Guest host David Lazarus get the latest on the Baja earthquake and Justice Stevens' intention to retire. The arrival of Apple's iPad. Jazz great Pat Metheny on his new album and upcoming performance at Disney Hall. What will health care reform mean for the state budget? Then, are schools failing boys?
Earthquake rocks Baja California
Aftershocks continue to jolt the Baja California region after a magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck south of the U.S. border near Mexicali on Sunday afternoon. The temblor has killed two people, damaged buildings, and cut off power to thousands. David Lazarus gets an update on the damage and response to the quake.
Guests:
Thomas Jordan, Director of the Southern California Earthquake Center at USC
Tony Perry, Reporter and San Diego Bureau Chief, LA Times
Supreme Court Justice Stevens announces intention to retire
Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens will retire during Obama’s presidency—but has given no date for his departure. Leader of the Court’s liberal wing, Stevens is also among the longest-serving Justices in Court history. Who might Obama consider to replace Stevens? Will a heated confirmation battle ensue? And what might an ideological shift mean for abortion rights, gay rights, and the balance of security and civil liberties?
Guest:
David Savage, Supreme Court Reporter, LA Times
Apple iPad -- uber cool or hype 2.0?
Apple came up with the iPod, the iPhone…these little devices really changed the way people think about the technology in their pockets. Now Apple CEO Steve Jobs is at it again. The iPad is billed as a substitute for a second computer. It’s easy to use, great for browsing the web…well, maybe. Apple fans seem to love it. But techno geeks don’t see the point of, as they see it, an oversized iPhone. Where do you stand? Guest host David Lazarus gets techno geek on the iPad.
Guest:
Troy Wolverton, Personal Technology Columnist for The San Jose Mercury News
Jazz guitarist and composer Pat Metheny
For his new album, world-renowned guitarist/composer and 17-time Grammy winner Pat Metheny moves from brilliant improvisations to a new technology for acoustically driven “solo ensemble” music he dubs Orchestrionics. On the record, Metheny plays on a slew of custom-made instruments controlled by solenoid switches and pneumatics. On April 19, Brazilian guitarist Lubambo joins Metheny for a special collaboration at Walt Disney Concert Hall. Guest host David Lazarus talks to Metheny about his music and his latest project.
Guest:
Pat Metheny, guitarist and composer. His new album is titled Orchestrion.
What will health care reform mean for California's budget?
The state estimates the new federal health care law will cost California more than $2 billion. That’s because it will have to pick up half of the tab for people who are newly enrolled in Medi-Cal. Will the predicted federal savings from the health care overhaul come at the state's expense? What will be the federal government's role in insuring Californians?
Guests:
George Skelton, LA Times columnist
Jean Ross, Executive Director, California Budget Project
Gerald Kominski, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Health Services UCLA School of Public Health and Associate Director UCLA Center for Health Policy Research
Brennan Cassidy, M.D., president of the California Medical Association
Are schools failing boys?
A number of indicators suggest that—compared to girls—boys are struggling in school. Richard Whitmire—author of “Why Boys Fail”—says that’s because schools increasingly emphasize verbal skills. Is that the whole picture or do gender expectations limit both boys and girls?
Guests:
Richard Whitmire, author of Why Boys Fail (Anacom)
Susan McGee Bailey, executive director, Wellesley Centers for Women, Wellesley College