The Southern California Wildfires; Judith Miller Testifies; Billions In Federal Food Stamps Unclaimed; FilmWeek
The Southern California Wildfires
Larry Mantle is joined by KPCC Reporter John Rabe, L.A. City Fire Department Carlos Calvillo, and Captain Ron Bell, Public Information Officer, Burbank Fire Department about the latest news regarding the wildfires.
Judith Miller Testifies
New York Times reporter Judith Miller testified before a grand jury this morning, ending her silence in the investigation into whether White House officials leaked the name of a covert CIA operative, Valerie Plame. Larry Mantle talks with communications law attorney Michael Overing.
Billions In Federal Food Stamps Unclaimed
A new national study of 26 large cities released by the Food Research and Action Coalition (FRAC) finds that only 52% of Los Angeles residents who qualify for the food stamp program are accessing the benefits, resulting in a loss of nearly $410 million in federal dollars. Los Angeles lost out on $409,973,076 for food for its low-income residents in 2003. An estimated 551,858 persons would have qualified for the program but did not apply for benefits, which are 100% federally funded. Larry Mantle talks with food policy experts about the problem of getting food stamps to eligible individuals. He will also discuss AB 696, the Food for Families Act, a bill that would eliminate the requirement for finger printing for those receiving food stamps. This bill awaits Governor Arnold Schwarzeneggar’s signature in Sacramento. Larry talks with Frank Tamborello, advocate with LA Coalition to End Hunger & Homelessness, Matt Sharp, Policy Analyst with the California Food Policy Advocates, and Michael Flood, Executive Director of the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank.
FilmWeek
Larry Mantle and critics Lael Loewenstein of Variety and Andy Klein, film editor and chief critic of both CityBeat and ValleyBeat discuss this week's new releases, including The Greatest Game Ever Played, Capote, Into the Blue, Mirrormask, Separate Lives, The Reception, Duma, Sueno, Going Shopping, Garcon Stupide, Le Grand Role, and The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio.