Today on AirTalk, we go over the latest in politics, including updates on the impeachment inquiry and the 2020 election. We also discuss Governor Gavin Newsom's decision to pass legislation allowing student athletes to accept endorsements; weigh in on the plastic straw debate; and more.
Week In Politics: The Latest On The Impeachment Inquiry, 2020 Candidates Are In Town This Week And More
AirTalk’s weekly political roundtable recaps the major headlines you might’ve missed in politics news over the weekend and looks ahead to the week to come. Here are the headlines what we’re following this week:
Impeachment:
Pelosi announced an impeachment inquiry. Meanwhile, Trump pushed for an inquiry into Biden. The latest is that Trump is calling for Chairman Schiff to be investigated for treason
Acting DNI Joseph Maguire testified in front of House Intel
Should the whistleblower testify? Who is the whistleblower?
2020:
Kamala Harris is performing poorly on New Berkeley IGS Poll
Wall Street Dems aren’t hot on Warren
Andrew Yang is in town today. He’s been appearing on podcasts and and trying to appeal to younger voters - is that a smart strategy? (Plus, Warren and Biden are in the Golden State this week)
The numbers for Trump in California are not looking great
According to a new UC Berkeley IGS poll, housing affordability is the biggest reason people are considering moving away from California. But there’s another big reason too, and that’s political alienation. How are conservatives faring in an increasingly blue state?
Guests:
Kevin Whitelaw, deputy managing editor for U.S. government at Bloomberg; he tweets
Nomiki Konst, former member of the DNC Unity Reform Commission, which worked to increase participation in the Democratic Party and reform the presidential primary process; former Bernie Sanders surrogate in 2016; she tweets
Pete Peterson, dean of the School of Public Policy and senior fellow at The Davenport Institute at Pepperdine University; he tweets
California Becomes First State to Allow Student Athletes To Cash In On Endorsements
Defying the NCAA, California's governor signed a first-in-the-nation law Monday that will let college athletes hire agents and make money from endorsements - a move that could upend amateur sports in the U.S. and trigger a legal challenge.
Under the law, which takes effect in 2023, students at public and private universities in the state will be allowed to sign deals with sneaker companies, soft drink makers or other advertisers and profit from their images, names or likenesses, just like the pros.
He predicted other states will introduce similar legislation. Two lawmakers in South Carolina have already announced plans to do so.
The new law applies to all sports, though the big money to be made is in football and basketball. It bars schools from kicking athletes off the team if they get paid. It does not apply to community colleges and prohibits athletes from accepting endorsement deals that conflict with their schools' existing contracts.
The NCAA, which had asked Newsom to veto the bill, responded by saying it will consider its "next steps" while also moving forward with "efforts to make adjustments to NCAA name, image and likeness rules that are both realistic in modern society and tied to higher education."
With files from the Associated Press
NCAA Statement:
As a membership organization, the NCAA agrees changes are needed to continue to support student-athletes, but improvement needs to happen on a national level through the NCAA’s rules-making process. Unfortunately, this new law already is creating confusion for current and future student-athletes, coaches, administrators and campuses, and not just in California. We will consider next steps in California while our members move forward with ongoing efforts to make adjustments to NCAA name, image and likeness rules that are both realistic in modern society and tied to higher education. As more states consider their own specific legislation related to this topic, it is clear that a patchwork of different laws from different states will make unattainable the goal of providing a fair and level playing field for 1,100 campuses and nearly half a million student-athletes nationwide.
Guest:
Marc Edelman, professor at Baruch College, City University of New York, where he specializes in sports law and antitrust law
Gregg E. Clifton, lawyer at the Phoenix-based law firm, Jackson Lewis where one of his specialities is sports law; he serves as the editor of the firm’s sports law blog
Clinton Speegle, attorney with Lightfoot, Franklin & White Law, a Birmingham-based law firm who works on the firm’s NCAA Compliance & Investigations team
As LA’s Plastic Straw Ban Enters Second Phase, We Check In With How You’re Faring
Starting tomorrow, customers will have to ask for plastic straws in all Los Angeles restaurants—from mom and pops to fast food chains.
According to ABC 7 this is the second phase of the “Straws on Request” initiative that began rolling out in April this year. This second phase will encompass smaller businesses. The initiative is the beginning of a larger campaign to remove plastic straws in LA entirely, to reduce single-use plastic waste in the environment.
If you own a restaurant or a business that supplies straws to customers, how are you handling the new requirements? As a customer, how do you feel about restrictions on plastic straws? What do you think of alternatives, like paper straws and plastic lids? Share your thoughts with Larry Mantle by calling 866-893-5722.
Guest:
Shelley Luce, President and Chief Executive Officer of Heal the Bay, the Santa Monica based nonprofit that focuses on issues impacting the ocean and the coastline
Triple Play: Is This The Year For The Dodgers?
Another MLB season came to an end this week, with the Dodgers facing off against the Padres and then the Giants over the weekend.
In their final regular season game, the Dodgers routed the Giants with a whopping 9 to 0 win, finishing the season with a 106-56 record. With their 106 win, the Dodgers have broken their franchise record for number of games won, with the previous record being held by the 1953 “Boys of Summer” Brooklyn Dodgers that included Jackie Robinson, Duke Snider and other Hall of Famers.
Following the wildcard game this Tuesday between the Milwaukee Brewers and Washington Nationals, the Dodgers will face the winner of that game this Thursday in the first game of the National League Division Series.
Today on AirTalk, Nick Roman and A Martinez join Larry in studio to share their reactions to the Dodgers’ record breaking season, and their predictions for the upcoming postseason.
How do you think the boys in blue will fare in the postseason? Do you think they’ll win it all? Give us a call at 866-893-5722.
Guests:
A Martinez, host of KPCC’s “Take Two”; he tweets
Nick Roman, host of KPCC’s “All Things Considered”; he tweets