Humanitarian Crises In Lebanon And Israel; Governor's 150 Million To Stem Cell Institute; Insurance Companies Sue Garamendi Over Rate Changes; FilmWeek
Humanitarian Crises In Lebanon And Israel
The fighting between Israel and Hezbollah is causing a humanitarian crisis as hundreds of thousands flee their homes. Ted Chen and his guests discusses the conditions of those displaced and what is being done to provide them with basic necessities.
Governor's 150 Million To Stem Cell Institute
One day after President Bush vetoed federal funding of embryonic stem cell research, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger directed the state to make a loan of $150 million to fund the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine. In 2004, California voters passed a ballot measure to authorize $3 billion over 10 years for stem cell research but lawyers with ties to anti-abortion and anti-tax groups have sued to block the use of these funds for stem cell research. Guest host Ted Chen discusses the impact of the loan on stem cell research efforts that offer the potential for new treatments of debilitating diseases in California.
Insurance Companies Sue Garamendi Over Rate Changes
Groups representing auto insurance companies filed a lawsuit against Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi to block rules that would base insurance premiums on drivers' records instead of their zip codes. Three insurance lobbying groups, the American Insurance Association, Association of California Insurance Companies and Personal Insurance Federation of California, filed suit on Wednesday, after the state office of administrative law approved the regulations.
FilmWeek
Larry Mantle and critics Jean Oppenheimer of New Times, Lael Loewenstein of Variety and Charles Solomon, animation critic for amazon.com, discuss this week's new releases, including My Super Ex-Girlfriend, Lady in the Water, Monster House, Shadowboxer, Three Days of Rain, Time to Leave, Heading South, and The Great New Wonderful.