Today, AirTalk dives into special KPCC coverage on California's "Drought to Deluge" - we want to hear from listeners about how the epic storms have changed, or not changed, your water conservation habits. We also cover the latest in politics, MLB Opening Day; and more.
Week in politics: Previewing the Gorsuch confirmation vote
The fate of Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch is before the Senate Judiciary Committee this morning.
He's expected to move on to full Senate consideration after winning a party-line committee vote. Chances of a Democratic filibuster are good, as Dems say the judge isn't in the mainstream. The real battle will occur on the Senate floor, as it looks like Democrats will have enough opposition to filibuster. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell then needs to decide whether to change the rules and allow simple majority vote on this and future Supreme Court nominees.
Also this week, Egyptian president Abdel Fattah el-Sisi visits the White House this week as President Trump tries to thaw relations between Washington and Cairo after his predecessor largely froze Egypt out because of its human rights record, halting aid and never inviting el-Sisi to the White House.
The president will welcome another leader to the U.S. later this week as he meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday in Florida for a discussion that Trump has said will be “very difficult.” Among other issues, the two are expected to discuss the future North Korea’s nuclear program. President Trump has said he’s prepared to deal with the reclusive and erratic nation, with or without China’s help.
Guests:
Caroline Heldman, associate professor of politics at Occidental College and co-author of "Rethinking Madam President: Are We Ready for a Woman in the White House?" (Lynne Rienner Pub, 2007)
Sean T. Walsh, Republican political analyst and partner at Wilson Walsh Consulting in San Francisco
Ilya Somin, professor of law at George Mason University; he specializes in constitutional and property law
Emily Bazelon, staff writer for New York Times Magazine and the Truman Capote Fellow for Creative Writing and Law at Yale Law School; she authored the article, “The Government Gorsuch Wants to Undo”
Drought to Deluge: Have you changed your personal water habits?
Monday, KPCC is airing “Drought to Deluge” special coverage of what this winter’s epic rain and snow -- right on the heels of a five-year drought -- has meant for water supplies in Southern California and how we manage water going forward.
AirTalk wants to hear from you about whether you’ve gone back to using more water because of the wet winter or whether, given memories of the drought, you’re still trying to watch your water use. Has water conservation become a way of life? Or with all the rain and snow we’ve had, is it OK to go back our water habits before the drought? Call us at 866-893-KPCC to weigh in.
Special coverage: 'Drought to deluge'
This story is part of a full day of special coverage examining what the wet winter has meant for our water supply. Check out the full coverage Monday, April 3 on...
Morning Edition: While a healthy snowpack will be good for imported water sources to Southern California, that’s not necessarily the case for local sources of water. Reporter Emily Guerin explains.
Take Two: Host A Martinez talks to state and local water experts about the lessons we’ve learned from the recent cycle of dry to wet and what that means for how we manage water going forward.
AirTalk: Host Larry Mantle takes listener calls on whether the wet winter has caused you to rethink water conservation.
All Things Considered: Host Nick Roman takes a look at how the sudden change from parched to lush backcountry has affected local wildlife and habitat.
Guest:
Stephen Gregory, KPCC’s environment and science editor
Why are LA traffic fatalities way up after plan to reduce them by 20 percent?
Despite seeking to reduce traffic fatalities by 20% this year with an ambitious plan for road safety, the latest data from LA’s Transportation Department shows that traffic related deaths spiked sharply in the first full year Vision Zero.
260 people were killed in traffic crashes on city streets, an increase of almost 43% over the previous year -- and that appears to be more than a one-year anomaly.
We break down the numbers with KPCC’s Meghan McCarty and talk about some of the possible causes, from distracted driving to cheaper gas.
Guests:
Meghan McCarty, KPCC commuting and mobility reporter
Seleta Reynolds, general manager of the Los Angeles Department of Transportation
Why the shrinking middle class is a threat to the US republic
The rise of income inequality is not just a societal problem – it’s a threat to the American constitution and the government of the U.S.
That’s the premise of Ganesh Sitaraman’s “The Crisis of the Middle-Class Constitution: Why Economic Inequality Threatens Our Republic,” a work that encompasses history, philosophy, law and politics, to explore the implications of our shrinking middle class.
Host Larry Mantle talks to Sitaraman about the unprecedented ways in which America’s constitution is rooted in equality, why the middle class is the foundation of our republic and the difficult choices ahead for the U.S.
Guest:
Ganesh Sitaraman, associate professor of law at Vanderbilt Law School, senior fellow at the Center for American Progress and author of “The Crisis of the Middle-Class Constitution: Why Economic Inequality Threatens Our Republic”
MLB Opening Day: LA Times veteran baseball writer previews Dodgers, Angels
Baseball is back in Southern California as Major League Baseball celebrates Opening Day 2017.
Both the Dodgers and Angels kick off their seasons today. Big Blue opens the season at home with ace Clayton Kershaw on the mound looking to return to Cy Young form as he and the Dodgers take on the San Diego Padres in Echo Park. They’re the odds-on favorite to win the National League West again this year but, as has been the case in recent years, they’ll no doubt have to contend with those pesky Giants for division supremacy.
Meanwhile, reigning American League MVP Mike Trout and the Angels hit the road to open the 2017 campaign for an evening tilt with the Oakland Athletics in the East Bay. The Halos will need to stay healthy and get consistent outings from their starting pitchers in order to remain a contender in an American League West Division featuring several tough teams with burgeoning young talent like the Seattle Mariners and the Houston Astros, who many believe will win the AL West crown this year.
Larry sits down with L.A. Times baseball writer Bill Shaikin to preview the Dodgers and Angels’ seasons, talk about familiar names to watch for, some of the new faces you might see and the expectations for each.
Guest:
Bill Shaikin, baseball writer for the Los Angeles Times