We check in on the weekend’s latest politics, including Secretary of Defense Flynn’s potential sanction discussions with Russia; Trump affirms “One China” policy – what that means for U.S.-China relations; how can scientists lower the temperature of L.A. by three degrees?; and more.
Monday politics: Trump Admin looks to rework immigration order, Gen. Michael Flynn in hot water and what to expect from this week’s PM visits to White House
President Trump spent a relatively quiet weekend on the links, playing golf with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at a couple of his courses in Florida, during which time Mr. Trump said he got to know Abe well and they discussed a variety of topics.
What those were (and who won the rounds) remain a secret, as the press weren’t allowed to go with the president and the windows in the pool room where they were being kept were blacked out.
Meanwhile, President Trump's National Security Adviser Gen. Michael Flynn has found himself embroiled in controversy after allegations that he spoke to Russia’s ambassador to the U.S. before Mr. Trump to office about possibly lifting American sanctions on Russia. The Kremlin has denied that any talks between Flynn and Russia’s ambassador to the U.S. took place.
Immigration remains a top priority for the Trump Administration, which has said it may sign a brand new order on immigration as early as today. This comes amid reports that federal immigration agents arrested more than 600 people in at least 11 states last week, 160 of them in Southern California.
We’ll also check in on the planned meetings between President Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau today and Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday, plus check in on California governor’s race.
CORRECTION: This article originally identified Gen. Michael Flynn as Secretary of Defense instead of the president's National Security Adviser. It has been updated to reflect his correct position.
Guests:
Matt Rodriguez, Democratic strategist and founder and chief executive officer of Rodriguez Strategies; he is also a former senior Obama adviser in 2008; he tweets
Sean T. Walsh, Republican political analyst and partner at Wilson Walsh Consulting in San Francisco; he is a former adviser to California Governors Pete Wilson and Arnold Schwarzenegger and a former White House staffer for Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush
The risks of a possible Oroville Dam fail
As NPR reports, the Oroville Dam, California’s second-largest reservoir, has developed a hole in its main spillway, causing concerns the dam could fail altogether.
A second emergency spillway went into action last weekend after the reservoir’s water levels hit more than a foot past its “full” limit. Concerns rose over the main and auxiliary spillways failing, and 180,000 residents near the dam were asked to evacuate Sunday afternoon, causing a major traffic jam for those traveling to safety. Hours later, Oroville’s water levels dropped and have continued to do so this morning. Evacuation centers are still preparing in case levels rise again.
The reservoir, located in the Sierra Nevada foothills, east of Sacramento Valley California, is in an area is expecting storms later this week. So what precautions are being taken? Eric Kurhi with The Mercury News has been reporting from Oroville, and joins Libby Denkmann to talk about what’s next.
Guest:
Eric Kurhi, reporter at The Mercury News following the story
Who’s winning the great Hyperloop race?
Los Angeles to San Francisco in 30 minutes?
Over 3 years ago, Elon Musk released a white paper describing the possibilities of a new mode of transportation. The SpaceX and Tesla founder's proposal for "Hyperloop" launched a race to make this futuristic-sounding transit system a reality.
Now a heated competition has developed between companies vying to be the first to send people zooming through tubes.
Here to give us an update on the state of Hyperloop is Sarah Buhr, a writer with TechCrunch who’s been following the story.
Guest:
Sarah Buhr, reporter for TechCrunch; she’s been following the story; she tweets
Oscar-nominated 'Joe's Violin' explores link between young musician and Holocaust survivor
In the Academy Award contender "Joe's Violin," a donated instrument forges a friendship between a 91-year-old Holocaust survivor and a 12-year-old Bronx school girl.
It was sparked thanks to a charity drive asking New Yorkers to donate their old musical instruments to public schools. Joseph Feingold offers his beloved violin, which he has played for more than 70 years. The instrument lands at the Bronx Global Learning Institute for Girls, where young musician Brianna Perez is inspired to become friends with her benefactor.
Nominated in the category of documentary short subject, “Joe’s Violin” is available for screening on the website of the “The New Yorker” magazine.
Guest:
Kahane Cooperman, director and producer of "Joe’s Violin;" Cooperman is also known for being a long-time producer of “The Daily Show” with Jon Stewart; she tweets
Despite harsh rhetoric, Trump re-affirms 'one-China' policy with President Xi
President Donald Trump spent his campaign talking tough on U.S.-China relations...and he signaled in the early days after his election he may reverse course on longstanding policy recognizing Beijing's authority in the region.
But the Wall Street Journal reports it was about five minutes into a phone call with President Xi Jingping Thursday night when President Trump agreed to honor the "one-China" policy, and continue suspending diplomatic relations with Taiwan.
Here to talk about his apparent reversal of course is Jeff Wasserstrom, professor of history at University of California Irvine, and Shelley Rigger, professor of East Asian politics at Davidson College.
Guests:
Jeff Wasserstrom, professor of history at University of California, Irvine
Shelley Rigger, professor of East Asian Politics at Davidson College. She’s the author of Why Taiwan Matters: Small Island, Global Powerhouse
Can Los Angeles lower its own temperature by 3 degrees?
Don't let this rainy winter fool you.
Los Angeles is still in the midst of a drought and this summer will likely be another scorcher. L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti says he wants to change that. Last week, he announced plans to decrease the city's temperature by 3 degrees over the next twenty years. One of the ways researchers are testing lower the heat is by replacing the city’s asphalt with high-tech material that’s more reflective.
But how feasible is that? And who will foot the bill?
Guests:
George Ban-Weiss, professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Southern California
Matt Peterson, chief sustainability officer for Mayor Eric Garcetti's office
Tippi Hedren on working with Hitchcock, her animal rights activism
Tippi Hedren's the iconic, icy, elegant blonde first introduced to moviegoers fending off a flock of murderous birds.
The danger brewing behind the scenes has now become the stuff of Hollywood legend. She's also a conservationist and animals rights activist, and she has a new memoir telling her story.
AirTalk contributor Libby Denkmann speaks with Hedren about her new book.
Tippi Hedren will be at the following event to talk about her new memoir:
Saturday, Dec 17th, 2016 at 3:00pm at Santa Monica Library Authors Forum
Guest:
Tippi Hedren, actor and author of the new memoir, “Tippi” (William Morrow, 2016)