Today on AirTalk, we look at the new earthquake alert app California unveiled as a part of the Great ShakeOut. We also unpack the controversy surrounding the proposed LA Clippers arena; discuss calls to institute a $30 minimum wage policy for ride-hailing drivers; and more.
The Brand New CA Quake Alert System
Earthquake early warning alerts will become publicly available throughout California today.
The debut coincide with the 30th anniversary of the Loma Prieta earthquake that ravaged the San Francisco Bay area on Oct. 17, 1989, as well as the annual Great Shakeout safety drill. The warnings produced by the ShakeAlert system will be pushed through a smartphone app called MyShake and the same wireless notification system that issues Amber Alerts.
Large-scale public notification has been available for Los Angeles County since the start of the year through an app developed for the city of Los Angeles, but it hasn't been triggered yet.
The new MyShake app is available for download now in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store
Guest:
Jacob Margolis, science reporter at KPCC; host of the KPCC podcast, “The Big One”
The Heated Battle Over A Proposed LA Clippers Arena Continues
Arguments surrounding a new Los Angeles Clippers arena continue as two lawmakers accuse the California Air Resources Board of racism over delays in approving it.
There are a number of opponents when it comes to the proposed arena, including the Madison Square Garden Co., which has launched a campaign smearing the project saying it isn’t suitable for the area. The company owns and operates the Forum, which sits less than a mile from where the new Clippers arena would sit. One arena developer has said delays are in part due to the company’s influence. Other opponents include legislators and environmental groups. But Inglewood Mayor James T. Butts Jr. has called Madison Square Garden’s new campaign “desperate.” He believes Inglewood has the capacity to handle increased traffic and parking needs. Clippers owner Steve Ballmer has also spoken out, saying the organization won’t be deterred by efforts against the new arena.
We reached out to the Clippers organization but did not receive an immediate response. We also reached out to CARB. They did not get back to us for an interview. The Forum provided the following statement:
“We want to be clear: we would not be against the Clippers building anywhere else in the LA market – which would still be competition for us. What we oppose is them locating their venue next to a football stadium and the Forum, right next to a residential neighborhood and on land that was taken through fraud and in violation of our deal with Inglewood. Jamming three large-scale venues within a mile of each other would ruin the experience for all event attendees and overwhelm Inglewood through crippling traffic and completely insufficient parking, increasing pollution and decreasing the quality of life for the surrounding community.”
Guest:
David Pettit, a senior attorney on the climate and clean energy program at the NRDC; he’s been working on the Clippers project for the NRDC
New Study On Ridgecrest Quake Provides New Understanding On Faultline Activation
A 7.1 earthquake jolted the Southland on July 5th this year, the most powerful quake the state had felt in two decades.
A new study from Caltech scientists published today in Science magazine looks at the origin of the Ridgecrest quake and discovers that multiple, smaller faults were responsible for the 7.1 tremor. The finding goes in the face of the traditional understanding that big quakes are created by a single fault.
Larry talks to KPCC’s science reporter Jacob Margolis about the study, as well as the new California earthquake early warning alerts.
GUEST:
Zachary Ross, assistant professor of geophysics at Caltech; lead author of the new study on the Ridgecrest quake published today in the magazine, Science
LA Proposal Calls For $30 An Hour Minimum Wage For Uber & Lyft Drivers. What Does That Mean For Ride Costs?
L.A. City Council members, including President Herb Wesson, Jr., are pushing forward a motion that would create a $30 an hour minimum wage for Uber and Lyft drivers.
Drivers would receive a $15 an hour minimum pay and the other $15 an hour would go toward maintenance, gas and other expenses. Council members want an independent study looking into average wages and expenses for drivers before taking a final vote. Frustrated ride hailing drivers are applauding the move because they say they’re struggling from meager wages and lack of protections. But some experts say the L.A. proposal will backfire, leading to fewer drivers and inevitably higher prices. They question how the already struggling rideshare companies can sustain the change, which comes on the heels of Gov. Gavin Newsom signing Assembly Bill 5. In a blow to Uber and Lyft, the law reclassifies gig drivers into employees.
We reached out to Uber and Lyft. Uber declined to be interviewed but provided the following statement:
“Uber supports commitments on driver earnings, but we are concerned this study is based on potentially false assumptions that will fundamentally bias its conclusions, and ultimately will lead to higher costs for riders and fewer rides for drivers. We stand ready to work with the City on constructive proposals that will improve drivers’ experience on the platform, and hope that the study is conducted in an impartial manner.”
Guests:
Billy Binion, assistant editor for Reason Magazine, a Libertarian-minded leaning publication, he’s based in Washington D.C.; he tweets
James Hicks, driver organizer with the gig workers group Rideshare Drivers United, which is based in Los Angeles, he’s been driving for rideshare organizations for three years.
Harry Campbell, Los Angeles-based Uber and Lyft driver and founder of TheRideShareGuy.com, a blog and podcast for rideshare drivers; he tweets