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Ketanji Brown Jackson is feeling supreme Mar 21, 2022

Show notes

Today, hearings will begin to confirm Ketanji Brown Jackson to the U.S. Supreme Court to fill the seat of retiring Justice Stephen Breyer. Jackson’s a different type of judge, a Black woman for starters — she’d be the first ever on the Supreme Court — but she also brings unprecedented professional and life experiences. But even if she’s confirmed, how much influence can a history maker really have?

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Jackson supporters gear up to protect her historic Supreme Court bid from racist, sexist attacks

Biden nominates Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to Supreme Court in historic pick

Column: The unsubtle racism of questioning Ketanji Brown Jackson’s qualifications

Townies versus gownies battle for Berkeley Mar 18, 2022

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Thousands of students apply to UC Berkeley every year. It’s one of the most applied-to universities in the entire U.S. But the city of Berkeley is also emblematic of our nationwide housing crisis. Which is why residents and the university have been locked in a legal battle over enrollment numbers.

Today, we delve into the latest town-versus-gown throw-down.

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Lawmakers unveil rescue effort to help UC Berkeley avoid enrollment cuts after court battle

How much will UC Berkeley have to cut admissions after Supreme Court decision? What we know

UC Berkeley will meet court-ordered enrollment cap with online, deferred admission offers

Another scandal for L.A. Fire Department Mar 17, 2022

Show notes

Last May, the Palisades fire ripped through the Santa Monica Mountains. About 1,000 people were put under mandatory evacuation orders, and about 500 homes were threatened by the flames. As that emergency was unfolding, the guy in charge of the Los Angeles Fire Department’s operations center overseeing the fire was allegedly intoxicated. That’s according to an investigation commissioned by city officials.

Today, we talk about what came next.

More reading:

LAFD chief deputy allegedly drunk during a major fire gets no discipline, $1.4-million payout

LAFD received complaints that a top official was drunk on duty. Some say it was covered up

Raging Palisades fire is a dangerous warning of California’s new year-round fire reality

China's influence grows in Central America Mar 16, 2022

Show notes

There’s been a new Cold War brewing for years now between the United States and China. And a big battleground on that front is Central America.

Today, we look into how China’s billions of dollars and influence in Central America could strengthen a new generation of regimes hostile to the U.S.

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In Latin America’s new Cold War, will China lift up autocrats?

Taiwan loses one of its last diplomatic allies as Nicaragua recognizes China

Is China good for the Americas?

Hotel housekeeping is dirtier than ever Mar 15, 2022

Show notes

Something disturbing has happened since the last time most of us took vacations — it’s getting harder to clean rooms because of COVID-19 protocols. Hotel workers say ever since the pandemic started, their work has been harder and dirtier than ever.

Today, we hear from one of those workers.

More reading:

How the pandemic made hotel housekeeping more difficult — and disgusting

Tourists are back: L.A. hotel bookings reach 100% of their pre-pandemic levels

‘Tsunami’ of hotel closures is coming, experts warn

Future of Abortion Part 1: Medicine Mar 14, 2022

Show notes

Dr. Warren Hern has seen the past, present and future of the abortion debate in the United States. The Colorado doctor remembers treating women for illegal abortions, was there for the opening arguments of the landmark Supreme Court case Roe vs. Wade — and now fears what might happen if it’s struck down.

Today, Dr. Hern talks about his career.

More reading:

As a med student, he saw women nearly die from illegal abortions. At 83, he sees no end to his work

60 hours, 50 abortions: A California doctor’s monthly commute to a Texas clinic

California plans to be abortion sanctuary if Roe vs. Wade is overturned

Ukraine, Russia and your gas tank Mar 11, 2022

Show notes

Here in the United States, we’re already feeling the cost of Russia’s war in a place none of us can escape: the rising price of oil.

Today, we look into how global conflicts upend global energy supplies and efforts to fight climate change, how gas prices keep getting higher and might continue to rise, and what can be done about it.

More reading:

How high could gas prices go? More pain at the pump likely coming

Ukraine is a climate story. Because everything is a climate story

The truth about L.A.’s most notoriously expensive gas stations

One family's 27,000-mile road trip Mar 10, 2022

Show notes

Greg Bledsoe is a former morning news anchor for NBC 7 in San Diego. About a year ago, he, his wife and their two children got into an SUV and began to drive. Forty-four states, more than 20 national parks and more than 27,000 miles later, they’re still at it.

Today, Greg shares with us some of their stories — and lessons.

More reading:

Follow the Bledsoes’ adventures on Instagram

Opinion: I live on the road with my wife and two young kids — and I highly recommend it

Coronavirus ruined our family vacation this year. We turned to an RV for a new adventure

500 miles to Kyiv Mar 09, 2022

Show notes

For more than a month now, L.A. Times Middle East Bureau Chief Nabih Bulos has been on the ground in Ukraine, covering the escalating Russian invasion. Bulos has seen fierce fighting by Ukrainians, nonstop bombardment by Russians, hope and fear and chaos. He’s crisscrossed Ukraine to hear residents tell their stories.

Today, he talks to us about what he has seen.

More reading:

Raining rockets, scattered corpses, an existential battle: A 500-mile journey across a week of war

‘We’re keeping watch’: What foreign correspondents Nabih Bulos, Marcus Yam are seeing in Ukraine

Dead soldiers. An icy river. Ukraine town on the front lines prepares to battle Russians

Media bias, and refugees 'like us' Mar 08, 2022

Show notes

The European Union is doing everything possible to welcome Ukrainian refugees. And people around the world have donated money and supplies to help. But this open-arms response has people in similar situations wondering: Why so much goodwill toward Ukrainians, and not us?

Today, we talk about the media’s role in deciding who is the “right” type of refugee — and how that helps or hinders displaced people around the world.

More reading:

In Ukraine reporting, Western press reveals grim bias toward ‘people like us’

20 years after 9/11, an American Muslim recalls the costs of war you didn’t see on TV

Trevor Noah slams media for racist remarks on Ukraine: War ‘was Europe’s entire thing’

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