Monday, a chartered plane carrying children and mothers deported from the US landed in the Honduran capital of San Pedro Sula. Also, Chief Beck is in to talk about assault stats, union tensions and immigration detentions. Then, MLB heavyweights went head-to-head in the 85th Annual All Star Games
Feds deportation of children back to Central America spotlights ambiguous policy
Monday, a chartered plane carrying children and mothers deported from the US landed in the Honduran capital of San Pedro Sula.
In the past, many Central American deportees were added to commercial flights, but Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reportedly will charter more flights in the coming weeks. Some legal analysts say the Obama Administration is violating the law when it refuses to give migrant minors an immigration hearing.
They cite a trafficking act reauthorized by then President George W. Bush in 2008. However, other analysis says the act only protects children with no family in the US who are the victim of trafficking, rather than voluntary migrants.
As this political fight roils in Washington, yesterday LA Mayor Eric Garcetti said the city would help shelter children detained after crossing the border. He said the city would use federal money to cover legal costs and rely on nonprofits to help establish the minors.
What would be the number of children Los Angeles could expect in light of such a policy? What criteria is ICE using to determine which children should be returned to Central American countries?
Guests:
Jessica Vaughan, Director of Policy Studies at Center for Immigration Studies
Xavier Rosas, Staff Attorney, CARECEN Central American Resource Center
LAPD Chief Beck on assault stats, union tensions and immigration detentions
Los Angeles police officers rejected the city's latest contract proposal last week. Union president Tyler Izen told KPCC no one issue was a deal breaker, but said the lack of a cost of living adjustment was "kind of the straw that broke the camel's back in my members' minds."
We'll get reaction from Chief Beck in his monthly in-studio interview with Larry Mantle. We'll also look at LA crime statistics for the first half of 2014, which were down 5.4 percent overall, with the exception of a 12 percent rise in aggravated assaults.
That crime includes general assaults and attempted assaults with weapons, shots fired and shots fired at inhabited dwelling.
What worries Chief Beck about that trend? Larry will also ask about the LAPD's refusal to honor all federal immigration detention request. What are your questions for Chief Beck?
Guest:
Charlie Beck, Chief of Los Angeles Police Department
Woman arrested after 9-year-old daughter plays alone in public park
A South Carolina woman was arrested after her 9-year-old daughter was found playing alone in a park near the McDonalds where her mother works. An adult at the park called the police after asking the girl where her mother was -- the woman was arrested for abandonment and the girl was removed the girl from her home.
The incident has sparked a debate among parents and experts about the parameters of safe play and parenting.
Critics argue that opening up a child’s boundaries at that age is perfectly safe, especially since stranger kidnappings are so rare. They say that giving a child a cell phone and sending them somewhere where other children are playing, supervised, is within a parents rights, and is even good for the child’s development.
Others contend that unsupervised children are at risk, and that times have changed -- kids can’t be sent out to play alone until they are older.
Where is the line for parents whose children may be on the cusp of playing unsupervised? What are the safest places and ways for kids to explore independence? Should parents who let their children play alone in a park be punished for endangering their kids?
Guest:
Haley Hughes, News editor for the Aiken Standard, a daily newspaper serving Aiken County, including North Augusta
John Myers, Professor of Law and Director of the Criminal Justice Concentration at University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law
Should the Supreme Court take up California’s foie gras ban?
The Supreme Court may consider California’s ban on foie gras after thirteen states banded together to urge a review of the law. Opponents of the law argue that a ban in California amounts of one state dictating farming methods used in other states. California’s foie gras ban was adopted in 2004 but took effect in 2012, and prohibits the sale of all force-fed poultry products in the state. Animal rights advocates say that the methods for producing foie gras are inhumane -- typically, ducks are force fed until their livers enlarge beyond typical size.
Should the Supreme Court take up California’s law banning foie gras? How does interstate commerce factor in to this decision? Do you support the ban, or are you eager to see foie gras back on the menu in California?
Guest:
Ken Frank, Chef and Partner at Napa's La Toque restaurant; Mr. Frank has faced lawsuits for giving away foie gras instead of selling it to customers
Paul Shapiro, Vice President, Farm Animal Protection, The Humane Society of the United States
The Anaheim Angels' Mike Trout wins MVP in MLB's All Star Game
Summertime means baseball season is well underway.
One mark of this is the annual MLB All-Star Game, which just took place yesterday. This was the 85th year this game has been in existence, and included four Dodger players and two Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim players on the roster.
How did the teams do? What were the highlights? How did our local players fair with the best in the league? And did anyone care? Last year, about 11 million people tuned in -- one-third of the audience from 1982 and a half of the audience from 1994.
But the most shocking fact is the average age of the All-Star Game viewer was 53, according to the Sports Business Journal. So even with the efforts in creating an all-star-roster that includes every team in each league, how important is this game to the average fan?
Guest:
Ryan Fagan, MLB writer at Sporting News
Cappuccino potato chips could be a winning combination
A cup of cappuccino and a bag of potato chips doesn’t sound like a delicious combination, but the people at Lay’s thinks it could be a winning one. The potato chip company rolls out its annual “Do Us a Flavor” this month, where fans can try four different flavors and vote on their favorite online through October 18. Joining the Cappuccino potato chip will be Cheddar Bacon Mac & Cheese, Wavy Mango Salsa and Kettle Cooked Wasabi Ginger.
"The flavors that you see in the U.S. are probably driven by the multicultural nature of the U.S. consumer," says Lynn Dornblaser, Director of Innovation and Insight at Mintel, adding that the U.S. is actually late to the game when it comes to oddly flavored snacks.
In the U.K. and Asia, there are even more and even wilder flavor combinations for chips: lamb and mint, turkey with stuffing, and even chicken and Pepsi.
AirTalk listeners weighed in on the air and online with some of the strangest flavor combinations they've tried:
KPCC's online polls are not scientific surveys of local or national opinion. Rather, they are designed as a way for our audience members to engage with each other and share their views. Let us know what you think on our Facebook page, facebook.com/kpcc, or in the comments below.
Is this recent food craze of combining sweet and salty going too far? Intrepid foodies will be able to make their own decision when these flavors hit stores come July 28. Which flavor would you try?
Guest:
Lynn Dornblaser, Director of Innovation and Insight and new product expert at Mintel, a global market research firm