State of Affairs

Now that a presidential transition is, finally, officially happening, there are a lot of questions about what comes next. Number one for us here in California: who will replace Kamala Harris as senator? The pressure is on Gavin Newsom to make the right choice - but who that right choice IS... depends on who you’re talking to. Plus, Senator Dianne Feinstein says she will not seek a chairmanship in the next Congress and will step down as the top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee. We will get into all of this with State of Affairs - Take Two's weekly look at politics in the Golden State.

Guests:

• Carla Marinucci, Senior Writer for Politico’s California Playbook
• Jack Pitney, the Roy P. Crocker Professor of Politics at Claremont McKenna College

Coronavirus: The 'It Won't Happen To Me' Mentality

Despite the rise in COVID-19 cases, I think it's fair to say that many of us still think we won't be the ones to catch it. We explore this idea of optimism bias.

Guest: 

• Tali Sharot, cognitive neuroscientist and author of the book "The Optimism Bias"

Coronavirus: Holiday Shopping During the New Lockdown

With Black Friday and the holiday season the horizon, how are small businesses planning for crowds and the chance of a new lockdown? We discuss what running a historic toy store has been like in a pandemic and the possible challenges ahead.

Guest:

• Don Kipper, owner of Kip’s Toyland

Big Santa Anita Cabins

The Bobcat Fire that burned over the San Gabriel Mountains in September destroyed 87 homes, including 17 primitive cabins in the Angeles National Forest above Arcadia. They were artifacts from Southern California's great hiking era of the early 19-hundreds. Now, the cabin owners are waiting to learn if their rustic vacation homes can ever be rebuilt.

Guest:

• Sharon McNary, KPCC's Infrastructure Correspondent 

New Documentary Explores The Life Of Frank Zappa

Frank Zappa was a complex, innovative artist and musician... and a new documentary called "Zappa" takes an in-depth look into his life.  

Guests: 

• Alex Winter, writer and director of "Zappa"
• Ahmet Zappa, producer of "Zappa" and son of Frank Zappa