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AirTalk debates: should Trump recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and move U.S. embassy?

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A picture shows the exterior of the US embassy in Tel Aviv on December 6, 2017.; Credit: JACK GUEZ/AFP/Getty Images

AirTalk®

According to reports, President Trump is planning to start the process of moving the american embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, as well as to recognize the city as the capital of Israel – a decision that has raised alarm among leaders in the Middle East, as well as some U.S. foreign policy experts.

Trump is still expected to defer the immediate move of the embassy for another six months, but his announcement today to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital will have major repercussions, since the Palestinian Authority hopes that East Jerusalem will one day be the capital of a future Palestinian state. The Palestinian Authority has threatened to pull out of any peace negotiations if Trump makes the announcement. Some foreign policy experts have also said that any pronouncement on the status of the volatile city of Jerusalem will bury a chance at peace in the region.

Some groups in Israel and the U.S. have welcomed the move, saying it’s a recognition of reality and a diplomatic tactic that might force otherwise stalled peace negotiations.

We listen to Trump’s address and debate the repercussions of his announcement.

Guests:

Miriam Elman, associate professor of political science and research director in the Program for the Advancement of Research on Conflict and Collaboration at Syracuse University

Brian Katulis, senior fellow focusing on U.S. national security policy in the Middle East for the Center for American Progress, a left-leaning think tank in Washington, D.C.

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


#HomeGrown: What Colorado and Washington can teach California about legalizing recreational cannabis

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International Church of Cannabis Opens Its Doors In Denver, Colorado

Church organizer and founding member Steve Berke of Denver, Colorado checks the ages of some of the first members of the public to visit the International Church of Cannabis in Denver, Co. on April 20, 2017. ; Credit: Marc Piscotty/Getty Images

AirTalk®

As California prepares to being sales of legal recreational marijuana for adult use on January 1, 2018, both people in the industry and those who watch it know that the state is heading into uncharted territory.

While considerable policy work has been done to lay the foundation for things like tax structure, zoning laws, and enforcement, there are still more questions than answers, and many of those questions won’t be answered until legal sales of cannabis begin in earnest.

The good news is that Colorado and Washington legalized recreational marijuana for adult use in 2012 and have several years of lessons that California will no doubt be using to guide its own legal marijuana policy and deal with issues that have come up in those two states like potency issues with edibles, consumer health and safety, law enforcement dealing with stoned drivers, advertising for cannabis products, and even something as simple as where people can actually consume their legal cannabis. There’s also the issue of weed tourism -- out-of-state residents who show up to purchase and consume marijuana legally -- and the impacts that can have on the economy and on society in general.

So, what lessons can Colorado and Washington teach us about the challenges California may face in the short and long term? What have been the biggest challenges and how have legislators and policymakers worked to solve them? What kind of tax revenue are those states bringing in?

Guests:

Bob Young, reporter covering marijuana for The Seattle Times; he tweets @PotReporter

Alicia Wallace, national marijuana policy and business reporter with The Cannabist at The Denver Post; she tweets @aliciawallace

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

The Gold Star father Trump made famous and his take on what it means to be American

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Hillary Clinton Campaigns In Crucial States Ahead Of Tuesday's Presidential Election

Khizr Khan speaks during a campaign rally with Democratic presidential nominee former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at The Armory on November 6, 2016 in Manchester, New Hampshire. ; Credit: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

AirTalk®

At the 2016 Democratic National Convention, Khizr Khan and his wife Ghazala gave a speech about their son, Humayun, who was killed in a suicide attack in Iraq in 2004 and posthumously awarded a Purple Heart.

The speech was about their family's story, Muslim faith and patriotism, and in one memorable moment, Mr. Khan held out his personal copy of the U.S. Constitution and offered it to then-presidential candidate Donald Trump to borrow. Appearing on TV, Trump criticized the Khans —including Ghazala, for standing silently next to her husband as he spoke— and compared their family's sacrifice to his "sacrifice" creating jobs and having business success. He was, in turn, widely condemned for criticizing a Gold Star family.

Khizr Khan has written a memoir called An American Family: A Memoir of Hope and Sacrifice. The book tells the story of how the Khans came to America from rural Pakistan, and how Khizr and Ghazala raised their three sons in Maryland.

Khizr Khan will be speaking about his new memoir, “An American Family,” tonight, at 7:30pm at the Library Foundation of Los Angeles in Downtown L.A.

Guest:

Khizr Khan, author of the new book, “An American Family: A memoir of hope and sacrifice”; his middle son, U.S. Army captain Humayun Khan was killed in 2004 while stopping a suicide attack in Iraq, and was posthumously awarded a Purple Heart and Bronze Star

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

SoCal fires continue: emergency alert systems, price gouging and latest on Ventura, Skirball

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Vehicles pass beside a wall of flames on the 101 highway as it reaches the coast during the Thomas wildfire near Ventura, California on December 6, 2017.; Credit: MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images

AirTalk®

Fires continue burning throughout Southern California.

As winds strengthen, the fire in Ventura County is pushing towards populated areas. In the meantime, the Skirball Fire has burned 475 acres and Bel Air residents are under mandatory evacuation. We check in with the latest on the fires.

Plus, the city attorney of Los Angeles joins us to discuss illegal price gouging in the wake of evacuations. And did you get an emergency alert last night? We talk about how the emergency alert system in California works and how you can keep yourself informed.

This segment is being updated.

Guests:

Robert Garrova, KPCC reporter at the site of the Skirball Fire; he tweets @robertgarrova

Adolfo Guzman-Lopez, KPCC reporter at the site of the Thomas Fire; he tweets @AGuzmanLopez

Kelly Huston, a deputy director with California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services

Charlie Eadie, principal with Eadie Consultants, a Santa Cruz-based firm specializing in helping communities rebuild after disasters, including fires

Mike Feuer, City Attorney of Los Angeles

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

After two additional sexual harassment allegations, Senator Al Franken steps down

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Embattled Minnesota Sen. Al Franken Speaks On His Political Future From The Senate Floor

Sen. Al Franken (D-MN) (C) and his wife Franni Bryson (L) arrive at the U.S. Capitol Building December 7, 2017 in Washington, DC. ; Credit: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

AirTalk®

Minnesota Sen. Al Franken says he'll resign in the coming weeks.

He's repeatedly apologized as several women accused him of sexually inappropriate behavior, and as his support from fellow Democrats evaporated.

The Minnesota lawmaker took to the Senate floor to say, "I may be resigning my seat, but I am not giving up my voice." He says he'll addressing issues as an activist.

Franken says he can't go through a Senate Ethics Committee investigation and effectively represent his state at the same time.

With files from Associated Press.

Guest:

Elizabeth Dunbar, reporter at Minnesota Public Radio who's been following the story

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

Update on Thomas fire: Over 130,000 acres burned, 10 percent contained

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Southern California Wildfires Forces Thousands to Evacuate

A home is consumed by fire during the Thomas fire on December 7, 2017 in Ojai, California. The Thomas fire has burned over 115,000 acres and has destroyed 439 structures.; Credit: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

AirTalk®

The Thomas Fire raging in Ventura County grew to 132,000 acres overnight, prompting new evacuations.

Mandatory evacuations were added late Thursday for parts of Fillmore, Carpinteria and Summerland, along with several unincorporated parts of Ventura and Santa Barbara counties.

Read the full article here.

Guests:

Stephanie O’Neill, Ojai resident who's been covering the Thomas fire at various outlets; she is a former KPCC reporter and lives in Ojai; she tweets @ReporterSteph

Amita Sharma, investigative reporter at KPBS; she has been following the Lilac fire; she tweets @ASharmaKPBS

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

Home Grown: When pot gets in the way of your relationship

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An activist smokes a joint during a protest in Bogota, on August 1, 2017.; Credit: RAUL ARBOLEDA/AFP/Getty Images

AirTalk®

No matter how much you love them, every significant other, family member or roommate likely comes with a habit or two you wish they would break.

When the issue is something as small as forgetting to put the toilet seat down or leaving their shoes all over the house, it could be overlooked – but what happens when the problem is their pot habit?

As 2018 approaches, California is putting the final touches on regulating the state’s newly legalized recreational marijuana industry. LA’s City Council approved a set of rules for the new businesses Wednesday, including how shops applying for licenses will be inspected and where they will be able to open within city limits. Regardless of your personal views on recreational marijuana, usage is going to become much easier and more normalized.

Have you ever been in a close relationship with someone who didn’t share your views on recreational marijuana? How did you to make your relationship work – or were your diverging opinions too much to bear?

Call us at 866.893.5722 to weigh in.

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

Bitcoin value has gone through the roof. Is it a good investment or a bubble waiting to burst?

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Bitcoin Continues To See Unprecedented Growth

A visual representation of the digital Cryptocurrency, Bitcoin alongside a selection of fiat currencies on December 07, 2017 in London, England.; Credit: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

AirTalk®

The infamous cryptocurrency, Bitcoin, has exploded into mainstream.

Recent market estimates value the digital currency at $16,000 – which is about $1,000 higher than it was last year.

Additionally, websites like Expedia.com – and even Microsoft – have begun accepting Bitcoin as a method of payment.

Even still, some continue to hold on to their reservations and say they expect the “Bitcoin bubble” to burst. Given its recent success, do you consider Bitcoin to be a good investment opportunity? Why or why not?

Guests:

Meltem Demirors, director of  Digital Currency Group, an investment firm based in New York

John Authers, senior investment commentator at the Financial Times

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


Founder of Homeboy Industries on redemption, second chances and the power of hope

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Jesuit Priest Father Greg Boyle poses outside the

Jesuit Priest Father Greg Boyle poses outside the "Jobs for a Future" employment center he runs for Latino gang members who want out of a life of crime and gangbanging 18 December, 2000 in the East Los Angeles neighborhood of Boyle Heights.; Credit: MIKE NELSON/AFP/Getty Images

AirTalk®

Father Gregory Boyle knows a thing or two about second chances.

The Jesuit priest has built his life around offering them to those that most of the rest of society might overlook or dismiss. As the founder of Los Angeles’ Homeboy Industries, Father Greg offers a second lease on life to former gang members and the recently incarcerated, connecting ‘homies’ and ‘homegirls,’ as he calls them, with services like substance abuse treatment, tattoo removal, mental health counseling and employment services. And when you’ve spent almost three decades doing what he has, you get to see firsthand what someone can accomplish if given a second chance and a good nudge in the right direction.

In his latest book, “Barking to the Choir: The Power of Radical Kinship,” Father Greg looks back on the lessons he’s learned as he approaches 30 years at the helm of Homeboy Industries, which now boasts many social and businesses ventures as its own. He talks about the homies and homegirls whose stories have touched his life – the former gang member and inmate trying to kick his drug habit and start over, or the man trying to find a way to forgive his family after they abandoned him as a child – and how we can learn lessons from them about perseverance, compassion, forgiveness, and the power of unconditional love.

Father Greg will be speaking about his book in a series of events this week:

Guest:

Father Greg Boyle, founder of Homeboy Industries; author of the new book, “Barking to the Choir: The Power of Radical Kinship” (Simon & Schuster, 2017)

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

Check in on Thomas fire, the 5th largest in Calif. history, and NY subway attack

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Southern California Wildfires Forces Thousands to Evacuate

Flames come close to a house as the Thomas Fire advances toward Santa Barbara County seaside communities on December 10, 2017 in Carpinteria, California.; Credit: David McNew/Getty Images

AirTalk®

The Thomas Fire that broke out a week ago in Ventura County is now the 5th largest in California history.

The fire has grown to 230,500 acres, or 360 square miles — nearly the size of San Diego. The fire is still just 15 percent contained and has already destroyed more than 750 buildings, burning six more in Carpinteria on Sunday. Guest host John Rabe speak with KQED’s Steve Cuevas, and reporter Stephanie O’Neill on the latest on the Thomas fire.

Also, AirTalk will check in from New York on the pipe bomb explosion in the subway. The suspect has been identified, and officials are investigating as an act of terrorism.

Guests:

Steven Cuevas, bureau chief of The California Report at KQED; he’s covering the Thomas Fire in Santa Barbara

Stephanie O’Neill, reporter in Ojai covering the Thomas fire; she tweets @ReporterSteph

Rebeca Ibarra, assistant producer and reporter at WNYC; she’s been following the story

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

Week in politics: Alabama race, Al Franken/Trent Franks resignations, more

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Steve Bannon Joins Alabama Senate Candidate Roy Moore At Campaign Rally

Republican Senatorial candidate Roy Moore speaks during a campaign event at Oak Hollow Farm on December 5, 2017 in Fairhope, Alabama.; Credit: Joe Raedle/Getty Images

AirTalk®

We’re expecting another whirlwind week in politics this week.

Tomorrow is the long-anticipated special election between Republican candidate Roy Moore and Democratic candidate Doug Jones. Moore, of course, has been embroiled in a series of allegations of sexual assaults involving teenagers that date back decades ago. Moore has denied all of the accusations.

Guest host John Rabe speaks with an Alabama reporter about the Moore/Jones race, as well as our political analysts Jack Pitney and John Iadarola for analysis on the special election. We also parse through other political stories, including the resignations of Congressmen Al Franken and Trent Franks, and Megyn Kelly’s morning interview with women who have accused President Trump of sexual misconduct.

Guests:

John Hammontree, managing producer of Reckon Alabama, the investigative and in-depth reporting unit at AL.com, the news site that covers the state of Alabama; he tweets @johnhammontree

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

John Iadarola, host and creator of ThinkTank, part of The Young Turks Network; he also serves as a weekly co-host for The Young Turks weekly live show; he tweets @johniadarola

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

The LA Times on the 2014 secret Sheriff’s Dept. list of deputies with histories of misconduct

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Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office Holds Annual Confiscated Gun Melt

Los Angeles County Sheriff Jim McDonnell addresses a news conference at the Los Angeles County Sheriffs' 22nd annual gun melt at Gerdau Steel Mill on July 6, 2015 in Rancho Cucamonga, California.; Credit: David McNew/Getty Images

AirTalk®

The Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department keeps a secret list of deputies with a history of misconduct.

Sheriff Jim McDonnell has been fighting to get this so-called “Brady list” into the hands of prosecutors. The issue is that these officers testify in court. And prosecutors need to tell criminal defendants if there’s evidence that would undermine any of these officer’s credibility as witness.

The Sheriff’s Deputies union has been pushing back against the Sheriff, saying that giving prosecutors access to the list would harm deputies and could cast doubt on criminal prosecutions that they’ve been involved in. The California Supreme Court has taken up the case and is likely to come down with a decision next year.

Very few people get access to this list, but last week, the L.A. Times did a long investigation of the 2014 list from the Sheriff’s Department. We talk to two of the reporters to hear what they learned.

We reached out to District Attorney Jackie Lacey and the Sheriff's Department. They were unable to join us on-air. 

Guests:

Frank Stoltze, KPCC correspondent who covers criminal justice and public safety issues

Maya Lau, reporter on the metro desk covering the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department for the Los Angeles Times

Corina Knoll, staff writer at the Los Angeles Times

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

New study says teens are more likely to feel depressed, suicidal, with increased screen time

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A girl holds a mobile phone as she walks in Vienna on May 8, 2012. ; Credit: AFP/AFP/Getty Images

AirTalk®

A number of studies have already pointed to the negative health effects of being glued to our screens, including lower self-esteem, increased anxiety and poor impact on overall well-being.

But new research from San Diego State University says that increased screen time among teens, especially teen girls, might have caused a 2010 to 2015 uptick in depression and suicidal thoughts.

The study surveyed more than 500,000 teens in the U.S. and found that the suicide rate for girls age 13 to 18 increased 65 percent, while 48 percent of teens who spent at least five hours a day on their screens (via cell phone, tablet or computer) reported at least one suicide-related outcome (i.e. suicidal ideations, plans and attempts) compared to the 28 percent who spent less than an hour of screen time per day.

As children continue to develop in a world dependent on social media, how should parents help monitor their amount of time spent online? What measures can be taken to identify teens struggling as a result of the overuse of smartphones and laptops? Larry speaks with the lead author of the study.

With KPCC reporter Libby Denkmann as guest host

Guest:

Jean Twenge, a professor of psychology at San Diego State University and author of “iGen: Why Today's Super-Connected Kids Are Growing Up Less Rebellious, More Tolerant, Less Happy – and Completely Unprepared for Adulthood” (Simon and Schuster, August 2017); she is the lead author of the study “Screen time might boost depression, suicide behaviors in teens

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

AirTalk asks: What’s your most unusual friendship?

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A group of friends arrive at Euston Station, London, for a trip to the countryside on Apr. 18, 1935.; Credit: Douglas Miller/Getty Images

AirTalk®

A 22-year-old East Harlem rapper/producer and an 81-year-old Florida retiree made headlines last week when the two unlikely friends posted their meeting on Twitter.

He’s black, she’s white. And with a nearly 60-year gap in age, the game Words With Friends first brought them together.

As reported by the New York Times, the meeting brought on a flood of positive reaction on Twitter. The original post has garnered more than 1.1 million likes and the public seemed to respond to how the unlikely friendship formed despite the odds that could divide them. But unlikely friendships sprout up all the time between people of different religions, ages, ethnicities and geographical locations.

So what triggers these relationships? AirTalk wants to know your most unlikely friendship. Do you have a friend that’s much older or younger or from a completely different background? What’s the most interesting thing you’ve learned from them? Call us at 866-893-5722.

With KPCC reporter Libby Denkmann as guest host

Guest:

Shasta Nelson, founder of Girlfriendcircles.com, a friend networking site and author of “Frientimacy: How to Deepen Friendships for Lifelong Health and Happiness” (Seal Press, 2016)

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

How should the money donated for victims of the Las Vegas shooting be distributed?

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Las Vegas Mourns After Largest Mass Shooting In U.S. History

A small group prays at a makeshift memorial with 58 white crosses, one for each victim, on the south end of the Las Vegas Strip, October 6, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada.; Credit: Drew Angerer/Getty Images

AirTalk®

Over $16 million has been raised for the victims of the Las Vegas massacre in October – the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history.

Fifty-eight people were killed, not including the gunman, and over 500 people were wounded. Sixty-five percent of the victims are from California.

Draft guidelines on how the money will be distributed were released in November, proposing that those who were killed in the shooting and those who sustained permanent brain damage and/or permanent paralysis requiring long-term home medical assistant would receive the most money out of the fund. Many victims of the shooting take issue with that model of distribution, arguing that all victims of the tragedy should have access to the money.

On Friday, the Las Vegas Victims Fund will decide on final guidelines.

For information and to donate to the Las Vegas Victims Fund, click here.

With KPCC reporter Libby Denkmann as guest host

Guests:

Scott Nielsen, chairman of the Las Vegas Victims Fund Committee

Christine Caria, a victim of the October 1st Las Vegas mass shooting; resident of Summerlin, a Las Vegas suburb

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


#MeToo reaches the upper echelon of the food world

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Food Bank For New York City Can-Do Awards Dinner 2017 - Inside

Mario Batali attends the Food Bank for New York City Can-Do Awards Dinner 2017 on April 19, 2017 in New York City.; Credit: Jason Kempin/Getty Images for Food Bank for New York City

AirTalk®

Mario Batali, one of the most well-known restaurateurs in the country, is taking a leave of absence from co-hosting the ABC show “The Chew,” as well as from the day-to-day operations of his restaurant empire.

The move is prompted by allegations brought up by a number of women who accused Batali of inappropriate sexual conduct for in the last two decades.

Batali is one of the owners behind Osteria Mozza in Los Angeles.

The allegations were first reported by the food website, Eater, which also published a statement from Batali addressing the allegations:

I apologize to the people I have mistreated and hurt. Although the identities of most of the individuals mentioned in these stories have not been revealed to me, much of the behavior described does, in fact, match up with ways I have acted. That behavior was wrong and there are no excuses. I take full responsibility and am deeply sorry for any pain, humiliation or discomfort I have caused to my peers, employees, customers, friends and family.

I have work to do to try to regain the trust of those I have hurt and disappointed. For this reason, I am going to step away from day-to-day operations of my businesses. We built these restaurants so that our guests could have fun and indulge, but I took that too far in my own behavior. I won’t make that mistake again. I want any place I am associated with to feel comfortable and safe for the people who work or dine there.

I know my actions have disappointed many people. The successes I have enjoyed are owned by everyone on my team. The failures are mine alone. To the people who have been at my side during this time — my family, my partners, my employees, my friends, my fans — I am grateful for your support and hopeful that I can regain your respect and trust. I will spend the next period of time trying to do that.

With KPCC reporter Libby Denkmann as guest host

Guest:

Kitty Greenwald, food writer; she writes the weekly column “Slow Food Fast” for the Wall Street Journal; she co-wrote the Eater piece “Mario Batali Steps Away From Restaurant Empire Following Sexual Misconduct Allegations

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

Lee’s Legacy: Remembering the late San Francisco mayor

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San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee waves to a cheering crowd along the San Francisco Pride parade route in San Francisco, California on June 25, 2017. ; Credit: JOSH EDELSON/AFP/Getty Images

AirTalk®

San Franciscans are in mourning today as they remember Mayor Ed Lee, who died unexpectedly on Tuesday morning at the age of 65.

The San Francisco Chronicle reports Lee suffered a heart attack while grocery shopping late Monday and was taken to a nearby hospital, where he died surrounded by family and friends.

Ed Lee was the city’s first elected Asian-American mayor, but his legacy lives on far beyond that milestone. Under his leadership, San Francisco saw a major tech boom that brought industry giants like Twitter, Uber, and Square to make their headquarters on Market Street in downtown, making the city a symbol of America’s tech boom. He embraced the ‘sanctuary city’ label, championed affordable housing, an issue that was important to him from early in his career when he was a tenants rights attorney, and fought for policies and programs to help combat homelessness.

His tenure wasn’t without a few bumps in the road, as he also had to contend with criticism about San Francisco’s ballooning property values and housing costs that have forced many middle income families out of the city.

Mayor Lee was also beloved for his down-to-earth personality. Those who knew him described him as accessible and genuine, a down-home kind, detail-oriented guy who liked to make jokes and push for political consensus.

He was appointed mayor in 2011 after then-Mayor Gavin Newsom became California’s lieutenant governor, accepting the job with some reluctance at the the time. He then went on to win elections in 2011 and 2015, and his term as mayor was set to run through 2020.

With KPCC reporter Libby Denkmann as guest host

Guest:

David Lee, political science lecturer at San Francisco State University and executive director of the Chinese American Voters Education Committee, a San Francisco-based advocacy group to develop the Asian-American voting community

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

The impact of Roy Moore’s loss and what’s the latest on the GOP tax plan?

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Democratic Senate Candidate Doug Jones Holds Election Night Watch Party In Birmingham

Democratic U.S. Senator elect Doug Jones (L) and wife Louise Jones (R) greet supporters during his election night gathering the Sheraton Hotel on December 12, 2017 in Birmingham, Alabama. ; Credit: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

AirTalk®

Democrat Doug Jones has won the Alabama Senate special election, a victory that was a stunning upset in a deeply red state that voted overwhelmingly for President Trump.

The president, who had backed Republican Roy Moore despite multiple accusations of sexual misconduct and assault, congratulated Jones on Twitter. The win by Jones, projected by The Associated Press two hours after the polls closed Tuesday night, is sure to send shock waves through Washington. The special election to replace Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who left the Senate in February, was upended in November as multiple women came forward to say Moore had pursued them romantically as teenagers when he was in his 30s. Some alleged he had sexually assaulted them, including one woman who said he had initiated sexual contact with her when she was just 14. Moore has denied the accusations. See the full story here.

In other news, President Trump announced he will make a “closing argument” on the GOP tax plan Wednesday. Republican just announced they have come to an agreement on the tax overhaul. As Bloomberg reports. Trump is expected to sign the legislation next week and polls are still showing the plan is unpopular due to impressions that it favors the wealthy. Guest host Libby Denkmann speaks our guests for the latest.

Guests:

John Hammontree, managing producer of Reckon Alabama, the investigative and in-depth reporting unit at AL.com, the news site that covers the state of Alabama; he tweets @johnhammontree

Kevin Whitelaw, deputy managing editor for U.S. government at Bloomberg; he tweets @kevinwhitelaw1

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

As views on shared custody shift across America, AirTalk listeners share their own stories

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Wake Forest v Clemson

A father holds a young Clemson Tigers fan during the Tigers' game against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Memorial Stadium on October 7, 2017 in Clemson, South Carolina.; Credit: Mike Comer/Getty Images

AirTalk®

As attitudes regarding post-divorce parenting have shifted toward a more collaborative approach, more than 20 states have considered legislation to encourage shared custody when a married couple with kids gets divorced.

The Washington Post reports states like Florida, Kentucky, and Michigan have all looked at proposals with varying stipulations, with Michigan’s proposal going as far as to make equal parenting time square one for custody decisions. California law favors joint custody when both parents are on board and there is no starting presumption that one parent is better for the other. The court will rule based on the best interests of the child’s health, safety, and welfare, as well as what arrangement allows them to continue having a similar amount of contact with their parents to what the child had when the parents were together.

Society has not always been so open to shared custody. In past generations, it was more common for a child to spend most of the week with one parent and then every-other-weekend or once-a-month with the other. It’s somewhat reflective of how household dynamics have changed over the last several decades. Today, there are more households where both parents work full-time jobs and share parenting duties. But, as the Washington Post article notes, the changes also come after years of lobbying from fathers’ rights activists, who say that men increasingly feel cut out of their kids’ lives and that child support requirements are too onerous.

If you grew up in a shared custody household or have shared custody of a child with a former spouse, what has your experience been? How did you come to the decision with your former partner? How did your kids’ wishes play into your decision?

Guest:

Alphonse Provinziano, divorce and family law attorney, certified family law specialist and principal of Provinziano & Associates, a family law firm based in Beverly Hills; he tweets @ProvinzianoLaw

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

The link between childhood obsessions and brain development

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A child looks at dinosaur models at an exhibition at the Zhejiang Natural Museum in Hangzhou in China's eastern Zhejiang province on International Children's Day on June 1, 2017.; Credit: STR/AFP/Getty Images

Caitlin Plummer | AirTalk®

Whether it’s watching Peter Pan every day after school or rattling off the scientific names and traits of countless dinosaurs, it’s common for children to form extreme attachments to subjects, narratives or objects at a young age.

But it turns out these “intense interests,” as scientists call them, can also help kids develop stronger attention spans and information processing skills as they increase their knowledge.

What is your kid currently fascinated by? What were you obsessed with during your childhood? And did it end up leading you toward a passion or career later in life, or did you move on to other interests?

Guest:

Elizabeth Chatel, a marriage and family therapist in Norwalk, Conn.; she tweets @ElizabethChatel

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

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