LA City Council takes a hard look at how to handle sexual harassment claims, smartphone security risks, the end of a Los Angeles institution: LA Weekly.
Will a hotline help LA city council handle workplace complaints?
Multiple allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct are forcing businesses and government bodies to re-examine how they handle such complaints.
The city of Los Angeles is no different. At a council meeting yesterday, the members debated how they should improve the process. KPCC political reporter Mary Plummer has been writing about this issue, and she gave A Martinez an update. Among the possible solutions to this major problem? A hotline.
"This is definitely still in very early stages. Resources weren't discussed yet. We do know they're planning a hotline and a website so this is a two-pronged approach. The general manager of personnel said the city's IT department would be helping with this and her emphasis was that she wanted to ensure that people could report anonymously."
To hear more about what L.A. City Council has in the pipeline when it comes to handling misconduct, click the blue play button above.
With more deadly shootings, California debates 'ghost guns'
Earlier this month, a man shot five people in Northern California.
Kevin Janson Neal could not acquire guns legally, so he built the rifles himself-- the same ones that resulted in the tragedy.
These homemade weapons are commonly known as "ghost guns": They are unregulated, untraceable, and potentially undetectable, making them even more dangerous when they fall into the wrong hands.
Take Two sat down with Mark Tallman, executive director of the security consultant company Creative Assurance, to talk about these phantom weapons.
"The fundamental definition of a DIY gun is that it can be made and assembled outside of the mainstream manufacturing line," Tallman explained. "It's really difficult to estimate how big the market is because there is no record."
It is legal under federal law to acquire the components necessary to put together these firearms, including the lower receiver, the part that makes gun a gun. "There are many forms of these 'ghost guns,' some crude, some more sophisticated," said Tallman.
Not everyone who puts together homemade guns are involved in criminal activities. In fact, the vast majority are believed to be gun hobbyists who enjoy the customization process. However, recent high profile cases highlight the possibility for abuse.
"To me as a security researcher, this is not just a gun policy issue," said Tallman. "It's a harbinger for other security issues to come with the Fourth Industrial Revolution. It's just easier and easier to make stuff."
To hear the full interview click the blue play button above.
Electric bikes aren't for cheaters anymore — especially in SoCal
"Electric" used to be a dirty word in bicycling.
The use of batteries and motors was cheating. That's what the naysayers said anyway -- many of them established bicycle companies. But things are changing and, as our demographic ages, many of these same companies now see the appeal of the e-bike.
"The reality is we have a baby boomer group that is very energized and excited about being able to extend their outside, recreational outdoor activities," said Ray Verhelst, director of the Electric Bike Association. And, just as importantly, he added: "the fact that this takes the hill out of the ride."
He's talking about bicycles that ease the burden on aging bodies with motors that erase the pain of pedaling up hills, propelling riders to speeds of 20 mph – or more -- with almost no effort for mile after glorious mile.
When it comes to electric bicycle riders, Verhelst said, "55 to 64 is the No. 1 age group. No. 2 is 45 to 54, and surprisingly, the No. 3 age group is 65 and older."
As recently as three years ago, there weren’t a lot of options for these groups – or anyone. It was mostly startups like Pedego and unknowns in China making e-bikes. Traditional bicycle companies steered clear until only recently.
Now, Trek, Cannondale, Specialized and Felt and so many other leading brands have stepped up to the plate, Verhelst said.
California is leading the charge. Companies like Specialized, Felt and Electra are all based here. Chalk it up to the weather or the fact that more cities are building bike lanes, but Southern California is also the number one market for e-bikes.
It's just a different market from traditional bicycles. According to Verhelst, it's made up of people who haven't been in bike stores in 6 to 12 months.
That’s why the Electric Bike Association hosts electric bike expos, like the one it’s holding at the OC Fair and Event Center in Costa Mesa starting Friday and running through the weekend.
Riders will have the chance to try 150 different models of e-bikes from 15 different companies, many of which are outfitted with an e-bike system from the German electronics company, Bosch.
Bosch is best known as an automotive supplier, but it got into e-bikes in 2011 and branched out to the U.S. in early 2015. It’s North American headquarters is in Irvine.
"We wanted to test the hypothesis. Will Americans fall in love with e-bikes as they had in Europe?" said Jonathan Weinert, with Bosch E-bike Systems.
To his point, in the U.S., just 1 in 100 bicycles sold at dealers is electric. In the Netherlands, it’s one in three.
"We thought no better place to do that than in the heart of the e-bike business, which is Orange County, Los Angeles, where many other manufacturers and suppliers are set up," he said.
Three years ago, just 100,000 electric bicycles were sold in the U.S. each year, and only half a dozen brands used the Bosch pedal-assist system. The market has since more than doubled. And today, 30 different companies use the Bosch e-bike system, which lets riders choose a level of electric assist that kicks in as they pedal instead of using a throttle.
The Canadians are in the game too. Over the summer, the e-bike company Elby was in Santa Monica giving a demonstration.
"The main thing to remember is, it’s just like riding a regular bike. You’ve got your pedals. You’ve got your wheels. You’ve got your brakes and you’ve got your steering," said Elby rep, Riley Knudson, during the demo. "The only thing is it allows you to get a little bit further and a little bit faster with a little less effort."
Dwight Anderson, of Dallas, was listening to his spiel.
"It’s always been a dream of mine to be able to ride to work and to do so in a state where I don’t sweat. Coming from a place where it’s 100 degrees every day, it sounds very appealing to me," said Anderson, who had never ridden an electric bicycle until he happened upon Elby’s free test ride on the boardwalk.
Manufacturers like Elby, as well as retailers, say the market for electric bicycles is evenly divided between riders who enjoy bicycling for recreation, but who aren’t as fit as they once were, and commuters who use them as an alternative to cars or public transportation.
Arturo Avallone fits that latter group.
He moved to LA from Italy a year ago and doesn’t have a car. Usually, he walks or takes Uber to get to his job, but he’s been looking for another option.
"I work at 7 in the morning," he said, "so sometimes I’m lazy to bike."
A regular bike, that is. On an electric, he said, "I push the button and it’s more easy for me."
LA Auto Show: Subscription cars, a hydrogen-powered port and — the Batmobile?
On the eve of the L.A. Auto Show public opening, Toyota announced it will build a new hydrogen-powered electricity plant and fueling station that can generate 100 percent renewable hydrogen.
TOYOTA TRI-GEN POWER PLANT AND HYDROGEN FUELING STATION
Toyota will build the world’s first megawatt-scale fuel cell power generation plant with a hydrogen fueling station to support its operations at the Port of Long Beach:
The hydrogen will be sourced via renewable means, from California agricultural waste.
The plant will generate enough electricity to power about 2,350 homes.
The fueling station will meet the daily driving needs of nearly 1,500 fuel cell cars.
Earlier this year, the automaker started using some of the fuel cells from its Mirai fuel cell vehicle in a heavy-duty Class 8 truck called "Project Portal," one that’s been operating down at the port.
2018 GREEN CAR OF THE YEAR
The Green Car Journal awarded its 2018 Green Car of the Year award to the Honda Clarity, which is available in three versions: as a hydrogen fuel cell electric, a battery electric and a hybrid.
INTEL PARTNERS WITH WARNER BROS.
Intel, the computer chip maker, announced that it is partnering with Warner Brothers studios to develop in-cabin, immersive experiences for self-driving cars using virtual reality. The new AV Entertainment Experience will be incorporated into one of the cars in Intel’s 100-car self-driving car fleet.
One of the experiences will let passengers in AV simulate the experience of riding in the Batmobile as it drives through the streets of Gotham City.
VOLVO SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE FOR ITS NEW XC40
Volvo joins Cadillac and Ford in offering car subscriptions. On Wednesday, it announced a new subscription service called "Care by Volvo" that lets drivers subscribe to its new XC40 compact crossover rather than buy or lease it. The $600 to $700 monthly payment includes insurance, maintenance, and roadside assistance.
2018 MOTOR TREND CAR, SUV AND TRUCK OF THE YEAR
Motor Trend awarded the Alfa Romeo Giulia its coveted 2018 Car of the Year Award -- and not the expensive version, either.
The award went to the base model, which costs $38,000. The four-door sedan impressed Motor Trend with its “exciting driving performance” and good looks, beating out the Tesla Model 3 and the Honda Accord.
Honda won SUV of the Year for its CR-V, which Motor Trend praised for its roominess and flexible interior space.
Truck of the Year went to the Ford F-150, for its engine, transmission and high level of technology - even in the lowest priced versions of the truck.
New study will look at the poor's vulnerability to internet hacking
Having access to the internet can be seen as a convenience, but for some people it's absolutely necessary.
Children might need to be online to complete their homework, and adults rely on the internet to apply for jobs.
But for the poor, one of the only ways to get online at home might be through a smartphone, leaving them more vulnerable to hacking, identity theft and more.
"Users told us that they're spending up to six hours a day accessing the internet on their mobile devices for tasks that most of the population does on their laptops or PCs," said Gwen Shaffer, professor of journalism at Cal State Long Beach. "Things like doing research for school, or helping their kids complete online homework assignments."
She's embarking on a study about internet security issues for working-class families.
"You are carrying around a tracking device in your pocket or purse wherever you go with so many bits of personal information," she said.
Listen to more of the interview by clicking the blue audio player above.
'It's a bloodbath': Former LA Weekly editor on mass layoffs
LA Weekly has laid off nine of its 13 editorial staffers, including most of the editors.
"It's so sad," said Katherine Spiers, the now-former food editor. "It's such a loss for Los Angeles."
The LA Weekly is a Los Angeles institution that's been published since 1978. The newspaper broke the story of the "Grim Sleeper" serial killer and won a Pulitzer Prize -- all while having its finger on the pulse of the city's cultural scene.
But when the paper went up for sale last January, things changed and they haven't been the same since.
The consortium Semanal Media bought LA Weekly, but not much is known about who makes up the company. The new owner hasn't revealed him or herself to employees at all.
"It seems unbelievable how little we know," said Spiers. "It's so, so strange to not have any idea who these new people coming are, especially in journalism, where the whole idea is transparency."