Windy enough for ya? Who's up for Grammy's gold? Could law enforcement start using drone aircraft in the U.S.? “Straight Outta Compton” – a Sports Illustrated report. Olympia Dukakis in "Vigil."
Blown away by California weather
Winds of up to 100 mph blew through Southern California last night, downing power lines, trees and structures. They were so bad in the San Gabriel Valley, that Pasadena and Sierra Madre declared a state of emergency and closed their schools.
Currently, the Los Angeles Department of Public Works is assisting with the recovery effort. 300,000 homes lost power in the Southland, and officials are encouraging those affected to begin conserving water.
The Santa Ana winds should die down today, but are expected to pick up again at night.
WEIGH IN:
Did you see any impact from the bad weather? Are you without power? What are you doing to conserve resources? What can be done to protect your home and yourself?
Guests:
Dr. Bill Patzert, Research Oceanographer and climatologist, Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Chief Philip Sanchez, Police Chief for City of Pasadena
Shirley Jahad, KPCC reporter
Corey Moore, KPCC reporter
Stuart Seto, Weather Specialist based in Oxnard, National Weather Service
Bob Spencer, chief of public affairs for the LA County Department of Public Works
Lisa Derderian, Spokeswoman, Pasadena Fire Department
Leslie Wanek, Meteorologist, Decision Support Service program manager based in Western regional office, Salt Lake City, of the National Weather Service
Charles Coleman, Spokesman, Southern California Edison
Who’s up for Grammy gold?
Grammy nominations were announced last night at a star-studded concert at the Nokia theater in downtown Los Angeles. L.L. Cool J handled the hosting duties with Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Sugarland and The Band Perry performing.
The big story of the night: Adele. The British songstress nabbed six nominations, including the most prestigious: record, song and album of the year. But a recent throat surgery, which cut short her American tour, may also sideline Adele on the big night, set for February 12, 2012.
In the ever-controversial Best New Artist category, Bon Iver, The Band Perry and Nicki Minaj are in the running.
Also on the Grammy shortlist, Kanye West, Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett, whose duet with the late Amy Winehouse may result in a posthumous award for her. We’ll talk with L.A. Times music writer Gerrick Kennedy, who was at the big night and can answer the most important question of the night – what did Lady Gaga wear?
Guest:
Gerrick Kennedy, music writer for the Los Angeles Times
Could law enforcement start using drone aircraft in the U.S.?
Drones may soon come to your neighborhood skies, courtesy of the Federal Aviation Administration, which plans to propose new regulations for domestic use of drone aircraft in January.
Seem strange? That’s because the United States military typically operates drones in Pakistan and Afghanistan to target and destroy enemy hide-outs. But domestic use of drones could soon be implemented, and the idea is popular with law enforcement; they say drone technology reigns superior to other modes of surveillance.
The robotic aircraft’s heat-seeking cameras can, for instance, clearly spot runaway criminals at night or navigate through narrow mountaintops in search of missing persons – more fluidly than a police helicopter.
However, there are national security and privacy-related concerns. A camera-equipped drone flying over a neighborhood or city has the capacity to survey or spy on what happens inside houses and buildings. Other issues include the possibility of drone hijackings by criminals or terrorists. And the pilotless craft is remote-controlled, so what happens when the operator loses signal with the drone?
WEIGH IN:
Why should law enforcement use drones? What are the pros and cons? If the federal agency approves drone use, would you support your local police department using this type of aircraft? As this technology becomes more widely accessible, will drone-based surveillance become more prone to abuse?
Guests:
Bob Osborne, Commander of Homeland Security Division of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department
Jay Stanley, Senior Policy Analyst with the ACLU's Speech, Privacy and Technology Project
Steven Gitlin, Vice President, Marketing Strategy and Communications, Aerovironment Inc., a world leading drone-making company
“Straight Outta Compton” – a Sports Illustrated report
A special feature in today's issue of “SI” takes an intimate look at the intersect of school sports and gang activity in South L.A. But the piece is no sob story. It profiles a gifted high school athlete who dodges linebackers on the field and gangbangers on the street.
Kitam Hamm, Jr. is in his final year at Compton High. He plays offense and defense – versatility is essential in a struggling football program. Fortunately, his teammates extend beyond the field. Kitam has been able to excel thanks to a solid family that learned about gang life the hard way.
Now, the young man has his sights on Stanford or USC. College football recruiters from the top schools have sent him letters of interest: Harvard, UCLA, Princeton, Columbia and more.
To get this far, Kitam had to be sheltered from a city that is currently home to 34 active street gangs with more than 1,000 members. Other young players like him have not been as lucky. The SI story recalls the senseless murder of Dannie Farber.
In 2009, the Narbonne High football player who helped lead the team to a city championship was gunned down at a fast food joint. Farber had never even participated in any gang activities. Then there are other young athletes who don't get beyond high school sports because of poor academics, then get sucked into drugs and violence.
WEIGH IN:
Why has it been so different for Kitam, Jr.? What is life like at Compton High? How serious are the issues of violence and drugs for students there? Has Kitam or his family been targeted because of their success? Will Kitam make it to the Ivy League?
Guests:
Jeff Benedict, Special Features Contributor, "Sports Illustrated" – wrote “Straight Outta Compton” in the latest issue out today; Distinguished Professor of English at Southern Virginia University
Kitam Hamm, Jr., Senior student, Compton High School & Defensive Back, Compton High School Football Team, the Tarbabes