Support for LAist comes from
Become a sponsor
Audience-funded nonprofit news
Donate
Stay Connected

LAist is part of Southern California Public Radio, a member-supported public media network.

Audience-funded nonprofit news
Listen
Donate
Podcasts Take Two
Texas border patrol, LGBT and the CDC, Veterans wait and more
solid orange rectangular banner
()
Take Two Logo
Jul 16, 2014
Listen • 1:34:27
Texas border patrol, LGBT and the CDC, Veterans wait and more

Today on the show, we start with a look at how the U.S. Border Patrol handles migrants along the Texas border. Then, California's "English learner" tests incorrectly label bilingual kids. Plus, we break down the grammatical errors in Weird Al's 'Word Crimes' video, tracking the health and wellness of gay and lesbian Americans, new app designed by 16-year-old exposes the role of money in politics and much more.

Immigrants who have been caught crossing the border illegally are housed inside the McAllen Border Patrol Station in McAllen, Texas where they are processed on July 15, 2014 in McAllen, Texas. The detainees are both men and women, and range in age from infants to adults, where more than 350 were being held. Detainees are mostly separated by gender and age, except for infants. More than 57,000 unaccompanied children have been apprehended at the southwestern border since October, more than twice the total this time last year, many through the Rio Grande Valley. Many are fleeing growing violence in Central America.
Immigrants who have been caught crossing the border illegally are housed inside the McAllen Border Patrol Station in McAllen, Texas where they are processed on July 15, 2014 in McAllen, Texas. The detainees are both men and women, and range in age from infants to adults, where more than 350 were being held. Detainees are mostly separated by gender and age, except for infants. More than 57,000 unaccompanied children have been apprehended at the southwestern border since October, more than twice the total this time last year, many through the Rio Grande Valley. Many are fleeing growing violence in Central America.
(
Pool/Getty Images
)

Today on the show, we start with a look at how the U.S. Border Patrol handles migrants along the Texas border. Then, California's "English learner" tests incorrectly label bilingual kids. Plus, we break down the grammatical errors in Weird Al's 'Word Crimes' video, tracking the health and wellness of gay and lesbian Americans, new app designed by 16-year-old exposes the role of money in politics and much more.

Child migrant crisis offers opportunity to push personal political agendas
Listen • 5:38
Some have found the spotlight in the midst of a crisis involving thousands of unaccompanied children crossing the border from Central America.
Can they ask you that? How the US Border Patrol functions in South Texas
Listen • 4:22
The detention of immigrant activist Jose Antonio Vargas in McAllen, Texas made us wonder...how does U.S. Customs and Border Patrol function in South Texas?
California's 'English learner' test for public schools is flawed
Listen • 4:36
If you're enrolling your child in a public school for the first time this fall, be ready to fill out a stack of forms.
Census data shows 4 out of 5 US seniors are white
Listen • 7:47
What happens in politics when people who vote make decisions for a future that's not theirs?
Breaking down 'Weird Al' Yankovic's 'Word Crimes' video
Listen • 8:02
The video is filled with hilarious imagery intended to help the viewer get a better grip on grammar and why one should care about such things.
Amid uncertainty in Iraq, Kurdistan makes move for greater independence
Listen • 7:17
This week in Iraq, lawmakers took a first step toward forming a new government by naming a new speaker of the parliament.
For many California veterans, GI money goes to for-profit colleges with mixed results
Listen • 7:12
A recent report from the Center for Investigative Reporting has found that GI Bill funds funds don't always help.
New app designed by 16-year-old exposes the role of money in politics
Listen • 5:13
Nick Greenhouse is too young to vote, but the Seattle high school sophomore taught himself to code and designed Greenhouse, a free browser plug-in that exposes the role money plays in Congress.
How Central American gangs are fueling the migrant crisis
Listen • 5:56
Much of that gang activity is rooted in the U.S., particularly Los Angeles. For decades, gang members have been deported back to their home countries and taken those affiliations with them.
App Chat: 3 ways to make your road trip fun and entertaining
Listen • 4:19
We're smack in the middle of summer which for some means, ROADTRIP! Which is the perfect time to try out the new apps that we have today on App Chat.
A citizen watchdog oversees the Kern County controller election
Listen • 2:23
The first recount in a statewide election in California is underway in Kern County. Teams of lawyers and campaign operatives continue watching over the ballots in the state controller's primary election.
Downtown Film Festival LA celebrates indies and downtown's revitalization
Listen • 5:00
The sixth annual Downtown Film Festival L.A. continues today with the Little Tokyo-set 1959 film noir "The Crimson Kimono," screening at the Art Deco Oviatt building. Festival co-director Greg Ptacek joins Take Two for a preview.
CDC tracks health and wellness of LGBT Americans
Listen • 7:09
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a long anticipated look at the health of Americans that describe themselves as gay, lesbian or bi-sexual.