Today on AirTalk, we answer your COVID-19 questions. Also on the show, we preview the Los Angeles Dodgers and Angels as we near the start of spring training; KPCC film critics Tim Cogshell and Christy Lemire review this weekend’s new movie releases; and more.
COVID-19 AMA: FDA Meets On Johnson & Johnson Emergency Approval, Who’s Eligible For The Vaccine Come Monday And More
In our continuing series looking at the latest medical research and news on COVID-19, Larry Mantle speaks with Dr. Shruti Gohil at UC Irvine’s School of Medicine.
Topics today include:
FDA panel meets today to decide whether to recommend Johnson & Johnson vaccine for emergency use authorization
More people will be eligible for vaccine on Monday as Tier 1B opens
Canada approves AstraZeneca vaccine
Third US vaccine could raise question: Which shots are best?
Vaccine ‘passports’ may open up society, but inequity looms
LAT: If I’m fully vaccinated -- what can I do safely?
How vaccine makers adapt their product for variants
Guest:
Shruti Gohil, M.D., professor of medicine and associate medical director for epidemiology and infection prevention at UC Irvine’s School of Medicine
DC Latest: COVID Stimulus And Prospects For Minimum Wage Hike
The Senate parliamentarian dealt a potentially lethal blow Thursday to Democrats’ drive to hike the minimum wage, deciding that the cherished progressive goal must fall from a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill the party is trying to speed through Congress, Senate Democratic aides said.
The finding by Elizabeth MacDonough, the chamber’s nonpartisan arbiter of its rules, means Democrats face an overwhelmingly uphill battle to boost the minimum wage this year because of solid Republican opposition. Their proposal would raise the federal minimum gradually to $15 hourly by 2025, well above the $7.25 floor in place since 2009.
President Joe Biden was “disappointed” in the outcome but respected the parliamentarian’s ruling, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said. The Senate has a long tradition of obeying the parliamentarian’s decisions with few exceptions, a history that is revered by traditionalists like Biden, a 36-year Senate veteran.
We discuss the future of the COVID relief bill, as well as the viability of a federally mandated minimum wage hike.
With files from the Associated Press.
Guest:
Jennifer Haberkorn, congressional reporter for the LA Times who is reporting from Washington D.C.; she tweets at
Triple Play: Spring Training Is Here! What To Expect From The Dodgers And Angels This Season
Baseball fans across the Southland are rejoicing this weekend as Spring Training baseball gets underway in Florida and Arizona. This year, both Los Angeles teams have plenty to prove, but for markedly different reasons.
For the Angels, it’s about proving they’ve made the moves to be a contender in the AL West. The Halos finished the coronavirus-abbreviated 2020 season at 26-34, good for 4th in the division. But during the offseason they beefed up their pitching rotation by signing veterans José Quintana and Alex Cobb, added a couple of new faces in shortstop José Iglesias and right fielder Dexter Fowler, and maybe most exciting for Angels fans will be the expected return of two-way star Shohei Ohtani, who has struggled with injury since coming into the league in 2018 but is said to be fully rehabbed from Tommy John surgery last year and ready to go for Spring Training. And having the best player in baseball on your roster in Mike Trout can only help the Angels’ chances of proving they’re a contender in the AL West.
For the Dodgers, it’s about proving they can win it all again. After finishing the 2020 regular season 43-17 and winning the NL West, the Dodgers cruised to their first World Series in 32 years. The offseason saw a few familiar faces depart Los Angeles as Kiké Hernández, Joc Pederson, Pedro Báez and Alex Wood all went to other teams. But the core of the Dodgers’ World Series lineup returns, and the Dodgers were able to land one of the best free agent pitchers available in right-handed fireballer Trevor Bauer, so it’s fair to say expectations are high for the Dodgers to come out and show that they’re the best team in baseball and can be consistently for a full season.
Today on AirTalk, we’ll convene the Triple Play to look at what to expect this year from the Dodgers and Angels.
Guests:
Nick Roman, host of KPCC’s “All Things Considered”; he tweets
A. Martinez, host of KPCC’s “Take Two”; he tweets
FilmWeek: 'The Father,' 'Minari,' 'Billie Eilish: The World's A Little Blurry' And More
Larry Mantle and KPCC film critics Tim Cogshell and Christy Lemire review this weekend’s new movie releases.
- "The Father" showing at the Vineland Drive-In (City of Industry); wide theatrical release (check local listings) on March 12; VOD March 26 (including Google Play)
- "Minari" showing at the Vineland Drive-In (City of Industry); VOD (including FandangoNOW, Vudu & iTunes)
- "Billie Eilish: The World's A Little Blurry" showing at the Vineland Drive-In (City of Industry) & Arena Cinelounge Drive-In (Hollywood); Apple TV+
- "Black Holes: The Edge Of All We Know" on VOD (including iTunes, Apple TV+, Google Play & Microsoft Store) on March 2
- "The Obituary of Tunde Johnson" on VOD (including Google Play, Apple TV+ & FandangoNow)
- "Cherry" showing at the Vineland Drive-In (City of Industry); Apple TV+ on March 12
- "‘Til Kingdom Come" on Laemmle’s Virtual Cinema
- "The Mauritanian" on VOD (including FandangoNow, Google Play & Apple TV) March 2
- "Night of the Kings" on Laemmle’s Virtual Cinema; VOD (including FandangoNOW, iTunes & Google Play) on Mar. 5
- "The United States vs. Billie Holiday" on Hulu
- "The Vigil" showing at the Vineland Drive-In (City of Industry) & Arena Cinelounge Drive-In (Hollywood); VOD (including Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, iTunes & Google Play)
- "Crisis" showing in select theaters (check local listings); VOD (including FandangoNow) on March 5
- "Moxie" on Netflix March 3
Our FilmWeek critics have been curating personal lists of their favorite TV shows and movies to binge-watch during self-quarantine. You can see recommendations from each of the critics and where you can watch them here.
Guests:
Christy Lemire, film critic for KPCC, RogerEbert.com and co-host of the ‘Breakfast All Day’ podcast; she tweets
Tim Cogshell, film critic for KPCC, Alt-Film Guide and CineGods.com; he tweets
Steven Yeun On The Intentional Framing Of ‘Minari’ And The Inspiration He Drew From His Father
The new film “Minari'' tells a deeply personal story about a Korean American family that moves to a small farm in Arkansas. Writer and Director Lee Isacc Chung was inspired by his own familial experience. Actor Steven Yeun stars as the patriarch of the family. KPCC’s John Horn got the chance to talk with Yeun about the film, which has been applauded for its nuanced portrayal of the American dream. Yeun shares his take on the profound yet universal story “Minari” tries to present and how his relationship with his father challenged him as he took on the leading role. The film is available to stream on various video on demand platforms.
Guest:
Steven Yeun, actor who stars in the film “Minari”