Today on AirTalk, we discuss the latest on California Senate Bill 206, a bill that would allow college athletes to make money off their name, image, or likeness. We also examine and debunk the biggest medical myths; get an update on LA's ShakeAlert app; and more.
Trump Versus The Squad: The Latest
House Democrats plan for a vote this week on a resolution that "strongly condemns President Donald Trump's racist comments" that four congresswomen of color should return to their native countries.
The measure says Trump's tweets Sunday "have legitimized and increased fear and hatred of new Americans and people of color."
The four-page resolution quotes from a 1989 speech by President Ronald Reagan that said America draws its strength "from every country and every corner of the world." Reagan, a Republican, said that if the U.S. ever closed its doors to immigrants, "our leadership in the world would soon be lost."
The Democrats' measure says the House is "committed to keeping America open to those lawfully seeking refuge and asylum."
The latest on the condemnation vote came after the four House freshmen, whom President Trump targeted with a controversial tweet, held a press conference yesterday in response to Trump’s message.
With files from the Associated Press
Guest:
Sarah Ferris, Congressional reporter for
, covering the House; she tweets
State Bill Wants To Let Student Athletes Sign Endorsement Deals, But It Could Run Afoul Of The NCAA
Because of regulations set out by the National Collegiate Athletic Assn (NCAA), college athletes can’t sign endorsement deals or get agents -- however, a California bill currently moving through the legislature might change that.
Senate Bill 206 would allow college athletes to make money off their “name, image, or likeness.” Proponents argue that coaches and colleges already make a hefty profit off student athletes and that it’s unfair for these athletes, who dedicate so much of their time to sport, to be unable to profit off their talents.
But critics, including Stanford University and the University of California, have expressed concerns that the bill might restrict California teams from participating in NCAA championship tournaments.
We discuss the pros and cons of the bill. Plus, if you were or are currently a student athlete, what do you think of the proposal?
We reached out to the NCAA. They did not respond to our request for an interview
Guests:
Sen. Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley), principal author of SB-206; state senator representing California’s 9th Senate District, which includes the cities of Oakland, Richmond and Berkeley
Alex Graves, vice president for government relations for the Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities (AICCU), membership organization of 84 non-profit colleges and universities in California
The Biggest Medical Myths... Debunked
In the age of WebMD, it’s easy to adopt hypochondria at the first sign of a red patch on your skin.
However, as the website’s disclaimer says, it’s content is “not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.”
The disclaimer implies that medical professionals are to be trusted because their advice is based on robust scientific research.
But researchers recently found that almost 400 routine medical practices were contradicted by published studies in prominent journals.
Dr. Vinay Prasad of Oregon Health and Science University came up with the idea for the “meta-study” and is continuing to learn how widespread incorrect medical practices are.
Larry sits down with the New York Times reporter who recently published the article “10 Findings That Contradict Medical Wisdom. Doctors, Take Note” and Dr. Prasad to talk about where these misunderstood medical practices and theories come from.
Guests:
Gina Kolata, reporter focusing on science and medicine at The New York Times; she wrote the article “10 Findings That Contradict Medical Wisdom. Doctors, Take Note”; she tweets
Vinay Prasad, hematologist-oncologist and associate professor of medicine at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland; he has led multiple studies looking at medical reversals
After Officials Lower Threshold For Alerts, An Update On L.A.’s ShakeAlert App
When two major earthquakes hit Ridgecrest earlier this month, many Angelenos looked to L.A.’s new ShakeAlert app and saw… nothing.
Experts explained the lack of alert was actually because the system performed as designed. The app was only supposed to alert residents about earthquakes that could cause significant damage to the L.A. area – not just shaking.
But after public outcry, officials agreed to lower the threshold for alerts. By the end of the month, Angelenos will receive alerts for local earthquakes above a 4.5 in magnitude or any earthquake causing “weak” shaking in the L.A. area, regardless of its epicenter location. (Previously, the app sent alerts for local earthquakes above a 5.0, or any earthquake causing “light” shaking in the L.A. area.)
Some are concerned that the likely increase in alerts could lead to complacency, meaning Angelenos won’t drop, cover and hold when an alert for a major earthquake actually comes. Others say more information is better than less information when it comes to earthquakes.
Larry speaks with a USGS official about the decision to lower the alert threshold, how the app is supposed to work, and more.
Guest:
Robert de Groot, staff scientist and coordinator for communication, education and outreach for the ShakeAlert Earthquake Early Warning Project at the U.S. Geological Survey Earthquake Science Center in Pasadena
Is Ignorance Really Bliss When It Comes To Knowing Your Risk of Alzheimer’s? Medical Experts Are Split
The rise of direct-to-consumer genetic testing companies has given us a closer look into the makeup of our DNA than ever before, and beyond finding out your family heritage, these tests also give consumers access to health markers that show a risk of developing a disease down the road.
But what is the value of actually knowing your risk of developing a disease that, at least currently, has no real treatment or prevention options?
A recent article in the Wall Street Journal poses this question, and the answer is anything but clear. Many who advocate for the value of testing say that patients who learn of their risk often change their lifestyle, incorporating more exercise or eating better, both things that most doctors agree can help lower the risk of Alzheimer’s. But some medical professionals are more skeptical, and say that there’s little to no utility in knowing your risk for a disease when you can’t really do anything to prevent it, and that the burden of the knowledge only adds to stress, which is a risk factor for Alzheimer’s. They add that it might also force some people to make life decisions they wouldn't otherwise, like deciding not to have children or choosing to put less money away for retirement because they don't think they'll live long enough to retire.
Today on AirTalk, we’ll explore the pros and cons of knowing one’s risk for developing Alzheimer’s. Would you want to know your risk? Why or why not? How would you respond? Join the conversation at 866-893-5722.
Guests:
Robert C. Green, M.D., medical geneticist and professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and associate physician at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, where he directs the Genomes2People, a genomics research program; he tweets
Craig Klugman, professor of health sciences at DePaul University in Chicago where he specializes in bioethics and medical anthropology; he tweets
A Los Angeles Icon You Might Not Have Heard Of: Big Willie Robinson
There are rare moments in time when a public figure who has nothing to do with politics changes the course of history by bringing people together for the greater good.
If we look back at Los Angeles’ history about 50 years ago during the Watts Riots, Big Willie Robinson was a street racer who left his home in New Orleans to escape racism.
Big Willie was known for his street racing chops, but his personality and ideas were too big for him to remain a street racer alone.
With the help of the Los Angeles Police Department in the late 1960s, Big Willie founded and led the Brotherhood of Streetracers, a group that spread peace in a politically violent time through their love of cars and racing.
His charm even took him to the big screen in Hollywood.
To capture the essence of this legendary public figure, LA Times reporter Daniel Miller has released a podcast, “Larger than Life”
Larry sits down with Daniel to talk about what he uncovered about Big Willie’s legacy.
Guest:
Daniel Miller, an enterprise business reporter for the Los Angeles Times and host of the podcast about Big Willie Robinson, “Larger Than Life”