How Chile has prepared for large earthquakes, analysis of the GOP debate, what is Disneyland's Dapper Day?
GOP debate: Recap from a Southern California perspective
The GOP presidential hopefuls duked it out on stage Wednesday night at the Ronald Reagan Library.
Donald Trump managed to get in some zingers and insults, but was relatively reserved -- at least by Donald Trump standards.
By the end of the night, some pundits were declaring former Hewlett Packard CEO Carly Fiorina the evening's breakout star.
"I would say that I was incredibly proud of Fiorina for the performance that she had last night because she continues to prove, time and time again, in every one of her interviews, that she has the capacities to stand as the president of the United States," said Haley Nieves, outreach director for the Bruin Republicans at UCLA. "Being an individual with a business record -- though there are different incentives for the government -- but, she knows the conditions under which entrepreneurs and the start up culture of the United States, particularly the Silicon Valley here in California, needs in order to thrive."
Trump, however, was not as well-received by some viewers -- and fellow hopefuls. Jeb Bush asked Trump to apologize to his wife, who was born in Mexico, for comments he made about Bush having a "soft spot" for immigration. Trump declined, saying he felt he did nothing wrong.
"I think Trump came out a little more dinged than he was in the first debate. Some of that is to be expected because people were going to pile on the frontrunner," said Ange-Marie Hancock, associate professor of political science and gender studies at USC. "But I think some of the shots that Carly Fiorina landed, and particularly in a state like California, the idea that he refused to apologize for some of his comments, and Jeb Bush talking about his wife, who is of Mexican descent, as the love of his life, I think that really start to speak to that Latino electorate that Republicans would like to catch for the next election."
To listen to the full discussion, click on the blue audio player above
Chile earthquake: How the country has prepared for massive temblors
A magnitude-8.3 earthquake struck Chile on Thursday, killing at least eight people and forcing more than 1 million residents from their homes.
After shocks continue to keep the nation on edge, as this latest quake is the biggest to hit Chile since the 8.8 temblor five years ago. President Michelle Bachelet says her government "learned a series of lessons" from that quake.
Joining Take Two to discuss:
- Mark Simons, Caltech seismologist
Correction: An earlier version of this post misspelled Mark Simons' last name
The Wheel Thing: Bentley, Lamborghini offer ultra-lux SUVs
Got a couple of hundred grand, and an itch for a vehicle that could, but never will, go off-road in style? Super-luxury auto companies, including Bentley and Lamborghini are serving up new SUV/crossover vehicles that will put Cayenne and Escalade owners to shame.
Realizing their well-heeled clients are no longer content with sports cars and refined sedans, Bentley and others are re-imagining the popular sport utility vehicle. For instance, the Bentley Bentayga starts at around $220,000. The price can quickly balloon by another $100,000 with just a few options, but for that you get a 600hp V12 monster with an eight speed transmission driving all four wheels. And, of course, leather to die for.
OC Register motor critic and our Wheel Thing guide
has the inside dope on the latest supermondo SUVs, and other news, including the launch of the fourth generation Toyota Prius.
To listen to the full interview, click on the blue audio player above
Lab Notes: Wolves, worms and love-sick birds
On this edition of Lab Notes, KPCC science reporter
fills you in on:
- A study that makes the bold claim that wolves are smarter than dogs
- How scientists have found a way to control worms using bursts of high pitched sound
- A study about birds and true love
Lab Notes is our regular look at new, weird and wonderful science with KPCC science reporter Sanden Totten. To listen to the full interview, click on the blue audio player above.
'The Tusk That Did the Damage' author Tania James talks writing animal characters
Summer might be coming to an end, but there is still time to squeeze in one more read.
The murder thriller, "The Tusk That Did the Damage," is Tania James' latest work. The central character has a tragic story. As a baby, he witnesses his mother slaughtered, and grows up to exact revenge wherever possible. He's a mass murderer, yet he's very hard to dislike. He also happens to be an elephant.
James joined Take Two to talk about what inspired her to write about the elephant tusk trade, and how she brought main characters to life that aren't your everyday humans.
To listen to the full interview, click on the blue audio player above. You can also read an excerpt from "Tusk" below.
State of Affairs: GOP debate, Biden in LA, and the state of the CA Republican Party
An analysis of last night's GOP debate, a look at how the candidates are faring in California, and the state of the state's Republican Party.
JOINING TAKE TWO TO DISCUSS:
- Los Angeles Times political analyst Cathleen Decker
- USC Professor of the Practice of Public Policy Communication Sherry Bebitch Jeffe
Families in Cocula, Mexico mourn the 'other disappeared'
Since the disappearance of 43 students in the Mexican state of Guerrero, there has been a raft of media attention and international shock.
A new investigation from the Associated Press tells us that at least 292 additional Mexicans have disappeared from that same region in the last few years. And those are just the cases that get reported. Christopher Sherman of the Associated Press wrote about this and joins us for more.
'The Water Knife': A terrifying vision of the drought and the future
A never ending drought that has weakened the federal government, created deadly living conditions in multiple states and changed the very nature of life in the United States.
It's a horrifying vision of the new normal explored in the new sci-fi novel, "The Water Knife."
Set in the near future of a drought ravaged American Southwest, author Paolo Bacigalupi walks readers through a fictional reality of future power struggles over the precious liquid commodity.
Bacigalupi joined the show to talk about where he got his inspiration, and if the plot will have any effect on how people think about California's current drought.
What is Disneyland's Dapper Day? The event's creator explains
Disneyland is known as the the happiest place on Earth. But this weekend, it will also be one of the fanciest places on Earth, thanks to Dapper Day.
Dapper Day is the creation of Justin Jorgensen, who was inspired by the park visitors drawn in the early Disneyland concept art.
"I thought as an aside one day, 'Wouldn't it be funny if we could actually make this come to life?'" he said. "The illustrations that the Imagineers made, all of that became real, all the buildings became real. It was just the guests, overtime, that turned into a different sort of visual."
So what exactly does being dapper mean? It can have different meanings to different people, but Charles Phoenix, known as the ambassador of Americana, explained.
"Finished. You dress from head to toe, you wear your best shoes, you wear your best pants, you put some effort into your appearance," said Phoenix. "It's so fun to take it up to 99 extra levels by just dressing up."
Look at all those dapper people! Dapper Day creator Justin Jorgensen, left, poses with Charles Phoenix, right.
Dapper Day will be held Sept. 18 and 19. There are events being held around the park, including a car show and a retro slide show from Charles Phoenix.
Click here for more information and a full list of Dapper Day events.
To listen to the full interview, click on the blue audio player above