Yesterday, the DC Circuit Court released a mixed ruling on Internet access regulations. How will the ruling on 'net neutrality' affect consumers? LA Police Chief Charlie Beck discusses the Sheriff's race, latest crime numbers and LAPD overtime pay. Later, a federal spending bill directs the FAA to regulate Los Angeles area helicopter noise. What impact will this have on helicopter noise in Los Angeles?
How major court decision on Net Neutrality rules will affect consumers
A federal appeals court gave a mixed ruling on Internet access regulations yesterday. The DC Circuit Court affirmed that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has authority to create open-access rules. But in a setback for the Obama administration's goal of Internet openness, the court ruled that the FCC failed to establish that its 2010 regulations don't overreach.
Some consumer advocates are wringing their hands over the decision. "[The] ruling means that Internet users will be pitted against the biggest phone and cable companies - and in the absence of any oversight, these companies can now block and discriminate against their customers' communications at will," according to Craig Aaron of Free Press.
Jeffrey Eisenach of the American Enterprise Institute think tank has a different take. He writes, "While the Court's discussion of Internet economics leaves much to be desired, its ultimate conclusion -- which leaves in place the freedom to innovate which has applied to the Internet since its inception -- is good for consumers, for innovation and for economic growth."
What does this mean for your Netflix, HBO GO, iTunes and the like? How soon could changes occur, if at all? Will this case make it to the Supreme Court? Who has the knowledge to make a tech-savvy ruling?
With files from the Associated Press.
Guests:
Roslyn Layton, Visiting Fellow, Center for Internet, Communications, and Technology Policy at the American Enterprise Institute - a think tank focused on free enterprise
Craig Aaron, President and CEO of Free Press - described as a nonpartisan organization building a nationwide movement for media that serve the public interest
Competitive race to replace Sheriff Lee Baca
Long Beach Police Chief Jim McDonnell has launched into the race for LA County Sheriff with a list of banner endorsements. Despite inexperience running a political campaign, he begins boldly with support from LAPD Chief Charlie Beck, L.A.
County District Attorney Jackie Lacey, former L.A. County District Attorney Steve Cooley, and developer Rick Caruso. The other declared candidates in the race are Assistant Sheriff Todd Rogers; former Undersheriff Paul Tanaka; former Sheriff's Commander Bob Olmsted; former Sheriff's Lt. Pat Gomez and LAPD Sgt. Lou Vince. The primary is in June.
Guest:
Frank Stoltze, KPCC Reporter
LAPD Chief Beck on LA Sheriff’s race, latest crime numbers and LAPD overtime pay
The field to replace retiring Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca has just become more crowded, with Long Beach Police Chief Jim McDonnell announcing that he's joining the race. Why is Chief Beck endorsing him?
A jury this week found two former Fullerton officers not guilty in the beating death of Kelly Thomas, and the Orange County D.A. has dropped charges against a third cop. The FBI is now looking into the case. We get the Chief's take on the case.
Larry will also discuss next steps in outfitting Los Angeles police officers with body cameras now that the LA Police Commission has hit their $1.3 million fundraising target. They'll also talk about Mayor Eric Garcetti's pledge to restore overtime pay for the LAPD.
Guest:
Charlie Beck, Chief of Los Angeles Police Department
Provision in Federal spending bill could reduce helicopter noise in Los Angeles County
Included in the 1 trillion dollar federal spending bill for 2014 is a provision that could limit helicopter noise over Los Angeles County within a year. The provision directs the Secretary of the Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration to create regulations on excess helicopter noise.
That is, unless the FAA can prove the voluntary measures it suggested last year are working.The voluntary measures included propositions such as mapping new helicopter routes, flying at higher altitudes, and creating a noise-complaint system.
Representative Adam Schiff has fought for comprehensive legislation from the FAA since many of his constituents are bothered by the noises caused by helicopters flown by the press, paparazzi and tourists.
While the provision might be seen as a milestone, how far will the FAA go to control helicopter noise in one of the busiest airways in the nation? How will the FAA enforce new regulations? And how soon might residence have relief?
Guest:
Rep. Adam Schiff, Democratic Congressman for California’s 28th District (Stretching from West Hollywood to the eastern border of Pasadena, and from Echo Park to the Angeles National Forest) and a member of the House Appropriations Committee
Larry Welk, President of Angel City Air, a full service helicopter company; Former pilot and reporter for CBS 2 and KCAL 9
Why is New Jersey shrugging off Chris Christie scandal?
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie might be in the middle of a pretty juicy scandal but he seems to be emerging without too much damage to his reputation and future prospects. 'Bridgegate', the controversy surrounding the traffic jam caused by lane closures on the George Washington Bridge, did shave a little bit off of Christie's popularity but a new Quinnipiac poll shows that New Jersey residents are largely sticking by their governor.
Christie profusely apologized for the lane closures but does the 'revenge' approach to politics make him out to be a bully? More than half (54%) of those polled said that Christie was more of a leader than a bully, with only 40 percent picking bully. New Jersey is no stranger to tough politics and some politicos are arguing that sometimes politicians like Chris Christie should play dirty.
The tough politicians have a track record of being successful in Washington. Is it the tough and pushy politics that actually gets things done? If this same scandal had happened in another state would it be as easily shrugged off? Should we accept a little bit of ‘bully’ in our politicians?
Guests:
Bob Ingle, Senior Political Columnist for Gannett New Jersey newspapers and co-author of “Chris Christie: The Inside Story of His Rise to Power” (St Martin’s Press, 2012)
David Plotz, editor of the online magazine Slate and a co-host of Slate's Political Gabfest
Gasp! French president Francois Hollande embroiled in sex scandal
A French magazine, Closer, published exclusive photos last week showing a man it alleged to be French president Francois Hollande arriving at the apartment of actress Julie Gayet by scooter. The man's face was obscured by the helmet he was wearing, but the magazine said he could be positively identified as France's socialist president by the shoes he was wearing.
Hollande, who is unmarried but is in a long-term relationship, has not denied the affair allegations. While the French public seems just tepidly interested in the scandal, the French press has been having a field day. Has the scandal done irreparable harm to the Hollande presidency? How would it derailed his plans to get the lackluster French economy back on track?
Guest:
Craig Copetas, Correspondent-at-Large at Quartz, digitally native news outlet launched by Atlantic Media. He is based in Paris, France.