Take Two

An update on the escalating violence between Israel and Hamas-run Gaza. Is a ground war inevitable? Then on the show, DirecTV will now be able to air Lakers games, but we'll look at how bars and restaurants have been impacted by the Lakers blackout so far. Then we talk to Eric Deggans, author of "Race Baiter," about how the media feeds fears of the 'other,' The Dinner Party guys are here with a weekend's full of hot topics and we give you a rundown of the biggest stories in this week's Friday Flashback.

Republican Governors are meeting in Las Vegas this week to reflect on election outcome and brainstorm the future of the GOP. Then, we talk with Melissa Rosenberg, screenwriter for all five "Twilight" films about the success of the vamp series on the big screen. Plus, we take a look at the life of Wilbur K. Woo, an influential leader in L.A.'s Chinese community who passed away this week at 96. Also, a new study finds that California has the highest poverty rate in the U.S., and much more.

We look into the latest on the Petraeus scandal, and talk to an expert about how the military handles scandals that involve top military brass. Then we look at Jill Kelley, the Tampa-based socialite whose complaint began the revelation of the Petraeus-Broadwell affair. Plus, California gears up to debut its cap-and-trade emissions-reducing program, and NBC investigation looks at allegations of abuse in the Calif. National Guard, we take a look at the French Foreign legion and then we listen in to Obama's first press conference since reelection.

How will the looming fiscal cliff affect California? Then, five women have been elected to the US Senate. We'll look at the role of women in government and why there is a lack of women recognized as geniuses throughout history. Plus, we'll take an early look at who's expected to get Academy Awards nominations this year, we'll check in on a local group offering parenting classes for new dads, we'll check in with two L.A. college sports superfans about the USC vs. UCLA football game this weekend, and much more.

The first issue Obama has to tackle now that the election is over? The looming fiscal cliff, which threatens to push the U.S. into recession and raise the unemployment rate. Plus, singer-songwriters Jill Sobule and Gary Eaton join the show for a political, but friendly battle of the bands, a LA-based training course helps new dads become better fathers. then, The Dinner Party gives us something to talk about this weekend and we take a look back at the week's news with our Friday Flashback.

The high turnout of Latino voters this election cycle may renew interest in immigration reform on Capitol Hill. Plus, San Diego elects a Democrat for mayor for the first time in two decades, NPR's Ari Shapiro joins the show to talk about his year covering the GOP presidential campaign, does the failure of Prop 37 and a soda tax in El Monte signal a shift away from the healthy food movement? and much more.

We take a look at the California propositions: Which ones passed, which ones failed and what happens next? Swing-state Colorado goes to Obama, but it was once a state that Republicans could count on. We look at why that might be. Plus, Molly Munger joins the show with her reaction to Prop 38's failure.

We'll check in at the polls to see how voters are voting this morning. Then, both Barack Obama and Mitt Romney have been flying all over the U.S. during their campaigns, what's the environmental impact of all that traveling? Plue, Pat Krug tells us about the world's rarest whale, we talk to urban planner Jeff Speck about his quest to create more walkable cities, Jens Lekman joins the show to talk about his new album, "I Know What Love Isn't," and much more.

We break down Prop 32 and help you find resources to get informed before election day tomorrow. Plus, a summary of the California ballot and two LA-area measures in haiku form, we factcheck the multitude of political radio ads currently on the airwaves, we look into the historical accuracy of 'Homeland' and much more.

This morning, President Obama and VP Joe Biden announce their plans to curb gun violence. Even though California already has some of the strictest gun laws, some lawmakers are working harder to curb gun violence. Then, a researcher calls for a change to Scrabble's point system, an L.A. photographer documents prison inmates' 'Re-Entry' into society, and much more.

Lance Armstrong reportedly admitted to doping in an interview with Oprah Winfrey, though details are not yet public. Will this big score for Oprah give her struggling cable network, OWN, a boost? Severe air pollution in Beijing, China is causing a frenzy in the state-run media, plus much more.

A Southern California cold snap threatens citrus farming, plus, we take a look at L.A.'s first public fruit orchard. Then, California's prison realignment causes dangerous row of dominoes at local level, a California judge will rule if a 12-year-old boy guilty of murdering neo-Nazi father two years ago, the Los Angeles Kings skate back on the ice, and much more.

Vice President Joe Biden is meeting with film and game industries to talk gun violence. Plus, Saturday marks the 3-year anniversary of the Haiti earthquake. We check in with the ongoing relief effort there. Then, Ventura County strawberry farmers fight frost, Chinese tourism skyrockets in the U.S. and much more.

California Governor Jerry Brown will release his new budget proposal today. Will is help shrink the state's deficit? Then, an autopsy on NFL star Junior Seau shows he suffered from a brain disease caused by head trauma. The Oscar noms are out, who came out on top and who got snubbed? Then, Anglers reel in thousands of 'red devil' jumbo squid in Orange County, we run down the top LA-based crime movies, a San Juan Capistrano woman is fighting to save her beloved dinosaur statue and much more.

According to a new report, 2012 was the hottest year on record for the U.S. On the other side of the world, Australia has been suffering from a longterm heat wave and dangerous brush fires. Then, Latin American countries are reconsidering the legalization of marijuana after similar measures get voted through in the U.S. A new article explains how Tide detergent became a hot commodity in the drug trade. Florida readies for it's annual Python Challenge, where hunters from all over the country compete to rid the Everglades of the overpopulous Burmese Python, plus much more.

A new CA bill proposes the strict tracking of all bullets and shotgun shells sold in the state. Plus, a judge rules that names in the LA archdiocese sex abuse files should be public. Then, 'Awesome Tapes From Africa' blog transports obscure tunes beyond Africa's borders, the Mars500 experiment is over...How did the six volunteers fare during 500 days of solitude? Plus much more.

Kids at LAUSD campuses return to school today for the first time since the Newtown shootings. Have enhanced security measures been put in place yet? Plus, we'll check in with students and parents as they arrive to school. Plus, a new study shows classroom design can have an affect on kids' grades. Then, school citations remain high despite reforms, gadgets and gimmicks take center stage at Consumer Electronics Show, and much more.

Will policy chief Michele Flournoy be the first female secretary of defense? Plus, depictions of torture in 'Zero Dark Thirty' prompt a Senate inquiry; A biofuel-carrying train crosses the US-Canada border, reaping fraudulent carbon credit rewards; San Diego's water supply is evolving because of new demand and a massive desalination project in the works, plus much more.

The 113th Congress is to be sworn in today, ushering in 14 new faces. Then, what issues are ahead for California in 2013? President Obama's new immigration policy could ease separation time for immigrants and their American families, and dialect experts convene in Boston for a conference about the development and new trends in American English, plus much more.

Today we take a look at what's next in the wake of a fiscal cliff deal. Plus, an economist theorizes that the U.S. is nearing an end to a period of growth that began in the 18th century; LA County animal shelters managed to not euthanize any healthy animals in December; Scientists are working to save endangered frogs from a deadly fungus, plus much more.