Today we'll get an update on day 4 of the Pelican Bay State Prison hunger strike. Then, Texas laws spur underground world of flea-market abortions; A new UN report shows that Mexico has surpassed the US as most obese country; Pentagon may reduce danger pay for nearly 56,000 troops, plus much more.
Day 4: Update on the California prison hunger strike
Today, a hunger strike continues at Pelican Bay State Prison and others in the state, as close to 30,000 inmates protest solitary confinement, among other issues. This protest is the largest in the state's history.
Paige St. John of the L.A. Times, who has been writing about the hunger strike, joins the show with an update.
Behind the Special Security Unit of Pelican Bay Prison
What could be the largest prison hunger strike in California history enters a fourth day on Thursday.
The action is being led by inmates at Pelican Bay prison in Crescent City who are protesting conditions in special security units. One issue in particular is driving the action — controversial criteria used by corrections officials to hold men in isolation, sometimes for decades.
Why are Latinos in the US so susceptible to cardiovascular disease?
Every year, more Latinos die from cardiovascular disease in America than any other ailment, and the National Institutes of Health is trying to find out why.
The research center is currently in the middle of a massive multi-year survey on the health of Latinos -- one that could span generations. So far, they've completed six years of research and are getting ready to embark on the second phase of the project.
Joining us to talk about some of the early results is Dr Greg Talavera, a professor of public health at San Diego State University and a principal investigator of the Hispanic Community Health Study.
UN Report: Mexico surpasses US as most obese country
Despite government programs trying to target obesity, Mexico has overtaken the U.S. as the world's most obese country, according to a new United Nations report out this week.
The report found 32.8 percent of Mexican adults are obese, more than the U.S., which has a 31.8 percent obesity rate. Obesity in Mexico could be a result of various reasons, explains Dudley Althaus, a Mexico correspondent for Global Post who has been reporting on this story.
He says that, for one, greasy and processed foods are extremely popular in Mexico.
“It seems like every other day and every other block, there’s a convenience store that’s popping up,” Althaus said on Take Two. “These places are just chock-full of junk food.”
Another possible reason, which was pointed out by Althaus’ niece, is that many people eat from street vendors who often sell unhealthy items.
“You’ll see people standing in the streets eating fried tacos or fried gorditas and tamales and other foods, which aren’t really that good for you in mass quantities,” Althaus said.
The Mexican government has been trying to eradicate these bad eating habits through advertising campaigns, such as putting up billboards targeting school-aged children’s addiction to soft drinks. The new government and president is continuing that initiative, but Althaus says it’s not as aggressive.
Then comes the age-old question: Whose responsibility is this really—government or parents?
“Parents are very aware of their responsibilities, but you know these habits are hard to break,” Althaus said. “They’re kind of new habits, for one thing…it’s a tough turnaround as we’ve seen in the United States as well."
However, Althaus thinks habits are changing. Though vendors selling unhealthy foods tend to station themselves outside schools at the time they let out, some kids are choosing to buy snacks from vendors selling fresh fruits and vegetables.
The U.N, State Of Food and Agriculture Report
Princeton study shows birthdays could affect infant health
Birthdays determine a variety of things, such as your horoscope and when you begin formal education.
But more importantly, birthdays might also determine your health as a baby. Economists at Princeton University found that babies conceived around May, and thus born around January and February, have a higher health risk.
The study is published in the latest edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, and one of the economists in the study, Hannes Schwandt, joined the show.
Texas laws spur increase in 'flea-market' abortions
The Texas House formally approved the anti-abortion bill SB5 yesterday, which limits access to abortions in the state. A Senate committee takes up the bill today, and the full Texas Senate is expected to vote on it tomorrow.
The measure bans abortion after 20 weeks. It also only allows abortions in facilities that are certified as surgical centers. Opponents say the new law will make it almost impossible for many women, especially low-income Texans, to obtain abortions.
Texas state Senator Wendy Davis filibustered against the bill in the last attempt to pass it.
For many low income women in Texas, dangerous and unhealthy alternatives to clinical abortion are an ongoing reality.
Bloomberg reporter Esme Deprez visited South Texas, and has written a report about so-called flea market abortions. She says there's already a well-established black market for miscarriage-inducing drugs.
SoCal Politics: What's next for Wendy Greuel, special election and more
Time for our look at politics here in Southern California with KPCC political reporters Frank Stoltze and Alice Walton.
Mayor Eric Garcetti made news this week when he followed up on a campaign promise to make all of the city's general managers reapply for their jobs. Is this unusual? And how are the city's general managers responding to this request?
In that same news conference, Mayor Garcetti said he wants to rethink diversity in the city. What exactly does that mean?
Garcetti's former opponent, Wendy Greuel, was back in the news this past week, talking about her political future. Greuel has served as a Los Angeles city councilperson and the city controller. Are we likely to see her on another ballot some time soon?
Speaking of campaigns and races, Governor Jerry Brown has called special elections to fill the seats of Assemblyman Bob Blumenfield and State Senator Curren Price. Is this the latest round of political musical chairs?
In their first vote as Los Angeles City Councilmen, Blumenfield and Price joined their colleagues to unanimously support Herb Wesson's reelection as council president. It sounds like Wesson gave quite the acceptance speech.
Finally, the California Public Employees' Retirement System announced this week it would post a database with details on the pension benefits it pays out. But it wasn't two days before CalPERS backtracked. What happened?
Pentagon may reduce danger pay for nearly 56,000 troops
A Pentagon security review finds that conditions are much safer in 18 countries where troops are based. That's the good news. The bad news is that may mean a pay cut.
The Associated Press is reporting that the Defense Department may drop danger pay for roughly 56,000 troops.
For more on this, we turn to Ed Daly, a director at iJet, a risk consultancy that works with multinational corporations and government organizations.
Chicago teachers to rally against Teach for America
This weekend in Chicago, there will be a rally protesting the Teach For America organization, comprised of teachers and former Teach for America alumni.
While it'll be the first national assembly aimed at organizing resistance to the organization, it's not the first point of friction between teachers and Teach for America. Is the conflict the same across the nation, and does it exist here in California?
Professor John Rogers with UCLA's Graduate School of Education and Information Studies joins the show to explain.
Report: More Americans exercising, but not losing weight
A new study out this week from the University of Washington's Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation shows that Americans are exercising more than ever, but we aren't losing much weight.
For more on this, we're joined now by Ali Mokdad, one of the authors of the study.
California moves to close worker's comp loophole for athletes
For years, professional athletes have been filing workers' compensation claims in California. That would be normal, except for the fact that some athletes who have played just one game in California are technically eligible for worker's compensation in the state.
For example, former Dallas Cowboy Michael Irvin was awarded $249,000 despite playing his entire career in Texas.
"It piles hundreds of millions on insurers and teams that are based on California, because its their insurance that gets claimed," said Dan Walters, political columnist for the Sacramento Bee, on Take Two. "When you have a certain number of claims, it affects your insurance premium down the line."
According to the LA Times, $747 million in claims from 4,500 athletes have been awarded since 1980.
This loophole might be closed soon, if lawmakers get their way.
On Wednesday, a bill proposed by Assemblymember Henry T. Perea (D-Fresno) was unanimously approved by the Senate Labor and Industrial Relations Committee. The bill, compromised after some debate, will prevent athletes from filing in California if they haven't played two seasons for a California team, among other provisions. This applies only to non-specific injury claims, known as "cumulative trauma" that occurs over the period of a career.
With the new legislation, only athletes who have played at least two years for a California-based sports team are eligible for non-specific injury compensation. Known as Assembly Bill 1309, the proposed legislation would also set jurisdictional standards on claims from professional athletes.
The money paid in to fund these claims comes from insurance companies and professional sports teams, who are fed up with the current structure. Not only can athletes file in California even if they play there just occasionally, but they can double up and apply for compensation benefits in their home state as well.
This doesn't just apply to professional athletes, as workers who travel across the country, such as truck drivers, can apply for compensation in California and their respective states.
For now, the bill's approval by the Senate committee means it's well on its way. "With this compromise, it appears that it's on track to go through," said Walters. "The President Pro Temp, Darrell Steinberg, announced the compromise this week and gave his seal of approval to it, and that indicates that the labor opposition would be removed."
Athletes and their representatives are opposed to the measure, which would go into effect in 2014 if passed in the California Senate.
Whittier Latinos may use CA Voting Rights Act to seek district elections
This is one part in a new KPCC series looking at the rights, responsibilities, traditions and privileges that come along with being a citizen. Let us know what you think.
In KPCC's new series, "Project Citizen," we're pursuing stories that look at the responsibilities, traditions, and privileges that citizenship entails.
Voting is one of them, but some voters say fair representation remains elusive.
KPCC's Sharon McNary says California's Voting Rights Act is being used with greater frequency to change how voters elect their local officials.
San Diego Mayor Bob Filner urged to step down amid sexual harassment claims
A prominent former supporter has urged San Diego Mayor Bob Filner to step down amid sexual harassment allegations.
Former San Diego City Councilwoman Donna Frye, along with attorneys Marco Gonzalez and Cory Briggs, sent a letter to Filner, obtained by KPBS, in which they tell Filner that they have become aware of more than one instance of alleged sexual harassment and they urge Filner to resign:
"I have recently received credible evidence of more than one woman being sexually harassed by you. Despite past rumors, I tried to give you the benefit of the doubt."
RELATED: San Diego mayor apologizes for sexual harassment (video)
The call for Mayor Filner's resignation comes just days after his fiancee, Bronwyn Ingram, announced in an email to volunteers for her group, Team First Lady, that she was breaking their engagement:
"I am extremely disappointed and heartbroken, both for what Team First Lady could have accomplished, and for me, personally; however, this is the only action I can take given the devolvement of our personal relationship."
Filner is the first Democratic mayor of San Diego in 20 years, and he took office less than a year ago. Frye had been a staunch supporter of the Mayor, and had served as his director of open government for several months until resigning for a position at Californians Aware, a group that advocates for open government.
"Those who have spoken to me recently would not make the allegations lightly or without cause, and I believe them," Frye wrote in the letter. "I cannot in good conscience remain silent on this, even if those who have spoken to me choose to do so out of fear of retribution or the possibility of a media circus where they could be twice victimized."
KPBS senior editor Mark Sauer says the allegations go beyond just verbal harassment like asking for a date or being "boorish."
"There are allegations of groping, there are allegations of people on his staff whose livelihood, whose jobs depend on the Mayor, as well as people who contract with the City, PR people, marketing people who need to get the Mayor to events who have been alleging that they've been harassed, so it's a very serious charge," said Sauer on Take Two.
Frye called a press conference Thursday morning, but none of the alleged victims were present.
"It's a dicey political situation," said Sauer. "The theme of the press conference today was the ball is in Mayor Filner's court, he needs to come forth and say something."
KPBS reported that Frye made clear in an interview that she was not harassed by Filner, a 70-year-old divorcee.
With contributions from the Associated Press
Dinner Party Download: Cigarette hoarding, 'McDiving,' and a bikini history lesson
This edition of the Dinner Party Download looks into the hoarding of menthol cigarettes, a disturbing trend going on in UK McDonald's, and the history of a vital piece of LA summer wear: the bikini.
Former German Chancellor is hoarding menthol cigarettes
"At an EU meeting ten days ago, the organization discussing banning menthol cigarettes out of fear that the cigarettes encourage children to smoke. In respond, 94-year-old former German Chancellor Helmut Schmidt has hoarded 38,000 of the cigarettes at his house, lest the EU decided to take the product off the open market."
Is drunk counter-diving at McDonald's the next fad?
"A new trend in the UK has emerged- "McDiving". This apparently involves getting drunk and then diving completely over the counter at a McDonald’s. The Daily Mail says this is happening all around the country. The article features a Youtube compilation video showing many your men doing it, some dressed as bananas for some reason. Some of these clips seem to be occurring in the same store though, so is this really a trend or just something a few dudes are doing and popularizing? Either way it’s super dumb, and making its way around enough blogs today enough so that probably U.S. college kids will soon stoop to try it".
"In 1946, the bikini was unveiled in France. And the body enough beneath it. It was named for Bikini Atoll, where a few days earlier, they (France) had dropped a nuclear bomb…The creator got 50,000 letters from fans thanking him for inventing this thing, but several southern European countries banned the bikini for several years, including Spain and Italy. It came to the United States in 1960, the same year the song "Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini" was released."