Today, the Supreme Court is hearing arguments in a case that asks whether an anonymous tip is enough for the police to pull someone over for suspected drunken driving. A study from UC Irvine found that pollution from China is impacting domestic air quality. What does this mean for Los Angeles? Should the NFL eliminate the extra point?
Is an anonymous tip enough to justify a DUI stop?
The Supreme Court today heard oral argument in Navarette v. California, a case which asks the question whether a police officer can pull over someone suspected for drunken or reckless driving based solely on an anonymous tip, or does a police officer need to see evidence of dangerous driving to justify a stop. At issue is whether a phone-in tip qualifies as “reasonable suspicion” as stated in the U.S. Constitution.
What do you think? Should the police be allowed to pull someone over for suspected drunken driving based on an anonymous tip alone?
Guests:
Pam McDonald, a lawyer and a former police officer and prosecutor in South Carolina
Jeff Voll, criminal defense attorney in Los Angeles and Vice President of the California DUI Lawyers Association
How buying 'Made in China' products leads to 'Made in China' pollution
A new study out of UC Irvine measuring the movement of pollution from China to the United States has found that Chinese emissions are more heavily affecting domestic air. The study tracked toxins carried on a major wind path from China around the Northern Hemisphere.
While it is not out of the ordinary for any pollution to travel by wind from one country to another, Chinese emissions, which are not as regulated as those in the U.S. have a larger impact, partly because of the more lax restrictions and partly because of the wind paths that bring Chinese pollution to U.S. air.
What are the social and ethical implications of traveling pollution? What are the best ways to keep air clean and regulate emissions, both foreign and domestic?
Guest:
Steve Davis, assistant professor of Earth System Science at UC Irvine
How are health plans’ 'narrow networks' affecting your medical care?
Consumers in some parts of the country—including California—are finding that the plans offered under Obamacare give them access to fewer health care providers than their old plans.
Insurance companies narrow their provider networks to save money—promising select providers more patients in exchange for lower reimbursement rates. It’s not a new phenomenon but, as KPCC’s Stephanie O’Neill reports, it’s become more visible as insurance companies compete in Obamacare’s new exchanges.
Narrow networks happen for one of two reasons, O’Neill reports. An insurance company excludes doctors or hospitals it considers too expensive—or a doctor or hospital rejects the reimbursement rates offered by the insurer.
There’s also a lack of accurate information about which providers are—and aren’t—in Covered California plans, leaving some consumers surprised and frustrated when their new plan doesn’t cover a visit to their longtime doctor.
For example, analyses show that many of the specialty providers and hospitals relied upon by cancer patients are largely left out the new health insurance exchange plans in states including California, New York and Texas. A recent study of 20 metropolitan areas in the U.S. found that two-thirds of Obamacare plans had narrow networks, with 30 percent of the top 20 hospitals excluded.
Have you had trouble keeping your doctor under your new plan? How difficult has it been to determine which providers are covered under which plans?
Guests:
Stephanie O’Neill, KPCC Health Care Correspondent
Jeffrey Miles, a Marina del Rey insurance broker and two-time past president of the California Association of Health Underwriters
Dylan Roby, Assistant professor of Health Policy and Management at the UCLA School of Public Health
Terror warnings increase security threat for Sochi Olympics
New reports of terrorism threats are casting a shadow over the upcoming Winter Olympics that are set to start in Sochi in just a few weeks. A video has surfaced threatening attacks on the games and sightings of "black widow" terrorism suspects have security experts on edge.
Security forces have reportedly circulated fliers to hotels around the Russian city warning that several women were suspected of plotting to carry out terrorism attacks during the games. The US military is taking the threats seriously and has even put together a plan to evacuate Americans in case of an attack on the Olympics.
CNN is reporting that the Pentagon will have two warships and a number of C-17 aircraft nearby to help Russian security services respond to an attack. How serious are these reports coming out of Russia? What is the US military's plan for keeping Americans safe? Is the threat keeping American spectators at home?
Guests:
Brian Michael Jenkins, Senior adviser to the president of the RAND corporation and author of a number of books on terrorism including ‘Will Terrorists Go Nuclear?’
Erroll Southers, Security Expert & Associate Director of Research Transition at the Department of Homeland Security National Center for Risk and Economic Analysis of Terrorism Events (CREATE) at USC
Should American businesses adopt a German labor model?
A Volkswagen plant in Tennessee plans to introduce more robust labor employee participation modeled on the company’s German structure. In Germany, labor relations include bodies called work councils that exist within businesses. The councils coordinate and negotiate with management, and are intended to foster the idea that employees are not adversaries, but rather valued participants.
The closest analogous groups to German work councils in the U.S. are unions, which have the ability to negotiate within an enterprise, but are often at odds with management. U.S. companies with more elaborate unionization, like Southwest Airlines and Kaiser Permanente, have seen financial growth and maintenance of high quality service.
Will Volkswagen benefit from the implementation of a German model in its U.S. plant? What is the best way to accommodate labor groups? Which practices make the most successful businesses?
Guest:
Matt Finkin, Professor of Law at University of Illinois
Stan Greer, Senior researcher for the National Institute for Labor Relations Research, an advocacy group described as analyzing and exposing the inequities of compulsory unionism.
Porn production moves to Las Vegas after LA condom law passes
The number of applications to film adult movies in Los Angeles has decreased by an estimated 95% following the passage of a law requiring actors to wear condoms in pornography. The law, which went into effect in 2013, has caused a flight of adult filmmakers from L.A. County to Las Vegas.
While Los Angeles law mandated health checks and charged hundreds of dollars for permits, Clark County, where most films are currently being made, charges only a nominal fee for filming and does not require health permits. Critics of the condom law say that the ban will cause a loss of revenue for L.A. County. How has the condom law changed the adult film industry in Los Angeles and Las Vegas? What will the continued financial trends be?
Guest:
Mark Kernes, writer for Adult Video News
Steven Hirsch, founder and co-chairman, Vivid Entertainment
NFL might consider doing away with the extra points
Some fans call it the most boring part of a NFL game and apparently, the league’s commissioner agrees.
In an interview with the NFL Network yesterday, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said the league is looking into potentially eliminating the post-touchdown extra point.
"The extra point is almost automatic," Goodell told the network. "I believe we had five missed extra points this year out of 1,200 some odd (attempts). So it's a very small fraction of the play, and you want to add excitement with every play."
Goodell said the league’s Competition Committee is looking at proposals that would replace the extra point kicks. No word, though, on when a new point system might kick in.
What do you think of the post-touchdown point attempt? Boring? Automatic? Or a tradition that should not be toyed with?
Guest:
Jay Busbee, writer for Yahoo! Sports