Today on AirTalk, we update you on the latest COVID-19 news and answer your questions. Also on the show, we breakdown the backlog of claims in California's unemployment system; discuss what displays are worth observing this unique holiday season; and more.
DOC AMA: First Americans Receive Pfizer Vaccine As ICU Capacity Shrinks Around The Country
In our continuing series looking at the latest medical research and news on COVID-19, Larry Mantle speaks with Dr. Peter Chin-Hong from UCSF.
Topics today include:
First Americans receive COVID-19 vaccinations
COVID-19 vaccine clears key hurdle in California
Los Angeles, Orange and San Francisco counties shatter COVID-19 records as ICU space shrinks
Some nursing homes grapple with COVID-19 vaccine skepticism
Unwelcome in other countries, Americans are fleeing lockdowns and flocking to Mexico
These drugs might prevent severe COVID-19
Guest:
Peter Chin-Hong, M.D., infectious disease specialist and professor of medicine at the UCSF Medical Center; he tweets
Proposed Bill Would Change Age, Education Requirements For California Police Officers
Should law enforcement officers in California be required to have a college degree? A newly proposed bill would introduce new standards that would have to be met in order to qualify as a police officer in California.
Last week, Democratic State Assemblyman Reggie Jones-Sawyer of Los Angeles introduced AB-89, which would require individuals who want to become police officers to be at least 25 years of age. Those under 25 could still become police officers, but they would be required to have a bachelor’s or advanced degree from an accredited college or university. Current state law requires police officers be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or equivalent. California Highway Patrol officers must be at least 20 years old.
Asm. Jones-Sawyer and other proponents cite studies showing officers with college educations don’t use force as frequently as officers who are not college-educated and have fewer complaints filed against them.
Law enforcement groups in the state say they agree that more training and education of police officers is necessary, but they are concerned that this particular bill will deter young people from wanting to become police officers, and that the educational requirements could shut out military veterans or potential candidates who come from underrepresented communities and might not have the same access to a college degree as some of their peers. This point is especially important, they say, at a time when police departments across the state and country are facing recruiting challenges.
Today on AirTalk, we’ll talk with stakeholders in the discussion about what the research shows when it comes to education levels in police officers, how that relates to the practice of policing, and the concerns that some law enforcement officials have about how the law could impact recruitment.
Guests:
Christine Gardiner, professor of criminal justice at California State University, Fullerton; she has conducted studies at both the state and national level looking at how education level is relevant to the practice of policing
Eric Nuñez, chief of the Los Alamitos Police Department and president of the California Police Chiefs Association, the statewide organization representing municipal police chiefs and their agencies
Many Californian’s Jobless Aid Held Up By Backlogs In Unemployment System, Hindered By Widespread Fraud
California’s unemployment process has been hampered with issues throughout the pandemic, culminating in a huge backlog of unemployment claims and widespread fraud that could amount to billions of dollars.
Bank of America, which has been distributing unemployment benefits to Californians through prepaid credit cards since the Great Recession, estimated last week that fraud in the state’s unemployment system could total $2 billion. It is the highest estimate of fraud since the COVID-19 pandemic triggered widespread joblessness in California, prompting the state to pay out $110 billion. Bank of America responded by freezing accounts it identified as suspicious, inadvertently freezing the accounts of many Californians with legitimate claims, who are now unable to access their money. This is hardly the first hiccup in the system this year; California’s Employment Development Department has drawn frustration throughout the pandemic, as many jobless residents have reported delays in payment or no payments at all.
Today on AirTalk, we’re discussing the latest on what is happening in California’s unemployment system. Questions? Give us a call at 866-893-5722.
We reached out to Governor Newsom’s office, but did not receive a response by air time.
Guests:
Lauren Hepler, economy reporter for CalMatters who has been reporting on the story; she tweets
Cottie Petrie-Norris (D-Laguna Beach), assemblymember representing California’s 74th assembly district, which extends from Huntington Beach to Laguna Beach and includes a portion of Irvine; she tweets
Politics Roundup: Electoral College Voting Underway, The Latest SCOTUS Rejections And More
The Electoral College is set to confirm Joe Biden’s victory Monday.
Electors have already cast votes in several states, and Biden is expected to take the lead once California’s 55 electors vote. The votes come after the Supreme Court rejected a Texas effort which would have invalidated election results in four states, including Pennsylvania and Georgia. Threats of violence led Michigan officials to close the state capitol ahead of electoral voting.
Today on AirTalk, we check in on the latest in politics, including accusations of Russian hacking into U.S. agencies and where stimulus talks stand in Congress. Do you have thoughts or questions? Call 866-893-5722.
Today’s topics include:
Electoral College voting is underway. What to expect after threats of violence and protests.
Russian accused of major cybersecurity attack on U.S. agencies
Latest SCOTUS rejections. What do they mean for legal challenges?
Where do stimulus talks stand?
Is Trump considering running for office in 2024?
Early voting begins in Georgia Senate runoffs
Guests:
Anna Edgerton, politics editor for Bloomberg; she tweets
Zach Courser, co-director of the policy lab and visiting assistant professor of government at Claremont McKenna College
The Best SoCal Holiday Light Displays To Cheer You Up At The End Of A Long, Sometimes Dark 2020
If you’re looking for an escape from the exhaustion of the pandemic, or some holiday cheer to warm you up at the end of this long year, Southern California’s holiday light displays are one way to get out of the house, celebrate the season, and all at a safe, physical distance.
This year, many local holiday events have had to shift gears due to the pandemic, so interactive winter wonderlands that one might otherwise traverse on foot have turned into drive-through holiday light displays. Whether you’re looking to relive the glory of the Dodgers’ 2020 World Series victory at Chavez Ravine’s drive-thru Dodgers experience, or are just looking for leisurely drive down Christmas Tree Lane in Altadena, there’s something for everyone in the Southland.
Today on AirTalk, we want to hear about your favorite local holiday display, whether it’s an organized community event or just the neighborhood home with the decorations that would put Clark Griswold to shame. Share your favorites and neighborhood bests by calling us at 866-893-5722.
Guest:
Michael Juliano, Time Out Los Angeles editor; he tweets