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Podcasts Take Two
Take Two for December 4, 2012
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Dec 4, 2012
Listen • 1:28:22
Take Two for December 4, 2012

Conservative activists are gathering in the nation's capitol to talk immigration reform. Then, why has deferred action slowed since its start in August? Does an 'immortal' jellyfish hold the key to everlasting life? Plus, new 110 toll lanes causing confusion for some drivers, and comedian Steve Mazan talks about his 'Dying To Do Letterman.'
Drivers fill the 110 freeway during afternoon rush-hour on January 9, 2008 in Los Angeles, California. In a reversal of opinion held eight months ago, Los Angeles County transportation officials this week announced a controversial plan to set up rush-hour toll lanes on local freeways by spring 2009. Officials hope to win $648 million in federal grant moneys for the toll lanes and various transportation fixes after missing out on more than $1 billion in 2007 for not backing the conversions. The first phase will convert car pool lanes to toll lanes on 85 miles of the 110, 210, and 10 freeways. The second phase will add build on the 10 and 210, as well as the 60, east from Los Angeles to San Bernardino County line. Los Angeles has historically resisted toll roads, opting to use road taxes instead to maintain freeways and keep them available for drivers of all income levels.
Drivers fill the 110 freeway during afternoon rush-hour on January 9, 2008 in Los Angeles, California. In a reversal of opinion held eight months ago, Los Angeles County transportation officials this week announced a controversial plan to set up rush-hour toll lanes on local freeways by spring 2009. Officials hope to win $648 million in federal grant moneys for the toll lanes and various transportation fixes after missing out on more than $1 billion in 2007 for not backing the conversions. The first phase will convert car pool lanes to toll lanes on 85 miles of the 110, 210, and 10 freeways. The second phase will add build on the 10 and 210, as well as the 60, east from Los Angeles to San Bernardino County line. Los Angeles has historically resisted toll roads, opting to use road taxes instead to maintain freeways and keep them available for drivers of all income levels.
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David McNew/Getty Images
)

Conservative activists are gathering in the nation's capitol to talk immigration reform. Then, why has deferred action slowed since its start in August? Does an 'immortal' jellyfish hold the key to everlasting life? Plus, new 110 toll lanes causing confusion for some drivers, and comedian Steve Mazan talks about his 'Dying To Do Letterman.'

Conservative activists meet in DC to talk immigration reform
Listen • 8:35
Today more than 250 conservative activists are meeting in Washington, D.C. for a bipartisan national strategy session held by the National Immigration Forum.
Why momentum for deferred action has slowed since September
Listen • 4:48
Think back to August: the weather was hot, the presidential race was in full swing and the Obama Administration rolled out something called Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals.The program offers temporary legal status to undocumented immigrants who arrived in the country before their 16th birthday.
Does the immortal jellyfish hold the key to everlasting life?
Listen • 9:44
Pat Krug, a marine biologist at Cal State L.A. joins the show to explain more about how the jellyfish cheats death and whether or not it could prove the key to life ever after.
Metro, highway police to crack down on scofflaws on 110 toll roads
Listen • 5:21
Traffic may be easing thanks to the new toll lanes on the 110 freeway, but drivers are still confused by how the lanes work. Josie Huang reports
Immigrants, minorities especially vulnerable to bankruptcy scams
Listen • 4:24
California court workers are concerned about a new kind of financial scam that takes advantage of people's mortgage troubles. Ruxandra Guidi reports that immigrants, Latinos and African Americans are especially vulnerable.
New Music Tuesday: Holiday tunes from 'Twas The Night Before Hanukkah'
Listen • 15:37
The new two-CD collection compiles eclectic songs about the Festival of Lights and Christmas songs, written and sung by Jewish performers.
Fighting between rebels and pro-Assad forces intensifies in Damascus, Syria
Listen • 6:24
In Syria, fighting between the rebels and pro-Assad forces has intensified all over the capital of Damascus. And there are more signs the Syrian regime of President Bahsar al-Assad has its back against the wall.
Journalist Lara Setrakian's quest to cover 'Syria Deeply'
Listen • 6:02
The civil war in Syria has consumed reporter Lara Setrakian. Until a few months ago, She was living in Dubai, and reporting on the Middle East for ABC News.
Comedian Steve Mazan on comedy, cancer and 'Dying To Do Letterman'
Listen • 13:57
Comedian Steve Mazan joins the show to talk about his new documentary "Dying to do Letterman." The film chronicles his five-year-journey of trying to perform on "The Late Show with David Letterman" after being diagnosed with cancer.
'Gay conversion' therapy rulings conflict in district courts
Listen • 6:19
A federal ruled the First Amendment rights of psychiatrists eclipsed concerns of danger to young people. Another judge issued a conflicting ruling. An appeals court will likely sort it out.
Need to hitch a ride? There's an app for that
Listen • 6:08
Smartphone applications designed for drivers, ride-sharers, and taxi seekers are starting to come into their own, but they're creating a lot of controversy.Here to tell us about this fairly new class of transportation apps is Samatha Murphy, a tech writer for Mashable.