Today on AirTalk, we discuss the latest on the Justice Department's investigation into former FBI director James Comey and his handling of memos documenting private conversations with President Donald Trump. We also examine the influx of native and invasive species of mosquitoes in Southern California; and more.
New Proposal To Reclassify Nuclear As Renewable Energy Could Give Diablo Canyon Plant New Life
Republican Assemblyman Jordan Cunningham, who represents San Luis Obispo, wants to update the state constitution in a way that would qualify nuclear energy as renewable energy.
The amendment would mean that the Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant could potentially remain open. Controversy has surrounded the question of whether the state’s last remaining nuclear plant should stay open, but it’s slated for closure in 2026. Getting a constitutional amendment passed is a challenge and the assemblymember has admitted that it’s a longshot. It would take a two-thirds majority vote in the Assembly and state Senate before a ballot initiative could be sent to voters. Those in favor of the amendment say that nuclear is the cleanest form of electrical power generation, and if California is serious about fighting climate change, nuclear has an important role to play. Others have spoken out against the proposal, comparing it to taxpayer bailouts of two nuclear reactors in Ohio.
We talk to people on both sides of the issue to discuss whether nuclear energy should be considered renewable.
Guests:
Gene Nelson, legal assistant for Californians for Green Nuclear Power, an advocacy group that aims to promote carbon-free energy and supports the Diablo Canyon Power Plant; he has a Ph.D. in radiation biophysics
John Geesman, attorney with Alliance for Nuclear Responsibility, an anti-nuclear advocacy group that’s against the Diablo Canyon Power Plant; he was formerly a member of the California Energy Commission
DOJ: The Comey Memos Violated FBI Policies
James Comey violated FBI policies in his handling of memos documenting private conversations with President Donald Trump in the weeks before Comey was fired as bureau director, the Justice Department's inspector general said Thursday.
The watchdog's office said Comey broke FBI rules by giving one memo containing unclassified information to a friend with instructions to share the contents with a reporter. Comey also failed to notify the FBI after he was dismissed that he had retained some memos in a safe at home.
Comey wrote a series of memos about conversations with Trump that he said unnerved him. Comey has said he wanted to make a record of the interactions because he was concerned Trump might later lie about them, and that he wanted to make the contents of one of the memos public in hopes of triggering the appointment of a special counsel to lead the FBI's investigation into ties between Russia and the Trump campaign.
The department has already decided not to prosecute Comey over the matter.
With files from the Associated Press
Guest:
Phil Ewing, National Security Editor at NPR who’s been covering the story; he tweets at
AirTalk Listeners and Parents Share Tips On Supporting Autistic Children At Public Events
A man with autism was asked to leave a Segerstrom Hall performance of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” after other attendees complained he was being disruptive.
According to CBS Los Angeles, Logan Mundt was at the theater with his mother and care provider when ushers told them to leave during the first act. The mother and son attended the same show days earlier, and took precautions like bringing headphones and a blanket for Logan. His mother isn’t upset with Segerstrom Hall, but wants the theater to offer staff sensitivity training.
If you’re a parent or caretaker of someone with autism, what has been your experience bringing them to public events? How do you help them stay calm? What can venues do to support you? Call Airtalk at 866-893-5722 to share your ideas.
Guest:
Amy-Jane Griffiths, Licensed Clinical Psychologist , assistant professor of clinical counseling at Chapman University, she’s licensed in psychology and previously worked for Advance LA, which counsels young people with disabilities
Agreement Reached On Contentious Bill That Would Restrict New Charter Schools
On Wednesday, the teachers unions and charter school supporters came to a compromise on Assembly Bill 1505, a bill that would set restrictions on the creation of new charter schools.
The deal will give public school districts more power to nix charter school petitions, create a tighter credentialing process and set a 2 year pause on virtual charters.
Governor Newsom’s aides helped negotiate the compromise with both sides.
We get the latest on the deal. Plus, if you’re a public school or charter parent, what do you think of the bill? Or if you are a teacher or administrator, how might this affect you? Call us at 866-893-5722.
We reached out to Governor Newsom, United Teachers Los Angeles and the California Charter Schools Association. They were not able to join us for the interview.
Guests:
Howard Blume, education reporter at the Los Angeles Times; he tweets
John Fensterwald, reporter at EdSource, where his recent piece is “Governor, lawmakers agree on new controls on California charter schools”; he tweets
What’s The Buzz With All The Mosquitoes In SoCal This Summer?
If you’ve gone outside, you’ve probably noticed that L.A.’s signature summer mosquitoes are everywhere. Or if not, you’ve definitely noticed the morning after, when you woke up scratching at the angry red welts on your ankles.
It is true that there has been an influx of mosquitoes in Southern California, and not just our native Culex species. We’re now also dealing with the invasive Aedes mosquito, which, unlike the Culex, is especially aggressive, bites at all times of day and specifically targets humans. And since we’re not used to their saliva, their bites can cause more intense reactions, such as redness and swelling.
Where did the invasive Aedes come from? What’s being done to control their population? And how can you protect yourself from these blood-suckers and the various dangers they pose?
Larry sits down with two experts, plus we take your questions at 866-893-5722.
Guests:
Anais Medina Diaz, public information officer at the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District
Edith Mirzaian, associate professor of clinical pharmacy at the University of Southern California; she is an expert in travel health and mosquito-borne illness
Fowl Play In LA: AirTalk Listeners Share The Best Places To Get Chicken In SoCal, No Matter How You Like It
Southern California’s Mexican food scene may grab all the headlines when it comes to talking about cuisines synonymous with the region, but there’s a growing case to be made for SoCal’s chicken scene too.
It might sound odd at first, and maybe you’re asking yourself what’s so special about chicken, which you can get in just about any neighborhood in the city. But that’s just it -- everyone does it just a little bit differently, and the result is a surprisingly staggering selection of scrumptious spots for chicken, all with different cultural and regional tweaks on how they serve it. There’s Howlin’ Ray’s Nashville-style hot chicken, which draws customers from all over willing to wait hours for their fix, Monterey Park’s Japanese-style fried chicken spot Tokyo Fried Chicken, Southern fried chicken at Honey’s Kettle in Culver City, Korean fried chicken at OB Bear in Koreatown and so much more. And that’s just the tip of the beak when it comes to getting good bird in L.A., with myriad other cultural varietals influenced by Mexican, Indian, Singaporean, and other cuisines.
What is your go-to chicken spot in Los Angeles? What makes it so great? We want to hear about your neighborhood spot at 866-893-5722.
For more on where to get some of the best chicken in Los Angeles, check out this LAist article, part of the series ‘How To L.A.’
AirTalk staff favorites
Matt D., producer: Pollos Puebla #1 -- Family owned and operated, this hole-in-the-wall spot in a strip mall on the Pasadena/Altadena border serves up delicious Mexican charbroiled chicken that is absolutely to die for and never too dry, even when you reheat it the next day. You can order it regular or spicy (I usually ask for an extra container of the spicy sauce they rub on the chicken while it cooks) and they serve it with tortillas and your choice of sides like rice, beans, and corn on the cob, so you can make your own little taco if you like. They even have a little bowl of jalapeño and Serrano peppers on the counter and they'll grill a couple up for you if you ask them.
Natalie C., producer: Chicken Guys - Rotisserie chicken truck that's at the South Pasadena farmers market every Thursday. Rows and rows of amazing roasted chicken - but the best part is the potatoes and garlic at the bottom that are being cooked in the chicken drippings. SO GOOD!
Cha Cha Chicken - AMAZING Caribbean food in Santa Monica. It's been family run for 20 years and it's basically a shack. One of the last sit down BYOB places in LA - everyone brings six packs and wine there. And the pineapple jerk chicken sauce is to die for!
Guests:
Elina Shatkin, food editor for LAist; she tweets
Jacklyn Kim, assistant producer for KPCC and resident Korean fried chicken expert; she tweets