On Tuesday Take Two talks about a controversial proposal to bring back affirmative action. We'll also talk about a survey conducted by a KPCC reporter about how many LA schools offer arts education. In light of Vladimir Putin's claim to Crimea, we discuss what it would mean if that region became a part of Russia. And it's Tuesday Reviewsday, so we'll look at new music.
Affirmative action proposal not going before voters
A controversial proposal that aimed to bring back affirmative action to California's public universities is not going before voters this year as supporters had hoped. But it doesn't mean the issue is completely dead.
Josie Huang has been reporting on this for story for KPCC's Immigration and Emerging Communities desk. She joins us now.
What happened to this bill could actually be a turning point for the political prowess of Asian-Americans in California.
To talk about their growing power, we're joined by Karthick Ramakrishnan, professor of political science at UC Riverside, and director of the National Asian American Survey.
RELATED: Asians, Latinos, and SoCal's Political Future: What's the outlook for L.A. and beyond?
Medal of Honor: Niece is 'proud' of honor finally bestowed on overlooked veteran
President Obama on Tuesday will honor 24 Army veterans with Medals of Honor for their efforts in World War II, Korea and Vietnam, a move that follows an order by Congress to review previously overlooked service members of Hispanic and Jewish descent.
Six of those veterans hailed from Southern California — including Staff Sgt. Salvador Lara of Riverside.
Lara died during World War II. His family will receive his Medal of Honor Tuesday on his behalf.
Lara's niece Vivian Hernandez, who was in Washington for the ceremonies, spoke with Take Two about the honor.
INTERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS
What do you know about your uncle?
"My dad is the youngest sibling and only sibling surviving, and the things he told me about his brother were he was a very easygoing, honorable, faithful person.
"Because his mom passed away when my dad was fairly young, he played a role in helping my dad grow a little and then he was drafted to World War II and he never came back."
On her uncle’s war service:
"He was drafted in 1943 and sustained a severe leg wound but kept on trying to help some of his soldiers. He ended up neutralizing some of the enemy so his soldiers could be saved. He was wounded in 1944 and died in 1945 of a non-combat situation."
He and others originally received the Distinguished Service Cross, the military’s second highest honor. But the White House decided to upgrade this honor after a review showing that Hispanic and Jewish service men may have been previously overlooked, correct?
"From what I understand he was nominated for the Medal of Honor but he was overlooked at the time and from what I understand wrongly and the Army is stepping up to make things right."
When did you learn about this medal?
"Probably last year before summer my dad received a call from the President inviting him to the White House to receive the Medal of Honor on behalf of his brother. My dad is hard of hearing so I didn’t think he heard right. He ended up getting me in contact with one of the President’s assistants and we spoke several times and I felt it was legitimate. So that’s where the ball started rolling that it’s really going to happen."
What would you say to your uncle if he were alive today?
"How proud we are of his service to his country and to thank him for taking care of my father (choking up)."
An earlier version of this story misspelled Vivian Hernandez's name. KPCC regrets the error.
Crimea: What's next for people in the disputed region?
Well the disputed region of Crimea will be part of Russia. At least that's according to a defiant Vladimir Putin today who attended a signing ceremony with Crimean officials and addressed the Russian Parliament. Both the US and European Union have not recognized a controversial vote Sunday and have announced more sanctions against Russia.
But what's next for Crimea?
As debate continues at the diplomatic level, we take a look at some of the practical considerations of redrawing the borders of the contested region.What would a change of status actually mean to the place and the people on the ground? For more we turn to John Agnew, political geographer at UCLA.
Obama urged to use energy to punish Russia
U.S. sanctions have been imposed on Russia, but Washington is buzzing with arguments that President Obama should adopt another tool.
One that could cost Russia even more in the long run.
He's being urged to capitalize on our new-found energy wealth -- thanks to fracking -- to punish Russia and to help US allies.
The BBC's North America correspondent, Mark Mardell reports from Maryland.
Tumbleweeds real menace in western US
Next we turn to the inscrutable tumbleweed.
For those of us who don't live on a prairie, tumbleweeds might make you think of an old western.
Or the FAMOUS tumbleweed in The Big Lebowski.
But tumbleweeds are a very real menace in the western U.S.
In places like Colorado, Oklahoma, Texas and New Mexico, the invasive species has swallowed whole homes and blocked roads.
For more on the problem and some possible solutions, we're joined now by Sarah Gilman.
She's an editor with High Country News.
Getty debuts new Ansel Adams exhibit
Not long before he died, famed photographer Ansel Adams set aside 70 negatives - negatives he believed were his greatest works of art.
Until now, that collection has only been viewed by private collectors
But starting today, some of those photographs will be on display at the Getty's new exhibit titled "In Focus: Ansel Adams."
The exhibit offers a rare opportunity to appreciate Adams' talents not just with the camera but also in the darkroom.
For more we're joined by Karen Hellman, assistant curator in the department of photographs at the J. Paul Getty Museum.
What does the future of hearing look like?
Think for a moment about your hearing...
and what would happen if you lost it.
Frank Swain is 32 years old, and he's losing his hearing. It's irreversible. Frank wonders, though, if rapidly changing technology means he won't go deaf, but one day will have super hearing. In this report for the BBC, Frank Swain looks at the future of hearing.
Program will train for available high tech jobs
The U.S. has more high tech jobs open than it can fill, and steep unemployment.
The California Report's Alex Schmidt looks at a new program in Los Angeles that's putting people into these well paying jobs - and in a way that helps those often left behind.
Few Southern California schools can afford comprehensive arts education
We've been hearing for years about the benefits of arts education in child development.
And the state of California takes that seriously - it requires schools to offer a broad education in the arts.
But at dozens of school districts in Southern California - that's not happening.
KPCC has found that fewer than half of students in these schools get access to music, dance, theater, and visual arts.
Officials say they just can't afford it. KPCC's Mary Plummer has more.
RELATED: KPCC survey: Few Southern California school districts can afford comprehensive arts instruction
Fire season: What lessons have we learned?
Since the Yarnell Hill Fire killed 19 firefighters last summer, investigators have written two reports, one more damning than the other.
Homeowners and families of the men who died have filed lawsuits claiming "negligence, carelessness and intentional misconduct."
From the Fronteras desk, reporter Laurel Morales explores what lessons we've learned as we approach another fire season.
Beastie Boys and Goldieblox reach settlement
A while back on the program, we told you about a toy aimed at teaching girls about engineering skills - a toy called Goldieblox.
The toy has been a big hit with parents looking for an alternative to princesses and stuffed animals for their daughters.
But Goldieblox hasn't gone over quite as well with the Beastie Boys.
Last year, the Oakland based maker of Goldieblox released a video for their product featuring a re-purposed version of the Beastie Boys 1986 hit "Girls."
Millions of people watched the ad, but some complained that it was being used without the rappers' permission.
Goldieblox filed suit against the rappers in November, seeking to pre-empt any possible claims of copyright infringement.
Beastie Boys countersued Goldieblox a month later.
You gotta fight for your right to protect your music... I reckon.
Well, we're pleased to report - looks like they managed to work it out.
The Oakland Tribune reports an agreement to dismiss the claim was filed yesterday in U.S. District Court.
But no details of the settlement were released - so we're not certain if it's a sure shot that this settlement also puts an end to the suit the Beasties filed.
Seniors face challenge of learning English for citizenship
Trying to learn a new language is a challenge, particularly for people in their 60s and 70s.
That's the scenario for many senior refugees resettled in Phoenix.
From the Fronteras Desk, Stina Sieg recently visited a group whose future depends on learning English.
Tuesday Reviewsday: De La Soul, Pharrell Williams and more
It's time now for Tuesday Reviewsday, our weekly new music segment. Joining Take Two this week is Oliver Wang from Soul-Sides.com, who brings new music from Pharrell Williams, who just debuted his new album G I R L.
We'll also hear from LA's own Schoolboy Q, Lee Field and De La Soul.
Mission founder Junipero Serra focus of new book
California as we know it today might not be the same were it not for a Spaniard named Junipero Serra.
Serra was a Franciscan friar who traveled to California in the late 18th century.
Here he founded nine of the state's 21 Spanish missions from San Diego to San Francisco.
His life and work is the subject of a new book called "Journey to the Sun."
The book's author Gregory Orfalea joins us now.