Take Two

Today we examine the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting from multiple angles: The gun control question, school security, gun permitting and more. Plus, we meet a Syrian rapper who infuses revolutionary messages into his music, and much more.

A new report shows that fiscal cliff or not, California faces more budget problems. Plus, CA schools are using controversial bonds to finance new buildings, L.A. County pushes for a tax to help pay for storm drain cleanup. BREAKING NEWS: A tragic school shooting in Connecticut has left 27 dead. We interrupted our regular program for national news on this story.

A judge rules that CIA torture testimony of 9/11 suspects will remain secret during trial. Plus, the Dept. of Interior releases a grim report about the Colorado River, what are the effects of older parenthood? Then, can MySpace's sexy new redesign entice users? Actor Alan Cumming joins the show to talk about his new film, and much more

We remember the amazing life and career of sitar maestro Ravi Shankar. Plus, in an enlightening new investigative report by Bloomberg finds that public employees in California are way over paid, how gay marriage supporters won over voters in four states, why people dislike the UC logo and brand changes in general, and much more.

Childhood obesity rates are inching down in Los Angeles and other major cities. Plus, SCOTUS will rule on key provision in the Voting Rights Act, Florida universities may freeze tuition for in-demand STEM majors, SpongeBob Squarepants joins the show to talk about his new Christmas album, and much more.

We look at the Supreme Court's role in guiding social change. Plus, the Mormon Church creates a new website calling for compassion for gays. Then, why your baby needs a flu shot this season, a new book looks at the secret life of Dr. Seuss, and the L.A. Dodgers drop big money on two new players...will this equal wins? Plus much more.

President Obama and Mitt Romney spent a record-breaking $2 billion on their campaigns. Plus, Vincent van Gogh's 'Self-Portait' comes to L.A., and our fair city gets its first poer laureate, Eloise Klein Healy, LAUSD wants to make arts core to curriculum, but it won't be easy. Then, Friday Flashback, The Dinner Party and actor Robert Carlyle joins us to discuss his new film, "California Solo."

Unrest builds in Cairo as Egyptian army creates barrier around the presidential palace. Plus, a study finds that cell phone companies dodge rules for natural disasters, Alison Martino and her project Vintage L.A. takes us back in time to the Los Angeles of yore, Eddie Izzard joins us to talk about his run at the Steve Allen Theater in Los Feliz and much more.

Today, we take a look at House Speaker John Boehner's complex position between President Obama and conservatives. Plus. Actress Ashley Judd is exploring a possible run for the Senate in 2014, one man hopes to transform billboard ads into living ecosystems, Obama meets with tribal leaders and much more.

Conservative activists are gathering in the nation's capitol to talk immigration reform. Then, why has deferred action slowed since its start in August? Does an 'immortal' jellyfish hold the key to everlasting life? Plus, new 110 toll lanes causing confusion for some drivers, and comedian Steve Mazan talks about his 'Dying To Do Letterman.'

Junior's Deli in Westwood is closing after 53 years in business. Plus, will Congress reach a deal to keep us from heading over the so-called fiscal cliff? Health insurance companies plan to hike up rates in 2013, and author Joshua Glenn offers tips on how to keep your kids "Unbored" during the long winter break, and much more.

Today, KPCC's Molly Peterson talks about the portrayal of fracking in Hollywood. Plus, why fiscal cliff talk is full of doomsday predictions, we look at whether White House petitions ever work, the new Atlanta Braves 'screaming Indian' logo draw ire and much more.

A New York newspaper is under scrutiny for publishing the addresses of gun owners. Plus, could gun liability insurance help curb gun violence? Then, new research shows that electronic records are vulnerable to attack by hackers, the nationwide primary physician shortage is worsening and much more.

Will President Obama be able to make changes to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms? Then, what's the marketing connection between real and virtual firearms?; LAPD holds a gun buyback program today; Sheriff Lee Baca is under pressure to curb inmate abuse; Patt Morrison and Brian Lehrer debate which is better during the holidays, NY or LA? Plus much more.

A new investigation shows that retailers skew online prices based on your location. Plus, the fiscal cliff is coming up quickly, first-person shooter games may have neurological benefits, politicians in Washington, D.C. have taken issue with the depiction of waterboarding in "Zero Dark Thirty" and much more.

The NRA breaks its silence about gun control and the Sandy Hook shooting. Plus, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms is in need of an overhaul. Can Obama deliver? Then, Vintage LA's Alison Martino takes us back in time to how LA used to celebrate the holidays, the story behind Aretha Franklin's 'Amazing Grace,' and much more.

First, the Center for Investigative Reporting looks at why long wait times mean some veterans die before receiving benefits. Then, we take a look at why Obama's Secure Communities immigration policy is falling out of favor across the U.S. Plus, Mexico's middle class continues to rise, Wall Street Journal columnist Jeff Yang's project to teach his sons about guns and much more.

President Obama will announce a new plan to curb gun violence, spearheaded by VP Joe Biden. Plus, a new book details how companies use 'The Fine Print' to raise prices, Patt Morrison talks about the large number of key positions in LA's March election, cocktail mavens Alie & Georgia jon the show to spice up our holiday cocktails this season, plus much more.

A wall street firm pulls out stake in Bushmaster gun maker after Sandy Hook shooting, plus we'll see whether Craig Whitney thinks the shooting will result in gun control policy change. Then, Librarian Mara Alpert offers her favorite children's book of 2012, Russian Parliament may ban adoptions from the U.S., and much more.

The royal family announced that Kate Middleton is pregnant! Plus, we take a look at the popularity of Anime in the U.S., and the success of animated feature films at the box office. Then, a new YouTube telenovela focused on HIV issues and much more.

President Obama meets with Mexico's new President Enrique Pena Nieto. Can Nieto quell drug violence and turn his country's economy around? Then, how a minuscule bug is wreaking havoc on pine forests and contributing to global warming. Plus, NASA is trying to downplay previous claims that they have groundbreaking news from Mars, and much more.