In this #MeToo era, we take a close look at sexual harassment in local government. Plus, how Los Angeles is handling earthquake retrofits of vulnerable buildings. And a recap of Wednesday's conversation between California Senator Kevin de Leon and U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein.
L.A. County Sexual Harassment
(Starts at 1:15)
Over the past year, we’ve heard a lot about sexual harassment in entertainment and politics. But we’ve heard little about the misconduct that takes place in local government. A team of KPCC journalists dug into the issue at Los Angeles County. With more than 100,000 employees, it’s the biggest local government in the nation. They found troubling allegations of sexual impropriety.
Guest:
- Mary Plummer, KPCC’s political correspondent
While making other marital affairs a campaign issue, John Cox stays mum on his own
(Starts at 7:46)
The Republican candidate for California Governor John Cox continues to bring up his democratic opponent's extramarital affair as a way to score political points. Turns out, court records from Cox's divorce from his first wife include allegations that he strayed from his first marriage.
Guest:
- Annie Gilberton, KPCC's senior investigative reporter
The Senate —uh— debate?
(Starts at 14:50)
If you tuned into the live stream of yesterday’s Senate discussion in San Francisco expecting to see flying sparks, you were likely disappointed. After months of back and forth, Senator Dianne Feinstein and State Senator Kevin de Leon finally shared a stage in San Francisco. But it was not a debate. The conversation covered topics ranging from immigration to impeachment. From high-speed rail to healthcare. So how did it all go, and will it move the needle much for voters? We ask Christina Bellantoni, a professor at USC's Annenberg School of Communication and Journalism and former assistant managing editor of politics for the LA Times.
Miss the discussion? Catch it here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03PlS2np2wA
Pasadena Road Diets
(Starts at 20:36)
Pasadena is permanently setting aside it’s Orange Grove Blvd. road diet plan, due to the long history of controversy and resident complaints. We look at why the road diet was first proposed, what critics had to say, and what the city has learned that could change how proposals like it are handled moving forward.
Guest:
- Terry Tornek, mayor of Pasadena
Soft Structures
(Starts at 26:02)
In 2016, L.A. flagged more than 13,000 "soft story" buildings that could be vulnerable in the next quake. Ordinances were passed to retrofit these structures. On the day of the Great Shakeout, we ask: where are we at?
Guest:
- Marissa Aho, LA's chief resilience officer
What to do if you're driving, bicycling or taking the train during an earthquake
(Starts at 30:52)
As part of the Great Shakeout, we reached out to transportation experts to find out what you should do if you're driving a car or riding a train, bus, bicycle or motorcycle when the Big One, or even a small one, hits.
School preparedness in case of the ‘Big One’
(Starts at 39:19)
What the district has planned to assist students in case of a significant earthquake.
Guest:
- Jill Barnes, emergency strategist for L.A. Unified School District
CERT Training
(Starts at 43:15)
Los Angeles is one of the most disaster-prone cities in the world, vulnerable to earthquakes, fires and many other disasters. So it shouldn't come as a surprise that Community Emergency Response Training, or CERT, started here. Take Two contributor Adrianna Cargill participates in one neighborhood training.
