Today, the Obama Administration outlines a plan to combat concussions among young people. Then, a look at the less glamorous side of Henry Waxman's West LA district. Plus, the U.S. Army Corps back a $1billion plan to restore the LA River, Irwindale drops its case against Sriracha-maker Huy Fong Foods, and much more.
Obama outlines plans to combat concussions, brain injuries among youth
The Obama Administration is unveiling new policies that it says will combat concussions among youth. The policies outline about $65 million in private funds for research and scientific studies on head injuries, the Administration says.
That's part of a meeting Thursday hosted by President Obama called the “White House Healthy Kids & Safe Sports Concussion Summit.”
For a look at some of the specifics, Take Two speaks with Dennis Molfese, director of the University of Nebraska's Center for Brain, Biology and Behavior. He's also one of the 17 members of the National Academy of Sciences Institute of Medicine Committee that prepared a 2013 report that formed the basis for many of the recommendations.
Highlights of the proposals:
- $30 million for an NCAA and Department of Defense clinical study into concussions and head injuries.
- $25 million from the NFL for new pilot programs "to expand access to athletic trainers in schools" for youth sports.
- A new position to be called a Chief Medical Officer for US Soccer and Major League Soccer "in the field of concussion management and prevention."
- A "Heads Up" app from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to help parents learn how to spot and respond to concussion symptoms.
The less glamorous side of Waxman's West LA congressional district
The 33rd district on L.A.'s Westside is said to be the second wealthiest congressional district in the U.S. There are still pockets of poverty.
RELATED: Check out KPCC's vote guide to customize your ballot!
KPCC's Alice Walton says that's something that hasn't received much attention in the race to succeed longtime Congressman Henry Waxman.
US Army Corps backs $1 billion plan to restore LA river
L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti says he's gotten word from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that they plan to endorse a $1 billion plan to restore an 11-mile stretch of L.A. River north of downtown.
That means ripping out the concrete and returning the river to a more natural state. It's been one of the mayor's top priorities. The Corps' endorsement is key because they manage the river as a flood-control channel.
KPCC Washington Correspondent Kitty Felde joins Take Two to talk about the development.
Meet Adam Laxalt, candidate for Nevada Attorney General
Tuesday is Election Day, and one of the more interesting races in the West is happening in Nevada.
Two candidates with serious political pedigrees are facing off to be the state's next Attorney General. One of the candidates is Adam Laxalt. He's political royalty, especially in Nevada, but he has not been well known until now. He is running for Attorney General and old guard GOP are getting out in front to support him.
Host Alex Cohen talks to Las Vegas-based reporter Jon Ralston, who writes about Laxalt in the current issue of Politico magazine.
Irwindale ends fight against Sriracha factory
Tensions have finally cooled off in the spicy showdown between the city of Irwindale and the Huy Fong Foods Sriracha factory.
Don't panic: 5 Sriracha alternatives that should already be in your fridge
The maker of the iconic rooster hot sauce has reached an agreement with the city after a months long battle in which Irwindale declared the factory a public nuisance. Here to tell us more is reporter Sarah Favot, who's been following this story for the Pasadena Star-News.
Anonymous benefactor behind @HiddenCash comes to LA
The person who started dropping envelopes full of cash around San Francisco last Friday, setting off a social media frenzy in the process, is expanding to other cities.
Yesterday to San Jose:
And now to Los Angeles:
First LA drop! Get close to the water, but no need to get wet at this famous fountain. pic.twitter.com/seV9s6uh8B
— Hidden Cash (@HiddenCash) May 29, 2014
The anonymous benefactor known as
has been tweeting clues about where to find the next stash of money, saying it's a "social experiment for good," and asking those who find the cash to pay it forward.
Jennifer Maerz, with the online magazine The Bold Italic in San Francisco, was the first to get an anonymous tip from the person behind "Hidden Cash" last week. She joins the show to talk about what she's learned about the anonymous donor.
'Maleficent': Telling the story behind one of Disney's darkest villains
Fifty five years ago, Disney released the animated film "Sleeping Beauty." The movie told the tale of a royal couple, who after many childless years, are thrilled at the arrival of their daughter Aurora.
But things turn dark when an evil fairy named Maleficent arrives and curses Aurora.
Maleficent has been hailed as one of Disney's darkest villains, but a new reboot of her story shows a very different side of the character.
The new version was written by Linda Woolverton, who has penned some of the most beloved Disney classics like Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, and Tim Burton's "Alice In Wonderland." Wolverton joins the show with more.
State of Affairs: A look ahead to the June 3 primary
We are just a few days away from the June 3rd primary in Los Angeles. For one last look at some of the bigger local races, we're joined by KPCC's political reporters Alice Walton and Frank Stoltze.
There are some big names in the race to replace Zev Yaroslovsky's seat on the L.A. County of Board Supervisors. We'll take a look at who they are. One thing we do know is they're all Democrats.
The big news going into last night's debate was that L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti endorsed John Duran for that seat on the Board of Supervisors. What can this do for his campaign?
There's also the race to succeed retiring Congressman Henry Waxman and the race to replace Lee Baca as Sheriff.
It was reported that it former L.A. County Undersheriff Paul Tanaka has raised $900,000 for his sheriff's campaign. How is he using that money and what does this mean heading into Tuesday's primary?
Misogyny hurts men too: Elliot Rodger's toxic vision of masculinity
The deadly rampage in Isla Vista, like many other mass shootings, has spurred discussions of gun control and mental health. But it has also started a robust discussion of how his views reflect a culture of misogyny and destructive gender ideals.
Writer Noah Berlatsky explores these toxic ideas of masculinity in a recent piece for the Atlantic. He says misogyny like Rodger's is directed not only at women but at femininity wherever it is found in our culture: virgins, homosexuals or anyone who doesn't fit the testosterone-fueled vision of masculinity held up as the ideal.
Could gluten sensitivity really be a carb issue?
Gluten-free bread, cupcakes and every other food item you can think of are readily available at restaurants and grocery stores alike.
Many observers of the gluten-free diet, say they feel better when they avoid the protein found in wheat, barley, rye and spelt. But gluten may not be to blame.
Dr. William Chay, a professor of medicine at the University of Michigan talks to Take Two co-host Alex Cohen on what may be behind our food sensitivities (Click the audio link on the left).
Can including ice in your daily diet help you lose weight?
According to Dr. Brian C Weiner, a gastroenterologist and Assistant Professor at the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Jersey, "...It turns out that when you eat ice and melt it, that takes energy. Ultimately what this leads to is that ice is a negative calorie food."
The idea of using ice as a dietary aid came when the Weiner wanted to lose some weight. He had given up ice cream, but was still eating 100 calorie Italian ice cups. As it turns out, he eventually realized, it takes energy to heat up the ice when it goes into a persons body. So, in terms of overall calories, an ice cup should only account for about 76 calories, when all is said and done.
So far he's lost more than 50 pounds on the diet. He's been eating shaved ice with flavorings, but it's important to know that he's also eating healthily otherwise and exercising regularly.
While it's a pretty straight forward diet, Weiner notes that it's important to not eat too much. He recommends sticking to one liter max. Oh and that chewing ice cubes is a bad idea, because it can ruin enamel on teeth. Shaved ice and popsicles work best.