As Hurricane Ian Threatens Florida’s Southwest Coast, What’s Happening On The Ground – KPCC

As Hurricane Ian Threatens Floridas Southwest Coast, Whats Happening On The Ground

Hurricane Ian's most damaging winds began hitting Florida's southwest coast Wednesday, lashing the state with heavy rain and pushing a devastating storm surge after strengthening to the threshold of the most dangerous Category 5 status. Fueled by warm waters in the Gulf of Mexico, Ian grew to a catastrophic Category 4 hurricane overnight with top winds of 155 mph (250 kph), according to the National Hurricane Center. The storm trudged on a track that would have it making landfall north of the heavily populated Fort Myers area, which forecasters said could be inundated by a storm surge of up to 18 feet (5.5 meters). Ian menaced Florida after bringing destruction Tuesday to western Cuba, where two people were reported dead and the entire island was blacked out as the storm brought down the country's electrical grid.

Today on AirTalk, well get the latest from the ground with Michael Kiniry, host and producer with NPR member station WGCU in Ft. Myers Florida.

The State Of California Prisons: Involuntary Servitude, Labor, And Fire Camp

Prison Labor and Firecamp 9.28.22

Under state law, most of Californias incarcerated population is required to work. These jobs vary from cleaning kitchens and sanitizing common spaces to fighting some of Californias biggest wildfires. While California forbids slavery, it does allow involuntary servitude, permitting the state to pay incarcerated folks far below minimum wage. A constitutional amendment known as ACA 3 came before California voters last November vying to outlaw entirely involuntary servitude as a punishment for crime. The bill passed in the Assembly in March but ultimately failed to receive enough support. The Department of Finance staunchly opposed the plan, saying it would cost the state $1.5 billion dollars to pay incarcerated people minimum wage.

Joining us today on AirTalk to discuss prison labor and the status of involuntary servitude in California is chancellor professor of law at UC Irvine, Michele Goodwin, executive director of the Anti-Violence, Safety and Accountability Project and original author of the legislation to end involuntary servitude in California, Samuel Nathaniel Brown, and former program director at Ventura Training Center, Michelle Garcia.

Hurrican Ian Update 9.28.22

We check back in on the latest in Florida as Hurricane Ian makes landfall. Joining to discuss is Matthew Peddie, host of Florida Matters, a weekly public affairs show from NPR Member station WUSF in Tampa Bay.

With An Election Around The Corner, We Speak With Local Registrars

Put it on your calendar now if its not already: election day is November 8. Today on AirTalk, we check in with local registrars about how they are preparing for the big day. Joining Larry is Registrar of Voters for Los Angeles County, Dean Logan and Registrar of Voters for Orange County Bob Page.

The OC Report: Why Orange County Is A High School Football Hotbed

High School Football 9.28.22

If you look at the top 15 teams in the rankings of California high school football teams, you might notice a trend: of them are from Orange County. Its no coincidence -- OC has long been a hotbed for high-level high school football. Mater Dei High School alone has produced three Heisman Trophy winners, but other schools like Los Alamitos, Mission Viejo, and Edison High School in Huntington Beach are also part of a competitive group of programs that make up the current OC high school football landscape.

Today on AirTalk, Larry talks with two local reporters with more than 80 years of combined experience covering Southern California high school sports -- Steve Fryer, high school sports reporter with the Orange County Register and Eric Sondheimer, prep sports columnist for The Los Angeles Times.

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As Hurricane Ian Threatens Florida's Southwest Coast, What's Happening On The Ground - KPCC