On Monday Take Two discusses reaction to the controversies surrounding Uber, fighting war on a fifth front--cyberspace--and women being underrepresented in film.
Uber revolt: Will the ride share company overcome its bad press?
The ride sharing company Uber is facing some problems.
The company's easy-to-use app and often cheaper-than-a-taxi prices have made it the latest Silicon valley success story.
But in the past few weeks, some air has started leaking out of the tires.
Stories about the company's attitudes toward privacy along with comments that top level executives have made about women have angered some users so much that they're cutting ties with the company.
KPCC and Take Two asked listeners on facebook if they have changed their minds about Uber because of the recent bad press.
Several listeners said they have deleted the app and some weighed in with more comments about their view.
Some of the positive comments included:
I have used it for quick last minute trips that would take a cab forever to pick me up. We have almost completely weened my aged mother in law off from driving with it and Uber has been a lifesaver and money saver for a disabled friend who until Uber had to hire drivers to get around town.
It's hit and miss. I spent an hour in a Hyundai driven by a 70-something year old man last week. I was near vomiting from motion-sickness when I arrived at my destination due to his driving style...but he was polite, the car was clean and you could tell he took pride in his work. He even had bottled waters in the cup holders of the backseat. It's still a way for individual entrepreneurship in the modern age...and there is room for all genders, ethnicities...and ages.
While others expressed distaste with the company:
As an independent musician and a woman, their misogyny and new spotify promotional campaign have fully sealed their demise for me.
I've deleted the Uber app, not only in light of recent negative press, but also in light of a friend's harass-y, scary personal experience with an Uber driver (she did report him). Just not longer a company that I have an interest in supporting. I'll stick to lyfts, cabs, or rides from friends myself.
Is this just a little bump in the road for Uber, or will the company's aggressive tactics and hubris send it the way of MySpace and other dot-bombs?
Laura Holson is a reporter for the New York Times and has been writing about it. She joins Take Two for more.
New book explores fighting wars with cyber armies
The head of the National Security Agency made a grave announcement last week.
He believes China has the ability to take down the U.S. power grid via a cyber attack.
This steady drumbeat of threats to infrastructure and security has led to the development of so-called "cyber armies" in a number of countries, including the U.S.
Shane Harris explores this in his new book, "@ War: The Rise of the Military-Internet Complex."
More arrests made in missing Mexico students case
More arrests have been made in the case of those 43 students who went missing at the end of September in Iguala, Mexico.
The latest is a former top police official who's a suspected member of Guerreros Unidos. That's the drug cartel that's been at the center of this case.
The arrest follows a mass march last week. Protesters want answers about the students - all young men - who disappeared almost two months ago.
Ruben Martinez is a professor of literature and writing at Loyola Marymount University.
He was at the demonstration in Mexico City and joins Take Two.
Missing students case draws attention to gaps in Mexican justice system
There have been several arrests of those thought to be connected to the disappearances of the missing students in Iguala, Mexico.
But that hasn't quelled much of the outrage.
And part of that may have to do with Mexico's spotty record on justice in cases like this.
"What's interesting about the Iguala case is that we see the coordination of the state forces with organized crime," said Octavio Rodriguez, coordinator of the Justice In Mexico Program at the University of San Diego. "And I think that's why this case has brought a lot of attention and a lot of frustration from the Mexican people."
On the Lot: 'Jurassic World' trailer, 'Hunger Games' dominates, Jennifer Aniston Oscar buzz
Universal releases a trailer ... for a trailer for the new Jurassic Park movie, "Jurassic World."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvu-zlR5A8Q
The new "Hunger Games" movie feeds a hungry movie-going audience.
And Jennifer Aniston, Oscar contender - that could be a thing soon. Her new film "Cake," in which she plays a woman hopped up on medications due to chronic pain, is generating Oscar buzz.
Take Two is joined by Rebecca Keegan, who covers the film business for the L.A. Times.
Females in film: Less than a third of speaking characters are women, study finds
Hollywood has a lady problem.
For all the hoopla over women-centric TV shows, and a few movies with female main characters, women have been underrepresented on screen for decades, and across all genres.
One study found that in 2013, only 29 percent of all speaking characters were female.
Dr. Stacy Smith worked on that study and has an idea for how to fix the gender imbalance in film.
She's the Director of the Media, Diversity and Social Change initiative at the University of Southern California's Annenberg School and joins Take Two.
Immigration lawyers warn: Undocumented vulnerable to scams, fraudulent 'notarios'
It's only been a few days since President Obama announced executive actions for immigration reform, but the scammers are already coming out of the woodwork.
Bogus so-called consultants, often known as "notarios," are already peddling advice to undocumented immigrants on whether they qualify for relief from deportation under the new policy.
Efforts to thwart them are underway, and one group leading the charge is the American Immigration Lawyers Association. Its President-elect, Attorney Victor Nieblas, joined Take Two to talk about their anti-notario efforts.
The AILA is taking steps to warn undocumented immigrants that not everyone will qualify for deferred action under the new guidelines. But, if a person thinks they might qualify, Nieblas suggests "you should go to a community-based organization you trust first," or check the membership record of an immigration lawyer you are considering hiring on your state's Bar Association website.
How could Obama's action on immigration affect the US-Mexico border?
Another aspect that President Obama is highlighting in his action on immigration is security at the U.S. – Mexico border.
Overall, the number of people caught crossing is down in recent years, to its lowest point since the 1970s.
So what do the president's actions mean for the border region?
For more, Take Two is joined by Bob Ortega, a senior reporter with the Arizona Republic.
'Routine' LA oil drilling questioned by residents
On Tuesday, city regulators in Los Angeles are expected to approve expanded oil drilling in an area of South Los Angeles.
There was no environment review because the city and the drillers consider the issue routine.
Southern California Public Radio's Molly Peterson says local residents consider it anything but.
New conservation efforts underway for nearly extinct Vaquita porpoise
Now to the fate of the Vaquita - a type of porpoise that is perilously close to extinction.
It swims off the coast of Baja California in the Sea of Cortez and the Vaquita population has dipped below 100.
Last spring Take Two talked about the threat facing the "little cow" -- that's its name translated into English - but there are some new conservation efforts on the horizon.
Catalina Lopez is a scholar in residence at UC Riverside researching bio-diversity and she works as a liaison between fisherman and scientists. She joins Take Two for more on the porpoise.
Former inmates learn how to cook on a budget in cooking class
Thanksgiving. It's hard not to love a holiday that's all about food.
Unless you're the one who has to do all the shopping and cooking.
But here's an interesting story - it's about a cooking class for a group of folks who haven't had the chance to do much cooking in a very, very long time.
The California Report's April Dembosky visits a class where former inmates are learning their way around a kitchen.
Thanksgiving traffic worst in LA: 6 tips for hassle-free travel
While you might have a lot to be thankful for this holiday weekend, save the biggest pats on the back for yourself if you didn't have to drive around.
Out of anywhere in the whole country to celebrate Thanksgiving, Los Angeles will be the worst place to be for traffic according to the research firm INRIX. L.A. trips are predicted to take at least 36 percent longer than usual in the metro area.
Marie Montgomery from AAA of Southern California joined Take Two with some advice on how you can detour around the snarls so you can get to (or away from) your family.
1. When to hit the road (and when not to)
Wednesday afternoon is probably about the worst possible time, and that’s true for every Thanksgiving, says Montgomery. Coming into town on Sunday afternoon is also a bad time. "If you can avoid that at all, that would be the best plan," Montgomery advises.
For those thinking of leaving at 1 a.m. or so, Montgomery reminds people to get at least five hours of sleep beforehand, since drowsy driving can be as dangerous as drunk driving.
2. Routes to avoid
Always the I-5, says Montgomery. The 405 will also be impacted by airport traffic.
3. Plan ahead
"Pretty much every major route is going to be rough," says Montgomery. "Luckily, these days we have lots of smartphone apps and things we can use to look at real-time traffic and figure out alternative routes if we can. So we always advise trying to do that before you leave the house and then have a navigator in your car with you if you need to change plans."
4. Are you going to a popular place?
The top Thanksgiving destination this year for Southern Californians is Las Vegas. "It's not unheard of on a holiday weekend to take eight hours to get to Vegas when it's normally four hours," says Montgomery.
So if you're going to one of these places (Vegas, San Francisco, San Diego, Grand Canyon, Santa Barbara and Central Coast) you do want to plan ahead and leave at a time that’s not so busy.
5. Black Friday traffic alert
A study also shows that the Del Amo Mall, which used to be the largest mall in the U.S., will have the second biggest delay in the country as far as traffic time getting to it.
"And that's not unexpected," says Montgomery. "That's very, very popular and a very dense population there."
6. Why the traffic is a good thing
Montgomery says:
The good news in all of this is it's a sign of an improving economy. There's a projected 4 percent more Southern Californians traveling this year because they feel better about their finances. We've got lower gas prices, which is great. As Angelenos we always have to be aware of traffic and I think most people are aware that it's probably not a great idea to leave Wednesday afternoon but sometimes you have no choice.
Are you traveling by car this Thanksgiving weekend? Share your tips and secrets for avoiding traffic headaches in the comments below.
TV icon Dick Cavett looks back on his career in new collection of essays
Legendary talk show host Dick Cavett first rose to fame in the late 60s as host of "The Dick Cavett Show."
He soon became known for a signature, conversational interview style, and for his in-depth and unpredictable interviews with guests like Muhammad Ali, John Lennon, Groucho Marx and Katharine Hepburn.
In his new book "Brief Encounters: Conversations, Magic Moments and Assorted Hijinks" Cavett recalls some memorable moments from his "brief encounters" with Hollywood legends and cultural icons.
He spoke with host Alex Cohen about his new collection of essays and his reflections on his career.