Army wife (C) holds her daughter Annalise and a welcome home sign while waiting to greet her husband Spc. Eric Henry of the U.S. Army's 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, during a homecoming ceremony in the Natcher Physical Fitness Center on Fort Knox on February 27, 2014 in Fort Knox, Kentucky. About 100 soldiers returned to Fort Knox after a nine-month combat deployment conducting village stability operations and working alongside Afghan military and police forces.; Credit: Luke Sharrett/Getty Images

A considerable amount of time, money and effort has been spent to track and curb suicide among military service people. Now suicide prevention advocates are pressing Congress to also track suicides of military family members.

Though no data is available to compare whether suicide among this group has increased as it has for soldiers, anecdotal evidence hints that suicides of military family members is on the rise.

A recent report released by the Defense Suicide Prevention Office outlines an approach for tracking military family member suicides. The proposal would link the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS), which tracks military dependents, with Center for Disease Control information on cause of death. This would allow the Department of Defense to review back data on suicides from 1983 forward.

According to the DSPO report, it would take 18-24 months to complete the project and cost $681,600 in the first year, $502,200 subsequent years to maintain. This approach would mainly track suicides of children and spouses (i.e. dependents), and not that of parents and siblings.

Is there a need for tracking suicides among military family members? Should suicides of parents and siblings also be tracked? Is this effort worth the price tag? What mental health options currently exist for military families?

Guest:  

Susan Lindau, clinician and associate professor of military social work at USC; Licensed by the Department of Defense to work with active-duty soldiers. Works with Military Family Life Consultant program, a Department of Defense contract program

Matthew Nock, Professor of Psychology at Harvard University and co-author of the study on prevalence of preexisting mental health disorders in soldiers.  

LINK

With a flag depicting President Vladimir Putin (C) pro-Kremlin activists rally at the Red Square in Moscow, on March 18, 2014, to celebrate the incorporation of Crimea. Putin pushed today every emotional button of the collective Russian psyche as he justified the incorporation of Crimea, citing everything from ancient history to Russia's demand for respect to Western double standards.; Credit: AFP/AFP/Getty Images

Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Prime Minister of Crimea signed official documents to incorporate Crimea into the Russian Federation. The ceremony took place in Sevastopol, the swift result of Sunday’s vote on the referendum to annex Crimea. Ukrainian government has expressed anger over the referendum and its results, calling the annexation a “robbery.”

Russia defied sanctions from the U.S. and European Union in its bid for Crimea, prompting international criticism and discussion about what the future holds in the politically tense region. Will the United States and E.U. impose oil and energy sanctions on Russia? What kinds of international intervention would be effective? How might things proceed?

Guests:

Stephen Blank, Senior Fellow at the American Foreign Policy Council

Tim Boersma, fellow in the Energy Security Initiative at the Brookings Institution - a Washington D.C. based public policy think tank: Boersma wrote this recent opinion piece published in the Los Angeles Times “Russia's advantage”

A traveller pulls his bags while walking past an LAX sign at Los Angeles International Airport as access roads were closed with flights delayed and cancelled after a gunman reportedly shot 3 people at a security checkpoint on November 1, 2013 in Los angeles, California. ; Credit: FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP/Getty Images

Passengers at American airports have been enduring long security lines and invasive screening techniques for more than a decade now in the name of preventing more incidents of terrorism. But a new report suggests that all the money being spent on airport security might not be worth the cost.

The report published in the March issue of the Journal of Air Transport Management suggests that airports are not good targets for terrorism and therefore it would make sense to actually cut back on some security measures.

The study, titled "Cost-benefit analysis of airport security: Are airports too safe?" relied on data from Los Angeles International Airport before the Nov. 1 attack that killed a TSA agent and wounded several others.

The researchers looked at several potential terrorist attacks at the airport including a gunman and several types of bombs and concluded that it would not be worth the money to beef up security by adding bomb sniffing dogs, permanent vehicle search checkpoints or blast deflection walls at the airports.

Travelers might complain about the extra hassles of airport security but is it still worth it? Is spending vast amounts of money on extra airport security worth the cost given the rarity of these incidents? How much security is too much?

Guests: 

Erika Aguilar, KPCC Crime and Public Safety Reporter - Erika joins us from LAX following LA Mayor Eric Garcetti’s news conference about the “After Action Report” on the November 2013 LAX shooting

John Mueller, political science professor at Ohio State University and author of ‘Overblown: How Politicians and the Terrorism Industry Inflate National Security Threats, and Why We Believe Them’ (Free Press, 2006)

Brian Michael Jenkins, Terrorism Expert and Senior Advisor to the President of the Rand Corporation

The expansion of the universe over most of its history has been relatively gradual. The notion that a rapid period "inflation" preceded the Big Bang expansion was first put forth 25 years ago. The new WMAP observations favor specific inflation scenarios over other long held ideas. . ; Credit: NASA

Physicists are popping the champagne corks after announcing a major discovery that backs up a long suspected theory called cosmic inflation - a twist on the Big Bang theory. Scientists say that a split-second after the Big Bang, the newly formed universe ballooned out at a pace so astonishing that it left behind ripples in the fabric of the cosmos.

Although many scientists already believed that an initial, extremely rapid growth spurt happened, they have long sought the type of evidence cited in the new study. The results reported Monday emerged after researchers peered into the faint light that remains from the Big Bang of nearly 14 billion years ago.

The discovery is being hailed as potentially one of the most important pieces of research in the past two decades and included researchers from the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, the University of Minnesota, Stanford University, the California Institute of Technology and NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory working at the South Pole.

How are scientists able to study something that happened billions of years ago? What does this discovery tell us about the early moments of the universe?

With files from the Associated Press.

Physicist Andrei Linde gets the surprising news that his decades of research have finally paid off:

Guest:

Sean Carroll, Senior Research Associate in Physics at California Institute of Technology

The Florida Gators warm up during practice as they prepare to the Virginia Cavaliers in the second round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at CenturyLink Center on March 15, 2012 in Omaha, Nebraska. ; Credit: Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

The annual college basketball tournament known as March Madness is here once again. If you work in an office, there's a good chance you've been hearing about it for weeks. The office bracket pool has become a regular part of the annual tradition.

In addition, gambling on March Madness has become a big business. Government employees are prohibited from taking part in office pools, and many states outlaw betting on March Madness brackets.

However, thanks to the Internet, free brackets are still widely used and accepted, and monetary betting happens offline. In addition, these sports brackets are often the first time young people and college students experience gambling. 

How did March Madness become such a phenomenon? How big is the March Madness gaming industry? What are the legalities associated with betting on fantasy sports?

Guests:

Ben Bolch, NBA columnist for the LA Times

David Carter, Associate Professor of Management and Organization & Executive Director of the USC Sports Business Institute. Author of the book, “Money Games: Profiting from the Convergence of Sports and Entertainment”

Employees work at computers in the office of 'Content and Code' on the Old Street roundabout in Shoreditch which has been dubbed 'Silicon Roundabout' due to the number of technology companies operating from the area on March 15, 2011 in London, England. ; Credit: Oli Scarff/Getty Images

The right leader makes the workplace -- a study from Gallup has found that even though naming a manager is one of the most important decisions a company makes, over 80 percent of the time, they make the wrong choice. Businesses fail to choose the right candidate for a management position 82 percent of the time, according to a new study from Gallup.

The result of poor management choices can cost billions each year and can sour a work environment. In 2012, Gallup reported that only 30 percent of U.S. employees are engaged at work; this new research suggests that only 10 percent of people have the traits necessary to motivate employees and turn higher profits.

What are the signifiers of great managers? How can businesses pick and choose to make sure people with the relevant skills end up in leadership positions? What do good and bad managers do for their employees?

Guest:

John Boudreau, Ph.D., Professor and Research Director at the University of Southern California's Marshall School of Business and Center for Effective Organizations; co-author of 'Beyond HR: The New Science of Human Capital'

File: State Sen. Ron Calderon, D-Montebello, talks with seat mate Ben Hueso, D-San Diego, in Sacramento, Thursday, May 16, 2013.; Credit: Rich Pedroncelli/AP

California Democrats lost their supermajority in the state Senate on Sunday, when Sen. Ron Calderon took an indefinite leave of absence to fight federal corruption charges. The legislative impact was felt Monday, when two proposals pushed by Democrats failed to garner the necessary Republican support.

Less than two years ago, California Democrats won historic two-thirds control over both the Senate and the Assembly—nixing the need for a single Republican vote on any piece of legislation. It was the first time in more than 80 years that one party controlled two-thirds of both houses.

Now, with two Democratic Senators on leave facing criminal charges—Calderon of Montebello and Sen. Roderick Wright of Inglewood—the ranks of Democratic senators is down to 26 of 40—one under the majority won in 2012. This means, for the first time in a while, they’ll need GOP help to move legislation.

On Monday, a Democrat-led effort to revamp campaign finance fell one vote short of the necessary two-thirds majority. Lacking Republican support, Democrats also shelved a proposed constitutional amendment to overturn the state's ban on affirmative action in higher education.

Democrats could win back their supermajority before the end of the legislative session on August 31—if a Democrat is elected in a special election to replace Sen. Wright. In the meantime, the shift is sure to lead to more partisan battles in Sacramento.

Would you like to see the Democrats to regain a supermajority? Or is the legislative process healthier without a supermajority? Do you want to see more bipartisan agreement?

Guest:

Dan Walters, Columnist, The Sacramento Bee

KPCC's 2014 Public Radio Bracket Madness!; Credit: Mike Roe/KPCC

It's March, which means it's time for KPCC's second annual Public Radio Bracket Madness — the bracket poll in which we ask you to pick your favorite public radio shows!

Vote here!

Los Angeles Police Department Chief Charlie Beck (C) speaks during a news conference at Los Angeles Dodger Stadium on April 14, 2011 in Los Angeles, California.; Credit: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

Los Angeles Police Department Chief Charlie Beck joins Larry for AirTalk's monthly check-in. What’s Chief Beck’s response to the “after action report” about last year’s LAX shooting? Should LAXPD rely more on LAPD?

And earlier this week, AirTalk heard about community concerns over regulating and policing prostitution at massage parlors. What’s the level of LAPD enforcement? Digital and civil rights organizations are challenging the LAPD’s widespread use of license plate readers, alleging privacy concerns.

Now, the ACLU and EFF are suing, claiming the LAPD failed to provide information on the program requested under the California Public Records Act. How will the LAPD respond?

Los Angeles has shut down more than 100 marijuana dispensaries since enforcement of new rules began, City Attorney Mike Feuer announced Monday. How’s that process gone—and what’s next?

Guest:

Charlie Beck, Chief of Los Angeles Police Department

City of Los Angeles Public Works Department Street Services workers repair a sidewalk on August 12, 2010 in Los Angeles, California.; Credit: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

Potholes and damaged sidewalks have plagued Los Angeles for decades. Now city officials are proposing a sales tax hike to help pay for the much-needed repairs.

On Tuesday, the city's top budget official released a report recommending a half-cent sales tax increase to raise $4.5 billion. The 15-year tax hike would raise $3.86 billion to fix streets and $640 million for damaged sidewalks. The estimated cost for a typical household would be between $75 and $108 a year.

The city says there are currently 8,700 miles of city streets that must be completely reconstructed. At the current rate of repair, it would take 60 years to reconstruct all 8,700 miles.

The length of sidewalks in need of repair are harder to estimate, but the funds raised by the tax are expected to be enough to fix significant portions of the city’s damaged walkways.

Could the sales tax increase fix the issue? What are the barriers to get this proposal passed? Why has LA’s streets and sidewalks been left in such disrepair? 

Guests:

Alice Walton, KPCC’s online politics reporter

Mitchell Englander, L.A. City Council member representing District 12 in the San Fernando Valley.

Jack Humphreville, a columnist with the CityWatch blog

Members of Greenpeace make a performance using a giant inflatable life ring, in a beach of Cancun Mexico, on December 10, 2010 during the COP16 United Nations Climate Change conference. ; Credit: RONALDO SCHEMIDT/AFP/Getty Images

Climate change is a very real threat, according to scores of scientific reports and studies. Newer literature on climate change uses increasingly intense tactics to draw attention to the imminent threat of global warming.

A new report out from the American Association for the Advancement of Science breaks down the threat into easy-to-digest facts about the risks of climate change. It’s short and to the point but Americans still aren’t paying attention.

A new study from Gallup shows that even though two-thirds of Americans acknowledge that global warming is happening, only 36 percent think it will pose a “serious threat to their way of life.” A 51 percent majority of people don’t worry about climate change, and 42 percent say the media exaggerates the seriousness of global warming.

Today, the government launched a new site dedicated to climate change data, but even with a steady flood of information, is there an effective way to capture American attention on this issue? What’s the best way to present and disseminate resources and facts about global warming? Why hasn’t anything been convincing or accessible enough to incite significant change?

Guests: 

Katharine Hayhoe, atmospheric scientist and director of the Climate Science Center at Texas Tech University. Member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Climate Science Panel

Bjorn Lomborg, (Ph.D. in Political Science), adjunct professor at the Copenhagen Business School and director of the Copenhagen Consensus Center (a think tank that specializes in development spending); Lomberg was named on Foreign Policy magazine's Top 100 Global Thinkers

Simon Schama's latest book, "The Story of the Jews."

Simon Schama’s “The Story of the Jews” takes on the suffering and exile interwoven throughout Jewish history in an anticipated two-volume book and a five-part documentary.

Schama’s first volume covers the period from 1000 B.C. to 1492 A.D., chronicling Jewish alienation and crisis and offering up scholarly examination of the Old Testament and the Torah. The book and the documentary that accompany it are historically and culturally rich, a captivating tale of survival and civilization.

When does Jewish history begin? How does Schama’s historical analysis delve into Jewish culture? How will volume two of “The Story of the Jews” and the documentary airing on PBS broaden the story and expand what we know about Judaism? Because the modern story of the Jews is also about Israel, how does Schama deal with the current conflict and with Palestinian history?

Simon Schama joins Larry to discuss his work – “The Story of the Jews” will air on PBS in five parts beginning on March 25.

Guests:

Simon Schama, professor of art history and history at Columbia University, author of numerous award-winning books; his latest book is “The Story of the Jews”

“The Story of the Jews” will air on PBS in five parts beginning next week - on March 25.

U.S. President Barack Obama speaks on the South Lawn of the White House to deliver a statement on Ukraine prior to departing for Florida March 20, 2014 in Washington, DC. Obama announced he will "impose additional costs" on Russia, including further sanctions on individuals and a bank.; Credit: Win McNamee/Getty Images

President Obama announced another round of sanctions against Russian officials today. The group contained legislative and executive officials and one bank.

President Obama also signed an executive order that would allow the U.S. to impose sanctions on “key sectors of the Russian  economy,” which may include financial services, energy, defense, and engineering.

The European Union is also considering more sanctions against Russia over its annexation of the Crimean Peninsula. Russia responded to the new U.S. sanctions by sanctioning nine U.S. officials, including aides to the president and members of Congress.

How will the situation change? Will the sanctions against Russia help de-escalate the situation, or provoke it further? How might sanctions on the Russian economy change things?

Guest:

Will Pomeranz, Deputy Director of the Kennan Institute at the Wilson Center

A Southwest airplane is seen taking off from the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport on September 27, 2010.; Credit: Joe Raedle/Getty Images

The constitutionality of the U.S. government's anti-terrorism "no fly" list was questioned by a federal judge during a hearing at the U.S. District Court in Oregon Monday.

The government's position on the matter has been that the secrecy is necessary for the efficacy of the program. But Judge Anna J. Brown voiced skepticism in this argument: "The secrecy is diminished once the person is turned away. Arguing the process is necessary to protect that secrecy has no basis. What am I missing?" said Brown.

The suit, Latif v. Holder, was brought by the American Civil Liberties Union on behalf of 13 plaintiffs, four of which are U.S. military veterans. They claim they were barred from travel by the no fly list and denied an explanation as to why they were considered security risks.

In addition, they argue that their 5th Amendment rights to due process were violated by the program. They argue that their inclusion on the list has severely altered their lives, preventing them from traveling to see family or to further their careers.

Is national security enough of an argument to keep the list secret? What options are in place for those who find themselves on the list erroneously?

Guest:

Hina Shamsi, Director of the ACLU's National Security Project and an attorney on the Latif v. Holder case

Geoffrey Corn, Professor of Law and Presidential Research Professor at South Texas College of Law

Wilson Fenelon, 12, reacts as Josette Thomas, a school nurse, gives him an immunization shot August 8, 2007 in Hialeah, Florida. ; Credit: Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Figures from the California Department of Public Health show that 32 cases of measles have been reported so far this year. That's up from just 3 cases by this time last year. KPCC reports that nearly half of the cases - 14 in total - come from children who were intentionally not vaccinated.

The state allows parents to opt out of the measles, mumps, rubella vaccine, known as the ‘MMR’, that's required for children to attend school by filling out a personal belief waiver.

A new state law that took effect Jan 1, 2014 makes it slightly more difficult to obtain the waivers by requiring parents to meet with a health care provider to talk about the risks and benefits of vaccines before requesting an exemption.

Officials at the CDPH have urged parents against opting out of vaccinating their children since an increase in the number of unvaccinated children could lead to even more cases of the disease.

Is there a link between the number of unvaccinated children and the increase in measles cases so far this year? From a public health perspective, do personal belief waivers make sense?

Search kindergarten immunization levels in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura counties here. 

Guests: 

Dr. Jonathan Fielding, Director of Los Angeles County Department of Public Health

Dr. Oliver Brooks, Chief of pediatrics at Watts Healthcare Corporation and Vice Chair of the California Immunization Coalition

(L-R) Constantine, actor Ricky Gervais, Miss Piggy and Kermit the Frog arrive at the world premiere of Disney's "Muppets Most Wanted" at the El Capitan Theatre on March 11, 2014 in Hollywood, California. ; Credit: Christopher Polk/Getty Images for Disney

Larry and KPCC film critics Alynda Wheat and Henry Sheehan review this week’s releases, including Muppets Most Wanted, Divergent, Nymphomaniac: Volume I and more. TGI-Filmweek!

Muppets Most Wanted

Divergent

Nymphomaniac: Volume I 

Guests:

Alynda Wheat, film critic for KPCC and People

Henry Sheehan, film critic for KPCC and CriticsAGoGo.com

A Tesla Motors Model S is displayed in the Tesla showroom before a news conference at Tesla Motors headquarters May 20, 2010 in Palo Alto, California.; Credit: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Consumer Reports tested and tinkered with hundreds of car models in 10 categories for its Top Picks auto report card. This year, the publication surveyed 260 models and rated them on three criteria: reliability, safety and performance.

All cars considered for the list are tested at the publication's 327-acre test track in Connecticut.

Topping the list for 2014 with a best overall rating is the all-electric Tesla Model S, which the publication calls, "a glimpse into a future where cars and computers coexist in seamless harmony."

In the pickup truck category is the Ram 1500, the first time in 16 years that a Chrysler model has made the list.

Holding down its position as best green car is the Toyota Prius, which has claimed ownership of that category for the 10 years (the Honda Civic Hybrid was named best green car in 2003).

Even if you choose a car off the Top 10, what are the must-have car features and which ones can you skip? What are the best cars under $25,000? How do brands stack up in Consumer Report’s “manufacturer’s report cards?”

Guest:

Jennifer Stockburger, Director of Operations, Consumer Reports Auto Test Center

Aerial view of wrecked cars litter the connector ramp from Interstate 5 to Highway 14 following the Northridge earthquake, on January 17, 1994, in Northridge, California. During Northridge earthquake damage was widespread, sections of major freeways collapsed, parking structures and office buildings collapsed, and numerous apartment buildings suffered irreparable damage.; Credit: CARLOS SCHIEBECK/AFP/Getty Images

Scientists at both public and private institutions are hard at work on early warning systems that will alert subscribers to an earthquake seconds before the rumbles are felt.

Within a few years the early warning systems should be developed enough to be in homes across the state - allowing people precious time to prepare for a quake. But publicly funded companies and private enterprise are increasingly at odds about how the early warning systems will work and who will have access to them.

Many schools, businesses and state agencies across the state already pay an annual subscription fee for the early alerts but the cost is out of reach for many households. Last year, the California legislature mandated that the development of a statewide early warning system use a combination of public and private funds with no money from the state general fund used to pay for the $80 million price tag.

If private enterprise is putting major money behind the development will the system remain too expensive for most residents? What will a statewide early warning system look like? Should Californians have to pay for access to quake alerts or should the system be free to the public?

Guest:

Tom Heaton, director of the Earthquake Engineering Research Laboratory at Caltech

Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Sinclair leaves the Fort Bragg Courthouse after sexual assault charges against him were dropped after he plead to lesser charges March 17, 2014 in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Sinclair, a former deputy commander with the 82nd Airborne Division, has admitted to an extramarital affair with a junior officer. "Unlawful command influence" caused a delay in the trial last week.; Credit: Davis Turner/Getty Images

The plea deal and sentencing in the court-martial sex-assault case against General Jeffrey Sinclair has some critics crying foul, calling the reprimand a slap on the wrist, even as supporters praise the decision as a sign that the military justice system is still working.

Sinclair, who pled guilty to charges of adultery after being accused of sexual assault and extortion, will serve no jail time. The General will resign from his post, pay a fine, and continue to receive his military pension.

Another sexual assault case fell apart on the same day as Sinclair’s sentencing -- Midshipman Joshua Tate was found not guilty of sexually assaulting a Naval Academy classmate. The victim had alleged Tate and two other Naval Academy students sexually assaulted her while she was intoxicated.

Both the Naval Academy case and the case against General Sinclair have fueled debate about how the military handles sexual assault investigations and prosecutions. How does the military chain of command affect sexual assault cases? What’s the best way to handle military sex crimes?

Guests:

Greg Jacob, former marine and policy director at the Service Women’s Action Network- an advocacy group focused on eliminating harassment and assault within the military

John A. Convery, Attorney and partner in the San Antonio firm Hasdorff & Convery, P.C.; Convery has defended military personnel as a civilian counsel throughout Europe

Anti-abortion activists cheers upon hearing news that they have been granted an audience with the Pope as they protest outside of a Planned Parenthood health clinic 28 July 2005 in Washington, DC. The group had walked from Maine,to Washington, DC protesting at pro-choice health clinics along the way. ; Credit: MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images

The abortion-rights group, Voice of Choice, has come under fire for posting the names, home addresses, phone numbers and social media accounts of anti-abortion protestors to an online map on its website.

On the website of Maryland-based group, the protesters are labeled as “bullies,” and photos of each person complements the personal information.

Todd Stave, the founder of Voice of Choice, is a landlord at a women's health clinic in Germantown, Md. that performs late-term abortions. Stave says he decided to create the map after protesters showed up at his kids' school waving anti-abortion banners. Stave’s map is modeled after an anti-abortion website that lists doctors and clinics that perform abortions on the site AbortionDocs.org, run by the organization Operation Rescue.

In the latter case, no personal information is posted, just locations of clinics and doctor's offices. Still, protestors are known to protest at doctors’ homes.

Is Stave's decision to post personal information on his site a violation of privacy? Do the people on the site have a right to have their information taken down? People have the right to protest, but should they also expect privacy? Does "fighting fire with fire" hurt the abortion-rights movement?

Guests:

Todd Stave, entrepreneur and creator of VOChoice.org, the site which lists pro-life protestors.

Matt Yonke, Communication Director for Pro-Life Action League, also listed as a “bully” on the Voice of Choice map.