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Game-changer? DOJ drops decade-long prosecution of Barry Bonds

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Philadelphia Phillies v San Francisco Giants

Former Major League Baseball player Barry Bonds talks to Ryan Howard #6 of the Philadelphia Phillies during batting practice before the game against the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park on July 10, 2015 in San Francisco, California; Credit: Jason O. Watson/Getty Images

Barry Bonds is no longer being prosecuted in federal court.

The Department of Justice announced yesterday that it would be dropping its criminal case against the former MLB slugger and statistical home run king. Bonds said in a statement that he is relieved to finally be through with the prosecution and is ready to move forward.

Bonds was convicted of obstruction of justice for giving a dodgy answer to a federal grand jury back in 2003 when he was asked whether he was ever given anything to inject himself with that required a syringe. That conviction was overturned.

The DOJ’s decision will likely not sit well with Bonds’ critics, who believe he cheated using performance-enhancing drugs, or Hall of Fame voters. The all-time home run record is considered by many to be one of the most hallowed records in all of professional sport, and not all baseball fans are thrilled that the man atop the list may not have gotten there fairly.

What will Barry Bonds legacy in baseball be? Is he a Hall-of-Famer? Should his home run record have an asterisk next to it? Does the DOJ dropping its prosecution of Bonds open the door for other players to be let off the hook? Do you agree with the DOJ’s decision or do you think they should have pursued the prosecution further?

Guest:

Tim Kurkjian, baseball reporter and analyst for ESPN.com and Baseball Tonight

Bill Plaschke, sports columnist for the Los Angeles Times


Acclaimed injury attorney fights MLB over stadium safety in class action suit

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Philadelphia Phillies v  Washington Nationals

A Washington Nationals bat rests on the netting during batting practice before the start of the Washington Nationals and Philadelphia Phillies game at Nationals Park on April 13, 2011 in Washington, DC.; Credit: Rob Carr/Getty Images

The man who's fought General Motors over faulty ignitions is now taking on Major League Baseball to protect fans from ricocheting, splintered bats and fatally fast foul balls.

Bob Hilliard of Corpus Christi firm Hilliard Munoz Gonzales LLP is representing Gail Payne, an Oakland A's fan who says her Section 211 seats ought to be protected by netting after a neighboring fan was injured by a foul ball. Calls for increased safety measures at ballparks were renewed last month when a woman at Fenway Park was severely injured by a cracked bat that flew into stands hitting her in the face.

Should netting beyond homebase be extended, and how far? Are enough fans injured to warrant changes?

GAIL PAYNE, individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated, Plaintiff, v. OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER OF BASEBALL (d/b/a MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL); and ROBERT D. MANFRED, JR.

Guests:

Robert (Bob) Hilliard, Partner with Hilliard, Muñoz , Gonzales, L.L.P. representing Gail Payne in a class-action lawsuit against the Commissioner of Major League Baseball

Steve Adelman, Sports and Entertainment lawyer based in Scottsdale, Arizona

Debating AT&T-DirecTV deal's impact on prices and content creation

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DIRECTV Hosted Events At Sundance Film Festival 2014 - 2014 Park City

A general view of atmosphere during the DIRECTV hosted events at Sundance Film Festival on January 17, 2014 in Park City, Utah. ; Credit: Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for DIRECTV

AT&T’s nearly $49 billion purchase of DirecTV is on its way to approval by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which would make it the largest cable or satellite provider.

Opponents such as Free Press Policy Director Matt Wood say the merger would reduce the number of competitive providers from four to three companies for nearly a quarter of the country. The Department of Justice, however, doesn’t think the merger threatens competition in the market and has approved the deal.

Approval by the FCC’s four commissioners is still pending, but chairman Tom Wheeler has given the conglomerate the green light. In the U.S., AT&T provides cable service to 6 million households and DirecTV’s service reaches more than 20 million households.

What does this mean for its users? How does this merger compare with Comcast and Time Warner’s deal? Will other companies follow?

With Files from the Associated Press

Guests:

Craig Aaron, President and CEO, Free Press -  a nonpartisan organization advocating for universal and affordable internet access and diverse media ownership

Steve Effros, President of Effros Communications, a cable industry consultancy based in Virginia. Former president of Cable Telecommunications Association, an industry trade association.

Calling Don Draper, new study says that sex and violence don’t actually sell

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Sex Sells*; Credit: Alexis Gravel via Flickr

A new study published in the journal “Psychological Bulletin” has disproved a long-held wisdom in the advertising industry: that sex and violence sell.

Researchers at Ohio State University reviewed 53 studies on the topic conducted since the late 1960s, and found the cumulative answer to the questions of  whether viewers remember better products advertised with TV shows that feature sexual and violent content, and whether that attention translates to purchase, is a resounding no.

Do you agree with the findings? What implications would they have on the ad and entertainment industries?

Guest:

Brad Bushman, co-author of the meta-analysis, “Do sex and violence sell? A Meta-Analytic Review of the Effects of Sexual and Violent Media and Ad Content on Memory, Attitudes, and Buying Intentions” published in the July issue of the journal, Psychological Bulletin. He’s a professor of communication and psychology at The Ohio State University

Is California ready for the total legalization of marijuana?

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US-MUSIC-COACHELLA

A woman carries a flag bearing marijuana symbols at the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California, April 12, 2014; Credit: DAVID MCNEW/AFP/Getty Images

A blue ribbon commission, consisting of doctors, legal scholars, law enforcement professionals, tax experts and others, and led by Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom, has released an initial progress report for broad recommendations on marijuana policy in California.

The aim of their 18 month research was to provide a comprehensive view of strategies, policy goals, and policy options available to Californians as they consider the legalization and taxation of marijuana policy.

Public support of legalizing marijuana is high, with 55% of likely voters favoring legalization, according to the Public Policy Institute of California’s poll. Protecting children and youth, ensuring public safety, and establishing tax and regulation schemes are key issues for the commission.

One tough question to tackle is what should be the tax rate for cannabis? If it’s set too high, the illicit market is incentivized to sell low and therefore, profit. If the tax rate is too low, more children and youth will have easier access to it.

The conclusions of this panel will likely influence November 2016 ballot proposals that would legalize marijuana use for adults 21 and older.

If you had to vote now, would you vote to legalize marijuana use for adults? What are your biggest concerns about legalizing marijuana? What tax rate might you support?

PATHWAYS REPORT: POLICY OPTIONS FOR REGULATING MARIJUANA IN CALIFORNIA

Guest:

Keith Humphreys, Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and Director of Mental Health Policy at Stanford University and on the steering committee of the Blue Ribbon Commission of Marijuana Policy

NYC contends with Uber’s King Kong-like impact on city streets

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Taxi Drivers Protest Possible Uber Expansion In NYC

An Uber vehicle is viewed in Manhattan on July 20, 2015 in New York City.; Credit: Spencer Platt/Getty Images

After a pitched battle between New York City officials and ride-hailing service, Uber, Mayor Bill de Blasio agreed to pull his demands for placing a cap on the number of Uber cars cruising city streets. In exchange, Uber agreed to study its impact on New York’s traffic and gather data on its customer demographics - specifically how it handles disabled and minority patrons.

High-density cities such as San Francisco and New York rely heavily on public transportation and taxicabs. However, ride-hailing services such as Uber and Lyft are quickly changing the game, and arguably increasing congestion, as well. Thousands of additional cars are on the streets, and city officials are trying to figure out how to cope. 

What data will Uber collect for city officials? If the four-month study leads to a cap on drivers, what is the right balance? What impact have ride-hailing services had on Los Angeles traffic?

Guests:

Eric Newcomer, Start-up reporter for Bloomberg Business

Siona Listokin, associate professor at George Mason University School of Public Policy

Advocates for mentally-ill offenders advise LA DA Lacey and Sheriff's Dept. on fixing jails

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New District Attorney

Jackie Lacey addresses the audience after she is sworn-in as Los Angeles's new district attorney Monday, Dec. 3, 2012.; Credit: Nick Ut/AP

After a year and a half of research, a task force led by L.A. District Attorney Jackie Lacey is releasing a roadmap for reducing L.A.'s ever-growing number of mentally ill jail inmates, and diverting those who need it into treatment.

In a report being presented Wednesday afternoon to county supervisors' staff members, Lacey recommends mental health training for all law enforcement officers in the county, as well as steps for building up a network of treatment options for lower level offenders who don't necessarily belong in jail.

To read the rest of the story, click here

Guests:

Dan Abreu, senior project associate at Policy Research Associates, a research and consultant group offering services in the behavioral health field. Their research specialty is on mentally ill jail inmates diversion

Mark Gale, criminal justice chair, of the L.A. chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), a nonprofit mental health education and advocacy group. NAMI is part of D.A. Jackie Lacey’s task force that is behind the report

Will Congress let the Social Security disability fund go dry?

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Social security

Standard issue Social Security Cards before identifying details have been added; Credit: /iStockphoto

If Congress doesn't act soon, Social Security disability benefits could run dry by next year.

Eleven million people currently receive disability benefits that average about $1,017 a month per person. If funding runs out, recipients could see a $193 reduction in their benefits each month.

President Obama has supported shifting the tax revenue from Social Security’s retirement fund to its disability fund, however Republicans want changes made to reduce fraud and encourage more disabled recipients to return to the workforce.

As the deadline gets closer, it is critical that Congress move on the issue? What changes could be made to improve Social Security benefits?

Guests:

Kasia Klimasinska, reporter for Bloomberg

Chris Edwards, editor of Cato Institute DownsizingGovernment.org project and fiscal policy expert at the Cato Institute

Ross Eisenbrey, vice president of the Economic Policy Institute, a progressive economic think tank based in Washington DC


Disney wants to get your kids moving and off their screens

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Disney Interactive Studios Hosts Video Games Showcase For Local Miami media

Children play Disney new video game The Princess and the Frog as they attend the video games showcase for local Miami media hosted by Disney Interactive Studios at Epic Hotel on September 17, 2009 in Miami, Florida. ; Credit: Larry Marano/Getty Images for Disney

More children are ditching their board games and barbies for digital screens with apps on an iPad, video games or TV.

The toy industry has been trying to keep up by merging tech and toys with a Siri-like Barbie that talks back in the works and hybrid consoles such as Activision’s Skylander and Lego Dimensions that merge video games with hands on toys that interact on screen.

More children plugging in for play have raised concerns for parents, pediatricians and psychologists alike. The Association of Pediatrics recommends parents make a media use plan with rules limiting use of all screens at home including tablets, television and phones.

Disney’s latest interactive toy, Playmation, may have a solution. It includes wearable technology where children are guided by a narrator on missions where they can role play, run and jump indoors or outside. The only screen connection involves using an app for more missions and to track scores. It’s release is set for the fall and is priced at $120. 

.@Disney uses #wearable tech toys to get kids outdoors http://t.co/pzl2u42fuQ via @PSFKpic.twitter.com/L3LxDuf94u

— e3 (@e3_media) July 10, 2015

If you're a parent, how do you regulate screen time for your kids? How is it helping or harming children's development? How else can toys keep up with tech-connected kids?

Guests:

Christopher Byrne, content director at TTPM (Toys, Tots, Pets and More), a toy review publication, and author of "Toy Time!: From Hula Hoops to He-Man to Hungry, Hungry Hippos: A Look Back at the Most-Beloved Toys of Decades Past" (Three Rivers Press, 2013)

Catherine Steiner-Adair, Ed. D, Clinical psychologist and author of "The Big Disconnect: Protecting Childhood and Family Relationships in the Digital Age" (HarperCollins, 2013)

Filmweek: 'Pixels,' 'Paper Towns,' 'Southpaw' and more

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Jake Gyllenhaal in "Southpaw"; Credit: Dreamworks Pictures

Larry Mantle and KPCC film critics Justin Chang and Amy Nicholson including comedic sci-fi "Pixels," the coming-of-age story "Paper Towns," filmmaker Antoine Fuqua's latest dramatic action film "Southpaw" and more.

TGI-Filmweek!

Guests:

Justin Chang, film critic for KPCC and Chief Film Critic for Variety

Amy Nicholson, film critic for KPCC and Chief Film Critic for LA Weekly

Oscar-nominated documentarian on follow-up to controversial ‘Act of Killing’

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Look of Silence

Director Joshua Oppenheimer's latest “The Look of Silence” has been described as a companion piece to his documentary “The Act of Killing” chronicling the Indonesian massacres of 1965-66, a political purge that claimed the lives of more than 500,000 communists, suspected communists and their supporters.; Credit: Alama Drafthouse Cinema

Few documentaries in recent years have inspired as much debate as Joshua Oppenheimer’s “The Act of Killing.”

The then 38-year-old first-time director trained his gaze on a subject few people knew about: the Indonesian massacres of 1965-66, a political purge that claimed the lives of more than 500,000 communists, suspected communists and their supporters.

In that film, Oppenheimer decided to tell the stories of the killings from the perspective of a gang of perpetrators and, more controversially, re-staged the murders in fantastical yet disturbing details.

Oppenheimer has been at work making a second documentary on the same topic. The result is “The Look of Silence.” It’s been described as a companion piece to the earlier work, and this time around, the incident is told from the victim’s point of view, in particular an optometrist named Adi in Indonesia, whose brother was killed during the period of political upheaval.

Guest:

Joshua Oppenheimer, director behind the new documentary, “The Look of Silence” -- a companion piece to the Oscar-nominated “The Act of Killing,” which came out in 2012. “The Look of Silence” opens this weekend at the Nuart Theatre in West Los Angeles

Impact of Anthem / Cigna proposed merger on consumers

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Anthem Health Insurance Announces Data Breach Of Over 80 Million Records

An exterior view of an Anthem Health Insurance facility on February 5, 2015 in Indianapolis, Indiana.; Credit: Aaron P. Bernstein/Getty Images

Anthem Inc. announced this morning a deal to buy Cigna Corp for $54.2 billion, creating the largest health insurer in the nation by the number of members.

The deal comes on the heels of another sizable merger between Aetna Inc and Humana Inc for $37 billion, and is part of a consolidation trend in the health care industry following the rollout of the Affordable Care Act.

If regulators approve the Anthem / Cigna deal, it will likely close by the end of 2016 and would leave only three players in the health insurance field.

Would the Anthem / Cigna deal pass regulatory muster? Would the deal hurt -- or help -- consumers?

Guests:

Martin Makary, M.D. surgeon and professor of health policy at Johns Hopkins University’s School of Medicine. He is the author of “Unaccountable: What Hospitals Won’t Tell You and How Transparency Can Revolutionize Health Care“ (Bloomsbury Press, 2013).

Jerry Flanagan, lead staff attorney focusing on the health care industry for Consumer Watchdog, a consumer advocacy group

Rough ride: Southern California’s roads rank low in quality

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LA Roads

Nearly two-thirds of roads in the Los Angeles and Orange County area are in poor condition. According to a new study released this week by The Road Information Network, (TRIP).; Credit: Neil Kremer/Flickr

Southern California has endless sunny days and miles of beautiful beaches, but why are its roads so bad?

Nearly two-thirds of roads in the Los Angeles and Orange County area are in poor condition. According to a new study released this week, poor road conditions cost the average motorist $1,031 a year in vehicle deterioration, increased maintenance, as well as increased fuel consumption, and tire wear.

Do you feel safe driving on Southern California roads? Are road conditions getting better or worse? And what is being done at the state level to improve the roads?

Bumpy Roads Ahead: America’s Roughest Rides and Strategies to Make our Roads Smoother

Guests:

Rocky Moretti, Director of Policy and Research at TRIP, a national transportation research non-profit, based in Washington D.C. - TRIP is sponsored by insurance companies, equipment manufacturers, distributors and suppliers, businesses involved in highway and transit engineering and construction, labor unions, and organizations concerned with an efficient and safe surface transportation network.

Steve Finnegan, manager of government and community affairs for the Automobile Club of Southern California

Cosmetically-challenged fruits and veggies

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Imperfect fruit

The company Imperfect Produce says that 20% of food that’s grown on farms is never consumed by people. It sources fruit and vegetables from farms that have been rejected by grocery stores, then packaged, either home delivered or dropped off at a convenient location; Credit: Bill Gracey

Ugly fruits and vegetables will soon be sold in Southern California.

By ugly, we mean produce that has an off color, strange shape or unusual size, but is completely safe to eat. The produce is not decayed or damaged -- that’s an issue of condition. According to the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), over 20% of food that’s grown on farms is never consumed by people.

So, in an effort to mitigate food waste, Imperfect, a start-up based in Northern California, sources fruit and vegetables from farms that have been rejected by grocery stores. The produce is carefully inspected and then packaged, then either home delivered or dropped off at a convenient location.

A Northern California grocery chain, Raley’s, is carrying Imperfect’s produce at a discounted price. In about three years Imperfect hopes to sell their fruit in Southern California.

Will you buy it? What is it about a two pronged-carrot or a pear collapsing on itself that makes you grimace, favoring its more idealized sibling? How strong of an influence does the mind have over flavor?

Guest:

Charles Spence, Professor of Experimental Psychology at Oxford University, who has a focus on how brains process information through the five senses

Windows 10 preview: New browser, tablet mode and the return of the Start menu

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Microsoft Holds Annual Shareholder Meeting

Microsoft's Ashley Frank talks about Windows 10 during Microsoft Shareholders Meeting December 3, 2014 in Bellevue, Washington.; Credit: Stephen Brashear/Getty Images

This Wednesday, the next generation in PC navigation hits the market.

It’s the day Microsoft rolls out its newest operating system, Windows 10, which is the first update to the OS since Windows 8 (it’s still unclear what happened to Windows 9). Windows 8 hit the market to mixed reviews, and while it was a visual upgrade from previous versions, Microsoft’s idea of making it a touch-first, PC-second operating system didn’t sit well with many users and unnecessarily burdened computers that weren’t touch-compatible.

What can users expect from Windows 10? Here are a couple of the biggest new features:

  1. Start menu returns - Users everywhere are rejoicing with this one. One of the biggest complaints about Windows 8 was the navigation tool that took up the entire screen with live tiles of all your apps. Users will now be able to reduce the full menu into a smaller Start menu reminiscent of what Windows 7 had.
  2. New Internet browser - Internet Explorer has been the Microsoft standard for almost as long as the company has been making operating systems. However, recent years have seen the numbers of IE users decline, due to security concerns and third-party browsers like Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome providing faster, more secure web browsers for free. Microsoft Edge will also allow users to take notes, highlight, and doodle directly on web pages.
  3. Tablet mode - Unlike its predecessor, Windows 10 will allow users to toggle between a tablet and PC mode. This will likely be a welcome fix for Windows 8 users, many of whom were frustrated by how the OS was designed for tablets and touch-screen computers, leaving those without touch functionality with reduced performance.
  4. Cortana - This feature looks like it could be a huge help for some and an obnoxious burden for others. Cortana is Microsoft’s version of Apple’s Siri,

For Microsoft, Windows 10 represents not only the latest version of its operating system, but also a shot to right the ship in keeping with the times. Microsoft has struggled to keep pace with companies like Apple and Samsung in the mobile era, and its ventures into the tablet and cell phone market haven’t been hugely successful.

What can users expect from Windows 10? Who should upgrade and who shouldn’t? How are the new features working so far? What will the impact on Microsoft be if Windows 10 is wildly successful? If it bombs?

Guest:

Eric Ravenscraft, writer for Lifehacker. He’s been using the Windows 10 preview since it rolled out. He tweets @LordRavenscraft.


Undo send: Email-gate continues to haunt Clinton campaign, with potential Justice probe in sight

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Hillary Clinton Brings Her Presidential Campaign Back To Iowa

Democratic presidential hopeful and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton speaks to guests gathered for a house party on July 26, 2015 in Carroll, Iowa. ; Credit: Scott Olson/Getty Images

As the State Department prepares to release a third batch of emails sent and received by Hillary Clinton while she was Secretary of State, the Justice Department is considering opening an inquiry to look at whether classified information was leaked from the use of Clinton’s personal email server.

News of the potential probe broke last week in the New York Times, which erroneously reported that two inspectors general had asked the Justice Department to look into opening a criminal investigation. The paper later corrected its initial reporting, saying that the potential probe is not criminal in nature.

Clinton maintains that she never processed classified information through her own personal email server.

If the Justice Department decides to open a probe, what would they look for? What would the investigation look like? How would the latest in this brewing scandal impact the Clinton campaign?

Guests:

Nathan A. Sales, associate professor of law at the Syracuse University College of Law. He is a former Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy Development at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, focused on on intelligence and information sharing

David Mark, co-author of “Dog Whistles, Walk-Backs, and Washington Handshakes (ForeEdge, 2014), and co-author of a weekly political language column for the Christian Science Monitor

How will the nuclear deal impact U.S. and Iran relations?

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Secretary Of State John Kerry Discusses The Iran Nuclear Deal In New York

NEW YORK, NY - JULY 24: Secretary of State John Kerry (right) speaks at the Council of Foreign Relations with Richard Haass on July 24, 2015 in New York City. Kerry came under intense questioning yesterday as he met with senators in Washington over the Iran nuclear dealas it goes into its 60-day congressional review period. ; Credit: Spencer Platt/Getty Images

The Obama administration sent the Iran Nuclear Deal to Congress last week, Congress now has 60-days to review all the elements of the deal. Many concerns and questions surround the deal.

If approved, what happens if the next president scraps the nuclear deal?  Will the nuclear agreement keep Iran from building a nuclear weapon? Is the agreement enforceable?

And are there any  unintended consequences? Last week Secretary of State John Kerry defended the Iran deal, saying that it “Is a choice between a diplomatic solution and war.” Critics of the plan question whether war is truly inevitable if Congress does not approve the deal.  Will the deal change relations between the U.S. and Iran, or will it have very little effect?

Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action

Guests:

Robert Kaufman, a political scientist and professor of public policy at Pepperdine University specializing in American foreign policy, national security, international relations, and various aspects of American politic

Josh Lockman, International Law Professor and expert on U.S. Foreign Policy at the USC Gould School of Law

Consumer advocates call on Calif. Attorney General to investigate oil industry

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Gas Prices Drop To Lowest Level In Nearly Four Years

Gas prices are displayed at an Arco gas station on October 27, 2014 in Mill Valley, California. ; Credit: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Consumer advocates are asking California Attorney General Kamala Harris to look into record-high oil industry profits this year.

Consumer Watchdog, based in Santa Monica, wants Harris' antitrust division to investigate whether California oil refineries are keeping inventory low intentionally. New data compiled by the California Energy Commision shows price spikes at the pump translated to a profitable return of $1.17 per gallon in May 2015 - compared to an average of 46 cents per gallon since 1999. Oil industry representatives say refinery outages have created recent gas shortages and the accompanying price spikes.

Would greater transparency in the oil business change prices and profits?

Guest:

Cody Rosenfield, Consumer Advocate, Consumer Watchdog

Tom Kloza, editor and publisher and chief oil analyst for the Oil Price Information Service

Pee-ware! SF walls shoot back nasty surprise for public urinators

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BRITAIN-ENTERTAINMENT-MUSIC-GLASTONBURY

Revelers urinate against a wall featuring mock dystopian election posters in the Hell section of the Shangri La area of the Glastonbury Festival of Music and Performing Arts on Worthy Farm near the village of Pilton in Somerset, South West England, on June 27, 2015. ; Credit: OLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images

Wall urinators, beware! San Francisco now has nine public walls covered with a repellent paint that makes pee, spray back on the person's shoes and pants.

More will be painted next month. There is a warning on the wall, asking people to find a restroom, but no specific mention of pee retaliation is specified. Surprises are in store. This pilot program in San Francisco was inspired by a similar program in Hamburg, Germany.

Would a program like this work in Los Angeles? Which walls or areas of LA are the most defiled? Should the would-be wall urinators be fair warned? Or does the surprise tactic make a better and more long-lasting impression?

Guest:

Rachel Gordon, Director of Communications and Policy at San Francisco Public Works

Planned Parenthood controversy continues as second video released and investigations mount

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PlannedParenthood

A still from the second Planned Parenthood video release; Credit: via YouTube

Planned Parenthood is under sustained fire after the release of two videos in as many weeks that bring to light their practices surrounding fetal tissue donations.

The Planned Parenthood program came into being after a 1993 bill that legalized research on fetal tissue. The following is a statement from Eric Ferrero, Vice President of Communications for Planned Parenthood:

“In health care, patients sometimes want to donate tissue to scientific research that can help lead to medical breakthroughs, such as treatments and cures for serious diseases. Women at Planned Parenthood who have abortions are no different. At several of our health centers, we help patients who want to donate tissue for scientific research, and we do this just like every other high-quality health care provider does -- with full, appropriate consent from patients and under the highest ethical and legal standards. There is no financial benefit for tissue donation for either the patient or for Planned Parenthood.  In some instances, actual costs, such as the cost to transport tissue to leading research centers, are reimbursed, which is standard across the medical field.

“A well funded group established for the purpose of damaging Planned Parenthood’s mission and services has promoted a heavily edited, secretly recorded videotape that falsely portrays Planned Parenthood’s participation in tissue donation programs that support lifesaving scientific research.  Similar false accusations have been put forth by opponents of abortion services for decades. These groups have been widely discredited and their claims fall apart on closer examination, just as they do in this case.”

The non-profit’s president, Cecile Richards, appeared last Sunday on ABC News’ “This Week,” and defended the organization by saying it has “broken no laws.” Several federal investigations have begun to ascertain whether that argument is true, and California state Attorney General Kamala Harris has opened her own investigation.

As 10 or more videos are expected to come out in the following weeks and months, how will Planned Parenthood weather the criticism of its fetal tissue donation program and policies? To what extent does the controversy entail an issue of messaging instead of content? And more to the point, is their program legal?

Guests:

John Eastman, Professor of Law and Community Service at Chapman University

David Magnus, Director, Stanford Center for Biomedical Ethics and professor of pediatric medicines and biomedical ethics at Stanford School of Medicine

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