Your Call

On this edition of Your Call, we're discussing California's record breaking heat wave. All time, monthly, and daily temperature records were broken, reaching 110 degrees or higher in a number of cities, according to the National Weather Service. The conditions are fueling wildfires in Northern and Southern California.

The unprecedented heatwave is putting continuous stress on the state's power grid. On Monday, millions of Californians received a Level 3 emergency alert on their cellphones from the state's Independent System Operator instructing them to limit their power use to avoid rotating power outages. Just minutes after the alert was sent, power use dropped substantially, but the grid will face more stress this week as high temperatures persist.

What are state officials doing to reach the most vulnerable communities, including those who are unhoused and elderly?

Guest:

Sammy Roth, energy reporter for the Los Angeles Times, and author of the weekly Boiling Point newsletter

On this edition of Your Call, we're speaking with the creators of Uncuffed, a show made by people behind bars in California prisons. They say, if you can see the humanity in us, you can see the humanity in everyone.

The new season focuses on lockdowns, quarantines, death, friendship, and love. Two Uncuffed alumni, Thanh Tran and Tommy "Shakur" Ross, who were recently released, will talk about what it feels like to finally have their freedom.

In August, Uncuffed suddenly lost $660,000 that the state had intended to award the project over two years. They're hoping to raise $80,000 in urgent bridge funding to sustain the program through the end of 2022. Without ongoing support, they might be forced to lay off staff and cancel their programs indefinitely. With those funds, they can continue working in the prisons, release the remaining episodes of Uncuffed Season two, and pursue long-term sources of funding.

Guests:

Ninna Gaensler-Debs, director of the Uncuffed program at San Quentin State Prison

Thanh Tran, journalist and Ella Baker Center Inside/Outside Fellow, who was released from San Quentin State Prison in May

Tommy "Shakur" Ross, valedictorian of Patten College, peer health educator, organizer, and restorative justice practitioner, who was paroled in July after spending 36 years and seven months in prison

On this edition of Your Call, we’ll discuss The Janes, a documentary about an underground network of women who provided an estimated 11,000 safe, affordable, illegal abortions in Chicago from 1968 to 1973.

The Janes were ordinary women who risked their personal and professional lives to support women with unwanted pregnancies in the pre-Roe era. In The Janes, several original members of the collective tell their stories for the first time. How are The Janes reflecting on their work now that abortion is illegal in 11 states in 2022? What is the way forward?

Guests:

Tia Lessin, award winning documentary filmmaker and co-director of The Janes

Emma Pildes, Emmy-nominated filmmaker and co-director of The Janes

Eileen Smith, original member of The Jane Collective

Diane Stevens, original member of The Jane Collective

On this edition of Your Call's One Planet Series, we discuss The Territory, a new documentary about the ongoing fight to save the Amazon rainforest from land grabbers, loggers, and corporations.

In the 1980s, the Brazilian government had its first contact with the Uru-eu-wau-wau people. They use drones, cameras, and GPS devices to protect their land from invaders. They agreed to work on this film because they want the world to see what’s happening. What can we do to support them?

Guest:

Alex Pritz, director, cinematographer, and co-editor of The Territory

On this edition of Your Call's Media Roundtable, we're discussing the deadly floods in Pakistan, which have submerged one-third of the country and killed nearly 1,200 people. Millions have been displaced and more than one million homes have been damaged or destroyed.

Guests:

Zofeen Ebrahim, independent freelance journalist based in Karachi, Pakistan

Noreen Haider, journalist, columnist, and environmentalist based in Lahore, Pakistan

On this edition of Your Call’s Media Roundtable, we're discussing coverage of the water crisis in Jackson, Mississippi, where 180,000 mostly Black residents have little to no running water.

In April, Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba said the paternalistic, racist legislature failed to help the city's infrastructure despite having billions to spend.

Guest:

Earnest McBride, contributing editor with the Jackson Advocate

On this edition of Your Call, we’re discussing bills that have passed the California State Legislature. Governor Gavin Newsom has until September 30 to sign or veto new legislation.

AB 257 would give fast-food workers a seat at the table to decide wages and working conditions. SB1137 would create buffer zones protecting homes, schools and health centers from toxic oil and gas wells. We'll also get an update on the farmworker right to unionize bill.

According to the CalMatters tracker, other bills would fund abortion access, boost paid family leave, build housing on strip malls, and reform nursing home licensing.

Guests:

Lindsey Holden, legislative reporter with the Sacramento Bee

Sandro Flores Avoce, organizer with Fight for $15, fast food worker, and Cal State Los Angeles graduate

Aarón Cantú, investigative reporter covering oil and gas for Capital & Main

On this edition of Your Call, we're discussing the PACT Act, a law that will expand healthcare and disability benefits to nearly 3.5 million veterans who were exposed to toxic chemicals from burn pits on military bases in Iraq and Afghanistan. It took former Daily Show host Jon Stewart to give this issue high profile attention and shame Republicans into voting for the bill.

We'll also discuss how burn pits, bombings, and military occupation have impacted the health of Iraqi and Afghan civilians. While burn pits are no longer active, they continue to have long term effects.

Guests:

Megan Stack, contributing opinion writer at the New York Times, fellow at the George Washington University School of Media and Public Affairs, and author of two books, including Women's Work: A Personal Reckoning with Labor, Motherhood, and Privilege

Dr. Kali Rubaii, assistant professor of anthropology at Purdue University who recently returned from Fallujah, Iraq

On this edition of Your Call, we're discussing California Governor Gavin Newsom's announcement last Friday that he will veto AB2183, a bill that would give farmworkers the right to vote for union elections in secret, whenever and wherever they feel safe. The announcement came as farmworkers and their supporters made it to Sacramento after marching for 24 days in 100+ degree heat.

A revised version of the bill is headed back to the Governor's desk, according to the Sacramento Bee.

Yesterday, farmworkers and their supporters began a 24-hour Vigil for the Governor’s signature in Sacramento, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Fresno.

Guest:

Teresa Romero, president of United Farm Workers

On this edition of Your Call, we’re discussing President Biden’s announcement to forgive up to $10,000 dollars in federal student loans for those making less than $125,000 per year, and another $10,000 for Pell Grant recipients.

The typical undergraduate finishes school with nearly $30,000 in debt, but that number is higher for women of color. While some advocates are celebrating, others say the plan doesn’t go far enough. We’ll trace the origins of the student debt crisis, which began in the 1980s when Ronald Reagan slashed funding for higher education.

Guests:

Natalia Abrams, president and co-founder of the Student Debt Crisis Center

Charlie Eaton, economic sociologist, associate professor of sociology, and co-founder of the Higher Education, Race, and the Economy Lab at the University of California, Merced