AirTalk checks in with Los Angeles County Sheriff Jim McDonnell on the latest issues. We also debate Proposition 1; examine growing tensions between Disney and Anaheim; and more.
The latest in growing tensions between Disney and Anaheim: Disney nixes luxe hotel
In August, the Anaheim City Council nixed a tax rebate agreement with the Disneyland Resort. Now, the Walt Disney Co. is pointing to the move as the reason it’s pulling the plug on building a 700-room luxury hotel near its resort in Anaheim.
This episode is one in a series of growing strains between Anaheim and Disney. The city told Disney that it was pulling the rebate because Disney changed the agreed upon location of its proposed hotel. Disney responded that the new spot was only 1,000 feet from the original. Some businesses, such as stores and restaurants, had been closed to clear the path for Disney’s original location.
We get a break down of the latest with L.A. Times staff writer Hugo Martin.
Guest:
Hugo Martin, staff writer for the Los Angeles Times, covering the travel industry, where he’s been following this story; he tweets
Google cites ethical reasons for dropping $10 billion bid for Pentagon contract — is the tech giant’s move justified?
Google announced Monday that it will no longer compete for a $10 billion cloud-computing contract with the Pentagon because the project may conflict with its values.
The tech giant dropped its bid for a program known as Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure (JEDI). The program’s goal is to build a cloud-computing system that can handle classified U.S. military data. Google says they couldn't be assured that the Pentagon contract would align with their “AI Principles.”
Last August, Google faced backlash over its decision to secretly build a search engine for China. Hundreds of Google employees signed a letter protesting the move.
Critics find it hypocritical that Google is engaging with the Chinese government, but is pulling out of a potential deal with the Pentagon. What do you think, is the tech giant’s move justified? Ethical?
Guest:
Naomi Nix, reporter covering corporate influence for Bloomberg; she tweets
LA County Sheriff Check-in: Calabasas burglary suspect, allegations of racial profiling in traffic stops and more
Los Angeles County Sheriff Jim McDonnell is back for his quarterly AirTalk visit. Today, we check in with him on the latest, including:
The arrest of a suspect in connection to a series of burglaries in Calabasas, who could be tied to the murder of a June murder of a father at Malibu Creek State Park
The Los Angeles County inspector general is doing an investigation into whether the Sheriff’s Department racially profiled Latino drivers when their enforcement team was searching for narcotics on the 5 Freeway. This comes after an L.A. Times report that about 70 percent of the drivers stopped from 2012 to 2017 were Latino
The Board of Supervisors approved a 2020 ballot measure which would give expanded authority to the civilian oversight commission, including the power to issue subpoenas in certain cases
The L.A. County Sheriff has announced a new policy of maximum jail time for those convicted of gun violence
Nearly a year after the legalization of pot in California, how is the Sheriff’s department dealing with illegal cannabis dispensaries?
The Sheriff’s Department is collaborating with civilians on an initiative that will educate drivers about how to interact with police during traffic stops
In light of a recently formed crime impact team of civilians who work field assignments, we discuss the reserve system
Have a question for Sheriff Jim McDonnell? Call us at 866-893-5722.
Guest:
Jim McDonnell, Sheriff, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department; he tweets
Should LA resume sweeps of homeless encampments?
The city of Los Angeles launched a crackdown on homeless encampments Wednesday near a new shelter in downtown Los Angeles’ El Pueblo historic district.
The move is part of a five-day-a-week cleanup plan where the city will increase police presence around the so-called “special enforcement zones,” areas established around a series of homeless shelters the city is planning to build.
The current shelter in El Pueblo has been operating since last September. Outreach workers from the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) went from tent to tent handing out cards to the homeless population with information about the new rules and the services they provide.
Sanitation employees and law enforcement said they would delay ticketing and aggressive camp clearances until homeless people are educated on the new rules.
Guests:
Tom Waldman, director of communications for the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA), a joint powers agency of the city and county of Los Angeles that was out at the sweeps yesterday, providing information to the homeless population
Andy Bales, CEO at Union Rescue Mission, a private Christian homeless shelter in downtown Los Angeles' Skid Row
Jessica Lall, president and Chief Executive Officer for the Central City Association of Los Angeles (CCA), an advocacy group that aims to increase investment into Downtown Los Angeles
AirTalk debates 2018 ballot initiatives: Prop 1, the housing programs and veterans' loans bond
Twelve propositions have earned a spot on the November ballot, where Californians will consider a host of changes.
Among the measures certified is Proposition 1. A yes vote on Prop 1 would allow the state of California to issue $4 billion in bonds for existing affordable housing programs for low-income residents, veterans and farmworkers. Millions would go toward grants to support forgivable loans for mortgage assistance, farm workers and pilot programs to help solve the housing crisis.
But opponents are raising concerns over spending more money on bonds. If passed, the state would need to repay $170 million a year over the next 35 years. Supporters say that the measure would help families in California, who are struggling to find affordable homes. They argue that this is a debt worth having. We debate.
Ready for Election Day? Get up to speed on what you need to know with our Voter Game Plan at elections.laist.com. Read up on the candidates and ballot measures, find out about registration deadlines or ask us your questions.
Guests:
Robin Hughes, president and CEO of Abode Communities, a nonprofit affordable housing provider based in Los Angeles which supports Proposition 1
David Wolfe, legislative director at Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, which has no official position on Proposition 1
Triple Play: NLCS Showdown, with the Dodgers versus the Brewers
On Friday, the National League Championship Series begins in Wisconsin, where the Milwaukee Brewers will face off against the Dodgers for the chance to go to the World Series.
The Dodgers won their National League Division series against the Atlanta Braves on Monday, and overall have had a good run. Meanwhile, Milwaukee has won eleven straight games in the NL Central.
So which team will come out on top? What are the strengths and weaknesses of each team? Triple play reunites Larry with Nick Roman and KPCC resident Dodgers expert A Martinez for Dodger talk.
Guests:
A Martínez, host of Take Two on KPCC; he tweets
Nick Roman, host of All Things Considered on KPCC; he tweets