New Year, New Laws: Speeding Cameras, Police Stop Protocols, Minimum Wage And Many More
Several new California laws go into effect throughout 2024, and some are still up in the air. For example, SB 2 which was approved by Newsom in 2023 would limit where concealed weapons are allowed to be carried, but in December the law was blocked by a federal judge putting the law into question. Others which are definitely coming to a city near you include AB 645, which will see a new speed enforcement camera pilot program launch in five California cities, including Los Angeles. On the same criminal justice wavelength AB 2773 will require police officers conducting traffic stops to clearly state the reason for the stop at the beginning of interactions with civilians, in an effort to prevent racial profiling and pre-emptive escalation.
And just yesterday minimum wage increased across the state to $16 an hour to match inflation, and AB 1228 will require all national fast food chains to bump up minimum wage to $20 an hour beginning April 1st. Due to SB 525 on June 1 healthcare workers will have their minimum wage rise to at least $18 an hour across the state, with a large sliding scale in minimum wage depending on region and facilities. Healthcare employers will also be required to reach up to a $25 minimum wage by 2026. All this has changed and there’s still so much more to talk about like off-the-clock cannabis use, a state mushroom, and a ban on low riders ending. Today on AirTalk, Nicole Nixon, politics and government reporter for Capital Public Radio, and Lynn La at CalMatters join Larry to go over all the biggest new laws hitting the Golden State now that it’s 2024. Have questions about any new laws call 866-893-5722 to ask, or email us at atcomments@LAist.com.
Why Does Aviation Certification Lead Some Pilots To Avoid Self-Reporting Health Problems?
Recent reporting from the Washington Post found that many pilots aren’t comfortable sharing their entire medical information, particularly mental health, in fear that they won’t be able to fly. This comes from the fact that regaining certification is quite difficult once one admits their need for treatment, creating a bureaucratic process that has pilots on a leave of absence that would include them forgoing their salaries until they’re re-approved. It should be noted that certified medical examiners do independently approve pilots applications but that still leaves many folks believing secrecy is easier than admittance.
Helping us better understand this process is Andrea Sachs, travel reporter for The Washington Post who reported on the subject, and Joseph Sirven, MD, professor of neurology & chair emeritus at Mayo Clinic.
Is 'Groupthink' Inhibiting Teens From Thinking Critically?
Zach Gottlieb, a high school student, recently wrote an L.A. Times op-ed detailing what he's seeing with his fellow peers. Groupthink is alive and well, and according to Gottlieb, it's inhibiting young people's ability to think critically for themselves and try out different perspectives. Gottlieb writes, "Just when my friends and I should be trying out many perspectives and figuring out where we stand, we’re self-censoring, following familiar scripts." Gottlieb, who founded Talk With Zach, a virtual Gen Z community and wellness space, joins Larry to discuss. We also want to hear from other teens and parents about groupthink and its impact.
Prepare Yourself For A Big Election Year
It's a big year in politics. President Joe Biden is seeking reelection, but with two major wars and economic uncertainty, Democrats grow worried about the chances. Former President Donald Trump is plagued in court proceedings but continues to rally support for the Republican nomination. Could we see another Biden Trump square off? Plus, control of Congress hangs in the balance, and key California races could be the difference. Joining to break down the election year ahead is Frank Stoltze, LAist civics and democracy correspondent, and Ron Elving, senior editor and correspondent on the Washington Desk for NPR News.
What Self-Help Book Changed Your Life?
Our minds, bodies and spirits don’t come with a user manual. Luckily, there’s a whole genre of books dedicated to helping people navigate life’s tougher moments, whether it’s a search for a romantic partner, help getting new habits to stick, or finding purpose in life. From classics like Dale Carnegie’s How to Win Friends & Influence People to modern bestsellers like Atomic Habits and The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck, self-help is a booming industry, with some counts putting the value of the market at well over ten billion dollars. So we want to hear from you. Did you come out of The Artist’s Way connected to your inner artist? Did The Tools give you the, well, tools to cope with challenges? Give us a call at 866-893-5722 or email us at atcomments@laist.com (please include your name and location). Joining us to kick off the conversation is Jolenta Greenberg, comedian and co-author of How to be Fine: What We Learned From Living By the Rules of 50 Self-Help Books and co-host of the podcast How to Be Fine.
