President Planned Parenthood Federation of America Cecile Richards participates in a panel discussion during the annual Clinton Global Initiative on September 20, 2016 in New York City.; Credit: Stephanie Keith/Getty Images

With President Trump at the helm, Planned Parenthood is in the spotlight again, and House Republicans may be closer to defunding the organization.

Those moves include the repeal and replacement the Affordable Care Act, along with a new bill that allows states to withhold Title X family planning funds.

With federal funds making up about 40 percent of its budget, will the organization be able to survive?

Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards shares her perspective with listeners today on the possible defunding of her organization.

Guest:

Cecile Richards, president, Planned Parenthood Federation of America and Planned Parenthood Action Fund

This content is from Southern California Public Radio. View the original story at SCPR.org.

Inmates at the Mule Creek State Prison interact in a gymnasium that was modified to house prisoners August 28, 2007 in Ione, California. ; Credit: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

The prevailing wisdom behind the high incarceration rate in the U.S. go something like this: that the failure of the War on Drugs, harsh sentencing laws and the rise of prison prisons are major factors.

In the new book, “Locked In,” writer John Pfaff points to a number of overlooked and underreported factors that could help us better understand the trend of rising incarceration in the country.

Guest:

John Pfaff, professor of law at Fordham Law School and author of the new book, “Locked In: The True Causes of Mass Incarceration – and How to Achieve Real Reform” (Basic Books 2017)

This content is from Southern California Public Radio. View the original story at SCPR.org.

U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks to the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) on February 24, 2017 in National Harbor, Maryland. ; Credit: Pool/Getty Images

At CPAC last week, President Trump blasted the media’s reliance on anonymous sources, saying that “[t]hey shouldn’t be allowed to use sources unless they use somebody’s name.”

Much has been made on the deluge of leaks coming out of the Trump administration. These bits of unauthorized information have apparently helped scuttled a number of White House actions before they become reality, and have roiled a Trump ecosystem that values loyalty above most everything else.

Critics of anonymous sources, including many media ethicists, argue that their use could too easily be abused. But supporters say that anonymous sources are an important tool to help keep the Trump administration, with its inclination for secrecy, in check.

Guests:

Judy Muller,an award-winning television journalist and a professor of journalism at USC

Jane Kirtley, professor of media ethics and law at the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Minnesota

This content is from Southern California Public Radio. View the original story at SCPR.org.

US President Donald Trump speaks to members of the National Governors Association and his administration before a meeting in the State Dining Room of the White House February 27, 2017 in Washington, DC. ; Credit: BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images

The Trump Administration’s turbulent relationship with the national media has been a focal point of its first month in the White House, and another chapter was written on Friday as press secretary Sean Spicer held an off-camera gaggle that excluded several major outlets, including CNN, The New York and Los Angeles Times and POLITICO.

Many reporters from other outlets who were allowed in the briefing were quick to share the pool audio with the outlets who were kept out.

President Trump also announced Saturday on Twitter that he would not be attending this year’s White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner, making him the first present in nearly four decades to decline to attend. This morning, the President outlined his budget priorities, highlighting a plan for a more than $50-billion increase in defense spending, with accompanying cuts in domestic programs. He wants Medicare and Social Security funding to stay as is.

On the Democratic side of the aisle, the DNC elected a new chairman in former U.S. Labor Secretary Tom Perez, who edged out Minnesota Representative Keith Ellison in the vote on Saturday. Perez, the establishment favorite, was quick to name Ellison deputy DNC chair.

Plus, President Trump delivers his first address to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday night, though it technically is not the State of the Union, because giving that speech requires a president to be in office for at least a year. We’ll talk about what to expect today on AirTalk.

Guests:

Caroline Heldman, associate professor of politics at Occidental College and co-author of ‘Rethinking Madam President: Are We Ready for a Woman in the White House?’ (Lynne Rienner Pub, 2007); she tweets @carolineheldman

John (Jack) Pitney, professor of politics at Claremont McKenna College; he tweets @jpitney

This content is from Southern California Public Radio. View the original story at SCPR.org.

US director Barry Jenkins (C) speaks after "Moonlight" won the Best Film award as Host Jimmy Kimmel (L) looks on at the 89th Oscars on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California.; Credit: MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images

In the final stretch of the Oscar campaign race, "Moonlight" and "La La Land" were neck and neck, and it seems they were destined to remain so even after the best picture award was handed out mistakenly, and now infamously, to "La La Land" instead of the true winner "Moonlight."

The accounting firm responsible for Oscar awards and envelopes issued an apology for the error. PwC - formerly Price Waterhouse Coopers - explained:

We sincerely apologize to Moonlight, La La Land, Warren Beatty, Faye Dunaway, and Oscar viewers for the error that was made during the award announcement for Best Picture. The presenters had mistakenly been given the wrong category envelope and when discovered, was immediately corrected. We are currently investigating how this could have happened...

"La La Land" still collected a leading six awards, including honors for cinematography, production design, score, the song "City of Stars" and best director. "Moonlight" won three in total, including best writing (adapted) and best supporting actor.

Throughout the awards show, host Jimmy Kimmel and numerous presenters and winners made political statements critical of the Trump administration.

Kimmel made the most out of President Donald Trump famously calling much-decorated Meryl Streep "overrated." Kimmel said Streep had "stood the test of time for her many uninspiring and overrated performances" and "phoned it in for more than 50 films." Streep, who has been unstinting in her criticism of Trump, received a standing ovation.

With files from the Associated Press.

Guest:

Nicole Sperling, Senior Writer, Entertainment Weekly  

This content is from Southern California Public Radio. View the original story at SCPR.org.

Susan B. Anthony List President Marjorie Dannenfelser (R) speaks to members of the media in front of the U.S. Supreme Court as lead counsel Michael Carvin (L) looks on April 22, 2014 in Washington, DC. ; Credit: Alex Wong/Getty Images

Larry spoke to Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards on Monday to hear her perspective on reproductive rights under a Trump Administration.

We hear today from Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the Susan B. Anthony List, an anti-abortion organization.

Larry is asking for her take on possible changes to the Affordable Care Act, Congress’ push to give states more power over family planning, and what President Trump’s actions may mean for the anti-abortion movement.

Guest:

Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the Susan B. Anthony List, an anti-abortion organization

This content is from Southern California Public Radio. View the original story at SCPR.org.

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti speaks during a town hall on the Affordable Care Act National Day of Action on February 22, 2017 in Los Angeles, California.; Credit: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti will need to win more than 50 percent of the vote in the March 7 primary to secure his reelection before the general election slated in May.

But before looking to the race ahead, we take a look back on the L.A. mayor’s first term: What has Garcetti accomplished for Angelenos? Has he delivered on his “back to basics” platform? How has the city changed - or not changed - under his governance and what does the mayor hope his first four years will be most remembered for?

Host Larry Mantle speaks to Garcetti about his tenure and how he’s currently tackling the city’s most prominent issues, including L.A.’s chronic and growing homeless population, the increase in Customs and Border Protection raids under the Trump administration, L.A.’s bid for the 2024 Summer Olympics and more.

Guest:

Eric Garcetti, mayor of Los Angeles

This content is from Southern California Public Radio. View the original story at SCPR.org.

LA County Sheriff Jim McDonnell addresses a news conference prior to the destruction of approximately 3,400 guns and other weapons at the LA County Sheriffs' 22nd annual gun melt.; Credit: David McNew/Getty Images

From halting deceptive “EVICTION NOTICE” mailers, to restructuring security for more than half of Metro’s public transit, Sheriff Jim McDonnell has had plenty to undertake this month.

For starters, the Measure S campaign committee has been sending out mailers that look like eviction notices, with “County of Los Angeles SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT” printed at the top. McDonnell’s department has since put out a statement rebuking the misleading mailers for causing alarm and using their official name.

LASD will also see its role in Metro’s newly-approved $797-million security plan that will divide up some of the security and policing responsibilities between the Los Angeles and Long Beach Police Departments, though LASD will retain control over some of the Metro system.

The Sheriff and LASD also find themselves at odds with the union representing L.A. County deputies over an attempt by Sheriff McDonnell to release a list of 300 deputies with histories of misconduct that could prove harmful to their credibility when testifying in court. The Association of Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs says that violates state laws preventing information from law enforcement officers’ personnel file from being released.

AirTalk’s Larry Mantle will tackle all of this with Sheriff McDonnell and also chat about what recent federal immigration directives will mean for his department and hear his take on the evolving national conversation on the issue.

Guest:

Jim McDonnell, Los Angeles County Sheriff

This content is from Southern California Public Radio. View the original story at SCPR.org.

A protester wears a shirt displaying the logo of smartphone ride service Uber during by a protest by non-licensed private hire drivers blocking the Place de la Nation in Paris on February 9, 2016.; Credit: GEOFFROY VAN DER HASSELT/AFP/Getty Images

Ride-hailing company Uber has been controversy-prone, to say the least.

The latest trouble brewing for the LA-based startup came after a former female engineer accused Uber for mishandling sexual harassment allegations she filed against her supervisor. She claimed that Uber was lenient on her perpetrator because he was a “top performer” at the company.

The allegations have put Uber’s work culture -- where meritocracy rules supreme -- under scrutiny. Is Uber’s culture an exception-- or is it the rule in the tech startup scene? Call AirTalk and share your experiences if you have ever worked at a tech startup.

Guests:

Christina Warren, senior writer at Gizmodo; she tweets from @film_girl

Cale Guthrie Weissman, staff writer at Fast Company who covers the tech scene, including a piece titled, “The Future of HR and Why Startups Shouldn’t Reject It;” he tweets @caleweissman

This content is from Southern California Public Radio. View the original story at SCPR.org.

The U.S. House of Representatives chamber is seen December 8, 2008 in Washington, DC. Members of the media were allowed access to film and photograph the room for the first time in six years. ; Credit: Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images

President Trump will address a joint session of Congress tonight.

He's expected to focus on his budget priorities and healthcare. But a showdown may be looming not just with Democrats. House speaker Paul Ryan and other deficit hawks might not accommodate Trump's plans for major defense increases.

With questions looming about Mr. Trump’s plans for the economy, the military and healthcare, what can we expect from tonight’s speech?

Larry speaks to New York Times Congressional Reporter Jennifer Steinhauer on the clashes in Washington and what comes next for the president.

Guest:

Jennifer Steinhauer, congressional reporter for the New York Times; she was the first to write about the clash between Donald Trump and Paul Ryan; she tweets @jestei

This content is from Southern California Public Radio. View the original story at SCPR.org.

A picture taken on October 17, 2016 shows an employee typing on a computer keyboard at the headquarters of Internet security giant Kaspersky in Moscow.; Credit: KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP/Getty Images

On Monday, a federal judge in Fresno blocked a state law that would let public officials call for personal information to be removed from the internet.

As reported by AP, that means a gun owner’s rights advocates can post the address and phone number of a California lawmaker who voted for firearm restrictions.

U.S. Chief District Judge Lawrence O’Neill ruled that the aforementioned law was too broad and infringed on the free speech rights of citizens. According to Judge O’Neill’s opinion, posting a lawmaker’s private information  is a form of political protest.

Should California lawmakers protect the personal information of public figures? Or is a legislator’s personal information of concern to the public?

Guest:

Aaron Caplan, professor of law at Loyola Law School

This content is from Southern California Public Radio. View the original story at SCPR.org.

L.A. mayoral candidate Mitchell Schwartz speaks at a fund raising concert at the Echoplex in Echo Park Los Angeles on Jan10th, 2017.; Credit: Dan Tuffs for KPCC

Eric Garcetti talked with Larry yesterday about his report card as Mayor and plans for the city, should he win the mayoral race.

Today, his biggest competitor in May’s election, Mitchell Schwartz, joins AirTalk. Schwartz has worked in politics for more than 30 years. He ran Bill Clinton’s 1992 primary campaign in New Hampshire, and Barack Obama’s California presidential campaign in 2008. For his mayoral campaign, Schwartz is touting his experience as a political strategist and entrepreneur.

He’s here to share with listeners what sets him apart from the incumbent and his plans for Los Angeles.

Guest:

Mitchell Schwartz, Los Angeles mayoral candidate

This content is from Southern California Public Radio. View the original story at SCPR.org.

An Amazon Echo device is displayed at the Ford booth at CES 2017 at the Las Vegas Convention Center on January 5, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. ; Credit: David Becker/Getty Images

A murder investigation in Arkansas has become the unlikely case where the question to examine whether speech recorded by Alexa -- Amazon’s virtual home assistant -- is protected under the 1st Amendment.

Investigators in the murder case have asked for audio that might have been recorded by Alexa after the murder of Victor Collins in Bentonville, Arkansas in 2015. Collins’s friend, James Andrew Bates, is accused of the crime. An Amazon Alexa was at the scene of the murder, and investigators have wanted to get their hands on any possible audio to assist in their investigation.

But Amazon has refused to turn over the data, arguing that Alexa speech is protected under the 1st Amendment.

A panel of legal, tech and law enforcement experts join Larry to analyze the case, and its implications for law enforcement, and consumers.

Guests:

Kenneth White,  a First Amendment litigator and criminal defense attorney at Brown White & Osborn in Los Angeles. He runs the free speech and criminal justice blog, Popehat.com

Jay Stanley, senior policy analyst with the ACLU Speech, Privacy, and Technology Project, where he researches, writes and speaks about technology-related privacy and civil liberties issues and their future

Ron Hosko, President of  the Law Enforcement Legal Defense Fund, a non-profit organization providing assistance to law enforcement officers who are required to defend their official actions in court. He is a former assistant director of the FBI

This content is from Southern California Public Radio. View the original story at SCPR.org.

Educators attend chidren in a temporary daycare center set up on Novembre 20, 2008, in Herouville-Saint-Clair, northwestern France, on a national teachers' striking day. ; Credit: MYCHELE DANIAU/AFP/Getty Images

As a parent, when’s the best time to have “the talk” with your kids?

We mean the “money talk.”

Is it once they're old enough to land their first job? Or should it be the moment they open up their first bank account? Maybe wait to talk money until they’re ready to make a big purchase - like a car or home?

New York Times bestselling author Beth Kobliner has a new book that can “Make Your Kid a Money Genius (Even If You’re Not).”

Her research includes simple, step-by-step tips on how to teach even pre-k and grade schoolers the art of being financially savvy - and it works.

Kobliner’s last book, “Get a Financial Life: Personal Finance in Your Twenties and Thirties” helped earn her a seat on former President Obama’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability for Young Americans, but she’s also passionate about helping the youngest of audiences get smart with money - she’s even brought her expertise to Elmo on Sesame Street.

Host Larry Mantle speaks to Kobliner about the latest book, with topics ranging from whether or not middle schoolers should get an allowance, why not to bail out your college kid from a hole of debt and more.

Guest:

Beth Kobliner, financial journalist and New York Times bestselling author with her latest book, “Make Your Kid a Money Genius (Even If You’re Not)” (Simon & Schuster 2017)

This content is from Southern California Public Radio. View the original story at SCPR.org.

U.S. President Donald J. Trump (C) makes remarks during his address to a joint session of Congress, as Vice President Mike Pence (L) and House Speaker Paul Ryan listen, at the U.S. Capitol, in Washington, DC, February 28, 2017. ; Credit: MIKE THEILER/AFP/Getty Images

President Trump's address before Congress conveyed a very different tone than his inaugural or campaign speeches.

Instead of focusing on what he sees as the country's disastrous condition, he touted improvements he says are coming. Now the question is whether Congress will agree with his plans. Right now, both sides are meeting on healthcare reform.

Guests:

Charles Kesler, Dengler-Dykema Distinguished Professor of Government at Claremont McKenna College and editor of the Claremont Review of Books

Caroline Heldman, associate professor of politics at Occidental College and co-author of ‘Rethinking Madam President: Are We Ready for a Woman in the White House?’ (Lynne Rienner Pub, 2007)  

This content is from Southern California Public Radio. View the original story at SCPR.org.

Though the November election is still fresh in our minds, it’s already time for L.A. voters to turn their attention back to the ballot box.

That’s because there’s not one but two elections coming up this spring. To help listeners make sense of the measures they’ll decide, AirTalk host Larry Mantle is back with another voter cram session focused on the primary nominating election on March 7 and the general election on May 16. L.A. voters must decide on two measures related to homelessness. L.A. municipal Measure S would require development project approval that may affect housing for the homeless and county-wide Measure H would implement a quarter-cent sales tax to fund homeless services.

Proponents, opponents and experts on Measure S and Measure H join Larry to break down the details of these local initiatives.

Guests: 

Jill Stewart, director, Yes on S

Laura Raymond, campaign director, Alliance for Community Transit (ACT-LA), which is part of the coalition for the official No on Yes campaign

Rina Palta, KPCC correspondent covering Southern California's social safety net

Chris Ko, director of homeless initiatives, United Way

Rebecca Prine, founder, Recycled Resources for the Homeless

Veronica Lewis, division director, Special Service for Groups / Homeless Outreach Program Integrated Care System (HOPICS)

Jack Humphreville,  columnist, CityWatch 

This content is from Southern California Public Radio. View the original story at SCPR.org.

Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL) is sworn in before the Senate Judiciary Committee during his confirmation hearing to be the U.S. attorney general January 10, 2017 in Washington, DC. ; Credit: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Attorney General Jeff Sessions is under fire for not disclosing two private conversations with Russia's ambassador to the U.S.

Last night the Washington Post reported then-Senator Sessions had one-on-one conversations twice last year with Russia's ambassador to the US. The AG says the meetings related to his Senate position as a senior member of the Armed Services Committee, not Trump campaign matters. However, the second meeting, at Session's Senate office, was in September. That was in the midst of allegations about Trump campaign contacts with Russia. Sessions was a prominent surrogate and advisor for the Trump campaign.

Should Sessions have to recuse himself from Justice's investigation of the Trump campaign, or even resign from his post?

Guests:

Greg Myre, national security correspondent at National Public Radio

Mike Fuchs, senior fellow at the Center for American Progress; he worked at the State Department under Secretary Hillary Clinton

Bre Payton, reporter for The Federalist, a conservative online news magazine

This content is from Southern California Public Radio. View the original story at SCPR.org.

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 02: U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions (R) answers questions during a press conference at the Department of Justice on March 2, 2017 in Washington, DC. ; Credit: Win McNamee/Getty Images

Despite White House support, Attorney General Jeff Sessions recused himself yesterday from any probe that examines communications between Trump aides and Moscow during the president’s 2016 campaign.

The move came after revelations that Sessions twice spoke with the Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak, and didn't say so when pressed, under oath, by Congress. Though Sessions rejected any suggestion that he tried to mislead anyone, he did allow that he should have been more careful in his testimony. Now the question remains whether Democrats will prevail in getting a special prosecutor. Republicans are strongly resisting.

But if a special prosecutor joins the investigation, how much of this will be about fairness, not politics?  

With files from the Associated Press

Guests:

Jordan Fabian, White House Correspondent for The Hill; he tweets @JordanFabian

Mike Fuchs, Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress. He served as deputy national security director for Hillary Clinton’s 2008 presidential campaign.

John Eastman, professor law and community service and director of the Center for Constitutional Jurisprudence at Chapman University

This content is from Southern California Public Radio. View the original story at SCPR.org.

U.S. President Donald Trump (R) and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau participate in a joint news conference in the East Room of the White House on February 13, 2017 in Washington, DC.; Credit: Alex Wong/Getty Images

As the saga of President Trump’s immigration policy continues, the U.S. watches and waits for a new executive order to be issued.

The White House had indicated that it would release the new order this week, but delayed the rollout after his address to a joint session of Congress on Wednesday.

Rumors are circulating about what might or might not be included in the new order after the previous one, which was unveiled in late January and barred entry to the U.S. to people from seven predominantly Muslim countries, was temporarily stayed by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals while legal arguments on the order’s constitutionality are made. In the meantime, President Trump has been lauding the merit-based immigration systems of countries like Canada and Australia, both tweeting about it and mentioning it during his address to Congress.

How do Australia and Canada’s merit-based immigration policies work? Could the system, or at least aspects of it, work in the U.S.? Will we see any policies from other countries’ immigration systems reflected in President Trump’s anticipated executive order?

Guest:

Alan Gomez, immigration reporter for USA Today based in Miami; he tweets @alangomez

This content is from Southern California Public Radio. View the original story at SCPR.org.

Police tape blocks a parking lot at the Jewish Community Center of Southern Nevada after an employee received a suspicious phone call that led about 10 people to evacuate the building on February 27, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada.; Credit: Ethan Miller/Getty Images

An arrest has been made in connection to a series of threats made against Jewish centers in New York.

Juan Thompson, 31, is accused of making threats against a Jewish history museum, various Jewish schools, and a chapter of the Anti-Defamation League -- all in New York.

His arrest comes after the recent wave of bomb threats against Jewish establishments that have swept across the nation. Jewish centers in Los Angeles and Orange counties have also been targets, including  the Westside Jewish Community Center in L.A., and the Merage Jewish Community Center in Irvine. It’s unclear whether those threats are related to what other Jewish centers of worship have experienced, police say.

If you are part of Southern California’s Jewish community, call 866 893 5722 and let us know how you feel about these threats, and what conversations have you had with your friends and families.

Guests:

Colleen Long, AP reporter who’s been following the arrest

David Suissa, president of TRIBE Media Corp. and the LA-based Jewish Journal

This content is from Southern California Public Radio. View the original story at SCPR.org.