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Podcasts Take Two
LA's Controversial New Voting Machines, Plane Dumped Fuel Over Playground, And Impeachment Preview
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Jan 14, 2020
Listen • 51:36
LA's Controversial New Voting Machines, Plane Dumped Fuel Over Playground, And Impeachment Preview

Local governments are unhappy with the Orange and LA county's new voting system, a Delta plane dumped fuel over a elementary school, and tomorrow's impeachment vote.
I VOTED stickers are seen at a polling station on the campus of the University of California, Irvine, on November 6, 2018 in Irvine, California on election day. - Americans vote Tuesday in critical midterm elections that mark the first major voter test of Donald Trump's presidency, with control of Congress at stake. (Photo by Robyn Beck / AFP) (Photo credit should read ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images)
I VOTED stickers are seen at a polling station on the campus of the University of California, Irvine, on November 6, 2018 in Irvine, California on election day. - Americans vote Tuesday in critical midterm elections that mark the first major voter test of Donald Trump's presidency, with control of Congress at stake. (Photo by Robyn Beck / AFP) (Photo credit should read ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images)
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ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images
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Changes to the DMV in 2020

2020 is going to be a make-it-or-break-it year for a lot of things. Count among them—the California DMV. Now, some of you may already think it's "broken," but Governor Gavin Newsom has a plan to make sure that by this year, the department is remade. And there's a lot on the agenda.

Guest:

  • Steve Gordon, director of the California DMV

Local Governments Fight New Voting System

Local governments and campaigns are familiarizing themselves with the new voting system in LA and Orange Counties. And many don't like what they see in the design. They're worried the way the digital machines display the ballots could mean some candidates lower down on the ballot could be missed. In fact, the Beverly Hills City Council voted last week to move ahead with a possible lawsuit against election officials responsible for the new Los Angeles County voting equipment.

Guest:

  • Libby Denkmann, KPCC's senior politics reporter

MAVNI Program

Some U.S. military recruits are fighting with the government to allow them to serve. 

They were recruited through a special program that allowed non-U.S. citizens into the armed services if they had foreign language skills or other special expertise. 

But the program now is at a standstill, and many recruits are in limbo.

 KPCC's Josie Huang reports.

Impeachment Update

Last month, the House voted to impeach President Trump for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress - this because of his efforts to pressure Ukraine to investigate a political rival. 

Then … nothing happened. 

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi decided to withhold articles of impeachment from the Senate. 
 

Now, after a month and a day of stalemate, Speaker Pelosi says the House will vote to send impeachment charges to the Senate as early as tomorrow.

Guest:

  • Marisa Lagos, political correspondent for KQED

Newsom's Plan For Early Childhood Education

Governor Gavin Newsom unveiled his proposed state spending plan Friday. The Governor is continuing his push to improve early childhood education and wants to establish a new Department of Early Childhood Development.

Guest:

  • Mariana Dale, KPCC's early childhood education reporter

Delta Plane Drops Fuel Over Playground

A plane making an emergency return to LAX this afternoon dumped fuel affecting a playground at Park Avenue Elementary school in Cudahy.

 We have the latest from the scene.

Guest:

  • Robert Garrova, KPCC reporter

Developer Donations

The LA City Council passed a law last year to stop council members from receiving donations from developers whose plans they'd be responsible for vetting. But people are concerned that developers may have found a loophole: disguising their personal donations as corporate giving.

Guest:

  • David Ryu, L.A. city councilman representing District 4