Take Two

We check in on the status of Hurricane Sandy, and survey the destruction in New Jersey, New York and in the Caribbean islands of Cuba and Haiti. Plus, Molly Peterson reports on rising sea levels and whether California is prepared for a storm like Sandy. Then, music critic Drew Tewksbury gives us a playlist for Halloween, we fact check political ads and much more.

Hurricane Sandy hits the East Coast, causing flight delays across the U.S. and even internationally. Plus, why has climate change been absent from both Obama and Romney's political campaigns? Marketplace's Kai Ryssdal joins us to talk about his PBS Frontline special about the power and influence of Super PACs, then we speak with David Maraniss about his new biography “Barack Obama: The Story”, and much more.

We check in on the youth vote, and why there's less excitement about the Obama campaign than there was in 2008. Plus, is the Great Recession defining retirement? Then, Deepa Fernandes reports on some Southland employers that are trying to make "work-family balance" more than an empty phrase, and we look at the life of Pulitzer Prize-winning sports writer Jim Murray, who elevated the art of sports journalism, and much more.

Today, Obama is in Florida drumming up support in a key swing state. Plus, new polling suggests that the majority of voters don't support Gov. Brown's Prop. 30. tax measure, A new prison healthcare facility in Stockton hopes to end federal oversight of prisoner medical care, California state regulators meet today to discuss tightening regulations on compounding pharmacies, plus much more.

We take a look at Mitt Romney's campaign and how the Obama campaign is handling his momentum in the polls. Plus, a small farming town of on the border of Mexico and Imperial Valley is a hotbed for professional baseball players, Kevin Ferguson reports on Monarch The Bear, the iconic symbol on the California flag, the use of "illegal immigrant" versus "undocumented immigrant" is being debated by the media and much more.

We check in with service members and their families to get their reactions to the presidential debate on foreign policy. Plus, families are being torn apart by a 1996 immigration law, a group of Italian scientists are charged with manslaughter for not predicting a deadly 2009 earthquake, we check in with KPCC's Frank Stoltze as he talks to voters in Inglewood and much more.

Tonight's presidential debate will likely touch on the Sept. 11 attack on the U.S. embassy in Libya. We'll talk to an expert about how the CIA gathers information in these situations. Plus, the New York Times reports that Iran and the United States have developed a framework to begin one-on-one talks over Iran's nuclear program, video game companies turn to Kickstarter to raise funds, acclaimed author Sandra Cisneros joins the show to discuss her newest work, "Have You Seen Marie?" and much more.

Sec. of State Hillary Clinton claimed responsibility for security issues at the U.S. Consulate in Libya, we'll discuss how that will affect the presidential debate tonight. Plus, citizens of Baldwin Hills and surrounding areas are concerned about a new fracking study and 50 years since the Cuban Missile Crisis, a new book looks at its impact on the U.S. and abroad.

KPCC's Josie Huang reports from the K-pop Convention, KCON, in Irvine, where fans from all over the U.S. came to see their favorite Korean Pop stars. Plus, we look ahead to the second presidential debate coming up this Tuesday, we break down Prop 34, and a new report shows a record number of immigrants running for Congress, and much more.

We recap the vice-presidential debate with Patt Morrison, and analyze the body language of both candidates. Plus, food writer Mark Bittman of the New York Times joins the show to talk about his upcoming feature on California's San Joaquin Valley, Erika Aguilar reports on two young Afghan women studying to be judges in SoCal, and much more.

Amnesty International issues a report showing the use of torture by police and military in Mexico is on the rise.; Book Critic David Kipen joins the show to discuss the Nobel Prize in Literature and the finalists in the National Book Awards.; Betting on the Nobel Prize.; Hollywood's quest to appeal to the Latino population.; How strong is Catholicism this election cycle?; Marketplace's Bob Moon talks about his experiences covering the shuttle program.; Fifty years ago Rachel Carson single-handedly started the environmental movement with her book "Silent Spring".; Issa Rae, creator of the web series 'Awkward Black Girl,' joins the show to talk about her sudden fame, and what’s next for her.; Twitter and real-time political opinions.

We check in on presidential poll numbers in the wake of last week's debate.; Frank Stoltze gives us an update on the pulse of SoCal voters.; The new documentary, "The House I Live In," turns a lens on America's war on drugs.; The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments in the affirmative action case Fisher vs. University of Texas.; Many legal observers believe the court may curtail, or even eliminate, the ability of public and private colleges and universities to employ racial and ethnic preferences in admissions.; We discuss two new tax initiatives, Prop 30 and 38, that will be on California's November ballot.; We look into the sale of Variety, the 107-year-old entertainment news magazine.; Should we be able to vote using our smartphones?; The City of LA and the Getty yesterday opened a new visitor center for the 80-year-old mural "América Tropical."; LA County voters will decide whether they want Measure J, a long-term extension of a half-cent transportation sales tax.; New book shares intimate, personal stories of early LGBTQ identity.

Former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky was sentenced this morning to at least 30 years in prison on 45 counts of child sexual abuse.; We take a look at the debating style of Vice President Joe Biden and GOP candidate Paul Ryan.; What you need to know when you have to care for an ailing, elderly parent.; We'll find out the latest in music news with NPR music critic Ann Powers and Soul-Sides music blogger Oliver Wang.; New research reveals how the nation's lawmakers position their portfolios and how they win and lose money on Wall Street.; PBS documentary "The Choice: 2012" promises to give an up close and personal view of both presidential candidates.; Patt Morrison reports on Los Angeles opening its arms to and accepting applications for its first ever poet laureate.; South Korea's president wants to use PSY's "Gangnam Style" to help create a national brand.

Calif. Governor Jerry Brown told state regulators to immediately allow oil refineries to make an early transition to winter-blend gasoline to help with rising gas prices.; Congressional panel has concluded that the federal government should block mergers of U.S. firms with Chinese telecommunications companies suspected of ties to the Chinese government.; President Obama visits the site for a future monument for farm worker activist Cesar Chavez.; Jude Joffe-Block reports on the complex collaborations between manufacturers on both sides of the US-Mexico border.; Talking with Ingrid Croce, widow of the late singer Jim Croce, about her new book, "I've Got a Name.; Mitt Romney is giving what's billed as a landmark foreign policy speech in Virginia on Monday.; One of Mitt Romney's top advisors is a rising Asian American political star from Southern California.; According to a new survey, Americans may have changed their attitudes on counterterrorism policy since Barack Obama became president.

Unemployment dropped to 7.8 percent, the lowest rate since President Obama took office in January 2009.; San Bernardino may be bankrupt, but Riverside is still in good shape thanks to UC Riverside and scrappy entrepreneurs.; LAPD Chief Charlie Beck unveiled new rules redefining his department's stance on detaining illegal immigrants.; Congressional Democrats need 25 seats to retake the gavel from Republicans this November.; Governor Brown recently signed off on legislation that will enable classic car enthusiasts to buy brand new license plates with a retro look.; "Precious" director Lee Daniels joins the show to discus his latest work, "The Paperboy."; The presidential elections are this Sunday in Venezuela, what does it mean for Hugo Chavez?; Ruxandra Guidi talks to some Venezuelan-Americans about who they're voting for.; Entertainment Weekly writer Anthony Breznican explains how Tim Burton's childhood home of Burbank inspired his work.; Finally, our Weekend Alibi and the Week In Review.