Today on AirTalk, we get the latest on protests in Minneapolis and Los Angeles following the death of George Floyd in police custody. Also on the show, we learn more about Trump's social media executive order; hear about your virtual graduations; and more.
COVID-19: Is CA Reopening Too Quickly? Fitness Centers Expecting Guidance From Newsom
As of Wednesday afternoon, L.A. County had at least 2,151 deaths and more than 47,900 confirmed cases of coronavirus. The U.S. has now had more than 100,000 deaths.
The U.S. is among many countries experiencing large-scale epidemics, although the toll here has now led the world for weeks. As new cases continue to be confirmed, Californians are continuing to be under "safer at home" and "social distancing" orders. State and county officials have ordered the vast majority of Californians to strictly limit interactions with other people, wash hands frequently, and stay 6 feet away from others. But last month, Newsom announced a framework of six parameters he says it will take to reopen the state's economy. L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti announced a similar five-pillar plan, but health officials have advised that some form of our safer at home orders will extend into the summer. Hair salons and barbershops have been given the go ahead to reopen in certain parts of the state. According to the L.A. Times, Newsom says guidance on reopening fitness centers can be expected in about a week. Meanwhile, some health officials warn the state may be reopening too quickly.
Today on AirTalk, we discuss the issue and what precautions should be taken in order to reopen businesses. Do you have questions? Join the conversation by calling 866-893-5722.
With files from LAist. Read the full story here
Guest:
Dean Blumberg, M.D., professor of medicine and chief of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at UC Davis Children’s Hospital
The Latest In Minneapolis Following Nights Of Protests Over The Death Of George Floyd
Violent protests over the death of a black man in police custody rocked a Minneapolis neighborhood for a second straight night as angry crowds looted stores, set fires and left a path of damage that stretched for miles. The mayor asked the governor to activate the National Guard.
The protests that began late Wednesday and stretched into Thursday morning were the most destructive yet since the death of George Floyd, who was seen on video gasping for breath during an arrest in which an officer kneeled on his neck for almost eight minutes. In the footage, George pleads that he cannot breathe before he slowly stops talking and moving. Mayor Jacob Frey sought calm. “Please, Minneapolis, we cannot let tragedy beget more tragedy,” he
Please, Minneapolis, we cannot let tragedy beget more tragedy.
— Mayor Jacob Frey (@MayorFrey) May 28, 2020
The area along Lake has become unsafe. We are asking for your help in keeping the peace tonight. https://t.co/kRZuWGJY29
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According to the Star Tribune, several people were struck by gunfire. One man was fatally shot when a pawnshop owner opened fire after he thought the man was burglarizing the business. Protests also spread to other U.S. cities. In California, hundreds of people protesting Floyd’s death blocked a Los Angeles freeway and shattered windows of California Highway Patrol cruisers.The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the FBI in Minneapolis said Thursday they were conducting “a robust criminal investigation” into Floyd’s death and making the case a priority. The announcement came a day after President Donald Trump tweeted that he had asked an investigation to be expedited.
Today on AirTalk, we get the latest updates from Minneapolis in the aftermath of the protests. Do you have thoughts? Share them by calling 866-893-5722.
With files from the Associated Press
Guest:
Tim Nelson, reporter for Minnesota Public Radio; he tweets
Amid Twitter Fight, Trump To Sign Executive Order To Curtail Social Media Liability Protections
President Donald Trump is preparing to sign an executive order Thursday aimed at curbing liability protections for social media companies, two days after he lashed out at Twitter for applying fact checks to two of his tweets.
Trump had threatened social media companies with new regulation or even shuttering on Wednesday, lashing out at the new policy he believed interfered with his political messaging, but he alone can’t do that.
The proposed order would direct executive branch agencies including the Federal Communications Commission and the Federal Trade Commission to study whether they can place new rules on the companies — though experts expressed doubts much could be done without an act of Congress.
We dive into the latest. Do you think Trump should be targeting social media companies in this way? What would be the implications for free speech, censorship and fact checking on these tech platforms?
With files from the Associated Press.
Guests:
Meridith McGraw, White House reporter for Politico; she tweets
Russell Brandom, policy editor at the Verge; he tweets
The Denkmann Report: City Hall Corruption, Vote-By-Mail, Mike Garcia Victory, And More
KPCC’s senior politics reporter Libby Denkmann joins Larry to talk about the biggest local politics news, including:
Former top aide City Councilman Jose Huizar pleads guilty to racketeering in widening City Hall corruption probe
Governor Newsom’s order for Californians to vote by mail in this presidential election
How the pandemic is hitting city and county budgets
Republican Mike Garcia retaking the 25th District and what that means for California and national politics
Guest:
Libby Denkmann, KPCC’s senior politics reporter; she tweets
From The Iconic Strip And Beyond: What Reopening Looks Like In Las Vegas
Casinos from Lake Tahoe to Laughlin started announcing plans Wednesday to lure back customers beginning June 4, with one downtown Las Vegas hotel owner buying more than 1,000 one-way airline tickets to boost interest around the country.
The promotions began the morning after Gov. Steve Sisolak lifted the casino shut-down order he imposed in mid-March to prevent people from spreading the coronavirus. Not all properties will open at first and business will probably start slowly, said Virginia Valentine, president of the Nevada Resorts Association. Nightlife will be limited. Casino giant MGM Resorts said it will reopen its Bellagio, New York-New York and MGM Grand resorts, and its Signature gambling-free towers. Caesars Entertainment will reopen Caesars Palace and the Flamingo in Las Vegas and its Harrah’s properties in Lake Tahoe and Laughlin. The Cosmopolitan emphasized its open-air balconies over the Las Vegas Strip. Employees will be required to wear face masks at most of Nevada’s 459 major gambling properties, and guests at many will be given free masks. Regulators want them to be encouraged to wear them.
Today on AirTalk, we discuss the parameters of reopening areas in Nevada. Would you be open to going to a casino or resort any time soon with restrictions in place? Share your thoughts by calling 866-893-5722.
With files from the Associated Press
Guests:
Joe Schoenmann, news director and host of State of Nevada, the daily talk show on KNPR, our sister affiliate in Las Vegas, Nev.; he tweets
Hal Kempfer, CEO of GRIP (Global Risk Intelligence and Planning), a management consulting firm based in Long Beach; former Marine intelligence officer who’s conducted baseline training for major military commands and Southern California school systems on pandemic preparedness, he tweets
Class Of 2020: How Did You Celebrate Graduation?
What's a graduation without putting on a funny hat and gown, listening to speeches, and walking across a stage to get your diploma in front of your classmates, teachers and family?
As a result of the global coronavirus pandemic, traditional high school and college graduation ceremonies have for the most part gone virtual or have been postponed. Some virtual ceremonies have been extremely elaborate (think holograms), while other schools have staged drive-in ceremonies, or even one-on-one graduations.
Some students have gotten creative with DIY graduation celebrations, while others have petitioned for in-person ceremonies to be held with facial coverings and social distancing.
Are you a senior this year? What did you envision for your graduation and how has it changed? Join the conversation by calling 866-893-5722.
Guest:
Teresa Watanabe, higher education reporter for the L.A. Times; she tweets