0:08 KPFA News: Families and immigrant rights advocates are responding to the transfer of an estimated 200 undocumented immigrants from the West County detention center in Contra Costa County. In July, the Contra Costa’s Sheriff announced that it will end it’s contract with ICE-Immigration Customs and Enforcement to detain undocumented immigrants. Although the decision was hailed as a victory, families have been gravely concerned with the implications. They’re worried they will not be able to see their loved ones nor get them the legal support they need, now that many are thousands of miles away. KPFA’s Mira Nabulsi reports.
0:12 At the start of this summer, before the crisis over the Trump administration’s family separation policy, the conservative media were focused on a caravan of central american asylum seekers, slowly working their way north through Mexico. The Pueblo Sin Fronteras Caravan was like a slow-moving civil rights march. They were traveling together for protection, but also to make a statement. And they were completely public about their intent: to present themselves at official border crossings, and apply for asylum in the US. In response, our President deployed the National Guard. Our reporter Lucy Kang went to Tijuana to find out what came of the people in that caravan.
0:25 – The Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) are gaining momentum around the nation with local propositions, candidates running for office and a groundswell of support for issues ranging from healthcare to pay equity to policing. KPFA’s Kory Suzuki profiles the San Francisco chapter of the DSA.
0:34 – One year since Hurricane Harvey devastated the Gulf region, we speak with Lise Olsen (@chrondigger) Deputy Investigations Director and Senior Investigative Reporter with the Houston Chronicle about the aftermath, the environmental destruction and pollution, and re-development effort. Then Ilan Levin is the Associate Director of the Environmental Integrity Project explains how a lack of preparedness throughout the region’s oil and gas industry created massive toxic pollution in the wake of Hurricane Harvey. Read their new report here: Preparing for the Next Storm: Industry’s delay in plant shutdowns during Hurricane Harvey worsened air pollution
8:08 – Kate Yoder (@katemyoder) news editor with Grist, joins us to discuss her reporting on Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke blaming “environmental terrorists” for wildfires. Then she breaks down the media coverage on extreme weather events as “the new normal” and why, in times of such uncertain times, this is an appropriate phrase and exactly what climate scientists want to convey.
1:34 – Martha Nussbaum is a professor of Law and Ethics at the University of Chicago. Her most recent book is The Monarchy of Fear.
KPFA Event: Martha Nussbaum is speaking tonight,Thursday Aug 23 at 7:30pm at St John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave in Berkeley.