AirTalk sits down with Metro CEO Phil Washington to get the latest on LA’s transit system. We also debate teachers having guns in the classroom after President Trump’s suggestion; is SoCal ready for the new normal of homelessness?; and more.
Teachers with guns: Examples and experiences from other states
Last week’s shooting at a Florida high school reignited the debate over allowing teachers to arm themselves in the classroom.
President Trump says specially-trained teachers should be allowed to carry firearms on campus. CA bans the practice statewide.
What about districts elsewhere that already allow it? What are their experiences?
Guests:
Benjamin Wermund, education reporter for POLITICO Pro who’s been following the story; he tweets
John Donahue, professor of law at Stanford
Larry Rosenthal, professor of law at Chapman University and a former federal prosecutor
With a lack of physical evidence, will rape allegations against Weinstein hold up in court?
After months of high-profile accusations, the rape allegation of an Italian model against Harvey Weinstein might be the case that will bring him to trial.
As reported by the Los Angeles Times, the Italian model-actress accuses Weinstein of rape in her Beverly Hills hotel room five years ago. The case may work in her favor due to who she told soon after the alleged assault, but there is little physical evidence of the incident and no proof as of yet that Weinstein was at the hotel.
But in California, testimony is admissible in court from other women accusing Weinstein of sexual misconduct, even if the allegations don’t end in criminal charges. This could prove a pattern of behavior, that may lead to a conviction. There are reportedly 85 allegations of sexual misconduct against the Hollywood mogul. The L.A. County District Attorney’s office will decide whether to file the case.
Weinstein’s attorneys have said he never engaged in non-consensual sex acts.
Larry speaks to legal experts today to find out more about whether there’s a strong case against Weinstein.
Guests:
Dmitry Gorin, a former sex crimes prosecutor in the Los Angeles DA’s office and a criminal defense attorney
Ambrosio Rodriguez, former prosecutor and criminal defense attorney; he led the sex crimes team in the Riverside D.A.’s office
How YouTube is changing the world, one cat video at a time
YouTube has changed the world – with cat videos, double rainbows and ‘Despacito.’
There’s no true recipe for cooking up a viral video, but when they do break, the way we obsess over them tells a lot about us as human beings and our evolving society.
Kevin Allocca, head of culture and trends at YouTube, has spent almost a decade tracking the Internet’s most beloved video sensations and trends. From double rainbows, to “Charlie bit my finger,” to music videos that break billions of views, YouTube has redefined the way we consume entertainment and connect with people around the world.
Allocca details the wacky, surprising and intriguing phenomena of online videos in his new book, “Videocracy: How YouTube Is Changing the World...with Double Rainbows, Singing Foxes, and Other Trends We Can’t Stop Watching.”
He joins Larry Mantle to give us the scoop.
Kevin Allocca will be discussing his new book, “Videocracy,” tonight, Thursday, Feb 22, at the Diesel bookstore in Santa Monica. The event starts at 6:30 p.m.
Guest:
Kevin Allocca, YouTube’s head of culture and trends; author of “Videocracy: How YouTube Is Changing the World . . . with Double Rainbows, Singing Foxes, and Other Trends We Can’t Stop Watching;” he tweets
Encampments, sidewalk tents: Is SoCal ready for the new normal of homelessness?
The homeless crisis continues to grow in the Los Angeles suburbs despite political promises.
The image that encapsulates this ever-growing issue is the homeless encampments that have been erected all over the city.
In the past week, over 400 homeless people who had camped out along the Santa Ana River were given vouchers to relocate free of charge to motels in Orange County. The program was established after a district court judge expressed concerns that clearing the Santa Ana River encampments would violate the civil rights of homeless people.
The hotel voucher program has already run into snags, as OC officials struggle to find enough motels willing to take in the population.
As Southern California struggles to deal with its homeless issues, how do you deal with this “new normal” of homelessness? Call us at 866.893.5722 to weigh in.
Guest:
Rina Palta, correspondent for KPCC, covering issues pertaining to homelessness and Southern California's social safety net
Bike sharing, ride fares, policing tactics and more: updates on LA’s public transit from Metro CEO Phil Washington
Phil Washington returns for his recurring visit with AirTalk to discuss the latest MTA news.
Topics include:
Metro’s support for the widening of the 710 freeway
Washington’s reaction to the Nava/Lechuga incident, and what the expectations are of the LAPD when handling code-of-conduct situations
Ager Linder’s recent sexual assault conviction and moving forward with the prevention of sexual harassment on the Metro; also, a review of Metro’s policing changes and recent data on its results
Metro ridership is the lowest it’s been in a decade – why? And how is Metro competing with rising car-ownership?
The current state and future of Metro’s bike sharing operation
The closing and construction of the Crenshaw and Green Lines, and the advancement of LAX’s people mover
Details regarding AECOM and John Laing’s proposal to assist with the Vermont Avenue Transit Corridor
What goes into choosing the artwork on and around LA’s metro system?
Possible changes to Metro fares – what they are, what the end-goal is and how will they be enforced
Celebrating Metro’s 25th birthday
Guest:
Phil Washington, CEO of Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LA Metro)