Which Way, L.A.?
Cell Towers, Radiation and Public Safety
In a major disaster in LA County, cops and firefighters in 88 cities should be able to talk to each other. But the federal government has suspended funding for a single communications system to replace 40 separate networks. It's all about claims that giant new cellphone towers on fire stations will increase the risk of cancer in local neighborhoods.
By Warren Olney • • 25m ListenIn a major earthquake or some other disaster in LA County, cops and firefighters in 88 cities should be able to talk to each other. But the federal government has suspended funding for a single communications system to replace 40 separate networks. It's all about claims that giant new cellphone towers on fire stations will increase the risk of cancer in local neighborhoods.
Also, LA Unified wants to eliminate free pre-school for kids in poor families—saving $36 million from a budget of $7.3 billion.
Photo: Andrew Magill
In this episode
2 storiesCell Towers, Radiation and Public Safety
Since September 11, 2001, LA County and its 88 cities have been talking about connecting every cop and firefighter in a single communications system — in the event of an earthquake or other major disaster. But, with a network in mid-construction, federal funding has been frozen.
Read the story19 minLAUSD Considers Canning Early Education Program
LA Unified's School Readiness and Language Development Program is designed to prepare low-income children for kindergarten. It's free to their families at a cost to the District of $36 million a year. The full budget is $7.3 billion, but Superintendent Ramon Cortines has called for cutting the program to save money.
Read the story6 min
