We round up what happened in California politics this week. Plus, we pay a visit to the Valley Relics Museum. And, our picks for what to do this weekend in Southern California.
State of Affairs
( Starts at 0:32 )
Gavin Newsom puts the kibosh on executions in the state. Is a political backlash ahead? Meanwhile, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi tries to wrangle freshmen Dems. Plus: As Beto O’Rourke enters the presidential race, what could it mean for the presumed frontrunner, Senator Kamala Harris?
Guests:
- Jack Pitney, Claremont McKenna College
- Ben Adler, Capital Public Radio
UCLA admissions cheating scandal
( Starts at 15:40 )
As you've probably heard, there was a pretty big scandal in the college admissions world this week. 50 people including more than a dozen Southern Californians were charged in an alleged scheme to get students into elite schools... using bribes and fabricated test scores and athletic achievements. But there was another alleged cheating ring exposed this week that you may not have heard about. Six defendants, five with ties to UCLA, are accused of impersonating dozens of Chinese nationals who needed good scores on English tests to get into college in the U.S.
Guest:
- Josie Huang, KPCC's Asian American communities correspondent
Valley Relics Museum
( Starts at 21:26 )
The Valley has its fans – and its detractors – and people can get a glimpse of all that has contributed to the mystique around it by visiting the Valley Relics Museum.
Weekend Preview
( Starts at 26:40 )
You don't need the luck o' the Irish to have fun this St. Patrick's Day weekend. Yes, there's a screening of Disney's Darby O'Gill and the Little People and a Van Morrison Tribute Night, but there's also a TV, zine and Cherry Blossom fest as well as Holi on the beach. For more cerebral options, Peter Sagal reflects on 20 years of Wait Wait .. Don't Tell Me! while John Cusack talks Grosse Pointe Blank.
Guest:
- Christine Ziemba, LAist.com
- John Rabe, KPCC