Today on AirTalk, KPCC education reporter Kyle Stokes dives deeper into what’s at stake the Board District 5 race and the potential widespread impact of the parcel tax vote next month. We also discuss the latest on the Hollywood boycott of Georgia after the signing of the fetal heartbeat bill; and more.
Three Film Production Companies Announce Georgia Boycott In Light Of The State’s New Abortion Law
Executives from three production companies say they won’t film in Georgia because of the state’s “heartbeat” abortion ban.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports they include David Simon of Blown Deadline, Christine Vachon of Killer Films and Mark Duplass of Duplass Brothers Productions. The boycotts aren’t likely to have an immediate effect because the companies don’t regularly work in Georgia - but the impact of a boycott would be more if other companies decide to join in.
The Georgia law will ban abortions once a fetal heartbeat can be detected, usually around six weeks of pregnancy. Critics say it’s unconstitutional and have vowed to sue.
With files from the Associated Press.
Guests:
Matt Donnelly, senior film writer at Variety who has been following the story; he tweets
Molly Coffee, Georgia-based production designer and creative director of Film Impact Georgia, a nonprofit organization that creates opportunities for content creators in Georgia’s film industry
After Intensive Audit, Gavin Newsom’s Strike Team Proposes A Plan To Fix The DMV
Californians love to hate the DMV for its outdated systems and long lines.
Governor Gavin Newsom’s administration put together a strike team at the start of his term in January to audit the DMV and respond to such concerns.
The Sacramento Bee acquired a 110-page report the DMV sent to lawmakers, which in large part, outlines recommendations from the strike team.
One of the most pressing challenges for the DMV is processing the 20 million customers who have yet to apply for their federally mandated Real ID cards, which is required by Oct. 1, 2020, for people who want to board airplanes without a passport.
Among the suggestions are launching a $10 million marketing campaign which would fund a public awareness effort about Real ID cards, the redesign of the DMV website, and a chatbot to respond to customer complaints.
The strike team also recommends modernizing the DMV to include new kiosks and internet systems that would make such processes more efficient.
We talk to Sacramento Bee political reporter Bryan Anderson about the contents of the report the paper obtained and the feasibility of the Newsom strike team’s recommendations.
We reached out to Marybel Batjer, Secretary of the Government Operations Agency, who was tasked with leading the strike team. She was unavailable due to scheduling conflicts. We also reached out the state auditor Elaine Howell, who has not returned our request.
Guest:
Bryan Anderson, political reporter for the Sacramento Bee who covers legislature, the 2020 elections, and the DMV; he tweets
Why Talking To Strangers Boosts Your Mood
Often, parents encourage their children not to talk to strangers – but as you get older, talking to people you don’t know can actually make you happier.
It may feel strange or nerve-racking to strike up a conversation with a stranger, but often that person will like you more than you think and you’ll both be in a better mood afterwards. There’s science to prove it. A recent Wall Street Journal article cited studies that showed people’s mood improved after talking with a Starbucks barista, or interacting with acquaintances in class.
Do you often chat up strangers? How do you feel after the conversation is over? Have you ever kept in contact with a stranger you connected with? Call us at 866-893-5722 to share your story.
Guest:
Gillian Sandstrom, senior lecturer in the Department of Psychology at the University of Essex, in Colchester, England, where she studies interactions between strangers; she tweets
What You Need To Know About Today’s LAUSD Runoff Election And The Upcoming Parcel Tax Vote
Voters in Los Angeles Unified School Board District 5 will cast ballots today to fill a school board seat that has been vacant since last summer.
Former LAUSD board member and former state Assemblywoman Jackie Goldberg is the candidate backed by the local teachers’ union, which is hoping Goldberg can ride her experience as an elected official and former LAUSD board member to end a streak of losses by UTLA-endorsed candidates in school board elections. Meanwhile, SEIU Local 99, which represents mostly non-teaching LAUSD employees, is backing Heather Repenning, an LAUSD parent and former aide to Mayor Eric Garcetti who also has the support of wealthy charter school backers like philanthropist Eli Broad.
Residents of certain neighborhoods of northeast L.A. and the small cities southeast of downtown are eligible to vote in the election that will fill the seat that was previously held by Ref Rodriguez. He resigned his seat in July of last year after pleading guilty to a felony conspiracy charge for laundering campaign contributions.
Today on AirTalk, KPCC education reporter Kyle Stokes dives deeper into what’s at stake the Board District 5 race and the potential widespread impact of the parcel tax vote next month.
You can read Kyle’s field guide to the elections here and click here for a handy tool to help you determine whether you are eligible to vote in the election.
Guest:
Kyle Stokes, KPCC reporter covering K-12 education and the Los Angeles Unified School District; he tweets
Lakers Tap New Head Coach Frank Vogel To Reverse Fortunes
The Los Angeles Lakers have officially named Frank Vogel as coach, two days after the sides agreed to terms.
The team announced the hiring Monday and will hold an introductory press conference May 20 at its facility. The Lakers said in a release that Vogel has signed a multiyear contract but a person familiar with the hiring said it was a three-year contract. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Saturday because they weren't allowed to publicly discuss terms.
"I am very excited for this opportunity to join the Lakers, a prestigious organization that I have long admired," Vogel said in a statement. "I look forward to coaching such phenomenal talent and bringing my strategic vision to the team."
Vogel flew to Los Angeles on May 9 and met with a group that included owner Jeanie Buss, general manager Rob Pelinka and adviser Kurt Rambis after discussions with Tyronn Lue fell apart.
The 45-year old Vogel worked for the organization before as an advance scout during the 2005-06 season. He did not coach last season following two years with the Orlando Magic. Vogel went to Orlando following five-plus seasons leading the Indiana Pacers, including trips to the Eastern Conference finals in 2013 and '14. He has a career record of 304-291.
Vogel replaces Luke Walton, who was dismissed following three seasons as coach on April 12.
With files from the Associated Press
Guest:
A Martinez, host of KPCC’s Take Two; he tweets
Arash Markazi, sports columnist with the Los Angeles Times; he tweets
Facts: A High School Teacher Hones In On Gen Z Slang With A Comprehensive List That Has Gone Viral
A high school sociology teacher, James Callahan, has become “Internet famous” by documenting a list of African American Vernacular English that his students have adopted.
Callahan has characterized his dictionary as a running list of “Gen Z slang,” that he has been collecting as he overhears it around campus.
Some of the words in his list include “on blast” meaning “expose/call out someone” and “flexed on” meaning “verbal gesture of dominance.”
After his student posted a picture of the list online and Callahan began garnering viral attention, Callahan shared a PDF version of his list and made it accessible to the public.
Some might say Callahan’s student put him on blast after he flexed on them by compiling this list.
Guests:
James Callahan, sociology teacher at Lowell High School in Lowell, Massachusetts who compiled a “Gen Z Slang” dictionary which has gone viral on the internet.