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Los Angeles Times
Senior writer with the Los Angeles Times; was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service in 2011 with Ruben Vives for their investigation of the Bell, CA corruption scandalPROFILE
Jeff Gottlieb
Guest
FROM Jeff Gottlieb
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
How will KCET-KOCE merger affect LA broadcasting? KCET was PBS’ flagship TV station in LA -- the second largest market in the country. Eight years ago, it dropped its ties with PBS. Then donations plummeted, and KCET struggled to stay solvent and produce original programming. Now it’s merging with KOCE, the smaller PBS affiliate based in Orange County.
Which Way, L.A.?
With West Nile, Who Are the Real Pests? Los Angeles has seen a decline this year in infections of the deadly West Nile Virus. But Orange County has recorded 94 cases when last year, during this same period, there were just two. One death in Seal Beach, another in Huntington Beach and a third in Santa Ana prove how serious the problem can be.
Which Way, L.A.?
Bell Scandal Sentencing and Corruption Beyond Today was “the Big One” for the city of Bell, one of California’s poorest cities. Coming up for a sentence on corruption charges, former City Manager, Robert Rizzo, once paid $1.5 million a year, told Judge Kathleen Kennedy he “breached the public’s confidence” by looking more to himself than the community.
Which Way, L.A.?
AG Jerry Brown Subpoenas Bell Officials over Excessive Salaries Past and present officials made between $800,000 and $1.5 million from the City of Bell, a situation made possible by a special election, for which just 400 people turned out in a city of 40,000. Among the nine officials subpoenaed today is Robert Rizzo, Bell's former City Manger, whose salary was almost $800,000, with benefits pushing his compensation package to $1.5 million. Attorney General Jerry Brown is investigating the salaries which he says "could constitute a violation that would bring into question the entire election." Brown is also the Democratic candidate for Governor, a post he held for two terms in the 1970's and 80's.
Which Way, L.A.?
Metrolink to Address Safety along the Tracks In the aftermath of the crash with a freight train that killed 25 people in Chatsworth, today's Los Angeles Times reports that the company employing the Metrolink driver has had troubles in other places. Mayor Villaraigosa has called on Metrolink to review all its contracts.
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To the Point
Ex-FBI Director Comey tells his side of the story Today, former FBI Director James Comey came close to calling the President who fired him a liar. The White House denied the claim and called it insulting, but Republican Senators did not challenge Comey’s truthfulness. Many questions remain: did the President try to obstruct a federal investigation? Later, we’ll go behind the “velvet rope” for a look at 5-Star health care for the richest Americans.
To the Point
What is Trump's plan for Middle East peace? On his first foreign tour, President Trump has promised "peace" between Israel and the Palestinians. Are there any details for re-starting talks that have been stalled for the past three years?
To the Point
Janesville and the American Dream Janesville, Wisconsin is the hometown of Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan. But he couldn’t prevent the closing of the General Motors factory after 100 years. On this Memorial Day rebroadcast of To the Point, we hear what’s happened to what once was a model of American middle-class unity.