Today we begin with Barack Obama's comments on the unrest in Iraq. Then, we hear from an Iraqi-American concerned about his family back home. Plus, who's killing the peafowl of Rolling Hills Estates? Mexican-American soccer fans view game as 'a culture, a religion,' 'Mad Men''s Rich Sommer joins cast of characters for LA Film Fest table read, Aimee Mann and Ted Leo team up for their new album 'The Both' and more.
Unrest in Iraq: Who is ISIS, the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria?
Al-Qaeda-linked Sunni militants are continuing their advance into Iraq today. A prominent Shiite cleric has issued a call to arms to fight the militants, raising serious concerns that the country is backsliding into sectarian conflict.
These Sunni militants are affiliated with a group known here in the U.S. as ISIS — or the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.
We find out more about ISIS from Douglas Ollivant, senior national security fellow at the New America Foundation. He's also a retired Army officer who served in Iraq and the former director on Iraq for the National Security Council.
Former Iraqi translator living in SoCal is concerned for family back home
The news from Iraq this week has been especially troubling for Iraqi immigrants here in the U.S., who have family and friends still in the country.
Tariq Abu Khumra worked with two units of the U.S. military as a translator in Iraq. After U.S. troops left, it became too dangerous for him to stay there, and he applied for a special immigrant visa to come to the U.S.
He now lives here in Southern California, but most of his family is back in Iraq. Abu Khumra joins Take Two to talk about what he's hearing from back home.
A UC Irvine grad's take on the commencement with President Obama
Tomorrow is graduation day for UC Irvine with a ceremony in Angel Stadium and a very special guest of honor: President Barack Obama.
The last sitting president to speak at the university was Lyndon Johnson, who was part of the dedication of the school's construction 50 years ago. Among the students who will be in attendance tomorrow is Ruchi Bal, a graduate with a degree in economics.
Bal joins Take Two to explain how much anticipation there is on campus for the President's visit
Friday Flashback: Eric Cantor, Redskins, immigration reform and more
A political defeat that many equate to an earthquake, the Donald Sterling soap opera continues and George H.W. Bush celebrates his birthday in style are the topics we're tackling today in the Friday Flashback with James Rainey of the LA Times and Elahe Izadi of National Journal.
We start with the political story which has dominated the headlines: the surprise defeat of Republican Eric Cantor in Virginia's primary this week. Now California's own Kevin McCarthy waits eagerly in the wings to replace Cantor as House Majority leader. How big of a role do you think immigration played in his defeat?
The media was swift to pounce on this as a big defeat for immigration reform, but reform advocates are saying not so fast.
Many of those looking at reform look at this week as confirmation that Congress isn't going to be able to achieve anything on immigration. They are calling on President Obama to take charge here.
This week, a California judge ruled to toss out teacher tenure and other protections. Earlier this week, we talked about how this lawsuit came about because of a wealthy tech entrepreneur named David Welch. He is certainly not the first rich guy to step in and try to reshape education. The schools in this country really need help, but is this the best way to go about it?
One of the biggest movers and shakers in modern education, Michelle Rhee, got her start there in DC. What do you make of this notion of a few wealthy individuals trying to shake up the system?
The Donald Sterling/LA Clipper saga just never ends. What't the latest?
There's another sports controversy that also seems endless: The attempt to get Washington, D.C.'s football team to ditch the name Redskins. Now this story has become political. What's the latest?
What are the chances that the team will change its name?
Two years ago, George Bush Sr. promised when he turned 90 years old, he'd take a plunge. And he did: The 41st president celebrated by going skydiving yesterday. Thoughts on how this might affect his legacy?
Aimee Mann and Ted Leo team up for their new album 'The Both'
Aimee Man is an American singer/songwriter, who if you grew up in the '80s and '90s you'd know from the new wave band 'Til Tuesday. In the '90s, she broke off from the group and started her own solo career.
That's how she's operated since then, until now. She's teaming up with DC rocker Ted Leo on a new album called The Both.
Alex Cohen sits down with the two of them to talk about everything from how it was working together to whether they'd ever think about making a musical.
World Cup in LA: Mexican soccer fans view game as 'a culture, a religion'
This piece is part of KPCC's occasional series on the World Cup in Los Angeles, which takes a look at the diverse communities of Southern California through the lens of their love for their country's teams. Let us know whom you're rooting for in the comments below, on Facebook or on Twitter (@KPCC).
Mexico takes on Cameroon today in the World Cup, the first game for Mexico in the four-week tournament.
Mexico typically has a team stacked with talent and promise, but has yet to raise the trophy. This year’s team had an especially tumultuous path: barely qualifying and going through four different coaches last year.
RELATED: World Cup 2014: Where to watch your country’s team
But for die-hard fans, rooting for Mexico is a way of life.
"To us soccer is a culture, a religion, it’s a style of life," says Julio Ramos 34, of Pacoima. Ramos is part of the L.A. chapter of Pancho Villa's Army, a U.S.-based fan club for the Mexican national team, founded in 2013.
"It's important for us to be able to bring our families, our kids, and embrace it and show them what soccer is about, cause at the end of the day this is a beautiful sport," says Ramos.
So what are Mexico's chances in this World Cup?
Luis Vazquez, content director and writer for Futmexsource.com, a website that tracks the national team, says if the team can get out of pool play and compete in the quarter- or semi-finals, fans will have a lot to celebrate.
RELATED: World Cup in LA: Video of Garcetti bouncing a brazuca, talking soccer
"You need a history of soccer in your country, you need a coaching staff and the minor leagues to all come together in one time to produce a generation of players that are way above the norm of the world. Mexico hasn’t had that," says Vazquez. But he says it's showing promise.
For Jose Salcedo, one of the founders of L.A.'s Pancho Villa's Army club, the game brings together people from across the city.
"When the national team from Mexico comes out, go out there have your carne asada, bring your beer, bring your drums, your flag and proudly support your team," says Salcedo, 32, of Sylmar. "You know, soccer is a very passionate sport."
Mexico will need to draw on that passion in the days ahead. After Cameroon, the team will have to play both Croatia and tournament-host Brazil before advancing.
How might Garcetti's 'Great Streets' impact the health of Boyle Heights residents?
Loa Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti's Great Streets initiative is intended to increase the economy and culture along 15 major streets. One of them is Cesar Chavez Avenue in Boyle Heights.
It's a largely Latino neighborhood, where many struggle with chronic disease. KPCC's Adrian Florido walked the street to find out what kinds of improvements residents would like to see.
Issa Rae on Funny or Die's search for diverse comedic voices
The annual L.A. Film Festival is underway this week, showcasing some of the best in independent film, documentary, and also funny online videos.
Now in its 20th year, the festival is joining forces with the website Funny or Die in a talent search for diverse, unique and authentic voices in the comedy world.
Earlier this year, they put a call out for submissions of short web videos, the top 5 have been chosen, and the winner will be revealed at a live comedy show called "Make 'em LAFF," on Saturday, June 14 at the Grammy Museum.
Issa Rae is one of the judges of the competition and she knows quite a bit about making funny videos. She's the creator and star of the popular web series, "The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl."
She joins Take Two to talk about some of the top submissions in the "Make 'em LAFF" competition:
'Mad Men''s Rich Sommer joins cast of characters for LA Film Fest table read
You may know Rich Sommer from his character Harry Crane on AMC's "Mad Men."
This weekend, he takes a break from Sterling Cooper & Partners to take part in a table reading for a script titled, "1969: A Space Odyssey, or How Kubrick Learned to Stop Worrying and Land on the Moon," at the L.A. Film Festival. The event is sponsored by The Blacklist.
He'll be joined on stage by Kathryn Hahn of "Parks And Recreation," Jared Harris of "Mad Men," Thomas Sadoski of "The Newsroom" will play NASA Public Affairs administrator Julian Scheer, and Shannon Woodward of "Raising Hope," among others.
Sommer stopped by Take Two to talk about the art of screenwriting and how he's preparing for the end of "Mad Men."
Black List Live!: A Staged Reading
Saturday, June 14, 8:00 pm
The Los Angeles Theater
For more information on "Black List Live!: A Staged Reading", visit LA Film Fest.