Mystery Cloaks Powerful Committees' Final Actions on Bills
It's two weeks and counting before the California Legislature shuts down for the year. This week saw a major milestone at the state Capitol: hundreds of bills faced a live-or-die decision by the powerful appropriations committees. But few actions in the Legislature are more of a mystery than the final ones taken by those committees. Most of the work happens behind closed doors -- and in many cases, the bills are re-written in private.
Schizophrenia: What It's Like to Hear Voices
Schizophrenia causes millions of Americans to hallucinate, hearing voices that seem to come from nowhere. Since the 1950s, doctors have prescribed strong anti-psychotic drugs to quell those voices. But one local researcher suggests a controversial new theory, drawing from other cultures. The theory says that in some cases, those voices may be helpful.
New President of CSU Fresno Shaped by Deep Central Valley Roots
The Central Valley isn't known for high college graduation rates. Many of its young people come from farmworker families where college has never really been an option. The new president of California State University, Fresno aims to change that. Joseph Castro grew up in the Central Valley. He's worked at several UC schools around the state, and now he's back -- and keen to expand opportunities for local kids to succeed.
Music Review: Orchestra Nostalgico Embraces Silver-Screen Instrumentals
Some movie music becomes an inescapable part of the landscape. Think of the songs from "Frozen." Or not, if you happen to live with a Disney-stricken child. But the majority of film scores, particularly the instrumental themes written to underline the action, have been forgotten. Andrew Gilbert reviews a new CD by a band determined not to let great film music fade away: "Orchestra Nostalgico Plays the Film Music of Ennio Morricone, Nino Rota, Bernard Herrmann, and More!"
New Documentary Captures the Many Faces of George Takei
"To Be Takei," a documentary profile of the actor and political activist George Takei, opens in theaters Aug. 22. We knew him first as Sulu on "Star Trek," but Takei has proved a master of reinvention several times in his life. We talk with him and with filmmaker Jennifer Kroot.