Southern California is home to a half-dozen congressional districts where the fate of Republican seats could help decide which of the two major parties wins control of the U.S. House. We also discuss the proposed restrictions on plastic straws and caps; examine the implementation of stiff tariffs on imported aluminum and steel; and more.
US steel tariffs go into effect at midnight: A look at the global reaction
The U.S. is implementing stiff tariffs on imported aluminum and steel.
President Trump’s announcement this morning is drawing quick condemnation from U.S. trading partners. Critics say a trade war is the likely result, with US goods facing steep tariffs abroad.
Larry speaks with POLITICO correspondent Ben White about the international reactions and their potential effects on the U.S. economy.
Guest:
Ben White, chief economic correspondent for POLITICO; he tweets
Debating the environmental and business costs of plastic straws and bottle caps
There’s a heated debate between businesses and environmentalists about the cost of lessening the use of plastic straws and tethering bottle caps to their plastic containers.
As reported by the Los Angeles Times, two bills on plastics are making waves in the California Assembly, and their proponents are hoping to further the state’s reputation as a leader in environmental action. One bill, AB-1884, would keep sit-down restaurants from giving out plastic straws, unless customers ask for them. Another bill, AB-2779, would restrict retailers from selling one-use plastic bottles, unless their caps are designed to stay attached after opening the container.
Opponents of the bill say that the proposed restrictions on plastic straws and caps would be a government overreach. Larry speaks to an environmental and business advocate today, for a lively debate.
Guests:
Genevieve Abedon, policy associate with EcoConsult, an environmental consulting firm representing various nonprofits and environmental groups in Sacramento
Stuart Waldman, president of the Valley Industry & Commerce Association (VICA), a non-profit representing businesses in the San Fernando Valley; VICA is opposed to AB 2779, the plastic cap bill
Bay Area reignites slow-burning fight over flavored tobacco & vaping juice ban
A major tobacco company is pumping millions of dollars into a campaign to persuade San Francisco voters to reject a ban on selling flavored tobacco products, including menthol cigarettes, certain chewing tobaccos and vaping liquids with flavors like cotton candy, mango and cool cucumber.
R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. has contributed nearly $12 million to the "No on Proposition E" campaign, filling television and radio airwaves and mailboxes with ads urging voters to reject a law supervisors approved last year that is now on the June 5 ballot. By comparison, ban supporters have raised $2.8 million, including more than $2 million from billionaire former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
Supporters say a ban would help stop another generation from getting hooked on nicotine, but critics point out that California already raised the smoking age to 21 and say a ban would only drive sales underground. San Francisco supervisors last year unanimously approved a ban on sales of flavored tobacco, saying the nicotine masked in flavors like mango, caramel and mint serve as starter products enticing kids to become smokers. Under the ordinance, smoke juices that taste like tobacco would still be allowed.
The ordinance was set to take effect in April but was put on hold after R.J. Reynolds collected enough signatures to put it on the ballot. Other cities have passed laws reducing access to flavored tobacco and flavored vaping liquids, but San Francisco was the first in the United States to approve an outright sales ban. It also was one of the first to ban indoor smoking in workplaces, bars and restaurants.
With files from the Associated Press.
Guests:
John Maa, M.D., surgeon at Marin General Hospital outside San Francisco and president of the San Francisco Marin Medical Society; he co-authored an op-ed for CNN on the issue; he tweets
Mark Kleiman, drug policy expert professor of public policy at New York University’s Marron Institute of Urban Management; he tweets
House bet: preview of Orange County congressional races, and the Dems’ chances at winning
Southern California is home to a half-dozen congressional districts where the fate of Republican seats could help decide which of the two major parties wins control of the U.S. House.
Nearly all of the districts are in Orange County, the once staunchly conservative region undergoing demographic changes that are nudging the county more to the left. In 2016, for the first time in 80 years, Orange County favored a Democrat for president.
Two incumbent GOP congressmen — Darrell Issa and Ed Royce — announced earlier this year that they were stepping down from office. Their decision opened up the field to a rush of congressional hopefuls from both parties.
Larry speaks with KPCC reporters Mary Plummer and Jill Replogle, plus Voice of OC’s Norberto Santana on the big OC races next week.
Click here for KPCC’s guide to key congressional races.
Ready for Election Day? Get up to speed on what you need to know with KPCC’s Voter Game Plan. Read up on the candidates and ballot measures, find out about registration deadlines and ask us your questions.
Guests:
Jill Replogle, KPCC’s Orange County reporter; she tweets
Mary Plummer, senior politics reporter for KPCC who’s been following the story; she tweets
Norberto Santana Jr., publisher of “Voice of OC,” a nonprofit newsroom that focuses on civics and government in Orange County since 2009; he tweets
NBA finals: LeBron v. GSW, round 4. Plus, checking in on the NHL playoffs
The NBA Finals start up right where they finished last year. And right where they've opened every year since 2015.
Golden State hosts Cleveland on Thursday night to begin the record fourth straight meeting between the teams. It's the first time in NBA, NFL, MLB or NHL history that the same teams are meeting four straight times in the championship round.
The Warriors have had home-court advantage each time and won Game 1 in all three series. They went on to win last year's title in five games.
Golden State will be without 2015 NBA Finals MVP Andre Iguodala as he continues to recover from a bone bruise in his left knee. The Cavaliers are waiting to see if Kevin Love will be cleared to play after missing Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals with a concussion.
But the NBA isn’t the only league heading into the postseason. There’s also hockey. And the battle for the Stanley Cup is heading to D.C. all tied up 1-1 after a pair of entertaining games. That contest is between the Las Vegas Golden Knights and Washington Capitals.
With files from the Associated Press.
Guests:
Kevin Arnovitz, NBA writer ESPN and ESPN The Magazine in the Bay Area to cover tonight’s NBA Finals; he tweets
Todd Dewey, columnist with the Las Vegas Review Journal who writes about sports and sports betting
A new title for Dodgers fans: ‘Brothers in Arms’
For those who bleed Dodger blue, Jon Weisman has a treat for you.
Author of “100 Things Dodgers Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die” and “The Best of Dodger Thoughts,” the veteran sports journalist and writer explores the unmatched pitching legacy of his favorite MLB team in his latest book, “Brothers in Arms: Koufax, Kershaw, and the Dodgers’ Extraordinary Pitching Tradition.”
Weisman’s deep knowledge of the Dodgers surpasses statistical analysis. Through dozens of interviews with current and former players, coaches, and broadcasters — along with profiles of both fan favorites and underappreciated names — he dives into the teams rich history and how it’s shaped the entire franchise from the mound.
Weisman joins Larry Mantle on the making of the book and some good ol’ Dodger talk.
Jon Weisman will be talking about "Brothers in Arms" on MONDAY, June 18, at the Last Bookstore in Downtown. The event starts at 7pm.
Guest:
Jon Weisman, author of “Brothers in Arms: Koufax, Kershaw, and the Dodgers’ Extraordinary Pitching Tradition” (Triumph Books 2018); he tweets