A task force led by L.A. District Attorney Jackie Lacey is releasing a roadmap for reducing L.A.'s ever-growing number of mentally ill jail inmates, and diverting those who need it into treatment. Also, more children are ditching their board games and barbies for digital screens with apps on an iPad, video games or TV. Then, a new study published in the journal “Psychological Bulletin” has disproved a long-held wisdom in the advertising industry: that sex and violence sell.
Advocates for mentally-ill offenders advise LA DA Lacey and Sheriff's Dept. on fixing jails
After a year and a half of research, a task force led by L.A. District Attorney Jackie Lacey is releasing a roadmap for reducing L.A.'s ever-growing number of mentally ill jail inmates, and diverting those who need it into treatment.
In a report being presented Wednesday afternoon to county supervisors' staff members, Lacey recommends mental health training for all law enforcement officers in the county, as well as steps for building up a network of treatment options for lower level offenders who don't necessarily belong in jail.
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Guests:
Dan Abreu, senior project associate at Policy Research Associates, a research and consultant group offering services in the behavioral health field. Their research specialty is on mentally ill jail inmates diversion
Mark Gale, criminal justice chair, of the L.A. chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), a nonprofit mental health education and advocacy group. NAMI is part of D.A. Jackie Lacey’s task force that is behind the report
NYC contends with Uber’s King Kong-like impact on city streets
After a pitched battle between New York City officials and ride-hailing service, Uber, Mayor Bill de Blasio agreed to pull his demands for placing a cap on the number of Uber cars cruising city streets. In exchange, Uber agreed to study its impact on New York’s traffic and gather data on its customer demographics - specifically how it handles disabled and minority patrons.
High-density cities such as San Francisco and New York rely heavily on public transportation and taxicabs. However, ride-hailing services such as Uber and Lyft are quickly changing the game, and arguably increasing congestion, as well. Thousands of additional cars are on the streets, and city officials are trying to figure out how to cope.
What data will Uber collect for city officials? If the four-month study leads to a cap on drivers, what is the right balance? What impact have ride-hailing services had on Los Angeles traffic?
Guests:
Eric Newcomer, Start-up reporter for Bloomberg Business
Siona Listokin, associate professor at George Mason University School of Public Policy
Disney wants to get your kids moving and off their screens
More children are ditching their board games and barbies for digital screens with apps on an iPad, video games or TV.
The toy industry has been trying to keep up by merging tech and toys with a Siri-like Barbie that talks back in the works and hybrid consoles such as Activision’s Skylander and Lego Dimensions that merge video games with hands on toys that interact on screen.
More children plugging in for play have raised concerns for parents, pediatricians and psychologists alike. The Association of Pediatrics recommends parents make a media use plan with rules limiting use of all screens at home including tablets, television and phones.
Disney’s latest interactive toy, Playmation, may have a solution. It includes wearable technology where children are guided by a narrator on missions where they can role play, run and jump indoors or outside. The only screen connection involves using an app for more missions and to track scores. It’s release is set for the fall and is priced at $120.
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tech toys to get kids outdoors http://t.co/pzl2u42fuQ via
— e3 (@e3_media)
If you're a parent, how do you regulate screen time for your kids? How is it helping or harming children's development? How else can toys keep up with tech-connected kids?
Guests:
Christopher Byrne, content director at TTPM (Toys, Tots, Pets and More), a toy review publication, and author of "Toy Time!: From Hula Hoops to He-Man to Hungry, Hungry Hippos: A Look Back at the Most-Beloved Toys of Decades Past" (Three Rivers Press, 2013)
Catherine Steiner-Adair, Ed. D, Clinical psychologist and author of "The Big Disconnect: Protecting Childhood and Family Relationships in the Digital Age" (HarperCollins, 2013)
Is California ready for the total legalization of marijuana?
A blue ribbon commission, consisting of doctors, legal scholars, law enforcement professionals, tax experts and others, and led by Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom, has released an initial progress report for broad recommendations on marijuana policy in California.
The aim of their 18 month research was to provide a comprehensive view of strategies, policy goals, and policy options available to Californians as they consider the legalization and taxation of marijuana policy.
Public support of legalizing marijuana is high, with 55 percent of likely voters favoring legalization, according to the Public Policy Institute of California’s poll. Protecting children and youth, ensuring public safety, and establishing tax and regulation schemes are key issues for the commission.
One tough question to tackle is what should be the tax rate for cannabis? If it’s set too high, the illicit market is incentivized to sell low and therefore, profit. If the tax rate is too low, more children and youth will have easier access to it.
The conclusions of this panel will likely influence November 2016 ballot proposals that would legalize marijuana use for adults 21 and older.
If you had to vote now, would you vote to legalize marijuana use for adults? What are your biggest concerns about legalizing marijuana? What tax rate might you support?
PATHWAYS REPORT: POLICY OPTIONS FOR REGULATING MARIJUANA IN CALIFORNIA
Guest:
Keith Humphreys, Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and Director of Mental Health Policy at Stanford University and on the steering committee of the Blue Ribbon Commission of Marijuana Policy
Will Congress let the Social Security disability fund go dry?
If Congress doesn't act soon, Social Security disability benefits could run dry by next year.
Eleven million people currently receive disability benefits that average about $1,017 a month per person. If funding runs out, recipients could see a $193 reduction in their benefits each month.
President Obama has supported shifting the tax revenue from Social Security’s retirement fund to its disability fund, however Republicans want changes made to reduce fraud and encourage more disabled recipients to return to the workforce.
As the deadline gets closer, it is critical that Congress move on the issue? What changes could be made to improve Social Security benefits?
Guests:
Kasia Klimasinska, reporter for Bloomberg
Chris Edwards, editor of Cato Institute DownsizingGovernment.org project and fiscal policy expert at the Cato Institute
Ross Eisenbrey, vice president of the Economic Policy Institute, a progressive economic think tank based in Washington DC
Calling Don Draper, new study says that sex and violence don’t actually sell
A new study published in the journal “Psychological Bulletin” has disproved a long-held wisdom in the advertising industry: that sex and violence sell.
Researchers at Ohio State University reviewed 53 studies on the topic conducted since the late 1960s, and found the cumulative answer to the questions of whether viewers remember better products advertised with TV shows that feature sexual and violent content, and whether that attention translates to purchase, is a resounding no.
Do you agree with the findings? What implications would they have on the ad and entertainment industries?
Guest:
Brad Bushman, co-author of the meta-analysis, “Do sex and violence sell? A Meta-Analytic Review of the Effects of Sexual and Violent Media and Ad Content on Memory, Attitudes, and Buying Intentions” published in the July issue of the journal, Psychological Bulletin. He’s a professor of communication and psychology at The Ohio State University