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How will admitting girls to some Boy Scouts programs change both organizations?

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Fairfield Conn. Marks Memorial Day With Parade

Boy Scouts carry an American Flag in the annual Memorial Day Parade on May 26, 2014 in Fairfield, Connecticut. ; Credit: Spencer Platt/Getty Images

AirTalk®

The Boy Scouts of America announced Wednesday that it will be admitting girls into the Cub Scouts.

As reported by the Associated Press, the change will start next year, and older girls will be admitted in 2019, enabling them to earn an Eagle Scout rank. Michael Surbaugh, the BSA’s chief scout executive said that the “values of Scouting...are important for both young men and women.” But the Girl Scouts of the USA have opposed the plan, saying the move was put into place because of financial problems.

Both organizations have had drops in memberships in recent years, and the announcement is adding strain between the Scout groups, each of which is more than a century old. So what does this announcement mean for both the BSA and the Girl Scouts? What are the differences in skills both groups teach young people? And how have the BSA and Girl Scouts changed over the years?

Note: We reached out to the Boy Scouts of America and they did not reply to our request in time for our air. The Girl Scouts of the USA declined our request to join the conversation today, but pointed us to this statement posted on its blog.

With guest host Libby Denkmann.  

Guests:

Kenya Yarbrough, director of marketing and advocacy at the Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles

Ben Jordan, professor of History and sustainability studies at Christian Brothers University; his recent book is “Modern Manhood and the Boy Scouts of America: Citizenship, Race, and Environment, 1910-1930” (The University of North Carolina Press, 2016)

Susan Miller, associate professor of Childhood Studies at Rutgers University; she is the author of “Growing Girls: The Natural Origins of Girls’ Organizations in America” (Rutgers, 2007)

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


What Trump’s new executive order means for the ACA and Covered CA

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President Trump Signs Executive Order To Promote Healthcare Choice

U.S. President Donald Trump shows an executive order after he signed it as Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), Vice President Mike Pence, Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC) and Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta look on during an event in the Roosevelt Room of the White House October 12, 2017 in Washington, DC.; Credit: Alex Wong/Getty Images

AirTalk®

President Trump will release an executive order today that will roll back health insurance rules and requirements, allowing small businesses and potentially consumers to buy “association health plans,” which are cheaper but provide less coverage than health plans under ACA.

According to the administration, this would help people facing soaring premiums. Opponents say that while this might make insurance less expensive for healthy consumers, it will raise prices for people who are sick and will might also lead to insurers abandoning the Obamacare marketplace.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday, Covered California said it will ask insurers to add surcharges to some policies in 2018, because the Trump administration hasn’t pledged yet to pay certain ACA consumer subsidies. Silver-level health plans will face a total premium jump of about 25 percent.

Guest host Libby Denkmann gets the latest on the new order and its potential ramifications, as well as what this might mean for Covered California.

With guest host Libby Denkmann.  

Guest:

Chad Terhune, senior correspondent at California Healthline and Kaiser Health News; he’s been following the story; he tweets @chadterhune

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

Coming soon to a Senate race near you: Dianne Feinstein v. Kevin de León?

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Democratic National Convention: Day One

California State Senator Kevin de Leon delivers a speech on the first day of the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center, July 25, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.; Credit: Jessica Kourkounis/Getty Images

AirTalk®

Longtime state Senator Dianne Feinstein’s announcement to seek a sixth term has reshaped political ambitions in California.

An open race could have brought younger blood to CA politics, as well as infuse energy to a beleaguered Democratic Party.

Feinstein’s declaration has apparently not deterred one person from thinking about entering the race. And that’s CA Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de León, according to sources close to the lawmaker.

Los Angeles Times reporter Melanie Mason and Capital Public Radio’s Ben Bradford join Larry to discuss the potential matchup.

Guests:

Melanie Mason, reporter for the LA Times covering state government and politics in Sacramento; her piece for the paper today looks at de León’s potential run; she tweets @melmason

Ben Bradford, state government reporter for Capital Public Radio; he tweets @JBenBradford

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

Following executive order undoing ACA insurance rules, Trump goes after key subsidies

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President And Melania Trump Introduce DHS Secretary Nominee Kirstjen Nielsen

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a nomination announcement at the East Room of the White House October 12, 2017 in Washington, DC.; Credit: Alex Wong/Getty Images

AirTalk®

Thursday, President Trump announced that he will stop paying subsidies to health insurance companies which help pay medical costs for people who are low-income.

After failing to repeal the Affordable Care Act, the Trump administration has taken various regulatory actions to undermine the ACA. According to the New York Times, these also include an executive order that rolled back health insurance requirements, cutting spending on enrollment advertising and loosening individual mandate enforcement.

Ending these subsidies, which are currently costing the government $7 billion annually, is the latest move in the Trump administration’s efforts to unravel the ACA. Some insurers have said that without government support, they will charge higher premiums and might withdraw from ACA insurance exchanges. Trump said that ending subsidies will lower costs and diversify health care insurance options for Americans.

This news comes on the heels of Covered CA announcing Wednesday that their Silver-tier plans will face an additional surcharge “due to the ongoing uncertainty at the federal level.”

How will this subsidy rollback affect Covered California? Is this a step forward or backward for health coverage in the U.S.? And what does this news mean for insurance exchanges and the future of the Affordable Care Act?

Guests:

Gerald Kominski, professor of health policy and management at UCLA and director of the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research

Sally C. Pipes, president and CEO of the Pacific Research Institute, a nonprofit think tank focused on free-market solutions to policy problems

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

Triple play: Larry, Nick and A on the National League Championship Series

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Divisional Round - Chicago Cubs v Washington Nationals - Game Five

The Chicago Cubs celebrate during a team photo after the final out of Game 5 of the National League Divisional Series at Nationals Park on October 13, 2017 in Washington, DC.; Credit: Win McNamee/Getty Images

AirTalk®

The Dodgers are ready to open the National League Champion Series in LA on Saturday.

As reported by the Los Angeles Times, the team earned a few days off after finishing a sweep of the Arizona Diamondbacks earlier this week. The Dodgers will also be able to set their own rotation, and the first two of seven games will be at home.

Clayton Kershaw was unsurprisingly announced to start for game one. But Dodgers manager Dave Roberts hasn’t revealed any more about the rotation. The Washington Nationals and the Chicago Cubs played game five of their division series on Thursday night with the Cubs surviving 9-8.

It wasn’t long ago that there was a conversation about the Dodgers’ losing streak and what a bad sign it could be for their playoff push, so what are the predictions for Saturday’s NLCS opener? Larry Mantle speaks to KPCC’s All Things Considered Host Nick Roman and Take Two’s A Martinez for a check-in on the team.

Guests:

A Martinez, host of KPCC’s Take Two; he tweets @amartinezla

Nick Roman, host of KPCC All Things Considered; he tweets @Romanontheradio

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

Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer Ron Chernow turns his gaze on Ulysses S. Grant

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"Hamilton" Opening Night Curtain Call

"Hamilton" author Ron Chernow and the cast appear onstage at the opening night curtain call for "Hamilton" at the Pantages Theatre on August 16, 2017 in Los Angeles, California.; Credit: Kevin Winter/Getty Images

AirTalk®

Ulysses S. Grant may be most notable as the 18th president of the United States, and a Union Civil War general, but he’s also been dismissed throughout history as a drunk and a failed
businessman.

Even Walt Whitman weighed in, describing the general as “nothing heroic... and yet the greatest hero.”

While the contradicting nuances of his leadership and his life have been analyzed throughout history, Grant’s post-civil war contributions are largely unknown. He became a strong opponent of the Ku Klux Klan, and worked to pass the 15th amendment, restricting federal and state governments from denying citizen voting rights based on “race, color, or previous condition of servitude.” Frederick Douglass even hailed Grant as a “vigilant, firm, impartial and wise protector of my race.”

Ron Chernow is the author of the new book “Grant” and explores the general’s life including his boyhood squeamishness, ruthless reputation as a general and longstanding battle with alcoholism. As the debate on national monuments looms, Grant’s story gives insight to the dark history of racism in the U.S., and paints a fuller picture of the general.

Larry speaks to Chernov today for an inside look at the revelations of his research for the book.

Ron Chernow will be in conversation with historian Bill Deverell tonight, Oct. 16, at 7:00pm for his new book, “Grant.” The event is presented by Vroman’s Bookstore and takes place at All Saints Church in Pasadena. For more information and to purchase a ticket, click here.

Guest:

Ron Chernow, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of many books, including “Grant,” his latest biography on Ulysses S. Grant

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

What price fame? The tradeoffs of keeping secrets about Hollywood harassment

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FRANCE-CANNES-AMFAR

Producer Harvey Weinstein poses as he arrives at amfAR's 24th Cinema Against AIDS Gala on May 25, 2017 at the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Cap d'Antibes, France.; Credit: ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP/Getty Images

AirTalk®

It seems like every day, someone new is coming out with condemnations of Harvey Weinstein.

The latest? He was expelled from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on Saturday, the same day Kate Winslet told the Los Angeles Times that she deliberately did not thank the disgraced movie producer in 2009, when she won the lead actress Oscar for “The Reader.” The film was financed and produced by the Weinstein Company, and her first movie, “Heavenly Creatures,” was made in 1994 for Weinstein’s Miramax Films. Winslet said that she was not sexually harassed by Weinstein, but that he was “bullying and nasty” on a business level and that she was forceful in speaking out against him in her 20s, but in her 30s she felt it unnecessary to bring up his behavior again.

Winslet is joining a growing list of actresses with complaints against Weinstein, including Ashley Judd, Gwyneth Paltrow and Mira Sorvino. Allegations of despicable behavior from Weinstein have shed new light on the dark side of Hollywood and on the dynamic of powerful executives exploiting actors trying to build a career.

But questions have risen about the tradeoffs of staying quiet about incidents of sexual harassment, exploitation and bullying in the entertainment industry. How practical is it for an actor to speak out about these types of indiscretions? What would be the consequences of refusing to be harassed if you’re an actor, and would that be worth the price of standing up to a Hollywood power player?

Call in with your thoughts at 866.893.5722.

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

Week in Politics: Divisions within the GOP, Iran nuclear deal gets decertified, NAFTA is being renegotiated and more

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President Trump Presides Over Cabinet Meeting At White House

U.S. President Donald Trump (R), joined by U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson speaks to the media during a meeting with his cabinet at the White House on October 16, 2017 in Washington, DC.; Credit: Mark Wilson/Getty Images

AirTalk®

We discuss the latest from last week, the weekend and the biggest stories pending for the days ahead:

  • Division is being sowed in the GOP. Former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon spoke at the Values Voter Summit in D.C. this Saturday, where he announced “war” on the GOP establishment. Meanwhile, questions about President Trump have dominated the conversation surrounding the Virginia governor’s race. And on the opposite side of the country, Arizona senator and vocal Trump critic Jeff Flake (R) is running for re-election and pushback from Trump is putting a damper on his ratings. We discuss the question posed by the New York Times yesterday: is this a bellwether for other Republicans who cross the president?
  • On Sunday’s “State of the Union,” Secretary of State Rex Tillerson responds to questions about Trump’s “IQ” barb, as well as diplomatic strategy with North Korea.
  • On Friday, Trump decertified the Iran nuclear deal. Now, Congress has 60 days to decide on next steps.
  • Last week, the White House continued undermining the Affordable Care Act, with Trump’s executive order to loosen health insurance requirements, and his announcement that he will stop paying key subsidies to insurance companies next year.   
  • Renegotiations for the North American Free Trade Agreement conclude tomorrow, Tuesday, and it’s looking likely that the deal will fall apart. What does that mean for the U.S.?
  • California Senate leader Kevin de León announced that he will run against incumbent Dianne Feinstein for the U.S. Senate Seat. Does he have a shot and will this move splinter the California democratic party?

Have a question or comment for our partisan analysts? Call us at 866-893-5722.

Guests:

Matt Rodriguez, Democratic strategist and founder and chief executive officer of Rodriguez Strategies; he is also a former senior Obama advisor in 2008; he tweets @RodStrategies

Sean T. Walsh, Republican political analyst and partner at Wilson Walsh Consulting in San Francisco; he is a former adviser to California Governors Pete Wilson and Arnold Schwarzenegger and a former White House staffer for Presidents Reagan and H.W. Bush

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


Should California spur on the shift to electric vehicles or follow the industry?

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Bay Area Plans Major Expansion Of Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

A power cable from a vehicle charging station is seen plugged into the side of a Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid August 25, 2010 in San Francisco, California. ; Credit: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

AirTalk®

Eight years ago, there were no electric cars for sale in California.

This winter, Assemblyman Phil Ting (D - San Francisco) plans to introduce a bill that would ban gas- or diesel-powered cars by 2040.

The state set aggressive goals to dramatically cut carbon emissions, and putting electric vehicles on the road is one way to reach that goal—vehicle emissions currently account for 37 percent of statewide emissions. Also, a bill banning gas-powered cars marks a shift away from subsidies and goal setting. As a way to reach another state goal of 1.5 million emissions-free cars on the road by 2025, the state offers subsidies for electric vehicle purchases.

There are other external forces at work here: namely, Europe is tiring of diesel-powered vehicles, and electric vehicles are in demand in China. China has already set rules for automakers to expand production of electric and alternative-energy vehicles if they want to keep selling gas-powered vehicles, and it’s working on a ban. France, Norway, India and the U.K. are also considering bans.

The big question is whether the auto industry will beat lawmakers to the electric car future. Since many carmakers have already planned to either curb or end production of gas-powered cars long before 2040. So, does California need to mandate that future, or support the industry and consumers as the free market moves the industry that way?

Guests:

Joel Levin, executive director of Plug In America, a nonprofit group headquartered in Los Angeles  that advocates for electric vehicles

Wayne Winegarden, senior fellow at the Pacific Research Institute, a free-market policy think tank

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

The TV shows that have won hearts – and changed minds

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Gaby Hoffman (left) and Jeffrey Tambor (right) in season 4 of the Amazon television series "Transparent."; Credit: Jennifer Clasen

AirTalk®

In its original eight-year run, recently revamped television show “Will & Grace” won 16 Emmys, adding acclaim to popularity as the first hit sitcom with two gay male leads.

Often referred to as the “Will & Grace effect”, the show played a large role in reducing homophobia in its audience. A 2006 study found that exposure to the gay characters in “Will & Grace” had the same effect as interpersonal contact in viewers who did not regularly interact with members of the gay community. And now that television is more diverse than ever, shows like “Transparent”, “Black-ish”, “Modern Family” and “The Middle” regularly introduce audiences to characters from different cultural, social, economic and racial/ethnic backgrounds.

AirTalk wants to hear from you. Has a television show ever made you question or reevaluate a personal opinion? What TV shows introduced you to new perspectives while you were growing up? Which shows are pushing you out of your comfort zone now?

Guest:

Victoria Johnson, associate professor of film and media studies and of African American studies at UC Irvine; author of “Heartland TV: Prime Time Television and the Struggle for U.S. Identity” (NYU Press, 2008)

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

Following Weinstein, #MeToo, and letter from women in CA politics, the psychology behind processing and sharing sexual harassment experiences

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The 23rd Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards - Red Carpet

Producer Harvey Weinstein attends The 23rd Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at The Shrine Auditorium on January 29, 2017 in Los Angeles, California.; Credit: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for TNT

AirTalk®

As the sexual misconduct scandal involving disgraced film producer Harvey Weinstein continues to develop in Hollywood, we’re hearing more and more people share their own personal experiences with sexual harassment, and those stories are coming from the average, everyday social media user to political workers in Sacramento.

More than 140 women who work at California’s Capitol, ranging from lobbyists and staffers to political consultants and even lawmakers, have signed a letter speaking out against what they say is a “pervasive” culture of sexual harassment that transcends party lines and job descriptions. Across social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter on Monday, with the aim of showing solidarity as well as painting a picture of just how widespread sexual harassment is in our culture, many users shared details their own stories of sexual harassment with the hashtag #MeToo. Others simply chose to post ‘#MeToo’ with no explanation at all.

If you have experienced sexual harassment, at what point did you decide to share your experience? What factors ultimately led you to decide that you were comfortable to speak up, or that it was time to do so? Was it more difficult sharing it with certain people than others? How did you process your feelings that got you to a point where you felt like you could share?

Guest:

Jeanne Clevenger, PsyD, clinical psychologist with a private practice in Pasadena who specializes in maternal mental health and other women’s issues

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

What to make of early reports suggesting power lines may be culprit in Northern CA wildfires

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Multiple Wildfires Continue To Ravage California Wine Country

A downed power line and the remins of a home and a car are seen in the Larkfield-Wikiup neighborhood following the damage caused by the Tubbs Fire on October 13, 2017 in Santa Rosa, California.; Credit: Elijah Nouvelage/Getty Images

AirTalk®

Fire crews in Northern California are still working to fully contain and figure out what caused rampant wildfires that torched thousands of acres in wine country and elsewhere, but early reports say that it’s possible faulty power lines and electrical equipment could have played a role.

According to a review done by the Bay Area News Group that a look at radio traffic on emergency personnel frequencies found at least 10 places firefighters responded to because of calls about sparking wires or transformers.

This is not a new issue. Utility companies’ maintenance of their equipment has come up in the past with regards to sparking and spreading wildfires. PG&E was just fined more than $8 million for not maintaining a power line that started the Butte Fire in Amador County two years ago. It paid $1.6 billion in fines and other fees in 2010 after the San Bruno gas explosion.

Investigators are still looking into what caused the fires and have not yet come to a conclusion on what it was.

Guest:

Paul Rogers, San Jose Mercury News reporter covering science and the environment; he is also managing editor of KQED’s Science Unit; he tweets @PaulRogersSJMN

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

What’s next for Raqqa as US-backed Syrian forces take control of the city?

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SYRIA-RAQA-CONFLICT

Rojda Felat, a Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) commander, walks with her group's flag at the iconic Al-Naim square in Raqa on October 17, 2017.; Credit: BULENT KILIC/AFP/Getty Images

AirTalk®

A U.S.-backed alliance of Syrian fighters said Tuesday they had seized control of the northern Syrian city of Raqqa.

The city has been considered the headquarters of the Islamic State’s “caliphate” since 2014. Raqqa first fell from Syrian government control a year earlier. Raqqa was the site of many ISIS beheading videos, including that of the American journalist James Foley by “Jihadi John.” The city is mostly destroyed, and many lives were lost in the four-month battle over its control.

So the big question is: what’s next? Will dislodging ISIS from the territory create the same problems that led to its rise in the first place? Larry speaks to a reporter on the ground in Istanbul and an analyst for more details.

Guests:

Emily Wither, correspondent for Reuters TV based in Istanbul; she tweets @ewither

Frederic C. Hof, director at the Atlantic Council’s Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East; his focus includes Syrian conflict and U.S. policy in the Middle East

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

LAPD Chief Beck: LAPD’s new drone program, event security post-Las Vegas, and more

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US-CRIME-MANHUNT-COP KILLER-PRESSER

Los Angeles police Chief Charlie Beck gives a briefing on the case of Christopher Dorner, a fired LAPD officer wanted for three killings on February 7, 2013 in Los Angeles, California.; Credit: ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images

AirTalk®

Los Angeles Police Department Chief Charlie Beck joins Larry Mantle for his monthly check-in.

Topics they will discuss include:

Guest:

Charlie Beck, chief of police of the Los Angeles Police Department

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

The Great Wall of Los Angeles: The story behind the world’s longest mural

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Great Wall of Los Angeles

Part of "The Great Wall of Los Angeles" by Judith Baca; Credit: Kevin Ferguson/KPCC

AirTalk®

Chicana Artist Judith F. Baca describes herself as a political landscape painter.

Growing up by the Los Angeles River, she remembers when a 40-year-long concrete project along the landmark was completed, and she got the idea to change the way people saw the wall there. And so, Baca’s project was born in 1976.

Today, The Great Wall of Los Angeles is a half-mile long mural with more than 400 of professional and aspiring artists who’ve worked on the project guided by Baca. It’s the world’s longest mural, and was inspired by the work of three major figures in the Mexican muralist movement, Los Tres Grandes: José Clemente Orozco, Diego Rivera and David Alfaro Siqueiros. The project was a way to introduce at-risk L.A. youth to the art world, teach them about collaboration, and is seen as a window into the concerns of the community during the mural’s development.

The book, “BACA: Art, Collaboration & Mural Making,” edited by Mario Ontiveros, showcases more than 200 images of the wall, as well as the inspiration and execution of one of L.A.’s most notable landmarks. Ontiveros joins Larry Mantle today, to discuss its significance, and what we can learn about how and why The Great Wall of Los Angeles was made.

Mario Ontiveros and Judith Baca will be speaking about the new book this Sunday, October 22, at 3:00pm. The event takes place at Vroman’s Bookstore in Pasadena. For info, click here.

Guests:

Judith Baca, professor of Chicana/o Studies at UCLA; LA-based Chicana visual artist, and subject of the new book, “BACA: Art, Collaboration & Mural Making” (Angel City Press, 2017)

Mario Ontiveros,  editor and a contributor to the new book, “BACA: Art, Collaboration & Mural Making” (Angel City Press, 2017); he is also an assistant professor of art history at Cal State Northridge

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


Is a proposed item ban at public demonstrations in LA a city overreach?

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Violent Clashes Erupt at "Unite The Right" Rally In Charlottesville

White nationalists, neo-Nazis and members of the "alt-right" exchange vollys of pepper spray with counter-protesters as they enter Emancipation Park during the "Unite the Right" rally August 12, 2017 in Charlottesville, Virginia.; Credit: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

AirTalk®

In response to violent protests in Charlottesville and Berkeley, Los Angeles Councilman Mitch Englander has proposed city restrictions on items people can bring into public demonstrations.

As reported by the Los Angeles Times, prohibited items would include plastic bottles containing alcoholic, non-consumable, toxic waste or flammable liquid, as well as pepper spray, drones, wooden planks and improvised shields. The proposal is on its way to city attorneys who are drafting the new law before final approval. When Englander amended the proposal during Tuesday’s council meeting, he said that police recommendations could determine other items added to the ban.

Civil rights attorney Carol Sobel challenged the legality of the ban for blocking items from protests that are otherwise permitted. Sobel said that prohibiting shields would make it easier for police to injure protesters.

American Civil Liberties Union senior staff attorney Peter Bibring questioned drones as part of the ban. He said drones are sometimes used to document protest turnout.

Larry speaks to Englander and UCLA Law Professor Eugene Volokh today for more details on the pros and cons of a potential ban.

Guests:

Mitch Englander, Los Angeles City Councilmember representing District 12, which comprises the Northwest San Fernando Valley

Eugene Volokh, professor of law at UCLA

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

Molly Melching on more than 40 years of human rights work in Africa

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TO GO WITH AFP STORY BY HORACI GARCIA MA

Senegalese girls participate in a rugby match along with other youths at the "House of Rugby" sports and cultural center, in Yoff, a neighborhood of Dakar, on October 17, 2011. ; Credit: SEYLLOU/AFP/Getty Images

AirTalk®

Molly Melching is the founder of Tostan International.

Headquartered in Dakar, Senegal, Melching and her organization are most well known for advancing human rights in the region – specifically awareness of female genital cutting, and childhood and forced marriage. Meaning “breakthrough” in Wolof, Tostan organizes community programs on health, hygiene, literacy and other human rights issues.

Through those programs, more than 7,200 villages in six West African countries ended practices of female genital cutting and childhood marriage.

Host Larry Mantle talks to Melching about her work and mission.

Guest:

Molly Melching, founder and creative director of Tostan, a non-governmental organization headquartered in Dakar, Senegal, that promotes sustainable development in Africa

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

Rob Pelinka dishes on first season as Lakers GM and what to expect from this year’s team

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Denver Nuggets v Los Angeles Lakers

Wilson Chandler #21 of the Denver Nuggets splits the defense of Lonzo Ball #2 and Thomas Bryant #31 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half of a preseason game at Staples Center on October 2, 2017 in Los Angeles, California.; Credit: Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images

AirTalk®

With most of LA’s focus during this year’s NBA offseason squarely on Lakers’ first round draft pick Lonzo Ball, it’s easy to lose sight of the fact that, when the purple and gold take the court on Thursday night for their regular season opener against the Clippers, there will be four other players to watch on the court when the game tips at 7:30 p.m. PST.

The young Ball, whose play was encouragingly solid during the preseason, is just one piece of a bigger puzzle that the Lakers’ brand new front office is already working on solving this season.

The Lakers have not won more than 27 games since the 2013-2014 season. Their last playoff appearance was in 2013. Over those years, they have been stockpiling young talent with early first round draft picks like Ball, fellow guard Brandon Ingram, and forward Julius Randle. This offseason, they also added journeyman center Brook Lopez to add some veteran experience to the young squad and help further shore up their post play.

Now, with Laker legend Magic Johnson overseeing basketball operations and newly-minted general manager Rob Pelinka at the helm, the team is looking to right the ship and get back on track to a playoff berth. Both Ball and Ingram have high expectations in the Laker backcourt, which could potentially be one of the most athletic and dynamic in the NBA. Another young forward named Kyle Kuzma is also quietly turning heads while the spotlight shines on others.

But the long-term challenge is real. The Lakers compete in the Western Conference, a grueling gauntlet of teams that includes the Houston Rockets and Oklahoma City Thunder, who are looking to make waves with their big offseason signings, and the defending champion Golden State Warriors.

What can we expect out of the Lakers this year? Do you expect them to make the playoffs? Will Lonzo Ball live up to the hype? Who are some of the lesser-known players to watch? What are you most excited to see this year?

Guest:

Rob Pelinka, general manager of the Los Angeles Lakers

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

How you and your family can be ready for a quake – before it starts

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US-POLITICS-SCIENCE-SHAKEALERT

Margaret Vinci, manager of the Seismological Laboratory at California Institute of Technology points to a shake alert user display on a laptop screen, set for a limited release on June 1, 2017 at the Caltech Seismological Laboratory in Pasadena, California.; Credit: FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP/Getty Images

AirTalk®

With its innumerable benefits aside, living in Southern California also means living with the constant possibility that an earthquake could strike, whether it’s a smaller temblor or the dreaded "Big One."

When quakes do happen, it should come as no surprise that making preparations for your home, family, and belongings ahead of time are of utmost importance. But it may also come as no surprise that, as a survival expert told the L.A. Times, most people aren’t ready for a big quake.

In light of today’s "Great California Shakeout," a statewide drill to test preparedness for a major earthquake, here’s some news you can use by talking with emergency preparedness experts about being ready before an earthquake strikes. What do you do when it does? What preparations should you make in advance in your home and to your belongings? What do you need to have in your emergency kit? How do you prepare your family evacuation plan?

 

For more on preparedness, check out this interview our sister show Take Two did with a local survival preparedness expert.

Guests:

Frances Edwards, professor of political science and director of the Master of Public Administration program at San Jose State University; she is a Certified Emergency Manager and former director of emergency services for the cities of San Jose and Irvine

Mina Arnao, president and CEO of More Prepared, a company based in Hawthorne, CA specializing in emergency preparedness planning and supplies

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

Living life on the road — and not entirely by choice: casualties of the shrinking middle class

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Travelers In The West Hit The Road Flocking To Destinations To Witness Monday's Eclipse In Totality

With a sign showing full camp grounds, cars drive into Grand Teton National Park on August 19, 2017 outside Jackson, Wyoming.; Credit: George Frey/Getty Images

AirTalk®

Some Americans are trading in their traditional stationary lives for a life out on the open road.

The change — adopted mostly by single women and senior citizens — is involuntary and is the result of the 2008 Great Recession.

Award-winning journalist Jessica Bruder immerses herself in this fluid community in her most recent book, “Nomadland.” Bruder bought a van and traveled more than 15,000 miles to live amongst the nomads and hear their personal stories.

How have you dealt with economic challenges? What sacrifices have you been forced to make?

Jessica Bruder will discuss her book, “Nomadland” this Saturday, Oct. 21 at Skylight Books in Los Angeles. The event starts at 5 p.m. For info, click here

Guest:

Jessica Bruder, journalist and author of the new book, “Nomadland: Surviving America in the Twenty-First Century” (W. W. Norton, 2017)

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

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