Support for LAist comes from
Become a sponsor
Local and national news, NPR, things to do, food recommendations and guides to Los Angeles, Orange County and the Inland Empire
Donate
Stay Connected

LAist is part of Southern California Public Radio, a member-supported public media network.

Listen
Donate
Podcasts Take Two
CA Housing Bills, Wildfires' Delayed Effects, Dia De Muertos Barbie
solid orange rectangular banner
()
Take Two Logo
Sep 12, 2019
Listen • 48:00
CA Housing Bills, Wildfires' Delayed Effects, Dia De Muertos Barbie

The California legislature passed several bills addressing affordable housing, positive effects of wildfires? Mattel introduces a new Dia de Muertos Barbie.
File photo: A "For Rent" sign is seen on a building Hollywood, California, May 11, 2016. Angelenos are feeling the increasing burden of rising rents and threats of eviction as forecast indicate rent prices will continue to rise through 2018.
File photo: A "For Rent" sign is seen on a building Hollywood, California, May 11, 2016. Angelenos are feeling the increasing burden of rising rents and threats of eviction as forecast indicate rent prices will continue to rise through 2018.
(
Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images
)

We get the details on a trio of housing bills the California legislature passed this week. Plus, a new study finds there are some positives to wildfires. And, Mattel introduces a new Dia de los Muertos Barbie.

NTSB Report

The passenger boat Conception caught fire last week during a diving expedition off Santa Cruz Island. Thirty-three passengers and one crew member died. While investigations could take more than a year, the National Transportation Safety Board or NTSB released a preliminary report Thursday that shines some light on Conception's final moments. 

Guest:

  • Kells Christian, a marine surveyor specializing in boat insurance claims

CA Legislature Passes Flurry of Housing Bills

California lawmakers passed legislation on a number of housing bills, including rent caps, affordable housing and protections for low-income renters. Now they head to Governor Newsom's desk.

Guest:

  • Liam Dillon, Los Angeles Times

NCAA bill

The California legislature passed a bill that would let college athletes make money from the use of their names and likenesses. The bill now awaits Governor Newsom's signature.

Guest:

  • Kenneth Shropshire, sports attorney 

Wildfire Delayed Effects

The effects of California wildfires are usually measured in terms of their destruction: how many acres burned, how many structures were lost and, in the worst-case scenarios, how many people died. But a new study out of Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory highlights what might be considered a silver lining following such blazes.

Guest:

  • Erica Woodburn, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

Throwback Thursday: Bathhouses

We're well into the second week of September, but the summer heat persists. Back in the late 1800s, Angelenos used to cool off from the heat by visiting their local bathhouse. It's a culture that only lasted about two decades, and it's what we're talking about in today's Throwback Thursday.

Guest:

  • Nina Fresco, Santa Monica Conservancy

Dia de los Muertos Barbie

Mattel has launched a Barbie in the style of Dia De Muertos today and the announcement was met with mixed reactions. The corporation has stated that the doll is meant to be a tribute to Mexican culture but there is some backlash. So, what is it... appreciate or appropriation? And who gets to decide? 

Guest:

  • Helen Torres, CEO of Hispanas Organized for Political Equality for a take from the Latino community