To strike or not to strike? That's the question L.A. teachers are voting on this week. Plus, we talk with the president of Arizona State University about the school's plans to open a brick-and-mortar campus in downtown Los Angeles. And we get sunscreen tips from a dermatologist. And Australian fire fighters are coming to California to help fight wildfires.
It's been quite a week in politics
(Starts at 1:37)
San Diego Congressman Duncan Hunter and his wife are both accused of spending more than $250-thousand dollars in campaign funds for personal expenses. Congressman Hunter and his wife pleaded not guilty to allegations of misusing the money. We'll look at how it could play out with voters in his district. Meanwhile, Cohen and Manafort are facing their legal woes so how's that playing out in California?
Guests:
- Marisa Lagos, a political reporter for KQED.
- Raphe Sonenshein, director of the Pat Brown Institute at Cal State LA.
L.A. teachers start strike vote
(Starts at 16:38)
Teachers in Los Angeles start voting Thursday on whether to authorize a strike. L.A. Unified School District teachers have been working without a contract for more than a year. Contract talks have been going for 18 months. Key issues include teacher salaries, student testing, and class sizes. A yes vote doesn't mean an automatic strike; it just gives union leadership the authority to call a strike if necessary.
Guest:
- Kyle Stokes, KPCC education reporter
Arizona State University will set up campus in downtown L.A.
(Starts at 22:34)
Arizona State University announced this week that it will set up a satellite campus in downtown Los Angeles. The new campus will be housed in the former Herald Examiner newspaper building and will be part of ASU's Journalism School.
Guest:
- Michael Crow, Arizona State University president
Australian Firefighters
(Starts at 30:30)
The Mendocino Complex Fire continues to burn about 500 miles north of Los Angeles. Earlier this month, things were looking a little dire so a call went out for some personnel help and almost 150 firefighters from both Australia and New Zealand answered.
Guest:
- Beverly Gardiner -- a firefighter from West Australia-- who came to help California out
The ground in SoCal is breathing
(Starts at 35:14)
https://twitter.com/Caltech/status/1027670418629386240
Caltech research has shown how pumping ground water from aquifers can actually cause the ground below us to move up and down, almost as if the earth is breathing water. As long as that rhythmic movement continues, this cycle is natural and normal, but if we pump out too much water the ground could sink too far and not bounce back.
Guest:
- Bryan Riel
L.A.'s Salsa orchestra
(Starts at 39:59)
If you dance Salsa, chances are you’ve danced to the music of Son Mayor. The LA Salsa orchestra has been playing in Southland clubs for almost thirty years. Take Two contributor Betto Arcos hit a couple of those clubs last week and has this profile of a true “Band of Brothers.”
It's the weekend!
(Starts at 45:38)
If you don't have plans for the weekend yet, fear not, we've got you covered!
Guests:
- Take Two's Leo Duran
- L.A. Magazine's Marielle Wakim