Today on AirTalk, we discuss a tentative distance learning agreement between UTLA and LAUSD for the fall term. Also on the show, our political commentators discuss the week's biggest headlines; we learn more about what's happening with Ellen Degeneres' show; and more.
UTLA And LAUSD Come To Potential Deal On Distance Learning
After a weekend of bargaining, LAUSD and UTLA, the union representing the district’s staff, reached a
After a marathon weekend of bargaining, UTLA and LAUSD reached a tentative agreement late tonight on crisis distance learning for 2020-21.
— United Teachers Los Angeles (@UTLAnow) August 3, 2020
The agreement is tentative, pending a vote of UTLA members and the LAUSD School Board. More details on the voting timeline tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/gtHNOC3Io6
on how distance learning will work in the 20-21 school year.
Members of UTLA and the school board still have to vote on the agreement.
LAUSD Superintendent Austin Beutner is slated to speak at 11am, but ahead of that we preview what we know of the deal with KPCC’s education reporter Kyle Stokes.
Guest:
Kyle Stokes, KPCC education reporter; he tweets
The Blue Code Of Silence: Should Officers Who Don’t Intervene When They See Undue Force Be Criminalized?
Democratic Assemblymember Chris Holden has proposed a bill that would seek to punish officers who standby and don’t intervene when they see other officers using excessive force.
According to the L.A. Times, many people, including Holden, believe the inaction of bystander officers contributed to the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis after officer Derek Chauvin knelt on Floyd’s next for nearly eight minutes.
Holden’s bill would look to criminalize bystander officers who don’t take action when another officer commits any crime. It’s an effort to dismantle what’s often called the “blue code of silence.” But some law enforcement officials have pushed back on the bill saying the measure is impractical because most use-of-force cases happen too quickly for other officers to react. Today on AirTalk, we discuss the details in the proposal, how it would work and the concerns. Do you have thoughts? Call us to share at 866-893-5722.
Guests:
Chris Holden, Democratic assemblymember representing California’s 41st district, which stretches from Pasadena to Upland and includes communities of Rancho Cucamonga and Sierra Madre, he’s the author of the proposal; he tweets
Robert Harris, a director with the Los Angeles Police Protective League, the labor union representing LAPD officers, and president of Protect California, a coalition of law enforcement associations and trade unions focused on improving public safety in California; he is also an LAPD officer; he tweets
COVID-19: Could A ‘COVID Safe’ Business Certificate Help The Economy And Increase Safety?
In our continuing series looking at the latest medical research and news on COVID-19, Larry speaks with Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, infectious disease specialist and professor of medicine at the UCSF Medical Center.
Topics today include:
Could a “COVID safe” certificate be the answer businesses are looking for?
Dr. Deborah Birx: pandemic is in a new phase
Hospitalizations down in L.A. and O.C.
Study: Are some people protected against the virus?
Guest:
Peter Chin-Hong, M.D., infectious disease specialist and professor of medicine at the UCSF Medical Center; he tweets
Dealing With Distance Learning In The 20-21 School Year
LAUSD and UTLA reached a tentative agreement on distance learning for the coming school year, but what implications does that have for parents and students?
If you’re an LAUSD student, what has been your experience with distance learning in the Spring and what do you think of the current plan for the Fall? If you’re a parent, how will you deal with the demands of at-home learning while juggling your employment?
Tell us your thoughts by calling 866-893-5722.
Ellen Degeneres & Toxic Workplace Allegations: Cause For Cancellation Or A Chance To Change?
Comedian and talk show host Ellen Degeneres’ outgoing, friendly public persona has taken a hit over the last year, but particularly in the past few weeks as allegations of a toxic workplace environment from current and past employees have elicited calls for change from the top down.
Some in the industry, like “Everybody Loves Raymond” actor Brad Garrett, say the news that Ellen’s kindness doesn’t extend off-camera is no surprise to anyone who has worked with her in the past. Both the show and its parent company Warner Brothers have since conducted internal investigations into the show’s workplace environment, and Ellen herself issued an apology to her crew in a letter obtained by The Hollywood Reporter. In a separate statement, the Warner Bros. studio said the investigation’s “primary findings” revealed what it called some flaws in the show’s daily management. DeGeneres’ memo and the probe by the studio’s parent company followed a BuzzFeed News report in which one current and 10 former show employees complained about issues including being fired after taking medical or bereavement leave. One worker said she left because of comments about her race. Most of the complaints were tied to executive producers and senior managers, BuzzFeed News said, but one ex-employee said DeGeneres need to take more responsibility for the work environment. The people making the allegations were not identified.
Today on AirTalk, we want to know what you think. Is cancelling the show or removing Degeneres as the host the only remedy, or would you prefer to see her and the show take an opportunity to make changes both personal and professional? What specific changes would be required to create meaningful change in the workplace culture at Ellen? Join our live conversation by calling 866-893-5722.
With files from the Associated Press
Guest:
Emily Yahr, entertainment reporter for The Washington Post who has been following the story; she tweets
Week In Politics: Obama’s Eulogy, Getting Rid Of Filibuster, COVID-19 Relief Package And More
AirTalk’s weekly political roundtable recaps the major headlines you might’ve missed in politics news over the weekend and looks ahead to the week to come. Here are the headlines that we’re following this week:
President Obama gave a eulogy at the funeral of John Lewis last week that riled some conservatives
During the speech, Obama called the filibuster a “Jim Crow relic.” Could Dems get rid of the practice, and should they?
2020:
COVID-19:
Where are we on the relief package?
Might the death of Herman Cain change some conservative’s opinions on masks and the pandemic?
Trump’s campaign has put a pause on its advertising campaign to reassess strategy
Guests:
Michael Shires, associate dean and associate professor at Pepperdine University's School of Public Policy; he tweets
Melissa R. Michelson, dean of Arts and Sciences at Menlo College in Atherton, California; her latest book is “Transforming Prejudice: Fear, Identity, and Transgender Rights” (March 2020, Oxford University Press); she tweets