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    Back to Which Way, L.A.?

    Which Way, L.A.?

    Drought and the Future of California's Forests

    Drought has turned local forests into a massive tinderbox of dead trees, and the predicted El Niño is unlikely to bring them back to life. We hear about a high-tech aerial investigation that's turned up new challenges for fire control, erosion and water quality.

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    By Warren Olney • Oct 21, 2015 • 21m Listen

    Drought has turned local forests into a massive tinderbox of dead trees, and the predicted El Niño is unlikely to bring them back to life. We hear about a high-tech aerial investigation that's turned up new challenges for fire control, erosion and water quality.

    Later on the program, after years of embarrassing scandals, LA County's newly elected Sheriff wants to "change the culture" of his department. We ask Jim McDonnell about transforming the nation's fourth largest local police agency with 18,000 employees.

    In this episode

    2 stories
    1. 0:17

      Imagine the Southland without Any Trees

      The US Forest Service knew it was bad, but not how bad. After four years of drought, it figured the 12.5 million trees had died. Then Greg Asner of the Carnegie Institution for Science spent many days flying over the territory with high-tech equipment that measures the amount of water in tree leaves below.

      Read the story
      12 min
    2. 12:15

      LA County Sheriff Seeks Recruits with Moral Compass

      Jim McDonnell served with the LAPD and as Chief of Police in Long Beach. When he was elected Sheriff of LA County last November he was new to a department that suffered through four years of reports of brutality and other forms of misconduct. Now he says it's time to "change the culture."

      Read the story
      10 min
    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Warren Olney

      former KCRW broadcaster

    • KCRW placeholder

      Christine Detz

      Producer, 'To the Point'

    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Gideon Brower

      Independent Producer

      News

    In this episode

    2 stories
    1. 0:1712 min

      Imagine the Southland without Any Trees

    2. 12:1510 min

      LA County Sheriff Seeks Recruits with Moral Compass

    Back to Which Way, L.A.?