We take a look at what's happening in California politics this week with State of Affairs. Plus, a local man who served in Vietnam is finally being laid to rest. And, why so many L.A. elevators have expired inspection certificates.
State of Affairs
Let's look at the UPS and DOWN in California politics with State of Affairs. That's our weekly peek at politics in the Golden State. This week: Former vice president Joe Biden joins the presidential fray. But can he make a splash in Kamala country?
Guests:
- Marisa Lagos, political correspondent for KQED.
- Raphe Sonenshein, director the Pat Brown Institute at Cal State L.A.
Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Close to 52 years ago, a young Navy journalist from Montebello died in a plane crash in a remote mountainous area in Vietnam. For decades, the U.S government couldn't recover Raul Guerra's remains. But even when his body was returned to the U.S., Guerra's case posed a special challenge to Pentagon investigators: he was adopted in Mexico, and no blood relatives were available to provide a positive DNA match. After tireless effort by his friends, Guerra is finally being laid to rest this week near where he grew up.
Guest:
- Libby Denkmann, KPCC
After Aliso
The nation's largest-ever gas leak put 100-thousand metric tons of methane from the Aliso Canyon gas storage field into the atmosphere. The 2015 blowout near Porter Ranch has cost Southern California Gas Company more than one billion dollars, and it generated lawsuits from thousands of plaintiffs who say they were sickened by the gas. But the Aliso Canyon disaster also shook L.A.'s long reliance on natural gas. KPCC's Sharon McNary has more about how the region's energy picture is changing —After Aliso.
Elevator Inspections
One LAist readers asked via email: Why does it seem that almost every elevator in L.A. has an expired inspection certificate?
Guest:
- Ryan Fonseca, LAist.com
Rushing Water Safety
A wet winter means California's waterways will be filled to the brim once the snow begins to melt. But Take Two gets advice on how to stay safe when those rivers rage.
Guest:
- Chris Orrock, California Department of Water Resources
Weekend Preview
This weekend, a Major League food fest, Taste of the Eastside and a lemon lovers' confab tantalize your tastebuds. Not hungry? There's a music and arts crawl, a major spoken word throwdown and an exhibition of hip-hop photographs. Want more? A festival of Iranian cinema, a pre-Code double feature and a horror movie marathon cater to film buffs. Speaking of buff(s), the 10th annual nude trail run takes place so ditch those sports bras and Lycra shorts.
Guests:
- Leo Duran, KPCC
- Christine Ziemba, LAist.com