KCET's So Cal Connected looks at the recyclability of styrofoam and why so many cities take it in their blue bins when the vast majority of it ends up landfilled or polluting the ocean. And, we speak with comedian, actress and author June Diane Raphael about "Represent: The Woman's Guide to Running for Office & Changing the World."
Sexual Assault on Campus
Some grim numbers were released today in relation to sexual assault on college campuses. According to a national survey of over 181,000 students - One in four female undergraduates say they have been sexually assaulted by force or without their consent. The study comes from the Association of American Universities — a leading researcher in higher education. But USC gathered their own numbers and the statistics jumped to one in three female students saying they were sexually assaulted sometime during their college years.
Guest:
- Dr. Sarah Van Orman, oversees student health services at the college
LA Eviction Ordinance
Today, the Los Angeles City Council approved a measure to block no-fault evictions. It's in response to reports that landlords in LA have been trying to evict tenants prior to a new law going into effect in January that would cap rent increases.
Guest:
- Councilman Mitch O'Farrell, he proposed the measure
Fixing the Power Infrastructure
The California Public Utilities Commission is holding an emergency hearing with PG&E on Friday to discuss how the blackout was carried out. PG&E has faced a ton of complaints and while its apologized for inconvenience and acknowledged that it was imperfect, its CEO essentially said blackout should be expected going forward. But How can this be the new normal - is there not a better way?
Guest:
- Michael Wara, specializes in Climate and Energy Policy
LA Emergency Management
We check in with Los Angeles City Emergency Management Department about how they handled notification and evacuations to residents affected by the Saddleridge fire. What lessons can be taken away and applied to the future?
Guest:
- Kate Hutton, Los Angeles Emergency Management Coordinator
Foam Recycling
If you've gotten takeout food at any point over the last few decades, you've probably gotten it in a styrofoam container. Expanded polystyrene, or EPS, is a form of plastic. And it's also one of the biggest sources of marine litter in the world because even though many cities claim to recycle styrofoam, almost none of it is recovered and reused.
Guest:
- Gina Pollack, KCET SoCal Connected
June Diane Raphael "Represent"
October 15 is the date of yet another debate among the Democratic presidential candidates, many of them women. And even though 2018 broke a lot of records for the midterm election, with a record 117 women winning elections across the US, there's still a long way to go before women achieve equal representation through elected office in the U.S. And now there's a new guidebook: "Represent: The Woman's Guide to Running for Office and Changing the World."
Guest:
- June Diane Raphael, actress, comedian and author of "Represent"