Blue Cut Fire ravages San Bernadino County, labor leader Richard Trumka & KPCC's CA Counts Town Hall on Prop. 64

Blue Cut Fire ravages San Bernadino County, labor leader Richard Trumka & KPCC's CA Counts Town Hall on Prop. 64

More than 80,000 people have been forced from their homes in less than 24 hours northwest of San Bernadino; AFL-CIO's president talks about why organized labor's central issues -- trade, manufacturing, wages, and immigration -- have become popular themes in this year's election; plus, Larry Mantle co-moderates "CA Counts Town Hall: The pros and cons of legalizing recreational marijuana."

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More than 80,000 people have been forced from their homes in less than 24 hours northwest of San Bernadino; AFL-CIO's president talks about why organized labor's central issues -- trade, manufacturing, wages, and immigration -- have become popular themes in this year's election; plus, Larry Mantle co-moderates "CA Counts Town Hall: The pros and cons of legalizing recreational marijuana."

Blue Cut Fire remains largely uncontained as it burns toward Wrightwood

​AFL-CIO's Trumka on working-class voters, TPP, climate change and more

While labor unions seem to be political animals of yesteryear's establishment, their top issues align with the most popular themes of this election year: trade deals, manufacturing jobs, wage disparities, and immigration.

Richard Trumka, as head of the AFL-CIO representing 12.5 million workers, is trying to capitalize on progressives' momentum by railing against the Trans-Pacific Partnership while he stumps for Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton (who supported TPP while she served as Secretary of State).

That said, Trumka has his own internal political battles to fight. Earlier this year the AFL-CIO joined forces with billionaire environmentalist Tom Steyer to establish a political action committee called For Our Future. Seven unions within Trumka's confederation condemned the partnership because of Steyer's opposition to the Keystone pipeline and all the jobs for builders, engineers, and welders that would have come with it.

Trumka joins AirTalk to address that controversy, plus his thoughts on the nation's immigration laws, the Donald Trump campaign, and more.

How are labor unions staying relevant while union membership remains low (11 percent of all wage and salary workers in 2015, compared to 20 percent in 1983)? How is the AFL-CIO trying to combat the lure of Donald Trump for some blue-collar workers?

Guest:

Richard Trumka, President of the AFL-CIO (American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations)

‘Ocean’s Eight’ continues the trend of remaking franchises with all female casts

The Ocean’s franchise is back, but it’s no longer a boys’ club.

Sandra Bullock and Cate Blanchett are confirmed for Ocean’s Eight, a reprisal of the casino caper franchise. Reports say that Anne Hathaway, Rihanna, Helena Bonham Carter, Mindy Kaling, and rapper Awkwafina are close to joining up as well.

The Warner Bros. picture is set to begin filming in October in New York, with Free State of Jones’ Gary Ross directing. Steven Soderbergh, who directed the 2001 version of Ocean’s Eleven, will get a production credit.

This follows Sony’s all-female retooling of the Ghostbusters franchise, which was met with tepid box office sales and vitriol online. Ocean’s Eight seems to suggest that despite the issues with Ghostbusters, studios are eager to continue the trend of remaking successful male-dominated series with women in the lead credits.

Just like with Ghostbusters, expectations will be high for Bullock, Blanchett, and their co-stars. The Ocean's movies of the 2000s -- themselves based on a Rat Pack film from 1960 -- grossed over $1.1 billion combined.

Not everyone is convinced that these sorts of reboots are an entirely positive trend for women in Hollywood. Instead of reimagining massively successful male-dominated series, some are calling for studios to produce more original female-driven films.

What do you think? Will Ocean’s Eight find the same success as the other movies in the franchise? Will this all-female series retooling trend continue?

Guests:

Leah Meyerhoff, Founder of Film Fatales, a community of female directors focused on increasing women in Hollywood;  Filmmaker whose latest film is “I Believe in Unicorns.”

John Horn, Host of KPCC’s arts and entertainment show “The Frame,” which airs daily at 3:30 p.m.; he tweets from

5 things to know about legalizing recreational pot in California

California was the first state to legalize medical marijuana in 1996. Will it be the fifth to legalize recreational pot this November? We traveled to Sacramento to host a live event about the pros and cons of Proposition 64, which would legalize adult use of cannabis.

The town hall was moderated by Larry Mantle, host of KPCC’s AirTalk, and Beth Ruyak, host of Capital Public Radio's Insight. It was hosted by California Counts, a collaboration with KPCC in Los Angeles, KQED in San Francisco, Capital Public Radio in Sacramento and KPBS in San Diego.

We were joined by a panel of six guests from all sides of the argument. They fielded questions from the audience on topics that ranged from environmental to social implications. 

Here are five things you should know.

Denver-based writer Joel Warner said under Prop. 64, growers could apply for an unlimited grow license.

"On one hand, maybe it's good, but what happens to counties that have been long dependent on this?"

This is why the California Growers Association remains neutral on Prop 64, Warner said.

Kimberly Cargile, who is a member of the association said the group is neutral for a number of reasons. This includes concerns from smaller cannabis growers about the corporatization of the industry.

There's a reason why California Highway Patrol officers oppose Prop 64, said Anne Marie Schubert, District Attorney for Sacramento County. She argued that there needs to be a “per se” law on driving while stoned. “Per se” is a legal term that refers to standards on impairment.

But it's more complicated than that, argued Richard Miadich, who helped author the legislation. "There just isn't the technology," he said.

Read more about that technology here.

"What we really need—the most effective way to prevent impaired driving—is more training and more officers," he said.

Prop. 64 would generate an estimated $1 billion annually in California. About $200 million of that would go to local law enforcements for grants, said Miadich.

Taxes generated by Prop. 64 would also go to other programs dedicated to youth education, prevention and treatment and environmental protections, he said.

District Attorney Schubert said those in Sacramento County who are caught with possession of marijuana receive a $60 ticket. That's less money than what you would have to pay for a speeding ticket, she insisted.

But Kimberly Cargile, CEO of medical marijuana dispensary located in Sacramento, said that there are other related marijuana crimes that have a negative impact on society, including "the people who are charged with crimes they didn't commit."

Miadich argued that Prop 64 could save the state $10 million annually because of the decriminalization of cannabis.

Studies have shown that legalizing marijuana has little impact on drug cartels, said Peter Hecht, senior writer for the Sacramento Bee and author of “Weed Land: Inside America’s Marijuana Epicenter and How Pot Went Legit."

"There is going to be a black market for many years to come," he said.

Warner echoed those sentiments.

"There will always be a black market demand," he said.

Most farmers say they need to make $1,200 a pound to survive.

"We're removing the stigma and we're telling our kids it's OK," said District Attorney Schubert.

She argued that there are no studies to show the long-term impact of legalizing marijuana. And more specifically, she worries that we will see pot shops inundate communities of color.

Miadich insisted that tax revenue could have a positive impact on youth because it will fund education.

"Kids who don't have after school programs, get into drugs," he said.

He asked, “Do we want our kids buying pot from drug dealers?” He said it's time to develop a different system that "tries something new."

Listen to the attached audio to hear the lively discussion on recreational pot. 

Want more on Prop 64? Here's an FAQ on how it could change California. 

Correction: This story previously stated that farmers say they need to make $12,000 a pound to survive. The accurate number is $1,200. We regret the error. 

Guests

Kimberly Cargile, director and CEO of A Therapeutic Alternative, Inc., a medical marijuana dispensary located in Sacramento

Peter Hecht, senior writer for the Sacramento Bee and author of “Weed Land: Inside America’s Marijuana Epicenter and How Pot Went Legit”

Richard Miadich, managing partner with the Sacramento-based law firm Olson Hagel & Fishburn LLP

Lauren Michaels, legislative affairs manager for the California Police Chiefs Association 

Anne Marie Schubert, district attorney for Sacramento County

Joel Warner, Denver-based writer and former staff writer at the International Business Times, where he covered the marijuana industry

Series: California Counts

California Counts is a collaboration of KPBS, KPCC, KQED and Capital Public Radio to report on the 2016 election. The coverage focuses on major issues and solicits diverse voices on what's important to the future of California.

Read more in this series and let us know your thoughts on Twitter using the hashtag

.