Today on AirTalk, we discuss the latest on President Trump and his call to the Ukraine including reports that he ordered his staff to freeze nearly $400 million in aid to Ukraine a few days before the call. We also take a look at Southern California's planned power outages amid this fall's heat wave; and more.
The Latest On Trump’s Phone Call With Ukraine
President Donald Trump ordered his staff to freeze nearly $400 million in aid to Ukraine a few days before a phone call in which he pressured the Eastern European nation’s leader to investigate the family of political rival Joe Biden, a revelation that comes as more Democrats move toward impeachment proceedings.
Trump, in remarks to reporters at the United Nations on Tuesday, confirmed that he held up the aid but said he did so to fight corruption and urge European nations to share in helping out Ukraine.
“As far as withholding funds, those funds were paid,” Trump said. “They were fully paid. But my complaint has always been, and I’d withhold again and I’ll continue to withhold until such time as Europe and other nations contribute to Ukraine.” He named Germany and France as among the countries that should “put up money.”
He also used the moment to again suggest that the Biden family inappropriately benefited from their ties to Ukraine.
We get the latest.
With files from the Associated Press
Guest:
Colby Itkowitz, political reporter for the Washington Post; she tweets
When The Lights (And A/C) Go Down In The City: The Latest On Planned Power Outages Amid SoCal Heat Wave
With the height of fire season upon us, so too comes the potential for utilities to shut off power as a cautionary tactic to prevent a wildfire from starting as the Santa Ana winds pick up and temperatures rise across.
Today, Southern California Edison is telling tens of thousands of its customers to charge their phones and medical devices and make sure they have enough nonperishable food to last a couple of days, because planned outages could be in the works. SCE says about 89,000 of its customers in Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, San Bernardino and Riverside Counties could be affected, and that they hope to restore power to affected customers within 24-48 hours of the outage.
If you are a Southern California Edison customer, you can find a list of potentially affected areas as well as a link to sign up for alerts about outages here.
Guests:
Sharon McNary, KPCC infrastructure correspondent; she tweets @KPCCsharon
Robert Laffoon-Villegas, spokesperson for Southern California Edison
‘Fentanyl, Inc.’ -- The Creation, Rise And Street Domination Of A Synthetic Drug
There’s a worldwide epidemic tearing through communities and creating unprecedented challenges for government agencies, and part of the blame goes to the chemicals and labs that are radically changing the recreational drug landscape.
In his new book, “Fentanyl, Inc. How Rogue Chemists Are Creating the Deadliest Wave of the Opioid Epidemic,” investigative reporter Ben Westhoff tracks down the little-known scientists who invented the drugs and takes an in-depth look at how the synthetic drugs have led to the deaths of thousands of people. Drugs like fentanyl, K2 and Spice were first created in laboratories for true medical purposes, but today they’re being created as replacements for other drugs like heroin and cocaine. Westhoff says the drugs’ effects are impossible to predict and all too often deadly. The book also looks to emerging strategies that could lead to long-term solutions to this worldwide battle.
Ben Westhoff will be talking about his book, “Fentanyl, Inc.” today, Sept. 24, at 7:00pm, at Chevalier’s Books in Larchmont. And tomorrow, Sept 25, at 7:00pm, he’ll be at the Santa Monica Public Library.
Guest:
Ben Westhoff, investigative reporter who writes about culture, drugs and corruption. His new book is “Fentanyl, Inc. How Rogue Chemists Are Creating the Deadliest Wave of the Opioid Epidemic” (Atlantic Monthly Press, 2019)
The Latest On OC Homeless Suit Settlement
A settlement was reached yesterday regarding how Laguna Beach, Santa Ana and Bellflower will approach homeless encampments.
The compromise will be a healthcare based approach, which means that social workers will assess a homeless person before taking any anti-loitering measures. People who are experiencing homelessness would also be able to tap into a dispute resolution process if they’re denied shelter. If a city has enough shelter beds to accommodate its homeless population, those who refuse to go to a shelter could be sent to jail.
Bellflower’s joining on the settlement might be a bellwether for other cities in L.A. County. We talk with a city voice and a homelessness advocate to get the latest, as well as their reactions to the settlement.
Guests:
Carol Sobel, civil rights attorney, who is representing the homeless advocacy groups who reached a settlement with Orange and Los Angeles County cities
Michele Martinez, former councilwoman from Santa Ana
Juan Garza, mayor pro tem of Bellflower, president of Los Angeles County Division of the League of California Cities
Hiring Based On ‘Cultural Fit’ May Not Be All It’s Cracked Up To Be
Employers often look to hire people who feel like a good fit for their organization’s team, but as a recent Wall Street Journal article lays it out, hiring for “cultural fit” can come with potential problems.
It makes sense: employers want someone who mixes well with the company’s mission, goals and team members. In addition, maybe it’s someone who a hirer seems to get along well with, which seems like a bonus. But finding the right “fit” could lead to sameness. Everyone looks alike, acts alike, thinks alike and so on. That can create a big roadblock when it comes to diversifying the office when it comes to things like race, gender, ideas and points of view. So how do employers find the right balance? What has your experience been like going through the interview or hiring process? Join the conversation.
Guest:
Alec Levenson, senior research scientist with the Center for Effective Organizations at the Marshall School of Business at USC; he tweets
The (100 Year) History Of Hollywood’s Oldest Restaurant
Even if you haven’t eaten at the famed Musso & Frank grill, you’ve probably consumed it in some way -- as the backdrop in Tarantino’s “Once Upon A Time...in Hollywood,” or “Mad Men” or “Ocean’s Eleven.”
Besides its on-screen allure, Musso has attracted various Hollywood insiders as well as literary greats for the last 100 years. Charlie Chaplin, Francis Ford Coppola, Raymond Chandler and Charles Bukowski are just a few of the many greats who frequented the restaurant’s dining room.
And the new book “The Musso & Frank Grill: Some Place To Eat” dives into the history of the restaurant, its patrons and its place in Hollywood. The book also features several recipes, including Musso’s famous Fettuccine Alfredo, and the story behind its classic martini.
Larry sits down with the book’s author, as well as the owner of the restaurant, to learn more.
Guests:
Michael Callahan, author and journalist; his new book is “The Musso & Frank Grill: Some Place To Eat”
Mark Echeverria, owner and chief operating officer at Musso & Frank Grill