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Which Way, L.A.? (Current Affairs)

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Next available on KCRW 89.9 Santa Monica, CA in 2 hours 1 minute
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Host: Warren Olney
Award-winning moderator Warren Olney leads lively, thoughtful and provocative discussion on the issues Southern Californians care about. Which Way, L.A.? draws from newsmakers around Los Angeles, the state, North America, and from around the world to present all sides of our focus issues.
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Genres: Current Affairs, Investigative
Location: Santa Monica, CA
Language: English
Networks: NPR

Last updated 768 days ago Update program info

Recent Topics

LAUSD's Brewer: Should He Stay or Should He Go?

Tue, Dec 2 Listen

After three days of bloody violence in Mumbai, angry media are raising tensions between India and Pakistan. Can the US mediate between two nuclear powers? Was Barack Obama's strategy for promoting peace a terrorist target? Also, why LA's School superintendent may be out of a job, and a conversation with LA County's newest supervisor, Mark Ridley-Thomas.

Obama's Team of Rivals; Schwarzenegger Warns of Fiscal Disaster

Mon, Dec 1 Listen

Hillary Clinton, Robert Gates and former Marine Commandant James Jones may not agree with each other, but Barack Obama says the buck stops with him. We hear a re-broadcast of today's To the Point with students of White House transitions warning of unintended consequences. In Part II of our program, the new legislature confronts old problems as Jews, Muslims and Hollywood filmmakers confront terrorism in Mumbai.

The New Thriftiness in America

Wed, Nov 26 Listen

This is "the American weekend," a day of thanksgiving normally followed by the biggest shopping day of the year. But these are not normal times. Retailers are bracing for a tough sales season and consumers are re-thinking what they buy and where they buy it. Also, more bickering in Sacramento over the state budget. Sara Terry guest hosts.

The Perils of Modern Piracy

Tue, Nov 25 Listen

A Saudi freighter the size of an aircraft carrier is being held by a small band of Somali pirates. With a load of two million barrels of crude oil and a crew of twenty-five, it's a valuable hostage for the pirates and a potential environmental disaster if negotiations fail and an oil spill occurs. Guest host Sara Terry explores whats happened to millions of dollars in ransom paid for the release of other vessels, who the pirates are and why they arent being caught by naval forces.

Presidential Transition in a Time of Crisis

Mon, Nov 24 Listen

President Bush held one news conference on the economy this morning and President-elect Barack Obama held another one just two hours later announcing his new economic team. The two have pledged close cooperation, but how difficult is it to address a crisis with one president leaving office and another one in the wings? Also, Hollywood's upcoming awards season could be disrupted by another strike. This time it's the actors.

Politics, Art and Same-Sex Marriage

Thu, Nov 20 Listen

The State Legislature supposedly is in session on what could be a $24 billion shortfall, but many members are not in Sacramento. They're traveling the world. Also, the State Supreme Court could be taking a risk. Supporters are talking recall if it overturns Proposition 8, which banned same-sex marriage, and MOCA's uncertain future.

Fire Safety and Mobile Homes

Wed, Nov 19 Listen

People in mobile-home parks have complained for years they are second-class citizens unprotected by the same codes and regulations as other residents of California. After the loss of hundreds of mobile homes this week, officials from the Governor on down are promising to find out what needs to be done and what authority they have to do it. Also, the Governor's conference on global warming.

Bad News for California High School Kids

Tue, Nov 18 Listen

The Big Three go hat in hand to Washington. Will Democrats, Republicans and the Bush White House bail out the failing auto industry or will they let Barack Obama pick up the pieces? Also, for the first time in its history, the California State University System wants to cut future enrollment.

Wildfires and Public Health

Mon, Nov 17 Listen

Nobody had to see the flames this weekend to know there were devastating fires in LA, Orange and Santa Barbara Counties. Smoke and ashes spread almost everywhere, from brush, trees and more than 1000 homes. We hear about the fires themselves and the consequences to public health. Also, California Attorney General Jerry Brown urges the State Supreme Court to take up six cases involving Prop 8 and decide them ASAP.

Genetic Evidence: Collected but Never Looked at Again

Thu, Nov 13 Listen

The Sheriff's Department acknowledges that DNA evidence in thousands of sexual assault cases sits in a freezer without being tested. Nobody knows how many cases have gone unsolved, how many rapists have gone free or how many innocent people have been convicted. Maybe the evidence wasn't needed at all. We talk with Sheriff Lee Baca. Also, Proposition 8. Will there be backlash to the backlash?

Sacramento Gets Serious about Money

Wed, Nov 12 Listen

Governor Schwarzenegger's wrong about some things, but he's right that the state needs a tax increase. That's according to the Legislative Analyst, Sacramento's most respected non-partisan voice. We talk with him. Also, the US Supreme Court rules against whales, and they're having an earthquake tomorrow. Come on down.

Global Warming, the Auto Industry and Barack Obama

Tue, Nov 11 Listen

The Big Three automakers want federal help. Barack Obama and Democrats in Congress want more fuel-efficient cars. California is right in the middle of one of Obama's first presidential controversies. Also, Goldman Sachs advised to short California bonds it helped sell, and we talk with the 90-year old Californian who was Grand Marshall of the Veterans' Day Parade in New York City.

'Green Power,' Jobs and City Hall Politics

Mon, Nov 10 Listen

Money for solar panels on roofs all over Los Angeles will be on the March ballot, but even supporters of alternative energy are raising questions. Also, the nation's largest artificial reef will hopefully mitigate damage to marine life caused by nuclear power plants at San Onofre.

Desperate Times Make for Desperate Measures

Thu, Nov 6 Listen

Two days after California voters passed Proposition 8 to prohibit same-sex marriage, three appeals to the state supreme court have been filed, pitting the rights of gays and lesbians against the will of the voters. Also, increased taxes and spending cuts on the California horizon, and Proposition 11 may survive with a razor-thin margin.

Decisions, Decisions in the State, the Cities and the Counties

Wed, Nov 5 Listen

In California's statewide election, Proposition 8 appears to have been decided. Governor Schwarzenegger says Prop 11 passed, too, but others insist it's still too close to call. We review the election results today and talk with LA County's newest elected supervisor. Also, there were long lines and mechanical breakdowns all over the country. Why was voting in the biggest state in the union virtually problem-free?

Standing in Line to Cast a Ballot

Tue, Nov 4 Listen

Voter registration has broken records in California. If today goes as predicted, turnout will too. Remember, if you're standing in line when the polls close at 8pm, you'll still be allowed to cast your ballot.

California's Bewildering Ballot

Mon, Nov 3 Listen

Democracy is said to depend on an educated electorate, but who could possibly know everything there is to know about the California ballot, not to mention what cities and counties have in store? We talk about how to get more information, when to vote and when not to.

Prop 8: Same-Sex Marriage and the 'Obama Effect'

Thu, Oct 30 Listen

Supporters of Prop 8 to make same-sex marriage illegal say a big turnout of African Americans will help their cause. We hear a debate tonight about homophobia, religion and civil rights. Also, early voters, beware, and the race for one of Californias most powerful jobs: Supervisor of LA County.

Prop 9: Crime, Next Week's Ballot, Taxes and Schools

Wed, Oct 29 Listen

Do criminals get more rights than victims in California? That's the claim behind Prop 9 on next week's ballot. Law Enforcement is divided over the issue. Also, a tax increase and cuts in education, and former OC top cop went on trial today on corruption charges.

Cutting with Axes, Not Scalpels, at the Los Angeles Times

Tue, Oct 28 Listen

Just when you thought state finances couldn't get worse, the lame-duck legislature's been called back into session the day after next week's election. Tax increases and cuts in education spending are some of what's on the table. At Sam Zell's Los Angeles Times, 10% of the remaining editorial staff has been cut. We hear what that means for an informed public. Also, London's Financial Times takes a look at what's good about Los Angeles and what's not.

Measures Q and H; Luxury Tax and Struggles at the Food Bank

Mon, Oct 27 Listen

We look at the LA School District's biggest bond measure ever and at what the voters are being asked to decide in affluent Beverly Hills. Also, a proposed luxury tax, and more people are resorting to food banks, where donations of food are declining.

Twelve Days Before the Election: What Are Californians Thinking?

Thu, Oct 23 Listen

California Democrats like Barack Obama better than ever. Republicans dont like John McCain as much as they used to. Majorities of both partiesand Independentswant to hear more about the economy. Well get details on those findings tonight as well as which direction likely voters are leaning on same-sex marriage and legislative boundaries. On Reporters Notebook, Measure R: the sales tax for mass transit in LA County.

Will California Feel the Impact of Presidential Coattails?

Wed, Oct 22 Listen

Republicans and Democrats are locked into their Congressional and Legislative seats in California - or are they? If Barack Obamas commanding lead turns into a landslide this year, some supposedly safe Republicans could be in for surpriseswith important implications from Sacramento to Washington. On Reporters Notebook, will San Francisco legalize prostitution?

Drugs, Crime, and Big Money on Next Month’s Ballot

Tue, Oct 21 Listen

Proposition 5 would save a billion dollars a year on prisons by providing treatment instead of incarceration for kids with drug problems and non-violent drug offenders. Also tonight, Dozens of Mongols motorcycle gangsters are arrested for murder and mayhem.

The Ballot, the Voters, and Same Sex Marriage

Mon, Oct 20 Listen

Proposition 8 would make marriage legal in California only if its between a man and a woman. Supporters say that if it doesnt pass, gay marriage will be on the curriculum in public schools. Opponents call that a misreading of existing law and insist that passage will deprive gay and lesbian couples of their right to be happy. Recent polls suggest that the race is tightening. Well hear the latest ads and arguments from both sides.

Are Digital Billboards Scarring the Los Angeles Skyline?

Thu, Oct 16 Listen

In a city given over to the automobile, billboards have been a fixture here for decades. Some have even become Los Angeles icons: think of the giant Angelyne ad or the Marlboro Man on the Sunset Strip. But now theres a new generation of huge illuminated billboards throwing blasts of digital light into homes and neighborhoods.

Wildfires and Political Heat on Sacramento

Tue, Oct 14 Listen

Partisan gridlock has stymied progress in California, blamed in part on state legislators drawing district boundaries to guarantee that some will always be Republican, others always Democratic. We also talk with a local elected official who was evacuated today from her home in Porter Ranch.

Animal Cruelty, the Cost of Food and Next Month’s Ballot

Mon, Oct 13 Listen

Clean Energy, Clean Air, and Political Confusion

Wed, Oct 8 Listen

Proposition 7 on next months ballot is called The Solar and Clean Energy Actthe right title in environmentally conscious California. But a blue-ribbon list of environmental groups is against it. They agree with the goalmore renewable energy soonerbut call the measure a case of good intentions gone wrong. On Reporters Notebook, psychological depression over the prospect of economic depression.

The Credit Crisis Hits California

Mon, Oct 6 Listen

Last week, Governor Schwarzenegger told the US Treasury Secretary that California might need 7 billion in federal money just to pay bills. Now it appears the state budgetafter those months of wranglingmay have to be opened up again. Also tonight, if youre behind on your mortgage payments, Countrywide may have a deal for you.