KQED's Forum

On Friday, State Parks director Ruth Coleman resigned in the wake of revelations that her department failed to report a $54 million surplus. Donors and advocates -- who have helped save 70 state parks from closure in recent months -- say they feel shocked and betrayed. We discuss the revelations. What will the unexpected money and the scandal mean for the future of California's state parks?

Gun control advocates say last week's tragic theater shootings in Aurora, Colorado underscore the need for new and tougher firearm laws. Their adversaries in the gun rights community see things differently: if someone in the theater had been armed, they argue, lives might have been saved. Will the massacre lead to legislative action? How will the politics of guns play out in a presidential election year?

Judy Blume's novels for children and young adults have sold more than 80 million copies -- and many women consider her an integral part of their coming of age. Blume has tackled controversial subjects such as racism, religion and masturbation. Now, for the first time, Blume is seeing one of her novels turned into a movie. Her son, film director Lawrence Blume has brought "Tiger Eyes" to the big screen.

We talk with Ray Offenheiser, president of Oxfam America, about current efforts at the U.N. to pass a global arms treaty that would regulate weapons trading with the goal of reducing violent conflicts. Oxfam International works with local communities around the world to alleviate poverty, famine and to fight injustice.

According to a new report, sales of e-books grew to more than $2 billion last year. E-book sales in the adult fiction category actually surpassed hardbacks and paperbacks. Meanwhile, more and more authors are choosing to publish their work electronically. We discuss the growing popularity of e-books, and how they're transforming the publishing industry.

The city of Oakland has suffered a spate of violence recently, including seven people killed in just seven days earlier this month. We'll discuss ways to combat the violence with Oakland's police chief, residents, experts and listeners. How is the city doing at keeping residents safe?

In his new book, UC Berkeley economist Enrico Moretti examines why places like the Bay Area, Boston and Austin have become "brain hubs," attracting creative workers and higher-paying jobs while other regions -- such as those once dominated by traditional manufacturing -- are languishing.

The news that Google's employee number 20, Marissa Mayer, is the newest CEO of Yahoo was quickly followed by the news that she's also pregnant. Some say it's a sign that our workplace culture is shifting to become more family-friendly. But many point out the ways our workplaces still fall short in the work-life juggle.

Sausalito's houseboats range from the palatial to the questionably seaworthy, and the community counts among its members doctors and lawyers as well as some of the original artists and bohemians who created the waterfront neighborhood. What's it like to live in a floating home?

Fighting has escalated in the Syrian capital Damascus in recent days -- and this weekend the International Red Cross officially declared the unrest a civil war. Activists in Syria say more than 17,000 people have died in the uprising to remove President Bashar al-Assad. We get an update on recent events in Syria. How should the international community respond?

Carissa Phelps ran away from her home in Fresno at the age of 12. She was prostituted by a brutal pimp, and spent two years on the street before landing in juvenile hall. There, she met a few people who supported her and gave her guidance that eventually led her to earn degrees in law and business at UCLA. She now works as an advocate for homeless youth.

A recent Gallup poll reported that Americans find President Obama more likeable than Mitt Romney, but it remains to be seen whether a cheery disposition and sense of humor will carry the day in November. What makes a politician likeable? Can personality overcome other perceived deficits?

Currently, the federal Secure Communities program allows law enforcement agencies to detain an undocumented person taken into custody beyond the time he or she would normally be eligible for release. But a bill likely headed to Governor Jerry Brown's desk -- the so-called "TRUST Act" -- would direct California agencies to stop this practice, except for serious and violent offenders.

News interns caught plagiarizing. CNN tweeting the wrong Supreme Court health care ruling. Fake bylines and outsourced news. It has been an awkward summer for the news media and its public image. Are these incidents just bad luck, or a symptom of shrinking newsrooms and a news cycle in overdrive?

Bravo is launching a new reality TV show called "Silicon Valley," profiling the decadent lifestyles of young rich entrepreneurs. Some in the tech industry say they're nervous about being mischaracterized. We look at the tech industry lifestyle. What do you think of the culture of Silicon Valley?