An earthquake off the coast of Alaska could cause a tsunami that would flood Long Beach and parts of Orange County, according to a report by the U.S. Geological Survey. What is the likelihood of this happening? Then, as the California food stamp bills heads to the Governor's office, why do so few people participate in the program? Next, should California stop letting pro athletes file workers comp claims, and would installing speed regulators on cars increase safety? Then, what are the moral issues with selective reduction in vitro pregnancies? Lastly, we'll talk with author Nicholas Schou about the underground marijuana trade.
Pretend that a tsunami is headed toward SoCal...now what?
An earthquake off the coast of Alaska would cause a tsunami large enough to cause major flooding in Long Beach and parts of Orange County and force 750,000 people to evacuate coastal areas. That's according to an extensive simulation published Wednesday by the U.S. Geological Survey.
The survey highlighted communities across southern California that would be a risk of heavy flooding because of their low elevation and lack of protection from waves. The report is the most extensive look at what such a tsunami would do to California's coastline.
How are Southern California's coastal cities preparing for the possibility of such an earthquake? What is the likelihood of a tsunami like this happening? If a tsunami of this magnitude were to hit the coastline how much damage would it cause?
Guests:
Lucy Jones, seismologist with the US Geological Survey who led the project
Vicki Osborn, assistant emergency manager for Orange County Sheriff’s Department
California food stamp bill heads to Governor’s desk
A bill that aims to simplify eligibility for California's food stamp program passed the state Senate yesterday (WED), its final legislative hurdle before heading to the Governor’s desk. SB 672, the Anti-Hunger Act, was introduced by Democratic state Senator Mark Leno.
It would simplify the food stamp program in the state, which has the lowest rate of participation in the U.S. Democratic Assembly member Mark Stone, who presented the bill on the Assembly floor Tuesday, says only half of eligible Californians participate in the CalFresh program because the complex paperwork deters them.
“Families who are struggling to put food on the table should not be forced to navigate a difficult bureaucratic process,” Stone said, “in order to receive this temporary assistance.”
But Republican Assembly member Shannon Grove says the bill invites fraud. “Somebody could just walk in and say I have 10 kids and there's no validation of that program and receive the free resources from that program,” Grove said.
Why do so few eligible Californians participate in the state’s food stamp program? Will this bill help?
Guest:
Mark Stone, Democratic Assembly member representing California’s 29th Assembly District, which includes Santa Cruz and surrounding areas
Shannon Grove, Republican Assembly member representing California’s 34th District, near Bakersfield
Is it time to stop allowing pro athletes to file workers comp claims in California courts?
If legislation currently making its way through Sacramento gets the governor’s signature, it would put a stop to former professional athletes from the six major leagues (NFL, NBA, WNBA, NHL, MLB, and MLS) who spent their careers in other states from coming to California courts to collect workers compensation. Currently, California is the only state with statutes of limitations liberal enough to allow players who maybe only played a handful of games in the state to sue for damages decades after the trauma that created a long-term injury.
Assembly Bill 1309 would put a stop to it, and the major leagues are lobbying hard to get it passed, as passage would reduce the amount they would have to pay for workers compensation insurance. Proponents say these cases clog California’s courts, a statement that opponents to the legislation strongly refute. California is the last place these players can seek damages for injuries suffered many years prior whose effects surfaced later in life, opponents of AB 1309 say.
Should California stop allowing these cases to be litigated in our courts? Or should we keep this last port in a stormy sports career open for athletes trying to get justice?
Guests:
Ted Lieu, California State Senator representing the 28th District, which encompasses much of the South Bay, stretching from Long Beach to Marina del Rey
Mel Owens, workers comp attorney in the firm Namanny, Byrne & Owens representing professional athletes, former NFL linebacker for the Los Angeles Rams (1981-89)
Would installing speed regulators on cars increase safety on our roads?
The European Union has denied rumors of European lawmakers implementing mandatory 70-mph speed limiter on cars. Speed limiters, also known as speed governors, have been considered to improve safety. In the EU, cars with speed limiters could have cameras that could read speed limit signs and apply brakes when the speed is exceeded.
Could speed limiters improve safety? Should the US consider implementing speed limiters? The American Trucking Associations is pushing for 65-mph speed limiters on trucks, but what about on all cars?
Guest:
Carroll Lachnit, features editor at Edmunds.com
In vitro pregnancies and the ethical dilemma of 'selective reduction'
With the increased use of in vitro fertilization methods to conceive, more couples increase their chances of getting pregnant with multiple embryos. Couples may end up with the unexpected challenge of twins or triplets or higher multiples.
This challenge may be too much for some couples to handle financially or emotionally.
One way out of the challenge is selective reduction. In the case of high multiple pregnancies, doctors often will recommend selective reduction for the safety of the mother and the other babies in her womb. The procedure can also be done with fraternal twins. In the case of identical twins they are not as easily separated.
In recent years more doctors and patients use selective reductions in the case of twins and not always for medical reasons.
According to ABC News, a leading New York City obstetrician said twins to single fetus reductions make up nearly 10 percent of the reductions performed and the number is increasing. On the popular parenting website Babble, an expecting mom and dad wrote essays about their in vitro fertilization struggles and now their pregnancy with twins. In their essays they write about being “terrified” and “pissed” about having twins, sparking a strong reaction from readers.
As Ruth Padawaer pointed out in 2011 New York Times Magazine piece explains, all reducing twins aren’t seen as risky enough for parents to justify medically, and becomes a controversial choice.
Are there moral issues with selecting reduction if the babies do not pose a health risk to the mother?
Guests:
Arthur Caplan, professor of Medical Ethics at New York University Langone Medical Center
Bonnie Steinbock, Professor of Philosophy at the University at Albany, and a founding faculty member of the Union-Mount Sinai Bioethics Program.
Weed Runners: A look into California’s underground marijuana trade
Southern California was one of the first places to see a proliferation of medical marijuana dispensaries when the drug became quasi-legal in the state. Many who had been selling illegally saw an opportunity to make a legitimate business. But just a few years later, dispensaries were forced to shut down or relocate and sellers weren’t quite sure anymore whether what they were doing was legal or not.
In The Weed Runners: Travels with the Outlaw, journalist Nicholas Schou follows people who make their living in the underground trade of marijuana and examines the grey area in California when it comes to weed and its legality.
Guest:
Nicholas Schou, author of Weed Runners; managing editor, OC Weekly