Law School Dean: Demographics of California's Bench Reflect Need for Diversity
A new report on the demographics of California's nearly 1,700 judges finds slow but sure progress on making the bench look more like the state. And yet, more than two-thirds of California judges are white males. What difference does it make, and why should we care? Host Scott Shafer talks with Kevin R. Johnson, dean of the UC Davis Law School and the first Latino to head a University of California law school.
California Drought One More Setback for River That Runs Dry
Despite concerns about mudslides in Southern California, this weekend's rain is welcome relief from the drought. Among other things, the state's tight water supplies have put environmental restoration projects in the spotlight, especially the effort to bring salmon back to the state's second longest river, the San Joaquin. Republican House Speaker John Boehner is pushing a bill to kill that project. KQED Science reporter Lauren Sommer looks at how this lack of rain is affecting one of the most ambitious restoration efforts in the state.
Craftsmen Create Fantasy Worlds for Set of Oscars
This weekend's Academy Awards are all about glitz and glamour. But it takes real people to create that fantasy. In fact, Awards season is a real bonanza for the carpenters, welders and sculptors who build the stages and props for Sunday night's broadcast. Reporter Caitlin Esch took a trip behind the scenes to see how Hollywood prepares for its close up.
Using Art to Reinforce Identity and Ties to the Philippines
Los Angeles is home to the biggest Filipino population in the mainland U.S. But access to art from their home country is rather limited. A new exhibit at USC's Fisher Art Museum gives Filipino-Angelenos a rare chance to reconnect with the breadth of Filipino creativity. Alex Schmidt has a story about this collection called "The Triumph of Philippine Art."
Andrew Thierry: Keeping Zydeco Alive in the Bay Area
New Orleans is gearing up for next week's Fat Tuesday celebration with its distinctive soundtrack of Zydeco music. But Northern California has its own Zydeco scene -- the merging of Cajun, blues, and R&B. It dates back to World War II and the Creole migrants who came to work in the shipyards and to find other economic opportunities. KQED's Rachel Dornhelm met up with a Bay Area musician, one of the few Zydeco ambassadors outside Louisiana at the top of the art form.