Today on AirTalk, we discuss the potential political unrest that may occur following the November elections. Also on the show, we answer your COVID-19 questions; KPCC film critics Angie Han and Amy Nicholson review this weekend's new movie releases on FilmWeek; and more.
Potential For Election-related Unrest Prompts Law Enforcement Preparation
Federal and state law enforcement officials have begun expanded preparations for the possibility of widespread unrest at the polls on Election Day, a response to extraordinarily high tensions among voters and anxieties about safety stoked in part by President Donald Trump.
FBI and local officials in several states have been conducting drills, running through worse-case scenarios, setting up command centers to improve coordination on reports of violence and voter intimidation, and issuing public warnings that any crime that threatens the sanctity of a Nov. 3 vote will not be tolerated.
The efforts are broader and more public-facing than in past years as fears grow over the potential for violent clashes in cities across the United States. Law enforcement officials say they are not responding to any specific threats or information but are preparing for a host of different scenarios that could play out.
Tensions are especially high given the increased political polarization and months of mass demonstrations against racial injustice that have seen violence by the left and right. Gun sales are way up. Six men were arrested after federal officials said they plotted to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, D-Mich., at her vacation home. Experts are concerned that right-wing extremists will be emboldened by Trump's recent refusal to clearly denounce the Proud Boys, a neo-fascist group, and instead tell them to “stand back and stand by.”
With files from the Associated Press
Guest:
Michael Balsamo, lead Justice Department and federal law enforcement reporter for the Associated Press; he tweets
DOC AMA: California Sees Uptick In Cases In Parts Of The State, Trump’s COVID-19 Status & More
In our continuing series looking at the latest medical research and news on COVID-19, Larry Mantle speaks with infectious disease specialist at Huntington Hospital in Pasadena, Dr. Kimberly Shriner.
Topics today include:
- Coronavirus numbers are rising again in some parts of California, but it's too early to call it a new surge
- Trump’s doctor says he’s completed his COVID-19 treatments and can return to ‘public engagements’ on Saturday.
- Nearly 20% of detainees at Adelanto ICE facility have COVID-19
- Moderna vows to not enforce COVID-19 vaccine patents during pandemic
- Airborne transmission: CDC updates guidance on COVID-19 spread
- Companies ditch plans for rapid coronavirus spit tests at home
- Where did Los Angeles' first COVID-19 cases come from? Genetic researchers say not China
Guest:
Kimberly Shriner, M.D., infectious disease specialist at Huntington Hospital in Pasadena
Triple Play: Lakers, Dodgers Could Both Seize Championships In A Matter Of Weeks
One way or the other, the NBA (bubble) Playoffs will come to a close in a matter of days. The Los Angeles Lakers could end it all Friday night, seizing the championship if they beat Miami in game 5. If not, Sunday brings us game 7. The Lakers lead 3-1 and are just a single win away from the franchise’s 17th championship.
Lebron James and the Lakers aren’t the only ones to watch in SoCal sports though. The Dodgers swept the San Diego Padres in the division series Thursday night with a score of 12-3. Up next, the team takes on the Atlanta Braves in a seven-game series.
According to the Orange County Register, if the Dodgers and Lakers both clinch championships this year, it’ll be the first time since 1988. Today on AirTalk, the Triple Play is back together talking about the latest in sports, how this year’s NBA bubble worked out and what the playoff runs mean for SoCal sports. Do you have thoughts? Call 866-893-5722.
Guests:
A. Martinez, host of KPCC’s “Take Two”; he tweets
Nick Roman, host of KPCC’s “All Things Considered”; he tweets
FilmWeek: “The Glorias,” “Time,” “Yellow Rose” And More
Larry Mantle and KPCC film critics Angie Han and Amy Nicholson review this weekend’s new movie releases.
“The Glorias” on VOD (Amazon Prime Video, Vudu & FandangoNow)
“Time” on Amazon Prime Video
“Yellow Rose” in select theaters (check local listings)
“Song Lang” on Laemmle’s Virtual Cinema
“Charm City Kings” on HBO Max
“A Rainy Day in New York” on FandangoNOW and Vudu
“Totally Under Control” on Laemmle’s Virtual Cinema and VOD on Oct. 13 (AppleTV+, Amazon, FandangoNOW, Google Play, YouTube & Vudu); Hulu on Oct. 20
“The War with Grandpa” in select theaters (check local listings)
“Black Box” on Amazon Prime Video
“The Lie” on Amazon Prime Video
Our FilmWeek critics have been curating personal lists of their favorite TV shows and movies to binge-watch during self-quarantine. You can see recommendations from each of the critics and where you can watch them here.
You may hear our FilmWeek critics review films on the show that are playing at indoor venues that have reopened in our listening area. FilmWeek and KPCC are not endorsing or encouraging anyone to see a movie at an indoor theater at this time. If you do decide to attend a showing at an indoor theater, please familiarize yourself with COVID-19 safety protocols from the CDC, your local public health agency, and the theater where you’re seeing the film.
Guests:
Amy Nicholson, film critic for KPCC, film writer for The New York Times and host of the podcasts ‘Unspooled’ and the podcast miniseries “Zoom”; she tweets
Angie Han, film critic for KPCC and deputy entertainment editor at Mashable; she tweets
Oscar-Nominated Director Julie Taymor’s New Film Road Trips With Activist Gloria Steinem Through 80 Years...And Four Different Glorias
Academy Award-nominated director Julie Taymor is probably best known for her stage adaptation of Disney's "The Lion King," which took home five Tony Awards in 1998, including two individual Tonies for Taymor for her directing and costume design. But since then, Taymor has also made a name for herself on the big screen, directing well-known films like the 2002 biopic "Frida" about Mexican painter Frida Kahlo and the 2007 musical drama "Across The Universe," which celebrated the music of The Beatles and, Taymor says, was semi-autobiographical.
Her latest film, "The Glorias," is also a biopic and depicts activist, journalist and feminist Gloria Steinem at varying points in her life, played by different actors at each one. It’s based on Steinem’s memoir “My Life On The Road,” and Taymor appropriately uses a Greyhound bus as a through line for the movie, taking interior monologues that Steinem writes about in her book where she might question a decision she made to do something or not and turning them into exterior dialogue with the various Glorias.
Today on FilmWeek, KPCC’s John Horn talks with Julie Taymor about the making of the film, how Steinem’s life, activism and writing inspired it, and how the results of the 2016 election drastically changed the movie she ended up making from the one she originally envisioned.
With contributions from John Horn
Guest:
Julie Taymor, director, writer and producer; her new movie is “The Glorias”; she is also known for “Frida,” (2002) “Across The Universe” (2007) and the Tony Award-winning Broadway adaptation of Disney’s “The Lion King”