It's the water — and a lot more
Residents this week filed a class action lawsuit against the Sativa water district in Compton and now the L.A. County LAFCo —that's Local Area Formation Commission— has recommended dissolving it, and most likely replacing it with a private, for-profit water company. Part of the reason for the rusty pipes and ugly water is that the district didn't want to charge much because it's a low-income area.
Guest:
- Paul Novak with LAFCO
Why are some many black babies dying?
One of the reasons it's so hard to close the gap in birth outcomes between black and white babies is because racism is hard to talk about. KPCC’s reporter Priska Neely looks at what the evidence is that systemic racism is the reason behind the grim statistics.
Homeless shelter needed — and actually approved
The NIMBYs have taken a back seat in the city of Ventura, as the city successfully Okayed a new homeless shelter near the downtown area. That's something beyond the ability of half a dozen cities in Orange County, where the need is tremendous and communities have proposed a variety of homeless shelter solution ideas, and all of those proposals have been shot down. Not so in Ventura. The new homeless shelter will offer a variety of social services in addition to a bed, with the intention of helping people clean up, get jobs and housing, and move out of the cycle of homelessness and poverty.
Guest:
- Christy Madden Sr. Deputy Executive Officer for Ventura County
Children Crossing: Omar Ahmed
Leaving your home for a new land can be a harrowing experience but especially for children. Take Two will spotlight five people who were just kids when they were taken to a new life in America. On Thursday, we hear from Omar Ahmed, who traveled from India to Nigeria to the US, to India again, and finally back to the U.S.
Listen to Omar's story below:
You can listen to the rest of the "Children Crossing" series here.
Black babies in Oakland
In an Oakland neighborhood where black babies are four times more likely to die than white babies, advocates are taking a "life course" approach with the idea that you can save babies by improving a neighborhood. Part of an on-going series, KPCC’s reporter Priska Neely reports on why black babies have a statically higher mortality rates than other babies.
Cool ride, dude, that a double decker?
There's a new bus in town, and it is so L.A. Not only is it all electric, but it's a double-decker — the first one in public use in North America.
Guest:
- Doran Barnes, executive director of Foothill Transit
AVs and California
At an autonomous vehicle symposium this week, Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao hinted at some of the financial effects when more of these self-driving care take to the streets. One big area is jobs.
Guest:
- Take Two's Sue Carpenter
Ants everywhere!
A Martinez revisits a chat with Lynn Kimsey, professor of entomology at UC Davis for some advice on dealing with an influx of ants when the weather heats up.