Taking on Telecom and Tech Giants
California Attorney General Xavier Becerra is leading an effort by 10 state attorneys general to block the merger of telecom giants T-Mobile and Sprint. Their lawsuit, filed this week, claims the deal would hurt consumers, especially those who are lower income and from minority communities. The proposed $26 billion merger would cut the number of major U.S. wireless carriers from four to three. Meanwhile, on the federal front, the number of antitrust investigations against Google, Facebook, Apple and Amazon is growing.
Guests:
- Catherine Sandoval, professor of law, Santa Clara University
- Jeremy C. Owens, San Francisco bureau chief, MarketWatch
Khan Academy
Today, practically anyone can hop online to get help mastering an academic subject or prepping for a test. The Khan Academy, launched in 2008, was one of the pioneers of online learning. Each month, 18 million people visit the site to take free courses containing videos and exercises translated into 40 languages on subjects ranging from algebra to world history. Last June, Khan Academy expanded its portfolio to include free test help for the LSAT, the law school entrance exam.
Guest:
- Sal Khan, founder and CEO, Khan Academy
Hopelab
Since 2001, Hopelab has been using technology and scientific research to improve the lives of teens and young adults. The San Francisco-based nonprofit recently created a computer-generated chat program to ease stress and anxiety among young cancer survivors. The work builds on a video game Hopelab created more than a decade ago that has helped teens with cancer stick to their treatment plans. In recent years, Hopelab has been focusing on tools to improve the mental health of young people, including an app it will begin beta testing this autumn to help college students experiencing loneliness during their first year on campus.