CSUN On Point

For decades, street vendors have been a well-kept secret in many Southern California communities. In 2018, Governor Brown signed Senate Bill 946, legislation that regulates street vending practices. Also known as the Safe Sidewalk Vending Act, SB 946 requires cities and counties to maintain certain rules when interacting with street vendors. Approximately 50,000 street vendors work in Los Angeles, with a majority being undocumented.

“To provide for your family, [that] should be … legal,” CHIRLA Organizing Director Antonio Bernabe said. “There is no need to attack people who are trying to provide for themselves. This is the only big city in the United States that doesn’t have selling permits, Los Angeles was the only city that is behind.”

CHIRLA is one of many groups who played a role in getting the legislation passed, and who are now helping street-vendors navigate the new rules.

“CHIRLA stands for The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights,” CHIRLA Marketing and Membership representative Mauricio Ramos said. “It’s all about the human rights of an individual, regardless of their status here. The street vending was the foundation of the Know Your Rights campaign.”

“The election of President Trump, and his hard line and hard rhetoric against the undocumented, really shamed the city of Los Angeles and the state of California to do something,” attorney Gregg Kettles said. “To protect our neighbors, who are suddenly at risk of being deported just because they are selling corn on the corner; it’s ridiculous.”

Many vendors now say they feel safe with SB946 in effect in California. For many vendors, selling from a street cart is the only way to provide for their families. But many believe street-vending is good for the communities as well.

“I’m glad the state of California and the city of Los Angeles have recognized all of the benefits of vending,” Kettles said, “not only for consumers, but also the people who are doing the selling. It’s really terrific for them too.”

Moderator: Sofia Gutierrez

Producer: Melissa Rodriguez

Anchor: Melina Rudigkeit

Social Media Editor: Scott Geirman

Reporters: Alexis Carfagno, Joy Edomwonyi, Claudia Flores, Scott Geirman, Sofia Gutierrez, Karissa Preciado, Melissa Rodriguez, Melina Rudigkeit

Cannabinoids, most commonly known as CBD products, are making their way into the consumer market, but questions continue to arise as to whether they are safe and legal.

New Frontier Data found that the $390 million market for all hemp products will triple by 2022. CVS and Walgreen have already announced they would begin selling hemp-derived CBD products in stores nationwide.

The products are gaining popularity after users reported they reduce anxiety and help with sleep issues. Some users believe CBD offers a natural alternative to drugs that relieve pain and treat anxiety, inflammation and depression.

The Controlled Substances Act of 1970 had made all hemp-derived products prohibited under federal law, but that ban ended with the 2018 Farm Bill. This bill lifted the federal ban, and allowed states to grow CBD products, which are extracted from cannabis and known as hemp. States that want to grow hemp products must apply and meet the requirements of the Agriculture Department.

Despite CBD’s increasing popularity, few scientific studies exist to prove its benefits, leaving many people confused about the difference between CBD and medical marijuana. CBD does not contain the THC component of marijuana, but some people, including some doctors, say they still have safety concerns.

“A lot of doctors kind of don’t know [what CBD can do] either, so they’ll discourage their patients,” said CBD entrepreneur Marissa Sanchez.

Sanchez said she started using CBD because she did not want to become dependent on prescribed medications for depression. She attended a CBD workshop at Feeling Groovy Wellness and Cafe, in Claremont, Calif., where she met CEO and Founder Nicole Lanni, and learned about the benefits of using CBD infused products.

“My overall well-being is much better, ” Lanni said. “Physically, I feel better. My skin is better. I think my relationships with people are better.”

Questions about the legality of products containing CBD oil still come up, despite how common they are in some cities.

States are allowed to ban CBD, despite it being legal now under federal law, and in states where CBD is produced legally, truck drivers may still be arrested for drug trafficking when trying to deliver it across state lines.

Still, proponents say its popularity will continue, especially because of its potential to help people.

“CBD can actually help people get off of other addictive substances,” Sanchez said.

Moderator: Chris Farias

Producer: Chris Farias

Anchor: Jamontae Hickman

Social Media Editor: Karissa Preciado

Reporters: Gloria Alas, Enrie Amezcua, Chris Farias, Darya Hariri, Jamontae Hickman, Coraima Hurtado, Karissa Preciado

More than 10 million people worldwide are living with Parkinson’s disease. Within the United States, the combined cost of treatments is estimated to be nearly $25 billion a year, according to the Parkinson’s Foundation.

Parkinson’s is typically diagnosed in patients older than 50, and is characterized by the loss of brain or spinal cord cells that leads to dysfunction and disability over time.

“It’s difficult for people to see their loved ones suffer,” CSUN Communication Disorders & Sciences Department Professor Karen Kochis-Jennings said. “There’s a cognitive aspect with Parkinson’s. It can really change the dynamics in the household. Early signs can be tremor in the limbs, problems with movement, coordination and balance.”

Now CSUN’s partnership with the Parkinson Voice Project is providing patients affordable therapy options.

“We take medicare; we take insurance, and we have a limited amount of scholarships for those who can’t pay for it,” Kochis-Jennings said. “We ask that they just pay a small co-payment.”

With support from the Parkinson Voice Project, a nationwide organization that helps persons with Parkinson’s disease preserve their voices, the program will allow CSUN’s Language, Speech and Hearing Center to help up to 12 patients every month. The staff are trained and certified to run the Parkinson’s Voice Project program at CSUN, and to train students. Patients are already being helped.

“I want to speak louder, with intent, and try to overcome my cognitive problems the best I can,” Parkinson’s patient Earl Lambert said. “It’s about mind over matter after a certain time. You just have to take your time, and make sure that you’re dedicated.”

The Parkinson Voice Project incorporates therapy sessions called “SPEAK OUT”, and follow-up sessions called “LOUD Crowd”, to improve patients’ speaking abilities over time.

For more information contact the Language, Speech and Hearing Center at (818)-677-2856.

Moderator: Scott Geirman

Producer: Alexis Carfagno

Anchor: Claudia Flores

Social Media Editor: Sofia Gutierrez

Reporters: Alexis Carfagno, Joy Edomwonyi, Claudia Flores, Scott Geirman, Sofia Gutierrez, Melina Rudigkeit and Melissa Rodriguez

For years, people have been buying personal care products and beauty products without really knowing what ingredients they may contain.

Most individuals continue to be unaware of what chemicals their lipstick , foundation, shampoo, deodorant, mascara, and other products contain, and how those chemicals could affect their health.

Eluxe Magazine reports the chemicals that are found most often in personal care products are mercury, lead, parabens, phthalates. Many people might believe the stuff they are putting on their skin is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, but it is not, at least not to the extent people might hope.

“If we are talking about personal care products, we are talking about thousands of compounds that our bodies are exposed to on a daily basis,” CSUN Chemistry and Biochemistry professor Gagik Melikyan said. “It is almost impossible to check for all them to the full extent, because we are talking about human resources and financial resources .”

Melikyan, who is the author of a book on the subject called Guilty Until Proven Innocent, said these chemicals can potentially disrupt hormone production and lead to miscarriage or infertility, and may cause cancer and skin irritation.

Women are the gender most affected because they buy more beauty products, but men are also vulnerable to the side affects of the personal care products they buy.

The variety of organic or vegan personal care products in the United States has been slim for many years, and some consumers of beauty products say that needs to change.

“It is also the consumer’s responsibility to educate themselves on these products,” said professional makeup artist Fabulous Jason.

Freelance make-up artist Betsy Rodriguez said purchasing new products for her clients has become difficult because some of them are fine using inorganic products, or just they prefer certain products whether they’re toxic or not. At the end of the day, many make-up artists need to make their clients happy.

“I was selling these products,” Rodriguez said, “and in order to sell these things, I had to put them on myself, and they weren’t working for me. I see these products, and I see these ingredients, and I [think], if I am not their side with [them], why should I [sell them?] — and yes, I stopped doing a lot of things.”

Moderator: Darya Hariri

Producer: Karissa Preciado

Anchor: Christopher Farias

Social Media Editor: Jamontae Hickman

Reporters: Gloria Alas, Enrie Amezcua, Christopher Farias, Darya Hariri, Jamontae Hickman, Coraima Hurtado and Karissa Preciado

In today’s world, influencers and bloggers are finding ways to make a living from their blogs and social media.

Many manufacturers and companies compensate influencers to promote their products on their websites through collaborations and with endorsements. These influencers can make a living using their blogs and social media accounts. They use websites and Instagram accounts to express their interests in new products and trends, in fashion, beauty, child care, sports, health, home design, etc. Some bloggers and influencers have access to a large audience and can generate a strong reach, and profits for their sponsors. Some famous influencers like Andrew Defrancesco have even made great name in the field of fashion. If you need tips, you can get in touch with him on his website.

But influencers and bloggers have to be creative and fast in producing content that will keep their audience hooked.

“With content moving that quickly, you have to be able to get people to stick around,” CSUN Journalism Professor Benjamin Davis said. “It will be so easy for them to leave. So you want good compelling information, good content, and you want to be able to take advantage of the new technology that is coming along.”

Many successful influencers started blogging as a side job or a hobby. When they start making money, they may decide to dedicate themselves to blogging full time.

“The first thing [if you decide to be a full time influencer] would definitely be to figure out who you want to talk to, and who you want to write for,” blogger Gwen Lane said. “Really getting clear on that audience was something that really helped me in the beginning, and really sticking to that audience, and … figuring out what their challenges are, and how you can help them, [is the key].”

Lane said bloggers have to be consistent with their content, and keep a look out for what their audience wants to see from them.

“I am always talking audience first,” Lane said, ” because when you know who your audience is, then you know what they want to hear from you, and what kind of content would resonate, and also what you want to be talking about in your content.”

Lane said influencers and bloggers take their work seriously because it is their job, not a hobby, and they have to articulate and think about every detail they put out to their audience.

“It’s audience first,” influencer Ali Levine said.

Moderator: Alexis Carfago

Anchor: Sofia Gutierrez

Social Media Editor: Scott Geirman

Reporters: Alexis Carfagno, Joy Edonwonyi, Claudia Flores, Scott Geirman, Sofia Gutierrez, Melissa Rodriguez and Melina Rudigkeit

Getting a flu shot can save your life.

According to the World Health Organization, between 250,000 to 500,000 people die every year from the flu. The most common flu symptoms are fever, cough, sore throat, chills, runny nose and a headache. Urgent care physician’s assistant Vanessa Guzman said the flu can also lead to pneumonia.

The vaccine is made, often using egg-based technology, and adjusted every season by drug manufacturers, working in collaboration with the WHO and the FDA, to test and improve the effectiveness of the shot depending on which viruses are expected to be in circulation.

But the National Opinion Research Center reports that in 2018,  41 percent of Americans said they did not plan on getting the flu vaccine. Some people say they never get the flu, or they don’t believe in vaccines. And about one in three say they choose not to get vaccinated because they believe the flu shot will make them sick.

“It is really impossible to get the flu from the flu vaccine,” said Mercedes Gallup, Nursing and Clinical Supervisor at CSUN’s Klotz Student Health Center. She said most of the time people who do get sick had been exposed to the virus prior to the vaccination.

Gallup recommends getting the shot before flu season begins, because the immune system takes two weeks to build itself up from the vaccine, leaving a vulnerability period in which you can become ill if you’re exposed to the virus.

Other people don’t get vaccinated because they worry about side effects. The most common are a sore arm or bump. The CDC recommends that those with allergies to eggs should take precautions, but may be vaccinated.

Even after the shot, people can still limit their exposure to viruses, and decrease their chances of getting sick, with some simple precautions like washing hands regularly and avoiding people who are ill.

“You can do your best to minimize and mitigate the chance of an infection, from not just the flu, but other things as well,” Medtronics Inc. associate scientist Simrat Kalsi said.

The Klotz Student Health Center offers the flu shot at a low price, and with medical insurance students can get the vaccine for free at most pharmacies.

Moderator: Monica Campos

Producer: Demothy Tien

Anchor: Alan Cardoza

Social Media Editor: Kimberly Lopez Chavez

Reporters: Kenia Arevalo, Monica Campos, Alan Cardoza, Lauren Cienfuegos, Zaira Garcia, Kimberly Lopez Chavez and Demothy Tien

It’s no secret that Los Angeles is one of most heavily congested cities in America. Traffic congestion, that is. According to INRIX, the average Los Angeles driver spends 102 hours stuck in traffic during rush hour.

Los Angeles also has an extensive public transportation system, L.A Metro, that  has been around for almost fifty years. Metro has worked over the years to plan and implement new projects to help traffic congestion. But a question that many drivers consider while sitting in gridlocked traffic is, how did we get to this point?

“One of the reasons includes the disparity between jobs and housing, [and the] balance [between] where people live, and where people work,” said Naresh Amatya, Southern California Association of Governments Transportation Manager. “[Others reasons are] just the sheer number of people who live in this region, and the fact that our infrastructure is really overburdened with the number of people that we have in the region.”

Although the traffic on highways, freeways, and side street detours seems worse everyday, Los Angeles is pushing for number one in terms of the public transportation system, and Metro has been promoting alternatives from walking to high speed rail. Metro has also approved the 28 by 28 plan: 28 projects planned to handle the needs of those attending the 2028 Olympics.

“It’s an effort to put some of the key projects [ahead] — not ahead of the commitment we made in Measure M — but to highlight them, in case there are additional resources that can help to move them forward,” said Jacquelyn Dupont-Walker, Metro Board Member. “So that in 28 by 2028, [for] both the Olympics and the Paralympics, that we will have a net of rail systems in place.” The plan is to bring in public-private partnerships in order to make the whole system work.

“In the San Fernando Valley, we are looking at the East San Fernando Valley light rail project,” said Dave Perry, Policy Deputy for County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, “[and at] the Sepulveda Pass, which is obviously a very big project, a very big deal for the thousands and thousands of commuters everyday that are going through the 405 corridor. There is North Hollywood to Pasadena BRT connecter. There’s a lot of great stuff in there.”

The Sepulveda Transit Corridor is going to provide a high capacity transit line to connect the San Fernando Valley with the West Side and ultimately with LAX. Metro is looking at various concepts and refining them. One of these concepts compares the 110 minute drive on the freeway through the Sepulveda Pass, to the 15-25 minute commute Metro is hoping to provide.

“Metro is trying to make a dramatic difference in people’s commute times,” Metro spokesperson Dave Sotero said.

Many people want to see these changes happen soon, over the next couple years.

“I think there are still a lot of places missing the amount of transit that they really need, and maybe more frequent service,” said CSUN Professor of Urban Studies and Planning Yvette Lopez-Ledesma. “This would encourage a movement towards more transit. It’s not just up to one agency to handle this; it’s really about several agencies.”

Public transportation will continue to grow in Los Angeles, but ultimately it is up to the public to make the decision to leave their cars at home, and decide between the comfort of their own cars or no traffic. It all comes down to safety and comfort as well.

“It’s not just about getting to the bus stop,” Lopez-Ledesma said. “It’s about what happens when you arrive at that bus stop. Is there shade? Are you protected? Do you feel safe?”

Moderator: Enrie Amezcua

Producer: Coraima Hurtado

Anchor: Gloria Alas

Social Media Editor: Karissa Preciado

Reporters: Gloria Alas, Enrie Amezcua, Christopher Farias, Darya Hariri, Jamontae Hickman, Coraima Hurtado, Karissa Preciado

The popularity of podcasts is on the rise. Whether listeners are looking for comedy, politics, sports, or crime stories, there are podcasts for all tastes, and companies are expanding the medium by focusing on different genres and markets.

“There is money to be made in making podcasts, so a lot more podcasts are being made, so you can serve smaller audiences,” said KCRW’s “Below the Ten” podcast host David Weinberg.

Edison Research reports about 73 million people of all ages listen to podcasts regularly. The number of podcast streams per person has risen from an average of five to seven each month — just in this past year. The on-demand nature of podcasts has contributed to their popularity, because it’s easier for listeners to fit podcasts into their schedules.

“A lot of [the popularity of podcasts] is that Netflix mentality: ‘I want to watch what I want to watch, when I want to watch it’,” said KFI News Anchor Aron Bender.

Podcasts from smaller companies outnumbered podcasts from bigger companies on Time’s top podcast list this year.  Some radio stations are also trying to tap into the popularity of podcasts.

“We take our shows and we podcast those shows,” Bender said, “and do so in such a way that people can consume them, so we take out most of the commercials, if not all the commercials.”

Podcasters are not limited by time constraints or FCC regulations the way live radio is. Podcasters have complete creative control over what they talk about, but making a living from podcasting is harder than in traditional radio.

“If all you want to do is make a podcast, then it’s going to be tough,” said Weinberg. “They say – I don’t know if this is still true – that you have to have 20,000 regular listeners to get advertisers to take your call, and even at that level you’re probably not going to be making enough.”

One common mistake new podcasters make is not being focussed and consistent. With more podcasts flooding the market, podcasters have to find a niche. If podcasters don’t post new episodes consistently, tailored to fit their audience, they can lose steam and stunt their growth.

“Try to drill down and focus,” Bender said, “so you can find that niche audience, and once you have them hooked, they’re going to start telling all their friends who are probably interested in that as well, and that’s how you grow a podcast.”

Podcasters have a farther reach than traditional radio. Podcasts can be heard worldwide on the internet, while radio shows can be heard only in the region they’re located.

“Even if it’s just one person listening,” Bender said, “there’s got to be chemistry with that person, and the microphone, and the listener. They’ve got to connect somehow…Even Seinfeld — he’ll say he’s got a show about nothing, but no it’s not about nothing. You’ve got this character-driven show… [The audience] likes to hate these characters, and the choices they’re making.”

Celebrities podcasters have the advantage of a built-in audience. For non-celebrity podcasters, figuring out how to stand out is important.

“The key difference between a good and a bad podcast is editing,” Weinberg said. “Through that refining process, is how you make things really good.”

The rising popularity of podcasting has made it more viable for some podcasters to make it their full-time job.

“Now, podcasting is a cool thing to do,” Weinberg said. “I think if someone said to me ‘you’re going to get this job where you get to fly all over the world to talk to people and get paid’, I would say ‘yeah! I’ll do it’.”

Moderator: Manuel Fuentes

Producer: Ahmad Akkaoui

Anchor: Sandy Chavez

Social Media Editor: Tammera Magaña

Reporters: Ahmad Akkaoui, Sandy Chavez, Manuel Fuentes, Tammera Magaña, Mario Saucedo and Natalia Vivino

Soka Gakkai International-USA (SGI-USA) is a Buddhist practice known throughout the world.

SGI was created in 1975, and now has members in 192 countries including the United States. SGI members follow the Lotus Sutra and Nichiren Buddhism as the center of their practice. The goal is to teach members that they have the courage, wisdom, and compassion to overcome and conquer the obstacles they face in life.

Soka Gakkai, also known as society for the creation of value, originated in Japan in 1930 under the leadership of Tsunesaburo Makiguchi. Makiguchi believed this practice would be the greatest way for people to spread the Buddhist ideals of equality. One of the major goals was for members to spread respect for all of life.

“It is not a name but a title,” CSUN Religious Studies Professor Randal Cummings said. “It comes from the yogi concept of Bodhi, which means to be awake. Buddha gains enlightenment; somebody sees his glow, and they ask ‘what are you?’. ‘I am awake’.” Followers explain that being awake is an act of being present, and not only thinking about oneself, but rather about others. It is control over the actions that humans take.

As part of the practice members participate daily at home and in discussion meetings.

“The point of it is to have an open dialogue with a group of people,” SGI Vice Chapter Leader Cassie Colby said, “to share your experience, and what is going on in your life.”

SGI focuses on empowerment through the individual self, and on promoting peace, culture, and education. The practice fights to abolish nuclear weapons, and strives to keep human rights and educate others on sustainable living.

The 50K Lions of Justice festival is “focused on leading our change in injustice in society,” Ryan Ainsworth SGI District Leader said.

This festival follows the SGI Nichiren Buddhist practice. One goal is to inspire people to change the world. 50k Lions of Justice Instagram is available to see experiences of people who follow SGI-USA.

Nam-myho-renge-kyo is a chant from the Mystic Law that is a principle part of SGI. Members use this chant as an expression to embrace their own Buddha nature. It is a practice for oneself, and also for others, to capture happiness.

“It’s a spiritual workout,” SGI District Leader Mark Horton said. “You can’t see it, but you can feel it. Each person experiences something different; polishing the inside shines outside.”

Moderator: Tory Isaac

Producer: Leonard Tesher

Associate Producer: Tory Isaac

Anchor: Samantha Rodriguez

Social Media Editor: Andrea Tanchez

Reporters: Brandon Benitez, Tory Isaac, Nicholas Logan, Samantha Rodriguez, Andrea Tanchez and Leonard Tesher

A reliance on social media may have a prolonged effect on young people, in part by creating false role models, and in part by encouraging ‘FOMO’, or ‘Fear of Missing Out’. But many young children start using social media at a young age.

“One of the things I see parents doing is using screen time to keep their kids entertained while they’re doing something else,” said Dr. Joannie Busillo-Aguayo, CSUN associate professor of Educational Psychology and Counseling. “My oldest granddaughter is 16 years old and social media is her life. If she’s not able to do what her friends are doing, it affects her life.”

The Royal Society for Public Health and the Young Health Movement published a report ranking Instagram as the worst social media platform, in term of its impact on the mental health of young people. YouTube was ranked as the most positive social media platform. Snapchat was also ranked as among the most negative.

According to the Pew Research Center, YouTube, Instagram and Snapchat are the most popular platforms among teens. Forty-five percent of teens said they’re online almost constantly.

The RSPH report recommends three possible solutions: the introduction of a pop-up heavy usage warning on social media, platforms identifying users with possible mental health problems based on their posts, and platforms alerting users when photos of people have been digitally manipulated.

Social media remains popular among young people, who say they want to do everything their peers are doing. A new iPhone update tells users how long they’ve been on their phones, and on social media specifically.

“The other day I went on my Instagram, and I look [at the update], and it says [I’ve] been on this for four hours,”  photographer Nathan Zielke said. “It was six o’clock in the morning.”

Zielke and recording artist JR Jones said they use social media to connect with people.

“I think that [social media] is literally my number one tool,” Jones said. “It has helped me build a really strong fan base, and it’s real people you can connect with, that don’t have to be in your local area. I’m reaching out to Canada, to Spain, to Portugal… it gives me a platform to share my music, and allow my music to go further than it would if I was just a local artist with no social media at all.”

Zielke has more than 29,000 followers on Instagram, and Jones has almost 34,000 followers. But Jones and Zielke, who have worked together, said they believe social media should be more about showing everyone who you really are, rather than showing people who you are trying to be. They said they’re aware of the potential for a negative impact.

“I feel like it gives me [the platform] to be a real model, instead of a role model,” Jones said. “I curse; I show the negatives; I show the down moments; I show me at my weakest moments… I think social media’s problem is it gives people an illusion that everything is great. You see the vacation… [and] you just see the picture of the sunset and the beach and stuff.”

“That’s the biggest fight with social media,” Zielke said. “I call it ‘fake flexing’. There are a lot of people out there who fake flex, and find ways to portray themselves as always being happy, always doing something…. they’ll be at home and [they’ll] post a vacation picture to make it look like they are somewhere else.”

Wrestler Sammy Guevara has about 15,000 Instagram followers. He said he does make choices about what to post.

“No one really wants to see the bad stuff,” Guevara said. “I get messages from people who get inspired from my videos. These videos aren’t solely about me. It’s a bigger picture thing… I wouldn’t call it fake energy or whatever, but some stuff is not meant for the camera and some stuff is.”

“I think it’s more important for [posts] to send a real message, and not a fake message,” Jones said. “I think it’s bad for kids to have this cookie cutter image of how life should be. You see this guy and he says all the right things, does all the right moves, with the most beautiful women, always happy… the minute the kid isn’t living [up to the fantasy], [he’ll think] ‘I’m a failure because I’m not like him’.”

Moderator: Tammera Magaña

Producers: Manuel Fuentes and Natalia Vivino

Anchor: Natalie Vivino

Social Media Editor: Mario Saucedo

Reporters: Ahmad Akkaoui, Sandy Chavez, Manuel Fuentes, Tammera Magaña, Mario Saucedo and Natalia Vivino