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LA Podcast

LA Podcastwww.thinkforward.la
A news and politics podcast for people who live in Los Angeles.
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Episodes

I Wish I Was a Little Bit Scala

LA County is… once… again… seeing a record number of cases, hospitalizations, and deaths. But the malls are open! Garcetti, in a surprising break from city council, vetoes the City Council's LAPD funding reallocation. Nury Martinez makes her City Council committee assignments. RIP SHAKE ALERT LA. And we look back at our predictions for 2020 and make our wishes for 2021.

Dec 28, 20201 hr 23 minEp. 154

Don't Nury, Be Happy

LA County is now the worldwide epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic as cases, hospitalizations, and deaths continue to rise. What’s next? Mayor Garcetti announces that he won’t be taking a job in the Biden White House. What happened? And a rundown on what to expect for assignments to City Council committees.

Dec 21, 20201 hr 2 minEp. 153

Chalfant Terrible

COVID hospitalizations continue to surge in Los Angeles County. Preparations for vaccine distribution begin. A local judge puts onerous requirements on future public health closures. LA’s new DA is making huge changes. Governor Newsom gets to make another high profile appointment. And Garcetti’s cabinet hopes are fading fast. https://la.eater.com/2020/12/8/22160282/los-angeles-county-judge-ruling-outdoor-dining-public-health-order-covid-19-coronavirus-news https://www.latimes.com/california/stor...

Dec 14, 20201 hr 19 minEp. 152

Geragos Again on My Own

LA reaches its more dangerous point in the COVID pandemic. How many hospital beds are available? What happens when we run out? How were the new restrictions rolled out? What's up with Garcetti's next job? Why is one downtown restaurant suing the county? And is the city going to defund a thousand police?

Dec 07, 20201 hr 9 minEp. 151

Ferrer and Loathing

Spiking cases and hospitalizations prompt a new Safer at Home. Actions in El Sereno and outside the Mayor's house. The history and current status of Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza. And three members of the Hillside Villa Tenants Association, RENE ALEXZANDER, ROSA HERNANDEZ, and MARINA MALOUF, talk about their fight to preserve their building as affordable housing.

Nov 30, 20201 hr 8 minEp. 150

Jacobs Sadder

LA reaches an unprecedented COVID emergency right before a holiday where people see their families. A photo throws Mayor Garcetti's career future into question. And BEN ORESKES and DOUG SMITH of the LA Times join to discuss their new reporting on the political and policy impacts of LA's bridge housing program for people who are homeless.

Nov 23, 20201 hr 40 minEp. 149

Nithya Don't Know, Now You Know

The LA Times op-ed section does it again. Who from LA is on Biden’s transition team? More Garcetti DOT murmurs. Villanueva in more trouble. COVID is very bad again and our leaders are not handling it well. And an interview with Councilmember-elect NITHYA RAMAN.

Nov 16, 20201 hr 23 minEp. 148

Ryu the Day

WHAT A WEEK. Local election results. LA is championed nationwide as the home of a progressive anti-carceral movement. Our long national nightmare is over but what does Biden mean for LA? Will Garcetti stay or go? And LAPD announces cuts.

Nov 09, 20201 hr 13 minEp. 147

Jesus Swept

It’s the day before the election. What did we see in the last week of early voting? How much money have candidates raised, and where from? What’s going to happen tomorrow? City Council votes once again on whether to recommence sweeps, with unexpected results. Links discussed in this episode: https://theappeal.org/the-past-present-and-future-of-the-los-angeles-district-attorneys-office/ https://locator.lavote.net

Nov 02, 20201 hr 8 minEp. 146

From Husk Till Dawn

A sexual harassment scandal in the Mayor’s Office blows up. New moves against the Sheriff and DA. The City’s headed for a financial cliff. Hollywood NOW at war with itself over endorsements. Target Husk becomes a real boy. Links referenced in this episode: https://thelapod.com/guide-to-la/ https://www.la101.guide/ https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAtdOqppzwiGNHaD_c0Wz6Uvft4BocqcGiJ https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-10-21/garcetti-advisor-rick-jacobs-takes-leave-sexual-miscon...

Oct 26, 20201 hr 7 minEp. 145

Pelosing My Religion

The Council District Four race leaves the rails, never to return. Garcetti plays coy about the Cabinet job he definitely wants. The history of the deadly Exide facility in Vernon, and the deal the federal government approved this week. Metro wants to widen more freeways and tear down your house. Articles referenced in this episode: https://www.lamag.com/mag-features/nithya-raman-david-ryu-council-district-4/ https://www.vox.com/21514180/biden-cabinet-secretary-of-state-defense https://www.politi...

Oct 19, 20201 hr 2 minEp. 144

Lacey Les Bon Temps Rouler

One of the developers that bribed Jose Huizar signs a non-prosecution agreement. LA has to pay the accountant it's suing over the DWP billing fiasco. David Ryu goes negative against Nithya Raman. More endorsements for George Gascon. Playgrounds are open! And the hosts make ten predictions for what will win and what won't on November 3rd.

Oct 12, 20201 hr 28 minEp. 143

An Eric and Horror Story

Mayor Garcetti was at the first presidential debate. The LA Times wrote something unfortunate about it. An arrest made in the shooting of two deputies. A different deputy was shot by another deputy. Who is going to run against Alex Villanueva? Three more LAPD officers are charged with falsifying evidence. And we announce our NOVEMBER 2020 VOTER GUIDE

Oct 05, 20201 hr 11 minEp. 142

Sans Sheriff

Cuts to Metro go through. Buses will remain too crowded. More beatings of protestors by LASD. A scuffle at an LAPD station. The LA Times reckons with its racist history. In its presence, it makes some endorsements. Councilmember Ryu goes on the offense against Nithya Raman. And EUNISSES HERNANDEZ, co-chair of Yes on Measure J, joins the show to talk about why this county ballot measure is so important. Articles referenced in this episode: https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2020-09-27/los-ange...

Sep 28, 20201 hr 22 minEp. 141

Villanueva Been Kissed

The earthquake we needed right now. A string of lies from the Sheriff's department and calls for the Sheriff's resignation. A report on low usage at cooling centers. Why hotels didn't participate in Project Roomkey. A "tsunami" of hotel closures. And hasta la vista to LA Al Fresco. Articles referenced in this episode: https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-09-16/hotels-not-participating-in-roomkey

Sep 21, 20201 hr 5 minEp. 140

Queer as Smoke

The sky is weird and the air smells bad. Ongoing protests and fallout related to Dijon Kizzee's killing by LASD. Two deputies are shot in Compton. LA uses a vigilante app for contact tracing. New reports on the cost of HHH units. The guy who wrote Point Break put some big rocks under a bridge. Paul Koretz kills another bike lane. Articles referenced in this episode: https://lacontroller.org/audits-and-reports/hhhactionplan/

Sep 14, 20201 hr 15 minEp. 139

The Hot Against America

New record high temperatures in LA: where do people go to cool down? More details on the killing of Dijon Kizzee by LASD and the protests that followed. How LA's park spaces became distance learning centers. After six months of COVID, where did we think we would be? Articles referenced in this episode: https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-lapd-traffic-stops-20190124-story.html https://laist.com/2020/08/21/grab_and_go_free_meals_fall_2020.php

Sep 07, 20201 hr 18 minEp. 138

EMERGENCY PODCAST: September to Remember

Scott, Alissa, and Hayes wrap up the disastrous end to California's legislative session and LA's City Council's vote to furlough 15,000 city workers.

Sep 04, 20201 hr 4 minEp. 137

Come on Feel Van Nuys

Rising tension between the LAPD's union and elected officials. Beverly Hills prosecuting curfew violations. Bizarre turns in the City Council District 4 race. Metro hurtles toward service cuts. And the tourism board needs your help. Articles referenced in this episode: https://www.latimes.com/projects/chicano-moratorium/east-la-protest-gave-voice-chicano-movement/ https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-08-27/after-l-a-prosecutors-promised-not-to-charge-peaceful-protesters-beverly-hills-is...

Aug 31, 20201 hr 17 minEp. 136

Welcome to Good Barger

A new theme song. Fires in California. Gangs in the Sheriff's Department. Declining COVID-19 numbers. The start of the LAUSD school year. Shuttered emergency shelters. Resumed sweeps in Venice. A QAnon protest in Hollywood. A police killing in Pasadena. A Postal Board Governor in San Marino. And one of the last bills in the state housing package. Articles referenced in this episode: https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-08-21/lapd-resumes-clearing-tents-from-venice-beach https://www.lati...

Aug 24, 20201 hr 18 minEp. 135

Heat Pray Love

Potentially the worst heat wave in a decade helps start two fires and leads to rolling blackouts across California. COVID hospitalizations are dropping but the data remains an issue. LASD gives a press conference on Andres Guardado's shooting, and the LAPD Chief says sorry for a police lie about a Councilmember. What does it mean for local politics if Biden and Harris win? And an interview with NRDC Senior Attorney MELISSA LIN-PERELLA about a consequential vote by City Council regarding emission...

Aug 17, 20201 hr 34 minEp. 134

Got Melugin So Crazy Right Now

Scott and Hayes Prop It Like It's Hot with a rundown of every proposition on the California state ballot for November. BUT FIRST: where did a local news reporter get police records he used to smear a Councilmember? And how much closer did LAUSD get to a reopening plan? Articles referenced in this episode: https://laist.com/2020/07/30/ppp_loans__charter_schools_coronavirus_small_business_aid_los_angeles.php

Aug 10, 20201 hr 26 minEp. 133

Through a Sassafras Darkly

"Community Safety Partnership Bureau" and why does LAPD want to start one? Does any LA law enforcement department not have gangs? Did City Council vote to resume sweeps? Did you feel the earthquake? Why was Karen Bass talking about Scientology? Articles referenced in this episode: https://twitter.com/sahrasulaiman/status/1287904853553889280 https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-08-01/social-media-video-alleges-l-a-sheriffs-employees-held-private-party-at-hollywood-bar-during-pandemic htt...

Aug 03, 20201 hr 18 minEp. 132

An American in Harris (Dawson)

Scott, Hayes and Alissa are joined by COUNCILMEMBER MARQUEECE HARRIS-DAWSON of Council District Eight for a conversation about LA's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, future possibilities of relief for tenants, possibilities for reimagining public safety in LA, and the city's new political reality thanks to the Black Lives Matter protests.

Jul 27, 20201 hr 4 minEp. 131

Fresco Away for a While

A summary of everything LA elected officials have done in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in LA. Also: Is LA Al Fresco real? What's going on with Slow Streets? What was Charter Amendment C, and why did it possibly lead to an officer getting to keep his job after murdering someone in Costco? And what did a deputy post online that led to him getting demoted? Articles referenced in this episode: https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-07-16/lapd-chief-michel-moore-wants-more-power-to-fire-o...

Jul 20, 20201 hr 1 minEp. 130

Brighten the Coroners

The LA County Medical Examiner-Coroner defies Sheriff Villanueva's orders. Three LAPD officers are charged with falsifying data. LA hits another peak in its COVID-19 outbreak. UTLA votes against reopening schools. Should the City Council be removed from land use decisions? And ALBERT CORADO returns to talk about the recent activity of the People's City Council and this Sunday's march to honor of the two-year anniversary of Mely Corado's death.

Jul 13, 20201 hr 24 minEp. 129

On a Wing and a Mayor

Increasingly dire numbers for LA's COVID-19 outbreak, and another walkback for LA Al Fresco. The LA County Sheriff comes even more unglued. Upheaval at the LA Times. And some progress made in defunding the police.

Jul 06, 20201 hr 25 minEp. 128

Bar-City Blues

As L.A. waffles over re-opening, Scott and Alissa reckon with the city's mixed messaging surrounding COVID-19. A $100 million rental assistance program begins July 1st. And, predictably, there's an update on the Tampon Frappucino.

Jun 29, 20201 hr 5 minEp. 127

EMERGENCY PODCAST: Casino Loyale

A sitting LA City Councilmember is arrested. Scott, Alissa, and Hayes talk about the new federal charging documents, what happened, and what could be next. PLUS: tampon Frappucino.

Jun 24, 20201 hrEp. 126

Herb It Through the Grapevine

A day-by-day recap of another stunning week in LA. Plus, guest SPIKE FRIEDMAN, an organizer with NOlympics LA, joins the show to talk about the current state of the LA Olympics and the impacts the event could have on policing, homelessness, transit, and more.

Jun 22, 20201 hr 53 minEp. 125
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