State of Affairs
As coronavirus cases continue to rise, Governor Newsom moves to rapidly reopen California…LA County is next. Are his decisions are based on science… or politics? Meanwhile, the state senate plans to push back on Newsom’s cuts. We'll get into all of this on State of Affairs.
Guests:
- Carla Marinucci, senior editor for Politico’s California Playbook
- Zach Courser. He co-directs the Policy Lab at Claremont McKenna College
High School Voices Reflect on the Pandemic
Over the next several days, we will be hearing from high school students. Sheltering at home hasn't been easy, especially for seniors. It's meant having to miss out on traditions leading up to graduation. While still making sure to buckle down and adjust to online learning. In the next couple of weeks, it will also mean having to graduate virtually. We hear from an array of high schoolers.
Guests:
- Julian Jacobson, high school senior and baseball player at Palisades Charter High School in Los Angeles
City Budget Protests
Protests continue today in Minneapolis and across the country over the death of George Floyd. The 46-year-old died after police handcuffed and restrained him on Monday. Prosecutors have arrested one officer—Derek Chauvin —and filed third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter charges against him. Chauvin was captured on video using his knee to pin Floyd down for nearly nine minutes until he became unresponsive. Floyd was later pronounced dead at a local hospital. Chauvin and three other officers involved in the incident were fired by the Minneapolis Police Department earlier this week. Meanwhile, in Los Angeles groups including Black Lives Matter — L.A. took to the streets for a second time last night. The anger fueling demonstrations against police violence is also uniting activists who are fighting to change how money is spent at City Hall.
Guest:
- Stephen "Cue" Jn-Marie, Pastor with the Church Without Walls in Skid Row
Jose Huizar Update
Another domino dropped this week in a sweeping corruption investigation at city hall. A former top deputy to L.A. City Councilman Jose Huizar has agreed to plead guilty to a racketeering conspiracy charge. The FBI says he played a central role in a "criminal organization" focused on real estate development in downtown L-A. The U.S. Attorney's office says George Esparza, along with an unnamed city councilmember, took cash, gifts, trips, campaign donations — all sorts of perks in exchange for political favors.
Guest:
- Jon Regardie, he's been writing about the investigation for Los Angeles Magazine's website
State Attorney General Becerra on Emissions
There is a battle in the air, again, over car emissions and how much of the stuff that comes out of our tailpipes can be released into the air. This week, California and 22 other states joined together in a lawsuit against the Trump Administration. The case takes aim at the White House’s rule, released in March, that rolled back fuel economy standards for vehicles.
Guest:
- Xavier Becerra, State Attorney General
Weekend Preview
Finally, this has been QUITE a week. So if you need to take a mental break from the news, we’ve got the perfect distractions.
Guest:
- Leo Duran, Take Two