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Los Angeles Times
Senior international affairs writer, and former Moscow Bureau Chief, for the Los Angeles Times
PROFILE
Carol Williams
Guest
FROM Carol Williams
Which Way, L.A.?
Mass Exodus at the LA Times The latest buyout of news room veterans at the LA Times has a former editor saying, the "loss of knowledge and wisdom" makes you want to cry." That's according to Kevin Roderick, who has access to a closed Facebook group where the names are being discussed. Kevin himself once worked at the paper.
To the Point
Ukraine's Future and Russian Politics Despite last week's plan to "de-escalate" the crisis, Ukraine and Russia are now exchanging accusations over Saturday's deadly shootings near the Eastern city of Sloviansk. Russia says Ukraine has failed to crack down on "extremists" as promised last week in Geneva. Ukraine says people were killed in a "crude provocation" staged for Russian TV.
To the Point
All Eyes on the Crimean Referendum Russian troops are deployed along the border of Eastern Ukraine, but President Vladimir Putin says he won't decide what to do until after the Crimean referendum on Sunday. In London today, after six hours of talks with Russia's Foreign Minister, Secretary of State John Kerry said the US has already staked out its position .
To the Point
As the Olympics Wind Down, Is a New Cold War Heating Up? The Olympic flame is still burning brightly in Sochi. If all goes well over the weekend, Vladimir Putin will have staged the showcase he promised. But, a few hundred miles away in Ukraine, it's a different story. Despite Putin's support, President Yanukovych may be deposed by bloody violence. The big questions remaining: what will Putin do now?
To the Point
Search for Suspected Terrorists Adds to Sochi Security Concerns A suspected suicide bomber is reportedly in Sochi, intensifying security concerns for the Winter Olympics. We'll hear about "jihadist widows" and other potential terrorist threats. International affairs writer Carol Williams is former Moscow Bureau Chief for the Los Angeles Times .
To the Point
Putin Signs Ban on American Adoptions In Moscow today, President Vladimir Putin signed a bill that bans the adoption of Russian children by American citizens. The bill has opened a rare split at the highest levels of Russian government and has further exacerbated strained relations between the US and Russia. Carol J.
Which Way, L.A.?
Supreme Court Orders California to Relieve Prison Overcrowding A majority of the US Supreme Court has ruled that California must reduce its prison population to relieve overcrowding that violates the Constitution. Dissenters claim that will mean 33,000 criminals loose on the street--while state officials are looking for ways not to release any prisoners at all.
To the Point
Supreme Court Orders California to Relieve Prison Overcrowding A majority of the US Supreme Court has ruled that California must reduce its prison population to relieve overcrowding that violates the Constitution. Dissenters claim that will mean 33,000 criminals loose on the street--while state officials are looking for ways not to release any prisoners at all.
Which Way, L.A.?
Can California Still Afford the Capital Punishment? Since capital punishment was reinstated in 1976, thirteen condemned inmates have been executed in California. At least 56 have died from illness, suicide or natural causes. No less than 713 now live on Death Row, and last week, Governor Brown cancelled a $356 million plan to build a new facility.
To the Point
Appeals Court Strikes Down 'Stolen Valor Act' According to a federal appeals court, the first amendment gives Americans the right to lie. "Saints may always tell the truth, but for mortals, living means lying." Those words are part of the court's ruling in the case of a man who falsely claimed he'd been awarded the Medal of Honor.
To the Point
The Oil Industry and the Government The Gulf oil spill is producing hundreds of lawsuits in several states, but federal judges are bowing out because of investments in the oil industry. Judge Martin Feldman, who threw out the President's six-month moratorium on deep-water drilling on Tuesday, recently held stock in Transocean and Halliburton.
Which Way, L.A.?
The LA Archdiocese and Pedophile Priests The court-ordered release of hours of videotaped depositions has brought new attention to pedophilia by priests in LA's Catholic Archdiocese . Cardinal Roger Mahony was asked why he never informed police about Michael Baker, a former priest who's now serving a ten-year sentence for child molestation.
Which Way, L.A.?
Uptick in 'Financial Hardship' Excuse to Avoid Jury Service Thomas Jefferson called the jury system "the only anchor yet imagined by man by which a government can be held to the principles of its constitution." While Americans like jury service in principle, more and more are trying to avoid this cornerstone of American democracy, claiming "financial hardship."
To the Point
Uptick in 'Financial Hardship' Excuse to Avoid Jury Service Thomas Jefferson called the jury system "the only anchor yet imagined by man by which a government can be held to the principles of its constitution." While Americans like jury service in principle, more and more are trying to avoid this cornerstone of American democracy, claiming "financial hardship."
Which Way, L.A.?
Author of Torture Memo on the Ninth Circuit Court Two former Justice Department lawyers who wrote the controversial “ torture memos ” are now in the west. John Yoo is a tenured professor of law at UC Berkeley, currently visiting Chapman University in Orange County. Jay Bybee is now a justice on the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals with a courtroom in Las Vegas.
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KCRW Features
Could agave become Santa Barbara’s next major crop? In many ways, growing agave in Santa Barbara makes a lot of sense. Not only does it use very little water and thrive on generally inhospitable land, but it can act as a fuel break for wildfires. Now, local farmers and distillers are experimenting with the crop.
The 805
One year later, the threat of more mudslides still exists One year ago, torrential rain pelted the hillside community of Montecito, which was scorched a month earlier by the Thomas Fire. It unleashed a flow of mud and boulders the size of cars and killed 23 people. We check in with the community one year later and talk about what’s being done to prevent another debris flow.
KCRW Features
What are LA parents doing with their kids during the strike? During the teacher strike, a lot of students are not going to class. According to the district’s tally, about 163,000 turned up for school Tuesday, out of a total of about half a million. Some are spending their time on the picket line. Older students might go study at Starbucks or play hooky. But the parents of younger children in L.A.