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Los Angeles Times
Reporter with the Los Angeles Times
PROFILE
Seema Mehta
Guest
FROM Seema Mehta
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Why does Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom skip so many meetings? For the last eight years as lieutenant governor, Gavin Newsom sat on the boards of three public agencies, but didn’t attend many of the meetings. They’re meetings held by the UC Board of Regents, the Cal State board of trustees, and the State Lands Commission. This story shines a light on how little California’s second-in-command is expected to do.
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
How gubernatorial candidate Villaraigosa made millions Former LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa released his tax returns this week. He was the last to do so among all the Democratic candidates running for governor. The returns showed that he earned millions of dollars as an advisor to the nutrition supplement company Herbalife, among other positions. When he termed out as mayor in 2013, he said he was leaving office with, “no job, no house, no car.”
Which Way, L.A.?
A Political Earthquake Heading for Los Angeles County LA County is bigger than many American states and each of the five County Supervisors represents more than two million people. Their districts are so big and complex that election to four-year terms has made them almost impossible to challenge. The five current incumbents have office for a total of 100 years. But, in 2002, voters approved limits of three terms, or 12 years in office. For Zev Yaroslavsky and Gloria Molina , next year is the end of the line. While state legislative districts are now reapportioned by an independent commission, boards of supervisors do that job themselves. LA County's drew new lines in 2011, but Gloria Molina and Mark Ridley-Thomas raised minority voting rights issues. Now there are demands for the US Department of Justice to step in.
Which Way, L.A.?
Who's Backing Whom in the Race for LA Mayor? The runoff election for Los Angeles mayor is seven weeks from today, and the two remaining candidates, both Democrats, are in midst of dueling endorsements. Basketball legend Magic Johnson tossed his ball into Wendy Greuel's court, as did former President Bill Clinton . Today, Republican Kevin James, who came in third in the primary, endorsed Eric Garcetti . Seema Mehta, who's covering the race for the Los Angeles Times , joins us for an update.
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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
Trump's new look at civil rights and global warming President Trump is reportedly ready to pull the US out of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. We look at the possible consequences. On the second half of the program, we hear about cuts in Obama-Era civil rights programs called for by the Trump Administration's first budget plan.
To the Point
Is the threat from Russia missing from the Russia meddling probe? There's much being made about the Trump administration's possible ties with Russia. But the bottom line is Russia's effort to influence American democracy. Do the President and his aides care enough to take action before voters go back to the polls?
To the Point
Replacing Obamacare: Now you see it… now you don’t As the Senate deliberates replacing Obmacare, health coverage for millions of people is at stake. There've been no public hearings, and a draft measure won't be made public. Is the House version so unpopular that that Senate is hiding a version that looks much the same?