Today on the show we start with the news that LADWP head Ron Nichols is stepping down. Then, LA Mayor Eric Garcetti join us to talk about a number of issues from Tom Sherak's death to the President's State of the Union address. Plus, Nintendo profits tumble amid poor Wii U sales, Napa wineries are suffering due to California's drought, lessons the legal pot industry can learn from Prohibition, and much more.
LADWP's Ron Nichols says IBEW stonewall on trust accounting 'dumbfounds' him
Ron Nichols, the general manager of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, will step down Friday.
Since September, controversy has shrouded the DWP. The LA Times reported that two nonprofit trusts set up by the city and DWP’s largest employee union, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, had received $40 million in public money with scant accounting of how it was spent. The groups are meant to improve training and safety for electrical workers.
Nichols has served on the board of directors for each organization. Nichols disputes media reports connecting his departure to the controversy.
RELATED: DWP chief Ron Nichols denies departure linked to controversy over $40M nonprofit trusts
“I actually stayed here longer in part because of that,” Nichols says. “I had indicated to our board president last October that I was looking to leave in early December. He asked me to stay on. “
In his office on the top floor of DWP’s Hope street headquarters, Nichols seems like a guy who has just dropped a great weight from his shoulders. His only plans past Friday are for a month-long vacation.
“One of the things I have greatly missed being out here is being in the outdoors. Cause I don’t call Los Angeles the outdoors, sorry,” he says. “So I’ve missed things like double black diamond snow skiing and paddle-boarding. Things of that nature that are always just very hard to do at 10 o’clock at night.”
Nichols has headed the nation’s largest public utility for three years. Under his tenure, the agency moved to embrace renewable energy, and took concrete steps to ending the city’s reliance on coal-fired power, which contributes heavily to greenhouse gases.
KPCC will have more with Ron Nichols about his environmental legacy tomorrow.
Mayor Eric Garcetti on Tom Sherak, SOTU, earthquake safety and more
It's been nearly seven months since Eric Garcetti took office as the city's mayor. Needless to say, he's had his hands pretty full.
He joins the show to talk about the President's State of the Union address, the latest in politics and the passing of a man he appointed to be L.A.'s film czar.
Interview Highlights:
On how he plans to address income inequality:
"We're really looking at being smarter about how we address poverty. Somebody who is poor, who drops out of school, probably is experiencing that for a whole bunch of reasons. Unsafe passages to school in a dangerous neighborhood that he or she lives in, no after school programs, a failing school, maybe there's conflict at home, and health needs that aren't being met — mental and physical.
"We're looking at ways that we can invest in our youth to really break that cycle of poverty. This summer we'll have a 10,000-jobs program for our young people in Los Angeles, the most ambitious number we have ever done. But [we want] to get them into jobs in the summertime, give them those wraparound services that go throughout the rest of the year... give them the opportunity to be the next success story in America and to get those good jobs that are in L.A., but unfortunately are bypassing too many neighborhoods."
You mentioned the promise zones, which are the additional federal funds to help boost economic growth in needy areas. What do you hope to do with the additional money?:
"It doesn't guarantee any money, but what it does say is we're going to try to layer existing federal programs on top of each other. Let's say the Department of Transportation has something to improve public transit, let's say the Department of Education has help for after school programs, the Department of Justice has intervention programs to keep kids out of gangs and to reduce crime in neighborhoods. If we can focus those together, we really have a better shot at reducing poverty.
"We still have to apply to each of those grants, and the reason I say it helps other areas of the city is those grants will also be included. Our first one is a high school grant with the Department of Education to help prevent dropouts…in two schools in South L.A. and two in Central L.A. We're just trying to be smarter in a time of not having a lot of money. We're matching that money with local nonprofit community and private dollars. So I've gone to CEOs in the city saying, 'Look, can you hire a couple teenagers this summer, can you take ten in, can you teach them about work?' Because last summer 10,000 young people who wanted to work were turned away by this city. We're a great city. I love Los Angeles and we're headed for good days, but it can't be that your zip code determines the outcome of your life."
On increasing the minimum wage:
"Well, I've been supportive of that. I think that we saw in California and one of the inspiring things the president said [in the State of the Union] was, 'Don't wait for Washington to take action if you're a mayor or a governor.' And we certainly haven't waited. Here in California we raised the minimum wage. While I support that happening in some particular industries, I don't want it to be an effort that lifts just a few workers up. I think the minimum wage hasn't kept up with inflation.
"It's something that's supported by Republicans and Democrats, about 70 percent of Americans think it's a good idea. That means more money spent in the economy. When folks aren't earning such a low wage they're able to actually spend money, consumer spending goes up, our local businesses do well, that means more tax revenues for me and I can do things like pave the streets, keep them safe, keep them beautiful. So it's really a good cycle that happens when people aren't caught in that poverty, aren't visiting an emergency room for their healthcare, aren't on food stamps — which comes out of our pockets — but can actually support themselves."
On LA's earthquake preparedness:
"Well, since I took office, this is something that I have taken extremely seriously. Somebody asked me, 'Are we well prepared in L.A.?' Yeah, we're as prepared as any big city in America, which is to say that we're totally unprepared. I think no city has done a very good job, and it's one of the reasons that I've brought in, in a historic partnership, Dr. Lucy Jones, known as Earthquake Lucy whenever people see her on TV…We're going to spend this year listening to property owners, to stakeholders, to experts, to seismologists. The law is very clear. As we get new information from the state or federal authorities, we have to make sure that our zoning [and] permits adhere to those new maps and we cannot build right on top of fault lines."
Would he support an ordinance for earthquake retrofitting?
"I think there have been three or four different suggestions — from low-cost loans to a bond to just the requirement itself. I'm open to whatever way we can get there and I want to listen to our property owners to see what is best. But what I wont accept is doing nothing because to lose a life — whether it's your employee, whether it's your brother or sister, mother or father or son or daughter — that is unacceptable. We all as a city have to recognize this, not just as a problem for a few property owners, but as a community problem, a city problem, a state problem. I think if we do that we can solve this together."
On the death of LA film czar, Tom Sherak:
"My heart is really heavy. I had a tough night last night. We knew that he had struggled with cancer on and off, but he beat it for ten years. If you have never met this man, he was literally the most universally liked man in Hollywood, which says something in that industry. Somebody that had a sharp sense of humor, who was brilliant, was charismatic. And I think the moment that sticks with me the most was actually a last moment we shared together. I don't think many of us realized — because he kept it from us — how accelerated things were in the final days.
On Friday we had our last meeting. He called in [and] said, 'I can't make it out of bed today.' But he insisted on updating me on what was happening with extending tax credits in this state to bring filming home and he showed a fighting spirit I don't think I've ever seen. He was going to get the job done to his very last day when he easily could have said no. But he loved this industry, he loved this town so much. And I just share a huge sense of loss in his passing. "
SOTU Recap: Obama's remarks on Affordable Care Act, immigration and more
Following the President’s State of the Union, we’re joined by Todd Zwillich, Washington correspondent for PRI's "The Takeaway" to break down what was said.
President Obama tread lightly in his talk on immigration last night, and he again called on Congress to pass immigration reform this year.
The Senate passed an immigration bill last June. Now there are rumblings that the Republican-led House will be getting to work on their version shortly. Meanwhile, deportations of undocumented immigrants continue. In fact, President Obama has overseen more deportations than any other U.S. president.
We spoke earlier with two people who were listening closely to the President's words on immigration Seth Ronquillo and Ilse Escoba, both are undocumented immigrants. We asked them what they thought about the president spending only 60 seconds on the topic of immigration last night.
Sports Roundup: Super Bowl, Kobe still hurt, NBA commissioner out
It's Super Bowl week, college Joes want to become pros and the commissioner is done after a three-decade run. That means it's time for sports with Andy and Brian Kamenetzky.
In just a few more days it'll be Super Bowl XLVIII, Seahawks vs. Broncos. It was media day yesterday, which I'm sure at one time had a real journalistic purpose.
Since both teams come from states which have legalized recreational marijuana, the game has been dubbed by some as the Pot Bowl. Seahawks coach Pete Carroll thinks the NFL could take things a step further.
From the pros to the amateurs, at least for now. A bunch of student athletes are trying to take a huge step by forming a union.
The Lakers lost last night for the 17th time in their last 20 games. They are knocking on the door of last place in the Western Conference. It would take a miracle for them to just break even this season. Now news that Kobe Bryant has pain and swelling in his knee and he'll be out action for at least three more weeks if not for the rest of the season. Every week we think it can't get worse but it does.
On Saturday, NBA commissioner David Stern will step down 30 years to the day he started the job. What is the commissioner's legacy?
Remembering LA's film czar Tom Sherak
Today, the film industry is mourning the loss of one their own. L.A.'s film czar, Tom Sherak, passed away yesterday after a long bout with prostate cancer. He was 68 years old.
RELATED: Los Angeles film czar Tom Sherak dies, 68; family, Motion Picture Academy, politicians react
For a look back at his life and work, we're joined by Sherak's friend of almost 30 years - Tom Rothman. He's the Chairman of TriStar Productions.
State of the Union: Proponents of expanding pre-K programs react
There were many people paying close attention to what the President said in his State of the Union address last night. Among them were advocates for early childhood education.
So they were probably pretty happy when they heard this:
"Research shows that one of the best investments we can make in a child's life is high-quality early education. Last year, I asked this Congress to help states make high-quality pre-K available to every 4-year-old. And as a parent as well as a president, I repeat that request tonight."
The President went on to say that 30 states have raised pre-K funding on their own, and that he would create a coalition of politicians, business leaders, and philanthropists to get more kids into high-quality pre-K programs
For more on this we're joined by Alex Morales, President and CEO of the non-profit organization called Children's Bureau.
Who is LA County Interim Sheriff John Scott?
LA County Sheriff Lee Baca retires Thursday after 15 years as the head of one of the country's largest law enforcement agencies. County Supervisors have chosen OC undersheriff John Scott as interim sheriff.
RELATED: LA County Interim Sheriff John Scott will not be a 'placeholder' once Baca retires
KPCC's Rina Palta joins the show to offer some insight into this choice.
Reforms to prevent racial profiling by sheriff's office come with a price
When federal courts get involved with local police departments, the price tag can soar.
In Arizona's Maricopa County, an outside monitor is now in place to ensure that Sheriff Joe Arpaio and his deputies comply with a court order to prevent racial profiling against Latinos.
That's just one of many reforms coming to one of the most well-known departments in the country, and those changes are starting to add up. From the Fronteras Desk in Phoenix, Jude Joffe-Block reports.
Nintendo profits tumble due to weak Wii U sales
Sorry Mario, but your profits are in another console.
Nintendo recently revealed that their profits fell 30 percent in the first nine months of the fiscal year. This drop is largely attributed to slow sales of Nintendo's newest game console, the Wii U as well as their handheld the 3DS.
What does this mean for the future of everyones' favorite plumber? To find out we turn to Dan Hsu, editor-in-chief of Gamesbeat.com
Drone testing begins in Texas
A research team at Texas A&M University at Corpus Christi was one of six teams selected by the Federal Aviation Administration to begin testing Unmanned Aerial Vehicles or Drones.
The main focus of the testing is to work out safety and communication issues and huge chunks of Texas have been designated as potential testing sites. But some parts of the state are not keen on the idea. From the Fronteras Desk, Joey Palacios and Lorne Matalon have the story.
It’s clear sunny day in Kenedy County, Texas. The site where Texas A&M Corpus Christi tests its unmanned aerial vehicles, called RS-16, is on a ranch so large that it's a 45 minute drive from the ranch gate to the test site.
The testing field is mostly green except for a white tent, a few generators, and a trailer whose roof bristles with satellite dishes and antennas.
“This is the equivalent of going from propellers to jets. This is the next big thing in aviation," said John Huguley, the mission commander and a UAV booster.
The media is here to see the RS-16 take off. After two hours of prep, this orange and grey plane, 10 times the size of a typical model airplane, is launched into the air via slingshot.
It’s monitored and controlled by at least two people in the trailer. Matt McCurdy is the internal pilot. He can change its route simply by clicking a mouse.
“What you see here is the data coming down from the aircraft and this allows me to control the aircraft, tell where it needs to go, how high it should fly, and what airspeed it should be flying at," McCurdy explains.
This craft can go up to 15 miles away and its video, taken from a camera on its tail, is projected back to the trailer. It returns after an hour and a half. Huguley calls it a successful mission.
“They bring necessary services for our nation, it’s something we need to get into the market as soon as we can, but we need to do it as safe as possible and that’s the whole purpose of why we’re doing it the way we are," he said.
Analysts believe the industry will bring economic benefits to Texas and the five other states where testing has been approved.
Mike Blades is an aerospace and defense analyst with Frost Sullivan. He says the testing sites could bring jobs to the state.
"The economic impact will really be in the build up around the sites getting there, getting back, everything that supports the infrastructure of what customers are going to need when they come to your test sites," Blades said.
The next big thing in aviation and a thousand jobs. As many as 11 test ranges encompassing a huge amount of Texas airspace are possible test sites. But there remains a lot of kinks to work out, even before the testing is expanded across the state.
At a tiny airport in Alpine, Texas, a private pilot is taking off, one of many drawn to the wide-open skies of West Texas. There's no commercial air traffic, and it's bounded by the Rio Grande Valley and high desert. This draws professional pilots who relocate here specifically to fly their own planes.
There's not a lot of enthusiasm here for drones. Two counties targeted by Texas A&M have recently banned drone testing. The city of Alpine, which owns the airport, did the same.
Pilot Steve Posner said he doesn’t even want to consider the testing.
“Airspace they want to use for flying drones is uncontrolled. In other words, there’s no radar services. There’s no air traffic separation at lower altitudes in this area and it’s a very dangerous situation for midair collisions," Posner said.
The nearest air traffic control is in Albuquerque, N.M., 490 miles away. And both Texas counties wonder about the promise of economic benefit. Lawmakers here say two drivers of the region’s economy, ranching and tourism, depend on airspace tranquility.
“A person comes out here, spends their time, spends their money to come to a place where they expect to see clear skies and not hear noise," said Brewster County Commissioner Tom Williams. "I don’t think drones make a lot of noise. But they are in the sky. And there’s definitely the uncertainty about the safety of that type of program. Some of these things go up and some of them come down where they’re not supposed to.”
A recent case in point happened off the California coast one afternoon in November. Two sailors were burned when a drone crashed into their Navy cruiser. Five days before, another military drone crashed into Lake Ontario in central New York state.
FAA Administrator Michael Huerta said at a Senate committee Wednesday that Congress has directed his agency to find a very broad platform. Congress has ordered the FAA introduce commercial drones into U.S. airspace by the end of next year.
Senators pressured Huerta on another big issue in Texas and elsewhere —privacy.
“We would welcome the opportunity to work with our federal partners on a way forward," Huerta said.
That means there is no policy on privacy yet.
One pilot in Texas said, “We’re not Luddites We know drones are inevitable.” But not here, he said, before safety and privacy are addressed.
Napa wineries suffer as California drought continues
Severe drought continues to plague businesses throughout the state, including California's wineries. Vineyard owners say the last time Napa Valley saw conditions this bad was in 1976.
Now they are making changes to ensure their crops survive this dry spell. For more on this, we're joined by Domenick Bianco of Renteria Wineries.
City list shows schools vulnerable in an earthquake; district plans response
We've been talking about the list of buildings that are potentially vulnerable if there's an earthquake. That list, put together by researchers at the University of California, was made public this week.
RELATED: KPCC's Earthquake Tracker
Among the nearly 1,500 structures were more than 200 schools. KPCC's Sharon McNary says that set off concern among parents who saw their children's schools on the list. (You can read McNary's full story here.)
Super Bowl XLVIII between the two pot-legal states
Sunday's Super Bowl will feature teams representing Colorado and Washington, the only two states to legalize recreational marijuana. Needless to say there will be quite a bit of celebrating happening in both states.
Ricardo Baca is the Denver Post's marijuana editor for The Cannibist joins the show to talk about how the town is reacting.
What can the nascent legal pot industry learn from the Prohibition Era?
Recreational pot is now legal in Colorado and Washington, and similar legalization efforts are underway in several other states.
This gradual repeal of pot laws hearkens back in many ways to earlier chapters in American history, when alcohol was banned under Prohibition, but then eventually became legal.
To help explain how marijuana legalization compares with the Prohibition Era, we're joined by historian Garrett Peck., author of "Prohibition Hangover: Alcohol in America from Demon Rum to Cult Cabernet."