Today, the Supreme Court voted unanimously to strike down buffer zones in front of abortion clinics. Then, when is it criminal to leave a child in the car? Also, how do you choose your World Cup soccer team alliance? Then we will discuss intrigue and trade rumors abound ahead of tonight’s NBA draft.
Team USA advances despite loss to Germany
The United States lost 1-0 to Germany this morning in their World Cup match, but both teams are advancing to the knockout round because of Portugal's 2-1 win over Ghana.
The US beat Ghana 2-1 and tied Portugal 2-2 to finish second in Group G with four points. Germany wins the group with seven points.
The U.S. also made the Round of 16 in the last World Cup in 2010, but lost to Ghana in a 201 extra time defeat.
Guest:
Mike Woitalla, executive editor, Soccer America Magazine. He is joining us from Rio de Janeiro, where he is covering the World Cup
The Supreme Court ends abortion clinic buffer zones
Today, the Supreme Court voted unanimously to strike down buffer zones in front of abortion clinics. The 35-foot buffer zones were previously enacted by federal law in 2007 to prevent the harassment and violence towards those entering the clinics, such as the deadly shootings at two facilities in 1994.
But the law was revisited by McCullen v Coakley, where McCullen, a 77-year old grandmother in Boston, wanted to have quiet conversations with women on their way into an abortion clinic to urge them out of their decision to end their pregnancy.
Now, in a narrow decision, the Supreme Court says the buffer zones are unconstitutional because they stand in the way of free speech. Does the Court’s decision protect the intent of free speech? How are abortion clinics reacting to today’s ruling? Is it still necessary to have some kind of buffer to protect those entering clinics?
Guest:
Lisa McElroy, Professor at the Drexel University School of Law and Supreme Court Scholar
When is it criminal to leave a child in the car?
A 22-month old toddler died of heat stroke last week in the suburbs of Atlanta after being left in his father’s car for seven hours. Medical examiners found that the child’s death was a homicide — the father has been charged with felony murder and second-degree child cruelty.
Hot summer weather often warrants warnings about the terrible consequences of leaving a child unattended in a hot car. Even on moderately warm days, a vehicle in the sun can heat up to fatal temperatures. Hyperthermia, or heat stroke, can cause serious injuries or fatalities. Parents who leave their children in the car often do so accidentally; an exhausted parent with an infant or toddler in their car’s backseat might understandably let their mind wander.
Parents involved in this type of case are frequently charged with criminal negligence. Even in happier cases in which the child sustains no injuries, a court may hold a parent responsible for reckless behavior. When is it criminal to leave a child in the car? Is age of the child a consideration? Time spent away from the vehicle? Is it negligence, or something more?
Guest:
Laurie L. Levenson, Professor of Law, David W. Burcham Chair of Ethical Advocacy, Loyola Law School
To hear this segment, click on "Listen Now" in the upper left.
How do you choose your World Cup soccer alliance?
Fans of the Mexican National Soccer Team took to the streets on Monday evening to celebrate Mexico’s 3-1 win over Croatia in the FIFA World Cup. The crowd lit fireworks and flew Mexican flags, displaying a sense of patriotism to their ethnic roots.
That wasn’t in Mexico, but rather, in Huntington Park here in Southern California. As the World Cup progresses, more and more fans are being forced to decide their loyalties. For some immigrants, the decision to root for their home team might be simple, but for those Americans with dual nationalities, the decision can get complicated.
If the U.S. is eliminated from the tournament after today’s match, what team will you root for? Do you find yourself rooting for another team other than the U.S. despite living here?
Guest:
Andrea Canales, a soccer writer in Los Angeles whose writing has appeared on ESPN.com, Sports Illustrated, and other publications. Her father is from Puerto Rico, her mom is from Nicaragua. Professionally, she follows the Mexican National Team, but her personal favorite is the Team USA. She has written about this divided allegiance in a piece for Foreign Policy.
The state of play as Lakers head into the NBA draft
Intrigue and trade rumors abound ahead of tonight’s NBA draft. The draft this year has extra importance for Lakers fans as the franchise looks to rebuild with a seventh draft pick in the first round after a dismal 2013-2014 season. Of course, a draft pick is never just a draft pick, and several other options are available to the Lakers: the team could trade it for a few mid- to late first-round picks, for instance, or for a veteran player. A source close to the Lakers told the LA Daily News that the team is “open to anything.”
The draft is just step one in the Lakers’ rebuilding campaign. Free-agency period starts on July 1 and two of the league’s most sought-after players—LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony—have opted out of their existing contracts. Multiple teams, including the Lakers, are looking at ways to add the two superstars to their rosters.
Guest:
Kevin Arnovitz, NBA editor for ESPN.com
#LAsmellslike: Which scents represent your neighborhood?
Jasmine, eucalyptus, Mexican food, hot asphalt, wet grass, seawater and motor oil are only some of the smells featured in artist Brian Goelztenleuchter’s “scentscapes” of L.A. neighborhoods.
In his upcoming show “Sillage,” at the Santa Monica Museum of Art, Goeltzenleuchter will showcase a series of scentsinspired by different parts of L.A.: The scents are intended to capture the mood of different neighborhoods. Respondents to the survey online chimed in from across the city (bacon-wrapped hot dogs, concrete and marijuana were all popular submissions).
Goeltzenleuchter responded with olfactory manipulations, mixing his own blends to capture the smell of asphalt or metallic heat. Visitors to his exhibition at SMMoA can smell (and even wear) scents from Downtown, Hollywood, Northwest Los Angeles, Silver Lake, South L.A. and the Westside.
What does your neighborhood smell like? How does scent factor into your perception or memory of places and neighborhoods?
“Sillage” will be on display at the Santa Monica Museum of Art on Saturday, June 28.
We asked you to weigh in with the hashtag #LAsmellslike. Here are some of your responses:
Guest:
Brian Goeltzenleuchter, post-media artist focusing on olfactory and participatory art whose works have been exhibited nationally and internationally