Inside the Issues: The Podcast

For much of 2021, government and public health officials have been offering everything from cash incentives to vacation giveaways — even free marijuana — to get more shots in arms across the state. But now, with COVID-19 cases skyrocketing with the rise of the delta variant, officials are switching to a tough-love approach. Los Angeles County Public Health Director Dr. Barbara Ferrer joins us to discuss the new masking, vaccine and testing requirements recently put in place. Plus, what she's been doing personally to stave off vaccine misinformation throughout the county. 

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IN THIS EPISODE

• LA Public Health on Twitter: @lapublichealth
• How New York City is messaging around COVID-19

As the situation in Afghanistan quickly deteriorates, we check in with the California congresswoman who cast the lone vote against a resolution authorizing force against any nation involved in the Sept. 11 attacks. Democrat Barbara Lee is the focus of a new documentary out Friday called "Barbara Lee: Speaking Truth to Power." She joins host (and fellow Cancerian) Alex Cohen for a powerful discussion on what it means to forge a political path on your own.

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Want to ask Alex a question?

• Visit the SoCal in 17 page
• On Twitter using hashtag #SOCALIN17 or her handle @alexcoheninla

• Rep. Barbara Lee on Twitter: @RepBarbaraLee
• Website for the Rep. Barbara Lee documentary

Rep. Adam Schiff was there when Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol, and yet, he still has plenty of questions about what happened that day. He's part of the nine-member bipartisan committee tasked with getting to the bottom of why rioters were able to take over the building and figuring out how to prevent such an atrocity from ever happening again. Schiff opens up about some of the more emotionally difficult moments hearing testimony from the men tasked with protecting his workplace. 

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Want to ask Alex a question?

• Visit the SoCal in 17 page
• On Twitter using hashtag #SOCALIN17 or her handle @alexcoheninla

After just barely making it onto the recall ballot, conservative radio host Larry Elder now finds himself at the top of the polls to unseat Gov. Gavin Newsom. If elected, he would become California's first-ever Black governor. Elder shares his vision for cracking down on crime, making housing more affordable and why he believes systemic racism is a myth.

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Want to ask Alex a question?

• Visit the SoCal in 17 page
• On Twitter using hashtag #SOCALIN17 or her handle @alexcoheninla

IN THIS EPISODE

• Campaign image
• Larry Elder on Twitter 
• Larry Elder on Instagram 
• Larry Elder’s campaign website
• Emerson College polls show Elder in the lead

This week, Gov. Gavin Newsom and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia duked it out on Twitter over vaccines. Find out why politicians thrive on spewing COVID-19 falsehoods and why regular Joes are using codewords like Maxine instead of vaccine and Moana instead of Moderna with former White House COVID-19 adviser Andy Slavitt. The "In the Bubble" podcast host explains why he's not too concerned about vaccinated folks getting COVID-19 and why requiring vaccination or regular testing for city and state employees is the right move right now.

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Want to ask Alex a question?

• Visit the SoCal in 17 page
• On Twitter using hashtag #SOCALIN17 or her handle @alexcoheninla

IN THIS EPISODE

• Andy Slavitt’s Twitter: @aslavitt
• Watch the video Andy and Alex discuss
• A list of code words people use to discuss vaccines without being flagged 
• In the Bubble podcast
• Gov. Newsom and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene Twitter feud

Los Angeles Police Department Chief Michel Moore admitted "human error" caused a botched detonation of illegal fireworks in South LA. So how can the police make things right after such extensive damage and injuries? Former LAPD Chief Bill Bratton joins us with his take on how cops can repair relations with the communities they're tasked with protecting and serving. Bratton's new book, "The Profession," chronicles his time in LA and how he managed to make inroads with this city's Black community.

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Want to ask Alex a question?

• Visit the SoCal in 17 page
• On Twitter using hashtag #SOCALIN17 or her handle @alexcoheninla

IN THIS EPISODE

• "The Profession" memoir 

President Joe Biden has nominated Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti to be the next ambassador to India, but who will be Garcetti's replacement if he's confirmed? Former Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa says he's up for the job, and if tapped, he's not afraid to make big, bold moves. Plus, another native son, saxophonist Kamasi Washington, discusses making music during the lockdown and his upcoming show at the Hollywood Bowl.

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Want to ask Alex a question?

• Visit the SoCal in 17 page
• On Twitter using hashtag #SOCALIN17 or her handle @alexcoheninla

IN THIS EPISODE

• Kamasi Washington’s upcoming show at the Hollywood Bowl
• Kamasi Washington’s live performance of BECOMING at the Hollywood Bowl in 2020

Love him or hate him, almost everyone in Los Angeles has strong feelings about LA County Sheriff Alex Villanueva. This week, host Alex Cohen has a brutally frank conversation with Villanueva about homelessness, why he consistently insults other elected officials and allegations about deputy gangs. Plus, find out what Villanueva might do if he's unsuccessful in his re-election bid.

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Want to ask Alex a question?

• Visit the SoCal in 17 page
• On Twitter using hashtag #SOCALIN17 or her handle @alexcoheninla

IN THIS EPISODE

• See a photo of Fort Apache insignia Sheriff Villanueva mentions in the interview 
• Read Cerise Castle’s series on the history of LASD deputy gangs

This week marked Austin Beutner's last as superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District. Despite the district asking him to stay on for this pivotal next chapter in education, Beutner decided not to renew his contract. So why is he leaving, and what's next? Plus, he shares his advice for his successor.

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Want to ask Alex a question?

• Visit the SoCal in 17 page
• On Twitter using hashtag #SOCALIN17 or her handle @alexcoheninla

California Gov. Gavin Newsom is now officially facing a recall election, but the huge question is when? Neal Kelley, the man in charge of elections in Orange County, says he's concerned about having it too soon, too early. Plus, former police officer Orrin Heatlie joins to talk about his gripe with Newsom that ultimately spurred him to lead the charge on the recall movement.

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Want to ask Alex a question?

• Visit the SoCal in 17 page
• On Twitter using hashtag #SOCALIN17 or her handle @alexcoheninla