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Which Way, L.A.? (Investigative)

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Next available on KCRW 89.9 Santa Monica, CA in 1 day 6 hours 31 minutes
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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: Investigative, Current Affairs
Location: Santa Monica, CA
Language: English
Networks: NPR

Last updated 681 days ago Update program info

Recent Topics

Rethinking the Drinking Age

Thu, Aug 21

Since the federal government forced states to set the drinking age at 21, fatalities caused by underage drunk drivers have gone down but binge drinking by teen-agers has gone up. Now, 120 college presidents want to reduce the drinking age to 18—when kids can vote or join the military. On Reporter's Notebook, LA City Attorney Rockey Delgadillo and the FBI.

The High Price of Environmental Cleanup and Homeland Security

Wed, Aug 20

The ports of LA and Long Beach are about to require that trucks meet EPA standards, cutting 50% of their diesel pollution overnight. But drivers that make 30,000 a year will have to buy new trucks and they’ll also be subject to criminal background checks. After October 1st, there may not be enough drivers to handle 15 million cargo containers a year—half of all America’s imports.

Sam Zell's Deal from Hell

Tue, Aug 19

On this special combined edition of Which Way, LA? and Politics of Culture, it's been a period of vast upheaval at the Los Angeles Times under Sam Zell's ownership. How exactly did he manage to use the employees' pension fund as collateral? How secure are the futures of Times employees? Also, will California Republicans and Democrats take off for their national party conventions without passing a state spending plan?

Russia, the US and a Double Standard in Foreign Policy

Mon, Aug 18

Russia claims it's pulling out of Georgia, but its troops and tanks remain near the capital city of Tiblisi. Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili has called for negotiations to prevent "the definitive estrangement of our two countries." We get an eyewitness account and debate whether, after invading Iraq, the US is using a double standard when it condemns Russia’s action across its own, international border.

Hillary and the Convention

Thu, Aug 14

Just as her most committed supporters have been demanding, Hillary Clinton’s name will be put in nomination at the convention in Denver.

Bush Talks Tough to Russia

Wed, Aug 13

The world has been waiting for the U.S. response to Russia's invasion of Georgia. Early today, the President announced that the pentagon would lead a humanitarian effort.

Oil, Democracy, and Russian Tanks in Georgia

Tue, Aug 12

In Moscow today, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said he's ordered a halt to military operations in Georgia. French President Nicolas Sarkozy, current President of the European Union, said the two had worked out terms for a provisional cease-fire. He's on his way to present them to leaders in Georgia, where President Mikail Saakashvili continues to accuse Russia of indifference to world opinion in its commitment to regime change.

Are the US and Russia Heading for Another Cold War?

Mon, Aug 11

As Russian troops moved further into his country and bombs fell close to his capital city, Georgia's president, Mikheil Saakashvili, decried Russia's actions as an "invasion, occupation and annihilation of an independent, democratic country." Also, the impact of the war in Georgia on the campaign for the president, and Hillary Clinton's role at the Democratic convention in Denver.

The Foreclosure Crisis: What Does It Look Like?

Thu, Aug 7

Brown lawns, graffiti, squatters and West Nile Virus are just some of the symptoms of a housing market that’s in decline. As the number of foreclosures increases all over Southern California, local agencies are finding violations of nuisance codes along with threats to public health.

When State and Federal Laws Conflict, Guess Who Wins

Wed, Aug 6

Medical marijuana was approved by California voters 12 years ago. But under federal law, it’s as illegal as cocaine and heroin. The US Supreme Court says federal law prevails, so a jury has convicted a Morro Bay dispensary owner for selling and distribution despite his support from the town mayor. Also tonight, three LA area hospitals are accused of recruiting homeless people for Medicare fraud.

Is there More Sales Tax in California’s Future?

Tue, Aug 5

Governor Schwarzenegger promised that it would never happen, but in private conversations he’s floated a one-cent sales tax increase to balance the budget. On Reporter’s Notebook, the temperature in the ground at one spot in Ventura county: 812 degrees.

Seven Billion Dollars but What’s the Plan?

Mon, Aug 4

LA Unified wanted a 3.2 billion dollar construction bond on November’s ballot until a poll by Mayor Villaraigosa showed that voters would go for more. Now the District is asking 7 billion—almost twice as much and the largest request in history.

Public Services, Public Finance and Partisan Politics

Thu, Jul 31

Governor Schwarzenegger has made good on his threat to fire part-time workers and cut 200,000 full-time salaries down to the minimum wage. At the same time, Democrats and Republicans are working on plans to balance the budget by taking money from city and county governments. Are political leaders once again putting off the day of reckoning?

Can a Southern California City Retain “That Small Town Feel?”

Wed, Jul 30

Can the maddening increase in traffic congestion be controlled by putting a limit on commercial development? That’s the question facing the voters of Santa Monica. Opponents insist that growth is inevitable and can be accommodated without an increase in traffic. Each side accuses the other of making a false promise, and the debate has divided Santa Monica with just about every other Southern California city watching intently to see how the vote comes out. Tonight we’ll hear No Growth” versus...

Can California Integrate its Prisons Without Violence?

Tue, Jul 29

Is it Time for Sam to Scram?

Mon, Jul 28

You may see the slogan on bumper stickers if a local politico has his way. The message is that Sam Zell should sell the LA Times and leave town. It comes after the latest round of staff cuts and the final appearance of the Opinion and Book section in yesterday’s paper. Also tonight, an update on the fire near Yosemite and ballot arguments about same-sex marriage.

Can Governor Schwarzenegger Slash the Payroll to Keep a Promise?

Thu, Jul 24

In the recall election against Gray Davis, Arnold Schwarzenegger promised to end the annual budget crisis once and for all. But once again this year there’s no state budget, and the revenue shortfall is 15 billion dollars. Schwarzenegger’s public opinion rating has dropped to 40% and the legislature’s is a lot lower than that. Now Schwarzenegger says he’s cutting the salaries of state workers—down to the federal minimum wage.

Alcohol is a 'Catastrophe' for California

Wed, Jul 23

A new study claims that one person dies every hour in California because of alcohol. The total economic cost is 38 billion dollars, 90% due to violent crimes. Traffic accidents account for just 20%. On Reporter’s Notebook, California’s mortgage-default rate has hit a record.

A Big New Park in a City that Needs Many More

Tue, Jul 22

Downtown Los Angeles has its first new park since 1895. It’s called Vista Hermosa, with a beautiful view of the steel-and-glass skyline. It’s ten and a half acres of open space and green technology but, among major American cities, LA remains last in accessible parkland especially in communities of color. Tonight, we’ll hear about the new park and how come there aren’t more like it.

Health Insurance: Will You Get What You Think You Paid For?

Mon, Jul 21

A health insurance policy cancelled just when you need it most is a nightmare come true. Blue Cross and Blue Shield will pay 13 million dollars to settle claims investigated by the Governor’s Department of Managed Health Care, but consumer groups claim that’s not enough for leaving policy-holders stuck with tens of thousands in medical bills.

The Politics of Energy in California

Thu, Jul 17

Seventy-eight percent of Californians are driving less, 68% are spending less--and substantial numbers are more willing than they used to be to consider nuclear power and even drilling for oil and gas off shore. Also tonight, there’s still no budget, but the legislature’s gone home. On Reporter’s Notebook, a 5-day strike at campuses of the University of California may end before the rest of the world knows it began.

Mayor Villaraigosa Speaks Out

Wed, Jul 16

The Mayor of Los Angeles was out of town for two out of four weeks last month, visiting Israel, supporting Barack Obama and raising money for his own re-election campaign next year. Tonight we’ll ask Antonio Villaraigosa how he’s tending to city business on gangs, underperforming schools, the LAPD and increasing fees for city services. We’ll also hear the latest on the IndyMac bank—now under an FBI investigation for fraud.

On the Streets of Los Angeles, it’s Biker Beware

Tue, Jul 15

A Brentwood doctor faces felony charges in what the LAPD calls “road rage” against cyclists on Mandeville Canyon Road. In West Hollywood, the Sheriff’s bicycle detail says the streets are too narrow, and bikes may become legal on sidewalks—which they already are in LA. All over southern California, the price of gasoline is causing a run on vehicles that run on pedal power.

Another Battle in California’s Water Wars?

Mon, Jul 14

California voters may have one more measure on the November ballot: 9.3 billion dollars in water bonds proposed by Republican Governor Schwarzenegger and Democratic Senator Feinstein. But the Sierra Club says, let’s first spend the money approved in past elections. We’ll look at an increasingly urgent issue where the devil is always in the details. Also tonight, Pasadena’s IndyMac bank re-opens under federal control. Will depositors get their money?

Political Contributions: Where Does the Money Go?

Thu, Jul 10

Almost a half million dollars in political contributions have been used to help Democratic Senate leader Don Perata fend off a federal corruption probe. Former Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez gave his chief of staff 100,000 dollars originally collected to campaign for ballot measures. Is it all legal? Should contributors have been told? On Reporter’s Notebook, has South Central Los Angeles gone undercover?

Does Los Angeles Need the Los Angeles Times?

Tue, Jul 8

Since the Chandler family sold out to the Chicago Tribune, the LA Times newsroom has become smaller and smaller. So has the coverage. Now the new owner, Sam Zell, needs to service big debt and 150 more editorial employees will be on the chopping block. Tonight, can the Times survive? Can LA survive without it?

Another Fiscal Year Starts Without a State Budget

Mon, Jul 7

It’s the same old story. Republicans want to cut programs, but they won’t say which ones. Democrats want to raise taxes, but they’re not specific, either. In the meantime, the deficit is 15 billion dollars and climbing. Voters don’t trust either side to make meaningful change. On Reporter’s Notebook, Bob’s Big Boy on Wilshire Boulevard will be no more.

July 4th Weekend: Fires and Sunscreen

Thu, Jul 3

Given the risks of burns, skin cancer and premature aging, nobody says don’t wear sunscreen. But a consumer research group says there’s a big difference between what some products claim to do and what they really accomplish. We’ll hear from the Environmental Working Group and from an industry scientist. We’ll also update the fires in Goleta and Big Sur…

The Curious Case of San Francisco’s Sanctuary Law

Wed, Jul 2

The entire Big Sur coastline has been evacuated by a fire one official calls “a big raging animal.” Tonight we’ll update the statewide crisis and ask what it’ll mean when fire season really gets under way. San Francisco--the “sanctuary city”—has been deporting undocumented juvenile convicts without telling federal officials. The Mayor wants to run for Governor. Will immigration politics get in his way? On Reporter’s Notebook, will IndyMac Bancorp of Pasadena—a national housing lender—go the...

Child Obesity, Fast Foods and Healthy Nutrition

Tue, Jul 1

Councilwoman Jan Perry says there are too many fat kids in South Los Angeles. She wants to ban new fast-food stores in 32 square miles of the city. But what’s the evidence that fast food causes obesity? Does government have the right to tell citizens that it’s wrong to be over-weight? Even if healthier restaurants moved in, would people eat in them if they had the chance?