Demonstrators, supporting net neutrality, protest a plan by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to repeal restrictions on internet service providers during a protest outside a Verizon store on December 7, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois.; Credit: Scott Olson/Getty Images

If you’re an internet user in just about any capacity, you’ll probably want to pay close attention to the Thursday vote at the Federal Communications Commission to approve a proposal by chairman Ajit Pai that would repeal net neutrality rules the FCC passed in 2015.

Much the same way other utilities are regulated, net neutrality rules require internet service providers (ISPs) like Comcast, Charter, and AT&T to treat all web traffic equally. The FCC will share regulating duties with the Federal Trade Commission, with the FCC monitoring transparency among providers and the FTC playing the long arm of the law against ISPs who are unfair or deceptive toward users.

FCC commissioners are expected to approve the proposal, a move that has some digital rights activists, Democrats and consumers up in arms over the possibility that allowing ISPs to charge an additional fee to provide content at faster speeds to users willing to pay could mean the end of an open internet and drastic changes to the way we experience it. They also say it will limit competition among web companies. Chairman Pai and supporters of the repeal say it’s unlikely that ISPs will start to throttle or censor web content because it would damage their ability to adapt their service to what customers want.

So, what does this mean for your web browsing habits? How likely is this decision to drastically change the way we experience the internet? What does the decision mean for web companies? What are tech giants like Facebook and Google saying?

Guest:

Edmund Lee, managing editor of Recode, a technology media news site; he tweets @edmundlee

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

Billionaire hedge fund manager and philanthropist Tom Steyer speaks during a press conference at the National Press Club December 6, 2017 in Washington, DC. Steyer, founder of the "Need To Impeach" initiative, presented legal grounds calling for the impeachment investigation of U.S. President Donald Trump during the press conference.; Credit: Win McNamee/Getty Images

You’ve probably seen the “impeach Trump” ads from billionaire and environmentalist Tom Steyer.

He’s put a significant amount of money towards this impeachment campaign, just last month adding another $10 million to the effort.

There’s been some speculation as to whether these efforts are a ramping up to a campaign. (Senate seat? Governor?)

We talk to Steyer about his endgame and his political future in California.  

Guest:

Tom Steyer, founder and president of NextGen Climate, an environmental advocacy nonprofit; he tweets @TomSteyer

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

An advertisement of the new Star Wars film plays on a screen as the Disney logo is displayed outside the Disney Store in Times Square, December 14, 2017 in New York City.; Credit: Drew Angerer/Getty Images

Disney is buying the Murdoch family's Fox movie and television studios and some cable and international TV businesses for about $52.4 billion, as the home of Mickey Mouse tries to meet competition from technology companies in the entertainment business.

Disney's all-stock deal for 21st Century Fox gives it the studios behind Avatar, "The Simpsons" and "Modern Family," though Murdoch will keep the Fox News Channel, the Fox television network and other U.S. television businesses. The deal also brings Marvel characters such as X-Men and The Avengers under one roof.

The blockbuster deal is a way for Disney to acquire the content necessary to rival streaming giants like Netflix. While its influence on the media landscape would be huge, the acquisition is also going to have a sizable  impact on Los Angeles and our local economy.

How will the cultures of these two different entities be melded? Could there be layoffs?

With files from the Associated Press.

Guests:

Ben Fritz, film and media reporter at The Wall Street Journal's Los Angeles bureau who’s been following the story; one of his areas of focus is the Walt Disney Company; he tweets @benfritz

Dawn Chmielewski, technology editor at the entertainment news site Deadline who’s been following the story; she tweets @DwanC331

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

Demonstrators rally outside the Federal Communication Commission building to protest against the end of net neutrality rules December 14, 2017 in Washington, DC.; Credit: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

The Federal Communications Commission has repealed net neutrality with a 3-2 vote on Thursday.

For the past few years, there’s been contentious debate over the net neutrality, or a set of Obama-era rules approved by the FCC in 2015 aiming to keep the internet open and fair. This means internet service providers were banned from creating fast and slow “lanes” of online traffic.

The now Republican-led FCC is hoping the repeal will increase competition, spurring innovation. But net neutrality supporters are worried that lifting the regulations will give providers too much power.

Some players in the tech world are worried about how the change would affect fledgling businesses. Consumer advocates are also against overturning net neutrality, arguing that this rise in competition will come at the expense of broadband customers.

What are your thoughts on net neutrality? Does it help or hurt business competition? And what are the consequences for consumers?

Guests:

Steve Effros, cable industry analyst and lawyer based in Virginia and former president of Cable Telecommunications Association, an industry trade association.

Andrea Belz, vice dean of technology, innovation and entrepreneurship at USC's Viterbi School of Engineering; she leads the effort for the National Science Foundation’s Innovation Corps entrepreneurship activities in Southern California which cultivates startups at USC, UCLA and Caltech

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

Todd Amrhein, a pharmaceutical salesman, uses his car as an office June 15, 2001 in Miami, FL. ; Credit: Joe Raedle/Getty Images

The economy has been on the up and up, and some economists think that we’ve reached “full employment,” meaning that everyone who wants a job has one.

Economists who believe the economy is doing well fear that a fiscal stimulus, such as the on being pushed by the GOP tax bill, could pose a danger. Other economists don’t believe that we’ve hit “full employment” yet and that the economy still has room to grow.

Are we at “full employment?” Whether you’re an employer or in the labor market, is this translating into your life? What does that mean for wages?

Guests:

Michael Madowitz, an economist at the Center for American Progress, a left-leaning think tank

Chris Thornberg, founding partner of Beacon Economics; his focus includes economic forecasting, employment and labor markets and economic policy

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

Steve Bannon speaks before the arrival of Republican Senatorial candidate Roy Moore during a campaign event at Jordan's Activity Barn on December 11, 2017 in Midland City, Alabama.; Credit: Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Republicans who supported Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore are reeling after a stunning loss in a special election on Tuesday to replace the seat vacated by now-Attorney General Jeff Sessions.

While others in the party who didn’t support him may be breathing a sigh of relief that they won’t have to spend the next three years apologizing for his election, one person who is likely not feeling relief is Breitbart chairman and former White House chief strategist Stephen K. Bannon, who fought tooth and nail and used all of his institutional pull at Breitbart to try to get Moore elected, even after allegations against him of sexual misconduct and assault surfaced.

Democrat Doug Jones’ victory over Moore is seen by many as a referendum not only on the Trump presidency, but on Bannon and his quest to mix up the GOP establishment by pushing populist candidates in midterm elections. The defeat leaves Bannon without an election victory in which to plant his flag and will likely have other members of the Republican Party wondering whether his strategy is the best one for the party as a whole moving forward, and how fallout from this election might impact future races.

Guests:

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

Joe Concha, media reporter and columnist for The Hill; he tweets @JoeConchaTV

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

U.S. Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (R-WI) speaks beside Rep. Darin LaHood (R-IL) during a news conference on Capitol Hill December 12, 2017 in Washington, DC. ; Credit: Al Drago/Getty Images

Congress is aiming to vote on the biggest tax overhaul in 30 years next week, after the House and Senate announced that they’ve hammered out a final tax bill yesterday.

Text of the final version of the bill is still being drafted and Congressional Republicans are hoping to release the full text to the bill by Friday.

These are some of the details of the still-being written tax bill, according to congressional aides who’ve spoken to NPR:

• The current version of the bill is leaning to set the limit to the mortgage interest deduction to home loans -- a deduction popular with Californians -- to $750,000

• Top individual rate reduced from current 39.6% to 37% for top earners.

• Corporate tax rate ta to be set at 21%, not 20%

• State and local tax deductions capped at $10,000.

• Corporate alternative minimum tax (AMT) to be repealed

• Grad school tuition stipends will not be taxed as income

Larry speaks with different California stakeholders to get their reactions to these new changes.

Guests:

Dan Walters, long-time CA politics observer with CALmatters, a nonprofit public interest publication

Steve White, president of the California Association of Realtors

Stuart Waldman, president of the Valley Industry & Commerce Association (VICA), a non-profit representing businesses in the San Fernando Valley

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

A server delivers food to customers at a Corner Bakery Cafe October 4, 2005 in Glenview, Illinois.; Credit: Tim Boyle/Getty Images

It’s final, Du-par’s restaurant in Studio City will close on Jan. 1.

The diner has been open for the past 70 years. There’s another location in Pasadena, but as Los Angeles Daily News reports, the one in Studio City will be replaced by a Sephora as the owners couldn’t work out a new lease with landlords. The news is a blow to the staff and customers of Du-Par’s. It’s a regular hangout for locals, and like many diners, has a familial feel. Another nearby location may open up, but that has yet to be determined.

In light of the closing of this landmark, AirTalk wants to know about your restaurant hangouts. What place has that “Cheers”-like quality: where everybody knows your name? Where do you go for the company, not just the food? Are there servers and owners there that feel more like friends and family?

Guest:

Farley Elliott, senior editor, EaterLA; author of “Los Angeles Street Food: A History from Tamaleros to Taco Trucks” (The History Press, 2015)

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

A student on his way to school walks past a Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) school, in Los Angeles, California on February 13, 2009.; Credit: ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images

The Los Angeles City Council is considering a novel idea: creating savings accounts for students in the Los Angeles Unified School District in hopes that they’ll be more likely to go to college.

On Tuesday, the Council voted to hire a consultant to analyze the idea and give recommendations. The motion was introduced by Councilmember David Ryu, who based it on a study that that showed that a low or moderate income child with $500 in college savings is three times more likely to enroll in college and four times more likely to graduate. In one potential plan, a kindergartener enrolled in a district school would get $50 in their savings, meaning an estimated cost of $2.7 million to 3.4 million a year.

Critics of the program have said it would be an inefficient use of public funds and that there are more efficient ways to get kids into college – for example, hiring tutors so they have better grades and test scores.

Also, since LAUSD covers cities other than Los Angeles, the logistics of which students get savings accounts might be difficult to navigate.

Should LAUSD provide college savings accounts to its students? Is this the best way for the city to ensure that kids go to college? Did having or not having savings impact your decision or ability to go to college?

Guests:

Carl Rist, senior director of children’s savings at Prosperity Now, a Washington D.C.-based consulting and advocacy firm that’s helping develop the savings account program

Lisa Snell, director of Education at The Reason Foundation

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

Lou Williams #23 of the LA Clippers drives to the basket on Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during a 113-107 Timberwolves win at Staples Center on December 6, 2017 in Los Angeles, California.; Credit: Harry How/Getty Images

With the mega Disney-21st Century Fox deal, 22 regional sports networks will be moved under the Disney / ESPN banner.

In LA, the move will specifically apply to Fox Sports West, Prime Ticket and Fox Sports San Diego, which broadcast the Clippers, the Kings and the Ducks’ games.

For a discussion on how the blockbuster merger might impact L.A. sports fans, Larry is joined by Daniel Roberts, business writer at Yahoo sports, and media analyst Daniel Ives.

Guests:

Daniel Roberts, sports business writer at Yahoo Finance and hosts of the podcast, Sportsbook; he tweets at @readDanwrite

Daniel Ives, head of technology research at GBH Insights, a market research firm specializing in the fields of media, entertainment and technology

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

U.S. President Donald Trump waves after he spoke to members of the White House Press Corps prior to his Marine One departure from the South Lawn of the White House December 15, 2017 in Washington, DC.; Credit: Alex Wong/Getty Images

In light of the New York subway bomber, the White House has renewed its rhetoric about the need for a merit-based rather than family-based immigration system.

According to the Associated Press, the issue will be a major talking point in the president’s forthcoming State of the Union address.

The White House is pushing for a system that will give preference to employability, education and other “merit” markers in determining who gets into the country. Our current system, called “chain-migration” by the White House, also known as “family-migration,” privileges the family members of those who are already U.S. citizens.

What are the pros and cons of each system? Would a “merit-based” system really prevent the entry of people like the New York bomber into the U.S.?

Guests:

Jessica Vaughan, director of policy studies at Center for Immigration Studies; she tweets @JessicaV_CIS

Megan Essaheb, director of immigration advocacy at Asian Americans Advancing Justice-AAJC; she tweets @meganessaheb  

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

Democratic candidate Jon Ossoff arrives with his girlfriend, Alisha Kramer, at a campaign office as he runs for Georgia's 6th Congressional District on April 15, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. ; Credit: Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Office relationships have always been tricky.

But new human resource standards to put the kibosh on sexual misconduct may also be squashing workplace romances. While the line between harassment and dating should be obvious, employees starting a relationship should be extra vigilant about actions at work. And for some who aren’t socially apt in their approach to asking a coworker out, the new climate could stop them from pursuing a date altogether.

Couples meeting at work isn’t anything new. As we spend more and more time connected to our jobs, the chances of meeting a significant other in the next cubicle or while working with a superior or subordinate is a definite possibility. The question is, what’s the right way to make love connections when horror stories about sexual misconduct have put human resources on high alert?

Guest:

Lisa Brown Alexander, CEO of consulting firm Non-Profit HR

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

President Donald J. Trump makes a statement to the media as he departs the White House December 16, 2017 in Washington, DC. Trump is heading for an overnight stay at Camp David, ; Credit: Pool/Getty Images

Tax reform is the buzzy phrase of the week in Washington D.C. as Congressional Republicans eye a much-needed legislative victory in passing the $1.5 trillion tax overhaul package.

The bill is expected to pass along party lines, though Democrats are making a last-ditch effort to convince some Republicans on the fence to vote ‘no.’ There’s little room for dissent for Republicans, who hold a slim 52-48 majority in the Senate.

Meanwhile, at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., President Trump is preparing to deliver a speech that will broadly define his stance on national security. He is expected to talk about the need for bolstering the military and throttling the flow of immigrants into the U.S.

President Trump has said he is not considering firing special counsel Robert Mueller, who is leading the investigation into possible ties between the Trump campaign and Russia. Mueller has been in the president’s crosshairs for some time now, and that isn’t changing after the news that lawyers for the Trump transition team are saying that Mueller improperly obtained transition team emails and are asking for them to be given back. Mueller’s office maintains they got the emails through the proper channels.

We’ll also talk about what Doug Jones’ win in Alabama means for future Democratic prospects and explore the political implications of last week’s repeal of net neutrality rules.

Guests:

Lisa Mascaro, congressional reporter for the Los Angeles Times; she tweets @LisaMascaro

Mara Liasson, national political correspondent for NPR; she tweets @MaraLiasson

Lisa Garcia Bedolla, professor in the Graduate School of Education and director of the Institute of Governmental Studies at UC Berkeley

Lanhee Chen, research fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University and former policy director for the Romney-Ryan 2012 presidential campaign; he tweets @lanheechen

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

A smoldering mountainside is seen under a starry sky at the Thomas Fire on December 16, 2017 in Montecito, California. ; Credit: David McNew/Getty Images

Crews on the lines of Southern California's enormous wildfire — now the third largest in modern state history — hope to take advantage of a two-day window of calmer winds before potentially dangerous gusts return at mid-week.

The Thomas Fire, which broke out two weeks ago Monday, still threatens thousands of homes northwest of Los Angeles. It is 45 percent contained.

Fire spokesman Capt. Rick Crawford says cooler temperatures, slightly higher humidity and light winds forecast for Monday and Tuesday will be "critical" for firefighters hoping to make progress against the Thomas Fire. The hot, gusty winds that caused a huge flare-up and forced more evacuations over the weekend are expected to come back Wednesday.

We get the latest on the Thomas fire, as well as the firefighting tactics and larger strategy being used.

With files from the Associated Press

Guest:

Mike Deponce, Thomas Fire PIO; he’s at the Santa Barbara Emergency Operations Center

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

U.S. President Donald J. Trump makes a statement to the media as he departs the White House December 16, 2017 in Washington, DC. Trump is heading for an overnight stay at Camp David. ; Credit: Pool/Getty Images

President Trump will set a new direction for how the U.S. will engage with the world that many observers are characterizing as a sharp departure from previous administrations.

The Trump administration’s foreign policy plan, which the president will unveil in a speech this morning, will namecheck China and Russia as competitors to the U.S., and make explicit the protection of economic security in the U.S. as a national security issue.

Guests:

Gary J. Schmitt, co-director of the Marilyn Ware Center for Security Studies at the American Enterprise Institute; he was executive director of the President’s Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board during President Ronald Reagan’s second term and a former staff director of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence

Brian Katulis, senior fellow at the Center for American Progress; expertise includes U.S. national security strategy; for more than a decade, he has advised senior U.S. policymakers on foreign policy

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

General view during Amtrak National Train Day at King Street Station on May 10, 2014 in Seattle, Washington.; Credit: Mat Hayward/Getty Images for Amtrak

A U.S. official says a train derailment outside of Seattle has killed at least six people and the death count is expected to rise.

The official who was briefed on the investigation also says preliminary signs indicate the Amtrak train may have struck something on the track before going off the track.

The official was not authorized to discuss the investigation publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.

The high-speed train was making its first run on newly constructed tracks when it derailed before 8 a.m. Monday.

The official said because the tracks were new it was unlikely to be a maintenance issue.

With files from the Associated Press

Guest:

Rolf Boone, reporter at The Olympian who has been following the story; he tweets @rolf_boone

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

Lori Ajax, chief of California's Bureau of Cannabis Control.; Credit: Courtesy of California's Bureau of Cannabis Control

On Jan. 1, 2018, California will ring in the new year with its first sales of legal recreational marijuana.

Major cities welcoming the wave of commercial pot retailers include Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Oakland and San Jose, while dozens of others cities like Pasadena, Anaheim and Riverside have opted out — at least for 2018. New businesses are required to have both city approval and a license from the state’s Bureau of Cannabis Control to operate.

Leading that bureau is Lori Ajax, its very first chief appointed by Gov. Jerry Brown. She’s been tasked with spearheading regulations for what will now become the largest cannabis-friendly state in the country, and joins Larry Mantle to answer your questions.

Call us at 866-893-5722.

Guest:

Lori Ajax, the first chief of the newly created Bureau of Cannabis Control; she formerly served as chief deputy director at the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control

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

Sir Hugh Fraser, then chief of Harrods, in his office in the Knightsbridge store in 1973.; Credit: Douglas Miller/Getty Images

Being well suited to a job used to quite literally mean wearing a suit.

But after decades of symbolizing power, money and refined taste, the business suit is on its way out. As stated by Robin Givhan in her recent Washington Post piece, these days, “the most important person in the room is probably not wearing a suit.”

There are certain industries, like politics, law and finance, where the power suit still prevails. But in the typical office, casual Friday has mission-creeped into the rest of the workweek. Some theorize that Silicon Valley has killed the last vestige of workwear formality (and no, a grey hoodie does not count as formal wear). Another theory is that changing gender demographics have played a role in changing what’s acceptable to wear at work, for both men and women.

What does the power suit mean to you? What clothing is appropriate at your workplace and has the standard changed over the years? Why or why not?

Guest:

Robin Givhan, fashion critic for the Washington Post; her recent piece is “A history of the final dying days of the power suit”

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

U.S. Speaker of the House Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) (2nd L), House Majority Leader Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) (R) and Rep. Neal Dunn (R-FL) (L) arrive at a news briefing after a House Republican Conference meeting at the Capitol December 19, 2017 in Washington, DC.; Credit: Alex Wong/Getty Images

The House of Representatives is on track to pass the GOP tax plan today and the Senate is expected to vote this evening.

The bill includes repeal of the Affordable Care Act’s individual mandate.

Peter Lee, the executive director of Covered California, has suggested that California impose a state mandate to make up for lost costs. It would be difficult policy to pass, even in California.

How would the nixing of the individual mandate affect Covered California? Once the individual mandate is gone, how many younger and healthier Californians will drop coverage? Will you still buy health insurance?

Guests:

Avik Roy, president of The Foundation for Research on Equal Opportunity, a non-profit think tank; opinion editor at Forbes and former policy advisor to Marco Rubio, Rick Perry and Mitt Romney

Laurel Lucia, director of the Health Care Program at the UC Berkeley Labor Center, where she has consulted for Covered California on issues related to ACA implementation

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

Students from the Yves Klein high school attend an anti-bullying meeting with headmaster Florence Gauthier and gendarmerie officer Christophe Olivier on March 6, 2017 in La Colle-sur-Loup, southern France. ; Credit: YANN COATSALIOU/AFP/Getty Images

A 13-year-old girl who her family said was a victim of school bullying recently took her own life.

Now, the parents of Rosalie Avila are suing the Yucaipa-Calimesa Joint Unified School District, where Avila attended 8th grade, for wrongful death. They allege that school administrators did not do enough to protect Avila from being bullied.

Avila hanged herself on November 28 and was taken off life support in December. Her family said that she was relentlessly bullied and that the bullies had apparently circulated a video calling Avila “ugly”.

According to the lawsuit, the Avila family repeatedly contacted the school district about the abuse targeting the 13-year-old and charged that the district failed to step in.

The Yucaipa-Calimesa school district is cooperating with the investigation and issued the following statement:

     “Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the Avila family. Our students, teachers, staff and the communities are mourning the loss of Rosalie as well. Yucaipa-Calimesa School District is committed to working with its students and the community on academics, student safety and well-being. We strive every day to be a safe, supportive and engaging learning environment. We will continue to raise awareness and work with students and the community to support our children. The issue of suicide awareness and prevention is very important to discuss and address as a community.

We are cooperating fully with the Sheriff’s office as it conducts its investigation. We are also conducting our own internal investigation. Given that these efforts are ongoing, and due to our commitment to protecting the privacy of our students and their families, we cannot share any details at this time.”

In light of the lawsuit, AirTalk looks at the legal issues stemming from the suit.

Guests:

Alex Rojas, chief operations officer for Siembra Mobile Inc, a company offering school districts software to help high school counselors provide support to students; he is the former superintendent of the Bassett Unified School District, located in the San Gabriel Valley and serving some unincorporated parts of L.A. County and portions of the City of Industry, La Puente and Whittier

Greg Keating, professor of law at USC and an expert in liability and tort law

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