New Majority Leader of the US House of Representatives Kevin McCarthy arrives to speak during the Faith and Freedom Coalitions Road to Majority Conference on June 20, 2014.; Credit: NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images

For some constituents of Congressman Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., news that he is running for Speaker of the House of Representatives gives them hope he will fight for their agenda.

As Rep. David Valadao, R-Calif., said in a statement: "[McCarthy] knows the issues [affecting] the Central Valley, ranging from water to immigration, and will fight for Californians regardless of his position in the House."

The House Majority Leader has climbed the rungs with every shift of power among the Congressional GOP. Cal State Bakersfield political science professor Mark Martinez says McCarthy has been successful because his strategy is to sit back and strategize. Martinez believes McCarthy will not go out of his way to give special consideration to Central Valley issues.

If McCarthy wins the role of Speaker of the House, how could he use that position to benefit California? When it comes to Beltway politics, how will McCarthy rise above the challenges faced by Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio?

Guests:

Mike DeBonis, reporter who covers Congress and national politics for The Washington Post.

Cathy Abernathy, Chief of Staff for Shannon Grove, (Republican Assemblywoman for California’s 34th District including large swaths of the Central Valley); Note: When Cathy was Chief of Staff for former Congressman Bill Thomas (R-CA), she hired Kevin McCarthy as an intern

Mark Martinez, Ph.D., Professor of Political Science, California State University, Bakersfield

Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America Inc. testifies during a House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing on Capitol Hill.; Credit: Mark Wilson/Getty Images

Planned Parenthood's president Cecile Richards appeared before a congressional committee on Tuesday, the first time she's done so since the release of undercover videos.

The videos show Planned Parenthood officials talking about how they remove fetal organs and tissue for research. The officials also describe how clinics are paid for the organs provided.

The Center for Medical Progress's David Daleiden, founder of the Irvine group which made those videos, told KPCC that what they did wasn't entrapment, contrary to what the head of Planned Parenthood told Congress.

"The primary purpose of this investigative journalism study was to really clearly document and illustrate the way that Planned Parenthood, in real life, over the past five years, has partnered with multiple private and for-profit biotech companies in order to harvest and sell aborted baby parts," Daleiden said.

Republicans want to defund Planned Parenthood, claiming the procedures described and the financial compensation for the organs both violate federal laws. That defunding battle was one of the reasons House Speaker John Boehner resigned last Friday.

"When the Republicans are interviewing [Planned Parenthood president Cecile Richards], it does seem like every time she starts to speak an uncomfortable truth, they interrupt her and don't allow her to answer the questions, so that's a little frustrating," freelance journalist Amanda Marcotte told KPCC. She's covering the Planned Parenthood story for Slate.

Marcotte said that she believes that the videos show how doctors speak to each other when they think they're talking to colleagues, and that that's not what she thinks should be at issue.

"I think the relevant issue here is whether or not the Center for Medical Progress got any actual evidence of this supposed selling of fetal tissue. They got none," Marcotte said. "If you actually watch the videos, you'll see that there is not only no evidence of selling, that the money that is discussed is repeatedly described as and talked about as reimbursement, and the doctors that they speak to repeatedly say that they are not going to sell fetal tissue, that that's not what they do, that that's against the law and they follow the law."

Planned Parenthood denies that it alters abortions to preserve organs and that it profits from the money researchers pay to the clinics.

"There is a federal law that you cannot alter and make a procedure more dangerous, that you still have to pick the safest procedure to do the abortion, but there is no evidence against that," Marcotte said. "The procedures talked about are equally safe to other procedures being used."

Marcotte said that she believes that, if patients want to donate fetal tissue, they should be allowed to do that.

Guests:

David Daleiden, founder of the Irvine-based Center for Medical Progress, which made the Planned Parenthood videos.

Amanda Marcotte, freelance journalist who’s been covering the Planned Parenthood story for Slate. She's also the author of "It's A Jungle Out There: The Feminist Survival Guide to Politically Inhospitable Environments."

This story has been updated.

A picture shows the logo of online lodging service Airbnb displayed on a computer screen in the Airbnb offices in Paris on April 21, 2015.; Credit: MARTIN BUREAU/AFP/Getty Images

Short-term rental service Airbnb’s new report claims that it has exercised no negative impact on the city’s housing and rental supply, unlike what some critics have charged.

The report, done in conjunction with researchers at UCLA’s urban planning department, came in the wake of a study put out earlier this year by the local social justice group, LAANE that found that Airbnb remove some 10,000 rental units from the housing market in LA.

Housing the Airbnb Community in L.A. Report

Guests:

Paavo Monkkonen, a consultant on a report released by Airbnb titled,  “Housing & the Airbnb Community in the City of Los Angeles”. He is also an assistant professor of urban planning at UCLA

Roy Samaan, research and policy analyst at LAANE, a social justice nonprofit in Los Angeles. The group put out a report in March, finding that Airbnb removes a number of units from the LA housing market

A woman pushing a shopping cart through a marketplace.; Credit: Flicker

Asians will soon outnumber Latino immigrants coming to the U.S., that’s according to a new study on census data by the Pew Research Center.

The study shows that Asian immigrants and their children are projected to make up approximately 88% of the country's population growth over the next 50 years, which will inevitably reshape U.S. culture, the economy, and politics.

Asian immigrants span a wide range of ethnic groups, including Japanese, Chinese, Koreans, Filipinos, Indians and Pakistanis.

What is causing more Asians to come to the U.S.? And how will this shape U.S. culture over the next few decades? 

Modern Immigration Wave Brings 59 Million to U.S., Driving Population Growth and Change Through 2065

Guests:

Jennifer Lee, Professor of Sociology at University of California, Irvine, and Fellow at the Center for Social Cohesion

Hyepin Im, President and CEO of Korean Churches for Community Development

Joanna Lee, Senior Research Analyst of the Demographic Research Project at Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Los Angeles, formerly the Asian Pacific American Legal Center

Amazon has launched a delivery service that relies on "Uber"-style drivers to make one-hour deliveries. ; Credit: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

In retail news and employment news, Amazon has launched a delivery service that relies on "Uber"-style drivers to make one-hour deliveries.

Dubbed “Amazon Flex,” it’s available in  Seattle now with plans for expansion. The e-commerce giant is attempting to take control of its distribution by offering on-demand, independent couriers $18 to $25 an hour to deliver packages ordered for one-hour Amazon Prime Now delivery.

On Tuesday, shares of Amazon.com Inc. fell $7.99 to $496.07. Its shares are up 54 percent from a year ago.

What are the economics of this new model for Amazon? Is Amazon a natural addition to the “gig economy?” Or could it face similar legal and safety issues that have dogged Uber?

Guests:

Greg Bensinger, writes about technology for the Wall Street Journal's San Francisco bureau

Sucharita Mulpuru, e-commerce analyst at Forrester Research, a technology research and advisory firm based in Cambridge, MA

Russia confirmed on Septemer 30 that it carried out its first airstrike in Syria, near the city of Homs, marking the formal start of Moscow's military intervention in the 4.5-year-old conflict. ; Credit: MAHMOUD TAHA/AFP/Getty Images

Speaking at the Pentagon today, Defense Secretary Ashton Carter said Russian airstrikes are tantamount to "pouring gasoline on the fire" in Syria. Carter said a strategy for a political transition in Syria must occur parallel to military action.

Earlier today, the Russian military launched airstrikes in the Middle East country, claiming its targeting so-called Islamic State (IS) militants, but U.S. government officials say the strikes are targeting groups opposed to Syrian President Bashar Assad. 

"By supporting Assad and seemingly taking on everyone who is fighting Assad, you're taking on the whole rest of the country of Syria," Carter said. "That is not our position. At least some parts of the anti-Assad opposition belong in the political transition going forward. That's why the Russian approach is doomed to fail."

According to the Associated Press, Russia notified U.S. officials of the planned bombings about an hour before they launched. Speaking at the United Nations Security Council, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said the strikes would have U.S. support if they target IS solely.

Meanwhile, on the floor of the U.S. Senate, Senator John McCain (R-AZ) said airstrikes near the city of Homs indicate Russian President Vladimir Putin's true intentions are to support Syrian President Bashar Assad.

Earlier in the day,  Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) said she thinks it's possible that Russia's move in Syria could be a positive development.
    
Feinstein, who is the ranking Democrat on the Senate intelligence committee, said help from "Russia and Iran in a political solution for Syria is important."

The U.S. conducted airstrikes in Syria as planned Wednesday, not near where Russian jets are operating.

With files from the Associated Press.

Guest:

Philip Ewing, Senior Defense Reporter, POLITICO joins from the Pentagon

A shot of Runyon Canyon, a prime hiking spot in Los Angeles. ; Credit: ClatieK via Flickr

Writer and Angeleno Paul Haddad’s new book, “10,000 Steps a Day in L.A.” contains 52 walks from throughout the Southland for the adventure- and health-minded L.A. dweller.

Larry talks with Haddad about these recommendations and more.

Of the 52 walks mentioned in his book, two can be found below. Listen to today's segment to learn about more hidden trails throughout Los Angeles.

NOHO's freeway to nowhere

"It's a bleak landscape of Whitnall Highway, a street in North Hollywood that sort of goes diagonal, like San Vicente. It's a wide street that at one point in time was supposed to be a freeway. It's very desolate, but if you look closer, you notice are a lot of hidden treasures. There are hidden murals nearby. There are two blocks of murals that document the history of Los Angeles. The more you walk around there, the more discoveries you make. They have a lot of old time shops that you only see in the Valley, like the Jelly Bean Store and a model train store. I like this walk because once you pull back the layers, you realize there's this hidden beauty underneath the surface. It's a total beginner walk, totally flat." 

(Photo: Paul Haddad via PaulHaddadBooks.com)

Ghost of the Old Canals

"Everyone knows about the canals now, but this walk takes you along the streets that used to be canals." 

(Photo: Paul Haddad via PaulHaddadBooks.com)

Guest:

Paul Haddad, author of multiple books, including his latest “10,000 Steps a Day in L.A.” (Santa Monica Press, 2015). He is also a television writer and executive producer

An employee holds US dollar banknotes at an Indonesian money changer's office in Jakarta on August 27, 2015.; Credit: ADEK BERRY/AFP/Getty Images

Playing in a season-long fantasy football league with a bunch of your coworkers is so yesterday.

These days, it’s all about daily fantasy sports, where players have the chance to win huge sums of real money and don’t have to worry about remembering to set lineups every week or strategize long-term over the course of a season.

But with the skyrocketing popularity of sites like DraftKings & FanDuel, there’s been a lot of discussion about whether or not daily fantasy sports leagues should be considered gambling, which is frowned upon by most pro sports leagues. However, the N.F.L has apparently signed a marketing deal with DraftKings, which means you’ll probably start to see N.F.L players appearing in their ads.

If you’re unfamiliar, here’s how daily fantasy leagues work: you sign up for a free account on the site and then decide what sport you want to play. ‘Tis the season, so let’s say football. 

You then choose between a variety of contests that feature different prize values, participant numbers, and entry fees.

Once you pick your league, you’re given a ‘salary cap’ and may choose from a list of the week’s active players, each of whom cost a certain amount of money. You have to build your roster while staying within your salary cap and then you earn points based on how well the actual players perform.

The prizes are real money. DraftKings says it’s guaranteeing $1 billion in payouts this year. Your chances of winning big? Not great.You’re more likely to spend more on entry fees than you ever win, because those who do win the large sums have algorithms working for them.

So, why doesn’t this qualify as gambling? The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 categorized fantasy sports as a game of skill, not chance, and therefore it’s legal.

Should daily fantasy sports be considered gambling? Why or why not? Do you play in daily fantasy leagues? How have you fared? Do you think daily fantasy sports leagues are detrimental to professional sports?

Guests:

Darren Heitner, founder of Heitner Legal, P.L.L.C., a sports and entertainment law firm based in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. He’s also a Forbes contributor, his latest piece is titled “The Hyper Growth of Daily Fantasy Sports Is Going To Change Our Culture And Our Laws”

Dustin Gouker, reporter covering daily fantasy sports for LegalSportsReport.com, a website covering the U.S.’s legal online sports wagering industry

Toni Gemayel, co-founder and CEO of FanJam, a mobile daily fantasy basketball game where users compete against friends in head-to-head matchups for cash

The Shoreham Wading River High School quarter back Danny Hughes (12) scores a touchdown against Wyandanch (40) in their first game since their teammate Tom Cutinella died on the field the week before.); Credit: Andrew Theodorakis/Getty Images

In states like Texas where it’s religion and elsewhere around the country at schools that can afford and field a program, football is basically king when it comes to high school sports. 

It’s the game that highlights homecoming weekend, the best teams from around the country each year are featured on national television, and blue chip recruits get to make a big deal out of choosing which school they’ll attend.

Recently, participation numbers paint a very different picture about the status and future of high school football, even in states where it is a huge part of local community and culture.

While there isn’t specific data on how many high schools have ended football, a number of schools have nixed their programs because not enough kids tried out. Concerns have intensified in the last several weeks, particularly after tragedy struck in New Jersey, where the quarterback of the Warren Hills Regional High School team, Evan Murray, crumpled to the ground on the field and later died after taking a hit.

His death was ruled accidental and was attributed not to head trauma, but to a lacerated spleen that was larger than it should have been, making it more vulnerable to injury. Evan is one of three high school players to die so far this year. Last year, there were five fatalities at the high school level directly related to football.

Still, not everyone is ready to attribute the decline in participation to injury risk. Other sports like soccer and lacrosse are becoming more popular, and kids are opting for those sports instead.

What do you think is contributing to the decline in youth football participation? Are the injury risks associated with football grave enough to argue that more school should consider ending the programs? Are schools locally cutting back their programs?

Guests

Roger Blake, executive director of the California Interscholastic Federation, the state’s governing body for high school sports

Sean Gregory, senior writer at TIME Magazine covering sports

Pro-choice activists shout slogans before the annual March for Life passes by the U.S. Supreme Court January 22, 2015 in Washington, DC. ; Credit: Alex Wong/Getty Images

A Seattle woman who created a social media campaign around women sharing that they've had abortions says she had to go into hiding after receiving death threats.

Amelia Bonow's idea was that as more women disclose their abortions, it de-stigmatizes it. But social media may not be the best place for women to express nuanced and sometimes complex feelings about ending a pregnancy.

For abortion rights supporters, the question is can you de-stigmatize without oversimplifying what's a complex and emotional process for some women?

If you've had an abortion, how did you decide whether to share that you've had an abortion? Did you have a range of emotions that make it tough to talk about, or was it a straight-forward logical decision that isn't particularly gray?

Guest:

Maria La Ganga, Seattle bureau chief for the Los Angeles Times; she’s been reporting on the #shoutyourabortion campaign

O.J. Simpson looks at a new pair of Aris extra-large gloves that prosecutors had him put on 21 June 1995 during his double-murder trial in Los Angeles.; Credit: Vince Bucci/AFP/Getty Images

This weekend marks the 20th anniversary of the verdict in the OJ Simpson double murder trial.

LA history is full of internationally famous trials, but the Simpson trial may top the list. The acquittal shocked many Angelenos, who thought it obvious that Simpson stabbed to death his ex-wife and her male friend in a jealous rage. But for those closely watching the trial, there was far less surprise.

But what was fascinating was how strongly people felt about the verdict. A case that had no bearing on most people’s lives, symbolized so much -- fame, money, domestic violence, race, the criminal justice system -- OJ had it all.

Today on the program we’re remembering that cultural flashpoint. Offices, schools, barber shops -- many stopped and stood still to watch the verdict. Where were you that day? Call us at 866-893-5722, leave your comment or tweet us at #OJverdict

Guest:

Patt Morrison, KPCC contributor and columnist for the Los Angeles Times

A man rides his bike along a controversial bike lane on Prospect Park West on August 17, 2011 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City.; Credit: Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Residents of Silver Lake say the real-world experience of a 'road diet' on its busy streets shows the theoretical plan to reduce traffic collisions and increase bike and pedestrian access is not feasible.

Viral videos of packed side streets, loud neighborhood hearings, and a Change.org petition have caught the attention of city officials. However, the L.A. Department of Transportation says this particular 'road diet' - which saw two lanes reduced to one in each direction and added a bike lane - has enjoyed a 50 percent reduction in traffic incidents since its implementation.

Officials say people are upset because during rush hour, commuters avoid the slimmed-down lane by taking side streets. Still, solutions are being discussed.

In order to reverse 'road diets,' there would need be City Council action.

What would change the political will in this policy arena? With LA City moving forward with its Mobility Plan and aspirations for "Vision Zero" fatality reductions, does the focus need to be on keeping side streets inaccessible to commuters? What role are navigation apps playing in the neighborhood congestion?

Guests:

Tim Fremaux, Transportation Engineering Associate, Los Angeles Department of Transportation

Louise Gikow, Michael Gross, Unknown, Unknown Unknown, Unknown, Doug Kenney, Henry Beard in DRUNK STONED BRILLIANT DEAD: THE STORY OF THE NATIONAL LAMPOON, a Magnolia Pictures release.; Credit: Magnolia Pictures

Most of us probably know a National Lampoon movie or two, whether it’s the college cult classic ‘Animal House’ or Chevy Chase’s series of ‘Vacation’ films, because they’ve survived the test of time.

Millennials and onward likely won’t remember the magazine that spawned those films, as well as a slew of other radio, theater, and print products: National Lampoon.

“Drunk Stoned Brilliant Dead: The Story of the National Lampoon” is a documentary that takes a look back at the magazine’s impact on American society and comedy. From each issue’s ‘Foto Funnies’ to the iconic ‘Death’ issue from January of 1973, National Lampoon pushed the boundaries of parody, humor, and surrealism.

A spinoff of the ‘Harvard Lampoon,’ National Lampoon’s popularity took off during the 1970s and early 80s. However, it began to decline through the mid and late 80s, and stopped publishing in 1998.

Today on AirTalk, Larry will sit down with director Douglas Tirola and producer Janis Hirsch to talk about making the film, the message they wanted to get across, and what they learned in the process.

Guests:

Douglas Tirola, director of “Drunk Stoned Brilliant Dead: The Story of the National Lampoon”

Janis Hirsch, former National Lampoon writer, former writer on Square Pegs, writer and producer for TV shows including Frasier, Will & Grace

Denizens of Roseburg gather at a candlelight vigil for the victims of a shooting October 1, 2015 in Roseburg, Oregon. According to reports, 10 were killed and 20 injured when a gunman opened fire at Umpqua Community College in Roseburg, Oregon.; Credit: Michael Lloyd/Getty Images

At least nine people are dead and seven others are in the hospital after a lone gunman opened fire on several classrooms at Umpqua Community College in Roseburg, Oregon.

Police have identified the shooter as a 26-year-old man with ties to Southern California who carried three pistols, a rifle, five additional magazines, and body armor when he attacked the small campus in southwestern Oregon. The shooter allegedly asked students to stand up and state their religions before opening fire, though it has been reported that the shooter was Agnostic.

Today on AirTalk, we’ll talk with gun rights and gun control advocates about whether or not its possible to pass laws to prevent incidents like this, and whether that would require taking on the 2nd Amendment. Plus, we’ll speak with an expert on mass shootings and take your calls about whether we’ve become numb as a society to mass shootings like this.

For the latest details on the shooting, click here.

Guests:

Mike McLively, staff attorney at the Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence

Steve Dulan, member of the board of directors of the Michigan Coalition for Responsible Gun Owners and an adjunct professor at the Cooley Law School at Western Michigan University

J. Pete Blair, executive director of the Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training Center (ALERT) at Texas State University. He’s also a professor of criminal justice at Texas State university, and co-authored a FBI report on the prevalence of active shooter events in 2014

The Daily Bruin reported that partygoers wore "baggy clothes, plumped lips and padded bottoms, or as 'Kardashians.'"; Credit: NBCLA

Two Greek organizations at UCLA have come under criticism after holding a Kanye West-themed party where some attendees wore blackface.  

Condemnation by African American student groups was swift after photographs of the party hit social media. One of these organizations, the Afrikan Student Union, met yesterday to discuss the incident.

UCLA said in a statement that it’s looking into what happened at the party.

“We remind students that while they are free to celebrate in ways that draw on popular culture, their specific choices can cause harm and pain to fellow members of their community. Put simply: Just because you can do something, does not mean you should,” the statement reads.

Guest:

Jeffrey Stewart, Chair of Department of Black Studies at UC Santa Barbara. His work focuses on black culture, and black popular culture

House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI) heads for House Republican caucus meeting in the basement of the U.S. Capitol October 9, 2015 in Washington, DC.; Credit: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

While yesterday’s news that House Majority Leader Rep. Kevin McCarthy was dropping out of the race for Speaker of the House shocked everyone and sent Republicans on Capitol Hill into a frenzy, the question still remains: Who is the right person to be Speaker of the House?

Thus far, that answer seems to be Paul Ryan, at least for the GOP establishment. The Wisconsin Congressman and former vice presidential candidate’s name has been mentioned as a party favorite by several other members of Congress, including California’s Devin Nunes. However, Ryan’s camp remained adamant this morning that the Congressman will not run for Speaker.

A noted budget expert, Ryan was formerly head of the House Budget Committee and currently chairs the House Ways and Means Committee. But there are definitely still concerns about whether Ryan has the right personality to be Speaker. The last two Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi and John Boehner, have been more of the wheeling-and-dealing type of politician. Ryan is more of a wonk.

Is Paul Ryan the right Republican for the job? Which of his credentials do you think best qualify him for Speaker of the House?

Guests:

Craig Gilbert, political reporter and Washington Bureau Chief for the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel and author of ‘The Wisconsin Voter’ blog

Chuck Quirmbach, reporter for Wisconsin Public Radio who has covered Ryan for seventeen years

In this handout photo provided by SeaWorld San Diego, a baby killer whale calf nurses from its mother, Kalia, at SeaWorld San Diego's Shamu Stadium in San Diego, California.; Credit: Handout/Getty Images

SeaWorld got a mixed decision yesterday from the California Coastal Commission, which unanimously approved a $100 million expansion of the tanks SeaWorld uses to hold killer whales in San Diego — but banned breeding of the captive orcas that would live in them.

The vote also prevents the whales from being bred somewhere else and transported to the park. SeaWorld currently has 11 orcas, but once they die, it would mean the end of SeaWorld's live orca shows.

Animal rights activists praised Thursday's decision as a death blow to the use of killer whales at the California ocean park. But others defend SeaWorld's practices and say they know more about the animals than anyone and are qualified to humanely care for them. Do you agree with the California Coastal Commission's ban?

Kyle Kittleson, a former senior killer whale trainer at SeaWorld in Orlando, and an animal behavioral expert, spoke to AirTalk about the potential impact Thursday's decision would have:

"There's a lot of implications and again this really just affects the San Diego SeaWorld. SeaWorld has parks in San Antonio and Orlando, but the biggest of facts is that SeaWorld and its scientists and outside teams of scientists learn so much from being able to work so intimately with these animals, and this year SeaWorld has been able to donate $10 million to wild killer whales research and obviously that comes from the success of its parks and killer whales are a huge draw for that ... To phase out killer whales as people are putting it, is to really phase out wildlife conservation and wildlife care, education and research. These animals are able to reproduce so they should be able to be reproduce. This is a natural behavior and they should be able participate and partake in that natural behavior."

Jared Goodman, Director of Animal Law at PETA, offered his take on AirTalk:

"We fully support the commission's decision and we think they did right by orcas in requiring as a condition of approval for the Blue World Project that Sea World stop breeding them. This isn't putting SeaWorld out of business, it's ensuring that this is the last generation of orcas who are going to suffer in tanks at SeaWorld of California and ultimately end long suffering [of] orcas in the state. SeaWorld has admitted that it intended this new tank to breed, which would in fact cause the orcas who are there to have less space than they currently do now."

California Gov. Jerry Brown vetoed 133 bills before midnight on Sunday, Oct. 11.; Credit: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

It’s Monday morning and the count is in. Of the 800-plus bills that landed on Gov. Brown’s desk he had to decide on by midnight Sunday, he vetoed 133 of them.

Bills he took a pass on include a series of tax credits, one of which would have subsidized seismic retrofitting in the state. He also vetoed an ethnic studies bill, which would require a statewide model on how to teach ethnic studies at California’s public schools.

The governor also signed a few bills over the weekend, including a ban on the use of the name, “redskins,” for school sports teams and mascots, and a big package of bills aiming at regulating the medical marijuana industry.

Guests:

Melanie Mason, covers state government and politics in Sacramento for the Los Angeles Times

Jeremy B. White,  reporter at The Sacramento Bee’s Capitol Bureau, covering the California Assembly and state politics

Newly elected Board President Steve Zimmer speaks during LAUSD's Annual Board of Education Meeting on Wednesday, July 1, 2015 at LAUSD Headquarters.; Credit: Maya Sugarman/KPCC

The second largest school district in the nation needs to find a new superintendent before Ramon Cortines retires by the end of the year.

From poverty and uneven resources, to major challenges in preparing LA’s students for the future with technology like iPads, the next sup’ will have big shoes to fill. And in response to criticism that the process wasn’t transparent enough, LAUSD has agreed to start holding meetings to get feedback from the public.

Having a bad school system hurts everyone in the city of LA, so we want to hear from you: what skill set do you think the next superintendent needs to bring to the job?

If you are an LAUSD student or parent, what are the things you want the next superintendent to know about your school? What are the strengths and successes you want to see continued and the improvements that most need to be made?

Guest:

Louis Freedberg, executive director of EdSource, an Oakland-based nonprofit journalism website reporting on key education issues in California and the nation. Freedberg has analyzed and reported on local, state, and national education policy for over two decades

Signage is displayed at a closing Tower Records store October 9, 2006 in Schaumburg, Illinois. 46-year-old Tower Records is closing its stores, costing approximately over 3,000 jobs and most of its assets are being liquidated.; Credit: Tim Boyle/Getty Images

The advent of digital and streaming music means that audiophiles now have access to hundreds of millions of songs and albums for a nominal monthly fee.

While this is great news for music consumers, it has spelled the death of the traditional record store. Once considered an agora where musical minds meet, meld, and share their favorite tunes, record stores are scarce today.

In many cases, the ones that are still open still thrive off of a dedicated clientele who have also retained the love of shopping for music at a brick-and-mortar store. Here in Los Angeles, residents are fortunate to have places like Amoeba Music, which have helped maintain the records shop culture that was once an iconic part of the city’s music scene.

What are your memories of looking for music in record shops? Was there a different type of connection made with the music you buy in a record store versus simply adding a song or album to a Spotify or Apple Music playlist? Do you still shop for music at record shops? What are the best record shops in L.A.?

Guest:

Russ Solomon, founder of Tower Records