As we approach the benchmark of Trump's first 100 days in office, we discuss whether it's fair to judge a president by what is accomplished in their first three months; the first lawsuit against Trump's border wall was filed - does it stand a chance?; plus, we want to hear the craziest thing you've done as a kid; and more.
Weighing chances of success of 1st lawsuit filed against proposed US-Mexico border wall
The first lawsuit has been filed against the proposed border wall between the US and Mexico. It's from an environmental group claiming a wall would harm jaguars, wolves, and dozens of other species.
What are the prospects of suits like this succeeding? We'll look at the odds.
You can read the lawsuit below:
Center and Grijalva v Kelly Complaint 2017-04-12 by Southern California Public Radio on Scribd
Guests:
Brian Segee, senior attorney for the Center for Biological Diversity
Julie Axelrod, director of investigations and staff counsel at the Immigration Reform Law Institute
What Aspen Skiing buying Mammoth, Big Bear resorts means for SoCal skiers
With the news that Colorado-based Aspen Skiing Company is buying the company that runs four of California’s most popular ski resorts, skiers are wondering what the consolidation means for them.
Under the deal signed this week, Aspen Skiing Company and private equity firm KSL Capital Partners are buying Mammoth Resorts, which operates Mammoth Mountain, June Mountain and which took over both Bear Mountain and Snow Summit in the San Bernardino Mountain town of Big Bear in 2014.
Proponents of the deal are excited for what they anticipate will be a boon for local real estate and tourism. But others worry what the consolidation will mean for the price of lift tickets, lodging and food.
Aspen Skiing Company and its private-equity partners will most likely invest heavily in Mammoth resorts, according to Andrew Alvarez, who tracks the ski industry for IBIS World.
“I think it plays into their best interest to have updated facilities and more opportunities for consumers to spend more time at the mountain,” Alvarez said.
Skiers can expect more lifts, more lodges and more snowmaking equipment — but the catch, of course, is that someone has to pay for all that.
Alvarez said lift tickets for casual skiers will get even pricier than they are now. A one-day pass at Mammoth this weekend will set you back more than $152.
“It’s an exorbitant expense for everyday travelers,” Alvarez said.
Higher prices for one-day tickets is part of ski companies’ strategy to get customers to spend more days on the mountain, Alvarez said. As the cost of single-day tickets rises, the resorts are offering season passes that are not only cheaper, but good at more resorts.
Industrywide, ski resorts make a profit of 8.1 percent, according to IBISWorld. Bigger companies are more profitable, which helps explain this week’s acquisition.
Guests:
Hugo Martin, business writer for the Los Angeles Times who’s been covering this story
Ben Bergman, KPCC senior reporter on the Southern California economy
This story has been updated.
8-year-old boy in Ohio drove his family van to get McDonald’s: So what’s the craziest thing you did as a kid?
An 8-year-old boy in Ohio’s craving for a McDonald’s cheeseburger was so great that he took his family’s work van and drove it to the local Micky D along with his younger sister.
In honor of this story that has gone viral, AirTalk wants you to call in at 866 893 5722 and tell us what was the craziest, wildest, funniest thing you did when you were a kid.
The 100-days curse: Should a president be judged by that benchmark?
April 29 will be the 100th day of President Donald Trump's term in office, and the news media and political pundits are gearing up to weigh in on the neophyte’s performance.
Is it fair to judge a president by what is accomplished in the first three months? How did that benchmark come about?
Guests:
Adam Cohen, journalist and author of many books, including “Nothing to Fear: FDR's Inner Circle and the Hundred Days That Created Modern America” (Penguin Books, 2010).
Julia Azari, associate professor of political science at Marquette University in Milwaukee. She is also a contributor for FiveThirtyEight, the data analysis website where her piece on the importance of a president’s first 100 days was published earlier this year.
Cats: Why we can’t live with them, can’t live without them
It’s estimated that approximately 30-37% of households in the U.S. have a cat. And while the widespread perception of cats is that they’re cold, secretive and maybe a little too independent, science is beginning to reveal their hidden depths of emotion and affection.
This new understanding of our feline friends is the subject of Thomas McNamee’s new book, “The Inner Life of Cats: The Science and Secrets of Our Mysterious Feline Companions.” McNamee, a cat owner himself, uses both behavioral science and his own personal experiences to explain why cats do they often-maddening things they do — and why people are compelled to love them anyways.
AirTalk listeners: send us pictures of your cats, and call in with your feline anecdotes and quandaries.
Guest:
Thomas McNamee, author and the recipient of a 2016 Guggenheim fellowship, whose latest book is “The Inner Life of Cats: The Science and Secrets of Our Mysterious Feline Companions” (Hachette Book Group, 2017)