A pilot program to open a path for motorists through Griffith Park to the iconic Hollywood Sign is pitting neighborhood groups against each other. Also, should police officers have access to body camera video footage before submitting their report to prosecutors? Then, we look at the impact of rap mogul Jay Z's streaming service Tidal on the music industry.
LaBonge makes the case for testing Griffith Park's Hollywood sign access
A pilot program to open a path for motorists through Griffith Park to the iconic Hollywood Sign is pitting neighborhood groups against cyclists against tourists against hikers against other neighborhood groups - you get the idea.
While congestion is no stranger to residents of Los Angeles, an internecine conflict between those who live on Beachwood Canyon and those who live near and recreationally use Griffith Park has flared up because of the pilot program. Slated to last until April 12, the Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks is administering the program to assess overall congestion and how to alleviate concerns related to burgeoning tourism.
Should Griffith Park be open to increased traffic and parking from people who want to look at the Hollywood Sign? How can the city reconcile tourism dollars with resident protections?
Guests:
Tom LaBonge, Los Angeles City Councilmember for the 4th district, stretching from Sherman Oaks through Griffith Park down to Miracle Mile
Joe Salaices, Superintendent, Department of Recreation and Parks, City of Los Angeles
Should police officers be prevented from watching body cam video?
A bill, AB66, introduced by Assemblywoman Shirley Weber, D- San Diego, sets guidelines for how body cameras worn by law enforcement, should be used.
A proposal in the bill says that police officers should not be able to view body camera video footage before submitting their eyewitness report to the prosecution. Supporters of the bill say that’s not the intended use of the cameras, nor is it good investigative practice to show evidence to those being investigated prior to their first report.
But, police officers see it differently. To them, video footage is an additional tool that can help them accurately report what happened. Police also fear that if they report even small inaccuracies initially, those errors could be held against them and potentially impeach their character, leading to losing their job.
Should police officers have access to body camera video footage prior to submitting their report to prosecutors? Or would that practice give police an unfair advantage over the accused or complainants?
Guests:
Brian Marvel, President of the San Diego Police Officers Association
Peter Bibring, Director of Police Practices for the ACLU of Southern California
More hangups in the Iran nuclear talks ahead of deadline
Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araqchi says the country won’t be shipping off their stockpiles of uranium, the latest complication in negotiations before today's self-imposed deadline.
Araqchi’s statements came as news to American officials; for months it was believed that Iran would send their uranium to Russia for reprocessing. Reprocessed uranium is altered from its pure state, making it difficult to develop a nuclear weapon. Despite statements made to Iranian media, however, a State Department official tells reporters, “Contrary to the report in The New York Times, the issue of how Iran’s stockpile would be disposed of had not yet been decided in the negotiating room, even tentatively.”
Secretary of State John Kerry met with Iranian foreign ministers Monday to address the recent announcement and finalize the parameters of the deal.
Six days of marathon sessions ended today with a resolution to continue talking. Though a basic framework has been laid out, Iran the five other nations involved in negotiations still disagree over some key issues.
Guests:
Robert Einhorn, senior fellow of foreign policy at Brookings Institution
Steve LeVine, Washington correspondent for Quartz at QZ.com
Analyzing the impact of Jay-Z’s streaming music service
One of the rap games biggest names is making a foray into the world of streaming music.
Shawn Corey Carter, better known by his stage name, Jay-Z, has announced plans to launch his own streaming music service that will offer users an option to may a higher monthly fee for access to better quality music.
He unveiled the plans at a celebrity-laden press conference in New York City on Monday, which included his wife, Beyoncé, rapper and friend Kanye West, and Madonna. The service will be called Tidal, and will allow users to subscribe for $9.99 or pay $19.99 a month for access to higher quality streaming music.
Do you think Jay-Z’s service will be successful with consumers? How will this change the streaming music business?
Guest:
John Jurgensen, entertainment reporter for the Wall Street Journal covering music and digital entertainment.
Fans of ‘X-Files,’ ‘Coach’ waxing nostalgic as networks order reboots
If you miss spending your evenings watching Scully and Mulder investigating the paranormal or long for the days of watching Coach Hayden Fox and his Screaming Eagles, you’re in luck!
Last week, Fox announced that it had ordered a six episode run of “The X-Files,” with David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson returning as Fox Mulder and Dana Scully, respectively.
NBC also announced that it would be ordering 13 new episodes of the 1989-97 sitcom “Coach.” NBC says Craig T. Nelson, who starred in the original series, will return to reprise his role as Coach Fox.
What other TV series do you think should get rebooted? Which TV programs in history have had the biggest cult following or the most loyal viewers?
Guests:
Elizabeth Wagmeister, TV reporter for Variety
Robert Bianco, TV critic for USA Today