New "parent trigger" rules are approved. Emmy Nominations. OC Journalists' Roundtable. Texas governor calls America to pray to his God. Child-free zones.
Parent Revolution clears another hurdle
On Wednesday, California’s State Board of Education tentatively approved new rules giving parents more power to force changes at poorly performing public schools. The rules are meant to clarify the state’s controversial “Parent Trigger” Law signed last year by then-Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. The law allows parents at low-performing schools to fire principals and teachers or to convert schools into charters independent of district control, if a majority of parents sign a petition. Parents in the Compton Unified School District were the first in the state to test the law, but the district is fighting that request, which has ended up in court. The proposed regulations are up for public comment for the next 15 days and the board will have to reaffirm its vote in September. Former state Senator Gloria Romero, who authored the law, says “It’s a huge victory for parents in California.” Some administrators and teachers have fought the law and sought strict controls on how it can be used. Have opponents and supporters found common ground? Should the Board of Education finalize the rules and implement the law?
Guest:
Ben Austin, Executive Director, Parent Revolution
HBO far and away leads the Emmy pack
Nominations for the 63rd annual Primetime Emmy Awards were announced this morning and HBO received an undeniable 104 nominations -- more than double any other channel. Its Kate Winslet period piece, "Mildred Pierce," earned a dramatic 21 nods including best actress for Ms. Winslet, best miniseries and best director. "Boardwalk Empire" and "Game of Thrones" also helped the premium pay channel shine. No surprise that AMC's "Mad Men" scored 19 nominations. Comedy favorite "Modern Family" received 17 in Best Comedy Series, up against "Glee," "Parks & Recreation," "The Office," "30 Rock," and a surprise nom for "The Big Bang Theory." Of course, there is too much talent to list from today's announcement, but AirTalk will have help from "Los Angeles Times" TV Reporter, Scott Collins. Who are you favorites on the list? Who's missing? And how does HBO do it?
Guest:
Scott Collins, Television Reporter, Los Angeles Times
OC Journalists' Roundtable
Larry and our talented Orange County journalists riff on the latest news from Orange County including a big mistake the county made when they refinanced their bankruptcy that cost the county $48 million, the Santa Ana City Council’s failing attempts to put on a better public face, the future of open space in North Orange County, the OC Fair’s trials and tribulation and new fair board appointee, the ramifications of redistricting and the Crystal Cathedral buyout.
Guests:
Gustavo Arellano, managing editor of the OC Weekly
Norberto Santana, Editor-in-Chief of the Voice of OC, a non-profit investigative news agency that covers Orange County government and politics online.
Texas governor asks Americans to pray to Jesus
In three weeks time, Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas will host a massive prayer rally. Entitled, "The Response: A Call to Prayer for a Nation in Crisis," it is being organized by the Mississippi-based American Family Association, but has the special distinction of being initiated and led by Texas Governor Rick Perry. On the event website, Perry writes, "As a nation, we must come together and call upon Jesus to guide us through unprecedented struggles." While a press release on the Governor's website describes the event as a "non-denominational, apolitical Christian prayer meeting," the Governor is now facing a lawsuit alleging he is violating the U.S. Constitution. The Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF), based in Wisconsin, is seeking to block the Governor's association with "The Response." FFRF says Perry's actions violate the Constitution by “giving the appearance that the government prefers evangelical Christian religious beliefs." What do you think of all this? Can a Governor initiate a religious event that is not ecumenical? What about when the President of the United States leads prayers and the prayer breakfast circuit in D.C.? Is that any different? Should a government leader be judged by the religious company he keeps?
Guests:
Annie Laurie Gaylor, Co-President, Freedom From Religion Foundation
Hiram Sasser, Lawyer, American Family Association - organizer of the The Response rally; Director of Litigation, Liberty Institute - a Texas-based non-profit group that has litigated numerous religious freedoms cases
Child-free zones
Malaysia Airlines plans to ban babies from traveling first class on its Airbus A380 super jumbo jet and children under 6 are being banned from a restaurant in Pennsylvania. What gives? In the case of the airlines, its CEO Tengku Azmil said that passengers who spend a lot of money for first-class seats are often unable to sleep because of crying babies and he even tweeted that "We already hand out noise “canx” headphones in 1st class. They don't work so well for babies crying." In Monroeville, PA., McDain's restaurant owner Mike Vuick sent an email to customers, informing them that as of July 16 his restaurant will no longer admit children under six years of age. “McDain's is not a place for young children. Their volume can't be controlled and many, many times, they have disturbed other customers," he wrote. You can’t ban seniors from restaurants because they are a protected class but there are no laws preventing restaurants from banning children. Should children be protected from such exclusionary bans and if you have kids how do you feel about these rules? Or are you happy that screaming kids are being kept out of airplanes and restaurants and hope for more child-free zones in the future?