Which Way, L.A.?
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County Agency Blamed for Child Deaths Undertakes Reform

Another scathing report on LA County's Department of Children and Family Services recounts 15 gruesome deaths and even a case of torture that could have been prevented if basic procedures were followed.  The report says caseworkers assigned to assess the dangers to foster children were "just doing their time" instead of heeding repeated warnings of continued abuse. Also, in another of our interviews with candidates for Mayor of Los Angeles we speak with the only Republican vying to lead a Blue City: Kevin James. On our rebroadcast of To the Point, has the South outgrown the voting rights act?

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Mayoral Candidate Kevin James ()

james.jpgThe office of Mayor of Los Angeles itself is nonpartisan, but Kevin James still stands out as the only Republican in the Big Five. He's a former federal prosecutor, talk show host and leader of AIDS Project LA.  KCRW's Saul Gonzalez talked to him as he was preparing for yet another debate with his four opponents.

You can find our interviews with candidates for mayor at KCRW.com/RaceforMayor.

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The LA County Department That's Allowed Children to Die ()

Four years ago, Los Angeles County reported a backlog in child abuse investigations, which it called a "crisis." Now, the LA Times has uncovered a report filed in April of last year depicting a foster-care horror-show, including a case of torture and the deaths of 15 children as young as two from neglect and brutality. Caseworkers at the Department of Children and Family Services overlooked documented histories of abusive behavior on the part of foster parents and ignored hot-line complaints.

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Which Way L.A.? is made possible in part by the Ralph M. Parsons Foundation and the Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation.

 

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