Trouble is brewing for the LA city budget. Then, is non-profit news the next wave for journalism? And, we crack open Ted Kennedy's autobiography "True Compass", and Frank Bruni's memoir "Born Round".
City budget woes
Facing a budget shortfall, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa announced yesterday that he could no longer support an early retirement plan for Los Angeles city employees that he negotiated earlier this year. With the current rates of spending and revenue, the city is on track to run out of money by next May. City Council members told union leaders that they could save the early retirement plan if they came up with another $60 million in cuts- otherwise, almost one thousand city employees face being laid off. Larry Mantle discusses the latest developments on the L.A. city budget.
Guest:
Fernando J. Guerra, PhD., Professor of Political Science and Director of the Center for the Study of Los Angeles, Loyola Marymount University
Not-for-profit news
OC News contributor Steven Greenhut is moving to Sacramento to start an investigative journalism/news bureau project covering state government on behalf of the Pacific Research Institute. It's part of the new wave of foundation-funded journalism efforts. Greenhut joins Larry Mantle to talk about his plans and the new wave of non-profit news organizations that are popping up all over the country.
Guest:
Steve Greenhut, Orange County Register senior editorial writer and columnist
Ted Kennedy: True Compass
A month after the passing of Senator Ted Kennedy comes the release of his memoir "True Compass". He discusses his work on civil rights, the Vietnam War, and his major cause, improved health care. He also writes candidly about the controversies in his life and the tragic deaths in his family. Larry Mantle discusses Kennedy's autobiography with Jonathan Karp of publisher Twelve Books.
Guest:
Jonathan Karp, Editor of True Compass, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief, Twelve Books
I was a baby bulimic
From childhood in New York and Connecticut, to his career in journalism, covering the Pope in Rome and the American presidency in Washington, D.C., Frank Bruni could always eat. A tumultuous affair with food frames his personal and professional development in his new memoir "Born Round." Larry Mantle talks with Frank Bruni about family, food, and his ultimate test: reviewing restaurants for the New York Times.
Guest:
Frank Bruni, New York Times journalist and author of "Born Round: The Secret History of a Full-Time Eater"