Today on AirTalk, we get the latest on Governor Newsom's proposal to nix new death sentences in local criminal cases, and how this decision may cause tension with Attorney General Becerra. We also examine a new California bill that would add new limitations to cell phone usage on school grounds; and more.
As Governor Newsom looks to prohibiting further death sentences, we look at potential tensions with Attorney General
California Governor Newsom is considering nixing new death sentences in local criminal cases, according to the Los Angeles Times.
This news comes on the heels of an executive order which halted the execution of the state’s 737 death row inmates by putting a moratorium on the death penalty. And while this is in line with Newsom’s stated goal to abolish the death penalty, it presents a tension with California’s Attorney General Becerra, who has previously presented himself as a proponent of capital punishment.
Becerra has not clarified his position on the death penalty since Newsom’s statements, and it’s unclear what role he might be expected to play in the Governor’s plan or whether he would have to face legal challenges.
We get the latest.
We reached out to Governor Newsom and Attorney General Becerra. They did not get back to us in time for this interview.
Attorney General Becerra provided this statement:
“We must always strive to sustain a criminal justice system that reflects our values of fairness and equality. Governor Gavin Newsom’s action represents a bold, new direction in California’s march toward perfecting our search for justice.”
They also sent us this statement from a DOJ Spokesperson:
“The Department of Justice will work with Governor Newsom and his team as he implements his executive order and will continue to hold criminals accountable. We are in the process of determining our precise role as we move forward.”
Guest:
Phil Willon, reporter covering Gov. Gavin Newsom and California politics for the Los Angeles Times
California bill may add new limitations to cell phone usage on school grounds
Should students be banned from using cell phones at school?
A new bill introduced by Assemblyman Al Muratsuchi (D-Torrance) would add policies to limit the use of cell phones in the classroom. The bill states that it “would require the governing body of a school district, a county office of education, or a charter school to adopt a policy to limit or prohibit the use by its pupils of smartphones while the pupils are at a schoolsite or while the pupils are under the supervision and control of an employee or employees of that school district, county office of education, or charter school.” Is a state mandate the right way to deal with the issue of cellphones in classrooms, or is this an issue best dealt with by the school itself?
Plus, if you’re a teacher or school administrator, would you like to see these restrictions implemented at schools? Do you think cell phones should be banned, or can they be an asset in the classroom? Weigh in and call us at 866-893-5722.
Guest:
Alex Cherniss, Palos Verdes school district superintendent
Forever alone? New survey shows decline of romantic partners
It’s no secret that young adults today are waiting longer than previous generations to get married and have children.
New data from the University of Chicago-based General Social Survey (GSS) shows that young people aren’t just waiting longer to put a ring on it, they’re also in no rush to even be in a relationship.
The GSS, an annual survey that examines Americans attitudes and behaviors towards trends, showed that 51 percent of Americans between ages 18 and 34 don’t have a steady romantic partner, up from 33 percent last year. That number is higher among those who don’t have a job -- 54 percent -- compared to 32 percent of employed adults who said they didn’t have a steady partner. This trend could be having an effect on housing too, as more single people could mean more people living along, which means more need for places to live.
What are the factors contributing to this rise in young Americans without a steady romantic partner? Are there economic factors at play, or is it simply a case-by-case personal decision?
Guests:
Emily Guskin, polling analyst at the Washington Post; she tweets
Jessica Carbino, online dating and relationship expert and former sociologist at Bumble and Tinder; she tweets
FilmWeek: 'Us,' 'Hotel Mumbai,' 'Knife + Heart' and more
Today on FilmWeek, Larry Mantle and KPCC film critics Amy Nicholson and Justin Chang review this weekend’s new movie releases.
- "Us" in wide release
- "Hotel Mumbai" at the Landmark Theater and Arclight Hollywood
- "Knife + Heart" at Landmark's Nuart Theater
- "Cruel Intentions" in select theaters (check local listings)
- "Sunset" at Laemmle's Royal Theater
- "Dragged Across Concrete" at ArcLight Hollywood
- "Out of Blue" at Laemmle's Monica Film Center
- "Tigerland" at Laemmle's Monica Film Center (starts streaming on the Discovery Go app Saturday 03/23, and airs on the Discovery Channel Saturday 03/30)
- "The Eyes of Orson Welles" at Laemmle's Playhouse and Laemmle's Royal Theater
- "An Elephant Sitting Still" at Laemmle's Glendale
- "Legend Of The Demon Cat" at the Downtown Independent Theater
- "The Dirt" streaming on Netflix
CRITICS' HITS
Amy: 'Cruel Intentions,' 'Tigerland' & 'Legend of the Demon Cat'
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rpQa3yYltEo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i15L0ApitZo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yba215606Mc&t=
Justin: 'Us,' 'Sunset' & 'An Elephant Sitting Still'
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNCmb-4oXJA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iV-LRlyI2dQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6j_d8ENXkY
MIXED FEELINGS
Amy: 'Knife + Heart,' 'The Eyes of Orson Welles' & 'The Dirt'
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YaN6pDGjDmo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGBJfyefUZk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NOp5ROn1HE
Justin: 'Hotel Mumbai,' 'Dragged Across Concrete' & 'Out of Blue'
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVQpbp54ljA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2p5pdWyyZoc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v75fNqQ2hs8
Guests:
Amy Nicholson, film critic for KPCC, film writer for The Guardian and host of the podcasts ‘Unspooled’ and the new podcast miniseries 'Zoom'; she tweets
Justin Chang, film critic for KPCC and the Los Angeles Times; he tweets