Hunger: A Massive Problem in LA County
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Los Angeles County has 1.7 million hungry residents, so many that food banks are struggling to keep up with the need. Because of state laws, almost half don't know they're eligible for food stamps the federal government pays for. We hear what the County's doing to make some improvement. Also, the voices of angry Dodgers' owner Frank McCourt and Thomas Schieffer, the smooth-talking Texan sent by Major League Baseball to operate the franchise. On our rebroadcast of today's To the Point, the Space Shuttle Endeavour has some last-minute business before it comes to LA.
Banner image: Food supplied are distributed by volunteers at a neighborhood food pantry. Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
Making News
State Assembly Votes to Dissolve Vernon ()
The State Assembly today passed a bill that would dissolve the City of Vernon, the Los Angeles suburb with less than 100 residents and 1800 businesses. The vote was 60 to seven, with the minority warning about a loss of jobs. Sam Allen reports for the LA Times.
Guests:
- Sam Allen: Los Angeles Times, @samallens
Main Topic
Tackling Hunger in Los Angeles County ()
Two years ago, there were 1.7 million people in LA County at risk of being hungry -- that's close to 20 percent -- and there's no doubt their numbers are on the increase. But only about half of those eligible for food stamps know they could get help from the program.
Guests:
- Michael Flood: Los Angeles Regional Food Bank
- Philip Browning: LA County Department of Public Social Services
Links:
Reporter's Notebook
Monitor Moves In as Dodgers' McCourt Wails the Blues ()
Yesterday, LA sports reporters were waiting to hear from Thomas Schieffer, the lawyer and former Texas Rangers' executive sent by Major League Baseball to take over management of the Dodgers. But Schieffer delayed his news conference when word came that the Dodgers' owner Frank McCourt had announced a competing news conference in New York. Tom Hoffarth is a sports writer for the Daily News.
Guests:
- Tom Hoffarth: Los Angeles Daily News
Main Topic
Endeavour's Last Ride, Giffords' Struggling Recovery ()
Once it's retired, the shuttle Endeavour will go on display at the California Science Center in downtown Los Angeles. But first, its last space flight is scheduled for launch tomorrow with President Obama, his family and recovering Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords on hand. Gifford's husband, Mark Kelly, will be the commander. We hear about more about the end of the shuttle program and the struggle of recovering Congresswoman Giffords.
Guests:
- Mark K. Matthews: Orlando Sentinel
- Ken Bowersox: SpaceX
- Mark Brown: MCR
- Peter Boyer: Newsweek
Links:
Underwriters
Which Way L.A.? is made possible in part by the Ralph M. Parsons Foundation, the Nathan Cummings Foundation, and the John Randolph Haynes and Dora Haynes Foundation, which supports study and research into policy issues of the Los Angeles region.
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