Take Two

What are the rules when it comes to political campaigning in the workplace? It it even legal? Plus, in the new Mother Jones, Shane Bauer, an American formerly held prisoner in Iran, criticizes the use of solitary confinement in U.S. prisons. Then, how foreclosures are impacting likely voters this election season, Molly Peterson reports on Prop. 37, and whether the average American really cares whether food is genetically modified, and much more.

Newsweek announces its shuttering its print publication and going all digital. Plus, we take a look at a controversial French study on GMO corn and its effect on lab rats, a study shows that 'positive stress' is beneficial and crucial to infant development, we look at what's next for the Livestrong Foundation after Lance Armstrong's resignation and much more.

We examine last night's presidential debate, from the topics covered, body language and how a woman moderated the debate for the first time in 20 years. Plus, the food fight between Prop 37 supporters and GMO companies heats up, a secret geo-engineering initiative has environmentalists nervous, a Pinterest account in Pennsylvania displays the town's alleged criminals and much more.

Sec. of State Hillary Clinton claimed responsibility for security issues at the U.S. Consulate in Libya, we'll discuss how that will affect the presidential debate tonight. Plus, citizens of Baldwin Hills and surrounding areas are concerned about a new fracking study and 50 years since the Cuban Missile Crisis, a new book looks at its impact on the U.S. and abroad.

KPCC's Josie Huang reports from the K-pop Convention, KCON, in Irvine, where fans from all over the U.S. came to see their favorite Korean Pop stars. Plus, we look ahead to the second presidential debate coming up this Tuesday, we break down Prop 34, and a new report shows a record number of immigrants running for Congress, and much more.

We recap the vice-presidential debate with Patt Morrison, and analyze the body language of both candidates. Plus, food writer Mark Bittman of the New York Times joins the show to talk about his upcoming feature on California's San Joaquin Valley, Erika Aguilar reports on two young Afghan women studying to be judges in SoCal, and much more.

Amnesty International issues a report showing the use of torture by police and military in Mexico is on the rise.; Book Critic David Kipen joins the show to discuss the Nobel Prize in Literature and the finalists in the National Book Awards.; Betting on the Nobel Prize.; Hollywood's quest to appeal to the Latino population.; How strong is Catholicism this election cycle?; Marketplace's Bob Moon talks about his experiences covering the shuttle program.; Fifty years ago Rachel Carson single-handedly started the environmental movement with her book "Silent Spring".; Issa Rae, creator of the web series 'Awkward Black Girl,' joins the show to talk about her sudden fame, and what’s next for her.; Twitter and real-time political opinions.

We check in on presidential poll numbers in the wake of last week's debate.; Frank Stoltze gives us an update on the pulse of SoCal voters.; The new documentary, "The House I Live In," turns a lens on America's war on drugs.; The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments in the affirmative action case Fisher vs. University of Texas.; Many legal observers believe the court may curtail, or even eliminate, the ability of public and private colleges and universities to employ racial and ethnic preferences in admissions.; We discuss two new tax initiatives, Prop 30 and 38, that will be on California's November ballot.; We look into the sale of Variety, the 107-year-old entertainment news magazine.; Should we be able to vote using our smartphones?; The City of LA and the Getty yesterday opened a new visitor center for the 80-year-old mural "América Tropical."; LA County voters will decide whether they want Measure J, a long-term extension of a half-cent transportation sales tax.; New book shares intimate, personal stories of early LGBTQ identity.

Former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky was sentenced this morning to at least 30 years in prison on 45 counts of child sexual abuse.; We take a look at the debating style of Vice President Joe Biden and GOP candidate Paul Ryan.; What you need to know when you have to care for an ailing, elderly parent.; We'll find out the latest in music news with NPR music critic Ann Powers and Soul-Sides music blogger Oliver Wang.; New research reveals how the nation's lawmakers position their portfolios and how they win and lose money on Wall Street.; PBS documentary "The Choice: 2012" promises to give an up close and personal view of both presidential candidates.; Patt Morrison reports on Los Angeles opening its arms to and accepting applications for its first ever poet laureate.; South Korea's president wants to use PSY's "Gangnam Style" to help create a national brand.

Calif. Governor Jerry Brown told state regulators to immediately allow oil refineries to make an early transition to winter-blend gasoline to help with rising gas prices.; Congressional panel has concluded that the federal government should block mergers of U.S. firms with Chinese telecommunications companies suspected of ties to the Chinese government.; President Obama visits the site for a future monument for farm worker activist Cesar Chavez.; Jude Joffe-Block reports on the complex collaborations between manufacturers on both sides of the US-Mexico border.; Talking with Ingrid Croce, widow of the late singer Jim Croce, about her new book, "I've Got a Name.; Mitt Romney is giving what's billed as a landmark foreign policy speech in Virginia on Monday.; One of Mitt Romney's top advisors is a rising Asian American political star from Southern California.; According to a new survey, Americans may have changed their attitudes on counterterrorism policy since Barack Obama became president.

Today, President Obama meets with small business owners and middle-class Americans to discuss the fiscal cliff. Then, we look at why freshman Democrats and Republicans are segregated in Congress, How Tijuana kitsch is still alive and well, David Denby of The New Yorker asks "Do The Movies Have A Future," and much more.

Today we take a look at the latest news coming out of the Middle East, including Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi's latest power grab. Then, the U.S. is facing the worst drought in 25 years, California couples are turning to social media to find open adoption opportunities, John Horn of the LA Times gives us a year-end movie preview and much more.

It's holiday travel time again! We look at how airlines are working to improve their on-time statuses and how LAX workers are protesting during the busy holiday. Then, we'll look at how to put a multicultural spin on the Thanksgiving turkey, how baristas are competing for the best latte art and much more.

We'll discuss whether U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice is a good choice for Secretary Of State. Rice has come under fire following comments she made after the terrorist attacks in Benghazi. Then, a Pasadena Council OK'd the use of the Rose Bowl for NFL games, but not everyone's happy about the decision. Then, how the NHL lockout is affecting local businesses and the Kings' fanbase momentum, stolen petroglyphs shock archaeologists in Bishop, and much more.

Today we check in on the conflict between Israel and Palestine. What will motivate both sides to stop the fighting? The conflict isn't just being waged on the ground, but also via social media. Then, Wal-Mart employees nationwide are preparing for a series of protests on Black Friday. We talk to the author of "Bet The Farm" about why food prices are what they are, and much more.

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.