Today, we'll get an update on the immigration reform debate in DC; What could Obama's 2014 fiscal budget mean for student loan debt?; Retired NBA player John Amaechi on sexual identity in pro sports, and much more.
Immigration reform debate heats up in DC
Calls for immigration reform are heating up today. Rallies are set this afternoon in Washington DC — and in communities up and down California — in support of reform. Tens of thousands of immigrants and their supporters are expected to turn out in DC alone.
All this as a Senate bipartisan group — the Gang of Eight as they are known — work out the final details on its long-awaited immigration bill.
KPCC's Washington Correspondant Kitty Felde updates us on where things stand this morning.
Plus, the American Action Forum, a conservative think tank, recently released some surprising research. They report that immigration reform might actually boost the economy, not hurt it. We’ll speak to the group’s president, economist Douglas Holtz-Eakin.
What could Obama's new budget mean for student loan debt?
Today, President Obama unveils his 2014 budget. In it, he's rolled out a new proposal to change student loan interest rates. Joining us for more on this is Mark Kantrowitz, publisher of the financial aid web sites FinAid.org and Fastweb.com.
"If the 3.6 percent interest rate jumps to 6.8 percent, the typical recipient for one year's loans will have a $7 higher a monthly loan payment. If it continues for four years, that's the equivalent of about $24 per month," said Kantrowitz on Take Two. "It's not Earth-shaking, but every dollar that you have to spend on student loans is a dollar less that you can spend."
We'll be talking about President Obama's student loan rate plan tomorrow and we want to hear from you! Are you considering taking out loans or have you already? Let us know about your experience in the comments below, or send us a tweet to
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Consumers are using more screens, and companies adapt (poll)
When you're watching TV, are you viewing shows on your iPad, laptop and smart phone, too? As more people use multiple screens rather than traditional TV sets to watch programs, media companies are changing how they reach those consumers.
Los Angeles resident Quincy Surasmith turns on the movie “That Thing You Do” on his personal computer, but he’s not really watching it. That’s because there are so many screens to choose from.
His desk is surrounded by several electronic devices: his home theater PC, his Mac desktop computer, his laptop, a tablet and his smart phone.
“My desk chair is sort of in the center of everything and I can look at all the screens as I need to,” Surasmith said, pointing to a media command center of sorts in his L.A. apartment.
The 26-year-old is part of a growing number of consumers who multitask by using many devices. Their concentration isn’t glued to a TV set, so companies need to reach them in new ways through Twitter, Facebook and mobile apps.
Robert Thompson, a TV and pop culture professor at Syracuse University, said networks are marketing TV programs by building a stronger presence online and creating mobile apps to spur more audience participation and interest. (Story continues beneath poll.)
“You used to watch TV and you would comment and you’d talk among people in the room that you are watching it with,” Thompson said. “Now, of course that room has been expanded to anybody who is online.”
Web developer Katie Lohrenz, is a fan of The Walking Dead, but her husband isn’t into the TV zombie drama, so she usually watches it by herself in their Tehachapi home. When the show is on, she opens her iPad to Twitter, where there’s an entire community of Walking Dead fans.
“If someone is in a dangerous situation, then you go on Twitter and they’re like, ‘Oh, my God, they're about to die!’” said the 29-year-old Lohrenz.
Networks are adapting to meet the new habits of consumers. Some viewers don’t even watch TV programs on TV sets. They watch shows and videos on their smart phones and laptops.
These days, viewer tweets are even read on-air and networks are building apps that generate more online content. For example, Showtime created an app that syncs with shows that lets readers interact with polls based on certain scenes in a show episode. The app also curates tweets, memorable quotes and provides a recap.
An engaged viewer is a happy customer, said Ken Todd, Showtime Networks vice president of digital content syndication and mobile development.
“As a subscription network, people are deciding every month whether they want to pay for Showtime or not," Todd said. "We want to make sure people are engaged and they are getting the value out of their Showtime subscription."
Showtime would not say how much they spent on the app or how many people downloaded it. But they have an entire group of people supporting it. A team starts developing the app’s content two weeks before an episode airs and there are also staffers that make sure the app runs smoothly.
L.A. viewer Quincy Surasmith hasn’t downloaded the app, but he’s tweeted while watching TV. The multiple devices he uses keep him busy. On some weekends he might spend six to eight hours at his home desk.
“My default place is here, because whether it’s for leisure or work or anything in between or mindless consumption of media, I can do it all from my desk,” he said.
But a downside to using too many devices could mean less interaction with family members. Michael Gilbert, a senior fellow at USC Annenberg’s Center for the Digital Future, said families spent 26 hours a week of personal time together in 2000 to 2005. That has since dropped to about 18 hours a week, he said.
“The thing about the Internet is that it’s demanding,” Gilbert said. “It’s an interactive medium. The time that’s devoted to keep up their Facebook page and keep up their presence on the Internet — a lot of that I think is responsible.”
Back at his L.A. apartment, Surasmith said his multiple devices have improved his quality of life. He can keep in touch with friends that live farther away and he thinks of his gadgets as helpful tools. Plus, he can always unplug. It’s like stepping away from the typewriter 30 or 40 years ago, when writers needed a break, he said.
“To me, these [multiple screens] are no different except they can do way more,” Surasmith said. “When they are useful, they are way useful. When I want to walk away, they are no different than [walking away] from a ruler or a typewriter.”
Recently, he did unplug from his world of screens to read a graphic novel. Two hours later, he was back online.
Broadcasters up in arms over signal streaming service
Internet upstart Aereo makes local broadcasts — like ABC, NBC, CBS and Fox — streamable, so you'd be able to see them on your iPad or iPhone. Right now the service is only available in New York.
While the company hopes to expand to bigger markets, they're feeling the pressure from local TV broadcasters and their parent companies.
Here to talk about why Aereo is upsetting TV's status quo is Brian Stelter of the Media Decoder blog at the New York Times.
Sports Roundup: NCAA, Jackie Robinson, Lakers and more
It's time for our weekly romp through sports with Andy and Brian Kamenetzky. They've covered the L.A. sports scene for over a decade for the Times and ESPN.
Retired NBA player John Amaechi on coming out in pro sports
Coming out of the closet to family and friends can be difficult, so its logical that its much harder when you’re a celebrity. Maybe that’s why no one playing on a professional team sport has ever come out while an active player.
John Amaechi, retired from the NBA after his 2004 season, but made bigger headlines in 2007 when he publicly came out about his sexuality. He’ll come on the show to talk about his decision, the reactions from his team-mates, and his advice to gay athletes currently in sports.
RNC meeting in Los Angeles to set new rules, strategy for future elections
Members of the Republican National Committee are in Los Angeles this week for a three-day retreat. They're here to focus on the one thing that really matters to political parties: How to win elections.
But there's a lot of disagreement on how the GOP can, and should, do that. Differences over issues such as immigration and same-sex marriage are causing some schisms in the party. An even more thorny issue is how to select candidates for office that have the best chance to win.
Here to discuss some of the challenges the Republican Party leadership is facing, and how they might tackle them is John Feehery, longtime GOP strategist with the public affairs firm Quinn, Gillespie and Associates.
California lawmakers introduce bill to combat 911 'swatting' pranks
Lawmakers in California have introduced a bill hoping to crack down on a string of pranks called "swatting." The way "swatting" works is someone contacts 911 to report a serious crime or threat at someone else's house, but it turns out to be fake. The prank shows no signs of slowing down.
Last Friday, officers went to Justin Timberlake's Hollywood Hills home after someone reported shots were fired. Police also rushed to Selena Gomez's home in Tarzana after a 911 caller said someone had been killed. Both calls were a hoax.
Not only is "swatting" a problem to celebrities, it's a drain on resources. State Sen. Ted Lieu said just one "swatting" incident costs around ten thousand dollars to deal with.
Commander Andy Smith from the LAPD is here to talk about how authorities deals with "swatting."
Villaraigosa calls out Greuel and Garcetti in final State of the City address
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa delivered his final State of the City address last night, before his term ends in June.
In his address at UCLA’s Royce Hall, Villaraigosa recounted his accomplishments and sharply criticized the two people seeking to replace him. He said neither City Controller Wendy Greuel nor City Councilman Eric Garcetti is offering “serious discussion” about education issues.
We’ll speak to KPCC’s Frank Stoltze.
Budget cuts force grounding of Navy's Blue Angels air show
The sequestration axe has fallen on one of U.S. military's biggest attractions. Citing budget cuts, the Navy is grounding the Blue Angels for the rest of 2013.
The Blue Angels' absence creates a void in air shows across the country, including the Miramar Air Show, which takes place in October outside of San Diego.
"In past years, with the Blue Angels and our other acts the air show has more or less remained the same from year to year," said Marine Lieutenant Tyler Balzer, one of the organizers of the event, on Take Two. "So this is a chance for people who have been coming out for a decade or two decades to experience something new."
Though the free annual show — which costs around $1 million to produce — is largely self funded through sponsorship, fees and the sale of premium seats at the event, the Blue Angels show will still have to sit this one out. Tens of thousands of fans descend on the Miramar Air Show every year to watch the F/A-18 Hornets speed by over head.
"To be honest, the Blue Angels are certainly a crowd favorite, they're something everyone enjoys seeing, but this is something we've been planning as an eventuality for a while," said Balzer. "From the folks we've been talking to so far, certainly it's important that the Blue Angels won't be making it, but we're confident that we're going to provide something for folks will enjoy."
To make up for the loss of a crowd favorite, the Marines are planning an intensive demonstration of the military tactics, including the dropping of fighter jets dropping bombs, tanks and amphibious vehicles, helicopters releasing troops, and much more.
The Marine Air Ground Task Force is basically all the capabilities brings to the fight is our own air craft, our own infantry marines, our own tech, everything like that," said Balzer. "What we're going to show people is a simulation for what an attack like that would look like."
The cancellation of the Blue Angels' remaining 2013 appearances is expected to save the Department of Defense around $20 million.
Scientist defends federal funding of duck genitalia study
Every time the fiscal cliff or sequestration comes up, politicians begin scrutinizing the federal budget for wasteful spending. Inevitably, projects from the National Science Foundation come under attack.
Patricia Brennan is the author of one study, but she's standing up for her work.
Chris' Collection: Canned 'genuine' Los Angeles smog from the 1950s
Governor Jerry Brown is in China today meeting with top officials, including the minister of environmental protection. They are expected to sign a non-binding agreement to work together to clean up the skies — smog has recently been a huge problem throughout China.
Southern California has long fought the battle against smog, and back in 1957, an actor had a novel idea to raise awareness about the issue. He sold smog in a can. No joke.
Chris Nichols, editor at Los Angeles Magazine owns one of those cans. It's one item in an extensive collection of southern California memorabilia he owns. He recently dropped by to show me this unique piece of LA history.
Grand Canyon mules to stop delivering packages
It's a long way from the rim of the Grand Canyon down to the bottom where the Colorado River flows. For decades mules have delivered mail and care packages to the boatmen and backpackers at Phantom Ranch, a small outpost on the floor of the canyon. But now the company that runs the mule train says it's too much of a burden.
The last day for package delivery will be this coming Monday. From the Fronteras Desk, Laurel Morales reports from Flagstaff, Arizona.
On a recent chilly morning the packers were up at 3 a.m. getting the mules ready for their seven-mile trek down into the Grand Canyon.
"I need to catch up on my beauty sleep, man," Levi Goldsmith joked.
"That’s the truth," Charles Brashears said.
"Hey, I’m here for eye candy," Goldsmith said.
The men don't have much time for joking. They brushed and fed the mules, then strapped each one with 150 pounds of saddlebags filled with boxes. They worked quickly so they could leave at first light.
The mules supply Phantom Ranch with what it needs 365 days a year. Phantom — as it’s called — is a modest resort, about a dozen cabins, two bunk houses and a restaurant nestled in the trees beside Bright Angel Creek, a tributary to the Colorado River. The company that runs the mules, and all the hotels and restaurants in the park, is Xanterra. John Berry works for the company and is in charge of the mules on the south rim.
"We pack everything from food to bedding, pillows, windows, everything, Christmas trees during Christmas and the mail all on the back of a mule," Berry said.
"You know it’s almost like getting a toy at Christmas," said Kristin Harned, who has been getting mail at the bottom of Grand Canyon for more than a decade.
She and her husband John are both river guides. Care packages and letters by mule have sustained the ties between them.
"I remember one summer John and I spent, was it six or eight weeks apart," Harned said. "We were both on river trips and when he got home I had left the day before. Or somehow we missed each other. And that is a very long time. So I look forward to the letters from him because you’re inspired down there, too, they’re kind of poetic, you know. So it’s like being there with him and being connected."
And Harned can still get letters, but she’s sad to see the package service canceled. Xanterra’s John Berry says the packages became unmanageable.
"It got too big for us," Berry said. "We just could not handle how many boxes were being sent down."
And Berry says they also had to haul a lot of boxes out.
"I think last year we packed out 150 pounds worth of boxes that had not been picked up," Berry said. "I know at Christmastime we packed out 25 pounds of cookies that were left down there for a couple months."
For the past 10 years river guide Marieke Taney has spent her birthday on the river.
"And so that was always a really special thing to get to Phantom and have something waiting for you," Taney said. "With clients you can tell them it’s your birthday but it doesn’t mean anything. And sometimes I wouldn’t tell people, so to have that little bit there when I'd get to Phantom was really special."
But now Taney says she’ll have to make do with birthday cards.
"I really, really hope they don’t stop at least the letters," Taney said.
Xanterra said it has no plans of discontinuing letter service. So you can still send postcards and letters into and out of the canyon. And if you do, it will still get stamped “sent by mule from the bottom of the Grand Canyon.”