Press Play with Madeleine Brand
SCOTUS' Non-Decision in Contraceptive Case Highlights Court's Vacancy
The Supreme Court sent a case about contraception back to the lower courts Monday, avoiding a deadlock, but highlighting how the vacant ninth seat is becoming an issue as Congress continues to refuse to hold a nomination hearing to fill it.
By Madeleine Brand • • 51m ListenThe Supreme Court sent a case about contraception and religious freedom back to the lower courts Monday in an attempt to avoid a deadlock. The non-decision highlights how the vacant ninth seat is becoming an issue.
Also, affordable housing is a major issue in California's big cities and now Governor Jerry Brown is stepping in at the state level. He's proposed streamlining the permitting process for housing developments that include affordable units in his new budget.
On our weekly TV segment, network upfronts, summer comedies and fall reboots.
Then, nearly fifty years ago, Mexican-American women were sterilized against their wishes at Los Angeles County General hospital. The new documentary called No Más Bebés explores how they were affected.
And finally, Ghost in the Shell casting exposes Japanese animation's troubled history with 'white-washing.'
Photo: Sister Loraine McGuire with Little Sisters of the Poor speaks to the media after Zubik v. Burwell was heard by the US Supreme Court in Washington March 23, 2016. (Joshua Roberts/Reuters)
In this episode
5 storiesSCOTUS Non-Decision in Contraceptive Case Highlights Court’s Vacancy
The Supreme Court issued a non-decision Monday in a case about contraception, the Affordable Care Act and religious freedom. At issue was whether Obamacare’s mandate to provide free birth control is a substantial burden on a religious organization. The eight justices asked the two sides to work out a compromise in the lower courts.
Read the story9 minCould State-Level Efforts Help Solve LA's Housing Crisis?
Affordable housing is a major issue in California’s big cities and now it’s a state-level public policy issue with Governor Jerry Brown stepping in . In his new budget, Brown has proposed streamlining the permitting process for housing developments that include affordable units.
Read the story8 minTV: Finales, Upfronts, Summer Comedies and Fall Reboots
It’s goodbye for now to many of our favorite TV shows this week. RuPaul’s Drag Race, Bates Motel, and Jane the Virgin have their season finales Monday. It’s also goodbye for good for CBS’s Mike and Molly and ABC’s Castle. However, there are plenty of good shows to look forward to, including some great comedies this summer.
Read the story8 min'No Más Bebés' Examines LA County Forced Sterilizations
When someone uses the word eugenics -- the genetic engineering of people -- it conjures up the horrors of Nazi Germany. But not so long ago, a more subtle kind of eugenics was carried out right here in the US, in the form of sterilizations performed by states.
Read the story15 minAnime's Troubled History of 'White-Washing'
News that Scarlett Johansson would play the lead role in a live-action remake of Japanese animation favorite Ghost in the Shell angered anime fans in America, who complained it was another example of Hollywood ‘ white-washing ’ of a Japanese character. However, many fans in Japan don’t see what the big deal is.
Read the story9 min
