The Economic Development Committee will decide whether to push for the establishment of special pre-designated districts in the city where street vendors can legally operate in. ; Credit: Ross McLain/flickr via Creative Commons

The City of Los Angeles’ Legislative Analyst office last week released a report calling for the City Council to adopt a citywide street vending policy, and to provide ideas on how to encourage the establishment of special pre-designated districts in the city where street vendors can legally operate in.

In November, Councilmen Jose Huizar and Curren Price instructed the Legislative Analyst office to come up with the report, which looked at cities such as Portland, New York, Philadelphia, and Chicago where street vending is permitted in certain designated areas.

The report states that for a citywide legalized street vending program in L.A. to work, there has to be cooperation among many city departments, including law enforcement, the County Health Department and the Bureau of Street Services.

The Economic Development Committee will decide whether to push these recommendations forward in the summer.

Guests:  

Jose Huizar, City Council Member, 14th District, which includes Boyle Heights, El Sereno, Downtown Los Angeles and other communities. He was one of three council members who directed the City of Los Angeles’ Legislative Analyst office to conduct the street vending report.

Leron Gubler, President & CEO, Hollywood Chamber of Commerce

HAMBURG, GERMANY - MAY 03: Elderly visitors with walking stick walk through a trade fair at the “Seniorentag 2012” senior citizens convention on May 3, 2012 in Hamburg, Germany.; Credit: Joern Pollex/Getty Images

America isn’t as young as it once was. By 2030 approximately one-fifth of the US population will be over the age of 65. As the population continues to age, descriptions such as “elderly” or “senior” can be found offensive.

People are living longer, but don’t want to be labeled as old. According to NPR’s Ina Jaffe, terms like “silver tsunami,” “senior citizen,” and “successful aging” have been increasingly used in news stories and have angered the growing community.

What descriptions are most offensive? What words or phrases should be used to describe the aging population in the United States? Have you ever been offended by an age-based description?

The AT&T logo is seen on June 2, 2010 in Washington DC.; Credit: AFP/AFP/Getty Images

AT&T agreed to purchase DirecTV for $48.5 billion on Sunday in the latest telecommunications merger. The deal follows other prominent acquisitions -- Comcast bought Time Warner for a similar amount of money in February.

The AT&T-DirecTV deal is distinct from other cable mergers in that the two businesses have little overlap -- AT&Ts wireless internet and phone services don’t compete with DirecTV’s satellite operations. Instead, AT&T plans to bundle services with existing internet and phone packages.

Critics argue that more mergers stifle competition in telecommunications, while proponents of the deal say that it takes giant businesses to compete with other giant businesses.

How will AT&T capitalize on the deal? What is DirecTV’s role in the industry? How could the merger impact consumers and other businesses?

Guests:

Cynthia Littleton, television editor, Variety

Roger Entner, Founder and Lead Analyst of Recon Analytics, former Senior Vice President and Head of Research and Insights for the Telecom Practice of The Nielsen Company

Los Angeles Times restaurant critic Jonathan Gold has picked L.A.'s top 101 restaurants. ; Credit: Maya Sugarman/KPCC

Over the weekend, the Los Angeles Times unveiled popular critic Jonathan Gold's Top 101 restaurants in and around Los Angeles.

Coming in at number one for a second year in a row is Michelin-starred seafood restaurant Providence.

Surprisingly, there are a number of newcomers to the scene who made it onto Jonathan's revered list. 

Gold also tapped three taco trucks.

What do you think of the top picks? Is there a restaurant you want to see featured in the 2015? 

Guest:

Jonathan Gold, restaurant critic for the Los Angeles Times

WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 19: U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder speaks as he announces indictments against Chinese military hackers on cyber-espionage May 19, 2014 at the Department of Justice in Washington, DC. A grand jury in the Western District of Pennsylvania have indicted five Chinese military hackers for computer hacking, economic espionage and other offense directed at six American victim in the U.S. nuclear power, metals and solar products industries. ; Credit: Alex Wong/Getty Images

by Eric Tucker

Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) - In a landmark case alleging international economic spying, the United States announced on Monday unprecedented cyber espionage charges against five Chinese military officials accused of hacking into U.S. companies to gain trade secrets.

The hackers targeted big-name makers of nuclear and solar technology, stealing confidential business information, sensitive trade secrets and internal communications for competitive advantage, according to a grand jury indictment.    

"Success in the international marketplace should be based solely on a company's ability to innovate and compete, not on a sponsor government's ability to spy and steal business secrets," Attorney General Eric Holder said at a news conference.

The alleged targets are Alcoa World Alumina, Westinghouse Electric Co., Allegheny Technologies, U.S. Steel Corp., the United Steelworkers Union and SolarWorld. The indictment, which includes charges of trade-secret theft and economic espionage, was issued in Pittsburgh, where most of the companies are based.

The charges dramatize a longtime Obama administration goal to prosecute state-sponsored cyber threats, which U.S. officials say they have grappled with for years.  A recent government report said that more than 40 Pentagon weapons programs and nearly 30 other defense technologies have been compromised by cyber intrusions from China.

Guest:

Franz-Stefan Gady, Senior Fellow, EastWest Institute, an international think tank focusing on international conflict resolution. He’s a also founding member of the Worldwide Cybersecurity Initiative at the institute.

US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton speaks during a joint press conference with Peruvian President Ollanta Humala (not in frame) at the Government Palace in Lima on October 15, 2012. ; Credit: AFP/AFP/Getty Images

Karl Rove denies he said Hillary Clinton had brain damage recently, but continues to question her health based on her “health episode” in December 2012, when she had a stomach flu and fainted, suffering from a concussion, that led to the discovery of  a brain clot.

Former Republican Vice-President, Dick Cheney’s heart condition forced him to answer many questions about his ability to hold office.

Many believe Hillary might run in 2016, are questions about her age and health politically motivated? Or, are these questions important to ask of a person who runs for the most powerful public office in our land?

Guest: 

Chris Moody,  Political Reporter, Yahoo! News

WEST POINT, NY - MAY 28: U.S. President Barack Obama gives the commencement address at the graduation ceremony at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point on May 28, 2014 in West Point, New York. In a highly anticipated speech on foreign policy, the President provided details on his plans for winding down America's military commitment in Afghanistan. Over 1,000 cadets are expected to graduate from the class of 2014 and will be commissioned as second lieutenants in the U.S. Army. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images); Credit: Spencer Platt/Getty Images

In a broad defense of his foreign policy, President Barack Obama declared Wednesday that the U.S. remains the world's most indispensable nation, even after a "long season of war," but argued for restraint before embarking on more military adventures. Speaking to the graduating class of the U.S. Military Academy, President Obama spoke about specific crises in the world today and about his vision.

"America must always lead on the world stage. If we don't, no one else will. The military that you have joined is, and always will be, the backbone of that leadership. But U.S. military action cannot be the only - or even primary - component of our leadership in every instance. Just because we have the best hammer does not mean that every problem is a nail."

Some Congressional leaders have criticized Obama for failing stop the violence in Syria. Today he responded: With the additional resources I'm announcing today, we will step up our efforts to support Syria's neighbors - Jordan and Lebanon; Turkey and Iraq - as they host refugees, and confront terrorists working across Syrian borders. I will work with Congress to ramp up support for those in the Syrian opposition who offer the best alternative to terrorists and a brutal dictator."

Did President Obama effectively clarify his vision of U.S. foreign policy? What do you think of yesterday's announcement to maintain a U.S. military presence in Afghanistan through 2016? What do you make of the criticism that America's global leadership has been shrinking?

With files from the Associated Press.

Guest:  

Brian Katulis, National Security fellow at the Center for American Progress - a D.C.-based think tank described as progressive

Barry Pavel, Former Advisor to President Obama, Vice President and Director, Brent Scowcroft Center on International Security at the Atlantic Council - a think tank focused on international affairs

MEMPHIS, TN - APRIL 26: Adam Silver the NBA Commissioner talks to the media before the start of the Oklahoma City Thunder game against the Memphis Grizzlies in Game 4 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2014 NBA Playoffs at FedExForum on April 26, 2014 in Memphis, Tennessee. The NBA has hired Dr. Richard Lapchick to handle race relation and diversity issues in the league. ; Credit: Andy Lyons/Getty Images

The NBA recently secured Professor Richard Lapchick to analyze the impact of Donald Sterling’s incendiary comments, on NBA players and fans.

Professor Lapchick is an internationally renown sports expert, human rights activist, and a pioneer for racial equality -- with literal scars to tell his tale.

But what exactly will his efforts into this analysis yield? Has the NBA done enough to show their support of fans and players? Will the results of his inquiry result in an effective change to racism or even the viral impact of social media?

Guests:

Richard Lapchick, Chair of DeVos, Sports Business Management Program at the University of Central Florida, human rights activist, pioneer for racial equality, and internationally recognized expert on sports issues

Harry Edwards, Professor Emeritus at UC Berkeley’s Sociology Department

Maya Angelou answers questions at her portrait unveiling at the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery on Saturday, April 5, 2014 in Washington, DC. She passed away this morning in her home in North Carolina at age 86.; Credit: Paul Morigi/AP Images for National Portrait

The high school dropout who became one of America’s most powerful literary voices passed away in her North Carolina home this morning at age 86.

Maya Angelou was a poet, activist, actress, professor and singer whose work is globally revered. During her lifetime, she became one of the most beloved authors in American literature, pushing literary boundaries with stories that spoke about the African-American existence under Jim Crow laws in the United States. Her book, “I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings” is one of the most praised books in literature today.

Angelou’s list of accomplishments includes three Grammys, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Presidential Medal of Arts, and the Lincoln Medal. Her countless acts of activism tied her to historical figures such as Martin Luther King Jr, Malcolm X, and Rosa Parks. Her most significant contribution was becoming one of the first African-American female authors to have commercial success, paving the way for future generations.

Guest:

Reverend Cecil Williams, Founder of Glide Church in San Francisco, where Maya Angelou was a frequent visitor. Cecile and Maya were close friends.

Customers queue outside the Apple store in Covent Garden to buy an iPhone 4S on October 14, 2011 in London, England. ; Credit: Oli Scarff/Getty Images

It's probably not an overstatement to say that no one likes to wait in line. It's something we only do out of necessity, but despite our professed dislike, examples abound where people engage voluntarily and courageously with long queues.

Take for instance this story KPCC reported on a while back: A fake coffee shop calling itself "Dumb Starbucks" appeared in Los Feliz one Saturday in February.

Word of the parody spread, and by Sunday, lines had formed around the block filled with curiosity-seekers wanting to check out the place and get a cup of Joe. Even our own intrepid reporter Frank Stoltze spent over an hour to see what was up. 

So why the paradox? Why do we do the very thing we say we hate doing, i.e. waiting in line?

Guest:  

Laurens Debo, Associate Professor of Operations Management, the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. His research focuses on queues and the positive aspects of waiting in line

Bottles of Huy Fong brand Sriracha chili sauce are seen for sale at a grocery store in Los Angeles, California, October 30, 2013.; Credit: ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images

The Sriracha hot sauce, made in the SoCal city of Irwindale, has become the spicy condiment de jour.

There’s Lay’s Sriracha flavored chips, and many foodies swear by the homemade concoction of the Sriracha Mayo. Trader Joe’s has its version of the popular Thai hot sauce, and recently, the company behind Tabasco has quietly rolled out its own rendition.

Imitation might be the sincerest form of flattery, but will these Sriracha “knockoffs” catch on with true fans? If Sriracha isn’t your thing, what’s your go-to hot sauce for a bit of extra heat?

KPCC's online polls are not scientific surveys of local or national opinion. Rather, they are designed as a way for our audience members to engage with each other and share their views. Let us know what you think on our Facebook page, facebook.com/kpcc, or in the comments below.

Guest:  

Vic Clinco, contributing writer for Chile Pepper Magazine; owner of the largest privately owned hot sauce collection in the world with over 6,500 bottles

This file picture taken on November 13, 2012 in Paris shows shows the "Amazon" logo. Amazon on October 3, 2013.; Credit: LIONEL BONAVENTURE/AFP/Getty Images

Amazon.com and publisher, Hachette Book Group, are in a contract dispute.The New York Times says, “Amazon was seeking better terms, Hachette was balking, so Amazon began cutting it off.”

It’s said that Amazon, although receiving book orders from Hachette, are not giving them to the customer at the speed in which they are famous for, nor at a price that’s most affordable. All this, to put the squeeze on Hachette so the publisher capitulates to Amazon’s terms.

What kind of impact does Amazon’s actions have on publishers, authors, and the reading public? Is Amazon playing an unfair game of hardball? What choices do publishers and consumers have?

Guest: 

David Streitfeld, covers technology for The New York Times and broke the original story

The Los Angeles River flows under the 6th Street Bridge on February 21, 2008 in Los Angeles, California.; Credit: David McNew/Getty Images

In an unexpected move, the  Army Corps of Engineers has accepted Mayor Garcetti’s push to help revitalize an 11 mile stretch of the LA River. All this, in order to restore habitat, widen the river, remove concrete, create wetlands, and much more.

The LA Times said, “Under terms of the proposal, the $1.08 billion cost would be shared equally by the federal government and city and state sources.” Mayor Garcetti said, "I was tenacious about this — it's a big win for the city…” But, what exactly is in store for the river?

Could new business, interested in spurring an “urban renaissance” serve as a boon for jobs and quality of life for Angelenos with offerings of new restaurants, access to recreation, and upscale housing?  

What about current river communities who are worried they’ll be priced out of their homes? What about the environmentalists, concerned their interests and efforts in protecting the river will be thwarted?

Guest:

Lewis MacAdams, Founder of Friends of the LA River (FOLAR)

Road sign along Interstate 80 just west of the California-Nevada border.; Credit: Michael Larson

Two more counties have joined the ranks Yuba, Glenn, Modoc, Siskiyou counties .

If it passes in the June 3rd election, Measure A would require the Board of Supervisors in each participating county to officially discuss supporting a secession movement that would create an independent state, called Jefferson, by combining 5 counties on the Oregon-California border.

Guest:  

Mark Baird, founder of the Jefferson Declaration to secede from California

A giant matchstick seen in Runyon Canyon.

Mysterious, giant matchsticks have been showing up all over Los Angeles in the last few weeks. No one’s come forward yet to claim responsibility but the ‘sticks are causing quite the stir on Instagram and for passers-by.

Speculation is swirling about their meaning: Is it a conspiracy by Google (they do look an awful lot like giant map pinpoints)? Or a fire prevention PSA? Patt Morrison does some detective work with longtime Los Angeles-based guerrilla artist Robbie Conal.

Guest: 

Robbie Conal, LA-based guerrilla artist

See one? Tweet us @Airtalk

A hit-and-run driver caused this patrol car to crash in Marina Del Rey on Monday, May 28, 2012.; Credit: NBC

Councilmember Mitchell Englander won unanimous approval yesterday to take next steps for creating a  hit-and-run alert system. Dubbed "Medina Alerts" after Colorado hit-and-run victim Jose Medina, the alerts would be visible on highway signs and media reports in the aftermath of a severe and/or fatal hit-and-run car collision. Hit-and-run collisions in Los Angeles have been characterized as reaching epidemic proportions.

In 2012, the LA Weekly reported on an awfully high number of vehicular hit-and-run crashes in Los Angeles. The report said that the LAPD records about 20,000 hit-and-run incidents a year, 4,000 of which result in injury or death. Colorado recently approved state-wide implementation of Medina Alerts.

There is not enough data to show its efficacy, but it might be comparable to AMBER Alerts. Research has shown those alerts for kidnapping victims are not as effective as originally believed.

What do you think of this proposal? Why might it be effective? What could make it less effective? Do you have other creative solutions?

Guest:

Dennis Gleason, Policy Director for Joe Buscaino - LA City Councilmember for the 15th District, including Harbor City, San Pedro, Watts

Larry Stevenson, created the hit-and-run alerts for Denver, Colorado; Spokesperson for the City and County of Denver, Colorado

Tim "Skip" Griffin, Associate Professor of Criminal Justice at University of Nevada; studied AMBER Alerts

Sen. Kevin de Leon, D-Los Angeles, talks with Sen. Carol Liu, D-La Canada Flintridge, at the Capitol in Sacramento, Calif. ; Credit: Rich Pedroncelli/AP

The California Senate passed a bill Thursday, which requires colleges to incorporate an "affirmative consent standard" when investigating sexual assault complaints.

State lawmakers say college campuses need a cultural change to prevent sexual assaults. Senators Kevin de Leon (D-Los Angeles) and Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) - co-authors of SB 967 - say sexual relations between students should not leave room for ambiguity.

We know that "No means No," but is there more than one way to give consent to sex? Is this bill primarily about spurring a new attitude toward sex for college students? How would complainants prove they never said Yes, and vice versa? What's your stance on this legislation?

Guests:

Kevin de Leόn, (D-Los Angeles) California Senator who co-authored SB 967

Mark Hathaway, private defense attorney in Los Angeles whose practice includes students and others accused of sexual misconduct.

To hear to the segment, click on "listen live" in the upper left.

Actors Juno Temple, Lesley Manville, Angelina Jolie, Sharlto Copley, Elle Fanning and Sam Riley attend the World Premiere of Disney's 'Maleficent', starring Angelina Jolie, at the El Capitan Theatre on May 28, 2014 in Hollywood, California.; Credit: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney

Larry and KPCC film critics Claudia Puig and Lael Loewenstein review this week’s releases including “A Million Ways to Die in the West,” “Maleficent,” “Night Moves,” and more. TGI-Filmweek!

Maleficent

A  Million Ways to Die in the West

Night Moves

Guests:

Claudia Puig, film critic for KPCC and USA today

Lael Loewenstein, film critic for KPCC and Variety

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer in June at the Microsoft "Build" conference in San Francisco. Balmer had the winning $2 billion bid to gain ownership of the Los Angeles Clippers. ; Credit: Robert Galbraith /Reuters/Landov

Former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer has won the bidding war after offering $2 billion to purchase the Los Angeles Clippers. Donald Sterling is being pressured to sell the team after he was banned from the NBA due to racist remarks he made leaked to the public.

If the bid is accepted, the Sterlings will make a profit of 15,900 percent after selling the team. Sterling originally purchased the Clippers for $12.5 million in 1981, according to the Los Angeles Times. The bid is also four times more than the highest NBA purchase of $550 million paid earlier this month for the Milwaukee Bucks.

With the previous purchase being so much less, how did the league come up with a $2 billion purchase price? How can Ballmer truly make money off of the Los Angeles Clippers after such a huge investment?

Guests:

Geoffrey Rapp, Co-Editor, The Sports Law Blog; Harold A. Anderson Professor of Law and Values, The University of Toledo

Mike Ozanian, Managing Editor, Forbes Sports Money

Angelina Jolie stars in "Maleficent."; Credit: Disney

In fantasy stories aimed at children, the fairy princess often a necessary element. Girls have long modeled themselves after the princess characters from fairy tales and Disney films -- rags to riches young women who are saved by a prince, gentle, pretty, passive heroines.

Characters from more recent Disney features like Brave and Frozen raise the bar for female characters in fantasy, but it’s frequently the female villains who are the strongest and most complex characters. These characters have power, complicated backstories, and charisma.

Modern fairytales are refocusing, honing in on darker characters instead of the traditional princess. How are fairy tales changing? Will young girls and their parents gravitate towards complicated villains, or will the classic princess always be the feminine ideal?

Guest:

Peggy Orenstein, author of The New York Times best-sellers “Cinderella Ate My Daughter: Dispatches from the Front Lines of the New Girlie-Girl Culture” and “Waiting for Daisy.”

Claudia Puig, film critic for KPCC and USA today

Lael Loewenstein, film critic for KPCC and Variety