Airbnb’s new report claims that it has exercised no negative impact on the city’s housing and rental supply, unlike what some critics have charged. Then, the Russian military launched airstrikes in Syria today. Also, Asians will soon outnumber Latino immigrants coming to the U.S. according to a new study on census data by the Pew Research Center.
Amid rental crunch, Airbnb releases report saying it has no impact on LA housing market
Short-term rental service Airbnb’s new report claims that it has exercised no negative impact on the city’s housing and rental supply, unlike what some critics have charged.
The report, done in conjunction with researchers at UCLA’s urban planning department, came in the wake of a study put out earlier this year by the local social justice group, LAANE that found that Airbnb remove some 10,000 rental units from the housing market in LA.
Housing the Airbnb Community in L.A. Report
Guests:
Paavo Monkkonen, a consultant on a report released by Airbnb titled, “Housing & the Airbnb Community in the City of Los Angeles”. He is also an assistant professor of urban planning at UCLA
Roy Samaan, research and policy analyst at LAANE, a social justice nonprofit in Los Angeles. The group put out a report in March, finding that Airbnb removes a number of units from the LA housing market
‘Amazon Flex’ would pay drivers to deliver packages, but will it catch on?
In retail news and employment news, Amazon has launched a delivery service that relies on "Uber"-style drivers to make one-hour deliveries.
Dubbed “Amazon Flex,” it’s available in Seattle now with plans for expansion. The e-commerce giant is attempting to take control of its distribution by offering on-demand, independent couriers $18 to $25 an hour to deliver packages ordered for one-hour Amazon Prime Now delivery.
On Tuesday, shares of Amazon.com Inc. fell $7.99 to $496.07. Its shares are up 54 percent from a year ago.
What are the economics of this new model for Amazon? Is Amazon a natural addition to the “gig economy?” Or could it face similar legal and safety issues that have dogged Uber?
Guests:
Greg Bensinger, writes about technology for the Wall Street Journal's San Francisco bureau
Sucharita Mulpuru, e-commerce analyst at Forrester Research, a technology research and advisory firm based in Cambridge, MA
Defense secretary Ashton Carter reacts to Russian airstrikes on Syria
Speaking at the Pentagon today, Defense Secretary Ashton Carter said Russian airstrikes are tantamount to "pouring gasoline on the fire" in Syria. Carter said a strategy for a political transition in Syria must occur parallel to military action.
Earlier today, the Russian military launched airstrikes in the Middle East country, claiming its targeting so-called Islamic State (IS) militants, but U.S. government officials say the strikes are targeting groups opposed to Syrian President Bashar Assad.
"By supporting Assad and seemingly taking on everyone who is fighting Assad, you're taking on the whole rest of the country of Syria," Carter said. "That is not our position. At least some parts of the anti-Assad opposition belong in the political transition going forward. That's why the Russian approach is doomed to fail."
According to the Associated Press, Russia notified U.S. officials of the planned bombings about an hour before they launched. Speaking at the United Nations Security Council, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said the strikes would have U.S. support if they target IS solely.
Meanwhile, on the floor of the U.S. Senate, Senator John McCain (R-AZ) said airstrikes near the city of Homs indicate Russian President Vladimir Putin's true intentions are to support Syrian President Bashar Assad.
Earlier in the day, Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) said she thinks it's possible that Russia's move in Syria could be a positive development.
Feinstein, who is the ranking Democrat on the Senate intelligence committee, said help from "Russia and Iran in a political solution for Syria is important."
The U.S. conducted airstrikes in Syria as planned Wednesday, not near where Russian jets are operating.
With files from the Associated Press.
Guest:
Philip Ewing, Senior Defense Reporter, POLITICO joins from the Pentagon
What an Asian immigrant majority means for the future of California
Asians will soon outnumber Latino immigrants coming to the U.S., that’s according to a new study on census data by the Pew Research Center.
The study shows that Asian immigrants and their children are projected to make up approximately 88% of the country's population growth over the next 50 years, which will inevitably reshape U.S. culture, the economy, and politics.
Asian immigrants span a wide range of ethnic groups, including Japanese, Chinese, Koreans, Filipinos, Indians and Pakistanis.
What is causing more Asians to come to the U.S.? And how will this shape U.S. culture over the next few decades?
Modern Immigration Wave Brings 59 Million to U.S., Driving Population Growth and Change Through 2065
Guests:
Jennifer Lee, Professor of Sociology at University of California, Irvine, and Fellow at the Center for Social Cohesion
Hyepin Im, President and CEO of Korean Churches for Community Development
Joanna Lee, Senior Research Analyst of the Demographic Research Project at Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Los Angeles, formerly the Asian Pacific American Legal Center
Cue your Fitbit: Adventurer recommends these very cool walks in LA
Writer and Angeleno Paul Haddad’s new book, “10,000 Steps a Day in L.A.” contains 52 walks from throughout the Southland for the adventure- and health-minded L.A. dweller.
Larry talks with Haddad about these recommendations and more.
Of the 52 walks mentioned in his book, two can be found below. Listen to today's segment to learn about more hidden trails throughout Los Angeles.
NOHO's freeway to nowhere
"It's a bleak landscape of Whitnall Highway, a street in North Hollywood that sort of goes diagonal, like San Vicente. It's a wide street that at one point in time was supposed to be a freeway. It's very desolate, but if you look closer, you notice are a lot of hidden treasures. There are hidden murals nearby. There are two blocks of murals that document the history of Los Angeles. The more you walk around there, the more discoveries you make. They have a lot of old time shops that you only see in the Valley, like the Jelly Bean Store and a model train store. I like this walk because once you pull back the layers, you realize there's this hidden beauty underneath the surface. It's a total beginner walk, totally flat."
(Photo: Paul Haddad via PaulHaddadBooks.com)
Ghost of the Old Canals
"Everyone knows about the canals now, but this walk takes you along the streets that used to be canals."
(Photo: Paul Haddad via PaulHaddadBooks.com)
Guest:
Paul Haddad, author of multiple books, including his latest “10,000 Steps a Day in L.A.” (Santa Monica Press, 2015). He is also a television writer and executive producer