Today on AirTalk, we discuss the latest COVID-19 news. Also on the show, we give an update on where the gubernatorial recall election stands; review the newest movies with our KPCC film critics; and more.

IN THIS EPISODE
With Newsom Recall Election Date Set, We Check In On The Challengers (0:00)
COVID-19 AMA: J&J Says Its Vaccine Is Effective Against Delta Variant, WHO Says All Authorized Vaccines Should Be Recognized By The West And More (17:30)
Marathons, Triathlons And More: What Motivates Us To Undertake Physical Feats? (34:50)
FilmWeek: ‘The Boss Baby: Family Business,’ ‘Long Story Short,’ ‘No Sudden Movement,’ And More (52:20)
FilmWeek and Chill: How ‘Airplane!’ Made Its Mark On Parody In The 1980s (1:22:55)

AirTalk Episode Friday July 2, 2021

Today on AirTalk, we discuss the latest COVID-19 news. Also on the show, we break down the Supreme Court's most recent rulings; analyze how domestic violence became the number one cause of homelessness for women in LA; and more.

IN THIS EPISODE
LA City Council to Vote on New Measure to Restrict Homeless Encampments (0:00)
COVID-19 AMA: LA County’s New COVID-19 Cases Have Doubled, Vaccinated People Who Got Infected Carry Less Virus, CDC Researchers Say And More (11:15)
The Supreme Court’s Final Rulings Of The Spring 2021 Term, Plus A Retrospective On Some Of Its Biggest Cases (33:08)
Domestic Violence Is The Number One Driver Of Homelessness For Women In LA County— Why Is It Rarely Addressed In Policy? (51:31)
The History And Present Of American Indian Boarding Schools, Including In SoCal (1:21:07)

AirTalk Episode Thursday July 1, 2021

Today on AirTalk, we discuss President Joe Biden's meeting with state leaders on wildfire prevention efforts. Also on the show, we break down the latest COVID-19 news; talk with outgoing LAUSD Superintendent Austin Beutner about his biggest challenges; and more.

IN THIS EPISODE
An Exit Interview With Outgoing LAUSD Superintendent Austin Beutner (0:00)
COVID-19 AMA: State Masking Guidelines Conflict With LA County Recommendation; Delta Variant Accounts For 26% Of U.S. COVID Cases And More (17:43)
Your Brain On Our Shaky Post-Pandemic Re-Opening (34:13)
Newsom Facing Criticism As He Meets With President Biden To Talk Wildfire Prevention Efforts, Higher Pay For Firefighters (51:16)
How And Why Was Bill Cosby’s Sex Assault Conviction Overturned? (1:04:44)
Frank Sinatra’s Life From His Manager’s Point Of View (1:24:06)

Airtalk Episode Wednesday June 30, 2021

Today on AirTalk, we discuss Governor Gavin Newsom's extension on an eviction moratorium for Californians. Also on the show, we break down the latest COVID-19 news; analyze a new government UFO report; and more.
COVID-19 AMA: Indoor Masking, The Delta Variant And More (0:00)
Haven’t Gotten Your CA Real ID? Here’s What You Need To Know (33:22)
New Report Finds Alien Solar System Looking For Other Planets Could Soon Spot Earth (44:11)
CA Extends Rent Protections, Plans To Pay Past-Due Rent For Low-Income Residents. What Does This Mean For Tenants And Landlords? (51:24)
A New Government UFO Report Finds No Sign Of Alien Life, Cannot Explain Over Hundred Object Sightings (1:09:27)
How Has Your Culture Impacted Your Relationship Or Lack Thereof With Mental Health? (1:26:34)

AirTalk Episode Tuesday June 29, 2021

Today on AirTalk, we break down the latest COVID-19 news. Also on the show, we discuss councilmember Mike Bonin's initiative to offer housing for unhoused people along the Venice Beach Boardwalk; learn what wildfire prevention looks like in California; and more.

IN THIS EPISODE
COVID-19 AMA: Good News On mRNA Vaccines Providing Long Term Protection, Plus Why LA County Case Numbers Are Rising And More (0:00)
As Extreme Heat Consumes The Pacific Northwest, Tell Us Your Most Intense Experiences With Heat And How You Coped (32:53)
New Report Finds Newsom Overstated Wildfire Achievements And Disinvested In Some Efforts (51:16)
The Plan To House The Unhoused On The Venice Boardwalk Starts Today. How Will It Work? (1:09:26)
A New Book Sheds Light On The Year That Changed American Sports (1:26:06)

AirTalk Episode Monday June 28, 2021

Today on AirTalk, we break down the latest COVID-19 news. Also on the show, we discuss the potential for AI simulating therapeutic conversations; review the newest movie releases with our KPCC film critics; and more.
COVID-19 AMA: SF To Require Vaccinations Among City Workers, 3 In 5 (0:00)
Californians Have Received At Least One Vaccine And More
Can An AI Provide Effective Therapy? (13:57)
Cast And Creators Of Bosch Talk Final Season, Series Wrap, And Larry’s Cameo! (28:50)
FilmWeek: ‘F9:The Fast Saga,’ ‘Summer Of Soul,’ ‘Zola’ And More (52:23)
Questlove On His Directorial Debut “Summer Of Soul” And The Significance Of The 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival (1:23:40)

AirTalk Episode Friday June 25, 2021

Today on AirTalk, we look at the latest on the gubernatorial recall election. Also on the show, we speak with Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón; talk with former LAPD chief Bill Bratton on his new book; and more.

AirTalk Episode Thursday June 24, 2021

In former LAPD chief Bill Bratton’s new book, he examines the past five decades of policing in the United States, as well as his own place in the institution. 

After George Floyd’s murder by police last year and the subsequent protests that erupted throughout the country, American policing is under increasing scrutiny. After Bratton’s years in police departments around the country, he believes that the path forward is through further reforms and improvements to policing.

Today on AirTalk, we’re talking with Bill Bratton about his new book. Questions? Give us a call at 866-893-5722.

Guest:

Bill Bratton, has served as chief of the LAPD, chief of the New York City Transit Police, and commissioner of the Boston Police Department and the New York City Police Department. He is the author of the new book, “The Profession: A Memoir of Community, Race, and the Arc of Policing in America” (Penguin Random House, 2021)

Former LAPD, NYPD Chief Bill Bratton On His New Book And The History Of American Policing

Today on AirTalk, Larry talks with Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón. 

Today’s topics include: 


The Stand With Gascón campaign and recall efforts 


Several local communities issue “no confidence” votes 


LA DA announces panel to reexamine fatal police shootings 


How has law enforcement responded to the panel? 


Misdemeanor, parole policy and sentencing enhancements reform


Lawsuit alleges sheriff’s deputies beat Black man during traffic stop 


DA Gascón wants info on officers with misconduct history. Have law enforcement agencies responded? 

Guest:

George Gascón, district attorney of Los Angeles County; he tweets @GeorgeGascon and his office tweets @LADAOffice

Los Angeles DA George Gascón On Recall Efforts, Panel To Review Police Shootings, Criminal Justice Reform And More

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has vastly overstated wildfire prevention work completed by his administration, according to a Capital Public Radio investigation released Wednesday.

State fire officials have treated less than 18 of the 140 square miles (50 of the 365 square kilometers) that the Democratic governor has touted, the radio station reported. The land is part of 35 priority projects Newsom designated in 2019 on the heels of the deadliest wildfire season in state history. In 2020, California's fuel reduction efforts also dropped from the year before, and Newsom cut the fire prevention budget by $150 million, CapRadio reported.  The governor's office declined to comment on the investigation, and state fire officials took responsibility for Newsom sharing inaccurate information. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection had not “done our job in educating the public, nor the governor's office” on how to communicate about the efforts, Chief Tom Porter said. Republican lawmakers and those challenging Newsom in an expected recall election later this year quickly jumped on the story as evidence of mismanagement and deceptive governing.

Also on Wednesday, the recall election for Governor Newsom took another step forward as the Secretary of State’s office said that counties had submitted final signature counts following the period provided by state law that allows people who have signed the recall petition to withdraw their signatures. The final tally was more than 200,000 signatures over what’s required to trigger the recall. As POLITICO’s Jeremy B. White reports, this was an incremental step, as the governor’s office has already said it knows the signatures withdrawn in that window wouldn’t be enough to cancel the recall.

Today on AirTalk, we’ll look at the latest on the recall election and dig into the findings of the CapRadio investigation on state efforts to prevent wildfires.

With files from the Associated Press

Guests:

Dan Walters, long-time California politics observer with CALmatters, a nonprofit public interest publication; he tweets @DanCALmatters

Melanie Mason, national political correspondent for the Los Angeles Times; she tweets @melmason

State Politics, Secretary Of State Confirms Gubernatorial Recall Election, Plus A New Report Says Newsom Over Promised On Wildfire Prevention

Joint accounts, separate accounts, allowances, oh my. How do you navigate the emotional and logistical straits of finances in your romantic relationship? 

Guest:

David Rae, certified financial planner and president of the firm DRM Wealth Management, based in West Hollywood, Los Angeles 

How Do You Navigate Money And Spending In Your Relationship

The pandemic has made many people rethink their career goals, or whether those goals are as important as spending time with your family or checking off items from the bucket list. 

Millions of workers have decided to quit their jobs. Others are demanding hybrid working situations or reduced hours - but will the mindset last? 

Call us and tell us about whether you or people you know have reprioritized work, and if so, whether you think those shifts are permanent or temporary. Call us via 866-893-5722.

Has The Pandemic Changed Your Approach To Work And If So, For How Long

In our continuing series looking at the latest medical research and news on COVID-19, Larry Mantle speaks with Dr. Shruti Gohil at UC Irvine’s School of Medicine.

Topics today include:


Delta variant continues to spread in California


COVID-19 antibodies appear to wane


Younger people and Black Americans are the two groups hit hardest by COVID-19


Sydney, Australia enters ‘scariest’ phase due to spread of Delta variant


Brazil passes 500,000 COVID deaths

Guest:

Shruti Gohil, M.D., professor of medicine and associate medical director for epidemiology and infection prevention at UC Irvine’s School of Medicine

COVID-19 AMA Delta Variant Continues To Spread In California, Waning COVID-19 Antibodies Trigger Discussion On Future Boosters And More

Today on AirTalk, we answer your COVID-19 questions and discuss the latest. Also on the show, we speak to LAPD chief Michel Moore, check in on the latest Olympics news coming from Tokyo & Los Angeles, and more.

AirTalk Episode Wednesday June 23, 2021

The Supreme Court ruled this week that a Pennsylvania public school wrongly suspended a student from cheerleading over a vulgar social media post she made after she didn’t qualify for the varsity team.

The court voted 8-1 in favor of Brandi Levy, who was a 14-year-old high school freshman when she expressed her disappointment over not making the varsity cheerleading squad with a string of curse words and a raised middle finger on Snapchat.

The Supreme Court also sided with California agriculture businesses in their challenge to a state regulation that gives unions access to farm property in order to organize workers. As a result of the ruling, California will have to modify or abandon the regulation put in place in 1975 after the efforts of labor leader Cesar Chavez. The justices ruled 6-3 along ideological lines for the agriculture businesses. It’s another potential setback for unions as a result of a high court decision.

“The access regulation amounts to simple appropriation of private property,” Chief Justice John Roberts wrote for the conservative members of the court.

At issue was a regulation that granted unions access to farms and other agriculture businesses for up to three hours per day, 120 days per year, in order to organize workers. Businesses are supposed to be notified before organizers arrive, and organizers are supposed to come during nonwork times such as lunch and before and after work. Judges also ruled in favor of a California man who argued his rights were violated when police pursued him into his garage after allegedly playing loud music driving down a two-lane highway at night, according to NPR. Today on AirTalk, we’re hearing more about the Supreme Court decisions and what the implications of them could be. Questions? Give us a call at 866-893-5722.

With files from the Associated Press

Guests:

Kimberly Robinson, U.S. Supreme Court reporter for Bloomberg Law and co-host of Bloomberg Law’s podcast “Cases and Controversies”; she tweets @KimberlyRobinsn

Pratheepan Gulasekaram, professor of law at Santa Clara Law, where he specializes in constitutional and immigration law; he tweets @pgdeep

SCOTUS Rulings Student’s Freedom Of Speech, Union Access To CA Farmworkers And Police Home Entry

A sharply limited number of fans will be allowed to attend the Tokyo Olympics, organizers announced Monday as they tried to save some of the spirit of the Games where even cheering has been banned.

Organizers set a limit of 50% capacity — up to a maximum of 10,000 fans, all of whom must be Japanese residents — for each Olympic venue, regardless of whether it is indoors or outdoors. Officials said that if coronavirus cases rise again the rules could be changed and fans could still be barred all together. Spectators from abroad were banned several months ago, and now some local fans who have tickets will be forced to give them up.

Meanwhile, Los Angeles is already starting to think about its plan for the city ahead of the 2028 Olympics. We check in on the latest. 

With files from the Associated Press.

Guests:

David Wharton, feature sportswriter for the Los Angeles Times who covers the Olympics; he tweets @LATimesWharton

Ed Hula, founder of Around the Rings, a publication based in Atlanta, Georgia devoted to covering the Olympics

Checking In On Tokyo Olympics, Plus What We Know About LA 2028

Construction has officially begun on LAX's long-awaited Airport Metro Connector Project, which connects Los Angeles International Airport with the Metro system. 

On Monday, the Metro held a groundbreaking ceremony commencing construction of the $898.6 million project. The Airport Metro Connector Project is slated to be completed by 2024 and will include a bus plaza, a bicycle hub and a private-vehicle drop-off zone. That station will be linked to the under-construction Metro Crenshaw/LAX line via the airport's Automated People Mover. 

The People Mover system, which is expected to be operating by 2023, will span 2.2 miles and connect directly with LAX's terminals. Today on AirTalk, we get more details on the construction of this near $900 million project. 

A representative from LAWA was originally set to join us, but they pulled out this morning.

Guests:

Tim Lindholm, senior executive officer for Program Management at LA Metro

Brett Snyder, airline industry expert and author/founder of "The Cranky Flier blog" and "The Cranky Concierge" air travel assistance service; he’s held many jobs in the airline industry, including in operations, sales, pricing, and planning

Construction Commences On $898 Million Station Connecting Metro Lines To LAX

In our continuing series looking at the latest medical research and news on COVID-19, Larry Mantle speaks with Dr. Dean Blumberg from UC Davis. 

Topics today include:


Did California’s vaccine lottery boost vaccinations?


Black Angelenos have highest COVID case and death rates


10% of world’s population is fully vaccinated, data shows


Pandemic worsens in Africa as more contagious variants spread


Over 150 Texas healthcare workers resign or were fired over mandatory vaccination policy


LA Police commission wants LAPD to look into legality of mandating vaccinations for those folks


CDC to discuss rare heart problems in young, vaccinated people


Delta variant detected in all states except South Dakota

Guest:

Dean Blumberg, M.D., professor of medicine and chief of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at UC Davis Children’s Hospital; he tweets @DBlumbergPedsID

COVID-19 AMA Did California Get A Boost In Vaccinations Due To Lottery, Black Angelenos Have Highest COVID Case And Death Rates And More

Today on AirTalk, LAPD Chief Michel Moore joins Larry Mantle for his monthly interview to discuss the latest in law enforcement.


What is LA Sheriff Villanueva doing in Venice Beach? 


Chief Moore says city making sure homeless encampments don't return to Echo Park Lake 


New LA program to divert certain low-level arrestees away from jail and into treatment 


Ring gave LAPD officers free cameras, pushed product promos 


LAPD Chief Michel Moore wants more officer training 


LAPD shootings stayed near historic low in 2020; up in 2021 


Chief Moore told the Police Commission that the city has experienced a 50% increase in shooting victims this year compared to the same period last year 


LA City's $11.2 billion budget boosts LAPD spending and dedicates $1 billion for homelessness 


LAPD policy mum on armed, off-duty officers drinking alcohol


Commission requests LAPD COVID-19 vaccine mandate report 


LA County Supervisors vote 4-1 to close Men’s Central Jail 


Two more reports find fault in LAPD's handling of summer protests


In court, BLM says LAPD 'failed completely' to punish officers in protest abuses

Guest:

Michel Moore, chief of the Los Angeles Police Department

LAPD Chief Michel Moore On Echo Park Lake, Push For More Officer Training And More

Today on AirTalk, we break down the latest COVID-19 news. Also on the show, we preview today's primary for the New York City mayoral race; talk with our LGBTQ listeners about their experiences in team sports; and more.

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