NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander Lands; Sydney Pollack Succumbs to Cancer; Propositions 98 & 99; China Update; Student Loan Availability Crisis; Jazz Vocalist Ernie Andrews
NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander Lands
NASA's Phoenix spacecraft has successfully landed near Mars' north pole for a 90-day digging mission. The polygon-cracked terrain under the Phoenix Mars Lander is believed to hold a reservoir of ice beneath. Phoenix joins the twin rovers on the Martian surface, which have been exploring the equatorial plains since 2004. Larry Mantle talks to Doug Adams, a member of Nasa's entry-landing team.
Sydney Pollack Succumbs to Cancer
Academy Award-winning director Sydney Pollack died of cancer at the age of 73. Larry Mantle talks to film critics Peter Rainer and Wade Major about his prolific career and about his legacy.
Propositions 98 & 99
There will only be two propositions on the statewide ballot June 3. Both deal with the issue of eminent domain. Prop. 98 would greatly reduce government's power to seize private property in order to transfer it to a private party and would also phase out rent control. Its rival, Prop. 99, would provide limited restrictions on government's ability to takeover single-family homes, including condos, for transfer to another private party. Larry and his guests discuss the differences between the two measures.
China Update
Larry talks to Michael Oko from the American Red Cross for latest news on relief efforts to China's earthquake victims.
Student Loan Availability Crisis
The U.S. Department of Education created a "lender of last resort" program in an attempt to circumvent a student loan crisis. With the credit market in turmoil, even top lender Sallie Mae threatened to cut its student loans. But under the new plan, the federal government will buy loans from lenders and double the number of loans it writes. Larry Mantle talks about the plan with Robert Shireman, Executive Director of The Institute for College Access and Success, and Los Angeles Times business writer Kathy Kristof.
Jazz Vocalist Ernie Andrews
Larry talks with jazz vocalist Ernie Andrews about his long career and his upcoming appearance at the Playboy Jazz Festival Community Concert this Sunday, June 1st at Warner Center Park in Woodland Hills.