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December 1 - 5, 2003
Monday, Dec. 1
Sacramento: Special Session Update
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After returning from the holiday break, the first bit of business in the State Assembly is to repeal SB60, the illegal immigrants driver license bill. Kitty talks to Mike Montgomery from Capital Public Radio about today’s action along with the latest progress in the Legislature’s special session.
Update from the UCLA Budget Conference
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KPCC reporter Frank Stoltze is at UCLA to cover today’s conference on solutions to the California budget crisis. He joins Kitty with an update.
World Aids Day
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As thousands of LA County residents prepare to observe World AIDS day, county health officials are warning that the HIV epidemic continues to increase at an alarming rate among at risk individuals. Officials estimate that over 9,500 residents are unaware that they are infected with HIV. In addition the rate of new HIV infections has been increasing among young men and women in LA, and among Latinos and African Americans. Kitty gets the latest on testing and treatment with Mario Perez, director of prevention services for the LA County Department of Health Services, Office of AIDS Programs and Policy.
The County Department of Health provides free HIV/AIDS treatment services, including medication, at more than 80 community medical clinics throughout the county. For more info: 1-800-367-AIDS or www.Prevent-HIV.com.
Is There a Cancer Cluster at Beverly Hills High School?
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Environmental “icon” Erin Brokovich-Ellis’ latest campaign alleges that oil wells on the campus of Beverly Hills High School have been spewing benzene causing cancer among staff, students and alumni. The New Republic had a cover story in last week’s issue looking at the science behind the claims. Kitty speaks with journalist Eric Umansky about what he found.
Holiday Giving
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The holidays seem to be the time of year when most people contribute their time or money to needy causes. In fact, it’s the time of year that Talk of the City kicks off its annual program Season’s Givings to let you know about charitable opportunities around Southern California. Right now the economy has been picking up and people are making more money, but will that translate into more giving? Kitty talks about the state of philanthropy in Southern California with James Ferris, Director of the USC Center on Philanthropy and Public Policy.
Tuesday, Dec. 2
Sacramento Update
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Today Governor Schwarznegger will make his way around the state today to rally support for his California recovery plan. His first stop is San Diego. Kitty talks to KPBS reporter Eric Niiler about his plan and turn-out at the rally. Sacramento Bee columnist Dan Walters joins the conversation for some analysis on the cross-state rallies.
Sandra Tsing Loh
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Writer and performer Sandra Tsing Loh is in studio with Kitty to talk about the Los Angeles premiere at the Geffen Playhouse of her offbeat play, Sugar Plum Fairy. A regular contributor to public radio, Loh ‘s hilarious commentaries have been heard on NPR’s Morning Edition, Ira Glass’ This American Life, and PRI’s Marketplace.
Sugar Plum Fairy runs through December 21st at the Geffen Playhouse (10886 Le Conte Avenue, Los Angeles). For information or tickets, call the box office at 310.208.5454 or visit www.geffenplayhouse.com.
Chargers Moving to LA?
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A lawsuit brought against the city of San Diego by the NFL Chargers is sparking rumors of the team moving to Los Angeles. The Chargers claim that they should be let out of their Qualcomm stadium lease because the team's salaries and benefits exceed its salary cap, which should trigger the renegotiation clause for the lease. The lease isn’t set to expire until 2020. That lawsuit coupled with the fact that last summer the team recently moved its training camp from La Jolla to Carson are fueling the relocation rumors. Kitty talks with Los Angeles Times reporter Tony Perry and the LA Times’ NFL reporter, Sam Farmer, about the suit filed last week in Los Angeles Superior Court.
Best in Show Unplugged
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Dog lovers are flocking to the Long Beach Convention Center for the 2003 American Kennel Club National Championships. The official competition for best in show will begin tomorrow, December 3rd. Today, the preliminary rounds for the AKC Agility Championship are underway. This marks the first time that the AKC Agility Championship and AKC National Obedience Invitational are being held in conjunction with the National Championships.
For more information, visit www.akc.org.
Wednesday, Dec. 3
Foster Care Series: Group Homes
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As part of our foster care series we've been wanting to ask the question--now that McLaren, the last county-run group home, is shut down, where do the kids who are awaiting a home go? The answer in short is non-county group homes--but what we found is that within that category there is a wide spectrum of possibilities. We speak with a Department of Children and Family Services director about how the decision is made about where to send children awaiting placement and which services they can expect. Then we take a look at how one of the largest homes in LA county-the Optimist Youth Home- is juggling the needs of very different foster children from delinquents to youths in temporary homes who are facing emancipation from the county system.
Thursday, Dec. 4
Nick Pacheco
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An hour ago Former LA City Councilman Nick Pacheco announced he is challenging Steve Cooley for the seat of LA District Attorney. Kitty gets the latest on his candidacy in the upcoming March election.
Real Estate Study
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According to a study released today by the Lusk Center for Real Estate at USC, more businesses are renting office space in both LA and Orange counties. The report forecasts a “noticeable turnaround” beginning early next year, the report says, due to expansion of manufacturing and service employment. Kitty speaks with Raphael Bostic, director of Casden Real Estate Economic Forecast at the USC Lusk Center for Real Estate.
New American Frontier?
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Animal predators, mountain lions and cougars especially, seem to have adapted in recent years to the effects of suburbia. This is the starting point of environmental journalist David Baron’s latest book which poses the question: by embracing contrived environments made of developments and designated open space are we in fact altering the very nature of what we are trying to preserve? Baron also argues that we are in effect creating an environment equivalent to the American frontier of the 19th century.
Beasts in Our Garden
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As suburban development in Southern California continues to grow, how are bears, coyotes and mountain lions coping? Kitty Felde explores the local new frontier with Los Angeles County Patrol Lieutenant of the Department of Fish and Game, Marty Wall.
City Council Considers ICC
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Los Angeles City Council yesterday passed, by a vote of 12 to 0, a resolution supporting US participation with the International Criminal Court. Councilmember Eric Garcetti coordinated getting this through to the Council to co-incide with the visit of UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan.
Friday, Dec. 5
Sacramento Update
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Today is the deadline to add anything to the March 2 ballot, will the legislators wrap up negotiations in time? Kitty talks to Mike Montgomery, capital bureau chief for Capital Public Radio to find out.
California Delegation Retreat Preview
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Today at 4 p.m., the California delegation will convene in Rancho Mirage for their first annual retreat. Kitty talks with the Republican and Democratic leaders of the event, Congressmen David Dreier (R-San Dimas)and Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (D-San Jose).
Theatre Critics
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Kitty convenes theater critics Steven Leigh Morris of the LA Weekly, Paul Hodgins of the Orange County Register and Wenzel Jones of Backstage West to talk about the latest offerings – large and small - on stage around Southern California.
American Kennel Club
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Kitty talks with the director of AKC Agility, Sharon Andersen. Five winners in five different height categories were announced yesterday. Kitty jumps on the results.
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