Today on AirTalk, we discuss the latest on former Special Counsel Robert Mueller's testimony before congress and get reactions from lawmakers, political analysts and legal experts. We also examine the recently announced renovations to Dodger Stadium; analyze plans for a potential gondola to Griffith Park; and more.
Rebuking New Federal Rules, Major Automakers Cut Deal With CA On CAFE Standards
Four major automakers have reached a deal with California to increase gas mileage and greenhouse gas emissions standards, bypassing the Trump administration's plan to freeze standards at 2021 levels.
Ford, BMW, Honda and Volkswagen are parties to the deal with the California Air Resources Board, which had been at odds with the Trump administration for months. California has said it would exercise its powers to set more stringent pollution and mileage standards than the federal government has proposed. The four automakers see the California agreement as "insurance" to provide some certainty to the industry and the state no matter who wins the 2020 presidential elections, according to a person familiar with the talks who asked not to be identified because details of the negotiations haven't been made public.
Under the deal with California, fuel economy and corresponding greenhouse gas emissions standards would rise by 3.7% per year starting with the 2022 model year, through 2026, according to the statement from the four automakers. Automakers could get 1 percentage point of the increase by using advanced technology credits such as those for hydrogen fuel cell, plug-in gas-electric hybrids, and battery electric vehicles. Automakers also would get credits for devices that aren't counted in EPA test cycles such as stopping the engine at red lights and restarting it quickly when the driver wants to go. The process would be streamlined to get credits approved for new technologies.
The Trump administration has sought to freeze Obama administration standards that would have required the fleet of new vehicles to get an average of 36 miles per gallon in real-world driving by 2025. The freeze would keep mileage at around 30 mpg. The administration says the extra expense to comply with the requirements will raise the price of new cars, depriving buyers of new safety technology. The administration also has threatened to challenge California's ability to set its own standards.
With files from the Associated Press
Guests:
Coral Davenport, reporter for the New York Times covering energy and environmental policy with a focus on climate change; she tweets
David Welch, Detroit bureau chief at Bloomberg News, where he covers the automotive industry; he tweets
Special Counsel Robert Mueller Has Spoken…. So Now What?
Robert Mueller on Wednesday bluntly dismissed President Donald Trump’s claims of total exoneration in the federal probe of Russia’s 2016 election interference, telling Congress he explicitly did not clear the president of obstructing his investigation.
The former special counsel also rejected Trump’s assertions that the probe was a “witch hunt” and hoax.
In hours of sometimes halting and stilted testimony, unfolding at a moment of deep division in the country, Mueller also condemned Trump’s praise of WikiLeaks, which released Democratic emails stolen by Russia. He declared Russian election interference one of the greatest challenges to democracy that he had encountered in his career.
We get the latest, plus reactions from lawmakers, political analysts and legal experts.
With files from the Associated Press.
Guests:
Adam Schiff, Congressman (D-CA) representing California’s 28th Congressional District, which includes Burbank, parts of Pasadena, and Glendale; chairman of the House Intelligence Committee; he tweets
Brad Sherman, Congressman (D-CA) representing California’s 30th U.S. Congressional district, which includes the western San Fernando Valley of LA County and eastern Simi Hills of Ventura County; he was the first member of Congress to file articles of impeachment against Trump
Sean T. Walsh, Republican political analyst and partner at Wilson Walsh Consulting in San Francisco; he is a former adviser to California Governors Pete Wilson and Arnold Schwarzenegger and a former White House staffer for Presidents Reagan and H.W. Bush
Amanda Renteria, president of Emerge America, a national organization that works to identify and train Democratic women who want to run for political office; she is the former national political director for Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign and has been a staffer for Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI); she tweets
Charles “Cully” Stimson, senior legal fellow and manager of the National Security Law Program at The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank based in Washington, D.C.; he tweet
Jens David Ohlin, vice dean and law professor at Cornell University where he focuses on criminal and international law; he tweets
Take Me Out To The $100 Million Improved Ball Game
Play Ball! That’s exactly what the Los Angeles Dodgers will continue to do, but spectators can expect to see some serious upgrades to the ballpark in time for the 2020 season.
The timing aligns with the MLB’s All Star Game, which will take place at Dodger Stadium next year.
The $100 million upgrades include a new Centerfield Plaza, new elevators and bridges and a new sound system. You’ll also notice renovations to the Left and Right Field Pavilions, including new restrooms and an enclosed bar that looks into the bullpen.
But if you’re worried you’ll be missing that “old-timey” feel, fear not. Stadium officials say they’re committed to retaining the mid-century modern feel.
Janet Marie Smith, the Senior Vice President of Planning and Development, has overseen all the renovations of the team’s facilities since 2012. She has a track record when it comes to overseeing major stadium renovations, including work for the Baltimore Orioles and the Boston Red Sox.
Larry sits down with Smith to discuss the project.
Guests:
Janet Marie Smith, senior vice president of planning and development for the Los Angeles Dodgers
Brenda Levin, president and founder of the Los Angeles-based firm Levin & Associates Architects, which led the design of the planned Dodger Stadium renovation
That Gondola To Griffith Park? The City Is Taking The First Step In Exploring Its Potential
Engineering company Stantec is looking into the feasibility of building an aerial transit system that would operate in Griffith Park, one of the largest urban parks in the country.
The Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks signed on Stantec to launch the study as a result of a safety and mobility report released more than a year ago.
Stantec officials have six parts to the study that they’re looking at, including pros and cons, technology best practices, impacts on wildlife and community engagement.
The study is in the early stages, but is expected to wrap up rather quickly, before the end of the year. It’s unclear what the next step could be. According to the Department of Recreation and Parks, it all depends on what comes out of the study.
What do you think about an aerial tram system? Would you take a ride to the park? Do you have concerns? Join the conversation at 866-893-5722.
Guests:
Simon Bluestone, a vice president that focuses on environmental issues at the engineering firm, Stantec, which has been commissioned by the city of Los Angeles to conduct the feasibility study
Darryl Ford, Superintendent of Planning, Maintenance and Construction for the Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks and he serves as the department’s Project Manager for the feasibility study.
In Honor Of NYC’s In-N-Out Mystery… What Surprising Things Have You Found On The Streets of L.A.?
In the early morning of July 20, a man in Queens stumbled across a disturbing and unnatural scene.
There was a “pristine In-N-Out Double-Double lying face up” by his bus stop on Sutphin Boulevard in Jamaica, Queens.
The nearest In-N-Out being in Texas, the man was understandably alarmed – and the people of the Internet agreed. Was this a brilliant marketing ploy from In-N-Out headquarters? Are we actually all connected to “The Matrix”? Or did the burger just fall off the back of one of In-N-Out’s hirable event trucks?
The mystery is now solved (or so it seems). A high school senior from Queens ordered a few burgers that would last her red-eye flight from San Diego to New York – but the bag burst open as she was running to catch her early-morning bus back home.
AirTalk wants to hear from you: have you ever found something unexplainable or unexpected on the streets of L.A.? Did you ever find out where the mystery object came from? Call us at 866-893-5722.
Guest:
Elina Shatkin, food editor at LAist; she tweets