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Podcasts Take Two
Coronavirus Cases Surge at Farmer John, Support For Transgender Troops is High in the Military, Joshua Tree Reopens
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May 26, 2020
Listen • 52:20
Coronavirus Cases Surge at Farmer John, Support For Transgender Troops is High in the Military, Joshua Tree Reopens

The number of COVID-19 cases increase at Farmer John, a study shows broad support for transgender people in the military and Joshua Tree reopens to visitors.

The Farmer John pork-packing plant in Vernon features a pig-themed mural painted by artist Les Grimes.
The Farmer John pork-packing plant in Vernon features a pig-themed mural painted by artist Les Grimes.
(
Maya Sugarman/KPCC
)

Coronavirus Cases Surge at Farmer John

Last week, KPCC reporter Jacob Margolis broke the news that there had been 140 cases of COVID-19 at the Farmer John meat packing plant in Vernon. The company that’s best known as the maker of Dodger Dogs. Well, five days later, the number of workers infected has grown to 153.

Guest: 

  • Jacob Margolis, KPCC's Science Reporter 

Church Re-openings

Places of worship can now reopen at 25 percent capacity: So says some new guidelines issued Monday by Governor Newsom. It’s the latest development in a long-running schism between the state and churches, brought on by California’s shelter-in-place orders. All that led us to wonder about the faith communities that have not forced the issue: How are they holding up right now?

Guest:

  • Mike Kinman, Rector at All Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena

Coronavirus: Disability Activist Stacey Park's Obit

California-based disability activist Stacey Park recently passed away, and in the weeks leading up to her death spoke out about how disabled people's struggles were compounding during the pandemic. Take Two discusses the different ways that life has become harder for them in this time.

Guest: 

  • Hector Ramirez, board member of Disability Rights California

Support For Transgender Troops is High in the Military

A new study from UCLA shows broad support among service members for transgender people in the military. But the armed forces still ban transgender people from enlisting.KPCC's Emily Elena Dugdale has the story.

Joshua Tree Reopens

This weekend saw the reopening of popular SoCal vacation destinations like Big Bear. When we spoke to a Big Bear's city manager earlier, he told us it appeared to be like any other holiday weekend in the city, but with some folks wearing face coverings and practicing physical distancing to the best of their ability Joshua Tree National park was another destination to open over the holiday weekend with restrictions.

Guest: 

  • David Smith, Joshua Tree Park Superintendent 

LA Public Swimming Pools Remain Closed

LA will bake under a heat wave this week, but the public pool where you might normally go to cool off is closed. We discuss how you can deal with this -- and maybe find an alternative.

Guest: 

  • Sharon McNary, KPCC Infrastructure Correspondent

Jacarandas Redux

You may have noticed it on your daily walks, but it's that time of season again....Washington D.C., you can keep your cherry blossoms. Here, in LA we have Jacarandas. And Angelenos...it's blooming season. In honor of Jacaranda season, we're re-airing an old favorite. A couple years ago we took a trip to the LA Arboretum, where we found out more about this quintessential SoCal Tree. So, sit back and relax as we take you on a journey through the history of the Jacaranda. But while you take in the beauty...maybe try not to park beneath one? 

Guest: 

  • Frank McDonough, Botanical Information Consultant

Coronavirus LA Diary: Page

Now to your stories. KPCC and LAist are documenting life in the new normal with diary entries from everyday Angelenos. If life seems weird to you now, try being this speech pathologist from Long Beach.