Larry discusses the latest on the California budget, Serena Williams not on Center Court? And, prescription drug abuse.
I owe u
The California legislature may be handing out IOUs on Thursday if they cannot reach a balanced budget. After backing away from cutting funding for work-to-welfare programs and other statewide social services, the legislature is still faced with the challenge of reducing the state's deficit. So, which programs will be getting an IOU? Larry talks to the experts about the state's budget crisis.
Julie Small, KPCC reporter
Mike Herald, Legislative advocate at the Western Center for Law and Poverty
Howard Kahn, C.E.O of L.A. Health Care Plan
Good looks get center court
Apparently looks matter… even in tennis. This year it seems that good looks are showing up good shots at Wimbledon. Visitors to the All England Tennis Club were caught wondering what made schedulers give unknown players Center Court playing time while many other top seeded players, like Serena Williams, played their matches on outer courts. Beauty versus talent? Larry asks experts and listeners to weigh in.
James Martin, Editor-in-Chief of Tennis Magazine and Tennis.com
Iraqi troop withdrawal
American soldiers are scheduled to withdraw from Iraqi cities and towns today, turning over enforcement to local security forces. Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has declared June 30, "National Sovereignty Day" as Iraqis celebrate in the streets of Baghdad. Yet American and Iraqi officials worry that in the absence of U.S. troops, Iraq's cities will face a challenge from insurgents and al-Qaeda. What lies ahead for the Iraqi people? Larry and guests discusses the implications of the US troop withdrawal.
Rochdi Younsi, a director from the Middle East & Africa practice of The Eurasia Group in Washington D.C.
Prescription drug abuse
Many people are speculating that Michael Jackson may have died from an overdose of prescription pain killers like Demerol and Oxycontin. But regardless of the outcome of his autopsy, Michael Jackson's untimely death is shining a bright light on the problem of prescription drug abuse. Why do people get so easily hooked on prescription pain medication, and to what degree are physicians enabling their addictions?
Dr. Joseph Haraszti, psychiatrist, assistant professor of Medicine and USC's Keck School of Medicine and former medical director of Las Encinas Psychiatric Hospital.