Harvey Weinstein has been arrested by New York City police on charges of rape and a criminal sex act. We examine the case, along with its legal implications for investigations in Los Angeles, Beverly Hills and London. We also debate how the $800-million VW settlement should be spent in California; review this weeks films on FilmWeek; and more.
Weinstein arrested, charged with rape – our legal analysts break down what comes next
Flinching when he heard himself described as a man who used power to prey on women, Harvey Weinstein was arraigned Friday on charges of rape and a criminal sex act in the first criminal prosecution to result from the wave of allegations against him that sparked a national reckoning over sexual misconduct.
Seven months after the allegations destroyed his career and catalyzed the #MeToo movement, the once-powerhouse movie producer turned himself in to face the charges, which stem from encounters with two of the dozens who have accused him of sexual misdeeds ranging from harassment to assault.
Weinstein has consistently denied any allegations of nonconsensual sex.
His lawyer, Benjamin Brafman, said Friday that he would fight to get the charges dismissed, saying they're factually unsupported and constitutionally flawed. And he began to take aim at the accusations and accusers, noting that the alleged attacks weren't reported to police when they happened and suggesting potential jurors wouldn't believe the women.
We get the latest. Plus, legal analysts look at what’s next for Weinstein.
With files from the Associated Press.
Guests:
John Horn, host of KPCC’s daily arts and entertainment show, The Frame; he tweets
Laurie L. Levenson, former federal prosecutor and a professor of law at Loyola Law School
John Manly, an Irvine-based attorney who specializes in representing victims of sexual assault and abuse with the firm Manly, Stewart & Finaldi; he tweets
RJ Manuelian, Los Angeles-based criminal defense attorney at the Manuelian Law Firm; he has been defending sex crimes for about 20 years; he tweets
CA gets more than $1-billion in Volkswagen settlements. Where should the money go?
Today, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) is slated to finalize a $423-million settlement plan with Volkswagen on initiatives to fix the harm that already occurred from the smog-forming nitrogen oxide, or NOx, emitted by its vehicles in the state.
Lawmakers and advocates have been split on how more than $1-billion in settlement funds for California should be spent, including controversy over an additional $800-million from the German automaker required to invest in zero-emission vehicles, charging stations and promotions for electric vehicles. Volkswagen will also be allowed to profit from the charging stations it installs across the state.
We check in on the latest competing plans for how the dieselgate money should be spent.
We reached out to CARB for a statement but they did not have anyone available to comment at the time of this segment.
Guests:
Emily Guerin, environmental reporter at KPCC; she tweets
Kathryn Phillips, director of the Sierra Club of California; she has been leading the state club’s work on the VW settlement
Todd Campbell, vice president of public policy and regulatory affairs for Clean Energy Fuels; he tweets
From Eisenhower to Kennedy: What the two presidencies meant for a changing America
The 1960s are considered a time of change, and that included the U.S. presidency.
When John F. Kennedy narrowly defeated Richard Nixon in 1961, a little-known 10-week transition period was as much of a whirlwind shift as the rest of the country. It was a stark contrast from then-president, Dwight D. Eisenhower’s tenure in the White House and a brewing rivalry between Eisenhower and Kennedy. J.F.K symbolized a new generation of political and social ideologies, and there were dueling visions for the nation. There were also personal differences between the two leaders, as Kennedy’s campaign criticized Eisenhower’s leadership and eventually beat his vice president, Richard Nixon in the election.
So how different were Ike and J.F.K.’s plans for the U.S.? And what led to the country’s swift and historic change? Reporter and author John T. Shaw documents this shift in his new book, “Rising Star, Setting Sun: Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy and the Presidential Transition that Changed America.”
Larry speaks to Shaw today on the differences between the two presidents and what that meant for the U.S. we know now.
Guest:
John T. Shaw, author of “Rising Star, Setting Sun: Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy and the Presidential Transition that Changed America” (Pegasus, 2018); director of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University
FilmWeek: ‘Solo: A Star Wars Story,’ ‘Mountain, ‘The Gospel According to Andre’ and more
Larry Mantle and KPCC film critics Lael Loewenstein and Wade Major review this weekend’s new movie releases.
"Solo: A Star Wars Story" in wide release
"Mountain" at Nuart Theatre
"The Gospel According to André" at ArcLight Hollywood & The Landmark
"In Darkness" at AMC Sunset
"How Long Will I Love U" at AMC Atlantic Times Square & AMC Orange
"Mary Shelley" at Laemmle's Monica Film Center
"Summer 1993" at Laemmle's Playhouse & Laemmle's Royal Theatre
"That Summer" at Laemmle's Royal Theatre
"The Most Unknown" at Laemmle's Monica Film Center
CRITICS' HITS
Lael: "Mountain" & "How Long Will I Love U"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxtWMOAHoiI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iChfyoZo0ls
Wade: "The Gospel According To André" & "The Most Unknown"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzZkVGCY5rY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtUaZk3_Njk
MIXED FEELINGS
Lael: "Solo: A Star Wars Story"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPEYpryMp2s
Wade: "Summer 1993"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bb1NMc-_KaU&t=79s
MISSES
Lael: "Mary Shelley"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-WGaZaojFc
Wade: "In Darkness"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAvHoeClyc4&t=5s
Guests:
Lael Loewenstein, KPCC film critic; she tweets
Wade Major, film critic for KPCC and CineGods.com
‘O Captain! My Captain!’: the legendary life and career of Robin Williams
Goof-headed genie with an affinity for music. Fast-talking alien looking for love. Melancholic psychiatrist doing his best. Robin Williams’ range as an actor is its own ecosystem – a career filled with unique, interconnected roles from which life seems to spontaneously spring.
Yet looking through Williams’ personal notes and annotated scripts reveals a deeply motivated, concentrated individual. These notes are included in Dave Itzkoff’s newest book “Robin” as part of a comprehensive look at the actor/comedian’s life. Itzkoff interviewed hundreds of Williams’ close friends and family members, conversations that provide a wide portrait of the man’s life from childhood to tragic death.
Larry sits down with Itzkoff to discuss his book and reflect on the life and career of Robin Williams.
Guest:
Dave Itzkoff, author of “Robin,” and culture reporter at The New York Times, where he writes about film, television, theater, music and pop culture; he tweets