How SoCal fire and rescue departments prepare for El Niño, Governor Brown's proposed state budget, propaganda and the role its played in the Korean conflict.
How Southern California fire and rescue have prepared for El Niño
Southern California's rain has momentarily lightened up, giving us a break from the deluge that El Niño brought yesterday.
Nowhere was that down pour more obvious than when the Five freeway and other roads flooded.
To help alleviate some of the disasters that can be triggered by El Niño, Southern California fire and rescue departments have been preparing to do what they can to help those put in danger by the storms.
For more on what they're doing to keep roadways and homes safe, Take Two's A Martinez spoke to Dennis O'Shea captain of the water rescue cadre in Ventura County.
The reason why people own guns
President Obama’s new initiative aimed at curbing gun violence has drawn attention to how the average American views policies and attitudes related to guns.
And tonight, President Obama will hold an invitation-only town hall event at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia as he continues his campaign against gun violence, and for greater regulation of firearms.
The summit is intended to bring together people with varying opinions on the issue - to try and find common ground.
But some argue that before you try to understand how to better regulate gun ownership, you need to understand WHY people own guns in the first place. Which isn't necessarily an easy thing to do
Professor Bindu Kalesan is a well respected expert on gun violence, and has researched the topic of gun ownership extensively. She's an Assistant Professor of Medicine at Boston University School of Medicine.
Writer Héctor Tobar on LA's response to tragedy in history
When he addressed the nation earlier this week, President Obama highlighted the fact that each year, more than 30,000 Americans have their lives cut by gun violence.
More so than any other developed nation.
So why does it happen here? And so frequently?
There is no easy answer to this, but perhaps we can learn a bit more about why by looking to our past - especially the history of Southern California.
That's just what writer Hector Tobar has done in an op-ed published by the New York Times.
A look ahead to Gov. Brown's budget proposal
California Governor Jerry Brown unveiled his proposed state budget for the 2016-17 fiscal year today.
Two big predictions came true— there were billions of extra dollars in revenue for the state, and the Governor warned once again that recessions were on the horizon.
Joining Take Two to discuss:
- Ben Adler, Capital Public Radio's Capitol Bureau Chief
- Carla Marinucci, POLITICO's California Playbook Reporter
- Larry Gerston, Professor Emeritus of Political Science at San Jose State University
The Wheel Thing: Electric VW van listens to your voice, BWM's i8 Spyder responds to your moves
After being caught cheating in a massive diesel emission scandal, Volkswagen seems to be trying to say, "hey, sorry, but look at this." It rolled out an all-electric concept van at this weeks Consumer Electronics Show, and by most accounts, it's a fitting act of contrition.
The Budd-e promises well over 200 miles of range from its electric drive train, but the real fun starts inside. Seat swivel, there's lots of video screen, and the car has a voice recognition system that can identify passengers, and, for instance, turn up the AC when your kid in the back seat complains of being hot.
Not to be outdone, BMW showed a topless version of its i8 Spyder. Sleek and lean, it too has some interesting stuff on the inside, including a complete lack of control knobs or buttons. In BMW's future world, all that will be handled with hand gestures.
In the Korean conflict, propaganda is the oldest weapon
South Korea says leaders in the North will pay the "corresponding price" for their suspected nuclear test Tuesday.
As part of the punishment, the South will resume propaganda broadcasts along the border this week -- an action that has riled the hermit regime in the past. There are several loudspeakers along the DMZ. Soon, those speakers will blast outside news to those patrolling the border in the North.
Though propaganda broadcasts may reach the ears of a few Northern soldiers, it's hardly the most efficient way to reach people on a large scale.
Melissa Hanham is a senior research associate with the Center for Nonproliferation Studies, where she specializes in East Asia. She says that groups outside of North Korea have found several ways to smuggle forbidden media into the country. This includes music, movies and even popular TV shows from the US and South Korea.
Press the blue play button above to hear more.
How volatility in China's stock markets affects SoCal
The stock market in China has plummeted for the second time this week.
Stocks dropped by more than 7 percent on Thursday, forcing officials to cut trading short just 29 minutes after the markets first opened. They also fell 7 percent on Monday before trading was halted.
While China might be an ocean away, turbulent economic waves there might crash onto California's shores.
Clayton Dube, director of the U.S.–China Institute at USC, joins Take Two to explain how the market volatility in China will affect real estate, the tech industry, tourism and more in Southern California.
Natural gas leak in Porter Ranch declared state of emergency by Gov. Brown
After meeting with Porter Ranch residents and touring the Aliso Canyon Natural Gas Storage Facility earlier this week, California Gov. Jerry Brown officially declared a state of emergency on Wednesday due to the ongoing natural gas leak.
The leak was reported in October by the Southern California Gas Company and has since forced thousands of families to flee the area.
Paula Cracium, president of the Porter Ranch Neighborhood Council, said that when she heard that Gov. Brown was going to be in San Bernardino, she called his office and arranged a meeting.
"There was a lot of information I think that was new to him that we were able to bring to light," Cracium told Take Two. "We're very, very glad that we were able to be instrumental in just igniting that department to respond."
Cracium said that the governor's declaration's call for oversight was "huge" since there are so many agencies dealing with the issue.
"I don't think they're being casual about it," said Cracium. "I feel this is now on the forefront."
This story has been updated.
To hear the full interview, click the link above.
Juror deliberations set to resume in Raymond Chow trial
Jurors in San Francisco are set to resume deliberations today in the trial of Raymond Chow, otherwise known as Shrimp Boy.
The Hong Kong born convicted felon was involved in an FBI probe which led to the indictment of more than two dozen people, including former California State Senator Leland Lee.
San Francisco Chronicle's Bob Egelko joins the show to talk about the impact of the "Shrimp Boy" case.
To hear the full interview, click the link above.
Lab Notes: Giant apes, midnight snacks, football
Giant apes, midnight snacks and football.
How do you tie all of these together? Easy - just bring in KPCC's Sanden Totten for Lab Notes, the show's regular look at science in the news.
To hear the full interview, click the link above.
How Gov. Brown's new budget addresses transportation funding
Governor Jerry Brown unveiled his proposed state budget for the next fiscal year today, coming in a hair more than $170 billion with about $122 billion going to the general fund.
One big question was whether Brown would put more money toward fixing the roads in the state and other transportation issues.
As SCPR reporter Meghan McCarty explains, it seems like more potholes ahead.
To hear the full interview, click the link above.