Today on AirTalk, we go over the latest COVID-19 news. Also on the show, we discuss state lawmakers' plans to lower UC admissions for nonresidents; break down the shut down of the Diablo Canyon power plant; and more.
COVID-19 AMA: Half Of Adults In LA County Are Vaccinated, Moderna’s Efficacy In Kids And More
In our continuing series looking at the latest medical research and news on COVID-19, Larry Mantle speaks with Dr. Annabelle De St. Maurice from University of California Los Angeles/Mattel Children’s hospital.
Topics today include:
Half of adults in LA County are fully vaccinated
Moderna says shot is strongly effective in kids as young as 12
Investigators studying small number of heart inflammation cases in teens who got vaccinated
New study finds that kids who had MIS-C can recover from most severe symptoms within 6 months
LAUSD plans to return full-time in the fall
CDC says vaccinated people can skip testing
UK variant is most dominant in LA County
Guest:
Annabelle De St. Maurice, M.D., assistant professor of pediatrics in the division of infectious diseases and the co-chief infection prevention officer at University of California Los Angeles/Mattel Children’s hospital; she tweets
State Lawmakers Consider Plan To Lower Admission Of Nonresidents In University Of California System
California state lawmakers are considering a plan that would cut the number of spaces for international and out of state students. The move comes alongside a time of high demand for a spot in the system, and some argue more room should be made for local students.
According to the LA Times, the proposal would reduce the system’s incoming nonresident population from 19% to 10% over the next decade starting in 2022. This means more than 4,500 more local students could secure spots. Due to mounting pressure, UC regents capped out of state and international enrollment last year at 18%, but lawmakers say that isn’t good enough. UC officials don’t agree with the 10% limit because the resulting funding is significant and helps enroll more California students and assist with financial aid. Today on AirTalk, we discuss the proposal and arguments. Do you have thoughts or questions? Join the conversation by calling 866-893-5722.
Guests:
Teresa Watanabe, staff writer covering higher education for the Los Angeles Times who’s been following this story; she tweets
Kevin McCarty (D), California Assemblymember for Assembly District 7, which includes the communities of Sacramento, West Sacramento, Rio Linda, Elverta, and Antelope; he tweets
With Diablo Canyon Shutting Down In 2024-25, How Will California Make Up Its Energy Void?
The Los Angeles Times reported that Diablo Canyon’s nuclear power plant, owned by Pacific Gas and Electric Company, is set to no longer run following the expiration of its licensing in 2024. With the plant and its pressurized water reactor making up nearly 10% of California's energy portfolio, it leaves many wondering how all that energy will be replaced?
For California’s Public Utilities Commission, they have released two proposals to make up for this future discrepancy, with it creating a potential of 11,500 megawatts for the state. This follows a report they released which had referenced that the closing of Diablo Canyon may lead to an increase in gas-fired energy.
Today on AirTalk, we bring on a panel of guests to speak on the future of Diablo Canyon, focusing on what are the best ways to make up its energy void as citizens begin to grow concerned of the ongoing climate crisis. Questions? Call us at 866-893-5722.
We reached out to PG&E for an interview and they unable to join, but sent us this statement:
PG&E delivers some of the nation's cleanest electric power. We remain focused on safely and reliably operating Diablo Canyon Power Plant (DCPP) until the end of its current operating licenses and planning for a successful decommissioning. PG&E is committed to California’s bold clean energy future, and as a regulated utility, we follow the energy policies of the state.
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) referred replacement procurement issues related to the loss of DCPP output to a CPUC energy planning proceeding known as the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP). PG&E is continuing to work with the Commission and other stakeholders to ensure that the Integrated Resource Planning process avoids an overall increase in emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) as a result of the retirement of Diablo Canyon in 2024 and 2025, as required by SB 1090.
PG&E expects to procure new clean generation and energy storage capacity resulting from the Commission’s mid-term reliability and procurement ruling (CPUC order expected this summer), which is specifically targeted at replacing Diablo Canyon’s capacity, as well as other once-through cooling units expected to retire by mid-decade.
Guests:
Edward Randolph, California Public Utilities Commission director of energy and climate policy
Sammy Roth, energy reporter for the LA Times, he tweets
Mark Specht, senior energy analyst for the Union of Concerned Scientists
Andrew Christie, the director of the Santa Lucia chapter of the Sierra Club
The Super Flower Blood Moon Will Shine On LA Tomorrow At 4:11 AM - Where Will You Be?
In the Wednesday morning sky, before sunrise, there will be the coalescence of three lunar spectacles... A Super Moon - when the Moon is closest in its elliptical orbit to the Earth, and appears larger... A Flower Moon - that’s just a full moon in May… And a Blood Moon - is a full eclipse wherein the Moon lies briefly on the opposite side of the Sun from the Earth, is shadowed from the Sun’s illumination, and bathed in reddish light refracted from the planet’s atmosphere.
It’s a good excuse to go to the donut shop in the wee hours of the morning for some coffee, and stake out an unobstructed view for the 15 minute show in the sky. Perhaps you’ve got your own special hill to take it in on your own.
You could check out a livestream if a picture is just as good as the real thing. Otherwise, you could join the potential traffic jam up to the grounds at Griffith Observatory. We want to hear how you plan to take in the celestial event at 866-893-5722.
Guests:
Edwin C. Krupp, director of Griffith Observatory and an astronomer
John Dvorak, a tech writer and author of numerous books, including “Mask of the Sun: The Science, History and Forgotten Lore of Eclipses” (Pegasus Books, 2017)
Industry Check In: How Have Distilleries Fared During The Pandemic And What’s The Outlook?
The food and beverage industry has been rocked by the pandemic. We recently heard from restaurants and breweries about their outlook as Americans continue to get vaccinated and states chip away at restrictions.
Now we’re hearing from distillers. Some say temporary loosened restrictions saved their businesses, but it’s going to be a long and slow recovery as tasting rooms reopen and states consider approving permanent laws that could benefit distilleries.
Do you operate or work in a distillery? What has been your experience over the last year and what do you think the future holds for the industry? Tell us your thoughts by commenting below or call 866-893-5722.
Guests:
Ryan Friesen, head distiller at Blinking Owl Distillery in Santa Ana, he’s Vice President of the California Artisanal Distillers Guild; he tweets
Simon Haxton, one of the owners of Portuguese Bend Distilling located in downtown Long Beach
Adam Smith, vice president of government relations for the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, he’s based in Sacramento, California; he tweets
Becky Harris, president of the American Craft Spirits Association, a national nonprofit trade group, she’s also chief distiller of Catoctin Creek Distilling Company in Virginia; she tweets