We look at how California stands to be affected by the Federal Communications Commission ruling on net neutrality. Plus, we sample dates with a Coachella Valley farmer who's trying to rebrand the fruit as a superfood. And, as California celebrates the second annual Clean Air Day, we look at individual behaviors that can help reduce air pollution.
Net Neutrality Ruling
A federal appeals court Tuesday ruled that the FCC rollback of the net neutrality rules is lawful, but they cannot stop states like California and Washington from putting regulations of their own in place.
Guest:
- Ryan Singel, media and strategy fellow at Stanford's Center for Internet and Society
Climate Refugia
Scientists are searching for pockets of ecological resistance - places in our environment that seem to be warming less quickly than others. These spots are called "climate refugia" and the hope is that... as the earth continues to get hotter... they could serve as safe havens for plants and animals. KQED Reporter Lauren Sommer has this story from the Devils Postpile National Monument.
Asian American Applicants
A federal judge this week dealt a blow to Asian Americans who tried to argue that Harvard University's admissions process discriminated against them. The group behind the effort -- Students for Fair Admissions -- said Asian Americans were held to a higher standard calling it a penalty. The judge didn't agree ... and said there's no racial animus in the way Harvard admits its students. However, this isn't the first time that Asians have taken aim at college admissions policies. In recent years ... they've become one of the most visible groups against anything resembling affirmative action in the application process.
Guest:
- Janelle Wong, professor of American Studies at the University of Maryland
Millennial Caregivers
Many assume that millennials are lazy, avocado-toast-obsessed, lazy, entitled nitwits. But as our population swiftly ages, one in four of the people caring for them are part of the millennial generation. How are they handling the challenge and how is it affecting their lives?
On the Lot
The highly anticipated "Joker" film is set to be released this Friday. Will it overcome the controversy and succeed at the box office? Plus, a closer look at the digital de-aging process being used in two major films.
Guest:
- Rebecca Keegan, The Hollywood Reporter
Rebranding California Dates
There's a close-knit community of farmers and farm workers on the east end of the Coachella Valley who have built their lives around one crop: dates. Mark Tadros, of Aziz Farms, is a multi-generational date farmer who has become something of an unofficial California date ambassador. But even he thinks the fruit has an image problem.
Guest:
- Mark Tadros, Aziz Farms
