Covered California factors in D.C. politics, Cal Fire explains "fire hazard severity" designations, sports round-up with the Dodgers, Lakers and more.
The political debate over Obamacare takes another turn
This week it seemed that lawmakers took a step forward to address the growing cost of health insurance premiums.
Yesterday Senators Lamar Alexander, a Republican from Tennessee and Patty Murray, a Democrat from Washington, announced that they had agreed on a plan to stabilize insurance markets under the Affordable Care Act.
President Donald Trump initially indicated that he supported the effort but later reversed his position.
I am supportive of Lamar as a person & also of the process, but I can never support bailing out ins co's who have made a fortune w/ O'Care.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump)
I am supportive of Lamar as a person & also of the process, but I can never support bailing out ins co's who have made a fortune w/ O'Care.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 18, 2017
We spoke about it with Chad Terhune, a senior correspondent with Kaiser Health News.
Christine Pelosi: Money, power, access fuel harassment in Sacramento
The hashtag
has become a rallying cry for survivors of sexual assault. It started Sunday in response to the latest accusations against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein.
If you’ve been sexually harassed or assaulted write ‘me too’ as a reply to this tweet. pic.twitter.com/k2oeCiUf9n
— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) October 15, 2017
Since then, thousands have taken to social media to raise awareness about an issue that's all too pervasive. Now, the #MeToo movement has made its way to Sacramento.
On Tuesday, female lawmakers, lobbyists, and staffers signed an open letter calling out "dehumanizing behavior by men with power."
Christine Pelosi was one of them. She chairs the California Democratic Party Women's Caucus.
Pelosi tells Take Two's A Martinez that a culture driven by money, power, and access has made Sacramento an unsafe working environment for many women.
When you're working in close quarters where power and control — based on position, based on access and based on money — are the currency of the realm, it is very, very, very difficult for young, vulnerable women — particularly women of color, particularly women who do not have someone to call, someone to rescue them. That's why people don't come forward.
If you're in a small office, you're at a junior staff level, and a powerful lobbyist comes in to try to convince you to tell your boss to vote a certain way on a bill, otherwise they're gonna spend a ton of money against your boss and — by the way — they put their hand on your knee — what are you supposed to do? Who are you supposed to tell?
This is about power, not sex. It's about control, not sex. It is completely related to corrosive money in politics. If that lobbyist weren't coming with the weight of millions of dollars in corporate money that could be spent against your boss, perhaps you'd feel more comfortable speaking up.
Press the blue play button above to hear the changes Christine Pelosi is proposing.
The answer above has been edited for clarity.
California's fire hazard severity maps are due for update. Here's what you need to know
Firefighters are getting the upper hand on the blazes in Napa and Sonoma counties, but new fires have broken out since, including one in the Santa Cruz mountains. All the fires are making it more critical that we understand where they're more likely to break out.
And for that, there's a map on the Cal Fire website that shows what parts of the state are subject to the most severe fire hazard.
The goal of these maps is to provide Californians with information about the level of wildfire dangers their homes might face.
Still, one neighborhood in Santa Rosa—Coffey Park—is about five miles outside of a fire zone. Yet it was almost completely leveled in last week's firestorm.
Daniel Berlant is Assistant Deputy Director of Cal Fire. He described three criteria for determining fire zones: "weather conditions for that area, vegetation type/topography and fire history. That's typical when we're using our mapping for the fire hazard severity zone."
But there's more to it than that. Here's what you need to know about fire hazard zones.
1. Even if you're not in a zone, you're still at risk
One thing Berlant was adamant to reiterate is that "even in urban areas, wildfires can impact you."
"No matter where you live in California, you have the potential to be impacted by wildland fires...we've seen major fires over the decades that do destruction in urban areas. Oakland Hills in 1991, the San Diego communities back in 2003 and 2007. Now, Santa Rosa in 2017."
These zones are based on stagnant conditions and don't take into account the unpredictability of fire. If you're living in California, you should always be prepared for the possibility of flames.
2. These zones influence how structures are erected
If your living area has a fire hazard severity designation, it may have an effect on how your home was built.
"The biggest thing that it does, that the fire hazard severity zones dictate, is the building code. Within the state responsibility area, all homes that are built are required to be built to a much higher standard than other homes in California, specifically due to wildfires."
The "higher standards" include building materials that are ember resistant, windows that are double paned, screens over vents on homes, etc. But don't just count on these standards to keep homes safe! Clearing dry vegetation from your yard and surrounding area plays a big role in keeping your house safe, says Berlant.
3. The zones are being remapped next year
The fire hazard severity zone map that's currently utilized is from 2007. These maps are updated once every 10 years, which means, it's due for an update.
"We're beginning the process. The fire hazard severity zones will be going under a complete reevaluation."
Berlant also said the major wildfires in Northern California will play a role in how these maps are overhauled.
To hear more about fire hazard severity zones and how you can prepare your home against fire, click the blue play button above.
K2 Sports: Will the Dodgers make it to the World Series?
One more win. That's all the Dodgers need to get to the World Series for the first time in 29 years. And with the Yankees evening their series in the American League, a Los Angeles versus New York Fall classic is definitely still in the cards.
To boot, the Lakers and Clippers start the NBA season tomorrow by playing each other. LA is definitely at the center of the sports universe right now. Take Two's A Martinez talked all about it with, Andy and Brian Kamenetzky.
To hear the full interview, click on the media player above.