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ISO a better ballot for the state Senate race

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Oregon Voters Go To The Polls In Presidential Primary

Voters cast ballots at the Multnomah County elections office.; Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer/Getty Images

California officials have a unique problem on their hands this June: to come up with an appropriate election ballot for the Senate primary.

Thirty-four candidates are in the race to replace Sen. Barbara Boxer in June, who will be retiring after two decades in Congress. The unusually large field of contenders have sent elections officials scrambling for a ballot with a better design – one that would accommodate all 34 names in a clear, intuitive way. Failure to do so might lead to a ballot being incorrectly marked and thrown out.

The Los Angeles Times reports that Santa Cruz County recently tested a range of formats, but found that none did the job.

Guest:

John Myers, Sacramento Bureau Chief for the LA Times, who’s written a piece on the topic; He tweets from @JohnMyers


Gannett makes a bid for Tribune Publishing

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A sign in front of Gannett Co Inc, headquarters is shown, on April 25, 2016 in Tysons Corner, Virginia. The Gannett Company has offered to buy Tribune Publishing Co in a deal valued at about $815 million. ; Credit: Mark Wilson/Getty Images

The largest US newspaper publisher, Gannett Company, has offered to buy Tribune Publishing for $815 million.

That’s an offer Tribune can’t really refuse, as it is worth about 60% more than the face-value of the company.

If this type of consolidation passes the Department of Justice, in the coming weeks or months, Gannett will hold eleven additional daily papers, including the Los Angeles Times and Chicago Tribune.

What effect could it have on local news coverage? And exactly where on the timeline do we get to the Death of Printed News?

Guests:

Ken Doctor, founder and owner of Newsonomics, a book and website about the how consumer media is changing in the digital age. He currently serves on the Dean’s Council at the University of Oregon’s School of Journalism and Communication.

Without a will, what’s going to happen to Prince’s multimillion dollar estate

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US singer and musician Prince (born Prince Rogers Nelson) performs on stage at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, outside Paris, on June 30, 2011.; Credit: Bertrand Guay/AFP/Getty Images

Who’s going to control Prince’s massive estate and music empire? That’s the question a lot of people are asking now that it’s been revealed that the singer might not have left a will.

His sister, Tyka Nelson,  today filed paperwork asking a Minneapolis court to appoint a special administrator to oversee his estate. It’s estimated to be worth as much as $300 million, according to the Los Angeles Times, including about $27 million in property and much more in royalties from more than 30 albums.

But there’s a chance that a will could still turn up.  Under Minnesota law, a person can file a will with probate court in secret. If Prince did so, the fact one exists would become public once a death certificate is filed, but the medical examiner has not yet issued one for Prince. An autopsy was conducted Friday and his remains were cremated Saturday.

With AP files

Guest:

Jeffrey P. Scott, partner at St. Paul, Minnesota, law firm Jeffrey P. Scott & Associates, which specializes in estate planning

Should Congress take action to bail out Puerto Rico?

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Paul Ryan Holds First Formal Media Briefing As Speaker

Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (R-WI) answers questions during his first weekly news conference at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC. ; Credit: Win McNamee/Getty Images

Puerto Rico’s economy is on the brink of collapse. The territory is facing a $422 million bond payment on May 1. The territory owes about $70 billion in total debt.

Lawmakers have been trying to come up with a legislative solution to that would install a control board to help the island restructure its debt. Even though the bill is backed by House Speaker Paul Ryan, many Republicans see it as a bailout that doesn’t call for true economic reforms in the island.

Proponents contend that the bill would simply extend Chapter 9 protection to a US territory, something that’s enjoyed by cities on the mainland.

Guests:

Michael Madowitz, an economist at the Center for American Progress, a progressive think tank in DC

Rachel Greszler, Senior Policy Analyst in economics and entitlements at the research institution The Heritage Foundation

Faith Salie cares a lot about what other people think

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"Approval Junkie" by Faith Salie; Credit: Penguin Random House

Wait, Wait... Don't Tell Me panelist Faith Salie's new memoir Approval Junkie is about a feeling we all struggle with, that the like and approval of others is more important than our feelings about ourselves.

But her book is not about accepting yourself for who you are and finding a new motivation from self-love. Detailing her lifelong cycle of insecurities, Salie confirms the humanity of the seemingly flawless: that even people like Beyoncé (who just released a whole album on the topic!) worry about their appearance, their performance and whether people really, truly like them.

From getting good grades in school to having a "perfect" relationship to maintaining an unreasonably flawless body, Salie argues that while maybe she could care a little less what other people think, constantly seeking applause has led her to accomplish more than she would have imagined for herself.

Faith Salie will be in conversation with author Annabelle Gurwitch at Live Talks Los Angeles tonight at 8 PM. Click here for more information.

Guest:

Faith Salie, author of “Approval Junkie: Adventures in Caring Too Much” (Crown Archetype 2016) and television and radio personality who can be seen on CBS News Sunday Morning, Science Goes to the Movies on PBS and heard on NPR's Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me; she tweets from @Faith_Salie

Skirball presents Social Impact Media Awards, and powerful film 'Almost Holy'

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Tensions Continue In Eastern Ukraine Despite Diplomatic Progress

A young boy waits for a priest to bless him in Donetsk, Ukraine.; Credit: Scott Olson/Getty Images

Kicking off tonight, the Skirball Cultural Center is teaming up with the Social Impact Media Awards (SIMA) to present eye-opening films that inspire activism, compassion, and social transformation.

The opening night film "Almost Holy" brings viewers face-to-face with a Ukrainian vigilante priest who kidnaps and rehabilitates drug-addicted street kids.

The Village Voice called it, "The best superhero vigilante movie of the year."

How are “social impact” documentaries different than advocacy documentaries? What types of documentaries impact you to take action or open your eyes to a new way of seeing the world?

For tickets and a list of winning films visit Skirball's SIMA site at this (link).

Guests:

Daniela Kon, Co-Founder, Social Impact Media Awards

Steve Hoover, Director, "Almost Holy" - at the Skirball Center tonight and opens in Los Angeles theaters on May 20

Assessing impact on customers of Charter takeover of Time Warner and forecasting the future of set-top TV cable boxes

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Charter Communications Buys Time Warner Cable In $79 Billion Deal

Time Warner Cable headquarters are seen in Columbus Circle in New York City.; Credit: Andrew Burton/Getty Images

Seeing no reason to delay the deal further, the U.S. Department of Justice and the Federal Communications Commission have both signed off on the deal worth $78 billion that would allow Charter Communications to take over Time Warner Cable.

Four FCC commissioners still have to sign off on the deal.

Assuming they do, Charter Communications would become the nation’s largest cable and internet provider with more than 23 million subscribers in 41 states. Only Comcast has more cable customers than Charter.

Speaking of Comcast, it has announced it will offer its programming to Roku and Samsung smart TV users through its Xfinity TV app. The plan contrasts with the FCC’s proposal that cable providers dispatch with leasing customers proprietary set-top boxes that deliver the company’s content to your TV screen.

New, open set-top boxes would replace the old proprietary ones in the hopes of both driving down customers’ monthly bills and providing a wider selection of content providers.

Guests:

Steve Effros, president of Effros Communications, a cable industry consultancy based in Virginia, and partner and director at Beyond Broadband Technology, a tech company that has developed and patented a downloadable security approach for data; he’s also former president of Cable Telecommunications Association, an industry trade association

Matt Wood, policy director for Free Press, an organization advocating for universal, affordable internet access and diverse media ownership

Larry Downes, Washington Post contributor and author of the article “The future of TV is arriving faster than anyone predicted”; he is an Internet industry analyst and author of several books, including “Unleashing the Killer App: Digital Strategies for Market Dominance"

Tobacco ban on Cal State, Cal Community Colleges moves forward in legislature

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A person dressed as a cigarette called 'Ciggy Butts' encourages students on the UC Berkeley campus to quit smoking.; Credit: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

California State University and California Community College campuses got one step closer to being tobacco-free after the state Assembly voted 41-24 yesterday to approve a tobacco ban.

It would include electronic cigarettes, much to the dismay of young vapers. Sacramento Democrat Kevin McCarty is leading the effort to get the law passed, citing links between secondhand smoke exposure and heart and lung disease. Opponents say the decision whether to ban tobacco should be left up to local community college boards to decide what best fits each campus.

The bill still has to pass the Senate and would have to be signed by Governor Brown before going into law.

Guests:

Naomi Kitajima, Member of the Health Services Association of Community Colleges - an official supporter of AB 1594 (McCarty); Health Services Director, Foothill College (near Palo Alto)

Mark Kleiman, professor of public policy at New York University and a consultant for Altria, a tobacco company; he tweets from @MarkARKleiman


Is the election season threatening your friendships?

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Donald Trump Holds Final Iowa Campaign Rallies On Day Of Caucuses

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks with his wife Melania Trump by his side during a campaign event in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. ; Credit: Joshua Lott/Getty Images

Over the weekend, New York Times columnist and former George W. Bush aide Peter Wehner wrote a piece for the paper on how the candidacy of Donald Trump is fracturing friendships and turning longtime allies into sudden enemies.

“Several friends whose political views have often coincided with mine in the past have voiced their anger to me over my public opposition to Mr. Trump’s candidacy,” he writes.  

Wehner preaches the high road, urging conciliation and understanding in the face of political differences. But Thomas Nichols, a professor at the U.S. Naval War College in Rhode Island, is less unforgiving. The title of a retort he has written to Wehner’s piece pretty much says it all: “If I Lose Friends Over Trump, So Be It.”

Trump is arguably the most divisive figure in this election, but he is certainly not the only candidate causing normally civilized folks to stop talking to each other. The same could be said for friends who are divided by their loyalty for Bernie Sanders or Hillary Clinton.

How have you dealt with this in your life and your friendships?

Call 866-893-5722 to let us know.

Guest:

Thomas Nichols, a professor of national security affairs at the U.S. Naval War College in Rhode Island. He’s recently written a piece for the site The Federalist called, “If I Lose Friends Over Trump, So Be It” and author of forthcoming book,“The Death of Expertise” (Oxford University Press, 2016)

Spike in Skid Row overdoses indicates cheap, synthetic drugs

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Skid Row Sidewalk

During the day, Skid Row sidewalks are one of the few places people can rest.; Credit: Frank Stoltze

Over the course of last weekend at least 14 people living on Skid Row were brought to hospitals after consuming “Spice,” a drug made from plant matter soaked with various, changing chemicals that sells for $1 to $2 a dose.

Early this morning the LAPD announced that they had arrested 16 of 20 suspected dealers in raids, seizing more than $600,000 in $1 bills and demonstrating how lucrative a cheap, deadly product can be.

Spice is one of more than 400 new synthetic drugs that the DEA identified last year and it is yet another substance that has seen year-over-year increased use.

Guest:

Frank Stoltze, KPCC correspondent covering criminal justice and public safety issues who’s been following the story 

Dave Isay brings in the newest StoryCorps book, about finding meaning in our work

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"Callings: The Purpose and Passion of Work" by Dave Isay; Credit: Penguin Press

It is a lucky few who have jobs that are perfectly in line with their passions. For most of us, work is just that, work. Something we have to get through in order to live our "real" lives around it.

"Callings: The Purpose and Passion of Work" is the newest collection from StoryCorps, which means it's full of profound reflection wrapped in warm fuzzies. People with vocations from bricklayers to video game inventors tell the stories of how they found work that fulfills their passion, or how a crappy job revealed a true purpose in life.

"Callings" is the fifth StoryCorps book and fans of the massive archival project will be pleased to know that almost half of the stories in this volume have not been shared or aired before.

Dave Isay will be at the Crawford Family Forum from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. tonight to talk about his book. The event is at capacity, but you can join still join the waitlist. Click here for more information.

Guest:

Dave Isay, author of “Callings: The Purpose and Passion of Work” (Penguin Press, 2016) documentarian, founder of StoryCorps, MacArthur Fellow, multiple Peabody Award Winner; he tweets from @daveisay

Trump breaks out the broom, Clinton takes four of five in Tuesday's primaries; plus, fact-checking Trump’s foreign policy speech

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Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump delivers a foreign policy speech at the Mayflower Hotel April 27, 2016 in Washington, DC. ; Credit: BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images

The frontrunners prevailed again as five states held primary elections for both parties on Tuesday.

Donald Trump swept all five states (CT, MD, PA, RI, DE) and Hillary Clinton won four of the five. Bernie Sanders won in Rhode Island. If you include superdelegates, yesterday’s wins give Clinton 90 percent of the delegates needed to clinch the Democratic nomination.

Turning to the GOP, we’ve seen a slightly more subdued Donald Trump in recent weeks. He’s promised a departure from the brash image he’s tailored for himself during the campaign season, saying he’ll be “so presidential you will be so bored.” It appeared to be this version of Trump that spoke to a crowd in Washington D.C. this morning to lay out his vision for the future of U.S. foreign policy. In a departure from his off-the-cuff style of speaking,

Trump read from prepared remarks on a teleprompter, accusing past presidential administrations of lacking clear goals and not making allies pay their fair share for the help the U.S. has given. He also addressed the Islamic State, vowing to destroy them quickly and quietly when he becomes president.

What do last night’s primary results mean for the winners? What about the rest of the field? What did you think of Donald Trump’s speech on foreign policy? Did it change your thoughts on his ability to be presidential?

Guests:

Lori Cox Han, political science professor at Chapman University

Christopher J. Galdieri, Assistant Professor of Politics at Saint Anselm College in New Hampshire

Jon Greenberg, staff writer for PolitiFact

Legal void allows post-mortem sperm extraction

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TO GO WITH STORY: HEALTH-THAILAND-TOURIS

An expert performs in-vitro fertilization.; Credit: SAEED KHAN/AFP/Getty Images

Imagine the sudden death of a young husband, the promise of a future together snatched away — except for his sperm, an ethically dubious option for having a family with the one you loved.

As discussed in The Atlantic, the practice of post-mortem sperm extraction has been occurring for years. Extraction by several methods is possible because sperm remains viable for approximately 48 hours after death.

Even so, how ethical is it to extract living sperm from a dead body with the intent of conception? How much psychological impact can it have on a child? Why aren't reproductive tissues and organs included in organ donor decisions?

Guests:

Judith Daar, Professor at Whittier Law School, Clinical Professor at UCI School of Medicine and current Chair of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine Ethics Committee

Naomi R. Cahn, Harold H. Greene Professor of Law at The George Washington University Law School and author of, “Test Tube Families: Why the Fertility Market Needs Legal Regulation

Dueling doctors debate doling out dope to deal with dangerous drug dependence

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An Initiative To Legalize Marijuana In California To Appear On Nov. Ballot

A one-ounce bag of medicinal marijuana is displayed at the Berkeley Patients Group in Berkeley, California.; Credit: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

There’s a lot of conflicting research out there when it comes to what the benefits of medical cannabis are.

There are studies that support the idea that cannabis can be used to treat things like chronic pain, anxiety, or appetite loss, and can even help mitigate the symptoms of chemotherapy or treat diseases like ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) and multiple sclerosis. Still, other research links cannabinoids to hallucinations, paranoia, and long-term memory loss. But could it be used to treat opioid addiction?

It’s a proposal that’s gaining interest from some advocates and lawmakers, especially in New England and the Northeast, which is seeing some of the worst of the current heroin epidemic. Currently, there is little to no research suggesting cannabis is an effective treatment for opioid addiction, so many doctors are loath to prescribe it. The evidence that does point to its usefulness in treating addiction is mostly anecdotal, and the seriousness of the heroin epidemic also makes this idea a tough sell in many of the states hit hardest by opioid addiction and overdoses.

Should lawmakers consider funding more research into marijuana’s ability to treat opioid addiction? How would they go about doing that given marijuana’s Schedule I drug status? Would you consider cannabis for yourself or a loved one to help treat opioid addiction?

Guests:

Gary Witman, M.D., a doctor with Canna Care Docs, an alliance of medical marijuana clinics with locations in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts and other states. He has treated addicts with cannabis at his offices in Fall River, Stoughton and Worcester, Massachusetts

Kevin Hill, M.D., an addiction psychiatrist and an assistant professor at Harvard Medical School. Last year authored the JAMA study that found benefits in using medical marijuana to treat chronic pain, neuropathic pain and spasticity related to multiple sclerosis

Boomers are staying in their homes longer, and that’s not good for SoCal real estate

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Baby boomer homeowners

Baby boomers are staying longer in their homes, which leads to less housing turnover.; Credit: omicron

For Patricia Papernak, her two-story 3,500-square foot Tudor in West Los Angeles is the perfect place to entertain, decorate and garden.

The 63-year-old marketing professional says she's "never" selling — and other baby boomers feel the same.

"I can’t think of one friend who has talked about either downsizing or selling their home when they retire," Papernak said.

But realtors say the decision to stay longer in their homes is having a major impact on the entire housing market. Home listings are down three percent from this time last year, according to the California Association of Realtors. Lower housing turnover means less supply, which is driving up sale prices.

Read the full story here

Guest:

Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist at the National Association of Realtors

Daren Blomquist, Senior Vice President at RealtyTrac, a real estate information company based in Irvine


Obscured numbers make it difficult to analyze the potential effects of the California Drug Price Relief Act

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Oregon Votes To Require Prescriptions For Some Cold Medicines

A customer picks up a prescription at Hi-School Pharmacy store in Milwaukie, Oregon. ; Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer/Getty Images

The high cost of prescription drugs is a complex problem that could have a number of solutions, but a basic lack of transparency about the economic models that lead to the prices has left lawmakers and voters unsure of the best paths forward.

One proposal comes from the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, a November ballot measure called the California Drug Price Relief Act. It would fix the prices the State pays for their bulk drug purchases to what the Department of Veterans Affairs pays for their bulk purchases, a rate that the office usually negotiates to 20-40% below market.

Reinforcing California’s role as a national trend-setter, a coalition of pharmaceutical manufacturers have already spent over $50 million dollars to oppose the measure.

But in trying to figure out whether this law would bring down, rise, or stagnate drug prices, policy researchers and reporters have been stymied by trade secret laws or private contracts that can even tell them existing prices.

Guests:

Pauline Bartolone, reporter, CALmatters, a nonprofit publication focused on issues that affect Californians. She’s been following this story

Michael Weinstein,  author of the measure and president of AIDS Healthcare Foundation, which seeks to provide “cutting-edge” medicine and advocacy regardless of clients’ ability to pay

Kathy Fairbanks, with Californians Against the the Rx Measure

Native Angeleno: The history and beauty of the Los Angeles Central Library captured in new book

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"Los Angeles Central Library: A History of its Art and Architecture"; Credit: Angel City Press

Built in 1924, the Los Angeles Central Library is not only full of the largest holdings collection in any US public library, but its paintings, murals, sculptures and tile-work make it a living monument to the city's love of art, architecture, knowledge, and community.

A new book from Stephen Gee and Arnold Schwartzman capture the library's central location and symbolic grandiosity, which have become essential as we move away from printed information.

As part of “Native Angeleno,” AirTalk’s occasional series looking at the people, places and things that make Los Angeles what it is, authors Stephen Gee and Arnold Schwartzman join Larry to talk about the history and design of the Central Library.

Co-author Stephen Gee will be at the Los Angeles Central Library this Saturday, April 30, from 2:00p to 4:00p  to talk about the book. Click here for more information. 

Guests:

Arnold Schwartzman, photographer, co-author of the book, “Los Angeles Central Library: A History of Its Art and Architecture” (Angel City Press, 2016).

Stephen Gee, author, writer and TV producer, co-author of the book “Los Angeles Central Library: A History of Its Art and Architecture” (Angel City Press, 2016).

This year’s National Defense Authorization Act proposes women sign up for the draft

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Female and male Marine recruits listen to instructions as they prepare for a swimming test during boot camp at MCRD Parris Island, South Carolina. ; Credit: Scott Olson/Getty Images

Late last year women were approved to officially serve in all combat positions in the military, a decision that remains controversial among rank-and-file soldiers.

Last night the NDAA left committee for the floor and it includes a provision that would require women to also sign up for the draft at age 18.

It was introduced by California Representative Duncan Hunter, an Iraq veteran who would actually not like to see women drafted, but would rather re-hash the debate about women’s roles in combat on the House floor.  

However, a draft has not been instituted since 1973, while yesterday, with perfect timing, it was announced that Captain Kristen Griest, the first female Army Ranger, will now become the army’s first female infantry officer.

Guests:

Kate Germano, Soon-to-be retired Marine Lieutenant Colonel; Incoming Chief Operating Officer of Service Women’s Action Network

Joe Davis, National Spokesman for Veterans of Foreign Wars

Is distracted driving the same as drunk driving? The ‘textalyzer’ would treat it that way

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Mercer 1329

A driver texting while driving.; Credit: iStockphoto

In an effort to curb an increase in distracted driving, a New York State lawmaker is proposing a law that would give police the technology to treat texting and driving the same way as drinking and driving.

The so-called “textalyzer” would allow police at the scene of a car accident to plug in drivers’ phones to their computer be able to tell if a driver has been texting, emailing, taking selfies, or doing anything else that is forbidden under the state’s hands-free driving law without viewing the specific content.

The company developing the software, Cellebrite, is the same data extraction company that was reported to have helped the FBI break into the iPhone that belonged to the San Bernardino shooter.

While the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that police may not search a smartphone without a warrant, the lawmaker who proposed the bill says the “textalyzer” would operate under the same ‘implied consent’ legal theory that a breathalyzer does. That is, when you get your driver’s license, you’re implicitly consenting to a future breathalyzer at the risk of losing your license if you refuse.

The bill faces hurdles from the tech privacy community, which worries that the law could fall afoul of the Fourth Amendment.

Guests:

Thomas Dingus, professor of engineering at Virginia Tech University and director of the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute

Alan Butler, senior counsel for the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC)

Is Snapchat’s speed filter responsible for a distracted driving crash?

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In this photo illustration the Snapchat app is used on an iPhone,; Credit: Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images

(AP) A Georgia couple is suing Snapchat, claiming that the social media app's "speed filter" tempted a woman to drive too fast and to cause a crash that injured the husband.

The lawsuit says that in September, McGee was driving down a highway south of Atlanta using a Snapchat filter that places the rate at which a vehicle is traveling over an image. It says McGee was trying to reach 100 miles an hour in her car, which struck the Maynards' car, sending it across the left lane and into an embankment.

SNAPCHAT STATEMENT:

"No Snap is more important than someone’s safety. We actively discourage our community from using the speed filter while driving, including by displaying a "Do NOT Snap and Drive" warning message in the app itself."

Maynard v Snapchat Complaint 

Guest: 

Jody Armour, a professor of law at the University of Southern California’s Gould School of Law whose areas of focus includes product liability law

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