Protesters in LA have brought traffic to a halt, with more expected today. What are LAPD’s plans for policing future protests? Also, the City Council unanimously voted Tuesday to begin drafting a new ordinance requiring handguns to either be locked up or disabled with trigger locks when they are not in use. Then, why is hard cider becoming more popular than beer for some drinkers?
LAPD tactics for policing Ferguson protests
Protests are expected for a third day today in LA over the decision not to indict police officer Darren Wilson in the death of Michael Brown in Missouri. Dozens of demonstrators were arrested downtown overnight. About 100 protesters flooded the 101 freeway, scattering barricades across lanes. They brought traffic to a halt in both directions for about 30 minutes. The LAPD arrested some early this morning near Ninth and Flower and a second group at Temple and Broadway. Why are some protesters facing charges? What are LAPD’s plans for policing future protests?
Guest:
Officer Edgar Figueroa, Public Information Officer with CHP Southern Division, which includes LA County
How do you talk about Ferguson with kids, colleagues and cranky uncles
The images from Ferguson, Oakland, and even downtown LA have been violent this week. Moreover, the issue being protested is controversial, complex and, for many, it's terribly sad. Digesting all the news is hard enough, but talking about it can be a bigger challenge. When it comes to the children in your life, experts have specific guidance.
Babies should not have any exposure whatsoever to disturbing news, according to Diane Levin, Ph.D. who co-authored "Teaching Young Children in Violent Times." She told PBS, "[B]abies are much more attuned to what's going on around them than we often realize. So if the TV news is on, and you get upset, your child will pick up on your feelings." Preschoolers mix up fact and fantasy so can be scared easily by seemingly far away problems. Plus, if they're in preschool, they might learn about disturbing news from their friends. Parents should be watchful of nightmares and anxiety during times disturbing news is ubiquitous. For elementary schoolers, experts recommend listening or reading news reports rather than TV, except for truly disturbing news which should not be turned on at all. For more guidance, visit PBS: Talking with Kids about News.
What about discussing issues of racism with young ones? And what about speaking with fellow grown-ups when there is the potential for disagreement, especially over Thanksgiving tables? How have you been handling conversations - in real life and online - about Ferguson?
Guests:
Betsy Brown Braun, child development and parenting expert; best-selling author of Just Tell Me What to Say: Sensible Tips and Scripts for Perplexed Parents (HarperCollins); betsybrownbraun.com
Firearm ordinances unanimously pass LA City Council, regulating handguns and ammo
Following the lead of a recently upheld San Francisco ordinances that regulated handguns and ammunition, the Los Angeles City Council unanimously voted 11-0 on Tuesday to begin drafting a new ordinance requiring handguns to either be locked up or disabled with trigger locks when they are not in use. The ordinance was proposed by L.A. city councilman Paul Krekorian and he has led the charge of getting it approved by city council.In addition, another ordinance passed with unanimous support, mandating firearm dealers throughout the city to electronic records to the Police Department and making it a misdemeanor charge for sellers who fail to do so.
The city’s lawyers will draft the firearm ordinance and bring it back to City Council, although the Council must vote again next week on the proposal becaues fewer than a dozen council members were present at the vote. While firearm groups such as FFLGuard opposed such proposed ordinances as recently as a letter sent to city council members last year, the group Women Against Gun Violence supported the plan. Trigger locks are already mandated for all handguns by the state of California.
Will the new ordinances make it more difficult for gun owners to use their firearms for self-defense? What will the effects of the ordinances be on gun deaths in the City of Los Angeles?
Guests:
Mike Feuer, Los Angeles city attorney
Allison Anderman, staff attorney for the Law Center to Prevent Gun violence
Sam Paredes, Executive Director of Gun Owners of California
Contours of the EPA’s regulations under the Clean Air Act to be scrutinized
The Supreme Court of the United States said Tuesday that it would be hearing an environmental case concerning the Environmental Protection Agency regulating toxic emissions from power plants.
The case centers around the questions of whether the EPA has to consider the cost of its regulations. The Clean Air Act requires regulations to be “appropriate and necessary,” but the EPA has determined that it does not require consideration of costs early in the regulatory process. A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia circuit ruled earlier this year that the EPA’s interpretation of the Clean Air Act was reasonable, and therefore they did not have to consider costs.
By the EPA’s own calculation, they spend $9.6 billion a year regulating toxic emissions from power plants. In a brief, the EPA said that once its regulations were fully in place in 2016, the regulations would bring in total benefits between of $37 billion and $90 billion.
Should the EPA be required to consider the costs of its regulations? What do you think of the EPA’s interpretation of the Clean Air Act?
Guests:
Greg Stohr, Supreme Court reporter, Bloomberg
Ken Green, Senior Director, Centre for Natural Resources at the Fraser Institute, a think tank in Canada. He has studied environmental, energy, and natural resource policy for various think-tanks across North America including the Reason Foundation in Los Angeles and the American Enterprise Institute in Washington, DC
Vickie Patton, general counsel for the Environmental Defense Fund, which is a party to the case.
Hard cider’s recent rise to popularity
These days, the term "frosty brew" doesn't just apply to beer anymore.
Because craft beers are becoming more and more popular among adult beverage aficionados, hard ciders are also skyrocketing in popularity. The explosion of craft beers into the beverage market has made beer-drinkers more willing to try different things. Brands like Woodchuck, Strongbow, and Angry Orchard can be found in grocery stores across the U.S., and many smaller-scale cider-makers are entering the market every year. For many, hard cider is an enjoyable alternative to beer because it has a sweeter taste while still maintaining alcohol levels that are comparable to beer. Hard cider is also gluten free, which makes it appealing to the growing number of people who are removing gluten from their daily diet.
Hard cider is made by grinding down large amounts of apples into what is called pomace. The pomace is then strained and put into either open vats or closed casks for fermentation. The fermentation process generally lasts about three months before the final product is ready for consumption and distribution.
What is your favorite brand of hard cider? Why? Do you think hard cider will ever be as popular as beer among alcoholic beverage-drinkers? What are some other reasons you think hard cider is becoming so popular?
Guests:
Tom Wark, publisher of ‘The Cider Journal,’ which covers cider news, reviews ciders, and provides commentary
Chris Le Mieux, co-owner and cider-maker at See Canyon Hard Cider in San Luis Obispo