Episode Number 91 - Original Airdate: June 26, 2014

San Diego Zoo Helps Endangered Tasmanian Devils

Video Episode

The Tasmanian Devil, an animal native to the Australian state of Tasmania, has become endangered by a rare contagious cancer.

Mike O'Sullivan reports that the San Diego Zoo is part of an international effort to save the species.

This episode of Historic California News was originally broadcast on Voice of America on June 26, 2014, and was produced and reported by West Coast Bureau Chief, Mike O'Sullivan in Los Angeles. This content is provided for historic and educational purposes, and is not monetized in any way.

#voa #mikeosullivan #la #losangeles #california #sandiegozoo #sandiego #tasmaniandevil #endangeredspecies #historicnews #historiccalifornianews #voiceofamerica #voanews

Episode Number 90 - Original Airdate: July 26, 2010

Californians Debate Fate of Official State Rock

Video Episode

Many US states have adopted animals or birds as official symbols. The cactus wren is the official of bird of Arizona, for example, and the moose is the state animal of Maine.

Most states have an official rock or gem, and California's state rock is creating controversy. The mineral serpentine (PR: SER-pen-teen) was named the official California rock in 1965, but a move is underway to revoke its status.

As Mike O'Sullivan reports, a California politician wants to drop the rock to highlight the risks of asbestos.

This episode of Historic California News was originally broadcast on Voice of America on July 26, 2010, and was produced and reported by West Coast Bureau Chief, Mike O'Sullivan in Los Angeles. This content is provided for historic and educational purposes, and is not monetized in any way.

#voa #mikeosullivan #la #losangeles #california #staterock #serpentine #californiarock #californiastaterock #historicnews #historiccalifornianews #voiceofamerica #voanews

Episode Number 89 - Original Airdate: March 26, 2018

Inmates Find Expression through Songwriting

Video Episode

Music is changing lives in some American prisons, where guitars and songwriting are sparking creativity in inmates.

Mike O’Sullivan reports from a state prison in Norco, California, about the music program Jail Guitar Doors.

This episode of Historic California News was originally broadcast on Voice of America on March 26, 2018, and was produced and reported by West Coast Bureau Chief, Mike O'Sullivan in Los Angeles. This content is provided for historic and educational purposes, and is not monetized in any way.

#voa #mikeosullivan #la #losangeles #stateprisons #norco #jailguitardoors #prisoninmates #prisonmusicians #historicnews #historiccalifornianews #voiceofamerica #voanews

Episode Number 88 - Original Airdate: October 22, 2009

Former Astronaut Hopes for Space Cooperation

Video Episode

Forty years after man first walked on the moon, Buzz Aldrin says this is the time to move forward with space exploration's next phase.

Aldrin was on the first lunar landing team in 1969, and he still has an astronaut's vigor at the age of 79.

Recalling the superpower competition that marked the race to be first on the moon, Aldrin says international cooperation should be the theme of future manned spaceflights from Earth.

VOA's Mike O'Sullivan spoke with the retired U.S. Air Force officer in Los Angeles, and has more on what Aldrin thinks about the future of space exploration.

This episode of Historic California News was originally broadcast on Voice of America on October 22, 2014, and was produced and reported by West Coast Bureau Chief, Mike O'Sullivan in Los Angeles. This content is provided for historic and educational purposes, and is not monetized in any way.

#voa #mikeosullivan #la #losangeles #buzzaldrin #moon #lunarlandings #space #spaceexploration #astronauts #activeseniors #internationalcoorperation #historicnews #historiccalifornianews #voiceofamerica #voanews

Episode Number 87 - Original Airdate: February 14, 2014

Children of the Night: Saving Child Prostitutes

Video Episode

In February 2014, "On Assignment" co-host, Alex Villarreal, spoke with VOA Los Angeles Correspondent Mike O'Sullivan about the plight of child prostitutes in the United States and the work of one organization -- Children of the Night -- to save them from the streets.

This episode of Historic California News was originally broadcast on Voice of America on February 14, 2014, and was produced and reported by West Coast Bureau Chief, Mike O'Sullivan in Los Angeles. This content is provided for historic and educational purposes, and is not monetized in any way.

#voa #mikeosullivan #la #losangeles #childprostitutes #prostitution #childrenofthenight #streetkids #runaways #urbanplight #historicnews #historiccalifornianews #voiceofamerica #voanews

Episode Number 86 - Original Airdate: June 6, 2014

Hollywood Composer Richard Sherman Inspires with Music

Video Episode

The Sherman brothers, the songwriting team behind such hit Disney films as Mary Poppins, captured the spirit of an optimistic age.

VOA's Mike O'Sullivan reports that Richard Sherman has been honored in Hollywood for his work inspiring young people with music.

This episode of Historic California News was originally broadcast on Voice of America on June 6, 2014, and was produced and reported by West Coast Bureau Chief, Mike O'Sullivan in Los Angeles. This content is provided for historic and educational purposes, and is not monetized in any way.

#voa #mikeosullivan #la #losangeles #shermanbrothers #marypoppins #richardsherman #hollywoodcomposers #songwritingduos #hollywoodsongwriters #hollywoodmusic #moviemusic #disneyfilms #disneymusic #historicnews #historiccalifornianews #voiceofamerica #voanews

Episode Number 85 - Original Airdate: January 27, 2012

Immigrant Restaurateurs Share Dishes of Yucatan State

Special Video Episode

Los Angeles is home to people from many countries who share their culture, and their food, with their neighbors.

Mike O'Sullivan reports on a family with roots in southern Mexico that is preserving and teaching others about their culinary traditions.

This episode of Historic California News was originally broadcast on Voice of America on January 27, 2012, and was produced and reported by West Coast Bureau Chief, Mike O'Sullivan in Los Angeles. This content is provided for historic and educational purposes, and is not monetized in any way.

#voa #mikeosullivan #la #losangeles #mexicancuisine #yucatancuisine #culinarytraditions #foodculture #food #larestaurants #larestaurateurs #foodiesla #LAfood #immigrantrestaurateurs #historicnews #historiccalifornianews #voiceofamerica #voanews

Episode Number 84 - Original Airdate: April 26, 2012

Los Angeles Sees Improvements 20 Years After Riots

Special Video Episode

Twenty years ago on Sunday (April 29, 1992), parts of Los Angeles, California, erupted in race riots that left 53 people dead and caused more than $1 billion in damage.

Local leaders recently toured the scene of the violence to see how things have changed. VOA's Mike O'Sullivan reports that although there have been many improvements, problems remain.

This episode of Historic California News was originally broadcast on Voice of America on April 26, 2012, and was produced and reported by West Coast Bureau Chief, Mike O'Sullivan in Los Angeles. This content is provided for historic and educational purposes, and is not monetized in any way.

#voa #mikeosullivan #la #losangeles #riots #lariots #raceriots #1992riots #california #racerelations #urbanviolence #socialcohesion #civilunrest #historicnews #historiccalifornianews #voiceofamerica #voanews