Zoning Change Approved In Downtown LA; Consumer Debt Rises; Cigarette Additives May Make It Harder To Quit; Congress, Spies And Energy; The American Food Revolution; Jazz Musician Gerald Wilson
Zoning Change Approved In Downtown LA
The Los Angeles City Council unanimously approved sweeping changes to zoning laws yesterday which open the way for denser development downtown. The new rules allow smaller apartment units and give developers greater leeway in building high-rises. They will also allow them to build closer to sidewalks and increase the size of buildings. The new laws contain stipulations that require buildings to include some affordable low and middle-income housing. Larry talks with Los Angeles City Councilmember, Jan Perry, President and CEO of the Central City Association, Carol Schatz, and presidential fellow in urban futures at Chapman University, Joel Kotkin about the new rules and the potential impact on the city.
Consumer Debt Rises
Consumer debt rose a striking 14% in May and June, according to the Federal Reserve. This news, along with the rising foreclosure rates and the recent downturn in the stock market has some economists worried about a possible recession. Larry Mantle talks to Kyle Pope, Senior Editor of Conde Nast Portfolio magazine about the current state of the U.S. economy.
Cigarette Additives May Make It Harder To Quit
Last week Larry Mantle talked with a UCLA research psychiatrist about a new study suggesting that cigarette additives make it harder to quit. The research showed that at least 100 of the 599 documented cigarette additives have "pharmacological" actions, many of which enhance or maintain the delivery of nicotine. Now Larry hears from Reason magazine's Senior Editor Jacob Sullum, who takes issue with the study's conclusions.
Congress, Spies And Energy
Congress passed new energy and intelligence-gathering bills recently. Some fear the new intelligence legislation could lead to increased spying on citizens. But the White House argued that judicial hurdles in the legislation will stop the government from going through e-mails and phone calls without proper warrants. Meanwhile, the House and Senate both passed energy legislation. The House version would increase taxes on oil companies. Both bills have incentives for research into ethanol and bio diesel. Larry talks with Ron Elving, NPR's Senior Washington Editor, about these two important pieces of legislation.
The American Food Revolution
Larry talks with author David Kamp about his book The United States of Arugula: The Sun-Dried, Cold Pressed, Dark Roasted, Extra Virgin Story of the American Food Revolution. In the book, Kamp chronicles the rise of gourmet food in America, and how it has permeated the culture.
Jazz Musician Gerald Wilson
Larry Mantle talks with renowned Jazz composer and arranger, Gerald Wilson, who will be performing this weekend at the Long Beach Jazz Festival. The festival is in its 20th year, and will run August 10th-12th. The 89 year old, Grammy nominated Wilson will be performing on Friday.