For many Californians, Tax Day this year means writing a check to Uncle Sam. President Donald Trump, and the GOP’s new tax laws, are hitting high tax states, such as California and New York, extremely hard. Is there anything you can do?

For many Californians, Tax Day this year means writing a check to Uncle Sam. President Donald Trump, and the GOP’s new tax laws, are hitting high tax states, such as California and New York, extremely hard. Is there anything you can do?

The Mixer

A bad tax day for California

Alex Villanueva has a mandate and he does not care who – or what – gets in his way. At least, that’s how the newly minted Sheriff of L.A. County has positioned himself during his first few months in office. Villanueva won in an election last November and that political victory has given him an awful lot of autonomy when it comes to running his department. But he's not free from scrutiny, and there’s been plenty of it this year.

Alex Villanueva has a mandate and he does not care who – or what – gets in his way. At least, that’s how the newly minted Sheriff of L.A. County has positioned himself during his first few months in office. Villanueva won in an election last November and that political victory has given him an awful lot of autonomy when it comes to running his department. But he's not free from scrutiny, and there’s been plenty of it this year.

New Sheriff, New Chutzpah

In less than a week from now, Disney and 20th Century-Fox will be one. It is by far the biggest entertainment merger in recent memory, and anxiety is high on the Fox lot.  There are jobs in accounting, marketing and beyond that could soon be rendered redundant under a Disney umbrella.  What will happen to those employees and the Fox brand?

In less than a week from now, Disney and 20th Century-Fox will be one. It is by far the biggest entertainment merger in recent memory, and anxiety is high on the Fox lot.  There are jobs in accounting, marketing and beyond that could soon be rendered redundant under a Disney umbrella.  What will happen to those employees and the Fox brand? 

Disney plus Fox equals what for LA?

Bernie Sanders and his 2016 campaign helped usher in a new generation of politicians and brought several progressive ideas to the Democratic Party platform. But that's not enough for the Vermont Senator. He has his eyes on 2020.

Bernie Sanders and his 2016 campaign helped usher in a new generation of politicians and brought several progressive ideas to the Democratic Party platform. But that's not enough for the Vermont Senator. He has his eyes on 2020.

Democrats lean left, socialism leans in

Plans for the high-speed rail project originally meant to connect L.A. and San Francisco - are now derailed. At least, so it seems. Governor Gavin Newsom said in his State of the State address this week that he was going to shorten its construction to connect only Merced and Bakersfield. But the Governor is now resisting how most news outlets - and President Trump - have characterizes his plans.

Plans for the high-speed rail project originally meant to connect L.A. and San Francisco - are now derailed. At least, so it seems. Governor Gavin Newsom said in his State of the State address this week that he was going to shorten its construction to connect only Merced and Bakersfield. But the Governor is now resisting how most news outlets - and President Trump - have characterizes his plans.

Bullet Train Plans Go Off the Rails

There’s another big awards show this weekend in Los Angeles. And this one, like some others, is trying to move past controversy that concerns inclusion. The Grammy Awards actually expanded the number of nominees competing in the 4 big categories, all in hopes of getting more gender and racial diversity. But will that work?

There’s another big awards show this weekend in Los Angeles. And this one, like some others, is trying to move past controversy that concerns inclusion. The Grammy Awards actually expanded the number of nominees competing in the 4 big categories, all in hopes of getting more gender and racial diversity. But will that work?

Getting past the sour note

President Trump’s intelligence team went to Capitol Hill this week for their yearly update to the Congress. But Trump did not like what they said and how it was covered. So he contradicted them and blamed the media for mischaracterizing their comments.

President Trump’s intelligence team went to Capitol Hill this week for their yearly update to the Congress. But Trump did not like what they said and how it was covered. So he contradicted them and blamed the media for mischaracterizing their comments.

Gaslighting America

Some parts of Southern California got more than five inches of rain this week, in a series of storm systems that hit the area one after the other. What climate scientists describe as an atmospheric river is behind the weather pattern that brought those torrents of rains and even unusual blizzard conditions in higher elevations. The rain put a big dent in the drought. But, as you’re probably well-aware, the rain can stop for months and months and – voila! – here we are, in a big drought again. So what’s behind this pendulum swing, and what can state officials do about capitalizing on the precious water that falls?

Some parts of Southern California got more than five inches of rain this week, in a series of storm systems that hit the area one after the other. What climate scientists describe as an atmospheric river is behind the weather pattern that brought those torrents of rains and even unusual blizzard conditions in higher elevations. The rain put a big dent in the drought. But, as you’re probably well-aware, the rain can stop for months and months and – voila! – here we are, in a big drought again. So what’s behind this pendulum swing, and what can state officials do about capitalizing on the precious water that falls?

A California soaking, but will it stick?

Higher salaries, larger class sizes, more counselors, librarians and nurses. Those are just some of the demands that members of United Teachers, Los Angeles - the union that represents teachers' at LAUSD - are asking for. And if you think those demands sound familiar, that is because they are the same things teachers in other parts of the country have asked for in the past few years. But now a strike seems imminent and that is raising concerns about how students will be affected.

Higher salaries, larger class sizes, more counselors, librarians and nurses. Those are just some of the demands that members of United Teachers, Los Angeles - the union that represents teachers' at LAUSD - are asking for. And if you think those demands sound familiar, that is because they are the same things teachers in other parts of the country have asked for in the past few years. But now a strike seems imminent and that is raising concerns about how students will be affected.

The march toward a teachers strike sounds familiar

Jerry Brown is still the Governor of California. But not for long. He’s termed out – and on his way out – in January, when Gavin Newsom is set to take over as the state’s chief executive. Brown has been in public service for nearly half a century and when you service that long, you build a reputation for yourself. He’s known as being fiscally responsible. However, his legacy infrastructure projects – from high speed rail to water tunnels – have been mired in controversy, so far. So, when it comes to criminal justice reform, just how will the Governor be remembered?

Jerry Brown is still the Governor of California. But not for long. He’s termed out – and on his way out – in January, when Gavin Newsom is set to take over as the state’s chief executive. Brown has been in public service for nearly half a century and when you service that long, you build a reputation for yourself. He’s known as being fiscally responsible. However, his legacy infrastructure projects – from high speed rail to water tunnels – have been mired in controversy, so far. So, when it comes to criminal justice reform, just how will the Governor be remembered?

Governor Moonbean and his reform record

Thousands of Californians are spending the holidays deciding what to do next after devastating wildfires. The Camp Fire – in northern California – took out nearly an entire town, killing at least 86 people. And the Woolsey Fire, closer to home, left 3 people dead, chewing through nearly 100,000 acres in L.A. and Ventura Counties. Ken Pimlott knows those names all too well. He heads up the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, and today is his last day on the job.

Thousands of Californians are spending the holidays deciding what to do next after devastating wildfires. The Camp Fire – in northern California – took out nearly an entire town, killing at least 86 people. And the Woolsey Fire, closer to home, left 3 people dead, chewing through nearly 100,000 acres in L.A. and Ventura Counties. Ken Pimlott knows those names all too well. He heads up the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, and today is his last day on the job.

Heading for the fire exit

A look at how California's new governor may interact with the legislature.

A look at how California's new governor may interact with the legislature.

Enter Gavin Newsom

Barring any unforeseen changes, there will be a new L.A. County Sheriff at the start of next week. Alex Villanueva defeated sitting Sheriff, Jim McDonnell, in this month’s midterms after running a partisan campaign that lead to the first ouster of a sitting Sheriff in more than a century. Villanueva told KCRW this week that his goal is to rid the department of officials that, he said, contributed to a corrupt culture under previous leadership. But there is a lot of concern about what that will look like and if recent reforms could be rolled back.

Barring any unforeseen changes, there will be a new L.A. County Sheriff at the start of next week. Alex Villanueva defeated sitting Sheriff, Jim McDonnell, in this month’s midterms after running a partisan campaign that lead to the first ouster of a sitting Sheriff in more than a century. Villanueva told KCRW this week that his goal is to rid the department of officials that, he said, contributed to a corrupt culture under previous leadership. But there is a lot of concern about what that will look like and if recent reforms could be rolled back.

Repainting the Sheriff's department, tan and green

The fires rage on in our own backyard, and in Northern California, encompassing tens of thousands of acres each. In L-A and Ventura Counties, the Woolsey Fire has scorched everything in its path. To the north, in Butte County, the Camp Fire has charred and destroyed even more acreage, of trees, brush and everything else, north of Sacramento, and the town of Paradise is a scene of utter devastation and heartbreak.

The fires rage on in our own backyard, and in Northern California, encompassing tens of thousands of acres each. In L-A and Ventura Counties, the Woolsey Fire has scorched everything in its path. To the north, in Butte County, the Camp Fire has charred and destroyed even more acreage, of trees, brush and everything else, north of Sacramento, and the town of Paradise is a scene of utter devastation and heartbreak.

California catastrophe

Across the country, early voting for Tuesday's midterm election has been happening in record numbers, but here in California, the numbers aren’t that impressive. So, who can we count on to show up on Tuesday when polls open?

Across the country, early voting for Tuesday's midterm election has been happening in record numbers, but here in California, the numbers aren’t that impressive. So, who can we count on to show up on Tuesday when polls open?

Will California voters show up?

Steve Chiotakis talks to Los Angeles journalists about the week's leading news stories.

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