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Podcasts Take Two
LA City and County Ordered to Get Homeless Off Skid Row, History of Pacoima and its Pollution, OTL: Oscars Are Sunday - What Can We Expect
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Apr 21, 2021
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LA City and County Ordered to Get Homeless Off Skid Row, History of Pacoima and its Pollution, OTL: Oscars Are Sunday - What Can We Expect

Judge Tells Los Angeles to Provide Shelter for Skid Row Homeless By October, Pacoima's Long History of Environmental Issues, A 'Different' Oscars Ceremony on Sunday

LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 01: Homeless people mill around on a Skid Row sidewalk after packing up their tents for the day and before businesses open on May 1, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. The newly released 2017 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count indicates a 20 percent jump in the city of Los Angeles while Los Angeles County has spiked 23 percent. Voters have approved a record number of funds for homeless services with the passage of Measure HHH in the city and Measure H countywide. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - Homeless people mill around on a Skid Row sidewalk after packing up their tents for the day. A judge on Tuesday ordered the city to find shelter for all of those living on the street in Skid Row by October 2021.
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David McNew/Getty Images
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Judge Tells Los Angeles to Provide Shelter for Skid Row Homeless By October

The city of Los Angeles on Monday proposed spending one billion dollars on homeless services and prevention, but it isn't enough for Judge David O. Carter, who's presiding over a lawsuit against LA city and the county for failing to get people off the streets. On Tuesday, Carter ordered the county and the city to offer SOME sort of shelter to those experiencing homelessness in downtown's Skid Row by mid October. Every single person.

Guest:

  • LA City Councilmember Kevin de Leon who represents Skid Row 

Pacoima's Long History of Inequity and Pollution

Pacoima is one of the oldest neighborhoods in the northeast San Fernando Valley. Surrounded by three freeways and home to an airport, a railway line and industrial facilities.  The predominantly-Latino community is one of the most disadvantaged neighborhoods in California in terms of pollution. Today we talk about Pacoima as part of Covering Climate Now, a global collaborative of more than 400 media outlets, focusing attention on the climate emergency in the run up to Earth Day on Thursday.  But first, we start with a history lesson.

Guests:

  • Jean-Paul Contreras deGuzman, a history teacher at Windward School and lecturer at UCLA. His forthcoming book project is called “A Touch of Danger: Southern California’s San Fernando Valley and the Racial Politics of An American Dream"
  •  Crystal Jacksonis president of the Pacoima Historical Society and author of “The Entrance: Pacoima's Story.” 

LAUSD Superintendent Austin Beutner Will Step Down in June

Los Angeles Unified School District Austin Beutner will step down as superintendent after his current contract expires at the end of June. He has led the district through a period of unprecedented tumult and his departure means more transition during a very precarious time.

Guest: 

  •  KPCC education reporter Kyle Stokes

How to Talk to Your Kids About the Verdict in the Trial of Derek Chauvin

Many parents have been having difficult conversations about racism with their kids since the murder of George Floyd last summer. And these conversations are likely starting up again now that  fired Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin was convicted of killing Floyd yesterday.

Guest:

  • Amber Coleman-Mortley, civics educator and parent blogger known as "Mom of All Capes" 

OTL: What to Expect from A Pandemic Year Oscars?

The Oscars are happening this Sunday, but amid a pandemic, what can we expect? Plus, ex-staffers at Abigail Disney’s company “Level Forward” speak up about their time with the company. 

Guest:

  • Rebecca Keegan, Senior Editor for Film for The Hollywood Reporter.