Which Way, L.A.?
Implementing a Reformed Three Strikes
A sentence of 25 years to life for stealing a leaf-blower may be reduced now that California voters have reformed the nation's toughest Three Strikes law.
By Warren Olney • • 50m ListenA sentence of 25 years to life for stealing a leaf-blower may be reduced now that California voters have reformed the nation's toughest Three Strikes law. A 62-year old model prisoner who's done 16 years for a third strike on drug possession has already been re-sentenced to time served. We hear how long it will take to apply Proposition 36 on the recent ballot and how much money it might save. Also, will downtown LA hear the clang-clang-clang of a new streetcar line? Is it time to bring back the Broadway of old? On our rebroadcast of today's To the Point, can higher education be democratized on the Internet?
In this episode
4 storiesRiordan Suspends Effort for Pension-Cutting Ballot Measure
Los Angeles City unions are claiming victory tonight since, earlier today, former Mayor Richard Riordan suddenly gave up on his plan to put a roll-back of pensions for city workers on the May ballot.
Read the story9 minThree Strikes and the Voice of the Voters
California's Three Strikes law was first passed in 1994, at a time of anxiety over violent crime. Offenders previously convicted of two violent or serious crimes could be sentenced to 25 years to life for any third conviction.
Read the story12 minWill the LA Streetcar Come Back from the Dead?
Streetcars were pervasive in Los Angeles in the first part of the 20th Century, but the last one disappeared in 1963. Now there's a move to create a new, streamlined version if downtown residents agree that property owners should be taxed for the purpose. KCRW's Saul Gonzalez has talked to both sides of the issue.
Read the story7 minCollege Reinvented in the Year of the 'MOOC'
If you've never heard of a MOOC, don't worry. Massive Open Online Courses began last year when Stanford Professor Sebastian Thrun put a class on line. He quickly enrolled 160,000 students — in more than 190 countries. Now Harvard, Princeton and other prestigious schools are offering MOOC's that reach millions of students worldwide.
Read the story23 min
