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February 6 - 10, 2006
Monday, Feb. 6
Today's show was pre-empted by coverage of the Senate hearings on the National Security Agency's domestic surveillance program
Tuesday, Feb. 7
Orange County Fire Update
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Kitty checks in with Dennis Shell of the Orange County Fire Authority to find out the latest about the blaze that has scorched more than 3,500 acres, and caused over 2,000 homes in Anaheim Hills and Orange to be evacuated since Monday morning.
Police Commission Won't Name Names
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Police officers involved in shootings are no longer being publicly identified by the city's Police Commission. The commission decided to withhold the officers' names during a closed-door meeting two months ago, officials said. The change, which overturned a 25-year-old policy, was made after commissioners were told that officers' identities were protected under state law, said commission President John W. Mack. Frank Stoltze, KPCC reporter, was at the meeting this morning and joins us with an update.
Recruitment for Sheriffs
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The LA County Sheriff’s Department has the money to hire new officers, but has problems recruiting them because new deputies must work four to five years in the jail system before moving on to another assignment. There are other ways to attract good personnel. Lt. Mike Barletta, with the San Diego County Sheriffs Department, describes the two-track hiring system they use.
Katrina Humanitarian Update
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Operation USA President and Founder, Richard Walden, has just returned from New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Biloxi and other areas impacted by hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Kitty gets the latest on humanitarian and recovery efforts in the region.
Hurricane and Tsunami Ecosystem Update
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As the communities in Southeast Asia and the Gulf Coast rebuild from the tsunami and hurricanes, Dr. Deborah Brosnan, founder of Sustainable Ecosystems asks how are the ecosystems of the ravaged areas are holding up. Dr. Brosnan has spent time in Southeast Asia studying the coral reefs and she has just returned from the marshes and wetlands of the Gulf Cost with an update on how these ecosystems are rebuilding.
La Nina Comes Back
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Climate experts have confirmed the start of La Nina, a cooling of the tropical Pacific Ocean that often brings stronger hurricanes, a wetter Pacific Northwest, and a drier South. Dr. Bill Patzert, climatologist and research oceanographer at Jet Propulsion Labratory, previews what to expect with her return.
Wednesday, Feb. 8
Fire Update
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As firefighters in Orange County work to further contain a fire that began Monday, resources may be stretched thin as now a second fire is raging in Malibu. The fire began early this morning and all Malibu schools have been closed for the day. With temperatures predicted to hit ninety degrees, Kitty checks in with Rich Hawkins, Fire Chief for Cleveland National Forest, U.S. Forest Service, and Dennis Shell, Fire Information Officer, Orange County Fire Authority for the latest on these blazes.
Beirut is Burning
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Across the globe, outraged Muslims have been taking to the streets to protest the publication of satirical cartoons of the prophet Muhammad first published in a Danish newspaper in September. The issue has gone beyond the cartoons themselves, and has become an international political matter. The riots that broke out last weekend in the Syrian capital of Damascus were followed by more violence in Beirut. Some observers have accused Syria of latching on to the turmoil to destabilize Lebanon. Kitty talks with Frontline/World Reporter Kate Seelye for the latest from that region.
Cartoon Fallout
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Muslims around the world are marching in the streets and worse over the depiction of Muhammad in a political cartoon. Why? Islamic scholar David Pinault joins Talk of the City to give the historic perspective.
See’s Candy Walkthrough
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Ever wonder how they make those delicious little chocolate candies? Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Kitty takes a tour of the See’s Candy factory. With Les Curtain, Senior Director of Process Development Kitty watches Tweety and Sylvester make peanut brittle, follows rivers of chocolate through the factory, and tries her hand at making bonbons.
Thursday, Feb. 9
Challenge to Use of Lethal Injection
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A federal court in San Jose today is hearing a case about the use of lethal injection in California death sentences and whether it violates the Constitution. Lawyers for convicted murderer Michael Morales, who is set to die this month, argue that the sedation process used could cause Morales to appear unconscious, but actually be in enough pain to constitute “cruel and unusual punishment.” Kitty gets the latest from Howard Mintz, reporter covering the story for the San Jose Mercury news.
Let the Games Begin!
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Tomorrow, opening ceremonies begin for the XX Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy. Kitty gets a preview with Sylvia Poggioli, Senior European correspondent for NPR's foreign desk.
Up for the Prize – Film Scores
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Five musical scores are competing for the 78th Academy Award for best original score, and it’s a toss-up. Ranging from the plush sounds of John Williams in Memoirs of A Geisha to Alberto Iglesias’ rhythmic staccato beat in The Constant Gardener, the choices are wide. Jon Burlingame, music writer for Daily Variety and The New York Times, joins Kitty to listen and dish the nominees.
Look for Jon Burlingame’s Daily Variety article analyzing the nominees for best original score and best original song on Monday, February 13.
Los Angeles Skyscraper a Target
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It could have been a Nine-Eleven-style attack in Los Angeles, but President Bush says it was thwarted with the help of U.S allies more than three years ago. Mayor Villaraigosa says he was “blind-sided” with the announcement of new details. Guests include KPCC reporter Frank Stoltze, and former Mayor of Los Angeles, Jim Hahn.
The Loh Life Birthday
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With the passing years, commentator Sandra Tsing Loh adjusts her expectations.
Friday, Feb. 10
Nursing Education Crisis – Remote Broadcast
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Across the country, hospitals are in the midst of a severe nursing shortage. California ranks next to last in the nation in the number of nurses per capita. Yet nursing schools in the state are turning away 40% of the students who apply. In a special, live broadcast from Cal State Long Beach, Talk of the City host Kitty Felde will convene a panel of experts to discuss this problem, and how we might solve it. The panelists include: Dr. Loucine Huckabay, Director and Professor, Cal State Long Beach Nursing Program; Ron Norby, Director V.A. Long Beach Healthcare System; Judy Fix, Senior V.P. Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer Long Beach Memorial Medical Center & Miller Children’s Hospital; Dr. Lauren Sharp, Dean, School of Health, Science and Math, Long Beach Community College; and nursing students.
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