Today on AirTalk, we discuss the LAUSD's "no" vote on defunding school police. Also on the show, we dive into the context behind Councilman José Huizar's arrest; answer your COVID-19 questions; and more.
Adding Historical Context To Corruption Charges Against LA Councilman José Huizar
Los Angeles City Councilman Jose Huizar, long suspected of being a target in a sweeping corruption probe involving a "pay-to-play" scheme at City Hall, was taken into custody Tuesday on a federal racketeering charge.
Huizar, who represents L.A.'s Council District 14, was arrested by federal agents at his Boyle Heights home, according to Laura Eimiller, spokesperson for the FBI's L.A. field office. He has been charged with "conspiring to violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act," federal prosecutors said in a news release, alleging he agreed to accept at least $1.5 million in bribes. The councilmember "led a criminal enterprise that used his powerful position at City Hall to solicit and accept lucrative bribes and other financial benefits to enrich himself and his close associates," U.S. Department of Justice officials said. That enterprise also engaged in fraud, extortion, and money laundering, according to prosecutors. Tuesday afternoon, the City Council voted 14-0 to suspend Huizar, though he can't be officially removed from his position unless he pleads or is found guilty.
Today on AirTalk, we discuss the latest developments, add historical context to the corruption charges and look at the ethical implications. Do you have thoughts? Join the conversation by calling 866-893-5722.
With files from LAist. Read the full story here
Guests:
Zev Yaroslavsky, director of Los Angeles Initiative at the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs and former L.A. County supervisor and city councilmember; he tweets
Fernando Guerra, professor of political science and Chicano/Latino studies and director of the Center for the Study of Los Angeles at Loyola Marymount University; member of the KPCC Board of Trustees
COVID-19 AMA: New York, Two Neighboring States Announce Quarantine Orders For Travelers From States With High Case Rates
Governors of three states announced Wednesday morning that visitors from states with rising coronavirus rates would need to isolate for 14 days.
New York, Connecticut and New Jersey will require visitors from states with high infection rates to quarantine for 14 days, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced what was called a “travel advisory” at a briefing jointly via video feeds with New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy and Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont, both fellow Democrats. The states’ health departments will provide details of how the rule will work, Murphy said. The announcement comes as summer travel to the states' beaches, parks and other attractions - not to mention New York City - would normally swing into high gear. Visitors from states over a set infection rate will have to quarantine, Cuomo said. As of Wednesday, states over the threshold were Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Washington, Utah and Texas.
Americans are unlikely to be allowed into Europe when the continent reopens its borders next week, due to how the coronavirus pandemic is flaring in the U.S. and President Donald Trump’s ban on Europeans entering the United States. European nations appear on track to reopen their borders between each other by July 1, and their EU representatives are debating the criteria for lifting restrictions on visitors from outside Europe. The spread of the coronavirus is also prompting soaring demand for medical oxygen, which is expensive and hard to get in much of the world. Scarce oxygen supplies are another basic marker of inequality both between and within countries from Peru to Bangladesh. Across Africa, only a handful of hospitals have direct oxygen hookups, as is standard across Europe and the United States.
With files from the Associated Press
Guest:
Robert Kim-Farley, M.D., professor at the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health; he served as the director of the Division of Communicable Disease Control and Prevention at the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health from 2004-2018 and is a former senior official with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the WHO
LAUSD Board Votes No On Defunding Los Angeles School Police, Reform Still On The Table
The LAUSD school board voted against defunding the Los Angeles School Police during Tuesday’s board meeting and are still debating the future of its 471-member police department. LAUSD has faced calls to disband the force in favor of reallocating funds towards other student needs, such as counselors and nurses.
Board member Mónica García’s proposal to phase out funding for the L.A. School Police over the course of four years was voted down 2-6. Her resolution was the most closely aligned to the demands of advocates. The Board is still considering other plans for reform, including the idea of creating a task force to review current police practices.
The campaign to dissolve the Los Angeles School Police has come in the wake of nationwide demonstrations protesting excessive police force after the murder of George Flyod by Minneapolis police officers. LAUSD is unique in that it operates its own police department, compared to many other school districts around the country that contract with local police departments and law enforcement agencies. Advocates argue that police presence on school campuses are harmful to the learning experience, especially for Black students, and that the money spent on school policing should be more focused on other education programs. But supporters for the school police assert that officers are trained to de-escalate conflicts and generally have good relationships with students.
Today on AirTalk, we take a closer look at what the future for the L.A. School Police could be. Should police officers be present at LAUSD schools? If you’re a parent of an LAUSD student, does the presence of police on campus affect your child’s learning experience? What should the Board consider when approaching the reforms to their police force? Let us know what you think by calling us at 966-893-5722.
For more on the discussion about police in LAUSD schools, click here.
Guests:
Carla Javier, KPCC/LAist reporter who has been following the story; she tweets
Jackie Goldberg, vice president of the LAUSD Board representing Board District 5; she tweets
Monica Garcia, LAUSD Board member representing Board District 2; she tweets
Triple Play: Play Ball! MLB Very Close To Returning For Shortened Season
Major League Baseball issued a 60-game schedule Tuesday night that will start July 23 or 24 in empty ballparks as the sport tries to push ahead amid the coronavirus following months of acrimony.
A dramatically altered season with games full of new rules was the final result of failed financial negotiations. But for fans eager to see any baseball this year, at least now they can look forward to opening day. The announcement by MLB came while more players continue to test positive for the virus — at least seven on the Philadelphia Phillies alone. And a stark realization remained, that if health situations deteriorate, all games could still be wiped out. One day after the players’ association rejected an economic agreement and left open the possibility of a grievance seeking hundreds of millions of dollars in damages, the bickering sides agreed on an operations manual. Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred then unilaterally imposed the schedule, his right under a March agreement with the union.
Today on AirTalk, the Triple Play reconvenes to discuss the latest with the MLB deal. What do you think about how plans for the season are developing? Join the conversation by calling 866-893-5722.
With files from the Associated Press
Guests:
Nick Roman, host of KPCC’s “All Things Considered”; he tweets
A. Martinez, host of KPCC’s “Take Two”; he tweets
After Nearly Forty Years, LA’s Fixture Weathercaster Fritz Coleman Is Retiring
After 39 years of telling Angelenos about the rain and shine to come (mostly shine), KNBC/Channel 4’s lead weathercaster Fritz Coleman is retiring.
Coleman is also a comedian and will be devoting more time to his comedy, as well as his family in retirement.
We sit down with him to discuss the highs and lows of his long career serving Angelenos. His last day on air is this Friday, June 26.
Guest:
Fritz Coleman, weathercaster for NBC Channel 4 in Los Angeles for nearly 40 years; he tweets