have no real effect and don't do much more than raise consumer morale.
- John Schoen, Senior Business Producer, MSNBC.com
NSA, Wiretapping and the Attorney General's Office
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Former Deputy Attorney General James Comey told the Senate Judiciary Committee today that then-White House counsel Alberto Gonzales tried to pressure a hospitalized Attorney General John Ashcroft to authorize a controversial Bush administration domestic spying program. Patt talks to Slate.com Senior Editor Dahlia Lithwick about this latest testimony and the current status of the investigation into the AG's office.
Spying on the Home Front
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In post 9/11 America, security has been an utmost concern for the Bush administration and the rest of the nation. But many of the measures taken by the National Security Administration since the terrorist attacks in 2001 - such as wiretapping, the sifting of internet communications and data sweeps on hundreds of thousands - have been criticized as infringing on basic civil liberties. The latest edition of PBS' Frontline series asks - has the government's surveillance program gone too far?
Wednesday, May 16
Ask the Chief
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Talk about bad timing - on April 31, LAPD Chief William Bratton met with the Police Commission to discuss his chances at a second term as head of the LAPD - which then looked almost incontestable. Everything changed the next day when clashes between LAPD officers and civilians at an immigrant's rights rally in MacArthur Park put the Chief in hot water with everyone from activists, city officials and his own rank and file. He joins Patt for a Q&A about the May Day controversy, his chances for a second five-year term and takes your calls.
Thursday, May 17
New Immigration Deal Struck
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In a new immigration plan announced by both Republican and Democratic senators today, millions of illegal immigrants could gain legal status and skills, education-level and English proficiency may soon outweigh family ties in the proposed merit based system. The measure would also provide a temporary worker program for new immigrants arriving in the United States and places heavy focus on border security and work-site enforcement.
- Ron Elving, Senior Washington Editor, National Public Radio
- Xavier Becerra, Representative, 31st District, House of Representatives
- Brian Bilbray, Congressman, 50th District, U.S. House of Representatives, and Chair of the Immigration Reform Caucus
Tony Kushner Wins LA Award
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Celebrated playwright Tony Kushner is in town Thursday to receive the Los Angeles Public Library Literary Award. The prolific author is best known for his play Angels in America, which the New York Times described as "the most important play of the decade." Kushner has received many awards, including the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, two Tony Awards for Best Play, and three Obie Awards.
Friday, May 18
Mayor Takes New Direction on Schools
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In a morning press conference today, Mayor Villaraigosa announced that he will not appeal a judge's ruling that his school-takeover bid is unconstitutional. What does this mean for his plans for LAUSD?
- Adolfo Guzman-Lopez, KPCC Reporter
Crack-down on Farm Fumigants
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California plans to enact new regulations to reduce air pollution by restricting the use of fumigants on farms. This comes as part of a court-ordered deadline to combat smog in the state. Officials, meanwhile, warn that the restrictions could cost vegetable growers as much as $40 million per year. Patt talks with guests about the new rules and their economic impact.
Advertising Everywhere
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Ads on our cell phones. Ads on our computers. Ads in public toilets. Sometimes it seems as if every space in our lives is now filled with advertising. And ads are about to show up in yet another place. SecurityPoint Media is working with the Transportation Security Administration on a project designed to streamline our way through airport security and provide advertisers with yet another venue: security trays. So now when you throw your keys and wallet onto a tray before it goes through an x-ray machine, you might be urged to buy a watch or a can of Coke. Patt talks with experts about what's next.
Revisioning Art History: Gronk
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In order to recognize the contributions of Latino artists in America, the UCLA Chicano Research Studies Center will celebrate U.S. based artists that have roots in Mexico, Puerto Rico, Cuba and the Dominican Republic through a series of books titled A Ver: Revisioning Art History. The first volume is a tribute to LA based Chicano artist Gronk and includes artwork and a documentary DVD about his life and work.
- Gronk, artist
- Max Benevidez, author, Gronk, the first volume in the A Ver series
Gronk and Max Benevidez will be at Book Soup in West Hollywood tonight at 7:00PM and at Skylight Books in Los Feliz on Saturday, May 26 at 5:00PM to sign and discuss the first volume in the A Ver series. They will also appear at LACMA's Conversations with Artists series on June 23 at 2:00PM.
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