Airtalk

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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.

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)

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

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 

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Author Clint Smith traveled to some of the most charged places in America's history, from the Monticello Plantation in Virginia to the Blandford Cemetery, where Confederate soldiers are buried, to gain a deeper understanding of America's history with slavery and its relationship to this history.  We sit down with Smith to discuss his new book, “How The Word Is Passed: A Reckoning With the History of Slavery Across America.”  Guest:  Clint Smith, author of “How The Word Is Passed: A Reckoning With the History of Slavery Across America” (June 2021, Little, Brown and Company); he is a staff writer for the Atlantic, a poet and host of the YouTube series Crash Course Black American History; he tweets @ClintSmithIII

Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Carl Nassib on Monday became the first active NFL player to come out as gay. Nassib, who is entering his sixth NFL season and second with the Raiders, announced the news on Instagram, saying he wasn't doing it for the attention but because he felt representation and visibility were important. “I just wanted to take a quick moment to say that I'm gay,” Nassib said in his video message from his home in West Chester, Pennsylvania. “I've been meaning to do this for a while now, but I finally feel comfortable enough to get it off my chest. “I really have the best life. I got the best family, friends and job a guy can ask for. I'm a pretty private person, so I hope you guys know that I'm really not doing this for attention. I just think that representation and visibility are so important.” Nassib added in a written message that followed the video that he “agonized over this moment for the last 15 years” and only recently decided to go public with his sexuality after receiving the support of family and friends. Today on AirTalk, we want to hear from LGBTQ listeners about their experiences, positive or negative, playing organized sports. Join our live conversation by calling us at 866-893-5722. Guests:  Nicki Jhabvala, Washington Football Team reporter for the Washington Post; she tweets @NickiJhabvala Eric Anderson, professor of Masculinities, Sexualities and Sport at the University of Winchester, in England; he is the author of many books, including “Men and Masculinities” (Routledge, 2019)

In our continuing series looking at the latest medical research and news on COVID-19, we speak with Dr. Kimberly Shriner from Huntington Hospital in Pasadena.  Today's topics include: U.S. hits 150 million people vaccinated Delta variant could dominate U.S. in weeks Scientists warn that COVID-19 may shrink parts of the brain Black Angelenos have highest COVID-19 case rates and deaths Nearly 4,000 breakthrough COVID infections reported in Massachusetts Some undocumented immigrant communities turn to unproven drugs to treat COVID-19 Guest:  Kimberly Shriner, M.D., infectious disease specialist at Huntington Hospital in Pasadena

One of iconic musician Joni Mitchell's most beloved albums, “Blue,” has its 50th birthday this week. According to Ann Powers, NPR's music critic, it's an album that has continuously restored itself over the decades, offering new meanings to different listeners.  Love, loss, place and loneliness, all themes of the album that resonate deeply and profoundly. Mitchell in the past has described making the album as bleeding the songs onto the pages. In honor of the anniversary, the artist's label has also released “Blue 50,” which features previously unreleased recordings from the album. Today on AirTalk, we discuss the importance of the album on its 50th anniversary, how it evolved overtime and its connection to Los Angeles and California. What does “Blue” mean to you? Share your thoughts on the AirTalk Facebook page or Twitter or give us a call at 866-893-5722.  NPR is hosting a listening party to commemorate the 50th anniversary of “Blue.” Singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile joins NPR music critic Ann Powers coming right up at 11 am Pacific Time. You can watch that conversation on YouTube. NPR's Ann Powers wrote a piece celebrating the 50th anniversary of "Blue" and looking at her connection to Miles Davis. You can read that here. Guests:  David Yaffe, author of “Reckless Daughter: A Portrait of Joni Mitchell”; he tweets @davidmyaffe  Jenn Pelly, contributing editor at Pitchfork and writer for the LA Times, her latest piece is “In 1971, nothing sounded like Joni Mitchell's ‘Blue.' 50 years later, it's still a miracle;” she tweets @jennpelly

Ranked choice voting makes its debut in New York City's mayoral primary Tuesday in one of the most high-profile tests yet for a system  gaining use in pockets across the U.S. The system is based on a simple premise: Democracy works better if people aren't forced to make an all-or-nothing choice with their vote. Rather than pick just one candidate, voters get to rank several in order of preference. Even if a voter's top choice doesn't have enough support to win, their rankings of other candidates still play a role in determining the victor. But the system is more complex than a traditional election, making it tough to forecast a winner. It could take longer to get results. But the system is tough to grasp. It requires voters to do a lot more research. It also makes races less predictable. Transparency and trust are also potential problems.  In New York City's version, voters get to rank up to five candidates, from first to last, on their ballot. If one candidate is the first choice of a majority of voters - more than 50% - that person wins the race outright, just like in a traditional election. If nobody hits that threshold, ranked choice analysis kicks in. Vote tabulation is done in rounds, and all rounds of counting are done by computer in a process that takes very little time. In each round, the candidate in last place is eliminated. Votes cast ranking that candidate first are then redistributed to those voters' second choices. That process repeats until there are only two candidates left.  Today on AirTalk, we'll get a preview of what's at stake in today's primary and find out more about how ranked choice voting works. With files from the Associated Press Guests: Shelly Banjo, New York City bureau chief for Bloomberg; she tweets @sbanjo Rick Pildes, professor of constitutional law at NYU school of law  

Today on AirTalk, we discuss the latest COVID-19 headlines. Also on the show, we analyze a recent Supreme Court ruling on the NCAA; learn how the state's grid operator will prepare for the hot summer; and more.

Couples in the U.S. are racing to the altar in a vaccination-era wedding boom that has venues and other vendors in high demand. With restrictions on large gatherings loosening, wedding planners and others who make the magic happen said they've started pushing their bookings into late 2022 and early 2023. Also contributing to the rush are couples who went ahead and got hitched during stricter pandemic times with few or no guests and are now on their second go-arounds with larger groups. They're competing for services with those who had always intended to marry this year. Today on AirTalk, we discuss the implications for those who work in the wedding industry and are trying to keep up. We want to hear from you? Do you service events and weddings in some capacity? Florist? Photographer? Caterer? Call us and tell us how you're being impacted. Also, if you're planning to get married, is the demand having any impact on your big day? Tell us your experience by calling 866-893-5722.  With files from the Associated Press. Read the full story here. Guest:  Michelle Garibay, owner and principal planner at Michelle Garibay Events, which specializes in destination weddings and is based in Temecula

Last week, Californians felt the test of heat as the first heatwave of the summer enveloped over various countries. However, the rising temperatures haven't subsided just yet. On Thursday, California issued a state of emergency due to the excessive heat.  The California ISO, which operates 80% of the state's electric grid, sent flex alerts over the past few days to encourage residents to conserve energy resources. With this hot heat comes high demand for power. The worry is that Californians could cause a repeat of last August, where residents endured 2 nights of rolling blackouts. So how will California prepare for this hot summer season? Today on AirTalk, we dive into how California's energy sources will prepare for the rising temperatures. Guests: Katherine Blunt, reporter covering renewable energy and utilities for The Wall Street Journal; she tweets @KatherineBlunt Elliot Mainzer, CEO of California Independent System Operator Severin Borenstein, professor and faculty director of the Energy Institute at UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business, member of the California ISO Board of Governors; he tweets @BorensteinS

The Supreme Court decided unanimously Monday that the NCAA can't enforce rules limiting education-related benefits — like computers and paid internships — that colleges offer to student athletes. The case doesn't decide whether students can be paid salaries. Instead, the ruling will help determine whether schools decide to offer athletes tens of thousands of dollars in those benefits for things including tutoring, study abroad programs and graduate scholarships. The high court agreed with a group of former college athletes that NCAA limits on the education-related benefits that colleges can offer athletes who play Division I basketball and football are unenforceable. Justice Neil Gorsuch wrote for the court that the NCAA sought “immunity from the normal operation of the antitrust laws,” which the court declined to grant. Under current NCAA rules, students cannot be paid, and the scholarship money colleges can offer is capped at the cost of attending the school. The NCAA had defended its rules as necessary to preserve the amateur nature of college sports. But the former athletes who brought the case, including former West Virginia football player Shawne Alston, argued that the NCAA's rules on education-related compensation were unfair and violate federal antitrust law designed to promote competition. The Supreme Court upheld a lower court ruling barring the NCAA from enforcing those rules. As a result of the ruling, the NCAA itself can't bar schools from sweetening their offers to Division I basketball and football players with additional education-related benefits. But individual athletic conferences can still set limits if they choose. A lawyer for the former athletes had said before the ruling that he believed that if his clients won, “very many schools” would ultimately offer additional benefits. Today on AirTalk, we learn more about the ruling and the consequences for NCAA athletes. Questions? Give us a call at 866-893-5722. With files from the Associated Press Guests: Dan Murphy, ESPN staff writer and investigative reporter who has been following the story; he tweets @DanMurphyESPN Marc Edelman, professor of law at Baruch College, City University of New York, where he specializes in sports law and antitrust law

After more than a year in quarantine, it shouldn't come as a surprise that many Americans are wasting no time making summer travel plans.  Flight and hotel bookings are going fast, rental cars are in short supply around the country, and popular outdoor attractions like National Parks are more crowded than usual this summer. Our very own Larry Mantle just returned from a weeklong road trip, which included a drive through Navajo Nation in the four corners area of Arizona, where he reported seeing significantly more tourist traffic than he usually does. Today on AirTalk, we want to hear about your summer travel plans, how you've navigated making them in the post-pandemic world, or if you've already ventured out on vacation for the first time since the pandemic, how did it go? Join our live conversation by calling us at 866-893-5722.

In our continuing series looking at the latest medical research and news on COVID-19, we speak with UCSF's Dr. Peter Chin-Hong.  Today's topics include: A pill to treat COVID-19? The U.S. is betting on it  Wondering if the vaccine worked? Get the right test, at the right time US coronavirus infections this fall could reach 20 percent of last winter's peak  Salon workers are holding on to their masks, and not just because of COVID-19  Tokyo Olympics will allow some domestic fans to attend events despite COVID-19 fears  The places still targeting “zero COVID-19”  Virus surge claims brightest minds at Indian universities Guest: Peter Chin-Hong, M.D., infectious disease specialist and professor of medicine at the UCSF Medical Center; he tweets @PCH_SF  

Today on AirTalk, we break down the latest COVID-19 news. Also on the show, we discuss the controversy surrounding "In the Heights" and Latinx representation in the film industry; analyze the newest movie releases with our KPCC film critics; and more.

Last week saw the release for the film “In The Heights,” a film that was hailed by many as a means to showcase the Latinx experience in Washington Heights, as well as represent the diversity found in that specific community.  This all came to a head during an interview conducted by Afro-Cuban journalist Felice Leon, who had noted to “In The Heights” director John M. Chu that there was a lack of Afro-Latinx leading actors in the film. Following this, talks of Latinx representation became a larger conversation of Afro-Latinx erasure and white-washing of the whole community by the entertainment industry. Today on AirTalk, we discuss the controversy surrounding “In The Heights” and how it ties in with Latinx representation in the entertainment industry. Join the conversation, call us at 866-893-5722. With guest host Sharon McNary GUESTS: Clayton Davis, Variety's Film Awards editor; he's the founder and president of the Latino Entertainment Journalists Association, and a member of African American Film Critics Association; he tweets @AwardsCircuit Monica Castillo, arts and culture reporter for Colorado Public Radio; freelance film critic; she wrote the piece “The Limitations Of ‘Latinidad': How Colorism Haunts ‘In The Heights'”; she tweets @mcastimovies Claudia Puig, film critic for KPCC and president of the Los Angeles Film Critics Association (LAFCA); she tweets @ClaudiaPuig

Last November, Los Angeles County voters passed Measure J, which required the county to set aside 10 percent of unrestricted county funds to social justice and diversion programs. But a proposed ruling from Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Mary Strobel calls the measure unconstitutional in the way that it restricts county executives from The Los Angeles Times reports the official ruling is expected in the coming weeks. Today on AirTalk, we'll look at some of the legal underpinnings of the ruling, and what it could mean for the county if the ruling is upheld. With guest host Sharon McNary GUEST: Fredric Woocher, partner at Strumwasser & Woocher LLP in Los Angeles

In our continuing series looking at the latest medical research and news on COVID-19, Larry Mantle speaks with Dr. Timothy Brewer from UCLA. Topics today include: California loosens COVID-19 mask rules for vaccinated workers  A pill to treat COVID-19? The U.S. is betting on it  Mental health worsens for parents, other unpaid caregivers during COVID-19  Hundreds of vaccinated Indonesian health workers get COVID-19, dozens in hospital  CDC lowers warning for cruises, recommends only fully vaccinated travel  High hopes for Johnson & Johnson's COVID-19 vaccine have fizzled in the U.S. Gavin Newsom says vaccine incentives have worked. Have they?  New COVID-19 study hints at long-term loss of brain tissue, Dr. Scott Gottlieb warns With guest host Sharon McNary GUEST: Timothy Brewer, M.D., epidemiologist and professor of medicine at UCLA's school of public health; has served on the advisory boards of the World Health Organization, the National Institutes of Health, and the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention

When L.A. County Sheriff Alex Villanueva arrived in Venice earlier this month in a cowboy hat promising to clear its famous boardwalk of homeless people, he seemed to surprise just about everybody. After all, Venice is the LAPD's jurisdiction. Chief Michel Moore was among those caught off guard. “I did not invite the sheriff into Venice Beach,” Moore told our newsroom. So he called his counterpart the day after his visit. “I asked him, ‘How can we work together? I want to talk to you as chief-to-sheriff.'” Moore did not condemn Villanueva. After all, the sheriff has the authority to enforce laws anywhere in the county. And in Venice, he is able to do what Moore cannot. As COVID-19 hit last year, the city council imposed a moratorium on the removal of tents housing homeless people during daytime hours. The idea was to limit the spread of the virus. That's meant the LAPD has had a hands-off approach to encampments across the city. (The clearing of tents at Echo Park Lake was conducted ostensibly to conduct renovations to the area.) Moore thinks the city council should lift the moratorium now that the pandemic is waning, but so far the council has kept it in place. Today on AirTalk, we'll talk with KPCC/LAist reporter Frank Stoltze about what he's been able to find out about what the Sheriff hopes to accomplish. To read the full story from KPCC/LAist's Frank Stoltze, click here. With guest host Sharon McNary GUEST: Frank Stoltze, KPCC/LAist criminal justice correspondent; he tweets @StoltzeFrankly

If you hear your doorbell rung today, oftentimes you'd expect to see a package or bags of food at your doorstep. But just a few decades ago, one would expect to see a woman and her bag of perfume samples. Enter: the Avon lady, and of course the company's earworm jingle. Experiencing much success in the years following World War II, Avon often relied on recruiting salespeople to go door-to-door to sell cosmetic products.  Author Katina Manko chronicles the history of the salespeople who built and sustained the iconic Avon company in her new book "Ding Dong, Avon Calling! The Women and Men of Avon Products, Incorporated." Today on AirTalk, we learn the history of Avon cosmetics and how its door-to-door marketing approach stayed in the American consciousness for many years. Were you an Avon lady and want to weigh in on the conversation? Call us at (866) 893-5722. With guest host Sharon McNary GUEST: Katina Manko, author of "Ding Dong, Avon Calling! The Women and Men of Avon Products, Incorporated"

This Saturday is Juneteenth, an annual celebration which marks the emancipation of those who had been enslaved in the United States.  Even though President Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation officially outlawed slavery in 1862, this didn't become a reality nationally until  June 19, 1865. That's when Union troops took over Texas and freed the remaining slaves who had been denied freedom.  And earlier this week Congress passed a bill to make Juneteenth a federal holiday, which is now on Biden's desk and expected to be signed this afternoon. We dive into the history, origins and evolution of Juneteenth. With guest host Sharon McNary GUESTS:  Marne Campbell, historian and Chair of the Department of African American Studies at Loyola Marymount University  Kaya Dantzler, lead organizer of We Love Leimert, and a producer with Leimert Park Rising, which is co-producing its twelfth Juneteenth celebration this weekend

Today on AirTalk, we discuss the latest COVID-19 news. Also on the show, we dive into the history of the Juneteenth holiday; break down the Cal/OSHA vote on workplace masking guidelines; and more.

This week, California's economy reopened, and with it, the state dropped most mask requirements - but not all. Masks are still required for workers while they're at work. Thursday, California's workplace regulatory board - Cal OSHA - meets to vote on a proposal that would change coronavirus protocols in the workplace. Fully vaccinated workers could stop wearing masks and practicing physical distancing requirements. Today on AirTalk, we speak with KPCC health reporter Jackie Fortier about what the proposed rules say - and don't say - and break down the confusion over masking in the workplace.  With guest host Sharon McNary GUEST: Jackie Fortiér, health reporter at KPCC and LAist; she tweets @JackieFortier

Last week, following a meeting with Guatemalan President Alejandro Giammattei, Vice President Kamala Harris spoke at a news conference where she sent a message to those who wish to cross the border from Mexico to the United States: “Do not come.” This comes after president Biden had sent an immigration bill to Congress that had mentioned its willingness to address the “root causes of migration.” With these two comments having competing interests in the eyes of many critics, it did call into question how the Biden administration plans to approach its relationships with Latin American countries, particularly Central American ones such as Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador. Today on AirTalk, we break down the relationship Central American countries have had with the United States in the past and why this has affected immigration throughout the region. With guest host Sharon McNary GUESTS: Suyapa Portillo, associate professor of Chicano/a-Latino/a Transnational Studies at Pitzer College;  author of the book "Roots of Resistance: A Story of Gender, Race, and Labor on the North Coast of Honduras” (University of Texas Press, 2021); she tweets @SuyapaPV James Fredrick, freelance journalist and contributor to NPR based in Mexico City; currently co-writing a book with a Honduran asylum seeker about his family's migration stories; he tweets @jameslfredrick

Last week, reports emerged that the Justice Department under former President Donald Trump seized data from the accounts of at least two members of the House Intelligence Committee in 2018 as part of an aggressive crackdown on leaks related to the Russia investigation and other national security matters, according to a committee official and two people familiar with the investigation. Prosecutors from Trump's Justice Department subpoenaed Apple for the data, according to the people, who were granted anonymity to discuss the secret seizures first reported by The New York Times. The records of at least twelve people connected to the intelligence panel were eventually shared, including Chairman Adam Schiff, who was then the top Democrat on the committee. California Rep. Eric Swalwell was the second member, according to spokeswoman Natalie Edelstein. The records of aides, former aides and family members were also seized, including one who was a minor, according to the committee official. Apple informed the committee last month that their records had been shared, but did not give extensive detail. The committee is aware, though, that metadata from the accounts was turned over, the official said. The records do not contain any other content from the devices, like photos, messages or emails, one of the other people said. The third person said that Apple complied with the subpoena, providing the information to the Justice Department, and did not immediately notify the members of Congress or the committee about the disclosure. Today on AirTalk, we're joined by Rep. Adam Schiff to hear more about the Trump-era DOJ probe. Questions? Leave them below or call 866-893-5722. With guest host Sharon McNary GUEST: Adam Schiff, Democratic Congressman representing California's 28 Congressional District, which includes Burbank, parts of Pasadena, and Glendale; he tweets @RepAdamSchiff 

In our continuing series looking at the latest medical research and news on COVID-19, guest host Sharon McNary speaks with Dr. Shruti Gohil from UC Irvine's School of Medicine. Topics today include: These communities remain at high risk for dangerous COVID-19 variants rapidly increasing in US, expert warns  Former White House adviser says dangerous coronavirus variant is 'like COVID on steroids'  People hospitalized with COVID-19 now have one overwhelming thing in common. They're not vaccinated.  Amid COVID-19 reopening, many Californians keeping masks on  How are health experts handling California's reopening? University of California says COVID-19 vaccines mandatory  CDC to discuss reports of heart inflammation in young people after COVID-19 vaccines With guest host Sharon McNary GUEST: Shruti Gohil, M.D., professor of medicine and associate medical director for epidemiology and infection prevention at UC Irvine's School of Medicine

Today on AirTalk, we get the latest on the movement to save the Salton Sea. Also on the show, we learn about historic LGBTQ landmarks in Los Angeles; and more.

When many people think about LGBTQ history in the United States, they cast their minds to New York City, where the history and mythologies around Stonewall and activist groups like ACT UP loom large. But Los Angeles has long been a hotbed for queer resistance and activism as well. A decade before Stonewall, gay and trans people warded off a police raid of a downtown LA donut shop by flinging donuts and coffee cups at the officers trying to detain them, prompting the officers to flee and return with reinforcements. In central LA, Jewel's Catch One operated for decades as a hub for the city's Black LGBTQ community. Meanwhile, at the Reverend Troy Perry's former home in Huntington Park, the reverend founded an LGBTQ church that officiated what Time Magazine dubbed the first public gay wedding in the country in 1968. Los Angeles' queer history is colorful and diverse, but records are difficult to keep and local archives still struggle to make a record of the people who have long made up the community. Today on AirTalk, we're hearing more about some of Los Angeles' most significant LGBTQ landmarks and histories. Do you have a favorite site of LGBTQ history or community in LA? We want to hear from you! Give us a call at 866-893-5722. With guest host Sharon McNary Guests: Arit John, lifestyle reporter for the Los Angeles Times and co-author of the piece “20 landmarks that underscore L.A.'s pivotal role in the fight for LGBTQ rights”; she tweets @aritbenie Joseph Hawkins, director of ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives at the University of Southern California (USC), which is the largest repository of LGBTQ materials in the world

Salton Sea water levels continue to go down and that poses a number of problems for nearby communities and the organisms living in the water. A number of proposals being considered are focusing on the idea of importing seawater across the state's desert to solve the problem.  Environment reporter Mark Odalde's new piece looks at the proposed plans. The California Natural Resources Agency is tasked with coming with a long-term fix, but the deadline is approaching. Odalde says the agency owes the state a plan by the end of 2022.  Today on AirTalk, we break down what's happening with the Salton Sea, the proposals being considered and the various implications. Do you have questions? Join the conversation by calling 866-893-5722.   We reached out to the California Natural Resources Agency, but the agency was unable to make someone available for an interview. With guest host Sharon McNary Guests:  Mark Olalde, environment reporter for ProPublica's Southwest office, his piece is “Clock is ticking on dreams of saving Salton Sea with water from Mexico's Sea of Cortez;” he tweets @MarkOlalde Michael Cohen, a senior researcher at the Oakland-based Pacific Institute, a think tank that focuses on water conservation issues Timothy Bradley, professor emeritus of ecology and evolutionary biology at UC Irvine; he has been working on issues related to the Salton Sea and salt lakes for decades  

Today on AirTalk, we discuss LA's reopening and the latest COVID-19 news. Also on the show, we learn about the status of summer work; break down how the Buy Nothing Project took off on Facebook; and more.

If you're on Facebook, then you might be familiar with Buy Nothing groups.  These are hyper local groups where neighbors can give away goods or services for free. And you'll see all sorts of things on there: bikes, dog walking offers, used lamps and desks and even half-eaten cakes. The Buy Nothing Project was started in 2013 by two women from Washington state, and according to their site, they now have groups in forty-four different countries. And the founders have said that the movement isn't just about recycling, it's also a way to tighten communities and establish a gifting economy. We dive into the Buy Nothing Project, as well as its evolution and impact. With guest host Sharon McNary Guests: Foram Mehta, journalist and content developer who wrote the piece “The ‘Buy Nothing' Groups on Facebook Are What Humanity Needs Right Now” Nayantara Dutta, culture journalist who wrote the Vox piece “Neighbors are gathering online to give and get the things they need right now"; she tweets @nayantaradutta

Owning a peacock was once considered a status symbol, particularly around the turn of the twentieth century. Elias J, "Lucky" Baldwin, founder of Arcadia, imported several pairs of peafowl—known colloquially as peacocks—from India to his Santa Anita Ranchero in 1879. Since then, peafowl have roamed the streets of San Gabriel Valley and even Palos Verdes, which has resumed its bird trapping. Most recently, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors drafted an ordinance last Tuesday prohibiting the intentional feeding of the bird.  While peafowl may be a sight to see in all its colorful plumage, some folks are not happy about the birds showing up in neighborhoods. The increase in sightings may be due to a virulent Newcastle disease that has caused them to quarantine in residential areas, the Washington Post reports. Furthermore, efforts to relocate the birds have been delayed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Today on AirTalk, we discuss the history of the peafowl in Southern California and explore why the area is so ideal for the birds to settle in. Are these colorfully feathered birds a pretty sight for the eye or more of an eyesore in your community? Give us a call at (866) 893-5722. With guest host Sharon McNary Guests:  Kimball Garrett, ornithology collections manager at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County Richard Schulhof, CEO of the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden

We've talked a lot on AirTalk about how companies and employees are planning their returns to working in the office. Many employers are exploring the possibility of allowing workers to continue to work on a hybrid schedule where they'd come to the office on some days and work from home on others. But as these companies and workers grapple with that issue, the businesses that are inside of or surrounding those office buildings and business parks have to wrestle with a problem of their own -- fewer people working in the office means fewer customers coming through for coffee in the morning, lunch in the afternoon, or services on the way home from work.  So, how have these businesses survived through the pandemic when most everyone is working from home, and what do they plan to do if the employees they usually service aren't coming back to the office? KPCC & LAist business and economy reporter David Wagner has been talking to local business owners that rely heavily on office worker traffic, and he joins us today on AirTalk to share what he's found. With guest host Sharon McNary Guests: David Wagner, KPCC/LAist reporter covering business and the economy Brittney Valles, owner of Guerilla Tacos in downtown Los Angeles

Working at an ice cream shop, a movie theater concession stand, up in a lifeguard tower— for many young people, seasonal work is a reality of an American summer. Summer jobs are a way young people save money for school, help their families out financially, or just make some extra cash to fund their summer plans. On the flip side, some employers rely on seasonal labor to help staff their businesses. Last summer, lockdowns and layoffs largely kept teenagers away from summer jobs, especially in retail and hospitality. But with vaccines now available to young people and record low COVID-19 rates in many parts of the country, seasonal jobs are coming back— at least partially. While jobs in retail and hospitality are quickly expanding once again, young people interested in white-collar and research-oriented positions are finding that competition for those jobs is fiercer than ever, making professional development tough.  Today on AirTalk, we're learning more about the status of summer work for young people. Are you looking for summer work, or the parent of a teen who is? We want to hear about your experience! Give us a call at 866-893-5722. With guest host Sharon McNary Guest: Krithika Varagur, columnist at the Wall Street Journal; she tweets @krithikavaragur