Forensics Fouled Up?; Santa Monica Pier; Budget Deal - Finally
Forensics Fouled Up?
Shows such as CSI make it seem like any crime can be solved by crack teams of forensics scientists scooping up tiny shards of DNA. In reality, forensics is a much more tedious and laborious exercise that sometimes helps in convictions--but a new study from the National Academy of Sciences concluded that Americas crime labs are also, to put it simply, a mess. It says they are under funded, under equipped and running at such low standards that their relevance in court cases is minimal at best. What's the answer? The report says the whole system needs restructured. Larry investigates.
Santa Monica Pier
A colorful compilation of vintage images and colorful photographs, the book Santa Monica Pier: A Century on the Last Great Pleasure Pier (Angel City Press), lends insight to the history and survival of this international icon. From the history of some of the pier's iconic restaurants and theme-park "esk" rides the book captures the spirit of the Santa Monica Pier within the pages of their book. Larry Mantle talks to author James Harris about the Santa Monica Pier.
Budget Deal - Finally
The good news...the State of California will not financially implode. A budget deal finally exists and the Governor is expected to sign it. The bad news...in a few months, with revenues going the way they are, California may have a new deficit to deal with. Larry gets the details on the deal.