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Podcasts Take Two
Wildlife Waystation Closes, Men's Central Jail, On The Lot
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Aug 14, 2019
Listen • 48:44
Wildlife Waystation Closes, Men's Central Jail, On The Lot

What will happen to the animals now that the Wildlife Waystation is closing? The L.A. County Board of Supervisors votes on what to do with the Men's Central.
One of the old tigers at the Wildlife WayStation sanctuary inspects a Christmas tree inside his cage.
One of the old tigers at the Wildlife WayStation sanctuary inspects a Christmas tree inside his cage.
(
Ruxandra Guidi/KPCC
)

The Wildlife Waystation is closing, due to fire and flood damage, as well as leadership changes. Plus, what's happening with the Men's Central Jail following Tuesday's vote by the L.A. County Board of Supervisors. And, the latest news out of Hollywood.

LAUSD School Ranking

The LAUSD is considering a plan to rate both public schools and privately-run charters. Under the plan, schools would be rated on a scale of 1 to 5. The goal? Well, they say it will give parents more choice. But there are - of course - concerns over how schools will be rated, and what the system might mean for schools in areas with lower incomes. LAUSD board member Nick Melvoin helped propose the system.

Guest:

  • Nick Melvoin, LAUSD board member 

Wildlife Waystation Closes

The Wildlife Waystation, a home for hundreds of abandoned and abused exotic animals located in Sylmar, is closing its doors following fire and flood damage, as well as leadership changes. We'll talk to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, who are stepping in to take care of the lions, tigers, chimpanzees and other exotic creatures, and hear about the work it will take to find these creatures a new home.

Guest:

  • Jordan Traverso, California Department of Fish and Wildlife

Shake Alert Update

A new version of Los Angeles’ earthquake early warning app will now alert users of weaker shaking. The change comes after many Angelenos were upset they didn’t receive notice before shaking arrived in L.A. from two powerful quakes near Ridgecrest, CA on July 4th and 5th. 

Guest:

  • Bob de Groot, physical scientist with the U.S. Geological Survey 

Men's Central Jail

Los Angeles County is radically shifting how its criminal justice system handles people with mental illnesses. Yesterday, the LA County Board of Supervisors voted to scrap a longtime plan that would have turned the men's central jail downtown into a mental health treatment facility for inmates. More than 200 people spoke at the meeting to urge supervisors to scrap the plan. 

Guest:

  • Alyssa Jeong Perry, KPCC

On the Lot

The CBS Viacom merger is a go. We'll tell you what that means for consumers and the streaming landscape as a whole. Plus, why Universal executives are receiving death threats. 

Guest:

  • Rebecca Keegan, The Hollywood Reporter

Disneyland Attendance

A recent drop in attendance at Disneyland has Theme Park Insider's Robert Niles asking: "Have Disneyland fans finally reached their limit.”

Guest:

  • Robert Niles, Theme Park Insider

CA REPORT: ‘50s DINER

The California Report Magazine’s host Sasha Khokha grew up in L.A., just a mile from LAX, and she takes us to one of her family’s favorite neighborhood spots. Dinah’s Family Restaurant has been serving up American comfort food for 60 years. Diners come for the fried chicken, liver and onions, and one-of-a-kind apple pancakes. If the food wasn’t enough of a draw, consider the Googie-style architecture. Think "The Jetsons" — big stucco orbs jutting from the ceiling, fake rock walls and vinyl booths. This quintessential L.A. diner can’t be missed.