KPCC: Stories by Brian Watt

Metrolink board delays vote on raising fares

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:32:11 -0800

At a meeting Friday, Metrolink’s board of directors did something that’s likely to make riders happy. It delayed a vote on yet another rate increase. The board decided to consider some alternatives.

FAA manages turnover in air traffic controllers

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 05:00:00 -0800

If the job market looks grim, the picture is different for air traffic controllers. Many active ones are approaching the mandatory retirement age of 56. The Federal Aviation Administration hired them to replace those who President Ronald Reagan fired for going out on strike in the early 1980s.

Getty Leadership Institute announces move to Claremont Graduate University

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:13:06 -0800

The Getty Leadership Institute announced Thursday that it’s changing locations, from the campus of the Getty Center in West Los Angeles to the campus of Claremont Graduate University.

Foreclosure rate falls, but drivers of the crisis remain

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 06:00:00 -0800

Irvine-based RealtyTrac says the nationwide foreclosure rate dropped for the third straight month in October, but that doesn’t mean the crisis is close to ending.

Federal agency settles lawsuit over backlogged citizenship applications

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:47:24 -0800

Hundreds of immigrants in the Southland will get the opportunity to become U.S. citizens now that the federal government has settled a 2-year-old class action lawsuit by civil rights groups.

Former president of AMPTP Nick Counter passes away

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:45:54 -0800

Nick Counter, the former president of the Alliance of Motion Picture and TV Producers, died Friday. Counter led the Alliance for 27 years.

Muslim leaders condemn violence at Fort Hood

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:30:34 -0800

Southern California Muslim leaders and law enforcement officials held a news conference to express solidarity after the deadly shooting in Fort Hood, Texas. A gunman opened fire at the Army post, killing 12 people and injuring more than a dozen others. The Muslim Public Affairs Council condemned the violence and the group said it's contacted federal authorities to learn more about the suspected shooter, Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan. Los Angeles city and county law enforcement officials have increased patrols and officer presence around area mosques and other religious institutions. KPCC's Brian Watt was at the group's news conference and spoke with All Things Considered host Alex Cohen. (Audio: Extended details on the press conference.)

LA Police Protective League supports nomination of Charlie Beck for police chief

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:44:41 -0800

The union that represents rank-and-file LAPD officers quickly endorsed the nomination of Charlie Beck to be the next police chief. The Los Angeles Police Protective League represents the nearly 10,000 sworn members of the LAPD.

LA Metro's deal with Italian rail car manufacturer falls apart

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 17:37:52 -0800

L.A. County’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority has thrown AnsaldoBreda from the train. The Italian company had agreed to build a factory in Los Angeles and manufacture 100 more light rail cars for the regional transit system. But negotiations derailed over the weekend, and now the $300 million deal is off.

Shooting at Valley Village synagogue wounds 2

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 17:36:38 -0800

Detectives from the North Hollywood branch of the Los Angeles Police Department have spent the day investigating a shooting that wounded two this morning at a synagogue in Valley Village. Police and city officials have also worked to keep the public from rushing to the wrong conclusions about the shooting.

LAPD investigates shooting at North Hollywood synagogue

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 11:55:56 -0800

Detectives with the Los Angeles Police Department continue to investigate a shooting at the Adat Yeshurun Valley Sephardic Orthodox synagogue.

3 high-ranking LAPD officers are finalists to become next chief

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 21:24:33 -0800

The Los Angeles Police Commission has recommended a trio of finalists to replace Police Chief Bill Bratton. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa must now choose between three high-ranking LAPD officers.

Downing named interim LAPD chief

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:11:38 -0800

Deputy Chief Michael Downing was named the Los Angeles Police Department's interim chief today. Downing will run the LAPD until a new chief is selected. (Audio: KPCC's Brian Watt reports on Downing's appointment.)

New CA tax incentives begin to keep movie, TV productions from running away

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 18:55:11 -0800

Politicians in Sacramento said they wanted to curb runaway production. Governor Schwarzenegger says that’s resulted in 36 films and television shows scheduled to begin shooting in California between now and the end of the year.

Villaraigosa prepares to interview 3 finalists for LAPD police chief

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 16:31:28 -0800

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa – and everyone else – could learn the names of the L.A. Police Commission’s three finalists for the next police chief as early as tomorrow. The Mayor's Office has released a tentative schedule for what happens once the L.A. Police Commission releases the names of its top three picks.

Meetings to discuss LA Westside subway stations

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 06:00:00 -0800

At 6 p.m. tonight at the L.A. County Museum of Art, there's a meeting to discuss potential station stops for the Metro Westside subway extension.

Arts Tune-Up offers management advice to artists

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 15:55:18 -0800

The Los Angeles County Arts Commission is sponsoring a free “arts tune-up.” A lot of artists would be the first to admit they could benefit from a more management savvy. Saturday at the Glendale Civic Auditorium, it’ll be there for the taking.

Long-term unemployment leads to foreclosure for Palmdale man

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 00:00:04 -0800

The home foreclosure crisis started with borrowers willing to take a risk on sub-prime mortgages. Now it’s reaching people who simply can’t find work.

MPAA head Dan Glickman plans to retire next year

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 11:11:25 -0800

The top lobbyist for the film and television industry plans to retire next year. Dan Glickman has led the Motion Picture Association of America for five years.

Unemployment drives foreclosures in California

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 17:16:48 -0800

A record high 937,840 properties nationwide fell into foreclosure between July and September, according to a report out Thursday from Irvine-based RealtyTrac.